This book represents the best of jazz journalism. Radano writes extensivly about Braxton, but also captures the essence of the Chicago Jazz scene in the late 60's and the complexities of being a black avant-garde artist in an era where such things are just not accepted.

Part biography, part explication, part cultural critique, Radano manages to talk knowledgably and extensively about Braxton's music without resorting to technical jargon or waxing romantic like a fan...both serious mistakes of most jazz critics. And he also charts a sympethetic course through the philosophical divides of black artists in the 60's without taking sides or launching into unfounded polemics. Instead, Radaon's central premise, that Braxton's unique musical vision has never found a place in American musical society due to it's difficulty of classification (is it jazz? is it European oriented experimental music? What do we call this stuff?) and due to the less than orthodox education and views of it's creator, rings true in light of the facts of Braxto's life and the critical coverage and destruction that he recieved in the 70s and 80s.

Radano also does a marvelous job explaining Braxton's notoriously difficult philosophic/musical theories. The Triaxium writings are very difficult for the uninitiated (as are most free musician's theories - try making sense out of Ornette Coleman's descriptions of harmelodics...it's pretty tough going, though the results are stunning.) Radano strips away some of the deliberately obscure language that Braxton uses and gives us "Triaxium lite" as it were. Though this may seem on some level sacriligious, for many of us who truly admire Braxton and want to understand his thought, this helps enormously. It's made it possible for me to understand more of the liner notes on Braxton albums.

This book is recommended highly, both for fans of the composer/improvisor, and for anyone interested in the sad state of American culture at the end of the millenium. One hopes that Radano will decide to revise this book in light of the developments of the last 10 years (the book came out in 1993). Braxton's tenure as professor at Wesleyan University and his creation of an entirely new genre of music (Ghost Trance Music), along with a greater, belated appreciation of his notated music, may change some of Radano's conclusions, or at least inform them a bit.

This book is an excellent work of scholarship that examines Braxton's musical education in Chicago (AACM) in the 60s, his music as it progressed throughout the 70s, and, most importantly, how the media treated Braxton during these periods. It is essential reading for those who want a better understanding of not only Braxton's music but also the definitions imposed on creative music by the media establishment.

Ms Braxton's compilation of essays and her own critical essays are thoughtful, intriguing, and well-written. Her work demonstrates the essential qualities that make it that, indeed, black women writing autobiography is another genre.

One of America's most prolific poets, Paul Laurence Dunbar wrote at a time when there were few African-Americans being published and praised by many of the literary elite. This volume contains the poets's most respected works. Dunbar wrote in a variety of styles, but is most remembered for the use of "slave dialect" to express the humor, the pathos, and hardships of the condition of the black man in America. Highlights include "When Malindy Sings," an entertaining opus to a "sistah" with "nat'chel" singing "o'gans," "An Ante-Bellum sermon," which features a subtle commentary on slavery, and "The Colored Soldiers," a haunting piece that delves into the inequalities of servitude in the United States armed forces. The words, though a century old are just as timeless today as they were when they were originally written. For me To cite just three in this work of so many excellent verses is a gross understatement. All the "treasures" here should be read and re-read to fully appreciate the gifted mind of this literary master.

The nation and the world should be grateful to these important social commentaries of verse by one Paul Laurence Dunbar. I know that I, as an American, am enternally appreciative.

I read this book at least twice a year and always discover something new in it. You actually don't even really need to like Braxton's music to get something out of it, all you need is an interest in creative music and an open mind. The book covers a tour with Anthony Braxton in 1985 in England, the writer toured with the band for about three weeks. The book is his effort to process and distill the things he learned about Braxton's music and creative music in general. His approach is creative and engaging; there are three types of chapters - interviews with Braxton or the band, descriptions of individual performances, and necessary background to create a context for discussing certain concepts. The bibliography alone is almost worth the price, so many amazing and obscure resources, as is the great interview with Sun Ra and the appendices of the book that go into further background about some of the more spiritual ("vibrational") aspects of music and what it sets into motion. It's been an inspiring resource for me in trying to come to grips with my own music and as encouragement to try to follow a personal vision, and it's one of the few books I've read that makes a real attempt to deal with music not just at a theoretical or technical level, but also the human forces that has the potential to set in motion.

This book includes a small number of mathematical games integrated into comprehensively planned learning experiences. The games are well described, and the lesson plans look very useful. Just the games themselves are worth getting.

This is the most thorough examination of Braxton's music and the various contexts from which it emerges. It is the only book to date that very successfully explores the mystical side of Braxton, and Heffley does so with clarity, integrity, and genuine respect for Braxton. Because of its ambitious nature, this book is probably not the best place to begin when studying Braxton. But its ambitous nature has also created a book that matches the ambition of its subject matter, i.e., Braxton himself. This is essential reading for Braxtonians.

This is my second book by Mr. Harris and I must say that I am truly impressed. Just As I Am was the perfect sequel to Invisible Life. I could not put it down! Now that I am done, I am on Amazon. com to buy the third book in Harris's trilogy! I did however get a bit irritated at Nicole's color hang-up. I mean, I can understand her pain of being teased as a child but come on, she's all grown up now and an actress and the winner of numerous beauty pagents. Pleeezze!! It was refreshing in a way to know that Jared was not gay and yet had no qualms about he and Ray's friendship. But still a little part of me wanted him to be with Ray! E.Lynn Harris has really opened my eyes to the gay African-American community. I really enjoy reading his work and I just hope that he can write them as fast I can read them!!!

E. Lynne Harris is absolutely amazing! My boyfriend bought the trilogy of books home (Invisible Life, Just As I Am, and Abide With Me), and right around the time I had started to question his sexuailty, I picked it up and kept reading until I finished all three (I realized I was out the loop for not having read these sooner). This book however was my favorite of the three. Harris is able to deal with the characters of this book with a honesty that humanizes them to the utmost, and at times made me laugh, cry, and scream with them. A face is put on the sufferers of HIV and AIDS, as Harris takes us through Kyle's struggle with the diseases. Although Kyle may seem like he is dying, I soon learned he knew more about life than most people who live full, healthy lives. I rarely have had a book move me to the point of tears, but this is the one. I was often annoyed with Nicole, and her confusion and self-hate about her skin color, but I came to realize that these are human things. I am so impressed with this book, because Harris seeks not only to entertain, but successly taught me life lessons as well...

I'm not an avid reader, but after reading "Just As I Am", it was the most inspirational Novel I've read in a long time. Each character felt so real as if they were friends of mine. I felt their agony as well as their conquest. I recommend this book to any one who is confused about their sexuality. This book will allow you to be honest with yourself. It's a great book for all who are not afraid to hear the truth. Thank you E. Lynn Harris for writing such a great master piece. I'm looking forward to reading "Invisible Life".

This report was fairly useful for job interview preparation. Also recommended is the report on Deloitte from Vault.com (the "Vault Employer Profile: Deloitte")

This guide was really helpful. It went straight to the point, gave a balanced, objective, and most of all honest view of the company from the inside out.

hey, wetfeet! tks a bunch for providing me with this great little guide. it's just what i needed. i was looking for something that would give me the quick & dirty on deloitte consulting--in other words, sometimes i come across guides that give page after page of info, but there's no point of view, no clear indication of what's important and what's not, and i think: "can you just give me the most important stuff? what are the essential things i need to know to get in the door here? that's it!" and that's what i got from your guide. i especially liked the 2-page cheat sheet at the front that gave me soundbites on what the company's looking for, what its strengths are, what i should think about going into the interview, and basic stats. tks again! i'm looking into a few of your other guides to get me up to speed on what i really need to know.

This is a very good book if you don't know where to start in writing letters. I will be keeping mine.

this is very good book for learning good and meaningful letter writing.the models are excellent.it is a good book for busy people.The only problem with this book is one model for some occasions.eg for Christmas,should be several models.

The first seven books about Corrie Belle Hollister I absolutely loved!!! I would read a whole book at one sitting.
2 of the books I read in one day. But book #8 and this book I had to force myself to finish; especially this book.
I have a real problem with Christopher Braxton. He has alot of
emotional baggage. Even though I believe it was a good idea to wait until Corrie and Christopher knew each for 2 years before they got married and I do not believe working for your future father-in law is the answer. He should have been out there looking for a way to support his future wife and family. But the author never really dealt with Christopher's jealousy over the fact that Corrie could command an audience when Christopher did not have that talent. I have not read the next book and I do not plan to, but I can not help but believe the real reason he wants to move east is so he will not have to compete with the Hollister's well-respected reputation in Miracle Springs.

I have read the paperback editions of the complete set, to include The Braxtons,1 & 2. I found them to be very inspirational and good character building items. Teenages would greatly benefit. I've noticed some reviews make a point of indicating that they have read the hardcover editions. Is there a difference in the content of the paperback vs hardcover?

I have read all the Journals of Corrie Belle Hollister and found them to be very inspiring, the kind of books you get involved with and can't put down. I really liked the way family is portrayed and "seeing" the growth of her character and her family. I have read the first 2 of the "Braxtons of Miracle Springs" now and wonder if there is a Book 3-4-5 and I sure hope so, let me know.