Warner Books

Whitman is the great American poet. Emily Dickinson has a greatness more metaphorically striking and acutely original in thought. And Wallace Stevens has a music which in its intellectual complexity perhaps transcends that of Whitman.
But Whitman is as Emerson rightly understood the essential American poet.
He is the voice of the new world, of a new land, of a new conception of mankind greater and more hopeful than any seen before. He is the cataloguer of continents and the master maker of the music of ordinary places and people.
He feels most deeply into the American story and is the great democrat of American poetry. His long lines have a freedom and a sense of expansiveness which embrace worlds and celebrate the sights and sounds of his native land. He more than anyone understood the poetry of American place-names. And he had a feeling for the natural motion of America's teeming new cities and long distant shores.
His 'Song of the Self' is a heroic American assertion of Mankind in its great exuberance of hopefulness. Yet no one more than him felt the pain of America's Civil War and its suffering, the lilacs that last in the dooryard bloomed.
There are certain parts of his great poem, set pieces such as 'When I heard the learned Astronomer ' or his lines on the observation of Animals that provide a kind of wake- up shock, a kind of revelation of Thought as Beauty.
He is the definitive American poet, whether we like every aspect of his barbaric yawp or not. Or whether we sometimes feel that his celebrations are misplaced and his self- singings mere aggrandizements.
The great continent, the great Westward expansion, the great thriving of a new world is as he pictured it a sequence of ever- expanding circles of a cosmos becoming greater and greater in time. And he gives that feeling, gives the sense that life has in it some mysterious greatness that moves us always to be more in the future than we can dream we are now.

This wonderful edition features a judicious selection of Walt Whitman's poetry and essays, edited by distinguished literary critic Mark Van Doren (who is perhaps now as well known for being the father of Ralph Fiennes' character in 'Quiz Show' as he is for his erudition).

Van Doren's preface, itself a famous piece of work, accounts for both the best and worst of Whitman's creations (Van Doren seemed to share Randall Jarrell's view that we can only appreciate the best of Whitman's poetry by acknowledging the depths of his worst work), and seeks to locate the personal Whitman within his verses. This essay alone is arguably worth the price of purchase.

What really sets this anthology apart from others like it, though, is the manner in which Van Doren takes his argument - that Whitman's work was always intimate, even though its themes were variously epical or universal - and applies it to his selection of poems. In inevitable inclusions such as 'Song of Myself', 'Mannahatta' and 'Crossing Brooklyn Ferry', we see Whitman the oracular poet, bringing into his egalitarian imagination the disparate bustle and brio of nineteenth-century New York and ordering them in verse. But when we read alongisde these poems 'Ashes of Soldiers', 'When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom'd', 'Native Moments' and 'Once I Pass'd through a Populous City', we begin to recognise the truth in Van Doren's thesis. Whitman's fear of death, his concern for the memories of the individual dead (as we see in 'As Toilsome I Wander'd Virginia's Woods'), and his nascently homerotic fascination with his own body (he writes in 'As Adam Early in the Morning', 'Touch me, touch the palm of your hand to my body as I pass,/ Be not afraid of my body'), complement those aspects of his poetry for which he is perhaps most famous: his mythical imagination, exclamatory verse, and descriptive catalogues of local people and places, which remind me of Homeric battle lists, except that they are predicated upon peace, not war.

Combined with his eloquent prose accounts of his activities as a nurse during the Civil War, his letters, and his thoughtful, incisive tributes to those he recognised as great poets (his critical work occasionally resembles the scrupulous excellence of Samuel Johnson), Whitman's poetry discloses subtle resonances that readers might otherwise be inclined to overlook, or forget. Long-time admirers of Whitman will be overjoyed by this classic edition of his work. Those who haven't yet experienced the joys of his language could do worse than look here for a comprehensive overview of his oeuvre.

Not having read the entire book yet, I am not eligible for evaluating it as a whole. However, the poems that I have read amaze me and they are the reason why I call Whitman my favourite poet.

First and foremost, Whitman follows Emerson's thread of thougth in his nature-loving poetry, but Whitman allows himself fewer limits: He not only writes in free verse, he also writes explicitly about his sexuality.

His power, though, lies in his ability to take everyday things and use them in what we might call catalogue rhetoric: In a way he is just making drafts without logics. This is his way of putting everyday America into a poem. And it works. We may wonder what his point is, but Whitman is about sensation, not logics, and the feeling you experience when you read 'Song of Myself', his masterpiece, is truly unique. It is the same feeling you have when you see a beautful forest or sunset. This is poetry at its best.

I ran upon this book at a local physicians office and absolutely fell in love with it. I told my daughter's physician that I had to have it so I wrote down the name and author and I am currently trying to order a copy and actually got lucky, it is on it's way. I would recommend this book to every parent.

Compared to the multitude of parenting books available, I found "Prescriptions for Parenting," by Carol Ann Meeks, to be an incisive, practical guide for successfully handling common parenting challenges. Each chapter addresses specific behaviors (both the child and parent's) and offers solutions for the desired outcome. The concise format is a boon to busy parents because it is quick to read and portable! The author provides crib notes, ideal for copying, to remind the reader of the actions suggested in the book. This book is suitable for parents who have children of any age, as Meeks addresses problems from toddlers to adolescents. It is a gem

The author is highly qualified to give parenting advice, not only as a pediatrician, a specialist in behavioral pediatrics, family therapy, and crisis intervention, but as a PARENT. I bought this book (and every other book on child care, literally) while pregnant with my first daughter. After two more children (and several more books), I feel that this is the most practical, readable, and usable parenting book there is. I gave several copies to friends and am now trying to secure more copies for gifts. The advice in this book is gold - reasonable, simple, easy, and definitely field-tested. REALLY, buy it.

I read White Star by Mr. Thayer and planned to read more of his writings. A year or so has passed and I saw this book. I could not have been more pleased as I love fiction tied in with true history (i.e. Winds or War, War and Remembrance) I believe there was a attempt on FDR'S life during the war but thwarted. I would recommend this book to all and will go back to the begining to read all of them.

This was a cool story. We have all read a bakers dozen World War Two historical fiction books based in Europe, many even with this type of spy vs. spy hunter chase, but this is the first time I have seen this story line. This is great because I feel like I got a history lesson about what it was like back home during the war. This author's ability to capture details really comes to the forefront in describing what it was like in the states. This is a good book and can be picked up for a song used. It is worth the time.

What a surprise to find that this intriguing story of an assassin and the chase to stop him has not been reviewed at Amazon. Readers are missing out on a thriller and I consider it a public service and my duty to alert anyone interested in WWll historical fiction at its best that James Thayer has written a winner.

Born from desperation, Hitler hatched a plot to have F.D.R. assassinated, believing that in so doing the inevitable defeat of Nazi Germany could be overturned. The story is about the assassin,an escapee from Fort Lewis POW Camp near Tacoma, Washington and the Secret Service agent assigned to capture him. There is action from the beginning when Kurt Monck escapes from the camp to the pulse-pounding finish with a wheelchair-bound F.D.R.

Thayer captures the climate of the United States' domestic front, the fear and concern of the people and the effects of a war economy. He describes the use of innovative investigative techniques in their infancy; the thoughts and feelings of Roosevelt and his relationship with Lucy Mercer and the pressure and anxiety felt by John Wren, the agent with the responsibility to hunt down assassin Monck before he completes his world- altering assignment.

This story was a pleasure to read and is highly recommended for those with a taste for adventure and patriotism.

This book illuminates the fact that the enzymes present only in raw foods are @ least as important as vitamins & minerals in the maintenance of optimum human health. This well-documented work not only reminds us that man is the only animal which cooks it's food but that cooked food is a cultural perversion & an addiction which may actually be injurious to health. The authors delightful writing style informs w/o intimidating the reader w/ medico-chemical jargon. While some critics might label this book "controversial", such claims would be found baseless under the cold, hard light of logic.

The Healthiest way to stay fit, lose weight sensibly and eat yummy foods! Have been using this book for over 10 years and now need a new one because it is falling apart!

Although I have read a great deal about nutrition, after reading raw energy I now know the value of eating foods in their natural state. I have used the information in this book to improve my energy, health, muscular endurance and muscular strength. I loved it and will continue to use the information to live healthfully for many more years.

A perfect marriage of percussion, gaelic lyrics, and melodic tune smithing not found in any other scot band save "Big Country"

I happened to be in Aberdeen over Christmas/98 and saw a BBC telecast of an outdoor concert by Runrig at Sterling. It was quite an interesting concert as to the blending of rock music and the Gaelic influence. There is a move afoot in Scotland to revive the Gaelic language, and Runrig certainly makes the lessons palatable! Great music if you're into Scottish themes, or just looking for something different!

This has to be my second favorite album by Runrig! I can listen to the intrumentals, Recovery, Dust, Old Boys, and Nightfall on Marsco for hours on end and -never- get tired of it. I'll sit and absorb the words of the Gaelic songs (though I know no Gaelic) and still find myself singing the words of them. What other group do you know of that can teach you to love another place you've never been? Runrig can and has and will. __Well worth the price & the wait!__

This was a good read, I only put it down to take care of necessities(grin!). The character personalities and quirks were easy to understand and the whole thing had a GOOD storyline to it. The book was especially interesting to me as I live in the Fauquier County, Virginia area where a majority of the events in this book were based. I just love when a book I'm reading has local "color" in it!

What a wonderful story. I loved this book. If this was the author's first effort I can't wait for more. This was a real page turner and there were plenty of twists and turns. WOW!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book from cover to cover. I didn't want the book to end and I was sad when it did. The author takes you all over the world and you meet many people. This is a good book to read on a stormy day with a cup of tea and a crackling fire in front of you. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a good romance

Kriegel and Brandt are so direct in their approach, so simple in their ideas, so refreshing, it begs the question, why didn't someone think of it sooner? As a strategic planning consultant, I believe that any manager in any business will benefit from reading this book. But BEWARE, reading this book can lead to frustration, as you try to implement these heretical concepts in organizations that are not run by Change Ready people. I would love to see them attack our tax code next!

Highly recommended for any supervisor or manager who acts as a change agent in their organization. Reflected my own organization in each chapter and I appreciated the specific strategies suggested.

This book will not only give you the insite but even the courage to identify, corral, and even eliminate many of the sacred cows which encumber your daily work environments. If for no other reason you can use some of the ideas in this book to have a little fun buy just calling attention to sacred cows at the office

all I can say is Rosanne Bittner is a great writer, there hasnt been a book yet of her I havent loved and Im sure once you read one of her books you to well be hooked

Excellent story telling combined with well-researched history, Bittner makes the book come alive in your mind. The characters are people you can admire and love. The treatment of Native American rituals are respectful detailed and exciting, the romance is to swoon over.

Her treatment of the old fronteir is realistic, some main characters die throughout the book as they would have had they lived on the harsh frontier. Spell binding!

Once again Rosanne Bittner wows her readers with a passonite love story. Savage Horizons is the first of three books in the Blue Hawk Saga. Bittner has an extoradinary ability to weave together the tragic history of the Native Americans and a breath taking romance. Book One, Savage Horizons tells the tale of a half Indian boy, Blue Hawk. His village destroyed and life as he knew it forever changed Blue Hwak is taken in by the Saxes, a White Family He soon forms a friendship with Sarah, the Saxes only child. This tale of childhood friendship turned forbidden love is a wonderful heart wrenching tale of how true love can conquer all.

This is one of the greatest boxcar children books ever! The kids have a great adventure!

Schoolhouse Mystery was good. When Benny's friend Max challenges him to go to a little town that he says has no mystery, they ask Elizabeth Gray, who owns the schoolhouse, she lets Benny, Jessie, Violet and Henry be school teachers. One day in school, Benny's student Isabelle tellls him about The Money Man, Mr. Fred Willet, he had traded antiques for money or nice and shiny things. In the schoolhouse there is a painting of George Washington, and on one of his buttons, instead of a button, there is a space. At the end, when John Carter and Benny discover that there is a secret place in the chimney, that Freddy Willet has 3 names and stole schoolroom books and library books. At the end, Freddy gets aressted. If you like mysteries, then this book is for you!

I find myself amazed that I, childhood (and lifelong) fan of the Bobbsey Twins, Encyclopedia Brown, Nancy Drew, Trixie Belden, the Hardy Boys and others... I somehow missed the Boxcar Children until now. Don't let this happen to you!

In Schoolhouse Mystery, Benny is challenged by his friend Max to visit a dull, boring fishing town and find something, anything, in the way of adventure there. The Alden children and their grandfather do just that, with a little help. Between making friends and teaching at the local schoolhouse, the children notice a suspicious man who is hailed by the people in the town as something of a hero, offering money and gifts in exchange for very old things they believe are junk. The Aldens set out to find out what he's up to and who he is before he - and they - leave town!

I didn't like the illustrations in this book at all. I realize the book is copyrighted 1965, but they're selling it in 2005 and it would be nice if the illustrations were updated to make them a bit more attractive. I did have some trouble with the ages of the kids - one is old enough to drive but they all seem to speak like very young kids - and the "Boxcar Children" is a misnomer by this book, #10, as they are already out of the boxcar and living with the grandfather. But that's nit-picking. The fact is, kids won't care about anything but the fact that it's a good book and a fun series.

This is the 2nd book of a 2 book series. The first is The Infinity Concerto. My detailed rating would be 4.5 for this book. The main character (Michael) has completed his magical training, and now he has to use it. There is lots more of a story to this book compared to the first. What with meeting a nice girl, training an apprentice Sidhe, trying to force a peace between Sidhe and humans, and trying to save the world, Micheal has much to do. The main problem in the book is that the Realm, created by Tonn as a home for the Sidhe, is literally falling apart. So everyone there needs to find a new home, quick! And considering the history of this universe, there will obviously be cosmic problems with that. The book also includes a lot of film/film score/classical music scholarship. It doesn't interfere TOO much with the story. The book DOES answer some questions -- what IS the Loch Ness monster? But at the end I still have a few. What happened to Michael's horse? Why did saving Tonn's wife fall to Michael, not the Crane Women, or the Ban? In any case, this pair of books is quite satisfying when you reach the end. If you can't find the first book, this one stands on its own fairly well.

"The Serpent Mage" picks up shortly after Infinity Concerto leaves off. Michael Perrin is back home, living with his parents and continuing his training. Arno Waltiri has left his estate and the disposition of his papers and recordings to Michael. Waltiri has also left his house to Michael and eventually Michael moves in and begins to go through the papers.

Michael's desires for normality are shattered, however, when he reads a news story about strange bodies discovered in a nearby hotel - one grossly obese, one strangely mummified and in a party dress. Other news stories speak of "hauntings" around the world - Michael suspects that the Sidhe are coming to Earth. If that isn't enough, he is contacted by a musical faculty member from UCLA named Kristine Pendeers who is looking for the Infinity Concerto - Opus 45. She wants to discover and perform it; and she has a friend who, with the help of letters and papers they hope to discover in Waltiri's estate, hopes to finish Mahler's unfinished Symphony. And then play the two pieces together. Once the decision is made to start looking for these materials, Michael begins to fall under various attacks to stop him from completing these tasks.

Hopefully the bit of plot I outlined above doesn't spoil the book for anyone - I could hardly outline less without being so vague about the basic plot of the book as to be basically providing you with a meaningless synopsis of the plot; however, there is so much more to this book than the above. Greg Bear weaves through this story a fascinating new mythos about the creation and evolution, de-evolution and re-evolution of man and the universe that I found to be quite astonishing in its depth and breadth. He weaves in references to several world religions and ties them in to his mythos, showing how the original truth was "twisted" over the years to conform to what would best serve those in power. It's a really interesting device and I enjoyed the way it was woven in throughout the story.

There was only one thing about the story that bothered me and I'm not sure if it was because I misinterpreted what I was reading or if it is because of some sort of misogyny on the part of the author. It is mentioned several times through the course of the book that "magic is carried by the woman." However, not one single mage shown is a woman. If women carry the magic, why aren't there any female mages? Or, as I said, perhaps I am misinterpreting it, and by "carry" they mean like a recessive gene - they carry the magic, but cannot use it.

Whatever the case, "The Serpent Mage" nicely finished up the story begun in Infinity Concerto, creating the full story of Songs of Earth & Power: The Infinity Concerto and the Serpent Mage. I strongly recommend these books to anyone who enjoys a well-crafted fantasy/magical realism story. Very well done!

This is the 2nd book of a 2 book series. The first is The Infinity Concerto. My detailed rating would be 4.5 for this book. The main character (Michael) has completed his magical training, and now he has to use it. There is lots more of a story to this book compared to the first. What with meeting a nice girl, training an apprentice Sidhe, trying to force a peace between Sidhe and humans, and trying to save the world, Micheal has much to do. The main problem in the book is that the Realm, created by Tonn as a home for the Sidhe, is literally falling apart. So everyone there needs to find a new home, quick! And considering the history of this universe, there will obviously be cosmic problems with that. The book also includes a lot of film/film score/classical music scholarship. It doesn't interfere TOO much with the story. The book DOES answer some questions -- what IS the Loch Ness monster? But at the end I still have a few. What happened to Michael's horse? Why did saving Tonn's wife fall to Michael, not the Crane Women, or the Ban? In any case, this pair of books is quite satisfying when you reach the end. If you can't find the first book, this one stands on its own fairly well.