Great Fortune: The Epic of Rockefeller Center
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • A Page Turner Full of Fascinating Characters and Stories
  • A great, sweeping saga
  • disappointing
  • Great reading
  • Workmanlike Take on Fascinating Subject
Great Fortune: The Epic of Rockefeller Center

Manufacturer: Amazon Remainders Account
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: B0002EARCK

Amazon.com

Those of us who love New York tend to love the city passionately, for its past as well as its present. Daniel Okrent's Great Fortune: The Epic of Rockefeller Center is a book for New Yorkers from Ashtabula to Zimbabwe: a study of ambition, audacity, and deal-making on a grand scale that led to the construction of some of the most famous skyscrapers in the world. The cast of characters includes not only the many and diverse members of the Rockefeller family, but other powerful New York institutions such as Columbia University, the Metropolitan Opera, the Museum of Modern Art, and The New York Times--not to mention the radical Mexican artist Diego Rivera, the New Yorker cartoonist William Steig, the Marx Brothers, and a bevy of "Rockettes." Okrent's narrative neatly balances the epic and the intimate; he offers both authoritative pronouncements on modern architecture and reams of good gossip. Like New York itself, Great Fortune contains multitudes: densely packed, it remains surprisingly--and welcomingly--commodious. --Tim Page

Book Description

In this hugely appealing book, a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, acclaimed author and journalist Daniel Okrent weaves together themes of money, politics, art, architecture, business, and society to tell the story of the majestic suite of buildings that came to dominate the heart of midtown Manhattan and with it, for a time, the heart of the world. At the center of Okrent's riveting story are four remarkable individuals—tycoon John D. Rockefeller, his ambitious son Nelson Rockefeller, real estate genius John R. Todd, and visionary skyscraper architect Raymond Hood. In the tradition of David McCullough's The Great Bridge, Ron Chernow's Titan, and Robert Caro's The Power Broker, Great Fortune is a stunning tribute to an American landmark that captures the heart and spirit of New York at its apotheosis.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars A Page Turner Full of Fascinating Characters and Stories.......2006-06-15

This lively narrative history is full of fascinating characters and stories. The humbly powerful John D., Jr. (who financed it), the Victorian president of Columbia (who leased the land), Nelson Rockefeller (who took over command of it), and the extraordinary team of builders and architects who designed and built it--they and many others truly come to life. How do you build a vast commercial center in the depths of the Depression? How do you rent out the space? How does it become more than a collection of office buildings and turn in one of the world's great tourist attractions, and a symbol of NYC as the world's modern commercial capital? Okrent tells us with wit, with sympathy and admiration, but without sparing some of the gory details. A great choice for anyone who enjoys reading about business enterprise, architecture and design , the Rockefellers--or about the central character in the tale, the city of New York.

5 out of 5 stars A great, sweeping saga.......2006-05-04

I read this book just after reading "Higher: A Historic Race to the Sky and the Making of a City," having found them both steeply discounted at a local bookstore.

I love both books and find them a natural pairing.

"Higher" has been ably reviewed by others and I do not feel the need to add to what has been said about that book. However, I do feel compelled to come to the defense of this book.

Mr. Okrent weaves many stories together to tell the tale of Rockefeller Center: those of the Rockefeller family, architect Raymond Hood, impresario and movie theater innovator S. L. "Roxy" Rothafel, as well as a brief history of midtown New York (you might want to have a map handy) and the Depression. There's even a cameo by Diego Rivera.

For anyone interested in architecture, property development, New York, the Depression, the Rockefellers or the building itself, this is great reading. As one seeking entry into architecture, I particularly appreciated the anecdote about an unknown interior designer named Donald Deskey who gambled his life savings, outpitched the better-known designers to win the contract for the Music Hall job.

I had no issue with Okrent's writing. I was a newspaper copy editor for 14 years and can barely pick up a newspaper or listen to an NPR news broadcast without finding some nit to pick. It did take me longer to read "Great Fortune" than it did "Higher," but then the book is twice as long and when I finished, I thought it an even better book. Perhaps it's with the books as it is with the buildings: It's not the height; it's the breadth.

1 out of 5 stars disappointing.......2006-01-25

I read this book on the basis of a favorable review in the New Yorker. I found, though, that the book was rather dry and predictable. The one star review may seem harsh, but this book simply did not live up to my expectations. Mr. Okrent should probably stick to rotisserie baseball.

4 out of 5 stars Great reading.......2005-08-24

Great Fortune is a fascinating look at the building of Rockefeller Center and how it was a reflection of the time. Okrent paints a unique picture of the 1930's and the social impact on New York.

4 out of 5 stars Workmanlike Take on Fascinating Subject.......2005-07-06

Okrent's writing isn't up to the standards of his research, but those standards are very, very high indeed. He (or his researchers) have tracked down an enormous number of utterly fascinating facts, placed them in social and historical context and, in essence, have let the story tell itself. The book could have been longer, particularly the last section, which brings the story up to date, though.

Fashion Design Illustration: Men
Average customer rating: Not rated
    Fashion Design Illustration: Men
    Patrick John Ireland
    Manufacturer: B T Batsford Ltd
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Paperback

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    ASIN: 0713466235
    Men's Fashion Illustrations from the Turn of the Century (Dover Pictorial Archive Series)
    Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
    • Simply Extraordinary
    • Great Costuming Resource for Men!
    • Costume enthusiasts should grab this one.
    Men's Fashion Illustrations from the Turn of the Century (Dover Pictorial Archive Series)
    Mitchell Co. , and Jean L. Druesedow
    Manufacturer: Dover Publications
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Paperback

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    ASIN: 0486263533

    Book Description

    Over 100 full-page, royalty-free illustrations document what well-dressed American men wore in early 1900s: checked and striped business suits, sporty knickers and jackets, elegant formal wear, long fur-trimmed coats, more. Includes variety of accessories: canes, gloves, spats.

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars Simply Extraordinary.......2006-12-07

    This must be one of the most extraordinary publications on men's dress history available even if it only covers the Edwardian era. The sheer imaginative depth displayed in the subtle details is quite stunning.

    Lounge Suits: These were starting to slowly creep in as casual town wear in this period although as you can see in the illustrations that it was largely regarded as suitable only for seaside and country. Striking variations in the cut are visible as are intermediate forms such a lounge suits with coats more akin to morning coats or frock coats.

    Morning Dress: Was clearly beginning to become acceptable as a more formal dress although it was still being worn as a more informal alternative to frock coats which were the standard form of daytime 'full dress' for the period.

    Full Dress: in the form of evening dress coats as well as frock coats for daytime wear are all displayed. Fascinating variations such as frock coats with check/plaid fabrics are on display along with tail coats with shawl lapals! - Extraordinary if you know anything about men's dress.

    Overcoats: Some of the cuts shown are truly stunning to behold. The most fascinating thing is the profusion of overcoats cut with a waist seam including overfrocks.

    Footwear: even this is shown in some detail. Button boots are ubiquitous as are the occasional pair of Oxford boot.

    Accessories: cravat, ties, cravat pins, hats, riding accessories, as well as walking sticks are all shown - each example a shining example of how a well presented Edwardian dandy would dress.

    This is a treasure trove for anyone with an interest in dress history or Edwardian/ late Victorian period costume, but it is more than that for the dashing cuts of many coats make the cuts of modern menswear seem dreadfully unispired and mass-produced by comparison.

    4 out of 5 stars Great Costuming Resource for Men!.......2006-06-27

    Anyone who does costuming knows that there are plenty of pictorial resources for women, primarily drawn form Harper's Bazaar. What has been lacking is a comparable resource for men. This book fills that need nicely.

    Since these are period illustrations, they show not only the main articles of clothing, but also good detail of accessories, such as shoes, stickpins, collars and cuffs, hats and canes. The style is fairly realistic, with a wide variety of clothing types, from formal to casual. Since the poses are intended to be natural, they are more useful that period photos, which are frequently only of formal wear, and always stifly posed.

    The only thing that keeps this from being a perfect resource is that these are drawings, and may not exactly reflect actual colors and clothing details (showing construction and finish). They do an admirable job of showing fabric patterns and finishes, however, and is the most useful refernce work for this subject that I've found.

    4 out of 5 stars Costume enthusiasts should grab this one........1999-06-07

    What would designers and collectors ever do without Dover Publications? This book is a little gem for costumers because it consists of "repro" fashion plates that are very rich in visual information. The plates are of Edwardian gentlemen modelling all the appropriate clothing for conducting business, strolling, motoring, and even cycling. Also included are overcoats and formal dress. Best of all, because the illustrations were originally intended as an aid to tailors, they clearly show such details of construction as pocket placement, lapel styles, pleats, and darts. Furthermore, the outfits are accessorized impeccably with ties, gloves, hats, collars and even canes. Although it covers a rather brief period in men's fashion (1900-1910) and depicts only the most affluent men of the time, this book could be a great resource for a costume designer, costume shop, or fashion enthusiast. And since in my estimation books on menswear are rather scarce, it is all the more valuable. Don't pass it up.
    Fashion Illustrations: Ladies, Men & Children
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      Fashion Illustrations: Ladies, Men & Children
      Kojiro Kumagai
      Manufacturer: Books Nippan
      ProductGroup: Book
      Binding: Paperback

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      ASIN: 4766102940
      Men's Fashion Illustrations
      Average customer rating: Not rated
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        Kojiro Kumagai
        Manufacturer: Books Nippan
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        Baltimore: In Vintage Postcards   (MD)  (Postcard  History  Series)
        Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
        • Wonderful images
        Baltimore: In Vintage Postcards (MD) (Postcard History Series)
        Joe Russell , and Kate Shelley
        Manufacturer: Arcadia Publishing
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        ASIN: 0738502421

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        5 out of 5 stars Wonderful images.......2000-11-03

        This is a neat book with lots of great images and some very informative captions. A great way to learn about Baltimore and its history!

        Worlds Apart: Globalization And The Environment
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          Worlds Apart: Globalization And The Environment

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          ProductGroup: Book
          Binding: Paperback

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          ASIN: 1559639997

          Book Description

          Worlds Apart presents a cohesive set of essays by leading thinkers on the subject of globalization, offering a thoughtful overview of the major environmental issues related to globalization in a clear, reasoned style. Framed by Gus Speth’s introduction and conclusion, essays range from Jane Lubchenco’s discussion of the scientific indicators of global environmental change to Robert Kates’ examination of the prospect that our growing global interconnectedness could lead a transition to a more sustainable world to Vandana Shiva’s impassioned plea for a new “living democracy” that counters the degrading, dehumanizing tendencies of the global economy. Other contributors include Maurice Strong on the Rio Earth Summit and the future course of environmentalism, José Goldemberg on energy, Jerry Mander on the inherent destructiveness of the global economic system, Stephan Schmidheiny on the forestry industry, and Daniel Esty and Maria Ivanova on global environmental governance.

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          Worlds Apart: Globalization and the Environment [A book review from: Ecological Economics]
          Average customer rating: Not rated
            Worlds Apart: Globalization and the Environment [A book review from: Ecological Economics]
            J.A. Cherni
            Manufacturer: Elsevier
            ProductGroup: Book
            Binding: Digital
            ASIN: B000RQZIO0

            Book Description

            This digital document is a journal article from Ecological Economics, published by Elsevier in 2004. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Media Library immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

            Description:

            Public Markets and Civic Culture in Nineteenth-Century America
            Average customer rating: Not rated
              Public Markets and Civic Culture in Nineteenth-Century America
              Helen Tangires
              Manufacturer: The Johns Hopkins University Press
              ProductGroup: Book
              Binding: Hardcover

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              ASIN: 0801871336

              Book Description

              In Public Markets and Civic Culture in Nineteenth-Century America Helen Tangires examines the role of the public marketplace -- social and architectural -- as a key site in the development of civic culture in America. More than simply places for buying and selling food, Tangires explains, municipally owned and operated markets were the common ground where citizens and government struggled to define the shared values of the community. Public markets were vital to civic policy and reflected the profound belief in the moral economy -- the effort on the part of the municipality to maintain the social and political health of its community by regulating the ethics of trade in the urban marketplace for food.

              Tangires begins with the social, architectural, and regulatory components of the public market in the early republic, when cities embraced this ancient system of urban food distribution. By midcentury, the legalization of butcher shops in New York City and the incorporation of market house companies in Pennsylvania challenged the system and hastened the deregulation of this public service. Some cities demolished their marketing facilities or loosened restrictions on the food trades in an effort to deal with the privatization movement. However, several decades of experience with dispersed retailers, suburban slaughterhouses, and food transported by railroad proved disastrous to the public welfare, prompting cities and federal agencies to reclaim this urban civic space.

              Public Markets and Civic Culture in Nineteenth Century America.(Book Review) : An article from: The Historian
              Average customer rating: Not rated
                Public Markets and Civic Culture in Nineteenth Century America.(Book Review) : An article from: The Historian
                Martin J. Hershock
                Manufacturer: Thomson Gale
                ProductGroup: Book
                Binding: Digital
                ASIN: B000B9DU9I
                Release Date: 2005-09-03

                Book Description

                This digital document is an article from The Historian, published by Thomson Gale on March 22, 2005. The length of the article is 510 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: Public Markets and Civic Culture in Nineteenth Century America.(Book Review)
                Author: Martin J. Hershock
                Publication: The Historian (Magazine/Journal)
                Date: March 22, 2005
                Publisher: Thomson Gale
                Volume: 67 Issue: 1 Page: 136(2)

                Article Type: Book Review

                Distributed by Thomson Gale

                This is Cuba: An Outlaw Culture Survives
                Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
                • Great book for a Capitalist BOURGOISE AUTHOER
                • Biased and premeditated and uninformative.
                • Simply amazing
                • Great Snapshot & Easy Read
                • New relevance with Fidel Castro faltering
                This is Cuba: An Outlaw Culture Survives

                Manufacturer: Amazon Remainders Account
                ProductGroup: Book
                Binding: Hardcover
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                5. The Cuba Reader: History, Culture, Politics (The Latin America Readers) The Cuba Reader: History, Culture, Politics (The Latin America Readers)

                ASIN: B0006I7FD6

                Book Description

                A colorful first-person account of living on the fringes of Castro's Cuba, and a splendid evocation of the modern Cuban character.

                Beyond the throngs of tourists streaming through Central Havana's broad Prado Avenue, and outside the yoke of Castro's 43-year-old Revolutionary program, there exists a parallel Cuba - a separate evolution of a people struggling to survive. With personal stories that depict a people torn between following the directives of their government and finding a way to better their lot, journalist Ben Corbett gives us the daily life of many considered outlaws by Castro's regime. But are they outlaws or rather ingenious survivors of what many Cubans consider to be a forty-year mistake, a tangle of contradictions that has resulted in a strange hybrid of American-style capitalism and a homegrown black market economy.

                At a time when Cuba walks precariously on the ledge between socialism and capitalism, This Is Cuba gets to the heart of this so-called outlaw culture, taking readers into the living rooms, rooftops, parks, and city streets to hear stories of frustration, hope, and survival. Updated with a new preface.

                Customer Reviews:

                5 out of 5 stars Great book for a Capitalist BOURGOISE AUTHOER.......2007-08-04

                This book greatly details the lives of an outlaw culture. However, Ben Corbett isn't entirely objective. He is very pro-American capitalism, he has yet to see that globalization and capitalism leaves alot of countries in dire poverty, the poor in capitalistic Latin American countries are worse off than the average Cuban. My only criticism of the book is that he never interviews doctors, lawyers, or government officials, only pimps, hoes, tatoo artists, and drug dealers. What would you expect them to say about their government and lifestyle? Would you ask homeless Americans and/or prostitutes about the American dream, our government, or opportunties here? Hell no!! Besides, the American dream is a lie and the USA does have a class system!!!! We live in a dictatorship and we dont have complete freedom, we just think we do. So to all those who criticize Cuba, eat it! VIVA FIDEL-who provides medical care to the poor throughout the world and cares about his people, unlike Bush the elitist. Bolivia thanks you for those shots! Fidel-History will absolve you when they see how evil the US really was and IS today in MODERN TIMES!!! VIVA FIDEL-a HERO!!!!!!

                1 out of 5 stars Biased and premeditated and uninformative........2007-05-26

                If you have an agenda and want to write a negative book about anything then this chap shows you how to do it.Not too much information yielded about real Cuban life which differed greatly to my experiences.Interviews people ,specifically hand picked(all disgruntled) and gets them to tell you how repressed and downtrodden they are.Really,can you take the word of a prostitute to be the gospel truth?
                Perfect for capitalists and the unifnformed but really offers nothing in the way of culture,education,history,geography or indeed anything else you may be looking for about real Cuban life.

                5 out of 5 stars Simply amazing.......2007-05-19

                I am a 32 years old cuban who left Cuba in 1999. I was born into the "revolution" and was able to witness most of the stories told on this book. However, this book goes deep into the real heart of Cuba discovering things that even me as a Cuban, I was unaware of. Great Job!!!!

                5 out of 5 stars Great Snapshot & Easy Read.......2007-05-12

                A friend recommended this book after I mentioned that most (US) American journalist reports of Cuba are mostly all fluff and no substance. This book is the only account I have read so far that comes close to many of the articles in Swiss and German newspapers that tend to be right on point about the lives of typical Cubans today. It is tempting to bring in a political view into a review of anything written about Cuba, but I will try to avoid that. The book is an excellent snapshot of the period 1998-2002 with some second-hand references to earlier periods. As with anything relating to Cuba much has changed since then and those changes have been extensively covered in the European media. It would be unfair to judge the book for lack of forecasting insight. I also enjoyed the writing style and arrangement. The chapters are short and self-contained and an easy fit into a lunch break or a quick read between errands. The book was clearly intended as a first person account of observations and so I did not expect analysis, comparisons and evaluations. The author maintains a near neutral stance throughout most of the book. The final chapter on the future of Cuba after Fidel is the one exception. Fortunately that is anybody's guess right now so the author's somewhat simplistic conclusions don't deter from the overall quality of the book.

                4 out of 5 stars New relevance with Fidel Castro faltering .......2006-08-03

                Ben Corbett's "This Is Cuba" has new relevance in a surprising new world in which we encounter Fidel Castro's sudden fallibility. While Corbett's book is apologetic in its initial undertaking (Corbett admits about halfway through that "I really believe in Castro's Socialist vision, but...it seemed more and more futile"), I think the triumph of the work is you see and feel his learning and refining that position as he works his way through the island. [And let's be clear: Corbett really earns major respect here - he's gathers up the story literally street by street, house by house in Havana and elsewhere.] So we get nice, sharp little vignettes like this:

                -----
                "The government does nothing for the people," Enrique explained. "Never."

                "But this is a Socialist..."

                "Cuba is not Socialist," he stopped me cold. "Cuba is centralist."
                -----

                Corbett reports episodes like this over and over, until at the end, he comes up with this (and it really hits the mark right now):

                "Today, Castro is irrelevant. He's only holding up the show...He lives in the past and cannot move forward. This is not the destiny the Cuban people envision for themselves. There is only one place for Castro to go, and that is to the grave...The ultimate truth for Fidel Castro is very sad. In the depths of his mind he realizes he has lost his people."

                So, why the four stars? I still think "Cuba Diaries" by 'Isadora Tattlin' (an assumed name) is the better book of this genre. I was totally fascinated by that work, as is everyone else to whom I have recommended it. It's tremendous.

                Haiku Mama: (because 17 syllables is all you have time to read)
                Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
                • Looking for loads of laughs? Get this book.
                • Just Great
                • Mamas can relate to every page!
                • The Perfect Elixir for the Post Partum Mama
                • Can't pick just one...
                Haiku Mama: (because 17 syllables is all you have time to read)
                Kari Anne Roy
                Manufacturer: Quirk Books
                ProductGroup: Book
                Binding: Hardcover

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                ASIN: 1594741093

                Book Description

                When she was my mom
                she said no sweets before lunch.
                Hypocrite grandma.

                This collection of irreverent haiku explores the reality of modern motherhood complete with dirty diapers, spilled SpaghettiOs, obnoxious purple dinosaurs, carseats, strollers, choking hazards, and more.

                It's the perfect gift for new moms with young children at home a book that can be picked up for a minute and then put down to wipe a nose or settle an argument, all while making Mom laugh.

                With more than 100 haiku and 40 whimsical illustrations, Haiku Mama is a collection of verse that all mothers (and their family and friends) will love.

                Customer Reviews:

                5 out of 5 stars Looking for loads of laughs? Get this book........2007-04-19

                Lots of parts of motherhood are hard, exhausting and ... just plain gross. Laughter is the best way - if not the only way - to get through the tough stuff with as few scars as possible. This is the perfect book to fuel laughter and levity in motherhood.

                Frustrated because your kid pooped his pants? Pissed because you just discovered a rotting milk cup under the driver's seat of your car? Exasperated because you haven't slept more than an hour stretch for weeks? Kari's hilarious compilation of commiseration will help you laugh through all that. Her ability to capture the quirks of parenting in 17 gut-laughing syllables (again and again and again) is amazing, and incredibly fun to read.

                5 out of 5 stars Just Great.......2006-10-24

                I read it... I laughed, I cried (it was better than Cats).
                She described my life with two wee-ones to a tee. In honor of her book, I offer:

                How did she do that?
                She described my daily life.
                Must find that spy-cam.

                Buy it for yourself. Buy it for your friends who have children. Don't buy it for your friends who want children though... it might be enough to convince them otherwise. You could buy it for your friends who are pregnant though... it's too late for them.

                5 out of 5 stars Mamas can relate to every page!.......2006-08-15

                Every mother should read this book, whether you just had your first baby, your fifth baby, or you already have grandbabies. It is incredibly funny and extremely well written. And Kari is right - since I have a 5 month old, 17 syllables really is all I have time to read!

                5 out of 5 stars The Perfect Elixir for the Post Partum Mama.......2006-08-15

                This is exactly what I needed several weeks after the birth of my second son, while I witnessed my firstborn flip out the minute we came home from the hospital. I recommend this book for all post-partum moms - regardless of how many babies they've already birthed. It makes us realize that we are not alone - and, most importantly, that there are fleeting moments of humor even in the most difficult, exhausting and pathetic times.

                5 out of 5 stars Can't pick just one..........2006-08-10

                This book is a must for every mama with a sense of humor! As you can see by reading the reviews (almost) all of the readers think think this book rocks. Buy this book! You will not regret it.
                Haiku Mama Header
                Average customer rating: Not rated
                  Haiku Mama Header
                  Quirk Books
                  Manufacturer: Quirk Books
                  ProductGroup: Book
                  Binding: Hardcover

                  Japanese & HaikuJapanese & Haiku | Poetry | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
                  ASIN: 1594741239

                  Samurai Warlords: The Book of the Daimyo
                  Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
                  • Exquisite pictures and text
                  Samurai Warlords: The Book of the Daimyo
                  Stephen Turnbull
                  Manufacturer: Blandford Pr
                  ProductGroup: Book
                  Binding: Paperback

                  GeneralGeneral | Asia | History | Subjects | Books
                  JapanJapan | Asia | History | Subjects | Books
                  GeneralGeneral | Military | History | Subjects | Books
                  GeneralGeneral | World | History | Subjects | Books
                  Social HistorySocial History | Historical Study | History | Subjects | Books
                  GeneralGeneral | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
                  GeneralGeneral | Sociology | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
                  Similar Items:
                  1. The Samurai: A Military History The Samurai: A Military History
                  2. Warriors of Medieval Japan (General Military) Warriors of Medieval Japan (General Military)
                  3. The Samurai and the Sacred (General Military) The Samurai and the Sacred (General Military)
                  4. Samurai - The World of the Warrior Samurai - The World of the Warrior

                  ASIN: 0713723297

                  Customer Reviews:

                  5 out of 5 stars Exquisite pictures and text.......2001-07-06

                  Anyone interested in the history of Japan by a Western writer should be familiar with the works of Cambridge educated Stephen Turnbull. Having read four of his books on Japanese history I can testify to the clarity and detail he puts into his writing. This book is no exception. The book is about the daimyo, the elite of the samurai who in turn were the elite of the military. So what Turnbull does is give a detailed account of the creme de la creme of the samurai class. Although the book can be a bit tedious for the novice Japanese historian it is complimented by wonderful illustrations, colorful plates by James Field and photographs of exquisite beauty. There is much to see in this book if the details of the military structure get too complicated. It helps to have a basic understanding of the historical periods dicussed, but not essential as Turnbull makes the information easy to understand. He covers two periods, the Sengoku Period(think feudal Japan) and the Edo Period which was the three centuries of peace that followed. The foundation was created for the daimyo during the age of war and carried over into the folowing period that was by contrast almost marked by the total absence of war. The code of conduct and honour of a samuarai, or bushido, is discussed as well as the various relationships to all parts of society. Turnball makes a correlation to the present and shows how allegiance to a group, in this case modern industry, and a leader are part of self- sacrifice for the good of the country. The plates, drawings, photographs and woodcuts are fascinating and spellbinding material for students of Japnese history. While teaching a class I used some of the plates to compliment the subject and found that students were totally captivated by the often graphic nature of the violent war scenes. One plate in particular was inspired by the fabulous film by Kurosawa entitled Ran, where the defeated warlords family commits suicide in a blazing castle. This is an excellent source book for anyone interested in the hisory of Japan, samurai or more specifically, the daimyo. Recommended for teachers and students alike, this book is worth seeking out if this subject interests you, there are few if any better authorites in this field.

                  Force or reason: Issues of the twentieth century
                  Average customer rating: Not rated
                    Force or reason: Issues of the twentieth century
                    Hans Kohn
                    Manufacturer: Harvard University Press
                    ProductGroup: Book
                    Binding: Unknown Binding

                    GeneralGeneral | World | History | Subjects | Books
                    ASIN: B0006ANUJM

                    Birds of the Carolinas Field Guide, Second Edition: Companion to Birds of the Carolinas Audio CDs
                    Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
                    • Easy to use
                    • Great bird book
                    • Very informative book
                    • The Best!
                    • Great Quick Reference
                    Birds of the Carolinas Field Guide, Second Edition: Companion to Birds of the Carolinas Audio CDs
                    Stan Tekiela
                    Manufacturer: Adventure Publications
                    ProductGroup: Book
                    Binding: Paperback

                    GeneralGeneral | Birdwatching | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books
                    ReferenceReference | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books
                    Similar Items:
                    1. Birds of the Carolinas Audio CDs: Companion to Birds of the Carolinas Field Guide Birds of the Carolinas Audio CDs: Companion to Birds of the Carolinas Field Guide
                    2. Birds of the Carolinas, 2nd Ed. Birds of the Carolinas, 2nd Ed.
                    3. National Geographic Field Guide to Birds: The Carolinas (NG Field Guide to Birds) National Geographic Field Guide to Birds: The Carolinas (NG Field Guide to Birds)
                    4. North Carolina Bird Watching: A Year-Round Guide North Carolina Bird Watching: A Year-Round Guide
                    5. North Carolina Birds North Carolina Birds

                    ASIN: 1591930669

                    Product Description

                    Learn about and identify birds using Stan Tekiela's state-by-state field guides. The full-page, color photos are incomparable and include insets of winter plumage, color morphs and more. Plus, with the easy-to-use format, you don't need to know a bird's name or classification in order to easily find it in the book. Using this field guide is a real pleasure. It's a great way for anyone to learn about the birds in your state.

                    Customer Reviews:

                    5 out of 5 stars Easy to use.......2007-09-06

                    I love this field guide! It has full page pictures on the left side, making it easy to just flip through the book and find the bird that you're looking for. And limiting it to just the birds in the Carolinas eliminates the irritation of thinking that you've figured out waht bird it is - only to find that that bird only lives in Arizona!

                    5 out of 5 stars Great bird book.......2007-08-28

                    Several years ago a neighbor suggested that I purchase this fine book.Wow, was she right !Easy to use, informative, and great pictures in it, which really helped to id birds of all type.Any birder would appreciate this book.

                    5 out of 5 stars Very informative book.......2007-08-23

                    I actually bought this for my dad. A friend of mine had a copy, and the pictures and descriptions are very clear. Great photos. Only wish I had gotten the CD at the same time.

                    5 out of 5 stars The Best!.......2007-05-09

                    I have always been frustrated by bird books -- either I can't locate anything that resembles the feathered creature in front of me, or I identify the perfect match ... only to discover that the bird I claim to have seen has never been spotted within a thousand miles of my locale.

                    Stan Tekiela's book takes care of everything:
                    The title says it all! There's no way you can foolishly identify the rare Didgerywhatsit, which nests only in the Rocky Mountains -- if the bird isn't found here in the Carolinas, it's not within these pages;
                    The photographs actually look just like the real, live birds (why haven't others managed this??); and
                    It is organized by colour, so it is as easy to identify the relatively drab females as it is the showier males.

                    We have had enormous fun with this little volume, and can't recommend it too highly.

                    5 out of 5 stars Great Quick Reference.......2007-04-04

                    This little book has covered every bird we've seen at our Charleston, SC feeder. Nice photos, good descriptions and durable book construction make this a nice take along guide.
                    Birds of the Carolinas Audio CDs: Companion to Birds of the Carolinas Field Guide
                    Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
                    • Birds of the Carolinas, Audio CD
                    Birds of the Carolinas Audio CDs: Companion to Birds of the Carolinas Field Guide
                    Stan Tekiela
                    Manufacturer: Adventure Publications
                    ProductGroup: Book
                    Binding: Audio CD

                    GeneralGeneral | Birdwatching | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books
                    ReferenceReference | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books
                    GeneralGeneral | Sports | Subjects | Books
                    NonfictionNonfiction | Books on CD | Audiobooks | Formats | Books
                    Sports & OutdoorsSports & Outdoors | Books on CD | Audiobooks | Formats | Books
                    GeneralGeneral | Books on CD | Audiobooks | Formats | Books
                    Similar Items:
                    1. Birds of the Carolinas Field Guide, Second Edition: Companion to Birds of the Carolinas Audio CDs Birds of the Carolinas Field Guide, Second Edition: Companion to Birds of the Carolinas Audio CDs
                    2. National Geographic Field Guide to Birds: The Carolinas (NG Field Guide to Birds) National Geographic Field Guide to Birds: The Carolinas (NG Field Guide to Birds)
                    3. Birds of the Carolinas, 2nd Ed. Birds of the Carolinas, 2nd Ed.
                    4. North Carolina Bird Watching: A Year-Round Guide North Carolina Bird Watching: A Year-Round Guide
                    5. Birds of Florida Audio CDs Birds of Florida Audio CDs

                    ASIN: 1591930650

                    Product Description

                    Learn to identify the birds in your state by sound. This set of two audio CDs offers the highest quality digital recordings, featuring approximately 120 minutes of bird calls. It's a must-have for any bird lover!

                    Customer Reviews:

                    5 out of 5 stars Birds of the Carolinas, Audio CD.......2007-05-07

                    This astounding collection of bird songs and calls is truly amazing. It contains 140 calls, all preceeded by a voice introduction. I downloaded these calls on my iPod and refer to them frequently when in the field. Highly recommended, as is the companion field guide, "Birds of the Carolinas".
                    Birds of the Carolinas Field Guide, Second Edition: Companion to Birds of the Carolinas Audio CDs
                    Average customer rating: Not rated
                      Birds of the Carolinas Field Guide, Second Edition: Companion to Birds of the Carolinas Audio CDs
                      Stan Tekiela
                      Manufacturer: NY
                      ProductGroup: Book
                      Binding: Paperback
                      ASIN: B000MU2RTK
                      BIRDS OF THE CAROLINAS FIELD GUIDE. Companion to Birds of the Carolinas Audio CDs
                      Average customer rating: Not rated
                        BIRDS OF THE CAROLINAS FIELD GUIDE. Companion to Birds of the Carolinas Audio CDs
                        Stan. Tekiela
                        Manufacturer: Adventure Publications,
                        ProductGroup: Book
                        Binding: Hardcover
                        ASIN: B000QFFWNO

                        Books:

                        1. History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
                        2. How the Greeks Built Cities (Norton Library)
                        3. How to Design, Build, Remodel & Maintain Your Home
                        4. Impasto: A Creative Approach to Oils
                        5. In the Neoclassic Style: Empire, Biedermeier and the Contemporary Home
                        6. Insideout: Design Procedures for Passive Environmental Technologies, 2nd Edition
                        7. Inspiring Interiors from Armstrong 1950s
                        8. Italian Interior Design: Italian Interiors 1990-1999/Italienische Interieurs 1990-1999 (Tools)
                        9. Izastikup
                        10. Jeweler's Resource : A Reference of Gems, Metals, Formulas and Terminology for Jewelers (Revised Edition) (Jewelry Crafts) (Jewelry Crafts)

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