Average customer rating:
- The courage to be honest in a difficult time
- Steamy.
- I Waited for This Book With Such High Hopes...
- Worth the Wait!
- Almost worth the wait
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Scandalous Lovers
Robin Schone
Manufacturer: Brava
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Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 1575666995 |
Customer Reviews:
The courage to be honest in a difficult time.......2007-09-02
I, unlike others, did not have to wait for this book to be released, as I only became aware of Robin Schone recently (via an on-line interview with Emma Holly). I intended to read Lady's Tutor first as it has received rave reviews, but this book was available in the library so I decided to give it a try. Victorian England is a setting that has little interest to me, but the characters are so compelling that this was easily overlooked. As it turns out, the setting is central to the theme, as aparently this was a time and a place where there was an amazing degree of sexual repression and women's rights were practically non-existant.
I felt the pacing of the story to be very slow, particularly the pacing of the seduction of the main characters, but on the other hand I was impressed with the way they were able to slowly savor their sensual discoveries with each other. It was refreshing compared to today's attitude of instant gratification. It was also refreshing that the characters were of rather mature age.
The last third of the book took an unexpected and appalling turn, given how I've taken for granted women's rights during my life as a modern American woman. It was jolting to become aware how a woman's freedom in that day and age was so tenuous. The resolution of this crisis was nice, but it felt rushed and therefore not really that convincing.
The honesty of the characters (with themselves and each other) was probably the most inspiring aspect of this story. The support and love James gave to Frances was very endearing, as was the openness and honesty she gave him.
I also enjoyed the brief stories of the secondary characters, as they change as a result of Frances' influence. I would have liked to pursue those stories further...perhaps in sequels?
Steamy........2007-08-16
For those of you who appreciate a good, mature read, this book is a must. The characters were lively and strong. I was sorry to see it end.
I Waited for This Book With Such High Hopes..........2007-04-20
I had been eagerly awaiting the newest tome by Robin Schone with an anticipation reserved for only the authors who can truly move me with their characters. I loved ' The Lady's Tutor' and then immediately read 'The Lover' and then 'Gabriel's Woman' and each book increased my admiration for the kind of erotic fiction Ms. Schone was capable of producing.
I read her other book, 'Awaken, My Love' and wasn't as thrilled with the story even though the premise was inventive, I really wasn't impressed with the heroine the way I had been in the previous novels.
I waited through the publishing issues Ms. Schone had and knew that this new book would be well worth the wait.
When I found it used for a great price I jumped on it and tapped my toe waiting for the mailman to get here with my book. I sat down and dug into it the afternoon it arrived and I was so horribly disappointed.
I kept telling myself 'It's going to get better... This slow pace is necessary to remind me of the repressive Victorian times...' and yet the pace continued to plod. The 'hero'was less than romantic and the 'heroine' while pleasant, showed moments of complete idiocy at those pivotal moments when we needed a new threat to the ultimate happiness of our lovestruck duo while their conversations were stilted.
The other members of the Mens and Ladies Club are more interesting for their angst but they are so crowded into the side you would rather hear their stories ( 6 men and 6 women in the club, do you think there's going to be at least one spin off from this tale?) than the plodding tale of James and Frances.
The part that I did like about the story was that the central characters weren't fresh faces, they were people in their late forties who had lived lives, had children and grandchildren. That was a new angle which was really quite interesting.
The fact that the hero and heroine considered being with each other was like coming home was the epitome of the romantic concept and I liked it, but, and I don't want to give anything away or be too indelicate here, but the scenes where Frances visits with James in his offices and sits on his lap so that he can put his hand under her skirt and insert his fingers into her, referred to as 'coming home' and then they just sit there like that.
I'm used to the sizzle of her previous work, especially ' The Lady's Tutor' and 'Gabriel's Woman' so this was a horrible let down.
Even as I read the last few chapters, I still kept telling myself that it would get better somewhere but, this book left me cold and with a definite bad taste in my mouth. Quite frankly, if this is what Ms. Schone is going to be producing from now on, I think I'll have to remove her from my must have list.
Worth the Wait!.......2007-04-16
Robin Schone does not seem to be a prolific writer - but when she does write - it's incomparable! I hesitated reading Scandalous Lovers because I heard and read the audio and book trailers and I didn't like them! I still don't like the first chapter. But after the first chapter I got caught up in the lives of James and Frances. (two people in loveless marriages) Now Frances,in her 40's and James in his 50's desire love..from each other. AND THEY GET IT!
Once again the literary style of Ms. Schone's conversations between her characters enthralls me with her use of minimal words. One sentence spoken, one question asked, one question answered. It builds the anticipation, the feelings, the arousal and finally the culmination of a scene. The story and characters become sensual, they become erotic before they even know themselves they are sensual or erotic! Herein lies the strength of Ms. Schone's novels! You feel the new and raw emotions of Frances and James before they do!
The secondary characters, (the men & women of the club) as seen through Frances' eyes enhanced the story. I loved James. The characters, the conversations, the people, the family of Frances, the court cases, EVERYTHING lead to the last few chapters that summed up everyone's life! I would not pick this book for the longest time - then I could not put it down! Bravo Ms. Schone! Please write soon!
Almost worth the wait.......2007-03-23
Robin Schone always wrote extremely mannered prose that teetered right on the edge of over-the-top, while managing to stay on the right side until now. The writing in this novel seems almost a characature of itself. It is sooooooo mannered that on several occasions I had to work to get past it to keep reading. In the past Ms. Schones stories have been dark and fun and hot. This time, while I appreciated that the characters are my age, I found this book silly, not because of the plot, which did indeed work, but because of the over-stylized prose. This author writes great sex, her plots are fine, the character's compelling. I'm hoping Ms. Schone has been writing something new while she awaited the publication of this novel and I sure hope she stretches herself a bit next time. Her pared down yet over-the-top style may seem interestingly arty to some; with this novel it seemed like laziness to me. As a fan of her other books, in particular, "The Lover," and "Gabriel's Woman," I'm not ready to give up on the author yet, but I'd buy this one used if you insist on reading it.
Book Description
For the past twenty-five years an extraordinary art movement has been underway in the remote countryside of northern Mexico, a renaissance of ceramic art in the tiny village of Mata Ortiz. As unlikely as it may seem, this phenomenon was sparked by the genius of a village woodcutter of rare artistic talent and equally rare determination, Juan Quezada.
Over the years, by trial and error, Juan Quezada gradually recreated the technology of the ancient pre-Columbian masterpieces, until modern masterpieces also emerged from his own hands. Now this reawakening of the ancient art is taking many forms in the hands of some three hundred villagers.
Noted Arizona author Susan Lowell has written a fascinating traveler's introduction to the region, the town, Juan Quezada, and many other village artists. Lowell's essay is followed by a biographical survey of a cross-section of 100 potters along with color photographs of their work and portraits of the potters. Included is a guide for travelers planning to visit the village, an index of Mata Ortiz potters, a schedule of exhibitions in the U. S. and Mexico of Mata Ortiz pottery featured in this book, a glossary, and a bibliography.
Customer Reviews:
Treasure on Treasures.......2007-01-10
"The Many Faces of Mata Ortiz" is a treasure trove of information about the treasures that are the Mata Ortiz people and pottery. It is well laid-out, well written, and well...wonderful!! The only thing that would make my copy better are autographs by Juan Quezada himself and every other potter in the book.
Unfortunately for whatever reason, Juan's son Alvaro is not featured in the book. He is indeed an exceptional artist.
I was able to meet Alvaro and Juan Quezada in Nov 2006 in their family gallery in Mata Ortiz and found them and their entire family to be humble friendly and genuinely thrilled that people love their wonderful creations.
If you have not had the opportunity to visit Mata Ortiz, "The Many Faces of Mata Ortiz" will inspire you to go. If you have, it will make you pine for it and it's people.
Want to know more about Mata Ortiz and its potters?.......2005-09-24
This is a great book for all that are curious about Mata Ortiz pottery and the people who make it. If you want to start collecting, it's a great book to have for a reference source. All artists mentioned in this book are of high caliber, as good, some even better than the Native American potters of the Southwest. At this time, these wares are also less expensive and affordable to most people. Hopefully they will be a good investment for the future.
Susan Moesch
Mata Ortiz Pottery.......2005-07-19
A wonderful collection of photographs combined with dialoge about this remote village in Mexico. It describes the journey to get there, then details the lives of the talented people who live there. The photogtaphy is outstanding. A must for any person collecting or thinking of collecting pottery from this village.
The Next Best Thing To Owning A Pot.......2003-07-18
Almost 40 years ago Juan Quesada from the village of Mata Ortiz in Chihuahua singlehandedly revived Casa Grande style pottery. This book is a beautifully illustrated account of his success, along with the other artists of the village who learned from him. Becoming familiar with these artists should lay to rest the notion held by many Americans that Mexican imports are second class. These paper-thin pots are as beautiful as any you will ever see. This book has color photographs of many of the potters from Mata Ortiz as well as pictures of their pots. There is information on how the pots are made-- they are all built by hand from native materials, painted with brushes made from the artists' children's hair and fired over cow dung.
The book has a lot of interesting details-- for instance, when the Pope visited Mexico a few years ago, he was given three of these magnificent pots. Another fascinating tidbit is that one of every seven citizens of this village makes these pots. They have gone from doing manual labor to creating works of art.
Owning this book is the next best thing to owning a Mata Ortiz pot.
The Many Faces Of Mata Ortiz.......2000-09-08
This is the best pottery book I have ever found! It is layed out in an informative, and beautiful manner. Not only is the pottery exquisite, but the photographs represent the pieces at their best. It is easy to understand, and gets one passionate about an art movement, that we can actually be a part of, in this twenty-first century. It is highly unsual to be living during a time when a new art movement is going on, and still striving for it's pinnacle. We see this with the unequalled workmanship of the Matiz Ortiz people in their Casas Grandes/Matiz Ortiz pottery. I really enjoyed getting to know each potter by name and photo, coupled with seeing their work, and feeling a part of their extended family. Juan Quesada, the founder of this artistic movement, is a highly spiritual individual, generous and gifted beyond belief. He is the reason that this wonderful pottery is being shown to the world. I am an artist that does pottery, and a retired teacher. I would recommend this book to all art teachers, and anyone who appreciates great art.
Amazon.com
Robin Hobb returns to the sea with Mad Ship, the second book in a projected trilogy set in the same world as her famed Farseer series. Many unresolved questions from Ship of Magic are answered in this tale of sea serpents and dragons; living ships made of wizardwood; the Bingtown Trader families who sail the ships; and their disfigured cousins, the Rain Wild Traders, who build them.
The Vestritt family's liveship, Vivacia, has been taken by Kennit, an ambitious pirate. Captain Haven is a prisoner; his son Wintrow, who bears the Vestritt blood, finds himself competing with Kennit for Vivacia's love as she becomes a pirate ship. Althea Vestritt, in training to become Vivacia's captain, arrives home to discover her beloved ship lost. Brashen Trell, her old friend and shipmate, proposes that they sail to Vivacia's rescue in the liveship Paragon, who has lost two previous crews and is believed mad. Malta, Althea's niece, seeks help from her suitor, the Rain Wild Trader Reyn, whose family is the Vestritt's major creditor. Meanwhile, the sea serpents who follow sailing ships struggle to remember their history and return to their place of transformation.
Each volume in this series is a major undertaking, but those who enjoy original, epic fantasy, characters who grow and change believably, and fine writing will not want to miss The Liveship Traders. --Nona Vero
Book Description
In
Ship of Magic, the breathtaking first volume in her new fantasy trilogy, Robin Hobb wrote of the Liveship Traders of Bingtown. Now a new tide of glory and terror sweeps forward the story of the proud Vestrit clan, their priceless liveship Vivacia, and all who strive to possess her.
"If Patrick O'Brian were to turn to writing fantasy, he might produce something like this," raves
Booklist, and truer words have never been spoken. This is a tale of the Old Traders of Bingtown and their rare magic ships--carved from sentient wizardwood that bonds them mystically with those who sail them. Theirs is an ancient tradition, but one that is slowly eroding under the harsh realities of a cold new order.
For these once proud Traders, it is a humbling lesson to learn that the foundations of their world, which had seemed immutable, are resting on shifting sands. Their corrupt ruler is deeding away their ancestral lands to upstart newcomers, and a growing traffic in human flesh is eroding the boundaries of civilized society. A plague of sea serpents and pirates off the coast is destroying the established trade routes, and ancient fortunes are dwindling. Old debts are coming due, and talk of rebellion is growing. And added to this uneasy mix, ancient powers are stirring on the banks of the mysterious Rain Wild River.
At the center of the conflict lies the Vestrit clan and their liveship Vivacia. The Vestrits long for the Vivacia to make port, certain that her arrival will restore the family fortunes. And Althea Vestrit, beautiful and dauntless, yearns more deeply than any. For she lives only to reclaim the liveship as her lost inheritance and captain her on the high seas.
But unknown to Althea, the lovely magical vessel has been seized for a slave galley and a privateer by the ruthless pirate captain Kennit, and now the Vivacia sails, her decks washed with blood, through the perilous southern passages of the Pirate Isles. Held captive onboard is Althea's nephew, Wintrow, who has made a desperate bargain: he has promised to heal Kennit of a mortal wound using arts learned in his monastic boyhood--or forfeit his life and that of his father.
Meanwhile, in Bingtown, Althea finds her onetime sea mate Brashen still struggling to redeem his wild past and out to prove himself a ship's master. Though wary of each other since their brief, ill-fated flare of passion, they now make common cause in a quest to find the Vivacia. But should they risk all they possess to rescue a liveship who may not want to be rescued? For the Vivacia is far from unhappy in her new life--and for Althea and Brashen, the method of Vivacia's liberation may prove more dangerous than leaving her in Kennit's ambitious grasp.
Mad Ship is a rich, tapestried epic of enchantment that will set your imagination ablaze, proving that Robin Hobb is a writer not only working at the top of her form, but constantly surpassing it.
Download Description
In the second breathtaking volume of Robin Hobb's Liveship Traders trilogy, a new tide of glory and terror sweeps forward the story of the Vestrit clan, their liveship Vivacia, and all who strive to possess her.
As the ancient tradition of Bingtown's Old Traders slowly erodes under the cold new order of a corrupt ruler, the Vestrits anxiously await the return of their liveship -- a rare magic ship carved from sentient wizardwood, which bonds the ships mystically with those who sail them. And Althea Vestrit waits even more avidly, living only to reclaim the ship as her lost inheritance and captain her on the high seas.
But the Vivacia has been seized by the ruthless pirate captain Kennit, who holds Althea's nephew and his father hostage. Althea and her onetime sea mate Brashen resolve to liberate the liveship -- but their plan may prove more dangerous than leaving the Vivacia in Kennit's ambitious grasp....
Customer Reviews:
Swashbuckling magical sea story.......2007-07-26
This is the middle novel of the "Liveship Traders" trilogy ("Ship Of Magic"), a fantasy saga of seagoing trading families bonded to sentient liveships made of rare wizardwood.
The Vestritt liveship, Vivacia, which had been taken from Althea Vestritt by her brother-in-law and turned to slave dealing, has been seized by the ambitious, slavery hating pirate Kennitt, further destroying the deteriorating finances of the Vestritt family.
Althea, with the help of the disinherited but dashing Brashen and the self-possessed outsider Amber, decides to go after Vivacia in the mad liveship Paragon, which has destroyed his previous crews and been beached for years.
The story moves from the traders' homeland of Bingtown, a place of Victorian propriety, to the disturbing magical land of the Rain Wilders where wizardwood is found, to the opulent corruption of the Satrap whose feckless greed is destroying his realm, to the seagoing adventures of Vivacia, her reluctant young Vestritt sailor Wintrow and her ruthless new captain Kennitt and, not least, to the undersea world of the great serpents who are mysteriously losing their minds and memories.
Basically a swashbuckling romantic sea story with magical properties and ethical strife, Hobb's story is only slightly marred by overwritten human quarreling. The grand adventure entertains but interested readers will have to look for the third installment, "Ship of Destiny," to see how it all comes out.
a wild voyage [no spoilers].......2007-04-07
"The Liveship Traders: Mad Ship" continues "The Liveship Traders Trilogy" as Wintrow adapts to a new life aboard his ship controlled by the pirate Kennit. The author masterfully blends numerous plotlines of continuous adventure into an extraordinary middle novel tying traditional family issues and values with survival inside a changing society during a political upheaval.
In a host of characters predominately female, Kennit reigns supreme by his engaging personality and arrogant attitude even when he reveals a fair amount of his mysterious and painful past. One of the best lines is when he commands a particular person to do something, the person boldly informs Kennit he cannot make him do anything, he is not a slave, to which Kennit replies, "I can make you dead."
The abundant cast, which includes many newer individuals, is nearly overwhelming. From Amber befriending the liveship Paragon to Brashen Trell and Althea Vestrit enduring separation, the characters themselves are the strongest point in the multi-layered tale. A few people mature like the glowing Wintrow Haven, and even his conniving and deceitful sister Malta begins to show positive changes in her behavior.
The challenging life of a Rain Wild Trader on a volatile land addresses the recurring Elderkind and magic quickened inanimate objects into living creatures theme from "The Farseer Trilogy". Near the end of the story, there is enlightenment about the unusual "tangle" segment and could have a great impact on the relationship between the Rain Wilder Traders and Old Traders.
There are disturbing events similar to the prior novel, which may be questionable for young readers. A more detailed map of the significant terrains including a legend plus a comprehensive appendix would have been useful.
I highly recommend this series to any fan of the fantasy genre.
Thank you.
solid performance.......2007-03-04
This is Robin Hobb's best series.
Her characters, plot, and theme are all well-fleshed out.
unlike her other series, the plot line moves at an appropriate pace.
Wonderful.......2007-01-09
This is the second book of the Liveship Traders trilogy. I found I just could not put this book down I read it in record time and could not wait to start the third book. I love Robin Hobb's style of writing, I wish I had discovered her earlier. I read and enjoyed the Farseer trilogy and I look forward to reading all of her books.
Liveship Traders, Book 2.......2006-08-02
The Vestrit family verges upon bankruptcy, and the Vivacia, the Vestrit family Liveship, is long overdue to return from trading. Their vast debts to the Rain Wild Traders are owed "in blood or gold." Unbeknownst to them, the Vivacia has been captured by Kennit the pirate, along Wintrow and Kyle Haven. But the Vestrits are not the only Trader family in trouble. All the Old Traders are feeling the pinch from the Satrap of Jamaillia's increasing taxes and the New Traders slave-made fortunes. People begin to openly discuss rebellion from Jamaillia. Althea returns home expecting to take over her ship, only to find it missing in action. When her old shipmate and former lover, Brashen Trell, also returns and confirms that pirates have captured the ship, the family initiates a mission to rescue Vivacia and their family members. Young but headstrong Malta Vestrit fears the possibility that she may be forced to marry a Rain Wilder to pay the family debt, while also secretly yearns for the adventure and the mystery of the Rain Wilds.
Kennit works his charms on Vivacia, attempting to win her over to the freedom and excitement of the pirate life.
The sea serpents gather and find a new way to restore their lost memories - namely eating Liveships. However, these memories are insufficient to allow them to complete their transformation alone. Even as they despair, She Who Remembers, freed by Wintrow at the cost of his life, is seeking them.
The Liveship Trader's Trilogy takes place in Jamaillia, Bingtown and the Pirate Isles, on the coast far to the south of the Six Duchies. The war in the north has interrupted the trade that is the lifeblood of Bingtown, and the Liveship Traders have fallen on hard times despite their magic sentient ships. At one time, possession of a Liveship, constructed of magical wizard wood, guaranteed a Trader's family prosperity. Only a Liveship can brave the dangers of the Rain Wild River and trade with the legendary Rain Wild Traders and their mysterious magical goods, plundered from the enigmatic Elderling ruins. Althea Vestrit expects her families to adhere to tradition, and pass the family Liveship on to her when it quickens at the death of her father. Instead, the Vivacia goes to her sister Keffria and her scheming Chalcedan husband Kyle. The proud Liveship becomes a transport vessel for the despised but highly profitable slave trade.
Althea, cast out on her own, resolves to make her own way in the world and somehow regain control of her family's living ship. Her old shipmate Brashen Trell, the enigmatic woodcarver Amber and the Paragon, the notorious mad Liveship are the only allies she can rally to her cause. Pirates, a slave rebellion, migrating sea serpents and a newly hatched dragon are but a few of the obstacles she must face on her way to discovering that Liveships are not, perhaps, what they seem to be, and may have dreams of their own to follow.
Book Description
Robin Hood
The Legend Begins Anew
For centuries, the legend of Robin Hood and his band of thieves has captivated the imagination. Now the familiar tale takes on new life, fresh meaning, and an unexpected setting.
Hunted like an animal by Norman invaders, Bran ap Brychan, heir to the throne Elfael, has abandoned his father's kingdom and fled to the greenwood. There, in the primeval forest of the Welsh borders, danger surrounds him-for this woodland is a living, breathing entity with mysterious powers and secrets, and Bran must find a way to make it his own if he is to survive.
Like the forest itself, Hood is deep, dark, and at times savagely brutal-yet full of enchantment and hope. Internationally-acclaimed author Stephen R. Lawhead has created a lyrical rendering of a time-honored story that will lead you down strange pathways into another time and place.
Customer Reviews:
Brilliant.......2007-10-15
Stephen Lawhead is one of the all time greats, and "Hood" does not dissapoint. Lawhead endeavours to marry legend with historical fact, and in so doing creates an almost believable work of fiction that intrigues and leaves the reader excusing, and even identifying with, the hero's failures and human fraility. Captivating from the start, this book is one you can't put down. It's brilliant from start to finish.
booklover.......2007-08-24
My first reading of a "Robin Hood" novel.Once I finished reading it ,I knew that this would be the standard by which I would compare other novels in the genre.Stephen Lawhead is a great writer.Reading this book was like watching a movie in that it had me picturing all sorts of images in my head whilst reading.My only complaint is that it wasn't long enough!
Excellent twist on an old legend.......2007-08-23
This book was better than I expected and I can't wait for Book 2 of the Trilogy!
I especially enjoy historical fiction and this was no disappointment. The detail and intricacy were superb, yet the pace was fast enough to keep me reading deep into the night.
Lawhead is a Christian author and this is categorized as "Christian Fiction", but it's certainly not theologically overbearing, nor is it trite like so much other Christian fiction.
Let fly!.......2007-08-02
This Robin Hood re-telling is intriguing for its re-creation of the famous historical legend, and Lawhead keeps the pace uptempo and interesting drawing one into the tale. The book moves along effortlessly and provides a nice bit of relaxation and entertainment. It is a great tale to enjoy and relax upon.
Tip: Read it from the end to the beginning...or at least start with the explanation of the setting (found at the end of the book): Wales in an earlier time frame, and Lawhead's reasoning is intriguing having to do with his investigation of historical records of the Robin Hood myth and the topography of England/Wales, as well as the Welsh people themselves. A knowledge of setting BEFORE I read the book would have helped me appreciate Lawhead's project a bit more.
Lawhead does not seem to be trying to overthink the room or over-tell the story. In a myth as renound as Robin Hood one expects that an author would try to reach "deeper" and tell the story in a new form of expression or from a different angle. But Lawhead's storytelling is simple and straightforward. His unique and specific contribution to the story is found in his re-casting the setting into Wales and an earlier time period.
Smart. And interesting.
On the other hand, I was looking for another unique contribution. This could have come from the characters themselves. However, I thought that Lawhead's character development was just a bit too brief. The story moved along, but seemed to come up just a bit short for me. I appreciated the Bran (crf. "Robin Hood") character, and Friar Tuck, but Little John remained relatively static and I'm still left wanting more from Bran and his band of misfits who are wandering about the mysterious woods conjuring up trouble for their enemies in order to win back their lands. There is certainly more room for all this in Scarlet, the next installment. So, I say, "Let fly," Lawhead! Draw it out a bit ala Tolkien!
The real Robin Hood?.......2007-07-31
Who knows? Robin Hood set in 11th century Wales works for me though. Bran ap Brychan is a care free and nere-do-well son of a Welsh kinglet who in a few short and horrendous weeks is orphaned, cheated out of his ancestral kingdom, and thrust into a battle for his life and the iives or his subjects. The Normans have been in England for a little less than a generation and having conquered England set their eyes on Wales. Through treachery, political maneuvering, and conquest they are carving up the eastern portion of the only land left to the original inhabitiants of Britain. Will Bran grow up fast enough to make a difference or will he flee to safety and comfort in the north?
As usual Stephen Lawhead delivers a gripping tale of heroism, moral crisis, and historical and mythical detail that dazzles the imagination. I loved how he wove familiar characters into the new setting bringing life to a story that has been done to death. I look forward to the sequal. 4.5 stars.
Customer Reviews:
From a Survivor.......2003-04-28
William Watkins pointedly and proudly explains how people other than the African Americans have guided the principles of Black education in the United States from the Reconstruction era to post World War II. Whether these people acting philanthropically as John D. Rockefeller or as "evil geniuses" (Chapter 6), they have shaped Black education then and some would argue for all time.
In his writing, Watkins shows that there is a view of the history of American education that does not come from the larger culture. Watkins view is from the "other side of the fence" that is not written by the victors but rather a survivor. This view is equally important as it establishes the fact there are always two sides to every story. "History is made by people in struggle" (p.179).
Generalizations tend to pervade Watkins' writings as the use of the words "few" and "many" are consistent. But this is understandable considering little or no empirical research was being conducted regarding Black education during this time period.
Pointing to the past for blaming is not the purpose of Watkins in his book, but rather an enlightenment of the history presented by a survivor of slavery, segregation and racial inequalities that have existed for generations. Truly, Watkins has offered a view of history in which we can reflect upon and use to help guide a new generation of architects.
White Architects.......2003-04-28
William H. Watkins writes about the power of education and how it "can be used both to oppress and to liberate." (pg.1) Watkins shares with us how research and science in the last century validated the belief that Whites were the superior race. This belief has played a great role in the development of the school system and curriculum we have today in America. The "White Architects" have used the school system to keep races of people oppressed. He clearly defines who the architects were and the role they played in orchestrating the school system we have today.
I believe that in order to see more success among minority students in schools today we have to restructure the whole school system. Watkins book strengthens my belief. He states "public education was product of historically, politically, and socially constructed ideas." These ideas need to be updated and remade to include all races equally.
The White Architects of Black Education.......2003-04-28
Mr. Watkins walks us through an historical and turbulent era of education that continues to have ramifications in our present educational system. Watkins journey through the maze of black education exposes the political and socioeconomic influences of the dominnant and affluent white culture of the north. He reveals to the reader the influences of the corporate magnets of the north who wanted cheap labor and subserivent workers. They used their philanthropy and the educational system to imposed their own philosophy of education on the black population;while promoting subserivent lifestyles for those who participated. Mr Watkins is able to convince the reader about the political and economic hold that the corporate world imposes on the black population and the disregard these men had for how the black population wanted their education to progress.
Mr. Watkins continues to show us the need for continued political and socieconomic justice for all people and warns us of the continued influence that corporate America has on all of us.
A New Foundation for an Old School Structure.......2003-04-26
William H. Watkins is subtle in his story of the "white architects" who developed Black education beginning in 1865, just at the end of the Civil War. Watkins shocks you with his "scientific racism" platform that he explains "presented human difference as the rational for inequality" and that it "can be understood as an ideological and political issue" (pg. 39). The reader senses a calm attitude about the author as he speaks of the Philanthropists, beginning with John D. Rockefeller, Sr, who was most concerned about "shaping the new industrial social order" (pg. 133) than he was for providing a useful education. "The Rockefeller group demonstrated how gift giving could shape education and public policy" (pg. 134). In their support of Black education, by 1964,the General Education Board (GEB) spent more than $3.2 million dollars in gifts to support Black education. This captivating book begins with a forward written by Robin D.G. Kelley who reflects that she learned one lesson from Watkins, "If we are to create new models of pedagogy and intellectual work and become architects of our own education, then we cannot simply repair the structures that have been passed down to us. We need to dismantle the old architecture so that we might begin anew" (pg. xiii). Why don't the school reformers who mandate educational laws experience such an awakening?
White Architects-Bad Design.......2003-04-26
William Watkins' "The White Architects of Black Education" gives an historical and sociological perspective to the progress, or lack of progress, related to the education of African Americans in the United States. This is an excellent resource for those people who have an interest in how the educational system of the mid 19th century through the mid 1950's was crafted in a way to limit the progress of African Americans during those times.
It is interesting to read about how famous Americans such as John D. Rockefellers Senior and Junior, and Andrew Carnegie set up philanthropic foundations to improve the lives of Black Americans. Even though they had what appeared to be benevolent intentions, the reality was that they perpetuated a continued system of racial subservience.
We see not only white men of influence involved, but also conflicts between those African American leaders who differed on plans to educate children. W.E.B. Dubois criticized Booker T. Washington for, what he called, "submission and silence as to civil and political rights." Many felt that Dubois' remarks about Washington would create a diviseness among Black leaders.
Though education for African American children has improved over the past century, this book points out why progress was slow and why we haven't yet reached a truly equal educational system. This part of American history should be a part of general history texts, not separate add-ons to sociological and historical course work.
Average customer rating:
- Compared to the first two, a MAJOR disappointment.
- I bit disappointing
- Protector of the Flight (The Summoning, Book 3)
- Protector of the Flight (The Summoning, Book 3)
- Wonderful book!
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Protector of the Flight (The Summoning, Book 3) (Luna Books)
Robin D. Owens
Manufacturer: Luna
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Fantasy, Futuristic & Ghost
| Romance
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Romance
| Subjects
| Books
Gothic
| Romance
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Fantasy
| Science Fiction & Fantasy
| Subjects
| Books
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ASIN: 0373802641 |
Book Description
If horses could fly…then Calli Torcher might ride again. But a devastating accident left her in such pain she thought the chimes and chanting in her ears were a hallucination…until she found herself transported to another world, and met the Lladranans who had Summoned her.
Lladrana was a parallel, magical earth filled with exotic creatures, noble humans and enchantments--all threatened by an encroaching evil.
And when the mighty volarans stopped obeying the Chevaliers, the flying horses' unexpected rebellion had thrown Lladrana into an uproar. In desperation, the sorcerers had sought help from afar--and gotten Calli.
If she could fulfill this mission, perhaps she would also finally find all she had longed for--a mate, a home, a family. But against this great darkness, she had no battle experience, no strategy plans. She had only a bond with horses.…
Customer Reviews:
Compared to the first two, a MAJOR disappointment........2007-08-25
No spoilers.
I enjoyed the first two in this series, light, non-thought provoking reading for lazy summer days. For this third installment though, I only managed to really read the first 175 pages before I said screw it and skimmed most of the rest. Calli was such a weak, whiny, needy little girl, and even the parts I skimmed were filled with her incessant crying about NEEDING someone to love her. Calli and Marrec were both very one-dimensional, unlike the main characters of the other two books. There wasn't much world-building going on in this book; I felt like a lot of things could have been much better explained than the cursory "this is what happened, and it just works" deal we get. Unless you're the type of person who has to collect all the books in a series, Protector of the Flight really is the type of book you'd rather borrow than buy.
I bit disappointing.......2007-08-24
I enjoyed reading the first two books in this series, but I found this one to be lacking. The characters just didn't have the depth the characters in the previous books had. Owens didn't even bother to dig deeper in the relationship between Merric and Calli. Merric was so stand-offish and Calli was so needy. There was nothing to show why they even loved each other. Not to mention, they didn't even bother to tell each other. Things kept coming up, problems were solved with little to no resistance, and the characters didn't seem to even bat an eyelash. It was almost too much all bunched together and condensed to fit. I still gave it three stars, because I like the world Owens created, but I sure hope the plot line flows better and the characters are more rounded in the next one.
Protector of the Flight (The Summoning, Book 3).......2007-06-13
This continues the series with interesting twists to the magic and the characters continue to be strong. I like the concept.
Protector of the Flight (The Summoning, Book 3).......2007-05-21
A really good read. Robin Owens at her best.
Wonderful book!.......2007-03-28
One tablespoon of childhood fantasy, added a steaming cup of action, spiced with the slice of romance, and you have the perfect cup of tea! What a great story! I loved it.
Book Description
The Dark Tower is the backbone of Stephen King's legendary career. Begun more than thirty years ago, seven books and more than three thousand pages make up this bestselling, epic fantasy series. Previously published in two separate volumes, The Complete Concordance is the definitive encyclopedic reference book that provides readers with everything they need to navigate their way through the series. With hundreds of characters, Mid-World geography, High Speech lexicon, and extensive cross-references, this comprehensive handbook is essential for any Dark Tower fan.
- Characters and Genealogies
- Magical Objects and Forces
- Mid-World and Our World Places
- Portals and Magical Places
- Mid-, End-, and Our World Maps
- Timeline for the Dark Tower Series
- Mid-World Dialects
- Mid-World Rhymes, Songs, and Prayers
- Political and Cultural References
- References to Stephen King's Other Work
Customer Reviews:
Great Idea.......2007-09-18
The Dark Tower series is as long and complicated as the Bible. The Bible has a concordance. This needs one too. There are so many characters and so many meandering sub-plots that you need a road map to keep everything on track. Robin Furth did it for us. Furth is dedicated to this series and seems to know every nuance. THis book helps. And it makes a good campfire game to open the book randomly and start a topic. Well worth your time and $$$...bg
The journey of Roland.......2007-06-21
Apparently being a personal assistant to Stephen King has certain perks, especially when you're writing a concordance to his bestselling Dark Tower series, both volumes of which are contained in "The Dark Tower: The Complete Concordance." Robin Furth doesn't outline much that isn't also in the book, but she does an excellent job outlining the information about King's entire series.
Furth includes plenty of data on the seven novels of the series, starting with an essay that refreshes the reader's memory. Furth starts the actual content with a list of characters with biographical info, from "Abigail" to "Zoltan." Then it's the areas of Mid-World, from the lair of the vampire nuns to Roland's long-lost homeland; the areas of our own world, and portals between the worlds. There are some pretty decent maps as well.
Additionally, she describes the various terms and phrases used in the High Speech, Mid-World language ("graf" is apple beer), prayers and sayings ("If it's ka, it will come like the wind"). And just for reference, she includes organizations, dances, holidays, magical items, instruments, as well as outlining various maps, as well as cultural items from our present world, and maps. Not to mention references to King's own work within the series.
The Dark Tower series -- which stretches through seven long novels and one short story -- is enticingly complex and mysterious, set in different worlds and times. It's also interlinked with other novels of King's, like "Insomnia" and "Eyes of the Dragon." So it's inevitable that even the die-hard fans will forget Character X or fair-day Z -- yet Furth's book allows easy clarification and consultation.
Furth does an excellent job organizing and annotating the book, including the books in which the items appear, and which pages are significant. She also maintains a calmly distant attitude in the book, without getting too gushy about King's work. But she does slip up occasionally; it's jarring to hear about "screwing" someone with a gun in a scholarly work.
Robin Furth's "Dark Tower: The Complete Concordance" is a good accompaniment to the Dark Tower series, and even those who have read the series many times will want to keep it at hand. Very useful.
Get all the Info Here.......2007-04-24
I don't really want to get into this that much because what is there to say besides that if you have a Dark Tower question--you're going to find the answer in here.
This has everything...maps, family lineage charts, every character even hinted at, and every possible setting and/or situation in the seven books.
Well honed reference guide........2007-04-11
A concordance, by definition, is an alphabetical index of the principal words of a book, as of the Bible, with a reference to the passage in which each occurs. This does a most excellent job of doing so. Well studied! I almost wish I'd waited for it to come out before reading the series. A must have for all Tower geeks.
Great Book.......2007-03-09
If you love the dark tower then this is the icing on the cake.
It answers a lot of questions from the series and connects things together
Customer Reviews:
talks about little known portions of US history.......2006-02-05
Kelley highlights an underappreciated portion of twentieth century American history - the intersection of the Negro working class with the simultaneous aspects of race and class. His book delves into the interwar period, and brings back almost forgotten archives and memories.
The influence of Marxist thought on some Negro activists is shown. To the extent that the American Communist Party received significant membership from Negroes. At the time, it was one of the few relatively colour-blind organisations. Of course, this very fact was used against the Communists and Negro activists by segregationists.
The book has numerous nuggets of history that might have often been omitted from other texts. Thus, you may well have heard of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade, which fought for the Spanish Republic during its civil war. But did you know that in that brigade were over 70 Negroes? Who saw the war as an extension of a war on racism and poverty, in Africa and the US. Kelley shows gives us their motivations and how they fared.
Cutting edge history at its best........1999-03-15
Race Rebels forces readers to re-think their definitions of politics, resistance, and the relationship between social movements and everyday life. It is certainly the most sophisticated history book I've ever read. The author does a great job dissecting the struggles of African Americans in the 20th century and helps us understand why these struggles are so fundamental to american history.
Book Description
A Concordance, Volume II is the definitive guide to the many worlds, argots, characters, and cross-references -- within the Dark Tower series and among the rest of King's work -- that appear in Books V through VII: Wolves of the Calla, Song of Susannah, and The Dark Tower.
Characters and Genealogies
Magical Objects and Forces
Mid-World and Our World Places
Portals and Magical Places
Mid-, End-, and Our World Maps
Timeline for the Dark Tower Series
Mid-World Dialects
Mid-World Rhymes, Songs, and Prayers
Political and Cultural References
References to Stephen King's Own Work
Download Description
"A Concordance, Volume II is the definitive guide to the many worlds, argots, characters, and cross-references -- within the Dark Tower series and among the rest of King's work -- that appear in Books V through VII: Wolves of the Calla, Song of Susannah, and The Dark Tower. Characters and Genealogies Magical Objects and Forces Mid-World and Our World Places Portals and Magical Places Mid-, End-, and Our World Maps Timeline for the Dark Tower Series Mid-World Dialects Mid-World Rhymes, Songs, and Prayers Political and Cultural References References to Stephen King's Own Work "
Customer Reviews:
An excellent resource.......2007-07-20
How lucky we are to have Robin Furth's research to guide us through AllWorld. Both volumes of the Concordance are easy-to-use references to things that may be hard for some (like me!) to keep straight over the course of seven volumes of Dark Tower, much less the many books that relate to the Tower.
While I understand that casual readers of the Dark Tower series may not require all of the information included in the Concordance, I still feel these books to be an important addition to any reader's library. If you're like me, and re-read your favorite books time and time again, the opportunity to remind one's self of certain facts significantly enhances the read. Furth makes it easy to do just that -- flip a few pages, get what you need, and go back to the story.
My only fault -- and I will not count it against the publisher -- is that it isn't available in hard cover. I have the entire series, and am now gathering all titles that relate to it... all in hard cover, even some firsts. (Calvin would be proud, but upset that I'd actually READ the Firsts.) I would definitely purchase hard covers of both volumes if they were available.
Good but not Great.......2007-01-18
The book was very detailed. For someone who wants to know every last bit of detail surrounding The Dark Tower series you'd probably like this. However, If you enjoyed the series but aren't planning to write an essay on it or start a book club discussion on them then you can live with out this very easily.
Stephen King's The Dark Tower : A Concordance, Volume II.......2006-08-17
Wow! Was I ever so surprised that these books even existed! My husband is an avid Stephen King fan, and even he didn't know they existed.
Great to have to go along with the Gunslinger series!
Product Description
This book, by history and photograph, recipe and anecdote, recounts the lately forgotten story of the Germans in Milwaukee and the profound influence these German-speaking immigrants and their descendants had upon the dynamic city of today. Author Trudy Knauss Paradis, with the assistance of E.J. Brumder, beautifully sets forth this extraordinary history; from the early German-speaking arrivals to Milwaukee County in the 1830s, to the vibrant German Athens on Lake Michigan which these immigrants and their children created, to the suppression of German identity following the two World Wars, to the renaissance of German ancestral pride of today. Together, Ms. Knauss Paradis, Director-in-Charge of Cultural Exhibition for German Fest Milwaukee and a child of German-born immigrants; and Mr. Brumder, local historian and scion of the Brumder German-language publishing empire, provide a well-rounded view of not only what it has meant and still means to be German in Milwaukee, but also an insightful portrayal of an often brilliant, culturally vibrant and always industrious community which has enriched Milwaukee at every conceivable level.
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