The Battle of Mogadishu: Firsthand Accounts from the Men of Task Force Ranger

Book Description

“No matter how skilled the writer of nonfiction, you are always getting the story secondhand. Here’s a chance to go right to the source. . . . These men were there.”
–MARK BOWDEN (from the Foreword)

It started as a mission to capture a Somali warlord. It turned into a disastrous urban firefight and death-defying rescue operation that shocked the world and rattled a great nation. Now the 1993 battle for Mogadishu, Somalia–the incident that was the basis of the book and film Black Hawk Down–is remembered by the men who fought and survived it. Six of the best in our military recall their brutal experiences and brave contributions in these never-before-published, firstperson accounts.

“Operation Gothic Serpent,” by Matt Eversmann: As a “chalk” leader, Eversmann was part of the first group of Rangers to “fast rope” from the Black Hawk helicopters. It was his chalk that suffered the first casualty of the battle.

“Sua Sponte: Of Their Own Accord,” by Raleigh Cash: Responsible for controlling and directing fire support for the platoon, Cash entered the raging battle in the ground convoy sent to rescue his besieged brothers in arms.

“Through My Eyes,” by Mike Kurth: One of only two African Americans in the battle, Kurth confronted his buddies’ deaths, realizing that “the only people whom I had let get anywhere near me since I was a child were gone.”

“What Was Left Behind,” by John Belman: He roped into the biggest firefight of the battle and considers some of the mistakes that were made, such as using Black Hawk helicopters to provide sniper cover.

“Be Careful What You Wish For,” by Tim Wilkinson: He was one of the Air Force pararescuemen or PJs–the highly trained specialists for whom “That Others May Live” is no catchphrase but a credo–and sums up his incomprehensible courage as “just holding up my end of the deal on a bad day.”

“On Friendship and Firefights,” by Dan Schilling: As a combat controller, he was one of the original planners for the deployment of SOF forces to Mogadishu in the spring of 1993. During the battle, he survived the initial assault and carnage of the vehicle convoys only to return to the city to rescue his two closest friends, becoming, literally, “Last Out.”

With America’s withdrawal from Somalia an oft-cited incitement to Osama bin Laden, it is imperative to revisit this seminal military mission and learn its lessons from the men who were there and, amazingly, are still here.

From the Hardcover edition.

Customer Reviews:

The Book and the movie are different.......2007-07-27

I really enjoyed this book! I read it in one week because it was so interesting when I started reading it I couldn't put it down. One thing that really grabbed my attention vividly is that when the troops in Somalia went out on patrol they said that when the Somalian's saw that there were Americians in the streets they would stop fighting each other and turn thier attention toward the Americans and start firing at them!

After I read this book, I couldn't watch the movie anymore because the book and the movie are somewhat different. It's kind of hard to watch the movie and see events unfold that didn't actually happen. For instance, the movie portrays Eversman as being in the stronghold with Kurth and some of the other Rangers all night after securing the Super 61 crash site and maybe I missed it somewhere in the book but I don't remember reading that. From what I read, Eversman went back to the airport after the hostage snatch. The movie is more "Hollywood" I think although the movie is very good but I think Eversman's version is told more accurately and more detailed. I really enjoyed it!

A worthy addition to Black Hawk Down........2007-04-01

This is a nice addition to the Black Hawk Down book and movie. Basically it is the story of six soldiers who were part of the battle in 1993. Yes, this book is not Black Hawk Down, but it does provide additional insight into this battle. I thought the six authors did well in providing their own picture of the battle. All six had different perspectives on what happened and this is shown through their stories.

If you have one book to read about this battle, it would be Black Hawk Down. However, this is a nice addition for those interested in knowing further info on this infamous battle.

not very good, and short..........2006-07-06

the title pretty much says it all. read blackhawk down instead...

The Battle.......2006-07-06

This book is made of many firsthand accounts of soldiers who were there. It is good supplementry reading to Mark Bowden's Black Hawk Down.

Why?.......2006-06-07

I don't understand the purpose of this book. The six authors all had their story told in Black Hawk Down already. These stories sound like the boring extended scene versions, whereas Bowden only used the highlights of their actions to better convey the intensity of what happened.

Only one author, Dan Schilling, rose above the cliches and bland writing of the others to write a great story. Interestingly, his chapter is the last one in the book as if the editor knew to save the best for last. His story is the only one with depth and feeling.

I respect these guys as soldiers, but as authors they have a long way to go.

The Battle of Mogadishu : Firsthand Accounts from the Men of Task Force Ranger

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The Battle of Mogadishu : Firsthand Accounts from the Men of Task Force Ranger
Matt Eversmann
Manufacturer: Presidio Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OVJTDY

The Battle of Mogadishu: Firsthand Accounts From the Men of Task Force Ranger.: An article from: Infantry Magazine

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The Battle of Mogadishu: Firsthand Accounts From the Men of Task Force Ranger.: An article from: Infantry Magazine
Youssef Aboul-Enein
Manufacturer: Thomson Gale
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

General | Science | Subjects | Books

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Book Description

This digital document is an article from Infantry Magazine, published by Thomson Gale on November 1, 2004. The length of the article is 554 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: The Battle of Mogadishu: Firsthand Accounts From the Men of Task Force Ranger.
Author: Youssef Aboul-Enein
Publication: Infantry Magazine (Magazine/Journal)
Date: November 1, 2004
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 93 Issue: 6 Page: 52(1)

Distributed by Thomson Gale

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The Battle of Mogadishu Firsthand Accounts From the Men of Task Force Ranger
edited by Eversmann Matt and Dan Schilling
Manufacturer: Ballantine
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000UEX4ZE

Book Description

No Regrets is a candid memoir of a controversial social and medical reformer, Ben Reitman, written by a daughter who struggled to uncover her family's hidden past-searching in letters and family records for the secrets of her long-dead father and the women who had loved him. The book chronicles Reitman's complex relationships with several women including Emma Goldman and the author's own mother. The pain, confusion, idealism, brilliance, and destructiveness in Reitman's life are illustrated with excerpts from Reitman's personal letters.

Customer Reviews:

Thoughts from Mission, texas.......2006-02-28

I thought "No Regrets" by Mecca Carpenter was quite readable.
It covered the anarchists movement,Emma Goldman & Dr Reitman's
many affairs very well.This was a time when there was no unions,
birth controll was illegal & prostitution was legal.Free love was shocking.Many changes took place.Ben Reitman was right in the middle.He enjoyed change & shocking people.He was faithful only to his Mother.He broke many womens heart.The smart ones moved on as he did.He is a good example of the kind of man to
avoid romantically.I enjoyed the book.
Vicki Kapp

Kinda' dull.......2005-06-14

For such an interesting man living in such turbulent times as the '20s and '30s in Chicago, this was kinda' dull. Reitman's daughter disects many letters to & from Reitman but really doesn't get into an indepth study of the man--or the times. It's basically just a superficial gloss-over of his many lovers (and there were a lot!)

The author could have used a better editor--she jumps around quite a bit, making statements that aren't followed up.

I kept wondering what drove him to do the things he did--and how he became involved in his diverse causes. You'll never know by reading this book.

Too bad--he could be a very interesting subject that sheds light on a controversial political and social movement in this country.

A good book about an interesting man!.......1999-11-29

I didn't know anything about Ben Reitman until a friend gave me this book. It is a true story about a man who preached social responsibility but lived a reckless, insensitive, and destructive life. Mrs. Reitman-Carpenter's book is also a contradiction -- a real combination of scholarship, historical accuracy, and a good, captivating story. I learned about hobos, whorehouses, birth control, and a whole cross-section of topics in early twentieth-century history. Mrs. Reitman-Carpenter's emotional relationship to her subject fills the book with energy. She makes the reader feel as though he/she actually met Ben Reitman. Was he a hero or an anti-hero? He was a living example of the wave of heroic radicals which dominated artistic movements at the start of the twentieth century. He reminded me vividly of "Bazarov" from Turgenev's "Fathers and Sons". This book can be read for fun, or to learn about US history. The provocative topics which are brought up on practically every page stimulate the reader to open his/her mind and reconsider prejudices on controversial issues. The diligent scholarship, the high quality of the pictures, and the brilliantly clear prose are three good reasons to read this book!

Carpenter provides a nuanced view of Reitman's love life........1999-10-01

In her biography of her father, Mecca Reitman Carpenter effectively rescues Ben Reitman from Emma Goldman's longstanding portrayal of him as a blindly promiscuous, self-indulgent libertine. While she does not always sympathize with his treatment of the women in his life, Carpenter's examination of the unpublished letters of several of the women who loved him, including those written by her mother, provides a nuanced view of these relationships. Her portrait of her mother is especially instructive and engaging. Medina Oliver Reitman's dry wit and her unshakable sense of self-direction are both endearing and admirable. While she was ostensibly apolitical, unmoved by the radical social and sexual philosophies of her contemporaries, she is the best embodiment of the "New Woman" of the twentieth century in fact or fiction that I've come across.

Average customer rating:

Must have for the newly diagnosed

OASIS Guide to Asperger Syndrome....

Excellent Resource for AS!

Oasis Guide to Asperger Syndrome

Not what I expected

The OASIS Guide to Asperger Syndrome: Completely Revised and Updated: Advice, Support, Insight, and Inspiration
Patricia Romanowski Bashe , Barbara L. Kirby , Simon Baron-Cohen , and Tony Attwood
Manufacturer: Crown
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Mental Health | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
Autism & Asperger's Syndrome | Children's Health | Personal Health | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
Special Needs Children | Children's Health | Personal Health | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
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Asperger's Syndrome: A Guide for Parents and Professionals

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The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome

ASIN: 1400081521
Release Date: 2005-03-29

Book Description

Asperger Syndrome has become an increasingly common disorder. One in 300 individuals may have AS—exhibiting characteristics such as average to high intelligence, obsessive behavior, intense special interests, and difficulty dealing with everyday social situations—and it is now more prevalent than childhood cancer and Down’s syndrome.

As the mother of a boy diagnosed with AS in 1994, Barbara Kirby found scant resources and support. She developed the internationally renowned OASIS (Online Asperger Syndrome Information and Support) Web site in 1995 to help other parents find the information they need. She teamed up with Patricia Romanowski Bashe, now co-owner of OASIS and herself the mother of a son with AS, to write The OASIS Guide to Asperger Syndrome, which has become the standout authority in the field and a must-have for this growing audience.

Now Bashe and Kirby have crafted a fully revised edition of this comprehensive resource for parents, teachers, therapists, and anyone who knows or works with someone with AS. In addition to discussing what AS looks like and how parents can guide their unique child through the social, emotional, and intellectual challenges of growing up, this edition includes new developments made in AS research over the past four years, new thinking on diagnosis and evaluation, the latest approaches to medication and social skills development, and tips on navigating the maze of interventions, therapies, and special education. The authors know firsthand the joys and frustrations of raising children with AS, and they share their own experiences as well as those of dozens of parents facing the same issues.

Filled with practical information and emotional support, this is the most complete and authoritative guide available. Whether your child has been diagnosed or troubling symptoms are just becoming apparent, this book will point you in the right direction as you face the particular challenges of loving and raising a child with Asperger Syndrome.

Customer Reviews:

Must have for the newly diagnosed.......2007-09-17

Very informative. Very detailed. This is a must have for Parents just starting to discover Aspergers.

OASIS Guide to Asperger Syndrome...........2007-09-15

This is an excellent resource book. A must have for family members dealing with Asperger Syndrome!

Excellent Resource for AS!.......2007-05-07

This book is a definite addition to any parent's resource library on AS. It is comprehensive and has so much to offer, that it can't be digested in one read. It must be referred to over and over again. Should be purchased for pediatricians, school counselors and anyone who comes in frequent contact with your AS child. The entire family should read this to better understand the AS child.

Oasis Guide to Asperger Syndrome.......2007-03-24

This book has helped me understand how difficult it is for someone with AS. It is everything that it says it is and more, my husband and I were feeling so hopeless and unsure of the next step. This book explained everything good and bad without sugar coating it.
Now when we run into a stumbling block I turn to the Oasis Book.

Not what I expected.......2007-03-09

Asperger Syndrome is a lot more subtle than the book would seem to indicate. Yes, Asperger is related to autism, but it is hardly the debilitating issue that this book would seem to imply.

This book makes it look like only children are diagnosed with this and have a seriously debilitating disorder as a result. AS is rarely such a disabling disorder and many people are never diagnosed with it except through adult counseling.

The information, though suspect because of the range of disability, is still very good and very well presented.

The OASIS Guide to Asperger Syndrome: Advice, Support, Insight, and Inspiration

Average customer rating:

I saw my daughter so clearly!!!
Saved Our Family
Look for the Revised Edition of this book
We wouldn't have had a diagnosis if it weren't for this book
the best Asperger's book I've read!

The OASIS Guide to Asperger Syndrome: Advice, Support, Insight, and Inspiration
Patricia Romanowski Bashe , and Barbara L. Kirby
Manufacturer: Crown
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Accessories:

philosophy hope in a jar daily moisturizer

ASIN: 0609608118
Release Date: 2001-11-13

Book Description

Whether your child has been diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome or troubling symptoms are just becoming apparent, this book will guide you in the right direction.

AS manifests itself in an array of characteristics, including average to high intelligence, obsessive behavior, intense special interests, and difficulty dealing with everyday social situations. Children with AS often have trouble processing and expressing emotions appropriately; they may be physically awkward or have unique learning styles. This can lead to isolation, inappropriate educational placement, misdiagnosis, and high risk for anxiety, depression, and even suicide.

As a parent of a boy diagnosed with AS in 1994, Barbara Kirby found scant resources and support. She developed the award-winning OASIS (Online Asperger Syndrome Information and Support) Web site in l995 to help other parents find the information they need. She teamed up with Patricia Romanowski Bashe, now co-owner of OASIS and herself the mother of a son with AS, to write The OASIS Guide to Asperger Syndrome, the most complete resource for parents and teachers of children with AS.

Romanowski Bashe and Kirby have gathered the most up-to-date information from leading AS authorities, including Dr. Tony Attwood, who wrote the foreword. They know firsthand the joys and frustrations of raising children with AS, and they share their own experiences as well as those of dozens of parents facing the same challenges. You’ll learn what AS looks like and how it is diagnosed; how parents can accept and work with the diagnosis; what interventions, therapies, and medications are available; how to navigate through the school system, including the ins and outs of special ed; how parents can raise their unique child, guiding him or her through the social, emotional, and intellectual challenges on the way to adulthood. The authors’ surveys of thousands of parents of kids with AS spotlight and address concerns you doubtless share. This practical, sympathetic guide will help you face the particular challenges of loving and raising a child with AS.

Customer Reviews:

I saw my daughter so clearly!!!.......2005-08-23

From the first page I couldn't believe that she was describing my daughter to a tee. All of the other information and books on Asperger's was so rigid that my daughter did not fit their ideal of Asperger's, yet she fit most of it. But, because of this book I could see my daughter completely. I am about to re-read it. It's a library book but I will be soon ordering my own copy and telling her therapist who have no clue about Asperger's about it as well.

Saved Our Family.......2005-04-08

This isn't a book, it is a "good deed" (no, make that GREAT deed). And even that isn't high enough praise. Page by page, we have found answers to dozens of questions that we have been asking, but previously finding no answers. We went to therapists, psychiatrists & psychologists, but until Barbara & Patricia came along with this book, our family was sinking fast.
We are buying additional copies to give to family members and for the staff where our kid goes to school.

Look for the Revised Edition of this book.......2005-04-03

I'm the co-author of this book and I'd like to recommend that
visitors purchase our revised edition: THE OASIS GUIDE TO ASPERGER SYNDROME: COMPLETELY REVISED AND UPDATED which became available March 29, 2005.

Click on one of the authors names above and you'll be led to the newest edition.

-Barb Kirby
OASIS

We wouldn't have had a diagnosis if it weren't for this book.......2004-11-01

What an eye-opening experience it was for me to finally find an explaination to my son's behaviors! Wow, we would have been stuck with an AS child being treated for ADHD and still having no success in the social adjustments.

The first night we recieved our book, my husband and I stayed up half the night screeming, "Look at this . . . This is my son"! It set us on our way to see a specialist that knew something more than our family pediatrician did about this neurological complex.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, AND THANKS AGAIN!!!

the best Asperger's book I've read!.......2004-03-28

My son was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome two years ago. Of the 5-6 books devoted to Asperger's which I have read, this book is by far the BEST! It is very readable and easy for the layperson to understand and digest. Issues that were barely mentioned in other AS reference books were given time and space in the OASIS book.

The Oasis Guide to Asperger Syndrome: Advice, Support, Insights, and Inspiration

Average customer rating:

The Oasis Guide to Asperger Syndrome: Advice, Support, Insights, and Inspiration
Patricia Romanowski; Kirby, Barbara L. Bashe
Manufacturer: Crown Pub
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000NP8DE2

Book Description

Sri Lanka is one of the least known of the world's great civilizations, dating back over 2,500 years. With its rich ethnic stew-dominant ethnic identities are Singhalese, Tamil, and Muslim-and rich, ancient agriculture, this tear-drop shaped island in the Indian Ocean hides one of the most amazing and little-known cuisines in the world. Here, two noted writers have explored Sri Lanka and returned with 60 extraordinary recipes that capture the breadth and depth of Sri Lankan cuisine. Presented in a clear, easy-to-follow style, and captured in elegant photographs, these recipes include the national favorite, String Hoppers, as well as Green Prawn Curry, Beef Ball Curry, Mango Curry, and Coconut Toffee. With asides on colonial influences on the island and its cuisine, this book also offers a complete chapter on tea. A great book for arm-chair adventurers as well as seasoned cooks, The Food of Sri Lanka delivers an authentic taste of one of the world 's most remarkable lands.

Average customer rating:

Pretty Good Guide - But needs more non-fiction titles

Official Price Guide to Books, 5th Edition

REVIEW OF OFFICIAL PRICE GUIDE TO GUIDE, 5TH EDITION

If you're a book collector or bookseller, you need this book

A Fair Contribution to the Literature of Literature.

Official Price Guide to Books, 5th Edition (Official Price Guide to Books)
Marie Tedford , and Pat Goudey
Manufacturer: House of Collectibles
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Books | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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Selling Used Books Online: The Complete Guide to Bookselling at Amazon's Marketplace and Other Online Sites

ASIN: 0375720979
Release Date: 2005-03-08

Book Description

Books are some of the oldest and most distinguished collectibles—the newly revised, fifth edition of The Official® Price Guide to Books reflects the current marketplace with new books and prices!

•This guide prices everything from rare signed first editions of The Wizard of Oz to today's Harry Potter blockbusters.

•Contains information on popular genres, care and repair, research resources, Internet sites, dealers, and auction houses.

Customer Reviews:

Pretty Good Guide - But needs more non-fiction titles.......2007-05-12

I sell used books on eBay and bought this to bring with me when I go to estate and garage sales. I tend to find and make more money with Non-fiction and this book is heavily weighted to fiction. But it's a pretty good resource none the less.

Official Price Guide to Books, 5th Edition.......2007-02-17

The book is in excellent condition and I received it well packaged and quickly.

REVIEW OF OFFICIAL PRICE GUIDE TO GUIDE, 5TH EDITION.......2006-07-25

Honestly, I was a little disappointed with this book. I thought it would go more into depth about how to recognize an older valuable book. It was just a list of "valuable books, and what they sold for on the Internet."
I thought the book would explain how to recognize a valuable book.

If you're a book collector or bookseller, you need this book.......2006-01-31

This book's extensive guide to collectible book pricing is fascinating and valuable in itself, but what I enjoyed even more was the numerous interviews with longtime book dealers. These interviews, sprinkled throughout the book, provide a keen insight into today's out-of-print bookselling and collectibles market. Of course, the experts disagree on some points, but that is all part of the fun -- you get to decide what makes the best sense for you, and apply those ideas to your own book-hunting adventures.

This guide also thoroughly covers genre collecting, the care and repair of books, and includes a glossary and references to many additional sources of information.

So whether you're a book auctioneer, bookshop owner, an online dealer, or simply a lover of collectible fiction or nonfiction treasures, I'd recommend that you read this book from cover to cover and put it on your shelf for future reference. When I read this book a few months ago, I found myself underlining a few paragraphs on nearly every page. It will give you a finer appreciation of how the Internet has opened up a whole new world of possibilities for book collectors and dealers alike.

A Fair Contribution to the Literature of Literature........2006-01-30

This book was interesting for the many pages of listings of collectible books with descriptions, prices, etc. The first 1/4 which is text was incredibly basic to the point of being trite.

Average customer rating:

Review of The New Generation of Japanese Swordsmiths

Another MUST HAVE book!!!

All I can say is WOW!

the new generation of japanese swordsmiths

The New Generation of Japanese Swordsmiths
Tamio Tsuchiko
Manufacturer: Kodansha International
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Uniforms | Military | History | Subjects | Books
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The Japanese Sword: A Comprehensive Guide (Japanese Arts Library)

ASIN: 4770028547

Book Description

Unparalleled in its deadly cutting power, strength, and enduring elegance, the Japanese sword is a triumph of both technical merit and mythical appeal. For a thousand years the Japanese sword was the linchpin of the warrior class, the mainstay of social order, and the definitive weapon on the
battlefield.

Now incongruous with modern warfare and society, its practical role has been consigned to history. But the sword has retained its artistic and symbolic power. Most of the qualities that are considered aesthetically pleasing in the sword, from the intricate patterns on the steel itself to the blade's
characteristic curvature, derive from its function as a weapon. The sword must embody both lightness and durability, and the blade requires a toughness that is not too brittle or its effectiveness as a weapon would be compromised. The perfect harmony of these conflicting elements characterizes the
swordsmith's art.

The history of swordmaking was interrupted in the wake of World War II, when the occupying forces banned all activities associated with the Japanese sword. Many of the old swords were destroyed and, for those remaining, their status as weapons was changed forever. Today's working craftsmen form a
new chapter in this history as they revive the art form and find a vital, meaningful role for the sword in modern society.

In this insightful volume, noted sword expert, journalist, and editor, Tamio Tsuchiko, explores the world of gendaito, visiting its practitioners and sharing views and ideas. Through close-up interviews with twenty gendai-tosho, and dialogues between smiths and polishers, Tsuchiko presents the
reader with a fascinating and enriching array of experiences, theories, and reflections from those at the forefront of modern sword craftsmanship, as they take this ancient art into purely aesthetic directions. Never before has such a thorough and illuminating study of this kind emerged.

The book is divided into three parts, the first of which provides a context of sword history, from the types of blades, their respective periods, and the prominent styles of workmanship. This will primarily be of interest to specialists. Diagrams accompany explanations of key terminology, which can
be cross-referenced in a detailed glossary and index.

The centerpiece of The New Generation of Japanese Swordsmiths, however, hinges on part two, in which Tsuchiko visits twenty gendai-tosho, revealing their thoughts, experiences, and aims, and providing the reader with the most comprehensive discourse on gendaito to appear in English.

In part three, Tsuchiko presents in-depth interviews with three of the leading figures of the sword society: Akitsugu Amata (Living National Treasure swordsmith); Kokan Nagayama (Living National Treasure sword polisher); and Mitsuo Shibata (Japan's most influential sword dealer). Each offers his own
unique insight into the dynamic and changing picture of gendaito.

Including over one hundred photographs of the artists and their most recent creations, this will be an important addition to the libraries of collectors, craftsmen and sword aficionados, as well as those with a more general interest in Japanese weaponry.

Customer Reviews:

Review of The New Generation of Japanese Swordsmiths.......2007-07-22

This is an excellent book for the novice and high-end collector alike. If you own, study or are interested in the Japanese Sword, then you must add this volume to your library. This is about the lives and work of 20 top swordsmiths of Japan, their craft, methods,insights and open discussions about shinsakuto, the modern day Japanese Sword, forged only in the rigid standards of the old school smiths.

Another MUST HAVE book!!!.......2006-02-21

This book interviews twenty blade smiths and also has interviews with polishers, too!

The reader will be enriched by the thoughts and experiences of these craftsmen and gain a greater appreciation for their craft.

This is a great reference book for anyone studying or even remotely interested in modern Nihon-to and classical Nihon-to.

All I can say is WOW!.......2004-01-14

This book is going to be one of those books that will become legendary in the nihonto world. A very facinating look into todays up and coming smiths, their work, and where they see the future of the sword is going. An absolute must for the library, and an excellent resource for nihonto collectors!

the new generation of japanese swordsmiths.......2003-10-14

An excellant companion book to any study of mondern Nihon-to and classical Nihon-to. Detailed descriptions of swords, and great biographical material on the smiths. The son of Yoshihara Yohindo, who wrote "The Craft of the Japanese Sword", is among those interviewed. He has become a respected & licensed smith since his father's book was published in 1985.

I own this book. One of the 1st bought when i started my studies of Nihon-to.

Average customer rating:
The New Generation of Japanese Swordsmiths
Kenji Mishina Tamio Tsuchiko
Manufacturer: NY
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000MU7FYW

Average customer rating:
Common Sense Parenting: A Practical Approach from Boys Town
Raymond V. Burke
Manufacturer: Father Flanagan Boys Home
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0938510339

Book Description

Russell Simmons, the original and eternal hip-hop mogul, is one of the most innovative and influential figures in modern American business and culture. When no one outside of inner-city New York had even heard of hip-hop, Simmons saw the seeds of a global force that would change the way people talk, dress, listen to music, and choose the heroes they hang on their walls. Today, he oversees a sprawling, multimillion-dollar empire of culture-defining businesses in everything from music to fashion, advertising to film, and media to visual art. At the same time he’s broadened his interests and influence and pushed hip-hop to new plateaus of power and relevance. Life and Def is a one-of-a-kind tale that interweaves the remarkable journey of Russell Simmons with the story of the culture he’s transformed and been transformed by.

In his own brash, compelling voice, Simmons chronicles his numerous business successes and occasional failures. He tells the story of the founding of the legendary Def Jam Records, whose roster stretches from original rap icons like L.L. Cool J, Public Enemy, and the Beastie Boys to today’s top stars, including Jay-Z and DMX. He traces the launching of Def Comedy Jam, the long-running hit television series that introduced a new generation of black comedic stars to America, from Martin Lawrence and Bill Bellamy to Bernie Mac and Chris Rock. He spins hilarious tales of his adventures in Hollywood, where he’s produced hit movies like Eddie Murphy’s The Nutty Professor and worked with quirky geniuses like Abel Ferrara. He also tells the story of Phat Farm, the wildly successful pioneering urban clothing label whose origins lay in Russell’s longtime fascination with fashion (and fashion models).

Simmons’s story is also one of personal transformation, from the driven man who in the heady days of early success indulged himself with drugs, sex, and world-class decadence to the husband and father he is today, a man who has found meaning in activism, philanthropy, and spiritual practice while never losing his passion for the social, political, artistic, and commercial potential of hip-hop.

Through it all he relates telling anecdotes about the characters he’s dealt with: models and gangsters, street poets and gurus, and major players like Donald Trump, Sean Combs, Jon Peters, and Tupac Shakur. Full of advice, opinions, and behind-the-scenes scoop, Life and Def is the story of the quintessential hip-hop life.

From the Hardcover edition.

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Today, he oversees a sprawling, multimillion-dollar empire of culture-defining businesses in everything from music to fashion, advertising to film, and media to visual art. At the same time he's broadened his interests and influence and pushed hip-hop to new plateaus of power and relevance. Life and Def is a one-of-a-kind tale that interweaves the remarkable journey of Russell Simmons with the story of the culture he's transformed and been transformed by.

In his own brash, compelling voice, Simmons chronicles his numerous business successes and occasional failures. He tells the story of the founding of the legendary Def Jam Records, whose roster stretches from original rap icons like L.L. Cool J, Public Enemy, and the Beastie Boys to today's top stars, including Jay-Z and DMX. He traces the launching of Def Comedy Jam, the long-running hit television series that introduced a new generation of black comedic stars to America, from Martin Lawrence and Bill Bellamy to Bernie Mac and Chris Rock. He spins hilarious tales of his adventures in Hollywood, where he's produced hit movies like Eddie Murphy's The Nutty Professor and worked with quirky geniuses like Abel Ferrara. He also tells the story of Phat Farm, the wildly successful pioneering urban clothing label whose origins lay in Russell's longtime fascination with fashion (and fashion models).

Simmons's story is also one of personal transformation, from the driven man who in the heady days of early success indulged himself with drugs, sex, and world-class decadence to the husband and father he is today, a man who has found meaning in activism, philanthropy, and spiritual practice while never losing his passion for the social, political, artistic, and commercial potential of hip-hop.

Through it all he relates telling anecdotes about the characters he's dealt with: models and gangsters, street poets and gurus, and major players like Donald Trump, Sean Combs, Jon Peters, and Tupac Shakur. Full of advice, opinions, and behind-the-scenes scoop, Life and Def is the story of the quintessential hip-hop life.

"Russell and I both grew up in Queens -- geographically only a few miles from each other, yet worlds apart. Life and Def is Russell's Art of the Deal, and although his route to fame and fortune could not have been more different than mine, it's an unbelievably fascinating and provocative account that I found hard to put down. Russell is a winner!"
    DONALD TRUMP

Customer Reviews:

On Russell Simmons' Life.......2007-06-01

A great book but you should know: the Vibe Mag quote at the top "...Learn how the godfather of hip hop did it...." only applies to a small portion of the book. For a book that fulfills this promise, check out: Hip Hop Inc (Richard Oliver)

A great book!.......2007-04-18

Life and Def is a great book that shows that you can do anything if you try. This book is about Russell Simmons who lived in Queens, New York. He had an decent life and his parents were well-educated people but he still got sucked into the street life. He was a drug dealer on 205th street. He sold many different drugs though out his drug career but his main drug that he sold was marijuana. Russell Simmons was one of the first hip-hop promoters ever. He now owns big companies such as Phat Farm. He also has a share of Def Jam records and is a member of the rap group Run DMC. Russell Simmons is a remarkable person because he made something out of himself even though he made bad choices when he was a kid. I gave this book four stars because of his excellent writing as he shares the details of his childhood.

A look at the soft side of Russell Simmons.......2006-01-18

Like you, I always thought Russell Simmons was a bigger than life, take no prisoners kind of personality. Who knew that Russell is as sensitive as Oscar Wilde and as munificient as Greg Louganis? Oh sure, he acts all tough in interviews, but this book peels away the layers and shows that Russell's heart beats just like yours and mine -- maybe more -- definitely better.

For example, did you know that Mr. Simmons was voted "Top Alto" in his high school glee club? Did you also know he was the ghost writer of "Wind Beneath My Wings"? What about the notion that Russell Simmons will never tip less than 14% -- even if the service is bad?

And what really suprised me, is that he curiously names REO Speedwagon as the band he admires the most.

I salute you Mr. Simmons and hope that this is just the first of his many, many super intelligent and unbelievably insightful self-serving books.

Informative Guide For Hip-Hop Music Moguls.......2005-05-29

I've read this book once all throughout, and now I'm in my second reading highlighting key points Russell Simmons had made during the course of his writing.

If you are an independent rap or hiphop artist (hell, ANY independent music artist) or got plans for starting your own record label, this book is a perfect start for you.

Not that it'll give you direct information regarding how to start your own label, but it will give you an idea of what it takes to be successful out there. What it gave me, as an independent rapper myself (you can see how I choose to implement some of his points into our hip-hop blueprint by checking out my group's site, http://www.audiblemcs.com), are ideas on how to effectively market my music by laying out the Def Jam's blueprint to success.

Several points that Russell Simmons made that I believe is worth mentioning are ::

1.) How you should properly build your audience
2.) What he did to make corporate America and the mainstream to adapt to his standards, not the other way around
3.) What it is about HIS brand of hip-hop that made it so successful
4.) The importance of branding and having your own identity
5.) How he got popular as a show promoter through networking and marketing
6.) How he managed to break one of their first records, "Christmas Rappin" and used it to further their success
7.) The demise of Sugar Hill Records
8.) Why you can't really expect to get rich off selling records (he uses the concept of an album as your calling card to other money generators)
9.) Touches on how him and Rick Rubin ran Def Jam in the earlier days

...and many more valuable industry insights from the words of an established player out there.

Indeed, it does not give you everything you need to know. There are no exact figures, no exact steps on you should take, etc. But that's exactly what the music business is: you cannot copy exactly what another did and expect to succeed on your own. The point of this book is to lay out Def Jam's blueprint to success in the music industry. It is up to you to study it, figure out what it is he did that worked and didn't, and incorporate those success points into your OWN plan.

Not to mention, his 5 lessons in business is something EVERYBODY interested in doing some sort of music-related business should read. Good day.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzz............2005-03-14

At the present time I am being forced to read this book in my Honors Seminar class, and for the life of me, I cannot find why I should enjoy this book as much as my professor does. This book is incredibly boring. My eyelids are heavy and if I did not have a paper to write on this thing, I would throw it to the bottom of my bed (never to open it again) and go to sleep.

For me, this book reads like a transcribed tape. Of course it has an editor, but I really feel like I'm listening to this man talk---which is not always a bad thing. Some [read: better and more interesting] books work well that way, but not this one. This book has me wondering, "why do I care about this?" and "who are these people?" These questions signal that it is very easy for a reader to get lost in the jumble.

Wow, just writing a REVIEW of this book is making me sleepier. Read this if you must. If you have some burning desire to learn more about Russell Simmons, then enjoy.

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Journal of Ecumenical Studies, published by Journal of Ecumenical Studies on March 22, 1998. The length of the article is 612 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: Joseph Rabinowitz and the Messianic Movement: The Herzl of Jewish Christianity.(Review) (book reviews)
Author: Libby Garshowitz
Publication: Journal of Ecumenical Studies (Refereed)
Date: March 22, 1998
Publisher: Journal of Ecumenical Studies
Volume: 35 Issue: 2 Page: 300(2)

Article Type: Book Review

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