Minnesota Books

This book was a delightful story Larry Ahlman, does a wonderful job, making the reader "feel" for his character. I found the book one of the best depictions of real life and real people I have ever read that could keep me entertained. The hero Mittens, experiences a life time of growth and maturation over his fall in the wilderness. He learns harsh but valuable life lessons about love, perseverance, and the bitter taste of revenge. Mittens is Just as real as you and I, bull headed, clumsy and not so bright, making costly mistake after costly mistake. Larry Ahlman has done a splendid job keeping human nature in his character. As I put the book down, my heart was touched, by the revelations of truth. I have passed it on to my 13 year old son and will read it with my 9 year old nephew here in a week or so.

Mittens In The Boundary Waters is filled with such vivid detail and beautiful illustrations; it makes you feel as though you were actually there. Well written and smooth storyline peaked my interest. This book magically takes you back to a simpler time, when values and perseverance defined a person's character. A great read for all ages. I highly recommend this book.

Mittens In The Boundary Waters is filled with such vivid detail and beautiful illustrations; it makes you feel as though you were actually there. Well written and smooth storyline peaked my interest. This book magically takes you back to a simpler time, when values and perseverance defined a person's character. A great read for all ages. I highly recommend this book.

Set in 1931, Mittens In The Boundary Water by Larry Ahlman is an adventurous novel about Charles "Mittens" Perkins, a dedicated man who dared to brave the Boundary Waters Wilderness of northern Minnesota in pursuit of his dream. Danger, humor, a love of the outdoors, and the insistent demands of survival are deftly blended together in this engaging, thoroughly entertaining, and highly recommended read.

The story begins like an episode of Law and Order or the Firm. Ichabod (Icky) Word has a Minneapolis police officer tied up in his living room and a dead body lying in the corner.

So this is crime fiction, right?

Wrong...

This tale brings together the issues of racism, art, and, most importantly, power. Five lucky artistes have been chosen as finalists to receive a tremendous grant promoting artists of color. The five, a Native American sculptor, a black female painter, an Asian poet, a black male mystery writer, and most surprisingly, a white female jazz saxaphonist. They are the multicultis. But something goes terribly wrong at one of their artist parties.

So what does this have to do with the fact that Icky has a policeman tied up? Who is the dead man and WHY is he dead?

These are all questions that you may ask yourself while reading. These are all questions that will be answered.

Pate brings these characters to life with a vibrance that rivals the classics. His prose is flowing if not conversational, and the novel tells a story that we all need to hear. His use of symbolism paints a picture of the world the world through the eyes of the multicultis. This story left me breathless and enlightened.

---Candace

I was thrilled to find Pate's new book, as I've throughly enjoyed all of his previous books; up to this point "Finding Makeba" has been my favorite, as those characters just stay in my mind and heart. However, Icky may become my new fictional hero; his philosophy and view of life resonated with me in many ways. Besides, I love a book that makes me laugh! I flew through this book and it left me wanting more. Do we know what the author's next book will be? My only guess is that it is sure to be original...

Alexs Pate has crafted one of the finest novels I've had the pleasure of reading in quite some time. From its shocking beginning to its climax, I found myself totally engaged with the story and its characters. I'm looking forward to reading more of Pate's work.

From the moment I started to read this novel I was immediately captivated by the unfolding story. Ichabod Word is a compelling character and his take on the art world and funding is hilarious. But more important is the way in which this book brings a lot of different races and cultures into a conversation about race.

Surely one of Isherwoods finest works. This memoir tells of his time in Hollywood during World War II and of his meeting and subsiquent association with Swami Prabhavananada. Isherwood approaches the subject with candid reflection and in his usual minimal style takes the reader on a a spiritual quest for the truth behind god and the trail of the pacifists dilemma during a crippling war. Auden, Huxley and a host of others walk through the work. An absolute must for Isherwood fans. I cried at the end...one of the best books I've ever read.

This book is a superb honest portrait of Isherwood's Guru, Swami Prabhavananda and the former's major character flaws. Basically, the author admits to his Guru that he is a homosexual and therefore not fit to be in the spiritual path. However, the Swami beautifully reassures Isherwood that this is NOT a flaw as Christopher is very sincere about his spiritual practices and his relationship with God is deep. This has profound implications.

The main reason why I love this book is that Isherwood gives the reader a very candid account of his relationship with the Swami. It does not avoid controversial and sensitive issues such as homosexuality and the idea of being a pacifist, especially during World War 2. It does not show any pretense in the manner in which Isherwood views his Guru with brutal honesty. A must read for all the homosexuals in the world traveling on the spiritual path. It basically states that one does not have to feel guilty about his/her sexual preferences when approaching God.

Indulging in a third Christopher Isherwood 'novel', after being left flat by 'The Memorial' was a truly enlightening experience. Much like the 'Boy's Own Story' trilogy of Edmund White, though supposedly not an amalgamation of characters (like White's novels) the story outlines 30 years of tutelege under Swami Prabhavananda, and how the influence of this holy man helped shape Isherwood's life.

Beginning in the first half of the 20th century, Isherwood spent many years in and out of the Hindu Vedanta Center run by the Swami. As he struggled with his faith in juxtaposition with his homosexuality, the author found great comfort in the love of the Swami, which was unwavering, despite his knowledge of Isherwood's lifestyle.

Along for the ride are many of Isherwood's contemporaries, including author Aldous Huxley, and an occasional weaving in of other celebrities of the time, such as Greta Garbo, and his lover of many years, Don Bachardy. Isherwood, amongst publication of his own novels, aids in translating the Baghad-Vita with the Swami, and publishes Ramakrishna and His Disciples, a study of a 19th century holy man who embraced all religions as worthy of learning, to appreciate the unity of all.

An interesting portrait of Isherwood himself, this book also delves into the day-to-day workings of the Hindu faith, a Vedanta center, and the life of a Swami, albeit in a Western Cultural setting.

A good read, and as much a peaceful pursuit to read as the pursuit of Isherwood's own inner peace.

One of the most intelligently written books on the subject. Here, Isherwood recounts the events that lead him to meet a man who was to seriously effect the way christopher approached life as a pacifistin a war torn world. A remarkable relationship between a very modern man and a direct desciple from the lineage of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. I think that this is one of the best books I have ever read. Christerpher Isherwood is economical with words and yet is evocative,candid and funny. Auden, Huxley and meany more characters of the time walk through this memoir. I cried at the end. Written by a master. If you are a cynic on the subject of swamis read this... it was written by one..

This book has the goods - it is very serious, not a typical sports book, but it teaches at every level. Civil Rights. Science. Women. Black Power. It is tough to think of what it leaves out. Starts slow, but really picks up and by the time it is done, it's like you've been watching PBS for two hours and didn't feel it. Learn.

This book really helped to open my eyes about the events surrounding the 1968 Olympics. More than that, it also talks about many other significant issues such as women's roles during that time, the way certain people saw various events before, during, and after the times. Be prepared to be patient when you read this. Dr. Bass takes her time and goes way back with her research leading up to the games in the late 60's. There were some areas I was not too interested in, such as some scientists' claims that black superiority in the athletic arena is due to biological and genetic advantages. Yet there were other times in the book like when Tommie Smith explained the MEANING, the TRUE MEANING, behind he and Carlos' actions that really made me take it in and appreciate the courage they had to take a stand at that time on that particular stage. From the black socks to the scarf Smith wore on his neck to both of them not wearing shoes on the victory stand while the national anthem played. More than just discussing the Olympics, she digs deep into the perception of the black athlete, from the 1930's when Jesse Owens was the man to the 60's, and to the 90's with Michael Jordan. Like I said earlier though, be prepared to be patient when you are reading this. There were some parts that I had to bear with to get to what I wanted to read, but all in all, it's a read that can definitely challenge your views not only about the black athlete, but sports and life in general.

A work that provides insight into how race is understood and projected in U.S. society -- and the world -- and where its ties to nation, class, gender, etc. come into play most dramatically. This exploration of the black power movement at the Mexico City olympics is a critical examination of a multitude of topics: television, sports, civil rights, humanity, globality -- the list is varied and important. Complex, complicated, interesting, imperative. A learning experience for all who turn its pages.

I learned so much from this book. I thought that it might be too hard to read, but it was worth it: I will never watch sports -- especially the Olympics -- the same way again. There's too much to list contained here: the Olympics, the media, race, sexuality, women -- it goes on and on. I think everyone should read it.

This book is fascinating to read if you are interested in the subject. It is probably one of the most important books available if you want to learn about the men who served on the boats. Descriptions of Captains, Clerks, and Engineers, are comprehensive, as well as the activities of other members of the boat crews. I cannot think of many subjects regarding steamboating that the author did not touch upon.

There are a number of parallels between the lives of Samuel Clemens (i.e., Mark Twain) and George Merrick. Both grew up in towns along the Mississippi River, both first worked as typesetters, and both became river pilots. And Merrick's writing is nothing to sneeze at, either.

Twain's "Life On the Mississippi" gives us a pretty full picture of steamboating from St. Louis to New Orleans. Merrick's "Old Times on the Upper Mississippi" does the same from St. Louis to the head of navigation at St. Paul, and it does so in a readable and personable style that keeps the reader interested. And there are none of the long, tangential stories like those Twain stuck into his book in order to bring it to the number of pages promised by the book agents who sold it door to door before it was published.

Long out of print (I searched for a decade for my first edition copy), "Old Times on the Upper Mississippi" is once again available. It belongs in the library of any serious student of river history.

A mine of information about the "Golden Era" of Steamboats on the Upper Mississippi River. One of those rare books that does not leave the reader with more unanswered questions than when one started reading. With no wasted words one gets a real feeling of how it was living between 1840 and 1870 as a "Riverman". Along with Charles Edward Russell's "A-Rafting on the Mississip" I would recommend it as a base for anyone doing research on the subject. For true adventure lovers it is exciting reading in it's own right...

Thank goodness someone has had the good sense to reprint this classic book about steamboating on the upper Mississippi! George Merrick relates his personal experiences as a steamboat pilot during the heyday of steamboating with stories about the boats, towns, and people of the stretch of river between St. Louis and St. Paul. I grew up in that area, and found his recollections fascinating. I learned a lot about the history of the towns along the river, and about the rich tradition of steamboating. Imagine piloting a 500 ton boat down a winding, wild river in the dead of night with no headlight, moonlight, or navigation aids!! Captain Merrick tells how he did it! A must for anyone who is interested in steamboating or the history of industrial expansion to the West.

Reading the book is a bit like wading through thick brush at times, though there is plenty of good solid information in it. The author gets long-winded and preachy at times, but the overall value of the book makes it worthwhile. Not all the good information is laid out in a linear fashion. One often has to dig and think about what's being said to uncover the gems in the ramblings. I found I liked that. A bit more fun than a "winter camping for dummies" book. If you're a "dummy" you might consider a different book.

I always enjoy Calvin's books as they peer into the yesteryear and give me a look at how things used to be and soemthing to compare them to now. I find them informative and it gives a really unique perspective from someone who was "there" when the old country was truly old. The information is enjoyable too as it holds value even in today's high tech days.

Winter offers a beauty that is at once spare but stunning. Often it's charm eludes us because we don't know where, or more frequently, how to look. Our excursions are usually too brief to grant the appreciation that comes from real familiarity. An afternoon skating or sledding, a day on the ski slopes may whet our appetite, but such relatively brief outings limit our appreciation of this environment. To be sure, it's not an environment that is terribly forgiving of ill preparation or ignorance. Calvin Rutstrum is a wonderful guide, not only offering his vast experience in practical matters, but enhancing our appreciation of the winter environment with his knowledge, his opinions (and has has definite opinions!) and his experiences. This should be in the library of every wilderness traveller who wishes to go on outings in the winter.

Needless to say, no single book is sufficient to turn a greenhorn into an experienced snow camper; but this is an excellent start. The language may at times reflect the times in which it was written, but Rutstrum offers solid experience; the stories alone are worth the read, even for those who don't anticipate ever sleeping in the wilderness in the snow. One caution; reading this book may prompt you to push beyond what you consider to be your comfort zone!

An interesting book to read even if you have no interest in winter camping or travel. Mr Rutstrum traveled most of his life in the Canadian wilderness on snowshoes or by dog sled. He tells many interesting stories about his dealings with the Cree, trappers, and hermits, I am assuming the time frame is the 40's through the 60's. I love to read how people used to live before the days of snowmobiles and plowed roads. I highly recommend this book to anyone with a sense of adventure, it is a true classic.

Clarice Lispector combines philosophy, autobiography and sociology when whe writes her turning around books. They are short, compact, evocative. They challenge old concepts of what makes fiction/reality.

I know that "human gender" sounds weird in English.I'm trying to persuade you to see the H. and the G., now invert it as it would be in Portuguese G.H. I also know that the word "Gospel" does not have the double "entendre" that "passion" evokes in Portuguese. If you read the King James version of the Bible, you may find "The Passion according to Mark, Luke, Matthew..." If I mention these aspects of the title is because this book should be read with a spiritual approach of some sort. Clarice uses language in the most unorthodox manner, a stylistic trait that the translator unfortunately neglects. He actually tries to "conform" to a more mainstream presentation of the text so the average reader understands it. He way didn't get it. Two thumbs down for him. In spite of that, Clarice's supernatural ability to pierce the soul comes across intensely whenever her fluid words challenge our preconceived, static understanding of what things mean. Biblical allusions (both in the Jewish and Christian sense, mixed with Eastern and Western mistical traditions can be subtly and overtly detected in G.H.'s (Genero Humano, Human Kind)inward exploration and personal revelations. The text is fluid and, as such, serves as a changing mirror to the reader, that is, as you read it the narrative transforms itself to reflect your inner projections. Whatever meaning you attribute to Clarice's words comes from your inner life. But, as she said, "don't worry about understanding. To be alive is much vaster than understanding..." Enjoy the ride. Enjoy the vision of your soul.
P.S. I strongly recommend this book to the dying, to those facing major life transitions, and to the truly living.

Clarice Lispector is certainly the best thing we have concerning to women literature in Brazil.She is able to touch our hidden feelings. This small book contains every thing one must reads over a lifetime.Sometimes it hurts, sometimes it tastes delicious.

Clarice writes beautiful poetry, but in prose. She permanently talks about solitude in large cities, most the times about woman solitude.

There is a totally trivial incident. Someone is alone in a flat that gives a view of granite hills (a very common sight at Rio de Janeiro, where she lived). Suddenly she finds a huge cockroach and has to fight or flee. And facing it, reviews her whole life, identifies with the cockroach and takes the decision to fight her fears.

The above script may not sound much, but Clarice is a master of the word, writes marvellous short stories and, as Guimaraes Rosa, another brazilian writer tells, "the Devil is on the details".

Philosophy of new music will be of interest to composers, musicologists, music theorists with an interest in contemporary music.

Adorno's writing is characteristically dense and difficult--somewhat essential to the subject matter.

Those with an interest might also consider:
Atali--NOISE, and Karol Berger A Theory of Art.

mz

The book was exactly as the seller described it. And it took only a couple of days to get to me from the time that I purchased it. Thank you!

Perhaps the only things more polemical than Adorno's critique of Schoenberg and Stravinsky are the reactions that followed. Unfortunately, many people still assume that they understand Adorno's views and arguments concerning these two composers. The reductionist tendency to simplify Adorno's view to "Schoenberg good, Stravinsky bad" shows just who has and who hasn't actually read this book. It is never so simple. Adorno is frequently critical of Schoenberg in very perceptive ways. Of course there's no mistaking who Adorno favors, but to consider this book as a good-vs-evil study is far too limiting. Not only is this a great study of the then current state of musical thought, it is also an interesting overview of twelve tone music, how it works, what it seeks to do, and why it's important.

The format of the book is especially nice. Adorno's favored paratactical prose style can be incredibly difficult when multi-page paragraphs begin to accumulate. For the most part in Philosophy of New Music, each new paragraph is marked by a heading. This keeps the ideas organized and focused. Adorno's paragraphs seem to function as a spinning out of an idea in a very fluid manner and the length of his sections are just the right length to allow the reader to comfortably follow him without getting bogged down. His theses is developed piece by piece, but clearly dividing up the ideas helps the reader see the logical progression. Having read other Adorno writings, I found this to be unusually clear and concise. I wonder how much more useful Aesthetic Theory would be if he had used this structure.

The remarkable clarity is probably due, to a large extent, to Robert Hullot-Kentor's translation. I've read many other translators with varying degrees of success (Ashton's attempt at Negative Dialectics being one of the worst), but Hullot-Kentor is by far the best. Adorno's writing is riddled with allusions and references that are frequently vague or obscure. Hullot-Kentor does a great service to readers by including additional references and background information. His detailed understanding of Adorno's complicated thought is evident in every sentence. Reading Adorno has, to me at least, never been so straightforward.

In addition to the translation, Hullot-Kentor provides an excellent foreword providing both a context and an overview of what is inside. His description of the translation process is, as always, interesting. Hullot-Kentor has found a way to provide very readable English translations while maintaining Adorno's linguistic artistry.

Bought this yesterday with my father's day gift certificate. Went here to see what others had thought of it and was surprised to see no review posted yet! What gives? Are you guys sleeping on the job?

The translators preface by Robert Hullot-Kentor who also did Aesthetic Theory is vintage translator expressing the torments of trying to merge two different worlds. I enjoyed it and know just what he means. Quine is right about that. But it is harsh! RH-K is a believer in Adorno and what Adorno says in the text. Does one have to empathize with a text to translate it well just as a musician must be in the mood of the music to express that mood? I wonder. Maybe so.

Adorno gave these guys grief. I am sure it applies to our music as well. I read this not simply thinking of the "new music" but the continuing type and wonder if we can associate the trite with the sensuous and the good with the abstract? But then what makes the good so good? Reading on....

In the world of books, where the ceiling on what constitutes a young writer reaches the age of 40, Toby Thompson should be applauded for simply going for it at 24, for packing up his car and heading halfway across the country to a small northern Minnesota town to track down the history of an enigmatic singer by walking up to people he's never met and asking them to talk about their most famous son, Bob Dylan. Crazy? Yeah, sure. Honorable? Gutsy? Pretty damn cool? Yes! Yes! Yes! Such a trek should be required for all aspiring writers, the push out the door (and out of their comfort zone) to find the story that is brewing somewhere in America. Even better is that Thompson knocks out a home run in his debut book, sharing a never-been-told story about Bob Dylan to an audience who was begging for it in 1971 and to future generations who continue to discover the poetry and magic of "Positively 4th Street," among others, as their musical tastes come of age.

As the 60's gave way to the 70's, Thompson captures two major forces spreading across America: Bob Dylan and New Journalism, weaving these two complimenting stars together in one wild romp. The running inner-monologue of Thompson's witty thoughts and observations are a cross between Hunter S. Thompson and Tom Wolfe adding up to a style that breathes fire. Above all the story is fun to read, inspired by the passion and idealism of a young man who doesn't know any better. And thank god for that.

English professors take note: This should be required reading for all of your students.

In these current "Times, they are a changin'" it is good to look back. Toby Thompson's take on 1968 Hibbing, Minnesota, is like Hunter S. Thompson's Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream, only necessarily different.

As Jerry Jeff Walker says in his Viva Terlingua intro to London Homesick Blues, "I gotta put myself back in that place." And in this case, that place is Hibbing, Minnesota, 1968, former home of Robert Zimmerman, then AWOL Bob Dylan.

While Robert Bob Dylan Zimmerman was secluded in Woodstock, NY, young Toby Thompson went off to Hibbing, Minnesota, in search of Zimmerman/Dylan's past in (dis)order to ascertain the present and future - and the reader is taken along for the trips, summed up in a Postgush comment from Richard Goldstein: I think the real meat of this book is that you start out wanting to find Bob Dylan's "Rosebud" and you end up caring more about Toby's hidden bottle of Scotch.

It's a great Look Back. And to answer this reviewer's question posed in the title - What Would Dylan Do?: Obama-backin' Bob is going back to that place - back to Minneapolis - the University of Minnesota - positively near 4th Street - to do a gig on Election Night 2008. Do look back, it's alright. See ya'all there! /TundraVision, Amazon Reviewer

Bob Dylan is one of the most creative songwriters of the twentieth century. "Positively Main Street: Bob Dylan's Minnesota" tells of Toby Thompson's travels to learn more about Bobby Zimmerman, the man behind the legend. Thompson talks with the people who knew Zimmerman as a boy to further understand the mind behind the music. With interviews conducted by the author and never before released photographs, "Positively Main Street" is a must for any Dylan fan.

Superb, intersting account of growing up as Bobby Zimmerman, before becoming Bob "Die-lan". "Die-Lan" is the way Minnesotans pronounce Dylan. (The same way that I pronounced it 40 years ago.)
Great interview with Echo Helstrom "The Girl from the North Country". (Thompson doesn't bring up the thought that others think that "The Girl..." is actually Bonnie Beecher.) But from Thompson's accounts I think Echo would be someone very easy to fall in love with. I find it interesting that even after Dylan "Made it" Beatty Zimmerman (Bob's Mother) was still working in Hibbing. This is a recommended read that is as inyteresting as the John Sandford novels are about Minnesota.

Toby Thompson is truly an Odd Fellow: admitting in this updated, refurbished University of Minnesota Press edition that he first went to Hibbing, MN as a desperate means of "breaking through" in the journalistic market.

I would say that takes a lot of nerve but no doubt he admits so because he, like the rest of us before him, has seen that his work far transcends such a naughty, simple conspiracy and the fact that he was able to sit down and interview Bob Dylan's mother in Hibbing at a time when the Zimmerman family still had a viable presence on the Range is nothing short of dreamy, not to mention the quality of the relationship he forged with Echo Helstrom.

The book's new preface as well as the recent, upbeat, revealing interview with this great author make this purchase a MUST for fans of Dylan, even those who cherish the first edition from the Stoned Age.

Three Cheers for Mr. Thompson.

This wonderful book about Gary and his dog, Cookie, starts here. Cookie is a true leader and loves being a sled dog. Cookie has about three litters a year. In one litter, one pup did not live; Cookie would not let it go until five days! A while after that Cookie and Gary were teaching pups to be true leaders, boy or girl, just like Cookie by running on the Alaskan plain. Cookie started to limp. She had arthritis! The doctor said, " She would have to give up running as a sled dog!" Will Gary have to give up racing, too? You will have to read the story and find out. Gary, a main character, is obviously representing Gary Paulsen, the author. I recommend this book to all readers, because it is heartwarming.

I think the book Puppies, Dogs, and Northerns is a great book because I love dogs and to go be outside. The place where it was in the snow at his house and on sled trails. Gary Paulsen was the author and he used destriptive writing so I could visualize. If you like dogs and sleding you would like the book. I give this book five stars because it is so great.

A must read for any dog lover or one who enjoys Gary Paulsen's work. The simple joy of the little balls of fur that are husky puppies is portrayed lovingly throughout the book, as you follow along with the birth, education, and growing up of the litter of Gary Paulsen's best and most wonderful lead dog, Cookie. Unfortunately, there comes sadness, as Gary is forced to give up the kennel he loved, and keep only Cookie as a reminder of the dogs he once had. In an amazingly short space of time, you will find yourself laughing hysterically, and sobbing, and anyone who reads this book without doing both at least once has no sence of humor and a heart of stone.

This is a must read follow-up to Gary's book "Winterdance". You'll read more about his dog Cookie as well as a variety of other sled dog related adventures and observations. If you've ever bonded with a dog (dog musher or not) you will enjoy this little gem of a read. It is a book easily read in one sitting.