Visible Bones: Journeys Across Time in the Columbia River Country

Book Description

How does one learn about a place's history? Historian and naturalist Jack Nisbet looks to the relics of a region to connect the present to the distant past. In the vast western territory defined by the Columbia River, Nisbet tracks the stories and meaning of relics such as a trilobite fossil, the nearly extinct California condor, and more. Together, these stories comprise an original, hybrid history that connects nature with human endeavor, geography with the passage of time.

Customer Reviews:

Visible Bones.......2006-10-01

People who have read my reviews of other books by Jack Nisbet know that I consider him a very fine writer. "Visible Bones" is both archeological history and a nature book. It is subtitled "Journeys Across Time in the Columbia River Country" and is a series of essays on a variety of topics. The book is a combination of nature, history, people and reflection. Nisbet has a great deal of respect for Native Americans and that shows through in most of the stories.

The book starts with fossils and salamanders. It ends with Jaco Finley who was a confederate of David Thompson, an early explorer in Canada and the United States. In between we hear stories of a rock in the Columbia River that has been ground into gravel and the natural history of a mountain that ended up in the Hanford Nuclear Reservation. Always, the stories lead to people. Nisbet tells of how smallpox ravaged the native tribes and he describes a trip to gather roots with a Salish woman.

Each new story brings a different facet of life in the Columbia River Basin. Each one is gentle but leads the reader into a new avenue of thought. I read the book aloud to my wife while we drove through Washington and Oregon. It flows naturally and smooth like the water where the Musquash swims.

A strong portrait of a dynamic, changing landscape.......2003-12-08

This impressive survey of the Columbia River country concerns the journey of a fossil trilobite, the disappearance of condors, and other altered landscapes of the America Northwest. Author Jack Nisbet's intention in Visible Bones is to show how varied relics of the past have been altered over time: geology and changes blend with human records of change, taken from ship logs, field journals and news accounts, to make for a strong portrait of a dynamic, changing landscape.

Multi-dimensional.......2003-11-14

The sub-title of this book, "Journeys across Time in the Columbia River Country" gives you some idea of the scope of it. The writer, in twelve gentle essays, explores aspects of the natural and human history of the region. Combining the vast sweep of time with the wide range of ecology of such a large region is a huge undertaking. I'm in awe of a mind that can conceptualize such a topic, never mind bring it to fruition in book form. Of course 248 pages can't do the topic justice, but ten times or one hundred times the number of pages wouldn't do it justice either. The writer can only choose minute representative aspects of the whole and offer more information and a fresh lens through which to view it.

To take the dimension of history first. The writer starts out with a personal tale of hunting for trilobites in a creek swollen with snow melt. Trilobites are the tiny fossilized creatures whose massed bodies helped to create the land in this western corner of the U.S. But this is not a Geology 101 text. It places the 250 million year old fossil in the human scale of things - part of human history, part of the writer's experience. And that is the magic of this book - it takes a vast store of history, geology, nature and human nature and blends it into an understanding of how the Columbia River country used to be and how it came to be the way it is now.

The writer presents the natural history also. He shares with us the "water dog" (actually a salamander), the sheep moth and buzzards. We see muskrats through the eyes of native hunters and we discover Indian tobacco. We watch as the river changes with the coming of fur traders, dam builders and the presence of nuclear material.

The writer uses a rather circuitous approach to present a wide view of individual species and actions that are representative of eras and world views. This is a book rich with ideas, embracing a gentle all encompassing philosophy. I enjoyed this book because of the writer's understanding and appreciation of the land. On the practical side, however, the presentation of the book left something to be desired. For the reader trying to follow along, the map was inadequate. I would have appreciated a more detailed map showing historical names and places. More illustrations would have enriched the book, too.

Multi-dimensional.......2003-11-14

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The Story Of Mosses Ferns And Mushrooms
Sterling
Manufacturer: Doubleday & Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000VZYRN0

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The story of mosses, ferns and mushrooms
Dorothy Sterling
Manufacturer: DoubleDay
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

General | Plants | Biological Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B0007DOOWA

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The Story of Mosses, Ferns, and Mushrooms.
Dorothy Sterling
Manufacturer: Doubleday
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000NWZB2W

Book Description

This book covers in detail the development and use of the electric sense in fishes. Contents include coverage of taxonomy of the species involved, electric organs and electroreception, hormones and behaviour and the role of other sensory systems in conjunction with the electric sense. The book will be of great value to fish biologists, physiologists, evolutionary scientists, animal behaviourists and aquatic scientists.

Book Description

"Food Colloids: Fundamentals of Formulation" describes the physico-chemical principles underlying the formulation of multi-component, multi-phase food systems. Emphasis is placed on the interfacial properties of proteins and the role of protein interactions in determining the properties of emulsions, dispersions, gels and foams. The coverage includes authoritative overviews of conceptual issues as well as descriptions of new experimental techniques and recent food colloids research findings. Specific topics include atomic force microscopy, aggregation phenomena, coalescence mechanisms, crystallization processes, surface rheology, protein-lipid interactions and mixed biopooymer systems. This book provides essential new material for those active in the field and is suitable for postgraduates and researchers, both in industry and academia.

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FOOD COLLOIDS - FUNDAMENTALS OF FORMULATION.(brief book description)(Brief Article): An article from: Food Trade Review

Manufacturer: Food Trade Press Ltd.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Food Trade Review, published by Food Trade Press Ltd. on April 1, 2001. The length of the article is 499 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: FOOD COLLOIDS - FUNDAMENTALS OF FORMULATION.(brief book description)(Brief Article)
Publication: Food Trade Review (Magazine/Journal)
Date: April 1, 2001
Publisher: Food Trade Press Ltd.
Volume: 71 Issue: 4 Page: 226

Article Type: Brief Article

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Book Description

King-led outlaw defiance, riotous lords of misrule, proud midsummer mock kings, and stately Inns-of-Court princes: in diverse ways all were reflections of the dominant social order in the Medieval and Tudor periods and, as this book shows, all influenced the writings of Shakespeare and his contemporaries. Mock Kings considers kingship in the light of contemporary accounts of elected kings in outlaw and rebel groups, and compares them with the phenomenon of festive mock kings. The result is a complex picture of interrelation between festive and more serious opposition to the dominant order, as well as the discovery of a midsummer mock-king play tradition. The second part of the book considers the professional theatre from the late 1580s to the mid-Jacobean period, and demonstrates that mock-king patterns, found in less literary contexts, form the structure of many scripted plays. The popularity of some of the minor dramas is understood for the first time when their festive patterns are identified and, by contrast, Shakespeare's genius in transforming inherited structures into complex works of art is thrown into relief. The book shows that serious reflection on the nature of kingship was maintained throughout Renaissance drama.

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Wonderful

This Should Be the OFFICIAL Translation of POTO

^_^

A Very Worthy Edtion of the Phantom

Highly recommended

The Phantom Of The Opera: Illustrated And Unabridged Edition
Gaston Leroux
Manufacturer: Hollywood Comics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Classics | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1932983139

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful.......2006-07-09

I love the original novel of the Phantom writen by Leroux, and this edition is just wonderful. The pictures with different styles and artists are just great and there's even a little new story at the end.
A great book for Phantom collectors.
Ladyghost.

This Should Be the OFFICIAL Translation of POTO.......2006-06-02

"All I ever needed to be good was to be loved for myself", thus Erik pathetically implores his beloved Christine as he tries to convince her to choose him over death.

For those of you who read the original translation and couldn't understand it, or those who've never read Leroux's original story, this book is a must read! Written in concise, easy to understand language, the Lofficiers offer a rendition of Leroux's novel that doesn't lose the original author's investigative, reporter's tone. It renders an in-depth account of Raoul's and Christine's relationship when they knew each other as children and the part Christine's father played during that one summer they spent together by the sea. I also found several places, especially in the beginning of the book, where the dialogue matched that of the 2004 movie. As an example, you will recognize "Little Lotte thought of everything and nothing. A true bird of summer, she glided in the golden rays of the Sun, her blonde hair adorned with the crown of Spring. Her soul was as clear and as blue as her eyes. She cajoled her mother, was kind to her doll, took great care of her dress, her little red shoes and her fiddle, but most of all she loved, when she went to sleep, to hear the Angel of Music..." (Yes, Christine was blonde and blue eyed in the original novel). Raoul is not so much the handsome, debonair hero of the book as he had been in the film. Although he is 21 years old in the book, he is handsome in a sort of effeminate way, a mild mannered, rather naïve young man having been raised, in turn, by his sisters, his aunt, and his elder brother, so it's easy to see where some may view him as a sort of "fop". But by the time the story begins, Raoul has already joined the Navy and had "served with honors aboard the Navy training ship, Borda, and made the customary trip around the world." For all his youth, Raoul is refined and eager, and is madly in love with Christine.

The Phantom is another matter. If all you've been exposed to is the handsome, sensual, lightly deformed phantom of the movie, you may not like this guy. He is literally a monster, not only in his horrific looks, but also in his demeanor. The man is obviously demented...but still, I felt sorry for him. Yet while I felt sorry for him, I couldn't blame Christine for not wanting to stay with him; she being the sympathetic, if not highly exploited, victim.

Another aspect that I liked about the book is that it includes the entire version that Leroux had written, uncut and unabridged. And quite frankly, I'm thankful for the added information. I especially enjoyed reading the musical history of the opera house, and it's interesting to note that the opera house had not one conductor, but six: Gounod, Reyer (for those of you who write phanphics, it looks like the movie's orchestra conductor came straight from Leroux's book - well, his name did anyway), Saint-Saens, Massenet, Guiraud, and Delibes "...each in turn had assumed command of the orchestra and conducted their own works." In fact, Leroux is so thorough in his narrative, and so convincing in his tone, that by the end of the book I found myself thinking, "Oh, my gosh, there really had been a phantom!"

You will find the managers to be as comical as ever (I thought so, anyway). Carlotta is stunningly beautiful, her exquisite voice above reproach (until the Phantom uses his ventriloquism on her), and the Persian a rather mysterious yet highly likable friend of Erik's (possibly the only friend the poor phantom ever had). Other characters, including the famed Mme Giry, also add their unique touch to the story.

Interspersed throughout the book are a variety of artists' renditions of the Phantom, many of them resembling the phantom made famous by Lon Chaney, but there are also a few unique and imaginative versions. And at the very end of the book, the translators offer their own account, entitled "His Father's Eyes", of the Phantom's ominous beginnings; his place of birth being rather ironic given the one who played the Phantom in the 2004 movie. (Or perhaps that was intentional)?

In any case, I thoroughly enjoyed it and I'm happy to add it to my library of Phantom books, especially considering that it's Leroux's own. I, for one, am very glad that I bought this book!

^_^.......2005-09-30

I found the translation of this volume to be superb and the art smattered throughout was a nice touch. Also, the final part of the book, a musing on how two literary great could be related, was facinating.

A Very Worthy Edtion of the Phantom.......2005-05-06

J. M. & Randy Lofficier, owners of Black Coat Press, can be consistently counted on to produce quality books. Whether they are all new novels or as in this case, re-translations of books, each one is always a work of art. Such is the case here, which is an unabridged translation of the original novel from 1911 written by Gaston Leroux.

It tells the tale of the tragic events in the Paris Opera House in 1881. It tells of the mysterious figure, occasionally seen, often sensed, but never captured that turned the Opera House into his own personal playground. He stalks some for amusement, others for money, and one for love. When the new Directors make the mistake of angering him, he sets out to claim all that is owed him once and fore all.

In addition to re-translating the original novel, J. M. & Randy Lofficier have included over forty new illustrations by numerous artists unique to this text. Each drawing is a stark vision that captures the pain of the novel. While the styles of presentation vary greatly, almost all depict the Phantom as envisioned by the artist. Those illustrations fit nicely with the novel as well as does the original short story penned by J. M. and Randy Lofficier found at the back of the book. The story attempts to explain the Phantom's dark beginnings. Was it genetics or environment? The question is left open to interpretation.

At 381 pages and with over forty new illustrations, the work stands on its own as a quality novel and one worthy of your collection.

Book Facts:

The Phantom of the Opera
By Gaston Leroux
Adapted and Re-Translated by J. M. & Randy Lofficier
Black Coat Press

2004
ISBN # 1-932983-13-9
Large Trade Paperback
381 Pages
$24.95 US

Kevin R. Tipple © 2005

Highly recommended.......2005-01-18

It's unfortunate that the previous reviewer was so biased against the popular graphic art style used to illustrate this edition of "Phantom." The illustrations, in particular, by Steve Rude, Mike Collins, Mike Ratera, Ladronn, David Lafuente, Juan Roncagliolo Berger, Stephen R. Bissette, Fernando Pasarin, Mike Vosburg, Eric Shanower, and Manual Garcia, make this edition well worth the cover price.

So the prior reviewer completely missed the mark on the art didn't even mention the faithful translation in this unabridged edition. In addition the previous reviewer failed to mention the completely new bonus story by Jean-Marc and Randy Lofficier which is included at the end of the volume. "His Father's Eyes" is a compelling addition to the Phantom mythos, and this edition is a worthy addition to anyone's collection.

The Phantom Of The Opera: Illustrated And Unabridged Edition

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The Phantom Of The Opera: Illustrated And Unabridged Edition
Gaston Leroux
Manufacturer: Black Coat Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Book Description

Examines the notorious Nazi's life.

Customer Reviews:

Mengele: The Complete Story.......2007-07-16

A very helpful, scholarly bio with information about Mengele's entire life. A great book for those seeking more than just an overview of Mengele. If you want to know more about Mengele's work, visit the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum's website for "Deadly Medicine" exhibition, now at Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta this summer (2007).

Mengele: The Complete Story.......2007-06-18

Was hard to stay interested in this book. I found it very boring to read.

34 years in hell.......2007-03-26

First of all: A damned good book! Bonechilling material!! Furthermore:
What kind of punishment do you give a man like Mengele?
Deathpenalty? Life in prison? The first one is over too quick and the second one is too easy. No, I think Mengele has got the best punishment he could have. He was 34 years on the run. Never had a moment of peace in his entire life after the ending of WW2. The stress it brought him, even gave him a shorter span of life. He developed a lot of stress related sickness. Always had to look over his shoulder. Did they recognize him? Was this his last day of "freedom"? If he had been sentenced for life in prison he could have reached, like Hess, a respectable age well over 80 years old. Now he died 68 years of age. Alone and forgotten in some Godforsaken place in Brazil. He sticked, untill his dead, to his beliefs about the Nazi's and the Jews. A rigid and untolereant character of a man.
He never got the chance to fullfill a job on his intelectuel level, always lowpaid workman's labour. Never could socialise with people of his intelect. That hurt him like hell. So, in fact, life in "freedom" was in fact life in hell. Never the hell he created for the people who died through his hands or command. But even we, as normal people, couldn't give him, if he had be captured, the torments he gave all those other innocent people. For that, we are to civilised. No, I think it has been for the best that he stayed on the run. He punished himself with it. More then we ever could give to him. I feel sorry for his son Rolf. You only get one biological father in your life and he got this one.

Mengle: The Complete Story.......2007-03-09

Overall, I felt this was a book worth reading in order to get a good overview of Mengle especially after World War II (which was the focus of this book). At times it seemed to drag when it went into excruiting detail about the different agencies who were trying to catch Mengele and why they all failed.

interesting book.......2006-11-03

It is a very well documented book about nazy criminals. I appreciate the author( I also read the book about Chinese Mafia) and i think is somehow impartial in the context of a jewish ruled world where everything anti-jewish is seen Holocaust-ic. thank You

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Mengele: the Complete Story
Gerald L./Ware, John Posner
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000OFLRQ2

Book Description

The 11th volume in the MAD Readers series. Continuing ibooks' hit publishing program that reintroduces the classic material that made an internationally recognized name of MAD Magazine!

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Fighting Mad

Manufacturer: Signet
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000JOAJS0

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Fighting Mad
William M. Gaines
Manufacturer: Warner Books, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000VENRVE

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Fighting Mad
William M. Gaines
Manufacturer: A Signet Book
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OENS56

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Fighting Mad

Manufacturer: Signet
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 0451047575

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Fighting Mad
EDITORS OF MAD MAGAZINE
Manufacturer: Warner Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

General | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0446888729

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Fighting Mad
ALBERT B. (editor) FELSTEIN
Manufacturer: Signet
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000NGOHK0

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Fighting Mad
William M. Gaines
Manufacturer: New American Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000JC2M5K

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Fighting Mad
Unknown
Manufacturer: Signet
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000OZMSII

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writen by a hero told like giant

Fighting mad
Michael Calvert
Manufacturer: The Adventurers Club
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

General | Historical | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
General | World War II | Military | History | Subjects | Books
Personal Narratives | World War II | Military | History | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B0007J8MHW

Book Description

Michael Calvert was one of the legendary figures of the Second World War. He hit the headlines as 'Mad Mike' after the first Chindit campaign in 1943, with a reputation as a tough and daring leader of guerrilla troops. His specialty was penetrating behind enemy lines; his success was due to a resourceful mind and the fact that men would follow him wherever he led.

Mad Mike fought in the snow and ice of Norway, in the steaming jungles of Burma, and on the battlefields of Europe where in 1945 he commanded the crack Special Air Service Brigade.

He was one of the first men selected for the Chindits by the controversial General Orde Wingate. He became Wingate's right-hand man - both in fierce jungle fighting and in battles against stick-in-the-mud staff officers.

Customer Reviews:

writen by a hero told like giant.......1998-05-16

a fantastic book well written and will allways be rememered a brillently told adventure. would of truly been honoured to meet the man

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Paradigms and Sand Castles: Theory Building and Research Design in Comparative Politics (Analytical Perspectives on Politics)
Barbara Geddes
Manufacturer: University of Michigan Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
History & Theory | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
General | Political Science | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
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ASIN: 0472068350

Book Description

Makes a compelling case for the importance of thoughtful research design and persuasive evidence in theory building

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