Gabrielle Colette died in 1954. She is most famous for writing "Gigi" which became a Broadway musical and Oscar winning film. Gabrielle was a talented, gifted writer, with aesthetic skills and a charming perception of humans, particularily the society she grew up in early twentieth century France. A fascinating woman, she wrote mainly short stories, dealing with women coming of age, older women making new decisions, relationships with intensity, and all of her characters have memorable nuances. She may have drawn from personal experience. Colette was clearly a woman with deep understanding of the nature of love and the course of human emotions.

Gigi is the story of a young woman brought up in a decadent, materialistic society. Her aunts have raised her to become a mistress, a courtesan for the wealthy. Gaston falls for Gigi, and attempts to make her his mistress. But Gigi refuses to be a part of the pretentious society in Paris, wanting an honest and open relationship based on love. In the end, she is granted this for remaining true to herself. Julie de Carneilha and Chance Encounters are striking tales of women in love, beautifully written and set in the opulence of Paris. Colette is a cosmopolitan writer, one can almost see her as she writes with a bottle of champagne on her writing desk, a view of the Eiffel tower from her window and a vivid imagination that takes flight.

Narrated by Octavia Albert, this book documents the true stories of several former slaves, their personal views, their struggles, and their triumphs. The stories are heartfelt and the convictions of the author to pass on the history of her people are evident in her dedicated writing.

I taught out of this text for several years. It's excellent. The materials are sensibly organized; the writing is clear without being juvenile; and the legal analysis is flawless.

Students respond well to the book.

This is one of the best texts that I've ever used in any class, and it's certainly the best text that I've found for teaching business law to non-law students.

I'm a glamour photographer in Bandung, Indonesia and also a student of Photography. Well, I think this book explains everything from fashion photography. The photos are amazing and the theory is quite simple. The book is designed with a professional way and for all photographer (amateurs included !) who wants to study about lighting, setting, props and model-posing. If you want to learn about glamour photography, you should read this book and you can read other pro-lighting series like Glamour, New Glamour, Nudes, Fashion Shots, Portrait and Provocative Shots.

Great guide book, with clear descriptions and directions. Most useful.

Well, when the book first arrived, all I could think of were the types of books that were 'field guides to. . .' I actually considered sending it back as I thought it would be of little value--I HAVE NEVER BEEN MORE MISTAKEN! While the book gives the appearance that it is pure textbook in style and format it was at least for me VERY informational, AND put together in a very readable format. There is an absolute wealth of technical information on berries and fruits but the book is also written so that even the most berry-less person (myself) can easily use the information. The book contains a great section on the care of berries and fruits with several chapters on pruning. It also lists the berries and fruits individually with a chapter devoted to each. The chapters all contain the same type of topics: overview, selection, care, disease, suggested cultivars for your zone, and anything unique about the cultivar. It is also very well photographed AND the illustrations are very helpful. I found it to be a valuable addition to my growing gardening library with a great deal of very practical advice!

I really enjoyed this book-it's very well written, loaded with great pictures, and contains a lot more personal information that was lacking in other books about Will Rogers that I've read. This book contains a fair amount of his quotes, usually given along in sync with the events that happened in his life as they unfolded. This would be an excellent book for someone who has never even heard of Will Rogers, much less read about him-they might get bit with the Will Rogers bug like I have. My husband brought this book home to me from the library, which is why I can rate it without owning it-but I will own it shortly, just as soon as my budget allows. And I plan to buy a copy for my father for a gift, as he was born in December of 1923, just in time to live through the depression and grow up hearing and reading about what this great man had to say the first time he said or wrote it. Highly recommended reading.

Just returned from a trip to Nice, Villefranche, St Jean Cap Ferrat, and Monte Carlo and this is the guide we lived by.

We recently traveled throughout Provence and used this guide to determine what to stop and see and what to miss. Great pictures, up-to-date information about costs and hours. We use this series whenever we travel.

Oh, this book made me wish I was in France. Pictures of Lavender fields, sweeping views of the Plateau de Valensole (the largest lavender-growing areas of Provence), the Vieux Port looking south, with Notre-Dame de-la-Garde that I didn't have time to see because we were too busy shopping for pretty French clothes and soaps.

You will be delighted with information on The Riviera, The Alpes Maritimes, The Var, The Iles D'Hyères, Bouches-Du-Rhône, Nîmes, Vaucluse and Alpes-De-Haute-Provence.

This book is part of a series of books called: Eyewitness Travel Guides. Each book is a graphically exciting and visually pleasing guidebook. You will find concise maps, carefully selected hotels, restaurants and cafes in all price ranges, 800-full color photographs, unique cutaways and floor plans to help you explore public buildings and landmarks and town-by-town information on sights, beaches, cafe life, markets, and festivals.

I started reading: "Cassis is a lovely little port, tucked into limestone hills.....Cassis is still known for its excellent seafood." pg. 153 (Is that why I ordered two helpings? :) We sat in the sun at an outdoor restaurant and had the most amazing fish I have ever had in my life.

They brought the fish out to us and then we selected what looked like freshly caught fish. I am sure it was because it was quite delicious. We wandered around and found a bakery (la boulangerie) and a place to buy olive oil and garlic. Of all the places I went, Cassis stands out as a place I would want to stay a bit longer. We found it quite by accident and even though you might take this book along, I think sometimes the places you find just by accident are going to be the most memorable.

If you want to visit Provence or if you have been there, this book will serve as an excellent way to wet your appetite or as a journey of delightful remembrance.

If you don't hear from me again, I went to live in an idyllic spot in Provence. Sigh....

P.S. 1. The French Phrase Book ISBN: 0-7894-3234-X is a great little book of essential words and phrases.

P.S. 2. Provence: A Country Almanac by Louisa Jones is not to be missed as a coffe table collectable book.

P.S. 3. To learn how to make those French desserts: Chocolate by Patricia Lolusada

P.S. 4. The French Dictionary ISBN: 0-7894-4494-1 has over 50,000 words and phrases.

P.S. 5. If you want to see a cute movie: Go look up the reviews for: A Year in Provence. What I loved was that Peter was a writer and he is always trying to finish his novel. His wife helps him on a writing assignment about Provence and that is when things turn more into a mystery. If you know of any movies or books on Provence, feel free to e-mail the information to me. I would be delighted!

This is a good book to rummage around in and to pick through, depending on your interests. The book has a strange kind of ebb and flow to it, alternating between straightforward biographical information, entertaining and easily comprehensible, and some very difficult philosophical sections on what these four disparate people were trying to achieve in their work. The book is very good but in some ways doesn't quite hold together because of the alternating style. And, quite honestly, in some of the analytical sections I sometimes wasn't sure what Mr. Shattuck was saying! If you want something that is entertaining but also very thoughtful without lapsing into the obscure you might want to try David Sweetman's "Explosive Acts" instead. That book seems to me to be more comprehensive and to give you a better feel for the times. Shattuck's book is more narrow in focus. A big drawback for me is that I have never heard the music of Erik Satie. As far as I know it is unavailable. This makes it a little tough to follow Mr. Shattuck's analysis of the music. So, "The Banquet Years" has got a lot of rich, dense prose but you'll need to beware if you are watching your intellectual weight!

Since encountering this wonderful and fascinating book during my first year in college, I have felt its influence in many parts of my life. My nickname shows the influence of Alfred Jarry and his Dr. Faustroll, even though I often identify more with the character Panmuphle. Just for introducing and explaining Jarry, Roger Shattuck's book is worth a good look. Yet another phenomenon that is more complex than its surface first suggests -- the painting of Henri Rousseau -- becomes better understood and more deeply appreciated through Shattuck's chapters on art in Paris at the turn of the 20th century. He certainly educated and influenced my own artistic preferences. And there is more, on poetry and music, but enough said. This is a book of enduring value.

I first came across this book when assigned it in college, and I return to it every few years. I found this a bracing book when I first read it and still to this day. Anyone who thinks Andy Kaufman was the first person to cross the line of performance art into life should read the section on Alfred Jarry. Indeed at a certain point Jarry became irretrievably blurred with his creation Pere Ubu (whom he took to "impersonating" in real life to an extent that must have been quite a trial to his friends). Yet there is something very moving and affirming about the often tragic story presented here. Jarry lived in a half sized room and became a chronic drunk yet he retained an impeccable dignity despite feeling trapped in a savage and absurd world. His last words were for a request for a toothpick. Jarry returned the insult of life with perfect poise.

The other portraits are equally incisive, the Satie portrait particulary haunting (its hard to listen to his music without thinking of the tiny room he lived in and never let another sole visit during his lifetime).

Shattuck gives the historical background that gives you fascinating insight into the social/cultural conditions behind the emergence of what have to be considered highly idiosyncratic artists.

For anyone with bohemian inclinations or posturings this book is essential, perhaps making your own little room shine with a little solidarity for those who have trod before you...