The Metropolis of Tomorrow (Dover Books on Architecture)

Book Description

The metropolis of the future — as perceived by architect Hugh Ferriss in 1929 — was both generous and prophetic in vision. Largely an illustrated essay on the modern city and its future, Ferriss' book incorporated his philosophy of architecture. Includes powerful illustrations of towering structures, personal space, wide avenues, and rooftop parks. 59 illustrations.

Customer Reviews:

Brutal metropolis.......2006-06-10

I think that generally Dover Books are to be congratulated on reprinting many books that otherwise might never be seen again and priced very reasonably too. I don't think any plaudits are in order on this book though. I found the text very dull and the pictures gave an overall impression of blackness.

Hugh Ferris managed to develop a wonderful rendering technique (being trained as an architect no doubt helped) that seemed so suited to commercial buildings of size, especially skyscrapers. His black and white artwork is simply stunning but it needs to be printed on quality paper to bring out the subtleties of grey shading. The main problem with the book is the paper does nothing for his work and I was really made aware of this when I recently bought 'Power in Buildings' (ISBN 0940512114) a lovely reprint of his 1953 book. The fourth of his famous renderings from Evolution of the Set-back Building appears in both books but in the 'Power' edition the image looks so right.

His writing in 'Metropolis' came across as very long-winded, for example, this is from the last page of the book:
'As for personal and specific proposals, the author well knows how many parapets, other than the one we are now leaving, overlook the imaginary "Metropolis of Tomorrow" and he shares the common belief that few of the many visualizations currently being formulated can contribute more than a particle to the ultimate actuality'
The ten pages of words and pictures devoted to Set-back I thought the most interesting part of what he had to say.

Get his 'Power' book for a much better appreciation of his architectural thoughts and the fifty main renderings really look beautiful on good paper.

Magnificent Value.......2005-07-28

Ferriss's drawings had an immediate impact on architecture. Some of his projections are the purest distilling of Art Deco application to buildings one can find from the age. But Ferriss's effect on cinema and illustration has been very powerful as well, and far less documented. The 1-star-off is because the reproduction quality -- quite good, no doubt -- leaves some to be desired, nonetheless: the sfumato effects appear more like soft-focus than atmosphere and the graininess brings to mind infra-red film more than the grit of a huge city fueled by leaded gas and coal.

Visual philosopher.......1997-11-01

To say that this 1920's classic is anything other than a masterpiece would be proof of insanity. By "interpreting" a Law, (NY Zoning 1917), Ferriss found beauty in the hope of what might be. In today's world of 3D CAD and computers, Ferriss was able to use canvas to convey not merely ideas and requirements, but opportunities and emotions. There are few books that inspire architects more than this. The value of original prints of this is evident in that single plates are sold in New York for $20 apiece by street vendors Architects are usually too caught up in the details to appreciate the beauty of buildings. Leave it then, to a painter to bring out the beauty and grace of buildings that were meant to inspire, or were not meant to be.

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The Metropolis of Tomorrow
Hugh FERRIS
Manufacturer: Princeton Architectural Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000VCE79C

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The Metropolis of Tomorrow
Ferriss Hugh
Manufacturer: Ives Washburn
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000UDRCHQ

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Excellent book for decorative painters

A great watercolorist instruction reference.

Watercolor Basics Drawing and Painting Birds (Watercolor Basics)
Shirley Porter
Manufacturer: North Light Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
Watercolor Painting | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0891349197

Customer Reviews:

Excellent book for decorative painters.......2006-03-09

The diagrams and instructions are very clear. Even a non-talented person like me can paint birds following her lessons.

A great watercolorist instruction reference........2000-07-03

Shirley Porter's Watercolor Basics: Drawing And Painting Birds tells how to paint birds in watercolor, providing a simple source of basics for beginning bird painters. From poses and backgrounds to bird-watching tips, this uses exercises to show how to create easy patterns.

Customer Reviews:

Great pictures.......2005-11-08

This is a wonderful collection of a wide variety of pictures from the period including landscapes and important structures, portraits of individuals in their normal settings and a large number of images taken in the studio. Many of the latter are attempts to show lifelike poses and situations and to record different types of dress and custom. These are somewhat stylized, but do try to convey some of the nature of the true subjects. There are a large number of pictures of samurai, peasants, nobles and geisha. Some of the photographs were hand tinted at the time, and those colors are preserved although probably significantly faded. Overall a wonderful snapshop of time at the time and actually of times immediately preceding it since many of the photographers were capturing somewhat outdated styles and customes (eg kago sedan chairs and old samurai armor).

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Japan .. Photographs 1854-1905
Clark [ed.] Worswick
Manufacturer: Hamish Hamilton
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000HFW4AW

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Japan: Photographs 1854-1905
Clark Worswick
Manufacturer: PENNWICK PUBLISHING, INC.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000SSQR06

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Japan: Photographs 1854-1905
Worswick and Morris
Manufacturer: Pennwick / Knopf
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000IFK8E0

Customer Reviews:

An excellent treatment of Doom.......2005-08-04

I've always thought that Victor von Doom was one of Marvel's best, most fleshed out and most human villains. Doom is indisputably brilliant, powerful, arrogant, practical and ruthless, but also tortured by his private failings. His versatility as a character has ensured that he keeps popping up regularly and can play a major or supporting role in almost any setting. As Shadowcat once said "Science, magic, politics - is there anything you CAN'T do?" (Doom's response: "Knit. I find it repetitive.") Doom is often misused as a power-hungry cardboard cutout, but he's best when his multifaceted nature is revealed. This is one of those stories.

Doom rather easily executes a brilliant plan that uses the mind-controlling Purple Man as the focus of a device the literally brainwashes everyone on earth. He even has a backup plan to control people who aren't actually susceptible to mind control (although I think it's bit unlikely that there are only three such characters in the entire Marvel Universe). This all works perfectly and world immediately enters a new golden age of peace and prosperity. There is no war, plenty of food for all and economies everywhere are booming. What a wonderful conundrum! Before the book is even at the halfway point the reader is confronted with an awful dilemma: what is worse, a world run by Doom or the world in it's current state? This is a much more sophisticated approach than we normally see in comics, especially from this era.

Of course, at this point things begin to go downhill. One Avenger un-brainwashes the others and things devolve into a rather typical comic-book ending. Which is a pity, as there was much to be explored regarding the pros and cons of benevolent dictatorship as well as its aftermath. I found it particularly lame that after Doom's defeat and the destruction of the brainwashing device (what, you wanted a spoiler warning? It's a comic book - how did you THINK it was going to turn out!) the world happily went back to it's various wars instead of unanimously deciding to take out that pesky little country of Latveria and it's trouble-making despot once and for all.

Things get off to a great start and stagger through to an uninspired but adequate finish. The artwork is only ok, but the writing is often excellent - especially when it comes to dialogue. (Ronald Reagan: Would you like to use the Whitehouse as your palace while you stay in America Dr.? Doom: Well, I'm used to more opulent surroundings, but I suppose sacrifices must be made...) The Avengers are a bit lame, but I've never been too fond of them to begin with.Definitely a worthwhile read, one just wishes some of the more wide-ranging implications of the plot were better explored.

Very Interesting Concept, Very Flawed Execution..............2002-10-31

Emperor Doom uses a GREAT idea as a springboard: What if the bad-guy actually acheived his goal of World domination? From that great concept comes this average Graphic Novel...

Doctor Doom, one of the all-time great Marvel Villains, uses the persuasive powers of The Purple Man to cloud the minds of everyone on Earth, allowing him total unopposed dominion. And guess what? Things are actually BETTER than they were before. People are happy, crime is virtually non-existant, no one wants for food or shelter, Worldwide Economy is good, everyone has jobs....But do the ends justify the means?

Writer David Micheline uses a plot-device that stands out like a sore thumb to keep one of The Avengers free of the control of The Purple Man, and that kind of tainted my enjoyment of the book. It just seemed too far-fetched. Also, this is probably the third time I've been exposed to the character The Purple Man, and I still have no idea where he got his powers from. A little explanation would have made things easier to swallow....

Micheline's writing gets the job done; He does a great job of making Doom a real threat; Menacing yet Regal. I appreciated the sense of ennui creeping over Doom towards the end of the book. Apparently the chase is more fun than the prize itself. I did feel the book ended too abruptly, and without a satisfying confrontation between Good & Evil. The art, by Bob Hall, didn't exactly light me on fire, but his characters all look distinctive, and the action scenes look good.

Overall, Emperor Doom is nothing special, but at least we get to see what would happen if the bad-guy actually won....

action packed thrill.......1998-08-19

the author was one of the best ever. Marvel should make more avengers books but include Hawkeye more

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A must read

You Get to Meet Such Interesting People: The Adventures of an American Journalist
S. P. Maersch
Manufacturer: Vantage Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
Journalists | Professionals & Academics | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0533143918

Customer Reviews:

A must read.......2004-05-09

An outstanding spun tale of an American journalist who travels across the world encountering people off all kinds, shapes and sizes, and who tops it off with an award-winning career at the Milwaukee Journal, including details from an insider on the Milwaukee Journal and Milwaukee Sentinel merger. A must read for any journalist and anyone interested in people.

Customer Reviews:

One of a Kind Autobiography!.......2006-06-06

You will never in your life read another book quite like this one, by Jewish author and US Army veteran, Saul Silas Fathi. His autobiography, "Full Circle - Escape from Baghdad and the Return" takes the reader to places and events that one may only get to know about from small glimpses on The History Channel or in some old National Geographic Magazines. This guy has lived a life that would make a great movie.

He was born into a well to do Jewish family in Baghdad in 1938, which in that part of the world presented some very real dangers. The book shares with us his early years and how he was smuggled out of Iraq at 10 years of age and eventually ended up in Israel. He studied at the Israel Air Force Academy of Aeronautics and then worked his way to South America. This long out of the way journey eventually takes the author to New York to study where he ends up joining the US Army and was shipped off to Korea to join up with the First Cavalry Division. The book goes on to chronicle his exploits and personal adventures including becoming a top level executive for several large high-tech companies.

His book deals with having his family being falsely accused of treason against the Iraqi government and of being labeled a Zionist and Communist. Those labels alone were more than enough to cause them to be concerned for their safety, in addition to just being a Jew in a Muslim country.

This book deals with the hardships and persecution that this Jewish man faced in his lifetime. In the face of all that the author lived through and what he learned about life, his personal outlook and drive to succeed are a real tribute to his inner strength and character. Reading this book will inspire you and entertain you as well. The author has lived a full life and his book allows you to experience it through his memories.

2005 Distinguished Honor Award!

The true life story of one man in his escape from a country of perpetual pain and degradation.......2006-03-09

Full Circle: Escape From Baghdad And The Return by Saul Silas Fathi is the true life story of one man in his escape from a country of perpetual pain and degradation. Readers will follow Fathi through his arrival to Israel, Brazil and even the United states as the boy dares the world even further through his escapes progression. Full Circle is an inspirational memoir depicting a painstakingly true tale of a refugee seeking asylum a corrupt and indecent homeland, and is very highly recommended for all non-specialist general readers for its revealing content.

An enlightening read by a gifted storyteller.......2006-02-01

Genre: Memoir/Non fiction
Title: Full Circle-Escape from Baghdad and the Return
AUTHOR: Saul Silas Fathi
Saul Silas Fathi was born to a prominent Jewish family in Baghdad, Iraq in 1938. Full Circle is the story of his life in Baghdad, his escape to Israel and finally his journey to Brazil and then the United States.
The book is divided into sections each chronicling a portion of Saul's life. Section One, IRAQ is filled with anecdotes and short stories of the people and places that young Saul experienced. Readers are delighted by the humorous and saddened by the terrible injustices that this young boy faces. Section Two, Israel allows insight into the newly formed state of Israel with all of its ethnic mix and beautiful countryside. Saul and his brother Yeftah must learn to exist alone in a strange country without parents or siblings. Eventually they are united with the family and Saul turns from boy to man.
In 1958 at the age of 20, Saul and his cousin Sabah leave Israel for Brazil. Although Saul's sister Berta has settled in the United States, immigrating is difficult and complicated if not impossible at that time. Brazil becomes the second choice of the two adventurers. First traveling to Italy, Spain and France they eventually arrive in Santos, south of Sao Paulo, Brazil. What the young men discover about their Jewish faith and how it is being once again down trodden does not bring them the happiness that travel had promised. Finally in 1960 he arrives in New York and the story of Saul the man continues in Section Three and Four. The book is interspersed with photographs of Saul, his family and friends providing the reader with another visual tool in getting to know these wonderful people.
Author Saul Silas Fathi is a gifted storyteller. His descriptions of places and people are vivid and entertaining. An interesting and enlightening read for anyone interested in varying world cultures and religious practices.
Reviewer: Shirley Roe, Allbooks Reviews.

The Return of the Caliphate to Baghdad (Tabari//History of Al-Tabari/Ta'rikh Al-Rusul Wa'l-Muluk)

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The Return of the Caliphate to Baghdad (Tabari//History of Al-Tabari/Ta'rikh Al-Rusul Wa'l-Muluk)
Tabari , and Ja'Far Muhammad
Manufacturer: State University of New York Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Asia | History | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0873958764

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Return to Baghdad
Cosette Marie Laperruque , and Mary Alice Murphy
Manufacturer: PublishAmerica
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Travel | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1592869777

Battlekings return to Baghdad as a maneuver battalion: doing more with less.: An article from: FA Journal

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Battlekings return to Baghdad as a maneuver battalion: doing more with less.: An article from: FA Journal
Steven M. Merkel , and John G. Clement
Manufacturer: Thomson Gale
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

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Book Description

This digital document is an article from FA Journal, published by Thomson Gale on July 1, 2006. The length of the article is 3614 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Battlekings return to Baghdad as a maneuver battalion: doing more with less.
Author: Steven M. Merkel
Publication: FA Journal (Magazine/Journal)
Date: July 1, 2006
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 11 Issue: 4 Page: 22(6)

Distributed by Thomson Gale

IRAQ - March 18 - Baghdad Softens Its Position On Inspectors' Return.(Brief Article): An article from: APS Diplomat Recorder

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IRAQ - March 18 - Baghdad Softens Its Position On Inspectors' Return.(Brief Article): An article from: APS Diplomat Recorder

Manufacturer: Pam Stein/Input Solutions
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital
ASIN: B0008F1OXO
Release Date: 2005-06-01

Book Description

This digital document is an article from APS Diplomat Recorder, published by Pam Stein/Input Solutions on March 23, 2002. The length of the article is 619 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: IRAQ - March 18 - Baghdad Softens Its Position On Inspectors' Return.(Brief Article)
Publication: APS Diplomat Recorder (Newsletter)
Date: March 23, 2002
Publisher: Pam Stein/Input Solutions
Volume: 56 Issue: 12 Page: NA

Article Type: Brief Article

Distributed by Thomson Gale

IRAQ - Nov 2 - Baghdad Seeks Return Of Some Former Army Officers.: An article from: APS Diplomat Recorder

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IRAQ - Nov 2 - Baghdad Seeks Return Of Some Former Army Officers.: An article from: APS Diplomat Recorder

Manufacturer: Thomson Gale
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

General | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Book Description

This digital document is an article from APS Diplomat Recorder, published by Thomson Gale on November 5, 2005. The length of the article is 1307 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: IRAQ - Nov 2 - Baghdad Seeks Return Of Some Former Army Officers.
Publication: APS Diplomat Recorder (Newsletter)
Date: November 5, 2005
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 63 Issue: 19

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Book Description

Anyone who is currently living with or pondering living with their significant other. Facts about couple who live together; including marriage statistics, effects on relationships, and more.

Customer Reviews:

Nothing new in this review...or this book.......2004-01-30

What I have to say on buying this book is nothing that hasn't been said before...I just had to repeat it since my experience has been mostly negative. The book has been useful for making me look at things in a new perspective. But really it's a giant ode to marriage that bashes away at anyone who would decide to live together as somehow immature and unprepared for adult life. I'd hoped for practical points and tips, not an assault on my character. I feel dirty for buying this book.

Know what you want to get out of the book...........2003-08-15

What you get out of this book will be dependent on what you are looking for. There are several different ways to read the book. Personally, I found some of the book to be of value to my situation and most of the book to be interesting but not necessarily applicable. So, the first and main question is: Why are you reading this book? If you are like me, you read this book to give you tips on how to help make a "moving in together" situation work out better. This book did provide tips and hints, and while they may seem obvious when you read them, it is good to be reminded. If you are unsure whether or not moving in together is a good thing, this book will give you things to look for in yourself and in your partner to decide if this is a good idea.

The book is broken up into several sections. At the very start of the book, it feels like the author is simply giving us a history of cohabitating and how it affects/influences marriage. This moves into a discussion on reasons why people move in together and a reminder to think about why we want to move in. The author discusses (and gives examples of) relationships and situations where cohabitating works and when it failed. If you finally decide to move in together there are several chapters that I found very valuable. My girlfriend and I have already decided to move in together. We know that it is important to have clearly defined goals and expectations for the relationship and moving in together (this is pretty much the point of the book, to define and agree on what to expect from cohabitating). There is a chapter on etiquette for cohabitating, and while it is simple and the author lists small things, I think that the small points of etiquette will become very important over the long run in just keeping things sane and neat and agreeable for your partner. Finally, the book moves onto what happens when cohabitating fails and how to cleanly get out of the apartment/relationship...and then, oddly enough, the book has a small section on marriage (right after the breaking up section).

As I said, there is value in this book, and if you have already decided to move in with your partner, there are several sections of the book that will be very useful in looking over, just to remind yourself that you have to do the small things to help make the relationship and living situation successful. First decide why you want to read this book and what you want to get out of it, and you may have a better experience in reading it. Other reviewers have mentioned that there is a bias against cohabitating (rather than marriage), and this is true. The author tries to back it up with statistics and data, but the bias remains. However (and this will be my last comment), one of the most successful couples that Rosen gives an example of was one that cohabitated with no interest in getting married...but they both had the same expectation for the relationship

Real title -- "Why NOT to Live Together".......2001-08-28

If you were expecting a cogent presentation of how to know if you are emotionally, psychologically or otherwise ready for a big commitment; tips on the merging your finances, protecting individual assets, how to talk to your kids, ways of introducing your new partner to extended family, the legal issues and ettiquette of dealing with health care providers and other service providers, etc, etc.... you'll get very little of that here, and only in the most cursory of terms.

The agenda is clear from page one: living together, bad; only traditional marriage, good. Mostly this is a book with a completely heteronormative focus (don't even think same sex partnerships was even mentioned once). But, oh, gosh golley forget about that liberalism -- a good old fashioned 1950's marriage is the only sane choice for good girls and boys who aren't just sex crazed, psychologically lazy, emotionally manipulative moochers afraid of a real commitment.

In case you think I overstate my case, I'll just cull a few things from some of the dozens upon dozens of true/false quizes, highly questionable (ancient!) statistical reports, and multiple choice questionnaires that fill up what seems like 80% of the pages: The book says -- True: "marriage requires more time than live-in love" -- "couples who cohabit are less committed to the institution of marriage" -- "serial live ins have a higher rate of divorce." Guys, when your gal brings up moving in together, you watch out now for these "Women Who Spell Trouble" -- they "lack the ability to be independent; are financially insecure; don't like being alone; have a variety of personal problems; lack maturity and personal growth; do not have enough self-esteem" There's a special risk group of women prone to "cohabitation," the book says. These unfortunates trust too much, aren't skeptical enough, lack tools to wisely evaluate relationships, and show signs of romantic desperation.

But not to be (completely) sexist, the writer makes sure that guys get their share of vituperation: they are cautioned "Don't put two names on the mailbox when... you are in love or lust" -- wow! And here's me thinking love, at least, would be one reason to shack up!! And my favorite part, the "Cohabitor or Marriage Partner" check lists. "Male Cohabitors" place greater emphasis on leisure; have liberal view of sex; may still be in school; are serial live-ins. "Female cohabitors" place emphasis on career; are not seeking matrimony; have a family history of divorce. But those true blue "Male Marriage Partners" are settled financially, have completed their degree, and come from families where there is no divorce. And those good gals -- have less liberal views of sex; are connected to church and community; feel ready to begin a family; and have traditional values.

I really wish this was listed as a gag book, or that I could admit to making this stuff up folks, but sadly in the 21st century we are still being fed this rubbish..... just call me nuts for not taking seriously a book that tells me to that if significant other is not a good way to introduce my partner, I could try "householdmate," "virtual spouse," or "sweetheart." The writer wasn't even trying to be fair to the realities of contemporary couples and the economic, social, and family dynamics in place for people trying to make one of the most important decisions in their lives.

But it ain't all bad folks. If you insist on taking that wicked, wicked plunge anyway, here are some tips on how to do it right: -- don't leave the toilet seat up -- strike a match to eliminate odors -- make up after a fight, and -- rearrange the furniture together .... the sheer warmth and originality of these sentiments leave me speechless.

Interesting stats and so forth, but..........2001-06-09

This book could have been less biased. I found this book to be heavily slanted AGAINST living together, when it probably should have remained neutral, giving preferences to neither living together or marriage but offering sound infomation and advice on both. If you are looking for a reason to make yourself TOTALLY UNSURE about your life partner (that's what mine is, for better or worse; richer or poorer, marriage certificate or not) read this book. Luckily I wasn't easily swayed in the author's direction; I still managed to keep an open mind when looking at my own relationship, which is something that would have been IMPOSSIBLE for the author to do, naturally. So...after all the reading is said and done, and etc., the only thing that will help your relationship is you, your parnter, and your minds and feelings toward each other. No book has ALL the answers, anyway.

Caused me to change my mind!.......2001-01-27

If you're considering moving in with a romantic partner, this book will guide you through those important questions you should ask yourself. How will this affect the relationship? What about the money situation? Is this a good step towards marriage? My place or his? What could be the legal ramifications?

Very thorough and specific, this book convinced me NOT to move in with my boyfriend. Thinking back now, I know that was the right choice! Read this book BEFORE ever bringing up the subject with your girl/boyfriend. I haven't found another book which explored this topic near as well.

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The Complete Idiot's Guide to Living Together
Rosanne Rosen
Manufacturer: Alpha
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000O91VHI

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THE COMPLETE IDIOTS GUIDE TO LIVING TOGETHER

Manufacturer: Alpha Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000H1LK06

Book Description

Following the battle of Bussaco on 27 September 1810 Wellington's heavily outnumbered troops began to withdraw towards Lisbon. By the evening of 9 October the British and Portuguese began to withdraw behind a line of defensive works that had been built to the north of Lisbon. These were not the rudimentary field works that the French anticipated, but an enormous network of forts, batteries and redoubts whose construction had been started the previous November - the Lines of Torres Vedras. This 30-mile-wide line utilised the area's natural defences, damming rivers, scarping hillsides, blocking roads and establishing forts upon almost all of the hills. This title describes its design, creation and effectiveness in the face of French attacks.

Customer Reviews:

Is There Really an Impregnable Defense?.......2003-07-01

Although the Peninsula War of 1809-1814 has attracted a great deal of attention from historians, the extensive fortifications built in Portugal and known as the Lines of Torres Vedras have received very little attention. As Peninsula War expert Ian Fletcher notes in Osprey's Fortress volume #7 on that subject, only two previous books have focused specifically on these defenses which were so critical to the Duke of Wellington's operational planning. Indeed, Fletcher refers to the lines as "one of the best kept secrets in military history" and he describes the role these defenses played in halting and reversing the French invasion of Portugal in 1810.

The Lines of Torres Vedras 1809-1811 begins with a short introduction and chronology, followed by short sections on the design and development of the lines, Wellington's method of defense, the forts, life in the lines, aftermath and the lines today. Fletcher provides one very nice, 2-page color map of the lines, 2 period maps of the lines, and a map depicting Marshall Massena's retreat. The color plates by artist Bill Younghusband are decent, if not great (constructing one of the forts in the line, a cross-section of the great redoubt at Sobral, Forts 40-42, Fort San Vicente, Wellington inspecting French positions, and attacking a scarped hillside).

Wellington, ordered the construction of an extensive defensive position north of Lisbon in October 1809 in order to provide a final redoubt for the British if pressed by French invasion. Thousands of Portuguese civilians were used as the workforce to construct two main lines of defense, centered upon the craggy hilltops north of their capital. Construction required about one year and the result was a defensive system that stretched over 30 miles from the Atlantic coast to the Tagus River. In addition, Wellington's engineers put a major effort into countermobility operations, destroying all bridges and roads north of the lines to impede any French advance. As Fletcher notes, the lines were not a continuous barrier but a series of forts with interlocking fields of fire, barriers and defenses in depth. Wellington also instituted a "scorched earth" policy north of the lines, destroying grain and livestock as well as evacuating Portuguese civilians, in order to deny the French a source of food or labor.

The lines were finished just in time, as Marshal Massena's army approached Lisbon in October 1810. Wellington manned the fortifications themselves with 30,000 Portuguese troops and over 400 cannon, leaving his 29,000 British troops as a mobile reserve to counterattack any French penetration. Massena's army, already punished by a difficult march across Portugal and the painful Battle of Bussaco two weeks earlier, was dismayed when they bumped into the unexpectedly formidable Allied defenses. After sniffing around the east end of the lines for a month - including mounting a minor probe at one small section - the poorly-supplied French army began to withdraw.

In Fletcher's assessment, the Lines of Torres Vedras were "a total success" because they stopped the French invasion dead in its tracks. Fletcher, as some other British historians are prone to do, even refers to the lines as "impregnable." Yet is there really such a thing as an "impregnable defense" or is this merely a tradition of biased hyperbole? As Fletcher describes, most of the forts of the lines of Torres Vedras were built of dirt earthworks, some with stone walls, on top of very advantageous terrain. However, a key weakness was that the forts had little or no overhead cover and were therefore vulnerable to plunging fire from French mortars or howitzers. Fletcher fails to mention that Massena's army had such mortars and that they had been used to reduce the far more impressive stone fortress of Almeida only seven weeks prior. It is also questionable whether the British had a real plan to defend the lines in time of limited visibility, such as darkness or fog (granted, night attacks were rare in this period). In fact, Fletcher notes that the French used the extensive fog in the area to cover their withdrawal. However, the greatest weakness of the lines was logistical. Although the Royal Navy brought in enough supplies to feed the British army, the Portuguese capital jammed with thousands of refugees was vulnerable to starvation. Indeed, Fletcher estimates that about 2% of the Portuguese population starved to death in this brief period of French invasion. What if Massena had merely begun constructing his own double line of defense, say 5 kilometers north of Torres Vedras, to keep the British in and starve the Portuguese out? Since the British had destroyed all the roads and bridges in front of their own defenses, they would have found it difficult to attack out of the lines.

Fletcher is fair in assessing that the lines remain "something of an enigma" since they were never truly tested by the French. Unfortunately, Fletcher is less than fair in assessing why the French failed to test the defenses. Massena's army had an extremely tenuous line of supply back to Spain, much of which was partially interdicted by guerrillas. At best, Massena had about 55,000 troops to try and batter through a fortified line held by about 52,000 Anglo-Portuguese troops. A 1:1 odds attack, virtually out of supply against an entrenched enemy with naval support would have been very foolhardy and could have resulted in the dissolution of the French Army of Portugal. Massena wisely chose to withdraw in order to re-supply. Thus, the Lines of Torres Vedras have always seemed very formidable because operational circumstances were so unfavorable for the French from the start. Yet had Napoleon decided to make a major effort in the Peninsula in 1811 and spend the effort to build up a series of logistical bases and roads into Portugal, Monsieur Wellington might have found that it took a lot more than well-sited dirt forts to stop the Grande Armée.

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The Lines of Torres Vedras 1809-11. Series No. 7
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