I don't read a lot of biographies because I often find the amount of detail to be excruciatingly excessive, and often the writer, even if he knows the person he is writing about personally, often tends to descend into sharp criticism of his subject, as if that were the norm in our age of gossip and entertainment. Perhaps the necessary detachment in this case comes from the fact that Brahms died just over a hundred years ago, for his was not a perfect character!

I have always liked Brahms' compositions quite a bit, especially his chamber music, which is among the best. Yet I have never bothered to read a biography of the composer. I only read this one because a relative of mine is handling the estate of one of the author's wives (not Irene, the collaborator), and while visiting this relative I was offered the book. Fortunately, from the outset I thoroughly enjoyed reading Prof. Geiringer's biography.

Geiringer acknowledges that there have been many other fine biographies of Brahms, and he decided to write one only because he was given access to about a thousand letters of correspondence Brahms received from well-know artists like the Schumann's, the violinist Joachim, and many others. Geiringer combines a vast knowledge of Brahms' life and music with these letters to produce a highly readable and entertaining work, w/o a hint of sensationalism.

In order to leave enough room for a discussion of Brahms' extensive output, the author limits his discussion of the composer's life to about 200 pages, yet it is quite thorough. Brahms' early life of extreme poverty is discussed w/o trying to evoke sympathy, followed by the burgeoniong composer's failure to get a post in his native Hamburg, a lifelong hurt for Brahms, but which very fortuitously causes him to move eventually to Vienna, where his music flowers in a very supportive environment. The young composer's career is given a huge push by a letter Robert Schumann writes in a widely read journal, and Brahms fulfills those expectations, though he surely destroys many compositions we would love to hear, because of his high standards. Also, Brahms, unlike other composers, receives the accolades he deserves while still alive and composing.

The view we get of Brahms is balanced - we see his good humor and we also read the famous quote of the composer, who, upon leaving a party, wonders if there is anyone there he has not insulted! Also, while Brahms reaches tremendous heights in his art, he never marries in order to achieve it, and we read about the women (mostly singers of his choral music) he loves but cannot attach himself to. No, Brahms is far from perfect, yet the composer is unfailingly helpful and generous to his family, friends, and also to other composers - Dvorak usually comes to mind in this respect.

Following the biographical discussion of Brahms' life, the author as musicologist again provides a thorough but not excessive discussion of the different kinds of works the composer put out, from the chamber music to the many varieties of choral works.

Towards the end of the book Geiringer writes an excellent chapter called "The Man And The Artist," a thorough summary that, as expected, is succinct yet not sensational in any way.

Wonderfully written book! I borrowed it from a friend and I love it so much I am going to buy it! This book is conveniently divided into three sections (Brahm's life, work, and letters). There are many references to his actual letters throughout the book. Brahm's certainly had an interesting life (definitely more interesting than what I had learned in music classes!) This book explains the relation between his music and life experiences very effectively. Quite a joy to read!

In 1999 The Fall of the King was nominated as the best book to be written by a danish author in the 20th century. Two major danish newspapers made the top-10 choice, and this JVJ novel got its number one celebration by both readers, publishers and reviewers. I have read it twice, and are now halvways into its psykologically dramas the third time, and its words has never been better. JVJ's way of putting our words together is unike.

This is surely the masterwork of the Nobel Prize winning Danish author, Johannes V. Jensen. The book mixes facts from Denmarks history from 1497 to 1543 with the fictional life and emotional turmoil of the student, Mikkel Thøgersen. Mikkel's life is contrasted with the life and times of the king of the period, Christian II, and we follow them through the bloodbath of Stockholm, war, civil war wich were the reason for the fall of the king. Mikkel is a person who cannot make friends with the world and himself and therefore kills, steals and rapes - all because of his dispair: It is impossible for him to live, because he is out of touch with what is really valuable: The love of a woman, his small hometown's life, nature. This book is a masterpiece, not because of its storyline but because of the dramatic poetic images, the wild visions, the modern way of describing the most extreme emotions in a man.

DO read this book, and buy copies for gifts! The beauty of Vermeer's paintings as reproduced and explored here can cause a heartquake. This book is ALL beauty: light and shadow, personalities revealed, meditation illuminated.

Will you find 'your' favorite painting, or discover a new one? "In Quiet Light" draws the reader into a communion of like minds similar to that experienced in Quaker meeting. The author, Marilyn Chandler McEntyre, imagines lives lonelier than mine has been; yet there is suggested serenity and self-control, with a hint of subterfuge, in the women described by paints and words.

If I could share a book with a dozen friends, "In Quiet Light" would be my choice this year.

This coupling of poetry with painting is as natural as putting words to music. The inner light of the subjects' humanity becomes as palpable as the soft light that fills Vermeer's paintings. Wonderful!

I researched Australia for over a year prior to my April 2002 visit there, and I read as many guides and books as I could find. While in Australia I purchased a local behemoth encycledia of the country, thinking that was as good as it gets.

I found the Insight Guide at my local library after I returned, and I am convinced this is THE single book anyone with more than a passing interest in Australia should buy.

The very heavy paper presents the beautiful color pictures in high resolution, and the articles are written in a complete yet entertaining style. Australian artwork highlights the history section. The sites of interest descriptions are entertaining and concise. I actually did not read the last section (travel tips)in depth since I had already returned from my vacation, but even without that section the book would be a great read.

This is NOT the book to carry with you on your vacation - there are plenty of other lighter guides that have more useful trivia like hotels and restaurants. This is the book to read and enjoy before you leave home. It is an excellent overall introduction to the country.

My daughter is beginning to study Australia in her 2nd grade class - I have ordered a copy to let her take to school.

I highly recommend this book. At the very least, check it out of your library to look at the pictures.

A wonderful book show me a beautiful Australia.
I like all of Insight Guide,and this is the best one.
I like Australia,I want living there

Deirdre Carabine has written a concise, well thought out and extremely well written account of the life and philosophy of John Scottus Eruigena.

Although time has not been kind to Eriugena, his contibution to both philosophy and Christian theology cannot be denied. He stands out as an intellectual bridge between the age of Augustine and Pseudo-Dionysus and Anselm during an age when Europe was only beginning to get back on its intellectual feet. His most original and important work, the "Periphyson", remains as possibly the most important philosophical text of its time.

Carabine examines not only Eriugena the teacher and translator of Greek thought, but also Eriugena, upon whom that Greek thought, especially in its Neoplatonic form, lay at the heart of his metaphysics and his attempt to reintroduce the notion of Being back into philosophy.

An introduction, especially to such an original and compelling thinker as Eriugena can either scare us away from further studies or prod us on to learn more. Carabine has successfully accomplished the latter, and more power to her.

John Scottus Eriugena - WHO? This man was one of the great thinkers of the "Dark Ages" and this book goes a long way in bringing his work the respect it deserves. The book is an overview of his works with an emphasis on the "Periphyson", but it also includes other works as well. The author seems to have a good working knowledge of John Scottus and does a good job of not only uncovering his work, which may be new for many readers of philosophy, but also at uncovering the man and his passions as well. This is a book I can recommend for anyone with an interest in philosophy and/or theology. For students of theology who are interested in the topic of predestination it can be a thought provoking resource. Well written and entertaining as well.

the first part of the book displays some examples of the icon and logo work they have done. the second part gives insight on the process of creating the "perfect logo." the third is a library of work they have done for clients.

from beginning to end, the book inspires and also simplifies the icon and logo creation thought process for me. it's a great book with great examples of 2d icon and logo work.

the book is broken down in 3 sections. the first section is a display of some logos and icons. the second being an insight into how they create a perfect icon. the third is a library of logos and icons created for clients.

from beginning to end, the book inspires and really simplifies the creation of 2d icons and logos for me.

great book.

The story is great. I agree with what is in the other two reviews. But the end of the book is the best part. It gives Steinhoff's insight (25 years after the conclusion of the war) into a modern nation's needs for defense and how that defense might be constructed. This insight, following the story of the defense of Sicily, makes the book! This insight is worth your time to read.

This book will be disappointing to anyone expecting tales of aerial victories. Instead, read about the near impossibility of fighter defense under the pressure of incessant night and day raids on German airfields, the management of experienced and inexperienced (though expert) pilots, use of alternative fields, retreat, and the unreality of orders from higher level of German air force leadership. I have reread this book several times, and strongly recommend it for its reality, not its thrills.

Steinhoff's tenure in the Luftwaffe spanned ten years, of which six years involved active combat. As Kommodore of JG-77, Steinhoff was responsible for the aerial defense of Sicily during the Allied Operation Husky. This book, written by the man who commanded German fighters, is pivotal in the historiography and critical to the understanding of just how that phase of the war developed. I highly recommend the book.

An excellent book for those who are visual learners in the field of Nursing or Medicine.

Lo mejor para un estudiante de medicina, es muy util, ya que es 100% REAL. Muy bueno para estudiar antes de un practico.

What may at first seem as a mere oddity, is actually a wonderful and extremely clever transcription. The ingenious concept in this arrangement is the synthesis of the piano part and the orchestral part into one big scheme, which is then cleverly divided between the two players, as opposed, say, to a piano vs. orchestra parts,as it would be in a regular "Klavierauszug" (clearly impossible in a one-piano four-hand setting). Both parts are more or less equal in difficulty, and even though it's not an easy ride, it's much less taxing than the original piano solo part in the op. 15. Advanced piano players will enjoy this wonderful arrangement enormously. As another reviewer wrote about Mozart piano 4-hands pieces - playing piano 4 hands is more fun than the law allows, and I might say that playing this arrangement is no exception to this observation.

No hablo inglés. Como lo anuncié arriba, espero que lo que estoy comprando sea una partitura para el concierto No 1 de brahmns, que estoy muy interesado en comprar y acá en Colombia no he podido conseguirla.

Anthropologist Johannes Fabian performed an outstanding service in sponsoring painter/historian Tshibumba's unique vision of his country's history. His words and the paintings themselves offer a rather romantic look at precolonial life, but a searing indictment of the epoch of Belgian rule. The interpretation of the Mobutu period is more equivocal, partly due to living under the authority of that regime, but also because Tshibumba genuinely admired some of Mobutu's achievements. Our painter vanished (presumably deceased) in the mid to late 1970s just as the tyrant's control began to go sour; it would be fascinating to read and see how Tshibumba assessed Mobutu's decline and fall.

His history operates on three levels---through his startling folk images, his own words, and the dialogue which emerges out of interviews with Fabian. The result is probably the most fully realized popular interpretation of the history of any African country, though oriented toward Tshibumba's home province of Katanga (Shaba). Fabian's essays in Part II further enhance our understanding of their joint project, though some are dense enough to deter some students and lay readers, thus 4 1/2 stars. Overall, a stunning and memorable collaboration. If only we had more like it....

For another indigenous perspective on many of the same events, by a Katangan girl who grew to womanhood during the Mobutu era, see Suruba Wechsler, "By the Grace of God," less penetrating but rather more accessible. Useful background material is also available in works by Eduard Bustin, Crawford Young, and Phyllis Martin and David Birmingham.

Anthropologist Johannes Fabian performed an outstanding service in sponsoring artist/historian Tshibumba's unique vision of his country's history. His words and the paintings themselves offer a rather romantic look at precolonial life, but a searing indictment of the epoch of Belgian rule. The interpretation of the Mobutu period is more equivocal, partly due to living under the authority of that regime, but also because Tshibumba genuinely admired some of Mobutu's achievements. Our artist vanished (presumably deceased) in the mid to late 1970s just as the tyrant's control began to go sour; it would be fascinating to read and see how Tshibumba assessed Mobutu's decline and fall.

His history operates on three levels---through his startling folk images, his own words, and the dialogue which emerges out of interviews with Fabian. The result is probably the most fully realized popular interpretation of the history of any African country, though oriented toward Tshibumba's home province of Katanga (Shaba). Fabian's essays in Part II further enhance our understanding of their joint project, though a couple are dense enough to deter some students and lay readers, thus 4 1/2 stars. Overall, a stunning and memorable collaboration. If only we had more like it....

For another indigenous perspective on many of the same events, by a Katangese girl who grew to womanhood during the Mobutu era, see Suruba Wechsler, "By the Grace of God," less penetrating but rather more accessible. Useful background material is also available in works by Edouard Bustin, Thomas Kanza, Crawford Young, and David Birmingham & Phyllis Martin.