This one doesn't really fall into the Western category, but it's full of hammering action, informative local California history, and mystic goings-on. Seacoast adventures, early Califronia ranching, great good-guys and really bad bad-guys, and mysterious appearances by silent, unknown characters fill this one to the brim! Best of all, L'Amour introduces in this story, for what I believe was the first time in his writings, the famous "portal to the other side," which really sets this story apart from almost all of his other works. Excellent yarn through and through. You won't forget it for a long time after you first read it!

I have read fourteen books of Louis L'Amour's writings and this one happened to be one of the best books I read. It's different, and keeps you wondering about what's goin' to happen next, and in the end leaves you with a big smile drawn upon your face!. If you haven't read The Californios, then you'd better go get it! It's one of his finest writings! I usually keep my books on a shelf but I stored this one among my most-loved possessions! Louis L'Amour is by far the greatest storyteller, and this is how he's going to be remembered until the end of time!.

I often wonder why someone like Steven Speilberg never cared to read such literary talent...I re-read Californios in my late twenties and wondered if SS could make a movie out of this. It would probably become every kid's fantasy in the truest sense of the word if only every word of this book is translated using computer graphics...recall that JAWS and ET were runaway blockbusters that dealt with a shark and an extra-terrestrial as such. The SETI project is 40 years old and still no luck...it's time to become fascinated by our own kind I guess! And Louis Dearborn L'Amour is definitely the last of the breed!!

Together with its successor, Zomer Te Ter-Muren (not translated!!), this is THE highlight of Dutch literature. Translators/ publishers where are you? It's time for a new print.

words are few, when it comes down to reviewing one of the masterpieces of 20th century writing. It is an absolute shame this book and its author is only known to specialists and freaks, even in the authors home-counrty belgium. read it and tell everyone you know how beautifull, tragic, inspiring, funny, confusing, touching and superb it is. and tell them how it changed your life. this is an absolute masterpiece, if kafka is a 20th century classic, or hemingway or joyce or who-ever, then louis-paul boon is too, no doubt whatsoever.

A complex but very rewarding book. There are 3 story lines, all at different times in history, but all set in the same part of Flanders, in Belgium, and all portraying a similar image of injustice and despair. Although they may seem unrelated, the attentive reader will soon discover the links. It is one of the most important books of contemporary Dutch literature. However, readers who dislike modernist may want to stay clear of this one. Personally, I do not care much for modernist fiction, but for Louis Paul Boon I am willing to make a big exception, as this is an exceptionally warm and at times humerous book

I was skeptical that he'd like this book when he found it,
believing my 2 year old was a bit young for poetry beyond
Dr. Seuss. But he loves the sound and rhythm of the words
as well as the pictures in my old Golden Book edition,
and asks for it nearly every day now. For myself it's a
nice change from the usual kids books.

There is beauty in RLS's poetry, and the Provensons' illustrations are simply delightful. There are other versions of this book (or very similar), but no other combines the aforementioned elements so well.

Robert Lewis Stevenson has a way of making children smile, and adults follow right behind. The words so eloquently put together bring to life the thoughts of young children.

Christian Dior: The Early Years provides the inside story at the House of Dior, from its introduction of the 'New Look' to 1957, upon Dior's sudden death. When Christian Dior presented his first collection, the young designer presented clothing which featured narrow waists and beautiful evening dresses: a new look for the fashion world of the mid1940s. He drew each dress himself and his designs would change the fashion world of his times. The oversized presentation of this volume allows for fullpage displays of his works accompanying a biography of his life and achievements.

Born in a small village in Normandy, Christian Dior did not hesitate to disobey a parental injunction to undertake a "serious occupation." He knew what he wanted and fled to Paris where he became a designer at Robert Piguet.

The City of Lights was gray in 1946; there had been the war, German occupation, and rationing. But, luck was with Dior. He met the country's richest and most powerful industrialist, Marcel Boussac, who offered to back the young designer. Space became available at 28-30 Avenue Montaigne, an address well known to fashion aficionados today.

In 1947 Dior introduced his first collection, and the world was ready for his innovative return to the feminine figure with narrow waists, long skirts, and an attractive bustline. The rest, as they say, is history.

All interested in the world of fashion will delight in this detailed history of the workings of Dior's fashion house, and the remarkable people who worked for him in developing a boutique and perfume which would enjoy worldwide acclaim. Also included are stories of his famous clients, such as Marlene Dietrich, Lauren Bacall, Rita Hayworth, Ingrid Bergman, and the Duchess of Windsor.

Enriched with some 100 illustrations this keepsake volume concludes with "Monsieur Dior's Fashion Vocabulary" and a timeline noting events after Dior's death in 1957 to the present day.

- Gail Cooke

Christian Dior: The Early Years 1947-1957 by Esmeralda de Rethy (daughter of Princess Liliane of Belgium who was one of Christian Dior's very first clients) and fashion historian Jean-Louis Perreau is an incredible, superbly illustrated and informative coffee table book providing a vivid fashion record perfectly capturing the founding of an empire of style in the post-World War II decade. Full-page photographs, some color, some black and white, many nearly half a century old, adorn the pages along with Dior's original sketches and commentary. The text traces the travails, efforts, and world-class achievements in clothing, style, and love of life in this high society treasury. Christian Dior is very highly recommended reading for students of 20th Century fashion history in general, and the influential contributions of Christian Dior in particular.

The practice of enslavement in the Americas is a phenomenon of staggering proportions. It is also one of the most thoroughly documented systems of human rights abuse in history. "The Classic Slave Narratives" brings together four powerful testaments of individuals who survived enslavement in the Americas. The book also contains an insightful introduction by scholar Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

As Gates notes in the introduction, it has been estimated that more than 6,000 ex-slaves left some form of written testament between 1703 and 1944--an amazing body of literature. "The Classic Slave Narratives" is thus just a tiny part of a vast genre. Specifically, this anthology contains "the Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano," "The History of Mary Prince," "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass," and Harriet Jacobs' "Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl."

Each of the four powerful texts offers an effective complement to the others in the collection. In other words, each narrative illuminates at least one unique and important aspect of the American slave experience. Olaudah Equiano, for example, tells what it was like for a native African to be enslaved and transported across the Atlantic in a slave ship. Prince illuminates the life of a slave woman on the Caribbean islands. Douglass, born to a slave mother and a white father, describes in detail his quest for literacy. And Jacobs offers an incisive window into the sexual pathology of the slaveowning society.

These four texts are both valuable historical documents and fascinating works of literature. Much American literature--autobiography, poetry, novels, essays, and other genres--demonstrates the influence of, or parallels to, these pivotal texts. "The Classic Slave Narratives" is a necessary text for those interested in United States and Caribbean history, in American literature, in literacy, or in human rights.

This book contains first hand accounts acounts of slaves during there life in Africa and how it felt to be stuffed into a slave ship and go across the see for days and days to escape slaves to slavery as it was right before the Civil War.

These are stories of courage against great odds, first-hand accounts of an incredible institutionalized holocaust that was standard operating procedure in this country for hundreds of years. Some of these writings were best sellers of their time, but today they are too much an ill-kept secret. Yet I bet the average person living in the U.S. today only knows the name of one of the authors of these narratives. Read a first-hand account of the middle passage. Learn about the woman who spent almost a decade in a crawl space to escape the life of a slave. Find out the story of a man who risked life and limb to give public lectures against slavery, while he himself was still not legally free. You will never know what has been hidden from you, you owe it to yourself, your mother, and your child to read these stories told by Black people who lived through, and fought against, slavery. I also highly recommend Beloved, both the movie and the book, as well as the recent PBS series on slavery.

During the late 1960's and early 1970's Rinus Michels and Ajax took flowing, attacking soccer and turned it into a science. This science has become widely known as 'Total Football.'

The fortunes of Ajax and the Dutch national team have always been inexorably linked. As it was in the 70's, 80's, and 90's Ajax's stars of today are the Dutch international stars of tomorrow: Cruyff, Van Basten, Kluivert etc.

In the early 1990's Louis Van Gaal and his staff took over at Ajax, reshaping the team, and in less than six years conquered Europe with what was essentially a youth team. Many of these former Ajax stars have gone on to become the backbone of the Dutch national team, and are among the world's best players.

Kormelink and Seeverens,' 'The Coaching Philosophies of Louis van Gaal and the Ajax Coaches,' is a wonderful book, that details Louis van Gaal's time at Ajax, including system/tactics, drills/training, youth development, goalkeeping and general philosophy. This book takes you behind the scenes of one Europe's most influential and respected clubs, allowing the reader the unique experience of critically observing Ajax through eyes of one of football's greatest minds. Van Gaal and his staff meticulously dissect all aspects of the Ajax system from the ground up, providing coaches, players and fans with an indispensable guide to attacking football.

Litmanen, Kluivert, Davids, Overmars, Kanu, Seedorf, the De Boers, Rijkaard, Van der Sar, Blind etc, all make an appearance, and Van Gaal's comments on their abilities, strengths and roles within the system make for some excellent reading. One of the most fascinating parts of the book from a fan's perspective, is Van Gaal's incredibly detailed account of Ajax's preparations for the Champions League final against AC Milan. He takes you through drills, training, tactics, even the warm up --not to mention the game itself, with the thoroughness one would expect from one of football's perfectionists.

Ultimately this is a book of philosophy and ideas, and is among the very best (of the many) football books I've read. Interestingly enough, it's also extremely accessible. While coaches at all levels will find it an extremely valuable resource, players and fans will find it equally informative. I highly recommend it to all fans of Dutch soccer and attacking football.

This a Bibel for all people, that likes Ajax Amsterdams 4-3-3 soccer. You simply become glad for Van Gaals`, and the others Ajax coaches way to think about the greatest sport, soccer !!

great subject,lot's of jari,and no adze's at all. makes me feel melancholic considering the lame results of ajax nowadays. But it remains to be the best club in the world so we have rank this book in importance above (for example) the work shakespierre or goethe

The authors offer their Seven Qualities of Authentic Adulthood as an antidote to the conventional ideal of the "grown-up" which distracts so many of us away from the personal and social goals of individuation: Adulthood and the refounding of culture as a wisdom tradition. Read this book and join in the dawning of the age of adulthood!

If you ever wondered why you feel like a child hiding in an adult's body playing "grownup", this book is for you. The authors clearly explore the differences between "grownups" and "adults". "Grownups" are cut-off from their feelings and base their behavior on surface behavioral norms. "Adults" however, are able to comfortably integrate all their feelings without splitting them into "child" and "adult". The authors explain in a clear way how our self is a constant that all too often is parsed into pieces in order to satisfy the perceived expections of other "grownups". Afterall, we don't cross a magical threshold seperating childhood from adulthood.

I enjoyed the book so much I bought four copies to share with family and friends.

The authors contrasted characters of grownup with those of adult. Being adult means shedding of defensive and reactive mechanisms of grownups that shield oneself from experiencing the richfulness of life. Only when truly value the worthfulness and purposeful from inside, recognizing both power and limitation of human being, can one breaks free from the bondage of perfectionism and self-doubtfulness. A highly readable guide of personal growth and development

I've read seemingly every 14er guide available. Much of the information overlaps as one can imagine. However, what really sets this (and the companion volume as well) one apart is the truly four season information that it provides. Louis gives you ratings for summer and snow climbs as well as ski descents. None of the other 14er guides I've read give you that. These volumes are often compared to Gerry Roach's books which are excellent in their own right. However, in my mind the information in Louis Dawson's guides is better as many of us climb in seasons other than summer!

I own many trail guide books and this one is far and above all of them. The book is logically structured, maps and photos are very helpful and directions are clear. Dawson has obvioulsy dedicated a great part of his life hiking Colorado and has documented his travels well in this book. All routes are rated and shown in pictures of the mountain. If you buy one Colorado 14er guide book, buy this one.

Finally, a book that is worth its weight in your backpack. Lou Dawson has done it right. Great photos, incredible maps and route descriptions that make sense and are easy to follow. All you have to do is compare Lou's book to any other title to the shelf to see that his book is the one to have.

In the Gulf War the full technical advances in the gathering of electronic and signals intelligence were so impressive that Allied Governments were led to believe, that machines and satilites alone could do the job of man. This book proves that such assumptions were incorrect. What has been made plain in "Desert Storms" was that for certain tasks in most places of the world, there is still no substitute for the human intelligence agent. A good read.

World leaders should have the wit to learn that all wars teach lessons. If they do not have the sight to do so, they were faught for naught and those who have died in them did so in vain. What this author made plain was that for special tasks in unusual places, there is still no substitute for the world's oldest information gathering device: the "humant". The author's product (secretly gathered intelligence) should be highly regarded.

"Desert Storms" is a haunting and original story woven about two very different traditions, moving from opulent palacial rooms of financial diplomacy to private clubs. Where Emir's and King's patiently and effectively transform their enormous wealth and natural resources into political and military power. The ultimate participant in the story finds himself suddenly involved as a covert warrior among Middle Eastern strife. Told with historical accuracy, "Desert Storms" is cast in a nostalgic glow and, is the result of a massive research project and investigative journal. It would be hard to find another book as comprehensive and meaningful.

This book is a great reference book to get the basic idea of an important person, place, or philosophy. It really is a book of global culture. It has many important western references as well as non-western or non eurocentric references. I like to just open the book for a few minutes whenever I am sitting near the bookshelf and learn something new. Each entry is about a half a page on average. Some are less some are more. There is really so much to learn about the world that our western education dosn't teach us. For example you can get a consice description of the French Revolution, or learn about Kuukai (774-835), a Japanese religious leader, or read about Macumba, an Afro-Brazilian religion. It's all here.

This is my first time recommending a book and I couldn't have chose a better reference tool! As an American living in Europe, having never been intrigued by history, I often refer to this book during or after discussions as a fact checker. Highly recommended!

I read this book this summer and the insight I gained cannot be paralleled. This book gives detailed accounts of people, places, and events of major influence in our time and in history. No one should be allowed to call himself/herself "educated" until she/he has read this book. What a wonderful resource!