Illinois Books

This is a philosophy book that is illuminating for creative persons (artists, writers, composers etc.) as well as students or lovers of art. If you already value art, but are intellectually embarassed when someone asks you to defend or justify your passion, Art and Freedom provides some ways to respond. The author presumes the value of art first and then sees what varying theories of art have meant for the cultural value of art. Also, which theories best explain art's ability to liberate us (not just provide escape)and from what. It is intelligently written without an overload of jargon or self-concious hipness.

What follows is copied from the book jacket blurb:
"What does a life with art offer that a life without art does not?"
Art and Freedom asserts that the fundamental point of the enterprise of art is the creation and delivery of values that are not singularly available in the nonart world. E.E.Sleinis argues that as art both liberates and provides new points of focus and awareness, the art enterprise depends on a positive freeing from the nonart world, thereby involving freedom in an essential way. (He)introduces a novel classificatory system for representation, expression, and formalist theories of art. Sleinis argues that a characteristic defect of contemporary theories of art is their neglect of the issue of value... E.E. Sleinis is a senior lecturer in philosophy at the University of Tasmania, Australia.

This inexpensive softcover guide is nicely printed and contains an excellent selection of 256 masterpieces from the AIC. The color reproductions are quite good for a book this modestly sized. Each entry is accompanied by a generous amount of illuminating text. All in all, it's perfect for your next visit to the AIC, or simply for home browsing.

Prof. Kinderman has done Beethoven scholarship a terrific service with this beautiful set of three volumes; the facsimile is gorgeous, the transcriptions appear to be highly accurate and the commentary is both knowledgeable and insightful. Anyone interested in the development of Beethoven's late compositions, especially the Missa Solemnis, will want to have a copy of this first-rate set. Of all of the sketchbook transcriptions released thus far, this one stands head and shoulders above all the rest. As Project Director of The Unheard Beethoven, I've read a lot of Beethoven manuscripts and must say that Kinderman has done an excellent job of puzzling out Beethoven's often impossible handwriting and converting it into something that makes sense to the rest of us. The price is incredibly reasonable for the value that's here as well. I treasure my copy. Mark Zimmer

This book documents the lives of some of some of the most creative, innovative and provocative artists in America. Most of them we have not heard of. African-American history is a vibrant and essential thread in the history of all Americans. The portraits are haunting, authentic and vulnerable. It is extremely important for the consciousness of our world to see this exquisite book as a vital and important voice that speaks to everyone. We must not let these voices become silent. Savor the photographs, read the content and etch these grand souls into your memory. Then buy another copy and pass it on. This is how we remember.

This work offers great insight into the problems that people faced in the South during the drought. Woodruff is simply supurb in her writing style. A must read for those interested in domestic American History between the world wars.

This photographer completely communicates the quiet intimacy we share with the personal objects and spaces of our homes. With deeply attentive, fresh vision, Frederking opens up the overlooked stuff of our lives and allows the light to animate the stories and longings hidden inside.

During the building of the Tollway, several historic settlements were found. This book documents the finds both in text tables and with photos... ponders the orientation of the graves (I'll leave you to find out more in the book) and carbon dates these early settlements in the Cal-Sag Valley.

Daniel Dombrowski discusses the core issues of a popular argument of animal liberationists. This book covers the most prominent philosopher's arguments for and against the argument from marginal cases. He discusses the main issues without getting into non-animal philosophical discussions--you don't have to be a utilitarian, contractualist, or any other brand to listen to his arguments. Also, while presenting his case for liberation, he avoids the dogmatism that is prevalent amongst proponents and opponents of animal liberation. This is an excellent book and I recommend it to everyone--for everybody is affected if we agree with his thesis. That is, we should stop eating, experimenting, or wearing animals.

Baby and child figures in Greek mythology have been virtually ignored in favor of the outsized, colorful, or complex adult characters, But Pache--assistant professor of classics at Yale U.--discloses from research of Greek literary works and monuments, coins, vases, and other archaeological relics that young, often little more than infant, characters had an essential part in Greek mythology. Mostly, they represented "parental fears and sense of guilt" with regard to young children, including untimely deaths. In fact, where adult mythological figures were often related to a particular village or region, certain "child heroes...become Panhellenic figures at the center of some of the most important ancient religious festivals." In this study methodically and extensively covering previously neglected and in some cases previously unknown ground, Pache adds new dimensions to Greek mythology and its relation to the psychology and outlooks of the Greek classical civilization that is one of the primary sources of Western culture.

I enjoyed this book. It takes place near the Chicago stockyards and provides ample evidence on how this partcular neighborhood developed over the years mainly via immigration. Much of the history takes place during the 19th century when there was no regulations regarding child labor etc. The work in the slaughterhouses was long, hard and dangerous with management paying little heed for these peoples welfare. Over the years, it all began to change when the worker's started to get some rights of their own by either taking matters in their own hands ...........