No comments about The Life and Adventures of Henry Bibb: An American Slave (Wisconsin Studies in Autobiography).

No comments about Civil War Battles and Leaders.

3 comments about In Camera: Francis Bacon: Photography, Film and the Practice of Painting.

1. "In Camera" is one of the most interesting books on Francis Bacon, one of the greatest painters of the 20th century, ever published for several reasons: First, it takes good advantage of the meanwhile fairly large array of books, catalogs and articles which have been published on Bacon. Second, Harrison had access to materials, mainly photographs that have not been published before. Third, he was able to interview several persons close to Bacon, notably John Edwards, Bacon's last companion. Fourth, and most importantly, the book has a clear thesis that the author is able to present convincingly. It is Harrison's position that Bacon used mainly photographs either taken by photographers by his request or from books and magazines to the effect that they: "triggered decisive turning points in his stylistic development" (from book jacket).
   
   In five chapters Harrison explores different type of media and images and how these affected Bacon's painting: Motion pictures, Interior Design, different artists such as Picasso and Michelangelo, the photography of Eadweard Muybridge, and the photographers that he hired to take photographs for him such as Deakin and Edwards. From the thousands of objects found in Bacon's studio at his death many were photographs from the above mentioned sources, but also taken from magazines and torn from books. Of these many had paint splatters and finger smudges in paint proving that Bacon used these for his paintings. A cut out photo of George Dyer, Bacon's lover from the 60's until his suicide in 1971 was even used as a template for several paintings. For many paintings Harrison shows the painting and the image or photograph that it was based on side by side. For example the Triptych (1991) used a front cover of "The Correspondent Magazine", a Muybridge photograph of mane wrestling, and a photo of Bacon. The book has over 270 excellent illustrations, of which at least 100 I saw for the first time and I own an extensive collection of Bacon books and catalogs.
   
   The fact that Bacon used other images for inspiration does not mean that he merely copied these. One look at Bacon's paintings will prove that this is not the case. It is well-known that Bacon did not use models for his paintings and the images acted as catalysts for Bacon triggering other images, emotions or memories which then manifested themselves in his extraordinary paintings. Bacon was always reluctant to discuss the meaning of his paintings, insisting that they had none. Harrison goes farther than any book since the Sylvester interviews in proving that this is not the case and that the paintings were highly personal. The following two quotes from the end of the book are in my opinion right on the mark:
   
   "..it should be remembered that most of Bacon's paintings were explorations of selfhood". (p.228)
   
   "He conveyed his inner life without compromise, but in code, in his paintings." (p.229)
   
   I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in Bacon's art and Bacon the artist and man. The book is well presented, written and organized and the many images are fascinating. Though published by Thames & Hudson, it is printed and bound by Steidl an excellent German printer.
   
   For more information on books about Francis Bacon, please see the listmania list I compiled. Readers are also welcome to email me for more information on Bacon books and web sites.
   
   Review by Walter O. Koenig



2. It seems the number of books about British artist Francis Bacon, both biography and art monograph, grows each year, an indication of just how important this innovative and strange painter is in the spectrum of art history. IN CAMERA FRANCIS BACON: PHOTOGRAPHY, FILM AND THE PRACTIVE OF PAINTING is an erudite and fascinating work that opens previously sealed windows into the dark life and immensely controversial creativity of this daring genius.
   
   Bacon, unlike most artists of his time and even of the present, had no problems discussing the fact that he utilized the art of photography in gathering information and inspiration for his huge canvases. Bacon saw the camera as a ready resource of information from which products he then could study, cut and paste, distort and wildly mix as the impetus of his own painted creations. But the extent to which Bacon immersed himself in the images he collected and deposited in the ungainly mess of his studio at 7 Reece Mews is now brought to light by author Martin Harrison.
   
   Harrison not only understands photography's history and impact, he also understands painting. He wisely interviewed Bacon's last lover and inheritor of Bacon's estate until his death, John Edwards, and through Edwards' auspices Harrison gained access to many of the never before seen images that grace this book. Here are sketches, manipulated and notated photographs, photographic images of some of Bacon's destroyed canvases and plates of drawings and paintings not included elsewhere, making this volume of information invaluable to the Bacon devotees, no matter the number of volumes on their library shelves!
   
   Harrison writes with the style of the scholar he is and at times the writing itself is rather dry and academic. But if the reader perseveres these thick passages of documentation, the reward is new knowledge of just how Bacon utilized photos, newsprint snaps, movies, and all manner of the camera's output to gain the spark of brilliance that resulted in his amazing output. The book is on the finest paper and is filled with superb reproductions of the photographic stimuli and the resultant paintings. This is an invaluable volume for the study of Bacon's art. Highly recommended. Grady Harp, January 06



3. This book is an essential tool to better understand the process in which Francis Bacon produced his master works. As an artist, this book demystifies the painter while testifying his genius.

2 comments about The Bravest Man: Richard O'Kane and the Amazing Submarine Adventures of the USS Tang.

1. I read this book as part of a History Day project I am doing on Dick O'Kane and the USS Tang. This book was extremely helpful. It tells the story of the Tang in a very thorough and easy to understand way. It's almost like you're there in the control room with the officers. Another great thing about this book is that it also gives you a good feel for the entire submarine force of WW2 by breifly telling many other stories about the best, worst, and most bizzare things that were happening, and explaining problems submariners had to face. All in all, if you want to get a great basic knowledge of WW2 Submarines, and read a gripping story about real heros and real drama, this book is for you.



2. This is the second book that I have read about Richard O'Kane and his experiences in the Wahoo and Tang and waiting on two more books to arrive. I simply cannot get enough! Will someone please make a movie about him?

2 comments about History's Shocking Secrets: A Twist in Time Book (Twist in Time series).

1. A must read, must own anecdotal reflection on our history. An educator supreme with a unique ability to whet our appetites for more history. Mr. Coate's incredible ability as an author/educator shines in this representation of our country's history. Should be required reading for all of our students of all ages especially for those of us who originally found history to be dry and not relevant to our lives. In one fell swoop Mr. Coates creates in the reader a new found, insatiable appetite for more history. Buy it!!! you'll be richer because you did!!!!



2. As an author Bill Coate specializes in oddball history. HISTORY'S SHOCKING SECRETS is an upated version on his 2005 TWIST IN TIME book, this update containing 17 new stories. History buffs should find this new title of interest.
   
   Coate's latest volume contains 115 interesting stories about oddball U.S. history, famous and infamous Americans, strange coincidences, scandalous behavior and so on. Most of the vignettes run to two pages in length and inevitably have some sort of "And now you know the rest of the story..." twist ending. The book is divided into five sections: Twists from Early America, Twists from the Civil War, Twists from the White House, Twists from the West (the largest section) and Twists from the 20th Century.
   
   Among the entries found in Coate's book is the account of the unlikely Colonial defense counsel who successfully defended the Brits involved in the Boston Massacre, the reason Alexander Hamilton didn't fire upon Aaron Burr in their duel, the Civil War saga of the McClean family who always seemed to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, how Florida screwed up the Presidential Election of 1876, the birth of Levi pants, Emperor Norton the First's reign in San Francisco, Henry Ford's Nazi decoration and so on.
   
   As interesting as the book is, the 'Shocking Secrets' title is hyperbole. Only two vignettes might qualify: the Thomas Jefferson/Sally Hemings story, which is widely known, and the macabre lady carpetbagger tale, which is a doozy.
   
   If you're an oddball history buff, some stories found in this book will be old hat. Yet there's enough new material here to warrant picking up a copy. HISTORY'S SHOCKING SECRETS is well worth the $16.95 price tag.

No comments about Toussaint Louverture (Vintage).

5 comments about Marco Polo: From Venice to Xanadu (Vintage).

1. Having just read Laurence Bergreen's "Over the edge of the world", I couldn't wait to read his new work on the travels of "Marco Polo" Mr. Bergreen is a stickler for accuracy and research. I think he spends more time researching than writing. This is an excellent account of Marco's adventures and experiences traveling along and beyond The Silk Road. My only criticism is that in trying to be so factual some of the passages were difficult for me to understand. Maybe it is the translation from Medieval Italian to English. As of now, I'm just waiting for Mr. Bergreen's next book.



2. A thoroughly researched account of a fascinating life. You could spend a lifetime going through the sources in the book's notes & bibliography, and the book inspires you to do just that. However, it's marred by Bergreen's writing style. His comments after quoted material-- and there is, rightly, a LOT of quoted material-- are often superfluous and give the unpleasant impression of reading a book report. A very well-researched book report, but a book report nonetheless. Still, a good launching point to learn more about an intriguing chapter in history.



3. What an Excellent Read !!!!!!!!!! history, travelogue, adventure, biography ...................... totally fascinating,
   
   The new revelations on the life, times and travel of Marco, his father and uncle are mind boggling. Based on recent research, it turned out Marco wasn't just a b.s.'ing Venetian after all.
   
   From the great naval battle of Korcula to Marco's final days, this bio/adventure is hard to put down. The history involved, from the "Divine Wind" to Marco's visits to south east asia, india, socotra island .......... history of the great mongol empire, life and times of Kublai Khan, glimpses of the early christian church, voyages, intrepid travellers ....................... it is all here !!
   
   excellent read, rabbie b.



4. The subject matter is interesting, but the narrative and analysis are on the level of a high-school report. The text is full of trite phrases and hackneyed expressions, and the author applies a modern-day slant to his assumptions. There is too much "it was as if..." and "he might have...." The illustrations are badly selected and not always relevant. The author uses quotations ineffectively. This book just didn't work for me.



5. Laurence Bergreen's MARCO POLO: FROM VENICE TO XANDU is one of the foremost biographies written about the Venetian explorer and merchant. Polo opened the doors for the Western world to sail into the Orient. Adapted from Polo's legendary journals, Bergreen revisits early western trade from Constantinople to China to the legendary Silk Road where Polo shared eye-opening observations that westerners may never imagined before, but he also brought back rich spices, silk, and natural remedies that would greatly influence European and Asian trade and culture. In addition, Bergreen uses references to Venetian, European, Asian, and Religious history as a backdrop to his narrative, which is helpful when understanding the entire scope of Polo's journeys.
   
   One of the interesting aspects of Bergreen's interpretation of Polo's enchanting journeys is his account of the meeting with the most powerful and influential individuals in world history. Amazingly, Polo served as a Council to the Mongols, and he reveals the seventeen years in which he lived and experienced the most infamous Mongol Empire of the East. It is not the lackadaisical retelling of the obvious history of invasions, but it is rather the relationship between East and West that was unified when Polo, his father, Niccolò, and brother, Maffeo, served as ambassadors to the West, were in presence of Kublai Khan's, and participated in his high court during China's Yuan Dynasty.
   
   Polo's journals have been considered a romanticized and sensationalized depiction of the East that has been embraced and enticed by many for centuries because of its mythical and folktale quality. However, his journeys are a symbol of early globalization that forged the way for increased trade and diplomacy between two completely different civilizations. During the thirteenth century, Polo unlocked the West's somewhat unknown knowledge of the East, which helped to escalate a better understanding of the world that preceded maritime explorations that would occur in the fifteenth century.

1 comments about Tiberius (Blackwell Ancient Lives).

1. When I first discovered Robin Seager, it was through his book, "Pompey the Great". This was a book I just couldn't read finding it utterly long-winded and excruciatingly detailed (read: boring!). I did eventually read it, when I was ready, and discovered Seager to be an impressive historian whose fondness for detail I greatly enjoyed. Thus, I picked up Tiberius hoping for more of the same. And I wasn't disappointed. Tiberius was the second Principate of Rome having been adopted by Augustus to take over after his death. He was certainly not the first choice but in the end, Tiberius outlived all the other potential heirs Augustus had chosen. Tiberius was an honoured and respected general who had Republican sensibilities. As Principate, he clashed numerous times with the Senate over its inabilities to make decisions for itself and deferring many issues back to him (after he initially passed onto them). Seager takes us through Tiberius' life from his childhood roots (and the eventual familial-bond that he and Augustus would share) to his selection as Principate. He looks at the different occurrences in Tiberius' early life that set him down his eventual path (but not without some resistance first) and his role as Principate (from determining attacks to his relationship with the people). Seager provides a very comprehensive view of the second Principate's reign and his accomplishments and failures. Many have criticized Tiberius and claimed him a tyrant due to his misuse of maiestas (a sort of treason law), allowing Piso (Tiberius' friend) to bring down Germanicus (the much loved successor to-be of Tiberius if he had survived), his war and subsequent unfair treatment of Agrippina (mother of Gauis, wife of Germanicus) and his allowing of Sejanus to manipulate him for his own ambitions (which were obviously detrimental to Rome and many persons within). Although not excusing his behaviour, especially the later half as his mental reason began to crumble; Seager portrays a man who never had the ambitions to be Principate. Unlike many others, Tiberius wanted to end his days in peace and be left alone. What he got instead was the greatest responsibility, which with his virtues, he couldn't easily let go of. Although a very capable leader, Tiberius' greatest weaknesses were his poor attitude to the Principate position and his arrogance and stubbornness towards others. This is what caused the conflicts with the Senate and allowed people such as Sejanus to rise in power and cause so many problems. Tiberius showed himself initially as a fair and reasonable leader but as time went on, he detached himself from his position and its responsibilities and allowed others to take advantage of it. Seager shows that Tiberius was not a tyrant but rather a man who became too disillusioned and too stubborn to let go.

3 comments about In the Name of Honor: A Memoir.

1. This is an astounding story of a simple ordinary Pakistani woman raised in poverty and illiteracy, who has courageously managed to fight against the violence and gender discrimination directed at her and countless other women, with an insistence on justice, education, and gender equality. Mukhtar Mai, who herself has been a victim of one of the many `honor punishments' still widely prevalent in rural Pakistan, was 'justifiably' gang-raped as a punishment for a crime neither she nor her family committed. To have such a rape-victim in the family is considered a social taboo and most of the women who are in similar situations end up committing suicides. But Mukhtar Mai did something different. In spite of getting thoughts to commit suicide, she chose the more difficult path - she decided to live and fight against the injustice inflicted upon her and her family. With the help of the media and various national and international NGOs, Mukhtar Mai's case gained worldwide popularity and in a matter of days a poor illiterate woman living in absolute obscurity in one of the remotest parts of Pakistan gained international fame. This story is a personal rendition of the many trials and tribulations Mukhtar Mai has gone through in the process of obtaining justice in one of the most chauvinistically male-favored justice systems in the world. It is also a story of a stupendous victory at a personal level wherein Mukhtar Mai uses the aid she gets from all over the world to establish a school in her village so that girls living in her village and the surrounding villages can use literacy and education to fearlessly protect themselves from similar injustices. This book would obviously be any feminist's favorite but more than that it is a must-read for anyone interested in the sociological and gender-related issues in the subcontinent.



2. If courage has a new meaning it would be Mukhtran Mai; a simple woman caught up in a storm of malevolence. The village council verdict of "gang-rape" in retaliation for falsified accusation of her brother's questionable frolic rendevouz with the tribal leaders daughter. Mai was quarentined for a ruthless gang-rape by savages of our times. Against all odds she stood up and fought back for justice and is redeemed. Her revenge on the society that shackled her down was a gesture of kindness by setting up a school by all the earnings she received as compensation for her struggles. A school where the family of the savages do attend. In her you find the spirit of forgiveness and mercy. I salute you Mukhtar Mai; for you a semblance for all the goodness left in our society.
   
   To the readers i recommend this highly.



3. I felt sick reading this book. It made me realize the perversion that gets called "justice" in many parts of the world. Mukhtar Mai is probably one of the very few women who has actually had the courage to talk about her ordeal... a gang rape masquerading as punishment for an honour crime supposedly committed by her brother. The book describes the Pakistan tribal justice system in a simple and lucid style. She is neither emotional nor dramatic about the events but attempts to describe what she went through and the odds that she had to overcome to fight the system. This book is amazing!

No comments about The Man Who Swam into History: The (Mostly) True Story of My Jewish Family (Jewish Life, History, and Culture).