This book nudges up to all kinds of scary issues: pornography, images of violence, censorship, freedom of expression. The brilliant lawyer Anthony Julius takes as his occasion the ways in which modern art since the mid nineteenth century has taken as part of its mission to challenge (and raise into public consciousness) the moral and cultural norms of a society. When is a work of art pornographic? When does it portray and comment upon a work of such savage violence that we are violated by being challenged to even look at it? What role does satire play in massaging transgressive images and their ideas for general consumption? From Manet's "Olympia" to Serrano's "Piss Christ," Julius assembles the evidence in this broadly and wonderfully written account of a modern phenomenon. Highly recommended.

Schnorr Von Carolsfeld's Bible in picture form has been the standard teaching Bible for German children of the past 130 years. These most Raphaelite compositions are perfect in their drawing, design and storytelling. Each of Von Carolsfeld's compositions have the paradoxical qualities of balance and spontaniety, of grace and strength and of monumentality and minute attention to detail. So, it is about time that the art world's great publishing friend, Dover Books, makes these somewhat forgotten illustrations easily and widely available with this handsome edition. Thank You, Dover!

Everything about this book is a good part. all the jokes were funny, they didnt offend anyone if that person was reading it, and above all this book is probably the best joke book i have ever read

I just finished this excellent biography this afternoon. After reading Stone's Lust for Life, I was curious to read a regular biography about Van Gogh. This is not exactly a "regular" biography, but I thoroughly enjoyed it nonetheless. Meier-Graefe blurs the line between historical fiction and biographical nonfiction. The result is really fantastic. I felt like I got a sense of Van Gogh's tortured soul, his complex relationships (with his brother, with Gauguin..), and how it all worked together to create his art.

Congratulations to all that contributed to this outstanding book. The history of the Places was carefully and completely researched and presented with beautiful photographs.

Segal, who has done extensive study of POW'S and other survivors of a major trauma, gives thoughtful and nurturing advice to anyone who is suffering. Connections are made between our coping abilities and their affect on our health and well being.Topics about communication with others, increased control over life, giving pain a purpose, letting go of self-blame, and compassion for others arm the reader with strategies for self-healing of any level of pain.

If your looking for a training book that is power-paked with a wealth of information to help you train the people you work with, this is it. In each chapter, The Winning Trainer has a treasure-trove of great ideas. Because every business is different,I especially liked all the examples that were made avaialble so a person can brouse through many ideas and pick something that works for them. This is a book that goes into great detail about many problem areas which people are confronted with at work, and gives them potential to help.

"A World Through Black Eyes" exemplifies the struggles of the everyday African-American, in many aspects. From such societal issues as racism, classism, love and politics..."A World..." elaborates on a broad array of topics. Not only is it from the author's personal point of view...I believe the commonfolk can relate to this piece as well. Ranging from the diaspora to the urban concrete jungles..."A World..." is a coming of age, of sorts...from a poetic perspective. It's profluence is well balanced (with hints of comic relief), explaining the many trials and tribulations facing the modern day negro. Overall...I give "A World Through Black Eyes" 5 stars, due to it's intriguing nature, as well as its worthiness of purchase.

I was excited to read about Cleopatra from the author of such a wonderful historical novel as "Autobiography of Henry VIII". I was also glad that she reverted to using the first person narrative after the less successful re-telling of the story of Mary, Queen of Scotts. I have to say that I enjoyed "The Memoirs of Cleopatra", but it still fell short of my expectations.

The biggest problem I had when reading this book is to tune out "Masters of Rome" series of books by Colleen McCullough. After reading the series, I could only look at the history of Ancient Rome through McCullough's eyes and any departure from her story-telling did not sit well with me, even though Margaret George could have been more accurate with her description.

The first disparity was the identity of Cleopatra's mother. In "Memoirs of Cleopatra", she is described as Ptolemy VII's half-sister. In "Fortune's Favorites" and "Caesar's Women" by Colleen McCullough, she is described as a daughter of King Mithradates of Pontus. This little detail is probably insignificant but McCullough's version makes Cleopatra's connection to Rome's enemies poignant. Also, McCullough describes an affair between Caesar and Mithradates Nysa, who is in her version Cleopatra's mother's sister or Cleopatra's aunt. It would have been an interesting connection to explore if Margaret George decided to follow this version of Cleopatra's story as well. Although she did not explore any of these possibilities, I kept thinking about all of these connections and that hindered my enjoyment of the novel.

The most interesting paradox between the two treatments of Cleopatra's story is the character of Caesar. McCullough devotes all of her books in the series so far to him and he comes out to be a completely different person than Margaret George makes him out to be in "The Memoirs of Cleopatra". I have to agree with George's depiction of Caesar. He is shown as an almost unfalliable person that he undoubtly was (almost being the imperitive word here since McCullough makes him god on earth). However, by this time, I have already bought into McCullough's legend of Caesar so it was a bit disappointing to read about this human version.

Other characters that appear in both places confused me. I liked Marc Antony in George's version better because he appeared as more complex individual than in McCullough's version. In her books, he is just a beast in human clothing. Octavian is shown with more potential for later brilliance in McCullough's version, so that is why I like him better in her novles. George makes his emergence unexpected although she writes from Cleopatra's point of view and that might be how she perceived him. Fulvia is too one-dementional in George's version -- she's just some shameless hussy who can't live without a man by her side. I think Fulvia was too unique and interesting (after all she captured the imaginations of Claudius, Curio, and Antony -- very different and strong individuals) for her time to have so little said about her. But again Cleopatra's perception of her might have been different.

The characters that appear only in George's version are extremely well realized. Olympus and Mardian were fascinating and the author really let us get to know them. Ptolemy Caesar appears as such a wonderful and brilliant boy that his fate is truly tragic. The Kandake was also an unusual strong femal role-model that is hardly, if ever, heard of in the story of Cleopatra.

Cleopatra herself is a wonderful character. George did a wonderful job getting inside her psyche. She was certainly brilliant and a good politian who, alas, followed her heart more often than her reason. I like the way George makes a distinction between Cleopatra's love for Caesar and her love for Antony. The best scene in the whole book is the plan and description of Cleopatra's death. It is amazing that the author can make the readers feel triumphant that this woman is killing herself.

The biggest problems with this novel is that it is too long and there are inconsistancies in the description. Cleopatra's stay in Rome is hard to reconcile with history because of so many inconsistancies. For example, how could she cross the pomerium into the city of Rome if no annoited ruler can do that? The length is really felt here because some key moments in time are summarized while superfluous details are elaborated to the point of boredom.

All in all, this is a great epic on Cleopatra's life.

Since childhood, the story of the legendary Ptolemaic Queen has captured my imagination. Throughout the years, I have read many books on Cleopatra - many of which have remained faithful to the ancient sources, however biased as they may seem. After buying this book on a whim, assuming that this novel was simply one more incorrect reinterpration of history and past novels previously read - a blatant reiteration of Plutarch et al. - I now admit that I was was wrong! The extensive attention given to detail and characterizations, the scope and magnitude of this novel are impressive! Margaret George has done extensive research into the time of the fabled Queen of Egypt and brings Cleopatra's world to life, not only referencing from ancient texts but also drawing upon the more modern-day sources. This engaging novel allows the reader to transcend the present and be transported into a fabled world, one which has captivated writers throught the centuries, a story which brings the tale of Cleopatra and her contemporaries into the immediate. In this book, you come to understand why the main characters - Caesar, Cleopatra, Antony and Octavian - held the fate of the known world in their hands. Ms. George takes pain-staking effort to scratch beyond the surface of the Cleopatra-myth and reveal these godly, yet wonderfully all too-human personalities that transcend time: the characters in this novel are complex and multi-dimensional, grand and legendary, even in their most vulnerable moments. Via this window into Cleopatra's world, you experience every nuance of expression; her descriptions appeal to every sense. Within these pages, you share Cleopatra's joys and pain, witness her triumphs and heart-wrenching sorrows. You experience the range of emotion: her sense of majesty as Caesar confirms her a sole ruler of Egypt, you feel her passion for Antony, know her rage upon betrayal and suffer through her final defeat. I was particularly pleased by the fact that the book (more so than in the past) depicts Cleopatra less as an evil Eastern seductress and more as an able queen and mother; Julius Caesar is seen as a mortal, and not as a deified individual, and Marc Antony ( who in the past has been much-maligned ) is allowed to be viewed in a more favorable light as a great and able Roman leader, and not simply as the emasculated shell of a man that his enemies and successive pro-Augustan authors have portrayed him to have been.

On a grand scale, Ms. George conjures forth an intriguing tale of epic proportions into this well-crafted account of a time long-gone, but not forgotten. For those of you who are interested in this tumultuous, but extremely fascinating period of history, indulge yourself and read this book! Sip a glass of wine in your finest crystal goblet, light several fragrant candles and play some soothing music. Take that journey and let your imagination soar - you are in for a delightful experience!

After having read Mary Queen of Scotland and the Isles by Ms. George, I was excited to find The Memoirs of Cleopatra; I was not disappointed! I love a book with colorful detail, and The Memoirs of Cleopatra is simply bursting with it! I also enjoyed the first person narrative - Cleopatra came across as intelligent, strong, beautiful, and oh so human. From history class, I knew how the story would end and dreaded it, having become so involved in Cleopatra's life - I have to confess I had to dry my eyes and blow my nose before I could read the final pages. Don't be daunted by the book's 1000 plus pages - I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a truly well written historical novel.

I am a Colleen McCullough fan, big time. I've read all her four books in the series at least 3 times EACH. Seriously. I enjoyed Caesar, A Novel very much. However, somehow the people in this book seem less lively than those of her earlier books. Gaius Scribonius Curio pales compared to Lucius Appelius Saturninus. Marcus Antonius is much less vividly portraited than Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus in Fortune's Favorite. You don't find your heart bleeding for Marcus Junius Brutus quite as much as the true patriot of Marcus Livius Drusus in The Grass Crown... the list goes on. Maybe it's more the fault of those people in history than of Colleen. Even the victories entry of Caesar into Rome was much less poignant than Lucius Cornelius Sulla's return; and for all the brutality, the account of Sulla's assuming the dictatorship is much more riveting than the off-hand manner Collen dealt with Caesar's first dictatorship. At the very least, the burning of the Senate House following Publius Clodius' death should have felt much more like a big ticket item, and ought to have been treated more detailedly in lieu of Caesar's endless journeys in Gaul. Needless to say, Pompeius Magnus all of a sudden looked more foolish and un-commanding than Marcus Aemilius Lepidus who was trounced in 78 BC. I just could not quite buy that. I think Colleen went a little too far in her Caesar worship. Pompey was a great general in his own right, even though he lost. I hope the next book is much better

This novel relates the exploits of one Gaius Julius Caesar, covering the time period November 54 BC to September 29, 48 BC. The setting is the ancient Mediterranean Roman Republic and its Provinces, enemies and allies.

The novel explodes during Caesar's Gallic War (specifically, Gallia Comata -> Gaul of the Longhairs -> roughly modern France). There are numerous battles; power plays to control Gaullic tribes and Caesar tries to enlist some of Gauls on his side. At one point, Caesar constructs a type of military fortification known as a circumvallation; essentially a series of walls over 10 miles long, in this case, around the city of Alesia.

After this, there is the run up to the Civil War. The political intrigues of the Senate and People of Rome (the Roman Government) are described. It was fascinating to read of the power plays used by the Romans; the planning behind the campaigns for political office, the running of the courts and the relation of Rome to Italia and the Provinces. The noble ruling class (patricians) constantly worries of how it will maintain itself apart from the influence of the plebeians (commoners); the plebeians are potential rioters and clients (in Roman terms, this meant for a plebian to owe political and economic allegiance to a patrician). Then, Caesar crosses the Rubicon (a river separating the Provinces which he administers and Italia proper) sparking the Civil War. Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus (Pomey the Great) heads the anti-Caesar side. As Caesar advances toward Rome, Pompey panics and decides to abandon Rome and evacuate the Government to Greece...

The general tenor is the novel is fascinating; however one can become loss in the great detail of geography that McCullough provides. Fortunately, there are about 5 maps in the novel depicting the various areas. Also, the narrative includes details concerning the inner workings of a Roman military camp, Roman military logistics and the legal/constitutional setup of the Roman Republic. Again, McCullough provides a rather extensive glossary of terms, which the reader will find very helpful.

Given that much of the novel consists of military campaigns (there is a fair amount of politics involved as well; the military and the political often clash and mesh with each other), one learns the great importance of food. There is a constant concern that the Generals must find (and obtain by force, if necessary) food to feed their troops. This factor comes up in several different contexts; the sieges, being far from Rome, the problems when the local area suffers from a famine and so on. Also, the fact that the soldiers expect and get much personal wealth (and Caesar personally), by looting defeated cities and tribes of all their silver and gold is a concept that may be very familiar to the modern reader. Yet, that was one of the big draws to getting involved in wars.

My one negative criticism of the novel is the seeming adoration with Caesar himself that McCullough puts into the story. It seems that Caesar will win every battle, win every discussion and outplan or outplan his foes. There is a feel that Caesar's victories at almost predestined at some points.

Historical Accuracy:

The novel has as its source material to primary documents written by Gaius Julius Caesar himself ("The Gallic Wars," and, "The Civil War"). Due to the fact that Caesar was writing the Gallic Wars as something like a series of status reports to the Senate of Rome, there is a possible tendency that he inflated his victories. Especially, since the Gauls of this time period left no written records about themselves, one must rely on others descriptions of them. In the, "Author's Afterword," McCullough explains in about 4 pages what changes she has made to actual history of the events. For a history student, this is extremely informative. I expected that McCullough would have been much more liberal in her dramatic retelling but I am quite impressed with her fidelity to the facts.

McCullough ends her Afterword by stating: "The next book will be called, 'The October Horse.'" I look forward to reading this next installment in, "The Masters of Rome," series.

Colleen McCullough's latest book, Caesar, is not from my viewpoint the best of the series ("Masters of Rome"). They are all fabulous. I've always been a student of history, but never have I had it handed to me and such a wonderful platter.

McCullough not only tells you what happened, but gives you the reasons why it happened. You are treated to the jealousies and intrigues among Rome's ruling elite as the "Boni" go after Caesar and his "populars."

But this novel is primarily about the rivalry of two giants in Roman history, Pompieus Magnus (Pompey the great) and Gaius Julius Caesar. Allied in the first triumverent we see the death of Julia, Caesar's only daughter and Pompey's wife as the beginning of the end of a very successful political alliance.

As Caesar's success mounts in Gaul, his fortunes at home start to decline. There really was a great right wing conspiracy against Caesar as the Senate jockeys to get Caesar back to Rome without imperium so that they could prosecute and persecute him. Pompey becomes a pawn for the anti-Caesar Senate faction and the political moves and countermoves are fascinating to watch.

Finally, with his back against the wall, Caesar crosses the Rubicon and "lets the die fly high." McCullough's is meticulous in her scholarship. The few times she departs from actual history she will tell you. Or if there is more than one interpretation she tells you not only what the other one is, but why she chose hers. There are two interpretations of the Latin with the subtitle of the book. The first is the one I had heard of "The die is cast." McCullough rejects this, feeling that Caesar was more optimistic than that and a bit of a gambler. When he crossed the Rubicon with his troops, he had abandoned the law and was going for it all. McCullough felt that he would see this as throwing the die in a gambling game and was full of hope rather than resignation.

You get a great view of Roman life, politics, religion, the legal system, etc. from the entire series. This book can stand alone, but is much more meaningful if you read the series in order.

Would I recommend this book? I've given copies of this and others in the series to friends of mine and I've read them all twice.