Pictures of Nothing: Abstract Art since Pollock (A.W. Mellon Lectures in the Fine Arts)

Average customer rating:

overrated and wordy

They really need a Zero Star category for books like this one

Review by P Hutchings, Melbourne, Australia

Abstraction clarified

If You Could Have Only One Art Book...

Pictures of Nothing: Abstract Art since Pollock (A.W. Mellon Lectures in the Fine Arts)
Kirk Varnedoe
Manufacturer: Princeton University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
United States | Regional | History & Criticism | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
Contemporary Art | Schools, Periods & Styles | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
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Jasper Johns: An Allegory of Painting, 1955-1965

ASIN: 069112678X

Book Description

"What is abstract art good for? What's the use--for us as individuals, or for any society--of pictures of nothing, of paintings and sculptures or prints or drawings that do not seem to show anything except themselves?" In this invigorating account of abstract art since Jackson Pollock, eminent art historian Kirk Varnedoe, the former chief curator of painting and sculpture at the Museum of Modern Art, asks these and other questions as he frankly confronts the uncertainties we may have about the nonrepresentational art produced in the last five decades. He makes a compelling argument for its history and value, much as E. H. Gombrich tackled representation fifty years ago in Art and Illusion, another landmark A. W. Mellon Lectures volume. Realizing that these lectures might be his final work, Varnedoe conceived of them as a statement of his faith in modern art and as the culminating example of his lucidly pragmatic and philosophical approach to art history. He delivered the lectures, edited and reproduced here with their illustrations, to overflowing crowds at the National Gallery of Art in Washington in the spring of 2003, just months before his death.

With brilliance, passion, and humor, Varnedoe addresses the skeptical attitudes and misunderstandings that we often bring to our experience of abstract art. Resisting grand generalizations, he makes a deliberate and scholarly case for abstraction--showing us that more than just pure looking is necessary to understand the self-made symbolic language of abstract art. Proceeding decade by decade, he brings alive the history and biography that inform the art while also challenging the received wisdom about distinctions between abstraction and representation, modernism and postmodernism, and minimalism and pop. The result is a fascinating and ultimately moving tour through a half century of abstract art, concluding with an unforgettable description of one of Varnedoe's favorite works.

Customer Reviews:

overrated and wordy.......2007-09-19

a disappointing book - pretentious and unenlightening - get hilton kramer's "the trium of modernism" instead!

They really need a Zero Star category for books like this one.......2007-07-24

I watched the excellent series on art on DVD called "Power of Art" by Simon Schama. The last episode of the series is on Mark Rothko, an abstract painter. It made me want to learn more about abstract art, so I bought this book. Annnt! Thanks for playing. This book is a dog. It didnt help me understand abstract art one bit . In fact, it goes on and on about pieces of "art," but does not explain them beyond being smears or smudges or works of technique. The basis of abstract art is not explained at all.

BTW, it appears from this book that these guys were often making paintings just as rude jabs at one another's work.

I found the book a total waste.

Review by P Hutchings, Melbourne, Australia.......2007-06-13

Kirk Varnedoe's Pictures of Nothing is a masterpiece of empirical art chronology/criticism. It is gritty and on the ground. This is a relief after Danto's warmed-over Hegel and Clement Greenberg's star-spangled marx with a small M. If one might venture any hypothesis about the artists about whom Varnedoe wrote it would have to face, square on, any counter-instances. No Zeitgeist, just Popperian falsifiablility. Good. It is of course a pity for those of us who were not in New York at the right time. But, that's life.

Patrick Hutchings
Department of Philopsophy
University of Melbourne
Australia

Abstraction clarified.......2007-02-07

A brilliant and thorough explication of contemporary abstract art. The lectures were not intended for
arts professionals but are a literate and enjoyable guide to the visual arts since Jackson Pollock.

If You Could Have Only One Art Book..........2007-01-14

I'm married to a librarian and between the two of us, we have at least 8,000 books (we both love books just about more than anything), but if I could only have one book - this would definitely be it. The late Kirk Varnedoe, former Chief Curator of MoMA, has so clearly, easily and deliciously put into one gorgeous volume the whole picture of what I've been studying my you-know-what off to understand over the past 7 years. I've been The Menil Collection's Twombly Guard during those 7 years, so you can believe that I am especially enthusiastic with Varnedoe's illuminating explanations on Cy Twombly's art! Buy this book and I guarantee you will not be disappointed. The reproductions are also first-class. Varnedoe gave these lectures knowing that he was dying of cancer; his last sentence is "And now I am done." Three months later he did die and was never able to see them published. This book may be the best book that has ever been written about abstract art.

Built from Scratch: How a Couple of Regular Guys Grew The Home Depot from Nothing to $30 Billion

Average customer rating:

The INDISPENSIBLE history of building a business from one store with zero sales to a $100 BILLION company.
Home Depot provides a horrible experience
I'm rich. I started a company. I wrote a book.
Full of Lies
A great story...

Built from Scratch: How a Couple of Regular Guys Grew The Home Depot from Nothing to $30 Billion
Bernie Marcus , Arthur Blank , and Bob Andelman
Manufacturer: Crown Business
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Strategy & Competition | Management & Leadership | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Shopping & Commerce | Reference | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

General | Small Business & Entrepreneurship | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0812930584
Release Date: 1999-04-27

Amazon.com

Built from Scratch is about two businessmen who achieve the American Dream by fundamentally changing the realm of home-improvement retailing. Bernie Marcus and Arthur Blank, cofounders of the Home Depot, explain how they established the first national chain in the industry by concentrating on low prices, customer service, and strong leadership values.

Ultimately, this is a book about grit and determination. "Building the Home Depot was a tough, uphill battle from the day we started," they write. "No one believed we could do it and very few people trusted our judgment." The two cofounders launched the company only after they were fired by a California hardware retailer because of politics. The Home Depot lost $1 million in its first year of operation in Atlanta. Today it's one of the great successes on Wall Street, with more than 700 stores across the country and 160,000 employees.

One reason the book is so engaging is that it includes corporate anecdotes. A favorite: the company banned wild parties after several employees were demoted and a couple were fired in the wake of a drunken annual managers' meeting. Another yarn involves Sears, which made one of the worst financial mistakes in retailing history when it passed on a deal to purchase Home Depot in the early 1980s. The authors are self-serving at times; for example, they whine too much about paying $104.5 million to dispose of a sex-discrimination lawsuit. But there's no denying the smashing performance of Big Orange. Marcus and Blank paint a story with some sparkling advice for practically anyone in business. --Dan Ring

Book Description

One of the greatest entrepreneurial success stories of the past twenty years

When a friend told Bernie Marcus and Arthur Blank that "you've just been hit in the ass by a golden horseshoe," they thought he was crazy. After all, both had just been fired. What the friend, Ken Langone, meant was that they now had the opportunity to create the kind of wide-open warehouse store that would help spark a consumer revolution through low prices, excellent customer service, and wide availability of products.

Built from Scratch is the story of how two incredibly determined and creative people--and their associates--built a business from nothing to 761 stores and $30 billion in sales in a mere twenty years.

Built from Scratch tells many colorful stories associated with The Home Depot's founding and meteoric rise; shows that a company can be a tough, growth-oriented competitor and still maintain a high sense of responsibility to the community; and provides great lessons useful to people in any business, from start-ups to the Fortune 500.

Great Stories

  "Ming the Merciless": The inside account of the man who fired Arthur Blank and Bernie Marcus
  "My people don't drive Cadillacs!" How Ross Perot almost got involved with The Home Depot
  "Take this job and shove it!" The banker who put his career on the line to get The Home Depot the loan that enabled it to survive
  "Folks, I tell ya, if these Atlanta stores were any bigger, we'd be paying Alabama sales tax." Home Depot's first good ol' southern advertising campaign

A Company with a Conscience

  When disasters like the Oklahoma City bombing or Hurricane Andrew happen, Home Depot associates don't ask for permission to respond. They react from their hearts--whether that means keeping their store open all night or being on the scene with volunteers and relief supplies.
  The Home Depot doesn't just contribute money to organizations like Habitat for Humanity and Christmas in April, but also provides its people to help lead and grow these community efforts.

Great Lessons

  Know your customer: In The Home Depot's case, customers don't pay for wider aisles and a pretty store, but for a wide assortment and low prices
  Why everyday low prices mean more sales overall: The marketing philosophy The Home Depot learned from talking with Sam Walton
  Market leadership: Why The Home Depot never goes to a major new market with plans to open just a few stores
  The strategy for profitable growth: How The Home Depot redefined its U.S. market from its $135  billion traditional "do-it-yourself" base to a much larger pond of $365 billion
  How to change the rules of the game: How The Home Depot bypassed almost all middlemen, allowing it to pass on huge savings to customers

Built from Scratch is the firsthand account of how two regular guys created one of the greatest entrepreneurial successes of the last twenty years.

Opening the First Store

"What the hell happened? Who screwed up the store? . . . Whatever time remained before the doors were scheduled to open for the first time, we sped around in forklifts, stomping on the brakes, scuffing up the flooring so it would once more look like a warehouse."

Customer Service

"If ever I saw an associate point a customer toward what they needed three aisles over, I would threaten to bite their finger. I would say, 'Don't ever let me see you point. You take the customer by the hand, and you bring them right where they need to be and you help them.'"

Giving Back

"When The Home Depot went public we realized that we had the financial capacity and wherewithal to give back to the communities where we did business. There is a concept in Judaism called tzedaka, which means 'to give back.' It is considered a mitzvah, a good deed, to give to someone who doesn't have, and we believe strongly in giving back to the community."

Selling the Vision

"We had to be psychologists, lovers, romancers, and con artists to get vendors aboard. Our ability to paint a picture of how that would take place--lowest prices, widest selection, and great customer service--was what convinced skeptical manufacturers to sell merchandise to us during the early years."

The Importance of Values

"I have never had anybody work for me in retailing who didn't work for me out of love, as opposed to fear. We carried this approach into building The Home Depot. We care about each other and we care about the customer. The things that we do for customers inside and outside the stores demonstrate our commitment to them. And then when something happens within the company, we circle the wagons. We help each other."

Customer Reviews:

The INDISPENSIBLE history of building a business from one store with zero sales to a $100 BILLION company. .......2007-01-18

It never ceases to amaze me in what it takes to satisfy a reader. When I read a book like this, I am basically asking myself several questions. How on earth did these guys do it? How did they come through the funnel and get it done. What was at stake? What were the major premises of the concept? Could it have failed, if so how? How close did it come to failing? Could some one else have done this, or replicated it, or perhaps have done it better.

A lot of life is pure fantasy. You have your own template of how things works, and you look at the world and you see that template everywhere. If you go out and try to apply this system and superimpose it onto the real world, it either fails or it succeeds. Sometimes the template is a good one, but the execution gets screwed up.

When I look at Home Depot, a story that I have an intimacy with, I found this particular book to be fabulous. There is nothing boring about it; in fact I found every page worthwhile. Having spent 35 years in Wall Street running money, and figuring out how does a company make a buck, I found this book even more worthwhile. If you are involved in the investment business, this becomes a particularly worthwhile read.

If you run a company or have aspirations towards a career in management, you better read this book, because there is something in it for everyone. For most of us, there is more than one thing in it. Peter Drucker the ultimate management mind of the 20th century probably said it best when he talked about the corporation as a living, breathing organism that required nourishment on a daily basis. You just can't assume that corporations will continue to exist simply because they exist now.

Every day a company fights for its corporate life, for its right to continue to exist. Those corporate entities that assume that they will always be around - NEVER LAST. Other entities out there either eat them up, or they suffer the slow final death of arrogance, and go out of business without even knowing why they went out.

Home Depot is the story of two guys that got up in the morning every morning, fighting for the right to keep doing it a better way. They lived by the credo that you have to keep moving or they will throw dirt on you. Some of the lessons and ideas you will learn from this book include the following:

· CUSTOMER SERVICE - You have to take care of good people, and constantly be on the lookout for them. If necessary hire them, even when you don't have the jobs for them because you may not get a second shot at them.

· DOING THE RIGHT THING ALL THE TIME - It can cost you money doing the right thing, but it comes back in spades. Something else happens when you do the right thing. People realize your efforts, and some will take advantage of you, but that will be more than offset by the multitude of others who will become loyal customers for life.

· NOBODY LOVES A COMPANY- They may love what you do, and what you do for them as customers, but there is no real loyalty to companies, at least in this generation. Home Depot always tried to make as many of their employees stockholders as possible, so that they could align the employee (associates at HD) goals with the corporate goals.

· THIS IS A TOUGH PLACE TO WORK IF YOU ARE INFLEXIBLE - This lesson was lost on the current Chairman, CEO Nardelli who was fired by the Board for his IMPERIAL management style. He also possessed no understanding of the Home Depot culture as he tried to superimpose his General Electric template on the company. He failed miserably but that's another book.

· IF YOU CAN SAVE THE CUSTOMER MONEY, DO IT - Always do the right thing by the customer, and you will have a customer for life. Go the extra mile for the customer. CULTIVATE the customer.

· THE FOUNDERS WERE LIVING ON THE FUMES OF DREAMS - I loved these stories. These guys Marcus and Blank were honest about what they faced, and several times this company was touching or facing bankruptcy. This is an important lesson. The way around it is to have twice as much capital as you think you need. This by itself was worth reading the entire book. This is priceless knowledge.

· IT'S ABOUT PRICE, SELECTION, AND CUSTOMER SERVICE - Never lose sight of this statement and act on it in your own business goals. Give people the best price you can, and the finest selection of merchandise. If you back it up with the industry's best customer service you have found for yourself a business model for success. It may sound simple, but try executing on it.

So let me let you in on a secret. I spent years with Bear Stearns well over 20 years ago as a limited partner. When I read the early financial stories of Home Depot on Wall Street, I knew that what the founders in this book were saying was the complete unvarnished truth.

The story of how Ross Perot, one of America's wealthiest men in the early 1980's blew having dominant control of this company is now the stuff of myths. Nevertheless it's a true story. The founders ultimately turned down Ross Perot as a shareholder. They believe Perot to be a control freak. Yes, Perot didn't want the founders driving around in a Cadillac. Perot was a Chevy man. Well, the Chevy man blew a $60 billion dollar fortune by not investing a couple of million in Home Depot.

Then there's Ken Langone, the financial guy behind this phenomenal story. Langone may be the only guy in America to be the IPO maven behind two all time American success stories. He successfully brought public both Ross Perot's EDS, and the Home Depot. Who else can say that? He also made a billion dollars in the process. Langone is a unique, fabulous, walk to the well with you kind of guy. Among Wall Street types, he is unique, and the Street needs many more like him.

There is a story in the book where Langone is involved in a stock sale to a very nasty executive who is very prominent in his own right. Every time the executive refuses to give in to Langone's price, Langone just keeps upping the ante on him. This goes on for pages. It is uproariously funny, and is deserving of retelling over and over again. You will love this book, and learn an enormous amount about business in the process. It should probably be required reading for all MBA programs in management.

If you have any desire to understand what it takes to dedicate your entire life to building something, especially in the business world than this book is a read for you. There's one more thing that I must get across that is compelling. Having spent my life involved with companies like Home Depot, and high-powered successful people, I have come to the conclusion that it does not have to work out successfully.

There is no such thing as one must succeed, or it was ordained that this must happen. As an example Home Depot could have gone out of business a half dozen times before becoming so financially solvent that the business model had to work.

Steve Jobs at Apple could have decided 20 years ago, to license that Apple operating system to the PC industry, and Gates and Microsoft would never have happened. GM could have decided to build quality cars 25 years ago, instead of building [...]for decades while the Japanese took the market away.

Al Gore could have concentrated just a little bit more on Florida in 2000, and George W. Bush would have never been. John Kerry could have fought off the challenge of the Swift Boat accusations, and Ohio would have gone his way, and with it the election.

In the end, it's really a question of who comes through the funnel, and that is not always predictable. As I read this wonderful book, I came to the conclusion once again, that yes, you have to go for it, and dedicate all to getting there, but there is no certitude that you are going to make it. Just make sure you follow YOUR PASSION, because no matter where you wind up, a PASSION FILLED LIFE is a life WORTH LIVING. Good luck.

Richard Stoyeck

Home Depot provides a horrible experience.......2006-12-29

If you like wandering around with no service, ringing yourself out at the register, and watching a bunch of orange outfits ignore you, try Home Depot. The bigger the company gets, the more horrible the experience. Try True Hardware.

I'm rich. I started a company. I wrote a book........2004-08-24

What a laugh. Yes you!!! The average American with your wealthy silent investor in your pocket. You too can open a store.

Home Depot has spent a good deal of money trying to improve its image; including writing these books. HD has serious problems with women suing them.If you tell the customer that you are serving them well, and beat them over the head that they are receiving top notch lip service, then eventually some will believe it.

HD has spent millions improving their stores by widening ailses and better lighting. They claim to be industry leaders yet can't seem to shake Lowes from opening stores all around HD stores and even in HD's home Atlanta market.

They are very aggressive and drive their employees to bring shareholder value. They do offer products for less and have had great financial backing.

They also control costs by "Rifting" which means they fire people that start earning enough money that it becomes cheaper to train someone else.

Its one thing to write a book to laud yourself. Why not write about all the dirty tricks you pulled to get there.

Full of Lies.......2003-10-03

Let's face facts: home depot is known for abysmal service and really, really shoddy haphazard installations. They probably spend more on defending lawsuits than on store development. This book makes them look like such wizards, such brilliant and benevelont businessmen, when in fact they have done studies to see what the minimum level of customer service they can get away with is - and then tried to stretch that envelope.

I am sure Ken Lay could write books full of accolades to Enron. It would be just as true, and just as much a waste of time and money to read.

A great story..........2003-09-07

and very well told, which really makes this book a fast read (I had a hard time putting it down).

Provides, IMO, valuable information that will be useful for any business owner. I am glad these guys took the time to share their story, and I hope I get to meet them one day.

Book Description

Patriotism or practical joke?

Harrison, NH -- Ninth-grade student Philip Malloy was suspended from school for singing along to The Star-Spangled Banner in his homeroom, causing what his teacher, Margaret Narwin, called "a disturbance." But was he standing up for his patriotic ideals, only to be squelched by the school system? Was Ms. Narwin simply trying to be a good teacher? Or could it all be just a misunderstanding gone bad -- very bad? What is the truth here? Can it ever be known?

Heroism, hoax, or mistake, what happened at Harrison High changes everything for everyone in ways no one -- least of all Philip -- could have ever predicted.

Customer Reviews:

How the media frenzy can interfere with the truth.......2007-06-18

Nothing but the Truth provides an interesting perspective on high school and the media culture that we live in today. As a young adult novel, this book deals with issues that teens can relate to: disenchantment with school, challenging of authority, disconnection with parents, and trying to carve out an identity. Philip has three conflicts in this story: one against Mrs. Narwin, one against the school system that was caused by his behavior, and ultimately with himself. The author provides a realistic portrait of a teenage boy. However, readers are not given any true insight as to why Philip behaves as he does. Suggestions for the behavior are made, but never explored. The reader never can understand how and if Philip has changed because of this incident. The other characters are given superficial development. They are mainly used as foils to interact with the main character. The actions and events are believable given today's media culture. The readers mainly see the story through Philip's eyes although the school administration and Mrs. Narwin do have some input. From Philip's viewpoint, the story is skewed in his favor. A strength of this novel is the issues that it raises. The media culture, challenging authority, and teenage angst all are presented in a fashion that would appeal to a teenage audience. This is an excellent resource for high school teachers. The realism of the novel could provide lively discussions for high school students. The issues that the story raises might make for some lively debates.

A waste of time..........2007-06-01

Okay this book was REALLY BORING! It had an ok plot when we read the back of the book but when we started to read it it was not written in a way that was interesting to us. Avi has some good books but this was not one of his better ones. Miss. Narwin sent to many letters to her sister, and there was barely (if not no) any reason for her to write to her sister. The memos were boring and we think Avi could have told us the information in a different way. Really bad.

Disturbing the Peace.......2007-03-28

I recommend this book for kids who like books that never get boring. I think Avi is a great author and I am glad that the book won the Newbery Medal. The book was really easy to read and not hard to understand. I like imagining the real thing, like what he character looks like. I learned that you can get suspended for little things! I like how the book had the names of who is talking before the character actually talks. Almost throughout the whole book I found many interesting surprises. As one can see Nothing but the Truth by Avi is a great book to read and enjoy by the fire.

Nothing but the Truth.......2007-03-23

Nothing but the Truth is a really great book. It is buy an author named Avi. This book is about a middle school kid name Phillip. Phillip got suspended because he was singing the national anthem in the morning. So the teacher got mad at Phillip and wrote him up. The characters are: Phillip, mom, dad, Mrs.Nawrin, principal, and Phillip friend named Jake. This book was probably written for anybody. There are no certain ages. This book could be for males and females.

The whole book was good. It was also conversably. I liked this book because it had to deal with school relationship. I didn't dislike the book because the setting was great. The characters played their role great. Everything was great. Some parts took place in his home with his parents. Some parts took place at school in Mrs.Nawrin room. It also took place in the principal office.

I liked this book a lot. The reason why I liked this book because it was enjoyable. I would recommend this book to anybody who like long and awesome books

Track Tryouts.......2007-03-15

My review is about Philip Malloy who wanted to try out for the track team. He wanted to try out because he was a very fast runner, and the coach and other students thought he could help them win a championship.But it turned out that he could not try out because he was failing in his English class. He soon got in trouble for humming in the classroom. The school was doing the National Athem and philip began humming. He eventually was kick out of the classroom. Right now the Princpal is talking about suspending Philip and Jennifer is wondering why.
They all figure it was a silly rule that you can not sing when The Star Spangled Banner was playing, it's a sign of disrespect. Philip was eventually transferred to a different homeroom. He was transfered from Mrs. Narwin class to Mr. Lunser class but he was suspended for 2 days for not apologizing to Mrs.Narwin. This situation became so popular that Jennifer decide to plublish it in the newspaper. Jennifer was an Education Reporter. This situation had the whole town talking and seems that Philip was getting alot of attention.Philip was getting so much attention and the coach did not want him to try out anymore because he wasn't a team player and Philip was upset. He truly wanted to be on the track team but the coach told him maybe next year. Philip decide that he did not want to go back to that school anymore and he tansfered to Washington Academy from Harrison High. It was also time for the school budget at Harrison High and everyone was hoping it would pass. When that day came they were defeated. Philip went to his new school and when he meet his new teacher , they were preparing to sing the national athem and Philip started to cry. He was asked why and he said he did not know the words....

Your Complete Retirement Planning Road Map: The Leave-Nothing-to-Chance, Worry-Free, All-Systems-Go Guide

Average customer rating:

A Financial Guide, not a Complete Guide
Enough info for a..
Comprehensive and Infinitely Practical--A Must Buy for Every IRA Owner
Mastering the complex with simplicity
Same Rules, Easier to Understand

Your Complete Retirement Planning Road Map: The Leave-Nothing-to-Chance, Worry-Free, All-Systems-Go Guide
Ed Slott
Manufacturer: Ballantine Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Introduction | Investing | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

General | Personal Finance | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Retirement Planning | Personal Finance | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0345494555
Release Date: 2006-12-26

Book Description

This is the same diagnostic system I use with my own clients and with the financial advisors I train. So, going through it will be like having me sitting beside you, whispering in your ear, guiding you every step of the way.”

–from Your Complete Retirement Planning Road Map

Corporate pensions are disappearing. Social Security is in trouble. And the sizable postwar generation is reaching retirement age. With the futures of millions of Americans at stake, Ed Slott, the country’s foremost retirement planning advisor, now offers expert advice on weathering the perfect storm of financial instability that looms on the horizon. Your Complete Retirement Planning Road Map, Slott’s most essential and accessible book yet, provides clear step-by-step directions through the highways and byways of IRAs, 401(k)s, 403(b)s, and other major accounts.

In five helpfully focused sections, Slott combines crucial facts with interactive checklists and questionnaires (those he uses with his own clients) to teach investors and beneficiaries alike the best way to save and to maximize an inheritance. Inside you’ll discover

• My Account Inventory: an overview of every retirement savings account you own, whether you’re thirty or sixty-five–from what it is and where it is to who gets it and how, plus where to put important data for easy access and where to store your essential documents (hint: not in a safe-deposit box)
• The Account Owner’s Care Solution: how to properly fill out retirement account beneficiary forms so that whatever amount of money is left in your account after you’ve fully enjoyed retirement will go to whomever you choose and not to relatives who suddenly pop up out of nowhere
• The Account Beneficiary’s Care Solution: what to do when you inherit so that you won’t lose any of the tax benefits and other opportunities your benefactor has created for you, or make a mistake that could wipe out an inherited fortune that took years to build up
• The Special Issues Care Solution: how to handle the out-of-the-box issues that could affect you or your beneficiaries (e.g., life events such as divorce or incapacity; tax issues for unmarried partners; decisions about trusts)
• The Follow-up Care Solution: how to keep your planning on track and make adjustments when circumstances change, and how to determine whether your professional retirement advisor is really up to the task of preserving and protecting your money
• Plus: the most up-to-date information on tax laws, including the Pension Protection Act of 2006, which provides major new retirement incentives that you can take advantage of

Your Complete Retirement Planning Road Map is an indispensable planning solution that is sure to become the standard how-to on a complex subject that is becoming relevant to more people every day.

Customer Reviews:

A Financial Guide, not a Complete Guide.......2007-02-19

To me the title of this otherwise excellent book is somewhat misleading. It should say something like 'Your Complete FINANCIAL Planning Road Map.' That is, it doesn't go into things like should you move to the sunbelt, or how much money will you need, or medical aspects or any of these other subjects. Instead it is a very complete discussion on the tax issues of investing for retirement.

This book talks about IRA's, and Roth IRA's, and 401(k)'s, and all the other alphabet soup of the tax system in the United States. It is complete and up to date as recent as the 2006 changes to the tax laws.

A major part of the book consists of check lists that you should go over as part of your retirement/estate planning. These also are very well thought out and force you to think about things you would otherwise ignore.

A minor complaint, these checklists are printed in the book. I'd much rather see them on the web or in a CD bound into the book. He says you should fill them in using pencil in case you later want to make changes. I'd like it better to fill them in on a computer and then print them out. Once again, the information is there and more complete than you'd imagine, so you can consider this a minor complaint.

Enough info for a.........2007-01-26

small pamphlet, not a full size book. Rambling and repetitious. Read it twice and couldn't extract any useful information that wasn't available in other sources.

Comprehensive and Infinitely Practical--A Must Buy for Every IRA Owner.......2007-01-23

Ed Slott's latest book, Your Complete Retirement Planning Road Map provides the most comprehensive, infinitely practical, hands-on set of checklists I have ever seen for IRAs and retirement plans. Ed, perhaps the best known and most trusted author on IRAs and retirement plans, takes the reader step-by-step through important concepts regarding IRAs and retirement plans and provides the reader with an action plan. Ed really rolls up his sleeves and gets into the nitty-gritty. Another outstanding feature of the book is that Ed has included the best questions--with complete answers--gathered from his clients and readers over the years. Chances are if you have a question, it has been asked of Ed, and you will find your answer. If you buy Ed's book and follow his recommendations, you will be better prepared and better documented than 99.9% of all the IRA and retirement plan owners.

James Lange, CPA/Attorney Author of Retire Secure! Pay Taxes Later: The Key to Making Your Money Last as Long as You Do

Mastering the complex with simplicity.......2007-01-22

I have personally been studying with Ed Slott in his Master's Elite IRA Advisory Group for the past two years. This new book is a composite of the various modules we have been studying in depth. This book gives an excellent overview in a version to be understood and simplified so that many can be aware of the many issues present in dealing with the one asset that for many represents their largest financial position. I applaud Ed's efforts to make such a text available and appreciate the opportunity I have had personally to train in depth in all of the issues detailed in his book. I would also commend serious readers and investors to his two earlier books my favorite of the two being, Retirement Tax Time Bomb and How to Defuse It. Anyone with a large IRA should be aware and get the book. It could make a tremedous difference in who ultimately winds up the beneficiary of all your hard long years of labor.

Same Rules, Easier to Understand.......2006-12-30

I have read all three of Ed's IRA books. As a Financial Planner, I find the Retirement Savings Time Bomb to be the best. However, if you are slightly less versed in tax code than a professional planner, his newest book is an excellent tool. I strongly recomend it to all (non-financial professional) qualified account owners. Good Job Ed!

Nothing Down for the 2000s: Dynamic New Wealth Strategies in Real Estate

Average customer rating:

It's a start!
Getting Started in Real Estate
Stuff
Boycott Robert G. Allen!!!
Great Scam

Nothing Down for the 2000s: Dynamic New Wealth Strategies in Real Estate
Robert G. Allen
Manufacturer: Free Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

General | Real Estate | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Investments | Real Estate | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0743261550

Book Description

With more than a million copies in print, Robert Allen's Nothing Down for the '90s has probably helped more people achieve success in real estate than any book in history. Countless numbers of his readers are now financially independent and many actual millionaires attribute their wealth to his techniques. Why has this blockbuster bestseller been so successful? The answer is simple: it works! Now, in one of the most practical books you'll ever read, Robert Allen has created effective new wealth strategies for investing in real estate.

Real estate remains the one reliable investment in which profits can be made consistently, no matter where you live. Whether employment figures and stock prices are high or low, the real estate market never dries up -- it is one of the most dynamic income-producing vehicles ever created. The demand for housing will continue to be strong in most areas of the country for the foreseeable future. There will, of course, always be plenty of foreclosures, which are great opportunities to purchase properties cheaply. And, finally, mortgage qualification today is simpler than ever, with new mortgage packages that did not even exist twenty years ago.

Nothing Down for the 2000s shows you how to locate the best buys, deal with real estate agents, and manage properties, all with little -- or no -- money down. Discover step-by-step techniques and dynamic strategies to:

• Use real estate to build monthly income

• Finance bargain properties for equity or cash flow

• Guarantee and secure your retirement

• Find and profit from foreclosures before they are publicly listed

• Sell and trade for maximum gain

• Increase property value

• Use owner financing to create opportunities

• Obtain direct, legal tax cuts

• Profit from conversions

• Develop effective negotiation techniques, and much more

Excellent for beginners or experienced investors, Nothing Down for the 2000s is the key to generating low-risk, high-profit wealth and to a potential future of security and financial independence.

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Customer Reviews:

It's a start!.......2006-11-07

There is really no middle-ground when it comes to Robert Allen. You either like his work or you think that his concepts are risky and/or far-feteched. I personally like Allen's approach to real estate from a novice standpoint. I have utilized many of his techniques to success. However, I do caution, once you get momentum, go to the next level and make money on the buy and continue to educate yourself on the right way to remain in real estate for the long-term. This will mean studying markets and having a long-term and short term strategy. This will mean that traditional closings have the place and creative real estate does not equate to illegal if done the right way with the right team - and can keep you out of trouble with your accountant. This will mean knowing the true cost of money (time value, strategy for each property, situation of the Seller, your situation and access to resources, etc.)

As time progresses, I suspect that many of these practices will be regulated and closely watched. However, don't blame Allen - there are many financing structures that get sellers into becoming motivated thus these techniques are executed. Play close attention to his guidance on commecial properties, cross-collaterization, dream-teaming, and subject-to/lease option structuring - these deals are made every day.

I never had a problem with Allen and as a matter of fact consider him important to the "master of your fate" outlook. He is now more or less an information guru because like so many before and after him - real estate is the impetus for improving your financial state to (a) start the million dollar business; (b) divesify and partner into different and larger properties, and (c) meet those who exercise advanced, long-term real estate strategies that lead to successful careers.

Oh -- let it be mentioned: Robert Allen is not "breeding competition." He is well-past these stages, but is willing to share on some of his novice techniques to get you started.

Good Read - Supplement it and Educate Yourself and you all will be well if the focus and desire is there. If not: Continue to blame Allen for trying to share pearls of wisdom at a modest cost.

Getting Started in Real Estate.......2006-09-20

This was an all around decent book for someone desiring to get started in the real estate business. It has 30 short chapters focusing on getting into the real estate business with no money. One of which is called tapping the equity in your home. Nothing really new there. The book contains some good concepts but a lot was just common sense. If you haven't bought real estate before and don't no much about financing then this will open up your eyes to some concepts that you may not have thought of before. There is a chapter on why you should own property. One on negotiations, one on using partners and another on overcoming roadblocks to your success. There is also a chapter on how to retire in 5 years. All in about 280 pages that will go by quick.

I think the most important thing that one could recieve from this book is that anyone can do it. It doesn't take a masters degree in economics to do this stuff. I think this book can give the reader a good basic understanding of how real estate and rental property works so they too can get involved. Just remember that positive cash flow is a must!

Stuff.......2006-07-20

Some of it kinda sounds farfetched, but I guess if sellers are desperate enough it could work.

Boycott Robert G. Allen!!!.......2006-05-20

Robert G. Allen is a notorious and relentless internet spammer. If you should happen to somehow end up on one of his email lists like I did, he will send you several junk emails a day. Unsubscribing doesn't work, and trying to block the sender's domain is useless because the emails are sent from a different domain every time. The funny part is that the emails aren't even coded properly. They always show up as just a bunch of html code. Would you really take internet money-making advice from a guy who can't even code html properly? Anyway, his spamming practices are completely illegal and it's only a matter of time before the law catches up with him. But that shouldn't come as any surprise considering that mister Allen has been in trouble with the law before. He's had several run-ins with the IRS, lawsuits against him, and a chapter 7 bankruptcy. I would also stay away from his Nothing Down real estate methods. Many of those practices are illegal, and the president of the Nothing Down club in Atlanta wound up in federal prison because of it. For more info on Allen, visit johntreed dottcomm, click on Real Estate Investing, then click Real Estate Guru Ratings. Bottom line, don't trust this guy and don't buy his books. And if you're reading this Mr. Allen, take me off your @%#&*$ mailing list!!!

Great Scam.......2006-01-29

I was actually very impressed by the material in the book and would have undoubtly given it 5 stars. BUT something very fishy made me change my mind. I applied to enroll into the Robert Allen Instiitute mentorship program for real estate investment (details are online). I got a call from the Program and a sales person like sounding gentleman, who threw around his weight and suggested multiple times that it would be an honor for me to be chosen for the mentorship program spoke to me for an hour...And then he and his supervisor suggested that if I trusted Robert Allen, I should give him my credit card number for a charge of 6000-10000$!!!!. 'It takes money to make money' he said. When I told him that he will need to tell me how many perople are actually in the program and how many actually make money, he was caught offguard...at the end of the conversation he was frankly rude and said 'Well, think about it, all you have done in your life so far is made 80000$ a year'...I mean how unclassy can you get!!...well thank you Mr Allen and your sales-people...I sure can tell how you have made your money.

The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Vol. 1: The Pox Party

Average customer rating:

I am in awe
It doesn't matter how it ended
Highly imaginative historical novel -- should be marketed to adults not teens
Challenge your perceptions
An Astonishing Novel/Puzzle

The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Vol. 1: The Pox Party
M.T. Anderson
Manufacturer: Candlewick
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Historical Fiction | History & Historical Fiction | Teens | Subjects | Books

Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Teens | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0763624020
Release Date: 2006-09-12

Book Description

A gothic tale becomes all too shockingly real in this mesmerizing magnum opus by the acclaimed author of FEED.

It sounds like a fairy tale. He is a boy dressed in silks and white wigs and given the finest of classical educations. Raised by a group of rational philosophers known only by numbers, the boy and his mother — a princess in exile from a faraway land — are the only persons in their household assigned names. As the boy's regal mother, Cassiopeia, entertains the house scholars with her beauty and wit, young Octavian begins to question the purpose behind his guardians' fanatical studies. Only after he dares to open a forbidden door does he learn the hideous nature of their experiments — and his own chilling role in them. Set against the disquiet of Revolutionary Boston, M. T. Anderson's extraordinary novel takes place at a time when American Patriots rioted and battled to win liberty while African slaves were entreated to risk their lives for a freedom they would never claim. The first of two parts, this deeply provocative novel reimagines the past as an eerie place that has startling resonance for readers today.

Customer Reviews:

I am in awe.......2007-09-23

This book was profoundly disturbing to me on so many levels. At various points in the book, I almost had to put it down because I was so heartsick. (Before I begin my praise of this amazing work - I do have to ask...this is a work for young adults? Seriously?)

When I added this book to my list - I tagged it as Fiction and Science Fiction. When I started the book - I was sure I was reading some sort of Gothic, maybe post-apocalyptic cautionary tale. When I found out the book was set in pre-Revolutionary Boston - I was shocked.

Once I got over that...I was then shocked to find out that Octavian and his mother were slaves. I kept having to change my mindset as I went through the book...one of the reasons I think I was so affected by it. I was just starting to wrap my mind around the "knowledge for knowledge's sake - consequences be damned" philosophy of the "college" when the sickening reality of Octavian and his mother's imprisonment set in. The frills and finery were torn away to reveal the true inhumanity of their situation.

Again - this book was disturbing on so many levels. Was I more bothered by Octavian's defense mechanisms when confronted by despicable acts" "...after I saw the philosophers of this college acquire a docile child deprived of reason and speech...beat her to the point of gagging and swooning; after such experiments as these, I became most wondrous observant, and often stared unmoving at a wall for some hours together." (Reading that passage again turns my stomach.)

Or was I more disturbed by the complete lack of hope that permeates the book: "Do you feel it child?" he asked. "The wall is gone. Space is gone from behind us." I could feel nothing. "He said, "All that is there now is the eye of God." He shivered. "The pupil is black, and as large as a world." And later, "At long last, you may no longer distinguish what binds you from what is you."

Or was I most saddened by the hideous irony that the men who gave Octavian freedom of the mind were the ones that denied him the freedom of his body. "They gave me a tongue; and the stopped it up, so they would not have to hear it crying." And "...they told me of color, that it was an illusion of the eye, an event in the perceiver's mind, not in the object, they told me that color had no reality...And then they imprisoned me in darkness; and though there was no color there, I still was black, and they still were white; and for that, they bound and gagged me."

And I don't even have the words to address the powerful juxtaposition of the colonists struggle and cries for "Freedom from tyranny!" against the silent reality of slavery.

The way that Anderson phrases the most hideous of realities in the most matter of fact ways is by turns, startling and beautiful. It makes me think that there are no other ways these words could be put together - that the way they are set upon the page is the only way they can exist together.

"What have you observed?"

"The solidity of shackles. They increase the solidity of the body. When I walk free, I am not conscious of my solidity."

"Yes. Shackles, like all matter, are defined by resistance."

"Do not tell me," I said to them, "what is defined by resistance."

As I start into the above paragraph, I am observing as Octavian does. Then I am considering the truth of what he observes - that one does not FEEL freedom until one loses it. That it is difficult to experience a positive without knowing the negative. And then - with a killing blow - my eyes absorb that final sentence...and I feel ridiculous for not mourning Octavian's shackles with him...and then I feel a fierce admiration of his spirit and his refusal to accept shackles of the mind along with shackles of the body. All this - in under 50 words.

I am in awe.

This book made me feel like I do when watching movies like "Schindler's List" or "Saving Private Ryan". Every molecule in my body and soul rebels against the horror I am a witness to. All I can think about is turning my eyes away, making it stop, which is the one thing I am not allowed to do. These atrocities existed, they were real. Humans were and are capable of such evil, such cruelty, such viciousness. It is important to me that every once in a while, I remind myself of this. I am so incredibly lucky to have been born in the circumstances I was, and to have been given the privileges I have, and to have lived in the time an place I do. The least I can do is to acknowledge the pain of those who are not as lucky as I.

This book, like those movies, is one where the reader cannot put aside after finishing and think, "It was just a movie/book." These times and events were real. These things happened, even if details have been changed.

Octavian, and those real people he is representative of, experienced horrors I hope I never do. Horrors that most of our world would say happened in the past..and yet we all know are happening every day - somewhere, to someone. My soul aches for those who are robbed of their humanity by beings inhuman themselves.

Because I am who I am, I must end this review with a beautiful and tragic set of passages - mirror images of the same truth:

"I lifted up the first, blank, page, and surveyed those beneath, to see, as Bono quoth, what the man on the street was wearing. It was a catalogue of horrors. Page after page of Negroes in bridles, strapped to walls,...masks of iron with metal mouth bits...razored necklaces...collars of spikes that supported the head..."

"...Mr. Gitney burned Bono's fashion catallogue an hour later."

"Let us rid ourselves," he said, "of this noisome object."

"But I could not rid myself of it. It was the common property of us all."

Previous to this - there was one of the few glimmers of hope in the book:

"Music hath its land of origin; and yet it is also its own country, its own sovereign power, and all make take refuge there, and all, once settled, may claim it as their own, and all may meet there in amity; and these instruments, as surely as instruments of torture, belong to all of us."

Octavian and his story belongs to all of us. Though not as fully to those who experience such events in their lifetime...it belongs to those of us who must make sure that the realities contained within the fiction become less and less prevalent. We need these "noisome objects" today more than ever.

Any time I find myself feeling complacent about our world? I need only look at the cover of this book.

It doesn't matter how it ended.......2007-08-20

Okay... here's the deal, I love to read. I love to read good books. Our librarian, excuse me, media specialist whatever, at school suggested this book to me. "I don't have time to read it, and I need an opinion. It seems like something you would like. Take as much time as you need."
Believe me, I was extremely excited to read this book. It was different than anything I've ever really read before. So I took it on with great enthusiasm.
At first, I was very intrigued with Octavian and his situation. I really did think that the story was good. But only the story. I was so bored with the book, it seemed to drag on forever. Pages of writing, and I only needed a paragraph. But I persevered because it was so interesting, only bits at a time though, because I could only handle so much.
Then I talked with my friend Katie who was also reading this book. Pretty much in the same situation I was in only a little farther along in the book. She said it didn't get any better and gave up. And that's not like Katie, she reads A LOT and EVERYTHING so I was surprised. But I liked the story so I continued. Farther than Katie had read and farther than I wish I would have read. It never became worth it. NEVER! It sat in my locker for possibly two months because I was determined to finish it no matter how much I hated it. But in the end I couldn't do it. I had moved on to other books and I have trouble reading more than one novel at a time, if I really like one.

So in the end, I say you can try BUT if it doesn't satisfy you within the first couple chapters... don't put yourself through it.

Highly imaginative historical novel -- should be marketed to adults not teens.......2007-07-28

This is a well-written, well-plotted historical novel with an unusually imaginative premise. It takes place in the late 18th century.

I have no idea why it is marketed as a "teen" novel -- it is not a fantasy, nor is it light reading, and it has a number of very disturbing sequences. This is not to say that a well-read, intelligent teen with mature tastes would not enjoy the book -- but the book should be marketed to adults, who are far more likely to appreciate it.

I won't spoil the book by giving a synopsis -- it has a number of surprises, so I advise potential readers to read the book without too much foreknowledge.

I am very much looking forward to the sequel.

Challenge your perceptions.......2007-07-10

Octavian Nothing a historical fiction set in 18th century America illuminates society, politics, education, philosophy and science including a very controversial human experiment. I found it truly thought provoking and look forward to the sequel.

This is rated for grades 9 and up. The writing style and concepts are not lightweight by any means. I think adults will appreciate it as much as teens who are looking for challenging literature.

An Astonishing Novel/Puzzle.......2007-06-22

The bad news is, since you are reading this in the Customer Review section, you have probably read enough about the setting and plot of this excellent novel to have spoiled the carefully crafted setup chapters. (Fortunately, the book's dust jacket contains no spoilers.) One of the central themes follows the boy Octavian's process of solving the mystery of who he is and how he is being raised and, reflecting this process, M. T. Anderson skillfully constructs the opening so that the reader at first can't tell when or where the book takes place. Clues about the characters are gradually revealed, all true and all misleading - nothing is ever quite what it seems, and both the narrator and the reader navigate deeper and deeper levels of understanding as the story progresses.

I have no idea why this is reviewed and marketed as a young readers' book, except that (a) Anderson's prior books were YA, (b) the narrator is a boy, and (c) there is no explicit sex. Anyone who expects this to be delightful and engaging light reading for teenagers will be disappointed. This book is deep, clever, moving, darkly funny and fascinating. The Booklist comment "it demands rereading" is right - it's even better the second time through, because you can see how much foreshadowing there was, and how beautifully everything ties together.

Average customer rating:

Realist children's litterature equals cynical brats
Funnny, lighthearted, and great for young readers
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing
Everyone should read this book!
Tia Johnston's Review

Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing
Judy Blume
Manufacturer: Puffin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Humorous | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

School | Issues | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0142401013

Amazon.com

Passed on from babysitters to their young charges, from big sisters to little brothers, and from parents to children, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing and its cousins (Superfudge, Fudge-a-mania, and Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great) have entertained children since they first appeared in the early 1970s. The books follow Peter Hatcher, his little brother Fudgie, baby sister Tootsie, their neighbor Sheila Tubman, various pets, and minor characters through New York City and on treks to suburbs and camps.

Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing is the first of these entertaining yarns. Peter, because he's the oldest, must deal with Fudgie's disgusting cuteness, his constant meddling with Peter's stuff, and other grave offenses, one of which is almost too much to bear. All these incidents are presented with the unfailing ear and big-hearted humor of the masterful Judy Blume. Though some of her books for older kids have aroused controversy, the Hatcher brothers and their adventures remain above the fray, where they belong. (Peter's in fourth grade, so the book is suitable for kids ages 8 and older.)

Book Description

2 hours, 33 minutes
2 cassettes
Performance by the author

Peter's trials and tribulations with his little brother are "a particularly fun listen for parents and kids at bedtime." -AudioFile

Customer Reviews:

Realist children's litterature equals cynical brats.......2007-09-17

Judy Blume is often cited as the "most frequently banned children's book author," owing this nicety to her dealing with explicit sexual themes of young adolescent lives. Admirers praise her for her brilliant grasp of the first-person perspectives of said youngsters and the difficulties they go through. Detractors, on the other hand, point to her neutral or ambiguous moral perspective on such controversial topics.

It seems that few are willing to critically examine this highly significant American writer beyond a bit of senseless sputtering and slapdash censorship--an understandable reaction when one's children are involved, but a totally insufficient and childish one considering the author's popularity and influence. Not surprisingly, said parents are accused of hypersensitivity and of sheltering their children. Likewise, many such concerned parents will not recognize the way in which Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing and the Fudge series it spawns weave so well into the pattern of Blume books with their subtle but definite potential for questionable influences on their young audience.

To begin with, Blume does what she does very well. There are exceptions, most notasbly the nauseating depiction of Peter's homemaking mother (not all housewives are so indulgent and sentimental with their children's bratty behavior, though admittedly things in America have certainly swung that way since this book was penned). On the whole, however, writing in impressive, true-to-cognition prose, she enters the mind of a nine-year-old urbanite boy with fairly typical childhood angst: an occasionally nagging mother, serious love-hate tension with the neighbor girl his age, above all the terrors inflicted by pesky younger siblings where huge age difference is involved.

As other reviewers have stated, most previous children's litterature was hardly willing to touch that delicate theme. And it is not, in and of itself, morally objectionable. What is questionable is the fact that her main audience is children. Now, real, healthy people do have problems, always have and always will. The question is, what is the best way to communicate this to children? Surely it is not to depict the problems themselves as part of a normal, healthy state of affairs.

As good as this book is, objectively speaking in terms of execution and entertainment factor, perhaps we should ask whether realist fiction does not discourage children to rise above difficult states of affairs, spank the inner mopet and at last grow up. The behavior and judgment of the younger baby boomers, Gen X-ers and newly coming up Gen Y-ers certainly suggest that growing up is something they have yet to accomplish.

Children need good role models and not sheltering, but a guided understanding of the nature and consequences of vice and error. They do not need pandering to their spoiled consciences ("There there; they're screwed up, too!"). Tales of a Forth Grade Nothing has little that is encouraging, beautiful, or uplifting to give them, and so while it stands out as a remarkable work, it is not something I can recommend for children.

Funnny, lighthearted, and great for young readers.......2007-07-22

An absolutely excellent read for young readers, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing will be loved by your child, especially if they have a younger sibling.

The story, told from the point of view of Peter, is narrated perfectly, and readers will find themselves really caring for him and will more than probably sympathize with him as well.

Also, readers of this book will also find it very funny, and will finish it and be longing for more. A reccomended must read for young readers.

Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing.......2007-05-30

Judy Blume at her absolute best. This is the first book I ever read as a child and I had to share it with my children. Peter is the voice of every older brother. This story has shown my children that all little brothers/sisters are aggravating, but we still have to love them. This book is a must have to begin your young adults' library.

Everyone should read this book!.......2007-04-09

This is one of those books that should be issued to all 4th grade girls. I feel that way about all of Judy Blume's book's; girls should read them. They really speak to girls and even though times have changed, the message of thse books remains clear. I read it, and I loved it. My step daughter read it and also loved it. 20 years and it is still a classic. Buy this book, you will not waste your money.

Tia Johnston's Review.......2007-04-03

I enjoyed this book because it was funny and amusing. Even though a few incidents were over exaggerated, the author did a good job with making up situations that made the characters seem real and believable. My favorite part of the book was the park scene. This book is definitely a good one to read, especially if you have younger brothers, sisters, ot just younger relatives you spend a lot of time with. The ending of this book was suprisingly touching.

Average customer rating:

Double Entendre Had Everything To Do With It
A fascinating read
Self-Aggrandizing, but Unapologetic and Thoroughly Entertaining.
What a Woman! What a Star! What an Ego!
A classic by now

Goodness Had Nothing to Do With It
Mae West
Manufacturer: Manor Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 0685652890

Customer Reviews:

Double Entendre Had Everything To Do With It.......2007-05-20

Mae West considered writing her autobiography as early as 1957 and several publishing houses had already approached her. A flood in the mid-thirties destroyed documents of her early vaudeville appearances stored in the basement of her Hollywood apartment building, The Ravenswood, and other papers stored at her ranch house were eaten by rats.
Since arriving in Hollywood, her film career had been well-documented, but West had only a faint recollection of what happened and where. She asked Larry lee, who assisted her with the novelization of "Diamond Lil" to research her early stage career. Lee suggested they try writing a few chapters to see how things went. Eventually Stephen Longstreet, an author who ghosted other star biographies came on board to help West pull together her book, and was given credit for his "editorial assistance." West apparently supervised everything and pointed out, "Nobody can write about me except me," a remarkable feat considering she barely completed the third grade.
The driving force in West's decision to pen her memoirs was that someone else might try to write an unauthorized account of her life and there wasn't much she could do about it since much of her life had been spent in the public domain. Initially West protested that she had so much more to do with her life, but friends pointed out she could write a sequel in the future. Some of the the early working titles West had in mind for her memoirs were "Queen of Sex," and "Come Up and See Me Sometime."
Although West's autobiography went through several printings in hardback and soft cover, critic's reaction to her account of her life was mixed. Theatre Arts stated "the heart of gold is outweighed by the purse of gold and the gloating over box-office grosses," while the New York Times reviewer found West's tome "theatre wise, basically clean, sometimes corny, often entertaining yarn."
Perhaps Mae West's self penned novel, "Babe Gordon," published in 1930 and later rechristened, "The Constant Sinner," was closer to the actual events of her life, that she dared not reveal in her later biography. The inside panel of the original cover proclaimed, "Constantly sinning and constant to her sin, Babe Gordon, the heroine of this vigorous story belongs to that rare type of woman who uses her beauty and sexual allure as a soldier uses his weapons - without mercy or scruple. She is irresistible to every type of man, from the bruisers of the prize ring to the sensitive sons of aristocracy. She is canny, worldly wise, quick thinking. All her art , her wisdom, her will is to love; and when her passion for one man cools, she kindles it in another.
In a classic example of life imitating art, Mae West was outraged when Confidential magazine featured an expose on her private life alleging her sexual proclivity for black men. Chalky Wright, "a bronze boxer" whom West had met was "invited up to see her sometime" and ended up living with her for a year. Confidential magazine claimed "West's favorite color combination, as only the men in her life know, is black and white."
As a result of Mae West's appearance in Myra Breckinridge in 1970, interest in her was at an all-time high, and MacFadden-Bartell published an updated edition of her biography in paperback.
West asked George Eiferman, a former 1948 Mr. America, and 1962 Mr. Universe title holder, to write an eight page appendix entitled "My Story," explaining the events that led to Chuck Krauser aka Paul Novak knocking out Mickey Hargitay. West sagely secured affidavits from the other bodybuilders in the act supporting her statement that she had never shown romantic interest in Hargitay. When asked why it would possibly matter years after the fact, West pointed out, "That's where you're not thinkin' clear. It's when he gets desperate that he'll try to peddle a story, '"I was the One Man Mae West Wanted but Couldn't Get."
West's prophesy was realized when Gordon Mitchell, one of the muscleman in her Vegas act was quoted in the July 2001 issue of Premier : "Mickey won't tell you this but I will. Mae was crazy about him! He was the first guy who ever rejected her." Other chapters in West's updated memoirs dealt with the filming of Myra Breckinridge and outlined plans for future projects.
For the serious student of Mae West lore, "Goodness Had Nothing To Do With It" is an excellant starting off point to discover why Mae West can be considered the most fascinating woman of the Twentieth Century.

A fascinating read.......2006-05-01

Mae West (1893-1980) was well known in her day as a leading sex symbol. But, she was more than a pretty face and a set of wild curves. Ms. West had a mind of her own, and a great deal of talent - she was an actress, a playwright and a screenwriter. Her on-screen personae featured a great deal of double entendre, and she considered discussing human sexuality to be a basic human right. In 1959, she published her autobiography, which was designed to tell her story, from her angle, and this is it!

Overall, I found this to be a fascinating read. Mae West was a fascinating woman, and led life the way she wanted to. Now, whenever any writes an autobiography, it is so that they can put their own spin on things, presenting themselves as they want to be presented. Well, that's the fun of an autobiography, and I must say that Goodness Had Nothing To Do With It is a lot of fun.

Plus, I must say that I loved her particular take on Broadway and Hollywood. So, if you are interested in that golden Ms. West (diamond would be closer to the truth), then this is the book for you. Also, if you are interested in early 20th century Broadway or early Hollywood, then this is also a book that you should read. I give it two thumbs up!

Self-Aggrandizing, but Unapologetic and Thoroughly Entertaining........2005-10-21

"Goodness Had Nothing to Do With It" takes its title from a line in Mae West's first film, 1932's "Night After Night". By 1959, when the first edition of this autobiography was published, Mae West had conquered stage, screen, and Las Vegas and not lost a bit of sassy style in her 66 years. "Goodness Had Nothing to Do With It" is an unabashedly self-aggrandizing tour of Mae West's professional life and loves, but it's nothing if not entertaining. The story begins with a self-possessed -if not self-obsessed- child from Brooklyn who made her stage debut at age 7 -barely, since she refused to go on stage until the spotlight was on her. Mae turned professional at age 8, debuted on Broadway at 18, caused a sensation soon thereafter with her wriggle, began to write her own plays in the 1920s, was jailed for "corrupting the morals of youth" soon after, followed with films in the 1930s, a return to the stage in the 1940s, and Las Vegas night clubs in the 1950s.

"Goodness Had Nothing to Do With It" focuses more on the conception of West's plays and movies than on other aspects of her life. This might be explained by West's passion for her career above all else, but she never did like to discuss her personal life. West believed that personal confessions amounted to overexposure and undermined her value as an entertainer. That may have been true when she was a huge star, but a candid autobiography could do her nothing but good in 1959. Mae West spent a lifetime creating and reinforcing a persona, though, so that's what she does here. She speaks fondly of the men in her life, but without many intimate details. Ironically, Mae West eschewed vulgarity, always preferring insinuation. But that sometimes left me wondering if she was a libertine or a tease. And surely her ego and inflexible nature frustrated a few of her lovers, whom West would have us believe all worshipped her unfailingly. I'm not sure how literally to take "Goodness Had Nothing to Do With It", but Mae West always did put on a great show, and this book is no exception. Her fans won't want to miss it.

What a Woman! What a Star! What an Ego!.......2003-08-23

Originally written in the 1950s and later updated in the early 1970s, GOODNESS HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH IT is the autobiography of the celebrated Mae West, one of the 20th century's greatest stars of stage and screen. It is an entertaining read, and in her writings West perfectly captures that unique tone and way with words that made her world famous.

But whether she intended it to be so or not, the most interesting thing about the autobiography is its revelation of the incredible ego that drove her. To hear her tell it, West was born with absolute self-awareness, knew what she wanted from the cradle, and was well on her way to getting it before she could walk. Be it saving the life of a drowning child, doing a lion-taming act, or living out the life of sex goddess to end all sex goddesses, Mae West did it first--and if not first, at least better. And if either of those are a matter of opinion, there is clearly only one opinion that counts with West: hers.

Sometimes she is factually inaccurate, as in her assesment of the box office success of MY LITTLE CHICKADEE (it was not a big hit at the time.) Sometimes she simply ignores an unpleasant fact or two, as when she declares that her film work ended because no one could offer her a good script (in truth, her screen career ended because public taste had changed and her films simply weren't living up to box office expectations any more.) But the truly astonishing thing about her various claims is how often they really are correct: yes, she really did save Paramount from bankruptcy; yes, she really was the highest-paid star in 1930s Hollywood; yes, her stage work was every bit as legendary as she says it was.

If West's autobiography often comes off as boastful, it has reason to be so; even so, the tone of unending self-praise does have a way of wearing a bit thin after a while, and now and then a little humility would not have been amiss. And if you're expecting a litany of lovers and bedroom details, you will no doubt be disappointed in the book. West gives few details and names no names.

Even so, it is a fascinating--or should I say fascinatin'--read. It was a indeed a brilliant career, a remarkable life, a memorable personality. If you're a fan, this is a must have.

--GFT (Amazon.com Reviewer)--

A classic by now.......2001-09-04

Though sugar coated and boastful, it covers a great deal with photos only she could/would provide. A must for any serious Mae West collector, especially if you can get it with it's original cover.

Nothing But the Truth: An Anthology of Native American Literature

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Nothing But the Truth: An Anthology of Native American Literature
John L. Purdy , and James Ruppert
Manufacturer: Prentice Hall
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Conversational Spanish in Nothing Flat (8 One Hour CDs/200 Page Illustated Text/Answer Keys & Tapescript) (Conversational Spanish in Nothing Flat)

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Conversational Spanish in Nothing Flat (8 One Hour CDs/200 Page Illustated Text/Answer Keys & Tapescript) (Conversational Spanish in Nothing Flat)
Mark Frobose
Manufacturer: Language Dynamics
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At last! A truly complete 8 CD with book, tapescript, same page translations, answer keys and CD translations that includes Language Dynamics famous language learning system. Developed by the experts at Language Dynamics Inc. to teach you a maximum of Spanish in a minimum of time, Conversational Spanish in Nothing Flat is unquestionably the fastest and easiest Spanish book/CD course on the market.

More language learners spend over 50% of their time looking up meanings instead of learning the language. With Conversational Spanish in Nothing Flat the language learning process is speeded up by giving you same page answer keys, English translations, dynamic sentence building techniques, and high frequency vocabulary that take you from beginning to high intermediate level Spanish quickly and easily, learning the language naturally like you learned English as a child.

Customer Reviews:

Good.......2007-08-26

Well, if anything will teach you Spanish, this is the thing to do it. You still have to associate with others, to get the correct lingo for the geographic location however.

I'm learning a lot!!.......2006-01-30

I really didn't even use the cd's for two weeks, just the book and it's been marvelous. My boyfriend is Hispanic and I felt the need to be able to at least recognize a few words of Spanish. Once I started to use the cd's everything came so quickly. Como se dice FANTASTIC in espanol!!!!

learning spanish.......2006-01-15

I am taking this slow, there are cd's and I have them in my car. I will not go to the second cd until I have the first one down pat. I am learning so much I work with spanish speaking people and I am speaking very clearly. I love this!

Best Yet.......2005-12-19

Conversational Spanish in Nothing Flat (8 One Hour CDs/200 Page Illustated Text/Answer Keys & Tapescript) is the best Spanish language course I have yet tried.
I particularly benefited from the CD/Book combination. It is helpful to be able to read what you are hearing and vice-versa.
In a word, the most helpful aspect of this course over others I have tried is its simplicity. Very easy to learn from.

Exceeds All Expectations.......2005-12-02

I'd like to make a comment about the 'non-grammatical' method used in 'Conversational Spanish in Nothing Flat'. [...] verb conjugation is not necessary when learning a foreign language. [...]
Do you mean to tell me that every six year old on the planet that already speaks his or her native language fluently did so by learning how to conjugate verbs?
Give me a break..
They learned how to speak a foreign language naturally without grammar. Just like you learned English as a child.
The only effective way to teach anyone how to really speak Spanish or any language is by using a method like Language Dynamics has. They really teach you how to 'speak' the language. Not just learn a lot of meaningless grammar that leaves you tongue-tied in the end.
Overall, Conversational Spanish in Nothing Flat is the best Spanish course I have ever used precisely because there is no formal grammar. It taught me how to really 'speak' Spanish when all else failed.

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