This a truly indispensable book by author R.T. Soper for every opera buff, musicologist or researcher. It offers a concise and accurate historical background of Belgium, followed by a detailed review of the Belgian opera houses and companies (Flemish and Walloon). Part III is devoted to the conservatories in the main Belgian cities, while section IV deals with the core of the book, i.e. the profiles of Belgian singers including biographical notes, with years/dates of birth/death - when known, career highlights including the roles performed, etc. Section V presents a brief highlight of non-Belgian singers and the book also includes a very comprehensive chapter devoted to composers of opera and operetta. At the end, the reader can find a top-notch glossary, followed by a list of 'recordings', or rather a listing of Belgian artists whose voices have been recorded. Lastly, for quick reference, ... the indispensable and easy-to-use index! Mr Soper has accomplished a detective's work and he must be complimented on such a task which he has carried out so successfully in a pleasant style and in-depth knowledge of the world of opera and singing. Thank you, Mr Soper! One only drawback: the very poor quality of the paper. It's disconcertingly thin and fragile. Happy reading!

If you really need to know which of the Old Contemptibles went where and did what, it's here.

Data is rather spotty, some battalions list names of officers and number of men in the battalion as it shipped, others just numbers. Others nothing. Apparently, this is data extracted from a lot of regimental histories.

Some of those quotes are very good. The number of battalions that spent Xmas, 1914 making peace with the german's across the way is interesting, as well as the efforts by both staffs to get the boys back in fighting trim, and the boys efforts to keep the peace. Who says the Vietnam war invented the peacenik trooper!

This book is a good one for a reader tired of the overviews, who wants to see just who went where and who arrived when, and how many were still standing a few days later. Good read if you feel the need for going beyond the usual six inch depth of most books in this area.

I plan to get the one on the Somme soon.

Once you start it is hard to put this book down. The story of Sister Margaret is a tale demonic possession, sex, and hate. At the side time the secret convent life of the 17th century is exposed. The book is an easy, entertaining read that also teaches of female religious life in early modern Europe. It is a refreshing way to approach history and the subject of women and convents.

With some 200 illustrations, including many photos by the author, and with vast documentation from Netherlands archives, Jeremy Bangs has provided a uniquely valuable and fascinating account of how the "bare ruined choirs" of churches in the Low Countries reveal the "before and after" of the Calvinist Protestant image riots of 1566 [the correct date in the title, by the way]. It will enrich any study of 16th-century Dutch and Belgian history. Art historians are using it, and other historians will do well to pay attention. Prof. Dr. C. O. Bangs (admittedly and proudly the author's father). cobangs@worldnet.att.net

statistic

What is wonderful about this book is that not only do you get detailed maps with good directions, but there are also overview maps so that you have a sense of where you are in the countries. Everything that you need for a great cycling trip is included, transportation to and within the countries, a few accomodations (and especially where there are no accomodations), noteworthy sites, restaurants and prices. The routes are generally circle routes with side trips and also connect with each other with both total mileage for the whole circle and sectional mileages. Because this book is well organized with excellent maps - I will definately go to Benelux for a leisurely cycle tour - and probably more than once.

I once used this book for a task for school. From the big mainstreets to the most narrow street, you all find them back. For people intrested in the creation of street names this book is very good. Eg. if you see in the street Ghoedele and it says Old Land Owner, then this book will tell you more about this Land Owner, or that building that gave his name to the street, or that person that was so influent to put his name on the street.

I enjoyed reading the book tremendously. Brian's humour is in the great English tradition of geniuses like Ben Elton, Tom Sharpe and John Cleese. Not to mention Benny Hill. Oh, no sorry, I mean: don't mention Benny Hill. As to the ending, a touch of the surreal. Really, could it be, would it work? Could a real Englishman do what Henry did?

A must read for anyone who wants to enter the collective psyche of those two great peoples, the English and the ummm.... ummm... for anyone who wants to enter the psyche of those two strange peoples, the English and the Dutch.

Written by WW2 veteran Sptifire pilot W.A. Bishop, this book covers the last famous air battle of the war. Mr Bishop provides much background information on the planning of this battle, Then procedes to cover it's execution and overview of the results. Provides historical information on the thoughts and actions of many verterans, from both sides. An invaluable referance to anyone interested in the last months of the the Air War in Europe. After reading it, I was amazed to find out that this raid could have indeed altered the course of the war, and delayed its end in the West. This book needed to be written, and Mr. Bishop covers all bases. Highly recommended, PHG

Really nicely covered in Linen and just full of pictures and photos. A great telling of the history of the flax and Linen industry. Very informative about the Flemish people and why Belgian Linen is so special