Classics: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions)

Book Description

This Very Short Introduction to Classics links a haunting temple on a lonely mountainside to the glory of ancient Greece and the grandeur of Rome, and to Classics within modern culture-from Jefferson and Byron to Asterix and Ben-Hur. We are all Classicists - we come into touch with the Classics daily: in our culture, politics, medicine, architecture, language, and literature. What are the true roots of these influences, however, and how do our interpretations of these aspects of the Classics differ from their original reception? This introduction to the Classics begins with a visit to the British Museum to view the frieze which once decorated the Apollo Temple at Bassae. Through these sculptures, John Henderson and Mary Beard prompt us to consider the significance of Classics as a means of discovery and enquiry, its value in terms of literature, philposophy, and culture, and its importance as a source of imagery.

Customer Reviews:

Interesting, but too apologetic about the Western tradition........2005-05-15

The term "Classics" refers to the study of Greek and Latin Antiquity, but the authors seem to be vaguely embarrassed and apologetic in a "P.C." kind of way for their interest in this field. If they had deleted Chapter 3, which is a disclaimer of any belief in the "superiority" of the Classical tradition, and if they had avoided sticking the word "classics" in italics at odd places throughout the text, as though we might have forgotten what the book was about, I would have enjoyed it more.

Having said that, they cover an awful lot of ground in surprising depth and in an interesting way in a short few pages. The discussion is organized around the Temple of Bassae, about which they tell us a great deal, using the temple and its history to explain the very complicated relationship between the culture of Ancient Greece and Rome and our own. I have a good though unsystematic familiarity with the Classical world, and I found much that was new and interesting in this book.

The list of further reading is very good, in spite of being a bit "P.C." It is perhaps geared more to the intermediate student than to the complete beginner. The further one delves into the Classical world, the more one realizes just how vast an ocean one has entered, so even this list just scratches the surface.

It's a good read, but I took one star off for unwarranted political correctness.

As an introduction to the Classical world for beginners Edith Hamilton's "The Greek Way" and "The Roman Way" are hard to beat. They were written in pre-"P.C." days, when one didn't have to be coy about extolling the virtues of Western culture and the Classical tradition.

Moses I. Finley's "The Ancient Greeks", though less lyrical than Hamilton's books, is also quite good.

Good, but wish it could be better...........2005-04-27

It's an interesting book, to be sure: especially to most American readers, who consider "the classics" as a field of study to be concerned mostly with the narrow teaching and learning of Latin, Greek, and maybe a little Hebrew or hieroglyphics. Actually, Classics concerns not only these languages, but the culture involved: art, archeological studies, anthropology of the the Mediterranian region (and beyond), linguistics, the history of logic and law, and so forth.

This is illustrated by the changing role of the temple of Apollo at Bassae, from sacred site to shrouded detour for vacationers: we're given a thorough grounding on how even the study of this relatively insignificant spot can involve many disciplines, and many aspects of Classical civilization. Further chapters use related hooks: slavery, entertainment, and the phrase "et in Arcadia ego" (da Vinci Code fans take note), before returning to the original conceit, and a concluding note on the centrality of Classical studies to an appreciation of the Western heritage.

Unfortunately, one is left hanging by the section labeled "Further Reading". I would have expected, and appreciated, some suggestions geared towards the beginner: certainly there is no end of books on the subject, but I'd like to have heard the joint authors' ideas on which one-volume history of Greece or Rome is the clearest and best, how to embark on learning some of the languages involved outside of school, and so on. Instead, I get a straightforward scholarly bibliography of the works quoted, but no idea of how to proceed towards the understanding that would make these works meaningful. It's as if one were to write a book "A Very Short Introduction to Mountaineering", in which one was given a fulsome account of how wonderful it felt to climb Everest, a warm salutation to the reader, an expressed wish that all might attain the peak, and then, just when one is truly excited and primed to add Tibet to their life list of Places to Go, the How to Get Started page carries only a few snaps of Base Camp.

Gradus ad Parnassum indeed. And for this I remove one star.

Otherwise, a pretty good book, and a good start to a study of the Classics, or of the VSI series as a whole.

Concise, entertaining, informative and surprising.......1999-10-27

Beard and Henderson use as their primary focus - the temple at Bassae - to introduce the wide world of Classics and classical inquiry to the reader. It's a fascinating and enjoyable read. The use of Bassae as the focus of the introduction lends the text a cohesiveness that is so often lacking in introductory Classical works. They show how the discovery of the temple leads one to questions about history, Greek societal structure, morality, Greek cultural norms, the relation of Romans to Greeks (and Egyptians to Greeks), etc. Very very good book. Highly recommended.

The Picture Box (Very Short Introductions)

Average customer rating:

The Picture Box (Very Short Introductions)

Manufacturer: Oxford University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books

Reference | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books

Renaissance | Schools, Periods & Styles | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0199209057

Book Description

Books that are perfect to pop in your pocket now packaged to make the ideal gift! Five of the best-selling introductory books on art and architecture from the highly acclaimed Very Short Introductions series packaged in a stylish case to make the ideal gift or way-in to the vast area of art and architecture. This boxed set gives a great introductory overview to the subject of art and architecture, from the fascinating images created by the renaissance artists to the beauty of practical objects in everyday life. Art History: A Very Short Introduction by Dana Arnold ISBN-10: 0-19-280181-3/ ISBN-13: 978-0-19-280181-4 This clear and concise new introduction examines all the major debates and issues using a wide range of well-known examples. It discusses the challenge of using verbal and written language to analyse a visual form. Dana Arnold also examines the many different ways of writing about art, and the changing boundaries of the subject of art history. Renaissance Art: A Very Short Introduction by Geraldine A. Johnson ISBN-10: 0-19-280354-9/ ISBN-13: 978-0-19-280354-2 Botticelli, Holbein, Leonardo, Durer, Michelangelo: the names are familiar, as are the works, such as the Last Supper fresco, or the monumental marble statue of David. But who were these artists, why did they produce such memorable images, and how would their original beholders have viewed these objects? Modern Art: A Very Short Introduction by David Cottington ISBN-10: 0-19-280364-6/ ISBN-13: 978-0-19-280364-1 As public interest in modern art continues to grow, as witnessed by the spectacular success of Tate Modern and the Bilbao Guggenheim, this much-needed, accessible introduction grapples clearly and provocatively with the complex idea of modern art. Architecture: A Very Short Introduction by Andrew Ballantyne ISBN-10: 0-19-280179-1/ ISBN-13: 978-0-19-280179-1 'a densely fascinating guide' Steven Poole, The Guardian Review This highly original and sophisticated look at architecture helps us to understand the cultural significance of the buildings that surround us. It avoids the traditional style-spotting approach in favour of giving an idea of what it is about buildings that moves us, and what it is that makes them important artistically and culturally. Design: A Very Short Introduction by John Heskett ISBN-10: 0-19-285446-1/ ISBN-13: 978-0-19-285446-9 'This is the best book I have read about the design process and is based on the belief that design matters profoundly to us all in innumerable ways.' Terence Conran John Heskett wants to transform the way we think about design by showing how integral it is to our daily lives, from the spoon we use to eat our breakfast cereal, and the car we drive to work in, to the medical equipment used to save lives. Design combines 'need' and 'desire' in the form of a practical object that can also reflect the user's identity and aspirations through its form and decoration. Plus a copy of the new edition of A Very Short Introduction to Everything

Architecture: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions)

Average customer rating:

A good introduction to the subject
Rotten to the foundations.
Western architecture as fashion
somewhat interesting, perfect if you know nothing

Architecture: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions)
Andrew Ballantyne
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books

Reference | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books

Study & Teaching | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0192801791

Book Description

This highly original and sophisticated look at architecture helps us to understand the cultural significance of the buildings that surround us. It avoids the traditional style-spotting approach in favour of giving an idea of what it is about buildings that moves us, and what it is that makes them important artistically and culturally. The book begins by looking at how architecture acquires meaning through tradition, and concludes with the exoticism of the recent avant garde. Illustrations of particular buildings help to anchor the general points with specific examples, from ancient Egypt to the present day.

Customer Reviews:

A good introduction to the subject.......2006-01-05

This is a good starting point for anyone with even a passing appreciation for architecture. In this fast read, Andrew Ballantyne tackles the subject in an interesting way. He addresses the social and psychological effects that architecture has on different "cultures", whether that culture is an entire ethnic group or three people with common beliefs. There is some technical and structural discussion, of course, but it is not the focus of this book.

There is an emphasis on classical architecture and its various reinterpretations throughout Western history, including the Renaissance, Baroque, and Neoclassical periods. Ballantyne also spends a some time discussing modern theory and belief, and through that the nonconformist architecture of the 20th century.

There are 25 images with information boxes, and I found that these were great at reinforcing the different sample "canons" that Ballantyne referred to throughout the text.

This is a good start if you're interested in the social and cultural aspects and interpretations of architecture, but possibly not so much in the technical aspects. This book serves as a great foundation for the subject of architectural studies, which is exactly its intended purpose.

Rotten to the foundations........2005-10-31

There is nothing wrong with introducing architecture from a sociological and cultural perspective, rather than the conventional approach of timelines, styles and schools. It's just that Ballantyne is not very good at it. Thus we have rambling, incoherent musings on what it means to be 'at home'. "Architecture is gesture made with buildings", the author assures us. Maybe so, but I would have appreciated a description of what those gestures were and how they evolved over time. Who built what, when, how and why? Instead we get constant reminders that it is all a matter of interpretation and perspective. An introduction to this subject should be a concrete foundation on which to build further knowledge. Ballantyne amuses himself with conceptual sandcastles and smiles knowingly as they get washed away by each new wave of speculation. Presenting architecture in a broad cultural context is a commendable aim, but to do it you need to have a firm grasp of that context. Informing the reader that philosophy is an 'idea' that was developed in Athens and 'Tragedy is farce in close-up' simply will not do. This is undergraduate essay stuff.

Let it be said that the 25 annotated illustrations are excellent. Each is of a famous building, accompanied by informative text. More of that kind of thing and less of the foggy narrative in which they are embedded, and this could have been a much better book.

Western architecture as fashion.......2003-05-11

"Style" comes from the Greek word for column, as the author explains in the book. Which is just one of many fascinating facts contained inside this look at the the most expensive of fashion statements. It especially focuses on Western European architecture from about the Rennaissance on, when architecture as a profession began, although Classical and Gothic are covered because they are, after all, the models for all that followed. But it's no textbook chronology of well-known buildings.

Instead it's an essay on society and its buildings, by someone knowledgeable enough to be able to toss in a new fact about all the familiar names. (Although his claim that the extra glass in the Reitveldt Schroder house required an industrial boiler that cost as much the house itself is a little hard to believe.)

The writing is witty, full of good stories, and avoids the cliches often found in these books. Even manages references to recent movies, like Fight Club (the character's excessive brand consciousness) and Amelie (showcases the venerable Art Nouveau subway stations).

somewhat interesting, perfect if you know nothing.......2003-04-05

it serves its purpose very well. i skipped the second chapter because it didn't seem to interesting to me. but the other two chapters were good. i learned plenty from it. i got a few very good points from it, but it seems like the same major points were stated over and over again, but that's how i feel about everything educational i read.

Average customer rating:

Architecture: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions)
Andrew Ballantyne
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OKDLRA

Average customer rating:

TheSimon & Schuster Pocket Guide to Drawing

The Simon and Schuster Pocket Guide to Drawing: A Step-by-Step Guide to Materials, Methods and Techniques for the Practicing Amateur Artist
Diana Armfield
Manufacturer: Simon & Schuster
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 0671424742

Customer Reviews:

TheSimon & Schuster Pocket Guide to Drawing.......2005-06-28

I have carried this small gem of a reference guide in my art bag since I first came upon it in 1983. Whenever I need a stimulus on an outing, or forget a technique, this small book provides answers and suggestions. It has a wealth of information that leads to other deeper books on subjects such as paper making and crayon making.

Book Description

This handbook is intended to give the broadcast industry an authoritative guide to the Radio Data System (RDS), also called Radio Broadcast Data System (RBDS). Since the standard's adoption, about 700 stations have begun broadcasting RDS in the United States. There is a wide variety of encoding equipment with prices starting as low as $400, and over 30 models of RDS receivers have been introduced for
cars, home receivers, portable and even PC receivers. Automobile manufacturer's such as General Motors, Ford, Audi, and Porsch now offer RDS on new vehicles. Yet despite all the support equipment in place, the FM broadcaster has been reluctant to implement and utilize this service, mainly because of a lack of understanding of what RDS can do for the station.

This book finally provides the information required to understand RDS and its possibilities on a variety of levels, so that everyone involved in radio can make the most of it. Station owner, program director, salesperson, and talent alike will find the information he or she requires to maximize the possibilities of this new technology.

Each feature of the system is explained in terms of its practical implementation at the station, and interviews with broadcasters currently using the system add a hands-on perspective.
Scott Wright is a recognized pioneer in RDS development. As the
designer of Delco Electronics' first RDS receiver, he has been
extremely active in the development of the RDS standard in the US and
in efforts to educate the broadcast community about its potential. He
has represented Delco at the European Broadcasting Union's (EBU) RDS
Forum and is currently the Chairman of the National Radio Systems
Committee RBDS Subcommittee, the US standard-setting body. He is also
a member of the Electronics Industries Association's (EIA) RDS Forum.

· Authoritative sourcebook of information on RDS and its possibilities
· Easy-to-understand_allows all levels of broadcast personnel to
maximize the potential of this technology

Book Description

This guidebook is designed as a contribution to future nation-building efforts. It is organized around the components that make up any nation-building mission: planning, military and police contingents, civil administrators, humanitarian and relief efforts, governance, economic stabilization, democratization, and infrastructure development. This guide is intended to help practitioners avoid repeating earlier mistakes, help political leaders evaluate the cost and likelihood of success in any proposed operation, and help citizens evaluate their government's consequent performance.

Peace for Beginners (A Writers & Readers Documentary Comic Book)

Average customer rating:

Peace for Beginners (A Writers & Readers Documentary Comic Book)
Ian Kellas
Manufacturer: Writers & Readers Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0863160093

Jess and the Stinky Cowboys (Easy-to-Read, Dial)

Average customer rating:

Jess and the Stinky Cowboys (Easy-to-Read, Dial)
Janice Davis Smith
Manufacturer: Dial
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Action & Adventure | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Humorous | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Wild West | Obsessions | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Cowboy Slim

ASIN: 0803726414

Book Description

Dry Gulch becomes the smelliest town in the West when a posse of stinky cowboys arrive and refuse to take baths. Things get so bad, even the stinkbugs leave.

No baths today! No baths tomorrow! No baths ever! roar the funky cowpokes.

And pretty soon all of Dry Gulch is up in arms—while holding their noses!

Luckily, Deputy Jess and her aunt Gussie are determined to make the No Stink Law stick. With a clever plan, and a little soap, can they solve the P.U. problem?

Kids will cheer for both the cowboys and the plucky deputy in this bath-time laugh-time story.

Average customer rating:
Make Peace With Your PC
Steven Salemi
Manufacturer: Airleaf Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
General | Hardware | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1600020070

Product Description

Make Peace With Your PC is a different type of computer book, a book that offers desperately-needed & immensely-valuable help and guidance to a wide and diverse readership, from students & homemakers to business & technical professionals. Most computer books fall into narrow, specialized categories, which greatly restrict their usefulness. At one end of the gamut are technical books (Programming in C++ Java Script), which have purely geek appeal; at the other end are the idiot books, which (despite being dumbed down to a level that makes their value questionable and prose style vaguely nauseating), are so specialized that dozens of separate titles are needed to cover the entire field (Windows for Dummies, Office for Dummies, etc. ). Make Peace With Your PC, is a single volume, self-contained resource written for a wide audience, a kind of modern computer bible or omnibus. Written in a friendly, witty, but intelligent style, you could call it Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Computers (But Were Afraid to Ask). Each person who owns or uses a computer will benefit from buying and reading a copy of the book. Crammed full of useful, proven information; this modestly-priced book can easily pay for itself many times over. The project evolved from the author's long, intensive, and extensive experience in the computer field. Over the years, Steven Salemi has helped countless American families with actual, hands-on, day-to-day computer problems by diagnosing, repairing, upgrading, and rebuilding their systems in a thriving full-time retail computer sales & service environment. Make Peace With Your PC, is not an academic abstract or biased trade publication. No, it is based on what real people experience with their computers every day, and what real people really need to know about their computers. If you're a real person with a real computer, order your copy of Make Peace With Your PC today!!

Meditation: A way to peace and happiness : a beginner's guide to meditative prayer

Average customer rating:

Meditation: A way to peace and happiness : a beginner's guide to meditative prayer
Daniel Thottakara
Manufacturer: D. Thottakara
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B0006F7I7M

Average customer rating:

Peace for Beginners
Ian Kellas
Manufacturer: Writers and Readers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000LZOY6K

In praise of law: Law for peace : an all ages, easy to read, absolute beginners' guide to all of law, including international law

Average customer rating:

In praise of law: Law for peace : an all ages, easy to read, absolute beginners' guide to all of law, including international law
Betty Stone
Manufacturer: Waterway Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Law & Crime | Reference & Nonfiction | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B0006EI7LO

Average customer rating:

Peace For Beginners
Ian Kellas
Manufacturer: Writers and Readers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000WG8IRO

Average customer rating:

Series of Islamic books for beginners
A. S. Hashim
Manufacturer: The Crescent Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B0007GN7ZW

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books