Product Description
John Carpenter, a quintessential horror movie director, is a true film auteur--awriter, director, composer, producer, editor, and actor--whose unique and inspired work hasbrought him the praise and admiration of both film critics and horror cultists. He is both theproduct of and an important participant in the American filmmaking tradition, and the intelligent,moody, and strange films with which his name is so quickly associated are sometimes simplyWesterns in disguise.Essentially a lengthy, lively, and candid interview with Carpenter, thisbook covers his background, his inspirations, and his ups and downs in Hollywood andthoroughly discusses each of his films. Among the many and varied subjects that pop up are hisBible Belt childhood, German expressionism, Howard Hawks, John Wayne, The King, BarbraStreisand, Michael Myers, Kurt Russell, Stephen King, quantum physics, and attractive femaleextras.Among Carpenter's films are Dark Star, Halloween, Assault on Precinct 13, The Fog,Escape From New York, The Thing, Christine, Big Trouble in Little China, Prince of Darkness,They Live, Village of the Damned, In the Mouth of Madness, and Escape From L.A. In additionto penning most of the screenplays for the films he has directed, he co-wrote The Eyes of LauraMars. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

AN AMAZING BOOK
This is an excellent work,probably the best thing a John Carpenter fan could wish for,almost as fascinating and exciting as the movies themselves,John Carpenter in his own words,with the help of the excellent questions provided by the author,most of them of the kind I would like to raise myself.Only fault there is not much talk on his latest movies,at least not to the extent I would like.A great book to read and have,and a great gift to everyone who ever really felt what a John Carpenter film feels like.

If you are a fan of John Carpenter, then you need this book!
Featuring details from all his films, including the writing, the problems, the music and everything in between.This is an essential book for any John Carpenter fan!It also gives details of his childhood, Howard Hawks and other films that have inspired him, Growing up in Bowling Green and his time learning the trade he knows so well.

finally a great book on a great director.
this book is great. it covers every film in good detail and carpenter doesn't sugar coat any details and shares some great stories. this book is contagious and essintle reading for any who loves the films of john carpenter or films in his genre. do your self a favor and buy this book now!

An essential for any fan of John Carpenter.
While I have always been a huge fan of John Carpenter, enjoying each of his movies on more than just one level, I never really knew that much personal information about the man behind the camera.This book changes all that with a lengthy interview that touches on topics both professional and personal.Both film buffs and Carpenter fans will come away feeling as if they have been talking with the quiet, self-deprecating man that has written, scored, and directed such trend starting classics as Halloween and Escape from New York.This is required reading for any Carpenter fan.Highest recommendation.

Like Carpenter talking to you in your living room
In John Carpenter: The Prince of Darkness, French author and magazine publisher Gilles Boulenger conducts a lengthy (book-length, obviously!) interview with the man who has done more for the horror movie genre than any other director working today.

In the book, Carpenter touches on and discusses each of his films - from the student project Dark Star from 1970 to his most recent (at the time of this book) The Ghosts Of Mars - revealing his thoughts and memories on the inspiration, method, problems, filming, cast, box office, lessons learned from his successes and failures, and more.

We learn of such disparate topics as: his first initial directing efforts as a child; being inspired by German expressionism; the inspiration drawn from Howard Hawks movies and how many of Carpenter's films are simply westerns in disguise; his early obsession and present-day compulsion to make films; and even trying to write a movie for Barbara Streisand (sort of!);

It is a wonderful, in-depth look into the mind of a modern-day director. Particularly interesting is seeing, through Carpenter's own words, his growth in maturity as a director, both in his craft and, sadly, learning how the "studio system" really works--executives who don't know what they're doing making decisions that usually worked to the disadvantage of the film.

Through the book we read, fascinated, as Carpenter's career comes to resemble a roller coaster - we read as the director's films slowly rise in terms of success, accolades, and budget, culminating in a huge hit or peak - invariably followed by a huge failure, sending Carpenter plummeting back down the ride that is a career as a film director, resulting in him basically having to start over from scratch.

Author Boulenger is an intelligent and insightful interviewer. He seems to know every minute detail about Carpenter's movies and often brings to the table telling insights and interpretations that even Carpenter hadn't thought of, but readily agrees to.

The book is generously illustrated with photographs and some sketches, including a handsome 24-page collection of color photos.

Only a few minor problems for me with the book: while each of Carpenter's films are touched on and discussed, some are not "...thoroughly..." discussed as the book's back cover offers. While one can argue their quality or importance, some films, such as Body Bags and Elvis: The Movie--among others--are allotted just one or two pages.

Also, while the behind-the-scenes photos in the book are interesting and fun to have, many of the production photos reproduced here are very common and have been seen many times before. More unique, less often-seen photos would have been nice.

But those two minor quibbles cannot begin to take away from the greater achievement of the book - a fascinating, thoughtful, career-spanning, one-on-one personal conversation with the man who's made some of the most important and interesting horror movies in the past few decades.

Highly recommended. ... Read more

Product Description
The films of John Carpenter cover a tremendous range and yet all bear his clear personal stamp. From the horrifying (Halloween) to the touching (Starman) to the controversial (The Thing) to the comic (Big Trouble in Little China), his films reflect a unique approach to filmmaking and singular views of humanity and American culture.

This analysis of Carpenter's films includes a historical overview of his career, and in-depth entries on each of his films, from 1975's Dark Star to 1998's Vampires. Complete cast and production information is provided for each. The book also covers those films written and produced by Carpenter, such as Halloween II and Black Moon Rising, as well as Carpenter's work for television. Appendices are included on films Carpenter was offered but turned down, the slasher films that followed in the wake of the highly-successful Halloween, the actors and characters who make repeated appearances in Carpenter's films, and ratings for Carpenter's work. Notes, bibliography, and index are included. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

LESSER THAN EXPECTED
I was rather dissappointed reading this book.Altough It provides interesting insight to the historical aspects of Carpenter's work it lacks indepth analysis when attempting to comment on the films.I understand there's a well meaning effort here to address the average viewer and that is done successfuly,giving Carpenter the status he deserves,but to me Carpenter's movies are a lot more than that and some suggestions regarding some screenplay details seem to loose the point completely.

John Carpenter's Movies
I ordered this book after buying and enjoying three others by this author and found this one to be another excellent addition to my library. This book contains detailed information on each of Mr. Carpenter's films including a synopsis,list of cast and crew,critical reception for each film and a section with the author's commentary. This book is extremely well written and a very enjoyable read. I find myself looking through it often and it has led me to pick up some of John Carpenter's movies to add to my collection.

For anyone who is a John Carpenter fan or a horror fan this is one book they should not be without and for the casual movie fan they would enjoy adding this book to their library.

The other books I have by John Kenneth Muir are: Horror films of the 1970's, Wes Craven: the Art of Horror and Eaten Alive at a Chainsaw Massacre: the films of Tobe Hooper. These are all excellent books and I highly recommend them to horror fans and movie fans alike. I am currently awaiting the release of his next book: The Unseen Force: the Films of Sam Raimi as I know it will be another excellent addition to my library.

IF YOU LOVE TO WASTE MONEY , THEN THIS IS THE BOOK FOR YOU!
this is one of the worst books i've ever bought. if you have ever read Fangoria magazine you would have gotten better pictures and more information on mr. carpenter. how can a book like this not go into detail about carpenters famous movie scores! the book is not complete for they don't even mention the made for tv movie ELVIS he made with kurt russell.better information could be obtained from dvd production notes.somebody please write a fitting tribute to a great director.

The Ultimate John Carpenter Guide
Perhaps the greatest research and analysis of any filmmaker (let alone of Carpenter himself) I've had ever the joy of reading.Muir certainly gave me a completely different perspective of Carpenter's films. I actually found myself going back and re-watching scenes of his films I've watched a million times in a new light (After learning of Carpenter's motivations for "Escape From L.A." in this book, I went from seeing it as a so-so sequel, to terrific remake!). I can't reccomend it enough to anyone who, like myself, would call Carpenter their favorite director.His reviews and insights are both honest and insightful (his critique of the Carpenter produced "Halloween III", a guilty pleasure of mine, had me roaring with laughter). Don't balk at the price, it's absolutley worth it as it is packed full of fascinating information.If you-re a die hard Carpenter fan, you'll be missing out if you pass this up.

Erudite, engaging and enjoyable
Muir's comprehensive analysis of the works of John Carpenter moves even the dilettante to review them with a more appreciative perspective.Muir reveals interesting sociological and psychological themes withinCarpenter's works that compel the reader to truly re-evaluate Carpenter'stalent.

The book was obviously written by an author who "knows hisstuff" and appreciates the full value of the subject matter.This iswhat makes reading this work enjoyable and entertaining.I recommend thisbook to any fan or critic of the works of John Carpenter. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (2)

A solid look at a great genre talent.
This Pocket Essentials entry looks at the career of John Carpenter, following him from his impressive debut with Dark Star all the way to Ghosts of Mars (which is only mentioned as a nearly finished production).With very little written about the man out there, this book should be considered essential for any Carpenter fan.The autuer argument is solidly made and hard to disagree with.The pluses/minuses criticism of each film is mostly fair, although a tad overboard in the enthusiasm department - but who can blame them.This is Carpenter they are talking about!As far as I am concerned, the man can still deliver a solid retro b-movie.Recommended, but it might leave you wishing for an even more in depth and photo illustrated Carpenter film study to read.

A fine pocket-sized Carpenter reference...and it's fun
There is precious little out there between two covers about John Carpenter.This edition (from the pocket essentials series) is a concise and enthusiastic overall reference for the Carpenter fan or the would-be fan.My one caveat would be that perhaps the authors are a little blind when it comes to some of the movies where Carpenter had less than absolute control (the big studio productions).It really isn't enough to say that Memoirs of an Invisible Man was better than most Hollywood fare (because it wasn't), or to forgive Prince of Darkness by calling it a noble attempt at cerebral horror (because it isn't).But these are informed opinions and they provide food for thought.And that is really the best thing about this book -- it's smart and enthusiastic and it talks about my favorite director.And it made me think. ... Read more

Product Description

John Carpenter is a seminal figure in the history of horror and science fiction filmmaking. His work in these genres has been highly influential in their ongoing development. This book gives Carpenter's output the sustained critical treatment it deserves. It comprises essays that address the whole of Carpenter's work, as well as others which focus on a smaller number of key films. Some essays take on wide-ranging issues such as Carpenter's approach to remakes and the question of genre, while others are organized around a specific theme or technical aspect of Carpenter's film-making. The text's key strength is that it draws upon an international group of scholars offering a variety of expertise. Films discussed includeAssault on Precinct 13 (1976),Halloween (1978) and its subsequent sequels,Escape from New York (1981),Escape from L.A.(1996),The Fog (1980),The Thing (1982),Village of the Damned (1995) andGhosts of Mars(2001). The book also features an exclusive interview with John Carpenter.

Customer Reviews (1)

"Trust is a hard thing to come by these days. . ."
. . . says MacReady in John Carpenter's The Thing. This is the exact opposite attitude of the military hero in Howard Hawks's original version, The Thing from Another World. In Carpenter's movies you can't trust the church, the government, the economic system, literature, the weather, or even your own children not to betray you.

I've been a Carpenter cultist since I first saw Halloween, so I was surprised at how much new there is in this collection of essays on Carpenter's films.

There are articles on Carpenter's music, his partnership with Kurt Russell, his early movies, his "siege movies" (Carpenter has admitted that many of his films are Howard Hawks's Rio Bravo dressed up with gangsters or Martians or a futuristic setting), Lovecraft's influence, and Carpenter's apparent attitudes toward men and women. There's also a short interview with Carpenter (interesting if you are just starting to read about his filmmaking, but it doesn't go too deep).

A few things in particular struck me. First (I alluded to this at the start of this review) is how unlike Howard Hawks's movies John Carpenter's films really are. Carpenter says he wishes he could work in the old Hollywood studio system the way his heroes like Hawks did.

Carpenter may admire Howard Hawks's work ethic and his ability to switch from genre to genre, but Carpenter's films tell a different story.

In a Howard Hawks movie the heroes are often the military or the government working together to protect Us from Them (The Thing from Another World). But in a John Carpenter movie the government IS the threat to the innocent (Memoirs of an Invisible Man, Starman, They Live) or at least it's incompetent leadership incapable of protecting us even when it's honestly trying (the sheriff in Halloween, the scientists in The Thing).

Another interesting thing is how much like David Cronenberg Carpenter is in one respect: the control he demands over every aspect of his films. Among the "new wave horror directors" (including George Romero, Tobe Hooper, Wes Craven, Joe Dante, and others) Carpenter is usually compared to directors like George Romero - - in other words the meat movie directors. But Carpenter uses suspense, not shock. (That's not a criticism of Romero - - his style is perfect for his story of the Decline and Fall of the American Empire.)

Carpenter is also like Hitchcock. He uses our unease to play us like a musical instrument, the way Hitchcock bragged of playing his audiences. (The current issue of Cineaste, vol. XXXII, no. 1, has a fascinating article by Jack Sullivan on Hitchcock and Bernard Herrmann's music, especially for Psycho.)

That brings me to just a couple of complaints about this book. The only real flaw was the tendency of some authors to write in academic jargon. (I wish every critic with a Ph.D. could write as entertainingly as the authors in the Open Court Press series, Popular Culture and Philosophy.) A few essayists also keep referring to the same works by cultural/film critics such as Julia Kristeva and Robin Wood, more it seems to show they are masters of their field than because it adds to their arguments.

Also, I wish some of the essayists had mentioned the recently deceased Debra Hill, Carpenter's producing partner and writer of Halloween and The Fog. Debra Hill was born in the real Haddonfield and gave the world Michael Myers. Without Debra Hill there would have been no John Carpenter.

I debated whether to rate this book four or five stars, but besides presenting new ideas about Carpenter's movies, it was a lot of fun to read. If you like Carpenter's films, you'll enjoy this book.

... Read more

Product Description
High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Halloween is a 1978 American independent slasher film set in the fictional suburban midwestern town of Haddonfield, Illinois, USA on Halloween. The original draft of the screenplay was titled The Babysitter Murders. John Carpenter directed the film, which stars Donald Pleasence as Dr. Sam Loomis, Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie Strode, and Nick Castle, Tony Moran and Tommy Lee Wallace sharing the role of Michael Myers (listed in the credits as "The Shape"). The central theme of the film is Myers' escape from a psychiatric hospital and his subsequent murder of a number of teenagers, whilst Dr. Loomis' attempts to track and stop him. Halloween is widely regarded as a classic among horror films, and as one of the most influential horror films of its era. In 2006 it was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" ... Read more

Product Description
The carpenter ant is one of the most common and destructive pests affecting homes and businesses. However, in natural areas, these ants also play an important role in forest ecology: they break down dead wood and are the principal food source of the pileated woodpecker.

In the first book devoted entirely to carpenter ants, Laurel D. Hansen and John H. Klotz cover the ants' life history and foraging behavior, then turn to their economic importance. The authors provide a comprehensive overview of carpenter ant ecology, morphology, taxonomy, and distribution as well as a detailed chapter on control and management that will appeal especially to urban pest control programs and pest management officials. Carpenter Ants of the United States and Canada is illustrated with distribution maps, 94 halftones, 52 line drawings, and 24 color plates on a four-page insert. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

An essential resource for all entomologists
Dr. Hansen as compiled a complete guide to the carpenter ants of the US and Canada including keys, description of species, habitats, behavior, and other interesting facts.I recommend this publication to all who are involved with the identification and management recommendations of urban pests.

Laurel D. Hansen's carpenter ant book
wanted to get information on carpenter ants as they have made many communities around my place...they're everywhere!this book is actually more than i asked for, a lot of information.slightly text bookish, but it is thorough and appears to cover all aspects of the carpenter ant.maybe i will make friends with the hundreds, thousands...millions of my "neighbors".need to read further.p.s. many different types of carpenter ants, and pictures very helpful. ... Read more

Product Description
Life as Kim and Krickitt Carpenter knew it was shattered beyond recognition on November 24, 1993, two months after their marriage, when their Ford Escort was hit from behind by a fast-moving truck.A massive head injury left Krickitt in a coma for weeks. When she finally emerged from the coma, she recognized her parents and everyone else-but she didn't know Kim. She had no idea who he was.The "Krickitt" Kim had married essentially died in the accident. The Vow is the true tale of the reconstruction of two lives and a marriage after an event so shattering that most others would have parted ways long ago. Though it was not easy, and it tested every fiber of who they were, Kim and Krickitt fell in love all over again. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (17)

Intense and moving story...
I had a notion of what it means to be in a marriage, I thought I had it all figured out. All according to what I socially caught on and what I heard of all the other couples. In so many ways I was wrong.This book is the true, honest story of what in reality means to love someone. What it is to make a vow that lasts a lifetime and what a lifetime actually means. This is the ultimate gift if love. A precious jewel to have among your family and share with your friends and loved ones. Love never goes out of style. Love never leaves anyone behind. A must read for everyone that seeks a better future based in love and patience.

Inspiring
I loved this book.It showed the true heart of the family and the husband by sticking by and just making it work.

I'm glad he married a virgin, but did she?
Has anyone else noticed that he didn't address this?The double standard lives on, IMHO.One star deducted for this.

Otherwise, it's a beautiful story of love that triumphed over enormous adversity, and yes, they are still married.A movie is in the works and the Carpenters now have two children:Danny, born around the time the book was released, and Lee Ann, born in 2003.

Even if you leave the religious aspect out of it, they stayed together for one reason:They wanted to.

Great story- easy read!
A newlywed myself, I bought this as an "airplane book" after seeing the Carpenter's story on "Today" and "Dateline."Not only is the story inspiring, it's also very easy to read. (I'm not the fastest reader in the world, but finished this book in 3 short sittings over a weekend!--it never made it to the plane)

In a day when the "D" word is an "easy out" this is a great example of how two people put their faith in God and each other to keep a promise.

Husbands, get this book for your wife
I purchased this book for my wife after seeing the Carpenter's story on NBC's "Dateline".It is a touching story of how one man will go to regain his wife back.

I have yet to read the book, but I can assume my wife loved based on the fact that she finished the book in one day. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

John Carpenter's Starman
A great read, this little book is becoming more relevant as Man pushes outward into the Universe and longs to find signs of other life. How would we react to an arrival and are we ready?
The Voyager craft were the most successful and cheapest. It's very interesting. The writer seems to sum up the strengths and weaknesses in humanity very well, looking at Man through the eyes of an impartial witness.

Not nearly as good as the movie
I expect any day now to hear one of our educated youngsters exclaim, "Look, somebody named Shakespeare wrote a book about the movie ROMEO & JULIET."STARMAN is one of the few books that are not as good as the film.Perhaps it is the terrific, ackward acting by Jeff Bridges or the semi-hysteria of Karen Allen as she slowly becomes aware of this alien.Regardless, it is a quick read and sorta smaltzy - nothing heavy but also nothing really deep. ... Read more

Product Description
A hands-on guide to unleashing the power of Open-Book Management (OBM).

The authors of the acclaimed The Power of Open-Book Management now bring you their essential nuts-and-bolts guide to creating and implementing an OBM strategy tailored to the specific needs of your company. Sample dialogues, training exercises, tips, and techniques provide the tools you need to successfully meet the challenge of introducing OBM into your company.

"Open-book management is here to stay, and this OBM field book explains the why, the what, and the how. If you want to create a company of business thinkers, this is the book that will tell you how others are doing it, and how you can do it, too." — Jerome Harris, Senior Managing Director, American Express Tax & Business Services, Inc.

"If you want your firm's profits to leap ahead, open-book management is for you. This book not only tells you exactly how to implement OBM successfully, but also makes such good reading that you won't want to put it down." — Willard I. Zangwill, Ph.D., Professor, Graduate School of Business, University of Chicago.

"This is a must read for leaders considering open-book management. The book is a roadmap that presents proven methods and real results. It details what is required to successfully implement this new way of doing business." — Robert S. Argabright II, Argabright & Associates.

"This book offers the principles of OBM from the masters and techniques from the trenches. It is a rare offering as it is not redundant for readers of the first book nor is it sequential, making the first a prerequisite. It makes the principles of OBM clear to all readers and plumbs the depth of the practice by tapping the experiences of practitioners." — Tim O'Donnell, Publisher, The Olathe Daily News.

"The Open-Book Management Field Book is a practical resource for companies both new to and experienced with OBM. This book certainly would have accelerated the open-book process in our company when we began. But it's also a wonderful tool for reassessing ourselves now that we are years into the process." — Steve Sheppard, CEO, Foldcraft Co. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (14)

Fantastic Book!
The book Halloween: A Novel arrived very quickly. I got it a week or two after ordering in a well packaged state. The book itself was in fantastic condition and was exactly as described with someone's name written on the inside front cover. I knew this before I bought it and was fine with it. Basically as long as you read the description of the product you are buying (for any wears and tears) then there will be no bad surprises as he tells you everything you need to know. Very satisfied with this product and the service from the seller!

Halloween review
If you like the film, you'll love the book. And though the book lacks the chilling film score and ghoulish image of the Myers mask, the author provides more depth of character, placing the reader inside the head of the haunted Laurie Strode. The author even offers a scenario for how Myers may have learned how to drive! However, this reader is still confused as to why Myers was being collected at night to appear before a judge on Halloween eve? When he was supposed to be tried as an adult on the day of his 21st Birthday!

Halloween "A Novel"
This book was great just like the movie! It went into more detail than the movie and explained some things that the movie didn't. As far as I'm concerned as well as every other Halloween fan, both are a must own! :)

A Treasure for Halloween-Michael Myers fans!
For fans of the classic horror movie - this is the written adaption of the screenplay - plus, added material that never made it into the original film. There are chapters that describe Michael as a boy and also an explanation of why & how the Myers' family was destined to go down into the horror Hall of Fame. A spooky, scary read!

An Awesome Novelization!!!
HALLOWEEN is without a doubt, one of the best movies ever made, and I'm glad they turned it into a book! I love everything about it! I love that it takes place on HALLOWEEN! I love all the characters; especially Michael Myers, Dr. Loomis, and Laurie Strode. I love the mood and atmosphere! The book is just as awesome as the movie. It has more of Michael at Smith's Grove, and about Dr. Loomis's time with Michael. He soon breaks out of Smith's Grove Sanitarium the night before HALLOWEEN and the next day, returns to Haddonfield, Illinois and goes on a rampage and stalks three friends named Laurie, Annie, and Lynda. Dr. Loomis tries to stop Michael from killing anyone, but it's already too late. Laurie is babysitting Tommy Doyle, and next door, Annie is babysitting Lindsey Wallace. Michael waits patiently to make his move. It's freakin' awesome! Will Laurie survive the dark, bloody HALLOWEEN night? If you love classic horror, I highly recommend HALLOWEEN: WRITTEN BY CURTIS RICHARDS!!!
... Read more

Product Description

Life itself as well as the entire human economy depends on goods and services provided by earth's natural systems. The processes of cleansing, recycling, and renewal, along with goods such as seafood, forage, and timber, are worth many trillions of dollars annually, and nothing could live without them. Yet growing human impacts on the environment are profoundly disrupting the functioning of natural systems and imperiling the delivery of these services.

Nature's Services brings together world-renowned scientists from a variety of disciplines to examine the character and value of ecosystem services, the damage that has been done to them, and the consequent implications for human society. Contributors including Paul R. Ehrlich, Donald Kennedy, Pamela A. Matson, Robert Costanza, Gary Paul Nabhan, Jane Lubchenco, Sandra Postel, and Norman Myers present a detailed synthesis of our current understanding of a suite of ecosystem services and a preliminary assessment of their economic value. Chapters consider:

• major services including climate regulation, soil fertility, pollination, and pest control
• philosophical and economic issues of valuation
• case studies of specific ecosystems and services
• implication of recent findings and steps that must be taken to address the most pressing concerns

Customer Reviews (3)

A classic and a must-read
Are you interested in environmental issues, natural resource policy, or understanding how ecosystems silently enable our society to function? If so you must read this book.

Almost 10 years has passed since this edited volume was published (edited by Gretchen Daily), and there has been considerable progress on some fronts. Accordingly and expectedly, some of the estimates of the values of services are out-dated, but there are crucial contributions here in the framework for understanding and characterizing such ecosystem services (the flow of benefits from ecosystems to people). This book sparked an immense scholarly and public interest in ecosystem services that has not even begun to peak. In order to enable our society to persist sustainably, we *must* understand our dependence on ecosystem services and incorporate this understanding into societal decision-making.

Top-notch scholars contributed to this excellent volume, which continues to be cited frequently in first-rate academic papers and to cause ripples in broader society.

Francisco gets badly translated.
I haven't read this book.But I think that maybe it would be good if the only review --which is in spanish-- were translated. Here's Francisco's review:

This edition is important on the themes of environmental economy and the underestimation of ecosystem health, for humanity surges to break little known ecosystems, synergies, and the diverse benefits they bring, much of which we don't know.
So, this book approaches the important elements, for the process of optimizing the utilization of ecosystems, from philosophic, environmental, and economic perspectives.

un aporte a lavaloracion de los servicios ambientales
Es bien importante que se editen textos en estos temas de economía ambiental pues la subestimación del valor de los ecosistemas para la humanidad surge a partir del poco conocimiento de los ecosistemas, de sussinergias y los diversos beneficios que brindan, muchos de ellos noreconocidos. Así, este libro aporta elementos importantes, para el procesode optimización de la utilización de los ecosistemas,desde la perpectivaambiental, filosófica y económica. ... Read more

Product Description
Oliver Otis Howard devoted his life to the service of his country, both as a distinguished army officer in two wars and as the founder of two universities. Oliver Otis Howard was a graduate of Bowdoin College and of West Point. Being reared in a pious New England (Maine) atmosphere gave him a deep sense of obligation to lead a Christian life, for the good of others and for the development of his own best self. He was often disturbed by the conflict presented him in his dual career in peace and war.General Howard's strong sense of duty to his country brought about his distinguished career of command during the Civil War--at the Battle of Chancellorsville, itself a disappointing rout, and at Gettysburg, where he recovered any reputation the earlier defeat might have lost him. Under General Sherman, in the Atlanta campaign, and as a leader of the Army of the Tennessee he won special distinction. In total, Howard fought at the First Bull Run, Fair Oaks (where severe wounds forced the amputation of his right arm), Second Bull Run, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg.The same strong sense of duty made him accept the commission of the Freedmen's Bureau and the promotion of African-American education. Following his service in the Nez Perce Campaign of 1877 he was superintendent of West Point and the founder of Lincoln Memorial University. His greatest service to education, however, was as founder and president of Howard University, where his name and career are held in honor. ... Read more

Product Description
This profusely illustrated volume presents groundbreaking scholarship on the Ukiyo-e artist Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849) and his immediate artistic and literary circles. Achieving worldwide renown for his dramatic landscape print series, such as the Thirty-Six Views of Mt Fuji, Hokusai also excelled in book illustrations, erotica and privately commissioned woodcuts called surimono. Aspects of the artist's innovative and novel approach to the graphic arts are discussed in the first half of this volume. Less well known, Hokusai was a highly accomplished painter who oversaw a studio of several selected pupils, including his own daughter Oi, who often worked in a style closely resembling his own. The study of Hokusai's corpus of paintings thus raises many complex issues of authorship, dating and authenticity - further complicated by the abundant production of forgeries both during and after his lifetime. An appendix of recognised Hokusai seals helps further clarify this aspect of the artist's work.The distinguished roster of contributors includes: Asano Shugo, Gian Carlo Calza, John T Carpenter, Timothy T Clark, Doris Croissant, Kobayashi Tadashi, Kubota Kazuhiro, Roger Keyes, Matsudaira Susumu, Matthi Forrer, Naito Masato, David Pollack, John M Rosenfield, Timon Screech, Segi Shin'ichi, Henry D Smith II and Tsuji Nobuo. ... Read more

Product Description
With this generous biography, Howard Pollack restores to the public eye a prolific and gifted artist whom Walter Damrosch called "the most American of our composers."

Well respected and widely performed during his lifetime, John Alden Carpenter (1876-1951) was one of the first American composers to be influenced by Debussy and Stravinsky and one of the first composers anywhere to incorporate elements of popular song and jazz into concert music. His highly original yet refined orchestral music was championed by Bruno Walter, Fritz Reiner, Otto Klemperer, Serge Koussevitzky, and other celebrated conductors, and his sensitive songs were performed by such legendary singers as Alma Gluck and Kirsten Flagstad.

Avidly interested in vernacular culture and receptive to a wide range of musical influences, Carpenter set verses by American poets including Langston Hughes and Vachel Lindsay and created a ballet score based on George Herriman's celebrated comic strip Krazy Kat. His whimsical suite Adventures in a Perambulator was on the docket for Walt Disney's planned sequel to Fantasia, and his ballet Skyscrapers, which enjoyed successful mountings in New York and Munich, was the only American work commissioned by Sergei Diaghilev for the Ballets Russes.

Pollack skillfully balances Carpenter's personal and musical lives, covering his interactions with musicians of every stripe, his high profile in the Chicago Renaissance cultural scene, and his two marriages (first to the designer and art collector Rue Winterbotham and then, following a protracted affair, to the Chicago socialite Ellen Borden).

In this expansive, fair-minded biography, Pollack explains the factors that pulled Carpenter out of the spotlight and argues persuasively for Carpenter's continuing importance. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Classics of the Supenatural
Edited by Peter Haining.

Whenever I come across a book with the name Peter Haining, I know that it's a collection worth considering. Haining has edited dozens of anthologies on horror, crime and fantasy and his selections are usually preceded with a knowledgeable introduction informing the reader about the author and the background to the story.

This collection, originally called "Ghost Movies," but also published as "Classics of the Supernatural," follows his usual high standard and authors include James Herbert, M.R. James, John Carpenter, Robert Bloch, Daphne Du Maurier, Shirley Jackson, Nigel Kneale and others.

The premise of this collection is to present original stories on which famous motion pictures are based. Similar to "Reel Movies," a collection by Sebastian Wolfe. Unfortunately,the volume is soured by the fact that he hasn't been able to obtain all the original source material. Some movies were based on novels or scripts, so they are not reproduced here. Instead, he's substituted a similar story by the same author to represent the omission.

So you don't really get the original stories for "Haunted," "The Old Dark House," "The Uninvited," "The Haunting" and "Beetlejuice." This may dissuade some readers from the collection. The "Ghost Movie" title is also a bit misleading as many stories don't feature ghosts.
The ratings below are out of five.

"Halloween's Child" by James Herbert.
A substitute story for the film "Haunted." A driver encounters a strange creature on a lonely road on Halloween night. Gripping little chiller. (5/5)

"Night Sequence" by J.B. Priestly.
A substitute story, with a similar premise, for the film "The Old Dark House." A couple seek refuge in an old house when their car breaks down at night. Dated but amusing ghost story. (3/5)

"Sir Tristram Goes West" by Eric Keown.
Original story for the movie "The Ghost Goes West." A stowaway ghost causes mischief. Disappointing. (2/5)

"A Smoky Lady in Knickers" by Thorne Smith.
An early Topper story to represent the film "Topper." Light, amusing fluff abouta couple of ghosts who are husband and wife. (3/5)

"Samhain" by Dorothy Macardle.
A substitute story for the movie "The Uninvited." Atmospheric, creepy story about the festival of the dead. (4/5)

"The Extraordinary, Horrible Dummy" by Gerald Kersh.
Original story for one part of the anthology film "Dead of Night." The segment about a ventriloquist and his dummy. Surprisingly ordinary. (3/5)

"Casting the Runes" by M.R. James.
Original story for "Night of the Demon." Two men are brought together by supernatural occurrences. Dated. (2/5)

"The Bus" by Shirley Jackson
Substitute story for "The Haunting." An elderly woman's bus journey takes some strange turns. Memorable chiller. (4/5)

"The Trespassers" by Nigel Kneale.
The BBC television production "The Stone Tape" was a screenplay but it's concepts were first explored in this short story by the same author. Unspectacular poltergeist-in-the-house tale. (2/5)

"Lucy Comes to Stay" by Robert Bloch
Filmed as a segment for the movie "Asylum." Classic psycho-thriller that plays with reality (5/5)

"Don't Look Now" by Daphne Du Maurier.
Original story for the Nicholas Roeg feature film of the same name. Visually and psychological treat. (5/5)

"Harlequin" by John Carpenter.
Original story from which "Halloween" was devised. Very different from what you'd expect but satisfying in its own right. A rare gem. (5/5)

"Halley's Passing" by Michael McDowell
Substitute story for "Beetlejuice." A cold, calculated serial killer has a hidden secret. Original and surprising. (5/5)

Overall, a solid collection weakened by some lesser stories but worth purchasing for those rated 5/5. ... Read more

Product Description
The author's oldest ancestor whom he can trace by traditional methods is John F. Carpenter, born between 1770 and 1775 in Virginia. But analysis of Y-DNA markers that match other Carpenter descendants indicates a lineage dating back to England in the early 1600s. This book records the author's genealogical pursuit of John Carpenter's earlier family, especially his father and grandfather, as well as John's descendants through his 10 children. The last several chapters of the book chronicle five generations of the author's own line of Carpenters from John's son Alexander Carpenter and related families, much of which is enhanced with remembrances from the author's grandparents and parents and his own recollections from boyhood. Along the way, the histories of many related families are discussed, including Wheeler, Fleshman, Arbaugh, Johnson, Smallridge, Turley, Hayslett, Leonard, Caldwell, Paul, Mitchell, and Garrett. These families settled in present-day southern West Virginia, especially in Putnam County, where Mt. Moriah is located. ... Read more

Product Description
The book has no illustrations or index. It may have numerous typos or missing text. However, purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original rare book from the publisher's website (GeneralBooksClub.com). You can also preview excerpts of the book there. Purchasers are also entitled to a free trial membership in the General Books Club where they can select from more than a million books without charge. Subtitle: Town Clerk of London in the Reigns of Henry V. and Henry Vi., and Founder of the City of London School: With an Appendix of Documents and Particulars of Benefactions to the School; Original Publisher: Printed by A. Taylor; Publication date: 1856; Subjects: London (England); Great Britain; Biography ... Read more