Burton Books

Mary Sheppard Burton is a storyteller, a treasured tradition-bearer who recounts the history and heritage of rural life in the early years of the twentieth century. Mary has taken a utilitarian craft and elaborated upon it to create works of art that are both personal and communal: vibrantly visual, exquisitely designed and crafted hooked rugs. Like all great folk artists, she creates for the pure joy of creativity, without regard to commerce or sales. This book illustrates well the joy and expansive beauty of her artistry and her role as community storyteller. Peggy A. Bulger, Director, American FolkLife Center, Library of Congress, Washington, DC

Burton's volume covers the history, characteristics, training and care of your Pembroke Welsh Corgi. As a new dog owner, this book was a pleasure to read, being packed with useful information. The pictures and layout make this volume a great coffee table book. I highly recommend it.

I first read THE PERFUMED GARDEN OF THE SHAYKH NEFZAWI with a totally platonic friend at college. Within minutes, we were all over each other. Since then, we've been having the best sex of our lives several times daily. Thanks Shaykh Nefzawi!

This is basically the Persian Kama Sutra, although it is probably even more comprehensive in scope, covering many aspects of lovemaking, not just the positions.

This is the edition and translation by Sir Richard Burton (not to be confused with the recent actor), who was a renowned 19th century explorer, Arabic linguist, and sword expert. I'm more familiar with his famous book on sword types and history, which is one of the best ever written. I am a sword instructor myself, and found his book invaluable in extending my own knowledge of some of the other traditions, I being mainly a Chinese and Japanese stylist.

Cheikh Nafzaouwi (not sure of the original spelling anymore, so I apologize in advance for that) intended this book to be useful as a practical manual for any man in his sex life, and, considering it was written in the 16th century, it just goes to show you that not much has changed when it comes to sex.

Some of the sections are downright funny, such as the chapter that begins with all the Arabic terms and descriptions for the different personalities or "types of vulvas." They are described in words such as (I forget the Arabic terms, but anyway, the definition is the funny part): "This is the vulva of a woman who has not had intercourse in a long time. It will not allow you to withdraw until you have entered it again and again." Other names translate as "the great one," and "the playful one." There are other even funnier descriptions, which I don't recall right now, but anyway, this will give you some idea of what they're like.

Anyway, this book is entertaining if only for some of the choicer sections such as the above.

Captain Sir Richard Francis Burton was a man of considerable talents. Liguist, swordsman, soldier, writer/poet/translator, explorer. The list is much too long to present here. This is as much an account of the Muslim world that Burton came to know and love as it is a telling of the Victorian age in which he lived. If you love history and great writing then this book is for you!

This is an excellent guide for anyone who is interested in the construction and manipulation of phage display libraries. There is a plethora of background information and current techniques that is useful for anyone interested in this technology.

My son had this book when he was younger; he is now 7. He could never get enough. The rhythem of the book made it a great book to read.

This is a really fun, silly adventure story with kid-pirates (with names like Sackbottom and Tattoo Tessie) at the helm. There are flaps on every page, and even a fold-out game board and game spinner tucked in a back-pocket. (The game is similar to CandyLand.) I gave this book to my nephew (age 5); he made me play this game with him for HOURS!

Pollin, a renowned Poe scholar, ranges widely in tracing his influence, from Melville, Henry James, and Rudyard Kipling, to Saul Bellow and Stephen King. The book also contains seven short reviews of Poe-related fiction, including James Clavell's Shogun and Joyce Carol Oates My Heart Laid Bare. Pollin notes that the source and development ofThomas Mann's great novel Buddenbooks is tied to Poe's The Fall of the House of Usher.
Altogether, this is an astonishing and entertaining literary adventure.

The title of this volume of 200 tanka by Saigyo (1118-1190) is "Poems of a Mountain Home" and, indeed, the collection has the scent of Buddhism throughout. Burton Watson has again done a beautiful translation, capturing the spirit of the age without getting artificial and superficial about it.

Mountain village
where wind makes sad noises
in the pines --
and adding to the loneliness
the cry of an evening cicada

(page 146)

I recommend this as a worthy addition to any collection of Japanese poetry.