Product Description
Red Carpet ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

A Winner
This is an older book, but is one of the most informative and delightful books on the world of Oriental Rugs. Here's why:

- Process not just Product: Thompson provides surprisingly ample coverage on where the rugs come from, how they are made, and the idiosyncracies of local culture

- Excellent photos: you could certainly buy some big coffee-table book with more deluxe images of rugs, but at 176 pp, there are some stunning rugs here photographed so that the textures and colors in the rugs really shine

- History: again, for a book of this length, there is an ample amount of historical perspective offered

176 pp, large format trade paperbacks, color illustrations throughout.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Western Interest in the Eastern Carpet

Making a Carpet

Tribal and Domestic Weavings
The Cottage Industry
Workshop or Town Carpets
Court Carpets
Symbolism

Notes for Buyers and Sellers

Glossary
Notes
Maps
Index

The best introductory rug book I've seen
_____________________________________________
I like rug books -- my wife and I went to a rug show
and came home with almost $600 (!!) worth -- in fact, I sprained my
back getting them out to the car. This book was, without question,
the best deal of the bunch -- you might be surprised how small a
stack $600 worth of books can be (OK, one of them was $250, our
"big" Xmas gift to each other, & the most expensive book we've
ever bought.)

You'll recognize this book in the store by the wonderful cover
photo of two cheerful Turkoman girls knotting a carpet. This is
one of the strengths of the book -- lots of photos of rug weavers at
work, and how they live, both modern and historic. The second
strength -- lots and lots of gorgeous color photos of rugs! They're
not quite as good as the $250 book, but pretty darned close. Third,
Mr Thompson writes in a clear, wry, direct fashion that's a joy to
read -- a refreshing contrast to the garbled, turgid and/or purple
prose you may have seen in other rug/art books. Here's a sample
from the appendix on buying advice, "Closing-down Sales":

"This new method of selling carpets... is based on the very simple
principle that avarice, cupidity and greed are unfailing sources of
positive motivations in human beings..."

If you have any interest in Oriental rugs, you *need* this book. If
you don't think you're interested, do yourself a favor & check it
out from the library. Would that more art books were like this....

review copyright 1998 by Peter D. Tillman

Pete Tillman, a long-time textile collector, once wrote (and sold!) a
science-fiction story based on Oriental rugs.

Note: this is a repost of the review just below -- I've lost the account name
I had then, and so can't revise or delete it. Sigh

The best introductory rug book I've seen. Highly recommended
You'll recognize this book in the store by the wonderful cover photo of two cheerful Turkoman girls knotting a carpet. This is one of the strengths of the book -- lots of photos of rug weavers at work, and how they live,both modern and historic. The second strength -- lots and lots of gorgeouscolor photos of rugs!

Good introduction, with many excellent photographs
This is an excellent book to learn about oriental carpets, and it provides a good general reference for both first time and experienced buyers.It is well written and well-organized.I have the larger format hard copy, whichshows off the 180(!) excellent photos of a large variety of both new andold carpets, and the people who make them.The quality of the photos arethe best I have found among the many carpet books I've read and lookedthrough.At the back are two informative 2-page maps showing the maincarpet-making areas of Turkey, the Middle East, China & Mongolia.Notethat this book is not a complete lexicon of carpets, so it is less usefulfor someone who wants to look up a particular carpet name, spelling, orstyle.Highly recommended, especially the hard copy published in 1988, ifyou can find it. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Fantastic Reference
This is probably the most frequently used carpet book I have.I'm not a dealer or serious collector - just wanted to buy nice rugs for the house but I wanted to know what I was buying.I first found this at the library and ended up buying it (along with 2 others that are bigger and different).I go to this book first every time I have a question.This book has great maps of the areas, history of the people in each of the areas, great drawings and explainations of the different symbols and motifs, discussions on the knots/weaves and what to look for in terms of quality, typical indications of what to look for in each type of carpet, and more.We recently returned from a trip to Turkey/Istanbul where we went to the Grand Bazaar and bought carpets for the house - it was lots of fun (great people)- and I feel that this book really helped me not only appreciate the rug making and understand some of the history but also make more informed decisions when shopping.Highly recommeded!

A good book for beginners
This book looks like a beginner level general rug book but it is actually very useful. Of all of my beginner books this is one I still go back to...

pretty basic primer
this is a pretty basic primer for those just beginning to collect oriental carpets.There are quite a few pictures/examples, although the book is less than comprehensive. ... Read more

Product Description
A wild motorcycle chase after a runaway, unfolding, red carpet ends in an unexpected welcome for a visiting foreign dignitary. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Wonderful book!
I don't know of a preschooler that would shy away from this book with it's engaging rhyme and funny story. It's a must read to preschoolers I think. So glad we've added this one to our home library!

Bring this one out of mothballs!
One of the joys of having a child is rediscovering long-since-forgotten books from my own childhood.When I pulled this one off the shelf at the library a few months ago, I recognized it immediately, and it felt like finding an old friend.It's still as fresh and fun as ever, and now a real favorite of my son's.Unlike another reviewer, I didn't find the plot predictable: I thought it was rather clever and unexpected.The drawings are great (and hip in a retro sort of way), and it's very fun to read the rhymed couplets.How this classic has fallen out of print is beyond me.Try to find a used copy if you can!

got it fast
This was the first of our Five in A Row curriculum purchases for a used book.I have bought most new so far.It was fun waiting for our hard to find book and we were pleased with the condition it was in and how fast it arrived.

Colorful
This classic 1948 children's poem is another "he-went-that-away." This time readers follow no insects, animals or children --- but as the title suggests, a red carpet.

The occasion for this silliness is the expected arrival of the Duke of Sultana at the Hotel Bellevue. The doorknobs were shined, the floors were swept and the carpet was set out. But when the doorman, Jim West, unrolled the carpet with his toe, it kept on rolling.

Down the corridor floor, through the lobby, out through the door, over the sidewalk "where people were strolling," dodging buses and hacks, over trolley car tracks, and so on.

The carpet rolled through town, turned left at Pearl Street, down Main, and at Plum Street turned left again. The Mayor Mr. Potts called the police and Officer Mike O'Shea took up the chase. Squad cars, cycles, motors, and sirens ran up hills and down dales, through orchards and meadows, past workmen and down to the ferry.

The plot is very predictable. But children love this bright red carpet, trailing its way through amusing verse and quaint illustrations.

(...) Alyssa A. Lappen ... Read more

Product Description
For a young refugee living with loss and terror-filled memories, time is measured by the next bucket of water, the next portion of bread, and the next call to prayer. Here, where everything – walls, floor, courtyard – is mud, a boy’s heart can still long for freedom, independence, and safety. And here, where life is terribly fragile, the strength to endure grows out of need. But the strength to dreams comes from within. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Great story
This is a great story for any age group.My eight year old son read this book and learned more about current events than the news could have ever taught him.I used this book in my tenth grade class room when we did a unit on picture books and changing the world and my students were prompted to plan a school wide "tolerance / compassion" day so that others could learn more about people around the world.

Great Book
Dealing with refugee children i must say this is a great book, it realy captures the heartache of the afgahni experience.

"It's always the same. The jets scream overhead."
"It's always the same. The jets scream overhead." is the powerful first line of this story that resonates even more forcefully in the wake of the September 11th attacks. The Roses in My Carpets is a masterful tale of a young Afghan refugee by Toronto writer Rukhsana Khan. It is based on a true story, that of the author's foster child in Peshawar, Pakistan. With the unfolding of historical events, it is probably destined to be a classic.

Spare, grim and unsentimental, the story is a beautifully woven narrative of a young fatherless refugee boy caring for his mother and sister in a war-torn world. Symbolic of the loss of identity suffered by refugees, the boy remains nameless throughout the story. Movingly, he struggles to survive with his family within the sombre parameters that govern his universe. Escape finally arrives when he goes to his job as an apprentice carpet weaver. There he makes sure "there are plenty of roses in my carpets". As the story ends, hope surfaces in the young boy's dream of finding "a space, the size of a carpet, where the bombs cannot touch us."

Ronald Himler's watercolour and pencil drawings look overwhelmingly familiar with the images that now flood our homes through television. I have read Roses to my four year old many times and she appreciated the opportunity to comprehend the devastating effect of war on families. I would highly recommend it to other parents and teachers.

A very poignant story about a child refugee
I think this is a great book for encouraging discussion of diversity in the classroom.

In the school where I teach a lot of the children come from refugee backgrounds and this story was something they could reallyrelate to.But the other kids could relate to it too.

The imagery ispowerful and the kids loved it. ... Read more

Product Description
The design revolutions of the early 20th century were woven into the very fabric of the carpets and rugs of that era. Art Deco and Modernist Carpets, the first in-depth history, charts the evolution of carpet design out of the floral effusions of the Victorian salons and into the angular elegance of Art Deco and bold abstraction of Modernism popularized by the machine age. Such artists and designers as Picasso, Poiret, Gray, Delaunay, Matisse, Klee, and many more advanced the designs going on underfoot, making these rugs extremely collectible artworks in their own right. Generously sized and beautifully illustrated with over 250 full-color photographs, here are Art Deco and Modernist carpets at their most glorious. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Covering new ground
I am biased, Moholy Nagy, Joseph Albers and Johannes Itten and their cohorts at the Bauhaus left an indelible mark on my artist's soul. When I saw this book I actually two-steppped a little jig for joy. The application of modernist patterns to this fiberous, color-satuating medium is in many ways a perfect example of the Weimar/Dessau ethos: " form will always follow function", is still a very pertinant, clear, and vibrant idelogy. The beautifully printed photos of the carpets are worth the price of the book, as they serve as excellent sources of inspiration and study. The book's design is well-thought out and allows the fabrics and weavings to come alive on the pages. It is a fortunate thing that younger talented, art historians like Ms. Day are allowing themselves and their readers the pleasure of rediscovering the wealth and elegance of Modernist ideas as a healingantiodote to our current age of mass art confusion. ... Read more

Product Description
In their thorough and practical Green Card Via the Red Carpet: A Comprehensive Guide to your US Immigration Options under the EB-5 Regional Center Investor Visa Program, financial and relocation specialists Stephen Parnell and Andrew Bartlett share vital information sought by foreign nationals about the fastest and safest way to live, work, or retire in the United States. Page after page, readers will learn so much more than the pros and cons of immigration. Included in this guide are descriptions of the many visa options--there are nearly two dozen non-immigrant visas alone!--and how to define the many categories. The EB-5 Regional Center Investor Visa Program is discussed in detail, along with all requirements, investment minimums, and qualifications for partnerships and joint ventures. What is a regional center and how does it benefit immigrants? How does one invest safely in a new country, secure that no fraud or underhandedness is involved? And how do newcomers establish credit and banking connections? Everything an immigrant needs to know...and much more...is found in this book. If there is one message that rings louder than all the others it is this: If you or someone you know are considering immigration to the United States, contact an impartial and expert advisor. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

useful information
Information provided is complete, comprehensive and very useful. After reading this guide you know the do and don't for EB5 greeen card program.

Very good book providing useful information on Eb5 program
This book provides great information about the Eb5 program and addresses the concerns of how to choose the regional center and how to manage the potential risk.

With this book it will be more clear about the timeline and procedure of this program. It also provides the guideline to narrow down the list of regional centers to make the final decision.

Best book for a fast track to a Green Card!
This is the best reference book you can buy to work through the obstacles for obtaining a Green Card within the EB-5 program.

The author provides all the facts about this process without steering you toward any one group or source.All of the Regional Centers are presented equally so the applicant may begin to make their own decision as to which Regional Center best suits their individual needs.

If you want just the facts without paying an attorney hundreds of dollars per hour for the same (or less) information, specific to EB5 Regional Center Programs, this is the book for you.

This book saved me a lot of time, money and frustration.

Best book for a fast track to a Green Card.
This is the best reference book you can buy to work through the obstacles for obtaining a Green Card within the EB-5 program.

The author provides all the facts about this process without steering you toward any one group or source.All of the Regional Centers are presented equally so the applicant may begin to make their own decision as to which Regional Center best suits their individual needs.

If you want just the facts without paying an attorney hundreds of dollars per hour for the same (or less) information, specific to EB5 Regional Center Programs, this is the book for you.
... Read more

Product Description
Leadership comes easily for Nadeem, the biggest and oldest boy in a rug factory in Pakistan. But how can he lead the other child laborers to freedom after he’s been shamed and beaten for his first attempt?

Nadeem and his fellow workers are bonded laborers, children who work day and night to pay off loans their families have accepted from a factory owner. While Nadeem and his cousin Amina take pride in helping their poor families, they feel trapped. They yearn to go to school and to have time to play.

One day a former carpet boy named Iqbal Masih leads a parade in the village. New laws have abolished bonded labor! Iqbal urges Nadeem to fight for freedom and to lead the children to a new school in town. Can Nadeem summon the courage to try again?

This fictional story honors the legacy of Iqbal Masih, a real boy who had escaped from a factory. Protected and educated, he worked to liberate child workers like Nadeem by the thousands. His work won him the ReebokYouth in Action award and special recognition at the International Labor Conference. When he returned to Pakistan after his trip, he was fatally shot while riding his bicycle. He was only twelve, but he had already made a difference in children’s lives all over the world.

Resources at the end of the story lead to more information about child labor issues and encourage children to support companies that work to make the world a better place for all. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Time for social justice
A very moving story of a boy working in a carpet factory who helps other children realize that they have options for improving the conditions under which they work. Children's version of a true story that ends in the murder of the boy.For children, the story ends before that and conveys the importance of people helping others to take risks to better their conditions in life. I bought it for my first grade granddaughter who is very concerned about others. We were also able to discuss geography of Pakistan and the surrounds.

One Persons Journey Through A World of Books Thoughts:
Occasionally I will open a book and be startled by what I am reading.My main character is Nadeem.He works in a carpet factory in Pakistan.His parents sold him into child labor three years ago and he now works seven days a week from dawn to sundown seven days a week.

And that is just page one.

At this point I go back and read the inside flap of the book and for the life of me cant recall knowing that this is what this book was about.And now, I am ashamed I took so long to review it as obviously there is an important message within these beautifully illustrated pages and as I read I try to imagine this book being read to or by those who the book is meant for - grades 3 - 6. It is making me take in a deep breath... what would an 8 year old think?

As the book goes on page by page I am witness to Nadeem's life, weaving rugs day in and day out with the occasional glimpse of the outdoors when he helps load the rugs onto the trucks.


While the story is fictional, it honors a real boy, Iqbal Masih who escaped from a child labor factory and through his work he was able to liberate thousands of child workers like Nadeem. Iqbah had been sold into child labor at the age of 4 where he wove carpet for 12 hours a day for six years until his escape.He learned about the laws against child slavery and began to work to help others. Iqbah's work won him the Reebok Youth In Action Award and recognition at the International Labor Conference.Upon Iqbah's return to Pakistan after these recognitions, he was fatally shot while riding his bicycle.He was only twelve at the time and he had already made an impact for children all over the world.

The book made me cry to think of all the injustice out there in this world.While my own children have been given choices all there lives, there are so many areas where this is not the case.I will treasure this book for years to come and every time I look at it on the shelf I will remember a boy I met within its pages called Iqbah.

Inspirational!
A wonderfully written book about social justice for children, The Carpet Boy's Gift is truly a favourite among teachers and students.
A must read!

Unfortunate fodder
Although this is a beautifully written and illustrated narrative of an important issue (child slavery and forced labor) it is completely inappropriate for young children. I want to bring that to buyers' attention, because they may perceive it as being a picture book and therefor for young children-it is not. As well, with so few books about Pakistan for young children, it is unfortunate that negative aspects of the culture are brought to market before books that would foster positive self-identity in Paki-American children and teach multiculturalism. Imagine this is the only book presented to a class of children, what sort of message are they getting about Pakistan??? Pakistanis are child exploiters AND murders, period. ... Read more

Product Description
Every Persian carpet has a story to tell -- from the remote villages of Afghanistan and Iran, down the ancient trade routes traveled for centuries, to the bazaars of Tehran and the markets of the Western world. Carpet-making is one of this tumultuous region's few constants, an art form that transcends religious and political turmoil. Part travelogue and part exploration into the meaning and worth of these mystical artifacts, The Root of Wild Madder presents practical information about carpets while exploring the artistic, religious, and cultural complexities of these enigmatic lands. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (18)

THE ROOT OF WILD MADDER
This is a unique and informative book on perisan rugs. I highly recommend it to anyone seriously curious about persian rugs as something beyond floor coverings.

Persian Carpets
This is a brilliant read. The author's love of Persian Carpets is infectious. His book is full of colorful anecdotes and sympathetic vignettes about carpets, carpet sellers, bazaaris, caravanserais (which although I had read about them numerous times, I had not before had them described for me so well), of the carpet making of different regions, of the Quiraysh, the tribal regions, Isfahan, Shiraz, Islam, the sights, sounds, colours - the philosophy of carpets... The aura and magic of Persian carpets and Persia/Iran itself is wonderfully evoked by this fantastic book.

The Root of Wild Madder -- a Persian Tale That Needs a Tighter Weave
The Root of Wild Madder -- Chasing the History, Mystery, and Lore of the Persian Carpet definitely delivers that in the first half of the book.Sadly, the story begins to unravel as one pushes on to finish the book.Brian Murphy, who is clearly knowledgeable about carpets, modern Iran, and ancient Persia, cannot make up his mind how to conclude his book.We don't know if he intends to return to call upon the family of his mentor or will he swear off all future visits due to the recent downturn of affairs in Iran.His ambivalance left me frayed at the edges after reading chapter after chapter of his adventures into the cultural heartland of Iran and Afghanistan and the magic and poetry of their carpets.

These weaknesses aside, the glory of Murphy's book is his ability to get the reader lost in the crevasses of Teheran's carpet bazaars and off the beaten path to where the most ancient of red dyes, madder, blooms.The reader travels over unpaved roads at lightnening speed only to discover the hidden tomb of Persia's greatest poet, Hafez.Murphy also provides a refreshing meditation on the art of the carpet as music being seen and poetry as weft and warp being heard.He also gains access to the women who create the carpets.With gratitude and candor he celebrates their contribution to a world that is made better off through their efforts.

The Root of Wild Madder also provides a useful, if not excellent, introduction to the manufacture of carpets, including looming, weaving, dyeing and, finishing.While Murphy provides several excellent photos, an illustrated glossary of the dozen most important terms would have helped the book.

He also regales the reader with wonderful descriptions of Shiraz, Isfahan, Mashhad and many other Persian places and this is where I found the book to be its most heartwarming.These descriptions of contemporary Iranian life is where the book is at its strongest and where I would most strongly recommend it to the would-be traveller to that region.

While Murphy does not conclude his stories well, he certainly does open the door to a whole new -- and very ancient -- world that is beyond our experience.Read The Root of Wild Madder for its beginning if not its ending.He will surely reveal to you paths that you did not realize were there.

Great book for carpetaholics
If you are hooked on oriental carpets this is a fantastic book.It is a journal of a man's travels through the old carpet weaving countries.

Theseductive poetry of oriental rugs
Brian Murphy's book begins rather slowly but then picks up in interest and even excitement. It is a rich and well documented history, replete with intricacies and exciting revelations. The author allows not to be a carpet connaisseur but he is quick to learn and has evidently done a lot of research to compensate his lacks. It is also well written and quietly evocative. I have two comments to add:

The Qasqua'i (whose tribal carpets have captivated Mr. Murphy) begun their historical treck as Georgian-speaking tribes (see Suny RG, The making of the Georgian nation, 1994, p.4). The vagaries of history made them adopt, first a Turkish dialect and now, living in Iran, Farsi--another example of discordances between ethnic identity and linguistics. But the Qashqa'i carpets poetically and artistically commemorate their past and their history.

A Christian Armenian was involved in the history of madder, but he is generally labeled "Iranian," since more famous cultures always obscure the contributions of lesser known ones. His name was "Jean Althen... [an] Iranian [!] who introduced the culti­vation of madder... into Southern France... [H]e was born in a village he spells "Chaouch." He lost his parents during the Afghan invasion and was taken as a slave to Kayseri in Anatolia, where he learned cotton cultivation and dyeing. In about 1736 he escaped to France, where he was received by Louis XV in Versailles...[I]n southern France... he began to cultivate Oriental madder; this proved so successful that madder soon became a main crop of the region... [I]n 1846... his efforts honored, by the erection of his statue on the rock of Notre Dame des Doms.(See http://www.iranica.com/ newsite /articles/v1f9/v1f9a005.html).

There are two interesting asides to this story.

One concerns the species of madder that he brought into France. Was it Rubia peregrina L., or R. tinctorum L.? I believe its the latter (whose root is also known as "racine d'Armenie), found more commonly in the Orient and the source of red madder.

The other is the fact that Dominican monks from Smyrna probably encouraged and helped Althen to escape from Kaiseri, carrying madder seeds with him, to introduce in France a product that a monopoly of the Ottoman empire up to that point, with Oriental punishments awaiting those caught "stealing" it.

In any event, read this book. It is an almost magical introduction to the poetry of Oriental carpets. On second thought, I'll give it four stars and a half.



... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (10)

everything you wanted to know about ferns
This is a fine book by a recognized expert on native plants.His encyclopedic knowledge is reflected in the depth of the discussion of ferns, mosses and grasses.While grasses have been "hot" garden items for the last few years, he introduces the gardener to a broader palette of green for the garden.A wonderful reference.

Native Ferns Review
From the introduction, through the explanation about native plants through the excellent photos and descriptions of each plant, this book informs the reader about different important aspects of native ferns, moss and grasses. The chapter "Ferns and Fern Allies for Various Uses and Conditions" as well as the similar one on grasses, sedges and rushes lists specific plants & the sites they are best suited for optimum growth.

It is a book I highly recommend for a gift to yourself or to gardening friends.

Knows his stuff
Cullina knows whereof he writes.This is a valuable resource for anyone who is interested in using ferns, mosses or grasses in his landscaping. You are not going to find advice like this at your local nursery, much less a big box retailer.

Great resource
When it comes to native vegetation, Cullina,s books are the bible for me. This is no exception. He's taken on ferns, grasses and mosses all of which are hard to differentiate and different in the way they propogate. He,s done a masterful job in helping me identify them, know where to plant them and how to propogate them.

A beautiful book
I love this book! I have been taking it with me everywhere.It's beautiful, written in a very personable style, and contains tons of information and insight about a pragmatic approach to gardening - using native plants, most of which are happy in the shade (which I happen to have a lot of, and don't want to change!).If you're tired of "fighting city hall" in the shady spots in your yard, this is a great source of inspiration and fresh perspective. ... Read more

Product Description
Often seen as the "supporting-cast" in the lives of high profile celebrities and businessmen; Personal Assistants do more than run mere errands these days.These machines of modern business are a hybrid of secretary, project manager and confidante to their employer. PA's are demanding more responsibility, autonomy and recognition. And they're getting it.Beyond the Red Carpet provides those seeking information on how to get into this field with the requisite information to be triumphant.It also serves as a continuing education resource for working PA's.Key attributes and skills that set today's PA apart are:high level of commercial understanding PR and communication skills flexibility and initiative ability to manage projects intuition and empathy commitment to the organization working 'beyond the job description'understanding that your role is 'beyond the red carpet'Complete with tips, case studies and specific how-to information, this provides a road-map that is sure to lead readers to success. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Not worth it
I'm going to have to agree with the other guy who pointed out that this book has spelling errors in it.Beyond that, the information is not practical in a real world sort of way.The solutions are over-simplified and silly.You have to "follow up and follow through."Really?

I also called all 3 phone numbers to the offices listed in the book and they are ALL DISCONNECTED!

Good research for career change
A good read for any admin., excutive assistant or super organized individual that is ready to try something else.

Joke
I will save you a few dollars right now. Stay focused.
While this book gives somewhat of a good explanation on how to GET the job,
some nice vocabulary and things to keep in mind, the author did a really poor
job on explaining the little details the job really consists of.
She keeps on saying that it's all personal and that you have to work out a
partner relationship with your boss. Over and over. You have to be accurate.
Oh really? That's something new.
Did I mention a ton of spelling mistakes? She devotes a few pages to remind us that
we have to know how to spell since our boss might not.
To be short. This book is NOT worth it. Unless, of course, you are COMPLETELY
new to seeking a job. Just watch or read (better to read), "The devil wears Prada"
You'll get much more info...

Good luck

Bible for Personal Assistants, Executive Assistants, Customer Service
I am a personal assistant and I read this book in an afternoon.I found myself highlighting every word!!It is a must read for those experienced and unexperienced assistants in the field.This book is a keeper in my library of "tools in life."This is a book that you will refer back to time and time again - trust me!When you think that you are on top of your game, a book like this one crosses your path.PURCHASE IT - you will not regret it; it's NOT just another "how to" book!

More than a good book.
I would recommend this book if you are serious about becoming a personal assistant, or wanting new ideas of skill building.It's very resourceful and a book you'd always look back to. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Great Book!!
It is amazing how the changes into his life still let him write some of the best songs so many of us still enjoy.Very good book.

The authority of Steppenwolf
Being a big fan of Steppenwolf over the years and seeing them in concert I wanted to know more about the band, the background, how the music came together and more about John Kay. I've always liked John Kay quite a bit and found this book very interesting. John Kay tells a very honest, sincere and humble story about his upbringing and coming to the states.What I liked as well is that he could talk about his successes and also his failures in trying to find himself musically in the 50's and 60's.He always explained his actions, reactions and how things came together eventually for Steppenwolf.I also enjoyed how the book also took people from the time period and had their commentary in it as well which I thought brought multiple sides to the story John was telling. As Steppenwolf comes to fruition in the book, John carefully explains the life of the band and how it grew and eventually faded into obscurity.Towards the end of the book, John talks about revitalizing the name of Steppenwolf after four years of impostors and crooks that were trying to profit from the name and legend.

As a fan, this is the closest book to learning about the origins of Steppenwolf and also a lot about the personal life of John Kay that will be found until something else comes out.John Kay and Steppenwolf continue to tour to this day across the country and fans are fortunate they still go out and play those great songs.Thanks to John Kay the Steppenwolf legend continues to live on.

Steppenwolf Rides Again
This is a must for die-hard Steppenwolf fans and I've been one since 1968 when my brother and I got their first album. This is an excellent book with no holds barred. John Kay and Einarsson has written a great book. There has been so much talk about the
legal battles after the bogus band appeared and wrecked the name of Steppenwolf in the eighties, but John Kay is frank and let all living past members come forward and tell their version.
Kay isn't holding things back from his personal life as well which makes it very interesting, especially when you know about his background. I've been fortunate enough to travel with the band on several tours in Germany, Denmark and Sweden and has always found John Kay and his fellow bandmenbers Michael Wilk, Ron Hurst and Danny Johnson and their crew to be nicest of
people. I only have one complaint about the book: It's too short!

its never too late to start all over ..
i really enjoyed this book.it told me many things i never knew about john kay,like the fact that he has never ridden a motorcycle because he is legally blind...yes it is written from his perspective but his version is a very important one.this book was an easy read and it kept me interested in it through out the whole thing.as a follow up to the book i watched the vh1
behind the music about steppenwolf which confirmed most of the things in the book..in my opinion i do think john should forgive the other guys or at least come to peace with it and them .we all do a lot of dumb things in life thats why we need friends to help us get back up again.i hope the wolf continues to rock much longer!its never too late to start all over again.

From one who was there
I knew these guys and EVERYONE in the band contributed to their success. This book is a piece of John Kay self serving fantasy. When John left the band in the late 70's to persue a solo career he tried, unsuccessfully at that time, to block the other members from performing under the name Steppenwolf. Why? They worked just as hard to make the band a success. They wrote many of the hits John takes credit for in his book and they contributed just as much to Steppenwolf's sound and unique style. When performing during this period the band was every bit as good without him as they ever were with him. Only when he realized that there were fans ($$) still out there and that there was still money to be made from the Steppenwolf name did he re-associate himself with the band. Nick St. Nicolas, Goldy McJohn et-al NEVER broke the faith with their thousands of loyal fans. Just recently Nick won a long legal battle over song rights unjustly clamed by John. John Kay is, and will always remain, his own biggest fan. This book is nothing more than a monument to a monumental ego. ... Read more

Product Description
A fresh and concise look at Anatolian carpets from the 14th to the 20th centuries, including some of the oldest surviving examples of Turkish carpets.Turkish rugs have been a part of European culture since the 14th century.Far more embedded in the Western consciousness than any other carpet type, they are among the most sought-after of all rugs by museums and collectors today. This book draws on the unparalleled collection at Washington's Textile Museum, as well as from other museums and private collections, dealing with issues such as history, lineage, design origins and meaning across the whole spectrum of Turkish carpet weaving. ... Read more

Product Description
This book shows the vast range and quality of carpets woven in Persia from about 1850 to 1980. In addition, there is a discussion of rugs woven in countries or areas adjacent to Persia itself, particularly those rugs that either fell or fall into the Persian geographical or cultural orbit, Caucasian weavings, Turkish and Hereke silk rugs and certain weavings that have strong Persian and Islamic influences. The book is divided into sections dealing with each distinct generic type of rug: Nineteenth and early twentieth century city rugs, covering the major centres - Tabriz, Kashan, Kerman Esfahan, Mashad etc. The same from early twentieth century to the present day and including discussions of the major master-weavers such as Mohtasham of Kashan, the semi-mythical Haji Jalili of Tabriz, Amoghli of Mashad and the well-known later masters such as Sairafian, Haghighi, Mamouri and Hekmatnejad. The rugs and woven artefacts of the settled villages in the major weavings areas from west to east concentrating in particular on the many distinctive weaving areas of western Persia from late nineteenth century to the present day. The rugs and woven artefacts of the nomadic and semi-nomadic tribes of Persia from the late nineteenth century to the present day, with particular emphasis on the north western tribes of Kurds, Shahsavan and Lori; the south western tribes of the Lori-Bakhtiari, Lori, Qashqai, Khamseh and Afshari; the eastern tribes of Kurds, Baluchi and (related groups) and Afshari. A general chapter on the market place, buying and maintenance, display, and a section on structure, dyes etc. with diagrams. Essie Sakhai is a much respected expert and dealer in oriental carpets based in Central London. His first book The Story of Carpets was translated into many languages as was his second book Oriental Carpets: The Buyer’s Guide. The Editor, Ian Bennett, is himself author of numerous books on the subject including Caucasian in the Antique !Collectors’ Club Oriental Rugs series. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A mixed bag
Frankly I was disappointed.I found the quality of imagery a bit lacking and some of the inclusions inexplicable.I thought the technical aspects of the text was okay but would have appreciated a more thorough discussion of chemical v natural dies, imagery comparisonsetc.The coverage on tribal rugs was limited.Having said that, I gave the book to a friend, who loves it - despite the odd carpets of the Queen etc.

Simply Stunning
I must admit that the steep price made me hesitate. the book went into, and out of, my cart a few times.

However, it is important to remember that great books cannot be judged solely by cost.

In the final analysis, this book will remind you, every time you open it, that your money has been VERY well spent. ... Read more

Product Description
Piano Accompaniment to Magic Carpet For Violin, ISBN: 0739046217. ... Read more

Product Description
Jim Corbett's classic stories of hunting the man-eating tigers of India have thrilled generations of readers and made him famous world-wide.Born in India in 1875, Corbett was at home in the jungles from an early age, killing his first leopard when he was only eight. Tigers were his most sought after prey but, in time, he began to turn toward conservation.From the mid-1920s he stopped shooting tigers for sport, only killing the man-eaters that plagued many Indian villages.In 1936 Corbett was instrumental in creating India's first tiger reserve--perhaps the world's first "big-game park"--and was a devoted conservationist for the remainder of his years.
The Carpet Sahib is the story of this remarkable man.Martin Booth, who spent ten years of research on this definitive biography, follows Corbett's footsteps through the Himalayan jungles and foothills that provided the backdrop for some of his most hair-raising adventures.Booth brings to life a man of inestimable courage and integrity whose love for India, her people, and her natural treasures was intense.Today, Jim Corbett is revered in Northern India as the legendary holy figure who fought the devil in his disguise as a man-eating big cat, and by those who have so enjoyed his gripping collections of tales.This is the first book to reveal the man behind the myth. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Corbett's writing is superb, this biography is boring.
The author has done an amazing job of making an exciting subject boring. He appears to have done his homework, digging into the family history back several generations. This, in fact, is the problem with the book; he's done too much research and can't bear to edit any of it out. The first half of the book passes without any tiger being stalked, and that is all Corbett is famous for. The only portions of the book with any drama are those hunting tales he re-tells from Corbett's own books.

He also spins in a tremendous amount of speculation about the motivations of Corbett and his family members and friends. He tries to support these speculations with his research, but it's largely unconvincing.

Don't waste your time on this book.

Carpet Sahib - A Legend Indeed!
Booth, I believe has done a very good job in writing this biography. He has very articulately brought Jim Corbett's strenghts and weaknesses to the reader. Jim Corbett was a brilliant hunter, a practical man and an enterprising business man. This book is definitely a treat for people who have read Jim Corbett earlier. He was fiercely patriotic and loyal to the Crown but also very much in love with India. Its just amazing to how brave and agile this man was. A true legend indeed.

I got this book as a gift from my brother, with whom I have enjoyed reading Corbett stories as little boys. Without any doubt - Corbett; through Booth is still as refreshing as Corbett in his own words.

A Splendid Job
Author Martin Booth has done a splendid job in his attempt to tarnish the image of Jim Corbett, slayer of man eaters, author, naturalist and philanthropist through the book titled "Carpet Sahib". The author used much ofhis imagination in the book, rather than trying to do some hard research. The book is filled with contradictions and accusations without base. Booth believes
that grapefruit grow on vines! The hardcover edition of this book came out in 1986 as a tie in with the broadcasting of "Man eaters of kumaon" a BBC docudrama which was also scripted poorly by Booth, painting him with a 'chi-chi accent' whatever that might be. Corbett was not a reward hunter according to other biographers, but according to the script Corbett was 'amply rewarded'.Again the imagination from a fiction writer took over
the entire book, mixing facts with fiction! The paper back edition is cheaply made without any photographs and an actor's cartoon on the cover, instead of a Corbett portrait! The first biography of Corbett by D.C.Kala (1979)is much better than this, Booth borrowed material from this book without bothering to acknowledge it.

A fine work
I think Booth has done a marvellous job with Carpet Sahib. Anyone who has ever travelled to northern India - and Kumaon in particular - will appreciate Booth's vivid and sympathetic portrayal of the subject, the people of the hills and terai, and the tigers and leopards which roamedthem so freely. Sadly, that world is no more. Kumaon today is a verydifferent place. Luckily, I managed to see a tiger when I visited CorbettNational Park in Uttar Pradesh, and reading this book in my cabin whilehyenas sniffed and scratched outside my window was a magical experience.Carpet Sahib is a fine book and one of the few available on thisfascinating individual and the wilderness of northern India.

Too many contradictions??
Good job in gathering some of the photographs published in the book, butthere are far too many contradictions in the text, a sign of writig in haste.The cover design for the original hard cover was good, but the Oxfordreprint, the paperback edition, without any illustrations, looked pathetic! ... Read more