Book Description

The novel to enlighten newcomers to Wagner\'s Ring and to provide experienced Wagner fans with new insights.

Customer Reviews:

Interesting insights into the myth.......2005-09-21

Ian Runcie's "Alberich and Friends" can satisfy two audiences. First and more obviously, it serves as a neat introduction to the Wagner Ring Cycle for those unfamiliar with it. Second, it provides several interesting insights into the myth and its characters for those already "into" the operas.

Runcie's style alternates between present-tense and past-tense 3rd-person narrative, free verse narrative when used as dialogue in several cases, and passages in a larger print used (I believe)as a sort of stream of consciousness. I found the latter format a little distracting.

Runcie's prose keeps things moving at a nice clip. Each of his 11 chapters deal with the point of view of a single character, starting with Alberich and ending with an epilogue about Wotan. I especially liked the bit in which Wotan considers Alberich's good points, none of which are apprarent in the operas.

There are three appendices dealing the sources of Ring Cycle, the operas, and the philosophy behind them. Runcie also provides some useful notes at the back of the book as well as some good links to websites about the myth and Wagner.

In general, I found this interesting reading and will get back to it again when I prepare for my next hearing about the Ring Cycle on CDs and DVDs.

Amazon.com

From the first day of third grade, when Ramona Quimby meets her eventual nemesis Yard Ape, life moves on at its usual wild pace--usual for the boisterous Ramona, that is. Soon she is accidentally squashing a raw egg into her hair at the school cafeteria, being forced to play Uncle Rat with her annoying young neighbor, and, worst of all, throwing up in her classroom. The responsibilities of an 8-year-old are sometimes daunting, especially in a family that is trying to squeak by while the father goes back to school. But Ramona is full of too much vim and vigor to ever be down for long.

In her second Newbery Honor Book about Ramona (the first was Ramona and Her Father), Beverly Cleary presents another slice of the Quimby family life. Author of more than two dozen children's books, Cleary has a true knack for understanding the tangle of thoughts and emotions in a child's mind and heart. Empathic, witty, and astute, she has earned many other awards, including the Newbery Medal for Dear Mr. Henshaw. Alan Tiegreen's clever line drawings have charmed countless readers of Cleary's books over the years, and his style is now inextricably tied to hers. (Ages 8 to 12) --Emilie Coulter

Book Description

Ramona feels quite grown-up taking the bus by herself, helping big sister Beezus make dinner, and trying hard to be nice to pesky Willa Jean after school. Turning eight years old and entering the first grade can do that to a girl. So how can her teacher call her a nuisance?

Customer Reviews:

I love ramona!.......2007-07-20

Hi well to start this is one of my favorite Ramonas. It's the best I love the part where Ramona breaks the egg on her head. I'd give it five buit it's too short. Well gotta go hope this was helpful Brooke

Classic!.......2006-12-02

Being eight isn't easy; just ask Ramona Quimby. She's expected to be old enough to "play nicely" with her baby-sitter's toddler and to understand why the family hasn't enough money for life's little extras...but somehow, she isn't old enough to be included in her older sister Beezus' plans or to understand why her teacher might not like her.

Although written decades ago, Ramona's life is plain to anyone who reads about her today. What child can't relate to her joys and worries? Best of all, no matter what happens, it's apparent that Ramona will be all right...she has a family that love one another and will stick together through good and bad times alike.

This book brings back memories.......2006-01-03

Ramona Quimby, Age 8 is written by Beverly Cleary and gets a 5 star rating by me.
I am rating this book 5 stars because it just brings back memories to kids older than 8. If you aren't older than 8 then it shows you sort of shows you what is to come in the future. Her lifestyle is a lot like a real human's lifestyle. That is another reason why I enjoyed reading this book so much. The author just amazes me because she makes a charcter that is not really a real person turn to life. As an example she lives with her sister who always bothers her. She has a cat and a next door neighbor named Henry.
My life relates to hers so much. When I was in 2nd grade people would like to take my things without asking. Just like in the novel, when Danny "The yard ape" steals her eraser and throws it around with his friend. This book also relates to my life when Ramona got that egg dropped on her head. When I was in fourth grade one of the same situations happen to me. My friend Eric started laughing really hard and spit his yogurt all over me then after that I had to go to the nurse and get it all cleaned up.
Some other books I would recommend are, Ramona and Her Mother, Ramona and her Father, and all the other Ramona Quimby books. I really recommend you to read this book.

Ramona Quimby, Age 8.......2005-12-15

Ramona Quimby, Age 8 is wriiten by Beverly Cleary and gets a 5 star rating by me.
I am rating this book 5 stars because it just brings back memories to kids older than 8. If you aren't older than 8 then it shows you sort of what is to come in the future. Her lifestyle is a lot like a real human's lifestyle. That is another reason why I enjoyed reading this book so much. The author just amazes me because she makes a charcter that is not really a real person turn to life. As an example she lives with her sister who always bothers her. She has a cat and a next door neighbor named Henry.
My life relates to hers so much. When I was in 2nd grade people would like to take my things without asking. Just like in the novel, when Danny "The yard ape" steals her eraser and throws it around with his friend. This book also relates to my life when Ramona got that egg dropped on her head. When I was in fourth grade one of the same situations happen to me. My friend Eric started laughing really hard and spit his yogurt all over me then after that I had to go to the nurse and get it all cleaned up.
Some other books I would recommend are, Ramona and Her Mother, Ramona and her Father, and all the other Ramona Quimby books. I really recommend you to read this book.

Ramona Quimby Rocks and Cleary is so Great!.......2005-12-04

This book takes the reader through the journey of Ramona Quimby your average girl. Ramona has just turned 8, which makes her big and is going to a new school. Beatrice her older sister is always having the upper hand on Ramona. Ramona's father is going back to school and the family is struggling just to make ends meet. Ramona stays in the afternoons with Howie Kemps grandmother and Howies little sister Wilma Jean. Wilma Jean is a thorn in Ramona's side. Ramonas mother begs her to keep the peace and be responsible so Mrs. Quimby can continue working. On Ramonas first day of school she is faced with Danny a bully who steals her eraser. Ramona gets the best of Danny and calls him Yard Ape. After this Danny respects her and Ramona kinda has a crush on him. Ramona is indifferent with her new teacher Ms. Whaley. Throughout the book Ramona is faced with problems such as being a nuisence to her teacher, "Yard Ape", her sister Beezus and her mother and fathers tiresome struggle to pay for bills, manage a family and work and go to school. In the end of the book after a much hard day of frustration the family goes on a limb and goes to Whopperburger. While there they come across an old man who is interested in the family. Towards the end of the meal the Quimbys find out that the man has paid for their dinner, because they remind him of his family and how nice of a family the Quimbys are. This action makes the whole family realize how special their relationship is and how even though they all may be cross in some situations that they are in fact one happy family!
Ramona Quimby is such a great character. A teacher could use this book to simply engage students in reading and allow them to connect with reading and the characters involved. Students can understand what it means to be a "family" and what it is like to grow up. A teacher could do a lesson on manners and what to do in situations that Ramona faced with her classmates and especially "Yard Ape". Students could be involved in a lesson that goes over what to do in a situation where a bully is involved and what actions to take when a circumstance such as a bully occurs. Also, students could do an art lesson that involves perspective with the example of Ramonas father drawing her foot.
I really enjoyed this book. I never really read any of the Ramona books when I was younger. I love how Beverly Cleary makes Ramona come to life and how her troubles in life seem to work out one way or the other. This book I feel holds up to the good literature framework and I love how even though each character is flawed in some way that in the end they all seen to come together and make their messed up life work. I found myself really connected with this family and many of the situations that Ramona faced in her school life the same things that I faced when I was in school. I overheard one time my teacher say something about me. It really had an impact on my life and my feeings toward school. I, like Ramona, took what I heard and placed the emphasis and meaning of what the teacher said wrong. The teacher however meant something different. I really loved this book and cannot wait to read the rest of the Ramona Quimbys crazy life!

Ramona and Her Father (Avon Camelot Books)

Average customer rating:

Classic Ramona!
Good 4 younger kids
Good 4 Younger Kids
If only we had a million dollars...
Ramona and her father

Ramona and Her Father (Avon Camelot Books)
Beverly Cleary
Manufacturer: HarperTrophy
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Humorous | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Careers | People & Places | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Popular Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Book Clubs | Specialty Stores | Books

Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0380709163
Release Date: 1999-08-03

Amazon.com

Second grade is not turning out the way it should for Ramona Quimby. Her dad has lost his job, her mom has found a full-time job, and her big sister Beezus has "reached a difficult age." In her inimitable way, Ramona decides to take charge. She practices TV commercials in hopes of earning a million dollars, but only ends up insulting her teacher and getting into a prickly mess with some burrs. Then she embarks on a campaign to make her father stop smoking. Mr. Quimby manages to hold up under all these strains, but the challenge is on for the whole family to prove their mettle.

Once again, Beverly Cleary proves her own mettle in this touching and hilarious Newbery Honor Book. Beloved author of over two dozen children's books, and recipient of many awards, including another Newbery Honor for Ramona Quimby, Age 8 and a Newbery Medal for Dear Mr. Henshaw, Cleary's instinct for children's jumbled emotions is flawless. Alan Tiegreen's adroit line drawings perfectly complement Cleary's style; it's hard to imagine one without the other. (Ages 8 to 12) --Emilie Coulter

Book Description

Ramona just wants everyone to be happy. If only her father would smile and joke again, her mother would look less worried, her sister would be cheerful, and Picky-picky would eat his cat-food. But Ramona's father has lost his job, and nobody in the Quimby household is in a very good mood.

Ramona tries to cheer up the family as only Ramona can -- by rehearsing for life as a rich and famous star of television commercials, for instance -- but her best efforts only make things worse. Her sister, Beezus, calls her a, pest, her parents lose patience with her, and her teacher claims she's forgotten her- manners. But when her father admits he wouldn't trade her for a million dollars, Ramona knows everything is going to work out fine in the end.

Customer Reviews:

Classic Ramona!.......2006-12-02

After her father lost his job and her mother is forced to find one, 7-year-old Ramona begins trying to take the family's finances into her own hands...literally. She spends her days reciting various TV commercials, in the hopes of being noticed by a talent scout, when she decides to crown herself with burrs, ending less than successfully.

Ramona is also concerned about her father's health. At 7, she is painfully aware of classmates without fathers, and she is afraid that she may lose her own if he does not stop smoking.

Whether in the 1950s or today, Cleary hits the worries and joys of a seven-year-old dead on every time.

Good 4 younger kids.......2005-12-21

This boook is ok, but the reason I disliked it was because of the younger aged vocabulary. I am in 6th grade so the vocabulary bored me to death especially since I have an already higher reading level than a normal 6th grader. I suggest this book to grades 3 and 4 the most maybe advanced 2nd grader.

Good 4 Younger Kids.......2005-12-20

I really liked Ramona and her Father but I thought it was a little boring. I thought that because the reading level is lower then what I expected w/ me being a 6th grader and the fact that my reading level is already high. That is why I advise maybe grades 3 and 4 to read it; maybe advanced 2nd graders. They will enjoy this book a lot. All together I think it is a good book, but not for my age level. I really think that the way Beverly Cleary writes is funny and that 3rd and 4th graders will really enjoy it.

If only we had a million dollars..........2005-04-04

Well as they say, "Money can't buy happiness". Ramona thinks it can, well it can but it doesn't have to in this case. Mr. Quimby losing his job was tough on the whole family, especially Ramona. She couldn't do anything about it if she tried. Her father let her know they're trying to be a perfect family and surely enough this reflects back to my family. When my father lost to someone else for this "government" job, it was tough on me. I wanted to get a job, raise money, anything just to see my father happy. We aren't the perfect family and neither is Ramona's. That's why I can relate so much to her.

Ramona and her father.......2005-01-04

The book I read was Ramona and her Father. This book is about a girl a named Ramona and her father. Her dad was fired from his job, so that meant that he would get to spend more time with Ramona. She was happy about getting to spend time with her dad. But her dad smoked and she did not like that. It was bad enough that they weren't going to have much money since her dad wasn't working but then he was spending the money he did have on cigarettes. Ramona did everything she could to try to get her dad to stop, but he just wouldn't. But they did other things together that Ramona did like. They did things like draw big pictures and they got to spend a lot of time together. Ramona liked to be able to spend so much time with her dad but she didn't like the fact that he smoked.

The main character was Ramona. Her appearance is a little different than most peoples because she just seems a little weird at times. Her personality seems ok until her sister Beezus comes around, then Ramona always fights with her. Some of the traits that are the same with Ramona and I are that she always fights with her older sister and I always fight with my older brother. Also I like to spend time with my dad and so does she. Some of the things that are different between Ramona and I is that she is a lot younger than me. Her dad smokes and mine doesn't. She has an older sister and I have an older brother.

I liked this book because it reminded me a lot like me. My favorite part was when Ramona was trying to make her dad stop smoking and her and Beezus made cigarettes out of paper and wrote stuff on them and put it in their dad's cigarette box instead of his cigarettes. Yes, I would recommend this book to a friend.

Average customer rating:

Great writing
A Larger Than Life Arthurian Tale!
A Larger Than Life Arthurian Tale!
Another gripping instalment
Good Entertainment Value

For Camelot's Honor
Sarah Zettel
Manufacturer: Luna
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Arthurian | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

Historical | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

General | Romance | Subjects | Books

General | Contemporary | Romance | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0373802188

Book Description

A quest of hidden shadows, old gods and immense power -- And the battle for Britain continues!

Elen believed nothing could withstand her retribution against her family's killer. The daughter of a Welsh chieftain, Elen would wield her growing powers to destroy her enemy and win back her lands. But then she learned of the power behind the invader -- the fearsome sorceress Morgaine, who'd vowed to destroy Camelot . . .

Rather than attack Elen directly, Morgaine created an elaborate plan to cause Elen to betray all she held dear, including her new ally, the High King. Still holding fast to hope, facing deadly foes seen and unseen, Elen traveled through the wild mountains to find a magical weapon to strike down the sorceress. Sir Geraint, her only companion, would risk life and love to complete their quest -- but never honor. Yet will Elen choose honor and the future over revenge and a shattered past?

Customer Reviews:

Great writing.......2006-02-06

As with all of Sarah Zettel's work, I really enjoyed this. The characters are beautifully drawn and the writing is vivid. I feel like I've been transported to this other world whenever I read a Zettel novel.

This one, however, seemed a little slow and plodding at times. As long as they're in "this reality," things move along at a good clip, but when the characters go over into the alternate reality, the book seems to slow down and some of the tension drains away. Unlike most of Zettel's books, I thought this story could have been told with about 100 fewer pages. My mind wandered a bit as the story progressed, and I kept wondering when the characters would just figure things out so we could move on.

A Larger Than Life Arthurian Tale!.......2005-09-05

If I could possibly rate this novel more than five stars I would! The battle for Britain does indeed continue in this splendid Arthurian rendering!

Elen is the daughter of a deceased Welsh chieftain, her mother rules in his stead. However, Urien, their neighbor does not want them to ally themselves with King Arthur of Camelot and devises a cruel strategy of enscorellment for Elen in league with his lover, Morgaine. Sir Geraint comes into the picture during the disagreement between Elen's Mother and Urien as he was already there on an embassy from King Arthur.

Elen and Geraint's adventures continue with the quest to find a magical spear that once belonged to the "tylwyth teg" or shinning ones. It is being held by a king of another realm who doesn't wish to give it up and is the only weapon that will defeat Urien.

This is a stand alone novel and is the second of her Arthurian titles, the first being: "In Camelot's Shadow" (also very enthralling)! This is an excellent author who knows how to keep her readers riveted to every page! Read it, you will not be disappointed!

A Larger Than Life Arthurian Tale!.......2005-09-05

If I could possibly rate this novel more than five stars I would! The battle for Britain does indeed continue in this splendid Arthurian rendering!

Elen is the daughter of a deceased Welsh chieftain, her mother rules in his stead. However, Urien, their neighbor does not want them to ally themselves with King Arthur of Camelot and devises a cruel strategy of enscorellment for Elen in league with his lover, Morgaine. Sir Geraint comes into the picture during the disagreement between Elen's Mother and Urien as he was already there on an embassy from King Arthur.

Elen and Geraint's adventures continue with the quest to find a magical spear that once belonged to the "tylwyth teg" or shinning ones. It is being held by a king of another realm who doesn't wish to give it up and is the only weapon that will defeat Urien.

This is a stand alone novel and is the second of her Arthurian titles, the first being: "In Camelot's Shadow" (also very enthralling)! This is an excellent author who knows how to keep her readers riveted to every page! Read it, you will not be disappointed!

Another gripping instalment.......2005-07-02

Here is the second of Zettel's series involving the nephews of Arthur.
Geraint is, here, the second nephew of Arthur and brother to Gawain. A definite change from his place in the legends and also the tale diverges from that of Geraint and Enid. In fact it bears very little resemblance to it at all. It has little to do with that tale's portrayal of husbandly mistrust and testing of love. Rather this is another tale of the knight coming to the rescue of a much persecuted lady.
The lady in question is Elen who is a daughter of Wales, whose entire family has been murdered by their war-like neighbour Urien. Who tried to force her mother to reject Arthur's overtures and side with his making war against Camelot. Elen herself would have met the same fate, but for her being called into the elvish realm to aid its queen in a dangerous childbirth.
At the back of Urien is Morgaine the evil enchantress who is also his lover. She sees Elen's own magic as a threat and horrifically imprisons her heart in the breast of a hawk. Elen is also under the behest of whoever controls the bird - Urien.
Somehow she uses her magic to send a massage to Merlin, begging Arthur's aid. He promptly sends Agravaine and Geraint.
Geraint, however, is determined to do more than gather information and becomes Elen's saviour. After their escape they then quest for a magic spear to free Elen and kill Urien.
This a fast tale, full of wonderfully realized magic that is both believable and dreadful. Elen and Geraint move through several realms and have to grope their way through many deceits and the machinations of various powers on their quest.
So now I am again left waiting eagerly for part three. Agravaine next I hope.

Good Entertainment Value.......2005-04-24

I had expected this book to be filled with myth and legend and high drama spiced with a nice Authrian love story. It was all I expected. While I do not place Zettel among my favorite spinners of historical fiction (Laurence J. Brown, Bernard Cornwell, Parke Godwin to name a few), she definately has her place among my favorites of Arthurian lore and Marion Zimmer Bradley is not bad company to share!

Zettel tells the story of Elen and Geraint, the rise and fall (in some cases) rise again of kingdoms and kings, loves and enemies and she weaves it all together in a tapestry of lore that kept me guessing and happily turning pages to find the outcome. She repeats many ongoing themes and often it becomes a little long - the continual description of Elen's cold, emptiness is the prime example. (You'll have to read the tale to find the reason) Even though repetitions like this did make the book a tiny bit longer than may have been necessay and did cause it to slow in parts, the story is definately strong enough to keep you interested. Noticeably absent from an Arthurian tale was Arthur, Merlin and most of the court of familiars. They make minor cameos, but the story didn't really need them and I found their absence refreshing. Geraint and Elen were strong enough characters to carry the story on their own.
If you want a story of more historical acuracy - stick to Brown. If you enjoy a little magic and a story that I imagine would rival the bards of old, this is a fun read.

PR Newswire : Vivendi Universal Games Captures Prestigious Awards At D.I.C.E. Summit; Dark Age of Camelot, Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance and Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal Receive Top Honors.

Average customer rating:

PR Newswire : Vivendi Universal Games Captures Prestigious Awards At D.I.C.E. Summit; Dark Age of Camelot, Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance and Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal Receive Top Honors.

Manufacturer: PR Newswire Association LLC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Book Description

Word count: 551.

Without Honor: Crimes of Camelot and the Impeachment of Richard Nixon

Average customer rating:

Still deciphering Watergate
Nixon almost got away with Watergate, with help from Hillary
Watergate investigation shown deeply flawed, intentionally.

Without Honor: Crimes of Camelot and the Impeachment of Richard Nixon
J. M. Zeifman
Manufacturer: Thunder's Mouth Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

History & Theory | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Practical Politics | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

U.S. | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Do As I Say (Not As I Do): Profiles in Liberal Hypocrisy

ASIN: 156025128X

Customer Reviews:

Still deciphering Watergate.......2004-03-20

The material here has been hinted at in several histories of Watergate, but this book makes it plain, that Nixon impeachment became embroiled in fear of exposing the Camelot shadows. Whether the conspiracy to produce a sham enquiry was real, one can well imagine Nixon and gang sabotaging the attempt to close in on him by threatening to break any public judicial action wide open with reverse finger wagging about Kennedy's _worse_ actions, up to and including political murder.
Make my day? Done.

Nixon almost got away with Watergate, with help from Hillary.......1998-06-22

Zeifman's inside-the-Judiciary Committeee look at the infamous Watergate scandals provides compelling first-hand knowledge that both Democrats (loyal to the Kennedys) and Republicans "stonewalled" both the investigation and the move towards the impeachment of President Nixon. The author also paints a picture of "the system" which demonstrates that it barely "worked", and dispels the triumphalist version of events presented by the mainstream media. And, for Clinton scandal-mongers (and no, I'm not someone who relies on Rush Limbaugh for information on HRC), Hillary Rodham (not yet Clinton), makes a few cameo appearances as a special sub-committe underling. Her unlawerly actions reveals that if she is not a liar, at least she has no interest in justice. Highly recommended, and should be reissued by the publisher to counter the smug self-congratualtory satisfaction of the post-Watergate era. Current history is rarely what it seems.

Watergate investigation shown deeply flawed, intentionally........1997-06-19

The haplessness of the House's investigation of the Nixon White House over the Watergate cover-upis revealed being intentional. The author, who was majority counsel to the House Committee on the Judiciary during the Watergate investigation, shows that it was the result of obstruction by the very Democrats supposedly driving the investigation, done to prevent revelation of abuses of power during the Kennedy Administration that subsequently came out in the Church Hearings. Probably the best, and most poignant, aspect of the book is the tone of the diary excerpts, which reveal the author as a lawyer who believes in the Constitution deeply, and is increasingly dissillusioned by the machinations he observes. The book is both a good read and essential source material for serious students of Watergate and the resulting erosion of public confidence in elected government.

Without Honor Crimes of Camelot and the Impeachment of President Nixon

Average customer rating:

Without Honor Crimes of Camelot and the Impeachment of President Nixon
Jerry (Intro, John Dean) Zeifman
Manufacturer: Thunder's Mouth Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000J17CQA

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books