Product Description
This is a biography of Thomas Jefferson at leisure, enjoying two of his passions--wine and travel. Twelve of the sixteen chapters cover Jefferson's five years in France where he served as our minister and traveled through France, England, Germany, Italy and Holland. "Passions" was selected by Robert M. Parker, Jr. as "1995 Wine Book of the Year," and was the winner of the 1995 "Veuve Clicquot Wine Book of the Year" competition. It is a marvelous account of America's first wine connoisseur and gourmet. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

INSIGHT INTO THOMAS JEFFERSON'S LIKES
This was given as a gift, and I've received many thanks and raves from my sister and brother-in-law about the book.Both not only are history majors, they are in a group that studies wines.They plan to use this book as a subject at their next meeting.

America's First Wine Connoisseur
Wine was a lifelong passion for Jefferson, not just drinking it, but also planting vineyards at Montecello and in his Paris garden.The book details his experiences with wine and is enhanced by vintage prints.
Sixty-five pages at the back, document where the author found the information in the book (letters, books, documents).Also appended are measures for English, German, French and American wines at that time and the standardized guage for foreign wines (a pipe, a bull, a hogshead, and an ohm).The author lists the contents of Jefferson's travel box and clarifies what the items were used for.A glossary further helps the reader with unfamiliar words.
An interesting glimpse into the passion of an interesting man.

A New Side of Thomas Jefferson
Passions: The Wines and Travels of Thomas Jefferson by James M. Gabler is a delightful book.If you think you know Thomas Jefferson guess again.The 18th century revolutionary also was the nation's foremost expert on wine.

Gabler follows the travels of Jefferson through France and Italy when Jefferson was in his early 40s.Every wine Jefferson ever drank is listed in this book, as was the commentary on how he traveled and what he saw during that era.

I bought the book at the Beringer vineyard's gift shop, and found it an enchanting companion as I traveled through the Napa Valley on my own wine tour.Jefferson's palate was impeccable, and you can truly taste his joy and curiosity.

You'll learn all about the life of the people of Italy and France, how well he related to ordinary farmers and wine growers, and his close friendships with wine merchants worldwide.

There was something charming and civilized about this book, the perfect glimpse into the inner life of Jefferson.I found his delight and passion for fine wines endearing.Buy the book, take a leisurely trip through Northern California's wine country, and drink in the tradition of 18th century intellectual virtuosity. You won't be disappointed, and you'll learn a lot about wine in the process from one of the world's most imaginative people.

The pursuit of happiness
The preface to Passions quotes John F. Kennedy's toast to a group of Nobel laureates that "this is the most extraordinary collection of talent, of human knowledge, that has ever gathered together in the White House -- with the possible exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined alone." James Gabler's unusual biography pays tribute to Jefferson's palate as well as his mind. Certain to succor the most serious oenophiles, it contains encyclopedic data on Jefferson's cellar and interesting trivia on the era's wines, many of which were far more distant in evolution from their modern incarnations than is often supposed. Moreover, by documenting the passion with which Jefferson devoured the world's great wines, Gabler offers an engaging perspective on the genius Jefferson manifested in all of his pursuits.

Passions depicts Jefferson at leisure and does not emphasize his career as statesman except when necessary to develop the narrative. Nor does it address the controversy over Jefferson's moral character ignited by his complicity in slavery, a pointless debate which lamentably fixates modern revisionists. But despite its limited scope, in offering a more vivid account of Jefferson the man, Gabler's research probes certain mysteries about Jefferson's public life, particularly the question why, following his legendary work as a founding father of the nation, his Presidency was less successful. Gabler's Jefferson is a loner whose widowing as a young man left him heartbroken and somewhat estranged from the nation he sired. He sought comfort in a sort of exile across Europe, never quite establishing a home but immersing himself in the best of what its cultures offered. From Gabler's account, one surmises that Jefferson could have retired happily in that fashion but returned to Washington when duty obliged him to serve as Secretary of State, and then as President.

Gabler's final chapters describe with mouthwatering clarity a series of dinners which Jefferson hosted in the White House for friends and fellow statesmen, which he funded personally despite his dwindling wealth. He served wine after dinner, but the meals retained about them some elements of the colonial frontier, with cider or porter's ale accompanying the food. At one such dinner, an invitee expressed surprise at receiving an invitation requesting the "favour of his company" on behalf of "Thomas Jefferson," rather than "the President of the United States." As such details suggest, these chapters are interesting evocations of a time when Americans' aversion to the trappings of entrenched power remained visceral. Gabler's accounts of these evenings also leave one warmed that a man so monumental as Jefferson seemed most content gathered around a table with old wine and old friends.

A Combination of Two Passions
To the Jefferson buff and wine fanatic, this book is a rare treat.I ordered it after spending a long weekend touring the Virginia wine country and Jefferson's Monticello.What an interesting read - meticulously researched and well-written, the author is commended for taking a potential dry subject and bringing it to full-fruited life.A must for any Jefferson fan's library. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

A Landmark of bibliography
This bibliography of Thomas B. Mosher, one of the more interesting actors in the printing and graphic arts at the turn of the 20th century, is an essential tool for collectors, librarians, and book dealers. The author'smeticulous, compulsive even, research uncovered much new information, bothbibliographic and biographic, and presents a stunningly complete picture ofthe man, Mosher, and his importance. Bishop investigates, and throw muchneeded new light on, Mosher's reputation as a "literary pirate."Equally important Bishop examines Mosher's "graphic piracy" andidentifies many of the artists, mostly British, whose designs were used byMosher, often without attribution. Finally Bishop establishes Mosher'simportance in disseminating, in America, the works of many known andunknown British writers. The appendices at the back of the book are, alone,worth the price of the book.

An essential reference tool
This bibliography of Thomas B. Mosher, one of the most interesting actors in the printing and graphic arts at the turn of the century, is an essential tool for collectors, librarians, and book dealers. The author'smeticulous, compulsive even, research uncovered much new information, bothbibliographic and biographic and presents a stunningly complete picture ofthe man, Mosher, and his importance. Bishop investigates, and throws newlight on, Mosher's reputation as a "literary pirate." Equallyimportantly Bishop examines Mosher's "graphics piracy" andidentifies many of the artists, mostly British, whose designs Mosher used,often without attribution. Finally Bishop establishes Mosher's influence indisseminating, in America, works of many known and unknown British writers.The appendices at the back of the book are, alone, worth the price of thebook.

A scholarly bibiography that breaks new ground.
Bishop's massive volume breaks new ground in bibliography. Not only is it learned and comprehensive as a whole, individual entries amount to miniature data essays on the Mosher books. Bishop takes bibliography as faras it can go in non-electronic form. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Could have been MUCH better . . .
This is Perry's third novel and it's a bit of a disappointment after his first two. Altmeyer is a Los Angeles "businessman" -- if supplying mostly illegal weapons to almost any government, corporation, or individual with the money is a business -- and his lovely wife, Rachel, helps out wherever she can. Their friend, Bucky, is a big-deal Hollywood agent whom they help to escape from a dangerous drug deal by killing off the other side. The early parts of the narrative are rather disjointed and episodic; they don't seem to have much to do with each other, rather than to introduce the characters. Then a shipment of 9-millimeter automatics to Japan goes wrong and it doesn't look like Altmeyer is going to get paid, but that's not the half of it. The Really Bad Guys were interested not in Altmeyer's guns but in his international shipping methods, which they adopt for their own use. And what they're shipping from one country to another appear to be terrorist-sized nuclear devices. Here the story gets more interesting, the three main characters being joined by a legendary film producer with all the right contacts. The plot is still a bit fuzzy, though, and Perry should have spent more time tidying it up. Not up to his previous work.

Publisher!Reprint this book!
The best summer reading imaginable.Buy an old copy now and don't wait for the silly publishers to get off their butts and reissue it.This is classic Thomas Perry -- odd, violent characters that you come to care about, tight plotting touched with wit and irony that make it more believable not less, and scenes you'll remember.I have to say it; Thomas Perry has this trick about writing about "bad" people as if he were their guardian angel and could see how all their decisions and mistakes built up around them and yet left them human, not sweet, but somehow compassionate, and it balances the violence and the pratfalls. Oh well, take my word for it, there's a grace to his writing that lasts after the great entertainment is over.

Big Fun
Let me tell you a little about my week.I've been working long hours, getting low pay and even less recognition.In the evenings I worked out and ate poorly.To relax, I tried to read Jane Smiley's "Moo".

Normally I read a book every couple of days.I've been slogging through "Moo" for weeks.I'm not sure whether it's exhaustion or lack of interest, but the fact is, I was bored and frustrated.

But then I found "Big Fish" by Thomas Perry.I'd known this novel existed for years, but have never been able to find a copy.I loved the author's "Metzger's Dog" and "The Butcher's Boy" and was intrigued.I opened to the first page, just to get an idea of the style, and the next thing I knew three hours had passed and I was done.

"Big Fish" is the story of two charming, relatively small-time gunrunners who become embroiled in a plot to control the world.I won't tell you how or why, because that's part of the fun, but I will tell you that along the way they collect a Hollywood agent and teach him to be a commando, and a Hollywood director and teach him to be a human being.

The writing is crisp and clean, with no words wasted on unnecessary exposition or description.Perry, in fact, is reminiscent of Gregory McDonald at his most terse and entertaining, but can be more goofy and relaxed.

This book was just what I needed to get the taste of the week and Jane Smiley out of my mouth.It's out of print, which is disappointing, but I bet you can find it used or at a library.And, who knows, as Perry's recent books become more mainstream, "Big Fish" just might be republished. ... Read more

Product Description
An illuminating portrait of one of America's leading architecture firms of the early twentieth century.

This book portrays the unprecedented talent and vision that led the architecture firm of Delano & Aldrich to the top of its field at the beginning of the twentieth century. Eighteen buildings are examined in detail, and the firm's complete oeuvre is cataloged, with more than 250 photographs and drawings spanning the full breadth of their work. 250 b/w illustrations. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

anti McMansions
Delano and Aldrich were remarkable architects whose achievements include the Dutch Reformed Church in Brookville, LI Oheka, the largest home in the country, Willard Straight Hall at Cornell and other buildings too numerous to mention which you probably count amont your favorites whether or not you know about architecture.The photos and text of this book show their range and informs about the kindly and sophisticated personalities of the men.

could be much better
While I agree this is the best available source right now on Delano and Aldrich, the book has some major problems.I especially do not like the fact that you need to search three different parts of the book for photographs and images of any particular project:color photos grouped at the start of the book, then small images alongside the main text, and then larger black and white photographs grouped at the end of the book.

Perfection
I wish all books on noted architects where this good.Mr. Sterns preface at the beginning of the book is astute.This book is a perfect combination of archival and current photos and the history of the buildings are well researched and thorough.The color photos are vivid and well executed and the archival photos are well chosen.So many of these books just give you archival photos and are not researched as well as one would hope.This book is a blueprint for how these type of books should be presented.This beautiful book is well worth the money and at these prices that's high praise indeed.

Highly recommended!
I highly recommend this definitive work on architects Delano & Aldrich. The book is amazingly well-researched and well-written as well as beautifully illustrated with both historic and contemporary photographs. It's a must for the library of anyone interested in architecture!

A rich source of fascinating information
I have been interested in the work of Delano and Aldrich for a number of years, and this book provides the best information I have been able to get so far.

The descriptions are deep and serious. I also liked the great pictures.The impact of their work is historic to say the least.

This is a must read. ... Read more

Product Description
This superbly illustrated book examines the different levels and purposes of German photography from 1870 to 1970: art, photojournalism, propaganda, advertising, and architectural and fashion photography. Setting the historical background before which the use and abuse of photography takes place, the authors examine the extent that photography was influenced by the German nationalist movement, the changes it underwent during the reign of Kaiser Wilhelm II, its links to the avant garde movements, and its development through the world wars and the Cold War. ... Read more

Product Description
Charles Gore (1853-1932), the future Bishop of Oxford and a passionate campaigner for social justice, compiled and edited these twelve theological essays published in 1891. The eleven contributors, all Oxford scholars at some time, shared the conviction that theology must engage with advances in scientific and historical knowledge, learn from them, and use them in interpreting Christian doctrine. In their case, this meant recognising God at work in the material world, in evolution, and in society, not merely at the spiritual level. 'If the true meaning of the faith is to be made sufficiently conspicuous,' Gore wrote in his introduction, 'it needs disencumbering, reinterpreting, explaining'. The essays focus on the Incarnation, as the central doctrine for the whole of theology, which may be applied very differently in different contexts. The book, regarded by some as too progressive, was a great success and sold ten editions in its first year. ... Read more