Riprap and Cold Mountain Poems

Book Description

Forty-five years ago, Gary Snyder’s first book of poems, Riprap, was published by Origin Press in a beautiful paperbound edition stitched Japanese-style. Around that time Snyder published his translations of Chinese poet Han-Shan’s Cold Mountain Poems in the sixth issue of the “Evergreen Review.” Thus was launched one of the most remarkable literary careers of the last century. It is a great gift for all readers to now have this seminal collection back in print.

Customer Reviews:

Cold Mountain like Shakuhachi.......2006-06-23

The great thing about Cold Mountain is that he is transparent to translators. Arguing the merits of one Cold Mountain translation against another is like comparing a Gudo Ishibashi 2.8 shakuhachi to a 2.9 Mujitsu shakuhachi by Ken LaCosse. Both flutes will get you "there." But the journey will be different.
The same is true of Cold Mountain. Snyder is as good as Watson is a good as Red Pine is as good as Henricks.
Or like Dogen translations...
why sink a straw that floats on the water, when the moon itself rides in ripples beside the straw?

"Drinking cold snow-water from a tin cup.".......2001-06-20

Amidst the poetry of the Sixties, Gary Snyder's early poems stood out as something very special, and are still very special. In contrast to the obscure and convoluted writings of an assortment of neurasthenic, super-sophisticated, and compulsive scribblers, types so totally and utterly wrapped up in themselves that they completely overlooked that insignificant thing hovering outside their window (ordinary folks call it the universe), and whose work goes unread because it is largely unreadable, Snyder's work came as a revelation.

Here was a poet who was very, very different - a poet who, far from being totally wrapped up in himself, was instead wrapped up in the universe. He appeals to us because, being himself wholly in touch with reality, he helps us get back in touch with reality ourselves. Ego is put firmly in its place, opening up a space in which the myriad things can come forward and announce themselves.

The secret of how Snyder was able to do this, of how he was able to bring us, not yet another of those obscure, tortured and anguished sensibilities who were and still are so thick on the ground, but who brought instead a sane and wholesome vision of the world, is all there in the very first poem of RIPRAP, 'Mid-August at Sourdough Mountain Lookout' :

"Down valley a smoke haze / Three days heat, after five days rain / Pitch glows on the fir-cones / Across rocks and meadows / Swarms of new flies. // I cannot remember things I once read / A few friends, but they are in cities. / Drinking cold snow-water from a tin cup / Looking down for miles / Through high still air" (p.9).

Where did Snyder learn how to do this? The answer is that it could only have been in China. The poem is the perfect expression, in English, of that commonsensical attitude that grounds itself firmly in realities; that keeps ego firmly under control; that practises a reasonable, as opposed to an excessive, use of reason; and that is commonly found in the best Chinese and Zen poets.

To translate Zen-man Han Shan, Snyder penetrated so deeply into the spirit of Han Shan that he succeeded in becoming a sort of American Han Shan himself. The result is a poetry not of coteries, of academic and intellectual circles, of super-sophisticated and pretentious Ivy League graduates, but poems that have real meaning and that can be read with understanding and enjoyment by anyone

The poetry of RIPRAP and COLD MOUNTAIN, like the poetry of many Chinese and Japanese poets, is a wholesome poetry, a poetry that cleanses and refreshes the sensibility, and that transports us from the technoid madness of our own chaotic world to something more human and hence more meaningful.

There's real sustenance for the spirit in these poems. They're like "drinking cold snow-water from a tin cup." Readers would be unwise to pass them by.

The book contains good early Snyder poems and fine translati.......1998-08-07

This book passes the test of time because of its taut poetry and insight into the link between Sndyer's environment in the Pacific Northwest and his inner landscape. The second part of the book is priceless. Snyder's Zen practice and skill as a writer and linguist make him eminently qualified to translate the words of the reclusive poet Han-Shan, whose poems ring true today. I have read other translations of Han-Shan but Snyder's is the best. Its paradoxes move us in our modern times just as they must have in early China.

Luminous early poetry and translations by Poet Snyder.......1995-09-29

Riprap lets us see the world with Snyder's vision back in the days when Kerouac was writing about him in the Dharma Bums. The clarity, straightforward diction, and simple lyricism that have continued to characterize his poetry are all here in these early poems from the fifties. Astounding visual quality. Life in the mountains, in Japan, on the high seas. Cold Mountain Poems are translations of Han Shan, Chinese Zen poet. Han Shan stands with John of the Cross in his ability to illuminate the spiritual path through lyric imagery. Snyder's crystalline translations reveal Han Shan to us face to face, today, not some old exotic hermit but a vital presence.

Riprap & Cold Mountain Poems ([Four Seasons Foundation Writing 7)

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Riprap & Cold Mountain Poems ([Four Seasons Foundation Writing 7)
Gary Snyder
Manufacturer: Four Seasons Foundation; distributed by City Lights Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Riprap & Cold Mountain Poems
Gary SNYDER
Manufacturer: North Point Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000OPAMEA

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Riprap & Cold Mountain Poems
Gary Snyder
Manufacturer: Four Seasons Foundation - Calif.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000V8VSP2

Product Description

61 pages of poetry. Black and White picture of Snyder on cover. Back cover is solid brown. Inside picture of Synder on porch o0f a small cabin, is labeled, "Sourdough Mountain Lookout Summer 1953."

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Riprap & Cold Mountain Poems
Gary Snyder
Manufacturer: Four Seasons Foundation
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000RAU6MA

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Riprap and Cold Mountain Poems
Gary SNYDER
Manufacturer: North Point Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000OPJZT8

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Riprap, & Cold Mountain Poems
Gary Snyder
Manufacturer: Four Seasons Foundation
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000KZ5L9K

From Riprap & Cold Mountain poems (Thunder City Press broadside series)

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From Riprap & Cold Mountain poems (Thunder City Press broadside series)
Gary Snyder
Manufacturer: Thunder City Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

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Riprap & Cold Mountain Poems
Gary Snyder
Manufacturer: Four Seasons Foundation
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000SKDV5S

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Riprap & Cold Mountain Poems
Gary SNYDER
Manufacturer: SOLD
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000OP750E

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Spontaneous chromosome-aberrants in apomictic TÌ²aÌ²rÌ²aÌ²xÌ²aÌ²cÌ²aÌ²;: Morphological and cyto-genetical investigations, (Det K. Danske videnskabernes selskab. Biologiske skrifter)
Thorvald Julius Sørensen
Manufacturer: Ejnar Minksgaard
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

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ASIN: B0007JWPXE

Book Description

When Jonas turns 12, he is singled out for special training from The Giver. Now, it's time for Jonas to receive the truth. There is no turning back.
*
Kira, an orphan with a twisted leg, lives in a world where the weak are cast aside. When she is given a task that no other community member can carry out, Kira soon realizes she is surrounded by many mysteries and secrets--and an extraordinary power of her own.
*
Matty has always been proud to be Village's Messenger. But now that Village is closing its once-welcoming doors, Matty must make one last journey through the treacherous forest, and must make a great sacrifice to save the place he loves.
*
The Worlds of Lois Lowry are brought to life through three extraordinary characters, and the unexpected connections among their lives.

Customer Reviews:

The GIver.......2007-07-26

Great trilogy. Haven't read the 2nd 2 yet, so this review is just for The Giver. I bought it for myself and my 9 year old. We both really liked it. It is written in such a way, that you envision a black and white world devoid of emotion and color which is what the author wants. It really was a great book for discussion with my child as it explores having personal choice, love/nuturing/emotions, and individuality. The back of the book has questions that help explore these areas even more. It was interesting to see a child's perspective vs. an adults. This book makes us all think about how society is and how it can be. Recommended.

Great Trilogy.......2007-07-03

This box-set is one of the most enduring trilogies I have ever read. The first book is an instant classic, The Giver. I actually read this book back in 1994, when I was in the 4th grade. I read it now again, and I am still just as enamored with it. I didn't even know there were two other books that followed until I did some research. The next two books are just as good, and the best part is that are not carbon-copies. One could actually read them by themselves, but it's so much better when you know the stories before them.

Connections galore.......2007-06-21

I had read "The Giver" some time ago, but had never read the other books in the series. I always wondered what happened to Jonas. This clears things up for me. He came into the community on the sled and became the Seer. I really enjoyed putting the pieces of the puzzle together and realizing who was who in former books and what role they play in "The Messenger." The only thing is that I wondered what happened to Gabriel...could he be the teacher? They only mention one coming in on the sled, but at the end of "The Giver," there are actually two people on it.

Giver.......2007-05-21

It's beautiful book for all family. I had a big pleasure when I red it.

They should make movies!.......2007-01-31

They should make movies of this trilogy. I adored all three of these books, though at times, they left me with a few unanswered questions. "How does Kira change her world without being killed?" for example, in Gathering Blue. Who exactly is Trademaster in Messenger and where does he go in the end? I guess Lois Lowry wanted her readers to use their own creative gifts and answer these questions for themselves. I wonder where one reviewer got the idea that Leader in Messenger arrived in Village "with an older boy who didn't survive the journey." There is no mention of a dead boy in Messenger, and it is clear to me from the descriptions given who Leader is.

Buying these books in a box set and reading them in order gives a reader the chance to see the common theme they share of society gone bad or in the wrong hands (or both) and the desperate need for things like love, compassion and creativity. Buy this set; you won't regret it. And bring on the directors and screen writers!

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KCS Number the Stars
Wonderful story for old and young alike!
A Simple but Moving Story
A teacher told me about this book.
great book!!

Number the Stars
Lois Lowry
Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin/Walter Lorraine Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0395510600

Amazon.com

The evacuation of Jews from Nazi-held Denmark is one of the great untold stories of World War II. On September 29, 1943, word got out in Denmark that Jews were to be detained and then sent to the death camps. Within hours the Danish resistance, population and police arranged a small flotilla to herd 7,000 Jews to Sweden. Lois Lowry fictionalizes a true-story account to bring this courageous tale to life. She brings the experience to life through the eyes of 10-year-old Annemarie Johannesen, whose family harbors her best friend, Ellen Rosen, on the eve of the round-up and helps smuggles Ellen's family out of the country. Number the Stars won the 1990 Newbery Medal.

Book Description

This Newbery Medal Book describes how a ten-year-old Danish girl's bravery is tested when her best friend is threatened by Nazis in 1943.

Customer Reviews:

KCS Number the Stars.......2007-10-11

Have you ever feared of being prisoners and your parents were staying in a place you don't know, you would be staying in your friends apartment for a while and this would all be happening because of your religion. This book takes place in a town called Copenhagen during World War 2 in the year 1943. The main character is Annemarie Johansen and her best friend Ellen Rosen (who they are hiding from the Nazi soldiers). Annemarie has short blond hair and Ellen who has dark black hair.

The problem that they faced in the book was that the Nazi soldiers were coming after all Jewish people. They got the list of all the Jewish people and where they lived by getting the list of all the Jews at the synagogue. So Rosen's parents have to go somewhere and hide but they do not want to leave Rosen alone so they take her to stay with Annemarie's family.

The main idea of this book is to never give up in yourself and in others and also to have courage. The plot summary of the book is that Rosen and the other Jews will be in danger because the Nazis are trying to capture them and take them somewhere no one knows where it is but they are calling it "relocation". The meaning of the title "Number the Stars" is how the Nazis are trying to gather up all the Jewish people to put them in a camp, so they call it that because the Jewish symbol is the Star of David the Nazis are trying to gather them and count them up so they are numbering the people that are Jewish.

The pacing of the book was very fast and exciting with everything they did, it seemed like they were never left with nothing to do. The authors craft is a sad but happy style to it and it pulls you in so you want to keep reading more. It doesn't say if Annemarie's family is Christian so I don't know if it is written from a Christian perspective. The genre of the book is Historical because I know that World War 2 did actually happen but I don't know if Annemarie was a real person so it might be Historical Fiction. Over all I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars and I would recommend it to people ages 10-12 because it was fairly easy for me.

Wonderful story for old and young alike!.......2007-10-09

I really enjoyed "Number the Stars" not only because it was a great story, but it was also educational. I have to admit that I have been ignorant to the effect WW2 had on Denmark, until I read this book. I have heard and read so much about the other European countries, but I have hardly heard a thing about Denmark. Thus, I liked how the author weaved in the reasons for Denmark not fighting the Germans, and how the king of Denmark remained uncontrolled during the occupation. I also enjoyed learning little facts about the Danish Resistance.

As far as the fictional side of the book, I found it to be an easy read that young and old alike could enjoy. Lowry has such a good imagination, that you can't help but be captured by the characters bravery and courage. At times when reading this book, I asked myself if I could have made the same courageous choices.

A Simple but Moving Story.......2007-10-09

This is a moving story ~~ written simply for the younger audience and it's perfect for all ages who want to remember the lost and the forgotten of World War II. This is a simple story of "What Should You Do?" in times like this ~~ where the Jews are forced underground or to leave their homes. This is a story of a young girl who delivered a life-saving package to her uncle who was about to be boarded on his fishing boat by the Germans. He was smuggling his niece's friends and other people to Sweden.

It is a simple story ~~ there are other stories out there that are better written and more well-rounded but this is a perfect start for young kids who want to learn more about history. It's written beautifully and simplistically and yet realistically. It is a story of courage and defiance and strength even in moments of sheer terror. It is a story that honors the old commandent: "Thou Shall Love Thy Neighbors."

It is a must-read for all serious readers.

10-9-07

A teacher told me about this book........2007-09-24

I really enjoyed the book. I went on a trip to Washington D.C. and visited the Holocaust Museum. Since then I have been interested in WWII and mostly the Holocaust. A teacher told me about this book. I read the book very quickly, it was so interesting. My mom liked it too, and read with me. I'm reading it again!

great book!!.......2007-07-12

My granddaughter,11, read this on our vacation, and she told me she absolutely loved it!

Quien Cuenta Las Estrellas / Number the Stars (Espasa Juvenil)

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Quien Cuenta Las Estrellas / Number the Stars (Espasa Juvenil)
Lois Lowry , and Juan Luque
Manufacturer: Espasa Calpe Mexicana, S.A.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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