Arthur Books

Alternate history has become a popular subject in recent years, both in terms of fiction and also in non-fiction, exploring such ideas as what would have happened if Napoleon had not been defeated at Waterloo or if the South had won the Civil War. Upgren in _Many Skies_, explored alternate solar, stellar, and galactic systems and arrangements and what effects these might have had on the history of the world.

Upgren divided the book into four sections, chapters in each section either exploring an alternate universe where the sky as it appears on Earth is different or discussing some aspect of astronomy as set-up to an idea for an alternate universe in a following chapter. The chapters described the different sky, why it was different, how this sky could have come to exist, what it would look like to an observer on Earth, and then what effects this might have had on the history of science and the history of the world in general. Often times the discussion of the effects were just questions the author would raise though in several cases he went into more detail. There were many diagrams and charts to help illustrate his points and Upgren did a good job of explaining astronomical terms such as proper motion, retrograde motion, and globular clusters when needed.

Part one looked at different systems and arrangements for our Sun and Moon. What if the Earth had three moons? What if the Earth had not one Sun but three? What if the Earth were alone in space with the Sun, with no Moon or other planets, comets, or asteroids?

Part two looked at alternate planets in our solar system, including our own. What if the Earth had rings? What if Jupiter existed in the orbit of our Venus? What if a bright planet, known to the ancients, orbited the Sun outside of the primary plane of the solar system, going far to the north or the south of the ecliptic? What if very bright comets were more frequent? What if Mars or Venus had a moon the size of our Moon (if Mars or Venus had a satellite as large and as bright as our Moon it would easily be seen by the unaided eye; if the Moon was seen from Venus when Venus is at its closest, about 26 million miles away, it would outshine all but the Sun and the Earth)?

Part three looked at alternate stellar and galactic systems and arrangements. What if a star close to the Earth became a supernova? What if the Pleiades Cluster was about as close as the Hyades is now, not thousands of light years away but instead only a hundred light years away, with its stars visible in the daytime? What if the solar system were above the galactic plane, perhaps well outside and to the north of it, with the northern sky completely black and empty to the naked eye?

Part four didn't really delve as much into different skies but touched on other topics, including issues of light pollution and astronomical causes of mass extinction on Earth.

Not surprisingly, many of the various scenarios dealt primarily with alternate histories of science (particularly astronomy) as a result of these different skies. In some cases these alternate skies were beneficial to science. If the Earth had more than one Sun and/or had more than one Moon, or if Jupiter or Venus had satellites visible to the naked eye it would have been possible that the heliocentric model of the solar system would have been adapted centuries earlier, perhaps in the days of the Roman Empire, as it would have been apparent to ancient astronomers that not every object orbited the Earth. Similarly, in an alternate universe with a closer Jupiter (in the orbit of Venus perhaps), close enough that the unaided eye could detect a disk; it would have been possible to see a full set of phases and lead the intelligent observer to conclude it orbited the Sun and not the Earth.

In other cases these alternate skies would not have helped the advancement of science. In an alternate universe where the Earth had rings, the only fully dark skies would exist near the poles, where the rings, lying on the equatorial plane, would be below the horizon and thus not visible. At lower latitudes the sky would always be too bright for the observation of faint objects and it is very likely that as a result the development of stellar astronomy would have been severely retarded. In a system with only the Sun and the Moon (no planets, comets, or asteroids), the issue of whether or not the Sun revolves around the Earth would likely not have been solved until the 18th or 19th centuries when the aberration of starlight and direct measure of stellar parallax could be accomplished with better instrumentation, Kepler's Laws of planetary motion could not have been devised, nor probably either Newton's laws of motion (or at least both would have been devised much later in history). Additionally, no concept of a week or a month would have suggested itself, producing perhaps changes in timekeeping.

Changes to world history would of course not be limited to just astronomy and Upgren does explore that as well. He suggested that if the Earth had had more than one Sun and/or Moon, it is possible that monotheistic religious would not have arisen at all or have arisen later in world history and perhaps in the present polytheistic religious would still be quite common and widespread. In an alternate universe where the northern sky is pure black (due to the solar system being well above the galactic plane), astrology would not have developed and many world mythologies would have been less rich.

An interesting and thought provoking book, my only complaints are that I would have liked more development of non-science-related historical topics as well as alternate evolutionary histories of life on Earth.

Emeritus astronomy professor Arthur Upgren presents Many Skies: Alternative Histories Of The Sun, Moon, Planets And Stars, an imaginative discussion of how bodies in the night sky could just as easily have been arranged in very different ways. Exploring scenarios such as if the Earth had multiple moons, or rings like Saturn, or if the Sun were a double-star or triple-star system, Many Skies contemplates how different theologies, astrologies, and methods of tracking time would have evolved. Many Skies also scrutinizes how human interferences such as light pollution is changing the night sky, and warns that increased satellites displaying products will change the appearance of Earth's atmosphere. A vivid and contemplative account, as appealing, understandable, and enjoyable for lay readers as for experts in the field.

There are so many fine reviews of this book, it really doesn't make sense for me to bang on and on about it... -- What I will say is, I went through 30 years of my life, being one those American's you hear about on CNN, that doesn't read books -- My yearly voluntarily read books average since leaving high school(where we were forced to read books), came out to be a big fat goose egg. College and grad school -- I honestly don't remember having to read an entire book, hmmm... maybe I have a blockage.

I took a leap a few years ago and decided as some sort of experiment, like drinking raw eggs, that I would read a book -- and this is the one I chose -- it has re-defined my attitude about reading ... and I've found an unimaginable pleasure in it, as well as it's enriching qualities -- being well read makes you more worldly than you truly are -- My point is, I can imagine what would have happened if I had gotten a horrible book, I would have been turned off straight away, maybe for life and that would be ashamed.

Now, I cross the gamut of books, I'm willing to tackle them all-- but this was honestly my first true effort and it is truly an absorbing tale, that I recall reading slowly and hoping that I could draw it out a little longer -- so if you're one of those non-readers ... try this one on, it's a great starter book.

I first read this book when it came out in hardcover and I think I've reread it at least 5 times since. It's just so rich and absorbing. I know the ending is a little sappy, but I love it anyway. Awesome book, safe gift to buy for almost anyone.

By using his detailed long-term research on the geisha culture in Japan, Arthur Golden wrote a historical fiction novel entitled "Memoirs of a Geisha." The book drives one to experience the entire life of young geisha by the name of Nitta Sayuri, beginning from her origins as a fisherman's blue-ish green-eyed daughter to her achieved status of a well-known geisha in Kyoto, Japan. Through the eyes of an emerging geisha, the author created a plausible fictional story that involve vivid historical events, and he capture the readers to encounter the Japanese culture with his use of Asian metaphors, attitudes, and portrayals. There are thirty-five chapters in this novel with an addition of the "Translator's Note," which introduces a fictional character by the name of "Jakob Haarhuis," who the elder Sayuri was recounting her life story to.

This book explores the profession of a geisha in prewar Japan. The women in prewar Japan tended to be viewed as women who cared for others in their home and obeyed only their father, husband, and son throughout their lives. Before Second World War, geisha was a profession in Japan that preserved the culture of art, music, and dancing in which the name of geisha means an "artist" (p. 141). The profession of a geisha was not an easily achieved status. To be a geisha, a young girl would have to be accepted by renowned elder geisha before putting her through the apprenticeship which might involves living with the geishas. The process of being a geisha required a long period of time because they would have to learn all of the arts including dancing and music, and the casual manners that a geisha would have to perform in the presence of wealthy and rich men. In the Japanese society, a geisha functions as an entertainer in the teahouse for paying male customers and as a performer in the public productions. A geisha's main function was based on preserving the Japanese traditional arts in an era where Japanese people would not be able to respect and honor their oral tradition and ancient culture of their grace country of Japan. In prewar Japan, the profession of a geisha was an equivalent to a career of an artist, a performer, and an entertainer, but not to a prostitute as one might believe.

One can apprehend the subordinated role of women in the Japanese society by looking at the geisha profession in Japan, the fitting role of a geisha, Sayuri's attractiveness, and Japanese men's appreciation of geisha's virginity throughout this book. With his decade of research in Japanese culture and the geisha life, Arthur Golden created an exceptional novel which expresses ravishing and interesting perspective about a geisha's life and the role of women in the Japanese society in his "Memoirs of a Geisha."

I work in the mental health and developmental disabilities field and I've found this book to be extremely helpful in writing treatment plans. In NC, the Local Management Entity approves or disapproves plans for state-funded consumers and all of my plans for individuals with a developmental disability have not only been approved, but highly complimented by the LME as well as fellow professionals. The book explains how to develop a good treatment plan including identification of a problem or need, a definition of the problem, how to development goals, how to construct objectives, and how to create interventions. It also includes Axis I or II diagnoses that might be associated with the presenting problems described. I look through the pages describing the particular problem I am writing about and modify it to personalize the goals and interventions to the individual with whom I am working. I would recommend this book to any professional or paraprofessional who works with people with developmental disabilities. I've had my copy for about three weeks and already the pages are filled with check marks and highlighter!

I found this book to be an excellent resource in my profession as a Qualified Professional. I use it frequently and would recommend purchasing it to anyone working in the mental health field.

Finally! Finally, there is a book on Micromosaics, and what a wonderful book! Prior to the publication of Jeanette Hanisee Gabriel's masterful research job, there have been no books available to the collector of Micromosaics or for anyone who wants to read about a little-mentioned, and fading art. And who better to write the book then Ms. Gabriel who has been Sir Arthur Gilbert's Private Curator since 1994. Sir Arthur Gilbert's collection which now resides at Somerset House in London can only be equaled by the collections of The Vatican Museum in Rome and the Hermitage in St. Petersburg.

There are a number of books that cover the vast and impressive Gilbert Collection: "Gold Boxes", "Monumental Silver", "Portrait Miniatures in Enamel," "Gold and Silver," "Hardstones" and now "Micromosaics." As I happily have the other books in my library - I can honestly say that the micromosaic book must have been the most difficult and yet it is extremely comprehensive. Ms. Hanisee's scholarly work on "The Gilbert Collection: Hardstones", must have been a bit easier to write as there is so much information on the art of Pietra Dura and Hardstone. Micromosaics is another ball of wax as so little was written - and I'm sure if it was to be had - Ms. Gabriel uncovered the information.

The Appendix has a fascinating section written by Professor Massimo Alfieri "New Notes on Giacomo Raffaelli and Michelangelo Barberi" two of the leading Master Mosaicists of the 18th and early 19th century ---- fascinating. It takes you to the time of the workshops, with letters, sales receipts, drawings and the like. Not only revealing, but just plain fun for devotees of the period. One can also find a section on techniques and materials used in the making of these compelling masterful and minutely executed works of art.

Seeing the fabulous color plates on almost every page, the items in the collection, one finds themselves rubbing their eyes in bewilderment over the artistry of these rare and intricate pieces. The footnotes are so interesting and well-written that they are a book within themselves, and my only wish was for a third hand to mark the place as I turned from text to illustration to footnote and back to text. In many books one tends to skip a lot of the footnotes, unless they pertain to a particular interest -- but Ms. Gabriel has added fascinating information and I told myself it was worth the digital exercise to read each and every one.

Lastly - Jeanette Gabriel has masterfully included very detailed Biographies of the known artists of the time and the literature connected with these artists; a Glossary - with full descriptions; a seven page Bibliography; Exhibition Histories, and an extremely well-written Index.

"The Gilbert Collection: Micromosaics" may look like a sumptuous coffee table book of 310 pages (which it is:), but it is definitely not fluff and mirrors -- it is a serious and fascinating work which should included in any library of Decorative Arts.

Obviously - I think it's just great, I thank Ms. Gabriel, and I give it 5 stars.

Margot Conte

This is a beautiful and informative book with insights into historic and technical aspects of micromosaic provided by the leading authority on this art form. Beautiful close up photographs reveal the intricate details of these little treasures. This book is a must have for micromosaic and decorative arts enthusiasts and a beautiful addition to any library.

This is an excellent score, showing the orchestration. It is a bit small to read, but good reference.

Any lover of this Gilbert & Sullivan masterpiece will gain a fuller appreciation of it by being able to follow the lyrics and dialog while listening to the operetta. The score also has a nicely written preface and synopsis of the story. Although knowing how to read music is not essential to the enjoyment of this Mikado full score, buyers that do read music will gain an even greater appreciation of it by being able to follow each instrumental line along with the lyrics of the songs. The Dover score is beautifully printed at a very bargain price to boot. Everyone can derive a great deal of pleasure from this score, no matter what level of musical training they possess. Highly Recommended! (P.S. I understand that the full score of The Pirates of Penzance is due for release this fall)

I got this to help in my class on Plautus (reading the Amphitruo and Casina) and it has become my constant companion. Plautus is full of colloquial Latin which can be difficult to understand, and the Loeb gives a fantastic translation. Also it is great for the part in the Amphitruo's prologue when Mercury uses legal speak, which is probably the toughest section of the entire play.

This play, along with another of Plautus' works "Captivii" were combined by Stephen Sondheim to give us the musical "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum"

This book, although humbly titled "military atlas" provides all the necessary information on the first WW, from the motivations and politics, to weapon types, warfare tactics, railroad systems not only in Europe, but on all the periphal campaigns as well and by the way, you get the most comprehensive maps on the preluding balkan wars as well. The maps themselves are in black&white, but perfectly presented, with clear, sharp contrasts, so that it's very easy to read them even if you're without military background.
The book succeeds in being the ideal starting point for anyone being even remotely interested in WW1.
Every map is accompanied by a short summary of what's going on, most of the times even in the maps themselves which makes the information very easy to consummate.
The real value of the book lies in the fact that it presents the actions and campaigns and politics without judging them, without being biased in any sort of way, may it be the old good vs. bad stereotype or the modern pacifistic viewpoint: It just provides information and what you do with it is up to you.
Highly recommended.

This book is an essential companion for every First World War scholar or simply interested reader. The maps accurately illustrate the developing of operations on land and sea (including some on the submarine and mine warfare). The air war is very well illustrated as far as the zeppelin operations are concerned; I would have liked also a detailed account of bombers-fighters operations on the various fronts. Maps for the african, italian, palestinian, macedonian and mesopotamian fronts are included, together with those relating to the Western and Eastern theaters. I have found the tables on the various weapons very useful and complete. As an Italian reader I have to confess that I found the maps about the Italian front rather sketchy. Even with this little (and ultimately not much important) flaws, this is a great book, providing the reader with a definitive guide on the Great War fronts and warfare. Read it together with B. Liddel Hart's or J. Keegan's books on the conflict and you will have a reasonably complete understanding of WWI from the military point of view.

This book is an incredible trip through out Miller's ideas. The essays on the book are very well selected and disposed in a good way for the readers to understand what Arthur Miller is all about. There's no better way to know somebody other than this persons' own words. And this is what's so special about this book. We get to know Arthur Miller through his own special words. The first essay, "Tragedy and the Common Man" is already classical for its contents. Most of the books about Arthur Miller talk about it, but this very book happens to be the only way for us to actually read the whole text. Summing up: if you're willing to go to the bootom of this very important writer, this is the book you must choose.

These collected essays, first published in such periodicals as The New York Times, The New York Herald Tribune, or Atlantic Monthly, trace the origins of modern drama in Greek tragedy and comedy. At least four of them should be required reading in any introductory course in British and American literature: The Salesman Has A Birthday; Tragedy And The Common Man; The Nature Of Tragedy; and The Family In Modern Drama. The last of these contains a memorable phrase that furnished the title of the selection of the late U.S. journalist Daniel Pearl's essays, At Home In The World. One brief quotation from Tragedy And The Common Man that seems especially relevant to the present era will suffice: "The Greeks could probe the very heavenly origin of their ways and return to confirm the rightness of laws."

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More Than One Universe is a compendium of several of Clarke's collections of short stories gathered together in one volume. As such, devotees of Clarke's work will find nothing new here, but for the uninitiated, this book is a remarkable exposition of the work of one of science fiction's bona fide masters. Although universally acclaimed for his novels (2001: A Space Odyssey, and Childhood's End among others), Clarke's short stories are also widely regarded as classics in the field, and this volume shows why. One of the mainstays of the genre is what may be called the "reading problem" story, wherein the hero is put into a desperate situation from which he (and the reader) are challenged to find a way out. Such stories have been popular since the inception of the form, largely because science fiction opens up so many new venues for the traditional Man Against Nature conflict. Clarke shows his skill at presenting these puzzles, as evidenced by "Summertime on Icarus" (where the hero is in danger of being grilled alive by the heat of the sun), "Into the Comet" (wherein a space vessel loses all visibility and instrumentation) and "Maelstrom II"(orbiting the moon without rocket power), just to pick a few examples. Of course, the real test of a science fiction writer is in how well he works outside the standard formulae, and many of these pieces were ground-breaking indeed when they were first published. Clarke predicts the collapse of Western civilization into decadence in "Patent Pending" and "I Remember Babylon", and more seriously, questions divine will in "The Nine Billion Names of God" and "The Star". "Before Eden" warns how easily space exploration can become a destructive, even genocidal act, while in "Superiority" he describes how a warring nation defeats itself with technological advances. Lastly, "The Sentinel" leaves one of the most memorable (and convincing) depictions of how men might learn of other intelligences in the universe. Not every one of these fifty-odd stories is a masterpiece, of course, and as with most classic s-f, there's very little room for romance -- women are a decided minority in these tales -- so readers of the female persuasion may not be too enthused. On the other hand, this very lack of sexual context makes the book entirely appropriate for even the youngest teens. This is an excellent book for a young reader just discovering science fiction, but be aware that many longtime readers will already own a lot of these stories in other collections.

This is a copendium of some fifty-odd short stories written by Arthur C. Clarke gathered together from such previous short story collections as Expedition To Earth, Reach For Tomorrow, and Tales of Ten Worlds. Included, of course, are all of his most famous shorts... The Sentinel, The Nine Billion Names of God, The Star... etc., etc. This is a goldmine of science fiction, and anyone who calls themselves an Arthur C. Clarke, or even a science fiction fan, should have in their collection in one form or another. However, the thing is, this book is now out of print and has been replaced by the more comprehensive Collected Stories of Arthur C. Clarke. Thus, since the stories in this collection are of high quality, and many essential, ground-breaking classics, I suggest you pick the book up if you can find it, and you don't already have them. However, since this book is rare and better collections are now out, the chances of this happening are pretty slim.