Theory in Contemporary Art since 1985

Book Description

Theory in Contemporary Art since 1985 is a groundbreaking anthology that captures the essence and the edge of the contemporary art scene. Focusing on key theoretical and aesthetic issues in contemporary art in cultural, historical, and socio-political contexts, including media, architecture, postmodernism, multiculturalism, identity politics, censorship, AIDS, postcolonialism, globalization, technology, and spectatorship, this volume brings together a broad selection of important contributions that map out the role that critical theory has played in contemporary art.This anthology mixes established and emergent art voices, including scholars, curators, critics, and artists. Interdisciplinary in approach and drawing on a wide variety of sources, Theory in Contemporary Art since 1985 brings together scholarly essays, artists ' statements, and art reproductions to capture the vibrancy and dissonance that defines today 's art scene.

Customer Reviews:

A tedious assemblage of utter rubbish........2007-06-04

On the back cover of this book it states, "... this book is a groundbreaking anthology...". This is absurd. One of the basic tenets of this book is that "aesthetics...have been submitted to a rethinking that challenges the criteria under which modern art was judged." It may have been submitted - but let there be no doubt - amongst reasonable intelligent people (outside of academe) it has most certainly not been accepted. Aesthetics means something. No matter how much it may have been submitted to a "rethinking", it has not been redefined by anyone since 1985. This entire book is little more than a collection of wishful thinking and meaningless intellectual aggrandizements about objects of the recent dark age in the history of "art". Most of the essays fail at face value because they attempt to elevate the banal to the level of aesthetic practice. Much of the "art" talked about in this book is not aesthetic by any means. Much of the "art" referred to in this entire book is nothing more than pageant or the practice of cognitive expression and there are no number of essays that can deny this fact. One cannot equate the era of attitude with anything resembling art. To miss this point and to go on and compose utter nonsense at great length, as if the emperor had any clothes, is intellectually dishonest. Art has historically provided a dimension of experience above and beyond that which can be explained by pseudo intellectual theories and the intellectual hokum that makes up the majority of this book. Art is not for contemplation by the mind. This collection of essays is a tedious assemblage of utter rubbish. I urge intelligent people concerned about aesthetics to consider the essays in this book as nothing other than an anthology of challenge to real meaning. That which our junk culture has produced since 1985 is not a worthy subject for academic exploration as art. It is absurd to develop theories about phenomena that are not art and call them theories about art. Now, if this book were called Theories in Contemporary Kitsch since 1985 - and it didn't matter how much blather was written about it - that would be another matter.

Delivers exactly what it says!.......2006-11-10

Honestly there isn't much to say about this book. If you have ever wondered what happened to art after "modernism," this is the book to read. It's a must for any contemporary artist--contemporary as in present, not in the art sense, which would cut off around Warhol. This book can also be used to prove to anyone who thinks art doesn't require thinking that it requires quite a bit more thinking than they would expect.

If you find reading a normal book challenging, this isn't the book for you. Many of the ideas will escape you unless you have a good working knowledge of the concepts behind postmodern theory, such as semiotics and psychoanalytic theory (especially Freud and Lacan). I would recommend Visual Culture: The Reader (edited by Evans and Hall) to provide a basis for this background info.

great for art theorists and paper writing!.......2005-12-06

This book contains several essential essays for anyone studying contemporary art theory. It is an extremely theoretical book, not to be undertaken lightly. It would help if you had a basic background in some theoretical discourse.
As a graduate student, I have used it in several of my theory classes, and it has proven to be extremely helpful in writing papers.

Very good book on theories of contemporary art.......2005-10-09

I am an honor student in Visual Art at UVIC. This is my text book!

Book Description

What's the key to capturing a subject's essence in your painting? Light--in all its subtle variations. A renowned artist provides instructions for blending color, composition, and painting techniques so you can interpret a host of light effects in your work. A remarkable selection of watercolors and oil paintings presents vivid examples, from extreme close-ups to oversize double-page displays. The same subjects are treated in both watercolor and oil, to illustrate each medium's maximum potential.

Book Description

This book is for anyone starting out or hoping to work in the ever-expanding world of television and video. Everyone involved in a TV or video production is contributing to the program making process. They all need to know and understand how it happens. Whatever you want to end up doing, whether you are part way through a course or starting from scratch, this book gives you all the essential information you will need. It takes a practical, step-by-step approach, based on the author's own 25-year experience of producing, writing and directing for broadcast television and the corporate sector on both video and film. It describes the roles people perform, the equipment they use and what it does. In simple, easy-to-read language it explains the grammar of shooting and editing and offers first-hand advice on treatments, scripts and budgets. As well as covering the technical aspects of both single and multi-camera production, it also looks at the editorial elements that create a successful program. With practical examples it demonstrates how best to turn ideas into reality, how to obtain successful interviews and how to put together programs that work. Colin Hart has his own production company making programs for corporate clients. He trained as a single and multi-camera director in local televison news and for ten years worked in BBC Current Affairs producing and directing for Nationwide and The Money Programme.

Practical, step-by-step approach with many useful flowcharts, checklists and practical examples
Written by experienced professional producer/director
Covers technical and editorial elements of successful programme-making

Television Program Making: Everything You Need to Know to Get Started

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Television Program Making: Everything You Need to Know to Get Started
Colin Hart
Manufacturer: Focal Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OQ1VLM

Book Description

No birthday's complete without a visit from the original party animal himself, Garfield! Now you can send America's favorite fat cat to deliver witty birthday greetings with this one-of-a-kind collection of 30 full-color postcards.
With the perfect thought for everyone, Garfield helps you strike the right note and the right attitude -- as only he can. Just for the fun of it, send a Garfield-sized greeting the next time somone you love turns another year older!

Book Description

The World's favorite poets in pocket editions. The Pocket Poets series - small, robust and beautifully designed volumes containing selections from the verse of some of the world's finest poets. In these literally pocket-sized collections readers will find not only some of these authors' most famous poems, but also some of their work which, though less well known, is often as good or better. Here, too, are extracts from longer narrative poems. Now, for little more than the price of a birthday card, each book in the series will provide readers with everything that fine poetry offers. First title in the series is 'If -' and other poems

Customer Reviews:

The Real and True story of an all Grrl Band.......2006-05-04

Karlen knows the band, the music, the history of rock and how to write a very engaging account of the making and selling of a rock band.

He achieves a balance between background information and its relevance to the story of BIT. Sometimes he digresses quite a bit to make the point. Be patient, though, because you will be rewarded.

I came away from this book enriched with the development of the Riot Grrl movement, Billie Holliday, and the difficulties Jewish executives have faced in the entertainment business. All of it handled intelligently with enough research to round out the story and it's effects on BIT.

I highly recommend as a companion book the fictional tale of Molly Montgomery in "Guitar Girl" by Sarra Manning. One complements the other so well. Each book provides an in-depth look at the music business by journalists who have seen it as it happens. Reading them side-by-side will be an adventure and learning experience you don't want to miss.

Very comprehensive and complete.......2005-11-25

Babes in Toyland is one of my favorite bands and this book did them justice. It goes in depth with how a record is produced and really gives the reader an idea of how much time and effort it takes. Now I listen to "Fontanelle" with a new respect. Also details how the band came to be, very inspiring story to know that they are all self-taught musicians. Goes into boyfriends, marriage, band-break ups, deaths, and other problems. Interesting read, you won't be bored!

Pioneers in Guyville.......2003-08-21

Babes in Toyland didn't last, but Karlen's book records their place in music history in a way that's both respectful and passionate. The book is objective--Karlen keeps himself out of the way--yet clearly sympathetic to the members of the band, who suffer various setbacks and trials (not to mention extremely dubious boyfriends) along the extremely difficult road of constant low-budget touring, signing with a major label and producing their first album. After reading this book, I was amazed that any band whose members aren't independently wealthy can make it at all. Kudos to the Babes, scattered though they are now, and to Karlen for patiently and fairly taking the time to show the perspective of everyone involved--from a bandmember's initially skeptical father (the passages about that relationship are among the most moving in the book) to the tireless A&R guy to the roadies--in a process that obviously isn't easy for anyone.

EXCELLENT.......2002-04-07

I think this book is great! it's an interesting exploration of the music industry coz the guy that wrote it followed them around for like two years! all the inside scoop - even if you're not into BIT you'll love it... but if you are you gotta buy it!

IT'S AN OKAY READ!.......2002-03-30

The book is okay if you want to know about how the rock n roll/music biz works and what's it like!

Babes in Toyland: The Making and Selling of a Rock and Roll Band (ISBN: 0812920589)

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Babes in Toyland: The Making and Selling of a Rock and Roll Band (ISBN: 0812920589)
Neal Karlen
Manufacturer: Times Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000M91FR6

Book Description

This book examines the relationship between the experience of employment and changing organizational forms, boundaries and the context of work. It explores a range of critical sociological and political economy processes in the context of workplace restructuring, employment and labor market regulation in the wider community. Especially important are the themes of gendered and ethically embedded labour markets for young people, trade union and local activism, gendered identity in management, market turbulence and call centers. The book offers an international perspective that includes chapters based on case work from the UK and Turkey.

Book Description

Images that poignantly depict the human spirit, in all its glory and frailty: This is the specialty of renowned photojournalist Jerry Gay. In Everyone Has a Life to Live, Gay has insightfully captured Americans both young and old, black and white, strong and weak, as they walk their individual paths through life.Gay spent three consecutive summers documenting America as he crossed the country on a journey both personal and professional. The results are moving photographs of everyday people living everyday lives, yet each communicating his or her own special uniqueness. With spare yet reflective text, Everyone Has a Life to Live is a powerful reminder of the stalwart beauty that makes America strong and proud.Everyone Has a Life to Live will become a treasured keepsake for everyone who wants to rediscover the America within us all.

Customer Reviews:

Very moving.......2007-03-18

I was fortunate enough to have Jerry as a teacher at Brooks. He really pours his emotions into this little powerhouse of a book. Powerful images although the printing could be better but it's well worth the purchase. I've given several to grieving friends.

Everyone Has a Life to Live: An American Portrait.......2002-12-26

This book touched my heart in so many ways.

A journey into the soul.......2002-08-22

This book is a great example of how a photograph can look into a person's soul. Every photo brings emotion and makes you reflect on your own life and the world. From pictures that make you say "awwww", to pictures that make you want to cry, this book has everything! After I first looked through it I immediately wanted to share it with everyone I knew. It's great to sit and watch someone who is reading it for the first time and just see the feelings flicker accross their face. This is one book that you will read over and over again.

Everyone DOES have a life to live!!.......2002-07-31

Jerry Gay has an amazing ability of capturing the heart and essence of America through his black and white film...this book has moved me to tears, but also to refreshed realizations about our beautiful country--reminding me that it's not the dirty politicians or CEOs that built our nation, but the down home salt of the earth folks who go to work everyday and try to do the best with what we can.

"Everyone Has A Life To Live" reflects our everyday existence, something many of us no longer want to take for granted, and pays tribute to real life people who make up the United States. This book is a positive message for those struggling for ways to deal with fearful or overwhelming emotions through the anniversary of 9/11/01, and the ensuing upheaval of our now-restructuring society.

Thank you for sharing your photos with us, Jerry!...

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Reads Like a Novel

Presidential Understandings

Take it for what it is

A fair look at president Bush

Brave New World, 1984 or America Today

Misunderestimated: The President Battles Terrorism, John Kerry, and the Bush Haters
Bill Sammon
Manufacturer: William Morrow
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Elections | Government | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
General | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
U.S. | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
Terrorism | Current Events | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
General | Political Doctrines | Political Science | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Strategery: How George W. Bush Is Defeating Terrorists, Outwitting Democrats, and Confounding the Mainstream Media

Fighting Back: The War on Terrorism--from Inside the Bush White House

At Any Cost: How Al Gore Tried to Steal the Election

Rebel in Chief: Inside the Bold and Controversial Presidency of George W. Bush

A Matter of Character

ASIN: 0060723831
Release Date: 2004-05-11

Amazon.com

President George W. Bush is an avid reader of the newspaper sports section but tries to stay away from hard news. That is one of the revelations of Washington Times senior White House correspondent Bill Sammon's book Misunderestimated. "I don't watch the nightly newscasts on TV," says the President, "nor do I watch the endless hours of people giving their opinion about things. I don't read the editorial pages; I don't read the columnists. It can be a frustrating experience to pay attention to somebody's false opinion." Bush's reading habits prompted world-wide headlines when Misunderestimated came out, but interestingly, Sammon doesn't think they speak badly about Bush. In fact, he cheers Bush for ignoring the journalists who, he believes, have misrepresented and underestimated the president. In this angrily written book, Sammon attempts to set the record strait and expose the media for the left-wing "Bush-hating" cabal he insists it is.

Sammon allows that the leader of the free world may not be a genius of grammatical English. But he argues that Bush will be remembered not for his malapropisms (the best example of which is probably his coining of the term "misunderestimated") but rather for setting the U.S. on a new aggressive path of "pre-emptive" self-defense and disdain for international bodies like the United Nations. Sammon is incensed by anti-Bush attitudes he sees in the media and among Democrats, who he says are "hopelessly mired in the gutter." Yet, Sammon himself comes off as devotedly partisan, too, as he breathlessly writes of hiking at the president's ranch in Texas and being playfully teased by Bush at a White House briefing. Misunderestimated will appeal to the President's supporters, but others may find it too strident and wonder whether all of Sammon's tract can be taken at face value. --Alex Roslin

Book Description

A riveting portrait of President Bush as he broadens the war on terror overseas -- and plunges into high-stakes political battles at home

"They misunderestimated me," George W. Bush famously remarked on the eve of his historic presidency. Fractured syntax aside, Bush was right: his detractors misunderstood his appeal to the American public, and underestimated his considerable political skills. In this compelling new book, Bill Sammon reveals how the president is turning these misperceptions to his advantage in the looming showdown with John Kerry and the Bush haters.

As senior White House correspondent for the Washington Times, Sammon has been granted extraordinary access to the president and his closest confidants, from political gurus Karl Rove and Andy Card to foreign policy advisers Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice. The result is a compelling chronicle of the second eighteen months of George W. Bush's term, as the administration's focus shifts from al Qaeda and Afghanistan to Iraq and the 2004 election. Sammon's on-the-scene reporting and exclusive interviews with the president and his top advisers reveal how the White House is implementing the most profound shift in U.S. foreign policy in more than half a century, prompting an eminent Democratic historian to rank Bush alongside John Quincy Adams and Franklin Delano Roosevelt as one of America's "grand" strategists.

For the first time, Sammon discloses the president's vow that Kerry will "regret" bad-mouthing the liberation of Iraq, the seminal event in the post-9/11 phase of the Bush presidency. Rove even details for Sammon the White House strategy to paint Kerry as a condescending elitist whose "blatant" attempts to capitalize on his Vietnam experience will ultimately come back to haunt him.

Misunderestimated also meticulously tracks the rise of the Bush haters, a disturbing political phenomenon that colors everything from the war on terrorism to the presidential campaign. The impact extends to the press, which Sammon exposes for racing to brand Operation Iraqi Freedom another Vietnam "quagmire" less than eighteen months after making the same blunder during the Afghan war.

In Misunderestimated, Sammon takes readers inside the Oval Office for historic decisions of war and peace, aboard Air Force One for a daring, surprise descent into Baghdad, and even on an intimate tour of Bush's beloved Prairie Chapel Ranch in Crawford, Texas. It's a mesmerizing account of a president determined not to repeat his father's two fundamental mistakes -- abandoning Iraq and failing to vanquish the Democrats.

Customer Reviews:

Reads Like a Novel.......2007-09-06

Sammon does a great job of holding your interest. I read 'Strategery' and loved it. I just finished, 'Misunderestimated', and found it every bit as captivating as 'Strategery'. Both books written by Sammon about the Bush administration.

I think we are living in one of the greatest moments in US history. The Bush administration fully understands this from the top down. Condi Rice is an incredible person who plays a key role in both books.

People should read these books just to see how the Bush administration plays the left wing news media for the shallow imbeciles that they are.

In the chapter titled, 'Whining Pool', a reporter asked Bush if he was concerned about what the media writes about him. Bush matter-of-factly responded, "People don't make up their mind based upon what you write."

I know that's true for me. It felt great to read that Bush feels the same way and isn't afraid to say it out loud.

Presidential Understandings.......2007-01-22

Read this book with some trepidation. Since the press tries to hold the ground on what they want the public to percieve of any given person, this was a refreshing read. Really shows how President Bush sticks to his principles and morals, despite the constant slamming of the media. His true power comes out in this book and how he has been able to fool over and over his detractors.
It's a great read regardless of your party. Could be a window into how power really works when you stick to your plan.

Take it for what it is.......2006-01-26

Bill Sammon, Senior White House Correspondent for the Washington Times and political analyst for the Fox News Channel, recounts the events that occurred while he followed George W. Bush through his first term and into his second. Given the context of the book, Sammon's journalism wavers between unapologetic partisanship and a guise of objective journalism. Sammon relates to the reader through real events but adds commentary and narration with dramatic effect, and while his sources are not meticulously noted, he cites dates and publications sporadically. Many citations are from the Washington Times.

In some of Sammon's narrated dialogue one might wonder whether Sammon actually heard every word he quotes or if some of the narration is included for the sake of drama. For instance, the first Chapter, "Rise of the Bush Haters", tells the story of Bush's trip on August 22, 2002, to Portland, Oregon, for the purpose of attending a fundraiser for Oregon senator Gordon Smith. Bush's visit incited organized rioting from many of the Portland residents, and those who lined the streets to jeer at the President bravely ignored demands from local law enforcement and Secret Service personnel to stay back and/or disband. By Sammon's account, these protestors were viciously inhuman to not just the fundraiser attendees, but to anyone entering the Hilton where the fundraiser was held regardless of their political affiliation. Sammon describes a situation met by Donald Tykeson, an attendee of the fundraiser and a man diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, where a protestor blocked the man's motorized wheelchair as he tried to make his way into the Hilton's entrance. Sammon details the conversation between the protestor and Tykeson, but never indicates whether he was actually there or if he heard about the incident second-hand. Perhaps Sammon neglects this detail because it would take away from the feeling of the moment, as it is this feeling that Sammon wants to convey to the reader. Appealing to the reader's emotion is perhaps Sammon's best trick in this purported non-fiction publication, and therefore it is sometimes difficult to dig deeper into the facts, rather than getting lost in the descriptive (or possibly deceptive?) narrative.

Sammon then steps away from dramatic reporting and offers a textbook summary of Saddam Hussein's reign as Iraqi dictator, though even in this case sources are few and far between. The entire second chapter is an in depth history of Saddam Hussein's rise to his eventual position as dictator of all Iraq. Sammon recalls events in history where Saddam ordered executions and assassinations, though here too he gets carried away in the emotion of the story and leaves citations scattered about the text for which the diligent reader must scramble to find. Perhaps Sammon is certain that any red-blooded American reader is already sold on the tales of Saddam's bloody reign, and therefore he sees no need to waste effort on validating the credibility of his sources for the reader. Sammon's book would be an unlikely candidate for a primary source in a formal research paper, and his lack of meticulous citation is his quiet acknowledgement of this fact. Through this descriptive history of the Iraqi dictator in the second chapter, Sammon outlines the reasons for the escalation of the Iran-Iraq war and the eventual Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. After the continued refusal of Iraqi officials to cooperate with U.N. inspectors and U.S. diplomats, Sammon states that "Saddam's emasculation of the Clinton Administration was complete." It is moments like these when Sammon's partisanship comes forward to remind the reader this is not a text to be used in a history class; it is instead a publication of the opinions and facts gathered by one man with a decidedly conservative view of American politics.

Chapter 3, "A Milestone and a Mission", begins a year after September 11, 2001, at the site where Flight 93 crashed in rural Pennsylvania. Sammon provides adequate description of the surrounding field, the mood of the audience, and Bush's speech to the people. Then, Sammon jumps to Bush's speech at the ruins of the World Trade Center which occurred later that day. The inclusion of the speech is appropriate, as it reminds the reader about events that have clearly defined the agenda of the Bush Administration through its first and second terms. Sammon recounts the events that led to sources of conflict between the U.N. and the United States concerning Iraq, including Bush's eventual declaration to the U.N. that "...(T)he Security Council resolutions will be enforced, the just demands of peace and security will be met - or action will be unavoidable. ...(A)nd a regime that has lost its legitimacy will also lose its power." By late summer of 2002 it had become clear that the intention of the U.S. was to go to war with Iraq, though no official statements had yet been made. Sammon uses this chapter to build up to the events that eventually led to Operation Iraqi Freedom.

At this point, Sammon has laid the groundwork for the meat of his story. The public attitude concerning the Bush administration has been established, the history leading to the current conflict in Iraq has been outlined, and the stance of the President has finally become clear. Up to this point, the book has maintained a delicate balance between opinion and fact through a thin veil of objectivity. Chapter 4, "Midterm Meltdown", upsets this balance somewhat as Sammon grumbles through the details concerning the 2002 Minnesota election between Coleman (R) and Wellstone (D). Things turned for the worst when Wellstone was killed in a plane crash. The results of the election would mean the difference between a Republican or Democrat majority in the senate, which is why the election received elevated publicity prior to the death of Wellstone. What started as a memorial gathering for Wellstone mutated into a poorly disguised Democratic rally. By Sammon's account, the Democratic Party used Wellstone's death to unfairly solicit viewers of broadcast television. Sammon concludes that this event damaged the credibility of the Democrats, and that Bush's political savvy and resulting campaign swung the election toward Coleman (the eventual winner), thus embarrassing Democrats and "the liberal media". While Sammon says that Bush did not gloat, Sammon does it for him. Even after outlining the importance of the global issues at hand, Sammon falls in to the same habits for which he criticizes the Democrats; he celebrates a victory for Republicans at all governmental levels, and his satisfaction with this accomplishment oozes from the book like oil from a broken gasket. Sammon is warming to his own theme by the end of this chapter, and therefore any remaining objectivity is certainly gone.

By the way, Sammon likes the phrase "warming to his theme". He uses it a lot.

Chapter 5, "The No-Gloat Zone", continues to warm to the theme, and Sammon gets a chance to gloat about his buddy-buddy relationship with George Bush and how, through his own body language during press conferences, he notifies the President that he has a question. The reader even learns here that the President has a nickname for the author: "Superstretch." Whenever Sammon writes about his relationship with the President, he adopts a humble, admiring posture, as if he yearns to gain approval from the man.
Sammon recalls Helen Thomas' prying questions about Bush's plan for Iraq during the November 7, 20002 press conference following the midterm elections. Sammon has an obvious distaste for Thomas, and he gladly illustrates through his own transcript of the press conference that Bush easily silenced Thomas with firm answers concerning his policies toward Iraq and North Korea. Here, like many places through the book, one can see small, seemingly irrelevant discrepancies with Sammon's translation of Bush's public statements. If one simply goes to the Whitehouse.gov website and looks for press conferences, the transcripts are all there. A comparison of the Sammon transcript with the White House transcript reveals minor - though notable - differences. While this could be considered a minor quibble, it is interesting to see that Sammon takes editorial liberties when quoting the President, eliminating many of his redundant statements, his verbal stumbling, and the way that he often constructs sentences in staccato packets of English words. Sammon never removes or changes the general meaning of Bush's statements, but in Sammon's world, President Bush speaks succinctly and without a stumble, almost as if everything he says is very clear.

In this chapter, Sammon even reveals that Condoleezza Rice told him that the administration had originally drafted three different resolutions concerning the Iraq problem for the UN; one on terrorism, one on human rights, and one on weapons of mass destruction. The decision to justify the Iraq war with the WMD argument, according to Sammon's conversation with Rice, was chosen because "...'the WMD was what people considered most pressing.'" What materialized was resolution 1441, which held Saddam in "material breach" of resolutions that had been passed before. Sammon goes on to explain conversations he had with Colin Powell that reveal how 1441 was written specifically to find Hussein in breach of U.N. sanctions, such that the final result would be his guilt. Sammon quotes Powell: "We built a lot of ambushes or traps into 1441 for Saddam Hussein... (T)he big one was the initial one, where we said, you're in material breach now. That took a couple of weeks to get that in there." Sammon ends the chapter with a quote from our President: "I don't spend a lot of time taking polls around the world to tell me what I think is the right way to act. I've just got to know how I feel. I feel strongly about freedom. I feel strongly about liberty. And I feel strongly about the obligation to make the world a more peaceful place. And I take those responsibilities really seriously."

Chapter 6, "Whining Pool", is Sammon's account of a trip to Bush's ranch with a select few of the press corps. Again, when writing about the President, Sammon assumes a humble writing style in stark contrast to his typically haughty prose. Sammon portrays Bush as a confident, athletic, well-spoken man who takes pride in hard work. Bush shows the reporters the land surrounding his ranch in Texas, explains some of its geology, and even invites the reporters into his house for refreshments. Sammon describes George and Laura Bush's *4000* square foot home as "... a modest affair, almost unnoticeable amid the live oak trees." This chapter comes closest to revealing any charisma that the President may have, which is undoubtedly Sammon's goal.

Chapter 7, "Hosed by the State of the Union!", provides more background for Colin Powell's increasingly tense deliberations with members of the U.N. concerning the upcoming conflict with Iraq. According to Condoleezza Rice, "There was a thought at one time that it would be one day of WMD, one day of terrorism, one day of [human rights abuses]." Instead, the case made to the U.N. hinged primarily on the WMD factor, with notable mention of the other issues at hand. Sammon takes his chance to jibe at the Democrats he doesn't like (all of them), including John Kerry. He criticizes Kerry for wavering on the Authorization for use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002, a fact that came up repeatedly in Kerry's presidential campaign. And then Sammon applies generalist criticism to Germany, France, and Russia for their growing resistance to the war resolution, connecting France's contracts to build a nuclear power infrastructure in Iraq to their opposition to an American invasion. Sammon even throws this in: "Ever since the Cold War, Paris had grown increasingly resentful of America's status as the world's sole superpower." Colin Powell was resistant, as well, as Sammon admits "...much of the evidence against Saddam did not meet Powell's standards for an airtight case." Through candid conversations with Sammon, Powell admits his fears, worries, and concerns about the talks with the U.N.

At the end of the chapter, Sammon declares that Powell had his turn to "electrify the world," and that his presentation "... painted a terrifying picture of Saddam's deadly arsenal." As one may recall, when Powell defended Operation Iraqi Freedom to the UN, the speech was accompanied by audio recordings and a PowerPoint presentation with excerpts from these recordings. In addition, satellite photos and computer-generated images of mobile weapons vehicles were used to illustrate Powell's point. While Sammon may think Powell "... painted a terrifying picture", the U.N. did not unanimously agree that the evidence was substantial enough to justify the invasion of Iraq.

Sammon also uses the phrase "electrify the world" a lot, too.

Sammon devotes all of chapter 8, "The Get", to a dramatic transcript of Dan Rather's interview with Saddam Hussein. In the second chapter, Sammon criticized George Galloway for his adulating questions during an interview with Hussein, and in this chapter, Sammon does the same, even when he admits that many of Rather's questions to Saddam were pointed and direct. It seems that Sammon is unhappy with anyone who achieves personal audience with Hussein. Or perhaps Sammon is just unhappy that the interviewer is Dan Rather, as Sammon despises any self proclaimed liberal on principle.

Sammon uses much of the rest of the book to illustrate how the press can distort the truth. He goes into depth about the loaded questions given to Donald Rumsfeld, Ari Fleischer, Colin Powell, Dick Cheney, and President Bush himself. In all cases, Sammon is disgusted with the way in which the press sensationalizes all things negative. Never really including himself as a member of the press, Sammon transcribes dialogue between the members of the Bush Administration and the Press Corps as if the politicians were the parents and the members of the press were the children. Sammon cites numerous conversations where Rumsfeld directly admonishes the press for slanted and inaccurate reporting. While the many members of the press were/are guilty of false reporting, Sammon never once criticizes Fox News or Sinclair, his own employer.

Perhaps one of Sammon's biggest complaints about the press is the constant attempt by self-proclaimed liberals to compare the operations in Iraq to Viet Nam. The comparison is truly inaccurate, no doubt, as the number of deaths in Viet Nam climbed to tens of thousands very quickly. Sammon criticizes the common use of the word "quagmire" used by the press to describe Operation Iraqi Freedom. From Sammon's perspective, the press is a bunch of mindless goons who obviously do not see the genius in the Bush administration.

Sammon is really impressed with President Bush. Bush can fly airplanes, as he proved during his flight to the USS Lincoln for his "Mission Accomplished" speech. Bush is in great shape for his age, and he is daring. Sammon was one of the lucky few who got to fly into Baghdad with Bush for Thanksgiving. As the story goes, Bush and a few members of the White House press corps were whisked away under the nose of the Secret Service, loaded onto Air Force One, and flown into the Iraqi capital to serve food to hungry American soldiers. Everyone was back within 48 hours. Sammon is tickled pink to admit that he was one of those lucky few.

Sammon wears his conservatism like a badge of honor, as if he is a minority trapped in a sea of oppressive liberal idealism, as if his voice is the only source of rationalism in a crazy world. His book is no doubt highly entertaining to read, full of interesting information (most of which should be researched and compared to other sources), and represents a rare opportunity to see a different side of modern history. However, do not forget that this book has its own brand of sensationalism, written by a tall man with a boyish admiration for the current President of the United Sates. Between Fox and CNN, Sammon and Dan Rather, one might be able to piece together a picture of actual events. In either case, one should research their sources!

The rating of the book will vary wildly, depending on which side of the fence the reviewer sits.

A fair look at president Bush.......2006-01-25

As an European, I should have read a book like this before. Mass medias around the world are pleased to say bad things about President Bush without giving him the real credit he deserves.
President Bush is already one of the greatest president of the US history. His support of democracy in the Middle East and his fight against terror will protect us, Europeans and Americans as well, from the new totalitarism. The light of Reagan's legacy survives in Bush. Bill Sammon makes his work by counter-attacking the lefties Bush-haters. What Simmons shows is simply the real President Bush, his way of thinking, of reasoning, his view of the future. Anyone who really needs to understand his President - or the President of USA if you are foreigner - should read this book.
Bush is making history and winning WWIV, it is time to realize that for many people around the world.

Brave New World, 1984 or America Today.......2006-01-22

It seems that the only books that the Bush administration and the neocons read were "Brave New World", "1984" and Marvel Comics "Judge Dread". The results appear here as a garbled account for the innocent abroad and judging by its ratings it's hit its intended target audience of drones squarely between the knees. Toilet paper is cheaper and will provide hours of endless scatalogical entertainment instead for all "ye good ole boys".

Customer Reviews:

The following text is from the back cover:.......2005-06-06

Naming the Birds at a Glance employs a "sight method" that has clear advantages over the average field guide:

* It will lead to identification no matter what characteristic of a bird you may notice first.
* It will refer you to a picture and description of your bird on the same page (or near it) as the other species with which you might confuse it, thus making identification by elimination part of the system.
* The system ends for all time the always frustrating and often unsuccessful method of thumbing through a guidebook after the bird has flown and your mental picture out has escaped you.

Both beginners and veteran birdwatchers will be well satisfied with this easy-to-use and comprehensive guide to the eastern land birds.

Average customer rating:

Naming Birds at a Glance
Lou & Jenks, Randolph Blachly
Manufacturer: Alfred A. Knopf
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000K7CPS8

NAMING BIRDS AT A GLANCE. A GUIDE TO THE EASTERN LAND BIRDS FROM SOUTH CAROLINA WEST TO THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS AND NORTH TO THE ARCTIC.

Average customer rating:

NAMING BIRDS AT A GLANCE. A GUIDE TO THE EASTERN LAND BIRDS FROM SOUTH CAROLINA WEST TO THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS AND NORTH TO THE ARCTIC.
L. & R. Jenks Blachly
Manufacturer: Bonanza Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000WPDFLO

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NAMING THE BIRDS AT A GLANCE
Lou Blachly , and Randolph Jenks
Manufacturer: Alfred A Knopf
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000NRAVT0

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Naming The Birds At A Glance
Blachly And Jenks
Manufacturer: Alfred A Knopf
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000PYQSPM

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Naming the Birds at a Glance
Lou Blachly
Manufacturer: Alfred A. Knopf
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000JVC7O2

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Naming the Birds at a Glance

Manufacturer: Outlet
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 039441005X

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Naming the Birds at a Glance
Lou Blachly , and Randolph Jenks
Manufacturer: Alfred A Knopf
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000NUGLL4

Product Description

A Guide to the Eastern Land Birds from South Carolina west to the Rocky Mountains and north to the Arctic.

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Naming the Birds at a Glance
Lou & Randolph Blachly
Manufacturer: NY Knopf 1959.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000QGIW08

NAMING THE BIRDS AT A GLANCE. A GUIDE TO THE EASTERN LAND BIRDS FROM SOUTH CAROLINA WEST TO THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS AND NORTH TO THE ARCTIC.

Average customer rating:

NAMING THE BIRDS AT A GLANCE. A GUIDE TO THE EASTERN LAND BIRDS FROM SOUTH CAROLINA WEST TO THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS AND NORTH TO THE ARCTIC.
L. & R. Jenks Blachly
Manufacturer: Alfred A. Knopf, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000WQ5HWI

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