Castles of the Samurai: Power and Beauty

Book Description

The castles of Japan are both technical and aesthetic marvels. They are technical marvels in that they are perfectly suited to their roles of defensive fortresses and admin: strative centers in time of war. they are aesthetic marvels in that every curve and line reflects an extraordinary sense of beauty. How these castles came about, how they were built, and what their ultimate fate was, all this is depicted in sensitive prose and eye-opening photography. The book is divided into four parts. The first deals with the question of who built these castles and why, taking a incisive look at Japanese history and the internecine fighting between samurai clans. The second part takes up the castle as a fortress -- the importance of its location, its layout, stone walls and moats, towers, gates, shooting holes, and stone drops. The third part considers the beauty of the castle as a symbol, explaining not only the intricate craftsmanship seen in structural detail but also the aesthetics of the samurai class itself. Whether for people who are interested in castles themselves and wish to compare Japanese castles with others they are familiar with, or for people who would like to know more about this unique example of world architecture, or for those who would like to add to their knowledge of samurai and Japanese culture, Castles of the Samurai provides a delightful visual treat and absorbing reading experience. The book also contains information for tourists who plan to visit the sites of the surviving castles.

Customer Reviews:

Not Your Average "Jo"..........2004-02-09

Having bought this book based on the cover and title (with no review or other information posted) I was expecting a coffee table type book with lots of pretty photos and light on the text. It turned out that this book is not your average "jo" (the Japanese suffix used after a castle's name to denote "castle"-Himeji-Jo, Nijo-jo, etc). Happily, while it does have lots of "pretty photos" it also has a solid 42 pages of well written and informative text. The photos are well done, all 50+ full color pages of them. They document all the aspects of the Japanese castle-gates, towers, roofing, gables, outbuildings, doors, stone dropping windows, shooting holes, nail head covers, and of course those impressive sloping stone walls, moats, and keeps with photos of each aspect being grouped for comparison. There are even well done shots of the interiors of various castles, which are somewhat of a rarity. The shots are taken at a nice variety of castles as well, eschewing the easy method of running primarily nothing but shots of the easily accessible castles like Himeji, Osaka, and Matsumoto.
The text is also well done, with informative, well done diagrams, charts, tables, and terminology. While most English language Japanese castle books focus on the military history of the structures, here they are given their signifigance as works of art and architecture as well. Detailed construction methods are given and illustrated. There are brief sections of the history of the castles and their destruction during the Meiji Restoration and World War II. I found the chart listing Castles, Daimyos, Domains, and Income in the Edo Period particularly valuable along with a table classifying existing castles as to date built, remains, type of keep, original buildings, walls, or keeps, and reconstructions using original materials or concrete. The only place the book comes up short is in the discussion of early castles or yamashiro (mountain castles), but of course there aren't any of these left to photograph. Overall a great job and a welcome addition to the sparse English references on Japanese Castles.

Book Description

Imagine a dream world filled with witches, elves, fairies, flowers and storybook-like creatures--a world that Bobbie Takashima brings to life with her unique style of painting.

In 10 fantastic projects, readers will learn how to layer acrylics to give their paintings a vibrant illustrative quality. Once they learn Bobbie's simple-to-master techniques, from blending and glazing to dry brushing and handling color, the fully illustrated, step-by-step projects will help them achieve Bobbie's magical style in their own paintings.

Projects range from beginner to advanced and cover the major holidays and seasonal themes including Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter, Christmas, Halloween and Easter. There are also projects for special occasions including weddings and birthdays. Each theme will include soft-stroke flowers, little critters and fairies.

Customer Reviews:

Fantastic find!.......2005-07-20

So imaginative, so colorful without going overboard and being kitchy.It is a truly enchanted book, I just couldn't wait to pick up my brush and paint frogprinces and grinning vegetables.
I ususally paint murals, serious ones, so this was such an unexpected delight.It is different,even beginners could do it,it doesn't require the usual drawing skills, if You doodle, You can do it!Bobbie's creatures are loveable,easy to paint yet rewarding,and You can just come up with new ones once You are done with the book.I found myself designing more and more.
It's inspiring,good for the soul,a fun little challenge,enjoy!

Stand-Out Creativity.......2004-11-16

Among the bulging racks of decorative painting books this one shines brightly. Florals and cottages are lovely, but boring compared to Bobbie Takashima's whimsical fantasy designs. Insects, animals, and vegetables all come to life under her brush, making magic and creating smiles. No one else compares, much less dares.

This is a fat, satisfying softcover brimming with color images, and detailed step-by-step instructions. The photos are sharp and clear, allowing an intimate view of tiny details within the paintings. She generously includes patterns, as well as a reference area that covers techniques used, and provides names and photos of the actual shades of her preferred brand of acrylic paint. Tips are scattered among the excellent instructions for each design like bonus jewels of information.

Ms. Takashima is a skilled teacher, even in print; a beginner could attempt most of these ten gorgeous projects. Recommended especially to those seeking something more stimulating and beautiful than a one-stroke rose. Worth every cent!

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Painting a World of Enchantment
Bobbie Takashima
Manufacturer: North Light Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000OHBKVC

Book Description

Follow two sex-mad high school teachers as they subject their senior class to some "special" education.

Book Description

In this book Cobbett's writing and its influence on public opinion and high government is closely examined. The authors explain how his origins and prejudices moulded him into the dominant voice of romantic reactionary Toryism, and show how important he was to the English resistance to the alien ideologies that swept the world in his times. Among the topics considered are Cobbett's writings on all the great crises of his age; his views on Education, Ireland and the state of the English countryside; his relations with Sir Frances Burdett and other magnates; his own anti-Semitism, and, crucially, his reactionary Utopian vision. Anyone wishing to understand the condition of England and the way in which it responded to crises at home and overseas will find this book essential reading. Contents: 1. Introduction; 2. The progress of William Cobbett, 1800-1806; 3. Cobbett's role in the Catholic Emancipation Crisis; 4. Cobbett and the Corn Laws; 5. Cobbett and Ireland; 6. Cobbett and Sir Frances Burdett; 7. Cobbett and English Education; 8. Cobbett and John Cartwright; 9. Cobbett: The Rural Rider in Decline; 10. The Ideal Society of William Cobbett; Bibliography; IndexàR

WILLIAM COBBETT: A BIBLIOGRAPHICAL ACCOUNT OF HIS LIFE AND TIMES

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WILLIAM COBBETT: A BIBLIOGRAPHICAL ACCOUNT OF HIS LIFE AND TIMES
M. L. (foreword by G. D. H. Cole) Pearl
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B0000CIICZ

William Cobbett: His Thought and His Times

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William Cobbett: His Thought and His Times
John W. Osborne
Manufacturer: Rutgers Univ Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000GR200K

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William Cobbett: his thought and his times
John W. Osborne
Manufacturer: Rutgers University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000NUVEZW

William Cobbett: His Thoughts and His Times

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William Cobbett: His Thoughts and His Times
John Walter Osborne
Manufacturer: Greenwood Press Reprint
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Journalists | Professionals & Academics | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Book Description

Analyzes William Cobbett's ideas and their relation to the England of his time, concentrating on his career as a political journalist during the first thirty-five years of the nineteenth century.

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WILLIAM COBBETT HIS THOUGHTS AND HIS TIMES
JOHN WALTER OSBORNE
Manufacturer: Greenwood Press Reprint
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OTNF7W

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William Cobbett: His Thought and His Times.
John W. OSBORNE
Manufacturer: (COBBETT, WILLIAM). OSBORNE, John W. William Cobbett: His Thought and His Times. New Brunswick, N.J., [1966]. Portr. x, 272pp. Fine in orig. cloth, d/j.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000S8RTWQ

Book Description

This best-selling relationship book from the popular author duo of
Drs. Henry Cloud and John Townsend now comes with two FREE audio CDs - one from Dr. Henry Cloud encouraging women through the difficult but rewarding process of successfully relating to their husband, and the other from Dr. John Townsend who helps men change those "dumb" attitudes and behaviors that will sink a marriage.Â
Rescue Your Love Life is just what the doctor ordered for those who are drowning in a sea of good intentions and misplaced priorities. It will show couples how to reignite their marriages beginning with self-examination and setting realistic expectations.Â Then, the authors explore how to nurture and master healthy communication, build trust and enhance romance and offer strategies for avoiding temptation that can destroy God's plan for marriage

Customer Reviews:

Rescue Your Love Life.......2007-05-16

excellent. I am a marriage and family therapist and recommend this book to anyone desiring to work on their marriage.'

Shawn

Rescue Your Love Life: Changing Those Dumb Attitudes & Behaviors that Will Sink Your Marriage

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Rescue your love life
A Honest Book on how to rebuild our marriages.
marriage

Rescue Your Love Life: Changing Those Dumb Attitudes & Behaviors that Will Sink Your Marriage
Henry Cloud , and John Townsend
Manufacturer: Thomas Nelson
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Marriage | Relationships | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Nine Things You Simply Must Do: To Succeed in Love and Life
Who's Pushing Your Buttons? no dustjacket
What to Do When You Don't Know What to Do
21 Days to a Great Marriage: A Grownup Approach to Couplehood
Hiding from Love

ASIN: 159145140X

Book Description

This best-selling author duo comes to the aid of readers who are drowning in a sea of good intentions and misplaced priorities. Tackling self-examination, realistic explanations, healthy communication, and dealing with conflict and temptation, Rescue Your Love Life will show you how to build trust and intimacy in your marriage.

Customer Reviews:

Rescue your love life.......2006-07-24

An outstanding book and work book, hitting all the key areas where marrages struggle. I use it for Pre-marrage and marrage counseling.
Rev. Jerry Jaquish
Manistee Michigan

A Honest Book on how to rebuild our marriages........2006-02-24

The author writes with great style and easy to read. A great step towards rebuilding your marriage and building each other up as God's workmanship.

marriage .......2005-10-28

Great authors and topics. Once again these authors have the mark on their teaching. We like their style and content.

Rescue Your Love Life: Changing Those Dumb Attitudes And Behaviors That Will Sink Your Marriage

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Rescue Your Love Life: Changing Those Dumb Attitudes And Behaviors That Will Sink Your Marriage
Henry Cloud , and John Townsend
Manufacturer: Oasis Audio
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD

Marriage | Relationships | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

General | Family Relationships | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books

General | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

General | Books on CD | Audiobooks | Formats | Books

Rescue Your Love Life: Changing Those Dumb Attitudes & Behaviors that Will Sink Your Marriage
Boundaries in Marriage
Boundaries in Marriage
Boundaries: When to say Yes, When to Say No, To Take Control of Your Life (Inspirio/Zondervan Miniature Editions)
Integrity CD: The Courage to Meet the Demands of Reali

ASIN: 1598590057

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Rescue Your Love Life, Workbook
Henry Cloud , and John Townsend
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Rescue Your Love Life: With 2 FREE His & Hers CDs!
Rescue Your Love Life: Changing Those Dumb Attitudes & Behaviors that Will Sink Your Marriage
Rescue Your Love Life: Changing Those Dumb Attitudes & Behaviors That Will Sink Your Marriage
Hiding from Love
Boundaries in Marriage

ASIN: B000IOF2R4

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Marrage Advice that tells it like it is.....

Rescue Your Love Life: Changing Those Dumb Attitudes & Behaviors That Will Sink Your Marriage

ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
Similar Items:

Rescue Your Love Life, Workbook
How We Love: A Revolutionary Approach to Deeper Connections in Marriage
The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate

ASIN: B000J1087K

Customer Reviews:

Marrage Advice that tells it like it is............2007-09-12

We recently got this book (and workbook)for my brother-in-law and his wife. Their marriage was on the brink of divorce and they asked us to counsel them. I looked around until I found this book and I liked how it got right to the point of the matter and dealt with the issues head-on. In going through it with them, it also helped to strengthen my own marriage in the process. I would definatly recommend this to anyone having struggles in their marriage and are willing to do the work to fix it.

Rescue Your Love Life & Rescue Your Love Life Workbook - Combo Book Set

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Rescue Your Love Life & Rescue Your Love Life Workbook - Combo Book Set
Dr. Henry Cloud , and Dr. John Townsend
Manufacturer: Integrity Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000R48GL4

Product Description

From Publishers Weekly Reconnecting with your mate is the goal of this uneven guide by Cloud and Townsend, the authors of the million-selling Boundaries series on relationships. Here, they offer a comprehensive look at virtually every way a marriage can disconnect. They also provide tested and successful solutions to these problems as they address issues such as unreasonable expectations, personality differences, and problems with communication, trust, sex and conflict resolution. Their advice ranges from the obvious"Don't criticize or put down your mate"to seasoned counsel stemming from a deep understanding of how marriages really work (such as when they conclude that couples "must go through reality to get to love"). The book is refreshingly honest in its push to get couples to examine themselves closely and pinpoint problems, as well as create appropriate solutions. Its comprehensiveness, however, is also its weakness. Skimming the surface of the huge topic of marriage makes for limited ability to plumb the depths of specific problems and solutions. While this is an excellent primer for discovering marriage-ending troubles and taking beginning steps toward reconnecting, the deep work of repair must be found elsewhere, perhaps in the workbook that will be published simultaneously. (Sept.) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Book Description This best-selling author duo comes to the aid of readers who are drowning in a sea of good intentions and misplaced priorities. Tackling self-examination, realistic explanations, healthy communication, and dealing with conflict and temptation, Rescue Your Love Life will show you how to build trust and intimacy in your marriage.

Book Description

Jubal Anderson Early (1816-1894) ranked among the most important generals who fought with Robert E. Lee's Confederate Army of Northern Virginia. A brigade and corps commander, he played principal roles at the battles of First Manassas, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, and most of the other engagements in the Eastern Theater during the first three years of the Civil War. In 1864 Early commanded an army in the Shenandoah Valley, winning several victories and menacing Washington before suffering ignominious defeat in a series of battles against Phillip H. Sheridan's Union forces.

Originally released in 1866, Early's is the first personal account published by a major Civil War figure on either side. A creator of the Lost Cause myth that exalted Lee and his Virginia army above those of other states, Early anticipated arguments that later Lost Cause writers would make regarding Lee's and Grant's generalships, the reasons for Confederate defeat, and the conduct of Union forces in Southern states. Containing elements of both battlefield narrative and apologia for his actions and those of other Virginians, Early's brief memoir helped shape the ways in which white southerners wrote about and understood the Confederacy. In a new introduction to this edition, Gary W. Gallagher explicates Early's military career and examines the general's postwar career as a Confederate apologist.

A memoir of the last year of the war for independence, in the Confederate States of America, containing an account of the operation of his commands in ... 1865, by LieutenantGeneral Jubal A. Early.
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A memoir of the last year of the war for independence, in the Confederate States of America, containing an account of the operation of his commands in ... 1865, by LieutenantGeneral Jubal A. Early.
Michigan Historical Reprint Series
Manufacturer: Scholarly Publishing Office, University of Michigan Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | 19th Century | United States | Americas | History | Subjects | Books
General | United States | Americas | History | Subjects | Books
General | Civil War | United States | Americas | History | Subjects | Books
General | Military | History | Subjects | Books
General | United States | Military | History | Subjects | Books
United States | History | Historical Reproductions | Formats | Books
ASIN: 1425508103
Release Date: 2005-12-20

Product Description

This volume is produced from digital images created through the University of Michigan University Library's preservation reformatting program.

A Memoir of the Last Year of the War for Independence, in the Confederate States of America, Containing an Account of the Operation of His Commands in the Years 1864 and 1865

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A Memoir of the Last Year of the War for Independence, in the Confederate States of America, Containing an Account of the Operation of His Commands in the Years 1864 and 1865
Jubal Anderson Early
Manufacturer: University of Michigan Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

A Memoir of the last year of the war for independence, in the Confederate States of America: containing an account of the operations of his commands in the years 1864 and 1865

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A Memoir of the last year of the war for independence, in the Confederate States of America: containing an account of the operations of his commands in the years 1864 and 1865
Jubal Anderson Early
Manufacturer: Cornell University Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Product Description

This volume is produced from digital images from the Cornell University Library Samuel J. May Anti-Slavery Collection

A Memoir of the Last Year ofthe War for Independence in the Confederate States of America.

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A Memoir of the Last Year ofthe War for Independence in the Confederate States of America.
Lt Gen Jubal, Early
Manufacturer: Lovell and Gibson
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000VNGVGI

Circular: Lynchburg, Va., February, 1867. : To all who cherish the memory of the heroic dead, and are willing to unite in an effort to secure honorable ... where they fell, this circular is addressed

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Circular: Lynchburg, Va., February, 1867. : To all who cherish the memory of the heroic dead, and are willing to unite in an effort to secure honorable ... where they fell, this circular is addressed
Charles W Button
Manufacturer: Chas. W. Button
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Book Description

When first published in 1958, The Canons of the Council of Sardica, AD 343 at once became the standard account of the canons passed by the Western bishops assembled at Serdica in 343 and the thinking on Church matters that lay behind them. In this new edition Hamilton Hess has updated his account in the light of recent literature and translated all quotations into English to reach a wider audience. There is also a new section on the development of canons in the early Church from local provisions to general rules, and an appendix with the full texts of the canons in the original Latin, in the Greek translation, and in the recasting by Theodours Diaconus, together with English translations of all three.

The Early Development of Canon Law and the Council of Serdica.(Book Review): An article from: Church History

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The Early Development of Canon Law and the Council of Serdica.(Book Review): An article from: Church History
John Behr
Manufacturer: American Society of Church History
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

General | Philosophy | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Church History, published by American Society of Church History on June 1, 2005. The length of the article is 873 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: The Early Development of Canon Law and the Council of Serdica.(Book Review)
Author: John Behr
Publication: Church History (Refereed)
Date: June 1, 2005
Publisher: American Society of Church History
Volume: 74 Issue: 2 Page: 349(3)

Article Type: Book Review

Distributed by Thomson Gale

The Early Development of Canon Law and the Council of Serdica (Oxford Early Christian Studies)

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The Early Development of Canon Law and the Council of Serdica (Oxford Early Christian Studies)
Hamilton Hess
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press(UK)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OKSPBM

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