Richards Books

"Strays," the opening story of "The Ice at the Bottom of the World," is one of the strongest in the collection. The first image of the story is a particularly fine example of image setting tone, and in a very short space defining characters, relationship, and place.

The title story from "The Ice at the Bottom of the World" is also a strong piece. The characters are drawn vividly and with little wasted space. The tension between the characters and within their lives is efficiently developed. There is no waste. The narrative is as lean and hard as the lives it depicts.

Both of Richard's collections remind me of the work of Larry Brown and Kevin Canty. The prose is spare, the characters are rough, the humor (what there is of it) is absurd and dark. Even though I can appreciate this sort of writing, it is not a place I would like to dwell for long. Thankfully, the collections from all these writers tend to be short. The quality of the stories also varies a great deal. Some stories are downright brilliant, others I could do without reading.

A path of clear words directly to the feeling. Strays, the first story on the book, is just a masterpiece. Forget about complex metaphors or shining adjectives. This is a clean picture with the essential elements. Mark Richard's command of the language drive us inside a delicately composed environment of hopeless hopeful pain. The carvering after Carver. The headrest after Hempel.
A friend from Spain recommend this book.

Richard is a virtuoso, a master of the craft. The first piece in the collection sets a high expectation that is fully satisfied with the writing that follows. Here are stories about the south with voices as clear as daylight. There are familiar landscapes of the south: a small cabin near the river as in "Her Favorite Story" and a farmhouse as in "Strays." This modern landscape grows, too, to include the suburbs as in "This is Us, Excellent."

There is a haunting simplicity found in Richard's characters. They live life without the fear that perhaps they should have. A sense of dramatic irony grows in the reader as if it were a play inside a theater. All of these stories are freighted with disappointment, marred by traged, or terrorized by old ghosts and various wants. There is a resigned sorrow througout and the feeling that doom is not far off like a dark cloud moving in from a distance.

What is deeply moving here is that many of the characers do not anticipate change. They do not even seem aware of it or of hope. Instead, dead things rise to the surface as in "On the Rope" where a former flood rescue worker glimpses a plastic bag caught on a fence and is brought back to memories of the "boiling waters" that drowned the town.

The immediate sorrows are understated either by voice or events that follow so that in a way, the immediate pain is cauterized. But once we look away from the wound we realize the whole body has gone with runny sores and rot.

Richard's stories speak loudly about doom, decay, and seemingly incongruous naivete in the same fashion as Steinback in The Grapes of Wrath and Faulkner in The Sound and The Fury.

What may be perhaps most disturbing here in all the lyrical prose and landscape is that the people do not change-- they are immobile like statues. What changes life then is only the inevitable event that is death.

Mark Richard's collection of stories "The Ice at the Bottom of the World" is a rare gem. Not many writers are so capable of dealing with so much and being so profound using so short a form of narrative. Some writers need hundreds of pages and don't develop so beautifully their characters or plots. Here with something like 10 pages, the author is able to break our hearts, heal it and explore some dark sides of human soul.

At his best, in stories like "Strays", "This is us, excellent" and "The Ice at the Bottom of the World" (my favorites, by the way), Richard takes his reader to a wild ride to an unknown place. But, every story has something in common: it takes a little while to realize where the writer wants to take us to - in other words, it takes some pages until he reaches the actual plot of the narrative. This is a risk device since readers may find themselves to be lost in the first paragraphs, but Richards is so good that he keeps you reading until you find where you are going to.

On the other hand, they are not easy stories. Neither the theme, nor the language is easy. This is a barrier that we have to overcome every new beginning. A daring move that every reader should accept with pleasure. His characters are normal people trying to find a place in their own world, therefore, what 'we' would call outsiders. Most stories are about them getting to know themselves better, but readers are aware of them a lot better.

Richard's "The Ice at the Bottom of the World" is a book that should be read every now and them. His stories are short - it doesn't take to long to read them - but their effects on the readers lasts even longer.

Not since William Faulkner or Eudora Welty have we seen such a consummate master of the Southern short story as Mark Richard. Like Faulkner, his style (or styles, perhaps I should say) can take some getting used to, but if you just relax, and let the words flow over you without "waiting for the paint to dry", you'll find you get the picture. Indeed, this is the same way I read Faulkner, allowing the stream of consciousness to form its own image and successive afterimages (it's a more passive kind of reading, I suppose, than what you would engage in with a post-modern novel by DeLillo, say).

The opening story, "Strays", is, in some ways, the *perfect* Southern short story. Farcical and funny, you can read the entire story online here. Do, and I bet you'll be hooked. They're all terrific, and the final story, "Feast of the Earth, Ransom of the Clay" is a triumphantly disturbing Southern gothic tale. "Fishboy" is probably the most stream-of-consciousness and disorienting of the bunch -- and if you like it, note that Richard subsequently took this story and developed it into his novel of the same name.

Very, very highly recommended!

I grew up learning to sightread classical music; a pretty standard set of piano lessons. Unfortunately, those lessons were weak on the theory of how music is created. This is a great book for someone like me who now wants to understand how to start in a key and figure out how to combine chords and rhythm and the right notes to make music. The book has things like how the blues scale works, how to pound out a barrelhouse left hand while improvising with the right hand, turnarounds and endings, and much more. There are some tunes in here to learn (Blueberry Hill, Pine Top's Boogie Woogie, etc.), but that's not really the point--Tim Richards goes on to explain how those tunes were created, and how to change and improvise over them. The CD lets you hear the exercises, and is quite helpful. I looked around a lot, and bought some definitely inferior books, before finding this one. The author also wrote Exploring Jazz Piano, volumes 1 and 2, which basically build on this book. I recommend buying all three. No book is going to substitute for practice, but if you practice what's in these books you're going to love what you learn to do.

Why is this book so good? Unlike most books, Richards takes the time to explain why each of the example pieces are important, and what you should pay extra attention to. He also really holds your hand in the improvisation practices by suggesting notes (and explaining why the suggested notes were suggested). Also very good is the use of different keys in the pieces. Some blues books tend to stick to C or G, but in this book the keys are varied (and Richards suggests going back through the pieces in other keys, which is a very good idea).

My only wish is that Richards makes a sequel to this book. This does not mean that this book isn't completely jammed with material, or is too easy: no on both accounts. I found myself wanting to learn more of the advanced "cliche's" which make Blues sound like the Blues. Nonetheless, this book is the best there is on the market for blues or improvisation instruction.

I'm an aspiring jazz pianist in Canada (I'm 32). I'm another one of the victims of the classical music education system that was taught to read the page and nothing else. I always thought that people who were good at jazz and could play by ear were born that way.

When I was in high school I wanted to play jazz piano. Someone recommended the Mark Levine book to me. I tried going through it but gave up because I couldn't even figure out what a II-V was from his explanation. I figured jazz was this impenetrable language. I was sick of classical lessons by that time and gave up the piano.

Fast forward ten years when I decided I didn't want all those hours of practicing (before school, even) to go to waste. I headed to a local music store and literally went through every piano book before I found IBP. It's pretty much been a revelation, from discussions of notations to chord types to ideas. I still suck at improvising, but before this book I wouldn't have even tried.

I've got Tim's other two books on my shelf, patiently waiting for me to get to them. Seriously, his books are phenomenal. If I had found IBP back in high school instead of Mark Levine's brick wall of jazz accessibility, I might be ten years ahead. I can't recommend it highly enough. Rumour has it he's working on a fourth book about Latin piano, too.

There realy are not many great methods for the blues out there, but Tim Richards is thorough and goes into the required detail to show you how each blues style works.

The examples are very playable, suiting more or less an intermediate level pianist. Richards is one of the few take-away instruction teachers to be concerned about fingerings, and takes the trouble to suggest good ones. His playing instructions work very well and add a dimension that you don't often get in these method books - he has a great insight into the chords, and the notes and the way they fit the music. The breakdown of theory is very well explained, if sometimes overdone. But he never floods you with scales without showing you how to apply them - that in itself is a good thing!

Richards' choice of music is impeccable, and calssic blues standards of af all styles are presented from boogie, to funk, slow blues, and some jazzy numbers. And he shows you music in a number of keys so you aren't stuck to one or two and get a work out in the other keys. I found the music very playable, and well sounding, although I didn't always find the improvising instructions that intuitive.

The historical background he gives is accurate and informative and the pictures of blues and jazz legends really make this book interesting.

My criticism of the book is that it should have stretched up to the more advanced techniques of the blues - where the top players are, like Oscar Peterson, for example. That is its dissapointment - a teacher as good as this who dedicated the time to work a out a progressive and different course in blues shouldn't have stopped at the middle level. He surely should have stretched us, his interested audience up to the highest level.

But this should not stop you from using this very useful and inspiring book - I Thank you sincerely Tim.

Now and then you run across a method book that makes you a better player and is great fun to work through. "Improvising Blues Piano" is one such book. It starts out very simply and steadily progresses to a pretty sophisticated level. The accompanying disk is well recorded and the author's playing, particularly his timing, is quite musical. On most examples, if you can make your playing sound like Tim Richards, you'll really swing.

Starting in "C" and moving on to other familiar blues keys, the author mixes theory and practice in a logical progression of "bite sized" lessons that are very complete and doesn't assume anything about the student. At first, the experienced player may find the pace a bit slow but each section builds smoothly upon the foundation of the preceding material and I think it's worth while to patiently work on your weaknesses. When you can make those first simple exercises sound really musical, you've learned something valuable.

The volume is accessible to beginners (this will take you a long way) while remaining useful for the more advanced because there is so much good content. I particularly like that he weaves in biographical information of known blues players along with examples of their style. The history of blues unfolds along with the student's expanding ability to play.

If you are interested in the blues, I can't think of a better learning tool.

This book was in very good condition, and I would buy again from this seller.

The Lord has blessed everyone through Gayle Irwin as the Spirit of Jesus is displayed for us to view between the paper covers of this book.
Bill Bracken, Pastor Calvary Stanberry

This book outlines in clear and unwavering language what it truly means to be a servant. It was very apparent that what most Christians consider being Christ-like and a servant to mankind is off the mark. Gayle Erwin will point you in the right direction without any vacillating at all. There are several occasions where Mr. Erwin is critical of even himself and how he has behaved in his walk with God.

If you consider yourself a Christian, other than the Bible, this is one of the most important books you will ever read.

I was raised in a church organization that was cultlike in its legalism. We read the same Bible as everyone else but by the time I was 7 (about when I could read it myself), it was clear to me that the God being taught and the God of the Bible were two very different people. As the child of my parents, my mind believed what I was taught but as a child of God, my heart could never accept it. Jesus is the man that Gayle Erwin wrote about and the God who had been speaking to my heart for my whole life. I just had to get my head straight. The Jesus Style was the tool God used. Most people reviewing this book remark on its depiction of true Christianity. For me, it simply saved my life. I couldn't find the real Jesus anywhere and had begun to think that maybe that person about whom I was taught as a child was the real Jesus. I was ready to turn my back on God and walk away, my life had been so painful. In the pages of this book, Gayle Erwin described the Jesus my heart had always known and of course, backed it up with scripture. I cannot explain the joy I felt to have been so affirmed. I knew I wasn't crazy. I knew the Jesus I read was different and so did Gayle Erwin. This book is in its 40 somethingth printing now. I am sure hundreds of thousands of copies have gone out. But I believe that God inspired this work of Gayle Erwin to pull this girl out of the despair that legalism causes, to put my feet back on the path and get me moving again. A couple of years ago, it was my greatest happiness to drive to hear Gayle Erwin speak. I hoped I would have a chance to talk to him. I wanted to thank him and I did. Without any God in my life, I don't know where I would have ended up. God used this man and this book at that particular time to reach me. If you are reading this, it is entirely possible that Jesus is trying to reach you too. Do what Gayle Erwin did....Listen. You have no idea how your life could change.

If you have ever wondered what it truly means to follow Jesus, or if you have ever wondered "What Would Jesus Do?" then this book is a must read.

Written in plain language, this is an easy read. I found it to be an absolute joy to read it and gained some interesting insights in to the style of our Lord and Savior.

Truly a delightful, useful book, I recomend it to everyone.

Maybe only a great character actor could write about a great American character with such warmth and passion. Maybe it's because Richard Kiel spent over a quarter of a century in putting this story together. No matter the reason, KENTUCKY LION is truly a grand story. The characters come alive in this womderful piece of story-telling; even if it wasn't 95% true, I feel like I got to know Cash. I can't wait to see the movie!

I just got a copy of this book and upon opening it I could not put it down. Richard Kiel has done an astounding job of recreating in colorful details the life and adventures of this true gentleman. It is a page turner indeed! Once you start it you will see just how wonderful it is and just how hard it is to put down. I highly reccomend this book to anyone and I truly believe it should be included in a list of mandatory reads. There is much to be learned from this book. The authors have done an astounding amount of research into the life of this greatly overlooked individual. Richard and Pamela have created a true gem with this book. A masterpiece telling of the true life of Cassius Clay. A++

What an incredible account that until now has gone uncovered! The astonishing true story behind the Cassius Clay story. Captivating and enlightening read.

Excellent...This is a must read. This historic american novel will make a great movie or mini series for television. Richard Kiel and Pamela Wallace tell the life story of Cassius Clay with passion, romance and intrigue. I started reading this on my flight from California to Texas and could not put it down. The history that was researched for this book is truly amazing. It's a great story of a great american hero.

Kentucky Lion: The True Story of Cassius Clay
This is an amazing book about one man who would not give up his fight for something that he believed in, despite many things being thrown in his path. Once you start reading it, you will not be able to put it down. I had never heard the name 'Cassius Clay' before reading this book, and now I will never forget him or the story of his life. It's definitely a book that everyone will find interesting given the many aspects of his life that are brought to life throughout the pages of the book.

A definite MUST READ!

One of the greatest untold stories of modern history is that of Germany during the close of World War I. And Richard Watt, the author, tells this sweeping drama with a suberb style and in unprecedented detail. Watt covers every major event and intimately describes what went on behind closed doors during this extremely tumultuous time.

Despite its defeat at the hands of the Western Allies, the German armed forces continued to play a leading role (albeit in the form of independent freikorps units) during the Communist and Secessionist rebellions in late 1918/early 1919. During these desperate times, private armies of Communists, Socialists, and ideologically vague - but intensely violent - conservative battled it out, often to the death, on the streets of Germany's great cities. And all the while Germans everywhere were starved, threatened, and exhausted physically, financially, and morally. It should come as no great wonder then that anyone living through this period should desire order above all else. And this ultimately led into the hands of Nazi propagandists who turned it to their own advantage.

The book also covers some of the most fascinating episodes during this period - the Kiel Sailors' Mutiny, the Berlin Uprisings, the First Bavarian Revolution, the Second Bavarian Revolution, the amazingly amateurish diplomatic proceedings at Versailles, the birth of the 'Stab in the Back' legend by the 'undefeated' Germany Army, the birth of the Freikorps movement, the brief German fiefdoms in Latvia and Lithuania, the great scuttle at Scapa Flow (see The Grand Scuttle by Van Der Vat), the internal Weimar cabinet struggles regarding the Versailles Diktat, how the Allies agreed on particular frontier/reparations/guilt clauses, and how the German Army did ultimately lose the war.

Weimar Germany - and perhaps much of Eastern Europe - was irrevocably and horribly scarred by this devastating period of chaos, political assassinations, and utter financial ruin. Gone was the relatively staid, quiet time, and relative tolerance of the imperial monarchies. Henceforth, Europe would be murderously divided by Communist & Fascist ideologies running like an explosive fault line running through most European nations.

Besides an outstanding text, Watt includes a few photographs of the major personalities - including a rare few action shots taken during the Berlin Spartacist and Communist uprising. Watt's conclusion is that the ultimate right-wing victory was from the Social Democratic 'sell out' to the right-wing military establishment. The SD would never so much control affairs as preside over them. Key positions in the gov't - judges, military commands, and police officials - would remain occupied by right-wing elements until a suitable opportunity came to overthrow the hated Weimar Republic. What is amazing is that this [...], stepson of a republic managed to survive for over a decade despite the fact that almost all German political parties were unanimous in their hatred of it.

This is another outstanding book by the truly talented Richard M. Watt, and I highly recommend it!

Despite a less-compelling (to me) detour into German socialist unrest, this is a suspenseful, compelling, and very well-written work which brings out the full tragedy of the Paris Peace Conference and the treaty it produced.

This is a very fair, balanced, extremely readable history of the the last years of WW1, the various revolutions and mutinies in 1918 and 1919 (mainly in Germany, but also Hungary,etc.)and the grand finale of the Versailles Treaty. When reading this book, one cannot help but agree with the thoughts of Jan Christian Smuts, who very accurately predicted the great and horrible events of the next 25 years. Apparently, Pres. Wilson did not carry out his lofty ideals in the end, Lloyd George had serious second thoughts (persuaded in part by Smuts), and Clemenceau remained angry and adament. This is among the few books that I've read that tells about all sides of the story. The six weeks between the first Versailles meeting (on the 4th anniversary of the Lusitania attack), and the final signing are especially well done here. I never realized that the Allies were on the verge of attacking Germany if the Treaty was not signed ASAP. We also forget that the Allied naval blockade continued for about 6 months after the Armistice, resulting in the deaths of thousands of German children. It did not end until the final signing of the Versailles treaty.In short, a whale of a good book!

I would heartily recommend this to anyone with an interest in 20th century history. Superb history, the way it should be written.

The author sought books on the German Revolution of 1918-1919; finding none, he wrote this one. The failure of the German military to win the war by 1918 produced mutinies, revolution, and the end of their Second Empire by October 1918. A new republic was proclaimed, and the Armistice led to the treaty of Versailles. While the Kaiser fled to Holland, his military remained as a wanted burden to the new republic: it alone could suppress the revolutions breaking out all over Germany. This left them as the striking force fro a republic that they despised; eventually they came to support the Nazis (p.527) and a new European War. This seems like the inevitable result from the Allied failure to overthrow and purge the German ruling class, or divide the German Reich into separate nations, as was correctly done after World War II. Denazification and partition, plus grouping the small nations into large blocks, kept the peace for 50 years. But nothing lasts forever.

Woodrow Wilson gave many speeches on "Democracy", but he was appointed President of Princeton, Governor of NJ, then President of the US through his personal ambition. Pages 15-20 tell of the contradictions and complexities in his personality. His dictatorial rule at Princeton led to his firing. A personal friendship allowed him to be nominated as the Democratic candidate for Governor of NJ. He promised to work with the "organization", then reneged on his promises! He drafted a torrent of liberal legislation (as did Bismarck in the 1880s). He met Edward House, and insider and power broker in the national party. House's technique" get a clean candidate and let the party organization do its job; it still works today! Jim Marr's "Rule By Secrecy" tells how and why the 1912 election was fixed to create the private banking cartel that controls our economy. Running a third party candidate helped in 1980 and 1992.

Wilson's dictatorial personality abraded many in Congress; he lectured them, he didn't talk to them. His cabinet had few men of first caliber; it was as if he could only work with subordinates. But Edward House knew how to manipulate him (p.22).

Wilson declared war as a fight to make the world safe for democracy, an idealistic crusade that overlooks the fact that wars are waged for loot: markets, provinces, colonies, etc.

Perhaps Wilson's greatest fault was that everything was handed to him; he didn't have to claw his way to the top by competitive elections (p.27). Page 36 tallies the triumphs of Woodrow Wilson. Perhaps the "errors in judgment" were due to his pride and his refusal to take expert advice (p.37), complicated by his arteriosclerosis or some other disease ("megalomania"?). Wilson gained fame and recognition through his speeches; a rhetorician, not a manager.

"The Leadership Dojo: Build Your Foundation As An Exemplary Leader" by nationally known speaker and business consultant on leadership and mastery Richard Strozzi-Heckler is based on the concept of 'somatics' (a unity of language, action, energy, and meaning) as it applies to leadership, enabling and allowing practitioners to increase and reinforce trust, motivation, and effectiveness in those organizations they are responsible for. Drawing from his years of experience and expertise in counseling and training Fortune 500 executives, top-ranked military leaders, and social entrepreneurs, Richard Strozzi-Hecker combines a martial arts mastery with practical and tested business strategies that have proved 'real world' successful with his thousands of clients. Informed and informative, inspired and inspiring, "The Leadership Dojo" is a thoroughly 'reader friendly' and instructive guide that is especially recommended to anyone entrusted with a leadership responsibility within the framework of any commercial, governmental, religious, or social issues organization.

Strozzi-Heckler struck more than a few nerves with the presentation of his points in this book. Teaching leadership to those in the construction industry needs a new way to broach respecting subordinates other than the frou-frou way many do now. The idea of practicing these skills and fine tuning them is right on target. Because of this book every time I see an ad for Akido I think about signing up for classes. This is a very easy and interesting read.

I currently supervise a small team, within a larger organization. I have always been resistant to authority, and had a hard time "embodying" it, when I have been expected to lead. This book is really giving me insight into the values and principles of leadership from an experiential point of view, not from an "Outside-in" approach. The book makes me interested in training with the author, or following a body-centered, process oriented approach to becoming a better, more confident and effective leader.

I recommend this book for anyone who wants to be a more effective leader of other people, or those who just want to "lead their own lives", more effectively, confidently and congruently. It's not just another self-help book, or another business success book with the latest buzz-words, but it's based the author's years of leadership consulting work with top corporations and the military, as well many years of committed Aikido practice. (Aikido is a Japanese non-resistant form of martial arts, whose philosophy can also be applied to other types of interactions with others.)

What is unique and terribly important about Richard Strozzi-Heckler's new work is that he is reclaiming the idea that there can be a PLACE where one can learn about and address the whole person. The book ties together the author's many years as both a Somatic teacher and the Sensei (Teacher) of a growing Aikido dojo and community. The book is full of practical suggestions and insights into how one can enter into this place and take advantage of what is offered. I think Strozzi-Heckler has written more than a book on leadership. He has written a book on life.

I easily read 50+ leadership books a year and this one is truly amazing. Richard Strozzi-Heckler offers noteworthy distinctions that are very accessible and practical. I endorse his belief that leadership is more than what one knows -- it is who one is and how one chooses to show up in the world. This is a must read! I enthusiastically endorse this book and am encourage my friends to read it and apply what they learn on a daily basis.

Gail S. Williams

This book gives a brief and highly technical summary of what was known about nuclear fission in 1942 and how to go about turning this knowledge into a "practical weapon". Great fun to read if you have an engineering or physics degree or similar background knowledge. The author has extensively annotated and updated the terse original lecture notes that were given to new arrivals at Los Alamos. Interestingly, the annotations now take up more space that the original notes. These annotations may help to make the subject accessible to a non-technical audience as they provide invaluable historical and technical background. Invaluable for anyone interested in science history and/or the Manhattan Project.

IANAP (I Am Not A Physicist), but the son of one who worked in Los Alamos some time after WWII ... definitely recommend this for those not intimidated by some equations. There's lots here without the match, and the more of it you can appreciate the more the insights. Serber's comments add a lot of perspective.

Excellent book, it takes a bit to stick with it, but the modern day excerpts/perspectives threaded into the book give it a good historical perspective. This is a good combo to go together with Richard Rhodes "The Making of the Atomic Bomb" and "Dark Sun".

- for anyone seriously interested in our nuclear heritage, weaponeering, or the NWEPS program. Gives INCREDIBLE insight as to the minds and directions these young physicists were going.

This book is a must-read. Simple, concise, straightforward technically. You gotta read it, 'nuff said.

This is a truly exciting book for people with the desire to understand bomb physics. This book consists out of the original lecture notes from a series of seminars given in 1943 to the bomb scientists at the start of the Manhattan Project. These lecture notes are clearly annotated so that a layman can understand the bomb. Although the book discusses mainly the knowledge of 1943, the clear annotations of the author comments also on the advances since 1943.

In this book you will learn to calculate the energy of an atomic bomb after already 5 pages using only one simple physical law (no, not Einstein!). When you are halfway in the book, you will understand the calculations of the critical mass.

However to fully appreciate the book, you need to have a basic understanding of mathematics and physics. (it would be nice if you know what a differential equation is.)

The book also contains several funny anekdotes which make it a truly astonishing reading.

This book makes fascinating reading. It helped me to appreciate more the musicians I was already familiar with, such as Jack Teagarden, and opened my eyes to a lot of people I knew little or nothing about. Be sure to pick up the companion CD, too.

This is the finest book about jazz that I have ever read. I own many of the records that the author dissects, as well as having seen several of these great jazz artists perform, and I find his judgment perceptive and unerring. But this is far more than just a book about jazz music. What makes these musicians tick, how did they happen to assemble together for a recording session, how did the record business impact their selection of pieces to perform? The author draws on a variety of academic disciplinces, including art, psychology, economics, and social history, to put his subjects in perspective. Most important, he is a fine storyteller who empathizes with the people he writes about. While many reviews focus on his overall thesis about race in jazz, this is but one theme he articulates, and it serves more as an organizing structure for the book than as its sole message.

First of all, Dick Sudhalter is a gifted writer. He crafts his narratives like a well constructed solo or composition. Second, this book tells us about early white jazz musicians and correctly describes the interplay between vital African American innovations and the contributions of Caucasian jazzmen. Sudhalter in no way diminishes the seminal contributions of African American jazzmen. He simply talks about the contributions of other artists, and does a masterful job of helping us to see the interplay between musicians who have given us this wonderfully entertaining music. I thought I knew a fair amount about the history of jazz. After reading this book, I know more. Nothing is more American than Jazz music (just my opinion), and the more you understand it, the more you know about the USA in the 20's and 30's. I keep re-reading parts of this book because there's so much here.

While a brilliant documentary, Burns' "Jazz" also reinforced the notion that jazz is exclusively an African-American artform. Fortunately, "Lost Chords" does much to blow away that misperception. While never belittling or downplaying the role of those African-American giants in jazz, this book does an outstanding job of profiling all of the individuals and bands who received short shrift from Burns: Steve Brown, who pretty much invented jazz bass playing; the Jean Goldkette Orchestra; Miff Mole; Frank Trumbauer; and may more. And he does so in a way that is both interesting to the casual fan (with anecdotes and such) and the hardened muso (excerpts of scores abound). A scholarly tome, this is a worthy addition for any jazz fan's library. I look forward to Volume II.

Not a mere antidote to political correctness in jazz criticism; Lost Chords is a prewar cultural history, a lesson in music structure, a history of woodwind instruments, a guide to innovations in guitar tuning, AND MORE. It shows the musicians as human beings with all their failings, humor, drives, hard work, and talent. I especially loved the account of the bass sax --- an instrument that looks like it could double as a moonshine still --- and its usefulness in the early days of sound recording. Sudhalter admonishes us to listen to the music and to make up your own mind. Exactly right. A good place to start is Robert Parker's Bix Beiderbecke Great Original Performances 1924-1930 (available on Amazon) If you have ever heard an early 78 rpm record, you will be astonished at Parker's sound restoration.

though i dont have this book my friends say its an excellent book and I've seen it for my self and it is definatly a must buy

It so good it has tempted me to buy alot of Magic cards

Richard Garfield is the creator of Magic The Gathering card game. This book gives the reader an in-depth look into the game and shows the beautiful illustration that each card contains. This is a must have for all players and collectors of the card game.

I collect the cards and I don't know how I would have known if they were rare or common cards if I hadn't found this book. It's the best!

If you are a mtg collector, you definitely need this book. Although it is much "thinner" than Volume 1 but it's still a must for any serious mtg collector

Reading the novella based on the letters of the author's great-grandparents was a pleasant way to spend an evening. The epistolary form (with its built-in sense of reality) is very appealing to most readers. What I found most interesting, however, is how good the writing is--particularly the lack of authorial self consciousness that advertises inexperience, and is so hard to overcome in fiction. Karen Milan, Book Reviewer, Fort Worth, TX

I am not much of a reader, but this book was just right. I thoroughly enjoyed every page, and the story touched my heart.

This is a love story that is sweet and pure, and is an over-all wonderful story. The characters are real and the letters around which the story is woven are actual letters from a real family. Simply wonderful!

This wonderful story tells a simple and pure love story. The kind that anyone would want to live. What is more amazing is that the letters around which the story is woven are real letters from a real family. You'll be stunned at the beauty of them. Don't miss this opportunity to see the depth and persistence of real love!

This is a lovely story of courting with love letters, a sadly neglected form. The letters are real and Ms. Richard Dodson's graceful style and seamless interweaving of letters and narrative make the characters come alive. Read it!