Book Description

Customer Reviews (2)

The discovery of a new Monet
This book, the catalogue for a travelling exhibition held in 2007, enables the reader to discover an often overlooked aspect of Monet's art. The drawings and, above all, the pastels shown and explained here demonstrate the artist's mastery of light and color better than his paintings, because they look fresher to us. Some are studies for actual paintings, and others are finished works in their own right. Also described are his many caricatures of the rich and famous of the time, which, to me, were a complete discovery.

A very informative text and high quality reproductions, all contribute to make this book a valuable addition to the literature on the artist.

The Unknown Monet: Pastels and Drawings (Clark Art Institute)
I received my book on Monet's pastels and drawings in EXCELLENT condition and in addition is a simply gorgeous book. I'm an artist history major and I had no idea that Monet drew with pastels.

Thank you for the good price too!

Deirdre Dunne ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

One of the Original Classics
"In Search of the Unknown" was the first adventure made for the D&D game (not to confused with the AD&D game, which had already released adventures). This adventure was created to show beginning DMs and players how to play D&D. For this purpose it contains sections with tips on how to use the module, how to be an effective DM, employing hirelings, and a player's tip sheet.

The actual adventure takes place in the "Caverns of Quasqueton." The caverns are made up of a standard dungeon level and a natural cavern level. Numbered areas are replete with descriptions, traps, tricks, and so forth. However, no monsters or treasure is listed. Instead, it is up to the novice DM to think of what they want and add them themselves.

In 1981 the cover and cover art of "In Search of the Unknown" was changed (the one with the brown cover). However, its contents were essentially left unchanged. Note the AD&D graphic design style later dropped from subsequent "basic" adventures.

This is a one-of-kind module. No others were ever produced where the DM is expected to lend a hand in the creation of the dungeon. For someone who already knows how to play D&D, this adventure is not of much of any use. If a DM were to use this adventure, he would be wise to create a town outside the "caverns", create a cast of non-player characters, and develop a back story to give richer detail than most of these early modules could offer. ... Read more

Book Description
In this bold, unique true-crime narrative, former homicide prosecutor Timothy M. Burke makes his case against one Leonard Paradiso. Lenny “The Quahog” was convicted of assaulting Connie Porter in 1973 and paroled in 1978, but Burke believes that he is guilty of much more – that Paradiso is a serial killer who operated in the Boston area, maybe farther afield, for nearly fifteen years, assaulting many young women and responsible for the deaths of as many as seven. Burke takes the reader inside the minds of prosecutors, police investigators, and one very dangerous man who thought he had figured out how to rape and murder and get away with it. The Paradiso Files follows Burke’s prosecution of Paradiso in the death of a young woman from East Boston named Marie Iannuzzi – the only victim to whose murder Paradiso has ever been officially connected – and offers possible resolution of homicide cases that have been unsolved for years. Of particular note, Burke presents corroborated evidence that Paradiso murdered Joan Webster, the Harvard graduate student who stepped off a plane at Logan Airport in 1981 never to be seen alive again, and whose disappearance was a major media story. Burke’s gripping tale is an education and adventure in criminality and the pursuit of justice. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Compelling tale of murder set against the beauty and grime of Boston
This book is gripping in its depiction of the cruel and vicious psychopath, Lenny Paradiso.While reading, I could picture myself in the various locations Burke describes with cinematic accuracy- having lunch among cops and businessmen at Durgin Park, out on dirt roads searching for clues, in the courtroom full of tension... This is a must read! Both its faced-paced action and realistic dialogue make it an enjoyable read.

A Must Read for True Crime Fans
True crime fans should put The Paradiso Files on the top of their "must read" list. Burke weaves an incredible tale of murder and mayhem in his well-written first book. It's a page-turner that will keep you on the edge of your seat. I look forward to seeing more by this author

What a gripping and suspenseful read!!!
This is a great book. I found that I could not put it down and was constantly thinking about the book when I was not reading it. The author does a great job of telling a compelling story that keeps you on the edge of your seat. I have also enjoyed the historical aspects of the book about Boston and the legal system in the 80s. I would highly recommend this book!!!

Tim Burke an LI in Boston in the 80s
Burke does a good job of describing the times (the 80s and the CI tools available at the time) Boston neighborhoods , and Law enforcement tools available in the 80s. The reading is quick and he keeps you interested (what's next?). It never ceases to amaze me how our DAs and police who have had to deal with the pathetic characters such as Paradiso can overcome dead ends, criticism, and obstacles often within LI.

... Read more

Book Description
"Thirty Three and a Third" is a new series of short books about critically acclaimed and much-loved albums of the last 40 years. The authors provide fresh, original perspectives - often through their access to and relationships with the key figures involved in the recording of these albums. By turns obsessive, passionate, creative, and informed, the books in this series demonstrate many different ways of writing about music. What binds the series together, and what brings it to life, is that all of the authors - musicians, broadcasters, scholars, and writers - are huge fans of the album they have chosen. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (18)

Oh sigh.
I thought this would be an overly pedantic study of the album, but it is really more of an overview of ALL of Joy Division's recordings with little focus on "Unknown pleasures" itself.This wasn't unwelcome to me as someone who always gets confused as to the chronology of Joy Division recordings.Moreover, the book contains a decent (but not overwhelming) amount of biographical anecdotes which, ultimately, makes this a very readable and enjoyable book.

Not quite Closer, but ...
quite informative nonetheless.Chris Ott does a good job after setting the stage, a little clunky in the beginning, but afterwards, he settles in and gives all the info any fan would either enjoy ... or already know.Now, if somebody would do Closer ...

Good stuff!

JCS

Confusion
I haven't actually read the book yet but a few of the reviews that I saw seem to have mistaken Joy Division for The Chameleons and Interpol.

not too many pictures
this is a book about there worst album.my favorit Joy Divison albums are script of the bridge and turn on the bright lights.i want to have ian curtis's baby.

There's More to JD Than Suicide
A short but detailed and fascinating look at Joy Division's seminal freshman album Unknown Pleasures. A definite must-read for any Joy Division fan. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (19)

From Arminian To Reform...
At first, this volume disturbed me. But as I began to read the Scriptures and look at the whole concept of election and esp. the "golden chain of salvation" in Romans 8:29,30, I developed at great appreciation for RC Sproul and this particular volume.

This volume is a great presentation of the Reformed position. If you are like me once, or you are searching for some good material on Classical Reformed Theology, this is a great place to begin.

Great Introduction to Reformed Theology
R.C Sproul is well known by all in the Christian world. He is a Calvinist and a reformed theologian. In this book he sets out to explain what his theological background is. So the first half of the book he explains what the foundation of Reformed Theology is which is based in GOD himself. The second half deals with what is controversy today in the Christian church a doctrine that people often misunderstand and misrepresnt. The doctrine known as Calvinism or TULIP. Many people and scholar( Norman Geisler) and authors like Dave Hunt and George Byrson and also Hank Hanegraaff often misrepresent Calvinism. In this book R.C. Sproul explains it well. Great Work,......

Excellent introduction to classical Reformed Theology
This is my first reading of a book expounding upon the specifics of Reformed Theology, and also my first book by R.C. Sproul.I highly recommend both this book and his work in general.After realizing that I never really understood just what "Reformed Theology" really was, I decided to read this book to find out.It's split into two parts, the first covering the basics of Reformed Theology itself (Faith Alone, Covenant Theology, etc.) and the second covering the 5 Ponts (TULIP).

As entire volumes have been written about each topic he covers, this book is by no means exhaustive.Nor is it intended to be.I found his introduction to just about all the topics to be easy to read and very enlightening.Of all the chapters, the one covering Covenant Theology was the only one I thought was lacking in sufficient detail...I'm still not sure exactly what this encompasses, or how many covenants are in view (Sproul lists 3, many other sources only refer to 2).

I'm still not convinced of the correctness of Calvinsim (nor of any other specific system, for that matter).But one thing that became glaringly clear is that almost everything I thought I knew about it was really a misunderstanding, and that almost every argument I've ever read against Calvinism in fact distorts the real positions.I began by being steadfastly opposed to Calvinism...how could a just God pick and choose who's saved arbitrarily, etc.It's now much more agreeable to me, and that's largely due to this book.I'm investigating other sources now and continuing to learn.

I highly recommend the R.C. Sproul Digital Library, which I've ordered.It contains many of his books and audio/video lectures, all of which are excellent regardless of whether you agree with his conclusions.Go to www.ligonier.org to check out all his materials.

What is Calvinism - or TULIP
There may be no subject in Christiandom that is more misunderstood by the average church-goer than Calvinism or TULIP.It is sad to see so many who reject Calvinism based upon such wrong information.In this book, Dr. Sproul helps the reader understand the key issues of the Reformation and walks you through the so-called 5 points of Calvinism - Total Depravity, Unconditional election, Limited atonement, Irresistable grace and Perseverence of the Saints.Dr. Sproul not only unfolds the historic meaning of these doctrines but explains how they have been misunderstood.This book is longer and more developed than his earlier "Chosen by God."In the earlier work he was dealing with election in particular.In this work he tackles a broader set of related issues.As always, Dr. Sproul is gracious and instructive even for those who disagree with him.The positions he rejects, he deals with Christian grace and love.He has the ability to instruct not only those how agree but also those who disagree.If you want to know the real meaning of Calvinsim or TULIP - regardless of your accepting it or not, you will profit from reading this book.

Very systematic
R.C. Sproul has written an excellent book on what is Reformed theology.I expected an exposition of "TULIP", but a section on theology in general and a section on the foundations of Reformed theology were added for good measure.

THEOLOGY - the study of God, not of religion.Sproul outlines the differences between theology, whhich studies God, and anthropology, which studies what different groups think about God or their gods.Scripture, history, and nature should inform our study of God (although certainly not with equal weight).

5 FOUNDATIONS - Sproul's 5 foundations are CENTERED ON GOD, BASED ON GOD'S WORD ALONE, COMMITTED TO FAITH ALONE, DEVOTED TO JESUS CHRIST, and STRUCTURED BY THREE COVENANTS.These are not meant to be unique to the Reformed tradition but to explain the basis for Reformed beliefs.Many groups of Christians share some of these foundations.

5 BELIEFS - The 5 elements of the famous Reformed acrostic: TOTAL DEPAVITY, UNCONDITIONAL ELECTION, LIMITED ATONEMENT, IRRESISTIBLE GRACE, and PRESERVATION OF THE SAINTS.Sproul investigates the meaning of each of these elements and the justification for them.Some space is also devoted to refuting the antithesis of each element.Frankly, I don't think anyone would come away converted on any point, but it does explain better what the Reformed believe on each point and some tangential issues.

THE GOOD: the book is put togther simply, the arguments are simple, and there are simple illustrations.Conceivably, this is targeted towards people who know a little about the Reformed tradition but aren't opposed to it.It would qualify as a good introduction.

THE BAD: Sproul's book has some shortcomings.First, there is not much space devoted to the development of TULIP, so the reader is not as well educated on the topic.The Armenian position is not taken seriously; I don't expect him to agree or to concede points, but I expected it to be addressed more.Finally, there is no conclusion or summary; "P" gets wrapped up and that's it.I felt as if I were left hanging.Finally, I just finished John Macarthur's "The Gospel According to Jesus," and I was spoiled by his extensive footnoting.Sproul's complete lack of footnotes, such as when quoting Augustine, disappointed me.I like knowing that I can look up a quote or reference if I wish to.

In summary, this is a good introduction, but read something meatier if you already know TULIP. ... Read more

Book Description
STATISTICS: A GUIDE TO THE UNKNOWN offers a collection of intriguing essays that describe the important applications of statistics and probability. Instead of teaching methods, the essays illustrate past accomplishments and current uses of statistics and probability. Examples of surveys, questionnaires, experiments, and observational studies help you better understand the importance of and the influence of statistics. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Great book for AP Stats!
As an AP Statistics teacher, these articles really help students understand how statistics is used in the real world.Nice follow up questions at the end of each article.

No other book gets students as excited about statistics
I've used examples from this book in every research design, evaluation or statistics course I have ever taught. The essays are compelling -- how a statistician beats a parking ticket, how the whales are counted, the biggest health experiment ever conducted. I actually see students eyes light up and they catch the joy and excitement of detection, wit, thinking outside the box, the humility of guessing rather than knowing. The book is a sheer pleasure. Bravo to the authors. ... Read more

Book Description
Cabeza de Vaca came to the New world in 1527 as part of a Spanish expedition to conquer the region north of the Gulf of Mexico. His exploration party lost contact with their ships, set out northward on foot, and traveled, their numbers soon reduced from 300 to 4, across Florida, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and northern Mexico for the next eight years. In addition to being one of the great true adventure stories of all time, Cabeza de Vaca's account of their travels is an unparalleled source of firsthand information on the pre-European Southwest--the variety of its climate, its flora and fauna, the customs of its natives. They were the first to see the opossum and the buffalo, the Mississippi and the Pecos, pine-nut mash and mesquite-bean flour. This book contains the first description in literature of a West Indies Hurricane.

"Cabeza de Vaca was not only a physical trailblazer: he was also a literary pioneer, and he deserves the distinction of being called the Southwest's first writer.... The Relación, while not fiction, possesses most of the attributes of a good novel."--William T. Pilkington

Alvar N��ez Cabeza de Vaca was the first European to cross the North American continent. This remarkable book is his odyssey, first written in 1542 as an official report to the king of Spain under the title La Relación. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (18)

An amazing journey through history and faith!
My son and I heard this book on tape nine years ago, and frequently refer to it to this day.We were delighted to find it in print form.An amazing, true and vulnerable account of a man who stumbled into his destiny simply by doing the right thing a step at a time.Some incredible history.De Vaca was [...] when Columbus returned home in chains . . .

Harrowing tale of Survival in pre-conquest North America
For many, if not most Americans, early history of the Americas goes something like this - Columbus to the Pilgrims to the American Revolution, end of story. Unfortunately, this abbreviated tale not only leaves many gaps in knowledge, but bypasses some truly amazing stories. `Cabeza De Vaca's Adventures in the Unknown Interior of America' is one of the best examples of the incredible tales that are often overlooked from the early history of European exploration and conquest of the Americas.

This is a first hand account from a survivor of an ill-fated attempt of a Spanish conquistador to conquer and colonize Florida and the Gulf Coast of North America. Of over four hundred proud men who landed with high hopes of vast wealth in gold, only four survived, after an eight year struggle, making their way across the North American continent from Florida back into Spanish controlled Mexico. The author of the book emerged naked from the wilderness, with nothing of value to show for his harrowing eight year experience except his story, which he wrote hoping to gain favor from his king.

The tale of the author's eight year struggle is simply incredible, and for most modern readers, sometimes unbelievable. He relates the missteps and misadventures that reduced him and his companions from proud conquistadors to weak, naked men, sometimes only surviving as slaves of native tribes. His writing gives a unique snapshot of Native life in that region before its conquest by Europeans, and covers a wide variety of tribes and cultures, both those who were hostile and helpful to him. In the second half of his narrative, he relates events that are nearly impossible for most modern minds to credit, as he tells of how he gained status with the natives by becoming a faith healer, and even of raising a man from the dead. Regardless of whether or not you credit his stories of becoming a faith healing messiah followed by hundreds of adoring natives as historical, it certainly makes for an amazing and lively tale.

While the story itself certainly merits five stars, the writing does not rise to the same level. Cabeza De Vaca was not primarily a writer, and was not writing for a broad audience, but only to impress his king in hopes that he would be rewarded for his service. He leaves out details, background, and scrambles chronology, which may make it necessary to reread certain passages to make sure you get the gist of what he is writing. Of course, as he wrote in Spanish, there is the factor of what is lost in translation as well. Still, this slim volume is packed with fascinating information and incredible tales of survival, and I highly recommend that you discover it for yourself - four stars.

Theo Logos

A book of unparralled value.
Why read a 'history'fantasy when you can read one man's true adventure?"Adventures in the Unknown Interior of America" is a real source document. Rolling through the pages one can sense the genuine experience of a man alone in the 'New World', and understand the very real challenges. Through Cabeza de Vaca's eyes one can get a fresh look at the Native American cultures that existed beforeEuropeans took over.

History really happened, it is not the musings of men (or women)who were not there.History is the actual experience of the participants.This book is alive with the living experience of a key player in the exploration of the American continent by Europeans.

And, there is a bonus.The book reveals the character of a man, and the impact of real events on that character .Cabeza de Vaca grows and changes in the pages.With all of the paper wasted in the publishing business, and all of the speculations of historians staining perfectly good paper, it is a joy to behold the real thing.

Naked faith
I concur with all those who have praised this book, particularly the reviewer who suggested that it offered a great deal to confound many Christians who are hard-headedly (as well as hard-heartedly) devoted to the pet doctrines of their particular faction. But, of course, non-Christians will likely find de Vaca's account even more provocative. This is one of the more politically incorrect but utterly worthwhile books I have ever read. Along with an unforgettable tale of survival, there's faith healing, a resurrection, and even an account of a native tribe that practices homosexual marriage. Perhaps foremost among those who were most astonished by the miracles he wrought was de Vaca himself. But for the fact that he survived to tell it, de Vaca's story is so extraordinary most would find it impossible to believe.

Why isn't Cabeza de Vaca better-known among Christians?
I asked myself that question after I finished re-reading this book recently.Part of the answer may be that it has something to embarass Christians of every stripe.

For Catholics, we have a group of laymen doing miracle healings through prayer, and more to the point, they did so even though they had no contact with a priest for 6+ years.

For Protestants who believe that signs and wonders ceased with the Apostles, the miracle healings are again an embarassment.For Pentacostals, we have them being done by Catholics, at a time (circa 1530) when Catholicism was probably at its absolute rottenest.

And most disturbingly, for those who assure others that God will bail us out materially when we enter into hard times, we have the spectacle of a distinguised nobleman soldier who ends up becoming the naked slave of the poorest Indians on the Texas coast, from whom he escapes only by undertaking a journey on which he is constantly on the verge of dying from cold, starvation, and thirst.

As a Protestant missionary, this last aspect is the most instructive.As much as we like to tell people that God will indeed bail them out, we have to remember that we are indeed His creatures, and that His kingdom may well be advanced best by stripping us of all we have and sending us naked into the brush for 6 years to do His work.Personally, I find that reality much more believable than the claim that God wants us all to be materially prosperous.

I might also note that those who believe that America was a paradise bbefore the White Man will get a real jolt from Cabeza de Vaca's description of warfare, slavery, and infanticide among Indians.

So buy this book--it's almost certain to offend you somehow! ... Read more

Amazon.com
"A man went to knock at the king's door and said, Give me a boat."

Even without the "Once upon a time," it's clear from the opening sentence of José Saramago's mischievous and wise The Tale of the Unknown Island that we have entered a somewhat fractured fairy tale. Of course, it could be argued that all of his works are, in some form or another, fairy tales, from the whimsical, revisionist History of the Siege of Lisbon to the darker dystopia of Blindness.Originally published as a short story in Portugal, Unknown Island contains all of the elements Saramago is famous for--dry wit, a seemingly simple plot that works on many levels, and an idiosyncratic use of punctuation, among other things. It begins as a satire concerned with the absurdity of bureaucracy as supplicants arrive at the king's door for petitions while the king himself waits by the door for favors:

Since the king spent all his time sitting at the door for favors (favors being offered to the king, you understand), whenever he heard someone knocking at the door for petitions, he would pretend not to hear, and only when the continuous pounding of the bronze doorknocker became not just deafening, but positively scandalous, disturbing the peace of the neighborhood (people would start muttering, What kind of king is he if he won't even answer the door), only then would he order the first secretary to go and find out what the supplicant wanted, since there seemed no way of silencing him.

Customer Reviews (25)

Wonderful read
This is an excellent book. It is a very fast read as it is quite small. However, the story shines through its imaginative plot and fantastic characters. Saramago's style lets you escape instantly into the fantasy being unwound. Recommended to all. I can't imagine a person I know who wouldn't enjoy this tale.

a book like a poem
This short book is a good exercise for one imagination. It can make one ask himself what is the unknown island he is in search for. And whether he is ready to begin the search. It takes some courage to follow one's dream, or one can postpone it. Perhaps just as Ulysses (Odysseus) postponed his return home to Ithaka, an island he used to know well in the past. There is a poem with the same name, Ithaka, by Constantine Cavafys, illustrating a myth similar to what I believe is the central motive of "The tale of the Unknown island". I highly recommend reading the poem and comparing it to the book.

Worth a trip to the Unknown Island
Jose Saramago's wisdom wrapped in a small book reveals far more than a simple tale.His writing in The Tale of the Unknown Island, like in his bold Blindness, is a paradox addressing issues that confront us all.In this short story are provocative truths filling the pages and surrounding the unknown until the isand becomes familiar...or at least worth visiting.It's a quick read, but an unforgetable story.

Masterful and Wide
This book reminds me of the little prince not only in size but in the depth of its story.Beautiful, Concise, and wide open to many levels of interpretation.A most excellent adventure..

Not worth Publishing by Itself
I have read and enjoyed a couple of Saramago books already and am well into a third.I took time out to read this small, illustrated, 51-page book.I wasn't paying attention to anything but the price and the author when I ordered it.I guess Jose Saramago isn't in the habit of writing short stories otherwise his publisher could just as easily have waited to include it in his next collection.

The story, as I understood it, is that of a man who is searching for a new start, a new world.He doesn't seem to express any objections to his present world, he just wants a boat so he can go find an unknown island.If I try to tell too much more of the plot, I'll run the risk of this review being longer than the "book".In the end, I understood the plot to mean that often it is the journey, rather than the destination that matters.The determination is greater than the result.

This is a nice enough story but it doesn't warrent its' own issuance.I mean, it isn't THAT good.I'll read more of Saramago and I'll be glad to sing his praises many times, I'm sure.I'll just pay a little more attention to what I'm ordering in the future. ... Read more

Book Description

In American popular imagination, the mobile home evokes images of cramped interiors, cheap materials, and occupants too poor or unsavory to live anywhere else. Since the 1940s and '50s, however, mobile home manufacturers have improved standards of construction and now present them as an affordable alternative to conventional site-built homes. Today one of every fourteen Americans lives in a mobile home.

In The Unknown World of the Mobile Home authors John Fraser Hart, Michelle J. Rhodes, and John T. Morgan illuminate the history and culture of these often misunderstood domiciles. They describe early mobile homes, which were trailers designed to be pulled behind automobiles and which were more often than not poorly constructed and unequal to the needs of those who used them. During the 1970s, however, Congress enacted federal standards for the quality and safety of mobile homes, which led to innovation in design and the production of much more attractive and durable models. These models now comply with local building codes and many are designed to look like conventional houses. As a result, one out every five new single-family housing units purchased in the United States is a mobile home, sited everywhere from the conventional trailer park to custom-designed "estates" aimed at young couples and retirees. Despite all these changes in manufacture and design, even the most immobile mobile homes are still sold, financed, regulated, and taxed as vehicles.

With a wealth of detail and illustrations, The Unknown World of the Mobile Home provides readers with an in-depth look into this variation on the American dream.

Book Description
Giving the best and most informative explanation to date of the mystery of Stalin’s death, renowned historians Roy and Zhores Medvedev have written a gripping new biography of Joseph Stalin, based on findings from research into archives only recently made available, as well as the Medvedev brothers’ own experiences during and after Stalin’s brutal regime.

Conventional beliefs and cliches are contradicted and disproved, inaccuracies and misconceptions are corrected, and the facts about Stalin’s intellect, ancestry, and the fortunes of his personal effects after his death are fully examined. Perhaps most remarkable of all are the Medvedevs’ revelations and contentions concerning Stalin’s death: There has been much suspicion over whether he was assassinated or died of natural causes, and the authors go a long way toward resolving this question.

The Unknown Stalin resonates with particular intensity due to the personal detail and recollections of the two authors—each of whom has his own history as a Russian dissident and commentator. This startling new work represents one of the most significant contributions to the study of Russian history in decades, a book of vital interest to scholars and general readers. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Stalin; Still Unknown
As my children are related to Molotov by marriage, I am always interested in new books about Russian figures, especially since the fall of communism.I will persevere with this book, but it is frustrating to be told "Stalin eliminated many rivals on his way to the top; historians know their names." Thanks; what about the rest of us?Also, Russian translations have a certain annoying quality bordering on condescension: "If you're reading this book you must be ignorant; otherwise you'd know it all and wouldn't have to read this book"!In general, are translators working from first to second language, or vice versa?That would affect their choice of words,and we should be told.There is still a lot of habitual excuse-making and spin control, even when one of the authors has been exiled since 1973!This must be part of the Slavic genome.But I still plan to finish it, and I think it's worth reading, especially if you are part of the Russian diaspora as I am. ... Read more

Book Description
Where was Jesus and what was he doing from ages 12-30? Why does the Bible leave out this important information? Is there any truth to the myths and legends that proclaim that Jesus visited many other countries?

This book contains amazing accounts of Jesus' missing years based on an old manuscript that was found by the author in a Tibetan lamasery in the 1890's.

You will read about the author's dangerous journey to Tibet as you uncover the mystery of the "lost years" of Jesus' life.

Complete with maps, commentaries, and references. Oversized, 81/2" X 11". ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

Lost teachings of Christ
It's a wonderful time of world that these lost teachings are being published and made available to those who thirst for and seek the Truth.It's obvious in the Christian Bible that too many secrets were left out...

The Unknown Life of Jesus Christ (by NICOLAS NOTOVITCH)
Excellent short work by NICOLAS NOTOVITCH accidentally discovered the history recorded in Buddhist scriptures about Issa (or Jesus)'s life, his preaching of God in Asia, and studied Buddhism in Tibet Buddhist temples, his persecution and his death.

Douglas and Max Müller's View
Archibald Douglas and Max Müller recognized Notovich's work as fraudulent, although it was not immediately clear (to Müller, at least) what the source of the fraud was. Perhaps the best thing is to read excerpts from the original, absolutely scathing account, from the Nineteenth Century academic journal itself (long out of copyright):

(from The Nineteenth Century, 39 (January-June 1896) pp. 667-677
THE CHIEF LAMA OF HIMIS ON THE ALLEGED 'UNKNOWN LIFE OF CHRIST')

"I was resident in Madras during the whole of last year, and did not expect to have an opportunity of investigating the facts respecting the Unknown Life of Christ at so early a date. Removing to the North-West Provinces in the early part of the present year, I |668 found that it would be practicable during the three months of the University vacation to travel through Kashmir to Ladakh, following the route taken by M. Notovitch, and to spend sufficient time at the monastery at Himis to learn the truth on this important question. I may here mention, en passant, that I did not find it necessary to break even a little finger, much less a leg, in order to gain admittance to Himis Monastery, where I am now staying for a few days, enjoying the kind hospitality of the Chief Lama (or Abbot), the same gentleman who, according to M. Notovitch, nursed him so kindly under the painful circumstances connected with his memorable visit.

Coming to Himis with an entirely open mind on the question, and in no way biassed by the formation of a previous judgment, I was fully prepared to find that M. Notovitch's narrative was correct, and to congratulate him on his marvellous discovery. One matter of detail, entirely unconnected with the genuineness of the Russian traveller's literary discovery, shook my faith slightly in the general veracity of the discoverer....

...I will now call attention to several leading statements in M. Notovitch's book, all of which will be found to be definitely contradicted in the document signed by the Chief Superior of Himis Monastery, and sealed with his official seal. This statement I have sent to Professor Max Müller for inspection, together with the subjoined declaration of Mr. Joldan, an educated Tibetan gentleman, to whose able assistance I am deeply indebted.

A more patient and painstaking interpreter could not be found, nor one better fitted for the task.

The extracts from M. Notovitch's book were slowly translated to the Lama, and were thoroughly understood by him. The questions and answers were fully discussed at two lengthy interviews before being prepared as a document for signature, and when so prepared were carefully translated again to the Lama by Mr. Joldan, and discussed by him with that gentleman, and with a venerable monk who appeared to act as the Lama's private secretary.

I may here say that I have the fullest confidence in the veracity and honesty of this old and respected Chief Lama, who appears to be held in the highest esteem, not only among Buddhists, but by all Europeans who have made his acquaintance. As he says, he has nothing whatever to gain by the concealment of facts, or by any departure from the truth.

His indignation at the manner in which he has been travestied by the ingenious author was of far too genuine a character to be feigned, and I was much interested when, in our final interview, he asked me if in Europe there existed no means of punishing a person |670 who told such untruths. I could only reply that literary honesty is taken for granted to such an extent in Europe, that literary forgery of the nature committed by M. Notovitch could not, I believed, be punished by our criminal law.

With reference to M. Notovitch's declaration that he is going to Himis to verify the statements made in his book, I would take the liberty of earnestly advising him, if he does so, to disguise himself at least as effectually as on the occasion of his former visit. M. Notovitch will not find himself popular at Himis, and might not gain admittance, even on the pretext of having another broken leg.

The following extracts have been carefully selected from the Unknown Life of Christ, and are such that on their truth or falsehood may be said to depend the value of M. Notovitch's story.

After describing at length the details of a dramatic performance, said to have been witnessed in the courtyard of Himis Monastery, M. Notovitch writes:

A fter having crossed the courtyard and ascended a staircase lined with prayer-wheels, we passed through two rooms encumbered with idols, and came out upon the terrace, where I seated myself on a bench opposite the venerable Lama, whose eyes flashed with intelligence (p. 110).

(This extract is important as bearing on the question of identification; see Answers 1 and 2 of the Lama's statement: and it may here be remarked that the author's account of the approach to the Chief Lama's reception room and balcony is accurate.) Then follows a long résumé of a conversation on religious matters, in the course of which the Abbot is said to have made the following observations amongst others:

We have a striking example of this (Nature-worship) in the ancient Egyptians, who worshipped animals, trees, and stones, the winds and the rain (p. 114).

The Assyrians, in seeking the way which should lead them to the feet of the Creator, turned their eyes to the stars (p. 115).

Perhaps the people of Israel have demonstrated in a more flagrant manner than any other, man's love for the concrete (p. 115).

The name of Issa is held in great respect by the Buddhists, but little is known about him save by the Chief Lamas who have read the scrolls relating to his life (p. 120).

The documents brought from India to Nepal, and from Nepal to Tibet, concerning Issa's existence, are written in the Pâli language, and are now in Lassa; but a copy in our language----that is, the Tibetan----exists in this convent (p. 123).

Two days later I sent by a messenger to the Chief Lama a present comprising an alarum, a watch, and a thermometer (p. 125).

We will now pass on to the description given by the author of his re-entry into the monastery with a broken leg:

I was carried with great care to the best of their chambers, and placed on a bed of soft materials, near to which stood a prayer-wheel. All this took place under the immediate surveillance of the Superior, who affectionately pressed the hand I offered him in gratitude for his kindness (p. 127).

While a youth of the convent kept in motion the prayer-wheel near my bed, |671 the venerable Superior entertained me with endless stories, constantly taking my alarum and watch from their cases, and putting me questions as to their uses, and the way they should be worked. At last, acceding to my earnest entreaties, he ended by bringing me two large bound volumes, with leaves yellowed by time, and from them he read to me, in the Tibetan language, the biography of Issa, which I carefully noted in my carnet de voyage, as my interpreter translated what he said (p. 128).

This last extract is in a sense the most important of all, as will be seen when it is compared with Answers 3, 4, and 5 in the statement of the Chief Superior of Himis Monastery. That statement I now append. The original is in the hands of Professor Max Müller, as I have said, as also is the appended declaration of Mr. Joldan, of Leh.

The statement of the Lama, if true----and there is every reason to believe it to be so----disposes once and for ever of M. Notovitch's claim to have discovered a Life of Issa among the Buddhists of Ladakh. My questions to the Lama were framed briefly, and with as much simplicity as possible, so that there might be no room for any mistake or doubt respecting the meaning of these questions.

My interpreter. Mr. Joldan, tells me that he was most careful to translate the Lama's answers verbally and literally, to avoid all possible misapprehension. The statement is as follows:

Question 1. You are the Chief Lama (or Abbot) of Himis Monastery?

Answer 1. Yes.

Question 2. For how long have you acted continuously in that capacity?

Answer 2. For fifteen years.

Question 3. Have you or any of the Buddhist monks in this monastery ever seen here a European with an injured leg?

Answer 3. No, not during the last fifteen years. If any sahib suffering from serious injury had stayed in this monastery it would have been my duty to report the matter to the Wazir of Leh. I have never had occasion to do so.

Question 4. Have you or any of your monks ever shown any Life of Issa to any sahib, and allowed him to copy and translate the same?

Answer 4. There is no such book in the monastery, and during my term of office no sahib has been allowed to copy or translate any of the manuscripts in the monastery.

Question 5. Are you aware of the existence of any book in any of the Buddhist monasteries of Tibet bearing on the life of Issa?

Answer 5. I have been for forty-two years a Lama, and am well acquainted with all the well-known Buddhist books and manuscripts, and I have never heard of one which mentions the name of Issa, and it is my firm and honest belief that none such exists. I have inquired of our principal Lamas in other monasteries of Tibet, and they are not acquainted with any books or manuscripts which mention the name of Issa.

Question 6. M. Nicolas Notovitch, a Russian gentleman who visited |672 your monastery between seven and eight years ago, states that you discussed with him the religions of the ancient Egyptians, Assyrians, and the people of Israel.

Answer 6. I know nothing whatever about the Egyptians, Assyrians, and the people of Israel, and do not know anything of their religions whatsoever. I have never mentioned these peoples to any sahib.

[I was reading M. Notovitch's book to the Lama at the time, and he burst out with, 'Sun, sun, sun, manna mi dug!' which is Tibetan for, 'Lies, lies, lies, nothing but lies!' I have read this to him as part of the statement which he is to sign----as his deliberate opinion of M. Notovitch's book. He appears perfectly satisfied on the matter. J. A. D.]...

Regarded, then, in the light of a work of the imagination, M. Notovitch's book fails to please, because it does not present that most fascinating feature of fiction, a close semblance of probability.

And yet, if I am rightly informed, the French version has gone through eleven editions; so M. Notovitch's effort of imagination has found, doubtless, a substantial reward. In face of the evidence adduced, we must reject the theory generously put forward by Professor Max Müller, that M. Notovitch was the victim of a cunning 'hoax ' on the part of the Buddhist monks of Himis.

...I do not believe that the venerable monk who presides over Himis Monastery would have consented to the practice of such a deception, and I do not think that any of the monks are capable of carrying out such a deception successfully. The departures from truth, on other points, which can be proved against M. Notovitch render such a solution highly improbable....

...I have visited Himis, and have endeavoured by patient and impartial inquiry to find out the truth respecting M. Notovitch's remarkable story, with the result that, while I have not found one single fact to support his statements, all the weight of evidence goes to disprove them beyond all shadow of doubt. It is certain that no such passages as M. Notovitch pretends to have translated exist in the monastery of Himis, and therefore it is impossible that he could have 'faithfully reproduced' the same.

The following "postscript" was amended to the article by Max Müller himself:

"...After having read, however, the foregoing article by Professor Douglas, I feel bound most humbly to apologise to the excellent Lamas of that monastery for having thought them capable of such frivolity. After the conrplete refutation, or, I should rather say, annihilation, of M. Notovitch by Professor A. Douglas, there does not seem to be any further necessity----nay, any excuse----for trying to spare the feelings of that venturesome Russian traveller. He was not hoaxed, but he tried to hoax us. Mr. Douglas has sent me the original papers, containing the depositions of the Chief Priest of the Monastery of Him is and of his interpreter, and I gladly testify that they entirely agree with the extracts given in the article, and are-signed and sealed by the Chief Lama and by Mr. Joldan, formerly Postmaster of Ladakh, who acted as interpreter between the priests and Professor A. Douglas. The papers are dated Himis Monastery, Little Tibet, June 3, 1894.

I ought perhaps to add that I cannot claim any particular merit in having proved the Vie inconnue de Jésus-Christ----that is, the Life of Christ taken from MSS. in the monasteries of Tibet----to be a mere fiction. I doubt whether any Sanskrit or Pâli scholar, in fact any serious student of Buddhism, was taken in by M. Notovitch. One might as well look for the waters of Jordan in the Brahmaputra as. for a Life of Christ in Tibet.

F. Max Müller.

November 15, 1895."

From a Buddhist perspective
In this book, Nicolas Notovitch includes discussions he held with Tibetan Buddhist lamas.The discussions make the Tibetan lamas appear to be monotheistic, which Tibetan Buddhism is not.The book also makes it appear that Isa (Jesus) is an important saint for Tibetan Buddhists, but I have never heard or read about Isa from any Tibetan Buddhist source.The quotes of Jesus in the book don't resemble his Biblical quotes, nor his quotes from the Nag Hammadi.I don't believe Notovitch's story is true.

If you want to learn more about Jesus in the East, a book I would recommend instead of this one is "Christ in Kashmir", by Aziz Kashmiri.It is broader in scope (e.g., it also deals with Moses and the possible Jewish origins of Kashmiris) and has actual facts to back it up.

The New Testament challenged by Indian Scrolls
Much has been made of Dead Sea Scrolls uncovered in Qumran during the late 40s to mid 50's. Little has been noted however about scrolls located within Buddhist monasteries and convents in Kashmir, Tibet and India.

There is much that will cause the reader to be challenged as they read through this short book. Brevity in the number of pages in this manuscript diminishs the amount of time that the reader might find themselves questioning longstanding beliefs.

The author, Nicolas Notovich was on an expedition in 1887 when first mention was made of Issa (Jesus) having been in India during his teenage and young adulthood years. Intrigued, the author relentlessly attempted to track down the documents that would support these claims. Gaining the trust of monks not accustomed to westerners was an amazing feat. Subsequently,Nicolas broke his leg during that trip and found himself being cared for by Buddhist monks in the very convent that possessed a manuscript that challenges many of the basic facts contained within the canonical gospels. The author took extensive notes and eventually came back to the west to publish the manuscript.

What is in it? Some startling facts. You may feel like history is being re-written. It may have been; by the early church several hundred years later. This document is purported to be written much earlier.

I found myself having many "aha" moments as I read this fascinating book. The travel narrative in the beginning was a bit boring for me. But as Nicolas laid down some historical contexts in which to undertstand this document and detailed the religious practices of the Buddhists in which he came into contact with, I was unable to put this down.

I had always questioned the so-called missing years of Jesus' life. Now, the reader is provided with explanations. A couple of other facts in this document which are contradictory to what I was taught as a child, had me wondering why I hadn't questioned these things before.

I won't comment on the historical accuracy of these supposed scrolls. Nor will I do so on the basis of scriptural accuracy. I am neither historian nor biblical scholar.

But does the material within resonate with me? Yes.
Does it make for an interesting read? Yes.

That's enough for me.
Enjoy.
... Read more

Book Description
The Autobiography of an Unknown Indian is an astonishing work of self-discovery and the revelation of a peerless and provocative sensibility. Describing his childhood in the Bengali countryside and his youth in Calcutta—and telling the story of modern India from his own fiercely independent viewpoint—Chaudhuri fashions a book of deep conviction, charm, and intimacy that is also a masterpiece of the writer's art. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Three In One
I took Chaudhuri's autobiography along on both legs of a cross-country plane trip.Good choice: this tale of old Bengal is sufficiently remote from the cares and demands of my ordinary life, I would have been a long time getting to it at home. But the constraints of coach class are just the place to come to terms with its prickly, difficult and high-principled author.At 535 pages, the book is not short, but I don't think I would want it shorter. Chaudhuri has a big subject -- not just himself, but the whole of a culture -- and you need this breadth to capture it.Besides, it is not really one book; it is at least three.It is a bildungsroman: the story of a boy's maturation in a dark time.It's a magic-lantern guided tour through the Bengal of his youth, now irretrievably lost in the mists of history.Finally it is a shrewd and challenging--and highly personal--account of life under British rule.As they say on SNL, it's a candy mint /and/ a breath mint, a floor wax and a dessert topping.

More specifically--Chaudhuri is full of (pardonable?) rage against the gobsmacking cheek of the old-fashioned British occupiers, their pretense and their presumption.But he is the product of a British education, the child of Mill and Burke, and at the end of the day, he wouldn't have it any other way.Such a dual perspective makes him at best a a reluctant and critical onlooker in the great subcontinental uprising.It positions him as a critic of even that most untouchable of 20th Century icons, Mahatma Gandhi.Indeed, far from wishing for less of a book from Chaudhuri, still when it comes to politics, I can only wish there were more (I haven't read "They Hand, Great Anarch!", his other big book, which I gather is a kind of a pendant to this one).Still, it's a gift as it is."India has merged," he says near the end of this great work "in the stream of European expansion, and forms part of those portions of the world which constitute a greater Europe, which, as I see it, will ultimately come to mean the whole world."Maybe.At least from the standpoint of 1951 when he first published, it seems prescient.And it is wonderful to have him along as a guide.

Weighty, worthy, and entertaining (but a bit of a bore)
Nirad Chaudhuri was often unfairly dismissed in his lifetime as a 20th-century equivalent to the notorious mimic men evoked in Macaulay's infamous "Minute on Indian Education": he adopts the attitudes of the British ruling class during the Raj so thoroughly he might at a casual glance be dismissed as such. But Chaudhuri's fierce and iconoclastic intelligence makes him far much more: a singular and independent thinker, and in truth a true original. This book, his masterpiece, is a brilliant semi-autobiographical study of the political situation of the first half of the Indian twentieth century. It works best in the lovely and lyrical opening hundred pages, which give a very evocative sense of his Bengali childhood. Unfortunately later, when Chaudhuri surrenders reminiscence for political analysis, he becomes more tedious than illuminating (you get the suspicion that, were you to visit him as Ian Jack , who provided the book's fine introduction, you would have been compelled despite yourself to check your watch discreetly during one of Chaudhuri's lengthy and self-satisfied tirades).

Interesting perspective from an era gone by.....
This book will give you a perspective that was quite common amongst the "educated Indians" during the waning days of the Raj.The writing is somewhat turgid though quite colorful in parts.I read this book in small doses just to savor and reflect upon an era long gone.The descriptions of family life and personalities are delightful and vivid.

This however, is not a easy read.If you expect a fast-paced juicy narrative then you will be disappointed.If you enjoy a meaty jaunt through late 19th and early 20th century India then by all means get it.A word of caution.When reading the author's opinions please realize the times from whence they spring.

NCC's Masterpiece
This is a must book for all those who've seen Rural Bengal/Bangladesh in its true form with its summers, rainy season and winters with the human face. Description is vivid and also the dreams about Foreign Land (Bilet).NCC with one of his best novels however, with his usual opinionated andoften judgemental perception which is so typically Nirad-babu. The maestroputs his experience of yesteryears with the accuracy of present day.Insights and the minute details is what makes him one of the greatestprolific writers of all time. One needs to look at the world of Nirad-babuto fully appreciate his work without marring your thoughts without yourprejudices. If anyone, wants to get lost in the laid-back life of Bengal,this is where your questshould end. I wish he could have more writings inEnglish so that more people could appreciate the master. ... Read more

Book Description
The Unknown Bobby Fischer is really four books in one. First of all, it is a detailed look at Fischer's formative years when the young genius went from struggling Class B player to U.S. Champion in the space of two-and-half years. Published accounts of the time, reminiscences and rare photos serve to shed light on a part of Bobby's career that is rarely examined.

But Fischer is not the only subject. The 1950's were a golden time for American chess. The Byrne brothers, William Lombardy, Raymond Weinstein, Edmar Mednis, Arthur Bisquier, Larry Evans. . . the list of strong players coming up with Bobby goes on and on. The Unknown Bobby Fischer examines some of these players and lesser-known stars of the day including Charles Kalme, Larry Remlinger, Anthony Saidy and Abe Turner along with outrageous organizers like the legendary E. Forry Laucks of the Log Cabin Chess Club.

John Donaldson's earlier book, A Legend on the Road (ICE 1994), looked at Bobby's 1964 Transcontinental Exhibition tour in great depth. That 124-page book prompted a flood of letters from readers.Now International Master Donaldson and co-author IM Eric Tangborn offer the reader more than 40 pages of new material on the 1964 tour, including seventeen recently rediscovered games from Bobby's exhibition in Wichita.

All told, The Unknown Bobby Fischer offers the reader 87 games, many heavily annotated. Thirty-seven of the games have never been published or have appeared only in periodicals or tournament bulletins!

The book concludes with rare interviews and an in-depth look at the large body of literature on Bobby. The authors list their top ten favorite books on Fischer in English and offer the reader an extensive bibliography for further research. Useful player and opening indexes round out this book designed for both die-hard Fischer fans and those interested in an overview of a rich period of American chess history. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Bobby Fischer and other players/stories
This book isn`t only about Fischer. It contains many stories about Fischer and other players. It contains many games of Fischer, but also games between other players. It contains pictures of Fischer and other players too. What i especially loved about this book was the stories, about Fischer and other players. It contains many games from Fischer`s 64 simul tour of the US, and quite a few stories from these simuls. It contains articles and other things. " A Bookstore in Argentina " was quite intriguing, but as was other stories and stuff. It also contains letters from Fischer to Larry Evans in the 70s. It is all in all a great book about chess. It isn`t a teaching book, but many stories about players in the 50s,60s and 70s. Combined with interwievs, pictures and other stuff. Many games are included, and in a sense i do believe we can all learn something from these games...you know what i mean when i say it isn`t a teaching book. This book is a true treasure, and while i admit i regret buying mnay of the books i own this one is great.
It`s ashame it`s currently out of print, especially since it is a newer book ( 1999 ). If new copies arrive, or you see it in a used book-store grab it and never let go!! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

150 Years of Geological Mysteries Examined
This book contains a (US-biased) selection of Geological research papers dating back to the early 19th Century, specifically highlighting areas of Geology which are still controversial or mysterious. Compiler WilliamCorliss occasionally adds a remark to guide the reader through thechapters, which are entitled: Stratigraphic Anomalies, TopographicalFeatures, Unusual Rocks, Biological Anomalies in Geology, TerrestrialMagnetism, Geochemistry and Nuclear Geology, and Geological Myths andLegends. The early stages of this 800 page book are quite hard going anddemand a detailed knowledge of Geology to understand fully. Later sectionsare much more readable and contain papers discussing Continental Drift, IceAges and anomalies in dating. There is something here for both mainstreamscientists and those interested in the possibility that science may begoing the wrong way in certain areas of Geological discipline. The book hasits amusing moments as creationist research papers are included, their solegoal being to find evidence of the Great Flood and a young age for theEarth. Some of the mainstream interpretations are fascinating also - moundsscattered across America are generally thought to be caused by an extinctspecies of prehistoric giant gopher! Even if you struggle to follow theGeological papers presented, trawling through this book should give a newinsight into the Earth Sciences. The only fault of the book is that it's 20years out of date. An updated version is much needed. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Kirby's Last Stories of the Challengers of the Unkown
DC split Kirby's run on the Challengers of the Unknown between two slimmer than average (hence the smaller price) DC Archives.

The Challengers of the Unkown were a group of adventurers who on the way to a tv show about them are involved in a horrible plane crash. They all survive and dedicate themselves to challenging the unkown, in the belief that they are now living on barrowed time.

EC and Marvel legend Wally Wood and oddly enough Kirby's wife Roz Kirby ink the tales in this volume to great effect. Wood refines and adds polish to Kirby's dynamic pencils.

The stories are on par with what was being done in DC's Mystery and Science Fiction titles of the time with more of an adventure twist.

Of note is the story "Menace of the Invincible Challenger" from Challengers of the Unkown #3. In the story one of the Challengers, Rocky, gains super powers from a space flight ala the Fantastic Four, but three years earlier.

Kirby eventually had to leave DC due to a problem over a comic strip he was producing, going over to Atlas, which would shortly become Marvel (and the rest is history).

Bear in mind that the Challengers of the Unkown primed both the pump for DC's and Marvel's silver age.

A good volume of seldom or never reprinted silver age stories. ... Read more

Book Description
A major new book by the preeminent British philosopher Sir Anthony Kenny about the frontiers between philosophy and theology.

Kenny writes: "By profession I am a philosopher: and in the present century philosophers in this country have been keen to emphasise not only the difficulty of stating God`s will on particular issues but the difficulty for human beings of saying anything intelligible at all about the nature of God. It is probably true to say that the majority of philosophers in this country in the last fifty years have been atheists of one kind or another."

In his masterly introduction, Kenny explains the autobiographical background to this important new book. For some years, Kenny was a Roman Catholic priest. he lost his faith and resigned from the priesthood. But, as this book demonstrates, he has never been able to let go of God and he continues to struggle with the intellectual problems of theism and the possibility of believing in God, especially in an intellectual climate dominated by Logical Positivism.

In this book Kenny revisits the Five Ways of Aquinas and argues that they are not so much proofs as definitions of God. He is alsoin constant dialogue with Wittgenstein for,Kenny writes, no man in recent years has surpassed him in devotion of sharp intelligence to the demarcation of the boundary between sense and nonsense. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Excellent
Story is fascinating. At the beginning of the book, I too had my doubts about the hero Hugh and whether he was just as he seemed, very un heroic! The beauty of this book is that I found myself discovering and wanting to know more about each of the characters as the plot wore on. It has many twists and turns which are completely unexpected. You will not want to put this down. There is never a dull moment. Georgette Heyer was a brilliant writer of this genre.

an absolute gem
Easily one of Georgette Heyer's more entertaining novels, "The Unknown Ajax" is definitely a book that can be read and reread several times over -- esp if you need a pick-me-up after a trying day at work.

When Lord Darracott's eldest son dies in a sailing expedition, the old despot realises that he will have to send for the much despised grandson, Hugo. Hugo's father (the second son) had thumbed his nose on convention and had married the daughter of a weaver against his father's wishes. For this piece of impertinence, Lord Darracott, had barred son and family from Darracott Place and had forbade anyone to make any mention of either son or grandson in his hearing. But now, with the death of the heir, Hugo Darracott, much despised grandson of a weaver and son of an ungrateful child will become the next lord of all the Darracott lands, and the very thought of someone with so much unworthy blood in his veins stepping into his shoes is making Lord Darracott feel bilious. And to that end, he has summoned his entire family in order to give Hugo the polish he needs in order make him worthy of his inheritance and name; commanding his grandson Vincent to take him in hand, and proposing that his granddaughter, Anthea, marry Hugo so that she can help manage him, and "keep him in the family." Both Vincent and Anthea are outraged by his lordship's proposals; but while Vincent has little choice but to comply (he has a very expensive lifestyle and needs his grandfather's handouts), Anthea has every intention of sending Hugo away with a flea in his ear. What none of the 'noble' members of the Darracott family counted on, however, was the man himself, Major Hugo Darracott of the 95th. Realising at once that his father's family seems to think of his an unpolished and uncivilsed dolt who can be easily intimidated, Hugo decides to play the part to the hilt, rather enjoying the effect that his playacting is having on his new family, and on his prickly cousin, Anthea, in particular...

"The Unknown Ajax" definitely deserves to be considered as one of Georgette Heyer's gems: a masterpiece of wit, sarcasm and humour. From the very beginning the reader is let in on the big joke: that Hugo is actually a very intelligent and capable young man -- not the loob his grandfather and cousins assume he is. Reading of how he plays on their prejudices and sneaks in a jab or two at their expense makes for humorous and satisfying reading; and reading of how Hugo handles his prickly cousin Anthea, courting her with such wit and finesse (that even she little realises that he's actually trying to fix her interest until it's too late) was wonderful and romantic. In Hugo Darracott, Heyer has created a hero who is kind and considerate, with an impish sense of humour but who is no pushover (as his grandfather and male cousins will soon discover). Evenly paced, and well written, this clever and entertaining romance novel will keep most readers happily enthralled until the last page with all its happily ever-after endings. An excellent read.

The Unknown Ajax
I have been a Heyer fan for the past 30 years.The Unknown Ajax remains one of my favorites of her books.

It has the (dubious) honor of being the first book that kept me up until 2-3 a.m. in the morning when I was 14.(I was helped by the fact that my bedroom was far away from the rest of the house.;-))

The next day my ribs hurt from laughing at the hilarious ending.

As has been better said by others, Hugo Darracott comes to meet his unknown family in the very bleak moors.The surprise heir to the family house & lands, he is met by a great deal of suspicion and disdain by most of the family, and promptly plays an uneducated dolt.

The eventual romance is quite satisfactory, particularly because the young woman, Anthea, is both intelligent and self-possessed, as are many of Heyer's heroines.

I'm delighted to see it back in print.I wore my last elderly copy to shreds.

Vastly Amusing
This may be the Heyer book with the most amusing scenes--and yet, it also has some of the most serious subplots of any of her Regencies (smuggling, and familial relationships gone awry). The conversations between the hero and his various sniping and sacrastic relatives are comic gems that I have read over and over. As in many of my favorite Heyer's, the romantic element is subordinant to the bigger picture, but it is satisfying nonetheless (and has its own delightful comic moments!).

Wonderful
This must be one of Heyer's best."The Unknown Ajax" is entertaining, humorous, and moving.The character of Hugo is one of her best drawn heros.Although he puts on the act of a dolt, his intelligence comes through to the reader.He slowly gains the respect he derserves, but through ways that surprise us and carries the story forward.Through his easy-going ways he proves to his snobbish family that he is more a "Darracott of Darracott Place" than they are.This is a book you will want to read again and again.

Leslie Rosen Davis
Author of Dangerous Affairs ... Read more

Amazon.com
Englishman Tim Mackintosh-Smith was studying Arabic at Oxford when he visited Yemen, a forgotten country at the heel of the Arabian peninsula, and became obsessed with the place and its language. He's lived there since 1982, and this book--marketed as travel writing but more a blend of personal memoir and national history--is the result. There are certainly travel episodes, such as a trip to the remote island of Susqatra where the Gulf of Aden meets the Indian Ocean. Yet Yemen is more the product of a man gone native than a visitor with an itinerary. Indeed, Mackintosh-Smith offers a forthright defense of the country's lotus-like drug culture, which centers on qat, a leaf that produces a narcotic effect when chewed. "We qat chewers, if we are to believe everything that is said about us, are at best profligates, at worst irretrievable sinners," he writes. Although international health officials have warned against the drug, Mackintosh-Smith assures us this is all "quasi-scientific poppycock." The leaf, he says, helps its users to "think, work, and study." Yemen is surely an exotic land, and one of its charms--fully revealed in Mackintosh-Smith's digressive prose--is the way it has remained quaintly Arabic and seemingly immune to the modern forces transforming its neighbors. Well-received upon its initial publication in the United Kingdom, Yemen may come to be recognized as a small classic. --John J. Miller Book Description
Yemen is arguably the most fascinating and least known country in the Arab world. Classical geography described it as a fabulous land where flying serpents guarded incense groves. Medieval Arab visitors told of disappearing islands and menstruating mountains. Our current ideas of this country at the southern tip of the Arabian Peninsula have been overrun by images of the desert, by oil, by the Gulf War-but there is another Arabia. Writing with an intimacy and a depth of knowledge gained through thirteen years among the Yemenis, Mackintosh-Smith is a traveling companion of the best sort-erudite, witty, and eccentric. Crossing mountain, desert, ocean, and three millennia of history, he reveals a land that, in the words of a contemporary poet, has become the dictionary of its people. In Yemen: The Unknown Arabia we witness the extraordinary in the ordinary. Yemen is a part of Arabia, but it is like no place on earth, and Yemen is a book in which every page is filled-like the land it describes-with the marvelous. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

eh
I suppose I expected a bit more with this book, I mean, it was okay...the author provided a concise conveyance of the history and culture, but I have a hard time believing that the Yemenis are steeped in such ridiculous superstition (mostly because I'm of Yemenite descent myself.)I further was deeply annoyed by his generalist comments not only concerning the Yemeni people, but particularly the Hadramis; for me it bordered on rascist.I also which he spoke more about the people and customs of Socotra, and what the indigenous Socotri language sounded like as opposed to Arabic.But obviously the author loves his adopted homeland or he would've left it a long time ago.

Entertaining travelogue about Yemen
This is a travelogue of a Brit's visit to and exploration of Yemen.The author paints a beautiful and romantic picture of Yemen with text that is both easy and enjoyable to read.I knew virtually nothing about Yemen before reading this book, and I purchased it from Amazon on a whim.I was not disappointed.Although there is some discussion of history and politics in this book, the author's primary emphasis is describing the scenery, the people, and the culture that he has experienced on his travels.If the author's goal was to convey a bit of the complexity of Yemeni culture, some of the natural beauty of the Yemeni landscape to a Western audience, and a part of the rich history of Yemen, he has succeeded.I found the author's description of a sailing trip to Suqutra, an island off the coast of Yemen, to be particularly evocative.The `ritual' of qat was also surprising and interesting.I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to learn about Yemen from a Westerner's viewpoint, particularly if one looking for an entertaining, not scholarly, account.Some of the less enthusiastic reviews of this book state that the account is too idealistic.This is probably a fair criticism, but I do not view this as a drawback in this type of book.

decent book at best
Apparently a reprinted version of Travels in Dictionary Land (if it was different i didn't notice) it gives a good historical and social look at Yemen but mostly in an overly exotic manner. The book and its many anecdotes, however, are very useful as a basis for further research.The chapter on traveling to Socotra is fascinating as well.At times, the reading seemed difficult to an American who is not accustomed to British humor or idioms, but rarely is the meaning lost.While this book is good for light reading or to get an idea of some of the historical, geographical and social aspects of Yemen, the idealistic vision of traditionalism grows tiring.If you're looking for serious commentary on what it is like to live and work as a foreigner in modern day Yemen, look elsewhere.

excellent travel book on a truly unknown part of Arabia
Often times reviled throughout history as a backwater, often backward, author Tim Mackintosh-Smith does a wonderful job in showing Yemen as an intriguing land, an unknown section of Arabia, bringing to the reader some of the history, culture, people, and geography of this much neglected corner of the Middle East.

Mackintosh-Smith provides an excellent primer of Yemni history. Yemen we find out once hosted powerful pre-Islamic civilizations, South Arabian states like Saba, Ma'in (whose massive and expertly produced stone works later overawed the Romans), Qaban, and Hadramawt, wealthy merchant kingdoms that grew rich on their tight control of aromatic gums - particularly frankincense and myrrh as well as cinnamon brought from India - in great demand among the Pharaonic Egyptians for medicine and for the process of mummification, by the Assyrians, by the Greeks, the Romans, the ancient kingdoms growing rich on spices rather than oil. Many of the lands were cultivated thanks to the Marib Dam - a massive structure that finally collapsed in the sixth century, that according to legend was destroyed by a rat with iron teeth - or to very impressive irrigation works, via stone tunnels cut into the living rocks of the mountains, some tunnels 150 yards long and big enough to drive a car through and still used to supply water to highland villages over 2000 years after they were built.With the collapse of this civilization - linked by many to the collapse of the Marib Dam - there was a Yemeni diaspora of sorts, as many Yemenis were in the vanguard of the early conquering armies of Islam, spreading throughout the Arab world as far as East Africa, Ethiopia, Iraq, Syria, Tunisia, and even Spain. Later on the Rasulid sultans ruled southern Yemen between the 13th and 15th centuries, making their capital of Ta'izz a wealthy and cosmopolitan capital, its rulers patrons of many of the sciences, producing astrolabes and magnetic compasses while the rest of the Islamic world was in ruins thanks to the Mongols.Modern Yemeni history is also well covered though I found it at times confusing.

The author visited many areas of Yemen. He hiked down canyons and dry wadi (seasonally dry river beds), warned by the locals of the tahish, a cow-sized, hyena like Yemeni bogeyman, though more likely in danger of the sayl, a roaring chest-high wall of water that can suddenly fill canyons thanks to distant highland rains. He viewed many mountain villages and homes perched precariously over such wadi, its citizens living on centuries-old terraces carved into the mountain, designed to catch and slow the descent of every bit of precious water that rains upon the mountains.He sampled a great variety of Yemeni foods, such as saltah (stew based on vegetables and broth topped by hulbah,fenugreek flour whisked to a froth with water), rawbah (soured milk from which the fat has been removed to make butter, popular on the island of Suqutra), qishr (a drink made from the husks of coffee beans, the bean of which have long been a major Yemeni export), and baghiyyah honey, said to the finest in the world and produced only in Yemen by bees pasturing only on ilb trees. He encountered a few of the Jews of Yemen, only a few thousand of which are left, identified by their corkscrew curl side locks. He viewed a bara', an Islamic tribal festival still practiced in the mountains, looking like a dance but more akin to a medieval tournament, a place to display skill with weapons and with heavy connotations of honor and tribal solidarity. He wrote of the qabili - the mountain tribesmen - who are regarded by city dwellers as yokels but also regarded with pride as part of their ancestry, regarding them as honorable people, ones practicing great hospitality to strangers, with many symbolically becoming a tribesmen by adoption of the asib, the tribesman's upright dagger. He visited those who were sayyid, male descendents of the Prophet, often whom devote their lives to Qur'anic knowledge, forming a class that has long had a critical role in Yemeni politics and religion. He visited Aden, one of the greatest ports in the world, its "craggy profile" formed by volcanic activity, a weird city thanks to local topography, not "one city but a series of settlements separated by outriders of the central peak, Jabal Shamsan," many of those settlements quite distinct in character, a city once contested by the Ottomans, the French, and held by the British for the better part of two centuries. He visited two sub-cultures within Yemen that don't always Arabic; the Mahris, located east of Hud along al-Masilah, racially distinct and following the very un-Arabic matrilineal descent system, and the native peoples of Suqutra, who until relatively recently many did not speak Arabic at all but rather Suqutri. Indeed the Island of Suqutra, once called the Island of Dragon's Blood thanks to one of its most famous exports, a blood red resin from the dragon's blood tree (_Dracaena cinnabari_, actually a member of the Lily family), is the subject of the last chapter, an island 260 miles from the Yemeni mainland, closer to Somalia than to Yemen, a country that once practiced very un-Islamic adult public circumcisions and witch trails into the late 1960s.

Well covered is one of the most famous and unique aspects of Yemeni culture, the chewing of qat. A dicotyledon known to science as _Catha edulis_, it is chewed by groups of men socially, the qat chews often important arenas for the transaction of business, discussions of politics and religion, to accompany weddings and funerals, or simply to unwind with friends. Qat is recognized to have a huge variety of sub-types by many Yemeni connoisseurs, with many esoteric rules; qat from a tree over a grave is to be avoided, and qat from lower branches (qatal) is the least prized of qat.

I really enjoyed this book, which boasted some interesting sketch book type illustrations, a glossary, and a good bibliography.

Gemillee- Beautiful al Yemeen
I enjoyed this work. The author spends time focusing on most areas of Yemen- the Hawdramat, Sana'a, Aden, the mountains, and Suqutra. It would have been nice to have more detail on the coastal areas and the writing at times isn't excellent, but it is a very serviceable text. MacKintosh-Smith writes from the perspective of someone who really got inside the culture- as much as a traveler can get. He retains an etic perspective, and does not live, grow, and die with the Yemeni. But this is one of the few travelogues where one can find information on qat, and even the author using it on a regular basis (though it remains classified as a drug at the same level as cocaine by the U.S. government).

It is also one of the few places where you can find a modern description of travels in Suqutra, which is worth getting the book by itself. The chapter on Suqutra describes a land isolated biologically for millions of years, displaying evidence of gigantisism as you find in Hawaii, where few predators have controlled the growth of fauna and especially flora. There are cucumber trees there, and others that look like upside-down umbrellas. Much of the flora and fauna are unique to the island. Further, severe storms six months of the year prevent access to the island. So, while over the years there have been invasions on the coast of the island by different parties, it has largely grown up unscathed into modern times. The language diverged from South Arabian in about 750 BC, and the people seem to be a mixture of Arabic, Greek, Portuguese, and Indian- but no one knows for sure. While they do now have cars (301 of them), the cigarette lighter is still an unknown machine. And since the government severely limits non-Yemeni visitors to the island, this is a rare and exciting bit of a story of what the people are like. I only wish there was more about the island. ... Read more

Book Description
Sanora Babb's long-hidden novel Whose Names Are Unknown tells of the High Plains farmers who fled drought and dust storms during the Great Depression. Written with empathy for the farmers' plight, this powerful narrative is based upon the author's firsthand experience.

Babb submitted the manuscript for this book to Random House for consideration in 1939. Editor Bennett Cerf planned to publish this "exceptionally fine" novel but when John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath swept the nation, Cerf explained that the market could not support two books on the subject. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Babb joins Steinbeck in her passionate, empathetic portrait of displaced Dust Bowl victims
As we learn in the Lawrence Rodgers' concise and articulate foreword to "Whose Names Are Unknown," author Sanora Babb had the uniquely unfortunate circumstance of completing her masterwork at the time of the publication of John Steinbeck's "Grapes of Wrath."Her once enthusiastic editor, Bennett Cerf, noting the similarities between the two books, shelved the printing of Babb's novel, hypothesizing that the American public could not tolerate two novels treating similar, if not identical, characters, conflicts and themes.For nearly seventy years, "Whose Names Are Unknown" lay dormant, invisible, unacknowledged and inaccessible.Thankfully, the University of Oklahoma Press has addressed this absence, and both the novel and its author may now take their respective places as giants in American literature.

"Whose Names Are Unknown" is a masterpiece.It is a soaring indictment of economic injustice just as it eloquent extols of the decency and dignity of the thousands of displaced farmers, whose lives blew away in the ferocious dust storms of the Great Depression.The novel has trenchant social commentaries, a gripping plot and characters who are painfully believable.Babb evokes the despair of economic misery and the pain of Americans becoming pariahs in their own land."Whose Names Are Unknown" was written from the crucible of Babb's own experiences; it has a spare authenticity that "The Grapes of Wrath" does not capture.Where Steinbeck writes with great compassion, Babb writes with empathy.Both side with the dispossessed, and each deserves the widest reading audience.

The Dunne family shoulders the economic and psychological burdens of the Great Depression.Often inarticulate and suspicious of language, Milt struggles for understanding; his is an odyssey of disappointment, rage and endurance.He suffers the loss of home, the agony of displacement and the indignity of prejudice.His wife, Julia, not only serves as the family's emotional anchor; she also exerts a quiet moral influence as its conscience.When she and her husband leave the family's patriarch behind to tend a wind-devastated farm, they embark on a path worn smooth by other migrants, whose pattern of life and hopes had been blighted by drought and depression.The Dunnes believes in "endurance and acceptance, the sad hard experience" which "belonged to the good."Yet simmering beneath their resignation are questions."Why was one man with leisure to waste and another with no hour to spare?"Why does Milt "feel such hunger?Why does he hanker after the unknown?"

Gradually, the Dunne family emerges as symbolic of every American displaced by the scourge of bad times and reviled for their unwanted poverty.Slowly, the Dunnes abandon hope; at first, they relinquish the dream of returning to their prairie home; eventually, they commit themselves to survival, working for a pittance, going to bed with angry, empty bellies, suffering the torment of prejudice.The Dunne children learn they are "Okies," a word California children have learned from their hateful parents.It devastates the migrant children, and Babb is at her best when she describes the pain of marginalization."An okie.Something bad?An okie is me....Why does it make me feel all by myself?...Someone different.Someone not as good."

One of the greatest attributes of our national literature is its embodiment of who we are as a people and how we choose to define ourselves.Authors like Sanora Babb believe deeply in the democratic experience and endow the characters of their writing with values that we'd like to believe best represent us.Through the Dunnes, Babb describes an American betrayal, an abandonment of the bedrock notions of human equality and dignity that all of us ought share."Whose Names Are Unknown" will stand as a powerful reminder that the have-nots are our best teachers.

Touching and memorable
More vivid, more real than Grapes of Wrath. Three things struck me. Dust storm: Iwas especially startled by the description of the dust storm, and how wretched it must have been. Daily life:Shecaptures the strugggle of trying to make it all work--kids, hubby, less than adequate living conditions. Fear/Desperation: really great description of workers wanting to participate in an organizing campaign, yet paralyzed with fear. That is a reality that all too many workers face today in trying to bring democracy to the workplace. Sad isn't it? Sixty years later and the problems are still the same.I was sad to take the book back to its home, in the public library, when I was done reading it.

Whose Names Are Unknown
This book was really autobiographical to an extent and was interesting in that it was deeper in the description of the hardships of the people prior to emigrating.

The dust bowl brought to life in living black and white
"The dust was blowing thinly off the field and over the yard like a warn and dingy curtain flapping disconsolately at the window of the world.Through it the old man saw the faded landscape, gray and colorless except for the line of half-dead trees along the creek." (Pg. 125) Yes, I love Steinbeck, too.But certainly his Grapes of Wrath cannot be the consumate novel on the tragedy of the dust bowl era.Babb writes with such clarity and precise description that it is plain she has experienced at least some of the horrific conditions that her characters experience.And yet this book is not all gloom.There are bright spots, such as the Widow Starwood's 'gift' to the bankers who demand payment on her farm equipment after her husband dies from dust pneumonia.Somehow, some way, the people who lived through these times found reason to get up every morning and continue with life.The role of hope in the dominance of the human spirit is subtly presented again and again, juxtaposed with the harsh cruelty of Nature--and Mankind.

This book is a beautifully written poignant tale of a time that was not so long ago.It is a shame it has taken this long for the book to be published and brought to the public eye.Ms. Babb, wherever you are, you have much to be proud of here.

Better Than Steinbeck?
This book was written and ready for dispersment to book stores when Steinbeck's "Grapes of Wrath" came outin l939.Ms. Babb's publisher decided two books of the same type would not be a good idea. So this book was shelved for over 65 years. This book was inspired by the author's own work in migrant camps (Ms Babb just passed away at age 98) and based partly on her mother's account of Kansas dust storms.This book was judged "exceptionally fine" by Random House co-founder Bennet Cerf. Many reviewers called it a "long-forgotten masterpiece" and "an American classic both literary and classic". Many reviewers said it rivaled Stinbeck's novel.Ms Babb, herself, said this of Steinbeck's "Grapes of Wrath"--"His book is not as realistic as mine."So, give this one a try. ... Read more