The World of Charles Addams

Book Description

302 black-and-white cartoons, with 24 full-color covers.

Customer Reviews:

I have never felt like someone knew me so well.......2002-10-29

you've got to get this book and check out page 97 - tell me what you think.

The World of Charles Addams.......2002-02-08

If you're even a remotely Addams family or cartoon fan, you wouldn't have to read these reviews. Just buy it!

Hilarious and Unique.......2001-07-21

If you are a fan of black humor, then these cartoons are for you. This book contains many of his "Addams Family" cartoons, but there is MUCH more in there as well. A collection of classic cartoons that will have you rolling read after read!

Amazing collection from the Master of macabre humor!.......2000-08-03

Charles Addams was the man behind hundreds of delightful and dastardly illustrations for the prestigous New Yorker. Here, in one volume, are 300 of his best pieces. Included are several pictures involving the all together kooky Addams family and the macabre events that to them seem so normal. It is from these illustrations that the popular televison series, The Addams Family, emerged. And if you ever watched and liked the show, you'll love the cartoons it was based on. A great book for the coffee table!

It's creepy and its kooky.......2000-05-18

AAAHHHHHH. Now this is an art book. Experience the dark and clever world of Charles Addams in this once-in-a-lifetime treasury of high-quality images. Finally, a masterful collection of his work. Addams' widow, Tee, should be proud of this book, which she assembled, in tribute to good ol' Charlie. God rest his soul.

The Comic Worlds of Peter Arno, William Steig, Charles Addams, and Saul Steinberg

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Ups and Downs

The Comic Worlds of Peter Arno, William Steig, Charles Addams, and Saul Steinberg
Iain Topliss
Manufacturer: The Johns Hopkins University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0801880440

Book Description

For many aficionados of the New Yorker magazine, the drawings of Peter Arno, William Steig, Charles Addams, and Saul Steinberg epitomize its sophisticated wit and disarming humor. In The Comic Worlds of Peter Arno, William Steig, Charles Addams, and Saul Steinberg, the first full-scale scholarly study of the subject, Iain Topliss considers the work of each artist, traces the development of his art, and recalls the cultural and social context in which it was created.

Topliss delves into the nature of humor and the elements that make successful cartoons funny, paying special attention to matters of style and technique. He draws particular attention to the ways in which these four artists mocked the status quo without alienating the magazine's readers. Indeed, argues Topliss, the New Yorker's cartoons helped define American consciousness in the mid-twentieth century.

Illustrated with more than fifty drawings from the artists published in the magazine between 1925 and 1975, The Comic Worlds of Peter Arno, William Steig, Charles Addams, and Saul Steinberg recognizes the achievements of these talented artists and their distinctive contribution to American culture.

Customer Reviews:

Ups and Downs.......2007-03-08

Somehow I always wind up first whenever I get a book that I'm sure dozens of other reviewers would be all over, like white on rice! This book, a serious and academic study of four New Yorker cartoonists, I would have thought would be a natural. Maybe people got turned off by the cover, a particularly grisly Charles Addams sketch in a drab, battleship gray color. And yet, the sketch itself, a crowded movie theater packed with weeping, intensely uncomfortable viewers, in the middle of which you see one of Addams' trademark characters watching whatever is happening on the screen (a death?) and chuckling happily--yes, the sketch itself encapsulates some of Topliss' thoughts about the position of spectatorship vis-a-vis the New Yorker artists he covers.

We see ourselves in Uncle Fester's grin, for we feel we too are different than the rest of the crowd, and that we have a privileged and superior position to what is being displayed on the screen. How these four artists managed to animate their own, very different sense of the "unique," is Topliss' subject.

He won't make you want to read much more about Peter Arno, the aristocratic playboy for whom comics were decidedly slumming. Of William Steig, Topliss shows us how first Karen Horney and then Wilhelm Reich animated his thinking about creativity and the act of drawing. His was a fascinating life, but again, I'm not so sure he was so utterly a genius at his art. Addams and Steinberg come off the best, although Topliss' "fame" angle on Steinberg made him sound a little like those celebrities who complain about the paparazzi even when they're courting press attention.

Topliss sees US culture, New Yorker division, through the distant, cold eyes of an Australian. Sometimes the onlooker sees more of the game, and there's a sense in which one of our better academics might be the best candidate to write about the classic Australian cartoonists of the 1920s, 30s, 40s, and 50s. Turnabout is fair play, and in the writing game, objectivity is nearly everything. He has a rousing salute to Melbourne at the end of his introduction, in which he also explains why he seems to ignore the contributions of two other excellent cartoonists from the same period and venue, namely, Thurber and Hokinson. His salute to his hometown is worth the price of the book, though it's a little odd. Perhaps he could write another book about the "tall poppy syndrome" and why people in Melbourne are both proud of, and dismissive of, their celebrated comic muse, the one and only Kylie Minogue.

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The World of Charles Addams
Charles Addams
Manufacturer: Knopf
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000K13VRS

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Great Cartoons of the World Series 5
John (Editor) ; Addams, Charles ; Arno, Ed ; Bartak, Miroslav ; Darrow, Whitney ; Day, Chon ; Day, Robert ; Dedini, Eldon ; Drucker, Boris ; Ffolkes, Michael ; Glasham, John ; Graham, Alex ; Holy, Stanislav ; Hunt, Stan ; Koren, Edward ; Kovarsky Bailey
Manufacturer: Crown Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000NOWHBS

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THE WORLD OF CHARLES ADDAMS
CHARLES ADDAMS
Manufacturer: Knopf
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000NR9DDU

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World/ch.addams1cpy-Ctr
CHARLES ADDAMS
Manufacturer: Knopf
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 0679407634
Release Date: 1991-11-02

Customer Reviews:

Must buy for embroidery fans.......2001-08-17

Margaret Swain has done a fantastic job of writing what is essentially an historical book on thee influences on Mary Queen of Scots needlework, and it makes fascinating reading.

Swain has traced her life and the types of embroidery and needlework she did in Scotland, later in France and then finally during her last captivity in England. The clever messages she used to send in her embroideries as messages to her supporters, and the puns in many of her chosen subjects are explained.

What I found most wonderful in this book is that while I have always admired the needleword of MQS I have never really understood its significance. Margaret Swain really brought that side of it alive for me and left me with a far deeper appreciation of what they were all about.

I have the soft cover version of this which is excellent value, it has some kind of hard wearing plastic coating which makes it almost as durable as the hard cover version. Really unfortunately there are only two pages of colour illustration in here and I think the embroidery of MQS deserves better illustration than that. It is certainly generous with the black and white pictures.

Book Description

Horror meets samurai history when Kagome is transported back in time to the feudal era. Accidentally releasing a legendary doglike demon, she sets off a sequence of supernatural events that ultimately resurrect her former incarnation and lead her on a hair-raising underworld adventure.

Customer Reviews:

The story continues..........2005-07-18

Inuyasha Volume Six (1997.) The six graphic novel in the Inuyasha series.

INTRODUCTION:
When I was younger, I was a big-time anime fan. Although little of the Japanese animation was being shown on American TV back then, what little I saw, I liked. It fast became apparent that the Japanese had a much better way of creating animation - one that fused seriousness and comedy perfectly, and one that would appeal to people of all ages - NOT just children. And in recent years I had pretty much abandoned my interest in anime altogether. However, I had always remained curious, and in the more recent years I had heard of a series called Inuyasha that was constantly getting praised. I watched a few episodes, and it wasn't hard to see why. The series was created by Rumiko Takahashi, creator of Ranma 1/2 (a series that remains VERY popular.) Although I liked the episodes I saw on TV, they started somewhere in the middle of things, and I wanted to get the story from the beginning. Since the episode DVDs were too pricey, I opted for the manga (comic/graphic novel) version (most animes are based on manga.) Read on for my review of Inuyasha Volume Six.

STORYLINE OVERVIEW:
Inuyasha has one of those stories that's EXTREMELY tough to put into words, but I'll try my best. Bear with me here, people. Several centuries ago in Japan, there were ongoing wars, between humans and demons alike. In modern-day japan, a girl named Kagome lives on a shrine with her family, and one day one of the demons from the past pulls her down the shrine's well. The well is a linking point between the modern age and the age in the distant past, in which wars were raging constantly. She is revealed to be the reincarnation of a priestess who, several years earier, killed an evil half-demon called Inuyasha. But, through several odd twists of fate, she is forced to join forces with the resurrected Inuyasha, to recover the shards of a sacred jewel, which could be used to greatly increase the powers of and demon, good or evil, who gets their hands on them. Although reluctant to help at first, Kagome finally decides to help Inuyasha, realizing that the well is the warp point between times, she doesn't want to put her family in immediate danger. (I KNOW, that's not the best possible summary. If you want a better one, visit one of the various fansites.)

IN THIS VOLUME:
This volume picks up right where its predecessor left off. Following the events in the most recent story, the battle between Inuyasha and the reincarnated Kikyo continues. But that's just the beginning of the troubles. A strange artist has gotten a hold of a Shikon jewel shard that was tainted, and has become corrupt. He now paints monsters which can be brought to life with this power, and must be stopped! But things aren't all bad, since a newcomer has joined Inuyasha and the group's quest. This edition marks the first appearance of everyone's favorite perverted monk, Miroku. It is also in this edition that Naraku, the main villain of the series, is first mentioned.

OPINIONS:
Overall, I am very satisfied with this series - it's been a LONG time since I liked an anime and/or manga this much. Rumiko Takahashi has once again succeded beautifully, combining seriousness with comedy, and creating an excellent storyline fusing history and fantasy alike. It was great to finally get the proper introduction to the series. I urge you to get the proper introduction yourself, as well. If you just start watching/reading somewhere in the middle of the series, you may be left dazed and confused and judge the series based on an awkward first impression. DON'T make that mistake.

CURRENT EDITION:
The edition of this manga currently available is actually a second edition - the first edition is now out of print and is no longer readily available. I'm VERY satisfied with the way the Inuyasha manga got ported to America. First and most importantly, it's uncensored. Many manga series get heavy editing when they get an American release, as do their anime counterparts. Another thing I am happy about is they "Americanized" the reading style, while at the same time staying true to the original projected vision. For those of you who don't know, the Japanese read from right to left, and sometimes mangas are ported in that fashion. Being an American, I'm used to reading from left to right, so I was glad to see that it was ported into English in a "left to right" reading style (and all of the images have been reversed to reflect the change and to stay true to the original vision.) Likewise, these graphic novels are almost two hundred pages each, and since each one costs less than ten bucks, they're a pretty good deal. Overall, it's great to see Inuyasha didn't butchered the way some series do.

OVERALL:
Inuyasha is the best anime/manga series to come along for me in a long time. It's not hard to see why so many people call it one of their favorites. I personally recommend the manga over the anime, since the manga came first and is, therefore, Takahashi's original vision. Likewise, the DVDs are kind of a rip-off pricewise. But whether you decide to do the anime, the manga, or both, you're likely to agree it's an excellent series.

Another main character arrives.......2003-04-14

It is my belief that the word 'subtle' is not in Rumiko Takahashi's dictionary. 90% of the characters in Ranma 1/2 lack the trait, and several of the people in Maison Ikkoku need a lesson. We won't even get into Ataru and his crowd from Urusei Yatsura. Inu Yasha has provided us with some new examples of those who speak their mind and constantly make you hang your head and sigh.

While not as boisterous and arrogant as Inu Yasha, the Buddhist monk Miroku shares some traits with the dog-demon. Both tend to say what they think, regardless of the consequences. Both are stubborn as mules and as dense as rocks. But that's what we love about them.

Miroku has a tendency to ask something quite...personal from the women that he meets. As for what this is--you'll just have to read the books won't you?

So you want to buy this............2003-02-09

Ok!I am tottally in love with this series so listen closly! Things have started to heat up as the group meets a monk named Miroku. Now, they know that Naraku is the true cause of Kikyou's death! This series is so cool but I reccomend that 10 year olds read this!

Perverts, Painters, and the Living Dead.......2003-01-22

...All of which are contained in this manga. This manga is VERY IMPORTANT plotwise, because not only is a new main charachter introduced but the nice little dead lady has some interesting things happen that stick with us for the rest of the series so far. As for the painter, he's of little importance in the big scheme of things, so it'll suffic to say that we get to see Miroku use that hole in his hand, as well as some brain power and Inu Yasha also kicks butt liberally.
Enjoy!

^_^.......2002-04-25

It's a great book! I would say it's one of the best Volumes!

Inu-Yasha Anime Manga Book Vol 6 (in Japanese)

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Inu-Yasha Anime Manga Book Vol 6 (in Japanese)
Rumiko Takahashi
Manufacturer: SS Comics Visual Selection
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Comic

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ASIN: B000MAZP12

Amazon.com

First pets have always been popular, including such notables as FDR's Scottish terrier, Fala; Caroline Kennedy's pony, Macaroni; and Amy Carter's cat, Misty. President Clinton's cat, Socks, and his chocolate Labrador, Buddy, have also managed to attract quite a few fans since landing in the White House, the majority being curious children who have lots of interesting questions and aren't shy about sharing! In Dear Socks, Dear Buddy: Kids' Letters to the First Pets, First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton gathers together more than 80 full-color photographs of the dynamic duo and 50 letters to them from kids across the United States and offers answers to their most-often-asked questions. From "Socks Stats" and a "Buddy Bio" to a FAQ page for each, and "Socks and Buddy's Guide to Good Pet Care," children will be delighted with the generous information provided on two of their favorite pets, as well as the "pet history" of the White House and a look into how letters to Socks and Buddy are received, sorted, and answered at the U.S. Soldiers' and Airmen's Home. Clinton, who is donating all of the author proceeds from the sale of this book to the National Park Foundation, also devotes a chapter to suggesting numerous ways that "parents can help their children initiate and enjoy the experience of writing and receiving letters," making this a treasure for both parents and children alike.

Book Description

In a world dominated by video games, voice mail, and television, it's easy to overlook the importance of the written word. If one very important thing parents can do to help their children learn is read to them, then encouraging them to write must run a close second. What better -- and more rewarding -- way to teach a child these invaluable communication skills than through letter writing?

In her warm and engaging text, Mrs. Clinton suggests ways parents can help their children initiate and enjoy the experience of writing and receiving letters, sharing her family's (and pets') experience, and explains how letters to Socks and Buddy are received, sorted, and answered at the U.S. Soldiers' and Airmen's Home. Mrs. Clinton gives a brief "pet history" of the White House, from Dolley Madison's parrot and Teddy Roosevelt's children's menagerie to the Bushes' English springer spaniel Millie. She also talks about the ways Socks and Buddy participate in White House life, such as greeting guests and visiting hospitals and nursing homes. Fans of the First Pets will be delighted by a section on their vital statistics (Socks' tail length: 1 foot; Buddy's snout length: 5 inches) and answers to the questions most asked by correspondents ("Do you have room service?").

In Dear Socks, Dear Buddy, Mrs. Clinton also shares more than fifty letters children have sent the nation's First Pets, from a simple request for a "paw-tograph" to more exacting notes of good wishes ("I want to give you a big heart, as big as the whole world") and generous advice ("Just because they went on a trip and didn't take you doesn't mean they don't love you any more"). Illustrated with more than eighty photographs of Socks and Buddy on the job and at play in the White House, this book will inspire children to share their ideas and wishes through writing.

Customer Reviews:

fun book to read to and with children.......2004-02-10

A book for all dog and cat owners. I liked the way she organized the photographs between the children's letters. Some of the children's letters had drawings that my grandchildren enjoyed. I thought Buddy's Bio and Socks Stats where clever, and we tried the same idea to describe other pets. My children grew up with pets, but my grandchildren do not have room for pets. So we read this book about Buddy and Socks whenever they want to know more about having pets. Usually it leads to drawing a picture or writing a story afterwards.

Best Friends.......2003-12-24

The President and First Lady's book shows the unconditional love and understanding between humans and our best friends.
The childrens' curiosity and interest shown in their letters serves as a valuable source of inspiration and learning for young and old alike.

Great book!.......2003-07-04

What a fun way to see inside the lives of the first pets. Well-written, with lots of cute photos and interesting information.

Woof Woof.......2003-02-24

In this predictable knockoff of the Presidential pet book series pioneered by several Republican administrations, Diet Roosevelt's cat and dog ("Socks" and "Buddy," respectively) are hagiographically profiled. Author Lady Diet Roosevelt relies largely on letters purloined from a swarm of unsuspecting child correspondents for the body of the text, much as her husband's administration largely appropriated the watered-down policies of his predecessors in running the nation (even his philandering was a watered-down take on Camelot days!). Intelligent Diet Roosevelt watchers who buy this book hoping for hidden political insights should look elsewhere, as this is a fairly straightforward profile of the first pets, targeted solely at small children and Democrats. The one curious exception to this is the unconfirmed rumor - suspiciously unrefuted in this volume - that the Kremlin's most popular occupants in Lenin's day were his cat and dog Ïðèÿòåëü and Íîñêîâ - Russian for Socks and Buddy, respectively. Coincidence?

Good intro.......2001-06-03

"Dear Socks, Dear Buddy" is a cute photo album and collection of letters sent to the former First Cat and Dog. It's a great way to introduce young children to politics without using the word impeachment....

Book Description

This selection of movies that won no Hollywood awards includes some that are famous like Garbo's "Queen Christina" and "A Woman of Affairs", William Wyler's "Carrie" and "Detective Story", Fritz Lang's "Metropolis", John Farrow's "California", Hitchcock's "Young and Innocent", John Ford's "Wee Willie Winkie", Albert Lewin's "Pandora and the Flying Dutchman", Mae West's "She Done Him Wrong", and DeMille's original version of "The Ten Commandments"; some that deserve to be famous like "Tonight and Every Night", "Sunnyside Up", "Ambassador Bill", "Diplomaniacs", "The Nitwits", "Fallen Angel" and "Rhythm on the Range"; and some that had no chance at all like "The Noose Hangs High", "Words and Music", "The Bohemian Girl", and 'Wagon Wheels Westward". Special added feature: a monograph on one of Hollywood's greatest directors, Henry Hathaway.

Customer Reviews:

Australian critic and colleagues know their stuff.......2006-08-29

The author and his fellow critics are very gifted in their analysis of classic American and British films. They really love these films-and I always get a kick out of their right choice of words. Did I agree with every review? Of course not. However I agreed 85-90% of the time!!! I used to get the separate issues of their old magazine. How fortunate, after 20 years, to be able to renew my acquaintance with these Aussie film fanatics. Their description of a film will make you want to track a print of the film and see it-for the heck of it!

Book Description

A compendium of music recommended for healing body, mind, and soul.

Customer Reviews:

A useful addition to anyone's 'music as therapy' library.......2006-10-06

As another reviewer (Darren) noted, this book does have its biases. The author admits that he usually doesn't find popular music to be particularly healing or therapeutic. That's his experience, and it's OK as long as you're not expecting something different. Books about music therapy vary enormously in their approach. If you are looking into the therapeutic value of classical/new age music, this book gives the topic a unique treatment.
There is somewhat of a guidebook format to the book (e.g. 'Music for Better Health and Well Being' and 'Music of Nature' are chapter titles). Within these are sections about music that is useful for, among other things, 'airing out anger' or for 'clear thinking'. Music is also listed according to the composers near the end of the book. His analysis of composers and their personalities is interesting. In some cases I had never considered how much personality gets communicated through music.
I use this book more as a reference guide to classical and new age music than anything else. The only parts where the author began to lose me was where he discusses the composer's astrological birth signs. Other than that, the content is quite accessible.

A Precious Jewel of A Book!.......2005-09-28

For me, this is both an inspiring and useful book. What makes it so appealing to me is that (1)It is obviously a labor of love. It's a kind of love that, at the risk of being called "sentimental" or "gushy" (as another reviewer called it), Lingerman is totally honest and open in expressing. (2) Lingerman is undoubtedly deeply devoted to music and also to serving both God and mankind.

The other two reviewers criticized the author for mainly focusing on two types of music -- Classical and New Age and I know from experience that, in general, these are the most positive or healing types, especially Classical.

Because it has to do with resonance, whether or not music is healing has a lot to do with the listener. In his book, "The Foundations of Tibetan Mysticism", Lama Govinda writes:

"The true power of mantra...consists mainly in the purity and truthfulness of the speaker....Though the inner attitude of the speaker is the main source of power, yet the form in which it is expressed is not irrelevant. It must be adequate to the spiritual content, melodious, forceful, and supported by mental and emotional associations, created either by tradition or personal experience".

Though Lama Govinda is speaking of mantra, what he is saying also applies to music in general. If one understands what a mantra is and studies the structure of Beethoven's wonderful Fifth Symphony, he can see that it is based on the extended repetition of one motif or mantra.

However, I do not believe that Beehoven's Fifth and other great works of Classical Music are, in and of themselves, healing. In order for a piece of music to be healing or empowering, the listener also needs to be, in Lama Govinda's words, "pure" and "true" or able to resonate in tune with the music. For example: If two equally pure Quartz crystal glasses are placed side by side, when one is struck, the other will vibrate or resonate in sympathy with it. If however, the second vessel is made of common glass, it will not vibrate in tune with the crystal glass.

My point is that, whether or not music is healing depends to a large extent on the resonance and receptivity of the listener. One of the rules seems to be: "Different strokes for different folks".

For example, I can listen to a recording of a great piece of Classical Music and to Carmen McRae's inimitable recording of "Here's That Rainy Day" and be moved to tears by both.

I am also easily wooed by some of the music of the Beatles, James Taylor and Simon & Garfunkel (to mention only a few) but, as far as healing and transformation are concerned, there's nothing in all the lower musical realms that can compare to a great Classical composition, such as the final movement of Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 3 (Jascha Horenstein's performance)

I also believe that Classical Music and the very best New Age Music (some of which is listed in this book)has more healing and transformative potential than most other forms.

Lingerman focuses primarily on Classical Music, because the great works in that genre , in Lama Govinda's words, are all "...adequate to the spiritual content, melodious, forceful, and supported by mental and emotional associations, created either by tradition or personal experience".

If you don't believe me, purchase this wonderful guide, along with some of the music that Lingerman recommends; follow his clear and simple instructions for how to use an appreciate it and find out for yourself.

I'd like to mention just two more things...

I think that, by neglecting other types of music, specifically Jazz, Lingerman was expressing preference rather than prejudice. He does mention that Rock may be harmful and there is a mounting body of evidence to show that he is correct. For some insights into what types of music can be harmful or healthy, I'd start with "The Secret Life of Plants".

Lastly, many of the Classical pieces that Lingerman recommends are now available in downloadable file form. If they aren't already available from amazon.com, they soon will be. I predict that, within one year or less, many of the New Age recordings that Lingerman recommends will also be available in this format.

OM Shanti (for those of you who don't already know what it is --that's a mantra). For some people, so is "spagetti and meatballs". DSFDF.

Tim O'Hanlon

General discussion plus lengthy lists........2001-07-01

THE HEALING ENERGIES OF MUSIC. By Hal A. Lingerman. 292 pp. Second Edition. Wheaton, Il.: Quest Books (The Theosophical Publishing House), 1995. ISBN 0-8356-0722-4 (pbk.)

The title of this book might lead one to expect the sort of deep exploration plus practical treatment of music and sound that is found, for example, in the books of Jonathan Goldman, Don G. Campbell, and Katharin Le Mee. These are important books that bring us astounding knowledge about the nature of sound and the powerful and important effects it has on us, knowledge that will be complete news to most. The present book, in contrast, is rather superficial, and does not really tell us anything about sound and music that we don't already know. In fact, this book is little more than a catalogue, and one with a powerful Christian agenda. Each of its twelve chapters follows the same pattern - general (and occasionally gushing) comment followed by a discography. The twelve chapters are as follows :

1. Music and you - A Closer Relationship; 2. Music for Better Health and Well-Being; 3. Finding Your Music; 4. Music for Daily Life; 5. Music for Home and Family; 6. The Music of Nature; 7. Angelic Music; 8. Music and Global Spirituality; 9. Gallery of Great Composers : Composer Keynotes; 10. The Deeper Mysteries of Music; 11. Music for the Future; 12. Women Composers.

The book is rounded out with three Appendices, and with a Bibliography in which I note the striking absence of Katharine Le Mee's extremely important book on Gregorian Chant.

Although personally I haven't found the slightest use for this book at all, I can see how it might be of some value to people looking for advice about what to listen to. Its intended audience would seem to be the Christian who either has extremely deep pockets or access to an enormous library collection of recordings.

My biggest problem with this book, however, is that it assumes a totally passive audience, an audience that simply wants to listen while waves of beautiful sound wash over them. Not that there's anything wrong with this as such, but nothing at all is said about our own power to create music by using the finest instrument that is available to anyone - her or his own God-given voice.

Few of us have the ability to sing well. But all of us can learn how to tone, to produce single notes of amazing power and beauty. And I wonder whether the production of such a note, simple and modest as it may seem, may not be doing as much or more for us than a mere passive listening to even the most ravishing symphony or concerto.

The modern world is filled to overflowing with experts, whose main effect seems to have been to convince everyone that everything is best left to them. This, however, may not be altogether true, and may have helped to destroy a great deal of individual initiative and creativity. We all have a voice and the innate power of producing marvelous sounds. If, after reading Lingerman and enjoying some of the very fine listening he recommends (his lists, so far as they go, are excellent), you'd like to learn about the real mysteries of sound and how to make hugely enjoyable sounds of your own, try taking a look at these titles :

HEALING SOUNDS : The Power of Harmonics. Revised Edition. By Jonathan Goldman. New York : Harper Collins, 1996 (1992). ISBN: 1852308486 (pbk.)

THE ROAR OF SILENCE : Healing Powers of Breath, Tone & Music. By Don G. Campbell. 134 pp. Wheaton, Ill.: The Theosophical Publishing House, 1994 (1989). ISBN 0-8356-0645-7 (pbk.)

CHANT : The Origins, Form, Practice, and Healing Power of Gregorian Chant. By Katharine Le Mee. 169 pp. New York : Bell Tower, 1994. ISBN 0-517-70037-9 (hbk.)

The wise understanding of sound shared by these books goes further than anything in the present book, and since practical instruction is given in the first two, you may discover that you didn't really need Lingerman's lists after all.

This book needs to get Jazzed up.......2001-01-16

Hal Lingerman does a good job at defining classical music pieces to relieve tension, boredom, grief anxiety and depression, and those compositions which might help one relax, meditate or pray. He also gives quite a menu for musical pieces to give strength and courage, facilitate clear thinking and release anger.

Unfortunately, beyond mostly classical music, other genres of music are either omitted altogether or are severely underrepresented. He does however include a chapter representing some world music, women's music and the music of nature. An interesting chapter on personality temperaments, musical preference and the elements of fire, water, air and earth is also included but not enough to save this book from a severe lack of diversity in musical style.

After a chapter that basically bastardizes rock and roll, it becomes clear that Lingerman (who is also a minister) is on his own subtle musical pulpit. The music he preaches and advocates is without a doubt, slanted towards the classical genre and angelic in nature. Jazz compositions are virtually omitted altogether.

A good book for those with a preference for receiving the healing energy of classical music.

Average customer rating:

Go to School with GM Yermo!

Where is the road at first?

A very helpful and inspiring book.

Book review of The Road to Chess Improvement by Alex Yermolinsky

Disappointing book

The Road to Chess Improvement
Alex Yermolinsky
Manufacturer: Gambit Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1901983242

Book Description

"How can I improve my game?" is a perennial question facing chess-players. While there are no easy answers, Alex Yermolinsky is better qualified than most to offer advice. Having found the famed "Soviet School of Chess" wanting, he trained himself, slowly but surely raising his game to top-class grandmaster standard. In this book, he passes on many of the insights he has gained over the years. He steers the reader away from "quick fix" approaches, and focuses on the critical areas of chess understanding and over-the-board decision-making. This entertainingly written book breaks new ground in many areas of chess understanding. Topics covered include: Trend-Breaking Tools; The Burden of Small Advantages; What Exchanges Are For; Classics Revisited; and Computer Chess. A large part of the book discusses a variety of important opening set-ups, including methods for opposing offbeat but dangerous lines, such as the Grand Prix Attack.

Customer Reviews:

Go to School with GM Yermo!.......2006-06-09

This excellent review was written by A J Goldsby of Pensacola, FL. I have reposted it here as it deserves to be seen by as many people as possible. Mr Goldsby is one of the best and most objective book reviewers and a credit to the Amazon review system.

Dozens - if not hundreds - of people have written me and asked me to review to review this book. I have had the book for close to a year now. I have played over perhaps a hundred of the examples, 10-20 in great detail. And I have just plain 'read' the book from cover-to cover at least twice. And I have also "polled" dozens of players - both in person at chess tournaments, and on the Internet - about this book.
At first I was a little critical of many of the examples in this book, (he only uses his own games to illustrate points that could have been accomplished by better known examples)- but the text is pretty clear and concise. I will give a very small extract from the book later, and you can judge for yourself.

I am a "Chess Pro" (A LIFE-Master), ... for over 5 years now I have made a living teaching chess ... both in person and lately - sometimes giving 3-7 lessons in a [good] day on the Internet. So my questions about this book were twofold: #1.) Is it a GOOD teaching vehicle? # 2.) Is it something the average chess player would benefit from?

Another hard consideration is there are dozens of chess books out there on the market today - all promising improvement. So why should I listen to this guy? (Especially when I could buy the series from Lev Alburt?) Well the answer is pretty simple, this guy is NOT a yutz: this is a [former] U.S. Champion who at one time had played in like 8 consecutive U.S. Championship events. He has won many large open tournaments in the USA and has even played very creditably on the International Chess scene. He is an extremely well known teacher and has written many respected articles for newspapers and magazines on chess. He is also a product of the highly vaunted "Soviet School" of chess - their teaching methods are well known and have produced all but one of the chess World Champions since Botvinnik.

I am not sure I agree with the layout of this book, I might have done it differently - but this is more of an ergonomic and stylistic remark than a valid criticism. There are sections on everything from the Benoni structure to advice on how to handle complex tactical positions. There is also some very frank and extremely instructive advice and commentary on some of the endgames.

In the introduction the author tells you that this book is, "essentially a collection of A. Yemolinsky's games and analysis." (In the Introduction.) So the only question remains did he come through on the two basic questions that I posed above?

Well, a good question to see would be to find one of my own weaknesses and see if the author could help me in this area? The answer was yes.

On page 51, we find an extremely detailed explanation - and the beginning of a whole section of analysis - on, "The Burden Of Small Advantages." (Steadily converting a small ad vantage is an area I have had a lot of problems with.) Here is an extract, I have started with near the end of one paragraph, and the start of another, simply to make a point.
< < they are described as 'plus over equal' in chess literature; and that's the most popular evaluation we find in Opening Books -"White is slightly better."
The positional theory of Steinitz - Tarrasch teaches us (as generations of chess players before) to attack when we are better, otherwise the advantage will disappear - some sort of 'use it or lose it' advice. And we should follow it ... >> VERY good words!
(The author has a dialogue that runs well over one whole page, see the sample pages if you would like more examples of the author's style of writing.)

The next few examples I found to be VERY illustrative - and both entertaining and instructive. I went over them many times, one time playing the main lines out on a big chess board, and looking at the side-lines on a small wooden peg board ... AND a magnetic set. The first example (in this section) is Adelman - Yermolinsky. He shows how White, (who is a very strong player); took a very seemingly equal and harmless position - with almost no visible weaknesses - and went on to lose. I think I learned a great deal from this section. But the real question is not whether he can teach a chess pro; but whether or not the average player would find this book of any real instructional value.

I took one of the examples- with a diagram - copied it, word-for-word; (with a few sparse comments from me); and sent it out to dozens of my friends and students. (Both on the Internet and in the U.S. Mail.) I also asked as many people about this book (esp. in person, at a chess tourney); as I could. The responses were overwhelmingly positive. A medical doctor - who is currently the Pensacola Chess Club's president; felt this was a great book. A player in Tallahassee, FL said, "This is a GREAT book, one anyone could learn from." A player from Kansas, whom I teach on the Internet, said, "This was - without a doubt - the best chess book I had ever read." (!!) A player from Mobile, AL (who attends college there), called this, "A VERY good instructional book!" Of the nearly 30 players who responded, only 1 "Class D" player said, "This is probably good stuff, but I felt it was a little over my head."

My honest take on this book is that it is a VERY good teaching book. I would give it an 8.5, on a scale of one to ten. I also think it is like one of Shrek's onions, it has MANY layers. I.e., I feel almost any player who applied themselves seriously to this book, (a 6-12 month study course); would show DRAMATIC IMPROVEMENT! My only criticism is that a very inexperienced or lower-rated player would be a little lost with this book. Highly recommended for players in the 1700-2199 ratings bracket!!
A good buy (One-volume!) and excellent instruction from one of the United State's strongest and most successful players!!

Where is the road at first?.......2006-05-21

the writer is writing the book about himself hoping to have the reader to benefit out of his own history... it is not the case really.

to start with, the language is not good at al. when it comes to chess the writer is like pouring though chunks here and there.

A very helpful and inspiring book........2006-03-21

I've just re-read this book after reading the recently-released 'Chess for Zebras' by Jonathan Rowson (Gambit Publications) and I have been struck by their complementary nature. Rowson, like Yermolinsky, deals with how difficult it is to improve as an adult player, and explores the psychology of chess-playing. But while Rowson is an academic, with a somewhat detached and scientific attitude to the problem, Yermolinsky is much more down-to-earth. And yet, both are basically saying the same thing - to improve, you must play, you must learn to calculate, and you must subject your own games to rigorous analysis to find out what you do wrong. Both have applied this approach to their own chess, and have continued to make progress well beyond the age when most of us find our ratings have been
written in stone.

I may be doing Rowson a disservice here, but it seems to me that although he recognises the effect of emotion on his chess, he seeks to eliminate it. Yermolinsky, on the other hand, seeks to use it - to feed off his own passions and to exploit the weaknesses of the human across the board. Since I can't imagine how I could stop being emotional at the chess-board, Yermolinsky's approach has a certain appeal! In a highly illuminating portion of this book, he explains the idea of 'trends' in a game - from good position to bad, from attacking position to defending. The way you feel about a position may depend on how you reached it, and your psychological state at that point might work for or against you. If a demoralised opponent realises you're dithering in your attack and don't know what to do, he may take heart again and defend resourcefully. Yermolinsky shows you how trends can be identified, and gives advice on how to reverse a trend which is not going your way.

What you won't find (in either of these books) are shortcuts to success. These guys put in the work, and improved, and they believe the rest of us can do it too with a bit of a push. I'd almost put this book on the 'modern psychology' shelves in a bookshop - it's certainly not an instant-soup-type solution to daily woes, but it is an equivalent to sound cognitive-therapy-type books that aim to improve your confidence and happiness. This one improves your chess, which in my opinion means a lot more confidence and happiness!

Book review of The Road to Chess Improvement by Alex Yermolinsky.......2006-01-31

This book has excellent annotation. Well, there's so much more, including Yermolinsky's personal experiences with Soviet training and his gradual advance into the world's 2600+ elite. In conclusion, 'The Road to Chess Improvement' is an honest and sincere book, as well as an top-notch read. I should mention that it is primarily aimed at advanced players, but it could not fail to help those above 1600. For anyone looking to improve and to understand the modern game in a fresh way, I believe that this is one of the most exciting and provocative works to appear in years.

Disappointing book.......2005-10-17

I am disappointed with this book. It contains just a bunch of articles about different chess topics, illustrated (mainly) with the author games. The articles are rather interesting and well written, games well annotated but ... it is hard to find the idea behind the book as a whole.

Average customer rating:

Road to Chess Improvement
Alex Yermolinsky
Manufacturer: Gambit
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000O8QUR0

Average customer rating:

Road to Chess Improvement

Manufacturer: GAMBIT PUBLICATIONS
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000GRIBLM

Average customer rating:

Awesome !

Excellent book

Great insight into the world of enterprise software business

Excellent Read

Book's value is in provactive questions

The Business of Software: What Every Manager, Programmer, and Entrepreneur Must Know to Thrive and Survive in Good Times and Bad
Michael A. Cusumano
Manufacturer: Free Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 074321580X

Book Description

The world's leading expert on the global software industry and coauthor of the bestseller Microsoft Secrets reveals the inner workings of software giants like IBM, Microsoft, and Netscape and shows what it takes to create, develop, and manage a successful company -- in good times and bad -- in the most fiercely competitive business in the world.

In the $600 billion software industry it is the business, not the technology, that determines success or failure. This fact -- one that thousands of once glamorous start-ups have unhappily discovered for themselves -- is the well-documented conclusion of this enormously readable and revealing new book by Michael Cusumano, based on nearly twenty years of research and consulting with software producers around the world.

Cusumano builds on dozens of personal experiences and case studies to show how issues of strategy and organization are irrevocably linked with those of managing the technology and demonstrates that a thorough understanding of these issues is vital to success. At the heart of the book Cusumano poses seven questions that underpin a three-pronged management framework. He argues that companies must adopt one of three basic business models: become a products company at one end of the strategic spectrum, a services company at the other end, or a hybrid solutions company in between. The author describes the characteristics of the different models, evaluates their strengths and weaknesses, and shows how each is more or less appropriate for different stages in the evolution of a business as well as in good versus bad economic times. Readers will also find invaluable Cusumano's treatment of software development issues ranging from architecture and teams to project management and testing, as well as two chapters devoted to what it takes to create a successful software start-up. Highlights include eight fundamental guidelines for evaluating potential software winners and Cusumano's probing analysis, based on firsthand knowledge, of ten start-ups that have met with varying degrees of success.

The Business of Software is timely essential reading for managers, programmers, entrepreneurs, and others who follow the global software industry.

Download Description

"The world's leading expert on the global software industry and coauthor of the bestseller Microsoft Secrets reveals the inner workings of software giants like IBM, Microsoft, and Netscape and shows what it takes to create, develop, and manage a successful company, in good times and bad, in the most fiercely competitive business in the world. In the $600 billion software industry it is the business, not the technology, that determines success or failure. This fact, one that thousands of once glamorous start-ups have unhappily discovered for themselves, is the well-documented conclusion of this enormously readable and revealing new book by Michael Cusumano, based on nearly twenty years of research and consulting with software producers around the world. Cusumano builds on dozens of personal experiences and case studies to show how issues of strategy and organization are irrevocably linked with those of managing the technology and demonstrates that a thorough understanding of these issues is vital to success. At the heart of the book Cusumano poses seven questions that underpin a three-pronged management framework. He argues that companies must adopt one of three basic business models: become a products company at one end of the strategic spectrum, a services company at the other end, or a hybrid solutions company in between. The author describes the characteristics of the different models, evaluates their strengths and weaknesses, and shows how each is more or less appropriate for different stages in the evolution of a business as well as in good versus bad economic times. Readers will also find invaluable Cusumano's treatment of software development issues ranging from architecture and teams to project management and testing, as well as two chapters devoted to what it takes to create a successful software start-up.

Customer Reviews:

Awesome !.......2007-07-20

Cusumano shows us what we, IT professionals, should know about business of software. He also shows us, in a very simple manner, what we must really know about software and its value chain.

Excellent book.......2007-05-01

This book is like a text book. Excellent source of information. Too much emphasis on Microsoft but when this book was written, Microsoft was at the top of their field.

Great insight into the world of enterprise software business.......2007-01-08

Well written, detailed, and insightful, best describe this book. Very helpful for any ISV or software product development manager. Cusamano, having served many of the companies he chronicles in this book, provides a uniquely human "insiders look" into the heart of these monolithic software titans. His insight and clear understanding of trends and business models in the often obscured and esoteric space of enterprise software is incredibly helpful to any "little guy" eager to learn how the "big guys" do it.

Excellent Read.......2006-03-31

The Business of Software is an excellent read and growth tool for seasoned practitioners. Organized in three major sections it explores:

(1) Product vs. services vs. hybrid software organizations' strengths and weaknesses, and how they can change over time (think about your company...!).

(2) Software development strategies and outcomes. At first glance, this section seems less relevant - until you find yourself defending why your latest release is waaaaay late... There are some excellent ideas here that can apply to the creation and roll-out of "core" demos.

(3) Entrepreneurship - successes, failures, and ongoing question marks - the author explores what key factors contribute to the end result. The case studies at the end of this section can serve as virtual mirrors onto one's own organization.

This is good and useful reading, particularly for those who seek to move upwards in their organizations or are contemplating joining a new or emerging company.

Book's value is in provactive questions.......2006-03-13

The most useful sections for technology marketers are in Chapter 2 about strategy, where Cusumano asks provocative questions that will give you a new way of looking at your products, services and company direction.

Also useful is Chapter 4 on best practices, which will give you some benchmarks for comparing your operations and development activities to industry leaders.

Much of the book focuses on presenting detailed analysis of the rise and fall of companies during the technology boom and bust in recent years. The stories can be interesting, but it seems to me that information is getting dated given the challenges that face technology companies today.

The Business of Software: What Every Manager, Programmer, and Entrepreneur Must Know To Thrive and Survive in Good Times and Bad

Average customer rating:

The Business of Software: What Every Manager, Programmer, and Entrepreneur Must Know To Thrive and Survive in Good Times and Bad
Michael A. Cusumano
Manufacturer: Free Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000N779YK

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