Amazon.com
Ursula Hegi's The Vision of Emma Blau is an epic story of German immigrants attempting to assimilate while still preserving traces of home in their language and rituals. In 1894 Stefan Blau leaves Europe for America; he is only 13 years old, but he feels the need for another country so strongly that it wakes him up at night. After narrowly escaping a restaurant fire in New York City, he finds himself in New Hampshire. With money he has saved from waiter jobs and poker winnings, he buys a small hotel, which over time he transforms into a six-story, elaborate apartment house. The Wasserburg (water fortress) is a palace towering over a half-empty lake town, standing out in the landscape the same way Stefan's accent stands out in conversation--exotic, awkward, a hybrid of German and American dreams.
Hegi's writing is lively and graceful, moving across time, space, and generations without faltering or bogging down. While her scope is vast, her great gift is for particulars: Stefan's third wife, Helene, who has a deep-seated aggression in her soul that her mother attributed to her being a "biter" as a child; his daughter, Greta, who lags in school but notices things no one else does--"the reflection of the half moon that swayed on the water like a slab of frost," or the music of her flute--"long notes that sounded like the calls of large birds flying through the night." These moments of poetry open up The Vision of Emma Blau, halting its swirling world with their loveliness.
Hegi is best known for her 1994 novel, Stones from the River, which Oprah chose for her book group, catapulting this somewhat obscure writer onto the bestseller lists. But Hegi was around for a long time before Oprah shined the light on her. She is a born storyteller, a witness to the immigrant experience who is reimagining America's past from the perspective of those who desired that country as a promised land, but who even after 100 years could never quite sleep the sleep of its native sons. --Emily White
Book Description
The Vision of Emma Blau is the luminous epic of a bicultural family filled with passion and aspirations, tragedy and redemption. At the beginning of the twentieth century, Stefan Blau, whom readers will remember from Stones from the River, flees Burgdorf, a small town in Germany, and comes to America in search of the vision he has dreamed of every night. The novel closes nearly a century later with Stefan's granddaughter, Emma, and the legacy of his dream: the Wasserburg, a once-grand apartment house filled with the hidden truths of its inhabitants both past and present. Ursula Hegi creates a fascinating picture of immigrants in America: their dreams and disappointments, the challenges of assimilation, the frailty of language and its transcendence, the love that bonds generations and the cultural wedges that drive them apart.
Customer Reviews:
The Blurry Vision of Emma Blau.......2007-09-04
Was this book about anything? If so, I missed it. I only saw an attempt at a counterpart to "Stones" that didn't come off.
Instead I feel battered by the message of, "Gosh, it's hard being German," which worked in the earlier book and fell flat in this one. Hard being German in this country in WWII? Maybe. But not as hard as it was, say in WWI. Not as hard as it was being German in Germany in WWII. Or as hard as being Jewish in either country. Or black.
It's not just an annoying message; it's unbearably trite, and I finished the book because I couldn't believe it wouldn't get better, while promising myself I never had to read another one.
Lovely Book.......2005-07-01
I listened to this book on tapes. Beautifully written and read by the author.
Kudos to Ms Hegi.........2004-06-03
She is fast becoming one of my favorite authors. This book is filled with so many emotions and events my mind is still going over everything. Def a book that stays with you for awhile. I wanted to comfort the characters and felt as if I was myself living at the Wasserburg. I do agree that the characters had a sad tone to them, but none the less, made for a book I couldn't put down!
Like March, came in like a lion but went out like a lamb!.......2003-07-14
Ursula Hegi is a truly gifted writer with a magical ability to bring a story to life vividly. STONES FROM THE RIVER, my first literary encounter with Ms. Hegi's work, was one of my favorite books so naturally I was looking forward to reading THE VISION OF EMMA BLAU, which is a spin-off of the previously mentioned novel. Stefan Blau was the son of 2 of the villagers in Trudi Montag's hometown in Germany who ran away to America when he was 13 years old - this is the story of his American legacy.
The consistent "character" throughout the century spanned in this novel was not a person but a place...actually a hotel known as the Wasserburg, which Stefan Blau built in New Hampshire in the early-20th century. The hotel became representative of human growth, opulence and deterioration as it reflected the lives of those who made it their home. I couldn't help but think of several other literary works in which a place played such a major role in plot development ...Our Town by Thornton Wilder and Standing in the Rainbow by Fannie Flagg, for example. I also couldn't help compare Emma's attachment to the Wasserburg to that of Scarlet O'Hara's to Tara ...land/property, in both cases, is what endured and remained important as time marched on.
I really like the beginning of this book better than the end. I enjoyed reading about the German-American immigrant experiences of both Stefan Blau and Helene Montag Blau and I also happily revisited Trudi and Leo when Helene visited with her son Robert (I remember that whole sequence of events in STONES FROM THE RIVER from Trudi's perspective). I found their 2nd - 4th generation American descendants, however, somewhat depressing to read about. So many of the main characters were unable to find happiness within themselves and it sort of made me wonder what type of legacy Stefan ended up leaving his progeny after all!
Anyway, I still enjoy Ursula Hegi and am planning to read some of her other works.
so-so.......2003-03-19
i loved Stones From the River. Compared to that, this book is a disappointment. The characters did not move me at all, although the story itself wasn't too bad. I would not read it again, and only finished it b/c I like to finish what I start.
Customer Reviews:
A favorite re-read.......2005-02-10
I have read "Rage of Passion" many times - it is a reliable comfort book when I need a guaranteed pick-me-up. Gabriel is a dream - 100% man and still tender with Maggie and gentle with her daughter. These two ladies needed someone to restore their faith in the male gender, and Gabe did it with patience and love. Honest, witty dialogue, steamy love scenes and just enough conflict to keep it from being unrealistic are what make this a prime example of DP's work, and shows why she is among the most beloved of romance writers. Give it a try, it is a real treat!
SO SO.......2004-06-29
Its not as good as love play but it's worth reading, a little slow. I just couldn't connect with the leading man he was a lot whimpier than most.
Enjoy Rage of Passion over a rainy weekend & relax.......2002-08-19
I just discovered Diana Palmer and I can't stop raving about her. This is the 3rd book I've read of hers and I've enjoyed each and every one. I can't believe I missed out on this Author who's been writing since the 80's.
Gabe was 28 when he first met 15 year old Maggie. He knew she grew attached to him and he felt the same but never let Maggie know it since he knew desiring someone so young was wrong. To him, she was off limits.
The book starts about 10 years later and Maggie is just divorced with a six-year old daughter. Maggie runs into her Godmother Janet by accident. Janet suggests Maggie come stay at her ranch to recouperate from Maggie's recent ugly divorce. Maggie knows Janet is Gabe's mother and tries to refuse but Janet can be rather adamant. Thank goodness Janet got her way or I'd have missed out on a good story!
The heart of this story is about the love that never got a chance to blossom because of their age difference and a few other circumstances that the young Maggie never knew about. Now they have a 2nd chance to rediscover each other and the love they never got to share and missed out on. I love 2nd chance love stories like this. Not just the premise of the story itself but when the flow of the story is so flawless and so well-written, it's a story not to be missed.
I finished the book in 24-hours. The book looks thicker than it really is. They use a bigger font so you don't have to squint to read it and I loved that aspect as well. It made the reading experience that much better since I got to forgo the headache that sometimes accompanies the squinting from reading small fonts in other romances I've read. But don't get me wrong, big print or not, it's the story and the way the story is told that sells the book and I was sold; lock, stock, and barrel!
A Nice Change!.......2002-04-06
Palmer's novels usually follow the same path and this one starts out the same as many of her others. The leads grew up near each other in the past, but now they hate each other; yet they are so attracted by one another. Usually this describes the whole book up until the end where they realize they had misunderstandings and really do love each other.
However, Rage of Passion is different. The leads quit hating each other before half the book is over and are actually nice to one another. Instead, the conflict stems from the heroine's previous marriage and a custody battle with her vile ex.
This made for an interesting story and more of a romance. The hero is very likeable and the heroine, who was abused by her ex, is still a pretty strong woman despite the abuse. The hero helps to heal her and her little girl.
I thought Rage of Passion was a nice change for Palmer and I look forward to more novels by Palmer along these lines. It's nice to have some variation.
ROMANCE AT ITS BEST!!.......2002-03-23
I am really starting to enjoy Diana Palmer books. For some reason I like the "virgin" or "almost virgin" storylines. They are corny but make the story more interesting. I especially liked the match between Gabe and Maggie. What a pair! Gabe is what you would call one of those "Cowboy, Hunks." And Maggie was crazy in love with him from the time she was a teenager. Gabe being a bit on the "rough" side in the the beginning of the story made it all the more interesting. If you like a good old fashion romance, with a little spice you will enjoy this one.
Amazon.com
Democratic U.S. Representative Phillip Burton was one of the most influential power brokers the House has ever known, and almost certainly the most powerful leftist in that body's history. Political journalist John Jacobs's densely packed biography charts his career from the California state legislature to Capitol Hill, including dozens of anecdotes about politics at its most cutthroat. The section on his spearheading of 1978 legislation for the national parks system is particularly fascinating. The portrait of Burton that emerges from A Rage for Justice is of a complex man whose intense personality generated enough ill feeling to keep him from becoming a majority leader in his party, yet still fueled more than enough political drive to push legislation through.
Book Description
This political biography of Phillip Burton (1926-1983) is the riveting story of one of the most brilliant, driven, and productive legislators of his--or indeed any--era of American politics. A ruthless and unabashed progressive, Burton terrified his opponents, ran over his friends, forged improbable coalitions, and from 1964 to 1983 became one of the most influential Representatives in the House. He also acquired more raw power than almost any left-liberal politician ever had.
Moving from grassroots campaigns to epic battles in the California state capital, and finally to the very pinnacle of power on Capitol Hill, John Jacobs's inside account of Burton's life shows how politics really works. He demonstrates the exercise of power in the hands of a superb strategist and shows an unheralded master going about his life's work during the glory years of postwar American liberalism.
Burton was an unforgettable, uncontrollable figure whose relentless day-and-night politicking distilled the raw essence of American politics. Jacobs brings to life Burton's seething, perpetual sense of outrage, gargantuan appetites, and dedication to the disenfranchized. Animated by a sometimes frightening drive for power--his only modern counterpart is Lyndon Johnson--Burton played a pivotal role in California and U.S. politics, championing welfare and civil rights, landmark labor legislation, environmentalism and congressional reform. His achievements included the groundbreaking black lung bill for miners and their families; Supplemental Social Security for the aged, blind, and disabled; and helping to secure America's extensive national park system.
Burton's failures were equally dramatic: in 1976, at the height of his power, he lost, by one vote, the chance to become House Majority Leader. Had he won this critical political fight, he no doubt would have become Speaker of the House.
Jacobs's account is based on Burton's personal papers and hundreds of interviews with people at every stage of his life, including four Democratic Speakers of the House. The result is a book that brilliantly demonstrates how one person can make a difference in public life.
Customer Reviews:
Powerful biography of a fascinating man.......2002-12-24
This is probably the best political biography I have ever read. Phil Burton was a fascinating man, and Jacobs does a terrific job of profiling him. Whether the reader is liberal or conservative, he will enjoy this book.
just plain rage.......2002-02-28
Burton was out there. Great book though despite the author being overly enamoured with the subject. Good info and California politics.
Fascinating.......1999-05-04
The best background piece on California politics. Similarly, a fantastic insight into a legislative master whose personal vices cut short a meteoric rise to power and influence.
Reads Like A Thriller.......1999-01-13
As a San Franciscan who grew up hearing about the exploits of Burton and other more-or-less mythical characters, I feel I owe Jacobs a serious "thank you" for providing this view of what went on inside. The man who nearly became Speaker, who wielded and exercised his power lustily and well, who was known for both creating environmental protections and shunning nature, is now a lot more real.
Smashing history of Congress and Phil Burton.......1998-12-16
John Jacobs has done a spectacular job of capturing and relating the career of Congressman Phil Burton, a swaggering, ruthless liberal from San Francisco who came within one vote of serving as House majority leader in 1976. For anyone who wants to understand the history of the contemporary Congress, they need only read "A Rage For Justice," and "The Ambition and the Power," by John Barry, which tells the story of Congressman Jim Wright, the man who beat Burton by that one vote. Both books are chock with candid interviews and revealing anecdotes, and written with style. Each serves as a model of congressional biography.
Average customer rating:
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Rage on the Right: The American Militia Movement from Ruby Ridge to Homeland Security (People, Passions, and Power)
Lane Crothers
Manufacturer: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
 General | United States | Military | History | Subjects | Books
Weapons & Warfare | Military | History | Subjects | Books | Biological & Chemical | Control | Conventional | Nuclear
General | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
History & Theory | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
History | Sociology | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
General | Political Science | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
ASIN: 0742525465 |
Book Description
The image of the militia as ordinary people coming together in times of crisis to help their fellow citizens is deeply embedded in American society and culture. Recent claimants to the militia title have adopted this image even as they have promoted a radically anti-government, populist conservative political agenda. Author Lane Crothers uses social movement theory to explore militia activity and ideology throughout the last decade, illuminating why militia members are enraged by U.S. governmental policies and why their rage is unlikely to coalesce into a large political movement. Visit our website for sample chapters!
Average customer rating:
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Once in Paris/Rage of Passion/Paper Rose: Collector's Edition
Diana Palmer
Manufacturer: Dh Audio
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Cassette
General | Literature & Fiction | Books on Cassette | Audiobooks | Formats | Books
General | Romance | Books on Cassette | Audiobooks | Formats | Books
General | Books on Cassette | Audiobooks | Formats | Books
General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books | Classics | Comic | Contemporary | Literary
General | Romance | Subjects | Books
Palmer, Diana | ( P ) | Authors, A-Z | Romance | Subjects | Books
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Fit For A King (Mira)
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Lacy
ASIN: 1552049256 |
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Passion and the Rage
Elizabeth Godwin
Manufacturer: Fawcett
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
General | Romance | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0449143201
Release Date: 1980-02-12 |
Product Description
Blistering in the white hot light it throws upon the anatomy of physical desire. Probing in its portrayal of men and women who love now, and pay later. Unforgettable in the overwhelming power that made Charles's The Bramble Bush one of the most controversial novels of our time. The novel that begins where the others leave off 'Rage of Desire"
Book Description
An eclectic, thought-provoking mix of dark, light, passion and rage and the numbness that fills the cracks between, Whispers to Screams is the voice of reason, unreason, sanity and insanity. Everyone can find something in these works that will remind them of a lost love, a hard place, a soul journey or a fairy tale they heard once upon a time. When nobody hears you whisper, sometimes you just have to scream.
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Othello (Dramatized)
William Shakespeare
Manufacturer: audible.com
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Download
General | Shakespeare, William | ( S ) | Authors, A-Z | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B0009JON50 |
Book Description
The first colonists from Earth named the planet Wunderland. Generations later, the felinoid alien invaders called Kzin came and turned it into a hell for humans. Touched on in other accounts of the Man-Kzin wars, here for the first time is the decades-long saga of Wunderland: how the Wunderlanders first learned of the Kzin attacks on Earth by slower-than-light communications, barely in time to prepare to fight back. How the valiant human defenders turned to guerilla warfare in the Wunderland jungles and caves after the feline warrior race had destroyed or seized the cities. How, after the war ended in an ignominous defeat for the Kzin, some humans and Kzin worked for good will between the two species-their work complicated by humans wanting revenge and Kzin who still saw humans as a somewhat annoying food source. And how a human-Kzin team was sent to investigate a mysterious asteroid and found a threat not only to both species, but to the entire galaxy. The humans wanted to destroy it, but the Kzin wanted to exploit it, and the only hope was a Kzin telepath raised by humans from a cub. Which side would he choose, monkey or warcat?
Customer Reviews:
Pretty good filling-in of the history.......2006-04-03
I would have given this book 3 stars (it is interesting but the stories in it are longer and more confusingly detailed than they need to be), except that the last story "Peter Robinson" is extremely impressive. This is the only realistic story I have ever seen in which it can be plausibly maintained that a single character "saves" the entire galaxy.
Tales of known space series.......2005-10-24
Another one to add to my collection of Tales of known space
Loved it.......2005-08-12
I loved this book and believe me I am not easy to impress. The thing that really hit home for me was the possiblities, the amazing future we can never fully imagine. A land of no war could it be possible and then we get attacked. What bitter irony, that we the makers of destruction can get attacked by a foe almost as vicious as we are.
But overall it was the humanity of the stories that I loved. The characters so well developed seemed almost real to me, and the world of wunderland a warm place to let the imagination run wild.
The Corporal in the Caves was my favourite followed closely by Music Box.
The honesty and the realities all created a world of truth and possiblities. I love that about these stories, that nothing is impossible. That man can be better than he is and,though it may take a formidable foe to learn the lessons, that we are capable of so much more. Music box spoke to that, to the fact that we are capabe of inflicting such horrible pain. But we are also capable of so much compassion. Like a strange virus we somehow keep surviving no matter the odds.
No errors-Just good stories.......2005-06-05
Having read the two reviews claiming errors of syntax, grammar and spellinbg, and being demanding in this area I re-read my own copy. I can only suppose that other reviewers sopke Californian, not English. I could find none in a fairly swift re-reading.
What I did find was:
1. Maintance of dramatic tension, particularlarly through,
2. Development and interaction of characters, as against
3. a background of the history of Wunderland which itself develops through the interaction of social groups remaining after war.
I was reminded of some of Kilpling's short stories which display these attributes to the full. By this I do not mean to suggest that Colebatch's work is imitative: it is original. But it does touch on the same universal themes that makes Kipling's great. One does not expect to see this in science fiction, but no doubt, science fiction afficionados would say thast the genre has developed well beyond the crude stuff of the 1950's.
A few corrections.......2005-05-18
I've reviewed these stories before, and everyone interested knows what I think of them - very good indeed. So I'll just correct a few things about the previous review.
The reason the climax of "Peter Robinson" is not mentioned in any other story, as anyone with the wit to look at the dateline at the top should be able to work out is that it occurs AFTER them. It even occurs after "Ringworld". AFTER, Geddit? Explorations of Ringworld are mentioned as having happened in the past. Further, Man-Kzin relations have progressed to the point there is some grudging co-operation between them. All this is set out quite plainly.
Our genius goes on to say:
"Colebatch grants two major new abilities to the Kzin. He tells us that all Kzinti have an empathic sense, and the ability to see in almost total darkness. Unless my memory is failing, these are new abilities. On Earth, species rarely have more than two sharp senses, let alone four. What's worse, having bestowed empathic abilities on the Kzin, he makes no use of them.
"In the fourth story, there is a cameo by some Thrintun. Why? Having live Thrint in the story for 30 seconds makes no difference to anything. Why is the finale of the story never mentioned in any other Known Space tale? It certainly would have had a huge impact on everyone."
"Colebatch also introduces a new sentient species native to Wunderland. Did everyone else overlook them before? The species is in a niche that makes their evolution highly improbable too."
It was established in Larry Niven's first story, The Warriors, and in many since, by Larry and other writers, that some of the Kzin are telepaths. This makes it plausible that all Kzin have some ruidmentary abilities for the telepath drug to enhance - it could not enhance nothing.
As for Kzin being able to see in almost total dark, they are felinoids, and are referred to many times as being cat-like. Ordinary terrestrial cats can see in almost total dark - they have a sight-collecting mechanism, called the tappetum, at the back of the eye.
There would be nothing wrong with introducing a new sentient species to Wunderland, which is an imaginary world and changes and develops under the hands of different authors, except that the statement is entirely false. There is no new sentient species introduced. There are some semi-sentient creatures living in caves: "Did everyone overlook them before?" There have not been any stories set in the Caves of Wunderland before, and previous writers were under no compulsion to mention them.
There is no "cameo by some Thintun", another example of this reviewer posting a total falsehood.
Why is it implausible that a species like the Kzin which lives by hunting should not have highly-developed senses?
I can only think the motives for posting the previous review were irresponsible and malicious ignorance. These are great stories!
Book Description
Awry and thought-provoking jaunt through the spiritual terrain of our everyday language -- a lexion of uncommon insight to jar the mind and nourish the soul. "I think of faith as a kind of whistling in the dark, because in much the same way," writes Buechner, "it helps to give us courage and to hold the shadows at bay."
Customer Reviews:
Great Readings.......2006-06-28
A hospital chaplain read the passage "Dreams" at a morning meditation. It was a very moving, spiritual reading which gives you much to think about. I came home and ordered a copy from Amazon, express delivery. Look forward to reading the other chapters.
More solid Buechner.......2002-07-26
The third and final installment in Buechner's lexicon-style expositions, Whistling in the Dark looks at words that might not be considered "religious" but that deal with the topic nonetheless. Hitting topics such as abortion, this book hits a bit more into politics than the previous two. Be forewarned that some of the entries are somewhat darker and even a little depressing. Although not as good as "Wishful Thinking", it is on par with "Peculiar Treasures" and superior to most "religious" books available today. This is another one to read and ponder again and again.
Classic Buechner.......2001-06-16
A great starting place if you want to explore Buechner's non-fiction. He has a way of making the deep attainable and the mundane deep. His way with words is remarkable and moving.
In this and other writings, Buechner shares with us his own fallibility in a way that is both touching and disarming and in doing so helps us to deal with our own foibles in a remarkable new way. He never condescends or assumes the spiritual state of the reader.
Start with this wonderful volume, go on to read some of his fiction like 'Godric' or 'On The Road WIth The Archangel', move on to the Bebb Quadrology (?) and then come back to his autobiogrphical books.... heck, then get everything else you've missed.
Buechner is quoted in John Irving's 'A Prayer For Owen Meany' as saying 'Not the least of my problems is that I can hardly even imagine what kind of an experience a genuine, self-authenticating religious experience would be. Without somehow destroying me in the process, how could God reveal himself in a way that would leave no room for doubt? If there were no room for doubt, there would be no room for me." Indeed. This Frederick Buechner is a man who gets us as close to that religious experience as possible without being destroyed.
Humorous, Thought-Provoking, Touching, Never Dull!!!.......1998-12-04
Buechner is one of the great theological minds of our time, but his writing is accessible without being condescending. In this classic lexicon, he captures the dichotomy of faith and doubt in God. If you enjoy C.S. Lewis' work but have a sometimes irreverent sense of humor, you are sure to want your own copy of Whistling in the Dark!
Books:
- The Wasp Eater
- The Woman Chaser
- The Worst Journey in the World
- The Year of the Death of Ricardo Reis
- Three Weddings and a Giggle: Fine Print/Sweet Chariot/Bride on the Run (Palisades Pure Romance Anthology)
- Unless: A Novel
- Up the Down Staircase
- We Should Never Meet: Stories
- Who Does She Think She Is?: A Novel
- Willa Cather : Later Novels : A Lost Lady / The Professor's House / Death Comes for the Archbishop / Shadows on the Rock / Lucy Gayheart / Sapphira and the Slave Girl (The Library of America)
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- A Passover Haggadah
- The Case for Christ: A Journalist's Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus
- Mala Onda/bad Vibes
- Long Walk to Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela
- Rant: An Oral Biography of Buster Casey
- Probability and Computing: Randomized Algorithms and Probabilistic Analysis
- The Creation: An Appeal to Save Life on Earth
- Memoirs of Marguerite de Valois, Volume 2
- Pressing Issues of Inequality and American Indian Communities
- Your First Thirty Days: Building a Professional Image in a New Job
