Reviews (1)

be careful
This is volume 2 of a 3 volume work. Unfortunately you can't tell that from the product description unless you read the cover page very carefully. Volume 2 is 700+ pages long. I have not been able to find volumes 1 and 3. Would not have purchased this had I known it wasn't the "complete" Spitta. ("Unabridged" shown on the web site is "Unabridged-in 3 volumes" when you're able to read the cover of the book). ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Follow the Path to the Light at the End
This book has led me to believe that there is indeed hope for us in the 21st Century to re-discover a spirituality. One that will work in these current times, that is.

What these two authors have done is to present to the reader, four of the most influential sages or saints (depending on your location) and their lives, their thoughts and their personalities.

Armed with this knowledge the reader then finds it extremely possible to undertake the difficult process of finding a sense of grounding in today's turbulent society. ... Read more

Book Description

The Buddha from Dolpo examines the life and thought of the Tibetan Buddhist master, Dolpopa Sherab Gyaltsen (1292- 1361). Known as "The Buddha from Dolpo," he was one of the most important and original thinkers in Tibetan history, and perhaps the greatest expert on the tantric teachings of the Kalacakra or "Wheel of Time." Based largely upon esoteric Buddhist knowledge believed to be preserved in the legendary land of Shambhala, Dolpopa's theories continue to excite controversy in Tibetan Buddhism after almost 700 years.

Dolpopa emphasized two contrasting definitions of the Buddhist teachings of emptiness: "emptiness of self-nature," which applies only to the level of relative truth, and "emptiness of other," which applies only to the level of absolute truth. Dolpopa identified ultimate reality as the Buddha-nature inherent in all living beings. This view of an "emptiness of other," known in Tibetan as Zhentong, is Dolpopa's main spiritual legacy.

This book contains the first translations into any language of major works by Dolpopa. A General Commentary on the Doctrine is one of the earliest texts in which he systematically presented his view of the entire Buddhist path to enlightenment. The Fourth Council, written at the end of his life, may be viewed as a final summation of his ideas.

Cyrus Stearns's book describes both Dolpopa's life and his ideas. Earlier Tibetan precedents for the Zhentong view are also discussed, as well as Dolpopa's own unique use of language and the major influences on the development of his controversial theories. The fate of his tradition, which was censured by the Tibetan government in the seventeenth century, is examined, and several of the most important adherents to the Zhentong theory are also discussed. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

a surprising discovery and fantastic read
I accidentally ran across this book in the "new arrivals" section of a university library last night, and stayed up until 2 A.M. reading it. It contains the life story of the neglected Tibetan masterDolpopa, a subsequent account of the ill-fated legacy of his teachings, andtwo brief treatises by The Omniscient himself. I am not a specialist inBuddhism, and in fact had never even heard of Dolpopa 24 hours ago, but nowI will never forget him.

Cyrus Stearns has obviously put an impressiveamount of research into this volume without ever sliding over intopedantry. His concern is to tell the story of a simple and profound idea asit unveils itself in the spirtual and geographic vastness of 14th centuryTibet. The central issue of Zhentong is explained clearly and memorably,and in such a way as to make it relevant for Western philosophers as well.Lucid works of this kind do far more for a true East-West dialogue than anyamount of "multicultural" preaching. All who read this book withan open mind will be moved to cure their ignorance of the history ofBuddhism.

I feel as though a new portion of the human past has beenopened up for me by Stearns' work. It deserves to be read by anyone witheven a trace of interest in world religions, world history, or the past andfuture of metaphysics in all traditions. ... Read more

Book Description

If you think you know everything about Lucille Ball, think again! Lucy A to Z, is a unique encyclopedic guide to the life and career of Lucy, the most beloved comedian of our time.

This second edition of Lucy A to Z is filled with newly discovered archival research and updated information, plus exclusive interviews; a new foreword by Lucy’s Number 1 Fan, Michael Stern; and details of the stage careers of the four “I Love Lucy” principals. A special treat: information on a “lost” Broadway play from 1963 in which one of the major characters was based on Lucille Ball: “Nobody Loves an Albatross.”

Since its initial publication in May 2001, Lucy A to Z has found acceptance in the hearts of Lucy fans everywhere, from the Lucy-Desi Museum in Jamestown, New York, to the “Loving Lucy” convention in Burbank, California, and all points in between.

The public has loved Lucille Ball for more than 50 years. This book is for those millions of fans.

Reviews (10)

Lucy A-Z Gets A 10+
This book was recommended to me by a friend and I couldn't put it down. I loved the format, the authors perspective and views were interesting and unique and you could tell he was a real Lucy fan (who isn't). Add this book to your cart and you won't be disappointed. You can read it again and again because of the unique way it is written. A must for Lucy fans. Enjoy!

A Must-Read for Sitcom Fans
One doesn't normally read an "encyclopedia" from cover to cover like others kinds of books, but you will find it hard to put Lucy A to Z down once you start. The brief but informative discussions of everything from Lucy characters and guest stars to details about her personal life are written in a fun and witty style. It makes you wish there was a book like this about every major television sitcom. Need trivia material? There's no better source of Lucy stumpers than Lucy A to Z.

Very valuable but don't buy it first
I enjoyed this book and was very informed by it. I doubt you can find more detailed background data about Lucille Ball's work (from the beginning of her career to the end, from stage to the big and small screens) and her (lesser known) co-stars and co-workers anywhere else. The problem is, I'm a new fan to Lucy and I wanted to read about her life in a more conventional way (where she was born, raised, her influences, her marriage, children, etc). Those types of books got such mixed reviews from fans that I thought I'd start with this one, which had only positive reviews. There is some basic bio in this book, but it assumes you know that type of information about Lucy. So I would just say: make sure you don't start with this book if you're a new fan. It's like getting to know her backwards (everyone around her instead of the star herself). This is definitely a book for seasoned fans who want to know "more."

A must read for any Lucy fan!
Great format, easy to read. Every coffee table must have one!!

Unique
A thoroughly enjoyable read on Lucy. Learned some things I never knew - and loved that way you could navigate from one section to another. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

A GOOD BOOK
MAYBE YOU SHOULD JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER, BECAUSE THIS BOOK HAS A GREAT COVER AND ITS A GOOD BOOK. I WOULD HAVE READ IT EVEN IF I HADN'T HAD TO READ IT FOR A SCHOOL PAPER. I'M A FAN OF LUCILE BALL AND NOW I WATCH "I LOVE LUCY" AS MUCH AS I CAN, BECAUSE OF THIS BOOK.THANKS.

Short but Sweet!!
I joined the I Love Lucy Fan Club and this book was recommended. I liked how this book was short, and easy to read, but had a lot of good information about Lucys life. Her life wasn't always easy, but she made the best of it and really made a splash on television.I admire her a lot and I liked this book.

I Love LUCY...not this!
This is a flat, dry, boring biography of Lucille Ball.Try another bio instead!

THE REAL LUCY: Her Life, Love, and Legacy
On screen, Lucy Ball was one of the funniest women America had ever seen--but off screen, life wasn't always a comedy.This biography isenough to tell you that, and tells about some perticularlly important ILOVE LUCY episodes.But the text is dry and not lively and detialed. While it is a nice book to read for beginning readers who love theRecardos, it is not detialed, and focuses more on Lucy's acting career thanher personal life. If you want a good biography, try "Love Lucy",Lucy's autobiography.While it was written a few years before her death,it won't have close-to-end-of-life information, but it will be a whole lotmore detialed.

A fun book to read in the bathtub.
I liked this book because it was full of interesting facts about Lucy's life. I didn't know that much about her before I read the book, but when I did, I liked her a whole lot because she seemed like a real person. ... Read more

Book Description

1928. This work is a record of Johann Sebastian Bach's career, not a critical appreciation of his music. His personality has been so buried under the towering pyramid of his manuscript that, for most of us, he is but faintly visible on a background of the Bachgesellschaft folios. Contents: family; school; apprenticeship; young organist; Weimar; Cothen; Das jetzt florirende Leipzig; director musices; battle of the prefects; last years. ... Read more

Book Description

Softcover edition of this national bestseller!Hailed as a masterpiece for its original interpretations of Beethoven's life and music.This edition takes into account the latest information and literature.Includes a 30-page bibliographical essay, numerous illustrations and a full-color pictorial biography of the composer. ... Read more

Reviews (19)

Good but not definitive
How to describe Solomon's very good book on Beethoven? It is part psychohistory, which is always a perilous operation for a writer. I am one of those people who actually like Freud, but sometimes Solomon's psychoanalysis irritated me, and I was always glad when he left the couch and went back to more or less solid facts. There is a huge chapter on the Immortal Beloved that bored me after a couple of dozen pages, but those particularly interested in this aspect of Beethoven's life are in for a real treat! I'd like to have seen more discussion of B's politics and social views; Solomon's discussion of these is, overall, pretty thin.

But Solomon's weaknesses (and that is my judgment) do not ouweigh his great strengths. He has certainly done his homework on B's life, and he is a skilled writer and a patient, tireless researcher. He knows his Thayer as well, and he isn't above questioning long-held assumptions about this flawed but very great man. Solomon's discussion of B's music is sufficient for a biography (those who want a lot of details on the music should go elsewhere), and he does a great job of showing how the composer followed the classical models and broke away toward romanticism. He does well in showing the man's great genuis without ever worshipping him (the way 19th century music lovers did). No doubt about it, Beethoven was a real crumb in a lot of ways, and Solomon makes this clear.

As good as this book is, I wouldn't call it definitive. I imagine some bright peson coming along some day who has a deep understanding of the Enlightenment, of early romanticism, of music, and of German and Viennese society who will give a truer picture of the man in his full context. It is very difficult to describe music in words, but my imaginary writer will be adept at this as well. Until this person comes along (and we're talking about a reincarnation of Samuel Johnson or Shakespeare), Solomon will do just fine.

Not really a biography
I have spent over half of my life researching the life of Beethoven. Like many people, I was excited to learn of the new edition. However, I found it as disappointing as the original. If you are SERIOUS about Beethoven research, stick with Thayer. Unlike Solomon's biography, Thayer's reads as if it were a diary. Solomon provides too much analysis, which should be left to some of the fine articles and papers he has written in the past. This book would serve well as a supplement instead of a cornerstone. Thayer provides facts, and very little opinions. It is important to remember that Solomon is not the first person to do extensive Beethoven research. Many other authors and researchers have come before him with richer results. Take his finding as that of only one of a hundred authors on Beethoven. Check his facts with others and decide for yourself. If you are just interested in reading one or two books on Beethoven, please select another biography. Solomon's is not completely acceptable.

Too much pseudo-psychoanalysis
A generally interesting, and presumably authoritative, narrative of Beethoven's life and music is too often de-railed by whole chapters of amateurish, armchair Freudian psychoanalysis. It is further side-tracked by the long-winded pursuit or trivia [for example, an entire chapter (40 pages) of stuffy prose evaluates alternative theories on "who was his 'immortal beloved'" -- who cares? her identity is irrelevant].

The New York Times Book Review may think this is "a landmark of Beethovian scholarship and interpretation", but in my view, the narrative frequently suffers from a rather pompous style of pseudo-academic writing. A good edit is clearly warranted. Not really recommended.

An ode to genius
Maynard Solomon's 1977 biography "Beethoven" is divided into four main sections, "movements" so to speak, and every section is filled with themes and variations. Each section ends with an essay titled simply "The Music", in which is described the works Beethoven composed during the period under discussion. The interpretations are acute but easily understood by the non-musician. In fact, it could be that Solomon's book is the most reader-friendly of Beethoven biographies. (There are dozens.) Some of Solomon's revelations are surprising. For instance, the average reader does not think of Beethoven as a composer for voice, outside of "Fidelio" and the Ode to Joy, but Solomon states that "half of his 600 works are vocal". (Among other things, Solomon's description of "Fidelio"'s plot is fascinating.) Solomon also discusses how Beethoven's later works threatened to become travesties of his Herioc Style. In fact, "Wellington's Victory" was considered by professionals "a stupendous musical joke". Beethoven's difficult nature is legend, and Solomon deals with it frankly. Some of his irascibility was undoubtedly due to his deafness, which exacerbated after 1812. What caused the deafness is a little mysterious. The composer himself, in a rather weird anecdote, attributed it to an "excitement of rage", but the cause may have been more medically sound. Beethoven never married, and his "open" sex life consisted of flirtations with married women. (In fact, the 30-page account of the Immortal Beloved theorizes that she was a pretty Viennese matron whose affair with Beethoven eventually became an "exalted friendship".) His "secret" sex life, however, was his employment of prostitutes; and in his youth he was treated for syphilis. Did the contraction cause the deafness? Solomon doesn't go there, but he does indicate that Beethoven's morose treatment of other people was aggravated by the deafness. His brothers, for instance: the omission of Nikolaus Johann in the Heiligenstadt Testament and the shabby treatment of Kaspar Carl's widow and her son. Beethoven's gall could be incredible. Although he enjoyed "Il Barbiere di Siviglia", he warned Rossini not to attempt serious opera because it "ill suited the Italians. You do not possess sufficient musical knowledge to deal with real drama". Well, so much for Verdi (who was a child at the time). Of course, now, nearly 180 years after Beethoven's death, it's the music that matters. Even so, such a productive life can be appreciated on a literary level, and it's that experience that Maynard Solomon provides in this superlative biography.

I love Beethoven!
This is a well researched, delightfully written book about one of the world's greatest composers of classical music. If you read it, you'll know a whole lot more about the man, his family, his friends and colleagues, his music and his times.
Beethoven was born and raised in Bonn, Germany (1770-1827), but as soon as he could he gravitated to Vienna (Austria), because that was the capital of the Empire (Austro-Hungarian) and that's where the greatest musicians lived and where the greatest opportunities in music were. Beethoven showed some musical promise early in life (though he was no child prodigy like Mozart) and by age 15 he was already composing and performing in public. He eventually learned to play a number of instruments, but by 15 he was already a virtuoso on the piano and in his prime he was the best pianist in Vienna.
Beethoven enrolled at the University of Bonn in his teens but soon withdrew because he preferred to study independently - by reading the classics and the other greats of the day (Kant, Goethe, Schiller, etc.) and through tutoring in musical composition and performing. He eventually studied in Vienna with one of his 'music heroes' - Franz Joseph Haydn. (His other 'music heroes' included Mozart, Haendel, Glueck, and Cherubini).
Beethoven's life was filled with numerous successes, achievements, rewards, etc., he eventually composed some 600 pieces of music of all kinds, and he knew at the end of his life that he'd won the only kind of immortality in which he himself believed - that which man could earn personally through his own efforts here on Earth. But his life was not all 'milk and honey'. Beethoven also encountered much adversity in life that caused him great mental anguish, sorrows and disappointments. He was disappointed, for example, in his family (all commoners!) - and especially in his two brothers (non-achievers!). He was mainly unsuccessful with women: he could rarely find a suitable candidate - and when he did, he would always opt in favor of his career over a wife. He was unhappy with Vienna and it's noble class: both were slow to recognize his genius and reluctant to properly reward him for his accomplishments - with money or with a permanent position. He also had problems with music publishers (Beethoven was, basically, a free lance composer-businessman), and he was greatly disappointed when Napoleon decided to crown himself Emperor of France. In the end these adversities wore Beethoven down, and as he aged his behavior and manners became increasingly course and rude and his appearance, sometimes unkempt and bizarre. He experienced various health problems throughout his life and his hearing was gone completely by the age of 47. Nevertheless, Beethoven, never ceased working and creating new masterpieces. He almost always maintained his disciplined work ethic and he always carried a notebook in which he could record fresh ideas about music that he was always contemplating in his mind. He'd jump out of bed in the night to record music he was hearing in his dreams.
This book contains useful, interesting facts and information from a variety of sources - including the 'conversation books' that Beethoven used to exchange thoughts with his friends after his hearing no longer permitted him to converse aloud. We know from these materials that Beethoven thought the choice of certain musical keys was important in creating certain sentiments, atmosphere, and emotions in programmed music. We learn his thoughts on music critics and the nobility. We also learn what his last words were: "Schade! Schade! Zu Spaet! ("Pity! Pity! Too late!") - that he uttered on his death bed when he saw some of his favorite wine being delivered.
In conclusion: if you love classical music, you'll love this book! ... Read more

Book Description

This beautiful celebration of Buddha brings together centuries of sculpture and painting from the East. The vast selection of photographs, ranging from the Indian subcontinent, to China, Tibet, Japan, and Indonesia, features richly gilded and jeweled bronzes, elaborate and colorful paintings, intricately embroidered silk hangings, and statuesque rock carvings. The artwork is accompanied by essays that explore the story of Buddha and Buddhist art in each region and provide additional information on topics such as the cave complexes of China, where more than a thousand rock carvings pay homage to Buddha. ... Read more

Book Description

Ever since George W. Bush began running for public office in the 1990s, questions have been raised in the public eye about his service in the Air National Guard during the late 1960s and early 1970s -- when countless American soldiers (John Kerry among them) were serving heroically in Vietnam. By the time of the presidential race in 2000, it was clear that Bush's record of service contained several troubling gaps -- especially in the pe-riod between May 1972 and May 1973, when Bush was supposed to have transferred to the Alabama Air Na-tional Guard.

In early 2004, as the election season heated up, the White House bowed to pressure and released a host of documents related to Bush's service, promising that this disclosure would put the matter to rest. Yet the documents raised as many new questions as they answered. Now, for the first time, the comprehensive written record of George W. Bush's military career -- more than 250 pages in all -- is presented in book form. In his introduction and commentary, longtime activist and author Glenn W. Smith, the founder of Texans for Truth, highlights such questions as:

• How did Bush secure his acceptance into the National Guard, despite a long waiting list? Did his father pull strings, as some have alleged, to help him avoid the draft?
• Why did Bush suddenly stop performing his Guard service from mid-1972 to mid-1973, as the documents show?
• Did Bush truly perform sufficient duties to qualify for the honorable discharge he received, or was he given special consideration?
• In the summer of 1972, Bush failed to appear for his required physical, and was consequently suspended from flying. Why didn't he take the physical? And why has he claimed that he kept flying for the Guard?
• If Bush was present at the National Guard base in Montgomery, Alabama, during the disputed period, why has no one accepted the White House's pleas to step forward and confirm that he was there?
• And how do the now-discredited “Killian documents,” first aired on 60 Minutes in September 2004, affect our understanding of Bush's Guard status?

Unfit Commander also tracks the Bush administration's efforts to defuse the controversy, from Bush's own claim that he “put in his time,” to the White House's record of unyielding non-denial denials despite the persistent questioning of the press. And at the heart of the book are the documents themselves: from Bush's agreement that “failure to satisfactorily complete [full] pilot training will result in my being discharged,” to his supervisor's statement that “Lt Bush has not been observed at this unit” during the critical period.

A provocative exploration of this commander in chief's spotty record of personal military service, Unfit Commander is the place to start for anyone interested in getting at the truths of President Bush's character.

Reviews (2)

A really WONDERFUL book!
They say pictures are worth 1000 words, but as far as I'm concerned the book doesn't need words! Some pictures I have NEVER seen before. I LOVE IT!

Still in print after 20 years...It's just that good!
Bart Andrews and Tom Watson celebrate the career of America's First Lady Of Comedy in this loving tribute. Released in 1980 and still in print today...it's just that good. ... Read more

Book Description

Many biographies of the composer Beethoven have been distorted by misunderstandings, misinterpretations and even falsehoods. This book takes a fresh look at Beethoven's romantic relationships, including the evidence for his Immortal Beloved. It puts quotes back into the historical and literary contexts from which they have been taken, untangles misconceptions and mistranslations, and using common sense and a sense of humor presents a highly readable biography focusing on Beethoven's much-maligned life and love life. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

touching!
This book has touched me well, actually beethoven,... what interest me in this book was that I played piano and I have always like beethoven,.... His music has a deeper feeling that compare to mozart to me,... mozart always has lighter tone in his,... Anyway,...that is why I found this book and the history about his life really touchy and it is correct that this book has information that I have never known about beethoven,... overall, I think it is a great story and I think if you want to know about beethoven this is a great book,... I play and hear his music in a different way now,...

Enlightening!
This book is excellent. Ms. Altman deals only with the facts and does a great job digging in to show why her information is correct. The other aulthors have done a lot of embellishing, but Ms. Altman obviously worked hard to find the truth. It's well worth the money. You'll learn things about this composer that you never knew before. Thank you for bringing a fresh new concept to nonfiction, Gail -- TRUTH! ... Read more

Book Description

Deserter looks objectively at the military record of George W. Bush, his role in the armed forces, and his treatment of them. Over the past year, Bush's military poses have been contrived to convince the American public that he is a National Security President. Others have found his playacting less convincing. While George W. Bush supported the Vietnam War, his contribution was to enlist in a nepotistic unit of the Texas National Air Guard, which, short of World War III, was guaranteed never to see military action. Even in this safe position, Lieutenant Bush broke under the strain and went AWOL for the best part of a year. In contrast, American National Guardsmen have not only been called up for frontline action in Iraq, but they have had their terms of service extended. While the military budget soars, the war is being fought with a dangerously inadequate number of troops. The dead and disabled are shipped home under cover of darkness; those who eventually return in one piece find that their veterans' medical benefits and facilities are being axed. Deserter strips away the illusion of Bush as "commander-in-chief" to reveal a hypocrite who has betrayed his troops and his country. ... Read more

Book Description

If you think you know everything about Lucille Ball, think again! Lucy A to Z is a unique encyclopedic tribute to the life and career of Lucy, the most beloved comedian of our time.

This third edition of Lucy A to Z is filled with newly discovered archival research and updated information. Author Michael Karol obtained exclusive interviews, like the chat with Lucy's personal secretary, Wanda Clark, and details of the stage careers of the four I Love Lucy principals. Fans will revel in a special treat: information on a "lost" Broadway play from 1963 in which one of the major characters was based on Lucille Ball called Nobody Loves an Albatross.

Since its initial publication in May 2001, Lucy A to Z has found acceptance in the hearts of Lucy fans everywhere, from the Lucy-Desi Museum in Jamestown, New York, to the Loving Lucy convention in Burbank, California, and all points in between.

The public has loved Lucille Ball for more than 50 years. Lucy A to Z was created especially for these millions of fans.

Reviews (1)

Examines the Lasting Impact of FDR 55 Years Later
Leuchtenburg, and esteemed historian of the Roosevelt era, examines the profound, lasting impact of Roosevelt's policies on America for many decades following his presidency. The book reviews the presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt so you can understand his lasting legacy.

Roosevelt still runs the White House. ... Read more