Browning Books

These sonnets ease my tension when I read them.

In my own opinion, Elizabeth Barrett Browning at her best and most seductive; lie there reading them in bed and let them ravish you! To read them, so intimately sweet as they seem, is almost to feel EBB herself there, her small form snuggling happily in your arms. Of course nobody would have known better than EBB herself what dulcet love songs these sonnets were, since she had never intended them for publication. They were secret, often quite confessional, love poems she wrote about her Robert while he was courting her, all unawares, and then for awhile after their marriage, in which they continued carrying on as two of recorded history's most passionate lovebirds.

It was only after Robert Browning somehow discovered and read them that he managed to convince EBB that they were really too good not to be published. He was right, of course. Even so, Elizabeth was sensitive enough about the matter to want to screen the work off under a somewhat misdirecting title. SONNETS FROM THE PORTUGESE might hope to create a casual impression that they were foreign translations of some mysterious sort ... which, of course, obviously they aren't, but who's philologically analysing; read and enjoy!

In fact, the name settled on was a mere lover's in-joke. Because of her somewhat exotic looks and olive-colored skin, Browning's pet name for EBB, other than the baby-talk "Ba," was "my Portugese;" hence the title. The collection was tremendously successful and deservedly so, and this edition of it, gorgeously illustrated, is very nice indeed.

Elizabeth Barrett Browning wrote these sonnets for her husband and fellow poet Robert Browning. She is capable to move and haunt without saccharine kitsch & schmalz. Her sincerity and intensity are an example to everyone who wants to write poetry or song lyrics. Two thumbs up!

My ex girlfriend, Ashleigh, gave this to me years ago, before she was forced by her family to marry this guy. Long story but she sent this book to me and signed the inside.
Next to Shakespeare, this is the most bittersweet and poetic
poems of love that I have ever read.
It was said that a husband and wife team wrote these so one can only imagine how passionate their marriage was, huh?

This book of sonnets and poems is just wonderful. Elizabeth Barrett Browning's writing is able to get to the very heart of the reader with honesty and beauty. This collection really speaks to the romantic soul with passion and truth. I find her writings to be incredibly moving and this volume touched me deeply.

The book is very sweet but will have value for a small audience, fathers with little girls or Elvis fans

We gave this book to my three step-daughters for Christmas and they all were overwhelmed with emotion. It is a wonderful testatment to the bonds between a father and a daughter especially when there has been a divorce. It is a keepsake and a reminder of the love shared between parent and child. Even if that father had to be a "weekend dad". Something they will cherish long after we are gone. The song while being played and reading along is very, very heartwarming and emotional. I cannot listen to it without tearing up, and that is a very good thing.

There just aren't that many books that let a father convey these kind of feelings for his daughter. Great book.

Illustrator, Tom Browning, puts a new twist on an ELVIS classic love song. Never before has this song meant anything other than a dedication from a lover to another. But now, this book brings to life in a unique way the emotional bond between a father and his daughter.

Rich colors and sweet, sensitive facial expressions bring the lyrics to life in an extraordinary way as we see the many ways a father shares special moments with his daughter, from ice skating, feeding ducks on a pond, bundling up in the fall breeze, and blowing out birthday candles on a special cake.

Share this one with your little one, your father, or your grandfather. An absolute TREASURE of a book. And the cd of the Elvis is even included in the back!

We all know the lyrics, but in a different context. This beautifully illustrated book made me cry way before I got to the end.

This would be a perfect gift for a single father with a daughter, as all the illustrations are a man and girl together, but any child would love to hear this book read (or sung...you can't help it!) to them by anyone. Father, Mother, Aunt, Grampa...doesn't matter.

My father died when I was 15. I look for books to read with my children that have words that they will keep their hearts forever if anything ever happens to me or their dad. This will be a book we'll sing together for a long, long time. I can't recommend it enough.

The beauty of this book is that so many letters, reviews, interviews etc. about/by so many artists are conveniently gathered in one place. On the whole, there isn't anything in here that you can't find elsewhere, such as in biographies of the individual artists. For example the letters contained in the opening section on "Post-Impressionism" from both Cezanne and Van Gogh are included in just about every biography on them.

The over-riding reason for buying this book is that so many are collected together. So, even for an artist that you might not like enough to go out and buy their biography, atleast you get an insight in to their thoughts/motives etc. In some cases this may spark your interest in a previously less favoured artist and appreciate their works from a new perspective.

Chipp covers all the main "isms" of modern art from Post-Impressionism (Cezanne) onwards. Each movement opens with a treatise detailing the main theories/artists/concepts/techniques that made it unique. This is followed by a comprehensive selection of articles/letters/interviews etc. concerning the main players i.e. the section of Expressionism includes writings from Nolde, Kandinsky, Kokoschka, Kirchner, Marc, Klee and Beckmann. One of my favourite pieces is by Stuart Davis. He's responding to a critic's recent review..."in your review you speak of your enthusiasm for my work and call me a "swell American painter". This attitude on your part I heartily approve, but you further state that my style is French and that if Picasso had never lived I would have had to think out a style of my own. Now is that nice Mr. McBride?" and off Davis goes in his defence. Superb.

Rather than reading about these various "isms" via the well meaning but often biased views of a expert art historian, here you get the views from the artists themselves.

For any art historians dealing with the modern art period this book has to be essential. And for general appreciators of art, as well as artists themselves, this book contains a wealth of information, and pays dividends to both intense study or just random browsing.

Since it's first publication in 1968 this book has formed the foundation of any respectable art library. I just checked the bibliography of more recent books on art history - this book is referenced extensively. In my opinion, if anyone is looking for an interesting and enjoyable introduction to the world of "Modern Art" they could do a lot worse than start here. And given the way that any one "ism" owes it's existence to the "isms" that came before it*, this almost reads like a novel.

*Regardless of Dali's utterances about Surrealism being a unique movement, unfounded by anything that came before, just go and have a look at the works of Hieronymous Bosch to see that wasn't the case.

Recommended!

Even if you are not interested in the arts but simply in thought process- I think you will find this book very interesting. You could say this is the history of modern art without pictures (although there are some pictures)- bringing the reader facinating insights into how different types of artists came to their philosophies of art, and of course, the world. Documented through personal letters, manifestos, and articles, the varity of different thoughts and beliefs catapolts just what art can be. To me it shows that art is a never ending universe of ideas- all connecting but all very individual just the same.

I just wanted to respond to the person before me. It sounds like contemporary art is way over your head. Please do not waist our time with long reviews about things you clearly do not understand.

Not only educational, but inspiring. I not only learned about each artist and what when on during their time of certain artworks, but I was able to get inside their head. The words of the artist's in their letters were captivating. I was caught up in the reading. I especially enjoyed Matisse and Kandinsky. Kandinsky is very spiritual about his writing and gives a deep explanation of colors. Anyway, it is a great read. It was required for my history course, but I enjoyed it. Not very many in my class could understand what they were reading. I guess you not only need intellect, but sophistication. I liked it!

How often had I looked at a painting of Van Gough and wondered what exactly was this great man thinking when he conceived and painted such a picture. Now by reading thru this excellent book, I can claw into the mind of artists themselves.

Peaches and Daddy: A Story of the Roaring 20s, the Birth of Tabloid Media, and the Courtship that Captured the Hearts and Imaginations of the American Public

Michael M. Greenburg is a fresh new face in the literary world. His historical novel "Peaches & Daddy" captivates from start to finish. Greenburg has a distinct and compelling writing style that makes history come alive. His rendering of the long forgotten story of the tumultuous romance between 51 year old Edward "Daddy" Browning and 15 year old Frances "Peaches" Heenan is compelling.
Greenberg combines romance, moral battles, and the history of tabloid journalism to create a novel that rivals fiction in it's captivation of the reader's interest. I eagerly look forward to reading his next novel.

I picked up this book intending to just glance at the 1920's photographs of flappers and old fashioned "composographs," but then I made the mistake of reading the first page. Three hours later, I still hadn't put this juicy, captivating book down and I was deep into the world of big city wealth and scandal! Gossipy, brilliantly written, and culturally relevant, I wish there were more books of this sort to hijack my afternoons. What a fabulous read!

I just finished Peaches and Daddy, and I have to say it is one of the best historical novels I have ever read. An incredibly story, which Greenburg brings to life like we're living the roaring '20's. It's hard to believe he wasn't there! The book was obviously very well researched, and he brought each character to life with his fine attention to both physical and emotional detail. I can't wait to read his next book.

Peaches and Daddy is brilliant! Greenburg recounts history in a way that is not only well structured and researched, but also highly entertaining. The reader gets thrown into the Roaring 20's and caught up in the birth of sensationalist journalism, following protagonists whose lives were too tumultuous and preposterous to invent for a fictional book. It's a wonder that the tale has taken so long to resurface.

What a unique story! Very well written. I couldn't put the book down. Step back in time to an era long gone and feel like you're actually there! This book has it all..a story about wealth, the fast life, young women and unique romance...and that's all before the trial begins....once you enter the trial, you can't put this book down!
Peaches and Daddy, a story I'll never forget! I can't wait for Greenburg's next book!

Great writing, captivating story. A must read!

I read The Belated Baby in one sitting often with tears in my eyes. Reading it felt like sitting with a good friend who has felt the pain and disappointment all women feel who have struggled with infertility. As a hopeful, waiting adoptive mother-to-be, I found it particularly helpful in foreshadowing what may come after our much longed for baby finally arrives. In one excerpt the author describes herself sitting in a coffee shop when an expectant mom comes in and sits beside her. When the author feels her body stiffen but her heart soften, I felt hopeful that someday I too will feel that brand of genuine joy for the happiness of other women. Knowing that it is normal for the disappointment of infertility to persist even after the baby arrives is a good lesson and reading the book before parenthood for the still childless couple is a great way to prepare for the emotions that are sure to remain even after children. Those of us who are infertile are going to walk again someday, and the arrival of a baby helps us to do that, but most of us will always walk with just a little limp---it's the battle wound of what it took for us to get there. The book was hopeful and sensible and validates every feeling I have as someone who cannot create children. A must read.

Anyone who has dealt with infertility or adoption should read this book, it is excellent! I just loved it

Loved this book. It covers the many stages that couples may go through as they struggle with infertility. The first-person accounts of couples who experienced or are experiencing infertility are encouraging, funny, poignant, and honest. Many different experiences are documented including fertility drugs, IVF, surrogacy, and domestic and international adoption. The authors offer a frank and straightforward discussion of these issues...a discussion only made more insightful by their own experiences with what can be an alternately heartbreaking and joyful journey.

I had tears in my eyes while reading most of this book. What a comfort to read about the struggles, frustrations, and (belated) elation of other women.

Infertility is a long, lonely struggle and one that emotionally numbed me to core. I feel blessed to have my children, but have lost myself in the process. The authors assuaged my guilt and gave me the stepping stones to find my way back.

This book is a "must read" for anyone that has ever taken the long, winding path to parenthood.

The Belated Baby: A Guide to Parenting After Infertility
As a licensed psychotherapist, I have counseled couples struggling with infertility, miscarriages, fertility treatment, surrogacy and adoption decisions. It's a long, painful road. Couples who ache to have their own children struggle with the mystifying lack of success, the difficult processes of infertility treatment, the ups and downs of hormone treatment, and the grief and frustration of trying and failing, over and over again. When they finally do achieve their dream of parenthood, the longed-for experience is colored by their painful history. The Belated Baby is written by women who have been there, and it pulls no punches; but it manages to be encouraging and helpful at the same time. The quotes from couples and individuals who are going through the struggle, and those who have been successful, through many different means, are instructive, supportive and encouraging. This is a survivor's handbook, which will be of tremendous value to any parents on this journey.

This is wonderful collection of stories based on Browning-Larsen's personal experiences in Asia--cerebral, sensitive, well-written and interesting!

Several short stories with explicit details of Asian love. From the gardens of Japan to the Filipino "guest houses". How it happens, where to find it, and who is doing it.

If you're planning to take a trip to any country in Southeast Asia you can't miss this book. Some stories will touch your heart and some will make you laugh. Avoid getting rip-off by street merchants and visiting great sites is just a few thing you should check out.

I just finished reading Lucky at Love, and having spent the better part of the past ten years living, working and travelling in Asia I feel the author, Eric Browning-Larsen, did an excellent job.

The book is a witty, often times hilarious, and all together personal account of Mr. Browning-Larsen's various travels in the Asia region, as well as his observations of Asian-American lifestyles in the United States.

From red raccoons in Bangkok, working girls in the Philippines and landmines in Laos to the death of a Chinese family in the Unites States, the struggles of a Cambodian refugee family and the father of Gary Locke, Washington State's Asian-American governor, Mr. Browning-Larsen provides deeply caring insight into the lives of Asians both here in the United States and in Asia.

Lucky at Love is the perfect, late night reader, and I recommend anyone with an interest in contemporary Asia consider reading this book.

(And, it should be noted, the author's profits from Lucky at Love will be donated to the Pacific Pathfinder's Foundation, an organization providing educational assistance to Asian students in Southest Asia and the US. So additional kudos to Mr. Browning-Larsen for having such a charitable heart!)

Great book, tastefully written, and tough to put down. I laughed, cried, and was even shocked at the cultural differences and dedication to love in Asia. Suitable for all ages.

Intriguing from beginning to end, this first effort by Mr. Browning will be a light in the wilderness for more to come.

This book is a compelling adventure story set in the world's most unforgiving continent,
Antarctica. The characters are well-drawn, the plot clips along nicely, and the author's
descriptions of the vast, frozen hinterland are at times poetic. As I read, I couldn't help
but envision this tale being spun on film. Browning's movie industry experience has given this
story the edge it needs to become a box-office hit. I recommend this book for adults
only due to violence, moderate sexual content, and colorful language. For busy people without much
time for leisure reading, Scott Browning provides a fast-paced, fascinating diversion that can easily
be read in a few evenings, provided ofcourse that the reader can put the book down!

This book is terrific vacation or leisure reading. I enjoyed the page-turning action and suspense, as well as the vivid and accurate descriptions of Antarctica, especially the storms. "Searchers" is a unique blend of sci-fi, adventure/action, with just the right touch of romance. This author could well be the next Michael Crichton...

Very quick review, this is a well written book. Full of detail with an in depth story line. I am looking forward to more books by this same author. I forsee his work becoming common place in my library. Well done.

Having been the owner of a fast growing small business for the past 14 years and involved in many community and professional activities (in addition to family responsibilities), I have not taken the time to read an entire book for years, and I have not read a novel since before I started my business. I've bought recommended books from time-to-time, read the first few chapters, but have never finished reading any of the books.

Recently, a good friend recommended Scott Browning's book, Searchers, and I actually read it from cover to cover! I fould Searchers to be extremely enjoyable reading. The tale is filled with intrigue, excitement, adventure, risk, surprise and human emotion. I've always enjoyed science fiction, particularly when it is founded on theories that could someday prove to be reality.

I think Scott Browning's Searchers would appeal to most busy entrepreneurs who have an inherent drive to pursue the adventure of the unknowm and take risks. I recommend Searchers highly to other entrepreneurs as an outstanding diversion from the routing reading of business books and articles.

Chuck McCabe
President & CEO
Peoples Income Tax, Inc.

After I read How To Be Wanted: Use the Law of Attraction to Date the Man You Most Desire and Live the Life You Deserve, I went on the lookout for more books that really deliver a punch. This so happens to be the one. It's got some really good stuff any woman who wants a man/relationship needs to know. A must, must read!!

This book completely changed how I view the dating process. Everything about dating is viewed in a new light, and to have the perspective of both sexes really helps. It's very honest, and not formulaic like most other dating/relationship books I've read. The authors feel like old friends.....friends that have my best interest at heart. And it works! Using their simple, step-by-step approach, I found the man of my dreams, and we are happily dating and progressing.....Thank you, Ryan and Jessica!

I've read a ton of dating books and they usually fall into one of two categories. There's the "wait till your married" to have sex category or the "how to be a hot [...] (or pick up artist)" category. Neither of which is realistic and neither of which works. This book gets it right with (finally!) a sane and easy to follow approach to dating. Since reading this book I've been told I'm more self assured and confident and attractive. None of those things is true. It's simply that now I know what to do when it comes to dating. I only wish I had read this a few years ago!

Of all the people in the world to give me this book, my ex-girlfriend, whom I am still friendly with, gave it to me. As a favor, I read it. And to be frank, I thought that it was fantastic. Maintaining a conversational approach, the authors identified the patterns of behavior that I have commonly fallen into, which have hurt my relationships in the past. Though I consider myself to be the last person to recommend a dating book, I felt compelled here to express my opinion about it. I am not saying reading this book will get you a date, but I think that it might give you new insight in how you go about dating. It has for me.

I am a pretty skeptical person when it comes to relationships and I was very pleasantly surprised by the depth of the content in this book. I felt like the authors were speaking directly to me because so many of the mistakes I've made are covered in this book. Not only do the authors identify the mistakes, they offer a solution which is refreshing since so many people write books about the problem, but then leave us hanging. This book has made a huge impact on how I view relationships and I feel hopeful about my dating future!

The value in this book is in Chapter 2.

Chapter 1 covers the general steps to creating a quilt. Anyone who has made a quilt will find they already know this information, but beginners might really appreciate it. (There are other books for this information, though.) Chapter 2 is where she gets into borders and it really is a "border primer". She covers every possibility from no border to stretching the design into the border, single & multiple bands, squares, triangles, and appliqued borders. In Chapter 3, she covers scalloped edging, prairie points, piping, and dogtooth edges.

Chapter 4 is the Gallery and Patterns section. As there are only 3 or 4 *pieced* border designs and since this is the lion's share of the book, I was a little disappointed. All the rest (of 17 total patterns) are for applique. Beautiful and varied, but applique is not my thing...yet.

If you're looking for some really nice applique border designs, this is definitely the book for you. Just xerox and go!

I really like the patterns included in this book. You can choose from simple pieced designs or beautiful appliqued border designs.

If you can't decide what kind of border to add to your quilt, read this book. It covers borders, from simple pieced to advanced appliqued designs. Find out how to make your borders fit your quilts. Sixteen patterns are included for pieced and appliqued borders. Whether you prefer beautiful floral designs, swags, or a dogtooth edge, these are just some of the designs included in this book.

I really like the patterns included in this book. You can choose simple pieced designs, or some really beautiful appliqued designs for borders.

Robert Browning's poetyr is more difficult than his contmeporaries, arnold and tennyson (the lower-cases are intentional) and much better. Reading "Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came" makes one wonder why Kafka was so uplifting, yet the same poet also writes such charming verse for shildren as "The Pied Piper of Hamlin". A marvelous book!

"Grow old along with me, the best is yet to be, the last of life for which the first was made"

Browning is the poet of the dramatic monologue, the story told through the voice of a principal speaker, often an ironical one. Browning is an intellectual and moral poet whose work has a kind of toughness and strength. The poems in this small collection are among his most memorable and anthologized.
An excellent collection for coming to know one of the major Victorian English poets.

Robert Browning is a treat, especially to read out loud. This book includes "My Last Duchess," of course, and some great poems like "The Bishop Ordering His Tomb" and "Fra Lippo Lippi." I like to think of Robert Browning as the first poet of the twentieth century since he really can't be put in a box with Tennyson or other popular poets of his own time. Also, he had a big influence on Ezra Pound who, in turn, had a big influence on many popular poets today.

Dover Thrift Editions are surprisingly well-constructed - they'll outlast, say, your Oxford World Classics paperbacks - and the poetry is usually very well selected. Oh...and they're cheap!

I have started to read a bit on Browning and decided to get an idea of his poetry. Given the price of this book, this was a good choice.

Browning covered a lot of ideas, and all are written very intelligently. Reading through this book though, may cause you to scratch your head. If you read it, enjoy each selection rather than try to read straight through.

This is what I mean by the arrangement; I poem on the killing of a loved one (Porphyria's Lover) precedes the Pied Piper of Hamelin. The jump in ideas can slow you down a bit. The arrangement is logical in that the editors printed the poems in groups according to the collection they were originally published in. These collections, in turn, are arranged in chronological order. This is good because you can watch Browning's work as time progresses.

There are 42 poems in this selection. It does include the great ones (I will abbreviate titles) like Andrea del Sarto, Caliban upon Setebos, Karshish, Childe Roland, My Last Duchess, Fra Lippo Lippi, The Bishop Orders His Tomb, Johannes Agricola, and others.

I would recommend this book for reflecting on the occasional work of a great poet.