Devil Dogs: Fighting Marines of World War I

Book Description

The United States Marine Corps has long enjoyed the reputation of being America's premiere fighting force. Whenever crisis looms one hears the familiar chorus, Send in the Marines. How was this reputation first earned? Many would argue that the Marine Corps stepped up and took its place alongside America's other armed forces in 1918 at Chateau Thierry and Belleau Wood. So fierce was the 4th Marine Brigade in combat that the overwhelmed German defenders dubbed them Teufulhunden, literally Devil Dogs.

Customer Reviews:

An essential and wonderful book.......2002-11-04

Here is a wonderfully detailed and moving book. It satisfies the serious scholar in its overwhelming details, and yet carries the `human thread' to show the true wonder of what these marines did. My grandfather was with the 6th Marines at Belleau Wood and I guarantee he would have loved and respected this book.

Great Book.......2000-08-31

This book is excellent. All the other reviews are dead on accurate.

Just to add something different to the discussion...

I would have given it five stars but for one thing. Occasionally the detail overwhelmed the writing and story telling aspect lagged. Just every so often it started to read like an after-action report. Don't let this put you off, just don't plan on being able to read parts of it right before bed time.

Top Notch Reading.......2000-03-09

With so few great titles on the American experience in the Great War this book is a must read. It reads very well and spares no small detail. It gives you a "leather-necks" view of the the war in France.

Excellant.......1999-07-01

I support the Leatherneck review and am tempted to rate it 5 stars. It is refreshing to read not only the USMC WW1 history but the authors considered opinions on the battles and personalities involved.

Outstanding - a landmark work.......1999-06-24

From Leatherneck Magazine - March, 1999

The rich thread of tradition has woven itself throughout the tapestry of Marine Corps history. From these threads, Marines of today uphold the standards of service and sacrifice of the past as the proud inheritors of this heritage. Of all the eras of Marine Corps history, arguably the most romantic and colorful would be the involvement of the Marines in the First World War. The Marine Corps of today is still flavored by the traditions and experiences of those years. Words such as Devil Dog and Foxhole still permeate the language of our Marines and students from The Basic School have adopted Belleau Wood and travel over regularly to assist in the maintenance of this hallowed ground, the only wholly-owned American battlefield on foreign soil. By the same token, this has remained one of the least explored eras throughout the history of the Marines.

Certainly, the classics of Asprey's "At Belleau Wood" and Stallings' "Doughboys" stand forth as valuable contributions to the understanding of that history. However, no one has published a comprehensive examination of the actions and service of the 4th "Marine" Brigade until now.

It is with a clear love and empathy for this subject that former Marine, George Clark undertook the monumentous task of shifting through and composing the far-flung resources of documentation into a concise and readable history of the Fourth "Marine" Brigade and it's service from formation until disbandment.

Clark's work, drawn from 25 years of research into the subject, captures the color and character, as well as the facts and figures, of the Marine Brigade as no previous work. Based on contemporaneous unit histories, Marine diaries, personal letters, as well as official documents and correspondence, this book blows open the door and illuminates the incredible story of ordinary men, who, under extraordinary circumstances, left a legacy of valor courage and sacrifice unsurpassed to this day.

Highly detailed and filled with fascinating insights, "Devil Dogs" takes no prisoners. It tells the unvarnished tale of the largely volunteer force, leavened by a strong cadre of seasoned Officers and NCOs, who formed the nucleus of the 2nd Division (Regulars) of the infant American Expeditionary Force. The author offers interesting and thought-provoking opinions of the success and failure of the various Officers who led the Marines in combat in France and makes no apology for ruffling a few feathers along the way.

A rollicking, fun book to read, Clark takes the reader along from the stateside clashes with Pershing and the Army bureaucracy to training in France and through the battles of Belleau Wood, Soissons, St. Mihiel, Blanc Mont and Meuse-Argonne. Chapters also cover the history of Marines in the Occupation of Germany and explore the little known history of the Marines in the Composite Regiment of the AEF - Pershing's Showpiece.

Though not for those wishing a "quick" synopsis of Marine involvement in the Great War, "Devil Dogs" is a must for any student of Marine History or for those wishing to get the full picture of this most colorful era. Clark's work justifiably joins Asprey and Stallings as a modern classic of the American experience in the Great War. With valuable lessons for today's military, it stands as a true picture of the success by leadership, unmatched valor and pure guts, against a seasoned and battle-tested foe.

Book Description

This bestseller emphasizes the practical aspects of general, organic, and biological chemistry with numerous applications to and case histories of clinical nursing and health-related situations. Avoiding excessive math and theory, it offers thorough and uniquely diverse coverage, giving allied health professionals the chemical background necessary to understand the various medical tests and procedures they will be following and performing in their jobs. Stresses the relationship between inorganic chemistry and the life processes with discussions of acids and bases, oxidation-reduction, nuclear chemistry and radio-activity, and more. Explains the various chemical processes taking place in the body during normal and abnormal metabolism, and considers the effects of an excess or deficiency of vitamins and hormones. Offers the state-of-the-art research in genetics, radiation technology, and electron microscopy. Supports material with a generous amount of practical examples—including case histories—and includes quality illustrations and many full-color photographs. For allied health professionals.

Civilization Past & Present, Volume I (to 1650) (11th Edition) (MyHistoryLab Series)

Average customer rating:

Too subjective to be used for objective historical study

Civilization Past & Present, Volume I (to 1650) (11th Edition) (MyHistoryLab Series)
Palmira J. Brummett , Robert R. Edgar , Neil J. Hackett , George F. Jewsbury , and Barbara S Molony
Manufacturer: Longman
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Early Civilization | Ancient | History | Subjects | Books

General | World | History | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0321236270

Book Description

The authors of the Eleventh Edition of Civilization Past and Present— specialists in Islamic, African, Asian, Ancient, Russian, and East European history—weave the diverse trends of world history into a clear and accessible analysis for today's students.

Civilization Past and Present, well known in the marketplace as a highly readable survey text, delivers a strong narrative of world history and a level of detail that is manageable for students and solid for instructors. Using images and documents that enhance the text's content, the narrative traces connections across cultures and introduces intriguing avenues of historical interpretation. The text examines all aspects of world history—social, political, economic, religious, cultural, and geographic.

Customer Reviews:

Too subjective to be used for objective historical study.......2007-10-04

I bought this book for my world history class this semester, and while I'm only halfway through the book, there is no way it could possibly redeem itself.

Although it does give lots of good information, it rarely includes dates with its facts and its A-sides always get off track by discussing meaningless information that has nothing to do with the readings.

To make matters worse the book is completely obsessed with every cult/religion/sect that pops up in the dates covered - not by telling you the facts (the effect on history, society, etc) but instead by spends page after quoting irrelevant religious scriptures and texts. It even spends time telling bible stories - like the story of Paul getting blinded on the road and treats it like it really happened, God and all! Then it does a flip side and tells stories of might and magic with India's Gods. Want to know about the monkey king of china? It's in here too! In fact, this is a history book and a history of never-never land, (peter pan and pals almost made it, but they saved that for the next edition)

It's also obsessed with writings that are completely meaningless to the period - it wastes several trees worth of paper with excepts from completely unknown novels written by nobodies that had no effect on history whatsoever - the only people that have read these writings to date are the writers, the archeologists who dug it up, and moron who put it in the textbook (not to mention the unfortunate students who have to read the textbooks.) And it wouldn't be that bad if it was in some historical context, like explaining how The Decameron made such an impact on history, maybe tell us what the story was generally about - that much makes sense. But publishing page after page of the book? That's just an attempt to make the book thicker! (Note - The Decameron example is not in the book that I know of, that was just an example of how this book operates.)

If you want an objective lesson in world history, look elsewhere.

If you want to know the history of religions, cults, and sects, along with a few fairy tails, (both divinely inspired and fancy storytelling), this is definitely for you.

*Also, excuse the sarcasm, but this book was a real letdown.

America Past and Present, Volume I (8th Edition) (MyHistoryLab Series)

Average customer rating:

America Past and Present, Volume 1 (8th Edition) (MyHistoryLabSeries)

America Past and Present, Volume I (8th Edition) (MyHistoryLab Series)
Robert A. Divine , T. H. Breen , George M. Fredrickson , R. Hal Williams , Ariela J. Gross , and H. W. Brands
Manufacturer: Longman
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Americas | History | Subjects | Books

Look Inside History Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

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ASIN: 0321446623

Book Description

America Past and Present integrates the social and political dimensions of American history into one rich chronological narrative, providing students with a full picture of the scope and complexity of the American past.

Writing in a lively narrative style to tell the story of all Americansâelite and ordinary, women and men, rich and poor, white majority and minoritiesâthe authors, six active, publishing, and award-winning historians, bring history to life for introductory students.

Customer Reviews:

America Past and Present, Volume 1 (8th Edition) (MyHistoryLabSeries).......2007-09-01

I was very impressed with the speediness if my purchase. It arrived exactly as they promised. Even though the book was indicated as "Used", it appeared as "Brand New". I will definitely use Amazon again for future textbook purchases. I saved a lot more money going this route than buying the books through my college bookstore.

The Presidential Difference: Leadership Style from FDR to George W. Bush

Average customer rating:

Review
Great intro to U.S. presidency
Wonderful Comparative look at the Modern Presidents
Presidential Leadership in the 20th Century
Creative, Original, and Objective...

The Presidential Difference: Leadership Style from FDR to George W. Bush
Fred I. Greenstein
Manufacturer: Princeton University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

History & Theory | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0691119090

Amazon.com

Princeton University's Fred I. Greenstein caps off an illustrious career as a presidential scholar with The Presidential Difference. This book won't fundamentally change the way anybody looks at the last 11 chief executives--Greenstein's earlier work The Hidden-Hand Presidency revolutionized the academy's view of Eisenhower--but it does provide a worthwhile series of minibiographies and analytical summations. Greenstein rates his subjects in several categories: communication, organization, political skill, vision, cognitive style, and emotional intelligence. His assessments can be quite frank: Roosevelt is the source of "endless positive lessons"; Truman "illustrates the cost of a defective communication style and a situation-determined approach to presidential leadership"; Ford is "underappreciated"; and so on. Who is Greenstein's favorite? It's clearly FDR, even though he confronts the question with an amusing anecdote about LBJ. Walking on a tarmac in Vietnam, an airman says, "This is your helicopter, Mr. President." Johnson replies, "They are all my helicopters." Writes Greenstein: "Each of the modern presidents is a source of insight, as much for his weaknesses as his strengths. The variation among them provides intellectual leverage, permitting comparisons and expanding our sense of the possible." And so, he writes, "They are all my presidents." --John J. Miller

Book Description

For a quarter-century, Fred I. Greenstein has been one of our keenest observers of the modern presidency. Here, he provides a fascinating and instructive account of the qualities that have served well and poorly in the Oval Office, beginning with Franklin D. Roosevelt's first hundred days. Newly expanded, this second edition now covers the momentous events of George W. Bush's administration--from his handling of the events of September 11 to the war with Iraq.

Throughout, Greenstein offers a series of bottom-line judgments on each of his twelve subjects and a bold new explanation of why presidents succeed or fail. He surveys each president's record in public communication, organizational capacity, political skill, vision, cognitive style, and emotional intelligence--and argues that the last is the most important in predicting presidential success.

Download Description

Fred Greenstein is among the top students of the American presidency -- his book on Eisenhower, The Hidden-Hand Presidency, is regarded as a classic. His pioneering work in political psychology has done much to illuminate the nature of power and leadership writ large. Now, as the culmination of a half-century of study and firsthand experience, The Presidential Difference rewrites the book on greatness in the presidency.

Greenstein looks at both personality and context to consider how well each president "fit" his times. From FDR to Clinton, he paints a portrait, by turns sweeping and detailed, of the era of the imperial presidency. The Presidential Difference employs a concise set of six categories by which a chief of staff is rated: communication, organization, natural skill, vision, cognitive style, and the unexpected key to the whole package -- emotional intelligence. Not since Richard Neustadt's Presidential Power has a scholar so clearly defined the keys to success for the world's most powerful office.

Customer Reviews:

Review.......2006-06-06

Greenstein's The Presidential Difference is short and sweet. It condenses the story of our Presidents from FDR to George W. Bush into an easy to read manner. Each chapter is dedicated to a President and gives six points upon which they are evaluated, which makes comparisons with other Presidents in the book easy. Even with only 223 pages nothing seems to be left out. The book is engaging from beginning to end and before you know it you have gone through twelve presidencies. To end it all Greenstein wraps 13 chapters up in a magnificent conclusion titled "Lessons from the Modern Presidency". There isn't any more one can ask for. I highly recommend this book as a good read, that is fun, short, and a great way to brush up on knowledge of our Presidents.

Great intro to U.S. presidency.......2003-01-08

Fred Greenstein explores the leadership style of the presidents from FDR to Bill Clinton in his piece "The Presidential Difference." In the new edition, Greenstein includes an updated afterword on George W. Bush. The book is a great introduction to the modern day presidents and is recommended to the amateur historian to the most serious public policy students.

The organization of the book is wonderful. Greenstein spends a chapter on each president. The format is the same for each chapter. Each opens with interesting quotes from the respective president, and then goes into a brief biography. Greenstein then spends time describing the major events of the president's tenure, and closes the chapter with the significance of the president's leadership. In doing this last bit, Greenstein analyzes five areas of each chief: public communication, organizational capacity, political skill, cognitive style, and emotional intelligence.

There are other aspects of the book that are praiseworthy. Greenstein scatters wonderful pictures throughout; my favorite is of LBJ in the face of Senator Theodore Green. The appendix is also a wonderful tool, as it in effect shows the resume of each president. It outlines important life events and information, election results, the political composition of Congress, appointments, staff, and key events.

This book is recommended to all as a great introduction the the U.S. presidency.

Wonderful Comparative look at the Modern Presidents.......2002-11-04

Greenstein does a great job in setting aside his bias and reporting on the facts from the people who knew. He reports on the "Modern Presidency" - all of the presidents who were elected from FDR to Clinton. He evaluates them based on a number of qualities including vision, cognitive ability and a few other qualities. Greenstein first gives a basic history of life before being elected president and then evaluates the qualities. At the end of the book, he sums up the qualities he has just evaluated and proceeds to explain that no president will ever be able to perfect all of these qualities because every man is flawed. Overall, this is a great read for everyone who wants to brush up on their knowledge of these presidents. It doesn't go into too much detail but what it does present is both useful and sufficient.

Presidential Leadership in the 20th Century.......2002-03-06

This book by political scientist Fred Greenstein is the first I've read focusing, not on presidential achievement but on effective leadership. Using a series of criteria including vision, cognitive ability, management style and most importantly emotional intelligence, Greenstein looks briefly yet closely at each president from FDR through Clinton with a special afterword on George W. Bush. (pre 9/11) Greenstein chronicles the successes and failings of each president he profiles. Roosevelt receives the highest regards for his ability to translate his popularity into bold leadership. His secretive and manipulative management style is condemmed. Truman is praised for his management style but criticized for his inability at times to lead the nation along the lines of his vision. There is truth to this criticism but Greenstein doesn't look at external facotrs that effected Truman's ability to govern such as the Republican demagoguery of the Democrats as "soft on communism". Eisenhower is highly praised, and properly so, for his strong management style and his strong, quiet leadership. Kennedy gets deserved criticism for his early failings but not enough credit for his later growth. One thing Kennedy is properly criticized for, in my view, is his overreliance on intellectuals, something that would plague Clinton as well. After Kennedy we have a series of failed presidents, with Ford excepted. The common denominator between Johnson, Nixon and Carter are their weak emotional intelligence quotas. All are thin skinned, unable to work well with others, naturally suspicious of those outside their circle. Clinton too is regarded as weak emotionally. Greenstein's thesis is that persons of low emotional intelligence should not become president as it is a recipe for failure. Interestingly, in his brief comments on President Bush, written before Sept. 11, 2001, he predicts, based on his observations of Bush's steady emotional inner core, that he will be a strong and succesful leader. You don't have to agree with Greenstein's entire analysis to appreciate the achievement of this book. It is refreshing to read a book about the presidency that moves beyond Arthur Schlesinger's tired and outdated theory of active and passive presidents. A good read and I highly recommend it.

Creative, Original, and Objective..........2002-01-19

An excellent book! The book illustrates a face of American presidents in a way in which we rarely see in politics today. Not only is the book bipartisan, but Greenstein gives many specific examples of each of his points, therefore giving you a true feeling as if you knew each of the American Presidents. The book does a great job of summarizing the successes and downfalls of each administration, while at the same time reflecting the specific leadership styles of each president. Greenstein has put together a fabulous compilation of facts and examples as this book reflect tremendous research of an insiders' view of each of the presidents he discusses.

Average customer rating:

How to Win War
Bow down.
Old blood-n-guts in his own words
A General's General.
Patton - I imagine

War As I Knew It
George S. Patton
Manufacturer: Mariner Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0395735297

Book Description

Adored by many, loathed by some, General George S. Patton, Jr., was one of the most brilliant military strategists in history. War As I Knew It is the personal and candid account of his celebrated, relentless crusade across western Europe during World War II. First published in 1947, this absorbing narrative draws on Patton's vivid memories of battle and his detailed diaries, from the moment the Third Army exploded onto the Brittany Peninsula to the final Allied casualty report. The result is not only a grueling, human account of daily combat and heroic feats - including a riveting look at the Battle of the Bulge - but a valuable chronicle of the strategies and fiery personality of a legendary warrior. Patton's letters from earlier military campaigns in North Africa and Sicily, complemented by a powerful retrospective of his guiding philosophies, further reveal a man of uncompromising will and uncommon character, which made "Georgie" a household name in mid-century America. With a new introduction.

Customer Reviews:

How to Win War.......2007-08-14

The brilliant military leader and strategist General George S. Patton, Jr., presents his World War 2 autobiography with "War As I Knew It". First published in 1947, this remarkable 425-page book has often been republished (including this review's 1995 paperback).

This extraordinary study recalls the Allies' efforts from its Morocco landing (1942) to victory in Germany (1945) from the Major General's eyewitness 3rd American Army command. General Patton's gives considerable advice through many memorable epigrams:

* "If I do my full duty, the rest will take care of itself."
* "...the fatalistic teaching of Mohammed and the utter degradation of women is the out standing cause for the arrested development of the Arab."
* "One look is worth a hundred reports."
* "...throughout history, wars had been lost by not crossing rivers..."
* "It is useless to capture an easy place that you can't move from."
* "...one does not plan and then try to make circumstances fit those plans. One tries to make plans fit the circumstances."
* "...when the American Army had once put its hand to the plow, it should not let go."
* "...as long as you attack them they cannot find the time to plan how to attack you."
* "...every time I had been bitterly disappointed, it worked out for the best."

Patton reveled in attack and "killing Germans". He was determined for Allied victory by mean of his command. He fought battles, argued strategy with fellow generals, toured corpse ridden shell falling battlefields, and pressed his army to victory. He disliked British General Montgomery, had immense respect for Eisenhower, and had profound sympathy for all fallen Allied soldiers. This book presents war-winning strategy.

This book is recommended for all students World War 2 and those interested in the life of General Patton.

Bow down........2007-01-14

Patton was fine man. he cursed like hell, and roared with delight when his children did the same. I love the guy.

Last chapters are the best.

Old blood-n-guts in his own words.......2007-01-03

A wonderful resource to see how the great general viewed the wars in which he took part. A great study in his personality and his ambition that will be enjoyed by all who admired the man.

A General's General........2006-09-03

This has to be one of those always-at-hand reference books that modern day military leaders pick up and consult. Not so much for the academic and technical resource because it of course, is a bit dated in that regard, but simply to understand and hopefully learn what leadership in it's ultimate pure form really is. Patton had it. It goes without saying that World War II would have been finished much different if it was not for his style and drive. Certainly the most quotable allied general of the war. Todays business leaders and managers (myself included) read books like "War as I knew it" and come away with a renewed confidence in the human potential. Patton pulled every ounce of self worth out of his men to achieve the final victory. It was his standing order. This book discusses in detail how he did that and why. All explained very clearly. His style was unorthodox, his demeanor sometimes in question, his spirituality vivid and some battlefield decisions nearly cost him his career. "War as I knew it" will read at times like a dull teacher giving a lecture. Stick with it and breath it in. This is full-on George Patton. It all still works in the 21st century.

Patton - I imagine.......2006-08-30

This book is an excellent account of General Patton's battles in WWII. In his own words he describes some moments of the campaigns in the European Thater of Operations including North Africa. But this book is not only account of the battles, but it also contains events telling us stories about Patton's personal experineces and showing us that a war is not just battles, but also many other things.

America Past and Present, Volume I (Chapters 1-16) (7th Edition)

Average customer rating:

Great book, easy transactio
Lies, Lies and more lies....
History is always changing...apparently

America Past and Present, Volume I (Chapters 1-16) (7th Edition)
Robert A. Divine , T. H. Breen , George M. Fredrickson , R. Hal Williams , Ariela J. Gross , and H. W. Brands
Manufacturer: Longman
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Americas | History | Subjects | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
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ASIN: 0321183088

Customer Reviews:

Great book, easy transactio.......2005-10-04

Fast shippment, no problems, book was exactly as described. Recommend to other buyers and I would definitely do business with them again. Thanks.

Lies, Lies and more lies...........2005-09-08

I bought this book because I need it for my His. class. From chap. # 1, I wanted to drop the class JUST BECAUSE THIS TBOOK.

Chapter 1: Referring to slaves and Native Americans "Within their own families and COMMUNITIES they made choices..."
My questions are
How many Slaves had choices??? What community of slaves?? Welcome to the Black Slave Community. The book is a joke

Slaves were not human for their owners. They were an expensive item. If the owner wanted to sell a Black baby, they were able to do it because the baby was the owner's property. The parents of this baby didn't have the "CHOICE" to say THIS IS MY CHILD. HE/SHE DOESN'T BELONGS TO YOU, SO YOU CAN NOT SELL HER/HIM. I think that this book and the authors do not respect Native Americans, African Americans and the history.

Also, the trade of Europeans with Native Americans . The book reads, "that the Indian was 'making sport of us Europeans.'" We, the people from America (the whole continent), lost everything we had in our trades. We didn't know the value of our gold, and we traded it for glass beads. So, What sport are we talking here? How this author want us to believe that we, people from America, fooled the Europeans?

History is always changing...apparently.......2002-03-07

If you're buying this book, chances are that it is the mandatory text for a class and you have no choice. It's one of the necessary evils of education. But...it gets worse. This book is not even a true history book. It is a social commentary losely laced with historic facts, as the authors see fit. So much opinion drowns the chapters that the validity of any fact is virtually negated.

The intent was good. The result is terrible. It was the authors' intent to write a broader history of America that encompasses the many cultures and historical events that led to the founding of our country, rather than merely presenting the white/European history that we're accustomed to. A good deal of historical background is given regarding African and native American tribes and cultures. That alone would have been wonderful, not to mention needed. But, the authors spend so much energy injecting their opinions into the text (rather than the opinions of the people at the time), that it is very difficult to sift through and learn the basic events that one must learn for a history class. Any civilized person knows that inexcuseable events took place in our nation's history (i.e. slavery, forcibly taking land fron Native Americans, etc, etc.). I don't know anyone today that would defend these actions, yet throughout the text, we basically beaten over the head with how evil the white Europeans/colonists were.

A real history book, in a free society, should present all the facts possible and allow the readers to come to the rational conclusion themselves. As an example, this book even picks sides on a war between Spain and England. Spain "unfortunately" failed at its attempt to invade and Catholicize England. I don't even know how they came up with this stuff, or how they have the courage to present it as unbiased. I'm embarrassed that we have allowed this sort of material to filter into our schools and be taught as truth.

If you have any way around it, do not buy this book.

Average customer rating:

Gurdjieff's First and Last Good Book

Perhaps I'm confused

journey to pursue truth

There is a lot that can be learned from Gurdjieff

Decide for yourself

Meetings with Remarkable Men (All and Everything)
G. I. Gurdjieff
Manufacturer: Penguin (Non-Classics)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

New Age | Arts & Literature | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
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Beelzebub's Tales to His Grandson: All And Everything: 1st Series (All and Everything Series 1)

Life Is Real Only Then, When I Am (All and Everything Series, 3)

In Search of the Miraculous: Fragments of an Unknown Teaching (Harvest Book)

The Fourth Way

The Psychology of Man's Possible Evolution

ASIN: 0140190376

Amazon.com

Right around the turn of the 20th century, G.I. Gurdjieff initiated a group of spiritual adventurers called the "Seekers of Truth." These intrepid intellectuals of every stripe crisscrossed Africa and Asia in search of the hidden mysteries of antiquity. In Meetings with Remarkable Men, Gurdjieff narrates their exploits while drawing portraits of these extraordinary figures (including one woman and a dog). Half travel journal, half autobiography, Meetings with Remarkable Men begins with Gurdieff's childhood, when he finds his book learning at odds with paranormal events that were self-evident but inexplicable through modern science. Later he discovers a map of "pre-sands Egypt" and evidence of the Sarmound Brotherhood, alleged keepers of ancient wisdom dating back four and a half millennia. He climbs the Himalayas, follows the Nile, and is led blindfolded to a mysterious monastery. In his encounters with dervishes, monks, and fakirs, Gurdjieff recovers the wisdom he seeks; by comparison, European understanding, he says, is backwards and barbaric. A controversial figure in his time, Gurdjieff inspired deep love and loyalty in his pupils and ridicule from skeptics. At the bookends of Meetings with Remarkable Men, Gurdjieff suggests the value of blurring the line between allegory and straight reporting. But then what exactly is Meetings with Remarkable Men? You be the judge. --Brian Bruya

Customer Reviews:

Gurdjieff's First and Last Good Book.......2005-10-30

When I was in college in the late 70's, my small circle of friends were philosophers, shaman, and spiritualists... which really means, we liked to discuss amongst ourselves the deep meaning of it all, around bong hits and Budweiser. WARNING: Budweiser is BAD for you, and I no longer drink alcohol!!! One of these friends loaned "Meetings With Remarkable Men" to me, and it made a lasting impression, just as David Carradine did in the TV series "Kung Fu", which kicked off the kung fu - Buddhist - Shaolin - Taoist journey for Americans, more than Bruce Lee was able to accomplish (Bruce Lee was all about martial arts, and didn't have a whole lot to offer the spiritually thirsty. His lack of dimension was his failing). Anyway, we sat around, smoking and drinking, discussing, and watching "Circle of Iron", and formulating the shape of civilization to come.

The other interesting aspect of "Meetings" is that it is an introduction to the trans-Caucasus, a geographic area with a diversity of cultures, religions, and ethnicity as colorful as the plumage of the peacock, which happens to be the embodiment of the Yzidi Lord of the World, Shaitan. One lasting impression was the scene from Gurdjieff's youth, when he witnessed the Yzidi boy being entrapped within a circle that bullying school children had inscribed around him. This event triggered Gurdjieff's quest for answers to life's eternal mysteries.

The book is a story of that quest for answers. It almost doesn't matter if the events actually happened or not. Read this book in the spirit of the late Gary Jennings's adventure fiction (The Journeyer, Spangle, Aztec) and you will have a better appreciation for this book as adventure fiction, if not spiritual revelation. "Meetings" is introductory, and prerequisite, to the Gurdjieff story. I would have to seriously disagree with another reviewer here, who claims that a beginner should first read "Beelzebub's Tales To His Grandson". I see no such obligation, and Beelzebub is something to read when, and if, the desire strikes you. In fact, my opinion of Mr. Gurdjieff was high until I DID read his other works. I also read biographies by J.G. Bennet, and of course, P. Ouspenski. I am sad whenever anyone wastes their own life enthralled by the ego of spiritual salesmen, maybe that is the lone wolf in me, who cannot paddle the length of the River in a single canoe.

Like others here, I am now persuaded that Gurdjieff was a con-man and egotist, and his teachings were probably often harmful and abusive, without consideration for the welfare and ego of those whom he pretended to impart deep wisdom. Compare with Aleister Crowley, who, though regarded as having an abrasive bedside manner and hopelessly self-absorbed, was still a mighty pillar of spiritual intelligence and wisdom (and produced a classic tarot card deck). That not withstanding, this one book is the only one of Gurdjieff's books I truly enjoy. "Beelzebub's Tales" may be a good story, and has some profound concepts, like the "three-brained beings", and what those three brains are within the human animal. Even now, researchers are beginning to query the role of the heart, which is a massive nexus of nerves, as having a role in our decision making processes. Gurdjieff recommended reading "Beelzebub" three times, but I could barely finish it the first time. On the other hand, "Meetings With Remarkable Men" is worth reading three times (although I have only read it twice), because it is as unpretentious as Beelzebub was pretentious.

Gurdjieff had a tough life, and his abilities, ways, cunning, these are what poor folk like myself admire about this book. And, as another reviewer discussed, the end chapter, "The Material Question" is a good case study of how to liberate funds from the wealthy for, well, art! Gurdjieff was an artist, and though enshrouded in esoteric spiritualism, his dance troupe is STILL a dance troupe, and any such artists are at the mercy of the beneficence of art afficionados with means.

Perhaps I'm confused.......2005-04-24

I'm not sure. Maybe it's because I'm not a Gurdjieff follower or studier, but this particular book seemed like it was written by the founder of the Ego Strokers Anonymous Club. Throughout, Gurdjieff doesn't talk as much about other remarkable men as how remarkable he himself is in these meetings with these others.

He consistently portrays himself as a sage, a knowledgeable business man as well as mystic philosopher. He's just good at everything gosh darnit!

Not my cup of tea, but then again, maybe Gurdjieff wrote this book in a manner that it would only appeal to his real followers.

Whatever, in the end I persisted through it and was very disappointed- I found no good messages. In fact I barely underlined a single kernel of mystical, business or any other wisdom. Rather unfortunately, I ended up making notes in the margins to dispute some of his arrogant assumptions and "know-it-all" expressions.

Perhaps I'll find one of his worthwhile works at some other point in my travels, but I doubt I'll ever come back to this one to look for anything.

journey to pursue truth.......2004-01-29

This is the story of Gurdjiefffs journey to pursue truth. His life itself looks like the journey to the truth. He is the mysterious thinker in the twentieth century. But his and his friendsf motivation to pursue something is fundamental interest of human nature and really pure. Mysterious incidents slip into daily life. Most people ignore them or doubt their eyes. But some people stick on and investigate them. They went anywhere to find even just a clue to the mystery. It is like seeking treasury. For them treasury is neither jewel nor money. In the trip they run across various kinds of remarkable people. It is true that gbirds of a feather flock together.h You can enjoy this journey with Gurdjieff deep in Orient and mystery of human being and accumulated wisdom.

There is a lot that can be learned from Gurdjieff.......2002-09-17

Gurdieff is one of those men, who are hard to understand. They are hard to understand because they are different, they shun the very beliefs that are a part of our everyday living.
While there were many instances where I thought "what is he talking about?", this book was a good read.

If you are to read this book, I suggest that you read it like a fantasy travel journal.

Decide for yourself.......2002-07-08

Does G.I. Gurdjieff have anything to offer you? Consider the following quote (which is not atypical) from p. 210 of Meetings with Remarkable Men:

"In my opinion in employing contemporary maps it would be ideally useful to put into practice the sense of a judicious saying which declares, 'If you wish to succeed in anything then ask a woman for advice and do the opposite'."

Tapies: Complete Works Volume I: 1943-1960

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Tapies: Complete Works Volume I: 1943-1960
Georges Raillard , and Antoni Tapies
Manufacturer: Poligrafa
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 8434305534
Release Date: 2002-02-02

Book Description

Foreword by Georges Raillard.

Princesses: The Six Daughters of George III

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Very Indept Biography
Not bad but theres nothing really to tell...
An interesting look at a much-neglected family
A Brilliant Job Bringing Together So Many Period Sources
Fascinating Social History of Royal Life

Princesses: The Six Daughters of George III
Flora Fraser
Manufacturer: Knopf
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0679451188
Release Date: 2005-04-05

Book Description

From acclaimed biographer Flora Fraser, a brilliant group biography of the six daughters of “Mad” King George III.
Fraser takes us into the heart of the British royal family during the tumultuous period of the American and French revolutions and beyond, illuminating the complicated lives of these exceptional women: Princess Royal, the eldest, constantly at odds with her mother; home-loving, family-minded Augusta; plump Elizabeth, a gifted amateur artist; Mary, the bland beauty of the family; Sophia, emotional and prone to take refuge in illness; and Amelia, “the most turbulent and tempestuous of all the Princesses.” Weaving together letters and historical accounts, Fraser re-creates their world in all its frustrations and excitements.

The six sisters, though handsome, accomplished and extremely well educated, were kept from marrying by George III, and Fraser describes how they remained subject to their father for many years, while he teetered on the brink of mental collapse. The King may have believed that his six daughters were happy to live celibately at Windsor, but secretly, as Fraser’s absorbing narrative of royal repression and sexual license shows, the sisters enjoyed startling freedom. Several of them, torn between love for their ailing father and longing for independence, forged their own scandalous and subversive lives within the castle walls. With a discerning eye for psychological detail and a keen feminist sensibility, Fraser delves into these clandestine love affairs, revealing the truth about Sophia’s illegitimate baby; examining Amelia's intimate correspondence with her soldier-lover; and investigating the eventual marriages of Princesses Royal, Elizabeth and Mary.

Never before has the historical searchlight been turned with such sympathy and acuity on George III and his family. With unparalleled access to royal and private family papers, Flora Fraser has created a revelatory portrait of six fascinating women and their place in history.

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Very Indept Biography.......2007-08-06

This was a very detailed and indept biography of the six daughters of George III. Charlotte, Augusta, Elizabeth, Mary, Sophia, and Amelia they were not allowed to marry an unusual step at the time since most kings marry off their daughters for alliences George III decided not to marry his daughters off after witnessing one of his own sister's plight in marriage. Yet that didn't deter them from flirting, illegally marrying or in Sophia's case even giving birth to an illigmate child creating scandles of their own. It was interesting reading about their interests and charities and living with their parents through middle age. Two sisters did end up marrying after well into middle age. A very good bio.

Not bad but theres nothing really to tell..........2006-12-16

In my opinion this is one of those books that it is well researched,well organized and the story is pretty much well told.But at the end of the day i asked myself why i bought this book, because when i finished reading the book i realized that the lives of these ladies wasnt interesting at all.I mean the thing is that, basically, nothing happened to this ladies.They were completely separated from the outside world and they really didnt had that much to contribute or much to get involved with the world.The narrative is not bad because the author makes a great effort in trying to make the story interesting.The problem is that the story is boring and dull.The author also just takes too many pages to tell a story that doesnt need that many pages.I've could have done without a least 100 to a 150 pages.The only parts that were interesting were the ones that talked about the English etiquette in Court.I got to learn a lot about what's the etiquette when someone died and the proper order in which to enter a room or signed a document.Again good effort by the author but there's no story to tell

An interesting look at a much-neglected family.......2006-05-20

I have seen occasional references to the children of George III, apart from George IV and William IV, usually in biographies of Queen Victoria, but this is the first in-depth treatment that I have read of his daughters. They usually don't even rank a mention in the oft-told tale of the race to provide an heir to the throne after the death of Princess Charlotte (George IV's daughter) since, due to the rules of primogeniture and their father's reluctance to allow them to marry before middle age, they didn't even have a shot at it.

Continuing in the family tradition of writing absorbing biographies of figures in English history, Flora Fraser provides a sympathetic, if sometimes a bit too minutely detailed, picture of these six very different sisters: Charlotte, Princess Royal (known as Royal), always conscious of her rank and position, as she could hardly fail to be with such a nickname; Augusta, the family correspondent; Elizabeth, artistic and charitable; Mary, the beauty of the family, who survived all her siblings and lived well into Victoria's reign; Sophia, who "disgraced" herself by bearing an illegitimate son; and Amelia, the headstrong youngest child who was passionately in love with a man whom she could not marry. These are only thumbnail descriptions and do not do justice to Fraser's portrayal of the loving and occasionally acrimonious relationship that the princesses had with each other, their brothers, and their parents.

We often read about the political repercussions of George III's mental disability and the deterioration of the relationship between the Regent and his parents, but I found Fraser's description of the effect that it had on the Queen and their daughters to be particularly moving. However, three of them did find happiness in marriage, if not children, late in life, and with the others, were able to build satisfying lives around nieces and nephews, as well as artistic, intellectual and charitable pursuits. We can only speculate on what they might have done with their lives had more opportunities been open to them.

A Brilliant Job Bringing Together So Many Period Sources .......2006-03-17

After THE UNRULY QUEEN I was already an admirer of this author but now I am in awe of her. Knowing the mountain of original sources Fraser used I find her selections, editing and writing of the overall narrative simply wonderful. It is a very complicated landscape The Princesses lived in and yet the author has succeeded in not only turning up the volume on each Princess as an individual, but portrays the dynamics of that huge family within one of the most turbulent periods of modern history. Also, explanations of the manners and mores of the times are seamlessly interwoven, which in turn nicely contrasts public propriety with the daily private reality. I have a large George III library and this is a valuable addition to it.

Fascinating Social History of Royal Life.......2006-02-28

The six daughters of George III were well-educated and encouraged to pursue and develop their individual talents, thanks to their forward thinking mother, Queen Charlotte. This served them well because they led very sequestered lives within the royal family due to their father's social, emotional, and medical needs. It wasn't until middle age were they even allowed to consider marriage, and even then not all of them ever married. The story of these princesses - which involves illicit love, unrequited love, incest and abuse -is presented against the political and historical background of the times. The author writes with great detail and utilizes many of the surviving letters written by the sisters to illuminate a story not generally known.
The author writes with great detail and

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