Secondly, the book is a long overdue portrait of the real Mario Batali and of the real Marco Pierre White--two complicated and brilliant chefs whose coverage in the press--while appropriately fawning--has never described them in their fully debauched, delightful glory. Buford has--for the first time--managed to explain White's peculiar--almost freakish brilliance--while humanizing a man known for terrorizing cooks, customers (and Batali). As for Mario--he is finally revealed for the Falstaffian, larger than life, mercurial, frighteningly intelligent chef/enterpreneur he really is. No small accomplishment. Other cooks, chefs, butchers, artisans and restaurant lifers are described with similar insight.
Thirdly, Heat reveals a dead-on understanding--rare among non-chef writers--of the pleasures of "making" food; the real human cost, the real requirements and the real adrenelin-rush-inducing pleasures of cranking out hundreds of high quality meals. One is left with a truly unique appreciation of not only what is truly good about food--but as importantly, who cooks--and why. I can't think of another book which takes such an unsparing, uncompromising and ultimately thrilling look at the quest for culinary excellence. Heat brims with fascinating observations on cooking, incredible characters, useful discourse and argument-ending arcania. I read my copy and immediately started reading it again. It's going right in between Orwell's Down and Out in Paris and London and Zola's The Belly of Paris on my bookshelf. --Anthony Bourdain
Book Description
Bill Buford—author of the highly acclaimed best-selling Among the Thugs—had long thought of himself as a reasonably comfortable cook when in 2002 he finally decided to answer a question that had nagged him every time he prepared a meal: What kind of cook could he be if he worked in a professional kitchen? When the opportunity arose to train in the kitchen of Mario Batali’s three-star New York restaurant, Babbo, Buford grabbed it. Heat is the chronicle—sharp, funny, wonderfully exuberant—of his time spent as Batali’s “slave” and of his far-flung apprenticeships with culinary masters in Italy.
In a fast-paced, candid narrative, Buford describes the frenetic experience of working in Babbo’s kitchen: the trials and errors (and more errors), humiliations and hopes, disappointments and triumphs as he worked his way up the ladder from slave to cook. He talks about his relationships with his kitchen colleagues and with the larger-than-life, hard-living Batali, whose story he learns as their friendship grows through (and sometimes despite) kitchen encounters and after-work all-nighters.
Buford takes us to the restaurant in a remote Appennine village where Batali first apprenticed in Italy and where Buford learns the intricacies of handmade pasta . . . the hill town in Chianti where he is tutored in the art of butchery by Italy’s most famous butcher, a man who insists that his meat is an expression of the Italian soul . . . to London, where he is instructed in the preparation of game by Marco Pierre White, one of England’s most celebrated (or perhaps notorious) chefs. And throughout, we follow the thread of Buford’s fascinating reflections on food as a bearer of culture, on the history and development of a few special dishes (Is the shape of tortellini really based on a woman’s navel? And just what is a short rib?), and on the what and why of the foods we eat today.
Heat is a marvelous hybrid: a richly evocative memoir of Buford’s kitchen adventure, the story of Batali’s amazing rise to culinary (and extra-culinary) fame, a dazzling behind-the-scenes look at the workings of a famous restaurant, and an illuminating exploration of why food matters.
It is a book to delight in—and to savor.
Customer Reviews:
A humorous read that made me hungry!.......2007-10-07
Who wouldn't want to go on Buford's journey? He's a great tour guide on his gasto-tour of the kitchens of the Mario Batali and Pierre Marco White. He shows that kitchens can be places that are filled with potential dangers and loads of passion. It took me awhile to get through this book, in part because I kept getting hungry and had to go make something to eat! I'm ready to go clamp the pasta machine to the counter and whip up some fresh pasta.
It's a pretty dense book to get through, and the author wanders away from the main story often. Most of the time, it's to an interesting place, but sometimes, it's just a tangent. But aside from a few of those as a distraction, I thought this was a great book.
Interesting but not what I thought it was going to be.......2007-09-19
I got this book because my husband heard an interview on the radio and thought I would like it since I love to cook. It was interesting but spent too much time, for me, on the politics of working in a restaurant kitchen and not enough on the workings of food in a restaurant. I bored with the personalities and gave up trying to figure out who was who.
I think I made the pages soggy..........2007-09-17
This guy, Bill Buford, is pretty amazing. Despite the danger of slicing off his hands entirely (an accident that he somehow manages to repeat) under various huge, sharp, professional knives, he insisted going (back again and again) to Italy to learn about things so obscure even professional chefs wouldn't have much idea about.
If you're looking for a book about Batali, this isn't the most comprehensive one, but it's scathingly honest and if you really live and breathe food, you'll gain a whole lot more than goss about the inner workings of Batali's businesses. It gets a bit soppy at times - a bit too "Tuscany is beautiful, and Provence is the ultimate foodie heaven", but only fleetingly, and all can be forgiven once you read about the author's hilarious effort to cook a whole pig...
ZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.......2007-09-11
The chapters on Mario Batali and the dynamics of his kitchen were really interesting and engaging. I was intrigud by the sections on Marco Pierre White as I had just read Gordon Ramsey's autobiography in which his tempestuous relationship with White plays a significant role. The rest of Buford's book is just too tediously, self-indulgently written to the point where it killed my interest in the underlying subjects of pasta making and butchery (I ended up skimming page after page as I just couldn't take it). It reminded me of a computer spitting forth every bit of information in its memory regardless of relevance or interest. Just too many tedious, boorish details.
BRAVO!.......2007-09-11
If you've ever wondered what it would be like to work in a professional kitchen... this is the book makes you feel like you are there. Ver interesting and delightful to read. Very different than any other book I've read.
Book Description
Leadership expert John Maxwell believes attitude is one thing that can make all the difference in your life---and now shows you how you can make it your best asset.
Customer Reviews:
The Difference Maker:Making Your Attitude Your Greatest Asset.......2007-10-06
Excellent easy to follow. Well worth the purchase. I use it as a guide and reinforcement to be more positive.
Making The Difference.......2007-10-04
This book taught me that it is the 1% that seperates us from the less fortunate. Not only just saying change your attitude but an easy step by step process for having a correct perspective on doing so. I have read it 6 times and discover something new and wonderful each time.
-Timothy KendrickPTSD: Pathways Through the Secret Door
Challenge to Grow.......2007-09-14
Everyone should read this book. However, if you or someone you know is experiencing a sustained period of adversity, reading it is even more critical. It not only inspires but also equips readers with the techniques to get through tough times.
My manager gave this book to everyone in his district because market and external forces were creating a difficult working environment. This book helped many of us get through that time and still reach our goals.
Great Book!.......2007-09-11
Any time I read a book and see myself in it I enjoy it more. When I read this one I understood myself better, those around me better and most of all, why I just can't give up. As an entrepreneur I know that many try and fail and never try again. Others, with the right attitude, try and try and try and may fail but refuse to give up. This is a great book for all members of the family.
I recently attended a John Maxwell conference and heard him discuss some of the points in his new book, "Talent is Never Enough". That is the next book I will read! The folks at Amazon are wise to offer these two books together.
Maxwell is the consumate leadership guru.
Maxwell's Best Book Yet.......2007-07-12
John Maxwell follows his own advice. He has refined, reformed and repackaged his career and professional life --- after beginning well, he's continually gotten better. It's a focus thing! This book is the best Maxwell volume yet; zeroing in on the key factor that holds us back and prevents our growth.
John Maxwell is right: attitude is definitely 'the difference maker.' But instead of merely saying so, Maxwell shows you how to discover the basics of your own personality (you may be surprised!) and then move forward, changing your perspective in order to achieve better results.
This book is a bargain at twice the price: buy one for yourself and every member of your leadership team. Read it together: you'll learn a lot!
Dr. David Frisbie
The Center for Marriage & Family Studies
Author of Happily Remarried: *Making Decisions Together *Blending Families Successfully* Building a Love That Will Last
Customer Reviews:
Do not order from this seller.......2007-10-02
I received my book in a torn up package that made a mess all over my living room. Then when i pulled the book out, the contents fell out while i was still holding the cover. If I hadn't had waited so long already for the book and didn't need it so badly, I would have sent it back in a heart beat. i was very disappointed.
Average customer rating:
- HATED THIS BOOK!!!!
- Hated it!
- A good book in many ways, but lacking in other ways
- Interesting
- Well worth the effort and thought
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The Echo Maker: A Novel
Richard Powers
Manufacturer: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
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The Lay of the Land (Vintage Contemporaries)
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Against the Day
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The Zero: A Novel (P.S.)
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The Emperor's Children (Vintage)
ASIN: 0374146357
Release Date: 2006-10-17 |
Book Description
On a winter night on a remote Nebraska road, 27-year-old Mark Schluter flips his truck in a near-fatal accident. His older sister Karin, his only near kin, returns reluctantly to their hometown to nurse Mark back from a traumatic head injury. But when he emerges from a protracted coma, Mark believes that this woman–who looks, acts, and sounds just like his sister–is really an identical impostor. Shattered by her brother’s refusal to recognize her, Karin contacts the cognitive neurologist Gerald Weber, famous for his case histories describing the infinitely bizarre worlds of brain disorder. Weber recognizes Mark as a rare case of Capgras Syndrome, a doubling delusion, and eagerly investigates. What he discovers in Mark slowly undermines even his own sense of being. Meanwhile, Mark, armed only with a note left by an anonymous witness, attempts to learn what happened the night of his inexplicable accident. The truth of that evening will change the lives of all three beyond recognition.
Set against the Platte River’s massive spring migrations–one of the greatest spectacles in nature–The Echo Maker is a gripping mystery that explores the improvised human self and the even more precarious brain that splits us from and joins us to the rest of creation.
Customer Reviews:
HATED THIS BOOK!!!!.......2007-10-10
What a huge waste of time. I struggled with this book from the beginning and wish I had given up reading it. I stuck with it until the end and now regret it. This book was boring, slow, tedious, and basically awful.
Hated it!.......2007-10-09
I bought this book based on the strength of Powers' last novel, The Time of our Singing, which I loved. What a mistake! Though I appreciate the author's committment to perseving nature and his beautiful language, the story was ill-concieved and the plot was maddeningly slow. The only character I enjoyed was Mark - his confusion was touching and witty. Everyone else smoldered in self-pity and constant whining. The end was a complete letdown. I would NOT recommend this book.
A good book in many ways, but lacking in other ways.......2007-10-05
MY RATING SYSTEM:
* - if you have to chose between torture and reading this book, then you might want to consider reading the book - although it depends on just how severe the torture would be.
** - if you've lost your job and have quite a bit of free time on your hands, and don't have anything else better to do, then you might want to consider reading this book; don't expect to learn much or really be entertained. It will however, help you pass the time until your death.
*** - meh...I'm indifferent. Reading this book will not alter your life in any significant way, yet it is not so horrendously dreadful that your taking the time to read it will be a complete waste of time.
**** - Good book to great book zone here. You should probably read this book if you have some spare time. This book could be interesting, entertaining, or informative.
***** - Outstanding book! Make time to read this book - you'll learn or be entertained or intrigued. The book might even be good enough to provide original or helpful insights into the world that we live in.
REVIEW:
Generally, I found The Echo Maker to be quite interestingly written, but also quite cumbersome and slow-to-read in parts. Essentially, the book tells the story of Mark Schluter, a late-twenties Nebraska man who, as a result of injuries suffered when he flips his truck on a rural road in Nebraska, develops Capgras syndrome. The condition results in Mark thinking that his sister, Karin - who comes to his aid in the hospital upon hearing of the accident - is an impostor, ie. not the 'real' Karin.
The story is told from the perspectives of the characters, changing back and forth between the three main characters of the novel (Mark, Karin, and neurologist Dr. Weber, who Karin seeks out for assistance with Mark's problem). As Mark recovers from his accident, his brain still in shambles, his perspective is communicated as disjointed Jim Morrison-esque prose, evolving into understandable yet incomplete communication as he recovers from the injuries, and finally into understandable yet delusional communication after he has fully recovered from the accident but for the remaining Capgras . The early bits can be confusing and frustrating (likely the author's intent) and difficult to read, but Powers does an interesting job of re-creating Mark's state of mind and providing the reader with an opportunity to experience what it might be like to be Mark. In retrospect, this was a very interesting tactic in the book, as frequent reference is made to the idea that it's impossible to know what it is like to be anyone (or anything) else - yet Powers' seeks, and comes close to succeeding, to show the reader what it is like to be Mark Schulter as he recovers from his accident in the hospital.
As Mark heals, his sister Karin, who has returned to small-town Nebraska to help her brother, attempts to deal with the fact that her brother does not acknowledge her as his sister. More accurately, she aims for the reversion of her brother to the way he was before the accident, and struggles continuously with the way that things are now. Her return leads to the re-establishment of a relationship with one of her ex-boyfriends - Daniel, a conservationist/environmentalist who works with a non-profit seeking to protect the cranes and the river that pass through the area. In my opinion one of the biggest weaknesses in the book is the inability of the author to create compelling relationships - as is most often the case in the story, the relationships usually just appear out of nowhere, with some brief mention of a previous history, but little to convince the reader that anything genuine exists. The relationship between Karin and Daniel feels artificial and forced, which might reflect the fact that Karin is an insecure character constantly seeking approval. As a character, Daniel is quite hollow, and while he does a little to add to the story, he hardly warrants any interest of the reader.
As the story progresses and the severity of Mark's condition becomes obvious, Karin seeks out Dr. Gerard Weber, a famous neurologist apparently modeled after real-life popular neurologist Oliver Sacks. The following several chapters jump back and forth between the main story of Mark and Karin and his recovery, and asides about past patients of Weber who he had written about in his popular neurology books - much like Sack's The Man Who Mistook His Wife For a Hat. I felt as though perhaps Powers' entire motivation for writing this book originated with his reading of one of Sack's own accounts, and whether you describe it as 'inspired', 'borrowed', or something less flattering, I felt the asides and at times the story of the book, was far too Sacks-like to be original.
The introduction of Dr. Weber also initiates the mysterious, indescribable 'connection'/'attraction' between Dr. Weber and Mark's nurse aide, Barbara. Again, the relationship comes across as fake and forced, with minimal development. Rather, Weber just has some instant, unspeakable attraction to this woman, with a faint idea that he knew her before, but with no further details. In fact, the only relationship in the book that I found enjoyable was that between Weber and his wife. In contrast with all of the other relationships, Powers' paints this one with much color, which makes Weber's straying desires all the more worthy of the harsh judgment of the reader. Weber's visit to Nebraska is short, failing to result in any marginal improvement in Mark's condition, yet sufficient enough for Weber to collect enough information to create a story for a future book involving the condition from which Mark suffers.
In the third part of the book, Mark's condition takes on increasingly complex dimensions, as his delusions about a grand government conspiracy against him start to evolve. Also, Dr. Weber's latest book is met with critical reviews, with several reviews criticizing his exploitive tactics, which leads Weber into a late mid-life crisis where he begins to question where his career and life have led him. In an attempt to resolve this personal crisis, Weber returns to Mark's aid, and to Barbara, before quickly returning home to his wife realizing his trips to Nebraska threaten his relationship with his wife.
As the story progresses, Karin continues to struggle with her desire to help her brother. Now that he has left the hospital and resumed living on his own, he finds that in many ways she may be hindering his life rather than improving it. While still in the relationship with Daniel, and now assisting him with his conservation efforts, she turns to another ex-boyfriend, Robert Karsh - a successful real estate developer who seeks to turn the land around the river into a tourist resort. Again, the relationship, while apparently having some past, has very little present, and feels as empty as a rusted can.
Ultimately, the book resolves the outstanding issues in rapid succession in the last few pages, allowing the story to end with cheap gratification. The resolution of the problems plaguing Mark, Karin and Weber all come across as forced, artificial, and unsatisfying. In some ways the ultimate developments of the characters and their resolutions might explain the uncompelling relationships that appear throughout the story, yet I still find it disappointing that the relationships were not developed and communicated in a more intriguing way.
In summary, the book featured an interesting story using what was at times a very interesting method of communication, with glimpses of beautiful language and interesting insights into life. Despite these positive elements, it book was perhaps too long for its purpose, with sections being difficult to read, and a sense throughout many of the parts of the book that left the reader unfulfilled. I'm glad that I did read all the way through, as I found the book did improve in many ways by the end, but I found it to be quite a lot of effort to make it through the book relative to what I got from the exercise.
Interesting.......2007-09-21
This book was an interesting read and an engaging mystery, at times emotinally touching at a level not ordinary in a fictional novel. I was definitely affected by what the characters were feeling, especially as related to the universal human experience of dashed dreams and bitter disappointments. But, I was let down in the last few pages. The twist at the end lacked punch and the resolution of the plot was ho-hum. Based on the ending, I would not recommend this book.
Well worth the effort and thought.......2007-09-14
Second only to his seminal "Goldbug Variations," this is my favorite novel from Powers. Some people here are complaining that the plot is slow and the characters are not life-like. I'll agree that at times the plot is slow, although it was always interesting to me just the same; I disagree about the characters, finding something in all of them to like and be interested in, and finding them all complex, believable people. The story itself works on so many levels, but I especially found the unraveling connection between the recognition of the human self and our subsequent treatment of the environment, and the creatures in it, powerful and timely. And frightening. This isolating novel creates an ominous portrait of our current state of being now in 2007, one that is both precarious - on the edge of destruction for so much of the natural world; and what about ourselves? - and yet holds hope that we will end up finding the right path. The atmosphere created has stayed with me long after reading the book. Like the best novels, this was an experience, even if it revealed itself slowly and thoughtfully.
Amazon.com
Miracle cure stories abound when it comes to natural healing. A super nutrient reverses cancer after chemotherapy has failed. A Chinese herb lowers high blood pressure in a patient with heart disease after being dismissed as quackery by doctors. Jordan S. Rubin's account of returning from the medical abyss, however, includes an original twist. After several years of battling Crohn's Disease, which included a small fortune spent on both conventional and alternative treatments, as well as trips abroad in search of help, Rubin weighed only 111 pounds and, at just age 21, thought his life was over. At the urging of his father, a naturopath, he contacted an obscure nutritionist in California promoting a diet based on the teachings of the Bible. Yes, we're talking what Jesus ate: kefir, lamb, sprouted breads, eggs and meat from free-range chickens, and plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Rubin also started to pray and added a new powder supplement containing homeostatic soil organisms (HSOs) to his diet. Four months later he weighed 170 lbs and was on the road back to his former athletic and healthy self. Inspired by his experience, and now with advanced degrees in nutrition and naturopathic medicine, Rubin has crafted The Maker's Diet. While the faithful will surely find the book of interest, Rubin's command of the scientific issues underpinning his recommendations may also appeal to those more accustomed to studying food labels in search of what to eat than ancient religious texts. --Patrick Jennings
Customer Reviews:
Good read for IBD.......2007-09-02
I certainly don't ascribe to every single detail of this book, or Mr. Rubin's beliefs (although, there are many that I do) but this is a definite read if you have IBD, IBS, or any other GI problems. Since I have Crohn's, I can speak from experience. I am using his philosophy, in conjunction with the SCD and have had good results. I believe using diet as a means for therapy is great, but it won't deliver results overnight. You have to be willing to give it a chance.
To most of you who gave 1* or 2*'s, I offer you 4 remarks. You either a) have never suffered from a disease yourself, b) you aren't a Christian (or you just can't stand the thought that the Bible MAY have something to offer!), c) you didn't even bother to read the book, or d) you didn't follow the diet. Don't be so blatantly obvious! Oh, and reality check, don't take life so literally....think outside the box!
I have had IBD for almost 8 years. If you think that doesn't qualify as someone who has some knowledge of the GI system, you are wrong. It doesn't always take a MD or some "righteous" degree/credentials to write a book and share knowledge. In fact, all my MD's want to do is shove pills down my throat or open me up with a scalpel.
4 stars for this book. Just another way to avoid taking so many drugs. I do wish, however, that Mr. Rubin offered more for less. As in less money. You have to pay to be a member on his website (not gonna happen!) But, in the same breath, I've paid enormous amounts of money in pharmaceuticals and doctor's visits. I don't mind buying a book or two if it might offer even an ounce of help! Thanks for sharing your knowledge, Mr. Rubin!
Not for everyone.......2007-08-09
The problem with this book is it assumes everyone has the same problems as the author. I gained weight because of all the dairy fat and wound up with gall bladder problems. Mercola's book is better since it addresses people like myself who are a carbohydrate type.
Read this to get a perspective on diet options.......2007-07-25
I was given a copy of this book while shopping at a health store. There are some great nuggets of information in here. I am not even going to go into the religious talk on this. Get what practical information that you can from this book. There are great ideas that the average person can learn from, while searching for a better, healthier way of living. This is a good starting point.
gibberish.......2007-07-17
according to a reputable scientific site:
"Garden of Life, Inc., of West Palm Beach, Florida, and its founder and owner, Jordan S. Rubin, have been ordered to stop claiming that their dietary supplements are effective against a long list of ailments, ranging from colds to cancer. In 2004, the FDA ordered Garden of Life to stop making unsubstantiated claims for "Q-Zyme,""Primal Defense," "Virgin Coconut Oil," "Fungal Defense," "FYI (For Your Inflammation)," "RM-10," "Revivall Classic," or other products [1] In 2006, the FTC filed a complaint and consent agreement involving unsubstantiated claims that:
Primal Defense treats intractable immune disorders, asthma, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, arthritis, lupus, colds, flu, and Crohn's disease, and reduces users' blood cholesterol levels;
RM-10 treats cancer, helps lower users' blood cholesterol levels, prevents and treats cardiovascular disease, and treats immune system disorders;
Living Multi reduces the risk factor for diabetes and prevents diabetes-related syndromes, reduces the risk of obesity, and reduces inflammation; and
FYI (For Your Inflammation) treats and prevents inflammation, including inflammation caused by arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, sports injuries, asthma, allergies, fibromyalgia, lupus, scleroderma, and other inflammatory conditions.
Under the settlement, Rubin and the company:
Must pay $225,000 in consumer redress. If it is found they misrepresented their financial status, they will be responsible for more than $47 million--the total gross sales of the four dietary supplements.
Are barred from making unsubstantiated claims about the health benefits, performance, efficacy, safety, or side effects of any food, drug, or dietary supplement, or any program that includes such a product.
Are prohibited from misrepresenting the results of any test or study when marketing such products and programs [2]"
Hallelujah Diet & Lifestyle Rip Off.......2007-07-15
I will begin by saying that if you are currently eating the Standard American Diet (SAD) this book has information that will help you TRANSITION to a much healthier way of eating and living. However, if you are seriously ill and need healing quickly, you would be better off with George Malkmus' 'The Hallelujah Diet'. Brother George wrote his predecessor books to that one long before Rubin came out with this book, which appears to steal much of Malkmus' material. The big problem is that Rubin throws expensive organic, free range meat and dairy into the mix. If you read Rubin's first book about his healing, you will find that it didn't include fiberless, acid ash forming meat and mucus laden/forming dairy. These foods have been shown conclusively to contribute to disease by 'The China Study' and many other highly reliable sources. But, having them in this diet makes it much more palatable to people on SAD, hence it's current popularity. I also have an issue with Rubin's high priced supplements which he requires as part of his regimen. While Malkmus has a reasonably priced line of supplements available for the Hallelujah Diet and Lifestyle, they are not 'required' for maximum benefit from his regimen.
Biblical Scripture does include this 'Noahic' diet, however I believe the Maker's Diet would be more correctly described by Genesis 1:29, which Rubin does quote, and which describes YHVH's Original Diet in the Garden, as well as the Hallelujah Diet. It just makes logical sense that this would be the ideal as it was given in the ideal state of man, created specifically for his body's needs. Noah appears to have been given permission to eat meat based upon need, as most vegetation had been destroyed in the flood. Just because we have permission does not indicate that it is YHVH's ideal for us.
I am a Certified Health Minister with a Bachelors Degree in Chemical Engineering and a work background as a Certified Environmental Trainer specializing in Health & Safety and Hazardous Materials who has studied several of Rubin's books carefully and find them seriously lacking in comparison to the much more effective and practical Hallelujah Diet and Lifestyle materials.
Book Description
In this rare work of public disclosure, filmmaker David Lynch describes his personal methods of capturing and working with ideas, and the immense creative benefits he has experienced from the practice of meditation
Over the last four decades, David Lynch has created some of the best-known and widely discussed screen works of our time. This distinctive writer-director's art bears not only the mark of box-office success but also criticalacclaim and cultural posterity.
Yet Lynch generally reveals little of himself, or the ideas behind his work. Now he provides a rare window into his methods as an artist and his personal working style. In Catching the Big Fish, Lynch writes candidly about the tremendous creative benefits he has gained from his thirty-two-year commitment to practicing Transcendental Meditation.
In brief chapters, Lynch describes the experience of "diving within" and "catching" ideas like fish-and then preparing them for television or movie screens, and other mediums in which Lynch works, such as photography and painting.
In the book's first section, Lynch discusses the development of his ideas-where they come from, how he grasps them, and which ones appeal to him the most. He then shares his passion for "the doing"-whether moviemaking, painting, or other creative expressions. Lynch talks specifically about how he puts his thoughts into action and how he engages with others around him. Finally, he discusses the self and the surrounding world -and how the process of "diving within" that has so deeply affected his own work can directly benefit others.
Catching the Big Fish provides unprecedented insight into Lynch's methods, as it also offers a set of practical ideas that speak to matters of personal fulfillment, increased creativity, and greater harmony with one's surroundings.
The book comes as a revelation to the legion of fans who have longed to better understand Lynch's deeply personal vision. And it is equally intriguing to anyone who grapples with questions such as: "Where do ideas come from?" and "How can I nurture creativity?
Customer Reviews:
A very simple, incredibly profound book, a must read.......2007-10-01
David Lynch is considered by many to be the most artistic film maker of our time and he rarely if ever speaks about his personal life and rarely speaks in public so I was thrilled to see this book. I know some of his films are studied individually for an entire semesters course credit at many universities in the U.S. and probably in other countries as well. I love his style of writing and the references to the Vedic Wisdom of India.
The book is simple, concise and it is as if the man is speaking to you.
There is no fluff and no pretense. A very refreshing book with some very deep knowledge. Thank you Mr. Lynch
Not what I hoped for.......2007-08-29
It wasn't what I was hoping for, so I gave it a lower rating.
That might not be fair.
Just, I was hoping for something that describes TM more. Technique, etc...
What it is, is a fan book.
There are a few tokens of wisdom in there though.
It will have a good place on the coffee table or in the waiting room at the dentist.
Catching The Big Fish.......2007-08-23
How a creative master uses the discipline of meditation to allow creative ideas to florish.
Meditation should ground you in the physical realm.......2007-08-16
There is no excuse for escaping by attempting to transcend. This is possibly the result of an inability to relate to one's physical reality.
It is apparent in the creative works of David Lynch.
Exceedingly pleasant, but..........2007-08-11
This is a slim but delightful book that imparted a feeling of well-being to me. The whimsical writing, the understated tone, and the stream-of-consciousness structure are wonderful.
Unfortunately, it is also very frustrating at times. For one thing, whenever he touches on anything scientific (e.g., Unified Field Theory), it is clear he has no idea what he's talking about. He speaks of physical laws and consciousness as if they're the same thing, which is a bit absurd. Consciousness is a specific biological process which, like everything, functions according to physical laws, but that's about where the relation ends. You might as well say that quantum theory is the same thing as perspiration, or that superstring theory is the same thing as leaves turning red in autumn.
Another problem is that he spends a lot of time talking about how wonderful Transcendental Meditation(TM) is, but then doesn't provide any instruction on how to get started with it, or even a reference to further information. Why go on about how wonderful something is without providing any avenue for further exploration?
Anyway, it's certainly a cheerful read overall, and I'd recommend it for that. But some of it should be taken with a grain of salt.
Book Description
The Game Maker's Apprentice shows you how to create nine exciting games using the wildly popular Game Maker game creation tool. This book covers a range of genres, including action, adventure, and puzzle games--complete with professional quality sound effects and visuals. It discusses game design theory and features practical examples of how this can be applied to making games that are more fun to play.
Game Maker allows games to be created using a simple drag-and-drop interface, so you don't need to have any prior coding experience. It includes an optional programming language for adding advanced features to your games, when you feel ready to do so. You can obtain more information by visiting book.gamemaker.nl.
The authors include the creator of the Game Maker tool and a former professional game programmer, so you'll glean understanding from their expertise. The book also includes a CD containing Game Maker software and all of the game projects that are created in the book--plus a host of professional-quality graphics and sound effects that you can use in your own games.
Customer Reviews:
It is a treasure, priceless.......2007-10-03
I am one who has no knowledge at all about programing. This book was so useful for me to learn game programing. It is very easy as it teachs you in a step-by-step way plus there is a helpful icons beside each step. The language is simple and easy. In addition to a CD that contains all the files necessary for the learning. Thanks to this book I made my first ever game within hours. I hope there is a second volume that teaches more complex game programing.
Just Right.......2007-08-27
This book is just what I was looking for for myself and my 12 year old son. We've been dabbling with gamemaker for several years. This is a good springboard for delving deeper with a well-written, easy-to-read guide. A good mix of games. Several good issues are developed with each chapter. The instructions are very explicit, which at times can be a little tedious, but on the other hand, has its benefits. There are good points regarding game theory scattered throughout with good, solid examples all the way through.
The Best........2007-08-09
The Best book for the best program, if I could recommend VOL.2 I would put 3D help in, but that's when GM makes a 3D Shape maker. They use I believe Swift 3D now.
Great.......2007-06-27
It's a great book for anyone who is interested in game development. Very easy to use even for grade school students.
For college-level students, this is a great book to learn GameMaker from and to make prototype games for your game designs in mind.
Excellent value for the price.
-Karlo
Very good.......2007-05-13
This book gives lots of great techniques to use in the creation of your own games. It really covers all aspects of GM6 and has a vast range of techniques which can easily be adapted into any of your own creations.
Book Description
Sometime this century the day will arrive when the human influence on the climate will overwhelm all other natural factors. Over the past decade, the world has seen the most powerful El Niño ever recorded, the most devastating hurricane in two hundred years, the hottest European summer on record, and one of the worst storm seasons ever experienced in Florida. With one out of every five living things on this planet committed to extinction by the levels of greenhouse gases that will accumulate in the next few decades, we are reaching a global climatic tipping point. The Weather Makers is both an urgent warning and a call to arms, outlining the history of climate change, how it will unfold over the next century, and what we can do to prevent a cataclysmic future. Along with a riveting history of climate change, Tim Flannery offers specific suggestions for action for both lawmakers and individuals, from investing in renewable power sources like wind, solar, and geothermal energy, to offering an action plan with steps each and every one of us can take right now to reduce deadly CO2 emissions by as much as 70 percent.
Customer Reviews:
A tale of global warming that gave me chills.......2007-09-20
Tim Flannery's "The Weathermakers" is not only an eloquent plea for the industrialized world to deal with the problem of climate change, but provides the science needed to understand this huge and vital topic. The book is spooky great fun too, with frights and chills enough to get the attention of any thrill seeker. Except that the thrills here come from contemplating near-irreversible global cataclysms that would wipe out humanity or make life darned near intolerable for us.
Flannery is terrific at making difficult science easy to understand, without dumbing it down or condescending to his audience. This was greatly aided by the narrator of the audio book, Drew De Carvalho, whose wide-eyed Aussie delivery was akin to the joy and wonder of that other fine Down-under naturalist, Steve Irwin. Flannery discussed the Earth's tumultuous climactic past, using data obtained from tree rings and ice cores, to paint a picture of a dynamic planet whose climate and biota have varied wildly over its existence. Glaciers advance and retreat. Gargantuan upwellings of methane overwhelm the biosphere. Oceans rise and fall hundreds of feet. Changes in atmospheric gases permit or debar shellfish from secreteing the carboniferous husks that pull CO2 out of the atmosphere. The message: what Earth has done, it can do again.
Flannery does a wonderful job of explaining the large weather phenomena known to most laymen -- carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, changes to the Gulf Stream, warming trends, etc. But he is equally good at describing the lesser-known but important elements that factor into climatic equations. I was not aware that transpiration -- the release of moisture from Amazonian trees -- was a main cause of precipitation in the region. I had never heard of clathrates, huge fields of methane-infused ice that underlie the oceans. And I had never thought of climate change literally chasing certain heat-sensitive species up into alpine regions, until they run out of room and become extinct. Flannery is also wonderful at explaining the feedback loops that, once triggered, can accelerate certain climatic trends. Air conditioning powered by burning coal can increase levels sulfur dioxide in rain, acidifying the oceans, making it harder for shellfish to secrete shells, thus leaving more CO2 in the atmosphere, causing further warming and leading to the need for more AC, and so on.
Climate change to Flannery is not a theoretical possibility, but a certainty whose effects are visible today. He tells of the now-extinct South America Golden Toad, whose habitat was fed by moisture in low-lying clouds, being wiped out when a Pacific ocean hot spot caused mist-giving clouds to form just slightly higher up the mountainside than usual. His tale of the bleaching of the reefs like Great Barrier Reef -- in which huge swaths of coral reefs ejected their symbiotic algae, then bleached and die in a single season -- was frightening and sad. His discussion of the measurable changes in salinity in the Gulf Stream -- changes that could imperil its flow with deleterious effect on climate -- was terrifyingly plausible. Most chilling of all, Flannery's telling of the planet's near-miss with significant ozone depletion (due to industry's fortuitous use of chlorine rather than hyper-reactive bromine in aerosol cans and refrigeration systems) underscored how easy it is for humanity to fatally foul our nest without even realizing we are doing it.
The book is alarming, but not alarmist. It does not seek the cheap thrill of scaring us to sell copies, but to educate and forewarn. Flannery is not afraid to call out the human practices that are warming our planet. Transportation needs (which account for 30% of CO2 emissions), accelerating burning of carbon-rich fossil fuels, and shortsighted self-interest are high on the list of culprits. Flannery points the finger at the big coal-gorging countries in the world -- the US and Australia among them -- for significant criticism. Neither does he spare the industrial giants who use deceit, misinformation and political contributions to steer politicians (and the public) away from limiting profitable, planet-damaging enterprises.
I came away from the book with a new appreciation for the complexity and the fragility of the Gaia -- the living organism that is the Earth. "The Weathermakers" increased my appreciation of the path on which we have put our world. If Flannery's descriptions and predictions are true, our fossil-fuel-burning habits have already committed us to significant extinctions of species and significant discomfort for ourselves. As Flannery states, future generations will curse ours if we see the looming problem and fail to take action to correct it. Flannery is hopeful (else, why write such a book?) about our ability to turn things around. He evaluates technological and political solutions to the problems he poses, which not all will like, for carbon-low solutions include wind, geothermal, solar and (gasp!) nuclear power generation. And Flannery dismisses certain hopeful technologies like hydrogen and biomass. Flannery is also hopeful that past global cooperation -- of the type that limited the production of ozone-killing CFCs -- will be repeated, as human beings band together to save their world.
"The Weather Makers" is a wonderful book that can open your eyes to the complexity of our world, of the difficulties of addressing climate change without wrecking economies, and of our responsibility to pass our planet, reasonably intact, to our children. Its stacks of facts can sometimes numb the mind, but they are the data needed to combat ignorance and deceit one often encounters when trying to persuade our friends and neighbors about the possibility of anthropogenic climate change.
Disappointed.......2007-08-07
I bought the book on the basis it would be an objective and well structured argument explaining how scientists had negated natural influences on climate change - Milankovich cycles, solar activity and plate tectonics - and isolated the anthropogenic influences.
However, I discovered the book is written in a mildly hysterical tone common to environmental activists. If you want to read a scientific account of climate change and how human activity is affecting the climate, read the IPCC's Fourth Assessment Report.
Boo Hoo.......2007-07-27
"Well done China for improving the lives of your citizens" This is one of the many quotes that you will NOT find it Tim Flannerys book. Others include "Before the industrial revolution, average life expectancy was about 36 years of age" and finally "You can't make an omlette without breaking a few eggs". However if you want to know how every living thing on the planet would be better off if we disapeared, you are on the right track.
Thought provoking!.......2007-07-25
This book is great reading in conjunction with Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth. The author convincingly demonstrates that global warming is real, and that terrible consequences loom ahead if nothing is done about it.
I was very surprised to read how the Australian government bullies its neighboring islands in the Pacific Ocean. Many of the Pacific Islands nations are doomed to sink under water as the ocean level rise, yet they are bullied by the Australian government into inaction. Like individuals, nations are selfish and have no regard for other nations if it does not suit their purposes. This notion angered me. Unless the citizens of the world take action to fight global warming and CO2 emissions, governments, motivated by self-interest, will be very slow to act, if at all.
Many of the themes in the book were already familiar to me, especially after reading An Inconvenient Truth by Al Gore. One new concept was about hydrogen power. According to the author, hydrogen power is not the solution to global warming since to produce hydrogen power fossil fuels must be burnt. He proposes the use of electric, solar, nuclear and wind power which are all available and affordable.
The author also laments all the animals that became extinct due to global warming. For example, a frog, newly discovered by science, carries its newborn in its stomach. When ready to give birth, it regurgitates its babies. This is the only known species to do so, yet soon after its discovery, it became extinct due to our environmental carelessness. Many other species of animals, insects, and plants are becoming extinct.
Maybe when we learn to stop killing each other we can finally take care of our environment. Does that mean that our root is evil and that nothing can be done to save our planet?
The Weather Makers: How Man Is Changing the Climate and What It Means for Life on Earth.......2007-07-24
Concise, easy to read, and right to the point. Everything anyone would want to know about how man is changing the climate and what one could do to alleviate their impact in this process. Each individual is responsible for their own actions and we MUST slow the global warming process or the 21st century will see catastrophic environmental changes. A must read book for information that could save the future of the planet and its inhabitants.
Customer Reviews:
Makers of Modern Strategy .......2005-09-22
"Makers of Modern Strategy" is a scholarly collection of high quality papers on strategy since Machiavelli to the present nuclear age. The beauty of the book is that one can focus on the era that one is interested in. There is no need to read the book cover to cover as the various essays are stand alone although they are presented sequentially and related papers are adjacent to each other. I have read and re-read some of the papers. The book is about strategy and the realities of war. The essays are clearly balanced and not biased. The phenomenon of war was clearly explained from the studies of past wars. It is clear that war has been a fundamental reality of social and political existence from an early stage of political organisation to the present times. The tragic aspects of war and the intellectual and emotional disturbances it creates could be discerned from the essays.
The book is divided into the following five parts:
Part One: The Origins of Modern War.
Part Two: The Expansion of war
Part Three: From the Industrial Revolution to the First World War.
Part Four: From the First to the Second World War.
Part Five: Since 1945.
The eminent contributors include Peter Paret, Felix Gilbert, John Shy, Gordon A. Craig, Maurice Matloff, Condoleezza Rice, Lawrence Freadman, Michael Carver and D. Clayton James. Their essays showed the role of force in the relations between states. It is now very clear to me that war has always been a compound of many elements ranging from politics to technology, to human emotions under extreme stress. Strategy is one of the critical elements of war.
The various essays trace the ideas and actions of past generations, as they used war to achieve their national goals, an analysis of military thought and policy in the recent past and present
My favourite part is Part Two. Here three great historical figures are highlighted namely Napoleon, Jomini and Clausewitz. I can now see the genius of Napoleon as one of the greatest soldiers in history in its proper strategic context. I think history need to rescue Jomini from the obscurity he is now relegated since it is largely him who has clearly related the greatness of Napoleon and the attempt to reduce war to some sort of science.
Makers of Modern Strategy add immense value to any study of warfare and strategy. I recommend it to Army Staff Colleges and those studying military history at postgraduate level.
Mandatory Reading for Army Staff Majors.......2002-03-13
As the title indicates, the Army's Command & General Staff College requires students to read Makers of Modern Strategy in the core history class. Professors can make best use of this book as a supplement. As other reviewers have noted, the chapters are disjointed with each other. Taken separately, however, many of the chapters help the history student or enthusiast to develop a depth of understanding on a particular subject. Authors such as John Shy, Douglas Porch, Michael Howard, and Condoleeza Rice, just to name a few, explore many of the strategic issues involved with the evolution of military thought.
From Machiavelli and Clausewitz to strategies of world wars and colonial wars, Makers of Modern Strategy adds value to any serious study of warfare. The high quality academic research and thought that underlies many of the articles is worth the price of the book. Highly recommended.
Good general military history overview........2001-03-05
One of the essentials, a good starting point for the study of military history and strategy.
Still, this is a good book............2000-08-12
Although I agree with the reviewer preceeding me that this might not be as strong of a book as was the masterpiece which preceeded it (by Earle), it is still a strong book and does (generally) what it sets out to do: to provide an accounting of major developments in military thought (i.e. western military thought) from the Renassance to the modern age.
As a text or as a reference, this is still a powerful and useful book. Each of the chapters discusses a major figure's thought in a fashion that can be dealt with easily in a sitting: for those people who don't want to sit and sort through Jomini (though everyone reading this should sit down with Clausewitz! ) or Douhet, to see their rights and wrongs....
I like this book. I bought my copy for $8.00 in NYC and have had it with me through a number of moves since....
Newer is Not Necessarily Better.......2000-07-18
This second version of the book is disappointing. I would have thought that it being edited by an historian as good as Peter Paret would have improved on the original, which was edited by Robert Earle. However, it is weaker both in scholarship and accuracy, especially John Shy's essay on Jomini. Old myths are resurrected about the Swiss renegade whose own works are generally historically inaccurate.
Many of the older, more professional, historians, who are unfortunately no longer with us were much more careful in their research and writing, hunting down sources that newer historians either refuse to look for or refuse to use. they also were more blunt, calling a spade a spade, and weren't worried about offending people or in 'revisionist' (read inaccurate) history. Political correctness was unknown to these stalwarts.
Books of this type are highly useful. If you are looking for this particular volume, get the first version edited by Earle, even if you have to go looking in second hand book stores or on the internet in used book services. I did, and it is well worth the effort.
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