The Coen brother's films have never failed to astonish and entertain me. From BLOOD SIMPLE to FARGO, they have shown an uncanny knack for vivid characteriziations and photographic style.

But the question is, are the scripts as good by themselves?

Thankfully, the answer is yes. The Coen's scripted prose is dramatically satisfying, and makes one yearn to see the films again, which is the highest compliment I can give them.

BARTON FINK is a bold and unusual piece, centred on a playwright who ends up selling his soul in Hollywood. It may sound like the usual pointless drivel, but the Coen's take a surprisingly dark twist into the bizarre, with insane roommates, creepy bellhops, and drunken authors. It only never fully captures the ominous presence of the hotel Barton stays in. On film, it is the most foreboding motel since Stanley Kubrick's THE SHINING.

MILLER'S CROSSING (my favorite film of ALL time) is a different period piece. It centres on Irish gangsters in the 1930's. But while the plot is an ingenious homage to the gangster film's of Bogart and Cagney, it is the dialogue which makes it shine. Once again, astonishing characterizations rule the day, as the conflicted Tom Regan plays both sides against each other for reasons even he may not understand.

An added bonus is the introduction, written by the Coen's sometime film editor. It is an unusual choice, as he goes to great lengths to describe how much he does NOT like the scripts, or film in general. It serves to heighten interest in their content, and does prove that the Coens are not for everyone. For those of us you cannot wait for their next film, this is a treat.

I had the pleasure of a casual acquaintanceship with Mumaw in New York in the 40' and 50's. Always enticing, the narrative is impeccable, and the story itself one well worth telling. The prime student and then lover of Ted Shawn, Mumaw was enriched by the pairing, and when later in life after he had cut the umbilical chord with Shawn, though devastated by Shawn's treacherous behavior, could never bring himself to bring an end to the friendship.

This is one of christian eqalitarian books that affected me most in being factual and devotional and target oriented all at the same time. Also, this is the book that I found many women pick up to read or buy when offered.

Ruth Barton's study is an excellent resource for Christian women of all ages and stages. She guided me through a personal and scriptural discovery of God's unique purpose for my life using a pleasant variety of old and new testament teachings along with probing questions on my real life experiences, feelings, and beliefs. This study is similar in format to those by author/teacher Cynthia Heald. Unlike other studies of this type, Ms. Barton soaks in scripture passages to communicate her points; I never got the sense that we were skipping around the Bible. I particularly enjoyed the studies of Esther and Moses, developing a personal purpose statement, and discovering the value God sees in my life circumstances.

I did the study on my own, and found many mornings I couldn't wait to get to it! I completed it in less than a month, and plan to use the materials in a group setting this fall. The guide also has a strong Leader's Section in the back that undergirds every chapter with selective "deeper dive" support.

Dan Barton's backround as a Teacher of Graphic Art's makes this one of the easiest and comprehenseable book on Bonsai ever written. Dan has a very easygoing style that reads well. His section on Black Pines is the best reference for anyone who is trying to devlope a quality Bonsai. This is a must have book for beginners and old hands alike

This is a brilliantly but clearly written book, one that will make your experience of the Bible incalculably richer. The first part provides both an overview and more detailed archealogical and historical information on the presence of the early Israelites in the area of Canaan. There is also relevant and compellingly written analysis of the literary and cultural environment. All of this information allows you to see the Hebrew scriptures for the monumental literary and philosophical achievement they represent. Then, there are commentary and background information for every separate book of the Hebrew scriptures and New Testament. Whether you practice one of the three religions of the book (Judaism, Christianity, or Islam), are a student of history and culture, or just want further insight into this most influential of books, you will find the Cambridge Companion an invaluable source for deeper understanding. I teach humanities at the largest private college in the country, and I find the presentation in this book to be clear enough for the least-interested students and complex enough to support the best and brightest. I have also used the material here to discuss religion with my family members and other practictioners--everyone can get something deeply worthwhile from this book.

It is interesting in today's world to see books that remond us all the present and future value of intellectual capital. It is unfortunate the book does not focus on the de-valuation of intellectual capital when downsizing occurs in an organisation. The cost of replacing the intellectual capital does never figure in anual reports, it is 'hidden' by other standard costs, such as employee related costs, equipments, etc. We need to establish a quantification method, so that intellectual capital replacement is thoroughly investigated.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The text was accurate yet lively, the details fascinating. This book was a wonderful insight into the life of a couragous woman who braved great danger to help others. Clara Barton should be a role model to all. She braved Civil War battlefields to nurse the wounded and then fought for an American chapter of the Red Cross. I highly reccomend this book to all!

I have been impressed by the Our Presidents series published by the Chld's World, which provides a solid introduction for young students to the lives of the Presidents, so I was not surprised that the Our People series, which follows the same format, is equally as strong. This volume by the team of Cynthia Klingel and Robert B. Noyed looks at the life of "Clara Barton: Founder of the American Red Cross." Following the standard four chapter format, we learn how Barton spent her early years as a teacher, became the Angel of the Battlefield during the American Civil War, worked to have United States be part of the International Red Cross, and then served as the first President of the American Red Cross. Young readers are going to be hard pressed to name many Americans, of either gender, who have been responsible for helping more people than Clara Barton. She is also called the founder of the American Red Cross, but this volume makes it clear exactly what that title means.

This volume is illustrated with photographs and etchings from throughout Barton's life; the photograph that appears on the first page of the text, which was taken in 1865, is the most famous (and the basis for Barton's stamp in the Civil War series) and one of the interesting things about this volume was to see other photographs of Barton. Chapters include detailed sidebars on topics like the Suffrage Movement and the modern American Red Cross. The margins contain Interesting Facts, such as John D. Rockerfeller donated the money to build the American Red Cross National Headquarters, and the back of the book has a Time Line, Glossary Terms, Web Sites and Books for Further Information, and an Index. This is the first Our People volume I have found and I will be interested to see who else is included in the series since I am up to the R's on the Presidents and want my education on American biography to continue.

The first biography I ever read was this book on Clara Barton, wayyyyyy back in 1974! I am proud to say that my daughter recently chose to study Clara Barton for HER first biography, and wouldn't you know it, the book she got from the library was THE SAME BOOK that I read all those years ago. It is just as inspiring and informative as I remembered it to be...the illustrations are beautiful, and the story is presented in an easy-to-understand format that children will enjoy. I'm glad to see it is still available for purchase. Truly a classic piece of literature!!