Congo Business & Investment Opportunities Yearbook

Book Description

This yearbook contains basic information on export-import, investment and business opportunities in the respected country. Provides information on government structure, economy, business climate, regulations, and more... Includes basic statistics, information on the most important business contacts and business travel. Updated annually.

Congo Business and Investment Opportunities Yearbook

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Congo Business and Investment Opportunities Yearbook

Manufacturer: International Business Publications, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Popular Economics | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

General | International | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

General | Investing | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Book Description

Major investment, export-import and other strategic business opportunities and contacts, basic information for conducting business in the country

Congo, Dem. Republic Business & Investment Opportunities Yearbook

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Congo, Dem. Republic Business & Investment Opportunities Yearbook
USA International Business Publications
Manufacturer: Intl Business Pubns USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Exports & Imports | Economics | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

General | Investing | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0739747398

Congo, Democratic Republic of Business and Investment Opportunities Yearbook (World Business Law Handbook Library)

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Congo, Democratic Republic of Business and Investment Opportunities Yearbook (World Business Law Handbook Library)

Manufacturer: Intl Business Pubns USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Exports & Imports | Economics | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

General | Investing | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0739776142

Congo Investment & Business Opportunities Yearbook (World Investment & Business Opportunities Library)

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Congo Investment & Business Opportunities Yearbook (World Investment & Business Opportunities Library)
USA International Business Publications
Manufacturer: International Business Publications, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 0739712381

Democratic Republic of Congo Business & Investment Opportunities Yearbook (World Business & Investment Opportunities Yearbook Library)

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Democratic Republic of Congo Business & Investment Opportunities Yearbook (World Business & Investment Opportunities Yearbook Library)
USA International Business Publications
Manufacturer: International Business Publications, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 0739721399

Book Description

Democratic Republic of Congo Investment & Business Opportunities Yearbook (World Investment & Business Opportunities Library)

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Democratic Republic of Congo Investment & Business Opportunities Yearbook (World Investment & Business Opportunities Library)
USA International Business Publications
Manufacturer: International Business Publications, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 073971239X

Book Description

This yearbook contains information on investment business opportunities, international economic projects, tenders, government projects, marketing and export-import opportunities information.

Book Description

No matter what your budget or whether it's your first trip or fifteenth, Fodor's Gold Guides get you where you want to go. In this completely up-to-date guide our experts who live in Italy give you the inside track, showing you all the things to see and do -- from must-see sights to off-the-beaten-path adventures, from shopping to outdoor fun. Fodor's Italy shows you hundreds of hotel and restaurant choices in all price ranges -- from budget-friendly B&Bs to luxury hotels, from casual eateries to the hottest new restaurants, complete with thorough reviews showing what makes each place special. The Smart Travel Tips A to Z section helps you take care of the nitty gritty with essential local contacts and great advice -- from how to take your mountain bike with you to what to do in an emergency. Plus, web links and mix-and-match itineraries make planning a snap.

"The king of guidebooks." - Newsweek

Book Description

Perfect for Barbie® doll collectors on the go, this reference provides vast amounts of information in an easy-to-carry guide. More than 1,500 Barbie® dolls and accessories are covered, allowing collectors to easily identify and value their collections and potential purchases.

This handy book contains full-color photos and values for America's most favorite doll made from 1959 to present. Listings are presented in a checklist format so it's easy to inventory collections and create wish lists. The first Barbie® doll guide of its kind!

• Convenient Barbie® doll pocket guide
• Hundreds of listings and up-to-date values
• Checklist format to inventory collections and create wish lists

Customer Reviews:

Size makes this book handy........2004-04-30

This books size makes it convenient to carry around to garage sales or toy shows. But the content could be better, some dolls are depicted with inaccurate prices and some vintage doll's aren't pictured in their proper outfits with proper accessories. So this can become confusing for the beginner collector. However there are "warnings" listed with some vintage outfits stating that Mattel has made a reproduction (these are worth far less) of it. This is a great feature if you are not a Barbie expert.

A good book for the beginner, but I recommend using this guide along with a larger more detailed Barbie book.

Great things come in small packages.......2003-05-16

What a wonderful book! The Warman's Barbie Doll Field Guide is packed with useful information and great color photographs. And all at a super affordable price. I'm impressed. The book is designed as a take-along pocket guide, yet it's amazingly complete and thorough. It covers six decades of Barbie dolls, provides several hundred color photographs, a history of Barbie, critical identification information, -- including how to identify Barbie No. 1 -- fashion sets, designer dolls and a price guide to more than 1,500 dolls. It's perfect for a gift or for yourself, or even as a gift for yourself. I have several Barbie books on my shelves, and that's where they stay. But this little dynamo is never going to leave my side.

It's so small.......2003-05-08

First thought upon getting this, it's tiny! I've been waiting at least two months for this book to come out and I was a tad upset that the price guide is not up-to-date. NOTHING that came out in 2002 is in there, nor are any non-collector dolls listed.

If you need a pocket guide to carry to conventions, it's perfect. If you want something to help you figure out how much to bid on E-Bay, it's perfect. Otherwise, just get it for the vibrant color pictures (No black & white) , which strangly have dolls that haven't even been released yet.

Average customer rating:

I made the gray sweater on the cover for my boyfriend!

Sensational Ease

Simple What?

Ho Hum

Oh So Inspiring

SimpleChic: Designer Knits, SuperQuick! (Minnowknits Books)
Jil Eaton
Manufacturer: Breckling Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Knitting | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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Big Fish, Little Fish : QuickKnits for Kids & Grown-Ups

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Knitting Without Tears: Basic Techniques and Easy-to-Follow Directions for Garments to Fit All Sizes (Knitting Without Tears SL 466)

ASIN: 193330801X

Book Description

Knitwear designer Jil Eaton offers up this collection of 20 colorful concoctions that knit up to perfection. The look ranges from the high fashion mohair wrap to the classic cashmere sweater to the whimsical Pop Top hat. Even the family dog is in on the knits, with a functional waterproof jacket. Projects are quick and full of fun, with bright colors, soft yarns, and unmistakable design touches like cable detailing on sweaters and mitts, tassels and trims on hats, and buttons and bows for babies. The guide has a quick refresher section for those in need of a quick review or beginners. Tips, tool and sizing guides, and care instructions are also included. For seasoned knitters looking for flair or new knitters needing achievable but stylish projects beyond scarves, the patterns in this book are clear, exciting, and inspiring.

Customer Reviews:

I made the gray sweater on the cover for my boyfriend!.......2004-04-18

And he is thrilled with it! I've knitted before--just scarves and mittens, though, so I thought this would be a big challenge. I was amazed how quickly it went--and it fits him perfectly. Next, I'm going to try the little doggie coat. I haven't tried felting before, but the instructions make it look pretty easy. Great book, lovely patterns.

Sensational Ease.......2004-03-05

Jil Eatons latest, "Simplechic" has once again hit the top with fun patterns full of palette, yarn and sparkle possibility that WORK!!
I love her photos. They show such natural warmth which inspires in me an eagerness to begin and create anew. THANK YOU JIL

Simple What?.......2004-02-06

For those of you Minnowknits fans, this book will be a disappointment. It's unfortunate that this talented designer, who has had such success with her children's and infants patterns, felt a desire to take on adult fashion. Where the square shaping, bright colors, and single-stitch patterns can be packaged so well for babies, it's just not working in this collection.

Few knitters would want to spend hundreds of dollars on cashmere to knit the unflattering Cashmere Creme sweater, which is billed as the highlight of the book. It's not just that the designs are not hip and new as the book promises, but the monotonous plain stitch patterns, limited shaping, and lack of color patterning will not attract or challenge even the novice knitter. Putting a cute button on a dull sweater is a tricky enticement, but most people will realize that they could buy a machine-made sweater with similar results. The poor folks who had to knit these samples must have been bored to tears.

Granted, the best designs in the book are the dog sweaters. I don't have a dog, nor would I knit for it if I did have one. The pointy Christmas tree hat shown on the cover is also cute. (But since I celebrate Hanukkah I probably wouldn't knit that one anyway!) Don't run out and buy this book for that hat alone since practically the same hat can be found in Too Cute! by Debby Ware, which came out last Spring and is chock full beautiful kids' knits, and is a much better value. The other fashions in this book are either clownish (i.e. the hats) or extremely frumpy looking. Where is all of the high fashion that the title proclaims?

Unlike many knitting books where the pages are filled with instructional text and obscure abbreviations, this book's content conveys a big personality. Unfortunately, it's not a likeable one. Her first book, Minnowknits, is still the best bang for your buck. It's been a downhill ride since then.

Ho Hum.......2004-01-20

I'm fairly new to knitting, and very gung ho about it, but this book doesn't excite even me. There really aren't any patterns that make me want to pull out my needles. The stuff in it went out of fashion years ago, yet Ms. Eaton claims to have her finger on the pulse of "chic". She would be wise to henceforth eliminate that word from her vocabulary, and to remove the exclamation point from her keyboard, since her overuse of both is tiresome.

Oh So Inspiring.......2003-10-24

SimpleChic inspires the busybody to put down her work and spend the day knitting. Whether it is a creamy cashmere sweater, lucious and perfect for day and evening wear; or a clever Italiano faux fur neck warmer, different and fun (!), the knitter will experience a whole new level of satisfaction creating these simple to make, yet wonderfully chic patterns.
Jil Eaton has done it again! She is a marvel in the knitting world.

Book Description

If there is no place like home, there is certainly no home like a minka. Literally "houses of the people," these traditional farmhouses from Japan's premodern past might be more properly called "folk houses": The beauty of minka, like the beauty of all folk art, lies in the harmonious blending of form and material. In form, minka have evolved gradually, with numerous variations, from origins deep in Japan's prehistoric past. The building materials--earth, wood, and stone--come from the same mountains and forests that surround the houses. Traditional forms, readily available materials, and integration with nature--these are the distinguishing elements of the buildings that countless Japanese have called home for centuries.

Illustrated with more than 400 photographs and drawings, this book describes the basic external and internal features, the structure from foundation to roof truss, and the variety of minka styles. It is a virtual cornucopia of information, sure to delight anyone with an interest in architecture, art, or age-old lifestyles that are now on the wane.

The diversity of minka styles is particularly intriguing. In response to the demands of local geography, climate, and industry, every region of Japan has developed its own style. The multistory minka of northern Japan, with their steep thatched roofs and many small gable windows, were an adaptation to long winters and heavy snows as well as to the needs of silkworm cultivation. The minka of southern Japan are often a cluster of relatively small, low buildings with raised floors to maximize ventilation and minimize typhoon damage. As the reader of this book will soon discover, an exploration of minka styles becomes a journey through Japan as well as a capsule social history of this fascinating land. Almost half the book is devoted to a discussion of styles, from salient features and the reasons for their development to local variants. A detailed description of a representative extant minka is given for each major style.

An architect by profession, the author has spent half a century scouring Japan from the northern island of Hokkaido to the scattered islands south of Kyushu, studying, drawing, and photographing, in hope of blunting the onslaught of consumer culture that threatens these magnificent houses. This book, the first comprehensive account in English of the architecture and the major stylistic characteristics of minka, is a distillation of his vast knowledge and deep love for these traditional dwellings.

Previously published as Minka: Traditional Houses of Rural Japan.

Average customer rating:

Paranoid Lunatic

Great Book

Enlightening Eye -Opener

Subliminal Seduction
Wilson Bryan Key
Manufacturer: Signet
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books
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The Secret Sales Pitch: An Overview of Subliminal Advertising

Subliminal Ad-Ventures in Erotic Art

The Age of Manipulation: The Con in Confidence, The Sin in Sincere

Decoding Advertisements (Ideas in Progress)

The Hidden Persuaders

Accessories:

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

Braun IRT 4020 ThermoScan Ear Thermometer

ASIN: 0451061489

Customer Reviews:

Paranoid Lunatic.......2006-05-12

If you have done any research at all, you would know that the author is a raving paranoid lunatic.

Great Book.......2006-02-08

If you ever wondered why ice in ads was so attractive get this book.

Enlightening Eye -Opener.......2002-07-18

This poignant examination of print media advertising's subliminal selling techniques in the 70s comes from a time before digital enhancements and computers, and should definitely provoke anyone to ask "if they were that good then, what are they doing to us now?!?"

Average customer rating:

Subliminal Seduction
Wilson Bryan Key
Manufacturer: Signet
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000LZDHK4

Average customer rating:

Subliminal Seduction
Wilson Bryan Key
Manufacturer: NAL
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000HMDOXQ

Average customer rating:

Subliminal Seduction
Wilson Bryan Key
Manufacturer: Signet
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0451079884

Average customer rating:

For Anti-Sexual Hysterics Only
Subliminal Seduction
The great Urban Legend...
Utter nonsense
Wake up and smell the roses

Subliminal Seduction
Wilson Bryan Key
Manufacturer: Signet
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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

ASIN: 0451159519

Customer Reviews:

For Anti-Sexual Hysterics Only.......2007-03-17

This is the book that caused a generation of otherwise intelligent people to waste their time looking for hidden penises and vaginas in every ad that came out in the 1970s. And of course they found what they were looking for! On the other hand, everyone I have ever met who works in the advertising industry laughs at this book as utter nonsense. But what do they know?

Subliminal Seduction.......2006-05-29

I am not surprised that these pictures are seducing us. Did you notice that nearly all of the ads that the author shows us come from Playboy magazine? He even says so in the book. Call me biased, but this book gives me an icky feeling because he focuses so much on how "Sex" is engraved everywhere. Why does he focus only on that?

The great Urban Legend..........2004-11-04

I've been in the advertising business for thirty years. I can't believe this guy has made a living spreading this drivel for so long. People in advertising continue to laugh about Key. He has no understanding about how advertising works, how the people in it do their job, and he shows even less concern about the FACT that subliminal images have little or no effect on human behavior. Maybe someone has airbrushed a naked woman into the image of an icecube, but it was some joker of an illustrator having fun - not part of a deceptive conspiracy. The big question is... did we REALLY land of the moon?

Utter nonsense.......2002-03-13

In this book, Wilson Bryan Key claims that advertisers spend millions of dollars a year inserting subliminal, racy images into advertisements. By unconsciously appealing to our prurient interests, Key claims, these ads make us want to buy the product.

An interesting idea. Problem is, Key neglects to tells us where he got the "millions of dollars" figure; he doesn't provide us with any whistle-blowers who have done this alleged work; and he never provides any proof that even if this "subliminal seduction" were taking place, that it actually works.

The thing is, ads of this sort (though much more innocent) were indeed tested in the late 1950s in TV commercials. In the middle of a commercial the words "Buy Coke" would appear for a split second, too fast for the conscious mind to register. But the test results were inconclusive, and the idea was abandoned.

But here comes Wilson Bryan Key, who claims to see breasts and decapitated heads in photos of ice cubes (I have owned this book for 20 years, and I still can't find them). He produces a fashion ad with two women in it, and deduces that they are secretly lesbians. He has also found secret dirty lyrics in pop records; he cites the 1973 hit "Hooked on a Feeling," and claims that the opening goofy refrain "Oooga-shucka" later changes to a quieter "Who got sucked off" as the rest of the music fades in. I have that record, and nothing of the sort ever happens.

I worked in New York advertising for five years, on both the creative and business sides. Nothing like this was ever done. Key has no concept of what the advertising world is really about, which is trying to come up with an interesting, honest way to attract someone to a product. It's also about meeting client and printer deadlines. Outside of that, there simply would not be any time to engage in the type of shenanigans Key espouses.

In short, Key's claims come straight from his imagination. He simply has found a niche audience who will believe his ideas without so much as an ounce of proof or critical thinking.

Wake up and smell the roses.......2001-12-07

An ground breaking book that finally puts most of the subliminal theory and practice into a very readable and informative format.

Attract Your True Love/ Soul Mate Subliminal CD

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Attract Your True Love/ Soul Mate Subliminal CD
Mind Design Unlimited
Manufacturer: Eternity Music Corporation
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD

General | Personal Health | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

General | Relationships | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

General | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

Product Description

If you have a negative outlook on your love life or lack optimism about meeting the right person -- this CD is for you! A Positive Attitude is vital for your personal success, happiness, and for a healthy relationship. Studies have shown that without optimism and healthy self-esteem, we attract those who aren't right for us. This CD is designed to get your subconscious in-tuned with your surroundings and create an aura of healthy attraction for the right type of person. Studies show that without projecting a "healthy love aura," high-quality potential mates move on to the next person. Do everything in your power to attract a healthy love relationship in your life! Your body requires self-esteem and confidence in order to attract a first class love mate. Without appropriate optimism and confidence, attention from attractive potential lovers disappears. A Positive and Healthy Attitude is vital for Attracting that Love of your Life! This is a subliminal product with hundreds of positive affirmations recorded onto one relaxing CD. Although the words aren't audible, they are there and they are powerful! The affirmations are masked by beautiful music and soothing ocean waves. Meanwhile, as you focus on something else, or just while relaxing, the subliminal affirmations take hold in your subconscious mind. The affirmations are powerful and designed to bring about safe, healthy and permanent changes in your life. With so many subliminal products on the market, be cautious to purchase only REAL subliminal recordings with NLP (NeuroLinguistic Programming) affirmations. Proper production, recording, scripting, and duplication are vital in creating such a powerful product. Use only the BEST! Trust Mind Design technology and expertise.

Average customer rating:

Subliminal Seduction
Wilson Bryan Key
Manufacturer: Signet
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0451091493

Average customer rating:

Subliminal Seduction
Wilson Bryan Key
Manufacturer: Signet
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0451098870

Average customer rating:

Subliminal Seduction
Key
Manufacturer: New American Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000JCOCPI

SUBLIMINAL SEDUCTION are You Being Sexually Aroused by This picture?

Average customer rating:

SUBLIMINAL SEDUCTION are You Being Sexually Aroused by This picture?
Wilson Bryan Key
Manufacturer: Signet
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000KGY69A

Book Description

Virtually forgotten until now, his life is the stuff of legend. Born in 1739 in Guadeloupe to a slave mother and a French noble father, he became the finest swordsman of his age, an insider at the doomed court of Louis XVI, and, most of all, a virtuosic musician. A violinist, he directed the Olympic Society of Concerts, which was considered the finest in Europe in an age of great musicians, including Haydn, from whom he commissioned a symphony, and Mozart, to whom he was often compared. He also became the first Freemason of color, embracing the French Revolution with the belief that it would end the racism against which-despite his illustrious achievements-he struggled his whole life. This is the life of Joseph Bologne, known variously as Monsieur de Saint-George, the 'Black Mozart,' and, because of his origins, 'the American.' Alain Gud offers a fascinating account of this extra-ordinary individual, whose musical compositions are at long last being revived and whose story will never again be forgotten.

Customer Reviews:

Great info.......2007-04-02

I've seen this book priced for much more and in much worse shape than I've received. It's a great historical source on the Black french slave trade. The book itself was practically brand new and arrived very quickly.

a forgotten Renaissance man..........2005-05-10

This was an excellent bio of a remarkable polymath.
Thank you Alain Guede for your fine curriculum vitae
on Monsieur Saint-George.
For those of us who enjoys a insightful,entertaining
and yes even inspiring non-fiction read.
Here is a Man whose story truly deserves to be widely read.
NOT TO BE MISSED!

A Great Tale Spoiled in the Retelling.......2005-04-30

I purchased this book after seeing a television documentary on Monsieur de Saint-George, and was fascinated by his life and achievements (and eager to hear more of his music).

Unfortunately, though the his life is fascinating and takes many turns, the quality of the storytelling here is not up to the task. As anyone who has read academic research will know, a remarkable topic can quickly be drowned out by droning prose.

Having said that, I felt at every point eager to hear the next twist or turn of this man's life. Perhaps someone will do him better service.

PS - Suggest if you decide to proceed with this book, that you purchase the music to listen to as you read. Perhaps it will improve the whole experience, and will definitely give you better insight into his achievements.

An enthralling life story.......2004-04-05

Monsieur De Saint-George: Virtuoso, Swordsman, Revolutionary is the amazing biography of Joseph Boulogne de Saint-George, the son of a slave mother and a gentleman father and the trail he blazed through eighteenth-century aristocratic circles to become one of the greatest of the French composers. Also known for his talented violin playing, his superb swordsmanship, and his passionate hope for a future that would promote equal rights for human beings regardless of color. An enthralling life story which was definitely researched and superbly written by biographer Alain Guede, Monsieur De Saint-George is a quite significant contribution to Black Studies and Music History collections.

This is not a Biography.......2004-02-15

Mr. Guede's book is about a wonderful charactor, but the scholarship is poor. He uses footnotes, but they are to other works of fiction. He spends much time talking about the family of St.-Georges' father, without checking the very clear and obtainable documents that prove he is another man entirely. This is important because St.-Georges made his way in Parisian society on his own, not as son of a wealthy minister. Gede says he was called "Chevalier" by his father, when his apointment by Louis XV to the Gendarme du Roi made him a Chevalier automatically. It was an honor he earned.
It takes nerve to write a biography of a musician without even an elemental knowledge of music. For example the author writes: "Gossec named him (St.-Georges) first violin and time keeper. " The author then goes on to say the first violin (concertmaster) stands up in performances, and that as timekeeper he uses his baton to set the tempo in rehearsals, being preferred to a metronome. What is the conductor suposed to be doing?
Finally, the author inserts gratuitous racial remarks such as: "the thick layers of powder he used to hide the color of his skin", or Plato, his (fictional) violin teacher saying "Follow the score or you will always play like a Negro", or "Voltaire would not defend a Negro unless he was attacked by a Jew"
St.-Georges deserves a better writer.

Monsieur de Saint-George: "The American"

Average customer rating:

Caveat!
The Man with the Midas Touch

Monsieur de Saint-George: "The American"
Alain Guede
Manufacturer: Picador
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

African-American & Black | Ethnic & National | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

General | Ethnic & National | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Western | Europe | History | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0312310285
Release Date: 2005-01-13

Book Description

His life is the stuff of legend: born in 1739 of a slave mother and a French noble father, he became the finest swordsman of his age, an insider at the court of The Sun King, and, most of all, an accomplished musician who came to be known as the "Black Mozart." His name is Joseph Bologne, though he was better known as Monsieur de Saint-George, and, because of his origins, "the American." Alain Gueacute;deacute; recreates the story of this memorable individual, whose musical compositions are at long last being rediscovered and whose story will never again be forgotten.

Customer Reviews:

Caveat!.......2007-06-17

I have not read the English translation of this book, originally issued in France, but for starts the Saint-Georges scholars know he was not born on Christmas Day of 1739, but in 1745. The author is a passionate supporter of this composer's music, but he bases his information on fiction and is not either a disciplined musician or scholar. The only published source for any informantion on Saint-Georges is the magnificent work of Gabriel Banat, a virtuosic musicologist who bases his splendid book on primary documents.

The Man with the Midas Touch.......2005-04-17

Joseph Bologne, also known as Monsieur de Saint-George, could do it all. This brother was a master of fencing, connoisseur of women, hunting, riding, and dancing, political activist and patriot, a renowned violinist, and a prolific composer affectionately dubbed the "black Mozart." Saint-George was at home among kings and queens and became the first black colonel in the French army. His regiment consisted of a thousand men of color and became known as the Legion of Saint-George. Saint-George became so popular in his lifetime that he was mentioned in the letters and memoirs of other great men of that era, including John Adams and Alexandre Dumas.

Alain Guédé, a French journalist and one of the foremost experts on Saint-George, has accumulated two decades of research on the popular chevalier (knight) and produced a biography replete with minute details of this gifted man's life. At times, the book reads like a Hedda Hopper gossip column as Guédé shares tidbits that are undoubtedly fact, but so sensational that they border on the incredible.

Guédé used his extensive research to share the story of Saint-George from his semi-privileged beginnings as the son of a slave and a French nobleman on the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe to his place at the height of Parisian society. This minutiae makes for many shifts in the timeline and becomes rather confusing, necessitating frequent re-reads to regain proper perspective. Although keeping up with the generations of aristocratic families and their various political and social machinations that affect Saint-George's fortunes becomes overwhelming and dry at times, the attention to detail is to be commended in re-introducing the world to a true renaissance man. (RAW Rating: 3.5)

Reviewed by Kim Anderson Ray
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

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