Average customer rating:
- Very disappointing.
- Unrelentingly Dismal
- A Sombre and Thought Provoking Read
- It is so enjoyable to read a book that is well written!
- A beautiful, well-woven story of a flawed family.
|
The Music Room: A Novel
Dennis McFarland
Manufacturer: Picador
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 Contemporary
| General
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
Literary
| General
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
General
| United States
| World Literature
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
Popular Fiction
| Literature & Fiction
| Book Clubs
| Specialty Stores
| Books
Similar Items:
-
A Face at the Window
-
Prince Edward: A Novel
-
School for the Blind
-
Letter from Point Clear: A Novel
-
Run
ASIN: 031227470X |
Book Description
In a novel of devastating beauty, Martin Lambert must come to terms with the aftermath of his brother's suicide.Replaying sad melodies of his affluent youth, Martin embarks on a poignant journey through his family's haunted past--an unforgettable voyage of self-discovery that leads him from a childhood tainted by shocking parental abuse to a present clouded by alcoholic despair and desperate love-- and, ultimately, toward a future of understanding, redemption and hope.AUTHORBIO: DENNIS MCFARLAND is an award-winning author, whose novels include School for the Blind, A Face at the Window and his latest novel Singing Boy (Henry Holt).He lives near Boston with his wife and two children.
Customer Reviews:
Very disappointing........2002-01-29
I feel the novel was very overrated. Just simply plodded along. Boring.
Unrelentingly Dismal.......2000-01-11
Not just a flawed family, but a flawed narrative. The characters are so tedious and self-important that the book was slow torture to read. Because of the complete lack of sympathy that the characters evoke, when the many bad things happen in this novel, I just didn't care. A tedious novel.
A Sombre and Thought Provoking Read.......1999-12-16
In his trademark casually eloquent style McFarland takes us deep into the story. While the protagonist fights with his own emotions over his brother's sudden death, he finds himself thrust into an unknown world. Having to now deal with dysfunctional family members, he finds himself unable to heal and cannot avoid feelings of guilt and remorse.
While not without it's flaws, like the implausible all too simple liquidation of our main character's business interests, the story is still strong.
Read it and reflect.
It is so enjoyable to read a book that is well written!.......1999-10-13
This book was dark but wonderful to read, I loved thinking about what the author was saying. Readers who appreciate depth, will love this book.
A beautiful, well-woven story of a flawed family........1999-08-08
Dennis McFarland has written a beautiful book about a deeply flawed family. He has composed this book in a way I imagine musicians write music, weaving disparate strands, voices, high notes, discord, emotions... Martin has his work cut out for him to come to grips with his messed-up life. He drinks too much, his marriage is falling apart, his company is sliding out of his grasp. And his brother, Perry, has just committed suicide. Martin works to resolve his problems in fits and starts along with a stellar ensemble cast including his parents, grandparents, family friends, servants, and people he meets because of his brother's death. Though Martin ties up most of his loose ends by the end, nothing seems too pat. Not happily-ever-after, Martin's dreams of the future will always be haunted by echoes of the past.
Average customer rating:
|
A Room of His Own: In Search of the Feminine in the Novels of Saul Bellow (Judaic Traditions in Literature, Music, and Art)
Gloria L. Cronin
Manufacturer: Syracuse University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Classics
| United States
| World Literature
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
General
| History & Criticism
| United States
| World Literature
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
20th Century
| British
| World Literature
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
Jewish
| World Literature
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
| Classics
| Comic
| Contemporary
| Literary
General
| Criticism & Theory
| History & Criticism
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
Philosophy
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
| Aesthetics
| Analytic Philosophy
| Ancient
| Consciousness & Thought
| Criticism
| Eastern
| Epistemology
| Ethics & Morality
| Free Will & Determinism
| General
| Good & Evil
| Greek & Roman
| History & Surveys
| History, 17th & 18th Century
| Islamic
| Logic & Language
| Medieval Thought
| Metaphysics
| Methodology
| Modern
| Modern Renaissance
| Movements
| Ontology
| Philosophy of Religion
| Political
| Reference
| Religious
| Science
| Social Philosophy
| Theism
Feminist Theory
| Women's Studies
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0815628633 |
Customer Reviews:
Into the home stretch of the "Dance".......2003-03-24
I'm into the home stretch of Powell's Top 100 Modern novel series (in a sense, like Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings," this series by Powell is a meta-novel; unlike Tolkien, however, Powell was the one to split his sections into separate books), and it is gaining momentum, mainly because of the inertia gained from having placed this much of a time investment into the series. The title of this novel has to be my favorite, and the anecdote within the book from which it comes is quite amusing--a character receives the nickname books for his statement, upon entering the library of a home in which he is about to commit an adulterous act with the wife of a prominent book person that "books do furnish a room." This kind of droll, understated, and somewhat dark humor is indicative of Powell's series.
This picks up in the aftermath of World War II, as Jenkins and his friends attempt to return to life as civilians. Jenkins becomes the book review editor for a magazine that was endowed by his brother-in-law, Erry, and is also supported by Widmerpool, newly elected MP. Jenkins is fascinated with the novelist X. Trappable, a strange free spirit of words who is constantly in debt and quite deft with "the touch" (i.e., borrowing from friends and acquaintances), yet who can follow up a touch with the offer of buying a beer for the person from whom he just borrowed a quid. Trapnel finds himself entranced by Pamela Widmerpool, but, as readers of the previous book should know, this is doomed to be disadvantageous to everyone involved by Pamela herself.
The description of how a small literary magazine was run in the post-war era is quite interesting, and unfortunately put in the background as Powell features the actions of the characters. Jenkins sees the magazine as a job, and his interest, as always, is in the gossip that can be provided by the changing of partners in this complex dance of life. Maybe I'm just a wallflower, who finds more beauty in the decorations than in just who is dancing with who on the floor. However, midnight is drawing near on the dance, and most couples are, as Molly Ivins would say, "dancing with the one what brung ya." It will be amusing to see if there are any coaches turning into pumpkins in the last two books.
Average customer rating:
|
War assets display room: A novel series of stories with photographs, illustrations, and music
William Nowik
Manufacturer: Blue Buddha Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
United States
| World Literature
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
| 18th Century
| 19th Century
| 20th Century
| African American
| Asian American
| Classics
| Collections & Readers
| Drama
| General
| Hispanic
| History & Criticism
| Humor
| Jewish American
| Letters & Correspondence
| Native American
| Poetry
| Short Stories
| Women Writers
ASIN: 096366168X |
Book Description
Reeling from the tragic death of Thor, the Prince of Power knows his star is fading fast. So what better way to pump up his Q-rating than to relive his defining moment? When his most bitter foe throws down the gauntlet, Hercules agrees to the challenge: twelve labors, each more perilous than the one before it - and each updated for reality-TV consumption. Zounds! Collects Hercules #1-5.
Book Description
This is a reissue of a book which is an exploration and defence of the notion of modality 'de re', the idea that objects have both essential and accidental properties. It is one of the first full-length studies of the modalities to emerge from the debate to which Saul Kripke, David Lewis, Ruth Marcus and others have contributed. The argument is developed by means of the notion of possible worlds, and ranges over key problems including the nature of essence, trans-world identity, negative existential propositions, and the existence of unactual objects in other possible worlds. In the final chapters Professor Plantinga applies his logical theories to the clarification of two problems in the philosophy of religion - the Problem of Evil and the Ontological Argument.
Customer Reviews:
valuable and not at all wrong, but importantly incomplete.......2006-09-28
Plantinga's aim at the outset of this book is to defend the notion of de re (of objects) necessity against those (most notably Quine) who contend that all necessity is de dicto (of words). His strategy is not unlike that of his apologetics-style work in philosophy of religion such as _Warranted Christian Belief_ (25 years later!) in that he takes the more limited tack of meeting opposing arguments rather than positively establishing his own considered position. As in _WCB_, in _NN_ it is the de jure question of "is this not on all fours" rather than the de facto "is it true".
In the matter of Christian faith, this is a more or less fruitful and appropriate _philosophical_ route to take (since the de facto question in this case would be one that properly goes beyond human reason and philosophy), but in the case of this book it makes for an incomplete study, to my mind, of a topic that is philosophically important through-and-through. Plantinga gives no clue as to how we would actually _find out_ what the essential and what the accidental properties of a thing are, and the ongoing implicit assumption at work seems to be that our untutored intuitions are entirely reliable in this capacity. Plantinga's own approach does nothing to stave off any suspicions that his own procedure for picking out some properties as essential and other as accidental is any less "invidious" than Quine thought. For example, the favored example of an accidental property is Socrates as "snubnosed," but how is this to be played out? Assuming Socrates' snubnosedness is hereditary and not the result of an unfortunate encounter with a wall, it must be taken to be possible that Socrates' genetic makeup be different than it was. If that is granted (instead of saying, as I would, that counterfactual genetic difference in Socrates would have made for a person other than Socrates himself), then there's no bar to almost any feature of Socrates one would care to name coming out accidental, except the stipulation that he be "Socrates" (the referent of the proper name, in actual fact). Indeed, Plantinga actually takes seriously and even countenances the possibility of a reptilian Socrates! (Presumably, Plantinga would take the "conceivability" of Socrates as an alligator to be an argument for dualism--to anyone who thinks that, I direct you straight to Mark Johnston's "Human Beings"--but I'm getting off topic.)
That said, there is a lot of valuable work done here on the structure of modality de dicto and de re, from Plantinga's "kernel function" of expressing de re modal ascriptions in terms of the de dicto, through the nature of essence, worlds, "books," and so forth. One interesting quirk is that Plantinga seems to think the accessibility relation has some heuristic value for describing epistemic relations, but has no objective reality. This is a bit contentious, really, and he does not acknowledge other views on the subject. For that matter, this book is not at all a treatise on modal logic per se: you'll get no explorations of the various systems, S4, S5, etc., and their metaphysical implications to the system presented here. There are a lot of good points made about David Lewis's counterpart theory (the one rival to the "received" modal metaphysics Plantinga expounds on here), though, and some devastating criticisms of it on semantic grounds, especially.
The last few chapters see an application of the foregoing to some important topics in philosophical theology, and the results are a valuable resource for students of these topics. Plantinga's exploration of versions of the Ontological Argument I found especially interesting. The appendix examines, in somewhat greater detail than in the body of the book, various views on de re modality, and it's helpful to those who may want to look at the issue carefully.
This is one of the more difficult and technical philosophy works that I've read, but I found it (yes, you guessed it) valuable and helpful.
An enduring classic.......2001-01-31
Plantinga's Nature of Necessity is a philosophical masterpiece. Although there are a number of good books in analytic philosophy dealing with modality (the concepts of necessity and possibility), this one is of sufficient clarity and breadth that even non-philosophers will benefit from it.
Modal logic may seem like a fairly arcane subject to outsiders, but this book exhibits both its intrinsic interest and its general importance. If you think there are good and bad arguments, conclusions that follow from some premises but not others, then you ought to be concerned with modal logic. If you're interested in the problem of evil and the ontological argument for the existence of God, you should read this book.
The Nature of Necessity has the added virtue that it maps most peoples' modal intuitions quite well (unlike some modal theories). Perhaps it is for this reason that certain philosophers treat the book a bit snippishly. I've read the book a half a dozen times; and I'll probably read it a few more times before it's all said and done.
Full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.......1999-06-10
I am always amazed at how overwhelmingly positive the reception of Alvin's book has been. When sycophantic readers describe this book as one of the greatest works of metaphysics of 'all time' (see above), I take personal effront. Granted, Alvin is a kind and witty man, but his treatment of de re modality and possible worlds theory leaves much to be desired--however 'funny' that treatment may be. Alvin is clear, to be sure--clearly wrong. Nevertheless, as a colleague and friend, I am both professionally and personally obliged to recommend this book unreservedly. I would strongly advise you spend your time reading 'counterfactuals' instead, but, alas, this book is now out of print. Then again, if we are to believe Al, this is just a modal accident.
The classic work on the metaphysics of modality........1997-07-19
Perhaps Peter van Inwagen put it best when he called this book a "treasure trove." Plantinga's _The Nature of Necessity_ contains deep and sophisticated work on some of most important and interesting issues in metaphysics: de re modality, the nature of essences and possible worlds, nonexistent objects, and the Ontological Argument. As far as this reviewer is concerned, Plantinga's work stands as one of the greatest works of metaphysics of *all time*. I cannot recommend it highly enough
Excellent application of Modal Logic to traditional problems.......1997-06-20
Plantinga always amazes me with both the subtlety and clarity of his thought. His application of abstract logical theory to traditional philisophical problems is inspired and inspiring, opening up some new avenues of thought in places we believed too travel-worn to bother with
Customer Reviews:
An insightful but troubled reading of Schelling.......2006-08-24
Because it is thoughtful and thurough, as well as the fact that is one of the few book-length treatments of any single Schelling text, Heidegger's text on Schelling's "Freedom Essay" is a valuable book for studying Schelling. But despite its use, this text has significant flaws. First, Heidegger spends far too little time acquianting the reader with Schelling's earlier thought, and it refuses to see the latter period of Schelling's career as anything more than a "silent period." As a result, Schelling's last major published work is open to be interpreted, somewhat misrepresented, and fitted into Heidegger's own philosophical assumptions rather than the development of its author's philosophical insight.
Further, the text's final critical assesment of Schelling has very little weight outside of Heideger's own thought...in fact, the criticism is little more than an assertion that Schelling's theological thoughts must be attributed to man rather than any religious or philosphical god. Heidegger tries to preserve Schelling's anthropological insights apart from the foundation they require, but can offer no compeling reason why the one should not be rejected with the other.
Thus, this text offers the student two things: a valuable though flawed discussion of Schelling, and a chance to see Heidegger's willingness to present only what is convenient for his appropriation of western philosophy.
Heidegger at his best.......2001-04-30
Martin Heidegger in this decisive work takes a little known author and "confronts" his work with his own understanding of Being as finite. The result is an amazing understanding of the finite human condition as freedon. This is authentic thought that does not wallow in morbidity nor escape to mere rationality or the romanticism of idealism. Heidegger fresh from working out his "Contributions to Philosophy:From Enowing" is fully engaged and moving on. Heidegger, gives adequate cautions through out the work so that our initial enthusiasm is not lost but becomes transformed into a silent "yes" that can refresh us for some time to come. Stambaugh, thoroughly versed in translating for her readers and those that want to read Heidegger, also provides an extensive appendix that is a "gold mine" for rereading all of Heideggers works. This appendix is almost like "notes from the underground". Though Heidegger might not approve of such terms he would nevertheless understand. Make no mistake, Heidegger has not forgotten his own history (son of a sexton) nor the history of Western thought. This history is fully put to the task of working out his own thought, that of Schelling and the resulting transformations in both understand the translator and the reader. If you try to "figure" this work out you will miss the poetry. If you "simply love" this work you may too easily move on to the "next thing" that is exciting. Are you ready?
Book Description
Schelling's masterpiece investigating evil and freedom.
Customer Reviews:
The Newest Translation.......2007-06-27
This book is a valuable contribution to the newest literature and supposed renaissance in Schelling research. Although there are three existing translations, all suffer from the defects familiar to the difficult exercise of translation. Among those, the Love/Schmid version suffers from these same problems, unfortunately.
I mention only one serious error (the others largely being unavoidable) in that Selbstständigkeit is translated as 'independence.' While this word does grasp one of the meanings of Selbstständigkeit, it fails to grasp the richness of the word, especially in its assymetrical opposition to Abhängigkeit (translated as dependence). My only complaint is that the translators did not note this particular locution. However, at almost all other places where there is doubt, they are careful to provide the German text.
The advantage of this edition, which over all existing is significant, is the historical apparatus attached to this edition, including translations of several other timely works that influenced Schelling's thinking (Boehme, Lessing, Baader, Jacobi). Although there is a lot of fascinating contemporary commentary done on the text (and Schelling's work at large) in different venues, little of it actually addresses the context in which the Freiheitsschrift was written. The apparatus attached to this edition fills this lacuna.
Average customer rating:
|
Essence Of Evil
Tommy L. Gardner
Manufacturer: PublishAmerica
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Horror
| Genre Fiction
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
| Classics
| Comic
| Contemporary
| Literary
ASIN: 1413713262 |
Average customer rating:
|
The Essence of Evil
Manufacturer: Del Rey
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000BMWYK6 |
Average customer rating:
|
The Essence of Evil: (#3) (Book Three of Angel's Luck)
Joe Clifford Faust
Manufacturer: Del Rey
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
Faust, Joe Clifford
| ( F )
| Authors, A-Z
| Science Fiction & Fantasy
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Science Fiction
| Science Fiction & Fantasy
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0345360893
Release Date: 1990-03-13 |
Average customer rating:
|
Essence of Evil: The Andova Alliance- Book Two
Pat Everest
Manufacturer: Authorhouse
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
Contemporary
| General
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Science Fiction
| Science Fiction & Fantasy
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 140335961X |
Book Description
Essence of evil, the highly anticipated sequel to Waking the Savior, finds the Andova Alliance's savior, Erin, and the group of searchers lead by Micand, fighting the evil presence set on destroying the alliance one planet at a time.
Customer Reviews:
Soft core sci-fi..........2003-07-10
Pat Everest's second book in her Andova Alliance series continues the adventures of the predicted savior of all mankind, the unlikely, yet fitting heroine, single mother of three, former paramedic, Erin. She's a plain and simple Earth girl with a keen desire to protect her children as well as help those around her in any way she can who learns (to her amazement) she can develop formidable psychic abilities which will allegedly help her in the defeat of a terrible menace wiping out entire planet populations throughout the galaxy. Pat writes in a very relaxed, easygoing style, delivering likeable characters in a light sci-fi setting. The emphasis here is less on ray guns and bold, fearless champions and more on internal battles, emotions, and making difficult choices in dire times. It's a lighter, friendlier sci-fi perfect for younger readers or those uninterested in the genre because they don't care to memorize scads of made-up alien words and names or plow through thick paragraphs chocked with technical nonsense. A nice alternative to lasers and insectile terrors, amazingly lucky derring-do, or other standby, cliched science fiction plot points.
Book Description
"The nation's most influential training school for professional cooks."
- Time magazine
The essential guide to the exemplary service and hospitality that build customer loyalty...and restaurant reputations
In today's competitive restaurant environment, culinary excellence is not enough. Dining establishments must offer the kind of service that sets them apart. From the renowned Culinary Institute of America, At Your Service is the comprehensive, contemporary guide to help professionals learn the ins and outs of running a successful front-of-the-house operation: taking reservations and greeting guests, basic service, table-side service, beverage service, and money handling.
The book includes:
- Guidelines to enhance service in a variety of settings, from formal French establishments to casual American restaurants
- Sidebars and real-life anecdotes from industry professionals to reinforce the principles of good service
- Effective ways to address staffing challenges Ideas to enhance the relationship between the front and back of the house
- Sixty-four photographs of dining room service and techniques
Founded in 1946, THE CULINARY INSTITUTE OF AMERICA is an independent, not-for-profit college offering bachelor's and associate degrees in culinary arts and baking and pastry arts. Courses for foodservice professionals are offered at the college's main campus in Hyde Park, New York, and at its additional campus for continuing education, The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone, in St. Helena, California.
Customer Reviews:
At Your Service, A Hands-on Guide to the Proffessonal Dining Rom.......2007-10-04
I only bought this book for my Restaurant Management class homework. I was suprised to find out that there was no question and answers at the end of each chapters, like most of my text books for class. Overall the book was very informative. I especially liked that it did have a lot of photos. Some of my books are all text reading, borrrring.At Your Service: A Hands-On Guide to the Professional Dining Room
Best book there is on the subject........2007-02-24
This book is the best book on the subject from the authority. A must have.
A nice browser.......2007-01-13
Listen it is actually a good manual to pick up before you open a restaurant for the third or fourth time.
Excellent.......2006-02-03
I was trained by the author John Fischer at the CIA. He is an excellent teacher of the FoH Art. It is truely an art to wait on people and give the guest every thing they could possibly want or need. John is a great and excellent teacher that dove into the realms of the ways and hows and whats to do and when to do it sequences. I got to see him in action behind a bar one afternoon serving up as the bartender that did not show that day. He was knowledgable about wines and bar drinks showing some razzle dazzle! He was "the man" when I had him. Thanks John and for even signing my book...guy
Move over remarkable service........2005-10-12
I attended the Culinary Institute of America and was trained by Mr. Fischer. I cannot imagine a single resource that does so much to demistify the key essentials of successful service than this reference. I recommend it to anyone in the industry or interested in the industry. The old standard (the bible until now) for front of the house reference has been remarkable service. An information filled text-book but a remarkably boring and mundane read. Entertaining, Original, Insightful, and Educational this is your one stop reading for front of the house.
Books:
- The Night Watchman's Occurrence Book: And Other Comic Inventions
- The Road to En-Dor
- The Seduction of Silence
- The Singer: A Classic Retelling of the Cosmic Conflict
- The Sorrow of Belgium (Tusk Ivories)
- The Treasure of Montsegur: A Novel of the Cathars
- The Ultimate Intimacy
- The Winter Zoo: A Novel
- To Err Is Divine
- Trace Elements of Random Tea Parties (Live Girls)
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- Banker to the Poor: Micro-Lending and the Battle Against World Poverty
- The American Eagle
- Public Policy Toward Pensions
- Running on Emptiness: The Pathology of Civilization
- Searching for the Sound: My Life with the Grateful Dead
- The Man Who Mistook His Wife For A Hat: And Other Clinical Tales
- The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Oceans
- Picture Composition for Film and Television, Second Edition
- Microsoft Money 2004 for Dummies
- Advances in Taxation, Volume 11
