Arthur Books

This is the #1 book to own if you care about understanding how your player piano works and if you want to know how to service it. It is a classic!

This is an essential reference of player piano servicing. Very technical at points, nonetheless, it offers valuable tips for the novice do-it-yourselfer as well as for the professional restorer seeking advice. Hundreds of modern and period photos from rare service manuals enhance this book. The writing style is very clear and easy to follow.

The only negative, for me, is that it has not been updated since the 1980's. The advent of computerized solenoid player systems, and their potential for being installed on antique players, is barely covered. I would have also covered roll scanning and restoration more thoroughly.

Even if you never open your player, this book provides valuable insight into the inner workings of this most fascinating mechanical technology and helps you to appreciate the art and craft of piano rebuilding.

This book is great for helping with your own piano. Our player is so old that people don't have any idea or parts to fix it. This book gives us some ideas on how to do it ourselves.

I'm very happy with this book. It's all expected and more.

It covers everything from basic cleaning and minor repairs to an absolute complete rebuild of ever component imaginable for spinets, uprights, and grand pianos. The author explains precisely how each part of a piano action works and how to properly regulate them. Moreover it also has two chapters on tuning; the first covers the theory of tuning while the second covers the actual tuning process along with exercises that teach each step of the process. It's well worth its price.

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In a world of dumbed-down "hot to do it" books that simply tell you to hire an expert, this book is a breath of fresh air. This is the highly technical stuff that people like Audels wrote in the 1930's before America turned stupid.

Even if you're all thumbs, this will tell you what to look out for when hiring someone. If you have the skill, this will tell you the right way to do the job, just as it was done 80 years ago.

A fine resource written by a real gentlemen who is a purist in the field. If you own any instrument that plays itself, this book is a MUST!

Read book cover to cover in preparation for your renal exam during nurse anesthesia school. Usually required too.

This is simply the best in its class--a foundation of my medical education. The diagrams are excellent. Text explanations are clear, detailed, precise and, most importantly, succinct. When I die, bury me with Vander's Renal Physiology.

Real Physiology provides the basics needed for a medical school renal unit. By purchasing this book, a medical student is able to focus on the renal system in more detail than in some basic physiology texts.

Very good book, everything is simplified, easy introduction into subject, it is almost like being spoon fed.
Pathologic correlation's are given, it does not have all the biochemistry but major subjects are covered and author has conceptualized that makes everything easy.

For anyone who struggled to understand why the nephron concentrates, then dilutes, then concentrates again the urine, this book will do much to ease your pain. Since medical school I've purchased Editions 1, 3, & 5, just so that I could keep up with my interns & residents. Here's how he does it:
#1: short book, (you know how intimidating those tomes can be)
#2: lots of diagrams
#3: end-of-chapter questions (with answers & explanations)

If you want to understand the Kidney, no matter where you are in your studies or practice, I wholeheartedly recommend this text.

The travels of Gwernin Storyteller, bring you into the myths and history of 6th Century Britain in a way that captivates the reader. It is a fascinating read, with each chapter being able to stand on it own as a story. I highly recommend this book and it's sequal, "Flight of the Hawk".

The thing that will most stick with the reader is the Welsh Flourish with which Grove writes. In fact, to add to that flourish, a pronuciation key is provided at the end (and is in fact integral to enjoying the book).

Storyteller follows the travels of a young 6th century Welsh bard named Gwernin. Gwernin starts from his home with a companion and proceeds to wander the country getting room and board where possible in exchange for his storytelling prowess. Along the way he encounters a variety of noble people, renowned bards, and charlatans.

Although one may wonder about the integrity of the interactions between Gwernin and the people he encounters, the integrity of the setting is not impeached. In fact, it is clear that Grove has spent many loving hours investigating 6th century Wales and wishes to convey that to her readers. Additionally, it is clear that Grove has a penchant for the bardic arts and likewise wishes to bestow that upon her readers.

Storyteller will give readers an excellent insight into Wales of the sixth century. Furthermore, they can garnish some fun and easy to re-tell stories by reading this work.

G.R. Grove's book "Storyteller" is sort of difficult to categorize. It's historical fiction, but a sort of whimsical fiction which is told in the tradition of the Canterbury tales. The book is a collection of individual tales, wound by the bard Gwernin. As he travels about telling his stories chapter by chapter, the wider story is revealed of his travels around Wales during the middle ages. You are introduced to an evolving, colourful cast of characters that Gwernin meets along the way, as well as those who accompany him on various adventures. As they travel, the reader hears stories of legendary England, including tales of King Arthur. You follow Gwernin through various life-experiences, and even as he falls in love.

I sort of expected this book to be much like the required reading of my High School AP English class; a chore to read and hard to retain. However it was not. It was a pleasure to read this book. Storyteller is an extremely friendly read, with a well-researched foundation, and a light-hearted tone. There is no doubt of the author's knowledge and expertise on the historical material in this book; however it is not presented in a burdensome or pretentious manner.

I confess that this style of book would not normally attract me as a reader. I tend to shy away from historical fiction. I find that more often than not, this genre is simply written as a means for an erudite author to show off his/her knowledge of historical subject matter, and the story, no matter how good, can be completely obliterated by the profusion of archaic terms and facts. Storyteller has shown me that this isn't always the case, and that sometimes a good book is just a good book. G. R. Grove is clearly an excellent writer. I can't find anything to criticize about the author's style or voice. The first paragraph will snag you and you will be engaged throughout. Then you will be dropped off at the last paragraph wanting more. Luckily, she has provided us with a sequel, which I will be reviewing soon.

I have been given no choice but to give "Storyteller" a full five medallions (stars). It is not run-of-the-mill work by any means. It isn't what I normally read, but it has me looking forward to the next installment. I recommend this book to anyone who just loves a good story; for there are plenty of those to be had in "Storyteller."

Storyteller is a series of tales chronicalling the adventures of Gwernin in his journy to become a bard in 6th century Wales. The reader will get a sense of both Gwernin the young man experiencing these wonders and dangers for the first time, and also of Gwernin the old man, looking back on his life, telling us of his triumphs, and of his youthful stubornness and folly. One delights in Gwernin's successes, but also can enjoy cringing with his embarassment. With true understanding of human nature, Ms.Grove has created a character anyone who has been through adolescence can relate to, yet firmly rooted in his own time. Throughout one gets lost in the mindset of that early century. The country itself becomes a character as it comes to life through Ms. Groves lyric prose, rich in well-researched detail. Each chapter gives a tasty mouthful, the perfect treat to devour before bed-time. I eagerly await the next instalment.

I immensely enjoyed this book because of its excellent historical content and the blend of tale and fantasy which makes it so much fun to read. The life of the bard portrayed in the stories is well based on historical research and the tales he tells and experiences have the right blend of myth and life that I think a person living in that time period would have believed. I am looking forward eagerly to the next instalment. Gwernin is a very realistic character and I believed in him absolutely. As for the brushed with faery he experiences, he would have believed their reality even if they were dreams for the early Welsh lived much closer to the land of myth than we do today. I think fans of both fantasy and historical novels will find this book to be a wonderful read.

Sword in the Tree is a great way to introduce kids to the Middle Ages. Young readers can read the book on their own because the vocabulary and sentence structure are simple. The book is in no way dumbed down, however. This was a difficult and danger time, and the subject matter reflects the era. Highly recommended reading for elementary age kids (my 5yo daughter LOVED it). Also recommended for older children: Otto of the Silver Hand by Howard Pyle.

Once your child has moved beyond easy phonetic readers, you'll want to find interesting books with large print that aren't too difficult or overwhelming for the new reader. Bulla's "The Sword in the Tree" fits this description perfectly.

Try reading the first chapter to your young reader to spark his interest. Then read the next chapter or two aloud together so he/she becomes familiar with the words and flow. Then sit back and listen as your child finishes reading this exciting book about greed, courage, and chivalry.

"I am Lord Weldon! __I__ am Lord of Weldon Castle!!"

I must have been about 7 or 8 when I read those words, spoken by a 9 year old whose father was believed dead, to his evil uncle. The boy's mother stood by silently.

As a child, I sympathized with him.
As a female, I felt offended. I didn't understand why the little boy believed he outranked his fully grown adult mother in power and prestige.

As an adult with some historical perspective, it makes more sense.

This was a great story, about family love and adventure and history, and I will always be grateful to Clyde Bulla for awakening the earliest feelings of feminism.

I read this out loud to my 4-year-old son, who loves anything involving King Arthur, and he was captivated. His only disappointment was that there is no book to follow with more tales of the young Shan and his adventures. I highly recommend this as well as other historical fiction by Bulla. I have also read "Pocahontas and the Strangers" to my son, and he loved that as well.

(written by 9 year old reader of book)

There are 14 chapters in this book. It has people like King Arthur. It has a sword in it. And it has a battle in it. There is an Oak Tree that is the tree. There is a picture in every chapter. You will like this story. Do not take my word for it, look for this book in the library or the book store.

(note from parent:)
My son really enjoyed reading The Sword in the Tree, just as he has other books by Bulla. They are excellent even for relunctant readers like the one who wrote the above review.

My heart has softened to the warmeth of God's mercy since I've read "With an Everlasting Love". I have seen the depth of Jesus' love for me, His Beloved Bride. And looking at my sin, then looking at Christ's redempting grace...how can I ever be the same again?
Kay Arthur really brings the Gospel to your front door!

This book was given to me and I liked it so much a friend and I purchased several when they were in paper back and less expensive to give to teen girls for graduations and etc. The grasp of how the world is always trying to tempt the believer and convince us that we are waiting in vain and the hurt we feel when we fall for the lies and live worldly was so on target, I as well as all who read it wepted at the end, I felt the pain that Christiana felt because I was her, I realized that we have to be ready for the day when the Lord will return and not play the harlot while we are waiting. I thought it was a timely and well written book considering the loose sexually consenting world we live in and it will hopefully prevent young people from having to go that way.It helps one to realize that we actually hurt ourselves and feel the agony when we are face to face with a holy God.

To think that I mistreated His Gift-yet He didn't send me away!

Kay Arthur gives us a very relevant, emotional look into our relationship with our Redeemer. It is honest and convicting, yet it is not condemning. Shaddai is as Christ is....loving us with an everlasting love and waiting for us to accept that love and fall into His Arms. It gave me a greater appreciation for my salvation and now, more than before, I anticipate His return!

With an Everlasting Love is one of the most beautifully written books to lead a person to the love of Jesus Christ. It is also incredible for any believer to see the unfailing and unconditional love of Christ. Every woman and every man should read this book.

Ginny R.

In all the books I have read in my short lifetime, this book is the only that I read in a matter of hours. Not because it was short or I wanted to get it over with, but because it was so incredibily beautiful and profound that to stop reading seemed like an impossible act.
Everyone tells you all the time how much God loves you and how far and wide his love stretches out, but after you read this masterpiece, his love will be looked at in a whole new light.
God is someone that the human mind can not figure out so trying to put a specific depth to his love is nearly unthinkable. But this awe inspiring book makes you open your eyes and more importantly your heart and see just how much the Lord really loves us. It is done with the purest of thoughts and words. If you dont fall in love with God after reading this book, I dont know what else will make you.

Ten years ago, Nathan Hamilton had it all - he was in love with the most beautiful woman by the name of Tenile Barnes and was in the midst of starting a promising medical career. That was until one of his female college housemates was found raped and murdered, and witnesses placed Nathan as the last person to be seen with her. Although Nathan was never convicted of the horrendous crime due to lack of evidence, the small town folks of Tanner all believed him to be guilty - even Tenile, the one person Nathan thought would stand by his side.

Now, Nathan is back in Tanner to clear his name by seeking and revealing the real killer and to reclaim his spot in his woman's heart.

Readers, prepare yourself for a wild, rollercoaster of a ride with Within the Shadows. This edge-of-your-seat, suspenseful, page-turner will have you quickly consuming each stirring detail well into the night. I applaud Ms. Arthur on crafting a super-exciting, thrilling novel that captured my attention from the very beginning and continued to hold it tightly until the unsuspected, dramatic conclusion unfolded. Just when I thought I had figured out who was behind atrocious carnage, Ms. Arthur tossed in a twister that threw me for a loop.

In addition to the great murder mystery, Within the Shadows also contained various romantic liaisons that fell apart due to miscommunication. I could easily see the love between Nathan and Tenile, but, because of numerous, seemingly insurmountable, obstacles thrown in their path, the couple had a difficult time with their relationship. There was times when I wanted to scream some sense into Tenile about her decision making concerning Nathan, even though I understand the reasoning behind some her choices.

The plot was fantastic, the suspense was thrilling and while the romance was a little slow, the chemistry was superb once it heated up. I give two thumbs up to Within the Shadows!

Nikita
reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

Somebody killed her. But who, why, and to what extent? Is it wise to flee town after a murder where you've been implicated? And, how foolish is it to return to the scene of that crime? AC Arthur answers these questions in the form of her main characters individually and collectively in the novel, WITHIN THE SHADOWS. Romance suspense is rapidly becoming the escape mechanism that most mainstream authors are alluding to. This changing of the guard and the penchant to write across the board to create new alliances for the readers' dollar is not out of sync for me. I applaud such efforts, especially if the authors are producing good works, and extending their craft. Now comes this author, whom I feel is making much more of a name for herself with her style of writing. If this book were any indication that a new icon is ready to be unleashed, readers would be in for a treat. Title notwithstanding, this book is out in the open. The shadows in this case, involves the lives of a coterie of college friends who are bound by idiosyncratic differences that lead to the death of one of the friends within (the shadows). The main protagonists are Dr. Nathan Hamilton and Tenile Barnes, who face unrequited love and dilemmas that set the tone for this good story.

With Nathan and Tenile being lovers, it started ten years ago when four other members of the group were roommates - Eli, Landy, Nicole, and Kareem figured that nothing could force them to be apart. One fateful night the bubble burst and a chain of relative events changed their lives forever. Landy, the pre-law student was brutally murdered, and Nathan in the eyes of many was considered a main prospect since he was the last person known to have seen her alive. Suspicion owning to no law of acquittal until proven not guilty, Nathan' aspires to find out who was responsible, and in turn prove his innocence. Tenile, on the other hand remembering days of yore, still yearns for the touch and kisses she knew so well, desperately wanting to believe Nathan. Chaos proliferates as Nathan's return has the whole town talking, and the perpetrators ill at ease. Who's lurking behind closed doors, and amid shadows, even? The author gives enough fodder to make this story hard to put down. She proves that it's not fleeting to weave romance against the murky undertakings of bringing a dark and mundane death to light.

I loved the book, and will not allow my one complaint to mar my overall opinion that the book isn't 5-star potential. Alluding to the fact that the romance tended to overshadow at times the search for the killer, it didn't diminish the superb plot and storyline. The story flows like a smooth and even-flowing river without the usual stagnation that can befall books without direction. I would have liked for the characters to be more defined, but innuendo works best when everything else has substance to shield loose ends. With this multi-layered plot working my last nerve trying to find out the real killer, I marveled at how Ms Arthur managed to keep me riveted to my seat...but then again, aren't the better writers supposed to do this? I applaud you AC Arthur for another gem from your bejeweled crown of literary delights. Keep up the good work; the literary God is not through with you yet. Readers wouldn't be disappointed in picking this book as a great summer read. I rated it 5 stars out of five.

"In Within The Shadows", author A.C. Arthur does it again, she manges to pull you into yet another thrilling ride of murder, mystery, suspense and love, like only she can. While she holds you captive with a riveting murder mystery, she also keeps you enthralled with the steamy, heated romance between Nathan and Tenile. Her style of writing always seems to flow flawlessly and keeps you turning the pages and wondering what's going to happen next. Her characters are well developed and so appealing, you even find yourself bonding with the secondary characters, because their storyline only aids in adding more intrigue to the main characters. Every time I thought I knew whodunit, she would come at you from another angle and SURPRISE, more mystery and suspense. Just a thrilling ride from beginning to end. You will not be disappointed!

This is a story about 6 friends and one of the friends is murdered 10 years ago. Nathan was suspected of the murder and even though he was cleared 10 years ago, he is still the main suspect. He decides that after 10 years the true murderer needs to be revealed and comes back to prove his innocence and to win back the love he left behind Tenile. Someone in the group of six does not want the truth to be revealed and the outside parties involved want something that Landy left behind that they feel belongs to them and will go to extreme measures to get it. This murder mystery will have you on the edge of your seat trying to put the pieces to this puzzle together to find out who is guilty why she was killed. Another great book by A.C. and it will have you hoping that she plans a sequel because of the ending of this story.

Ten years ago friends and roommates, Eli, Nathan, Tenile, Landy, Nicole, and Kareem called themselves "The Mod Squad." They thought they had the world by the horns and felt they were invincible. That is, until one fatal night changed their lives forever. Landy, destined to become a lawyer, has her life snuffed out brutally. The last person known to have seen her alive was Nathan and, of course, the finger of suspicion pointed to him. In the small town of Tanner, a little gossip and a little suspicion was all that was needed to turn his girlfriend, Tenile, against him and put him on the run, so to speak. With no real hard evidence against him and his feelings for Tenile apparently a dream gone badly, Nathan leaves Tanner for New York where he would complete his education to become a doctor.

Courted briefly by Eli to take over as Head of Obstetrics in the local hospital, Nathan seizes the opportunity to return to Tanner after ten years to not only clear his name and find Landy's killer, but to reclaim his lost love. His tasks seem impossible, as the town gossip still believes he is guilty and it appears Tenile has moved on with her life. But surprisingly, someone is really interested in the truth coming out and Tenile eventually begins to warm up to him again. Yet, on the other hand, someone else is desperate that neither he nor Tenile discover the truth. As the two of them begin to investigate what happened to Landy years ago, someone is lurking in the shadows causing havoc with their progress.

In WITHIN THE SHADOWS, author A. C. Arthur once again manages to woo readers as she captures the essence of a riveting murder mystery while she turns up the heat in the excitement of a spicy romance. No one can quite compare to her style of writing. It flows together seamlessly moving from scandalous suspense to sultry romance, never missing a beat. Her characters are well developed and so appealing, that even the secondary ones are just as prolific to the storyline as the main ones. I spent the better part of a night glued to my seat trying to figure out all the multi-layered plots in this whodunit love story. This is great novel to get worked up about: murder, mystery, suspense and love. How can you beat this combination?

Reviewed by Brenda M. Lisbon
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

This is one of those books you'll read and keep reading even though it is geared towards pre-teens. I find myself re-reading the story, and looking at the pictures to see if I can find something I didn't see before. It is a captivating story that introduces you to a legendary character. I would recomend this book to anyone.

I had to buy this book because my daughter (6) was checking it out from the library so often. It is an unusual look at Guinevere and offers a good, empowering role model for girls. We love the illustrations and have read it over and over. Unfortunately, the paperback version has not stood up to those many readings. The pages have all had to be taped back in because once one came loose, the rest followed. I don't blame the binding, it is just that a paperback cannot survive that much love.

This is a beautiful picture book for pre-teens rather than for really young children. It has a mythological tale of what young Queen Guinevere's life might have been like. It is well written by the talented Robert D. San Souci and is filled with symbolism and adventure and heroism. The illustrations are well done and are brightly colored like the pages in a medieval illuminated manuscript. Beautiful mythical creatures like a chimera and a unicorn and a werewolf help give this story its otherwordly feel and add to the mysterious and magical flavor we have come to know from other great Arthurian writers like Sir Thomas Malory, T.H. White, and Howard Pyle. This is a simple story that ends with foreshadowing of the world Guinevere will grow into and it makes a good introduction to this enigmatic character.

When I found this book, the artwork captivated me. The story is simple yet strong. I would buy this if I had a child. It is beautifully illustrated and told. Take/Borrow it and read it.

This book has the best illustrations that I have EVER seen. They draw you to the text and are partnered with the book perfectly. They have the quality of a photograph.

I have read this book over and over. Astrid Varnay has so much to offer readers who love opera. It is a great book to read through, but there are parts that take a couple of readings for a trained musician to understand. Her intelligence is evident in every word and so is her humanity. She is most knowledgeable about the works of Wagner and Strauss, so those interested in lighter opera may not be as well served, but her concepts are important for all opera singers. This book is quite honest and those who want some "dirt" on old singers, conductors and impressarios will be well-served. Go for it.

In the pantheon of twentieth-century Wagnerian sopranos, Astrid Varnay ranks very high, though she is woefully underrepresented on available recordings today. Through the efforts of friends and supporters, detailed in the preface, her autobiography has been made available in English, and music and opera fans everywhere should be grateful.

Varnay's story, told calmly but with frequent flashes of wit, begins with the tale of how her parents, both opera singers, met, married, and made their careers in Europe before coming to the U.S. and settling in New York. Young Violet Varnay, as she was dubbed by a teacher who could not cope with her Hungarian name Ibolyka (little violet), worked as a secretary, waited in the Met standing room line and quietly prepared herself for an operatic career. She prepared so well with her coach and eventual husband, Hermann Weigert, in fact, that her resume was met with astonished laughter at her eventual Met audition. The powers that be were quickly won over upon actually hearing her, and her stage career began at the Met in 1941 as a last-minute replacement for Lotte Lehmann in Die Walkure. Before retiring in the late 90s, after a career spanning more than five decades, her voice and dramatic presence would take her to Bayreuth and all of the great opera houses of the world.

It is of course difficult to say how much of the structure of the book stems from the singer herself, and how much from her co-author, Donald Arthur; but one of the attractions of this memoir is the skillful mix of narrative, anecdote and self-analysis of Varnay's numerous roles. She draws portraits of her husband, family and colleagues that leap vividly from the page, without ever descending to mere bitchiness, though she does allow herself some jabs at Herbert von Karajan and Rudolf Bing. The ultimate impression is of a strong, self-aware but not overweeningly arrogant personality--someone one would like to meet and talk to in person. One is touched by her inexhaustible eagerness to perform, and her capacity for discovering insights into roles usually dismissed as worthy only of comprimaria singers. She is also not above laughing at herself, and includes some amusingly informal photographs. Highly recommended.

Astrid Varnay, who died in 2006, just months after her very close friend and colleague Birgit Nillson, is enjoying a well-deserved renaissance, with the release of the Testament early stereo recordings of the Ring from Bayreuth in 1955. From her Met debut at the age of 23 as a last-minute replacement for an ill Lotte Lehmann as Siegelinde in Die Walkure, on the day BEFORE Pearl Harbor, through her primary career as the premier Wagnerian dramatic soprano of the 1950s, to her second career as a mezzo-soprano singing character roles into the 1990s, Astrid Varnay is one of the great opera artists of the 20th century.
Born in Stockholm to Hungarian parents, raised in New York City, and moving to Munich after being widowed in her late 30s, Varnay had an absolutely fascinating career that she relates with humor and verve. Indeed, many stories are just hysterical, such as a Dallas Tristan und Isolde, where Varnay, tenor Max Lorenz (as Tristan), and mezzo-soprano Blanche Thebom (as Bragaine), took turns holding up a collapsing fake tree! Although never mean-spirited, Varnay paints amusing and sometimes sharp pictures of many of opera's greatest names. (She, along with many in the opera world, saves some of her sharpest points for Met manager Rudolf Bing.)
This should be in any opera fan's collection of opera books.

Astrid Varney was born in Stockholm to two Hungarian opera singers. As a child she lived in South America prior to the family's immigration to New York.
Varney was trained as a singer by her talented mother and an older teacher whom she later married. Varney premiered with the Metropolitan Opera on Dec. 6, 1941 as Sieglinde in Wagner's
monumental "Walkure.' Since thay day Miss Varnay has traveled the world singing in great opera palaces and in regional companies.
Her comments on the life of a classical singer; various colleagues in the field and the various locales her craft has taken her to make for fascinating backstage reading for all of us who are opera buffs.
This biography is well written laced with humor and honesty.
I knew little about Varney prior to reading this book but am glad I made her acqaintance.
Bravissimo to this down to earth diva dedicated to her art!

I'm not especially interested in biographies of performers. Especially not autobiographies - these tend to be long lists of how wonderful the subject/author is/was and a bit of score settling to liven things up.
Varnay is not above score settling (in her genteel way, she eviscerates Rudolf Bing and she details her feud and glorious reconciliation with Karajan - a Salzburg Elektra that everyone should hear), but her narrative is quite gracious and restrained overall.
It's also engrossing to read. Although Varnay spends a little more time than perhaps she needed telling us what a hard worker and consummate professional she was and is, her actual thinking about the operas and characters she was involved in is fascinating stuff and a valuable guide for singers and perhaps actors as well.
Following her around the world to different opera houses and watching how things work (or, all too often, don't work) is engrossing and her comments on professional colleagues - always judicious - are usually quite on the mark.
There are only a few videos available showing Varnay's art (which is too bad) and not many more sound-only recordings (which is even worse). If you look, you can find her as Brunnhilde in Act III of Die Walkure (EMI with Karajan - they were getting along then) and a complete Gotterdammerung (Testament with Knappertsbusch)both from the 1951 Bayreuth festival; a couple of Ortruds from Bayreuth Lohengrins; a Senta from Bayreuth conducted by Knappertsbusch (Music & Arts); and the Salzburg Elektra with Karajan (Orfeo). There are also a couple of complete Rings available on private or semi-private labels and, allegedly, the 1955 Keilberth Ring due out on Testament. No Italian repertoire, alas, no Kundry, double alas, and no complete Tristan that I know of, triple alas.
My only complaint about this book, aside from that it wasn't twice as long, is that Varnay is and was so much a person of the theatre that it's hard to find the real person underneath. This is very much a narrative of the role of Astrid Varnay, great and hard-working opera star. Astrid Varnay the person is waiting backstage for the performance to be over, which is probably where she was for most of her life.
Still, it's a great treat to spend a couple of hours with a charming, intelligent, literate, kind, and witty companion who has so much good stuff to tell you. It's only afterward that you wonder whether there was a person behind all that dazzle who was sometimes frightened, lonely, introspective, or grateful and happy over little human things. I hope that person writes a companion volume someday. I bet she'd be wonderful to get to know as well...

Recently, I have read a lot of books on Creativity and Innovation. My big surprise is that virtually none of them mention Koestler's The Act of Creation. This is unfortunate because this book is probably the most authoritative examination of creativity. Attention to this classic is worth reviving.

Koestler examines three types of creativity - Humor, Science, and Poetry. Humor, according to him, is cruel (a valuable insight). Poetry, and other forms of art, integrate oneself with the World. Science occupies the neutral middle. It is amazing how Koestler manages to link all three kinds of creativity with a common framework.

My two biggest take-aways from this book are regarding the process of creation and its form.

As Koestler describes beautifully - "..uncovers, selects, re-shuffles, combines, synthesizes already existing facts, ideas, faculties, skills. The more familiar the parts, the more striking the new whole." This is corroborated by all geniuses who have stood `on the shoulder of giants'. Even inventors like Edison fit this framework. This is close to saying that instead of thinking `outside the box', link several boxes to each other.

The other great insight is that the final breakthrough is rarely verbal, but in images. So people see new insights in a dream-like trance, rather than expressing it in language. Language, probably, impedes creativity.

There are several more delightful and relevant insights on creativity in this masterpiece. Nearly a bible on creativity.

The book looks at creativity from a broader perspective than what is generally portrayed in society. It looks at the creativity involved in sciences, humour and of course the arts, showing that the three types are inextricably linked, and that the creative process for genius in all areas follow incredible parallels. His theory on bisociative deductions is marvellous. One of my favourite books.

A fascinating read for the person who steps back and wonders - it gives glimpses and answers through an integrated body of research and a graceful and insightful fireside chat about it all. One of my all time favourite books. I can hardly wait to read it again!

This is the first of Koestler's big three serious science books. The second is "The Sleepwalkes", on the contribution of Copernicus, Kepler and Galileo. The third is "The Ghost in the Machine", which contains a critique of behaviorist psychology and Koestler's theory to account for the apparent self-destructiveness of human nature.

"The Act of Creation" offers a theory to account for the "Ah Ha" reaction of scientific discovery, the "Ha Ha" reaction to jokes and the "Ah" reaction of mystical or religious insight. In each case the result is produced by a "bisociation of matrices" or the intersection of lines of thought which brings together hitherto unconnected ideas and fuses them into a creative synthesis. When the lines of thought are scientic the result is a scientific discovery, when they are concerned with devotional matters the result is mystical insight and when they are on a more homely plane the result can be a joke.

The model is fleshed out with a great deal of information ranging from the religions of the world to a theory about the nervous system to account for the build-up of tension and its discharge at the puchline of a joke. Peter Medawar's review was scathing in his comments on Koestler's science, which is a shame because the book can have the desirable effect of encouraging young scientists to read far beyond the usual range of their literature.

This is a remarkable book. Some years ago, I used it as the basis of a course I wrote on Thinking & Creativity. When I first read it, I was astonished to realise that the agonising process I had been going through daily in my (then) profession of advertising copywriter was something that all creative people went through - if they were trying hard enough.

One other thing struck me then. How much Edward de Bono appears to owe to Koestler's theories. Has he ever acknowledged this?

I have lived in central Illinois most of my life and often pass through
the Amish area, seeing only part of the picture of their lives and wanting
to know more. Rebecca Mabry, through beautifully written words, and Vanda
Bidwell, with her sensitive photographs, have filled in the missing parts
of the picture with this superb book. The Amish faith, which places
priority on faith in God and the importance of family, is an inspiration
to us all. I highly recommend it to anyone who would like to know more
about a fascinating and admirable people.
-- Cindy Pringle

I sit and read this wonderful book and honestly feel you will never get a better understanding of the life of the Amish. Rebecca Mabry has put her heart and soul into this book and it shows. She brings these wonderful people to life and shows how they live each day and continue with their lifestyle among the hustle and bustle of day to day living. I think the rest of us could learn some valuable lessons from the Amish. Don't hestitate when it comes to buying this book, you will love it and send it out as a present, your friends will love you for it.

This singular and sensitive exploration of the Amish culture is beautifully-written and photographed. It's a must-read for anyone who has ever wondered what life is like in this religious community that continues to live in the world, yet be not of the world. Readers will enjoy a journey into the hearts, minds, homes and businesses of the Amish Community in the Illinois' Heartland, and emerge feeling peaceful and whole themselves.
Ruth Siburt,
Children's Writer

This book takes you straight to Amish country and into the homes and hearts of the people who live there. Chances are, anything you ever wanted to know about the Amish - weddings, funerals, religious beliefs, schooling, clothing and much more - are included in "The Amish of Illinois' Heartland."
Breathtaking photos illustrate just how different the Amish are from what they call the "English" - but show they're thriving as a separate society.
By the end of this easy-to-read book, you'll feel like you know the Amish personally.

Wow! Rebecca Mabry has taken time to study the CURRENT Amish community and smashes many of the widely held beliefs. For example, no longer do most Amish depend on farm income to support their families; instead, they are woodworkers. Sensitive to cultural issues, tender in portraying individuals, and comprehensive in its approach, this is the best book on the Amish culture that I've seen in the last decade. Add to that Mabry's fine writing and this is the new standard on the topic. Stunning photos.
If you want to know what the Twenty-First century Amish are like (instead of the Twentieth century Amish), read this book. Recommended for middle grade and high school classrooms, as well as a great read for any adult.