Reviews Books

It's good to see that John Glassco's hilarious if not always reliable memoir of his youthful exploits in Paris is back in print. From what I gather, this edition includes an introduction that comments on the fictitiousness of some events described in the book and its real date of composition. (I'll give you a clue: it's later than you think.) So I would like to exhort everyone and anyone with an appetite for stories about the good old days in Paris, when James Joyce, Ernest Hemingway and Gertrude Stein roamed freely, to pick up this book and enjoy themselves.

However, you should bear in mind that around 25 per cent of it is fiction. Also, if you really want to know who's who, you are better off with the 1995 OUP edition with notes by Michael Gnarowski. This contains a good introduction and reveals the real identity of many thinly veiled characters in an appendix. (Djuna Barnes' lover Thelma Wood is renamed Emily Pine - you get the idea.) But if you are less detective minded than me, I guess this new edition will do just fine.

For further reading, I warmly recommend Being Geniuses Together by the very outspoken Robert McAlmon, with later material interpolated by Kay Boyle, yet another unreliable narrator. Both of these memoirs are infinitely more entertaining than Stein's The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas or Hemingway's maudlin A Moveable Feast. The last of these was hailed as a return to form, but I believe it contains much material that was actually written *earlier* than you'd think. Quite the opposite of Glassco in that respect!

It was 1927; John Glassco was 17 when he left Montreal to go to Paris with the intention of becoming a famous writer. He kept a journal of his life there for the next five years. He was convinced he was a genius who would one day produce a masterpiece. The irony is that the masterpiece turned out to be these memoirs edited and published when he was 59.

John Glassco writes about the Paris arts scene of the 1920s, telling the story of an artist as a young man. It's not always true, but it is always fun, as fiction and autobiography blend to create a good read. Has all the sex, boozing and pathos that was typical of 1920s Paris as its been memorialized in literature, whether that's a good thing or not is for you to decide.

The book, "Ministry of Healing" is not only a book which helps to cure sicknesses, but it prevents sickness. This book is clearly an inspired book which centers on spiritual sources of power for all healing. This book is the first, alternative to the bare New Age healers. This book centers on God as the sole source for power, and offers a 100% guarantee that all problems will be cured if taken to God. That guarantee in the book has urged many readers to read the other books by E.G.White. Her books are excellent sources of strength. All of her books are available at Amazon.Com

This book is the most practical layman's book on health I have ever read. It's not a silly home remedies book. Nor is it a hard to understand technical manual. It gives plain and simple advice on how to live a healthy life. Everything from how to care for yourself and others when ill to what simple steps you can take to keep from getting ill to what kind of diet is best to how to take care of yourself when you're pregnant.

Examples: Did you know it is best not to mix fruits and vegetables in a single meal? Do you know what difference in diets manual laborers and mental laborers should be for optimum results?

Whomever you are, whether a searcher for physical health, mental health, or spiritual health, you will find this book both fascinating and easily applicable to your life. This book even contains practical advice for medical doctors!

I've used this 19th Century book in a health seminar. It is a pioneering work, and its truths have been adopted with little credit given by the wholistic health movement in general. Ellen G. White was one of wholistic health's earliest proponents. This book is still modern; nothing in it is out of date. Kloss cites the Author Ellen G. White as a major influence, in his book Back to Eden. Ministry of Healing presents a wholistic approach to health, emphasizing a simple lifestyle and fundamental health habits. Ellen White, the author, is a good wordsmith. She avoids tangents, and sticks to the basics that provide 99 percent of what is necessary to live a healthy, fruitful life. She presents clear discussions of family values, community approaches that preserve community health, exercise, whole vegetarian foods, food preparation that preserves food values, avoidance of vices including alcohol, tobacco, caffeine, and stimulating foods like black pepper and mustard, avoidance of unnecessary medicine, simple layman healing methods (she pioneered the use of water, hot and cold and sunlight as an adjunct to healing), and she searches the scriptures to find clear modern-day applications to health issues. You can heal yourself with the truths in this book. There is a health institute, Weimar Institute in California, that is based on the teachings of this book. As you read this book you'll experience an atmosphere of incredible light, both spiritually and physically. Her writing style is excellent, and very loving. She's helped me with my health, and I've passed on the truths she taught to many others.

If I had the money, I would travel to Asia, South America, and Eastern Europe to learn about each region's culture. I wouldn't go to museums, but rather to the movies, especially the exploitative, sexual, and violent ones. Since I'm short on funds, I decided to read Pete Tomb's Mondo Macabro: Weird & Wonderful Cinema Around the World instead. For $18.95, I developed my own case of culture shock by reading about the B movies of Japan, Turkey, the Philippines, China, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, India, and Indonesia. What we have here is an attention-grabbing introduction to an entire world of films that are full of bizarre sexuality, brutality, and horror. Tomb focuses on how these films react to, and contribute to, their particular culture's makeup and character. The film business in Istanbul, Turkey, for example, didn't get going until the '50s, when they made Drakula Istanbul'da (Dracula in Istanbul). To say the special effects were low-tech would be putting it mildly; to show fog in a graveyard, the crew lay on the ground and puffed on lots of cigarettes. After that success, there were films such as Tarzan in Istanbul and The Invisible Man in Istanbul -- there's nothing like national pride. Mondo Macabro concentrates not only on film lore but also on the literature and legends of these nations. It is rare to get a book on this subject that is so well written and informative for even the amateur film fanatic. Sadly, due to distribution and business practices, most people won't be able to see films such as India's Kali, The Bloodthirsty Bride of Shiva, Japan's Rapeman, or the Turkish version of Star Wars. So our alternative is this wonderful, well-researched book featuring stills from enchanting films I have never seen and, most likely, never will.

If you're in a movie rut and aren't interested in anything at your local video store, I implore you to check out Mondo Macabro! This book is fantastic! Its full of the strangest movies ever made throughout the world. Brazil, Mexico, Japan, Hong Kong, India, you name it and its in here. Peter Tombs covers all bases, including the countries' film history and cultural practices, in order to give readers a better understanding as to why certain films were made. And some of it is still unexplainable! He even goes so far as to lead readers in the direction on where to find the films. I've picked up a few of the films in this book and I've been changed. Mondo Macabro raises the bar that film books must hurdle in order to be deemed thourough. If you're a fan of b-movies or in the mood for a total change of pace, Mondo Macabro can help you. This is a film junkie's dream! Also, be sure to check out Immoral Tales, also by Tombs, which covers European films.

When most people think of foreign film it's usualy something very european, more then likely french. Not that there is anything wrong with that but here's something you don't see everyday. In Pete Tombs book MONDO MACABRO we see the great "trash" films and filmmakers for the world. My favorite in the book and on the screen is a man who's character is known as "Ze do Caixao" in his home land of Brazil but "Coffin Joe" to you english speaking folks. Jose Mojica Marins is "Ze" the "evil" undertaker of his own written, directed and produced films. Check out "At Midnight I'll Take Your Soul Away" from 1963, it's a masterpiece.

Tombs' book goes to all areas of the globe to find you the best and the strangest films you will ever see. Including a Turkish version of "Star Trek". The book is well written, has many original photos and posters arts so you can get a sense of what it take to make these kinds of films. Now the only challange is trying to find them on video.

Think you have seen everything, think again, check out MONDO MACABRO!

Monet And The Impressionists For Kids is a book filled with 21 fun and educational activities to teach young people more about the classical painter Claude Monet and others in the grand and beautiful tradition of Impressionist art. Gorgeously illustrated in full color, Monet And The Impressionists For Kids features such activities as using colored construction paper to paint reflections, or painting the shimmering sky with watercolors. A wonderful biography and history, as well as a highly educational rainy-day fun book, Monet And The Impressionists For Kids is as entertaining as it is educational and highly recommended for home schooling and classroom curriculum supplementation.

The invention of photograph had a profound impact on painting. At the start of the 19th-century the goal of painting was realism, but with a camera that became a moot point. Eventually the art world decided the only rational thing to do was to go in the opposite direction and to find an alternative to reality. The Impressionists represent the first successful movement by paintings to capture the public imagination with "non-realistic" art. "Monet and the Impressionists for Kids" not only introduces young readers to Impressionism but also follows up with 21 activities that will allow them to try their hand at painting. These activities are what makes Carol Sabbeth's book stand out from others on the Impressionists in general and Claude Monet in particular, because it is pretty much impossible to be exposed to these paintings and not want to try to do it yourself.

The book is divided into two halves. Part I: The Impressionists introduces readers to "A New Way of Looking at the World" and then devotes sections to the life and art of Claude Monet, Pierre Auguste Renoir, Edgar Degas, and Mary Cassatt. Monet is clearly the star of the book (he certainly defines Impressionism for me), and there are five activities devoted to his section. Part II: The Post-Impressionists looks at the painters Paul Cezanne, Paul Gauguin, and Georges Surat, with a final section devoted to "Lasting Impressions."

Sabbeth provides a concise biography for each of the artists, with reproductions of their most famous and important works, along with an Art Detective section that tells you how to spot their work in terms of distinguishing characteristics. Most of the activities are specifically tied to the paintings. Off of Monet's "Regattas at Argenteuil" we learn about Painting Reflections; from the cloisonnism of Gauguin we experiment by making a Cup of Gauguin. These activities explore the uniqueness of these painters, from Cezanne�s brilliant rectangles of color to the sculpture-like circles of dancers by Degas. Some of these activities are truly creative, such as constructing your own little Monet haystack to appreciate the colors and light at different times of day. I especially liked the one for Seurat Sugar Cookies, where you make your cookies sugar-sprinkled masterpieces using the artist's pointillist technique.

I totally agree with the premise of this book, that there is no art form more appealing to children than Impressionism. If you are not a "real" Art Teacher (a distinct possibility in the wonderful new world of educational budget cuts) you will find "Monet and the Impressionists for Kids" both informative and instructional. Not only can you introduce children to the ballet dancers of Degas and the island scenes of Gauguin, but you can also find several activities for your students to do in class or at home. This is a very enjoyable and practical look at the great Impressionist painters. This book is for ages 9 and up, which is great because I qualify as being up.

This is a wonderful book with great ideas to do with kids so that they can get an understanding of the arts through hands on experiences.

Cheryl Duran has created a useful compendium of the horror field for the neophyte and the seasoned fan alike. Written by a true fan of the genre, this book is a fun overview which includes movies, TV, comics and toys. It turned me onto a couple of vintage movies I had never seen and sent me scrambling to my local video store to check them out!
Clint Hutchison - writer/director of TERROR TRACT

Ms. Duran has created a work of genuis for all movie bluffs.
The MCCGTH is one of the three greatest works on horror in the last thirty years.

The Monster Club.com's guide to horror is great fun to read! It really captures the spirit of why I love horror. I've loved monsters and horror films since I was little, and I have a huge collection of books dedicated to horror. What sets this book apart from the rest is the tone. It's obvious that the author is a fan of many of the same films I like, and her enthusiasm is contagious. Instead of taking a clinical approach and analyzing topics or films to death, she takes you on a fun whirlwind tour of many facets of the world of horror. Highly recommended!

This book has a place of honor on my coffee table. If you're like me and have friends who can hold an entire conversation using nothing but movie quotes, you've found the perfect book to brush up on your skills. Very funny and oddly useful.

This is a hilarious book that provides great quotes for every situation. Think about how many times (e.g. at parties) you have wanted to deliver that perfect quote from Major League or Star Wars! I also enjoy just browsing through it and reminiscing about great movies.

This is a hilarious book that provides great quotes for every situation. Think about how many times (e.g. at parties) you have wanted to deliver that perfect quote from Major League or Star Wars! I also enjoy just browsing through it and reminiscing about great movies.

Movies on TV was an annual favorite of mine until it ceased publication in 1993. Reviews are much more fair and objective than the more commercialized guide from Leonard Maltin. Rumors of the author's death were the least on my mind when this treasure ceased publication. Did Scheuer sell his reviews to a different critic? The objectivity of guides like Videohound and Danny Peary have always been questionable. Even Blockbuster publishes a film review guide now, blurring the line between sellers or producers and the critic. But subtract a half star on this point: Why do the pages in Scheuer's book fall out so much sooner?

Way back in 1958, long before The Time Out Film Guide or Videohounds Golden Movie Retriever were a twinkle in anyone's eye and a full decade before Leonard Maltin's Movie Guide first appeared on the market was this Movie Review guide by Steven Scheuer. From the 1960's through the 1980's it was basically a choice between this book or Maltin's for those of us wanting a comprehensive movie guide with capsule reviews and ratings. As of 1994 this guide mysteriously ceased publication, an event so unexpected that rumors began circulating as to the death of Mr. Scheuer himself! These rumors appear to have been greatly exagerrated as he recently edited a book on building a DVD library that is now for sale right here on Amazon.com.

Maltin's annual Movie guide is of course indispensable but I fear that at times people take what amounts to one critic's opinion as gospel. Comparing the two books is instructive as to the ultimately subjective nature of film viewing. Scheuer's guide gives Brazil(1985)*1/2 stars while Maltin gives it ***, Scheuer gives Blade Runner(1982)**** while Maltin gives it *1/2, Scheuer gives the gay art film Sebastiane(1979)***1/2, John Waters' Pink Flamigos(1973)**1/2 and cult sci-fi film Punishment Park(1971)*** while none are even included in Maltin's guide. That's the most surprising thing in flipping through this book...the odd, art-house omissions that have never been included in Maltin's book and apparantly never will.

When you step into a used bookstore to browse through the film section and see hundreds of obscure, out of print tomes that have unfortunately "died" due to not being read anymore please remember that there are a few titles out there that desperately SHOULD be in print again. Books like Danny Peary's Guide for The Film Fanatic, Lotte Eisner's bio of the great German director Murnau and this guide by Steven Scheuer.

I bought every edition of this film guide until they apparently stopped making it in 1994. What a shame! The reviews are almost always dead-on and occasionally very funny. Also, the reviews are thoughtful and insightful despite being relatively brief. Still, this is one of the few movie guides that managed to say everything it needed to in a single paragraph to get its point across.

In the later editions (like this one) there was an appendix included so you could easily see all films made by a certain actor or director, which was very helpful.

The four star rating system was expertly used in this guide as well (generally, I prefer the 4-star system to the somewhat more prevalent 5-star), and small indicators let you know if the film is available on video or not.

One of the best features of this book was that it included made-for-TV films as well as those getting a theatrical release, plus many, many foreign films.

This book should be revised, updated, and published again!

This book is a disturbing book, yet it's tight and powerful. A solid read, if you can handle it.

No, this poetry isn't about sex. It's about laughing in death's face, begging it to play Russian Roulette with you.

As I read this book, my stomach became twisted in knots. I cried 3 poems into it, and became nauseous toward the middle. There is one VERY sweet poem, "Crowning Her," which gave me hope, made me smile (out of a sense of relief), but the speaker spirals down again, hard.

I could NOT put this book down. I read every poem two or three times before devouring the next. It's the exact same feeling I got when I read American Psycho, although the subject matter is completely different.

After I put the book down, I wanted to be near the writer and help bear the pain. You cannot read this book and NOT be greatly affected. Bravo.

[edit a few weeks later] Apparently I got very near the writer. I just married him. ;-)0

this was not an easy book to read...
but if you like unflinching honesty and intense reality, try it out.

this is not poetry to make you feel uplifted or enlightened or made into a better person.
these are words to make you reevaluate who and what you are when you look in the mirror.

This book takes you through nephrology in and out. Reading it makes you ready for any nephrology exam. and practice.

It is highly recommended.

Adewunmi Jonathan.

The book comprehensively reviewed the important points in Nephrology. It is a great help for practice and exams as well. The authors uses easy language and simple phrases. Reviewed good. Congratualtions to every one participated in a job well done.

The book comprehensively reviewed the important points in Nephrology. It is a great help for practice and exams as well. The authors uses easy language and simple phrases. Reviewed good. Congratualtions to every one participated in a job well done.

Great book, excellent presentation and discussion of the exam. Appropriate for neurology residents or students interested in neurology

Great starter book for the neuro exam for students or even residents. Easy to read and follow; information sticks with you the way it is presented. Goes through each portion of the examination and what one can find and what it means.

a great must-have book for medical student, resident or practicing primary care physician. It is extremely helpful when you exam the patient. You may look it up for almost each uncertainty. It will be a great tool which is easily put in the lab coat. It is handy when you encounter some neurological problem.