King James VI of Scotland, I of England

Book Description

Descended from a long line of doughty warriors and statesmen, William Prince of Orange was born in the Hague during November 1650, son of a Dutch father and a Scottish Stuart Princess, eldest daughter of Charles I. Banned at first from succeeding to his hereditary offices by the Act of Seclusion, william's boyhood was rather lonely. His early life was bounded by the Anglo-Dutch naval wars during Cromwell's Protectorate and after the Restoration of Charles II. Acquiring his first military experience during the invasion of Holland by King Louis XIV in 1672, he revealed qualities of heroism and patriotism, refusing to submit to the might of France. He was, above all, a European, having an intimate knowledge of her various peoples. Bryan Bevan, in his new biography of the Prince, discusses William's qualities as a statesman, revealing his many virtues but not silent as to his marked faults. What were his real motives when invading his father-in-law James' kingdom? William III, reigning jointly with Mary II, had an unusual marriage but the deep attachment he felt for her surprised many. However, for the most part, in his private and public life, men friends mattered more to him than female society. William's bravery in battle has never been questioned. but he was never a great soldier. His greatness shone rather in his patience and skill in forging a grand alliance of nations against Louis XIV's ambition to dominate Europe. He was before his time in belief in the balance of power.

Customer Reviews:

A disappointing portrayal.......2001-11-30

At the end of this biography, the author aptly summarizes King James as "the most human of our kings." James VI and I was a complex, contradictory, and altogether fascinating character. His life is worthy of study; that said, I do not recommend this particular book.

It is well researched and not without intriguing tidbits, but the writing style provides too serious a distraction to study. It is exceedingly disjointed. Paragraphs are strings of often unrelated and badly sequenced sentences, full of odd digressions. The narrative does not flow any better as it moves from one paragraph to another. The prose itself lacks clarity. Misplaced modifiers are common, punctuation is dubious, and a careless use of pronouns often creates confusion.

What I found most distressing about this book was its consistently salacious tone. It lingers on the king's alleged homosexuality, his coarse sense of humor, and his interest in other people's sexual activities. The author's voice provides an apt frame for this portrayal. At one point he describes Lady Frances, wife of Robert Carr, as follows: "She was beautiful, but her portrait at Woburn reveals her sensuality and depravity. Beneath the curves of her dress can be seen her breasts, ripe and luscious." The reader must wade through a great deal of this.

If you are looking for a solid, well-written biography, I would recommend any of the following:

King James, by Pauline Croft
Great Britain's Solomon by Maurice Lee., Jr.
The Cradle King, by Alan Stewart
The Making of a King, by Caroline Bingham
After Elizabeth, by Leanda de Lisle

King James VI of Scotland & I of England Unjustly Accused?

Average customer rating:

Interesting premise, but poorly written and argued
Excellent history of James as king, father, and man

King James VI of Scotland & I of England Unjustly Accused?

Manufacturer: Konigswort Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Book Description

This pivotal one of kind historical work about the true character of King James VI & I reveals rare & previously ignored documentary evidence recently brought to light and published in this revolutionary volume. Introduction by The Most Noble 10th Duke Of Atholl, His Grace George Iain Murray. Coston provides a detailed account of the moral life of the most notable Prince of Jacobean Great Britain and thoroughly refutes scandalous charges of His Royal Person. Walk through history and into the realms of 16th Century Great Britain, read rare documents from the King, works he authored, letters to and from contemporaries, and love poetry composed to his wife. Coston uncovers the motives behind the would be assassins of the King's person and honor. All the critical, revisionist, and pseudo-historian sources attacking the person are examined in detail in this unique book.

Customer Reviews:

Interesting premise, but poorly written and argued.......1999-05-22

The research and quotes used throughout this work seem well documented, and the premise seems sound...that James the VI and I was maligned due to the antagonism of court intriguers who were ousted as favorites with his reign, and who had strong prejudices against the "uncivilized Scots" Anyone with any experience of the literature and sensibilities of the times would recognize that the sentimentality and expressions of love that were purported to be the evidence of James' homosexuality were absolutely normal and common speech of the times. However, I object to the homophobic tone that the writer pursues, as if such accusations were the most evil thing one could say of another, and I find the organization and arguments to be rambling and excessively repetitious. The author could have used a strong editor with a red pencil. The theme could have been fully discussed in an article of magazine length, rather than a $15 book.

Excellent history of James as king, father, and man.......1997-10-02

While King James has often been accused by both secular and Christian history as a man of ill repute, little has been offered in his defense. However, Unjustly Accused? certainly has defended the honor of this king, central to both politics and religion, in a more than adequate manner. While admitting his flaws, the book also emphasizes his accomplishments as a king, as a father, and as a man.

King James, the VI of Scotland & the I of England: Unjustly accused?

Average customer rating:

King James, the VI of Scotland & the I of England: Unjustly accused?
Stephen A Coston
Manufacturer: KonigsWort
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

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Letters of King James VI and I

Manufacturer: University of California Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Royal Family, Royal Lovers: King James of England and Scotland

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Dark secrets of a Gt King ... will shock some

Royal Family, Royal Lovers: King James of England and Scotland
David Moore Bergeron
Manufacturer: Univ of Missouri Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0826207839

Customer Reviews:

Dark secrets of a Gt King ... will shock some.......2003-01-15

King James, sponsor of the famous Authorized "King James" Bible, is often lauded as defender of the faith by some who worship his 1611 publication as the be-all and end-all of all English Bible translations. Many hagiographic works abound, but Bergeron's isn't one of those.

While writing his Basilicon Doron to attack the sin of sodomy, James himself used his royal position to shield himself from such a charge against himself. Bergeron digs up the historical dirt and shares a contemporary's view of the hypocrisy, a diary entry in 1622 by one Simonds D'Ewes of a conversation he'd had with a friend:
"Of things I discoursed with him that weere secrett as of the sinne of sodomye, how frequente it was in this wicked cittye, and if God did not provide some wonderfull blessing against it, wee could not but expect some horrible punishment for it; especially it being as wee had probable cause to feare, a sinne in the prince as well as the people, which God is for the most part the chastiser of himselfe, because noe man else indeed dare reprove or tell him them of ther faults." (Bergeron, p. 183)

Many more pieces of evidence are to be found in those pages, and what emerges from Bergeron's picture is that of a great man who was both King of England and Scotland and quite human.

Average customer rating:
Vi of Scotland: King James I of England by Antonia. Fraser
Antonia Fraser
Manufacturer: Weidenfeld and Nicolson
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000RSIOWQ

Average customer rating:
Kent State University. Honors College. Honors Papers. Department of History
Kenneth Alan Haseley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B0007AEKYA

Book Description

Fascinating biography of a Stellar athlete and baseball legend.

Customer Reviews:

None of the other Robinson books are as good as this.......1999-09-29

This is the only Robinson biography I've read that tells me about the ballplayer and athlete - the others either try to turn him into a saint or a political figure. This book, while not ignoring his role or his image, places that in perspective and sticks with the story of what he actually did, rather than indulging in hagiography. And the revelations about what he actually did are startling.

Average customer rating:

Jackie Robinson: Between the Baselines
Glenn & Dick Stout & Johnson
Manufacturer: Woodford Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000NQLREE

Customer Reviews:

An entertaining book about Stephen King.......2004-08-18

This is a fairly hard to find book now, especially the signed and slipcased edition. But it's well worth it. Most articles and essays take place in the aftermath of IT. There's an interesting interview with SK, a review of IT by Whoopi Goldberg, an essay about meeting King from Frank Belknap Long, an essay about King's use of brand names in his books (mostly pharmaceutical, written by a physician), a look at King's movies, and various looks at King's works from different aspects.

However, the most interesting (and controversial) chapter just may be the last, by book editor Don Herron. He severely criticized King for wasting the promise shown by earlier efforts like The Shining and making horrible, indulgent works like IT. It was very entertaining to read a detailed criticism about King, even though I disagreed with some of it. You either love IT, or you're unimpressed. It's all about point of view. Yet even though I didn't agree with his conclusions, it was still thought-provoking enough for me to sit back and think about what I like and dislike about King... so I find Reign of Fear to be a definitely welcome addition to my King library, which is mostly made up of slavering praise to King. Reign of Fear is definitely not such a book (at least, not Don Herron's chapter).

This book is the fourth in a loose tetrology consisting of Fear Itself, Feast of Fear and Kingdom of Fear, and Reign of Fear. All are by Underwood/Miller, and all four are entertaining books about my favorite author.

Reign of fear: Fiction and film of Stephen King

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Reign of fear: Fiction and film of Stephen King

Manufacturer: Underwood-Miller
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Adaptations | Movies | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

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Reign of Fear: Fiction and Film of Stephen King.
Stephen King
Manufacturer: Underwood-Miller, Los Angeles,
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OVCK4E

Reign of Fear: The Fiction and Films of Stephen King (1982-1989) (Pan Horror)

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Reign of Fear: The Fiction and Films of Stephen King (1982-1989) (Pan Horror)
Don Herron
Manufacturer: Pan Macmillan
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Movies | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

Reign of Fear: The Fiction and the Films of Stephen King

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Reign of Fear: The Fiction and the Films of Stephen King

Manufacturer: North Atlantic Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0887331491

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Czerny-Selections from the Little Pianist, Opus 823 - Book/CD Pack: Technique Classics Hal Leonard Student Piano Library Book/CD Pack

Manufacturer: Hal Leonard Corporation
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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School of Velocity, Op. 299 (Complete): Piano Technique

ASIN: 0634057715

Book Description

The 29 etudes in this book are taken from Carl Czerny's The Little Pianist, Opus 823. These engaging etudes are comparable to their famous "older brothers," the studies found in The Art of Finger Dexterity, but are written for students at an earlier stage of study. They encompass a wealth of technical and music instruction from this master teacher of the Classical period, indeed, the world's first great piano pedagogue. The etudes focus on developing both technical and music skills, providing an excellent stylistic and technical resource for the intermediate pianist. Preceding each etude or group of etudes is a worksheet divided into three sections: Practice Tips, Quick Quiz and Creative Corner. These worksheets help students focus on the important technical features in each etude, apply practical music theory to their study of the music, and vary the etudes in creative ways. Czerny - Selections from The Little Pianist, Opus 823 is available in book/CD format (00296363) or as a book alone (00296364). A separate General MIDI accompaniment disk is also available (00296365). CD and GM accompaniments were created by Phillip Keveren. Also see Hanon for the Developing Pianist in the Hal Leonard Student Piano Library Technique Classics series.

Customer Reviews:

If any book helped me understand the Fae..........2005-09-26

it would be this one.

The chapter on House Dougal was the most interesting to me, as it expounded the most extra information while still holding my undivided attention. It should be essential reading for anyone playing a Dougal sidhe.

The chapter on Eiluned wasn't as grand as the one on Dougal, but it was very in-depth, yet didn't betray the feel of the house itself. That's Eilunded for you though... incredibly complex, but not open about their pride of it. Yet again, this should be required reading for any Eiluned noble having trouble with the concept.

The following chapter on Fiona turns it back up a notch or two. It explains things in rather striking detail if I do say so myself. The Fiona aren't exactly "deep", so this didn't tell you what you particularly didn't know, but it MOST ASSUREDLY confirmed your suspicions. Good reading for those interested in (or even opposed to) the house.

The Gwydion chapter that came next was a bit of a disappointment for me. I felt that it lacked the "polished shine" of the first three chapters. It felt as stodgy as the Gwydion themselves... but I do believe that to be the intention.

Last, the chapter on House Liam was handy, but definitely the least polished of them all. It's sad that, in the fifth and final chapter, they decided to drop the ball. It feels rushed, and not in any intentional sense that would reveal something about the house. It's no surprise that typos in spelling and grammar abound in this chapter. It's also missing some of the best sections found in the other chapters. Overall, it is the worst chapter, but still worthy of the read.

My only heart-felt disappointment was the lack of Merits/Flaws for all houses (Gwydion is the only one that I remember seeing them for, but they weren't my main focus admittedly). Other than that, this is a solid read that I would recommend to any Changeling storyteller. This book PROOVES that the nobility aren't all alike!

Absolutely the Best.......1999-09-24

Always has my family been able to associate with the Sylves {aka Sidhe} and now I own tis book. It is useful information for any storyteller, or any player who wants to know how the local Noble thinks. This book has made a world of differance in my Chronicle.

Book Description

For vacationers and permanent residents alike, Time Off! The Unemployed Guide to San Francisco offers practical advice for spending free time in the City by the Bay. More than just a travel guide, this book imparts a philosophy of leisure, showing how to get time off and use it without guilt. Practical advice, including finding odd jobs and one-day-long projects, provides innovative strategies for getting by without a regular job, while tips on saving money help make scant savings last. Chapters on volunteering and going back to school help readers use their leisure time wisely. For those who prefer to sightsee, little known facts and oft-ignored attractions complement the more established sights featured in the book, and primers on "Leisure Lingo" and "San Francisco's Wild Characters" can make anyone a seasoned leisure seeker in no time. A fun magazine-style layout, with punchy graphics and playful prose, helps keep readers' minds on leisure, while a full index of resources and topics makes navigation simple.

Customer Reviews:

Unemployment Doldrums Got You Down in San Francisco? Read This..........2007-03-05

Escaping unscathed from the dot-com fallout, Dean LaTourrette and Kristine Enea have taken a cue from Cary Grant's character in 1938's "Holiday" when he chose to take an extended period of adventurous unemployment despite pressure from his fiancée's family to accept a staid, unfulfilling job at a bank. Although they state that they have been "successfully unemployed since 2001", each has found the financial means to pursue their creative interests in order to build an ideal leisure lifestyle. Their most renowned outlet has been their "Time Off!" books, which I think are terrific, eminently readable resources for those wondering how to handle the abrupt reversal between time and money when between jobs.

I still have a ragged, used copy of the first edition which was called "The Unemployed Guide to San Francisco". The switch to "Leisure" seems quite intentional, especially since much of the text is directed to anyone in a high-stress situation. In fact, the first part of the book is devoted to the art of leisure, and it gives informative stepwise advice on managing the transition to unemployment. This section covers not only the psychological aspects, including nagging feelings of guilt and dismantling time schedules based on going to work, but also practical advice on dealing with dwindling financial resources. I particularly like how they clearly define the three phases of money management - Finance 101 for planning and budgeting, Finance 202 for paying off debt and keeping a cash reserve, and Finance 303 for getting cash in the immediate term.

By far the biggest part of the book, Part 2 is a cleverly organized guide to free or low-cost activities in San Francisco, including museums, festivals, volunteer organizations and a great matrix of the more famous coffeehouses. Granted some of the information is dated (e.g., the National Maritime Museum is closed until 2009), this was still immensely helpful to me when I was unemployed and trying to live comfortably in one of the world's most expensive cities. There is even a large section on travel and how you can reasonably journey to far-flung locales on a budget. It's inevitable that the book should end with how to manage the transition back to the job hunt and work, and the co-authors remain steadfast in ensuring you incorporate leisure even during this process. The revised book feels a bit heavier, but the graphics remain pleasing and the text relatively light-hearted. I think it's a great instructional resource for those trying to make the best of a most trying time.

Something useful for the Bay Area Workforce.......2006-12-06

In the City by the Bay and its surrounding other cities. Change and Restructure in the Work place is so common that Time Off from the corporate grind is expected and can be useful too. This book shows you how to make excellent use of your Time Off in between the next career adventure.

Time Off! The Unemployed Guide to San Francisco.......2006-02-16

Please note: This book contains an error. When visiting the Koret Health & Recreation Center, the Red Pass ONLY allows you access before 2pm (Monday-Thursday) and anytime on Friday-Sunday. You can NOT attend a group exercise class if time restrictions apply.

Preparation for me... and you possibly!!.......2005-01-29

I've been reading this book while commuting to work. Yes, I wrote work! I still have one, but I have uncertainties. So I thought "Hmm this can be a good how-to book just in case in a couple of weeks I get fired or laid off. Excellent! hehehe." The book is very helpful as it suggests where to eat and shop when your tiny little checking account is about depleted. Saying that, they mentioned as well how to obtain/maintain your finances. Humor and tidbits of SF made this book a best buy. There are some websites that are no longer up, but not to worry, just email the writers for updates. Whether you're working or not, who's in a tight budget or no budget at all, this is a great book! And.. you'll be surprise of how much you don't know of SF, I don't till this book.

My Year of Living Dangerously.......2004-12-17

Yesterday was my one year anniversary of not working. I picked up this book shortly afterwards and as a result, I have to say that this last year was the best year of my life. I have to highly recommend it for the unemployed of the SF Bay Area. Not only does it provide some interesting, low-cost things to do in the City, but also (and more importantly), it addresses the psychology of unemployment. It's easy to get in a funk when you're unemployed - this book will help you see it for a chance of an excellent adventure.

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