Back of the Big House: The Architecture of Plantation Slavery (Fred W Morrison Series in Southern Studies)

Book Description

Splendid. Using photographs and drawings from the Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) dating back to the 1930s, oral histories of former slaves taken by the Federal Writers Program, antebellum travel accounts and agricultural journals, modern agricultural histories, and the vast literature on the history of slavery, Vlach deftly weaves an account of plantation life in the slave's territory, back of the 'Big House.

Design Book Review

Customer Reviews:

History through Architecture.......2004-02-07

This study of vernacular architecture is a great contribution to the social history of slavery. By looking at facets of design such as settlement patterns and the formal qualities of buildings, Vlach shows how patterns in material culture provide clues for understanding the patterns of history that one can read by examining the buildings. This remarkable book not only documents plantation architecture as an important contribution to the historical record, but it also provides a fascinating interpretation of the subject. It is an especially important study because of the dearth of written documents left by slaves.

Excellent Study of Plantation Architecture.......2001-08-10

John Vlach's book is a thorough study of the architecture of plantation slavery in the South. He primarily used resource materials from the 1930s Historic American Building Survey and WPA interviews with former slaves to develop a social history. The research is solid and comprehensive. Vlach demonstrates ways to interpret the buildings for information about the life of the people who worked and dwelled in them, and he backs up his conclusions with interview materials. It's a terrific way of studying architecture that merges folklife studies with architectural history. The conclusions expanded my understanding about history, and this book is an essential contribution to learning about black history.

Back of the Big House: The Architecture of Plantation Slavery. (book reviews): An article from: The Geographical Review

Average customer rating:

Back of the Big House: The Architecture of Plantation Slavery. (book reviews): An article from: The Geographical Review
John J. Winberry
Manufacturer: American Geographical Society
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital
ASIN: B00092YQ4U
Release Date: 2005-07-28

Book Description

This digital document is an article from The Geographical Review, published by American Geographical Society on April 1, 1994. The length of the article is 1033 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Back of the Big House: The Architecture of Plantation Slavery. (book reviews)
Author: John J. Winberry
Publication: The Geographical Review (Refereed)
Date: April 1, 1994
Publisher: American Geographical Society
Volume: v84 Issue: n2 Page: p240(3)

Article Type: Book Review

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Book Description

an essay, musings on Sun Ra's vast discography

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a real find - really good book by new author
One of those rare GREAT finds in books

Just Another Shade of Blue
Charles Porter
Manufacturer: Writer's Showcase Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Police Procedurals | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books

General | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0595096581

Book Description

Any cop who's been there will understand. Anyone else who wants a peek into the intricacies of a homicide investigation will find the answers to their questions in Just Another Shade of Blue.

When Detective Conrad Garrity is called to the scene of a body discovered in a remote park, he knows it will be a tough case: the victim is a 13 year old girl who has been missing for several weeks. Internal conflict within his own agency creates instant heartburn and fueling the frenzy is a prolific small market television reporter.

As a power struggle with an FBI Task Force evolves, Garrity and his partner try to unravel the mystery. Perseverance pays off, and an unlikely suspect is developed. The revelation is less than welcomed by those who pursue a different theory, but the bottom line is that gumshoe instincts and common sense still rule in police work.

From the aspects of evidence collection, a forensic autopsy, the detailed interviews and discovery of information; to the Grand Jury and to the resolution of the case, Just Another Shade of Blue is not just another murder mystery. It's about the psyche of those charged with finding the killer and the coping mechanisms employed by the detectives to defeat the stress and sorrow of iniquity.

Albeit fiction, Charles Porter writes about what he knows and the pangs of reality ring true. Currently a detective with over 25 years on the job, Porter draws upon his personal experience to create humor and animated characters in a believable plot.

Customer Reviews:

a real find - really good book by new author.......2006-10-04

A first book by a new author, this is an excellent detective story, written by someone who obviously knows whereof he speaks. I found it started a little slowly, but the more I read, the better it got and the more engrossed I became. Then it just took off and I couldn't put it down. The characters are excellently idiosyncratic, the author nails the dialog and interactions between his people, the plot is gripping and well-paced, the narrative involving, and the resolution ultimately very satisfying.
Do yourself a favor, read this and pass it on-publishers need to be encouraged to publish more books like this.

One of those rare GREAT finds in books.......2001-03-06

I found this book to have all the elements needed to make reading a pleasant experience. The characters take on a life all their own. It is very apparent that Charles Porter has worked in the detective field for many years, as the plot is beleivable and is interesting until the very end. This is a book that rates right up there with some of the best I've ever read and I recomend it to anyone that takes pleasure in reading. One word of caution, make sure you don't have any up and coming plans, the book is difficult to put down

Book Description

This third and culminating volume in the Boston Museum of Fine Arts outstanding series on Edward Weston (18861958) examines Westons role in the modernist movement. Comparative illustrations of work by Picasso, Brancusi, OKeeffe, Pollock, and other artists are included to provide a deeper understanding of these influences.

Customer Reviews:

Photography as art.......2003-04-09

The fine black and white photography of Edward Weston is featured in this oversized book and is one of those books to viewed over and over.The book also has an extremely satisfying text that highlights some of the phases of his career. The essays lend insight into the man. Of particular interest was the indication that Weston saw his photographic art in the same light as some of the famous Mexican artists of the time like, Diego Rivera, Jose Clemente Orozco and others. He strived to have his art looked at in the same light as those in other mediums. He was drawn to these artists, their culture and their works. The after effects of the Mexican revolution, transformed into a cultural renaissance was his palette. Also discussed was his mingling with artists of his times and his reciprocal affect on fellow photographic artist Tina Mondotti. Weston saw and recognized the art in the everyday lives of the the people, heightened during festivals, especially of a religious nature. He particualrly liked the pulquerias. He also was intrigued by the folk art created by common artisans and captured these elements with his lens. Although the book is not limited to his Mexican phase, I found this part of particular interest. There are also paintings that were done by his contemporaries with parallels drawn to his work. His nudes are an exquisite honor to the female body and all it's wonderful curves. There are plenty of nudes featured as this must have been one of his favortie subjects. The early works are featured but his later works are amazing. After 1927 his sojourn to California and his studies of natural forms at the beach and in the sand dunes resulted in some phenomenal images. Also his ability to see erotic imagery in fruit forms is inspiring. If you like the visual arts you will love the works of this master photographer. A great gift book for the camera buff in your life.

beautifully printed - nicely selected works.......2000-05-31

The show for which this book is the catalog was at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston during May of 2000. As a graduate student at Boston University studying photography I found this book to be wonderful - it is beautifully printed, and the scholarship that went into the text and editing really offer insight and context for Weston's photography. He is most well known for works like the one which appears on the cover, but the book includes earlier and later works, and discuss how they relate to the famous ones. Weston was active in the first part of the 20th century, and most of the works in this show were taken in California and Mexico. His photography is beautiful and rich and this book would help novice and connoisseur alike appreciate it more.

EDWARD WESTON - Photography and Modernism

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EDWARD WESTON - Photography and Modernism
Theodore E. / Karen Quinn / Leslie Furth Stebbins
Manufacturer: Bulfinch / Little Brown / Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000JVCK58

Average customer rating:

EDWARD WESTON - Photography and Modernism
Theodore E. / Edward Weston Stebbins
Manufacturer: Bulfinch / Little Brown / Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000JVA7H6

Book Description

This book deals with short-term and long-term issues associated with directions of economic development in developing as well as industrialized countries. It examines various aspects of the interrelationships among the environment, energy requirements, and economic development--a topic much discussed since the Rio Earth Summit. It emphasizes the increasing environmental stress arising from such human activities as growing energy consumption associated with economic development; the risk of further environmental degradation due to economic development in developing countries; the importance of global environmental problems such as climate change resulting from greenhouse gas emissions; the role of new technologies in solving the trilemma of energy demand, economic development; and the need for removing technological, economic, and social barriers to achieving sustainable development. It underscores the need for further scientific information and analytical studies, such as improved climate and econometric modelling. The book will be of tremendous value to experts and policymakers dealing with energy and sustainable development issues

Transportation, Energy, & Environment: How Far Will Technology Take Us? (Aceee Books on Energy Policy and Energy Efficiency)

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Transportation, Energy, & Environment: How Far Will Technology Take Us? (Aceee Books on Energy Policy and Energy Efficiency)

Manufacturer: American Council for an Energy-Efficient Econ
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Traffic & Safety | Automotive | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

General | Transportation | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

General | Science | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0918249287

Book Description

First published in 1986

Alternative Systems of Business Organizations and Workers' Remuneration

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Alternative Systems of Business Organizations and Workers' Remuneration
J. E. Meade
Manufacturer: Unwin Hyman
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Workplace | Organizational Behavior | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

General | Popular Economics | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Theory | Economics | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0043311121

Book Description

The European Union is a "union" in name only. In reality, it is an anarchy because it has no governmental authority. As long as it remains unable to move realistically toward high politics, it will continue to be a community of only low politics.

The two key aspects of high politics - security and money - are analyzed in the European context, revealing the hollowness of the common foreign and security policy as well as the fragility of the EMU. Any leap into twenty-first century high politics for European society will require a completely new conceptualization of political union. In particular, Holm foresees a potential conflict arising from the role of the USA as the continuing guardian of the European peace and that of the dollar as the dominant international currency. The enlargement with twelve more countries makes it imperative to develop a political complement to the European project of economic integration.

Erik Holm closes with trailblazing suggestions to such an innovative polity, ushering in a European empire with a composite emperor, an empire that leaves the nation-state room to breathe.

Customer Reviews:

Book Review: The European Anarchy.......2002-11-26

In his book, The European Anarchy, the Danish author Erik Holm addresses many salient issues facing the European Union (EU) and Eastern Europe to include, but not limited to, nationalism, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the European Security and Defense Identity (ESDI), EU enlargement, as well as state and supra-national institution (EU), high politics and low politics. Of note is his discourse on the "new" phenomenon of the intersection of economics and high politics, which, simplistically, is the politics involving state sovereignty, security, and survival. Furthermore, he imparts a general "European" view of America and Americans and the manner in which Europeans think Americans perceive themselves, that is truly unique and hard to find in current international relations literature. Finally, he concludes that the EU is a supra-national institution that needs an "emperor" but is lacking one. In all, Holm's work is truly fascinating but somewhat tedious to read as some of the chapters a more lengthy than truly needed and do not tie well with others, as well as contain some dangling "cliff-hangers."

First, Holm's work on the intersection of high politics and economics at both the state and EU levels is truly remarkable. His experiences on both the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Staff and Danish Prime Minister's Staff as an economist truly come to the fore, allowing him to write as both a practitioner and an academic. Furthermore, his assertion that economics is the driving force in the Europe of the 21st Century at both the EU and state levels is cogently made as he demonstrates that state survival and EU survival his inextricably wedded to economic and monetary policy at both levels. Furthermore, he demonstrates that this economic "wedding" plays a role not only within intra-EU relations but as well with the trans-Atlantic relationship with America and the rest of the world.

Next, Holm's work on EU enlargement is novel. His assertion that aspirant members are looking through a "glass wall," is dead on target, even if they are admitted. By this, he means that because of economics, the EU has stalled membership application and processes to poorer, generally eastern European states, because the current EU members do not want to share the economic burden of their admittance. Furthermore, if they are admitted, the EU will most likely adopt rules and procedures that benefit the "modern" original members and not fully account for new "poorer" members. Thus, any way the aspirant members turn they will, whether admitted or not, continually be looking through a "glass wall" that they cannot fully penetrate.

Third, Holm's discourse on America and American nationalism in Chapter 6 is truly unique and controversial. He goes to great lengths to point out that American politics and perceptions, although of similar origins to European, are distinct and separate. He asserts that God and religion play a much larger factor in the American psyche, and thus in American foreign relations, than they do in the European model. Furthermore, because America was originally a frontier state carved out of the wilderness by intrepid pioneers, that American's by nature are more independent and resolved than Europeans. Thus, when god, religion, and the pioneer origins are combined, Americans believe that it is their given right to make the world better in their image or along their own ideological constructs/ guidelines. As Holms asserts on page 200, "the United States is a idea-state, based on a secular ideology that has universal validity."

However, the bigger controversy in this chapter is his discourse on American elites. Holm states on page 204, that "although American culture claims to be egalitarian it does have an elite." On the same page, he goes on to point out that, the role of politician is "to bridge the gap between the people and the elite." However, he asserts that in America's case this gap can become so wide that it can result in "schizophrenic" policies. While this may be the case, and Holm's limited definition of American elites being of either the liberal or realist school is good, he does not do a good job of clarifying all the elite actors within American politics. In particular, the political elites themselves who must consider their constituency and the impact this has on American decision-making. Furthermore, by this omission he leads one to believe that American elites are more influenced by things that national elites the "world over" are themselves influenced by. Finally, it leads one to wonder if Holm does not think that American policy and decision-making is driven solely by special interest, which is true to a very limited extent, but nowhere near the extent, Holm seems to infer.

Finally, Holm's chapters on nationalism and European history are truly fascinating and in tune with the current literature on these topics, however, they are long-winded and not as prominent in the book to warrant such lengthy discourse. For example, while nationalism is a recurring theme throughout the book, Holm would have been better served just defining it instead of spending an entire chapter deriving its definition through all of its major academic origins. Furthermore, it was unnecessary for him to trace the nation-state and Europe from the Middle Ages to present, as it really had little bearing on his thesis.

In short, Holm's work is well researched and written despite being long-winded and somewhat controversial. For those interested in the origins of the nation-state and nationalism, it is a good synopsis. For those who wish to gain insight into the role of economics in "high-politics," it is equally good. The only major problem is grinding through it all to get to the conclusion that the EU has many problems that are not easily solved or are possibly insurmountable given the 21st Century's new complexities and the preceding centuries "emotional baggage."

A Fresh View of Europe's Future.......2002-11-05

Erik Holm argues that Europe faces an uncertain future unless it can develop a political structure that respects its complex underlying cultural, economic and political characteristics. In a short monograph he provides a very useful overview of the development of the European state system, with special attention to the development of security and economic issues. The specific nature of these historic processes make much of the rhetoric about European unification inappropriate, in his view, and point the way to the emergence of an alternative form of regional organization. While his argument in favor of a European "empire" may strike readers as jarring, he makes a case that deserves careful consideration.
Written in a lively and engaging style, this is an excellent introductory book for the general reader or advanced undergraduate class concerned with contemporary European economics and politics. Whether or not one accepts his conclusion, Holm offers a refreshing portrait of Europe today that is both revealing and provocative. At a time when a new constitution for Europe is under active discussion, this is a participarly relevant. Let's hope that it will be reprinted n a less expensive paperback edition before long and that some of the very minor copyediting errors will be caught in the process.

Average customer rating:

DON'T BUY THIS!

Not worth the money

Incorrect translations, Over simplistic explanations.

Dos and Dont's in China: The Traveler's Guide to Culture
Wilson Learning Corporation
Manufacturer: Wilson Learning Corp
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Etiquette | Business Life | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
General | China | Asia | Travel | Subjects | Books
General | Travel | Subjects | Books
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Chinese Business Etiquette: A Guide to Protocol, Manners, and Culture in the People's Republic of China (A Revised and Updated Edition of "Dealing with the Chinese")

Culture Shock! China: A Guide to Customs & Etiquette

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The Chinese Have a Word for It : The Complete Guide to Chinese Thought and Culture

ASIN: 1886806101

Book Description

Dos and Dont's in China: The Traveler's Guide to Culture (WonderWorks) paperback book is no longer supported or available directly from Wilson Learning Corporation. Thank you for your interest.

Customer Reviews:

DON'T BUY THIS!.......2003-06-13

It is an absolute waste of money... the only thing I learned was not to buy anything from this company ever! The book is about 10 pages of text, that could easily be made into to 2 by taking out the spacing. The information is common sense, and you can find more by spending 3 minutes on any website. Do yourself a favor, and spend your money elsewhere!

Not worth the money.......2002-07-07

This little booklet of advice is really not worth the [money] it costs. It has very few pages, all in large type, providing very little valuable information. My advice, try a different book for learning this stuff.

Incorrect translations, Over simplistic explanations........2002-07-04

This book was flimsy, 9 pages for 9.95, and four pages can be read online, so when you get the book, you feel that it was a complete waste of money. If you are experienced at all with China, don't get this. If you are going on a short business trip, and you don't know anything at all, go for it. But, BEWARE, the Chinese language translations were NOT correct. The most simple greetings "hi" and "how are you" were incorrect. Try to find a thicker more complete volume. The Lonely Planet guides are great.

Customer Reviews:

great.......1999-06-21

Dr. Sylvia Gearing's book could not have helped me more! This book is wonderful!

This is an amazing book.......1999-06-11

this book changed my life. It helped me so much! I recomend this book to everyone!

Female Executive Stress Syndrome: The Working Woman's Guide to a Balanced and Successful Life

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Female Executive Stress Syndrome: The Working Woman's Guide to a Balanced and Successful Life
Ph.D. Sylvia Gearing
Manufacturer: The Summit Group
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000QH9B52

Product Description

Female Executive Stress Syndrome (FESS) is a book about the first national research study to focus exclusively on all aspects of being a woman in corporate America. FESS presents overwhelming proof that women can succeed in an adverse environment while leading a balanced and happy personal life. Dr. Gearing's book is the first to successfully outline the basis for the empowerment of all working-women in today's world. Surprising findings include the following: 1) The healthiest female executives share ten specific coping secrets that are keys to their phenomenal success in corporate America. No research has ever identified these valuable secrets. 2) The majority of best-adjusted, most-successful women in the study identified strongly with both "masculine" and "feminine" characteristics. As one woman said, "I can think like a man and feel like a woman." 3) Top female executives show more hard-driving competitive "Type A" behavior than four out of five American men. 4)Despite working in an adverse climate, top married female executives with children show fewer symptoms of stress and depression than the average American man. Ultimately, Dr. Gearing's FESS is about empowerment through knowledge. The secrets of this book can save women years of trial and error in running their lives by helping them learn from the successful women who have come before them. If for no other reason, FESS should be at the top of every working-woman's required reading list!

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