Speaking of Wagner compiles in a new and highly accessible format celebrated author, lecturer, and Metropolitan Opera commentator William Berger's collection of talks and presentations about Richard Wagner, the most controversial, and perhaps the most widely influential, artist in history. These talks have been successful with diverse audiences, ranging from newcomers to the field to the most exacting experts, often at the same time! Berger's book preserves that wide range of tone: erudite but engaging, from lofty to startlingly coarse (as the subject requires), and connecting the subject to references from mythology to psychology and even (and especially) to cutting-edge pop culture.

Throughout history many people have believed in diverse supernatural or demonic spiritual entities. From Tengu of Japan, the T'ien-kou of China and the Lares or Penates of ancient Rome to the Goblins of France that rapidly spread across Europe, the Hobgoblins and Trolls of the Druids in England, The 'Little People' or Leprechauns of Ireland, the mysterious Vampires and the Werewolves of Germany, Serbia and Bulgaria, etc. To some, these were harmless, mischievous manifestations. To others, these entities represented a horrifying threat. The intrinsic fear that prevailed, by whatever name, was that these entities or disembodied spirits could steal one's soul. Worse, that once bitten by one of them, a person became one of them. The Black Plague of the 1300's, for example, was frequently blamed on vampires and the like, the belief being fostered by the early Church using this fear to control or cajole an uneducated and superstitious populace. The early emigrants brought with them their own names and descriptions, their own fears, of such beings. From the Pilgrims who saw a Witch or Devil's Disciple behind nearly every tree to the French Voyagers, who feared the L Rou (werewolf). Little did they know that the indigenous people also had similar beliefs. This did not change with the spread of emigrants into the western plains. To the Cheyenne and other plains tribes, the frightening existence of multiple Soto, spooks, goblins or disembodied spirits of dead was commonly believed. In modern times such superstitions and myths have fallen beside the road of antiquity. That applies, of course, to only those who have not yet encountered the least known of such spiritual entities, the Cheyenne'sM hpeva m'hkheo'o' ......... the Bog Babies.

Throughout history many people have believed in diverse supernatural or demonic spiritual entities. From Tengu of Japan, the T'ien-kou of China and the Lares or Penates of ancient Rome to the Goblins of France that rapidly spread across Europe, the Hobgoblins and Trolls of the Druids in England, The 'Little People' or Leprechauns of Ireland, the mysterious Vampires and the Werewolves of Germany, Serbia and Bulgaria, etc. To some, these were harmless, mischievous manifestations. To others, these entities represented a horrifying threat. The intrinsic fear that prevailed, by whatever name, was that these entities or disembodied spirits could steal one's soul. Worse, that once bitten by one of them, a person became one of them. The Black Plague of the 1300's, for example, was frequently blamed on vampires and the like, the belief being fostered by the early Church using this fear to control or cajole an uneducated and superstitious populace. The early emigrants brought with them their own names and descriptions, their own fears, of such beings. From the Pilgrims who saw a Witch or Devil's Disciple behind nearly every tree to the French Voyagers, who feared the L Rou (werewolf). Little did they know that the indigenous people also had similar beliefs. This did not change with the spread of emigrants into the western plains. To the Cheyenne and other plains tribes, the frightening existence of multiple Soto, spooks, goblins or disembodied spirits of dead was commonly believed. In modern times such superstitions and myths have fallen beside the road of antiquity. That applies, of course, to only those who have not yet encountered the least known of such spiritual entities, the Cheyenne'sM hpeva m'hkheo'o' ......... the Bog Babies.

The world had seen many conflicts and cruel wars. In a relatively short span of time, mankind had progressed from stone spears to nuclear and biological weapons. The ingredients for such tools of mass destruction had been disappearing from certain countries and research centers for the last decade or two. A naive nation was surprised and totally unprepared for the unleashing of a man-made Hell. The question is; Could they survive in a world gone suddenly insane? That remained to be proven. semi tractor trailers across the nation's highways. He didn't have much interest in politics but it didn't take him long to realize the nation was in trouble. Being suddenly immersed in the horror and chaos of a full-blown terrorist attack, he had no way of knowing the key roll he might play in the outcome. suffered enough, been through enough pain to take away her youthful naivete forever. There were only two things that kept her going in such terrifying times ... Her wits ... and her love for Jim. Would their unique bond prove to be enough to help them survive the apocalyptic turn of events? Only Time or God knew the answer. Unfortunately, for now, neither of them were talking.

The world had seen many conflicts and cruel wars. In a relatively short span of time, mankind had progressed from stone spears to nuclear and biological weapons. The ingredients for such tools of mass destruction had been disappearing from certain countries and research centers for the last decade or two. A naive nation was surprised and totally unprepared for the unleashing of a man-made Hell. The question is; Could they survive in a world gone suddenly insane? That remained to be proven. semi tractor trailers across the nation's highways. He didn't have much interest in politics but it didn't take him long to realize the nation was in trouble. Being suddenly immersed in the horror and chaos of a full-blown terrorist attack, he had no way of knowing the key roll he might play in the outcome. suffered enough, been through enough pain to take away her youthful naivete forever. There were only two things that kept her going in such terrifying times ... Her wits ... and her love for Jim. Would their unique bond prove to be enough to help them survive the apocalyptic turn of events? Only Time or God knew the answer. Unfortunately, for now, neither of them were talking.

Papa's special little grand daughter, Sara, wants very much to bake something for the rest of her family. She loves to help Grandma bake 'goodies' at every possible opportunity. Unfortunately, she hasn't learned to read very well yet and that presents a problem. Undaunted by such a setback and unable to summon help in reading the recipe, she decides to bake something by herself anyway. The adventure that Sara embarks upon, if only a fantasy, is one to behold. Her story not only points out the necessity of gaining good reading skills but is sure to delight nearly anyone who ever wanted to bake a culinary delight only to have it turn out somewhat different. Papa's Sara Wants To Bake is sure to delight the young reader and tickle everyone's funny bone.

Who could guess that a common, ordinary, every day fly could be special. Yet, in Freddie The Fly, the reader will soon recognize that Freddie is, indeed, quite special. Like anyone of us, the little guy unfortunately has a bad habit. His friends warn him, even scold him, but again like any of us, he does not heed their advice. Happily flying into his destiny, Freddie not only entertains but gives a powerful lesson as well. Join him and his friends as they do what every good fly does best, buzz around and look for the occasional feast to be had. Perhaps we, too, can learn the lesson Freddie learns before our own habits take us down our own path to the ultimate misadventure. To all of his readers of any age, Freddie would be sure to say, "Eat, hum and be happy " And, then, he might add, "Good luck "

What family has not had a holiday that has turned out quite different than the one they planned? The family in Different Night Before Christmas, certainly has an exciting one. Throughout the story, a web of valuable truth is woven. Love and concern for each other is more valuable than any special holiday present one could ever receive. It is that thread of love that brings us through even the darkest hour to prevail against any setback or adversity that may challenge us. Delightful, exceptionally funny in parts, it is an adventure that is sure to impact any age reader with the truth that a family sticking together is a valuable gift, indeed the only gift that really counts. In other words, be safe, live long, and love much.

Puccini is the most beloved composer of opera in the world: one quarter of all opera performances in the U.S. are of his operas, his music pervades movie soundtracks, and his plots have infiltrated our popular culture. But, although Puccini' s art still captivates audiences and the popularity of such works as "Tosca, La Boh?me," and "Madama Butterfly" has never waned, he has long been a victim of critical snobbery and cultural marginalization.
In this witty and informative guide for beginners and fans alike, William Berger sets the record straight, reclaiming Puccini as a serious artist. Combining his trademark irreverent humor with passionate enthusiasm, Berger strikes just the right balance of introductory information and thought-provoking analysis. He includes a biography, discussions of each opera, a glossary, fun facts and anecdotes, and above all keen insight into Puccini' s enduring power. For anyone who loves Puccini and for anyone who just wonders what all the fuss is about, "Puccini Without Excuses" is funny, challenging, and always a pleasure to read.
INCLUDES:
_ Why Puccini' s art and its message of hope is crucial to our world today
_ How Anglo audiences often miss the mythic significance of his operas
_ The use of his music as shorthand in films, from "A Room with a View "to "Fatal Attraction"
_ A scene-by scene analysis of each opera
_ A guide to the wealth of available recordings, books, and videos

Katie is a delightful, vivacious young lady ten years old. Her adventuresome spirit is only exceeded by her tendency to stretch the truth a little bit once in a while. Her stories often go into flights of marvelous fantasy that entertain and delight nearly every age, especially those who appreciate a young imagination and the spinning of a good yarn. In the end, there comes a moral, a truth out of the mouth of youth, that few of us could deny. Tall-Tale Katie is an adventure that is sure to grab anybody who has ever told a 'stretched' tale right where they live. It is sure to put a smile on your face and a chuckle on your lips that will reach all the way to your heart. You may never look at a frog in quite the same way again.

Asthma is a common chronic inflammatory condition affecting the airways and displays a varied phenotypic picture. It is becoming increasingly recognized by healthcare workers and epidemiological studies suggest that along with other atopic diseases, its prevalence is rising. The precise etiology of asthma remains uncertain, but genetic and environmental factors such as viruses, country of origin, allergen exposure, early use of antibiotics, and numbers of siblings have all been implicated in its inception and development. Pathologically it is characterized by inflammation, physiologically by airway hyper-responsiveness (or hyper-reactivity) resulting in reversible airflow obstruction, and clinically by wheeze, chest tightness, breathlessness and cough. It can present in early childhood as well as adulthood, and varies markedly in severity, clinical course, subsequent disability and response to treatment. Exacerbations and symptoms of asthma are the final manifestation of a complex interplay between an array of inflammatory cells and mediators, which cause airway smooth muscle to intermittently relax and contract.
Despite greater knowledge surrounding the immunopathological origins of asthma and considerable advances in its management, it remains one of the most important chronic diseases in young adults and poses a significant degree of morbidity throughout all age groups. A minority of patients experience difficulty in controlling asthma and pose significant therapeutic difficulties in specialist clinics. Exacerbations of asthma contribute to significant costs for healthcare systems and are implicated in adversely affecting the quality of life of individuals and their families. Moreover, although asthma deaths have decreased over the past few decades, an appreciable number of deaths still occur each year. Regular anti-inflammatory therapy with inhaled corticosteroids is required in all but the mildest of disease and attenuates underlying airway inflammation and hyper-responsiveness, while bronchodilators are designed to relax airway smooth muscle and prevent bronchoconstriction on exposure to bronchoconstrictor stimuli. Other forms of treatment are required in individuals with persistent symptoms and exacerbations. In recent years several potentially exciting treatments have emerged and are in varying degrees of development.
Part of the new Oxford American Respiratory Library, this concise, portable guide provides an essential reference on current, evidence-based medical approaches to diagnosing and managing asthma. This practical volume features chapters on the pathophysiology of the disease with information on the common symptoms and potential triggers. In addition, the text includes discussions of new and emerging pharmacotherapies and complementary treatment therapies, with guidelines for symptom prevention.

Do you cringe when your opera-loving friends start raving about the latest production of Tristan? Do you feel faint just thinking about the six-hour performance of Parsifal you were given tickets to? Does your mate accuse you of having a Tannhäuser complex? If you're baffled by the behavior of Wagner worshipers, if you've longed to fathom the mysteries of Wagner's ever-increasing popularity, or if you just want to better understand and enjoy the performances you're attending, you'll find this delightful book indispensable.

William Berger is the most helpful guide one could hope to find for navigating the strange and beautiful world of the most controversial artist who ever lived. He tells you all you need to know to become a true Wagnerite--from story lines to historical background; from when to visit the rest room to how to sound smart during intermission; from the Jewish legend that possibly inspired Lohengrin to the tragic death of the first Tristan. Funny, informative, and always a pleasure to read, Wagner Without Fear proves that the art of Wagner can be accessible to everyone.

Includes:
- The strange life of Richard Wagner--German patriot (and exile), friend (and enemy) of Liszt and Nietzsche
- Essential opera lore and "lobby talk"
- A scene-by-scene analysis of each opera
- What to listen for to get the most from the music
- Recommended recordings, films, and sound tracks