Book Description
Cultural Writing. The great Irish humorist and writer Flann O'Brien, aka Brian O'Nolan, aka Myles na Gopaleen, also wrote a newspaper column called "Cruiskeen Lawn." THE BEST OF MYLES collects the best and funniest, covering such subjects as plumbers, the justice system, and improbable inventions.
Customer Reviews:
The real thing........2005-04-19
Before there was Monty Python, there was Myles. He was by far the crankiest, most learned and original comic genius of 20th-century English prose; there's simply nothing else like him. (Well, maybe there are 3 or 4 moments in "Duck Soup" that are like him.) And when you realize that this is the same guy who, under a different name, wrote "At Swim-Two-Birds" (one of the five or so funny novels for whose sake the Lord does not destroy the Earth)-- well, it's time to just surrender and enjoy.
Plus, the current Dalkey Archive edition (the publisher's name is itself a Myles reference) is handsomely made... good-quality paper and so on, don't you know. It makes a difference.
Mise, le mas, ....
Brilliant.......2002-01-01
Flann O'Brian is absolutely one of the greatest practitioners of language. This collection of his work, "The Best Of Myles", is some of the finest writing I have ever had the pleasure to read. Gaelic, English, French, German, and Latin, are 5 languages he writes fluently. He is the personification of all that is famous of Irish Wit. There appear to be few topics he did not comment upon or release a withering appraisal with pinpoint precision.
Mr. O'Brian wrote for a daily newspaper until his death in 1966. The volume and quality of the written material he produced is amazing. This 400-page book is one of five that are available and that I intend to read. There is virtually nothing about his personal history in this volume, so hopefully there is a biography in print documenting the time he spent learning and practicing his craft. The only downside to this book is that some is in Gaelic with no translation, and there are many articles that will seem to exist in isolation if the reader does not have some knowledge of Irish History. Even if these commentaries were removed, the balance of the work would still be a remarkable literary performance.
Some of the best pieces were his comments on the affectation in so many facets of daily life. And his specific attacks on, "bores", and all the pretensions of the world of modern art, and those who would pretend to posses knowledge of which they are bereft. He creates institutes and foundations and companies dedicated to servicing frauds and exposing the truth. Much is for pure fun, but like all humor contains truth. He offers the services of a company that will come to the home of any illiterate with a library, and his people will either rummage through your books for a pittance, or for a more substantial sum, will dog-ear pages, write brilliant marginalia, and leave tickets and programs to various cultural events as though they were misplaced bookmarks. And for those who have the funds, books will receive forged inscriptions from their authors, and letters of thanks to the book's owner for their help with a particularly difficult passage.
This book came at the end of 2001 for me. I hate lists of the best of the year; however nothing I have read this year surpasses this book, absolutely nothing!
The best of Flann.......2001-09-24
Good humour is something everybody likes and I yearn for. For quite a long time I thought that there could hardly be anything better, or at least as good as Ephraim Kishon's short satires or Douglas Adams' space phantasmagories. It was hard even to imagine something like that because I was sure my stomach would disintegrate after something like that. And than I ran into Flann O'Brien's The Best of Myles. Indeed, that was the first time for me to get familiar with him and certainly the best possible. His columns are far than hillarious, obviously because he plays with things we consider as common, everyday problems, and maybe not even problems. All the wild thoughts one could get in moments of being very bored O'Brien would write down and bring to their final reductio ad absurdum. He wouldn't wait to be stopped, he would just carry on scribbling complete nonsense, dipping even into some other languages like Latin or Gaelic in a wild rage of an admirable inspiration.
Yes, one more thing that admire him for. He would deal with Gaelic and even write in it, he would mock with politics and politicians, with history and society and even so, he managed to stay completely non-political. At least he left his columns that way. The Best of Myles is best to read before his longer and more ambitious works like The Third Policeman or At Swim-Two-Birds. And also after them.
Five for peerless Myles; zero for the editing........2001-02-22
this compilation contains, without qualification, THE funniest writing of the twentieth century, so it seems churlish to list complaints. Some of these are unavoidably the nature of the material - Myles na Gopaleen wrote a regular column for an Irish newspaper for a quarter of a century, so the very local concerns discussed in some of the pieces render them impenetrable to all but Irish historians.
The biggest problem is with the editing, or lack thereof. There are no explanatory notes offering historical, social or political context; there are no translatoins of the many German, Latin, Irish etc. interpellations. One could argue that this leaves us in the same position as those first newspaper readers, but Myles' predominantly middle-class audience could boast a sound classical education and a greater familiarity with the allusions so liberally scattered here than we do today.
Finally, the decision not to print the pieces chronologically (none of them are dated), but by subject, distorts the work, handicaps its versatility and can lead to repetition and tedium.
That 'the Best of Myles' remains one of the last century's few genuinely important books is entirely due to the indestructible persona(e) of Myles himself, hypercultured, alcoholic, visionary verbal contortionist with pretensions to aristocratic heritage. His phlegmatic invective at local problems such as sewage systems and the civil service are less valuable than his assault on language as it had (has?) degenerated into cliche and received opinion in the culturally sterile Ireland of the 1940s and 50s; and in his post-modern project of demolishing hierarchies of linguistic and artistic endeavour. Reading Myles has a bracing effect - he forces you out of habitual mental laziness; forces you to think HARDER.
YES! I Can Finally Own My Own Copy!.......1999-10-31
A friend lent me his copy (an Irish edition) of this book five or more years ago, and I've been searching for my own copy ever since. I'm delighted to find it's been reprinted and I just placed my order.
I envy anyone who has not yet read this book of collected columns and essays -- the outrageous details of the Ventriloquists' War, the intricacies of the Catechism of Cliche, and the wisdom of the Brother all await your delighted discovery.
Have a blast.
Product Description
Three of Myles Munroe's Best Selling Books in one package. A Great Buy and a Great Gift! Rediscovering the Kingdom, The Glory of Living & The Purpose & Power of Praise & Worship all in ONE package.
Book Description
Where else but Best Lesbian Erotica can you find a femme vigilante, a virgin baby butch, and a snake charmer jostling for your attention? The salacious stories of Best Lesbian Erotica 2006 will draw you in like honeyed voices from an upstairs room. In Peggy Munson’s “Into the Baptismal,” two farm girls decide to test their virginity pledges one rainy summer night. Renee Rivera’s “Jubilee” describes a classic American rite of passage — a trip to a trailer brothel in the Nevada desert — but with a truck full of butch dykes in place of the local boys. In Skian McGuire’s “Phoebe’s Undercover Bon Voyage,” a group of well-equipped tops indulge a friend’s cop fetish before she — a real cop — goes undercover. And S. Bear Bergman’s “Silver Dollar Afternoon” makes it clear that hot, boundary-breaking sex isn’t the exclusive province of new love.
Guest editor Eileen Myles adds her street smarts and lyrical dynamism to Tristan Taormino’s annual powerhouse of riveting girl-girl erotica.
Customer Reviews:
New Life in this series of anthologies.......2006-07-21
Super story 'Clinical Trial' by Radclyffe led me to buy this anthology - and well worth the cover price.
A wide range of 27 authors including -
Lynne Jamneck
Kristina Wright
Jean Roberta
Kristen Porter
Peggy Munson
Andrea Miller
Thea Hutcheson
Debra Hyde
Tara Alton
from the publisher's web site - The best-selling lesbian erotica series in America! Capturing the hottest, freshest lesbian erotica of the year...
"For me, the best erotic stories closely resemble the people who make my skin flush hot pink and send my head into overdrive. They're fiercely intelligent, confident and intricate. They can sweep me off my feet or catch me off guard. They are tender and nasty and just a little bit dangerous. They are not always what you expect them to be." --Tristan Taormino, series editor
jumping ship.......2006-03-18
This is a horrible excuse for LESBIAN erotica. Every year this series goes more and more off the deep end and into the bowels of what I bet 1% of the lesbian world can even relate to. What good is a book of erotica if it is written in a foreign language? This is that sort of book. It should be renamed "Best Sadistic/FTM Erotica". This is definitely the last year for me to buy this, and those I've spoken with unanimously agree. We are hoping for a better series, with different writers to be born! Lesbian erotica should be wonderful!
Average customer rating:
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The best of Myles: A selection from Cruiskeen Lawn
Flann O'Brien
Manufacturer: MacGibbon & Kee
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
 British
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ASIN: 0261620495 |
Customer Reviews:
entertaining contemporary romance .......2004-10-13
New York based public relations specialist Lani Williams of Abernathy and Cornblum travels to the Running L Ranch near Los Molin, California on an assignment that means quite a bonus. However, the recipient of her skills, rancher Chase Cavanaugh thinks she is a reporter, but when he learns that his neighbor's wife hired her to help him deal with the media, he still tells her to leave. She persuades him to at least let her enter his home.
For the two weeks Chase has been the latest victim of media frenzy due to a country western song he recorded. The former rodeo performer knows he is a one hit wonder, but the press seems to think otherwise. Lani takes over handling of the media and makes life easier for the frantic Chase when it comes to reporters, but their attraction to one another makes it even more difficult to keep his blood pressure down.
This entertaining contemporary romance stars two individuals who would be the last pairing anyone would expect, yet Pamela Britton persuades the audience that Lani and Chase make a fine couple. The story line focuses on Chase's aversion to fame that he handles poorly almost as bad as he deals with his desire for Lani. Fans of opposites attract tales will enjoy the big city woman and the rural man although the final compromise seems too easily negotiated.
Harriet Klausner
Fantastic! This one will knock your socks off!.......2004-10-09
Back again for the sequel to her Cowboy Lessons (published last year by Harlequin) Pamela Britton has created yet another sassy and sexy cowboy romance guaranteed to make you wish for your very own cowboy hero!
Cowboy Trouble is the tale of Chase Cavenaugh, ex-rodeo champion turned reluctant country music icon overnight and Lani Williams, the publicist hired against his will to help with damage control against the prying eyes of the media.
The sparks fly instantly between the brooding and guilt ridden cowboy and the charming and sensitive Lani, who can relate to the pain and guilt that he feels for an accident that happened in the past, causing him to lose someone very dear to him.
On their journey to discourage the media, Chase finds that love truely can heal and Lani discovers what it's like to have her very own cowboy forever and ever, amen!
Book Description
s Roy taken to an unused mine and beaten off and on every day. He wants Roy to sign a bill of sale for his mines. Roy knows that when he signs the paper, he will be killed. Pete arrives and tries to do some scouting through the hills, hoping to cut some kind of track to show what happened to his friend. During one of his rides, he is shoot in the back as he looks over the side of a canyon. He is saved when he lands on a small ledge, only to find when he wakes, that the ledge is only a few feet long and down about ten or twelve feet fron the top. After many attempts to get out, he gets so weak he knows that he knows his death is about to happen. One of Roy's men finds him and gets him back to the mine shack. Together the two men are able to fine out about their friend and boss. When Roy is located, they all set a trap for the greedy mine owner and his men. In the end Pete is able to kill the right hand man, and after the crooked mine owner blows up Roy's mine, Pete is able to kill him by returning shots towards the muzzle blasts from the man's gun. The story ends on a good note when the men enter the damaged mine and find the explosion had uncovered a neew gold vein. Later when Pete is home sitting on his porch, he tells his wife a tale of two boys. It seems that the boys, about eighteen years of age, are on a drive moving some cattle from Texas to Montana. The hours are long, the job dirty, and the dust they breath at the back of the drive is enough to choke a man. They tough it out and feel better that they have done a mans job. In Montana at the end of the drive, the trail boss tries to get them to take the train home with him. Wanting to save all their money, they decline and say they are going to ride their horses home. After a week on the trail, they notice a small band of Indians are traveling parallel with them. Day after day, and hour after hour they are tracked. It during a night stop that one of the group tries to steal their horses. Rod is able to wing the man and the horses are saved. They leave their camp before day break and are down the trail a ways when the hear the Indians attack their cold camp. It isn't long before the bucks are riding after them. By the second day when they come again, Rod and Jake have horses are getting tired. In a short burst of speed, the Indians are able to get close. Jakes horse stumbles, and Rod has no choice but to keep going. Part of the Indians drop off and capture Jake while the rest come after Rod. He is able to loose them at a river. After hiding out under some brush, he goes back and looks for his friend. Later he can hear the screams of his friend and is able to sneak close. As he looks over the edge of an arroyo he finds the Indians skinning his friends leg. He is able to shoot his way in and saves Jake. They battle the remaining Indians until they arrive in Colorado. It is here they stop and help a rancher with his branding. The last Indian, who shows up during the fourth day, and Rod meet and fight to the death in the dark of the night. Though the Indian is a larger man, Rod is able to win the battle. Wounded badly, he is later found by Jake and is nursed back to health by the hired mans daughter. Later they marry and live on the ranch with the old man.
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The trouble trailer
W. C Tuttle
Manufacturer: The Riverside press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books | Classics | Comic | Contemporary | Literary
ASIN: B0007FENG0 |
Book Description
"Most of what you've heard, read or been told about the End Times is wrong," says popular radio host and bestselling apologist, Hank Hanegraaff. "We have come to accept a wide range of beliefs and teachings about the future, about the ultimate battle between good and evil, about the last days, and about how our world will end. And most of these beliefs and teachings are based on fundamental misinterpretations of what the scriptures really say about the end times."
The Apocalypse Code helps readers understand what the Bible
really says about End Times, and why what we believe matters so much in today's world.
Customer Reviews:
Dispensationalists Beware!!.......2007-10-07
Kudos to Hank Hanegraaff for yet another powerful book exposing questionable doctrines which have risen to popularity within the Christian Church. In "Apocalypse Code", Hank goes through the history and forces behind the dispensationalist movement which has gained strength in the last 10 years with the "Left Behind" series. As always, Hank approaches the reading of Revalations and other Bible prophesy from the perspective of LIGHTS - the acronym explaining proper principles of bible interpretation. In the book, Hank spends the first quarter of the book just reminding the reader how to read scriptures "for all it's worth".
The book spends most of its pages refuting the dispensationalist author Tim LaHaye. This is really the whole thrust of the book. When Hank mentioned he was starting this project on his radio program, I had high hopes that Hank would not just refute dispensationalism, but go into great detail about the whole spectrum of end time prophesy interpretations. By only focusing on refuting dispensationalism, he leaves woefully short the other interpretations (biblically correct or not) and instead challenges the reader to figure it out for himself. While clearly a partial pretarist, he only briefly talks about full pretarism and pretrib/postrib interpretations and all the rest. GIVE ME MORE MEAT HERE!
I suppose such a wish from me would have resulted in a book 3-4 times longer than this one, but it would have been more enlightening and easier to have in one resource. However, "Apocalypse Code" would be a great resource for anyone who got caught in the "Left Behind" hype and found some or all of the interpretations hard to buy into and need to seek help learning that their bologne indicators were probably right.
good, but could have been much better.......2007-09-08
I had high hopes for this book. After studying the Partial Preterist view for a few years with a very skeptical mind, I became convinced. Given Hanegraaff's reputation, the length of the book, and the table of contents I thought sure this would be the definitive book to explain the position, but alas. Here are a few points
1. I think the average reader won't know anything about this view. Hank should have explained the underlying suppositions more. Still, the basics are there for anyone to investigate further.
2. It is important to learn this veiw methodically since it is so radically different from any futurist view, and remarkably different from the Amillenialist view. Hank doesn't present it methodically, rather it is presented somewhat piecemeal. Still, it does present the most important points so it is very valuable.
3. Even for someone like me who has read extensively, this book is not written particularly well. He is a bit vague and doesn't present the material very clearly. This is a style issue, not content. Still, for the person who wants to know and reads the references, it is a good beginning.
All in all, I was dissatisfied but I am glad it is out there. If this view is correct (and I think it is) it will revolutionize the thinking of believers, from what's coming in the future to our understanding of the nature of God Himself.
Hank's magnum opus.......2007-09-06
Masterful review of bible principles. sound theology and delightful use of logic and vocabulary. slightly rough on his critiques but very accurate. Not to be read slightly, moderately deep. Perfect companion for his last book on resurrection.
Adds Nothing New to the Debate.......2007-08-31
Overall, I don't think this book will have the same impact on the "end-times" movement that Christianity in Crisis, and Counterfeit Revival had on the Word-Faith and Extreme Pentecostal movements. I do think that the appearance of books like Apocalypse Code and others which challenge the prevailing eschatological view are beneficial. While their effect is like touching an exposed nerve, the end result is they are exposing some major chinks in the armor of a view that has traditionally been left unchallenged. Even with its flaws, Apocalypse Code's can have a therapeutic effect by helping those who want an pop-genre introduction to the movement's eschatological theology, its extra-biblical nature and the motives behind the personalities who are driving it.
Ultimately, I find the publication of the book to be of greater impact than it content. I see it as an indicator that pre-millennial Dispensational eschatology is no longer untouchable. As such, it's an important step in opening the debate to a wider audience. However, as for it content, it really brings no new facts to the table that have not already been published in other books critical of Dispensationalism.
[..]
Finally someone makes since about end times.......2007-08-20
Having read the bible several times and after years of hearing nothing but the "Left Behind" theory for end times, I kept wondering where they were getting this theory. I would read the supposed text to back it up and not see anything remotely close to what they were saying. I kept wondering if there were something wrong with me. It is so refreshing to have someone making sound arguements on the topic. This book is an absolute must read for anyone wanting to understand the bible. It does not answer all your questions but it points in a reasonable direction instead of a blind alley.
Book Description
A Small Matter of Programming asks why it has been so difficult for end users to command programming power and explores the problems of end user-driven application development that must be solved to afford end users greater computational power.
Drawing on empirical research on existing end user systems, A Small Matter of Programming analyzes cognitive, social, and technical issues of end user programming. In particular, it examines the importance of task-specific programming languages, visual application frameworks, and collaborative work practices for end user computing, with the goal of helping designers and programmers understand and better satisfy the needs of end users who want the capability to create, customize, and extend their applications software.
The ideas in the book are based on the author's research on two successful end user programming systems - spreadsheets and CAD systems - as well as other empirical research. Nardi concentrates on broad issues in end user programming, especially end users' strengths and problems, introducing tools and techniques as they are related to higher-level user issues.
Bonnie A. Nardi is a Member of the Technical Staff at Hewlett Packard Laboratories.
Customer Reviews:
A taste of an important topic.......2001-02-19
Computer makers continue to bring faster machines to market and end user software has become more feature-rich, but facilities for user customization are still primitive. Must end users be programmers to get the most of their software and their machines?
"This book asks why it has been so difficult for end users to command programming power and explores the critical problems of end user application development that must be solved to afford end users greater computational power." This is an ambitious goal. Except for the notable success of the spreadsheet, few applications provide a programming model acceptable to end users. The basic problem is that most extensions to applications are implemented with a broad, general purpose facility instead of an approach that appears to be focused on the particular problem domain. The successful end user programming models typically leverage and build upon the end user's domain experience and intuition.
As Nardi points out, "A mathematician, in a broad sense, already knows Mathematica, an accountant already knows Lotus 1-2-3, a statistician already knows SPSS." Still, except for these examples, and extensions to AutoCAD, Nardi is hard pressed to show positive examples of end user empowerment. Is it because most end users are not smart enough or willing to work hard enough? No, argues Nardi, and quite convincingly.
End users learn arcane and tedious formal systems all the time. She points out baseball fans can capture every pitch, and every play on a single score sheet and knitting fans, who themselves would probably not say they often learn and utilize formal systems, can read and use intricate patterns to make afghans. People are clever and persistent when it is interesting to them. That is the key.
Nardi cites another example from the AutoCAD world. "This book assumes you are a drawing professional, more interested in maximizing your use of AutoCAD than becoming a professional programmer." This is exactly the point.
The book is brief (143 pages plus references and so on), and left me wanting for more. It seemed more like an appetizer instead of a main course. For this reason, I thought I could only give it 3 stars. Still, there is precious little written on this subject so any contribution is welcome.
Eventually, end users will realize that all this computing power available today is largely wasted because there exists no easy mechanism for them to customize and extend their applications. When this happens, end user computing problems will be shoved to the forefront instead of idling in the background as it is today. Nardi's discussions are a great starting point. With luck, she, and others, will follow with solid advice for how to proceed.
I love this book.......2001-02-14
I am now reading this book for about the 7th time and still find its insights amazing. People looking to make a difference in the world should look at the discussion about why spreadsheets are easy to use.
Average customer rating:
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End of the Matter
Alan Dean Foster
Manufacturer: Del Rey
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
Foster, Alan Dean
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Flinx in Flux (Pip and Flinx Novels)
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Orphan Star
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Mid-Flinx
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The Tar-Aiym Krang
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Reunion: A Pip and Flinx novel
ASIN: 0345334655
Release Date: 1985-12-12 |
Book Description
Accompanied by his faithful minidrag Pip and a most troublesome alien called Abalamahalamatandra -- Ab for short -- Flinx set out for Alaspin, the ruggedly primitive homeworld of his flying snake.
There he hoped to find the giant man with the gold earring who somehow held the key to Flinx's mysterious past and to the strange powers he possessed. Chasing down his heritage was trouble enough, but Flinx didn't know what real trouble was until he realized that the Qwarm -- a deadly assassin squad -- were three steps behind him with a contract to kill.
But the minidrag's homeworld did not offer safety and Flinx had a terrible time just staying alive ... a matter complicated to no mean degree by a collapsar already set on an unstoppable death course across the galaxy!
Average customer rating:
- Straight answers to cosmic questions
- Very informative.
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Cosmic Questions: Galactic Halos, Cold Dark Matter and the End of Time (Wiley Popular Science)
Richard Morris
Manufacturer: Wiley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Astronomy
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Cosmology
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Universe
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ASIN: 0471132969 |
Book Description
Did the Big Bang really happen?
Is space infinite?
When did time begin?
In this "superb new book" (San Francisco Chronicle), acclaimed science writer Richard Morris probes a host of far-reaching questions about the fundamental nature of the universe. The result is a masterful exploration of the newest discoveries and theories in the field of cosmology-the study of the origin, structure, and evolution of the universe. With dramatic flair and enthusiasm, he introduces us to the intriguing world of cosmic strings and quark nuggets, shadow matter and imaginary time. He brings emerging theoretical concepts into clear focus, offering keen insight into science's most puzzling riddles, the very questions that have challenged and confounded humankind through the ages. Featuring a thorough explanation of the breakthrough voyage of NASA's Cosmic Background Explorer (COBE) and its effects on the Big Bang theory, this remarkable book is a fascinating journey along the cutting edge of cosmological discovery.
Praise for Richard Morris...
"Mr. Morris's genius is an ability to reveal the wonderful. —Kansas City Star
"Morris does a clearer job explaining Hawking than Hawking did." —Library Journal
Customer Reviews:
Straight answers to cosmic questions.......2004-10-25
This book is a must in every amateur astronomer's bookshelf. Freshmen following a first course in cosmology may also find this book useful as a first intuitive approach to the field. The author is extremely clear in his explanations and he reminds me the writing style of French Canadian Hubert Reeves, one of the most famous cosmology writers for the general public.
Structuring the book with "questions" is an extremely useful approach for those trying to demystify space and time.
Very informative........1999-03-24
This book is very well written as far as scientific material is concerned. Having a very funadmantal understanding of such concepts as the Big Bang would prove to be helpful while reading, but not once was I utterly confused. The book is jam-packed with useful info and data. Kudos to Richard Morris for a fine book.
Average customer rating:
- Some great stories, some poor ones
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Matter's End
Gregory Benford
Manufacturer: Spectra
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
Benford, Gregory
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ASIN: 0553568981
Release Date: 1994-12-01 |
Customer Reviews:
Some great stories, some poor ones.......2002-08-26
Better than Timescape, not as good as In the ocean of night. About half the stories are good, some are very good (the mark of a good writer is not their average after all, but their maximum - a Benford is certainly a good writer), but the collection is spoiled by some stories that are also a little on the poor side. As a collection it only really deserves a 2/5
The better stories are Freezeframe, Sleepstory, Calibrations and exercises. Proselytes, Touches, Dark sanctury, Side effect, Knowing her, The bigger one & Cadenza.
Oh, and don't assume for a minute that this is a collection of hard sci-fi; the blurb on the back is lying (as usual)
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Black Holes: The End of the Universe?
John Gerald Taylor
Manufacturer: Souvenir Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0285634437 |
Book Description
In addition to the basic information needed to understand what a black hole is, this book also explains what the existence of black holes might mean for the future of our solar system and planet. Scientists' latest findings about the interiors of black holes and our changing understanding of the forces of nature are included in this first-time trade paperback edition. This examination of space and time asks us to contemplate the paradox of a beginning with no beginning and a future with no future.
Customer Reviews:
Useless blather?.......2000-01-01
I read 2 chapters of this silly book, thinking it might contain something about black holes. Maybe there is something about black holes later, but I got turned off real quick by the silly, useless, confusing, pointless, and whatever other adjective I can come up with to descibe the material in the first chapter. The first chapter almost made me stop there, but I thought that I would read at least one more..yuck
Not recommended
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The Creation of Matter: The Universe from Beginning to End
Harald Fritzsch
Manufacturer: Basic Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
Astronomy
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Atomic & Nuclear Physics
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ASIN: 0465014461 |
Book Description
Archimedes, the discoverer of the lever, said that if he had a place to stand, he could move the world. But, of course, there is no such place to stand. However, on April 27, 1521, a young monk from a small town in Germany declared before the powers of his day, who demanded that he take back his faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, that his conscience was bound by the Word of God. "Here I stand," he declared.
A PLACE TO STAND summarizes the German reformer's life and topically treats his worldview, inspiring readers to delve deeper into the man whose contribution to the betterment of the world LIFE magazine in 2000 ranked as the third most significant of all time and the TORONTO GLOBE & MAIL ranked number two. Nearly five centuries after his time, we can see that Martin Luther indeed had a place to stand. And he did move the world.
Customer Reviews:
Unexamined.......2006-08-18
I was intersted in reading this book because like many others I wonder about the escalation of exposure in our society, with songs called "Promiscuous" clogging the airways and ankles no longer at all provacative. Have we lost something while gaining the freedom to display our innate sensuality?
However, this book failed to make much of an argument at all. It presented two opposing forces: the Bible, and our society, and did a very bad job explaining these. It seemed, rather, to work from two stereotypical mindsets. I found the Biblical passages overly literal, with no real scholarship applied to them, more just a sort of parroting, and found myself becoming defensive on the behalf of sensuality, which seemed to be getting a bum rap. Perhaps Nelly Furtado is not a notable advance in Western Culture, but surely some things are, and for every five or ten Nellys and Britneys, there is an Allen Ginsberg who would have been killed for love in an earlier time.
What really upset me about this book, however, was the not-very-well-hidden sexism. I went into the book expecting modesty to be something we might encourage in all people, but instead found it to be something we largely want to encourage in our women. Most of the biblical quotes seemed to deal with women and their roles, and many of the examples seemed to be at the expense of girls. As a woman, I am offended by the notion of virtue and modesty being a woman's responsibility, as if men a) have nothing to hide or b) have no control over their reactions to what women wear.
All in all, I found this book a very disappointing read and do not suggest buying it.
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