Amazon.com
First published in 1982, William Least Heat-Moon's account of his journey along the back roads of the United States (marked with the color blue on old highway maps) has become something of a classic. When he loses his job and his wife on the same cold February day, he is struck by inspiration: "A man who couldn't make things go right could at least go. He could quit trying to get out of the way of life. Chuck routine. Live the real jeopardy of circumstance. It was a question of dignity."
Driving cross-country in a van named Ghost Dancing, Heat-Moon (the name the Sioux give to the moon of midsummer nights) meets up with all manner of folk, from a man in Grayville, Illinois, "whose cap told me what fertilizer he used" to Scott Chisholm, "a Canadian citizen ... [who] had lived in this country longer than in Canada and liked the United States but wouldn't admit it for fear of having to pay off bets he made years earlier when he first 'came over' that the U.S. is a place no Canadian could ever love." Accompanied by his photographs, Heat-Moon's literary portraits of ordinary Americans should not be merely read, but savored.
Book Description
First published in 1982, William Least Heat-Moon's account of his journey along the back roads of the United States (marked with the color blue on old highway maps) has become something of a classic. When he loses his job and his wife on the same cold February day, he is struck by inspiration: "A man who couldn't make things go right could at least go. He could quit trying to get out of the way of life. Chuck routine. Live the real jeopardy of circumstance. It was a question of dignity."Driving cross-country in a van named Ghost Dancing, Heat-Moon (the name the Sioux give to the moon of midsummer nights) meets up with all manner of folk, from a man in Grayville, Illinois, "whose cap told me what fertilizer he used" to Scott Chisholm, "a Canadian citizen ... [who] had lived in this country longer than in Canada and liked the United States but wouldn't admit it for fear of having to pay off bets he made years earlier when he first 'came over' that the U.S. is a place no Canadian could ever love." Accompanied by his photographs, Heat-Moon's literary portraits of ordinary Americans should not be merely read, but savored.
Customer Reviews:
Makes me want to buy a truck and hit the road.......2007-08-16
This author speaks to the yearning in many of us to "hit the road" and not only see what our amazing country is all about, but also to see what we're all about. It's typical in some ways: snapshots of various odd and lovely and not-so-lovely places along America's disappearing back roads. We not only see these places vividly, but also meet the lively and unusual people the author encounters. I don't know if such a journey is possible these days. It seems like we're running out of blue highways and that franchise eateries and stores are taking over even the out-of-the-way places. The book makes me want to hurry up, to buy that truck and put a mattress in the back -- before it's too late. Well-written, entertaining, thought-provoking: this is a timeless book about a timeless journey.
A Roadtrip Classic.......2007-08-11
A man in search of himself aka "the Rand McNally approach to self-discovery" (T. McGuane). After he loses his job and his marriage falls apart, Least Heat-Moon hits the road for a 3 month odyssey around the country (makes sense to me!). He equips his van for sleeping and cooking, takes 400 bucks and two books (Leaves of Grass & Black Elk Speaks) with him, and heads out for some clarity. His only agenda is to stay off the Interstates and seek out an America that is/has rapidly faded away.
This book has some faint echoes of "Travels with Charley" and "On the Road"; yet the philosophical musings and colorful character profiles in these pages sets it far apart from any other similar travel book.
Least Heat-Moon's wit is lean and engaging; his honest depictions of the people & places he encounters; and the manifold keen observations as he's driving down the back roads of this country, are the meat & potatoes of this wonderful book. He writes well and metaphorically; this is a good mix of the poetic & the philosophical.
The voice of the storyteller is this man's gift to the rest of us. This is one of those first books that blows out of nowhere, grabbing you and not letting go until the last page has been digested. Least Heat-Moon's poetic descriptions of the landscapes he drives through mixed with the interior terrain he muses his way through blend together very well.
This book registers very high on the reading enjoyment meter.
Extracts: A Field Guide for Iconoclasts
You either love it or hate it........2007-07-01
I have mixed emotions on this one.
The reason I gave 3 stars was that it was the average
of the lovers and haters.
Try reading these two books for a comparison.
1) Home Country by Ernie Pyle
2) Gasoline Gypsy by Irene Thomas
Remember: Opinions are like elbows. Almost everybody has at least one!
HIghly recommended.......2007-06-28
Although it is not obvious that that America still exists this book makes for pleasurable reading. I enjoyed greatly.
Blue Highways Sometimes wanders.......2007-03-10
When I first started to read Blue Highways, I was expecting a travelogue but quickly realized that it was the story of man in search of what life is all about and how different people see and cope with life. The travel was interesting and so were the people he met along the way. However he wishes to give the impression that he is of the people but writes like he is way above them. At times I felt that I needed to read the book with a dictionary beside me. I would have liked him to come to some conclusions about his life by the end of the book.
Book Description
On the Blue Shore of Silence celebrates the centenary of the birth of Pablo Neruda, one of the most widely read and best-loved poets of the twentieth century.
Although anthologies of Neruda's works abound, On the Blue Shore of Silence is the first to collect some of his poems on the sea. At times passionate and at other times peaceful, the poems chosen for this collection -- presented in bilingual format -- are meant to offer readers the experience of what it would have been like to sit with Neruda at Isla Negra, the view of the sea endless, the pulse of the waves, eternal.
With English translations by his favored translator, Alastair Reid, and stunning paintings from the artist Mary Heebner, On the Blue Shore of Silence is a new cornerstone in Neruda's body of work, expertly weaving together poet, artist, and reader.
A la Orilla Azul del Silencio celebra el centenario del nacimiento de Pablo Neruda, probablemente uno de los poetasmás leídos del siglo veinte, y sin lugar a dudas, uno de los más queridos.
Aunque existe un sinnúmero de antologías de la poesía de Neruda, A la Orilla Azul del Silencio es la primera en reunir algunos de sus más bellos poemas sobre el mar. Algunas veces apasionados, otras veces serenos, los poemas de este libro -- presentado en formato bilingüe -- ofrecen al lector la posibilidad de imaginarse lo que habría sido sentarse con Neruda en Isla Negra frente al mar infinito, oyendo el eterno ir y venir de las olas.
Con traducciones al inglés hechas por Alastair Reid,su traductor predilecto, y las extraordinarias pinturas de laartista Mary Heebner, A la Orilla Azul del Silencio es un nuevo pilar de la obra de Neruda, que combina con habilidad las sensibilidades del poeta, la artista y el lector.
Customer Reviews:
Beautiful Poetry, Beautiful Art!.......2007-09-19
I love Pablo's poetry. I didn't think it was possible for the art to be as beautiful as the poetry. But it is.
Pablo Neruda.......2007-01-22
The poetry in this book is exquisite. The presentation is excellant. I own a copy of it, myself, and bought three more to give as gifts.
An Amazing Compilation.......2004-09-06
Of all the Neruda anthologies that I have read, this is by far the most eloquent tribute to his love of the sea and his home on Isla Negra in Chile.
The English translations are done by Alastair Reid, Mr. Neruda's favored translator and it flows as naturally as does the Spanish original. I speak both languages and it is always such a pleasure to see a translation so elegantly done.
The artwork by Mary Heebner is as sumptuous as Pablo Neruda's poetry and truly reflects the feel of the ocean. Her paintings capture the mood of each poem perfectly and add to the emotion of his words.
It is I believe the only anthology that has focused solely on his poems of the sea.
The book is bilingual with the text in Spanish on one page and English on the other. It contains my favorite of Neruda's poems, The Soliloquy of the Waves.
Even the typeset and Neruda's name on the dust jacket painted in a blurry sea blue reflect the ocean that the poems are about.
Pablo Neruda has been a favorite poet of mine for many, many years and this stunning book is a wonderful addition to my collection of his anthologies. It is a beautiful piece to celebrate his centenary.
A beautiful compilation and excellent gift........2004-05-01
The choices are fine works by Neruda. While many collections of Neruda's work exist, most lack beauty in their presentation. This release is both a feast for the eye (thanks to the lovely yet appropriate art)as well as a treat for the soul (particularly if you are in love).
Book Description
Ready, set, GO! Lightning McQueen, the rookie hot-shot race car, is screaming his way down the track on his way to winning the Piston Cup. But when he gets stuck in a slow little town called Radiator Springs, McQueen must learn a valuable lesson about friendship—fast. This beautifully illustrated Read-Aloud Storybook is the complete retelling of Disney presentation of a Pixar film latest computer-animated film, Cars.
From the Hardcover edition.
Customer Reviews:
My 2 1/2 year old's favorite book.......2007-07-26
We don't let him watch TV/movies, and I've never seen "Cars" either - but we love this book just the same. It's has simple rhymes which are fun for him and easy to memorize for me. We even recite the words in the car without the book around. The book has held up reasonably well given all the use it gets and that it's a paperback.
Not a story book. It's a simple book of opposites........2006-10-06
I ordered this book based on Amazon's description that is is a "complete retelling of Disney presentation of a Pixar film latest computer-animated film, Cars." It is definitely NOT that. Instead, it's a simple book of opposites, using pictures from the movie. Here are some examples from the book: "Dirty car. Clean car. Nice car. Mean car. Drive fast, fast, fast. Drive nice and slow." If you are looking for a book of opposites for a child who loves the movie 'Cars', then this book is for you. If you are looking for a book that tells the story, this isn't the one you want to buy.
Book Description
The Ultimate Guide to Sexual Fantasy is a complete guide for readers who want to use sexual fantasies to change old habits, learn new tricks, and make their sex lives more imaginative. With wit and enthusiasm, sex educator Violet Blue encourages couples to talk about and explore fantasies together to deepen erotic intimacy. She takes readers on a tour of the wide world of sexual fantasies, offering expert advice for talking dirty to a partner, playing with toys and dress-up, making homemade porn, and exploring fetishes, sex scenes, phone sex, and much more. Packed with tons of games, resources, and lots of fun, The Ultimate Guide to Sexual Fantasy is the perfect book for daring readers who want to safely turn their sexual fantasies into reality.
Customer Reviews:
the ultimate guide to sexual fantasy.......2007-09-10
Great book! Lots and lots of information and ideas. Definitely worth reading. Probably more than once:) loved it. Great reference book. buy it.
Food for thought.......2007-03-18
As the previous reviewer said, this book is not ground breaking material. However, it provides ideas and advice for trying things that not everyone is familiar with. For instance, swinging, threesomes, BDSM, exhibitionism and hiring a sex worker are things that many people might want to try, but most people would have no idea where to begin. This book will help make those ideas less frightening. No matter what you fantasize about, there is something in this book that will help you make it a reality.
Don't bother.......2006-02-25
I got this book based on it's description and the fact that I have some erotica written by the same author. However I learned nothing from this book that I didn't already learn from my own trial and error.
This MIGHT be an okay book if you just do it missionary style and want to add some flair to your sex life. One suggestion in the book was to masterbate....I learned that years ago. Everything in it just a basic suggestion and doesn't go into detail. You could learn all the content in this book, plus more, just by searching http://www.sexinfo101.com/index.shtml
Average customer rating:
- One of Robert Goddard's best
- Addicted to Goddard
- A HUNT FOR THE TRUTH THAT LEADS INTO THE BLUE
- vivid, engrossing
- Engrossing tale
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Into the Blue
Robert Goddard
Manufacturer: Delta
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 British Detectives
| Mystery
| Mystery & Thrillers
| Subjects
| Books
Goddard, Robert
| ( G )
| Authors, A-Z
| Mystery & Thrillers
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Mystery & Thrillers
| Subjects
| Books
Similar Items:
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Borrowed Time
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Play to the End
-
Hand in Glove
-
Closed Circle
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Sight Unseen
ASIN: 0385339194
Release Date: 2006-01-31 |
Book Description
Harry Barnett lives the life of an Englishman on permanent vacation in Greece, house-sitting for a powerful friend and hiding from a past disgrace. That is, until a guest at the villa disappears on a walking tour, and Harry is the number one suspect. While a Greek detective tries to trap him, and the British tabloids pillory him at home, Harry’s conscience is his worst enemy of all. What happened to young, beautiful Heather Mallender? Who took her—and why didn’t Harry realize that something was amiss?
Suddenly, a man steeped in failure has found a purpose, retracing the strange, twisting route that led to Heather’s vanishing. But the more he learns, the less he knows. Until Harry finds himself at the heart of a dangerous puzzle whose pieces are scattered everywhere: in the realm of British politics, in the beds of adulterous lovers, in the past, the present, and most of all, amid the secrets of a killer....
Download Description
Chapter One
If she should return now, of course, or even five minutes from now, it would still be all right. The thought that he might never see her again could then be dismissed as a delusion, an absurd over-reaction to an excess of solitude and silence. And from the notion that, at any second, she would return, calling to him as she came down the track, part of his mind could not be dislodged: the orderly, housetrained, rational part. It was only in the chaotic realm of instinct and sensation that a contrary suspicion had taken root, only, as it were, in the part of himself that he did not care to acknowledge.
Besides, Harry had every justification for blaming his anxious state on the position in which he found himself. To spend three-quarters of an hour sitting on a fallen tree trunk halfway up a pine-forested mountainside, whilst the warm glow of the afternoon sun faded towards a dusky chill and silence--absolute, windless, pitiless silence--quarried at the nerves, was enough to test anyone's self-control. He wished now that he had gone with her to the summit, or stayed in the car and listened to the radio. Either way, he really should have known better than to wait where he was.
He stubbed out the fourth cigarette of his vigil and took a deep breath. It was growing cold now in the shadow of the mountain, yet the coastal plain below was still bathed in warm, golden sunlight. Only here, on the thickly conifered slope, or out there, invisible but palpable in the clear, frozen air, could the waning of the day no longer be ignored.
Why had she not returned? She could scarcely be lost, not with the guidebook and a compass. After all, she had been to Profitis Ilias before, which Harry never had. Nor, if the truth be told, did he ever want to again. Two hours ago, he had been basking in the sun at a terrace table of a psarotaverna just down the coast, lighting the first cigarette in this packet at the leisurely conclusion of a relishable meal and wondering how jealous the waiter might be of an overweight, middle-aged Englishman for finding such an attractive girl to lunch with him. Now even visualizing the scene was difficult, for Profitis Ilias possessed the power to consign every memory and perception beyond its own domain to half-forgotten remoteness. And Profitis Ilias had been Heather's choice.
"We could drive up there in half an hour from here," she had said. "It's a fantastic place. Deserted, crumbling old villas left over from the Italian occupation. And stupendous views. You must see it."
Harry had felt no such obligation, preferring the decor of a dozen bars he could think of, suitably refracted by a well-filled glass, to any vista of nature, however supposedly breathtaking. Nevertheless, he had raised no objection.
And so they had come, driving up the winding road through the village of Salakos towards the wooded mountaintop, climbing slowly but relentlessly till all other traffic was left behind and only the limitless ranks of pine and fir stood witness to their progress. At first Harry had detected nothing amiss in their growing isolation. It was not until they had reached the hotel that the road served and found it, as expected, closed for the winter, that the character of Profitis Ilias had made itself known.
Silence, he rather thought, was the bedrock of its mood. Silence that had waited for them to climb from the car and slam the doors, then pounced from the very heart of the forest to awe them into whispered exchanges. Silence that the empty hotel and the ruined villas in the woods around seemed merely to magnify, as if abandoned habitations were worse than no habitations at all. And silence, moreover, that even nature respected, for here no wind stirred the trees, no bird sang among the branches, no squirrel scurried along the boughs. On Profitis Ilias, all was still, but all was not at rest.
Two months a
Customer Reviews:
One of Robert Goddard's best.......2007-09-16
Harry Barnett lives the life of an Englishman on holiday on the Greek island of Rhodes where he is the care taker of the Villa ton Navarkhon belonging to his powerful friend Alan Dysart. He lives peacefully in the shadow of a past disgrace until Heather Mallender, a guest at the villa, disappears on a walking tour on Profitis Ilias. Harry becomes the number one suspect. While a Greek detective tries to catch him, and the British newspapers accuse him of murder, Harry's conscience is his worst enemy of all. What happened to young, beautiful Heather Mallender? Who took her-and why didn't Harry realize that something was amiss?
Suddenly Harry, a man steeped in failure, finds a purpose: retracing the strange, twisting route that led to Heather's vanishing. But the more he learns, the less he knows. Until Harry finds himself at the heart of a dangerous puzzle whose pieces are scattered everywhere: in the realm of British politics, in the beds of adulterous lovers, in the past, the present, and most of all, amid the secrets of an unsuspected killer....
A nicely designed plot with plenty of twists and turns and a sympathetic protagonist are the strengths of one of Mr Goddard's most entertaining adventure stories.
Paul Shelley reads "Into The Blue" for BBC Audiobooks. A very good performance indeed.
Addicted to Goddard.......2007-04-02
This was the first novel by Robert Goddard I read. After that, I was completely hooked. I rate Goddard as the best suspense novelist I've ever read. His plot twists are incredible; as a long-time reader, I'm used to being able to predict endings. It's depressing, really, how few can surprise me. Well, Goddard can! And his are true plot twists, all the information is planted early in the novel, but you can never quite see which little nugget of information will end up being the crucial one! Delightful! As for _Into the Blue_, I felt like I had visited Greece along with Harry. And Harry rates as one of the most likable characters in suspense fiction, too. Not all Goddard novels will hold the same interest, but they are all very well-plotted.
A HUNT FOR THE TRUTH THAT LEADS INTO THE BLUE.......2007-03-16
Goddard does it again! In this novel we meet Harry Barnett, a fiftish failure with a past. Harry's life is immersed in failure; its only positive aspect being Harrys unlikely friendship with Alan Dysart, an Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Defense. While house sitting at Alan's villa in Greece, Harry is drawn into a perplexing and bizarre puzzle involving the disappearance of a beautiful, young houseguest.
These are only two of the several plot threads that textures this story and weaves it into compelling whole cloth. Goddard's writing invites you to walk in Harrys shoes as he attempts to utilize the one clue in his possession to solve a mystery whose pieces are scattered from Greece to England to Switzerland.
You may think you have the solution.....but don't be too sure!!
vivid, engrossing.......2007-01-09
You'll like Harry Barnett. He is in Greece, on the sunny sunny island of Rhodes, house-sitting there for a rich British member of parliament. Harry smokes, he drinks, he likes food, he likes women, especially the attractive young woman named Heather, who befriended him a few days ago. Heather is much younger than Harry's overweight middle-aged self.
Heather persuades Harry to take her on the half-hour drive up a nearby mountain for the view. They stop, get out of the car, and climb for a while. Heather decides to continue walking up to the summit. Somewhat winded, Harry says he'll sit and rest for a little. Harry waits and waits and waits, and no Heather. Heather does not return. Where is she? Where did she go? Was she waylaid? What happened? He finds her scarf, and loses it.
Harry goes to the police, who question him, begin their own meticulous search of the summit, dutifully find the scarf, but quickly begin to suspect himself, that he may have murdered her and done away with the body. She has disappeared Into the Blue.
The book involves Harry's search for the young woman and what happened to her. A most engrossing and vivid read. This is Goddard at his best. A few months ago, local bookstores did not have any of his novels; he wasn't even listed in Books in Print. Amazon did not have him. You had to go to Amazon.co.uk. Goddard writes wonderfully. We must all be pleased that his excellent novels are now easily available.
Engrossing tale.......2007-01-05
I just "discovered this author, though he's been around a while, when I picked up a copy of Borrowed Time that I found in paperback. After reading that book, which I couldn't put down, I am reading a few more of his titles. I really enjoyed this one. The hero is very human, not the glib and smart detective you find in so many mysteries. The characters are well-drawn and the plot had plenty of twists and turns. He has a beautiful way with words and the telling of a story. None of his books have disappointed me so far. I would recommend this author for anyone who likes a mystery-suspense.
Average customer rating:
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Growing into the Blue
Ulrich Schaffer
Manufacturer: HarperCollins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
20th Century
| Poetry
| United States
| World Literature
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Poetry
| United States
| World Literature
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
British
| World Literature
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
| 18th Century
| 19th Century
| 20th Century
| Classics
| Contemporary
| General
| Historical
| Humor
| Letters & Correspondence
| Middle
| Old
| Poetry
| Renaissance
| Shakespeare
| Short Stories
United States
| Single Authors
| Poetry
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
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General
| Religion & Spirituality
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0060670894 |
Customer Reviews:
A Treasure.......2003-04-10
A college friend loaned this book to me in the late 1980's. I was so moved by the poems that I typed out several of them to keep, neglecting to note the author. Those typewritten pages have stayed with me for fifteen years. Finally, through Amazon.com Marketplace, I've been able to purchase a copy for myself, and the entire book is as wonderful as I remembered. The poetry, about growth, risk, pain, ambiguity and God, is simple but heartfelt. The accompanying photography is beautiful as well. I highly recommend this book to anyone who lives a life of Spirit, but who finds him- or herself in challenging times.
Book Description
Jody McGrath and her family are sailing around the world researching dolphins, and Jody records all their exciting adventures in her Dolphin Diaries.In the series' first book, the yacht begins its journey in the waters off Florida. A sudden storm puts Jody's life in danger, but a dolphin rescues her from the water and brings her back to safety.
Customer Reviews:
My daughter loved it.......2006-08-28
She read it in one day. Only eight years old, it's nice to find a series of books that she will read. The story is filled with many good morals and adventures which kept her interested. Her favorite part was when Jody was pushed and the dolphin found and rescued her.
At the end of the story it wraps up well and she's ready for the next one. Any parent out there who wants to see their girl, or boys too, look forward to reading, get them this book.
The Best Book Ever!!!.......2005-12-15
The book Dolphin Diaries is a WONDERFUL BOOK! Jody goes on a boat ride and the name of the boat is Dolphin Dreamer. Then this mean girl shows up named Brittany, and she almost ruins the whole trip. One day, when Jody is outside on the boat Brittany comes and pushes Jody off of the boat.And Jody has nobody to save her. Then all of sudden it started to storm really really bad. She could not see anything at all.Then out of the blue came a DOLPHIN. And he took her to the Dolphin Dreamer.And Jody decided to give the dolphin a name. Which she named him Apollo. So if you like dolphins, and books get you thinking this is the right book for you.
Dolphin Diaries.......2005-09-16
Dolphin Diaries by Ben M. Baglio was and incredible book. It was about this girl named Jody and how she is going on a trip for a couple of months on a boat called the Dolphin Dreamer and she has exiting adventures. There was tons of excitement, my favorite part was when Jody falls off the boat during a really bad storm and the dolphin is the only one who can rescue her or she will drown even though she is a good swimmer. My least Favorite part was when a snobby girl named Brittney joins the trip and almost ruins the whole trip for Jody.
The story can be very useful when it comes to friends and peers, you need to look past first impressions, because maybe they are going through something hard to deal with, or they are just having a bad day and are taking it off on you.
If I was to rate this book I would give it four stars because I think that the book could have been a little more detailed, but other than that it was very exhilarating and eye-popping book.
Into The Blue.......2005-04-13
Into The Blue: Dolphin Diaries
This book is the best book in the world for me. It was about Dolphins love dolphins, I worship dolphins. I adore books, so it was a perfect match for me. This book was exciting, adventuress, and nerve racking. This was the perfect book just for me.
The plot was the most exciting one I have ever read. It was the only one I was ever really interested in. It is a certain problem any one would have. It was exciting and thrilling. To find out, get the book. You can get this book at Barns and Nobles to understand the problem.
The solution of the problem was like an 11-year-old girl thought of it, because she was an 11-year-old girl who thought of it. It was a brilliant idea. It would probably be an idea someone else would think of. I definitely recommend this book to someone who likes dolphins and books like I do. This was the best book in the world to me and probably to you
Into The Blue.......2005-04-06
Dolphin Diaries is the best book I have ever read in mylife sofar. I loved the book.I love dolphins and I love books,so this was the book for me. If you are interested in reading this book then I think this is the book for you. This book is adventurist exciting.
Average customer rating:
- starting a business
- Outstanding example of holistic success-this is a great story-book!
- A feel good story about unlikely business success.
- A Book with Universal Application
- An inspiration for us all
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Blue Mountain: Turning Dreams into Reality
Susan Polis Schutz
Manufacturer: Blue Mountain Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
General
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0883966956 |
Book Description
Blue Mountain is the story of how our publishing company, Blue Mountain Arts, and electronic greeting card website, bluemountain.com, were founded and developed. In this book, I write about some of the experiences my husband Steve and I had: from the time we silk-screened our first posters and lived in the back of our pickup-truck camper to when our poetry greeting cards became the number-one-selling card line in America.
Years later, we fought--in court--two of the largest corporations in the United States to save our companies. Because these lawsuits had such a strong impact on us, I describe them in detail. In the late 1990's, our family was swept up in the insanity of the dot-com craze. I also chronicle our whirlwind entanglement into the fast-moving world of the Internet.
Many people have told us that our story is inspiring and that they admired the way Steve and I successfully pursued our personal and professional dreams. Over and over again, we were asked to write a book about how we did it. At first we wondered what could be learned from our story. Then we realized that the knowledge we gained might help others turn their dreams into reality and bypass some of the pitfalls we experienced.
If you can learn a single lesson from this book that helps you to avoid one of the hurtful mistakes Steve and I made, then this book serves a purpose. This is why, after years of living privately, we felt Blue Mountain should be written. We have managed to live our dreams--a life we designed for ourselves. I hope this book will encourage you to take a paintbrush and create your own mountain of dreams.
Customer Reviews:
starting a business.......2007-03-31
They have a very inspiring story, but I wish they had given more details on the business of greeting card. Perhaps more of a step by step way to start a business.
Outstanding example of holistic success-this is a great story-book!.......2006-09-12
I was gladdened to have found this book - This narrative by Susan polish Shutz is simply and sincerely told; in keeping with Blue mountain Arts "content" What started as a shoestring hippie graphic arts poster business turned into a blockbuster success while keeping true to its ideals. I loved hearing about the "roadblocks" and the eventual solving of these obstacles.I am really surprised that this book isn't touted more as a how-to manual to succeed in any maverick small business - because there are countless maxims conveyed that can be of value and inspiration- Stay true to yourself, damn the naysayers, maintain harmony in the family and business circle, and be naiive but not too naiive. (as the saying goes "praise God but tie up your camels) Bottom line is that there is a universal longing for serenity, high ideals and a non caffeinated ( not literally of course) tenor. that is why this company has had such success- because it appeals to this human want.
A feel good story about unlikely business success........2006-05-26
Susan's story about Blue Mountain is a great read. It starts with her shocking discovery of Hallmark copying Blue Mountain cards.
Then it goes back into the past about how they got started. Susan's style and short chapters keep the flow. Chapters go into details of challenges they faced to start their business and challenges when their business grew.
Many chapters talk about their lawsuit against Hallmark. These chapters talk about the toll on them while fighting a large company.
In the end there are some stories about their life.
Overall a good read. I had always liked BlueMountain.com, but after reading this book (quoting Paul Harvey) now I know the rest of the story.
A Book with Universal Application.......2004-08-31
Blue Mountain is hard to categorize. Susan Polis Schutz seems to have naturally combined elements for a business book, a publishing history, a family story and a inspirational leaflet into her account which ends up in a unique work. My overwhelming impression, though, is about the consistent sincerity, courage and faith shown in the Schutzes' every action that keep this book integrated. Those who read it only looking for a shortcut to wealth would probably be disappointed, but other readers might find in it, aside from every other merit, a rare quality extremely lacking in most of today's self-help books: an unflagging faith in humanistic values and a belief that they will prevail.
I read Blue Mountain last year when it was sent as a trade sample to the Chinese company I worked for. Its narration was emotive without being sentimental and immediately took me into the book's world despite the fact that I came from a distinctly different Chinese background and had no business aspirations. Still, I could relate much of my personal experiences to the book and apply its lessons to see through the problems within my company. Now I have resigned from that company and work as a freelance translator, enhancing my skills to pursue my dream. I am indebted to Blue Mountain for its keeping me company through the difficult, depressing period of my previous job and inspiring me to a new awareness of where I should be. For its universal application, I hope the book will soon be translated into Chinese so more of the 1.6 billion people will be inspired and dare to live up to their dreams against the mammonism and consumerism increasingly prevalent in the country.
An inspiration for us all.......2004-07-16
A story of courage, strength and family values, Blue Mountain's story is an inspiration to us all.
Average customer rating:
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Deep into Blue Holes: The Story of the Andros Project
Rob Palmer
Manufacturer: Unwin Hyman
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
Hydrology
| Environmental
| Civil
| Engineering
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Sports
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Geography
| Earth Sciences
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0044403801 |
Customer Reviews:
Telling it like it is........2004-10-30
As I have already said in another review of this man's work, for those who knew the late Rob Palmer, as I once did, I think most would agree he was difficult to like but easy to respect for his work. In life he always sought to be different - and in many ways that was from where his great gift of being a diving pioneer came. Until his early death just a few short years ago (already!) Rob Palmer was the one man who knew more about true Blue Holes than any other person on earth.
In 1985 I was appointed Chief Diver for Operation Raleigh and Rob was one of the Diving Officer's responsible for a specific diving project out in the field. Because of his own particular skills and experience, I was aware that he at least "knew what he was doing."
Today, all divers who call themselves "Technical Diver" because of their use of mixed gases, Nitrox etc, owe something to the Rob Palmers of this world for their pioneering work in testing different gases to different extents - so that we who follow may dive ever deeper and ever further - in greater safety.
This book puts into perspective his work with regard to the Blue Holes over many years. It explains the successes, the disappointments and the excitement that went hand in glove with this particular sphere of exploration. It is well written and tells a very important story. Whether or not you personally get to dive the Blue Holes of the Caribbean - this is a book which every scuba diver should read.
Having personally "been there, done that and got the T-shirt" (Really!) I fully recommend the Blue Holes if only because they offer a different type of diving from anywhere else in the world. Should you feel the same way and want to learn more about these incredible phenomena - especially the Blue Holes of the Bahamas, then this book becomes essential reading.
NM
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