Book Description
DESCRIPTION: An illuminating biography of Anne Bradstreet, the first writer--and the first bestseller--to emerge from the wilderness of the New World. Puritan Anne Bradstreet arrived in Massachusetts in 1630, 18 years old and newly married to Simon Bradstreet, the son of a minister. She was accompanied by her imperious father, Thomas Dudley, and a powerful clutch of Protestant dissenters whose descendants would become the founding fathers of the country. Bradstreet+s story is a rich one, filled with drama and surprises, among them a passionate marriage, intellectual ferment, religious schisms, mortal illness, and Indian massacres. This is the story of a young woman and poet of great feeling struggling to unearth a language to describe the country in which she finds herself. And it also offers a rich and complex portrait of early America, the Puritans, and their trials and values; a legacy that continues to shape our country to the present day.
Customer Reviews:
What are her sources? .......2007-06-29
DO NOT TRUST THIS BOOK. It is more fiction than fact. I looked at it in the process of researching Bradstreet's life in England. Gordon makes claims for which there is absolutely no evidence. She talks about things like how Anne felt about the Earl of Lincoln's sisters or how Anne's father felt about interacting with the Earl's widowed mother, as if there were a paper trail. There is not. I know--because I have read all the Bradstreet biographies and criticism and because I have been looking for similar information. This book may be "readable" but it is completely unreliable.
History & Literature combined!.......2007-05-07
This book was really interesting. It offered thorough insight into what America was like in our early years, detailing how they managed day-to-day tasks. Understanding Bradstreet's daily struggles and the times in which she lived helped the reader appreciate how she became our first poet. The author conveyed her love for Bradstreet throughout the book, and the reader knew how exciting it was for America's first poet to have been a woman.
"This Task Befits Not Women.".......2006-09-09
I too bought this book believing that I was related to Anne Bradstreet, but after reading Charlotte Gordon's long and intensely interesting biography of the Puritan poet, I now know that I must have been mixing her up with some other legend of the day, so in a way it was a fruitless journey of exploration for me, and now I feel I have no poetic genes. Yet when I consider the religious doctrines that the 300 Puritans were laboring under when they emigrated here to the USA, or as they knew it, the "colonies," I feel that there must have been some mistake.
Gordon shows us how, in the New World, human life was cheap and many babies, including Anne Bradstreet's children, died before they were even two years old. The marshes and forests of New England became a cemetery of white babies, and understandably hostile Indian tribes gave the settlers no quarter. In the end guns, not poetry, made a new nation, and Gordon reads Bradstreet's poetry from a post colonial position that sometimes shows her up as an apologist for empire. However, Bradstreet is a tricky subject, and no two views of her writing will ever be the same, for "apology" itself might be her greatest subject. Was she personally fearless? No, no one is, but no poet has even been more apologetic to her readers, who are forever being asked to forgive her lack of learning--this from a woman who was the Athena of her day and who knew classical Greek and Latin the way she knew the native flowers and plants of Ancover and environs. Or apologizing for being a woman and thus unfit to write. Or for being a colonist or whatever. Did she suffer from low self-esteem or was it all a calculating pose to attract sympathy?
There was a love triangle going on, underneath their prim Scarlet Letter uniforms of brown serge. It was Anne, her sister Sarah, and Sarah's husband, John. (Confusingly there were two Mercys, a sister and a daughter of Anne's.) Even more confusingly, Anne Hutchinson, an actual feminist firebrand, was the one who all the exciting things happened to, like being banished, etc. while Bradstreet continued to apologize her way to an early death, at age 59. She was never really the same after Mercy Junior died from the complications of childbirth; all the wind had gone out of her sails. Gordon paints a fully rounded picture of a woman for whom we have surprisingly full records. Unlike Shakespeare, she was always writing about herself and people remarked her presence as the "Tenth Muse." She was a woman people talked about. I felt sorry for her, especially with the awful dentistry of the period, and also, for the sorrow in her life; in her tragic stillness she reminded me of none other than Maria Callas after Ari married Jackie.
Big surprise.......2006-05-02
I bought this by a geneological accident. Anne Bradstreet is my great (to the ninth) grandmother and so the book was expected to offer a few tid-bits of an ancestors life in between probably too much dull poetry. As you can tell I am not a student of feminist literature and had rather low expectations for Gordons effort and boy was I surprised! This turned out to be a "page turner". Charlotte Gordon is an entertaining writer and skillfully intermingled all manner of puritan lore, english history, and life-on-the-frontier gossip with a fascinating story of Annes life. By the time we finally got to the poetry I was actually ready and eager. The ambience of the times was so well described that Anne's poetry full naturally into place and was a fit and welcomed presence. This is an epic tale of hardship and the distress of puritan belief. If Oprah got a hold of this book it could easily end up as major best seller. Do not stay your hand. BUY IT!
A good biography of America's first female poet.......2005-12-04
After working on a detailed project about Anne Bradstreet's poetry and prose (I argued whether or not she should be considered as only a Puritan poet) for my Master's class, I feel I have a good understanding of her life and work. Charlotte Gordon's book offers a refreshing biography on Bradstreet. It reads more like a story rather than a fact by fact accounting of Bradstreet's life. As such, it covers Bradstreet's life starting in England and ending in Andover in the New World. This makes the book accessible to nearly any reader interested in Bradstreet's life. The bibliography at the end of the book is fantastic - anyone doing research on Bradstreet will find what they are looking for here. Clearly, Gordon did a ton of research before writing the book.
However, the book includes only small amounts of Bradstreet's poetry and prose - that material which supports Gordon's topic. I recommend having Bradstreet's original material next to you in order to read the full references, or read Bradstreet's work first, then her biography. In addition, the other problem I had with Gordon book is that several of the scenes about the hardships of life in the New World seem to be a combination of stories about that time. In other words, we dont really know what happened during Bradstreet's childbirths. But we do know what women experienced in the 1630's. Several of these sections felt as if they were conveying the hardships of people in general rather than an actual biography of Anne Bradstreet. That is why I felt this was a story about Bradstreet. Also, I would have liked to see an actual timeline of events in Bradstreet's life for quick and easy reference.
Overall, if anyone is interested in Bradstreet's life and what she dealt with in the New World, I would recommend this book. There are better books out there that are more biographical and do a better job describing Bradstreet's poetry and prose (look for a book by Josephine Piercy). But if you want to read the story of Bradstreet's life, then this book does a good job at conveying the ups and downs of Puritan life in the New World.
Book Description
This book is a journey through some of Angus McBride's best historical artwork, depicting the world's most fearsome warriors, from Gladiators to Pirates to Zulus. Battle dress and arms are shown in unrivalled detail and brought to life in vivid scenes of fighting, pillaging and carousing. A full text commentary accompanies each piece of artwork, providing the background to the image and helping readers to get more out of each illustration. The foreword, engagingly written by Men-at-Arms series editor Martin Windrow, provides a full introduction to Angus's life and work, and features paintings that have never before been published.
Customer Reviews:
Angus rules!.......2007-01-10
Angus McBride is one of the most talented artists in the historical field, and his pieces always rise above mere illustrations and give us snapshots of these people in believable, historical settings. His people aren't just modeling uniforms or equipment, they are caught mid-action, alive, and vibrantly. This is a good collection, though I'd kill for a more complete gathering of McBride's work. If you like this, try to track down the Iron Crown collection of his Middle-Earth work. head and shoulders above everyone else in that field, much like here.
Finally Mr. McBride's great art in good printing quality.......2006-02-23
No doubt about it, Angus McBride is a master illustrator. And this great HC-book proves it (although it's a shame there are just 45 plates...). The paperbacks at Osprey Publishing are nice, but to be honest, their color reproductions of Angus' illustrations are not really good. Here the depth of colors used, the shadow-play both in lights and tissues, finally come out. It is clasic illustration at it's very best. The plates (often double-spread) show battle scenes and posed images of warriors from the ancient times /Rameses II) until WWII (only one). Each plate is accompanied by a well written text on either the scene as it occurred or the uniforms and arms on display. As a reader you get to travel through Egypt, Greece, Babylon, Rome, European Middle Ages, Japan, Africa, Middle America as the ancient times come alive in front of your very eyes. Marvellous!!! What I like most about Mr. McBride's work is that he took the time and trouble to create "true" scenes that really could have taken place. As much as I also admire the Funckens' work, this makes you be there and makes you want to know more about history. In the foreword Angus tels us a little bit about his work, techniques and career.
This book isn't just for people interested in uniforms. It's a wonderful starting point for anybody interested in classic illustration and history. Even when you think you know it all. Here you can relive what you might have forgotten.
If you are a fan of the Magican Mc Bride.......2005-05-01
No matter what the subject is of the book, I have to get it if McBride is the illustrator. You can consistantly count on him to do a 1st rate job. This book is well worth the cash as Mr. McBride is on a roll in this book of his.
McBride's Savage world!.......2003-01-07
I have been waiting for a large format compellation of Angus McBride's art for some time now. Finally, Warriors and Warlords is here. The only disappoinment is the book's brevity. Fans of McBride's contributions to the Osprey books will enjoy this single volume spanning his career and the bredth of his subject matter. The man has an unmistakable approach to his subjects. What really makes this book a gem is the interview with McBride, where he gives much advice about technique and materials. Some of the unforgettable illustrations in this book include: a gladiator about to administer the coup de grace; a forlorn scene of doomed Vikings making their last stand; a triumphant Celtic chariot crew; Shaka Zulu and his men making a bloodthirsty charge. This artist is expert at capturing period costume yet giving his subjects timeless humanity. His evocative use of light makes him seem less like an illustrator and more like a Great Master. And let's not forget the ubiquitous carrion circling overhead, awaiting the carcass of the loser. This book is not to be missed. Hopefully Osprey will get wise and publish many follow ups.
The Adventure continues!.......2002-11-08
Mr. McBride's books are always eagerly awaited because of the chance to see another chapter in history spring to life. This large volume of his efforts is highly appreciated. The richness of the textures, the glint of armour, the absolutely wonderful facial expressions are all here. The chance to view a number of his background effects is always welcome. He makes the figures truly part of the earth. I also enjoy his scenes against the white of the page. They are simple but show off the figure in a most dramatic way. This is a wondrous book...highly recommended.
If you are a fan of Howard Pyle, N. C. Wyeth and similar artists you will love this book! It is great value for the money.
Product Description
hardbacks
Book Description
This guide shows how to recognize hawks the way we recognize friends at a distance: by body shape, movements, and locale.
Customer Reviews:
Hawks in Flight Review.......2007-01-11
Excellent book. Great black and white drawings of adults and immatures of many species as well as different "phases" of the same species. No colour drawings are provided as hawks in flight are often seen in conditions that render them in shades of gray. Excellent text with even some humour thrown in. Highly recommended for those looking for a specific hawk book beyond the standard "all birds" guide.
First class.......2006-07-18
Of the dozen or so raptor identification books I own, I have learned the most from this book. The standard Peterson's guides work pretty well if you can get within 50 feet of a sitting bird, or if you use a gun as an accessory. However for most of us, you need to be able to work from a lot further away than that. Dunne takes you beyond plumage clues to descriptions of flight cadence, behaviour, posture, and relative body proportions. He discards the trivial details not visible from less than a hundred feet. He emphasizes what is still obvious in a backlit, soaring bird even miles away. On top of that he offers visual analogies that are cool 'sound bites' to help you remember features of the species. For example think of the flying 'stovepipe', the Northern Goshawk, or the 'arthritic' wingbeats of the Cooper's hawk. These clues offer the kind of practical wisdom that a seasoned birder will use.
The only minor point I would make is that I found a few of the sentences a little hard to understand. However, like most good teachers, he explains important details more than once in slightly different form, so that understanding of key points is clear. This book is definitely a winner.
Great companion book to other raptor field guides.......2005-08-19
"Hawks in Flight" is a different kind of ID field guide. Most guides feature many colored plates and or photographs of the birds. That is very useful if you are within a reasonable distance from the bird and the light is decent.
However, with birds of prey, you frequently see them from a considerable distance and from below. Most of the time you only get a good idea of their shape and flight characteristics. That is where this book comes in handy. Featuring nothing but B&W drawings (David Sibley) and B&W photos, "Hawks in Flight" shows you the bird as you will likely see it - a shape consisting of just a few colors (white, grey, black, brown) featuring some defining marks.
The authors also do a great job of describing what are the defining marks of each species and also telling you how to make a determination between similar birds (featuring B&W photos next to each other).
Highly Recommended
Good, not perfect, but good.......2004-12-28
Buteo identification has always been a challenge for me, but over the Christmas Day Birdcount I was able to get an identification I would have never gotten without the volume. The subtle parsing of the various colors, sizes, behaviors, etc. of raptors makes this more useful then a field guide for understanding on what you should be focusing when catching that 5 or 6 seconds of "flying away raptor".
Another reviewer mentioned the grainy photographs, which is dead-on. Unfortunately, I have to say that those photographs are (approximately) how I am seeing most of these birds. So, they are an odd bit of help, really.
Hawks in Flight, great source.......2004-03-26
This book is a must have for any raptor fanatic. I used to be so confused on how to tell all those buteos apart, except when it was an obvious red tail. It is definatly worth the money, it is not meant to be a "ooh look at the pretty pictures kind of bird book", it is a holistic approach to identification, you learn about flight traits of each raptor, overall impression, plumage, etc. Read the whole thing so you really get whats going on. I am much more confident and knowledgeable after having studied this book. Buy it, worth it.
Amazon.com
Considered the definitive raptor identification guide for North America, this essential resource for birders includes photos and text for distinguishing between hawks, falcons, eagles, and vultures in the field, paying careful attention to plumage variations in juveniles and adults.
Book Description
Whether soaring or perched, diurnal birds of prey often present challenging identification problems for the bird enthusiast. Variable plumage, colour morphs, and unique individual characteristics are just some of the factors bird watchers must consider when identifying the different species. In this authoritative reference, two of the world's top experts on raptors provide an essential guide to the variations in the species, allowing for easier recognition of key identification points. All the distinguishing marks described have been exhaustively tested in a wide range of field conditions by the authors as well as the colleagues and students who have learned from them.
Key Features:
* The only complete photographic guide to North American diurnal birds of prey
* Includes all species, common and rare
* Written by well-known experts
Customer Reviews:
Finally, a useable book for raptor id.......2007-03-10
Being a naturalist from the age of seven or so, I have long been a keen observer of birds with particular attention paid to the raptors and soaring birds. All the books I had previously owned or seen about raptors stop far short of giving the info necessary for identifying the hawks and eagles of various ages and genders, as many of them will resemble another breed at various levels of maturity and in different seasons. This book almost eliminates those problems, giving excellent photos and descriptions that enable positive identification provided the observer gets a good enough look at the bird. It also provides useable field id pointers that will eliminate many questions with only a "sketchy" look at a flying or sitting raptor.
A good book that should sit on the front seat of any raptor friend's car; one that will be used time and again in the field.
Soar With the Falcons!.......2007-01-18
This masterpiece is one of the best field guides for raptors in North America. Readers are treated to several pictures of each type of bird. Raptors are shown perched and in flight, face on and in side view. Readers also see the field markings on the birds which are fully explained in a clear, direct way. A guide to helping readers identify the differences among the raptors is also provided. This is an excellent, outstanding work.
Hawks and Birds of Prey.......2006-02-25
This is by far the very best book I have ever seen. The photos and details are just Great. I would advise anyone that watchs for these beautiful birds to have this as a guide!!
A Photographic Guide to North American Raptors.......2003-03-11
This is the best photographic guide to north american raptors available. The photos are very clear so you can see details on plumage. It also includes multiple photos of the species that have morphs, which is very helpful in the field. This is not a book I would recommend if you are using it for written reference. But I give it 5 stars for a field reference guide!
Useful field guide, shows variability of morphs.......2001-10-21
This is simply the best field guide for North American diurnal raptors that I have seen. Unlike some other photgraphic guides, it provides several images of each species in poses that one is likely to see in the field: perched and soaring from above and the side (showing field marks of top of wing and tail). It shows several examples of different morphs and ages for most birds. This is critical in understanding the variability in markings within a species. In addition, it has a section on field identification problems, detailing differences between similar looking birds. To my knowledge, there is no substitute.
However, the paperback version is somewhat cheaply produced. The publisher should improve the binding and the quality of paper for this book. Try not to get it wet.
Average customer rating:
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Birds of Prey: Natural History and Conservation of North American Raptors
Noel F. R. Snyder , and
Helen Snyder
Manufacturer: Voyageur Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
 General
| Conservation
| Outdoors & Nature
| Subjects
| Books
Birds
| Field Guides
| Outdoors & Nature
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General
| Birdwatching
| Outdoors & Nature
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Reference
| Outdoors & Nature
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Ornithology
| Zoology
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ASIN: 0896581314 |
Average customer rating:
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Raptors: North American Birds of Prey
Noel & Helen Snyder
Manufacturer: Voyageur Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Conservation
| Outdoors & Nature
| Subjects
| Books
Endangered Species
| Conservation
| Outdoors & Nature
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Birdwatching
| Outdoors & Nature
| Subjects
| Books
Reference
| Outdoors & Nature
| Subjects
| Books
Ornithology
| Zoology
| Biological Sciences
| Science
| Subjects
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General
| Home & Garden
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ASIN: 089658349X |
Book Description
Voyageur Naturally is your one-stop resource for books about nature and country sports. We have one of the largest selections available for both young adult and adult readers. Zoos and aquariums, natural history museums, gift shops, sporting book retailers, and other booksellers all appreciate the depth and quality of our series and our commitment to providing up-to-date information from leading naturalists and scientists.
Average customer rating:
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The North American banders' manual for raptor banding techniques
Buzz Hull
Manufacturer: North American Banding Council
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
Zoology
| Biological Sciences
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
| Amphibians
| Anatomy
| Animal Behavior & Communication
| Animal Psychology
| General
| Genetics
| Ichthyology
| Invertebrates
| Mammals
| Ornithology
| Pathology & Parasitology
| Physiology
| Primatology
| Reptiles
| Research & Ethics
| Vertebrates
ASIN: B0006S94HG |
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The Works of Anne Bradstreet (The John Harvard Library)
Anne Bradstreet: A Guided Tour of the Life And Thought of a Puritan Poet
Beyond Stateliest Marble: The Passionate Femininity of Anne Bradstreet (Leaders in Action Series)
American Jezebel: The Uncommon Life of Anne Hutchinson, the Woman Who Defied the Puritans
Good Wives: Image and Reality in the Lives of Women in Northern New England, 1650-1750
