Book Description
A fully revised and updated edition of our translation of the complete Dead Sea Scrolls, making it the definitive translation of the Scrolls in English.
With new texts, updated introductions, a glossary of terms, and other new additions, this will become the definitive translation of the Scrolls, and the lead companion to our other Dead Sea Scrolls Guides: The Meaning of the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Dead Sea Scrolls Bible.
Customer Reviews:
It may take me the rest of my life to reflect on and discern the amazing writ!.......2007-07-06
"In their great variety and stunning richness, the Dead Sea Scrolls as captured in this groundbreaking translation offer modern readers an unprecedented glimpse of the complex roots of modern Christianity... texts encompass poetry and prose, teaching parables and magical tales, astrology, apocalyptic visions,..., stories of messiahs and antichrists,"
After Three Decades:
I followed the saga of DSS since I read in 1970 Wilson's account of the discovery, two decades later. I strove to get any information, even John allegro's imaginary cults, but not until the siege was overcome, that few years later I could read, all in one compendium, the text of the Scrolls in plain English. It took its place, in my library, next to The Coptic Gnostic texts. It may take me the rest of my life to reflect on and discern the amazing writ!
Three scholars of the second DSS generation offer a new translation of the Dead Sea Scrolls, integrated with material never published or translated before. The book includes newly published Psalms (151) attributed to David, non-Biblical texts claiming Moses as their author, previously unknown fables about Abraham and Jacob, and many other writings that shed light on non-Temple Jewish thought, parallels showing the Jewish origins of Christianity and the close relationship between Judaism and early Christianity. Some of its amazing texts are, The Damascus Document (Geniza manuscripts), The vision of the Son of God, Psalm 151 (Chanted in the Coptic Church for 17 centuries), The War of the Messiah, Rule of Initiation, between many amazing poetry and prose.
Recent Developments in DSS:
The Dead Sea Scrolls represent a non-rabbinic type of Judaism enhancing our understanding of Second Temple Judaism and of early Christianity. They DSS provide textual treasures for New Testament scholars, and have been called the evolutionary link between Judaism and Christianity, demonstrating a variety of important parallels to Jesus ministry, showing that the Gospel message to be based on, and rooted in Judaism. The major intact texts, from Caves 1 & 11, now housed in the Shrine of the Book museum in Jerusalem, were published by the late fifties. Since then, mostly fragments from Cave 4, about 40% of the Scrolls remained unpublished and were not accessible until 1991.
Almost half of a century after the initial discoveries of the Dead Sea Scrolls, when the academic pressure for publication mounted, general access was granted through the photographs of the Scrolls. Late 1991 the photos were made available by the Biblical Archaeological Society in a computer reconstruction, based on a concordance. A nonofficial edition was announced, and the Huntington Library microfilm files of the scroll photographs were made accessible. In "The Current State of the Dead Sea Scrolls: Are There More Answers than Questions?" L. Grabbe stresses the need for Qumran scholarship to recognize how uncertain is much of our present knowledge of the Qumran material. Following are some issues which enhance your interest in this collection.
Psalm of thanksgiving: A:
I give Thee thanks, Adonai!
For Thou hast placed my soul in the bundle of life,
and Thou has protected me from all the snares of the pit.
And the violent sought my soul, when I trusted in Thy covenant.
The Damascus Document:
In 1896, in Ezra Karaite Synagogue, built Ca. 882 AD in Old Cairo, near Babylon fortress, the Damascus document was discovered amongst other ancient Hebrew manuscripts. The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls, half a century later, and the consequent publication of the Cave I first scrolls, marked a turning point in the scholars views on the Damascus Document. The similarity in language between the Qumran material and the Cairo Geniza manuscripts removed all doubt that the Damascus Document was composed during the Second Temple period.
War Scroll and the Essenes:
"The principal defining differences ...are the following: (1) the peace-loving Essenes contrast with the warlike spirit evident in some of the scrolls, especially the War Scroll; (2) the Essenes were mostly celibate, whereas the scrolls include many laws concerning women, children and even sexual intercourse; (3) the Essenes abhorred slavery, while the scrolls legislate the practice; (4) the Essenes took no oaths except when entering the group, whereas the scrolls contain numerous regulations for the taking and voiding of oaths; (5) the Essenes owned no private property, whereas the scroll-writers did; and (6) there are significant differences between the Essenes and the relevant Dead Sea Scrolls regarding entry procedures for new members. Cansdale concludes that the scrolls probably issued from one of the many Jewish sects whose names are not recorded in the meager sources at our disposal, perhaps a sect related to the Sadducees." Michael O Wise
The DSS and Hebrew Bible:
The Scrolls and the Scriptures provides much extensive and helpful information on careful studies of the Qumran documents. Proper study underlines that these documents reflect a much larger community and thought pattern than that of the small Qumran community earlier portrayed by DSS scholars. The scrolls may help us to understand and better interpret the OT Scriptures and the various ways in which these record eschatological and messianic ideas.
The basic problems concerned with the historical and literary context of the scrolls.
In an essay is by P. Davies, "Qumran and the Quest for Historical Judaism," records the uncertainties of our knowledge of who wrote the scrolls and the true meanings of the diversity of this collection, warning against reading them in the light of the rigid notions of late antiquity Judaism.
The DSS and Christianity:
"Those few scholars who persist in the view that a direct link can be made between Qumran and the New Testament are probably constructing an approach to the evidence which cannot be sustained. those links between the Qumran and the New Testament are more likely to be indirect." George Brooke
C. Evans reviews the role of the David figure in the scrolls, stressing how the virtues, achievements and promises of David contribute much to the Messianic character of the scrolls and how these provide a background for the understanding of the early Christian belief of Jesus. In " 'Son of God' as 'Son of Man' in the Dead Sea Scrolls? A Response to John Collins on 4Q246," J. D. G. Dunn contends that the figure of the "son of God" in this document refers to the descendant of David in the messianic prophecy of 2 Sam 7:14.
The Meaning of the Dead Sea Scrolls: Their Significance For Understanding the Bible, Judaism, Jesus, and Christianity
The Dead Sea Scrolls: Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek Texts With English Translations : Pseudepigraphic and Non-Masoretic Psalms and Prayers (Dead Sea Scrolls)
Very good, easy to read!.......2007-05-14
This is a must for anyone who wants a complete version of the Dead Sea Scrolls. The edition is very easy to read, the text is of a good size and the paper is nice. The book also lays flat which to me was important. Over all I would highly recommend this to anyone's library. The books are very interesting, but do not really have any kind of odering, most were written to stand on their own. It's a pretty large book so it is not something you can read in one sitting. It is one of those books you use as a continual reference.
Excellent.......2007-05-11
This is my favorite edition / translation of the Scrolls. Very clear, easy to navigate and the commentary is very helpful. Has really enhanced my Bible studies. I highly recommend it.
Dead Sea Scrolls.......2007-01-11
I am very satisfied with this book. My daughter in law is very interested in this subject as I am.
A little Disappointed.......2006-12-24
When I fist heard about the Dead Sea Scrolls, I was under the impression that the contained stories about Jesus.This is not true. It's basically an add on of the Old Testament.On top of that, it's literally bits and pieces of stories that I guess were all that could be salvaged.The only "plus" is that this version includes translation help from the author so that you can at least attempt to figure out what the stories are talking about because without it, they would make no sense whatsoever. But then again, these are translations, and can be influenced by what the authors believe. All in all I don't recommend this book if you are trying to find out any "unknown" information about Jesus, or really anything in general.Good if you want more info from the Old Testament I guess.
Book Description
You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy.
Watch your step -- inside this book, you’ll encounter a fully illustrated menagerie of foes to pit against the heroes of the galaxy. Discover nefarious characters, fearsome creatures, lethal droids, and diabolical organizations, any of which could become a true nemesis in your campaign.
This sourcebook features:
- Over 30 pregenerated villains, both new and noteworthy, including Bossk the Trandoshan bounty hunter and C-3PX the assassin droid
- More than 75 alien creatures, many of which first appeared in the Ultimate Alien Anthology but have been updated for the revised rules
- New creature templates, including templates for creating Yuuzhan Vong-shaped creatures and Sithspawned creatures
- 11 types of droids, including droids from Episode II: Attack of the Clones
Customer Reviews:
Rounding out the GM's toolbox.......2004-06-26
Ultimate Adversaries is primarily a tool for the Gamemaster. I also like to think of it as the companion piece to the Galactic Campaign Guide. Where the latter book focused on the planning and development side of running a campaign, Ultimate Adversaries gives the GM a variety of the actual villains and creatures that might inhabit the setting.
Chapter One: Villains begins with detailed descriptions of 47 non-player characters. While we have received large numbers of NPCs from other sourcebooks before, the ones presented here are considerably more detailed. Each character has a picture, and in addition to the usual background and basic description, each NPC profile also lists goals, preferred tactics, and roleplaying tips. Also included are notes on how the GM can transplant the NPC into each of the main eras. These characters run the entire range from troublemaking dilettantes to psychotic bounty hunters and desperate con artists. Levels are from 2 to 15 (challenge code B to G), with most falling around level 6 or 7. This is a tough crowd, but only a few of them actually fall into the high-level supervillain category. Some of the characters aren't even bad people, but each NPC's unique motivation and personality sets the stage for opposition to the heroes. Though there are a few clichés, it is the extensive setup for each character which earns the title "Ultimate" and which should be most helpful in providing memorable encounters.
Because each character is completely ready-made, the GM can easily take whichever NPC he likes and insert it directly into his campaign with minimum preparation. Some GMs won't like that method, preferring instead to create everything from scratch. Not everyone has the time or ability to do that though. For the GMs who fall into that category, this section is a boon.
Chapter One also includes a brief section on ready-made generic organizations, including mercenary companies, crime syndicates, and resistance movements. By selecting from a broadly similar type, this allows the GM to introduce encounters with a new organization while eliminating most of the paperwork.
Chapter Two: Creatures is by far the largest section of the book. Basically, this is the Monster Manual for Star Wars. Over 80 creatures are presented, from the mighty Krayt Dragon to the tiny Voorpak. Most of this is new material, but a number of creatures from earlier sources like the Alien Anthology and NJO Sourcebook make revised appearances. Every creature has a full description and labeled picture. Challenge codes range from A to H, with the majority around a rating of D. Also included are a number of new templates, including Enlarged, Shaped, and Sithspawned. With so many options a GM should have no problem giving his players plenty of creatures to fight.
Chapter Three: Droids briefly describes 8 new droids as well as 3 Separatist droid vehicles, including the Hailfire Droid. Also included at long last is a table of specific traits which may be applied to any droid produced by one of the 22 major droid manufacturers.
Finally, the Appendix lists new combat techniques, weapons, armor, equipment (including several pieces of droid-specific equipment), one new vehicle, and two new starships. Also included is a reprint of the Transfer Essence force skill, reprints of the feats Multidexterity, Multiweapon Fighting, and Sith Sorcery, and a table listing all opponents in the book by challenge code.
As a side note, Ultimate Adversaries is probably the best-looking, most well-organized, and error-free Star Wars RPG product yet. The artwork is truly top-notch, particularly the character portraits. The layout is tasteful and information is easy to locate. Furthermore after a few readings I saw a mere handful of typos.
My single complaint is that there could have been a greater variety of high-level villains and creatures. This could have been easily accomplished by eliminating some of the content reprinted from other sources.
Overall, Ultimate Adversaries performs exactly as advertised. It has the potential to be an extremely helpful tool for a new or moderately experienced GM due to the prepackaged nature of some of its material, but veteran GM's may be turned off for the same reason. However in my opinion even veterans should consider it for the Creature section as well as its general wealth of ideas. The casual player could certainly use the book as a spur for new ideas too, but this is not advised if your GM plans on using it himself! Ordinarily I would give Ultimate Adversaries a 5, but because it is directed at a limited audience, I am instead giving it a very strong 4.
Book Description
Despite growing concerns after September 11, 2001, over the global terrorist threat and the spread of weapons of mass destruction, international security no longer hinges only on arms control and the prevention of war. Nonmilitary concerns, including emerging infectious diseases, environmental degradation, demographic trends, and humanitarian catastrophes, also represent significant threats to global stability. In this book, leading analysts offer an overview of critical security dangers facing the world today.
The book looks first at the relationship between weapons and security, discussing such aspects of proliferation as "nuclear entrepreneurship" in Russia and the threat of biological warfare. It then examines nonmilitary security concerns, including resource scarcity, migration, HIV/AIDS in Africa, and why humanitarian assistance sometimes does more harm than good. Finally, it looks at the role of transnational actors, including terrorist groups, nongovernmental organizations, and the privatized military industry.
Book Description
Fans of Elizabeth Peters will view Egypt through a different lens—but the real flavor of this 14-book series is Graham Greene or, given Pearce’s sense of irony, Eric Ambler....
The Mamur Zapt, head of Cairo’s CID in the heydey of (the indirect) British rule, focused on political, not police, matters. With the bustling new century, the loosening of imperial ties, and the rise of nationalism, his was a busy office. The attempted assassination of a veteran politician raises the spectre of a major terrorist statement at the capital’s principal religious festival where the faithful celebrate the Return of the Holy Carpet from Mecca.
Easily navigating multiple nationalities, three principal languages, and four competing legal systems, not to mention the intricacies of shadow and actual governments, Captain Owen, the Welsh incumbent, bolsters the Mamur Zapt’s office with the aid of a host of memorable characters.
In his 1988 debut, Michael Pearce, who grew up in the (then) Anglo-Egyptian Sudan, “memorably navigates the swirling cultural and political cross-currents of his chosen period and place, bringing to an historian’s confidence the creative intelligence of a born novelist.” —John Coleman, Sunday Times
Customer Reviews:
This is a sleeper series.......2007-07-31
Frankly, I do not understand why this series isn't more popular. Pearce writes compelling and delightful characters with a wealth of cultural detail as backdrop. All history and the social complexity of Cairo in pre-WWI is so well integrated that a reader can learn something without ever feeling lectured to or popped out of the tale. Pearce's stealthy wit delights and surprises much as Alexander McCall Smith's does. And,if you like Turkish coffee, you will never drink it again without being pulled back into Pearce's Cairo on a hot evening in a cafe!
Fascinating, but a bit slow........2005-04-10
This was a bit slow-going for me, mainly as I am unfamiliar with the history of Egypt during this time. That said, I did find it fascinating to read about the social structure and customs. The characters were interesting and it was a pretty good mystery. I wouldn't put it on the same level as Barbara Cleverly, but I shall definitely read another.
Egypt as You Never Imagined It.......2002-12-30
Michael Pearce's Mamur Zapt mysteries are funny, beautifully written sketches of life in Egypt in the early years of the 20th century. The books have all the panache and originality of Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler. Why they haven't made it onto the big screen, or been turned into a Mystery! series on public television I can't imagine.
The central character is Gareth Owen, a young Welshman who is the Mamur Zapt -- the title given the (British) head of Cairo's secret police. The central theme is the tension between the British who governed Egypt at the time and the Egyptian people in whose name they governed.
"The Return of the Carpet" is the first in the series. Frequent appearances are made throughout the series by the Mamur Zapt's Egyptian counterpart in the office of the city prosecutor, by Owen's bosses, by members of Eqypt's dissolute royal family, by Owen's aristocratic and fiercely independent Egyptian paramour and by assorted members of Cairo's working class.
The stories are racy, wittily understated and steeped in the attitudes and rhythms of daily life in the Cairo of 100 years ago. Pearce's voice and his ear for dialogue are spot-on. The humor emerges naturally in his exploration of the complex relations between the English and native Eqyptians of all classes.
This is popular literature of the highest order. The books are, if possible, even more entertaining if you listen to the audio recordings produced, I believe, by Recorded Books.
A tale of suspense and color in 1908 Egypt.......2002-09-21
The place is early-twentieth century Egypt, nominally part of the Ottoman Empire, in fact ruled by the British. Among the plots and nationalist tensions, young Captain Owen, formerly of the British Army in Egypt, is appointed the Mamur Zapt: a formerly Turkish post in charge of the political police.
A case of granades goes astray from an Army storage. The biggest fear--that the weapons will be used by terrorists for assasinations--seems accurate. Owen, inexperienced but intelligent, is hampered by many foreign and local fingers in the heady Egyptian pie in the investigation.
This pleasant tale of suspense, local color, politics, and adventure is told with touches of humor and restraint of the old English tradition.
--inotherworlds.com
This book is no longer out of print.......1999-06-06
Post Mortem Books has reissued this title in a limited edition of 250 signed numbered copies priced at 25.00 (pounds sterling). If you need to fill that gap in your collection, contact me at the email address given.
Book Description
Every Star System Has Its Heroes.
From the Outer Rim to the Galactic Core, countless different species populate the galaxy. While most members of each of these alien races share similar characteristics, among every species--from Geonosians and Jawas to Clawdites and Krish--great heroes and despicable villains can be found.
This sourcebook features:
• Descriptions of 180 alien species, including those from Episode II: Attack of the Clones.
• New prestige classes, including the Aerobat, the Changeling, and the Findsman.
• Species-specific gear and weapons, including Nagai electromesh armor, the Cerean meditation crystal, and the Kerestian darkstick.
To use this sourcebook, you also need the
Star Wars Roleplaying Game Revised Core Rulebook.
Customer Reviews:
Pretty good effort.......2007-01-10
One of the problems with Star Wars these days from an RPG perspective is that the prequels generated about a thousand new alien races -- and not all of them are all that memorable. Some are, and they are worthy additions here. I guess it's hardly a criticism to say there's too much material, but that's almost what it feels like sometimes with this book. Still useful for both the SW book collector and obviously the RPG fan.
A lot of GREAT info for star wars enthuist........2006-03-23
I really enjoyed looking over the TONS of aliens species in this book. It expanded options for players and gm's alike for choices they could do. I enjoyed the many options that were available to you as either a player or gm, or just curious to see what was in the star wars universe. I've never really encountered such depth and brevity together in a sci-fi universe. I did like the way they expanded on the core rulebook races. As for monsters, well, the star wars universe is about interacting more with others then it is about killing monsters, but this is d20 and there are PLENTY of monster compendium and ultimate advesaries can help you with that. I did like the art work but it was clear that differant artist did do the work and it isn't always done smoothly. But there is enough there to get an idea, even if it isn't always to scale as per the 'real' alien. I wouldn't pay $250.00 for this book though. But if you need some fresh ideas about alien races or just more characters then this would be for you. I liked the descriptions thourough but not overdone in the least. The book gives you enough to get you started and if that isn't enough gives you guidelines on how to make your own race. I'm not sure what is seriously lacking in this book.
StarWars Ultimate Alien Anthology.......2005-09-15
This book ROCKS! One look at it and it starts to sink in exactly how diverse the StarWars universe has become. It expands upon races in the Core Rulebook as well as introducing huge numbers of interesting aliens. Also included are a few new feats and a couple of Prestige classes that are very welcome.
Whether you play this game or not, getting this book just for background info on races in StarWars makes this book worth it to me.
Loads of Aliens!.......2005-08-04
I would definitely recommend buying this as your second book after the core rulebook. Basically, it's just pack from front to back with a few hundred alien species. All stats are given, so every alien type is available for player or GM characters. Some have complained that there are no creatures in this book, but the Star Wars series has never been about dungeon crawling. If you need creatures, the famous ones are in the core book, and if you want new ones, there's a good creature creation section there too. This book, on the other hand, gets to the meat of Star Wars encounters--facing down aliens of all races and types. You'll definitely want to pick this up to populate your campaigns. Before long, you'll be able to recreate your very own alien cantina. Perhaps my only complaint is that the artwork was done by several artists, and some of the artwork isn't as good as it could be. Hopefully in a future edition, some of the sketchy artwork will be replaced.
Excelent book for any fan of Star Wars........2005-05-19
Now, I don't play the card game, but I was amazed at how many races of aliens were actually in Star Wars! There is in-depth information on all of the races including home planet, culture, and fighting abilities. This is a must for anyone. The ONLY reason I gave this book a 4 was because a few races are missing. For example the Selkath. Still, buy this book
Average customer rating:
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Parkett #65 : John Currin, Laura Owens, Michael Raedecker
John Currin ,
Laura Owens , and
Michael Raedecker
Manufacturer: Parkett
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ASIN: 3907582152
Release Date: 2002-10-02 |
Book Description
Presenting unique and in-depth collaborations and editions with leading contemporary artists, Parkett No. 65 will be published at the end of September 2002, featuring collaborations by three of today's most exciting mid-career painters: John Currin (USA), Laura Owens (USA), and Michael Raedecker (The Netherlands).
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Psychiatric Genetics and Genomics (Oxford Medical Publications)
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
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Psychiatric Genetics (Review of Psychiatry Series)
ASIN: 0192631489 |
Book Description
Genetics promises to provide one of the most powerful approaches to understanding the functional pathology of the human brain. This book presents a critical review of the evidence for a genetic contribution to common psychiatric conditions and the rarer single-gene disorders that may have psychiatric presentations. The first section of the book introduces the reader to molecular biology and the techniques of molecular genetics. The coverage then moves on to consider the genetics of normal and abnormal development, followed by a look at the genetics of abnormal behaviour in adults. This section includes, amongst others, consideration of personality disorders, schizophrenia and the dementias. The final section considers the applications of the work and covers issues such as counselling and ethics, closing with a look to the future. The editors are internationally renowned figures in this field and they have invited a team of equally eminent chapter authors. This will be essential reading for psychiatrists and geneticists and will be of interest to neurologists, psychologists and neuroscientists.
Customer Reviews:
excellent material.......2007-05-13
As I am currently studying Historic Preservation, I appreciate what it takes to do research. This book is well-researched, and interesting, to boot.
Mary Black's Family Quilts: Memory and Meaning in Everyday Life.......2007-01-11
I was somewhat disappointed that there was not a more extensive use of primary source materials. This is an easy book to read and understand.
A Landmark Book.......2006-12-13
This is landmark book, one that has the potential to broaden and, at the same time, focus the study of American quilts. It adds substantially to current knowledge of quilt history, particularly in the under-documented inland South. It also models an analytical approach, what one cultural historian calls "cultural behavior," that expands the study of material history to reveal the complex meanings inherent in artifacts.
It is not a "picture book," although it is richly and thoughtfully illustrated. Over 100 sharp images, 32 of them in well-rendered color, depict the quilts and complement the text.
Nor is it a conventional "quilt book," focusing only on quilt documentation.
It transcends categories and is at once an analysis of sixteen quilts made and preserved by one family over six generations, a superb local history, and a study of a family whose values helped shape a community.
But its focus is the sixteen family quilts preserved by Mary Black and donated to a South Carolina museum. In seeking to discover their meanings as textiles and as personal and cultural documents, the author creates a world both immediate and immensely interesting.
This is highly readable book. After the first chapter, in which she identifies and illustrates the analytical procedure she used to study the Black family's quilts, Horton avoids the jargon of scholarship and critical theory. This choice and her crisp prose style are seductive: her book reads more like a story of discover than a scholarly analysis. The truth is, it is both.
The epigram, from James Deetz' "In Small Things Forgotten," suggests the writer's mission and method. Deetz writes, "In the seemingly little and insignificant things that accumulate to create a lifetime, the essence of our existence is captured. We must remember these bits and pieces, and we must use them in new and imaginative ways so that a different appreciation for what life is today, and was in the past, can be achieved."
In Laurel Horton's experienced hands, this approach yields bounty. Horton is uniquely equipped for her task. She has studied the same terrain for 25 years. She knows it from personal experience, from her study of the Scots-Irish who formed its backbone, from her study of the quilts of America and the British Isles. Her understanding of the deeply narrative South Carolina upland culture attunes her to stories and signs that point beyond the concrete object and reveal meaning. In fact, the metaphor running throughout this book is that of the scholar as one who "listens" to the voices in the material remains she studies.
Yet it would be mistaken to conclude Horton regards the scholar only as a medium through which the quilts speak. She knows the textiles exist with a series of contexts that can help free their voices and permit the listener to construct valid meaning.
In a culture where women left relatively few documents, however, the quilts remain the writer's primary sources. Horton says she began her research "with a close examination of the quilts themselves, attempting to set aside what I thought I already knew and trying to be receptive to what they could tell me....I have attempted to attend to the quilts and to `listen' to their stories objectively, without rushing to supply answers to my emerging questions."
The result is a fresh and exceptionally well-articulated understanding of a coherent group of quilts. In her effort to identify their meanings, the author opens a world to the reader and in the end, the quilts also become memorable objects in the reader's experience.
Mary Black's Family Quilts is valuable both to the cultural and political historian. It is important to anyone studying the lives of women in America. Certainly it will become part of any complete bibliography of the history and culture of the American South. It is being read in student coffee houses in Spartanburg and readers interested primarily in local or state history have created long waiting lists for it in Carolina public libraries. In short, it is a book for many readers.
One of its more obvious audiences is that of quilt historians, for whom it provides a model and for whom it is also cautionary. Quilts from the inland South have been subject to many unfounded generalizations. A student of textiles and quiltmaking who is keenly attuned to the differences in the cultures and quilts of adjacent counties in Pennsylvania, for instance, often sees the quilts made south of the Mason-Dixon line as a unit.
Studies like Horton's show the danger of such generalization. They remind us of the variety present even in a generally coherent community. The Spartanburg, South Carolina area and the members of the Snoddy and Black families are not offered as microcosms or even representatives of larger groups. Mary Black's Family Quilts focuses on the particular-quilts made by the women in one family in one place and time. Considering the general lack of scholarly attention so far accorded the quilts of the Deep South and the southern hinterlands, one hopes Horton's work generates the discovery and equally thoughtful study of other groups of quilts in the region.
"Mary Black's Family Quilts" reminds us of the tremendous importance of the concrete detail in the study and communication of meanings in history, the sound or fragrance or scrap of fabric from which explodes a world of meaning. It also reminds us this detail is part of a larger whole. Both in its method and subject, it breaks new ground and will, one hopes, encourage other books that do the same.
For anyone interested in the study of American quilts, women's history, or in the culture and history of the American South, this book is a must-read.
Don't expect a quilter's handbook here: this is local history at its best.......2006-03-07
Laurel Horton is an independent folklorist and textile scholar who examines the family quilting traditions of six generations in Mary Black's Family Quilts: Memory And Meaning In Everyday Life. Sixteen quilts here tell the story of the family, a South Carolina legend - and reveals the trunks full of quilts Black left to her descendants. Don't expect a quilter's handbook here: this is local history at its best.
Book Description
In 1936, against a backdrop of swastikas flying and storm troopers looming, an African-American son of sharecroppers set three world records and won an unprecedented four gold medals, single-handedly crushing Hitler's myth of Aryan supremacy. The story of Jesse Owens at the 1936 Olympics Games is that of a high-profile athlete giving a performance that transcends sports. But it is also the intimate and complex tale of the courage of one remarkable man.
Customer Reviews:
An Amazing History Lesson.......2007-04-10
Take a trip back to the days of World War II in this historical account of Jesse Owens and his trip to the Berlin Olympics.
Good History lesson.......2007-03-31
Very good history lesson. The book flows well and gives a good account of what America and the world was like during Mr. Owen's life. Would encourage the reading of Triumph
Pure Gold!!!.......2007-03-26
Mr. Schaap has sifted through the myth and legend of Jesse Owens and the Berlin Olympics and given us a compelling account of these extraordinary games. He presents a balanced account of the man and athlete Mr. Owens was, from his humble beginnings in Alabama to his record setting Olympic performance. He sets the tone early by recounting the legendary day of days in Ann Arbor when Mr. Owens achieved one of the greatest athletic accomplishments of all time by tying one and setting FOUR WORLD RECORDS in the span of one hour. He takes us through the politics of race and the olympics. He transports us back to a moment in time when the world was on the precipice of war. For such a small book this is A STUNNING ACHIEVEMENT!!!
A 20th century Sport Hero.......2007-03-19
Sport stories tend to be puffed up and dry. This story lifted out of the early days of WW2 brings to the reader "in living color" the true stry of Jesse James. I had the good fortune of meeting him on two occasions and there was never a finer gentleman than Jesse Owens.
Jack Vax
Fantastic ! Page turner!.......2007-03-17
This is a wonderfully written book. It sounds cliche, but I really couldn't put it down!
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