Book Description
Oh, shipmates and world-mates, all round! we the people suffer many abuses. Our gun-deck is full of complaints. In vain from Lieutenants do we appeal to the Captain; in vain--while on board our world-frigate--to the indefinite Navy Commissioners, so far out of sight aloft. Yet the worst of our evils we blindly inflict upon ourselves; our officers can not remove them, even if they would. From the last ills no being can save another; therein each man must be his own saviour.
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Oh, shipmates and world-mates, all round! we the people suffer many abuses. Our gun-deck is full of complaints. In vain from Lieutenants do we appeal to the Captain; in vain--while on board our world-frigate--to the indefinite Navy Commissioners, so far out of sight aloft. Yet the worst of our evils we blindly inflict upon ourselves; our officers can not remove them, even if they would. From the last ills no being can save another; therein each man must be his own saviour.
Customer Reviews:
Harsh Life Aboard a US Navy Ship in the Last Days of Sail.......2007-06-22
The title, "White Jacket", serves as a double entendre by the author, Herman Melville. He actually sews up a hand-stitched jacket made from white sail cloth and other material, but it is ill-fitting, continually wet, ineffective against the cold, and actually the source of trouble between himself and the crew. So, the white jacket is a suit of his own making that very well brings about his own downfall. In the end, he discards it when he sees himself about to drown. And so, Melville uses this theme to serve as a metaphor for white superiority and the threatening danger of civil war over slavery.
Indeed, Melville experiences effective slavery during his voyage aboard the USS United States (USS Neversink in the book) during its run from the Pacific back to the Atlantic. And like so many black slaves, he and his crewmates suffer the ever-present threat of public lashings for even minor infractions. So, Melville also uses his book as an indictment against a hypocritical system, whereby officers are never wrong and never experience corporal punishment but the enlisted crew remain in perpetual danger of arousing the slightest displeasure of any officer with the ultimate result of a humiliating public lashing. However, no military organization could function effectively if it were a democratic institution; who would ever risk their life in such a case? (Even the early Communists quickly abandoned that principle.)
But the vast majority of the book focuses on the minute details of life aboard a frigate during the age of sail. Several hundred (500?) souls are packed into the space of a single wooden vessel for months on end. How the ship is organized and the rituals of life aboard ship are the mainstay of the book. Melville describes in factual detail the actual work (trimming sails, cleaning decks, etc.), the daily routines (meals on deck, standing watches, playing cards in secret, sleeping in the crew's quarters), the professions (sailor, waistman, quartermaster, boatswain, carpenter, surgeon, captain, commodore, purser, midshipmen, chaplain, pharmacist, cook, cockswain, gunner, and yeoman), the less usual events (floggings, making a port of call, receiving official dignitaries aboard ship, rounding Cape Horn, the order of Neptune initiation rites, rumors of war), and all the underlying social structure and tensions ever-present.
I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to anyone interested in life aboard naval ships in the days of sail. With the rise of modern wireless communication, captains no longer enjoy such an absolute despotism as in times previous, but he still remains the unchallenged master aboard US navy vessels. While much of life aboard ship has changed, probably half of the book would still be quite familiar to modern-day sailors.
Second to one.......2004-10-26
This book is second only to Moby-Dick in the list of Melville's greatest works. And Melville's greatest works are America's greatest works.
White-Jacket has it all; humor, pathos, poetry and philosophy. This book makes me not only admire Melville the author but love Melville the man.
To suggest that the book would be better off without its "sermons" against cruelty in the Man-of-War's world is to suggest that Melville should have written some other book. He didn't write that book, he wrote this one and this is the one he wanted us to read. God bless him.
Life Within A Total Institution.......2003-09-30
I read this book after reading Erving Goffman's "Asylums". In that book, Goffman, a sociologist, discusses the rise of "Total Institutions", i.e. institutions that totally control the lives of those within. Melville's "White Jacket" is a book that Goffman often referred to in order to illustrate different aspects of life within the total institution.
The introductory essay to this book discusses White Jacket in relationship to the growing bro-ha-ha over slavery, but I thought the book was much more interesting then that.
What was most suprising to me, having never read Melville before, was how funny some of the chapters were. Episodes involving Surgeon Cuticle amputating the leg of an unwilling seaman recall the funniest moments of television shows like Monty Python or the Simpsons.
Melville's accurate portrayal of life within the "T.I.", reminded me of Ken Kesey's "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest". There, the setting is an insane asylum, here it is a Man O' Wear, but both books deal with the tactics and strategies an individual might employ when faced with an oppressive living environment.
Although I am not sure when, or if, I might try to tackle author's masterpiece 'Moby Dick', I did come away from this book with a profound respect for Melville's capabilities as a writer. I will no longer take for granted his status among the pantheon of American writers.
White-Jacket.......2001-12-12
I feel quite strange presuming to give a numerical rating to a book by one of American literature's greatest authors.
It's important for readers to realize that White-Jacket is not what would, in the modern day, be considered a novel. There is essentially no plot structure. It's a melange of events, descriptive passages and polemic, narrated by the eponymous White-Jacket, whom I suspect of being Melville himself. At times the book is entertainingly humorous - as when the narrator tries to get rid of his famous jacket. And much of the description of life aboard a man-of-war is fascinating -- the book would make a helpful companion for people reading modern novels such as O'Brian's series. (And, of course, White-Jacket probably was one of the sources used by O'Brian and other aquatic novelists.) The polemic -- Melville's rants against flogging and his pacifist pleas -- I found tiresome, as I always find polemic, regardless of its aims.
Questionable Authority.......1999-12-09
If you find yourself in a position where the individuals in authority over you are, in the actual state of affairs, your moral inferiors, then on this level alone you will be able to appreciate this book.
Average customer rating:
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White Jacket or The World on a Man-of-War
Herman Melville
Manufacturer: IndyPublish
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Binding: Paperback
 Melville, Herman
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ASIN: 1421923017 |
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White jacket, or, A world in a man-of-war
Herman Melville
Manufacturer: Quality Paperback Book Club
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
Melville, Herman
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ASIN: B0006QHPT2 |
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White Jacket, or The World in a Man-of War
Herman Melville
Manufacturer: Signet/New American Library
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Melville, Herman
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ASIN: B000J6BWGQ |
Book Description
The Moon of Skulls collects Robert E. Howard's fiction and prose published in Weird Tales Magazine from October 1929 to November 1930, plus one from Oriental Stories. These works represent literary stepping-stones to Howard's infamous Cthulhu mythos stories and his most famous character of all - Conan the Cimmerian - and ably demonstrate that each of Howard's stories improved and added to his formidable skills as a master of fantasy and adventure. Continuing the collection of Howard's fiction and poetry in order of publication, Volume Two of The Weird Works of Robert E. Howard picks up where Volume One left off-at one of the most startling and controversial Howard stories of all: Skull-Face, a potent combination of gothic themes and oriental mystique.
Customer Reviews:
Overlaps with Shadow Kingdoms.......2007-08-14
I am a big fan of Howard and this book has some fine stories. One thing that is a little strange is that the stories in this book overlap somewhat with "Shadow Kingdoms (The Weird Works of Robert E. Howard)" Shadow Kingdom's was not listed as a Volume 1, but I sort of assumed that it was coordinated with these books (vol 2, 3, etc.). because of the "Weird works" tag in both. Looks like a different publisher - just thought I would point out a quirk if you were planning to buy more than one of these books.
Just a general note that these stories were written in the 1920s - some of the depictions of certain non-white racial groups might be offensive to some people.
Not Free SF Reader.......2007-08-02
Some longer stories, and some Solomon Kane.
Weird Works 2 : Skull-Face - Robert E. Howard
Weird Works 2 : The Fearsome Touch of Death - Robert E. Howard
Weird Works 2 : The Moon of Skulls - Robert E. Howard
Weird Works 2 : The Hills of the Dead - Robert E. Howard
Weird Works 2 : The Voice of El-Lil - Robert E. Howard
Chinese master villains, Egyptian sorcerers, Atlantean myths, Afghan killers, voodoo, magic elixirs, no wonder Steve Costigan is bewildered. Holey crapadoley.
3.5 out of 5
Dead dude's digits dancing.
3 out of 5
After winning a duel, Kane hears the loser confess to selling a girl into slavery. He sets out to track her down. The problem is that she is a prisoner of Nakari, the vampire queen of Negari, and due to be sacrified on the Black Altar in the Tower of Death because she is one of those useful pesky virgins.
4 out of 5
This involves Kane's relationship with N'Longa, and how he came to possess his staff. Also, Kane, Zunna and N'Longa are involved in some vampire hunting and slaying.
3.5 out of 5
Heroic girl saves blokes from savage lost Sumerian bunch and their scary sound ritual.
3 out of 5
poor delivery condition, printing irregularities.......2006-03-03
I read alot of period fiction Robert Howard being among my favourites. I was waiting some small time for this second volume in the series.
I could've saved my money! 1. The two copies I ordered (in hardcover) were in awfull shape and 2. One of the two copies had an additional signature of blank paper half way through the book. A very amateurish package for a series giving it self such great airs as this one is. I'll be sticking to purchasing the electronic PDF versions from now on (not that these do not have there own short comings) but at least it isn't a mangled ill printed
hardcover which wasn't cheap either!
Great Stories From Robert E. Howard.......2006-01-10
This, the second volume in the series, is an excellent book. Every story is good, and three of them-- "Skull-Face", "The Moon of Skulls", and "The Hills of the Dead"-- are superb. Howard is just as fine a story-teller when he writes of something other than Conan. The _Weird Works_ series is shaping up to be an essential collection of his most entertaining and thrilling stories.
All the classic "Weird Tales" stories in 10 volumes!.......2005-04-01
Contents
The Gothic Orient (introduction) by Mark Finn
Skull-Face
Dead Man's Hate
The Fearsome Touch of Death
A Song out of Midian
Shadows on the Road
The Moon of Skulls
The Hills of the Dead
Black Chant Imperial
The Voice of El-Lil
Robert E. Howard's writing career began in 1924, and by 1929, he was selling steadily to different markets. However, Weird Tales continued to be his most dependable, if not financially reliable, market. In the pages of "the unique magazine," Howard had plenty of room to explore ideas and cross genre barriers that he may not have been able to with other pulp fiction magazines.
Continuing the collection of Howard's fiction and poetry in order of publication, Volume Two of The Weird Works of Robert E. Howard picks up where Volume One left off-at one of the most startling and controversial Howard stories of all: "Skull-Face!" A potent combination of gothic themes and oriental mystique, "Skull-Face" was the first novella Howard sold, and in many ways, is a key to understanding the rest of Howard's canon. A detailed, complicated plot, a compelling cast of characters, and a collision of themes and ideas make "Skull-Face" required reading for Howard fans.
The Moon of Skulls collects Robert E. Howard's fiction and prose published in Weird Tales Magazine from October 1929 to November 1930, plus one from Oriental Stories. These works represent literary stepping-stones to Howard's infamous Cthulhu mythos stories and his most famous character of all -- Conan the Cimmerian -- and ably demonstrate that each of Howard's stories improved and added to his formidable skills as a master of fantasy and adventure.
Book Description
The Moon of Skulls collects Robert E. Howard's fiction and prose published in Weird Tales Magazine from October 1929 to November 1930, plus one from Oriental Stories. These works represent literary stepping-stones to Howard's infamous Cthulhu mythos stories and his most famous character of all - Conan the Cimmerian - and ably demonstrate that each of Howard's stories improved and added to his formidable skills as a master of fantasy and adventure. Continuing the collection of Howard's fiction and poetry in order of publication, Volume Two of The Weird Works of Robert E. Howard picks up where Volume One left off-at one of the most startling and controversial Howard stories of all: Skull-Face, a potent combination of gothic themes and oriental mystique.
Book Description
Representing the best of a 50-year writing career, these 19 short stories have been collected from the wide-ranging oeuvre of William F. Nolan. Zany tales are included, such as "Toe to Tip, Tip to Toe, Pip-Pop as You Go," in which everyone is kept in perpetual drugged states and the social deviates are those who are straight. More serious stories are also told such as "The Small World of Lewis Stillman," in which the last surviving resident of Los Angeles must conceal himself in storm sewers in order to avoid a new wave of smaller city dwellers who, although primitive, are dangerous in their numbers. Interspersed are narratives that address the emotional attachments of robots to humans, mix science fiction with the classic Wild West, and allow alien rock stars and human groupies to intermingle.
Book Description
A fascinating collection of letters and articles written by Li Hongzhi between 1995 and 1999, Essentials for Further Advancement is an essential reference for every Falun Gong practitioner.
Li Hongzhi's goal in this volume is to reflect on the impact and distinctiveness of Falun Gong in the modern world. He shares his thoughts on the effects of Falun Gong on the People's Republic of China, how Falun Gong principles can be applied to real-life situations, and how practitioners should conducts themselves in daily life.
In short,
Essentials for Further Advancements is a fascinating reflection of the current status and the applications of Falun Gong at the dawn of a new millennium.
Customer Reviews:
Magnificent.......2005-01-12
Like every other title released by Master Li Hongzhi, this book is valuable to Falun Gong practitioners and anyone interested in practising Falun Gong. Not only has Master Li given us such a precious gem as Zhuan Falun but he has also released supplementary titles such as this in order to help us improve & better follow the principles of Truth, Compassion and Tolerance. Mere words cannot express the value of this book and other Falun Dafa books ... I and many others have benefitted immensly from Falun Gong and I sincerely hope that others may beneifit as I have (and many other have) from the practice :-)
Recently an uncle of mine has taken up the practice he has been suffering from a serious illness. Only after 1 week of practice he told me that his health has improved greatly and many of the painful symptoms of his illness have been reduced. This is only aa small part of the benefit my uncle has gained from the practice. I only hope that many more people can benefit from Falun Gong like my family and I have :-)
I am really surprised to see any negative reviews of Falun dafa books as what I have personally and many others have gained from practising Falun Gong has been nothing short of wonderful and its a shame to see someone dismiss the practice without actually experiencing it.
The best book I have ever read!.......2004-09-26
This is a wonderful book, it tells you the principle of the universe and the theory of "Truthfulness, Bevenolence, Forbearance". Read it with an open mind and read it through.
Brilliant!.......2003-03-31
I cannot speak highly enough about the practice of Falun Dafa (Falun Gong). It has transformed my life in so many ways. To read the works of Mr. Li Hongzhi with an open mind and an open heart is truly a precious opportunity. Best wishes!
If you practice Ffalun Gong, buy this book too!.......2003-03-14
This book is very helpful when you practice Falun Gong. If you do in-depth academic research or want to know more about Falun Gong, this book is also beneficial.
The book is not easy to understand if you did not read the other two books (Falun Gonf, and Zhuan Falun).
Only personal point, for your reference.
Truly "Essential" for practitioners.......2001-12-19
This book has provided valuable insight to me along the path of cultivation. Anyone who considers themselves to be a practitioner of Falun Dafa should read this book, in my opinion.
Books:
- Who I Was Supposed to Be: Short Stories
- With Child: Wisdom and Traditions for Pregnancy, Birth, and Motherhood
- You Are Not a Stranger Here
- A Garden of Sand (Thompson, Earl)
- A Mapmaker's Dream: The Meditations of Fra Mauro, Cartographer to the Court of Venice
- All the Trouble You Need : A Novel
- All We Know of Heaven: A Novel
- Astonishing Splashes of Colour (P.S.)
- At the Edge of Space: Brothers of Earth/Hunter of Worlds
- Aventuras del ingenioso hidalgo don Quijote de la Mancha
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The Good Shepherd
