Tamerlane: Sword of Islam, Conqueror of the World

Book Description

A powerful account of the life of Tamerlane the Great (1336-1405), the last great Mongol conqueror of Central Asia, ruler of a vast empire, and one of history's most brutal tyrants

Tamerlane, aka Temur-the Mongol successor to Genghis Khan-ranks with Alexander the Great as one of the world's great conquerors, yet the details of his life are scarcely known in the West. Born in obscurity and poverty, he rose to become a fierce tribal leader, and with that his dominion and power grew with astonishing speed. He blazed through Asia, razing cities to the ground. He tortured conquered inhabitants without mercy, sometimes ordering them buried alive, at other times decapitating them. Over the ruins of conquered Baghdad, Tamerlane had his soldiers erect a pyramid of 90,000 enemy heads. As he and his armies swept through Central Asia, sacking, and then rebuilding cities, Tamerlane gradually imposed an iron rule and a refined culture over a vast territory-from the steppes of Asia to the Syrian coastline.

Justin Marozzi traveled in the footsteps of this fearsome emperor of Samarkand (modern-day Uzbekistan) to write this book, which is part history, part travelogue. He carefully follows the path of this infamous and enigmatic conqueror, recounting the history and the story of this cruel, cultivated, and indomitable warrior.

Customer Reviews:

Mixed Bag, Lots of great stuff, some glitter.......2007-10-02

Marozzi has done a lot of work and there is a lot of great stuff in here. At times he seems to get carried away and feel that he was writing a Hollywood script, it makes the book a cross between a novel and a work of history. But don't get me wrong, he seems to know his subject well. The title is misleading as was the man himself. Tamur used Islam as and when it served his purpose and so implying that he was enforcing Islam is wrong. Tamur killed Sunni's and Shi'as just as happily as he killed people of other faith. Marozzi's treatment of Tamur Lung (the right way of saying the name) reminds me of Mel Gibson's cheap tricks with Christ, throw in a lot of gore and people will buy it to be shocked. Both seem to ignore the context of time. Then every now and then Marozzi throws in a few pages of utmost brilliance like when he boldly states: "Europe of that time was backwater" I doubt how many historians missed that part. He is a great story teller and reads like James Mitchner, just not as gripping. His talks about his travels seem a bit weak and not very interesting. But having said that, I would strongly recommend this book to anyone interested in military history, Tartars, wars in Islamic world and I am sure I will read this book again someday. His map in the beginning is great, but then he chooses to throw some black and white pictures instead of more maps.

It's a bird! It's a plane!.......2007-06-05

In principle the idea to make a mix of a travel book with a history book does not sound so bad - but it does not quite work in this case. The author's travels have little historical relevance, are wordy, and in most (not all) cases simply detract. I ended up just skipping them. The historical part itself is somewhat better, but is badly in the need of editing. The author apparently can't decide whether to give a chronological narrative, and runs back and forth in time with confusing consequences. The citations from contemporary sources are far too long, especially ones from the Spanish Ambassador, whose story of travel to meet Temur is told in similar words at least three times throughout the book. I fully agree with a previous reviewer about too many pages (the whole chapter, actually) being devoted to analysis of the Marlowe play - with no useful information, whatsoever. I would advise to skip the whole chapter, but, confusingly, quite a few pages in the middle and the end of the chapter "forget" about Marlowe and just address Temur himself. Adding to a feel of unfinishness are the maps: they are never referred to in the text, are somewhat redundant, and randomly distributed throughout the book.
On a historical level, although the author, to his credit, does not diminish the atrocities caused by this monster, still, the author clearly finds Temur a more positive figure than the book itself portrays, emphasizing his building legacy and patronage of arts. I am sure this came as a great relief to hundreds of thousands slaughtered by Temur's orders in most cruel manner, in cold blood.
Still, overall, much of this book reads relatively well, and it's only one currently available. Maybe the author will tweak the next edition to make it better......

Heady reading.......2006-11-16

It might be inappropriate to say I >enjoyed < a book about a protagonist who decorated the scenes of his victories with pyramids of skulls. However, the book is absorbing. The author writes well, with skill, knowledge, and at times quiet humor. His comments on conditions in Temur's lands today were very interesting, connecting the past to the present.

I probably had better than average knowledge of Temur, knew about his coffin lid, and so forth, but my knowledge was, at best sketchy. Didn't Handel have a hand in writing an opera about him? I had never figured out what Mongols were doing ruling India. This book filled in vivid details about this fascinating, but almost forgotten, page of history.

Fortunately, my decision to buy the book was not influenced by the reviewer who complains about Marozzi's use of Marlowe's play. Actually, the play figures very briefly in the book. It provides an intriguing contrast of the perception or dramatization of Temur and the historical facts. For that matter, I wish he had commented on Handel's opera, too.

Readers are sure to ... well, I shouldn't say enjoy it, but you will want to read this book.

Overly dramatic.......2006-07-20

Marozzi keeps using phrases such as gold and precious stones, and uses repetitive dramatic language to describe every battle. The book is interesting in spite of the unsophisticated writing.

A spirited, riveting account blends ancient and modern worlds.......2006-05-23

Tamerlane was the lost nomadic warlord and his achievements ranks him with Alexander the Great in power and domination - yet his name is little known today. That's why TAMERLANE: SWORD OF ISLAM, CONQUREROR OF THE WORLD is so important: it tells of a fierce tribal leader who tortured and killed without mercy, whose soldiers erected a pyramid of some 90K enemy heads, and whose iron rule ran from Asia to Syria. Journalist Justin Marozzi has traveled throughout the Muslim world gathering information for this history/travelogue: TAMERLANE comes packed not only with source material information but with the first-person experiences of the author's travels in search of it. A spirited, riveting account blends ancient and modern worlds.

Diane C. Donovan, Editor
California Bookwatch

The Martyrs of Columbine: Faith and the Politics of Tragedy

Average customer rating:

disrespectful to the parents of the victims...
Telling Book
Big disapointment
A Thoughtful Examination of the Columbine Martyr Stories
Great Book That Looks Into The Controversies Of Columbine

The Martyrs of Columbine: Faith and the Politics of Tragedy
Justin Watson
Manufacturer: Palgrave Macmillan
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0312239572

Book Description

Cassie Bernall and Rachel Scott, two victims of the April 20, 1999, Columbine massacre, were reportedly asked by the two teen gunmen if they believed in God. Both allegedly answered Yes and were killed. This popular story has made Cassie and Rachel into modern-day Christian martyrs, but Watson uncovers a startling fact: Theres simply no evidence this event ever occurred. Meticulously exploring the religious and political use of Cassie and Rachel by Bill Graham and others in the Christian right, Watso demonstrates how this myth has infiltrated into the very culture of evangelical Christianity. Ultimately, Watson brilliantly illustrates that the politics of martyrdom is still politics.

Customer Reviews:

disrespectful to the parents of the victims..........2006-02-23

I can not comprehend Mr. Watson's intentions in writing this book. Although I disagree with the parents of the Columbine victims who believe that more gun laws will prevent further school violence, I respect their opinion and would not dare insult them in a way that this author insults those parents with Christian beliefs.

Not once does this author offer solid evidence that the Rachel and Cassie accounts never happened. He even goes so far as to quote law that a jury must follow in defining "proof" because it is so lacking in this book that the author can only be too aware of it. He insults the victims and their families by calling into question their stories, essentially calling them liars, based only on his own speculation. With the mass of confusion in the library that day, the Cassie story will always be debated, yet again, Mr. Watson offers no new evidence. As for Rachel Scott's story: the following text is an excerpt from page 151 of No Easy Answers, The Truth Behind Death At Columbine by Brooks Brown and Rob Merritt. "After he got the breathing tube out, he (Castaldo) was crying and upset, telling me through sobs how they taunted her (Rachel Scott) and teased her about God," Castaldo's mother Connie Michalek, told the Denver Rocky Mountain News on April 21, 2000. Mr. Watson actually explores the idea that she was being less than truthful with what Richard said in the hospital that day!

It is the opinion of this reader that if an author wishes to make the accusations that he does, he should bring new and compelling evidence to the table. This book offers no new insight into the Columbine tragedy. The information he cites as evidence has been around for years, and is available to anyone with internet access or a library card.

Telling Book.......2006-01-04

I read this book after reading "She Said Yes," by the Bernall family. I simply cannot see how the public will accept much of the information that the Bernall family provides for Cassie's death. What I feel is that a religious community has entangled this issue with a social agenda. Justin Watson flatly disproves or casts doubt on claims that the media takes for granted. For that, you should read his book.

As a book, Martyrs of Columbine is very readable and thorough. Although at times, Justin Watson seems to insert his personal opinion (especially in a chapter about the media's treatment of the event), his commentary is logical and is usually quite revealing of the politics in the American religious movement.

Big disapointment.......2004-07-04

I was very disapointed in the book.Basicly the writer took bits and pieces from books written by others,twisted their words and put his own spin on it.It repeats itself over and over being so repetative I had to put it down.There are good books out there written by people who were there.I suggest you take a look at those.I read many good one's but this book wasnt in that catagory.

A Thoughtful Examination of the Columbine Martyr Stories.......2003-01-27

Watson's book belongs in the collection of anyone interested in what happened at Columbine and why it happened. Rather than trying to discuss all of the issues that swirl around this event, the author concentrates on the "Do you believe in God?" stories associated with victims Cassie Bernall and Rachel Scott. More than simply trying to determine whether these stories are true - he doesn't think they are -- he examines how and why these stories took on a wider cultural and political significance. Particularly interesting is how these "martyrs" got used to advance some of the pet causes of the Religious Right, such as getting prayer back in public schools. While those who continue to believe Cassie and Rachel really were martyred will dislike Watson's conclusions, it is hard to see how they could argue with his thorough and thoughtful discussion.

Great Book That Looks Into The Controversies Of Columbine.......2003-01-16

I read this book not too long ago and I think that it's a great book that looks into some of the controversies of Columbine(i.e. whether Rachel Scott was mentioned in the "Basement Tapes" or not, whether Cassie Bernall was asked whether she believed in God or wehther it was another person[who survived]).

From all I've learned about what happened, I'm very skeptical that the Rachel and Cassie stories are true.

Book Description

A stirring account of America's vanished past...
The book that earned Mark Twain his first recognition as a serious writer...

Discover the magic of life on the Mississippi.

At once a romantic history of a mighty river, an autobiographical account of Mark Twain's early steamboat days, and a storehouse of humorous anecdotes and sketches, Life on the Mississippi is the raw material from which Twain wrote his finest novel-The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

"The Lincoln of our literature." (William Dean Howells)

Customer Reviews:

"S-T-E-A-M-boat a-comin'!" .......2007-04-11

In Life on the Mississippi the steamboat is depicted as the workhorse of Midwest expansion. Prior to the advent of the railroad efficient inland transportation was confined to waterways and the Mississippi river basin , with "about 1,250,000 square miles," was the "Body of the Nation." (Twain, preface) Mark Twain fulfills his boyhood dream of becoming a river boat pilot and, returning some twenty-one years later, writes of his youthful experiences and later observations

The steamboat was a technological phenomena. The vehicle that evolved to meet the unique demands of this particular environment was a special design of river boat. In his own inimical style Mark Twain captures both the excitement of the riverboat's arrival and describes its essential components:

"She is long and sharp and trim and pretty; she has two tall, fancy-topped chimneys, with a gilded device of some kind swung between them; a fanciful pilothouse, all glass and "gingerbread," perched on top of the "texas" deck behind them; the paddle-boxes are gorgeous with a picture or with gilded rays above the boat's name; the boiler deck; the hurricane deck, and the texas deck are fenced and ornamented with clean white railings; there is a flag gallantly flying from the jack-staff; the furnace doors are open and the fires glaring bravely; the upper decks are black with passengers; the captain stands by the big bell calm, imposing, the envy of all; great volumes of the blackest smoke are rolling and tumbling out of the chimneys...the crew are grouped on the forecastle; the broad stage is run far out over the port bow, and an envied deck hand stands picturesquely on the end of it with a coil of rope in his hand; the pent steam is screaming through the gauge cocks; the captain lifts his hand, a bell rings, the wheels stop; then turn, back, churning the water to foam, and the steamer is at rest." (27)

Within a period of ten minutes the boat has been offloaded, loaded and departed. It is an efficiency of system and design ideally suited to its unique purposes, but as the Civil War looms its days are numbered. By then the steamboat had already evolved to it most advanced state and the steam locomotive has become the dominant form of transportation

As a literary piece by a "brilliant travel writer and incomparable humorist" (Kaplan, in Twain, xvii) Life on the Mississippi earned its accolades, but, as a window into a period of time, one can extract an eyewitnesses truth. In Life on the Mississippi, Mark Twain describes the latter period of the steamboat's heyday dramatically cut short. Wartime technology did not improve the riverboat other than to convert it into an instrument of war. What doomed the steamboat to oblivion was the advent of the steam locomotive and the railroads. The steamboat well served the purposes of river life in its time but was eclipsed by the railroad.

That the steamboat was functional is indisputable, but if form determines function, it was a perfect adaptation of a water craft in conformity with purpose and contemporary technology. Combined with light weight and flexible wood construction the steamboat evolved into a shallow draft, wide beamed, low freeboard hull propelled by stern or side paddle wheels. The overall size of a steamboat was a compromise between maneuverability and economy. Power plant, fuel, cargo and passengers were accommodated within a superstructure rising above the hull. Bulk items, machinery, deck hands and low fare passengers were located on the main deck; superior public and private accommodations at higher fares were on the upper decks. Here travelers could enjoy incomparable luxury.

High on top of all was the pilothouse. River pilots, by necessity of their position earned through their experience and knowledge of the river, had the best view. By status, they were the pinnacle of river hierarchy. Mark Twain, on his 1882 return to the river, quaintly asks of a fellow passenger he suspects of being a river pilot: "Have you ever traveled with a panorama." The passenger responds, "I have formerly served in that capacity. [Twain's] suspicion was confirmed." (315) Only higher than the pilothouse were the tall stacks made so for the purpose of disgorging noxious black smoke and dangerous smoldering ash to the wind.

All components contributed to functionality, but perhaps the "stage" or ramp which bridged the gap between the boat and shore, contributed most to its versatility. It enabled the boat to be hailed from landings along the shore without the aid of a dock. As an apprentice, Mark Twain is left alone on the bridge for the first time by his mentor. His initial proud serenity is broken by a sudden awareness that the boat is heading for imminent impact with a "bluff reef." His panicked reaction throws the ship into reverse, but he is saved by the return of the pilot who calmly restores order and chastises him. "When you have a hail, my boy, you ought to tap the big bell three times before you land, so the engineers can get ready." (53) The "bluff reef" was actually a wind reef (from the effect of wind on the surface) and they sailed uneventfully through it.

The romance of the steamboat era is tarnished by frequent tragedy. Mark Twain loses his brother Henry, a cabin boy on the Pennsylvania, who died when the ship's boilers explode in June 1858. The hazards of operating year round and during night and day, plus the varying river conditions contributed to mistakes of judgment and probably just bad luck too! The pilot may have been king, but he was still human and suffered from the human faults of vain glory, unrealistic confidence, ego, and infallibility.

When he returns to the river in 1882 after an absence of twenty-one years, Mark Twain notes the changes that have occurred on the river. There are very few ships left in operation. Passenger travel is limited in frequency and destinations. The romance he once knew is gone, but a new one is beginning, the romance of the rails.

Today we know that the railroad too would have its heyday and, in time, its romance would also wane. But has the romance of the steamboat and rail eras disappeared? Today you can take cruises on Mississippi riverboats and luxury train trips across the continent. The difference now is that trips are for novelty and not necessity. The romance only comes from the remembrance of a time past and not the needs of the present.

Twain on the Mississippi.......2005-12-02

This is the book that Mark Twain himself thought to be his greatest. It is basically a memoir in two parts of his life spent on the river with historical sketches, statistics, and other matters thrown in.

The first part of the book tells of Twain's early years as a riverboat pilot. He talks about being a cub pilot, about learning about the intricacies of the river and the difficulties of navigating it, and about his mentor Horace Bixby. Twain's love of the river and his pride in "mastering" it are made obvious in these chapters.

The second part recounts Twain's return to the river in 1882, mainly to "see it again" in preparation of writing this book. Starting in St. Louis, he first goes south through Baton Rouge to New Orleans. He spends a bit of time there and describes life as he sees it in the city (there's a funny chapter regarding the above-ground cemeteries and an argument about cremation). Then he heads north on the steamboat City of Baton Rouge, piloted by his old mentor Horace Bixby. He stops off in Hannibal for three days, just enough time to see how much the town and some old acquaintances have changed, and then continues all the way to St. Paul, Minnesota.

Twain's humor, as he recounts conversations with people, sights seen, reminiscences dredged up, and a myriad of other matters that fill the book, is always evident. It's one of the great books on the mighty river, and whether you are a lover of the works of Mark Twain or interested in the Mississippi River during the time period just before and after the Civil War, you will enjoy this book.

Mark Twain's Finest Writing.......2003-06-27

I read this recently after having kept a copy around for years; I now wish I had read it years ago. It is witty, observant, and a wonderful slice of American history; the
now-vanished steamboat culture comes alive like nowhere
else. However, the best part is the contrast between the author's confident early youthful years and the much later, postwar years of bittersweet reminiscence and regret for what has passed, never to return. A wonderful book - I simply cannot praise it highly enough.

A compelling monologue of biography, geography and history.......2002-03-08

Let me guess: your total exposure to Mark Twain came in high school, when you were forced to read about the antics of Huck Finn or Tom Sawyer, right? Well, now that you've reached adulthood, you should make time to read _Life on the Mississippi_. It's mandatory reading if you live in a state that borders the great river, anywhere from Minnesota down to Louisiana. It's mandatory reading if you have come to that point in life when you can suddenly appreciate American history and post-Civil War stories written by someone who lived through that time.

Writing in the first half of the 1870s, Twain retraces the steps of his youth: the watery highway he knew when he trained to be a riverboat pilot nearly 20 years earlier. He speaks of how life _was_ along the river, and what life _became_. It's almost a "you can't go home again" experience for him, while the reader gets the benefit of discovering both time periods.

I have two favorite parts that I share with others. Chapter IX includes a wonderful dissertation about how learning the navigational intricacies of the river caused Twain to lose the ability to see its natural beauty. And Chapter XLV includes an assessment of how the people of the North and the South reacted differently to the war experience. If I were a social studies teacher, I'd use that last passage in a unit on the reconstruction period. So put this title on your vacation reading list, and don't fret: the chapters are short and are many -- 60! -- but you can stop at any time, and the words go by fast. _Life on the Mississippi_ should make you forget all about any Twain trauma and report-writing you may have suffered as a teenager. [This reviewer was an Illinois resident when these comments were written.]

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Justin: The Unauthorized Biography
Sean Smith
Manufacturer: Pocket
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Justin Timberlake: The Unofficial Book

Backstage Pass: Just Justin (Backstage Pass)

Edison Force

ASIN: 1416507736

Book Description

"My name is Justin. I guess I should go ahead and tell you I sing."
-- Justin Timberlake at age eleven

The meteoric rise of Justin Timberlake from one-fifth of boy band *NSYNC to one of the world's top male solo artists has been nothing short of extraordinary. But how did this precocious curly-haired boy from the Tennessee Bible Belt and former Mickey Mouse Club member transform himself into "The New King of Pop" (Rolling Stone) and one of the most respected young R & B artists around?

Bestselling author Sean Smith has traveled across the country to discover the real Justin. Through a series of exclusive interviews, he assembles a rich portrait of Justin's rural childhood outside Memphis, the talent show years, the Mickey Mouse Club era -- when he met Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera -- the rise of *NSYNC, and the breakthrough solo album, Justified, that brought Timberlake critical acclaim and superstar status all his own.

Justin: The Unauthorized Biography also uncovers the truth about the women in Justin's life -- from first love all the way to Cameron Diaz -- and offers fascinating insights on why his first three serious relationships, including his most famous affair with Britney, ended with Justin crying "she cheated!"

With over twenty pages of full-color photographs, an exclusive birth chart, complete discography, and updates on his thrilling new film-acting career, Justin: The Unauthorized Biography is a must-have biography of the man the NME has dubbed "the coolest man in pop."

Download Description

"""My name is Justin. I guess I should go ahead and tell you I sing."" -- Justin Timberlake at age eleven The meteoric rise of Justin Timberlake from one-fifth of boy band *NSYNC to one of the world's top male solo artists has been nothing short of extraordinary. But how did this precocious curly-haired boy from the Tennessee Bible Belt and former Mickey Mouse Club member transform himself into ""The New King of Pop"" (Rolling Stone) and one of the most respected young R & B artists around? Bestselling author Sean Smith has traveled across the country to discover the real Justin. Through a series of exclusive interviews, he assembles a rich portrait of Justin's rural childhood outside Memphis, the talent show years, the Mickey Mouse Club era -- when he met Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera -- the rise of *NSYNC, and the breakthrough solo album, Justified, that brought Timberlake critical acclaim and superstar status all his own. Justin: The Unauthorized Biography also uncovers the truth about the women in Justin's life -- from first love all the way to Cameron Diaz -- and offers fascinating insights on why his first three serious relationships, including his most famous affair with Britney, ended with Justin crying ""she cheated!"" With over twenty pages of full-color photographs, an exclusive birth chart, complete discography, and updates on his thrilling new film-acting career, Justin: The Unauthorized Biography is a must-have biography of the man the NME has dubbed ""the coolest man in pop."" "

Tamerlane: Sword of Islam, Conqueror of the World

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Tamerlane: Sword of Islam, Conqueror of the World
Justin Marozzi
Manufacturer: Perseus Books Group
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0306815435

Book Description

Tamerlane (1336-1405)--the tartar successor to Genghis Khan--ranks with Alexander the Great as one of the world's greatest conquerors. His armies were ferocious, feared throughout Asia, Africa, and Europe. They blazed through Asia like a firestorm, razing cities, torturing captives, and massacring enemies. Anyone who dared defy Tamerlane was likely decapitated, and towers of bloody heads soon became chilling monuments to his power throughout Central Asia. By the end of his life, Tamerlane had imposed his iron rule, as well as a refined culture, over a vast territory--from Syria to India, from Siberia to the Mediterranean. Justin Marozzi traveled in the footsteps of this infamous and enigmatic emperor of Samarkand (in modern Uzbekistan) to tell the story of this cruel, cultivated, and powerful warrior.

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Read it every year
My Garden Visits
My Garden Visits
Straight to the Heart
Your loved ones are always with you.

My Garden Visits
Justin Matott
Manufacturer: Ballantine Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0345412516
Release Date: 1997-03-11

Book Description

Of all human creations, a garden comes nearest to heaven. In Justin Matott's garden, sweet peas, larkspur, peppermint, peas, corn, tomatoes, and a hundred other sweetly-scented and delicious things bloom and ripen daily -- gifts of earth's bounty.

One day in that garden a very special miracle occurred. Justin felt the loving presence of his mother, who had left this earth five years before. Why had she come? What could her invisible but palpable presence mean?

As he sowed, weeded, and harvested, he listened to his visitor's silent communications and felt the movement of change and growth within himself. In the forget-me-not, he was reminded of the precious uniqueness of his mother -- and every other part of creation. Along with crocuses and daffodil, memories of childhood blossomed. The cycle of garden life impressed upon him the eternal flow of beginning, renewal, loss, and new beginning.

At first, Justin hesitated to mention these mysterious, wordless colloquies, but when he did, family and friends urged him to write about them. So now we have this wonderful book, which invites us into the author's beautiful garden to share the love and wisdom that flowered among poppies and bean poles.

Illustrated with fifteen radiant full-page watercolors, My Garden Visits inspires us to cultivate our own inner gardens and lift our hearts in praise of earth and heaven.

Customer Reviews:

Read it every year.......2002-06-06

This book is out of print, what a crime.

My Garden Visits.......2002-01-03

This book is a real treasure! It is one of my favorites that I have read several times. I could really relate to the author's story. While reading I found that we had similar experiences but for me it was with my father. It made me reflect on my memories with him. I am grateful the author shared his experiences...I love that each chapter begins with a watercolor illustration of a flower with both the botanical and common name and a brief description of this flower...The author is a great storyteller and his book is positive and full of good energy. I found his words comforting: "Love is Eternal"....

My Garden Visits.......2002-01-03

Straight to the Heart.......2001-12-15

My Garden Visits is a book which should be read by anyone who has lost a loved one. After reading this book, I have since purchased this for many people who also have had similar experiences as this author. This is a book which will be around for a long time. Mr. Matott's use of reference to his hobby and his experiences give you goose bumps if you have had a similar experience.

Your loved ones are always with you........2001-12-12

If you've ever lost a loved one, this book will touch your heart and reassure you that love goes on. You'll remember what it's like being a child, exploring the world and learning from your family. You'll remember what it was like growing up and sometimes losing someone you loved more than life itself. But you'll discover you never really lose those you love. Just a wonderful and uplifting book.

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This books is about the BBC, Not CS Lewis
Great History of Mere Christianity & an Interesting Look at the BBC
A seminal contribution towards understanding a masterpiece
intriguing story
Radio's Power and Politics

C.S. Lewis In A Time Of War
Justin Phillips
Manufacturer: HarperOne
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0060881399
Release Date: 2006-01-24

Book Description

A behind-the-scenes look at the four remarkable BBC radio broadcasts during World War II that became Lewis’s classic Mere Christianity.

Customer Reviews:

This books is about the BBC, Not CS Lewis.......2007-02-20

I was very disappointed in this book. I was expecting to read about what Lewis said in those historic broadcasts. And why. But the book is filled with the "how". Not even the "how" from Lewis' point of view, but the "how" of the BBC staff. The story is well written and the book flows well. It just wasn't about a subject I found very interesting, or I should say, it wasn't about the subject I wanted to read about - What Lewis said in those war time broadcasts. Why he said what he said and What impact the broadcast had. A little of the "how" would have been interesting too.

Great History of Mere Christianity & an Interesting Look at the BBC.......2006-10-29

An enjoyable read, almost a page turner, if you have an interest in C.S. Lewis and Mere Christianity.

A seminal contribution towards understanding a masterpiece.......2006-10-02

As a lifelong and devoted student of Lewis -- and one who has read, re-read, written about, and lectured on Mere Christianity -- I was startled and deeply gratified to learn that the master conceived his touchstone idea, composed the masterpiece that conveys it, and perfected his popular, lean, direct apologetic style under what can only be regarded as the tutelage of the BBC. The late Justin Phillips (who died before completing his book: the manuscript was edited and brought to publication by his daughter Laura Treneer) first provides a genuinely riveting war-time context as only a lifelong BBC-man could. He then captures, with ample narrative skill and astonishingly adroit quotations from correspondence, the "Beeb's" persistence and scalpel-like judgment, as well as CSL's reservations, vexations, achievement, and finally his overwhelming success. Along the way the reader gets a concrete feel for Lewis's travel, work-habits, friendships and homelife which, though not entirely new, are utterly fresh (for example, the contributions of Jill Freud . . . ) And as a bonus we are treated to a chapter on Dorothy L. Sayers and the BBC: The corporation was sorely overmatched! From now on, Richard Baxter + CSL = Mere Christianity must become Baxter + Lewis X the BBC = Mere Christianity and a good deal of the master's pellucid style.

intriguing story.......2006-06-25

If you want a book that is just about C. S. Lewis this will disappoint, but if you are interested in a broader story of the history of the BBC and the path up to Lewis' Broadcast Talks (as well as a parallel journey by Dorothy Sayers) you will find this book enjoyable reading.

The first section of the book tells the story of the development of the BBC, the political structures it operated under and the development of religious programming. This section does an excellent job of drawing the situation into which Lewis is injected with his talks that eventually became Mere Christianity. The second section is the story of Lewis broadcast talks.

Perhaps most intriguing was viewing the process of developing the talks and the role of the BBC in "encouraging" Lewis to shape his talks to their needs. Just as importantly we see how he might change structure, but he had a clear vision of what he wanted to accomplish with the talks. In addition we see how the talks and religious programming in general were a part of the war effort. The book concludes with their divergent paths in the post war era.

It's intriguing to see how many times over the years Lewis turned down the BBC, rejecting both half-baked ideas and a few that look quite promising. Also it's interesting to note that due to the authors archive searches, there is no doubt that virtually none of this material survives in recorded form-a real tragedy.

Radio's Power and Politics.......2006-06-04

This book is as much about C.S. Lewis as it is about the BBC and its internal workings, politics with the government, and its effective, or sometimes, not so effective use of its medium.

The first 60 pages or so deal mostly with the BBC and the internal workings and government external forces in producing programs for the population. It is interesting in its relation to the war as well as its relation to religious programming. The censorship chapters are interesting, yet, not surprising and in the context of the situation at hand, over understood.

The archives and letters about C.S. Lewis and the interactions with producing his talks, changing items for the BBC and making the "Talks" and their effect is interesting from a realistic and pragmatic standpoint more than a theological one.

Phillips also touches on the work Dorthy Sayers and her BBC production of "The Man Born to be King." Her and Lewis' radio work left a lasting legacy, for good or ill (after all, most religious prod-casting isn't up to their level whether in theological discussions or plays).

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Wolf Kahn by Justin Spring
Wolf Kahn
WOLF KAHN, A GREAT AMERICAN EXPRESSIONIST LANDSCAPE ARTIST
Beautiful

Wolf Kahn
Justin Spring
Manufacturer: Harry N. Abrams
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0810963221

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Wolf Kahn by Justin Spring.......2007-08-15

I love the paintings of Wolf Kahn. The book was exactly what I had hoped for.

Wolf Kahn.......2007-05-13

This was a gift and a perfect one for the person I gave it to. Lots of color and something to display !

WOLF KAHN, A GREAT AMERICAN EXPRESSIONIST LANDSCAPE ARTIST.......2004-03-11

_____________________________________________________________________________

This artist's paintings are destined to earn him a coveted and honored place in art history. A brilliant colorist, his works are minimalist in nature, and of nature. This book contains many breathtaking reproductions of oil paintings and pastel drawings from various periods of his life - concentrating on his later works. Meandering throughout these is an informative narrative on the artist's life, family, friends, colleagues and his art philosophy.

I've looked at various books on Wolf Kahn and personally feel this one is the most detailed and comprehensive. I believe it also has the largest number of his works illustrated and is of larger dimensions than the other books. The reproductions are of high quality and the colors very vibrant.

If you like tasteful and vibrantly colored expressionist landscapes it's impossible to go wrong with Wolf Kahn. 5 stars all the way.

Beautiful.......2000-04-25

I had never even heard of Wolf Kahn until I saw this book at a local store. I looked through it fell in love with the art and had to have it. I recieved the book as a present(ordered from amazon--saved 15 bucks or so) and loved it. It has great info on Kahns life and comments on style, use of color etc. But what really makes this book great are the pages and pages of paintings. What makes most art books truly great(to me at least) is a lot of high quality color photos of the artists work to go along with some insightful commentary. This has many. From his early works up to as recent as 1995 paintings I would recommend this book to anyone who likes the painting on the cover. If you like that you will not be disappointed

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A double value
An existentialist in the process
Albert Camus, writer.
Great insight to his work
A book of wise sayings

Notebooks 1935-1951
Albert Camus , Philip Malcolm Waller Thody , and Justin O'Brien
Manufacturer: Marlowe & Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1569246661

Customer Reviews:

A double value .......2005-01-30

The notebooks are valuable as the record of a life, and also as a kind of preliminary sketchbook to the works. Here one can see Camus groping toward the chrystallization of his most significant works. The aphoristic and descriptive beauty of some of the passages also add to the value of the work.

An existentialist in the process.......2004-09-28

After reading all of Camus' works I read his notebooks, and all of it sudden his track of mind made sense. You can clearly see the train of thoughts before The Stranger and The Fall. This book is essential for anyone who is into existentialism, absurdism and their derivatives.

I would like to say this is more of a philosophical book, but Albert's desire was always to be recognized as a writer more than a thinker. His entries are of an artist expressing his lassitude towards meaning and some paragraphs are harsh while criticizing war, love and human nature. If you are overly religious, this book may not be for you.

Great collection of entries from writer who should've won more Nobel Prizes and who is the father of modern existentialism.. still.

Albert Camus, writer........2004-07-13

For too many decades and by too many college instructors, Albert Camus has been clumped together with Jean-Paul Sartre and others under the heading of "Existentialist". This collection of Camus' notebooks indicates that there were many other things going on in his thinking, and Existentialism was hardly one of them. In fact, several revealing excerpts show us a man who disagreed with it fundamentally.

That aside, what it really presents to the reader is that Camus is first and foremost a writer. Whether it's creative writing, critical writing, reflective writing, etc., he was accomplished at all of them. His description of a sunset, quaint as it might sound, is so beautiful it's almost heartbreaking. Meanwhile, his political observations are keen, with a strong sense of urgency.

Equally fascinating is to observe his literary works taking shape: to see the mind of a writer putting a major opus together. To me, this is the major contribution of the book. I highly recommend this book to aspiring writers, diarists, or to anyone interested in the mid-20th century thought. That goes for Existentialists too.

Great insight to his work.......2001-01-09

This novel , more like a autobiography is great because in it he tells of certain unforgetable conversations and ideas that his mind has come up with. It just makes me want to read more of his work because now i know how he gets some of his ideas and the process he goes through in creating a grea novel. Although the notes are written in a form that is different then usual , they are great to read. I recomend it.

A book of wise sayings.......2000-08-10

This book...a rather large one...is wonderful and incredibly special since it is a peek into Camus' thoughts. He wrote everything down, afraid he would not remember his thoughts. This book is especially interesting since it has some powerful sayings in it...if you are searching for a good quote to write an essay about, I recommend this book.

Makers of Nineteenth Century Culture: 1800-1914

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Makers of Nineteenth Century Culture: 1800-1914

Manufacturer: Routledge
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0710092954

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