Infrared Spectroscopy in Conservation Science (Scientific Tools for Conservation Series)

Book Description

This book provides practical information on the use of infrared spectroscopy for the analysis of materials found in cultural objects. Designed for scientists and students in the fields of archaeology, art conservation, microscopy, forensics, chemistry, and optics, the book discusses techniques
for examining the microscopic amounts of complex, aged components in objects such as paintings, sculptures, and archaeological fragments.

Customer Reviews:

Coffee Table Book with Substance.......2001-01-26

This book offers a clear and concise introduction to the development of Walt Disney's first full-length animated feature. The book's use of stills, roughs, and concept art vividly illustrate much of the "magic" that goes into making an animated film. Not only that, but the book's incorporation of technical details provides enough "insider information" to appeal to those wanting to know more about the how of animation. In fact, I used the book's section on the multiplane camera to introduce the invention's importance to an introductory class in animation. It worked wonders!

Also nicely developed in the book is how Snow White set the production and narrative standards for the Disney's subsequent films. It's nice to see a coffee table book with substance!

Gorgeous artwork; good intro to animation process.......1998-05-03

I loved the artwork and descriptions of the animation process. (The display of the art is organized to also help explain the process.) Also "behind the scenes" recollections of how the movie was made as well as a discussion on how to conserve, and prepare for sale, animation artwork. This can be equally appreciated by those with serious or casual interest in animation art.

Walt Disney's Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs, An Art In Its Making,

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Walt Disney's Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs, An Art In Its Making,
Martin KRAUSE
Manufacturer: see notes for publisher info
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000RJS30I

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Walt Disney's Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs, An Art In Its Making,
Martin KRAUSE
Manufacturer: Publisher Unknown
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000WBQDVW

Book Description

In 1977, the Sex Pistols burst on the scene with “Anarchy in the UK” and transformed pop music forever. Along with that song, every one of these singles helped reshape the culture’s style, language, and performance. This is the story of how music and the world change, how bands reach a peak and dominate the scene briefly before fading away, and about the undeniable power of certain songs (Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” for example). Here are punk and grunge, disco and rock, funk and electronica, rap and hip-hop. Every incisive, illuminating, and outspoken
essay defies the accepted view of music journalism. From Elvis Costello’s “Alison” and The Bee Gees’ “Stayin’ Alive” to Bjork’s “Hyperballad” and Missy Elliot’s “The Rain”, it’s a truly provocative read.

Customer Reviews:

The Heart Of Punk & Disco.......2004-01-14

Think of this as an answer record, so to speak, to American rock critic Dave Marsh's 1989 book, THE HEART OF ROCK AND SOUL, in which Marsh listed his 1,001 favorite rock/soul singles. Like Marsh, British rock writer Muholland seeks to, in Marsh's words "stand the album-rock paradigm upon its head"----but here Mulholland does it in a distinct British/Gen X accent. Moreover, unlike Marsh's book THIS IS UNCOOL has visual aids: pics of some the singles discussed (for example, it's a real trip to see a naked pressing of the Pistols' "Anarchy In The U.K," if for no other reason than to thrust up the middle finger to those sanctimonious musically correct indie-types; the 70's label for EMI Records---the unimpeachable proof that Johnny Rotten & Co. recorded their classic rebel song for one of Earth's most powerful record companies for that era (its USA branch, Capitol, has, after all, been the distributior of the Beatles---both together and apart---for the North Americian continent)---ought to provide a body blow to the "friends don't let friends listen to corporate rock" gang! All in all, it is must-read for anyone interested in pop music from the final 3 decades of the last century.

Best kind of music book: idiosyncratic, opinionated, and ..........2004-01-04

Sometimes just plain wrong. I found a lot to disagree with. Joe Jackson is not pablum, for example, although Mulholland clearly believes he is. Also, Simply Red is not the scourge of humanity that Mulholland paints it as. But trifles like this aside, the reason this book is so fun to read is that you can debate and question what his picks are, but you can't question his assertiveness and his willingness to buck received notions of what "classic" music is. Some of his top 500 include Joy Division, Buzzcocks, Boston ("More than a Feeling"!), Sylvester, Gang of Four, Clash, Undertones, Chaka Khan, Magazine, ABBA, and the Stranglers (and that's just 1977 and 1978).

Think Nick Hornby, with a much more pronounced bias toward dance, club, soul, hip-hop, and techno. The only small quibble I have is that the book is very definitely Brit-biased; the quibble is really more that a lot of the music he lauds won't be easily obtainable here in the States. But that's a small gripe. This is a great book for browsing, a great book for starting arguments, and a great book for bathroom reading (that's a compliment).

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"Written by an expert on the Trompowsky" Don't make me laugh...

Learn the Tromp!

The Trompowsky, 2nd
Nigel Davies
Manufacturer: Everyman Chess
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Chess | Board Games | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
General | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
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Dealing with d4 Deviations: Fighting The Trompowsky, Torre, Blackmar-Diemer, Stonewall, Colle and Other Problem Openings (Everyman Chess)

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Silman's Complete Endgame Course: From Beginner To Master

ASIN: 1857443764

Book Description

In this book Grandmaster Nigel Davies presents readers with up-to-date coverage of this ever-expanding opening. Using model games for both White and Black, he studies the key strategies and tactics associated with the Trompowsky.

Customer Reviews:

"Written by an expert on the Trompowsky" Don't make me laugh..........2007-08-24

Been playing the Trompowsky now and then and already have two books on this opening ("Winning with the Trompowsky" from GM Peter Wells, 2003 and "The Trompowsky" from GM Joe Gallagher, 1998). I only found 4 games in the Chessbase MegaBase 2007 where GM Nigel Davies actually played the Trompowsky (A45) - two wins in 1998 and two draws in 2000 (the wins were against much lower rated players than him). Atleast GM Gallagher played 14 games with the Tromp (68% wins) and GM Wells 31 (66% wins of which one against GM Shirov in 2006, blowing the latter off the board in 13 moves!). I'll just keep the books I already have and look up games by GM Adams (47 games with the Tromp, 62% wins), GM Wells, GM Gallagher and, maybe best of all, GM Igor Miladinovic (118 Tromps and 75% wins!).

Learn the Tromp!.......2005-05-23

Obviously, the main idea of 1 d4 Nf6 2 Bg5 is simply to grab that Knight on f6. But is this a full-time opening or merely a surprise weapon?

It can be used as a full-time opening, and this book shows us how. But I use it as a surprise weapon. And there are two reasons why one might want to use it this way. One possibility is that you play 1 d4 regularly and want to avoid 2 c4 against a well-prepared opponent. Another is that you rarely play 1 d4 at all. Perhaps you want to surprise an opponent with a Blackmar Gambit after 1 d4 d5, but Black plays 1...Nf6. Now what?

As Nigel Davies explains, there are several ways to play this opening. I first tried it over thirty years ago, after reading about a game between Hort and Hartston which began 1 d4 Nf6 2 Bg5 c5 3 Bxf6 gxf6 4 d5 Qb6 5 Nd2 (5 Qc1 is often preferred nowadays) 5...Qxb2 6 e3 f5 7 Rb1 Qf6 (7...Qxa2 is risky) 8 Bd3. White won that game fairly easily.

But what if your opponent doesn't let you take the Knight? Well, after 1 d4 Nf6 2 Bg5 Ne4 3 Bf4 d5, I'm sure you'll understand why I play 4 f3. I'm heading into a Blackmar Gambit! After 4...Nf6 5 e4 dxe4 6 Nc3 exf3 7 Nc3, I'm actually a tempo up in the Blackmar, and getting ready to play Bc4, Qe2, 0-0-0, and d5 to break open the position. Davies explains how to play all this, and he also shows the line where White plays 4 Nd2 instead of 4 f3 (recommended by Andrew Martin in "Secret Weapons").

We also see lines with 3...c5 instead of 3...d5. Here, 4 f3 is the most popular move for White, but I don't like it. Instead, I prefer 4 d5. That way, I get the same position as when Black plays 1 d4 Nf6 2 Bg5 c5 3 d5 Ne4 4 Bf4 Qb6 (although I pass up my opportunity to grab that Black Knight). And in this position, I play 5 Nd2. The book shows a game with this move, as well as games with 5 Qc1 and 5 Bc1. And it gives us some games with 2...c5 3 Bxf6 gxf6. When I face the Trompowsky as Black, I play 2...c5, and this book has some great advice on how to play both sides of this.

Well, what else can White expect to see in this opening? There is a chapter on 2...d5. After 3 Bxf6 exf6 4 e3 Bd6 what should White do? Andrew Martin, in Secret Weapons, suggested 5 c4, but Davies doesn't like it at all, preferring 5 g3.

There is also a chapter on 2...e6. Black then plays 3 e4 h6 4 Bxf6 Qxf6. Andrew Martin recommends this for Black in "Trashing the Tromp." White can play 5 Nf3, a move this book does not even consider (Martin looks at it in Secret Weapons). But the standard move is 5 Nc3, which Anand played against Karpov in a FIDE World Championship knockout match. Karpov played 5...d6 (Martin recommends 5...Bb4 in Trashing the Tromp) and lost. Davies also examines 5 c3, which is the move I like for White here.

And yes, there are a few other options for Black. In many opening books, we see some minor line tried by some, um, minor master (or weaker player) against a World Champion. The World Champion wins, and the conclusion is that the line is no good. But who knows? We'd be more convinced if we saw a World Champion lose with the minor line!

Anyway, the game Davies picks to show the minor line 2...d6 is Adams - Kasparov (1993). And yes, Adams won that game, giving me every reason to suspect that this entire line is weak for Black.

This is an excellent and up-to-date book. I recommend it for anyone wanting to play either side of this opening.

Book Description

This book holds all the secrets to opening and running a successful inn. It gives you guidelines for choosing a profitable location and describes a day in the life of the average inn owner. You can find information about how to write up a business plan, what to include on you Web site, what "house rules" you need to set up to keep your guests and your investment safe, and how to use your own personal touch to make your inn unique.

Customer Reviews:

Very informative.......2006-07-16

Before I went into the business, I read this one and "I'm Living Your Dream Life" by Michele Cozzens. Both are very valuable tools.

Totally Hits.......2006-06-26

This book totally hits it down. From the perspective of someone who loves to look at B&Bs but doesn't often follow the latest trends of demographics and whatnot in an industry laden with stealth, mystery, and cloak & dagger tactics I found out that it is much more of a business to unravel and spend time juxtaposing with other work rather than just a casual fling of an investment like what would result if one were, for instance, to open a stock account and buy a specific amount of random (or highly recommended) equities. The author is very well known in his subject matters and thus procreats an authenticity of vernacular style of someone who would run a typical B&B but who would author books and articles on the side kinda like Robin Masters from that excellent television programme Magnum PI - how he would just like let that dude stay in his house all the time and dog out his Ferrari but wouldn't barely even charge him very much because all in all they were the best of friends AND because Higgins, despite all of his worldliness just was not up to par in keeping up with a crafty and backstabbing individual like Thomas Magnum.

Complete Idiot's Guide to Running a Bed and Breakfast.......2006-02-17

Although this book has a lot of good advice, it's not my favorite book I've read on the subject. It seemed rather drawn out and some of the advice was rather vague. It's the fourth book I've read on the subject, since I am planning on opening a B&B soon. I still would recommend reading it, but read others as well.

The Complete Idiots Guide to Running a Bed & Breakfast.......2006-01-30

Lots of good ideas that will save us time and money.

Complete Idiot's Guide to Running a Bed and Breakfast.......2005-09-20

My husband and I have stayed at B&B's all over the world and have come to realize how very special they are. We have first-hand experience as guests - what is exceptional and what is detrimental - and in our pursuit of a dream semi-retirement income, we decided to look into the ins-and-outs of running a B&B. This book conveys the positives and the negatives of B&B ownership with its no-holds-barred representation. I am a business owner in private practice as a holistic practitioner and as a product creator/manufacturer for my website [...], I have some business knowledge but certainly not with having "someone in my home" as my source of income. I highly recommend this book to anyone even toying with the possibility of B&B ownership. After reading it and doing some introspection, then make your choice whether to pursue it further.

The Complete Idiot's Guide To Running a Bed and Breakfast (Complete Idiot's Guides)

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The Complete Idiot's Guide To Running a Bed and Breakfast (Complete Idiot's Guides)
Park Davis
Manufacturer: Alpha
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000O96LGO

Book Description

From the international star of Riverdance and creator and star of Lord of the Dance, Feet of Flames, and now, Celtic Tiger, comes this no-holds-barred autobiography that reveals the person, the passion, and the drama behind Michael Flatley's astounding rise from the streets of Chicago to the heights of fame, wealth, and artistry.

After breaking onto the international dance scene as the star of Riverdance, Michael Flatley has shattered records, silenced doubters, revolutionized an ancient dance form, and brought joy to millions of people all over the world. But growing up in Chicago as the son of Irish immigrants, Michael did not show early promise. He played an old wooden flute, he fought in the schoolyard and in tournaments, and he helped his father dig ditches. It wasn't until he was eleven and was "dragged by the ears" to dance school that Michael found his calling. After winning virtually every major American Irish dancing competition, Michael went on to become the first American ever to win the All-World Irish Dancing Championship, catching the attention of some producers who were looking for step-dancing performers for their upcoming televised song contest. Riverdance -- and a new man -- were born.

The show became a huge hit, but Michael and Riverdance abruptly parted company. In this book, Michael explains what really happened backstage at Riverdance and how he went on to launch one of the greatest show business success stories of all time -- Lord of the Dance. In his own words, Michael tells what it's like to ride a rocket to stardom, and he addresses some of the drama and controversy that surrounds his success, like the 2003 rape charge, his turbulent love life, and the illness and injuries that have threatened his career. He also takes you behind the scenes for a look at the dancer's life, revealing how he creates his solos and shows and describing the training that has kept him dancing for so long.

Filled with commentary from family, friends, colleagues, and celebrities and brimming with Michael's Irish charm and good humor, this book is the very personal story of a man who has lived life to the fullest according to his own credo: Nothing is impossible.

Customer Reviews:

The Feet Flame Lord of the Dance Tiger.......2007-01-03

On this beautifull book I found the real meaning of the phrase: "nothing is impossible". Michael was growing in a very poor place but also was surrounded with a lot of love, faith, self confidence and hard work. He realy has a unique natural talent and a very a wide and sensitive heart. Michael describes in the book his life with very special way. He shares us with his thoughts, feeling and even admites his weakness for music, dance, beautiful women and good whisky.
As a fan of Michael Flatley I enjoy every part of the book, including the pictures, but I think that the story of this man makes each part of us to follow our dreams and believe that: "Nothing is impossible".

A True Pro.......2006-12-19

This is exactly what I was looking for when, at the end of the day, I just want to go somewhere else. Well written, humourous and full of inspiring challenges we can all learn from, the only thing that made me think sadly for his life is my knowledge of Alice Miller and her book 'Drama of the Gifted Child." It seems his mother is not too fond of him - 'an inability to show feelings' is how he puts it and this is corroborated by impartial collegues of his - and yet it seems he blames himself. I was left wondering - after his aquisition of luxury homes, achievements, awards, ferrari's, rolls royce's etc. - if he somehow has been running from grief-turned-into-ambition. He cries in his book, one day wondering if he, himself, missed out on what life is really all about. If he would read Drama of the Gifted Child he could free himself from the compulsion to achieve by legitimate grief over never having his mother's love. I adore him - as do many others - but he must learn to like himself on the off days, on the days no one applauds. In order to do this he needs to acknowledge what our society never allows children to do: be angry at parents for failing to provide love. Instead, so many children turn that anger on themselves (via suicide) or into ambition.

It's a long way from Chicago to $1.6 million a week.......2006-06-01

Michael Flatley is probably the most famous dancer in the world. He was the defining star of 'Riverdance' which became a surprising hit the world over. When it came on the scene it brought dance to the forefront where it hadn't been since the Fred Astaire days.

The chances of a boy from Chicago becoming as well known in dance has to be about the same as for him to get a Superbowl ring. The progression from those first classes, the chance of making the next step up the ladder, and finally a breakthrough as happened with 'Riverdance.' And the result is evident in his weekly salary of $1.6 million.

Mr. Flatley has had an interesting career. Not all sweetness and light by any means. He has had a turbulent love life, a failed marriage, yet he continues to develop new dance shows that bring a style to dance that has definitely attracted the attention of the world audiences.

This is a very well written biography, bringing a candor not often seen in such books.

Inside Michael's Heart.......2006-03-22

I received the book in my mailbox on a Saturday afternoon and finished it by Sunday evening. Like Michael's shows, it's mesmerizing and uplifting. He's had a childhood like so many kids in big cities (and small, with neighborhood ruffians and the like, for that matter) and many childhood adventures we readers can relate to. It's a fascinating progression from his childhood to his rise through the ranks of dance competitions to where he is today, with all of the passion you'd imagine added in. I literally gasped out loud a few times.
Those of us who happily declare ourselves to be "FLATHEADS" will be thrilled with this revealing look into some of what makes Michael who he is - a very real human being with extraordinary determination born from his Irish roots and the tenderness of his grandmother, father, and certain special people along the way. I especially enjoyed the way the book has perspective comments all along the way from many of the pivotal people in his life. The reader gets a real look at what drives Michael as an artist and a man, and I noted that his capacity for love, forgiveness, spirituality and joy is what has allowed him to finally receive the acclaim and success and true friendships he's worked so very hard for. And Michael himself is a great storyteller here, just as he is on stage. My only regret is that we Americans haven't been able to get our hands on the music CD's he's created, now that we know they're out there. Won't someone PLEASE market them in the U.S.!!?
I've seen Michael Flatley on stage once in Lord of the Dance and twice in Celtic Tiger and if God smiles on us, I hope to see him again. After reading his biography, I had to pop "Michael Flatley Gold" into the DVD player. Well written and edited, you'll really enjoy this book. I promise!

A gem of a book.......2006-03-06

What a fantastic opportunity to meet the man who reinvented Irish dancing and put it on top of the world stage.
Heretofore inaccessible to the non-initiated, you can find his extraordinary personality and the history behind his success. Having risen from a terrible neighborhood in Chicago, having suffered all kinds of aggravations, he remains sweet in his heart. A real gentleman, he has never an unpleasant word; in the whole book, you can hardly find a negative thought. We have a chance to see things through his eyes, to feel his bewilderment and his pain and to rejoice in his triumphs. To read it is to see and to listen to him. I've fallen asleep with my eyes wide open, my hands clutching the book.
What a privilege to be able to read so much firsthand. What an honor it is that he chose to share so much.

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Lord of the Dance: My Story
Michael Flatley
Manufacturer: Touchstone
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0283070420

Book Description

This is the story of the "Handschar," a Muslim combat formation created by the Germans to "restore order in Bosnia." What actually transpired was quite different. , over 250 b/w photographs, 6" x 9"

Customer Reviews:

Excellent work.......2007-10-07

Wow, this book is amazing, it`s full of pictures and maps that illustrate the real truth about SS Handzar, excellent work, i recommend this book to all Bosniaks.

Great book!.......2007-08-23

Himmler's Bosnian Division: The Waffen-SS Handschar Division 1943-1945 by George Lepre is the most important book in english on this Bosnian Division of Waffen-SS; well written and information is supported by documents, veterans,... It's also "most have" for everyone, who is interested in military history of World War Two in this part of world.

Himmler's Bosnian Division: The Waffen-SS Handschar Division 1943-1945.......2007-02-21

great background history to today's strategic events in Middle East

Impressive..........2004-10-08

Undoubtedly the most complete study concerning this obscure formation of the Waffen SS (the military branch of the SS organization) ever published. George Lepre, an american historian, tells us in details, the creation, the training and the military records of the 'handschar' division.

Raised in 1943, when Nazi germany was facing a manpower shortage, the 'handschar division' was the first Waffen SS unit, in a nazi point of view, made of 'racially inferior' elements (as Slavs were considered to be...). Thus, this mountain division (13th of the armed SS) was combining an 'all german' staff (officers and ncos) with a muslim-slav infantry (some muslim-albanians from kosovo were also accepted although). The fact that the nazis, known for their strict atheism (Hitler was the only 'God' they were encouraged to praise...) were willing to accept in their ranks, for the first time, some very religious muslim-slavs is another evidence of how bad the military situation had turned for them...

Fully trained and well equipped, the unit, according testimonies of some of its german officers, could not be compared to a german division of a similar nature. In spite of that, the Handschar was involved from february to september 1944 in several anti-partisan operations in which, it gained many successes but also some serious setbacks... In overall, that unit, thanks to its superior german leadership and its heavy armament, was a deadly opponent to the partisans. Lepre doesn't hide the atrocities the unit was accused to commit against christian-serb civilians and partisan members during some operations... Needless to say, such ugly things probably happened (for further details concerning war crimes commited by some of its members, see 'the Waffen SS' by George H. Stein), and were made by all sides, as usual in a civilian and ethnical conflict. It has to be told that counter-insurgency operations are often characterized by such excesses...

The increasing of desertion rate (about three thousands of men, in a total of about eighteen thousands, according to the author), made a reorganization of the unit necessary. Several thousands of muslims, considered as unreliable, were dismissed, or transfered to labour units in october 1944 (It has to be told that most of the deserters joined Ustasa or muslim militias whereas several hundred of them choosed to fight alongside the partisans!). The few remaining, would eventually fight until the end of the conflict in hungary, very far away of their homeland they were promised to protect...

Lepre, in his study, tells us some reasons why the 'handschar division' was finally a failure : the constant opposition of the so-called "Independent State of Croatia" (in reality, no more than a puppet in german and italian hands) toward the 'muslim division', the never solved shortage of officers and ncos, the generally bad relationships between german personnel and muslim-slavs. Moreover, for many german officers and ncos, a transfer to such units wasn't a thing they were enjoyed. To them, 'Handschar' couldn't match the crack elite divisions 'Das Reich' or 'Adolf Hitler'... Last but not least, the military situation, for the germans, worsened inside and outside yougoslavia...

To conclude, this book is a must read. Some may see a pro-muslim point of view. True or not, one should consider that the author, using both german and yugoslavian official sources, has made a very complete research about this 'unknown' unit. Lepre shows us how and why thousands of muslims of the south-eastern europe decided to join nazi germany between 1941 and 1945... This a is a true historical masterpiece for everyone eager to understand what occured in Croatia during World War II.

Interesting Book on an Obscure Topic.......2004-01-06

One of the paradoxical aspects of Hitler's "elite" Waffen-SS was that more than half of the estimated 900,000 men that served in its units were not full-blooded Germans, and this fact interested me enough while attending university to write a paper on the subject. It was, therefore, while doing the research on these non-German "volunteers" that I came across George Lepre's Himmler's Bosnian Division, which documents the story of the 13th Waffen Gebirgs Division der SS "Handschar" (hereafter Handschar). In its original form as a thesis, this work was awarded the Sydney Zebel History Award from Rutgers University.

The first divisions of the Waffen-SS were essentially purely German in manpower, but starting with the 5th SS Panzer Division "Wiking," the Germans began to draw on foreign volunteers from occupied countries. Initially, only Nordic volunteers were accepted, but as the war progressed, and manpower shortages became more acute, the Germans began to broaden their definition of "acceptable races" to encompass just about every race except Africans and Jews.

The Head of the SS, Reichsfuhrer-SS Heinrich Himmler, was, in fact, fascinated by the fighting capabilities of certain non-German peoples, and this included the "Islamic faith, which he believed fostered fearless soldiers". He envisioned the creation of a Bosnian SS division constituted solely of Bosnian Muslims in a manner similar to the Bosnian divisions of the old Austro-Hungarian Empire. Hitler, however, does not appear to have been so enthusiastic about such an undertaking, and it took some time before he finally permitted the division to be created.

The approval came in February 1943. By mid-April, approximately 8,000 men had volunteered for service with Handschar and three months later the number had only risen to 15,000. As this was still far short of the number required for a full division, recruiting of ethnic Albanians was begun, and finally the incorporation of Croatians--approximately 3,000--was permitted.

Training continued until mid-February 1944. Handschar was then returned to Bosnia where it was assigned the task of securing the northeastern region of Bosnia bordered by the Sava, Bosna, Spreca and Dvina Rivers. Anti-partisan operations commenced almost immediately, and these were carried out successfully. One of the largest was Maibaum, which was conducted in late-April against the Partisan III Bosnia Corp. After several days of fighting, one German report claimed that close to 1,000 partisans had been killed.

As was always the case, however, the setbacks that the partisans faced was not permanent. While successful, Maibaum did not fully rid the northeastern section of Bosnia from partisan activity in general, and by early June the partisans had regrouped and were on the offensive again. Heavy fighting took place at Lopare on June 8, 1944 and units from Handschar positioned there were overrun. In total, the division sustained just over 200 dead and a further 600 injured--the most serious losses to date.

For the rest of the summer, Handschar conducted further anti-partisan operations and by the end of the summer it was worn down and the morale among the men beginning to decline. During this time there were plans to form another Bosnian SS division (23rd Waffen Gebirgs Division der SS "Kama"), and officers and men were transferred from Handschar to facilitate this.

At about this same time, Handschar began to experience organizational and morale problems that were instigated by rumours that the unit would soon be leaving Bosnia. During the autumn of 1944, therefore, Handschar was plagued by desertions, and so Himmler decided that it and the still-forming Kama would be reorganized into two "small" divisions of 10,000 men each. However, on October 17, shortly after Handschar had been transferred to Zagreb (which resulted in more desertions), the men of Kama mutinied and shortly afterward it was disbanded.

It was now becoming quite evident that to the Germans that their Bosnian volunteers were becoming unreliable and as a result many were disarmed. To compensate for the loss of manpower, local Croatians were pressed into service, but this did little to enhance the fighting capabilities of Handschar, which, in mid-November, finally left Bosnia for Hungary, where it fought against the advancing Soviets.

For the rest of the winter, Handschar occupied three defensive positions--Margarethestellung, Dorotheastellung, and the Reichsschutzstellung--and were successful at slowing the Soviet advance in mid-April. It was all, of course, for no purpose as the war ended several weeks later.

Lepre relied almost entirely on primary sources in order to write Himmler's Bosnian Division and, as he explains in the preface, even these were scarce, and those that were available are "notoriously inaccurate". One has to wonder what information is not available and the implications that this has for our understanding of the true conduct of Handschar in its prosecution of its anti-partisan operations. But in terms of the book being a "chronicle of the birth, life, and ultimate death" of Handschar, the author has done an excellent job, and one hopes that it will lead to a better understanding of the paradoxical "volunteer" aspect of the Waffen-SS and the nature of the war in the Balkan Theater.

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The media of moral relativism?

A useful overview

National Hypnosis

Will the liberal media crash and burn?

The Left As An Ostrich

Weapons of Mass Distortion: The Coming Meltdown of the Liberal Media
L. Brent Bozell
Manufacturer: Crown Forum
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Arms Control | Current Events | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
General | Current Events | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
General | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
U.S. | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
General | Political Doctrines | Political Science | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1400053781
Release Date: 2004-07-06

Book Description

Could Al Franken and his left-wing cronies possibly be right? Is liberal media bias just a myth propagated by conservatives, and have the mainstream media actually swung to the right?

Absolutely not.

In the new book Weapons of Mass Distortion, L. Brent Bozell III—founder and president of the Media Research Center, America’s largest and most respected media watchdog organization—presents the definitive account of how liberal bias in the news industry is alive and well.

But here’s the thing: The liberal media are headed for a downfall. Bozell demonstrates how their monopoly on information is at last coming to an end, in large part because journalists continue to deny the bias that infects their news coverage. His unrivaled expertise allows him to show readers exactly how the media landscape is changing—and to expose the even bigger changes that are coming.

Marshaling an astonishing amount of evidence, Bozell documents exactly how the news media deliberately attempt to set the national agenda through their slanted coverage. In the process he destroys the arguments that Franken and many other left-wing commentators have put forward regarding media bias.

Weapons of Mass Distortion also reveals:

• How the liberal media’s slanted coverage of President George W. Bush will play a huge role in the 2004 elections
• Why liberals’ claims about the influence of Fox News and the “conservative media” are wrong—and deliberately misleading
• How the mainstream press has waged war on the war on terrorism
• Never-before-told stories of how leading journalists, behind the scenes, betray the liberal bias they so forcefully deny in public—incidents that Bozell has witnessed firsthand
• How the same journalists who condemn the Right for “hate speech” regularly launch (and get away with) vicious personal attacks on conservatives
• Clear evidence that the major news outlets are hemorrhaging viewers, readers, and listeners precisely because of their liberal bias

By dominating the news media for so long, liberals have been able to control what we see and hear. But as Bozell makes clear, the Left will lose that control soon enough.

Customer Reviews:

The media of moral relativism?.......2006-08-25

The media of moral relativism?

Bozell reports how the media (NBC, CBS, ABC, CNN, PBS, NY Times....) has developed an elitist and bias attitude. They of course are the enlightened ones (though I will admit, at times, this does occur on the right also, but usually from commentators not reporters.) They distort the news with minimal backlash. He gives many examples of the media's double standards. This is an endemic problem. He demolishes the myth of a right-wing conspiracy. Who are the real purveyors of hate?

Brent brings forth a knowledgeable and entertaining read, but he tends to overuse "big words". I think his secondary agenda is to encourage us to extend our vocabulary.

Brent is the founder and president of the Media Research Center and a syndicated writer. MRC is a Media Watch Dog Organization. Much of this book comes from the information collected from here.

"The Democrats do not need to fear their actions because they know they have the support of the media." To many times truth is ignored because the facts get in the way of their agenda. With one exposed only to this biased reporting, we won't know if we are actually being fed opinions instead of being reported the news. Will we then not be reluctant to believe there is a bias? Brent does applaud the media for it's coverage of 9/11, although it was short lived. He also commends the hard reporting done by certain individuals.

This of course is another book that will be loved by conservatives and hated by liberals. The book will no doubt enforce the conservative mind, and provide confidence when giving answers if confronted. I commend the "liberal minded" individual who decides to actually read it.

The media admires Mrs. Clinton so much they are willing to look the other way. This is going to become more important as she starts her campaign for president. Of course has she not started many years ago?

Brent finishes with the coming meltdown of the media elite. The need to emulate Conservative shows such as Rush and Fox may be a sign. Why would they want to after their attacks against them? Only because they work.

A good accompaniment to this book: "Arrogance" by Bernard Goldberg

A useful overview.......2006-04-10

This book may actually deserve four stars. But I spent many years in journalism myself, so to me most of Bozell's revelations are old news.

Among general readers his insights may prompt an epiphany. Even conservatives will be surprised, not at his examples of slanted coverage (they deal with that every day), but at his exposure of the roots of bias: the sanctimony and visceral anger that animate many individual 'mainstream' journalists. Bozell documents credibly that if there's a stronghold of white male rage in America, it's our newsrooms - not our trailer parks or gun clubs.

He fails, however, to explore the single most important strategem by which reporters and editors distort the news: the selective omission of key background information. Hence, articles on gun control regularly allude to the wholesale British gun ban. But most carefully avoid mention of the explosion of violent crime in the UK that followed the ban, much of it still committed with - you guessed it - guns.

Another example: Reporting on the federal budget regularly highlights Democrat complaints that 'tax cuts caused the deficit.' But 'mainstream' reporters rarely mention that such complaints are utterly baseless; that sweeping tax cuts have, on the contrary, caused sharp revenue growth every time they've been implemented - under Kennedy, Reagan and now Bush II. Nor do they explore the competing theories among serious economists over why (NOT whether) this happens.

Despite my grumbling, buy this book! Unless you're some kind of bleeding-heart PC girly-man lightweight, you would spend more at happy hour ... or on a carton of smokes ... or a morning at the range (depending, of course, on what caliber ammo you shoot).

National Hypnosis.......2006-03-27

Oh please, would you Neoconservatives stop the lies that you and the liberals are political enemies. There will no meltdown of the liberal media because the conservatives DESPARATELY NEED the liberal media to survive to keep third party candidates off the ballot, and dupe the masses into believing that modern Liberalism and Conservatism are different political ideologies (they both came from the same philosophers, Hegel and Machiavelli). Writers such as Bozell, Liberal or Conservative are merely pawns of the Demopublican/Republicrat elitists. My suggestion is to read both Liberal and Conservative books and sort out the lies for yourself, don't just read one side.

Will the liberal media crash and burn?.......2006-02-19

The questions that should be asked is "WHY" and "HOW" has the liberal media in America come to be controlled? And "WHO" is behind their acquisitions?

The Bush adminstration got elected on its conserative platform, by convincing the public that the Republican Party is feeding on conservative roots. As conservative parties go, the current adminstration doesn't resemble its party's past, confirmed by their budgets submitted to Congress they appear to be left of the most liberal of former Democratic admistrations.

The bottom line is that ALL of our Presidents are errand boys (liberal or conservative), no more than compromise figureheads with the unenviable job of simultaneously trying in some way to accommodate the brays of the "Business-Merchant-Manufacturing" class who generally tend to be nationalist and provincial, while kowtowing on pain of media death to the imperatives of the much more powerful, vastly more wealthy, and far more sophisticated Anglo-American Aristocracy, who of course are the "internationalists." Anyone who blames them for their policies doesn't understand the job description.

To add to the politicians' problems, the American people are obviously divided into a majority of red-staters whose "common sense" tells them that their interests are better represented by "Main Street" than by "Wall Street", and a minority of blue-staters who are well-educated, which all too often means that they blindly follow the dictates of their pre-programmed political correctness -- a mind-set tightly orchestrated by the best of the best (but sadly bought and paid for) media manipulators and Ivy League opinion makers. Hence, anyone who for whatever twisted reasons wants to be elected President, must appear to tow the red state party line to keep the grass roots from going to seed, while in fact "secretly" following the "offer you can't refuse" dictates of the aristocrats who own the media and who can destroy them on a whim. Does it seem odd that the power structures who put these poor fools into office also on occasion orchestrate their destruction? Not at all, as ONLY the master can wield the whip!

Indeed it is a very tough balancing act for any Republicrat, whether your name is Bush or Clinton.

Remember (if you will), that our country was founded by Whigs who represented the business classes; and, who were nationalist and protectionist. The elite Republican class interests are more in alignment with the people who earned their money through free enterprise than for those whose far huger fortunes come with the name and title. But money doesn't talk it swears, and so the "Tories" really never went away, but rather took the names of, and imbedded themselves in, the "loyal" parties. Clearly they've gradually won the day, starting with Watergate, and are now consolidating their control over America. So let's not in any way confuse a free-trading, free-spending Tory from the Eastern Establishment like ANY Bush with the "conservative" movement of the nationalists, let alone with the mind-set of our Whig founding fathers.

America's media has been bought and paid for by the elite, and over time has been converted to propagandize the advance of an agenda that was secretly founded in 1891, and further their quest for power and influence to be extended across the globe in fulfillment of their cause.

The Left As An Ostrich.......2005-12-19

Until Bernard Goldberg in BIAS publicized the extent of left wing bias in the mass media, most Americans had been blissfully unaware even of its existence. In WEAPONS OF MASS DISTORTION, Brent Bozell goes one step further. He not only documents the pervasiveness of left media bias but he also refutes the left response that the bias is from the right. Bozell notes that this bias is not the result of a smoky back room cabal where leftist kingpins plot the destruction of George Bush. Rather, he sees this bias as a world view in which the liberal left sees American society, mores, and institutions through the filtered lens of a mindset that labels itself as moderate, regardless of what poll indicates the opposite. Further, if there is any objective proof that suggests that President Bush is on the right course with the economy, Iraq, the Supreme Court, or any of the other hot button issues that divide the two parties, then the media will simply ignore such proof and act as if the left's objections and vicious spleen at Bush are eminently justified. Thus, the mass media's attitude is to verbally Tar and Feather the right, being secure in the knowledge that the American voters are basically too dumb to note the difference.

However, Bozell indicts the left with a many sided accusation ranging from reported and distorted acts of commission to unreported acts of omission. Bozell, because of his association with the Media Research Center, a group that tracks bias in the media, has uncovered some interesting statistics that bear out his claim that as far as the left is concerned, idealogues like Ted Kennedy, Hillary Clinton, Howard Dean, Al Gore, and Dan Rather are "moderates," and therefore mainstream. Anyone who opposes such moderates are labelled "extremist," and thus out of the mainstream. Bozell zeroes in on a number of issues, all of which encompass the leftist world view that the best of all governments is mass socialism and the best of all Americans are alumni of the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism. His most telling point is that it is the left's fascination with pressure groups that drives the Democratic party. When Michael Shephard, a gay American was murdered in the midst of Republican mid west America, the New York Times ran front page stories for weeks about how alleged right induced intolerance for gays was the driving culprit. Yet, when thirteen year old Jessie Dirkhising was similarly murdered in a Democratic eastern state by a pair of gay men, the silence from the left was deafening. Clearly, Bozell points out, murder is not unlike real estate--location is everything. Bozell also faces counter claims by Eric Alterman and Al Franken that bias is indeed manifest, but it comes solely from the right. When both Alterman and Franken shout that Gore was pummeled by the media for his many gaffes, Bozell responds by proving this pummeling was far more muted than is now being leveled at Bush for his gaffes. What becomes clear after reading Bozell and Bernard Goldberg is that the way America, through its media, sees itself is the way that America will judge its leaders, its future, and ultimately itself. And as long as the left is forcing America to wear a kaleidiscope, then America will be unable to see either world events with a dispassionate eye or itself with anything that resembles honesty.

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