Genres Books

Before I narrowly escaped, Kim Jong Il ordered my entire family put to death for owning a foreign radio.

But reading this makes up for all of that, Hail Great Leader!

I used to think that the greatest thinker of all time was Kim Il-Sung. But now I realize what a mistake that was. His son--Kim Jong-Il--is an even more extraordinary talent.

I have never encountered such a tremendous intellect. I read this book nine times so far and I still don't think I have even brushed the bottom of its profundity.

You should buy this masterpiece right now. If you don't have the money, FINANCE IT! Your life is hollow until you experience the dear leader's thought.

It is a true blessing to be able to read and write for which I am eternally greatfull. One of the many perks of this ability is that it enables me to get in touch with novel ideas and great controversies. Reading this book by this great Korean leader and the best man of his country put me in true ecstacy. The depth of his work is so immense. Yet he is able to put the most complex problems of his country in so simple terms that one begins to wander if his career would be better off as a writer or a philosopher. How he explains the evolution of mankind, the importance of science and steel production is pure magic. I recommend that all young intellectuals as well as workers should carefully read this work. Forward to the triumph of socialism!

Proof (if any were needed) that high tessituras and hardline Stalinism can make for a fruitful cocktail. Comrade Kim Jong Il, the Dear Leader ™, is not only the rightfully crowned King of Socialism but also a formidable opera queen in his own right. The chapter "Charlotte Church: Crossover as the Dialectical Logic of Late Capitalism, or Just Some Cocky Welsh Teenybopper? " is worth the price of admission alone. The best work of its kind since Pol Pot's "Maria Callas: The Bel Canto Years".

this is an awesome product to get if you saw and liked the movie "Kingdom of Heaven". wonderful behind-the-scenes shots. the pics are awesome!!! not to mention the fact that Orlando Bloom, one of my fave actors, is in it!!

If you enjoyed Gladiator you should love Kingdom of Heaven. It has all the thrills and color and then some...and it's far more authentic. This is an epic film filled with color and colorful characters. This book points out the details and should really be inspiring to up and coming film makers. The use of flags and banners is especially strong. I think you'll learn a lot more about the Art of film making from this book, a superb collection. Try it!

The latest entry in the acclaimed "Newmarket Pictorial Moviebook" series, Kingdom Of Heaven: The Ridley Scott Film And The History Behind The Story is the definitive film documentary of "Kingdom of Heaven", the large-scale historical epic about the Crusades that pitted the forces of King Baldwin IV of Jerusalem against the armies of the Saracen general Saladin. Directed by Ridley Scale and starring Orlando Bloom, the commentary is in two major parts: "Kingdoms in the Holy Land: The Crusades and the Film Story" and "Swords and Stones: How Kingdom of Heaven Was Made". This informative guide to the film and its making is enthusiastically recommended for fans of the film, as well as professional, academic, and community library Cinematic Studies reference collections.

I already saw this movie three times. It's sooooo amazing. The book has lots of beautiful pictures and interesting information about the movie.
For everybody who loves the movie, this book is a must have. And of course the screenplay which is coming out in june.

FAIT ATENCION!: This is one vast bursting boudin of a book! It'll put the salt back into your snap beans! Tear out its pages and stick 'em in your dancing shoes, cher! Tisserand is THE maven of zydeco! For locals fans, converts and overall BooZoo-aholics, you have a new Bible! For recent arrivals and the general reader 'zydeco' will now no longer just be a killer Scrabble word! For anyone who reads this book, I bet you a six pack of Dixie that you'll soon be booking your flight to SW Louiaiana! You can't go wrong if you play it right, and Tisserand has done it big-time right! Merci beacoup, Mr. T!! Laissez les bons temps roulez!

Stu Klipper (sklipper@bitstream.net) from Minneapolis, Minn., 07/11/98

One vast bursting boudin of a book!!!

FAIT ATENCION!: This is one vast bursting boudin of a book! It'll put the salt back into your snap beans! Tear out its pages and stick 'em in your dancing shoes, cher! Tisserand is THE maven of zydeco! NB: La. locals, fans, converts and overall BooZoo-aholics, you have a new Bible! For recent arrivals and the general reader 'zydeco' will now no longer just be a killer Scrabble word! For anyone who reads this book, I bet you a six pack of Dixie that you'll soon be booking your flight to SW Louisiana! You can't go wrong if you play it right, and Tisserand has done it big-time right! Merci beacoup, Mr. T!! Laissez les bons temps roulez! Stu Klipper (read in manuscript)

I stole a copy of The Kingdom of Zydeco while interviewing for a job at Arcade.

I love this book more than my own mother.

THE KINGDOM OF ZYDECO is a superb look at zydeco music - its history, its socio-cultural impact, its traditions, its heroes, its geographical importance... There's no other book quite like it. Reading it takes you on an intense journey through the "kingdom" and brings readers up close and personal with the topic in a way few music genre overview books do. Its lovingly crafted and written, establishing mood and atmosphere instantly. These are real people playing for the love of the music and their observations are funny, sad, deep and emotional. In short, this is a "kingdom" where real life often clashes with art, where the "ethnicity" of the genre clashes with the music biz's "eat-'em-up-&-spit-'em-out" attitude. Exceptional writing and a genuinely interesting topic.

While I am almost a decade past the teenage years I still try to read many books aimed at the Christian Teen. More often than not I finish them feeling frustrated and occasionally angry due to their condescending and simplistic attitudes or their reluctance to deal with any big issues that teens face.

Knuckle Sandwich didn't do either of these. The protagonists are flawed characters that we can relate to. Too often in this sub-genre the protagonist is perfect and never does anything wrong. The situations encountered are plausable, and the lessons we can learn through the characters are both relevant and subtly dealt with.

Adam Palmer is not afraid to go where many Christian novelists fear to tread. Real situations and dilemmas may make some Christians afraid however in this book they serve to make it relevant to today's youth. I wish I'd had books like this when I was younger. Now that I'm an aspiring novelist I hope that I deal with subjects as well as the author does in Knuckle Sandwich.

Whether you're an adult looking for a fun read as you reminisce on your younger years, or a teen looking for a great read I recommend Knuckle Sandwich.

Jeremiah Springfield doesn't play the same kind of music as his dad, a local jazz musician. Instead, he's into romping, stomping, Christian Rock. Jeremiah teamed up with Matt on guitar, Liz on drums, and they named their band Knuckle Sandwich. The three are doing well, and as far as they're concerned, the only way now is up. Then success takes it's toll. Matt develops an ego too big to cope with, relationships crumble, and somewhere between the screaming fans, and the pressure of the music business, God got shoved aside.

Adam Palmer takes the reader behind the tough, competitive world of Christian Music. Jeremiah, Liz, and Matt, discover God's idea of success isn't always the same as ours. Soon the three are faced with difficult decisions that will change their world forever. Knuckle Sandwich is a fast-paced story of three young Christians caught up in a celebrity lifestyle that threatens to destroy them and everything they believe. Teens everywhere will identify with the characters in Knuckle Sandwich. Good answers to problems young people face today, and a strong faith message without being in your face, or preachy. Recommended.

There is a new (to me) genre of Christian Fiction that is quickly creeping up my list of favorites. For lack of a better description, I'll call this the Coming-of-Age-Upper-Teen-Postmodern-Guy Genre. Or from another angle, the young Christian adult trying to live intentionally, but dragged down by the temptations of life.

In the gritty, but loveable style of the Hafer brothers of Bad Idea, Knuckle Sandwich tells the story of Jeremiah and his Christian rock band. Though Jeremiah has been a "life-long" Christian, the freedom that adulthood offers, together with the new status that college can provide a previous band geek, he falls into temptation. Considering those that he is falling with aren't exactly encouraging his Christian values, the struggle is soon on the back burner--behind the doing.

I love where Adam Palmer and others are taking Christian Fiction. There is a whole new generation of adults that are tired of pretending that we haven't failed. In Knuckle Sandwich, our generation gets to read about one (or four) that have fallen, but picked themselves up, dusted off and continued the Christian course. Okay, and I have to admit a lot of appeal is the fact that this book is set in 1994, the year of my high school graduation. He nailed our generation. I've lived this!

This book isn't for everyone. I'll be the first to admit that. But if you are into gritty, true-to-life Christianity lived out, you'll probably dig this book. The sin is apparent, but not pieces and parts--and Jeremiah does overcome.

Armchair Interview says: Story that reaches out to new readers in different ages.

I haven't read such an intriguing book in a while. Witty and fresh, Palmer tackles some tough questions and sensitive subjects. Targeted at the young adult market, the book delivers a good message, laced with biting humor, and the credibility of an insider's view. All too often, characters' spiritual journeys seem contrived. Palmer's ring with veritable honesty. Knuckle Sandwich is a book both teens and their parents will enjoy.

Reviewed by Ane Mulligan
www.anemulligan.com

See my review under "Die Zauberflote"

I bought this book and CD set a few years ago to learn the opera LA BOHEME. The beautifully illustrated book includes a history of the opera and of Puccini's career, a clearly printed libretto in Italian and English, and information on the conductor and the principal singers. The recording is a fine one, dominated by the partnership of Nicolai Gedda and Mirella Freni as Rodolfo and Mimi. Gedda has a firm, pure tenor and a delightful sense of humor too often missing from portrayals of Rodolfo. I also like his sad sigh in the last act just before Mimi dies: it's a refreshing change from the outright weeping usually heard at this point in the opera. Freni lights up the performance with her luminous, youthful lyric soprano. The supporting cast are all-Italian and make a good team, and Maestro Thomas Schippers paces the opera nicely. This book and CD set is a wonderful bargain for anyone wanting to learn LA BOHEME. Check out the other Black Dog Opera Library sets, too.

Looking for a good, moderately priced recording of "Boheme"? This is it. Schipper's conducts a delightfully theatrical performance. The young Freni is ideal: fresh and touching as Mimi should be. Gedda has a lighter, more youthful sound than Pavarotti or Bjoerling, and makes an excellent match for Freni. Good stereo sound. Excellent supporting cast: Sereni a charming, youthful Marcello. Other sets have great casts and great conductors (and you may want to augment your collection with Beecham's classic recording and Kleiber's live La Scala performance, but this one is a perfect introductory "Boheme", with its user-friendly book and libretto. Beautiful.

Having found opera intimidating I was looking for something to help me understand and appreciate the genre. This book exceeded all expectations. I intend to acquire the entire series.

For anyone who has an interest in the musical play Lady in the Dark, this book is a Bible of knowledge for the reader! McClung misses nothing and dissects the score, production, development and every nuance present in making a full diagnosis of this exceptional musical piece. The introduction, most notably, is one of the most impressive points, where McClung recreates scene-by-scene Opening Night of Lady in the Dark at the Alvin Theater (now the Neil Simon Theater) back in 1941. His insights and deep understanding of the plot, music and structure opens doors to how (and how not!) to update this piece for the current Broadway stage, which hopefully, this book will be the first step in the process. He also paints a lasting picture of one of the stage's most talented actresses, Gertrude Lawrence through interviews with the remaining living cast members of the original production and other sources.

In a personal review point, I thank McClung for writing this book, as Lady in the Dark has been a favorite show of mine for many years and I have always wanted to know more about it but the resources were scarce. With this book, almost every resource is there, and nearly every question answered. And even for those who don't know Lady in the Dark, this is the perfect opportunity to learn, and this book makes a precedent of how great musicals should be dissertated and studied.

A stellar piece of writing, a must read for anyone interested in the stage or musical theater history.

I think that this is the most complete discussion of a musical show that I have ever seen. 'Lady in the Dark' is certainly worthy of study. It was a musical that broke new ground in theatre.

Mr. McClung begins with the first concept sketches for staging and costumes. From there it's on to discussion of the first drafts of the play, production scripts, and more on to final drawings for for the sets. With a cast of 101, it was a huge production with what was for then a sky high budget.

When it opened it broke new ground in that the leading lady (played by Gertrude Lawrence) is going through psychoanalysis.

Since its closure all three of the shows originators have died (Moss Hart, Ira Gershwin, Kurt Wheill). Their indivitual estates have rights to their particular parts of the play. It would be a major undertaking to put together such disparate people to revive the show. It hasn't happened yet. Perhaps this book will spark enough interest that a revival becomes possible.

Having no prior knowledge of "Lady in the Dark", I found this book to be incredibly well-written and informative. I have never read a biography of a show before, and it's a fascinating way to not only re-live the experience of 60 years ago, but to also learn the backstory of the show, its actors and creators, and the widespread effect of this ground-breaking musical on Broadway and society in general.

In one of my favorite chapters, Bruce McClung goes into incredible detail on the musical score, showing how virtually every note had a distinct purpose and was conceived to be an integral and vital part of the performance. Since this musical was written in a style completely different than those of its era, Bruce shows clearly that it wasn't just a coincidence that it worked so well; it was conceived to be vastly original. The other chapters of his book are just as exhaustively researched, with original photos, interviews and quotes from written and telegram correspondence, copies of the work during the creative process, and even tie-in merchandise.

This book is a truly remarkable look at this show and also how a major work of art can influence society and entertainment. One thing I found really interesting was the contrast between how actors and the entertainment industry responded during WWII, as compared to the actions of today's entertainers and celebrities during the current war.

Another fascinating aspect is that with the normal run of revivals of older shows, "Lady in the Dark" was too 'modern' to its era to be successfully revived without major overhaul. One more interesting contrast between today's society and that of the 1940s.

I hope that this book will generate interest in this show and introduce theatre and musical fans to an influential work, perhaps one that they are not familiar with. It is very well-written and although very detailed, it is presented in a way that kept my interest even in sections that I'm not well-versed on.

I have so far only read half of this book and am thoroughly enjoying it. It is very detailed and the description of the opening night performance is fascinating. Those without a background in music may be a little put-off by how technically it goes into the music (I have a background in music and was still a bit confused). But, so far, so good. A great book for Broadway, Gertrude Lawrence, Kurt Weill, Moss Hart and Ira Gershwin fans, as well as those who want a good look into the puting of a Broadway musical in 1941.

I have a copy from 1902, the seventh edition, and I am happy I found it. The story is about a Persian ship that finds itself off the coast of the Western continent, a land known from myths and history, a land many thought didn't even exist. The crew explore this land, full of ruins and wonders, and even find a few surviving members of the natives. Natives once known as Mehrikans, the last of a great civilization, but a civilization that was already flawed before it collapsed. The author wrote the story as a warning about American threads that, at the time, seemed to be pushing the nation towards a dangerous end. Greed, self centered life styles, people more worried about class and fashion than their fellow man, he saw a America turning away from everything good and heading down the pathway of doom. The fact that the first copies were published in 1889 makes this a treasure and also a interesting mirror of history showing the thoughts and fears of Americans at the turn of the last century.

_This little rare gem of a book is one of the first examples of apocalyptic science fiction to originate in the U.S. (originally published in 1889.)

_Briefly, it is the account of a Persian expedition of exploration in search of the fabled city of Nhu-Yok, as told by the leader of the expedition. They find an endless expanse of ruins- complete with Statue of Liberty (completed just three years before the book was written.) Indeed the entire continent is now a wilderness once again. It all stands as an object lesson of the fate of the "Mehrikans"- "their rapid growth, their vast numbers, their marvellous mechanical ingenuity and their sudden and almost unaccountable disappearance." There is something uncomfortably and eerily prophetic about this unique excercise in speculative fiction- given the recent events concerning New York and the Islamic world. Also, the fact that the author places blame of the depopulation to "Climatic changes, the like of which no other land ever experienced" is uncomfortably close to our current situation.

TO THOSE THOUGHTFUL PERSIANS
WHO CAN READ A WARNING IN THE SUDDEN RISE
AND SWIFT EXTINCTION OF A FOOLISH PEOPLE
THIS VOLUME IS DEDICATED

Even if you dismiss this as a thinly veiled commentary of social conditions during the Guilded Age it is still worth reading- for our current age has much in common with that period...

This reprint of the 1902 edition of J.A. Mitchell's The Last American is a brief and critical commentary on American society, values. Its essentially a science fiction tale that takes place about 1,000 years into the future. America was long ago destroyed (due in part to dramatic climate change - how timely it is now!)and a group of Persian explorers voyage across the seas to visit the long lost country of "Merika."

Their journey takes them to New York and Washington and it is during those visits that reader hears social commentary from the Persian visitors on American society, culture, etc. Since the book was written over 100 years ago, the commentary no doubt is a criticism of American society at that point in time(ex. excessive focus on materialism, etc.), however, some of these criticisms are still valid today. Others, such as the one that America has no original ideas or creations of its own is just plain wrong (now or at the time when the book was written).

The book is also interesting in that the voyagers and critical commentators are from Persia, which today we know as Iran. Also, the explanation of America's sudden collapse due in part to dramatic climate change is an interesting (and also a bit uncomfortable) part of the story given today's problems we face with global warming.

As noted above, this reprint was taken from the 1902 edition, which included some wonderful full-color illustrations. However, the publisher has reprinted them in black and white which is understandable for an inexpensive paperback edition. The cover contains an enlarged version of one interior f/c illustration, so, that at least will give you a sense of what the others would look like if done in color.

In any case, its a good read and one that most can go through in couple of hours. And I recommend it.

I bought this book looking for a story about post-apocalypse America: the full title is "The Last American: A Fragment from the Journal of Khan-Li, Prince of the Dimph-You-Chur and Admiral in the Persian Navy." It was short and cutesy--filled with puns just as bad as "Dimph-You-Chur" (="dim future"), not quite what I expected. A Persian expedition a thousand years from now explores the ruins of New York and Washington. The book is interesting at least for its vintage: first published in 1889, it is one of the earliest works in its genre. There is a thinly veiled and shallow commentary on American shortcomings in the gilded age.

Carson takes the reader on a journey deep into the very heart of Irish Music - the musician at his most timelessness. Don't pick this up expecting a scholarly approach to Irish music. This is an amazing insight into the music and the soul of the music as performed by an Irish musician. Carson even shows the little quirks of daily living that help to give birth to such a personable music. I love Irish music, but am a jazz pianist by musical trade. I highly recommend this to any and all musicians who are searching for their soul in music, especially those in jazz. It is a very moving and thought provoking work.

I've been a Celtic music fan for many years, long before it began to turn up on the New Age charts. While I don't mean to knock that genre (which has given some splendid traditional musicians -- e.g., the O'Domhnaills of Nightnoise and Alasdair Fraser of Skyedance -- the wider listenership they deserve), traditional Celtic music is an altogether grittier, funkier breed.
Ciaran Carson brings a poet's sensibility to the performer's-eye perspective of Irish music, from last night's fun to the next morning's rude awakening. Irish music isn't simply the tunes themselves; it's the old-timers who performed them, the instruments they played, the pints of Guinness, the choking smoke in the bar and the pouring rain outside, and Carson conveys the whole experience admirably. It's almost as good as being there.

Belfast writer, fluter, raconteur and unreliable witness takes us into the subterranean world of craic agus chaos as he attempts to surf the web of the perfect session experience. Part nostalgic interrogtation of his own relationship with traditional music, part exploration of the Ulster breakfast: this book is a close as it gets to the cameraderie and catharsis of an all night music bash. A work of astute fiction that might never be true but is always believable.

At the end we are left wondering was this one large joke or simply a witty Northern oxymoron? A book to be revisited when the frost keeps us away from session, pub or our inner fiddler.

Excellent is too narrow a word to describe the sweep of the narrative.

Sean Laffey Irish Music Magazine Dublin

A skilled and formidable poet and chronicler of his native Belfast, Carson here blends his power over words into an evocation of how Irish music makes the impact it does. Seemingly an impossible task to attain on the page, but his decades as a musician allow him to capture the spirit behind the music. As they say, it's not how you read the notes, but how you hear them.

His chapter headings refer to various titles of Irish songs, and I enjoyed his rendering of differing reasons (or lack of) for how various tunes get attached to specific names. A much better book than "Round Ireland with a Tin Whistle" by David Wilson for its ability to convey the feel of how music changes with every playing, and how fluid the communication between players can be in a seisuin.

Any book Carson writes deserves a read, whether his version of Dante's Inferno, his prose-poem-fiction of late, his explorations of his city's past, or his crafted if learned verse.
He opens up a bit more here than in some of his earlier works, and the glimpses into the world he lives in between nights playing makes for intriguing scenes.

Prompt service. The scores exceeded my expectations (I was expecting miniature scores)! Will definitely order from Dover again!

I received this package in a timely manner and it was in perfect condition. I was very pleased.

An excellent edition of the later symphonies. For the music lover that enjoys following the music with the score, this is a great value. Highly recommended!

A wonderful score to Mozart's greatest symphonies. The score is large, easy to read, and durable. It easily lays flat for study or enjoyment. Includes Mozart's Haffner Symphony (35), and his last three (39-41). A must for the professional, music student, or listener.

I wanted to learn the subtle differences in various styles and this CD was awesome. She explained things very well and made it easy to try them.

I think this CD is wonderful. It not only teaches you a lot, it is a lot of fun learning. If you pay attention to what she says, you can be singing in no time.
Well worth the money. Great Job!

As a retired singer, this CD helps me keep my chops fresh and vocal cords in good shape. It also helped expand my range and learned new techniques.

As a trained vocal performer I was skeptical that a CD could provide quailty training. I was wrong! This CD was amazing- I was trained in classical and opera and I didn't think I would ever be able to learn to sing jazz and pop so well. You won't regret this purchase!