european

An interesting account of the Looting of Europes Treasure Houses.

Hitler didn't limit himself to seizing political control in Europe, he embarked on a program to loot the continent's greatest art collection, and at war's end many of these relics disappeared. This is the first U.S. publication of a 1999 English expose which received critical acclaim, and provides an update on the looting of Europe and victims' attempts to reclaim the art works. Essential for any student of Nazi history.

i bought a copy of this book way back in the early 80's. it is full of very inspirational love poems that can relate even today. i know even the teenagers of today will love it and even the young once. i hope mr. schaffer will write another book like this one. more power.

Ulrich Schaffer relates very well and thoroughly to young people who might be discovering love and the hard times that go along with it. Reading this book doesn't take very long; it is more like reading some one's journal and can be read in fractions more than once or twice.

The fragments themselves are quite beautiful, but I found the commentary much more interesting. Since so little is known about the subject, the translator provides notes along with each fragment that lets the reader know from where the fragment came. The commentary also includes citations from many writers of Greek lyric poetry. The result is not a work that gives one man's perspective of Sappho but a work that says: "here -- this is what scholars today say about Sappho and her native Greece." The book also includes an interesting essay by the translator, cute sketches, and a glossary of people and places.

Sappho was the greatest lyric poet of Greece, and any modern reader of her poetry can easily see why. Although she admittedly suffers in translation, one must learn to ignore the frustration caused by the occasional awkward translation. One must also try to ignore the fragmentary nature of her poems. There was once a definitive edition which consisted of nine books, but it was burned in hte Middle Ages because of the lesbian love poems. The poems we have now are just papyrus fragments or quotations. However, even in English, even with only a few extant pieces, Sappho's poetry is vibrant and beautiful.

The central theme of "The Lower Depths" is not only the total aniquilation of human personality by misery,in the harsh struggle for life that,so many times takes Men to degrade themselves but also,a statement that that aniquilation never is complete and that the very "Ex-Men",like in another book Gorki will call them,still have a conscience,the dream to overcome misery itself,a human warmth capable of being shared and ease.

A Must-read!

In a crowded dark room live the dregs of Russian society: a thief, a prostitute, her pimp, and several other criminals and outcasts. The general humdrum drama of their lives goes on as they get into fights, have disagreements, counsel one another over their losses, and so on.

Luka, an idealistic spiritual sort, finds his way into the group, and starts to spread his message of hope and positive thinking. This spurs the plot along a bit, because many in the group are hard-bitten realists who have no truck with faith or hope.

This is a fine play by Maxim Gorky. Gorky doesn't have the number of famous plays that someone like Henrik Ibsen or George Bernard Shaw does. In fact, he might be better known for his memoir of his childhood than for this play.

Nevertheless, The Lower Depths is a great play. The gritty element described in the play makes it seem much more like a modern play than the 1902 publication date would indicate. The realistic dialogue and streetwise characters make it hard to put down.

ken32

This book totally rocks. The author's bravado, sarcasm, and slamming extreme smack in the true scholastic realm would make Jim Rome jealous. If reading 8 different languages in one book is your bag, then this is the book for you. This book is true scholastic genius, a work of art. This doctoral dissertation makes sure that anybody who writes a future dissertation on this epic medieval poem will have to read the Sivertson dissertation first. Good luck scholars! Take your best shot, because this _is_ the best of the best. Read it for yourself. I guarantee you won't be dissappointed. This book is a true masterpiece! This _is_ the quest for the Holy Grail.

Finally! A book that stays true to the traditions of classical analysis and scholarship. It is all to easy in this day and age to write about politically correct topics with the pseudo-intellectual verbal dribble that always seem to accompany such topics. Blatant revisionist interpretaions with a holier than thou presentism carry the day.

NOT THIS BOOK.

The topic is usually considered old hat. (Medieval European Literature...didn't they close that department?) the author dares to make a thorough study, not just of the work itself, but of the time and period which such pieces were written. It is obvious that the author is intimately familiar with the styles and sympathies of other literary works of this period and therefore is able to make sense of passages that on their own seem out of place.

Even if this topic is not your cup of tea, I recommend that you read it. I guarentee you will find it refreshing. Much better than the post-modern disneyfication pompous pontificating that passes for scholarship today.

Like the other title of this series, "Faith in the Byzantine World," Tomlin's book is beautifully illustrated with maps, color photos, excerpts from primary sources, and more. You really will love to look at this book, let alone read it! As the other review has noted, this book is quite sympathetic to Luther and his theology, but it does present the reader with a fair and strong understanding of the Roman Catholic context of the Reformation. Highly recommended for catechism class or adult group study, or as a companion to a more detailed account of the Reformation (Jaroslav Pelikan's Volume Four of his "The Christian Tradition", for example). You will certainly not go wrong in buying this book! Enjoy!

This is a sympathetic treatment of the life and impact of this giant of the Reformation era.
The author is conversant with the modern re-interpretations of Luther, but he focuses on the objective facts of Luther's life and beliefs, as well as the dynamics that helped make Luther a bridge from medievalism to the modern world.
Filled with colorful anecdotal material and Luther's interactions with friends and adversaries, the author portrays the human side of Luther in the development of his belief system. The concluding chapter sketches the importance of Luther's thought and its lasting influence.
This handbook on Luther is a glossy publication with useful sidebars, contemporary paintings, and modern photographs.

This book is replete with information related to a segment of history not known to many, including Gurdjieff "experts."
As such, it behooves anyone from those only interested in Gurdjieff to those who have been seriously involved for decades
to read it, as it adds a perspective few have bothered to pursue
despite their claims of authority on the subject.
It is the work of someone who actually "went there and did it" in order to understand a School that has existed for a very long time.
You will not find another like it.

I have been fascinated by The Magi since childhood and have done extensive reading in many areas to find a writer who at least had a clue! Gilbert certainly does! While he could have minimalized the ancient military history and cut a bit faster to the chase, his 25 year quest is a rewarding read. Familiarity with Hancock, Bauval, Baigent and Lincoln as well as Gurdgieff might make this a smoother read for those interested. However, even without reading those authors,, the very interested will find Gilbert covers their work in a serious, careful and respectful manner. In the end he succeeds where oh-so-many have fallen, lost in deserts they could no longer navigate.

No other book but Pippi Longstocking has been as much fun to read out loud to my daughter. The prose is simple yet carefully chosen to roll off the tongue easily. A perfect bed-time story length, the tales captured my 7-yr-old's imagination so thoroughly that she now goes to bed with her nightgown inside out and asked to sprinkle dill weed in the corners. (Read the book, and you'll know what I mean.) As an adult, I enjoy the humor and appreciate the gentle lesson or two. Now, please excuse me--I have to go set a bowl of cream outside the back door...

my kids were entranced by these tales of those feisty spriggans and knackers. These are the wonderful stories to read to grandchildren , or have them read to you, about the really Olden Days when there was magic all over the world! The pictures are great. I wish we could have a spriggan on a T-shirt!

As a storyteller, I was most impressed. Lots of translations are out there - some too scholarly to want to wade through, and some too dumbed down. McNeil's version is a
pleasure. It keeps the flavor and tone of the epic and its poetry in a very tellable style.

This rendition of the Finnish epic won the Aesop Accolade Prize from the Children's Folklore Section of the American Folklore Soiciety. I am in awe of the clear and authentic storyline relayed in this publication, knowing the complex nature of the original narration.

As the description above states, this book contains 400 illustrations covering Magritte's entire career. I found that after reading "The Essential Magritte," this was a perfect continuation in my introduction to this man's work. The price is also unbeatable, considering what some art books go for these days. Well written and illustrated, this book was a wonderful find.

This book on Margritte includes fabulous images and great explanations and references to Magritte's life. I purchased this book in Dutch in Europe, for about four times the price listed here. This is an absolute bargain, and I sincerely regret not having purchased it from Amazon, although I greatly enjoyed having purchased it overall. Any Magritte fan cannot miss this book! Enjoy.