Amazon.com
Albert Schmidt is a retired lawyer who misses his recently deceased wife, has an unhealthy diet, is a mild anti-Semite and owns a nice home in the Hamptons he feels compelled to offer to his daughter as a wedding present. Said daughter, Charlotte, is a yuppie in all the worst ways. She handles public relations for tobacco companies, doesn't want the house in the Hamptons, and is about to marry a buttoned-up Jewish lawyer. The conflict takes off from there in this finely told tale of retirement, inheritance, and death.
Book Description
"A fine new novel... The great pleasure of reading Louis Begley [is] his exceptional literary intelligence."
The New York Times Book Review
"Begley again demonstrates that he can reveal the complexities of society and personality with a clear eye and graceful style... Morethan meets the requirements of graceful fiction."
Time
Proud, traditional, and impeccably organized, Albert Schmidt is a button-down lawyer of the old school. But now, after years of carefulmanagement, his life is slowly unraveling. His beloved wife has recently died. He stumbles--or is he being pushed?--into earlyretirement. And his daughter, his only child, is planning to marry a man Schmidt cannot approve of, for reasons he can scarcely admit, even to himself. As Schmidt gropes for resolutions, he finds unexpected hope in an intense passion that comes out of the blue.
Set in the Hamptons and Manhattan, infused with black humor and startling eroticism, About Schmidt is both a meditation on lonelinessand on the power of romance to unlock the most impenetrable recesses of the heart.
"Comical, tough, unsparing; it is as if Louis Auchincloss had exchanged the kid gloves for brass knuckles... Interesting and nervy."
The Washington Post Book World
"A powerful story of a man's fall from grace... The Remains of the Day come[s] to mind."
Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"Stunning."
Los Angeles Times Book Review
Customer Reviews:
Implausible and uninteresting.......2007-03-14
An old man thinks his life sucks (he's poor because he's only going to make 150,000/year now that he's retired, his daughter is marrying someone who is great, but just not perfect, and he doesn't have anyone to have sex with), and then it stops sucking (he figures out how to live on his money, he comes a little bit closer to accepting his daughter and son-in-law, and he finds a 20-year-old waitress to have sex with). It's fairly hard to sympothize.
You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet!.......2006-06-11
If you think you know About Schmidt because you've seen the movie with Jack Nicholson you're wrong. I've read dozens -- maybe hundreds -- of novels that have been turned into films and the film version of About Schmidt takes less from the novel than any other. However, if you enjoyed Nicholson's portrayal of a cantakerous misanthrope, you'll probably enjoy the novel as well. If Hollywood had made a faithful film of About Schmidt Jennifer Lopez would have starred, not Jack Nicholson. That's how different the film is from the novel offered here. And after you finish reading About Schmidt, you'll quickly come back to Amazon.com to purchase the sequel, Schmidt Delivered, an hilarious send-up of Masters of the Universe or whatever the filthy rich are calling themselves these days.
Don't see the film first .... (too late).......2005-05-06
Put me in the 'cretin' category I guess. This is one of the few times ever for me where the novel (vs the film) was a disappointment.
About Schmidt may be one of the great works of literature in our time (I doubt it) for all I know, but my experience with this book was ruined by my shallow expectations and preconceived notions after seeing the film first a couple of times (which I enjoyed).
If you are the type of person who is immune to the above-mentioned syndrome, and a fan of Begley, give it a shot.
Personally, I could never settle into this book, and I'm sure the fact that the film screenplay is completely and entirely different (other than the characters name) from the book is probably the main reason why.
I hope your experience with this novel is better than mine.
If you have seen the film, yet not read this novel, I recommend you check it out from the library first (this is what I did) before purchasing... it might save you some money and major disappointment.
Entertaining and Fun.......2005-04-15
I enjoyed this book about a retired lawyer who's wife recently dies. The majority of the book deals with the man's loneliness and how he fills his days. It is quite entertaining.
It's not the best book I've read recently, but it's fun. There is really no plot and nothing is resolved in the book (maybe 'cuz there's a sequel), but I would still recommend it when you're looking for something light to read.
Terrific!.......2005-01-26
"About Schmidt" is a fun and spellbinding book. I say fun because I truly enjoyed getting to know the terse and depressed Albert Schmidt, as Begley shows him coping with his wife's death, consenting to his greedy and insensitive daughter's engagement, and searching for a role after his premature retirement. And, I say spellbinding because I found the book's improbable but delightful ending plausible, at least when I was still under the spell of Begley's insightful writing. But, I know some of these Park Avenue/house-in-Bridgehampton lawyers, who are Schmidt's sort. And on reflection, I'd say, "Naahh, it would never happen." And, I'm not talking about the money.
Certainly, one of the greatest compliments a reader can render a novelist is to buy another of the novelist's books. I report that I just ordered "Mistler's Exit", which the reviews on Amazon.com describe as a worthy sequel.
Still, I have one question: What is the incident between Schmidt and his sleeping wife supposed to mean?
Book Description
Fun practice!
Practicing skills has never been so easy! This ready-to-use resource includes more than 40 fun practice pages. The simple directions and fun exercises make them perfect for kids to use independently in school or as homework.
Book Description
Seit Beginn ihrer Karrieren in den 1960er Jahren sind die amerikanischen Künstler John Baldessari und Lawrence Weiner befreundet. In New York treffen sie den britischen Künstler Liam Gillick zu dem von Beatrix Ruf, Direktorin der Kunsthalle Zürich, moderierten Gespräch.
Die Metapher, seit jeher als künstlerisches Verfahren in Verwendung, ist ein wichtiges Problem im Werk dieser drei Künstler, die mit Sprache, Filmbildern und Installationen arbeiten. Im Gespräch eröffnen sich neue Erkenntnisse über die Metapher, über die Funktion der Kunst, über Architektur und über die Rollen und Interessen der Künstler und der Vermittler von Kunst. Ein Gespräch über die Kunstwelt und die Kunst in der Welt.
Book Description
Dog owners will find 306 questions presented and followed up with detailed answers pertaining to every aspect of dog ownership and care. The book's main topics are categorized separately and have color-keyed page edges for quick reference. Questions and answers cover these topics: equipment and grooming supplies, feeding and proper nourishment, health care, behavior characteristics of major breeds, and proper training methods. The book is filled with hundreds of color photos and quick-reference sidebar charts, and features a glossary of dog-care terms. The clear vinyl jacket provides extra protection against wear and tear for a handbook that is certain to be picked up for frequent reference.
Book Description
C. S. Lewis once said history shows that the Christians who had the most influence on their world were the Christians who thought most of the next world. 101 Amazing Things about Heaven directs readers' minds to their future home in glory by offering familiar, surprising, humbling, inspiring and amazing truths about Heaen, accompanied by an encouraging scripture and an insightful explanation. This book will remind readers of their wonderful future with God, and help then move out with renewed faith to influence the world in which they live.
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form 200: Zum Jubiläum: Testen Sie Ihr Design-Wissen / 200 Things about Design you didn't know you didn't know (Zeitschrift Form)
Manufacturer: Birkhauser
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 General
| Design & Decorative Arts
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General
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German
| Foreign Language Nonfiction
| Nonfiction
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Arts & Photography
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Nonfiction
| German
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All German Books
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ASIN: 3936560234 |
Book Description
No other magazine in Europe reports on the whole spectrum of design the way form does and has been doing since 1957. Each issue comes with a special focus, spotlighting a particular topic and presenting it in depth. form is the enjoyable read for everyone working in design, teaching or studying it. Renowned specialist authors, researchers and reviewers keep readers abreast of the latest developments. And true to form, the periodical is bilingual, attracting English-speaking readers world-wide. Leading visual designers, illustrators and photographers ensure that the content is also a joy to behold and highest-quality printing is likewise a permanent feature of form.
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ABOUT SCHMIDT
Manufacturer: Fawcett Columbine
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000EGGVSU |
Average customer rating:
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About Schmidt
Manufacturer: New Line Cinema Corporation
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
General
| Movies
| Entertainment
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General
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ASIN: 0780642694 |
Book Description
Adam Sinclair, the Adept, must locate the stolen Seal of Solomon-an artifact under the care of the Knights Templar-before dangerous forces unleash the demons the seal has kept bound for centuries.
Customer Reviews:
Still More Quaint Ol' Occult Detective Stuff.......2005-04-07
THE TEMPLAR TREASURE is the third of THE ADEPT novels. The best written book in the series, it is also somewhat like a prodigal son, having a storyline and plot totally divorced from the rest of the books.
Rather than doing battle with The Lodge of the Lynx as in the rest of the series, Sir Adam and his associates are faced with a renegade French archaeologist and occultist, Henri Gerard, who has discovered the secret of King Solomon's treasures and is on a mad quest to recover them and the wealth and power he believes they represent.
Kurtz and Harris are indefatigable here in providing literally chapters' worth of lore about the Knights Templar and their connections to historic Scotland, as well as finally defining the occult traditions of their protagonists.
THE TEMPLAR TREASURE is spiced with some really intriguing medium/seance/reincarnation scenes that seem entirely plausible within the scope of the novel.
Best of all, Kurtz has "borrowed" General Sir John Cathal Graham from her wonderful novel LAMMAS NIGHT. Gray Graham brings a whole nuanced texture to THE TEMPLAR TREASURE which makes it unique in the ADEPT series. It's clear Kurtz adores the character of Graham and his scenes make up some of the best writing in the book.
The scene descriptions are detailed without being heavy-handed. Sir Adam, Peregrine and Inspector McLeod seem to have settled into an easy camaraderie. The stilted "drawing-room" tone of the first two ADEPT novels is muted, and the characters all exhibit a certain dry wit and a sense of poking fun at themselves throughout that makes THE TEMPLAR TREASURE a minor gem.
Give this novel FOUR AND ONE-HALF STARS and a chance to grow on you.
They know Magick but I'd like some realistic characters.......2001-05-30
I just finished this in the Adept series, and plan to read 'em all.I am SO at polar odds about these books, though. Kurtz and Turner REALLY know their stuff about cerimonial magick, the Knights Templar, Fae folk, Reincarnation and the Quabbalah-just for starts! That they so seemlessly weave it into a rousing adventure is enough to make me keep on(I cant wait to read #4, Dagger Magic where they will hopefully make good the promise in Lodge of the Lynx that Hitler was a black magician)But WHY are the characters so shallow!?!Peregrine is never described as any more then "blond and owl eyed" Adam has "distinguished greying temples" and drives a Jag. FORGET about any female characters, except for Adams mother they are convienent background material. I find it almost hard to care about these people, but the elegant and descriptive writing, the lushious depections of castles, magickal artifacts and the most beautiful mansions you ever wished you lived in PLUS the AUTHENTIC (And so rare to me)weaving of real magick and lore into the plot will keep me reading anyway. Better then most fantasy fiction. And I hear their new Knights Templar series is better.
A fascinating blend of fantasy and history.......2001-01-08
Suspend your logic for a trip into a magical world with The Adept series. Yes, Kurtz and Harris make good use of just enough historical fact to maintain plausibility, while adding a good dose of fantastical magic for a wonderful read. While The Templar Treasure may not contain enough fact for fans of that bygone order, it does contain some reasonably accurate description of Qabalistic ritual. I am certain that either Kurtz or Harris are familiar enough with the Golden Dawn tradition to have fashioned their psychic detective in similar tradition. A delightful read.
Good mix of historical fact and fantasy.......2000-04-22
Having renewed my interest in fantasy/sci-fi book reading just recently, i came across this book at a second hand bookshop. Being familiar with the author's past works, i expected the same Knight/Chivalry stuff from the author with the added magic/sorcery mix added. The book was a good read. The mix of historical fact and fictional elements were very interesting and made me very interested about the stories of the Templar Knights and Scottish history.
However it wasn't a perfect book with the ending a little too predictable.
Knights is much better than the first two of the series.......1997-09-17
After admitting that I am an avid fan of Kurtz, I was somewhat disappointed with this series. The first book I thought was terrible. The characters found in the book are wonderful, but the story is just too out there for even this fantasy lover's taste. The second was better however, and the third was better still. Although not up to par with the Deryini series, it has its good moments. As the title suggests, it is a story that has a great deal to do with the history of the Knights Templar; their fall from grace, and the legends that still surround them. That was what I found fascinating about the book. Well researched, with mention of various books that tell of the Templars, it makes for interesting reading for anyone who is interested in these enigmatic people. Without giving away the ending of the book, I would like to say that it was very disappointing however. Going from the lords and ladies of Scotland to an all out gorilla warfare scene pushes the limit of the imagination just a tad too far
Product Description
three mmpb books. 3 Titles By Katherine Kurtz and Deborah Turner Harris Adept Series : The Adept The Templar Treasure Death of an Adept
Product Description
First 3 Books in Adept Series - The Adept - Lodge of the Lynx - Templar Treasure
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Madman's Army
Robert Adams
Manufacturer: Signet
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000MZPJBS |
Book Description
This year marks the 350th anniversary of the first Jewish settlement in America. From Haven to Home celebrates this important occasion by bringing together an eminent group of Judaic scholars who take stock of American Jewish life, from the arrival of the first small group in Manhattan in 1654 to the present.
The contributors examine a wide range of topics, including the early history of the American Jewish community and the various significant phases of Jewish immigration, which saw the initial group of twenty-three burgeon into a thriving community of several million by the early twentieth century. Also addressed is the role of Jews in the Civil War and in World War II, anti-Semitism in America, the daily life and struggles of American Jewish women, and American Jews and politics. The essays are amply illustrated with items from the collection of the Library of Congress's Hebraic Section, among them the first Hebrew bible printed in America and the first Yiddish American cookbook, as well as selections of photographs, prints, diaries, maps, and sheet music.
Central to the Jewish experience in America is that country's commitment to ideals of freedom, opportunity, religious liberty, equality, and pluralism. The continuity of the faith, in fact, depends on it. From Haven to Home—the story of Jews in America—is therefore also the story of America and American ideals. 100 color illustrations.
Customer Reviews:
Much more than an exhibition remembrance.......2004-12-20
For the celebration of the 350th anniversary of Jewish life in America, the Library of Congress mounted an extraordinary exhibition which closes in Washington DC this month. This beautiful and thought-provoking book accompanies that exhibition, but it stands on its own as an excellent compilation of essays by some of the greatest scholars of the American Jewish experience today. The book is edited by the distinguished Head of the Hebraic Section at the Library of Congress, Michael Grunberger. Notable essays include those which focus on the challenges and opportunities of living in a free society, and the stories of diverse groups of Jewish immigrants over the centuries. This lovely "cocktail table" volume features magnificent illustrations from the vast American Judaica collection of the Library of Congress. This is an excellent choice for gift-giving at this time of year!
Book Description
This digital document is an article from American Jewish History, published by Thomson Gale on September 1, 2004. The length of the article is 1135 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details
Title: From Haven to Home: 350 Years of Jewish Life in America.(Book review)
Author: Dianne Ashton
Publication:
American Jewish History (Magazine/Journal)
Date: September 1, 2004
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 92
Issue: 3
Page: 369(4)
Article Type: Book review
Distributed by Thomson Gale
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