price：$15.25
Henry Holt and Co.
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (It stinketh) 『Wolf Hall is artsy, literary, and contrived. The method of telling is confusing, compounded by the author's insistence of referring to her protagonist as 'he' in the middle of paragraphs where there are other characters to whom the pronoun would, under normal rules, refer. Her mastery of detail is excellent, but that seems to be all there is to the book--endless detail and lots and lots of internal monologue (philosophizing, going on and on about motivations) most of which is very tangential to whatever is happening in the story's present. There are unannounced flashbacks, side-steps, references to characters not introduced-- in short, the story weaves and ducks like a drunken prizefighter, but never connected with this reader. This is an excellent novel for those who abhor plot in any form. 』
(I want my money back from this book purchase) 『I eagerly looked forward to receiving this novel. Tudor history is a favorite of mine whether it be travel or text. This book was difficult to get into, the players poorly revealed and the writer's style of third person presentation very irksome. I have no argument with the facts; the detail is spot on. The presentation was a bore.』
(Not history's usual view of Cromwell) 『I too have read many a book - fiction and other - on the Tudors. Cromwell never came off as anything but a calculating opportunist. This book was fascinating to me in that Cromwell was lovable and Wolsey was downright charming. My Catholic headmaster frowned at me when he saw me reading this - I guess the Catholics don't like the less-than-flattering portrait of Thomas More. I'm not sure I'm behind all the characterizations, but SOMEONE must have loved the guy! It is fun to see one's notions of history turned upside down at times. And this book does it impeccably. I recommend it highly.』
(It Can't Be Helped) 『Although I have published several reviews on Amazon, I have not done a book review. I thought Wolf Hall would tell a straightforward story. Henry Viii did not have a male heir, decided to get rid of Katherine his long standing wife by annulling his marriage to her and in so doing change England and separate it from the Catholic Church which freed him to marry Anne Boleyn. Hilary Mantel who received the Man Booker Prize for this novel has taken this rather straight forward story and complicated it beyond credibility. It is told from or by Thomas Cromwell obfuscating it by reference to he. I slogged through to the bitter end and reached the conclusion that was almost as silly as this novel. Ms Mantel in her historical research should have read a bit of Shakespeare where my good old buddy Polonius states "Brevity is the soul of wit."』
(Brilliant and evocative Tudor history) 『This worthy winner of the prestigious Man Booker prize for fiction makes a wonderful introduction to the turbulent history of Tudor England, spesifically Henry V111. Most unusual writing draws the reader right into the mind of Thomas Cromwell, an often maligned character. This book will absolutely keep you thinking, wondering and feeling glad you live today and not in 16 century England. Recommended for lovers of literary novels and not just historicals.』 『
In the ruthless arena of King Henry VIII’s court, only one man dares to gamble his life to win the king’s favor and ascend to the heights of political power
England in the 1520s is a heartbeat from disaster. If the king dies without a male heir, the country could be destroyed by civil war. Henry VIII wants to annul his marriage of twenty years, and marry Anne Boleyn. The pope and most of Europe opposes him. The quest for the king’s freedom destroys his adviser, the brilliant Cardinal Wolsey, and leaves a power vacuum.
Into this impasse steps Thomas Cromwell. Cromwell is a wholly original man, a charmer and a bully, both idealist and opportunist, astute in reading people and a demon of energy: he is also a consummate politician, hardened by his personal losses, implacable in his ambition. But Henry is volatile: one day tender, one day murderous. Cromwell helps him break the opposition, but what will be the price of his triumph?
In inimitable style, Hilary Mantel presents a picture of a half-made society on the cusp of change, where individuals fight or embrace their fate with passion and courage. With a vast array of characters, overflowing with incident, the novel re-creates an era when the personal and political are separated by a hairbreadth, where success brings unlimited power but a single failure means death.
』 『Amazon Best of the Month, October 2009:No character in the canon has been writ larger than Henry VIII, but that didn't stop Hilary Mantel. She strides through centuries, past acres of novels, histories, biographies, and plays--even past Henry himself--confident in the knowledge that to recast history's most mercurial sovereign, it's not the King she needs to see, but one of the King's most mysterious agents. Enter Thomas Cromwell, a self-made man and remarkable polymath who ascends to the King's right hand. Rigorously pragmatic and forward-thinking, Cromwell has little interest in what motivates his Majesty, and although he makes way for Henry's marriage to the infamous Anne Boleyn, it's the future of a free England that he honors above all else and hopes to secure. Mantel plots with a sleight of hand, making full use of her masterful grasp on the facts without weighing down her prose. The opening cast of characters and family trees may give initial pause to some readers, but persevere: the witty, whip-smart lines volleying the action forward may convince you a short stay in the Tower of London might not be so bad... provided you could bring a copy ofWolf Hallalong. --Anne Bartholomew』
Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Sherlock Holmes - The Detective Guru) 『Sherlock Holmes has long been a favorite of mine. Nothing's changed. He still is. Excellent book, both in contents and appearance.』
(I love this stuff!) 『Classic! I'm very glad to own this book in it's Kindle edition and for a very reasonable price too, $0.00! There is not anything that I could write that hasn't been written before about Mr. Holmes and his creator, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. These stories are timeless, they are indeed short stories and may be read quickly in one sitting, and, for me, be read again and again. While reading these stories I can't help but see and hear Jeremy Brett, the ultimate and best Holmes of any visual media. Ever! The mannerisms of Holmes as written by Doyle, as well as much of the dialog, are transferred accurately and brilliantly to the small screen by Brett, the BBC, and PBS. I also recommend this series on DVD for any and all Holmes fans. Not to forget "The Return of Sherlock Holmes," also priced reasonably on Kindle at $0.00.』
(Holes) 『Super when I am on an airplane and have forgotten to turn on the wireless to pick up new books. Doyle never ceases to amaze and provide entertainment. I think I started reading Holmes in the 60s (early 60s) and have yet to stop. Good emergency book to have if you have a Kindle and enjoy deductive reasoning. easons to get it are elementary my dear reader!』
(Technical glitches in this Kindle edition) 『All of the numeric entries in the text are garbled, so if you don't care whether they're referring to 20 pounds or 3000, you'll be fine. of course it's a free download, so I'm not complaining.』
(Great Britian's Nineteenth Century History) 『English history is served up along with the amazing mystery stories. I enjoy the pictures of daily life...the maid bringing in lunch to Holmes on a pre-arranged schedule, passing the street vendors and beggars, imagining the opium den frequented by addicts, vivid descriptions of period clothing, transportation and commerce slipped seamlessly into the tales. I read this often to refresh the imagery in my mind.』 『
In these twelve intriguing stories, Sherlock Homes and his trusty friend Dr. Watson solve crimes amid the sinister and foggy streets of Victorian London.
"Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should dwell." -- Sherlock Holmes inThe Adventure of the Copper Beeches』
price：$6.38
Columbia University Press
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (An interesting analysis of war) 『I have been wanting to read Sun Tszu's treatise for a long time but had never gotten around to it. It consists of short paragraphs of his writings and many comentaries and arguments regarding them. It isn't something you can read in one go. At times it gets tedious reading the conflicting comments. Because it was written long ago and has been rewritten and translated many times it has lost coherance in places. Still there is much of value and I wish that Bush and Rumsfeld had taken heed of it before getting us involved in Iraq.』
(A terrific book) 『A well-known writer friend strongly recommended this book to me and, knowing very little about the subject, I read it on a plane trip to southeast asia. I was entranced from start to finish. It is a work a great nuance and amazing writing. Buy it!』
(One of the most important military books in history) 『The Warring States period Warring States Period 475-221 BCE is a history of constant warfare, of alliances and counter-alliances, and of treaties made and broken. The nature of warfare evolved during the period. During the Warring States period, political stability was impossible to gain by adventurous military action. With the advent of swelling ranks of soldiers, protracted sieges, and an ever increasing drain on state treasuries, warfare became a serious matter for study.
Thus, the opening remark of "The Art Of War" states--without exaggeration--war had become the most serious business of the state, the key to survival or ruin. The author of this and other pithy aphorisms on how to successfully fight a war was Sun Tzu. Sun Tzu scholars place his writing "The Art of War" in the Warring States Period, based on the descriptions of warfare in the text. The book has received great exposure in the west starting in the eighteenth century after being translated by a French missionary. It has been reported that Napoleon studied the text and effectively put many of its teachings to good use. For the past 2,000 years, it has been the most important military treatise in all of Asia, even known by name with the common people. Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese military figures have studied it and employed its concepts to good effect. This is especially evident in the military tactics of 20th century revolutionaries like Mao Zedong and Ho Chi Minh.
The book is comprised of 13 chapters. The thesis of Sun's work is one should employ an army after a thorough analysis mandated by careful planning and the formulation of an overall strategy before embarking on a campaign. Sun emphasizes rational self-control, influenced by Daoist teachings throughout the book.
Chap 1-Laying Plans 18. All warfare is based on deception. 19. Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near.
Chap 6-Weak Points And Strong 8. Hence that general is skillful in attack whose opponent does not know what to defend; and he is skillful in defense whose opponent does not know what to attack.
The best translation is the Samuel B. Griffith edition 』
(A book that helped shape the world) 『One of the oldest and probably one of the most historically relevant books on warfare, The Art of War, was a huge influence on shaping the Eastern world. The philosophy taught is the positioning of soldiers and how to react quickly to the changing environments of the battlefield -- where, of course, the uncertainty of combat requires a soldier to not only make quick decisions, but the right counter strike. Fail, and you may lose your life. Too many mistakes, and you may lose the war. The book is divided into 13 chapters and depending on the translation gives the names. I will use the most common translation to list the chapters:
I. Laying Plans II. Waging War III. Attack by Stratagem IV. Tactical Dispositions V. Energy VI. Weak Points and Strong VII. Maneuvering VIII. Variation of Tactics IX. The Army on the March X. Terrain XI. The Nine Situations XII. The Attack by Fire XIII. The Use of Spies
Chapter I: Is about the fundamentals and planning of war: the way, seasons, terrain, leadership, and management Chapter II: The cost effectiveness of war. Chapter III: Explains how the strength of the phalanx is unity Chapter IV: Explains that defending the troop's position is crucial Chapter V: Building momentum Chapter VI: Take advantage of your opponent's weakness Chapter VII: Avoid direct contact Chapter VIII: Flexibility in your counter attack Chapter IX: evaluating the intentions of others. Chapter X: There are three general areas of resistance: distance, dangers, and barriers, and the six types of ground positions that arise from them. Each of these six field positions offer certain advantages and disadvantages. Chapter XI: Describe nine common situations in a campaign Chapter XII: It examines the five targets for attack, the five types of environmental attack, and the appropriate responses to such attack. Chapter XIII: The importance of developing good information sources
This book has so much cultural relevance that anything I write won't give it the praise it is due...or describe just how important it was in shaping modern warfare. So, all I can say is just read it and find out for yourself what all the fuss is about.』
(mixed commentary/text makes this an awful edition) 『All I want to do is read the Art of War, but this edition mixes the commentary with the text, which makes reading on the Kindle really difficult. In a real book, the commentary is at the bottom and you can ignore it. On this, it's all mixed in and makes it nearly impossible to read. I'm deleting it.』 『Compiled during the Warring States period of 475-221 B.C.E., The Art of War has had an enormous impact on the development of Chinese military strategy over the past two thousand years and occupies an important place in East Asian intellectual history. It is the first known attempt to formulate a rational basis for the planning and conduct of military operations, and while numerous editions of the work exist, Victor Mair's translation is the first to remain true to the original structure and essential style of the text.
Mair's fidelity to the original, along with his insightful commentary and reliance on archaeologically recovered manuscripts, breaks new ground in solving The Art of War's difficult textual and contextual problems. He confronts complex questions concerning the authorship of the work, asserting that Sun Wu, a supposed strategist of the Spring and Autumn period (770-476 B.C.E.) to whom the text is traditionally attributed, never existed. Instead, Mair claims that The Art of War coalesced over a period of around seventy-five years, from the middle of the fourth century to the first quarter of the third century B.C.E.
Mair also reveals the way The Art of War reflects historical developments in technological and military strategy in civilizations throughout Eurasia, especially in regards to iron metallurgy. He demonstrates the close link between the philosophy in The Art of War and Taoism and discusses the reception of the text from the classical period to today. Finally, Mair highlights previously unaddressed stylistic and statistical aspects and includes philological annotations that present new ways of approaching the intellectual and social background of the work. A phenomenal achievement, Mair's comprehensive translation is an indispensable resource for today's students, strategists, and scholars.』
Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Muscular fiction at its best!) 『When a foul-tempered old sailor, takes up residence at his parents' inn, young Jim Hawkins little realizes that the man is on the run. But, when the Captain dies with a group of pirates closing in, Jim ends up with a map to a huge pirate treasure in his hands. Now, together with Dr. Livesey and Squire Trelawney, the three find themselves a ship, and set out to find this marvelous treasure island. But there's dirty work afoot, and it will take all of Jim pluck and daring if he is going to win through to the treasure...or even just to stay alive!
Well, I have seen a number of movies based on this true classic of Western literature, but I have finally read the original story. As for me, I found it to be quite entertaining - filled with lots of danger and daring-do. I have read a lot of late 19th/early 20th century boy's book, and this one is the king of the genre. No yucky romance, indeed, little in the way of females at all. It's muscular fiction, of the sort that boys have read for many generations.
I must say that I really liked Mr. Stevenson's portrayal of the pirate life - trying to maintain order and discipline amongst a violent and highly-individualized crew, and so forth. I found the book to be very realistic, and all the more entertaining for that.
This is a great book, one that has stood the test of time and truly deserves to be called a classic. I highly recommend this book to all boys, and all men who are boys at heart! (And, to all girls who like muscular fiction!)』
(Great pirate yarn) 『I've actually never read this before, but since I could get it for free on my Kindle, I thought it was worth a try. So right! It deserves its reputation. A swashbuckling tale of intrigue and fun. Truly worth the time it took to read it.』
(Booty Isle...Arrrgh!) 『Avast, me hearties!
Capt Flint, th' most feared buccanneer on th' high sea be dead, an' Billy Bones, his first mate knows 'ere Flint buried his booty. Bones be a buccanneer who loves his rum an' when he drinks hisself t' Davy Jones' locker, 12-year-old Jim Hawkins comes upon Flint's map. Jim an' his shipmates Doctor Livsey an' Mr. Trelawny, set sail fer riches an' adventure. But shi'er me timbers, thar's treachery afoot. Long John Silver, th' one legged buccanneer wi' a heart as black as a bilge rat's belly, be plottin' a mutiny. Jim an' his shipmates must look sharp an' fight t' stay alive on Booty Isle, arrr!
[...]』
(Avast Me Hearties) 『The pirate theme has always been one of my favorite. I'm a big fan of the Goonies and Peter Pan may be my favorite Disney animation. I even enjoyed the first Pirates of the Caribbean movie, the other two... not so much. The pirate genre didn't start with Robert Lewis Stevenson's classic novel but his is probably the most influential. Treasure Island was written in the later half of the 1800's before `Shiver Me Timbers' and `Pieces of Eight' became overused pirate phrases and `Dead Man's Chest' became the traditional anthem of movie pirates.
It isn't a deep engaging story that makes Treasure Island such a classic. Quite frankly it's a pretty straight forward tale involving a treasure hunt and a mutineering crew of pirates. What makes this story a classic is in the storytelling and Mr. Stevenson makes it seem effortless. When I read books of lesser quality I can sense the author chiseling out the words rather than letting them flow. Books shouldn't feel crafted they should immerse the reader to the point where you forget there's even an author behind the story. Movie scripts are particularly egregious in trying to pound out a catch phrase to stick in the audiences mind but I see it in books also. Without even trying Stevenson created or popularized half a dozen or more sayings that have survived for over a century. With Long John Silver he essentially created the pirate template that has been used endlessly from Captain Barbossa to Spongebob Squarepants', Patchy the Pirate. Just don't blame Stevenson for the fact that John Stevens has become a cliché.
Young Bill Hawkins is the main protagonist in the story but Long John Silver steals the show. Silver is a wonderful multi-faceted anti-hero that you can't help but root for by the end of the book. This is the kind of book anyone can read but the target audience is probably teen and preteen boys. In fact it is probably the quintessential example of a book that targets young males, a genre that has essentially withered away from its hay day in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. Perhaps books like this could inspire younger male audiences to read more than just comic books and video games cheat codes (not that there is anything at all wrong with either pastime). Let me reiterate that if you are not young or male I still recommend this fantastic book. Treasure Island is definitely a story that exceeded my expectations and lives up to the title of classic.』
(treasure island is treasure!) 『I really liked treasure island but their is one thing: it's not a book for four year olds. it has a lot of people dieing an d getting injured in that book. I would say you could give treasure island to a 6-13 year olds. enjoy!』 『Comic book version of the classic story of an island aswarm with a crew of murderous pirates in greedy pursuit of buried riches.』 『Climb aboard for the swashbuckling adventure of a lifetime.Treasure Islandhas enthralled (and caused slight seasickness) for decades. The names Long John Silver and Jim Hawkins are destined to remain pieces of folklore for as long as children want to read Robert Louis Stevenson's most famous book. With it's dastardly plot and motley crew of rogues and villains, it seems unlikely that children will ever say no to this timeless classic.--Naomi Gesinger』
Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Tolle Translates Jesus to fit his belief) 『Pass on this book. I started out reading it - thinking this guy had something to offer us all. Instead, the farther I got into the book, I discovered that Tolle has translated the parables of Jesus to fit his particular reality. This is absurd. How can ANYONE profess to know what Jesus "actually" meant by his parables. How did Tolle obtain this divine enlightenment? Again, it is absurd. In essence, Tolle is offering HIMSELF as a prophet. The fact that he's making millions of dollars from this book is a joke on us. He certainly is profiting on his ability to twist the bible to fit his greed. It is slanted toward Christians. Avoid this nonsense and just Live in the present and don't dwell on the past. It doesn't take a book to show you how to do this. Maybe a paragraph or a poem would suffice.』
(Relieved Suffering) 『This is one of the best books I have ever read. The book relieved my suffering and I am pleased now.』
(Live in the present moment) 『We are bombarded by information in our lives. We all try to do so many things at once. I guess it is called "multi tasking".
This book will teach you how to calm your mind down and get in touch with the many inner resources you already have.
Happy reading.』
(This is great!!) 『The "Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle is so enlightening I don't how I went through life without it! Realizing the Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle: Choose format-CD ($69.95)』
(Discovering the Being that's in you) 『Having listened to the unabridged audio version at least 5 times, I thought it time to write a review of the book. Eckhart tolle's words are unwasted, skilfully measured, for maximum effect: Awakening. True to its course, it achieves this by bringing the person back to the awareness of the body, the gateway to our perceptions. What's more, he gives more hints as to how to go about Being in the present moment. Such things as "Watch the thinker", "Feel your aliveness", "Observe the silence that's in you", "Surrender to the Now" have all helped me to magnify and bring about this stage of presence which he speaks about. I would also suggest the book "Practicing the Power of Now", for a condensed version of how to put into action the major highlights in this book.
I've met some teachers that made Being into something complex, quasi-inachievable, and only allowed to the elite few. None of this is the case with this author, who seems to resound the wonderfully simple message that we can have a similar experience as his, simply by being aware of the Now moment. Buried by our past memories, sometimes accompanied with guilt, and anxiety about an uncertain future, we tend to cut ourselves off from this Now perception, to our disadvantage. This book made me understand the teaching that "It's all happening right now", and whatever states of consciousness people such as Tolle have had, is at hand for me and all of us, if we simply acknowledge it.
I will speak to the detractors of this book, who have said that it is "New Age", and "promotes a trance state". If anything, Tolle's ideas are based on solid information coming at once from Sufism, Hinduism, Christianity, Non-dualistic thinking, the Perennial philosophy, to name but a few. When one develops mystical thinking, truth is seen and felt in all paths. This is why he is able to draw commonalities in many traditions. As to the trance state, I would say quite the contrary, in that he brings people to a higher awareness of themselves rather than a submissive and weakened state. If you experience this for yourself, it will be evident that you feel more alive and vibrant, rather than out of it.
In conclusion, this book has done more to help find myself and become further aware of my Being. I've since been using some of the mindfulness techniques in my work as a psychotherapist, and it's been beneficial towards my clients. Reading and listening to this author has made me feel more appreciative towards life. If there's a price for that, it's certainly that of this book. 』 『In the best-selling book The Power of Now, Eckhart Tolle explains in remarkably clear terms how living in the Now is the truest path to happiness and enlightenment. Tolle is a widely respected teacher whose views go beyond any particular religion, doctrine or guru, showing us how we can access our deepest self by living fully, and intensely, in the Now. Amber Lotus Publishing is proud to partner with New World Library to produce The Power of Now 2009 wall calendar. Each month pairs wisdom quotes by Mr. Tolle with the spectacular photography of David and Marc Muench. These twelve images have been carefully selected to support the teachings of The Power of Now, helping readers to connect to this essential wisdom and to stay focused in the present moment all year long.』 『Ekhart Tolle's message is simple: living in thenowis the truest path to happiness and enlightenment. And while this message may not seem stunningly original or fresh, Tolle's clear writing, supportive voice, and enthusiasm make this an excellent manual for anyone who's ever wondered what exactly "living in the now" means. Foremost, Tolle is a world-class teacher, able to explain complicated concepts in concrete language. More importantly, within a chapter of reading this book, readers are already holding the world in a different container--more conscious of how thoughts and emotions get in the way of their ability to live in genuine peace and happiness.
Tolle packs a lot of information and inspirational ideas intoThe Power of Now. (Topics include the source of Chi, enlightened relationships, creative use of the mind, impermanence, and the cycle of life.) Thankfully, he's added markers that symbolize "break time." This is when readers should close the book and mull over what they just read. As a result,The Power of Nowreads like the highly acclaimedA Course in Miracles--a spiritual guidebook that has the potential to inspire just as many study groups and change just as many lives for the better.--Gail Hudson』
price：$12.42
Center Street
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (WWII Insight - European Treasures) 『A fabulous insight into what else went on during WWII. Most instructive about the treasures of Europe. And the evilness of the Germans at the time. We thought we knew a lot about the treasures, but the book really opened our minds. J&J』
(Art history or WWII buffs will probably enjoy it most) 『I received this book as a review copy from the publisher. "The Monuments Men" uses letters written by the Monuments Men and other documents to tell the story why the MFAA section was created and what eight of those men encountered while doing work in Normandy, France and in Germany.
The author assumes the reader doesn't know much about WWII and so fills in the details about the war occurring around them as we learn where they went and what they found and did there. The first part is mainly about how the MFAA section was formed and the problems they encountered in the field because no one else in the military seemed to know about them. The book picks up in excitement (at least, for me) once they start getting organized and start tracking down the movable artwork. This part reads like a detective story with the fate of both the artwork and the men searching for it in question.
The story jumps around a bit in time and place as we switch from one Monument Man to another. The author gives plenty of information so the reader will remember which man this is and what he was last doing, but this started to feel repetitious to me near the end. Also, some stories brought up small points that were never resolved (like a request from a priest to a Monuments Man to get several boys who where his fire brigade released from the Allies--we never know if he succeeded). But perhaps this was because that information was never given in the letters and documents used to make this book.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. I think it would most appeal to people who love artwork or who want to know everything there is to know about WWII.
Reviewed by Debbie from Different Time, Different Place Book Reviews (differenttimedifferentplace. blogspot. com)』
(With some editing could have been five stars) 『The search for artwork stolen by the Nazis in WWII has been aptly described as "the greatest treasure hunt in treasury." As the soldiers who participated in this hunt were also charged with saving historical churches and other historical monuments, they were referred to as "Monument men."
The heoric quest of the Monument Men is an undertold story of WWII. Outside of art scholars and musuem curators, few are aware of the details of their saga. In his book, Robert Edsel provides us the details. He spent many years conducting research for this book and, particularly in the latter half of the story, the reader is rewarded by his effort.
While the research is impressive, I give "Monument Men" just four stars. With some better editing, it could have been a five star book. Here are some examples of the poor editing:
1) Early in the re-telling we are introduced to the only female character of importance, but we do not learn her backstory until some chapters later. Keeping the reader "in the dark" about the background of a main character is a literary technique fit for a mystery --- not an important work of non-fiction.
2) About halfway in the story we are told about an explosion behind allied lines. However, we do not learn the results of that explosion into well into the next chapter -- a chapter that concerns a different monument man hundreds of miles away. Again, the reader is given a mystery, and has to wait for the facts.
3) Seperate from the main body of the text, the author includes several relevant (and some marginally relevant) letters. The typeface used for German/Nazi sources is very similar, if not identical, to the typeface used from allied sources. Since the first few letters are from Nazi sources, the reader is setup to expect letters with the particular typeface will be from Nazi sources. In any reprinting of this book, there should be clearly different typefaces for Nazi and Allied sources.
Still, these flaws aside, a strong four stars.』
(Another work of art by Edsel) 『I was first introduced to the Monuments Men through Robert Edsel's magnificent Rescuing Da Vinci and the film The Rape of Europa. Now here's the detailed story of this little known Allied operation to rescue the stolen treasures of Europe. I read it and couldn't put it down. Edsel should be applauded for his efforts in preserving these heroic deeds and individuals. I can't wait for his next book on the Monuments Men story in Italy. Read it if you are interested in art, World War II, or just want to be inspired by some wonderfully selfless acts that preserved the art and heritage of Europe and the world.』
(Art in War) 『A story with a magnificent and inspiring subject but told in a writing style that is but average. While I do appreciate the work of Robert M. Edsel in bringing merited attention to these heroes of civilization, his book is unlikely to win any literary prizes.
And while the author informs readers in the preface that he has created dialogue, I do not like this practice in what aspires to be a serious history.
For readers who might be especially interested in Lincoln Kirstein, one of the featured Monuments Men, I highly recommend the biography "The World of Lincoln Kirstein" by Martin Duberman (2007). 』 『At the same time Adolf Hitler was attempting to take over the western world, his armies were methodically seeking and hoarding the finest art treasures in Europe. The Fuehrer had begun cataloguing the art he planned to collect as well as the art he would destroy: "degenerate" works he despised. In a race against time, behind enemy lines, often unarmed, a special force of American and British museum directors, curators, art historians, and others, called the Momuments Men, risked their lives scouring Europe to prevent the destruction of thousands of years of culture. Focusing on the eleven-month period between D-Day and V-E Day, this fascinating account follows six Monuments Men and their impossible mission to save the world's great art from the Nazis.』
price：$8.50
Peachpit Press
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Misleading advice) 『As other reviews have noted, Scott Kelby's puns are either something you like, are distracted by or absolutely loathe. In this it is a matter of each to their own.
However a lot of the advice in this book is not useful or very one-sided. For example, the section on sports photography (on which their is an entire chapter) may be summed up by saying "it is expensive". To be fair there is some useful advice (such as many of the professionals take two bodies, one with a wide-angle lens and one with a fast telephoto because you *won't* have time to switch lenses) which is why I gave the book two stars.
The most disappointing piece of "advice" was on "Being careful what you shoot". Kelby suggests that you delete pictures if security guards demand it, otherwise they may take your camera etc. They have no right to do this .... the excellent "rights of photographers" by Lawyer Bert Krages tells you about what right mere security guards (and even police officers have) and it does NOT include demanding that you delete pictures from your camera. At best the guards can require you to leave the area (if you are on their property) but they cannot generally demand that you stop taking pictures from a public area. It is true that some will try and harass you, but you are within your rights to refuse to delete your pictures and they (in particular, security guards) cannot detain you. This is even true for government buildings; although with military bases you are probably on your own =).
If Kelby had claimed that you risk being harassed if you took pictures of government buildings, and that you may wish to delete your pictures to avoid problems then that may be sound advice. But he writes that if he had not deleted his pictures he would have probably had his camera removed (factually false -- if this happens it is theft; call the police) -- and encourages photographers to roll over on their civil rights.
It seems that Kelby's ignorance will not stop him from making very authoritive statements, and to me this brings into question much of the other (also very authoritatively) stated advice.』
(Great tips for amateur photographers) 『Quick tips, not so much theory as many other photography books, makes you feel by reading "The digital photography book" as if you were attending a seminar; where what students are looking forward to hearing is "how this shot was taken" or "what to do" in a certain situation.
I admit I didn't appreaciate much Scott Kelby's sense of humour but this book gave me a push to take much better photos as an amateur photographer.
Have already read the 2nd volume and looking forward to starting the 3rd one.』
(No Fluff) 『Straight-shooting, easy to read, no holds barred writing. Fits my needs, interests and attention span.』
(Excellent) 『This is a very practical, down-to-earth book that you can actually use and not have to learn all the technical details. I have picked up a bunch of good ideas that I have immediately put to good use.』
(Full of trash around the gems of wisdom) 『As other negative reviewers have noted, there is a *lot* of worthless mockery and jokes and gotchas around the real wisdom in this book. If you have loads of time and enjoy sifting through trash to find gems, grab this book. Otherwise you're better off with free web resources, like Ken Rockwell's site, that get straight to the point.
Wish the author would write "cliff notes" for this that removed all the junk and mocking tone. 』 『Scott Kelby, the man who changed the "digital darkroom" forever with his groundbreaking, #1 bestselling, award-winning bookThe Photoshop Book for Digital Photographers,now tackles the most important side of digital photography--how to take pro-quality shots using the same tricks today's top digital pros use (and it's easier than you'd think).
This entire book is written with a brilliant premise, and here’s how Scott describes it: "If you and I were out on a shoot, and you asked me, 'Hey, how do I get this flower to be in focus, but I want the background out of focus?' I wouldn't stand there and give you a lecture about aperture, exposure, and depth of field. In real life, I'd just say, 'Get out your telephoto lens, set your f/stop to f/2.8, focus on the flower, and fire away.' You d say, 'OK,' and you'd get the shot. That's what this book is all about. A book of you and I shooting, and I answer the questions, give you advice, and share the secrets I've learned just like I would witha friend, without all the technical explanations and without all the techno-photo-speak."
This isn't a book of theory—it isn't full of confusing jargon and detailed concepts: this is a book of which button to push, which setting to use, when to use them, and nearly two hundred of the most closely guarded photographic "tricks of the trade" to get you shooting dramatically better-looking, sharper, more colorful, more professional-looking photos with your digital camera every time you press the shutter button.
Here's another thing that makes this book different: each page covers just one trick, just one single concept that makes your photography better. Every time you turn the page, you'll learn another pro setting, another pro tool, another pro trick to transform your work from snapshots into gallery prints. There's never been a book like it, and if you're tired of taking shots that look "OK," and if you’re tired of looking in photography magazines and thinking, "Why don't my shots look like that?" then this is the book for you.』
price：$11.50
Peachpit Press
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (A 'must' for any aspiring photographer or library catering to them) 『Volume 3 of Scott Kelby's classic best-selling digital photography handbook provides step-by-step instructions for making a photo look polished and professional, offering a follow-up to his Volume 2 with a new book that picks up where the second volume left off. Each page covers a single idea on how to make a photo better - professional tips and tricks pack a solid handbook detailing exact settings and options that translate to professional results. A 'must' for any aspiring photographer or library catering to them.』
(Book three for Scott Kelby) 『I purchased Scotts first book and I really like it and then got two and now three and I can say that all of them are excellent. Scott has a way of explaining photography so that you get it. Just the right things to do to get great photos. I teach beginning photography and I use his material all the time for my students as it is so well versed. This series is a keeper.』
(The Digital Photography Book, Volume 2) 『Was rather disappointed witn this book. Expected more details for someone who has been a amateur photographer for 50 years, even though I haven't had any experince of digital camera untill 3-4 years ago. I don't have much experience of computer, got my first only a year ago.』
(somewhat a disapointment.......) 『I have the first two volumes of Kelby book and I would highly recommend them to anyone who wants to take better photos. The third volume on the other-hand has a lot of repetitive information from the first two books, probably only a few chapters are new which he didnt mention in the first two books. The new information which he added are only useful if you plan to do shoots in a studio, otherwise it will be useless. Like his other books there are lots of advertisements for products which can be good or bad depending on you. I have brought some new equipments because of it(of course not the ones he recommended because they are just too expensive for me, better but expensive).』
(Great general reference book) 『I'm a beginner in the photography field and found this book very useful. The fact that I could look into the contents of the book before purchasing was very helpful when comparing to other books. It is written in a way that is understandable to me, even when my native language is not English. Great flow throughout and useful explanations about equipment, how to use them and many tips in how to make your shots better, all from an experienced photographer in a hands-on practical way. Scott Kelby mostly uses examples with Canon and Nikon equipment, so bear in mind if you are a beginner not familiar with the terms used with those brands. I do not own the previous volumes and had no problem getting started on the first chapter of volume 3. I'm considering to buy the previous volumes, this book is so straight to the point that leaves me wanting to learn more. The on-line access to equipment and videos is a great complement to the book.』 『Scott Kelby, author of The Digital Photography Book, volume 1 (the world’s best-selling digital photography book of all time), is back with a follow-up to his volume 2 smash best seller, with an entirely new book that picks up right where he left off. It’s even more of that “Ah ha—so that’s how they do it,” straight-to-the-point, skip-the-techno-jargon stuffyou can really use today to make your shots even better.
This book truly has a brilliant premise, and here’s how Scott describes it: “If you and I were out on a shoot and you asked me, ‘Hey Scott, I want the light for this portrait to look really soft and flattering. How far back should I put this softbox?’ I wouldn’t give you a lecture about lighting ratios, or flash modifiers. In real life,I’d just turn to you and say, ‘Move it in as close to your subject as you possibly can, without it actually showing up in the shot.’ Well, that’s what this book is all about: you and I out shooting where I answer questions, give you advice, and share the secrets I’ve learned, just like I would with a friend—without all the technical explanations and techie photo speak.”
Each page covers a single concept on how to make your photography better. Every time you turn the page, you’ll learn another pro setting, tool, or trick to transform your work from snapshots into gallery prints. If you’re tired of taking shots that look “okay,” and if you’re tired of looking in photography magazines and thinking, “Why don’t my shots look like that?” then this is the bookfor you.
This isn’t a book of theory—full of confusing jargon and detailed concepts. This is a book on which button to push, which setting to use, and when to use it. With nearly 200 more of the most closely guarded photographic “tricks of the trade,” this book gets you shooting dramatically better-looking,sharper, more colorful, more professional-looking photos every time.』
price：$16.60
DK ADULT
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Couldn't have done better) 『I purchased this book (actually a set with "Standing Small" included...a book about the Lego mini-figures) for my grandson's eighth birthday.
He loves it!. He's been a Lego fan for some time, and spends as much free time as he can find constructing, destructing, and re-structuring his creations. Since he also is an avid reader, the combination was ideal for him.』
(Another Brick in the Wall) 『Lego never looked so terrific. Actually, the story of the Lego brand is much more than I ever imagined!
This two book set is a must have for Lego builders of any age. From the development of the universally recognized brand to the stunning photography of the different lines and kits that the developers (builders?) have come up with, this is absorbing. I found it interesting that the brand originally was started with wooden toys, and only developed plastic from the early 1950's onward.
This book is no ordinary book, and the bonus Standing Tall, is superb. Lego is no ordinary toy.
This comes highly recommended and should be on every Lego shelf.
Tim Lasiuta 』
(Nice reference, but not the end-all be-all) 『The LEGO Book / Standing Small is a nice set of reference books / coffee-table books, but is not the end-all be-all reference that I hoped it would be. This set definitely leans toward the casual fan (either child or adult), rather than the hard-core LEGO maniac. However for the price, it is a worthy addition to a LEGO reference library if only for the images.
To date, there has not been a single volume that could be considered the definitive reference for LEGO including the history of the company, the LEGO philosophy, and the product lines (to date). To get a reasonably complete set of reference (as described in previous sentence), you currently have to purchase many books, some of which were never available in the US. These include LEGO BOOK MUSEUM Vol.1 Minifigs&Sets Visual Catalog (Japan), 50 Years of the LEGO Brick, LEGO Collector's Guide, The Ultimate LEGO Book, The World of LEGO Toys, 50 Years of Play, Godtfred Kirk Christiansen en LEGO (Netherlands), The LEGO Train Book (Europe only), and a handful of various LEGO (System), PRIMO, and DUPLO books / catalogs (Europe only).
It would be nice to have a single tome that could be considered THE reference including manufacturing histories, parts, sets, patents (both those in produced sets / pieces and those referenced by the patents used for production items), etc. in addition to the history of the company and the design philosophy. Granted this would end up being aimed at a much smaller market with a much higher price tag, but it would be well worth the publisher / author / LEGO company's time and effort.』
(Photography and details will blow your mind if you are a Lego fan!) 『I began collecting Lego for me about 6 months ago...not many moms have this hobby, but it is a blast. After 15+ years of picking up and sorting the %&**&^%$%^&things, I decided to collect some girlie ones for me....gorgeous pastel ladies who could live in gorgeous pastel houses except when they are under attack by my husband's mean old trolls. It took about 6 months of reading geeky product listings on [...] to figure out who is who and to whom they are related. Wish I had had the Standing Small minifigure book back then because it is just what I needed to identify and buy the female minifigs and house parts. The photography of the minifigs is out of this world; we tried taking photos of some of our minifigs, and it is extremely difficult to capture the quality of detail in this book. Also I now know which ladies came in which set, and which guys' bodies would be great for sex changes into lovely ladies. May the fun begin! The limited text (the pages are mostly filled with photos of Lego) explains how Lego developed in a chronological sequence that brings back happy memories of buying them 18 years ago for my then 3 year old son. The authors did a beautiful job of documenting the introduction of each set and type of Lego. If you enjoy playing and collecting Lego as an adult, a child or an in between, these two books are a blessing. For building ideas, read the above reviews as there are other sources more suited for building things not in the Lego sets. Our favorite is Brick Journal, which highlights many incredible creations each issue. This two-book set is a masterpiece of fine art and history and a very entertaining read. I could not put it down last night when my husband pulled it out of his car as a gift for me.』
(My son LOVES IT!) 『 This is a book that my son had been anticipating with great excitement. He has been a LEGO enthusiast for about 4 years, and really enjoys learning about the history of LEGO, the various sets and mini figures, plus the incredible artisans who are inspired by the medium. He has been poring over the book ever since he opened it, over a week ago.』 『Reveal, explore, and celebrate the fascinating LEGO® story in The LEGO® Book. From its beginnings in a carpenter's workshop and the development of the first plastic brick, to the group's current position as an international brand, a timeline highlights key moments in LEGO® history.
Fascinating facts on every significant LEGO® product line, theme park, video game, artwork, competition, club, collectible and more combine with images from the LEGO Group's photo archives-many seen here for the first time-and inspiring ideas on how to make a variety of things from just a few bricks. Packaged in a beautiful slip case with cutting-edge design, this two-volume set also featuresStanding Small-a 96-page book celebrating the minifigure.
price：$9.55
William Morrow
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Great book) 『The book was actually shipped to me in 2 days. When I received it I read it right away and read it the rest of the night. I liked it a lot and I recommend it to people who are fans or may not be a fan. You should like it as much as I did.』
(Post Secret: Confessions on Life, Death, and God A+) 『This book is as amazing as all the others. Confessions was the one I bought, but it was great enough for me to get the others. This issue seems a little darker and raw compared to the other posts, but does not take away from its originality. A+』
(Postsecret: Confessions on Life, Death and God) 『Wonderful read, i have purchased all previous editions this one was just as good. abit smaller then the other ones but still great.』
(fascinating) 『i just love frank warren's post secret books. makes me feel not so alone in the world and makes me realize maybe im not so goofy....:) 』
(Lived Up to the Hype) 『And the Postsecret saga continues! Yet another great read in the series of Postsecret books! You did it again, Frank (and everyone who submitted secrets)!』
The scallop of large satisfactory ! northern countries and - [ of how much ] botan shrimp are ! tightly.
getting to know the technique of motorbike expensive sale -- Ta -- if -- -
>
