european

I am enjoying reading and wondering why he writes so simply. I am also reading poems by W.S. Merwin and they seem so different. I suppose it's personality, nationality, purpose that strike me as most explanatory of their styles. It might be interesting that as I read the Spanish poems in Horses in the Air and then looked at the English translation I found myself thinking that I would have chosen other words. I also dusted off selections of the essay Ariel by Rodo, (in Spanish). Thank you.

This is an extraordinary book of beautiful poems by one of the best literary translators working today. Cola Franzen's translations are as beautiful as the poems themselves.

One doesn't need to be Christian to fall in love with this book. Each tiny painting is rich in detail and imagination. There is not one careless or unnecessary brushstroke. The artists who produced this work did the very best in their power and each image glows with their intention. There is a wonderful awkwardness in many of the human figures, but the natural and imaginal worlds are depicted with loving fidelity. This is religious art that stands with miniatures from India and Persia as some of the greatest art ever created for an intimate scale.

First published in 1966, The Hours Of Catherine Of Cleves is a wonderfully beautiful work that reproduces a fifteenth-century illuminated manuscript featuring unforgettably beautiful Bible illustrations of scenes from the Old and New testaments. These artworks were originally created for Catherine of Cleves on the occasion of her marriage to the Duke of Guelders. Each page of this splendidly illustrated book is accompanied by the commentary of John Plummer, who offers insight and a descriptive vibrancy to the splendor of the illustrations. A treasure to read, view, and absorb, The Hours Of Catherine Of Cleves is recommended for Christian Studies and Christian Art History collections.

I bought the trilogy as 3 books in one. And that is how you should read them, as 1 book. The 3 books are the 3 main chapters in the life of the main character, Tora.
There is so much pain in the book(s), so much suffering and loneliness your heart will sometimes break, but together with the maincharacter you will fight back, still too many pages to go/read, you can't give up, you have to go on and hope there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
So I suggest if you decide to read the story of Tora,( how she fights back, being a bastard child of a german soldier and norwegian islander, how she tries to connect with her mother, how she tries to avoid her stepfather of coming in her room at night, how she copes with an unwanted pregnancy, ... ) you buy the 3 books or the omnibus ... because when you start reading about Tora, you won't be able to let her go. You'll become her, and she'll become you.

Wassmo's spare and lyric prose is a joy to read. In unabashed language she tells the story of Tora, a young girl growing up on a remote Norwegian island a decade after World War II. The illegitimate daughter of a German soldier, Tora lives in a poor household with her drudging mother and a brutal step-father who subjects her to repeated sexual abuse. Fiercely silent, Tora deals with her ordeal alone, groping blindly for safety and an understanding of her predicament--and, at last, she becomes strong enough to overcome it. Her tale is set in the context of life in a small island village where the economy is based on fishing and small everyday dramas constantly unfold. This is the first volume in a trilogy about Tora; unfortunately, the other books in the series seem not to be available yet in English translation. I, for one, having also read "Dina's Book" with immense admiration for the author's talent and skill, will be waiting impatiently for them. Wassmo is a splendid writer and "The House with the Blind Glass Windows" is an excellent way to make her acquaintance.

Hunyadi: The Legend and Reality is a fantastic publication for anyone who wants to know about the life and times a truly astounding hero. Held takes you by the hand and leads into 15th century europe's economic, religeous and political system. You really get a well rounded perspective of what it was like to live in that day. Janos Hunyadi was so prominent a figure of that time that you simply cannot learn about this period without learning about the man himself. The book, while chalk-full of historical fact, is very exciting and entertaining. The story of Janos Hunyadi is an epoch tale that Hollywood has somehow missed. Get this book and read it.

I found this book while doing research for a historical novel on 15th C Eastern Europe. It is clear that the author carefully researched the subject of Janos Hunyadi. He provides numerous references to document his work, so much so that it is difficult not to accept his interpretation of events when they conflict with other historical sources. He is very clear in laying out the complicated history of the region, particularly Hungary in its wars against the Osmanli Turks. He demonstrates very clearly why Janos Hunyadi was known as the "White Knight" to Roman Catholicism. He gives the biography perspective by explaining life at the various levels of society and providing vital statistics like mortality rates. More, he gives feeling to the pictures he paints, e.g., in describing the life of the average peasant or the siege of Belgrade. He uses quotes from contemporary sources to strongly support his own conclusions. I enjoyed this probably more for entertainment than for the richness historical facts; there is certainly nothing lacking in either in this work by Prof. Held. I thank him for introducing me to Hunyadi, the Turkish sultans, King Matthias, and the other key figures of the time and place. I also thank him for making me wonder if I could have survived an average life in those times, let alone face the challenges and threats faced by Janos Hunyadi.

This is a stellar editionh of HOlderlin's late poetry, much of which Heidegger focused on; however, I think his earlier stuff is of great value too. ALthough i have not read the Penguin edition, i plan to do so, and i have feeling, knowing penguin, it will be better in my eyes, in that i really enjoy his early stuff too. The notes that come along with the poems in this edition , as well as the introduction are spectacular. If you are unacquainted with HOlderlin, though, i would start out with the Penguin edition. Plus, Penguin books smell so nice.

This is my favorite book of poetry from the last 300 years. What's not to like here? Holderlin is the prince of all great modern German poetry. If you know Rilke, Trakl, Celan, George, or any of the others--come, and meet their godfather. Then there is Holderlin's relation to the past. The blazing richness of ancient Greek poetry, and especially Pindar, is burning more brightly in the poems in this book than in any other modern poetry. The introduction, notes, and facing-page German/English format of this edition are all top notch. These are the Holderlin poems you really want--the stuff that makes Holderlin one of the two or three most brilliant writers in the German language. Don't be fooled by other anthologies--this is a solid, virtually unabridged collection of the LATE poetry. If you really must spend your time with the relatively stale classicism of Klopstock and Schiller, by all means find another edition of Holderlin with more of his less mind-blowingly original work. But, if you buy this book, you will have the cream of all serious poetry since the 18th century.

There is no way to label Holderlin. Of course, you can say he's precociously modern in his response to early Greek poetry about mortality and the divine, or in his freedom from mere "romanticism," but, truly, Holderlin simply stands apart from--and above--the stream of poetry, and this book is the best way to discover that.

Anyone who's read and loved the work of great Spanish poets such as Lorca and Machado will love the work of Miguel Hernandez, a self-educated goatherd who developed a singularly strong and beautiful poetic language of his own. This volume is an excellent selection of his work, and is translated with such evident care that the English sings just as the Spanish does. See especially Hernandez' heartbreakingly tender lullabies to his wife and son, written just before his death in prison. A beautiful book.

A marvel. Simple as that. For the general reader, as well as those already familiar with the great tradition of Spanish verse which includes Lorca, Neruda, Machado...

In this compilation of correspondence between two erudite artist/writers, the reader is allowed to eavesdrop on the communications of John Berger and John Christie. These are two real renaissance men, interested in everything and commenting on all to each other with such intelligence and candor that we are compelled to read further, taking joy in their knowledge of color, art history, bookmaking, and literature. The book is obviously put together with the input of the book artist, with covers and pages you must touch, luscious color, fold-outs, and lovely photographs of the hand written letters, the books, and even the envelopes that traveled between the two men. The insight into their personal lives and their friendship adds an irresistible dimension. This bok is a must for anyone interested in art in any form.

Like a bee, under vibrating equilibrium and full of gold : thats the emotion felt after reading this colorfull-voices.

I long ago determined that the world of those interested in the Classical Literature of the Ancient Greeks that when it comes to Homer's epic poems there are those who prefer the "Iliad" and those who prefer the "Odyssey." My choice is for the story of the rage of Achilles. From Achilles's fateful confrontation with Agamemnon over Briseis of the lovely arms to the magnificently emotional ending where King Priam comes to beg for the body of his slain son, Hector, from the man who killed him, I find this story has far greater resonance than the tale of Odysseus. The epic story also seems to me to be more classically Greek, with the great hero who acts out of anger, comes to regret his folly, and seeks to make amends too late to save themselves from a tragic fate. Achilles is similar to Hercules in this regard, and although they are both strictly considered demi-gods, the Achaean hero ultimately seems more human. Additionally, Achilles's stature is enhanced by his opposition to the noble Hector, breaker of horses; acknowledging the better warrior does not take away from recognizing the greater hero. After all, it is the figure of Hector who begins the idealized notion of the worthy and noble opponent, which has continued throughout the course of Western civilization and included such historical figures as Robert E. Lee and Irwin Rommell.

Add to this the fact that all the gods and goddesses of Olympus are actively involved in the proceedings rather than Athena trying to save Odysseus from Poseideon's wrath, and I am convinced the "Iliad" is the more worthy book for inclusion into most classes dealing with Classical Mythology or the Ancient Greeks. This is where students will get the best understanding of the Homeric concept of the Olympian gods, which would then be challenged by the tragic poets of Athens several centuries later. I also like to use the "Iliad" as part of a larger epic involving the plays of Euripides, specifically "Iphigenia at Aulis" (which presages the conflict between Achilles and Agamemnon that begins the "Iliad") and "Trojan Women" (which finishes the story of the four women who lament over Hector's body when it is returned to Troy) as well as relevant sections from the "Aeneid" and other sources on the Fall of Troy. But the "Iliad" remains the centerpiece of any such larger tale, mainly because of the final dramatic confrontation when King Priam goes to weep over the bloody hands of Achilles, which serves as the true dramatic climax of Homer's epic poem.

This translation by Michael Pierce Reck is geared towards the modern student forced to read this epic poem against their will, as compared to the Robert Fagles translation which tries to be faithful to the style and spirit of Homer's original language. Purists might not appreciate Reck's use of vernacular, but if it speaks to students who might not otherwise care about the rage of Achilles then that would be a good thing. Actually, I am rather surprised that there are so many decent translations of the Iliad out there that instructors can choose between for their students. For high school teachers, the Reck translation is a strong possibility.

Michael Reck's translation of The Iliad is clear, compelling, and masterful. Anyone with a passing interest in war, tragedy, Greek mythology or a good story should pick up this book. This translation has an excellent foreward that manages to be both insightful and non-academic; detailed maps of the ancient Greek world; a one-page plot summary; historical information on the "real" city of Troy; and a glossary of people and place names. Of course, the outstanding feature is Reck's rendering of Homer's language. This is no musty, archaic tome but a vibrant, forceful epic. By all means, read it.

The Loeb editions of the classical Greek and Roman
writers are remarkable -- both for their scholarly
contents as well as for the very readable English
translations which accompany the classical words.
The Greek or Latin texts appear on the left side
pages -- and the immediate English translations
appear on the right hand side, opposite.
This Loeb edition of -The Iliad- comes in 2 volumes:
Vol. 1 (ISBN: 0674995791) contains Books I - 12
of -The Iliad-, with an English translation by
A.T. Murray, revised by William F. Wyatt. Vol. 2
(ISBN: 0674995805) contains Books 13 - 24. This
is a 2nd edition of these volumes, issued in 1999.
In explaining why a revision of Murray's translation
was needed, Wyatt says in the "Preface": "A.T.
Murray's translation of the -Iliad- has long set
a standard for accuracy and style. But its archaic
language no longer seems as appropriate as it did
to earlier generations of readers. In revising it to
fit the expectations of today's readers I have changed
little substantively, but have modernized diction
throughout." And Wyatt is true to his word -- the
revised translation reads easily, but still gives
the flavor of Homer's poetic style through repeated
introductory formulas such as: "Then in answer to
him spoke Achilles, swift of foot" and "Then the
incomparable seer took heart, and spoke, saying...".
Also included are the wondrous Homeric similes
with the full force of their acute observations,
poetic flow, and telling imagery. Here is an
example describing the spread of the Achaeans
throughout the camp: "Just as a consuming fire makes
a boundless forest blaze on the peaks of a mountain,
and from afar can the glare be seen, so from their
magnificent bronze, as they marched out, went the
dazzling gleam through the sky to the heavens."
Included in Vol. 1 is an Introduction as well as
an updated short Bibliography of critical text
citations, Editions and commentaries, Recent
translations, Reference, Linguistic, General
works on Homer, and Studies on the Iliad.
And as Achilles says after he has slain Hector,
"There lies by the ships a dead man unwept, unburied --
Patroclus; him will I not forget so long as I am
among the living, and my knees are quick. And even
if in the house of Hades men forget their dead, yet
will I even there remember my dear comrade."
-- Robert Kilgore.

The Loeb series is meant to aid students, which is why its translations often read very literally. When Murray writes, "The wrath sing, goddess, of Peleus' son Achilles," he is following the word order of the Greek exactly: "Mênin aeide, thea, Pêlêiadeô Achilêos." If you buy this book for the Greek text, the literal English translation will help as a quick reference when stuck on a word. If you buy this book for the English translation, you'll gain a sense of the logic of the Greek language and a much more reliable translation than most.

I can't express how exquisitely these 4 volumes are packaged. Take a look at the price!!! There is a large case that contains four slender volumes bound in what appears to be handmade paper. Each volume focuses on one of four palaces. Each one contains watercolours with a description paragraph to the left. The watercolours are breathtakingly reproduced -- bright colors, intricate details. Treat yourself to these four, perhaps the most beautiful book ever produce on the subject of Imperial Russia. Go ahead and splurge!

These four volumes are a wonfderful collectionof watercolours and grisailles from the times of Imperial Russia. They would be suitable for anyone with an interestin art, architecture, Russia and St Petersburg. They show the four palaces (sadly there is no volume for other palaces such as Ropsha, Strelna or Oranienbaum) as they were before they were destroyed by the Germans in WWII. The palaces (both interiors and exteriors) as well as their gardens are brought to life by this wonderful collection. They are shown as they exisited throughout the 19th century and are interesting not only for their artistic and architectual merits but also for their intrinsic historic and cultural value. Very strongle recommended.