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Book reviews for "James,_Thurston" sorted by average review score:
The Marriage of Spirit : Enlightened Living in Today's World
Published in Hardcover by CoreLight Publishing (2000)
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Enlightenment is the KEY
This is Not Your Father's Jonathan Livingston SeagullLeslie Temple-Thurston has added something new - and in my opinion much needed - to the spiritual literature, a manual for dissolving the samskaras. Samskara is a sankrit word that refers to all those tendencies and bad habits that sabotage any efforts at achieving anything, such as losing weight or becoming enlightened. It is otherwise known as our patterns, and makes up our conditioning, or patterned behavior.
By thoroughly eluclidating on the subject of polarities and their effects on us personally - and she is working on the level of clearing the personality or ego throughout this book - you first begin to understand how energy has been routed and patterned throughout your system over the years (and lifetimes.) Once you clearly see the problem, you can begin to do something about it. But it all begins with being aware of the problem first, and Leslie gently brings our awareness to this, beautifully.
Then she has a series of exercises designed to bring out the polarities in any situation - again, to become aware of the problem further - and other exercises to help you to neutralize them so that the energy they have been using up for so long can be freed and reclaimed for your own use. Do this long enough, and you are completely free of any energy stealing habits, patterns and conditioning. Voila - liberation!
Sound good? It is. But this is not your father's Jonathan Livingston Seagull. You gotta work at it. I myself have shied away from the material, only to come back to it again and again. Each time I work with it, I come away with a greater awareness of my own conditioning, via the polarities they use. Little by little, I think I am getting it. It is a work that demands your full attention and whole-hearted devotion, but you will easily see rewards comensurate with the time you put in. Even your first little "ahas" of recognition will be very exciting. By then, you'll want more, and it won't seem like work anymore, just thoroughly satisfying self-discovery.
The Prop Builder's Molding & Casting Handbook
Published in Paperback by Betterway Pubns (1990)
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Have a lookThis book was an interesting read. They do show a wide variety of techniques that are used for the stage...but they only give you a small taste of the process...The vacuum forming section is good. Read this book to get an overview of some ideas... but know that most of the technology shown is past its prime. I know stagework is seen at a distance... but you will not be impressed with the craftsmanship of the projects. Heads up on some safety issues...they skip right over that. Oh my.
good resourceI purchased this book as a sculptor....and thought it might be too focused on theatrical uses. I was pleasantly surprised to find that not only did it apply to the art sculptor but that it was more descriptive than any sculpture books on the same processes. The photos and directions are very clear and informative. The author gives a list of sources for ordering materials and supplies( though there are now many more sources available since this was published).
The beginner's book of molding and castingWhat do you want to know about molding and casting? It is probably in this book. How to work with Plaster, how to work with urethanes and resins. All about mold making, all about casting materials. From the simplest to the most complex. The book even explains how to do vacuum molding. I've just begun to do molding and casting and so far everything I've needed to know came right out of this book. And it is a lot of fun, too.
How James Joyce Made His Name: A Reading of the Final Lacan (Contemporary Theory)
Published in Paperback by Other Press, LLC (2002)
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Superficial Reading of LacanSo far the English translations of Harari's work on Lacan have shown themselves to be substandard and superficial from both the perspective of psychoanalytical practice and Lacanian scholarship. Perhaps this is because they are transcriptions of seminars he gave, rather than written texts carefully worked over and developed. In short, Harari's work would benefit from some careful editorial work, integrating more concrete textual references-- for instance, actually quoting text relevant text --and spending more time developing a context for the arguments he's articulating. Harari simply lacks the speaking skills that Lacan himself possessed. Harari often contents himself with simply restating what Lacan [presumably] says in seminar X and XXIII, giving little or no commentary or conceptual analysis. This point should have already been evident in Harari's reading of seminar X which required a seventy page introduction by Shepherdson in order to situate Harari's work. Such a lengthy introduction suggests that the work itself is not doing its job, and this point is demonstrated by a reading of the text, which, while replete with Lacanian diagrams, has very little of interest to say about them that couldn't already be gathered from other seminars. When Harari does engage in commentary his points are often trite, focusing on irrelevant trivia-- and sometimes hero worship? --rather carefully developing Lacanian concepts in light of the greater body of his thought. This annoying tendency is especially clear in his analysis of seminar XXIII, which spends more time rambling on in a rather romantic way about Joyce, rather than focusing on the novel new concepts that Lacan there develops. Harari's text would be defensible if it provided us with a brilliant and novel reading of Joyce in Lacanian terms, but it does not even manage that in that it restricts itself to the most superficial observations of Joycian texts... Observations that are immediately evident to anyone who has even the most rudimentary knowledge of contemporary literary theory. All of this produces a rather comic effect when Harari tells us that he is attempting to correct the rampant misreadings of Lacan promulgated by the Millerian school. How can you correct a misreading if you barely offer a reading yourself? It is likely that those curious about Lacan's unpublished seminars will continue to buy his work; but such people would do better to save their money and either read these texts in the French themselves or await their translations.
Le Sinthome and James JoyceCongratulations to Roberto Harari (and Luke Thurston for his translation)! This is a must reading for those interested in coming to an understanding of Lacan's late work on le sinthome in relation to James Joyce. It is one of the clearest explanations in the literature on this very complex relationship.
Le sinthome was a late development of Lacan during a period where he was attempting to represent the subject in terms of three interconnected rings, the Borromean knots. Each ring represented one of the three main orders (Symbolic, Imaginary, and Real). Many of the key concepts he had developed in the 50s and 60s now reappeared within various configurations of knots. It was Lacan's ongoing interest in James Joyce that sparked the idea that Joyce's writings were applicable to an understanding of a fourth order, le sinthome, which sustained consistancy in the psychic apparatus. Unfortunately, Lacan's late works of the 1970s were replete with exposition of a variety of knots but with little in terms of clear explanations. Harari's work breaks through this impass. It also encourages the reader to converse with his book, not simply to put it to memory. In fact, I found myself cross-referencing his work with other less accessible works to work out a variety of complex points on the knots and le sinthome. Harari's book was a key to overcoming various impasses.
For many of us interested in understanding this material we have had to spend much time in studying literature that not only is equally as challenging as Lacan's, but not necessarily clarifying at all. Harari breaks through this barrier. And he adds his own spin on important ideas presented by Lacan. Some may disagree with his spin, but it is a refreshing elucidation of otherwise inaccessible material.
Sure, there are dogmatic Lacanians who insist on singular readings of Lacan; but this is fiction. And there are factional disputes over the "correct" reading; but let us get beyond this and engage important scholarly work that provides insights into one of the truly great discoveries in psychoanalysis: le sinthome. Lacan's late work still awaits the scholarly field to genuinely engage this material. And there is much to be done!
If we can judge a book by how much it clarifies and encourages further thought on a subject, this book is exceptional.
Le sinthome was a late development of Lacan during a period where he was attempting to represent the subject in terms of three interconnected rings, the Borromean knots. Each ring represented one of the three main orders (Symbolic, Imaginary, and Real). Many of the key concepts he had developed in the 50s and 60s now reappeared within various configurations of knots. It was Lacan's ongoing interest in James Joyce that sparked the idea that Joyce's writings were applicable to an understanding of a fourth order, le sinthome, which sustained consistancy in the psychic apparatus. Unfortunately, Lacan's late works of the 1970s were replete with exposition of a variety of knots but with little in terms of clear explanations. Harari's work breaks through this impass. It also encourages the reader to converse with his book, not simply to put it to memory. In fact, I found myself cross-referencing his work with other less accessible works to work out a variety of complex points on the knots and le sinthome. Harari's book was a key to overcoming various impasses.
For many of us interested in understanding this material we have had to spend much time in studying literature that not only is equally as challenging as Lacan's, but not necessarily clarifying at all. Harari breaks through this barrier. And he adds his own spin on important ideas presented by Lacan. Some may disagree with his spin, but it is a refreshing elucidation of otherwise inaccessible material.
Sure, there are dogmatic Lacanians who insist on singular readings of Lacan; but this is fiction. And there are factional disputes over the "correct" reading; but let us get beyond this and engage important scholarly work that provides insights into one of the truly great discoveries in psychoanalysis: le sinthome. Lacan's late work still awaits the scholarly field to genuinely engage this material. And there is much to be done!
If we can judge a book by how much it clarifies and encourages further thought on a subject, this book is exceptional.
Superficial or just plain Supercilious?Had I seen the review a 'Superficial Reading of Lacan, December 11, 2002', prior to reading Harari's book I would not have read it. For me this would have been a mistake. As a PhD candidate working on Joyce and Deleuze, I have found it enormously productive. It has forced me to completely rethink the chapter I have devoted to Lacan, as this originally relied too much on the negative critique contained in Deleuze and Guattari's Anti-Oedipus. I now believe that the 'final' Lacan of Seminar 23 onwards, particularly 'Le Séminaire de 20 January 1976, Le sinthome, 1975-76', but also the earlier 'Le Séminaire. Livre XIX. Ou pire, 1971-72', have not received sufficient attention, whether or not they have been officially suppressed. I owe this to Harari and to this book.
It now seems evident to me that the later Deleuze of The Fold: Leibniz and the Baroque, and the 'final' Lacan, through their respective use of mathematical topology, come much closer in their ultimate theorisations than I had previously thought possible. For me it is particularly significant that Lacan used Joyce so productively in order to bring about his own final theoretical advance. His topological approach makes it much more arguable for me to relate Deleuze and Deleuze and Guattari's more fragmented use of Joyce to a schizoanalytic reading of Finnegans Wake. This will, I believe, prove particularly productive, at least for me and my dissertation.
Clearly my particular perspective is not one which will necessarily encourage others, who have an interest in Lacan or Joyce, to buy this book. I must therefore mention the extremely varied and rich variety of themes which the book contains, including Lacan's reading of Joyce as himself an analyst who brings about not simply Joycean doubles speaking Wakease, but an inventiveness in the analysand/ reader, through poetry and creativity, which changes our very discourse and allow us a new perception of the world. Nevertheless, as this is my review, I will stress one of the themes which is particularly important for me, as this should appeal to other likely purchasers of the book. This is the way in which Harari develops Lacan's thought on the Joycean epiphany, by showing that the Thomist notion of quidditas or 'whatness', which Lacan apparently did not find particularly 'striking', is absolutely decisive in Joyce's thinking and implicitly so in Lacan's development.
Deleuze and Guattari coined the concept of haecceity or 'thisness' to express their key notion of 'becoming' as an essence which did not result in a subjective identity. This I see as a very similar if not identical concept to quidditas. Deleuze implicitly linked haecceity to Joyce's 'epiphanic machine', in his comments on Stephen Hero, by noting that essence itself determines the conditions of its own incarnation. Harari too notes Joyce's privileging of 'whatness' ' through 'the epiphany', in Stephen Hero ' as a fundamental motif of his aesthetic thought which is realised in its fullness in Finnegans Wake. He shows that the occurrence and writing of the lived epiphany for Joyce turns his symptom into the Lacanian sinthome, as a revelation of the Real and its productive possibilities through the Symbolic. The revolutionary development in Lacan's thought at this point in finding the Real no longer 'impossible' but actually productive strongly links his thought, to my mind, to the equation of the Real with reality which had previously separated Deleuze and Guattari's theorisations from those of Lacan.
Harai concludes that Lacan has swept the way clear for a 'post-Joycean psycho-analysis', which is our own. From my perspective this can be no other than Deleuze and Guattari's schizoanalysis. Lacanians will no doubt disagree, and Harari, I must stress, makes no such connection, but to ignore or belittle this book does no service I believe to either Lacan or Joyce, leave alone Deleuze and Guattari.
James Davies, University of Leeds.
It now seems evident to me that the later Deleuze of The Fold: Leibniz and the Baroque, and the 'final' Lacan, through their respective use of mathematical topology, come much closer in their ultimate theorisations than I had previously thought possible. For me it is particularly significant that Lacan used Joyce so productively in order to bring about his own final theoretical advance. His topological approach makes it much more arguable for me to relate Deleuze and Deleuze and Guattari's more fragmented use of Joyce to a schizoanalytic reading of Finnegans Wake. This will, I believe, prove particularly productive, at least for me and my dissertation.
Clearly my particular perspective is not one which will necessarily encourage others, who have an interest in Lacan or Joyce, to buy this book. I must therefore mention the extremely varied and rich variety of themes which the book contains, including Lacan's reading of Joyce as himself an analyst who brings about not simply Joycean doubles speaking Wakease, but an inventiveness in the analysand/ reader, through poetry and creativity, which changes our very discourse and allow us a new perception of the world. Nevertheless, as this is my review, I will stress one of the themes which is particularly important for me, as this should appeal to other likely purchasers of the book. This is the way in which Harari develops Lacan's thought on the Joycean epiphany, by showing that the Thomist notion of quidditas or 'whatness', which Lacan apparently did not find particularly 'striking', is absolutely decisive in Joyce's thinking and implicitly so in Lacan's development.
Deleuze and Guattari coined the concept of haecceity or 'thisness' to express their key notion of 'becoming' as an essence which did not result in a subjective identity. This I see as a very similar if not identical concept to quidditas. Deleuze implicitly linked haecceity to Joyce's 'epiphanic machine', in his comments on Stephen Hero, by noting that essence itself determines the conditions of its own incarnation. Harari too notes Joyce's privileging of 'whatness' ' through 'the epiphany', in Stephen Hero ' as a fundamental motif of his aesthetic thought which is realised in its fullness in Finnegans Wake. He shows that the occurrence and writing of the lived epiphany for Joyce turns his symptom into the Lacanian sinthome, as a revelation of the Real and its productive possibilities through the Symbolic. The revolutionary development in Lacan's thought at this point in finding the Real no longer 'impossible' but actually productive strongly links his thought, to my mind, to the equation of the Real with reality which had previously separated Deleuze and Guattari's theorisations from those of Lacan.
Harai concludes that Lacan has swept the way clear for a 'post-Joycean psycho-analysis', which is our own. From my perspective this can be no other than Deleuze and Guattari's schizoanalysis. Lacanians will no doubt disagree, and Harari, I must stress, makes no such connection, but to ignore or belittle this book does no service I believe to either Lacan or Joyce, leave alone Deleuze and Guattari.
James Davies, University of Leeds.
The Prop Builder's Mask-Making Handbook
Published in Paperback by F&W Publications (1990)
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a good ideaI am confused...I look at the star ratings and read the reviews...but they don't even come close to my thoughts. This book was an interesting read. They do show a huge variety of techniques that are used for the stage... but they only give you a small taste of the process...Vacuum forming for example, a wonderful process, but zippo info on whereto/howto/whoto contact to buy or to make one. Read this book to get an overview of some ideas...but know that the technology shown is old and past its prime. I know stagework is seen at a distance..but you will not be impressed with the craftsmanship of the projects. Heads up on some safety issues..they skip right over that. oh my.
Comprehensive and user friendly!This is a great book about making masks. It covers the making of molds, including using alginate for a life-casting. He talks about making masks of different materials -- from hex-a-cel to paper mache to neoprene to leather! There's a really *nice* section on leather masks, and he also talks a little bit about the history of the leather masks and how they were used in Renaissance Italy by the Commedia. This book is filled with plenty of black and white photos illustrating the various steps in each mask-making or mold-making process, and the instructions are very clear. Highly recommended for those with an interest in making their own masks.
The Theater Props What, Where, When: An Illustrated Chronology from Arrowheads to Video Games
Published in Paperback by Players Press (2001)
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Great Book for learning students!I am a college student just starting to work with props. I have found this book to be extremly helpful throughout my work process. Anyone who needs a little push in the right direction must stop and try this book out for size. I promise you will not leave this book without something to use in your future work.
Theater Props Handbook: A Comprehensive Guide to Theater Properties, Materials, and Construction
Published in Hardcover by Betterway Pubns (1990)
Amazon base price: $40.00
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useful, surprising and inspiringAs an amateur prop and model builder I stumbled across this book after first reading Thurston James' bible on molding and casting. Although not as comprehensive as that book, and feeling a little dated, this book nonetheless is packed with useful, surprising and inspiring information. Some of the projects he describes do rely on a pretty well equipped workshop but there is still plenty here that anyone could attempt.
The Theatre Props Handbook: A Comprehensive Guide to Theater Properties, Materials and Construction
Published in Paperback by Players Press (2000)
Amazon base price: $30.00
Average review score:
useful, surprising and inspiringAs an amateur prop and model builder I stumbled across this book after first reading Thurston James' bible on molding and casting. Although not as comprehensive as that book, and feeling a little dated, this book nonetheless is packed with useful, surprising and inspiring information. Some of the projects he describes do rely on a pretty well equipped workshop but there is still plenty here that anyone could attempt.
Gone But Not Forgotten: Abandoned Railroads of Thurston County, Washington
Published in Paperback by Hannum House Publications (2002)
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The What, Where, When of Theater Props: An Illustrated Chronology from Arrowheads to Video Games
Published in Paperback by Betterway Pubns (1992)
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Have you ever had been in a situation and had that horrid little deja vu feeling of, 'I've been here before, and I didn't like it then. Why on earth would I like it now? Oh dear God please make it stop'? Yeah, me too. Have you ever noticied that those horrid little deja vu feelings seem to repeat themselves like you were in some sort of cosmic feedback loop? Maybe you always have the same kind of miserable dating relationships that end the same rotten way or maybe you always end up in a job where you feel like a victim or prostitute. Or maybe it's not work or relationships but something else, perhaps many things, but the KEY THEME is that you ALWAYS feel like you've been there before. Welcome to the wacky and wild world of your EGO, where history is destined to repeat itself unless you process it so it won't. Leslie calls these cycles energy patterns, and I tend to agree with her mostly because when I'm in one of these deja vu hideous moments I feel like there's a vortex that I'm getting pulled into. (You know that feeling, don't you? We all do!)
This book will show you how to process these energy patterns so that one day you'll be at the great precipice of one of those deja vu moments, and you'll look down into this canyon, knowing that you've taken that leap oh so many times before and it never ends well... AND you'll say 'NO THANKS! Not this time!' Then you'll hear your thoughts bouncing around your mind as if you had actually taken the dive, but you're in an ascended state of consciousness where you are peaceful and even amused at your (ego) thoughts though you aren't reacting like you usually do. Instead, you're watching everything around you like you have fallen into the parallel universe of 'what ifs.' Yes, I've been to this place. It's amazing. And yes, you can make a choice to not repeat those deja vu moments that suck you in like a black hole! We don't have to live a deja vu life. We can process and choose to NOT go to those ugly places ever again. Really!
This book will give you the key!