I found this book to be very intense,thought provoking,and hard to put down. If you ever wondered what it will be like when you die,read this! If you ever wondered how your life on earth will affect your after-life, read this! If you have a fear of death,this may help ease your fear.Whether or not you believe this book to be true,you will still find it interesting and you will find that you connect with different parts of this book at different times in your life. It makes being spiritual easier to understand, and it shows us how to look at life and the after-life in a more connected way. This book will definately stimulate a good conversation with believers and non-believers alike.

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.

I've been looking for a book like this for a long time. David Dubal writes a very readable and very interesting picture of a wide range of composers who those interested in classical music should know. The book includes a biographical sketch of the composer and a list of important works that define the composer's place in history. This book works equally well as classical music textbook and biography, and fills an important niche in the marketplace.

If there is a down side to the book, it is in its desire to do too much. Dubal includes a few select CDs he recommends. As I've learned in my travels, a lot of classical labels make you pay through the nose and that can be discouraging to someone on a budget. The truth is, there are some really good budget lines (like Naxos) out there that can put classical music into the hands of almost anybody who wants a good CD, without sacrificing quality one iota. Don't be bound by his selections--explore! But do read the book. It'll be worth your time.

Dubal is first and foremost a good writer. His biographical sketches of the major composers are short - about 3-5 pages each - but are compelling, elegantly written and packed with really useful information. He details composers' personal lives, historical contexts, relationships between composers and critical views (and popular views) of their works over time. After each biographical sketch he lists composer's major works, with a short discussion of the importance & influence of each piece as well as his critical opinion.

Reading Dubal's book has enriched my appreciation of some really great music. It's also prompted me to try composers I'd barely heard of before. After reading Dubal's chapter on Paganini I immediately got into my car, headed for the music store & picked up a copy of his '24 Caprices for Violin'. And I'm so glad I did. I now have a huge "must-buy" list thanks to this book.

I read this book along with Phil Goulding's "The 50 Greatest Composers and their 1000 Greatest Works". Both are worthwhile. Goulding's book is entertaining, but his ranking system & his concept of a "Starter Kit" for each composer are rather silly. Goulding's book is fun, especially for the absolute beginner. But for me, Dubal wins because of the quality of his writing and because he lists more major works to listen to and goes into detail describing each work. This is a book I'll come back to again and again.

Criticisms: His section on the Baroque is smaller than I would like. I also wish he'd added a discussion of musical forms & went into a bit more technical detail about each musical work. But I suppose that's for another book. Dubal has included a lot of substantial and enjoyable detail into this book , and I'm satisfied with it enough to think it merits five stars.

My college Music Appreciation class became something of a joke when I discovered it was easier to pass the exam by NOT listening to the music at the listening lab. After all, a piano concerto is not the same thing as an operatic duet or a symphony piece. So while I have always enjoyed classical music, I could never really appreciate it in any meaningful way. So David Dubal's "The Essential Canon of Classical Music" is perfect for somebody like me who wants to know more about all those classical CDs in my collection without getting into major and minor keys and other fun stuff. For example, even I recognize "La Mareillaise" representing the French in Tchiakovsky's "Overture 1812," but find it interesting to learn that several folk tales such as "God Preserves Thy People" are used to represent the Russians. True, Dubal talks rather generally about specific works, but that is exactly what I need to advance to the next level.

The Canon is divided into five ages: (I) The Medieval, Renaissance, and Elizabethan; (II) Baroque; (III) Classicism; (IV) Romantic and (V) Modern. For each Dubal first presents the defining composers of the age: Handel, Bach and Scarlatti for Baroque; Gluck, Hayden, Mozart and Beethoven for Classicism. For the last two ages things get more complex, but what the division between the main composers and the "others" is a question of degree: pages detailing specific works versus a paragraph or two. Again, this is quite useful for someone like me who is interested in not only learning more about what I already have but who is also open to suggestions as to what composer and/or works I should track down next. "The Essential Canon of Classical Music" is both informative and engaging. It sits on the shelf next to my classical musical collection and I do not grab something to listen to without taking it along to see what new things I can learn from Dubal.

Dungan does a great job of expanding the conversation of what the components are of the synoptic problem. He is daring, bold, and erudite as he lays out the case for the destructive intent and impact of the modernist approach to the Bible, particularly the Gospels. At times, however, he would have better served the topic by tackling some of the more obvious objections that could be made to some of his statements. (One minor one has to do with his theory - that he admits he isn't confident of - that John held some antogonistic views of Peter. As he argues this he doesn't contend with the significant Petrology that exists in John's Gospel, but rather confining himself to the passages where Peter is often interpreted in a negative light.) In other places I would have preferred if he "connected the dots" a bit more in showing how things like Spinoza's treatise on biblical interpretation actually fathered the modernist approach to the Bible. I respect his ultimate position regarding the order of the Synoptics - Matthew, Luke, then Mark - but I am partial to the more "traditional Augustinian" solution. I would have liked if he had spent more time grappling with the better modern apologies for that solution rather than blasting some of the more myopic gospel harmonies and generally regulating most of the modern defenses of the traditional solution to the heap of Fundamentalism. Still, all in all, I learned a good deal from his generally thorough work and would recommend it, with some reservation, to the student who has concerns about the modernist critique of the Bible and who is intereseted in enhancing his understanding of the history of the synoptic problem, particularly the contemporary situation.

The idea of a book on the Synoptic Gospels used to intimidate and, honestly, bore me a bit. This book, however, was not only the most interesting book I've read on the subject, but also one of the best I've read in a long time! Dungan writes very very well and is often funny, believe it or not. But what I appreciated most about this book was how it made me look at the New Testament in an entirely new light. The kinds of questions Dungan brought to the subject were the sorts of questions I thought you weren't really supposed to ask (questions about ulterior motive in Bible scholarship). A very brave and impressive book!

I'm not a Bible Scholar, but I am a very well read minister. I must confess that, having read many books on this subject, I saw things in Dungan's book I'd never seen or heard of anywhere else. I sat and read it in a bookstore for hours before I bought it. I don't agree with it 100% -- but he sure does give a feast for thought.

Herman Ridderbos asserts that the material authority of the New Testament canon properly belongs within the scope of redemptive history, with the apostles serving as Old Testament-style prophets and witnesses to the redemptive event of Jesus Christ, specially commissioned and authorized by him to proclaim the kerygma. ... Ridderbos is extremely helpful in dispelling myths about the early church granting an authority to a group of writings arbitrarily and a-historically. He clearly demonstrates that the apostles saw themselves in a continuing line of witnesses to God's acting in history, and that the early church accepted this authority. His interaction with Lutheran, Roman Catholic, and Reformed perspectives on the canon are helpful as he tries to clarify how his view both rejects the Roman Catholic and Lutheran teaching and builds upon the Reformed view. In its usefulness as an apologetic work, Redemptive History and the New Testament Scriptures is hindered by the centrality of the a priori of faith. However, for those who hold to this a priori already, it is a thorough justification in its defense.

This is not a review but a correction - the translator should be "Gaffin", not "Graffin"

This thin and razor sharp piece of scholarship is essential to the understanding and defense of true protestant religion. Too many so-called protestants don't know the first thing about "Sola Scriptura." And among the slightly aware, canonicity is a much neglected topic. Get a life and read this book today.

I got this book as a gift and I loved it. Unique and easy to read!

If you're bored with your life and don't know what to do READ THIS BOOK!! If you are a veteran traveller Northan will transport you back to the time when life was a satisfying adventure. If you have not yet embarked on a journey, you will after reading this book. Northam's adventurous spirit and sense of humor shine through each page. The isightful and inspiring canons bring the world to your feet and challenge you to forge your own trail into it. Give this book to friends as I have and your phone will be ringing with words of gratitude. It is a chemically free cure for computer weary eyes a deadline strapped soul!

Everbody wins, this book was Born to Run! A must read for all travelers- nationally & internationally.Simply the greatest travel book I have ever read! Bruce gets down & dirty on how to escape the hussle & bussels of every day life & lets you make your dreams come true by guiding you to the Promise lands of the world.Easy reading but powerful, "Globetrotter Dogma" shows you how to get to your land of hope & dreams. Get this book, the way you travel will change, your quality of life will change.

This book, I must say, is nothing like I expected it to be. I thought it would focus on the life of the Hunchback, Quasimodo, but instead it looked at the lives of many unfortunate people along the way. Most of the characters are rather sad people; A gypsy girl taken advantage of by a crude soldier; a lustful deacon gone mad; a lonely bell ringer persecuted by the mobs of Paris; a poet/philosopher broke and homeless. I had expected, well, brighter, different characters and storylines. One this I found amazing about this story, however, was the shading of the characters. I expected the villain, Claude Frollo, to be black-hearted. Instead, at parts he was almost a shade of gray. Note of caution: I would not recommend this book to children. Yes, Disney made a movie out of it, but the true tale is not one for youngsters. The entire story, especially the end, is too sand and dark for young readers to enjoy

Contrary to popular opinion the novel Le Notre Dame de Paris by Victor Hugo is not primarily about the deformed bell-ringer Quasimodo. Quasimodo's role is actually surprisingly small in the story, which makes you wonder why the English translater's chose "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" as the translation for the title. Actually, as the original French title would indicate, it is the cathedral itself that is the focus of the book. This is why in the unabridged editions of this book you will find numerous chapters that seemingly have nothing to do with the plot of the story. This is the books weakest point, and it may turn many people away from the book. Once you get into the plot, however, it is iimpossible to put the book down. The characters are intriguing: composer Pierre Gringoire, archdeacon Dom Claude Frollo, once a paragon of virtue now tormented by his corrupt love for a gipsy girl, L'Esmerelda, the naive gipsy dancer, Phoebus, the selfish, egotistical captain of the guards, and of course Qausimodo, a deaf, deformed bellringer. The relationships between these characters are complex and dark but they make an unforgettable story. The story is never, from front to back, a happy one, so if you are looking for a book that makes you "feel good" this is not the one for you. If, on the other hand, you are looking for a good book to read, that is unafraid to deal with the darker side of reality, I highly recommend "The Hunchback of Notre Dame."

"The Three Musketeers", "Frankenstein", "Around the world in 80 days", all those samples of nineteenth century literature have become true icons of popular culture in our time. Acknowledging that, I decided to read the literary works that originated some of those cultural concepts, in order to better understand their true meaning. That's how I decide to read "The Hunchback of Notre Dame". This little review is based on my impressions on this great piece from Victor Hugo. Since the high quality of "Hunchback" is universally accepted, a text intended to prove that Hugo's work is a good book would be truly pointless. Rather. this review is meant to comment on why it would be interesting for readers going beyond the popular imagery generally surrounding this important piece of literature and actually reading it.

Though I've read an English version of the book, I know the original French title reads just "Notre Dame". That's probably because the focus of the story is not really Quasimodo, the deaf and deformed hunchback in charge of ringing the bells of Notre Dame. The true main character in the book is the cathedral itself. In the story, this edifice is in the center of a series of plots that help to portray medieval Paris.

In fact, one could approach "Hunchback" as a true history treaty, due to extensive descriptions of the medieval city and explanations on medieval culture that the scholar Victor Hugo included on his work.

However, in Hugo's romanticized portrait of a Paris of times gone by, it's possible to list some characters that stand out as true key figures in the drama. Those most outstanding in the book's plot are the aforementioned Quasimodo; Dom Claude Frolo, the taciturn Archdeacon of notre Dame and Quasimodo's foster parent; La Esmeralda, the gypsy girl, who seems to enchant all around her with her charm; Gringoire a foolish and impoverished poet and Captain Phoebus, a selfish and feeble spirited nobleman who holds a position of military officer.

Another misleading notion about "Hunchback" is the belief that it's some sort of gothic version of "Beauty and the Beast", staring the bestial Quasimodo and beautiful La Esmeralda. Quasimodo indeed falls deeply and thoroughly in love with the pretty gypsy, yet, the only feelings her beloved can offer in return are pity, gratitude and tenderness. Despite that, the lady never quite overcomes a deep feeling of disgust towards the bell ringer's hideous figure. Contrary to what many might think, this book is not some mild hearted fable about love and kindness overcoming exterior appearance. In addition to being a historical study about medieval Paris, this piece of literature is an amazing essay on human wickedness. The book is a powerful portrait of several manifestations of evil in the hearts of people. Because of some twists and turns in the story, all those samples of human cruelty portrayed end up being channeled against poor la Esmeralda, causing the complete undoing of she who is the only truly good hearted character in the whole book. Among the examples of how evil can manifest in human's hearts present in the piece's pages, there is the case of Dom Claude who, torn between celibacy and lustful feelings for the gypsy girl, nourishes a love for La Esmertalda stained by mortal hate towards her. There are the towns people who, while charmed at the little gypsy who make dancing performances on the streets to collect some spare change, also despise her for being a vagabond and supposedly a sorceress. There are the officials of law who ruthlessly and mercilessly ensue penalties of torture and deaf under the most improbable accusations. We also see Phoebus, a petty and vulgar man used to taking advantage of women for the sake of his own sexual satisfaction, who, although does not perform any evil toward others, is responsible for the most tragic events just for omitting himself in face of the distress of others. This huge gallery of malefice conspires to bring La Esmeralda her doom, and the only one who comes forth to protect her against such a dark state of affairs is the crippled hunchback Quasimodo. This book conveys a rich yet dark portrait o human psique. Therefore it is truly not advisable to draw from its story a script for some light hearted animated movie for children.

As a final remark, it's important to reinforce that though one might think that is well acquainted with the concept of the popular icon "The Hunchback of Notre Dame", the piece of literature that has given rise to it can prove to be much richer than any preconceived notions we might have about it. The purpose of this tiny review is to provide a very brief idea of what one can expect to find by actually reading this great book.

... you've read the classic upon which the 5-minute translation is based. If you haven't, THE 5-MINUTE ILIAD AND OTHER INSTANT CLASSICS still provide plenty of merriment -- with maybe a touch of confusion. (In particular, Bram Stoker's "Dracula" is an absolute howler and George Orwell's "1984" might even have you running to pick up a copy of the original to find all of the hints.) While a few of the 'instant classics' do feel like one-note jokes that go on for several pages, it's still all in good fun at no one's expense ... other than a few of civilization's most revered authors. Nagan's observation's about Western Civilization and the expanse of its subsequent culture, however, are perhaps the finest notes of pure mirth in the book ... I'd almost wish he'd dedicate a book to that subject alone!

Why bother reading the classics when you can read Nagan's versions of them? Nagan expertly summarizes all the important things from the books you've never wanted to read. Now you can discuss The Iliad, 1984, Crime and Punishment and a whole slew of other novels without actually reading them! This book is great for the college student who never plans on reading [stuff]written by dead white guys, but doesn't want to feel out of the loop when hearing allusions to these novels. Also, while the stories are quite funny if you've actually read the real versions, they are equally amusing if you have not even glanced at the originals. This is a must read for any person with taste (taste enough to avoid the originals) and a good sense of humor. Enjoy!

I have to confess. I'm one of the lucky ones. I received an advance copy of Greg Nagan's FIVE-MINUTE ILIAD. This book is like... Prozac. No, wait, follow me on this one. Nagan's book made me giggle and laugh and want to share it with everyone. Even with my IT cube-dwelling mates. (Information Technologies, for the acronym-disinclined.) How to explain to programmers and tech support people why Nagan's "Paradise Lost" is inspired or "On the Road" is so damn fine?

Let them read it. Force them. Watch their eyes move through the lines. Try not to blurt, "Where are you? What part?" when they start smiling. This book makes people feel good.

Test it for yourself. Find the grouchiest, meanest, drunkest sonovabitch you know - maybe your boss, maybe your spouse, maybe... you - and make them read "The Inferno." Out loud.

Stitches. You'll both be in stitches. Happy stitches. Who else but Greg Nagan elevates "The Inferno" from a stuffy English translation into limerick?

Make friends with this book. Read THE FIVE-MINUTE ILIAD in restaurants or bars. See what happens. "What are you reading? What's so funny? You have a beautiful smile. Can I buy you a drink?" Again, test it for yourself.

This is a good, smart, funny book. I defy you to sustain a bad mood while reading THE FIVE-MINUTE ILIAD. And it's cheaper than Prozac.

the notion of breaking the bible back into books (and tiny ones at that) is refereshing. while typographically nothing to marvel at, they are much easier to lug around than moser's beautiful but daunting pennyworth-caxton edition. the introductory notes give the texts spiritual and historical context without spoiling the majesty of what follows.

Be aware that the introduction authors for the boxed set are different than the stand alone versions of the books. If you're looking to collect another bit of obscure writing by your favorite author, you may be dissapointed. Also, the boxed set does not contain the Song of Solomon which is offered as a part of the stand alone series.

Kathleen Norris's introduction to the Book of Revelation rescues the book for contemporary readers from the comic book style of treatment now popular in so many conventional religious circles. Bravo to Norris, and to all others who are engaged in reclaiming the Bible from fundamentalists. This will make it possible for many new readers of the Bible to continue valuing it when the current prophecy craze loses its allure. parker@enter.net

Madame Bovary is a story about a common woman who marries an ordinary husband living an unglamorous middle-class life in a provincial town. It's that realistic. The heroine, Emma Bovary, longs for the wealth, romance, and adventure she finds in the Romantic novels of her time. After her marriage to Charles, a second class doctor, and moving to a small, mediocre town, she finds her life full of routine and banaltiy. She rebels, and seeks to satisfy her desires for a more glamorous life. This leads her to adultery and financial difficulties, which both lead to tragic consequences.

Emma Bovary is a character you will either despise for her actions or sympathise with and understand. It is true, her actions bring misfortune to her family, especially her husband Charles. Although he is weak and unambitious, lacking the gallantry of her image of a lover, his sentiments for her are genuine and she fails to see it. Moreover, he so trusts and admires her and never sees through her deception. I find that he is the character, if not most interesting, then most tragic and worthy of sympathy, as he becomes the true victim. As for Emma, like her or hate her, she is one who many will relate to.

This is not an exciting read, not fast paced or action-packed. Still, the messages in the book will reward your efforts. I'm no expert on Romantic novels but I think it's quite unlike other novels of it's time. Flaubert's descriptions and use of language are very moving, sometimes disturbing, especially when describing the ravages of sickness or pain. Those who like to contemplate on moral ideas in a literary work, or who love the beauty of language for the sake of it will enjoy this book very much.

This book is about a woman named Emma Bovary and her husband Charles Bovary. They are married and she becomes bored with his love and he doesn't satisfy her anymore. She becomes very depressed with life because what she imagined her love life to be is not at all what she is actually getting out of her marriage with Charles. Because of this fact she becomes attracted to other men she meets along the way. She meets a couple men and can't seem to stop thinking about them. Instead of trying to forget these other men she ends up having affairs with 2 of the men. She is affaid of what her husband will do but has the affairs anyway. She does end up seeing how much she does love Charles in the end. During Emma's deep quest for love I felt for her. She was a hopeless romantic in search of passion and a love like that towards herself. I feel as if Emma did not care enough to see the love that she did have for Charles until the very end of the novel.

In the opinion of our book group, this is still one of the greatest novels of all time in the richness of its descriptions and the loving, yet candid, description of the human condition. Flaubert's use of language and imagery is a beautiful representation of realism. His search for "le mot juste" - or exactly the right word - is still amazing. It was great to read this novel again through "mature" eyes. Life's lessons tend to lend a more sympathetic view of things. Although none of the characters are endearing, they are still engrossing. The story rings as true today as it did 150 years ago when Flaubert wrote it. All in all, Madame Bovary is simply, not just a novel, it is literature.