Reviews (34)

VERY GOOD
THIS A VERY GOOD BOOK. SHOWS HOW HARD WE ITALAIANS HAD IT IN THOSE DAY WHEN OUR PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS HAD TO COME OVER HERE. VERY GOOD ENDING!

Very good book!
It is a very good book, and although that its not as good as The Godfather or The Last Don, it is a very intertaining book.

Antiheroes of iron
This book characterizes the Italian immigrant experience in coming to America as a loss of values in trade for a new life. It describes exactly how one loses the old culture, and the old ways, and thus is assimilated and often destroyed, but how endurance gives one the right to live this new life. I found it an exceptionally vivid description of two generations of life in the New York slums as an Italian immigrant family, and while it was heavy on the drama (deaths, violence, failure) its dominant trait is its complex view of the primary characters. They are both not heroic, and yet stalwarts, and impotent, and yet keeping what they can of a value system alive in a country that tears it apart at every turn with money. I like this book the best of all of Puzo's that I have read, and would recommend it to anyone as simultaneously more literary and more real than his celebrated offer-you-can't-refuse bestsellers. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Literary    5. Reference    6. Rich & Famous    7. Biography & Autobiography / Literary   

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Dictionaries    5. General    6. Reference    7. Science    8. Scientists - General    9. Women    10. Women scientists    11. Dictionaries of biography (Who's Who)    12. History of science    13. Reference / General    14. Women's studies   

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Business    4. Business & Economics    5. Business/Economics    6. Businesspeople    7. Computer industry    8. Entrepreneurship    9. General    10. Interviews    11. Reference    12. United States    13. Business & Economics / General    14. Industry & Industrial Studies   

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. General    5. Reference    6. Biography: film, television & music   

Reviews (6)

A Timeless Classic By One Of The Best Biographers In History
Plutarch in his "Lives Of The Noble Grecians And Romans" written around 100 C.E., sheds new light on Greek and Roman history from their Bronze Age beginnings, shrouded in myth, down through Alexander and late Republican Rome.Plutarch is the lens that we use today to view the Greco-Roman past; his work has shaped our perceptions of that world for 2,000 years.Plutarch writes of the rise of Roman Empire while Gibbon uses his scholarship to advance the story to write about its decline.He was a proud Greek that was equally effected by Roman culture, a Delphic priest, a leading Platonist, a moralist, educator and philosopher with a deep commitment as a first rate writer.Being a Roman citizen, Plutarch was afforded the opportunity to become an intimate friend to prominent Roman citizens and a member of the literary elite in the court of Emperor Trajan.
Easy to Use for People Just Wanting to Learn About Sparta
For people who do not have the time to read all of Plutarch just to find out about Holy Sparta. A great book for finding out about the Ideal State. Plutarch, like most Greek thinkers hated the mob rule of Demon-ocracy, had a love-hate relationship with the warrior caste system of Sparta. He admired the Greatness of Sparta, but disliked its so called "oppressive nature", albeit, this is what made Sparta great. Plutarch preferred Spartan "oppression" over the mob rule of that other Greek city-state. Read the fine print
It is with a slight reservation that I recommend this book to classical history buffs & fans of the ancient Spartans. Those (like myself) who lick their chops @ the chance to read a book about the Spartans in their prime might be a bit disappointed. Read more

Subjects:  1. Ancient - Greece    2. History - General History    3. Reference    4. Ancient Greece    5. European history: BCE to c 500 CE    6. History / Ancient / Greece    7. Other prose: classical, early & medieval    8. Ancient Greece - History    9. History: World   

Reviews (3)

Straight Forward Fluid Mechanics
I have read the other reviews of this book and it is obvious there are conflicting feelings about the material contained in this book.I personally feel this book is a good quality and very useful to a practicingengineer.The book is sometimes a little unclear as to where some of theequations come from or how to read a diagram.I had the privledge oftaking this class at Texas A&M from Dr. Ron Darby (the author).Histeaching styles are 'old school' but very effective.He and his book makethe student THINK about what the answer is.Having taken the class fromDr. Darby, I know clearly where all its equations come from and everythingprinted in the book is accurate.Dr. Ron Darby is an extremely competentindividual and any reader who doesn't understand the book is probablylooking for someone to give them the answer rather than think forthemselves.

Excellent text and reference book for engineers.
The course taught from this book was the most useful course I have taken.The book covers a wide range of topics including Newtonian andnon-Newtonian fluids and gases, pipes and fittings, pumps and compressors,meters and control valves, filters, centrifuges, settlers, etc.The bookis clearly written and emphasizes the solution of practical fluids problemsstarting from first principles.There are many challenging problems whichdeal with "real world" situations - not the idealized orhypothetical problems you see in a lot of books.I use this book more onthe job than any of the books that I had for courses in school.There werea few typos in the first printing, but these have been corrected in thelater printings.I highly recommend the book for both students andpractising engineers.

Poorly presented, poorly formatted, full of errors.
I used the book for my introductory fluid mechanincs class, and my peers unanimously agreed that this book was the worst book they had ever used for a class. Equations come from nowhere, and practice problems appear beforeany discussion of material needed to solve them.There are no colordiagrams, and the B&W ones that are there are are crude and confusing. The book is full of typographical errors. According to my professor for theclass, although he didn't like this book either, it was better than theothers available in this subject.I shudder to think that a book could beless useful than this one. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Chemical Engineering Operations    2. Chemical processes    3. Engineering - Chemical & Biochemical    4. Engineering - Mechanical    5. Engineering Fluid Mechanics    6. Fluid mechanics    7. General    8. Reference    9. Science/Mathematics    10. Technology    11. Technology & Industrial Arts    12. Mechanics of fluids    13. Science / Chemistry / Technical & Industrial   

Editorial Review

"I am a journalist," says John G. Morris, "but not a reporter and not a photographer." He is a picture editor--the person who selects which photos get used in a newspaper or magazine--and he's worked for some of the top names in the industry: at Read more

Reviews (3)

more than a history of photojournalism, and sometimes, less
One imagines John G. Morris as the sort of grandfather with a thousand amazing stories, whom everyone in the family has asked to write a book for years and who finally sets about the task.
Getting the Picture
This is a well-written rolicking ride through the last century and the history of photojournalism in the American media. It has an index that reads like the Who's Who of the century with anecdotes and insights galore on the movers and shakers of photojournalism and history. I enjoyed every word and I recommend it highly.

A fantastic novel through the eyes of a great man
I just finished reading this novel and I must admitt it is one of the best novels I have read this year.It really is an exciting travel through the 20th century, through the eyes of a man who's carreer made him involved with major political and social events.I would say this is a must to anyone interested in photography and journalism, and a recommended for anyone with a heartbeat.I really loved this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. (John Godfrey)    2. Artists, Architects, Photographers    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. History    8. Morris, John G    9. Morris, John G.    10. News photographers    11. Photojournalism    12. Reference    13. United States    14. Biography: general    15. Photographic reportage    16. Photography / Photojournalism    17. Press & journalism   

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography/Autobiography    3. Reference   

Reviews (36)

Great book for hardcore Kiss fans
I've been a huge Kiss fan since 1976. Like most fans, the original band line-up is my favorite. This is the best book about Kiss I have ever read, and I've read several. I like that it consists mainly of interviews and quotes from the band members, producers, studio musicians, management, and others very close to the band. Extremely in-depth with the people who were there at the time, a lot of facts--but you have to check who is saying it so you get the proper perspective. The first section of the book is an extensive interview from 1979, and it is very interesting to read, especially in hindsight. The third and final section is a comprehensive album-by-album track-by-track analysis, again by the band themselves, contributing song writers and musicians, producers, and engineers. In between, the second section gives a nice overview of the period between the break up (when Ace and Peter left) in the early 1980s through the reunion in 1996. I liked this book enough to re-read section 3 twice back-to-back. It's THAT good. I found the comments throughout the book from Peter Criss particularly compelling, because I didn't know he was so arrogant and had the biggest ego in the band (yes even more than Gene Simmons if that's possible)! Highly recommended book for Kiss fans.
Best and most comprehensive book about KISS ever
I'll have to admit that it was with great trepidation that I started this book because often the term "authorized biography" is code for simply a white wash hagiography. And given Gene Simmons' iron-fisted control over the group's image and rep, I was prepared for the worst.
Hotest book about the hotest band in the world!
KISS:behind the mask is by far the most detailed KISS biography made up to this point.The first part written by David Leaf was originaly written years ago but was never released until not too long ago as co-author Ken Sharp read the original script and wanted to have it released so KISS fan could read this biography.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Composers & Musicians - General    5. Composers & Musicians - Rock    6. Entertainment & Performing Arts - General    7. Reference    8. Rock Music    9. Biography & Autobiography / Entertainment & Performing Arts   

Reviews (5)

thought-provoking and entertaining
You wouldn't think a book of obituaries would be entertaining, but it is when the obits are well-written and celebrate the lives and characters of the 100+ people found in this collection.The subjects are most often unknown to the majority of us, but the various authors (including well-known NYT obituary author Robert McG. Thomas, Jr.) humanize each subject and inspire you to contemplate your own life.Most essays are a couple of pages long, and there is an introduction by Russell Baker.

Indeed, the Last Word on Obituary Writing
Rather than an ode to death, this book cherishes lives onced lived by all kinds of people. Whether brilliant or simple, rich or poor, actions great or discreet, each of the people written about contributed to society in a meaningful (and often surprising) way. Equally outstanding are the authors of these obituaries, whose writing talents manage to entertain, educate and move the reader deeply without being maudlin. Even more importantly, this book forces us to examine our own lives: what will people say about us when we've faced our Maker? For those of us who come up pitifully short, this book inspires even the common man to contribute to society, and strive for -- and hopefully, attain -- spiritual immortality.

A helluva book
I teach Memoir Writing to local seniors and I routinely use this book as an example of outstanding biography.It's one thing to write a 250 word bio but quite another, and much more demanding, to pen a few-hundred-wordlast goodbye to someone and do it with panache.The NY Times has threebooks of obituaries, this is the most recent.The quality of the writingis, in many cases, superior to anything in the rest of the newspaper(allthe obits here were published in the Times).I especially like the reviewsof Robert McG Thomas, who died within the past year at age 60.Hisobituaries deserved a Pulitzer.His obits are worth the price of the book.Everybody deserves a last word.These obits are not just about famouspeople but about average joes and janes who have been extraordinary humanbeings.I'd even recommend this book for spiritual reading because thelives here are inspirational.I teach writing and am always on the lookoutfor examples of prose that will knock my socks off.This is one helluvabook. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Biography    3. Curiosities & Wonders    4. Obituaries    5. Reference    6. Self-Help    7. United States   

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Dictionaries    3. General    4. Historical - General    5. History: American    6. Japan    7. Reference    8. Travel - Foreign    9. History    10. TRAVEL & HOLIDAY   

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. General    4. Historical - General    5. History    6. History: World    7. Reference    8. Renaissance    9. Biography: historical    10. European history: c 500 to c 1500    11. History / Renaissance    12. Italy    13. Literary studies: classical, early & medieval    14. Other prose: classical, early & medieval   

Reviews (4)

SoLiAh, The Symbionese Liberation Army inthe 21St Century
The Last book on the Symbiones Liberation Army was written 20 years ago (Every Secret Thing, by Patricia Hearst, released in 1988 paperback as "Patty Hearst" in conjuction with the movie by the same name).Beyond this the books seemed to stop in mid to late 1970's so excluding Hearst's autobiography, the first book in a quarter century on the SLA. Opinions on the SLA and Hearst have often been politically charged with the strongest opinions often held by those who have limited knowlege of the subject. Soliah, The Sara Jane Olson Story
Soliah captures the in-depth history of the 60's and 70's and wraps the story around Kathleen Soliah.It is difficult to understand how this woman could create a false identy for herself.Particularly because she lied to her three daughters about her name, age, and her deceitful past.She activily participated in the events of the SLA and should pay the price for her criminal actions.I would recommend this novel to the true-crime seekers and everyone who lived in this time era.Also, to the younger generation who are interested in the Patty Hearst / SLA saga.

From Terrorist to Soccor Mom
What brings an obviously bright young woman to an obviously corrupt organization like the SLA and then, even more mysteriously, has her completely change her stripes and become, inexplicably, a soccor mom. Because Sarah Jane lived in my back yard, so to speak, I wanted to know who she was: the soccor mom or the terrorist. The book refused to answer that question for me, as it should, but rather than making judgements it told her story, using facts and the voices of people in Soliah/Olson's life. This book was better than a summer mystery and reads like a novel: I couldn't put it down. I heartily recommend the book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography/Autobiography    3. Murder - General    4. Reference    5. True Crime / Espionage   

Subjects:  1. 1912-    2. Alaska    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. Ethnic Cultures - Native Americans    8. Inupiat    9. Inupiat women    10. Pinson, Elizabeth Bernhardt,    11. Reference    12. Regional Subjects - West    13. Social conditions    14. Social life and customs    15. Teller    16. Women   

Reviews (2)

An Amazing Life
Trudi's Garden is for anyone who's ever wondered about the lives of remarkable people. Trudi's story, beginning in World War II Germany and continuing into today's beautiful garden, will entertain every reader with the captivating story and beautiful photos. Though it looks good there,this is not a book to leave sitting on the coffee table; it's a book for reading and enjoying.

AnAmazing Life
Trudi Temple's attitude about life and boundless ingenuity set her apart from those of us who sometimes think we "can't". She always thinks she "can"...and does everything in her life with never a thought that she might fail.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Business    5. Personal Memoirs    6. Reference    7. Women   

Editorial Review

The innovative founder of the Eastman Kodak Company was not generally known for his thirst for adventure, his love of art and classical music, or his philanthropic activities, yet these were all important aspects of the man. George Eastman (1854-1932) was a complicated individual who lived most of his long, industrious life out of the public eye; his private affairs both admirable and dubious are now out in the open, thanks to this scholarly and scrupulous biography. Eastman is revealed as cold, shrewd, modest, and surprisingly generous in this colorful portrait. The text is appropriately enhanced by a number of rare photographs. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

it sucked
I think they should explain how th invention works

Eastman comes alive as a real person.
George Eastman was one of the seminal figures in the development of photography. Eastman was the founder of the Eastman Kodak Company. Brayer's scholarly biography is long and definitive. Read more

Subjects:  1. 1854-1932    2. Artists, Architects, Photographers    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. Business    8. Eastman, George,    9. Industrialists    10. Reference    11. United States    12. United States - General    13. Biography: general    14. Precision instruments manufacture   

Reviews (3)

Do You Want to know How to Say More than "Que Pasa Amigo?"
As the owner of Toni Roman's LearningSpanishVideoReviews web site, I am more than happy to have this opportunity to post my review of this wonderful resource for learning to speak and understand everyday Spanish.
An introduction to the world of slang etc.
If you are hoping to get clarification of the meaning of slang, vulgar and obscene terms in Spanish this dictionary & thesaurus is a great intro to this vocabulary in Spanish.As in any language this is usually hard to learn and understand without exposure and because Spanish is so broad whether you are a native speaker or not it is sometimes necessary to consult a reference to clarify the meaning of a word or expression. An everyday word in one country can be considered vulgar and totally unacceptable in another. Ay, que padre!
I think this dictionary/thesaurus is deifinitely worth purchasing for those who like to expand on their knowledge of Spanish.I like how David Burke gives explanations on how certain idioms and words came about. I also liked the fact that at the end of the book, he put in some of the "Naughty Spanish" from his other book, Street Spanish 3: The Best of Naughty Spanish.I musn't forget, either, about the illustrations because they are so hilarious.So anyway, you guys, compren el libro.Uds. pueden darme gracias mas tarde!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Dictionaries    2. Dictionaries - General    3. English    4. Foreign Language - Dictionaries / Phrase Books    5. Foreign Language Study    6. Reference    7. Slang    8. Spanish    9. Spanish language    10. Foreign Language Study / Spanish    11. Slang & jargon   

Reviews (2)

tranquillo
I bought this book two days ago andhave to say that I have strugglled to put it down since. For anyone with an interest in travel and the charismatic characters one meets this is an essential read. It is written in almost a novel format and whilst this does much to enrich the individual chapters I did feel that this style did mean that some of the warmth of the principal characters was lost.In this sense it fell short of other books in the genre, notably Chris Stewart's Driving over lemons. However, Kerr's detailed descriptions of his neigbours were a pleasue to read. At times it is laugh out loud funny and just looking at the next paragraph would prompt another outburst. A good read. Now where is my passport?
Snowball Oranges
I bought this book at LA Airport just before flying to the UK, and I have to say that reading it made short of the long journey.� I read it in one go, and my outbursts of snickering and laughing must have had my fellow travellers wondering if I was a few oranges short of the pound.Read more

Subjects:  1. Essays & Travelogues    2. Reference    3. Travel    4. Travel - General    5. Travel / General   

Reviews (1)

To better know the man
It is easy to take potshots at historical figures as long as they remain impersonal.There are some who would like to call TR a racist or imperialist or some other catchphrase.In The Letters and Lessons of Theodore Roosevelt for his Sons, however, you must get to know the person.Even if you don't agree with everything he did historically, you come away with a sense of who the person was and what his priorities, personality, and sense of honor and responsibility were all about.I don't claim to be unbiased, being a great admirer of the man.The letters only reaffirmed what I believed and made me respect the man all the more.The only minor thing that annoyed me about the book was the editor's mention in the foreword about the "Christian" character of Roosevelt's stances.Those concepts belong to all people of honor, and are not attached to any given religious tradition.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography/Autobiography    3. General    4. Inspirational    5. Inspirational - General    6. Reference    7. Biography & Autobiography / General   

Reviews (1)

mickey mantle: before the glory
i knew the mick for 40 years and this helped me learn even more about his young life even when i thought i knew most everything.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Baseball - History    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Historical - General    5. Reference    6. Sports & Recreation    7. Sports - Baseball