Chronologically organized; The Western Humanities presents the cultural achievements of western civilization--art and architecture; music; history; literature; philosophy; theater; film and the other arts--within their historical context. By examining the historical and material conditions that influenced the form and content of the arts and humanities; the authors provide students with a clear framework; a deeper understanding of the meaning of cultural works; and a broader basis for analyzing and appreciating the cultural achievements of the West. Hundreds of illustrations bring the arts and humanities to life; while extensive pedagogy consistently asks students to think about; interpret; and apply the information throughout the text and at the end of each chapter.
#760731 in Books Russell Martin 2001-10-09 2001-10-09Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.00 x .60 x 5.20l; .70 #File Name: 076790351X275 pagesBeethoven s Hair
Review
15 of 16 people found the following review helpful. One third of the volume; please!By M. M. V. VoorenYes; it is more about the hair and its owners; and its itinerary; than it is about Beethoven himself. The book could have been one third of its volume and be satisfactory. One has to read to the very last pages to find out what ailed Ludwig and killed him. I think the conclusion is correct; though. Actually; I think an article about the findings in a relevant science and/or classical music and history magazine would have been good enough for me. If I told you what the analytical conclusion of the hair test was; you'd not need to read this entire book. But I won't; lol.On a side note; the author knows next to nothing about different cultures in Austria. There is NO way that Ludwig van Beethoven would have ever been simply called "Herr Beethoven" in the city of Vienna; of all cities in Austria. In Salzburg; OK; but in Vienna? No way ever!! If you don't have a title in Vienna; even still in this century; the Viennese will make one up for you. Just calling an illustrious person "Mr. So-and-so" is like seeing them walk around stalk-naked. And the viewer would feel one hundred times more embarrassed by it than the viewed. They might have called him "Maestro Beethoven"; or maybe "Professor Beethoven"; but never; ever Herr Beethoven! I am willing to put big money on this one; that is how sure I am of this. And while it won't change the story per se; it just irks me; because it sounds wrong in the historical-social context. Professional writers should do thorough research; and mind such details; or when in doubt; leave them out!3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. "extraordinary" is a good descriptor.By Rachel E. PollockI do love a good; readble; well-paced nonfiction book on a compelling and odd topic; and this was a very good example of exactly that. Yes; it's ostensibly about how a lock of Beethoven's hair came to be auctioned by Sotheby's; and of course it weaves in a biographical sketch of the composer throughout; but it also takes the reader some pretty amazing and unexpected places: the heroic rescue efforts undertaken by the citizens of Denmark on behalf of their Jewish countrymen during the Holocaust; for example.Reminded me of other faves in this same vein; like the books of Paul Collins and Rebecca Skloot.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. It was a tedious read; so distracted by the writer's choice of ...By Fuzzy FurrI read this because it was a book club selection. It was a tedious read; so distracted by the writer's choice of writing style it was hard to sift through the verbiage to essential and somewhat interesting facts. The hops back and forth through time were hard to follow; and the long; long sentences forced me back to the beginnings at times to remember the simple subject and verb of the topic the author was trying to explain with too many dependent clauses and prepositional phrases and asides to add more words to meet the publisher's requirement. Pictures would have helped immensely as well. Whew! I got through it!
