This is a fantastic translation (from what I can tell) and immensely readable. The stories are fantastic and it's highly recommended. However, it is pricey.

The main thing about this book is it's a convenient, one-volume source for the massive Vulgate Cycle of Arthurian stories. The five volumes that contain all of the Vulgate Cycle are not only hard to find, but they are expensive and obviously a very long read. If you are hardcore that doesn't stop you, but if you would just like a one-volume edition that will give you a good (or more than good) idea of what the entire Vulgate Cycle is like this is the book to aquire. Also, if you had always wanted to aquire the main works of Arthurian/Grail stories (de Troyes, Malory, von Eschenbach, von Strassburg, and the five works of the V. C. [I realize others could be included and von Strassburg could be excluded, etc...]), but had always hesitated at buying a complete set of the Vulgate then this book fills in very well as a substitute. Of the five books of the V. C. only THE QUEST OF THE HOLY GRAIL and THE DEATH OF ARTHUR have been widely available (Penguin Classics). Malory is the first choice for most as a Bible of Arthurian romance and myth, and it was the V. C. that Malory was working with and drawing from creating (or making appear) these real and symbolic people and places and things and events from a slightly higher realm of existence.

For most English readers, the only available source versions of the legend of Sir Lancelot are translations of Chretien's original Knight Of The Cart and Malory's Le Morte D'Arthur, neither of which tell the tale of Lancelot's enfances or give a complete overview of his career.

The Vulgate Cycle, finally presented here in English, fills that void, with a voluminous chronological psuedo-history of Lancelot, Arthur, Guinevere, and the Knights of the Round Table. Every story is included, and themes long ignored by later redactors can now be re-examined.

The translation is immensely readable, and although the price tag is prohibitive, it is certainly more feasible than purchasing the H.O. Sommer edition (which is predominantly in Old French and costs over $1200.00.)

The books themselves are beautiful and for the truly hardcore fan of the original Arthurian romances, they are a welcome addition to any library. My only hope is that they will eventually be reprinted in a trade paperback edition now that the first run has sold and hopefully justified the expenses of the massive endeavor of translating the material.

The Last Rainmaker, by Sherry Garland, epitomizes the struggles of a girl to be recognized in both the American Indian world and the white. Sherry Garland, however, touches on something more wordly here as well: respect of other cultures comes not by ignorance, but by acceptance of their gifts to nature and civilization. Though Caroline Long, the protagonist, is urged to ignore her mother's background, she discovers that all cultures must and can live together if they gain a respect for each other. Using the innocence of a child, Garland embodies all aspecs of a struggle of a girl to "fit in" wherever she goes, a childish act completed by so many youths today, even if it means drugs or violence. A good accompanying book is A Light in the Forest, by Conrad Richter, for the boy in that book must also, in the end, choose the path he wants to take, not having the option of the best of both worlds. Maybe these authors want to state that harmony comes with acceptance.

Having read and used Tyson's phenomenal book, Critical Theory Today: A User-Friendly Guide (Garland 1999), I couldn't wait to have my composition and literature community college students (and English majors) read Tyson's latest introduction to critical theory for beginners, Learning for a Diverse World: Using Critical Theory to Read and Write About Literature. The perfect classroom text or companion text for an Introduction to Composition and literature, Introduction to literature, Freshman Composition, American and/or British or Continental Literature as well as Humanities, Advanced Writing, and History or Philosophy courses, Learning for a Diverse World (Routledge 2001) works wonders in the classroom pedagogically-from offering in class activities that facilitate discussion and writing to providing a critical context for raising diversity issues in literature. Just as Tyson's Critical Theory Today: A User-Friendly Guide is an invaluable reference book for teachers wanting to introduce their students to critical theory, increase their repertoire of literary "readings," and to implement diversity issues in the college classroom, Tyson's Learning for a Diverse World is the ideal classroom text specifically geared for students. This much needed text has helped my students to understand and apply different critical approaches to literature as well as to become engaged in meaningful classroom activities and writing assignments involving analysis and close reading comprehension. I have witnessed first hand my students marvel at the ease with which they can understand the different theories. Truly classroom user-friendly, Learning for a Diverse World is a rhetorical masterpiece, making difficult philosophical concepts exciting and accessible for both teachers and students. I have used the first three chapters in my freshmen composition and literature course, Introduction to Women's Studies course, and American Writers II course.
Specifically, in the American writers course, students appreciated Tyson's close reading exercises of each chapter. In fact one student commented, This [book] makes the literature make sense; I've never had a course that really showed me how to read and interpret literature. Usually the instructors assume we [students] already know how to write a good paper about literature." Another student described the sample literary readings of the different theories as "training wheels." Indeed, Tyson's succinct overview of the primary concepts of each theory along with extremely helpful exercises and questions about each theory that encourage students to relate the issues to their personal experiences puts students at ease while they discuss and write about complex subjects. When so many college teachers are talking about the importance of students being "critically aware" and developing critical thinking skills, Tyson's book arrives as a godsend.
While some of my colleagues might think that "this critical theory stuff" goes over the heads of community college students, frequently I encounter students who are curious and want to know more about "those critical essays" that already appear in their "introduction to literature" anthologies. In fact, most of the "introduction to literature" anthologies that I've reviewed contain cursory, vague, and overly complicated excerpts from a wide range of "established" academic critics. Tyson's book helps students make sense and apply a diverse range of critical approaches with language that is accessible to those new to theory.
Tyson's phenomenal book challenges students to think creatively and independently as they sharpen their critical reading and writing skills.

A wonderful and absolutely essential reference for anyone interested in genealogy!

This is an excellent book - informative, well written and very interesting. The lyrics of civility are inoffensive words of popular songs that embrace Biblical tradition, enabling the listener the choice of meaning. The work is thorough and exhibits the author's vast knowledge of music. The progression of music with Biblical images through this century is quite revealing. In the beginning of the century it was quite natural for popular music to be based on religious themes. Then during rock and roll, which Dr. Bielen reminds us was the greatest upheaval in popular music history, religious images became more vague. In fact, some songs totally rejected Christian tradition and made light of people who believed in it.

Dr. Bielen reminds us that as the decade of the 60s came to a close, young Americans began to look outside traditional religious orders for meaning in life. Spiritual gurus were adopted by popular musicians. In the early 70s there were songs that spoke of an individual being significant to a person, instead of God. Then, by the mid 70s contemporary Christian music began to emerge. Stevie Wonder had quite a few songs with powerful Biblical messages. Dr. Bielen wrote a chapter following the path of Dylan through the 80s after his born-again experience. The popular music of the 90s has personal religion as a common thread.

Dr. Bielen gives numerous examples of particular artists in addition to Dylan, and covers his subject completely. Dr. Bielen was at Woodstock, owns several thousand albums and is well qualified to speak about the subject of popular music. He teaches the subject at Bowling Green State University.

I recommend this book to any one interested in music. And if you are not interested in music, this is a good place to start to learn about it.

There are few literary experiences comparable to meet this brazilian author. This book is an excellent introduction to his abolitionist poems. The whole oeuvre of Castro Alves deserve attention, and in the wait of an extensive edition of its translated works, it could be illuminating to try the portuguese editions. Whitout forget the novelized biography of the poet by Jorge Amado, a classic on its own.

This guide is designed for those who would be knowledgeable readers of major short stories by D.H. Lawrence when the store of scholarship, investigation, and appraisal is far too vast for all but the expert. A thorough examination of what has been written about these short stories, each chapter deals with a different short story and consists of five distinct sections: (1)the complete publication history, including all revisions and variants; (2)an inclusive examination of recognized and hitherto unrecognized sources, as well as the influences at work on Lawrence in the creation ot the story; (3)the story's relationship to Lawrence's other writings; (4)acknowledgement and summary of all extant critical studies; and (5)a bibliography of works cited.

As an undergraduate, I had spent a lot of time in libraries searching indexes for individual books, journal articles, and other periodicals! One day in a used book store, I found a copy of this book. What a find! Not only did it include a bibliography of individual murderers but also other resources from psychology and criminology. Anyone who is able to get a copy will find it very valuable! I can only hope that Michael Newton will put together a newer version in the near future.