Maya Color: The Painted Villages of Mesoamerica

Customer Reviews:

A Study Of The Meaning Of Color In Classic Maya Culture.......2001-02-28

Jeffrey Becom is a sensational photographer. The images which he offers in Maya Color are almost without exception a feast for the eyes. His talent runs in many directions and so we are presented here with an extraordinary portfolio of work which demonstrates a painterly feel for texture, a highly trained sense of unique and unusual composition, and most importantly, an appreciation for color that is second to none. Were I to try and attempt a comparison, I might liken his artistic sensibility to Rothko who, like Becom, was devoted to the representation and linear juxtaposition of bands of saturated hue in subtle and evocative combination.

By his own account, Becom's emphasis in Maya Color is on the painted wall. Thus he made the decision early in this project to restrict himself to documenting the use of color as an expression of architectural form as opposed to presenting a more varied collection of images. So the Maya people and the landscape they inhabit are only of secondary interest in this study. At least photographically speaking.

The text, on the other hand, devotes considerable attention to what is left out of the selection of photographs. To my way of thinking, this choice was unfortunate. Particularly because the extensive descriptions are terribly over-written and what is being described could have been more easily conveyed by the image than the word. For example, there is a long piece in chapter one which describes a journey through the jungle to reach the ruins of Bonampak in the Mexican State of Chiapas. The writing here relies upon the use of countless adjectives in an ungainly attempt to convey and evoke the feeling of trudging through the fetid, overgrown, swamp-like morass of vegetation. Why not, I wondered to myself, skip all the verbiage and include a choice shot or two of the terrain? Especially given the level of expertise of the photographer!

Sorry to say, this flaw in Maya Color is not insignificant because the space given to the written presentation is considerable. And that space could have been used to flesh out photographically the development of the important themes considered in this book! Like the Maya use of color to express systems of belief and meaning. And the way in which that use of color has provided continuity between the classic Maya culture of two thousand years ago and the life of the Maya descendents living in Mesoamerica today.

But let me say before closing that despite my reservations about this book, it is visually so robust that I can still recommend it with great enthusiasm to anyone with an interest in the use of color as an architectural form in its own right (see the work of Luis Barragan, a Mexican architect, for an example of this intriguing phenomenon of the systematic use of color as a formal element in building construction). Or with a desire to come in contact with the simple beauty of Maya cultural expression in both sacred and secular settings.

Remarkable book........1999-02-22

This book incorporates the visual effects of the bright colors of the Maya architecture,with a written text relating to the meaning of colors used in their painting. I found this to be not only a visual but a literary depiction of the Maya pople. I enjoy this book very much

MAYA COLOR: THE PAINTED VILLAGES OF MESOAMERICA [SIGNED]

Average customer rating:

MAYA COLOR: THE PAINTED VILLAGES OF MESOAMERICA [SIGNED]
Jeffrey (photos and text), and Sally Jean Aberg (text) Becom
Manufacturer: Abbeville Press New York, London, and Paris
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Mayan | Ancient | History | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B000IWK79E

Customer Reviews:

Covers all of the basics.......2001-09-27

I really like this book. It is extremely easy to read and is great for someone who knows nothing. It familarises you with modeling terms and gives you some idea of what to expect. I'm not sure how this compares to other books or the child modeling experience itself though and I did still have some remaining questions after finishing the book.

Book Description

In this new collection of essays on the cinema, all written over the last ten years, Peter Wollen explores an extraordinarily wide range of topics, stretching from an analysis of time in film and video art to a study of Riff-Raff Realism in British film. Provocative essays discuss the work both of established auteur directors such as Howard Hawks and Alfred Hitchcock as well as the filmmaking careers of such experimental movie-makers as William Burroughs and Viking Eggeling, the dadaist pioneer of abstract film. The collection also includes fascinating studies of a number of film classics, such as John Huston's Freud, Jean Renoir's Rules of the Game and Ridley Scott's Blade Runner. Paris Hollywood suggests new approaches to thinking about film and many unexpected connections between film studies and the history of such strangely related activities as espionage, psychoanalysis, dance, architecture, anthropology, Stalinism, love of speed and digital technology. Wollen's book is based on the premise that there are no fixed ways of writing about the cinema but, rather, a plethora of paths leading in very different directions, each contributing to a new understanding of the 20th century's major art form.

Customer Reviews:

Belles lettres indeed!.......2004-01-08

Peter Wollen co-wrote one of my five favorite films of all, Michaelangelo Antonioni's, The Passenger, which is enough to give him pantheon status in my eyes. However, he is also the author of the terrifyingly influential, Signs and Meaning In The Cinema, which, thanks to Wollen's lucid prose style, is a lot less intimidating to read than the prose of his many imitators. This collection of recent writings on film on subjects as varied as William Burroughs and Howard Hawks is as pleasurable, illuminating and provocative as his classic film studies text. Although the essays were written over a period of ten years, they all have an immediacy thanks to Wollen's blend of wit, thoroughness, and insight. The essays on Blade Runner and video art are particularly timely. A perfect gift for both the serious general reader or the cinephile.

Paris Hollywood: Writings on Film.(Book Review): An article from: Cineaste

Average customer rating:

Paris Hollywood: Writings on Film.(Book Review): An article from: Cineaste
Jonathan Rosenbaum
Manufacturer: Cineaste Publishers, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

General | Performing Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B0008EALVQ
Release Date: 2005-07-31

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Cineaste, published by Cineaste Publishers, Inc. on September 22, 2003. The length of the article is 1421 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: Paris Hollywood: Writings on Film.(Book Review)
Author: Jonathan Rosenbaum
Publication: Cineaste (Magazine/Journal)
Date: September 22, 2003
Publisher: Cineaste Publishers, Inc.
Volume: 28 Issue: 4 Page: 63(3)

Article Type: Book Review

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Book Description

More great-sounding jazz solos in a variety of styles from the master of easy jazz, Bill Boyd. This collection builds on the technical and stylistic foundation of Jazz Starters II. The original solos in this book are a bit more sophisticated, yet still easily learned, providing late-elementary students of all ages many hours of delightful fun! 12 Solos: Back Porch Swing * Boogie Rock * The Dixieland Tuba * Hickory Dickory Rock * Jazz Theme and Variation * Minor Blue * Ragtime Waltz * Too Blue * Too Cool to Fool * Two-Four-Six-Eight * Woogie Boogie.

Average customer rating:
Professional Hold'em Play by Play
Mike Caro
Manufacturer: Cardoza
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Card Games | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
Poker | Card Games | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
General | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

The Book of Bluffs: How to Bluff and Win at Poker

Daniel Negreanu's Power Hold'em Strategy

Phil Gordon's Little Green Book: Lessons and Teachings in No Limit Texas Hold'em

Kill Phil: The Fast Track to Success in No-Limit Hold 'em Poker Tournaments

Harrington on Hold 'em: Expert Strategies for No Limit Tournaments, Vol. III--The Workbook (Harrington on Hold'em)

ASIN: 1580421598

Book Description

When Mike Caro, the world's foremost authority on poker theory, statistics, and psychology, writes a book on hold'em, the poker world takes notice. And it should: Caro is the godfather of modern poker theory and his seminal work has influenced every single professional player today including Doyle Brunson, who leans on Caro for technical advice. This groundbreaking work pushes the envelope for practical hold'em play and winning success. Powerful advice that is clearly written and hard-hitting covers every aspect of hold'em for professional and aspiring professional play: playing the blinds (big and small), the button, early and middle position, playing small stacks and large, how to bet small pairs, big pairs, pocket rockets, overcards, straight and flush draws, how hand values change, how to change speeds, betting strategies, when to fold, and how to make the best percentage plays in every situation. Packed with psychology, advice on reading opponents, advanced moves, professional techniques, and much, much more, this book is a complete course on winning money at hold'em cash games. Special sections on internet poker and no-limit tournaments make this treatise the new bible on winning at hold'em poker.

Book Description

For seniors who live on a fixed income, owning a home—and keeping it—can be financially challenging. Rather than face the choice of selling your home and moving or becoming a home-owning pauper, reverse mortgage products let seniors convert part of their equity into tax-free income that can be used for anything—even mortgage payments, living expenses, or medical costs.

Reverse Mortgages For Dummies covers all the basics of reverse mortgage products so you and your adult children can understand and take full advantage of these handy loans—and keep the home you love. Covering a full range of reverse mortgage options and topics, you’ll discover how to:

Decide if a reverse mortgage is right for you
Shop for the best reverse mortgage products
Find out if your home is eligible
Find a counselor who can help you

Written by Sarah Lyons, an Assistant Editor at Mortgage Originator magazine, and John Lucas, an experienced reverse mortgage specialist, Reverse Mortgages For Dummies explains these helpful loan products in simple, easy-to-understand language free of all the jargon. Once you understand how reverse mortgages differ from other loans—and what you could do with your reverse mortgage—the book covers the specifics you need to find the right loan for you, including:

Special advice for adult children helping their senior parents secure a loan
How to get a reverse mortgage and keep your second home legally
Property requirements and financing fees
Selecting among a multitude of lenders
Spending and estimating leftover equity
Sharing the decision-making process with family and loved ones

If you’re a senior wondering whether a reverse mortgage can help you keep your home, this book gives you the information you need to make smart, informed decisions that are vital to you, and your family’s, security. Reverse Mortgages For Dummies will help you keep your home and live the life you want.

Download Description

"A simple, easy-to-use guide to reverse mortgages for seniors and their families

Reverse Mortgages For Dummies provides readers with the information they need to determine if a reverse mortgage is right for their situation-and if so, how to go about securing one. The book offers expert advice and detailed information on such topics as property requirements, financing fees, loan amounts, debt limits and payoffs, choosing a counselor, selecting a lender, estimating leftover equity, and more. Covering almost every issue seniors and their families need to understand about reverse mortgages, this friendly guide makes securing a reverse mortgage simple and easy. "

Customer Reviews:

Good Introduction to Reverse Mortgages.......2007-08-23

This is a good primer in reverse mortgages. I have been frustrated in querying my CPA and other financial authorities on the subject of the Reverse Mortgage and this book helps answer most of the important questions. I didn't want to get an MBA by reading this book and so many of the books on the subject are too detailed for what the average homeowner needs. This one fills the bill.I'de recommend it.

NOTHING DUMB ABOUT THIS.......2007-05-07

I've searched articles on the web, had the required reverse mortgage counseling, and bought this book. All you really need is this book.In coverage, organization, and language, it presents and clarifies a solution of a major problem for seniors.

Great Buy!.......2007-03-11

This is great for learning about Reverse Mortgages. I highly recommend this book.

continuing education for notary signing agents.......2007-01-30

Although this book is primarily intended for those considering a home equity conversion mortgage, I bought it because, as a notary signing agent I am occasionally called to conduct reverse mortgage closings. I wanted to have a better understanding of this type of loan. This book gave me that. I highly recommend it to all notary signing agents who want to gain more knowledge in this area, and be better prepared to do these types of closings.

Great mortgage!.......2006-07-11

I bought and read this little book that is packed with excellent information and, as a result, got a reverse mortgage. The Cash now available to me has paid off some medical bills and made it possible to make some repairs on my home in preparation for the hurricane season. It's a fail safe way of converting equity in your home to cash that you can enjoy now, instead of giving all of it to your inheritors when you die. I recomment it enthusiastically.

Average customer rating:

Good For Starters
Mortgages For Dummies, 2nd Edition
Saved me a fortune!!!!!!
very little substance
Loan Officer Info

Mortgages for Dummies, 2nd Edition
Eric Tyson
Manufacturer: audible.com
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Download
Similar Items:

ASIN: B000M9BKH6

Amazon.com

For many of us, the single biggest financial transaction is buying a house. Even more significant than the hefty down payment we fork over is the 15- to 30-year mortgage that needs feeding every month. If you have this much at stake, a little knowledge can go a long way, which is where Eric Tyson and Ray Brown come in. In Mortgages for Dummies, Tyson and Brown (who also wrote Home Buying for Dummies and House Selling for Dummies) provide a comprehensive introduction for anyone who is contemplating a mortgage. The book tells you how to evaluate your creditworthiness, determine your borrowing power, and shop for a lender, as well as covering the various types of loans. The authors also devote a section to refinancing and discuss what you should consider when prepaying a loan. They include amortization and remaining-balance tables, and a useful glossary. Whether you're a first-time home buyer or are just looking to refinance, you'll find this a valuable, easy-to-use guide. --Harry C. Edwards

Book Description

For typical homeowners, the monthly mortgage payment is either their largest or, after income taxes, second-largest expense item. When you’re shopping for a mortgage without the proper knowledge, you could easily waste many hours of your time in addition to the financial losses suffered by not getting the best loan you can. Choosing the right mortgage can help you save money for more important financial goals such as higher education and retirement.

Mortgages For Dummies, Second Edition is for anyone who needs a loan to buy their first home, wants to refinance their existing mortgage, or would like to tap into the equity they’ve built up. Updated to include the very latest on every kind of loan, this friendly, easy-to-understand guide will help you:

Shop for the best home-purchase mortgage
Overcome loan qualification obstacles
Negotiate lower loan fees and closing costs
Save by refinancing the house
Increase retirement income with a reverse mortgage

Once you select the right mortgage for your situation, you can explore, step-by-step, how to get the best possible deal. Mortgages For Dummies, Second Edition also covers the following topics and more:

Determining your borrowing power
Qualifying for a mortgage
Locating and selecting a loan
Finding the best lender and options
Tackling loan paperwork
Refinancing and other money makers

For most of us, the mortgage field is jammed with jargon and fraught with fiscal pitfalls. It’s up to you to seek the knowledge necessary to make your mortgage process more rewarding. This handy guide shows you everything you need to know to find your way through the home financing jungle and make the best decisions possible.

Customer Reviews:

Good For Starters.......2007-05-22

The book touches on the very basics of buying a home. Lots of industry terms defined - this solves a communication barrier to often seen in this industry. Often times, some lenders forget to check the literacy of there clients and breeze through the whole process without defining some key terms. With this book, loan officers/brokers/agents and clients are on the same page.

First time buyers who read this book will feel a little more confident, especially with reading articles and books pertaining to buying/investing in a home.

Mortgages For Dummies, 2nd Edition.......2007-05-18

Very well written... useful not only for mortgage shoppers but also for professionals working in fields related to Financial Services!

Saved me a fortune!!!!!!.......2007-05-01

This book saved me about $22,000 when I purchased my house. It prepared me to know what to look for and what to ask for when searching for a mortgage! I had purchased the home buying for dummies book and while reading that I learned I needed to know so much more about the financing aspect. Since it was my first home purchase I was clueless. This book walked me through and helped me discover what my personal needs were. I found my dream house, a perfect fit mortgage, and closed all in 2 weeks. AMAZING!

very little substance.......2007-04-29

As a first-time homebuyer, I was looking for some in-depth knowledge of mortgages. This wasn't it. It gave a very broad overview and told me very little that I didn't already know. It is fine for the true dummies out there.

Loan Officer Info.......2007-04-04

This book was wonderful to read even though it is geared toward the person buying a mortgage, and I am a loan officer, that sells the mortgage. It had numerous terms spelled out so they could be easily understood. It marked off warning signs of things to stay away from. I feel this book will be in my desk for use constantly.

Average customer rating:

A must read!!!

Very Easy to Read

My Way Out

Thank You Roberta Jewell

A Fabulous Book

My Way Out: One Woman's Remarkable Journey in Overcoming Her Drinking Problem and How Her Innovative Program Can Help You or Someone You Love
Roberta Jewell
Manufacturer: Capalo Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
Women | Specific Groups | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
Alcoholism | Recovery | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
Substance Abuse | Recovery | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Allen Carr's Easy Way to Control Alcohol

The Easy Way to Stop Drinking

How to Quit Drinking Without AA, Revised 2nd Edition: A Complete Self-Help Guide

7 Weeks to Safe Social Drinking: How to Effectively Moderate Your Alcohol Intake

Sober for Good: New Solutions for Drinking Problems -- Advice from Those Who Have Succeeded

ASIN: 0976247909
Release Date: 2005-03-28

Book Description

Research indicates one out of 13 Americans suffers a drinking problem and four problem drinkers exist for every "hard core alcoholic". It is one of our country's most significant health issues and a pervasive secret epidemic. Those affected are desperate for help but do not fit the alcoholic profile. So instead of seeking help, they suffer in silence.

In My Way Out, Jewell describes her history as a highly functional alcoholic and her decades of research in battling her addiction. Written in collaboration with Dr. Linda Garcia, MD, the search ultimately led her to develop a program calling upon experts in multiple fields.

Jewell's therapy is based upon a 2002 double blind study published in The Lancet, a highly esteemed British medical journal, which reported results of a medication that ameliorated craving in drinkers. Having tried and failed a "simple pill" approach herself with another prescription drug, Jewell took it one step further, integrating a powerful self-hypnosis program, nutritional supplementation, and other essential elements, creating an incredibly effective, easy-to-follow system, the results of which have startled even the most conservative practitioners within the medical community.

In what may become the hottest recovery book to hit the market in years, My Way Out shows readers how their craving can be curbed immediately and easily in the privacy of their own homes; why a multi-faceted approach is extraordinarily more effective than a single-modality solution; that drinkers don't need to attend AA if they're not comfortable doing so; and that when appropriate, moderation (social drinking) is an acceptable strategy for problem drinkers if they are provided the proper tools and treatment.

Jewell broke all the rules when, as a lay person, she developed an effective program that finally offers hope to alcohol dependent individuals. And she did the same when writing My Way Out, a book that crosses genres as a self-help, autobiographical, research, and motivational read. Given the overwhelming success of those who underwent the program, she was surprised to learn that traditional book agents and reviewers wouldn't touch it. But if the email pouring in to the publisher from early test subjects whose lives have been transformed by this extraordinary program is any example, there's no question My Way Out will become a standard text on the shelves of people truly motivated for a life change, or of those who seek to help others affected by an addiction they have been powerless to control.

Customer Reviews:

A must read!!!.......2007-05-15

I have read every book I could find on alcohol recovery and addiction and I can honestly say that this book is the one that changed my life. I never considered myself to be an alcoholic but I knew I was a problem drinker, and the beauty of this program is that it allows for either abstinence or moderated drinking. It addresses the one issue that I found lacking in so many other recovery programs and that is feeding the brain the nutrients and amino acids that we have depleted from our bodies and brains from overdrinking. I found that once I fed myself what I was lacking the cravings for alcohol reduced dramatically. The other aspects of the program described in the book have also been so important in my journey for moderation including the hypnotherapy CDs and light exercise.

I cannot recommend this book enough if you are wanting to make a change in your drinking habits. Really great stuff!!

Very Easy to Read.......2007-05-12

I think this book is a great resource for people that are serious about severly limiting or abstaining from drinking completely. The drawback for me was taking yet another medication and supplements when I already have a complicated regimin due to other medical conditions. I rated it a 4 instead of a 5 for this reason but still seems like a great program.

My Way Out .......2006-09-15

This is a complete educational program with on line support. Several methods are described to become completely abstinent with alcohol or to moderate your drinking. Subtypes of alcoholics are identified. The use of the newest medications is discussed. There is a nutritional program and a hypnotherapy program. I have found the program to be successful in moderating my drinking. The hypnotherapy program is particularly helpful.

Thank You Roberta Jewell.......2006-09-01

Finally a light at the end of a very dark tunnel called alcoholism.
I was never going to AA and I knew it. While searching online for any possible alternative treatments for my addiction I came across the "My Way Out" website. I joined the community and bought the book. My life has been changed forever. Thank You Roberta Jewell!

A Fabulous Book.......2006-08-30

This book is a must read for anyone who has a problem with alcohol or who knows someone who is struggling with alcohol. It offers insight, hope and support. Roberta shares her personal struggle with alcohol and her desire to change her life. Her story is not only inspiring it is told in an honest way and offers real life advise on how to stand up to addiction. Of all the books I have read on the subject of addiction this one is the best.

Book Description

In May 1861, Jefferson Davis issued a general call for volunteers for the Confederate Army. Men responded in such numbers that 200,000 had to be turned away. Few of these men would have attributed their zeal to the cause of states' rights or slavery. As All That Makes a Man: Love and Ambition in the Civil War South makes clear, most southern men saw the war more simply as a test of their manhood, a chance to defend the honor of their sweethearts, fiances, and wives back home. Drawing upon diaries and personal letters, Stephen Berry seamlessly weaves together the stories of six very different men, detailing the tangled roles that love and ambition played in each man's life. Their writings reveal a male-dominated Southern culture that exalted women as "repositories of divine grace" and treasured romantic love as the platform from which men launched their bids for greatness. The exhilarating onset of war seemed to these, and most southern men, a grand opportunity to fulfill their ambition for glory and to prove their love for women--on the same field of battle. As the realities of the war became apparent, however, the letters and diaries turned from idealized themes of honor and country to solemn reflections on love and home. Elegant and poetic, All That Makes a Man recovers the emotional lives of unsung Southern men and women and reveals that the fiction of Cold Mountain mirrors a poignant reality. In their search for a cause worthy of their lives, many Southern soldiers were disappointed in their hopes for a Southern nation. But they still had their women's love, and there they would rebuild.

Customer Reviews:

Brilliantly conceived and impressingly delivered........2003-05-05

"All that Makes a Man", By Stephen Berry is the first installment of what should be a notable career for the young historian. As far as first books go, this one delivers the goods and never allows the reader's interest to wane. This is the story of the average men and women caught up in the maelstrom that was the Civil War, as told from the Confederate perspective. Berry provides insight into the motivations and pressures of southern manhood. He crafts a story that begins with the linking of manhood and patriotism in the formulating period of the rebellion, the love for woman as being central to a soldier's will to continue the struggle, and finally the reclamation of manhood and love to disengage from the humiliation of a losing war effort. By using the letters of the soldiers, the author provides evidence to support his claim that men do everything for the love of a woman, especially during the hyper-masculine victorian era. "All that Makes A Man" is recommended for anyone willing to penetrate deeper than oft repeated Civil War battlefield history to learn more about the reasons so many were willing to sacrifice everything.

A new perspective on the Civil War.......2003-01-03

All That Makes a Man really humanizes the Civil War. Too many histories of the conflict lament only the mangling of so many bodies. There is no sense of the abrupt end to so many life stories. By going back into the antebellum period, the author makes sure the reader knows the generation who fought the war BEFORE they got killed. By the time they do start dying you have a much better sense not only of how it happened but of what was lost. It wasn't that bodies died or hearts stopped beating; it was that somebodies died and all their hearts contained -- emotions, memories, promise -- was poured out like water. If you want a different perspective on the war, I highly recommend this book.

All That Makes a Man: Love and Ambition in the Civil War South.(Book Review): An article from: Journal of Southern History

Average customer rating:

All That Makes a Man: Love and Ambition in the Civil War South.(Book Review): An article from: Journal of Southern History
Douglas Ambrose
Manufacturer: Southern Historical Association
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital
ASIN: B00096XWAA
Release Date: 2005-08-01

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Journal of Southern History, published by Southern Historical Association on November 1, 2004. The length of the article is 761 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: All That Makes a Man: Love and Ambition in the Civil War South.(Book Review)
Author: Douglas Ambrose
Publication: Journal of Southern History (Refereed)
Date: November 1, 2004
Publisher: Southern Historical Association
Volume: 70 Issue: 4 Page: 932(2)

Article Type: Book Review

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Average customer rating:

James Madison: Writings: Writings 1772-1836 (Library of America)

One way to approach this book and others in the Library of America

Constitutional Questions?

James Madison Speaks for Himself

Enormous selection and chronology

James Madison: Writings: Writings 1772-1836 (Library of America)
James Madison
Manufacturer: Library of America
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | 19th Century | United States | Americas | History | Subjects | Books
General | United States | Americas | History | Subjects | Books
Constitutions | Government | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
Leadership | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
Constitutional History | United States | Political Science | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
Collections & Readers | United States | World Literature | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Alexander Hamilton: Writings (Library of America)

Thomas Jefferson : Writings : Autobiography / Notes on the State of Virginia / Public and Private Papers / Addresses / Letters (Library of America)

George Washington : Writings (Library of America)

The Debate on the Constitution : Federalist and Antifederalist Speeches, Articles, and Letters During the Struggle over Ratification : Part One, September 1787-February 1788 (Library of America)

Thomas Paine : Collected Writings : Common Sense / The Crisis / Rights of Man / The Age of Reason / Pamphlets, Articles, and Letters (Library of America)

ASIN: 1883011663

Book Description

America's greatest political thinker, in the most comprehensive one-volume collection ever published

Over 200 years after the founding of the federal republic, James Madison remains the most important political thinker in American history. The prime framer of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, Madison was also a brilliant expositor of the new republican government and its underlying principles. His eloquent and insightful writing on freedom of religion, freedom of speech and the press, the rights of minorities under majority rule, the role of the states in the federal system, and the separation of powers are central to American political thought and speak to the controversies of the present day.

James Madison: Writings is the most comprehensive one-volume selection ever published. Arranged chronologically, it contains almost 200 documents written between 1772 and 1836. Included are all 29 of Madison's contributions to The Federalist, as well as speeches and letters that illuminate his central role in framing and ratifying the Constitution and in the adoption of the Bill of Rights; early writings on religious freedom; revealing correspondence with Jefferson, Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and James Monroe; his eloquent denunciations of the Alien and Sedition Acts; influential writings on republican government and constitutional interpretation; and candid private appraisals of the personalities and events he witnessed in four decades of public life. Writings from Madison's terms as secretary of state and president record his determination to uphold American independence during the conflicts of the Napoleonic era and his conscientious leadership of the nation during the fiercely controversial War of 1812. Letters and essays from his retirement reveal his deepening concern over the sectional threat to the federal union he loved.

James Madison: Writings includes explanatory notes, a chronology of Madison's life, and an index.

Customer Reviews:

James Madison: Writings: Writings 1772-1836 (Library of America).......2007-01-09

I do not think Library of the America has even put out a bad book and this is no exception. The contents are of great use to anyone interested in our government. The index in the back is exhaustive and helps greatly. Buy this book.

One way to approach this book and others in the Library of America.......2006-07-10

I suspect the idea of reading a collection of writings by Madison, Washington, Hamilton and Jefferson to feel a little too much like home work for most of us to want to do it. I also believe fervently that if you really want to learn the history of this country that such a reading is a necessity.
Several years ago, I found a useful way around this paradox. Buy the Library of America volumes of the above individuals and keep them around for when you read contemporary works about the Founders.
I have recently read several books on Madison (right now I am going thru McCoy's excellent The Last of the Fathers). Whenever an author like McCoy mentions one of Madison's writings I go to my LOA Madison volume and read that writing first.
I have found this procedure to have several advantages. It allows me to form my own ideas about the document before McCoy (or whomever I am reading) can influence me. Thus I am provided a quick check on what they are asserting. Over time, this procedure has led me through much of the Jefferson and the Madison volumes. Sometimes I find myself bouncing back and forth between the volumes following a series of letters. (As an aside, it would be a great service if someone were to provide a well-chosen edition of their letters to each other.)
In general, I have found the Madsion volume to be extremely well-selected. I find about 80% of the documents referred to to be contained in this volume. Unlike the others, my major complaint is that there are not any of his notes on the debates during his tenure in the Continental Congress. I would have taken the more controversial route of leaving out Madison's essays from The Federalist. They are easily obtained and take up over 20% of this volume. Those 190 pages would have afforded a nice overview of his Continental Congress service and his Secretary of State and Presidential service (only 50 pages of material!)
But this is a minor complaint. Rakove as stated by all of the reviewers below has done a great job. Whether you use it like I do or work your way through assiduously this is a necessary volume to own for any American history fan.

Constitutional Questions?.......2003-08-31

The history of the making of our Constitution can be read here. Much valuable insight into contemporary constitutional questions, including separation of Church and State (Madison was a fervent exponent of 'the wall'). A must have and must read for today's politically minded citizen. Surprises abound.

James Madison Speaks for Himself.......2002-05-25

The American Founders are receiving a great deal of merited attention in popular histories such as "John Adams" and "The Founding Brothers." These books have the merits of readability and accesibility -- of providing knowledge and historical context of the early days of our country in a relatively short but informed compass.

The Library of America's series of writings by America's Founders -- including Washington, Jefferson, Hamilton and many others besides the book of James Madison's writings -- are longer and more difficult to read. They consist of original texts with only the slightest endnotes and historical chronology. (In this book of Madison's writings, the historical chrononogy is excellent) The disadvantage, if that is the correct word, of the Library of American's series is that reading these books takes substantial effort and digging. In addition, it is difficult to stop with one book, as each collection relates to and requires and understanding of the work of the other Founders. The advantage these books offer, though, can't be found anywhere else. They offer a chance to meet and encounter American's Founders in their own words and on their own terms and to see the development of their thoughts over time.

James Madison (1751-1836) was probably America's greatest political thinker. His career spanned the Revolutionary War, the formation of the Articles of the Confederation, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights, the creation of party in America, the Louisiana Purchase, and the War of 1812, which occurred during his Presidency.

The Library of America's collection of over 900 pages offers a rare opportunity to read in one place the major writings of James Madison. It allows the reader an opportunity to assess his importance and to see the themes Madison developed throughout his life.

A major contribution of Madison was his insistence on freedom of religion in the United States and his opposition to any established sect. These theme pervades this volume from the Amendments Madison proposed to the Virginia declaration of rights in 1776, through the Bill of Rights, Madison's Presidency, and beyond.

Madison was also the architect of representative government. He was a member of the Constitutional Convention and took copious notes of its proceedings. He was the major draftsman of the Constitution. He spoke for both a strong National government and for representative government -- in which the people chose their leaders.

Together with Alexander Hamilton, Madison wrote the Federalist papers which explained the Constitution to the people of New York but in a larger sense to the United States in his day and in succeeding days as well. This collaboration was significant in that Madison and Hamilton would later quarrel and be the founders of the party system. Madison and Jefferson spoke for what has become the Democratic Party (the "democracy) with its emphasis at the time on individual rights and participatory democracy and a narrow reading of Federal power while Hamilton became the spokseman for a strong central government and for economic development.

The book chronicle's Madison's efforts in supporting and drafting the Bill of Rights. Subsequently, Madison wrote a lengthy article for the State of Virginia expressing opposition to the Alien and Sedition Acts that Congress enacted during the Presidency of John Adams. The opposition was based on the inconsistency of the act with the freedom of speech set forth in the First Amendment and to the lack of authority for these Acts in the original constitution.

The book has comparatively little on Madison's career as Secretary of State under Thomas Jefferson and on Madison's own relatively unsuccessful Presidency during the War of 1812.

Upon leaving the Presidency, Madison enjoyed a long retirement at Montpelier. This collection gives a good view of Madison's continued activity during this time. It discusses his views on slavery and on the impending Missouri compromise (Madison opposed it -- an opposition that would haunt the United States in the later Dred Scott decision) and on Judicial Supremacy -- the power of the Supreme Court to declare laws unconstitutional. (Madison agreed the Court had this power but he disagreed with the way Chief Justice Marshall used it.)

One of the final items in this book is a short, two paragraph article entitled "Advice to my Country" written 1n 1834 as a parting before Madison's death. Looking at the impending conflict between North and South, but speaking to our time as well Madison wrote:

"The advice nearest to my heart and deepest in my convictions is that the Union of the States be cherished and perpetuated."

This is an important wish for our country now as then.

This book will repay reading and study. The study of our Founders is, I think, one of the best ways to learn to love and understand our country.

Enormous selection and chronology.......2001-03-11

Rakove's contribution to Madisonian scholarship is well advanced, despite the great heights at has already achieved, by this collection. An erudite reviewer mentioned this might have benefited from stage setting by Rakove and this is true, for Rakove is among the few who could have set the stage for so precise and capacious a topic as Madison's refelctions. Despite the absence of background it is an excllent collection. In this 250 th year of Madison's birth and considering the recent scholarship by Rakove, Banning, McCoy, Rosen,and Mattern, the time may have arrived for Madison to be transformed from a forgotten lieutenant, or a keeper of arcanum, to a state of appreciation by all.

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books