Product Description
William Stoner is born at the end of the nineteenth century into a dirt-poor Missouri farming family. Sent to the state university to study agronomy, he instead falls in love with English literature and embraces a scholar’s life, so different from the hardscrabble existence he has known. And yet as the years pass, Stoner encounters a succession of disappointments: marriage into a “proper” family estranges him from his parents; his career is stymied; his wife and daughter turn coldly away from him; a transforming experience of new love ends under threat of scandal. Driven ever deeper within himself, Stoner rediscovers the stoic silence of his forebears and confronts an essential solitude.

John Williams’s luminous and deeply moving novel is a work of quiet perfection. William Stoner emerges from it not only as an archetypal American, but as an unlikely existential hero, standing, like a figure in a painting by Edward Hopper, in stark relief against an unforgiving world. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (69)

Great story about an ordinary man
This is a really nice, quiet story, rather uneventful about a rather average man.It sounds boring, but it's not at all.Stoner is born a farmer, his father expects him to run the farm when he returns from school and instead he is lured by academia and becomes a university professor. His career and life are both rather uneventful. He marries, has a child and dedicates himself to his work.The characters are extremely well drawn without being caricatures, his strange wife, the professor that is his memesis at the university, his lonely daughter.THis is a very difficult book to describe, you might expect the usual saga that is found in books covering the span of a life, but this is much more subtle.If you like thoughtful, well written stories that engross you with their simplicity, this is for you.

extraordinary
John Williams excels in the depth of his drawing of characters and his ability to convey feelings. It is an inspired and insightful novel. Whoever should read it will be gripped and deeply moved. I consider Stoner a superb novel.

Unknown treasure
This is one of the finest books I've ever read. I heard an interview with someone from The New York Review of Books on NPR regarding this wonderful book. I've attempted to read some of these recommended books, and am usually dissapointed. This time I was stunned. The last paragraph took my breath away.

Disapppointed
I was prepared to like/love this book, as so many reviewers I respect (including the novelist who wrote the foreword) call it a great novel. It is well written....but about characters I would not want to spend time with in life. The title character, an only child, is flat emotionally, as were his parents.I read that the author views Stoner's life as a triumph solely because he did what he wanted to do (teach literature).It didn't FEEL like a triumph. A depression hovers over Stoner and the novel. For most of his career he wasn't a good
teacher; his long marriage was a disaster; his university career was dead-ended by a rival. He dies forced into an early retirement, tended by the neurotic wife from whom he has been estranged for decades.
Years ago I banned novels set in academia. It is an over-used setting for the many novelists who also work in that
environment. Seldom do those novels show originality.
After buying this book, and sticking with it to the end, I feel I should have held my ground.

Boring Man who keeps your interest
I am on a roll reading NYRB "Classics" and though I've only read three I haven't been disappointed in a singe one. My ten-year-old daughter doesn't understand--she said yesterday how silly they seem. "One's a bout a boring man ("Stoner") and an ugly girl ("Skylark'') and some woman who thinks her husband is a painting." ("Wish her safe at home").

She's right in that the plots are hardly riveting, but the way the stories are told may be the element that gives them the NYRB "Classic" tag. "Stoner" really is about a boring man but maybe its attraction is that most of us are boring, caught in the relentless routine of life and presented with a few opportunities that we rarely have the energy to exploit, and so there is a certain unsettling empathy that you have with him.

Per chance, along side this book, I've been reading Ayn Rand's "The Art of Fiction". I think she would have hated this book. She famously (or infamously) comes from a deterministic view, where "heros" make their mark on the world and if the world makes its mark on them instead (As in Stoner's case--as in most of our cases.) then it is simple feminine weakness and hardly worth writing about. (She has some excellent writing tips so I wouldn't dismiss her writing book even if you happen to disagree with her world view.)

If "Stoner" does have a shortcoming it is the one that Rand would find unforgiveable--he is too weak a man. I think I became frustrated with Stoner when the well-being of his beloved daughter was at stake and yet he didn't interfere with his frigid wife's treatment of her. But the real question is: Was his reaction unrealistic? As I thought about it (And of the men of his generation and even the generation after.) I realized that the sad thing about the scene is that it does ring true.

And there in lies the power of the book--the weaknesses in us all that it exposes rings horribly true. ... Read more

Product Description
A brilliant and beautifully written novel in the tradition of Robert Graves’ I, Claudius, Augustus is a sweeping narrative that brings vividly to life a compelling cast of historical figures through their letters, dispatches, and memoirs.

A mere eighteen years of age when his uncle, Julius Caesar, is murdered, Octavius Caesar prematurely inherits rule of the Roman Republic. Surrounded by men who are jockeying for power–Cicero, Brutus, Cassius, and Mark Antony–young Octavius must work against the powerful Roman political machinations to claim his destiny as first Roman emperor. Sprung from meticulous research and the pen of a true poet, Augustus tells the story of one man’s dream to liberate a corrupt Rome from the fancy of the capriciously crooked and the wildly wealthy. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (17)

very innovative novel
This is not your typical historical novel, but one written from multiple perspectives in roughly chronological order in the form of letters, diary and journal entries, and memos from a whole range of historical characters and players from that era.It begins just after the Ides of March assassination of Julius Caesar in the Senate and the inheritance of his nephew Octavius (who was adopted as Caesar's son) to his titles and wealth at age 18. Octavius evolves into the Caesar Augustus of the book's title. The novel ends with the death of Augustus.

The novelist assumes some familiarity with the main characters and events of that time.If you are not familiar, then before taking up the novel I would recommend at least reading Encyclopedia Brittanica articles on Julius Caesar, Mark Antony, Octavius, Cleopatra, and perhaps Cicero and Brutus. You should also be clear on who Livy, Ovid, Horace, and Virgil are.

Insightful look at the possibilities of the life of the man
This is a splendid departure from the usual novel or historical account, and gives you a rare glimpse into the possibilities of how Octavius Caesar really lived.

With a narrative based on epistles it shows not just history unfolding but the particular points of view of the people playing at its stage, sometimes even contradictory in viewpoints, and always absolutely engaging.

Best of all, the prose is magnificent and I find myself wishing for more-- not that it's needed but because it's just that well done-- while the ending (as the letter writer had high hopes for the new emperor) was a truly brilliant touch.

It's lonely at the top
Caesar Augustus ponders on his deathbed why people become agitated and divisive in good times but unify during strife. Told through supposed diary entries and letters, this fictional account plumbs the mind of Augustus, showing us his development into the skillful leader who guides his people from chaos, through civil war, to peace and prosperity.
Some of his seemingly cold-hearted decisions, such as the exile of his beloved daughter Julia are seen in a new light. Perhaps her banishment wasn't his arrogant punishment of a perceived betrayal, but protection from charges of treason.
An entralling read, especially following the enjoyable run of HBO's "Rome" series. As good as "Rome" was, this is better. Augustus is three-dimensional here. Williams delivers with solid history with mythology and poetry mixed in. He is an impressive writer, heretofore unknown to me.
Some noteworthy snippets:
"Her mind had never been violated by a serious thought" says Julia
"Cicero and others of his odor" Marcus Antonius
The final musings of Augustus, as his purple-sailed ship wends along Italy's coast to Capri, concern Romans' uneasy relationship with the sea. He refers to Vergil's "conceit" that the gods had "separated land from land by the unimaginable depths of the ocean so that the peoples in those lands might be distinct, and man in his foolhardiness launches his frail bark upon an element that ought not to be touched." In the end, Augustus recognizes himself as a frail human, just as any other Roman.
Williams has definitely made it on my list of authors to explore.

smart, intelligent, with a clever design
A meticulously written novel, Augustus uses fictional letters, memoirs, histories and recollections to piece together the life and career of Augustus Caesar.So exacting is its detail, it is difficult to believe that the source materials are the products of Williams' imagination (spruced up by historical facts).This work shows how versatile the novel can be; fluid while at the same time containing a variety of perspectives; historically accurate while simultaneously an imaginative romp.

A little slow but a good read
This is not a typical historical fiction book, I found it to be quite slow in parts. The action in this book is nonexistent,too much 3rd person telling of events that happend to others, and not enough of Augustus own words.All in all a very well written book, but this is not a book for an action fan like me. ... Read more

Product Description
The best of John Willaims compiled in one volume, arranged for the piano. It includes music tracks from films such as: "Star Wars"; "ET"; "Superman"; "Jaws"; "Close Encounters of the Third Kind"; "Schindlers List"; "Jurassic Park"; "JFK"; "Born on the Fourth of July"; and "Seven Years in Tibet". ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

great music
this book has a great assortment from John Williams--some of the arrangements are challenging, but most of them are moderately difficulty--many hours of enjoyment.

great book to have
i bought this for my brother who started taking piano lessons a while back, and it's got a great selection of some the most beautiful music i've ever heard (i love john williams).good if you love jurassic park, etc. & many other timeless musical scores!

Great songs
This book has all of Williams's best. The songs sound really good on the piano and are easily reconizable. I recommend it to any John Williams fan.

Wonderful!! A+++++
Boook was in GREAT shape, super super super fast shipping.Wonderful seller.Buy from this person! Thank you so much! We used one of the songs as a joke in our wedding (Indianna Jones theme song... I'm an Archaeologist) and people LOVED it!Thanks for helping to make our special day even better!
A+++++

The best piano book in the world
This is the best piano book in the world. ... Read more

Product Description
The award-winning music of John Williams includes some of the most popular and well-known movie themes ever! This incredibly versatile new collection includes some of Williams’ most-loved titles arranged for Level 2-3 instrumentalists. All arrangements are completely compatible with each other and can be played together or as solos. Each book contains a carefully edited part and a fully orchestrated accompaniment CD. Each song on the CD includes a demonstration track, which features a live instrumental performance, followed by a play-along track. The piano accompaniment book includes a CD that features various instrument demonstration tracks from the series. Titles are: Can You Read My Mind? (Love Theme from Superman) (Superman) * Cantina Band (Star Wars®) * Double Trouble (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban) * Duel of the Fates (Star Wars®: Episode I The Phantom Menace) * Fawkes the Phoenix (Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets) * Harry’s Wondrous World (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone) * Hedwig’s Theme (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone) * The Imperial March (Star Wars®: The Empire Strikes Back) * May the Force Be With You (Star Wars®: The Empire Strikes Back) * Olympic Fanfare and Theme (1984 Olympic Games, Los Angeles) * Star Wars (Main Title) (Star Wars®) * Theme from Superman (Superman) * A Window To the Past (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban). ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Great sheet music--poor binding
My 14 year old son loves this book and plays from it just for fun.However, when we received the product the pages started falling out when we opened it enough to place on the piano--because the binding cracked.Ended up taking it in and paying another $4 to have it spiral bound.Fun music, though.

Excellent
We have the French Horn edition.

The music is definitely level 2-3 as advertised.It is clearly written and the notes are large enough to be seen without difficulty.I am an adult beginner and truly appreciate that feature.

For each song, the CD has two tracks - one with an excellent horn playing the melody with the accompaniment, and another with just the accompaniment so that you can hear what it should sound like and then have the opportunity to play yourself.This makes this publication a very good learning tool.

I have heard accomaniment CD's that were poor quality synthesized music, but this one is great.If it's synthesized (and I think it is), I can't easily tell, but the horn soloist is certainly real.

If you're looking for something like this, this one is a quality product.

Can Never Go Wrong With John Williams
At least this is what my son tells me.I ordered this book for him as he is an extrodinary tenor sax player who doesn't get enough challenge from his HS band (even though they are an award winning band).He has managed to master all the pieces in this book within a few weeks and is looking for more. I would recommend this book to any student looking to expand beyond the classroom. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

The Wisdom of Your Subconscious Mind
Your subconscious mind is a reservoir of wisdom, which you have only to draw upon. It is our link with the infinite, an expression of the highest wisdom of the Universe. Using actual case illustrations, the author cites many instances of subconscious wisdom that have shown men and women solutions and right courses of action in business, science and self-knowledge. He shows you how to use these powerful inner-forces of your subconscious mind to achieve a self-directed, creative life.

You'll discover:

- how to put your subconscious mind to work on solving a problem
- how subconscious Wisdom bursts forth into your conscious mind
- how to grasp the solution and receive the insight and guidance at the fertile moment
- how to uncover, analyze and rid yourself of the hidden factors that inhibit your creativity - and replace them with positive, constructive attitudes
- how to relieve tension and emotional upsets...make important business decisions...use your subconscious as an aid to learning.
--- from books back cover ... Read more

Product Description
In his National Book Award–winning novel Augustus, John Williams uncovered the secrets of ancient Rome. With Butcher’s Crossing, his fiercely intelligent, beautifully written western, Williams dismantles the myths of modern America.

It is the 1870s, and Will Andrews, fired up by Emerson to seek “an original relation to nature,” drops out of Harvard and heads west. He washes up in Butcher’s Crossing, a small Kansas town on the outskirts of nowhere. Butcher’s Crossing is full of restless men looking for ways to make money and ways to waste it. Before long Andrews strikes up a friendship with one of them, a man who regales Andrews with tales of immense herds of buffalo, ready for the taking, hidden away in a beautiful valley deep in the Colorado Rockies. He convinces Andrews to join in an expedition to track the animals down. The journey out is grueling, but at the end is a place of paradisal richness. Once there, however, the three men abandon themselves to an orgy of slaughter, so caught up in killing buffalo that they lose all sense of time. Winter soon overtakes them: they are snowed in. Next spring, half-insane with cabin fever, cold, and hunger, they stagger back to Butcher’s Crossing to find a world as irremediably changed as they have been. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

The Real Buffalo Bill
Fans of John Williams' academic novel, STONER, can rest assured that his western opus, BUTCHER'S CROSSING, will not disappoint, even if they are not fans of the genre.To me, the book is as much a book about nature and about the fall of man as it is about the west.It just happens to be set in Colorado in the 1870s.

Williams' protagonist is a shortened version of his own name, Will.In his early 20s, Will Andrews, the son of a preacher, is newly-arrived from Boston and out for adventure.He meets a buffalo hide dealer named McDonald and signs on with a hunter named Miller, his associate, Charley, and a skinner, Schneider.These four ride westward in search of a valley that only Miller claims to know of -- one filled with the last, great wild buffalo herd that will make them all rich men.In Miller we have an Ahab of the mountains, a man bigger than life who fills the pages and overshadows all around him.He's quite a creation.

Rich with description, Williams' evocation of the land and its moods is nothing short of spellbinding.His eye for detail depicting a hunter's life and skills also impresses.The reader can't help but vicariously experience the highs and the lows that only nature can deal out in most brutal terms.By the end, the hunt takes on more abstract and moral dimensions as the killing reaches epic proportions and the blood stains every member of the party, both literally and figuratively.Upon their return to Butcher's Crossing, they find a surprise.First, the condition of the town and the reason for it.And for young Will there are other surprises -- only these are to be found by searching within instead of looking out.

Well-written, realistic, and historically-accurate, this novel taps a deep and moving theme that will leave the reader thinking long afterward.You can't ask much more of a book than that.

GO WEST YOUNG MAN!
"Mr. McDonald," Andrews said quietly, "I appreciate what you're trying to do for me. But I want to try to explain something to you. I came out here -- " He paused and let his gaze go past McDonald, away from the town, beyond the ridge of earth that he imagined was the river bank, to the flat yellowish green land that faded into the horizon westward. He tried to shape in his mind what he had to say to McDonald. It was a feeling; it was an urge that he had to speak. But whatever he spoke he knew would be but another name for the wildness that he sought. It was a freedom and goodness, a hope and a vigor that he perceived to underlie all the familiar things of his life, which were not free or good or hopeful or vigorous. What he sought was the source and preserver of his world, a world which seemed to turn ever in fear away from its source, rather than search it out, as the prairie grass around him sent down its fibered roots into the rich dark dampness, the Wildness, and thereby renewed itself, year after year."

In Miller, Andrews sees this chance to seek the "source and preserver of his world"...the good, truth and beauty found only in nature...his calling for this 'Emersonian Transcendentalism'. Miller is over-confident in his plan for this kill and the riches it will surely reap.
Miller's hubris is reminiscent of a Greek Tragedy... in that the greed motivating the plot is also the greed which consumes the men...and ultimately and a bit ironically leads to the plot's dissolution.
This novel affected me and moved me by the way it inched forward into a monomania of disregard for the very truth and beauty in nature that it purported to seek.
The killing moved into a numbing process where Will's transformation was disturbing...like the automaton of which he speaks.

"The stench of the buffalo, the feel of the warm meat on his hands, and the sight of clotted blood came to have less and less impact upon his senses. Shortly he came to the task of skinning almost like an automaton, hardly aware of what he did as he sucked the hide from an inert beast and pegged it to the ground. He was able to ride through a mass of skinned buffalo covered black with feeding insects, and hardly be aware of the stench that rose in the heat from the rotting flesh."
I'm still digesting the layers and the rich evocative writing...it is 'as if' the lushness of the valley slowly dissipates in the frenzied slaughter of these gentle beasts.... along with minds and senses of the crazed men.

Early Revisionist Western?
How the West was won?...you decide!

But if you grew up on Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, John Wayne, and the Hollywood Westerns, this book will open a fresh, wider, truer, and much bloodier valley!

The Old West Comes Alive
It's hard to believe we had, at one time, such a place as the the old west for our young people to cut their teeth in!A young man from Boston who's spent 3 years at Harvard rides a stage coach across country to a deserted 10 horse town in Kansas.He's literally set down in the middle of nothing.I loved Williams' description of the `town'.The buildings had been hastily put up and the people were barely socialized.The only industry was killing animals to sell to a middle man for the Eastern market.Against this backdrop our Emerson besotted Bostonian joins up with a few hardened frontier men who are looking for a bank roll so they can chase their dream of killing buffalo. Our hero, Will Andrews, can't resist the adventure this Don Quixote and his Sancho Panza tempt him with.They set out and encounter way more than windmills.They head towards the mountains of Colorado.

I'd never heard of John Williams until I came across a review of his "Stoner" which led me to "Butcher's Crossing".He's an incredible writer and though the entire book is not to be missed the last third was achingly beautiful.The landscape is intrinsic to the story.It could even be considered one of the main characters.Here's one of the many passages that I couldn't help reading over and over.It describes the coming of spring in the Colorado mountains, "The mountainside was a riot of varied shade and hue.The dark green of the pine boughs was lightened to a greenish yellow at the tips, where new growth was starting; scarlet and white buds were beginning to open on the wild-berry bushes; and the pale green of new growth on the slender aspens shimmered above the silver-white bark of their trunks.All about the ground the pale new grass reflected the light of the sun into the shadowed recesses beneath the great pines, and the dark trunks glowed in that light, faintly, as if the light came from the hidden centers of the trees themselves.He thought that if he listened he could hear the sound of growth."Writing just doesn't get much better than this in my opinion.

visceral man v nature read
if you loved cormac mccarthy's blood meridian and oakley hall's warlock, add this one to your 3-book pantheon of essential, classic literary westerns. an incredibly fast, vividly descriptive 3rd-person read, as if you're right there with the four buffalo hunters and their trials and tribulations.

An "adult western" not to be missed
I "discovered" this book when I ordered a new copy of Williams' other novel, STONER. I'd never heard of Butcher's Crossing, but man, this is one helluva good read about the last of the buffalo hunters, but also an example of literary fiction at its finest. You hardly expect a Harvard man to be hunting the buff, but that's what you get here, as well as what he thinks about it all. There are probably many comparisons that could be made here. One other book I thought of while reading this one is THE MOTHERS by Vardis Fisher, an excellent novel about the Donner Party. The truth is though, John Williams is a one-of-a-kind author who, were there any justice in this world, should have been as well known as Updike, Roth and Bellow. This book is well worth your time. - Tim Bazzett, author of the Reed City Boy trilogy and Love, War & Polio ... Read more

Product Description
On September 28, 1960-a day that will live forever in the hearts of fans-Red Sox slugger Ted Williams stepped up to the plate for his last at-bat in Fenway Park. Seizing the occasion, he belted a solo home run- a storybook ending to a storied career. In the stands that afternoon was 28-year-old John Updike, inspired by the moment to make his lone venture into the field of sports reporting. More than just a matchless account of that fabled final game, Hub Fans Bid Kid Adieu is a brilliant evocation of Williams' competitive spirit, an intensity of dedication that still "crowds the throat with joy."
Now, on the 50th anniversary of the dramatic exit of baseball's greatest hitter, The Library of America presents a commemorative edition of Hub Fans, prepared by the author just months before his death. To the classic final version of the essay, long out-of- print, Updike added an autobiographical preface and a substantial new afterword. Here is a baseball book for the ages, a fan's notes of the very highest order. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

The praise is deserved but a word of reservation
I have read Updike's essay many times. It is as all agree, a masterwork. For many it is the beginning of a new kind of sportswriting , more personal, literary, metaphoric. Updike went to bat only one time as a sportswriter and hit the homerun of homeruns.
I have some reservations however about the piece, and the whole take on Ted Williams. For Updike Williams was a consummate, dedicated artist, a man of singular devotion and ability. But Baseball is different from Writing. Baseball is a Team Game.
For Williams whose team was in eighth place in an eight- team league when he hit the homerun in his last time at bat the accomplisments were often solely for himself . For his rival Dimaggio the accomplishments were for a team on the way to winning the pennant. Moreover in the commonplace comparison of the time Willimas went six for six when theRed Sox won 14-3 but Dimaggio went one for four when that one was the winning hit in a key game. There was always the comparison of Williams who did not hit in the clutch the way Dimaggio did.
In other words ,Updike's essay focuses not on the whole story of Williams but rather on his singular accomplishments and virtuoso greatness.
That said it is still a wonderful read done with that Updikean metaphorical precision, that style which seemed to cram each sentence with detailed perception and often beauty.

The Godliness of Ted Willams as Portrayed by his Disciple, John Updike
For any baseball aficionado, but especially for Boston Red Sox fans, the Library of America has just published a sacred tomb:a reprint of John Updike's famous New Yorker article on Ted Williams' last game for the Boston Red Sox.

Updike's reporting on Williams and his love-hate relationship with Boston, its sportswriters and Red Sox fans is a classic.

Even better, this edition also includes some nifty footnotes by the late Updike, written only months before his death last year, as well as excerpts from an article Updike wrote on Williams for Sport Magazine in 1986 and the obituary Updike wrote for the New York Times Magazine, marking Williams' death in 2002.

Updike's writing on Williams is a treasure trove for baseball fans that could be reasonably described as a holy grail on one of the greatest baseball players of all time.This is a book that should sit on every fan's bedside table to be read and reread even as baseball battles its drug addictions and overpays its current stars. It restores one's faith in the national past-time. Williams was, quite simply a classic. As is this book.

Williams & Updike Go Back to Back
I heard Updike's famous essay read before I read it myself. I listened to it again on the day Updike died. Thank God he was there at Fenway that day when Williams exited the stage of baseball. His account of the game is sheer poetry; a simultaneous dissection of the psyches of Williams and his fans. And now at last it is bound and covered as it should have been long ago. I already regard my copy as an heirloom, a memorable summary of the day when the paths of an MVP and a Pulitzer Prize winner crossed forever.

Ted Williams at bat: "expectation, intention, and execution"
"Hub Fans Bid Kid Adieu" is John Updike's loving tribute to the character and craft of Boston Red Sox slugger Ted Williams.First published in The New Yorker magazine a few weeks after Updike sat in the stands of Fenway Park watching Williams' final at bat on September 28, 1960, the essay has over the years attracted the highest praise from trustworthy observers. Some of these accolades appear in the Editorial Reviews section above. The praise is accurate and deserved.

If you follow baseball and care about its storied past, or admire the writing of John Updike, then you will enjoy reading this piece. If you happen to belong to both camps -- if you're an Updike fan AND a baseball fan -- then put this at the top of your list of must-reads.

The question is whether you should spend your money on this particular setting of"Hub Fans Bid Kid Adieu." The article is available online where it can be read for free on several websites, including that of The New Yorker.In book form the piece has been much anthologized. It appears alongside contributions from the likes of William Carlos Williams, Don DeLillo, and Stephen King, in the elegant 721-page hardcover volume, "Baseball: A Literary Anthology." It can be found in "The Greatest Baseball Stories Ever Told: Thirty Unforgettable Tales from the Diamond" (paperback), edited by Jeff Silverman, where it hides amongst 30 fiction and nonfiction pieces from a motley crew of writers such as Doris Kearns Godwin, Pete Hamill, Ring Lardner, P.G. Wodehouse, Vin Scully (on Sandy Koufax), and Abbott and Costello (whose "Who's on First" comic routine is gloriously reprinted in its entirety). The essay joins a broader array of sports pieces recently assembled in "The Only Game in Town: Sportswriting from The New Yorker," where Updike shares space with Malcolm Gladwell (who writes about failure in sports), Martin Amis (on tennis personalities), and John McPhee (on Bill Bradley's basketball career).

The answer to why you might choose to buy this latest issuance of John Updike on Ted Williams comes down to personal preference, convenience, sentimentality, maybe even aesthetics.The essay has a special-ness to it. Its pages offer a sharp character study, a lyrical capturing of a moment of grace, and an essential moral lesson.It is, to use the corny metaphor, a small gem.Think of Duke Ellington's description of Ella Fitzgerald: "beyond category." The quality-conscious publishers at The Library of America respect good writing and have taken care to design the book, simply as a physical object, to be a pleasing product to hold in your hands.

Three photos of Ted Williams grace the book: one is in color on the jacket (you see it pictured here on Amazon, above). The second, in black and white, is used as the frontispiece and shows the slugger ascending to the Fenway field on his final day.The third photo is near-sepia in color and is spread horizontally across the front and back boards, freezing in time his celebrated swing -- and making this hardback look just as fine with or without its jacket.Inside, the main essay from 1960 (with a dozen fact-laden footnotes Updike added a few years later) is, of course, the big draw.This text (33 pages in this wide-margined edition) is flanked by a three-page Preface, written only weeks before Updike died in 2009, and a meandering nine-page Afterword that served as an obituary for the ballplayer who died in 2002.The preface and afterward may strike you as workmanlike exercises -- common stones wildly outshone by the diamond at the center of the book.

Bottom line: if you're looking for a gift for someone open to the call of baseball and its emotional and intellectual appeal, this is a good choice.The book would also be a classy gift for a reader who's read Updike's novels and short stories but is unaware that the author penned, at the start of his career, one of the best nonfiction essays ever written.

Addendum: A 34-second video of Ted Williams' last at bat at Fenway Park on September 28, 1960 is available online (Google the words, YouTube last at bat). If you watch it, pay special heed as Williams rounds third and heads for home. At that moment the cameraman pans up to show the crowd in the stands behind third base, the very section where John Updike was on his feet joining in the stadium-wide "beseeching screaming." The tape is too pixilated for us to spot him. But Updike's there, absorbing the moment -- and starting work on his own piece for the ages.

(Mike Ettner) ... Read more

Product Description
This book was first printed in 1938, having been writtenas a Ph.D. thesis at Harvard in 1937. Our good friend, Peter Bernsteinmentioned this book several times in his excellent Capital Ideas whichwas published in 1992. Why the book is interesting today is that itstill is important and the most authoritative work on how to valuefinancial assets. As Peter says: "Williams combined originaltheoretical concepts with enlightening and entertaining commentarybased on his own experiences in the rough-and-tumble world ofinvestment."Williams' discovery was to project an estimate thatoffers intrinsic value and it is called the 'Dividend Discount Model'which is still used today by professional investors on theinstitutional side of markets. Appendix, Tables, Index. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

Simply an Investment Classic
What a classic! No wonder Warren Buffett was influenced by it. This book teaches investors how to value stocks with the discounted cash flow model. In this model, it is assumed that a stock is worth the net present value of all future dividends. I found this book extremely important and relevant even though it was written in 1937. Investors benefit from knowing what a stock is worth in order to determine whether it is worth buying at the trading price. The book also contains case studies of companies such as General Motors, United States Steel and Phoenix Insurance.

Although this book does not require readers to understand calculus, it does help to understand algebra pretty well. I liked this book very much and I would recommend it.

- Mariusz Skonieczny, author of Why Are We So Clueless about the Stock Market? Learn how to invest your money, how to pick stocks, and how to make money in the stock market

amazing work of finance and economics
Warren Buffet mentioned this as one of the most important works in investment and finance. It is an amazing read though one needs to go very slow.It has lots of details on investment, dividends, interest rates and correlation of all the factors in order to arrive at an intrinsic valuation. The concepts of marginal opinion, dividend discount model valuations, economics of dividends & interests as well as the detailed idea of impact of taxation are amazing. Indeed as John Burr Williams defines this book himself as a work for scientist & economists rather than a maxim for speculators. This book has been a foundation of investment philosophies of Markowitz, Buffet and many others.

A masterpiece - but not for everyone.
This book laid the foundation of business valuation for making investment decisions using the technique we now call Discounted Cash Flow. The fundamental idea of the book is that a business is worth the dividends it will pay in its entire lifetime, discounted at an appropriate interest rate. This idea of true or intrinsic investment value was proposed earlier by other authors, but it was developed and matured in this book. These days many companies do not pay dividends but the underlying principle of valuation is the same.

I found this book interesting because it is a rigorous derivation of the mathematical formulas used in valuation. I also consider it a masterpiece because of the intense insight of the author, which goes way beyond most of the modern day economists and investors. In fact, this is probably the most impressive book on investing I have studied. But it takes effort to read, requires good mathematical skills, and as it is posed as a scientific thesis it does not lend itself well to practitioners looking for a quick how-to guide.

So in spite of this book being an impressive intellectual achievement I have deducted one star in its rating, because it is certainly not for everyone and there are more recent books which will serve the general investor audience better.

Incredible Classic
A fantastic accomplishment.All investors should study this book to learn the real value of a stock.

EXCELLENT
This is an excellent copy of an investment classic.VERY happy with the seller, the shipping and packaging were superb.Thanks again! ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (3)

A memorable read
Mr. William's writing is beautiful. I was swept into the minds of John and his followers. His writing flows from word to word, sentance to sentance. Syntax and context work together flawlessly. No need to re-read sentances or paragraphs to understand. A joy to read.
The story moves along between the characters and touches the heart deeply. John's faith, his humanity, his struggles and triumphs. The questions of faith we all struggle with. The book left me with images that I recall in my everyday life to transport me to a life of faith; longing to serve and also to be home, truly home.
A satisfied smile as I closed the book.

Awaiting the Second Coming
There is some scholarly dispute about the traditional view that John the Apostle and Beloved Disciple was also John the Evangelist, John the Epistle writer, John the author of the Book of Revelations and John the Presbyter.Williams tells us at the beginning that he has basedthis novel on the traditional version.

While there are some fine descriptive passages - particularly about the forces of nature and also about diseases - the style will not appeal to everyone: many one-line paragraphs, one-word sentences.

We meet John some years after he had been exiled during the persecutions of the Christians by the Emperor Domitian in around 91 AD to the bleak and storm-lashed island of Patmos.There, having been stricken blind by a vision, he had dictated the Book of Revelations to one Prochorus.Now very old, frail and blind, he is the revered leader of a number of fellow exiles who had never known Jesus personally and for whom he is the only living link with him.He has told them to expect the return of Jesus.They have waited for so long for this event that some of them are beginning to lose faith in John, and even in the divinity of Christ.It does not help that John has become uncommunicative and at times imperious.He had taught them the power of prayer, but their prayers to save sick people from death are not answered, and even John himself is shaken by this.One Matthias (I think Williams has invented him), the unscrupulous ringleader of the sceptics, not only develops arguments against Christ's divinity, but also manufactures `miracles' of his own to show that God is working through him, to consolidate his hold over the others and to challenge John's leadership.He leads a secession of more than half of John's followers, most of the younger men among them.(Personally, I think it is a pity that Williams has in this crude way equated the protagonist of Doubt with Evil, so that the story becomes one of a battle between Good and Evil, and not, as it should be exclusively, one between Faith and Doubt, in which the case for Doubt is both more respectable and more powerful.) Of the younger men only one stays with John and continues to have faith in him and his teaching: he is Papias. (Papias would later become Bishop of Hierapolis. In a fragment of his writings he said that he had been a hearer of John the Presbyter.)

The Emperor Domitian dies.The state-organized persecution of Christians ends: they may return from their exile.The little band remaining around John believes that it is sign that God's kingdom is coming nearer, and they go with him to Ephesus, where John had lived before his banishment, to resume their mission.It is not easy: they have become used to living for years as an intimate community in their quiet seclusion, and they know that further ordeals lie ahead of them as they face the wider and bustling world once again.And Ephesus is dominated by the Temple of Artemis, and all manner of other cults flourish there.Matthias has preceded them there, has built up a cult following of his own, has won over some of those whom John had known to be true believers and who are now his enemies.The disciples, and even John himself, are shaken to see that what they believe to be their mission is met with so little response.But of course the book of this religious author cannot end in their despair or in their feeling that they have failed if in their lifetime they cannot convert the world and cannot see the return of Christ.They will die before that time, but the Word will live and endure.

Amazing read...like being there
This is the first book I've read by Niall Williams.He is an amazing writer.He plays with vocabulary and sentence structure and somehow (without being gimmicky) transports you back 2,000 years ago, on the island of Patmos, living day by day, in faith, beside the apostle John.You live humbly and expectantly awaiting the return of Christ. Heresies arise.John gets old.I don't want to give anything away, but it is an amazing, literary book that goes to your heart. I finished it a week ago and am still thinking about it.It's a bit of a slow read, but it builds wonderfully.I think non-Christians won't "get" it...but any person of faith, who understands the power of the word of God will love this book.

--Steve Slesinger, Melbourne, FL ... Read more

Product Description
A brilliant and beautifully written novel in the tradition of Robert Graves' I, Claudius, Augustus is a sweeping narrative that brings vividly to life a compelling cast of historical figures through their letters, dispatches, and memoirs.

A mere eighteen years of age when his uncle, Julius Caesar, is murdered, Octavius Caesar prematurely inherits rule of the Roman Republic. Surrounded by men who are jockeying for power -- Cicero, Brutus, Cassius, and Mark Antony -- young Octavius must work against the powerful Roman political machinations to claim his destiny as first Roman emperor. Sprung from meticulous research and the pen of a true poet, Augustus tells the story of one man's dream to liberate a corrupt Rome from the fancy of the capriciously crooked and the wildly wealthy.

Augustus won the 1973 National Book Award for fiction. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (17)

very innovative novel
This is not your typical historical novel, but one written from multiple perspectives in roughly chronological order in the form of letters, diary and journal entries, and memos from a whole range of historical characters and players from that era.It begins just after the Ides of March assassination of Julius Caesar in the Senate and the inheritance of his nephew Octavius (who was adopted as Caesar's son) to his titles and wealth at age 18. Octavius evolves into the Caesar Augustus of the book's title. The novel ends with the death of Augustus.

The novelist assumes some familiarity with the main characters and events of that time.If you are not familiar, then before taking up the novel I would recommend at least reading Encyclopedia Brittanica articles on Julius Caesar, Mark Antony, Octavius, Cleopatra, and perhaps Cicero and Brutus. You should also be clear on who Livy, Ovid, Horace, and Virgil are.

Insightful look at the possibilities of the life of the man
This is a splendid departure from the usual novel or historical account, and gives you a rare glimpse into the possibilities of how Octavius Caesar really lived.

With a narrative based on epistles it shows not just history unfolding but the particular points of view of the people playing at its stage, sometimes even contradictory in viewpoints, and always absolutely engaging.

Best of all, the prose is magnificent and I find myself wishing for more-- not that it's needed but because it's just that well done-- while the ending (as the letter writer had high hopes for the new emperor) was a truly brilliant touch.

It's lonely at the top
Caesar Augustus ponders on his deathbed why people become agitated and divisive in good times but unify during strife. Told through supposed diary entries and letters, this fictional account plumbs the mind of Augustus, showing us his development into the skillful leader who guides his people from chaos, through civil war, to peace and prosperity.
Some of his seemingly cold-hearted decisions, such as the exile of his beloved daughter Julia are seen in a new light. Perhaps her banishment wasn't his arrogant punishment of a perceived betrayal, but protection from charges of treason.
An entralling read, especially following the enjoyable run of HBO's "Rome" series. As good as "Rome" was, this is better. Augustus is three-dimensional here. Williams delivers with solid history with mythology and poetry mixed in. He is an impressive writer, heretofore unknown to me.
Some noteworthy snippets:
"Her mind had never been violated by a serious thought" says Julia
"Cicero and others of his odor" Marcus Antonius
The final musings of Augustus, as his purple-sailed ship wends along Italy's coast to Capri, concern Romans' uneasy relationship with the sea. He refers to Vergil's "conceit" that the gods had "separated land from land by the unimaginable depths of the ocean so that the peoples in those lands might be distinct, and man in his foolhardiness launches his frail bark upon an element that ought not to be touched." In the end, Augustus recognizes himself as a frail human, just as any other Roman.
Williams has definitely made it on my list of authors to explore.

smart, intelligent, with a clever design
A meticulously written novel, Augustus uses fictional letters, memoirs, histories and recollections to piece together the life and career of Augustus Caesar.So exacting is its detail, it is difficult to believe that the source materials are the products of Williams' imagination (spruced up by historical facts).This work shows how versatile the novel can be; fluid while at the same time containing a variety of perspectives; historically accurate while simultaneously an imaginative romp.

A little slow but a good read
This is not a typical historical fiction book, I found it to be quite slow in parts. The action in this book is nonexistent,too much 3rd person telling of events that happend to others, and not enough of Augustus own words.All in all a very well written book, but this is not a book for an action fan like me. ... Read more

Product Description
A brilliant and beautifully written novel in the tradition of Robert Graves' I, Claudius, Augustus is a sweeping narrative that brings vividly to life a compelling cast of historical figures through their letters, dispatches, and memoirs.

A mere eighteen years of age when his uncle, Julius Caesar, is murdered, Octavius Caesar prematurely inherits rule of the Roman Republic. Surrounded by men who are jockeying for power -- Cicero, Brutus, Cassius, and Mark Antony -- young Octavius must work against the powerful Roman political machinations to claim his destiny as first Roman emperor. Sprung from meticulous research and the pen of a true poet, Augustus tells the story of one man's dream to liberate a corrupt Rome from the fancy of the capriciously crooked and the wildly wealthy.

Augustus won the 1973 National Book Award for fiction. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (17)

very innovative novel
This is not your typical historical novel, but one written from multiple perspectives in roughly chronological order in the form of letters, diary and journal entries, and memos from a whole range of historical characters and players from that era.It begins just after the Ides of March assassination of Julius Caesar in the Senate and the inheritance of his nephew Octavius (who was adopted as Caesar's son) to his titles and wealth at age 18. Octavius evolves into the Caesar Augustus of the book's title. The novel ends with the death of Augustus.

The novelist assumes some familiarity with the main characters and events of that time.If you are not familiar, then before taking up the novel I would recommend at least reading Encyclopedia Brittanica articles on Julius Caesar, Mark Antony, Octavius, Cleopatra, and perhaps Cicero and Brutus. You should also be clear on who Livy, Ovid, Horace, and Virgil are.

Insightful look at the possibilities of the life of the man
This is a splendid departure from the usual novel or historical account, and gives you a rare glimpse into the possibilities of how Octavius Caesar really lived.

With a narrative based on epistles it shows not just history unfolding but the particular points of view of the people playing at its stage, sometimes even contradictory in viewpoints, and always absolutely engaging.

Best of all, the prose is magnificent and I find myself wishing for more-- not that it's needed but because it's just that well done-- while the ending (as the letter writer had high hopes for the new emperor) was a truly brilliant touch.

It's lonely at the top
Caesar Augustus ponders on his deathbed why people become agitated and divisive in good times but unify during strife. Told through supposed diary entries and letters, this fictional account plumbs the mind of Augustus, showing us his development into the skillful leader who guides his people from chaos, through civil war, to peace and prosperity.
Some of his seemingly cold-hearted decisions, such as the exile of his beloved daughter Julia are seen in a new light. Perhaps her banishment wasn't his arrogant punishment of a perceived betrayal, but protection from charges of treason.
An entralling read, especially following the enjoyable run of HBO's "Rome" series. As good as "Rome" was, this is better. Augustus is three-dimensional here. Williams delivers with solid history with mythology and poetry mixed in. He is an impressive writer, heretofore unknown to me.
Some noteworthy snippets:
"Her mind had never been violated by a serious thought" says Julia
"Cicero and others of his odor" Marcus Antonius
The final musings of Augustus, as his purple-sailed ship wends along Italy's coast to Capri, concern Romans' uneasy relationship with the sea. He refers to Vergil's "conceit" that the gods had "separated land from land by the unimaginable depths of the ocean so that the peoples in those lands might be distinct, and man in his foolhardiness launches his frail bark upon an element that ought not to be touched." In the end, Augustus recognizes himself as a frail human, just as any other Roman.
Williams has definitely made it on my list of authors to explore.

smart, intelligent, with a clever design
A meticulously written novel, Augustus uses fictional letters, memoirs, histories and recollections to piece together the life and career of Augustus Caesar.So exacting is its detail, it is difficult to believe that the source materials are the products of Williams' imagination (spruced up by historical facts).This work shows how versatile the novel can be; fluid while at the same time containing a variety of perspectives; historically accurate while simultaneously an imaginative romp.

A little slow but a good read
This is not a typical historical fiction book, I found it to be quite slow in parts. The action in this book is nonexistent,too much 3rd person telling of events that happend to others, and not enough of Augustus own words.All in all a very well written book, but this is not a book for an action fan like me. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (23)

Concise, but not for the faint of heart
Invariably, if you are studying pulmonary physiology or respiratory systems or anesthesia or anything involving the lung, you have heard of "West's zones of the lung."Take it from the source.And while at first glance you might think you can get through this text in an hour, be prepared, it reads like Finnegan's Wake.....well, maybe more like Ullyses.
You should expect to read this book cover to cover at least twice.Some sections will require the same amount of time you would engaging a much longer, more belaboured text and your brain might feel like scrambled eggs.But once you've read and understood West, you understand lung and respiratory physiology.
Full of useful diagrams and explanations, the only thing i felt this book lacked was a good flow from one subject to another. But from PFT's, to alveolar function and cellular physiology, this book will cover everything you need to know.

poorly written
This book does not explain concepts very clearly. There are other more lucid texts available for this subject. Most of the figures in the book are graphs (2D cartesian plots) which are poorly explained in either the captions or the main text. My reading of this book was largely supplemented by accessing other resources because the book's poorly written style is not conducive to learning the material.

Essential for physiology course and boards!
Don't think twice.Buy it.You need it.It's a tiny book and can be read in a day.

Half of book was upside down
Part of the book was bound in reverse. I just would have like to have known ahead of time. Other wise the book is good condition and it came promptly.

A must have for learning respiratory physiology
My teacher did not provide the best lectures for the respiratory section of my medical physiology.However, I discovered that this is a text that he used for most of his figures!This book really breaks down all the respiratory physiology topics and I would recommend it to anyone taking a medical physiology course! ... Read more

Product Description
A raw display of private life. ... Read more

Product Description
A brilliant and beautifully written novel in the tradition of Robert Graves' I, Claudius, Augustus is a sweeping narrative that brings vividly to life a compelling cast of historical figures through their letters, dispatches, and memoirs.

A mere eighteen years of age when his uncle, Julius Caesar, is murdered, Octavius Caesar prematurely inherits rule of the Roman Republic. Surrounded by men who are jockeying for power -- Cicero, Brutus, Cassius, and Mark Antony -- young Octavius must work against the powerful Roman political machinations to claim his destiny as first Roman emperor. Sprung from meticulous research and the pen of a true poet, Augustus tells the story of one man's dream to liberate a corrupt Rome from the fancy of the capriciously crooked and the wildly wealthy.

Augustus won the 1973 National Book Award for fiction. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (17)

very innovative novel
This is not your typical historical novel, but one written from multiple perspectives in roughly chronological order in the form of letters, diary and journal entries, and memos from a whole range of historical characters and players from that era.It begins just after the Ides of March assassination of Julius Caesar in the Senate and the inheritance of his nephew Octavius (who was adopted as Caesar's son) to his titles and wealth at age 18. Octavius evolves into the Caesar Augustus of the book's title. The novel ends with the death of Augustus.

The novelist assumes some familiarity with the main characters and events of that time.If you are not familiar, then before taking up the novel I would recommend at least reading Encyclopedia Brittanica articles on Julius Caesar, Mark Antony, Octavius, Cleopatra, and perhaps Cicero and Brutus. You should also be clear on who Livy, Ovid, Horace, and Virgil are.

Insightful look at the possibilities of the life of the man
This is a splendid departure from the usual novel or historical account, and gives you a rare glimpse into the possibilities of how Octavius Caesar really lived.

With a narrative based on epistles it shows not just history unfolding but the particular points of view of the people playing at its stage, sometimes even contradictory in viewpoints, and always absolutely engaging.

Best of all, the prose is magnificent and I find myself wishing for more-- not that it's needed but because it's just that well done-- while the ending (as the letter writer had high hopes for the new emperor) was a truly brilliant touch.

It's lonely at the top
Caesar Augustus ponders on his deathbed why people become agitated and divisive in good times but unify during strife. Told through supposed diary entries and letters, this fictional account plumbs the mind of Augustus, showing us his development into the skillful leader who guides his people from chaos, through civil war, to peace and prosperity.
Some of his seemingly cold-hearted decisions, such as the exile of his beloved daughter Julia are seen in a new light. Perhaps her banishment wasn't his arrogant punishment of a perceived betrayal, but protection from charges of treason.
An entralling read, especially following the enjoyable run of HBO's "Rome" series. As good as "Rome" was, this is better. Augustus is three-dimensional here. Williams delivers with solid history with mythology and poetry mixed in. He is an impressive writer, heretofore unknown to me.
Some noteworthy snippets:
"Her mind had never been violated by a serious thought" says Julia
"Cicero and others of his odor" Marcus Antonius
The final musings of Augustus, as his purple-sailed ship wends along Italy's coast to Capri, concern Romans' uneasy relationship with the sea. He refers to Vergil's "conceit" that the gods had "separated land from land by the unimaginable depths of the ocean so that the peoples in those lands might be distinct, and man in his foolhardiness launches his frail bark upon an element that ought not to be touched." In the end, Augustus recognizes himself as a frail human, just as any other Roman.
Williams has definitely made it on my list of authors to explore.

smart, intelligent, with a clever design
A meticulously written novel, Augustus uses fictional letters, memoirs, histories and recollections to piece together the life and career of Augustus Caesar.So exacting is its detail, it is difficult to believe that the source materials are the products of Williams' imagination (spruced up by historical facts).This work shows how versatile the novel can be; fluid while at the same time containing a variety of perspectives; historically accurate while simultaneously an imaginative romp.

A little slow but a good read
This is not a typical historical fiction book, I found it to be quite slow in parts. The action in this book is nonexistent,too much 3rd person telling of events that happend to others, and not enough of Augustus own words.All in all a very well written book, but this is not a book for an action fan like me. ... Read more

Product Description
This scarce antiquarian book is included in our special Legacy Reprint Series. In the interest of creating a more extensive selection of rare historical book reprints, we have chosen to reproduce this title even though it may possibly have occasional imperfections such as missing and blurred pages, missing text, poor pictures, markings, dark backgrounds and other reproduction issues beyond our control. Because this work is culturally important, we have made it available as a part of our commitment to protecting, preserving and promoting the world's literature. ... Read more

Product Description
The award-winning music of John Williams includes some of the most popular and well-known movie themes ever! This incredibly versatile new collection includes some of Williams’ most-loved titles arranged for Level 2-3 instrumentalists. All arrangements are completely compatible with each other and can be played together or as solos. Each book contains a carefully edited part and a fully orchestrated accompaniment CD. Each song on the CD includes a demonstration track, which features a live instrumental performance, followed by a play-along track. The piano accompaniment book includes a CD that features various instrument demonstration tracks from the series. Titles are: Can You Read My Mind? (Love Theme from Superman) (Superman) * Cantina Band (Star Wars®) * Double Trouble (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban) * Duel of the Fates (Star Wars®: Episode I The Phantom Menace) * Fawkes the Phoenix (Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets) * Harry’s Wondrous World (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone) * Hedwig’s Theme (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone) * The Imperial March (Star Wars®: The Empire Strikes Back) * May the Force Be With You (Star Wars®: The Empire Strikes Back) * Olympic Fanfare and Theme (1984 Olympic Games, Los Angeles) * Star Wars (Main Title) (Star Wars®) * Theme from Superman (Superman) * A Window To the Past (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban). ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

beginner's clarinet
My son started using this book 3 months after he first played the clarinet.This is his first musical instrument (he is in middle school).He may not always want to play his school music but he will easily spend 30 minutes or more with this book and even though he can't play most of the songs perfect yet, he is having fun trying. ... Read more

Product Description
The award-winning music of John Williams includes some of the most popular and well-known movie themes ever! This incredibly versatile new collection includes some of Williams’ most-loved titles arranged for Level 2-3 instrumentalists. All arrangements are completely compatible with each other and can be played together or as solos. Each book contains a carefully edited part and a fully orchestrated accompaniment CD. Each song on the CD includes a demonstration track, which features a live instrumental performance, followed by a play-along track. The piano accompaniment book includes a CD that features various instrument demonstration tracks from the series. Titles are: Can You Read My Mind? (Love Theme from Superman) (Superman) * Cantina Band (Star Wars®) * Double Trouble (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban) * Duel of the Fates (Star Wars®: Episode I The Phantom Menace) * Fawkes the Phoenix (Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets) * Harry’s Wondrous World (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone) * Hedwig’s Theme (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone) * The Imperial March (Star Wars®: The Empire Strikes Back) * May the Force Be With You (Star Wars®: The Empire Strikes Back) * Olympic Fanfare and Theme (1984 Olympic Games, Los Angeles) * Star Wars (Main Title) (Star Wars®) * Theme from Superman (Superman) * A Window To the Past (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban). ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great Book
This is a great book to practice cello and have fun with these movie melodies, the CD is a helpful device, there are some pieces a little bit difficult for me that I'm a begginer but not too much, I'm very pleased with this book and CD. ... Read more

Product Description

Banished from the Massachusetts Bay Colony for his refusal to conform to Puritan religious and social standards, Roger Williams established a haven in Rhode Island for those persecuted in the name of thereligious establishment. He conducted a lifelong debate over religious freedom with distinguished figures of the seventeenth century, including Puritan minister John Cotton, Massachusetts governor John Endicott, and the English Parliament.

James Calvin Davis gathers together important selections from Williams's public and private writings on religious liberty, illustrating how this renegade Puritan radically reinterpreted Christian moral theology and the events of his day in a powerful argument for freedom of conscience and the separation of church and state. For Williams, the enforcement of religious uniformity violated the basic values of Calvinist Christianity and presumed upon God's authority to speak to the individual conscience. He argued that state coercion was rarely effective, often causing more harm to the church and strife to the social order than did religious pluralism.

This is the first collection of Williams's writings in forty years reaching beyond his major work, The Bloody Tenent, to include other selections from his public and private writings. This carefully annotated book introduces Williams to a new generation of readers.

Product Description
Learn design theory and practical know-how from the award-winning author/design team, Robin Williams and John Tollett!Robin Williams introduced design and typographic principles to legionsof readers with her best-selling Non-Designer's book series. Now sheand designer/co-author John Tollett take you to the next level ofcreative design with practical advice and lessons in composition,visual impact, and design challenges.

Presented in Robin andJohn's signature style—writing that is so crystal clear, it'saccessible to absolutely anyone—and illustrated with hundreds offull-color design examples, the ideas in this book tackle designtheory, visual puns, and layout and graphics strategies for real-worldprojects. Developing designers will appreciate the authors' imaginativeapproach and well-chosen examples.

• Discover practical and effective design principles and concepts—and how to apply them to virtually any project.
• Learn why some designs are attention-getting and others are not.
• Learnhow to choose just the right look—corporate or casual, classic ortrendy—for specific types of projects, such as business cards,letterhead and envelopes, newsletters and brochures, logos,advertising, and more.
• Test your design acumen by comparing before-and-after examples.
• Find a wealth of inspiration for your own design projects.
• Gain insight into the design process by studying the work of guest designers, who offer their personal commentary and insights.
  

Customer Reviews (38)

A Good Beginner Design Reference Manual
Always having a passion for graphic design, I read through the reviews for this book and found most of it accurate.This book introduces basic graphic design at its most elemental level:key principles.

It is not a workshop where it teaches you graphic design through a workbook environment.Rather, it introduces you to principles and challenges you to think how you are able to use the information provided.It gives you perspective and adds a new way of thinking to being creative with guidelines.

Although, it touches many facets of graphic design it primarily focuses on having an aspiring graphic designer to notice the four basic elemental principles of graphic design.They would be: Contrast, Repetition, Alignment and Proximity.

The book goes on to cover how different arts and mediums all need to be aware of the underlying 4 principles of graphic design.

I found this book to be highly useful, easy to read, and a great basic introduction to the subject matter.You will always be able to use it as a handy reference and that in itself will add value forever!

Outdated but can provide inspiration
Interesting book, could give you some ideas for improving design.But I find that it's outdated and not as modern as I would've hoped.

Satisfied customer
I'm very happy with my purchase.The product was in perfect condition and I recieved it in a timely manner.

I am very satisfied with the product and service provided.

very accessible
All of Robin Williams' design books are not only well-written, but extremely accessible, and this one is no exception. In fact, this is my favorite of all of her books. I love that she includes so many details about the projects. She even includes detailed colophons in the backs of her books, which is very useful if you are at all interested in fonts and type styles. Even if you do a lot of design work, this book is useful for jump-starting creative blocks.
Her Mac books are pretty good, too.

Love the follow up
The second edition was needed, but could be more meatier than adding a few extra insights from the first version.But hey, I love the writer. ... Read more