Phillips Books

This book is a must have for any new or seasoned collector of Longaberger baskets. The information is concise and easy to read.

If you enjoy Longaberger basket collecting, this book will aid you tremendously. It has all the information you will need to buy retired baksets at online auctions or anywhere else. Whether you are an experienced collector or just beginning it is a must have.

Gene D. Phillips's "Beyong the Epic: The Life & Films of David Lean" comes at a time of renewed interest in David Lean and his films, and puts perhaps the definitive stamp on this filmmaker's achievements. Though it often goes over the same ground as previous books have on Lean--especially the excellent biography by Kevin Brownlow (1996)--Phillips's book has assembled a mass of material from biographical, critical and other sources, including personal interviews with actors, colleagues and filmmakers who knew Lean, and has integrated these materials into an admirable whole, lucidly and painstaikingly evaluating the opus of Lean in its entirety. At last, Phillips offers the Lean devotees--and a broader audience--a remarkable book that places the cinematic achievemnts of David lean into proper perspective, balancing all the elements of a director whose directorial style and methods both attracted and repelled viewers and critics, some of whom still have not accorded Lean the high place he deserves among twentieth century filmmakers. Massive and minutely authenticated, tackling the knottiest problems head on, "Beyond the Epic" redresses critical lapses, and, without being maudlin or worshipful, presents an image of David Lean as, deservedly, one of the greatest narrative film directors of the twentieth century.

The film historian Phillips brings out the person, the immense talent, and the consummate skills of the director about whom one film critic wrote that David Lean's films were "too mammoth in scope and Olympian in style" for moviegoers, even students of the artistic genre, "to get an impression of the man behind the camera." Lean was an extraordinarily ambitious and skilled director who brought his particular, uncompromising touch to any movie he made. Among his movies are the panoramic classics "Dr. Zhivago" and "Lawrence of Arabia"; "Great Expectations" and "Passage to India" adapted from major novels of different centuries; and the war movies "In Which We Serve" and "Bridge on the River Kwai." Lean worked with Alec Guiness, Katherine Hepburn, Omar Sharif, Charles Laughton, and Julie Andrews--all of whom acknowledged his indelible impact on their performances as well as the finished movie even though viewers were not distinctly aware of the director behind it, as they are in a Woody Allen or Alfred Hitchcock film for example. Phillips hones in on Lean's particular style and accomplishments by close readings of many of his 16 films. The author analyzes details of scenes from the films to cast light on Lean's techniques and masterful intentions; and he often notes commentary and critiques by critic, actors, and others for additional perspectives and appreciations of Lean's work. As his major, most memorable films show--"Lawrence of Arabia," for example--Lean was able to create and project romanticism, expansive emotions, genuine characters, and variously the sweep of history or the genius of literature without sensationalism or sentimentality. This is his characteristic, extraordinary, achievement in the world of film.

Or rather, you can give an Athenian wings but he won't become a gentle agrarian bird rather, he'll rouse the citizenship, attack the Gods, and turn on you at the last possible moment. While some literary critics tout this as Aristophanes' most unfathomable work, well, I just think they're being silly. Maybe that's my own lack of education speaking, but I think The Birds a pretty obvious, as well as bitingly funny, commentary on humans, or men, or Athenians (all of these concepts probably being more or less the same to Aristophanes)as hopelessly political and power-hungry beings. One thing I love about this, and, I suppose, all of the Greek dramas, is that they are ultimately very malleable and applicable to my (our?) modern experience. (With a certain ammount of difficulty) you can lead a 21st Century North American to social conciousness but they're still gonna want and have the economic buying power to get, cheap Nikes. Cynical? Yes. Scathing? Yes. Real? You betcha. Sure we've got indoor plumbing, but our cultural context is back in the golden age. Lucky we've still got dudes like Aristophanes to give us a clue as to how to slog through it all.

The problem with "The Birds" ("Ornithes") is that for once Aristophanes does not seem to be attacking some specific abuse in Athens. Still, we suspect that even this little fantasy is not simply escapist entertainment. Certainly there are those who see it as a political satire about the imperialistic dreams that resulted in the disastrous invasion of Sicily (which happened the year before his play was produced in 414 B.C.). Then again, this could just be Aristophanes bemoaning the decline of Athens.

Pisthetaerus ("Trusting") and Euelpides ("Hopeful") have grown tired of life in Athens and decide to build a utopia in the sky with the help of the birds, which they will name Necphelococcygia (which translates roughly as "Cloud Cuckoo Land"). Pisthetaerus and his feathered friends have to fight off those unworthy humans, malefactors and public nuisances all, who try and join their utopia. Then there are the gods, who come to make some sort of agreement with the new city because they have created a bottleneck for sacrifices coming from earth.

Because it is a more general satire, "The Birds" tends to work better with younger audiences than most comedies by Aristophanes. Besides, the chorus of birds lends itself to fantastic costumes, which is always a plus with young theater goers. In studying any of the Greek plays that remain it is important to I have always maintained that in studying Greek plays you want to know the dramatic conventions of these plays like the distinction between episodes and stasimons (scenes and songs), the "agon" (a formal debate on the crucial issue of the play), and the "parabasis" (in which the Chorus partially abandons its dramatic role and addresses the audience directly). Understanding these really enhances your enjoyment of the play.

This book was very funny and creative. I enjoyed reading it because I liked seeing the ways the brother and sister could use their wishes against eachother. I thought it was funny that they were having war from the time they were born to the time they were old and wrinkled. I think it was a very good book and enjoyed reading it.

Do/did you encourage your kids to watch Callou (the cartoon), and view life through a mature, sober moral lense? ..Yes? Well, then you will hate this book.
But if you can goof off, let your hair down a little, and just be silly, you'll be WiLdLy entertained! :)

"Birthday Wishes" is creative, truly artistic & just plain fun!
I bought it for my boys (ages 8-12) & they loved it. The 8 & the 12-yr.old said, "Well, it's not how brother & sister ideally should be toward each other, but [we] liked it because it's SO creative & funny." The plot is about a brother & sister that come up with all sorts of imaginative "bad things" to wish upon each other, year after year. The punchy rhyming storyline & the awesome illustrations make it well worth your time.
It's not too over-the-top, or mean. It's a little edgy, but just enough to thrill your kids & leaving their imaginations spinning long after the book is finished.

THIS THE ONLY BLACK HEROES AUDIO I HAVE EVER HEARD AND IT WAS VERY INFORMATIVE, AND ENTERTAINING I THINK IT WOULD BE EXCELLENT FOR ANY TEACHER OR STUDENT.

the book, cd is great info of triva, dates etc. background music isperfect to liston and learn

very good audio ,as a teacher is been a great tool a rare find well worth the price

the audio and the text was easy to follow andreads like a timeline, very good format, for teachers and students of all races the book offers rare insights into african american great history makers with birthdates,events, also voice sound bites of such notables as ML KING also the audio music background sets a good mood.

usa

I couldn't believe it was true! I was mesmerized by this bit of dark (no pun intended) history in our state. I must have been aware that such events happened in the South, but I was aghast at the horror of it. Mr. Stockley, thank you for opening my eyes to reality.

Well written and a tragic telling of another one of America's disturbing chapters in race relations. Highly recommended.

I have successfully used the workable strategies outlined in Phillips book. These well thought out strategies are based on real world, grassroots efforts that work. Whether running successfully for political office, setting up a new political action committee for whatever cause, supporting or defeating a State referendum, or just orgainizing support for your cause-even if it is not conservative, works. Grassroots Politics goes right down to the small intricate details of how to legally set up a PAC (Note: some of the legal aspects have changed since 1990 so be sure to consult an attorney). I appreciate the emphasis on obeying current laws for setting up and running PACs. NEVER try to circumvent the law as you will guarantee the defeat of your cause, not to mention paying of fines and likely prison time. How to set up a PAC, including 'why' is stated by Phillips. Orgainzing, raising money, finding volunteers and the intricate details and need for a specific plan are laid out in practical, easy to understand ways. This is all hard work and not a 100% gurantee that it will work. But this book is by far the best laid out strategy on the specific first step and subsequent steps needed to run a Christian PAC or cause.

Phillips uses experience and practical faith to guide the Christian grassroots activist. With a plan that blends pragmatic action and spiritually dependence, Phillips guides the reader and encourages one to take part in reclaiming the country for Christ.

It should be noted that some of the legal information may be outdated.

Despite being out of print, this is still one of the most useful books any citizen can read. It shows you where your political interests lie and why, for most of us, the U.S. doesn't feel like the world's richest country any more.

I reccomend this book highly but I will warn you that Phillips is an optimist. I read this book before I read his "Arrogant Capital" and it strikes me that Phillips is maybe a little too naive in expecting things to improve in America. It is fortunate of course that we in this country have people like Phillips who inform us well so that we can then make informed decisions about what to do in the future. Take me for instance, I have decided to leave America for the next 15 years, or at least I am going to attempt a life abroad. If you read Phillips and Krugman and just about what any other respected journalist or educated government watcher writes, then there is but one inescapable conclusion - viz, America ails with a terminal illness. The microbes of this illness are the K-Street lobbyists and also the Christian Coalition. According to Phillips the demise of the middle class which incidentally is a symptom of the breakdown of governance, started a long time ago, when we did not have Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson running around with their silly diatribes. So, at this late stage in the atrophy, injecting religion into politics is akin to shooting crystal meth into your veins when you are in the last stages of liver cancer. The final nail in the coffin. By the way, I am a born again Christian evangelical.

If you liked the 2005 version, you will love this one, too! A clean, good-sized calendar with big numbers and outstanding photo compositions of a range of flowering plants and trees. Phillips and Rix pioneered this way of presenting the different stages of plant development in their 2-volume masterpiece, The Botanical Garden, and this calendar will remind you every day of the lush beauty and diversity of the Plant Kingdom. Each composition has notes describing what you see, and at the bottom of the calendar page is a full paragraph about the genus or species.

I love this calendar because it has enough space for me to write three or four appointments in each box. The illustrations are beautiful, and also educational.

But the reason I'm taking time to write this review is that when I first ordered this, it did not arrive on time (because it was shipped via the US post office.) I was able to reach Amazon by phone, and when I explained I needed it soon, to start recording 2006 appointments, they sent me a replacement by overnight shipment at no additional charge. I was very impressed by a website offering this level of personal customer service. Many thanks!!!! I hope someone will read this post, and pass my thanks along to the people behind the scenes who do the work.