Book Description
Bringing together the work of notable historians, political scientists, and sociologists, The Presidential Companion: Readings on the First Ladies offers a collection of essays that demonstrate the political relevance of first ladies throughout U.S. history and the dramatic expansion of their power during the twentieth century. With a foreword by Hillary Clinton's former chief of staff, Melanne Verveer, this anthology fills a gap in scholarship about the position of first lady and reveals the political acumen and activism of a number of the holders of this unofficial executive office.
The contributors reveal how the office has grown in political influence, from Martha Washington's selection of furnishings for the presidential mansion to Hillary Rodham Clinton's leadership of the President's Task Force on National Health Care Reform. They underscore the notion that an understanding of presidential spouses is central to the study of the American presidency. Bringing this second edition up to date are two new chapters on the first ladyship of Laura Bush and on analyzing public perceptions of Hillary Clinton and Laura Bush.
Customer Reviews:
Insightful and revealing essays.......2003-07-26
Collaboratively compiled and edited by Robert P. Watson (Editor of "White House Studies, a journal of scholarship and commentary on the politics and history of the White House) and Anthony J. Eksterowicz (Professor of Political Science at James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia), The Presidential Companion: Readings On The First Ladies is an impressive and informative collection of insightful and revealing essays by a variety of authors concerning the political impact of American presidential wives throughout history upon their husbands, their husbands policy making/implementing colleagues, and the general public. From Martha Washington's selection of furnishings to Hillary Rodham Clinton's leadership of the President's Task Force on National Health Care Reform, The Presidential Companion is unique in its close study. Of particular note is the debunking of the commonly held myth that only Eleanor Roosevelt and the First Ladies after her made significant political contributions to America itself. The Presidential Companion is a scholarly and very highly recommended contribution to American Political Science and Women's Studies reading lists.
Book Description
This digital document is an article from Journal of Southern History, published by Southern Historical Association on August 1, 2004. The length of the article is 555 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 Presidential Companion: Readings on the First Ladies.(Book Review)
Author: Paul T. Armistead
Publication:
Journal of Southern History (Refereed)
Date: August 1, 2004
Publisher: Southern Historical Association
Volume: 70
Issue: 3
Page: 659(2)
Article Type: Book Review
Distributed by Thomson Gale
Average customer rating:
- Searching
- A history of his spirit that's hilarious and moving
|
The King of Kings and I: The Greatest Story Ever Kvetched!
Jaffe Cohen
Manufacturer: Harper San Francisco
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
 Gay
| Biographies & Memoirs
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ASIN: 0062515012 |
Customer Reviews:
Searching.......2006-12-27
Cohen, Jaffe. "The King of Kings and I". Harper, San Francisco, 1997.
Searching
Amos Lassen and Literary Pride
Jaffe Cohen is one of the funniest writers around. After reading "Tush", his new book I went back and reread "The King of Kings and I: The Greatest Story Ever Kvetched" and I am still laughing. The book is a trip through religion, the gay world and parents and is blasphemous all the way through. It's got a sense of humor like nothing you have ever read before and after reading it again, I realize why I loved it so much. Cohen wrote all the things I have always felt but never had the nerve to utter out loud.
Jaffe Cohen is an author and a stand up comic and he is very, very funny. His book is simply the story of how easy it is to get lost in the search for yourself. This memoir is perceptive and hilarious as it takes on religion, sex, the search for meaning and mom and dad. Jaffe begins his saga in Brooklyn where he began life as a little Jew and transports us to his meetings with Christianity. His sexual coming of age is brought into union with his desire to have a more tantalizing supreme being unlike the God of the Old Testament that he learned about in religious school. (His description of God hit me hard as it was so close to the one I used to have--striped robe, long beard and all). When he realized that he was in love with his next door neighbor, he knew that he was indeed gay. He was distraught that his neighbor left him after a night of fun and ran to confess his sins.
Jaffe's college years were spent halfway in the closet as he was afraid of guilt by association because of his activity I musical theater. His brother, a pothead, was the goal of a hitchhiking trip before he ended up as a member of a commune in order to seek inner peace. When that did not work out, he ended up at a Christian prayer meeting where he had a vision of Jesus which so inspired him he went home to convert his parents.
This is a book that has a laugh a line and it is hard to keep reading because of the swiftness of the jokes. Yet it is also a look at what it is for accept his gayness and find peace. The road may be a funny one but beneath the humor there is a great deal of seriousness. If I had not been so lucky to write to Jaffe Cohen after reading his new book, I might have forgotten that "The King of Kings and I" ever existed. Jaffe and I quickly became email buddies and the compassion he showed me for my having endured Katrina gave me a great sense of inner peace. Hopefully he will join us this year for the Arkansas Literary Festival and all of us in Arkansas will be given the chance to laugh with him.
Incidentally, I lent my copy of "The King" to my rabbi as I knew he would enjoy it and he loved it. I expect to hear some of the jokes crop up in his sermons. I had a bit of trouble locating the book but now that I have it, it is not going away. I lost my original copy to Katrina. I don't plan on losing this one.
A history of his spirit that's hilarious and moving.......1997-12-10
Some people write histories of their psyche. Jaffe has written a history of his spirit. It's a must read for anyone who has every asked the big questions and remembers his adolescence with humor and forgiveness.
Book Description
The text is current, concise, and clearly written, with cases at the end of each chapter to illustrate the material.
* An interactive CD lets students test and expand their understanding with multiple-choice questions, key term matching exercises, demonstrations of various concepts and techniques, critical thinking exercise, interactive cases, and videos.
* A dynamic Web site provides test study guides, exercises, games, web testing, relevant articles, from The Wall Street Journal and other sources linked to the text, links to relevant web sites, additional cases, and other materials.
Customer Reviews:
Weak textbook. Recommend find another........2006-11-23
I have to disagree with the majority of other people here. I am an MBA candidate, the MBA being my second Master's degree.
I found this textbook too simplistic in the readings to make a smooth transition to problem-solving (end of chapter problems more complicated than text examples). The text helps you understand concepts, but does not prepare you well to apply skills.
I am surprised at the typographical errors I discovered, considering this is a second edition and credits approximately 100 people with reviewing the book.
I believe the text suffers from haphazard layout in certain passages, seemingly jumping around in an illogical sequence. Many of the pictures are unnecessary fluff. I suggest eliminate side articles. Keep the readings concise; eliminate extraneous material to conserve reading time and reduce costs. The book is overpriced.
Good Book.......2006-03-14
As a new student to accounting I must say I have not decided to give up. This book is excellent and I will recommend this book to anyone whi is going into the accounting field. Good luck
Quick Delivery.......2006-02-25
I was very satisfied with the condition and delivery of my book. I have no complaints.
Finally reading a managerial accounting book is fun.......2006-02-19
I love this book. The illustrations are great and the text is easy to follow. Jiambalvo helps the reader to build a bridge over the chasm between theory and real life applications.
The book has just the right length. Not too elaborate and not too concise.
Managerial Accounting.......2006-02-19
Overall the book is ok. The author can be confusing at time, and the answers to practice problems are not in the back of the book.
Book Description
The book Why Didn't I Think of That! includes the passage "If a toy has magic, when people see it they say, 'Oooh! What is that?' . . . It appeals to the kid in everybody." That same kind of magic captures "the kid in everybody" when they pick up Timeless Toys: Classic Toys and the Playmakers Who Created Them.
Timeless Toys represents one of the finest documentaries and displays of modern toys ever written. Author Tim Walsh, a successful toy inventor himself, reveals a world of commerce, toys, and wonder that is equally fun, fascinating, and nostalgic. Readers of every age and background will find it impossible to pick up this book, turn a few pages, and not become spellbound by its insightful stories and the personal memories that the text and 420 brilliantly colored photographs bring forth.
Slinky, Lego, Tonka trucks, Monopoly, Big Wheel, Frisbee, Hula Hoop, Super Ball, Scrabble, Barbie, Radio Flyer Wagons: All of these and many, many more are featured in this fascinating tome, along with the toys' histories, insider profiles, and rare interviews with toy industry icons. It's simply magic!
Customer Reviews:
Play is the Thing........2007-05-30
As someone interested in toys and collecting, I've read lots on the subject. But Tim Walsh still told me things I didn't know. The best part is that someone with no interest in the subject will still find this lavish, inviting coffee table book an enthralling read. The reason is the author, Tim Walsh. Most toy collecting books start with no criteria as to what goes in and what stays out of the book. Tim did. One criterion was that the toy had to be created or invented by an outsider. Thus, a lot of well- known toys already didn't make the cut.
The ones that did have stories a lot better than the title, Timeless Toys, makes them sound. By that I mean that this isn't one of those nostalgic "see how much better these simple toys were than all your overdone gadgetry?" books that abound in collecting circles. You might come to that conclusion, but Tim started somewhere else. When he made his own games, he started asking questions about others. Why is the box like that? Why is this that color? Where did they get that name?
Those are the same questions one asks playing with toys. The cynical answers are that marketing research showed that more people would pick up the package if it were blue, and a computer poll of all co-eds showed they liked the letter "Z". But Tim shows, thank heaven, that those cynical answers are wrong. Lots of great toys came from accidents, and many inventors began with a sense of wonder.
Tim doesn't stop there. Those outsiders need insiders to make a toy. Tim covers all that, including the most famous toy designer, Marvin Glass. As with Andy Warhol, the Glass name covered a design team, and Tim introduces some of the faces behind the scenes. Many toys were inspired by other toys, and Tim traces the roots back. His findings usually don't jibe with the urban legends surrounding their creations, and when there are multiple tales, Tim tells them all.
The most interesting parts to me are some that might be overlooked. They are small sidebars showing the origins of a toy and some of the companies that have made it. Often the company names change because the companies are bought by other firms. A decade ago Tyco was bringing back all the classic toys that ever existed, having bought those companies or their toy molds. Where's Tyco now? I wondered, until Tim revealed it was bought by Mattell.
Tim also tells the origin of many toy companies, including one started by two guys named Matson and Elliot. I've read about Wham-O before, and even interviewed an animator who made Superball commercials, but Tim reveals the secret of how Wham-O made so many great toys. Tim also breaks it all down with by decade timelines. He often shows the box art of toys that were revived in various decades. Toy art in the '50s and '60s, much of it done by comic book artists, is a wonder to behold, while the overdone, throwaway art of today really does look like the result of committees on market research.
The bad news is that this 300 page book is only about 75 toys. But that may be a good thing. Those interested might track down Bill Bruegman's Toys of the Sixties or related volumes to read on. Don't buy The Playmakers, though, because Timeless Toys is the new title of the same book. Tim Walsh convinced me that creative souls, even today, even if by accident, may still have a chance. If toys be the fruit of wonder, play on!
A book on toys that will bring back many memories........2006-12-01
The author has created an excellent book covering the most popular toys of the 20th Century. As you go through this book, you are going to come across many toys you remember from your own lifetime. While some have faded with time, many are still popular and have entertained ever since they first appeared.
The book takes a rather wide view of what a toy is; and includes many games,puzzles,and other things that have entertained young as well as those who are young at heart,if not in years.
The first toy discussed was the Flexible Flyer sled.It brought back a memory to me ,since I had one as a kid.Mine had the straight-runner,and I ran into a gutter grate and punctured my thigh. It seems it happened enough that the runners were rounded.Then, there is the Big Wheel. The kid next door had one and he loved it so much ,he wore completely through the plastic wheels.
Here, you will not only see great pictures of the toy or game ;but also the story behind its being invented and marketed. You will also learn about the person who invented it,details about patents,how many were sold;and lots of other interesting details. It's highly likely that you will find your favorite toy or game covered.
At the back of the book you will find an extensive Bibliography. The book covers many games and puzzles.I have been a long time fan of puzzles and if you are interested in them ,I suggest a search under Jerry Slocum,[...]or The Slocum Puzzle Foundation,Beverly Hills,California.
Overall,a wonderful book that would be interesting to just about anyone who enjoys toys,games or puzzles.
Fantastic Toys, Geat Design and Much More!.......2006-07-18
As a toy inventor I was surprised when I first saw the book by how beautifully designed it was as well as the extraordinary quality of the photography. On further examination, it greatly surpassed my first impression with its fascinating stories and (truly astonishing), that it got its facts right!
In addition to the fun of seeing all those cool looking toys and taking a nostalgic look back over the last century, it's an historical tribute to American and American immigrant's genius and hard work that has given us all so much pleasure.
treat yourself and your friends to this fine book.
Remembering past joys and toys.......2006-04-08
Just spend a few minutes with this book and you will jump back to the day. Your first quest will be to find the toys you played with. This is extremely easy to do as the book is laid out in chronological order. I enjoyed looking at the pictures and write ups of the toys of my youth. Some I looked for purposely and others became a surprise reminder of things I had forgotten. The simple pleasure of remembering these things was added to by the stories about how the toys came to be, their inventors, and manufacturers. I have enjoyed this book so far, having only had it for a week or so. I imagine it will give me hours of reminiscing. I also want to go through it with my family and friends and let them tell me about their toys. Overall review would be a top quality book that can be enjoyed by children of all ages.
FUN FOR THE CHILD IN ALL OF US.......2006-01-01
A typical child between the ages of two and nine spends 28 minutes each day coloring --- and wears the nub 730 crayons by the time he or she turns 10. Frank Lloyd Wright's son John invented Lincoln Logs. In 1908, Dr. A.. C. Gilbert won a U.S. gold medal at the Olympics --- the same doctor who invented Erector sets. Think of this as timeless trivia that's part of the appeal of Tim Walsh's delightful book. Filled with hundreds of color photos of classic toys as well as archival photos and vintage ads, Timeless Toys demands playtime for the young-at-heart. Your move.
Book Description
Easy step-by-step picture method teaches all the basics of knitting in just a few hours. Easy-to-follow lessons and projects.
Average customer rating:
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The Easy Learn to Knit in Just One Day
Bobbie Matela
Manufacturer: American School of Needlework/Asn Pub.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Crafts & Hobbies
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
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Knitting
| Crafts & Hobbies
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
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ASIN: 1590121457 |
Product Description
Have you been wanting to get in on the knitting craze? Or do you know a little about knitting but want to know more? If so, this is the book for you. With our easy step-by-step picture method you can learn all the basics of knitting in just a few hours. Putting the yarn onto the needle, or casting on, is the first step. Then there are just two stitches: the knit stitch and the purl stitch. As you follow our learn-by-yourself lessons you'll feel like your knitting guru is right there beside you. We've included special hints and helps to keep you moving toward the road to knitting bliss. We know this book will help you enter into the enjoyable world of knitting. A world that so many are turning to for stress relief, the camaraderie of others, an excuse to buy some colorful yarn or the simple joy of creating something wonderful! Which titles are competing with this title?
Book Description
In this sequel to the popular The Luberon Garden, the author makes a very personal journey, with a hangover and an uncertain heart, through the country’s finest vineyards, chateaux and villages in search of the France he fell in love with so many years ago.
Average customer rating:
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The Making of the Alnwick Garden: A Journey with the Duchess
Ian August
Manufacturer: Pavillion, Limited
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
General
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Landscape
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ASIN: 186205715X |
Book Description
This beautifully photographed volume records the creation of Britain's third most-visited garden.
Ian August was set to retire from his position as the Factor for Northumberland Alnwick Estates when the Duchess asked for his help with a new project. The Duchess of Northumberland's vision was to create a beautiful public space accessible to everyone. Eight years later, the project has become Alnwick Garden. This is the story of one woman's stubborn crusade to realize her dream, told by the man who has been by her side since the beginning. Throughout, August documented the garden's creation, and before-and-after photos record the progress of the largest Tree House in the world, the Poison Garden, the Cascade, David Austen's Rose Garden, and many other of the garden's pleasures. A marvelous chronicle of vision and determination.
Average customer rating:
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In the Garden of Our Own Making
Barbara Sperber
Manufacturer: Papier-Mache Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
20th Century
| Poetry
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ASIN: 0918949696 |
Average customer rating:
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Making a Cottage Garden
Faith Whiten , and
Geoff Whiten
Manufacturer: HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0713526505 |
Average customer rating:
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The Making of the English Garden
Richard Girling , and
Graham Rose
Manufacturer: Pan Macmillan
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0333498232 |
Product Description
British book, illustrated with diagrams and black-and-white photographs. Projects are organized on a month-by-month basis.
Average customer rating:
- It's a shame it's out of print!
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Leaving the Nest: The Complete Guide to Living on Your Own
Dorinne Armstrong , and
Richard Armstrong
Manufacturer: William Morrow & Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
How-to & Home Improvements
| Home & Garden
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| Buildings & Construction
| Carpentry
| Cleaning, Caretaking & Relocating
| Decks & Patios
| Decorating
| Design & Construction
| Do-It-Yourself
| Electrical
| Estimating
| Furniture
| Green Housecleaning
| Hand Tools
| Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning
| Home Repair
| Household Hints
| Masonry
| Outdoor & Recreational Areas
| Plumbing & Household Automation
| Power Tools
| Reference
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Accessories:
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Braun IRT 4020 ThermoScan Ear Thermometer
ASIN: 0688052606 |
Customer Reviews:
It's a shame it's out of print!.......1997-03-17
Of the few books I've found that were arranged the way this
book is, in a way that topical information is easy to locate, this was by far the most thorough, covering the moving-out process from finding an apartment to setting up finances. It teaches how to live safe, healthy, thrifty, financially sound... if children came with a manual as many parents wish, then this would be part two.
Book Description
Incurable Blues explores the life and genius of Hubert Sumlin, a highly influential guitarist who has survived cancer, alcoholism, and personal and professional tribulations to testify to the classic days of Chicago blues. Sumlin's incendiary guitar playing is heard on most of Howlin' Wolf's classic Chess sides. Sumlin's pick-less playing has inspired countless blues-rock luminaries. Author Will Romano places Hubert's playing and performing style in context, showing how it formed the basis of blues rock and rock n roll and how it bridges the gap between African folk; the work of early masters like Robert Johnson, Charley Patton and Peetie Wheatstraw; the revisionist British invasion guitarists Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Keith Richards; and the modern-era blues styles of Stevie Ray Vaughan and John Mayer.
Customer Reviews:
Flawed bio of former Wolf guitarist.......2005-11-20
Hubert Sumlin is one of the most individualistic guitar stylists in the blues of the past fifty years and one of the nicest persons you could ever meet. He is best known for his association with the legendary Howlin' Wolf on which his mercurial, unpredictable guitar played so important a role on so many recordings. Will Romano has written a bio of Hubert, "Incurable Blues: The Trouble & Triumph of Blues Legend Hubert Sumlin "(Backbeat Books) that recounts Hubert's life and music from growing up in the Delta and learning to play in various juke bands, his association with the Wolf down in the Memphis area and later coming north to Chicago where he became an integral part of Wolf's band and music through the end of Wolf's life and the thirty odd years since then with Hubert carrying on Wolf's musical legacy as well as trying to establish a bit of his own separate from Wolf. A premise of this book is the Wolf is one of the great and influential blues guitarists and Romano tries to establish this through interviews with blues and rock musicians, discussions of a wide variety of recordings and performances that Hubert was a part of. It is not a completely successful book in part because the author focuses on the testimonials of rock legends to make his case of Hubert's impact and influence, but while Sumlin's best recordings (mostly those with wit) exhibit his brilliant originality and invention, there are few examples other than testimonials to show his influence in the blues world. The fact that Eric Clapton may have pushed to get Sumlin involved in the London Howlin' Wolf sessions when producer Marshall Chess may not have wanted him says more about Clapton's understanding of Wolf's recordings and what Sumlin brought to them. Chess' focus may have been on rock stars to sell this music but Clapton helped insure the music would come out right. Still, the admiration of many blues-influenced rock superstars does little to establish Hubert's influence compared to other equally talented blues guitarists. The discussion of the various recordings, that post-date the Wolf's passing is fascinating but too lengthy and while recognizing Hubert's limitations as a vocalist tries to make these as more important and seminal than some are. I am particularly thinking about the lengthy discussion about "About Them Shoes," the recent Sumlin album that had Clapton, David Johansson, Bob Margolin, Paul Oscher, David Maxwell and others join him on a collection of mostly songs associated with Muddy Waters songs, which resulted in a pleasant recording, but one not nearly as remarkable as Romano suggests, as the grooves in Muddy's music does not lend itself to allow Sumlin's playing to shine. Of course part of the success of Wolf's recordings might have been Willie Dixon's production and shaping of the rhythms. Certainly songs like "Hidden Charms" and "Do the Do," are otherwise forgettable but for the hot, tight band, Wolf's ability to make anything sound good and Sumlin's staggering playing. Also for a book that chronicles Sumlin's life there is no mention of Big Mac's sixties Jewel 45, "Rough Dried Woman", which sported Sumlin's guitar or a late sixties, early seventies Sunnyland Slim session with members of Wolf's band, along with Walter Horton backing the legendary pianist not to mention terrific albums from then by Willie Williams and ANdrew 'Blueblood' McHahon. Sumlin's guitar was prominently featured on this spirited date which strikes me as a lot better than some of the European American Folk Blues Festival recordings that the author here praises. This is a flawed, overlong book by a fan, but it book does get a sense of Hubert's shy and sweet personality that has led many to really love him and when he does get to play, he still can blow one away.
Indispensilbe: An Excellent Biography.......2005-10-16
For anybody who loves the blues and wants to learn as much as possible about the music and artists who made it, Will Romano has written a must-read book. The power of Romano's book comes in the insights he gives not only into Sumlin the musician and blues great, but Sumlin the man. The amount of painstaking research shows that Romano was able to get as close to the man and the truth as probably anybody. This is not dry, academic research effort, but popular history done by a journalist who is an excellent writer and storyteller. And there can be little doubt about the importance of Romano's subject. When you listen to the records of Howlin' Wolf, you hear the impact of Sumlin on the postwar Chicago blues. This was a musician who not only was present at the creation but helped shape that creation. And the impact Sumlin has had on musicians ranging from Eric Clapton to Michael Hill is testimony to his importance. The musicians know that this was not a minor figure. The recent deaths of R.L. Burnside and Gatemouth Brown underlines the importance of getting these stories on record while we still have the chance. These artists are keys to helping us not just enjoy the blues but understand where this valuable part of our culture comes from. Romano has written a book that does just that with Hubert Sumlin, which is why is will have a lasting impact.
if you want a sense of the person..not just the musician - this is a great read.......2005-10-06
Some time ago, at a show in NYC, I got the chance to see Hubert play and was just amazed. Not only at the music I was hearing...but at the vibe that he exuded. At the end of the show I was lucky enough to briefly meet him..and I can tell you that he just put you in a good mood the moment he spoke. After the show I was interested in hearing more of his music and while searching for some Howlin' Wolf tunes I came across this book..I immediately picked it up and it was a great read.
I really liked that the book was different than most bios. It seemed to focus more on Hubert's character, and I can tell you that the sense I got in that brief meeting shined thru in this book. I got the sense that Hubert's wonderful and unique guitar playing has always been a part of his personality. And his personality, as much as his musical abilities, makes Hubert special. I really enjoyed this book...and am enjoying Hubert's music - especially the music he made with Wolf. You can sense something different in the music he made with Wolf...and after reading the book and understanding that relationship I can see why.
Buy The Biography of Howling Wolf Instead.......2005-09-30
Hubert Sumlin is a wonderful and unique guitar player, and this is a well meaning but unnecessary book. Hubert Sumlin is important as a historical figure because he was the guitar player for 23 years in the Howling Wolf Band. Since Wolf's death in 1976 Sumlin has continued to perform and record but he has been unable to establish much of an artistic identity apart from being Howling Wolf's guitar player. That's why a decent biography of Howling Wolf, such as Segrest and Hoffman's "Moanin' At Midnight," covers the historically relevant portion of Hubert Sumlin's career adequately. Alternatively, "Rollin' and Tumblin': Postwar Blues Guitarists," edited by Jas Obrect, is a good compilatation of articles covering Hubert Sumlin and many other fine underappreciated blues guitar players as well. Both books are more carefully presented and more informative on the subject than this one.
Customer Reviews:
What a Great Book!.......2000-05-04
We had to read a book for school on the Holocaust and I picked this book! Although it's an autobiography, it reads like a story - I couldn't put it down! It's definitely worth buying!
A great story about survival under the Nazis.......2000-03-13
The story is facinating and causes one to think what they might have done if faced with the same danger. Larry tells how he learned his lessons of life from others and how he entered adulthood under such trying circumstances; how important food and shelter was and how he was able to cope while exposed to maximum danger. It will make a great film when someone takes it to Hollywood.
Surviving the holocaust.......2000-01-02
I recently read this extemely moving biography.The author, Larry Orbach and his daughter, wrote an inspiring story about the life of a young German-Jewish teenager struggling to survive in Berlin.The reader can feel the gradual isolation of Larry, or Lothar, his original name. He and his family were loyal Germans and his father said that he would never leave Germany. After Larry's father dies in a concentration camp, he devotes himself to looking after his mother. What I found inspiring was Larry's accounts of friendship with some Germans who reached out to help him. His mother finds shelter with a Communist family who become close friends.The reader can feel Larry's growing isolation. The few friends he had couldn't stop him from being deported to Auschwitz, but they gave him loyalty and companionship. Larry has to keep moving to avoid being caught, and lives in a variety of places,including a brothel. Larry is very honest and does not to hesitate to relate the incidents where he took part in robberies etc. Some of the events are terrifying, but the book is full of hope. The book shows the reader the effects of both evil and goodness. I will remember all of these characters for a long time. The author describes his friends and enemies very clearly. I would highly recommend this biography.
A truly different account and a unique perspective.......1998-12-30
The autobiographic story of the young jew Lothar Orbach living in hiding during 1933-1945 in Berlin kept me up for two days. This book has everything that a "good read" needs: humanity, hope and humour as well as love and a great appreciation of life. But above all it is an exciting, unique description and a very different view of his and his family's tragic fate during those dark and evil days in Berlin. I was impressed by the openness of Larry's accounts. It is an important addition to the many books related to the Holocaust.
This book was so suspenseful I just could not put it down........1998-11-24
There are many Holocaust related books in print but 'Soaring Underground' is very unique. The perspective that the author shares about life on the run as a Jewish fugitive in Nazi era Berlin is rivetting. His words paint a suspenseful picture as he struggles for survival, not knowing whom he can trust, where he can hide or what fate has in store. His devotion to his mother's welfare is honorable, especially in a time and place where the rules of the 10 commandments were abandoned. Mr. Orbach's observations, adventures and escapes make for a book that readers will find impossible to put down and hard to forget.
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- The Sound of One Voice: Eugene Forsey and His Letters to the Press
- The Unprepossessing Mr. Ryan
- There and Back: Robben Island, 1964-1979
- Title The Life of Samuel Johnson (Part 2)
- U.S. Government Leaders: Dean Acheson-Ulysses S. Grant, 1-308 (Magill's Choice)
- We Called It War! The Untold Story of the Combat Infantry in Korea
- WW II Special Assignment
- Young Bob: A Biography of Robert M. La Follette, Jr.
- A Homesteader and His Son
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