revolutionary

Revolutions and Revolutionary Movements
$43.00
I came across this book while browsing on amazon one day. Rented it from a local library. I've always been interested in history especially the USSR and the Bolshevik Revolution. I'm already well versed in the movements that occurred in Russia and the reasons behind it, but when it came to the other revolutionary movements discussed in this book; particularly Iran, Nicaragua, and South Africa I only had a brief idea of what happened and the key players.

The book is an easy read if you have an interest in the movements discussed. The author briefly discusses the geography of each country at the beginning of each chapter followed by statistics and a very brief history of the countries only getting in depth when discussing the build up and revolution happening in each country. The sources are cited in the readings and after each chapter allowing the read to explore the resources if wanting to learn more. With each important human figure information is given regarding the group they belong to and explored in concise informative paragraphs. No need to get bogged down in every little detail with this book.

Overall an excellent beginner's guide to some of the most important revolutionary movements in the past century, some movements were left out but from what I've read this book is mainly for his class he teaches which is understandable to leave some out. I have a firm grasp on the important history and background behind the countries discussed thanks to this book.

Revolutionary Road (Movie Tie-in Edition) (Vintage Contemporaries)
$7.99
This is a great book. It is well-written, logically organized, and the characters are well-developed. Most of it is told from Frank's perspective, and I think that if there is 1 weakness to the book, it is that we don't get enough of the story from April's side.

Revolutionary Road [Blu-ray]
$39.99
Only the talents of DiCaprio and Kate Winslet keep this story watchable.
Otherwise it is a lame story.

In a nutshell, this movie keeps hammering the point that the 1950's were not really as wonderful as portrayed in classic shows like Andy Griffith and Happy Days.
The film also attempts to portray the American Dream and Suburban living as a lie and a depressing prison.

Okay ..... we all know the "good old days" were not as pure and innocent as Happy Days ------ BUT, at the other extreme -------- neither were they as depressing and jaded as Revolutionary Road.
Unless of course you were dysfunctional and mentally unstable and generally negative about living.

This film attempts to send a message that the good life of the 1950s was all a lie of fake smiles, depressions, frustration and harmful materialism.

The characters in this film have a nice home in a quiet neighborhood, recently were chosen for a promotion and a raise, take vacations at the beach, etc..etc..etc..

The wife is in perpetual misery because her dream is to toss all this aside and go slum it up in Paris.
In the process she acts like a miserable person on the edge of a mental breakdown.

Her husband is no angel, but he certainly puts up with more of her whacky unstable behaviour than most would put up with.

The movie tries to hard to demonize the rise of middle class suburban living in America and offer a derivative view of life in the 1950s era.

The facts are not matter what time in history you examine, you will find people who are both happy and others who are miserable.

That is no different today than it was then.

However, having lived in the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, and today ....... I DO believe life in America was better 20-30 years ago.

And while there is no time in human history that is perfect (nothing involving people ever will be) ... I can certainly say living in the 70s and 80s in America was better than what we are experiencing today with the direction this Country is heading.

Revolutionary [Includes Bonus DVD]
$17.98
At this risk of parroting other reviewers: There is no real music here. Only a guy with amazing potential tyring to show off his waisted talent. Musically, there is only an empty shell here. There are lots of good organ CD's out there and this CD is not one of them. And this was not recorded on an organ, btw. It was recorded on a sythenezier... and as far as good synthesizer music goes anyone would be better off picking up a Wendy Carlos CD.