Ohio Books

Possibility one of the finest works to come from playwright Wellman. Some of the obsessions of his plays enter this book. A love story on one hand, a tour-de-force of a coming-of-age book, a mediatation on what it is to be "alien."

Anderson's study of Cleveland writers is the only such ever written, and is insightful and no doubt highly recommended.

As it happens I am sitting in Prof. David R. Anderson's "Study of American Literature" class right now as I write this review.

Even though I am not an architect, I am so proud to see a book written by an Indonesian professor being displayed on an international site such as Amazon. This book is important for those who are interested either in the architectural world, Indonesia or Bali. Filled with colourful pictures and clear explanation, this book will take you to a new level of understanding in the world of tropical architectural conservation.

This is one of the very best WWII memoirs I have read. (Another fantastic one is "Not As Briefed" by Ross Greening). Arn is a first rate person, and therefore a very good leader of men. He is also a talented writer, so his amazing stories are well written. Arn's story begins with the difficult decision to become a soldier at the "old" age of 34. It progresses chronologically through the war, showing clearly how he grew from a new soldier inexperienced in combat to a much loved and respected leader. The book vividly shows what it was like to be an infantry soldier in WWII, with all of the interesting little details that history books leave out.

Free Lance presents a fifty year retrospective compilation of the graphic cartoonist's work, providing the cartoons which appeared in Playboy, Trump, and Punch, among others. Prior fans of Roth will appreciate having his widely distributed cartoons under one cover, while newcomers will surely recognize his style. Both black and white and color cartoon panels highlight this survey of his works.

Christensen's portrait of the Reformation's effect on Christian Iconography is absolutely fascinating. He is incredibly thorough, examining in detail the pamphlets issued by figures like Zwingli and Karlstadt, and the profound effect that they had on the perception of art among the populace in Germany. He provides a great deal of statistics about the extent and form of damage by region, and examines in depth the reconstruction of a new and acceptable Protestant Iconography as it was concieved by Martin Luther and put in effect by Lucas Cranach the Elder. I wish it was still in print.

Jo and Bob Sanford and Barbara & Jim Payne's THE ARTISTIC GLASSWARE OF DALZELL, GILMORE, AND LEIGHTON pairs collector history with the latest price guide for these specialty pieces, providing notes as specific as commentary on patterns to accompany a history of makers and production lines.

From the Harbor to Main Avenue, Ashtabula (People and Places) traces the rich history of the city of Ashtabula. Using Richard Stoner's excellent photography, Schaeffer presents a glimpse of an elegant era for Ashtabula. Her writing is clear and concise. Although I grew up in the area, I just learned why the area transitioned and evolved as it did - from this book. It is a beautiful book; a 'must have' for Ashtabulans!

This look into the world of a Fifties Insane Asylum is gut wrenching and superb.

That this autobigraphical rendering was rescured from destruction is a testament to journalist and finder Perry Aayr to whom we all owe a debt of gratitude.

In case you're wondering, it is aptly titled.

I loved this book the way you love the golden flame of autumn, when it comes through your window, quietly and unexpectedly drawing you to see all things so vibrantly alive and luminous, that they seem new, but they are just rediscovered.

This fabulous Costarican poet opens a gate like a burning mirror for all, to his world of "embracing forests", "valleys enraptured in dream", and birds that "grow like astonished flames", where he sees himself. And rather than a challenge, this was an invitation to a feast! (Being fully bilingual I can say the translations are excellent).

Poem by poem this book was a journey through the twilights of existence (my own), the solitudes of being but also the splendors of being. Death is the only silence but it too is the redeeming force that preserves everything, like autumn.

I dared to bring out the dream of my own "wounded memory" to enrapt my self in this trip to a land of make belief almost, like the one I used to know well when I was a child, and it was so easy to understand then that "childhood was everything" and that it was "the blue that's left" what keeps shinning.

This land was so familiar to me, so intimate that I was able to visit all the forgotten corners of the worn-out things that accompanied me unnoticed in my own journey, and felt bathed by their "faithful soul", like a "darkened diamond", so deeply, that I cried with them.

The stones are alive there, in this land, "waiting in silence", "small villages are like your melancholy", clay is only dying, and the sea is "the prodigy", "the bursting of the world's flower".

There is a wonderful "migratory" light giving continuity to all the poems. Under this light the undecipherable nature of man, becomes a journey to ash and wonder, for even autumn dies, and yet death is but "forgiveness".

At the end I too felt like crying: "childhood is everything"... and "nothing follows, but silence".