Literature in Art Books

"I would not be surprised if this volume eventually earned the status of a classic in its field . . . . [It] remind[s] us that, given the freedom and generative uncertainty of open-ended conversation, learning is often built on surprises" (Robert Gundlach, from the Foreword)

"Sophisticated in design, powerfully framed in theory, and unique in its scope" (Arthur Applebee, publisher's review)

"Opening Dialogue provides a kind of grounding that I think is extremely important at this point in the course of inquiry for a sociocultural perspective" (James Wertsch, Washington University, publisher's review).

"Opening Dialogue should strongly influence the way educators think about classrooms and learning. . . . The study has much to say to teachers, as well as to researchers and theorists" (Melanie Sperling, publisher's review).

"This little book should have a very big impact. It gives the results of the `largest ever study of classroom discourse and its effects on learning'-112 eighth- and ninth-grade language arts and English classes comprising 1,100 students for each of two years. . . . [Nystrand's] book makes a very big contribution to our understanding of classroom discourse, and to English curriculum. It should be widely read and pondered and heeded by teachers, researchers, curriculum-makers, and teacher educators. That US students should endure another century or two of the English teaching Nystrand found so pervasive is a frightening possibility" (David R. Russell. (1998). Journal of Curriculum Studies, 30, 490-493).

"This study is noteworthy not only for its rich and detailed descriptive findings, but for actually linking the variables of classroom discourse to student learning" (Jo & Susan Sprague, Communication Education, 47, 1998, p. 300).

I read this book for my dissertation lit review and I loved it! It helps you understand how Jews have been seen as both occidental and oriental. Given that Jews historically have played this "middle position" between the oppressed and the ruling classes, it is not surprising that Jews have been "both/and."

Micheal lafosse is a creative genius in the origami world. His books have great models as well as directions that you can follow and enjoy. Never hesitate to buy one of his origami books. Just the best! Bravo to you Michael!

I was a bit disappointed that this volume did not include "The Poor Little Rich Man" in its selection, but it is otherwise a nice collection of Loos' delightful and insightful essays. In addition to "Ornament and Crime", this book gives you:

Our School of Applied Art
The Christmas Exposition in the Austrian Museum
The Jubilee Exhibition: The Exhibition Buildings
The Silver Court and the Neighboring Pavilion
Men's Fashion
The New Style and the Bronze Industry
Interior Design: Prelude
The Interiors of the Rotunda
Chairs
Glass and China
Luxury Carriages
Plumbers: Baths and Kitchen Ranges
Gentlemen's Hats
Footwear
Shoemakers
Ladies' Fashion
Underwear
Furniture
The Furniture of 1898
Printers
A Review of the Applied Arts I
A Review of the Applied Arts II
The English Schools in the Austria Museum
Pottery
Surplus to Requirements
In Praise of the Present
Culture
Cultural Degeneration
Brief Intermezzo
Beethoven's Ears
Hands Off!
Ornament and Education
Short Hair
Oscar Kokoschka
On Josef Hoffman

Other People's Words reminds us of the value of creative work. Barbara Francis very clearly explains plagiarism - and other research/writing pitfalls - to young writers and the adults in their lives. Other People's Words offers students practical advice, as they hone their skills, in responsible research and ethical writing. This is a wonderful entry in the Issues in Focus Today series presenting school and life lessons.

What could be a drag is actually an in-depth, original look at stage representations of lesbians and gay men from Oscar Wilde to the present day. And what a wild ride it is! Author Alan Sinfield samples scores of British and American plays and playwrights (including Coward, Maugham, Hellman, Williams and O'Neill) and examines them in the contexts in which they were produced and viewed, whether it be the West End of London or the Lower East Side of New York. Most fascinating is how homosexuality views changed throughout he decades --- how the '60s produced an exuberant cultivation of "kinky" humor and gay political activism (think "Boys in the Band"); how AIDS impacted the theater (think "Love! Valor! Compassion!") Unlike the recently published "Something For The Boys," Sinfield knows how to write ... and rein in any subjective gushing. Ab Fab!

I am the Canadian writer the previous reviewer has vilified for writing too autobiographically in Excessive Joy Injures the Heart, my sixth book. This reviewer must have searched for me on amazon.com using a misspelling of my first name (in my case "Elisabeth" is spelled with an "s") and therefore couldn't access the site where most of my books appear and so chose to review me on the site of Rosemary Sullivan's Oxford Book of Stories by Canadian Women in English by reviewing just me, all by myself alone.

But besides my own story ("There Goes the Groom") which I hope is an innovative account of emotional chaos marked by the irrational comedy of real life, there are many other terrific stories in this collection: Elizabeth Hay's intensely dynamic "Friends," a story about the ups and downs in the fierce relationship between two women friends; Dionne Brand's vivid and musical story about her grandmother; Sharon Butala's relentless although at times almost farcical "Fever;" Alice Munro's "The Albanian Virgin," a panoramic narrative that moves from the mythic to the urban as it also moves across time and continents; Linda Svendsen's eerie and painfully prescient "White Shoulders," as well as fine stories by many other Canadian women writers.

As for Betty Burke's speculations on how much of my own work is autobiographical, it's a question I'm often asked in relation to all of my books, but most often in relation to my two novels (Excessive Joy Injures the Heart and All Times Have Been Modern.) And I suppose it's a very flattering question, really, because when people ask a writer if his or her characters are real, they are frequently really saying how much they long for the characters to be living lives that could conceivably connect with their own.

In fact there are many collisions between the invented and the real in both my novels. I often found these collisions to be the most electric of all to work with while I was writing both books, so much so that I would often work on my novels-in-progress all night long, sleep for a few hours in the morning, then hurry back to begin writing again right after I got up around noon. It was an insane way to live (which will not surprise Ms. Burke), but it was an incredibly euphoric way to live in so many ways too.

This book was very helpful as I was preparing to present Picasso's art to elementary school children. It takes a long, prolific career, and organizes the different periods of Picasso's art so that it is more succinct. The wording is very understandable yet not condescending for older readers. This is a great series for adults, like myself, trying to help children understand why an artist was so great.

I bought this book for my granddaughter, Kristy Soza Ardizzone, who illustrated the cover for my Tween book, THE TOONIES INVADE SILICON VALLEY. I knew this fantastic collection would inspire her to greater heights in her own artistic creativity.

Needless to say, she was moved and inspired by these masterful, unique paintings by renowned artist, Jim Warren.

I, also, am deeply impressed by the aesthetic quality of each and every one of these magnificent paintings, especially the way Warren creates waterfalls from the cascading hair of beautiful women, the awesome cloud formations, intriguing figures rising from and merging with ocean waves etc.

The cover is uttlerly fabulous, prompting me to buy this book. Yes, the cover drew me in, but the entire collection is just as rare. A fabulous collection that every artist should have.

A gorgeous book you will treasure for years to come!

SIDENOTE: You may have noticed that Amazon has made some changes to its website. If it looks the same to you right now, look out for a new format that will be rolling out gradually in the weeks to come. If you can see the changes, especially the review format, I'd like to know what you think. Please leave me a comment with your opinion.

"Love the new look" or "Hate the new look" comments are perfectly acceptable.

My e-mail address is at top of this review. Thank you for your time."

Palaces of Sin or The Devil in Society by Col. Dick Maple

From title page:

The Crimson Hand of Society Exposed,
The Painted Cheek of this Fashionable "Hag" Smote by the Hand of Justice,
The Black History of Harlotism in "High Life" Painted in Letters of Fire,
A History of "Society's Sin" that Appall the Civilized World.

Written by a man who spent his fortune with lavish hand, but awoke from his hypnotic debauch of Society's shame, to wave the red flag of warning to his fellowman.

A book which should be read by every mother and father in the land, and placed in the hands of their sons and daughters as a guide to their young feet.

By Col. Dick Maple

Who spent nearly a million dollars in "Society's march to Hell."

Published by National Book Concern, St. Louis, Mo.

233 pages.

1902 only copyright.

A Sketch of Maple in front and says underneath "Yours Very Truly, Dick Maple."