While this books is easily worth the cover price to any Madonna fan or pop culture theorist, as it contains dozens of articles and texts that would be otherwise largely inaccessable, the editorial work is horrible. There are several transcription mistakes, which are painfully obvious even on a cursory reading. There are also many mislabled items, most notably pictures. The worst is a series of articles that are from USA Today dated 1996 - that discuss Madonna's "new" video, "Like A Prayer",which premiered seven years earlier. The articles are obviously mislabled, and no one caught on.

A recomened book for the content, but not for it's shoddy editorial job.

Being an extrememly dedicated Madonna fan, I am inclined to like almost any book about her. This was no exception. My favorite parts were towards the beginning because there were a lot of interviews, which I love. There were a lot of articles on other people's opinions of her work and although they were enjoyable to read for the most part; some times it would get a little monotonous. There were also some parts where it seemed many articles in a row would be negative, and that was a little annoying to read over and over. But that's what opinions and commentaries are for, right? That's definitely what this book is!

Academic scholars and fans will eat up this book of popular articles and critical essays on the queen of pop music. Anyone interested on the phenomenon of "Madonna" should definitely read this. This book provides valuable insight on her career, artistry and impact on on society, (whether you care to admit it or not.) Feminists, gays and lesbians should take note, there is plenty of material here to generate tons of debate on Madonnna's impact for years to come. A VERY VALUABLE AND FAIRLY RECENT RESOURCE!!!!!!!!!!

If you are a "Little House on the Prairie" fan, this book, based on a true story, is for you. The story follows a Native American woman's life as she survives tragedy and ultimately triumphs. I'm not usually much of a reader, (in fact this was an assignment) but I just couldn't put it down! The author did an excellent job capturing the reality of the Native American way, and depicting the main character's struggle with TB; the isolation, loss of friends and her own illness. This book really makes you appreciate your health and everything you have.

Being a fanatic of Native American writings and lore I find again Mark St. Pierre, top of the list. I understand he has lived in the Lokata nation for the last thirty years and writes from the heart. Follow this writer because he is destined for fame. No writer has captured this beautiful culture with more passion than he has. I look foward to his next work.

This book delighted me, as it dealt with a wholistic view of menopause. Other books I have read focus mainly on the physical OR metaphorical aspects of menopause, but this book put it all together. The emotional, psychological, and spiritual changes associated with menopause were written with both a realistic and optimistic perspective. Compton didn't shy away from getting into the depths of some of the horrific experiences a menopausal woman may go through on her journey, and she is the first writer I have found that deals with the dark "abyss" that menopause often brings. Too many other books gloss over the changes and concentrate on an end result of glorious Cronehood. Her section on "The Little Herbal and Vitamin Bible for Midlife Women" is especially helpful and informative for the physical needs of a menopausal woman. I first checked out this book from a library and found it to be such a good resource that I bought it.

Is estrogen or hormone therapy for you? What about all the herbs? How do you know which "expert" to trust?

Madonna Sophia Compton, in Women at the Change: The Intelligent Woman's Guide to Menopause, provides information to help women sort out all the conflicting information. She divided her book into two parts: the non-physical aspects of menopause; and the physical symptoms.

Compton says that "menopause is a time of new growths and strengths, new purpose and dreams." She encourages women to think of "menopause as the rite of passage it was meant to be, not as some dreaded force that is seeking to destroy us from within."

In the first chapters of her book, Compton reviews the transitions that women make from maiden to mother to crone. She uses the birth, death, and rebirth cycle, as symbolized by the mythical story of Demeter and Persephone, to illustrate the transformations that all women undergo. Menopause provides a confrontation with the self that enables women to rediscover the depth of their souls, according to Compton.

Later chapters discuss the causes of mid-life depression and discord. Compton also delves into the sources of spiritual unrest and suggests that "when aging is viewed as a spiritual journey, rather than a simple biological process . . . the crone woman can perceive her life as the culmination of a vast treasure house of wisdom and knowledge."

Part Two of Women at the Change details the physical changes involved in menopause. Compton says that "each woman must weigh the choices and make her own decision about taking hormones during her menopause, and sometimes this decision can be an agonizing one." She emphasizes that the key to making the right choice is being well-informed. Compton dispels the myths surrounding what estrogen will and will not do for menopausal symptoms. For example, while it does eliminate hot flashes, it won't restore libido. She includes a full description of each kind of estrogen and the benefits and side effects of each.

One chapter is devoted to the differences between progestins (such as Provera), which are synthetic, and natural progesterone. Compton quotes heavily from the studies conducted by Dr. John Lee, an established progesterone advocate.

Compton cautions that, because natural progesterone cannot be labeled as such, "women must know exactly what they are looking for." She describes what to avoid, such as some "wild yam" creams available, and provides the names of some reliable preparations.

Preventing bone loss and protecting the heart each has a chapter, as does herbs and vitamins for mid-life.

Unlike their mothers, women today can choose from a variety of remedies to help see them through their menopausal years. Women at the Change: The Intelligent Woman's Guide to Menopause will help women make the choices that are right for them.

Martin H. M. Schreiber made this book as a dedication to Madonna and all figure models. It is a glance into the ambition and dedication that Madonna and other models have. Beyond the obvious conotations provided by the mystique that is Madonna today, we can find the simple beauty of a young woman expressing the beauty of her body. The works in this book are simple, but they have a subtle delicacy to them that I really appreciated.

The book begins with 3 forewords [each one in a different language French, German, and English] describing exactly how Madonna on February 12, 1979, a quiet, shy girl walked into the photographer's studio for the first time and pursued this session of photo shoots. She was the nude model for Martin H. M. Schreiber photography class that evening. He describes that his book is a tribute to Madonna and anyone like her who aspires through ambition, hard work, and perseverance to achieve their goals!

The author of this book describes his journey in his beginnings as a photographer and how he eventually decided to publish his work. He also mentions how Playboy in 1985 published 4 of his photographs. His work he describes is a "celebration of the human form, a dedication to an innocent, determined, young woman." There is a copy of the model release form in the first page with Madonna's signature and the price she accepted.

The pictures are in black and white and show various model poses. From a classic pose to several others where she is seen unclothed in various angles exposing different parts of her body. There are several pages that show a bunch of photos in one page displaying numerous positions from crouched on her knees to lying back, lying to the side and so forth. The author ends again with 3 different language type descriptions of his work, the other books he has done, and his former background.

There are various versions to this artistic book worth mentioning and buying. My review pertains to the soft cover and has the published date copyright 1990. It is a 1992 edition by Benedikt Taschen Verlag [ISBN 3-8228-9777-9] and was printed in Germany. The title reads MADONNA NUDES 1979 [author Martin Hugo Maximilian Schreiber]. The cover of this edition has Madonna topless wearing sweat pants petting a cat versus the picture displayed above.

Overall, for the average Madonna Fan this is an excellent book to add to your collection. Photographers may like to buy this in their quest to visualize the beauty of a woman like Madonna thru the lens. Other people including critics will also find this book to show a magnificent style of imagery relating to how Madonna from her early beginnings had a knack for the cameras. Every page in my opinion shows an image of a young woman that is confident, proud of her body, and very much at ease as the photos were taken. Although, there have been rumors that she was not too thrilled with the timing and the release of some of these photos to Playboy it is apparent that 10 years later people are still buying this book and seeing her for the person she is: A Work of Art!

When she was younger, Madonna had a very natural beauty that was accentuated by her well-endowed figure. This book features some outstanding portraits of her in casual but very erotic poses; her healthy, hirsute body provides a welcome contrast to the skinny smoothness that seems to be the current feminine ideal. Sure, the collection probably never would have been published had Madonna not become the star she is today, but her celebrity status is precisely what makes the book so intriguing. I would definitely recommend it to Madonna fans, but it really belongs on the bookshelf of anyone who enjoys quality, tasteful nude photography.

This book is a wacky little collection of women's dreams of Madonna and some very odd collages featuring photos of Madonna mish-moshed together with drawings, artwork, etc... The text wasn't all that interesting(ya just gotta wonder- are there really THAT many people out there dreaming of Madonna every night? ). It was really the collages, with their little oddities and quirkiness that made me look at the book more than once. If you are a die-hard Madonna fan and absolutely HAVE to have every item ever made about Madonna, then you should get this book--if only to say that you own it in your collection. Otherwise, I wouldn't reccommend it to the average book consumer.

Who hasn't dreamed of Madonna?

This book is comprised of first-person accounts of women's dreams involving Madonna. It's beautifully bound and printed and provides a fascinatingly multidimensional glimpse into Madonna's effect on the American female subsconscious. The essay that begins the book is fairly silly, an attempt to define the Madonna phenomenon in intellectual terms, but the dreams and collages make the book a necessity for the collection of any devotee.

As soon as I saw this book, I knew I had to have it. It's an compelling and interesting account of women's bizarre, erotic, funny and wacky dreams about Madonna, a seemingly larger than life celebrity, who has forced her way into the subconcious of all who she has touched. Recommened for Madonna fans, and those who enjoy a laugh, or need to just be sastisfied in anyway

There was no real detailed description of anybody or anything. I prefer more explicitness, making it easier to envision the characters and their surroundings that the author had in mind. Some might refer to that type of prose as wordy and cumbersome, but I prefer to think of it as painting a picture or portrait for me, the reader. Other reviewers have commented that the story moves swiftly; and it does because many of the sentences are not very long, the writing style reminding me of my 9 year old daughter's. Many of the dialogue scenes sounded as melodramatic as a poorly written soap opera. I waivered between giving it 3 stars or 2; I give a book 3 stars if I think it's an average good read. This story is basically good, and I really liked the ending epilogue; but I decided on 2 stars because the vampire Victoria becoming a Mother Theresa-like goody two shoes building an orphange for abandoned kiddies, complete with a chapel and an organ, bugged me.

Fans of Elaine Bergstrom's vampire series shouldn't miss _Madonna of the Dark_. This well-crafted first novel offers a complex and believable undead heroine, dark Gothic romance with psychic overtones, and three hundred years of you-are-there history at breathtaking speed. Those who prefer vampire sagas with a _Wuthering Heights_ flavor won't be disappointed.

Moore is a gifted writer of vivid descriptions and well-developed characters. I read few vampire novels, but I was drawn into the eerie world of the sympathetic and virtuous lady in this one.

Well, I rec'd this book and began reading. I didn't realize the entire book was quotes from the actress herself, which don't get me wrong, being the strong Madonna fan that I am, is great; however I was expecting a little more I think. The pictures are good, but not some of the best pics I've seen her in. So, the pics could have been better and a little more words, maybe not from the actress herself, A nice collector's piece I guess.

one thing about Madonna then as now She has never been lost with words on People,Places,&things.She has always had something to say on everything&everyone.I applaud Her for being Herself no matter what.interesting quotes through the years from her.

Madonna, someone who rarely minces her words, has become quite the quotable legand. She's not choosey, really, as this book samples from interviews and suchlike and chunks them together in different sections. Ultimately, it's a fun read because Madonna is a fun person to hear opinions from, whether you agree with them or not. As an added incentive, the last few pages give those Mo talks about, a chance to talk back. Some can get pretty mean, but Madonna gets mean right back.

What makes a decent girl undress herself in the middle of a plaza in 14th century Italy? She stands right in front of the man she loves and his love for her will never die. It could have been Shakespeare, but it is written in Norway in this century. The power of love AND evil are evident throughout this books, and makes it clear that these themes are eternal, in litterature and in life. A wonderful book!

Wiese runs into a problem here: the first twenty or thirty pages are so incredibly intense, rich, and captivating that it's hard to live it up. For the most part, he succeeds, but lets it get a little out of his hands. Overall, this is well worth picking up: I read slowly and yet didn't put it down until I was done. He manages to fit a lot of different themes and topics into a small, yet great read. And the opening is just pure excellence at work. Five years and two degrees in English Lit hasn't found much that rivals this opening

Your world is transformed for a day as you will not be able to put this book down.

The Black Madonna is a sound starting point for anyone with an interest in Dark Goddesses, the Magdelene, and the Black Virgins (BV) of Europe. As this is a book published by a house providing information about Jungian psychology, Gustafson spends much of this work exploring the Jungian symbolism behind the BV. He also provides the history of a specific BV, using its history and symbolism as a lens to dissect theories concering other BV's.

An entire chapter of the book is devoted to comparing the BV to other Dark Goddesses, such as Kali, and Isis. Although I found "The Black Madonna" a useful tool in learning more about the phenomenon of the BV, I was dissapointed by a publisher's 'teaser' on the back cover of the book. The teaser hints that a relationship between the Hebrew Lilith and the BV will be established in this book. Although many Dark Goddesses are mentioned, Lilith is overlooked.

I also found some of the scholarship of this book in opposition to other books concering the BV. For example, "The Templar Revelation" disproves the oft-repeated theory that BV's black coloration was created by accidents concerning soot deposits from centuries of exposure to flame. "The Templar Revelation" also makes the case of Mary Magdelene's ties to the BV much clearer. I would recommend starting with "The Black Madonna" for a background about the BV, and then tackleing "The Templar Revelation" for more information.

"The Black Madonna" is, all-in-all, a good starting point for those interested in the BV and is certainly the definitive resource for psychological symbolism surrounding her. It is not, however, her full story.

This book is a treasure-find for any one interested in unearthing the dark and mysterious Feminine within themselves or exploring more about the phenomenon of the Black Madonna and the rich symbolism She has for our culture today. The author has researched his materially masterfully and thoughtfully. His presentation is serious and deep, inviting the reader to dive in to the deep pool of the mysterious darkness that the Sacred Feminine presents to us in today's world. This is essential reading for anyone who has a thirst for the Grail Adventure, Marian devotion and Jungian Study.

You may love her work or you may hate her work, but if you read this book, you'll come away from it with a great deal of respect for a woman who used every possible means available to her, including people, to achieve her apparent dream - global recognition. I can remember the first time I'd heard of her twenty years ago and am in awe that she's still here. The author must have worked his _ss off writing this book, and it's a great bio to date. Had he waited until after she'd died to write her bio, it no doubt would be as thick as a Webster's Dictionary and he'd be within the age of retirement. I'm not a great fan of Madonna's, but I found her rise to fame completely fascinating. Someone please tell Kelly Clarkson she's got a lot of work to do to join that American Idol club!

Wow -- what a book. I sailed through this baby in two days because I couldn't put it down. J. Randy has outdown himself with this smooth and sometimes absolutely hysterical tale about a woman who makes his "Call Her Miss Ross" heroine Diana look tame. (Remember that book. Loved it!) Madonna is as bitchy as they come -- so funny, too -- but I loved the stuff in here about her rise to the top, how she did it, and why she wouldn't look back. I also had a lot of empathy for her as she pays a karmac price for her fame -- poor girl was unhappy in love, that's for sure, but you can't have it all, I guess. Still, the betrayal business with Dennis Rodman. Did she deserve it? And, such a shame, all that tear-stained nonsense with JFK Jr. over Jackie O. And did Sean Penn really have to push her into the pool? But at least she finds her true love with the dashing Guy Ritchie, and all's well that ends well. Loved it, loved it, loved it. Balanced and fair, too. But it's the dish that counts. Look, this is Madonna, after all. If this J. Randy Taraborrelli guy (that name!) keeps writing these books, I'm gonna keep buying them, I can tell you that. Also loved his "Jackie, Ethel, Joan -- Women of Camelot" opus of last year, and saw the movie, too. (When does this author sleep. That's what I want to know.)

The only thing I wanted to know that this book didn't tell me was where RAIN peaked on the Billboard charts. If you know where it did, then after reading this book you will know all you need to know about Madonna up to 2001. This book's got everything about her, absolutely everything. What's more? It reads smoothly and well, even those who don't consider themselves readers of books will be able to read this with ease, and why wouldn't they? Except for Taraborrelli's odd observations about the True Blue album (he said a less-interesting artist wouldn't have survived it...mmmm NO!), this is a great book about the Material Girl, and quite a tribute to her life and work as well. This is the only Madonna biography you NEED to own.

ONE THING THOUGH!: He gives away the ending to BODY OF EVIDENCE. If you haven't seen the movie, see it before reading this book, unless you skip the early nineties section (at your own risk) or absolutely do not want to see the movie. I hadn't seen the movie yet, and I was very disappointed to suddenly read what happened at the end, because it was in my plans to buy the DVD. I have, and I know I would've enjoyed it much more.