For those who wish to re-create 16th century Spanish clothing and make them as authentic as possible, this is the book for you! The patterns should be used as general shapes and adjustments made for various body types. One word of caution: these patterns are not like those sold by Simplicity, McCall's, etc. Extensive experience with tailoring is required. However, even a novice can appreciate the value of this book as a source of documentation.

Many of us, in reading Janet Arnold are familiar with this book due to her citing it numerous times. Now we can own it...and own it I do! This book is indespencible if you want to know what paterns from the latter 16th century looked like. It was written in 1589 by master tailor Jaun de Alcega to show others how to lay out patterns to conserve fabric. This book, is like having someone hand you a layout diagram from a modern pattern for many many differnt items of clothing ranging from doublets; to dresses; to cloaks; to horse barding. This book includes the actual 16th century Spanish work, followed by a translation...It even includes a conversion chart from the period Spanish measurements to modern ones ESSENTIAL!

Today my copy of this book arrived in the mail. I am very excited, this is a reissue of the 1978 edition which has been unavailable for so long! The book is a facsimile (with translation) of "Libro de Geometria, Pratica Y Traca" (Book of the Practice of Tailoring-- Measuring and Marking Out) by Juan de Alcega, printed in Madrid in 1589. Alcega was a master tailor.

The book was apparently intended as a guide for journeymen tailors, to help them figure out economical ways of cutting out garments, as well as giving them diagrams for some standard styles of garment. For each garment, there is a cutting diagram (much like the cutting diagrams that come with modern patterns), an estimate as to how much fabric is required (in Castillian ells) and brief directions on how the garment goes together. He also includes charts to help figure out how much fabric is needed based on desired length of the garment and fabric width.

In "Patterns of Fashion" Janet Arnold cites this book extensively (the '78 edition), though she complains that the translation is not as perfect as it could be, because the translators were not costume scholars. Any Spanish speaking folks doing graduate work in this area? Here's your chance. However, at least after a cursory examination, the translation seems good enough to me. And Arnold commented that it was extremely useful even without a perfect translation.

The first 4/5 of the book is a facsimile of the original, the remaining 1/5 is a translation, glossary, and notes (including a conversion table for Castillian ells to centimeters).

The book contains diagrams for 73 garments, plus a diagram for a "war banner," and two diagrams for "silk saddle trappings for jousts." The garments are for both men and women. The men's garments include ceremonial cloaks and church vestments. There are no diagrams for trousers, because trouser-making was apparently a different craft in Alcega's time.

As a Dali fan and tarot reader, I find these cards to be a sheer joy to view, ponder and read. This deck is a prize for any Dali fan. They are beautiful as well as puzzling. They are not easy to read and shuffle, but it can be done. There appears to be plenty of attitude around this deck. And why not? Dali, after all, was all about attitude. There is a companion book by Rachel Pollack that is good to own if you wish to study these cards. It is out of print, but can be found online.

As a collector and reader of the Tarot for all of my many lives, this deck is the only one I can term exquisite. Each card is a major work of art...lots of gold and Dali's own personal touch. This deck is NOT for reading, although one could certainly do so. This deck is a 'fine wine', kept in the cellar, taken out only to ooooh and aaaah over when company comes. For the serious collector only, best kept corked!

I purchased this deck at the Dali musuem in St. Petersburg. They are lovely, large, and with gold-gilted edges. Each card was designed by Dali and has his signature. It is somewhat difficult to read these cards if you are used to the Waite decks or other traditional decks, but definitely worth studying. Probably not for the beginner. It is interesting to see his perspective on each of the cards. The book that comes with the set is very limited in content, and covers only the major arcana; minor cards are not addressed. It is written in several languages. I would recommend this deck if creative art and new symbolism attract you. I love them!

This is an enchanting book, about a miraculous world, made accessible to the rest of us because of the author's delightful, cultured and very refined style. Her life is inspiring but also disquieting. She seems to find magic in the ordinary as well as the extraordinary and this is a challence to all of us.

If you are planning to visit Mexico,and would like to understand the unique Mexican Temperament....this book is a must read..well written by a gutsy lady

A wistful book, an exciting book, very revealing of Mexico, with adventures known to few. A "poppy hunt" to track opium dealers in the mountains, the JFK Assassination, a coming of age in a unique country. Beautifully written, different, readable, thought-provoking. Here is someone who is not only concerned for the future of mankind and the planet but who is willing to commit to a code of conduct. I loved this book and highly recommend it.

This book is a recount of Juan Pedro Gutierrez' personal experiences as a Cuban who was the victim of the crisis of 90's after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Cuba's strongest ally and economic tie. This book may offend those who are fond of the Cuba that is portrayed as a paradise to many around the world but unfortunately the lifestyle of Cubans is not at all what the tourists enjoy. Also, some may be offended by the way the author portrayed is own life as an average poor Cuban male, who survived the best way he could by living a vagabond life with the company of the rum bottle, sexual encounters and salsa music. What else could a poor destitute Cuban do in a communist country whose government provides its people with the bear minimum and even less at times.

I think book just tells it like it is without any polishing which I think gives the reader a clear portrait and reveals another aspect of Cuba with respect to survival especially during the peak crisis of the 90's when the shortage of everything was notable. The basic staple needs like soap, toilet paper, food etc. could not be met and the situation is still quite comparable today in 2003. The book brings the Cuban experience to life via the language that the author uses which is at times very vulgar, raw, inappropriate and downright Cuban however, the language and the style is what brings his recounts to life and helps to situate the reader in that time frame and to identify with the author's experiences. Also, there are some interesting references to the Gods of Santeria a religion that is still practiced by many Cubans today.

Overall the book presents and aspect about Cuba that is real, hard to believe and depressing but at the same time is an eye opener and a reality check about a country who has its citizens living in poverty and in some cases below human standards.

I read the Spanish version. I believe a book like this should always be read in its original form. The language here I don't think can be carried over successfully in a translation.

Well worth reading, not only for the libidinous content, told artfully and with humor, but also for its stark, mostly squalid, picture of mid-1990s communist Cuba. A genuine treat.
kr

Great read, I wouldn't know how to start describing it, I just know that I liked it. His prose is full of sex, misery, rum, hunger and dirt, with the constant presence of women and the ocean. A desperate cry into the hopelessness of those who lived in Cuba during the early "Special Period" of the nineties.

The story of a renegade cuban journalist, and an insight into his own hell and that of those around him; a hell caused by the starvation and misery that followed the breakdown of the Soviet Block in Cuba. Sex, drugs and cheap rum provided the only distraction available at the time. A narrative where the hunger never leaves, and where the only thing that is for sure is that things will not be better tomorrow.

An excellent job of narrating the recovery of lost material from existing documentation. The footnotes are well researched. The topic is fascinating, and the insights of the editors very useful. However, I would have liked to see an additional index with entry using English terms as well as the existing index of Taino words.

In addition, in analysis of a culture so intimately linked and so knowledgeable of nature as the Tainos, one should also take into account biological reality. For instance, it seems clear to a biologist that Mácocael, "he of the lidless eyes:' page 6 of the text may well be the great rainbow boa, Epicrates spp., Ma-ja, the great snake, since this serpent, like most boas, has lidless eyes.

An excellent job of narrating the recovery of lost material from existing documentation. The footnotes are well researched. The topic is fascinating, and the insights of the editors very useful. However, I would have liked to see an additional index with entry using English terms as well as the existing index of Taino words.

In addition, in analysis of a culture so intimately linked and so knowledgeable of nature as the Tainos, one should also take into account biological reality. For instance, it seems clear to a biologist that Mácocael, "he of the lidless eyes:' page 6 of the text may well be the great rainbow boa, Epicrates spp., Ma-ja, the great snake, since this serpent, like most boas, has lidless eyes.

This is the best textbook in Surgical Pathology for the residents in this field. Juan Rosi is a great figure in Anatomic Pathology, and no doubt that this work is a very valuable piece of art.

Being written origianlly by a very great and famous pathologist Lauren Ackerman, Professor Rosi did a great job by keeping this text one of the best in Surgiacl Pathology.

For the residents in Anatomic Pathology, I should say: Don't waste your time by reading other texts. Of course you have to read Robbin's to get the sense of Pathology and to understand what you are going to face in this wide and extremely difficult science, but to be a safe and knowlegable pathologist at the board exam level you really and honestly should read this great textbook.

I personally reviewed too many topics from Akerman's and other commonly read texts by the residents, and it is very clearly that there is NO COMPARISON.

One thing might hold you not to read Ackerman's textbook is professor Rosi moved from his previous position as a professor and chairman of pathology in Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre. I am not sure where is he right now and I am not sure if he is going to update this great textbook. I he is not going to do that, simply that means the end of this very valuable and great medical book, and the medical laibrarly would lose an important work in Pathology.

Through the amazon, I am asking professor Rosi not to stop editing the book, and we are looking for a new edition.

Whatever the situation, this book should be in every pathologist's office and in every department of pathology regaredless it is price which although is a little high, but it worth it no doubt.

One of the best book I have ever encountered on the Surgical Pathology. Each pathologist must possess this book, however, the price seems to be high for asian doctors. Be assured that this book is worth investing and would return the investment in the minimum time.

Tomas de Elia great photographs capture not only the european architecture of the Argentine houses and gardens but also the romantic atmosphere of the pampas. The book is impeccably designed and lavishly illustrated and allow us to wander into a part of the Argentine private world closed off to all but the most adventurous.

I found this Rizzoli hard bound book a delight to read and look through. The pictures are of outside & inside views including landscapes & gardens. I never knew anything about Argentina before I bought this book. About 22 properties photographed. Text is clear, specific and inviting. Also have FAZENDAS - THE GREAT HOUSES & PLANTATIONS OF BRAZIL which is just as good. If you are a visual person and see a 1,000 things in a photograph, this book is for you. Certainly made me realise that not the great buildings are in Europe or USA.

Es un relato real apasionante, que nos cuenta la travesia de un pequeño velero, de España a Cuba y el regreso. Interesante para los navegantes y todos aquellos amantes de los viajes, la aventura, la mar y la naturaleza.

Es un relato real, interesante para los navegantes y para aquellos a los que siempre les atrajo la mar, los viajes, las aventuras, la naturaleza, y... CUBA..."La tierra más hermosa que ojos humanos hayan visto".

Let me issue a caveat on the translation of my countryman Onetti's finest book, which I originally read in Spanish. Rendering the invented word "Juntacadáveres" as "Body Snatcher" doesn't really make sense, since it seems to hint at a grave robber or something like that. "Corpse collector" would be a much better translation, the nickname referring to a man who runs a brothel full of old, ugly, depressing prostitutes. I cannot comment on the rest of the translator's work, since I haven't read it, but if the very title is badly translated, how good can the book itself be?

This said, I highly recommend this book, whose grim, surreal atmosphere will appeal to readers in search of unconventional, well-crafted writing.

I read this book just after completing Kerouac's "on the road" - but when I finished Body Snatcher I said to myself "To hell with beat culture - this is real literature". I was just stunned by the class of Onetti's writing. He is in the class of Marquez and creates a fantastic canvas like Marquez. The topic of the book is very simple and the whole story is set up in a town where life is drag and prosaic but Onetti brings a strange tone of suspense which will keep you hooked to the book. When in any author tries to look into a topic from several view points and builds up the story in these view points -the story tends to become divergent in nature. Onetti never looses the tight control of the plot. I also admire the translation - I do not how far it is true to its Spanish version but it is definitely good piece of translation. Long time back I read a book called "Body Watching" by Desmond Morris, where he describes human behavior through pictures - Onetti can be described as the literary counter part of Morris. Every essential movement of every character is described without boring the reader. Of coarse you will not find the twist and beauty of the language that you find in authors like Steinbeck, Paul Auster but may be the Spanish version has those qualities - you never know. If you get a chance buy this book. I just pray to God that some body does the same justice with translation to Akutagawa and his writings.

Border Crosser With A Lambourghini Dream spells it out for the reader:this book is an inyoface collection of poems that spins our curiosities into unknown directions. The reader is spellbound by images that riff off another; thus, this book becomes the mirror image of self and forces the reader to look internally at damage done.From Subzero:"image/mirage/indian/myself/reversed/behind/the mule". The section, Blood Poems, is raw & unique. Juan Felipe's abstract imagery is the hardcore language that becomes spit in the face: it is the language & gesture of the hoodrat, the hipster, the street person--" Blood at the age of seventeen/Blood at the age of one,in a Greyhound bus". These poems will shake your reality lopsided.

As with much of Herrera's poetry, the reader will experience estrangement of the first order. One may picture American society as an "exploding quazar" that requires several readings to discern. Herrera's synecdoches take time to unravel, but well worth the effort. This is Carlos Santana meeting David Lynch: the "Last Mayan rock band" performing songs that aptly depict society, the status of art, and subjectivity at the twilight of postmodernism. Good stuff.