Book Description
In a perfect pairing of talent, this volume blends twenty illustrations by Peter Sís with Jorge Luis Borges's 1957 compilation of 116 “strange creatures conceived through time and space by the human imagination,” from dragons and centaurs to Lewis Carroll's Cheshire Cat and the Morlocks of H. G. Wells's The Time Machine. A lavish feast of exotica brought vividly to life with art commissioned specifically for this volume, The Book of Imaginary Beings will delight readers of classic fantasy as well as Borges's many admirers.
Customer Reviews:
Fantastic reference book on Imaginary Beings.......2007-07-31
This book may not have all of the imaginary beings ever known, but it tries. A terrific book to read and use as a reference.
Great gift for magical thinkers.......2007-02-27
I purchased this for my college-aged sister, and she really enjoyed it. I can't vouch for anything but the idea, format and pictures, all of which appealed wildly to my entire family.
Bestiary of the imagination.......2007-02-04
"The Book of Imaginary Creatures" seems like kind of a flimsy book for a great author like Jorge Luis Borges -- a bestiary of creatures from myth, religion and literature. But the book becomes deeper and more intriguing as it goes on, tapping into philosophy and common imaginings around the world.
There are several religion-based creatures -- the Biblical Levithian, Swedenborg's angels and demons, Mohammed's heavenly steed Buraq, Judaical golems (which aren't quite the same as other creatures, since people have to make them), and supernatural versions of real animals, like the white elephant that appeared before the birth of Buddha or Chinese foxes.
But even more numerous are the mythic creatures, from the usual (centaurs, unicorns, hellhounds, gryphons) to the obscure (the A Bao A Qu, an insubstantial little thing that follows people up the stairs). These are a more colourful bunch, especially since many of them -- dragons, the hare in the moon, the basilisk -- recur in different countries, and Borges told readers of most of those.
And to round it off, Borges included creatures invented in literature -- Homer and Dante's mythic creatures, Poe's Antarctic creatures, Kafka, Lewis Carroll's version of a Cheshire cat, and C.S. Lewis's alien creatures from the "Space Trilogy." These authors all created creatures that were almost too weird, but which also seemed relatively likely (as invented animals go).
"The Book of Imaginary Beings" is actually very well-rounded, with lots of bizarre or relatively unknown creatures. You'd expect a bunch of typical mythic creatures just tossed together, but fortunately Borges goes way behind the call of duty, from the A Bao A Qu to the Zaratan (a carnivorous living island).
Borges obviously had great respect for these various legends, since he treats them as seriously as if they were scientifically proven. And he did his research, including duplicates and variations from across the world (not all of them, though), such as the Guardians of the four directions: for the Chinese, it was four tiger spirits, while it was four angelic beasts for the kabbalists.
Borges writes this in a solemn, scholarly manner, but it's still very easy to read ("It is a monster of form, inspired by the devil of symmetry in the imagination of sculptors, potters and ceramicists"). He also includes translations of the beings' names, and quite a few snippets of text and poetry that describe them. Even ancient nonfiction, such as Lucretius insisting that a creature like the centaur couldn't exist. Okay, whatever.
"The Book of Imaginary Beings" seems like a rather minor work for a legendary author. But taken on its own, this little mythic bestiary is a solid little read.
Great Addition to a Grand Tradition.......2006-12-23
Other reviewers have commented that Borges is too far removed here, or that it's a "minor work from a major author" -- all of which is true. If you're looking for serious *Borges*, this may not be of much interest. But if what you're looking for is a bestiary in the medieval tradition (with roots going back even further, to the 2nd Century Greek Physiologus), this is a great addition to the literature.
Wry and clever on some pages, deliciously ambiguous and foggy on others, Borges' compendium of curious creatures makes for enjoyable perusal. The only thing missing, of course, is more creatures. Borges himself begins the work with a disclaimer that any such undertaking can never be complete, yet there was plenty of room for more here. Some omissions are surprising. But in any case, for what it is (and not for what it's not), I can recommend the book without reservation.
I really wanted to love this book.......2006-08-10
I love monsters and myhthology. I love reading Borges. You put together you have.... a tedious reading experience. If you want to buy this books for kids, dont'. Honestly, they'd prefer something with cooler pictures and more reader-friendly dialouge.
If your buying this book for yourself as an adult: This is a compliation of several authors' writing on fantastical creatures. Mos to f the writing is thick and heavy handed; to say this isn't Borges at his best would be an understatement.
Average customer rating:
- The Quest continues...
- Not Free SF Reader
- Slowest of the trilogy, but still a fantastic read
- Gold
- Brace yourself for the most action-packed installment ...
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The Two Towers: Being the Second Part of The Lord Of The Rings
J. R. R. Tolkien
Manufacturer: Thorndike Press
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The Return of the King (The Lord of the Rings, Book 3)
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ASIN: 0786251751 |
Book Description
A New York Times Bestseller
Frodo and his Companions of the Ring have been beset by danger. They lost the wizard Gandalf in battle, and Boromir, seduced by the power of the Ring, tried to seize it by force. While the rest of the company was attacked by Orcs, Frodo and Sam escaped to continue the journey alone . . . save for the mysterious creeping figure that follows wherever they go.
Customer Reviews:
The Quest continues..........2007-09-03
'The Two Towers', by JRR Tolkien, tells of the continued adventures of the Fellowship after its breaking. It traces Frodo and Sam's journey as they strive to come closer to Mordor, yet in the hard, barren lands, one must have a guide, mustn't they my precioussss?
Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas trail after the Orcs who have taken Pippin and Merry captive, seeking to over take them and free the prisoners. Many leagues they travel over the fields of Rohan, finding signs that are hopeful, as well as those that fill them with dread and doubt. Yet unknown to them, Ugluk, leader of the Orc troop, has troubles in his ranks, for not only does he have fellow servants of Saruman the White with him, there are also emisaries of Sauron. What will Aragorn and his companions find if and when they overtake the Orc host, and what of the strange forest of Fangorn, feared by so many in these untrusting days. What secrets does its tangled boughs hold, and what of this mysterious white clad stanger that shows up once they are in the forest?
RD Williams, author of 'The Lost Gate'
Not Free SF Reader.......2007-09-03
Greed, betrayal, infighting, and indecision have led the Fellowship of
the Ring to break up. Gandalf has fallen, and Boromir is dead. The rest
of the party is split in two, as Frodo sneaks off with Sam, to go to
Mordor, and Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli pursue the Orcs that have
abducted the other two hobbits.
A lot of breaking stuff, fighting and sneaking to be found here.
It ends in a cliffhanger.
Slowest of the trilogy, but still a fantastic read.......2007-08-22
All three of the shorter novels published as "the Lord of the Rings trilogy" are fantastic novels, but the action taking place in The Two Towers is fantastic! This "trilogy" (originally meant to be published as one book) contains lush imagery, rich and detailed description, heart-pounding action and you can really immerse yourself in the world of Middle Earth.
In The Two Towers, Frodo and Sam continue their solitary journey to Mordor, and are eventually overtaken by Gollum (Sméagol). Gollum agrees to guide them to the Black Gate of Mordor, but their journey is fraught with danger (not the least of which is Gollum's dual-personality dilemma). Tolkien cleverly wrote his master epic in six books - two books for each volume which was eventually published. In The Two Towers, the books show the division between the Frodo/Sam storyline and the remainder of the Fellowship. Pippin and Merry become separated from the rest of the Fellowship and flee into an ancient forest full of strange and wondrous creatures. A fantastic journey filled with Orcs, Ents, a confrontation with Saruman and a reunion, not only with the remainder of the broken Fellowship, but with the reborn Gandalf, this chapter of the adventure is definitely a page-turner. Even if words on a page don't tend to excite you, this will keep you enthralled. The world that Tolkien has created in Middle Earth is so easy to lose yourself in, you might not want to come back!
Gold.......2007-07-23
I just finished reading the book, and now I am listening to it starting with the hobbit straight through the return of the king because I read them that way and I think the hobbit is in a way a part of the lord of the rings. its 60+ hours total but its worth it the narrator is great, I would of course recommend actually reading it before listening to it because as the story is a big journey, so is reading the book, its a very long story and part of appreciating it is working your way through it and for those that say "Oh I saw the movies", There is ALOT that the movies left out and gives the story a new feel. Since I read it long after seeing the movies I was not prepared for what I read, there are so many small parts that either were left out or changed slightly that its like reading a story you don't know entirely. I have to say that I love the movies and if not for them I would never have wanted to read the books. If the only way you are willing to experience the book is audiobook only then I still recommend it because they are wonderful books, my favorite actually. If you do read them first, finishing them does feel great, like a journey complete.
Brace yourself for the most action-packed installment ..........2007-07-17
Anyone who read all of The Fellowship of the Ring and bemoaned its supposed slow start or lack of action (misguided souls ... surely God will correct them im the afterlife) will finally find a home in the second part of The Lord of the Rings. The Two Towers has the benefit of an established world the author no longer needs to set up, and the story moves along from wonder to terror and back again at a most satisfying pace.
When we left Frodo, he had abandoned all the fellowship except his servant Sam, unwilling to share his seemingly certain destruction with them. Thus, Tolkien splits his narrative. Book III is devoted to the adventures of Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli as they learn the fate of the fallen wizard, Gandalf, and seek to rescue the hobbits Merry and Pippin from the clutches of the orcs. Book IV returns us to Frodo and Sam on the hopeless trek to Mordor. Along the way, they enlist the help of a most unlikely guide ...
Epic battles, walking tree-gods, monstrous spiders, and reintroduction of literature's most tragic villain, Gollum, highlight this most worthy second part of the greatest fantasy epic ever written.
(This review has been posted by Marcus Damanda, author of the vampire fantasy, "Teeth.")
Customer Reviews:
Literary Compilation by Borges - A Zoology of the Imagination.......2007-05-20
Jorge Luis Borges was a remarkable linguist, familiar with several modern European languages as well as Latin, Anglo-Saxon, and medieval Italian; this unusual zoological compilation reflects his broad literary interests. While I enjoyed perusing The Book of Imaginary Beings, it is not among his best works; perhaps its structured format may have limited Borges's freedom to wander at will across the literary landscape, surprising us with his unexpected connections and discoveries. Nonetheless, the reader familiar with Borges will find this compilation an interesting addition to a larger collection of his works.
These fantastical beings are arranged alphabetically, although Borges urges the reader to skip around, looking for subjects of interest. Some are familiar creatures: centaurs, nymphs, harpies, sirens, banshee, phoenix, hippogriffs, minotaur, mandrakes, and unicorns. Others I failed to recognize: A Bao A Qu, lamed wufniks, kujata, nagas, odradek, catoblepas, and others.
His sources are diverse. Ctesias, physician to the Persian emperor Artaxerxes Mnemon, compiled a deficient description of distant India in the fourth century B.C., in which he mentions the crocotta, a blend of a dog and a wolf. The Roman writer Pliny expands on this work by describing a cross between the hyena and antelope.
Kafka tells about an unnamed creature, that is half cat and half lamb, not only in appearance, but also in behavior. C. S. Lewis describes chilling monsters in his fantasy fiction Perelandra. Dante paints a vivid, horrifying picture of Cerberus, a creature with clawed hands that rip the skin of the souls of the damned as they file past him. In The Time Machine H. G. Wells predicts the future split of mankind into the weak, aristocratic Eloi living on the surface, and the carnivorous Morlocks, a race of underground proletarians that feast on the Eloi.
The first edition with 82 topics was published in Mexico in 1957 and titled Handbook of Fantastic Zoology. In 1967 a second edition with 34 additional entries was published in Buenos Aires. The 1970 Discus/Avon edition (120 topics) was co-authored with Margarita Guerrero. Norman Thomas di Giovanni translated this edition in collaboration with Borges.
In 1971-72 Robert Parris composed a chamber work, a suite of seven musical portraits and a final reprise, based on this book and sharing the same title, The Book of Imaginary Beings. The first performance was on May 7, 1972 at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. during the American Music Festival under the direction of Richard Bales.
Customer Reviews:
A fine journal for a fair price.......2003-02-12
A fabric covered bound book with sketches by Sam Gamgee, there are illustrations that surely could have come from Tolkien's books AND sketches of things a hobbit might have seen on his journey, things that might not have been covered in the books.
As journals (outside of the LOTR's family) this one is very good -- plentiful space on the pages for writing.
If you're an avid fan and just can't stand an artist's eye that differs from your mind's eye, or that of the movie, you might not like this. If you are a free-spirit, with an open mind for creativity, this offers other fascinating views of key characters and a Hobbit's Life.
Presented in 2 colors with a slim ribbon bookmark sewn in, you truly can't find such a fine gift for such a fair price!
Deluxe Version of an Old Favorite.......2002-09-01
In the late 1970's Michael Green came out with three books from Running Press titled "A Walk Through the Shire, "A Hobbit's Journal," and "A Hobbit's Travels." When I saw this 2002 book titled "A Hobbit's Journal" that featured 4 illustrations on the cover I had my hopes up that Running Press was re-issuing the 3 volumes with new material in a hardback version. Alas, it is not so. This book is the same blank journal as its predecessor from the 70's. Not that this is a bad thing, mind you. It is actually very nice to have a hardbound version of the original.
The book is very well illustrated on the whole. Gandalf, Tom Bombadil, and the hobbits look great. Legolas looks terrible. The idea that this is Sam's journal is really irrelevant - some of the scenes shown are things that Sam never witnessed in the story but may have had described to him by other members of the Fellowship after his adventure was over.
The major criticism I have of this book is that after 3/4ths of the illustrations are printed, the book starts over from the beginning and reproduces the same illustrations from the opening of the book. This was unnecessary. As I've said, Running Press had access to TWO other illustrated books by Green. They should have either combined all the past works or just printed a single volume with no repeats.
The book is, however, a nice addition to any Tolkien collector's library that happens to lack the original titles.
~Lotho Sackville-Baggins~
Beautiful, if impractical.......2001-02-10
This hobbit's journal is an impeccable display of an artist's visions of Middle-Earth setting and character. The calligraphy and layout of the journal is wonderful. Each page has deliberately yellowed paper for journal writing, but who would wish to disturb such a balance or artwork and imagination?
Average customer rating:
- Lost my interest halfway through...
- This was a good solid book.
- cute moments
- Fairly Ordinary
- Thoroughly Entertaining...
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Silk And Steel
Kat Martin
Manufacturer: St. Martin's Paperbacks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
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ASIN: 0312972814 |
Book Description
She could take his name, Lady Kathryn Grayson is a gently bred noblewoman with a privileged future ahead of her...until her greedy uncle decides to steal her fortune by committing her to an insane asylum. Her only escape is to stow away in the carriage of Lucien Montaine, Marquess of Litchfield, who hears her story with disbelief and suspicion. Yet Kathryn's instincts tell her Lord Litchfield is a man of honor-and her only salvation. Desperate to save herself, she attempts to seduce him and forces him into marriage.But she couldn't take his heart.The moment Lucien encounters the ragged, hungry waif with the dignity of a queen, he fights against wanting her. Though captivated by her intellect, strong will, and beauty, he will never love the woman who has deceived him.Or so he thought....Though their battle of wills grows stronger every day, desire threatens to overpower his fury. Can this maddening woman who is now his bride melt his heart of steel? Or will her silken touch only strengthen his vow never to fall prey to the dangers of love?
Customer Reviews:
Lost my interest halfway through..........2006-02-26
From the back cover:
She could take his name, but she couldn't take his heart. Or so he thought...
Lady Kathryn Grayson is a gently bred noblewoman with a privileged future ahead of her...until her greedy uncle decides to steal her fortune by committing her to an insane asylum. Her only escape is to stow away in the carriage of Lucien Montaine, Marquess of Litchfield, who hears her story with disbelief and suspicion. Yet Kathryn's instincts tell her Lord Litchfield is a man of honor--and her only salvation. Desperate to save herself, she attempts to seduce him and forces him into marriage.
The moment Lucien encounters the ragged, hungry waif with the dignity of a queen, he fights against wanting her. Though captivated by her intellect, strong will, and beauty, he will never love the woman who has deceived him.
Though their battle of wills grows stronger every day, desire threatens to overpower his fury. Can this maddening woman who is now his bride melt his heart of steel? Or will her silken touch only strengthen his vow never to fall prey to the dangers of love?
And my review:
This book started off very well. The characters were well drawn, and the heroine was someone you could really like and cheer for. The hero was a bit harder to like, as he seemed a bit self-centered, and ruled mostly by his lust.
But the book started to fall apart. After initially liking the heroine, I started to not like her after she trapped Lucien into marriage the way she did. I think she should have asked him for help and given him the chance to say yes (he probably would have), rather than just making an arbitrary decision and trapping him.
The hero started to bug me, too. Like in Kat Martin's other novels, he seemed to have sex on the brain. I swear to God, if I have to hear the phrase "men have needs" ever again, I'm going to scream. Yes, they have wants and desires, but they can keep it in their pants! It won't kill a guy to wait for a while! (What, should a man be allowed to cheat while his wife's recovering from childbirth? After all, he has 'needs', right! Wrong!) Using this reasoning that he has "needs" was the way he justified keeping mistresses and visiting hookers. Gross! I know that this is par for the course for the time period, but that doesn't mean I have to like it! And how is it acceptable for a man to pay for sex? That's sick, no matter what time period you're in.
Even then, I tried to get past this and finish the story. But then the hero decides that he wants the heroine to be his wife permanently. Well that's good, right? Nope. Instead of telling her, he decides he's going to seduce her into staying with him. I just rolled my eyes and shut the book. I mean, come on, can't anyone ever communicate in the world of romance? I'm not saying he has to make a pathetic fool out of himself and start declaring his undying love in the face of uncertainty, but couldn't he just say, "Kathryn, I know we decided that this marriage would only last a year, but what do you say we give it a real try? I think I've changed my mind." Nope, instead, he wants to make her lust tie her to him instead of real, lasting love. Pathetic.
I give up on this author. I've now read one novella and two novels of hers, and each time have given up in disgust when her characters do things that are horrible, or just make no sense at all. Now I know why I found her books in discount bins!
This was a good solid book........2002-04-07
I really enjoyed this book although I felt a bit bored during certain parts of it. I loved Lucien's character in Nothing but Velvet and maybe I was just hoping his book would be better. Don't get me wrong it was a great book but I just wanted a little more.
cute moments.......2001-11-17
I've read a few of Kat Martin's books and they tend to be a smooth read every time. This one was a little to overdone for my liking. The hero, Lucien, was really shallow. All he seemed to want from Katherine was sex. I know what your thinking, that comes with a romance novel, but you couldn't get through a chapter without him WANTING her!! It was too much. Katherine was ok, she also had her shallow moments, but all in all, the book had some great moments and was still worth reading. It's just not one I would put in my top ten list.
Fairly Ordinary.......2001-08-09
I have not read Nothing But Velvet, and can only judge this book by itself.
First, the things I like about SILK AND STEEL. I like the character of Kathryn Grayson (although the image of the famous 1940s movie star keeps popping into my head). I love female characters who pursue interests out of the ordinary for their times, and her unladylike pursuit of medicine is interesting. The scenes in the asylum are chilling and something you don't see in romance novels too much.
Now for the things I don't like. I don't find Lucien to be all that exciting. I don't sense very much chemistry between the two characters. Also, halfway through the book, it goes to that tired old plotline of the "marriage of convenience" which bores me to tears.
Thoroughly Entertaining..........2001-06-07
SILK & STEEL is the sequel of one of my favorite historical romance book NOTHING BUT VELVET. Lucien Montaine, Marquess of Litchfield was a savory & an interesting secondary character in NOTHING BUT VELVET. He was Jason's best friend who supported and helped Jason till the end. Aside from his handsome and manly looks, his faith, loyalty, generosity & friendship to Jason drawed me to him. I was happy to learn that he has a book of his own. However, upon checking the reviews of this book here...(on the website) and after hearing couple of my friends mentioning this book as "unworthy", I braced myself for a wee bit of disappointment. The book was overall a 4 star rating here but base on couple of reviewers plus my friends, this book wasn't suppose to be an entertaining one. Since I would like to read updates of Jason and Velvet and I really, really like Lucien, I thought I'd give this book a shot regardless of the neg. comments. As the book progress, I was totally charmed and couldn't possibly believe why some would find this book an unworthy read. When the book ended, I was glad I wasn't swayed off by the negative reviews. People do have different requirements and expectations of the books they read, therefore, I suggest you pick up this book and decide for yourself. I will simply hope that you will enjoy it as much as I did. This is my 3rd book of Kat Martin and she has yet to disappoint me.
Lucien's character was pretty much consistent as his first appearance in NOTHING BUT VELVET. He was more detailed here though considering this is his book and you couldn't but love him more. He is a Gentleman through and through... Kathryn Grayson wasn't as appealing to me in the beginning but the more I read, the more her character was developed then you get to see through her. You couldn't help but feel sorry for her. I like her spunk and her determination. Despite what she's been through, she's still spirited. I admire the way Kat Martin insisted on making Kathryn a stubborn/bull headed woman. Considering she owes Lucien more than you can imagine, Kathryn wasn't overly pleasing and too grateful to the extent of loosing her personality and becoming a doormat. Now that would have been a drag. But it so happend that Kat Martin created Kathryn uniquely in this circumstances. Kathryn knows herself and therefore insist on her identity. She knows what she wants, does what she believes is right. She does what makes her feel good even if it means arguing with Lucien. I like that immensely.
I have to admit that there is a couple of niggle in this book... To mention one: When Kathryn ran away the second time, I was wondering how she could have succeeded in hiding for such a long time when she couldn't have done this the first time. Well, I just tell myself that perhaps the second time, she was more prepared with small money, food and warm clothing. She also had a sound plan while the first one was totally spur of the moment. I really enjoyed this book so it does merit for a 5 stars despite this small niggle. I don't read between the lines and over analyze a book that thoroughly entertained me. I simply just seat back, love every minute I have with the book and ENJOY. I really believe most people would love this book especially when you have read the prequel NOTHING BUT VELVET. Aside from the twisters, the appearance of Jason and Velvet was an added spice to this book. Also, there is no EPILOGUE in this book so I hope Kat Martin is creating another book that relates to this one. Perhaps a story of Michael or any of Jason and Lucien's children....
Customer Reviews:
Who's Who Syria.......2006-11-05
This is a valuable reference tool for those who are reading or studying about Syria. It is a tool that not only helps with political, military, economic porttaits but also cultural biographies.
Syria: Hopes dashed, hopes resurgent.......2005-11-20
I cannot do this book enough justice.
Having been written by a young Syrian, makes it all the more relevant; as it has become regrettably customary--in this iconoclastic day and age--for young Middle-Easterners, to distance themselves from reverence for (or even simple interest in) their own heritage and history.
The bleak present and dark future--which are the direct descendants of decades of tyrannical, despotist, absolutist and opportunist rulers and forms of government--have not only left their imprints on the psyche of many young Arabs (especially Syrians); but also created a wide chasm between them and an active interest in their modern history.
The author of this book defies these two hurdles, marvelously escaping one of the tumors infecting young Arabs today: apathy.
In this book, the author lucidly brings to life the biographies of Syrian personalities (politicians, but also socialites, artists and women and men of literature, thinkers and reformers, economists and educators) through an astonishingly original, astute and concise narrative that not only focuses onto heroic deeds or great contributions to Syrian history--but also manages to paint a human portrait of them, by vividly portraying cultural nuances, interesting trivia, and funny anecdotes.
This book makes for a riveting read, and is a must-have for anyone seeking to discover (or re-discover) Syria; a Syria of hope, of human promise, and potential--in stark contrast with the prevalent image of Syria in the media today.
Finally, Jamil Mardam Bey (Prime Minister of Syria in the 1940s--and quoted in the foreword of the book) said it best: "...all is not lost."
A Must for all Students of Syrian History.......2005-11-06
Sami Moubayed's book is indispensible for students of Syria and all those who are interested in its modern history. It is a work of love by one of Syria's leading journalists and historians. As advertised, "In Steel & Silk you will meet the nationalists who led the independence struggle against the French. You will meet the statesmen who made Syria a central player in the Middle East. You will meet poets, painters, dramatists and thinkers as well as diplomats, journalists, and civil servants. Over 160 black & white photos. Includes a workshop for students, journalists, and researchers that includes an annotated timeline of 20th Century Syria, and lists of Syrian officials since the fall of the Ottomans in 1918.
I have had it on my desk for only a few months now and have already refered to it many times to find out more about the men and women who made Syria. Joshua Landis, author of SyriaComment.com
Customer Reviews:
concise and informative.......2006-03-23
Ive really enjoyed having read all three of the books by Trotter and refer to them frequently when endulging in converrsations of North Carolina Civil War history. These books are informative without long winded versions of trivial dialogue that sometimes populates some narratives of such a broad subject. Seems that the movie Cold Mountain refers to several scenes in this book, and the other two in the triliogy, in their attempt to portray the southern NC civilian life and its hardships. The books also portrays that not all NC natives were in favor of the war which reflects the accurate nature of polictics of the period. Enjoy.
Highly readable popular history.......2004-05-26
The books of Trotter's trilogy, "The Civil War in North Carolina" (the other volumes are "Ironclads and Columbiads: The Coast" and "Bushwhackers: The Mountains"), were published as independent works, and can be enjoyed as such. But one can't get a good understanding of the war in the Tarheel State just reading about a single region. I strongly suggest that serious students of the war, or of North Carolina, take time to read the entire trilogy.
Aside from John G. Barrett's "The Civil War in North Carolina," Trotter's trilogy is the only modern comprehensive account of the war in the Tar Heel state. (See also my review of Barrett's book at Amazon.com.) Unlike Barrett's rather academic, formal approach, Trotter is as concerned with telling some good stories as he is with documenting North Carolina's role in the war. He includes a fairly extensive bibliography in each volume, but apparently he relied mainly on published sources, and the footnotes are very sparse. This is not to say that his work is inaccurate or invalid, but it is hardly the ultimate account of the war in North Carolina.
His geographical division of the three volumes also presents some problems. Much information about the state's entry into the war and about its political aspects is found in "Silk Flags and Cold Steel," but the most important battles in the first three years of the war -- which had an influence on these political events -- are covered in the "Ironclads and Columbiads" volume about the coastal war. These two volumes also contain many later events that "interact," for example, the closing battles in March and April of 1865. And some events in "Bushwhackers" - most notably, Stoneman's cavalry raid in the final weeks of the war - also lap over in to Piedmont. Again, a full understanding requires reading all three of these books. Trotter, while adopting a mildly pro-Confederate tone like Barrett's, doesn't do as good a job of tying events in North Carolina to those of the wider war.
"Silk Flags and Cold Steel" contains the most information about North Carolina politics and the reasons for the state's reluctant secession in May 1861. Since there was little fighting in the Piedmont region of the state until the closing months of the war, most of the book deals with the war's impact on the economy, the relationship between the state and Confederate governments, and the roles of certain groups, including African-Americans, in the war. The latter part of the book covers Sherman's invasion of the state in March 1865, the battles of Averasboro and Bentonville, the surrender of Raleigh and the final surrender of Confederate forces in the state at Bennett Farm, near Durham.
One failing that Trotter shares with Barrett is the poor quality of his maps and the lack of description of battle sites, roads, and other places in modern terms. A copy of DeLorme's "North Carolina Atlas and Gazetteer" is a vital supplement to these three books; modern place names and locations of battles and other events should have been located using modern landmarks, included as footnotes.
Trotter's trilogy is "popular" history, entertainingly related and highly readable. He doesn't hesitate to have occasional fun with purple prose -- "The obsidian mountain night engulfed them like wraiths" -- but the writing usually is lively and flows well. There may be more recent and more thorough books about various aspects of the Civil War in North Carolina, but these three volumes present an introductory survey in a convenient package.
Average customer rating:
- Very happy
- Guns, Women, History - great read and photos
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Silk and Steel: Women at Arms
R.L. Wilson
Manufacturer: Random House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0375507612
Release Date: 2003-11-04 |
Book Description
Silk and Steel: Women at Arms is the first comprehensive presentation on the subject of women and firearms. No object has had a greater impact on world history over the past 650 years than the firearm, and a surprising number of women have been keen on the subject: as shooters, hunters, collectors, engravers, and even gunmakers.
From Queen Elizabeth I through her descendant Queen Elizabeth II, the numbers of aristocratic female arms enthusiasts, particularly shooters, have been impressive. Among those regal personages: Russia’s Empresses Elizabeth and Catherine the Great, France’s Marie Antoinette, and Great Britain’s Duchess of Devonshire. In the New World, Thomas Jefferson’s matched pair of Queen Anne–style flintlock pistols were made by London gunmaker Mary Dealtry. Pioneer American women took bold steps to defend home and hearth, and their courage earned them the right to vote in Western states, where hardiness and self-reliance were taken for granted. As Jefferson himself admonished: “[The gun gives] boldness, enterprise, and independence to the mind.” Many women were comfortable with firearms in early America, and among the world’s most famous women in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries was Annie Oakley—“Little Sure Shot.”
Turning back the clock to the time of Joan of Arc, R. L. Wilson shows how women have played a vital role in armed conflicts. For many centuries, women went to war—sometimes in the guise of men—without their comrades knowing that they were present. Increasingly, in our own era, there are female fighter pilots and cadets at West Point and at all the U.S. service academies. The 2001–2002 war in Afghanistan saw Northern Alliance women trained to fire AK-47s, some even shooting their Taliban tormentors.
Expanding on a long tradition, in the post–World War II period, millions of women and girls gravitated to sport shooting, including trap, skeet, and sporting clays, rifle and pistol target competitions, and the harvesting of game birds and even the dangerous big game of Africa. As evidenced in the writings of Ernest Hemingway, Robert Ruark, and Isak Dinesen, big game hunting in Africa was a favorite pursuit of many society women from Europe and the United States.
Following the publication of this book, the Rosenbruch Wildlife Heritage Museum will mount a traveling exhibition exploring the theme of women and firearms. Firearms, clothing, and accessories will be accompanied by paintings, photographs, drawings, and prints, as well as numerous other artifacts, to depict and document a captivating subject never before examined in such depth.
Silk and Steel joins the author’s series on the history of firearms, which commenced in 1979 with The Colt Heritage and continued through such later titles as Colt: An American Legend, Winchester: An American Legend, The Peacemakers, Steel Canvas, Ruger & His Guns, Buffalo Bill’s Wild West (with Greg Martin), and The World of Beretta.
Silk and Steel includes more than three hundred color plates, with spectacular new collages by Peter Beard. The bibliography lists myriad works of reference, some centuries old, and is accompanied by a detailed index.
Customer Reviews:
Very happy.......2005-09-26
The book was received faster than expected, and was apparently brand new. The price was 40-50% less than we had seen in on remaindered shelves her in town. We are very pleased.
Guns, Women, History - great read and photos.......2003-12-13
As I listened for over 1 hour on the G. Gordon Liddy show and read reviewed in the NY Post, this is THE book on the history of arms and women. The photos are astounding (some by Peter Beard), the captions very interesting (not repeats of the text!) and, over all, one can really understand women's fascination in the use of firearms, from defence, to shooting, especially sport shooting and an Olympic Champion (as well as a good piece on Annie Oakley).
A great gift book.
Customer Reviews:
SCOTLAND'S FINEST - THE CLAN GUNN MEN.......2000-11-11
Theresa Michaels really knows how to spin a passionate, action-filled story featuring the second of the Clan Gunn warriors of northern Scotland (Micheil, the oldest of the Gunn men, was first). Jamie Gunn, who is Clan Gunn tanist and his tribe's war chief, snatches the Lady Gilliane from the cruel Norman despot, Guy de Orbrec, only to find the redheaded beauty he rescues lays seige to his heart. Jamie is not ready for love, and the beautiful fiery-haired and convent-bred Gilliane is not at all sure about this bold fighting man with his alarming bursts of bad temper. Theresa Michaels skillfully brings the realities and the sensuousness of Scotland in the Middle Ages to vivid life, and leaves the reader waiting for the next brother, the eerily gifted Davey, and his story. I can't wait.
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The ARTIST'S GUIDE And MECHANIC'S OWN BOOK, Embracing the Portion of Chemistry Applicable to the Mechanic Arts, with Abstracts of Electricity, Galvanism, Magnetism, Pneumatics, Optics, Astronomy, and Mechanical Philosophy. Also Mechanical Exercises in Iron, Steel, Lead, Zinc, Copper, and Tin Soldering: and a Variety of Useful Receipts, Extending to Every Profession and Occupation of Life; Particularly Dyeing, Silk, Woollen, Cotton, and Leather.
James. [Locomotive]. Pilkington
Manufacturer: Sanborn & Carter,
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000MZ7CYU |
Book Description
Forced to flee Tamlaght, Bronwyn finds refuge with her uncle, King Felix of Londeac. She continues to scheme ways to undo the villians who have all but ruined her homeland. She is amazed at the level of scientific and technological progress in Londeac, compared to her own country, where intellectual advancement is systematically stifled. She makes a new ally in the person of the director of a scientific academy: Professor Wittenoom. Treacherously betrayed, she flees Londeac in a hair-raising balloon/dirigible chase, only to fall into the hands of the faerie king, Spikenard. Later meeting a man she believes she is in love with, she is finally able to raise both an army and a navy, and leads an invasion of Tamlaght.
Product Description
2 massmarket paperbacks
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