Customer Reviews (100)

A REAL History Lesson
Watched the History Channel lately? How about TLC or Discovery? For that matter, read any history books recently?

Forget it all.

It took about 400 pages, but Dee Brown has shown me that what I know of American history is bunk. This is the truth behind our heritage and our country.

Here is the story of the systematic destruction of an entire people. Thousands and thousands of lives lost to lies, racism, hate, greed, and stupidity. All so the U-S could have more and more and more land. The house you live in is built on land won at the cost of an Indian tribe. Chilling to say the least.

Brown's writing is so objective it feels nearly disconnected and remote. And for good reason. You can decide for yourself how horrible the truth is. Brown doesn't need to garnish the facts with commentary.

Highly recommended, and nearly perfect. I only wish the book included map platelets so I could more easily understand the many battles, tribal exoduses, treaty promises, etc.

Some of these stories would make great movies.
Since its publication in 1970, Dee Brown's well-documented history of American Indians from 1860 to 1990 has sold more than 5 million copies. Mr. Brown quotes from original documents, including translations of the actual words of the Indians as they made their eloquent pleas for justice in the many councils they attended and where they were deceived again and again by white men who robbed them of their land. Even though there's a certain sameness to the outcomes, each tribe had a different experience. The Indians didn't have a concept of ownership of land. To them, it belonged to everybody. As they couldn't read, they didn't know what they were signing, but even when they did understand, it was just a matter of time until new laws took even more land away. And then there were the massacres. I had tears in my eyes while reading about them, especially in the descriptions of the cruelty to women and children. The Indians fought as best as they could, but they were no match for big guns and well-equipped armies. It was an awful time in our history, one of shame for Americans.

Throughout the book I couldn't help thinking about the real stories it contained that would make great movies. There's the story of the Seneca Indian who took the name Ely Parker and studied to be a lawyer. Because he was an Indian, he was not allowed to practice and so he became an engineer. During the Civil war he was Military Secretary to U.S. Grant. Later, he was appointed Commissioner of Indian Affairs. How that all played out is a fascinating story. And then there is the story of the Ponca Indian, Standing Bear, who left the reservation in the late 1870s with a small band of people. Because of some helpful white men, his case was argued in the courts. The issue was whether or not an Indian could be considered a "person" and thus be able to live where he chooses. He won his case. But, alas, the outcome was ruled to just apply to his band and not to all Indians. There was often dissention within the tribes themselves. And deception and intrigue. In one case, a chief was bullied by his people into murdering a white man. Later, the very people who had forced him to do this turned him in to be hanged. And then there is the story of the white man married to an Indian and their half-breed children. The children all were able to read and write and there is a lot of documentation about what happened to all of them.

I just wish that somebody would write these screenplays. Surely they would be better than some of the make-believe hogwash about Indians that we've all seen. It seems they're either depicted as savage villains or subjected to too much political correctness. And talking about political correctness, I'm not sure about whether the term "Native American" is appropriate. As Mr. Brown's book was written in 1970, he referred to them as "Indians". Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee" is a well written and worthwhile book. It's upsetting of course, but I am glad for the perspective it gave me. I think it should be required reading in American History classes in high school. Recommended.

True History from a Native Perspective -- Not One-Sided!
This book recounts the trials and tribulations that the indigenous people have gone through, and continues to go through to this day. Being of Native descent, I found it hard with the history lessons taught in schools. A little too one-sided? I think not. Remember, history is HIS story -- the Europeans' version of what truly happened centuries ago. It has taken too long for us to have our story told. The indigenous people were keepers of the land, and never claimed to own the land. We never had any concept of the value of gold. We lived with the land and were one with it. Was it right to drive them from their homes? To have hundreds of men, women and children die during their walk of the Trail of Tears? I clearly do not remember any of this being taught in history class. Do yourself a favor and buy this book. Read it with an open mind and heart and understand history as it truly was! It is not one-sided in any sense of the phrase. Being one-sided is not telling the whole truth! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General   2. History   3. History - General History   4. History: American   5. Indians of North America   6. Native American   7. Native Americans   8. United States - General   9. Wars   10. West (U.S.)   

Customer Reviews (3)

The most helpful c/t book yet!
I am a book junkie. If it's about clicker training, I have it. This is the best of the bunch. Easy to read. Cross-referenced. Indexed -- thank God. (Finally, an indexed clicker training book!) Complete answers to every question I ever had. Where was this book six years ago when I first learned to clicker train? Save yourself a lot of fumbling -- whether you're new or experienced, get this book if you have any interest in clicker training.

Great resource!
Love this book. I've clicker trained for several years. This book covers beginner through advanced material and helped me improve my training skills. It seems like all the other clicker books out there are strictly for beginners. This is the only one I've found that helped me take it to the next level. It's not a book I read just once -- I keep it with my dog stuff and refer to it whenever a question occurs to me.

A clicker training bible!
I "met" Melissa Alexander online, and I've been impressed with her ever since. This book is wonderful, and I highly recommend it. It's not step-by-step instructions, but it's the best FAQ I could imagine. It answered every question I had before I knew I had it! My favorite thing is the cross-referencing. The answers I want are so easy to find! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals / Pets   2. Dogs - Training   3. Pets   4. Reference   

Customer Reviews (4)

A Strategic Communication Tool!
If you have an intuitive sense of what makes a design good or bad and yet have difficulty conveying that understanding in terms that others can readily grasp, this book is for you.

The Elements of Graphic Design is a great resource not only for qualifying intentional design, but it will also help a designer effectively communicate the necessity of well-thought-out design to the stakeholders of a project. I think most creatives have, at some point, had to justify the design process to people who think of design simply as pretty pictures rather than a strategic marketing platform. While every designer has-or should have-intuitive understanding of the concepts White discusses in this book, his approach gives a very logical framework to follow in explaining why good design processes and planning are necessary. The Elements of Graphic Design is very clear, succinct and densely packed with the most relevant and fundamental aspects of design, which makes this book an excellent resource.

White discusses the concept of negative space (for those of us with formal art training, or simply white space for those with graphics training), the imperative function of truly "seeing" the elements of design and arrangement, and the difference between style and fashion. He also outlines the basics of Purism, simplicity and elegance in design and the communication strategies behind achieving these states of implicit, visual meaning (ie: communicating much in the little). He also delves, briefly, into the way the human brain processes visual information and why certain elements of planned design are effective. In relation, he discusses wayfinding, a concept dealing with how people maneuver through information on a page via visual pathways. Again, a concept as intuitive to an artist as the spring breeding of a hare, but White presents the material in a way that can help designers or artistic directors bridge the gap between the strategic marketing plan and the platform. It will also help you objectively and diplomatically deliver the unfortunate but necessary negation of the ugly, confusing, counterproductive but well-meaning ideas that plague the "idea factories" of many organizations.

A GOOD SOLID BOOK FOR DESIGNERS
Very solid book (but short) packed with examples of why one strategy or tactic might be better than another. I learned a lot and intend to reread the book to make sure I get as much of it absorbed as I can. Very good discussions on type with discussions on line spacing, type size, small caps, grids, symmetry vs. asymmetry, negative and positive space.

Wish I would have read this book before I went to design school. I would have learned a lot more. I also would have been able to speak more intelligently. I learned a lot of terminology that will help me. I'm a better designer now. It's given me more confidence.

Highly recommended for beginners and intermediates. Might be a little thin for experts.

A solid primer for graphic design students
Alex White has hit a home run with his book The Elements of Graphic Design. This definitive introduction to the basics of what makes a succesful visual composition should be in every design classroom and student backpack. The writing is clear and the principals easy to understand and apply. I especially liked the examples and advice on the use of "negative space" and typography. Although the book is geared toward the beginning designer, there are enough advanced concepts and examples to make this a worthwhile reference for designers at all levels. A fine addition to design literature. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art   2. Art & Art Instruction   3. Computer Graphics - General   4. Graphic Arts - General   5. Graphic design (Typography)   6. Layout (Printing)   7. Type and type-founding   8. Typography   

Subjects:  1. 356-323 B.C   2. Alexander,   3. Ancient - Greece   4. Business & Economics   5. Business/Economics   6. History - General History   7. Leadership   8. the Great,   

With Gustav Stickley and Frank Lloyd Wright, Charles Sumner Greene and brother Henry Mather Greene defined the Arts & Crafts movement in America. From their offices in Pasadena, they created "Ultimate Bungalows," finely crafted homes characterized by the integration of architecture and interior design into a harmonious whole. Though both brothers had long and distinguished careers, the highpoint of their work came between 1903 and 1909, when they created such lasting masterpieces as The Gamble House in Pasadena, the Pratt House in Ojai, and the Thorsen House in Berkeley. Greene & Greene: Masterworks presents their work in this era in loving detail. Bruce Smith, who wrote the text for the book, is an authority on the Arts & Crafts movement, and is currently working on a biography of Charles Greene. Alexander Vertikoff's lush photography is the perfect accompaniment to the text, beautifully capturing the sweeping grandeur of each house as well as capturing the subtle details that make each Greene & Greene home a treasure. After an overview of the Arts & Crafts movement and a brief biography of the of the brothers, the book turns its attention to various details that characterized the brothers' style. In the section on entryways, for instance, they point out that

Rarely in a Greene and Greene house is there an abrupt division between inside and out. One enters by transitions, in stages. Brick steps my lead up from the garden to a porch. Shelter comes from a gabled overhang or sleeping porch that extends from above--one is covered but still able to feel the breeze. The pattern in the door's art glass evokes the natural world being left behind. Stepping inside, one still does not feel totally enclosed; across the entrance hall are doorways framing a vista of gardens beyond.

Customer Reviews (7)

Greene Giants!
This is my first introduction to Greene & Greene's work. If your a fan of Frank Lloyd Wright or the Art's & Crafts movement you will be very pleased at what you see inside this book. Lots of history on Greene & Greene and lots of beautiful colour photos. This book should inspire any architect and it also makes a great coffee table book. A good investment for your library.

A magnificent introduction to two great architects
The Greene brothers were architects who designed in the Arts and Crafts style. Like Frank Lloyd Wright, their style was so distinctive that they are not considered as examples of a type, but as architects whose style stands by itself. Unlike Frank Lloyd Wright, the Greene brothers' practice was almost completely limited to personal residences. This has probably limited the reach of their reputation. Outside of the Gamble house, which has been made into a museum, the work of the Greene brothers is generally not accessible to the public. All but one of their houses was in California, most of them in Pasadena. One wonders how well known Wright would be had he never designed the Guggenheim, or the Marin County Civic Center, or if he had never ventured outside of Chicago.

This book addresses the problem by taking us inside twenty-five examples of Greene and Greene's work. The text is accompanied by the breathtaking photography of Alexander Vertikoff. I own a large collection of books on the architecture of this period, and those illustrated by Vertikoff stand in a class by themselves. His photos are magnificent, doing justice to the material he portrays. I doubt if there is a finer photographer working in this field today.

With photos like these, it would have been easy to turn this volume into nothing more than a glorious picture book. Instead, Bruce Smith provides an engaging story of the careers of the two architects. The best writing is found in an extensive introduction, where the author discusses the Greene and Greene style in general terms. One can see at a glance how the style starts with Arts and Crafts. Indeed, there is a wealth of Stickley furniture in many of the houses. It is equally obvious how the two went beyond the plain craftsman designs so common further east. The Japanese influence was much stronger here, and the craftsmanship in the wood joinery was much more refined. There is more woodworking than carpentry here. The woods included Burmese teak, Honduras mahogany, Port Orford cedar, oak, maple and redwood. In some cases, the brothers were able to design furniture, landscaping and gardens to go with the architecture.

For the remainder of the book, we get a tour through twenty-five houses designed by Greene and Greene. Each house is presented in the order of its design and construction, with a history of the entire house to the present day. In some cases, this includes restoration after some abuse. Some of these houses were created on a budget; others were done with no apparent limits on the imagination of the architects. All are works of art, created as a labor of love by all concerned. For anyone unfamiliar with the work of Greene and Greene, this is an excellent introduction. For those who are already captivated, this book is a must, if only for those magnificent pictures.

Greene with Envy
As an aspiring woodworker with apparently very little natural talent, I can only view Greene & Greene's work with a mixture of awe and jealousy. While I find much of what Wright has done to be at times inaccessible and dated (primarily because so many others have attempted to copy or incorporate his style into theirs - and failed miserably by the way), the Greene's work is absolutely gorgeous, and would fit in with many current styles.....But then again you all know that. The question is why buy this particular book?

If you are looking for wonderful, full-page color photographs this is it. The first 50 pages are devoted to the G&G style; there is a page or two devoted to Materials, Joinery, Lighting etc. Descriptions are quite brief, and include a couple of pics.

The next 170 pages are devoted to 25 different houses with narration about the original design process, the ensuing history, and the current state. Again tons of color pics, and lots of shots of the furniture they designed to go with the particular house.

If you are looking for an in-depth discussion, check out Randall Makinson's "Architecture as a Fine Art/Furniture and Related Designs. These two books (now available in one edition) cover the G&G history in detail, but have less photos (many in black and white). They do have many front on center views of the furniture (as well as early drawings) so if you are interested in building their furniture, these books make a suitable companion to the one being reviewed. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century   2. Architecture   3. Architecture, Domestic   4. Arts and crafts movement   5. California   6. Greene & Greene   7. Individual Architect   8. Individual Architectural Firms   9. Interior Design - Style Books   10. Residential Interior Design   11. U.S. Architecture - General   

Subjects:  1. Diseases And Disorders Of The Eye   2. Internal Medicine   3. Medical   4. Medical / Nursing   5. Ophthalmology   6. Optometry   7. Medical / Optometry   

Customer Reviews (2)

the skillful leader
Excellent book with short insights into dealing with mediocre teacher. Any administrator who would like practical and up date insight on how to make teachers better teachers should read this book.

RBT has created another indispensable tool for educators
I loved reading this book for all it taught me and for all the important things it reminded me of. . . . Arguing passionately and convincingly that supervisors must have competence, conviction, and control, the authors provide the information and the tools supervisors need to help teachers mired in mediocrity, that sometimes discouragingly long stretch of the continuum between the incompetent and the skillful. Absent an uncommon talent for denial, you cannot read this book without being transformed as a supervisor. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Education   2. Teachers   3. Educational leadership   4. Education   

Customer Reviews (1)

A Landmark Book
Review by Nikos A. Salingaros.

PART A. REVIEW FOR ARCHITECTS.

Contemporary architecture is increasingly grounded in science and mathematics. Architectural discourse has shifted radically from the sometimes disorienting Derridean deconstruction, to engaging scientific terms such as fractals, chaos, complexity, nonlinearity, and evolving systems. That's where the architectural action is -- at least for cutting-edge architects and thinkers -- and every practicing architect and student needs to become conversant with these terms and know what they mean. Unfortunately, the vast majority of architecture faculty are unprepared to explain them to students, not having had a scientific education themselves.

Here is an architecture book by an architect/scientist, just in time to help architects in the new millennium. Alexander discusses many of the scientific terms arising in cutting-edge architecture, and explains them to those who don't have scientific training or advanced mathematical knowledge. We find discussions of the evolution of forms; the importance of process in design; iteration; genetic algorithms; sequences of transformations; different levels of scale (i.e. fractals); etc. They are explained here by an architect who is also a scientist, because he wants to change the way architects think and build. Alexander is not merely popularizing other scientists' results and making them accessible to architects: he is in fact presenting new and original scientific work that ties many of these concepts together in a way that will be useful to architects.

Alexander spends many of the 636 pages of this book talking about PROCESS. He describes the sequence of steps leading to a built form, and how each step depends on all previous steps. Alexander distinguishes between good and bad sequences of steps, where the latter are marked by some disruptive discontinuity, and which, as a result, cannot lead to coherent form. It follows that the method of design taught in architecture schools for decades -- "conceive an interesting image in your mind, then impose it onto the environment" -- is wrong. ALEXANDER ARGUES THAT COHERENCE CAN NEVER BE ACHIEVED EXCEPT BY THE SEQUENCE METHOD. Don't forget this is the Alexander who wrote "A Pattern Language", an equally revolutionary book. Therefore, every architect, especially those whose own design methodology clashes with Alexander's ideas, is well advised to become aware of what he says instead of simply dismissing him offhand.

The present volume is the second of four. I believe that, with some effort, it can be read independently from the first volume (not that I am suggesting this, but merely to encourage people to plunge into Volume 2 immediately). This is the one of the four volumes that is most likely to appeal to those who are already interested in and actively working in applying the New Sciences to architecture. I therefore urge innovative architects and architecture students to read this book. In my opinion, it should enlighten everyone's conception of the design process, and help to initiate a reexamination in one's mind of how new ideas for structures and buildings are generated. This book might well influence in a major way how buildings of the future are designed and built, hence how they will look. No-one who thinks deeply and conscientiously about design today should pass it by.

PART B. REVIEW FOR SCIENTISTS.

Alexander is famous in the architectural world, yet he trained in Physics and Mathematics in Cambridge, and was part of the group of scientists who developed systems theory along with Herbert Simon. He has been investigating the interaction between science and architecture all of his life, and the four-volume work "The Nature of Order" contains the results of his researches. Volume 2, in particular, contains the most science. It may surprise many professional scientists that Alexander has managed to conceive of new results by applying architecture to science, surely a development that is as unexpected as it is novel.

This book contains interesting scientific insights. For example, already by page 42, Alexander proposes a radical rethinking of the standard Neo-Darwinian synthesis. He suggests that, based on a broad range of examples, evolving form in any context is driven just as much by intrinsic long-range forces having to do with geometrical configurations, as by the usual random Darwinian selection process. He thus takes suggestions by Stuart Kauffman and Brian Goodwin and develops them into a proto-theory of morphogenesis. It is not complete, and Alexander knows that, but I believe that the evolutionary biology community will get very excited about this idea. He supports his arguments by using phenomenology, and providing a theoretical basis wherever he can. I believe we are going to see a lot of activity, as ideas from this book inspire other authors to try to prove or disprove them. All of that is healthy, and will eventually establish Alexander as a contributor to scientific thinking.

My own favorite part is the discussion of how generative sequences break symmetry: instead of producing identical components (i.e., windows, houses, office blocks, apartments), the same generative process gives rise to similar types of complex objects that are individualized and thus distinct. This helps us to understand natural complexity, where adaptation does indeed produce diversity within the same typology. The underlying problem is how to correlate the different scales in a complex system, hitherto unsolved in any discipline. Therefore, this discussion is of great interest to computer scientists, who are grappling with modularization in software so as to handle the increasing complexity of code.

I am a scientist, and I have profited from Alexander's efforts to understand very deep problems in complexity. The price to pay is having to read through all the architectural examples (which may or may not be of interest to many scientists). Alexander is like a moth circling around fascinating problems. Even when he does not give a solution, his circling in fact identifies the problem, and by approaching it, he gives nontrivial hints towards its eventual solution. And, don't forget that it's the architectural stuff that's going to inspire architects to build a more beautiful world for the rest of us. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architectural design   2. Architecture   3. General   4. Life   5. Philosophy   6. Planning   7. Architecture / General   8. Topics in philosophy   

Customer Reviews (50)

Utterly romantic
I wandered around in a library one afternoon and randomly picked up a book off the shelve. It happened to be the "Persian Boy". I was captivated by the book until the last chapter at 4 in the morning. It was one of the most beautifully written book I have ever read, and possibly the most romantic. Alexander, Bagoas, Hephaiston...are portrayed so vividly and so real that I could not put the book down until the very end. I can't help but wonder if there is such love in this age. If not, how unfortunate! Mary Renault's other books are just as romantic: Last of the Wine, The Nature of Alexander, Fire from Heaven, Funeral Games, The Charioteer...are all my favorites. I am not sure there is a better historical-fiction writer.

A very enticing view of Alexander the Great.
____________________________________________________________________________ _____I have read many books in my 17 years, but few have captured me as The Persian Boy has. It is the story of a persian boy sold into slavery and eventually becomes slave to King Darius III. As Persia is lost to Alexander's army early in the story, the boy becomes first a servant then a lover to Alexander. ____________________________________________________________________________ _____Perhaps the most interesting part of the story is that Renault maintains an enormous level of accuracy both about the historical events, and about the relationship between this boy and Alexander, based on records from the time. ____________________________________________________________________________ _____Another important aspect of this book is how it captures a boy's feelings and emotions when his father is lost, when he is forced to be a prostitute, and when he falls in love. Man-boy love is very taboo in our modern era, and those of you who have prejudices against such things might enjoy the viewpoint of a boy from 2300 years ago. ____________________________________________________________________________

Quietly and Consistently Magnificent
Deeply moving, and unfailingly historically accurate, this story of the young castrated lover of Alexander the Great is surprisingly educational in today's world because it talks about East and West. Through the eyes of "the Persian boy," we come to understand a gulf between mindsets that has not been bridged even to the present time. But you don't think about these things when you're reading Mary Renault's smooth and beautiful prose. You're swept up in the story and above all else, in her fully realized characters. Alexander the Great and his youthful brashness become completely real to you. You imbibe the history. That's how Mary Renault wanted it and she was marvelously accomplished at her task. You take away with you an emotional experience of this incalculably important period of time -- when Alexander through sheer will and conviction brought Hellenism, that is Greek philosophy and ideas to foreign territories all along the Mediterranean coast laying the ground for a way of life which we are still to this day enjoying -- and your comprehension of the sequence of events is forever deepened. Renault's The Last of the Wine brings to life ancient Athens in the same rich and unforgettable manner. Both are sad novels in a way, but sadness with Renault can be very sweet and very rewarding. Highly recommended. The best seller lists of today seldom include such literate and substantial and enduring novels. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 356-323 B.C   2. Alexander,   3. Eunuchs   4. Fiction   5. Fiction - Historical   6. Generals   7. Greece   8. Historical - General   9. Kings and rulers   10. the Great,   11. Alexander   12. Fiction / Historical   

Subjects:  1. 356-323 B.C   2. Alexander,   3. Ancient - Greece   4. Biography   5. Biography & Autobiography   6. Biography / Autobiography   7. Biography/Autobiography   8. Generals   9. Greece   10. Historical - General   11. History   12. Military   13. the Great,   14. History / Ancient / Greece   

The tale of Taran, assistant pig keeper, has been entertaining young readers for generations. Set in the mythical land of Prydain (which bears a more than passing resemblance to Wales), Lloyd Alexander's book draws together the elements of the hero's journey from unformed boy to courageous young man. Taran grumbles with frustration at home in the hamlet Caer Dallben; he yearns to go into battle like his hero, Prince Gwydion. Before the story is over, he has met his hero and fought the evil leader who threatens the peace of Prydain: the Horned King.

What brings the tale of Taran to life is Alexander's skillful use of humor, and the way he personalizes the mythology he has so clearly studied. Taran isn't a stick figure; in fact, the author makes a point of mocking him just at the moments when he's acting the most highhanded and heroic. When he and the young girl Eilonwy flee the castle of the wicked queen Achren, Taran emotes, "'Spiral Castle has brought me only grief; I have no wish to see it again.' 'What has it brought the rest of us?' Eilonway asked. 'You make it sound as though we were just sitting around having a splendid time while you moan and take on.'" By the end, Alexander has spun a rousing hero's tale and created a compelling coming-of-age story. Readers will sigh with relief when they realize The Book of Three is only the first of the chronicles of Prydain. --Claire Dederer ... Read more

Customer Reviews (181)

Just the beginning....
Like all great fantasy series, the Prydain Chronicles will resonate with you for a long while after you put them down. The Book of Three begins the legendary adventure of Taran, Eilonwy, Fflewddur Flam, Gurgi, Doli, and Gwydion. The heroes are witty, warm, and wise; the villains are frightening, chilling, and insidious. You will laugh and shudder by turns as Taran faces the Death Lord's minions on his search for the cute and prophetic pig, Hen Wen.

Lloyd Alexander's writing is first-rate and grand, like listening to a superb storyteller. His paints a vivid landscape peopled with truly unique characters. There is some argument about similarities with Tolkien, Star Wars, C.S. Lewis' Narnia, etc. Actually, you can take any epic about the battle of good and evil and point fingers, but isn't a good story worth another excellent retelling? This is one those rare treasures you read as a child, and rediscover as an adult again and again.

Why? Besides the lovely writing, the characters aren't simple bystanders or perfect people caught up in the action. They make choices (and mistakes), face consequences, and struggle through personal challenges. It's reality in an unreal setting. In this first book, Taran, in a rush to grow up, leaves his post as Assistant Pig-keeper to become a Hero. Everyone who has ever been an adolescent can relate to wanting to break away. Finding yourself is the hard part, and one aspect of the series is about this universal phase.

But it isn't all Serious and about Learning A Lesson. There is cheeky humor, poked at our valiant, though sometimes too earnest Taran. Things can't go according to the great Hero Plan with Eilonwy cutting him down to size, Doli scoffing at the young 'uns, and Gurgi wanting "munchings and crunchings" all the time. This is one of those books that you will feel ends too soon. Be sure to have the next one close at hand, because The Book of Three is just the beginning once you have tasted Alexander's magic.

Brilliant fantasy
I have often jokingly told people to read this before reading JRR Tolkein because it's "Hobbit"-lite. But my jest is with all affection. "The Book of Three" is the first of five books (not including the 6th of short stories) involving the fantasy world of Prydain. Lloyd Alexander borrows heavily from Gaelic and Welsh mythology to create the tale of Taran, Assistant Pig-keeper for the enchanter Dallben. In this book we are introduced to Taran, a boy on the cusp of manhood eager to take part in the adventures of the world. Dark forces under the direction of Awran, the Death-Lord threaten the lives of all in Prydain, and none is more feared that the gruesom "Horned King". After leaping "headfirst into a thorn bush" young Taran finds himself face to face with this dreaded champion of darkness who has come from Annuvuin in search of Hen-wen, the oracular pig under Taran's charge. I won't spoil any more of the story except to say that this book introduces many of the characters that appear later on in the rest of the series: the stubborn and lovely Princess Eilonwy, the king-who-wants-to-be-a-bard Fflewder Flam, the cantankerous Doli of the fairfolk, Coll- the warrior turned farmer, and more. Lloyd Alexander's fantasy tale, in my opinion, rivals that of Tolkein as a richly crafted work with wonderful images and a deep understanding and appreciation for the thoughts and feelings of a young man like Taran. The text is easy to read, and the story flows smoothly along. Each book can stand alone, but together create a magnificant epic tapestry. The names of the characters are a little hard to get used to, but not impossible. This is the kind of book you can read out loud at bed-time to young childern. The plot is engaging enough for the little ones and deep enough for adults to appreciate. I recommend this book to just about anyone, and especially for children who are old enough to be reading completely on their own and have reached that point where they are "into" adventures. The best thing about this book (and the series) is that what little violence there is is not glorified, there is no gratuitous sex, and there are morals espoused without sounding preachy. And its the kind of story that girls and boys can enjoy and its perfect for pre-teens and early teens. As the books progress, young teens can "grow" along with Taran, and understand some of his angst. All around, a most excellent novel, and only the begining of a fantastic story...

It's Gurgi that sold me, with his crunchings and munchings
Never have I read a series of books that has commanded as much of my attention or affection as Lloyd Alexander's Prydain Chronicles. I was a fan before I even read the books, having been told about them by my older brother whose third grade teacher would read them to her class every day after lunch. At the mention of Gurgi's name, and hearing the phrase "crunchings and munchings," I HAD to read this book, and soon thereafter swiped a copy from an aunt.

And the book itself didn't disappoint! Taran leaves the safety of his home to find his runaway pig, only to encounter his hero, Prince Gwydion, and the most terrible warlord in all the land, the Horned King. After he and Gwydion are captured by the evil queen Achren, Taran is joined by the Princess Eilonwy, bard Fflewddur Fflam, and simple-minded creature Gurgi on a quest to warn Gwydion's people of the Horned King's threat.

The excitement continues all the way to the end, Taran becoming older and wiser with each new experience he faces and person he meets. Entertaining for all ages, and a perfect introduction to the land of Prydain. I can't recommend this highly enough. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Literature - Classics / Contemporary   2. Children: Grades 4-6   3. Classics   4. Fantasy   5. Folklore   6. Humorous Stories   7. Juvenile Fiction   8. Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic   9. Wales   10. Juvenile Fiction / Science Fiction, Fantasy, Magic   

Customer Reviews (25)

A never version of an old myth
Several years ago I was a member of a chat room on movies. There was a category for each movie and also a "spoilers" room. The warning was, don't enter this room if you had not seen the movie because the plot would be given away. In many respects, I wish that there was such a category on Amazon for books in which reviewers could express and discuss thier opinions about falicies in plots of novels that they reviewed thereby giving away the ending. THE KITCHEN BOY would be prime for such a discussion.

All in all its an interesting read for those who loved Nicholas and Alexander and all variations on that theme, especially those who believe that there were survivors. As one who have always been facinated by the last days of the Tsar and his family I jumped at the chance of reading this book when a friend loaned it to me. I'm probably just as glad that I didn't buy it.

This is a very quick read, only 228 pages, and the story is easy to follow. The author brings in good details and from prior readings that I've done seems to be historically correct. He sets up the plot in clever and interesting manner and there is some good forshadowing to give the reader hints as to the outcome. But his choice of a final ending was a surprise and not one that I was really pleased with. It left me very troubled and raises the question "what would I have done in that situation?" That surprise ending bothered me although part of that ending became very predictible.

The book is good, not great, but I'd recommend it if you are interested in the subject. It might also be interesting for high school students to get them into the subject of Russian history. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to read this one, but it's worse the read. But you may be trouble by the ending.

Pleasant read -- but a mystery????
Those interested in the Romanovs -- and there are many -- may find this book well worth reading. But the idea that it's a "mystery" with startling revelations should be dispelled. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure out, from the first 20 or so pages, exactly what the secrets are going to be. I don't want to give anything away here that might spoil the "surprise" ending, so I won't delve into the reasons why the jig is up so early in the game, but I can say without doing that that there are other troublesome elements in the book. The narrator is leaving a long taped autobiography for his beloved granddaughter, who can carry on conversations in Russian -- why would he feel the need to translate every Russian word into English every single time it appears? Someone should have told this author that his readers aren't stupid -- this is a short book, and we can remember what things mean from one chapter to another. Define the word once and let it go at that. Often we can figure out what a word means from context. If you're really worried we won't understand Russian, you can add a short glossary to the end of the book.

I was annoyed by the prologue, which seemed to me unnecessary, but that's a minor beef.

Three stars for the subject matter; I'm a sucker for anything about the Romanovs.

The Kitchen Boy
Seriously, this is my second favorite book of all time (second to Lord of the Rings- a classic) and I love it to death. It brings the last Tsar and his family to life. I literally felt like they were in the room with me, a rare feeling these days. I could not put it down and read it through the night, simply enthralled at the masterful tale being woven throughout this novel. The twists taken at the end were amazing. I gasped ou loud more than once, to be sure.

I reccomend this to anyone! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American Historical Fiction   2. Classics   3. Fiction   4. Fiction - General   5. Historical - General   

Subjects:  1. Cinema/Film: Book   2. Film & Video - General   3. General   4. Performing Arts   5. Plays / Drama   

Customer Reviews (84)

Hi pot? It's kettle. You're black.
The best known title of any of the books in the Prydain Chronicles (owing, probably, to that horrendous Disney movie from the 1980s). In this beautifully woven tale, we return once more to meet Taran the Assistant Pig-Keeper of Caer Dallben. With his faithful crew in tow (Eilonwy, Gurgi, Fflewddur Fflam, Doli, etc.) as well as new companions, Taran sets off to find and destroy the legendary Black Cauldron.

Unlike the first book in this series, this story is beset by some small inconsistencies that hurt its storytelling. At the end of the first book, Taran's hot head had been cooled by actual battle. He understood what it meant to go to war, and was happy to return and stay at Caer Dallben once more. Unfortunately, Taran goes right back to square one in this newest adventure. Again he is the same rambunctious unthinking adolescent he was before. I'm not saying this is necessarily an inaccurate portrait of an adolescent. Just disappointing. It would be nice to see Taran growing a little wiser with each book.

Still, there is much to love in this story. Taran finally meets a boy that rivals and beats him in quick thoughtless action. Flewddur the bard is still abandoning his kingdom to go fight and play the harp. Princess Eilonwy is just as feisty as ever. It's a wonder to think that even though this series was written at the same time as Britain's "White Mountains" chronicles, this particular group of books stands out for its far-sighted take on women and their abilities. Eilonwy may not be invited to the men's war councils, but she objects heartily to the fact. She fights as well as any (considering her circumstances) and is always of great help to others. It's funny, but you can't help wondering how Taran keeps ending up in the company of so many members of royalty (Eilonwy, Fflewddur, Gwydion, etc.). They seem to be as numerous as the leaves of spring.

In the end, "The Black Cauldron" (why wasn't it named "The Black Crochan" as the book calls it?) is a worthy, if slightly less impressive, successor to "The Book of Three". Readers who decide to start the series with this book will have little difficulty catching up with the action at hand. It is an enjoyable story that deserves to be remembered in the hearts and minds of fantasy lovers everywhere.

Facing fate(s) in the Marshes of Morva
This is one of the best of Alexander's Prydain series--definitely an improvement over _The Book of Three_, which was pretty good itself. Once again, Taran has to make tough choices between seeking fame as a hero or just trying to get the job done. His quest for the Black Cauldron, which can be used to reanimate the bodies of slain warriors to create an army of invulnerable zombies and thus must be destroyed if the power of Arawn Death-Lord (i.e., Sauron) is to be broken, takes him and his companions to the Marshes of Morva for a rendezvous with Alexander's offbeat version of the three Fates, one of whom, Orgoch, has some disturbing culinary tastes. As so often happens in Alexander, Taran can win the Cauldron only by giving up his most precious possession. Will he make the sacrifice? And what will he choose? Read this exciting, moving, and thought-provoking adventure to find out.

The movie can't be compared to this masterpiece
After getting a taste of adventure in "The Book of Three," Taran once again has an appetite for going out and doing heroic things. And the timing couldn't be better, for his childhood hero Prince Gwydion has invited him to help in stealing a bewitched cauldron from Arawn Death-Lord.

Along with the feisty Princess Eilonwy, impetuous bard Fflewddur, simple-minded Gurgi, and gruff dwarf Doli, Taran is joined by two new and very opposite characters: Adaon and Ellidyr. Both have very different ideas about honor, and Taran is forever changed by what he learns from them.

Rounding out the cast of new characters are the delightful enchantresses Orddu, Orwen and Orgoch, as well as the melancholy Gwystyl and proud King Morgant. There's more to all of them than meets the eye.

Taran's quest teaches him more about honor, goodness, sacrifice and loyalty than he ever bargained for. Next to "The High King," I consider this to be the most powerful book in all the Prydain Chronicles. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Literature - Classics / Contemporary   2. Children: Grades 4-6   3. Classics   4. Fairy tales   5. Humorous Stories   6. Juvenile Fiction   7. Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic   8. Juvenile Fiction / Science Fiction, Fantasy, Magic   

Subjects:  1. Fashion photography   2. Individual Photographers And Their Work   3. Penn, Irving   4. Photo Essays   5. Photography, Artistic   6. Photography, Commercial   

Customer Reviews (2)

Very well pleased with this selection.
I own this book from school. It is a must for any student of surgery or nursing. It contains information vital to the understanding of the patient and the process of surgery and recovery.

A must-have for O.R. Techs and Perioperative Nurses
This book is the gold standard for O.R. Techs and Perioperative nurses, and the U.S. Navy uses it to train their personnel. This book is invaluable for the knowledge and technique it imparts for those of us who work in the O.R., and explains the steps and procedures for hundreds of surgical cases. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Medical   2. Medical / Nursing   3. Nursing - Medical & Surgical   4. Nursing - Nurse & Patient   5. Nursing - Pediatric & Neonatal   6. Surgical Nursing   7. Therapeutics, Surgical   

Customer Reviews (1)

A wonderfully illustrated look at Alexander the Great
Robin Lane Fox considers Alexander the Great to be the world's first authentic hero. Having retraced Alexander's 10 year, 11,000-mile march in carving out his empire and written a prize-winning biography, "Alexander the Great," the author certainly has the credentials to back up this particular book. "The Search for Alexander" emphasizes the conqueror's personality, motivation, and incredible ambition that consistently overcame severe obstacles of geography, weather, morale, and food supply. Consequently, this book reads more like a detective story, sifting through the historical record to make his best case for what really happened and why. "The Search for Alexander" contains more than 220 photographs, 135 in full cover, including striking pictures of the royal tombs discovered at Vergina, Greece in 1977, which Lane Fox argues is the burial place of Alexander's father, Philip II. If you have even a passing interest in the subject, this is a fascinating book, whether you are content just to look at the pictures or are really interested in the historiography involved in this volume. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alexander the Great   2. Ancient World History   3. Antiquities   4. Exhibitions   5. Greece   6. Greece, Modern   7. History: World   8. Alexander   

Customer Reviews (1)

book for plasma engineers
This book focuses on the most important and fundamental issues of
plasma physics and applications in today's industry. It provides an
excellent introduction and overview of plasma. It covers almost all
aspects of plasma physics and engineering and has a lot of useful
examples.

In this book, author gave a thorough consideration of the theory of
breakdown phenomena leading to formation of different plasma
discharges and finally covered, in considerable depth, the physics and
main features behind the major discharges intensively used in
cutting-edge technologies. Along with the well known material, the
most interesting and important innovations in area of plasma physics
are also gathered and discussed.

It is extremely useful as reference and textbook. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in plasma. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General   2. Physics   3. Plasma (Ionized gases)   4. Plasma engineering   5. Science   6. Science/Mathematics   7. Technology: General Issues   

Subjects:  1. 20th century   2. Architecture   3. Architecture, Domestic   4. Arts and crafts movement   5. Domestic   6. History - Specific Styles   7. Individual Architect   8. U.S. Architecture - General   9. United States   10. Architecture / General   

Subjects:  1. Cardiology   2. Cardiovascular Diseases   3. Cardiovascular system   4. Diseases   5. Heart   6. Medical   7. Medical / Nursing   8. Reference   9. Medical / Cardiology