The Glass Castle: A Memoir

Amazon.com

Jeannette Walls's father always called her "Mountain Goat" and there's perhaps no more apt nickname for a girl who navigated a sheer and towering cliff of childhood both daily and stoically. In The Glass Castle, Walls chronicles her upbringing at the hands of eccentric, nomadic parents--Rose Mary, her frustrated-artist mother, and Rex, her brilliant, alcoholic father. To call the elder Walls's childrearing style laissez faire would be putting it mildly. As Rose Mary and Rex, motivated by whims and paranoia, uprooted their kids time and again, the youngsters (Walls, her brother and two sisters) were left largely to their own devices. But while Rex and Rose Mary firmly believed children learned best from their own mistakes, they themselves never seemed to do so, repeating the same disastrous patterns that eventually landed them on the streets. Walls describes in fascinating detail what it was to be a child in this family, from the embarrassing (wearing shoes held together with safety pins; using markers to color her skin in an effort to camouflage holes in her pants) to the horrific (being told, after a creepy uncle pleasured himself in close proximity, that sexual assault is a crime of perception; and being pimped by her father at a bar). Though Walls has well earned the right to complain, at no point does she play the victim. In fact, Walls' removed, nonjudgmental stance is initially startling, since many of the circumstances she describes could be categorized as abusive (and unquestioningly neglectful). But on the contrary, Walls respects her parents' knack for making hardships feel like adventures, and her love for them--despite their overwhelming self-absorption--resonates from cover to cover. --Brangien Davis

Book Description

Jeannette Walls grew up with parents whose ideals and stubborn nonconformity were both their curse and their salvation. Rex and Rose Mary Walls had four children. In the beginning, they lived like nomads, moving among Southwest desert towns, camping in the mountains. Rex was a charismatic, brilliant man who, when sober, captured his children's imagination, teaching them physics, geology, and above all, how to embrace life fearlessly. Rose Mary, who painted and wrote and couldn't stand the responsibility of providing for her family, called herself an "excitement addict." Cooking a meal that would be consumed in fifteen minutes had no appeal when she could make a painting that might last forever.

Later, when the money ran out, or the romance of the wandering life faded, the Walls retreated to the dismal West Virginia mining town -- and the family -- Rex Walls had done everything he could to escape. He drank. He stole the grocery money and disappeared for days. As the dysfunction of the family escalated, Jeannette and her brother and sisters had to fend for themselves, supporting one another as they weathered their parents' betrayals and, finally, found the resources and will to leave home.

What is so astonishing about Jeannette Walls is not just that she had the guts and tenacity and intelligence to get out, but that she describes her parents with such deep affection and generosity. Hers is a story of triumph against all odds, but also a tender, moving tale of unconditional love in a family that despite its profound flaws gave her the fiery determination to carve out a successful life on her own terms.

For two decades, Jeannette Walls hid her roots. Now she tells her own story. A regular contributor to MSNBC.com, she lives in New York and Long Island and is married to the writer John Taylor.

TO INQUIRE ABOUT SCHEDULING JEANNETTE WALLS FOR SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS PLEASE CONTACT:

Keppler Speakers

Dustin L. Jones

Associate, College & University Division

703.516.4000 (P)

703.516.4819 (F)

Customer Reviews:

THANK YOU JEANETTE and your entire family for sharing your life!.......2007-10-03

An excellent book so engrossing I could not put it down. I love to read, but this book has moved me and stayed with me longer than any other. This book shows that you can break the chains that bind when you are focused. I've been in recovery many years and I appreciate the work involved in writing, along with courage in sharing, such intimate details of a family history. I will be recommending this book for years to come. Thanks again.

Absolutely amazing!.......2007-10-02

An amazing account of how one can overcome her/his circumstances instead of "blaming" the parents. A real page turner and so well written. I had put off reading this book for many months (thinking it would be too depressing to read) until a co-worker said, "It's really a good book."

The Glass Castle.......2007-10-01

Moving story. Uncomfortable to think the young woman would deny the existence of Mother when seen on street until you hear her story. It's a story of child neglect mixed so strangely with child love. Parents- child like themselves.

Best book I have read in a long time!.......2007-09-30

I am a bookworm. I read a lot of books. The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls had me mesmirized from the beginning...The intro ...where she looks out of the window of a car and sees her mother rummaging through a dumpster was the hook. How children could grow up like she did seems amazing! She made me rethink the struggles(I thought)I had growing up...nothing like what she went through. I highly recommend this book to anyone.

Couldn't Put It Down.......2007-09-30

Although the author's self-absorbed and psychologically damaged parents appear to have raised their children with almost complete disregard for their welfare, she never allows the reader to lose sight of their humanity. In doing so, she creates a mesmerizing portrait of remarkably complex characters - and becomes a sympathetic character herself. I highly recommend this book.

Warm Glass: A Complete Guide to Kiln-Forming Techniques: Fusing, Slumping, Casting

Average customer rating:

Mixed blessing
Better than Most
great knowledge book
A great book for the fused glass artist
Lots more info than a casual user needs

Warm Glass: A Complete Guide to Kiln-Forming Techniques: Fusing, Slumping, Casting
Philippa Beveridge , Ignasi Domenech , and Eva Pacual
Manufacturer: Lark Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1579906559

Book Description

Here's the first and only full-color book on the subject of "warm," or kiln-fired, glass in print. It provides a comprehensive look at one of the most popular skills for those working in the studio.

With lavish illustrations, and all the processes involved in kiln-firing explained, the versatility of the dazzling technique of warm glass comes into clear focus. From fusing and slumping to casting and pâte de verre, everything is covered--complete with a corresponding graph on the firing cycle and information on the various types of glass, their compatibility, and their behaviors during firing. Invaluable tips tell how to avoid unexpected and unwanted effects, and also how to create a range of different results and finishes. Close-up pictures show each step in the process being carried out, and breathtaking photos display an inspirational gallery of finished works that are richly colored and gracefully shaped. A brief historical overview of glassmaking provides useful background.

Customer Reviews:

Mixed blessing.......2007-09-08

Warm Glass: A Complete Guide is in many ways a really nice volume--it's beautifully illustrated with some of the nicest photography I've seen in a book on studio glass techniques. The sample projects are very attractive with a reasonable number of photos per project and there's a good background on the history of art glass that includes a lot of great photos.

However, the authors needed to do a bit more homework on the technical side. For example, they explain that glass is a liquid (most experts call it an amorphous solid) and I found some minor inaccuracies in their glass histories. Some of the calculations and schedules they publish are really based on a single type of glass and may not be suitable for all types of glass. They also provide some pretty precise times and temps for firing schedules which most likely won't work in all kilns and certainly won't work for every type of glass.

I doubt that anyone experienced at kilnforming would be misled, but the book is represented as "A Complete Guide," which might be misleading to beginners.

In their zeal to be complete, the authors cram a great deal--sandblasting, moldmaking, mold releases, frit-making, casting, several types of fusing--into a relatively short book. I think they do an excellent job at a high level, but the beginner (and maybe the intermediate kilnformer, too) could be left wondering how you get from step x to step z. They become vague in dangerous spots, as when they suggest using "a common cathedral glass" for a specific project and then publish a precise firing schedule. If you walk into any stained glass shop and ask for "a common cathedral glass" to use in a kilnforming project, well...you won't get very far.

And be warned: these projects take a reasonably elaborate setup with a fair amount of equipment and supplies. Everyone who does kilnformed glass knows it's not a cheap hobby, but it is possible to do simple glass projects without everything you'd need to buy to complete one of the projects in the book. A beginner might be wise to start with something more basic before making this kind of investment.

All in all, though, the book is a good addition to my library and I enjoy it. If you're kilnforming at an intermediate or better level, you'll be able to separate the wheat from the chaff and get good use out of this book. If you're a beginning kilnformer, make sure you have other resources--good classes, other books, expert kilnformers who are willing to advise--to supplement this book. Or start with something else.

Better than Most.......2007-09-07

This book is actually better than most glass books, giving information avbout fusing and casting that actually helps to fire correctly. It also has beautiful, if a bit dated, photos.

great knowledge book.......2007-08-23

This book like the other one I reviewed is good for the basic overview of the processes. I have yet to make any projects, once I do I will write more. BUT this is a good book to give you ideas and more insite of the processes.

A great book for the fused glass artist.......2007-05-18

I ordered this book and (the more expensive) "Contemporary warm glass" by Brad Walker and two "Fuse it" books by Petra Kaiser. I can say without hesitation that "Warm Glass" is the best of the bunch!

First off it is physically the nicest book, hard cover, great printing and lovely inspirational examples. Petra's book is good for anyone totally new to hot glass but I find her aesthetic is closer to "crafting" than fine art. Brad Walker's book is simply over priced!

"Warm Glass: A Complete Guide to Kiln-Forming Techniques: Fusing, Slumping, Casting" is inspiring and informative. The technical details are spot-on and the projects are much more "artful" than the other books.

If you are serious about fused glass I'd recommend getting this book. If you are starting out with no glass experience you may want to pickup a copy of Petra Kaiser's "Fuse it" book as well.

Any of these books will help the beginner get started, and that is truly the most important step! Petra Kaiser's books are aimed at the true beginner, while "Warm Glass" will appeal to the artist wanting more depth and breath.

There are so many variables when working with hot glass, no matter what book you get, as you master the medium and your equipment, you will no doubt make mistakes. This book will reassure you that mistakes and missteps are part of the process and happen to seasoned glass artist with decades of experience. I found it to be an inspirational guide to the possibilities of hot glass. It covers more detail and techniques than any of the other works I've mentioned here. It is a true value and worth having in your library.

Lots more info than a casual user needs.......2007-04-07

This book has a lot of the history of glass and the scientific properties, etc. These things interest me, but may not appeal to the casual viewer. Some interesting project ideas are presented, though they are not really my cup of tea. Some of the commentary presented seems a bit silly: they show a flat piece of float glass (window glass) before and after slumping and comment that "Note the transparency and shine that the thermoformed glass takes on through this process when it is finished" (after slumping). Well, it looks just like any piece of window glass! Just clear, smooth and shiny. No better or worse than it did in the original photo. Then there is a gallery of glass work...some with nice utilitarian names like "Bowl" or "Untitled" and some with trying-too-hard New Agey names like "Resounding Beyond II" (for a paperweight) and "Hoaxing" (for a series of 4 slumped square bowls). But that is certainly not the fault of the authors. My kiln is arriving next week and I'm looking forward to experimenting with this stuff!

Edited to say that some of the information is confusing. Having studied the types of firing schedules that Spectrum and Bullseye produce, I can't understand the charts in this book, which are written quite differently (and in Celsius, too). I wanted to make a drop-ring votive candleholder. There's a drop-ring vase project in this book. But they don't tell you any kind of guideline about how thick the glass must be to achieve the vase look (in case you don't want to exactly duplicate their project). I have had to look that info up elsewhere. I'd change this to 3 stars but I can't.

Contemporary Warm Glass: A Guide to Fusing, Slumping & Kiln-Forming Techniques

Average customer rating:

Way Too Basic !!!
So Awesome - I want to buy a kiln!!
Contemporary Warm Glass: A Guide to Fusing, Slumping
No Regrets!
most used reference book

Contemporary Warm Glass: A Guide to Fusing, Slumping & Kiln-Forming Techniques
Brad Walker
Manufacturer: Four Corners Intl Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0970093349

Customer Reviews:

Way Too Basic !!!.......2007-06-23

This book barely serves as an introduction to warm glass. I found it way too simple, shallow, and not worth more than $15. All the information in this book (and more) can be obtained from warm glass internet sites.

I read it in less than 2 hours and was left wanting more in-depth information on techniques, kilns, mold making, grinding, etc.

So Awesome - I want to buy a kiln!!.......2007-02-22

I love working in stained glass and glass beads. I thought, why not check into warm glass? Well the reviews I read on this book were good, and I thank the reviewers, because they were right. This is a really interesting book that covers everything I was looking for about warm glass. I really wanted to buy a kiln after reading through this book. Wow. Projects are simple, with some great examples by people who have mastered the skill. I still read through it over and over.

Contemporary Warm Glass: A Guide to Fusing, Slumping.......2006-11-06

This book is just great. It is extremely informative and really helps a beginner to understand everything about fusing and slumping. I love it.

No Regrets!.......2006-06-03

I am thrilled with this purchase. I have had this book for about a year now and can honestly say that my only problem with it is that the spine is wearing out from over use! It has been a valuable resource. Brad Walker is a great communicator and teacher. You will not have any regrets if you purchase this book either!

most used reference book.......2006-06-02

I used this book as my reference guide for every project during my first year of working with kiln formed glass. It is a wonderful tool, easy to understand for the beginner, chock full of valuable information, and I still refer to it as I tread into unfamiliar waters. I have many books, but this one is the visibly "used" one with the dog eared pages.

Average customer rating:

Beads of Glass
Beaderific
Beads of Glass
beads of glass
Every Lampworker MUST Have This Book!!!

Beads of Glass
Cindy Jenkins
Manufacturer: Pyro Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0971964300

Book Description

Get ready to enjoy a wondrous journey into the fascinating world of glass beads. The tour begins with a vibrant gallery of beads and beaded objects from all over the world. Next is an intriguing behind-the-scenes peek at the artists, their work, and their philosophies. The extensive how-to section's step-by-step action photography allows you to see at a glance exactly how beads are nade. Imagine all the fun you'll have as you turn page after gorgeous page.

Whether you're a collector, a crafter or just plain curious, this book satisfies your need to know. If beads are your passion, this is your passport to paradise.

Customer Reviews:

Beads of Glass.......2007-03-08

The book has a good cross section of artists and techniques to inspire any bead maker.

Beaderific.......2006-08-19

This book was not only a great learning tool, it was great inspiration. I would advice any lampworker to add this to their library.

Beads of Glass.......2006-04-05

This is an excellent reference for the glass beadmaker. The images are inspiring and provocative, and many of the glass artists explain their process in a step by step guide in the second half of the book. After learning their processes for creating their art glass, it's easier to create my own unique pieces. A super book!

beads of glass.......2006-03-17

this book is clear, inspiring and very helpful, informative. It is especially so, if you are a novice beginner as I am. I have no difficulty with clearly, pictured demonstrations provided. Cindy Jenkins has two excellent glass bead books, and now I do too.

Every Lampworker MUST Have This Book!!!.......2005-08-02

Gorgeous, Gorgeous, Gorgeous!!! The pictures of the beads in this book are amazing. I love seeing the pictures and reading a little about the people who actually made the beads!! And the whole last half of the book is Tutorials!!! WOW... What a wonderful and generous display of knowledge. Thank You Cindy for putting this together!! Well Done!!!

Sol-Gel Science: The Physics and Chemistry of Sol-Gel Processing

Average customer rating:

A Compendium of Knowledge about Sol Gel Science

Sol-Gel Science: The Physics and Chemistry of Sol-Gel Processing
C. Jeffrey Brinker , and George W. Scherer
Manufacturer: Academic Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0121349705

Book Description

Sol-Gel Science presents the physical and chemical principles of the sol-gel process at a level suitable for graduate students and practitioners in the field. This book defines sol-gel rather broadly as the preparation of ceramic materials by preparation of a sol, gelation of the sol, and removal of the solvent. The sol may be produced from inorganic or organic precursors (e.g., nitrates or alkoxides) and may consist of dense oxide particles of polymeric clusters. Brinker expands the definition of ceramics to include organically modified materials, often called ORMOSILs or CERAMERs. The emphasis of the author' treatment is on the science, rather than the technology, of sol-gel processing. Although a chapter on applications is included, more detailed discussion is available in proceedings of conferences and in the recent collection of articles, Sol-Gel Technology for thin films, Fibers, Preforms, Electronics, and Specialty Shapes (Noyes, Park Ridge, N.J., 1988), edited by professor Lisa Klein.

Customer Reviews:

A Compendium of Knowledge about Sol Gel Science.......2000-10-11

Perhaps it's trite to say this, but Brinker and Scherer's _Sol Gel Science_ is *the* indispensible desktop reference for the sol-gel chemist. Though now over a decade old, the topics covered (only a smattering of which are mentioned in the editorial review above) are so fundamental that it remains one of the most often cited sol-gel references, both in texts and refereed journal articles. The layout of the book takes the reader through the entire sol-gel formation process, from reaction to casting to drying, curing and other post-modificiations, with a chapter devoted to each step - permitting this book either to be read cover-to-cover (for the interested newcomer or as a text for a course in sol-gel science) or to be referenced as necessary by the more familiar reader.

C. Jeffrey Brinker, now affiliated with Sandia National Laboratories as well as the University of New Mexico, remains the preeminent researcher and one of the most-often cited authors in his field, continuing research on self-assembled nanostructures, porosity-tailored materials, organic-inorganic hybrids, and related topics.

George W. Scherer, professor in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department of Princeton University, also maintains a professional involvement in sol-derived gels, glasses, and ceramics, among other areas of interest, and is the author of several patents, as well as innumerable scientific papers, in these fields.

Though more-recent texts may be more up-to-date in terms of research cited, especially areas pertinent to nanotechnology, this book's position as a compendium of knowledge in the field of sol-gel science has not diminished with age and is highly reccomended.

Average customer rating:

Great book for beginners to experts!

must have for any lamp worker

The best book in its class

It's Just OKAY!

absolutely amazing

Contemporary Lampworking: A Practical Guide to Shaping Glass in the Flame (2 volume set)
Bandhu Scott Dunham
Manufacturer: Salusa Glassworks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Spiral-bound

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Beads of Glass

The Complete Book of Glass Beadmaking

Flameworking: Creating Glass Beads, Sculptures & Functional Objects

Passing the Flame: A Beadmaker's Guide to Detail and Design

The Art & Soul of Glass Beads: 17 Bead Artists Share Their Inspiration & Methods

ASIN: 0965897214

Customer Reviews:

Great book for beginners to experts!.......2005-11-03

This is a super set to learn from and refer back to! If you're a beginner - check it out! There's so much to learn from it!

must have for any lamp worker.......2005-08-04

this set is the best/ most information i have seen for learning to lampwork. packed with information it covers most techniques and even guides the beginner on how to set up a studio, great buy, worth every penny.

The best book in its class.......2003-12-30

If you could have only one book, it would be wise to consider this one. I have been in this industry many years and this is by far the best book I have seen out there.

It's Just OKAY!.......2003-12-24

To the naive public this book is great! Riddled with typos and inconsistant captions this book is not ideal for understanding formal flameworking. The book includes information about the masters and their techniques but trivializes their skill by including no-names and wanna-be's along side. A good amount of important technical information is provided, but through a string of often choppy inconsistant paragraph fragments. This is an excellent PICTURE BOOK leaving a lot to be desired from the academic artisan. Is a great reference for suppliers. In many cases the information falls short of being cohesive and understandable. Recommended for the glass-goer. Recommended for the amateur glassblower (for inspiration). Has popular appeal void of substance.

absolutely amazing.......2003-01-20

It should get more stars than five, the history of lampworking portion of the book is almost worth the price of the book itself.The history portion is only a small portion of the set. I have been doing lampworking for about 3 years now and I search the internet for anything reguarding lampworking often and this book set has tons of stuff I have never seen. excellent.

Average customer rating:

Illusion and Escape
Glass Menagerie
hits all the right notes
A sad story that preaches family unity and self sacrifice
more than just readable material

The Glass Menagerie
Tennessee Williams
Manufacturer: New Directions Publishing Corporation
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0811214044

Book Description

No play in the modern theatre has so captured the imagination and heart of the American public as Tennessee Williams's The Glass Menagerie. Menagerie was Williams's first popular success and launched the brilliant, if somewhat controversial, career of our pre-eminent lyric playwright. Since its premiere in Chicago in 1944, with the legendary Laurette Taylor in the role of Amanda, the play has been the bravura piece for great actresses from Jessica Tandy to Joanne Woodward, and is studied and performed in classrooms and theatres around the world. The Glass Menagerie (in the reading text the author preferred) is now available only in its New Directions Paperbook edition. A new introduction by prominent Williams scholar Robert Bray, editor of The Tennessee Williams Annual Review, reappraises the play more than half a century after it won the New York Drama Critics Circle Award: "More than fifty years after telling his story of a family whose lives form a triangle of quiet desperation, Williams's mellifluous voice still resonates deeply and universally." This edition of The Glass Menagerie also includes Williams's essay on the impact of sudden fame on a struggling writer, "The Catastrophe of Success," as well as a short section of Williams's own "Production Notes." The cover features the classic line drawing by Alvin Lustig, originally done for the 1949 New Directions edition.

Customer Reviews:

Illusion and Escape.......2007-08-23

"Glass Menagerie" provides a surreal tale of the Wingfield family and their diverse struggles with fantasy and reality. Set in St. Louis during the Great Depression, the play revolves around Amanda and her adult children, Tom and Laura, struggling to make ends meet in a St. Louis tenement. Although each cannot grip the realities of the modern world, they seek escape in different ways. Amanda deludes herself into thinking she is still a Southern debutante with many gentleman callers. Laura escapes into her fantasy world ruled by delicate glass animals, her "glass menagerie." Tom, constantly accosted and criticized by Amanda, seeks escape through movies and booze.

Doubtless, the theme of abandonment looms large throughout the play. The presence of their father, although only his picture is seen, plays on all their emotions. Unfortunately for them, he "fell in love with long distances" and abandoned them at an early age. This instills fear in Amanda that Tom would follow the same path and she tries to control his every action. Indeed, her smothering of Tom and her incessant accusations of selfishness lend her an unsympathetic aura.

Williams uses unusual cues and images for a play, as he forsakes the illusion of reality. Indeed, the novel is almost a dream-like existence, as it is contrived from the deep memories of Tom. Although reality may not have a firm hand, the theme of control and a yearn to escape is a biting reality that many people face today. Indeed, Tom seeks to escape the "coffin" of his existence, as he attempts to break away from the iron hand of his mother. Unfortunately for him, this also means abandoning his sister Laura if he chooses this path.

Although it is a short novel and quick read, "Glass Menagerie" provides a powerful message that is applicable today. It has not been lost in a time warp. This, and the fact that it is one of the first plays of Williams, should put this on a short list of "must read" classic American plays.

Glass Menagerie.......2007-06-12

When I first bought the book, the name sounded really interesting, but I didn't understand what "menagerie." After I flipped a few pages, I notice
how dysfunctional, yet almost normal, family the book portrayed. In a way, many people can relate the situation with their personal life.
During the 1940's and after the World War II, many people were in desperation trying to find jobs and create a better life. However, as a result of this mindset, some did not succeed and ended up living in a life of disaster. Such calamity resulted in not only financial misfortune, but also social and mental failure. Everyone seemed to scramble to quickly find a great life, but little did they know, the truth of the reality was that not everyone could succeed at the same time. As a result, many hoped for too much, plunging in a world of delusion. Avoiding reality, several other were just assuming fortunes would find them, creating self-fulfilling prophecies.
In Glass Menagerie, Tennessee Williams wants to depict exactly that tragedy resulted from constant escapades to fantasy by employing Amanda as the typical woman who just lost her grip on reality. Amanda has lost control ever since her husband had left her, destroying the family. Unable to cope with that reality, she just drifted onto another world. She refused to believe that fact and tried to impose her ideals onto her daughter, Laura. Amanda has always boasted that she was the most popular girl attracting all the find young men. She lived a life of glamour, while everyone stared enviously at her success. However, success took a u-turn and even a crash into the wilderness of failure. Amanda was distraught, devastated by the fact that her husband had left her and her family was filled with shame and quirk. Unable to get a grip of reality, she loses her control and drifts into a fantasy, where everything seems to work out perfectly. She puts too much emphasis on being popular and attracting all the rich suitors. She superimposes all her ideals onto her daughter, Laura, so she could be just like her mother. Unintentionally, she forces her daughter to achieve exactly what she has. Despite Amanda's genuine push, she actually forces Laura off the edge, but she changes and matures into a woman, more open to the world around her. Although Laura grown to be less inclusive and more open to the world, the family has broken apart as a result of Tom's escape. Ultimately, as a result of Amanda's fantasy world, the family has been torn apart into bits and pieces, revealing the notion that the escape to fantasy would only ruin one's life.
Tennessee Williams argues that fantasy is only a false depiction of the world in its most rudimentary image, which causes one to lose control of the complications of reality, inevitably resulting in a disaster.

hits all the right notes.......2007-06-12

3 things make this play stand out as truly spectacular: 1. the stellar plot, 2. the engaging and interesting characters, 3. it's ability to move the reader with its sadness and despair without asking for it. this play is truly a mus read for anyone who loves American literature.

In the story, Tom is a young man given the burden of caring for his mother and sister, Laura. Working at a dead-end job in a warehouse, Tom longs for the day he can be like his father and desert the family, to go on the quest for his own dreams and ambitions. he often writes literature during work and attends the movies every night as a way to escape from his otherwise monotomous life. Tom refuses to accept reality for what it is, and instead dwells in his own wishes, having no regard for his family. Laura, a shy girl who is crippled at the leg, does not interact with anyone outside of her family.

now, i must resist the temptation to say anymore, because i do not want to give away the ending, thus keeping any of you from reading this spectacular play. Set during the Great Depression, Williams oes an excellent job of placing the plot in historical context, because it was a time during which people were depressed and wanted to get out of "the hole", such as Tom. There are many symbols to be found throughout this play, such as the glass menagerie and the unicorn, which makes the play that much more engaging and interesting to read, as you try to decipher them. Williams' tone and style are also very appropriate with each changing character, giving the reader a better view of the characters. All while Williams achieves his rhetorical brilliance in the play, there is an underlying message of the dangers of dwelling in memory and fantasy rather than accept reality and deal with the present. I must recommend this book to anyone who is literate.

A sad story that preaches family unity and self sacrifice.......2007-06-12

This story is a must read! Despite the boring title, it's a true eye opener that questions your ethics and provokes you to contemplate on the troubles of society. Throughout the book, the characters struggle to come to terms of their reality.
One of the main characters is Laura, who is handicapped and is constantly nervous about what society thinks about her and her condition. Her poor understanding of who she is as a person and the exaggerated difference believes she has between others prevents her from ever being fully comfortable around others and even herself .Although Laura believes that society has shunned her from the acceptance that she deserves, Laura has actually shunned herself from the possibility of retaining friendships because of the paranoid thoughts in her own mind. Amanda and the pressure she places on Tom is also a large issue in the play which ultimately leads to Tom's tragic abandonment of the family at the end of the story. Because of her dependency on Tom's paycheck, she placed a huge burden on Tom who soon comes to the conclusion that if he would ever want to achieve his dreams, he would have to completely abandon his family. So, read the book and watch the predicaments unravel in the Wingfield family from Amanda's refusal to accept reality of Tom's dreams , Tom's desperate plea to be free from his obligations as breadwinner of the family, and Laura's personal struggle with being comfortable with her disability. Will Laura ever break out of her shell and lead the normal life she deserves? Read the book and contemplate on the effects of a judgmental society and the dangers of holding on to the past being ignorant of the present.

more than just readable material.......2007-06-12

This book focuses on the individual struggles of the three main characters of the book, but I personally enjoy the story of Tom and Laura who have to cope with problems that many can relate to.

Tom is a young man who has great dreams. This is not hard to imagine because many of us or many of the people we know dream of pursuing great goals in life. This is how we are programmed, what we are taught. But as a young man with a father who has abandoned the family, he must decide between pursuing his dreams or staying home and supporting his mother and sister. Such an interesting situation made me want to sit down and read to see what choice he would make.

Laura is the typical shy girl. However, because she is so self conscious about her crippled legs, she has grown to isolated herself so much that her mother has to worry whether or not she will marry since she refuses to talk to even other women. Instead, she turns to a glass collection for friends and company. Pretty crazy. Now when his hermit of a lady suddenly is forced to meet and converse with a normal human being outside of the household, the conclusion is waiting for you to read and find out. It is not your typical type of ending but it is nonetheless something that was satisfying and compatible.

The play is filled with symbols, which is a real good plus because it make the book all the more interesting to read and dig through. You will notice things like the glass collection, the fire escape, and the unicorn all representing something more than what they are. These are what makes the play more than just a browse through a story--it is more like an adventure or a mystery waiting to be torn apart.

History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)

Average customer rating:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers
Pants on fire?
Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed.
Very Interesting
History as Science Fiction

History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
Anatoly Fomenko
Manufacturer: Mithec
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 2913621058

Book Description

Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.

Customer Reviews:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03

Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.

Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19

Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.

Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09

There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.

For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.

Very Interesting.......2007-03-07

It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.

History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10

Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.

I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.

Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.

Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.

I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.

This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.

500 Teapots: Contemporary Explorations of a Timeless Design

Average customer rating:

Great Idea Resource
teapots galore
art teacher
I'm not a little teapot...
Beautiful and Imaginative

500 Teapots: Contemporary Explorations of a Timeless Design

Manufacturer: Lark Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 157990341X

Book Description

It’s a fabulous source book with 500 of the most creative teapots ever. From handbuilt to wheel-thrown, functional to sculptural, traditional to funky, there’s a bit of everything in this artistic celebration. Some find inspiration in classic Asian designs. Others take a figurative approach. Still more look to the natural world. Browse through a variety of surface treatments, from intricate carved forms to narrative painted patterns.

Customer Reviews:

Great Idea Resource.......2007-02-26

I bought this book and looked through it with post its to label all the interesting teapot ideas I was drawn to. When considering this book, I wasn't particularly drawn to the cover teapot and wondered if I would be disappointed in the authors picks, but I wasn't. This is a great visual resource for my classroom and studio.

As someone else has commented, I would have given this book 5 stars if the author hadn't repeated multiple photos of very similar teapots by the same artist.

teapots galore.......2006-11-13

A beautiful book on contemporary approaches to a traditional vessel.I am not into funtion as I am into form,but what a book! I am glad I bought it.Sometimes,I found that despite my aversion to making utilitarian things,there is so much I do derive from the pictures that I can adapt the notion of form and function to a sculptural work,independent of the notion of tea pot.

art teacher.......2006-11-10

As a ceramics teacher who teaches her students how to build teapots, this book is a wonderful resource. The pictures are great and it helps give students a better understanding of what a teapot can look like.

I'm not a little teapot..........2005-08-20

But if I were a little teapot, I'd be one of the beautiful ones in this book. There are teapots both plain, and beyond description to fascinate, amuse and amaze you. If you know a little about firing ceramics, and glaze technology, the information provided will deepen your appreciation of each teapot. You may find that some of these artists are in your area, and have ceramics for sale. Or if you just like teapots, there enough teapots here in beautiful color photos to sate your appetite.

Beautiful and Imaginative.......2004-03-12

500 TEAPPOTS is an wonderful book and is sure to inspire both potters and tea drinkers alike. It is a wonderful companion to 500 BOWLS. I hope they publish ANOTHER 500 TEAPOTS (BOWLS, too).

1000 Glass Beads: Innovation & Imagination in Contemporary Glass Beadmaking

Average customer rating:

Gorgeous, Gorgeous Book!!
One of the Bibles for Lampwork Beads!
creative
Visual Stunner
Lots of Eye Candy!

1000 Glass Beads: Innovation & Imagination in Contemporary Glass Beadmaking

Manufacturer: Lark Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1579904580

Book Description

They’re the very best in contemporary glass beadmaking, 1000 dazzling and unique examples by an international array of artists. This color survey has it all: the beads come single or in multiples, in jewelry or sculptural pieces, flameworked and kilnformed; and their diversity and beauty are amazing. Julia Skop’s intriguing Secret Surprise showcases clear glass beads with millefiori slices at the ends. Bruce St. John crafts his beads out of diachroic glass, then fuses and coldworks them at the lapidary well after completion. Nebula Black Necklace, from Rene Roberts, features an organic-looking focal bead adorned with fine metal leaf, glass shards, and a subtle dot decoration. An artist’s comment and detail image accompany many of the photos. A Selection of the Crafters Choice Book Club.

Customer Reviews:

Gorgeous, Gorgeous Book!!.......2007-06-11

This book is pure eye candy!! For those who just appreciate beautiful works of art, or those who are involved or learning lampworking, this book is amazing. No instructions, just pictures of finished glass beads, but that is more than enough.

One of the Bibles for Lampwork Beads!.......2007-01-09

Every Beadmaker and collector should have this book in their library!

creative.......2007-01-03

the pieces are selected by great care.they develop your imagination.whether you are a beginner or an advice beader, you should have this book.

Visual Stunner.......2006-08-23

A creative inspiration for all lampworkers & all who appreciate fine beads! Sooo many beads, so little time! You'll never need to ask "what should I try next?"

Lots of Eye Candy!.......2006-06-30

This little book shows a great variety of glass beads. I am amazed what some people can do with soft glass. The book is filled with wonderful color photos of completed jewelry. For the price it is a great value.

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