Sketching Your Favorite Subjects in Pen & Ink

Sketching Your Favorite Subjects in Pen & Ink
Average customer rating:

This is the best book on the subject I have seen

Nice Reference

Fantastic

Claudia Nice knows her stuff

Excellent, lot's of tips & techniques

Sketching Your Favorite Subjects in Pen & Ink
Claudia Nice
Manufacturer: North Light Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
Drawing | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
General | Drawing | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
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Drawing in Pen & Ink (First Step Series)

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Creating Textures In Pen & Ink With Watercolor

ASIN: 1581804334

Book Description

The only complete guide - for all types and levels of artists - on sketching from life in pen and ink, written by a master of the subject and presented in easy-to-follow, step-by-step fashion.

Claudia Nice teaches artists how to create powerful sketches of plants, skies, waterscapes, houses & buildings, animals, birds, faces & figures and more after discussing the basics of the medium from maintaining the pen, ink and paper to the seven simple strokes used. All subjects are illustrated by her beautiful sketches, showing artists what beauty can be achieved with just a pen and a bottle of ink. Claudia is a multi-media artist, but prefers pen, ink and watercolor when working in the field. She has been an art consultant and instructor, has authored 15 art instruction books and travels across North America conducting workshops, seminars and demonstrations at schools, clubs, shops and trade shows. She has recently opened her own teaching studio near Mt. Hook, Oregon.

Customer Reviews:

This is the best book on the subject I have seen.......2007-04-03

I had a couple of books that covered the subject of Pen and Ink drawing, but none were as easy to follow and helpful as this one. The pictures in the book are simply to die for. She shows you exactly how she creates line, shape and form with ink. There is also an explanation of the tools you will need (not much and not expensive really) to do this kind of work. If you are looking for a good instructional book on drawing with pen and ink I highly recommend this book. However, beware, your paints may dry up in their tubes as you get addicted to doing pen and ink. Fun stuff, the author writes in a way that is easy for anyone to follow.

Nice Reference.......2006-08-04

Claudia Nice always does a fine job with details and examples. In comparison to her pen & ink with watercolor books, this one is a little boring. If you are really interested in using pen & ink as a medium, then this is a good book. If you are looking for reference material and drawing examples with intructions, then I recommend a different Nice book.

Fantastic.......2005-09-30

I love the step by step instruction and the real life examples. With no formal training I can sketch the way I always wanted to.

Claudia Nice knows her stuff.......2005-07-24

Very thorough directions for various pen and ink techniques. Really breaks down the process into easily understandable steps.

Excellent, lot's of tips & techniques.......2000-05-03

This is an excellent book for anyone just starting to learn pen & ink drawing. This is not a step-by-step, draw what I draw, book. It is more a collection of tips & techniques for drawing almost any subject.

The author starts out by explaining each kind of line and what it's used for. Next, she explains value. Ink washes, a dry brush, and a variety of different line types are then used to create contrast and texture.

The design & composition section is great for showing you how to put everything together and what pitfalls to look out for. She also guides you through choosing a subject, finding a good photo to work from and achieving perspective.

Finally, each kind of subject is explained in detail. Some include flowers, landscapes, all kinds of water, and buildings. She also covers many animals including dogs, horses & birds. Human faces & figures are detailed as well.

The Intrepid Art Collector: The Beginner's Guide to Finding, Buying, and Appreciating Art on a Budget
Average customer rating:

Get Your Feet Wet - Buy What You Love

Take This With You To The Galleries

The Intrepid Art Collector: The Beginner's Guide to Finding, Buying, and Appreciating Art on a Budget
Lisa Hunter
Manufacturer: Three Rivers Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Collecting | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0307237133
Release Date: 2006-10-24

Book Description

Ready to upgrade your artwork from framed Monet posters but intimidated by what you see in galleries?

In The Intrepid Art Collector, Lisa Hunter shows you how to start a fine art collection without spending a fortune. This accessible, jargon-free resource contains up-to-date information on the most popular original art—everything from photography and posters to African art and animation—including where to find it and how to buy it at a fair price. Easy-to-use checklists help you evaluate original art and steer clear of clever fakes. In addition, Hunter has interviewed top dealers, curators, arts lawyers, and appraisers to bring you the best advice on:

• Advantages to buying real art instead of reproductions
• Determining if a piece of art is fairly priced
• Predicting if an artist’s work will go up in value
• Techniques for negotiating a price with a dealer
• Developing your artistic taste, so you’ll know if you’ll still love your purchase ten years down the road
• How to preserve art in your home
• Resources, websites, and magazines that will help you learn more about the market and where to find different types of art

Customer Reviews:

Get Your Feet Wet - Buy What You Love.......2007-06-05

This is a great starter reference for the novice. The guidance is sound, and Lisa Hunter's enthusiasm is contagious. A few color photographs would have been nice, but wisely this book focuses on cultivating the reader's own intelligence and knowledge rather than dictating taste. If you have ever been interested in starting an art collection of your own, or buying that Kashmiri silk rug, a little research is a good thing. This is a grand place to start.

Take This With You To The Galleries.......2006-11-04

I love art but I've always felt nervous buying art. How do you know if you're getting the real thing? How do you know if you're overpaying? What's that rug really worth? Why is a photograph worth so much? What's the difference between a valuable vintage photograph and a copy of it that looks exactly the same? No one can tell you what a piece of art will be worth in ten years, but Ms. Hunter explains how to go about buying the real thing (and avoid buying fakes) -- and why you should buy the real thing. I feel much more confident about buying a few pretty things for the house now.

Appreciating China: Gifts from Ruth and Bruce Dayton

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Appreciating China: Gifts from Ruth and Bruce Dayton
Robert D. Jacobsen
Manufacturer: Art Media Resources
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Museums & Collections | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Private | Museums & Collections | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Folk Art | Schools, Periods & Styles | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1588860299

Book Description

This beautifully designed and illustrated catalogue presents the 218 gifts of Chinese art from Ruth and Bruce Dayton to the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. Ranging in date from the Shang to the Qing, these objects were carefully chosen to form a high-quality and well-balanced collection that encompasses all classsical Chinese traditions. They include ancient metalwork, Buddhist arts, lacquer, ceramics, painting and calligraphy, classical furniture and literati objects. Among the highlights are a Warring States inlaid bronze chariot fitting, a large Han bronze horse and a Han bronze money tree, a Song wooden Buddhist sculpture, Ming sutras and Taoist paintings, Sino-Tibetan Buddhist arts, outstanding lacquerwares of the Han, Song, Yuan, and Ming dynasties, Song, Yuan and Ming paintings in the literati tradition, Ming hardwood furniture, and a variety of scholar's objects.

The Ballet Book: Learning and Appreciating the Secrets of Dance

Average customer rating:

fascinating and beautiful
Behind-the-Scenes and upfront at ABT
decor
SO FAR I LOVE THE BOOK, I CAN'T WAIT TO FINISH IT
I Love This Book!!!!!

The Ballet Book: Learning and Appreciating the Secrets of Dance
American Ballet Theatre , and Nancy Ellison
Manufacturer: Universe Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Performing Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Photography | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
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Round About the Ballet
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ASIN: 078930869X
Release Date: 2003-07-04

Book Description

The definitive book for learning and appreciating ballet, The Ballet Book goes behind the scenes to the classes, rehearsals, and performances that have shaped this prestigious ballet company. Readers will learn from the best as American Ballet Theatre dancers show how to stretch, stand, dance, and perform like professional ballerinas. Featuring photographs of dancers at their most dramatic--and most intimate--this fully illustrated book shares ballet's best-kept secrets and, by demonstrating how to watch and appreciate as well as to dance ballet, is indispensable for every dancer and lover of dance. The book offers a thorough explanation of each step in a dancer's routine: from preparing the shoes and stretching to classwork and rehearsals to the finale--the performance itself. Both a how-to and a privileged glimpse at the hours of practice and fierce determination that go into making the finest dancers, the book features ballet's brightest stars, including Nina Ananiashvili, popularly known as Nina Ballerina, and Ethan Stiefel, who has become a celebrity both onstage and off.

Customer Reviews:

fascinating and beautiful.......2006-05-08

This book is nothing but spectacular photography and interesting behind-the-scenes looks at one of the most beautiful arts in the world. I love ballet and I can't get enough of it. This book is one of my favorite things ever and it's a great addition to any book collection. Stories, costumes, and props for various major ballets from Nutcrakcer to Sleeping Beauty were a pleasant surprise that added to the quality of this book.

Behind-the-Scenes and upfront at ABT.......2005-08-15

A comprehensive overview of the workings of a major ballet company,in this case American Ballet Theatre, with detailed insights from administrators, students, staff, and principal dancers. Not only are various levels of experience explored (from corps to principals) but also some of the training involved and differences between styles of performance: Virtuoso/bravura, Lyrical/Adagio, Allegro. In short, what makes a dancer great or a performance work. There are also explanations of rehearsal scheduling, tech/dress rehearsals, and why time is money too.

The section on the details of partnering--especially lifts and preventing mistakes in timing or perception--was interesting because this is an area not usually covered in simple manuals of positions. Also the sections on what aspects of technique matter--e.g. purity of line, consistancy of positioning--besides the pyrotechniques of 32 fouettes or soaring ballon may help others see it's not all tricks. And finally someone shows proper hands and says no to 'droopy wrists'!

There are a wealth of photographs: Both corps demonstrating positions and rehearsing; Irina Kolpakova, Kevin McKenzie, Kirk Peterson, Guillaum Graffin teaching; Lar Lubovich choreographing; and the principals in performance of the major repertoire. Enjoy the pictures of current and up-and-coming soloist/corps members--some of whom are now principals. There are also one or two photos of principals prepping in their dressing rooms and/or the wings. The contrast between the dancers and the backstage gaffer/fly/grip staff and big$-donors observing rehearsals is also amusing.

All in all, a lovely overview of ABT busy at work bringing insight and enjoyment to us fans, however knowledgeable we are--or not. A good purchase, especially for the details provided and knowing comments of the dancers and teacher/coaches.

decor.......2005-07-27

A beautiful book with photos and some text.
There is no real explanation of how to do anything ballet.
That is OK. Just understand that this is basically a book for decoration, not instruction.

SO FAR I LOVE THE BOOK, I CAN'T WAIT TO FINISH IT.......2003-12-04

I love everything about the text, photos. I use do ballet, but I didn't know anything about it when I took ballet. So this book is showing and telling about it. Its defintly a keepsake for me and my kids, grandkids, and so on. Thank you.

I Love This Book!!!!!.......2003-10-02

I just got this book a week ago and I love it! I am a 12 year old ballet dancer looking for new ways to improve myself in technique and choreography and this was definently the book to do that! The Ballet Book is now my favorite book and I read it when I have free time(when I am not dancing). The pictures were beautiful and had everything I needed to know right there! Thank you for this wonderful book!!!!!!!!

Getting It: A Guide to Understanding and Appreciating Art

Average customer rating:

Getting begets Giving!
All you ever wanted to know about Art!!!
I finally got it!!!
How to "get it"
Becky Hendrick wants you to get it

Getting It: A Guide to Understanding and Appreciating Art
Cyndi Eller
Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Spiral-bound
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ASIN: 0618066713

Customer Reviews:

Getting begets Giving!.......2000-10-31

I received this book as a birthday gift (from artist mother to artist daughter) together with a note: "I know you could have written this book yourself, but hope you'll enjoy it anyway!" The author's inscription reads "I hope this little book speaks to you in a big way." Let me just say it is one of the best gifts of countless perfect gifts I've received from people who seem to "get it!" I have a fairly ecclectic library of books on art and artists, and this one will have its place among the rare gems that I refer to often. Although the author may have intended this book for an audience of non-artists, I believe her collection of essays and charmingly simple illustrations will be just as refreshing to art-majors and professionals. She is funny, yet serious, and the book is as much about getting art as it is about getting anything worth getting in life. As a bonus, the format suits the topic and is ideal in every way. It feels as good as it looks as good as it reads as good as it is. Don't think twice about Getting It!

All you ever wanted to know about Art!!!.......2000-09-12

The subtitle says it all. Becky Hendrick deftly guides readers who want to "get" art, whether they are novices to the field of art or informed art enthusiasts. Based on Hendrick's college class for non-art majors, the book is a mini-course on how to objectively view and think about art. Getting It is packed with insights about Art with a capital A. For example, in one chapter Hendrick explains the vocabulary of art, defining elements and principles such as line, shape, and balance. In another she describes art styles, explaining how they reflect the period in which they developed. In a later chapter, she takes readers into the mind of a Cubist artist planning a creation. As a curriculum specialist who has written about art, I'm amazed at the energy and ease, and even humor, with which Hendrick approaches her subject. If you are a high school student, college student, docent, or art teacher, or if you are simply interested in learning more about art, definitely add this book to your must-read list. I assure you that you will never look at Art in the same way.

I finally got it!!!.......2000-08-12

For the first time in my long life I finally get it!! I have reread this wonderful book twice recently before going to cities with major art museums to remind myself how to look at and how to feel the art. This book cuts to the core of the wonder and the mystery of art and helps nonartists like myself understand a lot more than we would have without it. Beautifully done.

How to "get it".......2000-08-01

This terrific, concise book explains how to "get" art to people without any art background.

The basic vocabulary of art such as lines, shapes, space, value and color are discussed as the foundation. The artist's intentions in using these resources are explained. The author describes how to objectively describe art and to understand the artist's intentions. The major periods and, movements in art are described. The book has sufficient pictures and sketches to illustrate the examples.

I highly recommend this book to anybody curious about art. Travelers and museum- goers who want to understand what they are going to see will benefit from reading this book before going.

Becky Hendrick wants you to get it.......2000-08-01

Becky Hendrick's Getting It: A Guide to Understanding and Appriciating Art is the book I wish I had written. Had it been available when I was teaching art appreciation, it would have been required reading for my classes. To many people faced with the overwhelming range of art in museums and galleries, art seems to be a joke; and the joke is on them. Hendricks addresses this in a quote from Hans Hoffman: "If you do not understand a man who speaks a language you do not speak, is this therefore proof that the man babbles only nonsense?" Hendrick's response is to say we need to learn how to speak more fluently the constantly evolving language of art. And in clear language she offers readers clues to becoming fluent in that language. It all starts, she says, with learning how to look. "The average time spent looking at a work of art in a museum is ten seconds, just enough time to pass judgement on it and walk away. Doesn't it seem odd that someone wanting to Get It would pass judgement on art as a first step rather than a final one? Because that's what judgement is: closure. We know this; in a court of law, after all the evidence is heard and all the arguments are made, a verdict comes. ... Judging, whether it's done in a courtroom or in a museum, is the last thing we need to do." In this slim volume, Hendricks offers simple exercises in objective and non-judgemental viewing to help us learn how to finally make that judgement. And she does it with style and humor. Getting It is a book that should be owned by all students, teachers, docents, curators and collectors.

Poetry by Doing: New Approaches to Reading, Writing, and Appreciating Poetry

Average customer rating:

Poetry by Doing: New Approaches to Reading, Writing, and Appreciating Poetry
McGraw-Hill
Manufacturer: Glencoe/McGraw-Hill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Anthologies | Poetry | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

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All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
ASIN: 0844256625

Average customer rating:

Appreciating Art
Darrel Trulson , and Debbie Trulson
Manufacturer: Christian Liberty Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

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Crafts for Children | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 1930367031

Book Description

This workbook provides hands-on arts and crafts activities for first graders. Each project can be completed with simple household items. Instructions are provided with each of the lessons.

Writing The Sacred: A Psalm-Inspired Path To Appreciating And Writing Sacred Poetry

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Writing The Sacred: A Psalm-Inspired Path To Appreciating And Writing Sacred Poetry
Ray Mcginnis
Manufacturer: Northstone Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Poetry | Writing | Reference | Subjects | Books

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

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Appreciating Dance: A Guide to the World's Livliest Art

Average customer rating:

Good text for dance appreciation class.

Appreciating Dance: A Guide to the World's Livliest Art
Harriet R. Lihs
Manufacturer: Princeton Book Company Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0871272490

Book Description

Written for the dance novice, this book is a concise, thorough, and accurate history of all forms of dance. It gives a brief biography of many of the notable dancers and choreographers who have contributed to each form of dance, and provides, in a nutshell, the information needed to expand the enjoyment of performance. It also details the history of dance from its earliest beginnings and covers the intersection of dance and religion, social dance, ballet, modern dance, tap, jazz, film dance, and contemporary dance.

Customer Reviews:

Good text for dance appreciation class........2007-08-12

Achievable, comprehensive, well-paced. This is a small and affordable text which students enjoy, and is a good companion if you will be viewing many dance videos and movies in your course. The author gives questions for discussion, as well as an extensive list of suggested videos and movies. It works well with the PBS video series, Dancing.

Students noted that it would be more helpful if the discussion questions were inserted at the end of each chapter rather than at the end of the book, but not an insurmountale problem.

Average customer rating:

APPRECIATING ART
Debbie & Darrel Trulson
Manufacturer: Christian Liberty Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OTKAYS

Average customer rating:

Appreciating Art
Debbie Trulson
Manufacturer: CHRISTIAN LIBERTY PRESS
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000UZBW52

Lorraine O'Grady: Photomontages
Average customer rating:
Lorraine O'Grady: Photomontages
Judith Wilson
Manufacturer: INTAR Gallery
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

General | Photography | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B0006EVARM

U.S. Acres Hams It Up
Average customer rating:
U.S. Acres Hams It Up
Jim Davis
Manufacturer: World Almanac Education
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 0886875943

Amazon.com

From the nudie cuties of the 1950s to celebrity porn in the late 1990s, The Other Hollywood: The Uncensored Oral History of the Porn Film Industry offers an insider's view of the adult film industry's transition from a shady, backroom business to a $10-billion-per-year money machine and mainstream acceptance. The story is told through interviews with hundreds of actors, directors, law enforcement officials, and other participants, all edited together with expert skill and pacing.

The industry exploded in the early 1970s with the success of the Mafia-backed Deep Throat, which reportedly grossed $100 million after an initial $22,000 investment. Featured at the Cannes Film Festival in 1973, the film ushered in the rise of "porno chic," making it fashionable, for a time, to take a date to a porn film. One industry insider described Deep Throat as "the Blair Witch Project of its time." Filled with sleazy intrigue, vivid details, and many heartbreaking--and even touching--stories, The Other Hollywood covers the actors, the numerous legal challenges to the industry, FBI sting operations, the Mafia connection, rampant drug use, rock stars, celebrities, the opposition by religious and political groups, the emergence of AIDS (that claimed the lives of porn superstars such as the famously endowed John Holmes), and the explosion of the video market and its overnight fortunes. Even at 600 pages, this is a quick and engrossing read that is hard to put down. --Shawn Carkonen

Book Description

A raucous and revealing oral history of the birth of the adult film industry, The Other Hollywood peels back the candy coating to let the true story be told -- by the stars, movie makers, and other industry players who lived it. And what a story it is: Through hundreds of original interviews, contemporary newspaper accounts, police reports, court testimony, and more, Legs McNeil and coauthors Jennifer Osborne and Peter Pavia trace today's billion-dollar industry from its makeshift, mob-connected origins to the Internet age. Along the way we encounter porn stars such as Linda Lovelace, John Holmes, Traci Lords, and Savannah -- along with countless mainstream stars, politicians, FBI agents, and more.

Epic, hilarious, and moving, The Other Hollywood contributes to the porn industry the one thing missing in all previous accounts: a vivid, tragicomic, irresistible humanity.

Customer Reviews:

Weird perspective.......2007-07-17

This is an oral history of the Porn industry taken from a huge number of sources. In a lot of ways it exposes our hypocrisy about pornography, the "yeah I did but I didn't inhale" sort of thing. Interesting stuff, it traces how the early "Hippie" free love culture evolved into a drug crazed, biker gang and organized crime thing. It touches on some of the high profile disasters, Shauna Grant, Savannah, Traci Lords and John Holmes but virtually ignores how the porno industry evolved into big business with large corporations dominating the industry. There's very little discussion of the shift from New York to California production. There's virtually no mention of the impact of the Internet. Well written and well worth reading though. A sequel picking up in 1985 would be nice.

The best book on the subject ever.......2007-03-19

The Other Hollywood is the most indepth book on the history of adult films ever written. Legs Mcneil interviews everybody involved in adult films both pro and con and gives them equal time to express their views on the subject. He delves deepm into territory that could be considered dangerous iterviewing ex mafia and fbi alike. The only real problem is the book seems to end in the mid ninties. I would love topo see a sequel dealing with modern porn and its big buissness persona that it has become.

well worth the cash.......2007-03-16

this is a good buy especially for the resoanble price it asks....
interesting stuff involving the adult business...my only complaint is that it didnt shed to much light with the porn business in the 80's..it did for a lil bit but not enough especially since my childhood was based mainly on 80's porn so im more familiar with those stars than the 70's folks but i am aware of them...than again it is the "history" of the business so its all justified...
good book..
4 stars-5 if it had more stories from the 80's...

The Real Life Boogie Nights .......2006-12-14

The Other Hollywood is more or less a history of the porn industry from the 1950's through the mid to late 90's done in an interview style using direct quotes from the interviewees. Its a huge book although I think a lot more stuff could have been covered. This book starts the early days of pin up models, Russ Meyer movies and the bizarre nude volleyball film genre. Then it moves on through the evolution covering a wide range of people and topics that were involved. Criminal involvement from the top of the food chain mafia down to the petty hustlers and criminals that gravite towards the porn world, femanazi, Christian and especially FBI harrassment, drug abuse and other self destructive behavior being the norm from the porn stars themselves, the sagas of Linda Lovelace, the Mitchell brothers and John Holmes are covered at length, the general process of making and distributing the movies themselves, the heyday of porn theaters, peep shows and porn shops, the outbreak of AIDS are topics covered in this among other things. This was a good fun at times and depressing at times read.

Porn stars are my friends.......2006-10-09

Read in a fortnight, compulsively and earnestly, this book is a must buy for several reasons. Oral (pun intended and not intended) histories are the best way to handle such topics as Punk Rock (covered by the same author) and the Porn industry, because there are so many stories to tell, so many plotlines running congruently and so many voices that demand to be heard, that to try to weave them into one narrative would be nearly impossible and would be difficult to read. While some of the FBI, Mafia and other criminal plotlines aren't quite as interesting as the behind the scenes of the actual films, they are still pertinent to the overall story.

Growing up with porn and looking at it probably much younger than I was suppossed to, the people in the first half of this book almost seem like friends, like some strange relatives that don't always appear at holiday dinners, that not all of my relatives approve of.

My bias of course is to the first half of this book and the stories of Marilyn Chambers, John Holmes, Linda Lovelace, etc. Some amazing tales that span the gamut of human experiences and emotions.

It's not that the 80's and 90's are not as fascinating, but these people seem more distant, less heoric (strange, I know), and also in many ways, less human than the pioneers that started the industry.

There are some voices that are missing or are not given full voice (Hugh Hefner, Larry Flynt and the publishing industries that they forged in general), but the drive of the narrative is certainly the "visual" medium of the industry as oppossed to the written word (as well as the fact that those subjects could be books in and of themselves). There is also little discussion of current trends of the last decade (the internet primarily), but the real genius of this book, is that you could say that in many ways the story is still continuing, and the book could never be finished and could always be updated. Volume 2 would certainly not be as fascinating, but would certainly be entertaining.

I think in general, people who came of age in the 1970s or early 80's will find this book much more intersting than those who came after. In some ways, the innocence (yes, again, strange) of those early years (before aids, before video, before the internet) make this an oddly nostalgic work whether intended or not. In some ways pornography is less about the personality and the novelty these days. For those who have never watched a porno film in a theatre or in a peep show, it's hard to explain that experience. That makes me for one, nostalgic for those early (and yes, sleazy) days. This book brought back those days and those feelings in many ways. It made me miss my old friends.

The Other Hollywood : The Uncensored Oral History of the Porn Film Industry

Average customer rating:

The Other Hollywood : The Uncensored Oral History of the Porn Film Industry
Legs; Osborne, Jennifer McNeil
Manufacturer: Regan Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OA6XPW

Average customer rating:

The Other Hollywood: The Uncensored Oral History of the Porn Film Industry
Legs; Osborne, Jennifer McNeil
Manufacturer: Regan Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OA6XI4

Book Description

AIready a legendary performer in the music industry, Jewel has been writing poetry, short stories, and prose since she was young. She's also a bestselling author, poet, and actress. Now this uniquely talented artist opens the pages of her most intimate journals to give readers, fans, and friends a glimpse of her magical, turbulent life.

Drawn from life on the road during her Spirit World Tour, Jewel captures unforgettable moments from her childhood in Alaska, her beginnings as a struggling artist, and her challenges as a daughter, sister, and woman. With acutely observed, eloquent depictions of the musicians, lovers, bikers, strangers, celebrities, and characters that inhabit her world -- and illustrated throughout with candid, never-before-seen photos of Jewel and her own photojournalism and drawings -- Chasing Down the Dawn is more than a collection of vignettes, observations, and stories. It is a finely wrought mosaic in prose and poetry, set to the rhythms of life.

Customer Reviews:

Brutal Candor.......2005-08-23

When I think of how Jewel has slipped in the public's perception from a fresh, innovative voice on the neo-alternative music scene to something of a joke only a decade later, it makes the '90's seem very far away. Back when this book was written she was still taken seriously and the confidence widespread acclaim gave her shows. I'm not sure she would or even could produce this work today.

I admire Jewel for writing this book. It isn't an exercise in self-flattery, nor is it a place-by-place memoir of her life. What Jewel created is almost more a confession than an autobiography. She tells of what it was like to grow up in rural poverty in Alaska, the only girl in a family of boys, and describes the hardships she faced in that life. A gifted performer and musically talented from a young age onward, Jewel and her family would perform concerts at bars and on stages through her home state. She tells of this part of her life, and moves forward into an adolescence spent homeless and living in a car. She talks about relationships and friendships, loss and the influences behind many of of her most personal songs, including the real life story behind her sad ballad Adrian. This is not only a book for fans of Jewel, it also works for anyone interested in reading a frank, unpretentious life story.

An Intimate and Enchanting Mosaic.......2005-06-07

My best friend Jacque, used to say, "Sleep beneath the stars and you will wake with more answers than you have questions to." ~Jewel

From the first page, you enter Jewel's magical world of snow and ice in Alaska. Jewel is on a private jet, writing about her life.

Jewel's "Chasing Down the Dawn" is an intimate, timeless and enchanting mosaic. Jewel creates a world where the main elements of life and the magical experiences are woven into her daily existence. Her experiences are processed through her self-analysis and then woven into words.

While not organized in a chronological order, memories dance playfully with stark reality, unique vignettes give insight into the inexorable connection between Jewel's music and the way she views life. She becomes the guitar, her music is her gift, she is grounded in purpose, yet living in the stars with dreams she eventually manifests into reality.

The story of her life is temporarily tragic and eternally beautiful. We read about the tragic loss of her mother as a child (the divorce), how she struggled to live in a world of men (no privacy), her childhood in Alaska and the sharp contrast between frontier life and traveling on a private jet. It is as if Jewel has lived two lives, one in the distant past and one in the dreamy future. Her vivid recollections are especially beautiful to read and there is a sacred side to her writing. She is not just experiencing her dream, she is creating each moment through conscious decisions.

Jewel is a multitalented artist. She excels as a musician, poet and skilled writer and then her artistic nature also comes out in her photography. I loved the three pictures of the grain barn with the horse and rider shadows. She also shows us her honest comedic side in stories of how she "borrowed" a few items from a friend. She then concludes that stealing was a "manifestation of my lack of faith in myself."

Chasing Down the Dawn gives insight into Jewel's songs and what inspired her to write "Who Will Save Your Soul?" Her songs then reveal their history in her childhood memories, ideas about love, love of horses and nature, memories of people she has loved and lost and her world travels and life experience. Throughout this book Jewel and her father are on a journey to accept each other as souls and when her father sings her a sweet sixteen lullaby the circle is complete.

To me, Jewel is a magical angelic singer who was sent to our earth to remind us of the magnificent creations we are, to remind us to love and to contemplate our deeper existence. The existence of our souls, how we can change the world for the better through our lives and how we can survive this earthly and temporary solitude within a physical body subject to emotional pain and ethical conflicts.

Reading Jewel's short stories, vivid recollections and songs make the world seem a little less lonely. Her writing draws us into her magical world of experience and leaves us wanting to read more.

If you love Jewel's poetic writing style, then I think you will love her poems.

~TheRebeccaReview.com
Listening to Pieces of You and Spirit

Jewel Fans Will Enjoy This Book.......2004-08-24

This books is a compilation of experiences and stories from Jewel's childhood up through adulthood, as well as experiences from the road. I find her childhood and upbringing in Alaska fascinating so I had a hard time putting the book down. She shares with the reader bits about her relationship with her family and friends, the glamour and gloom of being on tour, and how she became the artist she is today. As you'll read from the book you'll see her talent was in her genes. There are wonderful photographs from her childhood up through adulthood and her writing seems to come right from her heart. I really enjoyed the book and insight into her life and recommend the book to fans who enjoy Jewel's music.

Jewel's Life and World.......2004-07-14

This is a sort of autobiographical journal by Jewel. She talks about growing up in Alaska, her early beginnigs as a singer, songwriter and musician, and her life on the road on tour. Many personal anecdotes in here which Jewel fans will find interesting. You'll get a good sense of how Jewel thinks and feels about her rise to fame, and just about things in general, including past events and memories which she recounts from her life. And yes, she's very intuitive and thinks a lot. The book is illustrated throughtout with Jewel's simple and delightful little drawings. There are also lots of beautiful photos in this book.

David Rehak
author of "A Young Girl's Crimes"

Chasing Down The Dawn.......2004-03-01

Chasing Down The Dawn (by Jewel Kilcher) Reader Review
Harper Entertainment, 2000
Reviewer: Karen Unglaub from Noble High School, North Berwick, Maine.
The autobiography Chasing Down the Dawn, by Jewel Kilcher, is notes and paragraphs about Jewel's life from when she was 10 until she was 18. It tells about her parent's divorce and how it was a total shock. How she and her 2 older brothers and her dad moved far away, leaving there mother standing sobbing. All to start a new life, and get on with the old one. She and her father would go into clubs and sing together a few times a week. Jewel met a few, lot of unusual people, but they helped open her eyes to the variety of life. She would talk amongst the men and women, and they gave her respect, because she was a very mature young lady. She writes a lot of short poems that are separate from the usual text; she includes a lot of her own drawings in the autobiography too.
She encounters first love, and leaves him. She always needed more than just a boyfriend to pretend to love her. She thought she was in love with him. She was only in love with the idea of being in love, and had to leave him to find her real prince in shinning Armour. (She has also a book of poems, A Night Without Armour) Her father began going to bars quite frequently to sing and meet ladies. She would accompany him and sing by his side on stage. Her father protected her from ridicule.
Not until she was sixteen, that she ventures out into bars all alone to sing and earn her way out of poverty, for just one day. She made just enough money to cover her bus tickets food and then she kept the left over few dollars, and used it for what she had to. Her father trusted her and knew that she was very mature, and allowed her to go out on her own and experience club life of her own. She got gigs, because she was cute, refreshing and had a folk style that was different than the grunge that was in that era. Her name finally was spreading around the cities, and she was signed to a label to make an album, and go on tour. She now was getting noticed in the street, while she was trying to write in peace and quite. It would frustrate her; she had pressure from the label to keep writing all of her new songs. She liked to write about people, so she would watch people on the street, and jot down poems and phrases. It got so hard once she was getting recognized, because she lived to stay in the hidden and watch from the sides. Now she couldn't look at them secretly, because they were already looking at her!
She would go back home to Alaska, and feel very uncomfortable; her father would want her to join the village's hot shower outside. That was held at her house. They made a shower. She would not join. She would go after. They also had to share a phone line too. She would share it with 7 different families, and she felt that they were always eavesdropping. Also of the other hand, she felt most relaxed at home after she felt the most relaxed at home, in her fathers many acres. She was free to write and not be noticed by anyone at all, except the cattle. She got accustomed to famous life, and was thankful. The autobiography leaves off with her talking about life. "Life is all about rhythm... And Time is not a line, it's a loop."
Strengths
This autobiography is very detailed and had many poems that provide a deeper insight about her life. The book does what it should; it invites you into her life, shows you around and lets you out with a goodbye. This book has many photographs. It shows the good and the bad. Life on the road without makeup after being awake for 20 hours. And her in a field laying in the grass with one of her many horses. She shows pictures of life in the city, and life in the country. It shows random people, and her most loved ones. She includes a lot of her own art in the book too. She draws pictures of naked women, that are bearing their souls, nothing to hide and completely honest and pure.
Weaknesses
The autobiography is not in chronological order. It bounces from thought to thought, as her mind does. She questions herself, and contradicts herself quite often, and left me still to wonder how she is feeling. The only feeling I can conclude is confusion, much like I was when I read the book. She touches on subjects that she never went back to, but it kept you wondering, much like life does. Aside from the normal text, I liked the format of the book. The font was big enough to read, and wasn't boring. It had a different look to it; you didn't feel like you were reading a "boring book for English class". But the format was also mixed up; it would jump from a chapter to a whole bunch of pictures in the middle of nowhere, but an interesting experience. Looking at the experience of reading this, I think that it mad me look more at the world and what feelings that I am going through, and that everyone is different, but more the same.

Chasing Down the Dawn: Stories from the Road

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Chasing Down the Dawn: Stories from the Road

Manufacturer: Tandem Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: 141764771X

Chasing Down the Dawn: Stories from the Road by Jewel

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Chasing Down the Dawn: Stories from the Road by Jewel
Jewel
Manufacturer: Harper Paperbacks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OES4NM

Between Belief and Transgression: Structuralist Essays in Religion, History, and Myth (Chicago Originals)
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Between Belief and Transgression: Structuralist Essays in Religion, History, and Myth (Chicago Originals)

Manufacturer: Univ of Chicago Pr (Tx)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0226388611

Between Belief and Transgression: Structuralist Essays in Religion, History, and Myth
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Between Belief and Transgression: Structuralist Essays in Religion, History, and Myth
Michel and Pierre Smith Ed. Izard
Manufacturer: Univ of Chicago Pr (Tx)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OP2EJ6

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