Wilson's life history of Oscar is a classic in psychological anthropology. Writing after the heyday of Culture-and-Personality studies in American cultural anthropology, the author uses Oscar's life to raise trenchant questions about the interaction between the individual and the social environment, and between madness and its context. As a misfit, Oscar provokes readers to consider whether eccentricity is a matter of individual aberrations or whether the cultural life of Providencia (a Caribbean island) produces in some way the eccentricities within it. Still another way to read this problem is to consider how much volition Oscar exercises over his "madness" and whether his life is a chosen form of criticism and even satire of the day-to-day expectations of life on the island. All in all, the book is a bittersweet look at the encounter between the person of Oscar and his social world, and it is an absorbing work, for classroom use and for readers interested in these issues.

Oscar is an enthralling look at an isolated community and its love-hate relationship with one of its members: Oscar. This forlorn and supposedly insane character plays havoc amongst the inhabitants of a tiny Caribbean island. At a glance the man is mad, but on closer examination he is a master of chicanery and far from pity.

I am not a student of psychology and thus cannot recommend it as a study text. However, I will say that I read this book about 5 years ago and have been looking for it ever since. Its a great read.

This book is one of the most beatiful I have seen. If you like cowboy guns, buy this book. The extraordinary amount of information provided on the text is surpassed only by the quality and variety of the pictures. The book is divided in chapters coverring all aspects of the life during the period, and gives special details on guns of famous men. It is a great source for all cowboy shooters and gun collectors.

...not to mention scouts, indians, showmen, shootists, etc. I can't say enough good things about this book, or any other book by R.L. Wilson. Wilson is the official company historian for Colt, and has written many excellent titles including, but not limited to: "Colt: an American Legend"; "Steel Canvas: the Art of American Arms"; "Winchester: an American Legend", etc. Wilson covers any topic in a thorough, intelligent and entertaining fashion. Like all Wilson's books, "Peacemakers" includes a profusion of beautiful color plates. Highly, highly recommended.

Anytime you have Burroughs, Ballard, Metzger, and R. A. Wilson together in a collection you know it's just the kind of good, clean fun you mother warned you about. (Not to mention the Rev. Stang!)
There are some great short stories in this collection. There are also a few which aren't great, but if you fancy yourself as more-subversive-than-thou, you simply aren't if you don't have a copy of this.
I've had this book for more than a decade, and it is still read often, and displayed proudly in my most prominent bookshelf.

And no, the material presented in this anthology is not for the faint of heart. While some of the pieces may not fit the Science Fiction stereotype >aliens, outer space, etc.< all of them test new waters, explore deeper into the recesses of the human mind, and present the varying truths found in unique, raw, and above all, fun (at least imho) formats. Don't misunderstand - it serves up its share of sex and blood and good times. The real depth starts the day, years after you've read it - when something everyday strikes a chord of familiarity, and you recall this or that story, and how weird it was to your senses. Then it has affected your frame of reference. The adjustment is highly recommended. ;-)

This is a great collection of some really out-there short stories. They're SF for the not-so-faint of heart.

I am a jazz musician myself , and I adore this book ! Especially the "Style" section , Mr. Wilson is telling the truth of Sonny's playing , if you were kinda confused by Schuller's 1958 analysis of "Blue 7" as well , get this book and read it , then listen to the recording again , you gonna find out Sonny didn't "think" like scholars thought .

The earlier Ornette Coleman book is in the similar layout , and it's also superb !

As I just retired and wanted to start understand better the jazzmusic, that I am following since 40 years, this is the first book I bought for this purpose. It will definitely suit this purpose. At first I read it as a novel, including the extensive discography. I then could situate all the Rollins' records and tracks that I collected over the years. Next, but most extensive and the most interesting further use will be to systematically go through my records and study them based on the comments in this book. I am looking forward to much additional joy with the book and to improve my understanding of jazz in general.

Myrna Stahman did a wonderful job with her research and planning for working a Faroese-Shaped Shawl from the neck down. Her information was detailed, informative, and creative. Her many hours of work have made my job so much easier! It does take some concentration to pursue these patterns. The end results are worth the challenge. Myrna Stahman has taken much of the frustration out of Faroese shawls. Her work allows you to pursue your own pattern designs with style and confident results.

I have knitted one shawl as presented in the book (Catharina), and one that I designed using Stahman's design guidelines. In addition, I have also made several Seaman's Scarves following her "Matthew" pattern (dedicated to the memory of Matthew Shepard). In all cases I used my own handspun yarns. While it took some concentration to adapt a totally different lace design to the Faroese shaping, I couldn't have done it without Stahman's many hours of planning and designing. I'm indebted to this book, and recommend it to adventurous novices or experienced knitters alike. [....]

All of the Unbearables' activities and writings are above the norm; this book has some of the most original, fresh writing to appear in some time. Definitely worth grabbing.

A very good collection of underground writers. Includes Very interesting artwork by a very good collection of underground zine artist. Just buy it, ok folks?

An invaluable asset to both genealogists, and historians, interested in the Loyalists of the American Revolution. I have made extensive use of Coldham's work, found it accurate and, seemingly, error free. Indexing of both persons and subjects is astonishingly complete, and one only wishes that a second volume may be forthcoming.

In this book, Peter L. Wilson explores the meaning of angels in ancient Egyptian and Greek thought and in traditional Jewish, Christian, and Muslim spirituality. Interspersed with photos and color plates throughout, this book is a visually engaging introduction to the topic. Juxtaposing parallels from different traditions, he shows the several "jobs" angels can have (dispenser of grace, warrior against evil, guardian of souls, etc.). Wilson writes with the perspective of three millennia, and so the discussion has an intelligence, a depth, and a complexity often conspicuously absent in current writings on angels. This is a fascinating and stimulating introduction to the history and philosophical speculation behind the idea of angels.

We were wondering if the book could be worth it but we thought we'd give it a try. WOW! This book has everything, I mean EVERYTHING you could want to know as you explore the state (directions, lots of photos, interesting history, info about animals and plants w/pics, rating systems, and GPS coordinates)!!
Love this book. I hope that I can collect the rest of the titles about the other states. My book was fun to take along on the vacation drive but I could see just sitting and reading through it at home!

As we all know, E.O. Wilson is a giant of modern biology. Though his work has not always been quietly accepted, his ideas and opinions are undoubtedly an invaluble resorce to the world. In this huge book, Wilson presents what he believes are the 57 most important essays on the current state of Earth's biodiversity.

Being assigned summer reading, my teacher was convinced that I would love this book. He obviousely thought highly of it and so I began reading with an open mind. I'm so glad I did because the issues presented took my breath away. We are living in the middle of the largest mass extinction Earth has ever seen. Right now. These essays bring the reader completely up to speed on what is being destroyed, what efforts are being done to save the Earth, and what further efforts need to begin.

I can honestly say that my career path may have been steered more in the direction of biology after finshing Biodiversity. Everyone should read this book - I can garrentee that it will be a great enlightening experience.