Average customer rating:
- Did I Miss Something?
- Reminiscent of Evelyn Waugh
- An enlightening read about gay life
- Stellar debut...in spite of flaws
- Just Awful
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Swimming Pool Library
Alan Hollinghurst
Manufacturer: Vintage
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 British
| World Literature
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
| 18th Century
| 19th Century
| 20th Century
| Classics
| Contemporary
| General
| Historical
| Humor
| Letters & Correspondence
| Middle
| Old
| Poetry
| Renaissance
| Shakespeare
| Short Stories
Contemporary
| General
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
Hollinghurst, Alan
| ( H )
| Authors, A-Z
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
Gay
| Fiction
| Literature & Fiction
| Gay & Lesbian
| Subjects
| Books
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The Folding Star: A Novel
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The Story of the Night: A Novel
ASIN: 0679722564
Release Date: 1989-09-19 |
Book Description
A literary sensation and bestseller both in England and America, The Swimming-Pool Library is an enthralling, darkly erotic novel of homosexuality before the scourge of AIDS; an elegy, possessed of chilling clarity, for ways of life that can no longer be lived with impunity. "Impeccably composed and meticulously particular in its observation of everything" (Harpers & Queen), it focuses on the friendship of two men: William Beckwith, a young gay aristocrat who leads a life of privilege and promiscuity, and the elderly Lord Nantwich, an old Africa hand, searching for someone to write his biography and inherit his traditions.
Customer Reviews:
Did I Miss Something?.......2007-04-14
The first book I read of Hollinghurst was Folding Star which I liked. I also saw another Hollingshurt book made into a movie on TV called Line of Beauty. I found The Swimming Pool Library VERY tedious and slow. Hollinghurst relies heavily on metaphors, similies, alliterations to make his characters and their daily lives interesting. Any plot (if there is one)unfolds slowly and methodically. Sometimes I was reading just to be done or to find out where the story was leading. Then towards the very last chapters, things start wrapping up quickly.The last chapters were the most interesting. I am sure his books if dissected, discussed and reviewed chapter by chapter would reveal so much more than the words one reads on the page.
If this was the first book I had read of Hollinghurst I would have not read anything else by him. Any sex or sexual reference is paid only a few words then it is mostly sex by innuendo.
I wish they would stop referring to this author and his books as pre-AIDS scare. I find this to be turn off if I am interested in getting the book.
I don't know if I have the patience to read another of his books - but the praise of this man and his stories keeps me looking for more! So much praise for Hollinghurst and his novels. Did I miss something? :(
Reminiscent of Evelyn Waugh.......2006-02-28
"At my prep-school, the prefects (for some errant Wykehamical reason) were called Librarians. The appellation seemed to imply that in the care of books lay the roots of leadership - though, by and large, there was nothing bookish about the Librarians themselves."
"The Swimming Pool Library" is Alan Hollinghurst's first novel, built around the friendship of a young, gay aristocrat and an frail old Lord seeking someone to write the story of his life. Both are interesting characters, one trying to fill his days with boys and other pleasant pastimes and one beyond touching, now only looking back on an eventful life. The tone is reminiscent of Evelyn Waugh - funny, not particularly prurient, ambling gently along what plot can be found in the mingling of lives. Enjoyable, astute and well-written, but the pacing of the plot was a bit too slow for my taste sometime.
An enlightening read about gay life.......2005-10-09
Touted as the first major novel in Britain to put gay life in its modern place and context, "The Swimming-Pool Library" did not disappoint. The story revolves around the William Beckwith, a young gay aristocrat who is approached by the elderly Lord Nantwich to write his biography. As he learns about and unravels the mysteries of the life of Lord Nantwich, he realizes that the writing of the biography is an assignment he cannot accept. He is appalled by certain details of Nantwich's gay life and finds his emotions at conflict when he realizes that Lord Nantwich was put into prison by his very own grandfather, who led the anti-homosexuality efforts with the Home Secretary and British police.
Through the wittily crafted words of Allan Hollinghurst, we gain an insight into the psyche of gays and homosexuals. The writer exposes the promiscuity of homosexuals, who are often overwhelmed by lust and bodily desires. The happenings within public changing rooms, shower cubicles and gymnasiums, the one-off sexual escapades with strangers and the undercurrents in clubs and pubs introduce us to this group of individuals whom we know little about.
Aptly named "The Swimming-Pool Library" because of the protagonist's role as the swimming pool caretaker in his school days, the book is a breakthrough for a novel of the 1980s. Though it contains some graphic descriptions of sexual encounters, the book's erotica is definitely not the focus of the story. It simply weaved into fiction the complexities of gay life in modern society. To accept or disapprove of gays? You decide.
Interestingly enough, when the book was first released in pre-AIDS London, it caused a stir among the readers. A decade and a half later, with cases of AIDS steadily increasing over the years, could the promiscuity of gays be put in the spotlight once again?
Stellar debut...in spite of flaws.......2005-06-30
The Swimming-Pool Library is British author Alan Hollinghurt's first novel. He has achieved more fame this year due to his winning the Booker. I very much like Hollinghurst's prose style...it's very elegant, yet still passionate. There is also a rawness to the experiences Hollinghurst describes.
In this novel, we are introduced to William Beckwith, an effete aristocrat who leads a rather meaningless life, having random sex and only engaging in aesthetic pursuits and studies when the mood strikes. Through chance, he is introduced to Lord Nantwich, who entreats our young Beckwith to sort through his old journals and write a biography.
We learn about Nantwich's life in Africa during colonization, but Nantwich, a notorious homosexual, left behind only vaguely coded diaries and journal entries. The facts of gay life in the early 20th century, in which Beckwith would be most interested, are only suggested by the diaries.
Unfortunately, there is a "twist" at the end. This twist did not, for this reader, provide the payoff that Hollinghurst clearly intended. Not enough to not recommend the book, but it did distract.
Just Awful.......2005-06-03
I was looking forward to reading this book because of all the praise it recieved. Perhaps my standards were too high coming into it, but I found this book to be tedious and completely unentertaining. So many pages could have been removed that added nothing to the story. I found the main characters personal life to be stereotypical and the story around the old man's biography was a chore to get through. My recommendation would be to avoid this book, as I felt it was a waste of time.
Average customer rating:
- Great For Young Kids!
- A Quaranteed Hit For All Ages
|
The Coolest Place in Town
Kathy Caple
Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: School & Library Binding
General
| Ages 4-8
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Literature
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0395515238 |
Book Description
Siblings Hank, Dory, and Zoey are hippos who, on the hottest day of the summer, squabble for the coolest place in town. "Caple has real insight into the typical behavior of the young, and unfailingly enhances her themes with empathy spiced with wry humor." -- School Library Journal
Customer Reviews:
Great For Young Kids!.......2000-05-04
I used this book in a story-hour project that I did for my children's lit class(in college). I read it to a three year old girl and she really liked it. The pictures were colorful and they caught the little girls attention. When the part came when the older sister says that her younger brothers can have the pool back in the winter, I asked the little girl if you go swimming in the winter and she quickly replied "Yes." Then after I gave her a look of astonishment and my saying "You do?" she said "NO WAY!" I think that this is a great story about how sibilings get along. I think it worked well as part of a story-hour, but I also think it would be great as a bedtime story, too. I would recommend it for small children, maybe those who are having a hard time getting along with an older brother or sister. I think that this book really grabbed both of our attention and we couldn't wait to turn the page and see what was going to happen next to the group.
A Quaranteed Hit For All Ages.......1999-04-25
I would have to disagree with the review Horn Book gave for this story. I am an elementary teacher and have used this book with all grades K-5 and found it to be a no miss winner. No matter what group or when I choose to read this book, I have never found a group that did not love the book. It is a wonderful "read aloud" sure to delight any child. All children seem to relate to the sibling revenge of the older sister whether the youngest, oldest or middle child in the family. Kathy has written it in a delightful way that brings smiles to the faces of young readers.
Book Description
Better maintenance means more enjoyment of your pool or spa.
Black & Decker The Complete Guide Maintain Your Pool & Spa will both inspire and educate readers on the practical points of owning and maintaining a home swimming pool, hot tub, or recreational whirlpool.
For those considering a recreational water feature, an exciting gallery chapter and a planning/design chapter will show the latest trends and products, and unique new ways to integrate a pool or spa into the landscape. The book also includes an overview of each type of structure, including above-ground and in-ground swimming pools, stand-alone whirlpools, integrated pool/spa installations, and pool houses and accessories. For readers who already own a pool or spa, lengthy, detailed chapters on basic maintenance, water quality, seasonal upkeep, and routine repairs provide everything needed to keep water features in good operating condition. Even the mechanical systems - pumps, heaters, drains and skimmers - are covered in depth. With this book, no pool or spa owner will need to spend money on a professional pool-care service, and may never need to call a repairman.
Book Description
This book, the fourth edition of Perkin's classic work on the subject, has now been significantly revised. The subjects covered are general design principles, materials use, durability, uses of reinforced and pre-stressed concrete, finishing of the pool and the pool hall, water treatment and circulation, and operation and maintenance of pools, both public and private. This is the standard reference for all civil engineers, architects, consultants and swimming pool operators involved in the design, construction and maintenance of swimming pools.
Average customer rating:
|
The Tall, Tall Slide (Read-It! Readers)
Michael Dahl
Manufacturer: Picture Window Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Library Binding
Fiction
| Emotions & Feelings
| Social Situations
| People & Places
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Ages 4-8
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Literature
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 1404811869 |
Average customer rating:
|
Safety at the Swimming Pool (Raatma, Lucia. Safety First.)
Lucia Raatma
Manufacturer: Bridgestone Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Library Binding
Nonfiction
| Safety
| Health
| Science, Nature & How It Works
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Ages 9-12
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Water Sports
| Sports
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Sports
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 073680191X |
Average customer rating:
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Signs at the Pool (Welcome Books: Signs in My World)
Mary Hill
Manufacturer: Children's Press (CT)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Library Binding
General
| Basic Concepts
| Baby-3
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
Nonfiction
| Safety
| Health
| Science, Nature & How It Works
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
Nonfiction
| Water Sports
| Sports
| Sports & Activities
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Ages 4-8
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Water Sports
| Sports
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Sports
| Subjects
| Books
Swimming Pools
| How-to & Home Improvements
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 051624275X |
Average customer rating:
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Games to Play in the Pool
Nancy Robison
Manufacturer: William Morrow & Co Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Library Binding
Nonfiction
| Water Sports
| Sports
| Sports & Activities
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Ages 9-12
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
Swimming Pools
| How-to & Home Improvements
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0688519261 |
Average customer rating:
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Joe's Pool
Claire Henley
Manufacturer: Hyperion (Juv)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Library Binding
General
| Baby-3
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Literature
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 1562824325 |
Book Description
Over the course of a two hundred year period, women's domestic labor gradually lost its footing as a recognized aspect of economic life in America. The image of the colonial "goodwife," valued for her contribution to household prosperity, had been replaced by the image of a "dependent" and a "non-producer." This book is a history of housework in the United States prior to the Civil War. More particularly, it is a history of women's unpaid domestic labor in the context of the emergence of an industrialized society in the northern United States. Boydston argues that just as a capitalist economic order had first to teach that wages were the measure of a man's worth, it had at the same time, implicitly or explicitly, to teach that those who did not draw wages were dependent and not essential to the "real economy." Developing a striking account of the gender and labor systems that characterized industrializing America, Boydston explains how this effected the devaluation of women's unpaid labor.
Customer Reviews:
The Pastoralization of Housework.......2006-02-11
I have to modify significantly the previous reviewer's take on this book. Boydston does not argue that women did all the work while men got all the pay. What she argues is that because women did as much unpaid work as they did, factories benefited more from male labor than they might have if they'd considered and economically rewarded the female labor that went into making the male a productive worker. In other words, capitalists effectively got two for the price of one when they hired a male worker. Without a female working for free at home while practicing home economics to keep expenses low, the American labor-profit system in the early republic would have been unsustainable. To make this system palatable, Boydston argues in her concluding chapter (indeed, the chapter that really is the point of the book), the culture generated a pastoral mystique of housework . . . images and ways of talking about housework that made it seem not only natural, but part of the beauty and splendor of nature.
The previous reviewer's take suggests that this book in some way could be read as perpetuating a simplistic male/female gender war mentality. Instead, where this book really leads is to a common enemy of the mass of men and women: an exploitative political economy that thrives on the poverty of the family. Women entering the marketplace has done little to solve the problem. Indeed, what Boydston shows is that women have always been in the marketplace. If you think about it after reading this book, it becomes pretty clear that in the postmodern, post industrial age, capital is still getting two workers for the price of one: women working for less pay than men and men working for less pay than they have before. Meanwhile, the economy absorbs the on average lower female wage in a network of childcare services (daycare, formula, etc.) and "busy lifestyle" services (convenience food, maid services, etc.) that leave the situation little changed. Meanwhile, of course, the marketing machine continues working overtime to naturalize this situation.
The labors of a housewife -- now and then.......2000-06-27
Boydson goes to prove that the average woman ha had to work long and hard hours that have been often under paid and overworked while the men get their payment, the women must endure long hours and work extra hard. This book seeks to tell how the women have built the economy and have been one of the major leaders yet do not get the credit that they deserve. Think about the long hours put in spinning, canning, and doing the house work without air conditioning and yet still how it is today! This si the book to read for all historians.
Customer Reviews:
Awesome Study Guide.......2006-08-16
I found this book to be the best study guide I have ever used. If you need the textbook for a class you should purchase this study guide. It includes short 1-2 page chapter summaries of every chapter which really help cut down the study time. It also includes chapter quizes and pre-tests with answers so you will certainly be prepared for any test. If used properly you don't need the actual textbook! I got an A in Micro and I credit it entirely to this study guide.
disappointed.......2005-10-04
the book was listed as being new when it was not. Had quite a bit of the answers in the guide and it was the earlier edition, which was not the intended book I wanted to purchase. Very disappointed with my purchase.
Book Description
For the Third Edition, 2001 Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz joins forces with new co-author Carl Walsh, who brings both economic expertise and teaching savvy to the project. Together, Stiglitz and Walsh thoroughly integrate contemporary economics into the traditional curriculum. Informed by the broad range of research that earned Professor Stiglitz the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences, the first edition of this text pioneered important topics relating to the economics of imperfect markets, which are today's standard in all principles texts. Only this text, however, gives those topics serious attention, with complete chapters on imperfect information in product markets, imperfections in labor markets, technological change, and environmental externalities, as well as a complete chapter on strategic behavior.
Customer Reviews:
Errors abound.......2007-05-21
The study guide was kind of useful, but it often asked pointless questions about details with which we were completely unconcerned in my Intro Microeconomics class. Also, it often gave the wrong answers for multiple choice questions, resulting in such inaccurate assertions as "The statement that firms in competitive markets are price takers means that average cost equals marginal cost at the minimum of average cost." It contradicted the book as well, defining the long run average cost curve as the straight line running along the bottom of the short-run curves when in actuality such a curve is the minimum average cost curve, and it bizarrely defined the real product wage as the marginal product divided by the product price. This last error wasn't exactly a typo, because it appeared twice. I can only imagine how many microeconomics students this study guide has misled and confused.
Concise and Integrative.......2003-11-19
A very nice book , given by a famous Economist, is suitable for some aggresive students who are fearless to meet challenging. This book caould help you a lot. The examples focus on 97 Asia FC are crucial to form economic ideas.
Average customer rating:
- A fun, easy read
- A fantastic book
- Women who get back to thr roots of being women
|
Dish!: A Single Woman's Confessions on Food and Sex
Juli I. Huss
Manufacturer: Plume
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Baking
| Cooking, Food & Wine
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Cooking, Food & Wine
| Subjects
| Books
Cooking
| Humor
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Humor
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
Love, Sex & Marriage
| Humor
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Parenting & Families
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0452274508 |
Customer Reviews:
A fun, easy read.......2001-08-08
I loved this book. I read it the first time when I was 19 and I just read it again recently, some 10 years later. The characters were just as much fun now as they were then. I loved the relationships between the characters. I felt like I knew them. The author really focussed on developing the characters and making the plot fun and fast paced. I read this book in two days because I couldn't put it down. And some of the recipes are fabulous!
A fantastic book.......1999-07-14
This book is the one I would have to have on a deserted island. My boyfriend and I have been reading aloud passages at night for two years, and it never gets old. I have recommended it to many friends and will continue to do so. If I can ever meet Juli Huss, I think my life will be complete. (great recipies, too!)
Women who get back to thr roots of being women.......1998-05-02
I loved this book. I laughed and cried out loud. I was touched by the depth the author put me in touch with the characters. I felt as if she was writing about my own girlfriends and our traumas. I recommend this book to women who need a break from their own baggage and take a voyage to DISH! (My favorite part had to do with the Cadillac and screaming at the top of your lungs- I laughed for days!!)
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- The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America
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