Book Description
The Iconography of Landscape draws together fourteen scholars from diverse disciplines to explore the status of landscape as a cultural image. By applying the art-historical method of iconography--interpreting levels of meaning in human artifacts--to landscapes on paper or canvas, in literary form or on the ground, its contributors show how landscape is an important mode of human signification, informed by, and itself informing social, cultural and political issues. The range of examples is wide in terms of medium, period and place. It covers poetry and promotional literature, architectural design and urban ceremonial maps and paintings; the historical periods discussed range from sixteenth-century Italy to twentieth-century Canada. The book is introduced by the editors' discussion of the meanings of landscape and of the iconographic method in the context of contemporary theoretical and methodological debate on culture and society.
Book Description
The latest entry in the successful In Detail series is a lavishly illustrated book celebrating 19th-century fashion. Featuring glorious, specially commissioned color photographs of close-up details alongside accurate line drawings that demonstrate the underlying structure of each garment, the book's 150 pieces capture the opulence and variety of this fascinating era. From the delicate embroidery on ballgowns to the vibrant synthetic colors of crinolines, the major themes of 19th-century fashion are highlighted as never before in a single volume.
“ Perfect for those who want an authentic take on the latest Victorian trend.” -In Style
Customer Reviews:
Stupid Amazon!.......2007-05-08
Don't bother ordering this through Amazon - They're out of stock and haven't been able to get more copies since February. My order keeps being delayed the day that it lists that it's supposed to ship. It's more expensive elsewhere, but at least you've got the option of actually getting it. I broke down and paid double the price listed by Amazon just so that I could stop waiting for it to arrive each month.
I've heard this is a fantastic reference. Now if only I could get a copy!
The best book for research in making historical costume.......2007-02-06
I found this book gives so many fine details of the clothing made in this century. It's a great help for ideas in trimming my own costumes, and shows how it was done in line drawings. The examples are awesome.
Great Resource Guide.......2007-01-12
This book is chock full of close-up photographs which show the details of garments that have been well preserved from the period. Laden with eye-candy for costumers, history buffs, and those who appreciate beautiful things. Readers will be amazed at the fine hand-work and examples of needlework shown on each garment. Not just a beautiful "coffee table" book! Well worth the purchase price!!
PLEASE READ BEFORE ORDERING THIS!!!.......2006-06-15
dear fellow costume and clothing passionate people like myself:
THIS TITLE IS SOLD OUT IN HB FORM FROM THE PUBLISHER. I ORDERED THIS FROM AMAZON IN MARCH 2006. I WAITED A GOOD TWO MONTHS BEFORE I CANCELLED THE ORDER. I THEN TRIED ORDERING IT FROM ECAMPUS AND I WAITED ABOUT A WEEK AFTER THE PROPOSED SHOULD ARRIVE BY DATE AND HAD TO CANCEL FROM THEM TOO, AS THEY ARE UNABLE TO GET THIS TITLE. SO I TURNED TO ANOTHER GREAT COSTUME RESOURCE ONLINE HEDGEHOG HANDWORKS. THIS IS WHAT THE WOMAN FROM THERE TOLD ME: THE PUBLISHER TOTALLY SOLD OUT THIS TITLE. SOLD OUT. THE PUBLISHER WILL NOT PRINT ANY MORE IN HB. PERIOD. THEY ARE SWITCHING TO SC FORMAT. THE NEW SC FORMAT WILL BE SOLD STARTING LATE OCT 2006. SO YOU'D BETTER WATCH FOR IT, AS I ASSUME IT TOO WILL SELL OUT! IF YOU ORDER THIS BOOK, YOU'LL BE HOLDING YOUR BREATH FOR A VERY VERY LONG TIME, AS AMAZON STRINGS YOU ALONG ALL THE WAY. TRY HEDGHOG HANDWORKS, OR EBAY, OR USED. TRY ALSO DIRECT FROM OVER SEAS AT THE V&A MUSEUM SHOP. ONLY ISSUE THERE IS WITH THE EXCHANGE RATE, YOU PAY ALOT MORE FOR THE TITLE. I HOPE THIS GETS READ BY LOTS OF PEOPLE LIKE ME WHO ARE WONDERING WHAT THE DEAL IS WITH GETTING A COPY OF THIS BOOK. I AM JUST KICKING MYSELF I DIDN'T ORDER IT LAST FALL. SIGH.
A gorgeous display of high-class 19th century Western clothing fashions.......2006-05-05
Nineteenth-Century Fashion In Detail is a gorgeous display of high-class 19th century Western clothing fashions. Shirts, dresses, gloves, shoes, and much more; each clothing piece is illustrated with a large full-color photograph, and its history and composition is described at length as befits a fabric work of art. The exquisite embroidery, tailoring, patterns, and other eye-catching details of the sample pieces make Nineteenth-Century Fashion In Detail a superb reference and inspirational sourcebook for clothing designers, costumers, and vintage clothing collectors. Also highly recommended are the companion volumes Historical Fashion in Detail: The 17th and 18th Centuries, and Modern Fashion in Detail.
Customer Reviews:
EXQUISITE!.......2000-11-02
This book is truly gorgeous with its fantastic close up photographs of details of 20th century garments. There are chapters devoted to bows, to buttons, sleeves and so on. This book actually came before Avril Hart's "Fashion in detail - 17th & 18th Century Clothes" and together they will keep you occupied for many hours. I only wish there were more volumes. Sheer heaven!
Average customer rating:
- Mouth-watering photography of stunning clothing detail, but lacking if full garment photos.
- Beautiful
- Superb! Magnificent!
- Amazing photos, very good descriptions, variety of topics
- Must have for students & scholars of 17th-18thc fashion
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Fashion in Detail: From the 17th and 18th Centuries
Avril Hart , and
Susan North
Manufacturer: Rizzoli International Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 084782151X
Release Date: 1998-10-15 |
Book Description
This sumptuously illustrated book offers the first up-close view of the richness and variety of historical dress of the 17th and 18th centuries. Drawn from the Victoria and Albert Museum's world-famous collection, these garments display skills that are now lost, yet continue to inspire today's leading designers.Much of the finery seen here is too fragile to be on permanent display, or its detail too intricate to be captured in conventional photography. Jacobean blackwork, neoclassical tambour work, exquisite stitching, and knife-sharp pleats are pictured in stunning photographs, alongside such unusual techniques as stamping, pinking, and slashing--many of which are rarely employees in the modern world, as they require labor-intensive handwork impossible to replicate by machine.With line drawings showing the construction of the complete garment and a text that sets each in the context of its time, this book is a visual feast for all fashion lovers, and an essential resource for curators, collectors, students, costumers and designers.
Customer Reviews:
Mouth-watering photography of stunning clothing detail, but lacking if full garment photos........2006-02-21
I'd classify this as a lovely coffee-table book, it has many luxurious detailed close-up pictures of garments, but I wish there were also pictures of the entire garment and diagrams on the pattern construction. It's not all that good of a book as a costuming resource, but worth having in a library for the pretty pictures. I certainly would not recommend paying full price for it.
Beautiful.......2002-02-20
I got the book in the mail today. I don't think I will be able to put it down for one second anytime before next Friday. It is simply the best photographic account of 18th century clothing detail that I have ever seen. I LOVE IT!!!
Superb! Magnificent!.......2000-01-30
WHAT a wonderful book. Never has a museum published a more mouth-watering and so informative reference book. Forget the idea that all museum publications are dry and arid - even if you don't really like costume or fashion you MUST look at this book. The photography is of the very highest quality. If a picture is worth at least a thousand words, then there are millions of words in this book - millions of words that have never been coined, but which describe the small minutae - the rich colouring - the magnificent designs and craftmanship - the hitherto unsuspected marvel of a seam or a collar - the small pattern that you would never have noticed in a figured silk. Every library and art gallery and museum must have a copy of this book. Even artists ought to buy a copy, because it is invaluable as a source for design and ideas. I highly recommend this book. You can almost feel the satins and stroke the embroideries, feeling their texture. Dress is definitely an art form. Just ask this book with a mere glance, and you will get your answer - a resounding YES. The reviews below say this so much better than I could.
Amazing photos, very good descriptions, variety of topics.......1999-07-23
Comprised primarily of breathtaking photos and limited text, Fashion in Detail made a two hour layover at Newark airport a pleasant experience! These photos reveal the kind of detail one can not absorb during a museum visit either because there are others in line or because one can't get close enough. In order to appreciate the exquisite workmanship and the creative thought that produced what are essentially works of art, in addition to being items of clothing which were actually worn, a photo becomes necessary. Line drawings accompany the text descriptions so that whatever detail is spotlighted in the photo can also be understood in relation to the whole garment. What a gorgeous book! It was worth every penny.
Must have for students & scholars of 17th-18thc fashion.......1998-12-08
"Fashion in Detail" is a beautiful book highlighting details of many of the 17th and 18th century fashions in the Victorian and Albert museum collection. Many are too fragile to exibit so the full-color pictures, text and line drawings are the only record many costume mavens will ever see. The book is truly fashion in detail as the color illustration show details only, usually of one, but sometimes up to four or five items per page. The book's layout is divided by chapters--one shows details of outstanding stitching, seaming and quilting while another covers buttons, and another embroidery for example. The "coffee table" size of this book allows the best use of the book's layout: the left hand page includes a clear line diagram of the the complete item(s) illustrated on the right hand page in wonderful color photographs. The left-hand page text describes the item in suscinct, but complete detail. Some of the rarest and most outstanding items receive two or three color photos and text of various details. The pink stays on the cover, for example, get a back detail of the exquisite stitching in the first chapter and another side photo of the lovely ribbons tying the matching sleeves to the stays later in the book. My only complaint is two-fold. I wanted to see more and a smaller, full-length color view of each item would have been wonderful since many of the items haven't been illustrated in books elsewhere.
Book Description
Mew, one of the "New Species" Pokmon, is an innocent-looking catlike character - the super-rare 151st Pokmon. This story introduces the trainer, Pokmon expert Professor Oak, Professor Oak's nephew, and others, who try to capture all the Pokmon to complete the collection - and win a series of duels against other Pokmon trainers.
Customer Reviews:
These are brilliantly done.......2002-10-08
Pokemon Adventures is probably the best vision of the concept that's sponsored by Nintendo. For the record, I recommend buying these in the graphic novel format.
This is a great series. It's a more mature story that isn't exclusively aimed at kids like the cartoon or the other comic. There are elements in these stories that will appeal to all ages. Red and Blue, instead of being a couple of abrasive children, are more like rivals should be -- with a healthy respect for one another. They work together, even help each other along at times when they know there's more at stake than their own pride.
The story takes some turns that are far darker than anything the show would ever touch, and most of the characters from the show who appear here are, such as the Gym Leaders, are, instead of silly characitures of how people behave, real characters with a passion for what they do. Misty and Brock, incidentally, kick ass. Both Red and Blue are serious about what they do, and there's a clear reason that they win as many fights as they do, not just the "Ash is the main character, so of course he wins" mentality the show has.
Even better, as the series progresses, there is real character growth. Over the course of the story, Red goes from being a Pokemon lover with a heart of gold to a brilliant tactician who can use his Pokemon's abilities in ways nobody can imagine.
I recommend this for anyone with a passion for good storytelling, anyone who has played the game, and anybody who thinks the Pokemon concept is interesting, regardless of whether you like the cartoon. This is the best handling of the material you will find.
A little bit different, but still excellent!.......2000-06-09
The Pokemon Adventures series is a little bit different than the original, but still is excellent. A new character (Instead of Ash) is in the book. The storyline is very good and would definitely recommend to a colleague. An overall 5 stars. Definitely worth getting!
151.......2000-05-19
This is a very nicely done book. It's not like the original Pokémon adventure. This one follows more closely to the Red and American Blue game. Instead of Ash and Gary, Ash is called Red and Gary is called Blue. There is also a girl named Green but she comes in a later book. There is also no Jessie and James, only the Team Rocket members you see in the game. Red is also a more mature and advanced trainer than Ash and Blue is wiser than Gary. Aside all this, there are only some other slight changes and basically has the same goal as the original story and is a great book.
It's a hi fly Mew on second base.......2000-03-24
Pokemon is the best book I ever read in my how entire life! Because I like the creatures.
Pokemon adventures.......2000-03-19
I liked this book. I liked the parts when Red cared for Bulbusaur and Kangkaskan and when the wild Machoke surprised them. Actually that's pretty weird, I mean, a Machoke in Viridian city? And on page 23 I saw a statue of Giovanni,the gym leader. I think this book should be colored.
Average customer rating:
- Meeeeeeeeooooooowwwwww....!...
- Not as catty as others in its catagory....
- Fun Book!
- The Greatest Dish on Earth
- A whole lotta fun...
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Celebrity Feuds!: The Cattiest Rows, Spats, and Tiffs Ever Recorded
Boze Hadleigh
Manufacturer: Taylor Trade Publishing
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Binding: Paperback
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Similar Items:
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Celebrity Lies: Strs, Fibs, Fabrications, Myths and Little White Lies
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Hollywood Divas : The Good, The Bad, and The Fabulous
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Celebrity Diss and Tell: Stars Talk About Each Other
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Hollywood Bad Boys : Loud, Fast, and Out of Control
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The Hollywood Book of Scandals : The Shocking, Often Disgraceful Deeds and Affairs of Over 100 American Movie and TV Idols
ASIN: 0878332448 |
Book Description
Those who've come to appreciate the keen eye for celebrity dirt and tart quips that have animated Hadleigh's previous books, such as Hollywood Gays, Hollywood Lesbians, Sing Out! and Hollywood Babble On will find this sassy compendium of fights, feuds and flying fur the equivalent of a multicourse meal composed entirely of desserts.
Customer Reviews:
Meeeeeeeeooooooowwwwww....!..........2003-01-25
So catty, so [frisky], so entertaining. As much as I enjoyed this little book, I keep wondering when a book about famous Hollywood friendships will be written. Not a book on Hollywood marriages, or love relationships, but about platonic friendships that lasted past the shared interviews and photo-ops of a movie made together. It's impossible that they never existed, or weren't observed, but they're hardly written about in great detail. I'm sure that others would be as interested in knowing this side of famous actors as they would be in reading about thier fueds.
Not as catty as others in its catagory...........2002-11-16
I picked up this book for lack of there being any better subjects at the time. I was surprised that it wasnt as backstabbing and harsh as the other books I have read in this category. It had more dealing with leading roles and top billing then the usual sex and drugs in other reads. Also it is for all ages and doesnt deal with the teen pop there is today, asother books tend to zero in on.
From the foursome of I love Lucy, Sonny and Cher, Bette Davis vs. Joan crawford to Boris Carloff vs. Bela Lugosi, Natalie Wood, Jackie and Joan Collins. Theres a bit on Julia and Eric Roberts, and Michael Jackson, probably the youngest in the group. It is all very interesting with stories more believeable than other books, alot of the context comes from true interviews with the author himself.
It isnt a book i would reccommend running out to buy immediately, but if it is there and you have nothing better to read at the moment, try it. It is just the same as watching an old version of entertainment tonight.
Fun Book!.......2002-04-25
of course folks dig HollyWood Feuds.it's not any fun without wondering if folks truly dig each other.and this Book unloads on that&adds so much Humor&is a really cool read.it's always funny when folks try to down play a Spat or the fact they don't really dig somebody&smile&grin on TV knowing Damn Well they can't stand whom ever they have to acknowledge on TV or Give a Award to or Work with.Books like this are Good for Laughter&unload.
The Greatest Dish on Earth.......2001-08-27
Even though I'm familiar with almost all of the characters, and their feuds, that are contained in this book, I am truly impressed at the wealth of quotes and new information that Mr. Hadleigh has amassed here. I didn't think I could learn anything new, after having devoured all the Hollywood Babylon books and anything else I could get my hands on, and I was quite pleasantly surprised that Celebrity Feuds brings to light much new information I've never read before, perhaps owing to Mr. Hadleigh's Hollywood connections -- he is the author of several books on Hollywood and he has gained direct access to some of Hollywood's biggest stars like Bette Davis and behind-the-scene geniuses like George Cukor and Cecil Beaton. If you are looking for definitive and delicious dish, this is the book for you...
A whole lotta fun..........2000-06-17
I felt kind of guilty ordering this book - like I was revealing some immoral interest in gossip. But, wow, was I glad when it arrived! This is a well-written account of some infamous and lesser known Hollywood feuds, divided into chapters focusing on a specific 'tiff' that stand alone (and also include shorter summaries of other fights - typically related to the major story - at the end of each one, which can be read on their own as well). And it is so much fun! Sure, it's voyeuristic to hear the inside dirt on private relationships, however publicly the individuals lived, yet there's a lot of valuable, interesting information and insights into the celebrities discussed, which makes it particularly fascinating and revealing. It is abundantly clear that the author has done quite a bit of research and is thoroughly acquainted with the celebrities and feuds contained within the book. I highly recommend Celebrity Feuds to any fan of movies, television and/or celebrities, or anyone who just likes to hear some dirt once in a while. It's great on car trips - I recently read chapters aloud as we traveled, and we found it an enjoyable, interesting and hilarious way to pass the time.
Amazon.com
As Roger Ebert observes in his smart introduction to the collected memos of the legendary producer Selznick, this is no ordinary book. Buzzed on Benzedrine, Selznick dictated his every thought to secretaries from 1916-1965, 2,000 file boxes' worth of priceless, absolutely unique inside information. "What we're given is a seat in his office," Ebert says, "the Nixon tapes of Hollywood's golden age." It's a privilege to see Selznick tussle with Hitchcock (who evidently had a notion about a vaguely Psycho-like grandma in the first draft of Rebecca), Ingrid Bergman (to whom he dictated an amazing tantrum), and Tallulah Bankhead ("Would you care to brave the lioness' den?" he asks his secretary, suggesting that she contact Bankhead about a bit part after spurning her for the Scarlett part in Gone with the Wind). The gestation of Scarlett's flick is especially fascinating. At first, Selznick cautions director George Cukor about "not going overboard on size and expensive production scenes of the civil war," but with Selznick, things always tend to get bigger. To battle bigotry, he cuts the Ku Klux Klan from the film ("Of course we might have shown a couple of Catholic Klansmen, but it would be rather comic to have a Jewish Kleagle.") By the end, he's pulling out the stops--he urges the composer to "go mad with schmaltz in the last three reels." Selznick blows it sometimes: he nixes newcomers Gregory Peck and Burt Lancaster, and John Ford's Stagecoach, which created John Wayne. But by reading his memos, you can't fail to see what made him a true auteur.
All hail Martin Scorsese for editing the classic film-books series of which this is a part, Modern Library: The Movies. Even if he'd never directed, Scorsese would be God's gift to film history. --Tim Appelo
Book Description
"The most revealing, penetrating book on filmmaking I know of . . ."--King Vidor
David O. Selznick was a unique figure in the golden Hollywood studio era. He produced some of the greatest and most memorable American films ever made--notably, Rebecca, A Star Is Born, Anna Karenina, A Farewell to Arms, and, above all, Gone With the Wind. Selznick's
absolute power and artistic control are evidenced in his impassioned, eloquent, witty, and sometimes rageful memos to directors, writers, stars and studio executives, writings that have become almost as famous as his films. Newsweek wrote,"I can't imagine how a book on the American movie business could be more illuminating, more riveting or more fun to read than this collection of David Selznick's memos.
Customer Reviews:
This is the man.......2001-05-22
Fascinating and illuminating book about the way movie classics were made in the 30's and 40's. This man knew his job and we are lucky that in the making he wrote those long memos. The people they were sent to found them annoying. We movie fans find them fascinating.
Engrossing and informative and never dull.......2000-10-26
I was a bit leery of a book of just memoes but ... This is truly an extraordinary book, full of insights into every aspect of film making. The most interesting parts are about scripts and script construction. That was what Selznick had a genius for, and that comes through clearly. Some of his faults come through too. There are a number of memoes about his life and emotions so you get a picture a man not just an executive.
For anyone who likes old movies a must.
Selznick Redux.......2000-04-16
It's a genuine pleasure to see this 1972 volume back in print again. Practically the entire history of classic Hollywood can be seen within the pages of this fascinating series of memos, a veritable stream of behind the scenes trivia and the most impressive book of name-dropping ever seen in print. The cinematic genius of Selznick and Company is told as only it should be told...in the Master's own words.
Insightful look at a bygone era.......2000-03-29
David O. Selznick was behind some the films considered classics from that era. He was known for his memos that he sent to others in the industry and those working for him. The book is a fascinating look at the studio system at the time - and is also a reminder that people at one time actually communicated in writing - no cell phones, no email. This book is a must-read for those interested at all in film lore - and it's a great read!
Average customer rating:
- Outstanding reprint of Strauss's darkest opera
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Elektra in Full Score
Richard Strauss
Manufacturer: Dover Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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Salome in Full Score
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Ariadne auf Naxos in Full Score
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ASIN: 0486265382 |
Book Description
One of the most often performed of Strauss' musical works, this landmark of modern opera scandalized early 20th-century audiences with its startling dissonance and unconventional harmonics. Today, it is admired for virtuosic invention of musical ideas and the use of instrumental sonorities to characterize both persons and actions. Reprinted directly from the authoritative Fürstner edition.
Customer Reviews:
Outstanding reprint of Strauss's darkest opera.......2007-02-23
It is in "Elektra" that Richard Strauss came closest to entering the world of atonality (some passages - e.g., Klytämnestra's recounting how sleep is denied to her thanks to terrible nightmares - actually do cross the border temporarily); also, compared to "Salome"'s seductive, enticing feeling, Strauss (while using a very similar formula in fact to the other work) nevertheless from the very 1st notes evokes a completely different atmosphere!
To fully appreciate the grim world of this work, even when following recordings, one can't do without the full-score - and what a Godsend with Dover's inexpensive, well-sized, well-bound reprint of the original Adolf Fürstner edition!!! Most warmly recommended not only to Strauss-lovers but also to all opera-buffs, serious music students (especially those who care about the orchestra and effective writing for it!) and generally for any serious music-library!!
Customer Reviews:
A Must Have for FF Fans.......2007-03-28
Ok, I have had this book for a long while now and am still working with it. Granted, there is not much difference between the regular and collector's edition strategy guides, but the art book makes it worth it. I bought it specifically for the art book. The guide is great, but I just love the art book. Because I loved this one so much, I bought the Limited Edition Strategy guide for Final Fantasy XII, and I love it just as much, the artwork is just as amazing. It may be pricey, if you can still find it, but it is well worth it if you are a true fan. I just wish they would do this treatment with a re-release of Final Fantasy VII, VIII, IX, and X strategy guides. We need to get on Bradygames about that.
Art is gorgeous, but..........2004-04-12
The art part of the book is outstanding. Beautiful. Can't say enough good things about it.
The hint book half leaves a good bit to be desired. The print it tiny. The clues are confusing. The information is incomplete. You'd be better off just using the first part (about the dress-sphere and garment grids) and the last part (about the mini-games) and forgetting the middle part.
it's really good!.......2004-04-08
I rated the guide by itself 3 stars, because it's mediocre.
The art book is fantasic though! I would buy it solely for that.
A poster comes with it too, one side of the 3 girls in their mascot dresssphere, and the other side has information about 3 dressspheres. I would have preferred something better for the poster...it's kind of bland.
A little pricy, but well worth it.......2004-01-13
First of all, it is well worth it to buy this package if only for the artbook. It has artwork from both Final Fantasy X and Final Fantasy X-2, including pictures from the FMV sequences in both games and all of the dressphere costumes for Yuna, Rikku, and Paine. You get one out of three covers on the strategy guide, but a good thing about that is that all three pictures are in the artbook, so if you didn't get the character you wanted on the cover you still get to have their picture. The package also comes with a 2-sided poster. The strategy guide itself includes a guide to getting the secret perfect (complete) ending to the game, which you will not be able to get on your own. Everything you get comes packaged in a folder that has the picture of Yuna on it from the game disk. This collector's guide is a must for any final fantasy fan, it is really really pretty and the guide is very helpful for unlocking the full story of Final Fantasy X-2.
Great strategy guide with some nice extras.......2004-01-02
This special edition of the Final Fantasy X-2 guide is almost identical to the other guide. This special edition includes the guide with one of three covers given randomly (either of Yuna, Rikku, or Paine). It also includes the art book with art and screens from FFX-2 and FFX. The guide itself is very helpful for the game, being mostly spoiler free. It also presents each mission you can take in an order allowing for the most out of the story. If you want to get the art book, then this is well worth it for you. If you really don't care and just want to play the game, I recommend just buying the regular guide.
Book Description
The economy uncertain, education in decline, cities under siege, crime and poverty spiraling upward, international relations roiling: we look to leaders for solutions, and when they don't deliver, we simply add their failure to our list of woes. In doing do, we do them and ourselves a grave disservice. We are indeed facing an unprecedented crisis of leadership, Ronald Heifetz avows, but it stems as much from our demands and expectations as from any leader's inability to meet them. His book gets at both of these problems, offering a practical approach to leadership for those who lead as well as those who look to them for answers. Fitting the theory and practice of leadership to our extraordinary times, the book promotes a new social contract, a revitalization of our civic life just when we most need it. Drawing on a dozen years of research among managers, officers, and politicians in the public realm and the private sector, among the nonprofits, and in teaching, Heifetz presents clear, concrete prescriptions for anyone who needs to take the lead in almost any situation, under almost any organizational conditions, no matter who is in charge, His strategy applies not only to people at the top but also to those who must lead without authority--activists as well as presidents, managers as well as workers on the front line.
Customer Reviews:
Classic leadership text.......2006-08-14
Heifetz' definition of leadership revolves around the concept of influence rather than subordination or coercion. Using contrast to sharpen his own definition of leadership, he wrote that there is an important difference between imagining that a leader influences a community to follow her vision and influencing a community to face its problems.
In the first instance, influence is the mark of leadership; a leader gets people to accept his vision, and communities address problems by looking to him. If something goes wrong, the fault lies with the leader. In the second, progress on problems is the measure of leadership; leaders mobilize people to face problems, and communities make progress because leaders challenge and help them do so. If something goes wrong, the fault lies with both leaders and the community (pp. 14-15.
It is the second description that Heifetz defined as leadership, which is simply put as "mobilizing people to tackle tough problems" (p. 15). Heifetz was less willing than Peck (1977/2002) to say that the task of leadership is spiritual growth of self and others. Rather, he put the problem into a depth psychology perspective with practical organizational implications, and he used "four criteria to develop a definition of leadership that takes values into account":
"First, the definition must sufficiently resemble current cultural assumptions so that, when feasible, one's normal understanding of what it means to lead will apply. Second, the definition should be practical, so that practitioners can make use of it. Third, it should point toward socially useful activities. Finally, the concept should offer a broad definition of social usefulness"(p. 19).
By inserting values, Heifetz argued, he created a "prescriptive concept of leadership" (p. 19) rather than a descriptive or proscriptive one. Using his four criteria, Heifetz was able to state that Hitler, for example, was not a leader because he "exercised leadership no more than a charlatan practices medicine when providing fake remedies" (p. 24).
Later in his book, he defined the task of addressing "tough problems" in the clearest terms:
"Leadership, as used here, means engaging people to make progress on the adaptive problems they face. Because making progress on adaptive problems requires learning, the task of leadership consists of choreographing and directing learning processes in an organization or community. Progress often demands new ideas and innovation. As well, it often demands changes in people's attitudes and behaviors. Adaptive work consists of the process of discovering and making those changes. Leadership, with or without authority, requires an educative strategy" (p. 187).
Heifetz identified the principal limitation of his book when he wrote that his book was concerned with the "short-run task of making progress on an adaptive challenge" and not about the "long-term task of leadership--developing adaptive capacity" (p. 129). This is a fruitful area to explore for scholars of servant-leadership because a major focus of Greenleaf's was precisely the development of this adaptive capacity.
Heifetz also provided leaders with a "seven practical suggestions for bearing the responsibility that comes with leadership without losing one's effectiveness or collapsing under the strain. These included "getting on the balcony"; separating yourself from your role; externalizing conflict; utilizing partnerships; listening; "find a sanctuary"; and keeping your purpose clear (p. 252). Leaders under stress would do well to remember to read through these pages, which essentially offer some tips about resilience.
The following includes several key concepts through direct quotation.
* The concept of adaptation arises from efforts to understand biological evolution. Applied to the change of cultures and societies, the concept becomes a useful; if inexact, metaphor. Species change as the genetic program changes; cultures change by learning. Evolution is a matter of chance--a fortuitous fit between random variation and new environmental pressures' societies by contrast, can respond to new pressures with deliberation and planning. Evolution has no "purpose"--survival is our only measure of its success; societies generate purposes beyond survival. (pp. 30-31)
* The mix of values in a society provides multiple vantage points from which to view reality. Conflict and heterogeneity are resources for social learning. . . . Leadership will not consist of answers or assured visions but of taking action to clarify values. (p. 35)
* I define authority as conferred power to perform a service. This definition will be useful to the practitioner of leadership as reminder of two facts: First, authority is given and can be taken away. Second, authority is conferred as part of an exchange. (p. 57)
* A holding environment consists of any relationship in which one party has the power to hold the attention of another party and facilitate adaptive work. [italics original] (pp. 104-105)
* Attention is the currency of leadership. (p. 113)
* The pitfall of charisma, however, is unresolved dependency. (p. 247)
Thought provoking.......2006-05-19
I thought the book was good when I read it first. It took me a second read to realize how exceptional it is. The book's reviews on Amazon site range from 5 star to 1 star, from people who were amazed by its brilliance to those who could not despise it enough. I think this is the best accolade that a leadership book can ever get - it takes a stance, it provides direction, and it chooses to be for a great cause irrespective of whether it is loved or hated. This book cannot and must not be ignored.
Best Leadership book I have read.......2006-04-15
I have been studing leadership for over 15 years both by reading and experience. I consider this book to be the best book I have read because it describes leadership as a learned activity. It also says that leadership is in motivating people to do their own work in solving difficult problems. I found that as President of my congregation I was continually going back to the concepts in the book to lead it through a very difficult situation involving placement of the flags in the sanctuary. It was very difficult to get people to do their own work and not try to step in to solve everything. (That would have been impossible anyway) I found that he described President Lyndon Johnson as a successful leader (civil rights) and unsuccessful leader ( Vietnam). His discussion on leading without authority is new ground for me. If you want to discuss the book with others there is an on-line book study at the Work and Worship Institute website. I found it was a good way for me to get more from the book. This is a great book with great stories of a variety of leaders in our society.
Disappointing Read.......2004-07-27
The most disappointing part of this book is its blatant political slant. The book is NOT about a theory of leadership, but about an ideological judgement of the performance of leaders. Heifetz starts by insisting that leadership is necessarily tied to values because if you disagree....then the rest of his book is meaningless. Heifetz believes that to be a good leader you have to adopt positions that he advocates and if you don't, then you aren't a good leader. So, in Heifetz's world, Reagan wasn't a good leader, but LBJ was.
Do yourself a favor and keep surfing....
Exceptional from start to finish.......2004-06-12
I read this book in 1994 when it was first published and then again recently. It is excellent and establishes a philosophical approach to leadership that is grounded in problem solving rather than visionary mission. The visionary hero is a threat to democracy as evidenced by such leaders as Adolph Hitler and Napoleon Bonaparte. Ronald Heifetz draws a portrait of the leader that is far different from the heroic leader who tries to convince society of easy answers and moves people to action through prejudice and stereotypes. The modern leader takes actions that allow people to adapt to challenge so as to survive. The modern leader recognizes that social problems are embedded in history, custom, special interests, and competing interests. This leads to the two analogies that Heifetz employs to draw a picture of his model. The first analogy is that of the balcony and the dance floor. Heifetz says the leader must emerse themselves in the lives and challenges of the people, experience the chaos and competing interests. They must dance on the floor. However the leader must also leave the dance floor and go to the balcony where they may observe the pattern of the waltz and thus reflect on the direction that the community/society is taking and how this may be adaptive or dangerous. The second analogy is the image of the pressure cooker. The leader must apply enough pressure to bring people together to solve problems even if they have competing interests and ideas. There must be enough pressure to bring people to the negotiation table and to keep them at the table while at the same time keeping the pressure from building to the point of blowing up. Adaptive leaderships is far different from visionary leadership.
I especially enjoyed the sections on informal and formal leadership and the way these two forms of leadership may join forces to move society to more adaptive strategies. The example of LBJ and MLK was masterful.
In some ways this book does support great men ideas of leadership in that there is considerable talent needed to reflect on adaptive strategies needed for societal survival and progress, bring opposing forces to the negotiation table, and play roles of informal or formal leadership.
In other ways the book supports challenging times approaches to leadership theory in that challenging times call for societal adaptation, never an easy step for any society to make.
If you come to this book with the idea that leadership is imposition of ideology on the masses; if you think Ronald Reagan or Lenin were great leaders, then this book is not for you. Leadership is messy business because it means solving real difficult problems in a world of conflicting interests.
If you come to this book with the idea that leadership is based in the ability to motivate the masses with slogans and simplified answers to complex problems; if you think George W Bush is a great leader, then this book is not for you. Social problems are complex and slogans and simple answers only increase the complexity.
Franklin Roosevelt would stand out as the type of leader that Heifetz would identify as adaptive and successful in his leadership. He moved a broken nation out of the depression and he moved an isolationist nation into a just war against Hitler. Both required that he reflect from the balcony and maintain the pressure on the pressure cooker without creating an explosion.
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Leadership without Easy Answers. (book reviews): An article from: Planning
Harold Henderson
Manufacturer: American Planning Association
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This digital document is an article from Planning, published by American Planning Association on October 1, 1995. The length of the article is 1637 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: Leadership without Easy Answers. (book reviews)
Author: Harold Henderson
Publication:
Planning (Magazine/Journal)
Date: October 1, 1995
Publisher: American Planning Association
Volume: v61
Issue: n10
Page: p26(1)
Article Type: Book Review
Distributed by Thomson Gale
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