Provides biographical sketches for nearly 850 composers along with articles on approximately 2,000 works.

This is a rollicking comedy about the attempts of some working class amateurs to overcome their inhibitions and left feet in a low-rent dance studio in North London. Mavis, a former professional chorus girl tries her hardest to teach the bumbling amateurs some terpsichorean skills for an upcoming recital. But before the dancing begins Mavis must mediate the minor dramas that erupt among this motley but loveable crew on their way to triumph at their recital. Liza Minnelli starred as Mavis in the popular film.

"Spanning four centuries of operatic history and drawing on the expertise of more than fifty international contributors, The Penguin Opera Guide is an essential reference for opera enthusiasts and beginners alike. Each of the more than 150 composer entries - from Handel, Mozart, Beethoven, and Verdi to the most acclaimed contemporary composers - presents an outline of the artist's musical career and an overall assessment of his or her contributions to opera. There are entries on more than 450 operas, providing a discussion of the work's background, details of the cast of characters, a plot synopsis, and a musical analysis that directs the listener to highlights and points of interest. Covering both major and little-known composers and tracking the evolution of the operatic form, The Penguin Opera Guide (drawn from the acclaimed Viking Opera Guide) is the perfect companion for those seeking information before attending an opera, a commentary on the music while listening at home, or guidance on operas to see or to purchase on record."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved

The book, which was published early this year and is available unbundled from the CD-ROM for $69.95, contains information on more than 800 composers and examines some 1,500 operas in detail. Each composer's musical career is outlined, with an assessment of his or her overall contribution to opera. Opera entries include cast lists and orchestral forces, a commentary on the background of the work, a synopsis of the plot, and a musical analysis identifying musical highlights and points of interest. Recording and edition information is included. For those who don't like to turn pages, prefer to read from the screen, or just like the click-click of the mouse, the CD-ROM provides computer access via Windows to the information and pictures (small black and whites) of the book. The CD-ROM holds some enhancements: notably, three hours of music excerpts (unheard by this reviewer who lacks the needed 16-bit sound card; some, according to the press release, are as long as three to five minutes). Annotation copyright by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

The Viking Method uses Svava's strong mental practices inspired by her Icelandic upbringing to help the reader build the lean, powerful and toned physique they desire. It'll render the reader more resilient, bolder and full of belief in themselves. Unlike other fitness and diet books, The Viking Method isn't about the external superficiality of a beach body. It's about three core pillars: thinking like a Viking, training like a Viking and eating like a Viking. Svava introduces these pillars early on in the book - along with mantras for each pillar which are connected to empowerment, mental strength and internal validation over counting calories. The book features information on eating and exercising for your hormones, detailed workout routines based around body-weight exercises illustrated with photographs, and a selection of delicious Scandi-inspired recipes such as Thor-red Salmon and Icelandic Lamb Stew.

Bobbi Rebell, award-winning TV anchor and personal finance columnist at Thomson Reuters, taps into her exclusive network of business leaders to share with you stories of the financial lessons they learned early in their lives that helped them become successful. She then uses these stories as jumping off points to offer specific, actionable advice on how you can become a financial grownup just like them. Financial role models such as Author Tony Robbins, Entrepreneur Ivanka Trump, Shark Tank's Kevin O’Leary, Mad Money's Jim Cramer, Designer Cynthia Rowley, Macy's CEO Terry Lundgren, Zillow's CEO Spencer Rascoff, PwC's CEO Bob Moritz, and twenty others share their stories with you. The book walks you through some of the biggest money decisions you'll make regarding real estate, investing, debt management, careers, friends and money, family finances, and even health and wellness. You're guided by proven examples and given the information you need to make choices that are right for you. How to Be a Financial Grownup will especially appeal to you if you're interested in new ideas to better manage your finances, especially if you're going through life changes where you have to pay more attention to your financial well-being.

A New York Times Notable Book A San Francisco Chronicle, San Jose Mercury News, and Los Angeles Times Best Book of the Year “A gripping and resonant novel. . . . It immerses the reader in a distant world with startling immediacy and ardor. . . . Riveting.” —Michiko Kakutani, The New York Times In 1886 a shy, middle-aged piano tuner named Edgar Drake receives an unusual commission from the British War Office: to travel to the remote jungles of northeast Burma and there repair a rare piano belonging to an eccentric army surgeon who has proven mysteriously indispensable to the imperial design. From this irresistible beginning, The Piano Tuner launches readers into a world of seductive, vibrantly rendered characters, and enmeshes them in an unbreakable spell of storytelling.

The most famous names in music, sport and show business have got together for a game of consequences to raise money for the BBC Children in Need appeal. Each participating celebrity has written a section armed only with the information of the main character - a half-girl, half-dinosaur called Fi-Rex - and the final line of the previous part. This has resulted in a hilarious tale which twists and turns like no other. The contributors are Jamie and Jools Oliver, Amanda Holden, Ronan Keating, Bear Grylls, Rod Stewart and Penny Lancaster, Coleen and Wayne Rooney, Denise Van Outen, Andy Murray, Keith Lemon, Tom Daley, Sir Paul McCartney, One Direction, Take That, Kate Moss, Annabelle Neilson, Nick Grimshaw and Kylie Minogue.