The Art of Lord Leighton

Customer Reviews:

Gorgeous, but could be more.......2007-06-10

The author states at the outset that Leighton's life has already been well documented, so only enough of his biography appears here to frame the context for his pictures. Instead, Newall chooses to analyze the art itself, which "... presents the world a hard, glossy carapace apparently designed to resist the critic's probe." Given this unpromising premise, I opted to study the pictures themselves, and dip only lightly into the text analyzing that which resists analysis.

The pictures themselves are easy to enjoy - skillful, classical, and carefully designed to appeal to Victorian tastes and to create a position for Leighton within the hierarchies of art and society. (He succeeded in both.) Many of this books reproductions honor his work beautifully, in lush color and fine printing, on bright, opaque paper. Those images generally make the most of the book's largish size,. As a result, the reader can enjoy much of Leighton's meticulous detail in rendering romanticized images of contemporary and classical topics.

Something like half of the reproductions, however, are black and white, undersized for the book's large format, and sometimes murky. The book chooses not to address Leighton's life, except tangentially, but under-represents the visual impact of his art, too. The large, lovely color reproductions are very enjoyable, but might not be enough to deliver the value that a reader might expect.

-- wiredweird

One Grand Painter: A Victorian Icon.......2005-09-07

Lord Frederic Leighton stands at the top of the pinnacle of British art of the late nineteenth century. Though his images of dramatic, cloaked figures are easily recognizable, few art collectors or even museum visitors recognize the name of Lord Leighton. Now, with the resurgence of interest in this school of painting his name will certainly become more of a household word.

This slim though fine monograph is strong on images and less successful on information: Christopher Newell is a fine writer, he just wasn't given enough space to tell us much about the artist. Divided into sections - 'Outsider 1855 - 1864', 'Academician 1864 - 1878', and 'President of the Royal Academy 1878 - 1896' - Newell outlines the rise of this figurative artist and gives some insights as to his subject matter and influences.

But the beauty of this book is in the fine reproductions of his dramatic, grand, elaborate renderings of both historic and literary subjects. A bit on the kitsch side? Yes, but that was part of the Grand Victorian tradition. The paintings may be saccharine but oh, they are lovely to look at! Grady Harp, September 05

Great Pics and info.......2001-09-21

Though I thought it could be thicker the pictures are well viewed and some like "Flaming June" take the whole page, awesome!

Frederic, Lord Leighton: Eminent Victorian Artist

Average customer rating:

Worth the money!

Frederic, Lord Leighton: Eminent Victorian Artist
Richard Ormond , Stephen Jones , Christopher Newall , Leonee Ormond , and Benedict Read
Manufacturer: Harry N. Abrams
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | History & Criticism | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Artists, A-Z | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

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

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

General | Painting | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Customer Reviews:

Worth the money!.......2000-03-19

A well-presented book; and most interesting details of the artist's life an times. Slight disappointment in the plates - not all in colour and not full-page size. It is however, an extensive look at the artist and his work, I believe worth owning if you are interested in the genre. Not so interested myself in the sculpture side of his work and the small black and white photos of same do not show from all angles, but in general a good purchase.

Lord Leighton (1830-1896) and Leighton House (A Centenary Celebration)

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Lord Leighton (1830-1896) and Leighton House (A Centenary Celebration)

Manufacturer: Apollo Magazine
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0952208121

Product Description

Publication to mark the centenary celebration and exhibitions at Leighton House, a treasure trove of Victorian art, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (Great Britain)named for Frederic, Lord Leighton 1830-1896.

Lord Leighton (Pre-Raphaelite Painters Series)

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Lord Leighton (Pre-Raphaelite Painters Series)
Russell Ash
Manufacturer: Trafalgar Square Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | History & Criticism | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

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

General | Painting | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 186205150X

Book Description

A splendid illustrated monograph on the career and major work of the towering Victorian artist Sir Frederic Leighton. Now in paperback, featuring 55 color reproductions. For more than a quarter of a century, Frederic Leighton (1830-96) dominated the Victorian art world. His paintings, ranging across striking and complex historical, literary, and mythological themes, were among the best known of his age. This sumptuous appraisal considers Leighton's life, his influences, and the intelligence and technical virtuosity that distinguish his work. His rise to fame is explored via his principal works, from his controversial nudes to his monumental murals. This superbly illustrated volume features 55 reproductions. The work of Frederic Leighton appears in the collections of many major American museums, including the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, The Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Yale Center for British Art, Princeton Art Museum, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Russell Ash is the author of many books on art, including James Tissot and Sir Edward Burne-Jones. 96 pp 7 1/2 x 10 1/2 55 color illustrations

Lord Leighton (Studies in British Art (Unnumbered).)

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Lord Leighton (Studies in British Art (Unnumbered).)
Leonee Ormond , Frederic Leighton Leighton of Stretton , and Richard Ormond
Manufacturer: Yale Univ Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Painting | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0300018967

Victorian & Traditionalist Pictures [Christie's London, 16 June 2005, Sale 7117]

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Victorian & Traditionalist Pictures [Christie's London, 16 June 2005, Sale 7117]

Manufacturer: London; Christie's
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Product Description

Lots 1-182, 201-pages, Index. Property of Lord Glenconner, Gordon House, Denys Sutton, Maspro Art Museum. Works by Lord Leighton Frederic, Alfred Gilbert, George Frederic Watts, Harold Harvey ...

Frederic Lord Leighton, Late President of the Royal Academy of Arts, An Illustrated Record of His Life and Work

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Frederic Lord Leighton, Late President of the Royal Academy of Arts, An Illustrated Record of His Life and Work

Manufacturer: George Bell and Sons
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Leather Bound

Frederic lord Leighton,: Late president of the Royal academy of arts;

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Frederic lord Leighton,: Late president of the Royal academy of arts;
Ernest Rhys
Manufacturer: Bell
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

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Frederic lord Leighton,: Late president of the Royal academy of arts; an illustrated record of his life and work,
Ernest Rhys
Manufacturer: G. Bell & Sons
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Lord Leighton of Stretton (The makers of British art)

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Lord Leighton of Stretton (The makers of British art)
John Edgcumbe Staley
Manufacturer: C. Scribner's
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

General | Painting | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B00086FRYK

Average customer rating:

Learn to draw the fun way

The next step to ed's drawing....

Watch out! Harder!

HIGHLY RECOMMEND ALL OF ED EMBERLEY'S DRAWING BOOKS!

Ed Emberley's Big Red Drawing Book
Ed Emberley
Manufacturer: Little Brown & Co (Juv)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
Drawing | Art | Arts & Music | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
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Similar Items:

Ed Emberley's Big Green Drawing Book

Ed Emberley's Big Orange Drawing Book

Ed Emberley's Big Purple Drawing Book (Ed Emberley Drawing Books)

Ed Emberley's Drawing Book: Make a World (Ed Emberley Drawing Books)

Ed Emberley's Drawing Book of Faces

ASIN: 0316234346

Book Description

DESCRIPTION: Using just 7 shapes and things, Ed Emberley shows would-be artists how to draw a variety of animals, people, assorted modes of transportation (fire engine, cargo ship, etc.) and more, and everything has RED in it! He includes some red, white, and bl.ue images, as well as some red and green images for Christmas as well. This hefty 96-page book is packed with fun things that kids-and not a few adults-really want to draw. Easy and fun, the book provides hours of art-full fun.

Customer Reviews:

Learn to draw the fun way.......2002-12-03

This book is from a series of 4 books from Emberly are the easiest books on drawing there are, period. Anyone young or old can learn to draw some great critters and vehicles from these books. ANYONE! All of his Big Color books are great, (They are a series, each named after a color). This one is famous for the easy way it shows you how to draw step by step, what appears to be a complex fire engine, but it is simple when you do it his way. THis book includes a number of fun ideas including Uncle Sam, police cars, ships and boats, Christmas holiday drawings. He even shows you how to make yours unique rather than a copy of his drawings. You can be the doodle hero of your classroom or office after using this book. He does it simply using very simple steps, lines, and basic shapes to start you off. My favorite in the series would be the Purple Book or the Green Book, then Orange, then the Red Book.

If you want to move up from here and learn the terminology of what you are doing, and really become an accomplished artist, the next step after these are the terrific books by Jack Hamm. If you just want to have some fun, get this book!

The next step to ed's drawing...........2002-06-18

Ed's books on thumbprints...and simplier drawing books would probably be considered the *first* steps while i would consider this the *first and a half* step... there are more complex (more steps to some pictures) drawings... there are still pretty easy ones and if this isnt your shilds first book and they are at a stage where they are ready for something a bit more challenging this would be a good second line of art books.. it still is writtne in the same way and there are still easy easy things to draw BUT for those wishing to increase their skill/hardness level..there are pictures with more steps. the pictures are still broken down into easy to follow steps and it is STILL much easier and more understandable than most art books out there for kids... and there are so many things to choose from!

Watch out! Harder!.......2001-03-06

I think now we have all the Emberly drawing books and this one is far-and-away the toughest. Ed's son Michael, in particular, favors more complex drawings that will be harder for the youngsters to emulate, though older kids will probably appreciate the step-up after mastering the other books. (Even Ed's stuff largely seems tougher.)

Also, just so you know, this isn't a "red" drawing book like the green and orange: a wider variety of colors is used, and more subtly than in any of the other books, even the Animals book (which also uses color, but not to this degree).

I'd still recommend it, but more for 7 - 10 year olds.

HIGHLY RECOMMEND ALL OF ED EMBERLEY'S DRAWING BOOKS!.......1998-10-14

Every year as the holidays approached my daughter requested this book from the library. Ed Emberley's books are still the best books for easy step-by-step drawing instructions - simple lines and shapes accumulate into a satisfying whole. My son rarely picked up a drawing utensil, but he'd be down on the floor, right beside his sister drawing away - satisfied and rarely frustrated. Emberley's "Big Orange Book" also recieved a lot of use in our house around Halloween.

Average customer rating:

Ed Emberley's Big Red Drawing Book
Rebeccamberley,Rebecca/Emberley,Rebeccarley,Rebecca ebecca Emberley
Manufacturer: Little, Brown Young Readers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OTQB0K

Average customer rating:

Ed Emberley's Big Red Drawing Book
Ed Emberley
Manufacturer: Little, Brown Young Readers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OU2TN2

Ed Emberley's Big Red, White and Blue Drawing Book

Average customer rating:

Ed Emberley's Big Red, White and Blue Drawing Book

Manufacturer: Not Avail
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1415629684

Book Description

In her touchingly funny daily strip, Lynn Johnston gives her fans realistic characters who humorously deal with both the good and bad that life gives them. Every day, Johnston demonstrates-through hormonal children and parents who aren't always right-that life goes on For Better or For Worse. In Middle Age Spread, parents John and Elly have started to notice their own aging process: the increasing need for glasses, exercise, and computer skills. Their children are also growing older. Michael, the eldest, advances ever nearer to adulthood as he makes his way through college in a distant town, creatively managing classes, a grumpy landlady, and a special girlfriend. Daughter Elizabeth, with her contact lenses, short new hairdo, and boyfriend, Anthony, is becoming a young lady upon whom her parents increasingly rely. The youngest, April, along with the Patterson pets, Edgar the dog and Mr. B the bunny, provide welcome doses of comic relief. But Elly worries about her parents. Her mother has grown dangerously weak and is often bedridden With heartfelt authenticity and gentle humor, Johnston delicately describes a loving family whose life together speaks to the noble human spirit in all of us.

Customer Reviews:

EXCELLENT, AS ALWAYS!.......2000-07-13

This is yet another wonderful book from a gifted storytellerwith an eye for realism and detail. I ... appreciate the growth anddevelopment of characters as opposed to the perpetual childhood of Dennis the Menace and the Archie Gang. Very few books have tastefully, gently and kindly dealt with the passing of a loved one the way this one does. (At one time, I was a little embarrassed to admit that I could be so moved by a comic, but now I'll freely admit that). It is truly a work of art and I love the way you can "suspend" reality by e-mailing the characters! I love the "interactive" forum of the strip and I really love the character of Jim, a savvy senior citizen who brings in some sharp insights. It is past time for seniors to get positive press and I'm glad to see it happen in this book! THREE CHEERS FOR THIS BOOK! END

Terrific.......1999-02-03

The Best book I have ever read in a long time.I have been reading the For Better or For Worse commic strip for the past two years. My mother is the one who got me hooked on it. What the Patterson family goes through with their kids, My parents go through the same thing. Exspecially my mother who has to put up with having her eldest child going to University and her youngest in college.The one good thing that my mother has is she only has to go through this twice.

I could actually put myself in Elly's shoes!.......1999-01-03

I've been reading the adventures of the Canadian Patterson family ever since Elizabeth was younger than her sister April is now. I love the way Lynn Johnston's characters grow up and develop...sure, it ensures the eventual end of the strip, but on the other hand I find it so much more interesting this way than characters that stay five-years old forever, like Dennis the Menace or the Peanuts.

I love comic strip collections. On the whole, they're cheaper than buying a year's worth of newspapers, and invaluable if you miss several issues.

In this particular collection, Elly and Phil's dealings with their aging parents hit a little close to home with me, as I and my brother find ourselves in a similar situation. It's uncanny because I experienced some of the guilt, helplessness, and frustration that were portrayed, and I felt a strange kinship with Elly Patterson. I mean, I, a middle aged, never-married Black American suddenly had something in common with a fictional Canadian housewife! I guess it goes to show there are some things we all go through at one time or another. I can think of no better comic than For Better or For Worse to help point that out.

Average customer rating:
Middle Age Spread: A for Better of for Worse Collection
Lynn Johnston
Manufacturer: Andrews McMeel Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Comic Strips | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books
General | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0836271394

Book Description

A revolutionary figure in the literary avant-garde of his time, Antonin Artaud (1896-1948) is now seen to be central to the development of post-modernism. His writings comprise verse, prose poems, film scenarios, a historical novel, plays, essays on film, theater, art, and literature, and many letters. Susan Sontag's selection conveys the genius of this singular writer.

Customer Reviews:

Tome essential to all theatre artists.......2001-06-26

Studying Artaud is one way of taking a deep dive off into the realm of the unknown. His struggle to fully comprehend and describe lucidly his thought process and the clockwork of his soul; his obsessive desire and drive to break beyond the mundane level of median psycological theatre to rediscover the fiery roots and potent magic of the theatre event; and his visionary words---all of these combine to give us a man who was deep, profound and troubled---hence, utterly human, and truly inspirational to any theatre artist or artist in general. This translation of some of his most essential writings is essential to anyone who wishes to study the avant garde theatre. His influence is at times lucid and clearly defined; at other times, one sees that the myth of Artaud has distorted what the actual man wanted and worked for. In dealing with any artist who has created such a controversy (in his own time as well as in our time), one has to approach his work with the discipline of a tightrope walker. And Sontag's work provides the researcher with a straight, keen and powerful translation. Among the other translations of Artaud, this one is the best anthology available for the experienced researcher and the burning initiate. Read it as an athlete of the heart.

The theatre, life and writings of a brilliant lunatic.......2001-05-27

This isn't a book that you read from cover to cover. Find a subject that interests you. Then another. And then another. Soon you'll find yourself caught in his web of genius. His madness came from his endless spring of sanity that could no longer hold up under the insanity of the world he lived in. Genius suffers. He suffered too much. Years ago I saw a one man play "Artaud's Project" in Chicago. Best piece of theatre I've ever seen. This was my introduction to Artaud. This book captures this brilliant lunatic's crystal clear vision and pain. His letters are prehaps the highlight of this collection. This book is not for the masses, though, I wish it were. So much insanity and ignorance could be wiped out in a single stroke if people understood this man. Of course the sane appear to be insane in an insane world. If any of what I've said makes the least bit of sense to you this book is for you!

Artaud: what and where and how were you thinking?.......2000-06-30

Selected Writings isn't an easy read. I jumped around a lot. This stuff is the most intense stuff I've ever come across. Artaud is one of the most important writers to rationalise beyond logic. His ideas on Van Gogh prove, beyond doubt, that his sense of aesthetics was far more acute than his contemporaries. They always said weird stuff about Neitszche, how he was more 'in touch with himself' than other writers or, indeed, society at large. But Artaud explodes that idea, since he continually toys with his own sense of himself to the extreme. Reading Artaud for prolonged periods is like going beyond this (his) sense of self to another place, something completely new and agonizing. His ideas abouty the theatre are quite well established but there is other stuff here. The poems, monologues and just the sheer variety of 'inner scenarios' at play here really astounds you. 'To have done with the judgement of God' must be the most extreme form of self expressed mental torture around! (incidentally, am I correct in thinking there is a recording of this piece knockin' around?) Anyways, please take a slice of the insanity, you never know where it will lead you...

Full of Sympathy for Van Gogh.......2000-05-24

This book offers selections on a much broader range of interests than my own. Understanding the nature of deep empathy seems easiest to me in the 1947 work, "Van Gogh, the Man Suicided by Society" on pages 481 to 512. Artaud only lived from 1896 to 1948, but he seemed to be strangely affected by the coronation of Heliogabalus which began in the year 217. Artaud was not reading the history of events lightly when he reported "that the historians begin to go mad with rage." (p.317) Artaud was on the side of the emperor who picked his victims from among the aristocrats in "a kind of superior anarchy" which "runs from jewel to jewel, from outburst to outburst, from form to form, and from flame to flame, as if he were running from soul to soul in a mysterious interior odyssey which no one after him ever repeated." (p. 329) Strangely enough, this seems very modern to me, approaching what is now considered the height of entertainment.

Essential!.......1999-12-22

Artaud is more pertinant to today's world and the battle for sanity in an insane world than any other writer save William Burroughs. As Poe, Rimbaud,Lautreamont and De Nerval were influentual to generations of writers decades after their work; so does Artaud promise to be the next great muse of the new. This book is for anyone who is interested in the most intrigueing of experimental literature.

Average customer rating:

Antonin Artaud: Selected Writings

Manufacturer: Farrar, Straus And Giroux
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000GONDYU

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Antonin Artaud Selected Writings
Antonin Artaud
Manufacturer: FARRAR STRAUS & * GIROUX
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000Q34NNG

Average customer rating:

Selected Writings
Antonin Artaud
Manufacturer: Farrar Straus & Giroux (T)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

French | World Literature | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

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Antonin Artaud Selected Writings

Manufacturer: Farrar Straus Giroux
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000IGCOAU

Book Description

Already Gone * The Best of My Love * Desperado * Hotel California * Life in the Fast Lane * The Long Run * Lyin' Eyes * Tequila Sunrise * Take It Easy * Witchy Woman and many more.

Customer Reviews:

SuperTab Notation = NOT.......2004-12-19

This is complete garbage. I have seen better eagles tab on OLGA. Am E Em C D Dm = thats pretty much the entire book. I wasted my hard earned cash on it don't waste yours.

For Real
Xomnian

Not for the serious Eagles fan/guitarist.......2002-07-20

This book doesn't faithfully reproduce the music as played by the band. Instead, each song features a chord progression and the lead part simply "tracks" the song's vocals as if your desire was to replace the vocals with guitar (ala Muzak). A complete waste of money and time for any guitarist who is an Eagles fan.

The Best of Eagles for Guitar Includes SUPER-TAB Notation

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The Best of Eagles for Guitar Includes SUPER-TAB Notation
Eagles
Manufacturer: WARNER BROTHERS * PUBLICATIONS
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000TT3U4A

Average customer rating:

Nice complement

A Risk Worth Taking

Players Handbook 2 Review

PHB2 in 5 easy steps, NOW WITH OVER 200% MORE FLUFF!!!

Bringing MMOGs to pen-&-paper

Player's Handbook II (Dungeons & Dragons d20 3.5 Fantasy Roleplaying)
David Noonan
Manufacturer: Wizards of the Coast
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
General | Role Playing & Fantasy | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
General | Dungeons & Dragons | Gaming | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
Look Inside Entertainment Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Look Inside Science Fiction & Fantasy Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
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Spell Compendium (Dungeons & Dragons d20 3.5 Fantasy Roleplaying)

Dungeon Master's Guide II (Dungeons & Dragons d20 3.5 Fantasy Roleplaying Supplement)

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Monster Manual IV (Dungeons & Dragons d20 3.5 Fantasy Roleplaying)

Complete Psionic (Dungeons & Dragons d20 3.5 Fantasy Roleplaying Supplement)

ASIN: 0786939184
Release Date: 2006-05-09

Book Description

The Player’s Handbook II builds upon existing materials in the Player’s Handbook. This is the first direct follow up to the best-selling and most used D&D rulebook. It is specifically designed to expand the options available for players by both providing new material and increasing the uses for existing rules. Included are chapters on character race, background, classes, feats, spells, character creation, and character advancement. New rules include racial affiliations that make race matter as a character advances in level, new character classes and alternate class features for existing classes, new feats, tools for rapid character creation, and additional organization and teamwork benefits -- an option first introduced in Dungeon Master’s Guide II and Heroes of Battle.

Customer Reviews:

Nice complement.......2007-08-15

This book is a very nice complement for creating your D&D character, specially for the new feats.

A Risk Worth Taking.......2007-06-28

When I originally heard about this book, I was worried. I thought about how poorly they made Dungeon Master's Guide 2. However, this book turned out great! They added some great new classes and prestige classes. They really add to the game.

One thing that's really nice is that it's not needed, but it just adds a couple new dimensions to the game.

I will admit that I'm a sucker for more options and variant rules, so you should check this book out before you buy it. You might not think some of the additions are worth it.

Players Handbook 2 Review.......2007-05-13

I eagerly awaited this book to come out, thinking it to have quite a bit of new information. It does offer some new classes and some new spells and such, but over all the book to me was a dissapointment. The book goes into more variations of the original classes and spends some time on your character's background. Most of this information is available in the DMG and other books, this book simply puts them in one place. There is an NPC generator section that was somewhat useful, a good idea and section just not for me.

Having been a gamer for over 20 years, I have read and owned my fair share of rules books, supplements and misc. books. This book in my opinion is not essential to any gamers collection nor does it truly provide much info that can not be gained from the core collection of books. The classes inside while nice, are not enough to warrant spending the money for the book.

PHB2 in 5 easy steps, NOW WITH OVER 200% MORE FLUFF!!!.......2007-04-12

DISCLAIMER: THE AUTHOR OF THIS REVIEW IS A SELF-PROCLAIMED FRICKIN' MORON WHO IDN'T PAYIN OR BEIN' PAID JACQUE DU SQUATTE, AND, IN ADDITION, IS NOT LONG FOR THIS WORLD!.AFFILIATE YOURSELF WITH HIM AT YOUR OWN RISK!
SAFETY IS MOST ASSUREDLY NOT GUARANTEED!!!

P.S. Although...I have attempted something rather similar once before...

P.P.S. that guy, Jacques, can no longer be found at the usual address...
error 404 or some such, most likely, I shouldn't wonder...

A lot of people seem uneasy in their confidence in suggesting or purchasing this book. Being Clinically diagnosed as "thinking outside the box 24/7 and regarding the status quo, "fitting in", and "being POPULAR and commonly accepted as both bland and boring".(to put it in a positive light) or simply as a "motormouthed gibbering lump of idiocy" (The more popular kind of judgment for my ilk), I feel somewhat compelled to offer advice on the matter, as well as my perspective where the subject matter of this book is concerned.

Firstly, the 5 fool-proof (and I should know, lm...) steps to establish a grounded (so to speak) basis for opinion, judgment (should you go for that sort of thing),and so on so forth, yadda-yadda-yadda, etc., etc., ANYWAY...

1. SHARE IT

2. READ IT

3. DELETE IT

4. BUY IT

5. "5" IT!!!

if you are EPIC-impaired, you may wish to forgo one or more of steps #
2-5. The choice lies with you.

Being A rather Casual and Social group, and some of the most NPC people around (ironic, isn't it), file-sharing is hardly necessary. This is already laughably obvious to most gamers I've known, but I mention it for the sake of my friends as well as the already cataclysmically overpaid legal watchdogs what've sold their own savior into crucifixion for a quick gp or 3 long ago..

As for the book itself...

It strikes me as being an attempt of sorts to rectify mistakes of the past. Although the errors of judgment that matter the most to me go largely unaddressed to this day in ANY of their books, The Knight class makes me truly happy, as well as the much-criticized Duskblade, hailed by close friends as "groundbreaking" for taking Archetypes Boldly into new territory, though only the most observant among you will be able to see why.
(Hint: Look Closely. Read between the lines. Its Strengths rest within the details.....).Da' rest a' yas wont even see it coming.

The Paladin from #1 Pales in comparison by far, with its unoriginal recipes & Extra Stuffy Starchy, over-controlling aristocratic rules, protocols, restrictions and regulations that have always made the class unplayable unless the Dungeon Master is VERY loose in his interpretation (I.E. D.. Maxwell), requiring paladins outright to act much more like spies, charlatans, thieves, liars, scoundrels, and assassins as part of their identity as "Lawful Good" (rolling 2d0). With Stricter interpretation, the controversial Christian policy of Plenary Indulgence (forgiveness of sins based upon amount of immediately pending monetary donations), silent consent to the practice of slavery and a platform stance of non-involvement where genocide of biblical proportions is concerned...These real-life historical counterparts could make the Paladin VERY playable as well, but I would still choose the Knight Class hands down, even with ALL of these house rules and role-playing concessions, but just for those who disagree, Check pp.86-87 in "The Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting" rules supplement for a VERY SMALL section (in need, I feel, of strong fumigation) "good" ideas regarding pricing of slaves in the skin trade, should your PCs wish to commit such an unwholesome act of savagery and ruthless dominance.

The Knights of Cheval, upon which the Knight Archetype is based, and most pathetically heralded as a "Rip-off" of "mmorpgs", despite the fact that the Descendant(s) of this Knightly Organization DO NOT grant recognition of any sort to bullies, critics, and thugs who enjoy throwing their weight around among these online games. MY ANCESTORS WERE GIFTED WITH THE HONOR OF CREATING THE VERY FOUNDATION UPON WHICH THE ENTIRITY OF YOUR SILLY RICH-KIDS GAME RESTS UPON, IN ALL OF IT'S IRREVERENCE! Ahem... The Knights of Cheval, analogously speaking, are the strongest in resemblance to the much-borrowed, but still much-admired concept of the Knights-Of-The-Round, of King Arthur's fame. These Knights of Cheval adhered to a code of conscience, however, and did not bow to any mortal man, regardless of so-called sovereignty. In a way, however, I have misspoken, as it was the solemn duty, by obligation of the heart, for these Knights to serve and protect the needs of each and every person in their realm, with respect, consideration, charity, kindness, and love no less than that which they would give to their own kin. Their status, or lack thereof, as Christians, is as yet unknown to me, so I cannot speak on the matter with any due certainty or credibility where this is concerned. The Shield at their right arm is far more symbolic of their code of beliefs than the sword on their left, or any other weapon of any kind could be.

An extended rendition of the Knight's Credo can easily be found by the ones among you who are most generous of heart.
Seek...somethin'll turn up.
Ask...you'll get results.
To defend those who cannot defend themselves...

To bestow the food and shelter to each and every man, woman, and child that have none of those basic needs which are due them all...

to fight for the right to adventure and PARTY ON!

"WE ARE THE THIN VEIL THAT HOLD BACK THE NIGHT!!
WE ARE THOSE WHO HACK, TURNING WRONG INTO RIGHT!!!"

-A credo of a different sort, inspired by, and perhaps indeed from,
the Knights of the Dinner Table,
may they live long and level up!
LONG LIVE KODT! HELP ME SUPPORT TEH LOCAL GAMESTORE!

Bringing MMOGs to pen-&-paper.......2007-03-13

I usually love new rulebooks, but this one is a stinker. It was obviously written by someone who loves multiplayer online games and is trying to bring some aspects of those games into a D&D campaign. The problem is, a lot of features that were unique to online games were created because it was impossible for a computer AI to portray certain aspects of combat in a realistic manner. They are therefore pretty contrived and unrealistic by definition.

The Knight class, for example, is a direct import of the "tank" classes from online games. And it shows. None of the class abilities have any precedent in fantasy literature -- unless you view them through a lens of computer gaming.

The Beguiler is likewise a ripoff of online "crowd control" classes, and is completely unnecessary. The same goes for many of the feats and spells.

I will admit that some of these might be fun to play, but they just feel so horribly unnatural that I cringe at the thought of introducing them into any campaign. Some of the ideas might have worked, but I see only the most minimal attempt to disguise the computer-game inspirations behind them. With a little more effort, they might have had a 3-star supplement instead of 2.

Book Description

Building on the success of such titles as Toy Story: The Essential Guide and Dinosaur: The Essential Guide, the DK creative team has been given unlimited access to Disney's considerable archives to chart the development of the Disney Company, from its early days in the 1920s to the present. Disney: The Ultimate Guide includes a wealth of images -- from specially photographed memorabilia to familiar scenes from favorite Disney moments -- to create a visual experience of the number one name in family entertainment. Disney's most-loved films are the focus of this charming collectible, but all facets of Disney's universe are represented in this wonderful volume.

Customer Reviews:

Condensed Century.......2005-07-07

How did the DK staff manage to condense a century of Disney into 124 pages? This is a great coffee table book. It has enough colorful pictures to keep a preschooler occupied, and enough text to satisfy adult fans. I liked the index in the back--makes referencing quick and easy. Well done, Russell Schroeder! Disney television, Disney theme parks, Disney cruises, Disney stage productions, and of course Disney movies and merchandise fill this image-rich book. If you had to purchase each image on postcards, they would be smaller--and cost a whole lot more.

An excellent visual survey.......2002-11-15

Disney: The Ultimate Visual Guide will make the perfect family Christmas present for families already interested in Disney's wonders. Disney has touched lives for decades: Disney: The Ultimate Visual Guide provides an excellent visual survey of the extent of the animated creator's works and the logical progression of Disney talents and creations. A fine oversized picture book the entire family will enjoy.

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