Boyd Books

This group of poems tells so much in so few words...tells of a life (George W. Carver's) lived with integrity and courage. The poems brilliantly paint a portrait of the noble human spirit that shines thru when an individual rises above pettiness, self-centeredness and dishonesty. I believe the author must share some of the good values evidenced in Carver's life - else she could not write as she does. Hopefully, all readers of this treasured book will be empowered to let their OWN good values shine forth.

i really enjoyed this collection of poems by george washington carver! i have plans to be a teacher when i finish college and i think that i will use this book in my teaching plans! the poetry is basic at times so that most any student will be able to understand and yet it has a deepness that will require some thought on behalf of the students. i recommend this book to anyone who enjoys poetry, history, or teaching. i have put this book on my wish list with hope that someone will but it as a christmas gift for me. that is how much i liked carver's work. kudos to mrs. nelson for putting the collection together and getting it published. i can clearly see why carver a life in poems won the newberry award.

As a person coming from a hard-core science and engineering background, I never thought that poetry had any `value'. I never once saw in poetry insight into the nature and state of affairs of human beings. So I was very surprised when I read Ms. Nelson's Carver, A Life in Poems. Ms. Nelson presents us with poetry so rich in texture, so layered in meaning that these few lines of prose convey much, much more information than hundreds of pages of dry text. The book skillfully combines anecdotal historical footnotes with powerful poetic prose to tell the story of the most influential man in American agricultural history.

Carver the man overcame severe hardship and the prejudices of others to achieve great things. Living in a time when opportunities were few and far between for American Blacks, and slavery was a vivid recollection, Carver blazed a trail that few have been able to even approach, let alone top, since then. Even though he dealt with his share of racism, not every person not of African-American ancestry was unkind to him. Given the least of all of his peers, black or white, Carver went on to achieve the most in life. In spite of the hardships, the racism, and even the slights and insults of his own people, he left behind a legacy of good work, compassion, and technical accomplishment that stands the test of time. As such, Carver takes a solid place among the great minds of antiquity- from Imhotep, Egypt's greatest builder, to Confucius, China's greatest thinker and statesman.

Although Carver's array of inventions is impressive, his ingenuity and knack for turning what others see as worthless into something valuable, as in the poems `Chemistry 101' and `The Wild Garden' and `God's Little Workshop', is truly astounding. Carver had tremendous impact in a host of scientific disciplines- agronomy, botany, chemistry, and plant pathology to name a few. For me, Carver's life demonstrates the importance of a creative and spiritual base. Carver could not have developed the hundreds of practical uses for the `goober', or peanut-the plant that African slaves brought to the United States, and that White farmers fed to their animals before eating themselves- if he did not have a highly developed creative side. Moreover, his unyielding faith in the Creator, and his reliance on his faith in times of great peril and suffering, enabled him to endure what I and most other people would consider to be the unendurable. Carver's creativity and great spiritual faith gave him the inspiration to make practical use of those things that others considered worthless. In many ways, Carver was the unassailable prototype of the entrepreneurial alchemist- he created something of value out of literally nothing. Professor Carver's many achievements clearly demonstrate the importance of the study of economic botany.

I would like to add that four of his most important contributions to agricultural science- resting the land, crop rotations, application of riparian sediments and the use of legumes to replenish the vital nutrients of intensively cultivated and depleted soils, closely parallel the ecological practices of the great agrarian societies of Asia and Central and South America. The Native Americans, and their Asian compatriots, were well aware of the benefits of these practices, and had developed strong, stable and successful agricultural methods which in turn allowed for the flowering of some of history's greatest civilizations- the Inca, the Maya and the Aztec cultures. In fact, as F H King pointed out in his groundbreaking work, Farmers of Forty Centuries, at the beginning of the 20th century, the farmers of Asia had been using these techniques continuously to maintain and perpetuate the cultivation of the same plots of land, feeding increasing numbers of their people, for over four thousand years. In effect, these ancient farmers had developed sustainable farming practices and projected them four millennia into the present. In this way, I see Professor Carver as not only the Father of the Peanut industry, he is, and rightly so, The Father of Sustainable Agriculture in America.

It is both refreshing and heart-warming to me to know that an African-American man of science can also be a Renaissance Man in the fullest sense of the word. Gifted in the arts and gifted in the sciences, Carver blended art and practicality in a way I can only hope to partially attain. From this book, I humbly receive a new and invaluable hero, a new and awesome role model- Professor Carver, Jack of All Trades, Renaissance Man Extraordinaire- a true man of the people, a true Titan of Science.

This biography that won both a Newbery Honor and a Coretta Scott King Honor is an awe inspiring book. Nelson tells the story of George Washington Carver's life through a series of poems that act like snapshots in a photo album. She begins with a poem about Carver and his mother being stolen from their owner when they were slaves. John Bentley is sent after them but can only find baby George who he returns to the Carvers who raise him with his brother Jim. The poems go on to tell of Carver's search for education, his resourcefulness, and his spirituality. Different poems describe his artistic abilities, his studies of botany, his appreciation for all of nature, his artistic nature, and his dedication to his students and all of his people. The book traces his life from its beginning in slavery to his years in college and as an instructor at the Tuskegee Institute. Nelson's poems describe the life of an amazing genius who is too often overlooked as simply the inventor of peanut butter. Each poem acts as frame in the film of Carver's life. The poems work together to tell the story, but each poem can also stand on its own as a photograph of a moment from an amazing life. The historical footnotes in the text help to clarify the poems and the photographs of Carver, his family and friends, his creations, etc. help to create a better understanding of this incredible man.

First I have to say that Marilyn Nelson is a wonderful person. And I think she is one of the best poet's of her generation. Her poetry is great, and her book, _The Homeplace_ is one of those books that everyone should own. But even great poets can write mediocre poems. This collection is a series of short poems, usually a dramatic monologue of some sort, that together are supposed to make up the story of George Washington Carver's life (it includes pictures and little biographical footnotes). Pretty much the same thing she did for The Homeplace. It worked in The Homeplace, but not here. The problem isn't so much Nelson's skill as a poet (few are better than her), rather it is Carver's life. It just doesn't make good poetry, or at least not 60 poems. I understand Marilyn wants to tell us about Carver, but perhaps prose would have been a better way to go about it (that and this book seems to be marketed for young children--I don't think they can fully appreciate the nuances of Nelson's poetry or Carver's life). That said, there are several good poems in the book, "Clay" and "Cafeteria Food" being my personal favorites. Well, not every collection is going to be great (look at Frost's later books), so I eagerly await the next book from Marilyn Nelson, be it poetry, essays, or fiction.

Jessie Willams is a sixth grade student at Oakland Performing Arts Middle School. After a prejudice remark from her teacher, Jessie begins to believe that people do not like the color of her skin. She is forced to take on a large assignment with her ultimate rival Addie Mea. Her schedule is jam packed, but if she dosn't keep her grades up, she will be forced to return to her old middle school.

I thought that this book was well written and showed a good sense of humor. To me it showed how that if you have a good heart and a good head on your shoulders that it is possible to overcome all the obstacles that stand in your way of reaching your goal in life. It also shows that everyone isn't as bad as they appear to be. sometimes people act hard because that's how they have to act at home due the violence or disrespect that goes on in theur household. this book tought me to keep my mind clear and not to let things get me down.

tHE BOMB!!! i lUVED THIS BOOK 'CUZ iT DEALT WITH REAL LIFE SITUATIONS(SWEET), PROBLEMS AND TRIUMPH!!! i CAN RELATE THIS BOOK TO KIDS AT MY SCHOOL AND i ALSO KNOW HOW IT FEELS.i LOVED THE WAY jESSI WILLIAMS DEALT WITH EVERYTHING. sHE EVEN GOT A BOYFRIEND!!! sWEET!!! YOU GO gIRL.!!! yA NEED TO READ THIS BOOK! i'TS tIZIGHT!!!!! tHE ENDIN' WILL MOVE YA! iT IS 2TIGHT + 2BE = $GOTTEN rEAD it

I would highly reccomend this book for young adults. It is exciting and very realistic. The author has a remarkable way of giving the perspective of the 6th grader Jessica Williams. It's very easy to understand the pressures of keeping your grades up and doing extracurricular activities. She also deals with being at Oakland Performing Arts where Jessie has to struggle. The work is hard and the expectations are high. But Jessie really has to struggle because she has been given a special assignment in Mr. Reynolds class. Worst of all, her partner is her biggest enemy, Addie Mae Cooper! by Karissa Curry, 8th Grade Language Arts, Arcata, California

This book is about a young dark - skinned girl, named Jessie, who was having a lot of problems everywhere she went and she was withholding her anger. At school, she has had her feelings two years ago by a light skinned teacher, Mrs. Grant, who misjudge Jessie. Jessie had overheard Mrs. Grant say something to another teacher along the lines of... "I can't believe the William's girls are sisters. Cassandra was one of the prettiest black girls I have ever taught, and one of the smartest. That beautiful long, glossy hair, and white skin. It's hard to believe that Jessie is her sister. She's so dark and plain. Not even that smart- such a disappointment after Cassandra." ... That really hurt Jessie's feeling especially since she admired Mrs. Grant. I think everyone did up until Jessie recently let the secret out to her family. which was a big relief to Jessie because Jessie has been wating to confront Mrs. Grant, not only will Jessie be able to confront Mrs. Grant but also she has her family there for her.
Jessie's next problem is her group at school, a group of four who has to work on a major project and their is this one girl who an attitude, Addie Mae Collins and everytime the girl gets mad she changes her name, as of now her name is Addie Mae Copper. Copper is snotty and she thinks she knows everything.
At home there is nothing much to discuss outside of Mamatoo, Jessie's maternal grandmother, has always had open arms to cuddle Jessie and map of wisdom to lead Jessie. Cass {short for Cassandra} is always telling her boyfriend, Joe what to do. Well he wanted her now he has her.
Jessie's father, Mr. Williams, a light-shinned man, who worked at the bookstore. He was hard on Jessie and he would not let her work in the bookstore, nor do any extra curricular activty. She is lucky to be going to OPA {Oakland Performing Arts} Middle School. That is all extra-curricular activity that she is going to get.
Later Mrs. Grant still didn't apologize, sha played hard to get....
....Addie Mae Collins acted the way she did because she no one at home to pay her any attention, but she had a lot of talent. Addie was just reaching out for help and got it.
....Joe is still being bossed around by his girlfriend, Cassandra.
....Mamatoo still gives out good advise.
....The fours major project went very well, Corrine James. a famous person who was tired of being famous had let Jessie do part of her project on her and presnet her. Then Jessie present Addie Mae Copper and the story behind her name and how she was named after her cousin who died in Mississippi in a church that was caught on fire.
....Jessie's light - skinned father, who let her light -skinned sister and light - skinned Addie Mae work in the store just didn't want dark - skinned Jessie's grade to fall behind for the simple fact that dark children are labeled dumb and none of his daughter will ever be labeled dumb.
....Jessie is relieved, she has got all of that off her chest and an A with the Fours project and two new friend who have revealed their past history to sociey.
....

i thought that the book was really good. the author made it seem that she was talking about someone she knew, maybe herself as a child, or even someone that she knows. the reason that i gave it a 4 was because the pacing could have been slower, it just went by so fast. as soon as i started to read the book i couldn't put it down. i got so into the book that i felt like i was one of the characters in the book. i know that this is more realistic than unrealistic because everything that was going on a lot could relate to or had gone through something like that. i would recommend this book to anyone who is a teenager.

To me(my opinion because I'm entitled to it) This book was very good and the fact that it has many things going in it is because that's how a real urban girl thinks. Boyd was coming from inside Jessie head and the world and how she sees it. Including her attractions and crushes to boys. In my opinon this book was a good CLEAN version of real urban life. Like it or not I really don't care.

This book is very realistic when it comes to the problems of self image and siblings. I can't what to read the companian to this book.

I loved this book. I have read it over 2 times I never do that. I am into acting and this book helped me think about acting at a different angle. I recomend this book to anyone. This will be a wonderful addition to your bookself. No matter who you are you are sure to identify with a charactar in this book and discover something wonderful about yourself. You learn so much from this you feel as if you read all the imformation in the world. When Jessie talks about her problems you almost cry but in a good way. To sum it up READ THIS BOOK!

This is a very good book. I bought it when I was in the sixth grade but put off reading it until now the summer before I start 9th grade. I think this book will help a lot of people with similar problems deal with them. It is a must read!!!!!

Good for all ages. This is a classic. My children love reading this and it ignites good questions for bedtime talks.

This booklet was perfect for using in our prayer room at church. We conducted a 4-day prayer vigil for students returning to school and had stations throughout the room offering opportunities of prayer for many age groups. "My Heart, Christ's Home: Retold for Children" was used on our salvation station which portrayed Jesus knocking on the door of our heart. It fit perfectly for a clear understanding by children of this process of receiving Jesus into their heart.

We will probably order more copies for later uses.

I purchased this 5-pack of little booklets to give out to my clubbers in AWANA. We were studying the different Bible verses about the heart and how Christ needs to be "on the throne" in our hearts. The kids were having trouble understanding this concept, and I think that this book really helped them. They all seemed to enjoy the story and relate to the little boy who is the main character. This children's version is very good as a 'stand-alone' teaching tool for kids. I especially liked the notes for parents in the back of the book that help explain to kids all the different biblical concepts from the story -- and I was pleasantly surprised at how many concepts are taught!

This little booklet says for children, but the content is more for teens who might be offended by the "for children" in the title.

The book is an excellent adaptation of the adult version. As a Christian educator, I have read this book to 3rd-8th graders. Each time the book has held their attention. Its analogy of our heart being like a house and how Jesus wants to transform each room in our house is done in a way children can understand. The book communicates some deep, complex Christian spiritual beliefs in an entertaining and simple manner for young readers.

I've had this book a year or two now, and I finally got around to making something from it. I made the fleece, stuffed cat pictured on the book's cover. My sewing skills are extremely undeveloped, and even I found this project to be fairly simple. Better yet, it turned out really well! I hope to try out more of the projects in the future.

I was looking for patterns to help me make winter clother for my dog. I was able to get some ideas and helpful information with this book. But, it is not solely for dogs or dog clothing.

There are cute items here for both cats and dogs. Great gift idea! I have not yet tried any of the projects so I cannot speak of the level of difficulty.

I just received this today and I love it! There are some really great ideas for crafts for the pet lover in everyone! I haven't done any of these yet, but I have some really great ideas to expand on the crafts in this book! The book is well written and the step by step directions are so easy that anyone will be able to do them...Get this book, you will be very pleased with it!

This book is great!! it has very cute ideas. I have a dog and she loves the squeeky sock!! i also have 3 cats and they love the ceramic bowls. The pet beds are very practical for on the go people. You can just pull of the cover if it gets dirty and wash it.Also my cats love the springy snake you can just launch it across the room and watch them go after it. I highly recommend this book!!!

I was first introduced to Andy Ahlberg's Ten in a Bed when I was a kid living in Cambridge England. The version we had was the one narated by Carole Boyd. That version is great on its own merits but I love the voices that Andy Crane does. My only nit is that it seems that Andy Crane does rush a bit and I feel he sometimes steps on his own timing.

Clever stories, but loaded with Britishisms that would frustrate a young American reader. The first chapter or two are fine: "Too many bears" (where Dinah finds three bears in her bed) and "Esmerelda" (a witch who fattens children up and cooks them into pies -- not a story I recognize). Then we begin finding British idioms at the rate of about one per paragraph. While I love British idioms, and think a few words like "mum" and "crisps" and "rucksack" and "programme" and "leant" are fine for a 7-year-old to figure out in context, other terms will be confusing: "Dinah had a bowl of cornflakes with the top of the milk on them." "Dinah's dad gave her 10p to put in the collection tin." "A torch under the blanket." "Nappies on the line." "Baby's cot." "Smarties." "Trilby hat." "Little madam." "A plaster on her finger." "May I have a go with the scent-spray?" "Face-flannel." "Allotments" (shared gardens). "Adjustable spanner." I may annotate the book and send it to my favo[u]rite 7-year-old, but someone without a source for British vocabulary might not enjoy this book.

I got the tape version for my little ones to listen to in the car. They are only 4 & 5 and they absolutely loved it. The suggested age above says 9-12, but I think that is a little high. If your younger ones have any sort of decent vocabulary, and even a passing familiarity w/ the classic children's tales (or at least their tenets), they will thoroughly enjoy this book. True, they will have some of the "dry British wit" fly over their heads, but the story is undoubtedly still for kids. Sort of like watching the Simpsons with your 12 year-old: They don't get the Kennedy impersonations or social commentary, but they still enjoy watching it.
Note that the narrator of the tape is also outstanding. He reads it like a real pro, an actor possibly. The intonations, the style, his effort at switching characters back and forth (listen to the Wolf chapter for a particularly excellent example of this skill)... absolutely first rate! Highly recommended!

This book is a guaranteed favorite for young preschool children! The repetition of the text makes this book a winner! I read this book several times each day. I teach Pre-kindergarten and my children beg for more!!!!!! This book has been an asset in my classroom for teaching counting skills and number sequencing. I highly recommend it for any parent or teacher of young children. Also you can incorporate singing to the text. It's a GREAT book

Ten in a Bed is an excellent bedtime storybook. Each chapter contains a slightly twisted version of a classic fairy tale. The book is ingeniously written to make the stories sound more concrete than your average fairy tale. Too many people are convinced that childrens books are only for children, but most adults will enjoy reading this book, if they have the time. Most American children may not understand some of the British terms used in this book, but adults will definitely appreciate its dry humor. The book does not have many illustrations, but the authors implemented great descriptions and word imagery to create a rather interesting and modern setting for fairy tales. Every kid should have this book read to them at least once, and every adult should read this book to at least one child.

Ugh, I wish I could have had a closer look at this big shiny hardcover book before I purchased it (based on reviews here at amazon). I rate it closer to 2.5 stars, with that extra half a star for the idea of wanting to have a more current book available than all the old texts that only go to Pluto.

This book is a thin hardcover, with way too much text for the format. The "tenth planet" of the title is, as near as I can tell, the body currently known as Eris. The book states that it is more distant than Sedna. Sedna is currently believed to hold a very far-flung eccentric orbit, and to be in fact a visitor from the posited Oort clouds.

I was so disappointed in this book that I have not read much more of it yet. There are probably some nice pictures and charts, but I wanted new, current info, and that is not what you'll find here. This book may well have been out of date by the time it made it through the publishing process and out to the market, having started as a manuscript that was completely au courant.

Parents, kids, and other interested parties do indeed need a book that will tell us of the worlds beyond Pluto, but this is not it! Don't waste your money on this book; pick up magazines now and then, and surf the Internet with an eye on the dates of what you find. If you do know of a book that comes out and brings us up to date on Sedna, Eris and Quaoar, please email me with the title. Thank you.

TEN WORLDS: EVERYTHING THAT ORBITS THE SUN comes from a Harvard-trained astronomer who offers kids a guide to the fantastic realms and unsolved mysteries of the universe. The excitement of first discovery of the exciting sights of the universe from the sun to the newly found tenth planet are revealed in a colorful survey certain to interest kids in astronomy.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

Ten Worlds: Everything That Orbits The Sun comers from a Harvard-trained astronomer who provides an intriguing guide to fantastic places. Here the most exciting sights of our solar system are captured with vivid color photos and high drama, from the Sun to Pluto and beyond, to the latest 10th planet discovery. Text provides details suitable for beginning reports but it's the color photos which are the real eye-catcher for grades 3-5.

In 2005, for the first time since 1930, a new planet was discovered. Suddenly, all sorts of classroom materials pertaining to the solar system were obsolete.

Ten Worlds is a book that introduces young readers to this new planet as well as the other 9 planets and the moons that orbit them. He includes the latest discoveries about these worlds.
For instance, Croswell relates how Neptune's moon Triton is the only moon in the solar system that orbits its planet clockwise. Also that the planet Saturn is so light that it would float in water and that billions of years ago, Mars had flowing water.

The book is replete with excellent illustrations and has chapters covering other aspects of the solar system such as asteroids, meteors and comets. The book is very well written and has several informative charts.

This is a must book for all public school libraries as well as parents who home school their children.

On the basis of its striking design and photographs, this handsome, large-format volume is well worthy of praise. And astronomer Croswell's (See the Stars) concise yet conversational, information-packed text wins it sky-high accolades in the narrative sphere as well. As the author takes readers on an elucidating tour of the solar system--traveling outwards from the sun--brilliantly colored photos of each planet and of their moons (mostly NASA shots) pop dramatically from a black background, while the text appears against pastel-toned panels. Croswell authoritatively explains the physical characteristics, temperature and atmospheric makeup of the planets; tells how they were named; examines comets, meteors and asteroids; and details the knowledge gleaned from spacecrafts' photographs and specific astronomers' discoveries. He confidently puts forth his own theories (he believes in the theory that an asteroid killed off the dinosaurs and allowed other forms of life to evolve, including humans). Timely references to recently launched spacecraft and their missions, and an intriguing look at "the tenth planet" (discovered in 2005, the planet takes 559 years to orbit the sun), attest to the book's relevance. Colorful, accessible analogies abound: remarking that stars shine during the day as well as the night, yet are washed out by sunlight, Croswell notes, "In the same way, you can't hear a soft flute when a loud car goes by." Concluding with charts that handily round up statistics about the planets and their moons, this eye-opening book will feed kids' curiosity about the worlds beyond earth. Ages 6-up.

This is a direct, straight-forward book about, as the title says, the Watts Towers.

It doesn't condescend to the reader (or listener). The story is told without any cloying sweetness, and without any enforced sympathy.

I can't say how refreshing this treatment can be :)

Patricia Zelver tells the story of Simon (Sam) Rodia, an Italian immigrant who 'grew' a dream of monumental proportions in the impoverished Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles. It took him over 30 years to build the three amazing towers he named "NUESTRO PUEBLO." In this century it could be called a fantasy dedicated to recycling. When people asked Sam "Why?" he answered "I just felt like it." What creative energy in his imaginative salvaging of mosaic tiles, pieces of pottery, anyone's discards! And there is energy, too, in the colorful paintings of Frane Lessac, all demonstrating the hope symbolized by Rodia's art.

"...Old Sam's real name was Simon Rodia. He was a small man who dressed in ragged overalls, a shirt with the sleeves cut off, and a greasy hat. His arms and face were always covered with dust..." So begins Patricia Zelver's fascinating and engaging true story of an Italian immigrant, with no formal engineering or architectural training, who over a thirty-three year period constructed the Watts Towers in his backyard. Sam lived in a poor neighborhood called Watts, on the outskirts of Los Angeles. Over the years he collected all kinds of things other people threw away...broken bottles and tiles, pieces of mirrors and other glass, seashells and bits of pottery. He spent most of his money on cement, sand, and steel. Neighbors could hear him working behind his tall fence, and wondered what Sam was doing with all that junk. "One day, to the neighbors' amazement, something strange and beautiful rose up over the fence in Sam's backyard..." Ms Zelver's simple and straightforward text is captivating, and complemented by Frane Lessac's bold, bright, and magical artwork, done in an almost childlike style. Excitement builds with each page turn as the Towers grow taller, more intricate and beautiful. Perfect for youngsters 5-10, The Wonderful Towers Of Watts is an evocative treasure that is sure to inspire readers, pique their interest, and send them out looking for more. As Ms Zelver tells us at the end of the story..."Watts is still a poor part of Los Angeles. But no other place has the Watts Towers. Every year people come from all over the world to marvel at Old Sam's crazy dream."

I've been checking this out from my public library for the past two years to read to my 1st grade class. The library lost it so now I'll gladly buy it! It incorporates well into my "Earth Day" unit because we concentrate on recycling. It also is a really inspirational story.

thanks to oscar wilde for the above quote & paticia zelver for the book that brings it to life!

i grew up with reading rainbow & still watch it whenever i get the chance ~ i don't believe we ever truly outgrow enjoying being read a wonderful tale, and this book will give you a tale worth telling. it has a powerful & positive message & even better is that it's true! i've used it in classes to spur students into researching different topics, and everyone i've shared it with (regardless of age or ability) has been glad i did.

The answer to the question posed by William Boyd, who with Robert Flynn Johnson has gathered and commented on this portfolio of fascinating photographs, lies between the covers of this enthralling book. None of the photographers represented herein are known for their artistry: actually they are not known at all and hence the title. But the images in this book touch nearly every human emotion and do so all the more powerfully because their are 'incidental' glimpses at the human condition and the planet earth.

Photographs of the footprints of love, birth, war, death, joy, celebration, fantasy, surrealism, faith - all are here among the 200 odd images that fill these pages. Reading this volume is akin to revisiting childhood (both the good and the evil vantages) or rummaging around trunks of forgotten moments someone captured for posterity on film, moments that can bring chuckles as easily as gasps, memories that are both extremely personal and universally participatory.

But as with all fine photographic volumes, viewing the images is far stronger in impact than lumpy words, especially comments from an isolated observer. Read this book for the personal reasons that initiated these pictures and open your mind to the myriad experiences that constitute life. Grady Harp, January 2004

This is a handsomely produced tome with some wonderful pictures. But sorting out images by theme robs the viewer of an element of surprise - the start one gets when discovering an oddly arresting image at a flea market, or tucked away in an old paperback. A more successful collection of such elusive images is Other Pictures, put out by Twin Palms. It is one of my favorite photography books, period; serendipitous, like the best street photography; mysterious; totally unexpected.

Not for the fainted-heart though : images can be shocking, but always reflect some kind of humanity. Buy it, share it.

I purchased this book after reading a glowing newspaper article about it and I couldn't be more pleased. Besides being beautiful it is a very thought provoking book with splendid comments by the author.

Bach scholarship was turned upside down in the 1950s by the acceptance of new scholarship by Alfred Durr and Georg Dadelsen which established a new chronology and authenticity for Bach's music. It took about 30 years for Bach biography to catch up and digest the implications of the new discoveries. Bach biographies published before 1960 are frequently inaccurate in many details, and this include Spitta's famous 3 volume study. Of the recent books on Bach, Professor Boyd's book is one of the very best and the place for anyone with an interest in Bach to start their exploration of his life and work.

Malcolm Boyd's Bach is nearly a classic at this point. It's a fair read, but frankly it leaves me a little flat. It's okay, but truth be told, Karl Geiringer's Bach is far, far better.

This is not a bad introduction to the life and music of J.S. Bach, however it is nowhere as well written or informative as Christoph Wolff's biography. I found myself falling to sleep reading Boyd, but the Wolff kept me interested all the way. Wolff also presents the death of Bach's parents as a much more central experience, which I found Boyd tended to place less significance on. This is not a poor book, it is just that the Wolff bio is so much better.

This book provides an analyical and important summary of the greatest of all 18th century composers. Boyd succeeds in providing the life of Bach in context with the musical conditions of 18th century Germany, but adds his own perspective as seen from the end of the 20th century. I found this book most enjoyable, along the likes of other biographies of Bach, including Spitta and Schweitzer. To be added to the Bach Plucked! web site's recommended reading list.

Michael Stitt