Customs & Traditions Books - Page 7

The Thanksgiving Ceremony: New Traditions for America's Family Feast

Edward Bleier

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 14 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

When we think about Thanksgiving we contemplate history, the autumn harvest, and, of course, eating turkey and watching football. But most of all, we think about family, friends, and the bounty of our country. Edward Bleier’s The Thanksgiving Ceremony introduces a brand-new tradition for the Thanksgiving table, offering a wonderful way for all Americans to give thanks and rejoice in the sense of togetherness and community this special holiday brings.

The heart of the book is a participatory ceremony designed to be read aloud around the table. It recounts the story of the early settlers and the challenges they, and all subsequent immigrant generations, faced. The ceremony provides roles for guests of all ages and takes about twenty minutes.

There is also a brief history of Thanksgiving, as well as a wide array of poems, hymns, songs, prayers, and readings that enable families to create and customize their own ceremony, including pieces by Maya Angelou, Irving Berlin, Woodie Guthrie, and Emily Dickinson.

As William Safire writes in his foreword, “Getting together for a grand dinner party may be glorious fun, but a holiday should have a focus”—one that reminds us why we celebrate it. This long-overdue book offers that focus in a short, elegant format that any gathering of family and friends can participate in, and enjoy, for many years to come.

Praise for The Thanksgiving Ceremony:

"The Thanksgiving Ceremony is a small gem—a book that brings to life the history, songs, and traditions, old and new, of the most widely celebrated holiday of the year. This is a buoyant book, full of hope and praise of all that makes us Americans."—Julie Nixon Eisenhower

"There are times, like these, when it's important to count our blessings. Ed Bleier's delightful book lets us do the math."—Alan Alda and Arlene Alda

"This great country has provided the 'music' and this book provides the eloquent 'lyrics' for the Thanksgiving tables of all Americans, regardless of race or religion. It's a joyous tribute to who we are, and can be, as Americans."—Quincy Jones

"Over the years, I've had so many Thanksgiving dinners with Ed and Magda that when Ed Bleier talks turkey, all of us listen."—Steven Spielberg

"The Thanksgiving Ceremony is a wonderful and moving idea. It is central to what we celebrate and a happy reminder of why America's principles endure as they do."—Peter Jennings and Kayce Freed

I Thought My Father Was God: And Other True Tales from NPR's National Story Project

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 41 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

These stories are America, from one paragraph to three pages long. 5 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

I love the stories in this book. I love how they are written by "real" people, not professional writers. I love how they are true, and how every one, no matter how short, makes you feel or learn something strong and beautiful.
After reading each story, though, you will struggle with trying to decide if you should pause and feel the new emotion each one gave you, or if you should quickly flip through the next page, asking for more. I'm a greedy reader and I usually did the latter while reading this. But for the second read, I will force myself to reflect.

Editorial Review:

The true-life stories in this unique collection provide "a window into the American mind and heart" (The Daily News). One hundred and eighty voices - male and female, young and old, from all walks of life and all over the country - talk intimately to the reader. Combining great humor and pathos this remarkable selection of stories from the thousands submitted to NPR's Weekend All Things Considered National Story Project gives the reader a glimpse of America's soul in all its diversity.

The Invention of Tradition (Canto)

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 6 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Informative, but somewhat misguided 3 out of 5 stars.
75 of 84 people found this review helpful.

The basic thesis of all essays in "The Invention of Tradition" is that many of the mass, public traditions in various societies of the world (from Scottish kilts to the very concept of tribes in Africa) are well-crafted ("invented") constructs of the 18th/19th centuries, and are not as ancient or immemorial as they are generally believed to be. Parenthetically, the very expression "invention of tradition" is somewhat redundant, since all traditions, as products of human behavior and human imagination rather than the result of natural forces, are invented in one way or another. All of the essays in the book show how this is so, providing an excellent analysis of the origins of these traditions. As such they are very valuable contributions to contemporary social/political history. However, although the tone of the book is that such "invented traditions" were frequently almost imposed and/or used as instruments of political manipulation, it can't be denied that they also very often gave expression to very real feelings - as editor Hobsbawm concedes in his concluding essay. Thus, rather than demonstrating some sort of arbitrary "invention" and manipulation, Prys Morgan's chapter on the Welsh also shows how previous traditions in Wales were revived, reformulated and continuously adapted from the late seventeenth century on to meet various political, social and cultural challenges, thus making the process of invention seem quite "natural." On the other hand, Terence Ranger's essay on Africa is almost disturbing in that it seems to imply that almost every aspect of African politics and society today were bequethed by the continent's former European colonial masters. Hugh Trevor-Roper's chapter on Scotland is useful in that it pinpoints the exact origins of the "highland tradition" and all outer, visual identity markers used by the Scots, but the overall implication seems to be that now that the sham is revealed, the Scots should discard their kilts and bagpipes in shame. It would have been more useful if he had provided an explanation of why Scottish patriots, and others, so eagerly accepted these "invented traditions," and why they are so deeply entrenched and stronger than ever today. This goes for the entire book: it's main value may be in (unitentionally) showing how all traditions are in fact invented in one way or another, and that they become traditions because, at least at the time of their inception, they serve strongly felt political, social, cultural or even economic needs.

Editorial Review:

Many of the traditions which we think of as very ancient in their origins were not in fact sanctioned by long usage over the centuries, but were invented comparatively recently. This book explores examples of this process of invention - the creation of Welsh and Scottish 'national culture'; the elaboration of British royal rituals in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries; the origins of imperial rituals in British India and Africa; and the attempts by radical movements to develop counter-traditions of their own. It addresses the complex interaction of past and present, bringing together historians and anthropologists in a fascinating study of ritual and symbolism which poses new questions for the understanding of our history.

The Mummies of Urumchi

Elizabeth Wayland Barber

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 20 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

A fascinating exploration of the mysterious, perfectly preserved Caucasian mummies of western China. In the museums of rmchi, the windswept regional capital of the Uyghur Autonomous Region in Western China-what we know as Chinese Turkestan-a collection of ancient mummies lay at the center of an enormous mystery. Some of rmchi's mummies date back as far as 4,000 years-contemporary to the famous Egyptian mummies, but even more beautifully preserved, especially their clothing. Surprisingly, these prehistoric people are not Oriental but Caucasian-tall and large-nosed and blond with round eyes (probably blue). Where did they come from? What were these blonds doing in the foothills of the Himalayas? Few gifts are put into the graves of the dead, making it difficult for archaeologists to pinpoint any cultural connections from clues offered by their pottery and tools. But their clothing-woolens that rarely survive more than a few centuries-has been preserved as brightly hued as the day each was made. Elizabeth Wayland Barber describes these remarkable mummies, their clothing, and the world to which they so mysteriously belonged, piecing together their history and peculiar Western connections both from what she saw in rmchi and from the testimony of those who explored along the Silk Road centuries earlier. The result is an entertaining and informative unveiling of an ancient and exotic world.

Essence And Alchemy: A Book Of Perfume

Mandy Aftel

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 22 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

An artisan perfumer reveals a lost art and its mysterious, sensual history.

For centuries, people have taken what seems to be an instinctive pleasure in rubbing scents into their skin. Perfume has helped them to pray, to heal, and to make love. And as long as there has been perfume, there have been perfumers, or rather the priests, shamans, and apothecaries who were their predecessors. Yet, in many ways, perfumery is a lost art, its creative and sensual possibilities eclipsed by the synthetic ingredients of which contemporary perfumes are composed, which have none of the subtlety and complexity of essences derived from natural substances, nor their lush histories. Essence and Alchemy resurrects the social and metaphysical legacy that is entwined with the evolution of perfumery, from the dramas of the spice trade to the quests of the alchemists to whom today's perfumers owe a philosophical as well as a practical debt. Mandy Aftel tracks scent through the boudoir and the bath and into the sanctums of worship, offering insights on the relationship of scent to sex, solitude, and the soul. Along the way, she imparts instruction in the art of perfume compositions, complete with recipes, guiding the reader in a process of transformation of materials that continues to follow the alchemical dictum solve et coagula (dissolve and combine) and is itself aesthetically and spiritually transforming.

Crescent and Star: Turkey Between Two Worlds

Stephen Kinzer

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Total reviews: 85 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

If Turkey lived up to its potential, it could rule the world - but will it? A passionate report from the front lines

For centuries few terrors were more vivid in the West than fear of "the Turk," and many people still think of Turkey as repressive, wild, and dangerous. Crescent and Star is Stephen Kinzer's compelling report on the truth about this nation of contradictions - poised between Europe and Asia, caught between the glories of its Ottoman past and its hopes for a democratic future, between the dominance of its army and the needs of its civilian citizens, between its secular expectations and its Muslim traditions.

Kinzer vividly describes Turkey's captivating delights as he smokes a water pipe, searches for the ruins of lost civilizations, watches a camel fight, and discovers its greatest poet. But he is also attuned to the political landscape, taking us from Istanbul's elegant cafes to wild mountain outposts on Turkey's eastern borders, while along the way he talks to dissidents and patriots, villagers and cabinet ministers. He reports on political trials and on his own arrest by Turkish soldiers when he was trying to uncover secrets about the army's campaigns against Kurdish guerillas. He explores the nation's hope to join the European Union, the human-rights abuses that have kept it out, and its difficult relations with Kurds, Armenians, and Greeks.

Will this vibrant country, he asks, succeed in becoming a great democratic state? He makes it clear why Turkey is poised to become "the most audacious nation of the twenty-first century."

Norman Rockwell's Christmas Book

Molly Rockwell

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 8 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Norman Rockwell's Christmas Book 5 out of 5 stars.
7 of 8 people found this review helpful.

This is an ideal gift or a treasure to keep for yourself. I am a 25 year old that has enjoyed this book with my family every Christmas since I can remember. The stories and pictures will warm your heart! It has been a tradition in my family and one I recommend for any family!

What a wonderful Christmas Book!!! 5 out of 5 stars.
5 of 5 people found this review helpful.

I got this book at a museum that was having an exhibit of Norman Rockwell's work. When I got home I sat down with it and flipped through. I love the Christmas pictures that he did. And the stories that were chosen are perfect for this book. I don't have children, but I can see how reading to them from this book would be a perfect childhood tradition to have. I am so glad I got this book.

Editorial Review:

A Christmas book which includes stories, poems and carols (with music). The contributors range from William Shakespeare to Ogden Nash and include Hans Christian Andersen, Robert Frost, Langston Hughes and Louisa May Alcott. The book closes with the recipes for Fannie Merritt Farmer's Christmas Dinner, from her 1896 cookbook.

Culture Shock! Ecuador: A Survival Guide to Customs and Etiquette (Culture Shock! Guides)

Nicholas Crowder

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Going to Ecuador 5 out of 5 stars.
11 of 11 people found this review helpful.

If you're planning on going to Ecuador this is the book for you. The author writes in a very lively way to keep you interested all the way to the end. Having lived there for over 20 years he has authoritatve views and accurate histories to really get you prepared to interact with the people of Ecuador. The author also has a helpful list of do's and don'ts to help keep you out of trouble. Check it out.

Editorial Review:

CultureShock! Ecuador is a must for anyone wishing to visit or settle in Ecuador. Packed with essential information, resource guides, and language tips, this book covers every practicality, and provides an in-depth understanding of the people and culture of this diverse country which is also known for its Panama hats and many species of turtles. Become accustomed to Ecuadorian etiquette and understand the concept of asi es la vida (life is so). Be aware of the differences between the Quechua, Huaorani, and Cayapas peoples and be fully prepared should you fall ill to Chagas disease or malaria. CultureShock! Ecuador is the comprehensive guide that will lead you through the ups and downs of settling into life in this fascinating country and help you to appreciate what it truly means to be in Ecuador.

Chicken Soup for the Bride's Soul: Stories of Love, Laughter and Commitment to Last a Lifetime (Canfield, Jack)

Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Maria Nickless, Gina Romanello

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 9 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

The Important Things 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

Upon reading this book, I am immediately reminded of how strong the bond between couples in love must be, and how they can be. The stories in "Bride's Soul" consistently serve to regenereate and reinforce the fact that a lifelong love becomes a relationship in which the importance of the individual's existence gladly takes a back seat to the value of the couple's happiness together.
Love is a matter of respect, understanding, admiration, loyalty, strength, honor and commitment; and this book exemplifies all of these grand qualities in a language anyone could understand. I recommend this heartwarming book to any person who wonders about love, and all the power that it holds.

Thank You

Editorial Review:

Your wedding day is one of the most memorable of your life—especially if you're the bride. From unique proposals to hilarious and touching tales of actual ceremonies and receptions, this book will inspire anyone looking ahead to the big day. Chicken Soup for the Bride's Soul features a final section on Anniversaries will give it a long shelf life, and open the market to those remembering the joy of their wedding day in later years. It's the perfect gift for bridal showers, weddings and anniversaries.

Encore Provence: New Adventures in the South of France

Peter Mayle

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 77 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

After trying--what a folly!--to live in other places, Peter Mayle is back in his beloved Provence. He celebrates his homecoming by sharing with us a whole new feast of adventures, discoveries, hilarities, and culinary treats, liberally seasoned with a joyous mix fof Gallic characters. The pauses for refreshment include an unforgettable meal in a converted gas station, a rendezvous with the very best bouillabaisse, and visits to eventful weekly markets.
        But there is life after lunch, and we also discover a school for noses in haute Provence, a gardener who grows black tomatoes, the secret of the oversexed butcher, a celebration of Alowine (Halloween) Provence-style, and the genetic effects of two thousand years of foie gras. There is a memorable tour of Marseilles, a comprehensive lesson on olive oil, a search for the perfect corkscrew, and invaluable recommendations for splendid local cheeses, wines, honey, bread, country restaurants, and off-the-beaten-track places to stay.
        Never has Peter Mayle written with more unabashed pleasure about his heaven on earth.

Reader Bio:
Simon Jones has appeared in the films The Devil's Own, Twelve Monkeys, and Miracle on 34th Street and on television in The Cosby Mysteries and Murder She Wrote.