Book Description
Fundamentals of Media Effects is a readable scholarly text geared to undergraduate students in the media effects course.
The book is divided into three sections. Section 1, Overview and History, provides historical evidence for media effects and for societal concern about media effects. Section 2, Theory and Concepts, includes the concepts and theories that serve as the basis for different types of media effects research. The final section, Section 3, Key Areas of Research, delves into the specific areas of inquiry.
Book Description
World renowned authority on Asian martial arts, Robert W. Smith shares more than fifty years experience in martial arts practice and research in Martial Musings. Based on reflections on the people and places that shaped martial arts in the 20th century,
Customer Reviews:
Martial Musings - Robert W. Smith.......2007-08-23
Mr. Smith is a "wordsmith" in the truest sense. You can feel the authors qi, as he writes about the chinese masters that he has inter-acted with over the years. It has been my pleasure recently to meet R. W. Smith and visit with him. This book is a must for the library of any serious person who studies any of the martial arts.
Phillip W. Koeppel
Avoid.......2007-07-06
Anyone who says that Muhammad Ali was an overweight light-heavyweight with the punch of a pillow and couldn't stand with the earlier heavyweights (who incidentally were smaller than Ali,"an overweight light-heavy")should not have there opinions on fighting arts taken seriously.
Not that amusing.......2007-05-09
Robert W. Smith is arguably the foremost expert on history/theory of the internal Chinese Martial Arts in the West. He wrote several books in the Sixties and Seventies about these arts. These books were well written, well illustrated and informative. His book with the late Donn Draeger, Comprehensive Asian Fighting Arts, was the standard book on Martial Arts for many years. Smith must be credited with opening up a new world to Westerners: that of the mystical Chinese Martial Arts in which myths and stories of invincible masters that could perform the most miraculous feats using their Chi or internal energy abound.
I bought Martial Musings a few years ago with a special offer in which I didn't have to pay for postage. The book cost me a lot of money anyway and I was pretty disappointed in its contents. The book starts out OK. We find some interesting anecdotes about Western boxing and the formative years of Judo in the West. However the book soon turns into a longwinded promotion tour of the internal Chinese martial arts. Smith thinks these arts are superior to other martial arts but doesn't make clear how or why. There are hardly any photographs with techniques in this book. Devoting a chapter to famous fiction writers Smith met in a Martial Arts book is preposterous. The chapters on Jon Bluming and Hung I Hsiang give a hint of what this book could have been like if the author had sticked to the assignment.
The whole title of the book is a misnomer: more than half the book is about Tai Chi and the Martial Arts of South East Asia, for instance, are not covered at all. Smith seems to have been blind to what has been happening in the Martial Arts world the last few decades. Competitions like the UFC have proved the effectiveness of full contact training, grappling and cross training. I am my no means against internal Martial Arts. I believe in Chi and have seen the Shaolin monks perform amazing stunts. These developments should be approached with an open mind that Smith doesn't seem to have.
The lowest point in the book is the chapter about Bruce Lee. It is not only disrespectful towards the man that did more to popularise the martial arts than anyone else, it contains many factual mistakes. Bruce Lee DID train in internal Martial Arts. Tai Chi was the first Martial Art he trained in (he was taught by his father).
Conclusion: this book will only be worth your money if you're a T'ai Chi practitioner, otherwise you could better spend it elsewhere.
Martial musings by an old curmudgeon.......2004-03-16
Robert Smith has written some great work and has done a lot for the martial arts. He is quite knowledgeable about the internal Chinese arts and judo, and has led a very interesting life. For the martial arts enthusiast, his experiences and the training opportunities he's had are quite enviable.
Nevertheless, in this book, he comes across as a cantankerous old man who constantly whines about how much better everything was "back in my day." Thus, boxers like Muhammad Ali aren't fit to lick the boots of old timers like Joe Louis -- and let's not even talk about Mike Tyson, Lennox Lewis or Evander Holyfield; movies today, especially kung fu flicks, have no redeeming social value (yes, that last bit was a BIG SHOCK to me too); and society is crass and shallow and worthless. I half expected him to start telling me how weak, worthless, and evil we all are because we didn't walk 25 miles in bare feet in the snow to go to school every day, and only after plowing a 200-acre farm and saving 40 orphans from starving and how nothing written after Shakespeare died has been worth anything other than toilet paper.
He is also a little too sure that he has seen everything there is that is worth seeing, and bought into the party line given by his teachers, who, while great martial artists, cannot be described as without bias. His northern-style and internal arts teachers told him that the northern Chinese styles and the internal styles are the greatest and the southern Chinese styles and harder more external styles are useless. Thus, it must be true, according to Smith. The fact is, most martial artists think their style is the greatest, and they can't all be right.
Smith also unfairly denigrates a lot of people who have put in a lot of dedication and done much for the martial arts. Bruce Lee's skill as compared to the great martial artists of the 20th century is debatable, but his positive influence cannot be disputed. Likewise for the Gracies, who, whatever you might say about their style, have the guts to repeatedly put it all on the line for everyone to see. Smith also takes a mean-spirited swipe at Jackie Chan's martial arts skills and his movies, despite the fact that Jackie is, from all reports, a really nice guy who has always freely admitted that he doesn't consider himself a martial arts master, and despite the fact that his movies have made millions smile.
So don't take Smith's ramblings in this book as the gospel, but treat it as an interesting set of memoirs and anecdotes from a life well lived.
Delightfull musings.......2003-12-29
Robert Smith has a delightfull writing style. He doesnt suffer fools gladly and is more than willing to put down others he sees as inferior or fraudulent. Sadly this is the case as the martial arts in the USA has become a great big joke. Fortunately the current spate of full contact contests (pancrase,ufc,k-1) as well as renewed interest in muay thai, savate and judo are helping to change that. Smiths background is IMPECABLE-a masters degree and CIA analyst who trained in Japan and Taiwain. His contemporaries were Draeger, Bluming and Geesink. Anyone who knows who these folks were knows that he was in mighty good company.
Product Description
A lot can happen in 30 seconds. In the case of the shoot-out at the O.K. Corral, 30 seconds found three men dead, left two men wounded and ultimately captured the imagination of generations of Americans. Wyatt Earp, an against-all-odds hero who was literally the last man standing; Doc Holliday, Earp's unlikely crony; the tragic tale of the Earp family--all of these elements make the story of the O.K. Corral irresistible to a great many people. Hollywood filmmakers were quick to recognize the legend's attraction--and its potential. As early as 1939 (with the production of Frontier Marshal), moviemakers were recreating the gunfight at the O.K. Corral and its attendant happenings in Tombstone, Arizona, on October 26, 1881. The following decades produced various renderings of the story, some more historically accurate than others but all with the American flair for entertainment. This volume examines eight movie renderings of the legendary gunfight. Produced from 1939 to 1994, these movies each use Wyatt Earp and other real-life characters as their sources. The work focuses on the filmmakers treatment of the history and the skill with which each balances fact with the necessity of entertainment. The ways in which Wyatt Earp is presented in each film and this portrayal's relationship to the period in which the film was made is also examined in detail. Films discussed are Frontier Marshal (1939), Tombstone: The Town Too Tough to Die (1942), My Darling Clementine (1946), Gunfight at the O.K. Corral (1957), Hour of the Gun (1967), Doc (1971), Tombstone (1993), and Wyatt Earp (1994). Period photographs are also included.
Customer Reviews:
When the truth becomes legend..........2007-02-26
If you can't enjoy this book, then you either don't enjoy the history of the Old West, or you have no interest in Hollywood westerns. Anyone who does enjoy western americana will find Michael Blake's fascinating study of Hollywood's Wyatt Earp and the O. K. Corral revealing, and downright fun. The story of the Earp/Tombstone legend in film is a recapitulation of how images of arguably the most famous gunfighter and the most famous gunfight have evolved. The author demonstrates how historical forces have changed interpretations on celluloid. Blake, author of the previously well-received Code of Honor: The Making of Three Great American Westerns (comprising of High Noon, Shane, and The Searchers) takes the reader through eight feature films covering the years 1939 to 1944.
McFarland, publisher of numerous fine books in the western film genre, does its usual fine work in presenting Blake's book in a high-quality trade paperback 7 x 10 format. The opening chapter of the book is a capsule history of events leading up to October 26, 1881, and what followed, including Earp's vendetta ride and later life. Blake incorporates the most recent scholarship in Earp studies into this eighteen page essay. Chapter 2 is a discussion of Hollywood's discovery of Wyatt Earp by, among others, silent film western star William S. Hart. It also introduces the influence of Stuart N. Lake's popular biography Wyatt Earp, Frontier Marshal. Lake's shadow will loom large in later productions. This chapter also includes a look at fictional Earps- Gunsmoke's Matt Dillon and Hugh O'Brian in The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp.
The eight movies examined in detail are as follows:
1. Frontier Marshal (1939)
2. Tombstone: The Town Too Tough To Die (1942)
3. My Darling Clementine (1946)
4. Gunfight at the O. K. Corral (1957)
5. Hour of the Gun (1967)
6. Doc (1971)
7. Tombstone (1993)
8. Wyatt Earp (1994)
Each movie gets a chapter wherein the film is examined in detail as to script, plot, casting, direction, production values, acting, authenticity, problems during filming, clashing egos and even music for each film. The author fearlessly gives his well-thought out views on all aspects of each movie, and while you may not agree with every assessment, you know they have been carefully considered. Blake places each movie in its historical context, and in gives them an overall review, rating them from the well-crafted and well-performed (Tombstone) to the failed (Wyatt Earp) to the execrable (Doc). Blake's own background as an Emmy Award winning makeup artist (he has written three books on Lon Chaney), period stills, film posters, many from his personal collection, his first-person interviews, all bring the reader as close as one can imagine to the production of each individual film. Hollywood legends like John Ford, Henry Fonda, Burt Lancaster, James Garner, Kevin Costner and others walk the pages of the book. Even the much maligned performance of Victor Mature as Doc Holliday in My Darling Clementine is seen in a new and more positive light. Many western movie buffs admire the movie Tombstone, and with the help of historian and film consultant Jeff Morey who worked for a time on the film, Blake tells the behind-the-scenes story of how Kevin Jarre's script became a cult classic.
In this candidly written and enjoyable book we see how the legends of Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, and the O.K. Corral gunfight became household names through their Hollywood images on the silver screen.
Well Worth the Wait.......2007-01-09
Michael F. Blake is my favorite author, and this book is one of the reasons why. This is a well researched book, and it shows his love for the cinema and history. At the same time, Michael doesn't write above the heads of his audience, like many film scholars do. He writes for the working class audience, which is most appreciated. This is a wonderful study of Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, and those who brought their stories to the screen.
MARVELOUS BOOK.......2007-01-06
I have purchased many books over the years relating to my interest in the Old West and Tombstone in particular. Mr Blakes wonderful book is up there with the best. Right from the first few pages it's obvious that because of Michaels long experience in the film industry, he has access to people and information available only to a very few well connected individuals.
The book gives a fascinating insight into the making of the key movies about Tombstone, the politics, the conflicts and interactions between all the key players, and an excellent analysis of each movie in relation to the known facts surrounding Tombstone on the 1880's.
The book is crammed with dozens of rare photographs, many of which will not have been seen before.
I loved this book. Congratulations Mr Blake on a fine effort.
If I was to complain, it would be that this book will have a very long shelf life, and remain important for years to come, so I would have loved to see a hard cover version, just to match the quality of the contents, and perhaps ensure the book survives the rigours of many readers over the next many decades, but it's more a compliment than a complaint
JOHN ALLDRED
NEW ZEALAND
Print the Legend.......2006-12-12
As John Ford's character in "A Man Called Liberty Valance" said, "This is the West, sir. When legend becomes fact, print the legend!" The movies have never tried to be accurate history. Time and money and often good story telling requires that some people and events will have their appearances altered by the film maker. But, the viewer seldom is in on the reasons changes are made and how the process took place. Michael F. Blake has changed all that, at least as far as the Earp/ Clanton street fight near the O.K. Corral.
This excellent new book not only tells you about the true history as compared to the movie versions, but gives a film maker's insite to many of the problems that happened before and during the filming schedule. With help from top Earp historian, Jeff Morey, Blake reveals for the first time in print the extreme dificulties incured during the making of the 1993 film, "Tombstone." This is a must own book for anyone interested in Western films. Bye the way, the few typos that slipped by proof readers, are not a reflection of the writer not knowing, but rather as in most books the first printing escapes with a few missed identifications or spelling errors.
Blake's aim is as true as Wyatt Earp's.......2006-12-11
Michael F. Blake's "Hollywood at the OK Corral" nicely fills a gaping hole in the literature on Wyatt Earp's transition from itinerant lawman, gambler, miner, horse thief, pimp, and con man to the iconic, legendary, and nearly mythical character he is today. The same goes for the evolution of the sudden and shocking street fight in Tombstone to today's metaphor for any vicious gun battle, firefight, or other spot where bullets seem to be flying from all sides. This progression for both the "gunfight at the O.K. Corral" and the one participant who remained standing, untouched by lead, and Hollywood's role in building and shapeshifting the legend, has been discussed and argued about at some length in biographies by Casey Tefertiller, Allen Barra, Tim Fattig, Steve Gatto, and others, and in surveys by George McDonald Fraser and others. But this is the first book-length examination, and it is packed with material not published elsewhere.
Right from the start, the O.K. Corral was the stuff of cinema. It was immediately preceded by what must have been one of the most visually arresting images in Western history, the walk down to destiny by Virgil, Wyatt, and Morgan Earp and their ally Doc Holliday. That Blake understands this is clear: his book's cover displays the walkdown most familiar to today's audiences, that of four grim and superbly costumed lawmen played Kurt Russell, Val Kilmer, Sam Elliott, and Bill Paxton from the movie Tombstone.
Blake begins by reviewing the argued-over facts of Wyatt's life, including the OK Corral. In order to accurately compare the "real" to the "reel," film historian Blake understands the importance of getting the history right. This chapter, as do the later ones, benefits greatly from Blake's use of recent historical research, including the Tefertiller and Barra biographies, and Peter Brand's groundbreaking work on Wyatt's Vendetta riders, such as Sherman McMasters and John Johnson (known to filmgoers as "Turkey Creek Jack"). Blake has also sought insight from descendants of the unfortunate McLaury brothers, including writer Pam Potter. Blake next provides an overview of Earp and Hollywood, from the old Westerner's friendship with William S. Hart, through Hollywood's use of Stuart Lake's powerfully influential book "Wyatt Earp: Frontier Marshal," and on to the pervasiveness of Earp and the gunfight in American and global culture (e.g., the Star Trek episode, "Spectre of the Gun").
The heart and soul of the book are the separate chapters on the making of eight theatrical O.K. Corral films: Frontier Marshal (1939), Tombstone: the Town Too Tough to Die (1942), My Darling Clementine (1946), Gunfight at the O.K. Corral (1957), Hour of the Gun (1967), Doc (1971), Tombstone (1993), and Wyatt Earp (1994). Here is where this film historian's nearly half-century immersion in the industry comes into play. (Blake is the son of an actor, a childhood actor himself, and an Emmy-winning make-up artist, as well as published film historian.) Wonderful anecdotes came from a variety of sources, including the subjects of Blake's interviews, including Burt Lancaster and James Garner, "Wyatt Earp" screenwriter Dan Gordon, Tombstone" costumer Joseph Porro, and "Tombstone" historical consultant Jeff Morey. Many wonderful on-the-set photos came from archival sources, including the William S. Hart, John Ford, John Sturges, and Hal Wallis collections.
One of Blake's most important themes is this: "History and Hollywood have never been synchronous when it comes to facts. At best they are civilized adversaries and, at worst, churlish rivals." Blake explains why "historical" films are and must be ahistorical, however much that maddens "buffs" of any historical topic.
Each chapter colorfully reveals the usually difficult gestation of a film, from starry-eyed conception, through arguments over scripts, budgets made and busted, lawsuits threatened, and on-set shouting matches (and at least one angry golf-cart destruction derby), to marketing successes and failures and make-or-break film critic reviews. Each chapter is a delight, precisely because Blake knows how to identify and draw out the conflicts inherent in movie making. In this regard, the making of "Tombstone" was probably the diciest affair. Here Blake's book benefits from the cooperation of Jeff Morey, who helped Kevin Jarre develop perhaps the greatest O.K. Corral script. But each project was an eye-opener. I for one wish the "Doc" chapter had been longer, because one wants to know every detail of how such an abysmal film could ever be made.
The book has a few typos and, as one reviewer noted, at least one miscaptioned picture. The font is a little small for some aging eyes. My biggest complaint is that I wish the book had been bigger. I know Blake must have left some additional good stories out to save space for what's here.
This book is an absolute must for anyone interested in Wyatt Earp, the O.K. Corral, Westerns, and how Hollywood makes any movie.
Average customer rating:
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Images of Women: The Portrayal of Women in Photography of the Middle East, 1860-1950
Sarah Graham-Brown
Manufacturer: Columbia Univ Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0231068271 |
Book Description
The American Paint Horse is a lavish photographic tribute to the beauty, athleticism, and diversity of one of the most revered icons of the West. This elegant coffee-table book features the inspirational and artistic photography of David R. Stoecklein and Paint Horse Journal editor, Darrell Dodds.
Journalist Jennifer Forsberg Meyer relates an interesting and informative tale of the American Paint Horse's rich history, exciting present, and promising future as one of the world's most popular horse breeds.
But it's the photography that makes this book breathtaking--images of Paints in action, at work on ranches and at play with children, racing and performing--illustrating the pure beauty, uniqueness, and romanticism of the American Paint Horse.
Customer Reviews:
A real misnomer!.......2003-12-05
I had ordered a book about the "American Paint Horse" and expected a "photographic portrayal." What I got was a book about Americans who happen to own Paint horses -- I didn't want that and I don't need that!
The design and photography is quite pedestrian (pun intended), I had seen better photography by Stoecklein before.
At least I learned one lesson from this: don't trust customer reviews too much! Now I search for a real good coffee-tabler with real Paints and no people in it (no, I'm not a people-hater but I like things pure and neat).
Gorgeous - Worth Every Cent Spent!.......2002-01-02
This book was everything I hoped it would be, and more!! Every page has beautiful photography and the write-ups are excellent. I am sooo pleased I spent the money! I wish I lived in America and had a Paint Horse (or 4) of my own! Hopefully the Paint population will keep growing in New Zealand. Thank you Jennifer Forsberg Meyer for a wonderful book.
BEAUTIFUL PHOTOGRAPHS.......2001-11-30
This book is a MUST for any paint horse lover. The photographs are excellent. Many beautiful horses and exceptional quality
scenery.
A feast for the eyes.......2001-11-19
This is an appealing book--whether or not you love Paints.
Customer Reviews:
Life Like Portrayals in Applique.......2004-07-24
Exceptional simple explanation and illustrations. A valuable addition to my library
excellent book.......2004-04-06
This is a great book. Charlotte brings people to life in her quilts. I am truly amazed and inspired by her work. She guides you thru the process to approaching quilt making with her techniques. I am still working on making my first face quilt and although it takes some work...it is well worth it if you are interested in this kind of quilt art. Another great book i am happy to own.
Focus on Features.......2002-08-13
This is an excellent book. I'll keep it forever as a reference book. It arrived in perfect shape and in a short time from when ordered. Thank You.
My Favorite Pictorial Quilting Book By A Mile!.......2001-07-10
This is by far the most helpful book I have when it comes to doing realistic pictorial quilts. There are so many details and tips about how to make features, hands, fur, and more look more lifelike...those alone are worth the purchase price. Although the author sews as she goes and I use the fusible web technique, there is no conflict. I find myself turning to this book again and again to help me solve problems. The author goes into some detail about how to draw features so that they can be easily rendered in fabric...there is a fascinating quiz where you match a drawn outline of ears, eyes, nose, or mouth with the photo from which it came. Comparing the drawings with the photos was a very instructive exercise. If you want to create realistic picture quilts that contain people or animals, this is the number one book to have!
Inspiring!.......2001-05-08
Definitely a must-have! Charlotte gave a lecture and 2 day workshop for Naples Quilters Guild - wonderful! Don't miss her lecture/workshop if she should be in your area. Next best thing is her book. Charlotte's applique technique is great and her ideas will inspire you to create wonderful portraits! Don't miss out on this great book!
Average customer rating:
- Slavery and its impact on the Founder of our Nation
- Hindsight is indeed 20/20.
- Yet another blatant attempt to impugn the founding father
- Very riveting version of history not found in usual classes.
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George Washington and Slavery: A Documentary Portrayal
Fritz Hirschfeld
Manufacturer: University of Missouri Press
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AN IMPERFECT GOD: George Washington, His Slaves, and the Creation of America
ASIN: 0826211356 |
Customer Reviews:
Slavery and its impact on the Founder of our Nation.......2003-06-23
This was an excellent text, rivaling the great "Founding Brothers - The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis. It addresses the fundamental question I have always had; how could slavery continue (thrive) in a "free" nation? I have been reading a lot about the Founding Fathers with the central purpose of answering this very question. This book "George Washington & Slavery" includes many quotes and letters from the general that specifically addresses the slavery issue. It uses Washington and his contemporaries own letters to paint a story of our most famous founding father and his viewpoint on Blacks and slavery.
It begins by discussing how Washington obtained his large slave population through his marriage with Martha. It tells us that Washington was your typical (although meticulous) plantation owner. The Mount Vernon Estate was the most envied in the land. This was due to not only Washington's management but also slave labor. You get a strong since of how important slavery was to the every day needs of our most esteemed founding father.
However, Washington changed his views about Blacks during the Revolutionary War when he initiated enlisting Blacks into the Army (in the North not the South). Unfortunately, this was only done as a last resort after British Lord Cornwallis had announced that Black slaves could seek freedom if they took up arms with the British. It was then that Washington, faced with a mounting slave force with weapons, decided it was a smart strategy to allow Blacks to serve for the colonies.
What was most disappointing about Washington is that he was well aware of several Blacks with courage, intelligence and character. This book tells us about the Black poetess Phyllis Wheatley who was highly regarded for her literature (Washington once wrote her and he did addressed her with respect). There were several slaves that fought valiantly in the Revolutionary War and won recognition from Washington and other generals. He was always known to be fair on the battlefield with both his White and Black soldiers. There are several notably slaves such as his own Billy Lee that stood side by side with Washington through even his military battles. Frenchman Marquis de Lafayette often wrote Washington about the abolition of slavery? In fact, Lafayette wrote Washington about the large-scale emancipation of slaves in the French colony of Cayenne, the capital city of what is now known as Guiana. Therefore, Washington not only had first hand knowledge that Blacks were capable individuals, but also that slavery could and had been abolished in another part of the world. Washington still was willing to sit idle while hundreds of thousands were destined to a life of bondage.
At one time the Washington estate housed over 400 slaves (including children). They catered to the every needs of the Washingtons. Martha Washington had personally eleven slaves to perform her cooking, cleaning, sewing, etc. This book was full of letters by the Washington's regarding their slaves. It indicated that the Washingtons were fair and reasonable with their slave labor. In fact, the only time George revolted punitively was in regard to runaways.
The last will and testament of George Washington was to free his slaves. This is good, but in my opinion is not enough to remove the stain of slavery in his life. Even though he was fair to his slaves, he could have set in motion (or at least continued the existing momentum) emancipation in this country. The original impression I had before was that Whites during our revolutionary time lived in an environment where slavery was an unchallenged institution. This book and others indicate that there was a growing abolition movement in this country that began at the nations' founding.
I get the impression from Washington and the other Founding Fathers that they realized slavery was wrong. Of course it would have been hard to move towards abolition. It is always difficult to give up status and an economic advantage. Power and privilege are always difficult to give up. And even if Washington could give up the Presidency of the United States he could not find himself to give up the comforts of slavery while he was living. This was a question about power and the need to feel superior to others. Emancipation would have been challenged by his fellow southern plantation owners. Of course it would have been challenged and certainly unpopular, but many ideas are challenged. The Founders including Washington could have provided freedom for slaves after they reach an appropriate age. This was a strategy employed by the northern states. He could have been more outspoken and introduced a plan to gradually rid the country of this egregious sin. The question is whether this is worth fighting for. There are many examples where Washington put his life on the line for ideas he felt were worth the fight. Was the fight was worth it? Fighting a war against the world's largest Army was hard and many thought suicidal. But you fight for things that you believe in and ideas that are worth it. That was one of the themes of the revolution. In Washington's opinion (and most other key leaders of our nation at that time), the plight, hopes, dreams, viewpoints, feelings and freedom of Blacks were not worth the fight.
Hindsight is indeed 20/20........2001-11-26
Mr. Hirschfeld has put a lot of time and research into this work and has turned out a good look at Washington the slave owner. He like the writers of recent attacks on T. Jefferson however forget to tell the whole story. Early in the 21st century it is easy to look back and see what an evil slavery was. The fact that we weren't raised being told that slavery was not only acceptable but a positive good makes our viewpoint much eaiser. Washington like Jefferson was raised by people who told him slavery was indeed a good thing. The society he grew up in and probably even his ministers told him the same thing. Hirschfeld's work is lacking in that he doesn't point out that by ever beginning to see the wrongs of the slave system Washington had shown a great deal of moral growth. Otherwise this is a fine book that examines an area of Washington's life that does deserve attention.
Yet another blatant attempt to impugn the founding father.......1999-11-04
The author's work is certainly exhaustively researched, and thus has much to offer to any student of Washington, and of slavery itself. However, I take umbrage to the notion of conducting a limited analysis on the character of Washington, as inferred solely from his reluctant acceptance of the institution of slavery. Had the author been born into a southern plantation family in the late eighteenth century, I wonder if his intractable views on slavery would have been quite as pronounced.
Very riveting version of history not found in usual classes........1998-09-07
This was a very well research historical view of George Washington that is not presented in normal history classes. While it is known that he owned slaves, this book provides a gateway to allow the reader to step back through time to get a true sense of what it was like to be "owned" by General Washington.
The photocopies of actual hand written letters about recapturing his runaway slaves shows him to be a vindictive person who had no conflict over being a staunch freedom fighter while owning slaves at the same time. Duh!
While some apologists for him say that he was a benevolent owner, the fact remains that his "employees" worked over 12 hours each day, seven days a week with neither a salary nor a 401k.
The book also points out a very clever concealment of the "fugutive slave law" in the constitution. (Section 2 article 4) that George spearheaded.
After reading this work one can see that his slave plantation was every bit as horrific as anything to be found in Treblenka, Bergen-Belsen or Dauchau.
Customer Reviews:
More than research -- personal experience.......1997-05-14
Nobody is better qualified to articulate the merits of Mohandas Gandhi than E. Stanley Jones. First, Jones was a close friend of Gandhi's for many years, and second, Jones was a humble enough westernized Christian to see that the brightest shining light of his time was an eastern Hindu.
Although this book is only 160 pages, it is dynamic enough for Martin Luther King Jr. to consider it the best book on Gandhi ever written. I would only add that this book cannot be simply read and understood, it demands to be demonstrated in the life of the reader
Book Description
This book is a discussion of 75 of the most popular films in America from 1921 through 1999 and the changes that have taken place in how masculinity is portrayed in the movies over that period of time. Traditionally in popular films, men have met challenging tasks, but what they accomplish and how successful they are have been drastically changed since the early 1920s. Prior to World War II, men were most often presented within the context of a family. After the war, men were presented as concerned with issues beyond their immediate families, and after 1970, they were portrayed as being overwhelmed by their situations. Recently, popular films have tended to focus on the relationships between them. This work documents these changes over eight decades, using the movies as vehicles to illustrate the major transformations.
Books:
- Rock Climbs in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, 3rd edition (East Volume)
- Russell Lee Photographs: Images from the Russell Lee Photograph Collection at the Center for American History (Focus on American History Series,Center ... History, University of Texas at Austin)
- Sandworms of Dune
- Scanning Negatives and Slides: Digitizing Your Photographic Archives
- Shadowed Lives: Undocumented Immigrants in American Society (Case Studies in Cultural Anthropology)
- Showing Our True Colors (True Success Book)
- Simple Gifts : Four Heartwarming Christmas Stories : Just Curious / Miracles / Change of Heart / Double Exposure
- Simple Gifts : Four Heartwarming Christmas Stories : Just Curious / Miracles / Change of Heart / Double Exposure
- Skin: The Complete Guide to Digitally Lighting, Photographing, and Retouching Faces and Bodies
- Skin: The Complete Guide to Digitally Lighting, Photographing, and Retouching Faces and Bodies
Books Index
Books Home
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Movies And Mental Illness: Using Films To Understand Psychotherapy
Psychiatry and the Cinema
The Motion Picture Prescription: Watch This Movie and Call Me in the Morning: 200 Movies to Help You Heal L Ife's Problems
Reel Therapy: How Movies Inspire You to Overcome Life's Problems
Media Madness: Public Images of Mental Illness
