In The Familiar Made Strange; twelve distinguished historians offer original and playful readings of American icons and artifacts that cut across rather than stop at the nationrsquo;s borders to model new interpretive approaches to studying United States history. These leading practitioners of the ldquo;transnational turnrdquo; pause to consider such famous icons as John Singleton Copleyrsquo;s painting Watson and the Shark; Albert Eisenstaedtrsquo;s photograph V-J Day; 1945; Times Square; and Alfred Kinseyrsquo;s reports on sexual behavior; as well as more surprising but revealing artifacts like Josephine Bakerrsquo;s banana skirt and William Howard Taftrsquo;s underpants. Together; they present a road map to the varying scales; angles and methods of transnational analysis that shed light on American politics; empire; gender; and the operation of power in everyday life. Contributors: Brooke L. Blower; Boston University; Mark Philip Bradley; University of Chicago; Nick Cullather; Indiana University; Brian DeLay; University of Californiandash;Berkeley; Matthew Pratt Guterl; Brown University; Jesse Hoffnung-Garskof; University of Michiganndash;Ann Arbor; Fredrik Logevall; Cornell University; Mary A. Renda; Mount Holyoke College; Daniel T. Rodgers; Princeton University; Andrew J. Rotter; Colgate University; Brian Rouleau; Texas AM University; Naoko Shibusawa; Brown University
#3068422 in eBooks 2015-02-01 2015-02-01File Name: B00UAGYYII
Review
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful. Finest Book on Understanding Jascha HeifetzBy boatmanHaving read all available books about Mr. Heifetz; I was so happy to find this incredible book. Yes; Ayke Agus does give us her background so we can comprehend how she was able to work with; and most importantly; UNDERSTAND him. It is wonderful to read about the man who raised up the art of violin playing to new heights. He also wrote enjoyable and artful violin and piano transcriptions of works for other instruments(or songs). In the book; the story of her care-giving is so vivid that I have been told that in many major hospitals the book is being used as a teaching tool about caring for the aged. When you reach the end of the book you will know so much more about this giant of an artist than you believed you could ever learn. Being a very private person we have never before been allowed into his world. Her description of his last days and her commentary brought me to tears. I was privilidged to hear Mr. Heifetz in performance when I was very young and it was unforgettable! Read this book and understand the man and his art.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. An insight into one of the great musiciansBy CustomerIn her book; Ayke Agus gives us a personal glimpse into the later years of arguably the finest violinist ever to grace the stage. Her book focuses on the last 15 years of the masters life. I found the book to be pretty much an even-tempered telling of his human qualities and foibles. I would have liked more stories regarding his relationships with his children or possibly other friends; just to round out the picture a bit more; but that may not have been possible. Hard to say.4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. A lovely bookBy SusanI read this book in one sitting while listening to Heifetz recordings. It is beautifully written and paints a sympathetic portrait of a complex and complicated man. Keep in mind that the author is very clear about which period of his life she is able to speak to (the last 15 years)so it will be left to others to portray the whole of his experiences-musical and otherwise. I enjoyed the authors personal history and cultural background; and thought it presented an interesting counterpoint to Heifetzs (and described a person extraordinary in her own right).
