Possessing Nature: Museums, Collecting, and Scientific Culture in Early Modern Italy (Studies on the History of Society and Culture , No 20)

Book Description

In 1500 few Europeans regarded nature as a subject worthy of inquiry. Yet fifty years later the first museums of natural history had appeared in Italy, dedicated to the marvels of nature. Italian patricians, their curiosity fueled by new voyages of exploration and the humanist rediscovery of nature, created vast collections as a means of knowing the world and used this knowledge to their greater glory.
Drawing on extensive archives of visitors' books, letters, travel journals, memoirs, and pleas for patronage, Paula Findlen reconstructs the lost social world of Renaissance and Baroque museums. She follows the new study of natural history as it moved out of the universities and into sixteenth- and seventeenth-century scientific societies, religious orders, and princely courts. Findlen argues convincingly that natural history as a discipline blurred the border between the ancients and the moderns, between collecting in order to recover ancient wisdom and the development of new textual and experimental scholarship. Her vivid account reveals how the scientific revolution grew from the constant mediation between the old forms of knowledge and the new.

Book Description

Fodor's Pocket Guides are designed for people who just want the highlights. They contain full, rich descriptions of major cities around the globe including the most worthy sights, the best restaurants and lodging, plus shopping, nightlife, and outdoors highlights?all in a handy, pocket-size package.

Fodor's Pocket Santa Fe and Taos gives you: All the basics you need to help you decide what to see and do in the time you have; smart contacts and detailed practical information, including the scoop on public transportation, local holidays, what to pack, and more; the very best dining and lodging in every price range; great recommendations for shopping nightlife, outdoor activities, and essential side trips; and detailed maps with sights, restaurants, nightspots, and hotels clearly marked.

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Midnight, the ancient evil sanctuary of vampires and their human slaves that was burned to the ground centuries ago, has risen from the ashes to open its dark doors once more. And it's up to Turquoise Draka, famed human vampire hunter of the Bruja guild, to stop Midnight's founder and vampire most malevolent, Jeshikah. But once inside Midnight's walls, Turquoise discovers that instead of Jeshikah, the surprisingly benign vampire Jaguar is at the helm. Acting as a human slave, Turquoise tries to discern Jaguar's mysteriously kind motives as she works at planning Jeshikah's assassination. Meanwhile, her acting servitude is playing havoc with her memories, as she begins to recall the bleak days when she used to be a human slave herself, the time before her training as an elite Bruja warrior. With bitter memories of beatings and humiliations battling with her present suicidal assignment, Turquoise must do everything in her power to keep from blowing her cover and losing her sanity.

Teenaged horror author Amelia Atwater-Rhodes has successfully hit her writing stride in Midnight Predator, her fourth novel. Finally her burgundy-haired, black leather pant-wearing, revenge-lusting characters (and those are just the humans!) seem less like Anne Rice rip-offs and more like original Atwater-Rhodes creations. Atwater-Rhodes's use of flashbacks is more polished than in previous works, and her characterization is more solid and consistent. Teen vampire fans will eagerly fall upon this vibrant, violent addition to Atwater-Rhodes's intricately woven dynasty of vampires, witches, and shape-shifters. (Ages 12 and older) --Jennifer Hubert

Book Description

Though she was once a happy teenager with a wonderful family and a full life, Turquoise Draka is now a hunter, committed to no higher purpose than making money and staying alive. In a deadly world of vampires, shape-shifters, and powerful mercenaries, she’ll track any prey if the price is right. Her current assignment: to assassinate Jeshikah, one of the cruelest vampires in history. Her employer: an unknown contact who wants the job done fast. Her major obstacle: she’ll have to mask her strength and enter Midnight, a fabled Vampire realm, as a human slave. Vulnerable and defenseless, she faces her greatest challenge ever.

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Her current assignment: to assassinate Jeshikah, one of the cruelest vampires in history. Her employer: an unknown contact who wants the job done fast.

Her major obstacle: she'll have to mask her strength and enter Midnight, a fabled Vampire realm, as a human slave. Vulnerable and defenseless, she faces her greatest challenge ever.

Customer Reviews:

Rambled.......2007-07-02

When Turquoise was a teenager, her family was killed and she was taken prisoner by the vampire who killed them. For years she was kept as his slave but was never broken. Finally she managed to escape and she dedicated her life to becoming strong enough that she would never be a victim again. She became a renowned vampire hunter, hired to kill those like the monster who captured her.

A woman shows up one day to hire Turquoise to infiltrate Midnight, a vampire stronghold, and kill the powerful vampire there. The problem is that in order to get into Midnight, Turquoise must play the part of the slave again and allow herself to be sold to Jaguar, the vampire running Midnight.

Turquoise is prepared for almost anything, except the kindness she receives from Jaguar. He treats her like an equal whose opinions he values, rather than just a slave. Turquoise finds, to her surprise, that she is reluctant to hurt this vampire.

I liked the detail given to the vampire culture in this book, although I felt like much of it was taken from other vampire stories. My main frustration with this story was that it initally seemed to be about one thing--Turquoise's quest to kill Jeshikah. But then there was a second plot and even a third one, of Turquoise trying to find herself. It felt like this story rambled, instead of being focused enough to follow just one story through to the end.

NEVER READ THIS BOOK. EVER........2007-05-27

Looking at the characters, the plot, I figured 'why not?' and gave it a try. It was the worst thing I did, my eyes are still bleeding and my mind is yelling 'WHY WHY, WHY VIKKI DID YOU INFLICT SUCH PAIN UPON ME? AREN'T ASSIGNED SCHOOL BOOKS ENOUGH?'

But now, where to start?

Characters are always good. Or, well, bad here. But what can you expect with character names of Ravyn, the 'y' makes it /so/ much more cool, Jaguar, Turquoise, Nathaniel and Jeshikah? None of the characters have a personality. I feel like I'm at fanfiction[...] I'm reading a first-time Harry Potter work. If this had been there, it would have been torn to shreds just for characters. We've got the underdog, the lustful one, the double-agent, the dictator, the rival. I'm pretty sure we're only missing the werewolf, although that might have escaped my mind since I've tried to forget it. Every character in this have emotions slightly more complex than robots, just basic emotions: Happy, sad, angry, love. No confliction. No doubt or desire, no nothing. And then, suddenly, two characters are hopelessly in love and all I'm thinking is, 'WTF, mate?'.

Now, to the plot.

Oh boo-hoo I'm the underdog I can't beat the leather-clad slut and she chose the contest where I'm awful and now I have to go undercover with her in the city of vampires where humans are slaves and defeat an evil vampire dictator. That's pretty much the plot in a nutshell, or a run-on setence as it may be. Sure, there is some love in there, but I wouldn't call it 'love'. It's too simple, to...blah. Nothing. And there literally are no twists and turns, as if the writer /thought/ about putting them in, but decided not to, letting the reader keep reading searching for them. And then it's the end of the book, no plot twist, and you're left with nothing afterwords, just a rather disgusted feeling that you've wasted your time and money on that.

WOW!!.......2007-05-17

The item came in amazing condition and faster than i expected. Also the book is really good.

Midnight Predator.......2007-03-19

Midnight Predator by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes is a wonderful book. It is about a girl named Turquoise who is training to destroy all vampires. She has no idea she has to team up with her opponent, Ravyn. She also has to team up with a vampire to get into Midnight, a house for vampires and other strange creatures. This book is full of suspense. I like fantasy books. When I found out this book wasn't only fantasy but action and romance as well, I had to read this book. I would recommend this book to teenagers who like action and romance. I mainly recommend this for teenagers. Teenagers will really enjoy this book. I know I enjoyed this book. The book is really detailed and keeps readers on the edge so they keep reading.

This book fulfilled everything I expected it to. The characters seem so real when I read this book. The setting was perfect and went with the characters so perfectly. This book kept me occupied with all of the scenes. It was entertaining and my favorite character was Jaguar, the leader of the Midnight. I hope you like it because everybody I've recommended this book to has liked it. "It's your life" said Jaguar. The plot and setting made me want to read it over and over again. "In the early 1800's Midnight was destroyed" explained Nathanial. I didn't like the fact that Lord Daryl, the last owner of Turquoise, showed up and beat her. I didn't like this because it confused me when he suddenly appeared and started to beat for no apparent reason. "Don't argue with me, Catherine" yelled Lord Daryl.

Overall I liked this book. I liked this book because it was very entertaining. It was all about romance and action. I definitely recommend this book. I recommend it to teenagers who like romance and action. I recommend it to mainly teenagers in general. All teenagers should like this book.

very good!.......2006-11-10

Turquiose Draka is a pretty, smart, very tough female.
But she wasn't always tough. She used to be a victim to "Lord" Daryl, an abusive vampire. Catherine was beat and whipped until scars covered her arms and sholders. Then she was set free. She changed her name to Turquiose and joined Bruja. Now she and another member of the Crimson group must go undercover as slaves into the vampire city to kill the dangerous Jeshikah. There Turquiose again comes in contact with Daryl and may just have the strength to take her revenge...

Average customer rating:

Horror-tastic
Great book in a silly series
Forever Failure
Painful to Read
OH GOD IT HURTS!!

Predator: Forever Midnight
John Shirley
Manufacturer: Dark Horse
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1595820345

Book Description

Erupting on the screen in a blaze of blood and guts in 1987, the film Predator quickly became a favorite, spawning a hit sequel, games, and novels. In Predator: Forever Midnight, John Shirley casts his malevolent eye upon the canon.

The year is A.D. 2117. Humanity has seized the stars, using reverse-engineered alien technology to explore the far reaches of space. On the eternally lit jungle planet Midnight, the mission is to make the world suitable for habitation. For years, humans have believed themselves safe from the sadistic extraterrestrial hunters known as the Predators, but the settlers on Midnight aren’t alone: the Predators have been on the planet all along. When the ravenous creatures attack an arriving spacecraft and take the settlers as both slaves and prey for their hunt, the humans' terraforming project takes a backseat to a new fight for survival.

Customer Reviews:

Horror-tastic.......2007-09-08

a have only read half the book. but i can say i Love IT. written by a classic
Bram Stroker Horror Writer. the truth is this is a true monster book.

Great book in a silly series.......2007-07-20

I think this book and the Darkhorse comics are the only things in the entire Predator franchise worth spending time on. The comic dorks that complain about the names of the race need to discover women. They're far more interesting than making a fool of yourself by whining and crying that an author didn't check the fanboy manual so he could avoid implanting sand in the collective vagina of a dozen virgins that live in their mom's basements.

Forever Failure.......2007-07-07

I never though I could dislike something that had to do with Predator...I WAS DEAD WRONG. Forever Midinght is probably the worst book (and worst installment to the Predator franchise) I have ever read. Usually, Shirley has a pretty good writing style, but even that can't make up for this mess.

For one thing, I guess he's never heard of the Yautja, since he changed the Pred's name to the Hish-Qu-Ten. And another thing, they're gender benders. That's right; boys can change to girls, and girls to boys. He claims he has never read the former books or comics, and he hasn't even seen the second movie. Hmmm, if I were writing a book for a movie/comic franchise, I would at least research my stuff so I wouldn't contradict anything from before.

He also puts a bad twist on Predator technology. In the originals, the Predators are super intelligent aliens who make their own tech. In this, they steal most of it from other races. They also hunt on flying platforms, use mind control, and have some red feral kill gland in their neck...Their innards are green, so why is the gland RED? They also have no honor, which contradicts bits from all three movies PLUS the comics. Their hunting skills have really been degraded in Forever Midnight.

Other than the horrid changes to the Predators, the rest isn't that good either. The dialogue is pretty bad, and the characters are so underdeveloped that it doesn't even faze you when someone important dies. The only tiny good thing about this book is how it has a fast feel to it, but like I said, any small bit of good can easily be overlooked, since the rest of this book is so incredibly bad. Hopefully, Forever Midnight will only stay as a bad footnote on the franchise. I recommend avoiding this one.

Painful to Read.......2007-03-16

This was the first Predator book I had bought in about five years and my expectations were high but the book failed to deliver. The author completely abandons the 'yautja' backstory laid down by Nathan Archer, Steven Perry, Stephani Perry and others. This could have been overlooked if the story had been any good but instead we get a bunch of human and alien characters that aren't developed enough to care about what happens to them and then Predator children using mind control to make humans kill other humans. Does anyone really buy that the Predators that hunted Major Schaefer and Detective Harrigan would send their children to fight in their place?
The Predators aren't portrayed as noble warriors with a different worldview and value system but rather a bunch of nomadic planet-plunderers who enslave other races and steal their technology. Like an organic version of the Borg from Star Trek.
The humans aren't any better, generally being shown as a bunch of brainless, selfish malcontents.
Mr. Shirley goes back and forth between being provocative and preachy regarding religion, government, the environment and the military. It does not contribute to the story and just gets really tiring. Not to mention the poor dialogue.
I usually love anything to do with the Predator but Predator: Forever Midnight was a struggle to finish.

OH GOD IT HURTS!!.......2007-02-16

I bought this book with the hopes and dreams of every lover of the Predator series. However, I was unable to finish this book. From about the first few pages I knew I was introuble. The diolouge is painful to read. the charactors simply state things. when the humans first learn that they are up against "predators" (I'll get there in a few) they say something along the lines of "oh its the predators, a race of intergalactic hunters." It would apear that the author used up all his imagination with the basic storyline. Then we come to the predators themselves. First and formost the humans call them predators. Thats it, they have no other name for them. Secondly, the author utterly rewrites the entire mythos of the previous stories. He makes them Multi-sexual spawners that scavange the universe stealing all the technology they use and taking giant cockroach slaves that do all the machanical work.
In short, if it weren't for the author this would be a great book. The basic plot on the human side is would work fine. But the writing makes so you have to trudge through it like a bog with your brain shouting lamentations in your head. someone who has never seen or read any of the previous novels or movies stands a chance of enjoying this book. But ANYONE who has will hate it the moment the predators first take the stage.

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Predator: Forever Midnight
John Shirley
Manufacturer: DH Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000QU3W5E

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Mapping Our Ancestors: Phylogenetic Approaches in Anthropology and Prehistory
Carl P. (Editor) O'Brien, Michael J. (Editor) Collard, Mark (Editor) Lipo
Manufacturer: Aldine Transaction
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OOJSIW

Book Description

This book discusses recent research and developments related to characterization and utilization of petroleum-derived asphaltenes. Chapters cover computer simulation of physical density and thermal properties, precise measurements of molecular weights of asphaltene, estimation of structural parameter distribution, characterization of refractory sulfur compounds, hydrotreatment, cracking, visbreaking, and coking reactivities. In petroleum industries, heavy petroleum residue due to enhanced oil recovery is becoming a serious problem. Heavy oils cause problems during oil production and refining processes. Increased viscosities reduce, or even stop, the flow of oil during oil production. Meanwhile in refining processes, their undesired precipitation, high tendency to form coke, and catalyst deactivation and poisoning should be involved.

Chemistry of Heterocyclic Compounds: Proceedings of the Ixth Symposium on Chemistry of Heterocyclic Compounds, Bratislava, Czechoslovakia, 23-28 Augus (Materials Science Monographs)

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Chemistry of Heterocyclic Compounds: Proceedings of the Ixth Symposium on Chemistry of Heterocyclic Compounds, Bratislava, Czechoslovakia, 23-28 Augus (Materials Science Monographs)

Manufacturer: Elsevier Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Cosmetic Nanotechnology: Polymers and Colloids in Personal Care (Acs Symposium Series)

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Cosmetic Nanotechnology: Polymers and Colloids in Personal Care (Acs Symposium Series)
Sarah E. Morgan , Kathleen O. Havelka , and Robert Y. Lochhead
Manufacturer: An American Chemical Society Publication
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0841239967

Book Description

This symposium series book will tackle one of the fastest growing markets in the chemical industry in the US and world wide: personal care. Through advances in nanotechnology there have been significant opportunities for new developments in materials and delivery mechanisms for cosmetics and personal care products. This book will address the commercially important ingredients and delivery technologies used in cosmetic nanotechnology: polymers and colloids. Since more than half of the contributors are industrial researchers providing a perspective on real-life applications of personal care ingredients, the coverage of this topic will not only be comprehensive, but thoroughly undertake much needed concerns regarding research and development topics in cosmetic nanotechnology.

Current trends in heterocyclic chemistry: Proceedings of a symposium held at the John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, ... under the auspices of the Chemical Society

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Current trends in heterocyclic chemistry: Proceedings of a symposium held at the John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, ... under the auspices of the Chemical Society
Adrien Albert
Manufacturer: Academic Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B0007H73UQ

Heteroatomic Aroma Compounds (Acs Symposium Series)

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Heteroatomic Aroma Compounds (Acs Symposium Series)

Manufacturer: An American Chemical Society Publication
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Food Chemistry, Third Edition

ASIN: 0841237778

Book Description

This text offers a comprehensive discussion of how given aroma compound classes (oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur) are initially formed and subsequently analyzed in foods. The sensory significance of these classes of aroma compounds is discussed in the context of forming the desirable and undesirable character of a food product.

Symposium on the Chemistry of Heterocyclic Compounds (VIIIth) and of Nucleic Acid Components (VIth) (Viiith and of Nucleic Acid Components)

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Symposium on the Chemistry of Heterocyclic Compounds (VIIIth) and of Nucleic Acid Components (VIth) (Viiith and of Nucleic Acid Components)

Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Book Description

This volume contains 11 papers presented at the First IMA Conference on Fractal Geometry: Mathematical Methods, Algorithms and Applications, held at De Montfort University in September 2000. Researchers include many from Europe, Russia, and the United States, giving a multinational emphasis to the fractal geometry problems described. Emphasized are the mathematical exposure given to a problem and the practicalities required to create and implement an algorithm.

Book Description

A beautiful heroine marries the heir to a local estate — but what sounds like a happy ending is just the beginning of a chilling and suspenseful thriller. This 1869 horror classic by the Victorian equivalent of Stephen King unfolds inside a house haunted by past secrets and present danger.

Customer Reviews:

Not Le Fanu's best.......2006-05-01

Poor Alice! Why is her new husband so secretive? Why is the housekeeper so cool toward her? What does her brother-in-law know that he isn't telling? And what is that strange scratching noise in her bedroom at midnight?

All good questions, but don't expect answers for a few hundred pages. Le Fanu is the master of dragged-out suspense, but he really drags it out in this one, then skips 12 years, then begins what appears to be a new plot needing another few hundred pages, until he recollects that he needs to finish the book and ends everything at breakneck speed in the last few pages. You wouldn't mind so much if you cared about Alice's problems, but she's the typical innocent and passive young heroine who needs squads of people on hand to help her while she's bedridden with grief. What makes this book enjoyable is not her but the other characters: there's old Squire Fairfield; he didn't like Alice's father, but when Alice was orphaned as a child, he raised her himself. His feelings toward her seem gruff but paternal.... or are they? Mildred the housekeeper has an endless supply of proverbs and sayings; she isn't loyal or even nice... or is she? Harry the brother-in-law seems to be a simple horse trader who's happy to let his elder brother inherit Wyvern, the family estate, but he may not be as simple as he seems. And what about the mysterious, tall, opium-smoking "Dutchwoman" ....? Le Fanu excels at ambiguous motivations, only in this book, the motives are especially nebulous. I would have appreciated an afterword explaining the laws of inheritance and primogeniture in a way that would make the baby plot a little clearer.

Good, but not Le Fanu's best.......2002-01-25

Unfortunately, I read Le Fanu's Uncle Silas before picking up The Wyvern Mystery. Although I enjoyed The Wyvern Mystery, I felt it was not as well written and plotted as Uncle Silas. At one point, you seem to reach the climax as 'the old soldier' becomes very nasty indeed; but then she all but disappears from the book. The ending was predictable - you could see it coming from a mile off. Overall, the book was entertaining, but I would recommend Uncle Silas over this story any day.

Good Introduction to Gothic Fiction.......2001-02-23

J. Sheridan LeFanu is not as difficult to get into as other Gothic fiction authors are. I would definitely recommend the 'Wyvern Mystery' to anyone looking at beginning to read Gothic fiction. I would recommend to anyone, however, as a very well-rounded book. The storyline takes many exciting twists and turns, though LeFanu's slow and detailed style may find little friendliness from modern readers. Those who appreciate detail will find his intricate portraits both refreshing and beautiful. Many times I found myself smiling at the believable and realistic depictions of emotion or character traits. LeFanu definitely shows that he is not an amatuer and demands attention from modern readers. He is widely unread, but his great talents at storytelling deserve attention. The 'mystery' of the Wyvern Mystery centers around a young couple's troubles due to elopement, financial problems, and the hero's dark past that comes back to haunt them both. All this and a happy ending. I implore you to resurrect this wonderful old mystery.

Must read Material for Gothic Mystery Fans.......2000-10-24

LeFanu's "Wyvern Mystery" is a classic example of a Gothic mystery. During the 1860's, Gothic mysteries and horror novels were popular. Although LeFanu is not as "up there " as such notable Gothic novelists as Bram Stroker or Mary Shelley, LeFanu creates a chilling and suspenseful thriller. The tale has the typical features one finds in Gothic novels- a beautiful heroine who is in danger, a mysterious family secret, a haunted mansion, prophetic dreams, appropriate dark atmosphere and as added bonus LeFanu created a "sub-human " character who has been damaged in her past and has now become a monster out for revenge. At time reminiscent of Jane Eyre, Wyvern mystery is a must have for mystery fans of the genre. PBS broadcasted a screen adaptation on their Mystery Series. Also I recommend all other LeFanu novels and also the Gothic mystery "Lady Audley's Secret ". Enjoy.

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The Wyvern Mystery
J. Sheridan Le Fanu
Manufacturer: Sutton Pub Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000WUNHQM

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The Wyvern Mystery
J. Sheridan Le Fanu
Manufacturer: Sutton Pub Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000WUIVTK

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