Book Description
L. Luca Cavalli-Sforza and his collaborators Paolo Menozzi and Alberto Piazza have devoted fourteen years to one of the most compelling scientific projects of our time: the reconstruction of where human populations originated and the paths by which they spread throughout the world. In this volume, the culmination of their research, the authors explain their pathbreaking use of genetic data, which they integrate with insights from geography, ecology, archaeology, physical anthropology, and linguistics to create the first full-scale account of human evolution as it occurred across all continents. This interdisciplinary approach enables them to address a wide range of issues that continue to incite debate: the timing of the first appearance of our species, the problem of African origins and the significance of work recently done on mitochondrial DNA and the popular notion of an "African Eve," the controversy pertaining to the peopling of the Americas, and the reason for the presence of non-Indo-European languages--Basque, Finnish, and Hungarian--in Europe.
The authors reconstruct the history of our evolution by focusing on genetic divergence among human groups. Using genetic information accumulated over the last fifty years, they examined over 110 different inherited traits, such as blood types, HLA factors, proteins, and DNA markers, in over eighteen hundred, primarily aboriginal, populations. By mapping the worldwide geographic distribution of the genes, the scientists are now able to chart migrations and, in exploring genetic distance, devise a clock by which to date evolutionary history: the longer two populations are separated, the greater their genetic difference should be. This volume highlights the authors' contributions to genetic geography, particularly their technique for making geographic maps of gene frequencies and their synthetic method of detecting ancient migrations, as for example the migration of Neolithic farmers from the Middle East toward Europe, West Asia, and North Africa.
Beginning with an explanation of their major sources of data and concepts, the authors give an interdisciplinary account of human evolution at the world level. Chapters are then devoted to evolution on single continents and include analyses of genetic data and how these data relate to geographic, ecological, archaeological, anthropological, and linguistic information. Comprising a wide range of viewpoints, a vast store of new and recent information on genetics, and a generous supply of visual elements, including 522 geographic maps, this book is a unique source of facts and a catalyst for further debate and research.
Customer Reviews:
What I got out of this book.......2005-05-07
I learned who the people closest genetically to Basques are. The French! Makes sense the French have a a portion of Basque country in their political nation of France. I'm of French background myself. French-Canadian that is.
Great book, if you can get through it..........2005-04-06
This book is very hard to get through as someone with no backing in genetics or biology, but it is very interesting, and it shows how we humans are really just like a couple thousand breeds of dogs, all slightly different, but with the same ancestor, our distant ancestor though was probably no wolf. It is interesting when they mention the little unexplainable historical abnormalities (african genes and caucasian genes in latin american indigenous populations, perhaps?) that they see in the genes of some groups of humans.
I allmost want to dedicate my life to genetics because of all the damn interesting knowledge that could be spawned from the information presented by the authors of this book. If you know anyone studying in this field, you must give them this book for christmas or something, please.
It is now my theory that human language has been the driving force behind human evolution, how often do two parents without a common language stay together 18+ years to raise a family? Just think about that, and it explains the human diaspora pretty well. Humans very rarely mate outside of their language group. You have a group of people in africa that speak the same language, then later on, two languages develop, or three or four, these people migrate off, and form a tribe, this tribe doesnt mate with other tribes because romance and love just dont work without a common language. Tribal names and language names are usually connected anyway, and this is why. When you read this book, you need to view humanity as an animal group pretty much, its very objective without any feeling. Human beings are creatures of communication, communication has driven our evolution forward. Writing started cities, before even that farming started widespread language and trading. It seems that the natural path this should take is more communication, but most people dont like to talk, fewer like to read and write, though that is our path of destiny as humans. The average american spends more money on lottery tickets every year than books. TV is far too widespread now, the love for books is dying, though civilization has allways been built upon the libraries of past civilizations, the histories of the victors.
Anyway,
The things that could be done if these scientists who wrote this book could get together to do research with the people that are at the tip of the spear in supercomputer research...
If you want to have some mental fun/anguish, then this book should be read in conjunction with 'Forbidden Archaeology' by Michael Cremo.
Try it =)
Note that this book is not made for the layman, but if you are a layman, and have a biology textbook laying around, you can get through it no problem.
Any one who is thinking of reading this book, or anyone who has should really do a bit of research on National Geographic's Genographic project that is collecting genetic information all over the world right now (the same migratory route tracing that is in this book) and building a huge database...The cool thing though is that you can send National Geographic $100, and they will send you a kit, you send a cheek swab back, and later on, they tell you everything that you ever wanted to know about your ancestors, and their migratory routes, back 60,000 years...
The database is also building daily, so the information that you will first get about your genes will get more comprehensive as time goes on, and more genetic samples are collected from 10's or 100's of thousands of people all over the planet...
Anyone who reads this book actually MUST do a google search on this National Geographic Genographic Project, right now =)
History and Geography of Homan Genes.......2004-06-09
This work, in hardback, is written with the advanced researcher in mind. The author is world famous for his pioneering efforts in identifying traits in particular traits in ethnic groups with unique genetic markers. The color plates in the index section can be helpful to those who know how to intrepret them.
It's a scholarly treatment of a highly technical subject and a thorough one as well. This is ground-breaking work collected from many samples and analyzed in detail. I think this should be required reading for college students in the field of genetic research.
A review of everything.......2003-06-17
Cavalli-Sforza presents the nearest approximation possible to the correlation of all measurable human genes, markers and attributes. You might think of the work as the "unified field theory" for evloutionary biology, culture and linguistics.
While the heft even of the abridged version is imposing, the component parts are manageable for those who already have basic statistical knowledge or who are willing to pay attention to the author's explanations. The world's populations are addressed in geographic chunks, and then at various appropriate points, more general conclusions drawn from the pieces.
Given the advances in genetic research acheived since publication, the model may ultimately prove more valuable than the particular contents...but for this decade the contents are fascinating.
Good Book, but Martel is Wrong.......2003-04-11
The book provided a great deal of information about genetic distances and the relationships between populations. However, Mr. Martel's review includes lies and these lies must be addressed. First of all, the native North Africans were not "very blonde" or "nordic". In fact, the ORIGINAL population was as black as their rock art depictions of themselves (which just so happen to span the Sahara and date back nearly 10000yrs). Many of these Ancient Saharans were, however, completely abosorbed by an incoming of migrants from the Middle East. Perhaps these migrants are the people Mr. Martel is speaking of??? At any rate, with the dessication of the Sahara, most of the original Saharans (blacks) migrated South into The Sudan. In fact, they can still be found in West Africa today. They (especially the Fulani and Dogon) can be recognized in person as easily as they can be recognized in the Ancient Saharan depictions drawn by their ancestors.
Thus, despite Mr. Martel's comments to the contrary, the admixture seen in North Africans today is not so much the result of slaves (modern admixture) as it is the result of both modern admixture as well as ancient admixture - admixture which took place LONG before the Arabs ventured anywhere near the region. As for the Egyptians, they were from the same stock as the rest of North Africa and they almost always depicted themselves as brown and intermediate between and separate from both the white people of the North (Europe), the light skinned Semites (Middle East), and the darker, more Sudanese people of the South (Nubia).
Mr. Martel is not completely wrong in so far as SOME of these Middle Eastern migrants had blonde hair and light eyes (a few individual Lybians were depicted this way). But, such features were most probably seen at the same rate theyre seen in Middle Easterners and North Africans today. Neither people, however, are "Nordics", and to assume they descend from Nordics based on hair color alone is ridiculous. Blondism occurs in Aborigines... are we to believe they descend from Nordics as well? Somehow, I think not.
Book Description
The Mediterranean trade in luxury goods from the East made a strong and lasting impression on Italian artistic taste and production during the early Renaissance. This opulently illustrated book describes and illustrates the fascinating ways that imported art objects inspired improvements and new variety in Italian decorative arts. From Italian textiles featuring Islamic and Asian motifs to ceramics and glassware that reflected Syrian techniques and ornamental concepts, this book gives an extraordinary view of the influence of imported Oriental goods in Italy over three crucial centuries of artistic development.
Rosamond Mack traces Italy's emerging decorative arts tradition as she discusses textiles, ceramics, glass, bookbinding, and metalwork; she also considers how Italian painting reflects trans-Mediterranean trade and travel. Painters represented carpets and ceramics from the East in their works, as well as textiles with bands of writing replicating or suggesting Arabic script, negotiating cultural differences in their borrowings. These paintings show how Islamic motifs were absorbed into Christian contexts.
Beginning in the 1300s and 1400s, the works of Italian craftsmen inspired by luxury goods from Islamic and Asian countries gradually began to compete with those brought to Europe in huge quantities on Italian merchant ships. Yet even after their own versions surpassed the quality of some of the imported goods, Italians continued to collect, imitate, and adapt objects from the Ottoman empire and China. As Mack discusses these important influences, she provides useful summaries of the history of Renaissance decorative arts and presents a balanced and carefully researched view of the controversial topic of East-West artistic exchange.
This uniquely comprehensive study offers an intriguing look at the effects of exchange in Renaissance material culture, shedding new light on the development of the Italian Renaissance as a whole. No other source provides so rich and inclusive a synthesis of the period's decorative arts.
Customer Reviews:
Perfect Condition and Great Price.......2007-01-10
It came brand new, in perfect condition and it was a nice discount!
INFLUENCE OF ISLAMIC CIVILIZATION IN THE ITALIAN RENAISSANCE.......2006-02-25
To whom visit Italy, Venice is different of other important art centers , like Rome or Firenze . The Oriental influence in the
architecture remains as first impression.Screnning windows in the lunette above Porta Sant'Alippio , ,the grills on Saint Mark, the facades of the Doge's Palace.But,also, in the painting , and general decorative arts the islamic and oriental influence is visible. Venise was the gateway of the Orient.As
written in the Introduction of this excellent book , it was not necessary to travel to the bazaars of Damascus to acquire merchandise,because it could be found in Venice . The book is a complete study of this commerce ,between 14th and 17 th centuries ,and its influence in the life of Venice - including
the new class of designers , imitating silks , ceramics , glasses , and other kind of products.This book describes a very
interesting connection , not quite found in other works - the
influence of Islamic civilization in the Italian Renaisance.
Book Description
Every place has its history. But what is it about New Orleans that makes it more than just the sum of the events that have happened there? What is it about the spirit of the people who live there that could produce a music, a cuisine, an architecture, a total environment, the mere mention of which can bring a smile to the face of someone who has never even set foot there?
What is the meaning of a place like that, and what is lost if it is lost?
The winds of Hurricane Katrina, and the national disaster that followed, brought with them a moment of shared cultural awareness: Thousands were killed and many more displaced; promises were made, forgotten, and renewed; the city of New Orleans was engulfed by floodwaters of biblical proportions—all in a wrenching drama that captured international attention. Yet the passing of that moment has left too many questions.
What will become of New Orleans in the months and years to come? What of its people, who fled the city on a rising tide of panic, trading all they knew and loved for a dim hope of shelter and rest? And, ultimately, what do those people and their city mean to America and the world?
In Why New Orleans Matters, award-winning author and New Orleans resident Tom Piazza illuminates the storied culture and uncertain future of this great and most neglected of American cities. With wisdom and affection, he explores the hidden contours of familiar traditions like Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest, and evokes the sensory rapture of the city that gave us jazz music and Creole cooking. He writes, too, of the city's deep undercurrents of corruption, racism, and injustice, and of how its people endure and transcend those conditions. And, perhaps most important, he asks us all to consider the spirit of this place and all the things it has shared with the world—grace and beauty, resilience and soul. "That spirit is in terrible jeopardy right now," he writes. "If it dies, something precious and profound will go out of the world forever."
Why New Orleans Matters is a gift from one of our most talented writers to the beloved and important city he calls home—and to a nation to whom that city's survival has been entrusted.
Customer Reviews:
Preaching to the choir........2007-02-05
As a Nola expatriate, I was really looking forward to reading this book. I was very disappointed. It rambled, almost as if Mr. Piazza was so overwhelmed with love for his city (which I totally understand) that he couldn't organize his thoughts beyond effusion. It's too much preaching to the choir. I had hoped this book would pull those in who don't understand why we want to rebuild, who advocate for letting this culture and magnificence disappear! Piazza talks about the great restaurants and the wonderful music and eclectic personalities... He says *what's* important but he never communicates quite WHY. Living in the Midwest now and having a hard time defending why my city deserves to be saved, I read the book with a mindset of "what if I'd never been there". I was hoping this book could reach them, the naysayers. It doesn't. It can't. It's too caught up in itself. This book doesn't say why New Orleans should matter to those who currently care less; it's just a love letter. I can't imagine it will sway anyone who doesn't already have the context of living or visiting to understand his love.
Chris Rose's book, "1 Dead in Attic" somehow manages to do a fantastic job of this, even though his love for the city is just as great. Rose is a columnist for the local Times-Picayune. If you want to know why New Orleans matters, read his book instead.
I'd also recommend "Very New Orleans" by artist Diana Hollingsworth Gessler. Interestingly, this book is a compilation of detailed sketches and brief descriptions that capture the vibrancy of New Orleans in an incredibly uplifting way. I found myself smiling as I went through, page by page, not only remembering things I'd forgotten, but thinking to myself, "Now THIS is why New Orleans matters!!"
Why New Orleans Matters Book.......2007-01-11
I was extremely pleased with the purchase of the "Why New Orleans Matters" book purchased through Amazon. Book arrived quickly and perfectly packaged.
Why New Orleans Matters.......2007-01-10
A beautiful sensitive depiction of the heart and soul of New Orleans. This book is truly a love poem.
An Unproven Thesis.......2006-09-11
The title appears to be a ripoff of Pete Hammil's book, "Why Sinatra Matters". A more accurate title to this book would be, "Why New Orleans Matters to Me". Almost all of the author's reasons are subjective. He likes the Mardi Gras Indians, the neighborhood restaurants and music clubs. So what? What is the objective significance of them? The author mentions but does not evaluate the objective effects of the high crime rate, welfare dependence and the political corruption. He also dodged the objective fact that before Hurricane Katrina 40% of city residents could not read and write and 50% refused to work. Does New Orleans matter to him because a majority of its residents are stupid and lazy? The truth is that New Orleans has mattered for one objective reason: its geographical location near the mouth of the Mississippi River. The U.S. cannot effectively compete in the global economy without a safe and secure New Orleans. If coastal erosion does not inundate the city, it will continue to matter. But this book will not.
Beautifully written book about New Orleans' most unique and beloved cities.......2006-09-03
Anyone who's loved New Orleans from near or far will love this short, but powerful, memoir about life in New Orleans before and after Katrina and why the United States must save her.
Book Description
Yes, you can be gay or lesbian and Christian! You can be the happy, healthy, and holy person God created you to be.
"I am not such an idealist that I believe we can live with pride without paying a price. I, too, have lost jobs and friends and even my church. I have had my tires slashed, the paint scratched off my car, my office ransacked, my churches bombed. Hardly a week goes by without some death-threat or hate-filled letter. There is one thing I have learned the hard way, however; the price tag for living with pride as an openly gay or lesbian person isn't nearly as high as the price of living with shame."
--from Holy Homosexuals, the 2nd edition
What does it mean for lesbian and gay people that Jesus was tempted "like we are in every way?" Fundamentalists have created God in their image. What if God has qualities other than being "right wing, upper middle class, white, and male?" In the Revised Edition, Rev. Piazza challenges us to look at God from a different angle.
Customer Reviews:
Literally the Best Book I Have Ever Read.......2000-05-17
Reverend Piazza expertly combines information and support for gays and lesbians who need guidance spiritually with his writing style that is both easy to read and profound. This book has changed my life. BUY IT! You will be glad you did.
Thought Provoking and Wonderful.......1999-09-09
Although I am not gay, this book was still very informative and enlightening for me. I was raised in a very religious background and this book really takes religion seriously while pointing out some of the misguidedness of man.
A Liberating book for gays who are serious about their faith.......1999-08-10
Michael Piazza makes his case elequently in a book suitible for lay people and clergy alike. Piazza shows a deep respect for scripture and the authority of God's word, while educating the reader on context in both Hebrew and and Greek society. This is a great addition for those struggling with their sexual orientation and faith. Thank you Michael!
Book Description
Born and raised in Torino, Italy, Laura Giannatempo spent most summers growing up at her family's seaside house in Liguria, a narrow strip of beautiful coastal land in the northwest of Italy known as the Italian Riviera. Here she developed a passion for the region's vibrant food--refreshing and piquant, best known for its lavish use of fish as well as fresh herbs and produce. A Ligurian Kitchen is a sophisticated love story between the author and the land whose foods and people she vividly describes. It's a lively, pulsating account of the intermingling of life and cuisine in the best tradition of the cookbook memoir.
Quintessential regional specialties such as Trofie con Pesto alla Genovese, (Trofie Pasta with Pesto, Green Beans, and Potatoes) and focaccia fill the book's pages, along with original dishes like Maltagliati con Pesto Piccantino (Fresh Maltagliati with Spicy Purple Pesto) and Ciuppin con Crostoni di Paprika (Ligurian Seafood Bisque with Paprika Crostoni). You'll be tantalized by the delights of seafood lasagna and olive oil gelato--but breezy tales of lovable uncles and a lyrical account of making pasta in the midst of a thundering storm tempt just as much.
With 100 delicious recipes and a beautiful selection of color photographs, Giannatempo takes you on a spirited gastronomic journey through "that extraordinary marriage of land and sea that is Ligurian cuisine." The recipes are peppered by zestful portraits of artisanal bread bakers and wine makers, along with evocative reminiscences that are part memoir, part diary and travelogue with a dash of humor.
Customer Reviews:
A welcomed addition to my kitchen stack..........2007-03-03
really ligurian, really good
The reviewer who claimed this book is "not really Ligurian" seems not to have paid attention. In her introduction, the author is straightforward about the fact that "the recipes in this book don't add up to an encyclopedia of Ligurian cuisine.
"It's not my intention to present you with a comprehensive collection of dishes from the region," she tells us. "Instead, I want to take you on a more intimate, personal journey...."
She does exactly that. It's a book about the spirit of a place. The author captures that spirit well.
That said, it's just plain wrong to say that the recipes here aren't Ligurian in character. I've travelled in Liguria, and while it's true the author offers her own personal interpretation of certain classics (any good cookbook author does that), and in some cases adapts ingredients for what's available in US markets (which I consider a service to readers like me, since the book was published in the US), I've eaten many of these very dishes in restaurants throughout the Ligurian coast and entroterra.
Not only are the recipes here spot-on in their invocation of the region, they're also accessible to a home cook like me. The book is a pleasure to read and a pleasure to cook from.
Touching & tasty too.......2007-03-03
Giannatempo mixes stories from her childhood summers with reflections on the region's food and what it meant to her family. The stories are full of funny characters and a certain nostalgia, all tied to a strong (and inviting) sense of place. The recipes are clear & easy to follow (who knew focaccia could be such a simple thing?) and though some of the favors may be unfamiliar to American readers, that's part of the fun. A great combination.
not really liguraian.......2007-02-16
book is only ok I have thousands of cookbooks and this one is only fair
Enthusiastically recommended.......2007-02-03
Laura Giannatempo's LIGURIAN KITCHEN: RECIPES AND TALES FROM THE ITALIAN RIVIERA is the fifth and newest title in the Hippocrene Books regional Italian cookbook series and narrows the focus to the Ligurian region, blending photos by Michael Piazza with the author's memories of her home. Liguria is a narrow strip of coastal land in northwest Italy: recipes there are filled with dishes you won't find in your usual Italian cookbook - such as Herb Ravioli with Walnut Cream Sauce - and are accompanied by sidebars of information and history. A centerfold of color photos adds inspiration but it's really the unique dishes and stories which stand out in a cookbook that is enthusiastically recommended for any dedicated Italian cuisine collection.
Average customer rating:
- The BEST
- Masterpiece!!!
- Big Ol' Hunk-A-Book!!!
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ASIN: 1579124623 |
Book Description
From his beginnings in a shotgun shack in Tupelo, Mississippi, to his untimely death at Graceland, Elvis’s life story is stunningly revealed in detail, in words and hundreds of pictures, on a scale that dwarfs anything previously published.
Topics include his childhood and early career, his army years, his rise to superstardom, his Hollywood years (in this section each film is explored in detail and illustrated with stills and posters), Elvis in Las Vegas, his many women, and the industry that has sprung up around his image.
The lively text by Jim Piazza, author of
The Academy Awards and
Four-Star Movies, includes lots of inside information, behind-the-scenes gossip, and details every Elvis fan needs and wants. A discography, a chronology, and timelines round out this awe-inspiring overview of our most enduring and influential contemporary entertainer. And the eyepopping package—featuring a leather-like binding studded with rhinestones and gold and a lavish, energetic design saturated with color—will be irresistible to every Elvis aficionado, young or old. Every page is 255 square inches of Elvis!
Customer Reviews:
The BEST.......2007-07-20
This is a super piece of Elvis memorabilia at an unbelievably great price. If you have a friend who is an Elvis fan he/she is bound to treasure this book. This is the perfect gift for an Elvis fan. Buy this treasure now before it sells out and beat the Christmas shopping rush!
Masterpiece!!!.......2007-07-13
That is all I can say about this book, buy it and you will see, but be prepare to have the table big enough to read this monster! The book deserves a special place to keep it because it's a museum!
Big Ol' Hunk-A-Book!!!.......2006-01-02
I am an Elvis fan and especially enjoy collecting quirky odd items. This book, of the coffee-table genre, certainly falls into that category. From the "rhinestone" encrusted title on the cover to the size of this thing >>it screams "King Elvis" like no other book! Just be sure that you have a sturdy, large coffee table to display this monster. It's jam-packed with rare pics, Elvis history, odd-ball facts & just generally a FUN Elvis book (It's almost as if he helped in designing it...) If you're an Elvis fan, you'll love this book! If you just like unique coffee-table books, this is one for the "oddities" collector!
Book Description
“Jazz is primarily to be heard, to be experienced.”
–Tom Piazza, from the Introduction
Much more than just another history of this vital music and those who play it, Understanding Jazz is a multimedia master class and late-night jam session rolled into one–an indispensable guide to a deeper appreciation of jazz.
Jazz is America’s greatest indigenous art form, a musical hybrid whose origins are as mysterious, complex, and surprising as its evolution has proved to be. Written by Grammy award-winning author Tom Piazza and produced by the experts at Jazz at Lincoln Center, Understanding Jazz uses simple explanations and analogies to illuminate the basics of listening to a jazz performance: how to discern form, instrumentation, style, and intent.
Each of the book’s seven sections focuses on a particular aspect of the jazz vernacular, from the way individual instruments or voices come together yet remain distinct, to the spontaneous miracles of skilled improvisation, to the transcendent rhythmic qualities of swing and the enduring influence of the blues.
Specific points in the text are illustrated and reinforced on the accompanying CD in recordings that capture some of jazz’s most gifted musicians: Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, Lester Young, Duke Ellington, Sonny Rollins, Stan Getz, Miles Davis, and Dizzy Gillespie, among others.
A unique celebration of the influence of jazz on American life, this book and CD are perfect for both jazz enthusiasts and beginning listeners alike, initiating them into the exciting world of this singular style of music.
Customer Reviews:
Listen, Read, Listen Again ... And You Will Hear More Each Time........2006-01-03
Tom Piazza took on a difficult subject. Explaining how to listen to jazz via the printed word can be a daunting task and the author's approach of selecting several classical jazz recordings for inclusion with the book on a "companion CD" is right on the mark. Piazza approaches each of the tracks individually, often providing stop watch-timed musical analysis--allowing the reader to first read and absorb the technical explanations and then playback the track and engage in focused listening exercises."Understanding Jazz: Ways to Listen" is geared towards musically-trained readers eager to add to their knowledge base the intricacies of jazz music--it is not a book for those without any prior knowledge of music theory and terminology. Piazza also succeeds in bringing to life the music through creative use of analogies, thus going beyond explanations of the discussed recordings. He also offers ample of "further listening suggestions." The only thing missing is a glossary containing the most commonly used musical terminology which is not always synonymous with the terminology used in classical music theory. Definitely worth checking out!
Book Description
A lavishly illustrated, fact-filled celebration of the 101 movies that have changed our lives.
Customer Reviews:
Turned off by the errors........2006-05-01
While I was browsing in our local bookstore, I was pleasantly surprised to find this book. For some reason I am fascinated by lists of the greatest movies whether the list made by American Film Institute, Roger Ebert or the different publications and magazines who made their own "definitive" lists.
The packaging as well as the design and format of the book were impressive. It was simple but organized and nicely printed. Too bad just like some of the reviewers already pointed out, there were quite a number of misinformation and typographical error in the book. I find it really unacceptable for a book to have misspelled words, how about a little proofreading next time? And there were also quite a number of wrong information that ranges from the description of a particular scene, wrong entries regarding Academy Award nominations, as well as the section the book had on the different rankings of other "greatest movie lists". That was a major turnoff!
Regarding the list, they made some interesting choices. Some of the usual suspects like The Silence of the Lambs, High Noon, To Kill a Mockingbird, West Side Story, The Philadelphia Story, Rebel Without a Cause, and Mister Smith Goes to Washington were left out. There were some pleasant not so obvious entries like Thelma and Louise, American Beauty, LA Confidential, and Strangers on a Train. But they also had some unconventional entries that I don't necessarily agree with like Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Saving Private Ryan, Airplane, and Spartacus to name a few. If they were going for some unconventional choices, I hope they had included Twelve Angry Men, The Age of Innocence, Seven, The Color Purple, Mister Roberts etc.
Even though I made some rants regarding the accuracy of the information, I still think this is a great read. Just don't use it as a resource book.
Grade: B
Good but error ridden.......2004-10-25
One mistake comes when they review the theatrical film MASH. Thet credit Larry Gelbart with writing it. Wrong! Talented Gelbart wrote the first four seasons of the tv show MASH. Not the movie MASH! Other mistakes too. But giantly written and nicely illustrated.
Both a film guide and a handsome coffee table addition.......2004-06-06
Narrow the film world to the top 101 choices of all times, pack in the color shots from these recommended films, and include cast and credits and critical quotes about the movie and you have a pictorial representation of the greats in Gail Kinn and Jim Piazza's Four-Star Movies which will serve as both a film guide and a handsome coffee table addition. Four-Star Movies is quite simply as fine a reference as it is a visual ad for quality classic films.
Varied selection, but informative and a good starting point........2004-01-09
I noticed this book in Barnes & Noble the other day and being a movie buff and obsessed with "Top 100" lists. I will first of all say that I pay attention to the American Film Institute's list of Top 100 movies and kind of compared the selections here with thos that the AFI came up with. While about 35 of the selections are the same, Kinn and Piazza came up with some rather interesting choices as to their Top 101 movies of all time.
First of all, the book needs to be error-checked. I found several errors, though not glaring, they were ther. Maybe the fact that I know a lot about movies made them more obvious, as I'm sure other books/magazines, etc. have had errors and I have passed over them. All that aside, the movies (and there are indeed 101 of them) are all good. In fact, there's some I haven't seen and after reading the book, I'm going out to check the films out, after all; that's what this is, a starting point to see some of the greatest movies out there.
I can't say I agreed with all of their choices, but all of the films have had some sort of critical acclaim. Each movie gets three pages of pictures, information about the cast and crew and even what the prominent critics have said about the movie (one featured moreso than others is the very negative Paulene Kael, what a sad life she leads if she can't get any pleasure out of these films). Some information about the background of the movie is printed as well and what the authors say about the movie (in little cartooish bubbles, no less).
I didn't have any major problems with the book, I don't feel it's any sort of definitive guide, per se as they didn't pick any Charlie Chaplin movies, no Buster Keaton movies and some are on the list that I don't think should be there (even as happy as I was to see "Airplane!" as #101, I can think of plenty others that should be in that spot). If you're into film and movies and, most importantly, ranking of them, then this is for you. What the authors are trying to accomplish by this book, is for the films to be seen. Granted, we know that The Godfather is good (yet they combined The Godfather and The Godfather Part II as one movie for their #1 pick), but I might just have to go check out "Funny Face" as they picked it as one of their favorites. Still, notable classics like "Treasure of the Sierra Madre" and "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" aren't on there!
In any case, it's a good book and very attractive looking. Heck, if people see it at your coffee table at a party, you can make them think you're a film critic! I'd recommend this book to any film buff.
Every Movie Freak's Dream.......2003-12-25
First off let me say that i LOVE movies. i love reading about movies and whatnot. I was shopping @ Barnes & Noble looking for a Xmas gift for myself. yes, i buy myself presents don't we all. Then I came across this book. being a movie freak i picked it up and thumbed through it and bought it. What more can a movie lover want? This book has lots of info about the movies listed. From The Godfather to the Seven Samurai and more. It's unbelievable. Complete with director information, a behind-the-scenes look, information about the cast, great pics portraying the most memorable scenes, couple of quotes, results @ the box office, awards nominated for,and a plot summary. It's great. Sure it doesnt have some of the best movies in my opinion but it's fabulous. You can learn soo much about movies. I recommend it to anyone who loves movies that they read about them. Perfect gift for any occasion. Buy it and you wont regret it.
Book Description
When Adam started kindergarten, the teacher wanted him to learn about letters. But "p" looked like "q," and "b" looked like "d." Adam would rather color or mold clay. In first grade, his teacher wanted him to put the letters into words so he could read. That was the beginning of the Alphabet War. "Was" looked like "saw," and "there" looked like "then." Almost everyone else in his class was learning to read, but Adam was fighting a war against letters.
In second grade, he had to learn to spell, which was also impossible. Now he was so frustrated he got into trouble and had to go to the principal's office. At last, in third grade, he got the right kind of help. Slowly he began to do better. During fourth grade, he learned that he was smart in other things. That gave him the confidence to take chances with reading. One day he found himself reading a book all by himself!
Customer Reviews:
The Alphabet War.......2006-10-18
Hi...I am the illustrator of The Alphabet War!...I worked over a year creating the pastel illustrations of Adam and his struggles and triumphs over reading!....I used a family friend and his cousin for models for Adam!....I worked in pastel on Strathmore Bristol Vellum 500 series....Some people are very surprised to hear that the illustrator often never speaks to the author during the creative process of illustrating a book!..Please take a look at my website for more info about creating illustrations for children's books!.....Also, if you are interested in buying The Alphabet War, in the NEW AND USED section, I am selling signed copies of the book, along with a personalized note about the creative process of illustrating The Alphabet War!!
Learning disability from a kid's perspective.......2004-07-31
This book, about a child overcoming his difficulty in letter recognition and reading, is about more than dyslexia.The story is also about believing in yourself and succeeding. Lends understanding of dyslexia to not only children but to people of all ages. Beautifully illustrated and skillfully written, I'd suggest this book for anyone concerned with learning disability/education/teaching/youth etc. This is a one of a kind children's book.
Give a child hope by giving them this book!.......2004-02-18
This exciting new book, a story about Adam, a young dyslexic boy learning to read, is an expert portrayal of what many children face when they begin the battle between desire and disability. Adam represents the creative, talented and imaginative spirit in all of us and Robb expertly describes Adam's frustration and near defeat as he learns to overcome his shortcomings with the help of his mother and tutor. Its impossible not to cheer him on as he learns to stop pretending and feeling behind and breaks the "code" to win the war against words. The confidence he gains in himself is emphasized by the colorful, life-like illustrations. This book is a must-have for anyone who knows a child struggling with dyslexia.
Average customer rating:
- It ain't all Moby Dick
- The Lonesome Latter Years
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Herman Melville : Pierre, Israel Potter, The Piazza Tales, The Confidence-Man, Tales, Billy Budd (Library of America)
Herman Melville
Manufacturer: Library of America
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Binding: Hardcover
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Similar Items:
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Herman Melville : Redburn, White-Jacket, Moby-Dick (Library of America)
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Herman Melville : Typee, Omoo, Mardi (Library of America)
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Nathaniel Hawthorne : Tales and Sketches (Library of America)
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Nathaniel Hawthorne : Collected Novels: Fanshawe, The Scarlet Letter, The House of the Seven Gables, The Blithedale Romance, The Marble Faun (Library of America)
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ASIN: 0940450240 |
Book Description
Herman Melville's dark and brilliant late works contain some of his most powerful writing. After "Moby-Dick" he turned from the high seas to record his keen, bleak vision of life at home in America. "Pierre," "Israel Potter," and "The Confidence-Man," satirical dissections of moral breakdown and social hypocrisy, anticipate modernist fiction with their black humor and formal experimentation. With them here are "The Piazza Tales"--including "Bartelby the Scrivener," "The Encantadas," and "Benito Cereno"--and the haunting, posthumously published masterpiece, "Billy Budd, Sailor." Rounding out this third volume of Melville's complete prose in the Library of America are many pieces rarely collected, including magazine stories, comic sketches, and reviews of Nathaniel Hawthorne, Francis Parkman, and James Fenimore Cooper.
Customer Reviews:
It ain't all Moby Dick.......2002-03-16
If you think that you can't read classic American Literature because it's all so big and intimidating (i.e., Moby Dick) think again. Some of the short stories in this collection of Melville's "other" work are incredibly well-written insights into human nature. (As is Moby Dick, but I digress).
Billy Budd's encounter with "justice," Bartleby's statement that he would "prefer not", Benito Cerino's exploration of slavery-- these tales are not to be missed. You should read this book as a starter, then move on to the BIG OLD white whale.
The Lonesome Latter Years.......2001-05-12
Darkly humorous, cynical, horrific and melancholy, Melville's later works are the capstone to the author's deepening discontent with his America. The vision here can be frustrating: Melville conjures up the most painful, soul-searching mysteries, and then refuses to knot them up with tidy solutions. Instead, Melville deepens the moral ambiguity that seeped through the skin of the transitional Moby Dick in full-length works like Pierre and Billy Budd, Sailor. And the shorter works--among them The Piazza Tales, Benito Cereno, and Bartleby the Scrivener--are imbued with such a longing for any kind of graspable meaning, that their readers, like their characters, find themselves in a ponderous state of shock. The human condition, Melville seems to say, is one of isolation, cast adrift, searching alone for a truth that is, and always will be, inscrutable.
Books:
- The Keeping Room (Novel)
- The Last To Die
- The Luciano Story
- The Outlaw's Twin Sister (Belles of Lordsburg #3)
- The Peaceful Pill Handbook
- The Six Wives of Henry VIII
- The Story of My Life (Bantam Classic)
- The Strategy and Tactics of Pricing: A Guide to Growing More Profitably (4th Edition) (Pie)
- The Third Opinion: How Successful Leaders Use Outside Insight to Create Superior Results
- The Ultimate Hidden Picture Puzzle Book (Take a Hidden Picture Challenge)
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