This book is not an easily accessible checklist,rapidly readable, of the manifestations and anguishes of being 'in love.' The ordinary reader has to set him/herself to the Herculean task of understanding Barthes and picking each amazing fragment apart until recognition cuts through, like a dagger in the heart (if one reads while in the throes). The acute perception of the Parisian review is immediately recognizable to anyone caught on the sharp tines of love who has read "A Lover's Discourse," reached for it in moments of desperation, and found it a sort of lifeline. The book is "punishing," as was said, but solace will be afforded just by seeing the relentless torments and wretched states of being put into precise words - having it all dissected and explained, if not ameliorated. An enamoured person could find exquisite (if temporary) relief in that alone.

Some readers may find this book difficult. Barthes never attempts to give us a uniform narrative about love. Instead, as the title implies, he provides us with fragments--some of which come from literature and some from his own philisophical musings--of a lover's point of view. Since childhood, we are taught to think of love as a singualar entity. Whether it is God's love, marriage, passion, or patriotism, we are taught to think of love as a unique, and exclusive prize. But as Barthes' points out, love is built upon fragments, many of which are mundane.

The most compelling part of "Lover's Discourse" is Barthe's dissection of the phrase, "I love you". Drawing upon literary examples and common sense, Barthes asks us what we mean when we state that we love someone. Do we love what they do for us? Do we love how they make us feel? Do we love the idea of them? Are we in love with love itself? This concept is born out by the protagonist Merseault, in Camus' novel, "A Happy Death". The first thing Merseault says to his lover when she wakes up in the morning is, "hello image".

"Lover's Discourse" extracts love from ideology and examines it under a microscope. We may be confused by what we see, and we may not like it, but the view contains more than a glimmer of reality.

All academic works should be modeled after this one. To make literature speak: to make the text yearn, cry, fear, love, and affirm. The pleasure of the text?

Is this a book about human love? Or is it also a book about loving the word? Does the lover love a beloved? Or is the beloved really the word?

This book is for those of us who cannot participate in reality as it is, but who are always filtering the lived moment through the books that we have read. This book which seeks to affirm at a time of discontent and irony, affirms us in the end.

I saw an ad for this book at a web site called Mental Satin that my wife told me about and this book was featured there. I saw the title and the artwork on the cover and i figured this was just a bit too deep for my taste. But i was pleasantly surprised. This is a funny book. Parks has his moments of deepness and the reality of his experiences stand on thier own but this young brotha made me laugh at things i never felt were humorous. His essays, "Blockbuster versus Bankbuster" and "Where Are All The Single Black Women?" had me in tears. I enjoy books that break things down to levels where we all can understand. Mr. Parks did that for me and i thank him for that. Well done sir....well done.

As a avid reader for over 35 years, I have found only 3 books that I can "identify with,Manchild in the Promiseland, Soul on Ice, Native Son...That was until now...I read and re-read those books as a reminder of who I am and what I can be...well now I have a fourth book to add, Someone Is Sleeping In My Head is a true and gutty expression of a young man that is truly mature beyond his years. I started with a glance and was totally drawn into his life...I know he must be the reincarnation of the one of the great authors who started the Black writers revolution. I am still shocked by the story of the triangle and think every fathers should learn and tell it to their sons and daughters. I have set aside funds for what ever this deep young brother write, I want my copy first.

This book can be best described as a "look into the depths and crevices of the soul of a black man". Mr. Parks, although still young in this game called life, has captured through his experiences, the essence of his mind's eye. With each word....with each phrase....with each line.....I get a front row seat to his soul.

I look forward to the next masterpiece.

He stood six feet tall, hard as a chestnut log, and once thundered to his rock-hurling, moonshine-swilling neighbors, "If I can't preach the love of God into you, I'll beat the Devil out'n you!" At the same time, this deeply compassionate and committed man drove 50,000 miles a year over roads hardly fit for horses to serve churches and visit shut-ins, in order that his people might live free in the Spirit. In confronting a culture founded on 190-proof alcoholism, gunslinging violence, fatalistic hopelessness, and bridgeless remoteness, Bob Childress was a spiritual 'Braveheart' to the mountain folk, a Moses shouting, "Devil, let my people go!"

Seldom a week goes by that I fail to consult this book as a supplement to my Bible readings. Mr. Davids's account of Reverend Bob Childress is a laboratory manual and field guide for my spiritual exercises. To love as Christ loved means giving a ride to an enemy through the snow. To have faith in God is to believe his love never gives up, and to confront in that love a liquor peddler on church grounds. Doing God's work means to enable release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, through building schools and helping people see that religion is the way you walk, a force for good.

We need the stories of people like Bob Childress, who courageously and faithfully lived out what the Bible teaches. Much of what Bob Childress fought is still with us today, throughout America: idleness among video-gamers, gunslinging violence endemic in school and workplace, and fatalistic hopelessness in voter apathy. This book stirs me toward a working faith in a brighter future. It reminds me of the dignity of a purposeful human life and of the value of even the remotest human soul, no matter how sick and lost.

The "Man Who Moved A Mountain" was first published as a hardback edition in 1970. The price of $5.95 seemed high to many people, so the second printing in 1972, and all subsequent printings, have been large paperbacks. Thirty years later the book remains in print, a testament to its continued popularity. This book is about my grandfather, the Rev. Robert W. Childress, Sr. Bob Childress was born in Patrick County, Virginia in 1890. His parents were poor and uneducated as were many of the people living in the region at the time. He grew up in an environment where brandy was god, for it was brandy that made life bearable. When he was fifteen, he earned his first five dollar bill from cutting timber. He walked seven miles to Mount Airy, NC and bought an Iver Johnson .32 caliber revolver for two dollars. The next five years of his life were spent mostly "as a heller." Much of the time he was either getting drunk or sobering up. But one day, after several hours of gambling and drinking, he found himself at a church revival. He never knew how he got there, but when the altar call was given, something inside urged him to answer. As he knelt, there was no sudden revelation, only peace. Although his life did not turn around completely that night, it was the beginning of a transformation that would lead to his decision to become an ordained Presbyterian minister. Not an easy task for someone with a seventh grade education and a family to support. The events that transpired during the course of his remarkable life truly demonstrate that our God is indeed an awesome God! Throughout the years many people who have read the book have commented on what a great man Bob Childress was. They are impressed by the impact he had on people and say he won many souls for Christ. But my grandfather would be the first to say that he personally never won a single soul for Christ, it was the power of the Holy Spirit working through him. Without that power to sustain and guide him, he would not have had a fruitful ministry. The beauty of this story is that it demonstrates how God uses ordinary, seemingly insignificant people, to accomplish extraordinary things. To learn more about Bob Childress and a project in progress to preserve and continue his ministry go to www.buffalo-mountain.org.

After I read this book, my family had the pleasure of finding 3 of Paster Childress rock churches, his home,and his grave site. I felt so at ease and peaceful,I thanked God for people like him that had the courage to try to encourage others to stop fueding and be as one with each other in the peace of the Lord.

I was glad to see that this book is still available, so that other people can also enjoy it. I read "Musical Stages" in the early 80's, and my admiration for Mr. Rodgers increased considerably on learning about his personal and professional life in his own words. I was particularly delighted with stories like the one about "Blue Moon", which seemed destined to oblivion, but instead became one of his greatest hits ever. Or the ones about the way he worked with his partners Lorenz Hart and Oscar Hammerstein II, and how he dealt with Broadway and Hollywood people, producers, musicians, fellow composers... Above all, what strikes the reader most is the genuine love Mr. Rodgers always had for the stage. The anxieties, curiosities and goings-on involved in the production and staging of his Broadway works made me quite envious of those who were able to see the premieres of shows such as "On Your Toes", "Pal Joey", "Oklahoma", and so on, which Mr. Rodgers relates in such a vivid way. I was lucky enough, though, to see Yul Brynner in the 1978 revival of "The King and I" at the Uris Theater in New York. It was a magic moment I will treasure forever. Every person of good taste in this world owes a lot to this determined and sensitive man that managed to create a lot of the best music of this century, regardless of national, ideological or whatever boundaries you may think of. And, on top of that, Mr. Rodgers tells us his wonderful life story in a style that echoes the irresistible charm of his immortal melodies. For better enjoyment of this book, I recommend that you read it with your CD player on with, for instance, the soundtracks of Mr. Rodgers' shows and movies, or compilations and/or albums dedicated to his music by the likes of Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Anita O'Day, Bing Crosby, Maurice Chevalier, Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett. Like me, you will thank God for the existence of someone like Mr. Rodgers, and for the legacy he's given us.

There are a handful of composers of American popular music whose body of work is revered generation after generation. Kern, Arlen, Gershwin, and Loewe come to mind. But at the top of the list is Richard Rodgers.

In my opinion, Rodgers is the greatest songwriter in the history of Broadway and popular music. His range was simply astonishing. He could write jubilant, folksy music as in "Oklahoma" or jazzy sophisticated tunes as found in "Pal Joey". He could create soaringly romantic melodies such as those in "The King and I" or inspirational and spiritual ballads as presented in "Carousel". Many of his songs have become popular standards as well.

Rodgers adapted brilliantly to a variety of subject matter. And the longevity of his illustrious career is enviable. "Musical Stages" not only chronicles Rodgers' life and work, but it is also an overview of the development and maturation of American musical theater to which Rodgers contributed mightily.

In this autobiography, you will get to know some of the true giants of American popular music in particular Rodgers' two lyricists: the impish, undisciplined, yet lovable genius Lorenz Hart and the wise and idealistic Oscar Hammerstein II. Both of these men wrote many of the best lyrics ever composed for Broadway or popular music.

You'll also meet acting luminaries such as Yul Brynner, Gertrude Lawrence, and Mary Martin among others. "Musical Stages" is a rich addition to any theater and popular music buff's library. Read it with delight!

(Note: Portions of this review have appeared in lesser detail elsewhere.) Simply stated, Richard Rodgers is America's finest composer. In our history, no other composer's music equals the consistent and prolonged quality, innovativeness, range, and sublime beauty of his compositions. Rodgers'exquisite, unforgettable melodies are crafted with such subtle ingenuity and sophistication that they never lose their freshness or their appeal.

Rodgers' musical genius was matched in two legendary partnerhips, the first with lyricist Lorenz Hart, and the second with librettist-lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II. Rodgers' collaboration with these two gifted men elevated and transformed musical theater into a true and distinctive American art form.

There is a knee-jerk tendency by a few so-called musical "experts" to site Gershwin as the greatest American composer. But discerning authorities and audiences know better. The ENTIRE BODY of Richard Rodgers' work stands the test of time better than Gershwin's, or for that matter, better than the music of Berlin, Kern, Porter, and Arlen, all gifted composers.

Rodgers' music is universally admired and respected generation after generation among all kinds of audiences. Few, if any of his compositions sound dated which cannot be said for a significant portion of Gershwin and other composers' music.

Rodgers' music is written so brilliantly that it seems organic, as if nature itself had perfectly strung together a series of notes which sound no less than heavenly, and which seem as if they could not have been structured in any other way. In some of Gershwin's music, particularly "An American in Paris" and "Porgy and Bess", the music seems stilted, grandiose, even pretentious.

You never get that feeling with a Rodgers' composition. His music always has a quality of lightness, fluidity and sponteneity something missing in portions of Gershwin's music. Some of Gershwin's music feels leaden and redundant unlike Rodgers' works.

The breadth of Rodgers' range as a composer was limitless. And no other composer was better than Rodgers in translating character and plot into music. Here is a man who wrote scores perfectly suited to shows as diverse as "Oklahoma", "Pal Joey", "Carousel", "Sound of Music", "Cinderella", "King and I", "No Strings", etc. The list is impressive.

"Musical Stages" offers a detailed account of Rodgers' life and his incomparable career. In it, you will meet Rodgers' two most famous collaborators the undisciplined, gifted, and lovable Lorenz Hart, and the idealistic, eloquent, and reliable Oscar Hammerstein II. Rodgers also reveals behind the scenes stories about Mary Martin, Yul Brynner, Gertrude Lawrence, Julie Andrews, and other luminaries of the musical theater.

This autobiography should be required reading for fans of musical theater and popular music.

Had I not seen Waterdance first, this book would have been a number 1 for photography of dancers. I'm a fan of the human body, and this book shows it beautifully. While excellent, it leaves me wishing for that something more, that something that exists in Waterdance. I'm thrilled to see that Schatz has continued the water photography in Pool of Light - can't wait for it to be delivered. - Sam Hunter

Howard Schatz book of dancers photographed in the studio is a high energy look at their subtle grace. Schatz clearly was influenced by the wonderful work of Lois Greenfeild. In fact, many other photographers work comes to mind when viewing this book! But that does not diminish the overall appeal of his work. As enjoyable as his last book "Waterdance" but displayed in a larger format with top quality reproduction. My favorite photography book of 1997.

This book is a wonderful rareity; a collection of breathtaking photographs that doens't sink to the level of objectification or predictability. The work is a celebration! The pictures are full of life and vitality, and it's obvious that Mr. Schatz has a profound respect for the dancers. He brings out the beauty of each of his models in a unique and interesting way. I will definately look for more his work!

I was not in Vietnam, I wasn't even in the service, but the recent movie WE WERE SOLDIERS ONCE resparked my interest again in a war so few of us really understood. I didn't burn my draft card, protest, or march. I have read 20 books in the past 3 months about Vietnam, 1 was 9 lbs., 3 were the country as in the present. Richie put me right next to him on every page and in every situation. Where is that dog? The good and bad side of not taking gun to a chopper crash site. The Recondo school, I felt the cool breeze coming out of that rock cave as Burns looked inside. This book is writen as a young man would write, not like a middle aged mature man who had lived a good life after returning to the world. I am not sure how Burns does that, but it makes for great reading. I am truly sorry to hear that cancer has cut Richard R. Burns life short. I will make a monetary donation in his memory. Cancer has claimed many of my family members. The History Channel ran a special on Recon Teams and there sat Richie Burns talking about his weeks at Recondo.

I was a friend of Richie Burns so I guess I'm a little biased when it comes to reviewing his book. However, that being said let me add that PATHFINDER is a remarkable first-person war story in that Richie not only told it like it was but made it a very moving, personal account as well. There's no ego here, no 'I was better than yoiu were' war story, just a good look at the Vietnam War.
As you read you're there with him, getting an inside look to the Pathfinder operations he took part in the war and better yet, a closer look at someone you would have been proud to call a friend as well.
When he died of cancer he left behind grieving family and friends and, this book that reminds us that a good man served his country with pride and integrity in the war and long afterwards as a career Special Forces soldier.
What the book doesn't tell you is that he also served as a veteran's counselor and that he had helped so many others try to make some sense of their own war stories.
Buy this book and hold on to it. People like Richie don't come around in life that often and the book is a reminder of what we all lost with his passing.

I was a Pathfinder in Vietnam in 1966/1967 surviving about 150
Pathfinder missions. Pathfinders, from WWII to Afganistan are
rarely mentioned and this book is long overdue. I did not know
Pathfinder Burns but I knew many like him. May God rest and keep
you Richard, Airborne! All The Way!

The story of accidental pioneers, this book was made into the movie "Follow That Dream" with Elvis Presley. I enjoyed the story very much and re-read it every few years.

I found myself keep going back and reading this book over and over again since I first read it 10 years ago. Richard Powell became one of my favourite authors of all time. "Pioneer go home" is one of his masterpiece! The story was laid out in such a genius way. You'll love it.

This is one of Richard Powell's best books. It's main characters are a family of New Jersey Piney's. As Powell grew up in Philadelphia and later retired to Florida, he obviously knew a lot about the people and the places he wrote about. The Kwimper family is hysterical. Particularly the father, who feels he is helping the government by taking advantage of their various assistance programs. The book is a true satire in that regard. The main character, Toby Kwimper (played by Elvis in the movie version "Follow that Dream") is your classic big strong dope with a heart of gold. Like all Powell novel's it's very cleverly put together with great dialogue. If you like this book, check out some of Powell's better known novels: "The Philadelphia" (later made into a movie starring Paul Newman), and my all time favorite, and Powell's last and greatest novel "Whom the Gods Would Destory" (about the Trojan War, Helen of Troy, Odyssey cycle of stories - a truly great read). Powell at one time was a creative writing teacher at Syracuse Univ and it shows. He's one of my favorite authors.

Somebody out there is cancelling sleazy TV talk shows with brutal efficiency. How?...by killing off their hosts using methods served from a juicy platter of mayhem. Things are going fine for this one-of-a-kind serial killer until he crosses paths with a pair of unforgettable NYPD detectives...Charlie Marchetti and Angela Buonfiglio...Brooklyn born and bred. Add the FBI and terrified network personalities into the mix and you have a real page turner...chills, suspense, humor. What more could you ask?

Congratulations to Richard Wolf on his first excursion into crime fiction. I'm looking forward to hearing more from Charlie and Angela.

There's a killer loose in New York City and he's targeting talk show hosts. He's brazen and clever and has law enforcement running around in circles. Detectives Charlie Marchetti and Angela Buonfiglia, lead investigators on the case are at a loss, following leads that go nowhere and hitting nothing but blank walls. But with the brass breathing down their necks, wanting this case solved, yesterday and the body count steadily rising, there finally might be a break. The murderer has decided to make the "game" a little more interesting and sends Marchetti a letter..... Richard Wolf has written a fast paced, page turner that's about to keep you up reading, all night. This is a mystery/thriller that has it all...smart, crisp writing, interesting, well drawn characters and a tight, compelling plot full of vivid, riveting scenes that sends you on a roller coaster ride to the stunning climax and very satisfying ending of the story. Host to Homicide should definitely be on every mystery/thriller fan's "must read" list and is hopefully the beginning of a terrific new series. I look forward to meeting up with Marchetti and Buonfiglio again in the near future.

A madman with a grudge decides to improve the quality of television, by murdering the hosts of trashy TV shows. This is a fast-paced novel with a very believable plot. And it's scary enough to make Jerry Springer hire a bodyguard!

When I first read this book I couldn't stop reading it for I was caught up by the events that took place in Bilquis's life that would later bring her into the only faith that allowed her to call God "Father". Living in a Muslim country I dare confirm the persecutions faced by Bilquis in her book are true. We have the same persecutions happening at where I'm from. From using white Muslims as freaks to convice the potential "apostates" that even white "Christians" embrace Islam to issuing death threats in scaring the new converts to denounce their new found faith. It is not easy for a Muslim to convert to Christianity in a Muslim nation. They will lose everything (family, possesions, nationality, etc.) sometimes even their lives. The sad thing is most Muslims still believe that their faith is tolerant thus denying stories like Bilquis's as fiction. Therefore to convince these Muslims they should try and convert to Christianity and see what happens to them. Such stubborn ignorance prevents them from seeing the Truth thus it is a miracle for them to convert to Christianity. Stories like Bilquis's are an inspiration to us that God's miracles do happen. And yes I cried at every incident that brought her closer to calling God "Father". Romans 8: 14-17 "For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the spirit of sonship. When we cry, "Abba! Father!" it is the Spirit himself bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him."

John

This is a wonderful book! I admire the faith that Bilquis had at the time of the persecution she was facing. She stood on God's Word and remained faithful, thus she was made safe and blessed. Anyone involved in a ministry to Muslims should read this. It is also very inspiring to all Christians in keeping the faith and knowing that God still performs miracles, even today. Dare to call Him Father, remain faithful to His Word and see the life-changing miracles He will do in your life.

This is an autobiographical book of the author ( A Muslim woman -
high class with a notable social position- mother of three kids, a grandmother who adopted her grandson as son) how Christ choose to reach her and how her whole life transformed by His touch. She is led to reread Koran in connection with her kid being treated for evil spirits by a mauli. She feels like reading earlier works to Koran; take a interest in Bible. In this period, she has a dream where she dines with Lord Jesus; When he vanishes, she finds someone whom she calls as John Baptist and asks him for guidance. Later she has an interesting a dream where a perfume saleman visits her and leaves a goldan jar of perfume on the table. When she gets up, she finds Bible at the place on the table. She meets a Chiristian missonaries couple and asks about John Baptist. Later She finds a specific passage in Bible where tha analogy of perfume and Good News is given. Now she is concevied that the dreams were from God. Once again, she is forced to visit hospital for her son's ear problem. There she meets a Christian Nun who manages the hospital. When the author expresses her confusion between Muslim belief and Christian belief, she is suggested to pray to God as father. This is the turning point. [ The book is titled on this aspect].She reminds about how her father cared for her. She dares to call God as Father. She is lead to pray for Holy Spirit and gets it. Later she is guided to take Baptism in her bath tub. She also takes traditional baptism.
Now her relatives boycot her. But she stands witness to Christ with boldness. Here one understands the rich man's problem in Bible; She has to forego her social position, security, and respect. She also has to risk losing her son. She puts Christ above anything.
Later her whole life changes. She also finds strength to forgive her husband; She acts as a medium for her relatives in crisis to taste the PEACE Given by Lord JESUS. Later she is invited to a Bill Graham's meeting in Singapore. This shows that she becomes the tool in God's hands.
Changed poticial conditions in Paktisan promotes her to visit USA for a four month tour arranged by Christian friends. Later She is forced to settle in U.S.A. She becomes an active Lord's witness in U.S.A.
I have read the book many times. Easy to read. Not a theological book; The message is is simple:

Dare to call GOD as your father.

Richard Ellmann obviously knew just about everything there was to know about Oscar Wilde; what is amazing is that he was able to put most of it in his Wilde biography and still make it a graceful, engrossing read completely free of boredom or didacticism. Wilde was one of the truly great personalities of all time, and Ellmann not only brings him to vivid life, but demonstrates why he was one of the most important literary figures of the 19th century.

Oscar Wilde was a man of paradoxes, both a man completely of his time and ahead of his time. He is also one of the most interesting, and tragic, literary figures of all-time. In our age of "information quick" (though it was the same in his own age), Wilde is often misunderstood (both his life and his works.) It's easy to get a one-sided version of Wilde the writer, or Wilde the man. That is why this extremely well-written, Pulitzer Prize-winning, masterpiece of a biography is absolutely essential for the Wilde scholar or the Wilde fan. Ellman skillfully avoids what he could've so easily done, and what so many other have done: write a sensational, tabloidistic account of Wilde's remarkable and scandalous life. Instead, he carefully, skillyfully - and, not least important, lovingly - assembles a neat balance between the sensational elements of Wilde's remarkable life and his literary legacy. Wilde, whose works are often dismissed (despite being probably the most widely quoted source in the world outside of The Bible and Shakespeare, and despite having his works widely and frequently plagarized) because of his lifestyle, and Ellman thankfully gives him his due here. Thanks to people like Ellman, Wilde's literary works rest now, finally, where they are due: at the top of the pantheon. He also goes a long way towards explaining the underlying motives behind Wilde's seemingly self-conscious descent into oblivion. Wilde, to the casual observer, seems almost to have been on a deliberate mission of artistic and personal suicide, and Ellman goes a long way here towards explaining his motives. As Wilde himself said, his life itself was his greatest work of art - it's very moving and incredibly tragic to watch his spectacular meteoric rise and even more spectacular fall, leading into his amazing decline, disgrace, and exile. One of the most famous men of his time in the 1890's, it's incredible to see how totally Wilde was shunned after his imprisonment. However, with the passage of more than a century - in which tolerance has made great bounds, both for gays and for the expulsion of literary censorship - Wilde's star can hardly be said to have ever shined brighter. Every year brings a new movie adaptation of one his plays (a movie of this book was even made a few years ago), his plays are still being staged, and his books are still widely read and discussed - not to mention that he is one of the most widely quoted invididuals in the English language. One may still well question Wilde's wanton ways and his decision to face the music, even when it was obvious and inevitable that he was going to lose both his reputation and possibly his life - but remember only what one W.B. Yeats has said of Wilde: "I never for a moment thought that he made the wrong decision" - Wilde, who lavished and delighted in pointing out the hypocrisy of his age and society won the right, by submitting to it, to critize it more. Now, a hundred years on, Wilde - poet, playwright, wit, and martyr to sexual mores - stands as tall as ever, a huge, larger-than-life, towering figure, his wit remaining, as Ellman says, "an agent of renewal."

If Richard Ellmann had not already written the definitive literary biography (his astonishing JAMES JOYCE), this utterly first-rate biography would be a legitimate candidate for the title. One might initially think that Wilde would be an easy subject for a biography: his life was interesting, eventful, literarily significant, triumphant, and tragic. But the problem is that for many Wilde has become a symbol either of the late 19th century Victorian decadence or the oppressed homosexual. To treat anyone, and especially Wilde, primarily as a symbol or a representative of anything outside himself, is to distort and misrepresent. The genius of Ellmann's biography of Wilde is that Wilde never becomes either more or less than the writer and person Oscar Wilde.

The portrait that emerges of Wilde is absolutely fascinating. If Ellmann's JAMES JOYCE is the greater biography, Wilde emerges nonetheless as the more interesting of the two Irish authors, and perhaps the more brilliant, if not the more productive. Indeed, one of the things that emerges from Ellmann's book is a sense that Wilde might have become a greater writer than he did, and not just if he had not sued the Marquess of Queensbury and had not been sent to prison on sodomy charges. Wilde emerges as even more brilliant than the work he produced, as if he had produced much of his work with a minimum of reference.

Ellmann does a marvelous job of situation Wilde in his time and place, with the cultural and artistic concerns paramount at the time. He also does a fair and just job of depicting the major involvements in his life, beginning with Whistler and his wife Constance and continuing on with his various involvements, especially with Alfred Lord Douglas. With the latter, Ellmann certainly does not try to idealize the relationship, but recounts it warts and all. If there is a villain in the book, it is not, surprisingly, the Marquess of Queensbury, but his son Lord Douglas.

The saddest part of the book, by far, is the section recounting Wilde's life after leaving prison, which is one disappointment after another. He first intended to reunite and reconcile with his wife, but she unexpectedly died, thereby cutting himself off from both a family and his children. He then reunites uncomfortably with Lord Douglas, but the attempt is a disaster. He final year or two are recounted as being especially miserable, with an impoverished Wilde reduced to conversing entertainingly with strangers for the benefit of a drink. It is especially heartbreaking to read how almost all his former friends cut him off, refusing to help him in his time of greatest need. An encounter with a young man from Arkansas provides perhaps the most apt Wilde quote from his last days. Upon hearing about Arkansas, Wilde remarked, "I would like to flee like a wounded hart into Arkansas."

One learns a vast amount of fascinating biographical detail about Wilde's life from this book. For instance: Wilde was double-jointed, could speed read and knock off books in scarcely more than a half hour in some instances. He was acquainted with the Yeats family in Ireland, and spoke with a pronounced Irish accent until he went to Oxford. He bought Thomas Carlyle's writing desk. He was a Mason. Physically he had tiny feet and teeth that were darkened by mercury treatments. And there is much, much more.

On nearly every level, this is a truly great biography. Even if one is not a fan of Wilde's works, it is definitely worth reading.