Papers Books

At the conclusion of the First World War, famed British author Rudyard Kipling was asked to write the regimental history of the Irish Guards in that conflict. Kipling, long associated with the British Army in India and still grieving for his only son, who went missing in action with 2nd Battalion of the Irish Guards at Loos in 1915, took on the task. The result is a subdued but respectful and unusually readable regimental history in two volumes, one for each of the two active battalions.

Kipling keeps his focus on the events at battalion and company level. The narrative is from the perspective of the fighting men, who were largely unaware of the events of the larger war in their day-to-day struggles. Kipling acknowledges up front the impossibility of capturing an accurate account of four years of desperate fighting. His research from the war diaries of the units and interviews with survivors does captures the general flow of events from day to day as the Irish Guards moved around Northern France between 1914 and the armistice in 1918.

A number of features stand out in Kipling's narrative from the perspective of the 21st Century:

First, the Irish Guards enjoyed tremendous unit cohesion, based on high standards of professionalism among its officers, non-commissioned officers and private soldiers. Kipling notes again and again the continued attention of the soldiers to the care of their arms, equipment and clothing and of the officers to the care of their soldiers, under appalling conditions in the trenches and under enemy fire.

Second, the Irish Guards remained a highly effective fighting unit throughout the war. The First Battalion's stand at the First Battle of Ypres in 1914 is an example of their excellence. After the defeat of the initial German thrust toward Paris, the British Army fought to protect its lines of communication through ports on the English Channel. The Irish Guards found itself repeatedly fighting outnumbered and isolated on a fragmented line, knowing there were no reserves behind them. The battalion suffered horrendous casualties but stubbornly blocked German advances that if successful might have ended the war.

Third, Kipling notes the tremendous patience, courage, and good humor with which the unit faced its challenges, including the lack of up-to-date equipment in the first years of the war, the constant need to integrate fresh drafts of replacements from home, and the continuing deadly innovations of the Germans across the trench lines.

"The Irish Guards in the Great War" is very highly recommended to students of the First World War and of the British Army as an outstanding example of regimental history. This edition is richly illustrated with photographs and maps.

Mr Kipling has always been a favorite author of mine. My intense intrest in English and specifically Irish, Scots and Welsh military history led me to reading both volumes on the 1st and 2d Battalions of the Irish Guards. Mr. Kipling's history of the Irish Guards is a spectacular book set that unflinchingly describes the sacrifices of the men of the Regiment (and that generation) that willing sacrificed themselves for their comrades on the Fields of France. For those intrested, I highly recommend another great book entitled, Ireland's Forgotten Soldiers. It details the establishment and battles that the 16th Irish Division participated in and the Redmond Volunteers in the Great War.

"The Politics of Heroin in Southeast Asia" is abrilliant, riveting and invaluable expose that details the CIA's involvement in drug-running. Through McCoy's analysis, one can follow the CIA's drug-running trail from right after WWII, through the French Connection in Marseilles, to the golden triangle in Laos and Burma and on into Afghanistan.

"The Politics of Heroin in Southeast Asia" reveals the purpose behind the CIA's incolvement in drugs: at least since 1954 in Guatemala, the US has been involved in massive international terrorism throughout Central America. being clandestine, the CIA needed untraceable money and brutal thugs, so the CIA turned to narco-traffickers - like Manuel Noriega (long on the CIA payroll before his demise).

"The Politics of Heroin in Southeast Asia" remains one of the more important, relevant (in light of US involvement in the euphamism called a drug war in Columbia) yet obscure books of the previous quarter-century - a book that ultimately posits the question of whether the CIA, as an instrument of state policy, reflects the values of the American populace. Fascinating reading.

This in-depth academic study researches the central role that opium plays in the economy, politics, and wars of the region. It follows the trial from the highlands of Laos, where the opium is grown and harvested by the Hmong tribespeople, to the Golden Triangle, where it is refined into heroin. Published in 1972, this was the first printed account of the USA's massive engagement in a "secret" war in Laos. It documented the use of CIA helicopters to bring Laotian opium to market in Vietnam (where, ironically, it was sold to addicted US soldiers.) This was done to finance weapons for the army of Hmong highlanders, being led by CIA "advisors", who were fighting the Laotian communists.

There was only one edition of this book; immediately after its first printing, the entire publisher was bought by the U.S. government, and all warehoused copies were destroyed. However, with a bit of luck it can still be found in used bookstores.

After reading Annie Garrett's "After You", I went in search of other books set on the coast of Maine. Luckily, I happened to pick up this book by Amy Belding Brown at the library and absolutely loved it! The main character, Allison, is an endearing, down-to-earth individual who refuses to be true to her feelings after meeting the potential love of her life, Brent. Brent knows exactly how he feels for Allison the moment he meets her and tries his hardest to sweep her off her feet with his good looks and charm. Allison is also engaged to be married to the wealthy, handsome, yet controlling, Cabot. The descriptions of her intense emotions toward Brent are so vivid and romantic. The scenery description is also very pleasant. I will definately read this novel again!

The book starts out as Allison engaged to the so called perfect man. She goes to an island with Martha, a friend of hers. She meets a guy who gave up a promising career to have a simple life. The book is fantastic. Sparks shoot whenever they are together. She finds out what her fiance' is really like and things change.Amy Belding Brown is a great author. I want to read more of her books.

I always enjoy looking at Tom Tierney's interpretation of costumes of different eras. He gets all the lines right, finding the elements of a time period and rendering the dolls and costumes in brilliant colors. I frequently use his books for reference when making doll costumes.

If you love the style of the renaissance, costuming and paper dolls this is a wonderful book to own! Great period clothing throughout!

As an experiment, I decided to use this book for two weeks with the suggested music. To my amazement, it really works! I'm just 20 and so it is a huge novelty not to follow a tv screen.
In the book, Jane doesn't just address aerobics, but where society places people in life, the enviroment and healthy eating.
I now have this workout on DVD so really use the book as reference to healthy living.
You would have thought that it would be hard to follow a book to workout with. But it isn't. For every move there are professionally taken indepth photographs with descriptions.
You really use this book until you remember the moves off by heart. But it's use doesn't stop there as it is jam packed with so much information.
And the funny thing is it feels better working out in the absense of a television screen.

I purchased this book based on three things. One I wanted to see an example of Jane Fonda's original 1982 workout(hard to find/expensive). Two I love almost all of JF workouts. Three the one review I read confirmed I needed this for my collection. This is truly a wonderful book I can see why it was a best seller. This book offers information on a wide range of subjects from self-esteem, diet, social and enviromental issues, not to mention the two workouts. This was a great buy.
This book offers a begginer and advanced workout. Each workout begins with warm-up and ends with a cool down. At the begging of each exercise routine there is a list of music that could accompany the exercise. This can be used as a guide to choosing your own music. Both routines have an aerobics, arms, waist, abs, hips and thighs, bottocks. The workouts last about 30-45 for beginner and 40-60 mins for advanced. The cardio portion of both workouts are simple but short, however you can easily extend it.
This workout is great for the flexibility it offers. This is a workout that you can truly make your own. You could even do it while you are watching television. One of the things I really liked was making my own music to this workout. Being abel to chose your own music that you enjoy, really keeps you going. This is great if you like to make compilation tapes or cds.
Now I know what your thinking I don't go for exercise books. And for the most part I would agree, with all the page turning reading descriptions and the pictures that make no sense. But this is written and shown in a very clear manner. Over time this should just be a guide. Because you should start to memorize the workout.
This is a great workout if your short on time or you don't feel like going to the gym of even putting a exercise tape in the vcr. This workout out is total body toning. You could even use light hand weights during some of the arm movements for extra work. However some of the movements can be jarring and hard on the joints. Just modify it to fit your own personal needs. If it feels wrong don't do it. If you like this workout I would recommend Jane Fonda's New Workout Book or VHS and Jane Fonda's Women Coming of Age and Jane Fonda's Easy Going Workout.

I love the book, it has very good illustrations, and it is very accurate about historic costumes.
The paper is of great quality.

This book of warrior costumes paper dolls allowed me to get exact colors and design featurers. I design and digitize costumes and I am always looking for any books that could possible give the details in size.
I was not disappointed with this book, as well as the entire line of paper doll books.

I saw her retrospective when it came to Alabama a few years ago. It was the best show I have ever seen. It blew me away. Transcendental and sensual and alive. Up there with Rothko, Bonnard, late Picasso.

I am sure that this book will decrease in price, but if you are a lover of Joan's work, some of you won't wait. The book includes, oil, pastel and charcoal works on paper. All of the work is abstract and alive.

However, for those beginning to view Mitchell's work, you might look at this other book first. It has more of her large oils, which she is best known for. In addition, it contains more images and is cheaper.

The Paintings of Joan Mitchell (Whitney Museum of American Art) (Paperback)
by Jane Livingston (Author)

Since I wrote this review, the book of Joan Mitchell's Works on Paper has gone up to a ridiculous price. I do not know why.

i actually found this at a book store for $3 and i thought of buying it, but i bought another book instead. this is a great book for anybody who likes Paper Dolls or the Kennedy's. you can outfit Jack and Jackie on their inagural ball or the way they looked on that fateful Friday in Dallas.
great collectible.

This is a great book. The costumes are fabulous! A must-have for collectors and people who like to play with paper dolls alike.

I have been a fan of Julie Speed since visiting Austin in 1999 and seeing the "Queen of My Room" exhibition. I have my own Julie Speed gallery, a bunch of her postcards that I bought at the Austin Museum of Art and taped to my bedroom door. So when I saw that she had a book out, I ordered it immediately.
What a gorgeous book! It's so big it doesn't fit in my book shelf, but that's okay. There's a great Q&A section about her painting process, then many, many pages of full color photos of her work. For fans of her bizarre, intriguing style, this is a real treat.

For those not familiar with the work of iconoclastic artist Julie Speed let me quote Edmund Pillsbury, former Director of the Kimbell Art Museum and presently Director of the Meadows Museum. In the introduction to this beautifully illustrated volume we read, " In Julie Speed's paintings everything appears real, but on more careful inspection there is usually something unfamiliar, if not odd, present. Her paintings offer infinite possibilities. Whereas her collages and sculptures assembled from preexisting parts are exercises in surrealism, the paintings supercede realism; they are, in the artist's own vernacular pararealistic......"

Intrigued? You should be. Fascinated? You will be upon examining "Julie Speed: Paintings, Constructions, and Works on Paper," a comprehensive and compelling volume presenting 100 color plates of her oil paintings, constructions, and works on paper.

Pillsbury and Ferrer, both noted art historians, contribute a body of essays which focus on Speed's relationship to painters throughout the ages. The book closes with passages drawn from "Books of Conversation," which was an opportunity for museum visitors to jot down their thoughts and questions for the artist. Speed's responses to these jottings is particularly revelatory.

An accessible artist, Speed lives in Austin Texas. Of her life she says, "I keep hours just like a real job, only longer, and in my spare time I read books, drink tequila, garden, and drive around West Texas." No doubt she's a boon companion!

Julie Speed is an original, an artist who communicates ideas in her work, sometimes with humor, at other times with a sense of foreboding. I venture to say her paintings are unlike any most of us have seen. Thanks to Drs. Ferrer and Pillsbury for giving us the opportunity.

Edwards & Maloy provide a wonderful view of how all reading classrooms would work. Edwards & Maloy not only provide proof that traditional methods of reading and writing instruction DO NOT work for all children. Through their wonderfully innovative text, they provide methods of reading and writing instruction that DO work, that encourage and support young writers. A must for any parent, this text should be required in educational preparatory classrooms.

This book should be "required reading" for all parents who are involved in and committed to their children's education. Great tips on cultivating creativity in children, even at the pre-school ages. If you have a child who already shows an interest in writing, this is fuel for that fire!