Art Theory: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions)

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Terrific book!

Art Theory: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions)
Cynthia A. Freeland
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Art History: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions)

Contemporary Art: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions)

Postmodernism: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions)

Modern Art: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions)

Poststructuralism: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions)

ASIN: 0192804634

Book Description

In today's art world many strange, even shocking, things qualify as art. In this Very Short Introduction Cynthia Freeland explains why innovation and controversy are valued in the arts, weaving together philosophy and art theory with many fascinating examples. She discusses blood, beauty, culture, money, museums, sex, and politics, clarifying contemporary and historical accounts of the nature, function, and interpretation of the arts. Freeland also propels us into the future by surveying cutting-edge web sites, alongside the latest research on the brain's role in perceiving art. This clear, provocative book engages with the big debates surrounding our responses to art and is an invaluable introduction to anyone interested in thinking about art.

Customer Reviews:

Terrific book!.......2005-08-07

I found this book to do just what I had hoped. It's like a syllabus from a very smart, highly organized professor, who fleshes out the subjects just enough, and lets you know where exactly to look for more. It's concise, intelligent, and informative, and it saved me a lot of time in working out an outline on the subject (I'm an art professor myself). Cynthia Freeland -- thank you! What clarity!

Literary Theory: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions)

Average customer rating:

Something To Be Said for Clarity
So-So
One of the worst books in my library
easy to comprehend
Great for beginners

Literary Theory: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions)
Jonathan Culler
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 019285383X

Book Description

What is Literary Theory? Is there a relationship between literature and culture? In fact, what is Literature, and does it matter? These are the sorts of questions addressed by Jonathan Culler in a book which steers a clear path through a subject which is often perceived to be impenetrable. It offers insights into theories about the nature of language and meaning, whether literature is a form of self-expression or a method of appeal to an audience, and outlines the ideas behind a number of different schools: deconstruction, semiotics, postcolonial theory, and structuralism amongst them.

Customer Reviews:

Something To Be Said for Clarity.......2007-09-12

This is a classic of clarity and simplicity, a model of its kind, to be compared with the famous Shrunk text on writing. One of the features of theory is the unreadable quality of the prose produced by most of its practitioners. The jargon has made literary no longer attractive. We once read for pleasure and are now turned off by the misc. schools of jargon that obscure as much as they clarify. Those who have written with clarity are written off - Edmund Wilson - and replaced by obscure, minor academics. In this strange atmosphere, and possible as a response to it, Culler has done for theory what Lenin did for Marx. He has made clear what was once difficult if not impossible to understand. We commend his prose style as well as his command of seemingly impenetrable texts.

So-So.......2007-06-07

I finished Literary Theory: A Very Short Introduction by Jonathan Culler last evening and admittedly was not quite a fan of it. Parts of it I found to be horribly dense and while it's not A Very Easy Introduction much of the book didn't really seem to fit under the topic. Granted, some of you who are more experts in Literary Theory may disagree. However, I did enjoy a good portion of the book that went into the history of the novel, what exactly literary theory is, looked into the canon and how "reading" styles have changed over time, and so forth. Perhaps most splendidly it offers a short and concise list of all the big literary theories (i.e. feminism, Marxist, psychoanalysis, deconstruction, etc).

One of the worst books in my library.......2007-06-05

It's hard to imagine a more painful reading experience. This is a good example of how not to craft expository writing.

easy to comprehend.......2007-05-15

Although I graduated from English Literature for about fifteen years ago. I have always been in trouble with literary theories and schools.And I have always been scared to death by the idea of any literary theory. This book has broken the very thick ice which existed between me and the subject. Now I am eager to read more on the subject. Thank you very much Professor Culler.

Great for beginners.......2006-08-29

For those of you out there, who are, for some reason, venturing in the very large field of literary theory, with it's vast majority of works that are not understandable to the average people, I wish you good luck.

You will need it, but as it is true vith everything that you care for, if you have the will you will eventualy succeed and fight your way trough the forest and emerge as a winner.

On that travel you should have your vorthy sidekick who will follow you into the most dangerous situations, to the places with no exits and where dark thing brood in every corner waiting to jump upon tired traveller. On the adventurous field of literary theory, Jonathan Cullers book is that kind of sidekick.

If you are completely lost and you have no idea where to start your investigation of numerous schools of thought and many problems that have arisen trought the time, this very short introduction will cover basics, and when you finish reading if you want to go on, there is very good litterature stated on the last pages which you can consult of your own will.

Here you can find short, and trust me, you can't get any shorter, and yet plausible overview of schools which you can use for your future work.

All in all, for a starter this is very good place to start, and for an experienced adventurer this is the place to remind you why you ventured on your quest at all.

Postmodernism: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions)

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Thoroughly POMO
Excellent
wonderfully concise explanation
It is what it says it is
Quite Good

Postmodernism: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions)
Christopher Butler
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0192802399

Book Description

Postmodernism has been a buzzword in contemporary society for the last decade. But how can it be defined? In this Very Short Introduction Christopher Butler challenges and explores the key ideas of postmodernists, and their engagement with theory, literature, the visual arts, film, architecture, and music. He treats artists, intellectuals, critics, and social scientists 'as if they were all members of a loosely constituted and quarrelsome political party' - a party which includes such members as Cindy Sherman, Salman Rushdie, Jacques Derrida, Walter Abish, and Richard Rorty - creating a vastly entertaining framework in which to unravel the mysteries of the 'postmodern condition', from the politicizing of museum culture to the cult of the politically correct.

Customer Reviews:

Thoroughly POMO.......2007-08-28

Despite some of the reviews that indicated Christopher Butler's tone was negative toward Postmodernism in this VERY SHORT INTRODUCTION, I found the book very helpful with my growing understanding of meta-narrative terminology and classifications. Also, as pointed out by other reviewers, is the fact that defining a meta-discourse that supposes universal definitions are not possible, poses special problems that I feel Butler handled very nicely.

Butler, simply and rightly, maintained his neutrality on the subject, which it seems, should be the first of Post-modern goals. In other words, Postmodernism is neither good nor bad.

Excellent.......2007-03-11

Butler touches on all aspects of PM thought/aesthetics in; literature, architecture, art theory etc. and nails it right on the head.

It is fair to say, as some reviewers pointed out below, that he is certainly not a cheerleader for PM theory. He shows no mercy and points out all of the glaring contradictions of PM dogma as he sees them. (And so much the better, considering that much writing on the subject frustratingly skims over the absurd aspects of PM in favor of joining in on the lovefest).

Nevertheless, this is a very clearly written and fair-minded little document.

wonderfully concise explanation.......2007-01-09

This book is a great read, even for a total novice, if it is read quickly without fussing over names or knowedge of artists. You can still get the big picture about the concepts underlying Postmodernist thinking and work. It is filled with references to work done in the style which will require some research for the average reader to get a more precise understanding of the artistic developments made under the influence of these ideas.

It is what it says it is.......2007-01-09

This book serves as a fairly straightforward introduction to postmodern thinking. Unfortunately, it is overly critical of postmodernism, which may discourage the curious beginner from pursuing the subject further. It might have been more appropriately titled, "Postmodernism: A Very Short Critique". While there is nothing inherently wrong with casting a critical eye on postmodernism, an introduction should be more balanced than this book is. I would recommend "Teach Yourself Postmodernism by Glenn Ward as a better introduction.

Quite Good.......2006-01-17

Along with Culler's Literary Theory Butler's Postmodernism represents a commendable "Very Short Introduction" to controversial ideas in the humanities. Both volumes are even-handed and well-explained. This is in sharp contrast to Catherine Belsey's Poststructualism: A Very Short Introduction. In the latter volume, the reader doesn't get anything like an even-handed overview. Instead, the reader gets one-sided advocacy of poststructuralist thinking, complete with the movement's characteristically strained logic and unconcern for clear expression.

Barthes: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions)

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Barthes: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions)
Jonathan Culler
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0192801597

Book Description

This acclaimed short study, originally published in 1983, and now thoroughly updated, elucidates the varied theoretical contributions of Roland Barthes (1915-80), the 'incomparable enlivener of the literary mind' whose lifelong fascination was with the way people make their world intelligible. He has a multi-faceted claim to fame: to some he is the structuralist who outlined a 'science of literature', and the most prominent promoter of semiology; to others he stands not for science but pleasure, espousing a theory of literature which gives the reader a creative role. This book describes the many projects, which Barthes explored and which helped to change the way we think about a range of cultural phenomena - from literature, fashion, wrestling, and advertising to notions of the self, of history, and of nature.

Documentary Film: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions)

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Documentary Film: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions)
Patricia Aufderheide
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0195182707

Book Description

Documentary film can encompass anything from Robert Flaherty's pioneering ethnography Nanook of the North to Michael Moore's anti-Iraq War polemic Fahrenheit 9/11, from Dziga Vertov's artful Soviet propaganda piece Man with a Movie Camera to Luc Jacquet's heart-tugging wildlife epic March of the Penguins. In this concise, crisply written guide, Patricia Aufderheide takes readers along the diverse paths of documentary history and charts the lively, often fierce debates among filmmakers and scholars about the best ways to represent reality and to tell the truths worth telling. Beginning with an overview of the central issues of documentary filmmaking--its definitions and purposes, its forms and founders--Aufderheide focuses on several of its key subgenres, including public affairs films, government propaganda (particularly the works produced during World War II), historical documentaries, and nature films. Her thematic approach allows readers to enter the subject matter through the kinds of films that first attracted them to documentaries, and it permits her to make connections between eras, as well as revealing the ongoing nature of documentary's core controversies involving objectivity, advocacy, and bias. Interwoven throughout are discussions of the ethical and practical considerations that arise with every aspect of documentary production. A particularly useful feature of the book is an appended list of "100 great documentaries" that anyone with a serious interest in the genre should see. Drawing on the author's four decades of experience as a film scholar and critic, this book is the perfect introduction not just for teachers and students but also for all thoughtful filmgoers and for those who aspire to make documentaries themselves.

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Do You Know All the Words to "Men of Harlech"?

THE BRITISH ALAMO! -co-starring ALFIE and not the DUKE!

The Best Book For the Best Movie!!

Outstanding work on ZULU

Worth 100 stars!

Zulu: With Some Guts Behind It
Sheldon Hall
Manufacturer: Tomahawk Press (GA)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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How Can Man Die Better: The Secrets of Isandlwana Revealed

Like Wolves on the Fold: The Defence of Rorke's Drift

Zulu Dawn

David Rattray's Guide Book to the Anglo-Zulu War Battlefields

Zulu Zulu

ASIN: 0953192660

Customer Reviews:

Do You Know All the Words to "Men of Harlech"?.......2007-07-17

Do you know all the words to "Men of Harlech"? Do you long to tell some slacker whining about why you got stuck with a dirty job: "Because we're here lad and nobody else. Just us." Do you believe that one of the component parts of a miracle can be, "a bayonet... with some guts behind it"? Well, my lad, then this is the book for you, the book that will tell you everything you ever wanted to know and more about the greatest war movie ever made: Zulu.

This labor of love by Sheldon Hall is chock full of surprises, like the fact that the creative partnership behind it was composed of three flaming leftists: a couple of youthful Communists, John Prebble and Cy Endfield, who avoided the United States during the McCarthy Era, and an unrepentant socialist, Stanley Baker. Contrary to what one might have expected, surprisingly little of their leftist politics showed up on the screen (some of it Sheldon shows ending up on the cutting room floor in what is either dumb luck or good thinking on somebody's part) in a movie that is often condemned today as a tribute to British imperialism. Why? Well, partly it was just a better grasp of reality. They would have realized what contemporary leftists in the film industry are incapable of understanding anymore: that there is more money to be made in celebrating military heroism than in trashing it. But there was something else that IMHO made a world of difference: they had all lived through WWII, and they had all served in the military as well, making it MUCH more difficult for them to despise the common soldier as the subhuman tool of imperialism that modern leftists who have neither served themselves nor faced the realistic prospect of losing their freedom on the battlefield do so easily today.

Mr. Hall's thoroughness is evident throughout. Among other things he exposes Jack Hawkins' famous claim to have walked out on his own premiere to have a serious problem: the scenes he complains about were never in the movie, and then offers a plausible explanation for it. He also devotes a full chapter to the difficulties inherent in making a film on this subject in South Africa during Apartheid. The later prequel Zulu Dawn is also briefly discussed.

Perhaps the most interesting piece of all was Mr. Hall's spirited, and I must say to me quite convincing, defense of the movie against nitpickers looking for historical errors by pointing out that:

1. the subsequent explosion of research on the Anglo-Zulu War, much of it inspired by the movie itself, was rather obviously not available to the filmmakers,
2. some of the nitpicks are hardly settled questions and in any case reflect PREVIOUSLY made stylistic choices: (Should Chard as an Engineer have been depicted in a BLUE coat? In a contemporaneous painting of the battle HE POSED FOR he is shown wearing a red coat.)
3. during the volley fire defense of the final redoubt, you can see in the closeups that Michael Caine possesses anachronistic dental work for the period -- I'm forced to agree with the author that, "this is madness!"

I was a bit dubious at first about Mr. Hall's superficially cutesy layout: dividing the book into three parts before, during, and after the film shoot respectively titled: "Preparing for Battle", "Dispatches from the Front", and "Victory and Aftermath", and further subdividing it into chapters titled with quotes from the movie, for example 8. "Fall them in, call the roll" -- Casting the actors and 18. "Volley fire present!" -- Reviews and criticism, but as in the examples cited, I cannot dispute their appropriateness. (I wonder how long it took Mr. Hall to come up with them all?)

Defects? The only one I can think of is an unfair one: I only wish Mr. Hall could have written this a few decades sooner. After forty years so many of the principals are gone, some to the simple ravages of time and many more to the Big C. Fortunately devoted spouses and children, justifiably proud of their lost loved ones' achievements, were able to fill in many of the gaps.

Note: if you want a complete audio recording of the movie's version of "Men of Harlech", which is slightly different from any other, your best choice is the first track on the Best of Ivor Emmanuel, who sang it in the movie as Private Owen. This isn't precisely the musical track heard on the film, but unlike the version heard on the film's audio track, it is complete and in one piece. (A more recently recorded choral version without Ivor Emmanuel is also available: Zulu (1964 Film) (Includes Other John Barry Film Score Selections))

THE BRITISH ALAMO! -co-starring ALFIE and not the DUKE!.......2006-12-26

Of course the real star both in front of the camera and behind it in Sheldon Hall's book, is actor Stanley Baker. Not a household name in America, but one who was certainly a presence in Britain. Enough that is, to personally get this exspensive epic into production. Together with writer-producer-director partner Cy Endfield, they had just as much trouble making the 1964 Paramount release "Zulu", as John Wayne had in filming his version of "The Alamo" four years earlier. Hall is certainly one dedicated "Zulu" movie buff and it shows in his exhaustive research and attention to detail in this book. It's everything you ever wanted to know about the movie and the real event at Rorke's Drift, South Africa in 1879. When a mere 150 soldiers of the British Army, were forced to take on over 4,000 Zulu warriors.

Stanley Baker sadly never achieved international stardom, but a young "pre-Alfie" Michael Caine was introduced to the world in this film -without the cockney accent though. Indeed, this is a good-read, well illustrated with script pages, shooting schedules and set designs etc. I remember myself seeing "Zulu" on it's first release in London, at my local ABC cinema and the place was packed. A schoolboy's dream of an action picture and it was British produced, well American Joseph E. Levine did help to get it financed...

The Best Book For the Best Movie!!.......2006-07-09

The book Zulu:With Some Guts Behind It is a great book for people who like the movie Zulu. It explains every stage of the film-making, and tells you about the actors and their own carrers. I love the movie Zulu, and I think that the book has, if it is even possible, made it so I enjoy it more! Another great thing about this book, is that it has alot of pictures, so it is not as intimidating if you were just going to start reading, and say to yourself, Wow, thats alot of pages, of alot of words, and letters. And the author breaks it down, so if you just want to read for a short time you can pick the topic you want to read about, and not have to go through the book to find something you are intrested in that is not too long. All and all, it is a fantastic book that you could read over and over.

Outstanding work on ZULU.......2006-02-17

With the market glutted with works supplying overviews of both the whole of filmdom and specific film genres, more and more authors are turning their attention and critical eyes to the study of individual movies. One of the best of these, and a model for future works of this sort, is WITH SOME GUTS BEHIND IT by Sheldon Hall which deals with the making of the film ZULU. To call this work definitive would simply not do it justice. Frankly, it is hard to imagine any area of the creation of this motion picture that Hall has not covered. No nook or cranny has gone unexplored. In addition, it is gloriously illustrated. The absolutest highest marks in all departments. It was a long time in coming but for once the wait was definitely worth it. Bravo!

Worth 100 stars!.......2006-02-17

If you love the movie ZULU, this is the end all and be all of "making of" books. Sheldon Hall must have ferreted out every last detail that still exists about the movie and he has written with infinite love a magnificent tome.

Customer Reviews:

Very helpful.......2001-07-30

This book, written for the aspiring professional dancer and choreographer, can also be read profitably by anyone interested in dance. The goal of the book is to get dancers to improve their listening skills and gain a broader understanding of musical concepts and notation. Most importantly, it encourages the dancer to explore new ideas connecting movement with sound. The author recognizes however that dance need not always been done to music, citing the great Doris Humphrey's "Water Study" as an example.

The book is very insightful and has much to say about the relation between dance and music. In attempting to define "musicality" the author emphasizes the enumerable different ways that music and movement can be related. Movement need not be done "with the music", it may be contrary to the music, and act "against" it. She details how choreographers view music and its use in dance and in dance class. Assignments are given at the end of each chapter to illustrate and extend the main points.

Body percussion is introduced as a tool to understand musical percussion patterns as actually done via instruments. The author emphasizes that dancers can improvise on the spot just like most drummers do.

The difference between dancer's counts and musician's counts are discussed, and dancers must learn to do both, according to the author. She draws on the knowledge and experience of some of the eminent choreographerrs on notions of musicality, counting, and how the dancer should relate to music. Choreographers are encouraged to collaborate with musicians and the author details the methods of collaboration. Interestingly, one of these is for the choreographer to put together the movement and videotape it, letting the composer have complete freedom to choose the music. The collaboration between Martha Graham, Louis Horst, and Erick Hawkins is discussed in detail as an example of a very successful collaboration.

The chapter entitled "Sounds and Silences" emphasizes the importance of silent breaks in music. Balanchine's use of Stravinsky is quoted as an example of the unique use of silence in dance. A very brief discussion of the physics of sound is given.

Good technical overviews of music dynamics and timing are given in the book, and the author is very aware of the physical effects of sound that must be dealt with in giving a performance in a large auditorium. The terminology of music dynamics is defined in detail, as well as the notion of attack and decay, with the latter being described in physics terms. A very good overview is given of string articulations and dynamic accents. The use of the metronome to keep time is discussed and the author details time signatures, bar lines, and measures. By far the most important discussion of this part is the one on syncopation, for this can be exploited very imaginatively by the dancer.

Rhythmic patterns are discussed using graphical methods, and the notion of polyrhythm, where more than one rhythmic pattern is occurring at the same time, is discussed. A lengthy list is given of the more popular social dance rhythms.

The notion of pitch is also related to the physics of sound along with consonance and dissonance. The different types of scales, namely diatonic, pentatonic, and whole-tone, are discussed briefly with short musical scores given as examples.

Harmony is defined as a "vertical dimension" in music, i.e. the use of simultaneous basic scale pitches. The circle of fifths is discussed also in a section on tonality. Such technical considerations in music are geared primarily to the choreographer reader, particularly the discussions on timbre and score reading. The author also is careful to discuss non-Western musical constructions, all in relation to dance forms. One good example of this is the discussion on the Raga and Tala classical Indian procedures. There is also a brief discussion of more "exotic" phrasing structures such as 7/8 and 18/8 meters. In addition, the author gives a thorough treatment of sectional forms in dance, the AABB, ABA, AABBCCAB, etc. A list of "10 commandments" for communicating with musicians in class and rehearsal is given.

Helping Dancers to Understand Music.......2000-08-14

I am using this book as a text in my Rhythmic Analysis class for dance majors at ULL. It has an accessible approach to learning about music, does not get too bogged down with music theory, and addresses issues particular to dancers. An excellent book, full of stimulating ideas to use in class.

Ear Training for the Body: A Dancer's Guide to Music.: An article from: Notes

Average customer rating:

Ear Training for the Body: A Dancer's Guide to Music.: An article from: Notes
Elizabeth Aldrich
Manufacturer: Music Library Association, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

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Book Description

This digital document is an article from Notes, published by Music Library Association, Inc. on June 1, 1996. The length of the article is 1215 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Ear Training for the Body: A Dancer's Guide to Music.
Author: Elizabeth Aldrich
Publication: Notes (Refereed)
Date: June 1, 1996
Publisher: Music Library Association, Inc.
Volume: v52 Issue: n4 Page: p1188(3)

Article Type: Book Review

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Average customer rating:

Could have been perfect

Exalted a different type of RPG

A must-have if you're in an Exalted campaign, but . . .

Solid and serviceable

Nice Update to Exalted

Exalted, Second Edition
Alan Alexander , Rebecca Borgstrom , and Carl Bowen
Manufacturer: White Wolf Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Exalted: Storytellers Companion (Exalted)

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ASIN: 1588466841

Book Description

Epic Fantasy Reimagined
It is an Age of Sorrows in a world of glorious ruin. While mortals toil and perish, Exalted heroes stride among the bones of a vast, long-forgotten empire, waging war for the destiny of all Creation. There is might, there is beauty, there is wonder, and there is death as well. This is the world of the Exalted.

A Core Rulebook for Exalted®
* Updates and simplifies the Exalted rules, without making older supplements invalid
* A slick-looking book with exciting combat inspired by anime, CCG and CRPG mechanics
* Appeals to both young and hip anime fans and to fans of more traditional fantasy and mythology
* An excellent one-book introduction to epic fantasy roleplaying

Customer Reviews:

Could have been perfect.......2007-07-24

Normally I like all stuff from White Wolf, really.

Yet this guys somehow dont really know what HAS to go in a Storytellers Screen and what is USELESS to have there. As with ALL storyteller screens so far that I have from White Wolf this is the SAME = USELESS.

Ok. Art is so cool and the idea to put the Map of Creation is cool, really. Also it is thicker and resistant to all hazards. Thats why I give this product a 3.

YET... I am a designer and I feel that many tables should be taken away and more important info should be added instead. Like Healing Tables, Diseases, Poisons, Essence recovery reference page, short combat rules, less extended weapon and armor stats, experience reference page, actions and DVs, dont know would make it easier and somehow indispensable. So many space and wasted with things that one really never uses or needs. :(

Exalted a different type of RPG.......2007-05-12

I haven't personally played too many White Wolf games but I have played 3rd Edition D&D a lot so I liked the fact in this game that I started out beefy instead of a character who could easily be killed off. I think the style is also very different from D&D in that its pulling more from Eastern style medieval period instead of the European one typical in D&D. Most impressive to me was how they did mass combat rules an item that doesn't typically occur much in other RPGs. My issues with this book is that it can be hard to find particular rules at times and some rules aren't entirely fleshed out enough that we've spent about 30 minutes debating on how a rule should work. The other issue is that this book gives you the entire background to the world which players themselves shouldn't always have because this book tries to be a combination of a GM and Players handbook. Overall, its has been a very enjoyable game to me and I would recommend any D&D player give it a chance.

A must-have if you're in an Exalted campaign, but . . ........2007-03-10

I have to say, I really don't like the way White Wolf structures their content. I would prefer to have more sidebars, tables and the like, as a lot of often-referenced rules and such are buried in the text, and the index is less than helpful. Also, the way they word a lot of the rules is somewhat imprecise, and leaves things open to interpretation. They need a good content editor and someone to make the material more accessible to first-time White Wolf gamers. All in all, it's a solid product, the illustrations are nice and the layout looks very professional. Handle with care though, the binding doesn't seem to be all that strong.

Solid and serviceable.......2007-01-17

This GM screen is you typical one, with handy reference charts for the GM, but no real information on the player's side. A few charts I would have liked to see on here were omitted. But it is the most solidly-constructed GM screen I have ever seen, made of the same material as the hard-covers on the main books themselves.

Nice Update to Exalted.......2007-01-12

Better than the first edition. Great for a new Exalted player. Worth getting if you have first edition.

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