Sylvia Beach and the Lost Generation: A History of Literary Paris in the Twenties and Thirties

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In 1917, Sylvia Beach walked into a Paris bookshop, where she met Adrienne Monnier, the woman who would become her life companion. In 1919, Beach opened her own English-language bookshop and lending library, Shakespeare and Company, which would become the cynosure of an entire literary movement. Literary expatriates were drawn to her shop, and Ernest Hemingway declared of Sylvia, "No one that I ever knew was nicer to me." But her most celebrated literary efforts are those she made on behalf of her literary idol, James Joyce, undertaking the publication of Ulysses. Noel Riley Fitch uses Beach as the focal point for a fascinating portrait of an artistic community filled with anecdote after anecdote. From the intellectual salons at Natalie Barney's residence--of which "William Carlos Williams would recall only the lesbian women dancing together"--to the seemingly constant presence of Ezra Pound, Fitch's account solidifies the importance of the time and place he so vividly re-creates. --Ron Hogan

Customer Reviews:

Sylvia Beach and the Lost Generation.......2007-02-10

Sylvia Beach and the Lost Generation

This is an ambitious and serious work, accessible in style, and packed with information in over four hundred pages. It has three main themes, clearly defined in the introduction.
The first is the love between Adrienne Monnier and Sylvia. The details of this, so we are told, 'were and are still little known' in 1983 when this book was first published. The second is her admiration for, and championship of, James Joyce. The third is her bookshop, Shakespeare and Company, which was a key feature of the literary scene in Paris between the two World Wars.
By far the most detail is provided on her professional relationship with Joyce. Her efforts to get Ulysses published and smuggled into America, her financial and personal efforts to support the author, and the amount of time and energy she invested, are the key theme of the book.
Naturally Sylvia knew all the other familiar literary figures of the time. Hemingway and Pound are frequently mentioned, as is Gertrude Stein.
As intimated in the introduction there is less to be said about more personal relationships. In a way this seems rather a pity. The anecdotal style and recurring references to various incidents along the way give the writing a rather disjointed feel. Inevitably there is also a certain sense of déja vu particularly for anyone familiar with biographies of Hemingway for example.
The strength and the weakness of the book is the amount of text devoted to James Joyce. Joyce attracts great, but not universal, enthusiasm. The man himself seems to have had more arrogance than charm. Depending on the side of this divide which the reader favours this book will firmly hold the attention or will, in places, rather pall.

A Fantastic Insight Into The Most Famous Bookstore in Paris .......2005-12-02

This is quite a spectacular book, a privileged look into the most famous English language bookstore in Paris, Sylvia Beach's Shakespeare & Company. Not only is it delightful to read the history of how Sylvia's modest dream became such a huge success, but it is also fascinating to read about Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Gertrude Stein, and James Joyce when they were young. The language is rich and fulfilling, the photos insightful, and in the end, I really felt as if I had been part of it all, sitting in Sylvia's bookstore, hearing the rustle of pages as the day passed away.

WELL RESEARCHED - FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN OUR LITERATURE.......2005-04-13

This one has been around for some time now and it is not the worse for wear. For those interested in our literature and literary Paris during the 1920s and 1930s, then this is one of those "must reads" (I truely hate that term, but know of no better to describe the improtance of this work at this time). The author's research is absolutely miticulous and fills in many gaps in the story of this remarkable woman. Do be warned though. Many of the names of people mentioned here are rather obscure (at this day and time) for those not immersed in the literary world. This can make the work a bit difficult to follow at times. That being said, this is a wonderful work to read to cause many of these names to become less obscure than they are now...one more of the many reasons to read this work! The book covers some of the intimate details of Beach's relationship with friends and lovers that she so well side steps in her own account of this time. Recommend this one highly. Actually, you probably should purchase this one as it is one that is a good book for reference and one you will probably want to reread.

History-Biography-Delectation.......2004-10-24

This is one of those books where you care about the characters. Their past and future becomes important and that the characters are real people make this book all the more fasinating. A book one does want to end. But end it does with style.

keen and insightful...........2004-05-17

This is one of the best books that I've ever read about the 'lost generation' of Americans literary refugees in Paris. The writing is excellent, the research exhaustive and thorough with unparalleled access to Ms. Beach's 'surpressed' portions of her autobiography "Shakespeare and Company". It is readily apparent from this book that without Ms. Beach and her unflinching support, there would have been no "Ulysses" (and maybe no James Joyce). But there was so many other authors she supported and nurtured as well, as the quote from Ernest Hemingway cited above illustrates as well. This book is almost a 'must read' for those persons interested in American literature of the mid 20th century.

SYLVIA BEACH AND THE LOST GENERATION. A History of Literary Paris in the Twenties and Thirties.

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SYLVIA BEACH AND THE LOST GENERATION. A History of Literary Paris in the Twenties and Thirties.
Noel Riley. FITCH
Manufacturer: Souvenir
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000ORD61E

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Sylvia Beach and the Lost Generation: A History of Literary Paris in the Twenties and Thirties
Noel Riley Fitch
Manufacturer: W W Norton & Co Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000OSA1VQ

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Sylvia Beach and the Lost Generation. a History of Literary Paris in the Twenties and Thirties.

Manufacturer: W.W. Norton and Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000I36BJI

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Sylvia Beach and the Lost Generation: A History of Literary Paris in the Twenties and Thirties
Sylvia] Fitch, Noel Riley [Beach
Manufacturer: W. W. Norton & Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000KXAMAA

Customer Reviews:

The evidence? The Truth?.......2000-06-13

If you are looking for something new and interesting on this subject, this is not the book for you. The author has cobbled together a great deal of previously published material from which he endeavors to garner the 'Truth' by the simple process of the vote system. Ergo, if two witnesses say one thing and a third says otherwise, then the two witness statement must be right! Always assuming that the two witnesses are in accordance with his ;feeling; on the subject.

The author spends many pages on the subject of the exact thickness of the bunker roof which, whilst mildly interesting, is of no great historical import.

Perhaps the only 'new' material which he introduces in the closing chapter is his hypothesis on the subject the love affair between Eva Braun-Hitler and Hermann Fegelein. Any credence which might be given to this is somewhat marred by the fact that his 'evidence' is mainly attributed to statements by Hitler's youngest secretary Frau Junge. Throughout the main body of his book the author has discounted all statements by Frau Jung as being 'unreliable'. Yet, suddenly, the reader is being asked to accept statements by the same witness as gospel.

There is nothing new here. Buy O'Donnell's The Bunker or Trevor Ropers The Last Days of Adolf Hitler. The former for entertainment and a host of fact. The latter for pure fact written very shortly after the events.

100% in personal evidence, 0% in archive evidence.......1998-03-11

With many details in Hitler's life and death, there are scores of myths, half-truths, and surmises. His death has its share of all three. Joachimsthaler does the best job I've seen in presenting and analyzing the evidence of personal testimonies of those involved with Hitler in his last days. However, he totally writes off the archival evidence from Moscow. To discover the full truth about Hitler's death, one must, at the very least, compare this book and the one by Ada Petrova and Peter Watson.

Packed with information, the real story........1997-10-22

Anton Joachimsthaler is clearly one of the most knowlegeable authors on this subject! The depth of his research is evident in his foot notes. All of his information and facts are backed- up by documentation. This is just one of his many books on WWII Germany.

Cassell Military Classics: The Last Days of Hitler: Legend, Evidence and Truth

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Excellent!
Not a Bad Attempt

Cassell Military Classics: The Last Days of Hitler: Legend, Evidence and Truth
Anton Joachimsthaler
Manufacturer: Cassell
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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The Last Days of Hitler

ASIN: 0304354538

Book Description

Did Hitler perish in the bunker? Despite thousands of pages of evidence and years of investigation, the mystery of the Fuehrer's final hours has remained intriguing and puzzling--until now. After years of extensive research, an expert finally offers a defining account of what happened. He discounts false theories, interviews the witnesses, examines the clues, and arrives at the truth--exposing cover-ups and duplicity along the way. A fascinating read, as absorbing as a thriller, about the war's most famous death.

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Excellent!.......2004-01-22

Joachimsthaler has done a magnificent job assembling the facts of the last days of Hitler from the available sources. He writes in a believable, fairly objective style, without the sensationalism and propaganda common to titles about Hitler. If you want to know the tragic end of "Der Fuehrer" and his entourage, check out this work.

Not a Bad Attempt.......2002-04-18

If you were so inclined to get a complete and accurate (as much as possible) telling of the last few weeks in the bunker with Hitler then I would suggest this book and ýThe Bunkerý. Both tell the story but The Bunker came out about 25 years ago and this book is somewhat new. They, therefore, has some different takes on this information that was available at the time of the writing. For the true World War 2 die-hard this presents an interesting opportunity to read through the two books and find the differences.

Overall the book is primarily a retelling of The Bunker with a few new items tossed in. The writing is not bad and the author has been able to spice it up with some suspense and action here and there. The book is dark as there is nor way to make this subject matter anything but, so do not expect the feel good hit of the year. This is an interesting book and if you are interested in the topic or want to know more this is not a bad buy.

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The Last Days of Hitler The Legends, the Evidence, the Truth
Anton (Helmut Bogler, Translator) Joachimsthaler
Manufacturer: Arms & Armour
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000J0NXBY

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The Final Word on Hitler's Final Days

The Last Days of Hitler: The Legend-The Evidence-The Truth
Anton Joachimsthaler
Manufacturer: Sterling Pub Co Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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The Final Word on Hitler's Final Days.......2000-07-21

This book is the final word on the last days of Hitler. The research for this book is amazing and as the title infers, the author delves into the legends, the truth, and gives the evidence. There have been numerous books written on this subject including some highly regarded books like The Last Days of Hitler by Hugh Trevor-Roper, The Last Battle by Cornelius Ryan, The Bunker by James O'Donnell, The Last 100 Days by John Toland, and The Fall of Berlin by Read & Fisher. However, this book is one step above all of these. I don't want to give any of the findings away, but this book clears up such facts as how Hitler killed himself and how Hitler's and Eva Braun's bodies were disposed of. It also delves into odd rumors such as Hitler having a double. A solid book which gives the final truth as to Hitler's final days and his death. Also, I was pleasantly surprised that despite the fact this book was translated from German to English it is still very easy to read, fast paced, and very interesting.

Book Description

Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.

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Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03

Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.

Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19

Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.

Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09

There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.

For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.

Very Interesting.......2007-03-07

It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.

History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10

Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.

I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.

Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.

Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.

I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.

This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.

Understanding Contemporary Latin America (Understanding)

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It could be better

Understanding Contemporary Latin America (Understanding)

Manufacturer: L. Rienner Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Americas | History | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 158826341X

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It could be better.......2006-11-01

I am using this text in a class on Contemporary Latin American societies. The book is easy to read and has great strenghts such as Price's Geographic Preface. Unfortunately, two key chapters such as the Economies of Latin America and Patterns of Race, Ethnicity, Class and Nationalism are superficial and weak to the point that I find myself making up these shorcomings with a bundle of extra readings.
1. It does not take a bleeding heart Liberal to agree with the importance of the Lost Decade and the decline of ISI. These themes are developed in three pages, filled with economic gargon and lacking a clear theoretical framework. In the end, the authors seem to suggest that governments' mismanagement of the economy is the main (if not the only) factor explaining the collapse of major Latin American economies. It took the wisdom of the IMF to get us in track and get our finances in order, thanks God! If the authors' viewpoint sounds logical is because they never develop a sound section on the debt crisis and its meaning in the context of the oil crisis, petrodollars and globalization. To be fair, the debt crisis is briefly discussed by Fraser but in the chapter on International Relations (!), which by the way failed to expand on the active role of the US government invading Central American countries and training military officers who later became authoritarian leaders--two themes which in my modest opinion have marked the destinies of Latin America.
2. Race and ethnicity is a tough topic when it comes to teaching American students about Latin America. In Yelvington's essay Guatemala, Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Chile and Bolivia become side comments. Because his essay explores race and ethnicity from a Black and White traditional American approach. The African presence in Latin America is very important but it is not the only one. A more even approach is needed to explain to young Americans the complexity of Latin America's multicultural/multiracial nature.
3. Finally, there is not a chapter or at least a solid section within a chapter addressing Revolutions in Latin America. Can a Latinamericanist underestimate the impact of revolutions to the extend of excluding it from a book on contemporary Latin America? Have you been in Latin America lately? Aren't government policies in countries with revolutionary tradition aiming at preventing the spread of revolutions? Isn't that in itself significant?
There is a substantial body of research both in Spanish and English that could help American students understand Latin America. Unfortunately, this book does not take full advantage of these resources.

Understanding Contemporary Chicana Literature (Understanding American Literature)

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The works of six notable Chicana authors

Understanding Contemporary Chicana Literature (Understanding American Literature)
Deborah L. Madsen
Manufacturer: University of South Carolina Press
ProductGroup: Book
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The works of six notable Chicana authors.......2001-03-16

Understanding Contemporary Chicana Literature uses the works of six notable Chicana authors to reveal common themes, images and concerns which make their writing part of a larger growing Latina community of work. Prose, novels, poetry and short works of Bernize Zamora, Ana Castillo, Sandra Cisneros, Denise Chavez, Alma Luz Villanueva and Lorna Dee Cervantes are considered in an assessment essential to any ethnic collection.

Understanding the Central American Crisis: Sources of Conflict, U.S. Policy, and Options for Peace (Latin American Silhouettes)

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Understanding the Central American Crisis: Sources of Conflict, U.S. Policy, and Options for Peace (Latin American Silhouettes)
Kenneth M. Coleman , and George C. Herring
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Understanding contemporary Latin American Catholicism (North and South America)

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Thomas Griffin Sanders
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