As Karyn R. Lacy's innovative work in the suburbs of Washington; DC; reveals; there is a continuum of middle-classness among blacks; ranging from lower-middle class to middle-middle class to upper-middle class. Focusing on the latter two; Lacy explores an increasingly important social and demographic group: middle-class blacks who live in middle-class suburbs where poor blacks are not present. These "blue-chip black" suburbanites earn well over fifty thousand dollars annually and work in predominantly white professional environments. Lacy examines the complicated sense of identity that individuals in these groups craft to manage their interactions with lower-class blacks; middle-class whites; and other middle-class blacks as they seek to reap the benefits of their middle-class status.
#2189426 in Books 2005-06-27Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.21 x .64 x 6.14l; 1.25 #File Name: 0520240871304 pages
Review
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Good Subject Supercifial TreatmentBy The Peripatetic ReaderLaurie Patton's book fills a great need in interpretation of the Vedas and other Vedic scriptures. Interpretations of the Rg Veda and the other Vedas indeed exist in the groundbreaking writings of Sri Aurobindo; but the mantras of the Vedas are cryptic and there is always room for alternate interpretations. This book suffers from several drawbacks. The first is the underlying approach undertaken. The distinction Patton takes between a metaphor and a metonym is interesting; but ultimately inconsequential. As Patton indicates early in the book; the distinction between the two is hazy and subject to heated scholarly debate. She gives her interpretation of the difference; but fails to explain why it matters. Many passages state that Agni and/or Soma roars like a bull. Is there ultimately any relevance whether this is interpreted as a metaphor or a metonym? How; if any; is the meaning changed? Patton does not discuss this point; which is a critical issue since this is a book about how Vedic images are applied in the scriptures. Next; there is the actual discussion on the scholarly debate about metonym. It took more than one-half of the book. The other part concerned the actual "case studies;" discussion of the various metaphors present in the Vedas. Then; there is an issue regarding the extent to which Patton made reference to the Vedic scriptures -- the Vedas; the Brahmanas; the Srauta Sutras; etc. Patton made extensive reference of these documents and no one doubts the breadth of her scholarship. However; by making such expansive use of the extent Vedic writings; there is a superficiality which undercuts the effectiveness of her discussion. It would have been far better for Patton to have focused on one set of writings or one Veda -- especially; the Rg Veda; is a rich source of metaphor any simile -- rather than produce a discussion which appears to be the result of a shot-gun approach. This is not to say that there are no insights in her book. She has an excellent discussion of the metaphor -- excuse me; metonym; or do I mean metaphor? I'm not sure which one is correct; aww; it doesn't really matter -- of food; which is much more involved than one would think. But rather than attempt a survey of the entire Vedic corpus to make her thesis -- which is a legitimate one -- Patton is better off concentrating on the Vedas alone; or the Brahmanas alone; or the Vidhanas alone; instead of providing a superficial discussiions of the metaphors or metonym from all of them. It is impossible for anyone to accomplish what she sets out to do adequately in a two-hundred page book. I am giving her book four stars; and would have given it a lower rating; but for the excellent explanation of those metaphors which were actually discussed and bravely tackling the issue of Vedic interpretation.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. as the price.By Harold CroftOK my husband think it is amazing ; it is recommend. so fast; receive it next day . Definitely a good purchase. I was looking for a replacement for my chef's product and this looks to be a really well made product. Its sharp; with a nice weight to it. Will definitely recommend to anyone looking for a good product at a reasonable price.
