Global Chambers of Commerce Directory

Book Description

Information on over 2000 chambers of commerce and industry in more than 90 countries.

Global Chambers of Commerce Directory Vol. 1: World

Average customer rating:

Global Chambers of Commerce Directory Vol. 1: World
Usa Emerging Markets Investme , and Global Investment & Business Inc
Manufacturer: Russian Information & Business Center, Incorp
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Shopping & Commerce | Reference | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0739701002

Book Description

Information on over 2000 chambers of commerce and industry in more than 90 countries.

Bibliographic information

Product Description

Ocean Passages and Landfalls is a handbook for world cruisers. It provides invaluable passage-planning information for crossing the oceans, with discussions on climates, seasons, oceanography and the merits of different world cruising routes. The bulk of the book is an Ocean-by-Ocean round up and at the beginning of each of these sections is a description of routes, followed by information on the countries relevant to these routes. Details of formalities and regulations are then followed by esential information on key harbours and landfalls. The book is fully illustrated with over 300 charts and plans in full colour. It is a completely up to date reference by authors who have between them sailed in all the oceans that are discussed in this book.

Ocean Passages and Landfalls: Cruising Routes of the World

Average customer rating:

Ocean Passages and Landfalls: Cruising Routes of the World
Rod Heikell
Manufacturer: Imray Laurie Norie & Wilson
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000N66PAK

Book Description

This new handbook is an excellent resource to support the body of knowledge for the Quality Auditor-Biomedical Certification. It serves as a reference to the application of quality auditor principles to the biomedical industry including coverage of medical devices. Content focuses on the understanding of domestic and international concepts and principles of biomedical quality auditing and includes related regulations, directives, standards, and guidance. A specific listing of each requirement is provided along with observations concerning compliance and adherence to the rules.

Customer Reviews:

Biomedical Quality Auditor Handbook.......2006-02-23

I ordered this book for my boss who uses it for her work as director of Quality Systems and Compliance.

Average customer rating:

Quality Technician's Handbook
Gary Griffith
Manufacturer: Prentice-Hall
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 013747072X

Product Description

This book acquaints its readers with a variety of basic skills that contribute to outgoing quality in mechanical trades. This book is designed specifically to reach operators, machinists, inspectors, and others who are in training in the mechanical trades.

Automotive Internal Auditor Pocket Guide: Process Auditing to Iso/ts 16949:2002

Average customer rating:

A Must for Automotive Internal Auditors

Automotive Internal Auditor Pocket Guide: Process Auditing to Iso/ts 16949:2002
Roderick A., Ph.D. Munro
Manufacturer: ASQ Quality Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Spiral-bound

Industry | Automotive | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

General | Reference | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0873896173

Book Description

This new pocket guide is an essential resource for anyone in the automotive industry. It's designed to be used as a reference manual for conducting internal audits to ISO/TS 16949:2002 using a new process approach. The book will assist internal auditors with planning and performing process audits in order to become more effective as an auditor and satisfy top management, auditees, and external customers. It includes practical case studies along with the body of knowledge for the ASQ CQIA and CQA certifications, a glossary of terms, and a list of acronyms.

Customer Reviews:

A Must for Automotive Internal Auditors.......2004-06-14

The author has written a simple to use guide for internal auditors to conduct the process audits required by the new Automotive Standards. This pocket guide is easy to use on the floor duirng audits to help guide the auditor to look for continaul improvement. Several examples are given in the back of the book that help bring everything together. I highly recommend this for anyone who has to conduct an audit to TS.

The Management System Auditor's Handbook

Average customer rating:

Senior QA manager Review

The Management System Auditor's Handbook
Joe Kausek
Manufacturer: ASQ Quality Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Leadership | Management & Leadership | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Quality Control | Management & Leadership | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Total Quality Management | Management & Leadership | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

OHSAS 18001: Designing and Implementing an Effective Health and Safety Management System

ASIN: 087389670X

Product Description

Meant for both new and experienced auditors, The Management System Auditor's Handbook provides a detailed and structured examination of the audit process. It seeks to address the whys of auditing, as well as the whats and the how tos. Extensive focus is provided on auditing for effectiveness, in addition to conformance. Author Joe Kausek explains how to use your audit program to drive continual improvement and alignment throughout the organization through the identification of best practices and waste. A special chapter is devoted to the use of the internal audit program to verify deployment of the companys strategic plan or Balanced Scorecard. Unlike other audit books on the market, this handbook seeks to give the auditor sufficient understanding of the intent, techniques, and specific strategies for auditing, allowing for the development of an audit program that is uniquely fitted to the auditors industry, processes, and company culture. While many of the fundamental concepts of auditing apply to any management system audit, separate chapters have been devoted to the unique aspects of quality, environmental and health and safety management system audits. Standards addressed include ISO 9001:2000, ISO/TS 16949:2002, ISO 14001, and OHSAS 18001, as well as insight on performing combined audits of these standards. Included on the accompanying CD-ROM are comprehensive electronic checklists that can be used to plan and guide the auditor in the evaluation of both the conformance and effectiveness of the management system to the corresponding standards requirements. These checklists, unique in both style and format, provide not only the questions to ask, but also the strategies and techniques for evaluating the auditees response. The checklists are an invaluable tool for both new and experienced auditors alike, and can be easily customized for the reader organization and industry.

Customer Reviews:

Senior QA manager Review.......2006-03-20

I have over 32 years experience in the Quality Assurance Management area. I am in the process of developing a Quality Engineering/Auditing staff for America's first Uranium Centrifuge Enrichmant plant. I found this book excellent. Accordingly I have have made this book required reading for every member of my staff, regardless of past experience. The first 6 chapters are great for people new to the QA auditing and the book provides an new in-sight to experienced members of my staff. This is one book I recommend every QA Manager or Auditor, interested in improving their activities obtain and read.

Average customer rating:

The Certified HACCP Auditor Handbook

Manufacturer: ASQ Quality Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Management | Management & Leadership | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Quality Control | Management & Leadership | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Total Quality Management | Management & Leadership | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

General | Science | Subjects | Books

Food Science | Agricultural Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books

Quality Toolbox

ASIN: 0873897064

Product Description

HACCP has evolved over the years, and so has ASQ. As a result of this evolution, the ASQ Certified HACCP Auditor examination has also evolved. It first started as an add-on certification to the Certified Quality Auditor; then in 2004, the ASQ Certification Board approved it as a stand-alone certification. Along with this change, the Body of Knowledge was updated to include the principles of management systems auditing and the analytical tools of quality assurance. As a result, this new handbook was developed to assist the certification candidate to prepare for the CHA examination. This volume incorporates most of the resource material that was first published in the book The Quality Auditor's HACCP Handbook, and includes brand new chapters covering the HACCP audit, the HACCP auditor, and quality assurance analytical tools. In addition, new appendices describe ISO 22000:2005, Food safety management systems - Requirements for any organization in the food chain, and also validation of HACCP systems. A CD-ROM includes a sample examination for the CHA.

Average customer rating:

A good guide to the HACCP Auditor Test.

The Quality Auditor's Haccp Handbook
Asqc
Manufacturer: ASQ Quality Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Quality Control | Management & Leadership | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Canning & Preserving | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books

Safety & First Aid | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0873894960

Book Description

What hygiene and dress requirements should be considered in food production? What quality standards must the air quality meet in a medical device assembly room? What does the location of heating duct have to do with processing safe food? What types of additives and radiation can be used to preserve food? Whatever you need to know about HACCP - Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP), from farm to table or factory to hospital is covered in this new guide from the ASQ Food, Drug and Cosmetic Division.

Focusing on the needs of auditors and those preparing for the CQA - HACCP exam, this handbook is the definitive resource for auditors in the food, drug and cosmetic industry. Carefully following the CQA-HACCP Body of Knowledge, the book is written by leading quality experts representing industry, academics and government agencies. It provides an overview of the history of HACCP as a product safety system and the preliminary steps to creating a HACCP team. The principles of HACCP as a quality system - such as conducting hazard analysis, establishing monitoring procedures, and the implementation and maintenance of the HACCP system - are included. This book extensively covers HACCP in the Food Processing industry and also includes a chapter related to medical devices. It's the perfect resource for those preparing to take the new CQA-HACCP exam or looking to implement HACCP in their organization.

Benefit From These Features:
· Preparation to take the new CQA-HACCP exam.
· The history and principals of HACCP explained in easy to understand language
· Special chapters dedicated to meat, poultry seafood, dairy, fruits and vegetables.
· Assembling the HACCP critical control points and procedures for monitoring, corrective action and verification.
· A look at HACCP and the Medical Device Industry

Customer Reviews:

A good guide to the HACCP Auditor Test........2005-11-06

I bought this book to give me some understanding of how to pass ASQ's HACCP Auditor test. Even though this book is somewhat short, it had enough good information to make me pass this test in October 2005. HACCP stands for Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point and is meant for food safety. For those who work in the food industry, or even those who provide products to the food industry, HACCP is needed to ensure the safety of our food supply. This book is a general overview of HACCP and is not meant for any specific industry. However, those who read it was understand the context of what to do in setting up a HACCP program in their specific business.

This is a nice informative book about HACCP. Shoppers should understand that AMAZON gives lower prices than those of member discounted ASQ's book division. Buy your ASQ books through Amazon because it is cheaper.

Average customer rating:

The Quality Auditor's Handbook
Don L. Freeman
Manufacturer: Prentice Hall
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Textbook Binding

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Quality Control | Management & Leadership | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Total Quality Management | Management & Leadership | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

General | Reference | Subjects | Books

General | Business & Finance | New & Used Textbooks | Stores | Books

Quantitative Business | Business & Finance | New & Used Textbooks | Stores | Books
ASIN: 0132682028

Quality systems auditor training handbook

Average customer rating:

Quality systems auditor training handbook

Manufacturer: The Society
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Applied | Physics | Science | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0873890086

Certified Quality Auditor's HACCP Handbook.

Average customer rating:

Certified Quality Auditor's HACCP Handbook.
ASQ Food Drug and Cosmetic Division
Manufacturer: see notes for publisher info
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000M4NKK6

Average customer rating:

Quality Auditors Handbook
Freeman
Manufacturer: Prentice Hall
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000OIKEJK

Average customer rating:

Antique Limoges at Home

#1

Limoge Expert??

ABSOLUTELY #1 REFERENCE BOOK ON LIMOGES! A MUST!

beautifully illustrated and practical authoritative antiques guide on limoges

Antique Limoges at Home
Debby DuBay
Manufacturer: Schiffer Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Glass & Glassware | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Pottery & Ceramics | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Ceramics | Other Media | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Living With Limoges

Collecting Hand Painted Limoges Porcelain: Boxes to Vases

Collectors Encyclopedia of Limoges Porcelain (Collector's Encyclopedia of Limoges Porcelain)

Antique Trader Limoges: Price Guide (Antique Trader)

Old Limoges: Haviland Porcelain Design and Decor, 1845-1865

ASIN: 0764316389

Customer Reviews:

Antique Limoges at Home .......2007-03-13

This would be the first book I would purchase if you are a beginner or
long time collector of Limoges. It is excellent

#1.......2006-08-14

Antique Limoges at Home is a great resource book with the marks & beautiful photos of unique pieces. Highly recommend this book. I have the book by Gaston & those by Waterbrook/Clyde and I can not recommend them. If you need a book on Limoges porcelain purchase one of DuBay's: Antique Limoges at Home, Living With Limoges & Collecting Hand Painted Limoges Porcelain.

Limoge Expert??.......2006-08-04

I love Schiffer, but I prefer Keith and Thomas Waterbrook-Clyde books on Limoge! I think that their 4 books, and especially the most recently published, contains more insight into the world of limoge.

ABSOLUTELY #1 REFERENCE BOOK ON LIMOGES! A MUST!.......2006-06-15

I own all three of Debby DuBay's books on Limoges along with all of the other reference books available on the market today. I have to admit - it is hard finding this book unless you purchase it on line - but it is well worth the effort. Out of all of the Limoges reference books this book Antique Limoges at Home is the absolutely best. It covers French factory listed artists, amature artists, American Decorating Studios, American listed artists, every back stamp and mark out there, reproductions and a complete section of American Limoges marks. Antique Limoges at Home is the best and a must for the Limoges collector.

beautifully illustrated and practical authoritative antiques guide on limoges.......2006-02-07

Numerous color photographs of limoges' pieces or sets in different rooms of a home--foyer, livingroom, bedrooms, etc.--illustrate how this highly desirable porcelain can enhance any setting. Individual pieces and sets are highlighted in middle chapters on different types of limoges such as plates, ewers, platters, chalices, dresser sets, punch bowls, teapots, vases, and others. With these pieces with price ranges conveniently noted following brief descriptions, one can study the details of illustrations, design of the edges, ornamentation, shape, and coloring. There's a shorter section for limoges pieces "you can wear"--i. e., brooches, pins, buttons. Owner of the Limoges Antique Shop in Andover, MA, and author and contributor to other books on limoges who is also a retired Air Force officer, Debbie DuBay has long been a recognized leader in spreading the word about the special beauty, diversity, and value of limoges. This book is so attractive, a reader might miss the general information and reference material DuBay provides of use to collectors and investors at all levels. Opening chapters introduce beginning collectors to limoges porcelain, noting distinctions between French and American limoges and the matter of reproductions. The references on artists, markings, and evaluating a piece or set more of interest to advanced collectors and dealers comes toward the end. Here there are close-ups of the many artist signatures and factory marks signifying the finest limoges.

Average customer rating:

ANTIQUE LIMOGES AT HOME

Manufacturer: SCHIFFER
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000GYL0RC

Book Description

“The perfect guide to select your first project. Includes instructions for a dolls’ house, the interiors, furnishings, fixtures and even miniature gardens.”—DOLLMAKING.

Average customer rating:
R.M. Schindler: 1933-1942 (Planet Architecture)
R. M. Schinkler
Manufacturer: In-D
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: CD-ROM

General | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
General | Home Design | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

The Architecture of R.M. Schindler

Tokyo Houses (Planet Architecture, Volume 4)

R.M. Schindler: 4 Houses (Planet Architecture)

Zaha Hadid: Works

Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin

ASIN: 1893801101

Book Description

"R.M. Schindler: 1933-1942" is the fifth in a series of monographs featuring the works of individual architects by PlanetArchitecture.com. As a follow up to the first R.M. Schindler title, the four additional houses featured here are from the middle period of his career: the Oliver house (1933-34), an early "plaster skin" design of wood frame and stucco; the de Keyser (1935) and the Droste (1940) houses, "plaster skin" designs with some special uses of materials and roof forms; and the Rodriguez house (1940-42), a house of wood, stucco and stone, which served as a transition to his post-war "Schindler Frame" work.

This CD-ROM features an intuitive, multi-referenced interface used to access the entire e-archive (electronic archive) of video interviews, photographs, writings, virtual reality panoramas, and drawings. The unique graphical interface takes full advantage of the interactive media and makes the self guided explorations both user friendly and enjoyable. This e-archive provides comprehensive documentation and virtual experiences unparalleled by any single medium. Nearly 80 full screen color photographs from exteriors and interiors to details document these houses like never before. 35 virtual reality panoramas (allowing 360 degree panning) take you there "virtually". Rare archival materials from the R.M. Schindler Archives reveal his masterful drawing skills. Judith Sheine provides an overview of Schindler's career in a 66 minute video presentation supplemented with drawings and photographs. Also, Sheine's audio introductions of each house (63 minutes in all) provides new insight into these notable houses. Lastly, a comprehensive collection of drawings from plans and elevations to sections allow you to study and analyze each project in greater detail.

R M Schindler (1887-1953) was a pivotal Modernist architect who remained largely unrecognized by the critical establishment during his lifetime. A pragmatist and theoretician, Schindler designed more than 500 projects, over 150 of which were built, most of these in the Los Angeles area, where he settled in 1920. R.M. Schindler was born in Vienna in 1887. After his studies there with Otto Wagner and Adolf Loos he was drawn to America by Frank Lloyd Wright's work and came to Chicago in 1914, working for Wright in 1918. Wright sent Schindler to Los Angeles in 1920 to supervise construction of the Barnsdall house and Schindler settled there, establishing his own practice, living and working out of his Kings Road house (1921-22), developing his own original form of modern architecture, which he called 'Space Architecture." His central concerns were with the creation of complex and beautiful interior spaces composed of "space, climate, light, mood."

Amazon.com

Not surprisingly, most of Frank Sinatra's biographers have raked through the muck of the singer's marriages, divorces, mob connections, and outbursts of foul-mouthed misogyny. Will Friedwald takes a different tack. Oh, the biographical facts are there, but Friedwald is mostly interested in the Voice--that irresistible, inimitable instrument, the absence of which would punch a major hole in the soundtrack of life. This is certainly the best book ever written on Sinatra's music, which means that it sheds a great deal of light on American pop music in general. And while Friedwald gets downright rhapsodic when it comes to the career highlights, he's not afraid to tweak Ol' Blue Eyes when he comes up with a dud.

Book Description

As Frank Sinatra approaches his eightieth year, he remains the greatest entertainer of our age. However, recent biographers, emphasizing the singer's celebrity at the expense of his artistry, have obscured the truth that it was Sinatra's art -- the way he used his voice to invigorate American popular music with innovative phrasing and a mastery of range and emotion -- that won him a lasting place in popular culture.

Sinatra! The Song Is You is the first full-length work to document the musical life of Frank Sinatra. Drawing upon recent interviews with Sinatra collaborators, arrangers, and musicians -- as well as previously unpublished conversations with "The Voice" himself -- author Will Friedwald chronicles this five-decade career, tracing the evolution of his vocal style from such early influences as Harry James (the bandleader who in the late thirties "discovered" Sinatra in New Jersey's Rustic Cabin), Tommy Dorsey,and Axel Stordahl, with whom Sinatra recorded his first string of solo hits. With the orchestrations of Nelson Riddle in the fifties came a more hard-swinging, uptempo Sinatra; the creation of his own label, Reprise Records, in the sixties gave him the venue to experiment with such unexpected forms as soft rock and psychedelia. Friedwald argues that Sinatra's recordings in the two decades following his 1971 to 1973 retirement weren't as prolific or as consistent as his earlier work, despite a startling comeback that culminated in the 1990s with the platinum-selling Duets discs.

Dubbed "the Poet Laureate of vintage pop music," Will Friedwald brings to this compelling history his astute critical analysis of all the classic and less familiar songs, presented here with the passion and wit that won him raves for Jazz Singing. Featuring an authoritative compact discography and eight pages of rare photos of recording sessions and performances, Sinatra! The Song Is You is an invaluable resource for Sinatra enthusiasts and the definitive print companion to his vast musical legacy.

Customer Reviews:

That beautiful rhapsody of love and youth and spring.......2007-09-04

I loved this book, this beautiful rhapsody of love and youth and spring, which focuses on Sinatra's music. I gave it to my dad, who is also a musician, but he felt it dwelled on the subject too long. I agree that it did over indulge at points, but just as Frank was such a perfectionist and so particular about his music, it took the subject very seriously, and gave it the attention it deserved. Personally, I found it fascinating, like I find Sinatra's music fascinating. I listen to his phrasing, marvel at his breath control, and most of all, wonder just how it is that he manages to convey so much emotion with only his voice.

Frank Sinatra is larger than life, a character that embodies the paradox and contradictions of the 20th Century in the United States of America like no other person before or since. As Kitty Kelley said in the preface to her trashy biography of the man, His Way: An Unauthorized Biography Of Frank Sinatra, he is the touchstone of our times. Sometimes his legend looms so large that we forget that what made him famous--why he matters--is his music. Will Friedland's book shines the spotlight right where it belongs.

One anonymous reviewer, `A Reader,' gave it only 2 stars, and titled his review: The Chairman deserves better. He gives the book a failing grade, and complains that Friedwald is not a true critic. He is a mere fan posing as a critic, says `A Reader,' whose opinions are no more valuable than yours or mine.

I beg to differ with `A Reader' here, because I feel that the exhaustive research Friedwald has put into the book, and the work he has done in writing it, elevates him far above the level of a mere fan. Most Sinatraphiles agree that his work with Nelson Riddle was the apex of his career, which is why so-called Nelson Riddle worship is, as you unwittingly admit, so typical. That you would prefer "a work of high critical quality by a critic with a PhD in cultural history" speaks volumes--about your snobbery (Actually, I will have to check out John Rockwell's Frank Sinatra: An American Classic. Thanks for the recommendation).

Another reviewer, who gave it 3 stars titled his review: Preaching to the Choir. He gives the author some credit, but then calls him a Bobby Soxer who gushes for 500+ pages. Then he reveals that his main problem is the songs he likes the best are Will Friedland's least favorites: "Strangers in the Night," "Melody of Love," and "My Way." I rest my case. Why don't you throw in "Old MacDonald Had a Farm" and "Does Eat Oats, and Cows Eat Oats, and Little Lambs Eat Ivy" while you're at it? Much better than the mickey mouse "swing" of Nelson Riddle.

Another reviewer, also writing under the pseudonym of `A Reader' titles his opus: Friedwald needs a good editor. "Unfortunately, as with his earlier Jazz Singing, Friedwald writes a self-indulgent stream-of-consciousness which is badly in need of professional editing. The book is written in a pseudo-hip musical jargon which most readers will find incomprehensible and which lacks both precision and grace."

He then proceeds to list important things about Sinatra's music that Will Friedwald totally ignores, as if 500+ pages is just much too short, and how dare he omit Astaire's contribution to rhythmic variation, and everything Italianate that predates Bing Crosby, stretching back via Jolson to Puccini?

You could use a little professional editing yourself. Your stream-of-consciousness is getting a little self-indulgent, and I'm finding it to be most incomprehensible, and lacking not only precision, but grace. If you are such an expert, `A Reader,' then why don't you write your own book?

As for the pseudo-hep musical jargon, I found it very appropriate and Sinatraesque. Ring-a-ding-ding! It's the Rat Pack calling. They want Will Friedland's self-indulgent stream-of-consciousness back.

Ring-a-Ding Ding!
Songs for Swingin' Lovers!
In the Wee Small Hours
Frank Sinatra Sings for Only the Lonely
A Swingin' Affair!
Point of No Return
No One Cares
Where Are You

This Book is About the Music.......2006-12-17

Will Friedwald has given us the definitive text on the music of Frank Sinatra. This book deals hardly at all with Frank Sinatra as a person and concentrates instead on Sinatra the consummate musician, analyzing each period in his musical development, and weaving into this the influences of those around him, in particular Axel Stordahl, Nelson Riddle and Gordon Jenkins. Each song is carefully analyzed. And while this would appear to be somewhat tedious, it is a fascinating page-turner. With the comprehensive index in the back, a listener can read up on a song and then listen with a heightened appreciation for what went into creating it.
Frank Sinatra is the greatest male vocalist of the Twentieth Century, in my opinion, and this book is the best handbook to understanding his music that exists anywhere.

Author's style irritates me no end , but worth it for the writing.......2006-05-11

I had heard about this book , bought it and haven't read it for a little while now . It is the sort of book you dip into depending what records or career period of Frank's you want to explore .

There are a lot of little in jokes and what I presume are Yiddish words , which would be great if I understood them .
I'm not Yiddish already .

This is a book that will become an invaluable piece of material for scholars and fans . The author also did the great thing of interviewing many of these important and superb musicians before they got too old and/or died , such as Billy May .
The interviews themselves should be released one day .

I suppose it is good that the author's style is sort of entertaining , but in the end I could do with less of that , as it takes away from the achievement somehow and cheapens it .

Still , you will enjoy the music of Frank Sinatra a lot more if you have this book .

That is what is important , after all .

Preaching to the Choir.......2006-04-10

On the upside, historian Will Friedwald presents a rare treat for Sinatra fans: he writes about the singer's art -- not his life. Since Sinatra's life has been examined in hundreds of tabloids and books, it is certainly not missed here. Friedwald provides interviews with band members, producers, etc., and gives the reader a fairly comprehensive overview of Sinatra's work.

On the downside, Bobby-soxer Will Friedwald gushes over Sinatra's singing, and his arrangers (Riddle, Stordahl, et al. This is fine for diehard Sinatra fans, but 500+ pages of almost unmitigated gushing can be hard for us casual fans to digest.

But what I found to be the biggest drawback with the book is the author's taste in music. The few Sinatra songs he trashes just so happen to be the ones that I like best ("Strangers in the Night," "Melody of Love," "My Way," etc.). Friedwald prefers his sappiest string arrangements (Stordahl) and mickey mouse "swing" tunes (Riddle) which he examines in excrutiating detail.

For Sinatraphiles it's a must. For the rest of us, it can be a bit of a bore.

no gossip or garbage-it's about the music!.......2004-10-21

i bot this book as a stocking stuffer for my wife, a casual sinatra fan thinking it was just another bio. then i started reading it. it sb noted that i owned 2 sinatra discs when i bot this book, i now have about 50. this book not only helped me understand the music i had already heard, but helped me seek out & discover the 100's of lost gems in sinatra's recorded works. again-no gossip, no kitty kelly junk, a well researched bio of frank's recorded output. if theres a downside to this book, it's that it will make you want to go out & find more franks discs than you may already own, and that could be an expensive undertaking. why?...because reprise or barbara s. do not listen to fans and re-realease the same greatest hits over & over. if u want a cd copy of "she shot me down"...prepare to pay up the nose on ebay-not a real good way to handle a legacy babs. that aside, nothing better than hittin the couch on a rainy or snowy day, poor a glass of booze(neat), crank a little "only the lonely" and read this book!

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books