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Customer Reviews (4)

A New Look at Colonial America
The story of how England bungled the administration of her colonies in America, leading to war and their independence, has been told many times in many ways.Independent scholar Julie Flavell, in _When London Was Capital of America_ (Yale University Press) has a different aspect of the transatlantic colonial relationship to describe.London was the capital of an empire that included the North American colonies and the West Indies, and it is somehow surprising that we have before this heard so little about what becomes obvious with a bit of thought: as a capital of those colonies, London would have been full of people from them.Flavell has given a picture of how pre-independence Americans lived in London, what they were doing there, and how indigenous Londoners thought about them.It's a new way of looking at the colonial period.

Flavell concentrates on the stories of a few Americans, the only famous one being Benjamin Franklin.One of her subjects is Henry Laurens, one of the many prosperous Southern plantation owners who repaired to London for business or personal reasons.In Laurens's case, he headed to London in 1771 to seek schooling for his sons.In addition, the Laurens family could see real plays, and instead of seeing goods boasted of as "lately arrived from England" could see the goods on site themselves.Flavell says, "Before American independence created a national government and America's own capital, London was where wealthy Americans from all over the empire were most likely to meet."There was the Carolina Coffee House, not a branch of the Starbucks of its time, but a business center where he could meet other plantation owners and find the latest news about prices of indigo and rice and slaves.Traveling with Laurens was his slave and manservant Scipio.The slave owners even felt that the easy ways of London would spoil their slaves and decrease their market value.Robert could never have expected to be tipped for his services in the colonies, but in Georgian London, there was a widespread practice of giving tips to servants, tips that had their own term, "vails."Laurens complained, "Money does him no good."He probably found that Robert could take his new money and find more entertaining things to do in the streets of London than merely to carry out the master's orders.A "smart flogging" might have restored all the behavior and the roles to rights, and beating servants in London was still legal, but it was becoming frowned upon.In addition to the planter and the slave, the third colonial type Flavell identifies is the Yankee, the New England man of business.Londoners held New Englanders to be a different sort of American from the more numerous planters.Stephen Sayre was an enterprising fortune hunter from Long Island, arriving in England expressly for the purpose of making a profitable marriage.Flavell describes his other London attempts to make money, as a merchant and banker, but the stories about his finding a beautiful woman whose ailing husband would not die soon enough or courting an elderly duchess are fun.He was a handsome man who was the talk of the town, and serves as a historical footnote: he was the first American imprisoned in the Tower of London, for murky charges about a wild plot to kidnap King George.Nothing came of the charges, and Sayre was even supposed to be paid damages, but by the time this happened there was a war on, and he was clearly known as an American rebel.He lit out for the continent.The time of war was a peculiar period for Americans who remained in London.They were not persecuted, and if they broke no laws, they could live quietly as if there was no civil war going on.

London was America's financial center, and even after the Revolutionary War, was the main provider of credit and insurance to the former colonies.The war would merely represent a temporary cessation of business as usual in tobacco and rice eastward and manufactured items westward.Flavell is especially interesting in her remarkable observations of how London became changed because of its American residents.The Americans brought sugar, for instance, which had been a costly delicacy from the Mediterranean but could by the eighteenth century be found in every English household.Pastry shops boomed.Tobacconists put out their signs showing Indians and blackamoors as commercial representations of the New World.New plants and trees changed London parks and home gardens.Flavell's reflections on just what it meant to be an American before that word designated a nation are valuable, and her rich collection of anecdotes about how Americans made their way in the old capital throws new light on an important part of colonial history.

Compelling Exploration of an Interesting Theme
The principal theme of this book is the evolution of the, at first, psychological, and then actual, separation of the national identifies of British subjects and American citizens during the latter half of the 18th Century.It's a clever narrative, and one that Author Flavell supports well with the experiences in London of several of the wealthy plantation families from South Carolina, most notably Henry Laurens and his relatives, and other, better known historical subjects such as Ben Franklin and his son.

The book goes a good way toward correcting the popular understanding that as the difficulties between the two soon-to-be different countries germinated after the end of the Seven Years' War, primarily because of the conflict's costs which Great Britain sought to partly recover from its North American subjects, and which culminated in the American Revolution, each affected royal subject chose a side and the break was clean and irrevocable.Flavell reminds that human nature doesn't work that way, and that the separation was much more gradual, painful and more often than not conflicted than might first appear.

The book has its shortcomings.First among them is that with the exception of the author's treatment of the Laurens family, whose representative history really does warrant the extensive treatment she affords, there isn't a lot new here.Ben Franklin in London may not be quite as familiar as Ben Franklin in Paris, the difference being he was a colonial agent in the first and a revolutionary rock star in the second, but at least this reader found the story of his many years in the city and the ever-diverging relationship with his son pretty familiar territory.Secondly, for a book with as many acknowledgements of editorial scrutiny and the Yale University Press as its publisher, there are a surprisingly large number of gaffes, including the spelling of words that might confuse a sixth-grader but should not escape even a casual editor.

Overall, the book is a worthwhile read for those interested in the period and relations between the `old' and `new countries.A prospective reader, however, should bear in mind that there is nothing, pardon me, `revolutionary' in these pages.

Needs a good edit!
Some interesting facts about the numbers of Americans were like visiting
London in the 18th century, but it does go on like gossip.Lots of sentences
repeated.It could have been cut down by 40% and been a better book rather
than being like a run-on sentence.What happened to the people at Yale that
they would not do this.

Capital!
A keen look at London from the perspective of resident colonial Americans. How this great imperial city absorbed the many goods and impacted the numerous visitors from its New World possessions are themes of Julie Flavell's informative and well-written history. Those especially interested in our American revolutionary period, or who simply enjoy acquiring special insights into 18th century London, should buy and read it.

John Wilkes is mentioned in this book. For readers seeking more on Mr. Wilkes' vibrant political life, I highly recommend "John Wilkes: The Scandalous Father of Civil Liberty" by Arthur H. Cash (2006).
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Product Description
Kevin and Julie travel to London. Kevin loathes sightseeing. Julie is the quintessential tourist. Kevin ends up enjoying the trip but doesn't tell Julie. He secretly writes a book about his fond memories to surprise her and express his love. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

The world has grown suspicious of anything that looks like a happily married life. - Oscar Wilde
This book is a short story written as a gift from husband to wife.

The story is a mildly entertaining and breezy account of a husband's less than enjoyable trip through London following his ever smiling and enthusiastic wife from tourist trap to tourist trap.

While the husband complains about every adventure, except the repeated visits to Harrods, at the end of this tale he reluctantly admits to having a halfway decent time and even suggests he may be coerced into a second London trip.Though I can't imagine the wife would take him up on it after reading how every smile he mustered was faked.

This is a cute and charming family keepsake, one I am sure their family and friends will enjoy.I just can't imagine that it would appeal to the masses as it is written as a very personal journey for one couple.I don't know too many people who would care about such a personal account about Mr. and Mrs. Joe Shmo.However, I think the author has a clever writing voice and if he'd expand his skill to include and appeal to the masses, I think he'd attract a larger audience.

Cherise Everhard, July 2010

Inane collection of stock phrases
It was a dark and stormy night.No, wait, She's going on holiday-making her list and checking it twice. It must have been a nice Valentine's day gift, but we don't need to hear about it. Pure vanity tripe.

AWW, NICE!
This really is awfully sweet. After 16 years of marriage, Kevin Kirsch is still deeply in love with Julie his wife, and he wants us all to hear about it. By way of a birthday present he took her on a trip to London and Paris, one week to cover both. By way of an extra present he has given her this little book about the four days that they spent doing London.

Kevin disclaims any inclinations as a reader let alone a writer, but his writing is perfectly clear and literate as well as being without pretentiousness. He could hardly be less pretentious in other ways, notably his philistine interest in Harrods and the London Eye while Julie was sighing over the exhibits in the National Gallery and the Queen's Gallery. I take my hat off to Kevin for going public like this and wearing his heart on his sleeve in such an un-British way. Apart from anything else, he has obviously handled his marriage far better than I handled mine. I'll enter into the spirit of it by offering both of them, Kevin as well as Julie, my own little gift of a 5-star rating.

A Trip to London
The author of this little book lives in the Washington, D.C. area, and he is the co-owner of a family supermarket which faces stiff competition from the large chains which dominate the grocery business here. The subject matter of the book sounded charming. Thus, I couldn't resist Kevin Kirsch's kind invitation to read and review "Julie's Gift", his first attempt as an author.

The book is indeed charming and sentimental.In October, 2007, Kevin decided to give his wife Julie a surprise trip to London and Paris in celebration of their 40th birthdays and 15th anniversary. The trip took place in April, 2008.Kevin then decided to give his wife another surprise: he wrote this short book for her as a story of the first part of their trip - a four-day journey to London. Intended as a private gift to his wife, the book has now been published.

Kevin is an unlikely author because, as he says at the outset, he is not a reader.Besides his work at the supermarket, he spends his timeserving on the Board of Directors for a local nonprofit, watching sports and television, and engaging in activities with his family, including two young children. The writing is humorous, mostly unaffected, and has a sincere feel. His book talks about planning the London trip and the many sites the couple saw in their hectic four day visit. Kevin talks about the differences between his reaction and his wife's reaction to the trip. As the book goes on, Kevin discusses his courtship of Julie and something of their relationship.Kevin also describes his own feelings and his reflections on his marriage.

In fact, there are three gifts from Kevin to Julie described in the book: the gift of the trip to London, the gift of the book describing the trip, and the gift of a small jewel key which Kevin buys for Julie during the trip and which is suggested by the book's cover.But the title "Julie's Gift" may just as aptly refer to the gift of love from Julie to the author which is at the heart of the book and celebrated throughout.

I have never been to London and I enjoyed hearing Kevin's descriptions of some of the famous sites and of some things, such as a big Ferris wheel, -- which I have since learned is called "London Eye" that I didn't know were there when I read the book.As a practical, non-traveling, non-literary sort, Kevin was something of a reluctant participant on the trip for things which Julie, an English major who works in publishing, found interesting. In the book, Kevin reconsiders some of his grousing and reluctance and finds he enjoyed much of the trip after all. I did find it surprising that, having gone to the trouble of making the trip, Kevin sat outside and did not tour the art museums or the Globe Theater with his wife.Things move a little at a time, and maybe there will be another trip.

My impression was that the author unduly stereotyped himself as "macho" and as "afraid of his feelings."To me this characterization seemed unwarranted by the story,had overtones of current standards of expectations and correctness, and in any event was repeated too many times.But where the book matters - in the feelings Kevin has for his wife and for his family - the book sounds true.It is a simple, effectively told story of love between husband and wife. The story is told with a whimsical touch. I am not sure of Kevin Kirsch's future as an author, but I am sure Julie Kirsch will treasure, and rightly so, this book.It has some tender moments, and I was glad for the opportunity to read it.

Robin Friedman

Will warm many a couples' heart
When you think you know everything about the one you love, you don't. "Julie's Gift: Memories of London" is a husband's devotion to his wife, immortalized to the world. Author Kevin Kirsch tells of a trip to London for his fifteenth anniversary, where he and his wife Julie traveled through the historic city. Having an epiphany, he hopes to reveal his feelings to his wife in a particularly special and quaint way. "Julie's Gift" is something that will warm many a couples' heart.
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Product Description
This is a catalogue of all the manuscript collections held in the Entomological Library of the Natural History Museum. Each entry includes brief biographical details of the author/collector, and a detailed list of the collection, including major correspondents where present. The catalogue dates from 1694 and contains 355 individual collections. It also includes a notebook by Charles Dubois on collecting insects which represents one of the earliest entomological manuscripts in existence. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Don't Waste Your Money . . .
Very, very disappointing book.The projects are not creative or original.In fact, they look sloppy.Everything looks thrown together, as if they are craft projects in the first stage.No artistic touches of any kind.A tacky looking Papier-Mache window box; some spray painted rocks throw in a planter; shells, buttons and cutouts glued on various things.The only interesting project was a tear shape planter and a soccer ball used for a planter.Neither were original ideas!!

Pots and Planters in a Weekend : Simple Step-By-Step Project
This book is a wonderful gift for yourself or others!You need not be an expert in gardening or crafting to create beautiful pots and planters with an eclectic flair.The book steps the reader through the 14 weekend projects, providing a list of materials required and time frames for eachcomponent of the project.The reader needs only to have a drill andpossibly a jigsaw (or know someone who does).Otherwise the materialsneeded are paints, wire, or other materials easily purchased at a localhardware store. This book takes the work out and leaves the reader withonly fun! ... Read more

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Create stunning projects for your outdoor lifestyle. Learn how to enhance your garden using easily available materials, recycled products and simple techniques. ... Read more

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High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! JulieLondon (September 26, 1926 - October 18, 2000)was an American singer and actress. Best known for her smoky, sensual voice, she was at her singing career'speak in the 1950s. Her acting career lasted more than35 years, concluding with the role of nurse Dixie McCall on thetelevision series Emergency! (1972-1979). ... Read more

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CRY ME A RIVERSeries: Piano VocalArtist: Julie LondonSheet Music ... Read more

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Commentary (music and lyrics not included).Chapters: Julie Is Her Name, the End of the World, Lonely Girl, Make Love to Me, About the Blues, Julie Is Her Name, Volume Ii, the Best of Julie London, Calendar Girl, Nice Girls Don't Stay for Breakfast, London by Night, Yummy, Yummy, Yummy, All Through the Night: Julie London Sings the Choicest of Cole Porter, Julie...at Home, Swing Me an Old Song, the Wonderful World of Julie London, Love on the Rocks, Latin in a Satin Mood, by Myself, Around Midnight, for the Night People, in Person at the Americana, With Body & Soul, Whatever Julie Wants, Love Letters, Sophisticated Lady, Send for Me, Our Fair Lady, Feeling Good, Your Number Please, Easy Does It. Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 72. Not illustrated. Free updates online. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: "Julie Is Her Name" was the first LP album by Julie London, released by Liberty Records in December, 1955, under catalog numbers LRP-3006, in monaural form. It was subsequently reprocessed to produce a stereophonic album, and this stereophonic version was released on May 25, 1960 as catalog number LST-7037. The album featured Barney Kessel on guitar and Ray Leatherwood on bass. The first track, Cry Me a River, was so popular that it was released as a single record and became London's first charting hit. The album was reissued, combined with the 1958 Julie London album Julie Is Her Name, Volume II, in compact disc format, by EMI in 1992. Another reissue as a CD was produced by Hallmark Music, combined with the 1956 Julie London album, Lonely Girl. ...http://booksllc.net/?id=13449289 ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

(un) conventional wisdom
Of all erotic art forms, striptease is at once the most accessible and the least acceptable.One just doesn't recount their last trip to the nudie bar over sushi or cappuccino as one would a visit to a gallery showing of paintings, sculptures or even photographs.When conventional media (eg: anything other than HBO's "Real Sex") addresses stripping, it opts for the social reform angle, depicting the dancers as victims, tramps and thieves, forced to strip out of circumstance, addiction or ignorance.Feminist doctrine and conventional wisdom have long established that no woman would willingly choose, let alone enjoy being a sex object for a living, right?

Right?

While this book isn't conventional, it is quite feminist...or maybe female-positive.A dancer herself, editor Lara Clifton employs the voices of the women (and men) who work the East Side strip pubs to tell the tale. Easily breeching any wariness her co-workers may have, she concocts a thoughtful pastiche of the London pubs. With heir words reproduced in their own handwriting, dancers, club owners, bouncers and a few patrons tell their stories in entries peppered among the images like snippets of conversation one might hear in and around a club any given night.Sometimes fanciful, sometimes funny, sometimes quite erotic and always thoughtful, each passage further dispels the pity/slut/bimbo concepts commonly held. Most of the entries are signed with first names only, a few not at all, the kind of notes that friends and co-workers leave for each other.One submission, printed to include the butterfly-shaped paper it was written on, tells how much the pubs are nicer to work at rather than table dance clubs:"The girls in the pubs are working together, not competing," she writes."Ruby's" contribution tells a frank, funny and deliciously nasty tale of a girl getting her period right before going onstage.There's lots of discussion of relationships and how the dancing affects them:
( "how did she meet him?""at work.""was he a punter?""yes.")The women offer poems, song lyrics, fiction, confessions; each entry as varied and colorful as the routines the women perform onstage.

Photographers Sara Ainsliee and Julie Cook combine their image styles into a single, luxurious kind of ero-journalism.Their photographs are edgy, impressionistic, occasionally reverent and often beautiful.Ainsliee and Cook mix scenes of backstage life with kinetic, flickering visions of dancers in full stride.The photos' rich, warm colors feel at times like Toulouse Lautrec's memories as seen by Nan Goldin.Luckily, the photographers never get so artsy that the personalities of their subjects don't show through:Dancers dress and undress, chatting and laughing like some NC-17 pajama party.We see them in hallways gowned like contestants in a rather smutty pageant.We see them returning to the dressing area, costumes wadded in their hands, pleased with a good show.Most often we see them in mid performance, caught up in the music, the crowd, the sex and command of the moment.Page after page, the images and words of the women reveal them as artists, entertainers, and most of all women we know and wish we knew...Which they were all along.

Before all that conventional wisdom got in the way. ... Read more

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Cry me a river 2:36Moments like this 2:38Hot Toddy 1:45They cant take that away from me 3:06June in January 2:05Mad about boy 2:09Don't Smoke in bed 2:17Ain't I Good to you 1:52Cuddle up a little closer 2:08Invitation to the blues 2:47You'd be so nice to come home to 2:13The Nearness of you 2:13Daddy 2:13 ... Read more

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In a travel guide format, presents a look at the sites and society that existed in London during the time of William Shakespeare. ... Read more