Few music lovers realize that the arrangement of notes on todayrsquo;s pianos was once regarded as a crime against God and nature; or that such legendary thinkers as Pythagoras; Plato; da Vinci; Galileo; Kepler; Descartes; Newton and Rousseau played a role in the controversy. Indeed; from the time of the Ancient Greeks through the eras of Renaissance scientists and Enlightenment philosophers; the relationship between the notes of the musical scale was seen as a key to the very nature of the universe.In this engaging and accessible account; Stuart Isacoff leads us through the battles over that scale; placing them in the context of quarrels in the worlds of art; philosophy; religion; politics and science. The contentious adoption of the modern tuning system known as equal temperament called into question beliefs that had lasted nearly two milleniandash;and also made possible the music of Beethoven; Schubert; Chopin; Debussy; and all who followed. Filled with original insights; fascinating anecdotes; and portraits of some of the greatest geniuses of all time; Temperament is that rare book that will delight the novice and expert alike.
#2041568 in eBooks 2008-04-15 2008-04-15File Name: B001PGXBHM
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Not too much energy went into writing this bookBy M. HeissThe Great Neighborhood Book has good ideas; but it seems like very little effort went into making it readable; eliminating redundancies; or expanding the case studies. It reads like a power point lecture from a library seminar. A few bullet points; a few paragraphs; a source citation; and thats all you get.It keeps pounding away on urban; urban; urban; as though all readers live in the same type of neighborhood. And the book is decidedly anti-car and snobby about peoples choices for where to live. If people choose to live in suburbs; why should an author call that "sprawl?" Plenty of great neighborhoods in rural and suburban areas; too. I believe that sprawl is natural; cyclical; and good.Some ideas that I have participated in for making neighborhoods great were not included in the ideas; but the book works to get creative ideas flowing; so I will add some great; workable ideas of my own here:+ Meet the bus: even if you dont have kids in school; meet the school bus in your neighborhood on Friday afternoons and welcome kids home by name.+ Doggie fashion show+ Bike parade where children decorate their bikes and awards are given+ Teen to tot read-along+ Preparedness classes+ Broadway musical sing along movie nights (or Disney musicals) - project the movie on a blank wall and set up seating+ Saturday morning walks: like a Volksmarch in Germany; set up a 10k route with a refreshment station midway and a cookout or sandwich share at the end. Provide booklets for completion stamps and a neighborhood shirt.The book does not much mention the benefits of:+ undoing zoning restrictions and historical site designations to free up entrepreneurialism+ the importance of private spaces (backyards) and cul-de-sacs for outdoor gatherings and play+ the idea to co-op purchase big items as a group: firewood; mulch; patio furniture; paper goods. Have them delivered and distribute to participating neighbors+ fruit and vegetable co-ops like Bountiful Baskets+ the benefits of homeschooling to reintroduce absent children into daytime activities and promote mentoring across generations+ neighborhood disaster preparedness: when to shelter in place; when to evacuate; who has needed skills; cooperative survival.+ rapid evacuation routes - the requirement for much wider freeways to assist in quick escapes+ bright bright lighting; and sidewalk level lighting; to reduce crime and stumbles+ installation of sidewalk trashcans for litter - with regular city pickups scheduled2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Great idea bookBy P. DangGreat book; informative and inspires you to improve your neighbourhood by doing small actions. I highly recommend it if you want to do your part in making your community a better place.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Four StarsBy elizabethNeeded for a course Im taking and is easy to read
