It's a good book about operas throughout the world. In my opinion it lacked more photograph's regarding each individual reference to an opera.

This slim volume offers a nice overview of theaters from The Globe through New York's Lincoln Center. Good photographs, and interesting anecdotes and historical information. Not too deep or involving, but it offers some nice light reading for the theater and opera lover.

I bought this for a friend who likes opera and architecture. Would have liked even more information on modern, American theaters, but I'm pleased with the book.

The siege of the Alamo has become so imbued with a legendary aura that attempting to write a military history of the 1836 campaign in Texas is now a daunting task. Heroic visions of Crockett, Bowie and Travis fending off Mexican assault troops on the ramparts has tended to obscure the fact that the siege of the Alamo was neither the beginning or the end of the war for Texas independence. Noted Texas historian Stephen L. Harding has framed the 1836 campaign in its proper perspective, without embellishment or historical embellishment. The result is a lucid and well-written account that covers the entire campaign from February to May 1836, without over-focusing just on the Alamo.

In accordance with the standard Osprey Campaign series format, the book begins with a section on the origins of the campaign and the chronology. While this section lays out the roots of the conflict clearly, the relationship between the fledgling Texan republic and the United States is left ambiguous, particularly in regard to military support and volunteers. The section on opposing commanders focuses almost exclusively on the Mexican General Santa Anna and the Texian General Sam Houston, both of whom are portrayed as very flawed commanders. Unfortunately, details on other significant commanders such as Travis, Bowie, Crockett and Fannin are inserted in the campaign narrative, which is disruptive. It was interesting however to see that attention given to the oft-neglected Mexican General Urrea's skillful operations. The section on opposing armies is weak, compounded by the fact that there is not even an order of battle provided for the Mexican army. Nevertheless, what the narrative lacks in military detail is often compensated for by an effective literary style is used to enhance the author's points. For example, the author notes both the rank discrimination and logistic difficulties in the Mexican army by asserting, "[Mexican] generals drank French wine from cut crystal, soldados drank stagnant water out of mud holes."

The text is supported by five 2-D maps (Mexico & Texas in 1836, the Texas Campaign in 1836, the Battle of Coleto Creek, the San Jacinto Campaign and the Mexican Retreat) and three 3-D Birds-eye-view maps (two depicting the assaults on the Alamo and one on the Battle of San Jacinto). There are also three very good battle scenes: the death of Travis at the Alamo, Crockett falling back into the Alamo Church and the execution of Colonel Fannin. Numerous illustrations and modern photographs of the Alamo complement the narrative. In addition, the author has provided a detailed section on visiting the battlefield today and includes relevant Internet websites. Taken together, this book represents an excellent short history of the campaign and a useful battlefield guide for visitors.

The campaign narrative itself is quite good, with about ten pages devoted to the siege of the Alamo, nine to Fannin's pathetic efforts and the Goliad massacre, and nine to the San Jacinto Campaign. The author is a bit vague on casualties and military details, but he does detail the effects of the harsh winter weather and desolate terrain on the Mexican offensive. Indeed, weather and terrain probably played a bigger role in the Mexican defeat than Texian heroics. Concerning the fall of the Alamo, the author believes that Santa Anna launched a costly frontal assault for political rather than military reasons, but this downplays the fact that Santa Anna was de facto Mexican head of state and commander in chief. Santa Anna could not afford to waste too much time in sieges of minor rebel fortifications. Also, Santa Anna's "no quarter" policy to the Texian rebels was not out of step with other similar 19th Century sieges like the Paris Commune in 1870 or even Dublin in 1916. Imagine if Santa Anna had accepted surrender at the Alamo and allowed the rebels to go home on parole; could men such as Travis ever be trusted to live meekly under centralista rule? Not likely. If Santa Anna wanted to hold onto the rebels, he had to either kill them or drive them out, since there was no room for compromise. If anything is reaffirmed by the 1836 campaign, it is that war is tough on the defeated, whether Texians at the Alamo or Mexicans at San Jacinto.

In the end, the author concludes that the Texians won in spite of the incompetence of Sam Houston, who refused to send a relief force to the Alamo, then avoided battle thereafter and retreated toward the US border. Houston was more politician than soldier and his troops were openly contemptuous of his leadership abilities. At San Jacinto, Santa Anna's own leadership flaws compensated for Houston's incompetence and Texian ferocity inspired by the Alamo and Goliad massacres was enough to tip the balance in their favor.

Excellent collection of Southern recipes, compiled by the parents and staff of Lee Scott Academy.

helen hardin was a sensational and troubled Indian artist. this book sketches her life and analyzes her triumphant mix of Indian and modernist motifs. many great 4C reproductions of her best work.

about the philosopher who had a complete information in physical education and sports and what are the implications

I liked this book because of tthree sections. Rhythms and Patterns gave a wonderful introduction to how the night sky moves and how to observe it without expensive equipment. The Useful Universe section gave me tips on how to use the day and night sky to understand your surroundings and navigate if lost. The Constellations section used the stories of the Constellations to relate one area of the sky to another in an easy conversational manner. Be warned that some of the Greek Myths are a little racy.

If you want to start enjoying astronomy without complex technology than this is a great book.

Recommended ages....Readers 12 and over, However it would also make a good read aloud book to children under 14.

It should be of little wonder that A Texas Ranger, originally printed in 1899, has been through several reprints. This small book remains one of the most readable and compelling accounts of life on the rough and rugged Texas frontier among the famed Texas Rangers in the 1870's. With a foreword by the noted western writer J. Frank Dobie, and an introduction by current day historian Stephen L. Harding, author N.A. Jennings recounts with clarity and intensity his first-hand experiences as a young easterner who comes to Texas to find his fortune. What Jennings actually finds is adventure beyond description in a land that abounds in beauty and majesty while frought with danger and hardship. The author's depictions of real-life events along the Texas-Mexico border are told in first person and include his recollections of fights at Las Cuevas and run-ins with such outlaws as King Fisher, John Wesley Hardin, and Sam Bass. The reader, through the eyes of this talented writer, is offered a look into the action-packed old West. The book serves to accentuate the impact that the daring and hearty young Rangers had in ridding the frontier of Mexican raiders and the lawless riffraff that found its way to Texas in the mid-nineteenth century. While A Texas Ranger makes an interesting read, the book itself is not without controversy. Famed Texas historian Walter Prescott Webb characterized the book as one that "abounds in errors and misrepresentations." However, Jennings fully acknowledges that his book, written some twenty-five years after his experiences in Texas, is based largely upon his recollections of events at the time and is adequately footnoted throughout. From this reviewer's perspective, A Texas Ranger is an interesting and engaging story, one that most readers will have a difficult time in putting down.

I think that The Texas Rangers Elite Series is a very informative, yet entertaining book. The book talks about The Texas Rangers from thier begining up to present day, going into deph about the more famous Rangers like, Jack Hays, and RIP Ford. I would say that this book is well worth investing in, especaially for people to whom the Texas Rangers is a new interrest, its a good starting block.

This book helps you understand and learn more about Heinrich Boll and his many pieces of work. I found this book very helpful when I had to do a research project on him. The way it breaks down his work makes it easier to understand to a younger reader like me. (I am 15 years old.) If you love Boll's work, or are doing a project on him, I would recomend this book! It helps a lot!

After purchasing this audio novel I was initially upset because it was only an hour long. I much prefer my audio novels to be at least 2 hours long. With a foul mode in place I began to listen to the tape. In a few short minutes I was quickly swept up into the story, recogizing my favorite Star Trek actors as they played their parts. The audio novel although short has an excellant production quality. The story is concise and easy to follow. I would like to thank John DeLancie for directing this project and for the participaction of the other actors. I would not hesitate to recommend this audio novel and look forward to others from John DeLancy, Lenard Nimoy and the rest of the Star Trek gang. (The RAMA science fiction series would be great.) Please make them at least 2 hours though.