Debt Is a Four Letter Word

Customer Reviews:

Generally Good.......2006-06-09

The idea of comparing these two iconic figures in a single book seems logical. The author, I think, adds some suspense to the reading by swinging back and forth between the stories of these two men at points of common ground.

Seemingly well researched, the author spends a sizeable amount of time to the pre-Civil War lives of Lee and Grant. This is good, because it is the less known parts of their lives. The post war years also get decent treatment. It's a smart move by the author not to overly reharsh the parts of the story we already know.

If I were to criticize the writing, I would focus on only two points. First, the "early years" information seems overly long without explaining much about how those experiences helped to forge their future personalities. Second, the juxtaposition between Lee as the Scion of the Old South and Grant as the Ideal of the New North should have been driven home earlier. I think those changes might have helped turn this "good" dual biography into something special.

My minor criticisms aside, this is a fine addition to the bookshelf of the Civil War buff in your life. Informative, well structured and not exhaustingly long, it's an enjoyable book.

History book with fiction.......2006-01-12

True, documentation on Lee and Grant is extensive, and I enjoyed reading the book - in the beginning. But the minutest details of their lives are told without any kind of passion, making some of the certainly fictionalized mini-events quite boring. Parallelling their lives in alternating chapters would have been much more interesting had more emphasis been placed on the living conditions and philosophy of the time instead of this painstaking effort to details that read worse than the driest of dry history books.

Blue And Gray.......2005-05-06

I purchased my first biography by Gene Smith on Woodrow Wilson in 1963 and was suitably impressed to later purchase this book that was published in 1984.

In fact, had anyone but Gene Smith written this one I would not have been interested. Having several biographies of both Grant and Lee on the shelf I would not be too keen on an author attempting to cover these men in one book. But I have to laud Mr. Smith that once again he has written a very readable and interesting biography.

By alternating chapters and concentrating mainly on the Western Theatre in Virgina he has been able to give focus on both these military men. Interestingly enough the humble Grant and the aristocratic Lee both ended up in the same room having a similiar goal in mind: bringing the Union back to peace. I stood in that 'reconstructed' room at the McLean house in Appomattox Courthouse, Virginia, a short time back, and after all the years even the replacement room can still hold a certain historical feeling.

This is a very good, basic biography of these two military leaders and adequate view of the Civil War in Virginia.

Semper Fi.

Well Formed.......2005-02-24

There is not a lot new to be said about Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant. They are, undoubtedly, two of the most documented men in History. What is more important, when tackling this subject, is presenting the subject matter in an interesting fashion. In this regard, Gene Smith succeeds.

By alternating chapters, between each of his subjects, the reader follows the lives of two men as they grow and develop. All the while knowing, they are destined to meet in ultimate contest.

Even more than the book's interesting structure, I was impressed with Smith's well formed thoughts. The narrative is never disjointed or piecemeal, and all details are presented in context to the two men's lives, manifesting in a highly readable work.

I laud Mr. Smith for an excellent effort. And I encourage readers, whether new or old to the subject of the Civil War, to read this book.

Very rewarding read.......2002-03-24

I enjoyed this book very much. The contrast between Grant (who led a hard scrabble life, even resorting to selling firewood by the side of the road to make a living) and Lee (perhaps the greatest man of the South) and Grant's triumph was a great story. You get a great introduction to the Civil War, even though there is a focus on the Virginia campaign because this is a biography of these two men, not an overall history of the Civil War. Highly recommended.

Average customer rating:

Lee amd Grant: A Dual Biography
Gene Smith
Manufacturer: Easton Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Leather Bound
ASIN: B000IP10GA

LEE and GRANT : A Dual Biography (LIBRARY OF MILITARY HISTORY)

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LEE and GRANT : A Dual Biography (LIBRARY OF MILITARY HISTORY)

Manufacturer: Easton Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Leather Bound
ASIN: B000COJFB4

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Lee and Grant A Dual Biography
Gene Smith
Manufacturer: Easton Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Leather Bound
ASIN: B000M015FM

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LEE AND GRANT, A DUAL BIOGRAPHY
Gene Smith
Manufacturer: The Easton Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000KNMTJW

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Lee and Grant: A Dual Biography.

Manufacturer: 0
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000ICSXL8

Reader's Digest Great Biographies: Lee and Grant a Dual Biography; Impressionist A Novel of Mary Cassatt; The Life and Death of Lenin and Kon-Tiki Across the Pacific By Raft

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Reader's Digest Great Biographies: Lee and Grant a Dual Biography; Impressionist A Novel of Mary Cassatt; The Life and Death of Lenin and Kon-Tiki Across the Pacific By Raft
Barbara J. (Editor-in-Chief Morgan
Manufacturer: Reader's Digest
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000JRE86Q

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Lee and Grant: A Dual Biography
Gene Smith
Manufacturer: McGraw Hill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000PVXLPU

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Lee and Grant: A Dual Biography
Gene Smith
Manufacturer: New American Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000O5SAL2

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Lee and Grant: A Dual Biography.
Gene Smith
Manufacturer: See notes
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000V0JBQS

Book Description

All the standard and new information ministers need to know for 1999 tax returns. Includes forms.

The Zondervan minister's tax & financial guide ;: For 2000 tax returns

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The Zondervan minister's tax & financial guide ;: For 2000 tax returns
Daniel D Busby
Manufacturer: Zondervan
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

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Book Description

This introductory overview of the major home systems gives students a solid foundation for beginning a career in home inspeciton. This comprehensive text gets students out into the field quickly while serving as a springboard for the 13 advanced electives in the Principles line. Systems & Standards focuses on system and component problems, their practical implications, and inspections strategies for finding them. No other single volume offers both the breadth and depth of this introduction.

Principles of Home Inspection: Systems & Standards Review Questions & Answers

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Principles of Home Inspection: Systems & Standards Review Questions & Answers

Manufacturer: Dearborn Trade Pub
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Home & Garden | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
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ASIN: 0793183197

Systems & Standards (Principles of Home Inspection)

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Systems & Standards (Principles of Home Inspection)
Carson Dunlop
Manufacturer: Kaplan Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Her proper place in her father's story

Lucia Joyce: To Dance in the Wake
Carol Loeb Shloss
Manufacturer: Picador
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Authors | Arts & Literature | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
Joyce, James | ( J ) | People, A-Z | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
General | Joyce, James | ( J ) | Authors, A-Z | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
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James Joyce (Oxford Lives)

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ASIN: 0312422695
Release Date: 2005-02-10

Book Description

In this ground breaking work Carol Shloss shows the extraordinary influence that James Joyce's daughter Lucia exercised on her father's emotions and work. "This is a story that was not supposed to be told", writes Shloss who transforms Lucia from the "mad daughter", and a footnote in her father's life, to a creative kindred spirit.

Customer Reviews:

Her proper place in her father's story.......2006-06-15

This review is based in good part on Joan Acocella 's comprehensive review which first appeared in 'The New Yorker'. It also makes use of information provided by D.T. Max in a story on Joyce's grandson , Stephen Joyce and his efforts to protect the family from too close public scrutiny.
Shloss worked for many years on this book, and her aim is to both rehabilitate Lucia Joyce from the image given of her by Joyce scholars Richard Ellmann( The great Joyce biographer) and Brenda Maddox( Biographer of Nora Joyce).
As Schloss sees it Lucia Joyce was herself a creative artist who was not simply an inspiration but a real collaborator with her father in the creation of 'Finnegan's Wake'. This claim is one Acocella believes there is no real evidence for, and is in fact the major exaggeration of the book.
Other claims of Schloss however are given greater credibility. The primary one is that Lucia Joyce was victimized, institutionalized unnecessarily through the treacherous actions of her brother Georgio. As Schloss sees it James Joyce was Lucia's defender in the family , loved her and believed in her genius. But in his dedication to his work, especially to the completion of 'Finnegan's Wake' he did not take the time and effort to stand up to his wife Nora and son Georgio who worked against Lucia.
Lucia's sad story, her schizophrenia, her rejection by three assistants of Joyce, including Beckett and Alexander Calder, her failed efforts at a dancing career, her tale of childhood wanderings with an indigent father artist, her language difficulties , her long period of institutionalization is told here in great detail.
Schloss has tremendous sympathy for her subject.
Unfortunately she in trying to make Lucia Joyce a subject of interest is unable to change the fact that the reason most people have had or will have interest in her is because of the possible light her life throws on that of Joyce itself.
Certainly the illness of his daughter was for Joyce a major source of worry grief and frustration.
Yet in the way Schloss tells the story Joyce himself too appears a victim, both of his other family members, and of his genius.
He also appears as an often neglectful but nonetheless largely caring father who could not prevent his child from having a life of great pain and suffering.

Average customer rating:

Lucia Joyce : To Dance in the Wake
Carol Loeb Shloss
Manufacturer: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OX6LZG

Customer Reviews:

GREAT BOOK.......2000-08-01

This is a MUST have book. I was fortunate enough to meet "Grandpa Pete" before his death and was so excited when I saw this book. Not many have been through more than him, and he expresses his beliefs wonderfully in this book. even if you are new to Lakota spirituality, he explains things in a way anyone can understand. He was a great man, and left a great legacy with this book.

Sacred Fireplace [Oceti wakan].......2000-01-31

This book is a must read for anyone interested in Lakota spirituality. The author tells many stories from his life, the stories are so real and touching I could not put the book down.Just the chapters describing the various Lakota ceremonies, inipi,sun dance ,hanbleceya etc are worth the price of the book. I finished the book feeling uplifted and warm.The author's love and caring for his people,the earth and allits creatures is very apparent.Buy the book.lcossutt@hotmail.com

Oceti Wakan: Translation of : Sacred Fireplace

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Impressive
Excellent

Oceti Wakan: Translation of : Sacred Fireplace
Pete S., Sr. Catches , and Retek V. Catches
Manufacturer: Oceti Wakan
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Customer Reviews:

Impressive.......2001-10-31

What a wonderful book. I looked forward to every page filled with wisdom. When finished, I hungered for more.
Thank You for the lessons and food for thought provided in this book.

Excellent.......1999-09-06

For any person interested in the Lakota Spotted Eagle Medicine Way, i highly recommend this book.

Oceti Wakan =: Sacred fireplace : Pete Catches Sr. (Petaga Yuha Mani) a Spotted Eagle holy man, shares his life and the sacred ceremonies given to the Lakota people

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Oceti Wakan =: Sacred fireplace : Pete Catches Sr. (Petaga Yuha Mani) a Spotted Eagle holy man, shares his life and the sacred ceremonies given to the Lakota people
Pete Catches
Manufacturer: Oceti Wakan
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

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ASIN: B0006FAS3I

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