All Aboard!: Images from the Golden Age of Rail Travel

Book Description

Travel back to the wonder years of rail in this beautiful compendium of art and illustration. Through luggage labels, maps, posters, advertisements, promotional brochures, napkins, and other colorful ephemera, All Aboard! celebrates our romance with the railroad. Its pages provide a nostalgic look at rail travel as it used to be, from the exciting early days at the turn of the century through its heyday in the '30s and through World War II. Lynn Johnson and Michael O'Leary have collected hundreds of period images, from Deco-era logos that evoke the sleek, streamlined style of the day to wartime propaganda posters highlighting the muscularity of freight locomotives that transported weapons and tanks for American troops. All Aboard! also explores the art of the Orient Express and great European lines, the rugged rails of Canada, and exotic points abroad. This exciting new resource for train enthusiasts and everyone on the lookout for terrific images recreates the splendor of the modern locomotive era.

Customer Reviews:

Graphic motion.......2007-04-20

A wonderful soft back book of posters designed for instant nostalgia. I rather liked its comprehensiveness, mainly featuring US railroads but nicely chapters devoted to Canadian and European posters. Another nice touch is the inclusion of ads, baggage labels and several black and white photos.

Predictably the posters tend to feature the streamline diesels of the thirties and forties (certainly a lot easier for the illustrators) rather than the European style of picturing the destinations. The travelling experience was the selling point rather than getting somewhere quickly and this, by the late forties and fifties, was rather a lost cause as plane travel was slowly becoming commonplace. There is great 1958 photo of the General Motors Aerotrain on page fifty-four making a PR stop in San Diego, possibly the last true streamliner.

Most of the posters shown have a graphic rather than literal style though there is a stunning 1940 Santa Fe brochure cover that has an E8 somewhere west of the Rockies done in a very photo realist style. The last chapter Rails for Victory covers the WW2 years when railroads lost no opportunity in telling everyone they were doing their bit. There are couple of beautiful Dean Cornwell paintings used as calendar art by the Pennsylvania RR in 1943 and 44.

The European chapter has some excellent British posters issued before the railroads were taken over by the state in 1947. If these take your fancy have a look at Railway Posters 1923-1947: From the Collection of the National Railway Museum, York a gorgeous book of over two hundred posters and quite remarkable because of the range of artistic styles that were used just to push train travel.

All Aboard is an easy-on-the-eye quick tour of rail posters. A more detailed look can be found in Travel by Train: The American Railroad Poster, 1870-1950 with plenty of super graphic material.

***FOR AN INSIDE LOOK click 'customer images' under the cover.

An Excellent Book for both Train and Art Lovers........2001-07-31

This book covers railroad advertising from the early 1900s to the late 50s. All color art and a few B&W pictures showing the real trains that influenced the advertising. It shows examples of railroad advertising from posters, timetables, brochures and luggage tags as well as railroads in the US, Canada and Europe. There is a breif history introducing each chapter and the captions for each picture are descriptive and accurate. At the end of the book, there are a few pages explaining how to collect railroad art, which I found very informative. An easy read and very entertaining. An excellent coffee-table book.

Sentimental Journey.......2000-02-25

As always, Chronicle Books beautiful graphic series has captured a wonderful look back at riding the rails. Johnson and O'Leary have compiled a romantic collection of railroad commercial art.

Book Description

" This important monograph is the first paperback to present a complete overview of the work of Hungarian photographer Andre Kertesz (1894-1985), one of the undisputed masters of modern photography. Originally published in hardcover format in 1994, it is now in an affordable paperback edition. Author Pierre Borhan covers three essential periods of Kertesz's work: Hungary (1912-1925), France (1925-1936), and the United States (1936-1985). A full section is devoted to his famous "distortions" and another to his color works. Each section is prefaced by a critical text written by an international specialist. This stunning book is a work of reference and a valuable source of information, but it is also a dramatic and luxurious tribute to one of the masters of twentieth-century photography."

Customer Reviews:

A Superb Overview of the Works of a 20th Century Master.......2000-12-16

Andre Kertesz was unsurpassed as a composer of photographic images. His focus was to create "not the epic but the lyric truth." This outstanding book gives you a full biographical and pictoral treatment of his vision for photography.

If you are offended by all nudity, you should know that this volume contains both male and female nudity. These images are all very tastefully and beautifully done in the best artistic expression of capturing the essence of humanity.

Kertesz was born as Andor ("Bandi") Kertesz in Budapest in 1894. He was born into a Jewish middle class family. This pleasant environment was upset when his father died of tuberculosis when Bandi was 14. His uncle looked after Kertesz's career interests after that, and steered him into working at the stock exchange, a job Kertesz hated. Kertesz served in World War I, and was wounded. But he did not seem to have been destroyed emotionally by the experience as so many young Europeans were. His photographs from the trenches focus on the fundamental experience rather than the shocking or appalling.

Unlike many photographers who started as artists in another genre, Kertesz was drawn directly to photography. Seeing the first illustrated magazines sold him on the concept, and he got a camera as soon as he could afford one.

His career spans four periods. The first was in his native Hungary and emphasized sympathetic, realistic images of "peasants, Gypsies and the landscape of the Hungarian plains." His work was that of an amateur, photographing in his spare time when he was not working at the stock exchange.

The second was when he moved to Paris in 1925, where he thought he did his best work. He became "Andre" there, and shifted his attention to "street people, bums, children, emigre compatriots, artists and artisans." During this time, he was an important influence on both Brassai and Cartier-Bresson. He had commercial success at this time, being employed by many of the new French and German illustrated magazines. By 1928, he had moved beyond plates, and owned his first Leica.

The third period was when he left Paris for New York in 1936. This experience was a setback from his point of view. American tastes did not match his interests. The Museum of Modern Art insisted he chop off the pubic hair on a female nude, ruining an image from his point of view, before it could be displayed. The American magazines wanted simple, compelling images rather than the cool compositions of Kertesz. He suffered artistically and financially from rejection until be finally caught on with Home & Garden in 1946. But he did not like the work, and was pleased to quit it in 1961. "What I feel, I do." He had remained faithful to his photographic muse, but found New York a harsh environment for his vision. This was his least productive period artistically.

The fourth period saw him with an international reputation as a top photographer, and involved much freedom to develop his concepts. Much of his best work comes from this period.

I was not familiar with his work before reading this book (which was recommended to me by a reviewing colleague at Amazon.com). I was pleased to make his acquaintance. There is a mastery of composition and detail in the work that reminds one of Ansel Adams' landscapes. He also was a brilliant student of the potential of shadows, particularly for creating more interesting compositions. Shadows are treated as being real, like solid objects. That makes the images far more intriguing. Kertesz also produced many remarkable still lifes that combine shadows with simple objects to make remarkable abstractions at the same time.

To me though, his most interesting and compelling work involved the use of distorting mirrors. With female nudes, he used the mirrors to transform them into fascinating abstractions that make eloquent statements about femaleness. I highly recommend these images to you. They are clearly influenced by Picasso, but go beyond Picasso. Very interesting!

My favorite images in the collection are:

Szigetbeese, Hungary, 1914

Budapest, 1914

Gypsy Children, Esztergom, Hungary, 1917

My Brother as a "Scherzo," Hungary, 1919

Storm over Paris, 1925-1926

Shadow, The Eiffel Tower, Paris, 1929

Ernest, c. 1930

Paul Arma's Hands, 1928

Clayton Bates, 1928-1929

Mondrian's Glasses and Pipe, Paris, 1926

Shadows, 1931

Distortions, Nos. 46, 49, 68, 1933

New York, 1942

Washington Square, 1954

The Sofa, Williamsburg, Virginia, 1951

New York, c. 1963 (2)

Washington Square, 1966

Winter Garden, New York, 1970

The Balcony, Martinique, January 1, 1972

New York, 1972

Paris, 1984

1984 [color image]

The introductory essay is by Pierre Borhan and provides a superb overview of the overall career and work. Each of the four periods has a separate detailed introduction focusing on that portion of the work. These essays are enlivened by small images that exemplify and elucidate the points made.

In general, the reproduction quality is very high on the full-sized images. A few of the small images within the essays are too dark, apparently reflecting printing errors.

After you have finished enjoying this superb volume, I suggest that you think about physical distance from what you consider. Do you like to get up close and touch things? Or do you prefer an aloof distance, as from a elevated rear window? Or does it depend on the moment and the subject? Few want to confront a mugger close up. Try changing your distance deliberately for a month, and observe how it changes your perspective.

Look for the lyrical truth in all you perceive!

Visually intoxicating.......2000-05-23

Kertesz' photos are beautifully reproduced. While the book contains plenty of biographical information, I wish more attention had been to the composition techniques which make these photos such masterpieces. Nevertheless, it is still an intoxicating look at the world of black and white photography.

Book Description

They're gripping, they're realistic, and they're universal--those primal scream-creating nightmares that every reader has had at one time or another.The Pop-Up Book of Nightmares brings them vividly to life with ten richly illustrated, over-the-top pop-ups that put the reader right in the center of a world gone mad.Which one of these nightmares did you have last night? --Being unprepared for a final exam --Going for a midnight snack and finding a refrigerator teeming with rats --Giving birth to a baby that's anything but normal --Being chased by a menace that seems to be everywhere at once --Free falling with no hope of a safe landing The Pop-Up Book of Nightmares is the perfect gift for anyone who wants to mine the psychological riches of their deepest slumber. AUTHORBIO: Gary Greenberg, Balvis Rubess and Matthew Reinhart collaborated on Melcher Media's THE POP-UP BOOK OF PHOBIAS.

Customer Reviews:

adult fun!.......2007-06-11

I love all pop up books, especially those falling into the newer category of adult pop up books. Very similar to the pop up book of phobias, sex, and tabloid news. Not as high a quality of actual pop up construction and intricacy as Sabuda's work, but fun none the less.

Pop up nightmares.......2007-05-06

I am always on the lookout for new children's books, and especially love popups! My children are all grown, but I have two small grandsons, and I teach children's literature to college students. (HOWEVER, I would never recommend putting ANY popup book that is this intricate into the hands of a toddler.) This book is not for small children, anyway, but a real hoot to adults. I also used this book (as well a Popup Book of Phobias) in other classes I teach on Human Development, Special Education, and Early Childhood Education. Why? Because they are whimsical, interesting, help us to acknowledge fears and dreams, and the artwork involved is impressive!

Adult Pop Ups are Fun!.......2005-09-06

I now own three "adult" pop up books (adult in theme not sexual content) and the are all just fun to have and share. They are nice enough to be coffee table books and they really bring pleasure to all who see and experience them. It is silly to say this one is better than an other one, although my personal favorite is the Pop Up Book of Phoebias, but this work by Gary Greenberg is a delight and one everyone with a sense of humor and who still loves to read Where the Wild Things Are, will love to have in their home. I gave it "only" 4 stars since I want to save a star for, say, The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen but of its kind The Pop-Up Book of Nightmares is 5 star all the way.

patrick cronin

Lots of fun.......2005-08-05

Great fun gift for someone you don't know that well. Or know real well. It is a perfect coffee table book.

This book is so much fun!.......2005-05-29

I have the POP-UP BOOK OF NIGHTMARES and THE POP-UP BOOK OF PHOBIAS. What great conversation starters when you leave them laying around when company comes over.

Both of these books are so funny. It's amazing how much paper engineering went into this book! It's very imaginative and a little wacky.

I liked this book so much that I've even given it as a gift.{to a slightly demented person who also loved it!}

The powers that be need to make more books in pop-up style. It sure would make income tax returns more interesting if they were offered in pop-ups. Then again, they could stick "Income Tax Audit" in the next Pop-up Phobias book!

Tim Burton's Nightmare Before Christmas: A Pop-Up Book

Average customer rating:

Not just for kids.
A beautiful pop-up book
It's fantasy pictures book!
Wonderful Art Delightfully Pops Up!!!

Tim Burton's Nightmare Before Christmas: A Pop-Up Book
Tim Burton
Manufacturer: Mouse Works
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0453031323

Customer Reviews:

Not just for kids........2005-03-13

This book is one of the best pop-ups I have ever seen. The graphics are bright and fanciful. If you were fortunate to see the film, you will certainly enjoy looking at this book for many good times to come. The ultimate coffee table book.

A beautiful pop-up book.......2005-02-12

This book represents the pure genius of Tim Burton. It is a beautiful and fun book to open. Every page is a story into itself with the delightful grphic pop-ups. A real treat for adults.

It's fantasy pictures book!.......1998-10-19

First time i saw this book, it gave me a shock! It's so beautiful and neat with those complicate stencils! therefore, really want to own one and look at it whenever i like! \(^o^)/

Wonderful Art Delightfully Pops Up!!!.......1997-07-12

This book...is a must for any Nightmare collector. Along with a summarized version of Tim Burton's genious story, the charazters and scenes pop up along with a few movable pieces and "hot spots" that when you touch them something appears!!! The only thing wrong is that it's too short!!

Nightmare Hotel: Danger: Spooky Pop-Up Book

Average customer rating:

Nightmare Hotel: Danger: Spooky Pop-Up Book
Alex Henry
Manufacturer: Envision Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Humorous | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 189063302X

Who Will You Meet in Scary Street?: Nine Pop-Up Nightmares

Average customer rating:

Keeps him smiling

Who Will You Meet in Scary Street?: Nine Pop-Up Nightmares
Christine Tagg
Manufacturer: Little, Brown
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Monsters | Obsessions | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0316256064

Book Description

Halloween is a favorite time of the year for children, and what better way to celebrate than by taking a walk down Scary Street? Young readers will encounter griffins, witches, and werewolves as they turn the pages and see the monsters pop up on every spread. This ghoulish tale will have children begging for more as they explore a street whose denizens were transformed into ghouls and goblins. Vivid illustrations and rhyming text invite young readers to take a frightful stroll down Scary Street!

Customer Reviews:

Keeps him smiling.......2002-05-27

My son and I love the way these images come to life! this makes every day Halloween and for someone who loves that time of year, what a nice thing to have around the house all the time.

Disney's Winnie the Pooh's Nightmare: A Pop-Up Book

Average customer rating:

A child' s delight

Disney's Winnie the Pooh's Nightmare: A Pop-Up Book
Jose R. Seminario , and Bruce Reifel
Manufacturer: Random House Disney
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0786830190

Customer Reviews:

A child' s delight.......2000-04-27

This is the very favorite book of my friend Daniel, now age 3. He runs into the "pooh book room" every time he comes over and we have read this particular book enough times that I have had to order a new copy. He delights in pulling the tabs and screaming in fright over the woozles and heffalumps, not to mention the jagulars. An excellent read.

Tim Burton's "Nightmare Before Christmas"

Average customer rating:

Tim Burton's "Nightmare Before Christmas"
Tim Burton
Manufacturer: Boxtree Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Book Description

What are the most appropriate theories and methods for analyzing contemporary America cinema? This book answers this question by taking an innovative approach to writing about individual movies: in each of the main chapters the authors examine the assumptions behind one traditional theory of film (e.g. auteurism, narratology, psychoanalysis), distil a method of analysis from it, and then analyze a contemporary American movie. They then go beyond the traditional theory by analyzing the same movie using a more current theory and method (e.g. new media theory, deconstruction, cognitivism).

Customer Reviews:

A useful guide for students.......2002-10-08

Against the background of rising temperatures and shorter tempers among film theorists, 'Studying Contemporary American Film' sets out to pour oil on troubled waters. Between classical models of film interpretation and analysis (auteurist, structuralist, psychosemiotic) and the current plethora of contending paradigms (cognitivist, Deleuzian,
post-feminists, deconstructivist and hypertextual) it treads a
delicate, but determined path. The authors accept that film analysis is a matter of being wise after the fact, and being aware of open or hidden agendas. In order to be clear and consistent, you don't have to be dogmatic; being able to recognize the strengths and weaknesses of certain critical positions doesn't mean that 'everything goes'. Although centered on close analysis of nine mainstream movies, this is not just another collection of essays on the authors' favorite films. The distinction classical and post-classical narrative, the Hollywood/Europe divide, the co-existence of linear narrative and videogame logic, and the differences between ontological realism and digital realism are all lucidly laid out and practically demonstrated. Highlights - to this reader at least - are the chapters on Die Hard, Lost Highway, The Fifth Element and Silence of the Lambs. The general movie buff may think the bullet points and numbered sub-headings rather too prescriptive; however, the authors tone is for the most part refreshingly dead-pan and descriptive, and students may be grateful for the many useful hints of how to ask the right questions and structure their papers accordingly. This is a guide in the best tradition of 'Teach Yourself Film Studies', of which 'Studying Contemporary American Film' could be seen as a welcome sequel.

Elsaesser, Thomas and Warren Buckland. Studying Contemporary American Film: A Guide to Movie Analysis. .(Book review): An article from: Communication Research Trends

Average customer rating:

Elsaesser, Thomas and Warren Buckland. Studying Contemporary American Film: A Guide to Movie Analysis. .(Book review): An article from: Communication Research Trends
Patrick Stearns
Manufacturer: Thomson Gale
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Communication Research Trends, published by Thomson Gale on December 1, 2006. The length of the article is 1361 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: Elsaesser, Thomas and Warren Buckland. Studying Contemporary American Film: A Guide to Movie Analysis. .(Book review)
Author: Patrick Stearns
Publication: Communication Research Trends (Magazine/Journal)
Date: December 1, 2006
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 25 Issue: 4 Page: 34(3)

Article Type: Book review

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Studying Contemporary American Films: A Guide to Movie Analysis

Average customer rating:

Studying Contemporary American Films: A Guide to Movie Analysis
Warren Buckland Thomas Elsaesser
Manufacturer: NY
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000MUBHFK

Book Description

Definitive biography of much-loved Rolling Stones guitarist, respected sideman and ultimate rock and roll geezer! Written with the full cooperation of Ronnie Wood and hundreds of hours of new interviews with his family, friends and management, this is the full story of his vibrant life and his musical exploits with Rod Stewart's legendary group The Faces, The Jeff Beck Group, cult icons The Creation and, of course, the Rolling Stones.

Book Description

This is a new expanded edition which goes beyond the basics; it takes you into the mind and decision-making processes of professional poker players by providing solid information and advice on a broad spectrum of sophisticated topics. Krieger covers the importance of proper decision-making; why patience and position are vital; the flop; early, middle, and late position; common mistakes; how to play in loose, aggressive games; tells and much more. Includes the Lou Krieger full color "Start Chart", showing which hands are playable in which situations.

Customer Reviews:

This book won me a major tournament!.......2006-08-22

Just hours after finishing "More Hold'em Excellence," I went to a No-Limit Texas Hold'em tournament and won $550! I definitely feel that this book helped me to win that tournament... and many more since then. I would seriously recommend this book to anyone who wants a well-written book on Texas Hold'em!!!

Sincerely,
Brian "the Sea" Shell

Whole Lotta Wisdom to Give. .......2006-02-03

Yes, the word "wise" might be the best way in which to describe Lou Krieger. He's not only a poker player and a journalist. He's a renaissance man who's spent time studying life in general. His is an extremely unique perspective for a poker writer, and I'm surprised it took me this long to discover him. Before I bought the book, all I knew about him was that he was the face of Royal Vegas poker which is not a compliment as it has to be my least favorite online website ever. Yet here Krieger gives readers a plethora of priceless insight over the course of 36 chapters. They flow together nicely and there's nothing disjointed about the work. I loved his chapter, "American Dreamer," where he makes a compelling case that poker is, in many ways, the essence of America, and he also takes the time to praise free speech and lambaste political correctness-which is extremely needed and one more reason why you should take the time to acquaint yourself with this edition. Another rare element to be found in these pages is the professional poker player quiz in the back. There are 60 some "Yes/No" questions that really put turning pro into perspective. I took it myself and learned quite a few things about my game by scoring it. The only criticism I have is of the hand chart in the back of the book. It's way too LAG (loose-aggressive player) for me. He's got you playing KJ offsuit in any position and that gives me the heebie-jeebies. Maybe if one has Lou's level of skill you can play 8/7 offsuit in late position, but stuff like that would break me. For hand analysis, I would check out Ed Miller's recommendations in Small Stakes Hold `Em if I were you. Although, Krieger has put together one heckuva book and I thank the guy for it.

Very Good Book.......2005-11-27

Excellent Book. Must be read a few times to be fully appreciated. Loaded with great information. Mr. Krieger has a real gift making the concepts understandable. Players of any level will gain something from this book

Good Limit Holdem Book.......2004-05-30

This is one of the 1st books I read when i started playing poker.It's a must read for any one how wants to become a good player.Some of the consepts were a little hard to undrestand for the biginner but it will put you in a right path of beiing a winner for life.You have to read it go play.and read it and play again till you undrestand every thing he was trying to help you learn. I also have to add that it was very easy to read and even when you are an advance player you enjoy reading it......enjoy.....

Sage Advice from a Long-Time Player.......2003-10-13

This book is not for the beginner. Any beginning hold'em book will do for beginning players.

This book contains nothing but good advice in the card room. I've only played in card rooms a few times, but I've won consistently. Kreiger's books contains essays on how to deal with maniacs, table image, table selection -- the sorts of things a non-beginner will find valuable.

If you already know the game and know how to play tight and aggressive, this book is for you. It contains lots of anecdotal advice on how to deal with the situations that inevitably come up in card rooms.

Average customer rating:
More Hold 'Em Excellence a Winner for Life
Lou Krieger
Manufacturer: ConJel Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000QFO50A

Book Description

Graham Norton's unique blend of camp comedy, cosy chattiness, and brilliant bitchiness has earned him a place in the nation's hearts. But not too much is known about Graham Norton's private life, and so biographer and journalist Alison Bowyer has travelled to his native Ireland and talked to friends and relatives about this irrepressibly likeable man.

Customer Reviews:

A pretty good read, but limited.......2003-08-05

There is not yet any autobiography of Graham Norton, nor any authorised biography. This book is limited by the fact that it was not written in co-operation with its author. This does not mean it is critical of him, quite the reverse, it is almost hagiographic. However it does give us a clear picture of the man and his life story. The sources are limited - the latter part of his career is documented from press cuttings and photo's, whereas the early part of his life is cobbled together from interviews with a very small number of friends and other sources. It is usually possible to tell where every quote originates (for example the description of Norton's home town Bandon as a lush and green can only have come from the Bandon tourist office, credited at the front of the book). The book does benefit from candid interviews with two of Graham's former boyfriends, and it is to Norton's credit that he is held in high esteem by these peopele even after the break-up of these relationships. There are quite a few basic grammatical errors, (which could be considered the editor's fault rather than Bowyer's), and Bandon Grammar School is referred to as a Grammer school. Careless mistakes aside, this is very easy to read and gives a few interesting insights into the private life of this very public man.

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