The brilliant writtings of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, arguably the greatest writer in the German language, are the subject of intense and respectful study in Reading Goethe: A Critical Introduction To The Literary Work. Chapters thoroughly explore the creative and destructive energies in Goethe's poetry, narrative fiction, drama, discursive writings, and his perhaps best-known masterpiece, Faust. A superb collaboration by Martin Swales (Professor of German, University College) and Erika Swales (CollegeLecturer in German and Fellow at King's College, Cambridge) Reading Goethe is an invaluable companion reference that belongs on the true literati's bookshelf next to the works of Goethe himself.

Laurette Goldberg draws upon her expertise as a teacher, performer, founder of several musical enterprises to present Rediscovered Bach: Vocal Chamber Music In The Bach Cantatas. In addition to the music itself, Goldberg has drawn on source materials to create a very "user friendly" format enhanced with clear background of the Baroque period musical styles. Rediscovered Bach is an essential, core title for personal, professional, music school, and community performance groups' reference collections.

Gaspar Francia defined himself as a Jacobine, and he was one, in a country so far removed from european cultural currents, and from the conditions that led to the french revolution, he managed to create an exceptionally interesting economical and political experiment. A centralized state, that owned most of the lands, and guaranteed to its people, at the beginning of the XIX century, basic education for all, efficient agriculture, the start of an industrial development, a professional army, and total independence from the powers of the time. He certainly was a dictator, with total and absolute authority. But was feared only by the higher classes, and loved by the people. His "reign" was peaceful, in sharp contrast with the blood shed in internecine wars in neighboring countries, and the executions of his enemies where rare. Rengger is one of the few witnesses to the first period of his government (1819 to 1825, Francia was in power from 1813 to 1840)and because of this, very important. The author is at the other end of the polytical spectrum, extremely critical of Francia's endeavours and actions, his friends are those that oppose Francia, and he despises the common folk that support him. The book should be read taking this into account, but is very well written and very informative.

Firstly, I've read many versions of The Art of War by Sun Tzu and they all seemed to be translated by someone with Chinese as their native language, rather than English. This translation is as clear as they get. Napoleon's maxims are short and sweet. The other works contained herein are also easy to read and are packed with simple, eternal principles of warfare.

There is nothing better than this work in English. If you are interested in the history of Russian chant or want to know what old russian chant was (to the best of our knowledge), and you don't read Russian, there is nothing better or more comprehensive for you. You can safely buy this book, knowing that there is nothing better for you in the English language.

When asking any experts to recommend books on Eastern Orthodox Church music, this scholarly volume by Johann von Gardner will invariably be among the first titles mentioned. This English translation, done by Vladimir Morosan, was published by St. Vladimir's Seminary Press in 1980.

The author states at the outset of his preface: "The present work is intended as an aid to those who feel the necessity of gaining deeper understanding of the liturgical singing of the Russian Orthodox Church, not only in its present-day practical forms, but also in its theoretical essence and thousand year history."

While von Gardner accomplishes his goal with clarity and scholarly precision, it serves and an excellent introduction to the music of all Eastern Orthodox Churches, including the Greek, and the Arab-based Antiochian Orthodox Church (of which I am a relatively new member). In discussing the establishment of Orthodox Christianity on American and Western European soil the translator states in his preface, "...the parishes established by the Church of Russia have naturally preserved the choral tradition of the Mother-Church, and even parishes from Greek or Syrian traditions of monodic chant have in some instances adopted Russian choral singing under the influence of the prevailing choral milieu of the West."

It cannot be stressed enough, as is stated on the back-cover summary, "the music of the Orthodox Church cannot be understood in purely aesthetic categories, apart from the liturgical context which determines both its content and its function." That's really what this book is all about, how the music and liturgy are inseparable.

Although I have many years of experience directing choirs and leading worship services in Protestant Churches, I discovered that as I began tackling the job of directing our Orthodox parish choir (on a part-time basis), that it was like learning a new language. This book goes a long way toward helping the reader become familiar with that new language, but one can only learn to "speak it" by full immersion in the services of the Orthodox Church.

Below are the titles for each of the four chapters:
The System of Orthodox Liturgical Singing: Concepts and Terminology
The Liturgical System of the Orthodox Church
The System of Russian Liturgical Singing
Periodization of Russian Liturgical Singing

I would definitely agree with those who recommended this book to me, it is an excellent introduction, however if you have no first-hand experience with Orthodox liturgies, I would think that much of this book would be an academic exercise.

At times, the reader may feel overwhelmed with too much information, or with unfamiliar terminology, but for someone like me who wants to get to the heart of this glorious worship experience, it's worth the effort.

Comprehensive, deep, perhaps even intellectually orgasimic. The Science of Knowledge contains the most stunning criticisms, elaborations, and evolutions of the Kantian line. Anyone who is disenchanted with modern philsophy and thinks that critical metaphysics is dead should read this book first. Practically every significant problem that is posed in modern philsophy of mind is addressed and solved! Fichte's Transcendental Idealism should become a western Zen Mantra!

Oh yeah, and follow the white rabbit.

Solid translations and, like all the volumes in Princeton's 12-volume Goethe series, the book is attractive with great typography. Much easier on the eyes than the Penguin editions.

This volume is a very accessible way to read Goethe for the first time, as well as revealing a new layer of depth for those who are more familiar with his essays and scientific studies.

This is an excellent miniature edition of Bach's Brandenburg Concerti. It has an interesting and informative preface, including a small list of variants from the MS. Moreover, the price is right, and while the print is extremely small, the engraving is very clear, making the edition easily readable. This is a very good deal.

When love and passion becomes an obsession,it get us into a vicious circle,that's what happened to werter the young author who was crazy in love with someone and who describes his tortures in a romantic style.Anyone may have lived this blind passion but few wrote it. An excellent book that narrates his story in letters he send to a friend to describe his deepest emotions.