Austin Reviews

I thought it would be fun to see some interesting insights into why I collect books and like collecting in general. Nope. His insights are dry and old and no different than what drives any body to do anything. We all seek happiness because we are unhappy and there is always an underlying stress or anxiety about this. So why do some people collect? Or eat too much, or ski, or sky dive, or on an on and on. EVERYONE does SOMETHING to seek because they feel insecure and not sustained in the Universe. So collecting is not in the least unique. It's the same reason Mr. Muensterberger wrote this book - he is seeking in his own way. It's as simple as that. I will be returning this boring book.

The case studies are quite entertaining. The analysis of the drive to collect as a way to undo inner anxiety, stress and childhood trauma seems dubious, but who can say? Collectors may scoff at the analysis, or they may enjoy it....

It is hard to find a book so useless like this (apart for writings of fanatics of violence) If you have anything else to do: DO IT.

This story takes place 2 months after the One-Day War. The Guardians are searching out for the agricultural specialist to finish Blueprint for Renewal. The Guardians encounter bands of marauding thugs and Russian saboteurs that are coming down from the Russian held state of Alaska.

The book reads a lot like an encyclopedia. It contains a lot of good information about social work administration, but is quite dry reading.

Recent (post-WWII) American history is a highly interesting and frequently-overlooked genre under the overall umbrella of American history study. Many tend to simply forget about it -- after all, it's hard to step back from the times in which one lives and analyze them objectively -- or shrug it off as not important. After all, we LIVED that, right? -- How can it possibly stand up as history? This overlooks the self-evident but rarely-ackwnoledged fact that merely living through something does not mean you understand it -- or, as with one aspect of contemporary American history covered in this book, the counterculture, if you remember it, the saying goes, you weren't there. Certainly, recent history is as interesting and vital as any other era to the objective historian -- and it is certainly the most applicable to our current social and political climate. One can read ancient Greek texts and see how that great society laid the foundation for what is going on at the moment -- but it is much more cognizable, not to mention jolting, when reading about something that happened much more recently, which we can clearly discern as sowing the seeds for the present day. What one often forgets when reading histories of the days of yore is that all histories are inherently prejudiced -- and even, as Oscar Wilde pointed out, autobiographical. When reading about events that one has actually lived through, this oft-forgotten fact becomes apparent.

Though individual parts of post-1945 American history have inspired volumes upon volumes, and even mini cottage industries, general, overarching texts of the period are not abundant. In Our Times is one of the most prevalent. Though this book is often used as a college textbook, it works better as a single reading than as a textbook or a reference. Certainly, it contains a wealth of good information -- but it is presented in the driest, most unimaginable way possible. Chapters are long, with little to no break in text: no captions, graphics, or eye-catching features whatsoever, and very few pictures (none in color) or graphs. Chapters are broken up only by bold typeheadings, and quite rarely at that, making it very difficult to look things up or search for something quickly; this renders the book almost useless as a reference and quite limited as a textbook. As a sit-through read, though, it is quite adequate. This book lends itself more to the historically-curious individual reader than to the student or scholar.

Walsh's account of the Todd-Dickinson affair is probably the most unbalanced work in the name of scholarship I have read so far. Unabashedly biased and judgemental, this book reeks of the author's personal issues with matters of adultery, while no effort is expended in trying to understand the complicated dynamic between all the adults involved in the affair.

Among other ludicrous and reductive explanantions for the behavior of Dickinson and Todd, Walsh asserts that Dickinson's participation in an almost fifteen-year affair was driven by a desire for "revenge against the fate" that had taken his son, who died as a young child. Walsh's grip on the psychology behind this stops here as does the supporting evidence. However, a great more effort is made to "justify" Austin's role in the affair while Todd, according to Walsh, is guilty of the deliberate "wrecking" of the reputation of Austin's wife, Susan, assuming that for her, malice toward others was the driving force behind her participation in the affair.

Apparently, Walsh is joining the ranks of a long line of historians and scholars who see fit to crucify their female subjects for deviant sexual behavior, while ignoring or justifying the same behavior in men. It is also interesting to note that Todd's sexual behavior is the just about the only aspect of her life mentioned in this book; her numerous accomplishments as a musician, author, painter, seasoned travelor and lecturer are dismissed or ignored. Once again, with Walsh's help, the historical representation of an ambitious, successful female is reduced to that of a conniving, malicious "hussy" whose sexual behavior exclusively defines her.

It seems odd that Walsh or any other investigator on this topic feels the need to "justify" or blame anyone's actions, well over a century after the fact. Susan and Austin Dickinson and Mabel and David Todd were all strong, creative personalities who created their own complex dynamic which in turn created the behaviors we have evidence of today. Understanding what happened between them as a group is nearly impossible, but reducing their individual motivations to a series of quick explanations is simply foolish and unrealistic. No individual is this easily explained through biography, historical research or other speculation. Even Walsh's attempts to portray Susan as the "victim" in the affair are reductive and insulting. That she should be viewed historically as a passive martyr, who "endured" the events around her, sacrificing her own accomplishments and reputation is ridiculous. Given her intelligence and social dexterity, it seems her role must be given a more complex motivation than this.

If nothing else, Walsh's account raises some important questions about just how much social attitudes toward women have changed over the years. Do we still consider successful, ambitious women who challenge the sexual status quo to be threats to society? Mabel Todd extended the notion of "ownership" in a nineteenth-century marriage to include more than one partner, and partners of her choosing. Mr. Walsh's aggressive condemnation of her suggests that if an educated woman were to suggest such a radical definition of multiple partner marriage today, she too would be considered deviant and perhaps malicious. Have attitudes toward women evolved to the degree where women might be able to criticize the accepted social dynamic of marriage without fear of castigation? Mr. Walsh's book suggests not, but I hope his view is an anomaly and that Mrs. Todd was not ahead of our time as well as her own.

John Evangelist Walsh's books explore murky literary corridors, sweeping aside rumor, innuendo, and distortion. In 'This Brief Tragedy', he examines the last days of Emily Dickinson, with particular emphasis upon the affair between her older brother Austin and the young wife of his colleague, Mabel Todd. Walsh brings a fresh and critical eye to this relationship, using their own letters and diaries to reveal the truth of this celebrated 'love affair'. Neither Austin or Mabel are well-served by their own words.

Walsh also argues for a new study of Austin's long-suffering wife, Susan. Susan was Emily's closest friend and supporter, but she has suffered through a century of bad press largely because of Mabel Todd's peculiar place in Dickinson scholarship. Todd was asked to type copies of Emily's poem for publication because the Dickinson family did not wish to risk mailing the original manuscripts. She did so, and from that humble beginning, managed to fashion herself into the authority on all things related to Emily Dickinson. In truth, the two women never met and Emily had a low opinion of the woman who willfully toyed with the emotions of both her nephew and brother.

But all lovers of great literature were desperate for information about the reclusive poet from Amherst. As various Dickinson relatives died in rapid succession, Mabel rewrote her own place in Emily's history. She found a receptive audience and few scholars have questioned her true motives. For this reason alone, Walsh's book is a necessary companion piece to Richard Sewall's celebrated two-volume biography of Emily. Sewall accepted Mabel's version of events so thoroughly that it mars his otherwise fine work. Neither Emily or Susan Dickinson left behind journals or diaries regarding the tumultuous events of the 1880s and '90s. But Mabel did. As a result, she has been given too much influence upon Dickinson scholarship. Read Sewall, but pick up this book immediately afterwards.

A book with a promising premise and a very cool cover (which was why I bought it, I must admit). Unfortunately, the picture on the cover has very little to do with the actual story. The storyline is plodding and uninspired. Character development leaves much to be desired. The conclusion is weak and muddled. The first person perspective does not mesh well with the story. The illustrations are somewhat cheesy, and don't really add anything to the story. I really wanted to like this book, but ultimately I came away very disappointed.

This is another of the first sci-fi books I read when I was a kid, and at the time I was too young to realize how mediocre the book was. In any case, it details the odd adventure of a father and son who operate a caravan on an untamed planet (complete with a nearly sentient, planet-wide jungle). Not surprisingly, those who run such freight services are referred to as "voorlopers," hence the title.

If you want a book filled with colorful pictures of tatting, you'll find them here. But, if you want patterns to tat all those pretty projects be ready for a surprise, because you won't find most of them. The first half of the book is filled with pictures of tatted projects, but no patterns to accompany them. The "New Twist" must be the use of obscure threads for most of the patterns given. Not only are these threads *not* readily available to tatters, there is no reference for conversion to the cotton or silk threads tatters usually use. Most of the patterns included are not especially unique, not enough to justify the relatively high cost of the book. Save your money, don't buy this one.

This book is filled with page after page of photos of cutesy bears and dollys with tatting draped all over them. When you go to the pattern section, surprise! -- no patterns for the items pictured. This is ok if you just view this book as inspiration (as much as bears and dolls and other flowery things can provide), but if you are looking for a good book of patterns you will be disapointed.

When falling in love with tatting as I was learning it, my husband discovered this book for me and my heart exploded with joy. I am tired of the limited uses of doilies and bookmarks and the creativity in this book stimulates the soul. Next to Sander's Tatting Patterns, this is the best for me! Yes, some of the images in the front of the book have no patterns, but I've been able to easily duplicate them. The patterns enclosed are great stepping stones to the dozens and dozens of uses available to the tatter, expanding their creativity. No more boring work! The images are beautiful and I've worn my copy out taking it with me as I travel the world! I want more like this!
UPDATE!! 4 Years later I still call this the best tatting book. Once a tatter has learned the basics, this book is an inspiration. There are wonderful patterns included in the book, challenging the tatter to expand horizons with technique and materials. From this book I have used tatting in the most creative fashions, on quilts, purses, in frames, on lamps, as suncatchers, decorative boxes, in all kinds of ways, releasing me from doilie-hell. If you have mastered doilies and bookmarks, expand yourself with this book.

The author implies that "secret" techniques will be described. They must be so secret that one cannot discern what they are. There is very little text. The book has many pictures of stances, which don't look very different from each other. In fact it seems that the author is in the same stances with different clothes on. Perhaps this is a very esoteric book which is designed for a very limited audience. I have 30 years of martial arts experience, and found the book to be of no use. I returned it to Amazon.

The book is not meant as an instructional. I would not reccomend it to anyone that knows very little about Wing chun. Austin goh demonstrates the secret sand bag form, and various chi demonstrations like bending bars with his neck, one finger press ups, and chopstick throwing into plywood. As the title suggests, it shows the breaking power of wing chun. It has some breathing exersises, and many breaking demonstrations in the back. A circular cane chi sao exersise is also included. Generally, I would recommend this book for anyone after they have purchased a few other first and second level books. As with all of the wing chun conditioning techniques, I would exersise extreme caution. The proper Iron palm linement, Dit da jow with Iron palm herbs added (Never dit da jow ALONE), should be used at all times.

The author does not know how to spell Dr. MOSSADDEGH'S name correctly. Again another American ignorant. Just as they call us EYE-RAINIANS.

This book is a competent history of the politics of Iran and the place of Musaddiq in it. The other reviewer's statement about the spelling of Musaddiq's name is rather silly: it's a matter of a transliteration of the Farsi letters using an Arabic pronunciation (Musaddiq) vs. one that is derived from Farsi pronunciation. In short, it's no reflection on the quality of the work whatsover, if anyone was prone to take such a silly review seriously to begin with.

There are much better books on Austin, and much more complete. This seems more like a school paper on the city, as it glances over the wonders and possibilities of the city. Add the thin material to the poor layout and you, too, will be disappointed if you're hoping for a guide to this amazing city.

Even though it's now slightly out of date, give the Austin Insider's Guide your cash, not this thing. It's almost encyclopedic in its contents.

This has some good discussion of general pneumatic principles, but it is focused on how pneumatics were used in 1919. It does not appear to have been updated to reflect current uses of pneumatics, or the current implementation practices. If you are looking for a book with current applications, I would look elsewhere.