Tehanu (The Earthsea Cycle, Book 4)

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Ursula K. LeGuin follows her classic trilogy from Earthsea with a magical tale that won the 1991 Nebula Award for Science Fiction. Unlike the tales in the trilogy, this novel is short and concise, yet it is by no means simplistic. Promoted as a children's book because of the awards garnered in that category by her previous work, Tehanu transcends classification and shows the wizardry of female magic. The story involves a middle-age widow who sets out to visit her dying mentor and eventually cares for his favorite student.

Book Description

Years before, they had escaped together from the sinister Tombs of Atuan -- she, an isolated young priestess, he, a powerful wizard. Now she is a farmer's widow, having chosen for herself the simple pleasures of an ordinary life. And he is a broken old man, mourning the powers lost to him not by choice.

A lifetime ago, they helped each other at a time of darkness and danger. Now they must join forces again, to help another -- the physically and emotionally scarred child whose own destiny remains to be revealed.

With millions of copies sold, Ursula K. Le Guin's Earthsea Cycle has earned a treasured place on the shelves of fantasy lovers everywhere. Complex, innovative, and deeply moral, this quintessential fantasy sequence has been compared with the work of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, and has helped make Le Guin one of the most distinguished fantasy and science fiction writers of all time. She lives in Portland, Oregon.

Customer Reviews:

Is feminism pushing men down?.......2007-09-20

I first began to read Earthsea about two months ago, and sped through Le Guin's wonderful world, reading one book pretty much straight after the other....until the fourth book, Tahanu. Putting aside what has already been mentioned among these reviews (poor narrative structuring, poor dialogue, and generally poor characterization), I found the book to be personally insulting. How this book could be considered at all feminist I have no idea. While the main character, Tenar, seems strong in some ways, in the end she is a "domesticated" woman. All other women in the novel (Moss, Tehanu's mohter, etc) are victims, and in particular, victims of men (and do not escape this, and if they do, not on their own accord, but by men's actions). Further, the "strength" of women and men are described in very sexist terms. In the first three books, Ged's voice comes as, if not the voice of reason and truth, at least as a voice on that path. In the fourth book, he and Tenar talk of the powerlessness of women, ecchoing generally what "culture" and "society" say. Men are also described previously as a "walnut, empty inside if without power," with women being "deep, their roots stretched into places unknown." Perhaps this doesn't seem sexist, but we have to remember that sexism can be against men as well (personally, I don't find myself to be as men are characterized in this book). Later, Tenar's actions MAY contradict some of these things said, but they are left mostly uncontested or in the mouths of the wise.

In the end, perhaps I missed the "feminist agenda", but I felt that the sexism versus men ruined any feminist message that Le Guin wished to give.

The first three were wonders and true pillars in literature, and are beloved to me. Tehanu, on the other hand, seemed uncharacteristic of Le Guin's depth and style at best, and a betrayal of her own world and characters at worst.

Not Free SF Reader.......2007-09-03

Tehanu is a pretty pointless codicil to the original Earthsea trilogy.

The girl from the Tombs of Atuan married and had a couple of kids, and has now adopted a more supernatural child on top of that.

Ged, no longer with any wizardly abilities arrives . Naturally, given she had a crush on him earlier and is now lonely, they live together.

A disappointing sequel to an otherwise enjoyable trilogy.......2007-08-21

Tehanu was an unexpectedly feeble offering by LeGuin. I found it to be a long, boring, rambling, uneventful, dreary, downbeat, anti climactic, and even a tad (if you can believe it) misanthropic and stereotypical waste of time. The 20+ year gap since the authoress's last involvement with this series is very apparent - to the point where she seems out of touch with the flavor and ambience of her own works.

For me, the only enjoyable part in the entire book (Tehanu) were the all-too-brief re-appearance(s) of an ancient dragon.

My rankings for the books in this series now stand as follows:

1-Wizard of Earthsea (9 of 10)
2-Tombs of Ataun (7 of 10)
3-Farthest Shore (8 of 10)
4-Tehanu (5 of 10)

My advice is to stop reading this series at book 3, because those books are the meat & potatoes of this series, and the rest is just unsatisfying filler and add-on.

If you loved Wizard of Earthsea.......2007-05-12

You'll love this one as well. This story continues the tales of Ged and Tenar. It is a nice (almost) wrap up after Tombs of Atuan. I found myself ready for more, and LeGuin provided it (Tales of Earthsea, The Other Wind.) Note: I don't know how this would be as a stand alone book.

Earthsea's Most Difficult Tale.......2007-04-09

There's no question that this is by far the most difficult book in the Earthsea Cycle. Every character in it has suffered loss and tragedy; each must somehow move on. Because we have seen two of those characters as heroic, it makes a difficult read.

Tenar was the triumphant White Lady at the end of "The Tombs of Atuan." When "Tenahu" starts, about 25 years later, she is a widowed farm wife who has suffered the death of two persons very important to her: first her husband, and then Ogion, the Mage of Silence.

Sparrowhawk returns from the events of "The Farthest Shore" and, despite his brave words, faces life after the loss of the power of magic that has defined him and made him the greatest archmage since Erreth-Akbe.

And Tenahu herself, raped and maimed, burnt, discarded and scarred has even less trust and joy than Tenar and Sparrowhawk.

LeGuin tells that story of how these characters interact among themselves and with their few neighbors, and how they react when great danger from Sparrowhawk's past threatens to destroy them.

Unlike the first three novels, there is no magic here; or rather, the only magic is evil and is used to attack Sparrowhawk and Tenar, who are incapable of defending themselves. Only Tenahu, the mysterious and maimed one, can act. Will she? How can she?

This is as dark-toned a fantasy novel as you may find. Those who want swords and sorcery, fur jock straps or light sabers should go elsewhere. This is a minutely observed, carefully developed story of how you cope with loss, grief and helplessness. I think many of the very negative reviews here come from misplaced expectations.

LeGuin had said this was the last Earthsea novel. Happily, she was wrong. There is a collection of short stories, "Tales of Earthsea," and a fifth novel, "The Other Wind." You'll have to go there for answers to the questions that "Tehanu" leaves unanswered. And to find out what happens to the characters we have watched, cheered and loved through the Earthsea Cycle.

Highly recommended for those who can approach LeGuin with no expectations other than fine craftsmanship and superb story-telling.

Average customer rating:

Tehanu - Earthsea Cycle, Book Four
Ursula K. Le Guin
Manufacturer: Pocket Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Book Description

"Peter Dougherty does the near-impossible in this brilliant book . . . [he] makes economics engaging and accessible."
--Professor Larry J. Sabato, University of Virginia

In this spirited and timely book, Peter Dougherty shows how economists are drawing on Adam Smith's civic writings to illuminate how the market creates not only fiscal capital, but "social capital." Dougherty demonstrates how Smith's ideas are currently experiencing a renaissance. He then explores several impressive initiatives to demonstrate what today's theoretical and practicing economists are accomplishing in the spirit of Adam Smith's moral sentiments: the institutional reform of transitional and developing economies; the financing of new technological, medical, and educational initiatives; and the economic revival of cities. Capitalism pervades every aspect of our daily life. Peter Dougherty now offers a fascinating peek at its hidden soul.

Customer Reviews:

Required Reading for Humanity.......2005-11-11

The much maligned Adam Smith is herein exonerated as the great soul that he really is. Gandhi, Mother Teresa, King Jr. - these are reliable guides for those seeking to in whatever way make a difference with their lives. So is Smith. And this book is brilliant in its depiction of him.

As noted throughout it's at the intersection of morals and money where our "modern day" society will find material wealth and spiritual fulfillment, the very legacy of Smith's "ism". This "ism" is in quotes here as it was not Smith that labeled his virtuous social system "capitalism" as we refer to it today, but rather Karl Marx as a to-this-day partially successful ploy to associate it with exploitation of workers and the poor while benefiting only the rich risk-taking capitalists.

The legions of otherwise well-meaning "capitalism" bashers need only read this book to realize that any shortcomings manifesting in free market society today are not the fault of Smith's legacy but rather the fault of the individuals (you, me and our neighbors) who operate in it. This places the onus to improve our lots in life exactly where it should be, on ourselves -- not on anything or anyone "out there", and certainly not a social structure put together by a benevolent ancestor like Adam Smith.

In the words of author Dougherty (a reliable source with decades of economics publishing experience and current Director of Princeton University Press), "The Smith we get to know in the years to come will be broader and more multifaceted a presence than the one we think we know." This book has been a huge help for me in this and more.

And from Smith himself, "All the members of human society stand in need of each other's assistance, and are likewise exposed to mutual injuries. Where necessary assistance is reciprocally afforded from love, from gratitude, from friendship, and esteem, the society flourishes and is happy. All the different members of it are bound by the agreeable hands of love and affection, and are, as it were, drawn to one common centre of mutual good offices."

Enjoy.

Highly Recommended!.......2004-09-17

Peter J. Dougherty has written a breezy tour of modern economics, concentrating on attempts to reconnect the dismal science with its roots in civil studies and moral philosophy. Although he is not an economist, he displays an easy familiarity with economics' big ideas and their authors, and communicates them with style and wit. Dougherty's knowledge of the field is broad, thanks to his decades of experience as an economics editor, but thankfully he does not bog readers down in the technical details. His book stresses the importance of social capital as well as the profit motive, and of strong civic institutions and communities as well as corporations. He offers a refreshing perspective in an era of corporate scandals and cautionary tales of greed. This slim volume contains no specific lessons that can be applied by individuals, but rather a dose of hope that capitalism can indeed encourage the best in people and companies, when institutions and incentives are properly designed by a democratic society.We suggest this book to non-economists who want a quick course in the economic and social potential of democratic capitalism.

How Dougherty Wrote His Book?:How The Book Got Its Title.......2004-05-14

Throughout the book Peter Dougherty expresses the idea that economists are playing a more important role in the development of today's modern world. As the book progresses Dougherty outlines the basics and morality of the market. Dougherty presents the facts that today the market is running according to the basic rules Adam Smith presented in his works. Throughout the book it's argued that the pursuit of self-interest would not only increase the wealth of society but also teach good habits. Dougherty discusses Smith's ideas on the role of government and other non-economic institutions in society. He argues we need institutions that put our self-interest into service of the common interest, while curving its more destructive elements. This book provides a guided tour through the works of all the authors noted throughout the book. Unfortunately I found this book a little confusing do to some language use and the multiple characters. This book was not the most up beat book I've ever read, but I would highly recommend it to anyone who is truly interested in economics and its many elements.

Adam Smith's Civil Society.......2004-05-05

Who¡¯s Afraid of Adam Smith? How The Market Got Its Soul! is a book about economics. In the book Peter J. Dougherty portrays many important figures that shaped the history and evolvement of economics. He expresses the idea that economists are playing a more important role in the development of the modern world than what people have realized. However, this book is more about ethics. As the title tells, it is about the moral aspects of economics. With the discussion of Adam Smith¡¯s moral sentiment and how the moral aspects of economics evolved with the development of the modern society, Dougherty outlines the basis and inner morality of free market. He argues that capitalism system and the free market based on it was born with a soul.
Adam Smith¡¯s The Wealth of Nation has long been regarded as the ¡°Bible of capitalism¡±. The focus of Dougherty¡¯s book, however, is on Smith¡¯s less-known book --- The Theory of Moral Sentiments. Published in 1759, The Theory of Moral Sentiments was derived from Adam Smith¡¯s work on moral philosophy. Dougherty believes that the moral dimension of Adam Smith gives market society its soul and it is further revised and updated by several generations of economists and social philosophers to meet the challenges of the changing time.
Dougherty presents the facts that today¡¯s free market is running according to the basic rules Adam Smith articulated in his works. He points out that ¡°the seemingly paradoxical connection between self-love and universal opulence sat at the center of Smith¡¯s system of social philosophy¡¡± and ¡°Smith connected the pursuit of private interest to service of the public good.¡± He offers several important insights from Smith¡¯s idea of a civil society.
A civil society is built around the assumption ¡°that we are not angels, but rather the very self-interested beings whom we know ourselves to be¡¡± As observed by Adam Smith it is "not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker, that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own interest". A civil society is built on the basis of the pursuit of self-interest. It promotes individual prosperity.
Adam Smith argued that the pursuit of self-interest would not only increase the wealth of the society but also inculcate good habits such as ¡°economy, industry, discretion, attention and application of thought¡±. As he noted ¡°whenever dealings are frequent, a man does not expect to gain so much by any one contract as by probity and punctuality in the whole, and a prudent dealer, who is sensible of his real interest, would rather choose to lost what he has a right to than give any ground for suspicion¡¡± In a civil society, these ¡°good habits¡± are not just an option, they are necessary for the maximization of people¡¯s self-interest.
Finally, Dougherty discusses Adam Smith¡¯s idea on the role of government and other non-economic institutions in a society. He writes that ¡°we need institutions that channel our self-interest into service of the common interest while curbing its more destructive elements.¡± Dougherty examines how economists at different times applied Smith¡¯s ideas through advocating government¡¯s role in projects like education, research and development initiatives, and revitalizing poor neighborhood.

Who' s afraid of Adam Smith.......2004-05-03

I really did'nt like this book at all. I think that it is a very confusing and lame story. Sorry no hard feelings. I mean there was nothing there to keep me motivated and interested in reading it. You talked alot about Econ throughout the story which I thought was very cool, just for the simple fact this is for my Econ class. Its like your telling life time stories about yourself and others. You sure do have alot of characters throughout the book. Overall I think that the book is okay its just not a book for me.

Book Description

The Russian transformation crisis is analyzed and put into the context of national policy failures and international shocks. The study also has a focus on structural change and foreign direct investment - including an econometric perspective. Basic problems of economic opening-up, macroeconomic policy and aspects of political economy are also discussed. The role of institutional reforms, membership in international organizations and supply-side policies are emphasized.

Macroeconomic Policy, Growth and Poverty Reduction

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In the late 20th century, structural adjustment policies became the West's received wisdom as a solution to the economic problems of the South. Based on detailed empirical research, the contributors to this volume take a more heterodox and even critical approach. Many of the issues raised here are now being assimilated into a new post-Washington Consensus. The range of geographical coverage matched with the coherence of the approaches taken by the contributors allows striking comparisons to be made.

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Customer Reviews:

STUNNINGLY bad.......2003-03-12

This could quite possibly be the worst book about the industry I have ever read. If I could get it zero stars, I would.

I don't even know where to begin...

Being a PA is not glamourous -- I am wrapping up my first season as a PA; my first season in "the industry" and I can tell you that it's not a picnic; it's work. Hard work. But what it lacks in glamour, it makes up for in experience. I have learned SO much and worked with so many talented, incredible people this season. And yes, being sent out to fetch coffee isn't fun, but you know what? It's part of my JOB.

Tiffany Carboni's book makes it sound like doing the normal PA jobs (making copies, running errands, getting coffee/lunch/dinner/someone's drycleaning/whatever) is degrading and offensive when, in reality, that's what the job is. You are there to assist production -- by any means necessary.

Her "advice" on "how to deal with stupid bosses" is ridiculous. Go HOME and TAKE A NAP when you're supposed to be out on an errand? What!? That kind of stuff will promptly get you fired, and possibly blacklisted. If Carboni's "tips" are supposed to be funny, they aren't. They're just dumb.

The book itself reads like it was writen by a high school freshman and the "funny" stories from PAs are just accounts of the stupid, *completely avoidable* mistakes they have made.

Where is the comedy? Where is the dirt? Not here! I want my $ back.

A true gem of a story - hilarious.......2000-11-08

Two thumbs up for Carboni! A great story from start to finish.

Most books I've read about Hollywood become dull and boring after about the first 150 pages. This is probably due to the dry writing styles that seem to perpetuate this subject. Not Carboni's book though.

Carboni comes right at you with a fresh, witty look at a seldom seen side of Hollywood. If you want a good, gripping read that will leave you laughing for hours then order this book!

A true gem of a story - hilarious.......2000-11-08

Two thumbs up for Carboni! A great story from start to finish.

Carboni comes right at you with a fresh, witty look at a seldom seen side of Hollywood. If you want a good, gripping read that will leave you laughing for hours then order this book!

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