Cusack Books

A village priest and his friend, the (communist) mayor, drive throught their native Spain to Salamanca with many wine and cheese breaks and hillside siestas on the way. Both are having to rethink the choices they've made and will make. In this road trip intimacy they share their thoughts, question eachother's beliefs and make mild attempts at converting the other, always with warm regard. The wine helps. A tender, hilarious and heartbreaking book. Much happier than other Graham Greene.

Entertaining, quite easy to read, and profound. On the surface this is a short novel about about an unassuming village priest (promoted to Monsignor) and the deposed ex-mayor (the more "world-wise" of the pair) who take a road trip. It is set in post-Franco Spain of about the late 1970's. Monsignor Quixote is a devout Catholic, the ex-mayor (Sancho) a devout Communist. Their adventures include run-ins with the police, stops at a brothel and risque movie, an encounter with a robber, inciting a community riot, and so on. They have long talks, with hearts and lips loosened by much wine (which they revere). Monsignor Quixote loves his old car, which in a way becomes yet an additional character in the story. We can all identify with this pair to some degree, be ye Christian or Communist. The mayor is washed up politically. The monsignor has a jerk for a boss (his bishop). It's light and fun, and has many laughable moments, but . . . .

Deeper - the author explores issues within Christianity and (to a lesser extent) Communism. Issues of; the "trinity" and the Holy Spirit, prayer, elitism and insincerity in the church, loyalty and betrayal, "brown-nosing", police oppression, financial scandal in the church, sexuality, "moral theology" vs. righteous brotherly love, generosity and hospitality, comparisons and contrasts between The Church and The Communist Party, etc, etc. A thinking person's feast. Easy to absorb and digest, but dwell on points of interest as long as you like.

The monsignor, though portrayed as a simple man, is a talented wit, as is the mayor, and their exchanges are a joy to read. In his behavior and philosophy, the monsignor is given to "coloring outside the lines" so to speak, which keeps him in trouble with his bishop. But really . . . he is a humble, wise, lovable and loving man, who exercises and lives a pure religion much superior to his rule-abiding, judgemental colleagues. And he is persecuted for it (sound familiar?). Sancho, though more wordly, cynical, and having rejected the chuch, is not so bad a guy either and they play well off one another.

In the end, the monsignor is able to find some good in Karl Marx, as the mayor reconnects a bit with the God he left many years before.

One need not be Catholic to connect with and enjoy this book (I'm not). This is the second Graham Greene book I've read, the other being, The Power and the Glory. A wonderful author - most highly recommended.

A really moving and thought-provoking novel. In this book, Greene brings up all kinds of interesting ideas, whilst maintaining a sense of humour. Unlike a lot of other books that deal with issues like religion, this isn't at all heavy-going, owing to the engaging style of writing.

This is one of the funniest and cleverest novels I have ever read. It is also one of the deepest. Behind the clever adaptation of the Don Quixote story to a context in post-Franco Spain there is a dance of ideas, much as Shaw's plays are a dance of ideas, and the questions dealt with are the biggest and most fundamental that we all have to deal with.

An innocent and un-intellectual Catholic priest sets out on a holiday with a communist politician, and their discussions, always friendly and courteous and greatly assisted by wine, centre on their respective faiths. The communist faith is much the more straightforward - the ex-mayor, defeated at a recent election, finds the general outlook of Marx congenial, he finds that doubt shackles freedom of action, and that's about as far as his introspection goes. Catholicism is about bigger issues altogether, such as do we go to heaven or to hell for all eternity, and the concepts involved, for someone who really thinks about them honestly, are sufficient to unseat anyone's mind. There is no real alternative to thinking about them, so in the interests of peace of mind what people do is to think about them not honestly but either ingenuously or disingenuously. Graham Greene, like Muriel Spark, was a convert to Catholicism, and like Dame Muriel his treatment of it in his writing is wry and ironic. What he really `believed' is not quite clear and I'm sure not meant to be. Indeed he even casts some doubt around the question of what `belief' actually consists of, and rightly so in my own view. At one point Father Quixote admits that a certain doctrine is one that he believes out of obedience, an admirable attitude for traditionalist believers whether Catholic or communist - you believe x because you're supposed to believe it and you'll be in trouble if you don't. Greene quite obviously sees that Catholic doctrine evolved as a book of rules to keep people under control. What started as religious and ethical teaching developed rapidly into thought-enforcement and thought-policing, but the matter goes even deeper - behind it all there is supposed to be a God whose word the ecclesiastical power-structure dispenses, and this God is not, like Marx, someone who certainly exists but only a hypothesis. How much further Greene wishes us to pursue this line of thought I'm not clear, but for me two considerations follow - firstly what is supposed to be God's word is actually a human construct foisted on the hypothetical God, something that to me seems outright blasphemy; and in the second place we have a clearer idea these days what the Creator has created, and such a Creator is not likely to bear much resemblance to Jehovah in the scriptures having to assert his authority against Baal, Dagon etc at intervals. Indeed if there is one crumb of comfort in the contemplation of such a Creator it's likely to be that he will take little or no notice of our insolence in presuming to speak for his intentions.

Towards the end of the book Greene says something to the effect that in the absence of certain knowledge one goes for the next best thing. For him this is `faith', for me it's probability, as best I can assess that. Greene is able, as I am not, to find a sense of `believing' that takes in the soul as well as the mind. When I say that I believe something I mean that it seems to me true or probable, and considerations that bring me spiritual comfort are unrelated to belief in this sense entirely. Greene seems not to go so far, but I venture to think that he's nearer to my way of seeing things than to `faith' in the conventional sense. What is completely unmistakable is the irony with which he observes the way that the devout have of finding support in the scriptures and in philosophy built on them for convenient viewpoints and courses of action.

The book is not so much about the rival ideas, nor even so much about what people do with these as about what the ideas do with people who for some reason adhere to them, as if the ideas had taken on a higher life of their own, dominating and controlling the very people who create them and without whom they could never exist. This may indeed be what we call divine in them. What is divine in a more earthly sense about this book is the humour and ingenuity of it all. It is a simple story as well as a battle of ideas, and a touching one too, with emotion and human affection finally dominant over the intellectual side. A delightful book, a beautiful book and I would even say a great book.

MONSIGNOR QUIXOTE by Graham Greene was thoroughly enjoyable, and touched, as some of Greene's better works are, with a divine stroke of love and genius. And I do mean, divine. It's hard to find the words to praise Greene enough. His novels are so well executed, so elegantly written, so touching and so unexpectedly changing. They read easily, are very accessible. This book references DON QUIXOTE by Miguel de Cervantes, so I was doubly engaged here, as I had just read it. This book is about a priest, Father Quixote, who lives in El Toboso, Spain. Through a happenstance act of kindness to a man in power in the Catholic Church in Rome, Father Quixote is made a Monsignor, much to his bishop's dismay. His bishop has never liked Father Quixote. Due to his "promotion" Father Quixote has some time to take for himself, and leaves El Toboso with the town's former mayor, who has lost his re-election bid, whose last name is Panza, just like the famous Don Quixote's squire, Sancho, so Father Quixote calls his friend Sancho. Like the first and second sally in Cervantes, Monsignor Quixote and Sancho go forth in the world and have adventures. What I found wonderful about this book was the discussion between these two men about Communism and religion. They trade books and references, and argue principles lightly and engagingly. What is true about both men as Greene writes them is that they are loving people. Sancho is more cynical, but he is kind and is genuinely friends with Monsignor Quixote, and the monsignor, for his part, is truly loving, naive and true. The end of the book is a surprising and stunningly beautiful apotheosis of the ideas expressed within. This is one of my favorite works by Greene, and reminded me in some ways of the life-changing END OF THE AFFAIR. I highly recommend it.

This is a good book for beginner applique artists. Lots of tips, pictures and projects to learn on.

I love this book. If you're interested in this kind of art, this book will appeal to amateurs, professionals, or just folks who appreciate art in general.

This book will give you important information on work safety, image and color selection, and stitching techniques. It also tells the story of a successful artist and how she works. The book has colorful examples of her commissioned work and how she brought them to be. Margaret Cusack's images speak of the loving and supportive family that is literally part of her fiber---and artistic inspiration. I bought three copies and will probably get a few more to give as additional gifts.

Creating still lifes in quilts is becoming more recognized as a fine quilt art and Margaret Cusack's Picture Your World In Applique: Creating Unique Images With Fabric is the place to turn to for instruction. Use memories and pictures from life and transform them into lovely appliqued pictures with a guide to creating machine-stitched applique from realistic scenes. From selecting pictures to cutting and stitching fabrics, Picture Your World In Applique covers all the moves.

This book was very helpful to me when creating my own large scale designs; her ideas on how to bring depth and perspective to a larger scene is fantastic. Especially interesting for me was the land and city-scapes. Some of the other styles were less appealing but the approach steps still added value.

It was all really engrossing - the village life, the train and bus trips - the crazy expats. But my favorite chapter was about the Maasai. I'm putting my pennies in my piggy bank already - hoping to get to the Serengeti one day and experience a little of this fascinating culture for myself.

I think I have read just about every travel book ever published and this one rates way at the top - for the writing, the insights, and the good will - from start to finish. The bus scapades through Zambia and Zimbabwe were hysterical - I'm still laughing. Can't wait to find out where this author goes next.

Winds the Road North is the story of an ordinary family from the developed world who make a life in Africa under extraordinary conditions. They live in northern Tanzania and face the same daily struggles as the local population. Thirteen-year old Kaniah attends the village school and shares all the hurts, fears, and magical dreams of her classmates. But Kaniah misses the camaraderie of friends back home and begins to understand what it is like to live among strangers who will never really understand. Winds the Road North is a personal journal and cadidid observation of Africa today. It is honest, funny, and frankly unsentimental and will appeal to all those seeking to understand the racial and religious tensions simmering beneath our global village.

My first time reading this author. Hope there is more.

You really should read this book if you want to find out why the world is in so much chaos today. It is an ordinary woman's story about life for the average person in Africa today. It is not about droughts, famine, or war. It is about struggling to get by - and about the daily joys and despairs of ordinary people - black, white, and brown. You won't see this on TV. It is honest, frank, funny, and compassionate. Read it.

Carol Chillington Rutter is supreme when it comes to talking clearly and intelligently about the Renaissance, its champion women, its theatre and performance, and stagings of Renaissance plays in more recent times. This book is an invaluable part of Ms Chillington Rutter's impressive and growing bibliography. Witty, perceptive and extremely informative, it is an absolute must for anyone interested in performance, women's roles in male-directed productions, and the theatrical process from first days of rehearsals to final performances.

An edited transcript of interview and round-table discussions amongst five of the best female actors to grace the modern British stage, this book is a wealth of fascinating material not only on female roles in Shakespeare, but also public, directorial, and historical/traditional perceptions of those roles, and of the place of women in Shakespearean productions in particular. Standouts include Harriet Walter's compare'n'contrast of Helena from ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL with Imogen in CYMBELINE; Juliet Stevenson and Fiona Shaw's discussion of the Rosalind/Celia relationship in AS YOU LIKE IT; and Paola Dionisetti and Sinead Cusack comparing two different Kates from two different productions of TAMING OF THE SHREW. Great companion volume to go with the PLAYERS OF SHAKESPEARE series of books.

Five of Britain's best women actors (including Harriet Walter, Juliet Stevenson and Sinead Cusack) offer insights into their portrayals of some of Shakespeare's greatest roles. Lady Macbeth, Isabella (Measure for Measure), Kate (Taming of the shrew) and Rosalind (As you like it) are some of the roles discussed. Comparisons of different productions, directors and leading men are highlights of this wonderful collection of anecdotes, insights and lively discussion of Shakespeare and theatre today.

For nearly sixty years, China has pursued a policy of subduing Tibet by outlawing traditional Tibetan Buddhist practices, suppressing political freedom, overwhelming local populations with ethnic Chinese settlers, destroying historic buildings and institutions, and exploiting natural resources.

Yet the Tibetan identity and desire for independence have not been crushed. Cusack sees hope for freedom in united action, both within and outside of Tibet. Success will come with fostering a "new level of organization and leadership" in the government in exile, coordinating the efforts of Tibet support groups, and perhaps most important, reaching out to the hearts and minds of the Chinese people. Eloquently and systematically, Cusack builds his case that Tibetans and Chinese share the same needs and desires. Promoting common goals - freedom of speech, religion, and association; free elections, more transparent government, and comprehensive social services - is a crucial precursor for change.

Cusack's book recounts some twenty years of how Tibetans and Tibet Support Groups (TSGs) from around the world have worked to educate presidents, ministers, religious leaders and common citizens about the China's invasion and occupation of Tibet.

His story is compelling, inciting moral outrage in its narration of the Chinese government's half-century of occupation and their attempts to marginalize Tibetans in their own land. Using hundreds of interviews with the movement's devoted campaigners, Cusack chronicles how TSGs have worked in support of the courage and resilience of Tibetans as they seek to preserve and restore their culture and religion, and to shape their own destiny.

The book's substantive detail is matched by its spare writing style. In this regard, Cusack succeeds in writing a book for a global audience -- even if English is not your first language, you will be able to follow much of this book. In addition, the final chapter provides a compelling articulation of the challenges that the Dalai Lama, Tibetans in Tibet and in exile, and the TSGs face as they try to maintain a movement seeking "genuine autonomy" for a people who, even after more than fifty years, through courage and resilience, refuse to give up hope.

Given the recent and on-going events that have been brought to light about how the Chinese government and the Communist Party continue to subject Tibetans to their authoritarian regime, there is not book more timely in its substance and its broad audience as Cusack's "Tibet's War of Peace.

This book comes out at a perfect time. If you want to understand why Tibetans are protesting against Chinese oppression, if you want to understand why China does not want the international community to know about its inhumane treatment of Tibetans and the determination of the Chinese government to wipe out Tibetan culture, you need to read this book. Cusack goes back to the Chinese invasion of Tibet and the subsequent escape of the Dalai Lama to India and details the ups and downs of Tibetan efforts for the world to recognize their plight. He also outlines the emergence of the Dalai Lama as a spokesman for nonviolent protest and as a spiritual leader, not only of Tibetans, but of people all over the world.

Read this book if you want to make sense of what is happening in the world today - It is funny, magical, strong and sometimes bewildering. Why do some immigrants find it hard to become Americans? Read it and find out.

November 17, 2003
I really appreciate the opportunity to read Geraldine's
book over the past few days. I can tell you this, it has been a long,
long time since I was able to "feel" a book I was reading. I was "in the
picture" the whole time. I guess the time span (which pretty much matched
my own) helped because I remember so much of what those times were like.
I found that being a Sicilian-Scotch Catholic wasn't so different from
being Irish Catholic in America. We all had so many of the same

experiences that we are truly all nearly the same. Geraldine's book
unfolded in my hands and I felt excitement and worry for Michael Joe as he
followed his heart and became a renegade and a hero. I would love to have
met him. Everything was so counter balanced by Nellie. It broke my heart
a little when he lost her and followed soon after. What a testament to
love and "being one". I feel like I've learned so much about what Ireland
must really be like....not the travel stuff that we all know, but the true
heart, spirit and geography of what must be an incredible land......What a truly delightful clan. I hope this
book does very well. People need to have this kind of experience...My
only regret, having finished the book, is what now?
Thanks, again, to you for bringing the book to me and, certainly, thanks
to Geraldine for putting it all down on paper.
Don Senger

houston, texas

A fascinating story of Sydney at the end of the Second World War. Well written, although you may need a dictionary of Australian slang at times. The whole story unfolds in just 5 days, showing the lives and loves of women in a society changed by war. The authors show life as they observed it, not the romantic touristic style but reality: fun for some, tragedy for others. The characters are well developed, just towards the end some of the dialogues were getting a bit tiring. I mean, how many times can you take reading 'jeepers' on just one page? Still, it's a great book, worth reading.

I love this book and I can't belive I am writting the first review for this well loved classic. This fast paced story revolves around a week in the lives of the girls who work in the Marie Antionette beauty salon in the Hotel South Pacific, Sydney during WWII. It lifted way more than a few brows when it was published by those who preferred not to remember the prostitution, black marketing and gambling that flourished along with the war. The writting is lively, funny and it is unbelivebly easy to lose yourself in this novel.

Originally relegated to the fusty back pages of the protein synthesis chapters of your tired and true Biochemistry textbook, the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases roar back to life in a gripping epic helmed by Ibba, Francklyn, and Cusack. These wonderful enzymes, which embrace the essence of the genetic code as part of their catalytic activity, are revealed to play a much broader deeper role in many aspects of prokaryotic and eukaryotic biology. In this volume, their deepest secrets are revealed in thirty six brilliantly written and edited chapters. I wish this book was around when I came up with the Adapter Hypothesis

-F.H.C. Crick

Orlando's greedy brother wants him out of the way. Rosalind's uncle the Duke wants her out of the way. When Orlando disappears at the same time Rosalind and her cousin disappear, the Duke sends the brother to retrieve them.

Orlando flees to Arden Forest, where the Rosalind's father, who was deposed by the present Duke, leads a band of outlaws reminiscent of Robin Hood's Merry Men. Rosalind dons men's clothes and buys a farm on the edge of Arden. Then things begin to really get complicated. In order for everyone to live happily ever after, Shakespeare has to resort to some highly improbable coincidences and repentances.

Not one of Shakespeare's best plays, but entertaining enough, especially as it has been done so well by Arkangel Shakespeare.

Bamboo World is one of the very best , most comprehensive,most
detailed , best photographed, authoritative texts on bamboos
and clumping bamboos especially that there is (was!) available.
Why the heck it would now be out of print is a real mystery.
It is also a pity and a blow to those of us cultivating
clumping bamboos.
This book is IT for those who do.
Bring it back into print ASAP....
please ;^)