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Book reviews for "Balabkins,_Nicholas_W." sorted by average review score:

All for Love (New Mermaid Series)
Published in Paperback by W.W. Norton & Company (July, 1976)
Authors: John Dryden and Nicholas J. Andrew
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Dryden's Resotration version of Antony and Cleopatra
John Dryden's 1677 tragedy "All For Love" or "The World Well Lost" was based on William Shakespeare's "Antony and Cleopatra." This would be a minority opinion, but I really think this Restoration Drama is comparable to the Shakespeare version in many regards. Of course "borrowing" from Shakespeare cannot be considered much of a crime when the Bard of Avon appropriated so many plots from other dramatists as well. Shakespeare's play covers ten years in settings scattered across the eastern Mediterranean, while Dryden confines all of his events to one day in the Temple of Isis. For me the dramatic highpoint of the Dryden version is the ugly confrontation between Cleopatra and Octavia, Roman wife of Mark Antony, but I also like the final death scenes better than what we find in Shakespeare. Just do not ask me to explain how "All for Love" reflects Restoration sensibilities rather than the Elizabethan values of "Antony and Cleopatra." I first read this play and decided to use it as the final play in a mini-trilogy of one-act that used Shaw's "Caesar and Cleopatra" and Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar," and had no problem given Dryden the anchor position. Certainly classes studying English drama can benefit by having students read both the Shakespeare and Dryden versions with an eye out towards better understanding the works of both playwrights. If you are only going to read one play by Dryden, then the only other choices besides this one would be "Aureng-Zebe," his last and best example of the heroic genre or his comedy masterpiece "Marriage a-la-mode." But I would still pick "All For Love."

All For Love is a great retwelling of a classic story.
Dryden's reworking of Shakespeare's "Antony and Cleopatra" is a great read, especially if you didn't fully comprehend Shakespeare's work. Dryden's language is concise, and his portrayal of historical characters is excellent; especially considering that he had to follow Shakespeare's lead.


Amnesiac Selves: Nostalgia, Forgetting, and British Fiction, 1810-1870
Published in Hardcover by Oxford University Press (January, 2001)
Author: Nicholas Dames
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(Un)forgettable!
A truly magisterial meditation on memory, this study is as notable for the insight, wit and compassion with which the author treats his subject as it is for the unparalleled level of scholarship which it displays. For anyone who has ever been an amnesiac, or has ever wanted to be a self, this book is required reading.

great expectations
Although I have yet to read the book, I have heard fabulous things about it and its author.


Antique Sweetheart Jewelry
Published in Paperback by Schiffer Publishing, Ltd. (March, 1997)
Author: Nicholas D. Snider
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Sweetheart Collector Must Have!
The book is a great source of information for all aspects of Sweetheart collecting! It covers WWI and WWII mostly. American is the main focus with a little British and Homefront thrown in. It is an invaluable source for those just starting out or a serious collector. The pictures are prolific, but a bit small. That does not detract from the help it will give you. You probably will find most pieces of Sweetheart Jewelry in it or something that is close. Then you can get an idea of the price range for the pieces. I would say buy it if you collect!

A Different Way to look at WWI & WWII
This wonderful, comprehensive book, is a true joy to not only read but have in your collection. It affords easy access to a wide variety of sweetheart jewelry - the homefront equivilant of medals and patches - with concise, easy to read explanations of each piece. The pricing guide at the end of the book is especially useful when buying - or selling - a piece of history. A MUST read and own book for any sweetheart jewelry collector!


Arguing Immigration: The Debate over the Changing Face of America
Published in Library Binding by Bt Bound (October, 1999)
Author: Nicholas Mills
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Easy to read and learn about immigration
I'm a college student and was asked to read this book for one of my classes. Going into reading this book, I knew absolutely nothing about the history of immigration, the details of the legislation, or the problems our nation is facing.

The first thing that makes this book stand out from other similar books I have been reading for this course is that the book is organized. There are 11 articles by various authors and Mills does a great job in splitting these articles up into 5 categories.

Every article was easy to read and understand. There were many times when I would get so into a story that I didn't want to put the book down until I finished it. Mills did a great job in selecting articles that didn't just pour facts and statistics at you.

The most important thing I enjoyed about this book is that Mills did not take a side. The book contained articles that were for immigration, against immigration, and some articles that were neutral. I did not feel like I was being pulled in one direction with this book. Through these articles, the reader is left to decide whether he or she believes immigration is a good thing.

Immigration is a very big topic, but Mills did a great job in discussing almost every aspect of immigration in a very unbiased way.

Great introductory book to immigration...
This text is a composition of short essays that lends insight into one of the most controversial issues of today. It provides the framework for a heated debate by arguing various perspectives of immigration. It's a quick read (not dry at all!), informative, interesting and succinct. Highly recommended for those who know very little about the controversy surrounding immigration and would like to catch up.


The Art of Fred Marcellino
Published in Paperback by Pulcinella Press (January, 2003)
Author: Nicholas Falletta
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One of a kind
An eye-opening book about a unique artist.

By the time I arrived at the end of this gorgeous and graciously-written volume, I'd arrived at the conclusion that Fred Marcellino has contributed more to "the art of the book" than anyone in memory. And possibly more than anyone in the past century.

The book contains a treasure-trove of marvelously reproduced images. They span Marcellino's unique career as both the greatest-ever illustrator of book jackets and one of the greatest-ever illustrators of children's books.

Among the visuals are book jackets of astonishing conceptual power. Do you remember the famous jacket for Tom Wolfe's "Bonfire of the Vanities," a cityscape reflecting off a sleek glass table in a luxury apartment. Or, for "August," the iconic scene of a psychiatrist's couch in a sparely furnished room with the shadowy pattern of Venetian blinds running across a wall. Or, for "Birdy," the touching image of a bird cage, door open, with feathers drifting against a gorgeous sky. Or, the incredible winged arm chair (not wing-backed, but actually winged) for "The Accidental Tourist." Or, the mysteriously curved brick wall for "The Handmaid's Tale." The list goes on.

Simply put, Marcellino revolutionized the book jacket. He combined brilliantly pure concepts, pioneering graphic design, and an uncompromising aesthetic. If his career had ended before he illustrated a single children's book, he already would have won a permanent place as a major force in book art.

Yet Marcellino went on to a second career as a children's book illustrator whose artistry easily ranks with the likes of Maurice Sendak. Here again, "The Art of Fred Marcellino" offers a generous selection of stunning images that cover a wide range of the artist's work. There's the famously life-like portrait of "Puss in Boots," complete with ruffled collar, rakish hat, and whiskers drawn to the millimeter. The illustrations to Hans Christian Anderson's "The Steadfast Tin Soldier" equal Anderson's words in generating unforgettably poignant emotion.

Marcellino amazes with his talent at illustrating peasants in the field as evocatively as royalty at their banquets. His trademark aqua skies and sumptuous clouds are irresistible. His jaw-dropping use of bird's-eye and worms-eye perspective never fail to thrill. The sheer beauty of his pictures harks back to his favored period of art, the Italian Renaissance. This stunning tour through his work shows the highest standards upheld time and again.

Well, I'm really only mentioning the tip of the iceberg. Marcellino's bookshelf for children also includes his hilariously illustrated "Pelican Chorus," his engrossing "Ouch!" (with pictures both droll and spooky), his tender drawings for "Rat's Tale" and "Wainscott Weasel," his magnificent illustrations for E.B. White's classic "Trumpet of the Swan," and his charming watercolors for "The Story of Little Babaji," which made history by bravely peeling away a tragic layer of racism from an inherently innocent children's tale. Not least, there's the hero of "I, Crocodile," who is simply one of the greatest characters in all of children's literature. Marcellino didn't only illustrate this dazzling story, he wrote it as well.

One actually wonders, what couldn't he do? It seems that everything he touched turned into art of enduring quality. He was that rare incarnation, a Renaissance Man. Illustrator. Painter. Graphic designer. Typographer. Author. Furniture designer. Gardener. Maker of tromp l'oueil draperies. Among the special pleasures of "The Art of Fred Marcellino" is a lovely selection of quotes from the artist, sprinkled throughout the book. In these quotes (as in his work), Marcellino's genius and wit and intellectual integrity shine through.

All told, this beautifully designed book is worthy of the artist whose life and work it illuminates. I recommend it enthusiastically.

What's more, I sincerely believe that if you don't already know the work of Fred Marcellino, you'll be forever grateful to make its acquaintance.

Marcellino fans get their due at last
Having been aware of Fred Marcellino's book jackets since the 1980s, and then getting to know a bit of his children's book art when my daughter was small, I was extremely pleased to learn of this book's existence. Marcellino really changed the way we all viewed books when he was doing jackets, and I used to enjoy picking out his covers in stores. But I had no idea of the range he was capable of until I picked up a copy of The Art of Fred Marcellino in the gift shop of the Norman Rockwell Museum. It's pretty amazing to see the way his style evolved over time. He seems to have been capable of working in just about any medium. But the most captivating thing about his art to me is the endless wit. The early work in this book, and the abstract paintings, were a revelation. I work in the printing field, so I also appreciate the way this book was produced, with spot varnish and cover lamination. It's a treasure.


Baker's biographical dictionary of musicians
Published in Unknown Binding by G. Schirmer ()
Author: Nicholas Slonimsky
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I Use This For Academic Music
I do not believe I can say enough to extol the virtue of this book. I am finishing my Music Composition degree and Baker's has been an indespensible tool for my research. Concise and informative, this book even includes the opinions of the musical scholars. To say that this is just a dictionary would be like saying that the sun is dull.
Baker's Biographical Dictionary of Musicians could be used like a "Who's Who" if the musical world. While the Harvard Dictionary of Music is the reigning authority, written differently from Bakers, which is easier to follow.
Specifically, I wanted information on J.S. Bach. Baker's has a particularly well-detailed, extensive section on Bach: everything I needed.
I strongly recommend this book for anyone who wants to understand the finer facts of music history.

helpful reference tool
While I don't actually own this book, I have used it a great deal for a college music class. The definitions are helpful, well-written, and present helpful, relevant information in a concise form. The biographies are good for a quick reference, but they also lead to further, more complex research questions.


Balún Canán
Published in Paperback by Fondo De Cultura Economica (November, 1998)
Authors: Rosario Castellanos and Nicholas Timasheff
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Beautiful story based on personal experiences
Rosario Castellanos, one of Mexico's greatest writers, does a wonderful job of portraying life in ancient Chiapas. Specifically in Comitan, Rosario's hometown, and in Chactajal,which is a few miles off Comitan. Balun Canan(meaning '9 candles') is the name given by the ancient Mayan civilizations to Comitan.
This novel is rich in historical significance, but also based on the author's personal daily experiences which makes this novel truly enjoyable. Rosario shares her life as a young girl alongside her nanny and her family. Both Rosario and her nanny narrate this story at certain points, allowing us readers to infer their opinions and views on certain problems and dilemmas, which refer to a hard time in the history of Mexico. A hard time concerning the rebellin of the indian population, and the clear preocupation of those who were their owners, the white population.

A Beautiful Novel
This novel, written by one of Mexico's most famous modern poets, illustrates many of the issues present in Mexico after the revolution. The story follows the life of a young girl growing up in Chiapas after the revolution. The author writes poetry into her prose, combining the oral tradition with the politics surrounding the change of power, to create a subtle yet powerful novel about the changing face of Mexico.


Basic Virology
Published in Paperback by Blackwell Publishers (September, 2003)
Authors: Edward K. Wagner, Martin Hewlett, Martinez J. Hewlett, and F. W. Nicholas
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A Great Textbook
This is a great book! The method at which the material is presented rivals that of medical textbooks. The graphics and illustration are great! Go UC Irvine! Spcial Events Parking Rocks!

A good investment for any microbiology student.
The information presented in this book was very helpful in my understanding of virology. The text was very easily followed and subjects presented in a straightforward manner. Basic Virology is a must have!


Betrayers of the Truth
Published in Paperback by Simon & Schuster (Paper) (September, 1983)
Authors: William Broad, Nicholas Wade, and Nicholas Wade
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A book every aspiring scientist should read.
Not a great book, but a very important one. I first read _Betrayers_ in graduate school, when I was still innocent and naive, believing that no scientist would ever compromise her reputation by any form of intellectual dishonesty. Further, I believed that anyone who did would inevitably be found out--that's how the scientific method works, right? Reading this book has made me much more skeptical of claims that seem to be revolutionary, a change in my attitude toward science that has proven valuable more than once. This is a book that should be required reading for graduate students (and possibly undergraduates) in science fields. Every scientist has been tempted to write things down the way they should be instead of the way they really are, to "fudge" data or present results in the best light. The pressure of a professor, granting agency or tenure committee breathing down your neck may make the temptation to produce results at any cost much worse. Knowing the stories presented in _Betrayers of the Truth_ has made it easier for me to be scrupulously honest in my records of my work and to avoid even the most innocent forms of scientific dishonesty.

I'd like to see a new edition of this, with coherent beginning-to-end coverage of some of the high-profile cases that have surfaced in the years since its original publication. Younger scientists may have a hard time piecing together a complete story from the fragments of coverage in the news and in trade magazines.

Ethics in Science
One of the best references showing controversies concerning the analysis and presentation of scientific data. From Pilttown man to Millikan case a wide variety of topics related to scientific fraud and deceit. The best introductory survey on the subject of scientific dishonesty.The main point is that we need more precise descriptions of the moral failings involved in cases of fabrication and falsification if we are to understand the causes of these defections and betrayals. The book is carefully researched and contains a wealth of material about fraud and deceit in science.


Beyond Risk: Conversations With Climbers
Published in Hardcover by Mountaineers Books (October, 1993)
Author: Nicholas O'Connell
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Very interesting but incomplete book
The book is fantastic but there are at least the lack of two great names: 1) Loretan 2) Maurizio Zanolla ( called Manolo),wha has the following incredible curriculum: a) 1980: "supermatita", 1200 mt with minimum 6c+ by using only 7(!!) protection. b) 1981: 7c+ rotkpunt, 40 mt with 6 protections. c) 1985: 8a, 20 mt with 3 protections d) 1986: 8b, 25 mt with 4 protections and many others exploits, long path ( up to 1000 mt) always using a very little protections. some climbers says to have seen him climbing 8a already before 1981.

Why do we climb?
The best collection of interviews of climbers I have ever read. If you want to understand why climbers climb, read this book. Whenever a non-climber asks why I climb, I've never felt like I gave an adequate answer. Now I can. These climbers each in their own way described why they climb. I found my answers about myself in that book. A must read for any climber and a good read for anyone interested in a climber's mindset.


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