Subjects:  1. Gogol§, Nikolai Vasil§evich   2. Translations into English   

Subjects:  1. Anesthesiology   2. Back Pain   3. Backache   4. Evidence-based medicine   5. Internal Medicine   6. Medical   7. Medical / Nursing   8. Musculoskeletal Diseases   9. Orthopedics   10. Rheumatology   11. Surgery - General   

Customer Reviews (8)

Authoritative Eyeful
The amount of information that has accumulated about the Maya in the last ten years is extraordinary. I find it amazing to go to public libraries, even good ones like the state library here in Tallahassee, Florida, only to find that most of the books on the Maya date from the 1970's or earlier, and virtually everything they have to say about the historical context of Maya civilization is woefully out of date.

If you're out of date about the latest developments in Maya historiography, or if you're just developing an interest in the subject, you'll find this book to be of value. It gives the history of the major classic era cities (the book is completely about the classic period, and only digresses outside of that era to add supporting information), and does it in a format that is attractive and interesting. Indeed, many of the illustrations are of pieces that have only recently been unearthed, and this increases the interest of the book.

The one drawback is that the book is a little too advanced for the beginner - it can be difficult to work out the historical signposts - and a little too basic for the student already familiar with most recent work. A little more data about the overall context of the period and culture would be of some value. Aside from this one objection, it is an admirable work, well-written enough to capture the interest of the intelligent general reader while not giving the feeling that the authors are talking down to a non-specialist level. Definitely worth the read.

Kings of the Yucatan
The 'Chronicle of the Mayan Kings' is a beautifully illustrated chronicle of the Mayan kings of the poorly known Mayan kingdoms of the Yucatan like Tikal and Copan. The names of the Mayan kings are shown in Mayan hieroglyphs. There are accounts of what we know of the accomplishments of men such as Yik'in Chan Kawil of Tikal and Yukmook Cheen 2 of Calukmal. We see the relations among the Mayan states. There are timelines to make the time periods more clear. Special features describe the complex Mayan calendar and the Mayan number system, which is based on twenty instead of ten.
This book is an excellent account of what little is known about the Mayan states.

A book for all your Classic Maya needs
This book is a perfect example on how to divulge history without making it too simple or pandering to the "sensationalist" aspects of the tale. The research on the ancient Maya culture over the last decades has revealed enough information that a more or less complete sequence of events can be drawn over several centuries. It also has revealed that the Mayan did not seem able, or willing, to strive towards the establishment of a centralized empire as others civilizations tried. The result is a complex story involving the struggles between loosely organized groups of petty states around a few major ones. Telling that tale in an exciting way is thus more difficult: no Alexander the Great figure here to follow.... But Martin and Grube have been able to spin the yard of quite a tale. Once you pass the catchy title that makes you wonder whether the inside will be lightweight history, you do realize that this is a very complete, if brief, book. After a concise introductory chapter, the authors chose deliberately to tell the story of a few individual cities. You might disagree as to why they chose those (Northern cities such as Uxmal are absent). You might have wanted a more unified tale of Mayan civilization. Or perhaps a more people's oriented history. But the fact is that there are not many facts on the ancient Maya in spite of recent advances. It is to the merit of the authors to make the most of these facts to write an informative story, a city based history as the Mayan were, without entering into undue speculations. And that the book is loaded with nice pictures, interesting maps and diagrams is a great plus. Nice enough for a coffee table, deep enough for a serious library. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiquities   2. Archaeology   3. Archaeology / Anthropology   4. Central America   5. Ethnic Studies - Native American Studies   6. General   7. History   8. Kings and rulers   9. Mayas   10. Monarchy And Aristocracy   11. Native American   12. Pre-Columbian Archaeology   13. Social Science   14. Sociology   

Customer Reviews (1)

An Interesting, Easy-To-Read Overview
Loaded with pictures and maps, this cultural atlas of Russia is an excellent quick reference. Written concisely, it recounts major events/rulers in Russian history, putting them in perspective with regards to European history and, at least for me, clarifying some confusing areas (e.g. "The Time Of Troubles"). As a history major in college, I studied Russian history, but had forgotten many details. Was most pleased to discover this atlas and the easy-to-follow, refresher course it provided. Atlas is written in a reader-friendly fashion, easy to pick up after an interruption, and I expect it would be as interesting to a first time student of Russian history as it was to me. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art, Russian   2. Art, Soviet   3. Atlases - General   4. Civilization   5. Europe - Russia & the Former Soviet Union   6. Former Soviet republics   7. Historical Atlases   8. History - General History   9. Maps   10. Reference   

Customer Reviews (1)

intense but worthwhile
i've just bought the set, but don't wish to keep it for personal reasons. The set is in mint condition, would anyone like to buy it? ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1917-1928   2. Biography   3. Business/Economics   4. Economic policy   5. Economics   6. Economists   7. Long waves (Economics)   8. Soviet Union   9. Kondrat§ev, N. D   

Subjects:  1. Anatomy   2. Health & Fitness   3. Health/Fitness   4. Medical / Nursing   5. Orthopedics   6. Reference   7. Lumbar vertebrae   8. anatomy & histology   9. physiopathology   

Subjects:  1. Chess   2. Chess - General   3. Collections of games   4. Games   5. Games / Gamebooks / Crosswords   6. Games/Puzzles   7. Handbooks, manuals, etc   

Customer Reviews (2)

A Detailed, Fascinating Biography
I found this to be a refreshing and absolutely fascinating book about a "minor" member of the Romanov family (because he was intelligent, intellectual and hardworking). I think I have read all the Romanov biographies published in French or English, and I hated for this one to end!

I believe it does depict why Nicholas Mikhailovich was a pariah in the Romanov family, from the "White Crow" title on, although it is helpful if the reader can bring some knowledge to the book (beyond Nicholas and Alexandra), but it isn't essential.

I highly recommend this book to anyone fascinated by European literary and historical culture of the late 19th century, and to anyone whose interest in Imperial Russia goes deeper than wondering if anyone survived the massacre in Ekaterinburg -- this sheds some life on why they ended up there!

The biography of a Royal Gentleman Scholar
This is the first full length English biography of Grand Duke Nicholas Mikhailovich Romanov of Russia. The Grand Duke was the eldest of the 4 sons and 1 daughter of Grand Duke Mikhail Nicholaevich and spent most of his youth in the Caucasus where his father was Viceroy.

In later life Nicholas was a well known and respected historian. His works on Russian history and butterflies (both of them passions) are still respected today within in Russia. These interests of Nicholas and his genuine scholarship, along with his love and respect for France and its political systems made him an atypical Romanov.

This is a reasonably detailed and well researched biography that uses primary sources mostly from Russia and France. The author does not hide the Grand Dukes acerbic and cynical nature or try to gloss over his more unattractive traits such as his inability to keep a secret or his anti-Semitism.

However, at the same time the book does not really seem to pinpoint why the Grand Duke was a "Pariah in the Family". The period of Nicholas life during the Russian revolution and the months leading to his death are particularly well documented in some detail, especially in comparison to some of his earlier years.

This book is an important work in filling out the world of the Romanovs and brings to life a Grand Duke, who in most western works, has lived his life in the shadows until now - but who in France and Russia in his day was a celebrity based on ability as much as his imperial birth. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1859-1919   2. Biography   3. Europe - General   4. Europe - Russia & the Former Soviet Union   5. General   6. Grand Duke of Russia,   7. History   8. History - General History   9. History: World   10. Intellectuals   11. Nikolai Mikhailovich,   12. Nobility   13. Russia   14. History / Europe / General   15. Nikolai Mikhailovich   

Customer Reviews (1)

Cycles
It is an excellent book to understand Economic Cycles .It worths its
value. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business / Economics / Finance   2. Business Cycles   3. Business/Economics   4. Economics - Microeconomics   

Customer Reviews (1)

Excellent investigative journalism on science under Stalin
I am a plant scientist, and approached this book attracted by the name of one of the greatest biologists of this century. I did not expect, however, the deep emotions which emanate from this enticing story. Well written; investigative journalism at its best. Almost Dr. Zhivago-like true story under the Stalin regime. I enjoyed every line. Mandatory for Plant Biologists, but undoubtedly appealing to any reader with interest in Science and modern History. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. (Nikolai Ivanovich),   2. 1887-1943   3. Biography   4. History   5. Life Sciences - Botany   6. Plant Genetics   7. Plant breeders   8. Plant breeding   9. Plant geneticists   10. Science   11. Science And Public Policy   12. Soviet Union   13. Vavilov, N. I   

Customer Reviews (4)

A teenager's war
We live (as western Europeans or Americans) in a culture where “war” is something far away, usually on the other side of a TV screen. Our kids are living sheltered lives – and often we would like to see them even more protected. So, if it’s always difficult to understand the motivations behind a soldier’s will to fight, it’s even more difficult when the soldier is a 18th years old girl. Born and bred in a cultured family, she could have easily avoided being involved, and instead escaped to choose the worst kind of war – partisan duty behind German lines on the Eastern Front, paying the ultimate price for this choice. There could be a strong potential for the worst rhetoric on the “beauty” of patriotism and self-immolation, but “Defending Leningrad” (another entry on prof. K.J. Cottam series of books on Soviet women’s role during WWII) avoid these simplifications, giving us an invaluable insight on a teenage mind reacting to the reality of conflict.

“Defending Leningrad” is actually a collection of writings. The emotional core is the diary and letters of Ina Konstantinova, the above mentioned teenage, who volunteered to join a partisan brigade stationed behind German lines on the Leningrad front from 1942 to 1944. She worked as a scout collecting intelligence on German troop movement, was arrested several times (always escaping fortuitously), and finally was killed while covering her comrades retreat when her unit was surrounded by German security troops. It’s a remarkable document in its sparseness, its simple, almost banal candour.

Before the war, we see Ina being emotional after reading Victor Hugo “The Miserables” (typically, she idolised Jean Valjean but despised Cosette) and Jack London “Martin Eden”; daydreaming on her future; getting romantic – all summed up, being a very ordinary teenager of her time. The was comes as a big shock, but in her heart Ina seems to be unchanged, at least until her boyfriend is KIA on the front. This event, plus a confused desire to “do something more” – and a not-so-vague longing for independence and adventure – precipitate her choice. The letters to her mother and sister and her diary’s entries from the front reveal a mix of emotions: fear, homesickness, pride for her role but also horror for what she’s seeing – and not always confined to Nazi’s actions, see her reaction to the execution of a collaborationist. She does what she can to reassure her mother that after all everything is OK, that her dad (actually, the Intelligence Chief of her brigade) is protecting her. She’s hardening (at one point she remarks matter-of-factly that her “bodycount” amount to 15 Germans killed), but even if she tries to hide it, the war hardships are progressively taking a toll on her resolve. She never doubt that what she’s fighting for is right, but her unexpressed desire to find again the pre-war serenity is highlighted but the banality of most of what seems important to her – her family well being, getting food and clothes, her young sister’s studies. The abrupt ending of the document seems only to highlight this loss.

Ina’s diary (originally published as “The Girl From Kashin”), is not a literary masterpiece, and you’ll not find the harrowing passages of Anne Frank’s famous book. But this – in my opinion – just add to its sincerity. And compared to it, “Defending Leningrad” other sections are more problematic. The first is Ina’s father tale on his daughter predicament. It’s an interesting counterpoint, but raises more questions that it solves: was he right? Torture and a painful death were the usual fate of captured female partisans - doubters can look the pictures a page 71-72 of Erickson’s “Eastern Front In Photographs”, and remember that such horrors happened even on the Western Front. How could a father rationally send his daughter to face such risks, even for a cause that he sees as good? Ina’s dad never answers, and this silence is revealing: but truth is that we don’t have an answer as well.

The last two pieces are straightforward narratives dealing with the fate of two of Ina’s comrades-in-armes. “Masha’s Birch Trees” is a short story on the life – and death – of Masha Pryvayeva, another partisan scout that was captured and gruesomely executed by German troops in summer 1942. It’s a sad piece, and seems to underscore the problems I mentioned before (Ina, sent in mission together with Masha, barely escaped the same fate). The last, "The Secret Of Zoya Zuglova”, tells us of a girl who did spywork for the Soviet “socialising” with German officers, just to be tortured and executed when caught.

Prof. Cottam’s translation is impeccable, as impeccable are the notes punctuating and explaining the text, giving us the correct historical perspective to evaluate a book that is, without doubt, an exceptional document on the history of partisan warfare on the Eastern Front.

Defending Leningrad: Women Behind Enemy Lines
K. J. Cottam's books are invaluable. This topic has been so neglected by historians in the West, and Cottam's books have done much to rectify the situation. They are a must read.

Should be Required Reading
"Defending Leningrad", formerly published as "The Girl from Kashin", ought to be required reading for Holocaust History, right alongside "Anne Frank's Diary of a Young Girl" and "Because of Romek". Ina's journal, and her father's post-humous tribute are extraordinary -- precisely because the Partisans were, in fact, very ordinary Soviet citizens. Ina's diary in her own words is heart-breakingly intimate and a very powerful account of one young Lenigrader's resistance against the blockade. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1924-1944   2. Biography & Autobiography   3. Biography/Autobiography   4. Historical - General   5. History - Military / War   6. Konstantinova, Ina Aleksandrov   7. Military - World War II   8. Personal narratives, Russian   9. Soviet Union   10. Underground movements   11. Women   12. World War, 1939-1945   13. Konstantinova, Ina Aleksandrovna   14. Leningrad, Siege of, 1941-1944   15. Spies   

Subjects:  1. Continental European   2. Drama   3. General   4. Performing Arts/Dance   5. Plays / Drama   

Subjects:  1. Children's 12-Up - Fiction - General   2. Classics   3. Fiction   4. Literature: Classics   5. Fiction / Classics   

Customer Reviews (9)

More that just a light read
While this book is a hard read, I loved it, and appreciated its authentic feel. It is of a much higher quality that much other modern Arthurian trashy fantasy novels. And, in my opinion, should not be compared to them. If you want an easy, simple story to read featuring Merlin, etc, there's lots more to choose from. If you want something with an edge, is more real, and substance, then get this book.

The Coming of the King
As the other two reviewers noted, the book is difficult to get through. I made it past page 65, but I had to push myself. I actually purchased the book over 10 years ago, tried to read it, and became bored. I picked it up again recently, wanting to give it a second chance. I just couldn't stay with it. I am pretty well versed in Arthurian myth, Welsh mythology, etc., and the obscure references to gods, people, and places left me totally confused.

I checked out the reviews here to see if others were having the same experience.

I think this book looks good on a shelf, but not to read.

I agree with the other reviewer...
...but the reason for the book's dullness is interesting. The entire story (I did read the whole book, but cannot for the life of me remeber why...) is told as a history, as if the action is not happening as the reader reads, but has already happened long ago, and the narrator is simply relating ancient events.

This device lends a bit of interest at the beginning of the book, but it gets terribly dull by about the twelfth page of the book, and the author never shifts the narrative to the present, but continually reminds the reader (through verb conjugation and other devices) that this stuff has already happened.

"The Lord of the Rings", on the other hand, is told as if the action is taking place as the reader reads, and this helps to hold the readers' attention, keeping them interested in what is going to happen 'next'.

In Tolstoy's book (and a case could be made that an Authurian book should be more engrossing than a modern tale) however, there is no 'what happens next', since the whole thing was over long ago--and Tolstoy never lets his readers forget it, and thus one never really 'gets into' the story.

Tolkein suffered from this device in 'The Silmarillion', and Tolstoy should have learned from that epic history that this device makes drama and mystery nearly impossible.

And both drama and mystery are required of any writer wishing to hang onto his audience's attention much past page 65.

Keith Russell ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adaptations   2. Arthurian romances   3. Fantasy   4. Fantasy - General   5. Fiction   6. Fiction - Fantasy   7. Merlin (Legendary character)   

Customer Reviews (2)

A Constant Source of Inspiration
This is an excellent book on the beautiful and inspiring paintings of Russian artist Nicholas Roerich. Exceptional value with 88 colour reproductions of his work. The written material is faultless and fascinating. Roerich was dedicated to Beauty and I find that whenever I dip into this book I am completely captivated by his ability to speak to my innermost heart and spirit through the language of colour and the rich symbolism of his paintings. Fascinated by the legends of Shambhala and the wisdom of the ancients, Roerich's paintings and Decter's words take us on a wonderful journey that will enrich our lives. Roerich was a very deeply spiritual man and so his paintings serve this higher purpose. If you wish to light the inner fire of your spirit through art and beauty, then this is the book for you.

A fascinating biograpy with over 80 paintings reproduced.
If you are looking for a book about the life and art of Nicholas Roerich or if you are looking for a fascinating account of a modern mystic, one of the great men of this time, this is it. The book contains over 80 of his paintings, drawings and theatrical set designs. The biographical accounting is fascinating and inspiring. I found this book very enjoyable and highly recommend it. Also suggest checking out the web site of the Nicholas Roerich museum in N.Y. city. Paul Huston ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1874-1947   2. Art & Art Instruction   3. Artists, Architects, Photographers   4. Biography & Autobiography   5. Biography/Autobiography   6. Criticism and interpretation   7. Individual Artist   8. Rerikh, Nikolai Konstantinovi   9. Rerikh, Nikolai Konstantinovich   

Subjects:  1. Accounting   2. Accounting - General   3. Business & Economics   4. Business / Economics / Finance   5. Business/Economics   6. Business & Economics / Accounting / General   

Subjects:  1. (Nikolai),   2. 1903-1958   3. General   4. Literature - Classics / Criticism   5. Poetry   6. Russian & Former Soviet Union   7. Translations into English   8. Zabolotskii, N   

Subjects:  1. (Nikolai Aleksandrovich),   2. 1896-1966   3. Bernshtein, N. A   4. Human locomotion   5. Medical   6. Motor ability   7. Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation   

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography   2. Biography / Autobiography   3. Biography/Autobiography   4. Entertainment & Performing Arts - General   5. Literary   

Customer Reviews (1)

Herzen's struggle brought to life
Tom Stoppard is arguably the single finest playwright of his generation, and the Coast of Utopia trilogy is a massive undertaking that in the hands of a less skilled author could have gone awry and badly. Stoppard though manages to make what could be a painfully pedantic history lesson into a moving portrayal of love, ideology, loss, and change.

The mess of Alexander Herzen's life, and those of his closest friends and family, is tragic in a really monumental scope. There are no clear places to lay blame, nor clear winners or losers, instead the entire piece is pervaded with a sense of futility (and I don't mean this negatively), Herzen trying vainly to convince his associates that the blood being spilled is of no use, and trying to mend the broken relationships surrounding him.

The history is neither dominate or secondary to the characterization here, rather Stoppard manages to make the historical events we know (or may not know) part and parcel of the volatile and fascinating lives of some of Russias greatest citizens. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. (Nikolai Platonovich),   2. 1812-1870   3. Drama   4. England   5. English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh   6. Herzen, Aleksandr,   7. Ogarev, N. P   8. Plays   9. Plays / Drama   10. Revolutionaries   11. Russians