Reviews (3)

History Filled In
Robert Parry gives us insight into why everything has seemed so odd for so long.No matter which side of the aisle you sit, it helps fill in the history that the mainstream press failed to give us.

The Best Book on the Bushes
Why is it the best? Because no author has taken the Bush "dynasty" rise the way Bob Parry has - - and no other author could. Parry has been looking under rocks and sneaking behind closed doors to find the truth for almost three decades. Only Parry has had the sources, found the documents, and cogently compiled the despicable history of how the Bush politicians have deliberately buried, under multiple layers of secrecy, the truth of some of the most significant events in recent history. He is the only author who followed the Bush footprints when they were still fresh, often before the impact of the truth was known and could be hidden. In a phrase - - Bob Parry was there.
The Lowdown on the Bush Junta
Robert Parry is more than a chronicler of events in "Secrecy & Privilege"; he is a player as well, and in one of the most significant dramas of the post-World War Two era.It was Parry who uncovered significant evidence pertaining to the October Surprise incident.His efforts ultimately reached the nation's viewers with a heralded Public Broadcasting System documentary produced by his organization, Consortium News, which has emerged as one of the Internet's leading sources of information not generally available from mainstream media sources.
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Subjects:  1. (George Walker),    2. 1924-    3. 1946-    4. Biography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. Bush, George W.    7. Bush, George,    8. General    9. History & Theory - General    10. Political Science    11. Politics/International Relations    12. Presidents    13. United States   

Reviews (2)

A Big Book, A Big Price, But It Really Is Worth It!
For those brave souls who are willing to see this beautifully written and designed volume as a major investment for the library, the treasures in store here are plentiful.As the title suggests this is a compendium of all that Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart wrote - operas, chamber works, choral works, symphonies, overtures, concerti - they are all here.
THE CAMBRIDGE MOZART ENCYCLOPEDIA
I shall need time to appreciate the book. Entries already read are excellent. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1756-1791    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Encyclopedias    4. General    5. Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus,    6. Music    7. Music/Songbooks    8. Classical music (c 1750 to c 1830)    9. Composers & musicians    10. Music / General   

Reviews (22)

review of wit and wisdom of Winston Churchill
The book is entertaining.It's the kind of book you don't just read through, but pick it up read a few sections at a time.

Utterly Delightful
A compact book with more than 1,000 quotations and anecdotes you can enjoy at any time.
Power of Words in the Majestic Battle of Ideas
In this book, James C. Humes gives his audience an excellent opportunity to conjure up a mental picture of Winston Churchill and his legacy.As a renaissance man, Churchill was more than a skilled politician and a gifted soldier.Perhaps more importantly, Churchill was a man of inspired words, whose work was ultimately crown by the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1953.Churchill often was far from politically correct and did not hesitate to say, write and do what he thought was right.Churchill's bluntness did not make him dear to everybody.Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography/Autobiography    3. Europe - Great Britain - General    4. General    5. Great Britain - History - 20th Century    6. Historical - British    7. History & Theory - General    8. Political    9. Political History    10. Reference    11. Humor / General    12. Other prose: from c 1900 -    13. United Kingdom, Great Britain   

Editorial Review

Created as a companion piece to Martin Scorsese's PBS documentary Read more

Reviews (27)

A must for a Dylan fan
If you're not a dyed in the wool Dylan fan, move along quickly, as you will feel cheated out of your money. If *A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall* is on your iPod, get this. (It's far cheaper on Amazon than any brick and mortar store, so get it here.) It is filled with little things that make you say *Oooooooo* and *wow*. I looked through it for over an hour before I even read a single page. I even ordered a copy for my EX-husband because he's such a huge fan! Please don't listen to those that say its a waste of money. If you're a fan, its a must.

Wow!
Having been a Bob Dylan fan/enthusiast for over 40 years, this scrapbook was a wonderful surprise!I was expecting a fairly simple book... it is anything but.I love the way it is put together. It's an actual "scrapbook", filled with many items of fun and informative memorabilia... very creatively done.
Must have for Fans of Dylan or the 60s
The book shows a truly unique view of Dylans past and his rise to fame. It is done in a very intimate way and is full of surprizes. The book is very good at making the past come alive with Ticket stubs, autographed album covers, passes to MLK speeches and many other items. Truly a unique book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1941-    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography And Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. Composers & Musicians - Rock    8. Dylan, Bob,    9. Entertainment & Performing Arts - General    10. Folk Music    11. General    12. Genres & Styles - Rock    13. Music    14. Singers    15. United States    16. Biography: film, television & music    17. Music / General    18. Rock & pop    19. USA    20. c 1945 to c 1960    21. c 1960 to c 1970   

Reviews (11)

Bought it despite... and liked it!
Well, after a few of the reviews below I fully expected this to be a big disappointment, but, as one of the negative reviewers put it, the book had to be owned. I'm a big fan of Mary Blair's work.
Swell introduction
Although I note some of the other reviews of this book arenot too favorable, for me it's a very cool introduction to an artist of whom I had never heard.
Good reference Book for the Illustrator
such a nice Book of Mary Blair.
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Subjects:  1. 1911-    2. Americana    3. Animators    4. Antiques & Collectibles    5. Art    6. Artists, Architects, Photographers    7. Biography    8. Biography / Autobiography    9. Blair, Mary,    10. History    11. United States    12. Walt Disney Productions    13. Women    14. Animation    15. Art / Individual Artist    16. Blair, Mary    17. Comic book & cartoon art    18. USA   

Reviews (35)

His book
Good book for research, but by itself more a statement of the man who put it together..
Jefferson was ahead of his time
This book is an editing of what Thomas Jefferson thought was the real truth buried in the Gospels. He deleted the miracles, resurrection and any strange theological statements he felt was placed in Jesus's mouth at a later date. He was like the Jesus Seminar of the 1800's. I have nothing but respect for Jefferson on having the guts in his time to think for himself and see the logical fallacies in believing in the super natural aspects of the gospels. In reading this I see a lot of similarities to the Gospel of Thomas found at Nag Hammadi in 1946. Jefferson would have been pleased. He searched the Gospels for the "GEMS" the real Jesus spoke and found them.

A Must Read
To avoid trying to be inspirational, let me just say this book, along with Norman Thomas Remick's book on Jefferson's secular thinking, "West Point: Thomas Jefferson: Character..." combine to bring the heart and mind of Thomas Jefferson into clear focus, in spite of the fact others still like to portray him to be as mysterious as a sphinx. All of the "Jefferson Bible" books are a must read, but this one I felt was particularly well done. Highly recommended. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bible    2. Bible - Study - General    3. Bible - Study - New Testament    4. Bible.    5. Biography    6. Christianity - Theology - Christology    7. Criticism, interpretation, etc    8. Gospels    9. Jesus Christ    10. N.T    11. N.T.    12. Rationalistic interpretations    13. Religion    14. Religion - Biblical Studies    15. Sources, Biblical    16. Religion / General   

Reviews (71)

Disturbingly realistic.Rieckhoff's book rings true.
Would you like to know what it would be like to be a soldier during the early months of the Iraq occupation?Rieckhoff's book is the place to start.
A Truly Great Personal Story
If you are looking for a war story, want to learn more about life in Iraq, or are just curious to know what it must be like to be a soldier... you hear all of that in this book. Most of all though, it is a well-written, truly great personal story that touches the part in all of us who grew up American, and constantly weaves its myth with reality.

These Words Are Worth a Thousand Pictures
I didn't read this book----I watched it. When done, you'll be reaching for your virtual reality goggles and wishing it wasn't over.
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. History - Military / War    5. Iraq War, 2003-    6. Military    7. Military - Iraq War    8. Military - United States    9. Military - Veterans    10. Military History - 1990-    11. Military Personal Narratives    12. Personal narratives, American    13. Soldiers    14. United States    15. History / Military / Veterans   

Reviews (161)

I liked this book
There is a series of speeches entitled "Character Above All" some of which are very good and some not so good (depending on the speaker.)This speech was a springboard for the book (if I am not mistaken.)So, in my opinion, if you get the "Character Above All" tape by Noonan on Reagan and if you like that then you will most definately like the book.I loved the book and the tape.

The Great Communicator
Peggy Noonan's Reagan has the texture of truth, unlike a recent Reagan bio by Richard Reeves that has the texture of slime.Noonan's Reagan is not hagiography;it's clear-eyed, clean, and palpably honest.I feel Ms. Noonan's honesty just as I felt the incredible lightness of Reeves' shallowness.
Ah, yes...that forgotten American trait...Character...
Ronald Reagan was one of the GREAT presidents EVER! Still, I don't always agree with Peggy Noonan on issues. Her column and her appearances on Television in which she is encouraged to give her opinion makes her much of the time lacking.
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Subjects:  1. Anecdotes    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Character    7. Historical - U.S.    8. Political aspects    9. Presidents    10. Presidents & Heads of State    11. United States    12. Biography & Autobiography / Presidents    13. Biography: royalty    14. USA   

Reviews (7)

Fascinating Life
I bought this book during a visit to Eleanor Roosevelt's Val-Kill Cottage in Hyde Park. I had read Doris Kearn's "No Ordinary Time" years prior and it had stoked an deep interest in me for more on the Roosevelts of Hyde Park. This book is an interesting look at a woman whose transformation impacted the nation and the world. Surely, she is the most interesting and influential woman of the 20th Century.
A Remarkable Woman
This book sheds light a long period of American history through the narration of an amazing woman who you will grow to admire as much as I did.Born into an elite aristocratic American family, Eleanor could have remained hemmed in by the insular values with which she was raised.Women were supposed to stay out of politics, Anglo-Saxons were supposed to run the country and only mingle amongst themselves, and the poor deserved their lot.
Copelling read
While reading this book you get to share in the many personal experiences of Eleanor Roosevelt.She does not focus much on her relationships, rather she focuses on sharing her experiences.The places she has gone to and the people she has talked to are absolutley amazing.She shares her firsthand experiences of the mine workers and her talks with people in communist Russia.It is amazing that just one woman has seen and heard from so many varying perspectives.She really did try to empathize with the people and situations around her and this really comes out in her book.I think many people can learn from reading this book on how to be a better listener and observer and critical thinker of the life happening around you. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1884-1962    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. First Ladies    7. Political    8. Presidents' spouses    9. Roosevelt, Eleanor,    10. United States    11. Women    12. 20th century    13. Biography: general    14. Roosevelt, Eleanor    15. c 1800 to c 1900   

Editorial Review

Arguably, Ben Hogan was the most technically precise striker ever to hit a golf ball. Revered and feared throughout a marvelous career, he was his sport's most complexly dark personality, as well. This opulent coffee-table homage to the "Wee Ice Mon" combines the Spartan imagery of Alexander's photographs with a trio of perceptive essays by Dave Anderson, Ben Crenshaw, and Dan Jenkins to capture Hogan's rare, imperial essence and the powerful authority of his game with majesty, but without fawning. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Be sure to understand what you are getting
Whether you find this book worth the money will depend on whether you think Ben Hogan was the God of Golf (or at least one member of the Trinity).It is a large-format book, and the quality of the photographs(all black-and white) is excellent.I believe they were all taken on thesame day, when Hogan allowed Jules Alexander to accompany him.They prettymuch just show Hogan at work on the course, and they do capture who he was.The accompanying comments and essays are interesting, but the photographsare the stars of the book.Just make sure you realize that you are gettinga series of photographs taken on one day -- this isn't a retrospective ofHogan's career, and there are no swing sequences or anything like that.Ifyou are a Hogan worshipper, however, this book is a must.

A must-have work for the Hogan fan
This book is appropriately titled.The photos are truly classic and do a wonderful job of portraying the on-course Hogan, particularly his steely focus and gorgeous swing.The accompanying text is solid.I most enjoyed Ken Venturi's comments which accompanied the photos, as well as Dan Jenkin's recounting of the man behind the mystique.I was somewhat disappointed that the photos are all from the late 50s, mostly from the same tournament.Yet, this is only a minor issue.Every true Hogan fan should add this work to his or her collection. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1912-    2. Biography    3. General    4. Golf    5. Golfers    6. History    7. Hogan, Ben,    8. Pictorial works    9. Sports    10. Sports & Recreation    11. United States    12. Biography & Autobiography / General    13. Hogan, Ben    14. Photographs: collections   

Reviews (2)

Two books in one + CD...
I have purchased almost all Feynman books so far.
There's Room at the Bottom
Richard Feynman left his hand prints almost everywhere in physics, and here at Los Alamos, he is still a living legend: not just for his scientific brilliance, but for all the color of his personality.His signature characteristic, as you will read in this wonderful book, was simplicity.To wit:
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Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Biography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Essay    5. Essays    6. Intellectual life    7. Physicists    8. Physics    9. Science    10. Science/Mathematics    11. Scientists - General    12. United States    13. History    14. Miscellaneous Items    15. Science / General   

Editorial Review

This highly readable translation of French historian Evelyne Lever's 1991 biography captures all the drama and pathos of Marie Antoinette's short life. Born in 1755, this carefree, fun-loving daughter of Austrian empress Maria Theresa inherited neither her mother's political shrewdness nor her sense of duty. She was married off at 14 to the stolid, clumsy French Dauphin, who would not fully consummate their marriage for another seven years, at which point he was King Louis XVI and their marital difficulties were the subject of public ridicule. She consoled herself by retreating to the artificial village she constructed at Trianon, where she could be free of the court etiquette she hated and indulge in expensive amusements that only increased her unpopularity. Her rare incursions into politics were just as ill judged; she alienated the French nobility with attempts to further Austria's diplomatic goals, and from the first rumblings of revolution in 1788, she influenced Louis to take a hard line on royal power when compromise might have saved the monarchy and prevented their executions in 1793. Lever does not soften Marie Antoinette's faults or downplay her poor judgment, but most readers will finish this absorbing narrative feeling very sorry for a pretty, goodhearted, but fundamentally frivolous woman thrown into a historical moment whose demands were beyond her. Read more

Reviews (23)

Tragic...
Palace suspicions had kept her at arms length from the main events in France.
A decent read
This book is mediocre at best. Overall written well, but the characters are confusing.

Facts are stretched to fit romantic fantasies.
I am disappointed that of all the excellent biographies of Marie-Antoinette written by French scholars, Lever's is the one that was translated into English and found its way into the American bookstores. She is a very romantic lady, and stretches the facts to created a romance between the queen and Count von Fersen, even imagining that the queen built her Temple of Love for him, without presenting any solid facts to prove her point. The ordeal of the little dauphin, who is taken from his mother and abused, is downplayed in an outrageous manner. For a better biography of the queen, please read Desmond Seward's. For a true account of what happened to little Louis XVII, read Deborah Cadbury's superb book. There are novels which have better history than Lever's biography, such as Vidal's "Trianon." I would not recommend this book and I hope that Bertiere's biography is soon translated into english. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1755-1793    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Europe - France    7. France    8. France - History    9. Historical - General    10. Marie Antoinette,    11. Queen, consort of Louis XVI, K    12. Queen, consort of Louis XVI, King of France,    13. Queens    14. Royalty    15. Women   

Reviews (7)

Full of illustrations and nuggets
I teach a leadership course and tell my students I will read and review the business or leadership books they recommend.I was skeptical at first, most attempts to create Bible oriented business books fail. However, in this case the authors chose to use Good to Great, one of the best business books of the decade, as a primary focusing lens and there is a single Bible verse at the end of each chapter.
Accurate Biography but Not a Good Guide for Leadership
A lot of the adivce in this book is cliche and common sense. But some of the advice as to how to be a great leader like Billy is wrong and misleading. For example the author points out that prayer is a big factor, however he records that the advice of a Welsh pastor inspired Billy Graham to become a better preacher, and shows that Billy and the Welsh Pastor thought that this was accomplished merely by a prayer and to be broken like Paul. However a single prayer and being broken is not going to make you a great preacher. Rather wisdom and the desire to be perfectly obedient to God and continuous prayer are the keys.
Leadership is about others
The Leadership Secrets of Billy Graham aren't really secrets, but rather a look into how this man of God has operated since his call to serve the Lord as the main spokesman and leader of an international organization focused on sharing the Good News with people throughout the world.He clearly has illustrated that leadership isn't about him, but in finding good people and placing responsiblity and trust in those people.Much literature on leadership looks at how supposed leaders get action out of those who follow.Graham, by contrast, has an ability to find good people and then steps aside to let them use their God given talents.Leadership is about empowering those around you, not forcing your vision on them.Leadership is about helping them succeed, not pushing to make things happen according to your desires.Graham's leadership is bathed in prayer for those around him, seeking the Lord's desire. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1918-    2. Biography    3. Business / Economics / Finance    4. Christianity    5. Christianity - Christian Life - Character & Values    6. Christianity - Christian Life - General    7. Christianity - Evangelism    8. Christianity - Pastoral Ministry    9. Evangelists    10. Graham, Billy,    11. Leadership    12. Religion    13. Religion - Christian Life    14. Religious    15. Religious aspects    16. Social Science    17. Sociology    18. Sociology of Religion    19. United States    20. Business & Economics / Leadership    21. Christian Interest    22. Christian spiritual & Church leaders    23. Management & management techniques   

Reviews (1)

A WONDERFUL LOOK AT LIFE AT HOME WITH THE KATE WE LOVE!
As a huge fan of Kate this book is a wonderful look at her life at home showing what a truly strong, independent, generous and thoughtful woman she was.
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Subjects:  1. 1907-2003    2. 1963-    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. Considine-Meara, Eileen,    8. Entertainment & Performing Arts - Actors & Actresses    9. Entertainment & Performing Arts - General    10. Hepburn, Katharine,    11. Motion picture actors and actresses    12. Personal Memoirs    13. United States    14. Biography & Autobiography / Entertainment & Performing Arts    15. Biography: film, television & music    16. Films, cinema    17. Individual actors & performers   

Reviews (190)

A Must Read
When this book came out, I read the whole thing in an hour in the bookstore. I couldnt put it down.
Why aren't there more books like this?
Instead of having another person tell you what another person wrote or drew on a piece of paper, you can see it, coffee stains and all, for yourself in this book.
EVERYONE, READ THIS REVIEW!!!
This is hardly going to be a review.This is going to be more of a, "look at both sides of the argument".If you are turned off just from reading that, please continue reading because most likely it will be worth reading.Skimming through the reviews below, you will see what I did.There are two types of reviews for this book.One review is the 4 or 5 star, "OH! Kurt Cobain!This book is sooo great! Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah".Then the other review is, "This wasn't meant to be published!You are all sick for reading this book!Even though I read it myself, you are all sick!"Saying Kurt Cobain wouldn't have wanted this to be published is a bit silly.First off, how would you know?I believe at the age of 13, Kurt Cobain said he wanted to become a famous rock star and then kill himself. "It's better to burn out than to fade away", right?One Nirvana fan could say that Kurt Cobain hated the stardom, he hated being famous.Really?Is that true?Don't you think that if a famous person claims to hate how famous they are, then they are going to gain even more famous?EVERYONE loves a rebel, right?When Nirvana was around they were just as famous as Pearl Jam and Red Hot Chili Peppers.Kurt Cobain was devastated when Eddie Vedder was listed on a "great songwriter list" for writing "Jeremy" when Kurt Cobain wasn't on it at all.Jealousy perhaps?Nirvana didn't gain more popularity than Pearl Jam and Red Hot Chili Peppers until after Kurt's death.Who is to say that Kurt Cobain didn't have a friend of his participate in his "suicide" and make it look like a murder?Maybe Kurt Cobain did this just to gain some popularity.Then again maybe he didn't.When Kurt Cobain was alive, he would leave his "journals" while he was away so people could read them.Seriously, kill your guilt while reading this because you don't know if Kurt Cobain wouldn't wanted it released or not.If it makes you feel SO guilty, then DON'T READ IT!If you felt guilty while reading it and then came on here and gave it 1 or 2 stars, then you are just a liar.You enjoyed the book, quitting lying to yourself and everyone else.Just to let everyone that hates me after reading this know, I don't claim to believe in anything I've said so far.I'm just trying to let everyone view the journals from both sides of the argument.In my opinion though, regardless of guilt, it is a pretty good read.Hasn't everyone wanted to see how someone's wheels turn?Especially someone like Kurt Cobain? ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1967-1994    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Cobain, Kurt,    6. Composers & Musicians - Rock    7. Diaries    8. Entertainment & Performing Arts - General    9. Musicians    10. Rock musicians    11. United States    12. Biography & Autobiography / Entertainment & Performing Arts    13. Cobain, Kurt   

Reviews (21)

Good Biography
I enjoyed reading "Alexander the Great" by Paul Cartledge, Greek History Professor at Cambridge University. Alexander the Great is among (if not) the greatest soldier in recorded history He achieved stunning military and political success in his short life. The book is structured thematically, which I found interesting and has good illustrations of battle lines, maps, glossary, bibliography, among other things.
What the movie doesn't tell you...
An overview of the military conquests of Alexander the Great whose campaigns spread the influence of Greek culture into modern civilization. This is more of the story that wasn't shown in the 2004 movie. Once you learn more of the real Alexander you will truly wonder why Colin Farrell was cast as him.

Would You Serve in the Phalanx for Alexander?
I read this book just before seeing Oliver Stone's film Alexander. This is a highly readable book, as are all of Paul Cartlegde's works. Most of the criticism I've seen of this book is off the mark, I think. What is most valuable about this biography is that the professor is extremely rigorous in sifting the historical record, which is mainly secondary, and the archaeological record in searching for the great Macedonian king. This is neither a hatchet job nor a paean to Alexander's virtues--Cartledge offers a balanced analysis of the source material and an examination of the authors from which they sprang.That is why he does not take a chronological path in this excavation of the historical record; his project is not to tell a story but to examine the record and hypothesize a psychological profile of the conqueror.For rigor alone this book gets five stars.