Book Description
In this imaginative new work, Adam Lowenstein explores the ways in which a group of groundbreaking horror films engaged the haunting social conflicts left in the wake of World War II, Hiroshima, and the Vietnam War. Lowenstein centers Shocking Representation around readings of films by Georges Franju, Michael Powell, Shindo Kaneto, Wes Craven, and David Cronenberg. He shows that through allegorical representations these directors' films confronted and challenged comforting historical narratives and notions of national identity intended to soothe public anxieties in the aftermath of national traumas.
Borrowing elements from art cinema and the horror genre, these directors disrupted the boundaries between high and low cinema. Lowenstein contrasts their works, often dismissed by contemporary critics, with the films of acclaimed "New Wave" directors in France, England, Japan, and the United States. He argues that these "New Wave" films, which were embraced as both art and national cinema, often upheld conventional ideas of nation, history, gender, and class questioned by the horror films. By fusing film studies with the emerging field of trauma studies, and drawing on the work of Walter Benjamin, Adam Lowenstein offers a bold reassessment of the modern horror film and the idea of national cinema.
Customer Reviews:
Not an easy read, but very well written.......2006-03-15
Adam Lowenstein, associate professor of English and film studies at the University of Pittsburgh, has written a book where he analyses different horror movies by different directors from different countries, for example Wes Craven's Last House on the Left. However, Shocking Representation isn't a book made for the everyday horror fan (which obviously doesn't mean a horror fan will be unable to appreciate the book). No, this is a book that first and foremost other devotees of film studies will enjoy.
Because what Lowenstein does is that he analyses different movies from different eras and countries, and bases his analysis on how the construction of the movies, their themes, advertisement, script, and so on are characterized by and reflects upon such immense social conflicts and traumas as the end of World War II, the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima, and the Vietnam War. Using movies from countries such as France, England, Japan, and the U.S. Lowenstein shows how the directors design their movies in ways based on the traumatic experiences the movie crowd in one way or another has experienced.
Complicated? Yeah, pretty much so. Especially when Lowenstein uses old black and white movies I've never even heard of, much less seen myself. Fact is that I've not seen or heard of the majority of the movies analyzed in the book - except Deliverance and Last House on the Left - and due to this it was really very little of the book I could truly understand and appreciate.
Because, after all, movies (including the horror genre, even though some movie critics refuse to see the horror genre as anything but brainless entertainment of the worst quality imaginable) often deliver sharp social critique and/or reflections of the particular society where the movie is made; but this is often missed by the general viewer.
Which both sucks and is too bad, because it's often very clever critique. But this also means that it can be great fun learning from someone highly skilled in film studies. And this I did from time to time. For instance, I've seen Deliverance before, but I'll have to do it again, soon, and this time think about all the references to the Vietnam War I'll see on the screen.
Shocking Representation isn't an easy book to read, and you really do have to know your film history in order to fully appreciate what Lowenstein says, but at the same time, even though you only know a few titles - like I did - you can still find some interesting facts.
Book Description
14 Standards and Jazz tunes including Angel Eyes, In Walked Bud, Darn That Dream, Imagination, Ladybird, Here's That Rainy Day, Like Someone In Love, Swinging On A Star, Polka Dots And Moonbeams. Includes a play along CD.
Customer Reviews:
Stunning work on QGA!.......2002-11-22
There are several Cadogan opening works from the mid-90s that are so far above the quality of most of the stuff being poured out by Everyman since that it is shocking. The Everyman stuff are like the cliff notes, and this book on the QGA by Neishtadt and the two-volume work on the English defence by Bagirov, are like the real deal. This book is 286 pages long (not 224 pages as stated above, plus this is a Cadogan book that has not been re-issued by Everyman), is packed full of thousands of variation, tons of explanatory text, and is carefully laid out with a compelte index in the back. Equally stunning is that throughout the book , each variation is carefully indexed numerically, and each variation heading re-states the opening moves up to that point. This feature allows you to re-play moves to that point without having to flip back and forth all the time. This is a variations format book, with tons of games in the notes, but no "illustrative games per se. It is a challenging and massive work. Neishtadt is an excellent chess writer. Everything he has ever done is absolutely first rate. Other than this book, I especially love his two books, "Winning Quickly with White/Black."
Product Description
Rizzitano, author of Understanding Your Chess, presents a full repertoire for Black against 1 d4, based on the Queen's Gambit Accepted (QGA). The QGA is an extremely popular opening amongst players of all levels, as it gives Black free development and counterpunching potential, especially if White takes up the challenge and tries to set up a broad pawn centre. The QGA's soundness is shown by the number of top-class grandmasters who have used it in critical games - it was a key factor in Short's victory over Karpov, and has even been used by Garry Kasparov at world-championship level. Rizzitano has chosen to recommend dependable main lines of the QGA, and throughout emphasizes how Black can create winning chances and White's typical ways to go wrong. The repertoire is completed by a set of weapons against White's alternatives to offering the Queen's Gambit, ranging from the stolid Colle to the weird Hodgson Attack and the reckless Blackmar-Diemer.
Customer Reviews:
An average repertoire book.......2007-06-04
This book is divided into three parts. Part 1 consists of queen gambit accepted lines which not include the classical variation, part 2 handles the classical variation and part 3 handles openings where white do not follow up with c4 (Colle, London, Veresov, etc.)
Rizzitano handles the 3 parts very differently. While the classical variation is very deeply explained (as for 2300 players), Rizzitano handles for instance the Torre Attack more lightly (as for 1700 players).
So this book is not for ordinary club players. In many positions where white has more than just one alternative, Rizzitano often just describe just one alternative. The other alternatives may be less attractive, but for an ordinary club player who plays black, it is not easy to understand why. This book is full of variations and variations. Rizzitano surely knows how to use a chess database. But I miss some informative text, and not just variations after words like: Alternatives:, then:, now:, White has some alternatives here:, Let's examine: When someone write "Let's examine" I want some explanation text, not just variations. I believe it may be difficult for a normal chess player to benefit 100% from this book, without doing his one opening description from this book.
So I will not recommend this book for players rated below 2000.
What I also miss in this book is a more specific description of strategically ideas about each variant and some complete games showing when these strategically ideas are successful.
Great Book.......2007-05-11
This is an amazing book, extremely detailed and thorough. It is a totally complete repertoire against 1.d4. I don't know what the last reviewer is talking about. Contrarily, this one of the most complete and thorough opening repertoire books I've ever seen.
This is your road map when white plays 1.d4. Keep in mind that it's a repertoire book, not an instructional manual on how to play every single move in every single position. (But it comes close!) One thing the book lacks is an "Illustrative Games" section. If this is your only reference, then you will need to either find a supplemental book, well annotated QGA games, or a coach to help you work through the positions once the analysis stops.
The good news is that he basically quotes his sources on every book, game fragment, and annotator. If you want to see more, just pull the game up on your computer and have at it. This is a window into a titled player's opening preparation, so be prepared to do some work to digest the material.
I think this is good for players rated 1800+, because it can be an overwhelming amount of material at some points. It is definitely *not* the "Easy Guide" to the QGA.
I am looking forward to seeing more from the meticulously thorough Rizzitano.
Good Repertoire Book, But...........2007-04-29
Missing a couple of critical lines that Black should be aware of.
Of course, all the initial analysis through the earlly stages of the ooening is spot-on, but at that nebulous threshold between the end of an opening and the onset of a full-blown middle game, this book serves the function of dropping us off at a couple of key (and very complex) intersections with a map that does not show all the avaliable roads that can be taken. Of course, this is not an real big deal if these are options for our side (the good guys!-- it is a repertoire book afterall), but when these options are important (and powerful) moves that are opponent can spring, and they are not even mentioned, it makes me wonder what the full intent of the author really was.
Don't get me wrong, I like this book, and if the player with the white pieces cooperatively stays within the confines of the repertoire proffered, Black is doing fine. But for a volume of this size and reputation, I was disappointingly surprising to see it completely overlooks some key lines that Black will probably see OTB.
Won my first two QGA games after reading this book.......2006-03-26
I'm an ICCF Master Class player and I recently bought Rizzitano's book "How to beat 1.d4". I ever had problem with black vs 1.d4 and I read with great interest Rizzitano's book. The book was clear, extremely interesting, up to date, with all strategic ideas behind the opening well analysed and explained.
I recently tried the QGA in an ICCF Master Class tournament (EM-M-307) and the result was : +2 =0 -0 that is 100% for the first 2 QGA I ever played!!!!
Compliments to the author: the good result I get in the tournament is fully due to his book!!!
Dr.Mauro Marchisotti, Torino, Italy
An Exemplar of Chess Opening Books.......2006-03-26
Rizzitano's "How to Beat 1 d4" is an example of how opening repetoire books should be written. The reader can tell how meticulously the author approached this work- all the relevant analysis, along with many suggested improvements from the author himself. The book presents the Queen's Gambit Accepted as the centerpiece of the repetoire, and also offers lines against all of White's second-move alternatives. A welcome bonus is analysis of 3 e3 e5 in the QGA, which allows Black to play alternatives such as 4...Bg4 in the main line after 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 e3. A great work.
Customer Reviews:
Master that doesnt know e4 lines?.......2005-08-16
I had to write a review of this book after reading another reviewer who gave it stars. For the most part, Ward covers all possible move orders, not ducking giving his opinion about which lines lead to advantage and which dont. A lot of chess books these days are written without making any firm statements, this book is not one of them.
One statement the author makes, that was reviewed as being bunk is that 3.e4 is the real test to the QGA. Whether or not you share that opinion it doesnt really matter(i happen to also) the point is that he at least makes an opinion and tries to back it up with analysis.
Unfortunetly the bar is fairly low right now for chess books, so even though this book is far from perfect, it is better than many other books. For the next edition I would like to see more variations, alternative opinions from other sources, and incorporate some computer engine analysis. Think John Nunn, or John Watsons books. But as I said, besides that, its a good book, and so much as I can tell, has accurate analysis
Some lines good, others spotty .......2005-08-11
(My rating would be two-and-a-half stars if that were possible.)
I'm a master who's played the QGA on and off for about 20 years. My other reference works were getting old, so I got a copy of Ward's book. The parts I've read so far have disappointed me.
He spends a bit more than 1/3 of the pages on the 3.e4 lines, writing, "If the QGA is to be refuted, then 3 e4 is probably the place for White players to look." This statement is puzzling. He's implying that there could be a _refutation_ to the QGA (an eye-opening claim), and he says nothing of the likelihood that White can get an _advantage_ in this line, rather than in other lines (a more useful consideration).
I don't know the e4 lines well, but I'm familiar with other QGA lines. He skips over some significant variations in those. Two examples:
A) In the line 1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 Bg4 5.Bxc4 e6, he doesn't analyze a common Black setup built around the moves a6, Nc6, and Bd6. [In a note -- not his regular analysis -- he mentions one game that began that way, in which White played weirdly and got into trouble.]
B) In the line 1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3, he never mentions one of Black's sensible responses, 4. ... Nc6, which has been played many times.
Skipping lines such as these would make sense if this were a repertoire book, advising the Black player to choose certain variations. But it's not; it's a survey of the entire opening. Of course, you can never include every little subvariation of an opening, but the two I mentioned are hardly obscure.
Ward does a nice job of describing some positional ideas in his analysis (rather than just complex variations). However, as he analyzes games, he focuses much more on the moves actually played than on possibly superior alternatives, which he either omits or glosses over.
This book could also have used better editing and proofreading. A few examples:
1. Page 91: "The queen had look after the knight."
2. Page 100: a note mentions the move h5 for Black, but it should have been Bh5.
3. Page 103: a note says "As we shall see elsewhere," referring to something that happens in other games, but we are not told where to find those games.
4. Page 154: the text reads "It's inconceivable" when it clearly should have said "It's conceivable."
A book by a grandmaster on an important opening raises the reader's hopes -- too much so in this case. If I were a specialist in 3.e4, I might have a much better view of this book. From my perspective, though, it merits no more than a lukewarm recommendation.
Chris Ward: As good as usual.......2002-07-19
This book, like all Mr.Ward's books, is filled with generous texts and explanations joined to only the best players games.
He admits giving more space to the variations with an early e2-e4 because he thinks it is the only real way to test Black's choice of opening. In this sens, probably the more positional players could be more attracted by other books on this system.
I have seen on Amazon.com at least one book that puts more emphasis on the early Nf3 variations.
A book that fits the needs of those who wish to understand the basic and more on the Queen's Gambit Accepted.
Customer Reviews:
Maybe I am not entirely fair.......2000-08-27
Maybe I am not fair (about the 1 star rating), because I did not read this book from cover to cover. Let's be fair: cadogan (or everyman) makes great books, including about the QGA. But this entire "easy guide" series is a little misguided. The back cover says: "just enough detail and explanation to play an opening with confidence". Not true. The book starts with typical QGA positions. I went trough them: they have practically nothing in common. Each chapter starts with some other positions, then the author gets to the "theory", which is absolutely not exhaustive. I am glad I did not buy the "scheveningen" easy guide as well. Conclusion: if u know how to play the QGA already, maybe there's something for you in this book. For the rest: find something with more meat.
Customer Reviews:
Beautiful!.......2003-01-25
These "New Ideas..." books by Henry Holt were great. They amounted to collections of exciting games in an opening, with tons of other games in the notes. In this one, the notes are very good. It seems that Flear put a lot of work into it. I love this book and this opening!
Customer Reviews:
Disappointing.......2003-04-05
I bought this book, thinking that since Cafferty is a good writer, that this might be an excellent intructive opening manual, along the lines of the "Mastering the..." series. Alas, I have been disappointed, as the book had kind of a "Time/Life Books teaches the QGA" feel to it. It is hard to put my finger on it, but this just isn't a very good or necessary book.
Average customer rating:
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New Ideas in the Queen's Gambit Accepted
Glenn Flear
Manufacturer: B.T. Batsford Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 Chess
| Board Games
| Puzzles & Games
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
General
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ASIN: 071347579X |
Amazon.com
Newcomers to Jack Schwager's series on top traders, as well as fervent fans of his first two entries Market Wizards and The New Market Wizards, will find that Stock Market Wizards offers another revealing look at a wide spectrum of trading styles through the eyes of 15 extraordinarily successful individuals. Transcripts of incisive Q&A sessions between Schwager and traders--including Michael Lauer, Dana Galante, Alphonse "Buddy" Fletcher Jr., and Claudio Guazzoni--examine the ways each approaches their specialty, whether it be value stocks, mutual funds, short selling, options trading, or other market niches. After brief but interesting introductions that place the subjects' trading practices into perspective, Schwager coaxes from them penetrating observations on setting goals, finding opportunities, learning from mistakes, and operating on a day-to-day basis. While some participants refuse to divulge proprietary practices, and Anthony admits that many traders' activities hold little relevance to individual investors, the basic doctrines nonetheless contain nuggets of wisdom that can be applied by many nonprofessionals. And, in the final "Wizard Lessons" chapter, Schwager details the 65 overarching principles (such as Trade Your Personality, Be Willing to Take a Loss, and The Importance of Setting Goals) he culled from these extensive conversations. --Howard Rothman
Book Description
The third in the bestselling Market Wizards series, this time focusing on the barometer of the economy – the stock market.
It has been nearly a decade since the publication of the highly successful The New Market Wizards. The interim has witnessed the most dynamic bull market in US stock history, a collapse in commodity prices, dramatic failures in some of the world's leading hedge funds, the burst of the Internet bubble, a fall into recession and subsequent rumblings of recovery. Who have been the ଡrket wizardsߤuring this tumultuous financial period? How did some traders manage to significantly outperform a stockmarket that during its heyday moved virtually straight up?
This book will feature interviews with a variety of traders who achieved phenomenal financial success during the glory days of the Internet boom. In contrast with the first two Market Wizard books, which included traders from a broad financial spectrum – stocks, bonds, currencies and futures – this volume will focus on traders in the stockmarket.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent read...great for traders at all levels.......2007-07-02
It really doesn't matter at what level and style that you trade at, I think you'll find this an interesting read. Most likely you won't use the specific tips provided in the book, but advice about what mentality and behavior it takes to be a successful trader. Enjoy!
Very Insightful!.......2007-06-20
This book was hard to put down....offering great insight and backgrounds on the various traders interviewed for the book. The author did a great job of showcasing each traders strengths and weaknesses...pulling enough inforamtion and details out of each interview so as to be helpful but not boring!
Real market insights of real market pros.......2007-01-17
Kokop put it perfectly. You have to be able to read between the lines and read the interviews as they were said and extract the insights in principles and guidelines that are successful.
Granted that each professional trader mentioned can't expel EVERY trading secret or methodology, you can take alot of the experience and wisdom gleened from these top traders by not only saving yourself all of the time and money necessary to acquire such wisdom and knowledge, but also by analyzing the particular styles of each trader and see how it either compliments or contrasts against your own style.
Trading is both a science and an art. Investing same thing. The difference between the top traders and those of us who have bowed out lies in the interpretations they have made based on historical facts and patterns over time. Once you understand these interpretations and apply them to today's market, you will definietly be better versed in riding the tides and avoiding major mistakes that you might have made had you otherwise not been exposed to this professional wisdom.
Take it for what it's worth, evaluate it on your own merits, use your own criteria, and I can almost guarrantee (99%) that you will improve your trades and limit your drawdowns as they are called. (there is jargon in any discipline)
Insightful and entertaining.......2006-04-23
A natural continuation in the outstanding series that derives so much valuable coaching from America's most noteworthy market speculators. (I wish there were an "options wizards" book.)
This volume focuses on stock trading. As an aspiring daytrader, I wish there was more in the way of intraday-trader interviews. There really was only one, and that guy traded S&P futures contracts, so it was about trading the entire market as a whole rather than individual equities. There exists a community of stock daytraders who work from their home office, some of whom make over $1 million per year very steadily. Too bad none of those guys were interviewed - hey, maybe another book?
Most of the traders interviewed were money managers and/or long-term position traders. Still, it's a great read that is chock full of thought-provocing content just like all the books in this hopefully not-yet-complete series.
[...]
Great book for understanding tactics of successful traders.......2006-03-08
This new edition interviewed 13 markets wizards including sole-traders work at home office to someone employs more than 100 traders. The common thing among them is their ability to achieve superior return (average over 100% per annum) over a long period of time usually over 5 to 6 years.
They are willing to share their trading methods & strategies for the readers. Although some refuse to disclose their trading systems, the reader can still benefit from learning their logic of thinking.
However, in this 2nd edition of the book, the writer deleted 2 market wizards from the 1st edition. I don't know the reason of it but for those want to read all 15 wizards, they are reminded to find the 1st edition to read.
Books:
- Singin' in the Rain (BFI Film Classics)
- Skin Shows: Gothic Horror and the Technology of Monsters
- Small Change: A Life of Tom Waits
- Small Nation, Global Cinema: The New Danish Cinema (Public Worlds)
- Sylvia: The Shooting Script (Newmarket Shooting Script Series)
- Symmetry and Spectroscopy: An Introduction to Vibrational and Electronic Spectroscopy
- Tallulah!: The Life and Times of a Leading Lady
- The Artist as Monster: The Cinema of David Cronenberg
- The Digital Film Event
- The Evil Dead Companion
Books Index
Books Home
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