Book Description
In a letter to David Gurewitsch, Eleanor Roosevelt's personal physician and friend during the last fifteen years of her life, Mrs. Roosevelt wrote, "Above all others, you are the one to whom my heart is tied......" This defines the intense relationship between Eleanor Roosevelt and David Gurewitsch-- friends who often traveled and entertained together and eventually, after his marriage to Edna Perkel, bought and shared a town house in Manhattan.Their private friendship, a companionship they both treasured, has always intrigued historians, but not much was known about it. David kept diaries and took thousands of photographs, but he never publicly discussed their time together. Now, for the first time, his wife, Edna, has decided to reveal their story and hers after she married into their complicated relationship. Reading David's diaries and the hundreds of letters that he and Mrs. Roosevelt exchanged over the years, and then reflecting on her own life after the death of her husband, enabled Edna finally to write this story. She sheds new light on Mrs. Roosevelt's very private journey of self-discovery as she gained the confidence and knowledge to follow her own personal and political convictions: visiting Khrushchev at his home in Yalta, working on Adlai Stevenson's campaign, being charmed by the young Senator John Kennedy into giving her support for his presidential candidacy, and above all inspiring the love and respect of people all over the world for her compassion, eloquence, and devotion to humanity.Given her husband's unique role as doctor and confidant to Mrs. Roosevelt, Edna Gurewitsch draws on his insights and her own as a close friend to offer us a very human and inspiring portrait of this complex woman. Perceived as a strong and deeply caring person, which she was, Mrs. Roosevelt also struggled terribly with loneliness and jealousy and a need to transcend her sometimes overwhelming feelings of inadequacy. Her capacity for friendship was enormous, and Edna Gurewitsch describes what it was like to be on the receiving end of her exceptional thoughtfulness-- the carefully chosen gifts left on doorsteps, the generous notes, and the open conversations she welcomed with a humility that never trumpeted her own virtues or called attention to herself as one of the great minds of the twentieth century.Kindred Souls is filled with personal and unpublished letters from Mrs. Roosevelt. Sometimes chatty and fact-filled, but more often heartfelt and passionate, these letters reveal her yearnings and vulnerabilities as well as her comings and goings, her personal as well as her global concerns. And yet they are always balanced by her special dignity and probity. The book also includes thirty-two pages of never-before-seen photographs taken by David Gurewitsch. Combined with the author's own memories and observations, Kindred Souls is a unique, intimate look at three friends and their extraordinary lives.
Customer Reviews:
Recommended.......2006-07-21
I "read" this book as a book on tape. If you love Eleanor Roosevelt as most people do, you'll feel you "know" her almost as a friend after reading this book. One story in the book that stands out in my mind is this: Eleanor liked to always be 'on time' when she had an appointment or was going to a play, concert, or outing. Dr. Guerevitch and his wife were going with her to a concert onetime. They were "behind schedule" and arrived at the theater a few minutes late. As they entered the theater the audience started to applaud. Mrs. Roosevelt was "miffed" saying with some angry emotion to the Doctor and his wife, 'See, we're late...the audience is already applauding for the conductor!' Eleanor didn't realize that the audience was applauding for HER... not the conductor! This indicates to me that she was a rather "humble" person who wasn't self-centered. Whatever your political persuasion, you'd have to admit that she was a noble person who tried to "do good" in her life. Email:boland7214@aol.
Good book.
Lovefest.......2005-02-23
In 1945, David Gurewitsch became Eleanor Roosevelt's personal physician. Within two years, they became close friends, traveling companions and confidants. Edna Gurewitsch chronicles the relationship between her husband and Mrs. Roosevelt in Kindred Souls: The Devoted Friendship of Eleanor Roosevelt and Dr. David Gurewitsch.
Eleanor Roosevelt was one of the most intelligent, gifted, powerful, energetic yet humble women of the 20th Century. But despite all these attributes, she suffered from a definite lack of confidence in her abilities. This lack of self-esteem had several roots including her miserable childhood, her insensitive husband, her domineering mother-in-law and the shabby treatment she suffered by her five self-centered, spoiled and undisciplined children. To compensate for this serious lacking, Mrs. Roosevelt surrounded herself with an orbit of friends who served as her surrogate family. Mrs. Roosevelt demanded much from her friends, but rewarded them with love, loyalty, devotion and generosity. Her list included Esther Lape, Marion Dickerman, Nancy Cook, Lorena Hickock, Joe Lash, and others. Dr. Gurewitsch was her closest friend for the last 15 years of her life. Right before her death, she wrote to him "above all others, you are the one to whom my heart is tied." Once David married the author, they became a threesome. They even shared a house together until Mrs. Roosevelt's death in 1962.
Edna Gurewitsch's book can best be described as a lovefest. Her fawning descriptions of her "perfect" husband become very nauseating very quickly. If there are any warts exposed in Kindred Souls, they belong to Mrs. Roosevelt. She could be demanding and emotionally needy at times, and often revealed a jealousy toward those she felt were usurping her attention. There were often intrigues between her children and her friends, and even among her friends, as each group vied for Mrs. Roosevelt's love in return. Her children were the worst, as they often found themselves on the outside looking in.
For a Roosevelt fan, there is not much new information to be had, except for the background of Dr. Gurewitsch (which may be interesting, but is not the reason I purchased this book). For most readers, I'd recommend skipping Kindred Souls and reading instead one of Joseph Lash's Roosevelt biographies, or better yet, Blanche Wiesen Cook's two-part biography on Mrs. Roosevelt (which I understand will eventually be six books in all).
Adding to the ER mystic.......2004-07-25
I certainly do not claim to be an expert on the life of Eleanor Roosevelt. However, I have read my fair share of books on her life and that of FDR. As a result, I thought I was aware of ER's circle of friends and the people who shared a close relationship with her. When I discovered KINDRED SOULDS - THE FRIENDSHIP OF ELEANOR ROOSEVELT AND DAVID GUREWITSCH on audiocassete at my local library it came as a welcome surprise. David Gurewitsch was a name that was new to me.
Edna P. Gurewitsch's 2002 book is a memorable history of the relationship between the author's husband, Dr. David Gurewitsch and ER. Based mainly on letters between ER and Dr. Gurewitsch and journals along with Edna's memories, the book presents a charming portrait of Mrs. Roosevelt as a pragmatic, driven, thoughtful, quirky, emotional and sometimes difficult friend. The relationship that developed first beween ER and David, who was ER's physician, and later with the addition of Edna when they married, makes for an interesting insight into the dynamics of this unique set of human relationship. Did ER really love David, a man many years her junior, and resent the intrusion of Edna? Did she finally come to accept this "other woman" in a strange threesome in order to maintain her relationship with David? These are questions that no one can answer and one that the prospective reader can ponder for themselves.
The Roosevelt children do not fair wll throughout the book, which covers the last years of Mrs. Roosevelt's life. They come across as seemingly lacking concern for their mother, going to her when they were in financial straights, especially Elliot and living lives where they believed that the society owes them a great deal because of their place in history as Roosevelts. It becomes almost trite to talk about the result of a dysfunctional family, but it's the only thing that seems to fit after listening to Edna describe ER's relationship with her children. Surprisingly, the references to FDR are few and far between. Edna speaks from the prospective of those who argue that ER took on a new persona as her own person after her husband's death and moved on with her life.
As I said, I don't claim to be an expert on ER, however, I know that she was extremely close to Joseph Lash. Then there is the rumored relationship with her one time driver, state trooper,Earl Miller, both of whom were younger than ER. There was ER's life long friendship (allegedly lesbian) with Lorena Hitchock and her interesting relationship with other women. And these are just the ones that I remember.
As a prolific letter writer ER left a great legacy in her writing. The thousands of letters addressed to "my dearest friend" with comments of "how much I love and miss you" were left behind for historians now to consider. Are we now judging her late Victorian style by 21st century standards? Were these loving comments a result of ER's loneliness and her desire to be loved in return? Only a psychologist can figure that one out.
ER clearly had a close relationsip with Edna and David. Such is evidenced by the fact that she chose to live the last years of her life with them. She traveled with them, spent weekends and evenings with them, and basically made them her family, based on Edna's account. Although Edna talks about ER's many circle of friends, how they also interacted in her life or spent time with her, I came away feeling that there was a part of ER's life that was left out in this particular picture. According to Edna, ER's life was totally encompassed in that of her and her husband to the exclusion of others.
For those who know a good deal about Eleanor Roosevelt, this is an interesting read. As I stated, I listened to it on audiocassette. The reader did a good job of varying her voice but I feel that there were several mispronunciations of proper names. The work included interesting political insights of mid 20th century politicians, especially Adlai Stevenson and JFK. But fitting the Gurewitsch's into the greater picture of ER's life is, I believe, still open for debate. In hindsight history is always reveaaed in the light most favorable to the writer, especially one who claims to have the close personal friends of a famous person. However, I would love to hear other views of the relationship between David Gurewitsch, Edna Gurewitsch and Anna Eleanor Roosevelt. I'm suspect that there is another side.
Generous, enlightening & uplifting.......2002-11-14
This is an astonishingly generous book that gives a different look at the real life of a larger-than-life woman. Mrs. Gurewitsch was (apparantly) completely unthreatened by the strong, deep, and intimate (in the non-sexual sense of the word)relationship between her husband and the redoubtable Mrs. Roosevelt. She limns the outlines of the relationship gently, with great compassion for Mrs. Roosevelt and frank admiration for her many accomplishments. Still, this is not hagiography- Mrs. Gurewitsch tells her story with simplicity and affection, but is still clear eyed about her subjects human foibles.
Through her portrait, and through the extracts of letters to David, it becomes clear that the infamous Lorena Hickok letters must be read in the context of an era (and a woman), in which language was rather more effusive.
Like so many things about Eleanor Roosevelt, the book is a bit bittersweet, but she clearly had made her peace with life, and in the end Mrs. Gurewitsch has repaid Mrs. Roosevelt's trust and friendship. The book is not a comprehensive biography, but you may inspired enough by what you read that you go read one!
A different look at Eleanor Roosevelt.......2002-05-24
I enjoyed this book. After reading so much "trash" about Mrs. Roosevelt and her friendships, this book is revealing without delving into smutty, unproveable theories. It provided a lot of personal information about Eleanor Roosevelt's last years, public and private, as well as valuable insights about her complex personality. On occasion, the author's somewhat proprietary feelings toward her connection with Mrs. Roosevelt were in evidence, but on the whole, it is a memoir that no one with an interest in Eleanor Roosevelt should miss.
Amazon.com
New York City in 1977 was in the middle of wild upheaval on all fronts, from the hunt for the Son of Sam killer and the citywide blackout to a brutal mayor's race and the rise of punk rock and the zenith of disco. In Ladies and Gentlemen, the Bronx Is Burning, journalist Jonathan Mahler revisits all those storylines through another drama, which grabbed tabloid headlines all summer long: the outrageous--and pennant-winning--New York Yankees. The Yankees weren't the greatest baseball team ever assembled--they weren't even the greatest of the era (the talent-laden Cincinnati Reds were superior player for player). But no modern team has earned more type than the "Bronx Zoo" Yanks of the late '70s, thanks in no small part to such characters as meddling owner George Steinbrenner, firebrand manager Billy Martin, and flashy slugger Reggie Jackson.
But what more is there to say about a ball club, even one as stormy and successful as the '77 Yanks? Mahler wisely strays out of the dugout and into the chaotic city to give his chronicle breadth and shape. Mahler deftly brings together a host of characters and developments--from doomed old-school catcher Thurman Munson to congressional hellraiser Bella Abzug, from media kingpin Rupert Murdoch to battling politicos Ed Koch and Mario Cuomo, from downtown punks to the glittery decadence of Studio 54. The result is a lively read that will entertain readers who wouldn't know an RBI from CBGB. --Steven Stolder
Book Description
A kaleidoscopic portrait of New York City in 1977, Ladies and Gentlemen, The Bronx Is Burning is the story of two epic battles: the fight between Yankee slugger Reggie Jackson and team manager Billy Martin, and the battle between Mario Cuomo and Ed Koch for the citys mayorship. Buried beneath these parallel conflictsone for the soul of baseball, the other for the soul of a citywas the subtext of race. The brash and confident Jackson took every black myth and threw it back in white Americas face. Koch and Cuomo ran bitterly negative campaigns that played upon urbanites growing fears. Surrounding this braided narrative was a prowling murderer dubbed the Son of Sam, the acquisition of the New York Post by the unknown Rupert Murdoch, the opening of Studio 54, the infamous blackout, the evolution of punk rock, and the dawning of modern SoHo.
Customer Reviews:
A Kaleidoscopic Glimpse at NYC in the Summer of '77.......2007-10-01
I had heard a lot of good buzz about this book since it was published a few years ago. When I found out ESPN was making a mini-series out of it, I decided to take the plunge and buy it. I actually didn't end up watching the mini-series, but I loved the book.
One of the things that initially kept me away was the much-hyped baseball angle. Like any red-blooded American baseball fan that doesn't hale from the Tri-State area, I am life-long Yankee hater, and those George Steinbrenner/Billy Martin teams of the late `70s gave me plenty to hate. The last thing on earth I wanted to read was some hagiographic account of the Bronx Bombers winning the 1977 World Series.
I needn't have worried. The Evil Empire's tumultuous season is just one of several neatly interwoven story lines: New York's fiscal crisis, the city's nasty '77 mayoral election, Rupert Murdoch's purchase of the moribund New York Post. Several other subplots add spice: the blackout riots, Son of Sam, the burgeoning disco scene. New York was a busy place that summer.
There's nothing too profound here, just a snapshot of our greatest city at one of the lowest points in its history. Well paced and enjoyable, the book got me through several long airplane trips.
so-so.......2007-09-12
It didnt focus on the yankees as much as i thought it would, and when it did, most of it was about Reggie. All the events of that summer were interesting and I remembered a lot of it happening too which was cool.
Great slice of history into 1977............2007-08-23
I was impressed with the amount of factual research Jonathan Mahler put into this wonder readaptation into the year 1977 in NY City. He takes a book and illustrates a wonderful slice of history into multiple aspects. There are several issues that keep the reader interested in the book. I particularly like books that have multiple plots and subplots. Mahler was able to keep each chapter full of intrique with a look into human experience and emotions of the key characters in this one year of magic. The final chapter he puts out: "The Bronx is burning, ladies and gentlemen, as we watch the 1977 World Series".......
Ladies and Gentlemen, The Bronx is Burning.......2007-08-13
This is an excellent account of New York City and its troubles both on the baseball field and in the political arena. I highly recommend this for anyone who is interested in the NYY ball club and the politics of New York City, particularly in the late 1970's.
The dingy decay and inner strength of 1970s New York in a good read.......2007-08-11
It's hard to believe the author of this book was a little kid when he first visited New York in the 1970s. I first moved to NYC as a young adult during this decade, and found this book reverberating with the discouraging urine-stained decay that was ubiquitous then -- graffitied subways, homeless bums, massage parlours, garbage strikes, crime, loan defaults...
And yet... beneath all this, there must have been some kind of resolve and determination... or perhaps simply infrastructure... that allowed Manhattan, at least, to ultimately avoid the suburban flight afflicting the rest of the nation's inner cities. New York is still New York, but those dark abandoned streets of 1970s Manhattan today sport boutiques and spanking-clean SUVs from one end nearly to the other (of course, the outer boroughs have not been so lucky). While this has also resulted in a loss of character and the sad conversion of Manhattan's old ethnic neighborhoods, it is also testimony to the endurance of urban culture, of some kind, in at least one American city.
Enough social commentary and onto the book! At first it seems that much of the plot may concern the dynamics of Reggie Jackson & Billy Martin and the Yankees; also figuring large are the 1977 blackout and the mayoral race. It would have been easy, and appealing, to showboat the charged conflict among Reggie, Martin, and Steinbrenner; but the author never succumbs to this temptation. Instead he seamlessly weaves the story of 1977 New York in the context of the cultural, political, and financial background of the times. Even Studio 54, punk rock, The Mercer Arts Centre, and Soho are given lip service.
What makes it all so good is the natural trajectory that makes for an entertaining read -- it is hard to put down, like a good mystery; it tells a story. This is great non-fiction: historic, accurate, nuanced, and atmospheric -- and as entertaining as any fictional narrative could be.
Book Description
The Virgin of Guadalupe is known throughout Latin America-and indeed the world-as the patron saint of the downtrodden and oppressed. Since her miraculous apparition before the humble laborer Juan Diego in the countryside around Mexico City in the 16th century, millions have prayed to her and decorated their homes, churches, cars, and even their bodies with her saintly image.
In this vibrant and whimsically designed book, Marie-Pierre Colle brings together more than 125 color photographs revealing the many manifestations of the Virgin, from majestic oil paintings to brightly colored keychains. The passion and faith of the Virgin's followers provide ample inspiration for art of all varieties. Here is a shocking-pink neon altar by a contemporary artist, as well as sequined representations that brighten the banners celebrating the Virgin's Feast Day on December 12. Running alongside these images is the "Nican Mopohua," a famous poem written after her apparition. A beautiful counterpoint to the illustrations, it describes her encounter with Juan Diego and is featured in both Spanish and English. AUTHOR BIO: Marie-Pierre Colle, the daughter of a French father and a Mexican mother, was a great admirer of Mexican arts and crafts of every period. Her previous books include Vendome's Houses of Puebla and Latin American Artists in Their Studios.
Average customer rating:
- Muffins, great and not so great
- Chocolate chip muffins and my dentist
- Why all the Mace????
- Stick to the recipes
- The best muffins, ever
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The Muffin Lady: Muffins, Cupcakes, and Quickbreads for the Happy Soul
Linda Fisher
Manufacturer: William Morrow Cookbooks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
 Bread
| Baking
| Cooking, Food & Wine
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Baking
| Cooking, Food & Wine
| Subjects
| Books
Muffins
| Baking
| Cooking, Food & Wine
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Cooking, Food & Wine
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0060392460
Release Date: 1997-11-25 |
Amazon.com
Do you know the Muffin Lady? If you don't, you're in for a treat. The Muffin Lady is part cookbook, part inspiration; it simultaneously tells the story of "Muffin Lady" Linda Fisher and offers up her mouth-watering recipes for muffins, cakes, breads, and cookies. The food is great, but the story is spectacular. In 1995, Fisher--recently divorced and the custodial parent of a young child--found herself looking poverty in the eye. She responded by borrowing from the "inheritance" her mother had left her: a very versatile pancake recipe that she used to bake cakes, muffins, cupcakes, and quick breads. She loaded these delicacies into a Radio Flyer wagon and sold them door to door, eventually making enough money to stay off of welfare. When the local health department tried to shut her down, it precipitated a community uprising: dozens and dozens of letters began pouring into newspaper editorial pages, an anonymous donor gave her the money necessary for a license, and the volunteer fire department offered her free use of their health department-approved kitchen to prepare her goods. Along with recipes for tasty treats such as Pecan Loaf, Marble Walnut Brownies, Blueberry Upside Down Squares, and the baked good that started it all--the World Famous Pancake Batter Muffin--readers can share Linda Fisher's legacy of riches handed down by her mother.
Book Description
When we think of an inheritance, thoughts of money or some jewel-encrusted heirloom usually spring to mind. Well, Linda Fisher's inheritance did get her out of financial trouble, but it was nothing more than one of her mother's recipes and the values with which she was raised.
Suddenly finding herself divorced and struggling to support her son and make ends meet, Linda, rather than ask for public assistance, vowed to take care of her own. She dug up her mother's pancake recipe and modified it into a muffin batter.Then she loaded up her red Radio Flyer wagon and hit the pavements of Westminster, Maryland, selling mouthwateringly delicious muffins -- blueberry, peach cobbler, black bottom, burnt sugar, apple dumpling, to name just a few -- and soon became a local favorite, known around town as "the Muffin Lady."
Just when business started booming, however, the Carroll County Health Department told her to pack up her wagon because she didn't have a "department-approved commercial kitchen." Well, Linda wasn't going to take that lying down! She fought back, and the whole community came out to support her. Finally the Westminster Volunteer Fire Department offered her the use of their state-approved kitchen, where she still bakes muffins today.
In The Muffin Lady, Linda shares the legacy of riches that was handed down by her mother. These gifts are useful both inside and outside the kitchen -- recipes whose ingredients include sugar, flour, perseverance and pride.
Customer Reviews:
Muffins, great and not so great.......2006-05-09
I was so excited to see The Muffin Lady Book on Amazon. I think Lindas story is wonderful. How ever, I am a food service manager, and I have baked thousands of muffins. I just took two dozen Strawbeyy -Cream out of the oven. I dont know why, but these muffins do not crown. I am going to go back and stick with Muffins my Elizabeth Alston. The blueberry are bar none. Best to you and your muffins, Nancy.
Chocolate chip muffins and my dentist.......2005-03-29
Though I have a good collection of cookbooks, this is one that I use on a regular basis. I have searched for years for great baking recipes, and have found them in this book. I enjoy the background she gives on why she uses certain ingredients, what worked and what didn't. The hint about using wax paper for liners was the best tip! The blueberry and banana nut muffin recipes are superb and most requested in my house. Our family dentist requested Chocolate Chip muffins, and I was able to make him some that he raves about. I dare not go now without taking the office some. I would highly recommend this book to anyone that loves to bake!
Why all the Mace????.......2003-04-29
Everything she bakes has mace in it-wonder why-I don't think its such a spectacular ingredient but the muffins are tasty and always turn out well-could do with less of her life story though. It's interesting but long winded.
Stick to the recipes.......2002-07-17
The recipes in this book are excellent. I don't think I have ever tasted a better banana nut muffin - or one that froze as well! My complaint is the accompanying dialog about the author's life. She had a hard life and made a real name for herself with hard work and dedication to her skill as a baker. That's all you need to know. I didn't need photos of her father or the kids. All in all, I highly recommend this book (especially for the strawberry muffins stuffed with cream cheese!!!) It's easy to ignore the chatter and stick to the best muffins you'll bake.
The best muffins, ever.......2001-10-23
I have made many of the muffins out this book and you can believe me that they come out of the oven and poeple fall on them and devour them. I have made muffins before that have been pale, small and tasteless, but once I started making Linda Fisher's muffins, I have had wonderful results. My favorites are the orange-cranberry muffins and the chocolate chip muffins, although much can be said for the banana-nut ones too. I like it that once you know the basic recipe, setting up the muffins is very easy. You could make a basic mix from the dry ingredients and just add the spices, fats, eggs, and other additions to make the ones you like. BUY THIS BOOK!
Average customer rating:
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CCEL Classics CD: works by Saint Augustine, John Calvin, John Donne, Julian of Norwich, Brother Lawrence, Martin Luther, Saint Teresa of Avila, Thomas Aquinas, Thomas a Kempis, John Wesley, and more!
Dr. W. Harry Plantinga
Manufacturer: Christian Classics Ethereal Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: CD-ROM
Mariology
| Catholicism
| Christianity
| Religion & Spirituality
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Christianity
| Religion & Spirituality
| Subjects
| Books
Luther, Martin
| ( L )
| People, A-Z
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
Augustine, Saint
| ( A )
| People, A-Z
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 1931848076
Release Date: 2006-12-15 |
Product Description
The most important spiritual writings of Christian history are available on this Classics CD by the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL) at Calvin College. It contains 118 Christian classics, including three versions of the Bible, several commentaries, Bible dictionaries, readings, spiritual guides, sermons, poems and journals -- all in a convenient, searchable form. Books are available in HTML and PDF formats. The easy-to-use CCEL Desktop software powering the CD enables users to browse and print books and install additional books from the Web. The top-of-class search engine can search for words or phrases in books, in authors works or in the whole library. In addition, it can search for dictionary definitions of words and commentary or references to scripture passages. The interface is a Web browser. The CD is compatible with Windows 2000+, Macintosh 10.3+, and most Linux versions.
Product Description
History: Fiction or Science? is the most explosive tractate on history ever written - however, every theory it contains, no matter how unorthodox, is backed by solid scientific data. The book is well-illustrated, contains over 446 graphs and illustrations, copies of ancient manuscripts, and countless facts attesting to the falsity of the chronology used nowadays, which never cease to amaze the reader. Eminent mathematician proves that: Jesus Christ was born in 1153 and crucified in 1186 The Old Testament refers to mediaeval events. Apocalypse was written after 1486. Does this sound uncanny? This version of events is substantiated by hard facts and logic - validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources - to a greater extent than everything you may have read and heard about history before. The dominating historical discourse in its current state was essentially crafted in the XVI century from a rather contradictory jumble of sources such as innumerable copies of ancient Latin and Greek manuscripts whose originals had vanished in the Dark Ages and the allegedly irrefutable proof offered by late mediaeval astronomers, resting upon the power of ecclesial authorities. Nearly all of its components are blatantly untrue! For some of us, it shall possibly be quite disturbing to see the magnificent edifice of classical history to turn into an ominous simulacrum brooding over the snake pit of mediaeval politics. Twice so, in fact: the first seeing the legendary millenarian dust on the ancient marble turn into a mere layer of dirt - one that meticulous unprejudiced research can eventually remove. The second, and greater, attack of unease comes with the awareness of just how many areas of human knowledge still trust the three elephants of the consensual chronology to support them. Nothing can remedy that except for an individual chronological revolution happening in the minds of a large enough number of people.
Customer Reviews:
Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03
Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.
Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19
Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.
Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09
There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.
For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.
Very Interesting.......2007-03-07
It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.
History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10
Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.
I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.
Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.
Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.
I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.
This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.
Average customer rating:
- 1 on every 10 men
- AN EXCELLENT BOOK ON UNDERRATED SOUL SISTERS
- A very different, unusual account
- very well concieved Book
- This Book Was Needed!
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Ladies of Soul (American Made Music Series)
David Freeland
Manufacturer: University Press of Mississippi
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Binding: Paperback
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Customer Reviews:
1 on every 10 men.......2006-08-19
The history of (soul) music has been predominantly the domain of men. Only the really exceptional women like Billie, Aretha and Diane Washington were mentioned among the greats.
This book is made up from different interviews with Ladies of Soul like Bettye LaVett, Maxine Brown but also Timi Yuro (white).
I haven't seen a book yet that gives so much attention to the female voices of soul and is therefore worth buying. It is also a very pleasant read.
AN EXCELLENT BOOK ON UNDERRATED SOUL SISTERS.......2002-05-19
David has written a compelling, honest and excellent tome on a diverse range of soul sisters some of whom have never received the mainstream recognition enjoyed by others. That he would take time out to track down Ruby Johnson and Timi Yuro and include such soulful divas as Bettye Lavette, Maxine Brown and Carla Thomas is to his eternal credit; I'm hopeful that there will be a follow-up since there are other women who deserve the kind of truth-telling treatment he offers. Bravo!
A very different, unusual account.......2001-09-11
David Freeland's Ladies Of Soul profiles the rise and fall of seven female performers of the 1960s. Maxine Brown, Ruby Johnson, Carla Thomas, Timi Yuro and others are revealed, from their struggles for success to issues involved in their music. A very different, unusual account.
very well concieved Book.......2001-08-22
a Book such as this Enlightens Many of Artists that didn't get a fair shake for Various Reasons.I got a chance to read this while also Reading David Nathen's Book on Diva's.this Book is very well Detailed&gives alot of Insight to many things.worth a checking into.
This Book Was Needed!.......2001-05-10
How many times have I gone to a club and watched fabulous singers give astounding performances and ended up asking myself, "why isn't she/he a star?" Many of these entertainers are professionals, but for some reason, have not achieved the heights that many other, equally talented people have.
My record collection is filled with such artists: Howard Tate, Loleatta Holloway, Syl Johnson, Vanetta Fields, Otis Clay, Anna King, Shirley Brown and many others.
Author, David Freeland, obviously felt the same way, as he set out to showcase seven unheralded female soul singers from '60s, by giving them some overdue recognition in his new book, "Ladies of Soul". Among them are some of my personal favorites, starting with the incomparable, Bettye LaVette ("Let Me Down Easy"), who knocked me out when I first heard her demanding voice on the radio singing "You Killed the Love". I had no idea that this singer was only in her teens, for she emoted like an experienced woman of 40. That voice was coarse, even nasty at times, pleading and fraught with the damages of cigarettes, booze and life. Many feel she has a "churchy" sound, but LaVette swears that she is a child of the blues. Wherever it came from, that voice affected me deeply. Since, I have seen her bear witness, "live" in performance, giving 110% of herself and working harder than Tina Turner during her torrid times with Ike. Tina, by the way, covered Bettye's first hit record, "My Man (He's a Lovin' Man)".
Maxine Brown is gifted singer who has had many hits and deserves the spotlight in this book. Her immense talent has grown with experience and she is one of the best soul singers around. One of her big hits, "Oh No Not My Baby" was later recorded by Aretha Franklin.
The misunderstood, Timi Yuro, who's career and voice puzzled many (some thought she was a man, others were convinced she was African-American). She's Italian and has a soul as deep as the rivers. As a young girl, not only did she sing opera to appease her father, she sang in black churches (thanks to a religious black nanny) and toured later, as a professional, with the icons of soul like Little Richard and Etta James on the chitlin' circuit. She was asked by Frank Sinatra to tour Australia with him in the late 60s and her records were produced by such giants as Quincy Jones and Clyde Otis. Timi's first hit, "Hurt", was covered by Elvis Presley.
David Freeland has done a remarkable job with his hands on research and wasted not a second, quoting what others had written on this subject. He traveled the USA and found these women and interviewed them, in person, in depth. It seems that he quickly became the vehicle they could utilize to voice their anger, frustration, exhilaration and hope.
Also fascinating, were Freeland's conversations with Ahmet Ertegun, founder of Atlantic Records, whose candid insights into achieving success in the record business (then and now) and the unpredictable tastes of the record buying public were truly telling. Frank perceptions into the lives of many soul performers were punctuated by Juggy Murray, founder of Sue Records.
David interviewed DJ's, engineers...numerous people who make their living in the recording industry. This gives his book its distinctive authenticity.
I was not familiar with the personal life of Denise LaSalle ("Trapped, By this Thing Called Love"), before reading this book. Over the years I have purchased her albums and enjoyed her brassy brand of r & b. After reading her story, I conclude that she is substantive, opinionated and also a savvy, smart business woman. Carla Thomas ("Gee Whiz") turns out to be an interesting character. Her career sizzled just below the boiling point and she never achieved the stardom she deserved. It was also interesting to read about Barbara Mason ("Yes, I'm Ready"), whose records I've enjoyed over the years, and to get to know the one singer I wasn't familiar with, Ruby Johnson.
The book is not just "I made this record and sang with this person", it covers the morose as well, not only in the music industry, but societal injustice, as well. Travels through the south, having to deal with the America's ugliest demon, racism, brushes with the Ku Klux Klan, all are undeniably apart of these scenarios.
Very revealing are the observations by Bettye LaVette regarding the city of Detroit, during the heyday of Motown. Hers is a much darker portrayal of the same occurrences that were described in other books like Mary Wilson's, the Temptations' or Martha Reeves' biographies.
The important accomplishment here, is that this book stimulates one's appetite to hear these grand ladies sing! Enter their names on any Internet search engine and you'll find more information on each of them. Thankfully, they have CDs in the large record stores or can be ordered online.
Book Description
Few jazz singers have become icons like Billie Holiday. In With Billie, we hear the voices of those people who knew Billie best: piano players and dancers, pimps and junkies, lovers and narcs, producers and critics, each recalling intimate stories of the Billie they knew. What emerges is a portrait of a complex, contradictory, enthralling woman, a woman who — contrary to myth — knew what she wanted and what really mattered to her. Julia Blackburn has pieced together an oral history of this jazz great, creating a unique and fascinating view of an astonishing woman.
Customer Reviews:
Not exactly a biography.......2007-08-15
I usually enjoy reading biographies, but this was more of a string of "interviews" with people who partied with Billie and were by and large apparentley (or even admittedly) drunk and/or high when they gave the interviews. The stories they told often conflicted with stories they told before and I started getting the feeling that this was nothing more than fanciful ramblings of drunken nostalgia from most of the authors "sources". Very little of the material was directly about Billie...it was mostly stories told of that period of time and whatever the interviewer was doing around then. Mostly they simply "brushed up against" Billie either personally or professinally.
As far as Billie herself goes, I found almost no redeaming qualities in her based on the material in the book. If you believe what is presented here she was nothing more than a foul-mouthed bisexual hooker with a major drug and alcohol problem who happend to capture a little limelight for her singing between turning tricks and partying hard. I love Billie's music, and this is the only book I've read about her so I'm left a little bewiledered and find myself trying to decide what to believe. Yes, her upbringing s*cked, but a lot of people claw their way out of a bad upbringing and live lives that aren't defined by prostitution and heroin.
This book is more about the underground culture of Harlem in the 30's than it is about Billie. It is a rambling presentation of memories that are suspect at best, and offers very little insight to the woman whom it is supposed to be about.
Powerful!.......2007-04-09
An amalgam of interviews of people who knew Billie Holliday, each giving his or her version of Billie's life. Not easy reading sometimes -- maybe the information in the footnotes could have been incorporated in the text more smoothly -- but the thoughts and feelings of all these people, taken together, form a portrait of Billie that is immediate and vibrant, full of joy and grief, but at the same time that keeps you aware that you can never know the source of the magic of great artistry.
Not brilliant - good research, badly put together.......2006-07-11
Julia Blackburn's biography of Billie Holiday is disappointing. She makes poor use of what appears to be excellent research by Linda Kuehl. Some of the interview material is fascinating, but it is poorly cobbled together.
It's small wonder that this book gets intolerant and hateful reviews like that of Desiree Troy (though I suspect this particular reviewer is very young and inexperienced, given their extremely naive perspective). You get very little sense from reading this book of why Billie Holiday's music is still important to people nearly fifty years after her death, and seventy years after her prime.
You cannot evaluate Billie Holiday just from reading this book, and in fact you probably shouldn't read it at all.
Rehash.......2006-05-01
This is a rehash of interviews that were used much better by Stuart Nicholson. How Julia Blackburn can take credit for writing a book is beyond me.
As for Billie Holiday I love her work and her lifestyle was for the times the story of many black women that will forever go untold.
Prostitution was rampant during the great depression and any reader who wants to moralize best do so on a empty stomich. As for billes ghost wrtitten biography if you read it properly then read stuart nicholsons work u will see many truths that beforehand were thought of as lies. This book disappointed me greatly and I've read evry damn book they have written about her. Thank god I read it 4 free at the libary. Its not bad but it isn't good either
A Good Book..........2006-03-04
That deserves a good review. A couple reviews posted on here focus on Billie Holliday and her lifestyle, it puzzles me why they would even read the book, if you hated the woman so much -- nevertheless, they insisted on sharing their opinion of the person, not the book --so a lot of negative comments that aren't deserved get heaped onto the book --
First off, I don't know if you can fully appreciate this book unless you've listened to Billie Holliday extensively and have a cursory knowledge of what happened to her...
Just picking up this book and plodding through it -- I think will leave you frustrated -- if you don't know which years, were her best recording years and when life started to go horribly wrong for her then you lose many details that are given away in the book -- if you haven't listened to several different recordings of the same song, you won't understand what makes this woman so talented, because by all accounts most people would find her voice unique -- but not classified under the definition of a spectacular voice -- so the fact that she never sung the same song the same way, twice and that her phrasing and timing is one of a jazz instrumentalist, not a singer... you'll end up wondering why Blackburn wasted her time on an alcoholic drug addicted and abused woman.
In the end, the book will paint a faded picture of a woman -- her fears -- unrealized dreams -- and her music will fill in the rest. If you've ever listened to out takes of Holliday talking between takes -- you would suspect she was a pretty rough woman -- I found this book shed some light on her compassionate side... the fact that if you were her friend, she would give you the shirt off her back.
Through interviews, layers of assurance are slowly built up -- and what is left is not a laundry list of facts -- because many of the people interviewed were old -- or junkies -- or drunks -- so sometimes things are hazy... but they still convey the spirit of the woman -- they know she was a good person, that was caught in an endless cycle of booze, drugs and abuse, she just couldn't rise above it --
I think the most fascinating thing about this book, why it ranks so highly in my opinion -- is the discovery that this giant of her industry feared the same thing that the people that live in everyday America do -- and her desires and dreams were not far from the person that goes to a cubicle everyday --in the end, and what makes her life seem somewhat tragic -- she realized too late that all that matters are the people we love and those that love us back.
Average customer rating:
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Erykah Badu: The First Lady of Neo-Soul
Joel McIver
Manufacturer: Sanctuary Publishing, Ltd.
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Erykah Badu - Baduizm
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Trav'lin' Light
ASIN: 1860743854 |
Book Description
An artist more opposed to the plastic radio divas much in evidence today in modern R&B could hardly be imagined. Her history and musical roots are charted in this detailed biography.
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Aretha Franklin, Lady Soul (Impact Biography)
Leslie Gourse
Manufacturer: Franklin Watts
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ASIN: 0531130371 |
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