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

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.

Punk Knits: 26 Hot New Designs for Anarchistic Souls and Independent Spirits

Average customer rating:

Wild Knitting
Poser Knits!
Not a fan.
Good format, patterns not for me.
Finally!

Punk Knits: 26 Hot New Designs for Anarchistic Souls and Independent Spirits
Share Ross , and Bam Ross
Manufacturer: Stewart, Tabori & Chang
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Spiral-bound

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ASIN: 1584795832

Book Description

Rocker/knitter/author: Share Ross personifies the indie spirit driving both knitting and music today

Share Ross is addicted to the needle—the knitting needle. A few years back, this punk guitarist and singer wouldn't have given knitting a second thought. She is a dyed-in-the-wool rocker, and knitting . . . well, knitting was for grannies. Then a friend showed up at her house wearing a scarf that she found totally amazing. When Ross asked her where she'd gotten it, she said she'd knit it herself. Ross was hooked.

With Punk Knits, Ross shares her passion and unorthodox approach to the ancient craft she's so grateful our grannies preserved. All of the 26 designs—beginner- to intermediate--level projects that include arm- and leg-warmers, scarves, miniskirts, hats, and sweaters—draw their inspiration from the style and independent spirit of rock 'n' roll legends like Sid Vicious, Debbie Harry, Patti Smith, and the New York Dolls, and they're all modeled by pierced and tattooed Hollywood rock 'n' rollers and scenesters.

If you think knitting can't be punk, consider this from Ross: “Knitting can be as artistic as you want. You can make a statement. And by knitting garments instead of buying them, you can snub the corporations that strip away your individuality.” So what's not punk about knitting?

Customer Reviews:

Wild Knitting.......2007-08-25

A bit risque, a lot of attitude. I was glad to see this book was more about the patterns than knitting101. However the instructions that were given, were helpful for the particular style "markers" - the deconstruction, or look of imperfection if you will. The pictures showed the garment as is (although some of the models had that "deer-in-the-headlights look!).
I think that the philosophy of knitting presented is as important as the patterns in this case. "Down with the estblishment!" Go Punks! Go Knit!

Poser Knits!.......2007-07-12

I wondered what about this book bothered me and seemed so inauthentic... The projects, the photography, the layout, all seem sort of lame, like the book is trying to be something it's not. Then I noticed that the author used to be in Vixen! I don't see the connection between Vixen and punk at all, but at least this explains why the book seems so fake. If you're a punk crafter, you've been warned!

Not a fan........2007-06-28

For some reason, I didn't like this book. The instructions lacked clarity, especially with finishing the garments. Most of the designs feature dropped stitches or weirdly placed holes. A lot of the designs are simple rectangles sewn together. However, one pattern makes the book worthwhile: the pixie shoulderette, featuring a crisscrossed back. The book does a good job of explaining this technique. Throughout the book I just felt like they were overdoing the whole "punk thing, especially when including the myspace pages to all of the models.

Good format, patterns not for me........2007-06-22

I liked the format of this book, spiral bound with paper cover so it will lie flat. Good photos of each project and directions seemed clear. The patterns all do have a punk style which is not quite my taste. But for others that like that style it looks like a pretty good book

Finally!.......2007-06-11

I love punk culture and knitting! I am always on the lookout for ideas and patterns that combine the two and I am lucky and every now and again to find a pattern or two that could work. To find a book that has some innovative ideas and patterns that are dedicated to punk/goth culture is a gemstone. A must have for the punk/goth knitter's crafting library.

Average customer rating:

A rainbow of gems and an interesting read
Jewels - Not Only for Jewel Lovers
Sparkling History

Jewels: A Secret History
Victoria Finlay
Manufacturer: Ballantine Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0345466942
Release Date: 2006-08-15

Book Description

Throughout history, precious stones have inspired passions and poetry, quests and curses, sacred writings and unsacred actions. In this scintillating book, journalist Victoria Finlay embarks on her own globe-circling search for the real stories behind some of the gems we prize most. Blending adventure travel, geology, exciting new research, and her own irresistible charm, Finlay has fashioned a treasure hunt for some of the most valuable, glamorous, and mysterious substances on earth.

With the same intense curiosity and narrative flair she displayed in her widely-praised book Color, Finlay journeys from the underground opal churches of outback Australia to the once pearl-rich rivers of Scotland; from the peridot mines on an Apache reservation in Arizona to the remote ruby mines in the mountains of northern Burma. She risks confronting scorpions to crawl through Cleopatra’s long-deserted emerald mines, tries her hand at gem cutting in the dusty Sri Lankan city where Marco Polo bartered for sapphires, and investigates a rumor that fifty years ago most of the world’s amber was mined by prisoners in a Soviet gulag.

Jewels is a unique and often exhilarating voyage through history, across cultures, deep into the earth’s mantle, and up to the glittering heights of fame, power, and wealth. From the fabled curse of the Hope Diamond, to the disturbing truths about how pearls are cultured, to the peasants who were once executed for carrying amber to the centuries-old quest by magicians and scientists to make a perfect diamond, Jewels tells dazzling stories with a wonderment and brilliance truly worthy of its subjects.

Customer Reviews:

A rainbow of gems and an interesting read.......2007-03-06

With this book - which is effectively a sequel to her book on colour - Victoria Finlay investigates the history, myth and reality of the jewels we often place so much status on. She starts with Amber the softest of the semi-precious jewels and works her way through to Diamonds, which are much more common and not as indestructible as the jewellers and marketers would have us believe.

This is an interesting read, and while not exhaustive, will still manage to tell some new stories about gemstones even if you have read many other books on the subject. A combination of travel diary, history and general knowledge this book is educational and may make some readers view the stones in their jewel box in a new light. And as for "birth stones" - read the appendix at the end, it may open your eyes on one of the great marketing hoaxes.

Jewels - Not Only for Jewel Lovers .......2006-09-08

For anyone who is interested in the fascinating story of some of the worlds most popular types of jewels, this book is for you. For anyone who is interested in visiting little know and remote parts of our planet, this book is for you. For anyone who is interested in better understanding why people are mesmerized by beautiful objects and why other people undertake dangerous jobs to find them, this book is for you.

The author not only shares the fascinating history of how these jewels have been used throughout history but she tells the even more fascinating story of those who make their livings finding and selling them. Ms Finlay has not let distance or danger inhibit her desire to see first hand where the gems come from and to speak with those who spend, and often risk, their lives in their pursuit. Their stories are as interesting and varied as the stones themselves. Like Patrick Leigh Femor and other top travel writers, this author seems to be able to put almost anyone at ease and entice them to tell her their stories with amazing candor. She has then been able to blend historical facts and current circumstances into a really fascinating read.

For me, her quest was really to better understand why jewels which, while beautiful, are basically useless command so much time, effort and even in some cases human lives in their production. After reading this book I believe that each person will be able to form their own answer to this question.

Sparkling History.......2006-08-22

"It is an ordinary gemstone," writes Victoria Finlay of the sapphire in a ring given to her by her parents, "yet like most other ordinary gemstones it has a good story to tell, if you go looking for it." Go looking she does, not only for the story of that sapphire but for those of other gems, and yes, she found good stories and writes them up in _Jewels: A Secret History_ (Ballantine Books). Indeed, she values the stories more than the stones' rarity, perfection, or size. She set out to tell stories of nine different stones, from semi-precious to precious, and from two to ten on the Mohs hardness scale. The scale, invented in 1825 by mineralogist Freidrich Mohs, simply rates stones and other substances by what they can scratch and what scratches them; talc rates a one and diamond, the hardest substance known, rates a ten. Finlay ranges her chapters from softest stone to hardest: amber (Mohs somewhere between gypsum 2 and calcite 3), through jet, pearl, opal, peridot, emerald, sapphire, ruby, and finally diamond. (It is interesting that value tends to increase with hardness, indicating that we place a premium on durability.) Even the biggest stones, Finley notes, are objects that are really rather small, but the stories encompass great swaths of human history and technical expertise.

I will mention here only her quest for amber, for which she visits the Polish Baltic coast, a source for the stone. You may know the sticky sap that is oozed out when a pine tree is injured, and amber is the fossilized version of the same thing. Its origin is mysterious, because for amber to have become the geologic deposit as it is now found, huge numbers of evergreens (the species of tree is no longer with us) must have been hit with some sort of disease or other stress. Amber is the stuff that entrapped the mosquito that had dined on the blood of the dinosaur which yielded the DNA to build the monsters of the movie Jurassic Park. Its prices rose sharply when that movie came out in 1993, demonstrating our whimsical notions of value. Finlay goes to the University of Gdansk where is located the Museum of Amber Inclusions, and a guide indeed shows her insects trapped within. There is a particularly strange sample that looks like a long fly, only it has twelve legs; it turns out to be two flies caught by the sap during copulation. She attends the Amber-Washing Championships at Jantar, Poland, in the expectation that she would even herself be able to wade into the sea to fish out amber with the rest of the competitors, but finds that the sea no longer easily yields this treasure. Competitors on the beach were looking for amber pieces as big as shirt buttons planted by the organizers. "The whole thing was as exhilarating as a grape-peeling competition" she grumbles. The local supply of amber comes from a mine in an ex-Soviet Gulag "even bleaker than I had expected." It is a constant theme: gems may sparkle, full of richness, but the areas from which they are extracted are grimly impoverished.

Finlay has mined the historic literature for good stories; her debunking of the story of the curse of the Hope Diamond, for instance, is hilarious. She has also gone to the countries involved with each gem, and literally descended into the mines. She has funny stories, like being in a taxi stalled for an elephant parade in Sri Lanka (elephant parades are good for the sapphire business, as such a gem that has been worn on an elephant tusk is believed to have been blessed by Buddha himself). She has undergone no small amount of risk on these excursions. She has skillfully interviewed sometimes reticent subjects within the mines or within the business of bringing jewels to market, and employs judiciously the colorful anecdote. The historic and social results of our fascination for these useless rocks ("You can't eat them, you can't read them, you can't shelter under them ..." she quotes a Burmese taxi driver as saying) are on display here, as colorful and surprising as any of the gems themselves.

Average customer rating:

A "Very British Phenomenon" ?
Great Informative Detail on Mods, Poor Quality of Text and Photos... Not the Best Coffeetable Book Quality
Coffee Table Book (...)
It's a matter of style
Who are "The Mods" and why are they so IMPORTANT today? !

Mod: A Very British Phenomenon
Terry Rawlings
Manufacturer: Omnibus Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0711968136
Release Date: 2001-01-01

Book Description

Here is a large-format, heavily illustrated celebration of all things Mod, from the suits to the scooters, the music to the movies, the riots to the revivals. One of the most durable of youth cults, Mod defined an era and created a lasting impression on the world of fashion. Color and b/w photos.

Customer Reviews:

A "Very British Phenomenon" ?.......2007-03-24

Hmmmm... I dig this book (a lot), but let's see: American R & B, American Army-issue fish-tail Parkas, Italian scooters, French films and fashion inspired by African-American musicians and Italian hipsters. A very "British" phenomenon ?

The stuffy, pent up, post-war mood and attitudes of British society definitely caused the first teenage "youth cults" to emerge...definitely contributed to the appearance of the "teenager" as an entity and a consumer group...but the British Mods obviously didn't look to England for their inspiration. Their clothes (as well as the cut and tailoring of said clothes), preferred mode of transportation, music and even styles of dancing were taken from almost everywhere BUT Great Britain.

Now, the legendary groups that formed in the Mod era were predominantly British...but, in interviews, The Who, the Small Faces, the Rolling Stones, the Yardbirds and the Creation were NEVER shy about the fact that they were not playing "British" music...but were attempting to mimic American blues and late-fifties/early sixties r & b of the Tamla, Stax and Motown variety.

Great Informative Detail on Mods, Poor Quality of Text and Photos... Not the Best Coffeetable Book Quality.......2007-01-10

Mod: A Very British Phenomenon is a comprehensive and authentic source on the mod subculture. Until I recently decided to purchase a book on the topic, I had no idea how hard it was to find quality sources on mod culture. As someone interested in the style and cultural details, I was looking for a book with exhaustive descriptions and photographs. Resources on mod largely seem either low-budget, vague anectdotes or cheesy, sterotypical fluff on the 60s. After checking out the reviews and description of this book, I was excited to finally find what seemed to be the ideal coverage of mod.

When I received the book in the mail and cracked it open, I was instantly a bit disappointed. While full of old newspaper clippings, quotes from interviews with original mod pioneers, historical events, clothing and style descriptions, hairstyle descriptions, and other cultural detail it gives readers-- no matter how well-versed in mod-- an informative and entertaining read. It is indeed a great source relative to the shabby body of work that exists on mod. Unfortunetly, there is an obvious drawback. I hoped the book would be in glossy coffetable format, filled with crisp images but the book instead has rather poor printing quality, distorted photographs and is lacking in format. The resolution is poor and the style choices of both the text and photos in the format are cheap and sometimes cheesy, pseudo-mod. So, I was a bit disappointed-- While great for information, the book is not one that I enjoy picking up and getting lost in the visuals.

Coffee Table Book (...).......2004-07-19

Yes, I admit it....I'm a pop culture junkie!! I love to have books on different scenes I've been interested in. This is a great book on Mod culture. Lots of great picures of sixties mods!! A great guide for the style and music they listened to!!

It's a matter of style.......2002-05-24

One of the greatest causes of inter-generational conflict is fashion; it's closely followed by poltics, but that's not what we're here for, is it?

And fashion is what Mod was all about. It was a uniquely British affair at the time, a teen movement that claimed to be a break with the staid past, but was almost fascistic in its relentless doctrine of 'dress this way or risk being ostracized'.

It didn't really hit in the US. Here, our teen culture was way too ethnocentric in the early sixties to adopt anything from overseas. Look, how even The Beatles' early singles died. In fact, it wasn't until the 1980's - in a post-modern, post-punk world - that new wavers on both sides of the pond embraced many of the basic dress tenets of the 1960 Mod culture.

So, what do we have here in Mr Rawlings book? It's a chronicle of what that time was about. Told in a broad sweeping narrative that is supported by a spectacular series of photos and first-person stories, the book confirms the title...Mod was a very Britsh Phenomena.

But, oh what a great time it was for music. And, that's real story in Rawlings' history. Sure, the Mods were self-absorbed fashion plates. But, while dressing for their own success, they also forged an amazing amalgamation of US R&B music with British skiffle and music hall beats. It was this synthesis of sound and culture that formed the foundation for most of The British Invasion. Listen to any of the early LP's by The Who; The Kinks; The Animals; or any the scores of one and no hit wonders. How many6 of them were covering Motown hits? How many of them took that beat and revved it up?

That's why so much of the book is a history of the rise and fall of groups. And, a comparatively unknown history it is. Just like current Brit charts are far more secular than in the US - where it is more the trend to 'Jim Crow' hits into a veritable plethora style-specific music - most of the groups chronicled are all but unknown here.

If you're into music - with a bias toward the 1960's - or if you just miss the good days, Mod - A Very British Phenomena is a worthwhile additiona to your library.

Who are "The Mods" and why are they so IMPORTANT today? !.......2001-01-17

Why read The Story of Mod? What possible relevance and interest does Rawling's and Reed's well written and fascinating history of a scene begun in London in the early 1960's hold for today? Nice of you to ask! For an answer we should return to the Summer of 1979; out of the nihilism of post-punk England there arose a revival of a 1960's Youth Culture phenomenon called "Mod" . Bands such as the Jam ( whose gifted frontman Paul Weller later went on to U.S mainstream success with The Style Council) typified this rebirth with a heavy emphasis on their musical antecedants the Who, The Small Faces and The Kinks. Alongside this revival was a renewed interest in Motor Scooters and ska music. A variety of tangentially related fashions coalesced in the US and made Mod the Thinking Man's Answer to the increasing uniformity of Punk Rock and Rockabilly. Flash forward 20 years and we have the corporate pre-fab "rebellion" of Blink 182, Greenday and sundry other well scrubbed ( but tatooed) "punkers", Brian Setzer and the "Swingers" film bands/scene closely approximating a defanged,tame revival of the early '80's Rockabilly and punk scenes respectively. What of Mod? Well, the Parkas may be missing but the echoes are CLEAR in the music and style of such genuinely diverse pop music giants Oasis, No Doubt, Pulp, Blur, The Verve , and The Shazam ( from, of all places Tennesee). MOD is the ONLY authentic, non "corporate", GRASS roots YOUTH culture dynamic going today. The book chronicles the uniquely British birth and transmogrification of the fashion from its birth in post war England to the potent and creative force that it is today. Any student of youth culture and British pop music will find the book invaluable.

Passion Is A Fashion: The Real Story of The Clash

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Passion for The Clash
Book Satisfaction
Absolutely Terrific!!!!
AMAZING!!!
Very impressive book - welcome to 1970s South London

Passion Is A Fashion: The Real Story of The Clash
Pat Gilbert
Manufacturer: Da Capo Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 030681434X
Release Date: 2005-05-10

Book Description

The definitive biography of legendary punk band the Clash, and the first to draw on original interviews with the band

The only internationally successful, million-selling group to emerge from the late seventies London punk scene, the Clash set out to change the world with a potent mix of politics, iconic imagery, and blazing rock 'n' roll. It was an agenda mirrored in the Clash's music, which swiftly evolved from ferocious punk rock to incorporate reggae, ska, funk, jazz, soul, and hip-hop. Passion Is a Fashion draws on over 70 interviews with the key participants in the story-roadies, producers, friends, and fans-and conversations with the Clash: Joe Strummer, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon, and Topper Headon. The first book to give real insight into what went on behind the scenes during the Clash's ten-year career, it charts the Clash's picaresque progress through the days of the early punk scene and their groundbreaking Rock Against Racism gigs, to the arduous touring, to their break out in America, and the making of the classic London Calling album, all the way to the band's eventual dissolution and the sudden, sad death of frontman Joe Strummer. Gritty, compelling, and above all authoritative, Passion Is a Fashion is the biography the Clash has long deserved.

Customer Reviews:

Passion for The Clash.......2007-09-07

A great,detailed and thorough history of The greatest Punk band ever. This is a MUST READ for anyone interested in the origin of contemporary rock music. The author delves into the personal history of the band members from childhood on. Pat Gilbert obviously has a passion for The Clash as every band today should and probably does. This book is an amazing overview, easy to read and impossible to put down. I bought this for myself but my 14yr. old son "permanently borrowed" it from me, reading it like crazy(he's not fond of reading) and I couldn't be happier.
Thank you Pat Gilbert for writing this awesome book!!!!!

Book Satisfaction.......2007-02-28

Very efficient with delievery and a book in excellent condition. I thank you .Our son reads alot and we were pleasently surprised in ALL areas of this transaction.

Absolutely Terrific!!!!.......2007-02-20

I am a new fan of the clash and just fell in love with them one day. Wanting to know more about this band, I bought this book and was blown away!! I honestly couldn't put the thing down. It really gives an insightful history of the band and really made me like them even more. If you love the clash this book is worth every cent. Buy it!!!

AMAZING!!!.......2006-11-12

I just got it a week ago. I CANNOT put it down. Well written and a lot of great facts that I never knew about. For example: Did you know that Joe Strummer's first guitar was actually originally owned by Pete Townshend?

Very impressive book - welcome to 1970s South London.......2006-06-02

This review applies to the 2004 hardcover edition. I knew a reasonable amount about The Clash before reading this book but the author here opened my eyes to a number of things and helped to confirm some of my ideas and reject others.

This is an academic book in the sense that any university sociology or history department type would or should respect the high standard of scholarship here - painstaking research involving interviews with a large number of band friends, business associates and childhood and youth buddies - and objective and intelligent analysis throughout. Although the research is detailed and Gilbert takes the subject matter seriously, the writing is still lively and captivating.

The book first traces the childhoods, youth days and former bands of all members individually which is fascinating and well researched. A lot of this information would be new to even the diehard fans. It's fascinating to read about and see a picture of Mick Jones' gran's 18th floor council flat in South London overlooking the Westway - where Mick "practised daily in my room" according to the song Stay Free. We also get to learn about Mick's close friend, also written about in Stay Free, who in real life did serve time for a bank robbery offence.

The art-school beginnings and the "squatting days" in early 1970s London (living in vacated houses under the Westway without paying rent) and the members' pre-Clash bands are well documented. Overall, Gilbert does an excellent job in helping the reader recreate in his/her mind the world of 1970s South London where the Clash story was played out. That is one of the book's great strengths in my opinion.

The book demolishes some punk myths, but keeps others alive. Firstly, the book demolishes the cherished idea that The Pistols and The Clash were working-class lads who met up, decided to form a band, and sing about social and political topics. There is some element of truth in that idealised view. However, the bands' respective managers, Malcolm McLaren of The Pistols and Bernie Rhodes of The Clash, clearly manufactured the bands to a certain extent based on their personal visions of what they wanted to achieve. Joe clearly understood this and was willing to co-operate with Rhodes to achieve common goals - but Mick was less supportive, being more of a traditional old-time rocker.

Gilbert clearly describes the social changes affecting Britain in the late 70s - the rise to power of the Thatcher right-wing government and the first wave of West Indian immigrants into London (and especially Brixton). We see how all band members had a genuine and sincere desire for racial harmony - they were fascinated by Jamaican reggae music and later New York hip hop. The bands' involvement in anti-racism gigs and sharing the stage with acts such as Bo Diddley and Micky Dread were extremely influential in contributing to the unity of the streets.

Another Clash myth that the book does not debunk but strengthens is their closeness to the fans and genuine warmth they felt towards the fans and vice-versa. However, the bitter infighting and bad vibes involving Joe, Mick and Paul often seemed to take the joy out of their lives and the book exposes this fully. It ultimately led to Mick's sacking at the hands of Joe, Paul and Bernie.

Other highlights are detailed descriptions of the recording sessions that led to each album and brief song-by-song descriptions (however, the focus on the actual music is fairly brief - the book is more a study of people and society).

Producer Guy Stevens' drunken chair-smashing antics during the London Calling sessions are hilariously recounted. His crazy energy probably contributed to the eclectic joy that London Calling produced. The details of the football games during the London Calling sessions are also interesting. The orange mohawked Japanese guys they met playing football in the London park - who knew every note of every Clash song (and Joe's cynical reaction to them, in contrast to the other band members) - also is humorous in my opinion.

Lastly, we are also are given a rare insight into The Clash Mark II. The three young band members who replaced Mick and Topper are all interviewed. Naturally they were dissapointed with certain aspects of the Mark II experience - but they don't seem bitter and it doesn't seem that they were treated totally badly (at least not by the band - by Bernie Rhodes maybe). In my opinion "This is England" (from 1985) ranks in The Top 3 Clash songs of all time. Good to get an insight into this less-publicised and once-denied stage of the band's existence. It almost makes me want to go out and buy Cut the [...]!!

I enjoyed my trip to the world of South London that Gilbert offered and South London became a better place I'm sure due to the huge influence of Joe, Mick, Topper and Paul. Stay free...

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Vintage Rock T-Shirts
Seth Weisser , Gerard Maione , and Johan Kugelberg
Manufacturer: Universe
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Textile & Costume | Design & Decorative Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Fashion | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0789315041
Release Date: 2007-02-06

Book Description

These artifacts of the original rock and roll era recall a time that seems simpler, less commercial, and more meaningful. The tee shirts shown here weren't produced for commercial use but as promotional giveaways by record companies, fans, and festivals such as Woodstock, and the designs from the early days look homemade and amateurish. As band shirts became available, record companies discovered the promotional power of the tee shirt as human billboard, and their lucrative potential was realized, with shirts bearing logos, band names, show venues, and other marketable details. Ultimately rock tee shirts worn with jeans and sneakers became a uniform of conformist non-conformism. Now the tee shirts from these early days have become one of today's hottestâand most costlyâfashion trends. For many people, rock and roll has become a lifestyle. Vintage Rock Tee-Shirts is a snapshot of this earlier era, with hundreds of T-shirts, advertisements, logos, and archival photos.

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Madonna Style - Unlike Any Other.

Madonna Style
Carol Clerk
Manufacturer: Omnibus Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 1844499294

Customer Reviews:

Madonna Style - Unlike Any Other........2004-02-27

This is a complete look into Madonna's style, from the beginning to the Drowned World Tour.
It makes for a beautiful coffee table book to be viewed by many.

Many were disappointed by Madonna's latest released book "Nobody Knows Me" - so if you didn't have your chance to get it, or did purchase it and found it to be disappointing, then Madonna Style is for you.

Includes tons of beautiful photographs & informational text.

Average customer rating:

Typical, but cute chick lit

'Manhattan' does NOT rock

Manhattan on the Rocks
Janice Harayda
Manufacturer: Sourcebooks Landmark
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Comic | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
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Satire, General | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
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Wolves in Chic Clothing: A Novel

The Gift Bag Chronicles: A Novel

The Botox Diaries: A Novel

The Perfect Manhattan: A Novel

The Right Address: A Novel

ASIN: 1402201192

Book Description

When twenty-five-year-old Laura Smart moves from Cleveland to Manhattan to take a job at a magazine, she hopes the world will become her oyster-her Fendi Oyster (this year's must-have handbag) to be exact.

Instead, Laura has to deal with the demands of her self-absorbed and quirky boss-the talk-show host turned magazine editor, Cassandra Lovelace. Laura, a Holly Golightly-type character, finds her own romantic and professional redemption in a novel that hilariously sends up the sex-and-celebrity-obsessed world of contemporary women's magazines.

Written from the insider's perspective of a former senior editor of Glamour, Manhattan on the Rocks is a sharply observed comedy of manners with a take-no-prisoners spirit. This is a novel for every woman who has ever known in her heart that-even as her world is collapsing all around her-she needs only a Glamour makeover to save her life from ruin.

Customer Reviews:

Typical, but cute chick lit.......2007-01-07

I thought this was a really cute, light and fluffy read!!!! Typical chick lit, but a fun read!!!!

I liked the main character alot and was interested to see what happened to her over the course of the book!!!

Not the best I've read, but by far, not the worst!!!

'Manhattan' does NOT rock.......2005-08-09

This book had all the potential to develop more in terms of its storyline, but strangely, towards the end of the novel, I found myself not caring what happened to the protagonist, and not at all involved in any or all of her activities and pursuits.

The plot is hackneyed and contrived at best, in addition to being overwhelmingly cliched. Reading the novel was seriously and literally painful because of the abundance of typing, spelling and editorial errors; mistakes occur on nearly every page, if not every other page! One wonders how an award winning journalist could let slip all the errors and omissions that would have been picked up with more careful editing and proofreading. Surely, editorial staff have much to answer for too!

I'm not sure if this book should be allowed to remain on the shelves of any bookstore, let alone still continue to be sold at all. I would seriously recommend a total recall of all copies of this book from bookstores, followed by a thorough editing process before unleashing it onto an unsuspecting public. This is an outrageus assault on the reading standards and literacy expectations of literate people!

Average customer rating:

Awesome!
Madonna is a Queen of Style
Madonna Has Style!

Madonnastyle
Carol Clerk
Manufacturer: Omnibus Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Fashion | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

History | Fashion | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Performing Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Actors & Actresses | Arts & Literature | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Entertainers | Arts & Literature | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

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History & Criticism | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0711988749

Book Description

Madonna is a genuine superstar in a class of her own. She has revolutionized the world of entertainment with her ability to be all things to all people in her ongoing crusades as the "mother of reinvention." The lavishly illustrated madonnastyle looks in detail at her development as a visual performer on stage, on video and in real life, as she moves from the riotous street punk explosions of her early appearances through her controversial use of erotic and religious imagery to the sophisticated and superbly orchestrated presentations that are her forté today. It explores the childhood and adolescent experiences at the heart of Madonna's most memorable creations, charting her struggles with Catholicism, her sexual history and her idealization of motherhood. But style is not just about fashion, it's about identity, attitude, personality and lifestyle, and madonnastyle studies, from their origins, the qualities and choices that have become an inseparable part of her legend.

Customer Reviews:

Awesome!.......2006-06-27

Well,this item that i purchased,is very awesome i think it's worth it to have this madonna stuff!

Madonna is a Queen of Style.......2006-06-13

In 1998 at the Oscar's Madonna was called the sole survivor of the 80's. Now, nearly a decade later the terms holds true. What was the secret to a reign that rivals the Rolling Stones and Elizabeth the First ... her STYLE! From New York street urchin, yoga mamma, Gauthier Muse, and Scottish lass Mrs. Ritchie .... Madonna is the master of reinvention. Her style is always changing and evolving with time, and keeps everyone guessing what this pop culture icon will do next.

Unlike her 80's contemporaries (Boy George, Cyndi Lauper, Pat Benetar, etc) ... Madonna is not stuck in an era of the "good old days" because like her style reflects, the good times are always NOW!

Madonna Has Style!.......2002-05-23

I just received my copy of this book yesterday! It's a visually stunning retrospective of Madonna's inimitable style and her incredible influence over fashion and pop culture over the past twenty years. The photographs included in this collection are beautiful and capture the true essence of a woman that transcends mere superstardom and is in a class entirely by herself. This book is definitely a must-have in all Madonna fan's collections. Also check out Matthew Rettenmund's Encyclopedia Madonnica & Michael D. Craig's Who's That Girl? The Ultimate Madonna Trivia Book!

Average customer rating:

Elvis Fashion: From Memphis to Vegas
Much more than a photo book
Expensive, but well worth it!
Thrilling New Photos of all things ELVIS!

Elvis Fashion: From Memphis to Vegas
Julie Mundy
Manufacturer: Universe
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Fashion | Photography | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Photography | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Sculpture | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Fashion | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

History | Fashion | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

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History & Criticism | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
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ASIN: 0789309874
Release Date: 2004-01-03

Book Description

The Rolls-Royce of Elvis books, Elvis Fashion: From Memphis to Vegas is the first to document the extraordinary costume and apparel collection at Graceland®. Elvis fans and fashion aficionados will be unable to resist the book's incredible new photography and sexy design, and fascinated to learn of Elvis' profound love of clothes, as evidenced by his vast array of hats, scarves, belts, and so much more.

Sequined jumpsuits, leather pants, embroidered capes, and an exquisite collection of accessories epitomize this beloved celebrity as his career skyrocketed in the '50s, '60s, and '70s. All-new photography of the costumes and apparel in the book are accompanied by archival photographs of Elvis wearing them, as well as sketches and other original documentation. The text chronicles Elvis' development as a fashion icon and discusses the influence he continues to have more than twenty-five years after his death.

Customer Reviews:

Elvis Fashion: From Memphis to Vegas.......2005-01-27

An absolutely wonderful book! What a treat to be taken into the archives at Elvis Presley Enterprises and be able to see up-close some of the clothing worn by the King of Rock and Roll. Being able to put the clothing with the time and place he wore it is a history lesson. Julie Mundy is a serious Elvis fan who gives the rest of us fans a peek into something we can only dream about.

Much more than a photo book.......2004-04-17

The basic concept of this book is what basically makes it great. Old photos of Elvis in all kinds of different outfits, both for the stage and from his personal wardrobe, are paired with the brand new photos of the same clothes now kept in the Graceland archives.
As simple as that, but it works. The new photos are truly great and together with the high class layout, it makes it a really quality investment - a coffee table book in the best sense of the word. The accompanying text by Julie Mundy is informative and well-written. No need to wonder who made what clothes, when, what the cost was at the time, and when Elvis wore it - all the information is right here. I personally really enjoyed the parts about the people who designed for Elvis, in particular the interview bits with Bill Belew who amongst other things did Elvis' famous jumpsuits.
The book is also a look back through history. It reminds you that Elvis dared to have a fashion style uniquely his own way before fashion dictated that everyone should have their own individual style. The book is a beautiful and interesting document of Elvis' transformation - and the development in fashion as Elvis interpretated it - over his 20 years career and definitely a good buy!

Expensive, but well worth it!.......2004-01-15

Wow -- I love this book!!!!!! Having extensively researched Elvis's wardrobe for my book The Girls' Guide to Elvis: The Clothes, the Hair, the Women, and More!, I am familiar with a great deal of Elvis's clothing -- this book is filled with things I've never seen before! What amazing access to Elvis's closet!! If you're fascinated by Elvis's personal style (and who isn't?!), you'll want to own this beautiful coffee table book. Well, well worth the price!

Thrilling New Photos of all things ELVIS!.......2004-01-14

Great work and collaboration from Graceland executives made this book possible. Julie Mundy brings us closer than ever to many of Elvis's clothes and wardrobes. All photos are well described, professional, and exciting!
This book also shows us some of Wurthmeiers photos that are stunning!
Great coffee table material and Conversation Starter
Would have been a great pleasure to author this book!
Long live the King!

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