Promised Lands: Cinema, Geography, Modernism

Book Description

This book is an innovative attempt by a leading film theorist to locate cinema--from the earliest experiments, via the work of Federico Fellini, Alfred Hitchcock, Roberto Rossellini, Orson Welles and many others, to contemporary European art cinema-- alongside philosophy, painting, geography and travel in terms of a history of modernism.
The focal point of Promised Lands is a vast collection of geographical and ethnographic films and photographs made around the world, The Archives of the Planet. Based in Paris, the collection was amassed by a French banker, Albert Kahn, in the 1900s, and for a time it was run by the Professor of Geography at the Collège de France, Jean Brunhes. The collection is, for Sam Rohdie, an astonishing instance of French modernism comparable to the philosophical work of Henri Bergson.
Promised Lands weaves a narrative of speculative and analytical fragments around the rich resources of the collection. Each chapter is named for a real or imaginary place and the sum is a study that, in its interdisciplinary range and its attempt to integrate personal and cultural history, redefines modernism as a shifting geography of artforms, desires, and practices of understanding.

Book Description

The karaoke machine is much more than an instrument which allows us to be a star for three minutes. Using the theoretical framework of thinkers from Erving Goffman to Foucault, the contributors to this volume consider the technological, spatial, communicative, ethnic, national, political, musical and gender aspects of karaoke in specific places and times across the globe. This study explores the influence of karaoke in such different societies as the United Kingdom, North America, Australia, Italy, Sweden, Brazil, Korea and Japan. The essays not only answer a variety of questions about this phenomenon, but also open up possible ways of theorizing contemporary music practice in the future.

Customer Reviews:

Cross-Cultural Karaoke.......2006-01-10

As a whole, Karaoke Around the World provides an interesting look at karaoke from a number of perspectives. The juxtaposition of writers provides an interesting cross-cultural comparison of karaoke, looking at Japan, Italy, Sweden, the UK, Japanese communities abroad, and a number of East Asian cultures as well.

The topics examined cover a wide range (socialization, cultural exchange, technology, etc.), but there is definitely an emphasis on karaoke as a cultural practice.

As is the tendency of such collections, some chapters shine while others leave a bit to be desired. Still, the volume is a worthwhile purchase for anyone interested in karaoke scholarship.

Highlights:
*Toru Mitsui- The Genesis of Karaoke: How the Combination of Technology and Music Evolved
*Johan Fornas- Filling Voids Along the Byway: Identification and Interpretation in the Swedish Forms of Karaoke
*Casey Man Kong Lum- The Karaoke Dilemma: On the Interaction Between Collectivism and Individualism in the Karaoke Space

A particular low point is Hiroshi Ogawa's chapter. While an interesting point of examination (karaoke's effects on the Japanese music culture and industry), the presentation falls short. I would venture to say that the chapter is a translation, and that therein lies the source of stylistic flaws (although I am uncertain if that's the case).

Karaoke Around the World: Global Technology, Local Singing.

Average customer rating:

Karaoke Around the World: Global Technology, Local Singing.

Manufacturer: Routledge
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000H0UFCQ

Book Description

Jack and Annie set off to find an original copy of an ancient Chinese myth. Armed only with their magic library cards, they must take on a book-burning emperor. But with the help of a scholar and a silk weaver, they triumph again.

Customer Reviews:

MY BOY LOVES READING.......2007-01-07

My 1st grader hates to put it down, he would rather read Magic Tree House books, than play video games. He even reads them to his class and explains the story for show and tell. In his kindergarten class the teacher would also let him read the Magic Tree House books out loud, not to give her a break, but to promote reading out loud. Great books!

Day of the dragon kings.......2006-11-17

this book Its great because anyone liked cartoon this book would like him

Jack & Annie in China.......2006-04-25

When Jack and Annie found out that they were going to China, they went straight to the treehouse. They met Morgan there, and she told them that they had to save a library in China. The dragon king was going to burn all the books, because he didn't like them. Jack and Annie saw a huge map of the castle where the emporer lived and they used it to help them find the library. In the end, Jack and Annie saved the library and were heroes again.

I liked this book because of the Terra Cotta soldiers (we have one of these at home !), the Chinese hats that Jack and Annie wore, and the dragon kings clothes. And I think I'm a good judge of Chinese things, since I was born in China !

the burning of the books.......2006-02-02

I hate the way the Dragen King wanted to burn all the books in China. But I am glad that Jack and Annie saved one. They escaped eveything.

The Trip to China.......2005-04-13

This story take place on China in the 1970, the boy and the girl were ready to go to China and they go in to get the bamboo book that is on the city, and they find two Chinese people. They take them to the city and they see people selling fish, the boy told them if they can take them to the library to find the bamboo book that has all the secrets of China.
This book is mostly about two kids that go to China to look for the bamboo book that is in the city of China. They went to the library with the secret library card and finally they found the bamboo book.

In my opinion, I think its a very good book because, the trip to China and the Great Wall and the Dragon King's tomb.

The Sicilian Accelerated Dragon: Improve Your Results with New Ideas in This Dynamic Opening

Average customer rating:

The best!
Complete and instructive coverage of the Accelerated Dragon

The Sicilian Accelerated Dragon: Improve Your Results with New Ideas in This Dynamic Opening
Peter Heine Nielsen , and Carsten Hansen
Manufacturer: Batsford
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0713479868

Book Description

The Sicilian Accelerated Dragon succeeds by focusing attention on how Black can break the Maroczy Bind and create dynamic possibilities. Studying these general principles can enhance any player's game. Intermediate.

Customer Reviews:

The best!.......2003-03-13

This is the best book I have seen on the accelerated dragon, including Silman and Donaldson's book, as well as Silman's Winning with the Sicilian Defence (actually, I like all these books). But this one is the best combination of complete games, lots of theory, enthusiasm, and good writing. It is one of those "labor of love" books. Highly recommended--you will be playing the accelerated dragon if you buy this book.

Complete and instructive coverage of the Accelerated Dragon.......2000-04-12

This book covers all lines of the Accelerated Dragon including the variety of systems played vs. the Maroczy Bind and alternative set-ups. It has the added plus of using research from an earlier book (Silman and Donaldson) on the same subject. While the use of complete games may not appeal to all readers, themes are covered and explained in every line and there are loads of suggestions with improvements in certain lines and reassessments of others. Both authors play the Accelerated and Heine-Nielsen, the 1999 Danish Champion, has a lot of his games on display.

While the book shows a bias for Black in that they try to prove that the opening is playable, they do evaluate the positions objectively and games feature wins and losses for both sides and clearly show critical lines, especially in the end of chapter summaries. In addition, the Hyper Accelerated Dragon with (2 ....g6) and the Semi Accelerated are covered (4 .... Nf6).

I noticed that a line in NCO in the Semi Accelerated was not given and it seemed superior to the line given by this book as a model. However, this is a well written and thorough guide on the Accelerated Dragon and related systems and is recommended if you need only opne book on the opening.

Average customer rating:

it was okay

@-}----

Wonderful

The Dragon In The Ghetto Caper
E.L. Konigsburg
Manufacturer: Aladdin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Up From Jericho Tel

Throwing Shadows

Altogether, One At a Time

T-backs, T-shirts, Coat and Suit

The Second Mrs. Gioconda

ASIN: 0689823282

Book Description

Andy's not your average resident of exclusive Foxmeadow -- whenever he sits down to draw something, it turns out to be a dragon. And he wants to be a detective when he grows up -- not just an ordinary, everyday police detective, but a tough, cool, famous detective like the ones he reads about in mystery novels.

Everyone knows a famous detective needs a sidekick, but Mrs. Edie Yakots, a lonely new bride who's just moved into Foxmeadow, isn't exactly what Andy had in mind -- he sometimes has a hard time just figuring out what's she's talking about. But she's the only volunteer for the job, and before he knows it, she's led him right into the middle of his first real crime -- in an inner-city neighborhood a short drive, and light years away, from Foxmeadow.

Customer Reviews:

it was okay.......2004-04-13

This book started out slow paced and didn't pick up speed. It was an okay book but it was quite boring and slow paced and that's all I have to say.

@-}----.......1999-10-02

I am a huge music fan, and I like Blink182 a lot. So you'd think I'd be the last one to read this story. I HAD to read it for school, and it changed my view on things a lot. IT was a great book, and you should read it .

Wonderful.......1999-04-09

Very kind story. One of my favorite of Konigsberg's many lovely books for children, which I continue to read, reread, and (re)discover as an adult.

Pooh and the Dragon (Little Golden Book)

Average customer rating:

Pooh and the Dragon
WHAT'S WORSE THAN A HEFFALUMP ?

Pooh and the Dragon (Little Golden Book)
Ann Braybrooks
Manufacturer: Golden Books Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Walt Disney's 6 Little Golden Books: Bambi/Dumbo/Mother Goose/Pinocchio/Scamp/Three Little Pigs

ASIN: 0307987981

Customer Reviews:

Pooh and the Dragon.......2005-12-15

This is a cute book about Pooh and his friends being afraid of dragonfly's. They were afraid because they thought it meant a dragon flying (they didn't know what a dragon fly was). This is a good book for kids when they are first starting to read.

WHAT'S WORSE THAN A HEFFALUMP ?.......2000-12-07

Poor old Pooh.

Tigger saw a dragonfly down near the stream. When he told Pooh, our friendly bear thought Tigger said he saw a DRAGON FLY.

Pooh's imagination went wild. He went round all his friends to ask them if they have ever seen a dragon. Of course they thought he was talking about dragonflies.

Pooh became convinced that dragons were very real. That night he was very concerned that the dragon would come and steal his honey.

Next day Pooh and Piglet made a net to catch the Dragon. They went down to the stream, but all they managed to catch was Tigger.

Then a dragonfly appears and Pooh realizes his mistake.

Another fun day in the 100 Acre Wood.

.

Average customer rating:

Anti-Yugoslav Variation

Scorching your enemy

Solid, down to earth

What I needed

Excellent book

Accelerated Dragons (Cadogan Chess Books)
Jeremy B. Silman , and John Donaldson
Manufacturer: Cadogan Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Play the King's Indian: A Complete Repertoire for Black in this most Dynamic of Openings

Silman's Complete Endgame Course: From Beginner To Master

Chess Openings for Black, Explained (A Complete Repertoire)

Starting Out: Closed Sicilian (Starting Out - Everyman Chess)

Starting Out: King's Indian (Starting Out - Everyman Chess)

ASIN: 1857440110

Customer Reviews:

Anti-Yugoslav Variation.......2005-09-05

In an earlier review about "Chess Openings for Black, Explained (A Complete Repertoire) by Lev Alburt", I've stated that GM Dzindzichashvili left out the line starting with 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 Bg7 6.Be3 Nf6 7.Bc4 Qa5 as on his 4th DVD of "Roman's Encyclopedia of 40 Essential Chess Openings" featuring also the Accelerated Dragon. Instead, he only treats the main line where Black plays 7...0-0, not 7...Qa5 (assuming that it was him who wrote the part on the Accelerated Dragon - read my review there if you wonna know why I think this is so).

For people who have this DVD, I've got good news: the book "Accelerated Dragons" (Everyman Chess - by J.Silman and J.Donaldson - first published 1998 and reprinted 2004) contains 38 pages (!) devoted to this particular line. Note: instead of 13.a3 a5 (Dzindzi's recommendation) they only mention 13...b4 and 13...a6, so maybe 13...a5 really is part of Dzindzichashvili's (later?) revelation on this line...

Accelerated Dragons also spends 22 pages on the Hyper Acc. Dragon (1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6) although there's one little error on page 296; the authors mixed up two games. They wrote: (after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.d4 Bg7) "4.dxc5 Na6? 5.Bxa6 bxa6 6.Qd5 Rb8 7.Qe5 and Black resigned in a few more moves in Braley-Pupols, Match 1970", but this way White simply drops his queen to the bishop on g7! The actual move order came from a Smith-Morra Gambit (in a friendly reply from J. Silman regarding this matter, he didn't mention which game exactly though): 1.e4 c5 2.d4 g6 3.dxc5 Na6 4.Bxa6 bxa6 5.Qd5 Rb8 Qe5.

Summarizing: in the book "Chess Openings for Black,explained" the "Anti-Yugoslav Variation" (with 7.Bc4 Qa5) is lacking completely, although on DVD 4 of "Roman's Encyclopedia of 40 Essential Chess Openings", GM Dzindzichashvili recommends this line to be used as a major weapon for Black after White plays 7.Bc4.

One thing Dzindzichashvili and Silman/Donaldson have in common: they both give the line 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 (2...g6, Dzindzi, but this transposes) 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 g6 5.Nc3 Bg7 6.Be3 Nf6 7.Bc4 0-0 8.f3? (their evaluation) Qb6 9.Bb3 Nxe4 which, according to them, wins a pawn for Black after White plays 10.Nxe4 Bxd4 (Dzindzi, page 62) or 10.fxe4 Bxd4 (Silman/Donaldson, page 11).

This assessment is probably wrong (I've read this in a review on "Chess Openings for Black, Explained (A Complete Repertoire)" written by "A.J. Goldsby I "A.J.G."". He says:

'Also - on page 62, there is another oversight. After 8.f3?, Qb6!; our team of authors provide the following comment: "Black threatens ...Nxe4 and ...Qxb2. White does not have an adequate defense - for example: 9.Bb3, Nxe4!; 10.Nxe4, Bxd4; and Black wins a Pawn." All this might be true, but 10.Nxe4? is a terrible move, ('??'); White has to play 10.Nd5!, with a fairly good game. Play could then continue: 10...Qa5+[]; 11.c3 Nc5; 12.Nxc6 dxc6; 13.Nxe7+ Kh8; 14.Nxc8 Raxc8; (Fritz confirms that this is Black's most solid move in this position.) 15.0-0. ("+/=") White is slightly better due to the two Bishops, the computer confirms that Black cannot play ...Nxb3; anytime soon, as this releases the WR on a1. (Bobby Fischer reached this position as early as 1958!!!) See the contest: GM W. Watson - GM M. Chandler; ICT / Lloyds Bank (Open) / London, ENG/UK; 1984. (All this was adequately covered in a book on the Accelerated Dragon - published a few years ago, written by IM's John Donaldson and IM J. Silman. There was also a good book on this opening by GM's P.H. Nielsen and C. Hansen, published in 1998, I believe.)'

This reviewer obviously skipped page 11 of "Accelerated Dragons", but I do get the impression he knows what he's talking about concerning White's refutation of 8.f3 Qb6 9.Nxe4 (by playing 10.Nd5 instead of 10.Nxe4 or 10.fxe4).

So, except for a few minor errors in "Accelerated Dragons" and the inconsistency between Dzindzi's DVD featuring the Accelerated Dragon and his new book (as I've explained above), the two books "Accelerated Dragons" and "Chess Openings for Black, Explained" together should provide a pretty thorough guide to the (Hyper) Accelerated Dragon.

Scorching your enemy.......2001-11-19

The Sicilian Dragon is an exciting opening to play as black but dangerous too. This is an excellent book for those who love to play the Dragon. Dragon players should add this one to their opening collections. It contains some tactical themes too. Shows how to play against whites setups, including the Maroczy Bind. Very solid and theoretical. Advanced players will find this one useful too.

Solid, down to earth.......2001-05-04

I am one of those people who doesn't play the Sicilian often, because of how sharp and bookish it can be. In particular, the Sicilian Dragon is something I play only in the least important blitz games, as there are so many variations, and one's king gets stormed so darn often. From hard experience, I'd known that the Yugoslav variation stuff doesn't work against the accelerated dragon, but I'd never known the move sequences nor how to deal with all those c4 Maroczy Bind situations. This book capably tells you how to play the Accelerated, how to turn back white's efforts to try the Yugoslav Attack, and how to deal with the bind. It has a nice chapter on the Hyper Accelerated, and a mildly throwaway chapter on the Semi Accelerated system with ...Nc6 and ....g6. This is a good book, easily understandable by a B player like myself. Well done.

What I needed.......2001-01-03

I bought this book a week ago. Although I haven't had time to study it all in depth, I already like it more than my other opening books. I already played the accelerated Dragon, without knowing a lot of theory.

Many Whites play some sort of move order to reach the Yugoslav variation of the Dragon. That's not possible against the Accelerated, since Black can play ...d5!. But there are many tactical points in those lines to make Black equalize or win a pawn right away, and I always missed them. This book will allow me to punish mistakes every White seems to make, and I like that most :).

Furthermore, this is an opening book with quite a lot of text. It starts out with an overview of typical plans for both sides, and in the analysis chapters, many moves are accompanied with a small line saying what the idea is. I know I played many moves from other books not knowing why...

And it is complete. Aside from the main Accelerated e4 c5 Nf3 Nc6 d4 cxd4 Nxd4 g6, it also covers lines like the hyper-accelerated (e4 c5 Nf3 g6) which I sometimes like to play to avoid 3.Bb5, in 23 pages!, and things like the dubious e4 c5 Nf3 Nc6 d4 cxd4 Nxd4 Nf6 Nc3 g6.

The authors are absolute Accelerated enthusiasts so maybe there is a small Black bias, but I think most people who want to buy this book play it as Black anyway. The opening is completely playable.

Excellent book.......2000-02-23

This book supplied lots of practical information. A "must have" for the dedicated chess player.

Average customer rating:

Accelerated Dragon
Jeremy Silman
Manufacturer: Chess Digest
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 0694345458

Average customer rating:

Accelerated Dragon Assault!

Manufacturer: Bad Bishop Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 095429341X

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Accelerated Dragon Assault!

Manufacturer: Bad Bishop Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: DVD
ASIN: 0954293460

Accelerated Dragon Maroczy Variation: B36-B39

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Accelerated Dragon Maroczy Variation: B36-B39
S1 Editrice
Manufacturer: S 1
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 8886127391

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Sicilian Defence Accelerated Dragon
Editrice
Manufacturer: S1 Editrice,Italy
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 8886127421

Book Description

Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Unleashed, 2E offers a variety of topics for system and database administrators to help them learn new features of the product and to solve problems they face on a daily basis. It shows them how to build upon their working knowledge of the product and take their experience and knowledge to a higher level. This new edition of Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Unleashed covers the latest updates and service packs to SQL Server 2000, including full support for XML, notification services, and SQL Server CE.

Customer Reviews:

Brilliant resource.......2007-03-07

I purchased this guide based on previous recommendations and have to say that this book is extremely well done. I was put off at first by all the times the author said, "we'll cover that in detail later on in chapter number..." It broke the flow a bit, which is why I was tempted to give it only scored 4 instead of 5. However, to be fair, the enormity of what's being covered may be the reason for all the jumping around. Once you get past the first few hundred pages and into the heart of the book, that type of jumping slows down. I've learned so much and have made so many changes to my own SQL configurations as a result, I can't say enough good things about it. It also includes a PDF version on the CD, which is great both for reference and to keep your arms from getting tired holding it. ;-) Very highly recommended.

Very Complete.......2007-01-05

This book offers very complete coverage of SQL Server 2000. I recommend it to any DBA or SQL Developer who wants a handy all-in-one reference in addition to Books Online. This book includes a PDF version on the CD which is great for portability and I know many IT professionals nowadays aren't willing to buy a book unless an e-copy is included.

Big... but it reads like a novel!.......2006-05-21

Great book and easy to read! Author explain theory in basic terms and then, he give scripts or examples of how it should work or be written at TSQL level. Index's book it's almost perfect; for being a 1400 pages book it is not difficult to find any topic on it. You will find a lot of nice SQL 2000 tuning tips which add an extra value to the book itself. Could be used as a MCDBA prep. book and of course, in your job or if you're into Databases Admin. and Design business.

The SQL Administration part its my favorite. You will find how to use the GUI for create databases, tables and SQL administration tasks. This part covers almost all GUI and Enterprise Manager options, including backup methods and strategies.

Why not 5 stars?
SQL Internal part tends to be too much technical and difficult to read, IMO. It's Microsoft SQL 2000, i know, a very complex database engine, but more diagrams or explanations don't hurt on this part . If you're a newbie or have not much SQL fundamentals under your belt, you could get boring when you arrive to this. Cluster technology could be better and much more indepth also.

Fantastic book.......2006-03-01

I was suprised but the book is really good for both beginers as well as experts. I learned a lot from this book even thought I have been working with sql server for a long time.
Would definitely recomend to any level.

The best there is...ok so now i think Sams is better than Wrox...lol.......2005-10-29

Well I needed a crash course in SQL server management and some T-SQL.I attacked this book head-on. The book is very comprehensive and i am very amazed. It really is a complete guide to the GUI on SQL server. If you want some hard core T-SQL guidance then get another book...in addition. Sams teach yourself t-sql in 21 days is great.
So i am on my way to 70-228 and this awesome book has great chapters on every single knowlege set neccesary to ace this exam.

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