Book Description
In 1656, Amsterdam’s Jewish community excommunicated Baruch Spinoza, and, at the age of twenty–three, he became the most famous heretic in Judaism. He was already germinating a secularist challenge to religion that would be as radical as it was original. He went on to produce one of the most ambitious systems in the history of Western philosophy, so ahead of its time that scientists today, from string theorists to neurobiologists, count themselves among Spinoza’s progeny.
In Betraying Spinoza, Rebecca Goldstein sets out to rediscover the flesh-and-blood man often hidden beneath the veneer of rigorous rationality, and to crack the mystery of the breach between the philosopher and his Jewish past. Goldstein argues that the trauma of the Inquisition’s persecution of its forced Jewish converts plays itself out in Spinoza’s philosophy. The excommunicated Spinoza, no less than his excommunicators, was responding to Europe’s first experiment with racial anti-Semitism.
Here is a Spinoza both hauntingly emblematic and deeply human, both heretic and hero—a surprisingly contemporary figure ripe for our own uncertain age.
Customer Reviews:
Too much speculation.......2007-06-27
Overall, I liked the book. I enjoyed the story Goldstein had to tell, particularly her own experience encountering and teaching Spinoza. However, I think the book fell short of my expectations and was, at times, too superficial of a presentation.
I was expecting more development of the connection between Spinoza's thought and the Marrano/Jewish tradition. Also, I was looking for more development of her argument that Spinoza played a major role in "giving us modernity".
The connections here were tenuous and more guessed at than established. Goldstein didn't go into enough detail in trying to make her case on either count. We get mostly loose connections between Spinoza and Marranoism. And on Spinoza's contribution to modernity we get even less. We get: Spinoza was influential on modernity because lots of freethinkers flocked to Amsterdam. Spinoza may have influenced Locke because he went to Amsterdam and left with stronger views on rational, tolerant, republican government. Thomas Jefferson owned a copy of Spinoza's work.
Nonetheless, Goldstein does make room for the stronger point of Spinoza's influence on modernity; namely that he was the first to systematically formulate the essence of modernity: reason, individualism, and freedom.
A good book with plenty of information to chew on, but too much speculation (and if one doesn't read the footnotes, one doesn't know she is speculating).
When philosophy become a voyage.......2007-05-12
This is a very nice (sometimes auto-)biographical novel about a philosophical voyage. The traveller is Baruch Spinoza whose influential ideas about God and separation between God and the State is narrated in a very engaging style. Rebecca Goldstein melts autobiographical, historical and philosophical levels of narration in in an enjoyable way. You are entertained and invited to think about a set of observations including Inquisition, diasporas, jews theology, Teens' life in the Big apple during the 60s, logic and qabbala.
However, this is not a philosophical book neither an introduction to philosophical concepts (some of them are presented in a debatable way); do not think you are reading a philosophical book: the best way to approach Goldstein's last work would be as a biographical reconstruction of a philosopher and his times, and how his ideas impacted on modernity.
Doubting jew.......2007-05-08
A great introduction to a fascinating man and his philosophy. I want to read more Spinoza now
Betraying Spinoza: The Renegade Jew Who Gave Us Modernity.......2007-03-23
Service was excellent. Product is excellent. Thanks!!
a good read but ultimately not that satisfying.......2007-02-22
I think the author had a hard time deciding what she wanted this book to be. It makes a good start at a new historicist effort to understand Spinoza, but is too weak on his text to do that, so it ends up being just a history lesson (albeit an interesting one). It veers into memoir for a time, also interesting, but again too sparse to have much of a point. Then there is the explication of Spinoza's Ethics, but it's way too skeletal to be worth all the pages you have to read to get there. In the end the reader will have a good grasp of a sliver of European history, a decent idea of Spinoza's biography, and a wee bit of an understanding of his philosophy. If that's what you want, this book might be for you. But really it's a weak piece of popular philosophy that isn't going to be satisfying for a person who wants to grapple with Spinoza's thought.
Book Description
Head for Mexico was edited by Teresa Kendrick, the author of a highly respected guidebook to the Lake Chapala area of Mexico. Her years of experience in living and working in Mexico add an invaluable facet to this book. Bill Haslbauer is a retired Texan who, along with wife Neva retired to Mexico and offered to share their experiences with you. The definitive book on single women moving to Mexico was written by Karen Blue and she shares with you some of her unique insight into what all that entails. Mark Farley has spent years teaching English in placement service. Mark has an extensive network of people who provide information on an astounding variety of locations. and finally, Judy King, who has years of experience in the business world of Mexico and currently co-publishes with Blue, a newsletter about life in Mexico, has provided a touch of her clear-eyed but affectionate prose about her adopted country.
In addition, if you don't find the answers to your questions in Head for Mexico the author provides a website and email address so you can contact him personally. This is the only book to offer the readers exactly the information they need in order to make an informed decision about a possible move to Mexico and it may well be the funniest book you read this year.
Customer Reviews:
The Renegade Guide is THE book to read before you move to Mexico........2007-09-20
Don't go to Mexico before you read this book!
Lots of needed information provided in a humorous manner. Mr. Adams provides needed insight into the culture of the Mexican people, because it is so important if you plan to live among them. Detailed info about all the legal issues, necessary paperwork, etc, is included with websites listed for those who have other questions. For every area of interest, there are websites and phone numbers listed. This makes his book timeless because information can be easily located, and that's why you buy a book like this - to find information that otherwise is very difficult to find.
Very Disappointing Book.......2007-08-10
I purchased this book, for information about living in Mexico.
The writing gave me a headache, the author was jumping around all over the place, he had tons of websites, all of which, when u log in, you must pay to get any information.
The book was very poorly written, and difficult to follow.
If you want a book that gives the reader a throbbing headache, with tons of websites, that u have to register and PAY...
then this book is for you.
Head for Mexico.......2007-08-10
Great book. Written well. Humorous style on serious issues. In depth reviews of places, language, culture and ways to emmigrate.
Nice book. Funny author.
Dog-eared pages and highlighted words everywhere.......2007-07-03
I'll admit that when I started reading this book I didn't think I was going to like it. After a while though I really got into it and couldn't wait to get a chance to read it. It's funny and packed full of information on all things Mexican an expat should be concerned with. All of this information is woven in deeply into the chapters, paragraphs, and words that you'll end up dog-earing and highlighting all over the place. I wish some of this information was in a supplemental appendix and in a different format so that it would be easier to find. With the way the book is written you'll have to read it thoroughly and make notes and mark pages to be able to later find the information you're looking for.
Overall this is a great book and I highly recommend it.
How true it all is !.......2007-05-19
Great book! Side splitting at times! So very true to how life is in Mexico. Great resource, Don's experience speaks for itself! Great read for anyone not familiar with the mysterious ways and customs south of the border.
Book Description
This enjoyable and important new book, Healing Ancient Wounds: The Renegade's Wisdom explores the intricacies of intuitive awareness and the dynamic mind/body healing principles of Myofascial Release.
Myofascial Release is a mind/body therapeutic healing approach that is safe, comprehensive, and highly effective in relieving pain, headaches, and restoring motion. The goal of Myofascial Release is to return the individual to a pain-free, active lifestyle.
To the patient and public: do not let the talk of technique and training deter you, the message in this work is strongest for you. It is you for whom this work is intended. Read this book to deepen your participation in the treatment process and hasten the achievement of your recovery. In the process, you will discover a profound understanding of who you are and how you got to where you are today. Through other people's stories, you will see that you are not alone in your struggle.
This important book is about your empowerment as a therapist, as a patient, and as a human being. This book offers you a glimpse into a new and expanded view and way of being in your world. These advanced principles and concepts will dramatically increase your effectiveness as a therapist and/or your treatment response as a patient. Myofascial Release treats the "being" of the human being. This fascinating book will touch you deeply, guiding you into a unique way of enhancing your personal power, intuition, and awareness that will help you reconnect with your essence.
Customer Reviews:
Amazing Insights into Body and Spirit Issues........2007-04-11
Because I have had treatments by students of John Barnes, I wanted to learn more. John Barnes must be an amazing man and I thank him for sharing this information. We can be in charge of our own bodies and health if we learn to pay attention. I really liked this book because of the stories people told about their experiences with myia facia release. Nobody has all the answers but because I am interested in taking care of my health, I appreciate learning and this book was helpful to me. Hope it is to many more.
Awesome!.......2007-03-09
If you have experienced a Barnes' Myofascial Release session and have questions as a client or a therapist, the book really clarifies the healing experiences. If you haven't experienced a session but have heard about them and want more information of the philosophy, this book is wonderful.
This book can change your life.......2007-01-09
John F. Barnes is a consummate professional with a deep understanding of healing. This book is a wonderful overview of Myofascial Release and what it has done for him and the millions of individual who he has helped through his gentle treatment approach. By means of anecdotal stories written by John, professional therapists and patients, Renegade's Wisdom gives the reader a profound understanding of how both the physical and emotional body are intertwined. I highly recommend this book for both the professional therapist and anyone who is interested in finding true and lasting healing for themselves. A must read.
not what I thought it would be.......2006-11-26
I purchased this book after attending my first MFR seminar last year. All I can say is WOW!! But hold on. It's not an impressed "wow". It's more like "I can't believe I paid 50.00 for a book that is one long advertisement of how wonderful John Barnes is. Every page is dripping with conceit. This author hasn't written anything worth reading in this book. No anatomy, no science, no technique. In fact the author wrote very little of this book himself. The entire book is a compilation of letters from past clients and MFR trained therapists, mostly female, who write about how John was the missing link in their healing journey. If I wanted to hear about total stranger's medical problems, I would just stand in the longest line at the grocery store. I noticed that Amazon marketplace has some used copies for over 80.00 for sale. Anyone who pays 80.00 for this book is being totally ripped off. In fact anyone paying the list price is too. Do yourself a favor and save your money, unless of course you need to read in his own words and the words of his patients, how wonderful John Barnes is.
Healing Ancient Wounds: The Renegade's Wisdom.......2006-02-19
This book was first loaned to me. I enjoyed it so much I purchased my own copy. It does a great job of explaining myofacial release and myofacial unwinding in layman's terms. I am recovering from a near fatal car crash and a physical therapist is using these techniques to help me recover physically and release the cellular trauma of the crash through unwinding. John Barnes is a dynamic person and the book held my interest through many anecdotal stories.
Book Description
Written by two freelancers who broke the rules to win the game, this handbook contains a wealth of information for writers who are frustrated by the seemingly limited ways to operate in the freelance market. It explains that freelancers can negotiate for more money and better terms without risking their careers, shows that editors are not the writer-gobbling monsters many freelancers fear, and explains how to establish and foster work relationships. In this updated second edition there are more ideas, more rules to break, and more resources to get started, including a suite of appendixes covering topics such as contract procedures, getting paid, services for freelancers, generating ideas, and doing research. As inspiration, the book includes examples of real writers who have gone against "expert" advice and flourished. Being shy doesn't pay, and following the rules puts a writer in a long line of other sheep; with this text as a guide, writers can step out of the herd and build a successful business in a crowded market.
Customer Reviews:
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? BUY THIS BOOK NOW!!!.......2007-09-10
There are many useful books out there covering the craft of writing and getting published, but several of those guides tend to repeat the same tired message - stay in step! Keep in line! Be good little writers and behave! ENOUGH OF THAT! Do yourself and your writing career a favor and buy 'The Renegade Writer' now!
What sets this book apart? Everything, that's what. 'The Renegade Writer' breaks the mold by showing you how to break the rules and set your work apart with a fresh new spin on getting your words into print.
The authors, Linda Formichelli and Diana Burrell, fill you in with a wealth of insider information and show you how to buck the system. I was amazed at what I learned by reading this book, having been "conditioned" by everything else I have read and put into practice regarding what it takes to become a successful writer. That all end now. From here on, I'm a renegade writer!
This is a great book for anyone just starting down the writing path, and published writers like myself will find whole new ways to smooth out those speed bumps we run into in advancing our writing career.
So break the rules! Buy this book, Follow the proven methods, and put yourself ahead of the game.
And while you're at it, don't forget to pick up 'Query Letters that Rock', another must-have book by these same two authors that is a perfect companion to this one. So what are you waiting for?
Made Me Want to Freelance.......2007-09-05
Honestly, I don't review often, but this book was just so good that I felt I needed to.
And yes, this book really did make me switch careers. Okay, so it isn't that much of a leap from newspaper reporting, but this book made freelancing so appealing that it made me realize that it's what I want to do.
If you're new to freelancing or considering it, read this. It gives you total confidence that you can do it, but does warn you of the downsides. It gives tips for what to do if you don't have clips (like me, unless you count a few articles in my college newspaper), or how to deal with interviews that aren't quite going your way. Also includes what to ask for in a contract, when you should and shouldn't settle for less, and how to handle editors. It's just a really great and useful book.
Where has this book been all my life?.......2007-07-22
This book is for aspiring writers whose creative juices get deflated by rigid guidelines. These ladies rock. There is a way other than following the masses, and the authors give you examples to prove it. This book can be the one that shifts your course as a writer and gives you the courage to break new ground.
This book really helped.......2007-07-11
The book was easy and interesting to read. It gave me permission to let go of some of the standard rules of freelancing and try going with my gut. I wrote longer more detailed queries against the suggested guidelines. I wrote in my own voice rather than trying to write what I thought they would want to read. I sent a few queries by e-mail right away and actually got positive responses and ended up with one trade magazine assignment. The book also reinforced some of the advice I had already been following. The best parts are the short interviews with writers about how they got their first assignments and mistakes they made and such. A good book for beginners.
Creatively Self-Employed Writer--Loving RW book.......2007-07-04
A practical guide with tons of great information for freelance writers! These gals know their business!
Average customer rating:
- The Renegades of Pern
- Great if you like Sci Fiction
- The Renegades of Pern
- Renegades of pern
- Pern readers, don't miss this one!
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The Renegades of Pern (Dragonriders of Pern Series)
Anne McCaffrey
Manufacturer: Del Rey
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Similar Items:
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All the Weyrs of Pern (Dragonriders of Pern Series)
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The Dolphins of Pern (Dragonriders of Pern)
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Nerilka's Story (Dragonriders of Pern Series)
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The Masterharper of Pern (Dragonriders of Pern)
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The Chronicles of Pern: First Fall (The Dragonriders of Pern)
ASIN: 0345369335
Release Date: 1990-08-13 |
Book Description
As long as the people of Pern could remember, the Holds had protected them from Thread, the deadly silver strands that fell from the sky and ravaged the land. In exchange for sanctuary in the huge stone fortresses, the people tithed to their Lord Holders, who in turn supported the Weyrs, whose dragons were Pern's greatest weapon against Thread.
But not everyone on Pern was part of that system of mutual care and protection, particularly those who had been rendered holdless as punishment for wrongdoing. And there were some, like Jayge's trader clan, who simply preferred the freedom of the roads to the security of a hold. Others, like Aramina's family, had lost their holds through injustice and cruelty. For all the holdless, life was a constant struggle for survival.
Then, from the ranks of the criminals and the disaffected, rose a band of renegades, led by the Lady Thella. No one was safe from Thella's depredations, and now her quarry was Aramina, reputed to have a telepathic link with dragons. But when Thella mistakenly vented her rage on Jayge's family, she made a dangerous mistake. For Jayge was bent on revenge . . . and he would never let her have the girl who heard dragons!
From the Hardcover edition.
Download Description
As long as the people of Pern could remember, the Holds had protectedthem from Thread, the deadly silver strands that fell from the sky. Inexchange for sanctuary in the huge stone fortresses, the people tithedto their Lord Holders, who in turn supported the dragonriders, Pern'sgreatest weapon against Thread.
But not everyone on Pern was protected. Some had been rendered holdlessas punishment for wrongdoing. Some, like Jayge's trader clan, simplypreferred the freedom of the roads to the security of a hold. Others,like Aramina's family, had lost their holds. And they all feared theoutlaws who preyed on holds and holdless alike.
The Lady Thella's renegades were the most dangerous yet -- all theyneeded was Aramina, whose telepathic link with dragons could help themevade the dragonrider patrols. But Jayge was out to stop Thella... andhewould never let her have Aramina!
Customer Reviews:
The Renegades of Pern.......2007-10-02
Very good. I knew I was hooked on the Pern stories when I started buying them in hardback instead of waiting 6-8 months for the paperback.
Great if you like Sci Fiction.......2007-05-13
The Pern series of books from Anne McCaffery are great. Better if you read them in order, (look online at her website for recommendations). This is futuristic science fiction, but if you liked Aregon, you would probably like this series too
The Renegades of Pern.......2004-07-04
I was somewhat dissapointed by this book. This is the 2nd one in the Pern Series I read, I had just finished all the Wyers of Pern before. I really enjoyed the large role the dragons got to play in Wyers of Pern, this book lacks it. You don't really get to see into the telepathic relationship the riders have with their dragons. It's exciting, but I really miss the dragons. The wyers are put into a bad light early on, and I was confused about the Leadership of Benden Wyer, when did F'lar and Lessa take over? The book is okay, but she's done better.
Renegades of pern.......2004-05-29
I recomend this book if you are reading the entire Pern series in chronological order. Renegades will seem choppy if you read it alone and most of the secnes will not make sense if read before the other books. Renegades fills in a lot of time gaps that reading the others leave out. I recomend this book to all Pern fans.
Pern readers, don't miss this one!.......2004-05-11
When I first read this book, years ago, I remember being a little disappointed. It wasn't as good as the Dragonflight trilogy or even as good as the Harper Hall trilogy. I'm re-reading the series in chronological order now, and I want to warn people not to listen to the negative reviews!
Yes, it's maybe not quite as enjoyable, it tells stories of the less-pleasant sides of Pern life, but it also tells things that you must hear if you want the whole story. You must read Renegades in order to be properly set up for All the Weyrs of Pern. This is the book that, if nothing else, tells more about the initial excavation of Landing and the discovery of AIVAS, and it introduces Jayge and Aramina of the Paradise River Hold from Dolphins of Pern.
I enjoyed this book more on second reading than I did the first time. The Pern series is five stars. If you enjoy the series, don't skip this four star book based on negative reviews.
Book Description
This convention-defying follow-up to The Renegade Writer ensures that freelance journalists get the assignments they want more quickly and for better pay with the right query letter. Successful freelancers and the editors that buy their work share their advice on pitching the perfect story with real examples that earned great assignments from major magazines. Fresh, spunky, and fun to read, this handbook favors a proven renegade approach that gets freelancers more work for more money in less time and with less stress.
Customer Reviews:
The BEST book on query letters!.......2007-10-03
This is the second book in The Renegade Writer's Freelance Writing series. As suggested by the title, this book takes a different approach than most writing books. Rather than spewing forth rigid instructions and how-to's, this book answers questions and offers samples. The author's are unconventional in their approach and successful. They encourage writers to THINK rather than just follow rules. If rules need to be broken in order to offer your best work, break them without hesitation.
The first section (80 pages in length) answers common questions about writing query letters. How and when do I send it? Length? Content? Clips? Follow-up? Fees? A number of terms are defined; special cases detailed. They tackle basically everything you want to know about query writing. Their answers are informative, thorough and funny.
The second section (the remainder of the book, about 120 pages) contains sample after sample of query letters that worked along with explanations of why they were successful. The authors of this book give their perspectives, but so do the authors of the sample queries and the editors who bought the stories being pitched. Samples come from nearly every type of magazine or periodical: Parenting, Oxygen, USA Weekend, Midwest Airlines, E Magazine, Fitness, Entrepenuer ... and many, many more. The article types are varied as well, from personal profiles to health articles and travel. It's a mine of valuable information.
Final Thoughts: EXCELLENT! The best book I have found on this topic. A must-have resource for freelance writers.
The BEST book for writers.......2007-09-23
As a freelance writer, I've made successful pitches to magazines, but after reading The Renegade Writer's Query Letters That Rock, I've changed my strategy for submitting story ideas. WOW! The book is divided into two sections. The first part deals with questions the authors have received from writing students and the answers are filled with practice advice and words of experience from Linda and Diana. Then the book gets to the good part - actual query letters that push the envelope and make editors sit up and take notice. Following each letter is narrative from the letter's author and the editor who assigned the story.
I keep my copy next to my computer and refer to it often for practical advice. This is definitely the best book I've read concerning writing and how to get ahead in publishing. Bravo!
LIKE HAVING YOUR OWN WRITING COACH.......2007-09-10
'Query Letters that Rock' isn't the only book on the subject of writing query letters, but it is the best.
The problem with many of the other books is that they tell you what those all important letters should include and how to structure them, and leave it at that.
This guide takes you beyond all that - the first half of the book is a question and answer format that offers valuable tips while the second half presents not only actual query letters that won editors over, but comments from those very same editors! Talk about insider information!
I know I'll refer to this book often, it's the perfect writing coach.
Also, be sure to check out 'The Renegade Writer', another must-have book by these same two authors.
Renegade Writer's Query Letters That Rock: The Freelance Writer's Guide to Selling More Work Faster.......2007-04-12
The suggestions and samples were very helpful and useful.
A must for freelancers.......2007-01-16
If you're new to freelancing, this book will give you great advice and help you cut through the b.s. that other books offer. If you're a veteran writer, this book will inspire you and spark your creativity. Well worth every penny. And it's a great read, too!
Book Description
In 25 years, Lloyd Kaufman, along with partner Michael Herz, has built Troma Studios up from a company struggling to find its voice in a field crowded with competitors to legendary status as a lone survivor, a bastion of true independence, and the world greatest collection of camp. Now, Kaufman takes his independent studio style of filmmaking and puts it in the readers hands, showing them how to:Develop and write a knockout screenplay Raise funds for production Find locations and cast actors, hire crew, obtain equipment, permits, and music rights for little or no money Make incredible special effects for 79 cents Charm the people on the film festival circuit Make sure the drunken cameraman keeps the scene in focus Make a bad actor act so badly, theyre good.Kaufman has accumulated a remarkable list of credits, as well as a more extraordinary list of debits to loan sharks and pawn shops across New York. He also had the wisdom to reject Madonna after an audition.
Customer Reviews:
Renegade Filmmaking Troma-Style, And How You Can Do It, Too!.......2007-09-23
Hey you! Wanna make a movie? Have you ever wanted to make your own feature film but don't know where to begin? Lloyd Kaufman's "Make Your Own Damn Movie" is a hell of a place to start.
You see, Kaufman's been around for over three decades leading Troma Entertainment company and bringing to you such work as "The Toxic Avenger I-IV," "Class of Nuke 'Em High," "Tromeo and Juliet," "Terror Firmer" and, most recently, "Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead." Love 'em or hate 'em, you have to admit that Troma's got its legions of fans all over the world.
I had the pleasure of meeting Kaufman at the B-Movie Celebration in Franklin, IN and his enthusiasm for making movies is contagious. In this book, he spreads that on to you, the wannabe filmmaker. You may or may not want to make films the Troma way, but whatever the case, there is a lot of rock-solid information here for budding filmmakers.
Kaufman lays it all out for you from the script to hiring the cast and crew to locations to getting it all in the can to distribution....the works. He even allows his co-authors Trent Haaga and Adam Jahnke their own spaces to relate their own adventures in working on Troma films. Haaga and Kaufman even get into a heated argument on which is better: 35mm or digital video. The argument gets so heated that the editor has to step in and break it up, or try to!
But let it be said that this is not a gung-ho, you-can-do-it filmmaking guide. Kaufman lets you know what the realities are. They're not pretty. But you still gotta love a book that opens with "No thanks to: Viacom, New Corp., Vivendi, AOL Time Warner, Sony and other devil-worshipping international media conglomerates." And you gotta give Kaufman credit for knowing what he's talking about and writing about it in a lively, entertaining and informative fashion.
So, get this book and read it. Absorb it. It's great! And keep in mind that Lloyd Kaufman has been through independent moviemaking hell. He's been there. And now you can be there, too. He's whored himself out and even shoveled rat droppings for his art. Now, it's your turn.
Oh, by the way, "Toxic Avenger" is available in a new novelization. Be sure to check that out, too.
"the cat, the fart, and the cowbell!".......2007-09-22
I just met Lloyd for the first time last night at Borders, and later, for the opening of "Poultrygeist" at the Loft in Tucson. He's a crazy guy, but, also, he's real, and a strong defender of "giving art back to the people!" See page 250 of the book.
Having just bought the book, I haven't finished it yet, but I have read all of the stuff that he has to say about sound design, which is really worth reading more than once.
On page 246 of the book, he says that his "three indispensible sound effects" are "the cat, the fart, and the cowbell!"
I only use the last effect in creating my own music, however, and recently, I wrote a poem called "My Cowbell" for my myspace blog, before I even heard of Lloyd:
i have a cowbell, that really is a cowbell
it rings like hell, this really old bell
heavy and bronze
the cow must have been strong
it played many a dance
more than a cha-cha or two
rumbas, and tangos
and many a song
it rang through the air
and set feet a dancing
and hearts a pounding
and skirts a flair
so what about
your cowbell?
what does it say?
do you still use it today?
From reading "Make Your Own Damn Movie", I guess Lloyd still uses his cowbell! Good for you, Lloyd!!
Excellent information!.......2007-09-17
This is an excellent book for a budding filmaker or anyone with a passing interest in how a film is made. Lloyd Kaufman is the man!!! A true independent! So what are you waiting for? Get off your behind, read the book and go make your own damn movie.
And, oh yes, don't forget the Toxic Avenger novel is out too! Good stuff from Troma.
Get this book and then get his new one.......2007-09-16
This is one super duper great book! Would you like to know another super duper great book? "The Toxic Avenger", the NOVEL! Most people don't know it even exists so you could be the first on your block to own "The Toxic Avenger", in book form! Imagine swaggering down the street with "Make Your Own Damn Movie" under one arm and "The Toxic Avenger" under the other! You'll be the "rooster" of the walk...if you know what I mean, and I think you do.
Great Book By A Great Man.......2007-09-04
Lloyd Kaufman is the man behind Troma and the creator of characters like the Toxic Avenger. Now you can learn his secrets and make your own damn movie. The book is informative and very funny. If you are a would be filmmaker and/or a fan of Troma this book is a must read and one that will never be on Oprah's list. Also the novel of the Troma classic The Toxie Avenger is now available, learn the origin of the first superhero from New Jersey.
Amazon.com
"Cancer wreaks havoc in almost every part of the human body"--Robert Weinberg's opening remark is a chilling reminder of the pervasiveness of an all-too-familiar disease. Cancer touches most families, and if you have ever wondered why, despite so much time, effort, and money, it has proved such a seemingly intractable problem, then read One Renegade Cell, Robert Weinberg's masterful explanation. As director of the Oncology Research Laboratory at the Whitehead Institute and professor of Biology at MIT, Weinberg has been at the forefront of cancer research for well over a decade.
Unlike most diseases, cancerous tumors are not foreign invaders but "take on the appearance of alien life forms, invaders that enter the body through stealth and begin their programs of destruction from within." But as Weinberg shows, these are deceptive appearances. And since he is foremost a scientist, he finds the truth "subtle and endlessly interesting" and manages to convey fascination for something that most of us dread--cancer. Much of the present increase in cancer is due to increased longevity because "given enough time, cancer will strike every human body."
By telling the story of the historical discovery of cancer, Weinberg is able to introduce gradually the intricacies and complications of the genes and proteins involved (oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, etc.) for the general reader. He characterizes cancer cells as renegade because, unlike normal body cells, they "disregard the needs of the community of cells," they are "selfish and unsociable," and are only interested in "their own proliferative advantage." By comparison, normal cells hold down cell numbers by "inducing them to commit suicide" (apoptosis).
The understanding of cancer has been developed enormously over the last few decades by Weinberg and the worldwide community of researchers. As Weinberg eloquently shows, cancer research and its related disciplines "have moved from substantial ignorance to deep insight." --Douglas Palmer, Amazon.co.uk
Book Description
For everyone whose life has been touched by cancer, One Renegade Cell tells the story of the search for the ultimate causes of this dreaded disease.
"One Renegade Cell…offers a breathtaking picture, both wonderful and frightening, of the fantastic intricacy of aberrant cellular functioning." -New York Times
"Part primer, part history and part meditation. [One Renegade Cell] succeeds on all counts." -Wall Street Journal
One of the leading cancer researchers in the world, Robert A. Weinberg is perfectly suited to describe the search for cancer's origins from the early days of this century to the present. Presuming little knowledge of biology, he tells how a cancer-causing virus was first discovered in 1909, how the correlation was made between chemical carcinogens and cancer, and how oncogenes (the genes that can turn a cell malignant) work. He explains clearly how malignant cells send messages to one another and also block the messages of normal cells. Finally, Weinberg predicts that cancer prevention may depend on our ability to understand the mysterious chemical clock that regulates our cells' most basic functions. One Renegade Cell offers a concise, accessible route into the complex and often daunting world of cancer and cancer research.
Customer Reviews:
Must read.......2007-05-24
This is an amzaing manuscript. By leading the reader through the key discoveries in modern molecular oncology , Weinberg is able to elucidate the hallmarks of carginogenesis in simple, yet comprehensive ways.
This is a must read for any doctoral student. However, Weinberg simple and entertaining language will be enjoyed by anybody who has an interest in the pathways that lead to cancer.
History of cancer theories for the layperson.......2007-04-17
Here's a book that I would recommend to those people interested in learning a bit about the beginnings of cancer. In One Renegade Cell, Robert Weinberg has written an informative narrative on the history of cancer and molecular biology research, focusing on the theories and evidence behind the early days of this field: the 1970's and 80's.
Weinberg's focus is on what he knows best: the mechanisms that promote and regulate the proliferation of normal and malignant cells. And for that, his explanations are the best out there. These explanations take up the first half of the book, corresponds to the early events in the development of a tumor, and makes up a coherent story. For example, he covers oncogenes, tumor suppressors, apoptosis, and to a lesser extent DNA repair, in relatively easy-to-follow language.
In the second half of the book, Weinberg refers to other aspects of cancer progression, more reflective of the later stages of cancer - angiogenesis, immune evasion and metastasis. He essentially provides the highlight reel for these aspects of cancer, and I felt that the transitions to such topics could have used some work. But that's okay in my opinion, because Weinberg comes right out and says it on the cover - this book is specifically about *the beginning* of cancer, first and foremost.
Weinberg also avoids using overwhelmingly long lists of references that are typical of more scientific writing, as well as skipping over the many highly-technical details that are involved in actually conducting such research, making it more accessible to non-experts. Indeed, he defines every term in a way that probably only requires a minimal background in biology to understand.
Excelent entry to cancer biology.......2004-04-11
There are very few books out that give the reader an overview modern cancer biology. This short book gives a clear picture of a complex and current subject. It uses historical perspective on scientific discovery to enliven the reading. It's well organized and readable without background in biology, but with enough depth to interest biologists in other fields. I also reccomend Robert Weinberg's "Genes and the Biology of Cancer", written with Harold Varmus, which covers the same material in a little more depth.
Valuable information!.......2004-02-12
Extremely informative, written in interesting form like a scientific novel, a systematic mini-survey of the molecular biology of cancer. Takes you through 30 years of discovery, explaining how false expectations were replaced by the discovery in laboratories of right pathways. Among the useful pieces of information you'll pick up: cancer cells are not destroyed by chemo and radiation, only some DNA damage occurs. Unless the p53 gene is little enough damaged, then the tumor is not stopped, and Weinberg explains why. He fully describes the 6 mutations that are required, over time, to produce a metastasizing tumor. My wish: that Weinberg would next write a book about cancer treatments.
I end with an aside for those who are in love with the red herring called "holism", and imagine that "reductionism" is dead and of little or no use in the elucidation of complexity. The entire field of genetic and cancer discoveries, all of microbiology, is nothing but plain ol' reductionism applied to very long molecules, molecules so long and often disordered in shape that new techniques of chemical analysis had to be invented (like PCR). This book and any standard text on molecular biology provides full evidence for the truth of my assertion.
Must have: great intro and overview of current research.......2002-10-17
No prior knowledge of cell biology or genetics is required. I have gained an appreciation for the complexity of cancer research thanks to the book. I highly recommend it. You also learn a fair amount of the history of the development of cancer research. And don't think you need to read through hundreds of introductory pages to accomplish this. The book is under 200 pages.
Once again: What I found great about the book is it explains very clearly the current thories on how cancer starts and spreads without requiring any prior knowledge in the field.
For the scientifically oriented who are interested in the details, it has a big reference and endnote section. 5 stars for sure.
Book Description
Political theorist and cultural critic, novelist and cricket enthusiast, C. L. R. James (1901 - 1989) was a brilliant polymath who has been described by Edward Said as "a centrally important 20th-century figure." Through such landmark works as The Black Jacobins, Beyond a Boundary, and American Civilization, James's thought continues to influence and inspire scholars in a wide variety of fields. "There is little doubt," wrote novelist Caryl Phillips in The New Republic, "that James will come to be regarded as the outstanding Caribbean mind of the twentieth century."
In his seminal work of literary and cultural criticism, Mariners, Renegades and Castaways, James anticipated many of the concerns and ideas that have shaped the contemporary fields of American and Postcolonial Studies, yet this widely influential book has been unavailable in its complete form since its original publication in 1953. A provocative study of Moby Dick in which James challenged the prevailing Americanist interpretation that opposed a "totalitarian" Ahab and a "democratic, American" Ishmael, he offered instead a vision of a factory-like Pequod whose "captain of industry" leads the "mariners, renegades and castaways" of its crew to their doom.
In addition to demonstrating how such an interpretation supported the emerging US national security state, James also related the narrative of Moby Dick, and its resonance in American literary and political culture, to his own persecuted position at the height (or the depth) of the Truman/McCarthy era. It is precisely this personal, deeply original material that was excised from the only subsequent edition. With a new introduction by Donald E. Pease that places the work in its critical and cultural context, Mariners, Renegades and Castaways is once again available in its complete form.
Customer Reviews:
Great book from a brilliant mind........2004-07-27
CLR James was one of the earliest left wing thinkers to break from Orthodox Marxist dogmatism, even rejecting Leninism and the notion of the 'Vanguard of the Proletariat' all the way back in the late '40's, a move that left him alienated from the mainstream Left of the time and eventually led to his deportation in the 1950s. This book was written while he was in jail in New York awaiting his immigration hearing, a fact that makes this insightful look at Melville all the more impressive.
James points out that Melville was a visionary who caught glimpses of new social types long before they became prevalent in society: he even makes the startling statement that Melville is the ONLY author of Industrial capitalism. Reading first this book, then going back and reading Moby Dick, I must say that I cannot argue with his assessment. I found this small volume challenging, engaging and at times, personally upsetting, as I read something of myself and many others like me in James' reading of Ishmael. Definite cause for pause and reflection.
This book ends with a chapter describing in excruciating detail James' treatment while in jail, which I found at first quite self serving and gripey...but upon further reflection, his story is irritating because it is a banal and everyday litany of life under bureaucratic capitalism, not pretty or interesting, but it got under my skin, like the rest of this book.
If you like Melville or are interested in anti-authoritarian left thinking, you could do no better than to pick this up: I couldn't put it down.
C.L.R James interpretation of Melville's works.......2003-02-09
When I first read this book by James, I was preparing to write an essay on Melville and his "isolatoes." James gives ample evidence for establishing the reasons why some of the protagonists appear elusive, enigmatic, and, of course, reclusive. I found this text quite helpful in its explanations of why Melville portrayed his male characters the way he chose; perhaps James own exile for passport violations sets up the framework for presenting his theories on the characters he analyzes. The work is a fine read, although the socialist commentary remains controversial.
Brilliant Analysis of Melville's Classic Text.......2002-06-20
C.L.R. James's analysis of Moby Dick brings the book to life and makes it understandable for a 21st century audience. You'll read "Mariners, Renegades, and Castaways, and want to immediately run out and read Moby Dick and Melville's other classics. James argues that Melville used the novel to explore dramatic changes in the fabric of American culture including the rise of industrial capitalism, the international working class, and the increasingly savage character of political and industrial life and leadership.
C.L.R. James wrote this book while he was interned with the newest generation of "Mariners, Renegades, and Castaways" on Ellis Island awaiting deportation. James's fate--that of a foreigner who offers the finest existing interpretation of one of America's greatest books and is still deported--serves as a cautionary tale for our own times. James concludes, "What the writing of this book has taught the writer is the inseparability of great literature and of social life."
poco Po-Co.......2002-04-25
This book is more than a little bit of early Postcolonial writing. The intoduction by Donald Pease is new, and the last chapter - an autobiographical sketch and personal appeal by James - was omitted from a previous edition. In terms of literary criticism, this is what Pease has to say about James and his writing: "He was one of the few critics who emerged from the Third World in the 1950's and traveled throughout Britain and the United States generating what are now called post-colonial readings." The real value of this book however is in its brilliant reinterpretation of MOBY DICK.
Rather than see Ahab and Ishmael as representing respectively "totalitarian" and "American" cultural themes as critics in the 1950's saw it, James offers a vison focused on the Pequod and its crew. A view in which the MARINERS, RENEGADES & CASTAWAYS of the ship were at the mercy of their Captain. In James' interpretaion the Pequod is a factory ship and the crew are the workers. Ahab is no longer a mere sailor but is now illustrative of a "Captain of industry."
I agree with the reviewer from New Haven regarding the peculiar situation James found himself in. The established interpretation of a Cold War allegory was in keeping with the times in the 1950's. If James or Melville himself were writing today, the interpretation on offer here - rather than something to be persecuted for - would be considered far more plausible than the narrow and blinkered view of the 1950's mainstream critics.
CLR James and The World We Live In.......2002-03-15
James, writing 100 years after _Moby Dick_ was published, shows a significant understanding of Herman Melville's time and its relation to the time in which he (James) wrote--1952. James gives an insightful critique of Melville's earlier novels and shows how they chronologically lead to Melville's eventual masterpiece, _Moby Dick_. _Moby Dick_ is an allegory for modernity gone awry, with a mad captain at the helm. For James, Ahab is comparable to the USA, which is charting its own mad course with destiny. In 1952 James was right on target, for he was detained on Ellis Island and eventually deported during the worst days of McCarthyism. It is a peculiar instance of a Trinidadian intellectual's desire to become a US citizen, and instead, being figuratively slapped in the face because of his associations with--through his writings against-- Russian communism and Trotskyites. That he wrote this book while being detained, and included an autobiographical chapter at the end makes this text quite a resource for literary critics as well as for those interested in learning about a historical case of US immigration policy in action.
Average customer rating:
- Brilliant, Soul-Piercing Work That Crosses All Lines Of Faith
- Thompson is the only guru who does not embarrass me ...
- Thompson is the only guru who does not embarrass me ...
- Food for Divine Renegades
- Sacred Hearts: Daily Reflections for Divine Renegades
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Sacred Hearts: Daily Reflections for Divine Renegades
Sterling Thompson
Manufacturer: Quantum Mind Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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Book Description
Guidance and wisdom for complex beings, for those whose spirits refuse to be contained within the chains of dogma and the emptiness of religious process. This is a book for those who are compelled to become real.
Customer Reviews:
Brilliant, Soul-Piercing Work That Crosses All Lines Of Faith.......2005-09-19
Thompson's "Sacred Hearts: Daily Reflections for Divine Renegades," promotes no agenda but one: to break down the barriers we place between ourselves and GOD or ourselves and the full, deeply satisfying and complete lives that GOD intends for us to live. In simple yet profound messages, Thompson communicates her belief that we must discard much of the traditional baggage with which we have burdened ourselves, becoming divine renegades. Yet I suspect that at its core, there is little, if anything, that sounds different in Thompson's message from the basic ideas that Jesus would teach were He to walk among us today.
Thompson is the only guru who does not embarrass me ..........2000-08-11
Author Mary Bringle has this to say about Sacred Hearts: Daily Reflections for Divine Renegades Sacred Hearts offers real comfort and true insights instead of blather. Sterling Thompson is the only guru who does not embarrass me and make me want to lampoon the concept of daily reflections in a savagely witty book.
Quantum Mind thanks Mary Bringle for permission to quote this review. (Bringle is author of Murder Most Gentrified, Hacks at Lunch, True Confessions: The Novel)
Thompson is the only guru who does not embarrass me ..........2000-08-11
Author Mary Bringle has this to say about Sacred Hearts: Daily Reflections for Divine Renegades Sacred Hearts offers real comfort and true insights instead of blather. Sterling Thompson is the only guru who does not embarrass me and make me want to lampoon the concept of daily reflections in a savagely witty book.
Quantum Mind thanks Mary Bringle for permission to quote this review. (Bringle is author of Murder Most Gentrified, Hacks at Lunch, True Confessions: The Novel)
Food for Divine Renegades.......2000-05-18
Thompson shares her "divine" wit in a feast of words to delight your palate - that is, if you are a bit of a renegade. Not for the faint at heart, pick up the book and find your thought-for-the-day, something to make your day a little crisper, your thought processes range a little further afield. Try it; you'll like it.
Sacred Hearts: Daily Reflections for Divine Renegades.......1999-12-14
Truly insightful, inspirational and honest. This book is a must for anyone needing a little push to examine the way they live or don't live their lives! It is laced with humor and thought provoking anecdotes. I'm over 50 and the book has taken me on a wonderful journey of possibilities. My 19 year old daughter, who like many her age, is trying to grasp the meaning of life and its purpose, has borrowed the book and absolutely loves it! She got more out of the book in 10 minutes than in the 19 years I've been trying to provide insightful advice. This book is for all generations. I highly recommend it.
Books:
- Big Book of Cartooning
- Blackwater: The Rise of the World's Most Powerful Mercenary Army
- Book of the Dead (Kay Scarpetta, No. 15)
- Bridge For Dummies (For Dummies (Sports & Hobbies))
- Bridging the Gap: College Reading (8th Edition)
- Call of Cthulhu (d20 Edition Horror Roleplaying, WotC)
- Chicken Soup for the Prisoner's Soul: 101 Stories to Open the Heart and Rekindle the Spirit of Hope, Healing and Forgiveness (Chicken Soup for the Soul)
- Chicken Soup for the Volunteer's Soul: Stories to Celebrate the Spirit of Courage, Caring and Community
- Church: Why Bother?
- Clown Girl: A Novel
Books Index
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