Michael Cooke's discussion of 20th century African-American literature comes from the best methods and writing available to comparative literature specialists. He discusses in detail how the historical position of African-Americans affected the development of literature motifs and styles, especially around the portrayal of "self," which, due to the profound racism of America, always involved either veiling the self (for protection and ironic subversion of white dominance) or movement-toward-intimacy (in the face of dangers and distortions). His themes develop from W.E.B. Du Bois' articulation of "the veil" in Souls of Black Folks, and, as Henry Gates says, the development of an authentic black American aesthetic.

Cooke's writing is elegant and comprehensive. You have to be a dedicated reader, however. The themes are clearly stated, but his ability to use multiple sources and references requires some substantial background and adept thinking. I believe that sections of this book would be appropriate for an honors-level high school African-American literature course, or the whole text for a college-level US or African-American literature course.

I believe that Cooke's insight into the development of intimacy within the black literary spectrum is well worth considering.

Large-format and sturdy, lavishly illustrated and with illuminating prose, this book covers the 2001-2 Dia Arts Center show which was utterly mesmerizing. If you are unaware of Jensen, google him while waiting for this book to arrive...one of the most fascinating, and certainly most original artists ever.

There are some books that are just so informative that no library should be without them. There are some books that are written so well that it is a positive joy to read the text. There are some people who have such a way of looking at the world that you feel comfort hearing them speak. There are people who have seen so much that their opinion is something you seek.

All of these traits are combined in this volume that only Foote's Civil War trilogy can compare with. The small stories that are routinely missed (such as the origin of "the real McCoy) and the relevence of these ordinary people making extrodinary things happen are coupled with the tales of the extraordinary people who had their ordinary vices. (Franklin's advice to take an older mistress because they are both more discreet and more grateful) Both named and unnamed he tells their tale as it fits in the piece of this puzzle of America

Unlike much of history which seems to have an agenda, Cooke's masterpiece is classical, telling a story of grandur without fawning and of warts without lambasting. It is a grand overview rather than a list of presidents, wars and laws. He captures the essense of what is importnat. It is as if he wished to give a consice guide to his compatriots in England of what facinates him about this land that he eventually settled as did many in his story.

It captures what America and Americans are very well and would be an excellent guide to any person who wants to understand us. With so many Americans ignorant of their own history it would be an even better guide to todays college or high school students to make them understand this land of their birth and how it came to be what it is.

This book is 30 years old as I write this (July 4th 2003) at the time he wrote this Cooke was in his 27th year of his Letter from America Broadcast for the BBC. When you finish this book you will find yourself wanting more. Have no fear Mr Cooke is now in his 57th year of his broadcasts telling the story of America 15 minutes at a time continues. Lets hope he dictates a sequel filling in these 30 years.

Great insight into what was involved with creating a new Division out of conscripts to go fight a war. Describes the day-to-day problems faced with communication, training, supplies and leadership. To think these immigrant-citizen soldiers were able to organize, fight and win at battle in such a short time period is amazing.

Intriguing meditations on art, literature, and feminism, rendered in the most extraordinary needlework I've ever seen.

The authors of this book were Barclay Cooke and Jon Bradshaw. A very good 70s book for beginners and intermediates and surpasses many of the authors whose only claim to understanding the game is that they wrote theirs in the 90s.

I have read several of the books in the Cambridge Music Handbooks Series. The purpose of the books in this series is to aid the listener in understanding the theoretical/analytical aspects of the music (such as form, recurring thematic material, growth process, etc.) as well as the historical background of the piece, including critical reaction to the premiere of the work.

The book is divided logically into four chapters. The first chapter deals with Britten's pacifist beliefs and how they led to his encounter with the poetry of Wilfred Owen, a soldier who had been killed in World War I. Owen turned out a small body of poetry during the last two years of the war, nine of which Britten chose to use in his Requiem, along with the text for the Latin Mass of the Dead.

The second chapter gives the historical background of the piece: commission, composition, and the premiere performance.

The third chapter is subtitled "The musical language: idiom and structure." This chapter details the musical content of the piece and how it conforms or deviates from the traditional Requiem formula set up by Mozart and Verdi. This chapter is the "meat" of the book as far as this critic is concerned. In understanding the musical content, one is better equipped to listen with an ear of understanding instead of ignorance.

The final chapter reveals the critical reception of the piece, which was extremely positive. Most critics immediately hailed this work as Britten's masterpiece. As the author states, "it is difficult to call to mind any other major twentieth-century work which met with such instantaneous and unanimously high praise from almost all sectors of the media."

In conclusion, I can highly recommend this book without hesitation if you are at all interested in the music of the twentieth century. Britten was clearly a brilliant composer; the War Requiem is, arguably, his masterpiece; and this book is a fine tribute to a wonderful piece of music.

It seems to me that few have seen the remarkable works of this master painter. If you haven't you're missing out. I had to write a review of this book, because no one has yet, and I wanted to express what an amazing job the Publishers did. This book shows Nevinson's work in great detail and has some of the highest quality pictures of his paintings I have ever seen. Nevinson paints some of the most visually stunning pictures of World War I. They are violent and vivid, full of energy and color...Groetesque and romantic all the same. Give these publishers (and Nevinson) some credit and ~BUY THIS BOOK~

The Middle Earth Game is a timeless classic that will live forever in the RPG world. This is an excellent addition to it.