Burns Books

This book is a sequel to the surprisingly influential but little seen book "Sleeping Beauty;Post Mortem Photography in America" by Stanley Burns, M.D.

Of course with a subject matter such as this, the potential for exploitation and cheap thrills must be addressed. Let me clarify that this is a scholarly work by a medical doctor. He puts the history and concept of Memorial Photography into a social, cultural and intimate familial context which defies the more lurid aspects of the images. Each beautifully reproduced image spans a full page, and contains a thoughtful description by the authors of why, where and for whom the photogtaph was taken. Some of the images are especially beautiful and poignant; particularly Plates #4,5,9,14,102,111,113 and 114.

The scope of this book is much larger than the original Sleeping Beauty, both in terms of time and geography. European Post Mortem Photography is introduced here, as well as forms the art has taken in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. See the amazing plate #77 of Mad King Ludwig from Bavaria, who was likely killed by his own subjects for spending the nation's wealth on fanatastic architecural works like a vast underground lake filled with swans!

The book was being finished around the time of the Terrorist Attacks on 9/11/01, and the author felt compelled to include the use of photographs as memorials to the victims of that attack whose bodies would never be recovered. So ironically the book closes with an inversion of the original concept of the post mortem photograph;the photograph as symbol and stand-in for the deceased, or more accurately "Memento Vita." This is a common use of photographs in current funerary practice.

Who would be interested in this book? Photographers and Undetakers are the two obvious professions which come to mind. Oddly, the two professions cross over in that they both seek to make the best presentation possible of a person's image. The photographer and the funerary science worker both strive to make a person look their best, alive or otherwise! Historians will find this useful as well, and grief counselors are mentioned by the authors.

A few observations on my part, as a photographer about topics covered in the book. The authors note that European Post Mortem photographs are usually framed, and American ones rarely so. American photographs up until the early 20th century were carried in small,exquisitely detailed cases of leather and velvet. This was for mobility. Americans were moving westward and needed to take belongings with them quickly and easily. America has always been a mobile free moving society which values portability. Europeans are more entrenched in place, so frames would not be a hindrance.

The authors note the use of Polaroid instant film as the main replacement of formal post mortem photographs in the 2nd half of the 20th century. These are almost always taken by the family of the deceased. I think that because the Polaroid was developed on the spot, with no one outside the family looking at the picture, such as a lab technician, it was a more intimate object. The image of the loved one never had to leave the protective circle of the family. The Polaroid picture is the natural successor to the Daguerreotype. Its small size, portability and inabilty to be reproduced make a Polaroid more of a precious object. It will be curious to see what directions photography and funerary practice take in the 21st century.

If you are interested in historical Post Mortem, then this book is for you.

High quality hard cover book with a black dust jacket.

I have it and i love it~~ I purchased it in late summer early fall of 2002 when it first came out.

The first book is valuable, i wish i could acquire it or afford to someday~~

meanwhile i am happy with the second version.

hope that they put out a third version someday~~

Some people might think that this is eerie, to say the least.

But folks back in the 1800's had little or no money for photos of the living~~

And many people died young back then~~ medicine was still in its infancy so there was not much for cures...

Taking a photo of the deceased was the last earthly time that one would see that person...

So I do understand the need....

Photos of Parents or Parent with Child seem most revered by collectors...

any way, it's a beautiful book, worthy of its subject~~

An absolutely brilliant collection of mortuary photography compiled by the one and only Stanley Burns. The collection is wide-ranging and the photographs range from bland to poignant to artistic to anthropological to fascinating to creepy with stops at all points in between. This collection compiles the original set of images originally released in the hard-to-find and long out-of-print first edition (Sleeping Beauty), and the images are well-known from their inclusion as part of the "Book of the Dead" in the brilliant movie The Others. Burns documents as much as is known about each photograph, littering his commentary with insightful anthropological details that explain the motivation behind the images, and their supreme importance to the people who had them taken. An extraordinary work.

Having grown up with postmortem photography in my family albums, and raised by two Victorian German-Polish Americans, this subject did not seem taboo to me. Both Stanley Burns and Jay Ruby(Secure the Shadow) recognize that these photos are shocking to some, however once over any shock you might feel, the images tell so much more than that of living images..just like any archeological,anthroplogical study..we always learn more from the dead than the living. If you already collect postmortem items, this book will save a lot of money as he has collected the images for you! I only wish the first Sleeping Beauty would go to reprint, heck you have to take out a bank loan to get one! Another good one I mentioned earlier is Jay Ruby's "Secure the Shadow". I am currently buying Michael Lesy's "Wiconsin Death Trip" and would need another bank loan to grab James Van Der Zee's "Harlem Book Of the Dead"..If anyone has a copy of Sleeping Beauty, the first one..and just doesn't want it around the house 'cause it is morbid and they want to sell it fast and ..well..cheaper..LET ME KNOW!!! Dawn.

Excellent book for quilters who need specific guidelines . I needed this for a class I was taking , could not find it locally , and Amazon came through for me. The detailing and pictures take you step by step.

Stars Across America has beautiful quilt patterns with a star representing famous women in our American history. Along with the easy to follow directions for the quilt is a written history of the woman highlighted with their own star design. Each quilt has it's own unique border also. I made the Eleanor Roosevelt Star quilt and enjoyed the straight forward directions that even a beginning quilter such as myself could make with few mistakes. If you like stars, quilting, and some interesting historical information this is a good book

As always, Eleanor Burns writes a good quilting book. I absolutely love stars in a quilt, so this satisfied me.

Eleanor Burns has been around a long time and knows her way around a quilt pattern. Her instructions are suitable for beginners and the designs are beautiful enough to interest even the most experienced quilter. She continues with her traditional approach and classic patterns, but with some design twists.

My graduate reading professor introduced me to this book and I now purchase it for all my friends as a baby shower gift. This is a wonderful resource for all parents as it gives suggestions for activities that will shape children into readers and writers and prepare them for school. The book is especially good for parents of young children from birth to kindergarten age. Before kids are in classrooms, they typically have 4 to 5 years at home. During that time, the parents are responsible for their education. It is important they understand how crucial their role is in readying their children for the classroom. Homeschooling parents will also find this information valuable!

There's no doubt that reading to children early on promotes not only strong readers but enthusiastic readers. Love this book and two other pieces of children's literature that should be in every classroom and home.Life's Little Lessons: An Inch-By-Inch Tale of Success and The Big Squeal: A Wild, True, and Twisted Tail, written by 2 teachers are stories children ages 3-8 will love; the messages are lovely but most important the scripted 10-page teaching guide allows you to teach reading skills early on.

As a Kindergarten teacher, I have found the Starting Out Right book to be one of the best resources that I have ever used in my classroom. The text is very easy to read and very user friendly. The activities are great for any teacher making the changes in education. I only wish that I had found this book years ago. I would recommend this book for any teacher who is teaching reading strategies. In fact, my district is purchasing this book for ALL kindergarten teachers for our personal resource library.

this is such a great book if you are looking for a book that gives basic developmental guidelines for reading AND some wonderful activities to do with children! the focus is on children birth to 3rd grade! I absolutely LOVE it!

This story is an expansion by the author of a Wall Street Journal article nominated for a Pulitzer prize.
The author spent many days and hours with the family in order to get the greatest insight into what they all were dealing with.

It is a story of Hope and Faith and perserverance. It also confrontss the issues we hope never to have to deal with- to let a seriously ill loved one linger with the latest and greatest medical intervention or to accept that this may be the time to let our loved one go for his or her own sake.

You will have to make that decisions for yourself as you read this incredible story.

I picked up this book randomly in the library. But when i start reading, it captures my attention from the day one. Its a very well written memoir by Michael.

This book can help to overcome some of the hardships and turbulance in ones life. Although as compared to the one that Ted Fink went through it must be nothing.

I would highly recommend this book.

THE SUN FARMER: THE TORY OF A SHOCKING ACCIDENT, A MEDICAL MIRACLE, AND A FAMILY'S LIFE-AND-DEATH DECISION tells of an Illinois farmer so badly burned in a tractor accident that only his feet were untouched - a tragedy which brought his wife a difficult decision: to allow him to die, or allow doctors to enshroud him in a cocoon of artificial skin. Included in this memoir are insights on the world's first artificial skin, its applications in trauma cases, and the short- and long-term consequences of the accident. THE SUN FARMER charts one family's decisions, course of action, and efforts to survive disaster and is a moving survey any general-interest lending library will want.

This is a MUST READ! McCarthy deftly handles setting the rural stage and sensitively taking us through the horrors of an accident that would change a family forever. Richard Pryor got a lot of comedic mileage out of his horrific accident with freebasing, but he also testified hilariously and agonizingly about the torment of the recovery process. This book eschews that route for reaching into the hearts of this couple, a farmer and his wife, dealing with the effects of an accidental self-immolation physically, emotionally and spiritually. McCarthy has the requisite depth to bring all of the complex elements together in a cogent and deeply moving story. He digs deep to remind us, as the couple learned, of the meaning of life. You will be inspired by the story and struck by the fluidity of McCarthy's prose. He FELT this story, and it shows. And you will, too. This is the second time I've seem what this man can do with fire (the first as a classroom demonstration) and both times had their enlightening moments.

Once again Eleanor Burns has written an easy to use and easy to understand booklet. This time Sunbonnet Sue and Sam are so cute and this method makes it fun to do handwork again. You can apply this method to other applique work and that makes me want to get out my needles again!

When the bidding on e-bay went sky high for the same item, I was pleased to find it at Amazon for a reasonable price.
The book is in super condition and I am very happy

Eleanor meets Sue in one of the most delightful of her quilting how-to books. If you're familiar with Ms. Burns' books and/or videos, you know that she's getting better with almost every volume...clearer instructions, more detailed illlustrations, and enticing photos of the finished projects. An added treat in her Sunbonnet Sue volume is the clever series of illustrations featuring the famous little faceless lass engaging in the various steps in quilt-making (Sue earnestly plugging away at the sewing machine, etc.) This would be an excellent addition to a quilting library, and even a great first-time quilt project. Thanks to Eleanor's consistently excellent instructions, you'll be able to follow along with no difficulty...and even a chuckle or two.

I bought this book for myself because of Eleanor Burns. Her books are so easy to understand. The book is in black and white with some color photos of Sue & Sam. You get directions for a wall hanging (18 X 32 1/2) all the way up to a double coverlet (76 X 89). This book tells you how to make the patterns using an interfacing you have to trace the pattern onto. I have gone to Eleanors website and bought the preprinted fusible interfacing. Makes it much quicker and easier IMO. This book reminds me of the quilts my grandmother used to make. A little old fashioned, but you can change how the Sue's and Sam's look by using different material and things like lace, buttons, ribbons, and rickrack. The book does come with a pattern for Sue & Sam and a kite & tie.

I was to my disappointment that Trigun didn't continue after Volume 2. I kept on searching every retailer and only saw Trigun Maximum. I actually read the review for it and found that Trigun crosses over to Trigun Maximum.

Trigun Maximum takes place after the Angel Arm incident on Jeneora Rock. A few years have past, and we witness the return of Wolfwood, The Gung-Ho Guns, Knives, Legato, and most improtantly Vash The Stampede.

This book was so great I bought Volumes 2 and 3 right away. The action is easier to understand in the Maximum series. Keep up the good work Nightow!

The "love-and-peace'n", irritating, moronic gunslinger is back, and nothing's going stand in his way for doing what he does best...expect for donuts and babes. (YAY!)

[1-VOL REVIEW]

Trigun Maximum isn't so much a new series, as it is a continuation of an already popular manga in the US. Yep, America loves it, and Japan wants to forget it(hey, facts are facts). From this point on, the things you knew from the anime series is completely different with this one; it parallels itself from that counterpart. I mean, come on, look at the black sides from Vash's hair in the book cover; IT'S DIFFERENT! With its new physique, expect some additions and differences onto this new adventure: new companions, new enemies, and from this manga ongoing, Nicholas D. Wolfwood doesn't die...hopefully.

The parallel thing doesn't start, yet. The first volume pretty much covers episodes 18-20 of the anime series, which is Vash leading a new life with a new identity as he lives with a young girl named Lina and her granny, but after being forced to bark like a dog in the nude by those sasafrassin' baddies and later got into a bullet blitz with Nick Wolf on his side, he realized he can't avoid what he is, so Vash the Stampede was reborn and left the caring ones behind to avoid harm. Enter the two stoogettes, Meryl and Millie, plus the conflict on the kidnapping and family vengence, and it's the whole celebro hoo-ha. There's only some key differences between this and the anime, i.e. Vash getting his new outfit during the feud chapter instead of the flying ship episode from the anime and this manga actually took place two years after the Fifth Moon instead of the five years in the anime, but other than those, I can only assume the true parallel act can happen in the second volume.

This is actually my first Trigun manga ever bought. I would like to buy the first two 300-page volumes, but I've seen the whole anime as it is, so why read the chapters originated for the ones I've already seen? That, and plus I don't want to pay five extra dollars more than the average TOKYOPOP manga for each volume(yea, I'm a cheapskate). Thankfully, Dark Horse made the TM series more accesible by making it cheaper, while keeping the same format and quality as the last two. In other words, the sound effects remains untranslated, and strangely, the honorifics are there as well. Not to be biased with the honorifics, if its there, it means that Digital Manga is doing great with the translations, but I don't recall ever seeing or reading a western medium where someone called the superior "sempai." It's just weird, that's all.

Some guy isn't kidding when he warn me about the art style of the manga, and I should've heed his words, cause that's the manga's biggest flaw. Trigun Maximum is VERY SKETCHY. I've read manga with sketchy designs before, but this is the creme de la crop. Characters are angled and not that detailed and polished, even some of their clothes are just scribbled in. And the panels within are so messy, even if they're big, I can't determined what's happening; like in one panel for example, and I was thinking, "What the-? Is someone playing paintball or are those gunshot wounds? WH-WHAT'S GOING ON?!!" That's the reaction I have with this design, and it made me lose track from fluently guiding through the whole story. Although the design does provide a positive message to future comic book artists: "Kids, you can draw as crappy as this, and you can still make a lot of money on your work."

Trigun Maximum is a great way to continue what's already a funny and stylized action series, and make it a little different by its looks. The messy art style alone prevents me from giving it a perfect grade, but it doesn't destroy what's good about this series, either. If you bought the other Trigun books, you probably have one in your hands right now, but if you haven't read the first two volumes, and have seen the entire anime series, Trigun Maximum is a perfect start to continue along this seemingly fun westerner. I Reckon'men'd this here book.

Short review-
Dark Horse is doing an excellent job on their translations for Trigun. All honorifics are left in.

About the actual content- This volume's mostly filler, following the fifth moon incident. Wolfwood's huge cross is revealed to be a machine gun, and Vash is still a god with his revolver. The art is pretty sketchy, but I still love Nightow-san's syle.

Also, there's been some talk about Vash's 'new' look. Most Americans have seen the anime, in which he keeps his original look the entire time, before reading the original manga, in which Vash's look abruptly changes in Maximum. Vash's new coat is a little crazy looking, but/so it fits Vash's personality a bit more. What's more, does it really matter what Vash looks like? He's still Vash.

9.5/10

Although the wait was intense, it was well worth it. The book had many new and unique things about it, different from the ever popular anime. Many times it is hard to fully understand the action that is being illustrated, but in the end, you get the general idea of what has happend. The illustrations sometimes leave me wondering "This is awful", and again, some illustrations are wonderful. In the end, it really does not matter as long as the stroy gets told. And in the end, I found Trigun Maximum #1 to be a well spent $10.

This well written and thoroughly researched book is like fine wine, meant to be enjoyed and savored! This is not merely another "I remember when" or "oral history" book. VOICES' prose is clear, seamless, and graceful with subtleties and complexities as it easily slips between the time frames of the past and present. It explores the profound impact of institutions such as volunteer fire departments, churches, scouting organizations, and baseball teams on the fabric of life in small towns.

How skilled and adroit is the authors' presentation? I had finished reading the section on the methods of clamming and fishing and was just starting to ask "Why did they spend so much time describing this subject in such detail?" when I realized I had also been given a quick course in the economics of transportation and distribution of seafood from the harvesting in the Chincoteague waters to the delivery in the eastern cities of the mid twentieth century and on the vagaries of making a living as a "waterman" during that time frame.

The crowning achievement of the authors is their portrayal of the lives of the people. Whether relating townsfolk's stories of working, hard times, making do with little, sharing with others, drinking sprees by hard working men, or the damage wrought by hurricanes, they treat their storytellers with a deep respect and dignity.

Social studies and sociology teachers will find this book especially interesting and useful especially in "compare and contrast" exercises for students in small rural towns, suburbs or urban areas.

VOICES OF THE CHINCOTEAGUE is a fascinating well written book.

This book is a most beautiful tapestry woven throughout with a mixture of dedicated research and fascinating personal stories. The authors did such a skillful job of moving from one thread to another that I was spellbound throughout. The most precious colors I caught on every page were the appreciation these authors had for the resilent residents of those two communities and their respect for how these people continue to live their lives caring for one another. The spotlight is focused on the beauty of who these people are. The authors have gifted these people and the readers of this book with a love tapestry. It is a true treasure and a great read.

Burns and Hartsock, in their debut book, have captured a sense of time and place in the lives of people of the Eastern Shore and Chincoteague Bay. The historical context, real voices of the people interviewed, and sense of the rhythms of nature on the Chincoteague Bay provide for a captivating read. Their writing style is down-to-earth, sentimental and funny in the right places, and an invaluable contribution to the history and folkways of the people of Greenbackville, Virginia. I highly recommend this book to those who are interested in reading about a way of life in the rural outback that is quietly slipping away. The beauty is that Burns and Hartsock have written about a proud and private people with great integrity, respect, and a refreshing honesty.

Local lore can be a bore to those unfamiliar with the region under study, but this book is about more than the Chincoteague. Voices of the Chincoteague is a book about the value of giving a voice to people with insights about the past. The book makes you want to go right out and interview your elderly neighbors and relatives. Burns and Hartsock make it clear that if you only care to ask, you will be rewarded. While the book is logically organized, you can open it to any page and find a story that can stand alone and that is funny, sad, informative, thought provoking, or all of the above. I imagine some of the individuals interviewed didn't feel at the start that they had much of interest to say, but the authors must have asked the right questions in the right ways to elicit the many gems in each chapter. Written with respect and with the insight you would expect from scholars, the book is a great read.

In Fr. Sertillanges' spiritual classic - the reader is transported to the Holy Land in a way which the reader will not easily forget. The reader sees, through the eyes of Christ, the wedding feast at Cana, his baptism, the Upper Room, Gethsemane, and the Cross.

Fr. Sertillanges, who lived in Jerusalem, presents the Passion of Christ with details that make the events come alive.

Originally published in French in 1930, this book has stood the tests of time. Sophia Institute's version is highly readable.

A retreat, a pilgrimage, and a meditation all wrapped in one - this book should be required reading, along with the Gospels, every Lent.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

The title of this book is appropriate because I found this book really implants in one's mind a real vision of what it must have been like to be at the foot of the cross 2000 years ago.

It is a very quick read even when doing so prayerfully, since the imagery provided on each page truly makes one feel he is right there. One can feel the heat, hear the shouts of derision, see the flies as they buzz overhead.

The book beautifully describes the events surrounding the Crucifixion in a loving representation of what Jesus might have seen as he was raised aloft on the cross. As you read this prayerfully, place yourself at the foot of this cross and be with Him as you witness the vista of Jerusalem through His eyes.

The title of this book is appropriate because I found this book really implants in one's mind a real vision of what it must have been like to be at the foot of the cross 2000 years ago.

It is a very quick read even when doing so prayerfully, since the imagery provided on each page truly makes one feel he is right there. One can feel the heat, hear the shouts of derision, see the flies as they buzz overhead.

The book beautifully describes the events from the Last Supper through the Crucifixion in a loving representation of what Jesus might have seen as he was raised aloft on the cross. As you read this prayerfully, place yourself at the foot of this cross and be with Him as you witness the vista of Jerusalem through His eyes.

This book makes you feel like you are there as Jesus is crucified. You can almost feel the suffering as He weeps in the Garden or the ache as He carries His cross. Very powerful. Should be recommended reading.

I can't think of anyone who wouldn't benefit from this book. The tips have really made a difference in both my personal and professional life. From the smallest tips (clearing the space around you) to the more involved ideas (do these things every day), Jane Schulte's book will truly change your life.

There are great techniques described that can be applied to any office or home. It makes being organized easy, and eliminates stress and worry from tasks that seem overwhelming!

I have used many of the tools in Work Smart, Not hard. With the PEND System, I am able to confidently know that all tasks will be accomplished on time. Learning to delegate has elevated me to be able to do work on higher level projects.

Organizing my email has kept my mind clear to take on more work.

Meg Frodge
Employee Support Manager

Busy professionals and busy moms juggling many tasks. Executives in need of organization. Office managers trying to run their offices more efficiently. Average joes trying to find the work/home balance. Anyone who feels like they are going to explode from the mounting stack of work in front of them. This book is for everyone. Jane Schulte is an insightful writer who reminds you to be patient if you do not see immediate results, and to adopt one tool at a time starting with what interests you most.

Be sure to check out the chapters about the PEND System and Do These Things Every Day. These are simple and effective methods to get your desk -- and your brain -- organized (at work and at home!)

This book is concise yet thorough - perfect for busy people in need of smart tools that will make their lives a bit easier!

This came out almost the day Burns passed away. This is a very funny anecdotal review of George Burns' entire life -- many of the stories go back to his childhood. (His one-liner when the tough Irish kids in his neighborhood demanded to know if he was Catholic is priceless! Good thing he was a fast runner....)

He was a very funny guy, and the book reads as though you could bring him back for a day and hang out while he just sits and tells stories. A lot of fun -- too bad it seems to be out of print.

It seems that no matter what he writes about, from the introduction about getting older to his nurse readjusting his toupee, he does it so very well with humor. (I did not even know that he wore a toupee!)

These are really short one to two page stories of incidents that had occurred during his lifetime. It may or may not have you laughing out loud. It will at the very least, bring a smile to your face.

I bought this book with the intention of reading one or two stories a day. I couldn't put it down. I was laughing out loud and my children begged me to read them what was so funny. I would read them some and they enjoyed it as much as I did. What started out as a month or so of giggles turned into an afternoon of belly-laughs.