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Books: CookBooks: European
The Time Traveler's Wifeby Audrey Niffenegger List Price: $14.00 Available from Amazon $8.40 On 7-22-2006 
See Item's Page From Publishers Weekly This highly original first novel won the largest advance San Francisco-based MacAdam/Cage had ever paid, and it was money well spent. Niffenegger has written a soaring love story illuminated by dozens of finely observed details and scenes, and one that skates nimbly around a huge conundrum at the heart of the book: Henry De Tamble, a rather dashing librarian at the famous Newberry Library in Chicago, finds himself unavoidably whisked around in time. He disappears from a scene in, say, 1998 to find himself suddenly, usually without his clothes, which mysteriously disappear in transit, at an entirely different place 10 years earlier-or later. During one of these migrations, he drops in on beautiful teenage Clare Abshire, an heiress in a large house on the nearby Michigan peninsula, and a lifelong passion is born. The problem is that while Henry's age darts back and forth according to his location in time, Clare's moves forward in the normal manner, so the pair are often out of sync. But such is the author's tenderness with the characters, and the determinedly ungimmicky way in which she writes of their predicament (only once do they make use of Henry's foreknowledge of events to make money, and then it seems to Clare like cheating) that the book is much more love story than fantasy. It also has a splendidly drawn cast, from Henry's violinist father, ruined by the loss of his wife in an accident from which Henry time-traveled as a child, to Clare's odd family and a multitude of Chicago bohemian friends. The couple's daughter, Alba, inherits her father's strange abilities, but this is again handled with a light touch; there's no Disney cuteness here. Henry's foreordained end is agonizing, but Niffenegger has another card up her sleeve, and plays it with poignant grace. It is a fair tribute to her skill and sensibility to say that the book leaves a reader with an impression of life's riches and strangeness rather than of easy thrills. Copyright 2003 Reed business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition. From AudioFile Although the title suggests that this is science fiction, Niffenegger's charming, emotionally charged novel is much more a love story. Told alternately from the viewpoints of time traveler Henry and his wife, Clare, it's highly enjoyable on audio. Readers Christopher Burns and Maggi-Meg Reed blend their respective chapters seamlessly. Each reader characterizes all roles within a chapter, and the depictions mesh beautifully. Both narrators characterize Korean friend Kimmy in a charmingly amusing voice and lend a light mood to the couple's daughter, Alba. Burns portrays the emotional chaos of Henry's life so genuinely as to cast the listener directly into his pain and joy. The abridged recording leaves one longing for more. J.J.B. 2004 Audie Award Finalist © AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine --This text refers to the Audio CD edition. |
The Devil Wears Prada: A Novelby Lauren Weisberger List Price: $13.95 Available from Amazon $8.37 On 7-22-2006 
See Item's Page Product Review It's a killer title: The Devil Wears Prada. And it's killer material: author Lauren Weisberger did a stint as assistant to Anna Wintour, the all-powerful editor of Vogue magazine. Now she's written a book, and this is its theme: narrator Andrea Sachs goes to work for Miranda Priestly, the all-powerful editor of Runway magazine. Turns out Miranda is quite the bossyboots. That's pretty much the extent of the novel, but it's plenty. Miranda's behavior is so insanely over-the-top that it's a gas to see what she'll do next, and to try to guess which incidents were culled from the real-life antics of the woman who's been called Anna "Nuclear" Wintour. For instance, when Miranda goes to Paris for the collections, Andrea receives a call back at the New York office (where, incidentally, she's not allowed to leave her desk to eat or go to the bathroom, lest her boss should call). Miranda bellows over the line: "I am standing in the pouring rain on the rue de Rivoli and my driver has vanished. Vanished! Find him immediately!" This kind of thing is delicious fun to read about, though not as well written as its obvious antecedent, The Nanny Diaries. And therein lies the essential problem of the book. Andrea's goal in life is to work for The New Yorker--she's only sticking it out with Miranda for a job recommendation. But author Weisberger is such an inept, ungrammatical writer, you're positively rooting for her fictional alter ego not to get anywhere near The New Yorker. Still, Weisberger has certainly one-upped Me Times Three author Alex Witchel, whose magazine-world novel never gave us the inside dope that was the book's whole raison d' etre. For the most part, The Devil Wears Prada focuses on the outrageous Miranda Priestly, and she's an irresistible spectacle. --Claire Dederer
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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The Sack of Rome: How a Beautiful European Country with a Fabled History and a Storied Culture Was Taken Over by a Man Named Silvio...by Alexander Stille List Price: $25.95 Available from Amazon $16.35 On 7-22-2006
See Item's Page From Publishers Weekly Starred Review. In this astute analysis of contemporary Italian political culture under Berlusconi, Stille intricately yet seamlessly traces the prime minister's rise from Milan real estate developer to international political phenomenon. "A troubling avant-garde figure, a kind of Citizen Kane on steroids," Berlusconi has and will continue to have an impact that far outreaches his political career, Stille argues. A calculating master of the Italian proverb, "Se non è vero, è ben trovato" ("If it's not true, it's well said"), Berlusconi is a global archetype rather than a particularly Italian anomaly. Stille (Excellent Cadavers: The Mafia and the Death of the First Italian Republic; Benevolence and Betrayal: Five Italian Jewish Families Under Fascism) has exquisitely analyzed not only contemporary Italian political culture but the ominous rise of an international political culture in which figures such as Berlusconi can flourish (though the recent election leaves his political future in doubt). Stille writes with such wit and verve that this book will easily appeal both to close followers of contemporary Italian politics and to those simply interested in a prescient, fascinating portrait of a politician and the international cultural shifts surrounding his ascent. The last chapter in particular solidifies this book as an absorbing tour-de-force. (June) Copyright © Reed business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. From Booklist The unorthodox political journey of Italy's Silvio Berlusconi receives a generally caustic appraisal by Stille. Author of several perceptive books about the contemporary Italian social and political scene (Excellent Cadavers, 1996), Stille tempers his criticisms with his trenchant understanding of how a business magnate like Berlusconi was able to take advantage of a national political establishment that imploded in scandal in the early 1990s. Stille also does not neglect the tabloid quality to Berlusconi's persona and career that renders his story a rambunctiously readable one. A salesman to his fingertips, whose slogan was "Profession: Friendship," Berlusconi assembled a media empire in Italy through a great deal of chicanery, according to Stille; hence, various prosecutions for bribery and consorting with mobsters have dogged the politician. He, though, pleads persecution from leftists resentful of his pro-market, pro-American policies. Somewhat dense in details but clear in plot, Stille's account is an informed, even entertaining, access point for understanding Italy's political present Gilbert Taylor Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved |
Cracking the AP European History Exam, 2006-2007 Edition (College Test Prep)by Princeton Review List Price: $17.00 Available from Amazon $11.56 On 7-22-2006
See Item's Page Book Description The Princeton Review realizes that scoring high on the AP European history Exam is very different from earning straight A’s in school. We don’t try to teach you everything there is to know about European history–only the strategies and information you’ll need to get your highest score. In Cracking the AP European history Exam, we’ll teach you how to ·Use our preparation strategies and test-taking techniques to raise your score ·Focus only on the critical political, economic, social, and intellectual history that’s likely to be covered on the test ·Test your knowledge with Review questions for each topic covered This book includes 2 full-length practice AP European history tests. All of our practice questions are just like those you’ll see on the actual exam, and we explain how to answer every question. |
Christopher Columbus and the Afrikan Holocaust: Slavery and the Rise of European Capitalismby John Henrik Clarke List Price: $10.95 Available from Amazon $8.43 On 7-22-2006 
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AP European History (REA) - The Best Test Prep for the Advanced Placement Exam (Test Preps)by M. W. Campbell, N. R. Holt, and William T. Walker List Price: $20.95 Available from Amazon $14.25 On 7-22-2006
See Item's Page Book Description Get the AP college credits you've worked so hard for Our savvy test experts show you the way to master the test and score higher. This new and fully expanded edition examines all AP European history areas including in-depth coverage from the Renaissance to present day. The comprehensive Review covers every possible exam topic: religious reformations, European wars, changes in government and more. Features 6 full-length practice exams with all answers thoroughly explained. Follow up your study with REA's test-taking strategies, powerhouse drills and study schedule that get you ready for test day. DETAILS - Comprehensive, up-to-date subject Review of every European history topic used in the AP exam - Study schedule tailored to your needs - Packed with proven exam tips, insights and advice - 6 Full-Length Practice Exams. All exam answers are fully detailed with easy-to-follow, easy-to-grasp explanations. TABLE OF CONTENTS About research & Education Association About Our Book About The Test About The Review Section Scoring The Exam Study Schedule AP EUROPEAN history COURSE Review The Renaissance, Reformation, and the Wars of religion (1450 to 1648) Bourbon, Baroque, and the Enlightenment (1648 to 1789) Revolution and the New European Order (1789 to 1848) Realism and Materialism (1848 to 1914) World War I and Europe in Crisis (1914 to 1935) World War II, the Cold War, and a New World Order AP EUROPEAN history PRACTICE TESTS TEST 1 Answer Sheet Answer Key Detailed Explanation of Answers TEST 2 Answer Sheet Answer Key Detailed Explanation of Answers TEST 3 Answer Sheet Answer Key Detailed Explanation of Answers TEST 4 Answer Sheet Answer Key Detailed Explanation of Answers TEST 5 Answer Sheet Answer Key Detailed Explanation of Answers TEST 6 Answer Sheet Answer Key Detailed Explanation of Answers INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER About research & Education Association Research & Education Association (REA) is an organization of educators, scientists, and engineers specializing in various academic fields. Founded in 1959 with the purpose of disseminating the most recently developed scientific information to groups in industry, government, high schools, and universities, REA has since become a successful and highly respected publisher of study aids, test preps, handbooks, and reference works. REA's Test Preparation series includes study guides for all academic levels in almost all disciplines. research & Education Association publishes test preps for students who have not yet completed high school, as well as high school students preparing to enter college. Students from countries around the world seeking to attend college in the United States will find the assistance they need in REA's publications. For college students seeking advanced degrees, REA publishes test preps for many major graduate school admission examinations in a wide variety of disciplines, including engineering, law, and medicine. Students at every level, in every field, with every ambition can find what they are looking for among REA's publications. While most test preparation books present practice tests that bear little resemblance to the actual exams, REA's series presents tests that accurately depict the official exams in both degree of difficulty and types of questions. REA's practice tests are always based upon the most recently administered exams, and include every type of question that can be expected on the actual exams. REA's publications and educational materials are highly regarded and continually receive an unprecedented amount of praise from professionals, instructors, librarians, parents, and students. Our authors are as diverse as the fields represented in the books we publish. They are well-known in their respective disciplines and serve on the faculties of prestigious high schools, colleges, and universities throughout the United States and Canada. ABOUT OUR BOOK This book provides an accurate and complete representation of the Advanced Placement Examination in European History. The six practice tests and the Review section are based on the most recently administered AP European history Exams. Each test includes every type of question that can be expected to appear on the actual exam. Following each practice exam is an answer key complete with detailed explanations. The explanations discuss both the correct and incorrect responses and are designed to clarify the material for the student. By studying the Review sections, completing all six tests, and studying the answer explanations, students can discover their strengths and weaknesses and prepare themselves for the actual AP European history Examination. Teachers of Advanced Placement European history and Social Studies courses will also find this book of great use. The book can be used as a supplemental text in planning courses and practicing for the exam. It will provide teachers with specific information concerning the level, scope, and type of material found on the actual exam. ABOUT THE TEST The Advanced Placement program is designed to allow high school students to pursue college-level studies while attending high school. The three-hour exam is usually admiinistered to high school students who have completed a year's study in a college-level European history course. The results are then used for determining course credit and/or placement level in college. The Advanced Placement European history course is designed to represent college-level history studies. Students are expected to leave the course with college-level writing skills, knowledge of historical events and concepts, and an ability to interpret historical documents. The course is intended for students with a strong background in history and writing. The exam is divided into two sections: 1. Multiple-choice: This section consists of 80 multiple-choice questions designed to measure the student's ability to understand and analyze European history from the Renaissance to the recent past. This section tests factual knowledge, scope of preparation, and knowledge-based analytical skills. The student has 55 minutes to complete this section of the exam, which counts for fifty percent of the final grade. 2. Free-response: This section is composed of three essay questions designed to measure the student's ability to write coherent, intelligent, well-organized essays on historical topics. The essays require the student to demonstrate mastery of historical interpretation and the ability to express views and knowledge in writing. They may relate documents to different areas, analyze common themes of different time periods, or compare individual and group experiences which reflect socio-economic, racial, gender, and ethnic differences. Part A consists of a mandatory 15-minute reading period, followed by 45 minutes in which the student must answer a document-based question (DBQ). In Part B the student is given two groups of three essay questions and must answer one from each group. The student has 70 minutes total to write both of the essays. In determining the score for the free-response section, the DBQ is weighted 45 percent while the two thematic essays are weighted 55 percent. The entire free-response section counts for one-half of the final grade. These topics are broken down as follows: Political and Diplomatic history 30-40% Social and Economic history 30-40% Intellectual and Cultural history 20-30% The exam basically encompasses the high Renaissance to the present. The time periods are covered as follows: 50% from 1450 to 1789, 50% from 1789 to present. Major late medieval events bearing upon pre-1450 events may also be included. ABOUT THE Review SECTION This book begins with a comprehensive Review of European history designed to give the student an idea of what type of information can be found on the exam. The Review discusses the following historical time-periods and events in depth: 1450 to 1648: The Renaissance, Reformation, and the Wars of Religion Martin Luthor; the European Wars of Religion; the Thirty Years' War; the Age of Exploration; the Scientific Revolution; the Peace of Westphalia 1648 to 1789: Bourbon, Baroque, and the Enlightenment The Peace of Westphalia; Mercantilism; Beginnings of Modern Science and the Enlightenment; Bourbon France; the Hapsburgs; the Hohenzollerns; the English Civil War; the Restoration; Peter the Great and Russia; the Papacy; the Ottoman Turkish Empire in Europe; Baroque and Rococo 1789 to 1914: Realism and Materialism The Failure of the Revolutions; Realpolitik and Nationalism; the Crimean War; Capitalism and the New Left; Karl Marx; the Second French Republic and the Second Empire; Imperial Russia; the Balkan States and the End of the Ottoman Empire; the New Imperialism; the Age of Bismarck; Darwin, Wagner, and Freud; the Coming of the Great War 1914 to 1935: World War I and Europe in Crisis The Russian Revolutions of 1917; the Paris Peace Conference 1919-1920; Weimar Politics; Benito Mussolini and Italian Fascism; Soviet Russia; the Death of Lenin and the Rise of Josef Stalin; the Rise of Adolf Hitler and Nazism; the League of Nations 1935 to 2001: World War II, the Cold War, and a New World Order The Great Democracies; the Cold War; Loss of European Overseas Empires; Spreading Communism; Russian-American Relations; Nuclear Weapons and the Arms Race; Changes Under Yeltsin; the Balkan Crisis; the Persian Gulf War; the Arab-Israeli Peace Movement; the European Community; NATO's Changing Role; Cultural and Social Developments since World War II in addition to studying the Review presented in this book, test-takers should acquaint themselves with current issues affecting European society, thereby gaining the necessary perspective on modern European eve |
Europe: A Historyby Norman Davies List Price: $25.95 Available from Amazon $16.35 On 7-22-2006
See Item's Page Product Review With Europe: A History, University of London professor Norman Davies has undertaken the near impossible: a synthetic one-volume overview of Europe from prehistory through the present. Remarkably, he has succeeded. Europe: A History is a conventional narrative, proceeding forward in time at a gradually decelerating pace. (The beginning covers millions of years of prehistory, while the final chapter discusses the 46 years between World War II and the book's publication.) But Davies's writing--vigorous, incisive, and confidently knowledgeable--carries the reader along, while the steady sweep of the main narrative is broken up by "capsules," boxed passages examining particular places, customs, or issues that cut across chronological lines. Davies, who has written two books on Polish history, also gives the eastern part of Europe its due coverage, unlike many of his predecessors, and manages to include commoners and the persecuted or ignored in his story along with the mighty and the royal. Europe: A History won't please everybody, but it's a highly intelligent, superbly readable overview that is certain to become a standard text. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. From Publishers Weekly The pre-eminent scholar of Polish history, Davies (God's Playground and Heart of Europe) expands his focus to all of Europe. While the book is bulky, its size is hardly adequate to a complete history of the continent from pre-history to the dismantling of the Soviet Union. In addition, as one might expect, Davies has taken great pains to treat countries other than England, France and Germany as legitimate parts of Europe?not just as the thresholds over which barbarians crossed. ("For some reason it has been the fashion among some historians to minimize the impact of the Magyars," Davies writes when discussing what would become central Europe. "All this means is that the Magyars did not reach Cambridge.") The book works because his subject is not the constituent countries but the continent as a whole. Thus, while Elizabeth I gets one brief mention in passing, Aristide Briand, the French foreign minister who tried to effect a Franco-German reconciliation until the Nazis won power, gets several paragraphs. Aside from defining what Europe is and giving all countries their due, Davies also tries to show the joys of an inclusive reading of historical subjects (he disparages excessive specialization and writes admiringly of the Annales school). A master of broad-brushstroke synthesis, Davies navigates through the larger historical currents with the detail necessary to a well-written engaging narrative. Copyright 1996 Reed business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. |
Textile Designs: Two Hundred Years of European and American Patterns Organized by Motif, Style, Color, Layout, and Periodby Susan Meller and Joost Elffers List Price: $37.50 Available from Amazon $23.63 On 7-22-2006
See Item's Page From Library Journal This exhaustive 1991 catalog of designs features 1,823 color illustrations. Patterns are divided into floral, geometric, conversational, and ethnic and by movements and period styles. A nice extra is a table of contents and a brief introduction presented in French, German, Italian, Spanish, and Japanese in addition to English. As LJ's Reviewer initially observed, "this book is a colorful confection, but it is also a thoughtful and informative analysis of the artistic choices that are subconscious interpretations of the moods, longings, and aspirations of humankind." Copyright 2002 Cahners business Information, Inc. FabriCAD, July/August 2000 "The Design Library has released the latest in their series of design CD's created from the indispensible book TEXTILE DESIGNS" --This text refers to the CD-ROM edition. |
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