David Roberts: Travels in Egypt & the Holy Land

Book Description

In 1838, British artist David Roberts (1796-1864) embarked on a journey that would shape Europe's perception of the Middle East. Nurtured on Bible stories and tales of the exotic Orient, Roberts had always dreamed of exploring the Holy Land, though travel there was an arduous, dangerous undertaking. While he set himself the goal of bringing home an accurate visual record, he returned with a portfolio of hand-tinted lithographs that lost nothing of romanticism. His use of light, color, and atmosphere lent an aura of exoticism to his realistic view. Beautifully presented and reasonably priced, with 64 color reproductions and lucid, lively text, Travels in Egypt and the Holy Land evokes the moment in history when the European and Middle Eastern cultures discovered one another. By Debra Mancoff.

128 pages, 64 color illustrations, size: 11 1/2 x 8 7/8". Paperbound book, smythe-sewn, with flaps.

Customer Reviews:

Stuart McCoy.......2001-03-13

This is not nearly as nice as another David Robert's book, Egypt: Yesterday and Today, but the images are just as beautiful, even in their reduced size. His work is truly amazing and after traveling in Egypt you really appreciate his vision of the past.

From an Antique Land: Travels in Egypt and the Holy Land

Average customer rating:

From an Antique Land: Travels in Egypt and the Holy Land
David Roberts
Manufacturer: Grove Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 1555843506

Average customer rating:

Terrible Production Major Disappointment
A magnificent book, of a special artist

The Holy Land
David Roberts
Manufacturer: Roli Books Pvt Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Drawing | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Guidebooks | Reference & Tips | Travel | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 8880953370

Book Description

During the first months of 1839, David Roberts toured the Sinai Peninsula, Petra, Jerusalem, Palestine, the coasts of Lebanon, and Baalbec, returning to England to produce a series of moving and delightful lithographs detailing the region's splendors.

As with the companion volume, Egypt: Yesterday and Today, this oversized, full-color volume contains the original plates of the first edition, arranged for the first time in chronological order, with commentary and extracts from Roberts' journal.

Each illustration by Roberts, moreover, is paired with a photograph that depicts the same subject and setting more than a century and a half later.

The Holy Land offers an unforgettable taste of Roberts' technical and artistic virtuosity. This is a stirring form of time travel, in search of new, yet ancient, discoveries in one of the most fascinating regions on the face of our planet.

Customer Reviews:

Terrible Production Major Disappointment.......2007-02-10

I ordered both volumes, "Egypt, Yesterday and Today" and "The Holy Land, Yesterday and Today". Nothing could have ever destroyed the beauty of David Roberts work as this aweful production. Most plates are printed on two opposite pages in such a way that disrupts the sweeping landscape effect intended by Roberts. A third grade student could have seen that printing the book sideways in a landscape fashion would have allowed each plate to be reproduced on one page as in integral display exactly the way that Roberts intended it to be, with the text recent photograph on the opposite page.

It is fascinating how stupidity and terrible production can destroy magnificent artwork.

A magnificent book, of a special artist.......1999-01-23

This book pairs gorgeous lithographs made by David Roberts circa 1800 with photos of the sites as they appear today. Another volume "Jerusalem and the Holy Land Rediscovered : The Prints of David Roberts (1796-1864)" has somewhat better and larger reproductions of the lithographs, but lacks the photos. Personally, I think the photos are interesting, but "Jerusalem and the Holy Land Rediscovered : The Prints of David Roberts (1796-1864)" does a somewhat better job of capturing the magic of David Roberts.

Average customer rating:

Beautiful...BUT...
Wonderful Reference Work Serves Multiple Purposes
Mr. Roberts master illustrator

Holy Land And Egypt & Nubia
David Roberts
Manufacturer: Rizzoli
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Museums & Collections | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Artists, A-Z | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Egypt | Middle East | History | Subjects | Books

Book Description

Volume 1: The Holy Land
Volume 2: Egypt and Nubia
Volume 3: The Life, Works and Travels of David E. Roberts

David Roberts is considered one of the most expressive painters and historical record keepers of the nineteenth century, and this book collects his portraits of two of the world's most eternally fascinating regions. In 1838, Roberts traveled form his native Scotland to the Holy Land and Egypt, where he created classic paintings of the monument, cities, landscapes, and people. After his return to Scotland, lithographs of these 247 paintings were published in six volumes.

All 247 paintings are available again, with the original text, in a deluxe, oversized, slip-cased edition. Two hardcover volumes, with real cloth cases and ribbon markers feature all of Robert's work, spot varnished for luminosity. A third paperback volume details Robert's life travels. All three are showcased in a full color slip-case, with cloth spine.

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful...BUT..........2001-12-01

As with all Rizzoli editions, this publication is a joy to behold; beautiful reproductions, printing and binding. Now if only someone had actually done some quality control work on the text before the book was printed: there are numerous typographical errors throughout both volumes and the print on page 140 of the Egypt and Nubia volume is printed backwards (check Roberts' writing on the bottom edge). Fortunately, these errors are not the kind that will make the information presented unintelligible or confusing, (unlike the errors in Rizzoli's The Last Judgement) but does show some inexcusable sloppiness at Rizzoli. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions concerning the problems I have found in these books.

Wonderful Reference Work Serves Multiple Purposes.......2000-11-30

I have been a collector of David Roberts prints for more than 30 years. If you also collect or have seen & been intrigued by these prints, you may perhaps have wondered about the scope of this artist's work. As pointed out in the previous reviews, this wonderful edition contains reproductions of all the original prints. Moreover, collectors such as myself often prefer to purchase original versions of the prints that have neither been colored nor tinted. These original versions often keep their value better than colored versions, although good colorist work often makes the images come alive in an attractive way.

All of the reproductions in this addition are colored, and I feel that most purchasers will welcome the majority of the colorings. In addition, the editors have judiciously chosen commentary to attach to each print that will further increase the great enjoyment afforded by the images themselves.

For those of you who have never looked through an original edition of Roberts prints, particularly the folio size (very rare and nowadays worth many thousands of dollars), this edition will be a revelation.

Mr. Roberts master illustrator.......2000-10-15

Mr. Roberts' work captured the spirit of this part of the world ! His illustrations are full of rich Architectural details, his attention to landscape and people combined with incredible texture and lighting make his art technique a unique romantic vision of his travels and explorations. He had a masterfull eye for exacting proportion and color sense. All 247 color illustrations included in the 3 volumes are breathtaking ! the paper and printing quality is superb ! this book is a must for artists and illustrators as well as students of Egypt and the Holly Land. This is now one of the most beautifull books I own. David Roberts is a master illustrator.

Average customer rating:

The Holy Land I love
David Roberts
Manufacturer: Palphot Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Lebanon | Middle East | Travel | Subjects | Books

ASIN: B0007BKXZ4

Book Description

When world-renowned artist David Roberts was commissioned to paint scenes of Biblical lands, the 19th Century painter was overjoyed. His rich illustrations, of which this book consists, provide virtually the only visual, early records of the region, including the Buried Sphinx, wild-but-mystical Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Hebron, Petra, and the Jordan River. Roberts' illustrations capture 19th Century life in the Holy Land as it really was.

The Holy Land, Syria, Idumea, Arabia, Egypt & Nubia: After lithographs by Louis Haghe from drawings made on the spot by David Roberts, R.A

Average customer rating:

The Holy Land, Syria, Idumea, Arabia, Egypt & Nubia: After lithographs by Louis Haghe from drawings made on the spot by David Roberts, R.A
George Croly
Manufacturer: Day & Son
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Syria | Middle East | Travel | Subjects | Books

The Holy Land: Syria, Idumea, Arabia, Egypt & Nubia

Average customer rating:

The Holy Land: Syria, Idumea, Arabia, Egypt & Nubia
David Roberts
Manufacturer: F.G. Moon
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

General | Painting | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Egypt | Middle East | History | Subjects | Books

Israel | Middle East | History | Subjects | Books

Jordan | Middle East | History | Subjects | Books

Lebanon | Middle East | History | Subjects | Books

Syria | Middle East | History | Subjects | Books

Lebanon | Middle East | Travel | Subjects | Books

Travels in Egypt and the Holy Land - From An Antique Land

Average customer rating:

Travels in Egypt and the Holy Land - From An Antique Land
David Roberts
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Egypt | Middle East | History | Subjects | Books

Average customer rating:

Graphic SF Reader

Scottaholics Unite!

OUT friggin STANDING

Let's Start With Launchpad McQuack (That's not the actual name of the review)...

IM A SCOTTHOLIC

Scott Pilgrim, Vol. 2: Scott Pilgrim Versus The World
Bryan Lee O'Malley
Manufacturer: Oni Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books
General | Graphic Novels | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books
Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
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Scott Pilgrim, Vol. 3: Scott Pilgrim & the Infinite Sadness

Scott Pilgrim, Vol. 1: Scott Pilgrim's Precious Little Life

Lost At Sea

Scott Pilgrim, Vol 4: Scott Pilgrim Gets It Together

Demo: The Collected Edition

ASIN: 1932664122

Book Description

Does Scott and Ramona's burgeoning relationship have a future? Isn't Scott still supposedly dating Knives Chau? Who is Ramona's second evil ex-boyfriend, and why is he in Toronto? Who are The Clash At Demonhead, and what kind of bizarre art-punky music do they play? Who's their hot girl keyboardist, and what is Scott's relation to her? Why are they Knives Chau's new favourite band? Fights! Drama! Secrets revealed! The answers to all these questions and more!

Customer Reviews:

Graphic SF Reader.......2007-09-04

Girlfriends are evil.

Even more so if they are exes in rock bands, or other oddities. Current girlfriends that have ex-boyfriends that want to fight you are also a bit annoying.

So are teenage girls that like to go ninja on your current squeeze.

Having something to sit on at your place is also useful.

Scottaholics Unite!.......2006-09-01

The first volume in the Scott Pilgrim series introduced us to one of the most bizarre faux-anime concepts (and casts) ever conceived. Scott Pilgrim is the ultimate slacker: he is 23 years old, is between jobs, plays in a bad band, and was, until recently, dating a high school girl. He left the 17-year-old Knives Chau for the more age-appropriate Ramona Flowers, an Amazon.ca delivery girl. However, Scott soon learned that in order to keep dating Ramona, he would have to fight and defeat her seven evil ex-boyfriends. The fight against the first boyfriend was an over-the-top awesome fest of unrivaled proportions. So the question was, "Would the second volume, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World be as good?" Yes.
Scott and Ramona (who he refers to as "Rammy" sometimes) are still getting to know each other as Scott is forced to fight Lucas Lee, Ramona's second evil ex-boyfriend, who is also a pretty-boy movie star and ex-skater. But things get more complicated when Scott's ex-girlfriend Natalie "Envy" Adams threatens to come back into the picture. Best of all, Knives engages Ramona in a fight for Scott's heart that is even better than the fight against Matthew Patel in the first volume. There are plenty of other humorous moments, especially those involving Wallace, Scott's roommate, as well as a scene that plays like a cooking show.
If you are a fan of video games, anime parody, and sweet fights, you should definitely check out Scott Pilgrim. The humor is top-notch, and the story is great.

OUT friggin STANDING.......2005-08-30

These are the coolest things I've ever read. It's like he's looking into my mind. I want volume 3.... right now

I don't care if this was helpful to you or not... you shouldn't even be reading this review
YOU SHOULD BE BUYING AND READING THE BOOKS!

Let's Start With Launchpad McQuack (That's not the actual name of the review)..........2005-07-04

Looking at the shelves of my local comics shop, things are getting darker and darker. The shelves are littered with the misguided sons of Watchmen and The Dark Knight Returns, new comics that seem to eschew the philosophy that "gruesome and unpleasant" can mean the same thing as "mature." But while the Blue Beetle is taking one in the dome, while Batman is even grumpier than usual, while the Avengers are being torn apart by one of their own, and while the comics world gets darker and darker, Scott Pilgrim is in Canada, learning the bass line to Final Fantasy 2.

Through Scott Pilgrim Vs The World, Bryan Lee O'Malley manages to capture something essentially fun. He creates a world where the reluctance to let go of childhood, something most kids in our early twenties are going through, is celebrated instead of discouraged. From Scott being "between jobs," to his obsession with video games, to the high-school-drama style romance of the book, the series characters don't simply avoid putting away their "childish things" - they're trying to get the high score on them.

O'Malley saturates this fun into every aspect of the book, especially his pencils. The art is gorgeous, a mish-mash of manga and mainstream to create something wholly Mal. This reviewer isn't particularly fond of manga, and yet I was so taken by it that I own a page from Volume 1, and have one from Volume 2 on the way. His expression work is top notch, capturing on one page a character's true hurt, on another their true love, and on my favorite pages the blank stares of a confused Scott as he lays out another fantastic non-comeback ("I... but... you... you're not the boss of me?).

Why we care is the characters. O'Malley creates a dozen characters that get layers and layers as the story goes on, shining enough light on the ones we love from Volume 1 that we don't feel he's neglected anyone, and fleshing out the ones we don't love yet in Volume 2 so that we learn to. One character that didn't have much to do in Volume 1 gets so much attention and development that she's now one of my favorites.
Our protagonist, Scott, is the northern Every-Man. A complete lay-about who witlessly breaks hearts and sleeps until 2, but is so disarmingly innocent and charming that we root for him in almost every situation. He's dating a highschooler named Knives Chau, falls for a girl named Ramona Flowers, and has to fight her seven evil ex-boyfriends to win her hand. It's a premise that only works in O'Malley's world of video-game-logic (after defeating an Evil Ex, Scott is rewarded with coins, and if he's really lucky, an item!), but once you buy into these characters taking sub-space highways through each other's heads (not at all like in Super Mario 2), the more insane bits where a fight/dance number break out become your favorites.

Scott Pilgrim has something for everyone: if you're still kicking back with a SNES or Genesis controller it's for you. If you're into Manga, if you're into indie rock, if you just like Canada or have ever been in a relationship where you needed to prove yourself, this book is for you.

It's extremely tempting to just list all the things I love about the book, to recite each and every quote (as anyone who reads the book ends up doing in their day-to-day), and to talk about each and every character and their general awesomeness. I'd rather whoever reads this just go and buy the books, because with a story, with characters, with art and wit this good, I know you'll fall in love with it too.

My Scott Pilgrim Soundtrack - "WE ARE SEX BOB-OMB!"
1 Ghettochip Malfunction (Hell Yes Remix) - Beck
2 Come On Home - Franz Ferdinand
3 5 Times Out of 100 - Hot Hot Heat
4 What Do I Get? - The Buzzcocks
5 Complete Control - The Clash
6 Korobeiniki (Theme From Tetris) - Ozma
7 Starman - David Bowie
8 Sheena Is A Punk Rocker - The Ramones
9 Debaser - The Pixies
10 Save it For Later - The English Beat
11 A Little More for A Little you - The Hives
12 Suspect Device (Album Version) - Stiff Little Fingers

IM A SCOTTHOLIC.......2005-07-04

IM A SCOTTHOLIC IM A SCOTTHOLIC IM A SCOTTHOLIC IM A SCOTTHOLIC IM A SCOTTHOLIC IM A SCOTTHOLIC IM A SCOTTHOLIC IM A SCOTTHOLIC IM A SCOTTHOLIC IM A SCOTTHOLIC IM A SCOTTHOLIC IM A SCOTTHOLIC IM A SCOTTHOLIC IM A SCOTTHOLIC IM A SCOTTHOLIC IM A SCOTTHOLIC
IM A SCOTTHOLIC IM A SCOTTHOLIC IM A SCOTTHOLIC IM A SCOTTHOLIC IM A SCOTTHOLIC IM A SCOTTHOLIC IM A SCOTTHOLIC IM A SCOTTHOLIC IM A SCOTTHOLIC IM A SCOTTHOLIC IM A SCOTTHOLIC IM A SCOTTHOLIC

ONE OF THE FEW BOOKS THAT CAN MAKE ME LAUGH OUT LOUD.

Customer Reviews:

A Great Adult Graphic Novel.......2007-09-18

With "Justice League: A New Beginning," Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteis, and Kevin Maguire begin a series of three of the best, adult, traditional superhero graphic novels that I have ever read. "Justice League: A New Beginning" is sharply written, has snappy dialogue, and possesses a humor that realizes the comical nature of its own story and characters.

The traditional superhero story--adults in colorful tights, superhuman powers that change in ability and scope depending on the needs of the story, repeated battles against absurd threats and villains while everyday people continually seem surprised by these threats and battles, etceteras--is outrageous and most attempts to write a serious one for adults spectacularly fail. Giffen, DeMatteis, and Maguire's seem to realize this and they avoid writing one. Instead their story is wonderfully smart and takes fun-loving jabs at the ridiculous formulas of the traditional superhero story.

"Justice League: A New Beginning" focuses on the attempt of some superheroes (and an ordinary person or few) to start a new "Justice League." The characters that eventually come into the new league are largely second-, third-, and fourth-stringers, but this only adds to the cleverness of the story. And while there is the standard superhero battle or few, a lot of the story is about the different characters talking and arguing with one another as their personalities clash.

"Justice League: A New Beginning" is a great story for adult superhero and comic book aficionados. However, it's also a great story that someone who isn't familiar with, or does not like adult superhero stories and / or graphic novels probably will like.

Graphic SF Reader.......2007-09-03

A trade of the start of the wonderful Giffen and DeMatteis run on the Justice League of America. Throw some lower powered heroes together along with some of the superstars, and let some zany dialogue be written, and approach it with a sense of humour.

Bingo, you get something that was very funny and very popular.

Too Good.......2007-01-09

Very very funny....too bad DC decided to kill off many of these characters in the recent CRISIS...

WONDERFUL.......2007-01-06

This trade paperback is a perfect reading experience. I recommend it to everyone even to non-comic book fans because everyone likes to laugh and the art is pretty. I think this is the best writing from Keith Giffen (there is such a thing as way too much Lobo) and J.M. DeMatteis (Andrew Bennet, I ... Vampire).

just to have.......2006-08-11

Now this trade is nothing spectacular in storyline, but there is one scene between Batman and Guy Gardner and the following few panels afterwards that really is a must have for Justice League history. The main reason for the purchase of the book was:
1. I can't find the individual issues that I had.
2. It shows Maxwell Lords first apperance far as I can find out.
3. This is pretty much the premise for the mini-series "Formaly the Justice League" and it's follow up mini-series.
4. Had to have since the JLA is re-starting for the "umpteenth" time, and the chances that these heroes beside Batman make it in the new league is slim to none since Idendity Crisis and Infinite Crisis.

Book Description

Home on the Range is a rollicking comedy set in the heyday of the Wild West, starring the most overlooked hero in history. . . the cow. Three dairy cows-Maggie, Mrs. Caloway, and Grace-vow to stop foreclosure on their farm by collecting the reward on the most notorious cattle rustler in the West, Alameda Slim. But their adventure is no walk in the pasture! In Home on the Range, readers join Maggie the cow on location as this beloved Bossy reveals all in this moo-tion picture expos. Whether they are accounts of helping the location scouts find the right vista or of hanging out with the beefcake stunt cows, Maggie's sassy revelations about how the production came together are definitely not homogenized. It's a no-holds-barred, hilarious chronicle written by one of Hollywood's dishiest divas with true animal magnetism.

Customer Reviews:

A great art book despite it's strange conception.......2007-08-26

I have to agree with the other reviewers here who were disappointed with the strange and silly theme running throughout this beautiful art book. Throughout the whole book, instead of reading details about the creation of the movie, you will read tongue in cheek narration by Maggie. While sometimes you will read some interesting tidbits, the approach mostly detracts from the book.

It's still a beautiful book, so that is why I am giving it 4 stars. 5 stars for the beautiful and very comprehensive overview of the art and design of the project, and 2 stars for the mostly disappointing narration.

Disappointing.......2007-01-01

Being a huge Disney fan and Home on the Range Fan, I was very excited to see a making of book for the film. However unlike the glorious art of books of the past such as the wonderful Art of Pocahontas and Art of The Hunchback of Notre Dame which are literally dripping with concept art and drawings, this is nowhere near the same league. There is very little in the way of making of material and it is very kiddyish, with the book being narrated by Maggie the Cow. Still at least this film got a book unlike the Emperor's new Groove!

For an adult animation fan this is dissappointing, but any younger fans of Disney / Home on the Range will probably love it!

It's a Good Book.......2006-04-02

This happens to be one of my favorite artbooks of one of my favorite Disney films. It has everything anyone needs to know about the making of the film and what qualities they used. What more do you want?
The book has the reader feeling like they're being taken on a tour hosted by Maggie the Cow. It's as if she really is talking to the reader and knows what we're thinking. That's what made it so exciting. I love how the book shows art details made by Mary Blair(original Disney artist) and how they made a list of all the Disney classics from Walt's Era. This is another typical refreshingly Disney film as good as those listed inside; maybe not the best in the world, but still wonderful enough for any Classic Disney fan.
I recommend this book for anyone who loves to collect any artbook based on Disney's films.

Don't Waste Your Money.......2005-05-21

An embarrassing waste of time. Disney publishing's latest insult to animation fans. The artwork, what there is of it is printed postage stamp size, and the text is the most juvenile drivel that you will ever read. I hated it so much, I donated my comp copy to the Library.
If you want some animation books written with some respect for the reader as well as some beautiful artwork, look to the Chronicle publishing produced Pixar books.
This goes for the sure to be lame Chicken Little Unplucked, too.

dissapointing.......2004-04-29

being an animation lover, I think the graphic style of Home on the Range looks very interesting. I also was happy to see they made an "art of ..." book about Home on the Range. Though, for some reason they thought it would be funnier to have Maggie telling about the production process, pretending she's a real (cow) actress on a real movie set. So instead of an interesting book about the last hand drawn Disney feature, it became a dissapointing book with maggie joking around on the set. It hardly tells anything about the actual challenges and problems the artists met during the creation of this movie. It reveals some interesting stuff, but comparing to the preverious books from this serie, the texts are really lame and uninformative, especially for who's already in to animation.
The pictures in this book are also dissapointing. The visual style of the movie is so interesting, but it seems like they don't really care about it. Sure, it features some great pieces of concept art.. but overall, it's mainly storyboard and production stills. There's hardly anything on character development (since they pretend it's a real cast in the book).

So... overall the book is dissapointing. definitly the worst book from the whole serie in my opinion.
If you're really interested in animation or Home on the Range, and dont mind spending a few bucks, then it's ok to buy. But if you want to make sure you get some decent stuff for your money, there's a whole load of better books out there!

Book Description

By using Scott Joplin's life as a window onto American social and cultural development at the turn of the century, this biography dramatizes the role of one brilliant African American musician in defining the culture of a still-young nation.

"Dancing to a Black Man's Tune renders Scott Joplin as a man and an artist whose musical genius served as his weapon in the struggle toward a whole America. Susan Curtis's book is more than biography, more than cultural history. It is a skillfully interwoven telling of Joplin's story within the mosaic of America's social and cultural evolution at the turn of the century."--John Hope Franklin

"If one is to know American culture and the place and 'trials and tribulations' of African American music in setting the foundation and flavor of American music, Dancing to a Black Man's Tune is, to date, the primary source."--Journal of American History

Customer Reviews:

Cultural History.......2006-08-29

Susan Curtis's passion is more for cultural history than for Scott Joplin. She says as much in her preface where she describes Scott Joplin as "the perfect vehicle for the questions I wanted to ask." I felt I was reading her cultural theories rather than a biography of Joplin. She pays little attention to his music. There are no musical examples. And most of his rags are not even mentioned.

As a book on the culture of his day this is a good read. However, for those who would prefer a book on and about Scott Joplin I would recommend Edward A. Berlin's book 'King of Ragtime'.

The Worlds of Scott Joplin.......2005-01-20

Scott Joplin (1868 -- 1917)was a great composer of the unique American music known as ragtime. Ragtime flourished from roughly 1900 -- 1920 when it faded into obscurity with the advent of jazz. It enjoyed a revival beginning in the 1970s with the movie "The Sting", several popular recordings, and the production of Joplin's opera Treemonisha. Ragtime is an enchanting American music, both lyrical and strongly rhythmical that has components of both classical music and jazz. I greatly enjoy playing Joplin's rags on the piano as well as the rags of his lesser-known but gifted colleagues, James Scott and Joseph Lamb.

A full account of ragtime and its place in American culture remains to be written. Susan Curtis's book, "Dancing to a Black Man's Tune: A Life of Scott Joplin" is a start. Dr Curtis is Professor of History and American Studies and Director of Interdisciplinary Studies at Purdue University. It is thus understandable that her book draws widely on American history and on relationships between African Americans and whites in attempting to understand Scott Joplin and ragtime.

Dr. Curtis discusses the important stages in Joplin's life and relates them to ongoing events in the United States with an emphasis on how African American - white relations impacted his music. She emphasizes, and necessarily so, the effects of slavery (one of Joplin's parents had been a slave) and of Reconstruction and Jim Crow. Dr. Curtis describes how African Americans remained on the outside of white America to a large extent. Still, African American music, ragtime in particular, had a great appeal for white Americans and led to the ideal of an inter-racial American culture.

But Dr. Curtis's book shows, I think, that African American -- white relationships resist any simple summary. Joplin surely suffered from the effects of slavery and the rise of Jim Crow and from discrimination throughout his life. But Dr. Curtis also points out the ways in which black and white people worked together, how white people helped Joplin, and how Joplin encouraged the work of white composers of "negro" music. Joplin received piano lessons as a child from a German immigrant who recognized his talent. His music gained attention, probably, at the Chicago World's Fair in 1893 even though it lacked official status. There was substantial efforts at inter-racial harmony in Sedalia, Missouri where Joplin settled after a lengthy period as a wandering musician. His music was published and supported by John Stark, a white entrepeneur and he received encouragement from other white critics. When he moved to New York City, Joplin befriended and assisted in the publication of rags by Joseph Lamb, a gifted white composer of the music. Thus there was a great deal of complex interaction between black and white people in the origins and development of ragtime.

The book includes considerations of Joplin's childhood in Texas, his years as a wandering musician, his life in Sedalia which saw the publication of "Maple Leaf Rag" and other early successes, and his final years in New York. The discussion is informed by a great deal of consideration of American history which sometimes causes the book to lose focus. Dr Curtis shows well how Americans were fascinated by ragtime, although the music was subjected to severe and frequently racist opposition, due to the vicarious opportunity it offered to escape late 19th Century Victorian conventions, particularly those sexual in nature, and to liberate oneself.

I found the most insightful sections of Dr. Curtis's book were those that discussed Joplin's relationship with the African American community of his day. When he experienced a degree of success, Joplin moved to New York City but failed in his efforts to gain acceptance by many of the African American musicians and intellectuals in Harlem. Dr Curtis suggests that Joplin had experienced for himself the poverty and difficulty of life in the South in the aftermath of the Civil War while many of the Northern African American leaders, such as W.E.B. DuBois, had themselves received excellent educationas and knew this life only at second-hand. The best section of the book for me thus was Dr. Curtis's treatment of Joplin's failed opera Treemonisha, on which he lavished a great deal of attention following his move to New York. This folk-opera, in dialect (Joplin wrote his own libretto) was probably autobiographical in nature and described life in the rural South following the Civil War. It was out-of step with the then-beginning Harlem Rennaisance. Dr Curtis shows how ragtime showed disagreements within the African American community as well as occupying an ambiguous position in promoting black and white relationships.

The tone of the book is rather dry and academic. I found this unfortunate, scholarly as the book is, in that any book on ragtime or on music, scholarly or not, needs to sing to be effective. I found Dr. Curtis gave too little attention to the purely musical aspects of ragtime. The book has an extensive bibliography, good notes, and shows thought. Dr. Curtis sees ragtime as a step in the direction of an American culture which transcends racial lines and is shared by all Americans. She points out that this is a goal and ideal which has proved elusive and is worth pursuing by Americans today. By writing seriously about Scott Joplin and about ragtime, Dr Curtis's book may take a step in that direction.

Average customer rating:

Terrific Holiday Gift

An absolute "must-read" for anyone who wants to play casino blackjack to win

Winning Blackjack strategy

Best blackjack book out there....

Mensa Guide to Blackjack (Mensa)
Joshua Hornik
Manufacturer: Sterling
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Blackjack Bluebook II - the simplest winning strategies ever published (2006 edition)

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ASIN: 140270979X

Book Description

These are the smartest, simplest, most solid strategies for winning blackjack ever--even a total novice can bet on it. Joshua Hornik belongs to a group of professionals who prove their talents at the table every day, and he knows the system for coming out on top. It's all about counting the cards--do it right and the odds are on your side. Hornik explains blackjack's rules and basic tactics, how to do the actual card counting, and how to use the information the numbers reveal to make the right bets. Back-counting, comps and heat, shuffle tracking, ace tracking, and playing with a team--it's all covered. Throughout the book, examples of hands are used to illustrate the tactics, and an interview with a pro provides astounding insight.

Customer Reviews:

Terrific Holiday Gift.......2005-12-28

I bought this book for many friends who frequent Vegas and all of them raved about it!

An absolute "must-read" for anyone who wants to play casino blackjack to win.......2005-09-08

Mensa Guide To Blackjack is a no-nonsense handbook of tested and proven techniques to win at casino blackjack. Written by a former professional solo and team blackjack player, as well as a member of the MIT Blackjack Team, Mensa Guide To Blackjack explains card-counting strategies and dispels common myths - one does not have to be extraordinarily skilled at math to count cards; card-counting is neither cheating nor illegal; and no one can be arrested for card-counting. Card-counting will get one banned from a casino, if one is suspected or caught doing it, because casinos know card-counters can win - therefore Mensa Guide To Blackjack offers simple exercises and techniques to practice until card-counting becomes so ingrained, one won't give away telltale signs while doing it (although betting and winning too much at high-limit tables may well tip a casino off!) Chapters cover both basic blackjack and rules variations, betting to win, refining basic strategies, playing with a team, and much more. An absolute "must-read" for anyone who wants to play casino blackjack to win.

Winning Blackjack strategy.......2005-08-17

This fun to read guide to blackjack is great.
I headed to Vegas with my new information and came home
a winner.
Even people who don't play more than once a year will
enjoy this book.

Best blackjack book out there...........2005-07-06

Buy this book. Mr. Hornik's guide is helpful to both beginners and experts. I am now wiping the floor with my buddies during our weekly games. I AM NOW A PLAYAH!!!!

Book Description

Despite legislation that claims to prohibit it, there is a thriving market for babies spreading across the globe

Fueled by rapid advances in reproductive medicine and the desperate desires of millions of would-be parents, the acquisition of children—whether through donated eggs, rented wombs, or cross-border adoption—has become a multibillion dollar industry that has left science, law, ethics, and commerce deeply at odds.

In The Baby Business, Debora Spar argues that it is time to acknowledge the commercial truth about reproduction and to establish a standard that governs its transactions. In this fascinating behind-the-scenes account, she combines pioneering research and interviews with the industry’s top reproductive scientists and trailblazers to provide a first glimpse at how the industry works: who the baby-makers are, who makes money, how prices are set, and what defines the clientele. Fascinating stories illustrate the inner workings of market segments--including stem cell research, surrogacy, egg swapping, “designer babies,” adoption, and human cloning--as Spar explores the moral and legal challenges that industry players must address.

The first purely commercial look at an industry that deals in humanity’s most intimate issues, this book challenges us to consider the financial promise and ethical perils we’ll face as the baby business moves inevitably forward.

Customer Reviews:

Clear-eyed Analysis of the Infertility World.......2007-07-04

Unlike so many books in this field, Ms. Spar does not fall into the trap of sensationalism. Of all of the books I've read on this technology and its impact on society, it is the best.

Mere markets?.......2006-09-20

The fact that this book is published by the Harvard Business School and the author is a professor there tells us much about how this topic is broached. The main focus of the book is on how the infertility industry (the baby business) and the market interact. Other vital elements, such as moral considerations, are barely mentioned. And this is where the book breaks down. Yes, the market side to the question is very important, and rightly needs to be explored, but taken out of a bigger social and ethical context, the approach comes across barren and empty (no pun intended).

Spar quickly dismisses ethical concerns, arguing that they are messy, controversial, and incapable of any resolution. Thus her focus is single: to see how the desire for babies fits in with the world of trade and commerce. And her premises are not easily gainsaid: people desire to have babies (and/or baby parts, or services, or technologies) and there are many who are happy to provide these things, especially for a price. It is as simple as that: supply and demand.

Economically speaking, as Spar keeps noting, it is a match made in heaven. This trade in babies is therefore inevitable and here to stay, she argues. The horse has bolted, and there is no going back to the stable now. We must live with the new reproductive technologies, and their inevitable commercialization. The only question is whether the baby market should be open slather, or whether some sort of regulatory scheme should be put in place.

The bulk of this book examines the various areas of the baby trade - be it IVF, surrogacy, sperm and egg selling, cloning and the like - and how money has been invariably linked to the fertility industry.

Of course this book describes the situation in the US, where there is very little government regulation at all over the fertility business. Other nations do have regulatory schemes in place, which the author refers to now and then. But it is the wild west of the American fertility trade that is in focus here.

Spar believes that the market will always be part of this industry, and that it is not a bad thing at all. But she recognizes that as the "product" in discussion is a human baby, many are reluctant to speak of it all in purely financial terms. She occasionally acknowledges the critics, like Leon Kass, who see much of the reproductive industry as involved in the commodification of children and the manufacture of life, but seems little impressed by their concerns.

Indeed, she says early on that the market will always triumph, while issues of morality will remain unresolved, and by implication, be of secondary importance. Thus she simply accepts the reproductive revolution and Big Biotech as necessary, inevitable forces that will not go away. Don't worry about the ethical concerns, she seems to suggest. Instead, given the inevitability of the market in this area, the only real issue is what kind of regulation, if any, do we want applied. The topic of regulation she only addresses briefly, and in her final chapter.

She in fact claims not to have any clear answers here. She does state her preference, a "light-handed regulatory regime" in which choice, information and costs are considered. She recognizes that there may be a dark side to an unchecked market, especially in some of the `yuk' areas like human cloning, but she seems to think the market as a whole, with a little help from the government, will largely get things right.

Thus she is optimistic about both the science and economics of the reproductive revolution. Many others, of course, are worried about the brave new world implications of where all this is headed. Spar here and there acknowledges these concerns, but generally sees them as irrelevant or of no great consequence. Of course such considerations are too controversial for many to even raise. Indeed, free marketers will be squeamish about such discussions. But they are nonetheless part of the equation.

Indeed, the traditional philosophical, spiritual and social implications are as much a part of this discussion as mere market concerns. So for a more inclusive and well-rounded discussion of these issues, the reader needs to go elsewhere.

But if the reader wants a simple overview and history of the new reproductive technologies, and their economic implications, this book is undoubtedly a good place to begin.

The Birth of the Scholarly Page Turner.......2006-03-30

This is good stuff-if not juicy, and Spar casts a wide net that doesn't miss a thing: conception techniques, fertility markets, surrogacy, designer babies, human cloning, and adoption. The writer also has the guts to have a lucid, constructive point of view-never backing away from the controversial subjects many would balk about discussing. This book is a must read for anyone who might, is, or has gone through any of the processes above, and for the rest of us like me, just a great eye-opening read. In fact, I kept thinking as the pages turned: "I had no idea..." As a piece of scholarly writing it is immaculate (check out the pages of footnotes!), but more impressive is the fact that Spar's writing style is trenchant, entertaining and unwavering in it's ability to present a point of view to the reader. I wasn't expecting it, but Spar continually challenges and provokes as she weaves her riveting tale of the dynamics of a topic-both moral and technical-that is dear to the hearts of us all: babies. Wow. A scholarly page-turner!? Shouldn't there be an award for that? It's great read, and I highly recommend it.

Informative book, but problems in adoption industry overlooked.......2006-03-09

This was a very informative book, and I'm glad I bought it. However, the chapter on adoption glossed over the serious problems with the U.S. adoption industry. The book says that "adoption works." It may work for the baby-buyers and baby-sellers, but evidence shows it does not work well for mothers who are separated from their children by adoption. The book also implies that mothers choose to surrender their children for adoption, when in fact, most mothers who surrender their children to adoption believe that they have no other options, are uninformed about their options for keeping their child, are uninformed about the consequences of adoption, and/or are pressured or coerced to surrender. While the adoption industry provides privileged women with the choice of aquiring someone else's baby, it takes away poor women's choice to keep their child. See www.OriginsUSA.org and http://www.originscanada.org/adoption_coercion.html

Insightful treatise on a difficult and emotional topic.......2006-03-01

A very insightful treatise on a very difficult and necessarily emotional topic. For anyone involved in the business of fertility or interested in using non-traditional methods of conception or the adoption of children, a must read. Ms. Spar's book is a frank, detailed plunge into the practices, economies and ethics of the "Baby Business" with conclusions that propose a gentle regulation of reproduction practices.

Answered prayers: where is technological reproduction taking us?(The Baby Business: How Money, Science, and Politics Drive the Commerce of Conception)(Book review): An article from: Commonweal

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Answered prayers: where is technological reproduction taking us?(The Baby Business: How Money, Science, and Politics Drive the Commerce of Conception)(Book review): An article from: Commonweal
Barbara Dafoe Whitehead
Manufacturer: Thomson Gale
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

General | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Commonweal, published by Thomson Gale on October 20, 2006. The length of the article is 835 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: Answered prayers: where is technological reproduction taking us?(The Baby Business: How Money, Science, and Politics Drive the Commerce of Conception)(Book review)
Author: Barbara Dafoe Whitehead
Publication: Commonweal (Magazine/Journal)
Date: October 20, 2006
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 133 Issue: 18 Page: 6(1)

Article Type: Book review

Distributed by Thomson Gale

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