Indiana Books

Blanshard, an eminent American philosopher and a master of philosophic prose, offers sage advice to budding writers in this little book. Blanshard is a charming and gracious guide who reminds his readers that consideration for others is vital in writing as in life. Do read this book. You'll be glad you made the author's acquaintance.

Brand Blanshard's prose style was itself a seamless implementation of the content of his philosophy: intelligible, clear, precise, and invariably suffused by what he called the "rational temper." In this book (really an extended essay) he offers helpful advice to would-be writers of philosophical prose -- advice that he had more than earned the right to give.

This single volume, if its advice were heeded, would have spared us the dark cogitations of many an obfuscatory philosopher and left the field of philosophy in the hands of those who had something to say. Those who are impressed by the bold pronouncements of Nietzsche, Kierkegaard and Wittgenstein will find little solace here, but anyone who expects philosophers actually to love wisdom will be delighted to encounter a kindred spirit. Read it not only to profit from its advice on prose style but also to absorb something of the spirit of twentieth century philosophy's greatest exemplar of reasonableness.

This is the collection of tales edited by Stith Thompson, one half of the team responsible for the Aarne-Thompson classification system of folktales. Thompson pulls tales mostly from European sources and includes source and classification notes in the appendix. The tales are classics or often derivatives of well-known tales. They are also suitable for all ages. I have had this book for years and still pull it off my shelf on a regular basis.

For anyone interested in this fascinating area of Americana, Cliff "Oats" Williams book is a must-read. The testimonials of real-life hoboes and train-tramps are poignant and illuminating. "Oats" is an insider to this engaging subculture -- and an insider with a finely-tuned ear and well-earned sensitivity. It is the best compilation of its sort currently in print.

This is a realy important book and it is a shame that it is so overlooked. Nana Asma'u was the daughter of Sheikh Usuman dan Fodio, scholar and warrior and sister of the Caliph Muhammad Bello. This book not only describes the Islamic community that thrived in West Africa under Muhammad Bello but also the importance given to education especially the education of women.

In this Nana Asma'u played an especially important role she not only being sister to the Caliph but an important Islamic scholar in her own right. This book details the methodolay used by the Muslim community of West Africa in education and how Islam was spread by educated Muslim women such as Nana Asmau.

This book is a valuable read and one I would recomend to anyone who had an interest in either Islam/Sufism or African history.

Nokleberg's book Onstage with Grieg is an excellent reference source for pianists of all levels and abilities. It is the only book of its kind which focuses only on the piano works of Edvard Grieg. Nokleberg who has recorded all of Griegs piano pieces, has provided us here with his ideas on proper interpretation. He draws not only from his personal experience, but from many sources of reference, namely Griegs letters and original prints. By using these sources along with his own ideas the amateur and even professional performer will have a clear and accurate view of the composers true intentions. As he states in the preface, this book is not intended to be read cover to cover, but rather to be used as a guide for whichever piece the pianist is currently attempting to learn. His analysis covers every piano work equally from both an interprative and technical point of view. This book is great for any pianist ready to delve into the wonderful world of Edvard Grieg -- and even better you are assured to be doing the composer justice by using Noklebergs helpful hints!

Excellent full page, color habitat and close-ups

This is a wonderful collection of unique fairy tales with lovely illustrations. It was written by Johnny Gruelle as a tribute to his friend, James Whitcomb Riley, the creator of Orphant Annie, and is basically a continuation, though in prose, of the poem Little Orphant Annie. This book relates the stories Annie told to the children she cared for while cooking and cleaning for a family to earn her board and keep. The lessons, values, and morals in this book are similar to those in the Little House series but told in fairy tale fashion.

Many of my own fairy tales include stories within stories, and the Orphant Annie Storybook inspired several of these mini-stories. Why the Ladybug is Red motivated me to write What the Grasshopper Uses Buttons For, Why the Flamingo Stands on One Foot, and Why the Roly-Poly Pill Bug Always Curls Up When He is Touched. My favorite story in this book is The Gnome in the Peanut. And each time I eat a peanut, I carefully split it open to see the little gnome, trapped forever by his own selfishness.

The stories in this book are clever, endearing, meaningful, classic, timeless, and completely delightful. I can't come up with enough words to describe the value of this book. Annie is brilliant, and her enchanting stories are full of wisdom for the ages. I have read the stories in this book many times each and will likely never tire of my favorite fairy tales.

J.H. Sweet, author of The Fairy Chronicles

It gives me great pleasure to write the first review for this magnificent book. Not only is it for the student, it is for the lay reader as well.
As to the qualitative researcher-this is a must. It brings together many writers, including those in the community, and gives us a real picture of what is going on in Middletown (Muncie, Indiana) in the present. This community came together to tell their story, along with Lassiter, Campbell, and others.
For the lay reader, this is easily read and understood. My only question is...why don't other communities do as this one has??? Perhaps telling our stories, talking with one another...that might make a difference in the way we get along in America. Not only is the story about race...it combines ethnic beliefs with age and gender differences...
I rec. this book for anyone interested in what can and will happen when a few people try to make a difference...

Except for Albert Frieds - The Rise & Fall Of The Jewish Gangster In America this is up there in my top three. Ms Joselit has written a comprehensive historical account of the Jewish mobster from 'birth to death'. It was fascinating to read how the Jewish community in New York faced up to, coped & in some cases ignored the reasons for the rise of these immigrant gangsters. If you can find it in the auctions I recommend you buy it.....a little historical treasure.