Walter Bonnati was born in Bergamo, Italy in 1930. By the time he was invited to join the Italian expedition that completed the first ascent of K2 in 1954, Bonatti had already completed a number of climbing routes in the Western Alps that others had deemed unclimbable or impossible. Bonatti often climbed solo and with a panache and minimalist approach that amplified the magnitude of his accomplishments. Along the way, he was inducted into the French Legion of Honor. Despite (or perhaps because of) his astonishing talent and climbing feats, Bonatti was controversial and often found himself at odds with others in the climbing community. Having accomplished much and become jaded with the climbing community, Bonatti moved on to a new career as photojournalist and explorer.

"The Mountains of My Life" is a wonderful translation of stories about climbs that few other climbers would even dare contemplate. The book also examines the controversy about events of the Italian expedition to K2 that reads with the intrigue of a "who dunnit." The book is illustrated with Bonatti's breathtaking photos of mountains and routes he climbed.

Doug Scott, one of the greatest British mountaineers, described Bonatti as "perhaps the finest alpinist there has ever been." Jon Krakauer considers Bonatti a "personal hero." Those are mighty strong statements, but after reading this immensely readable collection of tales, it is hard to argue with the assessments of Bonatti. Robert Marshall did a wonderful job in translating Bonatti's beautifully written stories. Definitely an important addition in the library of mountaineering classics.

Bonatti is one of the boldest and leading figures in mountaineering of the 20th century; he is also one of the most creative of his peers in communicating his feelings on the subject. This book is interesting in the context of the author's youth in post war Europe and the effects this had on his life. Unfortunately, the author was subject to a smear campaign regarding his contributions to the first ascent of K2 for reasons outside of his control and this book reveals the injustice and presents a convincing case as to how the whole episode originated. So, part mystery story, part eloquent ode to mountains and climbing. It's a winner on both fronts and Bonnatti emerges as a champion not only of technical mastery of climbing, but mountaineering ethics and of mans relationship to the outdoors. I rate this as a must read.

Walter Bonatti is an Italian mountaineer, famous in climbing circles if not with the general public. This collection of his essays describing his most famous climbs - and discussing a nasty controversy involving the first ascent of K2 - is a terrific read. Anyone who has enjoyed best sellers such as "Into Thin Air" should give serious consideration to this volume. The clean, even elegant translation represents a wonderful example of the translator's art (and why doesn't the publisher give translator Robert Marshall credit on the book's cover?). There is an in-depth analysis of a famous (in Italy) libel trial over accusations against Bonatti that reads almost like a whodunit instead of a climbing saga. All in all, this book is inspirational, exciting, and a stirring way to get some sense of the thrill of extreme adventure without leaving the comfort of your centrally-heated home. This is the second book I've read in the Modern Library Exploration Series edited by Jon Krakauer (the other is The Last Place on Earth, about Scott's and Amundsen's race to the South Pole) and this series is a five-star winner for me so far.

One of America's pre-eminient rock photographers surfaces. Jim Marshall's work was a fixture of the '60s and some of the '70s, especially when it came to the Summer of Love and SF. But then like Flower Power & the '60s, Marshall indeed "faded away." His later output in the '70s and '80s is devoid of post-'60s icons as Springsteen, who had a huge pre-Time/Newsweek magazine following here, as well as others. I first met him 12 yrs ago when he sold me one of his photos. I was familiar with his work with Life (Stones 1972 tour) and before and was thrilled to be able to meet the man. At the time I wondered why he hadn't published a book yet. Now here it is and for the most part it delivers bigtime. Great insights delivered via the photo captions; sometimes when Marshall compliments an artist ("so-&-so was the greatest") it might come off a bit on the light side but you can't really complain. His work speaks for itself. It was powerful and awesome. Also in the book are photos of recent performers such as the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Maybe it's the Times...maybe it's the Subjects...but these recent photos didn't belong in this book at all. It's great to see Marshall's more current work, but I think quite a bit of the magic was missing. Marshall himself acknowledges this. If anybody can conjure this old feeling back through the art of photography, he can.

a beautiful music book from a very opinionated photographer. both text and images are the top shelf material.

So MUCH ink has been spilled about the 60's & early 70's, most of it overblown or off base in someway. Marshall's black and white photos (most of them taken by a Leica without flash!) get to the heart and soul of the times in ways most writers can only dream of...I can't wait until the color volume comes out. Powerful stuff (like a shot of great whiskey), a must have for any music fan. The HIGHEST recommendation!

Articulate and literate. The author frequently includes the opinion of the professionals in the field. This book is written from his experience within a very successful company. So some of the advice won't apply to owner's whose business/estate isn't worth more than [a] million or so.
By 'professionals in the field' I mean that there are a few professors turned consultant/author who have written texts on family business. They all tend to quote each other, and this author does the same. But he has some valuable insights of his own.
If your business is worth many millions, check out his column versus pyramid idea of ownership succession. Or if you're ready to pass your company, of any size, along to the next generation, this discusses the options.

These days, it seems harder than ever to predict the future of the family business. Killer companies, rollouts and sweet buyout offers have dampened the enthusiasm of many first-generation business owners for passing their businesses on to their sons and daughters.

Indeed, when presented a "too good to be true" offer from a potential buyer, patriarchs and matriarchs are inclined to say "Why not?" They can take the cash, make sure that their retirement years will be comfortable, and have some money left over to pass on to the kids.

A compelling argument, but it's not what family businesses are about, says Marshall Paisner, founder and now chairman of the ScrubaDub Auto Wash Centers, a chain of 10 car washes in metropolitan Boston. Paisner believes that family businesses exist to sustain families financially and spiritually. Yes, they must be innovative, customer-focused and, ultimately, profitable. And yes, sometimes selling out is the best option. But Paisner believes that it's the best option far less often than people think.

Paisner launched ScrubaDub in 1965. Through innovation, a participative management style, fun and a slavish devotion to the customer, the company has grown steadily since then. No doubt much of that growth is due to Paisner's enthusiasm about customer service. He's even managed to make car washes fun, offering coupons and red-carpet service for regular customers. (See the company's website at www.scrubadub.com for information on the Car Care Club, gift ideas and the Scrubadub Difference.)

He sees the family business as a gift, not a burden. Indeed, this is the fundamental thesis of his book. But getting kids to see the business as a privilege instead of a right doesn't happen overnight. It starts at the dinner table, when the kids are young.

"In too many families, parents send signals to their children that running a family business is a stressful and unfulfilling endeavor," says Paisner. "Wishing to spare their children unnecessary worry about problems they can't understand, parents unwittingly turn their children against the business by banishing business talk from the dinner table, closing off opportunities to share both disappointments and triumphs."

Paisner himself prepared his kids for a ScrubaDub future by having them to work in the car wash during summers, then encouraging them to work outside the business after graduation before joining the company. Once the kids were involved in the business, he instituted a participative style of management that allowed all family members to gradually take on responsibilities and learn how to deal with conflict.

He drew up a "family plan" to articulate the family's overall intentions for the business. Owners can use such plans to articulate their conception of the business "as a trust for which each generation acts as a temporary guardian, preserving it to pass on to later generations," he believes.

Paisner firmly believes that most of the reasons people give for selling are based on "inadequate information, poor planning, or what I consider to be an insufficient appreciation for the benefits of keeping a family business in the family."

Still, he does allow that sometimes - though not often - selling the family business is indeed the best option. Perhaps the best reason, he believes, is when the business is about to get knocked off by new technology.

If it comes down to a sale, owners shouldn't make a move without enlisting the aid of a smart investment banker to help them value their business and elicit the best offers possible. Then, once the sale is made, every provision should be made to distribute the money equitably. Distinguishes family business culture from general business culture, because it makes clear that the business exists, essentially, for extrabusiness reasons. It doesn't exist solely to make money and to be successful, like most business; it exists to take care of a family."

Maybe there's more to life than the golf course after all.

The dreary statistics are familiar to all of us who work with family businesses: family businesses make up 90% of the 15 million operations in the United States. Only one-third make it to the second generation. And only 10% make to the third.

Given such depressing numbers, isn't it only logical that owners can easily be convinced by industry consolidators to turn their ownership into cash?

Marshall Paisner takes strong objection to this view.

Accountants can only consider market value when making pricing decisions. Family business owners need to take market value into account, but they also need to consider family values. In the long run, family value is more important. The goal of a family business is to live a desired lifestyle and give the next generation the opportunity to do the same thing.

And if you don't like Paisner's "soft" view of business, he argues that the return on a successful family business is almost always greater than the after-tax return of an estate produced by the sale of such a business.

Much of what Paisner says has been said elsewhere. This book is worth reading because Paisner is the Chairman of Scrub-A-Dub Auto Wash Centers, Inc., one of the world's largest car-wash chains. Founded in 1965, he has successful transitioned the business to his two sons. And we can personally attest that Scrub-A-Dub is one of the best consumer products marketing companies we have ever seen! And we have seen many.

SUSTAINING THE FAMILY BUSINESS is a "How I Did It" book plus an integration of published research plus an integration with other family businesses around the country.

Topics include: Creating a Family Culture, Managing Family Conflict, Developing Tax Strategies, Developing Estate Strategies, When Selling Makes Sense, Navigating a Successful Sale.

For those of who serve on Boards of family businesses, Paisner speaks positively about the use of true outsiders to serve on his Board of Advisors, how he selected them, and how he compensated them.

He has a section on what actions to take when spouses' perceive that their mates are being unfairly treated. Such perceptions can poison both the business atmosphere and the family atmosphere. Paisner has a cogent prescription for what those steps ought to be.

i like this book because it was fun and plus i got to learn somethings about history. It also was alittle scary but it was a fun kinda scary. thank you

I Like this book because I got to learn about history and the imagination behind it was good. The angels in this book are just normal people who are still learning. They fall in love, make mistakes, and care about what goes on around them. Yes I would recommend this book to anyone who likes history, alittle horror and to feel like your in the book.

I loved it because it takes you to different places in history. This angel travels through time, meeting different people. She also has this dark angel that is chasing after her. She goes on the titantic, The Hindenberg, Salem Witch trials, and meets Lizzie Borden. I really enjoyed it.

The documentation provided was good, but the plates were a bit disappointing. I would have liked more detailed views, but this is a subject that is extremely difficult to pursue and often the information simply does not exist. The uniforms of this period were often gaudy and impractical, but oddly enough the Republic was able to buy the most up-to-date weapons and equipment. The image of the buckskin clad, fur capped backwoodsman is a myth when it comes to the Texas Republic. As time marches on, hopefully more information will surface. For students of this period, I would recommend this book.

Sir Bruce Marshall has provided a significant historical service to the followers of Texas, Texans and those who follow them with the publication of this tome of authenticity. Never before has there been available to historians a reference of the many impressive uniforms worn by the various military services of the nation of Texas. In the short ten year life of that republic, its admirable uniforms are only a representation of its many accomplishments before signing its treaty of annexation with the federal government. The fact that Marshall both edited and illustrated the book personally only adds to its impressiveness.

This book is pictorially and historically a masterpiece at depicting the uniforms of the Texas Republic even though it only existed as an independent nation for ten years. It helps us in the North to better understand the fraternity and even occasional superciliousness of Texans and why the Presidents Bush emulate and claim them. The pictures in this book are a treat to the eyes of those who enjoy the military history of other countries.

A great source of ideas with goood direction & intruction. Some tools required may not be accessible though. Good photos and extended ideas for the end projects.

Good resource that covers a lot of relevant projects for the beginner or the advanced. I like that it has colored pictures which are easy to follow. I would definitely recommend this book to a first time home buyer.

An excellent book to do those outside projects!

Perhaps the best thing about this book - aside from its entertaining stories about national politics and political figures - is its ability to let us see the "movers and shakers" in our nation's government as real, down-to-earth people that stumble in the same ways that we do and laugh at themselves along the way. This isn't a "tell all" about Washington or Texas politics, its just the well-rounded memories of a long-time observer of the scene. Fortunately, Lynam was very good at keeping his eyes and ears open and remembering the key players and their roles - major and minor - in shaping the course of history. Throughout the book, he uses a light touch to recount episodes that reveal a great deal about some of our nation's leaders, but he never moralizes about their behavior and rarely philosophizes about the underlying cause or effects of individuals behaviors. So, if someone is heavily into political research or looking for an expose of Washington DC and Texas political figures, this isn't the book to read. And, because most of the stories deal with Jim Wright in his early years in Texas and then in the U.S. House, the book may be of most interest to Texans, or at least, people familiar with Texas politics. Other than those caveats, I highly recommend the book. It is very readable, entertaining, and made me laugh out loud on several occasions.

Stories I Never Told the Speaker is Marshall Lynam's memoir of 36 years on Capitol Hill. But it is more than that, too. It is a kind of manifesto for anyone who has ever been or wanted to be a congressional staffer. Lynam quotes colleague and friend, Craig Raupe, "who always said there were two kinds of people in Congress -- members and clerks -- and you should damn well never forget which one you were." He then adds with the kind of humility that characterizes his perspective on most of the tales he weaves, "I was a clerk." Lynam is quick to admit that he didn't make much history in his 27 years with Jim Wright. Nonetheless, he has witnessed a lot of it. His testimony to that history is clear, concise, and unpretentious, reflecting his experience as a journalist at The Fort Worth Press and the wisdom and insight that come from growing up during the Great Depression and flying combat missions in World War II before he was old enough to vote. Jim Wright hired Lynam and brought him to Washington in 1962. One thing comes through above all else in these tales: from that day on, Marshall Lynam had fun. Whether doing advance work for Hubert Humphrey's presidential campaign, getting his hands dirty doing "casework" in Jim Wright's congressional office, or maneuvering to keep a Congressional delegation in Jerusalem for Anwar Sadat's historic visit in 1977, there's a twinkle in Lynam's eye and a down home sparkle in his prose when he tells the story. Stories I never told the Speaker is not Jim Wright's story; it's Lynam's. But the love, respect, and gratitude Lynam feels toward the former Speaker is everywhere obvious, without ever becoming syrupy. Even when his stories occasionally stumble toward sentimentality, the reader is rescued by Lynam's marvelous sense of humor. For instance, there was the time Jim Wright was invited to give the keynote address to a Wichita Falls business community gathering celebrating the arrival of an innovative new industry in town -- the maker of a safe cigarette, made not from tobacco, but from lettuce leaves. Up until 1978 when he quit cold turkey, Wright smoked furiously. On this occasion, however, he was already out of cigarettes when he boarded the plane for Wichita Falls from Fort Worth. Lynam, ever the good staffer, gave Wright his Marlboros, all of which the latter smoked before landing in Wichita Falls. The pair were running late, so there wasn't time to stop to pick up smokes on the way to the hall. Instead, Lynam was sure he could find his boss some cigarettes at the dinner. On arriving at the hall, Wright was rushed up to the dais, where he was trapped between several non- smokers. Lynam watched helplessly as his boss reflexively reached first in his right, then his left coat pocket, searching desperately for a smoke before his speech. Before Lynam could deliver a pack of cigarettes to Wright, young women dressed in red, white and blue uniforms handed out samples of the lettuce leaf cigarette company's new product. With relief at last in sight, Wright tore open one of the sample packs as he strode to the podium, lit up, and, as the whole audience focused on the keynote speaker, he inhaled deeply. "Echoing through the hall, the tortured wheeze was one you might hear from a fireman fleeing from a smoke-filled building. . . Raw and rasping, it was the outcry of a man fighting for breath. Head down, shoulders heaving, coughing violently. I was thunderstruck. "I've killed him, I thought. I've killed my boss. . ." After regaining his wind and composure in front of the stunned and silent audience, Wright addressed them, admitting that it might take a while for people to get used to lettuce cigarettes. "But I'll tell you one thing," he said. "I'd rather smoke a lettuce cigarette than eat a tobacco salad." With similar wit, Lynam serves up stories of Lyndon Johnson, Mitch Snyder, Ted Kennedy, Mikhail Gorbachev, Wright's election as Speaker, and characters and events great and small in between. After laughing with Lynam through the first 246 pages, I wondered if he simply would ignore the story of Wright's departure from the House. Not so. The final chapter recounts the events that led to the Speaker's resignation on May 31, 1989, with a surprising lack of rancor and bitterness. There is sadness, yes; but it is a tribute to Lynam that he doesn't avail himself of the chance to pillory his beloved Speaker's tormentor, Speaker Gingrich. Who can ever forget Jim Wright's valedictory to the House? After refuting all the charges brought against him in the press and in the newly emerging medium of talk radio, Wright called for a halt to the media circus that had developed. "I do not want to be a party to tearing up this institution. I love it," he said. "Let me give you back this job . . . as a propitiation for this whole season of ill will." He urged members of the House not to take retribution on each other. "All of us in both political parties must resolve to bring this period of mindless cannibalism to an end. There's been enough of it." Lynam closes his work with the final words of his Speaker on the House Floor. The House would be a better place today, if all had heeded Wright's final injunction. Lynam calls his final chapter "The Man Who Left the House Because He Loved It." It is Lynam's love -- love for the House, love for Washington, love of public service, and love for Jim Wright, that make his memoir refreshing, enjoyable and at times compelling.

this book is definatley worth 5 stars. its funny and yet it touches you in a place that most books cant i give it 2 thumbs UP.

Long before he envisioned the Cat that would forever change children's literature, Theodore Geisel was penning essays and cartoons for the humor magazines of the roaring 20's. But even then, he was best known as Dr. Seuss.

Though these essays and articles aren't in his characteristic rhymes, they are still full of the wildly outrageous shenanigans we remember from his later works. Herein we learn "The Origin of Contract Bridge" (a game played by ancient Druids using croquet mallets), how to pull the old "Cow-out of Pocket" trick, as well as "Some New and Better Superstitions". Like most absurdist writings, it's hard to hit the mark every time and some of the good doctor's writings fall flat, but most are sure to induce giggles.

Writing is only half of Seuss' talents however. All of the prose is illustrated, and the book also includes a nice collection of his cartoons. Most are one panel affairs reminiscent of Gary Larson's "Far Side" cartoons, but where Larson reveled in simplicity, Seuss fills his visions with detailed (if googly-eyed) beasts and fancifully intricate architecture.

This is one of those "rainy day books". The kind you can pick up and thumb through when you need a quick case of the grins.

We think of Dr. Suess as only a children's author but his early works, as seen in this collection, show his brilliance in the socio-political arena as well. I especially like his story, "The Waiting Room at Dang-Dang:Or Where the D.T.'s Go While Waiting for Assignment" and the story from which the book takes its title. If you are a Dr. Suess fan, and you can find this book available, it is a must for your collection.

for anyone seeking the inane and absurd this book is a must. featuring essays, cartoons and captions, and illustrations all done in the purely irrational Seuss style, it none the less has a raw and unpolished feel; early work with excellent quality and different to the more known Seuss children's books. the content ranges from essays as "sex and the sea god- a frothy novelette" to educational charts on "making our daughters less irritating" and an extremely funny cartoon collection. if -and possibly only if- you are a fan of the nonsensical, Seuss' genius, as in this book, will have you chuckling for a long time yet.

I loved reading this book as the language used is very attractive.Information introduced in a very reader friendly way and different colours are used to stop you falling asleep.This book explains even tiny things and avoids complicated pionts by referring the in depth reader to Appendices at the back of the book.I recommend this book for any body intrested to get significant information in a short time.This book is very useful and easily digestible specially if English is not your first language.

This book is very interesting. It has extensive amount of information about everything you ever wanted to know about nutrition. From tables that display the amount of vitamins and minerals your body needs to information of various food items (ie. calories, fats, protien, etc.), this book is for you. Gaining a little to much weight? This book could be a cheaper version of a dietician. However, you may not find this interesting if your english skills are not up to par. Students in post-secondary use this book, so if your english skills are not to good, you might want to try another book. To sum it up, you could use this book but you better be ready to get out that dictionary.

Although I found this subject much harder than I anticipated, the manner in which Whitney wrote the subject helped me understand the material. I have learned much more than I had thought I would.

A loving, loyal, and often hilarious journey through the phenomenon that was Virgil Fox, "The Dish" lives up to its name from the moment you scan the Table of Contents. "Foam All Over His Face, Raving Like A Madman!", "That Hog-Eye-Stink-Crotch!" and "I've Always Preferred My Organs Upright!" are not at all unusual among the chapter titles as the story of this supremely gifted organist bounces along.
Roughly edited by two of his proteges from the reminisces of a third, "The Dish" is clearly a work springing from true belief in Fox's genius and deep affection for Fox himself. The contrast between the gravitas of his chosen medium, in which he spent years as a church organist in several major national congregations, and the wild joie de vivre and flamboyance with which he embraced the world around him, are a marvelous ride from one extreme to another. I picked up this book on a whim, and was shortly completely unable to detach it from my hands. Fox was such a wild ride himself, and this book is a warm testament not only to the power of belief in oneself, but the devotion of friends even after they've seen their idol's feet of clay (and been charged a dollar for the privilege -- Fox nickeled and dimed his guests for refreshments at his house!).
Delightfully unpretentious, honest and tender, "The Dish" is a mix of high and low culture, tasty and good for you. I am delighted to have learned about the organ community, but even more delighted -- at this safe remove -- to have met Virgil. "Thanks, Honey!"

"The Dish" is in many ways a sheep in Fox's clothing. This first biography of Virgil Fox is in reality a Ted Alan Worth (Fox's protegee) memoir of his time at the feet of the great organ virtuoso. It could also be described as the world's longest series of anecdotes with a healthy dose of inserted comments by Fox cohorts Richard Torrence, Marshall Yeager and many others As such it cannot be considered a true biography. That aside, it is the only large volume devoted to Fox, so for those interested in his life and loves (musically and otherwise) it is a must read. Worth was 14 when he first met Virgil in what must have been about 1946. The narrative starts at that point, omitting the first 34+ years of Fox's life. Why he learned to love the organ, his rise to prominence and early concert career before World War II are left out. Too bad. It would have been nice to have known the full story of his inspirations. "The Dish" sounds like it was dashed off in one long paragraph, which in fact it was.
I found the stories relating to the organ companies themselves not too technical and full of the competitive spirit. Worth was on the forefront of both the Rodgers and Ruffatti organizations.
The little background, personal stories are a nice People magazine style break from the concertizing minutiae and other more solemn parts of the chapters. Everything from Fox's sex life to his wardrobe are given plenty of amplification. Few stops stay in regarding his personal life. Pictures abound giving faces to the many voices in the text. There are also quite a few variations on the themes of grammar and spelling (lightening for lightning as an example) which detract from the airy prose.
As a non-organist, I came to Fox through his "Heavy Organ" concerts that began in the 1970's. His magical way of introducing "us kids" to J.S. Bach with a pulsating light show behind him cannot be described and of course now cannot be experienced. It's been over 20 years since his death, so those who had the privilege will want to grab on to "Virgil Fox - The Dish" as a pleasant reminder of how great those mind-expanding nights at the theatre were, and how complex was the man who brought organ music to popular culture.

I loved reading this book and couldn't wait to pick it up a couple times a day! This book really tells the story of the man, good points, bad points, warts and all. You really got the essence of this great master of the organ.