Dance Books

The book contains some details about mcQueen's life that only the writer knew , that give a hint about how mcQueen viewed life, danger, and speed.
but the photos are mainly advertising ones and not real life.
i would expect more on the life of mcqueen as a person and not only as an actor

A wonderful work of art that captures what made Steve so charismatic and appealing. It leaves you wishing you could see more from other periods in his life. This is a book I will treasure all my life. Thank you Amazon, I would have paid ten times as much for this book. God Rest His Soul.

According to his foreward to this book, the photographer William Claxton met Steve McQueen in 1962 when McQueen was starring with Natalie Woods in LOVE WITH THE PROPER STRANGER. The two men formed a friendship and apparently Mr. Claxton became Mr. McQueen's favorite and most requested photographer. This book of wonderful photographs, covering a couple of years in Mr. McQueen's life from 1962 to 1964, is a result of that brief friendship. Most of the pictures appear to be shot in available light and have a wonderful, informal spontaneity about them impossible to capture in formal portraiture. Both the photographer and subject are comnpletely without pretention.

Mr. Claxton caught Mr. McQueen smiling, clowning and pensive. There are photographs of McQueen in fast cars as well as on motorcycles. Many of the shots were done while Mr. McQueen was working on movies. There are also many pictures of him with family and friends. Most of the shots are in black and white with a few in color. Every time I look at them I find yet another photograph that I think is the best in the book. There is a haunting shot of McQueen with his young daughter where the child, sitting on the floor and resting on her arms, looks into Claxton's camera. We only see her father's legs and feet. (p. 79) Another great shot appears on page 73. McQueen is embracing the family cat. Finally, there's a shot of McQueen lying on a blanket in a large field. His profile is beautifully backlit. Both photographs selected for the front and back covers are fine, informal portraits as well.

This book made me remember how much I enjoyed Steve McQueen's movies and made me sad that he is no longer among us.

A great book, considering it is of a short period in Steve McQueen's life. This is him in his prime captured by a great photographer.

Very comprehensive. Show's a different side of the rough and tumble character known as Steve McQueen. Very entertaining.

This comment has more to do with the format of the Dover reprint than it does with the actual text. In the older edition of "Structural Hearing" the text was in volume one and the examples were in volume two. This allowed the reader to have the examples in front of them to refer to while they read the text. The Dover reprint is essentially both volumes bound into one book. This causes the book to be very cumbersome, although it probably significantly lowers the production cost. When I read "Structural Hearing" I finally had to check out volume two from the university library. I sincerely hope that the new Longman edition of "Der Frei Satz" maintains the original format.

Shenkerians principles in digestable form. A great approach to analysis(one that seems to be dominating todays music analysis). I was not really sold on Shenkerian analysis until I read this book. I still feel that sometimes the principles are "over-exhausted", but Shenkerian analysis is certainly better, and more meaningful than strict chordal grammar analysis. The only problem is that the examples are not placed within the text; so you constantly have to flip back and forth to look at the example that the text is referring too.

For anyone interested in Tonal Theory this work is absolutely necessary. Salzer's work is a continuation & extrapolation on Heinrich Schenker's work on music theory. The only drawback is it is not fully consistent when dealing with post-Romanticism (but then Schneker's theory is not always applicable in later musical contexts, & in some cases not completely internally-consistent). However, for the foundations of music from Bach to Beethoven (& the Romantic composers afterward as well as any modern composition even remotely tonal) it is a masterwork.

i believe we are biological machines. We process stimuli from our environment in parallel processing neural nets called brains. this is done so that we have appropriate motor output for our environment.

concepts are essentially processing categories of our brains. the concepts we have reflect certain efficient ways of processing environmental stimuli, ways that WORK. the most successful concepts are the ones that work.

when it comes to music composition, the concepts in this book WORK.

though some criticize and say a host of difficulties and nuances are subsumed under some pretty broad strokes, that ultimately doesn't matter. because suspended maj 9th don't matter. music that moves matters. this book focuses on the motion in music.

the basic idea is that harmony indicates certain stopping points, like the hard bones of an organism. but the motion between these points, the flesh as it were, is counterpoint.

bones and flesh, structure and motion, crystallization and fluidity, harmony and counterpoint.

that's the idea. will change the way you hear music. very, very deep. very, very good.

these ideas are very close to an explication of how composers think.

This is a great book for those interested in exploring the many and varied aspects and ramifications of Schenkerian theory. I first bought this book in its hardback-two-separate-volume edition in 1972 or 1973, when, as an undergraduate music student, I was looking for answers to how music "works." This was while studying at a university where the music theory department had been commandeered by a couple of "avant-gardiste" professors who, after eliminating all traditional harmony classes,further insisted that all students should compose, regardless of interest or ability, and that atonality, interminable dissonance, and "originality" for its own sake be the ideals which one should be forced to uphold. It was in this environment that I began my search for musical understanding, and started researching the theoretical, harmonic, contrapuntal, and formal aspects of music that were so sorely neglected in my university education. It was at this time that I became aware of the book "Structural Hearing." In fact, one friend of mine told me, that this was the best book on theory that he had ever read.
There are three things I would recommend to anyone interested in studying this book:
1. First, understand the basics of 4-part harmony, and become proficient at reading figured bass notation. This will help you understand the sections of the book that deal with what the author refers to as "chord grammar."
2. Second, get a copy of "The Study of Counterpoint," by J. J. Fux. This is the Norton edition of the translation of the famous "Gradus ad Parnassum." Work through the exercises in this book. In addition to being a lot of fun, these exercises will teach you a ton about the origins of harmony, voice leading, etc., and will provide some amazing practical solutions to problems you may encounter later, in composing original music, and/or arranging. I have always been happy for the work I did in this book. Trust me, you won't regret it!
3. Go to the nearest print shop that does book binding. They can split your book into two volumes, laminate the covers of them, and spiral bind each section. This will allow you to have the text and the examples side by side, and, as they are spiral bound, will allow you to lay them out flat. I do this with almost all of the scores, or music books with which I work. I recommend this to the reviewer above who expressed regret that the book was bound as a single volume, as well as all others who study this book.
I am delighted to get this book in the paperback edition, and I hope my recommendations are helpful.

I have SEEN the Kent family talent shows. I am delighted to see they have finally shared their talent with others. This book will help people accomplish success in this field.

"This book is excellent. Every school, church, everyone interested in theatre production NEEDS one."

Talent Shows the Kent way is an amazing book. Directing a talent show is an incredibly daunting task, and this book pulled together an amazing amount of theatrical wisdom from the authors backgrounds and put it into an easy to follow format. The authors even broke down what order to put the acts in, lighting, etc. and I couldn't believe it could all be done from audition to performance in such a short time! The best part is the confidence the children receive from this method! I would recommend this book to anyone, even seasoned directors.

"Talent Shows the Kent Way" is a fantastic guide to putting on a talent show. I have seen talent shows in the past and previously thought the project would be overwhelming. The book walks you through step by step and even has a checklist to make the process even easier. It teaches you theatrical terms, so that when you are using the method with your performers, you can sound like a professional.

I was amazed at the quality of the performances I had using the method. Even though I had never directed a talent show before, the performances were polished and details I would never have thought of were covered in the method and used in our shows. Everyone involved enjoyed being a part of it. It has been a wonderful experience and "Talent Shows the Kent Way" made it happen!

"Talent Shows The Kent Way" is a delightfully written and thorough guide to talent shows of all kinds. It has amazing depth, providing in great detail the esesential elements that make a talent show run smoothly and profesionally. The book is packed with wisdom based on the authors' extensive experience in the field. Simultaneously, the writers demonstrate that doing a talent show "The Kent Way" is fun. Let them entertain you!

My kids always love me to read this to them. It really catches their attention and I never tire of this story.

Like other reviewers, I bought this book for my daughter Tessa. We have read it many times over the years, and she's practically memorized it. I love the alliterative writing, the way you simply cannot help singing and bopping while reading this aloud. Cute illustrations that appeal to kids round out this wonderful read aloud story book. Kids will relate to the difficulty Tessa and the cat have in restraining their urge to move/sing.

I bought this book for my daughter, Tessa. We found it at the library and then hunted it down on Amazon. It is full of spunk and is very fun to read to kids. You can really add lib when the cat starts singing. My kids love this book.

THE MOUSE IS DANCING, THE CAT IS SINGING & NEITHER CAN STOP. VERY CUTE ILLUSTRATIONS.

I love this book Beautiful illustrations My name just happens to be tessa

What I like most about this book is that it takes a few months from 1957 on a film location and tells how it feels to be there. The movie was not great, and it was forgotten soon enough. Yet, the atmosphere of film making and the camaraderie of the crew and cast is just a wonderful experience. Yes, they had some terrible times, with ego clashing and scandals covered up, but it is such a nostalgic little story, reading like a novel. All the people in the story, Audie Murphy and Michael Redgrave, mostly are fascinating, and how nice to have a special look at them. I truly enjoyed this armchair escape to another time and another place. Thanks!

This really is a marvelous book--full of all the details and asides that you don't get to read elsewhere. I found it amusing as well as informative. The author, Dr. Russo, clearly knows his subject--and shares his knowledge in a very entertaining way.

I have an interest in war, Japanese and Asian affairs. Amazon recommended The Quiet American with Michael Caine. Somewhat a Caine fan, I ordered it and liked it for what it implied about early US involvement in Vietnam. Amazon then recommended the dvd version with Audie Murphy and Michael Redgrave which I tried. That was different. What was going on? What had Graham Greene really written? Ordered and read new Penguin edition. Both film versions took liberties. Why? Amazon suggested A Thinker's Damn by Willima Russo, which finally sorted out for me why the Murphy/Redgrave version differed from the Greene book. Russo also filled in a huge number of additional details and insights about this first film version. The two dvds and the two books provide a very good look at book to film adaptations, and three people's impressions about US policy in early Vietnam. I wonder if Russo has written about the Michael Caine version; it is the one I prefer, even though I am a fan of Michael Redgrave who portrays Fowler in the early film. A good number of photographs illustrate this book.

This book has info about Audie that is not anywhere else. The author interviewed people close to Audie who never have talked about him before for publication. The movie The Quiet American was a special project for him, according to his best friend Willard Willingham. He soon hated doing it because Vietnam, even in 1957, was not a pleasant place before the war. This book reads like a novel but is all true. If you really want insights into Audie Murphy, you must read this book. Despite all that happened, he knew what he had to do. He was not just an actor. He was a hero--and in the Quiet American, he played the part to perfection. There is another remake of the movie now filmed, but nothing can top the original.

What I like most about this book is that it takes a few months from 1957 on a film location and tells how it feels to be there. The movie was not great, and it was forgotten soon enough. Yet, the atmosphere of film making and the camaraderie of the crew and cast is just a wonderful experience. Yes, they had some terrible times, with ego clashing and scandals covered up, but it is such a nostalgic little story, reading like a novel. All the people in the story, Audie Murphy and Michael Redgrave, mostly are fascinating, and how nice to have a special look at them. I truly enjoyed this armchair escape to another time and another place. Thanks!

Have you ever wondered what it's like to be a background actor on the set of a TV show or movie? Dreamed of really being there, on set as an extra?

This book is a must-have guide if you're in those "what if" categories. Jo Kelly is an experienced background actor who got into the business after the death of her well-known actor husband, Jack Kelly, who played Bart Maverick in the late 1950s - early 1960s TV show of the same name. In and around Hollywood for many years during their marriage, Jo, a real estate executive, decided it would be fun to be on set as an actor. And despite her many years as the wife of a well-known industry insider, she wasn't ready for the scams and idiosyncrasies she would come across working in the business. She's a smart woman, though, and a fast learner. This book is the result of her hard-earned lessons.

Jo Kelly's book is a well-put-together pocketbook to carry with you at all times if you're on the road to an acting career--whether you have ideas of becoming a major player, or want to be the best in the background. Filled with firsthand accounts of scenarios you may encounter, and the best way to solve minor and major issues, this book gives you insider information you're not likely to find anywhere else all in one convenient place.

Casting agencies, how to apply, what to wear--or not to wear, how to get your children into the business, work with talent agencies, how to get your SAG card, and helpful points for the disabled are only some points carefully covered for the benefit of the background actor hopeful. "Jo's Take" is included at the end of most of the chapters, giving you the benefit of her experience to help you avoid any of the likely pitfalls you might otherwise come up against--if, of course, you didn't already have this book to help you around them.

And a bonus: a front, back, and centerfold of fun pictures!

although I live in NYC, and this book is geared to LA, a lot of the background info is helpful. I actually emailed the author and she emailed me back! (much to my surprise). For NY residents get backstage Ross Reports for a lot of info you'll need. Certain newsstands carry it, about $10.00. It lists casting agents, etc.

"The Truth about Being an Extra: How to Become a Good Background Actor" by Jo Kelly is an amazing book. Finding each and every page interesting, exciting and filled with valuable information, I read it nonstop from beginning to end. I even found valuable information in the introductory sections before the first chapter and in the information at the end of the book. I devoured this book with enthusiasm from cover to cover! Jo Kelly's writing style is friendly, informative, encouraging, and easy to understand. She provides examples of scams and problems she encountered early in her career as a background actor, and explains how she eventually received many successful jobs in background acting once she learned the ropes. She also provides lists- -including addresses and phone numbers- -of legitimate casting agencies for background actors. After reading Jo Kelly's book, I felt that becoming a background actor is a very real possibility, and that it would be tremendous fun!

In "The Truth About Being An Extra", Jo Kelly (founder of Background Actor Seminars) draws upon her years of professional experience as a veteran background actor and her personal insights as a former celebrity wife to reveal "inside secrets" to becoming a successful "background actor", that is, one of those folks you see in movie and television scenes of crowds, passers-by, restaurant diners, etc. Readers will also learn of scams and pitfalls that can happen to naive actors accepting walk-on, background roles in movies, television and commercials when they register with casting agencies. A compendium of solid film industry information, invaluable advice for newcomers, illustrative anecdotal stories of her own experiences, practical tips for securing background acting jobs, locating legitimate casting agencies, as well as becoming both comfortable and professional on the set, "The Truth To Being An Extra" should be found in every college Theatre Department's reference collection and considered "must reading" for anyone aspiring to a background acting gig.

This is a quick read that is full of interesting tidbits of information providing a rare glimpse into the world of working as a background actor in the movies. It is not a detailed guide by any means but it does give the reader an overview of many things aspiring "extra" needs to consider as they travel this career path.

Author Jo Kelly comes across as knowledgeable and very personable in her style of writing. Kelly generously shares her knowledge to help newcomers avoid some of the mistakes she made. Her numerous stories from the trenches offer insights into how the real world works and serves up helpful warnings for the neophyte.

The author offers many very specific recommendations with all the necessary contact details. Unfortunately, for readers outside California, the contacts in "The Truth About Being An Extra" seem to only apply for those in Los Angeles (Hollywood). Other interested readers could probably use these listings as a guide and seek out comparable resources in their own part of the world. For example, Canadian actors might find the book useful for its general advice but then need to go a step further. They would need to seek out the agents, agencies, and specific organizations that are relevant in Canada if that's where they plan to start their career as a background actor.

Kelly discusses both general and specific issues. She mentions child actors, parents of child actors, and actors with disabilities as examples of situations with unique considerations. The glossary of the vocabulary used in the industry adds even more clarity.

As a complete outsider to the world of movie making, I came away feeling I had a bit of insider knowledge about the day-to-day reality of a career as a movie extra. It was a bonus to also learn Kelly's fascinating personal story about how she happened to write this book. Widowed in the early 1990's, her original goal was to make a career change by breaking into the world of background acting! Once she learned to be a good movie extra, she then moved on to give presentations, run seminars, and write this book.

What makes this story within the story so interesting is that she had a major hurdle to overcome first - she had to conquer her fear of public speaking. She gladly credits Toastmasters for helping her deal with that challenge. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Even my 5 year old daughter who was given the Barbie movie by the same title prefers me to read this book to her over watching the dvd. The illustrations are lovely; the text is interesting, yet clear enough for my little one to understand. A wonderful book for any little girl who enjoys beautiful dresses and magical places.

Having enjoyed looking at children's book since childhood this illustrated book is absolutely amazing. Each page is beautifully illustrated in Oil based paint, such exquisite artistry in a book made for children. The detail of each painting serves to tell the tale without words.

Having enjoyed looking at children's book since childhood this illustrated book is absolutely amazing. Each page is beautifully illustrated in Oil based paint, such exquisite artistry in a book made for children. The detail of each painting serves to tell the tale without words.

I've said it in another review and I'll say it again: every home should have at least one Ruth Sanderson book in their children's bookshelves, and her retelling of 'The Twelve Dancing Princesses' would be a pretty good choice.

The king of a prosperous kingdom has twelve beautiful daughters, but is confused at the state of their shoes each morning - each pair is worn through, although the door to their bedroom is locked. Where are the princesses going and how are they getting out? Many men are sent to guard the princesses with the promise that if they solve the mystery they may gain one of their hands in marriage, but all the young princes disappear by morning. But one day Michael comes to the castle as a helper to the gardener with the magical gift of an invisibility cloak given to him by an old woman on the road. Instantly smitten with the youngest princess Lina, Michael hides in the girls' bedroom under his cloak and watches them creep through a secret trapdoor, through glittering woods and across a vast lake to a castle... but how is a mere commoner supposed to inform the king of this and secure the love of his youngest daughter?

Ruth Sanderson once again brings to life a beautiful fairytale with her glorious oil paintings, making this a must for any bookshelf, or lovers of fairytales or fine art. Despite the fact there are twelve princesses, the illustrations are never cluttered, and Sanderson captures water, material, hair and even glances between one figure to another realistically, yet with a whimsical and fantasy touch. If there is one slight flaw, her colours are less bright than in other books - they are mostly pale yellows, blues or greens that give them a slightly washed out look when compared to the vividness of her other books such as 'The Golden Mare, the Firebird and the Magic Ring' and 'The Crystal Mountain', but this is most definitely one of her best narrative retellings. 'The Enchanted Wood' in my opinion still contains her best illustrations, but the story is rather weak. 'The Twelve Dancing Princesses' is the best choice for a melding of both art and storytelling skills.

Basically, girls will adore this, parents will love reading it, and if you take the time to persuade boys that is isn't a 'girly' book, then I'm certain they'll be intrigued enough by the mysterious midnight travels through the woods and the cunning of Michael to enjoy it too!

Ruth Sanderson's 'Twelve Dancing Princesses' is a fresh, deftly written take on the original fairy tale. The characters come alive, and the writing captures the childlike innocence of a fairy-tale world without being saccharine. However, what really makes this book stand out are the gorgeous illustrations. Sanderson's sumptuous oil paintings enrich the tale, and are works of art in their own right. Even without words, she knows how to create an atmosphere of mystery and of magic.

I received this book as a Christmas gift around 1980, I believe. I cannot tell you how much this book meant to me as a girl. I must have read it about 200 times. My mother recently moved and was going through all our childhood things and found the book packed away. She gave it to me. I was so delighted because I thought I'd lost the book years ago. I sat down immediately and read it again. And yep...its still as good as it ever was.

I am a ballet dancer. I have been dancing for 15 years now, and this is still one of my favorite books. I was introduced to it when I was about 5 and it facinated me. The whole story seemed true to what I knew about ballet and Stephanie, the main character, lived my biggest dreams! For years, I only borrowed it from the library, and soon it was one of the most worn in their collection! Finally, we moved away and the next library didn't have it, but Mom found it at a used book store and bought it for me. I ended up meeting David Richards, a teacher in the book, at a ballet competition and he signed it for me. He told me that Stephanie doesn't dance any more, and I don't think she ever made it into New York City Ballet company or any other ballet company. Like I said earlier, I've been dancing 15 years and this book, to me, is even more a true embodiment of what the every-day life of a ballet dancer is! I've known this book so long that I can quote it forwards and backwards, and almest every sentence is or has been true for me! I just finished a run of Nutcracker and, "I tore a little pink ribbon off the pantaloons that I wore in the party scene to keep for a souvenir."-to quote page 118. I am positive that current dancers, former dancers, future dancers, and sancers in their dreams will absolutly love this book, especially because it is so true to what they feel!

While Jill Krementz is a talented photographer, what my daughter and I really loved about this series was the very detailed text. She was fascinated to learn that each level at the School of American Ballet wears a different color leotard. She sympathized with the dancer who wants a new role in The Nutcracker, but gets the same casting. She learned the difference between a class, a rehearsal, and a performance - all opportunities to dance, but each with a specific purpose.
The original Jill Krementz books, like this one, were printed in black and white. A few later books ("A Very Young Skier") are in full color. But while the color photos look more contemporary and appealing, the later books are "dumbed down" - the text is very short, more like picture captions than narrative.
For the wonderful sense of detail you need the classic titles like "A Very Young Dancer." They make a dancer's life so real, a young reader can easily picture herself (or himself) doing the same. And that's the real power of this series: instead of being a passive spectator, the young reader becomes a participant. My daughter is now dancing in The Nutcracker for her ninth (and last) year. I think "A Very Young Dancer" was a big help along the way.

I am very partial to this book because it was one of my favorites when I was a little girl. I do believe this book is an absolute must-have for any young girl who takes part in the performing arts, particularly ballet. A VERY YOUNG DANCER is about a beautiful little girl named Stephanie who is a student at the prestigious American School of Ballet. We see her learning technique with her fellow students under the direction of David Howard. Eventually, we see her live the dream of many little would-ballerinas as Stephanie is chosen for the part of Mary (or Clara in many versions) in the New York City Ballet's production of the Nutcracker. I think the most important aspect of this book is the message--hard work, determination, and a good attitude are essential for making dreams come true.

Researchers constantly find that reading to children is valuable in a variety of ways, not least of which are instilling a love of reading and improved reading skills. With better parent-child bonding from reading, your child will also be more emotionally secure and able to relate better to others. Intellectual performance will expand as well. Spending time together watching television fails as a substitute.

To help other parents apply this advice, as a parent of four I consulted an expert, our youngest child, and asked her to share with me her favorite books that were read to her as a young child. A Very Young Dancer was one of her picks.

This is a story of a girl, Stephanie, who has the starring girl's role in The Nutcracker at age 10. The book is full of wonderful photographs that show ballet as it is experienced by the dancers. The story is written as though by Stephanie, so you see the world from her perspective.

My daughter loved this story so much, that she would beg me to keep reading. I would keep going until my voice was so hoarse I could not continue. And I loved the story, too.

Almost all little girls become interested in ballet at some point. This book is a wonderful way to encourage and expand on that interest while your child is too young to actually begin training. The material in this book can help sustain an interest in ballet later on, either as a dancer or as a fan. It will certainly encourage everyone who reads it to see The Nutcracker performed again this holiday season.

Although the story is focused on Stephanie, she also dances with eleven year old Stephen in The Nutcracker. Other male figures include Shaun O'Brien who plays Drosselmeyer and Stephanie's teacher, David Richardson. So boys who are interested in ballet will also find role models here.

Overcome your misconceptions that being a child star is bad for children with this heart-warming book about learning, growing up, beauty, and sharing with others.

Really well written book. Found alot of friends and family members in the book in the era of which it was written. Very true to it's nature. Purchased 2 books.

It is often common to find in magazines reports: "Carlos Santana. The man who created the latin-rock", as if he had create this sound by his own in a chemical laboratory. Instead, in this book, Jim Mc Carthy gives credit to a lot of people that put their little grain of sand to make this style born and live. Each musician is analicize by a very human view, but always in relation with the musical stuff. The pictures are incredible, and the Glossary... ¡re-grosso!. ¡Aguante el Rock-Latino!.

* LATIN * ROCK * MASTERPIECE *, June 27, 2005
Reviewer: derjenrogers from WILTHIRE
l found long ago, a very special sound,but no one was around totell me about it, no one knew anything, only that the music was so powerful it WOULD change your life. My soul has been searching for 30 years untill Jim McCarthy came and spent four years of his life, writting, hundred of interviews, to bring to life an utter MASTERPIECE, documenting the raw,uncensored passion to the roots of LATIN ROCK. Authenticity and powerful emotion drips off every page,forcing the reader to collect it and greedily drink
down this strong, pungent,wonderful nectar to fill your unknowing soul with THE KNOWLEDGE!

All the peoples names (which i only use to just read on the back of album covers) all come to life and i feel that they are close
friends,as so many are backed-up with the huge amount of photographs in this wonderful book.l now, no longer feel left outside, without The Knowledge, but part of global commune, full of love, warmth and unashamed greed for LATIN ROCK.
Jim McCarthy has pulled off a monumental task with getting to grips with the truth behind the roots of the music to some of the greastest latin rock bands of all time.
Their music will be here forever, as indeed this book will be.

THIS BOOK IS A TOTAL MUST FOR ALL LATIN ROCK LOVERS
DISCOVERING IT'S ROOTS,HISTORY,IT'S MUSICIANS. THIS
MASTERPIECE WILL FOREVER HAUNT EVERY BOOK SHELF ALL OVER THE WORLD, AS THE ONLY TRUE AUTHORITIVE VOICE IN LATIN ROCK

Reviewer: derjenrogers from UK
l found long ago, a very special sound,but no one was around totell me about it, no one knew anything, only that the music was so powerful it WOULD change your life. My soul has been searching for 30 years untill Jim McCarthy came and spent four years of his life, writting, hundredS of interviews, to bring to life an utter MASTERPIECE, documenting the raw,uncensored passion to the roots of LATIN ROCK. Authenticity and powerful emotion drips off every page,forcing the reader to collect it and greedily drink
down this strong, pungent,wonderful nectar to fill your unknowing soul with THE KNOWLEDGE!

All the peoples names (which i only use to just read on the back of album covers) all come to life and i feel that they are close
friends,as so many are backed-up with the huge amount of photographs in this wonderful book.l now, no longer feel left outside, without The Knowledge, but part of global commune, full of love, warmth and unashamed greed for LATIN ROCK.
Jim McCarthy has pulled off a monumental task with getting to grips with the truth behind the roots of the music to some of the greastest latin rock bands of all time.
Their music will be here forever, as indeed this book will be.

THIS BOOK IS A TOTAL MUST FOR ALL LATIN ROCK LOVERS
DISCOVERING IT'S ROOTS,HISTORY,IT'S MUSICIANS. THIS
MASTERPIECE WILL FOREVER HAUNT EVERY BOOK SHELF ALL OVER THE WORLD, AS THE ONLY TRUE AUTHORITIVE VOICE IN LATIN ROCK

i love this book it,s about time a book like this came out i love all the old pics of the bands and of the mission district now people will know the history of san franciscos latin rock and salsa sceen all the bands they mentioned on here like malo santana and sapo azteca tower of power el chicano i grew up listening to them

Inspiration can sometimes be difficult to find. If it is, look in quiet places. The brave are not always found in the spotlight, nor are they typical. They're the ones that see the cup as half full.

It is all, perhaps "one art" - mastering loss, mastering grief, self-mastery. Cheng has a familiarity with loss. She is blind and physically disabled, the obstacles she's had to endure enormous. Through years of physical pain during her childhood, she never lost her zest for life. The largest threat to her happiness was a system that wanted to separate a child from her mother. Juliet Cheng lost custody twice in America because she disagreed with the doctor's recommended treatments. "This would have ended my young life," Shirley says(52 Cheng). "They took me out of her loving arms and trapped me inside their gloomy hospital rooms in order to force the unwanted, harmful treatments on me" (52 Cheng).

Shirley Cheng cone again gives rise to and quickens reader's thoughts. Waking Spirit, Prose & Poems the Spirit Sings' combines her story with empowering poetry. This book matters because it reminds us to pay attention to the simple gifts of life. All we need is a little inspiration from the brave who've endured extraordinary hurdles, and then whisper the secret to how they did it. That is what readers will find in this book. Warm, luminous, and an easy pleasure.

Shirley received Honorable Mention in the poetry category of the New York Festival Competition. She has also been a finalist in the national Indie Excellence 2007 Book Awards.

If you enjoy reading the thoughts of someone who has confronted her own mortality, pain, and flawed body at a young age to emerge as a spiritual champion who "sees" the beauty around her, you'll love this book. One of Shirley Cheng's inspirations is that there are always those who have more problems than she does. If you draw from that lesson, you'll be counting your blessings all day long . . . and seeing the spiritual beauty of life, as well.

In the essays in Waking Spirit, Ms. Cheng recounts her spiritual journey in a way that would move a boulder to dance.

Her happiness is so pervasive that you may at first not be able to tune into it. Through a combination of essays, aphorisms, poems and haikus, you'll find yourself moving up in spiritual blessedness from this uplifting volume.

Here's one of my favorite inspirational aphorisms:

"Don't live each day as though it is your last; live each day as though it is your first."

Here's one of the haikus I found lightened my mood:

"Upon white bellies
Into waters penguins slide
Dressed in tuxedos"

Some of the proceeds from the book go to Christian Blind Mission International and Be the Star You Are!

So do yourself and those charities a favor by buying and being buoyed by this delightful book.

Shirley will grab your heart with the first pages of this wonderful book and keep you involved with the way she has with words. She is one of those angels that tip toes up behind you and just says "hello." You will not be sorry you picked up this book, you will be purchasing it for gifts for your friends and family. Inspiration is what makes the world go round and she has plenty to share with everyone. Thank you Shirley for sharing your gifts with all of us.

WAKING SPIRIT is a winner of the prestigious AVATAR AWARD for EXCELLENCE IN SPIRITUAL LITERATURE! As a member of the award committee I had the pleasure of reviewing Shirley's book. Shirley is a shining star in a world in need of light. Her writing is straight forward,inspirational and uplifting. To read Shirley's writing is to dance with life. For her, there is truly no mountain high enough. Rejoice in her poetry, essays and insights for her writing is a gift from whatever you call the Universal Spirit of Love.

Waking Spirit: Prose & Poems the Spirit Sings is an emotional journey into the heart of a young woman who has faced seemingly insurmountable obstacles, yet has risen far above them in courage and perseverance. A combination of thoughtful, emotional prose, sweet poetry and spirited haiku, this book can't help but make the reader feel powerful.

Waking Spirit begins with a foreword by Cynthia Brian, a New York Times bestselling author who met Shirley during a radio interview. It then takes you through a delightful concoction of stories and poetry, interspersed with "A Moment with Shirley"--an inspirational message for the reader.

I was drawn to the stories most of all, to that rare insight into the mind of an author who "dances" with joy in her heart. The stories of her relationship with her mother are compelling, although I know that they suffered many tragedies together and were separated for lengths of time by government policy. But they have conquered all! And that is what this book is really about. Conquering disease and not allowing it to hold you back. Overcoming obstacles of every shape and form so that one can reach his or her dreams.

Certainly each of us could learn from Shirley Cheng, a young woman who is blind and suffers from severe juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. She may be confined to a wheelchair in body, but her spirit soars far above, free and unhindered by negativity or pain. I have had the honor of calling her a friend for a number of years, and although we have never met in person, she has truly touched my life by her old-soul wisdom, which is far beyond her years. Shirley Cheng has delivered another work that is sure to inspire all ages, nationalities, whether abled, disabled or ultra-abled. I recommend Waking Spirit for anyone who needs a boost of encouragement or hope.

~ Cheryl Kaye Tardif. bestselling author of Whale Song: A Novel