Book Description
With this powerful and provocative book the authors of the classic The Madwoman in the Attic launch a landmark three-volume overview of modern literature in England and America, bringing feminist theory to bear on writings by men as well as women. In Volume One Gilbert and Gubar survey the social, literary, and linguistic conflicts between men and women that mark modernism, examining the work of writers from Alfred Lord Tennyson and Charlotte Bronte to Robert Lowell and May Sarton.
Book Description
John Parker had it all. A decorated sharpshooter in the Civil War, he had a promising career ahead of him, a beautiful wife, and a newborn son. But after becoming embroiled in a dark and demonic conspiracy engineered by the Bakerton Detective Agency, he lost everything. Fleeing to the West, a broken man, Parker reinvents himself as "No Man," a heartless gun-for-hire whose only solace comes from hunting and killing the demons who he helped set loose. With Buntline Special in hand, a deadly revolver with a sixteen inch barrel, he blasts his way through a different kind of Old West, where strange and evil beings lurk. This publisher is a new client to Diamond Book Distributors!
Customer Reviews:
Very violent with minimal story.......2007-08-12
First of all, let me make it clear that I have absolutely nothing against OEL manga. Some of my favorite manga happen to be OELs. I am not a purist. On the other hand, I understand that not all OELs are perfect and brilliant. They're a mixed bunch, just like Japanese manga. Alright, now that I've made that clear, let me move on to the review.
If you are to believe the blurb on the back cover, No Man's Land is about John Parker, who was a decorated sharpshooter in the Civil War, had a promising career ahead of him, a wife, and a newborn son. The blurb continues that John lost everything after getting embroiled in a conspiracy engineered by the Bakerton Detective Agency. Now John reinvents himself as "No Man", a gun-for-hire who hunts and kills demons.
If you read the blurb, as I did, you would probably think that this sounds like a fascinating series. Unfortunately, I can recap the entire first volume in one sentence: John Parker is a Civil War veteran who fights demons in the Old West. Actually, that's a bit too sophisticated. The real blurb should be something like this: A dude with a big gun shoots evil stuff and gore spatters everywhere. That's much closer to the atmosphere of the first volume of No Man's Land. The Bakerton Detective Agency is never introduced (although a character named Bakerton shows up at the end of the volume); the conspiracy subplot makes no appearance at all.
The art, like all Seven Seas' releases, is beautiful. Unfortunately, the panel layout is often confusing and the artist uses speed lines far too much. There were several action scenes where I couldn't tell what was happening and I had to re-read the page several times.
Another major problem with the volume is that I wanted to vomit just about every other page. The volume is rated Older Teen, but I doubt that it would be rated anything less than Mature with another publisher. One of the early scenes in the volume features a small child eating the innards of a naked woman. Yum. One of the most graphic scenes in the volume features a naked woman (why must they always be naked?) who has had her left leg ripped off, her intestines ripped out and thrown all over the room, and a large bite taken out of her breast. Feeling sick yet? If not, don't worry. The volume also features plenty of decapitation, limb-loss, and many, many gunshot wounds, all beautifully drawn, of course.
The story is, as I have already said, non-existent and the characters are cardboard cut-outs. The volume has one of the most stereotypical Mexicans I have ever seen. He seems incapable of uttering a sentence that doesn't include some random Spanish phrase. He's supposed to be comic relief, but the only relief that came from him was when he finally shut up. The main character is supposed to have a tragic past (as indicated by the heart-warming flashbacks featuring his wife and child), but none of that is actually present in his personality. He seems to be there simply to fill the role of protagonist, not to be an interesting and original character.
If you want to see a guy shoot stuff and some pretty art, you might consider buying No Man's Land. However, if the idea of seeing a disemboweled woman disturbs you, this is definitely not the book for you. If you're looking for an engrossing story or unusual characters, this is not the book for you either; in fact, I would recommend avoiding No Man's Land like the plague.
Drama queens in the West.......2006-09-22
I didn't know it was a soap opera story. I grew up with Western and Spaghetti Western movies. I have never seen them act very dramatic, to me Westerns are more of a "Man of action with his pistol." No Man's Land didn't seem to have that and the idea of devil worshipping and demons coming out to be like people, Pres. Lincoln geting killed by that actor who turns into a demon, John Wilkes Booth, seems sort of ridiculous.
Well..........2005-08-18
I'm somebody who likes to buy something for the material content, not necessarily the political backdrop of an item. I spend countless hours buzzing around stores looking for good Mangas and a few random books that strike -my- fancy. As a lover of old Westerns and an abundance of Sci-fi and fantasy it's not hard to find what I want. But a hell of a fight to find any sort of combination.
So when I stumbled acrossed this manga I fell in love.
Regardless of any technical flaws it might contain I easily related to the characters and storyline. I prefer the story over the art most of the time -- but this was just a splendid manga over all for me. It gave face to some beautiful Western style characters to be backdropped by even a decent 'poser' style manga. Though I say that tongue-in-cheek because ultimately art will be art; done in the country of origin or not.
While I understand purists and their gripe over traditional manga verses American-Made-Manga, I can simply say that it personally doesn't matter to me. Why not? Because ultimately pieces of graphic literature like this are appeasing no matter where they came from.
Simply put: it's art -- the way we read, the way we view things, and even the styles, in whole or in part, chosen to present them are just forms and modifications of art. And art is one of those quaint expressive things that does not have some set definition, even where we think it might.
Now, as for the setting of this manga, the Wild West is an era of our American world, not the world of the East. Thus this manga is only in a Manga style because it's paying homage to the art form. It's not attempting to deface it. It's not trying to copy it either; they state that it IS an American Manga. Nobody's trying to hide anything and ultimately it forges some originality on a level. While purists might see it as abuse, I just see it as new people trying old things with a new face and no harm done doing so since nobody's trying to sneak this under the radar as something it's not.
Understanding all this, I have found a personal passion for No Man's Land. To me it gives me what I want -- a Western Manga touched off with the skills of American Manga producers.
I couldn't be happier, really. I'm not personally that hard up in how I view something built with associable characters, a setting I tripped head-over-heels for and a storyline I can't wait to see develope. But purists of manga will have an issue with it as always.
I just really like the story and art... All-in-all, that's what counts.
A dramatic thriller with lovely art. .......2005-07-01
Perhaps it has to do with my love for action thrillers that I was enthralled with this from the moment I read chapter one. I think the artistic style is original and fresh and most definitely suits this style of comic.
Annette's negative review was repetitive and obviously bias toward Western manga (comics). I found the tones and shades crisp and not distracting from the comic and its storyline at all. It also uses creative frames which do not interrupt the flow of reading. Western manga's are a up-and-coming breed and I'm proud to say that this one is quite a classic.
A well written, gun-slinging western comic with gorgeous art. Count on me to be looking forward to new installments!
An Excellent Story with wonderful artwork.......2005-05-01
This is what I have so far, it is a work in progress I will mention more about the artwork shortly, but is this sound okay so far?
It is my belief that what some of the other reviewers are forgetting about No Man's Land is the story itself. It is the very story told in No Man's Land that drew me in from the first few pages and now has me eagerly awaiting the next volume's release. It is a story which brings to mind the classic westerns, holding all the hallmarks of those classic western stories that people have watched over again in movies and read over again in novels. However, it does hold a slight twist which for me was a further hook to this story, and what makes it unique within the hallmarks of classic western stories it holds.
Many of the classic western elements have been mentioned in the editorial review, a Civil War veteran, a man who has had everything taken from him, a man that as a result has turned into a type of bounty hunter and mercenary, whose tortured by memories of what he lost and whose only true peace comes from hunting some of those that brought such loss to his life. The twist comes through what he is hunting, various demons and monsters. The same ones he was duped into freeing and setting lose upon an un-expecting world.
As to the artwork itself, it fits perfectly with a style and flair of the story matching both the story's pacing and the action of the story. It is also reminiscent of the western style movies and covers of old western novels. Never once did I find the artwork to be overwhelming but in fact found it to help further assist in the telling of the story. It brought further to life the words which were being spoken and told, and for me helped to make No Man Land's that much more enjoyable.
No Man's Land is one, which I very highly recommend, by encouraging you not to compare it or judge it without first trying it for yourself. Upon trying No Man's Land I think you will find a brand new story that is by far one of the most enjoyable stories with an "Old West" setting to be released in any format recently.
Lastly, I do not desire to enter into a debate over what is and is not manga in review, nor is this the place to have such a debate, so I also encourage any future reviews not to try and bring about questions of what is and is not manga at present.
Book Description
Featuring classic illustrations from Abrams' Gnomes, a New York Times best-selling book with lifetime sales of over 4 million.
Customer Reviews:
Gnomes Make Me Happy .......2006-11-22
This item and two others arrived quicker than anything else I've ever ordered! Brand-new, love it!
Average customer rating:
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Gnome Journal: Notes & Musings
Samara Anjelae
Manufacturer: Belletress Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Spiral-bound
General
| New Age
| Religion & Spirituality
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Celtic
| Earth-Based Religions
| Religion & Spirituality
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Personal Transformation
| Spirituality
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Blank Books
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General
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General
| Journals
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ASIN: 0970875444 |
Book Description
Versatile blank journal designed with thick paper--every other page lined--can be used as sketchbooks, travel diaries, gardeners' notebooks, dream recorders, a repository for inspirational writings, or a combination of all of the above. Spiral bound, it opens flat and has a heavy backboard to provide a firm writing surface. Inspirational, vibrant artwork by Martha-Elizabeth Ferguson adorns the cover and Samara Anjelae's insightful fairy wisdom graces its inside pages.
Average customer rating:
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Gnomes Joy to the World Holiday Note Cards
Rien Poortvliet
Manufacturer: Harry N Abrams
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Cards
Contemporary
| General
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ASIN: 0810987422 |
Book Description
20 cards and 21 envelopes. Message inside: Happy Holidays!
Book Description
Animation: The Whole Story
by Howard Beckerman
This expert guide provides animation artists with all the tools and know-how they need to get started. Drawing from his versatile background as an animator, entrepreneur, and studio owner, the author offers an accessible roadmap to the technically complex art of making animated movies. Vivid sketches, screenshots, and step-by-step illustrations guide readers through the various stages, from crafting suspenseful characters and stories, creating story boards, and layout techniques to the animation process, the use of form and color, filming, creating soundtrack, and editing. Topics are balanced carefully between classics such as storytelling techniques and recent digital trends, between guidance for aspiring studio artists and those seeking independence. Readers receive advice on the role of the art director, how to find work in the animation industry, how to market oneself, and how to put together one's own project within a limited budget. A comprehensive chapter on the history of animation, presented in a witty, easy-to-understand style, offers insightful lessons to educators and students. More versatile, comprehensive, and accessible than most recent animation books, this primer provides budding studio animators and independent artists with everything they need to find their niche in today's quickly evolving animation industry.
Customer Reviews:
From a former student.......2005-11-26
This comprehensive book on the technique and the art of animation will be of great value to anyone who is considering being an animator as a career. Beckerman has an easygoing way of explaining complicated ideas and concepts, and his book explores the style and taste issues of the art form as well as the technical approaches needed to make one's work come alive. You won't find too much on modern computer animation here, but of course you can find that information in hundreds of study guides, tutorials, and books available currently. Howard's book is more about the traditional approach to the craft, and he has the experience to make the lessons feel truthful, accurate, and meaningful. I was a student of Howard's about twenty five years ago, and this book felt like the next best thing to taking his course, which I loved. If you're serious about animation, this is a book you'll refer to several times. Not a coffee table book full of color photos, but a practical instruction guide, and a very good one.
A discussion of what makes good and bad animation.......2004-05-19
Animation professor Beckerman shares his insights and legacy in ANIMATION: THE WHOLE STORY - a discussion of what makes good and bad animation. Beckerman worked as a classic animator for over forty years, hand-drawing thousands of characters: chapters discuss everything from story lines and action scenes to directing tips.
Customer Reviews:
The ultimate animation book.......2002-07-10
This book contains a wealth of information about the history of animation as well as the art and science of creating an animated film. This well written and very readable book reflects the hard earned experience and wisdom of a true expert in the field. The book is also chock full of useful and amusing illustrations by the author. No student or professional in the field of animation should consider his or her library complete without a copy of this book. But this book will not get dusty sitting on a shelf. It's a wonderful resource that you will want to refer to time and again.
Book Description
Riess examines the evolution of sport from its rural and urban origins as a less-than-respectable entertainment for the lower classes, through its antebellum upsurge when, with the development of a new sport ideology, it attained respectability--penetrating and finally remaking popular culture.
Using a topical approach, Riess looks at sport from several vantage points, analyzing the interaction between sport and the rise of modern cities; the impact of sport on immigration, race, class, and gender; how sport became accessible through technological innovations; how it became integral to various educational and social movements; the coming of the professional sports figure; sport's links to politics and organized crime; and the role of women in sport. Highlighted with colorful anecdotes, the narrative unfurls a pageant of celebrities and unknowns, players, spectators, and entrepreneurs--all engaged in the drama that is American sport.
Average customer rating:
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Enter the Colonies, Dancing: A History of Dance in Australia 1835-1940
Edward Pask
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0195505891 |
Book Description
A salute to the early pioneer dancers, this book presents a panorama of dance in Australia from 1835 to 1949. The book traces a range of performers, from the exotic European dancers, freaks, frauds, and personalities of the early days to Anna Pavlova and the stars of Colonel de Basil's Ballets
Russes, and begins with an introduction by Dame Peggy Van Praagh, Founding Artistic Director of the Australian Ballet.
Book Description
Finally, a robots book for people who don't know the first thing about robotics! Absolute Beginner's Guide to Robots is well-written, inviting, and action-packed, with engaging ideas and fascinating factoids about robots and robot-related arts and sciences. You are led gently into the intimidating world of robotics, but nearly 400 pages later, you emerge with a respectable knowledge of robot history, the major fields and "schools" of robotics today, and the basic skills and resources needed to create hobby robots. By the end of the book, you will be the proud owner of three bots, the first two of which demonstrate key robotic principles. The third is a programmable/expandable robot, which serves as a platform for future experimentation. And best of all, these robots are built with simple to get and inexpensive parts - many of which you already have around the house!
Download Description
Finally, a robots book for people who don't know the first thing about robotics! Absolute Beginner's Guide to Robots is well-written, inviting, and action-packed, with engaging ideas and fascinating factoids about robots and robot-related arts and sciences. You are led gently into the intimidating world of robotics, but nearly 400 pages later, you emerge with a respectable knowledge of robot history, the major fields and "schools" of robotics today, and the basic skills and resources needed to create hobby robots. By the end of the book, you will be the proud owner of three bots, the first two of which demonstrate key robotic principles. The third is a programmable/expandable robot, which serves as a platform for future experimentation. And best of all, these robots are built with simple to get and inexpensive parts - many of which you already have around the house!
Customer Reviews:
Good begining book.......2005-12-06
This is a very good beginner book on a very complex subject. By the end you will have built a few robots, and that is where all the love/hate is. The author also has a webpage where he offers advice and help with problems you may have. Personally, I am very happy with this purchase, and staying up late working on my robots...advice: Radio Shack will not have all the parts you need (he includes where to obtain parts).
Best tech writer out there!.......2004-10-27
Gareth Branwyn could make even the most simple tech stuff interesting...oh, wait, he just did! Not many tech books tell stories, this one does. So for readers who suffer from M.E.G.O (my eyes glaze over) when reading how-to's, this book is an absolute gift. Funny, informative and practical (no having to get Morton-Thiokol on the phone for spare parts) it's a great little book. Want more from this guy, especially on the tech history side.
Not what i expected.......2004-10-15
When the title of the book says Absolute Beginners's guide it means it. The book does a good job of explaining the history of robotics, and describing the various types. But there is a definate lack of explaination when it comes to the robots them selves. Its simply "asseble part A with part B, then move on to C." With no reasoning behind why you're doing it. In short the book does a poor job of teaching you robotics but instead is an exercise in how to follow directions.
Great projects for a beginner.......2004-09-07
I have been fascinated with robots ever since I was a little kid. When I was young, I would go to the library and check out books about robots. Most of these books talked about movie robots and then told about the many different kinds of robots that could be purchased commerically at the time. I loved to read through those books and imagine what it would be like to have my own robot. Years later, I have gotten the robotics bug again and I have been interested in building my own simple robot. I bought this book and I loved the history section. It told about the history of actual robotics and how various roboticists have influenced each other's work. It also talks about different approaches to tackling different problems. After covering the theory and history of robotics, the book tells you exactly what tools you need and what you need to get started with building 3 simple robots. He even has sections on the electronic components and how to solder. This book is really written for beginners! Each project helps you build a different kind of robot that with increasing complexity. The instructions seem very clear and the illustrations are very good too. The best thing about this book is the fact that there is a very active web forum where people can discuss their progress on the projects and the author has been very eager to help people that have questions.
Some other comments here have complained that the book's projects are not original or that there are missing parts. The author never claimed the projects to be original. He gives credit to the original designers and has made variations that make the projects more foolproof for beginners. He has built them all multiple times and provides original instructions that are very clear and easy to follow. He also has the active website (very unusual for a robot book in my experience) where you can ask questions and he can clarify anything that you have trouble with.
I highly recommend this book for anyone that wants to learn about the history of robotics to date or that wants to get started building their own robot.
This book does exactly what it promises!.......2004-06-01
I suppose I've always been fascinated with robots, but the idea of creating one myself never dawned on me. It always seemed so inaccessible, such a difficult field to get into. By chance, I stumbled upon this book. I am soooo grateful that I did - it's changed my life. Gareth Branwyn does an excellent job of leading the reader into this intimidating science, and lays a really good foundation for the three robots outlined in the book, and further exploration. You don't start building the first bot until you're halfway thru the thing, which is beautiful - it really helps you understand what's going on in the world of robotics today, what can and can't be done now, and what lies just beyond the horizon. This is not a definitive text, nor does it claim to be. It will get your feet wet, get a little experience under your belt, and point you in the right direction as you progress beyond the scope of the book. It is written as non-technically and straightforward as possible. With just a little adult guidance, I think even middle school children could grasp the concepts and execute the projects. Yet it is rich enough for curious adults, as well. In the space of a few months, I went from being completely ignorant of all things robotic to creating this -
http://www.knifewieldingrobots.com/thevault/staysonchair_lores.mov
Buy this book now!
Books:
- Taxation, Welfare, and the Crisis of Unemployment in Europe
- Taxes, Loans, and Inflation: How the Nation's Wealth Becomes Misallocated (Studies of Government Finance, Second Series)
- Taxes on Knowledge in America: Exactions on the Press from Colonial Times to the Present
- Taxing Choices - The Politics of Tax Reform
- The Economic Problems of the Income Tax System: Congressional Hearing
- The Future of Corporate Tax in the EC
- The Improper Use of Tax Treaties - With Particular Reference to the Netherlands and the United
- The Politics of Taxation: A Comparative Perspective (Comparative Politics Series)
- Tolley's Taxation of Foreign Exchange Gains & Losses
- Transfer Pricing Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and Tax Administrators
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