Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
This slim book is an encyclopedia of gourd instruments from around the world. Compiled by artisans and gourd experts Jim Widess and Ginger Summit, Gourd Musical Instruments is packed with information on remarkable gourd instruments of every variety.
Gourd Musical Instruments features 40 different instruments, illustrated with over 60 colorful photographs and brought to life with a downloadable audio companion that lets you hear them in action. Delving into the history, design, function, and playing methods of each instrument, the detailed explanations will fascinate and inspire you. Instruments featured range from simple flutes, kazoos, drums, and shakers, to gourd didgeridoos, banjos, lutes, horns and more. Among those included are:
- The Afro-Brazilian Berimbau
- The rare Vietnamese Dan Bao
- The Cambodian Kse Diev
- The Kenyan Nyatiti lyre
- And dozens of others
A fantastic source of inspiration for aspiring instrument-makers, and a fun read for anyone interested in traditional world music, Gourd Musical Instruments is not to be missed.
Readers interested in related titles from Ginger Summit will also want to see: Gourds + Fiber (ISBN: 1626546223), Making Gourd Dolls & Spirit Figures (ISBN: 1626543380), Making Gourd Musical Instruments (ISBN: 162654333X), Gourd Pyrography (ISBN: 1626543402).
Synopsis
For the past fifty years and more, Harley-Davidson has been ruling some racing roosts. Its competition iron has always been significant, often supremely victorious and never without passion. To borrow a term from another scene, this is a book about "hog power."What were H-D's competition bikes? How did they fare? And who were the heroes who rode them?
Allan Girdler, noted wordsmith, historian and straight-talking H-D enthusiast, digs deep to bring fresh perspective, technical analysis, and rider anecdotes to this substantial and fascinating story of America's most successful racing motorcycles.
His "review" starts in the early 1930s, after the board tracks, after the overpowering success of the Wrecking Crew and its eight-valve twins, after the ear-splitting Pea Shooters, at the beginning of a new era of American racing organized by a reorganized AMA. A time ripe for a new style of Harley racer based loosely on production designs.
Read of the XLR, CR, CRS, CRTT, KRTT, XR-750, XR1000, and many more. Learn about Len Andres, Bill Huber, Bart Markel, Jay Springsteen, Chris Carr, Scott Parker, Dick O'Brien, and other racing stars. This is an engaging, passionate story by acclaimed motorcycle and automobile writer, Allan Girdler. Allan is a former editor for Car Life, Cycle World, and Road & Track magazine. He has authored numerous books including Harley-Davidson Sportster and Harley-Davidson XR-750.
Readers interested in related titles from Allan Girdler will also want to see: American Road Race Specials, 1934-70 (ISBN: 1626549338), Harley Davidson Sportster (ISBN: 1626549354), Harley-Davidson Xr-750 (ISBN: 1626549346).