History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)

Book Description

Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.

Customer Reviews:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03

Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.

Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19

Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.

Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09

There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.

For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.

Very Interesting.......2007-03-07

It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.

History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10

Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.

I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.

Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.

Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.

I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.

This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.

Average customer rating:

Living Hard
Nice Read
Off the Chain
G-Unit Book strikes Gold with K. Elliott collab
HEAVEN FOR SEVEN

The Ski Mask Way
K Elliott , and 50 Cent
Manufacturer: G-Unit
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

United States | Short Stories | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 1416531017

Book Description

HARD LIFE. HARD LUCK. HARD DRUGS.

HARD DEALS. HARD TIME.

Back in New York City, Seven was the seventh child. But here in Charlotte he's number one on every ladies' list. Even behind bars, he managed to sex a female corrections officer, who lost her job and found herself pregnant. Now Seven is out of the pen and back on the streets. A small-time dealer with big-time dreams, he's ready to take care of business -- for his baby, his baby's mother, his slammin' girlfriend, and his empty wallet. But first, he's got to play the game with the biggest pushers in town. He'll be a soldier for The Man. Then he'll rob the suckers blind before they figure out what's going down. Sure, it could get him killed. But Seven knows there are things in life worth living for -- and things worth dying for. And sometimes you can't tell the difference.

Customer Reviews:

Living Hard.......2007-07-05

Mr. Elliott done a good job with this book, I like his style of writing and he keeps you wanting more. Taking a walk with Elliott in to the world of Seven I got to see just how he got down for his, showing you his highs and lows all while tring to make away for his son. I enjoyed it, it was on point and stayed there. 50 did it again!

Nice Read.......2007-05-31

I think it's really cool that 50 is getting into writing (or co-writing) street fiction. The story line was written well & was a smooth & easy read. I read this book in one sitting! I look forward to more G-Unit books. Right before reading this one, I picked up and finished the Death Before Dishonor. I was not disappointed by either. Although Death before Dishonor was a better read,I enjoyed the Ski Mask way as well. I think there should be a sequel! After reading this book, I may start reading books by K. Elliott from here on out.

Off the Chain .......2007-05-27

I LOVE THIS BOOK 50 & K.ELLIOT KNOW HOW TO GET YOUR ATTENTION WITH THIS BOOK.......A PAGE TURNER IT IS...YOU MUST READ THIS YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED.............ONE PAGE AND B4 YOU KNOW IT YOU FINISH I JUST HAD TO FINISH IT AND IT'S ALL THAT. SEVEN DOES THE DAYUM THING.......WANT TO KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING BOUT COP THE BOOK~

G-Unit Book strikes Gold with K. Elliott collab.......2007-04-01

There are not alot of authors who are able to both inform and entertain. K. Elliott has been able to do both and do it better than most authors who have been on the literary scene long than he. They just keep getting better and better.

HEAVEN FOR SEVEN.......2007-03-22

I am a 44 year old white woman from Detroit and I have read a lot of books but I never read one as good as this. I never set the book down. I've got everybody reading it now. It was the most thrilling book, it had me on the edge of my seat. You won't be disappointed. I went out the next day and bought the other (2) 50 cent books they were all excellent especially The Ski Mask. Thanks, Mr. Elliot

Average customer rating:

Two From the Dipple
Classic tale.
senior reader
Masks of the Outcasts

Masks of the Outcasts
Andre Norton
Manufacturer: Baen
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Adventure | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

Space Opera | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 1416509011

Book Description

The planet Korwar was a glittering jewel of a world, inhabited by the galaxy's wealthiest, visited by the upper classes of other worlds in search of diversion. The jewel had a flaw: the Dipple, its name coming from a contraction of "displaced person," where the misfits, the hopeless, the penniless eke out a wretched existence on the dole. Two young men hoped to escape from the Dipple: Troy Horan was deported from his own planet after it lost an interstellar war. When he had a chance to work in an unusual pet shop, offering exotic creatures from other worlds to the wealthy, he though his luck had changed. But the owner was playing a dangerous game of intrigue, and when he was murdered Troy barely escaped with his own life. Aided only by telepathic animals from old Terra who had befriended him, he had no choice but to hide in ruins left behind by the now-vanished original inhabitants of Korwar; ruins which explorers had entered without returning. . . . Nik Kolherne had a face so cruelly scared and disfigured that he wore a mask to cover it. When he was recruited with a promise of being given a new face, a face which would make a young heir think he was someone else, he was uneasy, but accepted the offer. Then he found out that he was party to a kidnapping for more sinister purposes than he had been told, and he was the only hope of the young heir's survival-if the two of them could survive on a planet veiled in eternal night, swarming with dangerous predators. . . .

Publisher's Note: Masks of the Outcasts has previously appeared separately as Catseye and Night of Masks. This is the first combined publication of the complete book.

Customer Reviews:

Two From the Dipple.......2007-09-24

Masks of the Outcasts (2005) is an omnibus edition of two SF novels in the Dipple universe: Catseye and Night of Masks.

When the War of Two Sectors broke out, the Council evacuated Displaced Persons to centers on several worlds. One of these Dipples was located on Korwar, a playground planet frequented by the rich and powerful from many worlds. The Dipple stood to the south of Tikil, the planetary capital.

Some inhabitants of the Dipple found their way out by working as casual laborers in Tikil. Others volunteered for offplanet labor and were shipped out in frozen sleep. A few bought membership in the Thieves Guild.

In Catseye (1961), the Horans had been evacuated from Norden to the Dipple on Korwar. Range Master Lang had volunteered for military service and did not return. Then his wife died of the Cough, a passing illness that was particularly hard on those from Norden. Their son was the sole survivor of the Horan family.

In this novel, ten year later, Troy Horan has only his wide Range Master belt and a few memories to remind him of Norden. Now he is working as a casual laborer in Tikil. One morning, he is offered a job by the mechnical assigner and accepts it. Today he will escape the Dipple for a few hours.

Troy reports for work at Kyger's, a purveyor of extraordinary pets. On his first day, he frustrates an attempt to steal a pair of Terran cats. Supervisor Zul -- a full-blooded Bushman -- is wounded in the attempt and Kyger offers Troy a seven day contract to fill in for the injured man.

During the incident, Troy receives a warning in mindspeech from the cats. Later, he approaches their cage and exchanges a few thoughts. He conceals these communications from his employer and co-workers since he is not really sure what has happened.

Troy has an affinity for animals and does especially well with the fussel hawk, a hunting bird from Norden. He is asked to accompany a customer into the wild to prove the bird's qualities. He will spend three days in the company of Rerne, a high ranking member of the Hunter Clans.

Before this excursion, Troy is sent to a hillside villa to deliver special food for a pet kinkajou owned by Commander Varan Di. Since the Commander had just been murdered, the patrollers warn off his flitter, but allow him to continue after he explains his errand. As he is approaching the villa, the pet runs away from a patroller carrying it out of the building and leaps into Troy's arms.

The patrollers are upset at finding the pet rummaging through the Commander's papers. Troy points out that the kinkajou is a very imitative animal and his probably copying his master's habitual routine. While he is talking to the patrollers, the kinkajoy is pleading with him in mindspeech to take it away from the estate. Eventually, the patrollers tell him to return the pet to Kyger's shop and they fly away.

In this story, Troy finds that a pair of Terran foxes can also talk to him in mindspeech. He even overhears a conversation between the animals and their master. He begins to suspect Kyger of some form of espionage. Then Kyger is murdered and Zul tries to kill these animals. Troy steals a flitter and flees into the wilderness with the five Terran animals.

In Night of Masks (1964), a decade after the war, Nik Kolherne was one of the unlucky ones who stayed behind in the center. He had been evacuated from his planet on a space freighter that had been forced down by the enemy. Most of the crew and passengers had died in the crash, but Nik had been saved from the wreck.

After the rescue, the Dipple medical staff tried to regrow the torn and burned flesh on his face, but the attempts were unsuccessful. His disfigurements disturbed possible employers, so he cannot find a job on the outside. He even habitually hides his features from his fellow residents.

In this novel, one day Nik is settling down in a warehouse to listen to another fantasy escape tape when he overhears three men discussing an illegal operation. Although he stays as quiet as possible, one detects his presence and lifts him out of his hiding place. Another hits him and knocks him unconscious.

When Nik recovers, he finds himself in the home of Stowar, a man with connections and one of the conspirators. Captain Leeds -- the spacer who had discovered his presence -- recruits Nik for a risky proposition that will entail replacement of his face. Nik will do anything for a new face.

In this story, Nik is inserted onto the villa grounds, appearing to Vandy as a fantasy hero from the child's dreams, and conducts him to a lifeboat that will take them away from Korwar. They travel in stasis and Nik does not recover consciousness until the LB is about to land. Vandy becomes frightened by the pressure and seems to be questioning the Hacon identity, but Nik calms the boy until they have landed.

Dis is a planet of a red dwarf that doesn't emit visible light. The infra-red starshine leaves the world in perpetual darkness. The man who meets them after landing is wearing cin-goggles to transform the IR light to something human eyes can see. Fabic takes them to a set of native ruins that have been converted to human quarters. On the way, he blasts an attacking carnivore out of the sky.

Later, Fabic takes Nik to meet Orkhad, the local veep. Orkhad is a suequ weed smoker, which tends to make the user believe himself capable of any feat. Orkhad doesn't seem to have a high opinion of Leeds, but is willing to let Nik remain just to keep the boy peaceful. During the conversation, Orkhad says several things that contradict the story told by Leeds.

Vandy is very upset with the whole situation and conflicted over his feelings toward Hacon, the fantasy hero. He tries the door and finds it locked. Later he tries the door once again and finds it unlocked. Nik holds him back to plan their actions and then leads the escape.

These stories are typical of the Dipple tales. Some resident of that slum finds a way out and takes it, only to discover that there is a catch. These tales usually involve the Thieves Guild or some other illicit organization, which offers through its agents that which the protagnist most desires.

Highly recommended for Norton fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of strange planets, future cultures, and high adventure.

-Arthur W. Jordin

Classic tale........2007-09-03

Andre Norton's MASKS OF THE OUTCASTS tells of two outcasts: Troy, forced to hide in the wake of his employer's murder, and Nik, who has to hide his scarred face from the world until an offer to masquerade as an heir is tied to his recovery. The two hope to escape the slum which has been their lives - and unusual connections are drawn in this classic tale.

senior reader.......2006-11-01

just purchased this book and never read andre norton as of yet. sat down to enjoy an hour of leisure. three hours later i am still reading and with a short interruption of lunch continued to read while eating my sandwich. never has a book caught me so that i neglected my daily chores. i plan to neglect them today also just to enjoy this rare find of a darn good book. lots of intrigue and speculation, wonder of mystery and guessing as you read. animals talking to humans mentally, possible aliens in hidding. let me ask you-- do dishes and vaccumn or read a darn good book.

Masks of the Outcasts.......2006-08-29

This book fits well in my library. I collect Hardbound Books and Andre Norton

Behind the Mask: The Life of Queen Elizabeth I

Average customer rating:

Nothing New
The least frumpy queen on record
WONDERFUL
Well written, but content inappropriate for pre-teens
The First Book

Behind the Mask: The Life of Queen Elizabeth I
Jane Resh Thomas
Manufacturer: Clarion Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

General | Historical | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Europe | History & Historical Fiction | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Royalty | People & Places | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0395691206

Book Description

Elizabeth I (1533-1603) impressed herself more vividly on the memory of the world than any other monarch in the history of England. She successfully established and maintained power while refusing to bow to the wishes of those who believed no woman was fit to occupy the English throne. This biography describes the opulent but cruel childhood that shaped the woman Elizabeth became and details her triumphant reign, as well as the unrelenting forces that opposed her. Exploring the answers to some of history's most persistent and intriguing questions, Jane Resh Thomas has created a compelling account of Elizabeth's life that shatters the myths surrounding her and allows readers an unprecedented view of the queen as a human being. Full-color insert, chronology, bibliography, index.

Customer Reviews:

Nothing New.......2007-06-13

This woman was the greatest monarch England ever had. Ever. The book, however was a bit disapointing. It is a bare-bones just-the-facts telling of a great women's life and didn't near do her justice. I wanted more.

If general facts and a fast read are all you want, this book is perfect. Just not for me.

The least frumpy queen on record.......2004-07-08

Take a look at the cover of this book for just a moment. Just a single solitary moment. Maybe the last thing you want to do is read a young adult biography on England's greatest queen, and I can understand where you're coming from. But take a good long look at the image presented on the cover here. This portrait of Queen Elizabeth was fashioned in her time and is commonly referred to as The Rainbow Portrait. It is, to my mind, the most flattering painting ever made of the ruler and it hasn't been touched since she posed for it. When you first look at it, it seems pretty standard. There she is with the high forehead (considered attractive at the time), the bright curly red hair, and the ostentatious finery. In fact, let's take a closer look at that finery. If you look carefully you cannot help but notice that her gown is covered in ears and eyes. You heard me right. Honest to goodness ears and eyes are all over this thing! You don't notice it at first, but once you've seen it you can never forget it. Such is the case with Thomas's book itself. It may not look like much at first, but once you take even a glance at the text you immediately become transfixed by the lives of Elizabeth, her crazy family, suitors, and enemies.

Elizabeth was born the second child of the (in the words of the great comic Eddie Izzard) "big fat hairy king", Henry VIII. Fond of killing off his wives when they either displeased him or couldn't produce male heirs, Elizabeth was the daughter of the soon-to-be beheaded Anne Boleyn. Her life was touch and go from the start. One minute she was treated as a prized pet and the next she was sent to royal grounds far from court. What followed soon after was a series of deaths and accessions to the throne. When Henry VIII died he was followed by Elizabeth's little half-bro Edward VI. When Eddie died he was followed by the Lady Jane Grey (for nine days). After she was tossed out came Elizabeth's older half-sis Mary (Bloody Mary to you commoners). Finally, Mary kicked it and Elizabeth rose to the throne. She was only 25 or 26 at the time and extraordinarily canny in the choices she made. Refusing to marry (and thereby give up her ruling power) Elizabeth remained sexy and single. Over the course of her life she dealt with assassination attempts, the continual threat of Mary Queen of Scots, an invasion of England by the Spanish Armada, excommunication, and all sorts of fun stuff. The result? Elizabeth remains perhaps the best remembered Queen of them all, making her an excellent subject of bios and bio-pics.

I'm easily bored. If I pick up a children's book that won a Newbery Award pre-1950 to read, you'll probably find me curled up in a corner fast asleep in five minutes time. Non-fiction is therefore one of the banes of my existence and I heap large helpings of praise onto any author that can make a realistic subject even halfway interesting. Not being familiar with Jane Resh Thomas, I was understandably nervous when I confronted this tome of a book and its 16th century subject. To my vast relief, my fears were more than unfounded. Here is a history book that has plumbed every interesting tidbit, rumor, factoid, and story for the eager ears of the reader. Want to hear how Queen Elizabeth would expose her chest to foreign diplomats (to put them on edge, you see)? Read it here. Curious about her six foot tall rival who was a queen that disguised herself as a boy to gain English sanctuary? It's a great tale. None of this is to say that Thomas neglects actual informative facts about the Elizabethan era and its people. In fact, this kind of information is so plentiful that it fills each and every page without ever drawing undue attention to itself. I think I learned more about ancient court life within these pages than I could have hoped to anywhere else.

In addition to fabulous factual storytelling and a wonderful ear for narrative, tension, and intrigue, Thomas has filled the book with numerous paintings of the characters involved, even going so far as to include Elizabeth's life in portraits as a color filled section of seven portraits that follow her through the years. To help the easily confused (like my pretty self) there's a fabulous opening section that names and describes many of the book's major players. There's also a portrait gallery of Henry VIII's wives and description of their mostly shortened lives. The back of the book contains a useful chronology of events, a well-cited bibliography of every source Thomas used or even thought of using, and an index. You're in safe hands with this thorough researcher.

Thomas attempts in this book to show the life of Elizabeth without commenting on her too much. Yes, Elizabeth could be as cruel and calculating as her predecessors and she wasn't afraid to "Off with their head" a couple of her closest compatriots. In the end, however, she comes off as a remarkable woman. Thomas leaves plenty of room for speculation on lurid topics that cover everything from Elizabeth's sex life to her love of sweets for dinner. Nothing here is written in stone, but this is probably as good a teen biography of this great woman you're going to get for at least another one hundred years. As someone who looked upon reading this book initially as a chore, I can tell you honestly that it was a joy to go through. A biography that deserves remembrance.

WONDERFUL.......2003-11-28

This is a wonderful and very detailed book on Queen Elizabeth I of England- it explains everything from the divorce from Catherine of Aragorn to her reported affairs with Robin Dudley. If you want to know more about English history, this is definitely a great place to start.

This is the best biography on Elizabeth I that I've read so far, and it has pictures of the portraits that she appeared in in her life. And you'll learn pretty much everything you ever wanted to know about Elizabeth the First- from what her three nicknames were (Gloriana, Good Queen Bess, and the Virgin Queen) to the last lie that she every told her sister, Mary.

This is a great book, and I recommend it to everyone!

Well written, but content inappropriate for pre-teens.......2003-11-13

While the publisher touts this book as appropriate for children 10 and up, I think the School Journal recommendation of Grades 8 and up is much more appropriate. My eight year old wanted to read this book for a class project. I mistakenly thought it would be an excellent choice, but by page 17, I'd forbidden her to continue. By that time, I'd been asked to define ýprostitute,ý ýcastration,ý ýdisemboweling,ý ýliaison,ý "skin ulcer," and ýdeformedý as she read passages that included subjects like the corruption in the priesthood (priests living openly with prostitutes), the adultery charges against Anne Boleyn (including explanations of how the fact that her third child was born stillborn and deformed might have led to rumors about Anneýs morality, as deformity was believed to stem from the woman participating in witchcraft or sexual intercourse with the devil) , and Henryýs persecution of those who refused to accept his new authority as head of the Church of England (including the execution, castration, and disemboweling of priests who defied him). While all the information is accurate and well-researched, this gritty detail (much of which I didn't have to deal with until I was a sophomore in college) seems inappropriate for a child's introduction to the fascinating life of Queen Elizabeth I or Tudor England. It is much more likely -- especially for a sensitive child -- to put them off both subjects forever!

The First Book.......2003-07-28

When I was at my city library I was digging through all the children's biographies and came across this book on Elizabeth I. I thought it would be nice to study this "great" woman, so I decieded to give this book a try.
I did do a good choice. Though it confused me a little bit and was boring in places, I enjoyed it-and it increased my interest in not just Elizabeth, but all royals. I will have to say that another biography on Elizabeth II that I got at the same time was much better for me at the time.

Average customer rating:

Man as Art, a visual feast

Man as Art (A Studio Book)
Malcolm Kirk
Manufacturer: Studio
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Textile & Costume | Design & Decorative Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Customer Reviews:

Man as Art, a visual feast.......2000-06-19

Man as Art is a stunning pictorial essay of face painting in Papua New Guinea. It's coffee table size format and razor sharp photographic resolution make the pictures breathtaking. The colors are vibrant and the lighting is outstanding.

Married Without Masks: A New Look at Submission and Authority

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Not just about marriage

Married Without Masks: A New Look at Submission and Authority
Nancy Groom
Manufacturer: Baker Pub Group
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0801057272

Customer Reviews:

Not just about marriage.......2000-05-23

Nancy Groom gives a clear and encouraging picture of how God has designed human relationships. Without saying "all men are like this" and "all women are like this" (like most books about marriage do) she discusses the biblical roles of men and women and how God can and will bless your marriage when you follow His plan. Groom makes it clear that relying on human relationships for fulfillment is pointless. Only when you allow God to meet all your needs will you be able to meet the needs of others, whether it's your spouse, child, or best friend. This book has very practical advice and was really encouraging to read.

Relational Masks: Removing the Barriers That Keep Us Apart

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Relational Masks: Removing the Barriers That Keep Us Apart
Russell Willingham
Manufacturer: InterVarsity Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Interpersonal Relations | Relationships | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

Personal Transformation | Self-Help | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

General | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0830832513

Book Description

The Avoider. The Deflector. The Self-Blamer. The Aggressor. Recognize someone you know? Or yourself?

We all know people who seem to get stuck in unhealthy patterns of relating to others. Sometimes we're puzzled by a loved one's evasiveness or surprised by a friend's defensive aggression. Occasionally we look in the mirror and see such troubling behaviors in ourselves. All of these are masks that we hide behind, and they prevent us from having authentic relationships with others.

Counselor Russell Willingham identifies the relational masks that obstruct us from relating freely to other people and to God. Drawing on a wealth of practical experience and biblical insight, he diagnoses the destructive ways that we respond to others and shows how underlying false beliefs govern our thinking and actions. He also shows how each mask can be subverted from within and turned inside out to help us move toward healthy relationships. Each chapter includes tools and questions for discussion and application.

Discover how to relate to others with the honesty and authenticity God intended--and find the relational freedom and satisfaction you?ve been yearning for.

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Insightful Look Beyond the Aura of FLW

Pick another biographer, this one is TERRIBLE!

Colorful, Chatty and Informative...

WHAT'S RIGHT WITH WRIGHT...

Good alternate view of FLW for a reader who is already famil

Many Masks: A Life of Frank Lloyd Wright
Brendan Gill
Manufacturer: Da Capo Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
General | Architects, A-Z | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
Wright, Frank Lloyd | Architects, A-Z | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
Artists, Architects & Photographers | Arts & Literature | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0306808722

Customer Reviews:

Insightful Look Beyond the Aura of FLW.......2007-02-09

If you have the gusto to wrangle through this slightly pedantic work, the true Frank comes out in its pages. Wright was a prolific letter writer, and Gill prudently includes much of the correspondence between architect and client, father and son, and husband and wife/ex-wife/future wife. These excerpts along with snippets of telegrams really brought FLW alive for me.

However, this book could have been much improved if Gills theme: "The many masks of Frank Lloyd Wright", had been present throughout the meat of the book. He only approaches his pet-thesis during the opening pages and in his conclusion.

In all, Gill is an adept writer that marches the reader into the tumultuous backstage of some of the greatest spaces ever created. If your looking for these backstories, this could be just the read for you!

Pick another biographer, this one is TERRIBLE!.......2006-05-08

First, Brendan Gil is noted for 'good work' but this one is the pits. I am not touching the subject matter nor areas of trash this author deems necessary to descend to. (Suffice it to say, I am not an FLW idealist and actually care little about his work).

This was a toughh book to read, editted poorly, chronologically all over the map. Probably more disjointed than my simple review with long wordly (boring) digressions that vaguely related to FLW or some area of his life.

I can understand why there are so many of these editions 'for sale'. This edition is just as big a 'train wreck' as that of the person whom it tries to cover.

Colorful, Chatty and Informative..........2005-12-18

Brendan Gill's writing is always sophisticated and utterly charming. Nowhere is that more evident than in this treasure of a biography of the man who - not without good reason - styled himself as America's greatest architect.

It is an unquestionable fact that Wright was a genius in the aesthetic realm; it is also unquestionable that he was a bit of a mountebank in all realms; even so, one cannot help but enjoy the outrageous, larger-than-life swath he cut across the better part of the 20th Century in his Cherokee red luxury cars, pork-pie hat and theatrical cape. If he hadn't been such a good architect, all of this would have been considered laughable, but anyone who has stood in his sublime interiors knows that the man knew his craft thoroughly.

Gill conveys all of this and more. His narrative is like a good long conversation by the fire with someone who not only knew the man but also had an appreciation of him that did not miss the quirks and foibles. Asides, such as the pulling of all the teeth, make this book a constant surprise. Wright, of course, had more than one mid-life crisis, and the various loves of his life brought every conceivable high and low. No wonder Mr. Wright's saga has been turned into a grand opera! But Brendan Gill makes it more like the family stories of an eccentric uncle.

This is my favorite biography of Wright but it sits right next to Meryle Secrest's -- one really needs both of them to have enough perspective on the man and his accomplishments.

After all the anecdotes have been recounted, there are still some stories left to be told, by Wright clients who remember and students who are now getting on in years. One hopes that they, too, will put to paper their reminiscences, before it is too late.

WHAT'S RIGHT WITH WRIGHT..........2004-11-15

The Story of Frank Lloyd Wright has been told many times. Aside from his many biographers he is also the inspiration of a well known book and hilarious (unintentionally, though) movie, The Fountainhead. Other than Michaelangelo, I do not know of another architecte who has rated such a treatment.

Wright's life was heroic and this book is useful in seeing how that came to be. Gill is suited to the task, he not only knew Wright, but wrote the building column in the New Yorker for many years.

This book is a common sense take on Wright's life. Gill explores many of the myths that Wright constructed around his life and finds that Wright's creative powers were not always expended in the direction of his buildings. Wright was a genius who did not feel the slightest need to conceal this fact from the world. He was also a visionary who took the Eurpean architecture of its day and transformed it into the American vernacular. This feat he conttrasts strongly with Beaux Arts school which merely transplanted these European fads. Wright was a real original

The book is lavishly illustrated since all of Gills writing does not give the same feel for Wright's genious as a hangful of these images provide. I think that were it possible color photographs might have provided a clearer view.

As Gill demonstrates, Wright at times could be a rascal, but he was also a genius even when when all of the artifice of his life is stripped away. This book is a welcomed addition to Wright biographical scholarship.

Good alternate view of FLW for a reader who is already famil.......1999-06-29

If you do not know much about FLW's life, this isn't the book for you. It assumes that you are familar with his life-story as it jumps back and forth and drops names of people out of sequence to his chronological life story. For the neophyte reader there may be too much verbal description of floor plans. Despite these "flaws" (which forced me to do some background research in his other bios) the book is insightful and revealling as it peels off the layers of masks (most built by FLW himself). The book has many, many, black & white photos of his buildings and furniture - most of which I have not seen in other books. This would be a good companion book for someone who has read FLW's autobiography or other bios. It is amazing he survived, professionally, in spite of his apparent self-destructive habits. I found myself comparing his life to Picasso's - perhaps genius cannot be contained in an conventional life .

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Life Mask
Boring and Pointless
Subtle, engrossing, sparingly sensuous...
I just loved this book
Wanted to like...

Life Mask
Emma Donoghue
Manufacturer: Harcourt
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Literary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Historical | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0151009430

Amazon.com

One of the satisfactions of Emma Donoghue's masterful fourth novel, Life Mask, is the tension between the writer's contemporary interests, like lesbianism and the balance of power in marriage, and her 18th Century subject matter. Life Mask is a fictional recreation of a plausible (but unproven) love triangle between the comedic actress Eliza Farren, the sculptor Anne Damer (the niece of Horace Walpole, a fantastic minor character here), and Edward Smith-Stanley, the twelfth Earl of Derby, a Whig (liberal) politician who left his name to the horse race he founded. Like her bestseller Slammerkin, the novel spins an intricate story from the slightest of historical traces, in this case a single reference in the commonplace book of Hester (Thrale) Piozzi: a snarky four-line epigram that hints at the danger to Miss Farren's reputation in consorting with "one whose name approaches 'Damn Her.'"

Readers who stay with Donoghue through the crowded and confusing early chapters of Life Mask will find a skillful, partly sympathetic portrait of English aristocracy during and after the French Revolution, a trove of period detail, and a spellbinding tale of unlikely but enduring love. --Regina Marler

Book Description

The bestselling author of Slammerkin turns her attention to the Beau Monde of late eighteenth-century England, turning the private drama of three celebrated Londoners into a robust, full-bodied portrait of a world, and lives, on the brink of revolution. The Honourable Mrs. Damer is a young widow of eccentric tastes, the only female sculptor of her time. The Earl of Derby, inventor of the horse race that bears his name, is the richest man in the House of Lords-and the ugliest. Miss Eliza Farren, born a nobody, now reigns as Queen of Comedy at Drury Lane Theatre.

In a time of looming war and terrorism, of glittering spectacle and financial disasters, the wealthy liberals of the Whig Party work to topple a tyrannical prime minister and a lunatic king. Their marriages and friendships stretch or break; political liaisons prove as dangerous as erotic ones. Will Eliza Farren ever gain entry to that elite circle that calls itself the World? Can Lord Derby's pride endure public mockery of his long, unconsummated courtship of the actress? And how is Anne Damer ever to silence the whispers of Sapphism that haunt her? Let the games begin...

Customer Reviews:

Life Mask.......2007-09-30

Life Mask was one of the first historical novels I had read, so the further along in the story I read the more I became disatisfied with the lesbian character Anne Damer. I learned that when the review describes a character as "intimate friendship" on the back cover it's an indication that there is implied homosexuality written within the story. Other than that I enjoyed the hetersexual relationships protrayed, however the book could be condensed by a couple hundred pages and still spike interest.

Boring and Pointless.......2007-06-29

The reviewer who likened this work to "one of those great nineteenth century novels" must have been self-medicating when he wrote those words. The only thing this clunker has in common with said great works is a title and pages. Life Mask is set in one of the most boring times of British history: the reign of nutty old George III, and is populated by a cast of richy-riches who busy themselves staging amateur productions, killing foxes and killing time gossiping with and about each other. This is a plot? The fact that many names dropped in this volume are actual historical figures does nothing to enhance interest for this reader. We are dealing here with a clutch of pompous, stuffy, out-of-touch politicos obsessed with jockeying for position and cheating on their wives. I can read storylines such as this and snoop on the doings of the rich-and-famous in any supermarket check out line. It was no more interesting in 18th Century England than in 21st Century Washington. The ultimate failure of this novel was the fact that I could have cared less about the fate of Our Heroine or any of her companions. To my mind, a worthwhile read either educates, uncovers truths about human nature, relates to interesting historical (or fictional) events, or in some way results in the reader experiencing some kind of emotion or gaining some kind of understanding. Nothing of that sort is available here. Unless the intimation of intra-female eroticism is enough to keep you reading, there's not much here to reward.

Subtle, engrossing, sparingly sensuous..........2007-04-16

Emma Donaoghue takes her time developing the delicious characters in her book which minces along for 190 pages before she opens the door to the intricacies of these people even a crack. Interwoven with a nice slice of English history at the time of the French Revolution, Donoghue strolls through a hefty dose of classist/elitist thinking through her character of Lord Derby and Anne Damer, as they interact with the common actress Eliza Farren. With twists and turns, the heart of the book slowly reveals itself as Mrs Damer begins to understand and accept her true nature. What is amazing about this book is that it is so tame, twisted, and subtley erotic that the reader gets caught in the tale and is forced to reflect instead of burn through the pages. A great read.

I just loved this book.......2006-12-07

I read this after Slammerkin. I really loved the story and the portrayal of British society life during this period. Thank you, Ms. Donoghue!

Wanted to like..........2006-11-16

I read the first 150 pages but could not go on. I found this book boring and shallow. Characters have little depth and the plot is very unstructured which didn't grab my attention. The character's speech also seems very forced and unnatural. Sorry, but I cannot recommend this book.

The Eight Masks of Men: A Practical Guide in Spiritual Growth for Men of the Christian Faith

Average customer rating:

Very worthwhile reading--insightful and provocative.

The Eight Masks of Men: A Practical Guide in Spiritual Growth for Men of the Christian Faith
Frederick G. Grosse
Manufacturer: Haworth Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

General | Spirituality | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

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The Quest for the Male Soul

ASIN: 078900416X

Customer Reviews:

Very worthwhile reading--insightful and provocative........1999-01-16

I genuinely enjoyed reading this book. The author demonstrates remarkable insight into the challenges facing a man and his struggles. The author's discussion of the various "masks" of men is obviously the result of the author's working through these issues in his own life. The books contains an insightful discussion which allowed me to gain additional insight into myself. I would encourage all men who are interested in understanding themselves better to read this book.

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