The Romance of California Vineyards

Book Description

Explore America's beloved wine country in this virtual tour of Northern California's distinctive vinyards and winemaking facilities. Breathtaking photography by acclaimed regional photographer Daniel D'Agostini sheds new light on the vintner's way of life amid the natural beauty of Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino, and the Sierra Foothills.The art of grape-growing and the pleasures of winemaking in this lush countryside are extolled in excertps from the writings of wine authorities, quotes from vintners, and passages from literature. Longtime vintner Molly Chppelet's introduction discusses the historic roots of Northern California's winde regions, as well as the various methods of growing grapes to create etraordinary vintages. A list of recommended vineyards to visit, along with an appendix--complete with visitor information--of special inns and restaurants both on and off the beaten path, concludes this perfect gift for the wine lover.

Judge Lynch;: A romance of the California vineyards,

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Judge Lynch;: A romance of the California vineyards,
George Henry Jessop
Manufacturer: Belford, Clarke & Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B000896O58

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The Romance of California Vineyards
Molly and Carissa Chappellet
Manufacturer: Universe Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000OP3EWW

Amazon.com

In the epic trilogy His Dark Materials, Philip Pullman unlocks the door to worlds parallel to our own. Dæmons and winged creatures live side by side with humans, and a mysterious entity called Dust just might have the power to unite the universes--if it isn't destroyed first. The three books in Pullman's heroic fantasy series, published as mass-market paperbacks with new covers, are united here in one boxed set that includes The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, and The Amber Spyglass. Join Lyra, Pantalaimon, Will, and the rest as they embark on the most breathtaking, heartbreaking adventure of their lives. The fate of the universe is in their hands. (Ages 13 and older)

Book Description

Now, for the first time, the HIS DARK MATERIALS Trilogy is available in a trade paperback edition. All three books in the His Dark Materials trilogy-- THE GOLDEN COMPASS, THE SUBTLE KNIFE, and THE AMBER SPYGLASS--are available in a new complete boxed set featuring the trade paperbacks. New material is available in all three books: The Golden Compass and The Subtle Knife feature black-and-white chapter-opening art by Philip Pullman himself; The Amber Spyglass features chapter-opening quotes from the likes of Milton, Donne, Blake, Byron and the Bible, which did not appear in hardcover.

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful Story Telling and Vivid Characters!.......2007-10-17

Phillip Pullman creates a wonderful story full of vivid characters. You easily fall for Lyra and the premise of the story and its parallel worlds is fascinating. He touches some serious questions and concepts; religion and social responsibility among them, while blurring lines between what we have been trained to see as good and evil in a way that you can easily follow. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was because I felt that the last installment, The Amber Spyglass may have been a bit rushed. Maybe I just didn't want it to end...? Overall I am thrilled that I finally found this series! One my favorite series!

Children's Book?.......2007-10-12

I am an avid reader, and I love fantasy and children's literature, but what is up with everyone loving these books? I was looking forward to reading The Golden Compass, only to be completely disapointed within a few pages of starting it. I found it to be almost disturbing in its weirdness, and I honestly do not know a child, even an older well-read child, that would be able to read these books without confusion and with a genuine interest in finishing the trilogy. I managed to finish the first book, but had no interest in pursuing the trilogy further, and I was honestly left with a bad vibe from having read The Golden Compass. After reading the comments from the author about his purpose for writing the book, I can understand why I do not like it. What happened to writing children's books with the intent to entertain children with harmless, light-heartedness? I will stick with Harry Potter and Chronicles of Narnia thank you!!!

Anti Christian .......2007-10-11

While I admit that Pullman has considerable skill as a writer, I'd like to warn others that these books are blatantly anti-Christian. Do a simple Google search of the authors name or the book titles and you'll find plenty to concern you IF you are Christian.

Be aware of what you are indoctrinating your kids with!.......2007-10-10

Parents, before you offer these "fantasy" reads for your kids be aware that this author is promoting atheism and these books are anti-christian, anti-church and anti-God. Be Careful, and be sure that this is what you intend to teach and encourage in your children. I have to give all of these books a thumbs down based on my personal values and beliefs.

Wonderful for young and old alike.......2007-10-08

I am not at all ashamed to admitt that I am a 27 year old person, and I absolutly LOVED all of these books. The author, Pullman, gives such colorful and imaginative explinations that I would actually find it HARD not to fall in love with the main character, Lyra, and her friend, Will. Not to mention the scores of other colorful characters that fit into Lyra and Wills' adventures. I found myself so atatched to Lyra and the other characters in this book that I actually shed a tear MORE THAN ONCE during my readings. I highly recommend this seris of books not only for familys or the newly independent readers, but also for adults who like fantasy fiction books. I have found myself thinking about these books and these characters long after I retired them to my library.

The Amber Spyglass (His Dark Materials, Book 3)

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The Beautiful End to a Magnificent Trilogy
What Happened?
Underwhelming and disjointed
This book drowns in Pullman's notions about religion
A great book

The Amber Spyglass (His Dark Materials, Book 3)
Philip Pullman
Manufacturer: Yearling
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0440418569
Release Date: 2003-05-27

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From the very start of its very first scene, The Amber Spyglass will set hearts fluttering and minds racing. All we'll say here is that we immediately discover who captured Lyra at the end of The Subtle Knife, though we've yet to discern whether this individual's intent is good, evil, or somewhere in between. We also learn that Will still possesses the blade that allows him to cut between worlds, and has been joined by two winged companions who are determined to escort him to Lord Asriel's mountain redoubt. The boy, however, has only one goal in mind--to rescue his friend and return to her the alethiometer, an instrument that has revealed so much to her and to readers of The Golden Compass and its follow-up. Within a short time, too, we get to experience the "tingle of the starlight" on Serafina Pekkala's skin as she seeks out a famished Iorek Byrnison and enlists him in Lord Asriel's crusade:

A complex web of thoughts was weaving itself in the bear king's mind, with more strands in it than hunger and satisfaction. There was the memory of the little girl Lyra, whom he had named Silvertongue, and whom he had last seen crossing the fragile snow bridge across a crevasse in his own island of Svalbard. Then there was the agitation among the witches, the rumors of pacts and alliances and war; and then there was the surpassingly strange fact of this new world itself, and the witch's insistence that there were many more such worlds, and that the fate of them all hung somehow on the fate of the child.

Meanwhile, two factions of the Church are vying to reach Lyra first. One is even prepared to give a priest "preemptive absolution" should he succeed in committing mortal sin. For these tyrants, killing this girl is no less than "a sacred task."

In the final installment of his trilogy, Philip Pullman has set himself the highest hurdles. He must match its predecessors in terms of sheer action and originality and resolve the enigmas he already created. The good news is that there is no critical bad news--not that The Amber Spyglass doesn't contain standoffs and close calls galore. (Who would have it otherwise?) But Pullman brings his audacious revision of Paradise Lost to a conclusion that is both serene and devastating. In prose that is transparent yet lyrical and 3-D, the author weaves in and out of his principals' thoughts. He also offers up several additional worlds. In one, Dr. Mary Malone is welcomed into an apparently simple society. The environment of the mulefa (again, we'll reveal nothing more) makes them rich in consciousness while their lives possess a slow and stately rhythm. These strange creatures can, however, be very fast on their feet (or on other things entirely) when necessary. Alas, they are on the verge of dying as Dust streams out of their idyllic landscape. Will the Oxford dark-matter researcher see her way to saving them, or does this require our young heroes? And while Mary is puzzling out a cure, Will and Lyra undertake a pilgrimage to a realm devoid of all light and hope, after having been forced into the cruelest of sacrifices--or betrayals.

Throughout his galvanizing epic, Pullman sustains scenes of fierce beauty and tenderness. He also allows us a moment or two of comic respite. At one point, for instance, Lyra's mother bullies a series of ecclesiastical underlings: "The man bowed helplessly and led her away. The guard behind her blew out his cheeks with relief." Needless to say, Mrs. Coulter is as intoxicating and fluid as ever. And can it be that we will come to admire her as she plays out her desperate endgame? In this respect, as in many others, The Amber Spyglass is truly a book of revelations, moving from darkness visible to radiant truth. --Kerry Fried

Book Description

The Amber Spyglass brings the intrigue of The Golden Compass and The Subtle Knife to a heart-stopping end, marking the final volume of His Dark Materials as the most powerful of the trilogy.

Along with the return of Lyra, Will, Mrs. Coulter, Lord Asriel, Dr. Mary Malone, and Iorek Byrnison the armored bear, come a host of new characters: the Mulefa, mysterious wheeled creatures with the power to see Dust; Gallivespian Lord Roke, a hand-high spymaster to Lord Asriel; and Metatron, a fierce and mighty angel. So, too, come startling revelations: the painful price Lyra must pay to walk through the land of the dead, the haunting power of Dr. Malone's amber spyglass, and the names of who will live--and who will die--for love. And all the while, war rages with the Kingdom of Heaven, a brutal battle that--in its shocking outcome--will uncover the secret of Dust. Philip Pullman deftly brings the cliff-hangers and mysteries of His Dark Materials to an earthshattering conclusion--and confirms his fantasy trilogy as an undoubted and enduring classic.

From the Hardcover edition.

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The Amber Spyglass brings the intrigue of The Golden Compass and The Subtle Knife to a heart-stopping end, marking the final volume of His Dark Materials as the most powerful of the trilogy.

Along with the return of Lyra, Will, Mrs. Coulter, Lord Asriel, Dr. Mary Malone, and Iorek Byrnison the armored bear, come a host of new characters: the Mulefa, mysterious wheeled creatures with the power to see Dust; Gallivespian Lord Roke, a hand-high spymaster to Lord Asriel; and Metatron, a fierce and mighty angel.

So, too, come startling revelations: the painful price Lyra must pay to walk through the land of the dead, the haunting power of Dr. Malone's amber spyglass, and the names of who will live—and who will die—for love.

And all the while, war rages with the Kingdom of Heaven, a brutal battle that—in its shocking outcome—will uncover the secret of Dust.

Philip Pullman deftly brings the cliff-hangers and mysteries of His Dark Materials to an earthshattering conclusion—and confirms his fantasy trilogy as an undoubted and enduring classic.

"Absorbing... Like Harry Potter creator J. K. Rowling, [Pullman] invents a world filled with strange divinations and wordplays."
   NEWSWEEK

"A literary masterpiece...[that] caps the most magnificent fantasy series since The Lord of the Rings and puts Harry Potter to shame.... A page-turning story that builds to a powerful finish."
   OREGONIAN

"Impossible to put down, so firmly and relentlessly does Pullman draw you into his tale... [A] gripping saga pitting the magnetic young Lyra Belacqua and her friend Will Parry against the forces of both Heaven and Hell."
   PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE

Customer Reviews:

The Beautiful End to a Magnificent Trilogy.......2007-10-12

After seven years, The Amber Spyglass continues to echo in my mind as the definitive end of Philip Pullman's masterful trilogy. This book ties the series together with a provocative storyline and delightfully haunting atmosphere, bringing vivid fantasy deep into the realm of complex issues.

An unforgettable experience!

So, if you have a pure imagination and an appetite for a darker type of wonder, this book will fulfill. However, if your mind has been contaminated with teachings of how literature 'should' be written and/or handicapped by religious abuse, you will likely be disappointed.

What Happened?.......2007-10-12

I bought the trilogy after seeing that the movie was slated for release this fall. I was blown away by the Golden Compass. Pullman is a superb storyteller and the high adventure and incredible imagination that went into the first book was mind blowing. I remember thinking that surely this was a story that would surpass "The Wizard of Oz" as a cultural cornerstone of fiction. Having read "Paradise Lost" also played to my aspirations of intellectualism while reading the books.

But when "The Subtle Knife" adds a new hero and makes an almost predictible jump to our world - present day, so begins a slide away from wonder. Still through incredible writing ability Pullman makes an enjoyable read of it, though nowhere near the story "The Golden Compass" is. The heavy themes certainly start leaving a childrens book mentality far behind. It becomes unclear if the writer hates (and hate is not to strong a word here) religion or just Christianity. Certianly Christianity has all his ire.

By the time we get to "The Amber Spyglass" the exciting beautiful story is a full blown anti-sermon on atheism with all the rhetoric of the most zealous puritanical ministers. "He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster" Says Nietzsche, and that may be what transpires. There are confusing story segments aligned it seems with the sole purpose of pontification. Story arcs that border on boring,such as the spyglass itself, seem wholly irrelevant. Morally bizarre situations rule the day: Broaching sexuality for minors, excusing evil characters actions in Machina Ex Deus fashion, rebellion and out right lieing as a virtue. Some of this could have been interesting if it were a topsy turvey things are not what they seem story, But that ship sails early on. Instead there is no forgiving the lack of motivation for characters early actions. The climaxs are all underdeveloped as far as reasoning. The coming of age subplot has nothing to do with character. Petulance is only rewarded.

As you can guess by now I'm sorry I read anything past "The Golden Compass" and worse I paid for them. When I pickup a book I'd rather not be preached at religious or otherwise unless I am in the religion section. This is not escapist fiction, It's a personal diatribe. Insidiously wrapped in a childrens story.

Underwhelming and disjointed.......2007-10-04

While I liked the Golden Compass and really enjoyed the Subtle Knife, I like many other reviewers here, was entirely underwhelmed by the Amber Spyglass.

All the carefully crafted storylines that were so compelling in the first two books came to a very unsatisfying conclusion. The final big battle is very short, unclear, and a good 100+ pages before the end. After that the book just sort of putters out into ridiculously maudlin conversations and make-out sessions between the two very young protagonists. I just couldn't help thinking "That's it?" at the end. After all the build-up, I expected something more.

And additionally, there were lots of storylines and characters that were just sort of dropped or never fully explained. I was really intrigued in how Lyra was the new Eve and would have to remake the decision in Eden, but I don't really see how that was played out, or how another character served as the snake. If it was in there, it was very unclear. Other characters, like the villain Mrs. Coulter, have very uncharacteristic - and frankly, ridiculous - motivations for their actions in this book.

And as religion seems to be brought up in many of the reviews, I would like to address it briefly too. Everyone is entitled to their beliefs, of course. But Pullman spends so much of this book talking about how close-minded and judgmental organized religion is, he just comes across as close-minded himself. All his characters who believe in religion are evil, corrupt, ignorant, or stupid. It just seems very hypocritical to be so judgmental about religion when he is preaching open-mindedness. His belief in atheism is fine, of course, but he allows it to overtake his story, and the plot suffers as a result.

All in all, it is a disjointed story that does not live up to the potential of the first two.

This book drowns in Pullman's notions about religion.......2007-10-02

Throughout the Dark Materials trilogy you can see Pullman gradually moving away from great character development and plot, to a virtual manifesto for Atheism. This in itself can't be faulted too much, except these books are generally "marketed" toward a young audience, however the books characters, events and overall story are sacrificed on the altar of his personal anti-religious agenda.

As others have stated, there are many plot devices and character traits that are simply abandoned: one wonders why they were in the book in the first place (one example: the species the mulafa are warring with).

If you are a "free-thinking" new-age left-winger, this book is perfect for you. If you are a typical, mainstream, religion-respecting person who enjoys good storytelling, you can do better elsewhwere, and I would not recommend this book to anyone under the age of 15.

A great book.......2007-10-01

I was given "The Golden Compass" when I was 12, (Im 16 now), not knowing what the book was about. However, by the time I finished The Amber Spyglass, I knew I had just finished a book series that will never be duplicated again. In his last book, Philip Pullman ties up loose strings, opens up new ones, and settles on the very nature of Dust and God. The series is advertised as a children's series, but its about as children's series as the Narnia chronicles. Sure children will love the books, but to really understand MR. Pullman's main ideas and motifs, one must be old enough to know of religion and love and more "adult" themes. I strongly recommend this book to anyone who wishes to have a book to read while sipping coco near a fire(after all, winters almost here), but beware: if you are not willing to read this series, and especially this book, with an open mind, you will find it blasphemous and degrading to religion. But read it with no thought of such issues, and you just might be reading something truly bigger than Narnia.

The Amber Spyglass, Deluxe 10th Anniversary Edition (His Dark Materials, Book 3)

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An Exquisite, and Profoundly told, Story
Fantastic.....
Tough ending to a thrilling but flawed trilogy

The Amber Spyglass, Deluxe 10th Anniversary Edition (His Dark Materials, Book 3)
Philip Pullman
Manufacturer: Knopf Books for Young Readers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0375846735
Release Date: 2007-08-28

Customer Reviews:

An Exquisite, and Profoundly told, Story.......2007-10-06

The Golden Compass, and its 2 sequels (The Subtle Knife, and The Amber Spyglass) is a story featuring profound concepts, displaying the most original creativity in characters & and in plot, and a "can't put it down" story line, that can be understood and appreciated by people of all ages. I am reading all three for the 2nd time, and I have enjoyed it more even than the first read through. I am a youthful 72 year old, and I would recommend this Trilogy to anyone I am related to, regardless of age. I also these books would inspire new writers.

Fantastic............2007-10-03

For anyone to stumble upon this - a 10th anniversary edition of "The Amber Spyglass" - I doubt you're intrigued by my thoughts of His Dark Materials as a whole, the characters, writing, Phillip, etc. However.....

"I do think the narrative and the writing suffered greatly in the third book, where he pretty much just comes out and says what he feels about religion and the Church."

To those who are reading this, do yourself a favor - do not base what you read on the writers beliefs or thoughts. It's unfortunate that in this day and age people analyze so deeply and attempt to discourage others from reading a masterpiece because they feel threatened by the truth.

The irony in it all is that those that dig to find this message within the book - church, state, religion - are just scared because they are reading the genre of their belief: fiction.

Fantastic trilogy by a fantastic person. Do not miss this.

Tough ending to a thrilling but flawed trilogy.......2007-09-17

I read the "Golden Compass" trilogy a few years back -- can't remember why -- and thought I'd dash off a word or two about it, what with the movie coming out soon and all. The books follow familiar kids/young adult fantasy tropes: the hero is an orphan (the feisty, indomitable Lyra Belaqua) whose real parents (not actually dead) are both powerful figures in the world outside. Lyra lives in an alternate-reality version of our world, a strange mix of the medieval and modern worlds, where the Church-led Inquisition has lasted for centuries, but science has continued apace, although led for the most part by the dictates of the somewhat sinister, repressive Church.

The first two books were riveting, mostly because the fiery young girl is such as appealing character and the fantasy elements are quite imaginative, however, the third volume is disappointing. To put it simply, the "Golden Compass" books are a thinly-disguised anti-Catholic screed, and though the first two books are quite entertaining, the third volume is a real drag. If you get pulled in by the story, you'll have to finish the series, just to see how it ends. Although I don't have any principled or prudish objections to Pullman's world view, I do think the narrative and the writing suffered greatly in the third book, where he pretty much just comes out and says what he feels about religion and the Church, much to the detriment of the writing. It's just not that much fun to read once the story becomes a political pamphlet; indeed, finishing the series was a bit of a chore. (Apparently the movie adaptation tones things down a lot -- won't parents be surprised when they get the books after having seen the film!) (Axton)

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The Amber Spyglass
Philip Pullman
Manufacturer: Laurel-Leaf
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000NYH1BE

His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass; The Subtle Knife; The Amber Spyglass

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His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass; The Subtle Knife; The Amber Spyglass
Philip Pullman
Manufacturer: Science Fiction Book Club
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 073941335X

3 Titles By Philip Pullman His Dark Materials Series (1-3) : 1. The Golden Compass 2. The Subtle Knife 3. The Amber Spyglass

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3 Titles By Philip Pullman His Dark Materials Series (1-3) : 1. The Golden Compass 2. The Subtle Knife 3. The Amber Spyglass
Philip Pullman
Manufacturer: Various
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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three mmpb books. 3 Titles By Philip Pullman His Dark Materials Series (1-3) : 1. The Golden Compass 2. The Subtle Knife 3. The Amber Spyglass

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THE AMBER SPYGLASS
Philip Pullman
Manufacturer: Listening Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Cassette
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ASIN: B000K3O4TA

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2001 UNABRIDGED audiobook, 10 audiocassettes, 14 hours and 54 minutes.

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The Amber Spyglass
Philip Pullman
Manufacturer: Alfred A. Knopf
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000SNTD3O

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The Amber Spyglass
Philip PULLMAN
Manufacturer: Knopf
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000OPQLVS

THE AMBER SPYGLASS (HIS DARK MATERIALS III)

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THE AMBER SPYGLASS (HIS DARK MATERIALS III)
Philip Pullman
Manufacturer: Scholastic Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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