Trends 2000: How to Prepare for and Profit from the Changes of the 21st Century

Customer Reviews:

lucky fluke.......2003-09-16

I read this book a few years ago. Of course it's more fun than science. A lot of the things he predicted didn't come true. But the stuff about clean foods and organic food were of a personal interest to me. When my mom kept raving about "Bread and Circus," her local natural food supermarket that had great produce, I found out it was owned by Whole Foods. Taking a chance, I invested. The stock has doubled. That trend, talked about in the book, was basically the entire reason I got the stock.

My review is a lot like this book. There is no guarantee it's going to work for you. There is no guarantee that if you buy a stock based on this book that the company won't go bankrupt tomorrow.

But look at another trend he talked about... "picture phones..." they are starting to be seen EVERYWHERE. Once the technology is common enough, you'll see them for cheaper. The thing is, the people who are investing in that trend have already made their money. You just have to buy the right stock and hope that it really catches fire.

My advice--earn money the old-fashioned way... through the long, slow process of conservative investment.

A Solid Effort!.......2001-06-02

Trends 2000 identifies investment opportunities that will help you profit in a future of global radiation poisoning, free, unlimited energy and "techno-tribes" of pioneers who have fled cities in search of safety and clean water. These predictions and many more are made so confidently by author Gerald Calente that he frequently writes of future events - like the creation of contained cold fusion - in the past tense. The book includes headlines and stories from the Associated Press and newspapers such as the Wall Street Journal, New York Times and USA Today to back up its bold prognostications. While shaded by his own political leanings, Calente does point out some disturbing trends, like the steady decay of the Russian nuclear power infrastructure. He also cites some trends that are truly thought-provoking, like the competitive advantage gained by the U.S. through the "English language monopoly" created by the rapid spread of its technology. We [...] recommend this book for investors, entrepreneurs and executives looking to identify overlooked trends in society and alternative views of the future.

Trends 2000 : How to Prepare for and Profit from the Changes.......2000-03-25

This book has some very insightful "Trendposts" as the author refers to them. One example was "the newfocus on health will become a powerful trend, creating both confusion and job opportunities: In response to an obvious and growing demand, a number of new professions will be creatd - among them, vitamin counselor.

Trends 200--A Must Read.......2000-02-29

As a radio talk show host I have interviewed over 1,000 authors and professionals. Gerry Celente is not only an exciting radio guest, but he has written what I believe to be one of the most important and dynamic books of the year. Trends 2000 is a blueprint for living in the 21st Century. Whether you're interested in the emerging job market, the economic shifts affecting the global society, the re-structuring of politics or the technological advances that will most affect us and our families, Trend 2000 is a must read. It is not surprising that Gerry Celente appears frequently on CNN and is in constant demand as a speaker at corporate meetings around the world. I highly recommend this book to anyone wishing to dig behind the headlines and evening news broadcasts to discover how to take advantage of the major shifts taking place both here and around the globe.

Boring!.......2000-01-24

I am a seventh grader and for my anual quarter book I had to read Trends 2000. My assignment was to read only four chapters of the book, in any area that I choose.But even four chapters of the book was very dull and I do not recomend anyone to read this book.

trends 2000 How To Prepare for and Profit From The Changes of The 21st Century

Average customer rating:

trends 2000 How To Prepare for and Profit From The Changes of The 21st Century
Gerald Celente
Manufacturer: Warner Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000HFLKL6

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Research Source.......2000-05-04

If you are researching the Civil War, especially the practice of medicine and surgery during the Civil War, this is an invaluable source. This is a personal journal of a Civil War surgeon. As such it is told in his own words. The reader is regaled with day to day details of the surgeon's life.

Book Description

The dynamics of business-government relations in the United States between 1960 and 1988.

Customer Reviews:

Variations in Patterns of Business Power Over Time.......2007-04-07

Vogel argues that both the pluralist model, and the argument posed by Lindblom (corporations have an inordinate amount of power in democracies) are flawed. Vogel's major critique is that both approaches see the power of business as being stable. Rather, he argues that the power of business varies and these variations follow a distinct pattern over time.

Vogel argues that changes in political and economic conditions affect the power of business in government. He writes, "One of the most crucial factors that has affected the relative political influence of business is the public's perception of the long-term strength of the American economy" (290). To illustrate this point, Vogel discovers an ironic relationship between economic performance and the strength of business power. As economic success increases, the power of big business weakens. Additionally, the inverse is also true. This relationship can be explained in that when the public sees economic prosperity and growth, they assume that big business and corporations should be required to contribute some of their acquired wealth to social programs and other aspects of the public good. As such, the masses expect government to remove some of the power of corporations. On the other hand, when an economic downturn emerges the masses expect the government to encourage business productivity through tax relief, tariffs, and other incentives (9). Due to this relationship, Vogel argues that we often see a shift in the political pendulum from a position of staunch business support, to one in which the power of corporations are curtailed.

In addition to the impact of economic and political changes, the power of business is influenced by the "changing structure of American politics" (10). For example, Vogel cites the rise in political activism on the part of interest groups corresponding with the decentralization in Congress and the weakening of political parties. These changes, especially the rise of consumer and environmental groups who were lobbying representatives of Congress weakened the position of corporations. As a response, big business adopted the strategies of the smaller interest groups, and ultimately developing the idea of Political Action Committees to make a more lasting impact on Congress.

Customer Reviews:

Guitar tablature.......2004-07-12

Guitar tablature and lyrics for meatplow, vasoline, lounge fly, interstate love song, still remains, pretty penny, silvergun superman,big empty,unglued, army ants, kitchenware and candybars. A couple photos, notes and legend of music symbols.

Stone Temple Pilots: Core/Guitar Tablature Edition

Average customer rating:

Everything you need

Stone Temple Pilots: Core/Guitar Tablature Edition
Music Sales Corporation
Manufacturer: Music Sales Corp
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

Entertainers | Arts & Literature | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Performing Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Alice In Chains - Nothing Safe (Guitar Recorded Versions)

ASIN: 082561371X

Customer Reviews:

Everything you need.......2000-04-18

This Tablature has all the greatest songs of STP. Core, being their most solid album which led them into success, has some of the most dynamic songs. This tablature is easy and fun for any level.

Stone Temple Pilots: Tiny Music, Songs from the Vatican Gift Shop

Average customer rating:

Perfect Tabs for a perfect album
It was alright

Stone Temple Pilots: Tiny Music, Songs from the Vatican Gift Shop
Music Sales Corporation
Manufacturer: Music Sales Corporation
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Songbooks | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

General | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

Stone Temple Pilots: Core/Guitar Tablature Edition

ASIN: 082561547X

Customer Reviews:

Perfect Tabs for a perfect album.......2003-11-29

This is one of my favorite tab books - from Lady Picture Show to Seven Caged Tigers, these songs are beautiful.

It was alright.......2001-05-09

I thought that this was the worst book ever written. I mean it did have some good parts but mainly it was garbage. If you want to have some good Stone Temple Pilots then get the cds...not the book

Average customer rating:

No. 4
Stone Temple Pilots Cdatl 83255
Manufacturer: ATLANTIC/Q RECORDS
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD

General | Books on CD | Audiobooks | Formats | Books
ASIN: 6305628815

Average customer rating:

sTp book is awesome =)

Stone Temple Pilots
Mick Wall , and Malcolm Dome
Manufacturer: Omnibus Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Entertainers | Arts & Literature | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

General | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Performing Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0711948224

Customer Reviews:

sTp book is awesome =).......1998-08-11

This book is a MUST for the sTp fan!!!~ it covers the band from there Mighty Joe Young Days to the days that there sophomore effort Purple was released! ..it features TONS of pictures...although this book is a older one (it doesnt include anything on the Tiny Music.. effort,it definatly is a awesome book!

Average customer rating:

Awesome book

Stone Temple Pilots
Ian Gittins
Manufacturer: Music Book Services Corporation
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Performing Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1886894043

Customer Reviews:

Awesome book.......1999-05-06

Great Book. This book has everything from the meeting of Weiland and DeLeo at the Black Flag concert to the aftermath of Purple. Full color and comes in the size of a cd. Any true true fan of Stone Temple Pilots should definitely get this book for a very complete history of the band, including the good and the bad. I found out most of what I know about my favorite band by reading this.

Average customer rating:

Tiny Music...Songs from the Vatican G
Stone Temple Pilots Cdatl 82871
Manufacturer: ATLANTIC/Q RECORDS
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD

General | Books on CD | Audiobooks | Formats | Books
ASIN: 6304030231

Average customer rating:

Stone Temple Piolets develop another awesome album!!

Stone Temple Pilots No. 4

Manufacturer: Warner Bros Pubns
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

jp-unknown1 | Specialty Stores | Books
ASIN: 0769294278

Customer Reviews:

Stone Temple Piolets develop another awesome album!!.......2000-12-01

Stone Temple Piolets shot out this album last year sometime. Scott Weiland came back form drug therapy to record another album. This book has all the songs on the CD, each one rocking until the next. I personally love this album, and for anyone who enjoys pure rock music, this is a book for you! Stone Temple Piolets are the MODEL rock group! Awesome book!!

Book Description

In the early 1970s -- between the dawn of the sexual revolution and the disillusionment of Watergate -- a young Dutch woman named Xaviera de Vries was transformed overnight into an international celebrity and sex symbol as the author of The Happy Hooker, her racy chronicle of life as a high-class New York madam. As Xaviera Hollander, she became the voice of that era's new sexual freedoms even as her book was banned and she herself was deported to Amsterdam in the wake of the scandal.

Yet sexual escapades have formed only a small part of this woman's remarkable life story -- a story she reveals for the first time in this thoughtful and involving memoir.

It was a life begun in terror. Two months after her birth, Hollander and her mother were confined in a women's prison camp during the WWII Japanese occupation of Indonesia; her father, a doctor, was imprisoned nearby. By some miracle, the small family survived; yet the horrors of their treatment -- and the precious nature of their bond -- were imprinted forever on her psyche.From her childhood forward, Hollander traces her life, and sexuality, as it was shaped by the example of her parents: her father, a dapper and witty Jewish psychologist and intellectual, her mother, the gorgeous daughter of conventional German parents. With characteristic frankness, Hollander revisits how her parents' tempestuous marriage shaped the course of her own life. And as she chronicles her eventual departure for New York, her passionate affairs with men and women, and her years of international celebrity, she reveals how her parents' lives continued to entwine with her own -- the romantic ideal of her father coloring her relationships with men, her jealousy of her mother settling at last into a warm and abiding love.

Told in the utterly honest and unquenchably inquisitive voice that has always distinguished her, Xaviera Hollander's Child No More recounts a surprising and ultimately uplifting voyage of discovery through three lives.

Customer Reviews:

Never twin beds.......2005-07-01

In this autobiography, the 'Happy Hooker' tells without any inhibition her non-hooker life story.

It centres on her fascination with her extrovert womanizing father ( a surgeon) and her more difficult relationship with her introvert mother, a former model.

Her extremely vigorous sexual energy, as well as that of her parents, flows continuously in all directions.
Another returning theme is the universal sexual Phariseism which she encounters all over the world.

This sometimes too exhaustive book paints a quite exemplary destiny of a well-to-do European family: the privileged bright sunshine of colonisation, defeat and a difficult adaptation to a changed European lifestyle after World War II.

Although some chapters will only be really appreciated by the Dutch, this book is, all in all, a worth-while read.

Interesting story.......2002-07-27

Great read, incredible life story, my only criticism is towards the end, Ms. Hollander just kind of glosses over things quickly and the book ends abruptly. I would still highly recommend it!

The amazing 20th century of a rather special family.......2002-06-09

Xaviera has managed to captivate the 20th Century without losing herself into that what would have sold best, her life as the happy hooker.

In fact, being "the happy hooker" is only a very small part of her life. Born in Indonesia during the second world war, her family was captured and her mother and father separated. At the time Xaviera was only 3 weeks old and she spent the all important first 3 years of her life in this Japanese prisoners camp.

Her father was a psychiatrist. Her mother a famous model with French/German blood married Xaviera's jewish father. In that era of the emerging national socialist party, this wasn't the mainstream marriage at all.

Child no more is a memorial and a memoir, a dedication of a daughter who does want to share the life and the memory of her incredibly special parents. She's at times painfully honest. Her darker demons are not hidden, nor does she try to be the "good daughter". And it is the struggle of her coming to terms with the death of her father, and the more recent death of her mother that is the most gripping. Everyone who'se lost (a) parent(s) will recognise it and find comfort in it.

I've known Xaviera and her mother for a long time. When Xaviera used to invite you to her home to one of her very special parties, her mother would always be there. Enjoying some of it and shaking her head jokingly at the more extravagant guests. I miss her mother, not just at these parties. She was an incredibly strong and charming lady, who knew about her daughter's escapades, but couldn't and wouldn't condemn them. And I've seen Xaviera's love for her mother, especially during the last years of her life. I'm sorry that I've never had the chance to meet her father. Both Xaviera and her mother kept him alive by talking about him openly and in that way he was always there.

I'm amazed how resilient children can be. Spending the first 3 years in a Japanese prisoners camp, where the corporal punishment was incredibly refined, painful, intimidating and brutal. Neither her mother nor Xaviera ever really complained about that horrible period. Only once did I see the horror coming back, and that was when we saw the movie "Paradise Road". Only then Xaviera was able to cry.

If you're more into The Happy Hooker, then you'll be happy that Xaviera's publisher is reprinting this title.
Should you, however, be interested in a very honest, interesting memoir of a family living in the roaring twenties, the depression in the thirties, the war and its after-effects in the forties, the bouncing back in the fifties, the sweet sixties, the happy hooker years, all the way to the millennium, then you will love Child no more. Keep the tissues ready though, this is a book that isn't shy on emotions!

Customer Reviews:

Helpful for the basics in writing........2001-12-19

This book by Richard Andersen is helpful if you are unsure of your basic writing skills, but does little to help you out with being creative or playing with words, which is what I expected when I bought it. Still, it does complete it's purpose and explains some of the quirksome nuances of the English language that we all must conquer to be good writers. If you didn't master English in Junior High real well, you probably could use this book.

Book Description

This Report reviews the economic consequences of illicit crop cultivation and illicit drug trade and examines the impact that illicit drug trade has on economic development. The Report, divided into three parts, covers the following topics: illicit drugs and economic development, operation of the international drug control system, and an analysis of the world situation.

Book Description

The 4th edition of this highly regarded title provides invaluable biographical details of the thousands of major figures involved in all aspects of international affairs.

The Who's Who in International Affairs 2005 is truly international in coverage, and lists over 6,000 entrants from a wide range of disciplines, including leading diplomats, politicians, government ministers, heads of state, academics, civil servants, judges, think tank analysts and scholars, and heads of international organizations, Meticulously researched, this title will be of great value to anyone involved with international affairs world-wide.

Entries:
Entries are listed alphabetically by surname and, where available entries include: Name; Present Position, Nationality; Date of Birth; Family Details; Education; Career Information; Honours and Awards; Publications; Contact Address; Telephone and Fax Numbers; E-mail and Internet Addresses.

New Diplomatic Representation Appendix:
A unique newappendix lists, for more than 170 countries, the names and contact information for all ambassadors to and from those countries.

Nationality Index:
This comprehensive index covers more than 170 countries, listing entrants from those countries. Each citation provides name, job title, organization and page reference.

Organizations Index:
Organizations cited in the directory are listed alphabetically, followed by a list the entrants affiliated to them. Examples of organizations include: United Nations, International Institute for Strategic Studies, Council on Foreign Relations, Human Rights Watch, and the International Court of Justice.

Comprehensive in its coverage of international affairs, this key title will prove an invaluable acquisition for public and academic libraries, government departments, the media, universities, businesses, charities and embassies world-wide.

Average customer rating:
The Hidden Face of Free Enterprise The Strange Economics of the American Businessman
John R. Bunting
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill Book Co.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000J0NA3U

Average customer rating:
The Hidden Face of Free Enterprise: The Strange Economics of the American Businessman

Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000FQ9QXQ

Average customer rating:
The Hidden Face of Free Enterprise: The Strange Economics of the American Businessman
John R. Bunting
Manufacturer: Greenwood Press Reprint
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Economic Conditions | Economics | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
General | Popular Economics | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
Economic Conditions | International | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0313232180

Book Description

This book interprets, analyzes, and evaluates the free enterprise system. It is an informative appraisal of the system for anyone interested in the future of the country, the society, and the economy. It shows how the United States economy really works.

The Hidden Face of Free Enterprise: the Strange Economics of the American Businessman

Average customer rating:

The Hidden Face of Free Enterprise: the Strange Economics of the American Businessman
john bunting
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill,
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B0000CM8KW

Average customer rating:

The Hidden Face of Free Enterprise: The Strange Economics of the American Businessman
John R. Bunting
Manufacturer: Greenwood Press Reprint
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OTQ57E

Book Description

Andrea Bocelli: A Celebration is the only illustrated biography of the blind tenor who has taken the music world by storm. Readers will learn of his struggle with blindness, his love of opera, and his discovery while singing in piano bars. This book is a must for every Bocelli fan.

Amazon.com

The phenomenal stardom of Andrea Bocelli is striking from several angles. Whether you're considering its implications for the record industry, for the role of crossover artists, or even for such larger--and perennial--issues as the gulf between "highbrow" and "lowbrow" culture, the sudden rise of this young Italian tenor seems to have an almost paradigmatic quality. Despite consistently dubious critical reception of the "classical" side of Bocelli's career--including a very insightful critique by Anthony Tommasini of The New York Times following the tenor's American operatic debut in November 1999--his fan base only continues to expand. And they are very loyal fans, indeed, who seem above all to respond to the naturalness of Bocelli's voice and approach to singing, whether of pop material (in Sogno) or of the classical favorites that are dearest to Bocelli himself (Sacred Arias or Aria: The Opera Album).

Antonia Felix's book will certainly be of great appeal to those fans, with its attractively produced collage of text and photographs. While there aren't exactly any new revelations, Felix has culled together a number of sources to give us an intimate picture of Bocelli in his most important contexts. After a brief narrative of his childhood and the accident that accelerated his growing blindness, we learn of Bocelli's struggle between practical common sense (in the form of the law career he successfully began) and his dream of making a life centered on music. How the latter came to be--through Bocelli's beginnings as a casual lounge singer, his chance association with Italian pop artist Zucchero, and other similar encounters--has an almost fairy-tale aura in Felix's retelling. We also learn of the central importance of Bocelli's family life, his Catholic faith, and his philosophy of determined optimism.

Felix provides some background on Italian operatic tradition to help place Bocelli in cultural context. There are thumbnail sketches of such figures as Verdi and Puccini and discussions of their importance for Bocelli; readers unfamiliar with operatic history but attracted to this aspect of Bocelli's career will find them helpful. This isn't the kind of biography that gives all relevant perspectives: in her discussion of one pivotal moment of Bocelli's career--his performance in La Bohème in 1998--Felix blithely passes over the negative press accounts and the substance of their criticisms. The tone throughout is rather that of a glowing admiration for her subject. That said, Felix writes in lucid, unfussy journalistic prose, and though a more thorough consideration of the Bocelli phenomenon remains to be written, her portrayal will be of great interest to fans who know the singer only from his presence on disc. The book is beautifully produced and richly illustrated with black-and-white as well as color photos. --Thomas May

Customer Reviews:

Andrea Bocelli Fan.......2006-03-25

I found the piece to be beautifully illustrated with very touching photographs that revealed the essense of a naturally talented vocalist and the protrayl of his life. An exceptional voice as many have stated "sings from the heart" and in my mind "the soul."

My recent purchase.......2006-03-10

I appreciate the prompt and excellant condition of this item.
I am very happy and am a huge supporter of amazon.com

The Man Behind The Voice of An Angel.......2002-07-22

"My blindness has never been a tragedy to me; I don't know why it should be a tragedy to others." This quote by Maestro Bocelli, out of many that are included in this interesting and well-written biography, cogently defines the man behind the beautiful voice.

The author, Ms. Felix, takes the reader on an interesting journey. Her writing style is very engaging and educational, especially for those new to classical music. From his birth with a rare form of congenital glaucoma, all the way to White House to sing for President Clinton, Andrea Bocelli's story has the aura of a fairy tale. But the author firmly grounds the reader in reality. Maestro Bocelli is now a famous man; however, we see his life before and after, and perhaps come away thinking that it couldn't happen to a nicer guy.

From his childhood in the hills of Tuscany, through his years in Pisa for law school, we see the struggle of a young man who never allowed his blindess to close his vision of the world. The author's recounting of his law school years, along with his early forays into piano bars, was very intriguing. The story how he met his wife, Enrica, will captivate the reader with its candor, along with his feelings after their first meeting. "When she touched my hand, I knew I had met the love of my life."

Many would say that Maestro Bocelli, a former public defender, was lucky to achieve his fame. One of his countless demo tapes fell into the hands of the manager of Italian pop vocal star, Zucchero, who was looking for a tenor to accompany him on a certain song called, "Miserere." His inital choice was Maestro Luciano Pavorotti, who after hearing the demo, could not believe it came from an unknown piano bar singer. In the end, the Maestro told him, "This guy Bocelli will sing it better than anyone." And with that endorsement, the path was paved for Andrea Bocelli to become a household name in Europe.

This is a very vivid tale about a determined man. The reader may get the impression that he would prefer to sing to his horse, Gisele, rather than combat his admitted stage fright in front of his passionate fans. Or perhaps take to the slopes with gold medalist, Alberto Tomba, who taught Maestro Bocelli how to ski. Or parachute out of a plane on a dare. But this is a rare man with a lifelong passion for singing, and the author paints a complete portrait of him. The reader will come away with an added respect for the man with the angelic voice.

Thank you for the opportunity to review this book.

Very well done.......2002-02-01

This is a beautiful book, well written and lavishly filled with wonderful pictures of Andrea and His family, surroundings and special events. This book gives a nice short history of Bocelli's life and a detailed look at his musical career, it is very much a good biography and a good history of Bocelli, it is a good sister book to Andreas auto Biography "The Music Of Silence" which is really detailed about Andrea youth up to his young adulthood and gives his thought's about all the important events of his life, but is not detailed about his career. Felix's book Besides covering HIS Career up To 99 in Great detail she also gives us a nice understanding about those who influenced Andrea musically (the greats of Opera) and about Opera itself. I also agree with the last reviewer it is a nice coffie table book due to the size and the beatiful pictures. Together the books (Andrea Bocelli : A Celebration by Antonia Felix and The Slience of Music : Andrea Bocelli) give a great picture of ANDREA in so many ways, and are a must for every Bocelli fan.

BOCELLI TOUCHES THE SOUL LIKE A GENTLE BREEZE IN SUMMER.......2001-07-05

Who could not possibly hear the strains of "Con Te Partir" from Romanza and not be filled with emotion. Andrea Bocelli is one of the world's most outstanding artists of all time. His voice is like a gift from Heaven sent on the wings of angels, and his charisma is magnetic and empowering.

There has been more than one book written on this extraordinary man; however, I found this one to be filled with more passion and exuberance than others. The reader will learn of Bocelli's faith, childhood, the accident which contributed to his blindness, his encounter with Zucchero (an extremely well-known Italian artist) and his rise to fame. The only flaws with the book are minor; while there are some coloured photographs, many are in black and white which rather distracted from the quality of the book. In addition, the author was rather vague in some parts, leaving the reader feeling that book is not entirely complete. However, the book is still an interesting account of how this talented artist achieved such acclaimed stardom and world-wide adoration.

Average customer rating:
Andrea Bocelli: A Celebration

Manufacturer: St Martins Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000GR5GPQ

Average customer rating:

Could NOT put it down

Dirda's unique book on reading

Memories

Portrait of the Reader as a Young Man

Wonderful memoir, for avid readers or not

AN OPEN BOOK; COMING OF AGE IN THE HEARTLAND.
Michael. Dirda
Manufacturer: W. W. Norton & Co.,
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
Similar Items:

Book by Book: Notes on Reading and Life

Bound to Please: An Extraordinary One-Volume Literary Education

Readings: Essays & Literary Entertainments

Readings: Essays and Literary Entertainments

An Open Book: Chapters from a Reader's Life

ASIN: B000FUO0AQ

Book Description

A funny, wistful memoir by a Pulitzer Prize-winning critic that recalls the charm of Growing Up and the tenderness of One Writer's Beginnings.

"All that kid wants to do is stick his nose in a book," Michael Dirda's steelworker father used to complain, worried about his son's passion for reading. In An Open Book, one of the most delightful memoirs to emerge in years, the acclaimed literary journalist Michael Dirda re-creates his boyhood in rust-belt Ohio, first in the working-class town of Lorain, then at Oberlin College. In addition to his colorful family and friends, An Open Book also features the great writers and fictional characters who fueled Dirda's imagination: from Green Lantern to Sherlock Holmes, from Candy to Proust. The result is an affectionate homage to small-town America—summer jobs, school fights, sweepstakes contests, and first dates—as well as a paean to what could arguably be called the last great age of reading.

Customer Reviews:

Could NOT put it down.......2005-06-29

This is an extraordinary story of an ordinary life. From comic books, to the Hardy Boys to Faust to the French classics, we go on a ride through books with Mike Dirda. I also grew up in the Midwest at about the same time and I can identify with just about every page of the book. Extraordinary.

Dirda's unique book on reading.......2004-11-13

As a frequent reader what struck me most about Mr. Dirda's book is that it is not quite like anything else out there. In this day and age, uniqueness is rare and that alone makes the book a standout

Dirda transmits his love of reading within the framework of his coming of age. The fun part of the book it is that the ever shifting reference points for his love of reading keep the reader delightfully off balance.

Well done and worth reading.

Memories.......2004-08-09

Everything Michael wrote in his book brought back so many boyhood memories for for my friend. It wasn't just the big things, it was the little things Dirda wrote about that brought smiles and tugged at the heart.

Portrait of the Reader as a Young Man.......2004-07-25

As I am a near contemporary of the author in age, I found an uncanny mirroring of my life in his...similar touchstones of products, events, TV shows, etc. many of which I had long forgotten. But what was the key pleasure of reading about this otherwise common life (and I throw myself in that descriptor as well)was the impact that various books had on him...something I could also identify with as another lifelong avid reader.

Dirda mentions book titles to show how they affected his imagination, his decisions, his way of looking at the world. For those who argue there is no concrete utility in reading and are satisfied that future generations are losing this habit, this book is the best argument to the contrary I know. Not that there is any solemnity to his story or any self-importance. His is a wry, affectionate tale of growing up in the straight-laced Midwest in the 50's. But it is his love of literature that irradiates his story. Recommended for those who want to remember why they love to read and how they got that way.

Wonderful memoir, for avid readers or not.......2004-06-22

It's a bit intimidating to write a review of a book by a book reviewer, but I have to try, as I loved this book so much! I have a long list of books to read in the future, and once one of them comes to the top, I sometimes have forgotten what it's going to be about, so this one came as a real treat. It tells of the author's childhood in Lorain, Ohio in the late 40s to the 60s, including his years at Oberlin. As an avid reader with many memories of the joy of childhood reading (although I was not as sophisticated in my tastes are Dirda!) it's always a treat to be brought back to the that wonderful feeling of having a pile of new books to read, from the library or thrift stores or the school book club! I enjoyed the list of books he had read through age 16 in an appendix. I felt better about my own youthful reading knowing we had both at least read a few of the same books, even the quite light Cheaper by the Dozen!

An added treat for me is that although I didn't know this would be the case when I started the book, I got much insight into the land of my own early childhood---I was born in Elyria, next to Lorain, although we moved when I was 6, and my parents both went to Oberlin, a bit earlier than Dirda. Earlier in the day I started this book, my mother for some reason told me of a time my father bought me shoes at Januzzi's, a shoe store I'd never heard of before---reading later that day of the author's own trip to Januzzi's was one of my most amazing reading moments of my lifetime! Any author who can create a scene of place like Dirda did with the Lorain of his childhood is truly gifted.

I am eager now to get my hands of Dirda's other book, Readings! Keep writing, Michael Dirda!!

Average customer rating:
Open Book : Coming of Age in the Heartland
Michael Dirda
Manufacturer: W. W. Norton & Company, Incorporated
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000K1W6SS

Average customer rating:
An Open Book: Coming of Age in the Heartland
Michael Dirda
Manufacturer: W.W. Norton
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000K1W47G

Average customer rating:
An Open Book: Coming of Age in the Heartland
Michael Dirda
Manufacturer: W.W. Norton
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000K1S50Q

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books