Dunne Books

If you find bold business endeavors fascinating, and you're intrigued by the colossal mistakes of one of the 20th century's greatest entrepreneur, then I must recommend this book. FORDLANDIA is based on the true story of Henry Ford's ill-conceived and catastrophic decision to start his own rubber plantation in the jungles of Brazil. This has been the most fascinating and original novel I have read in a long time. The author, Eduardo Sguiglia, has a very clear and crisp form of writing that immerses you in a very different culture. I'm sure you'll enjoy this novel as well as learn plenty about the mistakes one of our greatest businessmen.

This historical novel is fascinating on a lot of levels, but especially for anyone interested in business. It can be read as a cautionary tale of corporate hubris, of ego mania, and the business failure to which that can lead. Such an original book. Couldn't put it down.

This book will be challenging for those who do not have a medium-to-strong background in Buddhist philosophy, although a background in western philosophy might be sufficient. John Dunne is considered one of the most prominent rising scholars in the field of Buddhist studies in the US, following on from the generation of Robert Thurman, Jeffrey Hopkins, and others. Although published by Wisdom Publications, one should know that this book is written more for scholars than for Buddhist practitioners. Not that these two are mutually exclusive categories, by any means. In fact, Buddhist monastic education places a great emphasis on the works of Dharmakirti precisely because an understanding of epistemology, logic, and reasoning is an invaluable guide to the practice of the Buddhist path, which involves developing a correct understanding of how things exist.

Despite the tremendous importance of Dharmakirti for Mahayana Buddhism (and even for the development of Indian philosophy more generally), there are not many books that treat in detail the writings of this powerful thinker. Based on a command of Sanskrit and Tibetan, and a strong knowledge of Buddhist philosophy, John Dunne has created what will surely be regarded as the starting place for the study of Dharmakirti in the English language. Because Dharmakirti wrote mainly in the modes of the Sautrantika and Yogacara philosophical "tenet schools," this book also serves as a very good work for coming to understand Sautrantika philosophy.

Dharmakirti is a rather complicated Buddhist philosopher. Dunne admirably renders Dharmakirti sensible and transforms his sometimes dry arguments into something rather more exciting. Highly recommended for anyone wanting to develop their understanding of Dharmakirti. The most lucid account of Dharmakirti on the market as far as I am concerned.

I loved this book, and was sad to finish! It's a wonderfully juicy saga about the British upperclass - rich with scandal...

Epic "class society" beach read about the six godchildren of a wealthy tycoon--their lives, loves, and miseries spanning four decades. Part social commentary; Nicholas Coleridge is a keen observer of the British upper and middle classes; see his most recent novel A Much Married Man, which was a bit better than Godchildren. Plenty of intrigue and scandal. Sometimes a little campy-trashy but other times very poignant. Exotic locales also makes it a good escape novel. Hard to put down.

I love this book, it's fab and everyone should read it.i love the charachters and the interatction and the plot

I've read it lots of times.

An incredible accomplishment. Middleton interweaves 3 stories: Jacob Grimm at the end of his life, key moments throughout Grimm's life, and a stylized version (related to Grimm's life) of the fairy tale, Briar Rose. All three stories are richly interwoven and overlapped, so you are never quite sure which is influencing the other. Middleton uses wonderful pacing, beautiful language and a "well-spun" yarn to keep the reader thoroughly engaged. As a history buff, I appreciated Middleton's ability to include historical and cultural background to help explain the purpose behind Grimm's actions. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the history of fairy tales, German development during the early 19th century, the life and times of the Grimm's Brothers, or simply a well-told story.

Middleton's Grimm ranks with Angela Carter's bejeweled fairytale rewrites in BURNING MY BOATS. He weaves three plots into one story. First he tells of the life of Jacob Grimm in his last year as he takes a sentimental journey across Germany to an early home he shared with his brother during Wilhelm's marriage. He tells of Jacob and Wilhelm's youth and their mother's stories that burst with blood and suicide, and how these stories later lead into the the brothers collecting horrific children's tales. He tells of Jacob's tie to his late brother's daughter, who falls in love with their mysterious manservant, Kummel. And he tells the story of Sleeping Beauty as it has never been told before and which parallels Jacob's own life. All these stories are suffused with marvelous description and surreal imagery that at once rubs shoulders with gripping realism and such rich epithets as "Her face would split a pitcher." For me, this is a stunning invention and modern classic that follows the German soul into its darkest subterranean windings that lead later into jackboots on cobblestones. Do yourself a huge favor and dip in.

David Moody is now my favorite author. I look forward to his new books with great anticipation. The realism of his stories (while taking place in such fantastic predicaments) adds a layer of suspense that never fails to clutch at my heart. And throat. And bowels. Mr. Moody's novel "TRUST" is an excellent example of the "Fantastic Realism" of which I speak. It was an honest tale of how the world would react if we weren't the only........but I never spoil a book for someone who has yet to read it.
David Moody keeps getting better & better--I own all of his books and every one is excellent. He always chooses a terrific subject and then brings it to very realistic life. Please read his "AUTUMN" series to see what I mean.
As long as David Moody keeps writing,I will keep buying his books! BRAVO!

Hater is a book that is easy to relate to because the main character is so much like any one of us. He isn't the hero type, he is a man struggling to get through life, when suddenly life changes. The book kept me on the edge of my seat, and always wanting to read more. It was full of excitement, and twists that I didn't see coming. When I finished the book I just sat back and said "WOW".

very informative. the contributions to the Scots in America are incredible . the leadership they provided helped shape this country and make it the greatest nation in the world.

The Scots have influenced American history from Viking exploration times to modern times, so it's about time they deserve their own focus - and in How The Scots Made America, author Michael Fry provides this in a survey of how Americans of Scottish roots helped shaped the country. Fry is himself Scottish and has been called 'Scotland's most controversial writer': his columns have long focused on Scottish-American history both in America and England, so he's in the perfect position to provide an authoritative blend of social history and culture.

good read. reveals epistmological groundings of human rights...

Premise and Review:
This book exposes the contradictory thoughts, politics, and practices of human rights. It explores philosophical and practical foundations of the universality of human rights and human wrongs. It explores who is responsible for the implementation of human rights and to what degree. The book examines the failures, the successes, the setbacks and the gains of various groups, not only governments, but NGO's, the media, grassroots efforts, and individuals. It looks at the gaps in interpretation and implementation of human rights. Different authors tackle the compliance gap from a different angle and propose a way to close it. From start to finish, the reader is taken on a tour of the theory and implementation of global human rights.

Why should you read this book?
The book is a compilation of essays around different aspects in Human Rights. If you are interested in getting a wide perspective and different, sometimes conflicting, ideas to think about in order to form a more better opinion of your own, this would be the book to read. The first half of the book looks at the Human Rights issue and if there is a way to define global human rights without prescribing human nature and eclipsing cultural diversity. Some articles are philosophical, some appealing to good politics, at least one opposed to the concept of universality, and others tugging at heartstrings, but all make impacting statements about their perspective.
The second half of the book looks at specific human wrongs and how norms can be implemented. Different subjects are tackled looking at historic development and/or current global politics from many levels.
The book provides an excellent background into the political actions, academic debates, and historical events in the subject of human rights.
If the reader has a keen interest in getting more scope and insight into this complex issue this is a highly recommended book and I recommend taking it slow and with a highlighter. Each writer specializes in presenting an in-depth analysis of one facet of the complex problem often interpreting historical and current political events and examining different arenas of influence. The editors did a superb job of making sure that a wide range of thought and approaches were included.

Why shouldn't you read this book?
The book isn't necessarily for the lay reader. Some authors assume the reader has prior familiarity and background with different historical events, such as Westphalia, or political philosophies, such as Locke. However, not knowing these should not impede the reader's understanding too greatly. It certainly doesn't require any cross-referencing or additional research to understand the text. Some of the writing is in difficult and abstract language. There are parts that seemed dry or long. This book is definitely not casual reading material but is more like a textbook on the subject. It isn't a book a person will stick with long if there isn't something driving them to read it, be it external or internal. The subject is huge and overwhelming and it is easy for even the most empowered and politically active individual to feel dwarfed by the magnitude of human wrongs and the struggle to define human rights.

Is this what the psychiatrists mean when they speak of character dissociation? Throughout a day spent in the emotionally vulnerable state of premenstrual stress, the protagonist continually runs up against reminders of the most trying times of her life, with disastrous emotional echoes.

An amazing book. The story of Mary Dunne's life is told in the space of just one day's meetings and memories. And over and over she asks herself the same question throughout the book that you must ask: Is she losing her mind? Or is this just a bad and shaky moment, exacerbated by hormonal changes?

Any woman that has ever suffered through a day with the glibly labelled PMS will recognize Mary's Mad Twin. And among those, many of us must also identify with her fearful sense of lost identity, and fears of the wide open edges of mental dysfunction.

Frightening, internal, true-to-life - this is not a book to read in an off-balance moment. But it is an amazing internal portrait of a woman. It would be an amazing portrait even if it was written by a woman; how much more so when written by a man! Yet Moore seems to effortlessly empathize completely and realistically. He has once again created a wholly believable and poignant character whom we must follow through the toils of her personal hell.

On a whim, I purchased a frayed copy of this book in a thrift shop because it was published the year I was born, and I wanted to get a peek into the culture of that time. I certainly didn't expect to aquire one of the most affecting novels I've ever read. Moore, who also wrote the wrenching JUDITH HEARNE - - filmed as THE LONELY PASSION OF JUDITH HEARNE with Maggie Smith in 1987 - - has an elegant and inviting voice that immediately draws you into the persona of his heroine. (The book is told in the first person.) The writer displays subtle but complete authority as a storyteller, alternating humor with pathos, and reading this poignant and eerie character study is (to use a cliche) a treat....one that I would highly recommend.

Once again, Margie Shulz has provided an outstanding record of a masterly lady with an extensive and impressive career. Irene Dunne was the complete lady. She combined a very successful film career with a happy and rewarding personal life and when she retired from the screen, she devoted much time to charitable works. All of this has been extensively recorded in an excellent essay which begins the book. In fact, the essay is more enlightening than the biography of Dunne which appeared a few years ago and much easier to read. These bio-bibliographies are very expensive but this is one of the best.

These Greenwood books are a mixed bag but this is one of the best I've seen, thoroughly researched with a lot of rare information.

The Orsini's have captured the reality of Italian cooking that few others can master.

What some of the more glamorous books on the market neglect to impress upon their readers is the purpose of good cooking, be that Italian or otherwise. Such purpose is the pride that can only come from serving others. And who could know that better than Father Orsini?

That is shown with the style of this book's writing alone. The writing and detail of process show what purpose great cooking can give others.

There is a bit of a renaissance in Italian culture of late, and especially in its cooking. (Although it has never left us in order to be _reborn_!) Too many authors seem to be observers of the craft, and they present what they have seen in such a way that one could duplicate such efforts. But what most professional cooks and authors fail to observe and document is the mood - the feel, of great cultural cooking. And that mood is family, whether they be blood relatives or close friends. Italian cooking is about showing love to friends and family. And the Orsini's know this.

Father Joseph Orsini brings the true flavor of traditional Italian cooking into the American kitchen with this work. This book is unquestionably for anyone and everyone, especially those who think Italian dining means just spaghetti and meatballs. And don't believe that the recipes contained herein are difficult to duplicate. He even gives low fat alternatives for those who are cautious of their fat intake (without sacrificing flavor, I might add). This book would be a bargain at twice the price.