The Ghost of Scootertrash Past

The Ghost of Scootertrash Past
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Good Armchair Rider Read

A thoroughly attention engaging read

The Ghost of Scootertrash Past
Mark Tiger Edmonds
Manufacturer: Livingston Press (AL)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Educators | Professionals & Academics | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
Travel | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
Essays & Travelogues | Reference & Tips | Travel | Subjects | Books
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Longrider: A Tale of Just Passin' Through

Life Is a Road, Ride It Hard!

Life Is a Road, the Soul Is a Motorcycle

Life Is A Road, Get On It And Ride!

Hog Fever

ASIN: 193198204X

Book Description

Continuing where he left off in Longrider, Tiger Edmonds again mixes philosophy, travel, psychology, and politically incorrect political wit (wisdom? rants?) into a humorous and hearty hunter's stew. And in this recounting, Tiger introduces his grandfather—"the marriage counselor," "the metaphysician," "the jockey," "the alchemist," "the teamster" (`it's an ill wind that blows your ass off the road,')—as a counterpoint to Tiger's own observations. The grandfather? Who can't help loving a man who from his deathbed tells his grandson, "Hell, boy, I'm just dyin'. I ain't goin' to quit lovin' you." The writer? Who can't help but loving a writer who, despite curmudgeonly looks and attitude, gives this advice to young riders: "Don't never cross the border holding. Neither one. Either direction. Clean your mirrors often. Don't go where you ain't been invited. Change your socks often. Carry extra light bulbs. Blow your nose often. Don't climb on anything you can't ride."

Customer Reviews:

Let's Review..........2006-07-12

Now maybe I'm not the the best person for putting out an unbiased opinion on this book, seein' as how I actually make an appearance or two within the pages (I'm the one of those who picks & patches him & the bike up a couple of times - made it to Tennessee to pick him up in his truck in about 11 hours).

But I'm not tapping away here to write a review, but rather to clear some things up:

1) He really does talk like that - it's called vernacular - they're called colloquialisms - it's not "poseur misuse of grammar", it's legitimate misuse of grammar that he was more careful about in the first book - not knowing how poseur book critics would take it.

2) He really is a professor of English (at my alma mater) - the colloquialisms don't get in the way, as he doesn't use them while grading papers of inconsiderate, psycho, crapweasel children (though the fact that it gets straight under the skin of administrators is a bonus).

3) Such of his stories as I'm personally able to speak to (having known him for only 15 years) are the gods-honest truth - I've patched too much fiberglass for them to be anything else.

4) Forget what I said about being biased - it's a great book - go buy one for yourself and a couple for your friends right now.

....Go on, what are you still reading for? I mean it - right now!

Good Armchair Rider Read.......2005-07-25

I read this book before reading Edmonds' first one, "Longrider". Both books are stories, vignettes, of his experiences putting more than a million miles on two wheels riding the US and Canada. While both books are enjoyable and the various stories engaging, I found "Ghost of Scootertrash Past" a better read with some caveats. I quickly became annoyed with his poser misuse of grammar. It just comes across as phony. The stories in "Longrider" were more disjointed but his voice more authentic. There is an art to story telling, and Edmonds does it well. Now I would like to try some of the roads/rides he describes.

A thoroughly attention engaging read.......2003-09-14

The Ghost Of Scootertrash Past: Memories & Rants Of A Longrider is the personal testimony, stories, rants, and insights of Mark Tiger Edmonds, a motorcycling professor who cruises the road with a Scrabble game and Oreo cookies in his motorcycle's saddle bags. A flavorful, unique, and often surprising memoir of dirt roads, Zen and the art of motorcycle riding, the hazards of camping, and so much more, The Ghost Of Scootertrash Past is a thoroughly attention engaging read and recommended for motorcycle buffs and Americana enthusiasts.

The Ghost of Scootertrash Past Memories and Rants of a Longrider

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The Ghost of Scootertrash Past Memories and Rants of a Longrider
Edmonds Mark Tiger
Manufacturer: Livingston Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000UF75XK

Book Description

Tom Stempel has spent more than fifty years sitting in the dark, watching movies and his fellow filmgoers, listening to their comments and reactions. In American Audiences on Movies and Moviegoing, Stempel goes beyond the comments of professional reviewers, concentrating on the opinions of ordinary people.

He traces shifting trends in genre and taste, examining and questioning the power films have in American society. Stempel blends audience response with his own observations and analyzes box office results that identify the movies people actually went to see, not just those praised by the critics.

Avoiding statistical summary, he presents the results of a survey on movies and moviegoing in the respondents' own words—words that surprise, amuse, and irritate. The result is a unique perspective on half a century of American cinema—from the audience's point of view.

The moviegoers respond:

“All I can recall were the slave girls and the Golden Calf sequence and how it got me excited. My parents must have been very pleased with my enthusiasm for the Bible.” —On why a seven-year-old boy stayed up to watch The Ten Commandments

“I learned the fine art of seduction by watching Faye Dunaway smolder.” —A woman's reaction to seeing Bonnie and Clyde at age fifteen

“Jesus said he would be back, he just didn't say what he would look like.” —On E.T.

“Quasimodo is every seventh grader.” —On why The Hunchback of Notre Dame should play well with middle-schoolers

“A moronic, very `Hollywoody' script, and a bunch of dancing teddy bears.” —On Return of the Jedi

“Big bad plane, big bad motorcycle, and big bad Kelly McGillis.” —On Top Gun

“I couldn't help but think how Mad magazine would lampoon this.” —On The Exorcist

Customer Reviews:

Audiences speak back to the screen.......2001-06-04

This book explores the meaning and effect of movies on American audiences since 1948. Author Tom Stempel, film historian and cinema professor, researched the book by personal observations of audiences, by studying Box Office results and with a questionnaire on what audiences think and feel.

His moviegoers describe their earliest and most memorable experiences. Just as Hollywood often holds up a mirror to our society, Tom Stempel allows the audience to hold up a mirror to Hollywood.

After Psycho, no one felt comfortable in the shower. After Jaws, many people were afraid to swim in the ocean. The Exorcist scared everyone. In their own words people tell how Hollywood films helped them form and transform their personal concepts of reality and examine the meaning of their lives:

"Easy Rider was a statement of our generation. Getting on motorcycles and just riding around the country with long hair flowing in the wind was what I and so many others wanted to do."Ira Katz

"My father took me and my sisters to see The Apple Dumpling Gang. I had never seen my father happier" Angela West

"It was like some kind of religious ritual initiation...as if she were bringing me into a new secret world where special knowledge and power would be passed on from her to me." Peggy Dillery, seeing Cleopatra with her Grandmother

"The Ten Commandments had a pretty big influence on the shaping of my religious view," T. Taylor

"It was in a movie theatre that I kissed my first girl, felt my first breast, and had my first mutual touching below the waist..." Brad Long

American Audiences on movies and MovieGoing shows how movies change audiences'lives and how New Lifestyles change the movies. It reminds us how Hollywood sees itself as the heart of America.

This easy to read, well researched, entertaining book will appeal to professional moviemakers as well as the average moviegoer

Maryanne Raphael, Writers World

About the human side of "going to the movies".......2001-05-23

Tom Stempel is professor of Cinema at Los Angeles City College and draws upon his considerable expertise to examine the complex relationship between the audience and the movies. In addition to examining box office statistics, Stempel surveyed more than 150 moviegoers about the human side of "going to the movies", and the public side of movies as distinct and separate from critics or directors perceptions on the film industry. Stempel notes the viewers' varied responses and personal recollections to some of the great classics of film as he looks at each of the great eras of movie making from the glory days of studio dominance in the 1940s through the bleak years studio system collapse in competition with the advent of television, to the rise and diversity of the independent and contemporary film makers of today. American Audiences On Movies And Moviegoing is very highly recommended and unique reading for students of film history and American popular culture.

American Audiences on Movies and Moviegoing. (Book Reviews). (book review): An article from: Cineaste

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American Audiences on Movies and Moviegoing. (Book Reviews). (book review): An article from: Cineaste
Marco Calavita
Manufacturer: Cineaste Publishers, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

General | Performing Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B0009FPY7K
Release Date: 2005-07-30

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Cineaste, published by Cineaste Publishers, Inc. on June 22, 2002. The length of the article is 1158 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: American Audiences on Movies and Moviegoing. (Book Reviews). (book review)
Author: Marco Calavita
Publication: Cineaste (Magazine/Journal)
Date: June 22, 2002
Publisher: Cineaste Publishers, Inc.
Volume: 27 Issue: 3 Page: 56(3)

Article Type: Book Review

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Book Description

"A voodoo wave." "The Everest of the ocean." What surfer in his right mind would choose to surf Maverick's with its 50-degree murky water, 60-foot faces, punishing rock bottom, and shifting Central California currents over riding the warm, blue, big waves of Hawaii? But Maverick's presents a surfing challenge like no other. Each winter, starting in October, an elite corps from around the world journey to Maverick's to test themselves on its cold, forbidding waves—because challenge, above all else, motivates the big-wave surfer. With heart-stopping photography and an exceptional, driving text, Maverick's tracks the 1/2ve most dangerous days in the break's history, including its first casualty: big-wave celebrity Mark Foo, who died on the morning of his very first visit. Surf journalist Matt Warshaw weaves into this vivid record the complete and unconventional history of big-wave surfing, from its ancient Hawaiian origins through to the modern drama of tow-in surfers. Like Into Thin Air, Maverick's promises to transcend its core audience, appealing to the huge armchair market that is enthralled by the sporting life lived at the extreme of danger.

Customer Reviews:

Visually appealing and well written.......2005-02-02

This is a fascinating look at the history and sport of big-wave surfing, focusing primarily on Maverick's but also discussing some of the other big-wave spots in the world, such as Todos Santos and Cortes Banks. If you have fond memories of the classic travel and surf-bum movie from the 60s, "The Longest Summer," about great surf spots around the world, you'll probably enjoy this book.

My review concentrates mainly on the dangers, since I was interested in researching that, but overall it's a beautifully illustrated and well-written account of the sport. The author starts with the early history back in the mid-1850s (when a legend has it that a Hawaiian was supposed to have ridden a tsunami back to shore).

I was interested because I used to live for many years near Maverick's, one of the premier big-wave surfing spots in the world, and I was curious what it had to say. I've never been a board-surfer myself, but grew up in southern Cal and did a lot of body surfing when I was younger. One time, I foolishly tried to body-surf a storm-driven 18-footer at Gillis Beach in southern California and got ground into the bottom and held down long enough so I thought I might not get back up to the surface in time. But I survived, and am now older and wiser.

I've had a few other misadventures, such as having been pulled out by a couple of riptides (including one that pulled me underneath the water briefly), so I've always had respect for the ocean, and I figured big-wave riding must surely be even more dangerous. Photos of lone surfers dwarfed by enormous waves have always amazed me and sent shivers up my spine, as I remembered my own scary encounter with a wave. Oddly enough, the author goes to some pains to dispell that notion by recounting various statistics and many anecdotal stories about the sport.

For example, although it's possible for a big-wave to hold a surfer underwater long enough to drown, this is very rare. More likely is for a surfer at the more crowded small-wave sites to get knocked unconscious by someone else's board who wiped out and to drown that way. Or there's the possibility of an unsupervised and inexperienced surfer drifting into a strong riptide. And as the author says, "No big wave surfer ever tested the odds as boldly as the untrained, pot-bellied, beer-staggered, citizen body-surfer."

Mark Renneker, a UCSF physician and avid big-wave surfer, gathered data and compiled statistics on injuries and concluded that cheerleaders were injured more often than big-wave surfers.

Peter van Dyke, another big-wave fan, had some other comments, pointing out that in one recent year, a half dozen Grand Prix racers were killed but not one surfer, and many more bull-fighters were killed. He said that big-wave surfers were so unconcerned about their fitness that they trained on "cake, Kool-Aid, ice cream, and cigarettes." He also pointed out that the last surfer to die at Waimea was Dickie Cross back in 1943. By 1994, no-one had yet died at Maverick's (although that would soon change with Mark Foo's death).

The book also contains a full chapter going into the events preceding and following Mark Foo's death. One of the things that becomes apparent there is that surfers aren't so much killed by the waves as by occasionally getting their ankle straps caught in underwater reefs so that they can't surface. Although no-one to this day knows what killed Mark Foo, it's possible this was part of it, and one of the other surfers had the same thing happen that very day, although he was able to get free just as he was running out of air and get to the surface.

Still, because of the perceived dangers, out of 5 million surfers world-wide, only about 100 are regular big-wave riders.

But as I said, the book also contains a more general discussion and history of the sport from the early days to the present, using Maverick's as its point of departure. There are many spectacular photos, including a fantastic two-page spread of Mike Parsons riding what's thought to be the largest wave ever ridden at Cortes Banks, an open ocean reef 100 miles to the west of San Diego.

By the way, I agree with the previous reviewer about possible huge waves up in Alaska. In fact, in Puget Sound they sometimes get 60-foot waves, and they can get 20 or 30 foot waves at the mouth of the Columbia river in Oregon, where the Coast Guard trains captains in the heavy surf handling of boats. Also, off the tip of South Africa there is an area where, because of the way the ocean currents travel up from Antartica combined with a sea floor that funnels the wave energy, it's thought that 100-foot waves can occur. (In fact, it's one of the few places in the world where large ships occasionally disappear, and it's suspected huge "rogue waves" may be responsible). There was also the finding of the underwater quake that caused a tsunami to go 2000 feet up the mountainside at an uninhabited bay up the west coast of Alaska. No-one saw it but the devastation was so dramatic it wasn't hard to figure out the cause when it was discovered later.

The largest wave ever recorded (at least by a reliable observer) was by the USS Ramapo back in the early 1930s. The ship was about 120 feet long and completely fit on the side of an enormous sea wave that passed under it in the mid-Pacific, and was estimated to be 134 feet high. Now that's a wave any surfer could envy.

Surfing To Your Death.......2003-04-11

The book "Maverick's The Big Story of Big-Wave Surfing" by Matt Warskaw is one of my favorite books. This book is about surfing and its mishaps and adventures. The title of the book is Maverick's, this relates to the book countless times because it is a gigantic storm of waves in California that come every year. There are many different stories, some that are good and some that are sad or not that interesting. This book talks about how surfing has changed over the years. Also how far it has come since 1914. It has some very fascinating stories from surfing a 25-foot wave to drowning and having your last ride. I would rate this book a 5 out of 5 because of how interesting it was. I would also recomend this book to all ages because it is such a good book.

Look At That Wave!.......2002-10-10

This book gives you a feeling of "look at that wave!". If you really want to get an idea of big-wave surfing, find an IMAX theatre showing "Extreme". Then read this book. The photographs are good and the historical information is presented well and has some depth to it. You also get to see pictures of one of the biggest wipeouts ever!

great book!.......2001-12-29

Growing up in Montara just a few minutes north of Mavericks, no one I knew even talked about surfing there. The surfers from the coast surfed the Jetty, and the stronger surfers went to Montara. There were many places around that one could surf, but no one considered Mavericks a surf mecca. No one mentioned it's name.

Seeing is believing. If you have NEVER seen big wave surfing except in pictures you are missing out!...

Enjoy the book. It is a great piece of history about the location and surfing in general!

Look for DVD's and Videos of Mavericks at [their website], taken by locals Eric and Kurt at Powerline Productions.

Impressive , But Already Outdated.......2001-12-01

A very well written and produced coffee-table quality book on Nor Cal's most hyped big wave break. Rest assured that Matt Warshaw speaks from the heart when he describes the history, the characters, the swells and the waves that have converged at that awe-inspiring break outside Pillar Point. Mr. Warshaw is perhaps the greatest surf historian of all time, and before you question that statement, just wait for his upcoming release 'The Encyclopaedia of Surfing' to make the call.

This is mostly pre-tow era Mav's, and so naturally is already quite out-dated. But looking through the viewpoint of paddle-in only is still interesting for its historic relevance, and out-right machismo.

As impressive as this book is, I hesitate to give it five stars because, while it does capture many historic moments at Mav's, it is without the newer paradigms of Mav's. Warshaw did an excellent job chronicling an era of Mav's. But now, on many days thanks to tow-in, people are surfing the place quite different than what we see in this book. The Year of the Drag-In changed everything, and so did Nov. 20-21, 2001. I'd be delighted to see Matt do a follow-up.

Big wave surfers and Mark Sponsler take note. One of the reasons the Thanksgiving swell of 2001 was so huge was because the storm which produced it came quite close to California and covered a large swath of area with multivalent storm phenomena twisting within it- such storms are not uncommon far up in the Gulf of Alaska, or forming off of Russia and jumping over the Aleutians, tearing through the Bearing Sea. While the 100 foot wave may come to Maverick's once a year, or perhaps only once every few years or decade, it must be noted that in Alaska and especially the Aleutian Islands, these closer-range, huge and more direct storms and swells are a COMMON yearly occurence. Why do so many fishing boats disappear up there? Why do so many of the Aleutian Islands have surf erosion extending 300 feet up their lichen-green facades? Because the surf there gets truly epoch-making giant on a consistent basis! And many of the islands have plenty of lowlands, points, reefs, and bay entrances for serious big-wave set-up potential (Just ask Doc Renneker or Jeff Clark). Factors against the region are many: difficult access, colder temps and outright hazardous seas even for boats. But the scenario can also be mind blowing perfect- giant surf with offshore winds and rideable set-ups. The Aleutains are America's (and the surfing world's) forgotten isles. I know the Mav's crew has their hands full at Half Moon Bay, but if they ever get the growl for adventure to seek another 100 foot wave, I highly recommend looking more seriously at the Aleutains- our own Aleut Hawaii. With the right equipment and arranged lodgings, and with both air and overland transportation (all of this is really not a problem for some islands and areas), and with a few weeks to a month window, perhaps in October and November, I do believe multiple Mavericks await beyond the 50th parellel! But for now, hats off to Matt Warshaw, Daniel Duane, and the whole Mav's crew! You remake surfing history on a yearly basis! Be sure to visit me on the Rat Islands! You can stay in my sink hole!

Mavericks the Story of Big Wave Surfing
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Mavericks the Story of Big Wave Surfing
Matt Warshaw
Manufacturer: CHRONICLE BOOKS @
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000Q33GYS

Book Description

Critical strategies for all the board games
Detailed tactics for more than 70 mini-games
Secret racing game and hidden puzzle tips
All special items and characters revealed
Complete maps of all 14 boards
Effective tips for Battle Royal, Dual Map, Single-Player, and Super Hard modes

Customer Reviews:

Mario Party 3 Review.......2001-08-14

Mario Party 3 Strategy Guide successefully helped me complete the game. It was very helpful. I reccomend this book.

Mario Party 3 Review.......2001-08-14

Mario Party 3 Strategy Guide successefully helped me complete the game. It was very helpful. I reccomend this book.

Mario Party 3 Review.......2001-08-14

This book was amazing. It helped so much with Mario Party 3!! I would definetly reccomend this book!

Mario Party 3 Review.......2001-08-14

This book was amazing. It helped so much with Mario Party 3!! I would definetly reccomend this book!

Book Description

Maggie Taylor's digital photo collages have been described as a contemporary exploration of the Surrealist world view. In Taylor's strange, parallel universe, birds ride bicycles, ideas materialize in the shape of clouds, and wings sprout from the backs of prim Victorian women. Starting with objects that she finds on eBay, in flea markets, and in her own surroundings, Taylor then uses her flatbed scanner, Adobe Photoshop, and an Iris printer, to produce images of surprising beauty and emotional impact.

Adobe Photoshop Master Class: Maggie Taylor's Landscape of Dreams offers a close and richly illustrated examination of Taylor's practice, tracing her images from inspiration through execution. Taylor explains her influences, both in art and in her own life, and takes the reader inside the making of some of her intriguing, painterly work. Along the way, we hear from respected artists and critics familiar with Taylor's work, and from the artist herself, in conversation with the author.

Illustrated with more than 65 color plates, Landscape of Dreams is essential reading (and viewing) for all those interested in applying technology to a creative personal vision.

Customer Reviews:

Save your money.......2007-08-30

I used to appreciate Taylor's work because of those almost inert portraits, until I read that the only thing she does is buying old portraits on ebay or flea markets to scan them and add color and other stuff to create their "surreal" images, so I think today's critics really don't care much and celebrate almost everything even when is not an original work.

Besides that, the first half of the book is dedicated to interviewing a dozen of taylor's fans -including her husband- who leaves clear statement of how a great artist she is, and the second part features her work with maybe 3 examples of how she did them, in a very superficial way.

If you get this book based on the title, you will be very very disappointed, even more if you really think in what some people call 'art".

Maggie Taylor's Landcape of Dreams .......2007-02-11

I read this book from cover to cover and enjoyed every line. The book includes a short biography of Maggie Taylors life and how she came to be the great artist that she is today. This book also goes through her creative process and the steps she takes with Photoshop to achieve her photos. This book is inspirational and gives any photoshop artist a kick in the pants to creat their own works of art! AAA+++

Inspriational artist and technique.......2007-01-18

It's wonderful when an artist such as Maggie Taylor is, shares her mastery of techniques with us... thankyou for this book!

Sunshine over Maggie.......2006-11-28

I give this book three stars for an average rating mostly because the title is a misrepresentation. It is a very nice coffee table type art book with beautiful and thought provoking imagery created (mostly) in photoshop but it is not in any way, shape or form a "photoshop master class"!
While there is some exquisite imagery and artwork within, this book is written with much of the hyperbole of art criticism today i.e. "Isn't this artist wonderful and completely groundbreaking and influential, oh my!". This is not to say Maggie Taylor isn't a talented and provacative artist but I don't feel she is re-creating and re-directing the surrealist movement as we know it as this book might begin to lead one to believe.
The author, Amy Standen, writes much more about Maggie Taylor's life and inspirations than her actual work and even less about her creative process involving photoshop. There is one step-by-step tutorial (which is available as pdf dowload with a little searching on the internet, I had it before I bought the book, actually it's why I bought the book) and even then it assumes much about the knowledge of the reader. There are several in-process works which show images of each in various stages of completion but talks little about the down and dirty photoshop techniques used to create them.
I would have liked to seen much more in the way of tutorials and creative process in the literal sense. It's more than acceptable as an "art" book rather than a "photoshop master class" book but let's call it what it is...

Beautiful to look at.......2006-08-14

This is a beautiful book, with lovely pictures of Talyor's work. My only complaint is that "Master Class" is a bit misleading. Although I learned a lot about Ms Taylor, I hoped to learn a bit more of technique. I am still very glad that I purchased it, though. Her pictures are fascinating.

Book Description

Lost Treasure Ships of the Twentieth Century tells the gripping story of fortunes both lost and found. The book explores 17 individual ships -- selected for their historic importance, the scientific innovation behind their discovery, the personal tragedies that befell the people involved, and the glamour of the extraordinary wealth that they may have once contained. Detailed maps show the location of more than 170 ships, including the Titanic and the Lusitania.

Each wreck encapsulates a moment in time, providing a poignant memorial to its own age. Presented in chronological order, the story of these ships will appeal to historians, scientists, sailors, and everyone interested in the secrets of the sea, the treasures it has yielded, and what still lies on the ocean bed.

Customer Reviews:

A bargain at any price and a good read........2002-02-09

Nigel Pickford first came to my attention with the publication of "The Atlas of Shipwreck & Treasure" in 1994. I well remember how I had to convince the lady selling books at a London Dive Show to let me have her last "counter" copy after she had sold out within a couple of hours of opening on that first day... Now we have something different - albeit on a similar theme, and a cracking good read as well.

Lost Treasure Ships of the Twentieth Century is, as the title suggests, a collection of shipwreck and treasure stories from a modern age. Measuring 10¾ in x 9 in, this paperback book is a steal at only £14:99.

Commencing with an introduction which is likely to resurrect the dormant "gold fever" in anyone, we are carefully and skilfully taken from the age of Spanish Galleons right up to the early 20th Century where we are given an overview of the various requirements for shipping large quantities of gold and other valuables by sea. Then we get down to 17 case histories - or specific chapters on specific ships, namely; The Islander (a story of Klondike gold), Admiral Nakhimov, Republic, Titanic, Lusitania, Tubantia, HMS Hampshire, Appam, Laurentic, Pilot Boat No 19, Empress of Britain, HMS Edinburgh, Nazi Loot, Fort Stikine, I-52, John Barry and the Awa Maru.

Famous ships and not-so-famous ships all carefully selected because they combine so well to get the imagination running.

For any Diver or Salver this book is a must - but for anyone else, it is also compelling reading. What was the Lusitania carrying? How did they get the gold from HMS Edinburgh?, What really did happen to Rommel's Nazi Loot?

The book concludes with a number of very interesting and informative sections which commence with a world map of "Lost Treasure Ships" and an insert map showing those within British waters. Between them, they plot the approximate position of 174 valuable shipwrecks. This is followed by a brief description of each of these ships - including their; Name, position, cargo, route and other details. OK, so I knew the "Shirala" was sunk by UB-27 in 1918 and I know she is still a popular dive out of Littlehampton - but I did not know that 4 packages of diamonds are still on that wreck somewhere.

Finally we have Cargo Route listings - showing what was moved from and to wherever, before the book finally rounds off with the customary glossary, bibliography, acknowledgements and index - and very thoroughly too.

Few people ever bother to read the bibliography and acknowledgements, but in this instance, they really are worth a glance just to acquaint the reader with the large amount of research involved in producing a book such as this. Altogether, a bargain at any price - but especially so at £14:99.

NM

A real treasure itself.......2001-01-26

A beautiful book that explores some truely fascinating stories. It is more "grown up" than Pickford's other book "The Atlas of Shipwreck and Treasure". The Atlas, although enjoyable, always left me wanting to know a lot more. In this book each story is clearly meticulously researched and presented in far more detail. This creates a far more satisfying read. Many historians can write interestingly about their subject, however, Pickford not only achieves this, but has a captivating style which most fiction writers should be jealous of! This book is one that you'll want to continually re-read, it has certainly become one of my favourites.

All that glitters . . ........2000-10-15

This is really a good book in most ways. The articles are very informative and well illustrated. I did enjoy reading it.

The reason for only 4 stars is the major flaw in the book, the omission of the Egypt and the Niagara. Why did Mr. Pickford omit these two ships? Their stories are famous epics of salvage of gold: the Egypt in the 1920's and the Niagara during WWII.

A Real Pleasure.......2000-02-04

The American edition of this book was published by National Geographic, better known for consistency and a certain strange lack of personality than excellence, so I wasn't expecting much when I picked it up. What a pleasant surprise! Pickford is an excellent writer and world-class expert on his subject, and, I suspect, would be a fascinating person to share a pint or two with. Each chapter focuses on a single treasure ship. Pickford does a fine job of bringing out the irony, tragedy, and heroism of both the sinkings and the salvage efforts. I occasionally wished for more detail on some of the salvage operations, but mainly I was just left hungry for more -- I could have devoured 1,000 pages just as happily as 200. Pickford obviously has an extraordinary private archive, and the photographs add much to the text.

Note (from later): with respect to all the "unhelpful ratings" on this review, remind me not to insult the National Geographic again! Actually, I'm quite fond of the National Geographic, both in its original ineffably strange incarnation as a bastion of happy half-dressed natives and its more recent makeover as a fine and relevant magazine which looks at the world quite forthrightly.

gold galore.......1999-12-11

LOST TREASURE SHIPS OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY Nigel Pickford Research work for the famous salvors, Riesdon Beazley forms the base for Nigel Pickford's extensive knowledge of treasure wrecks. His personal archive is used to provide the information for salvage expeditions even to this day. He has established himself as an entertaining author with the Atlas of Ship Wreck and Treasure in 1994. This fine production reinforces his reputation. The wrecks are all modern since the scope is focused on the twentieth century. In all 170 ships lost all over the world are described. Wartime losses predominate and the most tantalising aspect is the description of the huge cargoes of gold shipped about during the wars to pay for munitions. As countries were invaded or reoccupied the gold moved ahead of the advancing armies. There is a comprehensive listing of British gold cargoes moved during these troubled times. This is accompanied by detailed information on the routes and methods of shipment. The stories of the Laurentic, Lusitania, and Empress of Britain are of special Irish interest. Inevitably the Titanic is included. It is clear that the salvage business is alive and healthy and that there is such material out there to be found. There are fascinating mysteries remaining to be resolved. Was the gold removed from the Empress of Britain before she was torpedoed?. A skeleton was found during a recent probe into the gold room - was a member of a salvage party trapped there in her final plunge? Were there paintings aboard the Lusitania? Unfortunately the stories are not followed further to give really new insight beyond that already published. Sources of information are not fully described so the reader who wants to discover more will be disappointed. The Lost Treasure Ships of the Twentieth Century is well presented and lavishly illustrated. It is a fine coffee table book geared at the gift market. The chapters are self contained and it can be dipped into in easily digested morsels. Published Pavilion books, London, ISBN 1 86205 079-1

Sources of the West: Readings in Western Civilization, Volume II (5th Edition)
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Sources of the West: Readings in Western Civilization, Volume II (5th Edition)
Mark Kishlansky , Patrick Geary , and Patricia O'Brien
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Sources of the West, Fourth Edition explores significant issues in the history of Western Civilization.It presents a well-balanced selection of constitutional documents, political theory, philosophy, imaginative literature, and social description. MARKET Appropriate for anyone interested in the history of western civilization.

Sources of the West: Readings in Western Civilization, Volume II (From 1600 to the Present) (6th Edition)

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Sources of the West: Readings in Western Civilization, Volume II (From 1600 to the Present) (6th Edition)
Mark Kishlansky
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Sources of the West presents a well-balanced selection of readings that integrate coverage of social, economic, religious, and cultural history within a traditional, political framework.

The text includes constitutional documents, political theory, philosophy, imaginative literature, and social description that raise significant issues for classroom discussions or lectures. By reading the voices of the past, students can connect them to the present; learn to understand and respect other cultures; and think critically about history.

Legacy of the West, Volume II: Readings in the History of Western Civilization (Legacy of the West Vol. 2)

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Legacy of the West, Volume II: Readings in the History of Western Civilization (Legacy of the West Vol. 2)
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Sources of the West: Readings in Western Civilization, Volume II (From 1600 to the Present) (7th Edition)

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Murmurs of Earth: The Voyager Interstellar Record
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Through the darkness...

What a Marvelous Idea and Book!

A message in a bottle.

A HIGH recommendation

Murmurs of Earth: The Voyager Interstellar Record
Carl Sagan
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Through the darkness..........2004-01-16

With recently announced initiatives directing us to space exploration once again, and with probes currently investigating the Martian surface, it is worthwhile to look back at a piece of history in the first great era of planetary exploration, whose heyday is arguably the journeys of Voyager I and Voyager II, the last great interplanetary probes to make a grand tour of several (in fact, most) of the planets in our solar system. Considering the difference in technology in our daily lives from the 1970s to the present, it is remarkable indeed that people were able to get such results and spectacular findings from spacecraft that by today's technical standards would be considered substandard and behind-the-times. Yet the Voyager spacecraft had more than just a tour of the home worlds in mind -- unlike most craft humankind has sent into space, these were not planned to return to earth, crash into an atmospher, or get locked into an everlasting orbit of the sun. These were intentionally sent out into interstellar space, beyond the confines of our solar system. One has to wonder, since it will be at least 40,000 years before these craft encounter even the next nearest star on their trajectories, and even if humanity is still around, the transmitters on the Voyager won't be functional -- why send them?

The answer is contained in the attachments to the spacecraft. Each of the two Voyagers was equipped with a record player of sorts (remember those?) and gold-plated copper disc of recordings, including greetings from earth. The recordings were quite remarkable at the time (again modern technology has far surpassed what is attached), including greetings in nearly 90% of current languages, extended greetings from the United Nations Secretary-General and the President of the United States, a collection of representative photographs from around the world, and a sampling of music from around the world. These crafts were emissaries from the whole of the earth, and their messages reflected this.

The early chapters of 'Murmurs of Earth' recount the thinking that went into selection and elimination of material -- with very limited space, the selection had to be very intentional. Politics were avoided; this was a celebration of human existence and achievement, much as the Voyager spacecrafts were in and of themselves, and intended to outlast even the most enduring of nations, cultures and even languages. The authors include proposed lists of items that didn't make the final cut, as well as interesting discussion about why what was included made it. Sometimes, things were included by accident rather than design -- the original intention of the message team did not include messages from the UN Secretary-General or the President of the United States, but after Waldheim recorded a salutory message, the team felt they could not but include it (and felt it inappropriate to include the UN message without offering the President the same opportunity; after all, who was bearing the cost of the craft?).

In all, there were 118 pictures, all of which are included in this text, some in photoplates, but most in black-and-white depictions. Some photographs are stunning, and others somewhat silly, but all convey information for a purpose (for example, the photograph showing eating and drinking was a constructed photo by the team; the difficulties of depicting these tasks became apparent as they had to reshoot due to difficulties understanding the images). Most of the recording, however, is music -- music from different cultures around the world is included, from Bach to Louis Armstrong, from Javanese folk music to Chinese music to Stravinsky, music from every continent is included; however, dominant Western music carries the greatest representation, including in addition to Bach and Stravinsky the works of Mozart, Beethoven, and even Gregorian chant.

The record itself is interesting -- attached to the outside of the spacecraft, it had to be secured and protected from space damage; the construction and protection is such that micrometeorite damage should be kept to a minimum. The record's first side (facing in to the spacecraft) should have a 'shelf-life' of a billion years; the outside may sustain more damage, but should be 98% intact for many tens of thousands of years.

Sagan and his collaborators conclude by looking at the mission itself, the parameters, trajectories, and plans. This book was written prior to the Voyagers encounters with the outer planets, which went fairly smoothly, even lasting to Uranus and Neptune as a bonus not always expected. Sagan talks about the interstellar trajectory and likely star system encounters in the distant future. We'll never know where the craft end up, or if the people who discover it will be able to play the phonograph record (there are people on earth now who are technologically advanced who have lost the ability to work well with phonograph records!).

This is a piece of history as well as a piece of the future. It is a symbol of hope and positive outlook, and a great testament to the exploring and communicating efforts of humankind over the past several thousand years.

What a Marvelous Idea and Book!.......2004-01-14

Carl Sagan was one of the most thoughtful and charismatic scientists of the twentieth century. He is well-known for his work on the PBS series "Cosmos," the award-winning show that became the most watched series in public-television history. By more than this, he worked with NASA on numerous projects, including the two Voyager spacecraft that made the "Grand Tour" of the outer planets in the 1970s and 1980s.

He envisioned the ingenius idea of affixing to the Voyager probes a small gold record containing information about this planet, for its potential recovery by an alien species. This book presents a discussion of the conceptionalization and carrying out of the effort to place this gold record on the two Voyager spacecraft sent outside the Solar System. This Voyager Interstellar Record contained digital information on the planet Earth, including photographs, sounds, music, and greetings in more than 40 languages. It was designed to tell an extraterrestrial intelligence who encountered it something about this planet and the life that thrives here, and to give that life form a general idea of where Earth was located in space.

This is a wonderful discussion of this effort, and well worth reading. For those who might be interested, NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory--manager of the Voyager project--has a web page devoted to the Voyager Interstellar Record located at http://voyager.jpl.nasa.gov/spacecraft/goldenrec.html. On it one may find more on the history of the record and the images, sounds, and music that it contains about this, our home planet.

A message in a bottle........2003-07-15

If you had to sum up what Earth is like, what would you say? How would you describe the abundance and diversity of life? How would you summarize all the achievements of mankind? Now, suppose that you were asked to communicate this information to someone who does not speak your language, nor indeed any language that you have ever heard of. Suppose, further, that your audience is apt to interpret pictures, sounds, or symbols in ways that you could not even begin to anticipate. Finally, suppose that this communication must take place via a "message in a bottle", sent off into space, to wash up on some distant "shore", at some inconceivably distant time in the future.

Does this sound far fetched? Well, it shouldn't. This very exercise was carried out in the mid-seventies by a team of scientists with a unique opportunity to send such a message off into space on a pair of spacecraft; the two Viking probes, launched in 1977, that were deployed to explore Jupiter and Saturn. On each of the probes was a gold-plated "phonograph record" that contained a succinct summary of Earth and humanity. The significance of these particular probes was that they were destined to head off into boundless space at the conclusion of their mission. Thus, they were to become the first man-made artifacts to leave the solar system. This was too fantastic an opportunity to miss; "we" (humans) simply had to send a greeting card to whomever/whatever may find the probes.

This book lists and discusses all of the images, sounds, diagrams, and symbols that are recorded on the cosmic greeting cards. There are images of sea shells, plants, trees, insects, buildings, mountains, machines, and most of all, people: people dancing, laughing, talking, eating, and working. There are even cross-sectional illustrations of human anatomy. And there are recordings of greetings in 44 different languages, not to mention songs of humpback whales. All carefully chosen; all with some rationale. As these images, diagrams, and sounds were being assembled the most vexing of all questions had to be asked: How could an alien being stand a chance of decoding the disk? This was a fascinating and crucial scientific question for which several very creative solutions were offered, and all are recorded in this book. Of course, we will never have the opportunity to discover whether these solutions will work, which places them somewhat beyond the ken of science.

Ultimately, the main byproduct of the project was sincere reflection and introspection; it was rightly seen by all participants as a celebration of Earth, its history, and the fabulous diversity of humanity. While the chances that one of the greeting cards will be discovered and correctly interpreted are remote, their very composition was of intrinsic value to humanity in the here and now. I found this book, and the entire project, to be extremely uplifting. Etched on a golden disk, headed to who-knows-where, is a remarkable encapsulation of who we are. It's a wonderful example of science engendering deep contemplation, and drawing upon poetry and art. I'm very happy that this project was recorded so carefully in book form. It's a great story.

A HIGH recommendation.......2002-01-12

It is indeed a pity to realize that this marvelous book is now out of print along with its companion CDs. The thoughtfulness and work that this team of scientists put into preserving a "collective voice" in words, pictures, and music of the human species is remarkable. The Voyager Interstellar Record is affixed to one the Voyager spacecraft launched in 1977. The record is attached to the craft in the hopes that -- after its already successful mission of having photographed the inner and outer solar system -- it might have even a remote chance of being intercepted thousands of years in the future by whatever extraterrestrials there may be, if any exist at all. The hope is that "they" might find it and learn something about us long after we are gone. The book is a meticulous description of every stage of putting the record together. I have found the book in libraries and have acquired the CDs through an inter-library loan. But the fact that both the book and CDs are no longer in print, and therefore less available to the public, is a huge shame. I highly recommend this book as a purchase for either an individual or a library. It is a testament both to the scientists who put it together, and to the recognition and preservation of human achievement. Curiously, this was done before the invention of the Compact Disc. An Interstellar "Disc" should be done in the future!

Murmurs of Earth - The Voyager Interstellar Record

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Murmurs of Earth - The Voyager Interstellar Record
Carl Sagan
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MURMURS OF THE EARTH: THE VOYAGER INTERSTELLAR RECORD

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MURMURS OF THE EARTH: THE VOYAGER INTERSTELLAR RECORD
Carl et al Sagan
Manufacturer: Random House
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Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000H15PFC

Murmurs Of Earth: The Voyager Interstellar Record, 2CD-ROM For Windows And Macintosh

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Murmurs Of Earth: The Voyager Interstellar Record, 2CD-ROM For Windows And Macintosh
Warner New Media
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ASIN: B000N3Z11M

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"The Voyager Interstellar Record: In the annals of exploration, the achievements of the two Voyager spacecraft are unprecedented. The pidding journeys of Columbus and Magellan spanned a few tens of thousands of miles on the watery surface of one small world. Voyagers 1 and 2 have traveled billions of miles through the ocean of space, exploring dozens of new worlds along the way and revolutionizing our knowledge of the solar system in which we live. And as a gift of the brilliant mission design, these robot ships are no longer bound by the Sun's gravity. They have passed the outermost planets and are on their way to the cold, dark near-vacuum that constitutes interstellar space. Nothing can stop them. Their radio transmitters are unlikely to work beyond the year 2020. Thereafter, they will wander silently and forever in the realm of the stars. Who knows who's out there? Perhaps the rest of the Milky Way Galaxy is populated by desolate, wasteland worlds circling a hundred billion stars. Or maybe the Galaxy is rich in life forms and intelligence and technology much further beyond our reach than the Voyagers are beyond the reach of Columbus and Magellan. Someday - maybe millions of years in the future - one of these ghostly, derelict ships may be detected and captured by the representatives of some devastatingly advanced interstellar culture. They will wonder about the shipbuilders. If you could send a long message to such extraterrestrial beings - words, pictures, sounds, music - what would you say? How would you describe us? What would you leave out? Could you communicate intelligibly to very different beings with a wholly independent evolution? In 1977, at NASA's behest, a few of us had a remarkable opportunity to attempt such a (one-way) communication. Frank Drake suggested not a plaque, but a phonograph record. As described in the accopanying book, Murmurs of Earth, we designed and prepared..." [from small booklet inside the jewel case by Carl Sagan and Ann Druyan]

Agencies honored with awards: the National Gold Medal Award winners are announced.(CONGRESS WRAPUP)(National Recreation and Park Association)(Awards list): An article from: Parks & Recreation
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Agencies honored with awards: the National Gold Medal Award winners are announced.(CONGRESS WRAPUP)(National Recreation and Park Association)(Awards list): An article from: Parks & Recreation
Gale Reference Team
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Title: Agencies honored with awards: the National Gold Medal Award winners are announced.(CONGRESS WRAPUP)(National Recreation and Park Association)(Awards list)
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Gold Medal award winners honored at congress.: An article from: Parks & Recreation

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Citation Details
Title: Gold Medal award winners honored at congress.
Publication: Parks & Recreation (Magazine/Journal)
Date: December 1, 2003
Publisher: National Recreation and Park Association
Volume: 38 Issue: 12 Page: 15(1)

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