Amazon.com
David Hockney's Dog Days is the slightest of books, but that may be just fine for dachshund lovers, who will be its best audience. Hockney's drawings and paintings of his two dogs are full of tender love. They are "not very good models," he says. "One knock on the door is enough to make them leap up." So he paints them snoozing, mostly horizontal (as dachshunds usually are), and mostly on yellow and blue backgrounds, which can be monotonous. These are not the dachshunds of Pierre Bonnard, who made strange black holes in otherwise glorious canvasses. No matter: Hockney offers "no apologies." Speaking as a dog lover, he explains, "These two little creatures are my friends."
Book Description
"A charming collection…an essential book for the dachshund or Hockney lover."—The Mail on Sunday
"From September 1993, I painted and drew my dogs. This took a certain amount of planning, since dogs are generally not interested in Art (I say generally only because I have now come across a singing dog). Food and love dominate their lives.
"I make no apologies for the apparent subject matter. These two dear little creatures are my friends. They are intelligent, loving, comical, and often bored. They watch me work; I notice the warm shapes they make together, their sadness and their delights. And, being Hollywood dogs, they somehow seem to know that a picture is being made."—David Hockney
David Hockney introduces his two dachshunds, Stanley and Boodgie, in this delightful collection. The result of both sharp observation and affection, these paintings and drawings are lyrical studies in form and design. A text by the artist gives a behind-the-scenes glimpse of how to work with models that don't necessarily want to sit still. 84 color illustrations.
Customer Reviews:
A beautifully rendered work.......2006-12-23
Hockney's work is simply spectacular here. It's true that "true dachshund lovers" will probably appreciate this work to an extra degree. Hockney renders the dogs in many playful and sleepy poses that are recognizable to dog owners. Some artists have been unsuccessful in transferring the spirit of a dachshund to the page or canvas, but Hockney manages to capture the joy of the small dog and its sad, melancholy face.
For the dachsdhund lover!.......2003-10-10
How lovely! An art book about dachshunds! Of course, they are mainly sleeping, dachshunds are too energetic to be captured with a camera, let alone a paintbrush. But the sketches add to the paintings and one can easily recognize the true nature of these dogs: philosophic, intelligent and full of natural authority. Although my favourite picture was a photograph of Hockney and his dogs and the pillow (in most paintings) with Hockney's paintings all around them. The book tells more about us dachshund lovers than the dogs, we are a strange bunch with an odd sense of humour and a deep passion for these dogs. Well, only a person with an odd sense of humour and a lot of patience would love - and manage to live with - a dachshund...
A perfect gift for dachshund lovers, people interested in dogs or art - or children, who think art is dull and never funny. The paintings are full of love. Thank you, David Hockney : )
don't buy this book unless you really love dachs.......2003-04-13
David Hockney is a great artist and it's touching that he made a whole book about the little dogs that are his friends. But since the whole book is really just two dogs in different poses, don't purchase it unless you're a true dachshund lover. I bought this book as a gift for my relatives who own dachs, and they oohed and ahhed over it.
David Hockney's Dog Days by David Hockney.......2002-04-28
I love this book!! Having had 2 red smooth dachshunds, these pictures looked like they could have been from my home. All dachshund lovers will truly enjoy looking at this.
Super doxie poses!.......2002-01-02
I thought it was awesome! A lot of the drawings looked just like my tree red smooths. I was really impressed with how he sees his dachshunds and all of our dachshunds in art. If your not a person who lives and breathes doxies, you may not like it.
Book Description
Watercolor: A Beginner's Guide is intended to demystify the delicate art of watercolor and to serve as a true primer in this art. The reader learns about materials—paints, brushes, and paper—and is offered information and advice on setting up a work station; basic techniques, and a comprehensive lesson on color theory. The aspiring watercolorist will build basic skills by developing his sense of perspective, composition and design. This tutorial also discusses patterns, light and shadow, and various techniques for painting popular elements of nature such as trees, skies, and water to name a few. Unique to this book is an "open-ended approach" intended to encourage the individual reader to implement his or her own creative ideas into the art. Within each chapter, a variety of choices are provided to help stimulate creativity, and exercises are designed to encourage personal thought and interpretation.
Customer Reviews:
Beginners and More.......2006-12-05
I have been painting for 2.5 years and have found that I refer to Ms. Horowitz' book all the time for tips and how to's, especially the chapter that describes the various pigments and their properties and the one dealing with textures. I really like to see the work of her students at the end of each chapter indicating that they have approached the subject matter in so many different ways. I have scribbled notes on many of the page margins, and, like other reviewers, appreciate the spiral binding which allows me to keep the book open while working. As for the author's own work, I really like "Peggy's Breakfast", a painting at the back of the book. I am striving to emulate that quality of light and shadow. This is not just a book for beginners.
Great book for all level painters.......2006-12-05
I've been painting for 10 years and still find this book invaluable. Chock full of color photos, tips, variations and stimulating ideas. The spiral bound allows you to lay the book flat and refer to it while painting. An excellent buy for painters of all levels!
Best watercolor how-to book.......2006-12-04
Horowitz makes the complex subject of watercolor simple. The illustrations and simple text make it easy to follow.The open ended approach is unique in "how to" watercolor books. Horowitz encourages you to master technique, develop your own style while doing your own thing. Chapter 3, Basic Techniques, "ABC'S of Watercolor" was reprinted in American Artists' quarterly magazine, "Watercolor" ... so it must be good. The student art gallery made me feel that I can paint as well as the students and gave me more ideas. The spiral cover opens flat for easy reference while painting and the glossy pages are wipeable. I highly recommend it to beginners, intermediate and advanced artists. It is a great "idea" book for art teachers or students in art schools who want to get into watercolor without drowning. Its the best watercolor, how-to book on the market today! A bargain for all the tips and info. A great xmas gift for a retired senior or shut-in, or anyone who wants to learn to paint in watercolor. Try it, you'll like it.
Average customer rating:
|
The Beginner's Guide to Landscape Painting
Kimm Stevens
Manufacturer: Book Sales
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
 General
| Architecture
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Instructional & How-To
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0785800166 |
Average customer rating:
|
The Beginner's Guide: Watercolor Landscapes: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Techniques and Materials
Ian Sidaway
Manufacturer: New Holland
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Instructional & How-To
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
Landscape Painting
| Instructional & How-To
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
Watercolor Painting
| Instructional & How-To
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Painting
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
Watercolor
| Painting
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
Still Life
| Painting
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 1859749674 |
Book Description
Do washes, paint light to dark, use white areas, lift out, dry brush-paint, and try collage, spattering, and masking. Projects include traditional watercolor of a Minorcan village, suffused with soft purples and golds; snowy woods with wintry trees; and an ancient stone circle, rich in tex-ture and mystery. A gallery of professional works provides additional inspiration.
Book Description
Generously illustrated explanations and step-by-step demonstrations enable budding oil painters to improve and develop their skills and unique style. The many facets of the landscape, including water, skies, shadows, trees, and buildings are covered, with discussions on capturing even the most subtle variations in light and weather. Work with versatile techniques such as impasto, glazing, loose brushwork, wet-into-wet, and more to achieve stunning effects and different moods. Make the most of photographs and enjoy painting in the open air. An overview of materials and their basic usage will be especially helpful to the true novice.
Average customer rating:
|
Painting Landscape in Watercolour (Studio Vista Beginner's Guides)
Patricia Monahan
Manufacturer: Sterling Pub Co Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Architecture
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Instructional & How-To
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
Landscape Painting
| Instructional & How-To
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
Watercolor Painting
| Instructional & How-To
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Painting
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
Landscape
| Painting
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
Watercolor
| Painting
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 028980082X |
Book Description
“Beginner Art Guides” instruct in the fundamentals of art, then present a series of projects for the student to master. Projects are presented in order of difficulty, and are supplemented with practical suggestions, ideas for color experiments, and techniques for creating special effects. The final page of each book presents a capsule biography of a famous artist whose work offers classic examples of the title's central subject. This volume demonstrates the nearly limitless variety of styles that can be employed in rendering landscapes, with special attention to features of terrain, trees, the effects of weather and seasonal changes, and much more.
Average customer rating:
|
World Press photo 1978
Manufacturer: Teleboek
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
General
| Photography
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 9061221102 |
Average customer rating:
- Very Cute!
- Solid Read, Lovely Art
- I love this series but the print quality is horrible
- ACTION-PACKED AND NOT TOO CUTE
|
Stray Little Devil Volume 1 (Stray Little Devil)
Kotaro Mori
Manufacturer: Dr. Master Productions Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Science Fiction & Fantasy
| Subjects
| Books
| Authors, A-Z
| Books on CD
| Books on Cassette
| Fantasy
| Gaming
| Large Print
| Media
| Science Fiction
| Writing
General
| Comics & Graphic Novels
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Graphic Novels
| Comics & Graphic Novels
| Subjects
| Books
Fantasy
| Graphic Novels
| Comics & Graphic Novels
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Manga
| Comics & Graphic Novels
| Subjects
| Books
Fantasy
| Manga
| Comics & Graphic Novels
| Subjects
| Books
Science Fiction
| Manga
| Comics & Graphic Novels
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Humor
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
Look Inside Science Fiction & Fantasy Books
| Trip
| Specialty Stores
| Books
Look Inside Teen Books
| Trip
| Specialty Stores
| Books
General
| Comics & Graphic Novels
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
Fantasy
| Graphic Novels
| Comics & Graphic Novels
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
General
| Graphic Novels
| Comics & Graphic Novels
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
Fantasy
| Manga
| Comics & Graphic Novels
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
General
| Manga
| Comics & Graphic Novels
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
Science Fiction
| Manga
| Comics & Graphic Novels
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
General
| Humor
| Entertainment
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
All 4-for-3 Deals
| 4-for-3 Books Store
| Stores
| Books
Similar Items:
-
Stray Little Devil Volume 2 (Stray Little Devil)
-
Stray Little Devil Volume 3 (Stray Little Devil)
-
Stray Little Devil Volume 4 (Stray Little Devil)
-
Venus Versus Virus Volume 1
-
Hayate The Combat Butler, Volume 1 (Hayate the Combat Butler)
ASIN: 1597960438 |
Book Description
Pam Akumachi is an energetic 13-year-old junior high student full of curiosity. One day, when Pam and her friends try to summon the "benign devil" her grandmother used to talk about, the magic circle goes out of control and Pam is transported to a strange parallel world where angels and devils coexist with no humans in sight. There, she meets a mysterious man who says he will show her the way back to her world, but only if she becomes a full bona fide devil! Under the watchful eyes of Master Devil Lizyerra and her other apprentices Raim and Vine, Pam begins to learn what it takes to be a devil. Watch Pam as she catches and enters into contract with her very first spirit familiar - En Zu, learns about Conservation Law of Fortune and meets the "Successor of Aureole," an angel named Linfa, who is the spitting image of her best friend Rinka in the present world.
Customer Reviews:
Very Cute!.......2007-07-04
This manga, about a young devil-in-training, is a delightful mix of Harry Potter and Disgaea with some definite sapphic undertones. The storyline is pretty interesting, the art is very cute, the characters are very likable, and there's lots of fan service! I enjoyed this book alot.
Solid Read, Lovely Art.......2007-02-03
I love the art in this series - it is top knotch - although, as noted in other review, the printing of this edition leaves something to be desired. It has a satisfying story - interesting as well as attractive characters. I always appreciate an artist that provides lots of graphic detail. The cover is quite lovely with a process that superimposes shiny surfaces on some design surfaces which make the characters stand out. I hope the publisher continues to produce the lovely covers and brings up the quality of the internal pages.
I love this series but the print quality is horrible.......2007-01-30
I actually own all of the Japanese volumes of this series. If you compare the print quality of the Japanese to the English you'll notice really yellowed paper and a lot of moire - For those that don't know what "moire" is:
A pattern created by printing several repetitive designs on top of each other. In four-color process printing, four screens of colored dots print on top of each other. If the angles of the halftone screens of each of the four colors are not properly aligned with each other, an undesirable, blurry pattern, called moiré, appears in the final image.
Moire shows up a lot in this manga and it almost ruins it for me if the story weren't so cute. I love the character deigns, and the story is interesting enough.
I'm not sure if the publisher decided to correct the printing issues in vol 2.
ACTION-PACKED AND NOT TOO CUTE.......2006-10-14
Pam Akumachi has a few problems on her hands...the spell she tried to summon a devil not only didn't work it threw her into a strange world where angels & devils live (but no humans) and the only way Pam can return home is to become a devil herself! 13-year-old Pam who is considered a stray devil, is taken to "devil headquarters" where an inquiry committee decides to make her a kind of probationary devil under the tutelage of the beautiful instructor Lizyerra. The first order of business for Pam is to find a familiar which will be no easy task.
Pam keeps getting into trouble time and time again and is picked on by another devil intern the acid-tongued Raim. When Lizyerra leads Pam and Raim out to a remote region to find a familiar they find the angel Linfa in battle against a gigantic monster. Pam does the unthinkable...she actually aids the angel which is strictly against accepted practices and guarantees herself only more misfortune. For her part Linfa is at once angered by having needed the aid of this devil wannabe and yet intrigued as to why she would attempt to help her in the first place. Pam later meets a handsome man who says he can help get her home and hints at being something more than just a devil or angel...
Stray Little Devil sounded like it might be a bit too cutesy but don't judge a book by its title is the lesson to be learned here. The book is actually quite action-packed and includes some very nasty devils (although there a few cute Pokemon type ones as well). The strange man named Remy who claims he can help Pam get home is the book's most intriguing and mysterious character. Just who or what is he, anyway? I really enjoyed the art of Kotaro Mori. The action is very easy to follow and beautifully drawn.
Reviewed by Tim Janson
Book Description
Fully-revised and updated edition of the best-selling guide to Japan's most prolific and successful film director. This second edition of Agitator features * a new and expanded 16-page color section * completely updated DVD information * several brand-new reviews of Takashi Miike films including Audition, Dead or Alive, Ichi the Killer, and Visitor Q * Takashi Miike's own diary on the making of his controversial film Ichi the Killer, published in English for the first time ever * a career-spanning interview * ground-breaking, exhaustive and fully endorsed by Takashi Miike himself These films have amazed, stunned, delighted and shocked audiences the world over, garnering critical acclaim for their director. This is the definitive word on the most talked-about filmmaker of the decade.
An essential purchase for anyone wanting to know where cinema is heading in the 21st century. -- Pete Tombs, Mondo Macabro.
An impeccably-researched and exhaustive look at one of the most vital forces in international cinema right now. -- Ain't It Cool News.
An extensively researched, cinematically literate, highly welcome addition to the slim shelf of books on contemporary Japanese films. -- Cinemaya
Customer Reviews:
If your a fan of Miike, this is essental.......2007-04-20
Tom Mes of the website MidnightEye, delivers an informative book that deals with Miike background and many of his films. This is neither a fluff promotional book for Miike or dry academic read. I found it to be the perfect blend of information, interest, and criticism.
never received this item.......2006-11-06
I ordered this item 2 months ago and never received it
Probably the only book you will ever need on Miike.......2006-09-07
I will say upfront that I have not read the entire book. I'd say at the time of this writing, I've read about half of it. I do feel the need though to comment on this book's absolutely stunning design and overall thoroughness of the content, so please don't disregard this review without reading the rest.
For starters, the book is simply beautiful. The quality of the book is top-notch and strongly bound, with a beautiful cover and high resolution pictures in both color and black and white.
The reason I've only read about half of it is because while I am familiar with several of Miike's films (Ichi the Killer, Audition, Gozu, etc.), I haven't seen many of the films that are discussed in great detail in the book. Rather than spoil the films for myself, I have chosen not to read the essays on these films until I have seen them.
As for what I have read, it's all really good stuff. Interviews, essays on the films that are very well written and interesting and even excerpts of Miike's production diary for Ichi the Killer, translated from Japanese for our reading pleasure. Takashi Miike goes from being an enigmatic figure to a more complicated, exciting and important person in the world of today's cinema.
What impressed me the most about this book is the author's obvious appreciation for the subject and the fact that you can tell that some serious work went into making this must-own, exhaustively researched reference guide. Tom Mes deserves kudos for a job well done.
Recommended for fans of Japanese cinema and a must-own for appreciators of Miike's oeuvre. I think all we need now is a book of this caliber to be completed for Takeshi Kitano.
Essential.......2006-06-22
Tom Mes has put together an outstanding overview of Takashi Miike's oeuvre. American audiences tend to consider Miike a fairly young director, but his career began well before "Audition" reached the USA. Somehow, Mes was able to view nearly all of Miike's films, including his V Cinema movies which are unavailable in the states. The complete filmography is worth the price of the book by itself.
Mes begins by outlining common themes found in much of Miike's work and gives some thorough biographical information. The remainder of the book is devoted mostly to describing each film. There is some analysis and Mes usually highlights the thematic material, but most of the sections are descriptive above all else. You may not find what you're looking for if you're hoping for a detailed analytical study. Mes comes close to that with a few films (such as Ichi the Killer and Audition), but if he were to go into vast detail with each film, the book would be huge.
The important thing is, this is the only decent English language study of the work of this very important Japanese filmmaker. If you enjoy Takashi Miike's films, pick up this book. It's an essential Miike resource.
A must for Miike fans........2004-12-14
Tom Mes, Agitator: The Cinema of Takashi Miike (Fab, 2003)
Western audiences labored in blissful ignorance of the career of Takashi Miike for years. American and European extreme gore fans started noticing him with the release of Dead or Alive; the rest of the world snapped to attention when film festivals started showing such definitive Miike films as Rainy Dog, Audition, and Ichi the Killer. By now, Miike is Japanese culture's most recognizable export. However, we've gone from being completely ignorant to categorizing the director as a guy who does nothing but extreme gore (despite the brilliant The Happiness of the Katakuris, a twisted, and relatively gore-free, musical from 2001). Tom Mes, a dedicated film festival-goer and Miike fan, aims to show us there's more to the guy than promotional vomit bags (which were handed out to those attending the premiere of Ichi the Killer at the 2001 Toronto Film Festival).
In the bulk of the book, Mes takes the reader through Miike's prolific oeuvre (to give you an idea of just how prolific, since Mes stopped documenting to publish, with Deadly Outlaw: Rekka, released in mid-2002, Miike has released ten films as of this writing), tracing the various themes to be found in the director's work. Rest assured, Mes is not a fanboy; he casts a rather critical eye over a number of Miike's films. The effect is for the reader to want even more to see a number of Miike's films not yet available outside Asia, for the most part (Ley Lines draws the most praise, for example, of any film in the oeuvre, with The Bird People in China, Rainy Dog, and The Guys from Paradise also getting a lot of positive play; of them, only Rainy Dog is available in the west, and that only in Britain, according to IMDB). The book is rounded out with Miike's filming diary for Ichi the Killer, a long interview Mes conducted with Miike in 2002, and some biographical info on the man.
Needless to say, this book is a must for fans of Miike's movies, and is well worth the steep price it commands. Those who consider Miike an amusement might also do well to dip in and take a look at the structures that underlie the outrageousness Miike depicts on film. Definitely a book worth having for even the most casual fan. ****
Book Description
Source of All Divine Power
The names of Pelor, Loki, Athena, Osiris, and their kind are invoked by the devout as well as the desperate. With abilities that reach nearly beyond the scope of mortal imagination, the splendor of the gods humbles even the greatest of heroes.
This supplement for the
D&D game provides everything you need to create and call upon the most powerful beings in your campaign. Included are descriptions and statistics for over seventy gods from four fully detailed pantheons. Along with suggestions for creating your own gods, Deities and Demigods also includes information on advancing characters to godhood.
To use this supplement, a Dungeon Master also needs the Player's Handbook, the
Dungeon Master's Guide, and the Monster Manual. A player needs only the Player's Handbook.
Customer Reviews:
Almost 5 stars, a great supplement for D&D.......2006-12-28
This is a great addition to any DM's (Dungeon Master's) collection of resource books. Heck, even the players can hang on to a copy of this valuable tome for their own use. Here is what it entails and how it can be useful for role-playing in the d20 environment.
There are listings for an entire pantheon of deities created specifically for D&D (though they can be easily adapted to any d20 system). This way, the players need not be consigned to the deities already existent in our myths and legends. However, if you want to carry on in that vein, then you are also well-equipped to do so.
There are entries and stats for the following pantheons: D&D (an orginial creation), Norse (Thor, Odin, etc.), Egyptian (Isis, Osiris, Horus, etc.), Greek (Zeus, Hera, Ares, etc.) and a few other random and not-so-random offerings. Also helpful is a section on creating your own deities and even one on how to battle them.
What did disappoint me, though, was the lack of the Lovecraftian deities, the Elder Gods, that was actually printed in the orginial AD&D supplement years ago. I suppose that's a bit of nostalgia showing through, but I feel they could have truly given those entries a great treatment in the new environment. Also, I felt the supplementary sections could have been fleshed out just a bit more. Still, overall, this is a great addition to any d20 RPG that wants to incorporate deities, religion, avatars, demigods, and the like.
Good Book, But Not v3.5 (If You Care).......2005-10-22
This is a really good book if you want to know some background/details on many different D&D deities of many different pantheons. However, I only gave the book 4 stars because it is pre-version 3.5, so you will have a little work to do if you want to use any of the deities' game stats. This is only a small problem that can be fixed, and the flavor it can add to your game makes the book worth it in my opinion. Also, the section on creating deities, while not v3.5 friendly without some changes, is also very useful.
Not useful........2005-09-18
I had high expectations for the third edition - one would expect that with the third major release, they'd get it right. Sadly, this book is even weaker than the previous releases - it contains fewer pantheons than ever, because of all the nonessential padding given to each entry.
The vast majority of the book consists of statistics for each of the gods profiled. Much space is given to the feats, spell-like abilities, and combat statistics of these ultra-powerful beings - things that will almost never be used in actual gameplay or character building.
Does it matter which "feats" Hermes has? Does it matter which weapons Loki is proficient in? Does anyone care how many attacks per round Osiris has, or what Athena's Constitution score is? Unless you're playing a overpowered "munchkin" campaign, the answer is no; but more than three quarters of each deity's description consists of this sort of useless fluff.
It would have been far better for Wizards to have devoted the space to content that can be used to add flavour to a campaign where these gods are worshipped. There should have been more material about various clerical orders that serve each of these beings, perhaps including rival churches of the same god with long-standing historical grudges (just as there are within Christianity or Islam). They could have given us more information on the history of these gods and the relationships between them - the story of how Odin lost his eye is far more interesting than the list of spells he can cast.
I recommend against buying this book, for players or DMs. Instead, buy any book on mythology, and adapt the ideas therein to the D&D system.
this is a good book.......2005-08-19
this book has my favs.they inculde:
bahamut,lolth,garl,timat,nerull,and wee jas .(I first heard bahamut can hold his breath.)
One of the best DnD Resource books.......2005-08-12
If you wish to put Deities into a campaign that you're running, this is the best book to use to do it with.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent for what it was intended to be.......2007-08-12
This book was a great reference, gathering together in one volume information that could be used to craft the religous structure for many different campaigns, by including fictional, mythological, and "real" gods and heroes in one book. Also included in the volume was then-new information about the planes of existence, planar travel, and other-planar creatures.
Those who complain about this book probably haven't read it. If they had, they would have seen in the intro that the authors did not intend this to be a book of adversaries (although they wrote up the avatar's stats for them if needed), but instead to be a quick reference for these different pantheons, some of which cannot be found in the reference section of the library (when did you last see a scholarly work on Lolth, Blibdoolpoolp, or Vaprak the Destroyer?). They also mention that if a particular mythos captures your interest, you should journey to your local library to research it. In other words, this is a game supplement, not a religious text.
Personally, I used this book a lot when I was running games back in the glory days of AD&D. I loved creating settings using the Norse or Celtic mythoi, and having the quick reference along with information about the avatars of the gods (important when dealing with gods with a "hands-on" approach such as the Norse) was at times quite useful. Also, it gave a starting point for research that would have otherwise taken longer, giving the names and general spheres of influence of a number of gods and goddesses that I was not then familiar with.
Yes, the use of still-used mythoi could be seen in this PC age as incorrect, but the only difference between a religion and a myth cycle is whether or not people still believe in it. To the Norse, their religion was all-encompassing, yet nobody complains these days about the comic book character The Mighty Thor. And look at the abuse the Greek mythos has taken in popular media, yet the Greeks manage to take it all in stride. Lighten up, people.
The description of the product doesn't say, so I am assuming what they are selling here is a second-edition or later book. The difference is that the first edition contained the Cthulhu and Melnibonean mythoi, based on the works of Lovecraft and Moorcock, respectively. The problem was, Chaosium (a rival games maker) already had the rights to those works, and TSR violated those rights when they printed their book. The material in question was removed for later printings, making the first edition an instant collector's item.
Technical info.......2007-07-22
I would like to start by saying, ANYONE WHO THINKS THIS BOOK WAS INTENDED AS A RELIGIOUS TEXT NEEDS SERIOUS HELP. Sorry for shouting, but this book was published for a GAME and is intended for entertainment only. It makes no claims to accuracy or relevance.
Now, there is a distinction that needs to be made when referring to these books, and it is mainly one of edition. The first and second editions contained 17 mythos and had 144 pages. All later editions had 15 mythos and 128 pages. The reasons are copyright issues. You can find out more by going to http://www.acaeum.com/ddindexes/setpages/deities.html
The editions with 17 mythos and 144 pages are rare and highly sought after, while later editions are more common and less of a collector's item. Also, the editions with the title 'Legends and Lore' have different cover art, but contain the same information as previous editions.
This review was written by someone who knows what Avatars are for.......2006-12-01
Reading through the one- and two-star reviews for this product, I find that a lot of people don't seem to understand how the AD&D system incorporates avatars. These people should have their reviews discarded.
I must confess, first off, that I have not as yet read Deities and Demigods. I've ordered it, however, and expect it to arrive in the next day or so. I was lead to purchase it because the Planescape campaign supplement "On Hallowed Ground" referenced the Finnish, Sumerian and Babylonian pantheons, and those gods and characters originally appeared in Deities and Demigods and NO PLACE ELSE. I already own and use other books similar to Deities and Demigods -- including Legends and Lore, Monster Mythology, and the Forgotten Realms campaign setting's "Faiths and Avatars" series of books.
I own and use these books because I know why they include avatar statistics. The few reviewers who gave this book unflattering star-ratings, however, clearly do not understand this concept. And therefore, this book is not for them and they likely wasted their money aquiring it.
If you understand that sometimes the AD&D game requires stat blocks for the creatures and characters that appear in it, and if you also understand that a deity's avatar is NOT the deity itself (but rather an incarnation that probably requires game stats), then you should probably pick up a copy of this book.
Not necessary, but still good to have.......2003-05-01
While this book doesn't serve much purpose in most campaigns, it's still a good book to get. The reason I say it doesn't serve much purpose is because most campaigns don't use our world's mythology as a basis for the gods.
On the other hand, it's a good book, because it let's a DM see exactly how he/she should write up gods he/she creates. It also is a good referance for learning who the gods are throughout mythology.
This is a good book.......2003-03-03
While some might insist that it is somewhat insulting to faiths of the world, one should look at it not for the statistics that it gives, but what the D&D world/campaign was trying to do. The people at TSR, when they were fun and enjoyable under the guidance of Gary Gygax one of the best writers in the world of gaming...wanted...IMO...to show what deities were like in this world and how they might interact with the fantasy world of gaming, giving examples of how war gods, love goddesses, and those like can mean for the player characters. THIS IS NOT suppose to be a tell all on all the cultures and religions of the world. Hardly. If you want that, I would suggest you read the works of Joseph Campbell. If you want to look for something real quick to see how it might fit in to your campaign, this is for you. I love it myself.
Average customer rating:
- An amazing accomplishment!
|
Maui Demigod
Goldsberry
Manufacturer: Simon & Schuster
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
Similar Items:
-
Maui Whispers
ASIN: 0671477889 |
Customer Reviews:
An amazing accomplishment!.......2000-07-06
I picked this book up on a whim on a trip to Hawaii, and it turned out to be one of the best books I have ever read. This is not a dusty collection of myths put together by an academic. Instead, it's a wonderful, vibrant and unique novel, full of memorable characters and amazing images. Maui is a great trickster hero, and you will alternately cringe and cheer at his antics. This novel deals with adventure, love, evil, magic, divinity, and more -- all of which are resolved in very unexpected ways. (One caveat: some of Maui's adventures are incredibly sensual -- this is not a children's book!)
The author does an amazing job of pulling together myths from all over Polynesia and creating his own novelist's vision of a flawed hero's adventures and how he comes to be called a "demigod." It's the Hawaiian "Odyssey" or "Iliad," made very accessible, entertaining, and compelling.
If you want to understand Hawaiian culture -- if you like novels with magic and fantasy -- if you're looking for a ripping good yarn -- pick up your own copy of "Maui the Demigod."
Book Description
BUNCE PRESENTS A PANORAMA OF BUDDHIST DEITIES, DEMIGODS, GODLINGS, SAINTS AND DEMONS, WITH THE SPOTLIGHT ON THE CONCRETIZED, RECOGNIZABLE FORMS AND THEIR SUBTLE SYMBOLISM.
Average customer rating:
|
Maui ; legends of the demigod of Polynesia,
A. W Reed
Manufacturer: A.H. and A.W. Reed
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
Religion & Spirituality
| Subjects
| Books
| Authors, A-Z
| Bible & Other Sacred Texts
| Books on CD
| Books on Cassette
| Buddhism
| Christianity
| Earth-Based Religions
| Fiction
| General
| Hinduism
| Islam
| Judaism
| Large Print
| New Age
| Occult
| Other Eastern Religions
| Other Practices
| Religious Art
| Religious Studies
| Spirituality
ASIN: B0007J031A |
Customer Reviews:
First-Edition Rules -- Cthulhua Rocks (& Melnibone, too)!.......1999-05-07
Paul Sez: "AD&D is the bestest most wonderfulest game ever invented by the most wonderfulest peoples in the galaxy. GYGAX is a god."
Mike Sez: "Long before Chaosm crawled out of the Shub-Niggurathian ooze, TSR wrote the definitive text on Mythos Monsters and Elder Gods. This is THE book to have."
Average customer rating:
|
The Simpsons 2005 Family Organizer
Matt Groening
Manufacturer: HarperEntertainment
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Calendar
Pop Culture
| Graphic Design
| Design & Decorative Arts
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Humor
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Television
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
Simpsons
| Shows
| Television
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
1990's through 2004
| Shows
| Television
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
The Simpsons
| Series
| Teens
| Subjects
| Books
Television
| Calendars
| Formats
| Books
Books
| The Simpsons
| Amazon.com Stores
| us-stores
Television
| Calendars
| Book Accessories
| Our Favorites
| Gift Ideas
ASIN: 0060722371 |
Books:
- Erotica: An Illustrated Anthology of Art and Literature
- Eva Zeisel On Design
- Exploring Colored Pencil
- Future Cinema: The Cinematic Imaginary After Film (Electronic Culture: History, Theory, and Practice)
- Gardner's Art Through the Ages: The Western Perspective, Volume II (with ArtStudy CD-ROM 2.1, Western)
- Glamorous Movie Stars of the Eighties Paper Dolls
- Glorious Garden Flowers in Watercolor
- Gustav Klimt: Modernism in the Making
- Hallmarks of the Southwest (Schiffer Book for Collectors)
- Homo Aestheticus: Where Art Comes from and Why
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- I'm a Big Sister
- Medical Apartheid: The Dark History of Medical Experimentation on Black Americans from Colonial Time
- General Chemistry: Principles and Modern Applications
- Killing Rain
- History: Fiction or Science
- History: Fiction or Science
- Fenton Art Glass Colors and Hand-Decorated Patterns 1939-1980: Identification & Value Guide
- Holbein Portrait Drawings
- Forget Me Not: Photography and Remembrance
- Nightspawn
Picasso & Lump: A Dachshund's Odyssey
Hockney's Pictures: The Definitive Retrospective
Redstripe and Other Dachshund Tales
Day of the Dachshund
Pretzel
