John Wanamaker, King of Merchants: The Wanamaker Digest

Customer Reviews:

King of Merchants.......2004-05-15

Wonderfully comprehensive and well written. Only wish section on Rodman Wanamaker was more detailed, to include more about the Millrose Games and Wanamaker Trophy of the PGA (Wanamaker founded the PGA of America).

Customer Reviews:

A lonely end.......2001-05-21

Bill Tilman was happiest when his crew was Australian. Bill Tilman was comfortable in his old boats as they set off on voyages of months and years, and he could not understand why others aboard felt otherwise. This is an uncomfortable book in that it portrays the selfishness of an explorer, the selflessness of the explorer. Bill Tilman was a very hard man on himself, and anyone else who thought they had the stamina to go with him. A must read for anyone thinking of going on an Outward Bound course.

Second Best.......2001-01-15

Bill Tilman was indeed the 'Last Hero'. His exploits are absolutely unbelievable. From being wounded twice in the first world war, to a coffee planter in kenya, to cycling across africa in the 1930s, climbing Kilimanjaro, Mt Kenya and the Ruwenzori, the first ascent of Nanda Devi in 1936, reaching 27,200 on Everest without oxygen 1938 (many with Eric Shipton), fighting behind enemy lines in Italy and Albania in the second world war, finally sailing to such remote regions including Greenland and Spitsbergen. Unfortunately this biography does not match the orginal 'High Mountains and Cold Seas' by J. Anderson which is now out of print. Tilman was a great author with a great sense of humour. His 7 mountain and 7 sailing books rate as possibly the best travel/adventure books ever. However, if this is the only book on Tilman you can get hold of, it is still worth the read.

The Last Hero: A Biography of the Explorer Bill Tilman: H.W. Tilman

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The Last Hero: A Biography of the Explorer Bill Tilman: H.W. Tilman
Tim Madge
Manufacturer: Hodder & Stoughton General Division
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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The Last Hero : A Biography of the Explorer Bill Tilman

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The Last Hero : A Biography of the Explorer Bill Tilman
Tim Madge
Manufacturer: Hodder & Stoughton General Division
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OV62I4

Book Description

Achieve savoir faire and fit into French culture with ease

Written by an internationally renowned expert in French culture, Ross Steele, this second edition of The French Way offers a uniquely impartial and fully up-to-date perspective on French attitudes, tastes, and customs regarding everything from business style (formal) to pets (doted on), conversation (an art form) to humor (satiric, political), love (truly, madly, deeply) to time ("Better late than never!").

With the help of The French Way, you will:

Understand how people from every corner of France interact, do business, and live their daily lives
Become well-versed in ninety major topics including food, family, holidays, the media, religion, sports, money, entertainment, and le shopping
Learn the truth about common myths and misconceptions concerning the French and communicate comfortably with French-speaking people without committing faux pas

Customer Reviews:

So interesting.......2007-03-12

This book was organized very well and an easy read. It was very interesting and I read it in 2 nights! It needs to be updated, though, because the French have since changed to the Euro and no longer the franc.

Fluffy - not valuable information.......2004-05-20

This book is too clichéd! Everything is described so briefly. I hesitate to call is succinct because it really doesn't delve deep into the culture. The topics covered are very superficial and it makes the culture look very transparent.

The book just barely gives you enough information to be a tad bit familiar with French culture but by all means will not prepare you for any immersion into French culture.

I've seen worse books than this, though. But there are better ones out there.

Stop ! This book is just full of cliches and very biased !.......2003-12-23

Although some historical references are right (not all of them however), most of the content of this book is based on cliches and stereotypes about France ...
First of all , how can you name a book "Aspect of behavior, attitudes , etc ... of French people" ? It sounds like a book about animals.
Also I was very disappointed by the lack of information about regions and cities other than paris.
To me it is not the kind of book that will help you understand the French culture or even help you travel throughout France, it is rather a very biased pro-american comparison between french and american cultures.

Stay away from this book !

Very good guide to culture of "France" only........1999-11-02

This book is part of a series of cultural guides; others in the series are "The Hispanic Way", "The German Way", & "The Italian Way". I'd read & enjoyed both "The Hispanic Way" & "The German Way", so when finding "The French Way", I wanted to read it, too. Taken as a guide exclusively to France & its people, this book is quite serviceable & thorough. And like any book this size & attempting to deal with a topic of this scope, "The French Way" is not going to be exhaustive, but rather is a good introduction & "stepping-stone" to further reading. There is indeed good information in this book. However, "The Hispanic Way" & "The German Way" are more thorough, providing information not exclusive on "Spain" or "Germany", respectively, but on Spanish-speaking countries & German-speaking coutries, too. Obviously, the francophone world is huge, & a book of this size would have to focus primarily on one area; "The Hispanic Way" focused on Spain, does provide information about Hispanic America as well. I had hoped that "The French Way" would include some information about Belgium, Luxembourg, & Canada at least. Since this book doesn't include at least a little more information about these other francophone areas, I'd have to give it only 4 stars.

Average customer rating:

COUREGEOUS

Shiny and Worth It Too

A Full Written Expression of a Visual Dance.....

A Must Have Tool for Bellydancers !

Knowledge and Depth for Every Woman

The Secret Language of Belly Dancing
Maria Strova
Manufacturer: BookSurge Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Bellydance: A Guide to Middle Eastern Dance, Its Music, Its Culture and Costume

Belly Dance Wisdom: For Fitness, Pregnancy and a Divine Sexuality

Grandmother's Secrets: The Ancient Rituals and Healing Power of Belly Dancing

Contemporary Bellydance and Yoga Conditioning with Ariellah

I Love Turkish Bellydance!

ASIN: 8875076162
Release Date: 2007-04-25

Book Description

Bellydance is incredibly popular today, but many prejudices remain about this art because it is not understood deeply enough. In the Secret Language of Bellydance, the author Maria Strova, renown dancer and teacher, reveals the inner meaning of this dance, far beyond the taboos of the body and the imaginary images of the harem - where the dance is erroneously considered to have originated. This confusion has influenced, not always in a positive way, the image of bellydance even today. But where did bellydance originate? What inspired its gestures, what is the meaning of the veil, the jewel on the navel or the serpentine movements? “Everything in bellydance is secretly intentional and its movements hide an eternal language,” affirms the author. From this concept, she takes the reader on a fascinating journey into its prehistoric roots in the Neolithic Age. Imbued with a sacred character, the dance was part of ancient conception and birth rites and sought to explore the cyclic and cosmic processes of life. To illustrate this “original image,” Maria Strova utilizes the symbols of the dance: belly, omphalos or navel, waist, breasts, hands, eyes, hair, veil, spiral, serpent, and the elements earth, air, fire and water. All of the images are used as a key to reveal the poetic language of bellydance and its collection of myths, verse, secrets and personal experiences. In the actual practice of bellydance, this symbolic approach playfully calls on the imagination to reconnect us, through movement, with the instinctive, sensual and sacred wisdom of the body. Dance becomes a powerful instrument which reveals the profound life of the belly.

Customer Reviews:

COUREGEOUS.......2007-09-06

My favorite part of this wonderful book was the autobiographical section called 'My Secret Dance'. There, Maria tells her own story. We get a glimpse into the life of a very interesting and courageous woman, and a taste of the kind of dedication it takes to follow one's art.

Shiny and Worth It Too.......2007-08-15

This book loses 5 stars for bad publishing and formatting, and for its sheer verbocity, but gains it all back for vivacious content. Not a primary reference book for dance, but a nice addition to anyone's dance library solely based on the author's intent and the scant few exercises the author prescribes.

Look, I instantly shy away from books that have flotsam photos and illustrations as well as over-fonted re-quotes in the margins as they smack too much of a publisher's interference and attempts to market to those folks who appreciate shiny objects (like me). It also is sad to see autobiographical information taking up more than a few pages in any book that wasn't meant to be an autobiography. I was disappointed to find this book had all of these symptoms of kitsche writing styles and cheap marketing. I blame the publisher, solely and completely. If I could roll this book up like a newspaper and swat the publisher, exclaiming "BAD, BAD PUBLISHER" I would (but security won't let me in the front door anymore).

I was pleasantly surprized to see that Ms. Strova actually listed her research references at the end of each chapter as well as in a full blown bibliography section at the end of the book. Now that is truly impressive and it made me want to actually READ the book instead of just look at the pretty fonts and pictures.

The content was not ordinary at all, and this is its most saving grace. Despite the spotty-but-good attempt to justify her "her"storical assertions, Ms. Strova really, really tries hard to put across the idea that dance is sacred (no longer a marketing ploy to neo-pagans, but a true attempt to reawaken artistic self-expression). In my opinion, she succeeds. Here, this book earns all its stars back.

I found myself "getting it" - now inspired to experiment a bit more beyond the mechanics of belly dance and the choreography of others, this book helps one to actually listen to the rhythm of Life. It inspires dancers and non-dancers alike to be better at recognizing their own, internal rhythms, without being too blunt (I did mention verbocity, but how can one put in words that which is without description otherwise, short of physically being in the room with you and demonstrating it?). Yes, Ms. Strova, I get it. You get waaaay more than 5 stars.

If just for that inspiration, this book is worth every penny.

A Full Written Expression of a Visual Dance............2007-07-19

How can one write a book in words that encapsulates such an ethereal visual dance? Well, Maria Strova has! I didn't want the book to end! I have many books on the subject, but Maria's is definitely a keeper. It is thorough, thought provoking, empowering, encouraging, spiritual, creative, and helps all dancers and women to understand the intrinsic value of what we do--and how to express that clearer in our dance. Through her captivating dance of words she was able to explain the roots and symbols of the dance, of the connection of women, the need and reasons to define for ourselves our own labels and definitions, and ways in which we can incorporate deeper meaning into what we are already doing. While I feel I already knew most of this "in my bones," it was wonderful and fresh to have it written down so I could just absorb it and be a part of it. I will definitely share this with my classes. She brings to words what is usually only felt and seen. A MUST READ!

A Must Have Tool for Bellydancers !.......2007-07-19

I highly recommend reading the secret language of belly dancing, It is supportive, quality information for rising star bellydance enthusiasts. It will give you a whole connection to the art form. You must have music and a costume, and an audience, but you feel very well rounded after reading this book.

Knowledge and Depth for Every Woman.......2007-06-13

I love Maria's book because it contains my favorite aspects of Bellydance, with answers to questions that have drawn us to it for a thousand generations, yet so few teachers include with technique in class. Her vast research and perspective reveal historic and cultural wisdom that allows each woman to integrate the most precious attributes of dance: feminine knowledge and the power of creation. What an inspiring gift! -- MESMERA

Grandmother's Secrets: The Ancient Rituals and Healing Power of Belly Dancing

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Tired "secrets" of women's spirituality in Middle Eastern garb
Grandmother's Secrets
Healing Power of Belly Dancing
Great History
Beautiful Memoir

Grandmother's Secrets: The Ancient Rituals and Healing Power of Belly Dancing
Rosina-Fawzia B. Al-Rawi
Manufacturer: Interlink Publishing Group
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1566563267

Book Description

Come, sit next to me, says Grandmother. Take this chalk in your hand. Now draw a dot and concentrate all your energy into this one dot. It is the beginning and the end, the navel of the world. So Fawzia Al-Rawi describes her grandmother's first lesson about the ancient craft of Oriental dance. Grandmother's Secrets always circles back to this grandmother and this young girl, echoing the circular movements of the dance itself. Al-Rawi has written a strikingly graceful and original book that blends personal memoir with the history and theory of the dance known in the West as belly dancing. It is the story of a young Arab girl as she is initiated into womanhood. It is a history of the dance from the earliest times through the days of the Pharoahs, the Roman Empire, to the Arab world of the last three centuries. It is a personal investigation into the effects of the dance's movements on individual parts of the body and the whole psyche. It is a guide to the actual techniques of the dance for those who are inspired to put down the book and move. Al-Rawi conveys in this book not only the history and technique of grieving and mourning dances, pregnancy and birth dances, but the spirit of these age-old rituals, and their possibilities for healing and empowering women today. Rosina-Fawzia Al-Rawi grew up in Iraq and Lebanon and was educated at the Universities of Cairo and Vienna. She is an expert in Arabic studies and ethnology, and the author of Golden Sky, Red Earth: Women's Lives in Palestine. She lives in Jerusalem and Vienna, where she teaches belly dancing.

Customer Reviews:

Tired "secrets" of women's spirituality in Middle Eastern garb.......2006-11-04

Al-Rawi's account of her own introduction into a middle-eastern inflected version of women's spirituality is charmingly told, if occasionally a bit too good to be true. Perhaps the rose-colored glasses of recollection are to blame rather than any conscious attempt to manipulate the narrative...and the reader. However, when the focus shifts from personal reflections to general discussion of the titular "secrets," we are handed yet another variant of the women's spirituality mythology that appears in Eisler, Sjoo, Walker, Stone, Gimbutas, and even in the works of late 19th/early 20th century patriarchs like Engels, Bachofen, Jung, and Neumann. Of course, there are always good political reasons to perpetuate this story. The political goals have shifted several times over the past hundred years or so, and the interpretations offered alongside the mythology have been adjusted accordingly. In a way, it's refreshing to see this old torch taken up by a new, multicultural generation, and Al-Rawi gamely and competently spins a veil of Eastern mysticism around this tired narrative. Grandmother's Secrets is a fun read if you haven't already been overexposed to the alleged secrets. If this is a story you've already heard from other writers, the cosmetic changes made to it here will not hold your interest.

Grandmother's Secrets.......2006-08-23

This is a wonderful book beginning with personal experiences by the author who is from a Middle Eastern culture that is followed by historical information and then a more practical guide for belly dancing. It gives insight into what belly dancing is really meant to mean and how it glorifies the woman's body without shame. I don't think many people (maybe Americans) realize this because it came to our country after the wars and was done strictly for entertainment of men who looked upon women as objects for their enjoyment. On a less serious note, it is indeed an enlightening book and I thoroughly enjoyed it...you will too---man or woman!

Healing Power of Belly Dancing.......2005-10-12

A very informative book on the subject of Belly Dancing with clear meaning as to the Why's and Where's of movements

Great History.......2005-10-07

This is a story of one woman, and how dance was used as a metaphor for life. Great, insightful, and a valuable lesson to others. It also brings to light the inaccurate way most Westerners view traditional Muslim women. I think we typically believe that Muslim women are background decoration and repressed, but this book showed that even in the 1950's, the women held their own ground. I loved the book!

Beautiful Memoir .......2005-04-07

You won't find any direct instruction about how to belly dance here, but it's a lovely book that details the author's childhood and beliefs about the philosophical and spirtual aspects of belly dance. This book would make a nice gift for a beginning belly dancer or someone who's interested in knowing more about the dance.

Proven Success Secrets For Your Belly Dancing Lessons Online Business

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Proven Success Secrets For Your Belly Dancing Lessons Online Business
James Orr
Manufacturer: LearnToBeRich.com, Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000NYRCZE

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The Secrets of Belly Dancing

Manufacturer: Celestial Arts Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 0912310189

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Bert, the Father of American Belly Dancing
Don't bother

The Secrets of Belly Dancing
Roman Balladine , and Sula
Manufacturer: Celestial Arts Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: B0006C5192

Customer Reviews:

Bert, the Father of American Belly Dancing.......2001-08-30

If you ever have had the pleasure of dancing with Bert, you NEED this book! It's Bert at his Show Business Best! Any serious American Belly Dancer who is a collector needs a copy of this. While it might not be a technical explanation that a beginner could use, it's Bert, girls, and how we love him! I have an autographed copy from 1979, and I will NEVER part with it!

Don't bother.......2000-06-19

Unless you are collecting BD related materials just for collectings' sake, do not bother buying this book. It consists of a number of photos with captions...no break down info, no real insight. There are other, more useful 70's books out there...Ozel's...BD in You..Mishkin's Complete Belly Dancer.....Serena's book. This one is a waste of money considering what you will have to spend on an out of print book.

Learn the Belly Dancing Costumes Online Business Networking Secrets

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Learn the Belly Dancing Costumes Online Business Networking Secrets
Jassen Bowman and James Orr
Manufacturer: LTBR
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000OPGR58

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Learn the Belly Dancing Costumes Online Business Networking Secrets
Jassen Bowman and James Orr
Manufacturer: LearnToBeRich.com, Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000O3786C

Learn the Belly Dancing Lessons Online Business Networking Secrets

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Learn the Belly Dancing Lessons Online Business Networking Secrets
Jassen Bowman and James Orr
Manufacturer: LearnToBeRich.com, Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000O3CIR6

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Learn the Belly Dancing Lessons Online Business Networking Secrets
Jassen Bowman and James Orr
Manufacturer: LTBR
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000OPJVOM

Proven Success Secrets For Your Belly Dancing Costumes Online Business

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Proven Success Secrets For Your Belly Dancing Costumes Online Business
Jassen Bowman
Manufacturer: Web Launch, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000NYQENA

Book Description

Your fast-answers, pocked-sized guide to the Microsoft Windows Server 2003 operating system, featuring quick-reference tables, lists, and step-by-step instructions.

Customer Reviews:

Stanek's Best Book - Easy to read.......2007-05-23

This book covers with essential information for a network administrator.

The author is very knowledge about the Windows 2003 server and the book is very well written in very simple readable manner with lots of "screen shots".

This is the book I used the most! You will be amazed how many new things are added in the Windows 2003 Server. The first five chapters covered essentials information like server configuration, system monitoring, and performance tuning etc. Second five chapters covered area like Active Directory and Computer management such like users, group, policies etc. Remaining of the book covered area like RAID, Disaster Recovery, Files Sharing, Printer Server set up, and Network related issues.

The book is simple, easy to read, down to the points for day to day use! I would recommand this book to anyone who are in the System Administration or just want to learn more about Window 2003 Server. It Can't go wrong with $29.99. Get another book by Stanek too if you are a database administrator "Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Administrator's Pocket Consultant".

Great Book.......2007-05-12

This book is great for quick reference to just about every WinServer2003 issue / reminder that you might need.

Good for system Admin.......2007-05-04

Well done book. Easy to understand for System Admin. Most of information you need to do your job.

Five Stars.......2007-01-23

Very sharp focus, how to do everything in frank and complete style, nice little book. It does "how to" but not "why to", that is it does not usually tell you whether option is better than another. I also bought "SQL Server 2005 Programming" by Robert Vieira, have not had enough time to review that one, but I found it did offer the kind of information on options that I was seeking, passed it around and it got some good discussions started.

Are you sure this is from the Microsoft Press?.......2006-11-04

This is by far, the best "tips and guide" book I have ever borrowed (yes, I said, 'borrowed')... I am fixing that right now! I need to have my OWN copy! If you already understand the concepts of a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 environment, you should have this book! It puts all the information you need right at your fingertips (literally)! It sure beats trying to remember the little intricacies that might come back to haunt you!

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