Absinthe Sip of Seduction: A Contemporary Guide

Average customer rating:

Total Lack of Editorial Integrity and Academic Rigor

damaged

Truly a Contemporary Guide!

excellent

A welcome addition!

Absinthe Sip of Seduction: A Contemporary Guide
Betina Wittels , Robert Hermesch , and Ed. T. A. Breaux
Manufacturer: Speck Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Spirits | Drinks & Beverages | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
General | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
Popular Culture | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
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Absinthe: The Green Goddess

ASIN: 0972577610

Book Description

Take an intimate look into the contemporary world of absinthe. International in scope, Absinthe: Sip of Seduction is a visually rich journey into an alluring subculture. Punctuated with color reproductions of classic and current lithographs, posters, postcards, cartoons, antiques, glassware, bottles, and other tools of the absinthe drinker, this new and thorough study explains and illustrates the history, culture, and mystique of the drink known as the Green Fairy.

Absinthe bars have popped up all over the globe in recent years. Festivals in Switzerland and France celebrate the many distilleries and varieties of absinthe available on the market today. Museums, films, collectors, and -reviews of existing brands all set this title apart from the historically based volumes currently on the English language market. Absinthe: Sip of Seduction explores absinthe's contemporary absinthe and ritual.

The focus is unique; in addition to the customary glimpses of history, the authors provide insights into the controversy and effects of the Green Fairy through the stories of famous connoisseurs such as Vincent Van Gogh, Oscar Wilde, Ernest Hemingway, and Pablo Picasso. However, consumption and enjoyment of absinthe is not just relegated to history; contemporary drinkers include Johnny Depp and Marilyn Manson. Explained are sipping instructions, variations including French, Czech, and German methods, cocktail and drink recipes, and even suggestions for culinary accompaniments.

Confirmed absinthe drinkers, neophytes, the curious, and collectors will all find this book equally intriguing and seductive.

Customer Reviews:

Total Lack of Editorial Integrity and Academic Rigor.......2006-09-14

This book is a sales brochure, nothing more. Ted Breaux serves as an "editor" for the book and then gives his own Jade brand absinthe a glowing review without ever revealing that he is the distiller of the product! This is a basic matter of editorial integrity: shame on all three authors for not being honest with their readers!

They also misattribute the famous phrase "absinthe makes the tart grow fonder" to Oscar Wilde instead of Ernest Dowson! Anyone who has any knowledge of literary history knows of Oscar's preferences -- he didn't "do" tarts. That was Dowson, pure and simple, author of the incredible poem "Cynara".

This book gets one star for the poster reproductions...and that is generous.

damaged.......2006-07-06

When this book arrived, it had obviously been handled very poorly during the packaging process. There were smudges and rips all over the cover, detracting from the book's appeal as a coffee table book. I returned it to a local Borders and requested they order a replacement, but I'm still waiting for the new book to come in. This has been very frustrating

Truly a Contemporary Guide!.......2006-05-27

This book is truly a delight to own for both the modern day absinthe connoisseur or those merely interested in late 17th-18th century styles and trends. "Absinthe: Sip of Seduction" by Betina J. Wittels was edited by leading American Absinthe scholar, T.A. Breaux.

One of the greatest aspects about this book is the fact that it has a number of beautiful pictures concerning Absinthe. From early pictures and posters to modern day Absinthe shots, this book has it all. Most impressive are full or near-full page shots of 18th century Absinthe posters and paintings, many of which are designed by some of the most famous names in history.

Perhaps second to the art and yet of great value to those interested in Absinthe is how the book discusses both the history of the drink as well as how it is now. While the mysterious drink's history is perhaps better detailed in Barnaby Conrad III's "Absinthe: History in a Bottle," Wittels offers the drinks history in a compact, reader friendly fashion that's both full of information as well as a pleasure to read.

Unlike historical works (such as "History in a Bottle"), "Sip of Seduction" manages to cut through a lot of bland history and present us with information regarding modern day absinthe drinkers. From a decent listing of some of the more famous brands of Absinthe to places in Europe the reader can find Absinthe collectibles and actually buy Absinthe legally across the globe, Wittels does well to call her book a "contemporary guide." Whether or not you plan on using the contemporary information found within the text to find a bar in Europe or simply want it as a reference, the information found within is well worth the read.

There are two aspects of the book which are slightly disappointing. Absinthe enthusiasts would have liked a lot more coverage of the blown out of proportion chemical compound known as Thujone (a compound which was rumored to cause madness mainly to further the goals of the Prohibition). This book very quickly covers the topic in a small section entitled, "Thujone, Madness or Myth?" in which it concludes, based on a 1960s study, that one would need to consume quite a bit of Absinthe (far more than is humanly tolerable given the high alcohol content typically found in most Absinthes) in order to feel any ill side effects of Thujone, should any exist.

This topic of Thujone is discussed more properly online via Absinthe forums, websites, and retailer websites. However this topic is also mentioned quite nicely in "Absinthe: A Myth Always Green" by Benoit Noel - this last reference is terrific, highly recommended, contains a lot information that "Sip of Seduction" should have had as well as more contemporary nods to Absinthe (Amazon France, Amazon.fr, has the book to buy). The sections of importance regarding Thujone in "A Myth Always Green" are, "T.A. Breaux: Interview with a Chemist" and Ian Hutton's piece on "Absinthe - Separating Myth from Reality" which can be found online.

The other aspect of "Sip of Seduction" which was slightly important was that it tried too hard to provide an unbiased listing of different brands of modern Absinthe. Much better lists with reviews exist online and yet it would have been kinder to quality Absinthe producers to include a few reviews for each of the mentioned products (after all, there are brands of modern Absinthe almost all connoisseurs would agree are horrible). "A Myth Always Green" tackles this by expanding the list considerably.

Despite some obvious shortcomings, "Absinthe: Sip of Seduction" is a must own for anyone remotely interested in the subject! Despite having a very soft cover my copy has lasted through quite a bit, the construction as well is simply quite beautiful. A must buy!

excellent.......2006-03-21

This book was very informative, while also being an interesting read. Good beginners book on absinthe. Definitely recomend this for those new to the world of absinthe.

A welcome addition!.......2005-09-17

I disagree with the previous reviewers' statement of `if you already have Conrad(`s book "Absinthe - History in a Bottle") there's no reason to buy Wittels's book as well.' On the contrary, anyone seriously interested in not only the history of absinthe, but also it's modern use and cultural impact, should own both.

While `Sip of Seduction' may not be as erudite as Conrad's work, I would venture to guess that such wasn't Wittel's aim.

`Sip of Seduction,' while serving as an engaging introduction to the fairy, provides information (i.e., culinary delicacies to accompany the ritual, reviews of currently available absinthes, lists of modern suppliers) that other publications on the subject do not. Add to that the myriad engaging reprints of classic absinthe advertisements, related paintings, photography of absinthiana (spoons, fountains, bonques) modern absinthes (and reviews), as well as an enthusiastic and breezy writing style, and you have a book that is a welcome addition to any absintheur's library.

Average customer rating:
Wicked Willie's Guide to Women : A Worm's-Eye View of the Fair Sex
Peter Mayle
Manufacturer: Crown Publishing Group, Incorporated
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000KPLFA4

Book Description

Takashi Kamiyama is an average high school student who wouldn't hurt a fly. But after becoming friends with a motley crew of thugs - a gorilla and a trashcan-shaped robot - Takashi won't just learn his ABCs, he'll learn everything there is to know about being a juvenile delinquent!

Customer Reviews:

LOST IN THE WOODS WITHOUT A BRAIN.......2006-05-28

In Volume 5 of Cromartie High our beloved badasses are up against an enemy they can't beat, push, or intimidate....Mother Nature! The boys have become lost in a dense forest on their journy to a baseball training camp at Mt. Fuji. They've been stranded for two days and with the brains these guys have, there's about a 90% chance they'll die in the woods! For example, Freddie wanders off and finds a ramen restaurant, eats his fill, then returns to the camp, where his peers are starving, and never says a word about his discovery! Even funnier is when Hayashida finds a convenience store, buys some supplies, then makes it back to his friends. The problem is that he can't remember how to get back to the store and then declares he didn't tell anyone they were lost because he wasn't about to leave his buds behind! Does that make any kind of sense? If they make it out of the woods, they will have to deal with gorilla impostors, rival school bosses, and new threats to their legendary toughness in the form of two new street thugs that blow into town!

This volume of Cromartie was funny but by now that's no surprise. While the jokes are pretty simplistic, they work because every character actually thinks they're pretty smart, which makes their lamebrain comments even more humorous. They have all these little complicated thought processes that in the end signify nothing. I do have one complaint, and that is that Mechazawa doesn't really have a lot of panel time, even though he's one of the funniest characters. This series ranks with the funniest manga I've read. Give it a try.

I would also recommend Azumanga Daioh, manga and anime versions.

Book Description

Drawing from a variety of experts in an industry that has seen major technological advances since the second edition, The Movie Business Book, Third Edition, offers the most comprehensive, authoritative overview of this fascinating, global business. A must-read for industry newcomers, film students and movie buffs, this new edition features key movers and shakers, such as Tom Rothman, chairman of Fox Filmed Entertainment; Michael Grillo, head of Feature Film Production at DreamWorks SKG; Sydney Pollack; Mel Brooks; and many others. A definitive sourcebook, it covers nuts-and-bolts details about financing, revenue streams, marketing, DVDs, globalization, the Internet and new technologies. All of this -- and more -- is detailed in this new edition of the classic Movie Business Book.

Download Description

A classic updated for the '90s, from the industry leaders who know the inside story. Mike Medavoy, David Puttnam, Mel Brooks, Sydney Pollack, Henry Jaglom and many others present an insider's look at the creation, financing, making, selling, and exhibition of movies.

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful.......2004-11-26

I have recently bought over ten movie business making books, all starting with this one. I would have to say that out of all of the books I have read thought, this would have to be the best out of them all. Not only do they have chapters written by different people, they are all people that are in the business. They break down hollywood lingo and include a basic pay structure. This book is the most informative of the film books I have read. This is the book you buy if you want a break down of movie careers, but not for how to personally make it yourself into the business.

Comprehensive Overview of Movie Industry for Everyone.......2004-08-27

My wife and I are movie fans...though not like those hard core guys who hang out at independent film festivals...and we love this book.

It's a wonderful introduction to all the ins and outs of the movie business. The writers talk about film as a business and how the business side of film influences their creative choices. Revenue streams, copywrite issues, and how to "make it in Hollywood" are all discussed thoroughly in this book.

The authors were obviously choosen because of their expertise, but most of them are surprisingly good at conveying information in a way non-industry people can understand. I was expecting that each chapter in this book would be filled with Hollywood jargon...like when you read an article in Variety, but that is not the case.

If you love movies and REALLY want to understand how they work, this book is a must. Other books are great at explaining the artistic side (for example, How to Read a Film is a great title), but The Movie Business Book is wonderful since all of its contributors understand that modern film cannot be fully understood as a work of art unless you understand how the economics of Hollywood influence how the art is shaped.

I've never reviewed on Amazon...but I had to for this one!.......2002-01-30

I had the great good fortune of studying for a summer with Jason Squire. Quite simply, the guy gets the goods in this book. Great interviews, covering every subject of the biz from A to Z. Especially wonderful was how easy to understand this book was - biz books can be so dryyyyyyyy...this one was fun, informative, helpful. In short, a great read.

When I saw this was featured on Amazon, I had to throw in my two cents.

Comprehensive and well edited.......2001-08-22

Lots of straight speak from people who really know the industry. For a newbie who wants to understand the mechanics and terminology of the business, this book is perfect. I haven't found a page yet that I wanted to skim over; there is no fluff. A wonderful bargain even at the ... list price.

Don't overlook this book despite the fact that it is ten years old. Sure, you'll need another source for DVD, new media and internet delivery. But this book covers everything up to home video very well.

a look at the industry's structure + process; still current.......2000-12-03

This is a great book on the business of movies written by people who actually are in the business. Each section is tackled by someone specializing in that aspect of the industry, from writing and production to distribution and marketing. They discuss where the money goes and how they try to get it back, the risks, the rewards, for big studios and independents, and for distribution channels domestic and international. It details mostly the process and structure of the business and leaves out most of the name-dropping common in most other books about the industry. As such, it is somewhat lacking in case studies. But I found this omission to be helpful because it did not cloud the structures and processes the book was trying to illustrate. (For a more recent book that discusses implications and outcomes of these structures, look into "The Gross" by Peter Bart.)

The text is a bit old now (last revision 1992), but most of the contributors seemed to have hit on trends that have continued to this day. In terms of the industry's structure and process, the book seems very current. Inflate the cited figures and it could have been written yesterday.

I searched high and low for a decent book about the business and I finally found it in this text.

Average customer rating:

A book for musicians and music lovers

Fever: How Rock 'n' Roll Transformed Gender in America
Tim Riley
Manufacturer: Picador
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0312424957
Release Date: 2005-05-12

Book Description

'Riley is at his very best.' -The New York Observer In Fever, music critic Tim Riley argues that while political and athletic role models have let us down, rock and roll has provided enduring role models for men and women. From Elvis Presley to Tina Turner to Bruce Springsteen to Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love, Riley makes a persuasive case that rock and roll, far from the corrosive force that conservative critics make it out to be, has instead beena positive influence in people's lives, laying out genderdefying role models far more enduringly than movies,TV, or 'real life.'

Customer Reviews:

A book for musicians and music lovers.......2004-06-12

I've read Riley's Beatles book - Tell Me Why. Though this book has more social commentary, Riley's strength, analyzing about the MUSIC and not about the gossip and lives of musicians is still there. His social commentary is brings the music into context, not the other way around. As a musician, this is the way it should be done.

Fever: How Rock' n' Roll Transformed Gender in America (ISBN: 0312286112)

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Fever: How Rock' n' Roll Transformed Gender in America (ISBN: 0312286112)
Tim Riley
Manufacturer: St. Martin's Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OTO4F4

Book Description

Addresses the important role of remakes in film culture, from early cinema to contemporary Hollywood.

Book Description

This book identifies, documents, and analyzes the major dimensions of U.S. prime-time TV content. By exmining fictional TV series run in prime-time and on Saturday mornings over three seasons, the author and his research team have put together a fascinating study of American society according to television.

Book Description

"You must never forget what a treasure you are. That special person in the mirror may not always get to hear all the compliments you deserve, but remember..."

This is a book that speaks to and inspires the best in all of us. Written with a marvelous perspective on life, this heartwarming collection helps us see things in just the right light. It's like holding a mirror up to a special person and getting them to envision all the wonderful things reflected there. All the qualities. All the blessings. And all the promises that lie ahead.

Our busy days don't allow that kind of recognition to happen often enough. And sometimes the people who deserve it the most...get to hear it the least. Think of this book as a remedy for that; it's a thanks, a tribute, and an affirmation all rolled into one. It begins with a note of gratitude, it ends with a request to remember something essential, and -- in between -- it takes the reader through a series of "beautiful things" mixed in with a few pearls of wisdom and a little sage advice. Everyone has someone who needs to hear these things...and that someone in your life will be honored by the acknowledgment, grateful for the gift, and touched by the thought that they are this special...to you.

"...You are so worthy of such an abundance of friendship, joy, and love."

Book Description

n May 2003, Captain Anthony Horton of the 1st Military Intelligence Battalion received a phone call that would change his life. He was told to pack his bags; he was being reassigned to a unit that had just deployed to Iraq, and the group needed a Chaplain. He soon took a flight straight to Baghdad International Airport and began an emotional spiritual adventure, ministering to American soldiers and to the people of Baghdad, Iraq.

Chaplain Horton quickly met Iraqi families who claimed ancestral lineage to the ancient Chaldeans and Assyrians. One particular group he became familiar with was a group of people claiming to be the original Iraqis, a remnant of those ancient people of Ur, where Abraham dwelt. This group calls themselves the Mandaeans and practice a religion they believe was handed down from Adam to Abraham to John the Baptist.

Wherever Chaplain Horton traveled in Iraq, he spent time among the people, discussing religion and God's plan of happiness for all of His children. In some of these communities, Chaplain Horton became close friends with the people, being invited into their humble homes to eat from their tables or floors.

After his arrival in the Mideast, Chaplain Horton was also set apart by the Arabian Peninsula Stake President in Kuwait to serve as the 13th member of that Stake High Council, giving him ecclesiastical authority to organize Servicemen's Groups and to lead soldiers in weekly sacrament services, not to mention the many hours spent providing counsel and advice to many U.S. soldiers—both LDS and non-LDS—from the various units stationed in Iraq. His account of the many individual miracles among the U.S. soldiers is truly inspirational.

This account and accompanying photos give readers a better understanding of the conditions and struggles the Iraqi people are enduring. Chaplain Horton and other soldiers have been participants in the miraculous opening of the minds and hearts of the Iraqi people, preparing them for the message of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.

Customer Reviews:

Spiritually Powerful.......2006-01-26

Anthony W. Horton is a chaplain in the Army. This powerfully inspiring book follows him to Iraq during the challenges of Operation Iraqi Freedom. How do you bring faith, courage, morality and love to men and women who are daily placing their lives in danger far from home? How do you convince them that a Latter-day Saint can have the answers, when they've been raised to hate or distrust them?

This is one of the most uplifting books I have ever read. It has taken me a long time to read it because I find I read a bit, and then put it away to ponder. Many of the passages, thoughts and stories lead me on a search for greater answers. Brother Horton's responsibility is to soldiers of all faiths, and that adds to the challenges and to the need to think deeply about the gospel teachings. During his time in Iraq, he has faced prejudice from other chaplains and from soldiers who have never been expected to receive their religious counsel from a Latter-day Saint. He is frequently called upon to share his beliefs. His explanations of gospel principles reach far beyond the ordinary and will make you see the gospel in ways you never imagined.

One of the challenges Brother Horton faces is that soldiers often fool themselves into believing that "what happens in Iraq stays in Iraq." This means they convince themselves that they can live in ways contrary to their beliefs and to the vows they have made to family members and it somehow doesn't count because they are far from home. When they find their conscience has followed them to war, they end up in his office seeking comfort and help as they strive to rebuild the lives they have damaged as a result of their mistakes. Elder Horton's honest but compassionate discussions of repentance have value for any member who may have strayed but wants to return home.

The glimpse into Iraqi homes and faith is particularly inspiring. He met a group of people who believe they are practicing a faith that has been handed down to them directly from John the Baptist. Some are the only Christians in their area and struggle to keep their faith in the most challenging of circumstances.

Mingled with stories of life in war-torn Iraq are in-depth discussions of six gospel principles. The first six chapters are titled:

1. Adam Fell That Men Might Be
2. Cursed is the Ground for Thy Sake
3. For the Natural Man is an Enemy to God
4. Have Ye Spiritually Been Born of God?
5. Forsake Your Nets and Straightway Follow Him
6. Let Your Light So Shine

Finding Faith in the Desert.......2005-07-31

Our reading group read this book. As a group we all agreed it was an uplifting book of hope in a time of dispair. There are so few positve reports coming from that part of the world at this time and we as a group felt that at least some of the Iraqi people were being shown compassion by our sevicemen over there.
I have to agree with the critique that the editing was so poor, I found my self with pen in hand correcting mistakes.

Interesting and Inspiring reading.......2004-09-11

This is a fascinating book about a soldier and his time in Iraq. His stories are inspiring about God's children and the work that still goes forward even during war. Great read, highly recommend.

Amazon.com

In 1996, an America Online poll about Ebonics sparked more responses than did its survey on O.J. Simpson. And that's just a taste of the controversy and debate that Black English has provoked over the years. Called "Spoken Soul" by Claude Brown, author of Manchild in the Promised Land, the dialect of African Americans has been lauded, derided, questioned, and discussed for decades, but never so comprehensively and fairly as in this historic, sociologic, and linguistic overview and analysis by John Russell Rickford (the Martin Luther King Jr. Centennial Professor of Linguistics at Stanford University) and Russell John Rickford (a journalist, formerly of the Philadelphia Inquirer).

They discuss the attitudinal impact of socioeconomic factors, as well as the effect of generation and gender. They look at the place of black vernacular in literature and family, identity and culture, education and politics. And they track previous debates, from Paul Laurence Dunbar's considerations in the late 1800s to the black intelligentsia of the Harlem Renaissance to the issues raised by the civil rights movement of the 1960s to the recent Ebonics discourse.

Part 2, entitled "This Passion, This Skill, This Incredible Music," takes a close look at the richness of Spoken Soul, as recorded in literature (both black and white), from John Leacock's 1776 play The Fall of British Tyranny to DMX's rap lyrics of today. They look at the language of preachers and comedians, actors and singers, and scores of writers, and then they delve deeper, into the components of the living language, examining the vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar, and history of the black vernacular. And finally, the Rickfords discuss the role of Spoken Soul in terms of African American identity. The result? A thoughtful, erudite, and provocative narrative that lifts the discussion of Black English out of the knee-jerk negativity that arose from the Ebonics controversy of 1996 and into the loftier and more appropriate realms of linguistics, literature, and culture. --Stephanie Gold

Book Description

In Praise of spoken soul

the story of black english

"Spoken Soul brilliantly fills a huge gap. . . . a delightfully readable introduction to the elegant interweave between the language and its culture."-Ralph W. Fasold, Georgetown university

"A lively, well-documented history of Black English . . . that will enlighten and inform not only educators, for whom it should be required reading, but all who value and question language."-Kirkus Reviews

"Spoken Soul is a must read for anyone who is interested in the connection between language and identity."-Chicago Defender

Claude Brown called Black English "Spoken Soul." Toni Morrison said, "It's a love, a passion. Its function is like a preacher's: to make you stand out of your seat, make you lose yourself and hear yourself. The worst of all possible things that could happen would be to lose that language."

Now renowned linguist John R. Rickford and journalist Russell J. Rickford provide the definitive guide to African American vernacular English-from its origins and features to its powerful fascination for society at large.

Download Description

A leading expert explores the roots of African-American Vernacular English, which is the first language of millions of African-American children and the signature sound of informal conversation among the generations. Claude Brown, author of the classic Manchild in the Promised Land, called black English "spoken soul." In this book, John Rickford traces its history, use, influence and America's love/hate attitude toward it.

Customer Reviews:

A book everyone should read.......2000-08-23

This book was meant for every teacher, journalist, voter, politician, mother, writer, speech-giver, and person interested in language usage. It is a very smooth read with the rigor and content of a scholarly work and the clarity and craftsmanship of a New York Times bestseller. It would be a perfect book for a Freshman seminar or to read on a warm summer afternoon.

This book has five sections. The first section is the introduction.

The second section is for everyone interested in Speech Communication, Rhetoric, Writing, Rhetorical Style, Code-switching and Genre analysis--folklore, prayers, writers, music, poems, etc. In addition to discussing discourse level topics, it also introduces phonological and syntactic markers of the different speech varieties. It also describes the difference between hip-hop slang and the systematic language variation in sound, grammar, and rhetorical style that characterize AAVE.

The third section, devoted to illustrating the phonological, syntactic, and evolutionary (linguistic/etymological) systems of AAVE, is written for the lay reader, but it is useful for advanced students of linguistics as well who would like to gain an overview of how the language works. It is very thorough in illustrating the systematic rule system of AAVE, including socio-linguistically predictable frequencies of feature occurrence, and it explains linguistic notions in lay concepts for those without a background in linguistics. It is extraordinarily clear and easy to understand, but theoretically thorough and deep. It is careful to explain the linguistic environments of AAVE rules, and illustrates every point with multiple examples. Nearly every page of the book contains data illustrating the richness of the language being described and the linguistic notions being discussed. The data is presented in a format digestible to the lay reader, but Rickford is careful to preserve all of the information that a linguist may wish to pull out of the data. The last chapter in this section is devoted to historical linguistics. It describes century by century what data is available and how to use it to triangulate a theory of language origin. It explains the anglocentric, creolist, and afrocentric positions on the origins of AAVE. The book then goes point by point through all of the syntactic and phonological characteristics described in the previous two chapters and describes the theoretical positions of all three camps on these points. It is one of the best descriptions, point by point, that I have ever read on the origins of AAVE.

The fourth section deals with the Oakland Ebonics controversy. It explains the issues involved from all perspectives, the history of the issues, the players, and the media issues. Most usefully, it includes information on educational research showing the outcomes of various educational programs for language minorities here and abroad which never got aired during the controversy. It also describes a number of programs which showed substantial improvement in outcomes, but which were discontinued for political reasons. It is a case study worthy of any political science, media, public relations, or educational administration course.

The last section deals with language and identity. It is short, but poignant with many illustrative examples. It touches on important socio-linguistic concepts, but it could be expanded greatly.

The rest of this is intended for instructors considering this for a Freshman survey course. The points are excessively nit-picky and not at all relevant to anyone other than an instructor.

What I wanted more of:

1) more unscripted examples of code-switching and analysis of reasons for it 2)discussion of why the Nova Scotia, Liberian, and Sierra Leone data is so valuable (i.e. comparative method for the lay person) 3) more specific explanation of the "universals" of pidginization and creolization 4)discussion of decreolization. The terms basilect, mesolect, and acrolect with weak explanation of their significance. This is quite uncharacteristic of the book as a whole, which carefully explains or avoids linguistic jargon. 5) more extensive discussion of educational research on literacy acquisition 6) more in-depth examples of comprehension issues. There is a lot of discussion about the work Labov is doing on this, but there is a paucity of examples. (Again, uncharacteristic of the book as a whole.) 7) presentation of more scholarly theory and research on psychology of education and its effects on learning 8) more extensive explanation of network theory, which is mentioned several times but only briefly explained, 9) more information about the differences between regional varieties of Black English in previous centuries, 10) more information about differences between regional varieties of AAVE now. The book shows that variation is extensive along social class and social network lines, however, it gives the impression that there is now little to no regional variation in it. The book could be more overt in stating to what extent they believe this is true.

Spoken Soul: The Story of Black English.......2000-03-12

I salute the Rickfords for composing a masterpiece that presents such a wide range of factual knowledge (e.g., definitions, examples, and historical facts). This book is not only a great resource for other researchers but it is also a great wealth of information for novices. Spoken Soul offers a wide range of data on the linguistic variety which historically has been labeled as followed: Negro Nonstandard English (NNE), Black English (BE), Ebonics, Black English Vernacular (BEV), African American English (AAE), African American Vernacular English (AAVE), and Ebonics. After considering all the misinformed people who believe that it is their God given right to voice their opinions on the subject of Spoken Soul as well as all the informed soldiers who have been working dutifully to set the record straight, I firmly believe that this book is right on time.

Spoken Soul is an enlightening and enriching experience........2000-03-12

I found the book to be very enlightening and was quite impressed by the scholarly approach of the authors, particularly their discussion of the origin, history and development of Black English in this country and in the Caribbean area. For example, their explanation of the substitution of "d" for "th" in spoken soul, their term for Black English, because there is no "th" sound in the West African languages used by the black slaves in early America provided a clear basis for this usage that made good sense to me. That explanation dispelled any pejorative notions that this pronunciation was due to some kind of laziness of tongue or simple-mindedness on the part of the speakers. The book is very well organized, well written, and introduces the reader to the many uses to which Black English or spoken soul has been put in music, humor, poetry, novels and the theater. Although it is a scholarly work, it flows quite smoothly and is easy to read. The discussion of Ebonics and the actions of the Oakland School Board is must reading for anyone who followed that controversy. It puts that whole affair and the media1s role in it in its proper context. I bought a copy for one of my colleagues and another is reading my copy. After finishing the book, I had a greater appreciation of my own home language. The book is must reading for anyone interested in having a better understanding of the multi-layered society in which we live, the beauty and richness of the languages we speak and the contributions speaker of soul have made to the beautiful mosaic that is the United States.

Spoken Soul is an enlightening and enriching experience........2000-03-12

I found the book to be very enlightening and was quite impressed by the scholarly approach of the authors, particularly their discussion of the origin, history and development of Black English in this country and in the Caribbean area. For example, their explanation of the substitution of ³d² for ³th² in spoken soul, their term for Black English, because there is no ³th² sound in the West African languages used by the black slaves in early America provided a clear basis for this usage that made good sense to me. That explanation dispelled any pejorative notions that this pronunciation was due to some kind of laziness of tongue or simple-mindedness on the part of the speaker. The book is very well organized, well written, and introduces the reader to the many uses to which Black English or spoken soul has been put in music, humor, poetry, novels and the theater. Although it is a scholarly work, it flows quite smoothly and is easy to read. The discussion of Ebonics and the actions of the Oakland School Board is must reading for anyone who followed that controversy. It puts that whole affair and the media¹s role in it in its proper context. I bought a copy for one of my colleagues and another is reading my copy. After finishing the book, I had a greater appreciation of my own home language. The book is must reading for anyone interested in having a better understanding of the multi-layered society in which we live, the beauty and richness of the languages we speak and the contributions speaker of soul have made to the beautiful mosaic that is the United States.

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