Didn't realize that this book was co-written by the Lacrosse coach...no wonder the tone is so one sided. Granted, there was a lot to be angry about inDidn't realize that this book was co-written by the Lacrosse coach...no wonder the tone is so one sided. Granted, there was a lot to be angry about in this case, but the author (s) could have tried a little harder to just report the facts and control the snide tone. The rape charges were clearly bogus, but probably part of the reason the public was so quick to believe them is that a lot of these guys maybe WERE jerks, not the angelic Little Lord Fauntleroys portrayed here. Good time line of the case at the end, maybe you could just read that and skip the rest of the book. ...more
Terrific book. Its a history of WW2 told through photos of THINGS. As a great fan of THINGS, this was fascinating to me. Plus, it contains ACTUAL thinTerrific book. Its a history of WW2 told through photos of THINGS. As a great fan of THINGS, this was fascinating to me. Plus, it contains ACTUAL things...repros of photos,letters, postcards, maps, posters, flyers, etc. in little folders every few pages. Very cool....more
This is the sort of book to keep out and reread, as it is too much to absorb completely in the first go-round. It is a basic overview of the major EngThis is the sort of book to keep out and reread, as it is too much to absorb completely in the first go-round. It is a basic overview of the major English language poets starting with Chaucer, featuring poems containing famous quotes. Now I had at least heard of all of these poets, but darned if I knew the origins of all these quotes, some of which I use all the time. I was quite amazed at my ignorance, and I feel a lot smarter now....more
This book looks like it would be rather salacious, in a Hollywood Babylon sort of way, it's not. I bought it quite awhile ago when I first decided to This book looks like it would be rather salacious, in a Hollywood Babylon sort of way, it's not. I bought it quite awhile ago when I first decided to seriously improve my art knowledge, but it got pushed by the wayside. When I recently came upon it, I almost didn't bother reading it at all, it is a series of short chapters on major artists of the western world. I know all this stuff, now, right? But I gave it a try, and it was very good. It was written well, never dry, a lot of the information I did know, but I also learned a lot. I would certainly recommend this to anyone just starting to study art. One caveat, there are only comic book style cartoons as illustrations, no photos or reproductions, so have the Internet standing by if you aren't familiar with the artworks in question. ...more
Got this lovely little book for Christmas. It is sort of a combo of rhapsodic descriptions of her flowers,(Thaxter was a poet), a gardening journal, aGot this lovely little book for Christmas. It is sort of a combo of rhapsodic descriptions of her flowers,(Thaxter was a poet), a gardening journal, and practical advice. Beautiful illustrations by Childe Hassam. Very nice. If it doesn't make you want to go outside and dig, well, there is no hope for you....more
Gorgeous house, gorgeous pictures, but the text is unreadable. The author is a puke-rabbit... one of these rich insufferable Martha Stewart types who Gorgeous house, gorgeous pictures, but the text is unreadable. The author is a puke-rabbit... one of these rich insufferable Martha Stewart types who act like we all can buy a vacation house in Aspen on a "whim" and need her help to decorate the five guest rooms and your "personal haven" Barf....more
Well the entry way to Donatella Versace's bathroom alone is worth seeking out this book. Some lovely, tasteful rooms, some sort of scary but interestiWell the entry way to Donatella Versace's bathroom alone is worth seeking out this book. Some lovely, tasteful rooms, some sort of scary but interesting rooms, and some yuck, blech, awful rooms. And I'm sure everyone would have different choices as to which is which. ...more
This book is old, well, 1969, so of course the current information (and a lot of the photographs) are dated. It's more a history of German cooking thaThis book is old, well, 1969, so of course the current information (and a lot of the photographs) are dated. It's more a history of German cooking than a cookbook, although there are a lot of recipes. ...more
I know someone who once ate at The French Laundry...that is probably as close as I will ever come to a Thomas Keller restaurant. So this account of woI know someone who once ate at The French Laundry...that is probably as close as I will ever come to a Thomas Keller restaurant. So this account of working at one was pretty interesting. The last part, which focuses mainly on the author's not particularly interesting relationship with a fellow employee wasn't compelling, but I am always interested in the daily lives of people who are nothing like me, so, okay....more
Whew. Read Matt's review of this yesterday. It rang a bell, I've heard of this before, but knew no details. Went to Google, and learned the basic factWhew. Read Matt's review of this yesterday. It rang a bell, I've heard of this before, but knew no details. Went to Google, and learned the basic facts. Perused a few websites/blogs/videos at random and saw a classic example of people pontificating without paying one bit of attention to said facts. (a sore subject for me this week, for SOME reason, people ignoring facts, but I won't digress) But now I was hooked, oh, no other obsession. Couldn't stand it, downloaded and read this book today, while I should have been doing other things. But it was terrific. The author explains how and why he became crazed about this, documents his research, including travels to Russia, humanizes the poor kids who died,takes you on their journey with them, and then gives you a very concise and utterly plausible solution. I had already come to the same conclusion myself. Thank you, Donnie, for validating my theory. I'm sure you would appreciate knowing that I, having dedicated a hour of web surfing, and the rest of the afternoon of head scratching prior to reading the book, agree with you. (Don't mean to be flippant, it's a very sad story.)...more
Yet ANOTHER account of the 1996 Everest tragedy, although as the author was climbing the north side, he doesn't really have much to add to the Hall/FiYet ANOTHER account of the 1996 Everest tragedy, although as the author was climbing the north side, he doesn't really have much to add to the Hall/Fisher episode. He does give more details about the three Indian climbers who were killed on the north side, who are usually just a footnote in the south side accounts. The first part is biographical, and once again, here is the poor long-suffering wife who needs a good cast iron skillet and an alibi. I could go off on men who should never get married doing so anyway, then having children on top of it, but I will control myself. His account of his life is pretty amusing at times, though, I must admit, in a very British sort of way. His account of his Everest climb is very, very detailed, sometimes to the point of making you nauseous. And I think, as I always do while reading this in my nice warm comfortable chair, WHY? I know they all list their reasons, but I have yet to read one that makes any sense. I fell in a river on a rafting excursion in British Columbia. Snow melt. I had to sit in heavy soaking wet clothes, on the bank in a strong wind, for a couple of hours. I had never been so cold. I shivered violently for three hours in a heated van on the way back to our hotel in Vancouver, where I took a very, very long very hot shower then went out to dinner. That is MY idea of wilderness adventure. ...more
Now why have I never read this one before? And how strange that on the day I finish it, a new TV movie debuts about the case that even mentions this bNow why have I never read this one before? And how strange that on the day I finish it, a new TV movie debuts about the case that even mentions this book? Weird. Anyway, this is the most incredibly frustrating unsolved murder I have ever been driven crazy by. Adopt any theory, doesn't matter which one, and you will trip along, see, I'm right, everything fits...oops. Huge stumbling block. Go back and pick a new suspect, try again. Same thing will happen. The thing is, ONE of these possibilities is true, no matter how unlikely parts seem to be. But will ANYONE ever either talk, or figure it out? Oh, this book is by the Boulder detective who thinks Patsy did it and who ended up leaving law enforcement entirely owing to HIS frustrations with this case. The whole situation, the ridiculously botched crime scene (anyone who has ever watched a single TV crime show could have done a better job) the weirdness of the DA's office...the investigators of all stripes who completely disagree, that freaky ransom note! etc etc etc etc...gives me a headache. ...more
Parts of this book are very moving, but it also gets a little dry in others. I read a book like this to cry, damn it. (of course this is my opinion, oParts of this book are very moving, but it also gets a little dry in others. I read a book like this to cry, damn it. (of course this is my opinion, others seem to disagree) I did appreciate all the references to other books, some of which I own but haven't read. I think the a bit of a problem for me was that it sort of jumped around, there wasn't a smooth narrative, it's part this part that, which is even in its official description. But I will definitely keep it as a reference. ...more
Such a gorgeous book. Lovely paintings, many of which I'd never seen before. Excellent reproduction quality, and the text was succinct and readable, sSuch a gorgeous book. Lovely paintings, many of which I'd never seen before. Excellent reproduction quality, and the text was succinct and readable, so often not the case with art books. Groovy all around....more
Loading...
