Art and Cognition: Integrating the Visual Arts in the Curriculum (Language & Literacy Series)

Customer Reviews:

Art builds a curriculum architecture.......2003-04-17

This is an important book that has already been a great help to me in my development as an educator. Efland builds a rationale for the necessary integration of arts learning in general education curriculum. Efland's effort stems from his belief that works of art require a particular rigor of intellectual inquiry to make meaningful sense, and become of value to the learner first and foremost because they are context-bound creations. Consequently, works of art may be understood as personally relevant artifacts only when they are understood in their interconnectedness with social forms and personal experience.

Efland boldly takes us then to where the positivist bias in the human sciences will not allow us to go-toward the proposition that reductivist and scientific methodology is not `the only way to procure reliable knowledge' (p. 5). Efland's aim draws upon an architectural metaphor: to `build a foundation for lifelong learning inclusive of the arts' (p. 6).

According to Efland's thesis, this all becomes possible assuming that one pictures the mind as more than a hierarchical repository of logical-scientific symbolic structures, more than reservoir of enculturated symbols mediated by parents, peers, and knowledgeable adults. Rather, Efland portrays a mind flexible enough to employ different strategies appropriate to the mastery of understanding in pre-packaged, generalizable, and well-structured domains of knowledge as well as ill-structured, broad and complexly fragmented arrays of knowledge. The mind is able to integrate the variety of knowledge domains and arrays into coherent and purposeful maps and models of the world.

Ultimately, the book purports the mind's imagination to be the most flexible and integrative of all the symbol-processing tools at our disposal, powerfully formative and capable of `creating new ideas or images through the combination and reorganization of previous experiences' (p. 133). The imagination can acquire other cultural tools such as language, mathematics and works of art and then utilize them in continually reshaping an individual's lifeworld in accommodation to the dispositions of the learner, also described as the learner's `habits of mind' (p. 118). Learning and the creation of new knowledge may thus be preceded by imaginative, even artistic, purpose and development.

Efland's point is that through the arts, learners discover that irregular and ad hoc transferences between a work of art and one's lifeworld are both conceivable and tenable as an extension of knowledge. A mind can thus made, remade, unmade, and made over; it is never finished. It has no certain form and every possibility.

Not relying upon conventional curriculum architecture, Efland seeks a fresh approach to general education born of a process melding conventional learning exercises with the sculptural sensibilities, the dialogic engagement of the senses and materials that is inherent to aesthetic experience. Efland's suggests that educators utilize key works of art as landmarks for cross-disciplinary and cross-social learning, that we recognize the role of metaphor and narrative in providing the basis for `an imaginative reality', and that we understand the purpose of the arts as contributive to the embodiment of `the myths that bind human social systems together' (p. 171), all for the furtherance of the exercise of human development. It is a bold integration and a great read!

Deshi : A Martial Arts Thriller (Martial Arts Thriller)
Average customer rating:

Good...for the price

Decent if clumsy writing

Better than Sensei... but not great

Fine sequel to Sensei

From another author

Deshi : A Martial Arts Thriller (Martial Arts Thriller)
John Donohue
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Literature & Fiction | Bargain Books | Stores | Books
Thrillers | Mysteries & Thrillers | Bargain Books | Stores | Books
Mystery | Mysteries & Thrillers | Bargain Books | Stores | Books
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Sensei: A Thriller

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The Last Assassin (John Rain Thrillers (Hardcover))

Requiem for an Assassin

ASIN: B000FUTQ6O

Book Description

In each life the wheel of karma turns. Asian scholar and martial artist Connor Burke, who continues to labor under the stern tutelage of the master warrior Yamashita Sensei, is drawn once again into a murder investigation when the police discover a link between the victim and a mysterious martial arts sensei named Kita Takanobu. Kita has created a powerful New Age synthesis of Tibetan mysticism and the lethal heritage of the samurai. Along the way, Burke also finds himself pulled into the strange orbit of the Tibetan Lama Changpa, a mystic and clairvoyant who sees the dark clouds drawing in around Kita but is helpless to prevent a tragedy, as he follows a trail that ultimately leads to Kita's elite mountain temple where he will face his most deadly challenge ever.

Customer Reviews:

Good...for the price.......2007-06-12

Deshi was an ok book it didn't quite reach the level of Mr. Donohue's first book ''Sensei'' I felt that Deshi sort lacked that wonderful tension building and climax that sensei had. As well the characters seemed to aimlessly sort of ramble about in the book not quite capable of doing their jobs. Donohue writes well as usual and I truly enjoyed the fight scenes, but then again they seemed quite short and yes, even though this is a mystery/detective series I felt that a little more focus could have been given to that. I give it 3.5 stars and will buy his next for sure.

Decent if clumsy writing.......2006-03-29

The author has a decent touch with action sequences (few though they are in this book). And he seems to have a real affinity for martial arts which comes across in his writing and enriches his story. But he is very akward at moving the plot forward and constantly depends on groups of characters sitting around dicussion what happened. "Why did this clue appear earlier? What is the significance of this event? What trends should we see based on events so far." Very clumsy style which veers into Hardy Boys book territory. But when he finishes explaining everything that's happended so far he writes competently. If you got the book free and like the genre it's worth reading on a plane.

Better than Sensei... but not great.......2006-02-20

I just finished Deshi so I want to write a review while I'm still "under it's influence." First, let me say that in my opinion Deshi is better than Sensei. Connor Burke (the protagonist) is so dimwitted in Sensei that I had a hard time enjoying the book. In Deshi, Connor is once again dim witted, but not so bad that I wanted to throw the book across the room. Actually it is Burke's emotional weaknesses that stand out in both books... something I hope Donohue will fix in his next book (should there be one).

The action in Deshi is also better in my mind. At one point Connor goes to a "Ninja" school (no really, I'm not joking). He fights a street ninja, and the fight description is pretty good. The one problem that Donohue has is that his main guy is a kendo master, and it is hard to describe a sword fight to those of us that don't have formal kendo training. So instead of creating detailed fights, he tends to gloss over them and focus on who wins. That's unfortunate, because Donohue is a real expert and could share a lot of information about technique and style.

The story in Deshi is more complicated than Sensei. Of course that's not saying much, since Sensei's story line could be written on a Chinese fortune cookie. The problem with Deshi's story is that as the reader there is no way for you to know what's going on. It's not a mystery you can solve. You simply have to ride along hoping that he'll clue you in eventually. And that doesn't come until the final pages. In my opinion, neither Deshi nor Sensei are very good stories, but I do like this genre. I hope that Donohue can improve, and if not, we always have Eisler's Rain series and Bradley's Process of Elimination.

Fine sequel to Sensei.......2006-02-17

I am drawn to many cultures, ways of life to learn. John Donohue follows the further adventures of martial arts student and master in a satisfying sequel to Sensei. For those who are trying to find Gone With the Wind, fuggettaboutit. For those who like to read of martial arts, tibetan enlightenment, and a continuation of a wondeful cast, this is for you.
Looking forward to the next outing.

From another author.......2006-01-21

Let me start by saying that I'm a dedicated fan of this genre. That means of course that I've read Lustbader, Trevanian, Eisler, and now both of Donohue's books. This particular book came by recommendation of my father, also a huge martial arts fan (and fellow practictioner). I can totally respect Donohue's effort, because I know first hand how hard it is to put together a compelling martial arts thriller. I recently published a martial arts novel. My book features a Judo/Kenpo master hunting a world-class sniper whose killing presidential candidates. It's more of a mainstream thriller inspired by Lustabader's early erotic martial arts violence. See "Process of Elimination" if interested. End of shamelesss plug!

As another author writing in this same genre, I was very excited to pick up Donohue's "Sensei" (and then "Deshi"). I posted a review of "Sensei" as well, should you care to read it.

In Deshi, Connor is once again called in by the police (his brother and partner) to help with a murder case. There's a lot going on in the book behind the scenes, involving Chinese spies, a Tibetan Lama, some hired thugs, and a martial artist with something to hide. It's weird for me to even say this, but the complication in the plot sort of gets in the way of the story. Even as I finished the book, and I came to understand who was doing what and why, I was left a bit confused. I guess it's because there really isn't any way to figure out the book until Donohue finally walks you through it. It's not one of those stories where you can pick out clues and figure things out. You simply go along for the ride and then listen quietly as the author finally clues you in. Still, I like the authenticity of the martial arts and can overlook the lackluster feeling that I came away with.

Overall, I liked "Deshi" better than "Sensei." The story is unique, and there is more action. Like his first book, "Deshi" is also a quick read (a couple of hours). But complaints aside, I learned some things, and never put it down until it was finished. I guess that earns it 4 stars (but just barely).

Expressive Movement: Posture and Action in Daily Life, Sports, and the Performing Arts

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Expressive Movement: Posture and Action in Daily Life, Sports, and the Performing Arts
Alexandra Pierce , and Roger Pierce
Manufacturer: Da Capo
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

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Action Therapy With Families and Groups: Using Creative Arts Improvisation in Clinical Practice

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Action Therapy With Families and Groups: Using Creative Arts Improvisation in Clinical Practice

Manufacturer: American Psychological Association (APA)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Clinical Psychology | Psychology & Counseling | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

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GARF Assessment Sourcebook

ASIN: 1591470129

The Interface of Language, Vision, and Action: Eye Movements and the Visual World

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The Interface of Language, Vision, and Action: Eye Movements and the Visual World
John Henderson
Manufacturer: Psychology Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 1841690899

Book Description

People often use language to guide action in the real world. These actions frequently involve objects in the immediate physical environment, and therefore engage systems responsible for visual perception and complex motor control in addition to language processing. This book explores how spoken language is comprehended and produced when a person is confronted with a visual world and a specific task to perform on it. The chapters, written by major figures in psycholinguistics and visual cognition, cover topics such as scene processing, language comprehension, language production, and the visual-world methodology. The book ties together the evolutionarily significant domains of language, vision, and action, and will be indispensable to scientists working in these areas.

Action rhymes: Activities, art, movement

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Action rhymes: Activities, art, movement
Carolyn Luetje
Manufacturer: Edupress
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

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ASIN: B0006YKO5Q

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Action! Movement in Art (Artventure)
Anne Civardi
Manufacturer: Smart Apple Media
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Library Binding

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ASIN: 1583406255

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Drawing figure movement
John Croney
Manufacturer: Van Nostrand Reinhold
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Binding: Unknown Binding

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Einstein Meets Magritte: An Interdisciplinary Reflection: The White Book of `Einstein Meets Magritte' (Einstein Meets Magritte: An Interdisciplinary Reflection ... Nature, Art, Human Action and Society)

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Einstein Meets Magritte: An Interdisciplinary Reflection: The White Book of `Einstein Meets Magritte' (Einstein Meets Magritte: An Interdisciplinary Reflection ... Nature, Art, Human Action and Society)

Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0792357574

Book Description

Einstein Meets Magritte: An Interdisciplinary Reflection presents insights of the renowned key speakers of the interdisciplinary Einstein meets Magritte conference (1995, Brussels Free University). The contributions elaborate on fundamental questions of science, with regard to the contemporary world, and push beyond the borders of traditional approaches. All of the articles in this volume address this fundamental theme, but somewhere along the road the volume expanded to become much more than a mere expression of the conference's dynamics. The articles not only deal with several scientific disciplines, they also confront these fields with the full spectrum of contemporary life, and become new science. As such, this volume presents a state-of-the-art reflection of science in the world today, in all its diversity. The contributions are accessible to a large audience of scientists, students, educators, and everyone who wants to keep up with science today.

Encyclopedia of Activism and Social Justice. THREE VOLUME SET

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Encyclopedia of Activism and Social Justice. THREE VOLUME SET

Manufacturer: Sage Publications, Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 141291812X

Book Description

This is an important historical period in which to develop communication models aimed at creating opportunities for citizens to find a voice for new experiences and social concerns. Such basic social problems as inequality, poverty, and discrimination pose a constant challenge to policies that serve the health and income needs of children, families, people with disabilities, and the elderly. Important changes both in individual values and civic life are occurring in the United States and in many other nations.

Recent trends such as the globalization of commerce and consumer values, the speed and personalization of communication technologies, and an economic realignment of industrial and information-based economies are often regarded as negative. Yet there are many signs - from the WTO experience in Seattle to the rise of global activism aimed at making biotechnology accountable - that new forms of citizenship, politics, and public engagement are emerging.

The Encyclopedia of Activism and Social Justice presents a comprehensive overview of the field with topics of varying dimensions, breadth, and length. This three-volume Encyclopedia is designed for readers to understand the topics, concepts, and ideas that motivate and shape the fields of activism, civil engagement, and social justice and includes biographies of the major thinkers and leaders who have influenced and continue to influence the study of activism.

Key Features

Offers multidisciplinary perspectives with contributions from the fields of education, communication studies, political science, leadership studies, social work, social welfare, environmental studies, health care, social psychology, and sociology
Provides an easily recognizable approach to topics, ideas, persons, and concepts based on alphabetical and biographical listings in civil engagement, social justice, and activism
Addresses both small-scale social justice concepts and more large-scale issues
Includes biography pieces indicating the concepts, ideas, or legacies of individuals and groups who have influenced current practice and thinking such as John Stuart Mill, Rachel Carson, Mother Jones, Martin Luther King, Jr., Karl Marx, Mohandas Gandhi, Nelson and Winnie Mandela, Dorothy Day, and Thomas Merton

Engines of the Black Power Movement: Essays on the Influence of Civil Rights Actions, Arts, And Islam

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Engines of the Black Power Movement: Essays on the Influence of Civil Rights Actions, Arts, And Islam

Manufacturer: McFarland & Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Civil Rights & Liberties | Current Events | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0786425407
Release Date: 2006-12-12

Product Description

The decade of the 1960s was an era of protest in America, and strides toward racial equality were among the most profound effects of the challenges to America's status quo. But have civil rights for African Americans been furthered, or even maintained, in the four decades since the Civil Rights movement began? To a certain extent, the movement is popularly perceived as having regressed, with the real issues tabled or hidden. With a view to assessing losses and gains, this collection of 17 essays examines the evolution and perception of the African American civil rights movement from its inception through today.

Ceramics: Catalogue of the Collection of Mrs. Leonard M. Sperry and a Monograph by Otto Natzler. (Photography by Max Yavno).
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Ceramics: Catalogue of the Collection of Mrs. Leonard M. Sperry and a Monograph by Otto Natzler. (Photography by Max Yavno).
Gertrud and Otto NATZLER. NATZLER
Manufacturer: Los Angeles County Museum of Art
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000OXCZAG

The Photography of Max Yavno
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The Photography of Max Yavno
Max and Ben Maddow Yavno
Manufacturer: Univ of California Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000KV5TMS

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The Photography of Max Yavno
Max Yavno , and Ben Maddow
Manufacturer: University of California Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Collections, Catalogues & Exhibitions | Photography | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0520042387

The Photography of Max Yavno
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The Photography of Max Yavno
Max; Maddow, Ben Yavno
Manufacturer: University of California Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OLTA4C

Book Description

The first Shadowhawk trade in a dozen years collects issues 1-4 of the all-new, sold out Shadowhawk series by Jim Keplinger and Carlos Rodriguez! Also included is The Return of Shadowhawk issue by Jim Valentino - all in one handsome volume! A special character retrospective brings new and old readers alike up-to-date on the revitalization of an Image Icon!

Amazon.com

Nora Kuzma was a troubled teenager from Steubenville, Ohio; Traci Lords was the underage skin mag/porn queen who became the centerpiece of the adult video industry's greatest scandal. In reality, they were one and the same, the subject of this slick, if thin autobiography. But what's striking here is not the familiar storyline--confused, sexually abused teen falls in with drugs and the wrong Southern California crowd, forges fake IDs to become Penthouse Pet of the Month at 16 and the '80s hottest adult star, then arrested as focus of the Reagan administration's crackdown on porn, only to become reborn as cleaned-up, psychoanalyzed/rehabed purveyor of legitimate film, TV, and music career. Rather, what's striking is Lords's capacity for denial, compartmentalization, and myopia when it serves her ends.

Her scandalous tenure in the skin trade--undeniably the sole basis for her infamy and subsequent legitimate career--is glossed over here in a few score pages, with more attention paid to the heavy-metal musicians that dotted her life than the motivations and machinations of the Feds who literally changed her life; Slash's snake gets more ink here than Attorney General Ed Meese. Quick to ladle generous sympathy on her own plight, she heaps little but scorn upon those from the seedy past of her porn-star alter-ego, yet seems to have had few qualms about formally adopting that moniker as her legal name. --Jerry McCulley

Book Description

The moving, gripping, and tell–all autobiography of Traci Elizabeth Lords, a former child porn queen, electronica maven, and cult movie and TV star.

At 14, Nora Kuzma ran away from home and ended up on the dirty streets of Hollywood. She fell in with a fast crowd, and her dreams of modelling soon landed her a spectacular centrefold in Penthouse Magazine, where at 15 she became internationally known as TRACI LORDS. From there she appeared in numerous adult films and magazines, denying her past and battling a deep addiction to cocaine and men. Three years later she got out. This is her memoir–a tale of loss, redemption, and ultimate survival as Traci Elizabeth Lords takes you into her secretive past, faces her demons, and shares her extraordinary journey of personal growth.

Customer Reviews:

Lords of the Dance.......2007-03-05

Traci Lords became famous or infamous, it depends how you see her situation, after she and the adult film industry were caught with their pants down. Which's isn't a bad thing in porn unless your under 18 which Traci was for most of her triple X career. So 20 years later it's not surprising that Ms. Lords revisits that dark time in her life.

The first half of the book is compelling. In it she details her young life in Ohio working class towns. It's probably no surprise that she had father issues. Her Dad was abusive and her Mom, making a series of bad decisions, dropped that deadbeat for an even sleazier deadbeat. Traci was also developing at an early age found that her sex not only brought unwanted attention, but often unwanted advances. A move to California and the drug culture combined to make the perfect storm for young Traci. By 15 she was posing as a model and by 17 she was an established porn star. After a late night FBI raid Traci and the adult industry was busted. Traci would leave the triple X fare behind and strike out as a "legitimate" actress with moderate success.

This is where the rest of the book, which chronicles her mainstream career, falters. It reads more like a resume then an autobiography. No real insights are offered after her porn career and to be honest few insights are shared before and during her porn career. Because Lords avoids many details and offers little insight into her self, we're left with a pretty non-descript depiction of her life. The first half of the books works better because the story is so compelling, but Traci makes few attempts to look inside herself and the result is stunting.

The book is also very non-sexual. This is neither good nor bad, but those looking for an erotic read will be disappointed.

Great Book.......2007-01-14

I think this is the best book I've read! It just shows you how someones life can be such a mess and how they can turn things around. It was really inspiring. I wish I could tell Traci this myself, because I don't like the reviews that people wrote about how they think everything is her fault for getting mixed up in the porn industry. She was so young and didn't know any better. She didn't have people teaching her right or wrong. I don't blame her at all and I'm really proud of her for getting out of it and following her dreams without giving up. I think everything happends for a reason and I think everything that happened to her was so she could write this book and help other people. I know how it is to make bad decisions when you are sad, and It made me take a look at myself. I deffinalty recommend this book to girls. It's really interesting and keeps your attention. If you are looking for a book that DOESN'T give a negative perspective on porn, then this isn't for you. If you are a young girl who is thinking about going into the porn industry, you should deffinatly read this book!

A surprisingly good and inspiring easy read for her fans or anyone who might enjoy a true story about a very long life struggle.......2007-01-09

Sorry for the long review, but Traci Lords has always been an interesting and inspiring (believe it or not) person to watch grow and change over the years - and VERY few people (especially someone in the public eye) have been able to pull off and turn around as complicated of a life as she has. It's nearly an amazing journey that she has been on.. and I'll share my reasons why with this review (which is nearly 20 years in the making)!

My experience with Traci Lords started in the late 80's, when at a very young age myself, I was introduced to pornography by a friend who had secretly "borrowed" videos from his older brothers' closet - which included a copy of an old video she had done. Although I must admit that she was totally a magical form of sexual energy in her films (and that she helped me to learn and discover those emotions, sex, and my own body through my puberty years) - it is hard to conceive what she had actually gone through since then.

Of course, the book begins with how she, as a "lost soul", went into modeling (after struggling as an aspiring actress) and eventually was taken advantage of at her youthful young age, slipping into the "easy money" adult industry lifestyle - never expecting the huge responses she received from both the business side, and regular porn fans buying up all her videos. Traci and the industry were able to basically fool everyone at first, hiding the fact that she was under 18 due to her sense of maturity and fully developed body.
What most people may not know, is that although she made MANY adult films, they were made within a fairly short period of time, and she had dug herself out of that scene only a few years into getting sucked into it. It is the many hard years after walking away that the second adventure would begin for her -- the rest of her life!

Although her fans would have probably loved to read more steamy stories from that early phase of her life (at first, even I did), reading her book will make you discover (in a good way) that she has finally moved on. She offers many of her private feelings - and stories - that deal with everything from her family and crazy boyfriends, to drug experimentation and her thoughts on sex, to how difficult her life has been having to fight against an image she so badly wanted to go away and couldn't erase. This book is almost feels like her "trophy" for closing a very long chapter in her wild life.

She never gave up her original acting dream - even when nobody in their right mind would hire an ex-porn star. She managed to stay clean, quite beautiful, and worked her way up (slowly!) from low budget B-movies to projects like Stephen King's Tommyknockers, a decent stint on then-popular Melrose Place - and on top of writing this book - even releasing a unique techno music album that is quite good for electronica fans and still holds up after all these years. That said, none of the films she worked on after leaving her porn days behind would involve any real nudity - which had to be tough for placement, since most of her MANY original fans were probably just hoping for another "peek" if they rented one of her films, not taking her seriously when all she wanted was respect from people. No matter how low-budget some of her movies were at the beginning, you can really see how hard she continued to try to prove herself as having OTHER talents too. Kudos to you, Traci!
Very recently, she was on a few celebrity reality shows on VH1/MTV (as herself) - and even as a middle-aged woman who had been through hell and back, looked naturally stunning as always - and seemed to still have the same huge heart and soul she has become known for.

Imagine trying to re-invent and/or break almost an impossible image to both the media AND newly found friends along the way? Imagine being haunted by your past and wishing you could go back and change everything you did at just 16 years old, or feeling ashamed for years assuming that nobody would ever be able to truly fall in love with you, care about you, offer you a job, or not automatically judge you as a human being? She somehow pulled it all off, and reading this book actually made me feel a slight sense of guilt for actually having seen her adult videos (after her strong regret for ever doing it). The nice thing, is that it felt good to be happy for a celebrity for a real reason - she is finally able to reach most of her goals, find romance, and accept her past.

Of course, this will never be considered one of the greatest books of all time, but for the bargain price and the simple (yet in-depth) true story - I suggest spending a few short nights enjoying her honest truths if you remember and appreciate the one-and-only Traci Lords!

I Hope I didn't bore anyone and was of decent help. I gave it the 4th star because of her achievements and the books' unexpected positive messages that could easily affect any good-hearted person willing to listen.

Hopefully, Mrs. Lords will read this one day and smile, discovering that on top of successfully creating a new set of fans, she was able to convert some of her historical early "XXX fans" into just a "Traci fan" instead!

excellent book.......2007-01-07

Pretty much read this book cover to cover. Reads well. Great book great read!!

easy reader.......2007-01-05

i really enjoyed this book. easy to read. you really feel for her, how she managed to turn her life around. i highly recommend this book.

Average customer rating:

Traci Lords: Underneath It All
Traci Lords
Manufacturer: Harper Paperbacks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OA5WPY

Average customer rating:

Underneath It All
Traci Elizabeth Lords
Manufacturer: HarperEntertainment
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000KRZ7ZG

Book Description

In a theological study of Mozart's music, Kung discusses the composer's Catholic background--something that, surprisingly, has hardly been treated by scholars--and reveals, among other things, the possibility of a new creative understanding of Mozart's "Coronation Mass", as interpretated by Mozart's music. A provocative study that may even surpass Karl Barth's famous work.

Book Description

Delia Smith is more than just a cook—she has become a national icon with a loyal following of fans and a business empire worth millions. She single-handedly brought about The Great Cranberry Crisis of 1995 when her fans cleared supermarket shelves of the fruit, and a previously small-time saucepan manufacturer saw its turnover soar with a mention of their omelette pan. This book tells the extraordinary story of this woman's life, from leaving school without a single qualification to becoming the undisputed queen of the kitchen. Drawing upon interviews with friends and colleagues, this biography shows that life has not always been easy for Delia, but reveals how her iron will ensures that she remains one step ahead of her rivals.

Customer Reviews:

Where are you? Let's be having you!.......2005-08-26

Delia Smith is a British icon, so famous in her own country that Brits know her simply by her first name. It seems that her fame has not spread to America but it is sufficient to say here that she established her reputation as a host of TV cookery programs. She has also written plenty of cookery books. Delia does not claim to be a great cook but she has a way of explaining cookery so that normal people can understand. After becoming very wealthy, she took over ownership of the soccer club she supports (Norwich City) so, being a woman in a man's world, has became famous with sports fans.

Delia's famous plea (the title of my review) to Norwich City fans in 2005 came several years too late for inclusion in this biography, but it proved (if proof were needed) that Delia is as passionate about her soccer as she is about the cookery that made her famous. Because of the timing of this book's publication, it only covers the early part of Delia's ownership of the club she has supported for more than three decades.

The author wrote this book without any help from Delia or her husband. As such, this is not the definitive Delia biography but I wonder if that will ever be written because it is clear that Delia doesn't like discussing some aspects of her life, especially her childhood in Bexleyheath. Of course, Delia is entitled to her privacy but it does limit the scope of this book. It seems that Delia has good reasons for not discussing her childhood because it seems that it wasn't an especially happy time, according to Delia's best friend at school.

Delia left Bexleyheath to seek a better future in London, sometimes doing two or three jobs at once. Most of these jobs were very ordinary but a combination of Delia's determination together with her ability to get on with people and a few lucky breaks eventually reaped its rewards. Although she had enjoyed the results of her mother's home baking, Delia began as a hairdresser. Indeed, it seems that Delia had not learned to cook as a child at all. Paradoxically, this was what enabled Delia to become so successful. Delia's policy has always been to develop recipes that are simple to follow. This endeared her to the British public but not to the culinary experts who generally regarded her with disdain even if they acknowledged her appeal. Of course, when Delia eventually took over Norwich City, fans assumed that catering would immediately improve. It didn't - it got worse initially - and those problems are covered in this book.

Delia's rising fame, punctuated by setbacks along the way, gets plenty of coverage. Having established herself as a TV presenter, Delia was at one point banished to a late night television slot. The BBC controller made the excuse that Delia wasn't attractive. Pictures of Delia taken at around that time prove otherwise, so the controller obviously had another reason. Nevertheless, Delia showed her renowned determination and made the most of her new TV slot. With such resolution, Delia continued to overcome any problems that she encountered in life. She will need all that determination to make Norwich City a consistently successful football club.

The author has made some mistakes here, claiming that Bill Haley was in the 1957 charts with Love letters in sand (it was Pat Boone, not Bill Haley). In the chapter dealing with Delia's marriage, she writes that Delia was three months older than Michael when they first met, but three years older when they got married. In the overall context of the book, neither of these errors matter much but it makes me wonder what else is wrong.

This book, with all its flaws, is still an interesting read. If you are curious about Britain's most popular cook - and one of Britain's most popular soccer club owners - you can learn a lot about Delia from this book. It'll do until the definitive biography is written. Maybe Delia will write it when she has achieved what she wants with Norwich City.

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Delia Smith: The Biography
Alison Bowyer
Manufacturer: Andre Deutsch
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OPK3DU

Average customer rating:

DELIA SMITH: THE BIOGRAPHY.
Alison. Bower
Manufacturer: Andre Deutsch
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OQ8886

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