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Written with flair and never boring, Mr. Jelly Roll is a book that you will read more than once. Its a look at a legend and a glimpse into a world we can only know of through books and music. Get this if you want a good read and a look at Mr. Morton's life. A true classic.
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Chapter 2 about Cave Art is really eye-opening and informative about this controversial and speculative area of anthropology. Robbins also presents several Time-Lines at the back of the book that are also very informative. I am also a HUGE fan of the Chapter-by-Chapter form of Notes to be terrific for those of us that like to add more and more reading materials to our shelves. The photographs are fine though MORE is always better in these types of books.
REALLY AN ENJOYABLE READ!!
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This book traces all areas of life involving the various classes of noblemen such as Lords, Barons, Earls, Counts, Duke etc. and their relationship with the crown with particular reference to the reign of Elizabeth, Charles and James. It showed the noblemen as a group involved with extravagant expenditures and often died in heavy debt in order to maintain the high social status required of their position. This 'status' thought was also associated with the fact that arranged marriages were the norm in the middle ages. It also showed the development of 'education' from being trained soley in military skills to moving into the academic world. However, not all nobles were really 'noble' as a quote from Sir Walter Raleigh will put it in the best way. "The Justices of Peace in England have opposed the injustices of war in England."
What fascinated me was the fact that at various times in history ANYONE could have become a Baron, Earl, Lord etc. if he/she had enough money to buy the title! Throughout the middle ages, monarchs often sold titles to raise cash! The sale of the 'Baronet' started as a new title in on the market in 1611. The sale of titles ceased in 1629 when even an ex-convice, Ralph Buckinsham was sold a title! However, sales continued again in 1641 with a renewal by King Charles. It is interesting to note that the first round of sales led to the (temporary) abolition of The House of Lords and the second rounds from 1891 to 1921 led to a severe reduction of the political powers of the Lords.
Rest in peace, Professor Stone. A light has gone out in Princeton.
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This glimpse into the scandalous abuses that abounded in early twentieth century American society is so harsh, so raw, so unforgiving as to be unbelievable. Surely this couldn't happen in America.
This incredible story will make you laugh, it will make you appreciate the progress of the past fifty years in social programs and criminal justice, and it will make you cry.
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Stuart Wood's characters are also very well done. Stone Barrington's exclusion for being 'white bread', as well as his financial difficulties and bout of unemployment was interesting, realistic and refreshing. Dino Bachetti and the self preservation of the precinct created an extremely appealing obscurity around the case. Even Cary Hilliard's duality worked for me which was surprising in itself.
Too many characters became somehow connected kind of making Manhattan feel like it was inhabited by about two dozen people, but I was able to overlook most of that. I do wish Scoop Berman's role had been a completely anonymous character or left out completely. He was one too many and kind of an eye roller.
In my opinion, Stuart Wood's smooth delivery puts him next in line to John Sandford. This could be the author I've been looking for!
This is THE classic on jazz music and writing. Crazy stories, crazy times, with the unbelievable spinner of tales Jelly Roll holding the floor. Lomax could have just printed Jelly's comments verbatim and this would've been great, but he went to the trouble of tracking down a bunch of people who knew Jelly or were otherwise around New Orleans in the early daze, and this added detail spices the pot considerably. Alan Lomax's own commentary and observations are witty, charming, and spot on.
This edition is made definitive by a scholarly afterword bringing the reader fully up-to-date on modern Jelly Roll research. Quite a few pertinent details are now known that weren't when Lomax was writing this.
Up there with Mezz Mezzrow's "Really the Blues" as essential an text in the American music pantheon.