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The part I like the most was his tribute to the greatest modern day Spanish actress, Carmen Maura, who radiates the screen as the betrayed, confused Pepa. It was Maura who carried this movie on her shoulders, and her ability to express emotion and utilize the sexuality many Latin possess was essential for the film's success.
This book makes great reading due to its' compact size. If you liked this book, please read "Almodovar on Almodovar," which features the master Spanish filmmaker talking about his works and his reasons for doing what he does when behind the camera.
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The book picks up as Mr. Casey gets a little autobiographical with his actual involvement in 1943. What the Americans brought to the table was economic intelligence such as the cost benefit of strategic vs tactical operations, air vs ground activities etc. This type of intelligence was apparently unknown to the British. Mr. Casey discusses the opposition, even in Germany & the military to Hitler & the Nazis It was considerable. He evaluates the resistance groups in the occupied countries.
The result is an entertaining, informative & inside look at Allied espionage in World War II.
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For an excellent study of the papacy, read Patrick Madrid's wonderful new book on the subject.
In an irenic and scholarly manner, La Due examines the development of the papacy from the first century up to today. He places the Popes in their historical context and reveals how quite often the development of the papacy was more the result of political and economic factors than any theological or ecclesiastical concerns.
An excellent piece of historical research.
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The other stories aren't earth-shattering, but they are enjoyable. John visits his old friend Brendan and meets Kit in a flashback to his days at Ravenscar (the mental hospital he was in and out of for three years). John also meets Brendan, now a hard-drinking ghost, in the present. And back in London, Chas tells his mates about one of the many times Constantine was apparently killed, and how this time there was even a funeral for him. The entire Ennis cast was present (Header, Kit, Brendan, Rick the Vic) as well as the Delano cast (Ray, Chas, Ritchie, Cheryl), and Moore's little-seen Emma.
By the way, if the sight of John F. Kennedy walking around with his hand pressed against the hole in his head to keep his brains from falling out isn't enough incentive to buy this book, check out his best line from the story:
"To be seen in a historical context as the conscience of the United States is not the honor one might think. It is, in fact, a burden, and one that I was...at the time...loath to shoulder. My chief concerns were, to set the record straight, immediate political survival, and regular extramarital sex with as many women as possible.
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This is NOT a COMPLETE GUIDE to improving eyesight.
The author is a Bates practicioner and gives you alot of theory and opinion until page 104. In Chapter 8 first paragraph the author even agrees with me by saying " This is not a 'how to' book. A book can explain an idea, but practical skills need to be learned in practice. A book will tell you what, and to some extent why, but only a teacher can show you how."
Any descriptions of "the Bates Method" are just an outline. This book DOES NOT teach you how to properly use the method and should not have been called a COMPLETE GUIDE.
The outline of the Bates exercises are in Chapter 8 and only 27 pages long in the 164 page book.
BE WARNED, DO NOT BUY THIS ONE. Get it from the library like I did if you really want to look but he pushes being TAUGHT by a Bates teacher more than anything else.
Garbage!
The previous reviewer said that this book does not offer practical "exercises" and "mental shananigans". But that reviewer may need to read the text more thoughtfully, for I think the author makes a good attempt at dispelling wrong ideas the reader is likely to have about what to expect from this book, a Bates teacher, or the Bates Method in general. I recommend this book to people new to the Bates Method, as people too often approach it completely wrong.
A couple quotes from the book:
"This is not a 'how to' book. A book can explain an idea, but practical skills need to be learned in practice."
"We have to learn a different way of thinking, a process that may take a little time, for the simple reason that if our thinking were right we would have nothing to learn."
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Shakespeare masterfully manipulates our feelings and attitude toward Richard II and Bolingbroke. We initially watch Richard II try to reconcile differences between two apparently loyal subjects each challenging the other's loyalty to the king. He seemingly reluctantly approves a trial by combat. But a month later, only minutes before combat begins, he banishes both form England. We begin to question Richard's motivation.
Richard's subsequent behavior, especially his illegal seizure of Bolingbroke's land and title, persuades us that his overthrow is justified. But as King Richard's position declines, a more kingly, more contemplative ruler emerges. He faces overthrow and eventual death with dignity and courage. Meanwhile we see Bolingbroke, now Henry IV, beset with unease, uncertainty, and eventually guilt for his action.
Shakespeare also leaves us in in a state of uncertainty. What is the role of a subject? What are the limits of passive obedience? How do we reconcile the overthrow of an incompetent ruler with the divine right of kings? Will Henry IV, his children, or England itself suffer retribution?
Richard II has elements of a tragedy, but is fundamentally a historical play. I was late coming to Shakespeare's English histories and despite my familiarity with many of his works I found myself somewhat disoriented. I did not appreciate the complex relationships between the aristocratic families, nor what had happened before. Fortunately I was rescued by Peter Saccio, the author of "Shakespeare's English Kings". Saccio's delightful book explores how Shakespeare's imagination and actual history are intertwined.
I hope you enjoy Richard II as much as I have. It is the gateway to Henry IV (Parts 1 and 2) and Henry V, all exceptional plays.
So why read a relatively obscure history about a relatively obscure king? Aside from the obvious (it's Shakespeare, stupid), it is a wonderful piece of writing - intense, lyrical, and subtle. Richard II is morally ambiguous, initially an arrogant, callous figure who heeds no warnings against his behavior. Of course, his behavior, which includes seizing the property of nobles without regard for their heirs, leads to his downfall. Nothing in his character or behavior inspires his subjects so he has no passionate defenders when one of the wronged heirs leads a rebellion to depose Richard II. But Richard now becomes a much more sympathetic figure -especially in the scene where he confronts the usurper, Richard acknowledges his mistakes, but eloquently wonders what happens when the wronged subjects can depose the leader when they are wronged. What then of the monarchy, what then of England?
On top of the profound political musings, you get some extraordinarily lyrical Shakespeare (and that is truly extraordinary). Most well known may be the description of England that was used in the airline commercial a few years back... "This royal throne of kings, this sceptred isle, ..."
If you like Shakespeare and haven't read this play, you've missed a gem.