Product Description
Bringing together 450 letters, orders, addresses, and other significant historical documents penned by America's first president during the course of his life, a substantial anthology is arranged chronologically beginning with a journal written at age sixteen. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

"There's a Muddy Road Ahead - No Detour..."
***"..such is my situation that if I were to wish the bitterest curse to an enemy on this side of the grave, I should put him in my stead with my feelings; and I do not know yet what plan of conduct to pursue" " page 249 - George Washington *****

It is not possible to do full justice to his writings in a review, of course, and mine is in tribute alone to him.This collection of George Washington diary entries and letters takes the reader inside the fine and level head of a Patriot, a Military Strategist, a tireless leader through all seasons and travails - a man of intense and unshakable integrity.He allowed genuine access to his innermost feelings and apprehensions while deep in the depths of despair over what was happening with the war at the time - a priceless insight now.Through his pen and by doing so, he must have grasped the strength he sought when none could be found elsewhere; when his own fears and self-doubt overwhelmed him; when the relentless gargoyles of adversity and the lack of suitable support from the newly formed Congress (who had immediate growing pains and problems of their own) threatened to defeat from within, even as the enemy advanced from without; when Victory seemed impossible, and Defeat was unthinkable.

His letters to the British General Gage pulled no punches as to content with regards to the treatment of prisoners on either side and the "do unto others" message it sent. Seeking a "gentleman's" agreement regarding this issue was one of the emerging indigenous traits that began to set us apart from other, more barbaric nations because "fair treatment" was uppermost in the minds of our new leaders - the "politicians" of today would do well to read this book again, if some of the more recent of them have read it at all. In this particular letter was a power punch delivered in a genteel way.And through it all, he wondered aloud at his ability to successfully conclude the job before him. As it turned out, those who put the faith in him were the real champions of posterity.

It's an amazing work, as are all of the works of the forefathers for those who hold them dear, but this one does not linger behind a desk or in a library - it's message takes the reader to the front lines in a stark reality - riding with the man behind the strategy as he struggles with himself to maintain control so that others will not see weakness or hesitation in the resolve of the wisdom of the Revolution and what it will do for the posterity of the people even as it destroys what is dear in their lives of the moment.For Washington, it was all about the "future" and the "present" was but standing in it's way.

Many of the scenes portrayed in the dvd documentaries describing the Revolution today are seemingly viewed as they happen in this remarkable accounting; it is as if the reader is there, reading over his shoulder as he writes of it.One even has a laugh - even though nothing is funny - as he pens the absurd tale of how General Lee, captured by the British, is whisked away in his skivvies, simply because "of his own imprudence - oh, unhappy man!"

There are many wonderful historians out there who have brought the history alive for us in novel forms. But without a doubt, they are colorless unless these intimate writings are read in conjunction with them.These are the real heroes of our country - the ones who granted what we have possible today by inserting their very necks in the noose with little hesitation, and never looked back.

The hand writing of the revolutionists is difficult to read. I found most of them to be so, which is one of the tasks removed by the historians of today; but the wisdom found in the thought after you have taken the time to wade through it and compose it yourself, is breathtaking - made all the more so by the lack of it that passes for wisdom today. Most of our current "elected officials" wouldn't last a day in the saddle with George Washington.

Elizabeth says
A doctor I read assumed information about George Washington that revealed he, like a number of other people, are not very well informed about George. As George Washington stated when he was approximately 30 years old, in a letter to his tailor that he was exactly 6 feet tall and of medium (average) frame. His physical abilities would have made him of exceptional build and muscle development. The doctor almost got it right but his diagnosis of George's medical condition was wrong.
Another assumption that was written about G.W. said he never mentioned "God". Look at all the modern day arguments the ill informed people, who would like to remove God from our history, are spewing on line. In a letter to one of the military officers under him, he gave instructions to see to it that the recruits kept themselves "clean" and did not neglect their faith while with their units, and they were to practice clean moral living. In a letter to Joseph Reed 4 January 1776, he made mention of God's providence in helping them in an activity that turned out well. He was also an official in the Anglican Church of his day and mentioned it in one of his numerous letters.
His only problem, in his letters, was that he couldn't spell worth a flip and he spoke in the old English of his time. It takes some getting used to.
Read: George Washington's Writings by George Washington (Author), John H. Rhodehamel (Editor). I believe the editor doctored the punctuation, etc. so that we are able to read the letters a little easier, but the spelling is still as George wrote it. It is G.W.'s wording, etc. but George had his own version of "short hand". It is quite amusing at times.

Excellent Book
This is a very comprehensive and well-organized mini-library of speeches, letters, and other writings by our country's founding father.It is excellent for reading or as a reference book.

Not for research
It seems that the real story about Washington is what happened to his writings (they were scattered and butchered), and this work is ok for an overview but if you are seeking something specific: forget it, find another source that is more comprehensive.

Washingtons Writings
After fully investigating the writings of Washington, I have concluded that Washington's writings fill about 40 volumes. He in fact speaks of and confirms that the Illuminati is historical and is in the US on at least two accounts. This volume is flimsy and should not be bought unless you are up for teaching a 1st Grade Class. ... Read more

Product Description
Three story collections of great urbanity and poise from the first American author to burst onto the international literary scene. "The Alhambra," Irving's "Spanish Sketchbook," was inspired by his 1829 residence at the ancient Moorish palace at Granada; weaving history, legend, and description, it remains the best guidebook to this haunting place. Over 120 tales in all. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

To hear is to forget,, to see is to remember, to experience is to understand
Once you have visited the Allhambra in Grenada, Washington Irvines book comes to life. The tales come to life. The experience is so magical that you believe the fables may have actually happened. Who knows? I had to purchase the book immediately after my visit and it is the best book purchase I have ever made

Wait until you get back
I think this book is much more enjoyable if you read it after you have visited the Alhambra;two Moorish palaces that sit on top of a mountain in the beautiful Sierra Nevada mountain range of Spain, palaces of incredible architecture and setting, the last outpost of the Moors in Spain.Christopher Columbus waited for 6 years before Queen Isabell would give him ships, she made him wait until theMoors were driven out of Spain.When the Alhambra finally falls, Coloumbus is given permission and ships for his quest a few days later, and the next year the Spanish Inquisition starts.
All of this comes to you if you visit the very romantic/historic city of Granada and the Alhambra, and after seeing the Alhambra restored, having walked its rooms and grounds, having listened to the fountains, letting your immagination run, then read this book, after you return home.Washington Irving's stunt of taking up residence in the rundown, forgotten Alhambra of his time seems even more fantastic.In fact, if you are going to Spain, buy a copy of this book in Granada; they are sold everywhere in different languages, and have pictures of paintings done in the period around Irving's stay.If you haven't been to the Alhambra, you should go.

Don't go to Spain without packing this book!
"Tales of the Alhambra" is must-reading for the traveler in Spain.Irving is best remembered in this country for his collections of American folklore, like the stories of Rip Van Winkle and the Headless Horseman, but in Spain they remember him for the Alhambra stories -- in fact, there's a hotel named in his honor in Granada.Irving lived in that beautiful old Moorish palace at a time when it was a neglected ruin, and his wonderful descriptions, interspersed with the folk-tales that he collected from the people of Granada, helped to spark interest in repairing and restoring the monument.The folk tales, told in Irving's inimitable, witty style, usually deal with romantic elopements, or buried treasure, or both.My personal favorite is the story of the young prince living in the Generalife (the beautiful summer palace) who learned the language of the birds. That one is fantasy, but it's true that there was hidden treasure in the Alhambra: the palace itself, its architecture and decoration, and we have Irving to thank for rediscovering it.

Travel companion
A great book to read while traveling in spain.If you are going to Alhambra, read this book!It will bring the palace alive for you.The writing is very accessable, and easy to follow for having been written so long ago.

forgotten classic
When we were kids, we had a card game called Authors.I think the object was to be able to name the works of famous authors.At any rate, there were three titles that always seemed especially enticing: Idylls of the King, The Heart of Midlothian and Tales of the Alhambra.

Thirty years later, I picked this one up with some trepidation; we've all struggled through classics oftwo hundred years ago, baffled by arcane language & outdated usages.However, to my very pleasantsurprise, the book is terrific, combining an Iberian travelogue with delightful tales and legends ofMoorish Spain.Irving's travels are interesting enough in themselves, but it is the tales, which haveeverything from flying carpets to hidden treasure, that really make the book.

GRADE: A ... Read more

Product Description

Over the past ten years, the Library of Congress has cataloged more than forty thousand drawings, prints, and photographs that capture important developments in the growth of Washington, D.C., and its greater metropolitan area, including Virginia and Maryland. This elegant volume, a guide to the library's massive collection, offers an introduction to its content and a celebration of the ambitious project of designing the nation's capital.

Capital Drawings features drawings for some of Washington's most important buildings, monuments, and memorials -- the United States Capitol, the White House, and the Vietnam Memorial -- as well as anonymous structures of everyday life and ambitious projects that were never built. These newly available documents tell the story of the capital's planning and growth. Each of these "capital drawings" reflects some aspect of the lives, history, and values of its creators and sponsors.

Featuring essays from distinguished scholars in preservation, architecture, and history, Capital Drawings invites us to explore the history and development of a city and nation through the buildings, monuments, and public and private spaces that have given them physical form and symbolic meaning.

Contributors: Richard Longstreth, George Washington University; C. Ford Peatross, Library of Congress; Pamela Scott, American University; William Seale, White House Historical Association; Damie Stillman, Society of Architectural Historians; Gwendolyn Wright, Columbia University.

Customer Reviews (2)

Deceptive Title!
I purchased this book based upon its title and cover imagery; I was disappointed in that many if not most of the images and drawings contained in the book are NOT located in Washington, DC, as the title would have you believe.It's ok to illustrate other images by the same architect or draftsman, but the book includes tens of dozens if not hundreds of illustration that are located thousands of miles away from Washington, DC, the city.A better title would have been "architectural drawings at the Library of Congress" and leave out the reference to the actual City of Washington, which is not well represented.

Beautiful Drawings of Washington Architecture
Washington DC is one of the few major cities in the world that was designed from the start to be a city. Built on ten square miles of land donated to the nation by Maryland and Virginia, the city was conceptually laid out by L'Enfant. The streets were designed to be wide, straight and long instead of the meandering cow paths of the older cities.

Along with the general plan, the early presidents, Washington and Jefferson especially) recognized the expressive power of the capital's buildings and monuments. The major Government buildings and monuments: the White House, the Capital building, and the Washington monument have become recognized around the world.

This beautiful book consists of drawings from the Library of Congress illustrating these and other buildings in Washington. Some of these are historican and reflect various plans submitted before the final design was chosen. Some are more recent, reflecting the fact that the originals were lost.

This book illustrates the impact that the architecture of Washington has had on American architecture around the country. ... Read more

Product Description
America’s first internationally acclaimed author, Washington Irving, was also one of the first to write about its then far-western frontier. After seventeen years in Europe, the famous author of "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" returned to America and undertook an extensive three-month journey through present-day Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. Describing scenery and inhabitants with an eye to romantic sublimity and celebrating the frontiersman’s "secret of personal freedom," Irving published his account of that journey in 1835 as A Tour on the Prairies, an early and distinctly American depiction of the young nation’s borderland and its native inhabitants.

Irving followed up this eyewitness account with two works that chart the dramatic and tumultuous history of the early American fur trade, very much in the spirit of James Fenimore Cooper’s Leatherstocking Tales. Astoria (1836) recounts John Jacob Astor’s attempt to establish a commercial empire in the Pacific Northwest. The Adventures of Captain Bonneville (1837) is a lively saga of exploration among the mountains, rivers, and deserts of the Far West. While working closely from original documents, Irving wrote also as a mythologist of the vast spaces traversed by "Sindbads of the wilderness." In these three compelling narratives he opened up a crucial region of the American literary imagination influencing such authors as Poe, Hawthorne, and Melville. ... Read more

Product Description
A newly up-dated and re-designed celebration and guide to the Library of Congress. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Library of Congress, D.C. (The nation's Library)
Am an educator and researcher!And have researched at our nation's library.I needed and used this guide! ... Read more

Product Description
A writer of great urbanity and poise, Washington Irving was America's first internationally acclaimed man of letters. Here in one volume are the writings that established his reputation and earned him the admiration of Hawthorne, Poe, Coleridge, Byron, Scott, and Dickens. Written in the character of an elderly gentleman of the old school, "Letters of Jonathan Oldstyle, Gent." is a series of comic reports on the theater, theater-goers, fashions, balls, courtships, duels, and marriages of his contemporary New York. "Salmagundi" continues this roguish style of satire and burlesque, and its freshness, energy, and accomplishment took the Anglo-American literary scene by storm. "A History of New York," a wild and hilarious spoof combining real New York history with political satire, is presented here in its original, unexpurgated version. "The Sketch Book" is a brilliant, captivating story collection that draws on vanishing folkways, depictions of Hudson Valley life, and fable; it contains Irving's best-loved stories, "Rip Van Winkle" and "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow." ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

A Must Have For Every...
This book is a "must have" for every Washington Irving fan. There is just an amazing amount of his material in this edition, all of it classic. I've even found material in this edition that I hadn't read anywhere in quite a while. This edition is pretty complete, at least when it comes to short stories, sketches and essays.

At first I found him pompous
with his Jonathan Oldstyle stories.And I skipped most of the Salmagundi stories, they were boring me. But now the history of New York is very funny and very amusing. It's very long and takes most of the book. There is a total change of style from pompous to light which is very refreshing.

Knickerbocker's History of New York is an overlooked classic
[I recommend this anthology specifically for "Diedrich Knickerbocker's History of New York," which was not listed by amazon.com as a separate title.]

Irving is best-known for his shortstories, which are excellent examples of folk literature (and not likelythe sole product of Irving's imagination)."History of NewYork," however, is what established his reputation in his ownlifetime.It was the first real American bestseller and the first Americannovel to garner critical respect overseas.Irving's ingenious marketingscheme for the novel (placing a series of letters in New York newspapersconcerning the disappearance of the book's supposed author, DiedrichKnickerbocker) was the first instance of off-the-book page publicity inAmerica and its success (it created a veritable frenzy upon the novel'spublication) would not be duplicated for many, many years.

The novelitself is funny, acerbic, charming and illuminating.Working in thetradition of European satire, Knickerbocker's History is nonethelessdistinctly American.Some knowledge of early American history will enhanceyour understanding of the novel (by helping you recognize which Americanpublic figures the Dutch governors are standing in for), but it is notnecessary to an appreciation of the novel on its own terms.The book waspublished in several (revised) editions.I recommend seeking out the 1809or 1812 edition, as Irving toned down his political arguments in laterversions (though the comparison between early versions and the 1848 editionis also worth noting).This anthology contains the 1809 edition of thenovel. ... Read more

Product Description
The poetry of the medieval Persian sage Rumi combines lyrical beauty with spiritual profundity, a sense of rapture, and acute awareness of human suffering in ways that speak directly to contemporary audiences.

Trained in Sufism—a mystic tradition within Islam—Rumi founded the Sufi order known to us as the Whirling Dervishes, who use dance and music as part of their spiritual devotion. Many of Rumi’s poems speak of a yearning for ecstatic union with the divine Beloved. But his images bring the sacred and the earthy together in startling ways, describing divine love in vividly human terms.

This volume draws on a wide variety of translations—from the early twentieth century to the present—of Rumi’s deeply moving, sensually vibrant poetry. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

A Beautiful Edition of Beautiful Poetry
A great collection of Rumi's poetry from 7 different translators, some with a very literal, scholarly style of translation and some with a more free-verse style.This is a great introduction to Rumi and will also be well-loved by those of us more familiar with his poetry.Has some great footnotes about Sufi mysticism and teachings.I love the beauty of this little book, from the calligraphry on the cover to its sewn-in ribbon bookmark.The compact size of the book makes it easy to carry into coffeehouses for inspirational reading.

Really Enjoyed it!
This was a wonderful read on poetry, and I especially enjoyed the creative imagery, the recognition of the meaning and value of work and the subtle weaving metaphors as the author worked to uncover the underlying truths of all of our lives.

Superb Imagery, Timely Topics, Insightful Poetry
This poetry book is among my top favorites. The poetry of Rumi gleams and sparkles with meaning for modern times... amazing as it was written in the 1240s A.D.The natural imagery usedis always surprising. He never fails to capture human emotions and the human condition, using original and sometimes highly provocative but very 'on-target' terms.

The subject matter of each poem is varied, although the theme of the book is 'work' ... it really is about much, much more than work. I can not praise the themes of the poems and contents of this book enough. One outstanding poem uses "grapes" as imagery. Rumi describes for the reader, "How It Is with Grapes". When they are immature they jostle competetively in the bunch ... after maturing, the grapes soften, the skin rips open and become one juice. Rumi reassures us, it is just the same with humans. We are also told some grapes grow stone-hard but the secret to that sour tightness remains hidden. What is more important is ... that we grow ... with each breath ... through the help of the heart master.

Another poetic masterpiece is "Die Before You Die". We are told about a riddle, that the opener and that which is opened are the same ... Rumi states, "The day and the daily bread that comes are not to be worshiped for themselves. ... That it is the ocean inside the fish that bears it along, not the riverwater. ... The time-river spreads and disappears into the ocean with the fish." "Be one of G-d's fish who receives what it needs directly from the ocean around it - food, shelter, sleep, medicine." In conclusion, "A seed breaks into the ground. Only then does a new fig tree come into being. *That's* *the* *meaning* *of* *die* *before* *you* *die*." This is truly phenomenal poetry that has been tested over time. It is 800 years strong and still filled with enlightenment and human insight into the phenomenon called "Life".
Erika Borsos (erikab93) ... Read more

Product Description
With his beloved Gothic tales, Washington Irving is said to have created the genre of the short story in America. Though Irving crafted many of the most memorable characters in fiction, from Rip Van Winkle to Ichabod Crane, his gifts were not confined to the short story alone. He was also a master of satire, essay, travelogue, and folktale, as evidenced in this classic collection.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow said, "Every reader has a first book....which, in early youth, first fascinates his imagination, and at once excites and satisfies the desires of his mind. To me, this first book was The Sketch Book of Washington Irving... The charm of The Sketch Book remains unbroken; the old fascination still lingers about it."
... Read more

Customer Reviews (88)

A beautiful little book for someone who had not read anything by Irving.
I had not read anything by Washington Irving so now that I have my Kindle I decided to give it a go.To my surprise I found the story charming and the writing excellent.In some parts of the book I did see a few HTML errors that resulted in %@ etc but those were few and far between.

If you have not read Irving before I highly recommend this book.The descriptive writing is just excellent and sure to hound you well after you have finished the book.

Just what I expected
I really like how Washington Irving describes the places where his stories take place, and Sleepy Hollow is not the exception.Although sometimes is a hard read, the story is wonderful, I enjoyed it a lot, and free Kindle edition, you have to get it.

This book is well-worth rereading
Although most readers have already read this fine book as youngsters, probably properly prompted by teachers who wanted to introduce their charges to good literature, it is worth-while rereading it as adults not only because the Amazon version is free and their teachers were right that it is good literature, but also because it is fun. Washington Irving (1783-1859) was known for his humor while he was alive, and his reputation has lived after him. He claims that the book was found among the papers of Diedrich (read, died rich) Knickerbocker. It occured near a town called Tarry Town because husbands lingered there on market days (doing what?).

The place was called Sleepy Hollow because of how the area affected its inhabitants. They seemed to loose their minds and go off in an almost sleepy fashion, accepting all kinds of foolish superstitions. The principle superstition was about a headless man who galloped around on horseback. Legend has it that this is a Hessian whose head was struck off by a cannon ball during the Revolutionary War. Even people from out of town or out of State who come to the area soon breath in this legendary air and believe it.

One day, a man from out of State, Ichabod Crane comes to town to teach children. The rest of the story is literary history, and Irving tells it very well.

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

Ichabod Crane is the main character, i.e. The vain and superstitious schoolmaster in the Washington Irving tale, in The legend of Sleepy Hollow.

This controversial figure depicted as an emblema of a morally corrupt society, where prevails the figure that the man is a superior entity over the feminine universe, other literary critics affirm that he represents the American society, positionated in the upper classes.

The centrality of the plot focuses on the conquest of a rich heiress with the sensual name of Katrina Van Tessel, not obviously for her personal qualities, but exquisitely for material reasons.

The second part of this tale enters in a gothic world, characterised by pumpkins, darknesses, principally that of the Headless Horseman, depicted as an apparition of a decapitated Hessian soldier.

Ichabod is a likeable and able man, "one tall, dry-looking old gentleman" capable and also conscious of using his skills not for noble reasons, but exclusively for satisfy his insatiable ego, most probably this concept will be busted at the end of this tale, when Ichabod claims that "I don't believe one-half of it myself."

In my opinion this is an example of a tragic tale where the German's word Ich translated into english means I, ie the negative side of our personalities ?Are we living in a sort of "Sleepy Hollow" in the sense that we do not react to the negative stimuli?

Cheers

Italo

A great classic short story
It's almost embarrassing to admit that I've gotten into my 30s and despite knowing of Washington Irving, I had never read anything of his. And of "Sleepy Hollow", I vaguely remember Johnny Depp having a movie out...

I'm surprised at how good the story is, and how it was an insight to 18th century New York. And you feel rather sympathetic towards Ichabod Crane, whose pursuit of the young Katrina is written very well.

It's a free book and a classic American story. What's not to like? ... Read more

Product Description
Here is the story, told firsthand through electric, deeply engaged writing, of America's living theater, high and low, mainstream and experimental. Drawing on history, criticism, memoir, fiction, poetry, and parody, editor Laurence Senelick presents writers with the special knack "to distill both the immediate experience and the recollected impression, to draw the reader into the charmed circle and conjure up what has already vanished." Through the words of playwrights and critics, actors and directors, and others behind the footlights, the entertainments and high artistic strivings of successive eras come vividly, sometimes tumultuously, to life.

Observers from Washington Irving and Fanny Trollope to Walt Whitman and Mark Twain evoke the world of the 19th-century playhouse in all its raucous vitality. Henry James confesses his early enthusiasm for playgoing; Willa Cather reviews provincial productions of Uncle Tom's Cabin and Antony and Cleopatra. The increasing diversity and ambition of the American theater is reflected in Hutchins Hapgood's account of New York's Yiddish theaters at the turn of the century, Carl Van Vechten's review of the Sicilian actress Mimi Aguglia, Alain Locke's comments on the emerging African-American theater in the 1920s, and Ezra Pound's response to James Joyce's play Exiles and theatrical modernism. Enthusiasts for the New Stagecraft, such as Lee Simonson and Djuna Barnes, are matched by champions of pop culture such as Gilbert Seldes and Fred Allen. S. J. Perelman lampoons Clifford Odets; Edmund Wilson acclaims Minsky's Burlesque; Harold Clurman explains Stanislavski's Method; Gore Vidal dissects the compromises of commercial playwriting. A host of playwrights-among them Thornton Wilder, Arthur Miller, Tennessee Williams, Lorraine Hansberry, Edward Albee, Wendy Wasserstein, David Mamet, and Tony Kushner-are joined by such renowned critics as Stark Young, George Jean Nathan, Brooks Atkinson, and Eric Bentley. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

American Theatre treasure trove
This is a remarkable collection -- a real treasure trove of writings on American theatre from some of the greatest American literary figures, as well as playwrights, actors, directors, critics, designers, etc. Nearly 80 different authors from Washington Irving to Tony Kushner, as the book's subtitle indicates, present diverse and idiosyncratic views on the American stage from its virtual beginnings to the present. Theatre buffs, scholars, and practitioners will find this an essential volume for their collections, but those interested in American literature and culture will also find it valuable. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review
This volume in the Library of America's series on Henry Jamescatches the author as he inaugurates his "middle period,"the years when he wrote many of his best books. The three novelsreprinted here concern women who must choose between competingalternatives. Catherine Sloper of Washington Square, plain andbookish, is romanced by the dashingly handsome Morris Townsend.Buther father, sure that such a man could only love Catherine for hermoney, forbids her to see him. The young heroine of TheBostonians is torn between loyalty to her southern beau and herattraction to one of James's most unusual characters: a wealthy Bostonfeminist!

The Portrait of a Lady, arguably James's greatest novel,introduces us to Isabel Archer, a beautiful, vivacious, andindependently minded American woman who travels to Europe and isseduced by its society. Her circle includes her terminally ill butdeeply loving cousin, Ralph; the noble and adoring Lord Warburton; herwitty and sarcastic friend Henrietta Stackpole; the meticulousaesthete Gilbert Osmond; the mysterious Madame Merle; and CasparGoodwood, her passionate American suitor.Negotiating between thelife each of them offers and represents, Isabel becomes part of one ofthe best books written about women's choices.

Movie buffs will be particularly interested in this volume, forall the novels in it have been made into films. The Bostonianswas a Merchant-Ivory production in 1984. It starred Vanessa Redgraveas the feminist Olive Chancellor, sparring with southern gentlemanChristopher Reeve! The Portrait of a Lady (1996), with NicoleKidman and John Malkovich, was Jane Campion's opulent follow-up toThe Piano. And Washington Square has been made into twomajor movies: the 1997 version starred Jennifer Jason- Leigh andAlbert Finney; but the classic adaptation was William Wyler's 1949film The Heiress, which starred Montgomery Clift, RalphRichardson, Miriam Hopkins, and Olivia de Havilland in anOscar-winning role. It's a real treat to read a superb book and thensee how major filmmakers transform it into cinema that is compellingand entertaining it its own right. --Raphael Shargel ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Good entree into James
You want a way to get into a formidable writer, one whose collective work fills up a goodly portion of the Library of America bookshelf -- here's your passport. The three novels in this LOA volume are James' earliest and in some ways his most accessible. The chronological biography in the back is very helpful, as are the notes. The presentation is typical Library of America -- crisp 10-point Linotron Galliard against the characteristic LOA white paper makes for easy reading. At roughly 400 words per page, movement through the work seems swift, a considerable boost to tackling a 600-page novelnovel like "Portrait of a Lady."
James requires a developed taste. He writes of a time and about places and people who may seem remote to contemporary readers. Don't be put off by a failure to penetrate him. This is handsome and ultimately useful volume to have of your shelf in the event that someday you'll try James once again and discover that those people, those places and that time are closer than you thought.

The joys of love. . . .are but a moment long
Henry James, packaged in a beautiful book, with dark print on white pages, is the king of the nuance.To read him, you slow down, you enter his world, a scene of dusk and mood and marrow and sorrow.A novel as sweet as the vision of a cool bath in a marble tub, in a darkened chamber, in a hot land.Characters who sometimes do not get exactly what they want even though they want it.One far removed from current events and politics and global warming and death-defying high wire acts of short-sighted greed which are all net and no tightrope.Far removed and yet existing at the core where the personal is burnt into the societal and where a man sitting on an ottoman while a woman stands next to a fireplace predicts the ruin of the state.

"Washinton Square" by Henry James
I enjoyed "Washington Square" thoroughly. I believe any highschool student should read this if they are looking for a "book" report. I found it captivating and I couldn't put the bookdown. However I was a little disappointed in how the ending turned out, butwhat can I do? ... Read more

Product Description
These poems, selected from most of the cultures and histories of world literature, provide magnificent witness to the fact that love is as much an act of the imagination as it is of the body. From fourth-century Li Ch'ung's "Parody of a Lover" to John Betmeman's "Late-Flowering Lust," they re-create, through the revelations of language, that experience of the erotic. Other poets include Theodore Roethke, Robert Graves, Octavio Paz, Joseph Brodsky, Sylvia Plath, Frederico Garcia Lorca, Percy Bysshe Shelley, and many others. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

An enjoyable collection of erotic poems. A feast for the soul.
This great little book is a collection of erotic poetry taken from sources around the world.It is a companion to the Everyman collection of Love Poems.If you are seeking a collection of pornographic poems, you will be disappointed.The poems in this collection are sensuous, spicy and sometimes passionate.Some are even humorous.This 285 page volume will amuse and entertain you.A fantastic collection of erotic poems.Rating: 5 Stars.Joseph J. Truncale (Author: Season of the Warrior: a poetic tribute to warriors, Martial Art Myths, Never Trust a Politician, Pro-Systems Combatives Vol. 1,2 manuals, Persuader Defense System).

Excellent
This anthology presents an excellent cross section of poems, from classical cultures to the twentieth century.There can never be a completely comprehensive collection of erotic poems to satisfy all tastes, since poetry is also subjective.It's an excellent reader for anyone to use as a starting point and further explore those poets and poems that they appreciate the most.I really enjoy the Everyman's Library editions, and this volume is well worth adding to your collection.

A Study of Erotic Poetry
I find myself perplexed. What is desire?
The impulse to make someone else complete?

When I purchased the Everyman Love Poems book I was excited about purchasing additional selections. I must say this book was not exactly what I expected and even the author makes a note about these poems being sensuous and passionate but not erotic as we would imagine erotic to be today. This could make you happy or cause you disappointment. I found many of the poems to be more exotic than erotic.While many are striking and interesting, there are not many that inspire immediate desire. The poems seem to be more of a study of poetry than a presentation for pleasure. The poems are more romantic and interesting with short moments of sensuality.

Many of the poems seem to focus more on environments than erotic experience, although there are many references to the body and emotions. They seem to be more of an afterthought than the main theme in many of the poems. Poems like The Imperfect Enjoyment by Lord Rochester and Twin Hills by Vidyapati are the exception.

In my body you search the mountain
for the sun buried in its forest.
In your body I search for the boat
adrift in the middle of the night.
~Octavio Paz

Erotic Poems is also a collection of poems written mostly by men (and many are translated by men) and therefore seems to lack the diversity I was seeking in an erotic poem collection. While I love reading poems by men, I missed the female perspective. I could also not understand why they included Aurelius by Catullus or Hello There by Philodemus.

While Peter Washington organized the poems in a chain of thematic association, it would seem better to have poems with more variety and to include more poems by female poets. Sylvia Plath (1932-1963) makes her appearance with Zoo Keeper's Wife and I rather liked the lines about how she pretended to be the Tree of Knowledge. Himalayan Balsam is also a beautiful poem by Anne Stevenson.

You will find numerous poems by Robert Graves and Charles Baudelaire. You will also find poems by D.H. Lawrence, Walt Whitman, Thom Gunn, Li Ch'ung, Anon, Pablo Neruda and William Blake.

There are poems for a variety of tastes, however most of the poems seem to be classic selections that focus on descriptions of nature or emotions instead of erotic encounters. While there are quite a few moments of sexual beauty, I seem to prefer the poems in Passionate Hearts by Wendy Maltz. It seems this collection of Erotic Poems is a classic representation of what Erotic Poems used to be. If you are looking for modern erotic poems, you may be disappointed. What is interesting is that with some patience, this book reveals a commonality of desire. It is more a study of longing and desire veiled in metaphors with an occasional "enters warm yes" moment. This book seems to inspire a lust for language and a need to locate your dictionary.

I think if you read this book, you will definitely want to look for The Erotic Spirit edited by Sam Hamill and A Book of Love Poetry edited by Jon Stallworthy. You may also enjoy Perfectly Said by Brian Douthit or A Night Without Armor by Jewel.

~The Rebecca Review

Passionate collection of sensuality
I bought this book 2 years ago now.The poems are sensual every every particular way.
At the beginning of the book it states that if you're looking for "erotic" as in sexual then this wouldn't be for you, such as if you're expecting pornographic poems, then this wouldn't be the book you're after.

However if you're into more sensual reading and enjoy poetry in general, then this little book is one you'd want to add to your collection.It has passion, desire, and sensuality all rolled into one little book.Beautifully written and very well composed.

A little gem of a book.
There are poems from ancient tradition and from modern, short brash work, intense emotive pieces and snappy and witty tongue in cheek pieces.Thebook is a beatiful publication with a great introduction to a wideselection of poets.It explores the full gamut of what is eroticism fromshy romantic fantasy all the way through to full frontal in your facesexuality.Great to read in bed with your partner, even better on your ownon the bus on the way home from work. ... Read more

Product Description
When a handsome young man begins to court Catherine Sloper, she feels she is very lucky. She is a quiet, gentle girl, but neither beautiful nor clever; no one had ever admired her before, or come to the front parlour of her home in Washington Square to whisper soft words of love to her. But in New York in the 1840s young ladies are not free to marry where they please. Catherine must have her father's permission, and Dr Sloper is a rich man. One day Catherine will have a fortune of 30,000 dollars a year ... ... Read more

Product Description
This book an EXACT reproduction of the original book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

If you haven't read this you know nothing of Washington
If you read Teddy Roosevelt's History of the United States first it will make more sense. Could be better written, author alludes to information but doesn't cover it in detail. Unfortunate in that with one or two sentences you would know what he is talking about rather than having to research it in wiki or google. Worth a read even with that criticism.

Good primer on George Washington
This is a short book but I found it very readable.I learned more about the man than the myth.I recommend it.

Fair and balanced presentation
Certainly not the easiest read in the Amazon collection, but assuredly a different portrayal of George Washington than you'll find in the more common "I cannot tell a lie" variety.I'm no scholar in histrionically figures, but this book had the ring of a fair and balanced presentation. Oh, and a Kindle freebie!

mel folsom ca
Good reminder of the amazing events that gave birth to this country.The taxation of the colonies that inspired the Revolution is history repeated in Obama era politics.
This book draws some interesting parallels between WWI and Washingtons advocacy of neutrality in the conflict between Great Britain and France.

George Washington
American history has been a favorite of mine.This one was informative & well written. ... Read more

Product Description
Coming of Age in Reference Services: A Case History ofthe Washington State University Libraries focuses on the triumphs,trials, ideas, and difficulties of the Holland Library and how theseexperiences can help other professionals enhance services forpatrons. The articles, written by reference librarians at the library,discuss topics such as departmental history and culture, trainingreference professionals, and user education programs to give youinsight into how other solve problems or implement changes. FromComing of Age in Reference librarians Services, you'll receive advicefrom experienced professionals that can help you create change in yourlibrary and help you adapt to the many technological advances relatedto librarianship.

Coming of Age in Reference Services allows you to gain first-hand experience that will guide you through problems or issues that may occur in your library. Addressing the uses and intricacies of electronic information, this book offers you information that will help you with a variety of other topics, including: training and retraining in reference skills and subject knowledge, interpersonal abilities, and thinking skills in order to improve services for the 21st century defining "Generation X," being a member of this generation, and their growing need for information and learning opportunitiesexploring how long reorganization plans take to be implemented and how the library environment can enhance services for users by discussing the history of Holland Library Public Services focusing on freshman taking English 101 to better teach them how to find information through cultivating better relationships with academic departments, creating web modules to reach more students, and understanding departmental culturesintegrating techniques for finding books and using encyclopedias into the University's World Civilization course to encourage critical thinking discussing the impression of American Academic Libraries through the experiences of a Library Fellow from Lithuania

Coming of Age in Reference Services leads you through the transformation of the Holland Library, allowing you to learn about the decisions, planning, and ingenuity involved in establishing a modern and more efficient information center. Containing appendices and a chronological timetable documenting the library's history, Coming of Age in References Services offers you knowledge from experience concerning library reorganization and the ever-changing world of a successful reference librarian. ... Read more