Book Description
Costumes, Textiles & Jewellery of India unravels the beautiful and sophisticated language of traditional Indian Costume, in this detailed study of the complex role played by clothing and ornamentation in Indian society. It focuses on the state of Rajasthan, one of India’s most celebrated and historically rich regions. Compiled over more than fifteen years of research, this fascinating volume explores how Indian costume reflects the wearer's marital status, occupation, seasonal changes and religious commitment, serving as an
essential symbol of their identity and ancestry.
Sumptuously illustrated with dozens of full-color photographs, this is an essential book for all those interested in Indian style as well as those reflecting on the cultural, social, historic and technical aspects of textiles, costumes and ornamentation.
Customer Reviews:
A beautiful and enriching tour .......2005-07-04
Costume, Textiles And Jewellery Of India: Traditions In Rajasthan is a wondrously informative exploration of traditional Indian attire. Lavishly illustrated with full color photographs on every page, Costume, Textiles And Jewellery Of India reveals how Indian attire proclaims one's place of origin, social position, marital status, occupation, religious affiliations, and even reflections on the changing seasons as well as other psychological aspects of day-to-day life. Information drawn from fifteen years of dedicated research is transformed into a highly accessible and wondrous tour of the physical, historical, trade, cultural and spiritual factors inherent in Indian textiles. A beautiful and enriching tour as eye-catching for lay readers as it is for serious-minded garment designers understanding and inspiration in India's ancient traditions.
social meanings of Indian garments.......2005-03-01
The Indian clothing expert Bhandari does a tour de force. Nothing is left out--from origins of and historical influences on Indian garb to materials and manufacture; from basic clothing to the variety of ornaments and accessories; from jewelry and bracelets to class and ethnic wear. The often exotic Indian clothing so noticeable to outsiders does not basically reflect the fashion tastes or personality of the wearer, but instead mainly denotes social station and sometimes occupation. As expected, the more sumptuous clothing and jewelry goes with those of higher class. But the typical clothing of farmers, laborers, and lower-class Indians is also colorful and elaborate in its own way. Rajasthan in northwestern India was chosen as the focus for this one-of-a-kind work because of its historical and cultural significance and the mix of different classes and ethnic groups found there. The Indian state's name is derived from Rajputs, or "sons of kings." Bhandari's meticulous text is so fascinating and endlessly informative that one is hardly conscious of the exhaustive scholarship and research going into it. Often noting measurements, techniques used by the clothing makers, how an article is worn, and what is signifies, the text nonetheless does not strike one as being technical since it deals with such a colorful subject. Readers will fall into a pattern of looking at the attractive, rich color photographs and occasional illustrations and diagrams as they come, and then going to the text to find what interesting facts and points the author has on the items the men and women are wearing. Many readers will try to put their growing knowledge to work to guess social status of the individuals shown and the meanings of their accouterments. The descriptive captions should not be glossed over either. The color photo of one man notes that his "sword denotes his royal lineage, the silk tie [around it] signifying that it is carried in peace." But one of the countless bits of social and cultural lore one learns is the significance of turbans in family relationships and relationships with others. A four-page glossary of hundreds of terms testifies to the complexity of Indian clothing. This is a remarkable work with its generous fund of knowledge, skilled organization, and magnetic appearance.
Book Description
This digital document is an article from Reviewer's Bookwatch, published by Thomson Gale on April 1, 2005. The length of the article is 427 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: Costume, Textiles and Jewellery of India.(Book Review)
Author: Gale Reference Team
Publication:
Reviewer's Bookwatch (Newsletter)
Date: April 1, 2005
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Page: NA
Article Type: Book Review
Distributed by Thomson Gale
Average customer rating:
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The hoerengracht
Edward Kienholz
Manufacturer: Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 093441842X |
Average customer rating:
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Man Ray's Celebrity Photos
Man Ray
Manufacturer: Dover Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 Ray, Man
| ( P-R )
| Artists, A-Z
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Photography
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
History
| Photography
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Photographers, A-Z
| Photography
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
Photo Essays
| Photography
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
Portraits
| Photography
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0486288110 |
Book Description
Masterful collection of 60 works by a supreme artist with an unerring ability to capture his subject’s personality on film. Revealing portraits of Jean Cocteau, Salvador Dalí, Ernest Hemingway, Virginia Woolf, James Joyce, Gertrude Stein, Pablo Picasso and many other luminaries. New English translations of Introduction and captions.
Average customer rating:
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Vortex The Maelstrom
Various
Manufacturer: Fantasy Flight Games
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Game
General
| Comics & Graphic Novels
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Graphic Novels
| Comics & Graphic Novels
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Puzzles & Games
| Entertainment
| Subjects
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General
| Role Playing & Fantasy
| Puzzles & Games
| Entertainment
| Subjects
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ASIN: 158994044X |
Book Description
The newest screenplay from the Oscar®-nominated writers of Election and About Schmidt, starring Paul Giamatti (American Splendor), a tale of two men's adventure in California wine country.
Based on Rex Pickett's acclaimed first novel, Sideways tells the story of Miles (Paul Giamatti), a failed novelist, and his soon-to-be married friend Jack (Wings' Thomas Haden Church), a washedup actor. To salute the remains of their youth, the two men take one last road trip in the week before Jack's wedding. A serious wine enthusiast, Miles is determined to educate his friend on the region's beloved Pinot Noir wines before the week is out.
Jack indulges his best friend's passion for the grape but is mainly interested in living his last week of bachelorhood to the hilt. Trouble ensues with wine and women (played by Ghosts of Mississippi's Virginia Madsen and Under the Tuscan Sun's Sandra Oh) and the duo comes to some profound realizations as they come to terms with maturity.
The Newmarket Shooting Script® book includes the complete screenplay and three original commentaries written exclusively for the book by writer/director Alexander Payne, novelist Rex Pickett, and Rolling Stone film critic Peter Travers.
Customer Reviews:
Outstanding.......2007-06-08
The first time I watched the film, I couldn't get through it. There was very little that was likable about the characters, and I chose not to spend 2 hours with losers. Seeing all of the critical acclaim it received, I decided to watch it again... and loved it the second time around. Reading the screenplay made me love it even more! I could stop and savor the writing, noting how each scene ends provacatively. It's a very adult piece, and one must be very open-minded and not judgmental when reading the screenplay or watching the film.
LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT!
A wonderful read.......2007-02-11
I loved the movie. On impulse, I sought out the screen play because I wanted to see how the story looked on paper. The experience was illuminating for the insight it provided me in how movies are crafted. But more importantly, being able to pause at an interesting passage of dialog, to enjoy it more completely, enabled me to control the pace of the story. Lastly, the screenplay is very good writing, and a joy to read.
Book Description
Piano solos. The artist's own arrangements of titles he made famous. Pianists will find no better Fats selection. 20 titles include: All that Meat and No Potatoes * Margie * I'm Sitting on Top of the World * Who's Sorry Now * I'm Nobody's Baby and a special bonus section of selected songs from the Broadway musical Ain't Misbehavin.
Book Description
Shawls are currently making a huge comeback in the fashion world, but many people do not realize that the shawl has been worn for many centuries and in many cultures. This collection of patterns and traditions features shawls from around the world. From the Himalayas to Spain, from Iceland to Japan, and from Mexico to Norway, many of the shawls featured here have been taken from examples of historic knitted shawls. Other designs have been translated into knitwear from patterns for woven or lace shawls. Included are 25 patterns as well as historical and cultural information about shawls that have been used for prayer and mourning, as bridal veils, and as christening garments. Each design is presented with a full-page color photo, written instructions, and charts.
Customer Reviews:
Shawls.......2007-08-25
The Folk Shawls is interesting and informative with information about shawl styles from different cultures. The patterns are clear and easy to follow.
I love the historical background stories, and the knitting.......2007-05-04
I love the little ethnic/historical stories that go with each shawl. And that there are shawls from all over the world. These are the practical shawls that women can really use, not just museum pieces that will be used once for a special ocassion, wrapped in tissue and put away somewhere. The directions are clear and the drawings are great.
And, I liked seeing each shawl on the author. Seeing each one on the same person gives a sense of size and scale that you don't usually get from knitting books.
Nice practical book.......2007-05-02
This is a nice little book of shawl patterns. Although it lacks the sophistication of Victorian Lace Today and A Gathering of Lace with respect to elaborate lace patterns in the light weight lace yarns, it does present a collection of simple, utilitarian patterns in basic worsted weight yarns.
This is a good place for a beginning to intermediate knitter to start learning lace stitches and their effects. Furthermore the patterns provide immediate, attractive fabrics that serve a useful purpose. Although I didn't care much for the style of the Ruanna, it would easily "dress up" with the stitch design and color way for the Robozo in the same section. The Japanese Kimono shawl is a very nice leaf style stitch, which makes a lovely wrap and and allows the newcomer to lace patterns to gain a lot of practice without being overwhelmed by the number of non-repeating rows in a single design or the variety of patterns in combined design. The Aran pocket shawl is very clever, and would be easy for a new knitter to get started.
The photos are very nice, and while the ambiance of the background is not as impressive as the above books, the patterns themselves are well illustrated.
I have to order a second copy!.......2007-03-25
This book is fantastic. I'd like to make everyone of the shawls. So far I've made one, and started one some time ago from the pre issued pattern with mistakes. Now I've just cast on two more and since I'm traveling it has to go in my suitcase and I'll probably gift it to a knitting friend out in Indonesia. So I have to order a second copy! The shawls use lots of different weights of yarns and the patterns are beautiful and not difficult and the geographical background of the shawls makes it more interesting. I'd love to see her write a second book on shawls.
Wow what a book!.......2007-03-15
Any knitter will be pleased with this book of shawls, there are shawls for everyone's taste. It's a good idea to know your yarn weights well with working with this book for it calls for different weights. Lovely patterns worth making more then once.
Average customer rating:
- No real depth on Donaldson, some on the presidents
- Sam Being Sam
- Funny, but drags
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Hold On, Mr. President
Sam A. Jr Donaldson
Manufacturer: Fawcett
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
General
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
Journalists
| Professionals & Academics
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Television
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0449215202
Release Date: 1988-01-12 |
Customer Reviews:
No real depth on Donaldson, some on the presidents.......2004-10-28
For years, Sam Donaldson was the television network correspondent that most people considered the most obnoxious. And yet, he served a vital public function. By aggressively yelling hard questions to presidents Carter and Reagan, he occasionally forced them to answer and provide some information regarding what their policies were. Since I am a news and political junkie, I often saw him in action and there were times that I praised him for his aggressiveness and other times I thought he should just shut up.
This is his story in his own words and while he admits to some mistakes, there are no apologies for what he does. He cycles through his life, giving us some glimpses of his childhood, but nothing of great depth. The one true insight into his personal beliefs is when he reveals that he voted for Barry Goldwater in 1964. Furthermore, he still insists that Goldwater would have made an excellent president. Given the reputation that Goldwater has as an extremist that is quite a statement. Otherwise, Donaldson is emphatic that his past votes in presidential elections is a private affair. He mentions his vote for Goldwater only because he inadvertently mentioned it in another context so it is already part of the public record.
Given the secretive nature of the Bush White House and Donaldson's "retirement" from being ABC's White House correspondent, one can only speculate as to the level of friction there would have been if Donaldson were still covering the White House. I enjoyed this insight into Donaldson's career and some of the events in his professional life. There are some that are very funny, I never realized that Jimmy Carter had such a sense of humor, as he gets off a couple of real zingers at Donaldson's expense. There are also some insights into Ronald Reagan. Donaldson portrays him as a man who appears somewhat mentally disjointed at times, most likely the very early stages of Alzheimer's disease, but also as someone who was genuinely kind to others. It is clear that despite the adversarial professional relationship between them, he liked Reagan very much.
Sam Being Sam.......2004-03-03
"Hold On, Mr. President!" is a product of its time, the late 1980s, with Sam Donaldson offering a view from the press trenches on two presidents, Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan.
The index to this book includes the following note, perhaps in jest: "There are three names mentioned too often in this book to index: Ronald Reagan, Jimmy Carter, and Sam Donaldson." And not necessarily in that order.
I had high hopes for this book. Donaldson was a character of television news when I was growing up, the late 70s and early 80s. Whereas other television newsmen offered various lighter shades of pale, Donaldson was a colorful bulldog, always ready to put the Leader of the Free World on the spot, whether the issue at hand was hostages in Iran or his wife's taste in china. Once Donaldson cornered Reagan when the president was a guest at an ABC function, grilling him about the latest embarrassing kafuffle at the White House. Network higher ups talked of firing him, but Reagan just chuckled: "Oh, that's alright, that's just the way Sam is."
That's from the first chapter, the best in the book. Donaldson analyzes his role and how he felt he served the causes of democracy and good television. He tells some funny stories, and makes some good points: "So when I cover the president, I try to remember two things: First, if you don't ask, you don't find out; and second, the questions don't do the damage. Only the answers do."
Donaldson was a good question-asker, too; not needlessly prosecutorial or opinionated like Helen Thomas, not pinheaded and trite like Chris Wallace or countless bottle-blondes. Donaldson had substance.
And ego, too. Boy, does that come across here. It could be a drinking game for a non-social drunk. Find two sentences in a row without the words "I," "me," or "Donaldson" in it, or else take a slug. Add the words "we" or "our" and you'd have an easier time climbing K2.
Another problem with this book is it's clearly not the work of a print journalist. There's little depth, even when the subject is the news business itself. That Harry Reasoner was a surly drinker who didn't put forward his best effort is great dish, but Donaldson doesn't do much more than throw that particular skunk out there and let the reader wonder. Jimmy Carter could be brusque, but he cared. Reagan is an amiable dunce, with some moments of clarity, but trapped by his own primitive ideology.
I found Donaldson's description of Reagan most interesting, not because I agree with it (I don't) but because it demonstrates the media mindset Reagan had to work through and around in securing the goals of his presidency, clearly the most successful one since FDR's. Donaldson takes Reagan to task for missing out on arms control agreements with the Soviets, noting that one such treaty would have left the U.S. with a decided advantage. But reading later Reagan bios like "Role Of A Lifetime" and "Dutch" demonstrates Reagan had vision where Donaldson and the rest wore bifocals. He didn't want to pass limits on nuclear weapons, he wanted to eliminate them, and the world's most dominant tyranny in the process. Donaldson shakes his head at Reagan's use of the term "evil empire," but 20 years later it is the majority view Reagan spoke the truth.
A shame this book fails to analyze the larger role of the media, including the ups and downs of covering stories that may be hot one day, ice-cold the next. Also, I've yet to read a good book on Frank Reynolds, ABC's sterling anchorman from the late '70s until his death in 1983. A better take of the Reagan White House's relationship with the press, in many ways more critical of Reagan but at least more probing, is Hendrik Smith's "The Power Game." Donaldson has some ideas about the future of the media, but they seem inseparable from Donaldson's career goals. He hardly deigns to notice, when discussing the future direction of presidential press coverage, the role of cable television, instead wondering aloud whether he might anchor the news himself. In fact, Donaldson may have been the cable revolution's Marie Antoinette, his style playing well for a 30-second soundbite in an evening news program but really fey and grating in the 24-hour news cycles of our post 9/11 world.
Big fizz, little belch. Well, it is about television after all.
Funny, but drags.......2002-07-16
Hold On, Mr. President is a chronicle of Sam Donaldson's years as a reporter until 1987. There is some coverage in the beginning of the book about how Donaldson got his start, which makes for interesting and sometimes amusing reading. The book focuses heavily on his time covering former presidents Carter and Reagen. Much of the information given about his time with Carter is hysterical. While a few funny quips are given over the Reagen administration, much focus is given to the apparent bumbling of Reagen's staff and Reagen's unwillingness to take control of things himself, resulting in many embarassing blunders by his adminstration. The latter part of the book sums up Donaldson's thoughts about network news, his plans for the future, and covers briefly his personal life (including two divorces).
Unfortunately, this book really bogs down after the first few chapters. The middle part of the book, until nearly the end, is a painfully detailed summary of many of Donaldson's experience covering the Washington Beat. Perhaps it was more immediate for the telling, and therefore more interesting, when the book was written in 1987. In the year 2002, it was simply too detailed to be anything but boring.
Still, this is a well written book, giving an insider's look at Washington, the presidency, and network news workings. Of considerable interest is Donaldson's descriptions of the early days of ABC.
Average customer rating:
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Third Rail: The Poetry of Rock and Roll
Jonathan Wells
Manufacturer: MTV
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Rock
| Musical Genres
| Music
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
Anthologies
| Poetry
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Poetry
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 1416524894 |
Book Description
"The poets who fill these pages have come to testify, to bear witness to the mysterious power of Rock and Roll.
-- from the Foreword by Bono
"The thread or the theme
That holds this tune
Together is the same
One that rips it open...."
-- from Gimme Shelter by Bill Knott
"Chunky on the shag rug, I'm looking for my anthem, I'm looking for my headphones, I'm looking for the bare spot on the rug to wallow, side-stepped on the chair-stopped door. I blast my ears out."
-- from The Prophet's Song by Daniel Nester
"Drums,
Whatta lotta Noise you want a Revolution?
Wanna Apocalypse? Blow up in Dynamite Sound?"
-- from Punk Rock You're My Big Crybaby by Allen Ginsberg
As revolutionary as the music it celebrates, the poetry in this electrifying
anthology -- by poets such as Billy Collins, Rita Dove, Yusef Komunyakaa, Paul Muldoon and Philip Larkin -- turns rock upside down with indelible images and powerful expressions of the music that changed our lives.
Book Description
Metropolitan New YorkÂ's Third Avenue Railway System features never-before-published photographs documenting the final years of this streetcar system, from 1940 to 1957. Chartered as the Third Avenue Railroad Company in 1853, the system provided streetcar service on Third Avenue from Ann Street to 61st Street. The line eventually extended north to Harlem and across 125th Street and, in its heyday, north of Manhattan into the Bronx and northern Westchester County. Individual lines, such as the Yonkers Railroad, the Westchester Electric Railroad, the Queensborough Bridge Railway Company, and the Union Railway, are featured in this book. Metropolitan New YorkÂ's Third Avenue Railway System recalls the bygone street scenes of Manhattan, as well as some of the carbarns and work cars and the car-scrapping yard employed by the system.
Customer Reviews:
An excellent photo coverage of the Third Avenue Railway........2005-10-27
I grew up in New York City and was fortunate to have been able to ride and photograph Third Avenue Railway streetcars in the 1940's and early 1950's (called Third Avenue Transit by that time). Charles Ballard has given us a fine Arcadia book with excellent photos of Third Avenue cars in Manhattan, The Bronx and Westchester County.I recommend this book highly for anyone interested not only in the streetcars of New York but also of the way the city looked over 50 years ago.I never cease to be amazed at the increasing number of fine Arcadia books in their "Images Of Rail" and "Images Of America" series that have been appearing these days. Some of these books cover streetcar and traction operations in a number of different cities and this photo coverage of the Third Avenue Railway ranks with the best of them.
Average customer rating:
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Beyond the Third Rail With Monte Ballough and His Camera
Doris B. Osterwald
Manufacturer: Western Guideways
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
General
| Railroads
| Transportation
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
Transportation & Highway
| Civil
| Engineering
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
All Titles
| Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007
| Stores
| Books
ASIN: 0931788404 |
Product Description
128 all color pages, 8.5x11", cloth with dust jacket.
"The period following the abandonment of the Shore Line in July 1955 to the termination of all services in January 1963 are examined in this new book. This final volume also looks at the politics and mistakes that brought an end to America's favorite interurban."
Product Description
This book has been published by the Hazleton Pennsylvania Branch of the American Association of University Women to commemorate the American Bicentennial.
The Wilkes-Barre and Hazleton Railway was in service from 1903 to 1933. Our story takes place about 1905.
Bicentennial Project Committee:
Joy Gerard
Sandra Farnum
Betty Grimm
Susan Kisthart
Alice Laputka
Nancy Munroe
Mary Polascik
Vi Supon
Barbara Troyanoski
Average customer rating:
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Odr2 Inventions of Granville Woods Sb (On Deck Reading Libraries)
Rigby
Manufacturer: Rigby
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
| Baby-3
| Ages 4-8
| Ages 9-12
| Animals
| Arts & Music
| Books on Cassette
| Books on CD
| Authors & Illustrators, A-Z
| Computers
| Educational
| History & Historical Fiction
| Issues
| Literature
| Obsessions
| People & Places
| Popular Characters
| Reference & Nonfiction
| Religions
| Science, Nature & How It Works
| Series
| Sports & Activities
| Audiobooks
General
| Education
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0757824803 |
Product Description
Phil Kiver s real-life, moment-to-moment journal of his assignment as an Army journalist in Iraq is honest, irreverent gripping and emotional one moment a howl the next. Kiver s journals are raw reaction, impression, and introspection. This, folks, is what it feels like to be Phil Kiver in this war in Iraq missing home, lounging at one of Saddam s pools, angry with the brass, witnessing the deaths of children and comrades, nighttime explosions too close for comfort, pasta with the Italians, toasting the fallen with the Ukrainians. It s a delirium of experience with this journalist sorting through the rubble and smoke in search of the story that will one day be history.
Customer Reviews:
What NOT to do in the Army (a recruit's guide).......2007-06-12
This self-published work is a "diary" of an enlisted Public Affairs soldier written during his six-month Iraqi tour in late 2004 (with additional material describing events subsequent to the author's discharge). It would have benefited from the attention of an experienced editor as the raw prose and gratuitous editorializing detracts from the work.
The author clearly believes in the mission, and is interested in emphasizing the positive aspects of the coalition presence, such as building schools and roads, as well as facilitating elections. Unfortunately, he fails to elaborate on these events and instead focuses on himself, conveying an almost false bravado that left this reader uncomfortable. I have no doubt that the author covered the missions described, but there is a nearly narcissistic perspective that prevades the commentary indicating a direct rather than indirect involvement in the events.
The entries provide glimpses into the author's personality, and occaisionally the reader gets the impression that he is describing a genuine personal experience (sadness, depression, elation). However, one can't help but feel that it is somehow "scripted," and when the author encounters something that is outside his expectations, he attacks -- and he attacks his fellow soldiers.
A particular favorite is SPC Birmingham, whose opinions he invectively dismisses without the courtesy of indicating what they are or the reasoning behind them. If the chronology is accurate, it is apparent that the author judges and pigeon-holes his fellow soldiers within hours of making their acquaintance. The author appears disingenuous in that he often claims not to "point fingers" when he is clearly "pointing fingers!"
Another thing that made this reader suspicious of the journalistic value of this work is the liberal use of inflammatory language. For example, rather than referring to the "enemy" there are repeated references to "savages" and "terrorists." The author leaves no doubt that he is ready, willing, and able to take the fight directly to the "savages." There is a clear message that he wants to mix it up, and kill these terrorists. According to the author, he is in top physical shape, an expert marksman, and knows what has to be done. One can't help but to wonder why he didn't opt for a stint in the infantry. The satisfaction that the author received from pulling the lanyard on a Marine artillery piece and taking care of the terrorists borders on perverse. The Marines that were actually doing the job did not appear quite as "thrilled" as the author, but then the author does not really seem to care what others think. Again, the author journals himself, rather than the situation, to the detriment of the work.
The author's assignment as a broadcast journalist obviously demanded his presence at many events involving officers that would ordinarily not be attended by junior enlisted personnel. Furthermore, one could imagine there being a slightly less degree of formality in interactions with members of the officer corps under these circumstances; but the author gives the impression that he acted as their peers. Perhaps the most shocking was the author's attempt to embarass his CO in front of a junior officer. The CO had apparently offered the author a drink, and rather than being gracious, he "grabbed the arm" of an LT in order to show off that the CO was getting HIM a drink. If this is true, there is no wonder that his bosses, including the sergeant major would get on his case, but the author seems oblivious to the significance of these events; including being passed-over for promotion.
"182 Days in Iraq" could be sub-titled "What NOT to do in the Army (a recruit's guide)," in that it documents the demise of a specialist who despite his good intentions for "getting the message out" in Public Affairs, instead took the "Army of One" slogan to the wrong extreme.
Riveting, from the gut.......2007-05-16
Having lost a son in this war, I am thirsty for any accounts of the "real" feedback of some one who has been there, and Phil has. I have met the author in person just recently and wanted to hear more of his story. I find it hard to put down, so much that the average American nevers hears of, about this war, is found in the pages of Phil's journal.It is written from the gut, no flowery adjectives, just the real story, so refreshing when it comes to accounts of what has and continues to happen. I wish that the media would tell the stories of the hope, renewal and justification of our troops finishing the job they were sent to do, with pride and honor.
Feels like I'm there!.......2007-03-23
This is a great, easy read. In journal form, it makes it easy to follow. I felt like I could image what it would be like to become accustomed to being in Iraq, in a war zone. Written from the point of view of a "regular guy".
awful.......2006-08-18
i worked with this guy for almost 2 years and i have to say he is one of the worst people i ever met.
he was always sneaking out of work to hit the lake so he could ride his wave runner. his work load was pretty easy compaired to other jobs in the army and he did it poorly. the stories he sent back from Iraq (all two of them) were about his time at the pool getting a tan. there is a pattern here.
i am glad the army doesnt want him anymore and he is no longer serving this great country.
there are better books, written by better people who actually did some REAL good in Iraq. read them.
Real Life Diary from an Army Journalist in Iraq.......2006-06-06
Phil Kiver is a US Army journalist who spent, as the title of this book would indicate, "182 Days in Iraq." He shares his day by day journey with us on his travels around Iraq. He shares his feelings and emotions and fears. The style of the book marks the time that he was there through his daily entries in his diary. We can see and almost feel at times, his experiences in-country as he writes about them almost as they happen; from the mundane to the terrifying.
He, like all of us in that situation, misses his family, friends and home. He allows us to see him is his many moods and situations. The book will give the reader a good view of what life was like (at lest for Phil) in the war zone of Iraq. Some parts of the book are very funny while others are sad or depressing; however, you will find that the author will entertain you page after page.
He talks about some events that we have all seen on the news like the trials of those Americans who abused the POWs. He makes comments on what he sees and adds his personal observations on the life in and around Baghdad and the country itself, as only a trained journalist might. This is a good book to read now, while things are still unfolding there. It may give the reader a slightly better understanding of events and people there. There are also many pages of interesting photos.
Book Description
FOREWORD TO "TOWER STORIES: The Autobiography of September 11, 2001"
BY TOM KEANE, CHAIRMAN 9/11 COMMISSION
It is difficult to remember that day, but we must. Time has its own way of dulling the sharp edge of memory. Once the edge has been sufficiently blurred, the distorting colors of apocrypha swirl in, smearing the true image and creating a fable. A myth. Whatever it's name, the resulting picture is false. And yet people will believe it. In later years, they will have no choice. And therein lies the danger.
This book is unique for several reasons, not the least of which is that it allows our American people to speak for themselves regarding the terrorist attacks of September 11th. The events of that day are arguably the most traumatic ever to occur on American soil. There is ample evidence to support the need for a record such as this book presents.
After the Great Depression had ravaged the United States through the early part of the 20th century, President Roosevelt realized that our country needed more than an economic kick start. It needed cultural inspiration, as well. He assigned writers and journalists through the Federal Writer's Project to document the experiences of common people living through uncommon circumstances.
Roosevelt knew that a culture which cannot remember its past trials and transgressions will doom itself to repeat them. The memory of slavery, for instance, was fast slipping from the American consciousness. In some ways this was a sign of progress; in other ways it was potentially dangerous. The FWP documented the recollections of thousands of former slaves in what would later become the Slave Narrative Collection. Nearly a hundred years later, these narratives are still performed around the country as theatrical events; assigned as required reading for university courses; read for self-edification by curious citizens. They are a part of our cultural body of evidence against what was, and an inspiration toward a brighter future of what might be.
Some of our greatest works of literature were born of this need to bear witness. John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath. Jack Conroy's The Disinherited. Studs Terkel's The Good War.
I'm proud and grateful to see this legacy continued.
* * *
What follows is not media spin, 5 second sound-byte, or a coldly-recycling film reel. It is a living time capsule of our nation's humanity.
The interviews contained in this book are seminal to our American history. Interestingly, they were conducted immediately following the attacks on the World Trade Center, before time had been granted a chance to blur the details. Reading them, you get the sense that there was just enough time between the Towers' collapse and the click of the recorder for people to catch their breaths and plant their feet on firm ground. Then they began to speak, directly and candidly. They spoke from their hearts, and I can't think they gave a single notion toward the idea that their words would be preserved forever. It was too confusing and painful a time to fumble with the weight of such ideas. Truth rings out in every word.
I hope this book remains in print for a very long time to come, because everyone should read it. Our children should read it. With regard to 9/11, we - as a people - cannot allow a myth to take root. We must ground ourselves in the reality of our pain if we have any hope of moving forward. And move forward we must.
One of the contributors to this book calls 9/11 "a Kennedy moment. . . Everyone knows where they were when John Lennon was killed. Everyone knows where they were when the Space Shuttle blew. It's a Kennedy moment. A Pearl Harbor moment." It's a valid observation. Perhaps it's even a key to understanding the workings of human consciousness. And so I invite you, this instant, to clear your mind and think back for a moment.
Where were you that day? Watching the video clips spool over and over again on the television . . . listening to your car radio while driving to work . . . waking up to a household exploding with confusion and chaos . . . calling friends, calling family . . . inside the Towers. . . outside the Towers . . . on the streets of New York City, or halfway across the world . . . wondering where your loved ones were. Wondering. Just wondering.
You were scared. You were angry. You were vulnerable. We all were.
But after that initial shock passed over us, what did you do then? Perhaps the most important message recorded in Tower Stories is written between the lines:
You made turkey sandwiches for rescue workers rushing down to Ground Zero . . . you donated goods . . . you sent money to relief charities . . . you held a perfect stranger while she cried . . . you walked the streets of Manhattan, looking for someplace, anyplace to help. . . you gathered together in mourning. You prayed. You hung on.
You went back to work. You picked up the pieces. And maybe, like me, you made eye contact with people you didn't know on the streets where you live and nodded. Only this time, as our glances met, a new door was opened between us. We were able to share in a quiet secret that everyone suddenly knew - that we are all, in our own way, survivors.
Move forward we must.
For we are Americans. This is our story.
Customer Reviews:
Can't believe it, it is a great book for history ..........2007-04-10
... it is sad that this happened but when bad things happend to us, we become stronger...
RIVETING!.......2007-03-29
I am still reading it, but this book is riveting. It is better than I expected, because it includes interviews with all kinds of people involved in the 9/11 tragedy. If you have become absorbed by this event and, like me, are trying to define it for yourself by reading and watching everything you can about it, add this book to your collection.
A few survivors of the Towers are interviewed, but so are "ordinary" people like those who work(ed)or live(ed) in the general area, rescue/recovery workers and the volunteers who helped transport, feed, water, comfort, and clothe the workers.
Gripping Reading.......2007-01-28
This book was very gripping. Some of the stories raised the hair on the back of my neck. We should never forget what happened that awful day. More of these books with survivor stories are needed.
Awesome Book.......2006-11-10
This is a fantastic book. It gives a clear accounting of what happened from each person's point of view, people who were actually there, in their own words. Some of their descriptions are pretty graphic, but they are telling it like it is, the way they saw it. This is a book that should be read, cherished, kept and passed down through the generations to children and grandchildren, so future generations will be able to read about what happened and get the truth from the people who experienced this horrific crime against America. You will shed many tears reading this book, but they are necessary tears....may we never forget what these awful, amoral, barbaric murderers have done to us. This is one book I will never sell or let out of my family. You need to get this book!
Saw this guy on CNN.......2005-10-26
That's where I first saw mention of this book. I guess it was the author being interviewed. He seemed well-spoken, not some political pundit talking crap about 9/11. I found that appealing so I bought the book. Glad I did, too. Because I think a lot of people used 9/11 as some kind of American pity party but this book doesn't go there. It's a lot more subtle than that. It shows you lots of different takes on the same event. Some of the perspectives are in your face, some are really touching, some are odd, some are borderline cruel. But you know what? That's the human species to me in a nutshell. I hate people who immortalize 9/11 as a day of heroes. I was in New York that day, I saw what happened. Yes, there was heroism and we should celebrate it. We should also take a step back and look at the whole picture. The mistakes that were made, the errors in policy that let the whole thing happen, the opportunism of certain individuals, the complex reactions. Certain people in our current federal government may have used 9/11 as an excuse to launch the only pre-emptive war in American history. If for no other reason, I think this book's deserves to become a new Classic. Universities should make it required reading for political science courses studying terrorism, American foreign policy, and history. It's a true snapshot of our past.
Average customer rating:
|
The Folk Lore And Provincial Names Of British Birds
Charles Swainson
Manufacturer: Kessinger Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Birdwatching
| Outdoors & Nature
| Subjects
| Books
Reference
| Outdoors & Nature
| Subjects
| Books
Ornithology
| Zoology
| Biological Sciences
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0766185842 |
Book Description
1886. The author has gathered, from various quarters, the provincial names of wild British birds, as well as the popular sayings and superstitions attached to them, and when possible illustrated them by references to similar beliefs prevalent among other nations.
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