This is an amazing book - rich in detailed information about the art of Gamelan Gong Kebyar. The 2 discs included with the book and the transcriptions of the various gamelan compositions help make kebyar very approachable for a gamelan neophite. Tenzer did an unbelievable job putting this together, and is in my mind the most interesting book on the subject to be found. A must have!

Michael Tenzer has written a dense and thrilling work on a stunning, vital musical tradition. The text is written for persons with solid background in musical compositon and ethnomusicology, but within those arcane fields this book is a real find. Carefully written and insightful, this book is a godsend for those looking for possible ways out of late 20th century compositional ennui. Highly recommended.

I can now quite honestly say with conviction that others observe us in far different but still similar yet thought provoking, light-shedding manner. Wim Mertens, I believe, has done just that. Man oh man, I love nothing more than digging into a good chapter of this book. Always insightful, Mertens very colorfully relates the cause, themes, and application of "American 'minimalist' music" in a straight foward and entertaining way. A "way" that most American authors I believe have yet to go.

Potter's book will be best appreciated by those with a much better understanding of music theory than I. However, I learned something about the personal and musical history of so-called "minimalism." (Potter falls prey to some extent to the problem of reifying an abstraction -- having first grouped some things together into a category, then searching for the true meaning of the category.) Is there a torch passed, so to speak, from Young to Riley to Reich to Glass? Glass is the only one to adamantly deny it, but Potter documents the basis for seeing it just that way (including Reich's influence on Glass). One aspect I am keen to know more about, but which Potter doesn't stress overly much, is the striking confluence of non-Western influences. Young and Riley are both disciples of the North Indian master singer, Pandit Pran Nath, who passed on in 1996. Reich studied both African drumming as well as the gamelan music of Bali. Glass studied Indian music, after being immersed in serialism if I've got the order correct. With the European "classical" tradition at an impasse at the turn of the millennium, it seems only natural that the future would lie in creative fusions and combinations with other traditions. (Not a very original idea, I realize, as evidenced by the recent emphasis of the Kronos Quartet among others.) Minimalism seems by now to be another style that passed into history and critical assessments -- is there an opening there that is being missed?

I vaguely remember THE AMERICAN BUND from my college days in the early seventies, but I had never been aware that this mostly German-American anti-war organization had such an impact on history before, during, and perhaps even after WWII. The Reich Mutiny takes the reader on a trip from innocent war protester to something far beyond, with a fascinating look into the psychological steps on how a small group of highly motivated SICK, evil people can turn a "dove" into a terrorist. Extremely well researched and filled with information that a lot of politically correct history books don't divulge, The Reich Mutiny keeps the midnight oil burning. WWII history buffs will love this book, and with current events since 9-11-01 and the various "Leagues" and "Societies" in the U.S. and abroad taking their stances...

This was not at all what I expected. I accidentally showed up the day the Author was there signing books. He was a rather plain looking fellow with a somewhat loud and projecting voice. After listening to him talk to people about the book and answer their questions, I understood why it took him 20 years to finish writing "The Reich Mutiny." So I picked one off the table where Steve Reynolds was signing the books and started reading it. I not only couldn't put it down I had to buy the book just to figure out the book, the boat, the characters and much, much more. I must say I am very impressed with the book. It is surprisingly well written which I later discovered the reason is that Mr. Reynolds is an English teacher and took 20 years to research this book and to write it in great detail. I, of course, didn't let that stop me and continued reading. I gave it a 4 overall because I couldn't justify a five right off. It just seemed wordy and I don't like that in a book. However, as I read more and more of the book I discovered it wasn't wordy at all, it was simply using a lot of adjectives to help describe the aharacters and develop the characters. I believe this Author is going places. As ha grows and matures he will develop a style (like Tom Clancey) of his own and each book will get better and better. I look forward to his next book and can't wait to see it in print.

Sincerely,

Ronald P Lafferty

Knowing that I love historical fiction, especially about the Second World War, a friend recommended THE REICH MUTINY by William Reynolds.
Not only was this one of the best books I have read on the Second World War--perhaps the best--this was also one of the best novels I have read in my life.
The book fairly crackles with action and captures an event of espionage that I never knew existed.
I had never known about Americans who actually worked for Germany aboard U-boats in the Battle of the Atlantic.
The book also contains nail-biting suspense and a great love story.
Simply put--this might be the best World War 2 book I have ever read.