I had brought this book on my 16th birthday and it will be a present that I will always remember. I have been a Boyz II Men fan since Cooleyhigh and I can proudly say that they gave a lot to their fans by helping to make this book! Buy it!

If you are a serious Boyz II Men fan, this is the book for you!!! This book offers their thoughts and their lives on and off stage. This book gives a clear picture of who these four fabulous people are!!!

I loved this book..I think any one who is a Boyz II Men fan should get and read this book...for one thing, it had great pictures and it also had great information...It's also a great book to have Boyz II Men sign especially because Robert (Mike's brother) is in it...I had Rob and Mike sign my book..their personal driver signed it too..but I think if you like Boyz II Men, you should definately look into getting this book because you will Apsolutely LOVE it..

I bought this as my first piece from the Black Dog Library in preparation for seeing the Vancouver BC Operas production in 2002. Black Dog Library is a must for everyone going to see an opera. Get this, listen to it, fall in love with the music and then see this opera live if you ever get the chance. This is opera at its best. After seeing the production live, I can't wait to see it again. And by listening to the cd's I can bring it right back to my mind and my heart.

Bravo Giuseppe, Bravo......

Brilliant voices of Birgit Nilsson, Franco Corelli with Orchestra e Coro Del Teatro dell' Opera di Roma under Zubin Mehta. A marvelous studio recording without audience noises. A number of stage photos of major performances and introduction of Verdi and the writing of AIDA. Two CD's with the complete opera with complete libretto in Italian and English. A great value. A must-have.

The historical account and the story help the person new to opera appreciate the opera. The sound is of high quality. I only wish Amazon carried the full series of The Black Dog Opera Library.

EXCELLENT! EXCELLENT! EXCELLENT! EXCELLENT! Once I began reading "The Return" I couldn't stop! My eyes were having difficulty keeping up with the "movie" version that was playing out in my mind's eye. Three times I cried. I'm not one to speculate the next turn of a story--good thing because everytime I thought I knew what to expect next, the story went in a different direction. The male characters displayed wisdom and compassion; the female characters were strong and admirable. Who says that only sex and violence sell books--WRONG! EXCELLENT read--when is the movie verison coming out and when is the sequel being printed?

I really enjoyed this book, it was a fast read and I couldn't put it down. The Return is a little history, family, suspense, romance, betrayal, power, royalty, Queens, Kings, and exciting. I enjoyed the telling of a story within a story. I visulized my grandfather telling this story giving me history of my roots. The richness of the characters were well developed. ITCOMS book club has selected The Return for the New Millennium. We look forward to David's next book. As a new author the book is well written. Thank you David. In the Spirit!

Bravo! Indeed I did find "The Return" not only refreshing and exciting, but so much more. The words exhilarating, exciting, riveting and heartstopping suspense immediately come to mind. "The Return" has all the components of a bestseller by any standard. I was especially impressed by the tasteful romanticism intertwined throughout the intriguing and riveting action. I was so engrossed in this book that I got behind in my housework! And that's rare for me. I really appreciated the positive image portrayed of Africa, the African-American as well as that of women. "The Return" also gives insight into the author's personality (Iron that does not fear fire). He is a man who obviously has deep respect for God, women, family and roots. I join my voice in demanding a sequel!

This book and CD set are the perfect combination for those who are new to the world of opera and not fluent in foreign language. Better than just a synopsis, the libretto in English lets you read every word so you won't miss the humor or pathos. As a homeschooling mom, I really appreciated this set as a teaching tool. I hope to increase my collection of The Black Dog Opera Library series.

I have several "Black Dog Opera" recordings, and they are a wonderful way to introduce yourself to opera WIHTOUT spending a lot of money. This label primarily offers recordings of extremely well-known operas. I had some initial concerns regarding sound quality given the price, but I have yet to be disappointed by them -- Barber of Seville is no exception. Each opera comes in a neatly packaged book that contains the full libretto in its original language and in translation; the history of the opera and its performance; and short biographies of the composer and cast. The books are just the right size to tuck them in your purse (or bag!) so that you can follow the libretto along at a live performance -- I took Barber with me to last year's Chicago Opera Theater production and plan to take Tosca along to Lyric later this year! What a great idea!

As with the other Black Dog Opera Library Collections, the Barber of Seville combines CDs of the full opera with a 140+ page hardbound book of pictures, history, libretto and critique. It is perfect both for those new to opera and for the opera savvy.

Author David Foil offers a historical critique of the Barber of Seville and relates the impact it had on the music world. Foil also tells the story of Rossini's experiences writing the opera, which took less than one month.

The musical recordings alone are reason to buy the book. Perhaps the greatest opera conductor of our time, James Levine, conducts Beverly Sills, Sherrill Milnes and the London Symphony Orchestra in a wonderful rendition of this famous opera.

I highly recommend this book and CD to anyone. Nowhere else can you find such a complete package of music, words and pictures for such a reasonable price. So, if you wish to listen to the famous strains of "Figaro, Figaro, Figaro" this is your book.

I first borrowed this book from the library by title only in an on-line search. What a surprise! The authors have distilled a lot of important ideas and facts into simple sections, with pointers & critiques along the way. A veritible small wealth of information. While a pro might find this all rather second nature, an amateur will definitely find something of value in here, and a beginner will find the whole book very valuable.

This slim volume is a comprehensive guide packed with necessary information on black and white and landscape photography. The introduction to the book states, ". . . when photographing landscapes, you are at the mercy of these elements--quickly changing weather, changing and uneven illumination, poor contrast or limited tonal range, undesirable yet unchangeable foregrounds or backgrounds, and extraneous objects in the scene which may significantly detract from your composition." The challenge of creating a dynamic black and white landscape almost makes a photographer want to quit before beginning. Yet, with the help of this book, obtaining a spectacular black and white landscape seems to be within the realm of possibility. I like the book most because there is great detail in clear and understandable terms. Along with the text are more than seventy interpretive examples of black and white landscape photographs. The first section of the book discusses "The Artist's Tools." Everything from camera format to film and tripods are thoroughly addressed, including the benefits or drawbacks of various choices, prices and recommended accessories. Section two defines the art of landscape photography. Some questions answered are, "What is art?" "What makes a good landscape photograph?" and "Why black and White?" I found section 3 to be the most informative. Visual elements are explained in detail. Among some of the aspects covered are framing, vision, viewpoint, tonality and design. "Field Techniques" are explained in section four. The sometimes confusing effects of different colored filters on black and white images are explained with the help of charts and photographic examples. A condensed, but comprehensive explanation of the Zone System ends this section. The quotation, "The darkroom . . . allows you to create an image that exactly matches your artistic conception" introduces section five. This chapter takes us into the darkroom and beyond. Section six explains "Putting it all together," and section seven gives examples of field exposure, darkroom printing and Zone System field exposure records so we can repeat the perfect image every time. A list of recommended books for further reading is supplied as is a list of Internet resources. I found this book so helpful and comprehensive, I carry it with me into the field and find myself referring to it often. A definite five star addition to your library.

I highly recommend this book to anybody interested in learning more about composing or critiquing photographs.

Looking for a good, moderately priced recording of "Boheme"? This is it. Schipper's conducts a delightfully theatrical performance. The young Freni is ideal: fresh and touching as Mimi should be. Gedda has a lighter, more youthful sound than Pavarotti or Bjoerling, and makes an excellent match for Freni. Good stereo sound. Excellent supporting cast: Sereni a charming, youthful Marcello. Other sets have great casts and great conductors (and you may want to augment your collection with Beecham's classic recording and Kleiber's live La Scala performance, but this one is a perfect introductory "Boheme", with its user-friendly book and libretto. Beautiful.

Having found opera intimidating I was looking for something to help me understand and appreciate the genre. This book exceeded all expectations. I intend to acquire the entire series.

See my review under "Die Zauberflote"

Troutt has accomplished his stated goal in grand style. He has given life to people who always get lost in the intricacies of the legal system. He has given them culture, voice and heart. In the process has done an extraordinary job of conveying the complexities of African American cultures. His writing verges on poetry.

Just a first-rate collection of fiction, the right measure of subtlety, sharp, insightful. Readers who liked this book will love Swiss Movement by Vaughn A. Carney, which is alternately hilarious and tragic.

David Dante Troutt presents a brilliant collection of short fiction involving African-Americans and the law. The points of view are unique and compelling, and Mr. Troutt's prose is lyrical and accomplished. A stunning achievement, not to be missed.

"Short stories are the shadow warriors of prose." This is a quote from David Schow's afterword of BLACK LEATHER REQUIRED. He backs those words up with some powerful writing in this, his third collection of shorts. Schow uses every color and tone on his palette. Subtley scratching with fine lines and slam dunking you with broad strokes. Dispicable though deviously enjoyable characters, vivid settings, and roller coaster plots. All written with a sure hand and humorous eye for detail. His writing is so unique that he can horrify and touch you in the same sentence. B.L.R. celebrates short horror at its highest.

David Schow first came to my attention when I read Jerry's Kids Meet Wormboy. One of the funniest, shocking, openings I have ever read. This collection shows just a little portion of the talent that Schow has for making you think. He is one of the few that can take a bad pun and make it outstanding without stretching the boundries of believability. He is an outstanding writer that catches the nuances and foibles of the english language and uses them to his advantage. His sentences have a meter and rhyme that catches you up and pulls you in. (Read Bad Guy Hats, for proof.) Overall, Schow is a much better writer than his image would lead you to believe. Being the "Father of Splatterpunk" has mis-aligned him with the public and critics alike. I recommend Schow whole heartedly to everyone.

Quite simply this book is stunning. The stories are gritty, in your face affairs. Instead of relying on gore and cliche Schow attacks the reader with believable extreme characters. So is there gore? Hell yes, and done better than ever before! Are there cliches? You bet, and all of them are turned on their heads. The best horror writer since Lovecraft.

I loved these stories growing up and missed them when I started reading to my sons. I'm glad they are still around. Lessons are hidden in many of the stories, but not as blatent as many new childrens books seem to be.

Great stuff. Came with a poster, too!

If you're thinking of buying this to be AFRICAN lore, don't. This is an adaptation of the Joel Chandler Harris Uncle Remus stories, focusing on those containing the Brer Rabbit character. The stories are delightful, and will be a joy to any (I also heartily recommend buying a complete set for reading aloud), but the tales are drawn directly from the heart and soul of America (there are no raccoons and bears in Africa, anyway...sheesh).

After visiting Disney World last year my 4 year old daughter kept after me to retell the story of Brer Rabbit and the tar baby, I was so pleased to find this book with its great illustrations. When we read this book before bed we just can't read one. My daughter likes all the stories not just the Tar Baby and the poster is great too.

Smokey Robinson is not afraid to honestly and frankly outline the events that have transpired in his life. One has to appreciate the clarity and detail he uses in expressing the downfall of his marriage and his drift into drug use. Clearly a movie should be in the making.

David Ritz is a Fantastic writer period and he does a Wonderful job with Smokey.now Smokey Robinson is one of The Greatest Artists ever.He has Written songs that are Timeless&are Musical Treasures.this Book is Very to the Point about the Highs&Lows of The Life.also Motown The Beautiful History of a Black Owned&Operated Label that was The Soundtrack for Many Peoples Lives.this is a Must Read.Also About Him&Berry Gordy which is History unto itself.A Great Overview not only on a Musical Genius&Legend but also a Very Together Brother.A Brother who Overcame alot and is still Bad to this day.

From page 1 until the end of this book my eyes kept reading and reading and thanking God that this man is still alive today to give us his talent and energy and love. Smokey has come a long way from the 1st page of his biography. This is one you cannot put down. Believe ME.