Nicholson Books

i just got back from Bosnia, including the city of Mostar, and decided to learn more about the war there. So I found an old copy of the film; "Welcome to Sarajuevo", and this book too.
This is the best book I've ever read about the life of a war correspondant. It also gave more info than the film. I'd found the film confusing the first time I'd seen it. After reading the book I see why they made a film out of it. I'm very curious to see what ever happened with this young adoptee, Natasha. I think of her a lot because the story made her come alive. As I regard my own non-adopted 8-yr-old daughter, I see the same sorts of behavior of Natasha, after Natasha's adoption, when she became a bit spoiled in England. I'm encouraged that this child was so resilient that she turned from a floor-sweeping, hard worker to a normal difficult-to-motivate-for-chores child. Does that mean my own child might also have a chance to be a hard-worker?
This is a very moving, worthwhile story for adoptees, adoptors and people interested in the recent history of Yugoslavia.

Whilst I must be quick to point out that I was never SAS trained, I did complete SAS Selection in 1971 as part of my being accepted for service attached to this, the most famous of all Regiments. In those days, any trained soldier who wished to become a member of the SAS was required to undergo five separate month-long courses. The first of these was called "Selection" and, over time, the whole process became known by that name. I completed the first month...

I commend author Tony Geraghty for getting it just about spot on with this book. His approach to the subject, coupled with his undoubted knowledge of the Regiment has allowed him to tell the story of 22 SAS without actually straying into the realms of betraying state secrets and all that. It's not always easy to know what you can say and what you must not say.

I am also grateful to him for a moving account of the death of someone I was once very proud to call friend. Purely by chance, I even met that man's kid sister in Fiji over 7 years after I had left the Regiment when learned a great deal more about him.

This is a 5 star product written by a man who combines a professional skill with words with a knowledge of his subject. Oh that all books had such qualities.

NM

If you answered, one's race is the color of one's skin, then you need to read this book.

Nicholson uses historical evidence to show that although people where certainly different colors, race did not exists as a concept prior to the 15th century. He then goes on to document how the idea of race was created in the interaction between newly forming Eurpean nation states and their colonies in Africa, Asia and America. He shows how race was used to solidify the "we" of a nation's citizans by creating a "they" to conquer and rule.

This dynamic occured regardless of color. Jews became a "race" in Germany, which lacked foreign colonies, the Hutus and Tutsies became separate "races" in what is now Rawanda due to divisions fostered by British colonial rulers.

This book offers both great hope and a stern warning. Race is not a natural phemomina, it was made as part of human society and it can be unmade. However, race and nation are bound tightly, and as long as long as there exists a social "we," whether based on race or nationality, there will be a "they" and race and racism will persist

From Abbas (Persian conqueror), to Zhukov (World War II Marshal of the Soviet Union), the authors have listed all the significant military figures, not only the famous combat commanders, but also the great organizers of victories, thinkers and theorists, and military technocrats, and not forgetting the heroes, "symbols of daring and romance".
Each entry is succinct but comprehensive, and the authors are refreshingly not reluctant to evaluate the historical reputations of the great.
Very readable, and with helpful glossary and maps, this work will find a place on the shelf of the most experienced reader of military history, as well as the more casual reader.
(The numerical rating above is a default setting within Amazon's format. This reviewer does not employ numerical ratings.)

Sir William Nicholson has been neglected probably more than he should have. As one of the most innovative graphic designers of the turn of the 20th century (along with his brother in law Jonathon Pryde), he rates more study than he has thus far achieved. A biography which manages to successfully focus on the particulars of his life and probably is in long overdue. Nicholson did have the sort of life that would interest a biographer, innovative and controversial artist (based on ground breaking depiction of Queen Victoria), father-in-law to Robert Graves, and painting instructor to Winston Churchill. Perhaps someone will discover Nicholson and produce the blockbuster life study that he deserves.

For the time being, this beautiful book addresses half of this equation in that it covers the work in comprehensive fashion. Lavishly illustrated one comes away with a sense of what made Nicholson a great artist and in a variety of mediums.

I must confess that my favorite works by Nicholson have been the early lithographs and advertising posters. The lithographs are still available to collectors (though generally not sold in sets as Nicholson intended) while outstanding examples of the posters were reproduced in the Maitres de l'enfich" series which are likewise highly collectable. This book provides ample representation of Nicholson's restained use of color and line to produce an end product that I think is incredibly amazing.

The only criticism that I have is regarding the section on paintings. I have viewed some of the originals in the Tate Gallery in London and in some cases the colors do not completely match the originals (which have far more depth). Other than this minor flaw I believe this to be one of the finest books on Nicholson and the best study of his work as a whole.

This trilogy is simply amazing. It carries you to another world and time. Well written and thought provoking the wind on fire trilogy is meant for those who can enjoy a teak-jerker story. It was breath-taking, much more in depth and beautiful than Harry Potter. Its in the style of high fantasy, without the complexity of creatures and history.

I find that the Weekend Crash Course books are good beginning primers that will help me learn quickly in a structured format. This Windows XP book is exactly what I needed now that I finally have XP running on my computer. I really did not go through the book in a single weekend, but I keep it around for when I need to learn something new or have an interest in new stuff - like figuring out Outlook Express.

From the back:

In the world of Aramanth, exams are everything - not only for children but for whole families. When Kestrel Hath dares to rebel, the Chief Examiner humiliates her father and sentences the family to the harshest punishment.

Desperate to save them, Kestrel discovers that life in Aramanth was once different - and if she can find the secret of the Wind Singer, maybe things can change for the better once more. Fleeing from the authorities, she and her twin brother, Bowman, set out on a terrifying journey - to the true source of the evil that grips Aramanth . . .

A fantastical and thrilling adventure, the Wind Singer is the first part of the Wind on Fire Trilogy

In addition to the high caliber text and photographs, readers will no doubt be delighted with the introduction by Paul McCartney.

This is a must have for avid Beatle fans and no doubt more moderate fans and those becoming familiar with the Beatles will love this work as well.

Having read the Bio of Ian some years ago(first published in 1975),I have finally located a copy I am able to purchase for my collection.A wonderful insight to Ian written by his personal friend Ivar.