Thomas Books

At 23 years old, I ended up with my very first problem ever with my foreskin. It was damaged by unsafe levels of pool chemicals while I was a lifeguard. Needless to say, I encountered a LOT of bias from doctors going so far as to threaten me that if i "don't cut off what doesn't belong there" I'm going to die of penile cancer. This book reassured me of how lucky and truly special I am to have been spared the knife in modern-day America. My problem is clearing up, and I am SOO thankful to remain intact! This book is a must read for all expecting parents!

This book is easy to read and understand, especially for those who want the facts fast. It is a must read for new parents. Dr. Ritter's book should be available for pregnant moms to read in the waiting room. Unfortunately, it is not available in most bookstores and discount chains as all those mass-produced baby care books who give you only vague answers to circumcision questions. Most of these books have 1/2 page pro and con on circumcision and most of the pro arguments are distorted or old data. I owned several copies of this book because I would give them to expecting parents. I wanted them to make the right decision. This book has been updated from the original older version.

With books like this one, I learned there are no medical reasons to consent to circumcision when I gave birth. Why cut my babies? Previously, like most young parents, I had assumed that "Doctor Knows Best" so when I first read this book and discovered a controversy amongst doctors themselves about a taken-for-granted surgery, I deepened my life long investigation into the consequences of circumcision. I recommend this book for parents who place their trust in obstetricians and pediatricians, indeed for all people who care about the future -- it is an alarming wake up call to a culture asleep at the wheel of creation. What are we doing when we hurt baby boys for no good reason? In studying the warring cultures of the world, one thing we consistently have in common is the genital mutilation of our children (amongst other things). If we truly want to co-create a peaceful world, let's begin with our babies. Maybe after all, these good doctors, Thomas Ritter and George Denniston, do know what is best.

A must read for anybody considering circumcision. I was a parent believing that circumcision was the "RIGHT thing to do". I did not know that at the birth of my twin sons in 1997, that no medical orginzation in the world recommended circumcission. I was told that circumcision is your choice and was recommended by my doctors. Never did those doctors tell me what this book reveals. It is an easy to read source of information for any parent thinking of circumcising or to simply to educate yourself about the implications of circumcission. This book contains documented and well supported information about why you would not want to circumcise. I have not circumcisied my third son.

This book should be required reading for all expecting parents and their doctors. This book makes it clear that routine circumcision has NO medical benefit. Because it has no medical benefit, NO medical organization in the world recommends it. For example, circumcision does not prevent urinary track infection (urinary track infections are lower in Europe where circumcision is virtually unheard of) and many studies have shown circumcision to increase the rate of HIV infection and the rate of transmitting HIV/AIDS to the female partner (UNAIDS calls using circumcision to prevent AIDS playing Russian Roulette).

Circumcision was started as a "cure" for masturbation. Since then it has been a procedure in search of a disease. To little attention is paid to the life long harm done to the child. For example, circumcision is now believed to be a contributing factor in male sexual dysfunction since the procedure removes highly sensitive sexual tissue and the unprotected glans becomes desensitized through a hardening of the skin in a process called keritinization. Also, the foreskin protects the infant from infections since it keeps feces away from the urethra. In addition, the foreskin has major immunological functions including secreting a chemical called lysozyme (an ingredient in mother's milk) that has been show to kill HIV, the virus that causes aids. This fact alone may explain why the AIDS rate in the USA is three to twelve times higher than any western European country.

Routine infant circumcision not only is medically unnecessary, it is harmful. It is only a matter of time before the procedure will be outlawed. Until that happens this book will give parents the information they need to protect their sons from this destructive practice.

I have listened to Dr. Laura's radio show and read her books for several years, and this video is another winner! It uses cute puppet characters to present real world situations and examples of following (or breaking) the ten commandments; it is not too preachy, but presents it to kids in language they can understand. My kids love the songs, and I have to admit they are pretty catchy tunes. Parents can enjoyably watch this with their children, but children can also understand and enjoy it on their own. My kids are now 10 and 8, we've had this video a couple years, and they still watch it. Highly recommended!

As a divorced father with every-other-weekend custody, I was grateful to Dr. Laura for this DVD until my eldest said I only followed two of the commandments. Pointing out there was no commandment against selling kids into slavery shut her up pretty fast!

My 6 y.o. Eva loved it as did Tsion and Meklete. They ran around screaming GOD'S TOP 10! all day - but the DR Laura butterfly is kinda weird - but the puppets are funny.

These 11 songs (One for each commandment and a very fun theme song) are real eyes openers for children and thier parents. A great way to learn not only the 10 Commandments, but to internalize thier meanings. Lots of fun and a perfect companion to DVD. (Highly recommended if you can find it anywhere.) I look forward to seeing more of this kind of product soon.

These 11 songs (One for each commandment and a very fun theme song) are real eyes openers for children and thier parents. A great way to learn not only the 10 Commandments, but to internalize thier meanings. Lots of fun and a perfect companion to DVD. (Highly recommended if you can find it anywhere.) I look forward to seeing more of this kind of product soon.

I am the author's former boss. This guy is really talented...that is why I was glad that he worked in a different locatation than I did - so he could not constantly make me look like the idiot that I am.
I loved his book, E-Mail Letters From A WACKO! And the funniest thing is that I AM DEAD! That's right...I died a couple of years ago. God punished me for doing something really bad. And believe me, hell is no picnic! The only thing I get enjoyment from is reading this book. It keeps me spinning in my grave!

I CANNOT BELIEVE HOW MANY COMPANIES WERE ACTUALLY STUPID ENOUGH TO RESPOND TO TOM SARC'S CRAZY EMAILS! WAIT A MINUTE...YES I CAN. MOST CORPORATIONS ARE MADE UP OF DIMWITS. KEEP GOING TOM...HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT OF RUNNING FOR OFFICE : )

I read every humor book out there but E-Mail Letters From A WACKO has got to be the funniest book I ever read. I must have read it at least ten times and still laughed so hard I almost threw up! Thomas Sarc IS a WACKO! And I hope he continues to be one!

I am a director where Mr. Sarc used to work. I knew he had creative talent and a sense of humor but I never imagined that a work of his could have me laughing so hard! It is a shame that I cannot bring this book to our board meetings - they would have me put in a straight jacket!!!!!!!!
I recently learned that Mr. Sarc was unjustly ousted from our company because of retaliation from his former boss. I hope he returns her "favor" and includes her in future writings.

Thank God you can't see my last name because I am embarassed to say that I laughed so much reading this book that I wet my pants! If you are thinking of buying this book, think no more. It is so funny I could not stop laughing. My husband thinks I should see a shrink because I laughed so much. Then he read it and laughed himself! Tom Sarc is a genius!

This book is probably the fullest expression of Professor Sowell's economic philosophy of how race impacts American culture at both ends of the class spectrum, and across both sides of the racial divide. One does not have to agree with him to acknowledge that most of what he says carries weight, and although not entirely unencumbered by ideological concerns, his views are always transparent so that a reader is free to examine them and then accept or reject them as he sees fit.

What is most refreshing about them is that Sowell does not try to rationalize or excuse white racism, or even blacks dependence and other self-destructive behaviors. His argument basically is that a free-market economy and a free-enterprise culture will take care of these excesses on either side of the racial divide if allowed to operate in a normal and unfettered way. Given the sorry state of black cultural orthodoxy in which dependence on pseudo-religion, government programs and personal shortsightedness and irresponsibility are as responsible for the inner city social meltdown as is a culture of white racism, it is little wonder that Sowell does not have a strong following among those of his own race.

Despite this, his work (even when it is not entirely right) is farsighted, relatively academic oriented, and sound economically. Also, it does not hurt that Sowell's work relies on the materialistic and secular rather than the religious and spiritual, which arguably has been overly relied upon and stressed in the black American sub-culture.

Key among his assumptions in this book is the idea that racial progress is not a "given," and is not inevitable. It is a thought so simple as to startle one upon first realizing how much truth there is to it. Given the intangible benefits that accrue to whites as a result of racist practices, the idea that they may willingly "give them up" or that the practice may wither away soon is as much "pie-in-the-sky" fantasy as taking a chariot home to heaven is.

Sowell declares that history gives little support to the thesis that time alone will make relationships between the races automatically better. His view is that the process that will eventually cause racism to disappear is that it is economically foolish and counterproductive.

And in this argument, it is not disrespectful to point out that his reliance on economic theory as the "last resort solution" to problems of race, suffers the same inherent defects as that of the Marxist theorists who also think that inevitably economic imperatives alone will cause white and black working classes to unite against the oligarchs that control the means of production into a final conflagration called the "proletarian revolution." Both theories make sense only "out there" in some "economist's idealized parallel universe." It seems clear even to me (a non-economist) that both theorists are patently aware that American racism can be explained very well in economic terms as "intangible side payments" that more than offset even the most serious of economic arguments.

That aside however, the main thrust of Sowell arguments here (which are repeated in most of his other books) is in the main true: Racism in general is an "economic drag" difficult to account for in purely, and in any objective economic terms. As he notes, slavery and racism eventually ruined the South, even before the Civil War did so.

But Sowell's most telling points are reserved for blacks and their attitudes towards their own survival in a racist society. While admitting that slavery permanently crippled the black race, Sowell does not believe that that is the whole story. Compared to other more successful non-whites who have also had to endure slavery, to him American blacks generally have the rules of survival in a racist culture "bass ackward," or turned upside down: It is not "dependence" but more "independence" coupled with "foresightedness towards the future," that is the "telling" difference between those who succeed under the rigors of racism and those who fail.

Whatever else may be said about Mr. Sowell, it cannot be said that he is not "level-headed."

Five stars

This book exudes what would be the common sense conclusions of many were the problems discussed not so emotionally charged. I strongly recommend that you read this book if you are interested in social justice.

Dr. Sowell earned a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Chicago, a masters in Economics from Columbia University and a bachelors degree in Economics, magna cum laude from Harvard College.

Perhaps because the subject matter is so emotionally charged, Dr. Sowell has a footnote to references for almost every factual assertion.

His only conclusions with which I disagree are his views on overpopulation. He looks at overpopulation as a global issue that has economic solutions. I tend to look at overpopulation as a local issue whether it presents itself in a family with 12 children when the family could only support two or three or whether it presents itself in a country like Haiti which does not have the population density of many successful countries, but which none the less can't support its population. Dr. Sowell is probably correct that such countries could maintain their populations with sufficient human and economic capital. The problem is that they don't have what it takes to maintain existing populations and are not likely to get what it takes. Population self restraint is an unlikely but more direct solution.

Probably what frustrates those who oppose Dr. Sowell's views is that his facts are well researched and the logic usually irrefutable. Sometimes the truth hurts.

If there is any shortcoming in this book it is that he proposes few concrete solutions to the world problems other than suggesting that we look at what has worked for other oppressed people in the world who have succeeded. You cannot read this book without seeing dozens of solutions that are implied but not enunciated. Perhaps this was his intent.

I rate this book as one of the best books that I have ever read. I am currently reading a re-release of his book "A Conflict of Visions: Ideological Origins of Political Struggles" which also exhibits a profound insight on human nature.

Read this book. You may disagree with many of Dr. Sowell's views, but you will be hard pressed to find good reasons to support your disagreement. If you then want to know why you disagree, read his book A Conflict of Visions.

Jim Fuqua

The message of Thomas Sowell's "The Economics and Politics of Race" is simple and easy to understand: human cultures are not equal and some of them are better than others, their patterns of values having a more decisive role in the social perfomance of their respective members than any alleged, or even real and appaling, discrimination.

Sowell demonstrates that ethnic groups perform differently, even when they are subjected to a similar hostile social condition, like the chinese, the jews or the blacks in the USA, in the beginning of the 20th century.

The reason? A strong commitment, or not, to such values as hardworking, stable family ties and a firm will of improving their own social fate rather than blaming third ones by that same fate.

Similarly, when the pretense source of damage disappears - for example, in societies where certain ethnic groups are largely the majority and "bias" against them is inexistent -, not only their poor social behavior does not vanish, but, contrarily, worsens in a terrible way...

Concluding, culture really matters!

Thomas Sowell has written both about race and economics in other books so it was inteersting to see Sowell combine these tow areas like this. He looks at historical reaosn to look at why certain areas of the world wer bale to acquire wealth while others did not. He looks at how different group's migrations to different parts of the world were similar, similar to the race trilogy. He also looks at the first world and the third world now looking to explain their differences and histories

A wonderfully written comparision of the successes and failures of various races and cultures. Sowell has no problem pointing out how some races have more "human capital" than others and therefore are historically more successful.

This is the most insighful book I have ever read about the playing and teaching of the clarinet. The information on embouchre mechanics alone is worth the price of the book.

Mr. Ridenour has reduced the myriad complex elements of playing and teaching the clarinet to simple, comprehensive concepts and techniques. The Educators Guide to the Clarinet is a great resource for any serious clarinet teacher or performing professional. I highly recommend it!

I have a well-established teaching studio in Orlando, and most of what I have learned, I learned from Tom Ridenour when he used to live here. Not everyone can have Tom in their own home town, but you CAN have his book, and it's almost the same thing. My students are very successful because I use the principals that Tom has laid down in this book. There is no detail too small or unimportant for Tom to talk about, and his insight on the mechanics of clarinet playing is incredible. I wish I had had this book when I was starting out. Thanks, Tom!

I have had the privilege to know and work with Tom Ridenour. For those less fortunate, his Educator's guide to the Clarinet is a wonderful insight into Tom's enormous experience of every aspect of clarinet playing.

This book covers each aspect of playing and forms them into a structured approach which makes so much sense, that I am amazed that it has not been so clearly defined before!

Whether you are an established teacher or a keen amateur player, you will be surprised at the enormous depth of information, which is both easy to understand and a pleasure to read.

The book is divided into two main areas, playing (pedagogy) and a comprehensive section covering the equipment.This includes some of the most useful information ever presented on mouthpieces, reeds and even maintenance of the clarinet.

If you have never bought a book on clarinet-playing before, or have every other book on the subject, this should be at the top of your list!

I can think of no person more qualified to write a guide on clarinet performance than Tom Ridenour, for I can think of no one who understands the instrument better. He is a wonderful musician, with expertise both as a performer and teacher. He is incredibly knowledgeable about the mechanics of tone production, having spent a lifetime working with reeds and mouthpieces. Tom designed a line of clarinets that are being used by such world-class artists as Larry Combs and Eddie Daniels. And Tom has a passion for his work, a passion that he loves to share.

Tom writes that this book is "meant for anyone and everyone who is faced with the task of teaching and learning the clarinet, whether in the studio or the class room, whether in public schools or universities." This is a fairly broad constituency, but it succeeds admirably - whether you are a teacher (at any level) or student (again at any level), or simply someone who wants to understand the clarinet better, the Educator's Guide is a wealth of information.

The Educator's Guide is divided into two parts: Clarinet Pedagogy and Clarinet Equipment. The pedagogical section includes chapters on tonal concept; air; voicing; articulation; and finger technique. The section on equipment covers testing and selecting an instrument; mouthpieces; reed adjustment; repair and maintenance; and accessories. Each chapter begins with "In this chapter you will learn..." and then outlines what is to be covered (e.g."What students need to help them develop a concept of clarinet tone"). Tom then goes on to very clearly, very succinctly, cover exactly what he says he will cover. His writing style is accessible to those that are new to these concepts, but also useful to more experienced clarinetists. Much of what he says I have used in my teaching (intermediate students through graduate students), and in my own performance. In fact, if I have any criticism of this book, it is that the title "The Educator's Guide to the Clarinet" seems a bit narrow. I consider it an essential guide for anyone - teacher, student, professional or amateur - who wants to gain greater knowledge of the clarinet. This joins Tom's previous publication, Clarinet Fingerings: A Comprehensive Guide for the Performer and Educator as a must-have for every clarinetist's library.

I found the images in this little book breathtaking. The color and expression was so exciting and the history was fascinating. This tiny little volume is packed with beautiful images of Nolde watercolors. I'm so glad I found it.

Nolde, though sympathetic to the Nazi Party, was included among the artists who were exhibited in the "Degenerate Art Show". He was also banned from painting throughout the war which he spent in the north German town of Seebüll. Being the artist he was he was unable to halt the creative process and began to paint watercolor pictures on small torn sheets of paper - these paintings, the "unpainted pictures" are the subject of this book. The paintings are quite beautiful and the viewer can see how Nolde played with the rich watercolors to create pictures of people, fantastic portraits, and landscapes and seascapes. They are heavily expressionistic as Nolde used dark colors and india ink to delineate figures, give depth, and provide shadow. At their best the pictures are akin to stained glass with a backlighting sun emphasizing the rich colors. If you're a fan of expressionism it's a must book to have. For an art historian there there is a concise text which explores Nolde's relationship with the Nazi Party and those Nazis (Goebbels among them) who attempted to intercede on his behalf.

Emile Nolde's Unpainted Pictures is a reminder that the Nazi regime affected everyone, not just the groups targeted for persecution. This is an example of one artist's adaptation to those horrible circumstances. It is a book of beautiful reproductions of watercolors done in secret and distributed to friends to keep them safe. Even the format of the book is small, implying that the paintings had to be hidden. It is not a book for generalists; it is for a specific audience, those who are interested in Expressionist paintings.

it is a really beautiful book, in spite of being small, contains watercolors of this great artist, gorgeous, very good quality of illustration, that I make on paper Japanese, in small format, all are like small jewels, that display the great colorista that was. I am enchanted with the book.

I liked, though did not love, this book. I think that perhaps there are too many reproductions, some of which are inferior to the others. I hope that when I die and become a famous artist (well, one can hope, can't they?) someone will edit my work with more care.
Still Nolde is always interesting and this book is worth it for fans of his work.

Sylvia Beach and the Lost Generation

This is an ambitious and serious work, accessible in style, and packed with information in over four hundred pages. It has three main themes, clearly defined in the introduction.
The first is the love between Adrienne Monnier and Sylvia. The details of this, so we are told, 'were and are still little known' in 1983 when this book was first published. The second is her admiration for, and championship of, James Joyce. The third is her bookshop, Shakespeare and Company, which was a key feature of the literary scene in Paris between the two World Wars.
By far the most detail is provided on her professional relationship with Joyce. Her efforts to get Ulysses published and smuggled into America, her financial and personal efforts to support the author, and the amount of time and energy she invested, are the key theme of the book.
Naturally Sylvia knew all the other familiar literary figures of the time. Hemingway and Pound are frequently mentioned, as is Gertrude Stein.
As intimated in the introduction there is less to be said about more personal relationships. In a way this seems rather a pity. The anecdotal style and recurring references to various incidents along the way give the writing a rather disjointed feel. Inevitably there is also a certain sense of déja vu particularly for anyone familiar with biographies of Hemingway for example.
The strength and the weakness of the book is the amount of text devoted to James Joyce. Joyce attracts great, but not universal, enthusiasm. The man himself seems to have had more arrogance than charm. Depending on the side of this divide which the reader favours this book will firmly hold the attention or will, in places, rather pall.

This is one of the best books that I've ever read about the 'lost generation' of Americans literary refugees in Paris. The writing is excellent, the research exhaustive and thorough with unparalleled access to Ms. Beach's 'surpressed' portions of her autobiography "Shakespeare and Company". It is readily apparent from this book that without Ms. Beach and her unflinching support, there would have been no "Ulysses" (and maybe no James Joyce). But there was so many other authors she supported and nurtured as well, as the quote from Ernest Hemingway cited above illustrates as well. This book is almost a 'must read' for those persons interested in American literature of the mid 20th century.

This one has been around for some time now and it is not the worse for wear. For those interested in our literature and literary Paris during the 1920s and 1930s, then this is one of those "must reads" (I truely hate that term, but know of no better to describe the improtance of this work at this time). The author's research is absolutely miticulous and fills in many gaps in the story of this remarkable woman. Do be warned though. Many of the names of people mentioned here are rather obscure (at this day and time) for those not immersed in the literary world. This can make the work a bit difficult to follow at times. That being said, this is a wonderful work to read to cause many of these names to become less obscure than they are now...one more of the many reasons to read this work! The book covers some of the intimate details of Beach's relationship with friends and lovers that she so well side steps in her own account of this time. Recommend this one highly. Actually, you probably should purchase this one as it is one that is a good book for reference and one you will probably want to reread.

This is quite a spectacular book, a privileged look into the most famous English language bookstore in Paris, Sylvia Beach's Shakespeare & Company. Not only is it delightful to read the history of how Sylvia's modest dream became such a huge success, but it is also fascinating to read about Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Gertrude Stein, and James Joyce when they were young. The language is rich and fulfilling, the photos insightful, and in the end, I really felt as if I had been part of it all, sitting in Sylvia's bookstore, hearing the rustle of pages as the day passed away.

This is one of those books where you care about the characters. Their past and future becomes important and that the characters are real people make this book all the more fasinating. A book one does want to end. But end it does with style.

My 8 year old son 1st 4 in the Encyclopedia Brown books by Donald J. Sobol for Christmas but has yet to have read them. We discovered that they are "new" and the Volume 1-4 is different than the "old" Volume 1-4. He has loved these books. They are titled Boy Detective, Case of the Secret Pitch, Finds the Clues, and Gets His Man. As an extra bonus he was delighted to find out that his father had read these books too.

my 6 year old nephew just loves these stories

I have not read many EB books but this was my first one. The first mystery was very easy. so i like it pretty much.

Teaching kids to observe, think, and have fun at the same time? Difficult? Not with the Encyclopedia Brown books!

This is actually the third book in the Encyclopedia Brown series by author Donald J. Sobol. In this volume, Encyclopedia Brown, the smartest kid in Idaville, tackles ten cases. Kids (and adults) will have a great time matching wits with Encyclopedia as they gather clues with him and seek to put together the pieces of the puzzle. If you can't crack the puzzles, don't worry: the solutions to each case appear at the end of the book.

These stories were first published in the 1960's, so they're a little dated, but they still provide loads of fun, and some of them are pretty tricky. If you'd like to develop critical thinking and observation skills in your kids, you can't go wrong with Encyclopedia Brown.

10 cases, 112 pages total

Encyclopedia Brown is a 5th grade boy who solves puzzles, crimes and mysteries as easily and as unconsciously as breathing.

Each book is a series of short mysteries (5-10 pages each) ending with a question - usually "how did Encyclopedia know that X was responsible for the crime". The answer to each mystery is at the back of the book. Solving the mystery takes no special knowledge, but it does require paying attention to detail. Don't turn to the answer too fast.

This book is the third in the series, but the books do not have to be read in order. I loved the Encyclopedia Brown books when I was growing up. I am reading them again before I give them to my nephew who I hope will enjoy them as I did. (The target reading level is ages 9-12).

Adults who like this series may also enjoy the Lateral Thinking Puzzles books.

AN EXCELLENT BOOK!!!
W. THOMAS SMITH JR. EXPLAINS THE CIA IN EASY TO UNDERSTAND TERMS.
I GIVE IT FIVE STARS BECAUSE AFTER SPENDING SOME TIME WITH THIS ENCYCLOPEDIA I NOW HAVE A VERY GOOD UNDERSTANDING OF OUR CIA AND HOW IT FITS IN THE OVERALL DEFENSE AND SECURITY OF OUR COUNTRY.
THOUGH IT SEEMS BRIEF IN CERTAIN SECTIONS, IT IS WELL WRITTEN AND MUCH NEW LIGHT IS SHED ON THE SUBJECT OF THE CIA. I STRONGLY RECOMMEND THIS FOR ANYONE WHO WANTS TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE AGENCY AND OTHER INTELLIGENCE GROUPS!!!

Smith's book is the ultimate resource for those fascinated with history and our countries most conroversial governmental agency - the Central Intelligence Agency .....fascinating and long forgotten tales of intrique - finally there is a source, beautifully organized, with the answers to any questions you may have about the CIA....thanks W. Thomas Smith, Jr. your book is well done.

The ultimate resource for history buffs who want a quick and ready reference book that details the history of the CIA and allows for a quick look up for forgotten names and facts.....a random trip through this fascinating book brings up incredible historic information you may have forgotten.

Great resource book to have on hand. W.Thomas Smith, Jr. brings his experience and talent as a jounalist to this much needed reference book.

This is a very good reference book and helpful to those of us who want to understand our CIA and how it works.
I also found it interesting that Julia Child was in the CIA.
This book deserves five stars.

This is one of the best books on the CIA I've read even though its an encyclopdia form with entries. Particularly fascinating are the unknown operations which W. Thos. Smith Jr. has brought to the forefront of history. What makes this book so good is it's objectivity. CIA has its skeletons. But it also has it courageous heroes and patriots most of which we have never heard of.
Smith also does justice to the brave men and women of the OSS of second World War fame.
I highly recommend this to anyone who hopes to have a better understanding of the CIA and its roots. Smith is a journalist from the south, writing articles for USA Today and Wash. Post, proving once again that some of the best American writers continue to come from below Mason-Dixon.

This book sticks to the music, and what music it was, or should I say, what music *made* - sometimes from situational film material. But this work sticks mainly to A-list, non-soundtrack recordings.
Whether he stuck closely to the demo, or reference disc, or completely reworked the tune, he made it at least interesting and listenable, and those that didn't make that cut (like "Hey Jude") are given a fair chance.
Since '68, I still can't believe what he did with "You'll Never Walk Alone"; discovering years later it was he on piano working out a "head" arrangement on the spot, made it seem even greater. This book will remind you why you liked a particular track in the first place or why you should have. At age 17, I didn't appreciate the depth of this performance, which in this book is described with masterful strokes. Another revelation for me was in reading about "Crying In The Chapel". I've always enjoyed Elvis' record of it, but thought he could have put more *voice* on it. Roy and Aspell evaluated the number as a whole and brought out nuances which have caused me to realize that it, too, is A-list.
I would have been happy to find reviews of movie fluff entries like "Sand Castles" or "Shake That Tambourine", but let's hope we get an "alternate take edition" of this fine manuscript.

THIS NOVEL SHOULD GO DOWN IN HISTORY AS ONE OF THE GREATEST BOOKS TO EVER BE WRITTEN ABOUT THE KING OF ROCK -N- ROLL . IT'S REALLY GOOD . IT TELL'S THE STORY BEHIND 112 OF THE KINGS GREATEST AND NOT SO GREATEST SONGS .IT FOCUSES ON WHAT REALLY IS GREAT ABOUT ELVIS' LIFE HIS MUSIC !

There have been 4,567 books written about Elvis, mostly by people who have never known him, but whose third cousin's sixth-removed niece might have once dated Elvis' former schoolteacher's third wife. Then there's "The Essential Elvis." What makes this book so different is that Samuel Roy and Tom Aspell trace Elvis' life and legacy through personal history as well as 112 of his most significant songs. The book doesn't proclaim to be an expose or definitive history (it's neither); what it is is a clear portrait of the Man Who Would Be King, told through behind-the-scenes knowledge that uncovers and pieces
together the story of a man, his times, talent and cultural influences. And the 20 photographs -- many of which have never been published --- add a nice touch.

"The Essential Elvis" is a thoughtful exploration of the King's music from 1954 until his death in 1977. It's an important and much-needed work that concentrates solely on Presley's artistry. Authors Samuel Roy and Tom Aspell break free from the ill-informed mythology of most Elvis publications by re-examining Presley's work in provocative, exciting ways. You may not agree with all of the writers' criticisms, but it encourages you to track down the 112 Elvis recordings listed in their book.

This excellent book is about what was most important to Elvis and his fans: his songs and music. One of the most significant things the authors said about Elvis is the following words: «The first and best thing that can be done for Elvis Presley is to lessen the emphasis that has been placed on his later years and focus on the talent and genius that define the King.....one of the reasons for his demise was because he cared and felt too much...it got to the point that being Elvis Presley was one of the hardest jobs in the world». I agree completely with the authors and, as a fan, my only wish is that this book will make the people, who don't respect Elvis, see the light...