Book Description
An irreverent survey in comics spanning world history from the birth of Islam to the Byzantine Empire to the Italian Renaissance.
Larry Gonick's celebrated series The Cartoon History of the Universe is a unique fusion of world history and the comics medium, a work of serious scholarship and a masterpiece of popular literature. Praised by historians as a narrative and interpretive tour de force, Gonick's clever illustrations deliver important information with a deceptively light tone, teaching us about the people and events that have shaped our world.
This long-awaited new volume covers the Middle Ages around the globe, including the origin and spread of Islam; West Africa and the cross-Saharan trade; Central Asia and the Byzantine Empire; the European Dark Ages and the Crusades; the Mongol conquests; the Black Death; the Ottoman Empire; the Italian Renaissance; and the rise of Spain, leading up to Columbus's departure for the New World. Highlighting key events and retrieving oft-neglected historical connections, Gonick offers an historical survey that is at once multicultural, humanistic, skeptical, and laugh-out-loud funny.
Customer Reviews:
Leaves out important information for comic effect.......2006-11-10
No-one can seriously expect to learn accurate history from a comic book that deals with so much material. However, I was quite disappointed to find that facts appear to have been selectively left out to produce a rationalized yet absurdist view of the universe to get laughs. I admit, I laughed in many places, except where the history was actually important to know with precision. Considering the increasing importance of history in the 21st century, this comedy may come at a price, particularly when this book is selling well and many readers may not already know any of the history covered before buying this book.
There is only one thing wrong--.......2006-06-30
with "The Cartoon History Of The Universe".
Each volume has a 7 to 10 year wait between them!
However, they ARE excellent.
A fine, well-researched history, presented in a fun graphic style.
Another goodie.......2006-06-27
History textbooks have notoriously been dreary articles that students have to slog through, often with their noses held tightly. Larry Gonick is the cure. His three volumes of the Cartoon History of the Universe has it all--historical accuracy, depth, breadth and humor. The cartoons are hilarious in themselves but they convey a deeper purpose, to show the sweep of history and the complexity of it.
I think every high school World History teacher should use the series as texts and as the only texts. The volumes show that skepticism about history is not cynicism and that a lot of what happened through out recorded history is somewhat absurd. This is itself an important lesson.
I am trained as an historian and I wish I had had these books available when I was in high school. Heck, I discovered them as a graduate student and they were still coherent and useful as background to my studies.
Larry Gonick covers the forgotten bases........2006-06-13
I read the first two volumes of this series years ago, and was thrilled to death when I found the third. I've since reread the entire series from beginning to end twice, and I'm sure I'm going to return to it again.
Volume three is an interesting progress from the first two. In this one, we get to find out about cultures and regions often overlooked by Western civilization courses. Gonick doesn't ignore Western civilization, of course, but he does a great job illuminating the Mongols, the Arabs, the Africans and even the Byzantines, which so many of us Westerners don't learn about in our public education, despite their great importance to our own history.
It would be impossible to cover everything in proper detail; if Mr. Gonick were trying to do that, he'd still be struggling through the ancient world. I wish he provided more detail about the Turks and the Russians, but to his credit, he gives more coverage of central Asian peoples than any history textbook I had throughout my own education. He provides you with plenty of basic information which you can use to deepen your knowledge about any period of history. The cartoons are great, but the fact is that there's only so much depth you can get through cartoons. Read up for yourself about whatever you want to know. Gonick is a good jumping-off point.
Volume four comes out in October, which is when he expects to cover the Americas, which have been ignored thus far. (The last chapter of Volume three was titled "Quetzacoatl," so that's a good indicator of things to come, I'd say.) I don't feel gypped that the Americas haven't been covered yet; pre-Columbian history can be sufficiently summed up in part of a chapter, and the bits that are relevant to the modern day can be plugged in effectively. I have confidence that Gonick will achieve this, too, because of the way he handled the African kingdoms in Volume three. Their influence on the Western world might not be as profound as that of, say, the Turks or the Chinese, but it's definitely worth mentioning.
Hell, it's all worth mentioning. Gonick ambitiously tries to cover everything that ever happened, and while that's damn near impossible, he's done far better than anyone else I've ever heard of who's tried.
I learned more history than I would have cared to otherwise.......2006-03-26
After having grown up with the "Amar Chitra Katha", a brilliant idea that put India's vast mythology, history, and even some classic stories and legends in comic book form, I can greatly appreciate Gonick's work here.
I give it five stars even after reading some of the criticisms because of my own perspective on the presentation of historical "fact". There's never a case where the author's perspective or opinion isn't reflected in the work. We don't notice it when we agree with most of it. But again, all this is opinion.
The Cartoon History of the Universe series lays out a frame or foundation for otherwise dreary historical matter. After reading this comic series, it's much easier to pick up a history book and build on that base or even make adjustments to suit what you find more accurate. People already in the field of history may see holes or flaws, but anyone who has already dodged that career path is now enlightened, and carries the seed of interest.
Part III continues feeding me the reasonably heavy but still very entertaining content that makes me not want to put the book down. Gonick breaks the book into digestible parts, occasionally switching to a different part of the world or another culture and eventually bringing them all together. And this third book continues to make me laugh or smile. Look how gory history can be. The humor just reminds me of how we'd try to "look back and laugh" at the end of a difficult session of history class.
I admit I may only pick up corrections and adjustments to my historical knowledge over time and as I encounter them. But at least I won't ignore them, thanks to this series.
Book Description
This is the tale of Bilqis, the Queen of Sheba, who rules the spice lands and bows before the will of the Goddess.This is the tale of Solomon, the King of Israel and Judea, who built the golden temple to Yahweh in Jerusalem. Once he prayed that he might rule wisely.This is the tale of Solomon's wives, of his concubines .... and of his daughter Baalit, more beloved than any son. Here are their voices, their mysteries, and their deepest secrets. Here they sing their songs and weave their tapestries.As the queen's search for a true heir to her throne takes her to the court of the wisest man in the world, both she and the king learn how to value truth, love, and duty....and the king's daughter learns that not all the world is ruled by men.Wisdom's Daughter is a vivid and richly textured rendition of the biblical tale of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. Told in a tapestry of voices that ring with authenticity, Wisdom's Daughter profoundly reveals the deep ties among women in a patriarchal world.
Customer Reviews:
A really good read!.......2007-01-24
This is a great story of what could have, may have or may not have happened when the Queen of Sheba visited the court of King Solomon. I found the novel filled with wisdom and strength from both the female and male characters. It's a fresh and intriguing view of a world long past, with ageless truths sprinkled throughout its pages. In short, I highly recommend this book.
Interesting angle.......2006-11-05
I didn't know a lot about the story of Solomon and the Queen of Sheba so I bought this book. The story is told from an interesting angle and I enjoyed it very much. India Edghill writes great characters who hold your interest. I recommend this book to anyone who likes biblical or historical fiction.
A new favorite!.......2006-09-01
I loved the prequel, Queenmaker, and I love this even more. The writing was rich, the characters multi-faceted, the story strong and complex. Any reader and lover of history longing for different version of "herstory" should read this. (Of course, one should always start with The Red Tent, if looking for stories of the Old Testament.) I loved it so much, I had to read it again!!
Sultry & Historical - Interesting perspective.......2006-08-01
When I say that this book is sultry it is simply because it truly seems to bring to life the steamyness of love in Solomon's palace, the animosities between his many wives from various religions and cultures, and his slow-burning romance with the Queen of Sheba.
The history seems to me to be plausible and accurate, and straight off the author lets us know the exact biblical text which sparks her tale so as not to delude the reader as to what is fact and what is fiction. There are many tidbits about the unsettled living between the followers of Yahweh and those who worshipped other gods and even goddesses. I also gained a new insight into the politics of royal marriages as diplomatic manuevers.
What I found enjoyable was that the tale was at different points told from the perspectives of different characters: Solomon, the Queen of Sheba, Solomon's daughter, various of his wives, friends and leaders in the royal household. This led to an interesting play of deceptions, misunderstandings, hidden information, etc. which kept the ultimate plot twists and ending somewhat obscured from view, though not completely unpredictible. Much of this is told from the female point of view, which is refreshing in a world that was so dominated by men.
I admit that I finished this in 2 days as a summer read and didn't want to put it down. It was certainly more than worth the under $6 price I paid for it off of a bargain rack. I would recommend it to those who enjoy historical fiction, and in particular religious and Christian historical fiction. Similar books I've read would include Diamant's "The Red Tent" and to a lesser extent Wangerin's "Paul."
Fantastic Read!.......2006-06-09
I've read a few books about Solomon and Sheba but this gave me a completely different view on the story - Sheba's point of view. I read this book cover to cover and only put it down once to go to bed! I fell into the pages and became part of the story and afterwards felt like I'd been on an adventure myself. Perfect for the vacation I read it on.
Average customer rating:
- Intricate story of a legendary war
- I got my copy autographed.
- Holy Cow! This is off the chart great.
- the Bronze Age brought brilliantly to life
- Wow!
|
Age of Bronze Volume 1: A Thousand Ships
Eric Shanower
Manufacturer: Image Comics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 Ancient Civilizations
| Fiction
| History & Historical Fiction
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
Comics & Graphic Novels
| Science Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery & Horror
| Literature
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Literature
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Comic Strips
| Comics & Graphic Novels
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Comics & Graphic Novels
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Graphic Novels
| Comics & Graphic Novels
| Subjects
| Books
Image Comics
| Publishers
| Comics & Graphic Novels
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
| Classics
| Comic
| Contemporary
| Literary
Historical Fiction
| History & Historical Fiction
| Teens
| Subjects
| Books
Similar Items:
-
Age Of Bronze Volume 2: Sacrifice (Age of Bronze)
-
The Collected Beowulf
-
Clan Apis
-
Troy C. 1700-1250 BC (Fortress, 17)
-
Fables Vol. 6: Homelands
ASIN: 1582402000 |
Book Description
Daring heroes, breathtaking women, betrayals, love and death--the most spectacular war story ever told: The Trojan War. When a lustful Trojan prince abducts the beautiful Queen Helen of Sparta, Helen`s husband vows to recover her no matter the cost. So begins the Trojan War. From far and wide the ancient kings of Greece bring their ships to join the massive force to pledge their allegiance to High King Agamemnon. Featuring the greatest of the Greek heroes: Achilles, Odysseus, and Herakles, along with a cast of thousands. AGE OF BRONZE: A THOUSAND SHIPS reveals hidden secrets of the characters` pasts, serving up joy and sorrow, leading up to the brink of war, and foreshadowing the terror to come. Age of Bronze will be included in a major international exhibition travelling to three German museums in 2002. The exhibit is centered on the current excavations at Troy and features Age of Bronze in an exhibit devoted to modern interpretations of Troy. Age of Bronze has been nominated for numerous Eisner (The comic industry's Oscar) Awards. Rack it in your mythology and historical fiction sections for even more sales success.
Customer Reviews:
Intricate story of a legendary war.......2007-06-13
A Thousand Ships is the first in a series of comics which retell the story of the Trojan war in comic book form. It begins with Paris, the lost prince of Troy who has been raised by farmers as a farmer, making his first ever journey to the capital. He tells his girlfriend it's a short trip, but even before he leaves the oracles are speaking and don't seem to agree. Meanwhile, Achillies is just leaving boyhood and, when confronted with the choice of short life and fame in war versus a long life that won't be remembered, he is very much for the short glorious life. His mother has other plans and struggles to save him from himself.
The plot is extremely intricate. It all comes from mythology, and there's a lot there to pull from. Doing the Illiad in seven comics makes sense. One book would only have allowed for the outline of the story. By breaking it into more books, the story is more complete and here the Illiad has been adapted well to the medium.
Graphically the book is well drawn. I'm guessing that the big challenge here was to keep faces consistent so that all the characters can be told apart. There are many, many characters and they are recognizable from frame to frame, if that helps to tell you the level of detail. The storytelling and how layouts play into that is good too. Layouts help to blend in and reveal characters's backstories (and everyone has a back story in mythology) and to communicate oracles and messages from the various gods.
This is a good read as a comic book. Being a modern take on the Illiad, which concievably someone might someday make you read, is an added bonus. Libraries should definitely stock this series. For individuals and families this is a good buy for a comic book, and a pretty good read. You should already know this, but if you don't then here goes, many of the classics have a lot of sex and violence. So, don't buy this for your four year old if you don't want them to see naked people and drawings of smeared entrails.
I got my copy autographed........2006-08-09
This book reprints the first nine issues of the Age of Bronze comic books. It's a beautifully drawn, well written comic book about the Trojan War. The only problem I have with the comic, and it'a a minor problem, is that there are so many characters, it's hard to keep track of who's who. Highly recommended to fans of graphic literature.
Holy Cow! This is off the chart great........2006-06-28
I just ripped through A Thousand Ships and the second book in the series, Sacrifice, in two days and I'm bowled over. What a tour de force these books are. Shanower seamlessly incorporates all the myths entwined in the Trojan War. An incredible feat by itself, it's even more impressive because he achieves this without bogging down what is, after all, a ripping good story.
In the course of the book, Shanower offers some interesting insights on some of the more puzzling and disturbing events (Iphigenia's sacrifice comes to mind). I also was impressed by how he developed the characters. For instance, he convincingly portrays Odysseus changing from a clever Trojan War draft-dodger to a gung-ho warrior by the end of the second book.
I can't wait for Shanower's next book in the series. Until then, I'm pressing these books on everyone I know. They're THAT good. Bravo!
the Bronze Age brought brilliantly to life.......2006-02-06
Eric Shanower does a fabulous job of bringing the Mycenaean world and the story of the Trojan War to life. Shanower has a different perspective on many of the characters than I might choose, but still I find his protagonists credible and compelling. With a combination of strong characterization and historically accurate settings and costumes, this is simply one of the best reimaginings of the myth I've encountered.
Highly recommended for fans of graphic novels and aficionados of the ancient world alike -- as well as for those who just love a gripping story!
Wow!.......2005-03-15
This book is the first in a series by author and illustrator Eric Shanower. This series combines the Classic stories surrounding the Trojan War with modern archaeology, and uses a graphic novel format to bring those ancient stories to life. Everyone is here: Priam, Paris, Odysseus, Menelaus, and (of course) the radiant Helen. This book begins with Paris's arrival in the court of King Priam, and follows through to Agamemnon's gathering of the Greek armada.
This is a wonderful graphic novel, one that really brings the old stories to life, and puts them together to form a complete and logical whole. I really liked the way the author used our present knowledge of ancient architecture and clothing to make the stories seem so realistic.
Now, I don't recommend this graphic novel for younger or more sensitive readers. If you are familiar with the Classical stories, you know that such topics as rape, incest, and homosexuality are an integral part of the story. As such, any book that deals with these stories *must* deal with these topics.
But, even with that in mind, I must say that this is an excellent book. If you are a fan of the ancient Greek and Roman stories, and would like to see them in a modern format, then this is the book for you. I am very glad that I read this book, and can't wait for the next one to come out!
Book Description
IDiscourses on Livy (1531) is as essential to an understanding of Machiavelli as his famous treatise, The Prince. Equally controversial, it reveals his fundamental preference for a republican state. Comparing the practice of the ancient Romans with that of his contemporaries provided Machiavelli with a consistent point of view in all his works. Machiavelli's close analysis of Livy's history of Rome led him to advance his most original and outspoken view of politics - the belief that a healthy body politic was characterized by social friction and conflict rather than by rigid stability. His discussion of conspiracies in Discourses on Livy is one of the most sophisticated treatments of archetypal political upheaval every written. In an age of increasing political absolutism, Machiavelli's theories became a dangerous ideology. This new translation is richly annotated, providing the contemporary reader with sufficient historical, linguistic, and political information to understand and interpret the revolutionary affirmations Machiavelli made, based on the historical evidence he found in Livy.
Customer Reviews:
Father of Modern Political Philosophy.......2006-02-14
Niccolo Machiavelli, (1469-1527), writes the greatest treatise on keeping a republic vibrant by comparing Rome to republican Venice. Machiavelli has gained an unwarranted notorious reputation for his "evil" treatise on political thinking and acting through his authorship of "The Prince". "The Prince" received more notoriety than his politically erudite work "Discourses on the First Ten Books of Livy" in which Machiavelli espouses his belief that the Roman Republic was the best and most virtuous form of government to emulate. His breadth and understanding of Roman history is remarkable. Machiavelli's love of his country Florence, and the proud political work as a minor government administrator and ambassador Machiavelli performed during its years as a republic show through in this work. It was on his many ambassadorial trips to the French, Papal, and Italian courts that he learned to observe political leaders and their governmental institutions which formed the basis of his political theories in his many writings. My favorite quote from Machiavelli is; "It's better to act and repent then not to act and regret".
Modern philosophers starting with Machiavelli reject the classical view of politics as undemocratic and elitist. Only wealthy men of leisure would have time to develop the virtues and character necessary to rule. Machiavelli believed that man by nature was selfish and driven by ambition. Machiavelli is not interested in character formation and moral appeal but in building the right kind of institutions to govern society. Laws and justice would protect men from power hungry rulers. Modern philosophy is an out growth of the revolution that takes place in the natural sciences during the Enlightenment. The purpose of science is the conquest of nature man is in control of human life. Philosophers from Machiavelli on become sectarian. "Everything good is due to man's labor rather than to nature's gift."
As a retired Army officer and student of political philosophy, I found this to be an indispensable book to continue one's journey into political philosophy and history of Europe.
Book Description
A thrilling search for a missing man amidst the scorching deserts and perilous mountains of Africa. In 1885, H. Rider Haggard's publisher considered King Solomon's Mines 'the most amazing book ever written.'
Customer Reviews:
Super Reader.......2007-08-26
King Solomon's Mines is a story of a man's search for his brother, and told from the point of view the famous hero and hunter, Allan Quatermain.
He is the man they turn to for help, and become is solid and steadfast companions. The search for the Mines, the battles, the evil witch woman and the African setting are all excellent.
Cat Club Review: www.freewebs.com/hlgstrider.......2007-07-13
King Solomon's Mines is a straight forward adventure story. Two friends enlist the services of a crusty guide and a strong minded native to tramp across Africa in search for a missing brother, a brother who in turn was lost while searching for one of the greatest treasures known to legend (see title). To do so they must cross the desert, climb the mountains, confront an evil witch, and fight an epic battle.
It's a quick read and a pleasant one. Only one bit goes down sour, a bit of racism residual from the time period. While one of the lead characters, Umbopa, is a strong, intelligent African man, an interracial love story is cut short by death, followed by the observation that white and black cannot marry anymore than day and night. Not exactly the most enlightened point of view.
I love the writing and the story. If you could cut out that paragraph all would be well and this at least a four star book . . . but I suppose that would be revising history and literature, and so the book stands, or falls, as it is.
An All-Time Adventure.......2007-06-14
I got lost in this wonderful African adventure as I followed Allan Quatermain on a quest to find the lost mines of King Solomon.
At age twenty-nine, Haggard made a whimsical bet with his brother that he could write a story as good as Robert Louis Stevenson's "Treasure Island" (1883). Six weeks later, Haggard completed King Solomon's Mines (1885).
This is proof that given the right time, circumstances, and motivation a novel can come forth quickly. See my review of "Singer in the Shadows," by Irving Litvag and my comments on Joseph Smith composing the Book of Mormon. Click here, then scroll down to my review of Litvag's book. SINGER IN THE SHADOWS the Strange Story of Patience Worth
Also highly recommended as an African adventure is "Cry Wolf," by Wilbur Smith. Cry Wolf
Good adventure yarn.......2007-02-27
Although fiction is not my normal fodder, I found this book to be refreshing. It narrates the harrowing quest of a few men for diamonds, for a missing brother, and for home. The villians were truly vile, the heroes were larger than life, and it was fun to be with them on their journey. No major theses were given, no important life questions were answered, but it made a few of my evenings a little more enjoyable.
Great story, but skip this edition.......2006-07-09
This review covers only the Gateway Movie Classics edition, softcover, 1999.
What a thrill to revisit this gripping story that I enjoyed in childhood so much. Good writing, excellent story-telling, if you're not too squeamish to tolerate late 19th century colonialist literature.
But skip this edition. Mainly because of the numerous typos scattered inanely through the book...periods dropped into the middle of sentences, rogue exclamation points, and words inaccurately transcribed as though an original text had been OCR scanned without any professional quality checking. Inexusable in a professional publication. And, frankly, I don't think the movie is all that great, so the cover photo of a film version Quatermain doesn't do much for me.
Get another edition!
Amazon.com
Mathew Reilly's 7 Deadly Wonders is a lot of things--fast-paced, clever, action-packed. But mostly it's perfect for a Jerry Bruckheimer treatment. The novel reads like a screenplay meets video game with one harrowing chase after another.
The breakneck action stems from an Egyptian sun cult which has hidden pieces of the capstone to the great pyramid in the husks of the seven wonders of ancient world, leaving clues that would flummox Indiana Jones. Here's the deal: whichever nation can locate and assemble the capstone in time for a cosmic event designed to end life on Earth will rule the world. Enter a ragtag team of commandos representing non-superpowers (read, in a Da Vinci Code context, not the European Union, the United States or the Vatican) who stand to lose in this eventuality. The team pits itself in a race against the formidable forces of the western world, cosmic calendar, and traps set by ancient-wonder-hider, Imhotep V. Complete with Mario-Brothers-style drawings, the book lurches from one great escape/victory/defeat until its final climax atop Cheops' Pyramid. It's a thrilling ride, perfect to enliven a lazy vacation or long plane ride. The real question is: Brad Pitt or Matthew McConaughey?--Jeremy Pugh
Download Description
Matthew Reilly, the New York Times bestselling author and "pedal-to-the-metal action novelist" (Publishers Weekly), is back in high gear on the greatest treasure hunt of all time -- a headlong race to find the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Customer Reviews:
A great action packed book.......2007-10-15
I absolutley loved this book. It was fast paced and exciting. I loved the descriptions of the seven ancient wonders. It is one you can't take very seriously, but I mean that in a good way. It has a Indiana Jones type quality that is non-stop action. It is the perfect read when you want to get away from the real world and read something that is engrossing but you don't have to think to hard to enjoy it. I cannot wait for his next book.
Buyer's Remorse.......2007-09-13
I really could have found a better use for the eight bucks I spent on this book. I've read four of Reilly's books and have become a big fan. If I were new to his work and started with this one, I would never get around to the others. I'm about a hundred pages into it, and so far haven't seen much in the way of character development. It's hard to care about a character you don't know. Normally, I'd be rooting for someone by this point. Yes, there's a lot of action; in fact, too much action -- no time for the suspense to build up before the bullets or grenades or lava is flying again and the characters are somehow managing to avoid it all. And yes, there are way too many exclamation points. It's supposed to be exciting. I get it.
My advice for Reilly fans is to skip this one and hope his next novel is better.
Worth avoiding.......2007-09-06
Sometime ago I read Ice Station by the same author. While it was definitely outrageous, it was still fun and inventive. This book is really neither. I don't think there is an idea in the book that isn't ripped off from somewhere else. Badly drawn diagrams of the various locations supplement the bad prose.
The traps and the ways the team figure out to evade them is sort of like reading a narrative of someone playing a videogame. Activate the disable bullets gadget, jump left, dodge the oil, hit the "Call Falcon" button, jump over the crocodile, snatch the little girl before she's scalded by hot lava, and so on. Since none of the characters have any depth and the story itself is silly, reading this book quickly becomes a chore.
7 Deadly Wonders.......2007-08-31
For the science fiction and/or thriller fan who likes lots of action and impossible situations, this is a definite must read. A group of heroic agents from several small nations working together to either save the world keep things moving as they try to retrieve as many of the 7 deadly wonders as possible.
Buried in the annals of time, pieces of the capstone of the great pyramid have been divided up among what was then wonders of the ancient world. The pieces are needed to prevent a worldwide catastrophe, but the holder of them will also have power over the world for a thousand years. Jack West and his band of representatives from the small nations want to prevent the wrong people seizing power.
Join Jack and his group of eight as they face death and dangers you can't imagine in their search for the treasures. There are at least two other groups seeking these same pieces and Jack fears he may have a mole in his group.
Frustration and disappointment seem to dog the little band's footsteps, but they persever. A recommended read for any reader who likes high tension and a sense of almost constant movement in their reading. Talented Matthew Reilly takes you on a tour of the ancient world and reminds us of the things we've lost to wars and conquest.
Enjoy. I did.
Frustration? You're kidding me........2007-08-27
Reading so much about frustration after reading the book makes me laugh.
I had to *translate* this lame excuse for a book.
Even more hair raising is the prospect that it is very likely that I will have to translate his next "The Six Sacred Stones" (an after that probably "The Five Manuscripts of Evil", "The Four Satan Damnations", "The Hellish Threesome", "Two from Inferno" and "The One").
So stop complaining, you know nothing :)
Book Description
In his first novel since the Pulitzer Prize-winning House Made of Dawn, N. Scott Momaday shapes the ancient Kiowa myth of a boy who turned into a bear into a timeless American classic. The Ancient Child juxtaposes Indian lore and Wild West legend into a hypnotic, often lyrical contemporary novel--the story of Locke Setman, known as Set, a Native American raised far from the reservation by his adoptive father. Set feels a strange aching in his soul and, returning to tribal lands for the funeral of his grandmother, is drawn irresistibly to the fabled bear-boy. When he meets Grey, a beautiful young medicine woman with a visionary gift, his world is turned upside down. Here is a magical saga of one man's tormented search for his identity--a quintessential American novel, and a great one.
Customer Reviews:
not so good.......2002-09-16
While it is somewhat interesting to read a novel in which dreams and reality meld together, I found *this* novel to be vastly uninteresting. The main characters don't hold my attention at all. The storytelling is poor since the issues and themes are buried under a haphazard narration. My suggestion: don't invest time or money in this book.
A wonderful and beautiful novel about the American West.......2002-02-02
Momaday, as you probably know, won the Pulitzer Prize in 1969 for his first novel, "House Made of Dawn." In that book, the hero, torn between the Native American world and modern America, and deeply affected by his Vietnam war experiences, finally disintegrates, unable to continue fighting the forces trying to destroy him.
Twenty years later, Momaday published his second book, "The Ancient Child," and it's just as powerful, just as beautifully written, as his first.
The premise is similar to the first book. A man is torn between two worlds, tormented by nightmares, and finds himself drawn to the desert. He finds his destiny, and it too is disintegration. But whereas the disintegration in "House Made of Dawn" is a violent, tragic event, in "The Ancient Child" it comes across as a process of spiritual resolution and healing, rather than destruction.
That's why I regard this book as superior to its Prize-winning predecessor. Momaday's vision seems more holistic, more encompassing in this book. His first novel's tragic vision leaves you haunted and a little horrified. This book will leave you equally haunted, not in horror, but in quiet awe of the inevitable metaphysical reckoning we all must undergo when we leave this world, and the paths we take to get there.
Read it.
go slowly into his heart-Momaday comes out with yours.......1997-01-23
His mind is the atelier.
The depicted soul of the young woman, Grey, Koi-ehm-toya, was hauntingly perfect. Entwined with notoriety, she grew to an assured love, preserving the heart of a Kiowa man, Loki. Man or mythological God? Distant, the sublime power draws into the solar plexis of humanity, and remains. As if two souls, autoecious azygos, encompassed all characters; Kope'mah, the grandmother earth, 'anomalous cohesion and disintegration of form...motion...color at once.' 'A timeless rejoicing entered into their veins...', (pg35), Grey the elements within, water and root, '"You are Set-angya, the chief of dog soldiers...best of warriors, of battles...enemies."', (pg258), 'Here are weeds about his mouth...', (pg234), the elements above earth, air and fire, introspection and preparation create a watercolor backdrop. Grey, '...a question of control, coordination, mastery: how to bring her body and the body of the horse into concert...', (pg185), eradicated, effectively, Billy the Kid, from the vines of youth, and those who harmed her bodily nature; with hoyden grace.
J. Jaederland (shack@concentric.net)
How fantasy mixes with reality.......1997-01-18
I love this book. It's my favorite by Momaday. The main female character, Grey, is strong and fascinating: "Set remained curious about Grey - Grey had taken hold of his imagination..." (pg 69). Grey also has all sorts of daydreams that affect her 'real' life, and her 'real life' has some very strong affects on those she meets. It's a great book!
Oh, and then there's the main male character - Set, an artist who has a breakdown that gets him back in touch with family and heritage (and Grey). But Grey is my favorite.
For more info on reviews & stuff about this book, visit:
http://users.mwci.net/~lapoz/N.Scott.Momaday.html
Average customer rating:
- References to nudity in this book
- brea-lynn pharaoh's daughter
- .*Pharoahs Daughter*.
- What a Great Book!!!!
- Home School Book Review -- Ancient Egypt
|
Pharaoh's Daughter: A Novel of Ancient Egypt
Julius Lester
Manufacturer: HarperTrophy
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Ancient Civilizations
| Fiction
| History & Historical Fiction
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
Fiction
| Siblings
| Family Life
| People & Places
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Literature
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
Historical Fiction
| History & Historical Fiction
| Teens
| Subjects
| Books
Lester, Julius
| ( L )
| Authors, A-Z
| Teens
| Subjects
| Books
Ancient Civilizations
| Fiction
| History & Historical Fiction
| Children's Books
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
General
| Literature
| Children's Books
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
Fiction
| Siblings
| Family Life
| People & Places
| Children's Books
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
( L )
| Authors, A-Z
| Teens
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
Historical Fiction
| History & Historical Fiction
| Teens
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
All 4-for-3 Deals
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
Similar Items:
-
Mara, Daughter of the Nile (Puffin Story Books)
-
A Place in the Sun
-
Goddess of Yesterday
-
Tales of Ancient Egypt (Puffin Classics)
-
The Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt (Landmark Books)
ASIN: 0064409694
Release Date: 2002-02-05 |
Amazon.com
In his introduction to this engrossing novel of ancient Egypt, Julius Lester says, "It is difficult not to see Charlton Heston when one thinks of Moses." But not in this book. Lester's Moses is a bungling teenager, scared and confused as he tries to find the courage to decide who he is and what he believes in. Raised as the pampered grandson of Pharaoh, he enjoys the attentions of three mother figures: Yocheved, his birth mother, who constantly implores him to return to his own people; Almah, his older sister, who has left her traditions to dance naked as a priestess of the goddess Hathor; and Batya, Pharoah's daughter, who saved him from death when he was a baby. But now his anger at his unresolved split identity has goaded him into a terrible act of violence--an act that will have a vast impact on history.
Julius Lester, a distinguished African-American writer best known for his Newbery Honor Book To Be a Slave, startled the literary world in 1981 by converting to Judaism. In Pharaoh's Daughter he follows the time-honored Jewish tradition of Midrash--a way of exploring a sacred text through the use of one's imagination. Armed with an impressive knowledge of the Hebrew language and the history of ancient Egypt, he jolts us out of our expectations and brings a fresh and richly detailed perspective to the Exodus. As Moses flees with his father's blessing--"You must go and come back and teach us all to be free"--we can only hope that Julius Lester plans to tell the rest of the story. (Ages 12 and older) --Patty Campbell
Book Description
I saved my brother from the soldiers,
but the princess says he is hers now.
Abba and Ima will never trust me again.
In ancient Egypt, there lives a girl named Almah who will do anything to ensure the safety of her baby brother, Mosis.
She will leave her enslaved family and assume the role of Egyptian princess. She will change her identity if it means winning health and freedom for her brother.
Mosis, however, does not feel completely free. His identity has been changed against his will, and he longs to find himself. And when he does, he will do anything in his power to see that justice is served.
Customer Reviews:
References to nudity in this book.......2007-08-26
As an Adult, I didn't like this book at all. It seemed too mature for the ages suggested of 12 and up. There were numerous references to nudity in this book and at the end of the book there was more nudity but there was no warning in the jacket cover regarding this. It was mentioned by the author after the story, not in prelude. At the end of this book, it does not say anything about her brother and her family. This book will hurt women and girls a lot. Out of all the books that I had read, this is the worse one that I have read. This book made me sick to my stomach after I read it. Do not waster your money on getting this book and do not waster your time reading it. It is not worth it at all. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone at all.
brea-lynn pharaoh's daughter.......2006-11-20
I like the book Pharaohs Daughter because it is about a young girl who is going through a tough time and then somthing life changing has happened to her. Part of the book was confusing because it switched to a different charecter half way through the book but then i got it after a while. i would reccomend this book to people because it is an educational book and it is a good read.
brea
.*Pharoahs Daughter*........2006-11-17
Pharaohs daughter was a good book. when I was reading this book I really couldn't stop reading it I really liked it I wanted it to go on forever. I like the part when Alamh meets the princess and wants her to live with her and be her younger sister. Also I like the part when mosis figures out what his real family is i think he made a good choice by going to Goshen . I think the author of this book is a realy good writer and has a good imagination. -CourtneyHowe
What a Great Book!!!!.......2006-11-02
I thought the Pharaoh's Daughter was a great book. It was entertaining and well written. I loved how there was two parts to the story, it made the book not get too boring. You should totally read this book!!!!!
Home School Book Review -- Ancient Egypt.......2006-07-11
The Bible does not name the sister of Moses who watched him while he hid in a basket on the Nile, but the Hebrew word used describes a woman of marriageable age. Could Moses have had another sister? Julius Lester uses the viewpoint of this imagined--but very possible--sister to tell the story of the Habiru (Hebrew) and Khemetian (Egyptian) peoples during the time of Mosis' (Moses') upbringing in the court of Ramesses II.
The author uses ancient Egyptian and Hebrew words and names whenever possible to remove images of The Ten Commandments and Prince of Egypt from readers' minds. He asks us to consider that the story we've been told was from the view-point of the Hebrews, embittered by years of slavery; he asks us to consider the Egyptians anew.
The author attempts to give an historically accurate view of the New Kingdom of Egypt. In order to keep the story as authentic as possible, he has Mosis speak in an unusual way, attempting to create his "heavy of mouth and heavy of tongue" description from the Old Testament.
Stories are even more subtle than non-fiction and evoke even more emotion and can therefore be even more persuasive, especially to young minds that have not moved into the final stages of development, so this book should only be read by children who have entered the third and final stage of mental development (as discussed in _The Well-Trained Mind_.)
To Christian parents, this is a Biblical story told from a non-Biblical perspective. The point-of-view for most of the book is Mosis' sister, Almah, who embraces the gods and goddesses of Egypt, even becoming a priestess of Hathor. There is nudity in religious circumstances and lust is discussed briefly. Many characters argue in favor of many gods and the strongest believer in Ya (the Biblical God) is portrayed in a negative light.
Despite all the possible drawbacks, this book shines fresh light on the struggles Moses and his family must have gone through in his early life. It is also a great discussion starter. Have your mature thirteen or fourteen year old child read this along with a study on ancient Egypt, then discuss family relationships, different viewpoints (is one always right and one always wrong), can a god meet a woman's needs (or does she need a goddess to understand her), etc.
The author includes an author's note and a glossary in the back of the book. Read the glossary BEFORE you read the book; save the author's note for afterwards. In the author's note, Lester explains his purpose, some of the efforts he went through to be accurate historically, and the textual reasons he made some of the decisions he made. Very informative.
Summary: Mosis' part in the dialog may make this book seem poorly developed or for a younger age group at first--until you realize that Mosis is supposed to speak poorly and it is intentional. Instead, this is a great story told in an engaging way from a refreshing viewpoint which I recommend, but only for mature thirteen year olds and older. A sort of _The Red Tent_ for teenagers, without all the sexuality. This book touched me and I became misty-eyed towards the end.
Average customer rating:
- New Perspective Feels Like Home To Me
|
The Late Modernism of Cormac McCarthy: (Contributions to the Study of World Literature)
David Holloway
Manufacturer: Greenwood Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
General
| Classics
| United States
| World Literature
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
General
| History & Criticism
| United States
| World Literature
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
20th Century
| British
| World Literature
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
Classics
| General
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
Modernism
| Movements & Periods
| History & Criticism
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
Greek
| Classics
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
All Titles
| Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007
| Stores
| Books
ASIN: 0313322279 |
Book Description
Through close examination of the formal as well as thematic organization of Cormac McCarthy's eight novels, this volume offers a radically new assessment of the work of an author who has often been described as one of the greatest contemporary American novelists. In opposition to existing McCarthy scholarship--which tends to concentrate on the regional dimensions of his work, viewing it within the literary and mythopoetic traditions of the South and Southwest--Holloway argues that McCarthy's full significance can only be understood if his work is contextualized within the broader political, economic, and intellectual discourses of the period in which his novels have been produced. Drawing on the ideas of Marxist thinkers such as Fredric Jameson, George Lukacs, and Jean-Paul Sartre, he shows how McCarthy's late modernism resists many of the postmodern assumptions about literary narrative that have come to shape our understanding of aesthetics in recent times.
Customer Reviews:
New Perspective Feels Like Home To Me.......2003-08-01
Anyone who has read much McCarthy develops a feel for his world, and David Holloway's analysis doesn't try to alter that as much as to awaken you to what was there all along.
The "late modern" McCarthy writes on his own terms, often creating a mythology all his own. And McCarthy is definitely a blue collar writer. Legends abound about him disdaining commercialism and refusing money when he had none (just to make a speaking appearance, according to an ex-wife).
McCarthy's distain for the trough, coupled with the non-commercial appeal and enduring quality of his writing, serve to endear him all the more to all modest but honest farmers and horseman and other such self-reliant folk. This hearty analysis adds much to that.
Books:
- The Complete Greek Tragedies: Sophocles II: Ajax, The Women of Trachis, Electra & Philoctetes
- The Complete Guide to Creative Landscapes : Designing, Building, and Decorating Your Outdoor Home (Black & Decker Home Improvement Library)
- The Complete Photo Guide to Home Repair: With 350 Projects and 2300 Photos (Black & Decker)
- The Dream of the Poem: Hebrew Poetry from Muslim and Christian Spain, 950-1492 (Lockert Library of Poetry in Translation) (Lockert Library of Poetry in ... (Lockert Library of Poetry in Translation)
- The English Room
- The Fashion Book
- The Mermaid Chair
- The Monk and the Philosopher: A Father and Son Discuss the Meaning of Life
- The No Asshole Rule: Building a Civilized Workplace and Surviving One That Isn't
- The Not So Big House: A Blueprint for the Way We Really Live
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- Essential SNMP, Second Edition
- Wooden on Leadership
- Portrait of Johnny: The Life of John Herndon Mercer
- Telecommunications Using Procomm and Procomm Plus Made Easy
- The Bible for Dummies
- X-Men
- The New Oxford Picture Dictionary: English-Spanish Edition
- Management Accounting- Information Strategy November 2001 Questions and Answers
- Readings in Urban Economics: Issues and Public Policy
- Draw Thumb Animals
Cartoon History of the Universe 2: Volumes 8-13
Cartoon History of the Universe 1 Vol. 1-7 (Cartoon History of the Universe) (Cartoon History of the Universe)
The Cartoon History of the Modern World Part 1: From Columbus to the U.S. Constitution
Cartoon History of the United States
The Cartoon Guide to Physics
