Book Description
In this latest of Mary Gilliatt's must-have home decor and interior design books, readers are given an essential, one-stop shopping and reference book defining and explaining all terms necessary to work-either as a professional or a home owner-in the world of residential design and decorating. All of the terms are grouped into one of 12 subject areas, making the guide easy to use for the average reader. Every relevant subject is covered, including architects and interior designers; architectural and building terms; color, paint, and paint effects; fabric and wallpaper; floors; furniture and upholstery; glass and ceramics; lighting; Oriental and other rugs and carpets; styles and movements; window treatments; and wood. Whether working with a professional architect or designer on a major renovation, buying a house or other property, or simply decorating a corner of a room or purchasing furniture, readers will gain a wealth of knowledge and an understanding of the language necessary to navigate in the world of home decor and design.
Customer Reviews:
Glazes, glorious glazes.......2007-06-21
A great book with 'recipies' for some beautiful glazes !
I gave this book to a professional potter friend of mine after lending it to her to just to 'scan'. She wanted to buy this book from me, being so impressed. Now I borrow the book on occasions....say no more....
The only drawback (I feel)is that this book does not provide subsitutes for raw materials sometimes unavailable in our country, which means you have to figure this out yourself. Like any new glaze recipy you try, you'll have to test for clay compatibility, etc, etc.
But we've had some excellent results.
A great buy for any potter interested in Oriental glazes.
Customer Reviews:
Disappointed.......2006-06-13
I am fairly new to glaze development, though I have read Hopper's "The Ceramic Spectrum", so I ordered this hoping to expand on what I learned from that book. I was quite excited when I recieved it, but quickly began to feel rather disappointed.
Here's a few reasons why: the first thing that bothered me about this book is that it only has a few colour photos - the rest are black and white, and of only medium quality. Secondy, I was also a little irritated when I discovered that the author seems to have very definite opinions about how ash should be used in glazes, and seems to resist usages that don't fit well within his scheme of things. Thirdly, much of the text covers the nominal compositions of various different ashes, and all the while, the author is saying things that basically amount to "You can't ever really tell what's in a specific ash sample without testing it." Finally, most of the photos seem to be of work by a single artist (perhaps the way the author thinks ash glazes *should* look?) ... it would be nice to see a wider variety of work, especially considering the long history of ash as both accidental and intentional glazes and glaze components.
All in all, I would not recommend this book for those who are interested in using ash glazes. To them, I would recommend Robin Hopper's "The Ceramic Spectrum", and say "Try it and see".
Glazes from trees and vegetables.......2000-04-10
Robert Tichane shows you the wonderful and unpredictable effects of ash glazes made from various plants. He gives extensive detail on the chemical composition of ashes achieved by using different parts of trees (from root to leaves) and from using leaves of different plants (ranging from beech, oak to vegetables like cabbages and lettuce). This book is suited for a more experienced potter with some knowledge of chemistry and much patience. Still, I found it very inspiring despite not understanding some of his more detailed discussions.
Customer Reviews:
celedon blues.......2000-04-08
A must for any serious potter trying to duplicate ancient chinese blue celedons. This book is not only a fascinating history on the subject, but a comprhensive study on the hows and whys of achieving this elusive glaze. Although not a book of formulas, one will recieve all the information one needs to easily duplicate this glaze in all its variations.
Book Description
Capture the beauty of birds on film--whether they're in flight, feeding, bathing, or even mating. One of the world's top bird photographers, whose work has appeared in Birdwatch and Outdoor Photography, offers enthusiasts a comprehensive introduction to this exacting but satisfying art. He covers all aspects of shooting, from setting up a hide in your garden to finding rarities. The invaluable advice includes tips on:
* Choosing the right camera, lenses, film, and accessories for the job
* Selecting the best location and approach
* Taking great photos even in difficult situations
* Improving your technique immeasurably.
A "surgery" section demonstrates how to learn from mistakes, trouble shoot, archive your pictures, and submit work to publications. It's the finest photographic handbook of its kind--and a most delightful account of one patient artist's passion for birds and their continuing protection in the wild.
Customer Reviews:
Solid advice for novice and expert alike.......2004-06-08
This book offers some ideas and techniques I hadn't really encountered elsewhere. For instance, Mr. Young suggests and even encourages new bird photographers to spend lots of time photographing common or even tame birds at parks. For most of us who become serious about bird photography, we have come to it as birders, and you know how *they* can get! If not, read The Big Year, and you'll find out. Point being, as birders we seek the unusual, and when we become photographers, we will do the same. Mr. Young elegantly makes his case for the birds in the park, suggesting that learning tricks of exposure, flight shots and all the standards can be learned with a bit less waste of film.
He also gives some good advice for equipment that might be less costly for those of us without the income to support supertelephoto lens habits. I had not heard of the photoadapter setup he shows, but will probably explore this option.
Most of all, he gives excellent advice on all aspects of bird photography; equipment and film selection, location and approaches, and various techniques. I found his liberal use of side by side photos showing the same bird shot with different techniques and approaches to be very helpful. Mr. Young is not afraid to share his mistakes as a teaching tool. He also includes a chapter on archiving, so that one can begin to learn from mistakes made.
All in all, I have gained much from this book and highly recommend it. For me, the one downside is that he is based in the UK, so he is talking about birds and locations there, but this added a bit of fun, as he discusses shooting such rarities as the American robin!
Book Description
Invaluable for amateur and professional wildlife photographers keen to improve their work, with the newest techniques and digital equipment Publishing News, UK
This is an invaluable manual for wildlife photographers keen to improve and update their work with the newest techniques and digital equipment.
The Essential Wildlife Photography Manual takes a spectacular photographic trip, from tropical rainforests to the polar extremes of the globe, revealing the myriad creatures and how to perfectly capture them. Chris Weston covers the basics--including essential information on transporting kit overseas--as well as understanding and photographing the best of wildlife subjects. His down-to-earth, practical approach consolidates a huge amount of technical information into easy-to-read, step-by-step chunks.
Illustrated with world-class photography throughout,
The Essential Wildlife Photography Manual boasts practical case studies from top international lights Art Wolfe, Jim Brandenburg, and Paul Harcourt-Davies, who reveal the secrets of their trade. This gives an insight into the world of professional wildlife photography, while there's also essential information on working with biologists, zoologists, and researchers.
Average customer rating:
- an inspiring 'how to'
- All-encompassing, more-than-practical, user-friendly guide
- Very readable and helpful
- A helpful book with good practical advice.
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The Essentials of Nature Photography
Milton Heiberg
Manufacturer: Tern Book Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 Nature & Wildlife
| Photography
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
Photo Essays
| Photography
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 1890309532 |
Book Description
The Essentials of Nature Photography follows the general format of the course outline that the author has used in his classes at the New York City Audubon Society since 1981. Some of the topics covered are:
Landscapes: Composition, form, lighting, weather. . .
Telephoto: Action shots with autofocus cameras, wild animals, captives, flying birds. . .
Macrophotography: Theory & technique with wildflowers and insects. . .
Digital manipulation: Retouching, creativity vs truth in nature, and ethics & honesty. . .
Organization and presentation: Portfolios, interviews, slide shows, storage and record keeping. . . This book is meant to be read and used as a reference by any photographer, novice or professional, who wants to improve his or her nature photography skills. The emphasis is on nature, and includes everything one needs to know about practical technique, theory, ethics, and philosophy of nature photography.
Customer Reviews:
an inspiring 'how to'.......1999-02-24
This nature photography 'how to' is for those who see beauty in the natural world and want to create images that capture that beauty. It gives you the techniques you need to translate the images your mind sees to film.
All-encompassing, more-than-practical, user-friendly guide.......1999-02-18
I particularly enjoyed reading this book because of the obvious experience of the author, and his easy manner of relaying information that extends beyond just the practical. For example on the section on The Philosphy of Nature Photography he mentions as his first of four rules, "Love your subject more than your camera." This is advice rarely heard or read, and has the brilliance and profundity that only a simple statement can offer. His selection of topics is quite wide-ranging for a book on essentials, and offers advice on shooting in all 4 seasons, in rain, fog, snow, cold, and even sand and dust storms. It makes you think, and motivates you to search out opportunities that you may have previously rejected. Heiberg's writing reflects his years of teaching this subject; he wants to stimulate his students to further advance their techniques and their imaginations. You get the feeling that he is easily trusted and the advice he is providing is genuine, well thought out and sincere. In addition he has wonderful photographs accompanying the text which demonstrate his artistry as a photographer. I would heartily recommend this book to anyone who wants to enjoy learning about nature photography.
Very readable and helpful.......1999-02-17
Very readable and helpful, Heiberg's book taught this semi-pro some valuable photographic tricks.
A helpful book with good practical advice........1999-02-16
This is a hands-on handbook that is enjoyable to read. It is written in the style of a warm chat with a good friend, and begins with a sense of purpose, and feeling for the subject. The chapters get straight to the point, and are filled with good practical advice about photographic principles and techniques that even advanced photographers need reminding about. The numerous tips about understanding nature and wildlife are illuminating and helpful. I was happy to add this book to my library.
Product Description
With the explosion of underwater digital photography this book is an absolutely essential guide for those who want to shoot beautiful digital pictures underwater. It is a complete How to guide that includes detailed descriptions and professional secrets, step-by-step instructions about choosing and using digital cameras underwater, exposure, use of light and shooting techniques for macro and wide-angle imagery. It is packed with information, key points, tips and techniques of underwater photography, and even some professional secrets. An Essential Guide to Digital Underwater Photography takes you from the basics, channels your creativity to greater heights and guides you to produce some of the most beautiful pictures of the sea. It will also help you to learn the art form of photography and master the vocabulary of digital imaging. It is a complete digital "How To" guide. An important new title for all underwater photographers. For easy referencing, the pages are color-coded. Above all this book will open your eyes to the enjoyment of digital underwater photography increasing the fun factor of your diving.
Customer Reviews:
An Essential Guide to Digital Underwater Photography:A Complete How-To Guide.......2006-07-11
Very good guidline for beginner. Easy to understand.
Much Needed and Well Done!.......2006-04-27
I am already stocking this book, I think it is excellent and I recommend it highly for my underwater photography classes. I will introduce this book to my students and refer to it during every class as well. This book is really good timing and much needed, well done!
Customer Reviews:
Fresh take on The Crow.......2007-09-14
Here we have a retelling of The Crow. The concept is pretty much the same, and a lot of the same characters remain, but Eric's back story has been completely altered in how the events went down. There's no problem there, the new origin is interesting, however the act of taking revenge on the men who killed Eric and his fiancée happens so fact and furious, it almost loses its impact. It doesn't have the weight the initial story did. Some people might prefer that approach too. The good thing is after he is done enacting revenge the story continues unlike the original.
Another character is introduced only known as Walker (he's an Indian, not a Texas ranger). His background is never really given, but he's similar to The Crow in that he communicates with a wolf that follows him on his quests the way Eric talks to a crow. Eric is about settling old scores while Walker kills murderers, which in a sense makes him like The Punisher and a hypocrite.
The biggest improvement on this version is the artwork, which is always interesting to look at and the colors are very muted and subdued which sets up a good tone for this type of story. It consistently reminded me of a well lit film noir. The thing I didn't care for was some of the dialog, primarily the cops. It's like they took every sentence out of the book of tough cop talk clichés. Just a minor complaint.
The ending wasn't the best but there is a follow up book which will hopefully open new story lines and keep things moving. If you're looking for a good take on The Crow, I'm sure you could do worse. Overall, it's about the same quality as the original, however I find this one more interesting since it continues on and doesn't come to a screeching halt after he's done avenging his love.
The Crow.......2000-05-02
The Crow: Vengeance collects issues 1 - 3, 5 and 6 of Todd McFarlane's Crow comic series. It follows Eric Draven, star of the original graphic novel and film, through his revenge and then further.
Jon J Muth does a great job of writing this, and the artists, Jamie Tolagston and Paul Lee, also have talent. Unfortunately, the idea behind the series was not so good, and eventually the series was cancelled, after issue 10.
Book, II, "Evil Beyond Reach", is also available now.
Average customer rating:
- Nicely crafted but lacking depth
- The most interesting personal account of the 20th century
- Take A Virtual Walk And Order This Book
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A Walk Toward Oregon: A Memoir
Alvin M. Josephy
Manufacturer: University of Oklahoma Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
Journalists
| Professionals & Academics
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
Journalism
| Writing
| Reference
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Foreign Languages
| Reference
| Subjects
| Books
Media Studies
| Social Sciences
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0806133716 |
Amazon.com
An outstanding memoir provides insights into two worlds--the personal world of the author, with all the events, passions, and experiences that are unique to that individual, and the social, political world in which he or she lived. Generally speaking, the more remarkable the life of the author and the greater the historical awareness, the better the memoir. Add to these the fact that Alvin Josephy is a practiced and sophisticated writer, and it's no surprise that A Walk Toward Oregon is all that a memoir should be.
Alvin Josephy Jr. was born in 1915, and in his 85 years he's lived a noteworthy life and accomplished an inordinate amount. The author of many award-winning books (including The Patriot Chiefs, Now That the Buffalo's Gone, and The Civil War in the American West), Josephy has also been a vice president and editor of American Heritage magazine, the president of the Western History Association, and the founding chairman of the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian board of trustees. He found his calling working with American Indians to regain the land they once owned, found peace of mind with a ranch in Oregon--making his childhood dreams of the great West an adult reality--and then tied it all together in a cohesive and thoughtful memoir.
An eminent historian, Josephy is acutely aware of the passage of time and the social impact of landmark events. His young life was peopled by luminaries such as H.L. Mencken, Willa Cather, and Alfred Knopf (his uncle, and founder of the publishing house that so happened to print this book). He interviewed Leon Trotsky for the Herald Tribune, had a stint as a Marine Corps combat correspondent at Iwo Jima, and participated in an antiwar march with Martin Luther King Jr., not to mention all the advocating he's done on behalf of the Native Americans. His personal interaction with history brings the 20th century alive, both for those of us who experienced it alongside him and for younger readers who may view the goings-on of the Great Depression and WWII as ancient history. His portrayal of his life and times is intimate, insightful, and a pleasure to read. --Stephanie Gold
Book Description
Alvin M. Josephy, Jr., takes us on a magnificent tour of the twentieth century, from the banks of the Hudson in the early 1900s to the American West at century's end. His story culminates with his service as founding chairman of the board of trustees for the National Museum of the American Indian (set to open in 2003).
Customer Reviews:
Nicely crafted but lacking depth.......2005-01-03
Like the more gifted Bernard DeVoto (who might have been his teacher at Harvard had not the Depression intervened), Alvin Josephy (1915- ) mucked about in journalism and fiction writing for some years before finding his métier doing history--in Josephy's case, the history of American Indians. Not surprisingly, Josephy writes gracefully, and parts of his memoir--the stories of his New York City childhood and his heroic World War II service, for instance--carry real emotional punch. Nevertheless, Josephy easily slides over important subjects he doesn't care to discuss, such as the dissolution of his first marriage, the difficulties of writing history from oral tradition, and the decisions he made as editor of American Heritage.
Furthermore, although Josephy is proud of his New Deal liberalism, he pulls punches when describing the political personalities of his era. For instance, he describes Harry Bridges as "a tough Australian-born dockworker" and Howard Fast as a "successful author honored for his writings by the Soviet Union" without noting that both were Communists. In other words, early on the reader begins to suspect that Josephy's political views were either more naïve or a bit further to the left than he now cares to admit. Also depressing is his glorification of all things Indian, including Native American superstition--as if rattles and medicine bundles were privileged in a way that the mumbo jumbo of Mexican Catholic priests was not.
Josephy worked at Time magazine a few years after Whittaker Chambers, the nemesis of Alger Hiss, had resigned. Josephy's family was nurturing, Chambers' dysfunctional. Josephy's autobiography is nicely structured, Chambers' Witness (1952), misshapen and overlong. Nevertheless, in Chambers' autobiography we encounter a soul, here only the persona of a facile writer lucky enough to have chosen a topic popular in his own age.
The most interesting personal account of the 20th century.......2000-03-30
Mr. Josephy is 84 years old but this personal account of his "walk", which takes him from the sidewalks of NYC to the mountains of Oregon, from the nineteens to the nineties, is more contemporary and intriguing than any of the more high profile accounts of the 20th century recently published.
I'm a big fan of the author's, having read his books about the American Indians (Josephy does not call them "Native Americans") and their struggles. An Indian friend of mine credits him -- by exposing their plight through the articles he wrote in the 1950's and 1960's in Life and Time magazines -- as being the individual most influential in changing the perception of the Indian in this country.
But the book is about much more than that. Like an intellectual Forrest Gump, Josephy witnessed and participated in much of America's history this century. He begins as a kid on the west side of NYC, goes to Harvard briefly then leaves because of the depression. Gets a job in the 30's as a screenwriter at MGM and as he travels by bus to California, he witnesses the exodus of the dust bowl families and becomes committed to helping the less fortunate of this country. And he does.
He works as a journalist for newspapers, magazines, radio, the Marine Corps; interviews Trotsky, tapes the invasion of Guam as a WW2 Marine sergeant war correspondent as the enemy is firing on him...and receives a bronze star, fights for Indian recognition and rights, helps change the U.S. environmental policies, works for JFK, marches with Martin Luther King...
His is such a fascinating account that it makes history personal and alive. We should all read this not only for the facts of our past, but also for the example Mr. Josephy has set. The "lesson" that much can be accomplished by one person with courage who cares would be well learned by schoolchildren and adults of all ages. I recommend this book to each of them.
Take A Virtual Walk And Order This Book.......2000-03-28
There have been several 20th century retrospectives published recently by high profile authors, but none as fascinating as "A Walk Toward Oregon" by Alvin Josephy. Here's a book written by a man that has "walked the walk" from NYC to the west coast -- from the early part of the 20th century to present day -- with stops in Mexico and the WW 2 Pacific along the way.
Mr. Josephy's personal account and participation in some of the most significant events of the 20th century reads like a novel, yet informs like no history book I've ever read. His account of the streets of NYC as a kid in the early 1900's; trying to find a job during the depression (he did...selling stamps in Macy's); interviewing Trotsky as a young reporter; taping the invasion of Guam as a Marine sergeant; writing for Time and Life about the American Indians and changing the public's perception of their plight; serving with Kennedy; marching with MLK; and on and on. Yet it's easy to read and fascinating.
I think "A Walk Toward Oregon" should be at the top of reading lists for schools and book groups. I enthusiastically recommend it!
Average customer rating:
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Gone With the Wine: Retirement Adventures in France
Rosanne Knorr
Manufacturer: iUniverse
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Travel
| Writing
| Reference
| Subjects
| Books
Essays & Travelogues
| Reference & Tips
| Travel
| Subjects
| Books
Guidebooks
| Reference & Tips
| Travel
| Subjects
| Books
General
| France
| Europe
| Travel
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Travel
| Subjects
| Books
Travel
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0595289118 |
Book Description
In charming and whimsical detail, Rosanne Knorr shares the delights of life in France's Loire Valley where the climate is mild, the people are hospitable, and the wine is so plentiful it's pumped from vats like a service station for winos.
She and her husband, John, with their pate-loving dog, Folly, rejuvenate themselves by trading long work hours, traffic jams, and fast food for art, biking, and goat's cheese direct from the supplier. They garble French but figure out how to earn the best baguettes.
Gone with the Wine is not just a delightful story of their life, it also provides fascinating and fresh insights on everyday life, history, and the people of the earthly paradise called the 'Garden of France.' Joyful reading for real-life voyagers and armchair travelers alike!
Books:
- Modern Exterior Ballistics: The Launch and Flight Dynamics of Symmetric Projectiles
- Moore in the Bagatelle Gardens, Paris
- More One-Story Homes: 475 Superb Home Plans from 810 to 5,400 Square Feet
- Natural Surfaces: Visual Research for Artists, Architects, and Designers
- New Moroccan Style: The Art of Sensual Living
- New Spaces, Old World Charm (Elements of Living)
- New Waterscapes: Planning, Building and Designing with Water
- Newport Through Its Architecture: A History of Styles from Postmedieval to Postmodern
- North Shore Boston: Country Houses Of Essex County, 1865-1930
- Obey the Giant: Life in the Image World
Books Index
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