Product Description
Anyone who has ever had to write any business document, from interoffice memo to fifty-page proposal, will find this the single most effective tool for producing clear, concise, and persuasive prose. Equally useful to executives and support staff, it shows how to write clearly and powerfully, organize material and avoid errors and jargon. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Good, quick book
I need to create a class on biz writing. This book was great as it didn't get involved too deeply into the boring grammatical aspects. It instead focuses on general rules to write solid biz documents. It's useful.It's to the point.

Use for more professional business writing
I use this as a reference book for the college course I teach which includes a lot of business writing. Know what this book contains and you will be respected as a true businss writer.

Doc

Good Addition to The Elements of Style
The Elements of Business Writing is clearly modeled after Strunk and White's "The Elements of Style", and it is a worthy addition.Authors Blake and Bly essentially have re-written the classic "Elements", and transformed it into "Business Elements".Lots of specific usage and style pointers, which I found very helpful.A quick read, may be somewhat of a review if you have written on the job for years, but this book also makes an excellent refresher for all the nuances that make writing go from good to great.

The Elements of Business Writing: A Guide to Writing Clear, Concise Letters, Memos, Reports, Proposals, and Other Business Docum
This is the type of book that collects dust at the bottom of your bookshelf, if it does not find it's way into the charity throw out bin.I wouldn't bother.

Good but old
The elements of business writing give good point to look at.But the book is old and sometime give weird information.It's not an important book to have but, but still have some info. ... Read more

Product Description
Togo wasn't meant to be a sled dog. He was too feisty and independent to make a good team member, let alone a leader. But Togo is determined, and when his trainer, Leonhard Seppala, gives him a chance, he soon becomes one of the fastest sled dogs in history! His skills are put to the ultimate test, though, when Seppala and his team are called on to make the now-famous run across the frozen Arctic to deliver the serum that will save Alaska from a life-threatening outbreak of diphtheria.

In the style of Akiak, winner of the Irma S. and James H. Black Award for Excellence in Children's Literature, along with five state awards, Robert J. Blake's detailed, carefully researched oil paintings complete the story of the adventure that inspired the internationally famous Iditarod race. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

Go Togo!
Togo is a puppy that wants to be a sled dog. He chases after his owner Seppala until he finally puts the puppy on the sled. Togo proves himself to be a very good sled dog, and he and Seppala win races together.

Cute as anything, let me tell you, and I appreciate a little taste of that northern culture. This was quite an informative as well as entertaining book! Togo and Seppala have clear personalities for being just a dog and a sled driver. There's a lot of emotion, and the illustrations do a great job of intensifying that emotion. It's very exciting, if a bit long, so hopefully kids would stand to listen.

The Huskies & Malamutes Must Get Through!
Neither rain, nor sleet, nor snow nor gloom of night will keep this pack of hardy Arctic dogs from reaching their goal!

Togo was a beautiful male Siberian husky who was part of the team who got the serum through to Nome during the Diptheria Epidemic of 1925.His part and those of the other dogs were eclipsed by one famous husky named Balto who led the team during the last 53 miles.Togo had quite a track record.He won many dog sled races and from the time he was 8 months old, showed his independent streak by hopping fences and holding his own as a musher with larger huskies and malamutes.

A strong, hardy dog with a curly tail, Togo plays an important role in history.During the outbreak of diptheria in January of 1925, a desperate plea was sent to the Governor in Juneau, declaring an emergency.A train was loaded with the necessary serum, but snow precluded it from getting through.In those days airplanes had open cockpits.Planes did not fly to Alaska then because inclement weather precluded air lift as pilots could not survive exposure to the extreme cold.The only way for the medicine to get through to Nome was via dog sled.

Enter Togo.The hardy husky, together with his canine team mates and musher Leonhard Seppala brave atrocious weather conditions for some 350 miles to get the medicine to Nome.Togo led his team for several days with no rest until a second musher picked up where this team left off.

The illustrations are masterpieces as well as this wonderful book.It is an important part of early U.S./Alaskan history and will be treasured by all ages.Readers will feel the freezing Arctic air as those huskies and malamutes brave long distances to get the serum to Nome.The dog sled teams got the medicine there several days before the deadline date.If not for these dogs, the epidemic would have claimed many casualties.Togo has rightfully earned his honored place in history and will be treasured for time immemorial.

This book makes me think of the 1979 classic, "Ain't No Stopping Us Now."Be sure to read this with other books about Balto and the incredible race against time during the Diptheria Epidemic of 1925.

Touching
This is a wonderful true story about those who should should not be forgotten."Togo" is a beautiful example of the blessings of sacrifice, love, devotion, and perseverence.Truely a story to touch your heart.

e-Iditarod
The book is beautiful.My son and I are following the Iditarod race electronically.In order to understand this race, we were looking into the original Great Serum Race and information about dog sledding.This is an eloquently told story based on facts that is fitting for an elementary student.The artwork is fantastic and helps pull you into the brutal winter conditions that is tied to the story.

A Wonderful Book!
This is visually beautiful book that tells a beautiful story.This is a story of courage and strength.Togo's story needs to be told.I even purchased a copy for my son's elementary school library. ... Read more

Product Description
Today is the day.Fledgling's first flight.She is afraid.But she is the oldest, so she must go first.Below, the city is large and loud.There is excitement, but there is also danger.And most of all, when Fledgling is far away, there is the longing for home.

Robert J. Blake, creator of the award-winning Akiak: A Tale from the Iditarod, takes young readers through the struggle of a bird's first flight and mastery of the air, reminding them of their own first steps into a larger world. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Setting out on your own
I tend to choose my books from the library mainly based on the strength of the illustrations and only casually flip through the text, checking that the message of the book isn't one I find offensive.I save the really juicy task of reading the books cover to cover for when I get home.This book, both during the flip-through and the first reading alone, didn't really appeal -- but I found when I went to share it with my daughter that in reading aloud this story comes alive!There are only a few words on each page but, since the text is the thoughts inside Fledgling's head as she ventures out into the city on her own, flying for the first time, you really feel that you are taking the flight alongside her.The urban scenery is detailed and realistic although my daughter, never having been on the subway, missed most of the action when the inhabitants of the subway car frantically try to shoo away the confused and frightened bird.The story also has a reassuring message; when Fledgling realizes she doesn't know where home is, she hears the sound of her family calling her and returns safely.This is a fantastic book for any nature lover, or to teach your child about some of the wildlife that has made our cities their home.

Fledgling soars.
Fledgling witnesses a falcon's first flight from its rooftop home in Brooklyn. Not only must the fledgling overcome its fear of flying but once airborne it is chased by a hawk. In escaping the hawk the fledgling takes the reader on a bird's-eye tour of the city from the subway to the rooftops. We enjoy an exhilarating ride and vicarious pride in the fledgling's courage and skill. The realistic watercolors bring Brooklyn to life and give immediacy to the dangers of urban life for wild creatures.
For children from three to six.

Little bird, little bird, please fly, please go.
When you hear the word, "watercolors", you may immediately think of soft dreamy landscapes and lovely vistas."Watercolors", the word, does not conjure up vibrant images and exciting chase sequences.And yet that is exactly what you will find in Robert Blake's visually astounding, "Fledgling".A simple tale about the day in the life of a young bird, the illustrations in this book are topsy-turvy twistings of perspective and distance.It can single-handedly change how you feel about the art of watercolors.

Even before you reach the book's title page you see a single page displaying three tentative birdies.Says the text, "Today is the day we are all going to fly".And there you have it.A single kestral (a member of the falcon family that may live in metropolitan areas) is about to learn how to fly.At first the bird is tentative and resorts merely to gliding.Subsequently, however, it's figured out the logistics of good flying.And not a minute too soon.Appearing out of the upper left corner dive a pair of sharp speedy claws.The rest of the book consists of the kestral trying frantically to escape from a hungry hawk.Through the roller coasters of Coney Island!Into the subway car of the D train!Up and up and away they fly, until the kestral is free but lost.Fortunately a friendly cry from its family leads our hero home.Happy and safe.

This is one of those cases where the story is fine but you've undoubtedly seen it one hundred times before.It's the pictures that let it stand out.In his note at the back of the book, Blake explains how he was inspired to create this story.He describes the pains he took to draw falcons, "in every conceivable position".The result is a book that clearly reflects his efforts.Our hero spreads his beautifully spotted wings amid the streets of modern day Brooklyn.Every stripe and feather is in place on this magnificently rendered animal.Blake, having mastered the bird itself, then shifts the viewer's perspective.One minute you're looking up at the kestral from below as it flies by an intricately designed ferris wheel.The next minute you're looking down on it as it searches the city streets for its family.The twisting images and skewed scenes are mesmerizing.Best of all, Blake includes some fabulous details with his story.Be sure to notice the dogs that break away from their walkers to follows the two birds into the subway's depths.

I could go on all day about these pictures.I could mention how well Blake uses light and shadow, or how perfectly the buildings bend within the pages.I could point out the advantage of a blue headed hero (especially when he's poised against a metropolitan background) or the fine-lined illustrations that make every picture interesting.Heck, the book's even occasionally broken up into three or four separate columns, according to the needs of the text.I'm disheartened by the fact that "Fledgling" did not garner its own Caldecott Honor, let alone Award.It's also a little sad to see the Twin Towers standing proud and tall on the cover, though Blake is hardly to blame for that.And there are some slight inconsistencies in the kestral's colors from picture to picture.There ends all my complaints of this book.As it stands, I feel "Fledgling" is one of the strongest picture books out there.Children everywhere will identify with the bird's sense of loss and powerlessness, and will enjoy the ending just a bit more as a result.If you need at least one beautiful picture book in your collection, choose this one.It withstands repeated gazings.

Fledging- a delightful book
Fledging is a beautifully illustrated book with the main character being a kestrel, a small falcon. This is fledging's first day of flight. He has an exciting flight through the canyons of Manhattan, to a Coney Island roller coaster to a being in a subway car. This delightful book is ideal for the pre-school and kindergarten set. Robert Blake's books are exciting because he never illustrates his books just in one style or medium. He paints with earth tones water colors in this book and soft watercolors in The Perfect Spot and wintry oils in Akiak. ... Read more

Product Description
A look at the life and accomplishments of the former prime minister presents essays by twenty-nine renowned contributors that examine all phases of Churchill's life--from his youth in the aristocracy to his career in Parliament. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

KING OF THEM ALL
A GREAT BOOK ON CHURCHILL. many essays most by top notch experts . exept for chapter one by mr cannadine whichis a disasterr most other essays are well documentedand informative.. ... Read more

Product Description
" A Spiritual Classic. Incomparable. A rare gentle Master of Pure Truth Who Knows."Five Star Amazon Reviews Ten YearsThe Father of Awareness"Robert Adams is the only Western Teacher who emanates the purity, realization and true practices of the path to ultimate freedom with a generous charm and grace to people from all walks of life." Gayatri Sudan The Way of BeautyNow Release Fourth Edition- Robert Adams Soft Copy Paperback Book"Never forget the most important thing; Love, Compassion, Humility."Robert Adams is a globally renowned Illumined Master Teacher teaching four decades, a rare Teacher revered in both ancient orthodox and contemporary spiritual traditions throughout the world as the sole American Master Teacher of this century. His famed Live Discourses are transmitted in the international spiritual Classic, Silence of the Heart. His warm gentle humor, unique contemporary sensibilities and un compromised purity of Illumination have touched hearts and transformed lives in spontaneous joy, internationally.Robert Adams, The Father of Awareness, introduced The ETERNAL NOW with the art of compassionate gentle self inquiry to the West at large, then largely unknown. "This has been my experience. Try it and see if it works for you. Bliss is your birthright. You are omniscient love, compassion. The Universe lies waiting in sweet repose for you to discover who you really are. Spread sunshine to all. Acquire a sense of brotherhood."Illumination. Transcendence. Peace. Joy. Compassion." This has been my experience.""The Silence is Magic. The Silence is Love. This does not mean not to talk. To be quiet. I am speaking of course, of an Interior Realization. Of Joy. " Robert AdamsThe Gentle Beloved Original Spiritual Classic by Robert Adams ... Read more

Product Description
First published in 1966, Robert Blake's biography of "Disraeli" remains not only unchallenged but one of the supreme political biographies of the last one hundred years. Disraeli's story is an extraordinary one. Born in 1804, the grandson of an immigrant Italian Jew, he became leader of the Conservative Party and was twice Prime Minister (1868 and from 1874 to 1880). Famous for the 1867 Reform Act, his purchasing of the Suez Canal and his diplomatic triumphs at the Congress of Berlin, he was also the creator of the political novel and in Sybil wrote the major "Condition of England" work of fiction. He was an outsider, a nationalist, a European, Romantic and Tory and, in Michael Foot's words 'He was without any rival whatever, the first comic genius who ever installed himself in Downing Street'. To say Robert Blake does justice to all this and more merely hints at the scale of his achievement; the reviews speak more eloquently. 'One of the very great political biographies ...' John Vincent, "Observer". ' ...This new book is by far the best. It is outstanding. Robert Blake is a great historian - sympathetic, exhaustive and with a light touch withal.He has not attacked; he has defended. He has portrayed, with delicacy and penetration, the most exciting and, in a curious way, the most modern of all Victorian statesmen. A great book' - Harold Macmillan. 'An outstandingly successful biography ...Disraeli has never been brought so vividly to life, and his consistent champagne-like sparkle, equalled only by that of Churchill, but unsurpassed by any statesman, invests these 800 colourful pages with a beguiling attribute of timelessness' - Sir Philip Magnus, "Daily Telegraph". ' ...it is his emotional identification with his subject that makes this such a remarkable and sensitive work ...a wholly satisfying biography' - Robert Rhodes James, "Spectator". 'A huge, scholarly and remarkably readable work which makes us revise vast tracts of our assumptions about nineteenth-century politics' - Sir Michael Howard, "Sunday Times". ' A book that people will still be reading in fifty years time and long after' - "Times Literary Supplement". ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Biography of the First Order
So often, readers find themselves disappointed by the biographical genre.An author either focuses too strictly on the technicalities and minutiae of his subject while ignoring the sweeping story of his life, or depends too heavily on generalities and personal observations rather than allowing the reality of the story to speak for itself.In Blake, we have none of this.

He is a biographer of the first order whose book, as other reviewers have noted, strikes a perfect balance between the presentation of true historical facts and the telling of a really remarkable story in a rich and textured way.The reader is given a meaningful understanding of Disraeli--the author, the politician, the dandy--the real human who experienced in a profound way all the successes and failures of a life fully lived.

Blake succeeds where it counts the most.As a biographer, he avoids the temptation to inject his voice into the story of his subject (a practice most disgustingly exemplified in Edmund Morris' Reagan biography "Dutch").Disraeli and his life are allowed to bring themselves into focus without the distraction of a noisy and ego-centric author.Blake does not pepper his book with personal opinions or offer over-wrought psychoanalysis.He presents his subject honestly, and the reader benefits by it.

His book is a treasure of British history and a brilliant example of the art of biography at its best.

Masterful political biography
This masterful political biography traces the life and career of one of the most extraordinary figures of British political history, Benjamin Disraeli. In doing so it gives insight into the whole structure of nineteenth - century British political and social life.
It is told chronologically and moves with a sure and even narrative pace. One particular helpful feature of the work is the detailed chapter- headings, which serve as a kind of summary of the work as a whole.
The story of 'Dizzy's spectacular climb ' up the greasy pole' to the Prime - Ministership, his rivalry with Gladstone, his closeness with Queen Victoria, his brilliance as strategist in defending and extending the Empire is told with quiet sympathy by Blake.
Also there is a close chronicling of Disraeli's personal relations, including those with his somewhat distant literary father, hisespecially supportive sister, and very close wife.
Disraeli's Jewish origins , his misunderstanding of them and yet his pride in defending them are also part of the story of this sensitive, insightful and supremely'romantic' political leader.

Dizzy he was not
During the high tide of the Victorian era, the political life of the nation was dominated by two men, Disraeli and Gladstone.Gladstone is an obvious choice for one of the top statesmen of the era, he was elected four times to the premiership.Disraeli was not quite so fortunate.However, given the short period of time that he was in office he accomplished a great deal.He brought the tories back from the dead, passed a reform bill and managed to acquire the Suez Canal.At the Congress of Berlin, Disraeli's command of the situation even impressed Bismark (not exactly a slouch in these sorts of things). Not bad from a rather foppish young man who specialized in "Silver Fork" novels (a fictional version of lifestyles of the rich and famous in the 19th century).

Blake's book is the best one on the subject of Benjamin Disraeli.The complex story of the novelist turned politican is brought out in all of its facets. Disraeli was probably one of the most interesting people to be prime minister (after perhaps Churchill and Walpole) and Blake's book shows the reader how he did it.

The Perfect Biography
Blake's Disraeli is not only flawless in its interpretation of Disraeli but also in its style. It is a work by which all other biographies must be judged. Simply put, it is the perfect biography.

First rate
This is a work of considerable scholarship which chronicles the life of one of Great Britain's outstanding statesmen. The book covers the political life of Disraeli admirably, but also gives a view of the private Disraeli: confidant of Victoria, prolific novelist, inventor of the crouton. ... Read more

Product Description
When she hurts her paw on the fourth day of the race, Akiak can no longer compete in the Iditarod—the famed dogsledding race through 1,151 miles of Alaskan terrain. Her musher has no choice but to leave her behind. The rules say once a dog is dropped from the race, it may not rejoin the team. But ten-year-old lead dog Akiak doesn’t know the rules, and nothing will stop her from catching up to her team. Akiak has never won the race before. Will she be able to help her team win this time? ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Akiak
Beautifulartwork. Good book for dog lovers of all ages andall kidsK through 3 but preschoolers might have trouble relating the story to their world.

Great children's story.
My third grader studied/followed the Iditarod in school.This is a great childrens story about an unsung hero of the race.

Akiak is the greatest dog in the whole world!
My four-year-old boy and I love this story.It's a fascinating topic, of course, but Akiak is also a very compelling heroine.I stumble over the village names every time I read it to him but it never stops me from getting chills at the end!

Nice Book
I have all of the Robert J. Blake Books and they are great...my son loves the stories and we live in Alaska.The books really give you a sense of life in remote Alaska yet the are great for Children. Swift is by far the favorite story.

Wonderful artwork
I purchased this primarily for the artwork, which is is top notch(as is the story). ... Read more

Product Description
This work is a revision of Sekuler and Blake's text on sensation and perception. The third edition focuses on developments in perceptual research, blending anatomy, physiology and psychophysics to explain structure and function. New features include a revised and expanded methods section, increased coverage of speech perception, an expanded and refined touch chapter and more emphasis on cognitive issues. Chapter summaries, boxed demonstrations and computational examples are also included. This edition also contains a broadened and reorganized chapter on knowledge and perception around a simple new taxonomy of the four main models of interaction between knowledge and perception. The chapter on touch has been expanded to include important new research. An enhanced chapter on colour vision reflects new ideas on the genetics and evolution of colour vision. More than 250 new references and more than 200 new illustrations and drawings are also featured. The following are also available: an instructor's manual (0-07-056086-2); computer test bank 5.25" (0-07-832275-8); computer test bank 3.50" (0-07-832276-6); computer test bank MAC (0-07-932277-4). ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Love it
i loved the book, has pretty good insights on vision and color and how we see the world, and how not all of us perceived the same way, its all about uniqueness. ... Read more

Product Description
The core of William Blake's vision, his greatness as one of the British Romantics, is most fully expressed in his Illuminated Books, masterworks of art and text intertwined and mutually enriching. Made possible by recent advances in printing and reproduction technology, the publication of new editions of Jerusalem and Songs of Innocence and of Experience in 1991 was a major publishing event. Now these two volumes are followed by The Early Illuminated Books and Milton, A Poem. The books in both volumes are reproduced from the best available copies of Blake's originals and in faithfulness and accuracy match the acclaimed standards set by Jerusalem and Songs. These two volumes are uniform in format and binding with the first two volumes.

The Early Illuminated Books comprises All Religions Are One and There Is No Natural Religion; Thel; Marriage of Heaven and Hell; and Visions of the Daughters of Albion. Milton, A Poem, second only to Jerusalem in extent and ambition, is accompanied by Laocoön, The Ghost of Abel, and On Homer's Poetry. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Five beautiful works from 1788 - 1793
This beautifully produced volume contains five of Blake's early works in relief etching (his illuminated books from 1788 to 1793 save "The Songs of Innocence" from 1789 - published in volume 2 in this series).They are the early tract like "All Religions Are One" and "There Is No Natural Religion", then the fable of "Thel", the magnificent "Marriage of Heaven and Hell" (one of Blake's most popular works), and the beautiful "Visions of the Daughters of Albion".

This volume really four books bound in one.The tracts are treated as one book, then each of the others individually.Each sub-volume has its own introduction and commentary and each plate is given its own page and most have the text on the left page with the plate on the right.

There are also alternative plates provided for additional study.

As with all the volumes in this series, the production values are high, as is the scholarship.A volume you can be proud to have on your shelf.

A must have!
I recommend that any fan of William Blake buy this volume and the other 5 in the series. The books are beautiful, large, and handsomely bound. Each book is reproduced in full color, using a six-color printing process rather than the standard four. The pages are heavy, opaque and have a gorgous lustre indicating very high quality paper. The text of each book accompanies the color reproductions in standard typeface with very competent commentary to boot.

A must have!
I recommend that any fan of William Blake buy this volume and the other 5 in the series. The books are beautiful, large, and handsomely bound. Each book is reproduced in full color, using a six-color printing process rather than the standard four. The pages are heavy, opaque and have a gorgous lustre indicating very high quality paper. The text of each book accompanies the color reproductions in standard typeface with very competent commentary to boot. ... Read more

Product Description
For as long as he could remember, Johnnie has longed to go off huntingwith Pa and their dog, Swift. Now the much-anticipated day has arrived,but Johnnie’s first hunt comes to an abrupt end when a grizzly bear attacksPa, leaving him wounded and unable to walk. "Listen to the dog," hisfather urges him as the boy starts out into the treacherous forest, led by theknowledgeable Swift, on a daring rescue mission to save his father.

More than a book about an Alaskan boy and his dog, Swift is a story oftrust and courage, a perfect companion to Togo and Akiak. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Dog Adventure in Short Form
Johnnie tells of his first bear-hunting expedition in the Alaskan Wilderness with his dad and their "knowledgeable" dog, Swift. On the third day of their trip, a grizzly crashes out of the woods and attacks them. When Johnnie's father shoots and misses the bear and instead breaks his leg, he tells his son to take the dog and go for help. Wonderful adventure story of a boy and his dog in a short picture book format. Beautiful Pictures - Story very dramatic, but not really totally believable.

Excellent dog/hunting story
This hardback book is like others by the same author -- excellent writing in a high-quality book.The author does extensive research before writing, and it is clear when reading Blake's books and looking at the amazing illustrations.My five-year-old son is completely engaged by this author's stories and learns from them.We recommend the other books by him as well.It tells the story of a boy, his father and their dog on a hunting trip.Something goes wrong, and the dog plays a major role in helping the boy to rescue his father.

This amazing tale of survival in the wilds of Alaska is thrilling and the tension mounted with each turn of a page!
Ever since the boy was born his Ma said that he had wanted to go hunting with Pa and Swift.No doubt about it, he was born with hunting in his blood.As soon as he passed the gun course his Pa said to him, "Johnnie, get the dog.We're goin' huntin'."Swift wouldn't play any games that day because he was working and didn't have the time nor inclination to stray from his job.It was Alaska and bears seemed to be few and far between, but they needed one so they would have enough meat to last the winter.

The quiet was shattered when a grizzly unexpectedly "ran out of the brush.Pa pushed Johnnie down and yelled at him."Tuck your head!"In the wild melee that followed his father was injured and unbeknownst to the boy so was Swift.His father's leg was badly broken, but now, if ever, was the time for the boy to become a man.Pa gave him a series of directions he had to follow carefully, then he sternly said, "Keep your wits about you and, Johnnie, Swift knows this route. Listen to the dog."He rushed and almost fell off a cliff.Frightened, Johnnie plodded his way through the forest.He took shelter under a tree, but he heard something coming through the trees.It was a bear. . .it was moving toward him."I couldn't fire the gun. . . "

This amazing tale of survival in the wilds of Alaska is thrilling and the tension mounted with each turn of a page.The stunning art work brings the story to life in a unique and thrilling way.On the end pages is a map of the initial route of the hunt and Johnnie and Swift's long route back to get help.This heartwarming tale is one that you'll want to read time and time again if you dream of wilderness adventures in the wild of Alaska! ... Read more

Product Description
"Reader's Guides" provide a comprehensive starting point for any advanced student, giving an overview of the context, criticism and influence of key works. Each guide also offers students fresh critical insights and provides a practical introduction to close reading and to analysing literary language and form. They provide up-to-date, authoritative but accessible guides to the most commonly studied classic texts. William Blake is a romantic poet who remains popular today, in part because his exceptional insight into psychological, political and social issues remains powerfully relevant. The "Reader's Guide" begins by introducing Blake's major themes including religious, political and social issues and then moves on to reading key works, including "Songs of Innocence and Experience" and "The Marriage of Heaven and Hell". It offers an invaluable introduction to reading Blake's poetry and includes sections on its contexts, language and style, critical reception and adaptation and influence and finally, an annotated guide to further reading. ... Read more