Other books that might interest you

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  Bob Dylan's Highway 61 Revisited

  Mark Polizzotti

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  Highway 61 Revisited resonates because of its enduring emotional appeal. Few songwriters before Dylan or since have combined so effectively the intensely personal with the spectacularly universal. In ""Like a Rolling Stone,"" his gleeful excoriation of Miss Lonely (Edie Sedgwick? Joan Baez? a composite ""type""?) fuses with the evocation of a hip new zeitgeist to produce a veritable anthem. In ""Ballad of a Thin Man,"" the younger generation's confusion is thrown back in the Establishment's face, even as Dylan vents his disgust with the critics who labored to catalogue him. And in ""Desolation Row,"" he reaches the zenith of his own brand of surrealist paranoia, that here attains the atmospheric intensity of a full-fledged nightmare. Between its many flourishes of gallows humor, this is one of the most immaculately frightful songs ever recorded, with its relentless imagery of communal executions, its parade of fallen giants and triumphant local losers, its epic length  and even the mournful sweetness of Bloomfield's flamenco-inspired fills.In this book, Mark Polizzotti examines just what makes the songs on Highway 61 Revisited so affecting, how they work together as a suite, and how lyrics, melody, and arrangements combine to create an unusually potent mix. He blends musical and literary analysis of the songs themselves, biography (where appropriate) and recording information (where helpful). And he focuses on Dylan's mythic presence in the mid-60s, when he emerged from his proletarian incarnation to become the American Rimbaud. The comparison has been made by others, including Dylan, and it illuminates much about his mid-sixties career, for in many respects Highway 61 is rock 'n' roll's answer to A Season in Hell.

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  101 Amazing Facts About Clowns

  Jack Goldstein

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  From ancient Egypt to the modern-day circus, the role of the clown can be traced throughout history. But how much do you really know about the profession that takes comedy very seriously? This fascinating audiobook takes the reader on a journey through the ages, explaining how clowns such as the whiteface and auguste came to be. You'll hear about history's best-loved performers such as Joseph Grimaldi, the father of modern clowning, and learn about the origin of terms used today such as the ‘clown alley’. If you want to know why blue make-up is supposed to bring bad luck, and who the literary world’s first ever killer clown was, then this is the audiobook for you.

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  Antoni Gaudi and Frank Lloyd...

  Editors Charles River

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  Halfway into the 19th century, Spain's Catalonia underwent a sweeping transformation when it was thrust into not one, but 2 golden eras – the Renaixença and the Industrial Revolution. It was during this explosive period of creativity, thriving prosperity, and invigorated patriotism that a steadfastly nonconforming and fascinatingly eccentric icon was born, one that was about to take Catalonia by storm with his brilliant eye for unorthodox art and his legendary – or as some would say, notoriously – out-of-the-box ideas. Salvador Dalí, the celebrated surrealist, was one of many who would find a fount of inspiration in him, even once raving about the Sagrada Familia, the highlight of this icon's career: “Those who have not heard about the chromatic and shining essence of its color, the astonishing polyphony of its towers as organ pipes and shocked by its mutant naturalism, are traitors.” This icon in question, of course, is none other than what many now consider to be the patriarch of the Catalan Modernism movement: Antoni Gaudí. 
  Across the pond, America’s most innovative and prolific architect was Frank Lloyd Wright, whose works are almost too vast and diverse to list. Recognized for designing unique churches and distinctive commercial buildings, and admired for his geometric style house designs, Wright has been widely imitated, and his work continues to influence architecture not only in the United States but around the world. Laymen often think they know the definition of “a Frank Lloyd Wright,” but they probably don’t fully understand the brilliant mind of the man, nor the intricacies of his Prairie Style. Yet it endures because he has made it so, and in many ways, Wright’s architectural career has overshadowed other aspects of his life.

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  Beethoven Symphony No 8 in F...

  Various Various

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  Are you a classical music enthusiast, a history buff, or simply someone looking to immerse yourself in the brilliance of one of the greatest composers of all time? We present to you the ultimate digital audiobook experience: "Beethoven Symphony No. 8 in F major, Op. 93 - Music Album and Biography." 
   
  What’s Inside? 
  1. Symphony No. 8 in F Major, Op. 93 
  Dive deep into Beethoven's Symphony No. 8, a masterpiece that showcases his innovative and playful side. This symphony, often overshadowed by his more dramatic works, is a delightful journey through four exquisite movements: 
   
  I. Allegro vivace e con brio: A lively and spirited opening that sets the tone for the entire symphony. 
  II. Allegretto scherzando: A whimsical and light-hearted movement, demonstrating Beethoven's unique sense of humor. 
  III. Tempo di menuetto: A graceful and elegant minuet that harks back to the classical traditions. 
  IV. Allegro vivace: A dynamic and joyful finale that leaves the listener invigorated and inspired. 
   
  2. Symphony No. 3 in E Flat Major, Op. 55 (Complete) 
  As a special bonus, this audiobook also includes Beethoven’s monumental Symphony No. 3, "Eroica". Experience the grandeur and revolutionary spirit of this groundbreaking composition, which redefined the symphonic form and established Beethoven as a trailblazer in the world of classical music. 
   
  3. In-depth Beethoven Biography 
  Gain a deeper understanding of the man behind the music. Our expertly narrated biography delves into Beethoven's life, from his early struggles and triumphs to his enduring legacy. Learn about the personal and professional challenges he faced, his artistic evolution, and the indomitable spirit that drove him to create music that continues to resonate centuries later.

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  The Country Set - A celebration...

  Hannah Dale

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  A delightful book filled with adorable animal paintings of countryside wildlife by Hannah Dale, creator of the popular Wrendale Designs.
  This charming book features 50 quintessentially British birds and animals painted by award-winning artist Hannah Dale. From the red deer to the harvest mouse, from the sparrow to the barn owl, the nation's favourite creatures are brought to life in Hannah's unique and quirky style.
  Each illustration is brimming with character and is accompanied by insightful and entertaining text introducing the animal. Did you know that the little wren's voice is ten times louder than that of a cockerel, weight for weight? Or that the clever magpie can count? Smaller pictures include their tracks and feathers, to help you identify where they've been near even when you can't see them.
  A new and larger edition of a bestselling book, the gorgeous animal paintings get even more space to shine. It's an irresistible book for any nature lover.

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  Feudal Japan - Warriors and...

  Rolf Hedger

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  IJourney through the dramatic evolution of Japan's feudal era in this comprehensive volume that chronicles three pivotal periods of Japanese history. From the cultural renaissance of the Muromachi Period to the chaotic warfare of the Sengoku Period, and finally to the enduring peace of the Tokugawa Shogunate, this meticulously researched work brings to life the warriors, lords, and cultural icons who shaped Japan's destiny. 
  The Muromachi Period (1336-1573) explores the rise of the Ashikaga shogunate and the unique blend of warrior culture with artistic achievement. Witness the flowering of Noh theater, ink painting, and the refined aesthetics of the "higashiyama culture" even as political power fragmented among regional warlords and Buddhist monasteries wielded military might. 
  The Sengoku Period (1467-1615) thrusts readers into Japan's turbulent "Age of Warring States," where legendary daimyo like Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu fought for supremacy. Experience the battlefield innovations, castle-building, and strategic alliances that transformed Japan's military landscape, while Portuguese firearms and Christian missionaries added new dimensions to the struggle. 
  The Tokugawa Shogunate (1603-1868) reveals how the Tokugawa clan established Japan's longest-lasting feudal government, creating an intricate social hierarchy and isolationist foreign policy that preserved peace for over 250 years. Discover how this period of stability led to the rise of the merchant class, the flourishing of ukiyo-e art, kabuki theater, and the vibrant urban culture of Edo (modern Tokyo). 
  Richly illustrated and accessibly written, this three-in-one volume provides both newcomers and history enthusiasts with a definitive guide to understanding how the interplay of war, culture, and governance shaped Japan's feudal society and continues to influence the nation today.

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