Book Description
Beatrice Lacey, as strong-minded as she is beautiful, refuses to conform to the social customs of her time. Destined to lose her family name and beloved Wideacre estate once she is wed, Beatrice will use any means necessary to protect her ancestral heritage. Seduction, betrayal, even murder -- Beatrice's passion is without apology or conscience. "She is a Lacey of Wideacre," her father warns, "and whatever she does, however she behaves, will always be fitting." Yet even as Beatrice's scheming seems about to yield her dream, she is haunted by the one living person who knows the extent of her plans...and her capacity for evil.
Sumptuously set in Georgian England, Wideacre is intensely gripping, rich in texture, and full of color and authenticity. It is a saga as irresistible in its singular magic as its heroine.
Customer Reviews:
Unpleasant.......2007-10-17
I recommend Gregory's Tudor novels, virtually without reservation, but I thought this was dreadful. As with all Gregory's books, WIDEACRE is well written, though it desperately cries out for editing. Perhaps the author was trying to write an updated version of Scarlett O'Hara, but I found Beatrice completely unsympathetic. The book should carry at least an "R" rating, if not an "NC-17" -- parricide, murder, cruelty, consensual incest, sado-masochism -- ugh. Maybe she was just trying to get this first book published, and that's the reason for much the lead character's revolting behavior. Whatever. Don't bother with this. Go to the Boleyn books which I very much enjoyed.
Could Not Put It Down.......2007-09-26
I must first say I should have bought it on Amazon because I payed $16 for it in the bookstore. However I would not have bought it if I had first read the reviews. This is not the sort of book I would want. The other reviewer are correct saying it is sickening with the incest but I have to admit I could not put it down. If it were not for the incest I would have given it a 5 star but I just could not get past it. One reviewer said it was necessary for the plot and if that is the case it did not have to be that graphic in details. I did not read those parts, I just moved on untill I saw " so I new someone was talking again. :-)
A Passionate Tale Not for the Faint.......2007-09-21
Philippa Gregory weaves a passionate tale combining seduction, murder and obsession in yet another engaging novel spanning the early 19th century. Engrossing and intriguing, Wideacre is disarming with its intense thematic elements that can make for an uncomfortable but enraptured read. Beatrice Lacey is the anti-heroine of Gregory's novel, as a woman who will not let her gender, and her era's attitude towards people of it, foil her plans for the future.
Told from the perspective of Beatrice, Gregory uses her skills to develop a protagonist that is utterly unlikable. Beatrice, the "Lacey of Wideacre," decides from an early age that her only true love is her father's land, Wideacre. When she discovers that she is not the heir of the land, that it is instead going to her studious brother, Harry, she resolves to do anything in her power to take back what she deems is rightfully hers. Whether it is murder or incest, Beatrice does, with no second thought, whatever possible to make sure she is in control of the land she holds so revered.
At times an overwhelming read, Wideacre vicariously brings to life the wretched acts of Beatrice Lacey and the horror she inflicts upon the people she encounters. The only person Beatrice fears is Ralph, the one man who knows how far she is willing to take her greed and infatuation with the land. Her passion for Wideacre is one they both shared as childhood lovers, but with Ralph forcefully removed from Wideacre and Beatrice's life, Beatrice is left alone and able to wreck havoc on the lives of those effecting her position as Squire of Wideacre.
Everyone around her is soon weaved into Beatrice's tumultuous web of deceit, especially because they are all charmed by Beatrice's seemingly enchanting and personable mien. The townspeople of Wideacre, her family and especially her brother Harry are all cast under Beatrice's spell.
In an incestuous relationship with her brother, and the mother of two of his children, Beatrice guarantees she has Wideacre, and Harry, under her control. Yet everything around her slowly unravels as her intelligent, charming husband and sweet, timorous sister-in-law begin to realize the true evil behind Beatrice's innocent nature.
Gripping and forceful, Gregory doesn't leave room for pleasantries. Beatrice will do anything to hold control of her beloved Wideacre, and the novel becomes more disturbing as the lengths Beatrice will go to quench her desires are revealed. However, the novel's brilliance lies in Gregory's inability to apologize for her unsettling story in which the lead characters are so contemptible.
Gregory's writing, like always, is impeccable. The story is woven together beautifully and the writing both captivates and appalls. Gregory's novel shows how far a ruthless woman like Beatrice would go for her land, and the price she pays for it all.
The first book in the trilogy, Wideacre sets the pace for Gregory's brilliant penmanship.
guilty pleasure.......2007-09-12
It's like reading a better written "Flowers in the Attic" but with a historical backdrop that makes you feel less dirty. Same scandalous and incestuous themes, but with a slightly more intellectual veneer. Still, reading it was like passing a horrible car crash on the highway and not wanting to rubberneck like the rest of the fools, but not being able to tear your eyes away from the carnage. Exactly like that.
Couldn't put it down. Sabotaged my plans to complete my Advanced Physiology reading for two straight days.
Wow........2007-08-30
I honestly didn't expect to like this book. I read some of the reviews on here, and it made me uncertain. But i thought i'd give it a shot. I'm very glad i did.
This book was well written, and you actually cared about them.
Beatrice Lacey: She does everything and anything possible to stay on the land she loves. She goes from a young girl of 14 or 15 who adores her father, only tro plan his death, enjoying her first lover, to a jaded woman of twenty or twenty one, who has sacrified her own soul,consience and chance at love to ensure she and her son never leave Wideacre.
It's actually rather sad to read at times. At some point, Beatrice realizes she's lost her way, and finally is just waiting for death it seems. Nothing can make her feel alive again. Her character just goes from this woman who loves her home and fights her brother to keep to the old ways so the poor don't suffer, to being the cause of their ruin. It's sad. And it creeps up on you in this book before you even realize its happening.
Harry Lacey: He goes from a self indulgent, beautiful boy, almost a god of the harvest in Beatrice's and Celia's eyes, to selfish boorish man. He never fully understands whats happening to him. The relationship between himself and his sister at times seems so oddly normal its bizarre in itself.
This book is definetly a page turner. you want something different, this is it!
Book Description
The interiors of the great country and town houses built in Britain in the eighteenth century were splendid creations, increasingly extravagant as fashions changed and aristocratic home owners attempted to outdo one another. This gorgeous book surveys the decorative schemes of these fabulous homes, considering the combined effects created by design, furniture, textiles, silver, and artworks.
John Cornforth, the foremost authority on British interiors of this era, covers a wide range of subjects. He discusses changing social practice and the uses to which rooms were put; the way that fashions in dress mirrored fashions in interiors; the impact of chinoiserie and Eastern styles that became prevalent due to burgeoning trade; the primacy of upholstery in beds, curtains, wall hangings, seat furniture, and case covers; the influence of decorator William Kent; and the ways that collections of art were integrated into designs. And he concludes with detailed case studies of eight preeminent country houses.
Engagingly written and generously illustrated, this book is certain to appeal to anyone who maintains, restores, or enjoys visiting historic houses.
Customer Reviews:
EXQUISITE GEORGIAN.......2006-03-08
This is a beautifully realized book on a most deserving subject. The text is highly informative and the images are vivid. The craftmanship of these interiors is astounding. Early Georgian furniture and interior design is so elegant and it does not overwelm, like its contemporary styles like Louis XIV, the woodwork and molding in these homes is just breathtaking. If you have any interest in the Georgian style or just appreciate beautiful interiors then you will love this book.
All you need to know about early Georgian English Interiors.......2005-10-25
As a classically trained english architect I find myself in a unique position to authoritively review this book. And what a book. That perfect blend of photos (most of them colour), drawings - both plans and renderings, and an informative text. This is a must for anyone interested in early Georgian Interiors, as it comprehensively covers interior architecture, decoration, furniture/artwork, and the general design aesthetic of this era. If only we still had the artisians and cratspeople to still build like this. It is an inspiration to any aspiring classical architect.
Average customer rating:
- Definitely Wicked
- a most unsuitable man, jo beverly
- Didn't care for it at all, she pursued the guy the entire book
- Unlikable characters
- Something boring.
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Something Wicked
Jo Beverley
Manufacturer: Signet
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ASIN: 0451213785 |
Amazon.com
At 25, Lady Elfled Malloren is considered to be "on the shelf" by everyone but her family. After seeing her twin brother off on another adventure, Elfled decides to seek some experiences of her own. She disguises herself as "Lisette" and visits the Vauxhall Gardens Masquerade, where she finds a lot more excitement than she bargained for. After inadvertently overhearing a plot of treason, "Lisette" is captured by the Earl of Walgrave, the Malloren family's most hated enemy. But hate quickly turns to love and she gives herself to Walgrave in a night of unforgettable passion. Alas, Elfled just can't stay away and must experience "something wicked" again.
Book Description
From The New York Times bestselling author-a gloriously romantic favorite, back in print
Download Description
From The New York Times bestselling author-a gloriously romantic favorite, now an eBook.
Customer Reviews:
Definitely Wicked.......2007-06-12
The third book in the Malloren series, Something Wicked, Elf's story, is more on par with the first delightful book.
Elf, the twin sister of Cyn, has always longed for adventure and at age 25 resigns herself to the fate of spinsterhood. Elf longs for the one man she knows she can never have, family nemesis Fort Ware, the Earl of Walgrave. Fort carries hatred for the Malloren's that not only goes back to a long standing family fued, but the incident in which Fort has to shoot and kill his mad father. He blames the Malloren's for forcing this event into play, but the truth is he hates himself far more than anyone else and at times has hoped for death at the hands of the Mallorens. When a masked and disguised Elf stumbles across a couple of men plotting to kill the king, she is horrified to discover one of the pair is Fort. Fort, believing she is a French woman named Lissette, ties her up and takes her to his house where he is surprised to find he is attracted to her. Fort, suffering from depression over his father's and his own actions, has not been able to enjoy women in months...he offers Lissette the position of mistress and she refuses. Elf "Lisette" escapes but decides she wants one night with Fort and so disguises herself again as Lisette, and then finds and seduces Fort. We are next thrown into a grand adventure of treason, betrayal and passion at its rawest.
This book was so awesome mostly because of the revealed emotions of the hero and heroine. I love when an author lets you see inside a character to see all the emotions, lust, hate, love, both the good and the bad. Elf was delightful because she is strong, spirited and fun but not self destructive. Fort's intensity in everything he does whether its hate, sex, love is just great...unlike one of the characters in the previous books, he is allowed to have the feelings, even unreasonable, because he recognizes that they are unreasonable and acknowledges his own fault in his disasters. I hope Brand's story is half as good as this one.
a most unsuitable man, jo beverly.......2007-01-08
first off i gotta say that i loved the mallorens, so i may not be the most impartial reviewer. i liked "an unsuitable man" mostly because the female lead, was a strong woman, who took a some hard knocks, picked herself right back up, got on with her life and went after the things she knew would make her happy. i'm not gonna get into plot at all, the book flowed well and kept my interest from cover to cover.
Didn't care for it at all, she pursued the guy the entire book.......2006-10-09
Shesh, the heroine kept throwing herself at the guy the entire time, sending him gifts and slept with him, but he hated her family (and her). I realize it was the love of her life and all, but she shoulda had more self respect.
Unlikable characters.......2006-08-15
This book was horrible. The characters weren't very intelligent or likable. Elf (what a name!) is just a nimrod who thinks she's smart. And Fort (I kind of do like his name) is laughable as a hero or a seducer. He actually gave a speech to her about how he would handle any unexpected pregnancies while trying to get her into bed. So wierd.
Bad writing, bad characters.
Something boring........2006-06-20
I was thoroughly unhappy with Fort in "My Lady Notorious." I was not especially excited to read about him in "Something Wicked," but the reviews were promising. I should have stuck with my first instinct.
This book was incredibly boring. I found most of it to be about the plot against the king. I prefer not to have a whole lot of subplots in my romance novels.
Fort was not a likable hero. He sired two children out of wedlock and only supported them financially. What a jerk! I don't care if that was how things worked in the mid-18th century - I prefer my heroes to be a little more noble than that.
Elf bordered on desperate. Fort didn't deserve the attention or pursuit she afforded him. I think Fort should have realized his folly and pursued Elf. He was the jerk all along and should have been the one to lose his pride and pay the price.
Fort thoroughly debauches Elf and her brothers barely batted an eye. It seemed out of character for all of the Mallorens. And speaking of out of character, where was Elf's spunk? She became a doormat and showed very little backbone in dealing with Fort.
Some reviewers here on Amazon have commented on this book's sizzle. I have to say - I completely disagree. There were only a couple of sex scenes and they were short and very undetailed. If you are someone who likes vague, veiled sex scenes, this book's for you.
The ending seemed abrupt and a disappointing ending for such a long, drawn-out story.
I wouldn't waste my time with this one.
Average customer rating:
- Intriguing lives, lazily written
- Lytton Lite
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Eminent Georgians: The Lives of King George V, Elizabeth Bowen, St. John Philby, and Lady Astor
John Halperin
Manufacturer: Palgrave Macmillan
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Book Description
John Halperin illuminates the connection between four fascinating people and the intersecting era in which they lived -the second "Georgian" age, the period in England between the two world wars.
Customer Reviews:
Intriguing lives, lazily written.......2004-11-26
This certainly isn't Lytton Strachey. Like Strachey and Richard Holmes, however, Halperin well realizes the inherent great enjoyability of very short biographies of extremely interesting people. There seems to be almost no original research here, and Halperin is willing to make an extremely shallow and lazy transition to an anecdote just to squeeze it in, but he does write with grace (and has an eye for a great story). Oddly, there's a running theme throughout the book: the perfidy of what Halperin extremely loosely calls "treason," although what he means by treason seems so broad at times as to be almost meaningless. The best lives here are of the stodgy George V and the hilariously irreverent Nancy Astor, because with both Halperin seems really to have a new angle he wants to bring out; while his willingness to applaud the late king for his steadfastness and decency as compared to his eldest son's thorough rottenness, it does not seem to occur to Halperin that Edward VIII's character might be in part due to his parents' legendarily neglectful cold and neglectful care. Halperin's extremely heavyhanded evaluations of Elizabeth Bowen's novels are also a bit puzzling, although Bowen's exceptionally eventful life and character make up for his judgmentalism towards her fiction.
Lytton Lite.......2001-08-17
John Halperin takes Lytton Strachey as his model and provides four short lives of people he views as emblematic of the "second Georgian" era - King Geroge V himself, Elizabeth Bowen, St. John Philby and Nancy Astor. The results are interesting without being particularly memorable. Halperin tells his stories in a plain documentary fashion, without much analysis and with none of the mordant wit or strong opinions of Strachey's nasty little classic. Such a straightforward approach works best if bolsered by extensive research, but the slim bibliography indicates a newspaper profile rather than an original and insightful work. All this being said, Bowen, Philby and Astor are interesting enough as people to making reading "Eminent Georgians" worthwhile. As for the good King George, it will take a much more persuasive writer to bring that admirable but dull monarch to life on the page.
Book Description
According to Georgian legend, God took a supper break while creating the world. He became so involved with his meal that he inadvertently tripped over the high peaks of the Caucasus, spilling his food onto the land below. The land blessed by Heaven's table scraps was Georgia.
Nestled in the Caucasus mountain range between the Black and Caspian seas, the Republic of Georgia is as beautiful as it is bountiful. The unique geography of the land, which includes both alpine and subtropical zones, has created an enviable culinary tradition. In The Georgian Feast, Darra Goldstein explores the rich and robust culture of Georgia and offers a variety of tempting recipes.
The book opens with a fifty-page description of the culture and food of Georgia. Next are over one hundred recipes, often accompanied by notes on the history of the dish. Holiday menus, a glossary of Georgian culinary terms, and an annotated bibliography round out the volume.
Customer Reviews:
An authoritative English-language resource on Georgian cuisine.......2007-07-05
This is a marvelous, utterly authentic encyclopedia of Georgian cooking. I tried some of the recipes before leaving for Georgia in summer 2006, and they were great, and gave me a good idea of what to expect. Once in Georgia, the book was an invaluable reference that I constantly turned to whenever I tried something new. Just about *everything* I had is in here, along with many things I didn't get around to sampling.
This book also helped me learn the correct Georgian names for the dishes and many of the ingredients. A significant portion of the book is devoted to providing cultural background on Georgia and Georgian food, such the elaborate rules for a _tamada_, or Georgian toastmaster. With its charming photos of representative paintings scattered generously throughout its pages, it also made me a Pirosmani fan, and better able to appreciate the originals when I saw them for myself.
Most importantly, as the other reviewers say, the recipes *work*. We just made the potato salad with walnut paste (p. 172), and it was delectable. Other dishes we have tried and like include tomato soup with walnuts and vermicelli (p. 73) and green beans with egg (p. 130). Pkhali was one of my favorite dishes in Georgia, and I'm glad to have the recipe for when I get around to making it myself. There is a recipe for beets with cherry sauce, a dish a travel companion had tried but that even some of our Georgian hosts weren't familiar with. For the few recipes that seem to be missing from this book, like eggplant with walnut paste, try Please to the Table: The Russian Cookbook, another excellent collection of delicious recipes from all the former Soviet republics.
_The Georgian Feast_ is well worth having even if you don't eat meat - many of the recipes are completely vegetarian. This book is a real treasure.
Khmeli suneli.......2007-01-16
I've already written a review of this great book. I have only one suggestion: the basic khmeli suneli recipe can be augmented further to reach the authentic smell and taste. The wikipedia article on khmeli suneli has additional ingredients that can be added to the recipe. I tried that, about 2 teaspoons of each ingredient that's not already in Darra's recipe (less for black and chili pepper), and it came closer to the authentic smell and taste. I think the author of the wikipedia article might have meant safflower (marigold) instead of saffron though, so I didn't add that.
One of my favorites!.......2006-03-18
As someone who was born and grew up in Tbilisi, I was very happy to find this book -- it captures all of my favorite recipes, and when I prepare them according to this book, they taste just like my grandma's cooking.
More than just a recipe book, this is also an exploration into the rich history and culture of Georgia, and how the history shaped the cuisine. I suggest this book to everyone who would like to add some interesting preparations to their cooking. For vegetarians, Georgians have plenty of healthful and filling ways to prepare veggies and beans, and also some mouth watering sauces that will enliven any dish (veg or not).
I enjoy this book both as a cook book, and as a historical book!
Great book.......2006-02-25
I gave this book to a Georgian and she loved it. It had all the dishes she had eatten as a child. If your looking for a book to fill in any missing recipes this is the book for you.
Truly a Feast!.......2005-12-08
I chanced upon this, started reading, and found I kept picking it up again and again to read more about the customs and culture of Georgia!
This is a well written book...
-an enjoyable Georgian cultural read, by a down to earth scholar
-a very good collection of accurate recipes, per other reviewers
-the recipes are simple in ingredients for the most part (some substitutions may be helpful depending on season and your location)
-the recipe instructions are clear and concise.
I recommend this purchase, and I will check out other titles by this author.
Amazon.com
Winner of the Longman History Today Prize in 1998, Amanda Vickery's The Gentleman's Daughter: Women's Lives in Georgian England is an outstanding study of a crucial period in modern women's history. Roy Porter described this book as "the most important thing in English feminist history in the last ten years." Readers familiar with the feminist analysis of women's lives in the late 18th to mid-19th century will find some of the commonplaces of that viewpoint called into question: the rise of "separate spheres" of male and female experience, for example, or the social construction of motherhood in the 18th century. At once scholarly and readable, The Gentleman's Daughter takes its readers on a vivid and well-illustrated tour of "genteel" Georgian society, bringing that world to life through what Vickery identifies as the "terms set out in their own letters by genteel women." Those terms structure the seven sections of the book: "Gentility", "Love and Duty', "Fortitude and Resignation" (which includes a notable discussion of the experience of pregnancy), "Prudent Economy", "Elegance", "Civility and Vulgarity", and "Propriety". "Our battles were not necessarily theirs," Vickery reminds us, striking her convincing balance between a feminist interest in the restriction and rebellion of women's lives and their own ways of finding meaning and pleasure in the gender distinctions of Georgian culture. --Vicky Lebeau, Amazon.co.uk
Book Description
What was the life of an eighteenth-century British genteel woman like? This lively book, based on letters, diaries, and account books of over one hundred middle class women, transforms our understanding of the position of women in Georgian England. These women were not confined in their homes but enjoyed expanding horizons and an array of emerging public arenas, the author shows.
Customer Reviews:
Well written, with a wealth of historical detail. .......2005-03-12
This book contains a wealth of information, and I certainly enjoyed reading it. The author bases her findings on her study of the letters and diaries of a group of women in Northern England in the last half of the 18th century. From these sources, she attempts to draw conclusions about the women's attitudes and daily lives. I haven't read much straight history, other than textbooks, so what I'm about to say may not be worth much, but her conclusions made sense to me. She referenced other historians freely, and explained how her research either supported or contradicted common assumptions about the period.
I think that the sections that were most interesting to me personally were those where she talked about marriage and housekeeping. I had a vague idea that respectable women were expected to have certain skills, but the sheer scope of what these ladies did just to keep their house in working order is incredible to me. And of course, they did this while bearing and raising children, keeping up with their social contacts, and doing all of this with the appearance of ease. I have newfound respect for those ladies. These were no pretty, ornamental blushing violets. They knew the rules of the social world they were expected to abide by, and they used them for all they were worth. One of the things that I really liked about this book was the amount of actual text from the primary sources that was included. I found myself blinking in surprise, and laughed out loud more than once at some witty observation one of the correspondents made. These women were smart, funny, shrewd, human. That's one of the most valuable things for me about books like this. Besides giving me all sorts of interesting little details, it makes the people seem more like, well, people and less like dead names on a page.
Academic but interesting and enlightening.......2002-11-04
This book reminds me of reading someone's doctoral dissertation--but that isn't meant to be an insult, just a comment on the writing style (academic). We are introduced to real women and their real situations by way of their letters and diaries. It is full of very interesting stories of a few related women in 18th century England. My only wish would be that the book could have been written to include women from other areas in England--really just more women in general. I appreciate the author's work in this under-researched area and hope it inspires more research in the future.
I have long wished that I could have lived in Jane Austen's world (with epidurals). But after reading this I realize that I would rather keep my appliances and modern medicine and my legal rights. I appreciated this book because it broke me of my misconceptions about any kind of "romantic" life of the women of this "almost leisure" class, as another reviewer called it. They were at the mercy of their husbands, their social situation and fate. Very thought provoking for a Jane Austen fan like myself.
The lives of Country English Women in the 18th Century.......2002-01-23
I'm not sure whether to give this book 3 or 4 stars. The author presents a very academic overview of the life of rural Georgian women in England in the 18th and early 19th centuries.
A lot of original research has been done for this book and it shows in it's content. The author highlights the lack of real research that has been done on the lives of women in this period. However, despite a well timed re-assesment of the lives of these women, this is essentially an academic work.
It highlights the fact that things have never been as bad as many other (feminist) books make out - in essence Jane Austin shows us close to the real world as people lived it in her novels.
This book is dry to read, but full of many every day facts for those interested in the "real" lives of 18th century country women.
The Gentleman's Daughter Is Not Quite Up The Mark.......2001-07-18
Although "The Gentleman's Daughter" explored an interesting time in the life of women it was too general for me to feel completely absorbed in the book. I felt that I was looking at an interesting painting from across the room and I couldn't get close enough to really know the subject. In no way does the book compare to "The Aristocrats" which pulls you into the life of it's subjects. Overall it was a disappointment although I did learn a little more in general of life for women in the Georgian era.
Will change the way I read 18th c. novels.......2001-06-05
More scholarship than entertainment (read: dry), but definitely worth the effort of reading for the wealth of detail it provides. As an amateur Austen student (read: junkie), I know parts of this book will come back to me next time I bury my head in _Mansfield Park_.
Product Description
This course is specially designed to teach how to read Georgian literature. It is intended for beginners, and starts by teaching the unique Georgian alphabet and basic pronunciation. The reading and translation passages have been selected from both classical and modern Georgian publications, and are recorded as well on the CDs. Reissued in 2005 on 4 audio CDs (3-1/2 hours of recording), accompanied by a 580-p. textbook. Product No. SGG150D.
Customer Reviews:
Great Resource.......2006-02-10
I agree that it is a "slow read." But I think it is well worth it. When you work your way through the exercises at the end of each chapter you will be amazed how much you have learned. The really terrific thing is there are answer keys to all exercises as well. It is rare to find answer keys these days so that really adds to the value of the book for a self-starter.
Scholarly sound, didactically useless.......2003-09-22
Standard reference works are seldom the best place for getting started with a language, and Aronson's widespread manual is no exception. While providing a wealth of grammatical information and unvaluable guidelines for verb-conjugation (georgian verbs being notorious for their dazzling difficulty), the book somehow fails to guide the student to a linear and progressive acquisition of the language. No would-be autodidact may hope to survive such a mercyless straightforward approach without the help of a teacher. The typesetting is, far from clear, frankly awful: chaotic and far better suited for cheap lecture notes. The tables and schemes are so ridiculously spartan that one has to write everything out by himself to make some sense of the tangle (imagine an english verb being explained as "I/you/he [will/is going to/would] write(s)). Professor Hewitt's big grammar being unfortunately a masterpiece of chaos, Aronson's work may well aspire to the rank of best linguistic reference for the georgian language in english: any advanced student will wish to have it at hand for comparison. Beginners, however, ought to look elsewhere. Proficient in russian will find an excellent starting point in G. I. Zibakhashvili's "Samouchitel' gruzinskogo yazyka" (Balavari 1991), while readers with good command of german will surely enjoy Lascha Bakradse's "Georgisch Wort für Wort" (Peter Rump Verlag 1994). Further material of interest will be wound in Tschenkeli and Fähnrich. I wish good luck to every aspiring kartvelologist out there, because he will need much!
A considerable challenge.......1999-01-01
This course assumes considerable familiarity with linguistic and grammatical terminology, which makes it concise but challenging for someone who is new to learning foreign languages. The chapters are large and present a lot of information at one time, and the vocabularies for each chapter are extensive (two or three pages of new words per chapter). Starting in the fifth chapter, there are unedited reading samples from original Georgian sources, some of which make for interesting reading. No familiarity with the Georgian alphabet is assumed, so the book begins by introducing the alphabet letter-by-letter, with a description of the sound and (very helpfully) a stroke-by-stroke depiction of how to write it. There is a Georgian-English glossary (which is very complete--you will find every word used in the text without recourse to a dictionary) but no English-Georgian. There are lots of exercises to work (each chapter offers about forty sentences or paragraphs) and there is a key for all the exercises. The grammar is well organized, and has a very progressive, linear feel to it. The typesetting is good and the Georgian script is quite legible except in the reading excerpts, some of which are difficult to make out at times. The pictures and illustrations are not clear at all, and don't add much. The recordings are not impressive either. There is only one voice, and she reads all the exercises and readings. There's lots of material to hear, but the recording quality is bad; the levels are low and you can hear extraneous noises at times (page turns, other voices). If you're interested in Georgian and willing to work, this is an important reference to have. But for the casual learner or someone who wants to learn conversational skills, I can't advise it. Conversational phrases are relegated to a two-page appendix and there is very little dialogue in the rest of the book.
Book Description
In this classic of English architectural history (first published more than half a century ago), John Summerson provides a perceptive and highly readable account of a major building period in the history of London. Encompassing the architecture of the capital from the Great Fire of 1666 through the city's early nineteenth-century expansion, the book remains an indispensable guide to the genesis and development of Georgian London. Summerson examines the way in which building was conditioned by social, economic, and financial circumstances and discusses some of Britain's most important buildings and their architects. While Summerson's text is essentially unchanged in this edition, it has been corrected in the light of new research, expanded to include a few significant buildings that were originally overlooked, and enhanced with new illustrations. The Appendix of surviving Georgian buildings has also been carefully updated.
Book Description
Contains over 50 recipes from medieval times - all of which can be reproduced in the modern kitchen. The recipes include dishes such as Oyster Loaves, Beetroot Pancakes, Jugged Pigeons and Strawberry Fritters. The book also describes the historical background and has information on food, cooking equipment, the serving of meals and the development of taste and etiquette. As well as looking at what people ate in Georgian England, it explains how the rapid development of scientific and technological discoveries affected both the preparation of food, and the quality of food itself. The book also examines how the increase in literacy led to a new phenomenon - Cookery books. It is fully illustrated with full color photographs and medieval woodcuts.
Books:
- Wilderness Empire: A Narrative (Eckert, Allan W. Winning of America Series.)
- Wizard Of Oz (Scholastic Junior Classics)
- Worlds Together, Worlds Apart: A History of the Modern World (1300 to the Present)
- 1984 (Signet Classics)
- A Feast for Crows (A Song of Ice and Fire)
- A Savage War of Peace: Algeria 1954-1962 (New York Review Books Classics)
- A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches of Martin Luther King, Jr.
- A Thousand Splendid Suns
- Afghanistan: The Land that Was
- After the Ruins, 1906 and 2006: Rephotographing the San Francisco Earthquake and Fire
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