Book Description
As the first duo of singer and pianist to be perceived as equals in the music world, French baritone Pierre Bernac and pianist composer Francis Poulenc became a legend, working together for more than 25 years. The majority of Poulenc's pieces were created specifically for Bernac to sing. Within this context, Bernac pays tribute to his friend by providing a detailed discussion of all the songs he composed specifically for piano accompaniment. Each song, its description, and the corresponding biographical note on the poet have been translated into English.
Customer Reviews:
Essential reading for the Poulenc student.......2006-07-17
Pierre Bernac probably knew Francis Poulenc's songs better than anyone save the composer -- they had a working relationship that stretched across several decades, and Bernac personally premiered the lion's share of Poulenc's song output. This volume is Bernac's tribute to his friend and collaborator, and includes a useful biographical sketch with some amusing anecdotes, and a comprehensive survey of Poulenc's song output (though a few songs including the Eight Polish Songs, Fancy - Poulenc's only English language setting, from Shakespeare - and the Quatre chansons pour enfants are conspicuously missing). Each song includes complete texts and translations and Bernac's notes on composition, general mood and singer's motivation.
This book goes alongside Bernac's The Interpretation of French Song as essential reading for the serious devotee of French melodies. Must reading for anyone thinking about singing Poulenc's songs.
Customer Reviews:
The Autobiography of Black Hawk.......2000-07-05
The last "Indian War" in Illinois occurred in 1832 when a small band of Sauk refused under the leadership of the warrior Black Hawk to abandon their village (located under a subdivision of the present Rock Island, Illinois). They wandered up the Rock River, fighting contingents of regular army and state militia (a young Abraham Lincoln served several stints as a volunteer but saw no fighting; a young Jefferson Davis played a role in the last phases of the conflict), slipped into Wisconsin, and were finally defeated in a brutal massacre of men, women, and children on the banks of the Mississippi. Black Hawk surrendered and was taken East to meet President Jackson. After a short term in confinement, he and his companions were taken on a tour of the East Coast, an effort by the United States government to impress him with the young nation's overwhelming superiority in numbers and technology. The plan worked, by Black Hawk's own testimony, and when he returned to the Midwest he lived out the rest of his life in obscurity in a village in Iowa. He never saw his home again.
The origins of the autobiography published under Black Hawk's name has generated controversy. It was dictated to a half Native American interpreter, Antoine Le Claire, who rendered it into English, then edited by an Illinois newspaperman named John B. Patterson, who put it into publishable form. Both men swore that the result was faithful to Black Hawk's words, but the skeptical reader may be permitted some doubt; the language is clearly that of the period (surely Patterson's work), and Black Hawk himself complains on at least one occasion that his interpreter's grasp of the Sauk language did not suffice to translate a flowery speech. So what we have here, while no doubt in general faithful to Black Hawk's intentions and life story, cannot be his ipsissima verba. (It is a pity, given these doubts, that the editor of the volume, who has otherwise done an admirable job of annotation and commentary, did not compare the language of the preface, which records Black Hawk's own Sauk, with that of the text as a whole.)
Despite these doubts, there can be no question that the Autobiography affords us an extraordinary opportunity to see the impact of midwestern expansion on the native population from their own point of view, and to obtain direct access -- even if it has been mediated somewhat for non-native consumption -- into the social world of a people soon to vanish. The war itself is somewhat of an anti-climax, and deeply sad, doomed as resistance clearly was from the beginning. It is rather the self-presentation of a proud, successful Sauk warrior, endowed with considerable facilities of self-reflection and honesty, that make this book a treasure that every American should read.
A Book for Anyone.......2000-05-11
As a college student from the blackhawk area, I found this book captivating. Really written for any age or education level, I think anyone and everyone should read it. A heroic story of a real man, the book is a beautiful journey through history. The story some details of Black Hawk's life before the war and describes the events behind the wars and his interpretation of them well. I would recomend this to anyone from junior high up and definatly anyone from Rock Island or the surrounding areas.
Book Description
Autobiography of early 19th century leader of the Sauk and Fox Indians. Describes tribal customs, traditions, Indian wars, more.
Customer Reviews:
Black Hawk in his own words.......2007-08-01
This is an easy to read, valuable piece of near-primary source material - which fills in the gaps that I find in most collections of the last 400 years of American history. Like adding Howard Zinn material to your study of US history, the words of Black Hawk balance the traditional textbook summary of native Indian history and culture.
Black Hawk speaks in a narrative storyline that deserves our attention and understanding. He was without the benefit of support, and thus was unable to confirm the more than substantial memory at his grasp. The editorial notations added within the text that at times confirm or counter Black Hawk's telling, though intended to clarify the historical record, will thus serve to mildly frustrate the reading.
And although this is an "autobiography" of his life, there are significant questions as to the caliber of translation of Black Hawk's words. Just enough so that I imagined him actually telling of his life in his native tongue to one truly fluent in the language and how much richer the story would be.
I found myself marveling most the sections where Black Hawk speaks of the power of nature and it's interwoven influence on the lives of the native tribes, as well as their deep respect and understanding for the impact living things have on one another. By contrasting his culture with the encroaching white settler culture, he is prescient of what is to come. Through the eyes and words of this sincere man, we hear of the habit of deception and the power of greed of a dominating culture which will eventually strip away most all valuable material things from these people, while at the same moment speaking faithlessly of highest ideals and principles.
The book is a top read for anyone curious to hear a more authentic, first-hand narrative of the realities of life in the 1800's for a wise but slowly disappearing culture.
A view of the Indian Wars from the Native-American side.......2004-01-12
During the War of 1812, Black Hawk (1767-1838), a chief among the Sauk and Fox Indians, fought on the side of the British. In 1823, after signing a treaty with the United States, the Sauk and Fox were compelled to leave their lands in present-day Illinois, and move west of the Mississippi River. In April 1832, after Black Hawk had received what he considered to be too many affronts, he led a large following back to the disputed land, beginning what was later known as the Black Hawk War (April-August 1832). After his surrender, Black Hawk was given a tour of the expanding United States, and he decided that he wished to have recorded his life's story, so that the people of the United States could understand him and his reasons for going to war. This is the Black Hawk's life story.
This book was originally published in 1833, and was supposedly dictated by Black Hawk to his translator, Antoine Leclair. There is some speculation as to how much of this work is actually Black Hawk's own words, and how much is Leclair's ghost writing. But, I must admit that I did not bother much with this controversy. I found the book to be a fascinating look into Black Hawk's mind and how he saw the European-American settlement of the United States.
First of all, the hero of this story is no sugar-coated Disney character. His story is filled with battle and plunder and the taking of scalps. A true warrior, steeped in his culture's ideals, he lived and fought in what he considered an honorable and logical manner, and could not understand the way that the white people lived and fought. This is no politically correct paean to the Native-Americans, but a clear-eyed explanation of who Black Hawk was, and why he did what he did.
So, if you are interested in American history, and want a view of the Indian Wars from the Native-American side, then I highly recommend this book to you.
Book Description
His battered face appeared on the cover of Time, Newsweek, and U.S. News & World Report to the shock and horror of all Americans. Black Hawk pilot Mike Durant was shot down and taken prisoner during America's biggest firefight since the Vietnam War. Published in the tenth anniversary year of the Somali conflict, this gripping personal account at last tells the world about Durant's harrowing captivity and the heroic deeds of his doomed comrades. And, as readers will discover, Durant proves himself to be nothing less than a hero.
Download Description
"Michael Durant the U.S. Army helicopter pilot captured in Somalia (and who was an integral part of the dramatic story chronicled in Black Hawk Down), tells his personal story of his involvement in the events of October 1993. His battered face appeared on the cover of Time, Newsweek and U.S. News & World Report to the shock and horror of all Americans. Black Hawk pilot Mike Durant was shot down and taken prisoner during America's biggest firefight since the Vietnam War. Published in the tenth anniversary year of the Somali conflict, this gripping personal account at last tells the world about Durant's harrowing captivity and the heroic deeds of his doomed comrades. And, as readers will discover, Durant proves himself to be nothing less than a hero."
Customer Reviews:
A Hero in the Company of Heroes.......2007-08-03
Durant's story takes us from Black Hawk Down and gives us a persalized look into his ordeal in Somalia. But he also gives an itimate look into the lives and beliefs of his captors. This is must read book for anyone interested in the survival of the human spirit.
Michael Durant's incredible, exciting story of his crash and captivity.......2007-06-22
Wow! This book is a terrific! I could hardly put the book down after I started reading it. Durant and Steven Hartov recount all the vivid and unforgettable details of the Black Hawk's crash into the heart of the most unfriendly territory - Aidid-controlled Mogadishu.
The two truly heroic and fearless Delta operators, Gary Gordon and Randy Shugart, attempt to rescue Durant from a massive mob of hate-filled Somalis. Unfortunately, the operators run out of ammo and are overwhelmed by the Somalis' huge numbers. Any minute Durant expects to be literally torn or cut apart limb by limb. With a broken back and leg, Durant can do little to protect himself or get away. And then, like a miracle, he is literally pulled out of the hands of the mob and into custody by a rival warlord's clan.
The story then goes on to cover Durant's initial captivity in dismal and dangerous conditions. His bone-jarring and pain-racking transfers across the pothole-filled streets of Mogadishu, being used as a seat cushion to make it past guarded checkpoints. Despite the obviously searing pain he must have felt, he managed to keep a diary and hold onto his sanity.
The story goes on to describe TF Ranger's search and rescue efforts to locate him (provides a good argument for electronic tracking devices placed in military pilots) and also some behind-the-scenes American diplomatic maneuvers to secure his release (which did work). The Red Cross also visited Durant and helped get essential medicine & emotional support to him. Durant also describes the Somalis he was guarded by and his unusual Somali doctor who carried his limited medical supplies in a fishing tackle box.
Besides the captivity narrative, the book is interspersed with progressive snapshots of Durant's military piloting career as an army helicopter pilot. Durant talks about his training and experiences in the blizzards of South Korea, the jungles of Panama, and gruellingly intense survival-evasion-resistance-escape school in the US. The book winds up with his repatriation, recovery, and eventual return to marathon-running and off-duty flying.
The entire book is packed with action and fascinating military experiences. This book rocks! You'll be dogging bullets right next there to Durant while you're reading it!
In the Company of Heroes.......2007-06-06
Book came in the time frame and in the condition specified.
Amazing!.......2007-05-31
I looked at this book several times in the store before I actually bought it and read it. I was avoiding it, I guess, because this battle has already been so thoroughly covered I didn't think there could be much more to tell. If that's what you've been thinking, I say get this one! This is one of the best firsthand accounts I've read. First of all, there is plenty of new stuff from Mogadishu in it. Second, seeing this whole thing through Durant's eyes is brutal and honest. The letter from the wife of one of the Delta operators that helped save the author is well worth the price of the book.
Combat action as literature.......2007-05-01
It is a rare pleasure to discover a book about intense combat action, bravery under fire, and the painful realities of capture and privation that does not read like an Army Field Manual. Instead, "Company of Heroes" reads like a well-crafted novel. It opens with the crash of one of the Black Hawk helicopters described so grippingly in Mark Bowden's best seller "Black Hawk Down." In that superb true action thriller, we get the big picture of the successful but costly snatch and grab operation in Mogadishu. In "Company," we relive the operation from one of the pilots who crash landed in the midst of thousands of angry Somali rebels.
Durant cuts back and forth from describing his existing plight, to flash backs describing how he became a special ops Night Stalker helo pilot. The technique works wonderfully, filling-in ever more details of his training and combat experiences, and culminating in his crash, capture, imprisonment and astonishing release.
As satisfying is the description of the work ethic that imbues our most elite fighting men. These guys do not dissimulate, they do not brag, and they perfect their skills to a degree not matched anywhere on the planet. Then they go out and do their jobs. And they often get shot, and they sometimes get killed.
It is a real eye-opener to compare the behavior of these men and women in uniform to the men and women of our mainstream media. Durant's wife flies to Germany to finally meet her badly injured husband who has just been released from his imprisonment. A Hollywood type cleverly buys the seat next to her, bent on cajoling from her the movie rights to her husband's story. Ah, yes, that's a scene we see portrayed so often on the silver screen--almost as much as the evil business tycoon threatening to destroy the world. And her phone never stops ringing with columnist determined to get the scoop on "how she feels."
The victory lap was also handled extremely well. It is so easy today to become maudlin at the relief of surviving, of coming home, of recovering fully from sever injuries, of rightly being called a hero. Well, nearly everyone involved in this operation was a hero and behaved heroically. And then shut up about it. What a relief to know there still are people like that; what joy to know they are defending our country. Unlike the self-proclaimed media celebrities whose self-importance ego-mania is exceeded only by their incomes. And who have such little air time to waste on people like these a week after they return from defending our country, when they can be talking instead about a much more fascinating subject--themselves.
Average customer rating:
|
Lincoln and the Black Hawk War
Lloyd H. Efflandt
Manufacturer: Rock Island Arsenal Historical Society
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 Presidents & Heads of State
| Leaders & Notable People
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
General
| United States
| Americas
| History
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0961793821 |
Book Description
The years between 1760 and 1840 witnessed the young United States' indefatigable expansion, even at the expense of the people already occupying the land. Roger Nichols's account of the life and times of Black Hawk, the great Sauk leader, provides an engaging way to study this tumultuous period in American history. From his teens until his midsixties, Black Hawk chose to follow the warrior's path, leading groups of Sauks against the Osages, Sioux and the Cherokees, as well as against white pioneers, state militiamen, and U.S. Army regulars. His final stand against the United States, in what became known as the Black Hawk War (1832), proved to be disastrous for his people and paved the way for a torrent of white settlement into the Old Northwest.
Although biographical history is especially difficult to write when the subject did not leave any written records, Professor Nichols, an expert in American Indian history, skillfully paints the portrait of Black Hawk, the stubborn, taciturn warrior, and considers possible reasons the aged leader acted as he did. Nichols emphasizes that lack of communication was a major stumbling block to peaceful U.S.-Indian relations. He examines how this contributed to the unnecessary loss of Indian lives and whether it was a convenient excuse used by the military to drive the Indians to the brink of extinction.
Customer Reviews:
An excellent resouce and easy read........2005-08-31
I have many books on the Blackhawk War. This book is very straightforward and deals with the Sauk/Fox history and way of life as it pertains to Blackhawk. It presents Blackhawk as a human being rather than "the noble savage." This book is impartial in it's presentation of the causes and effects of the Blackhawk War. It basically presents the facts without glorifying any party. It also deals with the aftermath of the "last indian war east of the Mississippi." I highly recommend this book to any fan of indian life or lore.
Average customer rating:
- A Tale of Closure
- Superbly written and factual account of the tragedy
- The definitive account of the Black Hawk shootdown
|
A Chain of Events: The Government Cover-up of the Black Hawk Incident and the Friendly Fire Death of Lt. Laura Piper
Joan L. Piper
Manufacturer: Brassey's Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
General
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
Military & Spies
| Professionals & Academics
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
General
| United States
| Historical
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Military
| Leaders & Notable People
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
Memoirs
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
General
| United States
| Americas
| History
| Subjects
| Books
Asia
| History
| Subjects
| Books
| Afghanistan
| Armenia
| Bangladesh
| Belarus
| Bhutan
| Brunei
| Cambodia
| Central Asia
| China
| Far East
| General
| Georgia
| Hong Kong
| India
| Indonesia
| Japan
| Korea
| Laos
| Malaysia
| Maldives
| Mauritius
| Mongolia
| Myanmar
| Nepal
| Pakistan
| Philippines
| Russia
| Seychelles
| Singapore
| South Asia
| Southeast Asia
| Sri Lanka
| Taiwan
| Thailand
| Tibet
| Turkey
| Vietnam
General
| Middle East
| History
| Subjects
| Books
Iraq
| Middle East
| History
| Subjects
| Books
Aviation
| Military
| History
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Military
| History
| Subjects
| Books
War & Peace
| Current Events
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 1574882317 |
Book Description
On April 14, 1994, on a clear morning over northern Iraq's no-fly zone, two U.S. Air Force F-15 jets encountered two U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopters on a routine mission. Within ten minutes, the F-15s misidentified the helicopters and shot them down with fire-and-forget missiles. For three years, aircraft had patrolled these skies with a near-perfect safety record. Although the Black Hawk's downing was one of the worst air-to-air friendly fire incidents involving U.S. aircraft in military history, the Air Force would officially conclude the pilots had made a reasonable mistake.
One victim was ebullient twenty-five-old intelligence officer Laura Piper, in love with life and with being an Air Force lieutenant. Movingly written by her mother, A Chain of Events is the story of Laura’s final flight and the Air Force’s mishandling of the subsequent investigation. It is a story of duty, patriotism, a mother’s devotion to a daughter’s memory, and her family’s disappointment in a beloved institution.
Customer Reviews:
A Tale of Closure.......2000-12-14
On April 14, 1994, a tandem of U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagle fighters descended below their mandatory altitude restriction of 10,000 feet, proceeded to misidentify two Army Blackhawk helicopters flying a routine mission in the Iraqi northern no-fly zone, and fired on both aircraft without provocation, warning or permission. In ten short minutes, 26 peacekeepers -- American, British, French, and Kurdish -- died a horrible and tragic death.
Joan L. Piper, a fifth grade teacher from San Antonio and the mother of one of the victims, is also the spouse of a career Air Force officer. The experiences of 26 years of military service reflect a depth of knowledge and expertise with which few can compare. In A Chain of Events, she demonstrates a relentless thoroughness in finding the answers that always seemed just out of reach.
Far more than a tale of a mother's grief for her slain child, "A Chain of Events" is a touching, poignant portrait of a family's loss and their grim quest for the truth. It is a compelling story of a woman's search for closure after a tragic loss and a chronicle of a family's frustrating battle through the seemingly impenetrable walls of a stalwart bureaucracy. But, more than anything else, it is an account of the strength of a family in the face of tragedy. Her conclusions are emotionally charged, yet nonetheless valid.
This is a wonderful book that will prove invaluable to anyone who has experience the loss of a loved one.
Superbly written and factual account of the tragedy.......2000-10-27
Joan Piper wrote a very well balanced and factual account of the black hawk tragedy. What kept me interested was the personalization of her story and her ability to remain unbiased...as hard as that must have been. As a blue-suiter myself, I salute the whole Piper family and encourage everyone to read this book!
The definitive account of the Black Hawk shootdown.......2000-06-23
This book is both a well told mother's story and an exceptionally well researched critique of the government's coverup of the widely publicized friendly fire tragedy which claimed this mother's daughter. Mrs. Piper's story will grab your attention from her opening sentence and you will quickly be drawn in as she skillfully weaves a tapestry of facts and feelings to keep you hooked until the very end. I have read other accounts of these events which were mostly regurgitations of the government's official account. Having some military flying experience myself, nothing I have read before had the ring of truth. If you want to know what really happened, you must read this book. It is meticulously researched and documented. In spite of this it is one of the most imminently readable books I have ever encountered. The author's chapter-by-chapter alternation between her family's personal reactions to unfolding events and factual accounts of what was occurring on the other side of the world, as her daughter's helicopter flight proceeded from ground planning to the shootdown, was a key ingredient in keeping me turning the pages!
Book Description
The old chief had some dogs killed and made a feast preparatory to resigning his scepter, to which all the nation were invited. Great anxiety prevailed among them to know what the three brothers had seen and heard. . When the old chief arose and related to them the sayings and doings of his three sons, and concluded by saying that the Great Spirit had directed that these, his three sons, should take the rank and power that had once been his, and that he yielded these honors and duties willingly to them, because it was the wish of the Great Spirit, and he could never consent to make him angry.
Download Description
The old chief had some dogs killed and made a feast preparatory to resigning his scepter, to which all the nation were invited. Great anxiety prevailed among them to know what the three brothers had seen and heard. . When the old chief arose and related to them the sayings and doings of his three sons, and concluded by saying that the Great Spirit had directed that these, his three sons, should take the rank and power that had once been his, and that he yielded these honors and duties willingly to them, because it was the wish of the Great Spirit, and he could never consent to make him angry.
Book Description
One of the most respected personages in Native American history, BLACK HAWK (1767-1838), Sauk war chief of the Native American tribe in Illinois, was already a renowned name in the early 1800s, having fought for the British during the War of 1812. By 1832, when Black Hawk led warriors against encroaching European settlers on Sauk lands, he was so well-known that the engagement became known as the Black Hawk War. In his 1833 autobiography, Black Hawk-dictating to American newspaper editor JOHN BARTON PATTERSON (1805-1890)-tells his tale, from the "Indian wars" as he saw them to his capture, in 1832, by American forces and his subsequent meeting with President Andrew Jackson and grand tour of the United States. A provocative look at Black Hawk's wisdom and, ironically, his misunderstanding of the politics of the United States, this is a fascinating firsthand account of one of the foundational philosophical battles of American history.
Books:
- Giorgio Morandi (Twentieth-Century Masters Series)
- Guns N' Roses: The Band That Time Forgot: The Complete Unauthorised Biography
- Henry and the Paper Route (Henry Huggins)
- Hilary and Jackie
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
- How Sweet the Sound
- I Feel Good: A Memoir of a Life of Soul
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- The Encyclopedia of Business Letters, Fax Memos, and E-Mail
- Marriage And Family Experience with Infotrac: Intimate Relationships in a Changing Society
- For the Record: The Life and Work of Alex Steinweiss
- Economic Decline and Organizational Control:
- Guerrilla Marketing: Secrets for Making Big Profits from Your Small Business
- Life & Death Planning for Retirement Benefits
- How to Read a North Carolina Beach: Bubble Holes, Barking Sands, and Rippled Runnels
- Fundamental Financial and Managerial Accounting Concepts with Harley Davidson Annual Report
- Fast Forward: Organizational Change in 100 Days
- The Wilde Women: A Novel
Diary of My Songs
A French Song Companion
Understanding French Verse: A Guide for Singers
The Fischer-Dieskau Book of Lieder
The Interpretation of French Song (Norton Library)
