A small but impressive volume reveals through superb photographs the timeless beauty of a wide variety of cameras. The reader/viewer will find remarkable photographic machines from the wooden shutters of a stereoscopic slide camera, a binocular camera with a guillotine shutter on to a 1950 spy camera, a working Zippo lighter with a camera built-in. Each full color photograph is accompanied by informative captions in both Italian and English. A short history of camera development is found at the back of the book. This beautifully illustrated book should be an inspiration to anyone interested in the field of photography.

All of these recipes are served at Cucina Bella in Chicago. They are universal and are easy to create at home.

I found the short stories in this book to be very sensual and erotic and written with a lot of class. Language used is extremely graphic without being vulgar or offensive. The stories are exciting with well-plotted story lines and each chapter constitutes an entire story in and of itself. This author is very talented and one I will be watching for more books from. A well worth the purchase price read in this book!

This book is a must for collectors. One of few definitive works on the subject. The photos are well-defined and complement the text perfectly. A definite recommend!!!

As a mother of a 13 year old son, I felt so reassured to read "The Son Also Rises". It made me feel like I was on the right track with him. I absolutely recommend this book to any parent of a son. It will give you the peace of mind needed to keep going when the going gets tough. Thank you for this book!

The students in my theatre history class consistently rate this book as the best of all that we read. The translations are honest, accessible and, best of all, performable. Mary-Kay Gamel's translation of Iphigenia At Aulis is a revelation. In addition, the book's introduction and individual prefaces to the plays provide an excellent background on Athenian culture and theater in general, and on the significance of women as characters and audience in particular. I recommend Women On The Edge for classes like mine and as a scholarly work, but I also feel that anyone interested in Euripides and ancient Athens will appreciate this book.

Betty Broderick was wronged, no doubt. This book does a wonderful job explaining the legal dealings -- and how they were stacked against her. But Betty was also emotionally immature (even dangerous) and entirely too willing to let her children be weapons on the marital battlefield. And while Dan Broderick was certainly no saint, to say that he abused Betty and drove her to her actions is an insult to the women all over the country who have to fight off the fists of husbands at night, or who have to drag the fathers of their children into court to get child support, and yet somehow manage to NOT resort to homicide.

For the most part, this book is very fair and even-handed. And fascinating about the gender roles that we fall into in our relationships. If Betty hadn't seen her value only in terms of Dan, if she had viewed Gloria Steinem as more than "pretty but weird," if Dan hadn't been so sure of his divine right to call the shots, this tragedy would not have happened.

I came away from the book feeling that the author gave Linda Kolkena a raw deal. Whatever her sins may have been (and from where I sit, her sin was falling in love with and blindly believing in her "knight in shining armor"), she paid for them with her life.

After seeing the tv movies, watching the court tv trial, this book proved to be refreshing. The D.A. Carrie Wells seemed to have a personal dislike for Betty and thus the tv movies seemed to be based more on Ms. Wells opionion than on fact.Betty was raked over the coals in divorce court where all odds were stacked against her because of who her husband was.While Bella Stumbo showed the desent of Betty's mind, she showed how she was pushed and pushed.This was a woman who worked first to put him through medical school, then law school, and when he finally made it he wanted to get rid of the devoted wife. He was a unfair man by any standards. Linda comes across as petty and spiteful.It was hard to feel any compassion for either her or Dan. What kind of person keeps another woman's china just for spite. Not only did Linda have no morals. she had no compassion. Carrie Wells wants everyone to believe that the four Broderick children loved Linda, if you believed the movie, but it was evident that they disliked her for her petty ways against there mother. No matter what Betty was their Mom and by almost everyone a real good one. If Dan had just given her a fair settlement this probably would not have happened. Betty could have taken her money and wished the two selfish people luck. This is one case where clemency should be granted. Dan and Linda weren't happy just to take the money and the kids, they had to humiliate her too.Was what she did extreme? Of course it was.But my sympathy is with Betty and her children, not Dan and Linda.

This was an excellent book, a real inside look at the "all-American happy family of 6" turned dysfunctional, as well as the current state of our justice system. Betty Broderick was a product of her upbringing, a "good Catholic girl" who spent nearly 10 years cutting corners and making sacrifices to put her husband Dan through Harvard Law School, although he had already achieved a medical degree from Cornell. Betty, unfortunately, placed far too much importance on appearances and social aspirations. Her decision to "look the other way" from Dan's high-profile affair with his hand-picked 22-year-old assistant, Linda, proved to be devastating. When Dan decided to divorce Betty for Linda, Betty's entire world was shattered. Stumbo tells the entire story of Betty's "fall from grace" in an even-handed manner, showcasing Betty's selfishness as well as her descent into madness. Dan and Linda are portrayed in a good light by their friends and relatives, while shown by others to be petty and self-centered, especially in their continuous efforts to knock Betty down another notch, even years after Betty and Dan's separation. Stumbo's best moments, however, are in the courtroom, for both the divorce and murder trials. The divorce trial takes a beating by Stumbo, who shows just how unfairly long-suffering wives and mothers are treated by the justice system when the spouse is a prominent citizen, not to mention a millionaire who regularly rubs shoulders with law-enforcement officials. Dan Broderick got by constantly on his influence without having to prove himself as a "good" parent, a responsible individual, or even a wealthy one, as Betty constantly was forced to do. The tragedy that resulted is shown by Stumbo in all of its tarnish: there are no heroes in this story, only seriously flawed human beings, who by turns, were also victims. Betty was the first victim, Dan and Linda were the final victims, and the children were the ultimate victims. I would especially ! recommend this for anyone going through a divorce, civilized or not. It's a chilling look at how emotions, untreated and flamed by a lack of concern, can suddenly become an impulsive act.

One has to admit, Miramax makes a lot of darn good movies, from SLING BLADE to GOOD WILL HUNTING. LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL is another great movie. In fact, LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL is one of the best movies of 1998. However, this is not the movie. This is only the screenplay. Sure you have all the lines that are in the film and a few pictures, but that's it. Frankly, if you haven't seen the film, I wouldn't recommend you reading or buying this: the words on a printed page are nothing like the movie. However, if you've seen the film you're probably a fan and it might be worth your while.

This movie is so very beautiful and teaches you that life is a gift. I have not read the screenplay but would recommend the movie to anyone. It was funny at the same time that it was heartwrenching.

I have tried to talk many people into seeing this movie -- truly the most moving and beautiful film I have ever seen. People are turned off by the idea of a comedy set in the midst of the pain of the holocaust. This movie, however, does not in any way belittle the tragedy of that event. Instead, it shows how laughter and love can transcend hatred. Guido gives his son the gift of a light spirit, protecting him from the horror around him, taking all the pain upon himself to allow his son to retain his innocence. The Nazis cannot take the spirits of the members of this little family, even if they do take their lives, because Guido brings hope and happiness to them through his undying, brave love. See the movie -- you will find your negative assumptions wiped out by the beauty of the film. You will leave the theater with tears in your eyes but a smile on your face.

On finishing Rachel Calof's autobiography, the reader should spontaneously count his blessings, regardless of current circumstance. Virtually forced to enter a marriage arranged in her Russian homeland, Calof survives a brutal pioneer existence on the featureless prairie near Devils Lake, North Dakota while bearing child after child.

The brief memoir could easily be assigned to high school or college students. A short afterward by the translator, Calof's youngest son, completes her story, and an essay by the editor, J. Sanford Rikoon, sets the experience of Jewish pioneers in North Dakota in historical perspective. The other academic essay included is of no value.

This book has several parts, the most important of which is "My Story," by Rachel Bella Calof. This remarkable memoir was written in 1936, by a 60-year-old woman who was recalling her early life, particularly her years as a homesteader in North Dakota at the turn of the century. She was not rich or famous and would probably be the first to say she was just an ordinary person. But her story strikes one as extraordinary, indeed.

This is followed by an epilogue by her youngest son, Jacob Calof; and two essays from historians placing her story in context of the time it took place.

The best past is unquestionably Rachel Bella's own story.

The tale of one tragedy after another is punctuated by moments of beauty, joy, and tenderness. This is a woman whose hard life was a triumph over circumstances. It was constant source of amazement to this reader that she survived at all-let alone that her nine children, born and raised in primitive circumstances-also survived. It is a testimony to superior genetics and incredible strength of will.

It is also fascinating to read. The author's style is straightforward and unpretentious, but also shows evidence of the true storyteller: suspense, humor, romance, and wit. Personal relationships come alive as Calof describes herself, her family, and the people they met along the way. There are some times when we know that Calof is going to some lengths to soft-pedal the less than noble aspects of human nature, but we get the point.

The two sections written by scholars are academically dry and are simply as not interesting to read. However, they do contain some helpful background information.

My family lived close to the Calof family as well as to the other Jewish settlers in this area. I remember my Father speaking about the settlement in nothing but the fondest terms, but he also discussed with us the hardships these people lived. Their cemetary was built on land that is owned by my uncles family.I read this book ,therefore, with knowledge of the history of the settlement..I can only say, talk about history becoming alive. this is one of the rare true stories of courage,love, faith and determination that we as lovers of our nations heritage will have the priviledge of reading. It is completely absorbing and I feel that it would make a wonderful production for a movie or theatical event. Read this story, It by passes any fictional story for reading ,this is how the west was settled. Some people had great success but many, many, had to strive to keep hope and life alive.

The book is great.I have to say that is one of the best books i have ever read in my life.If you are a femaleand you think you will not enjoy mafia gore think again.The book shows us how powerful women can be if they want to.It is a very exciting book in which the wives take over CASA NOSTRA.It is an addictive book

I first read Bella Mafia long before the tv movie was produced. The book is so much better than the movie. The characters were so interesting and you can't help but feel for htem. Even the most heartless character will have your sympathy.

Ms. LaPlante did not leave anything lacking in this mafia story. The focus on the women of the family was very refreshing. She did not leave you hanging at the end, as some authors love to do.

If you do nothing else, I advise you to read this book. As I type this, I'm considering re-reading it myself, for the third time.

Compelling, fastpaced, great great read.
Yes, it is another mafia book and long too; but believe me, this one is right up there with the Godfather. Once you start it, you can't put it down.

Too bad there isn't a sequel.