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Author: Pope John Paul II
ASIN : 0517220849
Sales Rank : 56621
Studio : Gramercy
Binding : Hardcover
EAN : 9780517220849
ISBN : 0517220849
Number Of Pages : 128
Publication Date : December 06, 2002
Release Date : December 06, 2002
Publisher : Gramercy
Manufacturer : Gramercy
Availability : Usually ships in 24 hours
Label : Gramercy
| Spiritual father of millions, globally influential leader: Pope John Paul II's words have brought inspiration, solace, and courage to those who have listened. The quotes and prayers collected here are both for the faithful and for those who have been touched by and want to know more about this remarkable man. His words on love, family, truth, freedom, human relationships, the power of God, and the importance of hope and prayer explore what it means to be alive and what we are doing here on Earth, and offer answers to some of life's hardest questions.
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December 06, 2007.
One of the Best Biographies I have read.
Rating: 5
Professor Oates in my opinion did an outstanding job in the biography he did on Lincoln. While it is not as verbose as Donald's, it was well written and to be honest I could not set the book down. For anyone who does not have the time to read a larger volumn on Lincoln I suggest Oates. If you have time then I suggest you read both and also read "Team of Rivals. They are all outstanding volumns. This biography though is articulate, a good length and at times you can see the great passions in Lincoln the boy from Kentucky, the youth in Illnois and the 16 President of the United States. I give it a 5 stars a must read for any history student and I think a must for every American.
December 23, 2007.
A great biography on Abraham Lincoln.
Rating: 4
In this work, Oates succeeds in illuminating the political and personal life of Abraham Lincoln. For readers interested in the psychological and social nature of the man, this may not be the best selection. However, Oates does an excellent job portraying how Lincoln worked his fingers to the bone while developing his standing as a lawyer and politician. His description of Lincoln as a rough and tumble political longshot made 16th President of the United States in the election of 1861 is vivid and memorable. Much information is also included on how Lincoln and his administration struggled with the issue that would become his legacy: slavery in America. That said, Oates neglects to discuss in any great detail the economic influence of the nation's cotton industry on the political and social conditions of the era.
December 13, 2007.
Debunks the saint and presents a human .
Rating: 5
Lincoln, widely considered our best president, has been sainted in many quarters. Indeed he saved the union, freed the slaves, and preserved the constitution, but he was human too. Stephen Oates presents him warts and all - a man struggling with depression, a weak manager entrusting too much to his people, and a leader fighting a congress rallied against him for both being too progressive and too reactionary. It was a tough time, and many times the wonder is how Lincoln managed to bend without breaking.
The book is outstanding as a scholarly work, and as popular history. Enjoy!
December 12, 2007.
The End of Lincoln's Presidency..
Rating: 3
Lincoln said "that he was now convinced that this was a great movement of God to end slavery." Yet, he shied away from a Presidential decree. Abraham Lincoln wote: "that the money required to fight the war for 87 days would buy all of the slaves in Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky and Missouri and would shorten the conflict by a lot more than any 87 days." He claimed "to respect the property right of loyal Southerners." I believe Stephen Oates is wrong when he states matter-of-factly "that slavery is at the root and branch of the rebellion" (that's what he called our Great Civil War. General William S. Rosencrans would have been the first to debate Lincoln's philosophy.
It's strange how much Lincoln depended on help from God, when he was not a member of any church. There were a flurry of rumors that he would be abducted on Inauguration Day. On November 9, 1863, he attended the play "The Marble Heart" at Ford;s Theatre which was one of John W. Booth's better roles. He was not likely to forget Booth's raven hair and black mustache, nor that John was a dashing actor, wearing a fashionable stovepipe hat.
There is a black and white picture of Ford's Theatre which adjoined the Star Salon. He watched Booth perform just days before he delivered the Gettysburg Address from which comes the title of the book: with malice toward none "and justice for all." John W. Booth did not agree. This time, he was not flashy, but dressed more like a frontiersman; he was a wild-looking man in felt hat and boots with spurs. The audience recognized Booth and thought at first that it was part of the play. Some people heard him shout "The South shall be free." He broke his shin bone when he tumbled onto the stage. Dr. Sam A. Mudd attended to his injury. On April 21, newspapers carried reports that Booth had been cornered in Virginia and killed.
Andrew Johnson had been governor of Tennessee and Lincoln's vice president. It fell on his shoulders t try to clean up the mess the country was in, brother against brother. Back on January 17, 1851, Lincoln did not attend his father's funeral. Zachary Taylor died in July, 1850, and Abe Lincoln in his eulogy to the former president reminded one "that we, too, must die." He read from ont of his favorite poems, "Mortality," which ends thusly, "'Tis the wink of an eye, 'tis the draught of a breath, From the blossoms of health, to the paleness of death. From the gilded saloon to the bier and the shroud, Oh, why should the spirit of mortal be proud!"
Six weeks after Lincoln's 2nd Inaugural address, he was dead. It's not easy being humble or proud when one is dying. He'd said that both sides (North and South) read the same Bible and pray to the same God.
December 15, 2006.
Readable and Informative.
Rating: 5
Stephen B. Oates has written a very good biography of moderate length (440 pages) and insight. The author traces Lincoln's life, his hopes and fears, his unquenchable ambition. There is an equally good account of his years in the White House, when together with his stellar (if feuding) cabinet Lincoln led the nation through the dark days of the Civil War. Historians and Lincoln buffs desiring deeper insights might prefer a lengthier biography such as LINCOLN by David Herbert Martin, or even TEAM OF RIVALS which isn't a biography, but a character study of Lincoln and his cabinet. But for a more general readership desiring a solid, readable book about the 16th President, this is an excellent choice.
December 23, 2007.
Major Work.
Rating: 4
To be fair, this is a big book, a long book. It is not for the casual reader. I'm not sure it would be for young readers generally. In some respects it's a history book covering the era from the 1920's to the 1950's. For young people, that's ancient history, and probably requires some context.
Having said all that, I can now say this is a tremendously wonderful book. A unique book. It's an intense autobiography of an unusual and multi-talented man. (For a long period he was the top editor at Time magazine.) It's an inside look at all the spies and subversives we had running loose in this country. (Chambers was for several years a mere courier, carrying stolen secrets, out of loyalty to that glorious dream called Communism.) This book chronicles what ideology does to people, especially intellectuals, driving them to break their own moral codes.
Finally, this book is part of a 20th century genre that might be called the God-That-Failed confessional. (Compare Arthur Koestler's "Darkness at Noon" and Max Eastman's "Reflections on the Failure of Socialism.") Whittaker Chambers, like these other writers, was both an intellectual and an idealist. He became a Communist and a spy because he thought he could help save human civilization. Then he realized he was horribly wrong. Imagine the fear and anguish going into that other world, and then the fear and anguish trying to escape from that world. He was hated by many; still is. He and his family were often in danger. He carried a gun for years.
So, when you're ready for something big and deep, jump into this one.
December 24, 2006.
a fair review of an important book.
Rating: 3
this is a review for those people that want a fair review of the book, not an extreme consersative bias bashing on socialists and lefts and not an and exreme leftist bashing on conservatives. Don't read most of the reviews because they are all bias beyond return, most of which by people who probably had no where else better to display their beliefs than amazon.
The book Witness is important to read regardless of your political beliefs, because it will most likely hone down your own ideas and give you more clearity on what your own beliefs even are. The book opens with the fascinating 'letter to my children', immediatly grabbing the reader. I've reread that part a few times. He goes on to explain why he joined the communist party and also why he decided to be a spy. It's vital for people to understand the difference betweem Stalin Communism, Lenin Communism, and the Communism Marx wrote about, so i would suggest reading on these subjects before diving into Witness. The book has many different feels to it throughout it, at parts it feels like your reading espionage thriller, at other times a law and order case, and at some parts are extremely religious.
Like I said it's important to read this book, and it's important to have an open mind and learn and accept philosophy beyond what you grew up with.
December 18, 2006.
Read this book.
Rating: 5
Witness is the best autobiography I've ever read. It details the fascinating life of Whittaker Chambers, and the monumentally important Hiss-Chambers case. It is also first-rate prose.
What made Chambers's life so compelling? Two things: courage and redemption. Courage is the greatest of the virtues, because without it all the other virtues are merely pleasant thoughts that melt away at the first sign of adversity. Chambers needed that courage, because his devotion to the cause he would later repudiate, placed him in extreme danger.
In the first half of the 20th century, the Soviet handlers of the Communist underground dealt with defectors by killing them and anyone who assisted them. Starting in 1937, Chambers assisted numerous communists to escape from this network, and he in turn fled with his family in 1938. Chambers compounded the danger to himself by approaching each of his Washington sources, and pleading with them to also break ties with Communism and stop performing espionage.
Chambers was no Saint. He was probably bisexual (implying unfaithfulness to his devoted wife), he spied for a foreign government, and his communist duties required him to regularly practice deception.
Nonetheless, his courage allowed him to reject communism and seek redemption when its evil nature became apparent to him. At the age of 36 he started his life over; he renewed his faith in God, he used his position at Time magazine to relentlessly warn of the dangers of communism, and he risked everything (disclosure of his past, a civil libel suit, his job and professional reputation/relationships) to prove that the highly-placed State Department official Alger Hiss was a Communist spy.
The Hiss case was pivotal in warning the nation that communist spies were present at the highest levels of American policy-making. Hiss was a key figure at Yalta and Bretton Woods and other globe-shaping events, that rewarded the Soviets with more power than they had won during the war. Most Americans of my generation are unaware that prior to McCarthy, the House Un-American Activities Committee was performing a genuine service for America, and removed numerous actual Communists from positions of influence. Hiss's conviction against the "immense rally of public power to distort and pervert the facts" is a testament to the greatness of this country, and this victory could not have been won without the undaunted courage of Whittaker Chambers.
I cannot conclude this review without attempting to describe the pleasure I received from reading each line of Chambers's prose. Every human is born with the ability to think, to feel, and to recognize or remember.....so is every animal. What separates humans from animals is an immortal soul. The immortal soul is what links humans with one another through the barriers of culture and time. This linkage is possible through a piece of God's eternity. This eternity allows for an accumulation of the shared conscience of man, and serves to help him recognize truth, recognize right from wrong, and recognize what is holy. But for most of us, when the soul speaks, it doesn't do so with a voice. It speaks to us in goose bumps, in dreams, or in familiar but unidentifiable melodies. At critical junctures in my life, I'm unable to say what I want to say; because my soul is saturated with feelings that defy articulate speech. Chambers was one of the special few born with the ability to communicate what his soul says to him. He was able to translate feelings charged with meaning into language charged with meaning.
No review I write can possibly do justice to this wonderful book. Please do not let my failure prevent you from reading this book and keeping the memory of Chambers's contributions to America alive
December 17, 2006.
Tremendously moving, quiet, unaffected writing.
Rating: 5
I would rate this work among the greatest I have ever read, particularly as autobiography. With all politics aside, Chambers illuminates the human condition and the redemptive power of suffering in a deeply moving way. The plot is very engaging, the detail exhaustive. He had the full force of the Truman administration, the Communist underground and Party, and the mainstream press all bearing down on him to destroy and discredit him (all proven wrong in later years if you were blind to the clear truth then). As a battle between good and evil, truth and manipulation, this book is unmatched. If you want fatuous, insensitive manipulation of the truth and proof that the forces Chambers warned against are very much with us today, look no further than the one-star (non)review that precedes this one. Appalling. That's an unsophisticated example of the nonsense he dealt with in life.
This book will, quite simply, add to your life; Chambers' unique voice, unmatched in credibility, speaks for itself, as you will see. And as I have begun to do, you will want to seek out his other work. I am as yet a non-believer (religiously speaking) and am moved to say, "may God rest his soul."
December 29, 2005.
Once a Traitor . . . ..
Rating: 1
Chambers confuses the ideals of communism with the practices of Lenin during the consolidation of the revolution and the internal holocaust of Stalin -- As usual conservatives simplify the complexities of an intellectual philosophy based on socialist ideals seduced by a Soviet propaganda machine that exceeded in its scope even that of Goebbels -- Chambers largely ignores the phenomenon of an American Nazi movement fomented by 'ends justifies means' rationalizations by such notable Americans as FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover, Sen. Joe McCarthy, & retired Gen. Dwight Eisenhower, who betrayed his most trusted aide, Gen. Marshall, in his quest for the 1952 Republican Presidential nomination. The chief reason Chambers is promoted by the representatives of the capitalist class & their minions is the threat socialist ideas pose to vested interests in opposition to the natural rights of man expressed by Tom Paine.
December 03, 2007.
Diary of a Horny Artist.
Rating: 5
This is one of the handsomest Books I have read in years. The notes by the author/editor, who has annotated the daily diaries of playwright Tennessee Williams, are spectacularly thorough, covering virtually every actor, director, known and unknown, Williams ever met. Loads of fun reading the notes, and the diaries themselves on facing pages, with marvelous and copious photographs, goofy illustrations, maps - you name it. Williams hasn't much to say about his writing life, but lots to say about his state of mind, which is usually spinning out of control along with his life. Williams was part of that first real jet set, living in a given year in a dozen places. The first and last question on his mind was how to find "trade" by which he meant pick-ups for casual sex. Fascinating and then really boring like most pornography.
December 07, 2007.
An Incredible Look into the Mind of a Literary Genius.
Rating: 5
Margaret Bradham Thornton is to be commended for compiling Tennessee Williams' journals with such painstaking attention to detail, in-depth analysis and thorough research. Her efforts afford the reader an amazing, unique glimpse into the life of an American literary giant -- a man whose plays, including The Glass Menagerie, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, and A Streetcar Named Desire, have become classics for the ages, not to mention a man who led an intriguing life in and out of the public eye. There is no shortage of skeletons to be found in Williams' closet; his homosexuality is a particular source of angst to him in a world that did not approve of such a thing. He dallies with male prostitutes, and in one instance gets severely beaten for his troubles. Meanwhile, he is haunted by his sister, who underwent a frontal lobotomy after being institutionalized (it is his guilt over leaving her to pursue his writing that drove him to write "The Glass Menagerie," which features a very Williams-esque young man desperate to escape his dreary life with a crippled sister and needy mother in order to pursue his dreams).
Through his notebooks, Williams provides you with a backstage pass to one of the most thrilling talents Broadway has ever seen, and through extensive footnoting Thornton puts it all into a clear narrative for you to follow along. She also includes countless photographs and pieces of artwork. There are moments when what Williams writes does not match up with what other interviewees recall, forcing Thornton and the reader to speculate as to which version is closer to the truth, but in "Notebooks" Williams does nothing short of bare his soul to the reader. It is utterly fascinating to experience his artist's-eye-view of the world, and I would highly recommend this book.
Grade: A+
December 10, 2007.
Excellent.
Rating: 5
Item was in mint condition, will not hesitate to buy from this seller again.
Keep up the good work
December 23, 2007.
Not To Be Missed.
Rating: 5
This is a magnificent book, really two books, as Tennessee Williams' journals are powerfully augmented by Thornton's meticulously researched and engaging annotations. Opposite every page of journal entries, one finds the sources and background on Williams' musings; Thornton gives us a map to Williams thoughts, and her notes enhance the journal entries immeasurably, making this book essential reading. It's tough to put down, and almost impossible to read properly, that is, in order-- no matter where one opens the book you are transported into the private life of this playwright whose works are so much a part of our literary and theatrical heritage. Thornton has also included a fascinating array of photographs which place Williams in the context of his time and his peers, and scribbled illustrations which add a whole other element to understanding this great writer-- this book is not to be missed.
December 18, 2007.
A treasure trove!.
Rating: 5
I signed this book out of the library knowing I could never be able to work my way through its 800+ pages in three weeks. First, I'm not a big reader of diaries or letters (I find them too vague and elliptical); secondly, it's a massive book. But I have spent the entire morning leafing through it and am finding it mesmerizing. The editor/compiler, Margaret Bradham Thornton, has done an excellent job of providing notes, photographs, facsimile's of handwritten poems and diary entries, and short biographies of the many people--famous, infamous, and unfamous--who passed through Williams's life. Her tone is professional and forthright; she neither dodges nor wallows in discussion of Williams's sexual life. The notebooks are complete in that they contain everything that is known to survive; they cover the periods from 1936 to 1958 and from 1979 to 1981 (Williams died in February 1983). If notebooks are ever found covering the missing years, I hope the Williams estate has the good sense to allow Thornton to edit them.
The format for this book is to run the notebook entries on the right-hand pages and use the facing pages for explanatory notes. The notes are in a smaller type and each page is packed with annotation, such is the generosity of Thornton. Another interesting feature is the inclusion of Williams's own marginal notes. Apparently, he re-read his diaries years later and was not shy about criticizing his earlier self.
I think this book will be of interest to anyone interested in American cultural life in mid-twentieth century, not just in the theater and film, but dance, painting, poetry, fiction, etc. It's amazing how these cultural worlds intersected and collided. This is a book I want to own. I've just ordered it from Amazon and will continue reading my library copy until it arrives. Fascinating stuff!
December 07, 2007.
Amazing .
Rating: 5
All the superlatives belong to this tale: remarkable, daring, unbelievable, amazing, incredible, beyond belief, extraordinary. That a person could 1. escape from a Soviet labor camp, 2. in the dead of winter, 3. from the farthest eastern point of Siberia, 4. after suffering from hunger and brutal treatment for three years, and still 5. make it home to Germany safely after another three years is a story for all lovers of survival dramas. The author expertly and faithfully chronicles Josef Bauer's account without glossing over the details of what it took to survive. I didn't come to like Mr. Bauer from this telling, however, I did feel a deep respect for his perseverance and stamina. Two other Books of escape and survival that I recommend even more highly are: The Long Walk: The True Story of a Trek to Freedom by Slavomir Rawicz and We Die Alone: A WWII Epic of Escape and Endurance by David Howarth.
December 29, 2007.
As Far as my Feet will Carry me.
Rating: 4
Incredible story of survival and the will to live.
December 28, 2006.
This book was excellent, I couldn't put it down..
Rating: 5
As for the other half negative reviews, like it being for a young reader, don't pay any attention to that. Obviously those reviews are written by people that can't look or think beyond their own egos nor actually try to imagine what it must have been like, what the permanent affects were after such an altering event, and obvious emotional scars that must have continued on and on... After I finished the book, I re-read the preface and understood why there seemed to be pieces "I" wanted answers to, but understood why they weren't there.
I recommend this book to anyone of all ages. It's absolutely an amazing account of someone accomplishing a journey home with EVERYTHING against him and the beckoning door of death at every turn. How he survived? It's beyond me....
Now, I will hunt for the DVD....if anyone knows where I can find the DVD, please find a way of letting me know. Thanks!
December 19, 2005.
Hurry up finish.
Rating: 3
I love reading tales of survival and often wonder how I would have reacted under similar circumstances.
Always when I read a book about survival I'm looking for the mental aspect of a hardship and this book really lacked that. It started good with laying a foundation and describing the interactions with other people during the journey but, as the book progressed it seemed that the author hurried the story more and more.
The last chapters were very weak concerning "how" he achieved a resolution to the struggle and then "pow" he was home... end of story.
Also there was very little information as to how material and food was found to survive and because of this I was left with only basic facts of the escape story and could never really put myself in the subjects shoes as he journeyed the 8,000 miles to freedom.
Good story, weak book.
December 31, 2005.
Fascinating Read.
Rating: 4
You'll like this if you like adventure and the story of man's triumph over impossible odds - well written, almost unbelieve sometimes but Bauer's story is backed up by historical evidence
December 20, 2007.
A Must Have !!!.
Rating: 5
First Book I Ever Read "To The End"
Its Great ,Its Real ,You Wont Put The Book Down
I Was Not Into Books Until I Read This One
December 15, 2007.
A very good read, but more background would make it great.
Rating: 4
Jack Coughlin and company did a great job at writing the reader into the story, so that you are watching over Jack's shoulder in combat during the rush into Baghdad. Additionally, Coughlin's idea of a mobile sniper unit is unique to this book and satisfying to see the process unfold.
Other reviewers say this book is not worthy of highest praise because it lacks eloquence and Pulitzer-caliber prose. To that, I would say that any title covering military matters should be nothing more than simple, concise, and accurately gritty. "Shooter" has all of these qualities. Anything more or less would either dilute or glorify the nature of war--both of which are unwarranted and undervalue the sacrifices made by those that fight for us.
What would have taken this book from "very good" to an "epic" would be to cover more than the war in Iraq. Coughlin gave several hints of his past skirmishes, and it would have been immensely interesting to see his Marine sniper career solidify over time.
December 19, 2007.
Shooter- the best war story ever told.
Rating: 5
Shooter is a action packed book about a top-ranked marine sniper, Gunnery Sgt. Jack Coughlin in Operation Iraqi Freedom 2002. Going through sandstorms and unexpected firefights in Iraq Coughlin one by one took down major targets. The invincible sniper takes you through the emotions of war because of family, friends, and the death of your favorite marines. Coughlin done a good job in Operation Iraqi Freedom and telling a story of his own war. I think anybody who is intrested in adventure, war, and violence or just the Iraqi war, should read this book!
Shooter is truely the best war story ever told.
December 13, 2007.
lame.
Rating: 1
this is an awful book anyone who says other wise dosen't read much.
Big fan of first hand war accounts with the exception of this one.
Don't waste your money.
December 12, 2007.
shooter:Theautobiography of the top-ranked Marine Sniper.
Rating: 5
Excellent.
Fist hand,recent,relevent and just a slice of what the Invation of Iraq was to a guy on the ground.
I bought a copy for friends to borrow....
December 28, 2007.
Enjoyed it.
Rating: 4
I thought this book was v interesting & honest...a true look into Janice's Dickinsons life. She is a strong character & has survived a hell of a childhood - now i now why she still acts kinda crazy when you see her on tv!
December 27, 2007.
Great book.
Rating: 5
This woman has balls. It is not a book written by someone who is afraid of looking bad, or offending people (I am looking at YOU Kimora Lee Simmons). Janice is one fierce b*tch. I must say she did start to get on my nerves after viewing her reality show, but if you are looking for a juicy book, get this one. You will be satisfied!
December 13, 2007.
This is a woman who needs professional help!.
Rating: 1
This is truly a sick (emotionally & maybe mentally) and delusional woman.
It's amazing to me that this sewer-mouthed narcisist got as far as she did.
This book is trash!
December 24, 2007.
no lifeguard on duty.
Rating: 3
this book is interesting when it talks about her life with family and friends but the rest of it is slow and boring i thought this was going to be great like her other book but its very boring and hard to keep reading,
December 18, 2007.
Janice Dickinson's No Lifeguard on Duty: Memoir of a Supermodel.
Rating: 4
The memoir, No Lifeguard On Duty: The Accidental Life of the World's First Supermodel, by Janice Dickinson, is a touching and thoughtful read.
In the beginning, Janice tells her readers about life growing up in Hollywood, FL and what it was like living under a father who was sexually and mentally abusive to her and her older sister Alexis. Janice's mother went to work every day as she was a nurse, and would come home obviously on drugs that kept her oblivious and numb to everything that was going on with the two eldest daughters.
Without her mother's support, Janice's oldest sister not wanting to talk about what their father was doing to her, and their youngest sister, Debbie, not having a clue their father was anything but ideal, Janice fought most of her life trying to deal with her father even after she moved out of the house and began modeling. Her father treated Janice very poorly for ever refusing him certain pleasures and told her she would, "...never amount to anything".
That one line, stuck with Janice and was enough to define and destroy most of the relationships, including a few marriages, she had had. Janice didn't fall for the nice guy that treated her well. Something always seemed missing for her in those kinds of relationships. Instead she chose the guys that treated her like her father would in hopes of some way being able to fix the situation. She went from one guy to the next wondering what was wrong with her and why she couldn't keep a man. Didn't they love her?
Throughout the book, Janice takes the reader inside her life's struggles and her fight to free herself from her painful childhood and the destructive path she was on.
No Lifeguard On Duty is an inspiring read that shows no matter how grim life may be, you have the power to change it for the better.
December 08, 2007.
Tunesmith is pure inspiration for songwriters!.
Rating: 5
I have been a professional songwriter and producer for many years, but this book gave me so much inspiration it made it all feel fresh and new again. Of course Jimmy Webb's track record as a successful songwriter gives him plenty of credibility as an authority, but that is no guarantee he can write a book. Well, he certainly can! It is very well written, entertaining, informative, and gives us a real insight into his processes and motivations, as well as useful tidbits on how others who practice our craft work their magic. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in any way in the creative processes as they may apply to any creative endeavor.
December 15, 2007.
Serious book for serious songwriters.
Rating: 4
One of the reviews cited on the back cover calls the book a master class in songwriting. It is. But it is not for the musically illiterate--gotta know them little dots on the staff before you crack this book.
Webb goes deep into the structures and grammar of musical creation, phrasing, cadence, theme, motif, etc. etc. And his discussion of the blending of lyrics and music is profound and fascinating. But light reading, it ain't. If you are a play-by-ear musician who often says "I don't read enough music to hurt my playing," accompanied by self-deprecating aw-shucks grin, don't even think about buying this book.
December 30, 2006.
Fundamental book for understanding the meaning of songwriting.
Rating: 5
"Tunesmith" is a brilliant, insightful book if you're interested in the structures and methods behind the craft of popular songmaking. Its prose style is very warm, witty and laid back. I can see some people having problems with part of the anecdotical content: I cannot agree, and while one's engagement in such content might be strictly dictated by his/her own generational background, I can't see such content as detrimental in the least in the context of what the book sets itself out to achieve. I am waiting on a further edition of "Tunesmith" with a chapter on basic arranging.
December 06, 2006.
Priceless.
Rating: 5
This book is jam packed full of practical information. I find something literally on every page. It is also inspirational. It helps to define and unlock ideas that are floating around in my head. It is one of the best music Books I have ever read. I am in the process of reading it for the second time.
December 19, 2006.
A must read for songwriters or wannabes.
Rating: 5
Jimmy Webb covers a lot of ground in this book but its a suprisingly quick and enjoyable read. It was comforting to realize that even highly successful songwriters share the same struggles as those not so famous. One point hit home well and that is "songwriting is work". Nothing will happen unless you sit down and put your fingers to the instrument. There's just enough music theory in the book to understand the foundation of a good song. Jimmy spends equal time discussing lyric and melody as well as the interplay between the two. There's also a fair amount of coverage on the music and songwriting industry. The book includes perspectives from other notable songwriters as well. Published in 1998, it only hints at the forthcoming transfomation of music distribution brought on by the internet. None the less, a highly recommended book.
December 08, 2007.
Not light, but very interesting.
Rating: 4
Reading the book makes the movie "The Flying Scotsman" seem like a made for TV lite version. Obree's had some serious ups and downs, but the book is good reading and gives insights into greatness in cycling, and the horrors of depression.
December 08, 2006.
Inside The Rider's Head.
Rating: 5
This is the first autobiography I've ever read. Obree's life hold's intrigue as he was quickly launched from amateur to pro in the cycling world almost before he really considered himself a cyclist.
As he was setting world records, he was battling with a low self-image, and when you parallel his thoughts with what he accomplished, you cannot deny that this book does more than just show one man's struggle to be a cycling champion - it explores the true heart behind the actions we do, and forces us to realize that money and fame are not an end in themselves. Ugly thoughts from childhood still haunt him through the very moment he wrote them in this book. It's interesting that as he writes this book, he is still uncertain about what the future holds for him. He has survived truly phenominal challenges, and is amazing in his brutal honest opinion of himself.
He has a very informal style, and his mind flows on the page through his pen, and it is an adventure till the last page.
December 27, 2007.
Witty, Insightful, and Entertaining.
Rating: 5
It appears as though Clemens was ahead of the times with this book. The relatively short chapters seem like they could entertain readers who know nothing other than Dan Brown. As anecdote spills in anecdote, readers can't help but keep reading this book. I was surprised by how many times I found myself laughing out loud either from witticisms or the situational irony throughout the book. Altogether, a great read, that has prompted me to buy Innocents Abroad.
December 27, 2007.
A Different Time.
Rating: 5
This is a good read that describes life in a different time. Some of it is factual and some is stretched but it is all entertaining.
December 26, 2006.
Most amazing book ever....
Rating: 5
Mark Twain has been my favorite author since I read Huckleberry Finn in sixth grade. I've tried extremely hard to read every single word he's written (besides, I assume, personal letters)...including, of course, the complete short stories (I love The Diaries of Adam and Eve, by the way)...but I digress.
Roughing It is one of my top three Books of all time (the other two, in case anyone was wondering, are Les Miserables and Into Thin Air [didn't say it was from a literary standpoint, just my personal opinion]). This is mostly because of the remarkably sharp prose. I love that this stuff (or most of it) actually happened to him, that he doesn't mind putting himself down and doesn't even make a big deal out of it...and...of course...The Book of Mormon. Who in their right mind wouldn't immediately fall in love with Mr. Twain after reading his dissection of The Book of Mormon?
Other reviewers have mentioned the digressions that they feel take away from the overall book. The entire book, my friends, is a digression. That is the point of the book. Those years of his life had ABSOLUTELY NO POINT. He was digressing from his life. That's what makes it hilarious. He just jumps from place to place (the first part is all about his travels in a stagecoach to become the undersecretary, a position he desperately wanted, or at least sarcastically-desperately...and then when he finally gets to Carson he gets bored in about a chapter and leaves, and never goes back). I love how there's something quotably hilarious about every other paragraph, and the understatement of the humour just makes it more hilarious!
I've read this book three times in about four years, and I recommend it to about anyone interested in an extremely funny...diversion.
December 31, 2005.
Twain defines himself.
Rating: 5
This is Mark Twain's semi-autobiographical narrative about a trip he and his brother took to the Far West soon after the Civil War began, first to the mining camps in Nevada, then San Francisco, and finally to the Sandwich Islands (Hawaii). He describes in very broad strokes unusual characters (all kinds of people from bandits to Brigham Young), tall tales heard along his journey, what life was like in the gold fields, and what it looked like everywhere he went.
The book came about after the great success of his INNOCENTS ABROAD in 1869. In Books like these Twain established himself as a master of satirical (and self-deprecating) humor. The book is enormously entertaining and is one of the most representative Books Twain wrote about himself and what he was about in literature: the Western frontier humorist who delighted in understated overexaggeration. It's a great book and a joy to read.
December 30, 2005.
Mythical Old West.
Rating: 5
Roughing It is semi-non-fiction travel literature about Mark Twains six-years "out west" from 1861-1867 in his late 20s and early 30s prospecting for gold and finding his way in life to become a writer. It was influential in the mythical creation of the Old West.
It is a mixed bag of stories and anecdotes, but most importantly it is one of the most influential Books of early American travel literature genre and captured the imagination of the "Old West". Much of it seems cliche now, but it was in part Twain who helped invent and popularize it. It is an authentic primary source that captures the feel and flavor of its time, including a few tall tales. Having traveled out west myself on a number of explorative mis-adventures I could really visualize and understand Twains sense of awe and wonderment, in fact its part of the American psyche, a part of me, and this book was a key in that mythical creation.
Gutenberg has a HTML version online which includes scans of the lithograph pictures from the original which is recommended since many Books omit the pictures, which are otherwise numerous and good. It was originally released on a subscription-basis. Twain had difficulties completing it with deaths in the family and writers block (it was his 3rd book and by far his longest at 600 pages). It didnt sell well at first, his earlier book Innocents Abroad did much better, which takes place after the Roughing period, but was written before, and is also a travel narrative, about a trip to Europe and Asia Minor.
December 04, 2006.
Quotable Quotes from Pope John Paul II.
Rating: 4
`Pope John Paul II: In My Own Words.' Whose words? The title was ambiguous and misleading. Though I found the book on the stands I didn't buy it. Eventually a friend gave me a copy and I sat down with it. The inside flap cover of the book calls it "Pope John Paul II: In His Own Words." That title makes better sense. Whatever the title be, the book contains valuable quotes from the spiritual giant of our time, Pope John Paul II. These quotes and prayers from the Pope's pastoral letters, homilies, encyclicals, speeches and audiences are classified into different heads. There is also an introduction containing a short biography of the late pope. It is a nice little book on Pope John Paul II, useful for easy reference.
December 24, 2006.
Inspirational!.
Rating: 5
This book is a collection of quotations by the late Pope John Paul II and covers a variety of topics, including Salvation, Truth and Freedom, The Christian Life, Marriage and the Family, The Priesthood, Mary among many others.
This is not the type of book where you should take large bites of in one sitting. This work is better off nibbled piece by piece. I found the passages in this book wonderful inspiration for reflection and prayer. I would rarely read more than a couple of pages at a time. I would read a limited number of passages (as few as one, rarely more than five) and pause to reflect on them and sometimes oven pray over them. I found them not only spiritually edifying, but also intellectual in content.
These quotes were selected and compiled by Anthony F. Chiffolo. The come from homilies, encyclicals, pastoral letters, his own autobiography, among other sources. They are highly inspirational. The holiness and love for God, Christ, and Mary that the Pope has is clearly evident. Even though he is on his eternal journey in Heaven now, for many people like myself, though we have a new Pope, he will always have a special place in the hearts of millions.
December 24, 2006.
powerful words that inform, enlighten and inspire.
Rating: 5
Anthony Chiffolo has compiled the words of His Holiness, Pope John Paul II from many of the Pope's letters, speeches, presentations and encyclicals. The quotes and prayers of Pope John Paul II are arranged into fourteen short and concise chapters, with the subjects being the Trinity, Faith, Christian Life, Progress and the Modern World, the Church, Sacraments and the Priesthood as well as others. His words are personal and intimate, yet at the same time they reach out to everyone. They have the power to touch the reader and to inform, enlighten and inspire.
December 23, 2005.
Inspirational.
Rating: 4
It is hard to imagine not having this in my personal library now that I own it. I struggle at times to find a springboard for my prayers, and after opening up the pages of this book, it was easy to find sources of inspiration. It is a well organized collection of some of Pope John Paul II's most interesting and moving quotes taken throughout his papacy. I recommend it for people who seek an introduction to this Pope's life and legacy.
December 15, 2005.
Inspiring Quotes at a Nice Price.
Rating: 5
This is one of many Books of quotes by Pope John Paul II. It is a good set of quotes at a nice price. A great gift for any one... very readable.
Highly Recommended.
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