Book Description
This beautifully written, heartfelt memoir touched a nerve among both readers and reviewers. Elizabeth Gilbert tells how she made the difficult choice to leave behind all the trappings of modern American success (marriage, house in the country, career) and find, instead, what she truly wanted from life. Setting out for a year to study three different aspects of her nature amid three different cultures, Gilbert explored the art of pleasure in Italy and the art of devotion in India, and then a balance between the two on the Indonesian island of Bali. By turns rapturous and rueful, this wise and funny author (whom Booklist calls “Anne LamottÂ's hip, yoga- practicing, footloose younger sister”) is poised to garner yet more adoring fans.
Customer Reviews:
Touching, Loved it.......2007-10-17
This book was very inspiring. Of course it was self-indulgent, it was a story about the character finding herself. I personally needed this book to get out of my own funk (no, I wasn't divorced or a miserable housewife, I just had been devoting my whole self to everyone and everything else around me). Though the whole process E.G. went through wasn't for me personally, it was good to see what she learned on her journey to self-discovery! And many of her lessons can be applied to everyday life to remind yourself of what's really important!
Inspired.......2007-10-17
Gilbert shares her search for pleasure, spirituality, and balance in a truly inspirational set of tales. She lays out an intimate and personal account of her journey toward growth and life fulfillment abroad. A book I found just as fascinating is Understanding: Train of Thought.
Wherever you go there you are.......2007-10-16
Free Your Mind: The Four Directions of an Awakened Life
I really enjoyed this little book of adventure (I have just returned from overseas myself) and it really does give an entertaining exposure of how we often go searching for something outside of ourselves-but I also happened to read FREE YOUR MIND by Anthony Stultz (a friend gave it to me in Europe). It was so clear and helped me to realize that everything I need is right here in front of me. Read them both and see what you think.
One woman's inspiring journey.......2007-10-16
As some of the negative reviews of this book point out, there is a lot of self indulgence here. But that's part of what makes the book work so well. The author is really honest in sharing her journey from misery and depression to joy. If you're dealing with depression, like I was when I read the book, it can be very useful to get lost in her story, because it is a well-written and sometimes hilarious book that can help you find new ways of coping with your own depression. If you're not into memoirs, pretend it's a novel told from the first person perspective, and you'll love this book!
Not too bad, if you enjoy self indulgence..........2007-10-16
After about half-way through, I had had enough with Elizabeth Gilbert...very self indulgent. I can certainly understand and appreciate ones desire to exercise their emotions...however, this book had more "I's" than China. To give her some credit, she did display some interesting insight as she journeyed through Italy and India. But I can't help but think that someone would honestly need more than 2 years to find themself. And for someone who claims to understand yoga...she sure doesn't act in accordance. If you're too bent in one direction, you're supposed to bend in the opposite direction...not mull around in the same spot. Miss Gilbert, Throw on some Shania Twain and get over yourself...
Product Description
At the age of thirty-one, Gilbert moved with her husband to the suburbs of New York and began trying to get pregnant, only to realize that she wanted neither a child nor a husband. Three years later, after a protracted divorce, she embarked on a yearlong trip of recovery, with three main stops: Rome, for pleasure (mostly gustatory, with a special emphasis on gelato); an ashram outside of Mumbai, for spiritual searching; and Bali, for "balancing." These destinations are all on the beaten track, but Gilbert's exuberance and her self-deprecating humor enliven the proceedings: recalling the first time she attempted to speak directly to God, she says, "It was all I could do to stop myself from saying, 'I've always been a big fan of your work.'" The New Yorker© Gilbert s prose is fueled by a mix of intelligence, wit and colloquial exuberance that is close to irresistible. -The New York Times Book Review A meditation on love in its many forms love of food, language, humanity, God, and most meaningful for Gilbert, love of self. -Los Angeles Times
Description In Spanish: Después de un divorcio traumático seguido de un desengaño amoroso y en plena crisis emocional y espiritual, Elizabeth Gilbert decide empezar de nuevo y emprende un largo viaje que la llevará sucesivamente a Italia, la India e Indonesia, tres escalas geográficas que se corresponden con otras tantas etapas de búsqueda interior. Este libro es la bitácora de esa doble travesía, en la que la autora descubrirá el placer sensual de la buena mesa y la buena conversación (la dolce vita romana), la paz interior alcanzada mediante la meditación en Bombay y, por fin, el deseado equilibrio entre cuerpo y espíritu en Bali. Lúcida y valiente novela autobiográfica que ha sido un gran éxito de ventas desde su publicación en Estados Unidos, Comer, rezar, amar trata de lo que ocurre cuando decidimos ser artífices de nuestra felicidad y dejamos de intentar vivir según los modelos que nos imponen. Elegido por el New Tork Times entre los cien libros relevantes de 2006, este diario personal es también una intensa y divertida reflexión sobre el amor y las muchas formas que puede adoptar.
Customer Reviews:
An intrigante y humoristica exploracion del Alma .......2007-09-24
Con humor y realismo Elizabeth Gilbert explora su esencia espiritual llevando al lector a encontrarse con ella cara a cara en su camino. Cada mujer que lee este libro puede identificarse con muchas de las experiencias de crecimiento personal y espiritual. Esta es una comedia divina que todas vivimos y pocas podemos articular.
Book Description
Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Bruce Catton was America’s greatest Civil War historian, and he made the events of that seminal conflict come alive for millions. In this, his final book, edited from many hours of tapes after Catton’s death, he goes right to the heart and soul of what brought this nation to the battlefield. He reflects not only on military history, but also on the actual experience of army life for the common soldier; 17 period drawings by soldier-artist John Geyser, a young private in the Union Army, enhance the insightful words. Catton plunges into the spirit of the time to uncover the motives and emotions that caused the flood of war.
Customer Reviews:
An easy reading on Civil War.......2006-07-25
A book too human from the actors' perspective. A great deal of the problems each side had to confront from the organization and logistic point of view. Each side has his load, with no preferences for any of them. Could be said it is also a light introduction to the Civil War for non Americans, written in an easy way for reading and understanding. Maybe it missed some maps for easy reference of places of the war development, but a good U.S. map of the East side will help in the reading. Opens some taboos on Civil War and clarifies some misunderstandings. Good work.
A fair historical reference.......2006-05-03
I'm not a civil war buff yet Bruce Catton's simplistic writing style and "everyman" vernacular made the subject easy to approach and informative without making it too technical or academic for me to enjoy. The chapters relating to the soldier Geyser and the war seen from his viewpiont and that of the engineers gave me a new insight as to what a monumental task moving an army in that day and age could have been. As well, it was interesting to see how both sides shared conversation, singing and other interests by night and then fought each other during the day, as brothers often do.
I'd give it more stars but the 1981 paperback edition was not edited to it's best realization. Extremely poor syntax, misspellings and bad grammar in parts were somewhat annoying, especially coming from a Pulitzer Prize winner. These things could have been shaped up at the publishing house quite easily.
The Civil War Brought to Life........2003-05-14
Even though history is all around us, it often seems to get bogged down in a lot of facts and figures at the expense of the people involved. That never happened with Bruce Catton and that's the reason that twenty-five years after his death his writings are still The books on the American Civil War.
REFLECTIONS ON THE CIVIL WAR was edited together from a series of audio tapes Catton made on the subject. The book is Catton's last major work. It summarizes the war in a very thorough, yet humane way. In fact, it maybe the most human of all of Catton's books. Looking at the war from the perspective of both the common soldier and the average citizen, REFLECTIONS OF THE CIVIL WAR encompasses all the major events of the war and many minor ones. The book never seems preachy and though it quickly flows from one subject to the next, the storytelling never seems jumpy. In fact, Catton's brilliant technique breathes life into the history of the American Civil War; whether it's a major battle such as Bull Run or Gettysburg or a famous figure; such as Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee, or President Lincoln; or maybe just the weapons used in battle.
This is a great book for any Civil War fan, whether a novice or expert. Everyone is sure to learn something.
Average customer rating:
- Good Introduction to the Civil War - Thoughtful Essays
- The Civil War Revivified by a Master Historian
- A Civil War book that is easy to read and understand
- Mr. Catton's last book is a great beginning!
|
Reflections Civil War
Bruce Catton
Manufacturer: Berkley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 Movie Tie-Ins
| Genre Fiction
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0425063844 |
Amazon.com
This eclectic collection of historical musings, published posthumously from educational tape recordings Catton made during his life, is must reading for Civil War buffs. The tone is conversational and the text never demanding, although it contains several deeply penetrating insights. Asking why the Civil War didn't leave irreconcilably angry feelings between the North and South (such as those found in the Middle East or Ireland), Catton comments: "I think the chief reason for this is the legend of Robert E. Lee and the heroic confederate soldiers ... [who] suffered mightily in a great but lost cause. The point is that this very phrase accepts the cause as having been lost. There was no hint in this legend of biding one's time and waiting for a moment when there could be revenge. This was the lost cause; something to be cherished, to be revered, to be the outlet for emotions, but not to be the center of a new outbreak of violence." A great book by a great historian.
Customer Reviews:
Good Introduction to the Civil War - Thoughtful Essays.......2004-06-22
Reflections on the Civil War was published in 1981, three years after the death of Bruce Catton. John Leekley reworked and restructured audio tapes that he and Catton had been compiling for an oral history into the essays that form the basis for this fascinating book.
For the most part this transformation was successful and achieves a natural narrative style. Reflections on the Civil War should particularly appeal to readers seeking a concise, and yet insightful introduction to the Civil War. This relatively short book, about 250 pages, would be ideal for supplementary reading for advanced high school students or undergraduates.
The essays target five major topics: Lincoln's leadership; life in the army; the war itself - strategy and execution; the Civil War as the first modern war, and There Was a Young Soldier. This last section, the experiences of John Geyser from Pennsylvania in an engineer battalion in the Army of the Potomac, was riveting, and is a remarkable description of soldiering under General McClellan.
John Geyser carefully penned thoughtful sketches of camp life, individual soldiers, and military action. These drawings add substantial value to this work. Geyser's sketches had only recently come available and had not been published previously.
In the 1960s Bruce Catton, winner of the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award, helped Americans understand and commemorate the centennial of the Civil War. His books - Mr. Lincoln's Army, Terrible Swift Sword, Gettysburg: the Final Fury, A Stillness at Appomattox, two volumes on Ulysses S. Grant, and others - were widely admired. His writings gave meaning and life to the Civil War in a way unmatched by previous writers.
In recent decades American interest in the Civil War was similarly revitalized by the monumental documentary on the Civil War by Ken Burns and later by the film Gettysburg. Newer studies by outstanding historians like Shelby Foote and James M. McPherson, and Civil War novels like those of Michael and Jeff Shaara, have perhaps unfairly displaced the writings of Bruce Catton.
In my view Bruce Catton's major works compare favorably with Shelby Foote and James McPherson, two authors that I greatly respect. Reflections on the Civil War is a quick way to become acquainted with this remarkable writer and historian.
The Civil War Revivified by a Master Historian.......2003-06-15
The first books I ever read about the Civil War were by Bruce Catton, starting with his novel BANNERS AT SHENANDOAH and continuing with his two overall histories and ending with his U.S. Grant trilogy. There is something effortless about the way Catton integrates his sources and spins his tale.
If one may say he is not really a scholar, he is at least a brilliant popularizer and integrater. REFLECTIONS is like the capstone of his career. Now that I've read scores of books on the subject, Catton somehow manages to revivify the entire period.
By far my favorite chapter is the story of an Army Engineer who also created a sketchbook of his battle experiences. Catton follows him thoughout the war and even after, until his later years are spent in pain from an injury received in battle decades before. Also brilliant is is short summary of the war from the point of view of opportunities lost. (It appears that the commanding generals of the Army of the Potomac have a lot to answer for.)
If you want a single book to give you a good feeling of what the Civil War was like without dragging you company by company through all the gory details, this is the book for you.
There are many great writers about the Civil War, but I definitely feel that, now that Catton has gone, the vital spark is no longer there.
A Civil War book that is easy to read and understand.......1998-11-16
Catton provides the reader with an easy to understand synopsis of the grand currents at work during the Civil War. Masterfully done, Catton obviously composed his ideas from a vast warehouse of Civil War knowledge. Not concerned with detailing the minutia of events, he is able deliver a feeling for what was going on during those great and terrible days. Although the Foreword and Introduction seem a bit fawning at times, the editor and E. B. Long are able to clue the reader in on what to expect and what to look for.
Mr. Catton's last book is a great beginning!.......1997-07-06
This book was compiled from audio tapes Catton made before his death,,, his "reflections" on the Civil War. In it Catton brings the lessons of his life long study of the war into very human focus.
It is the best book I know of for anyone who is seeking their first Civil war book because it tells the stories of the war in such human terms.
It is the best book I know of for the Civil war "expert" for the very same reason. One cannot lose
focus on the essential human war exoperiences once this book is read.
It is an outstanding achievement. There is fact here to be sure but Catton always provided mofre than fact. He provided understanding. And in "Reflection On The Civil War" he provides passion and compassion, intrigue and dareing, and deep respect for the simple common people of the 1860's
Here, he speaks of their wisdom, their dedication
and their courage. One of the most masterful pieces of writing I have evefr read comes late in the book when he trace two trajectories. The first
Average customer rating:
- Wisdom from an educated man
- Interesting, but with a big flaw
|
State of the World 2005: Global Security
Worldwatch Institute
Manufacturer: W. W. Norton & Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Policy & Current Events
| Popular Economics
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Popular Economics
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
Development & Growth
| Economics
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
Economic Policy & Development
| Economics
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
Sustainable Development
| Economics
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
Natural Resources
| Economics
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Politics
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
Relations
| International
| Politics
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
Reference
| Politics
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Political Science
| Social Sciences
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
Environmental Science
| Earth Sciences
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
Renewable Energy
| Technology
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
Environmental Science
| Earth Sciences
| Professional Science
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
Similar Items:
-
State of the World 2006
-
State of the World 2004
-
Vital Signs 2005
-
Vital Signs 2006-2007: The Trends that Are Shaping Our Future (Vital Signs)
-
State of the World 2007: Our Urban Future (State of the World)
ASIN: 0393326667 |
Book Description
Tackles the pressing issue of international security and its ramifications on the health of our planet.
Since September 11, 2001, many governments have reasserted the centrality of traditional, military-focused security. Yet the aftermath of the ensuing wars in Afghanistan and Iraq underlines once more that lasting security is not found in soldiers, bullets, and tanks.
"Security" concerns are only in part about violent conflict, a worst-case outcome that results from a broad range of underlying vulnerabilities. Worldwatch offers a broader perspective on these issues by reaffirming the importance of other, less-publicized threats to global stability and security: the complex interactions between environmental degradation, poverty, and inequity; growing human populations; and the international proliferation of deadly weapons. Emphasizing the opportunities for creating a less vulnerable, more secure world, State of the World 2005 addresses a broad range of needed reforms, including those related to governance, economics, ethics, and education.
With easy-to-read charts and tables, this volume presents a view of our changing world that we, and our leaders, cannot afford to ignore.
Customer Reviews:
Wisdom from an educated man.......2006-04-09
I've listened to Mr. Brown lecture at the University of Washington and not only is he an excellent public speaker but it is clear that he is extremely well educated and comprehends our global situation better than 99.9% of our politicians.
We can only hope that more people will read and hear these words of wisdom and start taking steps in the right direction.
Interesting, but with a big flaw.......2005-04-12
What is it about the state of the world that ought to concern us now? Oil? Food? Water? Infectious diseases? Gratutitous terror?
This book tries to answer some of these questions.
The first main issue is the connection between population and security. Overpopulated countries with high birth rates are at risk of getting into wars. They also have potential worries about employment, as well as food and water shortages.
What about infectious diseases? Many people in Western nations can expect over 70 years of healthy life. But life expectancies in Africa are much less. How much less? Less than 30 years of healthy life in Sierra Leone, and under 35 years in six other African nations! We see some horrifying statistics on the effects of HIV/AIDS in many of these nations.
Food security has many aspects. The main one addressed here is defence against climate changes.
What about water? The problem here is not so much of not having enough to go around. It is that arguments about water can escalate into warfare. This is a good example of where environmental cooperation is important and achievable.
As for oil, there are three obvious concerns. First, if we keep doing what we've been doing, eventually we'll run out. Second, oil's value as a commodity is undermining efforts for peace in some areas of the world. Third, burning oil threatens the stability of our climate. The first suggestion here is demand-side management. Now, what about burning hydrogen? That looks like a technologically tricky idea. We may need to look at other options. Hybrid cars will help a little, but that still means using gasoline. I happen to favor an intermediate idea: cutting way back on gasoline and trying to make use of alcohol as a fuel.
The next chapter is on disarmament. That idea has not had a good history. People simply rearm. I think the whole topic needs a great deal more thought.
The final chapter is on laying the foundations for peace. Is the United Nations up to this task? My answer would be a clear no. This book strongly disagrees, although it does feel that some new ideas are needed.
I think the biggest weakness of the book is in addressing terrorism. The claim is made that terror can not be defeated by military means. Well, obviously more is needed than occasional use of force. But if the terrorists win militarily, the game is over. Unless our civilization can avoid being defeated militarily by terrorists, it may not have a chance at a future. I think defeating terror requires imposition of an authority that values truth and insists on teaching it to those who would otherwise be educated by terrorists.
What does this book say about that? Just that "terrorism is a path chosen by protagonists who tend to be politically desperate and militarily weak." And that "acts of terror are not going to disappear as long as the roots of extremist violence are not tackled."
This sort of stuff lowered my rating of this book. Terrorists are often simply aggressors and bullies whose goals are so unjust and extreme that they know they can not achieve them peacefully. The roots of extremist violence do need to be tackled. But they are quite different from what this book implies.
I found most of the book interesting, but this one flaw is very serious.
Book Description
This digital document is an article from The Futurist, published by Thomson Gale on July 1, 2005. The length of the article is 719 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details
Title: Progress report on development goals: global security may have little to do with military might.(Government)(State of the World 2005)(Book Review)
Author: Cynthia G. Wagner
Publication:
The Futurist (Magazine/Journal)
Date: July 1, 2005
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 39
Issue: 4
Page: 6(2)
Article Type: Book Review
Distributed by Thomson Gale
Average customer rating:
|
State of the World 2005: Redefining Global Security.(Book Notices): An article from: Ploughshares Monitor
Manufacturer: Project Ploughshares
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital
Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
| Audiobooks
| Automotive
| Books on CD
| Books on Cassette
| Crime & Criminals
| Current Events
| Economics
| Education
| Foreign Language Nonfiction
| Government
| Holidays
| Law
| Philosophy
| Politics
| Social Sciences
| Transportation
| True Accounts
| Urban Planning & Development
| Women's Studies
General
| Nonfiction
| HTML
| Formats
| e-Docs
| Formats
| Books
ASIN: B000ALSDK8
Release Date: 2005-07-25 |
Book Description
This digital document is an article from Ploughshares Monitor, published by Project Ploughshares on March 22, 2005. The length of the article is 592 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details
Title: State of the World 2005: Redefining Global Security.(Book Notices)
Publication:
Ploughshares Monitor (Magazine/Journal)
Date: March 22, 2005
Publisher: Project Ploughshares
Volume: 26
Issue: 1
Page: 21(1)
Distributed by Thomson Gale
Average customer rating:
|
The inescapable global security arena
Max G Manwaring
Manufacturer: Strategic Studies Institute, U.S. Army War College
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
Sociology
| Social Sciences
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
| AIDS
| Abuse
| Adults
| Aging
| Children
| Class
| Communities
| Culture
| Death
| General
| History
| Leisure
| Marriage & Family
| Medicine
| Men
| Occupational
| Race Relations
| Religion
| Research & Measurement
| Rural
| Social Groups
| Social Situations
| Social Theory
| Suburban
| Urban
| Women
International Relations
| Political Science
| Social Sciences
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
Terrorism
| Current Events
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
International Security
| Freedom & Security
| Politics
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
Military Science
| History
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 1584870877 |
Average customer rating:
|
Seeking Peace in Our Time: Toward Global Defense Policy Laws
Newton Howard
Manufacturer: Authorhouse
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Weapons & Warfare
| Military
| History
| Subjects
| Books
| Biological & Chemical
| Control
| Conventional
| Nuclear
Arms Control
| Current Events
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Politics
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
Relations
| International
| Politics
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
Diplomacy
| International
| Politics
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
International Security
| Freedom & Security
| Politics
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Political Science
| Social Sciences
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
International Law
| Law
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
General
| International Law
| Law
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 1403373213 |
Customer Reviews:
Louise.......2005-09-18
Dr. Howard here introduces a rigid mathematics-based approach to maintain the balance of power and perception amongst nation-states in foreign policy, where countries are considered complex systems involving the distribution of actors.
His proposed Global Defense Policy of Laws and Global Defense Policy System of Laws offers a unique mechanism for policymakers and analysts to predict and avoid conflicts. Through a case study of the United States, the author makes use of timely examples including the ongoing war on terror and pre-emptive military action. His expert knowledge of the inner workings of US defense and military structure provides a thorough insight into the nature and solutions to today's threats.
Books:
- End of Innocence: 1910-1920 (Our American Century)
- Esencia de Mujer: Rompiendo Barreras Culturales
- Everyday Pediatrics for Parents: A Thoughtful Guide for Today's Families
- Family Affairs: A History of the Family in 20th Century Britain
- Family & Class in a London Suburb
- Father Knows Best: The Expectant Father, Facts, Tips, and Advice for Dads-to-Be; The New Father, A Dad's Guide to the First Year; A Dad's Guide to the Toddler Years (The New Father)
- Finding a Job After 50: Reinvent Yourself for the 21st Century
- First Aid for a Mother's Soul (Charming Petites Series)
- Gb Thanks, Mom!
- Gender, Family and Economy: The Triple Overlap (SAGE Focus Editions)
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- Artful Applique: The Easy Way
- The Wizard of Menlo Park: How Thomas Alva Edison Invented the Modern World
- Structure and Transport Properties in Organized Polymeric Materials
- The Valley of Light: A Novel
- The Quilts of Gee's Bend: Masterpieces from a Lost Place
- The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey
- The Unwanted: A Memoir of Childhood
- Museum Without Walls
- The Unseen Eyes Within
- Field Guide to Liverwort Genera of Pacific North America
Water for Elephants: A Novel
A Thousand Splendid Suns
Love in the Time of Cholera (Oprah's Book Club)
The Glass Castle: A Memoir
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan: A Novel
