Customer Reviews:
Evidently greed kills the I.Q........2000-10-10
"The venerable Sotheby's auction house and its former chief executive pleaded guilty Thursday to fixing commission prices and fees with rival Christie's, admitting they had ripped off clients for years. Sotheby's, which controls virtually the entire $4 billion worldwide auction market along with Christie's, admitted to an antitrust conspiracy uncovered during a three-year investigation by the Justice Department. Former CEO Diana D. Brooks, the first woman to head a major auction house and one of the most powerful figures in the art world over the past decade, faces up to three years in federal prison when she is sentenced Jan. 5."
The three paragraphs above were from last weekend's New York Times. If not bringing an end, it will close at least one chapter, and at least give collectors some period of time when they will be treated with respect and integrity. There have been several books about these auction houses and the way they conducted their businesses. Mr. Peter Watson published this book at the end of 1997; perhaps recent events will bring it back into print.
Mr. Watson's book sparked several stories including a feature on 60 minutes. This specific story relates how Sotheby's routinely broke international law as part of their day-to-day business. Many Countries wish to control art they feel is part of their heritage, and protect archeological sites from being destroyed for the pieces collectors will buy.
What struck me as I read this book and others on the topic, was the monumental arrogance of those who directed these crimes as a matter of company policy. Their arrogance seemed to stem from the value of what they traded in; they seem to behave as if they were a one of a kind treasure for which the laws did not apply. The only other flaw that matched their arrogance was their judgment. The painting that was illegally smuggled for sale in New York could have been sent legally!
A woman who may not have been popular with those who had to work for her, was nevertheless one of the more influential persons in the International Art World. Now at the age of 50, instead of enjoying decades of continued success, she will on January 5 head to a Federal Prison where she will stay for years. The saga is not yet over as she insists the Owner of Sotheby's was aware and condoned her actions. If that is the case, a very distinguished businessman will, as he has said, "diligently defend himself".
This book is not just about art. It is about the greed that allows individuals to conduct themselves without respect for the law, and the heritage of the Countries they blithely destroy. But it needs to be mentioned that without collectors willing to pay whatever the cost of admission to collecting is, are also as guilty as the purveyors. Sotheby's may have "laundered" art, and many buyers may believe they were buying items they had every right to buy. However after reading what I have, the illicit nature of the Art World is part of the appeal. It is at least part of what makes the genre of books involving the theft, the fraudulent reproduction of artwork, and associated crimes so appealing to readers.
Illegal activities within the antiquities marketplace..........1998-05-30
Long-time art world journalist Peter Watson takes us undercover to follow the trail of illegal excavation, theft, smuggling and trade of unprovenanced antiquities that eventually find their way into the catalogs of the world renowned Sotheby's auction house. This well-documented investigation begins with an undercover effort to illegally export an old master painting by Nogari out of Italy for an upcoming London auction held by Sotheby's to the theft of religious antiquities from a remote village in northern India. With the help of documents kept by an ex-Sotheby's employee and several undercover investigations Peter uncovers the auction house's blatant disregard for the laws protecting antiquities from the appraisers all the way to the top chain of command. This book makes interesting reading for anyone who enjoys reading about real-life international intrigue, smuggling, and unscrupulous business practices.
Product Description
Sotheby's has long been the site in London & N.Y. of some of the most prestigious & glamorous art auctions in history. Journalist Watson began an investigation into how certain objects of great historical, economic, & religious value found their way into the auction house. He planned an elaborate sting operation that exposed evidence of smuggling & the evasion of customs & national laws, calling into question certain practices within & around Sotheby's. The news made headlines worldwide, was the subject of a major TV expose, & was featured on "60 Minutes" in the U.S. Sotheby's launched its own internal investigation, & recently made changes in the way it does business as well as in certain personnel. "A triumph of investigative reporting
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Complete Portrait Course (Readers Digest)
Reader's Digest
Manufacturer: Reader's Digest
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
 General
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Drawing
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ASIN: 0276428293 |
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Complete Portrait Course
*
Manufacturer: Reader's Digest
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000JZ67UI |
Book Description
If you are driving, pull over. If you are at work, close your door-unless you don't mind your colleagues seeing you doubled over, in tears, on your office floor. With this CD, taped before a delirious sold out audience at Carnegie Hall, you are there as David Sedaris performs new stories from his upcoming book. A parrot who mimics an ice maker, lovers quarreling over a rubber hand, and a Santa Claus who moonlights from his job as bishop of Turkey-the cast of characters in these stories is like no other. This new work will appeal to David's loyal fans as well as admirers of the classic comedy albums of George Carlin, Bill Cosby and Steve Martin.
Customer Reviews:
Funny and Clever.......2007-09-09
Sedaris is one of the BEST short story writers. I never stop laughing at his wit. You really need to hear him tell a story before reading his great books. It helps having his voice in your head.
Not his best stuff.......2007-06-27
This CD is good, but not as funny as most of Sedaris's other stuff. If you can only buy one CD by him, this should not be it.
David Sedaris is hilarious!.......2007-04-12
Listen to David tell stories about his family and laugh until tears roll down your face.
Sedaris Family is Kooky and Fun.......2007-01-13
I've enjoyed reading David Sedaris' books, but listening to him tell these stories is even more enjoyable.
I listen to it mostly while driving. It seems to help control my road rage. :}
Roll on the floor funny.......2007-01-03
I am still laughing over "Six to Eight Black Men". We make all of our friends listen to it - I don't know if they like it as much as I do, but I don't care. Mr. Sedaris sounds just like that wicked little voice inside my head: sarcastic, inquisitive, paranoid, and funny as heck.
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Live at Carnegie Hall
Manufacturer: Time Warner AudioBooks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD
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ASIN: 1405500123 |
Book Description
Unthinking Eurocentrism explores issues of Eurocentrism and multiculturalism in relation to popular culture, film and the mass media. The book "multiculturalizes" media studies by looking at Hollywood movie genres such as the western, the musical and the imperial film from multicultural perspectives, examining issues from the racial politics of casting to colonialist discourse and gender and Empire.
More than just a critique of Eurocentricism and racism,
Unthinking Eurocentrism also confirms artistic, cultural and political alternatives, discussing a wide range of non-Eurocentric media including Third World films, rap video and indigenous media. Synthesizing literary theory, media theory and cultural studies to form a challenging interdisciplinary study, the authors agree that current debates about Eurocentrism and Afrocentrism are merely surface manifestations of a deep-rooted shift: the decolinization of global culture.
Customer Reviews:
A Provocative, Seminal Work.......2000-06-03
I started reading Unthinking Eurocentrism one night and couldn't sleep until I had finished it. Shohat and Stam's briliantly written, often witty, book is an intellectual page turner. I plan to read it again.
A Provocative, Seminal Work.......2000-06-03
I started reading Unthinking Eurocentrism one night and couldn't sleep until I had finished it. Shohat and Stam's briliantly written, often witty, book is an intellectual page turner. I plan to read it again.
A Majestic, empowering work.......1998-04-01
As a social science student, I found this book invaluable in its incisive exposure of Eurocentrism. The authors treat the subject in a mature manner, and offer an alternative, that of decentering the discussion and making it multi-centric rather than Euro-centric. This book is sensitively written and does not offend Europeans, but seeks to reveal the hidden ways in which Eurocentrism manifests itself. I experienced the reading of this book as liberating and as a validation of my own thinking. I read a university library copy, but I intend to purchase a copy for my children to read - and to refer back to time and time again. It is a timeless work.
Book Description
This digital document is an article from Cineaste, published by Cineaste Publishers, Inc. on June 22, 1995. The length of the article is 1003 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: Unthinking Eurocentrism: Multiculturalism and the Media. (book reviews)
Author: Ed Guerero
Publication:
Cineaste (Magazine/Journal)
Date: June 22, 1995
Publisher: Cineaste Publishers, Inc.
Volume: v21
Issue: n3
Page: p60(2)
Article Type: Book Review
Distributed by Thomson Gale
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The Joy Of Ballet Music (Joy Of...Series)
Denes Agay
Manufacturer: Yorktown Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Ballet
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ASIN: 0825680352
Release Date: 1985-12-31 |
Book Description
Thirty-seven best loved themes from famous ballets and ballet scenes from operas. Includes The Sleeping Beauty Waltz, Saber Dance, and Dance Of The Little Swans.
Book Description
Max Hardy follows his first volume, Standard Bridge Bidding for the 21st Century, with his comprehensive second volume, including contributions by expert players Grant Baze, Marty Bergen, Fred Hamilton, Jeff Mechstroth, Mike Passell, and Eddie Wold.
Customer Reviews:
A Bridge Book for Experts Only.......2003-02-08
I read and studied Standard Bidding for the 21st Century and liked it so much I bought Advance Bridge Bidding for the 21st Century. It was an interesting read, but I found it of little value. This book is based on the first book (Standard Bidding). For each topic in the first book Hardy moves it up a level or two. The techniques described here are so abstract and theoretical I would need a partner who studied it with me and practiced with me for a long time. There is no one on the internet sites who use these techniques. The conventions and gadgets are for the most part, not intuitive. They require a LOT of memory work. I have enough problems playing what everyone else plays. I can see Experts experimenting with this scientific stuff, but definitely, not the average "advanced" player. My advice to the average: stick with the first book.
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Minority Broadcast Ownership
Gregory L. Rohde
Manufacturer: Novinka Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 1590334388 |
Book Description
This digital document is an article from Federal Communications Law Journal, published by University of California at Los Angeles, School of Law on May 1, 1999. The length of the article is 4728 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.
From the author: In Metro Broadcasting, Inc. v. FCC, the Court found a nexus between minority ownership and diversity of viewpoint. The recent Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod v. FCC decision dismissed the government's arguments that a nexus exists between minority employment in broadcast stations and greater diversity in broadcast programming, and that the government has an interest in fostering such diversity. Given the challenge of the Lutheran Church opinion and potentially significant changes in the regulation and operation of the broadcast market, sole reliance on Metro Broadcasting's holdings may be ill advised and a new study documenting the continued existence of the nexus may be warranted.
Citation Details
Title: Measuring the nexus: the relationship between minority ownership and broadcast diversity after Metro Broadcasting.
Author: Allen S., IV Hammond
Publication:
Federal Communications Law Journal (Refereed)
Date: May 1, 1999
Publisher: University of California at Los Angeles, School of Law
Volume: 51
Issue: 3
Page: 627
Distributed by Thomson Gale
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The Art of the Steal: Inside the Sotheby's-Christie's Auction House Scandal
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Sotheby's: Bidding for Class
False Impressions
Sotheby's: Bidding for Class
