Book Description
The heartwarming and unforgettable story of a family in the making and the
wondrously neurotic dog who taught them what really matters in life
John and Jenny were just beginning their life together. They were young and in love, with a perfect little house and not a care in the world. Then they brought home Marley, a wiggly yellow furball of a puppy. Life would never be the same.
Marley quickly grew into a barreling, ninety-seven-pound streamroller of a Labrador retriever, a dog like no other. He crashed through screen doors, gouged through drywall, flung drool on guests, stole women's undergarments, and ate nearly everything he could get his mouth around, including couches and fine jewelry. Obedience school did no good—Marley was expelled. Neither did the tranquilizers the veterinarian prescribed for him with the admonishment, "Don't hesitate to use these."
And yet Marley's heart was pure. Just as he joyfully refused any limits on his behavior, his love and loyalty were boundless, too. Marley shared the couple's joy at their first pregnancy, and their heartbreak over the miscarriage. He was there when babies finally arrived and when the screams of a seventeen-year-old stabbing victim pierced the night. Marley shut down a public beach and managed to land a role in a feature-length movie, always winning hearts as he made a mess of things. Through it all, he remained steadfast, a model of devotion, even when his family was at its wit's end. Unconditional love, they would learn, comes in many forms.
Is it possible for humans to discover the key to happiness through a bigger-than-life, bad-boy dog? Just ask the Grogans.
Download Description
"
The heartwarming and unforgettable
story of a family in the making and the
wondrously neurotic dog who taught
them what really matters in life
John and Jenny were just beginning their life together. They were young and in love, with a perfect little house and not a care in the world. Then they brought home Marley, a wiggly yellow furball of a puppy. Life would never be the same.
Marley quickly grew into a barreling, ninety-seven-pound streamroller of a Labrador retriever, a dog like no other. He crashed through screen doors, gouged through drywall, flung drool on guests, stole women's undergarments, and ate nearly everything he could get his mouth around, including couches and fine jewelry. Obedience school did no good—Marley was expelled. Neither did the tranquilizers the veterinarian prescribed for him with the admonishment, ""Don't hesitate to use these.""
And yet Marley's heart was pure. Just as he joyfully refused any limits on his behavior, his love and loyalty were boundless, too. Marley shared the couple's joy at their first pregnancy, and their heartbreak over the miscarriage. He was there when babies finally arrived and when the screams of a seventeen-year-old stabbing victim pierced the night. Marley shut down a public beach and managed to land a role in a feature-length movie, always winning hearts as he made a mess of things. Through it all, he remained steadfast, a model of devotion, even when his family was at its wit's end. Unconditional love, they would learn, comes in many forms.
Is it possible for humans to discover the key to happiness through a bigger-than-life, bad-boy dog? Just ask the Grogans.
"
Customer Reviews:
An incredible tale.......2007-10-05
This book was wonderful - ignore the one star reviews, seriously. It was never intended to be an intellectual story with an incredible plot (or twist), and it certainly wasn't meant to make one feel angry at the author as you read it.
If you can open your mind (and heart), and read this book as a simple tale of such a basic relationship between dog and owner(s), you will be rewarded with such a funny, warm, heart-wrenching, inspiring tale that could well make you a better person.
I ENJOYED the moments of self-indulgence - where we got an understanding about who John was and what was going on in HIS life. I think the book needed that to avoid being entirely about a dog and his experiences - let's face it, no matter how great Marley is (or isn't), he wasn't going to warrant 200 pages of text (or was he?). It's this discussion of family, of growing up, of happiness and anger, that draws so many parallels between the life of a human being, and the life of a dog. It is summarized so brilliantly towards the end of the book and, as you wipe away the tears, you can only feel an incredible sense of optimism and hope well after you turn the last page.
Predictable ending? Well duh. You do know where it's going from the moment you purchase the book - from the moment you purchase a DOG. But HOW Grogan gets there is brilliantly done. His writing style is well-paced, conversational, yet entirely descriptive. I felt the warmth of the South Florida sun as I watched Marley play in the ocean, and I felt everyones shivers in the grey, cold winter in PA. Ultimately, I felt the utter sadness that an entirely family felt, and the power of reminiscence & focusing on those special moments in life.
Here's to you, Grogan. Your book touched my heart; and to Marley - your existence has touched millions of people around the world without you even knowing it. If that's not a successful book, I'm not quite sure what is.
How fast the time goes with Crazy Pups.......2007-10-03
I just finished Marley & Me.
The Best read I have had in a long time. It was like watching a GREAT movie, only better. I have loved and lost 1 best friend recently and the other best friend is now over 10 years....this book makes you think...remember.... and thank the heavens for allowing them to be here with us for their period of time reminding us that we are "only Human".
I loved the book and have 6 people in line to borrow it now that I am finished.
If you like to laugh, love dogs and appreciate terrific writing, buy or borrow this book!
A+ Marley will be with me forever.
Beautiful! Touching!.......2007-09-29
John Grogan brings a great deal of heart to Marley's story. It reminds one of how precious pets can be and how these little ones share so much with us as life goes on.
It's a beautiful, touching, and vivid story, and you'll just fall in love with it.
Thanks, John, for sharing such a great tale :-)
a wonderful story.......2007-09-25
You will laugh and cry. A great story for anyone who has ever loved a dog.
Marley & Me.......2007-09-23
A very Entertaining book, great read. This is a must book for all those that have a dog as a pet or all dog lovers, especially those of us that have had labs in our life. A laugh out loud cry out loud story.
Customer Reviews:
Be "changed".......2007-08-08
Zach Hunter's youthful writing style brings home a very real and timely point to all. Is does not take "Age" to make a difference in this world, only passion and a committment to see your vision through to the end.
Zach's book speaks to adults as well as teens. So far I have purchased, read and given away three copies of this book, including one to my 12 year old daughter. Every person I have spoken to about this book has been impressed, and many have gone on to buy a copy for themselves and/or their own teenager.
This is a great selection for a teen or adult book study group.
A powerful message for our generation.......2007-06-14
As teen myself, with a heart to challenge my generation to excellence, Zach Hunter is a warmly-welcomed voice of vision, maturity, and biblical truth. His book speaks to his peers right where they are, and inspires them higher.
To the previous reviewer: Zach has demonstrated the ability to work with others to accomplish social good without compromising the convictions that motivate him to act. That is to be commended, not criticized.
Great concept, but too preachy.......2007-06-04
When I first heard of Zach Hunter and sought out this book, I was very impressed by his cause and ambition. That remains unchanged after reading. He truely is a great role model for the up and coming generations. However, I was discouraged to find so much reference to religion, god's plan, and passages of scripture throughout the book. I understand this is where Zach must get his strength and values, however he needs to make it clear that even an athiest can be passionate for social justice. He should just stick to the historical and sociological implications of slavery, rather than try to convince the reader what a "true christian" he is.
Zach is my new hero.......2007-03-16
Never has such a bold message flowed with such simple power. Zach will change your life but more importantly it will change the lives of the hundreds of thousands of slaves living in despair. This is an easy-to-read and easy-to-live message filled with quotes, testimonies, and straight up wisdom from 15year old. Zach is one of my new heroes.
Porpoise Diving Life March Book Review.......2007-03-13
[...]
Staying true to our March 2007 PDL theme ([...]), I think it's safe to say that this young man has laid down his net and is moving headlong into some pretty powerful "follower-ship." Just in case you were wondering, Zach wants to end slavery and human trafficking in his lifetime. He's making a huge difference by creating awareness of a very dire crisis in our world, speaking before thousands of people and simply stepping up to the plate to do his part.
Zach's book is a very engaging and educational read, though it always feels true to the style of a normal 15-year-old. Yes, it's geared toward a younger generation, but the beauty of his writing style is that any normal kid his age (or any adult, for that matter) will see himself/herself as a potential agent of change. Because he's not lofty in his approach, what he's done comes off as doable for the rest of us too.
If you have kids, you'll want to buy this book--if only so that Zach can be an inspiration to them. And maybe in the process, we'll have more kids like him springing up to embrace a hurt world (I think everyone would agree that this would be a good thing). Even if you don't have kids, buy this book and you might be surprised to find his passion is contagious enough for you to change the world, too.
Book Description
Dutiful daughter, frustrated wife, passionate lover, domineering mother, doting grandmother, devoted friend, tireless legislator, generous patron of artists and philosophers—the Empress Catherine II, the Great, was all these things, and more. Her reign, the longest in Russian Imperial history, lasted from 1762 until her death in 1796; during those years she built on the work begun by her most famous predecessor, Peter the Great, to establish Russia as a major European power and to transform its new capital, St Petersburg, into a city to rival Paris and London in the beauty of its architecture, the glittering splendor of its Court and the magnificence of its art collections. Yet the great Catherine was not even Russian by birth and had no legitimate claim to the Russian throne; she seized it and held on to it, through wars, rebellions and plagues, by the force of her personality, by her charm and determination, and by an unshakable belief in her own destiny.
This is the story of Catherine the woman, whom power alone could never satisfy, for she also wanted love, affection, friendship and humor. She found these in letter-writing, in grandchildren, in gardens, architecture and greyhounds—as well as in a succession of lovers which gave rise to salacious rumors throughout Europe. The real Catherine, however, was more interesting than any rumor.
Using many of Catherine’s own words from her voluminous correspondence and other documents, as well as contemporary accounts by courtiers, ambassadors and foreign visitors, Virginia Rounding penetrates the character of this most powerful, fascinating and surprisingly sympathetic of eighteenth-century women.
Customer Reviews:
Lots of Original Research.......2007-09-13
Rounding must have poured over letters and diaries for years to produce this interesting work on the personal life of Catherine the Great. It's quite a story. Catherine's governing and military leadership are beyond the scope of the book. I would have liked more background than what was given, but the personal focus would have suffered.
The highlights for me were the descriptions of her childhood and life as a young woman and wife. In this section Rounding gives the reader a lot of lot of guidance on the character of the young Catherine, her mother, her soon to be husband and the Empress Elizabeth.
As the book progresses, Rounding reproduces an increasing number of paragraphs from original sources. In some cases this adds flavor. Catherine's text (p. 404) upon the death of her current favorite, Sasha Landskoy demonstrates far better than description could, Catherine's self-absorption. Other times, long quoted passages bog down the story. The quoting increases in the later parts of the book, and as a consequence, less guidance is given by the author.
There is a lot of description of the pageantry, who wore what and what they ate. There are lavish parties and "alimony" settlements. I particularly liked the descriptions of how these and other royals traveled. The logistics must have been enormous.
This is definitely a worthwhile book if you are interested in this period.
Excellent!.......2007-06-02
Finally, a biography of Catherine the Great that doesn't turn her in to the scarlet woman of the century, or the loose woman with the heart of gold. She is seen as a woman who tried to do what was best, didn't necessarily always succeed, but never gave up on herself or her adopted country. A very modern woman in a very un-modern time!
One of my sheroes.......2007-05-18
This well-researched biography does a superb job at giving the reader a look into the world of Catherine the Great and what made her tick. Though she was born a minor German princess and didn't seem destined for much greatness or renown, she was lucky enough to have been in the right place at the right time and to become one of Russia's greatest and most beloved rulers. One of the things that endeared her to the people was her wholehearted embrace of all things Russian. Catherine wasn't anything like her husband Peter III; when she converted to Russian Orthodoxy, she really meant it, and became very devout and observant instead of merely going through the motions but remaining a Lutheran at heart, and she embraced Russia as her own land and the Russians as her own people, complete with quickly learning the language fluently. She was one of them and not just some foreign transplant.
After taking power after the death of Peter's aunt Empress Elizabeth, Catherine lost no time in getting down to business. She had made powerful connections during her time as Grand Duchess, and now began using them in earnest. Besides having the support of the people and members of royal society, she was an educated intelligent woman and had been very much influenced by the ideas and people of the Enlightenment. It was clear from pretty much the outset that she was not merely going to be serving as Regent till her son Paul reached his majority. And during her reign, she saw Russia through outbreaks of bubonic plague, a flood, numerous wars, civil unrest, the beginnings of mass inoculation, many reforms of the legal, educational, social, and religious systems, an improvement in the quality of life for many Russians, and the shaping of Russia into a major world power, a player to be taken seriously on the world stage. She was also the last of Russia's great female rulers, as after her death her son Paul reinstituted the law of primogeniture, prohibiting a woman from ever again taking power.
This book also cleared up some misinformation I had gotten over the years, though I had never believed that slanderous urban legend about Catherine being crushed to death by a horse she was copulating with; it's ridiculous that I had two teachers who told that story as though it were true. Catherine was an amazing inspiring woman, yet most people who aren't well-versed in Russian history usually remember only one thing about her; that's the type of urban legend that one isn't very likely to forget after having heard it. Ms. Rounding also shatters the urban legend about "Potemkin villages." I had also gotten the idea that Empress Elizabeth and Catherine were a lot closer than they actually were; far from Elizabeth mentoring Catherine and being one of her closest confidantes, she actually didn't get along too well with her on most occasions. This book also gives a more nuanced view of Peter III and Paul; while it's clear that Peter did have some screws loose, it seems as though he were more immature and unaware of the role that was expected of him than anything else. Now it seems more understandable why he acted the way he did, given how he was treated by his aunt Elizabeth and her court. As for Paul, it's probably for the better that he only became Tsar after his mother's death and then only served for 5 years before being murdered, but he was raised much like his (possible) father, and treated in much the same way even after he became an adult. No wonder he resented his mother and was such a weak person.
My only complaint about the book is that it does start out kind of slow and even boring, what with so many unnecessary details, particularly about things like court ceremonies, balls, and carriage journeys. It becomes a lot more interesting and fast-paced after Catherine comes into her own and takes power. And it's great that the book focuses on her personal life instead of being bogged down in a lot of overly academic material, but it would have been nice had the portrait been balanced out by some more coverage and details of her policies, reforms, and Russian history in general. Still, this is a great biography for anyone interested in Russian history in general or Catherine in particular.
One of Russia's most powerful rulers -- who wasn't even Russian........2007-03-22
It's one of those surprises of history that one of Russia's most effective rulers was a woman, and not Russian at all. The Russian Empire after the death of Peter the Great in the early eighteenth century became a 'winner-take-all, free-for-all' between various descendants of his. By the time that the daughter of Peter, Elizabeth Petrovna, seized power and imprisoned the infant Ivan VI in a remote fortress, there were only two claimants to the Romanov crown left -- herself, and her nephew, a teenager named Peter. Clearly, the best solution to further palace coups and possible uprisings was to establish a clear line of succession.
A bride must be found and as quickly as possible. A Roman Catholic would not be acceptable, but a German Protestant princess who would not mind converting to Russian Orthodoxy just might work. And for one princess in particular, Empress Elizabeth had a soft-spot in her heart. Once, Elizabeth had been engaged to a German prince, but when he had died, the marriage did not happen. This princeling, however, had a sister -- Johanna, who in turn married the prince of Anhalt-Zerbst, and she had a daughter who was just a year younger than Grand Duke Peter.
Sophie Fredericka Auguste was a lively, intelligent teenager when she arrived in Russia with her mother for a closer look by the Empress. She wasn't exactly pretty, but she had a pair of beautiful dark blue eyes, a quick mind, and a willingness to please. Both the Empress and the Grand Duke liked what they saw, and after some careful negotiations, Sophie converted to Orthodoxy, and became Catherine Alexeyevna, and married Peter. The one problem was Johanna, who kept trying to steal the show from her daughter, dabbled in political machinations, and quite nearly ruined it all for her daughter before being returned to Germany.
But married life wasn't that easy for young Catherine. Not only did she have to deal with Empress Elizabeth's whims and capricious nature, her husband Peter was less than ideal as a spouse. For one, he wasn't that eager to consummate the marriage, prefering to scrape away at his violin, and indulging his whims for playing with soldiers, both toy and real ones. Indeed, as years passed, Catherine found herself in a very unenviable state -- no heir, and an ever irritated Empress, along with a husband who cared nothing for her.
There was really only one solution -- Catherine focused her mind on educating herself in politics and Russia, determined to become entirely Russian, and cutting off her homeland. She also used every scrap of charm and intelligence that she had, slowly gathering a coterie of supporters and finally managing to get her husband to make the marriage a reality. But that didn't mean the battle was over -- both of her infant children, Paul and Anna, were taken away from her and raised by Empress Elizabeth, and Grand Duke Peter started to consider divorcing Catherine. Finally, when Peter became Tsar, Catherine knew she had to act to save herself.
How she took power for herself, and then managed to keep it despite attempted revolts, various pretenders, war with the Ottoman empire, and still managed to be an object of admiration for the time, well, that's what makes this biography so interesting to read. Rounding takes not a political, nor exactly a chronological, look at Catherine the Great's life, but a personal one. Using Catherine's own memoirs and letters, along with the contemporary accounts of those in her life, she gives a very personal look at a powerful woman, who wasn't afraid of taking very big bites of life.
Her passions ranged from her lovers -- Gregory Orlov and Potemkin among them, to the arts -- the Hermitage, one of the most fabulous collections of art in the world, to the palaces of St. Petersburg and Tsarskoye Selo are mostly her creation and inspiration. But as well as her enjoyment of the arts, there was also a very ruthless side to the Empress. She may or may not have had a hand in the murder of her husband after his abdication -- how much Catherine was involved is still a question today, and she would discard a lover with a 'customary' present of land, serfs, and fine gifts, with the unspoken understanding that the affair was over.
But throughout the story I also got to see some of the personality and vibrancy of Catherine II through her letters and descriptions of her life. One surprise was the relationship that she had with her son, who would become Tsar Paul -- while there isn't much of a maternal love there, she was genuinely interested in what he was doing, and never did seem to wish him hard. On the other hand, she took physical and emotional charge of his two eldest children, Alexander and Constantine, in much the same way that Empress Elizabeth had taken Paul away from her.
Rounding's narrative is full of life and insight, and compared to most dusty and dry biographies, this one satisfies on several levels. I can happily recommend it for anyone interested in either Russian history, or how a woman in what was very much a man's world, managed to become one of its most powerful leaders. And yes, the horse myth is finally put to rest, and I hope, for good.
As well as two inserts of colour photos, there are extensive notes, bibliographies, sources and index to help in further research. A genealogical chart helps to sort out the complicated relationships of the Russian rulers in the eighteenth century. The images are particularly fine in this one, and have several paintings that I have not seen reproduced elsewhere.
Recommended.
A Most Amazing Woman.......2007-02-28
One of the more interesting characters in history, Catherine engineered a coup in 1762 that put her on the throne of Russia as she replaced her husband. From here she would rule Russia until her death, 34 years later. Her political accomplishments during those years are spactacular: wars fought and won, reorienting Russia from Asia to Europe, extending Russia's borders, expanding education and the arts.
At the same time her bedroom exploits became legendary around Europe. She had a succession of lovers that also seemed to serve as political advisors. It seems that these lovers were selected by Catherine based on the recommendations of members of the court. It is important to remember that this was a time when in most of the world women were basically considered chattels.
This is a well researched book on a subject that provides a balanced look at Catherine, chronicling her strengths as well as her weaknesses. Her conclusion is that the soubriquet 'the Great' is justified.
Book Description
A lively portrait of a tumultuous period replete with conflict and strife, political intrigue and shifting alliances, assassinations and coronations.
Emma, one of England's most remarkable queens, made her mark on a nation beset by Viking raiders at the end of the Dark Ages, a period often neglected by conventional history. At the center of a triangle of Anglo-Saxons, Vikings, and Normans all jostling for control of England, Emma was a political pawn who became a power broker and an unscrupulous manipulator. By birth a Norman, Emma spent the majority of her life on English soil. She was married to two kings of England and outlived both; she was twice driven into exile; while mourning the untimely loss of one son, she was devastated by the murder of another; she saw two of her sons crowned; she was stripped of her powers when her eldest son became king; and she eventually retired from public life as a dowager queen whose land and wealth had been restored. Regarded by her contemporaries as a generous Christian patron, a regent admired by her subjects, and a Machiavellian mother, Emma was, above all, a survivor: hers was a life marked by dramatic reversals of fortune.
Customer Reviews:
VERY INTERESTING. IT MEET MY NEEDS. .......2007-06-05
There are a couple of facts we need to remember when reading this particular book. First, and this is important, it, the book, is not a Doctorial Thesis and it is not written as such. This is a popular historical work, meant to inform, but at the same time, to entertain. Secondly, I too, like a couple of other reviewers, was a bit disappointed that more was not written about the main character, Emma, her personal life, etc. This leads to the second fact we must remember. Source documents from this era, in particular personal histories, are very, very hard to come by. Most documents from this time have simply disappeared, have been destroyed, or are lost in some historical black hole. This being said and this being remembered, as the book is being read, might help.
The author has given us a fascinating look into the life and politics during the latter part of the first century. A very troubled time for England, and indeed, most of Europe. True, she, the author, does not go into the depth of her subject as many of us would like, but as I have stated, the author had very few source documents of refer to. This work is done in the "popular mode," and is quite readable. The author has taken great pains to let us know when she is stating documented facts and when she drifts into the realm of speculation. This is important to understand what the author is trying to do. I found the author's style far from dry, considering the subject matter. Queen Emma was indeed a complex and fascinating woman and the author has gone to great lengths to bring this across.
This is one of those book I like to call a "tickler," or "seed book." It gives information to those who are interested in a subject, but not fanatical about it. My primary interest is in New World History, but I do like to know where we came from. Works such as this give me as much information as I need for my purposes. Granted, if I were doing a research paper, or was extremely interested in the subject, I would indeed want more. As it stands though, this work gave me a wonder glance into those days and times. Now that I have this information, I find I do have an interest and this work has "tickled" me into checking other works out. This is a good thing. Perhaps one day I could land a nice juicy government grant, travel to England, and check out some of the source documents myself. Would not that be fun!
All in all, I found the work to be very well done, enjoyable to read and quite helpful. I do recommend this one for any individual interested in those days and times and the Queen Emma.
High quality popular history-biography.......2007-06-04
Emma of Normandy was the daughter of Richard I and his Danish "handfast" wife, Gunnor, whose origins are obscure. She married Aethelred II of England, was widowed, and married the Danish invader, Canute the Great the next year. One of her sons by each husband subsequently ruled England. She also became the mother-in-law of Henry III of Germany and was the great-aunt of William the Conqueror. But Emma wasn't the typical royal spouse. She learned how to wield power, played an expert political game, and suffered the failings of greed and scandal. Because of her wide and deep connections between the conquering Danes and Normans and the conquered English, this lively, well-written volume is more than a biography. Though the author is a journalist rather than an academic, she has produced a popular history with thorough source citations that is well worth the reading.
The Title Contains the Name EMMA, But Where's EMMA??.......2007-06-02
If you like Medieval history and the history of continuous Viking raids on England, maybe you'll find this book enjoyable. For me, it was a huge disappointment. The author appears to have no concrete evidence about Queen Emma's public or private life, reign, whereabouts during specific periods in British history, children, marriages, or anything else surrounding the book's main topic. Although a short read, it is dry and without enthusiasm. The book's main subject, Emma, is incidental throughout the entire "biography." Emma happened to be the English queen during Viking raids and that's about it. There is plenty of guess-work on the part of the author about what Emma might have done, might have seen, might have said or read, but there's nothing solid or concrete. There are, however, some interesting insights into Medieval life at the time of Emma's reign but that's about it.
Very enjoyable -- could have been deeper.......2006-12-23
The century or two leading up to the Norman Conquest is a favorite historical period for me, and I've read a number of books balanced roughly on the fulcrum of the year 1000, give or take. And Ms. O'Brien's was a very worthwhile addition to them. Like another reviewer, though, I wished for more on Emma -- or Aelfgifu as the Anglo-Saxons called her. Still, the book was quite a worthwhile and well-written portrait of the times and the characters involved in those fateful years.
And I still say Harold got a raw deal. Arrow in the eye (at least, according to the Bayeux Tapestry) -- that's gotta hurt! ;)
Twice Crowned Queen; Twice a Queen Mother.......2006-12-11
It's clear that Emma didn't passively attain this distinction. How did she do it? The records for the era are hardly extensive, so the biographer has a lot of work to do.
O'Brien did the work and has produced a solid bio. I particularly liked the parts on how Emma commissioned her book and how the assigned monk may have constructed her spin on history. I also liked the chronological chart at the end which sets Emma and her time within not just a European timeline, but also a worldwide framework.
The amount of research that goes into a volume like this is to be respected, but I held back a star because the question of how Queen Emma made her comebacks is only technically answered. You do not get the feeling you understand Emma the way you come to understand the central characters in a Fraser or Weir biography.
Amazon.com
The galaxy of pleasures in Alain Daniélou's translation of the Kama Sutra takes you back to an India where sexuality was an integral part of life and an avenue to spiritual bliss. As Devadatta Shastri says in his commentary: "At the moment when the peak of bliss is attained, the internal and external world vanish. The man and woman cease to be separate entities and lose themselves in the beatitudes of being." Daniélou's elegant rendering includes not only the entire sutra, much of which is excluded in other versions, but two essential commentaries as well. More than just a pillow book, the Kama Sutra is a guide to the labyrinth of sexual etiquette, from how to bathe before meeting a lover to how lovers should entertain each other after making love. Admittedly, the text is dated and culture bound in places; it can be chauvinistic, bizarre, and even violent. The commentators are careful to point out, however, that the work is an overview of all sexual practices, some of which are not recommended. Take from this encyclopedia of amour what you will and let it keep you moving down the path of spiritual practice. --Brian Bruya
Book Description
This definitive volume is the first modern translation of Vatsyayana's Kama Sutra to include two essential commentaries: the Jayamangala of Yashodhara and the modern Hindi commentary by Devadatta Shastri. Alain Danilou spent four years comparing versions of the Kama Sutra in Sanskrit, Hindi, Bengali, and English, drawing on his intimate experience of India, to preserve the full explicitness of the original. I wanted to demystify India, he writes, to show that a period of great civilization, of high culture, is forcibly a period of great liberty.
Customer Reviews:
The Complete Kama Sutra.......2007-09-09
An excellent informative book.
Must be approached as a religion and not a list of sexual positions.
otherwise you will be disappointed.
D
Non Fiction.......2007-09-03
The Kama-Sutra is an entertaining instructional manual, if you like. A lot of the stuff in there of course is ancient, and now will seem quite absurd, as though it was out of a story about witches and wizards cooking up potions and other stuff like that. Apart from that, though, it is quite amusing to see what they came up with.
A book on relationships .......2007-07-26
This book is a full translation of the ancient Indian text. Most individuals only think of the Kama Sutra as being only about sex, which is what it is the most famous for the world over. In fact, the Kama Sutra is a text that is about relationships. It gives much insight into the views of the old Indian culture on marriage, and romantic relationships in general. It's very insightful and is perfect for anyone looking for information on the culture of much of India.
Alot of information..........2005-09-29
If you are interested of the teaching of the Kama Sutra in a no pectoral version, then this book will teach you every thing you have ever wanted to know about Kama Sutra, just with all those dirty pictures.
disappointed.......2005-08-22
More of a research tool. Unless your planning on becoming a "kept woman" or keeping one half the book is useless--doesn't pertain much to a married couple. Completely disappointed.
Average customer rating:
- Very Helpful
- Some Good Advice, Mostly Hype
- Engagement Gift
- Don't get married without it!
- Pretty Darn Informative
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The Knot Complete Guide to Weddings in the Real World: The Ultimate Source of Ideas, Advice, and Relief for the Bride and Groom and Those Who Love Them.
Carley Roney
Manufacturer: Broadway
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The Knot Guide to Wedding Vows and Traditions: Readings, Rituals, Music, Dances, and Toasts
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Bridal Bargains, 8th Edition: Secrets to throwing a fantastic wedding on a realistic budget (Bridal Bargains)
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The Knot Guide to Destination Weddings
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1001 Ways To Save Money . . . and Still Have a Dazzling Wedding
ASIN: 0767916425
Release Date: 2004-01-06 |
Book Description
Planning for the big day? Here are the most up-to-date answers to all of your questions in the book from the editors of the acclaimed wedding website, The Knot.
Overwhelmed by the countless questions and details your wedding entails? Don’t despair! The Knot Complete Guide to Weddings in the Real World takes you step-by-step from your engagement to the big day, from the reception to the honeymoon. Inside you’ll find checklists, worksheets, insider advice, and in-depth sections on:
How to personalize your wedding
Updated wedding etiquette
Creating a realistic budget
Sneaky cost-cutting tips
Dress shopping advice
Tips for working with florists, caterers, officiants, and others
Invitation wording
Vows and ceremony details
Unique wedding customs
ALL NEW SECTIONS ON: Planning Online and Destination Weddings
Customer Reviews:
Very Helpful.......2007-08-24
This was an extremely helpful book and it's not bulky. I definitely recommend it.
Some Good Advice, Mostly Hype.......2007-05-26
When my fiancee and I first started planning our wedding, we heard about this book and purchased a copy because of its popularity and mention in magazines and elsewhere. While there is some good advice, it's not the must-have some people say and it's heavily tied into the web site too, which is just more of a time drain. I think much of the material could be condensed into fewer pages and more focused advice. You won't regret buying it, but nor will it make your planning much easier IMO.
Engagement Gift.......2007-05-07
Bought this item as an engagement gift for the daughter of a friend. She is someone that really enjoys being organized and this book has definitely helped her in planning the wedding.
Don't get married without it!.......2007-03-26
This was a great resource - explained everything you may want to consider or don't even know to ask regarding weddings. Very informative & easy to read & had great ideas from ettiquette and budgeting to options. Loved the website as well from the Knot & found this a great companion. Highly reccomend to anyone getting married - great engagement gift!
Pretty Darn Informative.......2007-03-22
Touched on it all. Definitely a How To with details. It answered many questions not just for one kind of bride but for brides of all kinds. I thought the least helpful were the personal accounts, more touchy feely than helpful. Their website is the best and this does supplement the website with more detail.
Book Description
Conjuring all the sweep of a great nineteenth-century novel, acclaimed author William Dalrymple unearths the fascinating story of the British Resident at the court of the Nizam of Hyderabad, James Kirkpatrick, who in 1798 fell in love with the great-niece of the Hyderabadi prime minister. To marry her, Kirkpatrick converted to Islam and even became a double agent working against the East India Company. Shedding light on the many eccentric Westerners during this period who "turned Turk," adopting Indian customs, dress, and religions, Darymple brings to life a compelling and largely unwritten story of Britain's rule over India.
Customer Reviews:
Once Upon a Time in Hyderabad ..........2007-09-21
This book is a complex many-faceted marvel! It is carefully researched history transformed into the story of an ultimately tragic romance. With its portrayal of Europeans astride two cultures, it offers a wonderful, and probably unintentional, counterpoint to the Clash of Civilizations. It is a swarm of all-seeing flies on the walls and writing desks of Hyderabad's elite, both British and Indian, two centuries ago - with their city, dress, festivals and habits brought vividly to life. It is a fascinating description of British and Mughal political intrigue in and around the Deccan as imperial control tightened. It is a sensitive reflection on the rapacious, self-indulgent and precarious lives lived by the British in insalubrious coastal cities like Calcutta and Madras. And as result of the unbelievably painstaking process of meticulous documentation we are convinced that we are seeing events exactly as participants did. It is a mind-blowing accomplishment.
A beautiful book.......2007-09-11
This is a beautiful book. A fascinating love story, a forgotten angle on the British in India, a human and historical tragedy. It's scholarly but warm, thoroughly researched but very readable, broad but not diffuse.
And in one sense it's also very much about the early 21st Century: with respect and good humour, cultures and religions can co-exist and complement each other. So much for the "clash of civilisations" theory.
The "moral of the story" right at the end could have been better placed in an author's preface, and I trust a second edition would pick up the small number of editing mistakes.
Read it.
Wonderful Historical Book - Fascinating, Informative, Easy Read.......2007-08-09
This is a wonderful book about an oft-overlooked, yet fascinating topic--the mughal period in Hyderabad (or perhaps I should say the end of the Mughal period) and the role of Europeans in the late mughal period. It is sensitively written and thoroughly researched. While so many historical works prove rather dull reading, this book is well written accessible and engaging. I highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in Indian history, the moghul period, and/or the Deccan region.
Sliver of history from British India.......2007-08-09
Must read if you're interested in the history of India. Felt like I was walking through the streets of Hyderabad in the 19th century.
Powerful, romantic and heartbreaking.......2007-07-25
Dalrymple's previous books have been travel books with lots of historical background. In WHITE MUGHALS Dalrymple has come up with a magnificent work of history writing. In this book he covers the period in Indian history when the East India Company/England had not yet subjugated India and did not yet have their racist attitudes which were to mark the Raj. The late 18th and early 19th Century was a period of remarkable cross-culturalization in India. The book focuses on one James Kirkpatrick, who was Resident of the Hyderabad office of the East India Company. Kirkpatrick (and many others) fell under the spell of India, becoming fluent in the local languages, adopting Indian dress, converting to Islam and marrying an Indian woman. This last act caused a great scandal when it was reported by a political rival in the Mughal court that he seduced and/or raped the woman. However he was able to prove that it was actually the woman and her female relatives who instigated and orchestrated their love affair. Fortunately for Kirkpatrick his advice to his superiors on the political situation (which had been pooh-poohed) at this time proved to be remarkably prescient, which resulted in his superior being recalled and his own status affirmed. The love of Kirkpatrick for his "Begum" was a deep and abiding one that produced two children. The children were sent to England at ages 4 and 8 to be educated and live with their paternal grandfather. They never saw their parents again. This was a traumatic event for both parents and children. But it was rather typical for such children of this time and place. Dalrymple does a masterful job in presenting not only the political machinations of both the Hyderabadi court and the East India Company, but the romantic and exotic allure of India itself. Kirkpatrick and his love have to weather the opposition from all sides. With the coming of the 19th Century and the British gaining more and more power, attitudes began to change and the blissful period of multiculturalism was supplanted by a master/subject mentality that destroyed the mutual trust of the British and the Indians. Anglo-Indian children faced discrimination and racism from both sides and religious tolerance faded as both Christian and Muslim religions became more severe and fundamentalist. This is a very sad story, but incredibly illuminating. I'm a big fan of Dalrymple's previous books, but this one is absolutely spellbinding and could serve as the basis for a fabulous movie. Highly recommended. Five stars.
Product Description
The 14 Book Beany Malone Set includes: Meet the Malones; Beany Malone; Leave It to Beany; Beany and the Beckoning Road; Beany Has a Secret Life; Make a Wish for Me; Happy Birthday, Dear Beany; The More the Merrier; A Bright Star Falls; Welcome Stranger; Pick a New Dream; Tarry Awhile; Something Borrowed, Something Blue; Come Back, Wherever You Are. The Malones of Denver, Colorado are a warm open-hearted family with a welcoming home, open to friends and all others in need of physical and emotional nourishment. The series has the warmth and sense of solidarity intrinsic of wartimes and the post-war era. There is a general feeling of peace and simplicity. When the series opens, the Malone children are motherless, as Mary Malone has been dead for three years. The father, Martie Malone, is often absent due to his duties as editor of the Denver Call. Three of the four Malone children, Mary Fred, Johnny and Beany, live at home. The oldest Malone daughter, the beautiful, loving Elizabeth, has been married to Lieutenant Donald McCallin for one year. The Malones live on Barberry Street in a large, wide-bosomed gray stone home. Their surrounding neighbors are Mrs. Morrison Adams (known as Mrs. Socially-prominent Adams) in her red brick home with immaculate white trim and frilly curtains in the windows, and the imposing and stately home of the Judge Buell family.
Customer Reviews:
AMAZING SERIES!! IS A MUST READ!.......2006-06-24
I got the entire series this past Christmas. I had read the first 2 because although my library had more, they didn't have all of them, and they didn't have the 3rd and I don't like to read things out of order so I was really sad. So then I was soo happy to find out they were being republished by Image Cascading!!!
So yea I read them all and they all rock!!! It's nice seeing what teenagers did back in the 50's. And it was also nice how different people's relationships were with their family's, I wish it were more like that today. And they are also way more responsible and mature then we are now. Making their own money, not having to depend on their parents for everything. And their parents respect and trust them more too! And they definatly treat their parents with much respect which is ALOT more then I can say about kids of today.
The first book is about Beany's older sister, Mary Fred. It is in MF's junior year of highschool, when Beany is in 8th grade. The rest of the books are all about Beany, in highschool, college, and then when she gets married. And let me just say I LOVE who she ends up with. They are SOOO cute!!!
Everyone should read these books they are amazing and are definatly one of my favorite books ever!
Book Description
This reader of primary sources focuses on the burgeoning field of the Medieval family. While much of what it means to be in love, or to marry, or to be part of a family has remained consistent over the past two millennia, dramatic changes have also taken place. Love, Marriage, and the Family in the Middle Ages now allows readers a vivid sense of what these issues, which make up so much of daily life, meant to those in the Middle Ages.
Book Description
lder teens and adult readers can't get enough of Gossip Girl, the anonymous narrator who made her catty debut in the bestselling Gossip Girl and titillated readers in the juicy sequel, You Know You Love Me. Now in All I Want Is Everything, readers will love her even more as Gossip Girl dishes up dose after hefty dose of dirt on all her friends-New York's wealthiest private school teens. Sharp wit, intriguing characters, and high-stakes melodrama drive the action of this wildly popular new series.
Customer Reviews:
B, N S, D & J are back and up to no good!.......2007-07-17
In the second installment of the Gossip Girl series our favorite spoiled brats are back and at it again, and this time they are trying to get into college. As if the stress of college applications and interviews wasn't enough for Blair, she now also has to deal with the wedding of the year...her mother's (complete with cute but annoying step-brother and all) and the gnawing feeling something between her and Nate just isn't right. Poor Blair.
Serena on the other hand is just as happy go lucky as ever, however, her newfound relationship with Dan appears to be on the rocks already...ah well; there are more fish in the sea!
Lastly there seems to be a new girl catching Nate's eye and you will never guess who it is! You'll have to read to find out.
While I found the first Gossip Girl book to be mildly entertaining, `YOU KNOW YOU LOVE ME' hooked me! I will definitely spend my summer trying to play catch up before the Gossip Girl series airs on the CW this fall! Fun read for teen's and adult's (who like a little scandal) alike!
Great 2nd novel!.......2007-07-05
Cecily von Ziegesar impresses her audience again with the second installment in the Gossip Girl series. In this one, Blairs mother announces that she is going to get married to Cyrus Rose, a stubby, annoying rich man, and only after a 2-month relationship. Blair has to deal with a new family, which includes Cyrus' son, Aaron, who is a vegan, hippie, who smokes herbal cigarettes. She is still mad at Serena, who slept with Blairs boyfriend, Nate, who is "in love" with a freshman named Jenny "Jennifer" Humphrey. Blair and Serena both screw up their interviews for college. Dan Humphrey also gets on Serena's nerves and later falls in love with Vanessa Abrams. In the end Blair and Serena become friends again, when Serena comforts Blair after everything she's done to her. Cecily wrote another great book for this series, which is addicting. This book was really fun to read, and a great summer read!
GREAT.......2007-03-24
I love this book. It is written soo well and so funny. i couldnt stop reading it.
You know you love me........2006-12-15
I think that this book is really good i thought the way that the charaters interact with eachother are really descriptive. And the book is very well written also. I recommend this book to teenagers because it has alot of drama in it and it has to do with some of the situtaions that teens are put under today such as friends, prepressure and family. So there is this girl named Blair and her boyfriend is Nate and she caught Nate cheating on her with her best friend at that time her best friends name was Serena. Once she found out that her boyfriend cheated on her with her bestfriend she is not friends with Serena and she really doesnt like her and never wants to talk to her ever again. Blair goes up to have an interview for her college and her moms fiance takes her to Yale for her interview and on the way up there she realzes he is actually cute and developes a crush on him. So for months now Blair and Serena have not talked so on Blairs moms wedding day they both bump into eachother in the bathroom and they make peace. They planned a new years party and Nate showed up and he had a girlfriend her name was Jenny and at that party she walks in on her boyfriend Nate and Blair kissing.
The gossip keeps on entertaining.......2006-09-03
Book two in the gossip girl series finds Blair Waldorf getting ready to lose her virginity to her boyfriend Nate. This is the second time the couple has planned a romantic evening for such a momentous occasion, and soon becomes the second time that they are interrupted. To Blair's shock and horror, they are interrupted by her mother who informs them that she is getting remarried to a man Blair loathes and the wedding will be in 3 weeks - on Blair's birthday!! For Blair this is the icing on an already rotten cake as she is suspicious of Nate's loyalty and worried about college applications.
Serena is also back in this episode and still suffering socially because Blair has shut her out. Her friendship with Dan is growing, but it doesn't seem to be going where Dan would like it to go. Serena is also extremely concerned about getting into college and knows that she will have to win the school film festival to have a shot at her college applications being taken seriously by reputable schools.
Once again, these snotty, self-absorbed, rich kids are back with their trips to Barney's, Manolo Blahniks, and everything trendy. But that's what makes these books such a guilty pleasure. The reader is SUPPOSED to hate them. At the same time, it is a look into the world of the perfect and reminds us that no one is perfect, no matter where they get their milk pedicures and facials. Not great literature, but a quick and enjoyable read.
Books:
- Men Like Women Who Like Themselves: (And Other Secrets That the Smartest Women Know)
- Metamorphoses (Oxford World's Classics)
- Money for Nothing
- Mother Angelica: The Remarkable Story of a Nun, Her Nerve, and a Network of Miracles
- Mr. Pusskins: A Love Story
- Murder by Moonlight and Other Mysteries: New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes Volumes 19-24 (New Adventures of Shelock Holmes)
- Murder on the Ile Saint-Louis (Aimee Leduc Investigation)
- Myths, Lies, and Downright Stupidity: GET OUT THE SHOVEL -- WHY EVERYTHING YOU KNOW IS WRONG
- Oh! where are Bloody Mary's earrings?: A mystery story at the Court of Queen Victoria
- One Thousand and One Arabian Nights (Oxford Story Collections)
Books Index
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