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- Two for the Price of One: More Than an Artist's Bio--A Detailed Historial Portrait of 19th C. France
- An affectionate rememberance!
- Therapy
- Beautiful
- A Vivid Portait
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Renoir, My Father (New York Review Books Classics)
Jean Renoir
Manufacturer: NYRB Classics
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Binding: Paperback
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Similar Items:
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My Life and My Films (Da Capo Paperback)
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Impressionism: Art, Leisure, and Parisian Society
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Luncheon of the Boating Party
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Renoir: An Intimate Record
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Renoir: His Life and Works
ASIN: 0940322773
Release Date: 2001-09-30 |
Book Description
In this delightful memoir, Jean Renoir, the director of such masterpieces of the cinema as Grand Illusion and The Rules of the Game, tells the life story of his father, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, the great Impressionist painter. Recounting Pierre-Auguste's extraordinary career, beginning as a painter of fans and porcelain, recording the rules of thumb by which he worked, and capturing his unpretentious and wonderfully engaging talk and personality, Jean Renoir's book is both a wonderful double portrait of father and son and, in the words of the distinguished art historian John Golding, it "remains the best account of Renoir, and, furthermore, among the most beautiful and moving biographies we have."
Includes 12 pages of color plates and 18 pages of black and white images.
Customer Reviews:
Two for the Price of One: More Than an Artist's Bio--A Detailed Historial Portrait of 19th C. France.......2007-09-16
A biography written by a child of someone famous often carries more than one burden, similar to the responsibility or encumbrance of the overshadowing parental fame. However, in filmmaker Jean Renoir's lovingly detailed remembrances of his Impressionist painter father, the reader gleans more than a timeline of an artist's rise to prominence. The author shares a richly detailed account of life in a culture that--in most areas of France save for Paris--was still foremostly agrarian. In this burgeoning Industrial world, Renoir tells of the rise of his father's art and the changing cultural behaviors, shifting societal patterns and troubling questions within that framework.
Beginning at Louis-Philippe's "July Monarchy" (1830-1848)-- generally seen as a period during which the haute bourgeoisie was dominant and the 1840's which saw financial crisises and bad harvests with an ensuing economic depression--we are reminded of the general and specific trends vis-à-vis how they affected the Renoir family's world. Curiously descriptive, this was a world of street oil lamps and chamber pots; anesthesia was not yet invented (nor any antiseptics); butchers slaughtered the animals on site in the back of the shop; great debates about the inferior railroad system and the overall safety of locomotives were waged (could a pregnant woman harm her unborn child by moving a such great speeds? Did the smoke and soot emitted hinder crops in nearby fields from growing). Adding to the vivid and graphic storytelling of French life are vignettes of the senior Renoir's dealings with fellow Impressionists and art dealers as well as his painting process behind some of his masterpieces. Family life, the defining touchstone of the artist as a man, is shared in humorous and matter-of-fact style ("My mother brought a great deal to my father: peace of mind, children whom he could paint; and a good excuse not to have to go out in the evening.") This book, which was first published in the mid-1950's, affords the reader a complete picture of the life of a great artist during a time of vicissitude and excitement in all facets of French society.
An affectionate rememberance!.......2006-04-22
An affectionate remembrance of Renoir by his son, concentrating the years up to the turn of the century.
Renoir considered himself an artisan rather than an artist, disliked anything artificial, from margarine to ready-to-wear clothes, had among his friends artists, and musicians who are household names today. "It is when you have lost your teeth that you can buy the best beefsteak" he would say, and considering that he became more infirm with age, this truism affected him no less than the rest of us.
Therapy.......2003-12-28
We adopted "Renoir, My Father" as bedside reading while my wife was recovering from hip surgery, and (aside, perhaps, from "Goodnight, Moon,") I can't imagine better therapy. This is odd, in a way: Claude was an old man (and in pain) when Jean got to know him, and Jean was an old man when he finally brought his recollectios together. You might expect cranky, but nothing of the sort: it's a book full of sunny afterglow. Every parent would hope to be rememnbered so well.
The book might take a bit of getting used to: Jean has his own pace and his own way of telling his story. We did it in small doses and I'm not certain yet that I quite catch the rhythm. None of the rough edges have been smoothed off which, come to think of it, is just as Claude would have wanted: Jean speaks with his own voice. You have to listen well, but you know that the voice is nobody else's.
I suppose it helps to know a bit about the Impressionists to enjoy it all, but I can't say I know all that much, and I didn't feel impaired. Anyway, God bless Google: more than once, when Jean talked about a painting or a subject, I key-clicked my way to an image and completed (as it were) the picture.
Kudos also to NYRB (this time) for producing what it does not always produce: a finished physical specimen The paper feels like quality; the binding is sturdy, and there is a small but satisfying selection of pictures, both colored and black-and-white. There is even an index of sorts (I assume from the original translator) but it is patchy and incomplete. That last is a shortcoming, but forgivable in light of the book's other virtues. In the NYRB firmament, this is surely a star.
Beautiful.......2002-02-19
Impressionism is my favorite style of painting so I was really enchanted with this biography. Written by Renoir's middle son, Jean, Renoir, My Father not only gives us an intimate look at the life of Auguste Renoir, it gives us an intimate look at the Paris of Renoir's day as well.
As we get to know Renoir we get to know his contemporaries, too. Jean Renoir writes about Monet, Cezanne, Manet, Sisley and many other great artists. We learn many "little known" facts, such as Monet's penchant for lace and his "artful" way with the ladies.
Paris really comes alive in this book. Many of the places Renoir writes about still exist and can be visited today. This book makes any art lover's trip to Paris more meaningful whether he's a Renoir fan or not.
When reading this book, one must remember that this is not a "run of the mill" biography. This is a son writing about the father he adored. The portrait we are given is very intimate, detailed and loving. It's obvious that Jean Renoir adored his father, just as Auguste Renoir adored his family.
Ultimately, this book is a beautiful tribute from a loving son to a father who was one of history's consummate artists. If you have any interest at all in art, this is one book you simply must not pass up. The last page alone will break your heart.
A Vivid Portait.......2000-05-04
Renoir was far more than one of the world's greatest artists. He was an adventurer, a family man, a man who held interesting views on just about every subject under the sun, and finally, in his later years, a martyr to life. Although this book was written by Renoir's middle son, Jean, it is as vibrant and alive as if Renoir, himself, had just written the words in his own hand. Through this book we learn how the Renoir family left its roots in Limoges and moved to Paris. We read of Renoir's early years as a painter of porcelain and how and why he became an artist, more specifically, an Impressionist. We learn of Renoir's marriage to Aline Charigot of Essoyes, the birth of his three sons and his move to the south of France. Some of the most interesting sections of the book deal with Renoir's feelings about the effect of light on a painting and why he needed to paint in a "natural" setting. Also, most interesting are the chapters on the birth of Impressionism and Renoir's relationships with the other artists of the time, such as Monet, Manet, Sisley and Cezanne, just to name a few. Lovingly and charmingly written, this book truly brings Renoir to life and makes him accessible to all. Absolutely a must for anyone with even a passing interest in art or artists!
Customer Reviews:
what a beautiful book!.......2006-02-21
i purchased this book after viewing this exhibition and i must say it includes alot of paintings that were not in the exhibit and all that were. the reproductions are beautiful, the text is very informative, however, i wish some of the images were larger. nonetheless, definately a incredible addition to my collection of art books. thanks!
Average customer rating:
- Fun, informational and very well written
- A Memorable Book, a Memorable Artist
- A severe disappointment
- Wow! One of my new favorite books!
- A Must Read!!!!
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Suzanne : of Love and Art
Elaine Todd Koren
Manufacturer: Maverick Books (NY)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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The Valadon drama: The life of Suzanne Valadon
ASIN: 0967235529 |
Book Description
In Bohemian Paris of the 1800's comes the novelized biography of Suzanne Valadon, a tempestuous, beautiful French artist who was the model and mistress of the artists, Renoir and Lautrec. Lautrec discovered her artistic talent and sent her to Degas who became her mentor. She gave birth to an illegitimate son, Maurice Utrillo whom she literally forced to paint to quell his alcoholism, making him an important artist. Suzanne scandalized Paris by her amorous liaison with her son's friend, twenty-one years her junior. Her determination to overcome the obstacles met by women painters foreshadowed the problems of women today.
Customer Reviews:
Fun, informational and very well written.......2007-03-22
I loved this book. I couldn't put it down. It brought to life that era of art. It is obvious that this "fictional" book was thoroughly researched and based on the true story. I recommend this to all my art students and to my friends who want a spicy read on artists and that time period.
A Memorable Book, a Memorable Artist.......2002-05-17
As a reader interested in the Impressionist Era, I was particularly drawn to Suzanne: of Love and Art, a novel based on the life of the artist Suzanne Valadon. This very beautiful daring modeland mistress of Toulouse-Lautrec and Renoir who taught herself to draw and paint, was well portrayed, I felt, by the author. The obstacles against women artists which she had to overcome in the 19th century in her rise from obscurity, made for a colorful and fascinating novel and certainly an interesting one.
As a parent, I felt that the passages between her and her alcoholic son, Maurice Utrillo, were by far the best written in the book. The passage starting with "and on the fifth day with the daylight streaming through the window and with the snow plaguing Paris. . . .Maurice began to mix his paints," was a particularly moving one. In her forcing her son to paint in order to deal with his alcoholism throws out the question in this century, "How far should a mother intervene in her child's career?" Certainly, her son fought her desire that he be an artist. That is, at first. She followed her gut feeling and insisted. In these times, in modern psychology, her insistence that he paint would appear slightly ludicrous. But it worked! If her son had not become an artist, he would have remained a hopeless drunk.Yet I kept asking myself as a parent, "What would I have done?" The author, of course, followed the actual facts of Suzanne's life and Maurice Utrillo became a great painter.
Suzanne's dilemmas were twofold. Aside from her problem with her son, there was her life with her husband, a womanizer, 21 years her junior. Ms. Koren, again handled this deterioration well in her relationship with him.
I felt that the structure of the book a bit unusual, having the characters close to her in her life tell their version of their relationship with Suzanne. It was a fresh departure from the usual first person narrative.
I found the book interesting an well written and certainly shows the research and knowledge of the subject matter. There's also insight into the times. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
A severe disappointment.......2002-04-19
The author manages to tell the story of this extraordinary life in the most laboured way imaginable. It is clear that she has done considerable research and she seems determined to force every finding into the story, regardless of its relevance to character or plot.
The attempt at an interesting narrative technique fails (each chapter is narrated by a different central character: Valadon herself, Lautrec, Degas, etc) because the 'voice' of each character is the same and no independent personality or emotion emerges.
Even the repetition of exclamations in French (just in case we forget that the book is set in Paris?) became pure irritation by the end.
I finished the book because the subject matter is of interest to me, but it was a struggle. There is no subtlety in the writing at all. I was suprised to learn that this is the work of an experienced author because it seemed more like the work of an enthusiastic amateur.
It is telling that of the two 'reviews' on the back cover, one from 'Bill Henderson - Editor and Publisher' is too brief to be informative and the other, from Germaine Greer, is clearly about the book's subject and not about the book.
If you are interested in Valadon, you would be better reading 'Mistress of Montmartre : a life of Suzanne Valadon' by June Rose.
Wow! One of my new favorite books!.......2001-02-25
Suzanne Valadon was certainly a woman ahead of her time. It is refreshing to read a book that gives such a clear perspective on all the challenges that women face, as artists, single moms and as sexual beings. And Suzanne managed to live such a rich life in a time when it really was unheard of. This book has let me learn about some of the most famous French Impressionist painters in an riveting and provocative way.
I thoroughly recommend this book.
A Must Read!!!!.......2001-02-14
I was completely intrigued with the overall contents of this book! It was hard to put down. "Suzanne" was very inspiring in the way that she over came many obstacles and lived her life to its fullest. The way she approached each day was adventurous and sensually done. I would recommend this reading for others near and far. To find the locket would truly be a treasure, I wish you all the luck in your quest!
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Black Satin Magazine August 1963, Vol. 1, Issue 6 ( Lots of Cheesecake Parade of Near Nude Women ) Adult Entertainment, Cover Girl Charlene Renoir in Red & Black with Garter Belt & Hose on Cover on Stool, Bohemian in Black Satin, Baby Doll, Tall Rave
Bettie Page,Robin Rogers, Margo Monroe, Jan Grey, Pam Weldon, Toni Reece, Donald Alexander Articles on or By June Palmer
Manufacturer: Sampson Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000JCWBV0 |
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L'Eternel Feminin: From Renoir to Picasso (Art & Design)
Roland Doschka ,
Eckhard Hollmann ,
Barbara Palmbach , and
Ursula Straatmann
Manufacturer: Prestel Pub
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Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 379131730X |
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Renoir's Women
Georgia Sion
Manufacturer: Trafalgar Square
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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Renoir, Auguste
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ASIN: 1857932900 |
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Renoir: The Great Bathers
Manufacturer: Philadelphia Museum of Art
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Pamphlet
ASIN: B000IA23DY |
Product Description
The curator, Christopher Riopelle, writes in detail about this aspect of Renoir, and covers how drawings progressed, with samples, and how they were turned into paintings of nudes, or clean women. Photos are mix of bw & color, and the color is true and well done. Very hard to find. Great deal, recommended.
Book Description
Discover how to make the most of your Paris adventure. Our guide will lead your through the most famous landmarks as well as the more intimate sites. We offer intriguing details at each location; giving you the ultimate French connection. Follow the historic trails of the most notable French figures. You'll shadow the steps of Marie Antoinette from celebrated Queen to the grisly guillotine. The Empire comes to life as you trace the paths of the powerful Napoleon and his beloved Josephine. You'll be impressed as you follow the artistic trails of Monet, Degas, Renoir, Van Gogh and Manet throughout all the top museums. We provide all the essentials for a fabulous trip. Our insider tips on shopping, markets, river cruises, cuisine, safety and traveling around Paris are simply invaluable. Our recommended booklist offers insight into the history and culture of France. This is a great choice for book clubs. Sandra Gulland, author of the Josephine B. Trilogy, "I love the You Go Girl guide for Paris! It makes me want to be there now... Bravo! And -- need I say? -- bon voyage."
Customer Reviews:
Josephine & Napoleon Here I Come!.......2007-09-01
Planning to celebrate my 50th birthday in Paris and just found this book on the Internet (I loved their previous book regarding London). I was thrilled to see that I have read several of the books they recommend so the references were especially meaningful. I plan to start reading others on their recommendation list and then bring their guide with me when I go!
Barb and Polly are sisters and they "do Paris" on a shoestring budget which is right up my alley. They suggest many sights and experiences but always give you an idea of how much, how seedy, how "must-do" certain activities are. I like the perspective they give as two women traveling about because the trip to Paris I am planning is with two girlfriends from grade school!
I think if you are in a Book Club and are wondering what sort of theme you should have for the year... think about getting You Go Girl Paris, read several of the book recommendations and then head off en masse for a trip detailed for you by Ms. Chesley and Ms. Boline. It sounds absolutely fabulous.
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ABC of Leather Bookbinding: A Manual for Traditional Craftsmanship
Edward R. Lhotka
Manufacturer: Oak Knoll Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 1584560282 |
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- Victorian Wallpaper in full color!
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Authentic Victorian Decoration and Ornamentation in Full Color (Dover Pictorial Archive Series)
Christopher Dresser
Manufacturer: Dover Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0486250830 |
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Victorian Wallpaper in full color!.......1999-09-10
This is 46 plates of wallpaper designs in smashing full colour. There are intricate ornaments for door panels, frieze and border designs. Unique Victorian colour palette. Very nice.
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Sky Blade: Sword of the Heavens, Vol. 4
Hyun Kang Suk , and
Ah Shin
Manufacturer: ADV Manga
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Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 1413901956 |
Book Description
Jih-Ro and Il-Geum have been captured! The clan that met them in battle before has now taken the two men in retaliation. Il-Geum is set free for the purpose of acquiring payment for Jih-Ro's release, but he is tempted to spend the money he earns from bounty hunting on himself. The life of the man who recently saved him hangs in the balance, but Il-Geum's selfishness might be the death of Jih-Ro, if the mystery fighters don't find him first!
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- A truly Wonderful Story!
- 1956 Disneyland Cast Member - STEVE MARTIN !
- Pathetic. Leech-Like
- Only for use as kindling to start a fire
- Garbage In, Garbage Out! Utter TRASH.
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Steve Martin: The Magic Years
Morris Wayne Walker
Manufacturer: S.P.I. Books
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Binding: Hardcover
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PLEASURE OF MY COMPANY, THE: A NOVELLA
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Shopgirl
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Let's Get Small
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Picasso at the Lapin Agile and Other Plays
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UNDERPANTS, THE
ASIN: 1561719803 |
Book Description
This is the closest book to an autobiography that millions of Steve Martin fans will be able to find! This book documents the wild & crazy years the author spent growing up with the superstar of comedy, Steve Martin. No one could better chronicle Steve's life than his oldest friend, Morris Walker.
From Steve's early days as the class clown through his struggling years on the road to his phenomenal success as stand-up comic, movie star and producer - Morris Walker was Steve's best friend, and the only person authorized to tell this tale!
Customer Reviews:
A truly Wonderful Story!.......2004-04-12
I loved this book, thank you!
1956 Disneyland Cast Member - STEVE MARTIN !.......2004-02-29
Morris Walker's book, 'Steve Martin: The Magic Years' reminds us of all that youth is supposed to be. The importance of friends... of mentors... of people who see in us what others overlook. The story of Martin & Walker's boyhood friendship takes us back to a time when Disneyland was young, and Orange County still grew oranges. The stories are priceless, and filled with a charm that isn't often found today. This is the tale of two kids; lifelong friends who will always remember the 'Magic Years.' And it's funny.
Here, you'll read of the early days when Martin began working at Disneyland in 1956 at only 10 years of age (followed the following summer by his friend Morris Walker); first selling souvenir park guides & balloons, and later working at the Disneyland magic shops run by proprietor James A. Hume (aka. "The Great Aldini"!).
This is a warm remembrance of the OC "back in the day"; and of a thousand stories that made growing up there something special indeed. This could easily be the basis for a feature film. The summer camp episodes alone are classic storytelling at its best. Move over, "Stand by Me"... "The Magic Years" are back!
Steve Martin's biography tells of the extraordinary career of one of Hollywood's most celebrated artists. From Disneyland and working with the Golden Horseshoe's Wally Boag; to his early television assignments with the Smothers Brothers, Sonny and Cher, John Denver, Saturday Night Live, The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson; to film roles in The Lonely Guy, Three Amigos, Roxanne; Planes, Trains and Automobiles; Father of the Bride; and even serving as host of the 75th Annual Academy Awards Oscar telecast. Steve Martin is a magician, musician, comedian, actor, author, and entertainer extraordinaire.
We are pleased to present the SaturdaysToys.com "Award of Merit" to Morris Walker for this heartwarming story, "Steve Martin - The Magic Years."
Pathetic. Leech-Like.......2004-01-12
I've never seen such a perfect example of a childhood friend trying to exploit someone's success.
Note to the author: you sir are a leech.
This book is not funny. It lacks even basic structure. It is just sad.
How could Amazon even agree to sell this rubbish?
As a celebrity myself, I've actually given this to my famous friends as a guide and life lesson on choosing friends and the way it could haunt you later in life.
Only for use as kindling to start a fire.......2004-01-12
The quality of this book can best be descibed as follows: a literary argument for book burning.
Garbage In, Garbage Out! Utter TRASH........2003-11-30
"DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK."
These are the words I wish someone would have said to me.
As a Steve Martin fan, I feel duped. No doubt, Steve feels used.
So, the only thing I have in common with Steve Martin is that we were both taken advantage of and abused by this ridiculous failure of words on a page by a neverwas that was his childhood friend. Pathetic.
Sincerely, save your money and valuable seconds of your life.
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- She heard Ethiopia singing
- A distinguished scholar explains how she did it.
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A Song of Longing: AN ETHIOPIAN JOURNEY
Kay Shelemay
Manufacturer: University of Illinois Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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Abyssinie Swing: A Pictorial History of Modern Ethiopian Music
ASIN: 0252064321 |
Customer Reviews:
She heard Ethiopia singing.......2006-12-13
Kay Kaufman, a graduate student in Ethnomusicology, went off to Ethiopia in 1973 to study the music of the Beta Israel, Ethiopia's Jewish community, otherwise known as Falashas. Though she managed to collect a considerable amount of religious music in a village east of Gondar, a town in the provinces, the immense changes that accompanied the overthrow of Haile Selassie and the Ethiopian monarchy, overwhelmed her research and she finished by studying Ethiopian Christian liturgy in Addis Ababa. Meanwhile, she met and married a Jewish businessman, Jack Shelemay, from a Middle Eastern (Aden) family permanently settled in Ethiopia. A SONG OF LONGING is not then an academic book about Ethiopian religious music, rather it is a tale of Kaufman's fieldwork experience. It is also a story of cross-cultural marriage, the foreign population of Addis Ababa in the early `70s, and a descriptive narrative of the early years of the Ethiopian revolution. Woven together very deftly, it reads easily. The reader goes back and forth from descriptions of ritual and village life, rural travel, problems for female researchers in a society where most women stay at home, life among the Shelemay family in their luxurious apartment block, and sketches of various expatriates that the author met during her stay. Unfortunately there are no photographs. Books like Paul Rabinow's "Reflections on Fieldwork in Morocco" may give more attention to actual problems of fieldwork---this is a rich description of anthropological research in a most difficult time. It would be a useful book for everyone planning to do research in a politically unstable area. (See also Stephanie Kane's "The Phantom Gringo Boat")
As a result of her research and further work on Ethiopian history back in the USA, Shelemay realized that the Beta Israel had not maintained an ancient tradition unbroken from the time of Solomon and Sheba. They were not in fact descendants of Jews who had arrived from the Middle East at some point in antiquity. They more likely were Ethiopian Christian mountain people who had preserved a form of local Christianity which was already highly Judaized and which had arrived in their remote villages with monks back in the 1400s. The repercussions for the treatment of Ethiopian Jews in Israel and their status in the Jewish world could have been great. It seems to me that Shelemay's conclusions are valid, but after over 100 years of growing exposure to mainstream Jewish tradition, the Falasha are certainly as Jewish as anyone else who claims to be. While her findings may set history straight, they should not reflect on anyone's Judaism today.
A distinguished scholar explains how she did it........2005-12-12
This book, of great scholarly significance, also happens to be a thrilling read. It tells how a distinguished scholar goes about her work when that work is both demanding and dangerous.
Kay Kaufman Shelemay's sojourn among the Beta Israel in rural Ethiopia in the 1970s was accomplished against great odds, and stands as a monument to anthropological field work. Think of it: before she ever went, in preparation for work in northern Ethiopia and while still an American graduate student, she studied Hebrew and Amharic in Israel, then more Amharic and Ge'ez (the liturgical language of Ethiopian Christians and Jews) in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital. And, now in retrospect, the study of these difficult languages appears as the easy part. She often had to work without any of the comforts of Western life, sometimes while bullets were literally flying around her. How many people bring so much courage, so much mental, emotional, and sheer physical determination to a study of anything ?
Once her work was accomplished, Shelemay was able to join the small handful of distinguished scholars who, in the course of about twenty years, revolutionized our understanding of Ethiopian Jews. Among the others are, most notably, Steven Kaplan ("The Beta Israel (Falasha) in Ethiopia," 1992) and James Quirin ("The Evolution of Ethiopian Jews: A History of the Beta Israel (Falasha) to 1920," 1992). Shelemay's own major work is "Music, History, and Falasha History," 1989.
To put it briefly, these scholars have shown the Ethiopian Jews to share with Ethiopian Christians a long history of Judeo-Christian culture in Ethiopia. It is not for nothing that the Ethiopian emperors were considered descendants of King Solomon. These scholars have shown Ethiopian Christians and Jews to share a now-sacred language (Ge'ez), as well as much of their liturgy and their religio-cultural outlook. If one were to look for something to fault Shelemay, it may be her emphasis on Christian-Jewish similarity to the exclusion of some very real differences. This latter task, clarifying the differences, has now been undertaken by a younger Israeli scholar, Hagar Salamon ("The Hygena People," 1999).
"A Song of Longing" only touches lightly upon the results of her field work. Most of the book is taken up with a very detailed account of the nuts and bolts of doing the work: all the unbelievable difficulties, all the dangers, and, perhaps most striking of all, the details of the Marxist takeover that occurred while she was there and that ultimately ended her stay in the country. There is even a love story with a happy ending, but I must leave that to the reader to discover for himself.
In a book of such exceptional quality, the editorial blemishes can almost be overlooked. Almost, but not quite. The publisher and his copy editors were clearly asleep while this book was in production. It is riddled with typos, grammatical errors, malapropisms. The index is almost a joke. The Ge'ez language, so crucial to the author's story and frequently mentioned by her, cannot be found in this index ! The publisher owes it to his own conscience -- not to speak of the world of scholarship -- to prepare a corrected edition forthwith.
Book Description
Darts is an increasingly popular game, and today there are some fifteen million regular dart players in the United States alone. Incredibly, there have been virtually no reliable, concise guides to darts that would introduce new players to its rules, conventions, equipment, and techniques - until now. The American Darts Organization Book of Darts includes succinct, authoritative information on the rules of darts, how to play (and win) a dozen of the most popular games, notes on equipment, basic techniques and strategies, and much more. Also included are sample games, practice routines, and official tournament rules.
Customer Reviews:
Basic Book.......2007-04-11
I guess this is a good overall view of a simple but difficult game. I got more information reading articles on the Internet. I should have gone for something more advanced or with better stories. It covers all the basic bases and if I made a contribution to the group that sponsors darts in the United States I am glad. It is about a 90 minute read - maximum. If I was of the type I would have read it and returned it but I have a conscience. If I picked it up in the store I would not have made a purchase. Lesson learned.
deja vue all over again deja vue all over again deja vue all.......2007-03-27
good stuff out of you Mister Carey, Interesting, informative, useful, entertaining, captivating, for the average dart player, and yet, for the more accomplished, Nugatory, Otiose, Idle, Empty and Hollow! I expect to hear from you....SOON!!!!
good if you are not looking to something to improve your skills.......2007-03-10
good for the absolute beginner. someone that doesn't know absolutely nothing about darts. After this book, if you want to improve your skills, you have to buy another one. But for start is good
Applause!.......2006-11-29
A writer doesn't produce a book on the subject of darts because he wants to get rich. He writes the book because he loves the game, loves the people who play it, loves the euphoria of the "kill shot," because he wants others to experience that thrill, too, and because he wants to make a noteworthy contribution to promote his chosen sport well into the future. He loves the fire, the competition, the team, the good guys, the bad guys, the camaraderie, the wins, the defeats ... all of it. Chris Carey is this kind of writer, and his book should appeal to anyone who loves darts - period - be it soft or steel-tip, the world over.
This book, however, is not just for beginners. If you've played darts for any length of time and find yourself in a rut, Carey's book is your prescription. It will not only help you think through your issues, away from the line, but it is also a resource to provide new angles to attack problems you may not have thought about before or, perhaps, have lost sight of. For this reason, chapter eight - alone - is worth the price of admission.
This book, now in its second edition, is a much-heralded resource for darts players ... and I don't make this claim lightly. I am a darts book author and player, too, and my respect for this effort is, frankly, immense. Bar none, this is the leading book in our sport, the best seller. And, there's a reason for it. Not only does Carey's love of darts shine through, he is a respected writing talent, with the blessing of the American Darts Organization, to boot. Because of these things, and the topics he has chosen to explore, this work is a "must own" for every darter's library.
I was heartened to see Carey elected to also keep the original foreword in this revision which was written by the late, great, Tom Fleetwood (along with an informative new one from Buddy Bartoletta) because - if for no other reason - it shows his level of respect for the darting world's pioneers. And, since this work has received the blessing of a world respected steel-tip organization, I am also happy to see he has continued to discuss matters of the soft-tip variety, too, without prejudice. I emphasize this point because it makes his book truly universal in its appeal, and I applaud this ... loudly.
It looks as though each chapter has been improved, as well, but forgive that I did not go back and compare the '93 version to this one too thoroughly. The graphics that worked before were kept, but new ones were also added to help readers and players better visualize the messages Carey is conveying. It seems ridiculous, considering the volumes and volumes that have been written on darts, but I have never seen before such a well-delivered image like the new one found on page 29. That graphic, among few others, should be pasted to the underside of every eyelid that steps to the line! Had the information from this singular image been memorized by my inexperienced partners before drawing them in tournaments, it would have kept my hands from clenching together involuntarily after their successful effort at a 42, instead of the triple-16 we needed to win a match. Yeah, sure, I'm calm enough to write about it now ... lol.
Finally - while I also enjoyed Steve Brown's insight immensely - to include the pearls from Stacy Bromberg, too, is priceless for the future of women's involvement in this grand sport of ours. Bromberg is a pioneer in her own right, and an inspiration for those who will certainly follow her lead. I applaud the choice to include her thoughts in such an important, long lasting, far reaching piece of work such as this.
All told, this book is better now then when I first read it some twelve years ago. I was then, and remain - simply put - inspired by it.
Good qiuck guide.......2006-11-07
This book can be used as a wuick guide for beginners. It gives some tips and information about the history of some of the common games. I wouldn't recommend this book though if you are really concerned about the complications of technique and style.
Average customer rating:
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Harry Hill's Fun Book
Harry Hill
Manufacturer: Channel 4 Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
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| Entertainment
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General
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ASIN: 0752217828 |
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