Book Description
A House Divided, the third volume of the trilogy that began with
The Good Earth and
Sons, is a powerful portrayal of China in the midst of revolution. Wang Yuan is caught between the opposing ideas of different generations. After 6 years abroad, Yuan returns to China in the middle of a peasant uprising. His counsin is a captain in the revolutionary army, his sister has scandalized the family by her premarital pregnancy, and his warlord father continues to cling to his traditional ideals. It is through Yuan's efforts that a kind of peace is restored to the family.
Customer Reviews:
Least favorite of the trilogoy.......2006-06-18
The final book in the House of Earth trilogy was my least favorite and most disconnected of the three. She jumps into the third generation and third book with not a whole lot of background or character development (except for Yuan), so I cared the least about the characters, their situations and trials. The story was interesting, but I found that I could not relate as well to the characters or understand their plight. But I think she did a marvelous job at showing the differences between the generations and how exposure to new ideas, cultures and technology can quickly change the traditions of a culture; sometimes the change is good and beneficial, sometimes it's detrimental. I also like how she juxtiposed Yuan, who tries to hold on to his tradition and country and resists change, to other family members who embraced the change with all their hearts. I think that The Good Earth is a brillant read, but if you missed the next two in the trilogy it wouldn't be a tragedy.
Caught Between Two Worlds.......2005-05-28
A HOUSE DIVIDED is the final book of Pearl S. Buck's trilogy about the family of Wang Lung, the protagonist of THE GOOD EARTH. This book finds his grandson, Wang Yuan, son of the warlord Wang the Tiger, graduating from the war college at the beginning of the first Chinese Cultural Revolution. Yuan, a serious, thoughtful, but willful boy does not want to follow in his father's footsteps, but instead feels an affinity with the earth and growing things as his grandfather Wang Lung did.
Yuan defies his father and runs away to live in his grandfather's old mud farmhouse. This begins a chain of events which take Yuan across the world. He ends up in the coastal city where his half-sister and her mother live, as well as his uncle, Wang the Landlord, along with his spoiled family. Yuan gets exposed to, but never really embraces, the westernized party lifestyle of his half-sister and the revolutionary activities of his cousins Sheng and Meng.
After Yuan is arrested as a revolutionary, his family ransoms him and sends him to study in America, where he spends six years attaining an advanced degree in horticulture. Being a foreigner in a strange land causes Yuan to examine all his feelings, beliefs and prejudices. He is doubly introspective when he returns to China and sees his country anew through foreign eyes. Yuan is caught in a trap by his education, neither belonging wholly to either the old China or the new, his heart as divided as his family - half live in the modern coastal city and half live back in the country.
I thought this was the best of the trilogy because Yuan's introspection makes him the most well-developed and conflicted character in this multi-generational tale. However, Buck's plodding, biblical style is not for everyone and I will admit that every page seemed like as two or three (or more!) It took me several weeks to complete this novel.
a house divided.......2005-01-24
It looks like it has some really old stuff in it that's why i think that i will like it.
An insightful adventure..........2003-04-10
I would say that this book could certainly stand alone simply because there was so much happening in this turbulent setting of the revolution. In many ways "A House Divided" was my favorite of the "House of Earth" trilogy, (still, The Good Earth was beautiful!) because it was an adventure that spanned the globe. Yet there was no lack in telling how the main character evolved emotionally and intellectually from the first page to the last.
Many times throughout the book, Pearl Buck successfully showed how Yuan's world was filled with black and white; no grey. For example, a person was expected to be 100% revolutionary, or a 100% traditionalist. Or one had to be 100% Chinese, or 100% foreign. Yuan was a very conflicted man from the start and struggled with these issues pretty much until the end. To me that was the most intriguing part.
I was fascinated with Yuan's six-year stay in America. He experienced racism first-hand, the confusion of living in another country, trying to assimilate, seeing and appreciating the beauty of the country and the friendliness and openness of some of its people, the freedom to pursue one's happiness and potential, but clearly his own traditions and culture prevented him from fully accepting the foreigners into his heart.
I think the author gave some real insight into the minds of people living during the revolution. Many people, like Yuan's cousin, Meng, were fevently passionate about it. It was clear that it took a certain kind of person, with a linear, unwavering focus in order to hasten a violent change. In this case, that meant one had to be filled with anger and hatred.
Also through Yuan, we were exposed to the hypocrisy of the revolution as well. While the ideology spoke for the common people, the revolutionists were frustrated and repulsed by the common people's ways of life, such as they were for centuries. Eventually, many gave up on the older generation, and focused on the youth of the poor, because they were more easily influenced. Of course, it touched on the fact that no one was permitted to question this new state. Those who followed the cause were expected to accept it blindly.
In keeping with his torn mental state, Yuan's hesitation to decide where he stood in terms of the cause was understandable. His experience gave him first-hand knowledge of how frustrating it was to live under the old filial rules, yet he'd also witnessed the softer moments with his father, and others who represented the old world. He at least was mature enough to realize that people were deeply complicated, which made it impossible for him to truly believe that "rich people are evil, poor people are good." At the same time, as much as he loved the land, and found peace of mind working among the common people, he was at times, disgusted by their surroundings, their "odor" permeating his space no matter where he went.
Pearl Buck eloquently described the same black and white issues of the heart in Yuan. Time and time again, he wished to be emotionally open, yet didn't dare. Yuan was repulsed by the display of free behavior of the new generation of China and the young Americans. Again, his reaction to the American women who danced with his cousin Sheng was an interesting glimpse into his perception of himself. Although Yuan hated the white women who ignored or rejected Sheng because he was Chinese, he had no respect for the white women who did dance with Sheng. And he felt ashamed for Sheng for "lowering his standards" to such women.
Yes, perhaps the end was unrealistic, but as a hopeless romantic American, I can appreciate it. However, one can see the huge circle this book fills out with the trilogy. Yuan is ultimately the one who understands and respects his grandfather's efforts with the land, back in the first novel. Yuan is the one who finally repairs the ties to his father and ends the cycle of broken relationships. The trilogy ends as his father, the Tiger, spends his final days in the earthen house where he was born.
When I read certain books, I sometimes imagine what they would be like on film, and I think it would be fantastic to see it done with the entire "House of Earth" trilogy. But then again, is it even possible to make a film that would do this epic justice?
Relevant Today.......2001-09-01
This third book in The Good Earth series was somewhat a slower read the the previous two. However, the story was wonderful, and despite the ending, which some might find unrealistic, I enjoyed it. I was so pleased that Yuan found happiness, acceptance and love.
I found the themes of the book relevant today in that our culture, ideas, lifestyles, and the influence and relationships with our children, effect their lives and influence future choices.
Yaun was deeply loved by the Tiger, however, was not free to grow into an individual. This somewhat stunted Yuan emotionally, and he found himself in constant conflict over the ideas of his father and the new China. His time in America began to mature Yuan. It allowed him to return home to begin his journey into manhood and make choices about his future. However, although he now had choices, he was still duty bound to his family by a debt incurred by the Tiger.
The book was wonderful and I am sorry to see the Good Earth series end.
Book Description
This fascinating look into the world of Mexico's most famous female artist introduces children to the themes that infused Kahlo's vibrant paintings, while demonstrating her brilliant gift for combining life and art.
Monkeys, trees, deer, family members, friends, flowers, tears and wheelchairs—Frida Kahlo's use of symbolism and color wonderfully lends itself to teaching children about the artistic process. What was the artist thinking? Why is Frida's head smaller than Diego's? Was she happy when she painted this picture, or was she sad? These are some of the questions children are encouraged to ponder as they learn about her life, career and important relationships. An engaging text and gorgeous reproductions call attention to Kahlo's use of bold color and natural imagery, as well as her ingenious use of perspective, collage, and varying styles. Children will learn much about creative self-expression through this beautifully designed and insightful adventure in art.
Book Description
You are cordially invited to celebrate Christmas, Fortune-style, with these brand-new stories!
Let bestselling authors Barbara Boswell, Jennifer Greene and Jackie Merritt enthrall you with a Texas-size celebration! Determined to repay the people who stood by him in his darkest hours, Ryan Fortune bestows on them three special gifts intended to bring love and the promise of family . . .
The powerful sheik. Ryan gives wealthy sheik Nico Tan-efi his prized signet ring with hopes that the brooding ruler can woo back his ex-fiancée . . .
His daring rescuers. Two strangers are each given a home -- only it's the same house! Can Ryan's matchmaking scheme pull these orphans together?
The diligent doctor. Two million dollars allows researcher Dr. Maggie Taylor to hire her sexy rival to her cause, only his cause is loosening her tightly leashed passion!
Customer Reviews:
:|.......2002-03-27
Gifts of Fortune is a book that revolves around Ryan Fortune and the gifts that he gives to people that are important to him. Each person is important to Ryan for different reasons.
THE HOLIDAY HEIR introduces us to Nico Tan-efi the King of Imarco. Nico saved Ryan from financial disaster, and in return Ryan gives Nico a ring that has the Double Crown inlay. Ryan swears that the ring holds the magical power to make true love survive. Nico can only hope that the mystical power is true and helps him win back his one true love. ... In THE CHRISTMAS HOUSE we are introduced to Jessamine Mitchell and Sebastian Quentin. Ryan feels the need to thank these two people for pulling him out of a burning car and saving his life. Ryan knows that they are both orphans and decides to give them a very expensive house to share. Ryan secretly hopes that the house brings these two strangers together. I was a bit disappointed with the abrupt ending of this story. In MAGGIE'S MIRACLE we finally meet the doctor that saved Ryan's life when somone tried to kill him with poison. Dr. Maggie Taylor never gave up on saving Ryan and in return he gives her two million dollars to help her fund he own research lab. Maggie's sister has a rare blood disorder and with Ryan's money she can afford to open her own research lab. Maggie also hires the best research doctor available, Dr. Elliott Sandwell. Sparks fly when these two get together. I have to admit that I liked Nico's story the best because there was a family connection between him and the Fortunes. The other two stories were okay, but other than Ryan being the one to give them their "gifts" they had no other connection to the Fortune books. I am eager to get back to the Fortune clan with the next book in the series...
Book Description
This second omnibus includes three of Maureen Lee's beloved Liverpool sagas. In The Girl from Barefoot House, life with her beautiful mother in the heart of Liverpool was all Josie Flynn ever wanted—until Hitler's bombs ripped her childhood apart. But the war was just the start of a journey which brings her friendship and heartbreak. In Laceys of Liverpool, Alice Lacey couldn't be more different from her sister-in-law, the bitter, ambitious Cora. And when both women give birth to sons on one chaotic night in Liverpool in 1940, Cora's jealousy and resentment prompt her into an action with the most far-reaching consequences. In The House by Princes Park, Ruby O'Hagan never knew her parents. Brought up in a convent, at 14 Ruby is chosen to be a lady's companion, but before long she finds herself in the slums of Liverpool, alone and with 2 children to support.
Book Description
The war is progressing for the Nippies, the girls who work at the Lyons Corner House in Marble Arch. With the air-raids, rationing and blackouts, life no longer has the carefree attitude it used to have. But new pain and pleasure await as everyone decides what effort they can make towards victory. Jo yearns for Nick, but the burns he sustained when he was shot down are life-changing and need the new procedure of plastic surgery. Will their marriage ever go ahead? And does Jo want it to? She loses herself in her new role as lumberjill, one of the women hewing timber for the war effort. Meanwhile, Phyl has been selected, along with some other trusted Nippies, for secret work. Far from family and friends, she works with munitions and tries to forget her desire to be a Wren. Her husband is far away but she never loses faith that one day they will be reunited...
Book Description
This superb picture book tribute to seven of history's most celebrated architectural wonder-workers takes readers from the domes of Florence to the mosques of Turkey, from the Eiffel Tower to the Chrysler Building. Stunning illustrations and lively text evoke the passion and genius of builders whose inspiring work spans five centuries and six countries.
Customer Reviews:
A tour of the best of master builders around the world.......2006-01-13
From Florence to Turkey, every civilization holds great building projects and creators, and Bo Zaunders and illustrator Roxie Munro offer a tour of the best of master builders around the world in Gargoyles, Girders & Glass Houses. Kids in grades 3-5 will find each featured building holds a story of its creator, and will find the accounts of building challenges involving.
great collection of inspiring master builders.......2005-10-18
Readers will be absorbed by the works of seven brilliant and ambitious master builders in this attractive introduction to architecture. Share the highs and lows of notable architects and engineering constructions as you travel through five centuries and six countries. This is a remarkable tribute to the genius and passion behind the Eiffel Tower, the mosques of Turkey's Mimar Koca Sinan, and the varied works of Brazil's O Aleijadinho. Also included are the stories behind Brunelleschi's dome of Santa Maria del Fiore, the Roeblings' Brooklyn Bridge, the buildings of Barcelona's Gaudi, and Van Alen's Chrysler Building in New York City. With lively prose, Zaunders opens each of the eight chapters with a significant scene from the individual's career, followed by historical and architectural background.
Munro's ink drawings with color washes capture a vivid sense of each structure's unique light, space and feeling. Her exceptional perspective adds drama to many of the compositions, and well-chosen details keep even large projects within the range of our understanding. The edges of the pages contain large paintings and smaller images, which convey both the grandeur and the subtle details described in the text. In example, the skyward view of the cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore illustrates its sheer size, but also portrays the hoist's intricate workings, along with the oxen supplying the power.
For grades 3-7, this is an engaging first look at the glories of structural design.
Average customer rating:
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By the Seaside
K. J. Bradley
Manufacturer: Trafford Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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philosophy hope in a jar daily moisturizer
ASIN: 1412017483
Release Date: 2006-07-06 |
Book Description
Sara had the perfect life. In a matter of days her ordinary life begins to unravel. A stranger appears and her life will forever be changed. . .
Average customer rating:
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Caminos
Ron Wallace ,
Niobe O'Connor , and
Karen House
Manufacturer: Nelson Thornes Ltd
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Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0748767827 |
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Caminos
Ron Wallace ,
Niobe O'Connor ,
Karen Brooks , and
Karen House
Manufacturer: Nelson Thornes Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Education
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
Instruction
| Foreign Languages
| Reference
| Subjects
| Books
| African
| Ancient Greek
| Arabic
| Celtic Languages
| Chinese
| Danish
| Dictionaries; Polyglot
| Dutch
| English as a Foreign Language
| French
| General
| German
| Germanic Languages
| Greek
| Hebrew
| Hungarian
| Italian
| Japanese
| Korean
| Latin
| Miscellaneous
| Native American
| Phrasebooks - General
| Polish
| Portuguese
| Russian
| Scandinavian
| Serbo-Croatian
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| Slavic Languages
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ASIN: 0748722858 |
Average customer rating:
- More traditional than one might think
- if you like freights,this is the book for you
- It's Not even worth $5.99----
- Great Book
- train writing 101
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Freight Train Graffiti
Roger Gastman ,
Darin Rowland , and
Ian Sattler
Manufacturer: "Harry N. Abrams, Inc."
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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Similar Items:
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Graffiti Women: Street Art from Five Continents
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Subway Art
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Graffiti World: Street Art from Five Continents
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Spraycan Art (Street Graphics / Street Art)
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Burning New York
ASIN: 0810992493 |
Book Description
Like Graffiti World, Freight Train Graffiti is the definitive history of a vibrant art form. Until now there was almost no written insight into this vast subculture, which inspires fascination across America and around the world. As dazzling as the art it celebrates, the book is packed with 1,000 full-color illustrations and features in-depth interviews with more than 125 train artists and "writers." Hundreds of never-before-seen photographs span the style's evolution, while the authoritative text from an all-star team of authors provides unprecedented perspective, including the first-ever written history of "monikers," the precursors of graffiti, developed by hobos and rail workers to communicate en route. Bound to surprise graffiti artists, graphic designers, and urban culture buffs alike, this book will inspire anyone who has ever been interested in graffiti.
Customer Reviews:
More traditional than one might think.......2007-08-17
The subject is well researched, although rail cars are not totally unique to graffiti, which seems to be a human tradition since the first caveman scratched out the image of a beast on the wall of his cave. History buffs study graffiti along the Oregon Trail in places like Independence Rock in Wyoming. Graffiti is personification. What I find amazing is that so many "artist" have so much time, and resources to supply great quantities of paint to do this illegal form of art. Obviously several hours go into one masterpiece at some point, would expect detection by authorities. I have a little difficulty with the smallness of the writing. Otherwise, I find it interesting
if you like freights,this is the book for you.......2007-07-29
look at who it was done by,that should be enuff to tell you its dope,with out the hundreds of tiop shelf photos,in this book waiting for you to drewl over,a excellent book,the only reason why i didnt give it 5 strats is gets a bit to much of the same thing towards the end,but being such a thick book,it will have you hooked for a while...
It's Not even worth $5.99----.......2007-05-30
First off----this book is too small (size-wise) and has far too many pages.
The author would have been better off making the book bigger and cutting alot of the boring filler stuff about trains. Some of the pictures are so small it is difficult to even read the pieces.
The page layout is crammed and rather amateur looking.
Most of the train info makes for a boring read, but that is what happens when a Non - artist writes a book about art.
Train graffiti is not even that interesting to look at- most of it is basic and quick.
The Cover shot is such a basic piece, unimpressive at best---
A few of the top to bottoms look really nice, but are crammed into small pages because the book is so tiny.....
If the price gets down to $1.99, buy it and cut the pictures out, scan them, enlarge them and then make your own picture book. You will finally be able to see the detail and it will probably be a better layout........hahahaha
Great Book.......2007-05-17
I feel like this product is pretty self-explanatory. If you want a high-quality book including lots of great pictures and funny, personal first-person accounts, then this is the book for you. If not, then I really don't know why you'd want a book entitle Freight Train Graffiti. Delivers exactly as expected!
train writing 101.......2007-02-18
this book is amazing! it goes from the history of the railroad, to the hobo era, to the roots of tagging, to modern day enhanced writings that are beautiful! the accounts from real train writers are enlightening and entertaining. i would recommend this book to anyone who wants a diversified coffee table book, or someone that wants to learn more about this art. and, yes, it IS art. YOU try to use spray paint as a medium, its not that easy.
Product Description
THIS IS A 6 LB (POUND) BOOK WITH 447 PAGES!!!!
The History of Los Angeles Graffiti Art, volume one is the first in a series of four books that documents all aspects of Los Angeles graffiti art from 1983 to 2005. Focusing on the 1980s (1983 -1988), volume one recounts the first years of the graffiti movement in Los Angeles.
Within the book, you will discover the truth behind the rich history, photos and stories. All experiences and DVD that is included are uncut and real. Its exciting and fresh to the point of understanding the culture, without cutting it up.
Experiences: Every volume contains 58 exclusive detailed interviews. These interviews are free-style, not scripted, and are based on each writers experience, personal views and memories.
Spotlights: Special tribute to all writers/artists who made significant contributions and influences to the L.A. Graff scene.
Pieces/Burners: Common to never seen before Pieces/Burners showcasing familiar works as well as numerous lost, legendary and forgotten murals.
Battles: A special section dedicated to L.A.s first battles between some of the most prolific crews and writers of first era.
Blackbooks: Historical detailed drawings done within sketch books called Blackbooks.
Articles: Newspaper and magazine pieces related to historical L.A. Graff subject matter.
R.I.P.: Memorials for all respected deceased Los Angeles Graffiti writers.
DVD: A special DVD that contains over 30 slide shows of various L.A. writers. The DVDs consist of the graffiti writers breathing life into their own work while sharing their experiences with the authors. The DVDs are uncut, raw and true.
Visit eBay for the limited edition version - 100/300 & signed by the authors!!
Customer Reviews:
I was there. This is the real deal........2006-06-23
LA finally has a voice immortalized in print. After 20+ years of bombing, tagging, running, gunning and stunning, Los Angeles is beginning to see its history actually recorded. This first effort by a pair of LA sons -- including none other than the notorious WISKone from WCA -- is an ambitious and thorough first effort. Sure there are typos and some people will critique the inclusion or exclusion of a few heads, but come on . . . this is a bold and brave undertaking. The book is massive, full of colorful pieces you might not even remember even if you saw them the first time around. and instead of inserted narrative and opinions, it's a first person verbatim of memories from the artists that lived the life during the first wave (1983-1988). Artists, murals, writers and yards have come and gone, so this archive will fast become an essential part of our history. And thank god somebody had the balls and the commitment to finally do it.
Books:
- A Pattern Language: Towns, Buildings, Construction (Center for Environmental Structure Series)
- A View of the Constitution of the United States of America
- Agency, Partnership, and the LLC in a Nutshell, 2nd Edition (Nutshell Series)
- America on Trial: Inside the Legal Battles That Transformed Our Nation--From the Salem Witches to the Guantanamo Detainees
- American Country Building Design: Rediscovered Plans for 19th-Century Farmhouses, Cottages, Landscapes, Barns, Carriage Houses & Outbuildings
- Architectural Plans for Adding On or Remodeling
- Art on the Edge and Over: Searching for Art's Meaning in Contemporary Society, 1970s-1990s
- Basic Community Cases
- Bent Ply
- Beyond the Bungalow
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
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- Cities for a Small Planet
- Flow Cytometry, Part A, Volume 41, Second Edition
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- Judas Child
- Nature and the Idea of a Man-Made World: An Investigation into the Evolutionary Roots of Form and Or
- Dreams Through the Glass: Windows from Bergdorf Goodman
- Dawn of the Age of Mammals in the Northern Part of the Rocky Mountain Interior, North America
Sons (Good Earth Trilogy, Vol 2)
The Good Earth (Oprah's Book Club)
Three Daughters of Madame Liang (Buck, Pearl S. Oriental Novels of Pearl S. Buck, 4th,)
Imperial Woman (Buck, Pearl S. Oriental Novels of Pearl S. Buck, 3rd,)
The Mother
