Selling Seattle: Representing Contemporary Urban America

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Selling Seattle, the first book by newly minted Ph.D. James Lyons, is a British academic's take on the city's rise from provincial backwater to 1990s cultural icon. Removed in time and space from local, contemporary accounts such as Clark Humphrey's Loser and Fred Moody's I Sing the Body Electronic, it examines the transformation in terms of Seattle's natural setting and its class and racial composition in addition to the usual suspects: grunge, tech, and espresso. It should come as no surprise that, as a student of film, Lyons chooses to illustrate many of his points with references to popular movies and television series. He effectively points to The Hand That Rocks the Cradle as a depiction of suburban white anxiety and to Frasier's Café Nervosa not only as an example of the pervasiveness of the coffee culture in Seattle but as an influential reinforcement of the stereotype.

A work like this written by someone without a stake in the city is overdue; Lyons may not be intimately familiar with Seattle, but such outside perspective is necessary to a fair, unbiased account. However, it should be understood that although the hardcover dust jacket spells the title as $elling $eattle, uses Starbucks' color scheme, and features iconic representations of an LP, a globe, a computer, and a steaming cup of coffee, this is definitely an academic text, not one for popular consumption. An expansion of the author's doctoral dissertation, it boasts 34 pages of footnotes, a 13-page bibliography, and plenty of terms in italics. A cultural studies paper is what prospective readers should expect--and those to whom this sounds appealing won't be disappointed. --Benjamin Lukoff

Book Description

Starbucks, Microsoft, Amazon.com, World Trade Organization, the grunge music of such groups as Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden -- all are synonymous with Seattle, Washington, as well as ubiquitous symbols of American culture. Selling Seattle is the first book to examine the impact of this city on contemporary culture and to account for the city's rapid rise to fame and influence over the last decade. Relying on current debates in various disciplines -- from urban geography and interrogations of economic and cultural globalization to cinema and media studies -- James Lyons looks closely at the city's representation in film, television, journalism, and literature to show how it became a symbol of urban desire and fantasy in the 1990s.

Seattle's rise to prominence can be understood within the context of the city's fluctuating fortunes throughout its history. The Yukon gold rush of 1897 made the city an economic center, yet the aftermath of World War I and America's first general strike left the city in economic stagnation. Though it was a mixed success, the World's Fair endowed Seattle with a heightened profile, including those new icons of urban legibility, the Monorail and the Space Needle. Then grunge music on the one hand and such high-profile films as Sleepless in Seattle (1993) and Disclosure (1994) on the other, while sending seemingly contradictory messages, successfully sold the city as a vibrant, trend-setting urban locale. Such an unpredictable history, coupled with widescale economic and social restructuring in America's urban centers, underscores Lyons'argument that Seattle's ascent is linked to anxieties about the fate of the contemporary American city.

From the land of opportunity to no-man's-land to media darling and urban mecca, Seattle is at once the quintessential American city and a city like no other. Selling Seattle is an eye-opening exploration for anyone seeking to understand the contemporary American city and the powerful trends that shape the urban landscape and its place in the popular imagination.

Book Description

This comprehensive guide gives readers with basic music compositional skills the information they need to become commercially viable artisans. In addition to providing a foundation of prerequisite technical skills, including basic audio considerations and sound file formats, the book teaches the business skills needed to work successfully as an audio technician in the game development business. How-to features take the reader step-by-step, from purchasing the right equipment, understanding the various game platforms, and composing music and creating sound effects specifically for games, to the ins and outs of marketing, producing demo reels, determining fees, bidding projects, and negotiating contracts.

Turn your musical passion into a career with this valuable guide to the business and technical skills you need to succeed in the multi-billion dollary game industry.

Customer Reviews:

Rich in information but outdated.......2007-03-21

This book contains very good and valuable information for those wanting to get into the game industry, unfortunately it was written in 2000, so most of the information is completely old for today standards, specially in this field.

For those who want to know about the game industry in general.......2005-08-23

This book is very well written, its easy to go through it quickly. One of the features I really like is the different interviews with game music composers asking everything from equipment to techniques to inspiration.

This book gives a detailed look into the industry, don't expect to learn how to compose from buying this book. This book is for musicians that are beginning or are already working with computer games and need to know about the industry. Sorry but there will never be books around pretending to teach you how to compose music, composing like anything else is something that you learn by doing and not by reading books. But if you are a musician already, and love computer games, then you won't regret this book.

Solid advice for composers wanting to get into the industry.......2005-07-06

This is a great book for those composers and sound designers wanting to break into the gaming industry. I do not understand why many people read this book hoping to find technical audio information, but this is NOT a TECHNICAL AUDIO or ENGINEERING book. This book is in the same vein as Jeff Rona's Reelworld book or Richard Davis's Complete Guide to Filmscoring.

Invaluable industry advice and at preparing your audio demo reels, and making connections. Must have for any aspiring game music composer or sound designer.

Few specifics.......2004-04-22

Although an o.k. book, I have to agree with "mysticmusing" in his criticism. The industry advice is probably invaluable to professional or budding audio dudes, but it fills up half the book..!

There are very few specfic examples of actual techniques for composition, sound effect development or integration. There are no concrete examples of game audio as implemented within any game engine - be it by C+ or through e.g. DirectMusic.

All in all this book has very little to tell people that don't already master all the great techniques and tools. And if you do master those techniques and tools, I suspect half of this book would be old news.

mysticmusing get out and read about the industry.......2003-10-21

Great book, and ignore that first review where it talks about lack of coverage of developer issues. The term developer is not used the same way in the game industry as it is in the more general software world. Developer does not mean programmer. Game programmers use the term programmer (imagine that!). A developer is someone who works in a broader role to get the game created (or developed), like say a producer or project manager or whatever. It is not the narrow term that we all have come to know and love in other areas of software development. Maybe those chapters on how to get into the industry might do you some good after all, eh?

Acoustic Musician's Guide to Sound Reinforcement and Live Recordings, The

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Acoustic Musician's Guide to Sound Reinforcement and Live Recordings, The
Mike Sokol
Manufacturer: Prentice Hall
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0134335090

Book Description

Learn how to set up and operate a sound system that helps musicians deliver the best possible performances.In this book, Mike Sokol shares more than 25 years of experience in performance, recording and sound reinforcement, presenting never-before-published techniques for delivering the best possible sound in both live performance and recording studios. Learn about selection and placement of speakers, amplifiers, microphones, pickups and other critical components. Discover what you need to know about effects, sound processing, monitors and mixing boards. Sokol walks you step-by-step through preparing for a performance, recording performances, even mastering and manufacturing cassettes and CDs for maximum sound quality. This is the book every sound engineer and acoustic musician has been waiting for.This is an essential guide for all sound engineers and acoustic musicians.

The Musician's Guide to Recording Acoustic Guitar (Private Lessons)

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Very thin

The Musician's Guide to Recording Acoustic Guitar (Private Lessons)

Manufacturer: Musicians Institute Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0634015192

Book Description

Learn the tools of the trade for recording acoustic guitar parts in your home studio! Topics covered in this one-on-one lesson with MI faculty instructor Dallan Beck include miking techniques, direct recording, EQ, compression, recording techniques, and effects such as chorus, reverb and delay. The accompanying CD features 48 demo tracks.

Customer Reviews:

Very thin.......2007-01-12

I read the drum recording book by the same author and it was fairly good, so I bought this one.

If you have absolutely no clue how to record an acoustic guitar, at least the book is not expensive, and it does contain a small amount of valid information. It is a very thin, very basic book.

Loops and Grooves: The Musician's Guide to Groove Machines and Loop Sequencers

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Crap.
Don't be a hater shameless
Don't be fooled - great book!
Shameless
a note from the author

Loops and Grooves: The Musician's Guide to Groove Machines and Loop Sequencers

Manufacturer: Hal Leonard
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0634048139

Book Description

Loops and Grooves is an overview of the technology and art of making music with loops by a nationally recognized expert on music technology. The book surveys the fundamentals and evolution of loop-based composition and explores in depth the power of current groove-making technology. Loops and Grooves includes a special focus on loop-sequencing hardware, which hasn't been covered in book form before. The complete section on loop slicing software makes it easy to select and use the best loop sequencing programs. An extra bonus is a value added CD including audio examples and software demos. B/W photographs; Book/CD Pack; Paperback Original; May; Reference; World Rights. Todd Souvignier is the author of Computer Audio: The Complete Guide to Mac and Windows Music and Sound (Alfred Publishing), co-author of The Musician's Guide to the Internet, 2nd Edition (Hal Leonard) and a frequent contributor to Electronic Musician magazine. His writings have been featured in the pages of Mix and Guitar magazines. Souvignier is the co-founder and Chief Technical Officer of Exploit Systems, Inc., a technology company that assists copyright owners in the peer-to-peer file sharing arena. As the former Vice President of Marketing for OSC and Arboretum Systems, Souvignier helped grow two groundbreaking music software startups and assisted in popularizing desktop hard disk recording and digital signal processing. He lives in New Orleans.

Customer Reviews:

Crap........2004-10-22

Unfortunately, I wasted my good money on this book. (Or rather, someone wasted it on me - I got it as a gift). The book is useless, and I own some of the synths the author writes about. To the reviewer who criticized the reviewer who gave a bad mark: guess what? The "low mark" reviewer was right, the user manuals ARE better than this crappy book. So before insulting a reviewer, why not actually bother to inform yourself. Sheesh.

Don't be a hater shameless.......2004-07-19

Stop hating on the author... why would anyone want to read the manuals?! They aren't going to say anything about how to make music within these terms. Duh

Don't be fooled - great book!.......2004-04-13

I can't help but disagree with the negative review given. This is a great mid-level book for anyone just starting to understand the concepts of sound synthesis. The value in the book is that it ties alot of fundamental concepts together using current production tools in examples. Understand these concepts and you'll be off to the races, if you care to think for yourself. This'll give great incentive to really delve into the software manuals, which are informative if not initially overwhelming. Rock on!

Shameless.......2003-09-29

For the author to post a review of his own book and then have the gall to give it 5 stars - he gets a big one star from me.

This is a book that is 98 pages; covering a complex set of hardware and a highly involved technique and he raves that this is the only book on the subject to help people owning the machines. How about mentioning that the user's manual for these machines covers more than his book by far and is written better as well.

a note from the author.......2003-09-19

Hi, I'm the guy who wrote this book, and I just wanted to point out that this is the only book on the market that really covers Grooveboxes, tabletop samplers and loop-slicing hardware. If you use the Roland MC-505, Boss SP-1, Korg Electribe ES-1, Yamaha SU200 or RS7000, this is the book you've been waiting for. Plenty of machine-specific coverage, lots of general tips and tricks applicable to any groove machine, and detailed chapters about looping software as well! I give it five stars, and I think you will, too.

Gods of Rock: The Rockers, The Rollers, The Acoustic Pioneers, The Glam, The Punk, The Sweat and The Tears (The 21st Century Guides Series)

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Gods of Rock: The Rockers, The Rollers, The Acoustic Pioneers, The Glam, The Punk, The Sweat and The Tears (The 21st Century Guides Series)
Robert Fitzpatrick , and Mark Roland
Manufacturer: Main Street
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Multi-Track Recording: A Technical and Creative Guide for the Musician and Home Recorder (Keyboard Magazine Basic Library)

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Multi-Track Recording: A Technical and Creative Guide for the Musician and Home Recorder (Keyboard Magazine Basic Library)

Manufacturer: Hal Leonard Corporation
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0881885525

Book Description

With the advent of new technology at lower prices, high-quality home recording has become an accessible and even essential aspect of being a musician today. Multi-Track Recording is an introduction and guide to the latest equipment, how it works, and how to use it. Designed by the publishers of Guitar Player and Keyboard magazines, this comprehensive and easy-to-understand book explains how to set up a home studio with 4-track tape recorders, how to choose outboard gear and effects devices for your own unique sound, how to synchronize your tracks with various simple and advanced technologies, and how to incorporate MIDI in your home recording, whether it's analog or digital. Suitable for both working at home and advancing to the studio, Multi-Track Recording offers invaluable tips on choosing a mixer, soundproofing, echo and delay, reverb, compression, stereo, noise gates, sync tones and click tracks, SMPTE, drum machines, MIDI time code, advanced techniques and the latest applications and MIDI and tapeless recording. Written by working musicians and studio professionals, the book has practical creative tips as well as the basic information, theory and technique necessary to make professional sounding multi-track recordings-yourself.

Average customer rating:

Wonderful reference

The Musician's Guide to Acoustics
Murray Campbell , and Clive Greated
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0198165056

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful reference.......2002-05-26

This massive 600+ page hardbound reference book is a must for any working musician no matter what level of formal training you have had. Helps in understanding (in the most basic way of saying it) how and why do musical noises sound as they do. Can also be a useful tool for songwriters of any genre.

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The Musician's Guide to Acoustics
Clive A. Greated Murray Campbell
Manufacturer: Schirmer Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000O93SAQ

Customer Reviews:

Great content! Very Outdated.......2000-02-26

This book is great for anyone who is interested in programming simulation games. It has several examples games (Such as Business, Politics, sports, and a flight sim) with complete code. The one drawback to this book is that it was written so long ago. All of the code is in BASIC. Hopefully I will be able to convert the programs to work in C++, but if I can't this book is still worth it for the great intro and theory of simulation games.

CREATING SIMULATION GAMES ON YOUR COMPUTER

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CREATING SIMULATION GAMES ON YOUR COMPUTER
Tim Hartnell
Manufacturer: Ballantine Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OVAF8C

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Rich Dad's Classics

Didn't learn much

Rich Dad's Classics by Kiyosaki

Rich Dad's Classics (Rich Dad's)

lacking details

Rich Dad's Classics
Robert T. Kiyosaki , and Sharon L. Lechter
Manufacturer: Warner Business Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Rich Dad's Advisors®: The ABC's of Real Estate Investing: The Secrets of Finding Hidden Profits Most Investors Miss (Rich Dad's Advisors)

Rich Dad, Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money--That the Poor and Middle Class Do Not!

Rich Dad's Before You Quit Your Job: 10 Real-Life Lessons Every Entrepreneur Should Know About Building a Multimillion-Dollar Business (Rich Dad's)

Own Your Own Corporation: Why the Rich Own Their Own Companies and Everyone Else Works for Them (Rich Dad's Advisors)

Rich Dad's Guide to Becoming Rich...Without Cutting Up Your Credit Cards

ASIN: 0446696757

Book Description

As USA TODAY heralded in its review, Rich Dad Poor Dad is a starting point for anyone looking to gain control of their financial future. Now, that future just got brighter with RICH DADS CLASSICS: Rich Dad Poor Dad, the book that started it all, reveals what the rich teach their kids about moneythat the poor and middle-class do not; Rich Dads Cashflow Quadrant continues the lessons with the four best ways to make money; and Rich Dads Guide to Investing shows readers how to benefit from simple investing secrets. With the invaluable knowledge gained from these first three books, readers will be on their way to financial freedom in no timeat a very affordable price.

Customer Reviews:

Rich Dad's Classics.......2007-09-24

A must read for those who want learn to manage their personal finances; Robert does not provide all the answers, but his books get you thinking...once you begin to think you can find the practical solutions that will work for you to improve you financial situation today. The new idea may be as small as forgoing using your visa to pay for that outfit because you now know the difference between good credit and bad credit or as big as purchasing your first postive cash-flow rental property.

Didn't learn much.......2007-06-20

I agree with the person that said it lacked details. You come away knowing that you're supposed to acquire assets while reducing your liabilities, and eventually somehow begin and sell corporations for profit. The author didn't explain how an ordinary person goes about this process...mostly it seemed like him bragging that he was able to do it.

What I take away from this audio-CD could probably have been reduced down to 4 tracks on 1 disc. Sad, but true.

Rich Dad's Classics by Kiyosaki.......2007-05-09

I highly recommend these books, especially to teens. Mr. Kiyosaki points out why most people are in debt and a very few are on their way to becoming wealthy. It is a matter of attitude and personal discipline that makes the difference. His second book, Cash Flow Quadrant, does a fine job of putting in simple terms the four ways that people make money. Different personalities, ambitions and fears determine which quadrant you will gravitate to. The author points out the pros and cons of each quadrant and urges his readers to become knowledgible in all four. His continuous hammering of the difference between an asset vs a liability, good debt vs bad debt, and positive vs neagtive cash flow help the reader form a firm foundation upon which to build one's finances. I am now reading these books together with my 15 year old, and have bought copies for my older 20-something children.

Rich Dad's Classics (Rich Dad's).......2007-03-09

It arrived fast and in brand new condition. The information makes alot of sense. I plan on applying some of it.

lacking details.......2006-12-22

If you buy any of the products that Kiyosaki sells, keep asking yourself the following questions: who, what, where, when, why? He will never answer any of these questions.

Instead of giving the details (names, companies, dates, transaction details like who owned what, when it sold, for how much, which corporate tax laws, state tax laws, federal tax laws were involved - any real concrete proof that the author is really a self made investor) all the author presents is this narrative: A rich dad of one of his friends gave him insider advice on making money.

Who was rich dad and what did he do and what was his plan for being a self-made investor-millionare? Kiyosaki never says.

He claims rich dad told him, but he never reveals that information to the reader. There are cute little stories with cute little fortune-cookie clichés (the rich don't work for money, they make money work for them). That's the insights of a self made investor guru (or any Hollywood wall street movie).

A quick google search for interviews with the author will help you find this quote:

"Kiyosaki backed off his claim that his "rich dad" was a real person, instead stating "Is Harry Potter real? Why don't you let Rich Dad be a myth, like Harry Potter?"

Aside from credibility issues, there is also a trend in the author's books to promise all the answers in other products produced by his company (audio tapes, board games, dvds, and seminars). He says there is a plan, hints that it is in the book, then says for the real details buy this other product. I bought a couple, got very frustrated and then started doing some research on who this guy is - surprise, surprise, I couldn't find anything about his businesses or investments.

Consider how much has been documented on Warren Buffet, or Peter Lynch, or Donald Trump or any other legitimate wealthy investor. All the details are there, glorified and canonized.

Also, if you buy more than one book you'll notice how much is copy and pasted. You'll also notice how redundant the text is, repeating the same anecdote over and over again. Even the narrative where rich dad and Kiyosaki discuss "secrets" is very redundant. Each character parrots the other.

"I'm saying ABC."
"So you're saying ABC?"
"Exactly, ABC."

Fill in a cliché for ABC: "you don't need an education to be rich, look at bill gates", "suckers try to climb the corporate ladder, why not own the ladder", "the rich have corporations protecting them, you need a corporation"

He likes to say you can hire educated suckers to work for you. Consider that for a moment. You have no money and will get rich in 10 years by having bankers, accountants, brokers, lawyers and others doing the "hard stuff" for you.

How do you assemble this team? He doesn't say.

How do you pay them? He doesn't say.

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Rich Dad's Classic Audio Books
Robert Kiyosaki
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Cassette
ASIN: B000TQ9MPE

Product Description

This set includes the abridged audio book versions of: Rich Dad Poor Dad Rich Dad's CASHFLOW Quadrant Rich Dad's Guide to Investing The first 3 best-selling books in the Rich Dad Series on tape.

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