Subjects:  1. Business & Economics   2. Business/Economics   3. Development - Economic Development   4. Economics - Theory   5. Equality   6. General   7. Globalization   8. Politics - Current Events   9. Power (Social sciences)   10. Sexual division of labor   11. Social aspects   12. Social Science / General   

Customer Reviews (1)

Best, most complete keys to west coast marine algae
This is the algae bible for the west coast of North America. Abbott and Hollenberg's "Marine Algae of California" is without question the best taxonomic guide to algae of the region available anywhere.

This book contains taxonomic keys, summaries of the geographic ranges, biology, and ecology of algae. It also has excellent line drawings that show details of the thalli of algae, as well as details of the characteristics that distinguish one alga from another.

This book is a "must have" for anyone who is interested in learning the algae of the west coast of North America.

This is not a pretty picture book of algae, it is a research reference to west coast algae. If you are looking for "the" authoritative work for algae of the west coast," then this is the book for you. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Algae   2. Life Sciences - Biology - General   3. Science   4. Science/Mathematics   

Customer Reviews (3)

An apologia for Xenophobia
In the most glowing terms, the author enamored of this Queen, makes excuses for her bad behavior. Using the "times" as a rationale, he mentions that she expelled the Jews, pursued the Moors, executed people who said they had converted to the Catholic religion. The inquisitions began under her reign. What, for heaven's sake is there to be proud of? However, this slavish tome does just that. She did have to fight for her rights as a monarch in a time when women were relegated to royal cows. That much I'll say, but this book mostly angered me. Now, if she had been forward thinking, I'd say that was something to read about.

Fascinating story of a remarkable woman
Dr. Carroll has again done a magnificent job of making history interesting. His portrayal of Isabel is gripping, his scholarly foundation is excellent, and his style is highly readable. I especially appreciated his comments on the Spanish Inqisition - a viewpoint you won't hear from most historians! Isabel is one of the most admirable women figures in the history of the world, and an excellent model for all women concerned with true feminism. Her humanity, intelligence, compassion, wisdom and courage are inspiring. Thank you, Dr. Carroll, for your service to the truth in bringing her so vividly to life.

The authoritative biography.
This is the most thoroughly researched biography of Queen Isabel found in English. Written by an American historian, it's surprisingly readable. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1451-1504   2. Biography   3. History   4. Isabella   5. Queen of Spain,   6. Queens   7. Religion   8. Spain   9. Spain And Portugal - History   

Customer Reviews (3)

superior scholarship
While there are several major studies of political and social conditions during the reign of Isabel I of Spain, her letters and oratory have remained almost untouched until now. The two essays by David A. Boruchoff in this collection address this deficiency with brilliance, affording a profound understanding of the inner workings of her approach to national and international relations, and of the reservations expressed by those commonly seen as her promoters and allies. The remaining essays are more varied in their interest and quality. These range from serious analyses of religious and social minorities (Jews and Muslims), of medical practitioners within the new political order, and of Isabel's education and struggle to become queen, to more run of the mill pieces on her place in literature, art, and theatre. Nevertheless, the volume as a whole benefits from wonderfully acurate and vibrant translations of primary texts, many never before available in any form in English. Readers may therefore wish to pick and choose among the essays, but this collection is required reading for anyone wishing to know how Isabel's rule really worked, and why she was so successful.

Uncommonly insightful and well-balanced
Most books about the Catholic Monarchs are either apologetic or censorious, either panegyrics to the crown's magesty or cruel in condemning its abuse of power. This collection is instead a well-balanced and thoughtful reconsideration of both the good and bad aspects of an extraordinary reign, in which Isabel I of Castile had to confront, and overcome, challenges in both her public and private lives. Some of the essays published here achieve even-handedness by merely presenting the facts of Isabel's engagement in events such as the struggle to become queen, the conquest of Granada, the discovery of America, and her support for the arts and learning. But most are also critical (as the title promises) in a good way: by dissecting the way that she left her mark on history and is remembered by it. There are many new insights here, even in much analyzed areas such as the Catholic Monarchs' dealings with Jews, Muslims, and the Inquisition. But best are the chapters that examine the language of history itself, because in these (especially the first and last essays by the editor) one finds original and thought-provoking insights into problems that go well beyond Spain and Isabel herself, so as to illuminate the relationship between writing and power: history, the scepter and those who wield them.

History at its finest!
This collection is an excellent introduction to the reign of the Catholic Monarch, Isabel, and especially to the works written by and about her. While the chapters on her role in religion and on her figure in theater are a bit too general, most of the essays are full of new insights, well-documented commentary, and useful leads for further reading. I was particularly impressed by the two chapters on Isabel's historiography, and that on the crown's relations with its medical officers. These were fascinating and beautifully written, and I have seen nothing on these topics in the many books and articles that I have read about Isabel, both in English and Spanish. In summation, this is a first-rate book, and a "must" for anyone interested in Spain, early-modern women, monarchs, and the way that history is really written. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1451-1504   2. Biography & Autobiography   3. Biography/Autobiography   4. Europe - Spain & Portugal   5. History - General History   6. Isabella   7. Medieval   8. Queen of Spain,   9. Royalty   10. Spain   11. European history: c 500 to c 1500   12. Political leaders & leadership   13. Rank & titles   14. c 1000 CE to c 1500   

Subjects:  1. 1606-1669   2. 17th century   3. Art   4. Art & Art Instruction   5. Art, Dutch   6. Criticism   7. European   8. Exhibitions   9. Individual Artist   10. Individual Painters - 17th Century   11. Leiden   12. Netherlands   13. Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn   

Customer Reviews (8)

Not as gripping as the adult account
I got this book because I was interested in the childrens' version of the most haunting book I've ever read. It's unfair to compare this with the longer adult memoirs, but many things which make Isabella's adult memoirs so unforgettable and haunting are missing here. On the one hand, here the story starts on 20 March 1944, the day after Hungary is invaded by the Nazis, and the adult version begins on 28 May 1944, Isabella's birthday, the day before they're deported. So here we get to find out about what life was like for the Katz family under Nazi occupation, their move into the ghetto, and some of their neighbours who were thrown into the ghetto with them. We didn't get any of that information in the adult version. Though surprisingly there are some graphic things in here which were left out of the adult version, things which might give the intended audience, children, nightmares. We get much more detail here about the death train and their march towards it, for example, and how one night Mengele shot at Isabella and her three remaning sisters but missed in the dark. The adult version also never mentions how at first Isabella's two older sisters had to hold her nose and force the soup down her throat in the camp, since it looked and smelt terrible and she didn't want to eat it. And what was originally 'Saving the Fragments,' the three sisters' journey from liberation to America, barely gets any coverage in here. That book, later parts two and three of the combination of the two books, is a wonderful account of their return to life, their delight in how the Nazis didn't snuff out all love, hope, and life. The childrens' version also doesn't tell how they were joined in the house they escaped to by three Polish women, and they hid there for three days before the Russians liberated them; they weren't liberated right away after they ran into the house and began eating.

With only 79 pages of large print (including an afterward on the history behind the story), this doesn't come even close to conveying what the adult account does. Here I barely get any sense of the incredible bond of love, loyalty, and survival shared by the four, later three, sisters. It becomes merely another Holocaust account, supposedly watered down for children but also including some details which other reviewers have agreed aren't age-appropriate for someone of the intended audience. Some of the things that happen in the adult book are also changed here, probably to make children feel more comfortable-in the adult version, Isabella and her sister Chicha lose sight of the other members of their family when the cattle car opens, too busy looking for their cigarettes, and don't see or speak to their mother or youngest sister ever again. They don't find their other two sisters till they've had their heads shaved already. And from reading the adult book, we know it's possible the baby sister was burnt alive instead of gassed with the mother.

There are better and more age-appropriate books to start with for children, if they must read about this at all before the age of ten, but it still gets the Katz sisters' story across, even in a watered-down and edited format.

True Lies
The Big Lie explores the lies told by the Nazis and their takeover of Poland and Hungary. A biographical story of (at the time) a young woman thrown into cattle cars and taken to Auschwitz, this book gives a chilling look at the atrocities done to the Jewish people during the Jewish Holocaust. However, most adults have heard all of this before. There are better books on the subject out there and this one failed to have any sort of a personal grab. Because the girl was older than Anne Frank was, most children will not be able to identify with her as much. I don't want to be offensive in saying this either, but... it does tend to portray Jews as victims throughout - and the ONLY victims of such treatment, which is not true.

The subject material may be too much for younger readers. Despite the short length of the book, which can be deceiving when deciding on its difficulty, I would not suggest this book be used with children younger than 6th grade due to its graphic depictions. Children younger than that would most likely not be able to treat the story in a serious enough fashion that it deserves.

Why 4 stars?:
The book is graphic, and short. It should not be used with children in the elementary grades despite its appealing length. The story fails to grab the reader in a significant and so becomes just another retelling of a familiar account.

A Great Book
This story takes place in the Holocaust in Germany. This story is in the 1940's. At the beginning of the story, Nazi's gave strict orders to the Jews like every Jew has to be inside at 7:00PM. At the middle of the story, the Nazi's took all the Jews to a camp. The main characters in the story are Potyo, Chicha, Regina, and Isabella.

I thought this was a good book. I thought this was a good book because it makes you feel like you are in the Holocaust. This book has real people because it was a true story.

This book makes you feel like you are in the Holocaust because it is writen in first person. This book will make you depressed or saddened because Isabella Leitner was actually in the Holocaust. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12   2. Children: Grades 4-6   3. Concentration camps   4. General   5. Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)   6. Juvenile literature   7. Personal narratives   8. Poland   

Subjects:  1. (Isabella Lucy),   2. Asia - China   3. Biography/Autobiography   4. Bird, Isabella L   5. China   6. Description And Travel   7. Travel - Foreign   8. Yangtze River Valley (China)   9. Journeys   10. Yangtze River Valley   

Subjects:  1. Cookery, English   2. Cooking   3. Cooking / Wine   4. Regional & Ethnic - English, Scottish & Welsh   

Subjects:  1. Metaphysics   2. Mysticism   3. New Age / Parapsychology   4. Parapsychology - General   5. Philosophy   

Subjects:  1. Isabella   

Subjects:  1. 1852-1932   2. 20th century   3. Diaries   4. Gregory,   5. History: American   6. Ireland   7. Irish Literature   8. Lady,   9. Women authors, Irish   10. Women theatrical producers and directors   11. Gregory, Isabella Augusta   

Subjects:  1. Art   2. Art & Art Instruction   3. Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions - General   4. Commercial - Fashion Design   5. Individual Artist   6. Textiles & Costume   

Subjects:  1. Fiction   2. Fiction - Religious   3. Love stories, American   4. Religious - General   

Subjects:  1. Activity Books   2. Activity Books - General   3. Children: Grades 2-3   4. Juvenile Nonfiction   

Customer Reviews (1)

The Belle of the Fens
If you are an art lover, live in the greater Boston area, or are planning on visiting soon, this book is a must-read. Not only was this one of the most fascinating women I have ever read about, but she and her husband together, moved in circles with the "shakers and movers" of their generation. All of the famous Bostonians you hear about in historical lore were a part of their lives. Henry L. Higginson, who started the BSO was married to Belle's college roommate. John Singer Sargeant, was one of her closest friends and painted her twice. They were related to the Lowell's the Peabody's and the list goes on. Her museum, in Boston, (Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum) is one of the treasures of the art world. Her taste so impeccable that her museum was chosen for one of the most famous art robberies in recent years. The book is so well written that all will enjoy "living in the past" with the "Belle of Boston" from start to finish! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography   2. Biography/Autobiography   3. General   

Subjects:  1. Art   2. Art & Art Instruction   3. Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions - General   4. Exhibition catalogues and specific collections   5. History of art & design styles: c 1800 to c 1900   6. Massachusetts   

Customer Reviews (1)

Lady Augusta Gregory comes to life!
This book is a delightful introduction to literary works of a very important lady in the history of not only Irish literature; but of the history of Ireland itself. One gets a wonderful sense of this lady's talent and dedication to the cause of creating a lasting body of uniquely Irish Literature that instilled a sense of National pride in the heritage of a group of people that was truly Irish. Lady Augusta Gregory, in collaboration with other influential writers such a William Butler Yeats, was very influential in the development of the Abbey Theater in Dublin that contributed to the revival of the Irish literary movement.

The book, after a brief autobiography of Lady Gregory, introduces the reader to her Irish folklore translations both in English and translations from the Irish. Her most popular plays are presented including "Kathleen ni Houlihan" and "The Rising of the Moon". Also included are some of her most influential essays on Irish culture. Lady Gregory also wrote poetry and included are "A women's Sonnets" and "Alas! A woman may not love!". There is a section from her journals that gives a very personal insight to Lady Gregory's thoughts and activities during her most creative years.

The works selected for inclusion in this book share a common thread. Namely that they capture the essence and simplicity of Irish country life at the turn of the twentieth century. It is a charming collection of writings of that time period, and the book helps reveal the character and talent of a singularly important lady in Irish history. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh   2. General   3. Gregory, Isabella Augusta Persse, 1852-1932   4. Ireland   5. Literary Criticism   6. Literary collections   7. Literature - Classics / Criticism   8. Literature: Classics   9. Women Authors   10. German   11. Literary studies: from c 1900 -   12. Other prose: 19th century   13. Other prose: from c 1900 -