Reviews (1)

Feel the rush
I just finished reading this book and really enjoyed it. I could feel the author's enthusiasm for the sport come through clearly, and even though (or because) it made me realize what a geek he is -- boat geek, gearhead, whatever you call it -- it was something I could definitely relate to. Probably because I'm a geek too, even though I'm too lazy to express it in the real world with actual mechanical equipment; I stick to the virtual world of programming and wikis and such.
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Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. General    5. Reference    6. Biography: general   

Editorial Review

Weighing in at a hefty 1,170 pages, this addictive reference volume supplies brief lives of more than 30,000 men and women--the famous, the not-so-famous, and the downright obscure. Coverage of the non-English speaking world is particularly comprehensive. And thanks to the helpful pronunciation guidelines, names like Domitius Ahenobarbus and Abu al-Faraj alIsbahani will soon roll trippingly from the reader's tongue. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Buyer beware: not worth the money, and you'll look foolish
The producers of this book think only surnames matter.Examples: This biographical dictionary is simply the best!
Merriam Webster's Biographical Dictionary is an excellent source of information on more or less important dead persons (yes, only someone who has already died can qualify for an entry!). It covers all fields of human activities - politicians, rulers, writers, inventors etc. Even a small Slovenian nation has its representatives in this comprehensive volume (e.g. composer Jacobus Gallus, poet France Preseren, writer Ivan Cankar, politician Anton Korosec), though, unfortunately, the real nationality of two very important Slovenes who lived in Austria (physicist Josef Stefan and Nobel laureate Fritz Pregl) haven't been revealed. FILLS THE BILL
This dictionary has over 30,000 entries with preferred pronounciation.I particularly wanted an American publisher so I would have more American entries.The material is detailed enough to begin referencing.The print is adequately sized--just barely(approx. 8 pt. headings and 6 pt. entries).It is easy to use, though I would have liked a thumb-guide.It's a very good price.I am quite satsified with my purchase.Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Dictionaries    3. Dictionaries - General    4. Reference    5. Biography: general    6. Reference works   

Features

• Audiobook

Reviews (57)

Boring and stupid
Out of fairness, I should tell you that I didn't listen to the whole audiobook.I got about 1/2 way though the first CD and just couldn't stand it anymore.What I heard was boring and extremely slow moving.It's read like a "see spot run" story for children, which makes the boring storyline even more boring and I found it to be a bit insulting.I think an audio book of names and nummbers in the phone book would be more exciting.Maybe it gets better as it goes along, but I am not willing to endure any more to find out.

just okay, not great
I have read three of Augusten's books (Dry, Running With Scissors, and Magical Thinking), and absolutely LOVED them.This book, however, was really disappointing.It wasn't funny, nor particularly interesting.It was just bland.None of the stories were really entertaining.I can't pinpoint exactly what this book is lacking, but it's simply not as well-written as his other books.I would definitely recommend his previous work.This one?Not so much.

Hopefully He's Not Slipping Already
While there are still the stories that make you cringe, cry and laugh at the same time, we're now also subjected to his "horror" stories of success: sweating while at book signings; famous-author-recognized-on-airplane-with-bloody-nose; Bad accommodations while on speaking tours.We should all have such problems. On top of this, the book is by-and-large written in fragmented sentences..where was the editor on this one?
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Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Abridged Audio - Autobiography/Biography    3. Audiobooks    4. Biography    5. Biography & Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. Form - Parodies    8. Health, Exercise & Fitness    9. Novelists, American    10. Reference    11. Topic - Family    12. Unabridged Audio - Autobiography/Biography    13. Biography & Autobiography / General   

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. General    5. Reference    6. Biography: general   

Reviews (6)

Have a nice day
I did not think I would learn anything new that I did not already know before, but this book was much more informative than I expected. It talks in depth about all the reasons behind everything, about Jon's early inspirations, and how all of the hits ranked on the charts.
Nothing new/wrong
As an old Bon Jovi fan I was completely dissapointed by this book. It is absolutely clear that the content is based just on the info gathered from media and the author haven't even met the band members or other people mentioned in the book. Some of the facts and opinions in the book are very doubtful. I think any Bon Jovi fan could write a better 'biography'. Dont waste money on this one.

The Bon Jovi s' life
I read this book because I like Bon Jovi and his band.I "follow" the band since 1983, when I meet them into a local radio station around New-York.I read a lot of books concerning Bon Jovi, but this one is very clear.You can follow the life of the Bon Jovi 's band whithout difficulties.There are a lot of chapters, very clear.It's simple and very easy, very clear to read.One negative point it's maybye there are not much pictures into the book.I think that the bandcould have more than 4 pages of pictures but for the rest, it's a great book.If you are a real Bon Jovi s'fan, read it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Bon Jovi, Jon    5. Entertainment & Performing Arts - General    6. Genres & Styles - Rock    7. History & Criticism - General    8. Music/Songbooks    9. Reference    10. Rock music    11. Rock musicians    12. United States    13. Biography & Autobiography / Entertainment & Performing Arts   

Reviews (6)

An Easy Read
A nice overview of a popular public figure who is a little more complex than you might expect and not quite the lofty figure of his managed public image, but nevertheless a decent human being, like most of us.The narrative moves nicely including interesting details about the films Peck made and his relations with directors, writers, and fellow actors and the women in his life.An easy read.

St. Gregory of Hollywood?
Gary Fishgall's GREGORY PECK is an admiring and uncritical look at the actor. Perhaps the only balance is provided by Peck's own words:
A great star
I have to admit upfront that I'm a Gregory Peck fan.So my bias is clearly towards any author who does a good a job as Fishgall did.
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Subjects:  1. 1916-    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Entertainment & Performing Arts - Actors & Actresses    7. Individual Movie Actors And Actresses    8. Motion picture actors and actr    9. Motion picture actors and actresses    10. Peck, Gregory,    11. Reference    12. United States    13. Biography & Autobiography / General    14. Biography: film, television & music    15. Films, cinema    16. Peck, Gregory   

Reviews (25)

Apologia of a Serial Killer
I don't mean Apology, I mean Apologia, a formal, written explanation of actions.In this case the Happyface Killer tries to explain how he became a serial killer because of 1) his family; 2) society; 3) women and 4) alcohol. This list is not exclusive nor in any specific order.I was rather tired of his self serving whining after the first chapter and it would have been better if there had been some balancing exposition from Mr. Olsen-- a writer I generally respect.
Through the eyes of a Killer
Jack Olsen's book "I" takes the reader into the maddening world of a serial killer. Keith Hunter Jesperson, known as the Happy Face Killer, was responsible for the death of eight women over a span of several years in the early 1990s. With "I" the reader gets into Jesperson's head and sees the world of killer, from Taunja Bennet to his last murder.
Stunning!
I have amassed quite a collection of true crime books in my life.Aside from Helter Skelter, this may be my favorite true crime book.Aided by a very forthcoming killer, Jack Olsen displays a wealth of knowledge on his subject. While I found the brevity of chapter to be discouraging, the contend creates an exceptional product.While some authors in this genre continually repeat themselves, Olsen tells a seamless story with a continual supply of fresh information.Read more

Subjects:  1. 1955-    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Case studies    7. Criminals & Outlaws    8. Homicide    9. Infamous Crimes And Criminals    10. Jesperson, Keith Hunter,    11. Reference    12. Serial murderers    13. West (U.S.)    14. Jesperson, Keith Hunter    15. True Crime / General    16. True crime    17. USA   

Subjects:  1. 1782-1852    2. 1815-1861    3. Bibliographies & Indexes    4. Bibliography    5. Biography & Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. Educators    8. Legislators    9. Politics and government    10. Reference    11. United States    12. Webster, Daniel,    13. American history: c 1800 to c 1900    14. Bibliographies, catalogues, discographies    15. Biography: historical    16. POLITICS & GOVERNMENT    17. Reference / Bibliographies & Indexes    18. USA   

Features

• Illustrated

Reviews (10)

Fine biography
Westerners are often shocked to hear that in Mongolia today, Genghis is revered as a national hero and the father of the country.Indeed, even in China - a victim of the Mongols - Genghis is regarded as a great man.Not China's great man, of course, but a great man nevertheless.I know, speaking as an ethnic Chinese myself.By contrast, Europeans know Genghis as something like a cross between a medieval Hitler and Anti-Christ. Superb Reference
Those who want an exciting and romantically embelished account of Temujin's (Genghis Khan) life should stick with Harold Lamb. His account is certainly more fun, but also laced with poetic license that at times becomes outright misleading. Lamb is an introduction to the story of the emperor of all men. Disappointing...........
There isn't a plethora of books devoted to Genghis Khan out there and this may stem from a lack of historical information.No doubt, a large part of accepted knowledge is lore or estimation.Having an avid interest in asian history as a whole, I eagerly started this book.I was soon keenly looking forward to the kernels of interesting narrative that dot the book throughout.However, the uninspiring space between those kernels is daunting and requires determination.It may also require a tally board as one attempts to keep up with the family, allies, liaisons, enemies, followers, and friends of this Mongol warlord.Read it for the knowledge gained, but don't waste a rainy day, La-Z-Boy, fireside opportunity on the effort. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1162-1227    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Genghis Khan    7. Genghis Khan,    8. Historical - General    9. Kings and rulers    10. Mongols    11. Reference    12. ASIA    13. Asian / Middle Eastern history: c 500 to c 1500    14. Biography & Autobiography / Historical    15. Biography: historical    16. GENGHIS KHAN, 1162-1227    17. Warfare & Defence   

Subjects:  1. American - General    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. General    5. Reference    6. Biography: general    7. Literary Criticism & Collections / American    8. Novels, other prose & writers: from c 1900 -   

Subjects:  1. 1934-    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. England    7. General    8. Goodall, Jane,    9. Primatologists    10. Reference    11. Biography & Autobiography / General    12. Biography: general    13. Primates   

Features

• Audiobook
• Unabridged

Reviews (1)

"Blessed are those who expect little"
"For they are seldom disappointed"
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Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. American - General    3. Audio - Autobiography / Biography    4. Audiobooks    5. Biography    6. Biography & Autobiography    7. Biography/Autobiography    8. General    9. Hillerman, Tony - Prose & Criticism    10. Literary    11. Mystery & Detective Fiction    12. Novelists, American    13. Reference    14. Unabridged Audio - Autobiography/Biography    15. Biography & Autobiography / General   

Reviews (1)

Famous New Mexicans
"New Mexican Lives"Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Historical - General    4. History    5. History - U.S.    6. History: American    7. New Mexico    8. Reference    9. Regional Subjects - West    10. United States - General    11. United States - State & Local - General    12. American history    13. Biography: general   

Reviews (3)

How today's health practitioners work
Centuries of research and medical insights have contributed to the fundamental principles of today's medical and research practices: Doctors & Discoveries is dedicated to the pioneers who made these initial medical discoveries. Key figures in medicine from past to present are detailed in a collective biography of medical history chronicling their lives and achievements. Solid links are drawn between discoveries, discoverers, and how today's health practitioners work.

A great addition to your reference library
A splendid book for writers, doctors, scientists, reference librarians and any educated reader who wants to understand the history of medicine through the biographies of its chief proponents. From Paracelsus and Harvey to Koch and Gallo, this is a highly readable history. Great book on physicians as explorers/inventors!
I am always on the look out for decent books that can be used to teach students about phenomenal lives and mentors. This book accurately fills that need. Most of the physicians in this book were also researchers before scientific research was even a field. Many of these men (they are mostly men) came from backgrounds that were not particularly conducive to doing medicine, let alone the research that they ended up doing. Their families were not aristrocratic or learned, many had fathers who were tradesmen...yet for some reason, they chose to enter fields of medicine. Medicine was not always the prestigious field or career that it is now. Often, it was looked down upon, especially prior to its consolidation as a science. The work that these men did helped to raise the prestige of medicine, anatomy, physiology, and neuroscience. Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. History    4. Medical - General    5. Medical scientists    6. Medicine    7. Physicians    8. Reference    9. Science    10. Biography & Autobiography / Medical    11. History of medicine   

Editorial Review

This handy little reference reads like a virtual who's who of world history. Whether you want to know the date Napoleon died or just the names of some of Chekhov's most famous plays, you'll find what you're looking for in this book's pocket-sized pages. More than 7,000 entries chronicle the lives, deaths, and achievements of historical figures from Attila the Hun to Andy Warhol, including major works, prizes won, and principalities conquered. There's even a pronunciation guide to help make sure you don't suavely drop that reference to the work of Mies van der Rohe, then make his first name rhyme with "skies." ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A Perfect Three-Dollar Book
You couldn't ask more of a book that fits into a shirt pocket.Thousands of entries with pronunciations, dates, and even parts of speech.For instance, if you might want to describe someone as Comtian, then you'll not only know what Comte did and when he did it, but you'll also know how to spell the adjective.History is swarming with too many figures to remember; it's nice to have them all handy.Did I mention how cheap the book is? ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography And Autobiography    3. Dictionaries    4. Dictionaries - General    5. Reference    6. Biography: general    7. Reference works   

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Children's 12-Up - History - General    3. History    4. History: American    5. Military    6. Reference    7. United States - Civil War   

Editorial Review

When he was 10 years old, the author watched as his brother Michael losthis mind. High on LSD and screaming uncontrollably because God was torturinghim, the 14-year-old smashed everything in his bedroom, his feet red with bloodfrom broken glass. Michael collected snakes and let them slither around hisnaked body; he beat Greg nearly senseless, then smashed his own forehead into asharp branch in repentance; he stayed up all night, watching Christiantelevision or "puzzling over his strange and cruel distance from God." Theirparents, preoccupied by the ceaseless work that had taken them from a dirt-poorVirginia town to an affluent suburb that they really couldn't afford, thoughtdrugs the problem and throwing Michael out the answer. Not until 1977, when hewas 21, did they learn that he was an acute paranoid schizophrenic, so severelymentally ill that he probably would never be healed, although medication mightcontrol his behavior. Michael became increasingly dangerous, but could not beinstitutionalized against his will; when he set their house on fire in 1993, thefather's reaction was relief: "This was the best thing that could havehappened.... He'll be put away." He was, and, Bottoms acknowledges, "We've allfound a peace without Michael that we're not willing to give up." There's nofalse sentiment in this unflinching memoir of a family that's alienated, insteadof united, by tragedy: "We all hid from each other," Bottoms writes withcharacteristic candor. "We shared a space, a roof, nothing else." There is,however, tremendous sorrow for a blighted life and the havoc that it wrought.Bottoms's finely crafted prose offers no consolation or easy answers--simplyemotional precision and the satisfaction of hard truth. Read more

Reviews (34)

very well written
My wife got this book for school and I happened to pick it up and read it before she did. While the story itself is rather depressing the insight given by Greg's story is enlighting. We have so far to go yet in truely helping people with mental and emotional needs, yet we continue to throw drugs at people and hope they will just go away. Awesome book!

Honest Truth
This book is amazingly written. Reading it is a rollercoaster ride and some parts are just plain crazy. I think this writer has a true understanding of pain. I've read other painful books like Requiem for a Dream, Naked Lunch, and I just read this book called His Shining Light. This book is evenly written. If you need some perspective on pain in life, read this book. I hope I explained myself well enough.

A Life In Madness
Greg always wanted a normal life but with Michael as a brother who was diagnosed as a acute paranoid schizphrenia it wasnt passible.The book was by Greg Bottoms, born in Hampton Virginia in 1970.He has had essays and journals in the Beaconbest of 1999, creative Nonfiction, nerve, prism International and else where. he now lives with his wife. i liked his book very much it was wonderful but very sad.To see the things that Greg the author had to go through.Watching his brother lose his mind after taking LSD at the age of ten not realy understanding what is going on.BEing beaten by Michael becuase he wouldnt mow the lawn.Even after he moved away he was still stuck when Michael set the house on fire and tried to kill his family.It is still very sad because Michael didnt understand what was going on in his head everything was confusing and twisted to him.I would recomend this book for anyone who asked me. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Bottoms, Greg    6. Bottoms, Michael    7. Family Relationships    8. Mental Illness    9. Reference    10. Schizophrenics    11. Specific Groups - Special Needs    12. United States    13. Biography & Autobiography / General    14. Biography: general    15. Psychiatry   

Reviews (2)

Everything you need to know about the Winchester Mystery House!
This is a great book for everyone who has grown up hearing all the wild and wacky stories about the Winchester Mystery house. It sets the record straight, as much as it can be set straight of course. Only Sarah Winchester knows for sure her reasons for building the house as she did, but the book uncovers many fact based truths about Mrs. Winchester, most importantly that she was not crazy or insane. This book will leave you wanting to take a tour of the house, perhaps for the first time, or, like for many of us who grew up in the area, it makes you want to go visit it again, with a new perspective!

A Mystery of a House
Even though I have been to the Winchester Mystery House a few times, I'm still amazed to lean things I hadn't discovered before.This book offers a different perspective about some of the rumors that swirl around this legend and dispels many more.It also lays out the house and grounds in detail and explains many of its idiosyncrasies.Anyone interested in historical construction will be fascinated to learn about the architectural anomalies so unique to this house.I also learned about all of the innovative heating, plumbing and electrical systems throughout the house that were well ahead of their time.But most of all this book gives us a look into the woman who was Sarah Winchester.By the end, I felt a sense of despair for this woman's life and what she had gone through personally and how it forever changed her life.I also felt a sense of awe at the marvelous mansion and grounds she had created from virtually nothing, albeit with a help of a vast fortune.Truly an intriguing and interesting read.
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Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. General    5. Reference    6. Biography: general   

Reviews (6)

Amazing
if you enjoyed szun tzus art of war you will definetly enjoy this book in my opinion

Amazing thoughts
if u like szun tzus art of war you will really enjoy reading this book

Spellbinding
If I must go to a deserted place today and am allowed to carry only one book, this would be it.It will provide me with enough thoughts on life, death, destiny, existence, hope and visionto fill a lifetime.If you ever wondered how a man could achieve (and fail) so spectacularly for so short a span in such diverse areas, this book will deliver the answer.You will never see him under the same lights. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1769-1821    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Emperor of the French,    6. General    7. Napoleon    8. Quotations    9. Reference   

Reviews (4)

Sudhalter does it again
We owe Richard Sudhalter for preserving the often-forgotten history of America's early jazz pioneers and composers. His subjects are white musicians, but he doesn't write about them with a nasty political agenda. He just doesn't want their contributions to be forgotten. Along the way, he pays warm tribute to the black musicians who led the musical revolution. Unfortunately, politically-charged reviewers refuse to see this. Who really wrote Star Dust?
Hoagy Carmichael's college roommate, Hank Wells, claimed all his life that Hoagy, consciously or subcon- scioujsly, stole Star Dust from him.People in his home- town of Lake Bluff, Ill., said that this "broke his heart."Wells visited back and forth with the parents of a friend of mine, and she personally heard him tell this story.He played piano at her wedding.. Accurate, well written
My father, Bud Dant,is prominently featured in this book, as a man who helped Hoagy write down Stardust and I grew up hearing about the stories and now here they all are in a book...not just a book, but what I know is an extremely accurate and real account of Hoagy's life...the writing is terrific and Richard's obvious love of the music and times shows in his accounts...I know for a fact he researched this material exhaustively...it shows!It pretty much dwarfs all other books on Hoagy. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1899-    2. 1899-1981    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. Carmichael, Hoagy,    8. Composers    9. Composers & Musicians - General    10. History & Criticism - General    11. Reference    12. United States    13. American history: from c 1900 -    14. Biography: film, television & music    15. Inter-war period, 1918-1939    16. Jazz    17. Music / History & Criticism    18. Music | Music History, American    19. Rock & pop    20. USA