The Priesthood of Industry: The Rise of the Professional Accountant in British Management
Average customer rating: Not rated
    The Priesthood of Industry: The Rise of the Professional Accountant in British Management
    Derek Matthews , Malcolm Anderson , and John Richard Edwards
    Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Hardcover

    Economic HistoryEconomic History | Economics | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
    GeneralGeneral | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
    GeneralGeneral | Accounting | Industries & Professions | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
    ManagementManagement | Management & Leadership | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
    GeneralGeneral | Accounting | Accounting & Finance | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
    GeneralGeneral | England | Europe | History | Subjects | Books
    GeneralGeneral | Accounting | Business & Finance | New & Used Textbooks | Stores | Books
    GeneralGeneral | Business & Finance | New & Used Textbooks | Stores | Books
    All TitlesAll Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
    ASIN: 019828960X

    Book Description

    The leading professional accounting bodies in Britain today boast more than a quarter of a million qualified members and accountants are moving into top management positions in increasing numbers. Accountants have become the foremost professional grouping in British business management. The Priesthood of Industry documents the rise of the accountancy profession, from the handful of accountants listed in the trade directories of the major cities in the late-eighteenth century to the huge commercially-oriented firms of the late-twentieth century. The authors focus on the individual: the professional accountant, and adopt an economic determinist analysis to explain the rise of public practice and the transfer of staff to industry in increasing numbers. They also consider the routes through which this transfer of skills took place, and identify demand and supply side factors to explain the professional accountant's present hegemony in business management.

    Benefits Facts 2002-2003: Health Plans, Cafeteria Plans, Cobra, Pension Plans, 401 (K) Plans, Qdros, Deferred Compensation, Tsas, Welfare Plans, Erisa Compliance
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      Benefits Facts 2002-2003: Health Plans, Cafeteria Plans, Cobra, Pension Plans, 401 (K) Plans, Qdros, Deferred Compensation, Tsas, Welfare Plans, Erisa Compliance
      Deborah Price Rambo , Frank J. Bitzer , April K. Caudill , Nicholas W. Ferrigno , and Sonya E. King
      Manufacturer: Natl Underwriter Co
      ProductGroup: Book
      Binding: Paperback

      Human Resources & Personnel ManagementHuman Resources & Personnel Management | Industries & Professions | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
      GeneralGeneral | Law | Subjects | Books
      Questions & AnswersQuestions & Answers | Education | Reference | Subjects | Books
      jp-unknown2jp-unknown2 | Specialty Stores | Books
      ASIN: 0872186113

      Epitaph for a Peach: Four Seasons on My Family Farm
      Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
      • epitaph for a peach
      • Not so much an epitaph, but a love letter to the land
      • The Struggle Continues
      • Epitaph for a Peach
      • Best book about farming I've ever read
      Epitaph for a Peach: Four Seasons on My Family Farm
      David M. Masumoto
      Manufacturer: HarperOne
      ProductGroup: Book
      Binding: Paperback

      JapaneseJapanese | Ethnic & National | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
      Natural FoodsNatural Foods | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
      GeneralGeneral | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
      OrganicOrganic | Techniques | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
      ContemporaryContemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
      GeneralGeneral | Nature & Ecology | Science | Subjects | Books
      GeneralGeneral | Agricultural Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books
      Crop ScienceCrop Science | Agricultural Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books
      Look Inside BiographiesLook Inside Biographies | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
      Look Inside CookbooksLook Inside Cookbooks | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
      Look Inside Home & Garden BooksLook Inside Home & Garden Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
      Look Inside Fiction BooksLook Inside Fiction Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
      Look Inside Outdoors & Nature BooksLook Inside Outdoors & Nature Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
      Look Inside Science BooksLook Inside Science Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
      Similar Items:
      1. Four Seasons in Five Senses: Things Worth Savoring Four Seasons in Five Senses: Things Worth Savoring
      2. Harvest Son: Planting Roots in American Soil Harvest Son: Planting Roots in American Soil
      3. Letters to the Valley: A Harvest of Memories (Great Valley Book) Letters to the Valley: A Harvest of Memories (Great Valley Book)
      4. The King Of California: J. G. Boswell and the Making of a Secret American Empire The King Of California: J. G. Boswell and the Making of a Secret American Empire
      5. Refuge: An Unnatural History of Family and Place Refuge: An Unnatural History of Family and Place

      ASIN: 0062510258

      Customer Reviews:

      4 out of 5 stars epitaph for a peach.......2007-10-02

      wonderful. when you read this work you can actually feel the soil, smell the grass, and taste the fruit. a greeat read

      5 out of 5 stars Not so much an epitaph, but a love letter to the land.......2007-08-08

      I feel a connection with David Masumoto. Not that I've met him or anything - in fact, there's a good chance I never will (although I keep hoping that one summer day I can make it over to his farm to pick peaches). No, this feeling is based on an impression that we have both fought the same fight over different things, for the same reasons. It is also because he writes so poignantly about a landscape I grew up in. Mr. Masumoto is an organic farmer in the valley of California, and his story is becoming more and more familiar to me as I see this way of life disappearing across the country.

      A third generation Japanese American peach and grape farmer, David Masumoto inherited the family orchard from his father. He also had the heritage of his childhood memories of how that particular peach variety, Sun Crest, tasted and ran with juice unlike the pretty red baseballs that have passed for today's supermarket peach varieties. Mr. M wanted to show the world how delightful an old-fashioned peach could be.

      When he took over his father's farm, he resolved to not only continue growing his Sun Crests, but to do it organically. This would prove challenging in our day and age of cheap, quick fixes; moreover, it would test his strongly felt ideals. The land needed to heal and replenish itself after years of chemical fertilizers and toxic pest control methods. Masumoto had to take his example from research on other organic farming practices, planting wildflowers to encourage beneficial insect life and sowing "green manure" crops to act as natural mulch and compost. All this took time, patience, and faith that his hard work would eventually pay off.

      Epitaph for a Peach is rich in sensory descriptions, philosophy, and nostalgic flashbacks. It is a picture of the way a farmer's life is connected to the seasons, capricious weather patterns, and changing market conditions. Not incidentally, Masumoto also teaches about the obscure history of Japanese farmers in the Valley - something that even I, native to Fresno, had little idea of. Reading this book was a slow, thoughtful experience much in the same manner that one slows down to savor a rich fruit. Recommended to anybody interested in history, growing food, or the vanishing California landscape.
      -Andrea, aka Merribelle

      5 out of 5 stars The Struggle Continues.......2004-01-24

      I live somewhat north of the area Mr. Masumoto writes about - where the San Francisco Bay Area Suburbs collide with the San Joaquin Farmlands. The Peach and Cherry Orchards and the Sweet Corn, Tomatoes and Strawberries are currently holding their own - but like Mr. Masumoto's Peaches and Grapes, only tenuously, and with great courage. If you would like to understand not only how these people live, but who and why they are, you should read this book. It is both beautifully written and thought provoking.

      5 out of 5 stars Epitaph for a Peach.......2002-07-31

      It is rare to read a book where the author works miracles with his hands and his words. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys non-fiction but finds it dry, without humanity. David Mas Masumoto is anything but dry. His land may be at times, but his poetic prose is anything but. His relationship with his family, his family's farm and nature is a rare combination. I highly recommend this read.

      5 out of 5 stars Best book about farming I've ever read.......2001-06-09

      "Epitaph" is a gem and a masterpiece. Masumoto is a good farmer, a truly dedicated family man and a gifted writer. The story is in part about his love affair with a wonderful variety of peach.

      City people will know why supermarket peaches disappoint and country people will recognize the sad story of a farmer who, the harder he tries the more frustration he finds. The peaches you find in the supermarket are there because the consumer/supermarket/broker/ value "shelf life" more than flavor.

      Peaches don't travel well and they don't last long. The farmer must choose the right variety, prune it exactly the right way at exactly the right time, fertilize and water at the right time, pray fervently for the right weather conditions.

      Only then, if the peach absorbs enough sun to fully mature, will it have the full bursting ambrosial flavor a peach should have. Only the sun can make a peach sweet and flavorful. Most really delicious peaches won't last more than three or four days after they are picked.

      A good peach should be eaten as it is right out of hand. Not put in a pie or jam or cake. Only a good farmer can grow a perfect peach and no supermarket want them. Where is the answer?

      You'll fall in love with farming and weep a bit as you read the Masumoto family story. Perhaps you won't fully appreciate what today's farmers are up against, but this book will give you more insight than you ever had before.

      If you are from a farming family you will fully appreciate every word of this beautiful story of a San Joaquin Valley farm.
      Epitaph for a Peach Spec Markets: Four Seasons on My Family Farm
      Average customer rating: Not rated
        Epitaph for a Peach Spec Markets: Four Seasons on My Family Farm
        David M. Masumoto
        Manufacturer: HarperOne
        ProductGroup: Book
        Binding: Hardcover
        ASIN: 0060957662
        Epitaph for a Peach: Four Seasons on My Family Farm
        Average customer rating: Not rated
          Epitaph for a Peach: Four Seasons on My Family Farm
          David M. Masumoto
          Manufacturer: HarperSanFrancisco
          ProductGroup: Book
          Binding: Paperback
          ASIN: B000OEV286

          Babylonian Planetary Omens, Part Four (Cuneiform Monographs)
          Average customer rating: Not rated
            Babylonian Planetary Omens, Part Four (Cuneiform Monographs)
            Erica Reiner
            Manufacturer: Brill Academic Pub
            ProductGroup: Book
            Binding: Hardcover

            GeneralGeneral | Interior Design | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
            AstronomyAstronomy | Astronomy | Professional Science | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
            Assyria, Babylonia & SumerAssyria, Babylonia & Sumer | Ancient | History | Subjects | Books
            GeneralGeneral | Ancient | History | Subjects | Books
            GeneralGeneral | Interior Design | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
            ArabicArabic | Instruction | Foreign Languages | Reference | Subjects | Books
            LinguisticsLinguistics | Words & Language | Reference | Subjects | Books
            AstronomyAstronomy | Astronomy | Science | Subjects | Books
            GeneralGeneral | Science | Subjects | Books
            History of ScienceHistory of Science | History & Philosophy | Science | Subjects | Books
            ASIN: 9004142126

            Product Description

            This volume presents an edition of first-millennium BC Babylonian cuneiform texts that comprise Chapters 64 and 65 of the compendium of celestial omen texts dealing with the appearance and movements of the planet Jupiter. All are accompanied by an English translation. David Pingree has again provided an extensive introduction and astronomical commentary, in which he discusses the astronomical plausibility of the phenomena that are described in the omens.

            The textual material and its astronomical interpretation throws light on the extent of the Babylonian scholarsÂ’ knowledge of astronomy and furnishes another argument in the debate about observation versus scribal tradition in the description of these phenomena.

            The Desulfurization of Heavy Oils and Residua, Second Edition (Chemical Industries)
            Average customer rating: Not rated
              The Desulfurization of Heavy Oils and Residua, Second Edition (Chemical Industries)

              Manufacturer: CRC
              ProductGroup: Book
              Binding: Hardcover

              General & ReferenceGeneral & Reference | Chemistry | Science | Subjects | Books
              Industrial & TechnicalIndustrial & Technical | Chemistry | Science | Subjects | Books
              GeneralGeneral | Science | Subjects | Books
              GeneralGeneral | Chemical | Engineering | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
              PetrochemicalPetrochemical | Chemical | Engineering | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
              GeneralGeneral | Engineering | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
              PetroleumPetroleum | Petroleum, Mining & Geological | Engineering | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
              Petroleum RefiningPetroleum Refining | Petroleum, Mining & Geological | Engineering | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
              General & ReferenceGeneral & Reference | Chemistry | Professional Science | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
              GeneralGeneral | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
              All TitlesAll Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
              ASIN: 0824789210

              Book Description

              "Second Edition expands and updates information on the technological aspects of refining heavy oils, residua, bitumen, and other high-sulfur feedstocks. Focuses on the range of next-generation refining processes."

              Global Optimization Using Interval Analysis, Second Edition, (Pure and Applied Mathematics)
              Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
              • Are you computing reliably yet?
              • Who said you couldn't minimize any C^2 function?
              Global Optimization Using Interval Analysis, Second Edition, (Pure and Applied Mathematics)

              Manufacturer: CRC
              ProductGroup: Book
              Binding: Hardcover

              GeneralGeneral | Engineering | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
              Differential EquationsDifferential Equations | Applied | Mathematics | Professional Science | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
              GeneralGeneral | Applied | Mathematics | Professional Science | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
              StatisticsStatistics | Applied | Mathematics | Professional Science | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
              GeneralGeneral | Science | Subjects | Books
              GeneralGeneral | Applied | Mathematics | Science | Subjects | Books
              Differential EquationsDifferential Equations | Applied | Mathematics | Science | Subjects | Books
              Probability & StatisticsProbability & Statistics | Applied | Mathematics | Science | Subjects | Books
              GeneralGeneral | Mathematics | Science | Subjects | Books
              All TitlesAll Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
              ASIN: 0824740599

              Book Description

              Employing a closed set-theoretic foundation for interval computations, Global Optimization Using Interval Analysis simplifies algorithm construction and increases generality of interval arithmetic. This Second Edition contains an up-to-date discussion of interval methods for solving systems of nonlinear equations and global optimization problems. It expands and improves various aspects of its forerunner and features significant new discussions, such as those on the use of consistency methods to enhance algorithm performance. Provided algorithms are guaranteed to find and bound all solutions to these problems despite bounded errors in data, in approximations, and from use of rounded arithmetic.

              Customer Reviews:

              5 out of 5 stars Are you computing reliably yet?.......2004-04-29

              With the world becomming an ever increasingly digital and technological place, it sometimes makes me uneasy to think of how many times in a day we put our lives at the mercy of computers that rely on floating-point computations. Did you know it is possible to get different results by simply changing the order in which floating-point terms are computed? We've all heard about the NASA spacecraft that was lost because two programmers were not using the same units when writing the navigation software. But this is an example of a familliar and ubiquitous problem: human error. Much more insidious, and much less recognized and understood, are the tiny rounding errors that occur all around us in practically every digital and electronic device we come in contact with. Many trains, planes and automobiles have digital circuits or software that use floating-point computations. Innovative medical technologies use sophisticated software and numerical computations. All of these systems affect our daily lives and are susceptible to the rounding errors and innacuracies of floating-point computations. The Patriot Missile failure is a dramatic example of how the accumulation of small floating-point errors resulted in a very serious problem that could have involved life and death.

              With this book, Eldon and Bill provide a smashingly good resource for anyone interested in performing reliable computations on a computer by using interval analysis. Perhaps the best quality of the book is the structure and narrative. It starts simple, with the basics, by describing the problems of floating-point computations and then introducing simple interval arithmetic. Successive chapters introduce linear equations, inequalities and Taylor expansions. Further in, more difficult probelms are introduced and tackled: nonlinear equations and systems, consistencies and global optimization. With interval analysis, it is possible to rigorously bound all error in a complex computation, guaranteeing an accurate result. Even if there is no solution to the problem, intervals will figure it out and report an "empty" solution. In short, by using intervals as presented in this book, computing can be done reliably.

              This book should satisfy the most eager and advanced reader who is looking to learn and apply interval analysis to real-world problems; but the first several chapters are also simple enough to provide a curious layperson with insight into how interval analysis works and why it is so desperately needed. My only criticisms of the book are that the notation sometimes gets complex and requires careful reading; and I wish the algorithms were outlined in psuedo-code instead of numbered lists. But overall, I find this book to be an excellent resource and a very handy reference manual: no longer do I have to sift through piles of whitepapers downloaded from the internet. "Global Optimization Using Interval Analysis, Second Edition" is always sitting on my desk, just an arm's reach away.

              4 out of 5 stars Who said you couldn't minimize any C^2 function?.......2001-06-03

              A splendid book on a splendid - but often overseen - subject in nonlinear programing. Can be recommended for advanced students in mathematics. The book describes in great detail without getting boring how a function of n variables is being minimized (globaly) using interval arithmetics. The book builds on an article he wrote back in the beginning of the '80s and does a much better job than the article! The algorithm presented does guarantee to find the global minimum (minima). It does not spend long time searching between thousands of other stationary points. It seems that the future of optimisation might depend heavily on interval arithmetics. Let's hope that more software will be devoloped in the future, so that this topic will become more common!

              Even though the book has - unfortunately - quite a few(mathematical) typing errors they don't mess up the over all impression!

              Patton Papers 1885 1940 (Patton Papers, 1885 to 1940)
              Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
              • Ol' Blood and Guts: The Early Years
              • Read BOTH volumes!
              • An amazing insight into a very complex man
              • Preferring Patton's UNcesured Papers
              • A Real American Hero...
              Patton Papers 1885 1940 (Patton Papers, 1885 to 1940)
              Martin Blumenson
              Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin Company
              ProductGroup: Book
              Binding: Hardcover

              GeneralGeneral | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
              Military ScienceMilitary Science | History | Subjects | Books
              GeneralGeneral | World War II | Military | History | Subjects | Books
              Look Inside History BooksLook Inside History Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
              Similar Items:
              1. The Patton Papers 1940-1945 The Patton Papers 1940-1945
              2. War As I Knew It War As I Knew It
              3. Patton: The Man Behind the Legend, 1885-1945 Patton: The Man Behind the Legend, 1885-1945
              4. Patton: A Genius for War Patton: A Genius for War
              5. A Soldier's Story (Modern Library War) A Soldier's Story (Modern Library War)

              ASIN: 0395127068

              Amazon.com

              "The history of war is the history of warriors; few in number, mighty in influence," wrote George S. Patton, Jr., in 1926, a full 17 years before he would begin to establish himself as one of the United States' finest military leaders.

              General Patton was, in the words of Martin Blumenson, "an inveterate diary keeper," and when duty took him away from his beloved wife, he wrote to her every day, sometimes twice. Blumenson culled through this enormous body of material to produce an impressive collection of Patton's writings, providing context for Patton's thoughts and words with helpful editorial interpolations. The odd dual nature that has made Patton fascinating for so long, and inspired such extreme reactions, positive and negative, over the years, is on full display. As Blumenson writes in his perceptive prologue:

              "He was unpredictable, capricious, at the same time dependable, loyal. He was brutal yet sensitive. He was gregarious and a loner. Enthusiastic and buoyant, he suffered from inner anguish.... An astonishing mixture of arrogance and humility.
              There is hardly a better way to encounter the man than through his own words, on these pages. --John J. Miller

              Customer Reviews:

              5 out of 5 stars Ol' Blood and Guts: The Early Years.......2005-09-09

              In this, the first volume of his memoirs, author Martin Blumenson, shows background influences that would develop George S. Patton into America's most famous general of World War II. Blumenson paints an authentic, if not an all together flattering, picture of the man he obviously admires giving this work even more credibility. His primary source is impeccable: Patton's own correspondence composes most of the text.

              The key events are all discussed: Patton's early upbringing which placed him near, but not at the apex of class conscious American society at the turn of the century. His obsession to reach the summit would forever be a driving force in his life. Next was is military education at The Virginia Military Institute and West Point followed by his marriage to Beatrice Ayres which greatly aided his standing socially and economically. This was followed by service with his mentor, General of the Armies, John, J. "Blackjack," Pershing in Mexico and again in France in WWI where he served as chief architect of American tank forces. The men he trained here would ultimately make this old horse cavalryman, a legend.

              Patton was both a shameless social climber, and a most serious student of his profession. He seemed equally motivated by the relentless drive to succeed and his abject fear of failure. Vain, pompous, profane, well read, and militarily proficient, he would go on to become, arguably, the greatest General on either side in WWII.

              This book is more than the history of a man; it is the history of the U.S. Army from the turn of the century until the countdown to WWII. Easily read and understood, it is an outstanding addition to the library of any serious student of our nation's military history. A great read. 5 Stars!!

              Harold Y. Grooms

              4 out of 5 stars Read BOTH volumes!.......2003-05-09

              Not a big history buff, but I had to read this for a class.
              Very interesting! Blumenson actually served with Patton in the Third Army HQ in Europe and also in Korea.

              But don't stop at this volume - The Patton Papers 1940-1945 finishes Patton's unique story. These years weren't forgotten as another reviewer said, just in another book.

              5 out of 5 stars An amazing insight into a very complex man.......2003-04-23

              Blumenson lets Patton speak for himself though a huge number of personal letters, lectures, papers and other materials. You can watch the young Patton grow through trial (being held back after his first year at West Point), and triumph (his heroic actions in combat during WWI), into the famous fighting general of WWII. Don't let the long length of the book put you off. I found it to be absolutely absorbing. By the end of the book you feel that you know Patton, his family and his friends and that you have some idea of what made him who he was.

              Blumenson obviously has deep respect for Patton but he also does not shy away from Patton's serious flaws in character and behavior. Even before the well known incidents of WWII, some of the things Patton wrote, did and said were really mean, crude and / or embarrassing. He was an accomplished brown noser and jealous of his peers to the point of paranoia at times. Its all here to see.

              Of course, I also highly recommend the second half of the story in the Patton Papers 1940 - 1945 by the same author.

              2 out of 5 stars Preferring Patton's UNcesured Papers.......2002-07-29

              It has material SELECTED in order that we, the future students of history,not have a clue as to what really happened during that historical period. The "Selectivity"just accidently left out the period 1940-45. Can't let that information get out! Others may begin suspecting censureship elsewhere!

              5 out of 5 stars A Real American Hero..........2001-08-15

              Anyone who is a Patton fan; please start from the beginning. I think that it is terribly important to understand the history behind what made the man who he was. WWII was the medium in which Patton manifested the gernerally known "Patton" ... the result of all life experience leading up to that one period in history. There is much more revealed in this first volume that one can learn and I highly recommend it. It is a great read, at times funny, others very graphic, it will make you feel as if you knew the man and were a part of the history. In fact, I liked it so much (the paperback), I located a set of Houghton Mifflin, FIRST PRINTING, Patton Papers in mint condition for my collection. They read wonderfully, unlike the poor HB reprints. One must pay a small fortune though.
              The Patton Papers 1940-1945
              Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
              • History at its Finest
              • Patton: The Legend!!
              • Patton deserved a fifth star, and so did this book
              • Exciting Fast Paced Biography That Reads Like A Novel
              • A highly effective intellectual reference instrument.
              The Patton Papers 1940-1945
              Martin Blumenson
              Manufacturer: Da Capo Press
              ProductGroup: Book
              Binding: Paperback

              GeneralGeneral | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
              GeneralGeneral | United States | Americas | History | Subjects | Books
              GeneralGeneral | World War II | Military | History | Subjects | Books
              All TitlesAll Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
              Similar Items:
              1. The Patton Papers, 1885-1940 The Patton Papers, 1885-1940
              2. War As I Knew It War As I Knew It
              3. Patton: The Man Behind the Legend, 1885-1945 Patton: The Man Behind the Legend, 1885-1945
              4. Patton: A Genius for War Patton: A Genius for War
              5. Patton's Photographs: War as He Saw It Patton's Photographs: War as He Saw It

              ASIN: 0306807173

              Customer Reviews:

              5 out of 5 stars History at its Finest.......2007-03-24

              I was so dissapointed at how quickly I read half of an 800+ page book. I did not want this book to end due to the fact it is such a marvelous read. If this is not the authoritative book on Patton it should be. This book is a window into the mind and thoughts of Patton in the heat of battle and I can think of no other book that comes close in bringing this to light. Based on the way Martin Blumenson pieced together all of Patton's personal communications and diary entries in chronological order makes this a very unique biography. I read volume I of the Patton Papers and although it is very fascinating it does not come close to volume II. This is because volume II deals exclusively with Patton's WW II exploits and his infamous incidents. Although Patton had his imperfections and despite some of his views being distasteful, I can think of no other military leader in modern times I would want leading our troops into battle. If you love American history and WW II in particular this book on an American legend definitely belongs on your shelf. Martin Blumenson did a masterful job putting this book together.

              5 out of 5 stars Patton: The Legend!!.......2005-12-03

              This second volume of his memoirs deals with World War II and the battles that made Patton a legend. Author Martin Blumenson lets, "Ol Blood and Guts," tell his own story through letters and official correspondence giving the reader an intimate view of the public and private man that captivated the world's attention for four years.

              All of the big battles are here: "Torch" in North Africa; "Husky" in Sicily; "Cobra" in France and Bastogne which some call, "his finest hour." Patton played a key role in each of them. His tactics, featuring rapidly moving armor and mechanized infantry forces supported by mobile artillery and air wrote the book used for decades to come. However, he never overlooked the human element. Machines could never replace well trained and highly motivated soldiers personally led by competent commanders. His success was undeniable but he often proved to be his own worst enemy.

              Patton's well known slapping of a shell shocked soldier followed by his unintended slight of our Soviet allies made headlines. Newsmen jumped at the opportunity to sell papers by printing anything controversial about a man whose name evoked emotional responses from friends and enemies alike. This was an "enemy" Patton couldn't comprehend. It was the one "fight" he was destined to lose.

              General of the Army, Omar N. Bradley said in his book, A General's Life, (Simon and Schuster, New York, 1983) ". . .I believe it was better for George Patton and his professional reputation to die when he did. . . . He was not a good peacetime soldier. . . In time he probably would have become a boring parody of himself-a decrepit, bitter, pitiful figure, unwittingly debasing the legend."

              An unknown poet said it best:

              "In times of danger, not before, God and soldiers all men adore. Danger's past and all is righted. God's forgotten, the soldier slighted."

              No truer words could describe Patton's career. Relegated to a desk job; his primary function was to serve as grist for political and journalistic mills, a truly sad ending for an outstanding military career.

              This work is an outstanding history of World War II and of the man himself. You can't call yourself a serious student of WWII unless you have read both volumes. A GREAT read. 5 stars!!

              Harold Y. Grooms

              5 out of 5 stars Patton deserved a fifth star, and so did this book.......2005-09-20

              When I saw what a project of a book this was at 857 pages, I wondered if I would ever get through it. It took no more than 15 or 20 pages to convince me that I would enjoy every page of it. This is a great read, especially if you are already a Patton fan. His diary entries and letters are honest and blunt, and offer great insights into Patton's winning style and strategy, his distaste for putting allied considerations over American interests, his frustrations with the press and his superiors, and his deep distrust of the Russians. Blumenson weaves these innumerable entries and letters into a seamless and easy-to-read narrative of Patton and his heroic exploits. Fans of the movie will love seeing lines taken word for word from his diary entries. I truly loved this book -- one of my favorite reads of all time.

              5 out of 5 stars Exciting Fast Paced Biography That Reads Like A Novel.......2003-04-25

              Martin Blumenson's has created a fascinating and surprisingly readable biography of the World War II hero, General George Patton. Blumenson has taken the General's diaries, personal and official letters and combined them with letters written to him and newspaper articles written about him. These are arranged in chronological order.

              The period covered by this book was the most active of Patton's lifetime. In the last three years of his life, Patton had adventures enough for several lifetimes. After playing a major part in the conquest of North Africa, then Sicily, Patton was sidelined for nearly a year after the slapping incidents. During this time a disinformation campaign was put forth to convince the Nazis that Patton would command a non-existent army group that was to invade the south of France. A month after D Day Patton took command of the recently formed Third Army and drove across Europe, playing a pivotal role in the Battle of the Bulge.

              In this book, Blumenson splices together the actual documents written by and about Patton as the actual events unfolded. Despite being an amalgamation of material from so many different sources, the book reads like a novel. Blumenson very rarely adds his own editorial commentary. This is done in a way that enhances the flow of the narrrative. My only complaint is that it frequently is difficult to determine where these asides begin and end. This readability is what makes the book great and unique. Having read many other biographies that over-analyze and inject the authors' personal opinion into the narrative it is refreshing to simply have the facts laid out in front of you.

              Patton had an amusing tendency to give sarcastic nicknames to his rivals and adversaries. Omar Bradley is "the tentmaker," both for his Arab name and his tendency towards caution, Eisenhower is "divine destiny" for his political ambitions. General W. Bedell Smith, Eisenhower's hated chief of staff, is variously referred to as Beadle and Beetle. At the same time he is privately mocking these people, Patton takes great pains to praise and flatter them publicly. He even admits to himself in his diary that he is a shameless bootlicker and rear-end kisser when necessary. Patton justifies his actions because he feels he must be a sycophant to fulfill his destiny of leading men in battle. Patton even advises his son (who was a West Point Cadet at the time) that the way to advancement at the Academy is to seek out the Commandant and Superintendent and suck-up to them and their wives as much as possible.

              I had low expectations for this book. Every other collection of the letters of famous men I have read has been interesting in spots but unreadable as a whole.Even the famous collected letters of Pliny the Younger are mostly dreary reports to the emperor and uninteresting notes to friends. For Blumenson to have created such an entertaining and informative document from similar material is a remarkable achievement.

              5 out of 5 stars A highly effective intellectual reference instrument........2001-12-21

              I used this book while writing a paper for my Graduate level International Relations class. Although it is not considered a classic, it possess and delivers enormously relevant information regarding one of the greatest and most controversial master of war acknowledged in modern history. I commend this book as an pleasurable read, as well as an highly effective intellectual reference instrument.
              The Patton Papers 1885-1940
              Average customer rating: Not rated
                The Patton Papers 1885-1940
                Martin Blumenson
                Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin Co.
                ProductGroup: Book
                Binding: Hardcover
                Similar Items:
                1. War As I Knew It War As I Knew It
                2. Patton: A Genius for War Patton: A Genius for War

                ASIN: B000G1JYLO
                Patton Papers 1885 1940 2vol
                Average customer rating: Not rated
                  Patton Papers 1885 1940 2vol
                  Martin Blumenson
                  Manufacturer: HOUGHTON MIFFLIN CO@
                  ProductGroup: Book
                  Binding: Hardcover
                  ASIN: B000QBB0CU
                  Patton Papers 1885 1940 Volume 2
                  Average customer rating: Not rated
                    Patton Papers 1885 1940 Volume 2
                    Martin Blumenson
                    Manufacturer: HOUGHTON MIFFLIN CO@
                    ProductGroup: Book
                    Binding: Hardcover
                    ASIN: B000UC6ZAW
                    The Patton Papers 1885-1940
                    Average customer rating: Not rated
                      The Patton Papers 1885-1940
                      Martin Blumenson
                      Manufacturer: Unknown
                      ProductGroup: Book
                      Binding: Hardcover
                      ASIN: B000NR950G
                      THE PATTON PAPERS 1885-1940 VOLUME II
                      Average customer rating: Not rated
                        THE PATTON PAPERS 1885-1940 VOLUME II
                        MARTIN BLUMENSON
                        Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin Company
                        ProductGroup: Book
                        Binding: Hardcover
                        ASIN: B000JI68D6
                        Patton Papers 2 Volumes; 1885-1940 & 1940-1945
                        Average customer rating: Not rated
                          Patton Papers 2 Volumes; 1885-1940 & 1940-1945
                          Martin Blumenson
                          Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin
                          ProductGroup: Book
                          Binding: Hardcover
                          ASIN: B000PS6BPU
                          The Patton Papers, 1885-1940 Vol. I
                          Average customer rating: Not rated
                            The Patton Papers, 1885-1940 Vol. I

                            Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin Co.
                            ProductGroup: Book
                            Binding: Hardcover
                            ASIN: B000I6JCTQ
                            The patton Papers, 1885-1940, Volumes I & II
                            Average customer rating: Not rated
                              The patton Papers, 1885-1940, Volumes I & II
                              Martin Blumenson
                              Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin
                              ProductGroup: Book
                              Binding: Hardcover
                              ASIN: B000J2HU3O

                              Five Lost Years: A Personal Exploration of Schizophrenia (Literature of Patient Response)
                              Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
                              • BORING.....
                              • Very Good
                              • Thank you Christina: i know that i'm not alone now
                              • The Triumph of Life
                              Five Lost Years: A Personal Exploration of Schizophrenia (Literature of Patient Response)
                              Christina Alexandra
                              Manufacturer: Dry Bones Press
                              ProductGroup: Book
                              Binding: Paperback

                              GeneralGeneral | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
                              MedicalMedical | Professionals & Academics | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
                              Mental IllnessMental Illness | Psychology & Counseling | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
                              ASIN: 1883938465

                              Book Description

                              "Five Lost Years" is the personal account of a young woman afflicted with schizophrenia--an insightful autobiographical narrative by one who has experienced the disorder firsthand.

                              Customer Reviews:

                              1 out of 5 stars BORING............2002-07-22

                              This book was slow and boring. It could not hold one's interest. It is a fast read, thank god. I know a little about schrizophrenia and that is why I was interested in the book. But it didn't hold my interest, you couldn't keep up with the story line. I am glad I got it as a present and didn't spend the money on the book.

                              5 out of 5 stars Very Good.......2001-05-31

                              Christina is a beautiful and gifted writer. The chapters are short and she recalls the horrid experiences of her psychotic episodes, yet at the same time, she tells stories of some aspects of the episodes that in hindsight make you smile.

                              She is forthright and frank about her experiences with a man she had been "in love" with. I am proud of this book because as a schizophrenic myself, living in Pennsylvania, I'd always been led to assume that schizophrenics are NOT beautiful and smart, but Christina proves otherwise with her book. I would like to read more about Christina's life experiences. I enjoyed reading words of someone who has gone through similar experiences as I.

                              5 out of 5 stars Thank you Christina: i know that i'm not alone now.......2000-10-08

                              Ten years ago I fall in a mystical delirium in Philadelphia the day of the Christmas day. Nobody couldn't believe that I will work one day. Today I am working as computer engineer in peace with the Love from God in my heart like you. I will bring back to you all the joy you have give to me by reading your book. You are not alone in this world and me too now.

                              A French "schizophrenic"

                              5 out of 5 stars The Triumph of Life.......2000-07-09

                              Five Lost Years is that rarest of things--an articulate first person account of life with schizophrenia. The author, Christina Alexandra, experiences horror and delusions, but also unrequited infatuations (not unlike us). Despite her illness, she manages to become a Philadelphia Eagles cheerleader (or "Liberty-Belle"), as well as take courses at Cornell University. Five Lost Years dispels a lot of stereotypes about severe mental illness. For one, Ms. Alexandra is no dummy. Secondly, she is actually quite glamorous (something not usually associated with schizophrenia!). The book closes with an upbeat Christian message, with the intricacies of her "witness" elaborated in the Afterward. This book should be of interest to anyone (patient, doctor, or family) associated with schizophrenia.

                              Books:

                              1. The Retail Lease Vs. Purchase Decision: A High Technology Perspective
                              2. The Sole Practitioner in the Twenty-First Century
                              3. The Theory of Ethical Economy in the Historical School: Wilhelm Roscher, Lorenz von Stein, Gustav Schmoller, Wilhelm Dilthey and Contemporary Theory (Studies in Economic Ethics and Philosophy)
                              4. The Wiley Auditor's SAS Field Guide 99
                              5. Txt 1-15 College Accounting
                              6. Unaccountable Accounting: Games Accountants Play
                              7. Unlocking Company Reports and Accounts
                              8. Using Ten-Key Electronic Desktop Calculators
                              9. West Federal Taxation 2006: Business Entities, Professional Version (West Federal Taxation Business Entities)
                              10. Wiley Cpa Examination Review, 1998-1999: Outlines and Study Guides (25th Edition. Vol 1 of a 2 Vol Set)

                              Books Index

                              Books Home

                              Recommended Books

                              1. StrengthsFinder 2.0: A New and Upgraded Edition of the Online Test from Gallup's Now, Discover Your
                              2. The New Oxford Book of Literary Anecdotes
                              3. Sg 16-28, College Accounting
                              4. The Mathematical Recreations of Lewis Carroll: Pillow Problems and a Tangled Tale
                              5. Reinventing Strategy: Using Strategic Learning to Create and Sustain Breakthrough Performance
                              6. The Single Girl's Guide to Marrying a Man, His Kids, and His Ex-Wife: Becoming A Stepmother With Hum
                              7. The Imus Ranch: Cooking for Kids and Cowboys
                              8. Necesidades de Formacion En La Empresa
                              9. Special Economic Zones and the Economic Transition in China
                              10. Report of the World Food Summit: Five Years Later, 10-13 June 2002