From the Fountainhead to the Future and Other Essays on Art and Excellence

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York hits a home run!

How to Cultivate a Personal, Selfish Love of Art

An Excellent Companion to Ayn Rand's _Romantic Manifesto_

Now I REALLY Know Why Art Is Important!

Artist or Art Lover, this is a must read!

From the Fountainhead to the Future and Other Essays on Art and Excellence
Alexandra York
Manufacturer: American Renaissance for the Twenty-First Cen
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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What Art Is: The Esthetic Theory of Ayn Rand

Crosspoints

Ayn Rand Answers: The Best of Her Q & A

ASIN: 0967644402

Book Description

Art is a shortcut to philosophy declares Alexandra York in this challenging collection of essays offered for the specific purpose of suggesting which art and ideas should be championed and advanced if we are to generate an American Renaissance at the dawn of this new millennium. The result of her efforts is no less than a blueprint for a revolution in the arts. Nothing since Tom Wolfes The Painted Word has so daringly called for a reconsideration of where the tastemaking establishment has been taking us.

Boldly addressing the anomaly of a nation experiencing both unprecedented material prosperity and cultural bankruptcy and calling herself a radical for beauty, she frankly spurns twentieth century primitivism, nihilism, deconstructionism and political correctness. As a potent antidote to our cultural malaise, she advocates revitalizing the fundamental tenets of our philosophical heritage (ancient Greece) by imbuing contemporary art created in the established Western heritage art forms--representationalism in the visual arts; melody and harmony in music; structure and ideation in the written arts--with a positive and inspiring content that celebrates the world at its most beautiful and man and woman at their best. No revivalist, she also spurns nostalgia and urges those of us who love life and the art that enhances living to enjoy and enrich our moments on this earth through art experiences that lift our spirits, move us to contemplative thought and remind us why life is worth living.

Customer Reviews:

York hits a home run!.......2000-06-13

After having read the excellent reviews already submitted it is difficult to find more words to properly prise this book. Whether you are an art lover or are simply interested in the state of our culture, Ms. York provides a series of superb essays to help you find your way. The thing that impresses me the most about her writing is the passion. It is clear, understandable and very passionate. Not the blind rant of a demagogue, but a reasoned, mature, thoughtful passion that arises from deep study and careful analysis. Its a book worth reading over and over!

How to Cultivate a Personal, Selfish Love of Art.......2000-05-30

The best thing about Alexandra York's atitude towards art is her constant focus on all art as a profound personal value to her. The essays in this book are not detached, unemotional discussions--they make it clear that Alexandra cares about art--and she explains why she does, and why and how you can as well. My personal favorite of all the essays is the last in the book--"Sharing the Miracle"--in which she describes a trip to a sculpture foundry to witness the actual process by which finished works are bronzed. If reading this book can help anyone attain the exalted state of passion for art that Alexandra demonstrates in this one essay, then this book will have more than served its purpose and achieved its goal. Way to go, Alexandra! Keep your fountainhead flowing!

An Excellent Companion to Ayn Rand's _Romantic Manifesto_.......2000-05-12

Over the past several years, Alexandra York has written many cogent articles on art and culture. She defends beauty and representational art beautifully and forcefully in her passionate, but gentle style. She neither bludgeons the reader nor insults him. With the force of her conviction, she gently persuades - and that is a great virtue in a culture dominated by ad hominem attacks. Now, she has collected her best essays in her new book, _From the Fountainhead to the Future_.

I cheered while reading that we should consider Homer the *real* spiritual forefather of the West, and thus we should change our calendars to the year *3000*. She correctly identifies ancient Greece as the intellectual foundation of the West.

If you are looking for a rational defense of what art can and should be and what kind of culture would make such art possible, _From the Fountainhead to the Future_ is an excellent companion to Ayn Rand's seminal work on the philosophy of art.

Now I REALLY Know Why Art Is Important!.......2000-04-24

Ms. York does not simply explain why art is important. She also explains why art is important to YOU. She motivates you, the reader, to both appreciate and understand what various works of art are "saying" to you. Her style is enlightened but in no way pretentious. Also, as an added bonus, she offers many excellent insights on psychology and society. She is one of the very few intellectuals I know of, for example, to say: "I suggest to you that the nation's schools could not have failed, as they have, unless mothers and fathers failed first by abdicating their parental responsibility as guardians of their children's inner development." Excellent and courageous point -- brilliantly articulated, and backed up with extensive examples. The book is full of insights like this one. I highly recommend it.

Artist or Art Lover, this is a must read!.......2000-02-27

I devoured this book. Ms. York's views are concise and inspiring, and her insight is eye-opening and impressive. This is a must read for anyone who loves the arts and seeks a better understanding of its virtues and values. Ms. York masterfully explains the importance the arts play in developing the individual mind as well as our culture. I will refer to it often.

Customer Reviews:

Learning about Black History!.......2000-09-07

I purchased this book because I was not taught about black history in school. I know that there is a lot to know about black history, which is why I wanted a beginner's book. I looked through the book before I purchased it and noticed the illustrations and thought this book would be easy to read, and give me the basics of black history. This book gives some VERY BASIC facts about black history, but it didn't teach me much. As a matter of fact, you would already have to know a great deal about black history to even understand what the author is talking about, but it was not basic enough and did not go into enough detail. I guess black history is a subject that cannot be summed up in a small book like this, containing mostly illustrations. I gave this book 3 stars because it gives me a starting point to do more research on black history. If you do decide to buy this book, do not expect to learning anything from this book itself, but it will give you a starting point to do more research on such a broad topic.

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Good outline
Fabulous Book for someone interested in Black History
excellence

Black Panthers for Beginners
Herb Boyd
Manufacturer: Writers & Readers Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0863161960

Customer Reviews:

Good outline.......2001-10-12

I'm currently reading other books on the Panthers, and I can say that Boyd's Black Panthers for Beginners is a pretty good introduction to the activist group. He seems to outline the history of the Party and the reasons for its popular appeal.

The book would be a very good gift/read for young students; however, I hope this book will lead readers to read primary sources and more extended works about the Panthers. For example, one should definitely follow up Boyd's "Beginners" with a reading of Huey P. Newton's memoir "Revolutionary Suicide" and other works by Panther members.

The only problem I had with this book is that the author didn't include enough about the "survival" programs of the Party which included the community schools and breakfast programs. Understandably it was important for Boyd to focus on Party's constant run in with the racist police force, but when you finish the book that part of the Party becomes the lasting impression you get of the Party. It almost seems like that history of the Party was little more than a history of police raids, informants, murder raps, court appearances, acquittals, and violence. While this reality existed, it's important that we understand the vision of the Party.

Lastly, I would hope this work inspires a definitive biography of the Black Panther Party. It needs to be written by someone who understands the vision of the Party but at the same time will work to describe the problems that ultimately bring the Party down.

Fabulous Book for someone interested in Black History.......1999-08-27

All I can say is, this is one of the best ways to spend $10! If you are reading this review, you are interested. Buy this book at once! It is fabulous!

excellence.......1999-02-24

This is an excellent book on the black panthers. In fact, i have amassed more information on the BPP from this book than all of the panther books that i have read so far. Do not be fooled by the fact that this is a comic book, it contains nothing but pertinent information

Fanon for Beginners (Writers and Readers Documentary Comic Book)

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scholarly and creative analysis of Fanon's life

Fanon for Beginners (Writers and Readers Documentary Comic Book)
Deborah Wyrick
Manufacturer: Writers & Readers Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

African-American & Black | Ethnic & National | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 086316255X

Customer Reviews:

scholarly and creative analysis of Fanon's life.......1998-12-13

Dr. Wyrick's book is useful for all interested in post-colonial literature or African American/Caribbean history. Fascinating text--- Great illustrations---- Buy this book.

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A Must Have
An Absolute Must Read
Black African slavery did not begin with the Atlantic trade
Truth In Your face
For library black studies and American history collection

The Black Holocaust for Beginners
S. E. Anderson
Manufacturer: Writers & Readers Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0863161782

Book Description

The Black Holocaust was the seminal event in the history of African-Americans, and yet most people know little about it.

Customer Reviews:

A Must Have.......2007-08-13

I bought this book based on the previous reviews and its better than I expected. The illustrations and graphics are excellent!

An Absolute Must Read.......2006-06-20

The book is part of an ongoing series that explores individuals and topics that unfortunately receive little or incorrect coverage by "mainstream" historians/books.

This nation has never faced the fact that its economy was built by the slave trade. Equally, many of the so-called heroes of the nation were the ones who pushed hard to continue or expand the buying and selling of humans. And the ramifications still reverberate today in the society.

The book brilliantly uses text and drawings to vividly bring the facts surrounding slavery to life. You will be equally touched and angered about the blood and chains & what must be seen for what it was - the planned extermination of a race of people solely to build a nation.

Critics will say that the book rewrites history. Yes it does. It places the sordid times in its proper context.

Black African slavery did not begin with the Atlantic trade.......2002-05-05

Anderson and Holley rightly tackle a topic that deserves study, however, they de-emphasize the well-developed Islamic slave trade that kidnapped more than 11 million Black Africans from their homes between 700 to 1900. This slave trade began centuries before the Atlantic trade and continued for centuries after. Islamic scripture fully embraces the institution of human slavery. Mohammed left many instructions to slaveowners. This express endorsement of human slavery by Mohammed accounts for the fact that human slavery was not abolished in Saudi Arabia until 1964 and not until 1968 in Kuwait. Islamic slavery was no less brutal than the Atlantic variety. Males slaves were routinely castrated and forced into military service.Female slaves become sexual servants whose children were not their own.

Truth In Your face.......2002-02-14

This is excellent literature, with extremely vivid graphics! Texts such as this should be written more often, as it is a well researched source of Black History.

For library black studies and American history collection.......2001-02-15

The systematic exploitation, enslavement and extermination of Africans in the Western Hemisphere dates from the start of the European slave trade around 1500 BCE to the conclusion of the American Civil War in 1865. The Black Holocaust killed millions of African human beings and is (because of the social prejudice and dehumanization necessary to justify slavery) the most under-reported event in western history. The Black Holocaust For Beginners is an ideal introduction to this incredible human chronicle of suffering and is a "must" for every school and community library black studies and American history collection.

Black Women for Beginners (Writers and Readers Documentary Comic Book, 58)

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Black women for begginners ****
A good first start ...
A Good Book for Someone Interested in Black Women History
Trying to be cool with a sistah......
Eye-opening, witty, funny and right on time!

Black Women for Beginners (Writers and Readers Documentary Comic Book, 58)
Saundra Sharp
Manufacturer: Writers & Readers Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

African-American & Black | Ethnic & National | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0863161472

Customer Reviews:

Black women for begginners ****.......2006-02-28

this was the perfect gift and a book that was long seeked for by my girlfriend, she was very excited when i surprised her with it a week after she told me about running across it at a friends home. Excellent book with invaluable infromation.

A good first start ..........2000-05-15

... on the history of Black Women in the world. The author basically brainstormed many facts to the reader. Nearly all were fascinating and interesting.

However, Sharp, fails to provide an adequate bibliography, footnotes or other sources for her facts and quotes. Also, she included too many sarcastic captions (via comic book fashion) which were very degrading to Black Women (and the crass language was not appreciated either). For these 2 reasons, I give this book only 3 out of 5 stars.

The author has wonderful information but did not treat the subject of Black Women in world history with the respect and sacredness it deserved. Nevertheless, the book is a good start. I recommend with hesitation. For immediate follow-up: a better, more scholarly book is Ivan Van Sertima's Black Women in Antiquity.

A Good Book for Someone Interested in Black Women History.......1999-12-29

This book is written by Suandra Harp and it is written in a very entertaining style. The author makes you feel comfortable in the first few pages and makes you feel relaxed that this is going to be an easy book.

The book is divide into 6 or 7 sections dealing with many aspects of Black Women Influence. For example, one of the sections at the end of the book focuses on how black women fight in the army and how they have have fought in many wars. Another section talks about how black women were part of history and how Cleopatra was really black.

The book is written in very, very easy language and there are probably words on each page which makes it quick to read. There are also picutres and many quotes from books to support her point.

She tries to show in the book that Black Women were the orignal beauties and that white people originated from blacks.

Now comes my personal thought of the book

The book was good in the sense that it was very easy to read and it had many sources but the book portrays as black women being basically perfect and that a lot of their problems were caused by whites.

The book did not show to many opposing opinions. For example, in the book she talks about Cleopatra being black but she doesn't give facts to support. This might seem a contridiction to what I said earlier about her using sources but her sources in certain parts are from refutable sources.

But all in all the book is good in the sense that it does have some good information about the history of black women. It talks about how they fought for civil rights and how they fought for women's rights and many other accomplishments that black women are responsible for.

Buy this book for a fairly good history of black women.

Trying to be cool with a sistah.............1999-09-14

Then know a sistah. Black Women for beginners gets you started on the right track of black woman's history. Remember though it is only a beginning, there is much more to learn.

Eye-opening, witty, funny and right on time!.......1999-05-06

Saundra Sharp has done a great job of blending fact, mythology, speculation and commentary into a riff on Black womanhood that plays like sassy jazz. I bought copies for myself, my friends, my nieces, my daughter AND my son! If you've ever wondered about the magic and mystique of Black women, this book is for you.

Pan-Africanism for Beginners (African History Series)

Average customer rating:

biased and simplistic

Pan-Africanism for Beginners (African History Series)
Sid Lemelle
Manufacturer: Writers & Readers Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books

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General | Africa | History | Subjects | Books

General | World | History | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0863161480

Customer Reviews:

biased and simplistic.......2001-01-28

I picked up this book because I wanted a simple little introduction to pan-Africanism and what I got was a diatribe. As with all too many of these 'for beginners' books, the author is an avid proponent of his/her subject and is unwilling to examine it with a critical mind. While doing a good job at laying out the history of pan-Africanism (the only reason I don't give this book one star), Sid Lemelle, Professor of History at Pomona College in California, does not bring up the big criticisms of pan-Africanism. First, like post-colonial theory, it has been and continues to be a movement all too biased towards the experiences of the African diaspora and not Africans themselves, as evidenced by whom Lemelle puts in the middle of the books's cover, namely Malcolm X. Second, many people argue that pan-Africanism ignores local African ethnic, religious and national identities in favor of an over-arching pan-African identity. Furthermore, Lemelle ignores the big debate around the concepts of 'Africa' and 'Africans', namely whether North Africa really has much in common at all with black/sub-saharan/tropical Africa and whether whites in South Africa or Asians in Uganda are Africans or not. If they are, then how can pan-Africanism have a racial component?

Book Description

In Malcolm X For Beginners, Bernard Doctor, reveals the teacher, the leader, and the revolutionary voice of change that Malcolm X was, and continues to be. Powerful narrative and graphics tell the story of Malcolm X’s life, his journey of self-discovery, his far-reaching ideas, his martyrdom and his impact on an era. Embraced as a righteous prophet of Black power and pride, damned as the voice of violence, Malcolm X merges as a complex, brave and brilliant figure with much to teach about the struggle for dignity. Though it is no longer unusual to find youth adorning Malcolm X hats, t-shirts, necklaces, buttons and the like, for many, who Malcolm X was, and why his contributions were so significant in changing the way we think about one another is seldom understood. Malcolm X For Beginners brings to surface little known facts about Malcolm’s life and the evolution of his ideologies and philosophies.

Customer Reviews:

Malcom X for beginners.......2006-11-29

Book Review
"Malcom X for Beginners"
By: Bernard Aquina Doctor

One of Malcom X's most significant quotes was "Look out for the children they are the last hope of America, it's too late for us grownups" he said that before he was assinated. This is a very informative novel about the life of an African American leader. The first part of the book describes the up's and down's of Malcom's life. The Klu Klux Klan nearly killed Malcom's mom, dad, brothers and sisters when they set their house on fire. That's just the beginning of Malcom's troubles. During the 1920's and somewhat today racism is ignored. There was no use for an African American trial to go to court, the jury would protect a white person and find him/her not guilty, any way. The turning point in this novel was when Malcom X and his friend Shorty went to jail. However, there were two white girls involved with Malcolm's and Shorty's criminal acts. These women were never convicted or even fined for there wrong doings. Malcom realized that his past was destructive and turns it around by joining the Nation of Islam which empowered him as a man and as an Africa American. This biography is a very strong (informing you of the truth) because it focuses on the hard times of African Americans and a powerful man, Malcom X.

Written by L.J. Folsom

Malcom X for beginners.......2006-11-29

Malcom X by Bernard Aquina Doctor
One of Malcom's most vivid sayings was "Look out for the children they are the last hope of America it's to late for us grownups" he said that before he was assinated. The book is a very informative novel about the life of an African American leader. The first part of the book describes the up's and down's of Malcom's life. Nearly killing Malcom's mom, dad, brothers and sisters the Ku Klux KLan set there house on fire. That's just the beginning of Malcom's troubles. Durning the 1920's and somewhat today racism is ignored. There was no use to taking a trial to coart the jury would just say that the white man is not charged in any way. The most suspenseful part of the story was when Malcom X and friend went to jail but the two white girls with them did not go to jail or even get fined. Malcom learns that his past wasn't great and turns it around by joining the Nation of Islam. This book is a very strong(inforing you the truth)because if focuses on the hard times of an African American named Malcom X. Segregation then was very extreme.

A Real Good Start on Malcolm X's Life.......2003-03-18

if you haven't read Malcolm X's Autobio with Alex Hailey then this is a Must read to starting out with His work.this Book goes over different details of His Life,upbringing&outlook on the world at the time.a Real Good Book on a Very Important&Influential American Figure that Forever Changed the Way History would be mentioned&go Down.

The Black Prince.......2000-02-04

This book by Bernard Aquina Doctor gives a nice history of Malcom X, a black leader of the 60's. A leader of the Black Muslims as well as the Black Rights movement alongside (and many times seemingly against) Martin KLuther King Jr. Aquinas lays the ground work by discussing Malcoms childhood, who his father was which would prove to be pivotal later in Malcom's life. Growing up poor and oppressed by the WW2 and the KKK among others, Malcom fought his way to the top and demanded to be heard by all. He was shot and killed at one of his lectures by one of the Black Muslims in 1965. Reccomended for those interested in Malcom X's ideas, as well as those curious about the black movement and some philosophies that went with it.

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Toni Morrison (A Beginner's Guide)
Gina Wisker
Manufacturer: Headway
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Book Description

This title introduces the reader to the life and works of Toni Morrison, the African American female author whose most successful works include Beloved, Song of Solomon and Jazz. Discover how the Nobel Prize-winning author uses storytelling, imagery, and the voice of communities and individuals as she explores and reveals the energies, hardships, and experiences of black women and men.

A beginner's resource guide, to "doing" Black history in New York City

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A beginner's resource guide, to "doing" Black history in New York City
Sherrill D Wilson
Manufacturer: s.n.]
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

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