Chambers Books

As the owner of an educational science publishing company and acollege science professor, I rely on current factual information aboutthe people who have worked in the field. Whenever I need concise comprehensive information about the lesser known researchers who have contributed so much to our world, I turn to this book and always find what I need. I would be lost without this reference. In a time when many of us do not have the hours or ability to conduct the tedious research on some rather obscure topics, this book is a lifesaver. In my capacity as a science professor I have recommended it over and over again for students of all ages. No science library should be without it.

I loved this play, I could relate to each character as if they had been friends throughout my life. It has wonderful clarity and so easily read. The author blind sided me though because it ended far too early. I wish it had a few 100 more pages!

Our last edition was over 10 years old. You can imagine that we are delighted with this new one. Since we acquired our first one (more years ago than I care to mention) the progress is visible. This is one of the most excellent handbooks for every civilized person, a necessity comparable only to the OED and a good world atlas. So neat and so handy,too!!!

I often taught Moliere's "Tartuffe" as an example of the neoclassical form of comedy in contrast to the romantic comedy represented by Shakespeare. We would read "Twelfth Night," a play set in a faraway exotic land where the point was simply romance, and then turn to "Tartuffe," where the contemporary society becomes one of the primary concerns of the comic dramatist. During the neoclassical period society was concerned with norms of behavior, and in a Moliere play you usually find a eccentric individual, out of step with the rest of society, who is laughed back to the right position. Moliere was concerned with social problems, which was while this particular play, dealing with the issue of hypocrisy, was banned for years. Keep in mind that originally hypocrisy was specific to religion, although today it can be used with regards to politics, sex, or even uncontroversial subjects. Consequently, the idea of characterizing Tartuffe as an imposter, would miss the point; he might be misrepresenting himself, but he is, indeed, Tartuffe.

The central character in "Tartuffe" is not the title character, but Orgon, a reasonably well to do man of Paris who is married to his second wife, Elmire, and has a song, Damis, and a daughter, Mariane, from his first marriage. He also has the misfortune of living with his mother, Madame Pernelle. Tartuffe is a religious hypocrite who worms his way into Orgon's confidence in order to take him for everything he is worth. Orgon is completely duped, and disinherits his son when Damis tries to prove Tartuffe is fraud. The other key character in the play is Dorine, who is Mariane's maid and the smartest person in the house, which allows her to both manipulate the action and comment on the play.

There are three crucial scenes in the play that readers should appreciate, even if it will not be covered on a future exam. The first is the opening scene (in Moliere's comedies the scene changes every time a character enters or exits) where we are introduced to Madame Pernelle, who promptly proceeds to criticize everybody in Orgon's household while praising Tartuffe. The result is that because she is so obnoxious, we have a low opinion of Tartuffe before he ever appears on stage. So, in addition to being a funny scene, it serves an important function in terms of the play. The second key scene comes when Orgon realizes he has been duped, and instead of continuing to ridicule his central character, Moliere turns him into a sympathetic figure. We laugh at Orgon while he does not have a clue as to his culpability in his coming demise, but once he starts to lose everything we stop laughing.

The final scene of interest, for mostly reasons external to the story, is the conclusion, where Moliere pulls what could only be called a "roi ex machina." This is because instead of dropping a god out of the sky in the manner of Euripides, Moliere has a representatative of the King arrive to set everything to rights. Tartuffe might pull the wool over the eyes of ordinary folk, but the King--in this case, King Louis XIV--is not fooled. The play "Tartuffe" was banned by the clergy after its first performance because it was seen as a thinly veiled attack against the Jansenists (a rather puritanical Catholic sect), and Moliere literally spent years rewriting it before the King gave his approval. It is not surprising that the playwright makes his patron the hero at the end of the play.

If you are only going to read (or teach) one Moliere play, then my choice would be "Tartuffe," even over "The Misanthrope," "The Imaginary Invalid," or "The Bourgeois Gentleman." I would argue that "Tartuffe" is the paradigmatic Moliere play, which best represents his comic techniques while also having a historical context that speaks to the tenor of the times in which he wrote. I also think it is the funniest of his plays.

A unique and empowering guide for anyone concerned with youth development. A Leader's Guide to The Struggle to Be Strong presents a creative and insightful connection of thirty stories written by teens about their own struggles to the seven resiliencies developed by Sybil and Steven Wolin is a masterpiece of strength based practice! It is refreshing and truly empowering to find a book that uses kids' struggles and pride to help other kids identify their unique resiliencies. A Leader's Guide to The Struggle to Be Strong is a gift to any strengths based practitioner. The concrete session plans offer suggestions for group leader preparation and practical suggestions for using the thirty stories in The Struggle to Be Strong. I will immediately give a personal copy to my teachers and group leaders.

An excellent and one of its kind resource for changing hearts and minds!

Erik K. Laursen, Ph.D.

This is an ideal book for a novice quilter. The instructions are clear, easy to follow and detailed. It contains great color illustrations and pictures. The chapter on "Basic Information" provides information on selecting supplies, care and storage of quilts, measurements, etc. I have already started one of the many quilts I'll make from this book.

I absoultely loved it! It is a classic play by a classic author.

In the 1970's a four volume project was designed to re-examine the life of filmmaker and ethnographer Maya Deren. Four authors worked within the structure of a feminist collective typical of the time with revolving editorship. According to Catrina Neiman, one of the authors, an anticipated outcome was to stimulate further academic study on Deren. Volume 1, Signatures concerns Deren's early and university life, involvement in socialist youth groups and early poetry and fiction. Chambers, part 2 ilustrates her development as a filmmaker through her first four films with documents on their production and reception. What is noteworthy of this project is the illumination of parts of Deren's life beyond the four year period between 1943 and 1946 which most people know about. The 40 year old Deren who was involved with ethnography and ethnomusicology as well as the young teen involved in political movements are areas new to us. The two remaining volumes are ready and have been so for years which publisher Anthology Film Archives has yet to release. ' Legend' embraces the transformative nature of Deren's work in different creative relationships and is the most comprehensive work to date on her life.

Not having known very much at all about Chopin, I cannot vouch for the accuracy in the Naxos entry in their CD and cassette Biography series; but I can vouch for the enjoyment (NA 421912) afforded me.

Written and produced by Jeremy Siepmann, this audio-bio not only tells the strange story of Chopin's life but also includes generous examples of his music, drawn from the bottomless pit of Naxos musical CDs. An excellent idea was to use actors for the voices of Chopin (Anton Lesser), George Sand and other females in his life (Elaine Claxton and Karen Archer), and other male acquaintances (Neville Jason). It is the kind of reading that would fascinate even if the work were fictional.

His letters are particularly fascinating, especially as they are read dramatically by the small cast; and one would rather hear about all his faults--physical and psychological--from people who knew him well. Perhaps his strange epistolary relationship with his Titus is dwelt upon a bit too much, but such are the times (then and now).

My only criticism in a negative direction is the length of the musical examples. I do not really think the entire "Revolutionary Etude" had to be played or the entire "Funeral March"; a minute or two with a fadeout would have been fine, especially on repeated hearings where one wants the facts. Nevertheless, highly recommended.

By the way, the listing above of this work as "abridged" is simply inaccurate since the text (I am told by the publicity person at Naxos) was written specifically for this recording and is by definition "unabridged."

I've been reading my utmost for his highest since 1986 (14 Years). Each time I read it I draw closer to our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ. As I read his biography, I again was drawn closer to God. His life is a reflection of Jesus Christ in our modern day. While we live in a day of pleading and begging for funds and help, Chambers has again brought us back to the reality of trusting the Father and Jesus Christ, for our most basic needs. When we trust and obey, Jesus can move mountains. Jesus never whined, nor begged, nor worried; neither did He ever seek for Himself. It was always for the Father. Oswald's life always pointed to Christ, never himself! His eyes were always focused on our Lord, and material possesions never obstructed his view (That's because he continually gave away everything he ever had). David McCasland has done a tremendous job of researching, compiling, and blending: the life, writings, and the humaness of Oswald Chambers. Seeing his life has really helped me to understand his radical devotion to Christ, and how I can practically give my utmost for His highest. If you desire to be a disciple of Christ, this is a must read for you. No other man has brought me to the feet of Jesus, like Oswald Chambers.

Bob Moorer A man who loves Jesus