Warner Books

This series is the best compilation of Stephen Sondheim's work. Most aggravating, however is the fact that they're not easy to come by. It took me quite a while to collect all three books. If you can find any of them, they are well worth the price. The range of Sondheim music coupled with the individual arrangements themselves make this a must-have for any pianist.

All the recipes in this book are easy and absolutely delicious! The fajita recipe is my favorite and whenever I make them, my guests give me rave reviews. My husband won't get fajitas in a restuarant anymore because he says they don't compare to this one.

The development of the All Volunteer Force (AVF) has moved the United States closer to the rest of the civilized world. Virtually all of the developed countries in Europe, Asia, and around the world have gone to a non-draft mode.

The results have been astounding, far exceeding what the original proponents had predicted. The troops (and we are really just talking about the Army as the other forces were all volunteer before) that we have now are: smarter, better educated, more law abiding (a criminal record keeps you out of the service), use fewer drugs, have a higher esprit de corp, and re-enlist at a higher rate.

This book is a report based on a conference of people with direct experience with the AVF. It is based on the first thirty years of the AVF. The report is broken down into five parts:

The All-Volunteer Force in Perspective
Sustaining the Force: Recruiting and Retention
Reserve Component Contributions to the All-Volunteer Force
Transformation in Military Manpower and Personnel Policy
The Next Decade.

I have heard rumors in the press that currently enlistments are down because of the war in Iraq. Doing a quick search on the internet shows a lot of smoke and noise, but little real data. Everyone opposed to the war seems to have a web page saying that recruitment is down, and we must get out of Iraq, etc. Other pages say that the military is increasing incentives and attracting the number and quality of the people they need.

In the long run, I doubt that we will return to the draft, but I suppose if the anti-war people are successful ....

Oliver Wendell Holmes describes Emerson as an intellectual mystic, as opposed to an emotional one. This probably places Emerson very much in line with Holmes' own temperament -- this Holmes is the father of the famous and intellectually accomplished Supreme Court justice; Holmes, Sr. was himself a medical doctor and man of letters in New England. What Holmes describes as intellectual mysticism as opposed to emotional mysticism shows that Emerson never lost a realistic grounding of his beliefs, and always kept a firm grasp on things such as common sense and self reliance.

Joel Porte introduces the text, written in 1885, talking about the odd choice the rationalist Holmes must have seemed to the Transcendentalist canonisers who would have wanted a more sympathetic character. However, Holmes' overall personality made him an ideal biographer, with much more credibility in the end than a true-believing disciple of Emerson would have had in a similar biographical effort. Both Holmes and Emerson were seekers after truth, and in such had a similar spirit; both also had a good sense for the ridiculous, and managed to remain level-headed among otherwise unstable environments.

Holmes identifies Emerson as belonging to the New England 'Academic' race -- Emerson is a name that is common among academics and ministers generation after generation. This kind of inheritance is more than just cultural in Emerson's view, and in Holmes' view, who before addressing his subject, looks at the several generations back of Emerson's forebears.

Emerson finds inspiration in the things about him -- in nature, in society, and in himself. Emerson has a deep and abiding concern for the transcendent unity of all things, and that there is a spirit in the world that keeps the world together. Emerson was born into a society at a unique period, a coalescing of the first truly American generation of thinkers. While Emerson was not a particularly outstanding student in college, he nonetheless developed ways of writing, thinking and speaking that made him a prominent intellectual figure in his own time, and a mystical/religious figure as well.

Holmes had the advantage of having known Emerson enough to be able to render some personal and candid observations. After giving a general historical narrative of his life, complete with extracts from writings and correpondence, Holmes reflects on various aspects of Emerson's life, including his general personality and habits. Emerson's voice had charm both in personal conversation as well as in lecture and pulpit settings. Emerson often spoke with hesitation, according to Holmes, prefering the momentary silence to find the right word over using the wrong or less-appropriate word. These kinds of observations make Holmes' volume one of real value.

In discussing Emerson's mystical side, Holmes rarely has sympathy, but does not denigrate Emerson's own belief system. 'The knowledge, if knowledge it be, of the mystic is not transmissible,' Holmes states. It cannot be compiled and built upon by others, but is created anew in each seeker. Emerson's view of science is probably similar to Holmes' view of mysticism.

Overall, this is an excellent biography of Emerson, great at giving insight into the author, Holmes, as well.

They had loved each other once...but with a youthful passion that consumed them; now Selena, more beautiful than ever, was a rich widow whose husband nearly had become President of the United States. And Hank was now a racing car magnate who had agreed, without knowing his parentage, to let Selena's son Blair race for him. For a race that may be the beginning or the end.

First off the there are some beautiful pictures as part of the Book, the cover shot and 3 full page shots in the book as well as some smaller shots. The Book has a section for lyrics only first which is great, its much easier to read the lyrics hear then it is in the liner notes of the CD, where there too small. Following the lyric section is the chord and note section (with lyrics as well) so we can play along as well as sing along. The bonus track lyrics and music on the DVD (and also included on some of the import versions of the CD) Tornera La Neve is included as well.

The most beautiful collection of color photographs of the Angkor Wat complex that I have seen. The accompanying narrative is thorough and places the images in an understandable perspective. Anyone planning to visit Angkor will want to review "Angkor: The Hidden Glories" first. Those who see this book will be pleased to find that the trip is easily made in comfort these days, unlike the days of the PRK era when Warner made this great photo survey.

A prequel of sorts to Advise and Consent, this book moves! What a treasure. Drury effectively develops his characters through their conversations, yet still gives us insight to their character through narration. I think all women may find a bit of themselves in Anna or Bess, as all men will be able to identify with one of the male characters in this book. He humanizes what in other books he satirizes (the leftist press). A definite read for Drury lovers, and a great place to start if you want to break into this wonderful author's books.

I actually read a different edition, but on the assumption that they are nearly identical, I'll repeat the review here.

I must admit that it has been quite a while since I read this. It was always my favorite biography of Anne Boleyn - I thought it brought her to life more than most that I have read. Bruce has some very interesting speculations and insights. I was quite impressed at the care she took in placing certain incidents which other writers have inserted, apparently almost at random, during or after Anne's life. The prime example is the conversation between Henry VIII and Jane Seymour regarding their future children - this is often placed after Anne's imprisonment or death, but Bruce carefully locates it before any accusations were even made against Anne.

This has now be superseded by Eric Ives' The Life and Death of Anne Boleyn, but it is still very much worth reading.

This is a very good book and I got for a great price.Joyce really helps out alot of people.