I thought that this could be a bit better as far as Shakespeare books go.

Another example of excellence from "The New Cambridge Shakespeare (NCS)". NOTE, however, that this volume presents exclusively what is usually lumped as "The narrative poems" - i.e., it does NOT include the full set of sonnets ( which appear in a separately edited volume of the NCS series). As a value to the student/customer, therefore is this tradeoff: NCS covers here a smaller portion of the Shakespeare canon than the alternative from Oxford (ed. by Colin Burron, 2002, ISBN 019281933X ), but NCS can therefore offer larger typeface; larger and better quality paper.

In this NCS edition, editor Roe provides helpful background material on each of the poems [Venus, Lucrece, Phoenix & Turtle, Lover's Complaint, and Passionate Pilgrim (*partially* attributable to Shakspeare) ]. The length and depth of discussion of each poem's introduction is not as great as one usually finds for an edition of, say, The Sonnets; but these poems have not stirred so much controversy or confusion either among the reading public or in academic analysis. The poems are (at least on the surface) much more readable and "accessible" to the general reader than are the sonnets. Roe's thorough annotations on each page of text clarify unusual or ambiguous words; they also raise intriguing issues about Shakespeare's art and agenda in suggestive writing with multiple levels of meaning.

Both this NCS edition by Roe and the Burrow Oxford edition were released too early to benefit from fascinating new insights into the ever-puzzling bantam of this flock: The Phoenix and the Turtle. For the compelling evidence that this long-locked enigma of the canon is an eulogy to two Elizabethan Catholic martyrs, the reader will need to turn to a Times Literary Supplement issue from April of this year.

For most of the controversies surrounding these poems, I'll risk claiming that there have been few critical revelations between the publication of this excellent 1993 NCS edition and now; so (excepting the 2003 TLS article mentioned above) it remains satisfyingly current. For reading pleasure and thoughtful study of these masterpieces, I think you'll be most pleased to own this Cambridge edtion.

"Venus and Adonis" is Shakespeare's first published work, 199 stanzas of sesta rima (a quatran with a couplet) with an ababcc rhyme scheme. Venus chases and detains Adonis to woo him but does not win his love. In fact, Adonis actually rejects her love. He goes off to hunt and is soon killed by a boar. The poem has eloquent set speeches and beautiful landscapes. "The Rape of Lucrece" is Shakespeare's epic poem in rhyme royal of the story of the rape of a Roman lady which led to the overthrow of Tarquin rule in Rome and the establishment of the Republic. "The Phoenix and the Turtle" is a short (67 lines) allegorical elegy. "The Passionate Pilgrim" is a collection of twenty poems, only five of which are clearly by Shakespeare (although a few others may be as well). Number XI is possibly by Bartholemew Griffin. Numbers VIII and XX are by Richard Barnefield (and possibly No. XIX). The well-known No. XIX is probably by Christopher Marlow. The last stanza to XIX is by Sir Walter Raleigh. "Sonnets to Sundry Notes of Music" is the title to the second part of "The Passionate Pilgrim." And, "A Lover's Complaint" is a poem in rhyme-royal (ababbcc) about a maiden who complains of her seduction by an unworthy young man.

I did not expect a po-mo Black Beauty. I did love the prose. Poetic, indulgent, everything a reader longs for. However you feel about this book, the prose is quite lucious and mouthwatering, but the story bogs down, too quickly, like the scene where the horse is mired, this reader feels the author has let the Don Quixote/Sancho Panza charactors of Master and Ralph run away with him, not unlike the protagonist in the earlier part of the book. What is lost is more than the 20 years abreviated when William jumps from race horse to "for hire" horse. In fact a lot of this is lost to the weediness of the final stop at Master's house. I think that there could have been a period of time where he is retrained, sent to show jumping, sent to a riding school (briefly, and unimaginably dramatic scene which is rather short.) then to the final devolvement to the ranch. What a missed opportunity!!! The problematic life of not-so-successful showjumpers, as they travel down the ranks, 'bute, polling, electric shock...such a missed chance to make the reader see what happens in that realm. Then the school horse, for in fact, an Off Track thoroughbred, esp. with his temper would not be working as a rental horse, not without some serious retraining. By the time a horse gets there he is broken down from other work. No matter how fiery or docile. Nope, the hacking around rings day in and out in a schooling arena, would be one way. So by the time we meet Master and Ralph the plot is forshortened and the author becomes self indulgent, even at the expense of the protagonist. Does he return, in the end, to any sort of sentiment? Of course. It is mixed, memory always is a punishing weak thing. I suggest that this book has merit, but the lowness of Ralph and the naivety of the Master are too artless. Sweet William's father fixation is also without a doubt liberty with the horses mind that was an embarassment to read. Worse the way he wrote about women, mysogynistic and not very insightful about either the horses mind or the woman's. Clearly an outsider looking in. Whether he wants it to show or not. I think perhaps "perfect prose" becomes a ticket to not really understanding your subject. ... As someone who has trained horses and riders, this book does a disservice to horses. And it did not take to task the people who are out there training and riding. It did of course, make a few buffoons and ogres but the lack of understanding of training came through. And that's a disservice to the reader.

I have to say this is my favorite book of all time. I opened the book at a local bookstore and after the first paragraph I knew I had to buy it. Oldhorse is a vivid character and you will never forget him. Read this one 4 or 5 times! NEIGH!!

This is "Black Beauty" for adults (rated "R" for violence and sexuality)! It captures eloquently the life of a thoroughbred horse from birth through his struggle to find life after the racetrack. Although it is written from the horse's point of view, it isn't at all corny or juvenile. The author has drawn an accurate picture not only of horses in general, but of that unquenchable spirit that is only found in the thoroughbred breed. "Horsiness" aside, the book does superb characterizations of all players, from the women who influenced the horse's life as a baby to the wonderful old man who owns him in his old age. You DON'T have to be a horse lover to enjoy the story. It has everything from rage and violence to deep sensuality to simple pleasures to a poignant description of old age and dying.

I read this book for a book report and I originally thought it sounded very interesting. I saw the book (it is MASSIVE, 886 pages) and I decided that I still wanted to read it. I began to read and it starts off very confusing and rocky.

The book is not funny, and not witty, it just has a smart theme. By the end you are pretty well caught up on characters, plot, etc. but it is grossly sad in a realistic kind of way and a big fat waste of time. If you are a scholar or interested in long books or origin/closer look of the behavioral sciences then this might be something you are interested but if you are on the fence about this book, my advice is get out of it while you still can!!!

When reading victorian fiction, with its prim and child-like heroines, I sometimes long for a story about someone who is neither long suffering or innocent. Vanity Fair is the perfect remedy. Becky Sharp probably is the wickedest woman in 19th century fiction and one of the most delightful. Whether facing uncertainties at the battle of Waterloo, or seeking a rich protector, or FINALLY marrying for money (this husband disappears before the money does), Becky is determined to have the kind of life with which she would like to become accustomed. This book is pure pleasure since the reader is always wondering "what is she going to do next." This book cannot be praised to highly.

Hilarious, scathing, wistful, beautiful.

Incredibly modern; the language is as fresh as if Thackeray had penned it yesterday.

A pure delight from beginning to end.

If you're one of those booklovers who reads as much as anthing else in order to get to know the author, in order to sit down and share a beer with him (or her) as it were, then this is your book.

You will come to adore Thackeray, to wish he were your best friend.

In short, if you love Henry Fielding's brand of humor and conversation with the reader in Tom Jones, then you will love Vanity Fair.

This Penguin edition features a brilliant introduction by John Carey, in which he draws comparisons between Vanity Fair and another sumpreme work of art: War and Peace.

In fact he argues that without Vanity Fair, there may never have been a War and Peace.

Ahh, Dobbin. A character that will live in my heart forever.

In trying to teach students algebra, I tried to use this book to teach them from, but I found that all the concepts were introduced at what is seemingly high school level. I think that a moderate high school student (with some curiosity) could teach himself the basics of algebra with this book. As an undergraduate text, though, it is way too slow and way too elementary.

This excellent book was my textbook for 2 semesters of senior level abstract algebra. The unique feature of this book is that elementary number theory, equivalence relations, and permutations are carefully introduced at the beginning. Other books launch right into groups and then have to make long digressions to cover these topics. Comparing this book to the best-selling Contemporary Abstract Algebra by Joseph Gallian, I like that Gallian's book adds many applications which students will find interesting. However, Beachy and Blair's book puts a greater emphasis on developing student's ability to do proofs. The book also incorporates more number theory than many other texts. Answers to selected problems are included, so I recommend this book for self study as well as a textbook for any undergraduate abstract algebra course.

I got this book within two days, exactly when I needed it. It arrived on time and in good packaging. I would like to thank el felix for sending the book. I am anxious to use it.

Every step expains the advertising basic component. It can help you understand the advertising.

This book is simply outstanding when it comes to figurative language. Shakespeare uses 7 stages to describe the human process of life. The whole book is an extended metaphor.The sound devices used are onopatopeia, alliteration, and parallelism. I would definitely recommend this book to people like Ms. Stewart and for people writing a paper on it like Shannon Van Dyke. Peace,

Sir John Gielgud must have one of the most well-trained, beautiful voices of any modern actor. His reading of passages from the world's greatest playwright (greatest author? greatest artist?) is a treat, one I've enjoyed over a dozen times without beginning to tire of. Although Gielgud is simply reading his favorite passages and sonnets with only minimal (and rather lame) introductions and transtitions, the greatness of the material still shines through. The lines alternately exude bitter sadness, biting humor, intense excitement, and always an unmatched understanding of what it means to be human. I'm glad that there are several passages from HAMLET, my favorite play, but less familiar passages are equally memorable--Clarence's recounting of a horrible dream foreshadowing his imminent death from RICHARD III, Leontes's bitterly jealous rant from WINTER'S TALE, Cassius's magnificent denunciation of Caesar from JULIUS CAESAR, and Prospero's renunciation of his magic from THE TEMPEST. The last passage works on several levels--as the resolution of the play of course, as Shakespeare's symbolic farewell to the "rough magic" of writing, and as a great actor's triumphant goodbye to the stage. Listening to Gielgud deliver these speeches is as close as we will likely ever come to hearing the words of the bard as they should be delivered, I can't recommend this tape too highly.

For a novice like myself,interested in real estate the review I read made sence in that it gave commom sence information to the layman,about the dos and dont's .

Good info! Easy to understand.

I have no problem with the material in this book. The only thing I don't like is the index. I know that is petty, but with a book like this it is important. In the book you can look up houses by neighborhood but there is not a reference that shows the page number. Why is this bad? Lets say I wanted to go for a walk and look at some old Portland architecture. If the index were set up properly I could look at which neighborhood I was going to and then reference the page to see if it was still standing (very important) and if it was something I really wanted to look at!

This beautiful volume examines the first century of Portland's domestic architecture with a critical but sympathetic eye. Many of its finest examples have disappeared in all but photos, and others exist only in misshapen form, but the author is able to recall the grace, dignity, pretension and whimsy which went into their original design. This is a book for both new and old residents who may have decided that our "Stumptown" had little adornment in its early years,and proves that Portland was already a place of discernment and competitive display long before the 19th Century turned, when Seattle was a fishing camp and jumping off point to Alaskan gold. Besides the implicit social and artistic history lesson, the book's black and white photos are a memorable eyeful for anyone who loves American homes, furnishings, or decoration. A very rich read, indeed.

Just a bit of warning for purchasers of this book! This account almost appears like it was written for a juvenile audience. Indeed, the preface denotes hope that it will serve as an "inspiration to the youth of today". Hence, keep in mind this is not a very scholarly read - although a glossary of artillery terms and diagrams is very helpful. Nice starter text, but this effort by Mr Hassler wasn't quite what I wanted - nor expected.

John pelham is truly a remarkable figure of the American civil War. reading this book allowed me to better understand the sterling character and superb strategical skills of this "Boy major" recommended for anyone who wants to learn more about "The gallant pelham"

This is the story of the Columbia, Tennessee "race riot" of 1946, in which a racial incident in an appliance repair shop ended with mob violence in which scores of African American veterans of World War II defended their community with arms. A couple were killed in jail, but most escaped with their lives and their freedom. It is, as the author notes, an extremely telling moment in the history of American race relations. And it is an exciting story. Sadly, the author appears to have fallen in with sociologists and perhaps other bad company. The analytical apparatus at the front of the book will definitely prevent anyone except academics from getting to the riveting story inside, and the important historical truths it would have revealed. I am afraid that it is a good enough book to keep someone else from telling the story any time soon, but it could have been a great book, if O'Brien had just told the story and intepreted its meaning without resorting to jargon and obscure language. It is still a good book, but she needed better intellectual advice than she got--when she is writing in her own storytelling voice, it's really quite good. It could have been an enormous public service and helped generations of people understand an important turn in American racial politics. Instead, it is an academic exercise, alas.

This was a great book telling how the laws prejudeces i reccomend it to anybody interested in the truth.