Obey the Giant: Life in the Image World

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Obey the Giant: Life in the Image World
Rick Poynor
Manufacturer: Birkhäuser Basel
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Design & Decorative Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
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Designing Pornotopia: Travels in Visual Culture

No More Rules: Graphic Design and Postmodernism

How To Be a Graphic Designer Without Losing Your Soul

Redesigning Identity

Graphic Design 20th Century

ASIN: 3764385006

Book Description

In the 21st century, commerce and culture are ever more closely entwined. This collection of essays by design critic Rick Poynor takes a searching look at visual culture to discover the reality beneath the ultra-seductive surfaces. Poynor explores the thinking behind the emerging resistance to commercial rhetoric among designers, and offers critical insights into the changing dialogue between advertising and design. Other essays address the topics of visual journalism; brands as religion; the new solipsism; graphic memes; the pleasures of imperfect design; and the poverty of "cool". The worldwide dominance of huge corporations is invariably expressed by visual means. This book challenges this mono-culture critically. It offers inspirational evidence of alternative ways of engaging with design, and it will appeal to any reader with a questioning interest in design, advertising, cultural studies, media studies, and the visual arts.

Book Description

You may be the owner of a valuable piece of porcelain or pottery, but the cryptic symbol on the underside of the piece may be your only clue to its value. Kovels' New Dictionary of Marks: 1850 to the Present will help you identify your pieces.

Kovels' New Dictionary of Marks provides the quickest and easiest way for professional and amateur collectors to identify more than 3,500 American, European, and Oriental marks. The perfect companion to the Kovels' original best-seller, Kovels' Dictionary of Marks -- Pottery and Porcelain: 1650 to 1850 (still in print after more than 42 years and 41 printings), Kovels' New Dictionary of Marks is the most comprehensive reference for nineteenth- and twentieth-century marks. Together, the two volumes are an indispensable guide to porcelain and pottery marks of the last four centuries.

Also available from Three Rivers Press, Kovels' Dictionary of Marks--Pottery & Porcelain: 1650 to 1850

Customer Reviews:

Kovels' Marks.......2007-03-15

Bought this as a gift for my daughter and she has really enjoyed it's contents. Now she can see if the "Junk and/or Antiques" she has purchased has any real value!!

Kovels' New Dictionary of Marks Pottery & Porcelain 1850 to the Present.......2007-02-11

I haven't been happy with this book since I purchased it. Haven't found one mark from any of the pottery or china I have from this book. Only one or maybe two examples of the companies which made the pottery but not the marks. For example I can't even find the simple "Anchor" from Anchor Hawking Co.(There are plenty of other anchors). I have a very nice Blue "Old Fashion"/juice glass fron A.H. but I have never seen one in blue. Looked it up and could not find MARK in this book. I was very surprised. I've been thinking about purchasing the Second Edition of Kovels' book, but been holding back... Can anyone tell me if it is better or if it's just me, I hope..Mary, techmom@usamedia.tv (No Solicitors Please! Only those wanting to talk about this book please reply. NO SPAMMERS!!)

Good reference book.......2007-02-03

Marks on pottery have always been of interest to me. Some are obvious and well-known and others obscure. Couldn't find all the marks I was looking for. Still a good book to have.

Great reference............2007-01-10

This book has been a great reference for finding pottery marks. This volume does not hold a list of all markings ever used, but it comes closer than any others I have used. My only complaint of this book is that it does not group multiple marks that a particular potter may have used over the years. Instead it groups them by design not by maker.
Still this is the most comprehensive markins book I have found in an affordable price range. Well worth the investment.

Kovels' New Dictionary of Marks : Pottery and Porcelain 1850 to Present (Kovel's Dictionary of Marks).......2006-03-10

Overall it is helpful. I am really just getting into this, so it is great to have something I can refer to to get an idea of where the item I have comes from.

Dictionary of Glass: Materials and Techniques

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Ultimate glass reference book

Dictionary of Glass: Materials and Techniques
Charles Bray
Manufacturer: University of Pennsylvania Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 081223619X

Book Description

Charles Bray has gathered together the various aspects of glass technology and practice in the only reference available of its kind. This second edition is entirely redesigned, with all new illustrations and updated entries to discuss new technologies and techniques. Aimed at all people who work with glass, whether professional, amateur, teacher or student, glassblower, etcher, engraver, stained glass artist, or industrial glass worker, A Dictionary of Glass covers both technical and artistic aspects of working with glass in a practical, easily referenced format.

The book is arranged as a lexicon of words and phrases, covering technical terms, materials, equipment, processes, and practices. Some of the entries offer succinct definitions; others are detailed articles that illuminate the subject in greater depth, many illustrated by photographs and diagrams. Also included are detailed appendices listing suppliers, schools providing glass courses, museums with important glass collections, and a useful bibliography.

Customer Reviews:

Ultimate glass reference book.......1999-09-14

Do not be misled by the title. This is more a detailed encyclopedia of glass than a simple dictionary, with many in depth articles covering the history, art and technology of glass working.

All forms of glass craft are represented, including blowing, lamp work, stained glass, etching and engraving. Raw materials, chemicals, tools and techniques for industrial and artistic uses are described.

Styles & important historical pieces are also covered. The book is well illustrated with b/w photos & diagrams. Two sections of color plates showcase some beautiful & unusual artistic pieces in a wide variety of techniques.

Book Description

Now available in its fifth edition, The Potter's Dictionary of Materials and Techniques presents a comprehensive survey of all aspects of making ceramics for craft potters and ceramic artists. With its sound, practical explanations of ceramic processes, this indispensable reference book has gained a reputation as "the potter's bible." Professional potters, beginners, students, and collectors will find authoritative information clearly and logically presented.

Frank and Janet Hamer explain the sources and character of materials, the behavior of clays and glaze minerals during forming and firing processes, forming methods, and glaze construction. In addition to brief outlines and detailed articles with cross references to illustrations, color photographs illustrate glaze effects and surfaces featured in the work of inventive, contemporary potters. The varied techniques of Raku, maiolica, crystalline glazes, salt and soda, stoneware, and porcelain are also presented in a new color section.

This new edition has been updated to include auto-reduction, crystalline glazes, insulation, stains, and specialized firing and fuming techniques. With upwards of 800 illustrations to clarify everything in the ceramic world, in its fifth edition The Potter's Dictionary of Materials and Techniques will continue to serve as the authority on all things ceramic.

Customer Reviews:

Indispensable, but not infallible.......2007-10-03

This really is an indispensable book for anyone seriously interested in pottery as an art or profession. It contains lots of great information. It also contains some errors, most of which are little. Also, the rendition of the Chinese character for "raku" is ugly and missing a stroke. The title says this is a dictionary of materials and techniques - but it's more than that. It can serve as a jargon glossary, too. Also, some articles seem more concerned about meaning and interpretation and make practically no mention of materials or technique, and in the case of the "Teapots" entry, I thought it culturally-biased and incomplete. That said, get it anyway, this book is a must-have.

Extensive, Exhaustive, Excellent.......2007-05-12

The Potter's Dictionary offers details and facts about everything ceramic. Clay and glaze materials are explained more in-depth in this book than any other I have read. Subjects are presented in a clear and concise manner and the alphabetical order makes things very easy to find. It's more like an encyclopedia than a dictionary. When needed, great graphics complement many of the articles. No wonder this book has been published since 1975, A+!!!

3 weeks and no sign of this book ?.......2006-07-08

This book never arrived even though i paid Amazon / UPS for next day delivery. I ended up getting it from Barnes and Noble in San Diego

OK.......2006-03-09

This book had good reviews, but it seemed overly technical without context. For example, if some chemical compound was defined, the authors did not explain how that chemical compound is used, how it can be used, etc.

Every potter needs this book.......2005-10-18

After one ceramics class I set up my own studio and began potting for a living. I bought this book and found it indespensable. I highly reccommend it to all my students. It is worth it's weight in gold luster glaze

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A-Z Guide for Porcelain Painters
Tricia Bradford
Manufacturer: Kangaroo Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0864172664

Glass: A Pocket Dictionary of Terms Commonly Used to Describe Glass and Glassmaking

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Glass: A Pocket Dictionary of Terms Commonly Used to Describe Glass and Glassmaking

Manufacturer: Harry N Abrams
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Pottery & Ceramics | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0810926121

A Dictionary of Glass: Materials and Techniques

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A Dictionary of Glass: Materials and Techniques

Manufacturer: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1996
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000I8UWXY

Book Description

Learn faster, smarter ways to capture-and share-digital still images! Faster Smarter Digital Photography shows you how to produce high-quality digital stills-faster, smarter, and easier! You get practical, concise guidance for selecting the right digital camera for your needs; composing better shots; editing and manipulating your photos; using the digital media capabilities in the Microsoft Windows XP operating system; and preparing images for print or online delivery. Faster Smarter Digital Photography delivers accurate, how-to information that's easy to absorb and apply. The language is friendly and down-to-earth, with no jargon or silly chatter. Use the concise explanations and visual examples to help you get great-looking results for home or office.

Customer Reviews:

useful tips.......2005-07-30

I found this book very practical. Includes details on batteries plus storing, managing and sharing photos. It clarified something I had not been able to understand in another book (rule of thirds).

No Faster & No Smarter.......2004-01-16

A very dry and dull digital photography book. All the pictures are in black and white...even the ones where the writer is trying to show you the color differences between photos!Get a year's subscription to PC Photo magazine instead.

A Great Melding of Photography and Computing.......2002-12-14

Ron Gladis and David Stone have nailed it! The FIRST book I've seen on this emerging hobby that effectively describes how to combine artistic and usable photographic techniques in a digital camera. The topics are well-laid out and in-depth (while not being overly "techie"). The discussions about how to take better photographs are particularly good. These sections will help any camera user take much better photographs (with or weithout a digital camera!).

But what is unique in this book is how it teaches the user how to combine the best photographic techniques with the power of the computer! These sections, written in understandable terms (but not oversimplified language like in most other books on digital photography), really bring home how BEST to use the technology to make better images - a VERY powerful combination.

Customer Reviews:

The Golden Age of Superman : The Greatest Covers of Action C.......2000-03-27

The Greatest Covers of Action Comics from the 30's to the 50's is a must have for any Superman fan interested in learning about the man of steels early adventures. Although you do not get to actually read these hard to find comics the covers alone are enough to stimulate the imagination and give a good idea of the man of steels past. For anyone else that loved this book I would also recommend The Silver Age of Superman

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Misery loves compony, good read for anyone who has fell on hard times

Let Me Entertain You

A very validating, believable read

Two wars, two victories.

Terrific adventure story and moving personal memoir

Hello to All That: A Memoir of Zoloft, War, and Peace
John Falk
Manufacturer: Picador
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0312425635
Release Date: 2005-12-27

Book Description

His own chemistry was his worst enemy, and it took John Falk to some very strange placesfrom Garden City, Long Island, to sniper-infested Sarajevo during the Bosnian bloodbath. But through it all, in the face of chronic depression, Falk kept reaching out for the life hed always wanted. Hello to All That is his storycrazed, comic, poignant, suspenseful and hopeful.

Customer Reviews:

Misery loves compony, good read for anyone who has fell on hard times.......2006-07-26

I saw the title in Borders one day and something about it just caught me. Maybe its because i was also 24, living in my mothers basement, and was on the better half of my own battle with depression, despair, and uncertainty in life. Either way, i went to the library a week later and checked it out.

An easy read, and i definitely identified with it. I think the duality of the war and flashing back to 80's long island was a great way to write the story.

It isnt a self-help book, its just a real interesting story. And easy to read and well written. Its really an inspriring coming of age story as well. The way he decided to just pack up and go to Bosnia was great.

I only gave it 4 stars cause it wont change your life or be the best book you ever read, but it was very enjoyable. If you are going through a depression or hard times, id reccomend something by Dan Millman or Dr David Burns first, but anyone thats been there can really appriciate this book.

Let Me Entertain You.......2006-01-18

Chapter 1's leap into Sarajevo had me. Chapter 2's first expressions of adolescent depression put me off, and I thought I was going to hate this book (and its author) as another self-centered, whine-fest, but there was a drama there that kept me reading. By chapter 3 I had surrendered to Mr. Falk's story, and I eventually succumbed to Mr. Falk's charms as an author. At least until I started writing this review.

"Hello to All That..." is harrowing, humorous, and compelling, but it also seems a bit glib in a made for TV sense. There's a need to entertain that subtly subverts the power of the story. "Hello to All That..." is a crisis memoir that addresses the search for self in the midst of profound depression, and the redemption of "cure" through drug therapy, and release from self. It's a privileged child's coming-of-age memoir that reminded me that privilege is not necessarily protection, and hardship is only romantic to the detached observer. It's also a war story in which the scenes played out in ways that added to a dramatic made for TV feel.

My other problems with the book were in its alternating chapter strategy which caused a wrench in flow, and I wonder that Mr. Falk or his editors weren't able to develop smoother transitions; and the author's admission that the chronology was altered for dramatic impact. The chronological tinkering is the larger problem. I don't know if that's fair in a memoir, and given the recent controvery with James Frey's, "A Million Little Pieces," it's tricky ground to be walking on. Mr Falk's desire to create drama may also have something to do with the "let me entertain you," feel I got from the book. The admission is admirable, but I find it troubling nonetheless.

"Hello to All That..." was a good read, in the moment, but quite problematic on reflection. As a "read" I'm giving it three stars, as a memoir I'd only give it two.

A very validating, believable read .......2005-12-28

I could not put this book down. I have struggled with depression for years. There is no book that explains depression more believably - Falk's feeling that life has no meaning echoes how I have felt for most of my life. He is the voice for the most cynical of all of us.

The main thing that made it a brilliant piece was what he gave us in the end. Throughout the book, I was hoping for a giant piece of insight to pull me out of my own despair. About 3/4's through, he talks to the wise man who has seen it all in war-ravaged Bosnia. The guy responds with something like "Love is the answer." My heart started sinking as I almost predicted what was going to happen. He was going to take the wise man's advice and return to America, with renewed appreciation for the family that loves him. I thought: While this is a great ending for Falk, it leaves the rest of us in the lurch. What about the 'Roberts' out there who don't have anyone? Then, the wedding bells chime and it feels like there will be no answer. But just before the book closes, he drops a line: "Not one soul in that my [wedding] backyard did I meet while I was depressed."

So his message is powerfully clear: Depression can really destroy a life, so that one ends up completely alone.

I really think part of his remission is due to a combination of things - how his life was enriched by his experiences, but most of all that he is now surrounded by people that love him. I strongly got the feeling that he never really "recovered" until he found himself no longer "on the edges of other people's lives", but happily married. But in order to get there, he had to get on the antidepressants, which gave him the umph he needed to gain some new experiences. Perhaps those experiences enriched him as a person so that he was able to more successfully connect with other people. For man is a social animal, and without that sense of belonging most of us feel adrift and alone.

The biggest piece of wisdom I gathered from Falk's piece is to what extent depression CAUSES life to go bad, rather than the other way around. For he found hard evidence in the fact that there are HAPPY people in a war-torn country. Unthinkable. While external circumstances can certainly destroy, he provided a clue to those of us who are hurting in spite of all the advantages. His non-condescending, measured tone will go a long way to make you feel validated if you are suffering from depression.

Two wars, two victories. .......2005-09-22

This novel jumps from present day Sarajevo in 1993 to, in the next chapter, Long Island in the 1980's. In Sarajevo Falk fights to stay alive and find stories as an inexperienced and naive freelance reporter, back on Long Island he fights a long and horrible depression that started for no reason and for twelve long hard years showed no signs of ever ending. John is convinced that no one can help him and all he can do is try to hang on and hope everything goes back to the way it was.

Through the book, we see all aspects of his life and get to know Falk better than most of our closest relatives. It made me wonder how many of my close friends are secretly battling depression. John eventually does see a psychiatrist, and after a few different medications finally finds relief. After college, he sets off to find himself and ends up in Sarajevo alone again. However, with the help of Zoloft he knows that nothing is hopeless.

As a depression survivor, I would recommend this to anyone that thinks that they are alone without hope or anyone that has ever been comforted, as Falk was at one point, by knowing that they can end their life anytime. I know I have made the book sound depressing but Falk is a wonderful writer and the novel has many funny and uplifting moments. The world would be a better place if more people were like John Falk.

Terrific adventure story and moving personal memoir.......2005-04-11

Whether navigating the harrowing world of snipers and anti-snipers in war-torn Sarajevo, or the perilous world of his own psyche, John Falk writes with wit, humor, and insight.

Falk had the guts to walk away from a cushy upper-middle-class life and into the most dangerous place on the planet. Afflicted by depression, he subjected himself to a kind of shock-treatment by journeying to Sarajevo in the hopes of becoming a freelance journalist. Once he settled in, with a monster stash of Zoloft in his bindle, Falk became close with the family who took him in as a boarder. While managing to stay alive and sane in a truly hellish battle zone, Falk sussed out a war story worthy of Heller or Vonnegut and became a successful writer. More importantly, however, he dedicated himself to helping people who badly needed it, and this personal story is the heart of the book.

Hello to all that : a memoir of war, Zoloft, and peace

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Hello to all that : a memoir of war, Zoloft, and peace
John Falk
Manufacturer: Henry Holt
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000O2EEVK

Book Description

Half Baked in Taiwan is a humorous, insightful, no-holds-barred account of one true-blue Yankee's two-and-a-half years of living in Taiwan, a quintessentially Chinese island that gets battered in the international shuffle. Beth Fowler's anatomy of culture shock will make you grin, giggle and reconsider the cliché "It's a small world."

Customer Reviews:

wtf?!.......2005-07-14

disclaimer/general info:
A- the following is a not a racist statement; the matter of race/nationality is merely brought up due to the subject matter.

B- i was born in taiwan, raised there till the age of 9, and frequently (4-5 times a year) go back to visit with family.

C- i grew up in new jersey and am married to an american, who i believe is the most wonderful person ever... even though she couldn't cook edible chinese food to save her life.

D- i feel that capitolization is completely pointless and refuse to use it outside of work; if you can't stand it don't read this.

now on to the review of this alleged "book"...

ok so one of college buddies saw this in a store, bought it, read it, and got me a copy; i read it, burned it, and slapped him.

first off this woman is a horrible writer... at points its like she's trying to whimsical but instead gives off the vibe of trying way too hard... and possibly being on opium.

in the amazon "about the author" portion, the question "she's still trying to decide if getting a master's degree in education contributed to her current status or if true education happens after one leaves school and steps out into the great big world" is posed; well here's an answer... go back to high school, cause that is calibur of writing you possess. there is very little cohesiveness to this book, other than the fact that its been written by the same person and taiwan is the main topic.

sure there are far less talented, popular "writers" out there; but just because you are better than some people that suck doesn't make you good or qualifed to terrorize the general populace with this crap.

but now on to my main complaints about this combination of random, and sometimes pointless, thoughts that have been strung together to make this farce of a book...this woman has absolutely no grasp of our culture. the entire time i was trying to decipher this jumble of "suckitude", there was a thought that kept popping into my head... "generic white american hick". i'm not talking about the obviously cliche "cletus the slack jawed yokel" type hick, i mean the more realistic euro/ameri-centric white americans that live in states that don't touch the ocean (and no the gulf of mexico doens't count) type hick. despite her "attempt" at understanding/acclimating to taiwan, she would have done a better job if she had just turned on a discovery channel documentary and ordered take out...

click on the excerpt link and read it. now while anyone who knows nothing about taiwan would just say, "ok... i don't get it. she gives a good deal of info. what the hell is your problem, man?"; someone that actually knows about the island and its history would say, "yeah but all the info is just media spun crap". what is all of this taiwan is a country crap?! the republic of china has not been recognized as legetimate independent world government, for almost 50 years!!! by which i mean recognized by countries that actually matter, ie having a seat in the UN, not that i pay african nations to support me crap that the government has been trying to pull off for the last 20-30 years.

wtf is this crap about taiwanese independence?!!! while there have been movements for this concept for quite a while, if you know anything about the people of taiwan and especially those in taipei in particular, you will realize that this idea is seen as a joke and ploy by the government to distract the general population; while the embezzle more and more money.

i could go on and on but i won't bore you with more of my hate for this crapfest that has donned the disguise of a book and its talentless tardmaster general of an author. just stay the hell away from this book, unless you want the taiwanese to view you as a ignorant american that is...

if you want to experience the real taiwan, its easy...

1 - get yourself a taiwanese translator; MUST be from taiwan. mainland chinese don't speak taiwanese and are generally distrusted. also nobody needs to hear you butcher our language.

2 - don't dress only in clothes you buy in taiwan. most of them are too small for white people, that and you can't pull off the asian chic look.

3 - don't try that fake chinese style politeness, people will understand that you are not from taiwan and you can just be polite the western way. plus when you do it wrong, it comes off in a semimocking manner.

4 - you and your translator should just go and chill out at a place where there are just a bunch of old men sitting around and talk to them. these guys have seen it all... the japanese occupation period, the nationalist arrival, the american "support", the period of constant communist threat, etc.... generally these gentlemen will be glad to talk your ear off for hours. you can have as many discussions as you would like; while in the west religion and politics are taboo subjects, the chinese love to debate them.

5 - finally if you see ms. fowler in person... spit in her face and slap her for me and the rest of my taiwanese brethren.

Half Baked is Mostly Raw.......2003-01-18

I gave myself several weeks to sit on this book before I submitted a review. I was so disappointed after reading Half Baked in Taiwan that I didn't want to sit down and immediately start reeling off things that were wrong with it. I wanted to digest it a bit before I reviewed it.

Two weeks have passed and I am still annoyed at having read this book. My mistake was being fooled into thinking it was worth the purchase. When I put it on my wish list, I had read nothing but good reviews. When I got it for Christmas, I was excited to read it because of those reviews.

As it turns out, I shouldn't have believed the hype. An Internet search leads me to believe that several of the reviews posted here are friends of the author. I was able to find the very same reviews being touted as 'expert reviews' on a website where Mrs. Fowler has some web space along with other authors.

So what is wrong with this book? Let me preface this by giving my "credentials", if you will. My wife, who I have been with for 7 years, is Taiwanese. We have been to the island together twice. She and her entire family were born there. Her immediate family lives in the US and we frequently spend time together. While I do not claim to be an expert on Taiwan, my comments don't come with zero experience either. Additionally, I questioned my wife frequently while reading this book to make sure my annoyances were well founded.

I expected this book to be a humorous look at a culture different from our own, but one I am familiar with all the same. I also expected to read a variety of small things the author liked and disliked while living in Taiwan. Instead, I find this text to be a thinly veiled attempt in which the author repeatedly claims Taiwanese people do scores of things the wrong way. Page after page I could not shake the feeling that this was an outlet for her not being happy in Taiwan.

For an English teacher, I find the composition to be below average. She should have added another 50 pages to expand her ideas. Too often the reader is left with an unclear notion of precisely what the author is trying to say. The text is often comprised of sentences which are a hybrid between full sentences and poetic verse, even ignoring the untasty dim sum chapters.

One reviewer's comment that this book, "By far describes the real Taiwan culture," is so far removed from reality that I find it almost impossible to believe the reviewer has been to Taiwan as claimed. I see little resemblance between Taiwanese life and that as described in this book.

I don't think the author ever truly attempts to immerse herself in the culture in an effort to fully absorb it. As opposed to being a sponge and allowing it seep in, she acts as a raft which floats above it; in contact but not in. She doesn't let the culture become part of her, and the result is her frequently commenting about not understanding various idiosyncrasies of Taiwan; and how things should change to her standards.

As far as being factually accurate, I find several of the passages either incorrect or deficient. As an avid tea drinker, the chapter on tea can hardly be considered complete as she does not utter the word 'Oolong' once. How one manages to write about tea and Taiwan and not mention Oolong is puzzling, as Taiwan is known primarily for its Oolong tea production. In fact, it's world famous.

I feel somewhat bad writing this review because such a meager amount of literature exists discussing Taiwan. Having been there, I enjoy the country and try to read as much as I can about it. But this book is so severely lacking that it's hard for me to recommend it. In fact, it's impossible to do such a thing.

In summary, here's how I would typify this book. The last time I was in Taiwan, I was asked how I would describe the country. I said the 3 best things are the tea, the food, and the scenery. The fact that the author only touches on one of these 3 topics extensively (and does a mediocre job at that) is reason enough to not recommend this.

Considering my general opinion of the book, combined with the price, and the paltry 168 pages of text, there's no way I can honestly sit here and say you should buy this book. Those interested in reading about Taiwan would be better off buying Culture Shock, Taiwan by Chris & Ling-Li Bates or the Lonely Planet travel guide by Robert Storey. Both of those give the reader a more accurate narrative on the culture, both are more smoothly written, and both are better values.

Half Baked needs more time in the oven. Leave it there and buy a better book.

Like title, book is half-baked.......2002-07-07

Although this book has some very interesting insights into Taiwan's culture, it was a disappointment. Too many words are devoted to the author's whining about not understanding or fitting in to the culture. For example, the traffic is not the complete chaos as described. The traffic laws and signals are used as loose guidelines that lead to an elaborate ballet-like movement of cars, motorbikes, scooters and pedestrians.
Another problem is that the book is a series of vignettes, some of which survive on their own, some of which just mystify the reader (a set of diary excerpts about some fashion show is one example) because they are not placed in any context. Alas, there are few books describing Taiwan from an American viewpoint. Yet, with the high price for a slim paperback, I would only give this book a half-hearted endorsement.

Not Half Bad.......2002-02-28

An interesting read for getting good insight into life in Taiwan as a foreigner. Ms Fowler is able to pull personal examples from her life there to create memorable impressions and reflections on this unique country.

On the downside, the book is expensive for a small paperback. Also, it could have used an editor to tighten up a few spots and catch several typos.

But if you want to learn about life in Taiwan with a few chuckles, get this book.

Learn about Taiwan culture or just to read a great book!.......2001-10-04

Having been to Taiwan on 2 seperate trips I have read almost every book about Taiwan culture I could get my hands on. This book "by far" describes the real Taiwan culture as I experienced it and none of this info will be found in your standard Taiwan travel guide.

This is the real deal, the good and the strange and all the above are described here in a very witty way. Beth Fowler also does a wonderful job describing foods, customs, culture in a way I never could, I am going to buy copies for my family so they get a better understanding of my Taiwanese experiences.

This book easily stands on its own as entertainment but is also very educational for anyone looking for info on Taiwan culture. So kick back with "Half-baked in Taiwan" and pop a couple of Betel nuts in your mouth.

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