ERA Reviews

Zhu's book provides a striking analysis of the Chinese film industry's
transition to a market economy. The book traces the evolution of the
film industry, and especially the film makers, from making art cinema
(as the political atmosphere in post-Mao China relaxed)
to needing to respond to the demands of the marketplace, as
the policies of the Chinese government shifted to decrease subsidies
for films and to encourage privatization, marketization, and
co-production and co-marketing with overseas film producers
and distributors. Key film makers highlighted include Chen Kaige
(Yellow Earth and Farewell My Concubine), Tian Zhuangzhuang
(Horse Thief and The Blue Kite), and Zhang Yimou (Red Sorghum,
Judou, Not One Less). The impact of the re-introduction of blockbuster
Hollywood films into the Chinese marketplace is scrutinized, both from the
perspective of box-office revenue, distribution, and screen time,
as well as the perspective of the impact on these films on Chinese
filmgoers and critics taste and expectations of what constitutes a "quality" film.
As the Chinese film industry continues its transformation, the book
explores the impact of Hollywood and globalization on national
film industries, raising important questions for all national film industries
(not just China) on how they survive and develop a (global) audience.
The book explores the exciting possibility of using the cultural advantages
of a national film industry to develop a global audience.
This book should be of interest to many readers, to students and
teachers of Asian studies, Chinese studies, film studies, and of globalization
and economic transformation, of socialist economies into market economies.
It will also be of close interest to people in the film industry and in trade
journals as it explores the role and possibilities of national film industries
in the face of a globalized film industry. Film buffs will find much of interest
here in tracing the evolution of various Chinese film directors as they may
more marketable films and found a wider audience.

In this fascinating approach to the issue of gender in the Civil War era, Leeann Whites argues that the men of Augusta, Georgia (and presumably the rest of the South) were emasculated by their loss in that conflict. Through the efforts of white women confederate veterans were able to regain their sense of masculinity by the latter part of the 19th century. Whites argues that in antebellum Augusta, as in the rest of the South, that white men were free because they were not slaves. Their role encompassed protecting white women from outside influences and from those who were not free, obviously African Americans. In exchange for this protection, white women were subservient. When the Union emerged triumphant and slaves were freed, the white men of Augusta lost their pre-eminent position because they had failed in their duty to protect their women. Whites shows how in the years after the Civil War the white women of Augusta began a campaign to restore their men's sense of self-respect via activities such as honoring them through the building of memorials dedicated to the sacrifices of Confederate veterans. In doing so, they began to create the image of the Southern warrior fighting for their war of life against insurmountable odds. This was the Lost Cause that equired the valiant and honorable men of Augusta to take up arms. As a result of these efforts, men felt resurrected as they regained their sense of self, leading to their return to power after Reconstruction. Whites argument is fascinating, she uses numerous primary sources to support her views. Although one cannot come away from reading the book without agreeing that women did play a significant role in the return of men to power, she does ignore any efforts than men made on their own behalf. One has the impression that only the women of Augusta helped the men of Augusta return to their role as protectors. Although she makes a convincing argument that women made a significant contribution, it is only one factor discussed. Having said that, however, this work is essential for anyone studying gender relations, especially in the Civil War era. It is well-written and thorough Additionally, Whites makes a solid contribution to the field of collective memory as she shows how the memorial movement in Augusta changed the way in which Southerners remembered the war.

...Or, you should seek it out from Amazon's search service. A pity it's apparently out of stock as of this writing. One classic, 20's-era cocktail recipe to a page, facing a beautifully photographed and art-directed still life of the drink itself, with the appropriate little "props". We've tried to recreate some recipes from this book on special occasions(lots of well-known classics-and some very unknown ones)-two is about all anyone can handle-shaken, not stirred!-but the book is a great stand-alone gift even for teetotalers who love the elegant style of the prohibition era.

The Classical Era embraces what is commonly thought of as the centre of the Western musical tradition, the music of Haydn and Mozart, the creators of the symphony and the string quartet and the first great operatic classics. Each chapter focuses on the musical activities of a particular city, the music is explained in terms of the prevailing social, economic and political climate.

Contents: Illustration Acknowledgments - Abbreviations - Preface - Music and Society in the Classical Era; N.Zaslaw - Italy: Two Opera Centres; D.Libby - Paris: the End of the Ancien R gime; J.Mongr dien - Maria Theresa's Vienna; B.A.Brown - Vienna under Joseph II and Leopold II; J.A.Rice - Salzburg under Church Rule; C.Eisen - The Bohemian Lands; C.Hogwood & J.Smaczny - The Mannheim Court; E.K.Wolf - Courts and Municipalities in North Germany; T.Bauman - Haydn at the Esterh zy Court; L.Somfai - London: a City of Unrivalled Riches; W.Weber - Stockholm in the Gustavian Era; A.Johnson - Spain in the Enlightenment; C.H.Russell - Philadelphia: a City in the New World; N.E.Tawa - Chronology - Index

This is an outstanding anthology of articles about the ancient world, each article written by an expert in the age or society in question. What sets it apart from other books about the same era is that it covers more than just Greece and Rome (although it gives a fine overview of them). Also covered are civilizations in other parts of the world and their achievements in the same time period, including Egypt, China, India, Africa, and Central America. There is also a chapter on important religious developments in classical times, such as the emergence of Buddhism in India and the early days of Christianity in the Mediterranean region. The introductory article by the editor, noted historian Don Nardo, which ties togehter all these threads in one coherent narrative, is also excellent,and the bibliography is large and very helpful. I highly recommend this book for students and teachers in both high schools and undergraduate college courses.

This book provides comprehensive listings of recordings made or issued under the Clef, Verve, and subsidiary labels between 1944 and 1961, when Norman Granz owned both labels and conducted recording sessions. This volume also lists classic performances by Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Billie Holliday, Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie, Oscar Peterson, and many other great names in jazz.

Gwen Athene Tarbox's study clearly shows how late-nineteenth-century feminist ideas were reflected in books for girls. Many girls (including myself) felt empowered by serials like the Nancy Drew books. They deserve to be studied and not dismissed as "kiddie literature."

This book contains interesting LISP source code. The title say about Neural Networks and chaos, but the Chaos chapter is very small. However, this book contains a game!!. The Chess program (not use neural networks) is written totally in LISP. And play good. You can study the search techniques. I recommend this book for LISP lovers.

Ok, I haven't read the book, but I heard an interview with Ken Thomas on the radio talking about his book and it sounds very interesting. It's about corporate welfare (subsidies/tax breaks given to business by state,local, or national government in order to convince business to build in its area). Im waiting for the book to come in at my local library because there is no way in hell im paying 65 dollars for it. That really bothers me. Anyway, when i finish it, i'll Write a real review. I wouldnt be requesting if from the library if I didnt think it sounded good on the radio.

Lincoln and Douglas really stood before people and said the things documented in this book. Lincoln changed his interpretation of black-white relations to suit his target audience. With no national press available to put his feet to the fire, any candidate could change his opinions at any time to seek votes.

Douglas, although he was the same man throughout the campaign, had distasteful views to our modern perspective. Only white Christian men had anything worthwhile to offer society. Everyone else was an unpleasant burden for them to suffer with (noblesse oblige).

When I started to read the speeches, I expected Lincoln to be the obvious winner in the debates. He's a winner to me, but by a much smaller margin than anticipated. Anyone who wants to know history from the mouths of the actual players should read this book.