Customer Reviews:
Great Lady -Below Average Writing Style of Author.......2007-08-28
All the reviewers are correct about Virginia Hall being an extraordinary person. No debate here. My only rather large disappointment with the book has to do with the author's writing style. It resembles the style of pulp romance novels on sale at your local supermarket. For me, at least, this gets in the way of completely enjoying the book. I also got the impression that the author projected what she thought Hall's feelings were about incidents so incidental it didn't seem possible anyone would know. Credibility.
Here's an example of the author's style from page 27:
"The tail end of spring greeted Virginia on her arrival in Paris. As May slid into June, and the Parisian summer began, solace washed over her. The quintessental French conversations, bouquinistes selling books and postcards at stands along the seine, throaty French tunes pouring out of cabaret doors...etc, etc."
It's painful for me, at least, to read prose like this on such an incredibly interesting life.
A Very Impressive Woman.......2007-07-27
Virginia Hall was the daughter of a well-to-do Marylander with no need to get directly involved in WWII. Instead, she played a major role in the French Resistance, leading up to 1,500 men in attacks on isolated German troops, locate and assist in parachute drops, send wireless messages (particularly dangerous, given the Germans' emphasis on quickly locating the source of any signals), helping downed Allied fliers escape to Spain, sabotaging rail lines. Prior to D-Day the Germans put out a "Wanted" poster on Virginia, along with a description. This forced her temporarily out of France, via climbing the Pyrennees with a guide and two Allied fliers, only to be imprisoned for 20 days until the American Consulate got word and was able to help. All this with a wooden lower leg - cut off as a result of a hunting accident.
Virginia's original goal was to be an American Foreign Service Officer - however, this was precluded by her hunting accident, leading her to resign her clerical position to help the French through driving an ambulance during WWII's early days. She then was recruited as a British agent (spoke French fluently), trained (only two of the twelve women passed) and returned to France. Collaborators on both sides were typically motivated by money (France was in a depression also); even a Jesuit priest became involved as a double agent - for the Germans.
After WWII, Virginia was awarded the DSC (turned down presentation by President Truman to remain anonymous), married one of her French fellow agents, and "settled down" in the CIA until retirement.
A very heroic and impressive woman whom I never would have known about without "The Wolves at the Door."
Wolves at the Door.......2007-05-12
Excellent, excellent, excellent. I plan to donate this book to a college library. Written well, engaging and informative about war, governments and resistance. Also, should be required reading for all young women!
Suspenseful, never dull, wonderfully researched.......2007-04-21
Kudos to the author, Judith Pearson. I almost always prefer first person accounts of those who lived through WWII. However, this book gripped me throughout the narrative. This would make a wonderful movie with Virginia Hall played by an actress of Cate Blanchett's caliber. Exhaustively researched and well written. Thank you Ms. Pearson, I'll be looking for your next book!
Learning history the fun way!.......2007-04-06
I loved this book! I have always wanted to know about the role the French Resistance played in World War II and now I know about it in captivating detail! Virginia Hall was an incredibly brave, compassionate and intuitive woman and I found myself having to take a break from the book occasionally because Ms. Hall often became entangled in some very tense situations. This book was engaging from the first, well written, easy to read and hard to put down!
Average customer rating:
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Politique: Languages of Statecraft Between Chaucer and Shakespeare (The Conway Lectures in Medieval Studies)
Paul Strohm
Manufacturer: University of Notre Dame Press
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ASIN: 0268041148 |
Book Description
In this book Paul Strohm shifts his recognized talent for textual and cultural analysis to the later fifteenth century, arguing that England experienced its own "pre-Machiavellian" moment between 1450 and 1485. These turbulent decades encouraged new pragmatic discussions of political policies of a sort not previously seen and not to be seen again until the middle of the sixteenth century. Strohm contends that England had no need to await the writings of Machiavelli to find its voice in matters of practical statecraft and political calculation. In support of this thesis, he analyzes a range of mainly vernacular fifteenth-century English political texts along with several contemporary writings from Burgundy, France, and Italy. The writers of these texts are unsentimental, shrewdly informed, and keenly concerned with political practice in the world.
Intricately connected with this new discussion of worldly politics is a revised, and more hopeful, view of the individual's relation to Fortune and her operations. Emergent in the English fifteenth century is the possibility that the prudent prince can effectively "Fortune-proof" himself by the exercise of foresight and the qualities of vertue—a trait remarkably anticipatory of its Italian and Machiavellian counterpart, virtú. This view is introduced to England by the poet John Lydgate and flourishes in the second half of the fifteenth century. In addition to Lydgate, Strohm looks at the imaginative accomplishments of other undercredited writers such as Fortescue, Pecock, Whethamstede, Warkworth, and the unnamed authors of Somnium Vigilantis, Historie of the Arrivall of Edward IV, and the Great Chronicle of London. He also offers an appreciation of the collective linguistic and symbolic endeavors of those in the fifteenth-century public sphere.
Book Description
The thrilling story of the charismatic explorer who Simon Bolivar called “the true discoverer of South America” and the daring expedition that altered the course of science.
From 1799 to 1804 German naturalist and adventurer Alexander von Humboldt conducted the first extensive scientific exploration of Latin America. At the completion of his arduous 6,000-mile journey, he was feted by Thomas Jefferson and presented to Napoleon, and, with the subsequent publication of his findings, he would be hailed as the greatest scientific genius of his age.
HumboldtÂ's Cosmos tells the story of this extraordinary man who was equal parts Einstein and Livingstone, and of the adventure that defined his life. Gerard Helferich vividly recounts HumboldtÂ's expedition through the Amazon and over the Andes, highlighting his paradigm-changing discoveries along the way. During the course of the expedition, Humboldt cataloged more than 60,000 plants, set an altitude record climbing the volcano Chimborazo, and became the first to study the great cultures of the Aztecs and Incas. In the process, he revolutionized geology and laid the groundwork for modern sciences such as climatology, oceanography, and geography—and his contributions would influence future greats such as Charles Darwin and shape the course of science for centuries to come.
Published in time for the bicentennial of the expeditionÂ's completion in May 1804, HumboldtÂ's Cosmos is a dramatic tribute to one of historyÂ's most audacious adventurers, whom Stephen Jay Gould noted “may well have been the worldÂ's most famous and influential intellectual.”
Customer Reviews:
THE LAST RENAISSANCE MAN.......2006-02-06
Humboldt was a truly extraordinary character. He was a mixture of adventurer and scientist that has rarely been seen, especially with such developed expertise in both areas. This biography covers Humboldt's entire life, with special focus on his trip to Latin America between 1799 and 1804.
This book is written as an interesting narrative, explaining with only passing remarks the actual science behind his achievements. Advances that Humboldt made cover such different fields as botany, geology, geography, anthropology, climatology, magnetism, among others. The book is very good at outlining the spirit of those discoveries; if you would like an actual explanation, look in the Personal Narratives that Humboldt wrote himself.
As an adventurer, he criss crossed South America at a time when much of it was yet undiscovered and uncharted. He mapped the Casiquiare canal, which at the time was a legendary connection between the Amazon and Orinoco basins. He made it from Venezuela to Peru, climbing in the process some of the highest mountains in Latin America (including the Chimborazo, which at the time was believed to be the highest mountain in the world and yet unclimbed). He was for many years the high altitude record holder of the world.
It is amazing such a towering figure is not remembered among the ranks of Einstein, Da Vinci or Darwin. I highly recommend this book and finding out more about Humboldt, especially if you enjoy science, travel or adventure writing.
One man's insatiable thirst for knowledge.......2005-09-22
So pleasant how Helferich takes us back to the time when any man with enough interest and endurance could be a cutting-edge scientist and an explorer. When Alexander von Humboldt explored the northern part of the South American Continent, he observed and recorded everything -- the people, local flora and fauna, the geology, the temperature as a function of latitude and elevation, latitude by the elevation of the sun and stars, and longitude, estimated or reckoned with precision with the help of transit data of planetary moons. One of the most interesting passage was his field experimentation with animal electricity from electric eels and the conclusions about electricity in muscles and nerves that he was able to draw. Oh, Alexander von Humboldt, where are you now? Probably living in the spirit of Professor Jared Diamond, author of Guns, Steel and Germs.
An Important Read for those of Us Who Didn't Know..........2005-06-24
Thank you, Gerard Helferich for Humboldt's Cosmos! Although I had heard of Alexander von Humboldt I had no idea of the scope of the man's accomplishments. He was one of those "one-in-a-million" individuals who when most adventurers would have said, "That's enough; I'm going home now.." he just kept on going, and going, and going - something like that proverbial bunny that just doesn't know how to quit or when enough is enough. In fact, it's amazing von Humboldt and Bonpland survived the host of crocodiles, piranha, treacherous mountain passes, tropical diseases, rebellious natives, bandits, to name but a few of the "challenges" set before them. You were right when you provided the analogy of von Humboldt being like Einstein who, while developing his theory of Relativity, also managed to conquer Mount Everest. In my view, Humboldt's Cosmos is quite an accomplishment. The author took great pains to provide valuable context as the journeys unfolded. If there is a flaw it is, like the explorer himself, because the book did tend to go on and on through page after page of unbroken text. Although at first excited, and then humbled as we followed Humboldt's every move and thought down every river and over every mountain pass, by the end the reader is left somewhat exhausted. Also, there was no reference - perhaps because there is no concrete evidence to suggest one way or the other, on how Humboldt and Darwin got along. We know that Humboldt was a major inspiration for Darwin; but what about the later years? Humboldt did not live to see the publication of the Origin of the Species but, nonetheless, the men did meet. Presumably, Humboldt became an enthusiastic supporter, if not admirer of Darwin. But for Darwin, there was precious little said after his Beagle days were over.
Humboldt was much more interesting than this book is.......2005-06-22
Humboldt was a universal scientific genius who was also a genuine explorer into the wild. He had a mercurial personality and progressive political views. He was, in short, one of the most interesting people who have ever lived. Unfortunately, Helferich writes like a committee. His prose is clear in the way a company's annual report is clear. As a study of Humboldt's South American journey, the book is 100% derivative but it provides some basic information and has the advantage of being readily accessible. Basically the book is a retelling of Humboldt's own narrative, with too-few asides providing modern information on topics to which Humboldt turned his curiosity.
Most famous guy I never heard of.......2005-05-02
The subject of the book was amazing. Humboldt traveled and studied everything: geology, botany, sociology, geography, anthropology, archaeology, and astronomy. He created a new science, plant geology. He traveled all over South America and Central America. He was well loved everywhere he went. The book was a spellbinding read.
The only minor downside of the book is it does drag in the middle. Humboldt travels to many places and the author almost does a day-by-day journal. The amount of detail and the hundreds of locations just gets boring, but I stress, on the whole, the book relates a fascinating story about the most fascinating forgotten man in history. Putting the book down is hard.
To understand modern science, this book is a must read. This one man influences the development of almost every branch of science and contributes to the abolishment of slavery in several different countries. The book provides a glimpse into history that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Book Description
The first volume of Cosmos, his five-volume survey of the universe, appeared in 1845, though Humboldt had labored on the entire work for nearly half a century. He scrupulously sent sections of the work to other experts for suggestions and corrections. The last volume, put together from his notes after his death, appeared in 1861. The volumes were translated almost as rapidly as they appeared. This paperback edition reprints the Harper & Brothers edition, published in New York in 1858-59.
Book Description
Five of Five Volumes. Translated By E.C. Otte, B.H. Paul and W.S. Dallas. Bohn's Scientific Library.
Book Description
The thrilling story of the charismatic explorer whom Simon Bolivar called “the true discoverer of South America” and the daring expedition that altered the course of science
From 1799 to 1804, German naturalist and adventurer Alexander von Humboldt conducted the first extensive scientific exploration of Latin America. At the completion of his arduous 6,000-mile journey, he was feted by Thomas Jefferson, presented to Napoleon and, after the publication of his findings, hailed as the greatest scientific genius of his age.
HumboldtÂ's Cosmos tells the story of this extraordinary man who was equal parts Einstein and Livingstone, and of the adventure that defined his life. Gerard Helferich vividly recounts HumboldtÂ's expedition through the Amazon, over the Andes, and across Mexico and Cuba, highlighting his paradigm-changing discoveries along the way. During the course of the expedition, Humboldt cataloged more than 60,000 plants, set an altitude record climbing the volcano Chimborazo, and introduced millions of Europeans and Americans to the great cultures of the Inca and the Aztecs. In the process, he also revolutionized geology and laid the groundwork for modern sciences such as climatology, oceanography, and geography. His contributions would profoundly influence future greats such as Charles Darwin and shape the course of science for centuries to come.
HumboldtÂ's Cosmos is a dramatic tribute to one of historyÂ's most audacious adventurers, who, as Stephen Jay Gould noted, “may well have been the worldÂ's most famous and influential intellectual.”
Customer Reviews:
Explorer and scientist extraordinaire.......2006-12-12
Through Alexander von Humboldt's own writings, Gerard Helferich takes us on high adventure from the unforgiving, bug-infested steamy jungles of the Amazon to some of the highest Andean peaks of South America as Humboldt methodically searches for the common thread that connects the "unity of nature".
For five years, from 1799-1804, Alexander von Humboldt traveled extensively in South and Central America intensely observing every facet of the natural and physical world to speculate on how everything is related. Whether it was trudging through crocodile and jaguar infested waterways of the Orinoco River, climbing 19,000 foot volcanic mountains in the Andes or measuring ocean currents and observing native cultures, Humboldt had a keen eye for every aspect of our planet.
He formulated the design of isotherms which is still used to this day in meteorology, raised awareness on such varied topics as geomagnetism, plant geography, volcanology, cartography and many other subjects. Even though towns, counties, mountains (even one on the moon), forests and bodies of water have been named after him, for the most part history has forgotten this amazing man and his accomplishments.
Fascinating biography to enjoy!.......2006-11-20
The only thing I knew about Humboldt was that the pacific oceanic current was named after him. This book catch your attention from the very beginning, showing you the life, custom and geography of central and south america in the 1800's, places that Humboldt explored in his long journey. The author also gives a browsing on the history of the natives and the places that Humboldt trekked.
The life of Humboldt is also very interesting, by his achievements, his relentless curiosity and by the unique opportunity to met very important people of the time such as Thomas Jefferson, Napoleon, Simon Bolivar and Charles Darwin. This is definitely a book to enjoy and learn, so much to learn.
THE LAST RENAISSANCE MAN.......2006-07-24
Humboldt was a truly extraordinary character. He was a mixture of adventurer and scientist that has rarely been seen, especially with such developed expertise in both areas. This biography covers Humboldt's entire life, with special focus on his trip to Latin America between 1799 and 1804.
This book is written as an interesting narrative, explaining with only passing remarks the actual science behind his achievements. Advances that Humboldt made cover such different fields as botany, geology, geography, anthropology, climatology, magnetism, among others. The book is very good at outlining the spirit of those discoveries; if you would like an actual explanation, look in the Personal Narratives that Humboldt wrote himself.
As an adventurer, he criss crossed South America at a time when much of it was yet undiscovered and uncharted. He mapped the Casiquiare canal, which at the time was a legendary connection between the Amazon and Orinoco basins. He made it from Venezuela to Peru, climbing in the process some of the highest mountains in Latin America (including the Chimborazo, which at the time was believed to be the highest mountain in the world and yet unclimbed). He was for many years the high altitude record holder of the world.
It is amazing such a towering figure is not remembered among the ranks of Einstein, Da Vinci or Darwin. I highly recommend this book and finding out more about Humboldt, especially if you enjoy science, travel or adventure writing.
Average customer rating:
- Absorbing, entertaining, thoughtful
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Humboldt and the cosmos
Douglas Botting
Manufacturer: Harper & Row
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
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ASIN: 0060104120 |
Customer Reviews:
Absorbing, entertaining, thoughtful.......1999-10-08
This is one of the finest books that I have ever had the great pleasure to read and enjoy. It is the story of Alexander von Humbolt (1769-1859)who was a famous scientist and one of the greatest men in history. One of the last truly universal men, Humbolt was personally acquainted with Goethe, Jefferson, Napolean, Josephine, Cuvier, Laplace, Frederick the Great, Pitt, Schiller, Bismark, Simon Bolivar, and so many others. But his personal acquaintenances are only part of the story. This was a fascinating and unique man who lived in a richly historical time, which this book sheds much light upon.
Humbolt was born in Prussia but spent much of his adult life in his beloved Paris. He traveled through parts of South America, Mexico, North America, Europe and part of Asia, making contributions to man's knowledge of science all along the way and becoming world famous in the process. Humbolt was a man of towering intellect, strong determination to succeed, and boundless energy. He laid the foundations for such fields as modern physical geography. Several terms he coined (such as "Jurassic") are still in use today and he wrote many thousands of pages in his books, including Cosmos, a monumental effort to describe a unified vision of the universe. As scientist and explorer, Humbolt left his name on the maps of 5 continents. There is even a moon crater named after him. He held the world high-altitude climbing record for 30 years.
Humbolt was also a kind, gentle man with liberal democratic views, a fondness for the principles of the 1789 revolution, a belief in the equality of all races, and a strong distaste for slavery. As a diplomat in troubled times, he worked for the benefit of both the strong and the weak. He was a dedicated patron and supporter of struggling young scientists and helped many, such as Louis Agassiz to survive in their early years even when he himself struggled to make ends meet. Humbolt was a man far ahead of his time in many ways and was justifyably admired by thousands all over the world.
Botting's treatment of his subject is respectful, at times reverential, and always interesting. The author also explores the contributions and lives of Humbolt's companions such as Aime Bonpland, and his brother Wilhelm von Humbolt.
The book is lavishly illustrated with a vast number of both color and black and white plates. It is hard to find but well worth the effort!
Average customer rating:
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Cosmos de Humboldt, O
Manufacturer: Objetiva
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 8573026707 |
Book Description
This publication is an outcome of a Pilot Workshop on adopting, applying and operating environmentally sound technologies (ESTs). Materials of this Workshop provide a platform for discussion and management of ESTs. The publication contains session outlines including presentations and reports. The workshop was targeted at the needs of national and local governments, and civil-society decision-makers in the area of technology implementation and regulation, as well as those with responsibilities involving environmental issues.
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