Renaissance Books

Reversing sail: A history Of The African Diaspora, by Michael A. Gomez, knocks it out of the ball park; with this highly engaging, well reseached, & wonderfully written book. He leaves no thread untied, in bringing together the history of the African Diaspora; and his scholarship is beyond reproach. He unites the African Diaspora in a insightful, "Holistic" way, better than any book on the subject I have read so far,I defiantly, highly, recommened this wonderful book !

This book has a statement in its epilogue that is among the best I've ever seen as a match between the subject matter and the purpose of the book itself - Michael A. Gomez writes of the growth of reconnection between Africa proper and those scattered around the world, stating that, `Given the ongoing impoverishment of many in Africa and the Diaspora, such interrelationships require deeper and more practical meaning if they are to play a significant role in ending the despair. The incredible beauty and creativity of the African Diaspora, combined with its unbelievable suffering and disadvantage, are contradictions awaiting resolution.'

Gomez is a professor of history at NYU, a university that offers degree programmes in the study of the African Diaspora. Gomez remarks on the value of the interactions with people at the university in his acknowledgements - it is in the storytelling and conversations that many subjects such as this one come to greater life and clarity. Gomez writes that the story of the African Diaspora is unlike any other in the history of the world, full of contradiction and ambiguity, but nonetheless sharing a pedigree as ancient as almost any other continuing society in the world.

Gomez makes the distinction between the study of the African Diaspora and the study of African Americans in two ways: first, it looks to see the influence of and influences on African-descended persons in different ways in new non-African environments and cultures; and second, it makes comparisons and examines relationships between these communities in geographically separated or distinct ways. It is not tied to the American nation-state, or any other particular nation-state or continent, but looks at persons of African descent outside Africa on a global scale.

There are shared features, however, that many of these communities share beyond their point of origin. Many of the communities find an experience of enslavement, a struggle to maintain traditional African culture, struggles against discrimination, and continuing identification with Africa as common bonds. Gomez divides the book into two sections, the `old world' and the `new world'. Old world topics include the ancient cultures in and around Africa (Egypt, Nubia, Greece and Rome), biblical themes and influences (and the broader context of Judeo-Christian history in African Diaspora themes), and Islamic cultural influences. The role of Africans in each of these histories and traditions is varied and significant; some myths are laid to rest here (the Islamic cultures practiced slavery as did the Western cultures, and in some places continue to have race-relation issues that stem from economic and cultural disadvantages coming out of this period much as the Western world has had), and points of difficulty in understanding and researching are identified (the lack of primary sources, sustained communities preserving histories, etc. means that much has been lost).

With regard to the new world, the history begins with the transatlantic slave trade, particularly the Middle Passage. Slavery was not a monolithic institution, and slavery was practiced differently in different parts of the new world. Thus, the response of the African descendents and the dominant culture vary from place to place; Gomez looks at slavery experience from colony to colony as well as from general regional perspectives. South America, Central America, the Caribbean, and North America all had different purposes and different treatment toward slaves. Again, Gomez lays certain myths to rest: `Although there were 8 million white Southerners in 1860, only 384,884 were slaveholders. This would suggest that the vast majority of whites had no relationship to slavery, had no vested interest in it, but just the opposite was true.' The dominant culture needed the institution of slavery, even if it was only a minority of members of that culture who actually owned the slaves.

Gomez also looks at the emancipation processes of the slaves beyond the North American perspective, showing the different ways in which the struggle for freedom and the achievement of the same manifested in different countries. For example, Haiti's Revolution in the late eighteenth century is shown to be both `crowning achievement' and an ironic catalyst for worsening slavery conditions elsewhere. The aftermath continues to be felt to this day, as `those who struggled so valiantly against tyranny have only met with a U.S.-led policy of ostracism and indifference every since.' Gomez also highlights the experience in Cuba, distinct from many other experiences in the Americas, as a place where the post-slavery situation did not automatically become a place of racial tension and prejudice.

Gomez' final two chapters show the reconnection and movement of people back toward their history, culture and identity, while still remaining, as members of the Diaspora, outside of their ancestral homeland. Communities reconnected with Africa as well as connected for the first time with each other; people of African descent all over the world had the freedom and resources, however limited, to make their own connections on a global scale. This includes but is not limited to political, social, and artistic connections - in areas such as sports and music, there is substantial success across such international boundaries.

Gomez ends each chapter with a narrative bibliography for further readings and research. Gomez states specifically that his intention is not to be exhaustive or comprehensive, but rather to give an introduction into the various places, times, events and persons connected with the broad topic of the African Diaspora. In this regard, Gomez succeeds. The text is interesting and accessible, giving sufficient detail without becoming tedious but also not lacking information or leaving things unaccounted for, save when the primary source material simply is not available (as is the case frequently, and this is part of the issue that Gomez highlights throughout the text). The index is useful, and there are a few maps and pictures scattered throughout the book. I might wish for one bibliography listing in the back for ease of reference, and footnoting through the text for further identification of sources, but these are minor quibbles given the scope and purpose of the book.

Professor Gomez has written a rather concise but scholarly general overview of the history of the African Diaspora. For three years I have been teaching a course in the Afr. and Afr. Amer. Studies department at the University of Memphis which is designed to introduce the student to the concept and early history of the Diaspora. I had also been assiduously searching for a quality, cost efficient text which could serve as a compliment to my notes. I think that I have found it in this work.

A superb book.
There is no one better qualified than Janet Backhouse to discuss any illuminated manuscript from the middle ages. There is no illuminated manuscript from the middle ages more splendid than the Sherborne Missal. Put the two together, and the only conceivable way the result could be improved would be to have all the illustrations in color.

A wonderful collection or art and writing. A great addition to my research library. Such a unique style, too.

This book is a great value for the money, for those who enjoy beautiful illuminations and medieval art. The Sherborne Missal, though not well-known is a wonderful example of late medieval British art. There are many color illustrations included, as well as a description of the missal and its history, and this book is a great value for the price that I am glad I bought.

This is a beautifully written exploration of the work produced in Siena over a two-century period of glory, during which artists like Martini, Sassetta, and Giovanni di Paolo pioneered new narrative techniques. For anyone who has seen or read about these groundbreaking freschi and paintings, which include Lorenzetti's magnificent depictions of Good and Bad Government, this book is a must, since Hyman is able to put such masterpieces into a political and social context. The author writes intelligently throughout, working his research expertly into the text. Happily, he completely avoids the obfuscation and silly post-modern jargon that generally characterize art criticism. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. (And if Hyman's analysis of Sienese life and art doesn't make you want to visit Italy, I can't imagine what could!)

Clear and concise, enthusiastic and insightful, this book provides a very useful introduction to Sienese art. It traces its roots and development, links it to the political state of affairs in Siena and Italy, and contrasts it with the art of Florence, which ended up eclipsing it. The main Sienese artists are discussed in their own chapters, and a clear line of development is laid out, though at the same time the individual characteristics of each artist are discussed. The book is generally very readable and it is clearly laid out and structured.

My only quibble is the fact that so many of the illustrations are black and white. This is particularly annoying in cases where the author is discussing the subtlety of the color!

That point notwithstanding, anyone looking for a basic introduction to the art of Siena need not hesitate.

Any reader who is familiar with Timothy Hyman's BONNARD will be pleased to find the same clarity, depth of knowledge, and instructional vision in his treatment of Sienese painting (SIENESE PAINTING: THE ART OF A CITY REPUBLIC is in the same beautiful small-book format as BONNARD).

Hyman is an odd bird as fas as the art history publishing world is concerned. He is an accomplished artist, but when he puts his energy toward his parallel careers in curating and writing, he knows his stuff just as thoroughly as any other more conventional art history scholar. This comes as a blessing for the general reader as well as historian because he has the gift to blend human feeling and sparkling vision with academics in a highly readable way.

And he makes the material so CLEAR. At the very outset with his discussion of the physical description of the city and the governing body known as "The Nine", the foundation is set to build his elegant story of the city's glorious paintings. The governing principles of Siena were almost Athenian in their idealism, and were cautiously balanced against aggressive clan and economic forces. Somehow the author makes the reader see that the colorated delicacy of Sienese painting is a very logical outgrowth of these various opposing powers.

It didn't used to be all right (critically) to like Sienese painting too much. Duccio--OK, and the Lorenzetti, also. But mainly, Sienese painting wasn't considered "progressive" enough by the Renaissance standards that were constructed by later historians.The republic's painting paled in the shadow of mighty and magnificent Florence with it's army of artists who defended artistic soverignty. Well, all the silly prejudice that was perpetrated on unknowning art students for generations is cleared away once and for all by Mr. Hyman. Just as he convinced us that it's more than all right to love mature Bonnard,the artist-author persuades the reader of the excitement, superb beauty, and compelling legitimacy of Sienese painting.

His descriptions shimmer. How many times have I seen Ambrogio Lorenzetti's Good and Bad Government? After reading his discussion of it, it seemed like the first time. Siena excelled in color, pattern, landscape and narrative--and, dare I say it? Tenderness. Go ahead, let your heart break a little when you see Sassetta or a Giovanni di Paolo, Hyman seems to say. It's OK!

He concludes by giving several examples of contemporary artists whose works are sympathetic to the directions first begun by Sienese forebears.

I purchased this book for my husband, but read it myself first. It is very well written with good insight as to Sir Edward Coke. I would cheerfully recommend this to anyone with an interest in legal history.

Allen Boyer has produced a worthy successor to Bowen's The Lion and the Throne.

Boyer shows us the pragmatic Coke, the shrewd lawyer who energetically represented his clients. He also shows us the idealistic Coke, the jurist who championed and clarified the English common law.

Boyer's legal background makes Coke come alive, a lawyer's lawyer. Still an inspiration after 400 years!

Whether one is interested in History, Law or just seeking some insight into someone who has shaped our world Allen Boyer's work is a pleasure. I must confess my exposure to Sir Edward Coke was rudimentary at best but over the course of this text I became familiar with his accomplishments and gained an intimate insight into Sir Edward Coke's life. Allen Boyer's mastery of the written word is quite apparent and his ability to entertain and bring life to this important historical figure makes the work a true joy to read. His tireless research and familiarity with the subject matter is found in almost every crafted word.
Simply stated, it is a must have for anyone interested in the history of Law, Sir Edward Coke and those who wish to read a finely crafted text.

This book is a keeper! The author has an amazing way of bring the people to life. She is very descrpitive, but gets to the piont. Alot of work went into this book and it shows. If you love soaps, or the stars who deck the pages then give this book a try, I am glad I did!!!!!!!!!

Annette D'Agostino has done a wonderful job in researching and writing this charming and funny book that appeals to everyone -- even those who aren't big soap fans. Not only are the bios of those whose careers began in soaps enjoyable and entertaining, D'Agostino's summaries of soap history and listing of all soap operas is fascinating. Well done!

This book contains every bit of information a fan could want regarding anyone who has appeared on a TV soap opera since the genre's inception. Attractively designed, it also benefits from Ms. D'Agostino's sophisticated wit and breezy style. Awards credits and guest appearances by name stars are included, along with biographical data. A must have for fans of this genre.

I had the good fortune to attend a seminar through at that time the United States Gymnastics Federation and Thomas Tutko was a featured teacher. I bought his book. I coached gymnastics at that time. Turned his book into a curriculum for my top girls. This I did in the summer when my best trained about 25-30 hours a week. It took every bit of an hour of workout time and about 8 weeks to get well in place with my girls. Gymnastics is an incredible "head" sport once the physical mastery is done. The scores went up 20-30% across the board- and my girls did not get rattled in the wide range of "stuff" that can happen in the gymnastic arena. The next year I attended another workshop by Dr. Tutko...told what I had done with his book- the results my girls got - his book sold out that day. I still have my copy. His book made an impact never forgotten. I would like to thank him!

In the late 70s early 80s I coached gymnastics professionally. During that time at a couple of the national conventions in that profession Thomas Tutko gave workshops. The first time I took his workshop, was impressed and then bought his book. I LITERALLY made it into a curriculum for my gymnasts. It took about 6-8 weeks to get it between their ears that summer. But the following year my gymnast's scores and performances DRAMATICALLY improved. They also had a much higher degree of enjoyment of their hard work. At the next national convention I took his workshop again and commented on what a major impact his book had on my athletes. His book sold out that day! ANYONE doing anything competitive at all I highly recommend this book, and I refer people to it often. The applications to sports can also be converted to many other facets of life. I am not in general big "fan" of psychology. Some psychology is a form of intellectual narcissism, arrogance and heresy. Sports Psyching is the finest information in that field I have experienced YTD. And applying techniques from this book actually had MEASURABLE RESULTS when I coached women's gymnastics. Investing in this book has a great pay pack.

Sports Psyching gives you a roadmap to achieving your personal best in sport through mental training. Combined with the testing program by Dr. Tutko, called The Mental Game Plan, a test that appraises your attitudes against thousands of other athletes, this information allows you to implement a plan for better game performance and improved communication between coach and athlete.

"Stone Pillars" by Judith K. Parker is a book of poetry about the first seasons of the television show, "Xena: Warrior Princess." The poems here focus, as the show did in its early years, on the multi-layered, complex relationship between the lead characters. But you don't need to have ever seen those shows to understand this book. Parker's verse is always accessible - inhabited by three-dimensional people whose emotional lives we not only understand but care about. Her imagery is strong and her wit is subtle.

Writing poetry about cultural work in another medium places Parker's book in the tradition of "Pictures from Brueghel," William Carlos Williams' Pulitzer Prize-winning book from the early sixties.

These are thoughtful, searching poems. They don't strain for effects and so are all the more moving when, again and again, they touch on the emotion being contemplated by their subjects. The emotion is often love, and Judith Parker has much to tell us about how painful and how necessary this is to us through the words of her characters.

Equally impressive is her command of her medium. Subtle rhythms preserve the sense of a human voice speaking each poem, yet ensure that each word packs its full weight of meaning on the page. Judith Parker's masterly management of her verse, and her discriminating deployment of language, ensure that these poems are ones which anyone can savour.

Known to her online fans as "Wishes", Judith K. Parker is one of the most prolific and talented writers to emerge from the Internet publishing arena. Equally proficient at writing prose or poetry, skits or parodies, Judith has built a reputation for her incredibly sensitive commentaries on the human condition and an economy of language in her writing style that makes every sentence count - every scene, every allusion come to life. STONE PILLARS is an extraordinary collection of some of the best poems by this marvelously talented poet including the piece which gives the collection its title and which has long been a personal favorite among Judith's fans. Even readers whose tastes do not normally extend to poetry will find themselves turning the pages here, riveted by the simple honesty and quiet impact of these beautifully crafted poems. A true delight, STONE PILLARS gets my HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION!

Ive never written a review on Amazon before but, after reading this book, I thought I should. Sometimes my own thinking is my own worst enemy so, the title of this book jumped out at me. After reading it, the suggestions are almost too simple! Micheal Nardi lays out a straight forward plan of how he keeps a quiet mind. He is very enthusiastic and grateful with his gift, and shares it in a simple and honest way. There is nothing in this book that seems far-fetched or "weird". Running, learning, meditating, are some of his suggestions. Ive tried it and yes, it does work!! I absolutely recommend this book to anyone wanting to bring some piece of mind and happiness into their lives.

Stop Thinking, Start Living, and Begin Celebrating Every Moment is a self-help guide to achieving greater happiness in one's life through transformations of the mind, body, and spirit. The revelation revolves around "seven pillars of strength": meditation, learning, improving the quality of life around yourself, spirituality, running, creativity, and yoga. The result emphasizes both physical and mental wellness and vitality. A handful of black-and-white photographs illustrate such matters as proper meditation poses in this thoughtful, straightforward guide to savoring the joy of life itself.

Michael Nardi is able to get to deeper levels in modern dissatisfaction of life. By approaching the reader as an intellectual and showing him/her how to harness the sources available in a plan that he himself tried out and still works at, he shows us that attaining a balanced and peaceful attitude about life doesn't have to come at the cost of giving up our analytical minds. On the contrary. He helps put the reader on the path to more extensive reading that will help to continually develop self awareness. Definitely worth the read.

My boys and I listen to this in the car; they beg me to leave the car turned on "just a little longer" once we arrive at our destination so that we can finish a chapter. Jim Weise is our favorite narrarator, and we are learning all kinds of history. MUST have for all children.

I am so glad I bought this! My 7 year old daughter had a hard time paying attention to the subject matter....she prefers more pictures. She enjoys the audiobook and follows along with her book. I am free to do housework and can still enjoy the story of the world...you moms know about multitasking! I would highly recommend this. The storyteller keeps it interesting.

We really enjoy using the CDs with the books. Keep in mind, however, that the CDs don't include the illustrations that are in the books. These make a great supplement, but I wouldn't use them to REPLACE the books.

I second what another review stated: throw out all the other self-help books and follow the timeless advise in this little book.

This book cuts right to the chase of accomplishing your goals! Each page is full of stunning insights into life, and he writes it with such clarity, he doesn't need to ramble. No nonsense self help - don't waste your life reading self-help books, get out there and work! Accomplishing your goals will make you feel better, not endless navel-gazing, and journal writing. But, don't think Kiev's writing style is flat, dry, or downbeat. Not at all. He's practical, yet optimistic, uplifting. You can open any page and find terrific insights.

I carry this book in my pocketbook at all times, for a daily reminder that is grounded in reality, and inspirational.

Let's say you spent a decade or two poring over self-help literature from the likes of Tony Robbins, Deepak Chopra, Brian Tracy, and even the venerable Napolean Hill (as I have done). You've studied eastern traditions and mystical western writings. You've pondered the big questions, but what you want most is to find moment-to-moment meaning in your daily routine. And by the way, it wouldn't hurt if you made a million bucks, mastered the piano, climbed K2 -- or achieved whatever that goal is, that is your own "ultimate intrinsic desire."

If so, then you might want to take a look at this little book.

Read through it once and you may discern (as I did) that you don't need Robbins' 3-day, $1200 seminar. (Sorry, Tony). You don't need a nine-day zen meditation retreat. You don't even need to read another self-help book. You can go on to other pursuits, feeling confident that you are stringing together a succession of days that will add up to a glorious life lived.

I keep "Strategies" on my desk and refer to it often. The daily list of 11 points at the back, which I reread with each morning's coffee, has helped me to achieve far more than I ever dreamed. I am confident it will do the same for anyone else who reads and understands, as it already has done for hundreds of thousands of others since 1973.

Thank you, Dr. Kiev.