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.

Dumbstruck: A Cultural History of Ventriloquism

Average customer rating:

How can this volume possibly sell for $96.00?
HUH?
cultural ventriloquism suddenly verrrry interesting

Dumbstruck: A Cultural History of Ventriloquism
Steven Connor
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0198184336

Book Description

Why can none of us hear our own recorded voice without wincing? Why is the telephone still full of such spookiness and erotic possibility? Why does the metaphor of ventriloquism, the art of 'seeming to speak where one is not', speak so resonantly to our contemporary technological condition? These are the kind of questions which impel Steven Connor's wide-ranging, restlessly inquisitive history of ventriloquism and the disembodied voice. He tracks his subject from its first recorded beginnings in ancient Israel and Greece, through the fulminations of early Christian writers against the unholy (and, they believed, obscenely produced) practices of pagan divination, the aberrations of the voice in mysticism, witchcraft and possession, and the strange obsession with the vagrant figure of the ventriloquist, newly conceived as male rather than female, during the Enlightenment. He retrieves the stories of some of the most popular and versatile ventriloquists and polyphonists of the nineteenth century, and investigates the survival of ventriloquial delusions and desires in spiritualism and the 'vocalic uncanny' of technologies like telephone, radio, film, and internet. Learned but lucid, brimming with anecdote and insight, this is much more than an archaeology of one of the most regularly derided but tenaciously enduring of popular arts. It is also a series of virtuoso philosophical and psychological reflections on the problems and astonishments, the raptures and absurdities of the unhoused voice.

Customer Reviews:

How can this volume possibly sell for $96.00?.......2006-07-10

Does it come with a ventriloquist dummy... AND a ventriloquist?

HUH?.......2005-07-07

This book is an example of psuedo-intellectual overthinking of the highest order. It's dense, wordy and unreadable in every way. Why would any writer spend what appears to be LOTS of time and energy on this of all subjects: Ventriloquism's effect on CULTURE?!

The resultant product amounts to little more than an uninteresting mess.

Skip it.

cultural ventriloquism suddenly verrrry interesting.......2004-10-11

I enjoyed this text, recommended by a colleague, for other reasons, but thought of it immediately when the possibility of George W. Bush's use of a wire and "ear" during the first debate with John Kerry began to surface on the internet in the last day or so. Talk about the "vocalic uncanny"! Is "wiregate" merely(!) a part of the trend of increasing technological possibilities for problematizing the relation between voice and body?
Are you talking to me?
Is this thing on?
Steven Connor should write the next chapter. Meanwhile, read his deft connections and analysis of diverse phenomena associated with "cultural ventriloquism" and think about the (allleged) voice in our president's ear, and what that does to the (alleged) significance of his speech as he (allegedly) addresses the citizenry.
Is ventriloquism more acceptable if we are in on the trick?
Are we in on this (alleged) trick, anyway? I mean, we all know how packaged and predicted and rehearsed the responses to the questions posed in the debates are anyway--but a line has been (allegedly) crossed here, and that's the line Connor's book charts. Good stuff, and timely.

He Loves Me, He Loves Me Hot (Warner Forever)

Average customer rating:

He Loves Me, He Loves Me Hot by Stephanie Rowe
Somewhat less of a good thing...
Sexy, funny, tantilizing escape...
Light and Fun, barely anybody died.
That's the end?

He Loves Me, He Loves Me Hot (Warner Forever)
Stephanie Rowe
Manufacturer: Forever
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0446619019

Book Description

Her heart may be in the right place...but her soul belongs to Satan.Being Satan's most infamous minion is the only life Becca Gibbs has ever known. But now she's restless, sick and tired of stealing souls, and ready to break free on her own. Unfortunately, this gig isn't like any other job. Its first rule: Walk out on the Devil-and kiss your life good-bye.Nick Rawlings is the last of the Markku, a race of fighters that broke from Hell to pull for the good. When his sister goes missing, and her ransom is the death of Satan, Nick's more than willing to take on the fight. The first step? Getting the devil's sexy right-hand helper on his side. The second? Well, if he can take his eyes-and hands-off of her, he's sure he'll think of it...

Customer Reviews:

He Loves Me, He Loves Me Hot by Stephanie Rowe.......2007-08-23

this is a great series, I got the 1st book from a friend and got hooked. read them all now, waiting for the new book. Rowe's books takes all the scary bump in the night creatures and puts a new twist on her stories mixing romance, mystery, the unknown then she adds her own little funnies to make her work original.

Somewhat less of a good thing..........2007-07-26

I have to admit that I read this a few weeks ago and when I got the email invite to review it, I had to ask myself, "Did I read that or not?" The first two books in this series were funnier and more entertaining with more interesting plots and heroes. This guy has a bit of a yawn. If you are a big fan, I would recomend this. Otherwise, it is just a filler novel in between more interesting series' like Aisling Grey.

Sexy, funny, tantilizing escape..........2007-06-27

I began my love affair with Stephanie Rowe after reading the second book in her series, Must Love Dragons. After completing that book, i quickly ordered the next book in the series, He Loves Me, He Loves Me Hot, and then after that, Date Me Baby One More Time.

Stephanie Rowe has the amazing talent of taking her readers away from the everyday and painting a flawless portrait of fearless bad girl heroines in a world of fantastic otherworld beings. The novels in this series take place in present day New York, and Rowe has manged to seamlessly intermingle the ancient world of dragons, curses, and sorcery into what might otherwise seem like everyday life. Her heroines are real enough (or unreal enough) to be one of your best friends, and her heroes are sexy enough to be one of your best dreams. Although the situations may be something out of this world, the root of the conflict tends to be something we can all relate to... finding a perfect match in the middle of your crazy, chaotic, oh so busy and very important life.

The humor in these novels has me laughing out loud repeatedly. Although I began this series backwards, I quickly fell in love with her characters and couldn't imagine not continuing their tale.

I can't wait for her next book, Sex & The Immortal Bad Boy, to hit the stands!

Light and Fun, barely anybody died........2007-05-21

Who'd have ever thought that hellish minions could be so cuddly?

That's the end?.......2007-05-10

I really enjoyed this book overall. After following along with Stephanie's hilarious and easy to relate to array of characters I couldn't wait for Becca's story to come to the front. The story started off pretty strong but it kind of pattered out to a rather anticlimactic finish. I guess I just felt like the author was either losing interest or getting distracted by the end. Satan is such a center stage character that I got the feeling he was stealing a lot of the glory. I certainly was more interested in what he was going to do next then some of the predictable exploits the other characters were reacting to. Perhaps the next book will be more focused on Satan and Satan Jr? I get the feeling the author is perhaps chomping at the bit to get that out there. I can't wait.

Average customer rating:

Touched My Heart And My Funnybone
Not Yer Typical Frilly Gal
My Aunt Mary's Book
Petticoat Ranch ~ Reviewed
Wacky, witty & wonderful...

PETTICOAT RANCH (Barbour Value Fiction)
Mary Connealy
Manufacturer: Barbour Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1597896470

Product Description

Sophie Edwards is doing just fine, until a strange-yet oddly familiar-man rides into her life, insisting on rescuing her and her four daughters. Can she find a way to love a headstrong mountain man? When Clay McClellan discovers his brother has been murdered, he's bent on finding the killers and seeing them properly hung. But first his Christian duty demands that he marry his sister-in-law. After all, Sophie needs someone to protect her - right? Faith and love help unruly wed newlyweds find common ground and a chance at love on the Texas frontier.

Customer Reviews:

Touched My Heart And My Funnybone.......2007-09-05

Petticoat Ranch by Mary Connealy really did touch my heart as well as my funnybone. That's why I gave it five stars.
I'm a native Texan, and like Mary, I write historical novels. As I read Petticoat Ranch, I kept wondering how Mary knew so much about my home state.
She mentioned bears and wolves. And I thought, "now I've got her." There are no bears or wolves in Texas. Just coyotes and bobcats.
Well, I was wrong. Not only do we have bears and wolves, a bear was found on a ranch not thirty miles from where I live within the last six months.
So, Mary Connealy knows a lot about Texas. She's a great writer, too.
Molly Noble Bull
www.mollynoblebull.com
Sanctuary (Faith of Our Fathers Series #1)The Winter Pearl

Not Yer Typical Frilly Gal.......2007-08-22

I'm not normally a big fan of frontier historicals, but Mary Connealy has blessed heroine Sophie Edwards with the heart of a modern woman. If you've ever struggled with the whole "submissive wife" concept (and who hasn't?), you'll identify with Sophie right away. I'd like to see this story in movie form, especially the climactic scene, with all the been-there-done-that nuances between the Edwards girls as they take on the bad guys. LOTS of fun.

My Aunt Mary's Book.......2007-08-06

I have not gotten a chance to read it yet, but I know it is going to be good. it is based of my aunt's family, full of love and laughter. I am excited to start it.

Petticoat Ranch ~ Reviewed.......2007-07-17

Petticoat Ranch depicted women back in the days of cowboys and cattle ranches. Women worked hard back then, sometimes even harder to survive being defiled by the men back then. This story shows how one woman protected her girls and showed them how to fend for themselves.

When Clay McClellan discovers his brother has been murdered he is set on revenge. But first, he believes, his Christian duty demands he marry his sister in law. After all, Sophie needs someone to protect her right? He would do the right thing by his brother's family.

The men that killed Clay's brother are still out to kill his family. Will they succeed in finishing the job they started? Stay tuned. This book will make you laugh out loud in parts. I can't wait for the next book to come out by to come out. This would make a great movie.

Reviewed by Nora St.laurent
Life Way Book Club

Wacky, witty & wonderful..........2007-07-17

are only three of the many, many words I could use to describe Mary Connealy's debut novel, Petticoat Ranch! Fun, unique, hilarious, and inspiring are other words that still fail to do the novel justice.

Mary has constructed a fantastic story that seems to breach all genres - who would have thought a suspenseful historical with a strong romance thread and a hilarious chick-lit voice would have been this great? This is one book that everyone can - and will! - read and enjoy.

A widow on the frontier, more daughters than she - or her new husband - can count, a dangerous surprise, and one stubborn cowboy make this story one you won't be able to put down!

I dare you to branch out today and pick up a copy of this fabulous book! You'll giggle, you'll sniffle, you'll constantly look over your shoulder...but most of all, you WON'T regret it!

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evie (Avon Romance)

Average customer rating:

Fast-paced and humor-filled romance
a cute, short read
Great Romance Comedy........
Wild and Mysterious
I really enjoyed this book, but

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evie (Avon Romance)
Marianne Stillings
Manufacturer: Avon
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0060734760
Release Date: 2005-04-26

Book Description

Join a murder hunt where conflict and sexual tension is the name of the game...

Thomas Heyworth was a wealthy, internationally renowned mystery writer, a colourful character whose opinions and outspoken behaviour got him in a lot of hot water in his lifetime. Because of the enemies he's accumulated over the years, Heyworth stipulated in his will detailed plans for an amateur investigation to take place in the event of his death. When Heyworth is found dead in his own library, Evie Randall, Heyworth's possible illegitimate daughter who has lived on the Heyworth estate ever since her mother, Heyworth's former housekeeper died, becomes the primary suspect.

Seattle detective Max Galloway is sent to find out the truth and is unwittingly drawn to Evie. But the real murderer is closing in and is determined to eliminate anything or anyone standing in the way of collecting millions. Suddenly Max and Evie are in a race to solve the crime before the game ends for them both.

Customer Reviews:

Fast-paced and humor-filled romance.......2007-07-10

Eccentric millionaire Thomas Heyworth never did things the easy way, so it's no wonder that he chose to have a scavenger hunt - winner take all - in lieu of individual endowments in his will. Feeling that he might be the victim of a murder, and knowing who his culprit is, he set out to create the ultimate contest for his estate, as the scavenger hunt teams must solve the mystery of who killed him in order to get the loot. The loophole is that someone involved in the hunt is the killer. Three teams comprised of his longtime friend and butler and a Russian medium; his new secretary and a reclusive poet; and his ward Evie Randall and estranged stepson Max Galloway set out to solve the mystery and win the coveted prize.

Evie came to live with Thomas as a child, and he took on a surrogate father role; it's always been her hope that Thomas is her father as her mother was once a maid at his secluded island estate. Max has always held Thomas responsible for the ruin of his parent's marriage but realizes that his father really didn't deserve his mother - unfortunately he never had a chance to reconcile with her as she died when he was a teen. Evie and Max clash at first, but they melt their resolves and start to fall for each other. As the teams set out to outwit, outplay and outlast each other, they grow closer to solving the murder, but at what cost to themselves?

Stillings has written a humorous and charming story with plenty of red herrings and possible suspects (including the butler no less). I managed to read it in a single airplane trip - it was funny and fast paced.

a cute, short read.......2007-03-25

evie (our heroine) and max (our hero) are involved in a treasure hunt purusant to the last will and testimony of a very wealthy eccentric. not only will the clues lead them to the money, but also to the person who killed our eccentric testator (guy who wrote the will). evie and max end up working together against (sort of) two other teams to reach the end first. what ensues is a funny story.

the story was amusing and light. this is not an in depth read - do not read this if you are looking for a good murder mystery. it was merely an amusing easy read - it was pretty obvious who the bad guy was.

all in all, not a bad read for a saturday afternoon, just don't expect iris johansen or julie garwood :)

Great Romance Comedy...............2006-08-15

It seems that every time I read a book by Marianne Stillings, I find myself laughing out loud. This book is no exception. If you like romance/comedies then you should read this book. All the characters are great and I loved the chemistry between Evie and Max, lots of sparks there!! If your looking for an easy summer read, this one is a great choice.

Wild and Mysterious.......2006-07-13

This is a murder mystery plus romance that involves beautifully proportioned people who are initially called to participate in a treasure hunt. There is a fetish for tall and good looking detectives because they all are in this book. They are also young. The mystery is not hard to solve. In fact, the reader could guess correctly who he/she is early in the story but the real question is how to expose the culprit. The hero and heroine are passionate and of course as in any other romance type of reading, they are always hungry for each other and the writer brilliantly makes sure that her readers are sated.

I really enjoyed this book, but.......2006-01-16

not as much as the authors first one. Still the book is clever, well written, and the author has a great sense of humor. I can't wait for her next title.

Restoration and Eighteenth-Century Comedy (Norton Critical Editions)

Average customer rating:

Good anthology. Extensive background material could be overwhelming, but warrants selective study.

Restoration and Eighteenth-Century Comedy (Norton Critical Editions)

Manufacturer: W. W. Norton & Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

History | Drama | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0393963349

Customer Reviews:

Good anthology. Extensive background material could be overwhelming, but warrants selective study........2007-10-11

On the particular day that I reviewed this Norton Critical Edition, Restoration and Eighteenth Century Comedy, it ranked in sales 544,399 - a long ways from the top ten best sellers. Regardless, I quite enjoyed four of the plays in this collection; the fifth play at least proved interesting from a historical perspective. The five plays are as follows:

The Country Wife (1675): William Wycherley's comedy is somewhat complicated. Mr. Horner, a noted rake, pretends impotence to easily gain access to married women. Meanwhile, a young, inexperienced wife from a rural area is immediately fascinated by London life, especially its more lewd aspects. Interestingly, women (rather than boys dressed as women) appeared on the English stage for the first time in the Restoration period. When Mr. Pinchwife disguises his young country wife as a boy, the audience was treated to the scandalous view of a woman in tight fitting breeches. This, in addition to the offstage implied sexual activity, must have made The Country Wife a memorable event. Four stars.

The Man of Mode (1676): George Etherege's play begins as Mr. Dorimant, perhaps best described as "a genteel rake of wit', is determining how to abandon his current mistress, Mrs. Loveit, without compromising his plans to gain the favors of her close friend, Bellinda. His strategy involves placing Mrs. Loveit in a situation that suggests that she has betrayed him for the attention of a recent arrival from France, a Sir Fopling Flutter. Four stars.

The Way of the World (1700): The first three acts of William Congreve's play involve little action as the scenes focus on introducing and contrasting characters, highlighting witty dialogue, and slowly revealing details of prior events through casual references. Polite, formalized language disguises selfish motives, rivalries, deceit, and deviousness. The action - certain steps to overcome obstacles to a marriage and thereby gain control of an estate - does not occur until the fourth act. Four stars.

The Conscious Lovers (1722): In the prologue Sir Richard Steele states his objectives: "To chasten wit, and moralize the stage" and to 'Redeem from long contempt the comic name". Steele strives to instruct and to ennoble rather than to amuse. The virtuous Bevil Junior would marry Lucinda whom he does not love rather than disobey his father, Sir John Bevil. His behavior towards the woman he does love (oddly named Indiana) is exceedingly Platonic. His virtue is again illustrated by his refusal to accept a challenge to duel as it would be morally wrong. Humor is clearly subordinate to instruction. Two stars.

The School for Scandal (1777): Richard Sheridan's play involves various devious and unscrupulous characters, all self-centered members of the leisure class in London. The cast includes the appropriately named Lady Sneerwell, Mr. Snake, Mr. Crabtree, Sir Benjamin Backbite, Mrs. Candour, and the superficial Mr. Surface, decidedly individuals all too capable of undermining the most refined and honest reputations with innuendoes and ingenious fabrications. Four stars.

The five plays in this anthology, Restoration and Eighteenth Century Comedy, are perhaps not classics, but they make entertaining reading. The plays cover 340 pages; another 220 pages are devoted to background material. This background begins with discussions of wit, humor, and comedy, largely drawn from the writings of Thomas Hobbes and essays from The Spectator and The Tatler. The Collier controversy on the immorality of the English stage and the battling essays of Steele and Dennis on the relative merits of The Man of Mode and The Conscious Lovers are next.

The following section provides a detailed look at Restoration and eighteenth century stages, actors, and audiences and is actually quite interesting. My favorite section, however, was the 80 pages of modern criticism on the plays themselves.

All in all, while the extensive background material may overwhelm a casual reader, I do recommend at least browsing the essays, and selecting a few for more careful study.

The Bodyguard and the Show Dog (Bodyguard)

Average customer rating:

CORNY
First Rate All The Way!
EXCELLENT
A charming book by a charming author! Smart, savvy, and sexy!
Oh, Natasha...

The Bodyguard and the Show Dog (Bodyguard)
Christy Tillery French
Manufacturer: Behler Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Chasing Demons
Chasing Horses
Kill Me Twice (The Bullet Catchers, Book 1)
Thrill Me to Death (The Bullet Catchers, Book 2)

ASIN: 193301637X

Book Description

This romantic comedy finds protection specialist Natasha Chamberlain self-employed and happily involved with her former boss, Jonce Striker. Natasha's first case centers around Chumley, a champion show dog. The squat Pug has been sent a death threat regarding his participation in an upcoming event.

Although Natasha initially things there isn't much danger protecting a canine, she soon finds that isn't the case when she ends up in the emergency room several times. Meanwhile, she drives Striker crazy with her zany, unorthodox attempts to unmask the extortionist.

Will Natasha find the culprit before it's too late? Will Striker find a way into Natasha's heart? This romantic comedy will have you turning the pages to find the answers.

Customer Reviews:

CORNY.......2007-05-27

I READ ALOT MORE OF THIS BOOK THAN I WANTED TO, DUE TO THE GLOWING REVIEWS...BUT IT NEVER GOT ANY BETTER. THERE'S NO DEPTH TO THE CHARACTERS AND A WASTE OF 3+ HOURS SPENT READING.

[...]

First Rate All The Way!.......2007-04-25

"The Bodyguard and the Show Dog" by Christy French is a book that will entertain the reader for hours on end. The characters are easy to relate to and the plot (like most of Ms. French's stories) will leave the reader eager to read the next book in the series.

I am a huge fan and truly enjoy all of Ms. French's books. If you have not had a chance to sample any of her stories then this is the perfect book to begin with. You will quickly become a fan too!

I meant to post a review of this book when it first came out but I have been on location in France and haven't had the chance to get it done until now. For this Ms. French, I'm sorry. Better late than never, I suppose.

I enjoyed your new book very much! Keep them coming.

John Savoy
International Film Maker
California

EXCELLENT.......2007-01-03

This is a great series - can't wait for the next installment. Ms. French's dialogue between those great characters is very entertaining. My only suggestion to the author is to hurry up and write another book.

A charming book by a charming author! Smart, savvy, and sexy!.......2006-10-21

Since the other reviewers give you details of the plot, I don't need to go into that. Suffice it to say that Ms. French is a gifted writer who really knows her craft. From dialogue and characterization to exquisite description and pacing, she grabs you from the first page ... and doesn't let go until the happy resolution.

Her heroine (or main protagonist, if you prefer) NATASHA is to die for. She's a lovely, witty woman who can get into more trouble than Janet Evanovich's legendary Stephanie Plum. In fact, Natasha charmed me even more than the klutzy. yet lovable, Stephanie, often vying for top honors about who is more fun!

I loved this book, having discovered it after reading the first in the series, BODYGUARD, and now I'm going back to read more of this author, starting with CHASING HORSES ... and I don't dare miss WAYNE'S DEAD. What an intriguing title that is.

Ms. French has a knack for choosing eye-catching covers, too. This one is a gem and if you haven't seen the "fetching" silhouette of the young woman in the peekaboo, see-through dress on the cover of BODYGUARD, flick back to that page NOW. Lovely ...

All I have to say about the spoiled-rotten, kidnapped dog is that he's one lucky pooch to have a "sleuth" like Natasha in his corner. He's in for some exciting, hilarious times ... as is the reader.

End note: I read this book in August and due to back-up of reviews, wasn't able to review it right away. Sorry about that.

SIDENOTE: You may have noticed that Amazon has made some changes to its website. If it looks the same to you right now, look out for a new format that will be rolling out gradually in the weeks to come. If you can see the changes, especially the review format, I'd like to know what you think. Please leave me a comment with your opinion.

"Love the new look" or "Hate the new look" comments are perfectly acceptable.

My e-mail address is at top of this review. Thank you for your time."

Oh, Natasha..........2006-10-12

In his quarterly newsletter, Robert Stanek, author of "The Kingdoms and the Elves of the Reaches" and many other books for young people, regularly features the books of new and upcoming authors as well as his favorite established authors. He's done this for the past four years. In his October/Fall newsletter, Mr. Stanek features three upcoming authors and one was Christy Tillery French.

Hundreds of devoted fans like me look to Robert's recommendations to find great new authors and books we otherwise might have missed. The book of Ms. French's that I decided to read was "The Body Guard and the Show Dog." This book, is I believe, Ms. French's latest book, and while it isn't the type of book I normally read, I took Robert's recommendation to heart and bought it thinking - worst case I could give it to my wife who loves Danielle Steel and Janet Evanovich.

Well, to make a long story short, I read the back 3 days, and enjoyed it all the way. Natasha Chamberlain is a hoot! I've since gone back and ordered another of Ms. French's books. It's called "The Bodyguard" and it's the first book in this series.

I've since passed this book along to my wife, and she has it on her nightstand to read next. She put this on the top of her reading stack (which is a really big deal since she's such a fussy reader). I can't wait to see what she has to say because I think she's going to enjoy it too.

Applause First Folio of Shakespeare in Modern Type: Comedies, Histories and Tragedies

Average customer rating:

The Gospel Truth ...
Pointless and Misleading
the only way to read Shakespeare
A Crazy Scheme?
THE BEST FOR ACTORS, DIRECTORS, ETC.

Applause First Folio of Shakespeare in Modern Type: Comedies, Histories and Tragedies
William Shakespeare
Manufacturer: Applause Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Continental European | Drama | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

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Shakespeare Lexicon and Quotation Dictionary: A Complete Dictionary of All the English Words, Phrases, and Constructions in the Works of the Poet (Volume I)
Shakespeare's Words: A Glossary and Language Companion
The First Folio of Shakespeare: The Norton Facsimile
Secrets of Acting Shakespeare: The Original Approach (A Theatre Arts Book)
All the Words on Stage: A Complete Pronunciation Dictionary for the Plays of William Shakespeare

ASIN: 1557833338

Book Description

This landmark publication is printed in clear, legible type. Each play has its own comprehensive introduction as well as extensive, expert annotations. Highlighted areas show where lines have been altered over time and also shows where verse has been changed to prose in the past (but not here!) The original compositions are marked and folio clues are highlighted.

Customer Reviews:

The Gospel Truth ..........2006-10-29

Priceless.

(Please read my book, 'Shakespeare for the Rest of Us' for clarification ...

Pointless and Misleading.......2004-12-23

If you want to consult the First Folio, get a facsimile. Freeman's "editions" are not only pointless, they are profoundly misleading: only someone who was completely ignorant about Jacobean book-production could possibly suppose that the vagaries of F1 represent a meticulous adherence to Shakespeare's intentions. In the matter of lineation, for example, Charlton Hinman long ago showed that compositors would divide their copy into lines to suit their own convenience -- i.e. to take up more or less space as the process of "casting off" required.

the only way to read Shakespeare.......2002-04-09

If you are interested in a simple read of the Bard, any edition will do. But if you want to know what Shakespeare wanted from his actors - how he imagined (I imagine) his lines being spoken - this is the edition for you. The line endings in this edition are different from those in most editions and clearly change the meaning of the text. Captializations and punctuations are clear guides to speech. While this edition is not for everyone, anyone interested in acting Shakespeare, whether on stage or in the privacy of home, must have this edition.

A Crazy Scheme?.......2001-12-27

A Crazy Scheme?

The Applause First Folio of Shakespeare should not be confused with a facsimile of the 1623 folio published by Applause in the 1990's. In the earlier facsmile, Applause used the images from
the Norton Facsimile without permission. W. W. Norton sued, and Applause withdrew the facsimile. In 2001 Applause published another edition of the first folio, this one being in modern
type. It's not specifically a facsimile edition, but it does present the Shakespeare's plays in the order they were presented in the 1623 folio. Though this edition is in modern type the spelling and punctuation of the first folio have been for the most part retained.

In his acknowlegements Freeman thanks his publisher for persisting with such a crazy scheme. Crazy? Perhaps. Audacious? Certainly. You see, Freeman is an actor, not a textual scholar and he rejects the work of textual scholars. For example, he proposes that the punctuation marks of the folio are rhetorical signals. They are the cues for the actors. This controversial proposition has been roundly criticized by many scholars, but Freeman is undaunted. I applaud his audacity. The great value of this edition is that it retains so much of the spelling and punctuation of the 1623 folio. Finally we have an original spelling edition of most of Shakespeare's plays in print.

It is important to note that this is not a complete edition of Shakespeare's writings. The narrative poems, the sonnets, the occasional poems, "Pericles," and "Two Noble Kinsmen" are not included.

It should be stated that this edition does not in every instance reproduce the spelling of the 1623 folio. Freeman's treatment of abbrivations is unsatisfactory. For example it was common practice in the 17th century to represent certain words by a special kind of abbrivation. On page lviii Freeman explains that "y" with an umlaut was usually short hand for "you," "thee," "thou," "thy," "thine," or "yours." The 1623 folio usually spells these abbrivations differently from the way Freeman describes it. The word "thou" could be represented by the letter "y" with the superscript "u" directly on top of it. The word "that" could be written with the letter "y" with the superscript "t" directly over it. The word "the" could be written with the letter "y" with the superscript "e" directly over it and so on. In Freeman's edition all the superscript letters are replaced by umlauts, so there is no way of telling what the superscript letter was, and hence no way of knowing what the word is. So when you come across the line "Thou do'st then wrong me, as (y/with umlaut) slaughterer doth" (page 441, col. 2, line 1) are you supposed to read:

"Thou do'st then wrong me, as thou slaughterer doth," or
"Thou do'st then wrong me, as thee slaughterer doth," or
"Thou do'st then wrong me, as that slaughterer doth"?

You'll have to go to a facsimile edition to find out that that the third line is the correct reading. It is also interesting to note that the word "that" doesn't appear in Freeman's list of what "y with umlaut" could stand for.

The edition should be used with caution.

THE BEST FOR ACTORS, DIRECTORS, ETC........2001-12-17

This is the best edition of Shakespeare's works FOR THE ACTOR OR PERFORMANCE. Period.

Shakespeare wrote before spelling and punctuation were standardized. If he wrote "Meee" he wrote it so the actor would say it that way - think musical scores. These words are meant to be spoken out loud, and Neil Freeman brings you the Folio text so you can see Shakespeare instructions on how to speak them. A large percentage of what you see in a normal edition of Shakespeare is actually a product of an editorial decision made by some editor since Shakespeare wrote. In other words: people who think their poetic sensability is better than Shakespeare's. Neil Freeman, a founding member of the acclaimed Shakespeare & Company theater in Massachusetts creates what is in essence a musical score for the actor: he uses the original Shakespeare Folio texts, spelling, punctuation, etc., but in modern typeface (so you don't have trouble reading the f's and s's and things). His notes (which are not very helpful if you're writing at thesis, but are invaluable if you're performing, directing, etc.) are also very powerful.

FOR SHAKESPEARE IN PERFORMANCE, YOU CANNOT BEAT THIS TEXT.

Customer Reviews:

Dante Avanti ..........2006-11-10

Haven't but cracked the book and it looks very very good ...

Essential !!.......2006-03-29

Dante is difficult to read, and I found this guide to be extremely useful. I also used the Cliff's notes, which were fine, and which supplemented Freccero's guide. My feeling is that most readers of Dante will benefit from all the help they can acquire, and having the Modern Reader's Guide is virtually essential!

Arguably the finest intro to Dante in English.......2004-10-10

For the reader tackling Dante for the very first time, this might be the best book currently available. Though targeted at first time readers, this can also be helpful for those who need to review all the seemingly endless names the permeated the COMEDY on a second reading. There are three primary reasons that I so strongly recommend Gallagher's guide. First, it is geared to make Dante as accessible as possible without in any way trivializing or tritely popularizing the text. Second, for Gallagher reading Dante is not merely a question of spiritual devotion or literary adoration, but flat out fun. Reading Dante is and ought to be recognized as above all else flat out fun. Gallagher's enthusiasm and enjoyment of Dante pours out at every point. Third, although not geared to scholars, the book nonetheless was obviously written with an exceptional knowledge of the scholarly studies of the work, which is to say: the book is academically quite solid.

The book is arranged both simply and logically. First, after a foreword recommending the work by the most recent dean of Dante studies in the United States, John Freccero, and a preface by the author himself, Gallagher starts off with a series of questions that he anticipates any novice reader might have in approaching the text for the first time. By eliminating the connecting narrative and structure that this information would need if presented in essay form, Gallagher is able to compress a significant amount of helpful information in a very small amount of space. He then proceeds to provide a canto-by-canto commentary for each part of the COMEDY. He first discusses the action of each canto, and then makes a series of random comments on various aspects of the canto. The book concludes with a brief but helpful discussion of Dante's other surviving works and a bibliography.

For anyone wanting to read Dante for the first time, I recommend Gallagher's reader's guide above all other beginner's tools. Dante is not, as is often supposed, an especially difficult writer (with the caveat that there is much in Dante that remains impenetrable or mysterious for even lifelong scholars), but there are many mistakes that one starting off in Dante can easily make that can complicate reading him. There is also a confusing array of political characters, and while this in the long run is less of a problem than a beginner might imagine, Gallagher will serve as a reliable guide who will help the neophyte avoid many hazards and will point out many of the glories of Dante's great work.

Tour Guide Available for Trip "To Hell and Back".......2000-03-30

Joseph Gallagher, a retired Catholic priest and professor, who has taught at such venerable institutions as John Hopkins, Notre Dame, Loyola, and Oxford presents on an easy-to-understand guide through the intricacies of Dante's imaginative work. Written in a conversational style that anyone can understand, this expert tutor of many students for over 50 years explains each of the characters canto by canto. The outline at the beginning is a great help. While it is not as analytical as that of Erich Auerbach's "Mimesis", this book is a valuable addition. It should prove indispensable for those who need a companion guide; the homeschooler's library should contain this erudite explanation.

Inside Tap: Technique and Improvisation for Today's Tap Dancer

Average customer rating:

A wonderful book on Tap
Great for Rythm Tapping
Excellent how to book, but it's no dictionary
A must-have for tap teachers and students

Inside Tap: Technique and Improvisation for Today's Tap Dancer
Anita Feldman
Manufacturer: Princeton Book Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0871271990

Customer Reviews:

A wonderful book on Tap.......2007-08-04

I bought this book last year, to teach my self to tap along with Bonnie Franklin's dvd and it has been great. It is so easy to understand. I am slowly working through the step and drills. I love referring back to this and I think I will forever. It is fantastic. A great teacher reference also.

Great for Rythm Tapping.......2000-07-28

I was trained in traditional and flash tap dancing, so I knew very little about rhythm tap. This book goes over the basics of tap and many traditional tap steps. What makes it so great, though, are the in-depth explanations of rhythm, dynamics, syncopation, accents, and new forms of tap, including rhythm tap and orchestrated tap. The explanations are clear and easy and the practice exercises are excellent. This is a must-have book for anyone wishing to expand their tap knowledge and artistry.

Excellent how to book, but it's no dictionary.......2000-03-27

I'm an advanced tapper who just recently began teaching an intermediate tap class. I decided to find a dictionary of tap in case one of my students asked me about a step I may not know. I ordered this book and realized that it was no dictionary. So if you're looking for a dictionary I suggest looking somewhere else. It is a wonderful how to book though! For instance it talks about syncopating the beat, has pictures of proper placement of your your foot on shuffles, tons of combinations, etc. I suggest this book to tap teachers of all levels and students interested in bettering themselves!

A must-have for tap teachers and students.......2000-01-05

This book has been a wealth of ideas and information. I use many of the drills and combinations in my classes. They are clearly notated and easy to understand (which is unusual for a "book" on tap dance). I would recommend this book for anyone at an intermediate level or higher. Well worth the money!

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