The Subversive Imagination: The Artist, Society and Social Responsiblity

Book Description

In The Subversive Imagination, professional writers, artists and cultural critics from around the world offer their views on the issue of the artist's responsibility to society. The contributors look beyond censorship and free speech issues and instead emphasize the subject of freedom. More specifically, the contributors question the ethical, mutual responsibilities between artists and the societies in which they live.

The original essays address an eclectic range of subjects: censorship, multiculturalism, the transition from communism to capitalism in Eastern Europe, postmodernism, Salman Rushdie, and young black filmmakers' responsibility to the black community.

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Coco Chanel: her name is synonymous with luxury and elegance. But little Gabrielle Chanel was raised in an orphanage and schooled in a convent--having lost her mother and been virtually abandoned by her father. She picked up the nickname Coco when she was a young cabaret singer--"Ko Ko Rik Ko" ("Cock-a-doodle-do") being the only song she could sing. Those early years of deprivation fueled her lifelong pursuits of strong, doting men and, more famously, high fashion. After she spent years making her own clothes, hats were the first Chanel designs to earn her some recognition and a little bit of money. Bankrolled by a wealthy boyfriend--her first of many--and worn by famous opera singers, the hats--which liberated women from the complicated and extravagantly festooned headgear of the early 1900s--were the first of Chanel's many successful fashion innovations. She borrowed heavily from men's closets, belting their jackets and sweaters and pairing them with skirts to make comfortable suits for working women. She pioneered pants as eveningwear for women and invented clothing that could be worn during the day and into the night. A crisp white collar, perhaps a reference to her convent days, was a common element in her designs. She decorated her unstructured Jersey knits with pearl necklaces and faux jewels and furs so that, despite their comfort, her clothes were always luxurious. As her design empire and fame grew, so did Coco Chanel's social circle. Igor Stravinsky, the duke of Westminster, Salvador Dali, and Jean Cocteau numbered among her most intimate friends, while Princess Grace and countless Hollywood stars and European royalty were devoted to her clothes.

Chanel: Her Style and Her Life combines large black-and-white photos of the designer, her clothes and jewelry, and her lavishly decorated homes with the story of her life. The result is a book that proves how closely Chanel's career and her personal life were intertwined--how her life played out in her style and how her style, ultimately, was the sum of Coco Chanel's life.

Book Description

No single designer has had as tremendous a hold on style in the twentieth century as Coco Chanel. In this sumptuous, profusely illustrated book, Janet Wallach shows readers Chanel style in all its glory--from the fabulous fashions she created to the glamorous life she led.

Like a character in a fairy tale, Coco Chanel rose from being an ordinary seamstress to reigning as the queen of fashion. Chanel was stunningly independent, beautifully feminine, and irresistibly desirable to men; most important, she was never afraid to be herself. A pioneer in an industry dominated by men, she turned her style into the revolutionary chic that set her fashions apart. Borrowing copiously from the wardrobes of her illustrious lovers (among them the Duke of Westminter and Grand Duke Dimitri of Russia), Chanel took trousers, tweeds, riding clothes, cuff links, and even neckties, and cleverly transformed them into elegant women's wear. With an understanding that only a female designer could have, she eased women's formerly confining way of dressing, adapting the freedom of men's clothing without sacrificing sensuality and femininity. Since then, women who seek the look of authority and supreme taste have embraced Chanel.

Fans of her couture will devour all the delectable stories behind such Chanel trademarks as fabulous fake pearls, minimalist hats, comfortable and beautifully structured suits, and legendary perfumes, and will marvel at the 150 astonishing photographs and illustrations. A delightful feast of pictures and words as stylish and elegant as the designer herself, Chanel Style celebrates the woman, the look, and the legend.

Customer Reviews:

and then, there was Chanel..........2000-05-04

I have always been fascinated by whatever's written about her ever since I received a Chanel purse for an 18th birthday present. There have been a number of books written about Chanel, I'm sure but Janet Wallach's will not disappoint any reader. It is simple and elegantly written with beautiful black and white illustrations. Even if one is not a fan of Chanel's style, you will be intrigued by her notorious life as told here. Either for yourself or a friend, a nice book to keep and look through now and again.

Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel.......1999-06-22

This book is very good. The text isn't hard to read, and in this book are allot of pictures, only in black and white. There should have been also a few colour pictures. This book is only looking at the period that Coco Chanel designed the collections and not the Karl Lagerfeld era.

Sorry, no review.......1999-02-25

I haven't read the book but I really need a picture of Coco Chanel. Is there any about? I need it for my A Level French Course work!!!! Any Help Thanks xxxxxx

As the NY TIMES said, "fascinating and visually stunning.".......1998-11-16

This is a spectacularly beautiful and insightful view of a woman who was the major force in 20th century fashion. It is elegantly written and sumptuously illustrated and no doubt will become the definitive book on Coco Chanel. I learned a great deal that I did not know before and I had a long career in fashion. This book will delight men as well as women because it contains many revealing stories about Chanel's sexual escapades. Buy it by all means!

a beautiful book, beautifully written.......1998-11-07

Another superb book from Janet Wallach. Engaging, provocative and insightful. Wallach brings her estimable research skills and writing talent to bear on a fascinating and controversial women who continues to demand attention, respect for her determination and accomplishments and fair judgment for the choices she made in her private life as a very public person.

Average customer rating:

Chanel: Her Style and Her Life
Janet Wallach
Manufacturer: Octopus Publishing Group
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 1840002026

Book Description

Neon Genesis Evangelion is the most controversial -- and some say the best -- anime of the decade. Set in the year 2015 when humanity faces a terrifying last judgment from mysterious giant "Angels," the series has been acclaimed for its original story line, direct psychological content, and self-referential examination of the genre.

Customer Reviews:

Terrific Art and Storytelling.......2006-04-07

I'm very picky with buying manga I'm not familiar with, and I haven't seen the entire series so I was skeptical about picking this up. But this is not a purchase that will be regretted. This excels the show in some areas. It takes its time to focus closely on the characters and their development, it stretches out few episodes to go into great deatail. Along with the terrific storytelling is the art. The art in here is superb, definetely one of the best in manga. At the end, it also has articles about evangelion from various people. The two aspects of manga, art and storytelling, are the highlights of this book, so it should defeintely be picked up.

The Most Thought-Provoking Manga in a long time..........2001-10-14

How to do justice to Neon Genesis Evangelion? I'm not entirely sure it's possible to describe this book with words. Yes, it's a comic book--but not in the sense most Westerners will think of them, or even the style of most manga.

Neon Genesis Evangelion (Japanese "Shinseki Ebangerion") was one of the most controversial manga in Japan for the very reason it's so enjoyable. Unlike most comics, which are focused on action and little else, Evangelion involves heavy character development. The story centers around the introverted, socially inept 15-year-old Shinji Ikari. He works (so to speak) for NERV, a government agency devoted to repelling the attacks of the Angels--mechanical beasts seemingly bent on destroying humanity.

With Shinji is the First Child Rei Ayanami. Together, they pilot huge robots known as Evas (short for Artificial Human Evangelion). Close to Shinji is Misato Katsuragi, his 20-something commanding officer, whom he also lives with, not having anywhere else to stay.

Do not be fooled, Evangelion doesn't skimp on the action. But where this story really shines is the characters--per traditional manga, each one has deep character flaws. But they interact somehow much more naturally than most characters in such stories seem to. Each has his or her own set of confounding problems to deal with.

This volume in particular deals with Shinji's conflicting concepts of who he is and who he is told to be, and his more outward battles both with the Angels and with schoolyard bully Toji Suzuhara. The entire feel of Evangelion is enrapturing: the world is a dark reflection of our own situation, and despite the abnormal circumstances under which Shinji exists he still manages to come across as a very human character, something which can at times be almost frightening.

I reiterate, it is difficult to put in words how compelling this manga is. Whether or not you normally look at comics, Evangelion is more than worth the time and money.

~Kei

Well Written, well drawn, what more could you ask for?.......2000-08-04

SO far, I've read Evangelion books 1-3 and loved them all. The story is just great, action sequneeces are just so suspense full, I literally couldn't put the book down. Besides that, the art work is great. I didn't thing they couuld fit huge mechs into a comic book, but they did a great job of it. This is one of the best Manga epics I've ever read. I suggest all the books to everybody.

great but not as good as the first!.......2000-07-24

out of all the neon genisis mangas, I like the third the best but you can't get to the third without the second. this was a realy cool book though. there was fewer battle scenes than in the first book but they were still great. shinji is more rebelius in this one, he refuses to follow misatos orders and fights the angel to the end. some cool new weponds and charactors await you as shinji takes on another dreaded angel and an angry misato afterwards. the art is incredibale and the characters are still great in NEON GENESIS EVANGELION vol.2 (p.s. the only reason I gave it 4 stars is beacause they don't have a 4 and a half star rating.)

Lots of thumbs up.......1999-06-27

Neon Genesis Evangelion is far most the best manga/anime i have ever seen and read. The plot of the story gives it real life and deals with very much sci-fi and mecha. It also revolves around a world where our world could probably end up being. The characters are very vivid and interesting and my knowledge of Eva is far more than what i am writing here. If anyone would like to email feel free to!

Neon Genesis Evangelion: Special Collector's Edition, Vol. 2

Average customer rating:

What's the big deal?
A gift from God to mankind
quiet relationships
Good book

Neon Genesis Evangelion: Special Collector's Edition, Vol. 2

Manufacturer: VIZ Media LLC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books

General | Graphic Novels | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books

Science Fiction | Graphic Novels | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books

General | Manga | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books

Fantasy | Manga | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books

Science Fiction | Manga | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books

Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Teens | Subjects | Books

Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Teens | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 156931344X

Book Description

This best-selling Manga version of Japan's most controversial anime series is now available for the first time in a special collector's edition that preserves the original right-to-left orientation of the artwork.

Customer Reviews:

What's the big deal?.......2004-07-31

There is very little changed from the TV series in this manga. As far as right to left, who cares. The artwork is hard to figure out in many of the mecha scenes. Stick with the DVDs.

A gift from God to mankind.......2003-12-19

This is the greatest literary work existing. When I read it the first time I was overjoyed by the mere existence of something as wonderful as this book. The plot is wonderful, so are the characters (you'll love Asuka, Shinji, and all the others!). There is only one good reason for not buying this book, and that is not having read the earlier volumes. Buy them, and the buy this. I can promise you you'll be glad you did. Noone could dislike this book.

quiet relationships.......2002-05-15

Vol. 3 is one of my fav simply because of how the story is and what ahppenes. Here ur left to wonder of many but still feel satisfied. The conversations are informative and as always the art is perfect. there is also some comody and some quite controvesial scenes u might wanna check out. :D

Good book.......2002-05-01

Evangelion Vol. 1, by Yoshiyuki is the first book in the series. This book is based on a popular Japanese cartoon, Evangelion. This book covers the first episode and parts of the second.
This book takes place in Japan in the year 2015, 15 years after the first ?Angel? self-destructs taking Antarctica and half the human race with it. The enemies are known as ?Angels?. In this, another Angel attacks, and the only people who can stop them are a couple of 14 year-olds in their gigantic robots called Evangelions.
I enjoyed reading it because it is in manga (comic book) form. I first read it when my friend loaned it to me, but shortly after, I bought the book. I highly recommend this book to anyone because I thought it was great. The author did an awesome job writing this book. I can?t wait till the rest of the series comes out.

Book Description

"To err is human . . . but it feels divine," said the inimitable Mae West, and how right she was. Zelda's Bloopers: The Good, the Bad, and the Whatever offers up Zelda in some of her irresistible moments where she manages to make lemonade out of the "lemons."

Zelda's Bloopers is the sixth book from this 60-pound wrinkled marvel of wisdom and wit. For the first time, her enamored fans can see Zelda as they've never seen her before-not quite picture-perfect. Even in her less glamorous moments, Zelda teaches us something about life: You can turn even your goof-ups into something great.

Originally filed away as rejects, these photos are juxtaposed with the original, ready-for-publication pictures, with smart, sassy sayings that complement both images.

Always a media favorite, Zelda has been featured in the New York Times and on Oprah, Good Morning America, and the Today show.

Book Description

Lee traces Dylan's celluloid obsession from teenage adulation of James Dean through groundbreaking documentaries like Don't Look Back and his enigmatic appearance in Peckinpah's Pat Garratt and Billy The Kid, on to Dylan's surreal dramatic directorial debut, Renaldo and Clara, and his starring role in mainstream Hollywood vehicle, Hearts of Fire. Lee also analyses Dylan's major TV and video appearances.

Customer Reviews:

A rare gem: scholarly book that is fun to read!.......2002-01-12

This book covers the film work of Bob Dylan with scholarly rigor but goes on to present the subject matter in a lively, readable style that is most enjoyable. The author obviously studied much, much footage but managed to make sense of even Renaldo and Clara.
I was drawn to this book after watching Pennebacker's pioneering 1960s film "Don't Look Back" but the author tied that work into the long meandering film journey that Dylan would eventually undertake. This is a fascinating and worthwhile book for film studies students and for those studying popular culture in general. The book continues the work started in the author's first Dylan study. This one is an even better read!

Average customer rating:

The Enjoyment of Music

Enjoyment of Music With Norton Recordings: Shorter Version
Joseph MacHlis , and Kristine Forney
Manufacturer: W W Norton & Co Inc (Np)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Entertainment | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
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Study Guide for the Enjoyment of Music

The Norton Recordings - Eighth Edition: to Accompany the Enjoyment of Music: Shorter Version

The Enjoyment of Music: An Introduction to Perceptive Listening (Shorter Version)

ASIN: 0393974626

Customer Reviews:

The Enjoyment of Music.......2002-02-08

I found The Enjoyment of Music to be a very easy to understand, easy to work with textbook. The music is laid out chronologically, starting from about the 1100's and going all the way to the present, including such works as Rent, Ragtime, The Lion King, and reference to many popular bands of the day, such as No Doubt, grunge rock, gangsta rap, and an entire section on The Beatles. I did not expect any of this information to be included in this book, but surprisingly, the information about these genres of music not only was mentioned, but also went along with the lessons. I found that the text was written in a way that is intelligent, yet is not impossible to understand. I especially enjoyed how the book was set up to reflect on the accompanying CD-ROM's. The information presented in the textbook was also presented in the CD-ROM, but the information was presented in a slightly different way, which I find refreshing. In case I am unsure of a statement in the textbook, I am able to get the full concept through the CD-ROM, or vice versa.
My only major quip with the text and CD-ROM combination is the glossary. Through this class, I have had many glossaries available to me, but the ones I used mostly were those in the textbook and on the CD-ROM. Unfortunately for me, the definitions in the CD-ROM and in the textbook were exactly the same, word for word. If I misunderstood or was unsure of the specific meaning of a word, I would have to go to a completely different place to get differently worded definition. By including modified definitions on the CD-ROM of those found in the book may be helpful to many people using this text.

Book Description

Pat Sajak's Code Number Super Sudoku is not just another Sudoku puzzle. It is based on Pat's patent-pending "Code Number" and "Code Letters" puzzle-solving system. This game-play-feature of Sudoku is fun, challenging, and will always be exclusive to Pat Sajak. This fun, innovative game-play method allows for a slightly different thought process when solving the puzzle and is unique for Sudoku.

Customer Reviews:

Thank you...Thank you...Thank you..........2006-04-12

I got this book as a gift for my 73rd birthday from my grandson. I love the codes format. I'm surprised this hasn't been done before. I've seen coded puzzles in the past but not like this. I play puzzles every day to keep my brain sharp and I've really been enjoying these. Thank you Pat for the hours of fun I've been having.

Robin R. Williams
Miami, Florida

I Love This Book.......2006-04-12

I am a big fan of this book with the codes. I like the Sudoku but I really love the other code puzzles in the back of the book. I would like to see more puzzles like what appears in this book. I have enjoyed this book alot and I even bought a few for my friends. These puzzles are alot of fun to play!

Gimmicks and Glitches.......2006-04-09

I take it the other reviewers haven't yet reached the "hard" puzzles, where the book starts to run into major malfunctions.

Fact: If a sudoku puzzle has more than one possible answer, it is NOT solvable.

That is because, eventually, you reach a point where logic will no longer help you proceed -- you can no longer eliminate possibilities because all of your possibilities are equally valid.

And if a sudoku puzzle can be filled out any-which-way, it's a broken puzzle.

This brings us to the problem with Pat Sajak's book: Virtually all of the "hard" puzzles (and all of the double-sudoku puzzles I have tried so far) have multiple solutions, and hence, are not solvable. Eventually, one just runs into a wall, past which, the only way to proceed is to fill in whatever the heck you want, since it doesn't much matter. Some of the puzzles only have a handful of squares that aren't solvable. Others have a dozen or more. The latter are a royal pain, because it ISN'T immediately apparent that the puzzle is broken; one has to work through dozens of equally valid guesses, then check those against dozens of other guesses, before establishing that the whole thing is a house of cards. That takes time. My goal in writing this review is to save others that time.

I have, thus far, only encountered one "hard" puzzle that doesn't run into this problem, and that one isn't actually hard. It took about five minutes to solve, and I'm a methodical, slow-paced guy.

As for the code numbers ... they're kind of fun if you're bored with the usual stuff. But they're incredibly easy to figure out, even at the hard level. My impression is that they're simply a gimmick -- a way to make customers pleased with themselves, so that they will be pleased with the product. Cynical, I know. But I'll stand by it. Since relatively few customers flip, like I do, to the hard puzzles immediately, most of them probably haven't run into the snags yet, so they're pleased as punch with how fast they're mowing through the easy and moderate puzzles. I would like to reassure them that, when they get to the hard puzzles and get stumped, it probably isn't them -- it's the book.

I would have liked to see a puzzle book like this in which the solutions had been troubleshot better. All of the new options are fun in concept, but when you have to spend an hour establishing that the puzzle is broken (rather than your brain), most of that fun evaporates pretty quickly.

Great idea!.......2006-03-16

The code numbers concept is really terrific! It takes what used to be a 45 minute puzzle and lets me solve the puzzle in 10-15 minutes. I especially like it on the double puzzles--it's still challenging but it's like having a friend help you with the start of the puzzle. I think Pat has a winner!

Great!.......2006-02-24

I really like this version of Sudoku! I can't wait for more books like this one.

Book Description

All you need is this step-by-step guide. It gives you the inside scoop on starting your own retail clothing store.

Customer Reviews:

This is a good book.......2007-01-21

I really liked this book.
It was very Descriptive & resourceful.
It taught me everything i needed to learn about the clothing retail business.
If your interested in opening your own clothing business this is the book for you!

Good summery. nothing more.......2007-01-02

Its a good summery of what the typcial clothing shop is like and gives a lot of general information but doesn't explain how to do those things. Example, the books says a computer system can help me track inventory but doesn't tell me how, what i need, where can i find such a system or what are some good software to do that

Good starting point.......2006-09-22

I have to disagree with the previous poster. The book doesn't try to discourage the reader from getting into the retail business, it just points out that the retail business is a risky one that may not turn a profit for years. This book gives some helpful advice for would-be retailers as well as established ones, and also points you in the direction of some associations that can help (i.e., S.C.O.R.E. ). I definately reccomend it.

Completely discouraging.......2006-03-07

I bought this book hoping to get ideas of what to do and what to expect but instead all i got was discouraged and upset,
with every page the author makes you feel it is imposible to start your own clothing store and that you should basicaly find another dream.... well i have acomplished a few of my biggest dreams in life so far and i know that books like these and people like the author are those people out there who are not dreamers but people who lead very simple and risk free lives. I refuse for any one to make me feel like i should just give up because its going to be to hard!!! you have to keep going and risk a little for your dreams,

so to any one looking to buy this book i suggest not taking it seriuosly, I know from personal experience that dreaming big can realy pay off and dont let any one break that for you. if we did not have dreamers out there and only had the people who think every thing is imposible would we have: celebrities? Big Designers? the Light bulb?? gone into outer space???

Continue your road to your dream..... you will get there with or with out this book!!!!

Start Your Own Clothing Store and More (Startup)

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Start Your Own Clothing Store and More (Startup)
Entrepreneur Press , and Charlene Davis
Manufacturer: Entrepreneur Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

General | Small Business & Entrepreneurship | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

New Business Enterprises | Small Business & Entrepreneurship | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Retail Businesses | Small Business & Entrepreneurship | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1599181258

Book Description

Got an Eye for Fashion? Be a Stylish Success!

Are you a fashionista? Do you love working with people? Do you dream of owning and running your own business? Take a chance and start a clothing business-all you need to get up and running is your dream and this guide.

Whether you're interested in selling today's hottest fashions or you'd rather start a specialty boutique, such as a children's store, bridal shop, vintage store, consignment shop or something of your own invention, this book helps you make it big. It gives you the inside scoop on starting a clothing store, including:

How to spot trends and take advantage of them before your competitors do
Valuable money-saving tips for the startup process
Whether to purchase a franchise or existing business or start your dream store from scratch
How to find, hire and train the best employees
How to skyrocket your earnings by branding your clothes with your own private label
The pros and cons of having an on-staff personal shopper
And more!

If you know how to dress for success, let Entrepreneur help you turn your fashion sense into a clothing empire.

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