Customer Reviews (1)

Excellent
This is a translation of two quite small Russian books. The first is a biography of Riemann, the second a review of "Geometrical" physics, recently updated. Even the biography includes some mathematics which I did not fully understand, but it is a great introduction, and it's good to get your feet a little wet! The book is small and very readable. I recommend it to students interested in understanding the relationships between physics, mathematics, and geometry. A gentle introduction to the "technical" journey. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1826-1866   2. Biography   3. Geometry - General   4. Germany   5. Mathematical Physics   6. Mathematicians   7. Mathematics   8. Physics   9. Riemann, Bernhard,   10. Science   11. Science/Mathematics   12. Topology   13. Topology - General   14. Riemann, Bernhard   15. Differential Topology   16. Theoretical Physics   

Subjects:  1. Chess   2. Chess - General   3. Games   4. Games / Gamebooks / Crosswords   5. Games/Puzzles   6. General   

Customer Reviews (2)

Easy "as it gets" Guide
... How about we change the title to "Easy as it gets" guide to the bla bla opening? How much easier can you make the Dragon? Mr. G covers all the main lines, most of the obscure ones, and through my study of this book I've been able to gain excellent positions. As someone who knew a "little" about the dragon, this book has been an excellent "next step". So far I haven't felt the need to get another book on this opening.

Easy Guide(?) - A misleading title
There is very little verbal explanation in this book - one is simply shown masses of variations. Tis is typical of sharp lines like the Sicilian Dragon - hence, there is no point in really claiming to write Easy Guides on such Openings.

However, the book scores highly on all other points - good writing/translation and evaluations and assessments of critical and off beat lines by the author( a Dragon expert and GM practitioner who has introduced a few novelties in this opening). I prefer this book to the Gufeld-Stetsko book on the same opening, though I think players new to the Dragon should not expect to find loads of words that make thier lives easier.

Highly recommended to any Dragon player, and is content-wise deserving of 5 stars. However, that misleading title... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Chess - General   2. Chess - Specific Strategies   3. Games   4. Games / Gamebooks / Crosswords   5. Games/Puzzles   6. Games / Chess   

There may be no more enigmatic public figure than Mikhail Gorbachev. This leader who guided the Soviet Union out of the quagmire of socialism and paved the way for the liberation of Eastern Europe is forgotten, even reviled, in his own land. Gorbachev's massive autobiography hints at why he has been relegated to the dustbin of history by the very people he helped set free. Capable of asking the big questions, by nature and by training he was only able to attend to the small details. Looking back on his career as a Communist bureaucrat, he wonders, "How was it that any initiative which patently served the interests of society was immediately viewed with suspicion and even overt hostility? Why was our system so unresponsive to renewal and innovation? Other [questions] crossed my mind. But I was much too busy to give them serious consideration." ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Amazing look at the Inside of the Soviet Union
Patience, and a lot of it. That's what you'll need if you want to read this book, especially if you aren't Russian or a Sovietologist (do they still exist?). The division of the book is into four parts, the first deals with the years before he took the helm in the former USSR. This is the part that you really have to slog it out, especially with the names, places, and also the various positions that he held in the Communist party (the glossary at the end is definitely necessary)... For me this was the least interesting part of the book and if you can get over this initial hump, the rest of the book is very interesting and of course informative.

The second part is especially interesting since it deals with Gorbachev's ascent into the highest seat in the Soviet Union. He goes into quite some length dealing with the issues surrounding Perestroika and the difficulties involved in making Perestroika work. He is good enough to give the reader some background information on the Communist party, its structures, and the founding fathers, Lenin and Stalin, as well as his other predecessors, Brezhnev, Adropov etc...Quite personal at times and very insightful, especially for those who aren't very familiar with the former Soviet Union.

Part III, which deals with the USSR's relationship with the outside world is a must read, especially as it deals with how Gorbachev, and not the U.S was the one who began the process that culminated in the end of the "Cold war". Gorbachev also speaks about how Yeltsin's lust for power was one of the factors that led to the breakup of the Soviet Union, and here perhaps the reader would be wise to consult other books that give Yeltsin's point of view.

The 1991 coup is dealt with in the last part. It is a very personal account of the coup with some private notes from his wife, Raisa Maksimovna's journal. You can't help but pity him for the treatment he received at the hands of Boris Yeltsin after his resignation.
This is quite a lengthy book, but well worth the effort. I'd suggest this book to anyone interested in the history of Russia or Perestroika and the man behind it.

He Changed the History of the World
In the latter part of the 20th Century, Mikhail Gorbachev changed the history of the world. He undid the unhappy results of the Russian Revolution and its version of communism which imprisoned Russia and the Soviet Union in totalitarianism. Almost single-handed, he brought the nerve-wracking Cold War to a peaceful end.

In his determination to rid his country of the stultifying bureaucratic thought and practices which prevented the full flowering of an idealistic version of Socialism, he broke open old seals to let in light, fresh air and innovative thought. Alas, for Soviet-style communism, the new air and new light caused it to shrivel and die.

Little did Mr. Gorbachev realize the unintended consequences of his acts, first as General Secretary of the Communist Party and later as Chairman of the Presidium of the USSR Supreme Soviet. Little did he realize that when the ties of totalitariansim were loosened that the Soviet Union would disintegrate almost overnight.

Well, that's all history now -- and it is an historical "given" that Gorbachev's innovations of glasnost and perestroika stimulated thought and ambition and the courage to break from the past. His Memoirs are important -- not for the political analysis of why what happened actually did happen but for what they tell about the man Gorbachev, his ambitions for himself and for his country.

Some might find the day by day chronicle irritating slow, but I did not. In the first third of this long book, Mr. Gorbachev relates his life prior to his rise to power; interesting because he describes his rural, farm-life background which explains much about the man he ultimately became. The final two-thirds of his Memoirs describes Soviet history and Mr. Gorbachev's role in it during its last days.

Famous, historical personalities populate its pages. He was diplomatically kind in describing the U.S. presidents he had to deal with -- Ronald Reagan and the first George Bush. In contrast, he was severely critical of some of his Russian colleagues, particularly Boris Yeltsin who, not surprisingly, comes off like a crude, duplicitous vodka-swilling opportunist.

The world has not been the same since Mikhail Gorbachev's ascendency in the Soviet Union. His personal Memoirs are historically important and worth the time -- and occasionally -- the patient effort to read them.

Excelent reading on modern history
Gorbashev presents and excelent and candid view into the recent history of Rusia. The book provides background knowlege with insight as to the reasons of Rusia`s economical, social and political problems. More importantly, after reading it, I have a deeper understanding as to the current problems that exist with the different countries that are a product of the desintegrated Rusia. To mention a very resent example, Kosovo. It is very easy to get caught in the "media web" and misunderstand other countries problems. There is no substitude for reading. I recommend reading the book, that is why I give it five stars. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1931-   2. Biography   3. Biography / Autobiography   4. Biography/Autobiography   5. Europe - Russia & the Former Soviet Union   6. Gorbachev, Mikhail Sergeevich,   7. Heads of state   8. Historical - General   9. Political   10. Soviet Union   11. Biography & Autobiography / Historical   12. Gorbachev, Mikhail Sergeevich   

Subjects:  1. Dictionaries   2. Engineering   3. English   4. Foreign Language Study   5. General   6. Language   7. Reference   8. Russian   9. Russian Language   10. Science   11. Technology & Industrial Arts   12. Translation And Interpretation   13. Bilingual dictionaries   14. Foreign Language Study / Russian   15. Mathematics and Science   16. Technology: General Issues   17. Translation & interpretation   

Subjects:  1. (Mikhail Mikhailovich),   2. 1895-1975   3. 20th century   4. Bakhtin, M. M   5. Business & Economics   6. Business/Economics   7. Criticism   8. History   9. International - General   10. Literature - Classics / Criticism   11. Semiotics & Theory   12. Literary Criticism & Collections / General   

Customer Reviews (15)

Romance Suggests Real-LIfe Anna Karenina and Vronsky
As an avid reader of books about the Romanov family, I consider Rosemary and Donald Crawford's dual biography one of the best.

Admittedly, much of my enthusiasm has to do with the heretofore lack of information about Michael, youngest brother of Tsar Nicholas. Except for the wonderful biography of the brothers' eldest sister Olga, mention of Michael often has been sketchy and/or flat.

However, this account skillfully represents Michael and Natasha as three-dimensional people -- flawed but sympathetic, occasionally admirable, and often (like most of us) guilty of errors in judgment.

In previously published books, Michael almost always comes off as little more than a handsome dolt. In this biography, however, we read that in addition to being the impetuous, charming and relatively carefree younger brother of Tsar Nicholas, Michael also was bright, well-regarded by many government officials, and possessed of considerable leadership ability. The beautiful Natasha, while definitely a "scarlet woman," matched and perhaps surpassed Michael in the charisma department, but -- unlike her lover and eventual husband -- possessed amibition and tenacity. Together, they were quite a couple, and today would be considered glamourous and trend-sitting.

Understandably, however, Nicholas and Alexandra -- being far more conventional, and the epitome of Traditional Family Values -- were highly intolerant of Michael and Natasha's relationship and marriage. This book explores many intriguing aspects of the Michael/Natasha liaison, such as the evolvement of their relationship, and the supposed disapproval of the Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna, who also was involved in an unconventional relationship.

In checking other reader reviews of this book, I am surprised at the range. Some are completely lauditory, while others are completely condemnatory.The title should clue potential readers that the Crawford's book is, above all, a portrait of a romance. That it is played aginst the final years of Tsarist Russia is of course important, but those uninterested in family and social dynamics are advised to look elsewhere.

However, for those of us who are interested in the story of a relationship and are familiar with with Tolstoy's Anna Karenina, Michael and Natasha's story, like that of Anna and Vronksy, is fascinating, moving, and timeless. The Crawfords are to be commended for their excellent research and highly fluid writing style; this is a book I will want to return to again and again.

If you share an enthusiasm for the Romanovs, I invite you to contact me at whitcombj@juno.com.

Wonderful "historical novel"
It's official-I've lost my mind! I'm in love with a man who's been dead for 60 years. Michael Romanov was everything, apparently, a high-born nobelman was born to be; handsome, loyal, intelligent and completely besotted and in love with his bride. Unfortunately, she was a twice-divorced commoner. Therein the problems lay.

This wonderful and tragic story is so intriguing and meticulously researched that it reads like a novel rather than a biography. Donald and Rosemary Crawford play off each other's experience in journalism writing (she wrote about society, he is a hard-nosed newspaper man) to bring about an intriguing story of love and politics that takes us back to this gilded age where the rich, beautiful and tragic central figures play at being the second Russian court in exile. They have so much material (personal letters, telegrams, pictures, etc.) to use that you feel like you're a part of Michael and Natasha's lives. It's a pleasure to read and will definately be read again by me.

Deserves more recognition
I absolutely loved this book. Although the story is terribly tragic and sad in the end, this is the best love story I have ever read. Bravo to the Crawfords for writing this book because it's a story that needed and deserved to be written about. I too fell in love with Misha and Nastaha while reading the book and I cried at what happened to them in the end. They were doomed right from the start but it was all worth it, in my opinion. Even though this book has been out for almost seven years now, it amazes, and kind of saddens me that there is still little recognition and knowledge about these two extraodinary people. There definitely should be more. Nevermind the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. Michael and Natasha were the real-life Romeo and Juliet and they paid a greater price for their love, and lives, then the Windsors did. It's kind of unfair too. Everyone knows about Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson, but what about Michael II and Nathalie Brasova? They gave up just as much in order to be together, were also banished and were just as disgraced and humiliated by society, maybe even more. And in my opinion, Michael and Natasha are much more intriguing and fascinating then David and Wallis. It was clear that the Duke of Windsor loved Wallis very much and was deeply in love with her, but her love for him didn't appear to equal to his and her loyalty to him was questionable. In Michael and Natasha's case, they both loved each other wholeheartedly, were madly in love with each other and were both very loyal to each other. They and their story deserves to be more recognized and noted in the world. If only I was a screenwriter, and knew how to go about writing the script for the story, so I could bring this fascinating story to the screen so then the whole world would finally know the love story of G.D Michael Aleksandrovich of Russia and Nathalie Brasova. Or at least know how to get a film company to produce such a film. Maybe it will one day, I hope. The middle part of the book however, when David Crawford took over, did get a bit boring, when the war and revolution started. But through and through, it was a compelling and fascinating story. The tragedy of the story though was that Michael and Natasha were the right people in the wrong place at the wrong time. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1878-1918   2. Biography   3. Biography & Autobiography   4. Biography / Autobiography   5. Biography/Autobiography   6. Countess Brassova,   7. Countesses   8. Europe - Russia & the Former Soviet Union   9. Grand Duke of Russia,   10. Historical - General   11. Mikhail Aleksandrovich,   12. Princes   13. Royalty   14. Russia   15. Russia - History   16. Sheremetevskaya, Nathalie,   17. History / General   18. Mikhail Aleksandrovich   19. Romanov, House of   20. Sheremetevskaya, Nathalie   

Customer Reviews (5)

Overrated book that is hyped
This book from 1981 gets alot of hype from chess authors such as Dvoretsky and Silman but I found it practically useless. The diagrams are not labelled with which side is to move, so you cannot study the positions before reading the text solutions. While the positions are categorized into different chapters based upon schemes or themes, its just a collection of endings played out by grandmasters during competitions that took place decades ago. Who reads these books anyway? My hunch is that most people buy these esoteric chess books and place then neatly on their shelf where they belong, to forever gather dust. I cannot believe that the average person could retain enough information from this book to help him win a single chess game. This is a collectable book of historic interest, not something that modern day players will find useful in improving their play. Its become apparent in recent years that the chess book-buying public is being milked by crafty ex-Soviet players who are cashing in on America's capitalist system. Books by Lev Alburt, Dvoretsky's recent re-writes of prior books, and the influx of never-ending game collections from Russians from Beliavsky to Shirov have overwhelmed the market and have flooded the bookstores with books ranging in quality from good to disposable. If you want to improve your endgame try Averbakh's Essential Chess Endings.

Long term planning in strategical endgames.
Some book reviewer said that if you have trouble purchasing this book you should beg for it. I agree with him one hundred percent.I have never seen an end game book with a chapter about not hurrying in the endgame.An example would be that repeating moves in many positions is fine,because most people have a tendency of breaking the repetition. In many instances that will make their position worse.He also talks about preventing counter play in the endgame which is closely linked to the concept of not hurrying.In addition problems involving whether or not to exchange pieces and how and what to exchange are clearly covered.Shereshevsky also talks about the importance of the economy of pawn play.Topics such as alternating maneuvers against two weaknesses along with king centralization are also discussed along with many other endgame topics of great importance.This book can definitely improve one's endgame exponently. A must read.

Accessible And Interesting
Organizing his material thematically (e.g. "problem of exchanging," "suppressing the opponent's counterplay"), the author has assembled a great intermediate level endgame book. It's probably best suited for those who've had some previous exposure to endgame study previously but who need more intermediate books. I'd recommend Silman's Essential Endgames, Soltis' Grandmaster Secrets Endings, and Mednis' Rate Your Endgame, as books somewhat more basic than Shereshevsky. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Chess   2. Chess - General   3. Chess - Specific Strategies   4. Games   5. Games / Gamebooks / Crosswords   6. Games/Puzzles   7. Games / Chess   

Customer Reviews (2)

MARVELOUS NOBEL POET'S TRIBUTE TO CHRIST'S BIRTH
Joseph Brodsky leaves his final legacy with these poems in tribute to Jesus Christ and the Grand Miracle of Incarnation of
God into Man. Several striking features make this a must-have volume for poetry lovers and those interested in the literature
of contemporary Nobel Laureates:

1)The original Russian/Cyrillic Alphabet version of each poem is included with the translation on the facing page

2)Most of the translations are by the author,retaining the spirit as well as the letter of the original poem

3)The remaining translations are outstandingly faithful to the original, by consummate craftsmen in their own right: Richard
Wilbur,Anthony Hecht,Seamus Heaney,Derek Walcott,Glyn Maxwell

4)All poems are focussed on one central event: the supernatural
miraculous birth of Jesus Christ,the Son of God as a cause for worldwide celebration. Brodsky takes great care not to digress
into personal analysis,self-introspection, or theological interpretation, but lets the impressions of the Incarnation on the world around him be the theme of his poems

5)A special bonus at the end of the book is a candid interview with Brodsky shortly before his death in 1997 which probes his religious faith (non-evangelical,uncertain 'quasi-Calvinist'), the difference between Russian Christianity and Russian Orthodoxy,
Christmas vs. Easter in terms of commemoration, reflections on various of his Nativity poems and insights into the mind of the world-renowned Nobelist(e.g. significance of the world's calendar being B.C.-Before Christ and A.D. -Anno Domini, even after 2 millennia).

Special highlights are the translations by Wilbur and Hecht.
Makes a great gift all year-round.

Timeless
A remarkable collection of poems by Joseph Brodsky -- about "Time, eternity, and Love -- which span the life's work of a great poet."

Perhaps it was the time of year in which I read Brodsky's collection of poems (December 2001), with the years great tragedies, and the feeling of helplessness that many people may now share. Whatever may have drawn me to this book, it is a book that I will forever remember.

The poems are translated with great care so as not to lose the beauty of the original work of art. Brodsky has given the reader a genuine gift of the eternal truths of Christmas. His poem entitled "January 1, 1965" is sure to be a favorite for generations to come.

If you enjoy poetry of metaphysical reflection and individual consciousness, you will enjoy reading "Nativity Poems." Definitely a book for the poetry lover on your gift list. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Continental European   2. Poetry   3. Single Author   

Customer Reviews (2)

Top of the line
By far the best surveying text available. It covers both basic concepts and more in-depth topics with equal clarity. This text is a must for surveying students, and practicing surveyors alike.

The Bible
Good book and reference.Lots of examples and exercises with lilustrations and up to date theory. A great buy for the surveying student. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Earth Sciences - Geography   2. Engineering - Civil   3. Science/Mathematics   4. Surveying   5. Technology   6. Technology & Industrial Arts   7. Technology / Surveying   

Subjects:  1. (Mikhail Mikhailovich),   2. 1895-1975   3. Bakhtin, M. M   4. Bible - CriticismInterpretation - General   5. Bible as literature   6. Literary Criticism   7. Reference   8. Religion - Commentaries / Reference   9. Sacred Texts As Literature   10. Semiotics & Theory   11. Biblical studies, criticism & exegesis   12. Literary theory   

Customer Reviews (10)

How to get to the eye center. It is your choice.
This is a book that I often quote from, and use as a reference in my own spiritual path. It contains all that is needed for one to get to the "eye center", and is a wonderous explaination of our path through life. (...) I have several copies that I now lend out to fellow seakers of truth, but with the stipulation that I get it back. I am not so posessive with other books that I lend out.

I'd like to know people who love Mirdad
The book is simply beautiful. I take sides with "Zaven Laleyan" and would love to hear from him/her.

Light the path with love and care. This is Mirdad's message. Too obvious but often ignored.

Don't miss it.

Path to God
The book of Mirdad is a mistic book ,which reveals the various aspects of sprituality in the form of interesting stories,compiled in the form of a novel. The thoughts are so deep that every time it is read,it gives new message.The text is so enchanting that one cannot leave it without reading again and again.I have read the book twice and still refer it at times as a reference book to sprituality. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General   2. Religion   3. Religion - Classic Works   4. Oriental & Indian philosophy   

Subjects:  1. (Mikhail Mikhailovich),   2. 1895-1975   3. Bakhtin, M. M   4. Bakhtin, Mikhail   5. General   6. Literary Criticism   7. Philosophy   

Subjects:  1. Dura-Europos (Ancient city)   2. Gerasa   3. Palmyra (Ancient city)   4. Petra (Ancient city)   

Subjects:  1. 1989-   2. Canada - General   3. Comparative government   4. Europe - General   5. Federal government   6. General   7. Political Science   8. Politics - Current Events   9. Politics/International Relations   10. World politics   11. Constitution: government & the state   12. Eastern Europe   13. European studies   14. Political Science / General   15. Political economy   

Subjects:  1. 1826-1889   2. Gospoda Golovlevy   3. Literary Criticism   4. Literature - Classics / Criticism   5. Russian & Former Soviet Union   6. Russian Novel And Short Story   7. Saltykov, Mikhail Evgrafovich,   8. Saltykov, Mikhail Evgrafovich   

Subjects:  1. 1931-   2. Biography & Autobiography   3. Biography / Autobiography   4. Biography/Autobiography   5. General   6. Gorbachev, Mikhail Sergeevich,   7. International Relations - General   8. Interviews   9. Mlynar, Zdenek   10. Perestroika   11. Perestroæika   12. Political   13. Socialism   14. Gorbachev, Mikhail Sergeevich   15. Mlynár, Zdenek   

Subjects:  1. Art   2. Art & Art Instruction   3. History - General   4. Individual Artist   5. Individual Painters - 20th Century   

Subjects:  1. (Mikhail Mikhailovich),   2. Bakhtin, M. M   3. English Novel And Short Story   4. Feminism & Feminist Theory   5. Feminism and literature   6. Gothic & Romance   7. Gothic revival (Literature)   8. Great Britain   9. History and criticism   10. Horror   11. Horror Fiction   12. Horror tales, English   13. Literary Criticism   14. Literature - Classics / Criticism   15. Theory, etc   16. Contributions in criticism   17. English   18. Literary theory   19. Novels, other prose & writers: 16th to 18th centuries   20. Novels, other prose & writers: 19th century   21. United Kingdom, Great Britain