Sister Wendy's Book of Muses

Amazon.com

For those of us who are blind to the virtues of porcelain figurines--those oh-so-dainty, pale creatures with oh-so-bland little faces--the notion of using them to illustrate a book about the nine muses of classical lore seems peculiar. Why not choose from the many works of art on the subject by important classical, Renaissance, and Baroque artists? Sister Wendy Beckett, whose sprightly commentary has revolutionized art history programming on educational television, begs to differ. In her view, only ceramics can capture the muses' "enchanting blend of the divine and the earthly."

Her little book is infused with the unshakable faith in the communicative powers of art that is her trademark. A particularly insipid figurine of Erato--the muse of the lyric or love song--by an anonymous French artist of the mid-18th-century prompts her to observe that the sculptor "could not quite manage" to make the figure's hair fly out convincingly as she dances or show her robe in motion. "But she does seem to move," Sister Wendy writes, "quite enough for us to sense that she gravitates toward her poets. She does not approach smilingly. Love is too serious, perhaps too painful. Those whom she inspires will need the comfort of her dark grapes." Indeed.

Sister Wendy fans nevertheless may want to pass up this book in favor of two heftier volumes--Sister Wendy's American Collection and an expanded edition of The Story of Painting--which give the most famous member of the Notre Dame order of nuns considerably more artistic substance to muse upon. --Cathy Curtis

Book Description

The New York Times calls Sister Wendy Beckett "a pop star." The Washington Post calls her "a phenomenon." Art in America, in its glowing tribute to the world's best-loved art expert, cheers the "genuine passion Sister Wendy brings to her commentary" and her "rhapsodic descriptions." Here this British nun, whose public television series and books have introduced millions to the pleasures of art, combines her interest in the Muses of classical mythology with her appreciation for fine porcelain-in a lovely little paean to the patron goddesses of the arts.

The nine Muses and their protector, Apollo, are shown as fine porcelain pieces, and the text notes the qualities that make them the unique guardians of inspiration. Radiating Sister Wendy's infectious enthusiasm on every page and revealing her personal reflections on the complexities of human nature, this unique mythology book-the only volume in print devoted exclusively to these classical Greek sources of inspiration-is an inexpensive delight.

SISTER WENDY BECKETT is the author of 13 art-related books, including Abrams' My Favorite Things: 75 Works of Art from Around the World. She has hosted numerous broadcasts on painting and sculpture in the United States and in Great Britain.

Justin Pumfrey is a professional photographer based in London.

27 photographs in full color, 6 x 7"

Customer Reviews:

A great intro to Sister Wendy's work!.......2001-01-28

A great little book for any coffee table. If you have any interest in Sister Wendy, or porcelain figurines, or Muses, this is the book for you. Sister Wendy brings her charm and artistic experiance to this little book. The photos are splendid and in full color high quality color plates. For the price, you wont find a more inspiring art book for your favorite coffee table.

Average customer rating:

Sister Wendy's Book of Muses 6 PACK
Wendy Beckett
Manufacturer: NY
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000N5DILU

Customer Reviews:

Excellent illustrations in excruitating detail........1999-07-03

Dating from the nineteenth century, this book is a collection of handcoloured, engraving illustrations. Often times, costume history books stay within the boundaries of the European culture, failing the reader who may want to see what the Mongoloids wore while Josephine pranced around France in her empire gown. This book, unabashedly illustrates without bias, different cultures that existed around the world at the time. Indeed, a very beautiful and invaluable source of research.

Average customer rating:

Fat Boys And Androids And Pseudo Grav.....

Doctor Who: Match Of The Day (Doctor Who (BBC Paperback))
Chris Boucher
Manufacturer: BBC Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic | Science Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery & Horror | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
General | Graphic Novels | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books
School-Age Children | Parenting | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books
General | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books
Doctor Who | Media | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
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Accessories:

Health o Meter HDC100-01 "Grow with Me" Teddy Bear Scale for Babies and Toddlers

philosophy hope in a jar daily moisturizer

ASIN: 056348618X

Book Description

There were the contracts, the agents, the local sponsors, the pay-per-view broadcasts, the independent verification of results, the laws which made murder legal in carefully defined circumstances... It had taken a long time for the system of freelance duelists to be established, and an even longer time to develop the league of interplanetary superstars the others fought to reach and to challenge. And just when it was all working satisfactorily and profitably someone or something started interfering with the set up. Famous fighters died in private duels. Up-and-coming professional fighters began to fall victim to casual, one-time challengers - the sort of psychos and testosterone-addled drunks who would themselves be expected to die quickly and routinely. When Leela is challenged to a duel to the death, the Doctor realizes that there is more to the situation than simple murder and mayhem. But before he can sort it out, he needs to save his client - Leela. How long can she survive on a planet where not to kill is an offense punishable by death?

Customer Reviews:

Fat Boys And Androids And Pseudo Grav............2007-01-18

That's what Hakai is made of! This is a very swift-reading book based on the fourth incarnation of Doctor Who. Author Chris Boucher has pinned Tom Baker's portrayal of the goofy and good-hearted Doctor. He's also nailed down the character of Leela. In this tale, we find the good Doctor and Leela on a planet where killing is a prestigious sport and where just about anybody can play the game so long as they follow the rules. After a brief altercation, the Doctor is mistaken as Leela's agent and Leela is considered a competitor in the game. Meanwhile, other competitors end up dead or pursued heavily by an unknown assailant. The Doctor befriends an actual agent in jail who gives him crucial information that will help him and Leela get out of their predicament and, in true Doctor Who fashion, save the world from a great evil.

The story is fast-paced and Boucher throws plenty of the Doctor's smarty pants humor into the mix. Leela is actually the primary target in this tale, and Boucher fleshes her character out very well. Two other solid characters are Keefer and his agent, Jerro Fanson, who contributes a great deal to the story without having a very large part. Characters such as Hakai, Sita, and Ronick add depth and emotion to the story as well.

Overall this is a fun book. I've read a few of the Doctor Who books and I have to admit that this one was the quickest read of them all. It was also one of the most fun ones to read. Boucher has plenty of time under his belt with the Doctor, having penned three scripts for Baker's Doctor and it shows throughout the book as he consistently makes it easy for the reader to visualize the Time Lord's situations.

Highly recommended, especially to fans of Tom Baker's Doctor.

Average customer rating:

Not What I was Expecting

humor for the women's heart

Humor for a Woman's Heart: Stories, Quips, and Quotes to Lift the Heart (Humor for the Heart)
Shari (Compiler) Macdonald
Manufacturer: Howard Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
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Humor for a Woman's Heart 2: Stories, Quips, and Quotes to Lift the Heart (Humor for the Heart)

Just Hand Over the Chocolate and No One Will Get Hurt

Humor for a Mom's Heart: Stories, Quips, and Quotes to Lift the Heart (Humor for the Heart)

Im Not Suffering from Insanity...: Im Enjoying Every Minute of It!

Welcome to the Funny Farm: The All-True Misadventures of a Woman on the Edge

ASIN: 1582292051

Book Description

Humor has the power to lift a life above the stresses and strains of the day and to fill the heart with encouragement and optimism. Humor for a Woman's Heart was especially compiled with the feminine gender in mind. In this collection of humorous writings by best-selling authors such as Max Lucado, Chonda Pierce, Barbara Johnson, and others, you will find cheerful inspiration and unique insights into the human drama of womanhood. This book is sure to bring a smile to your face and a lift to your day. And along the way, you will also discover truth and teaching that will bless your life.

Customer Reviews:

Not What I was Expecting.......2006-09-21

When I picked up "Humor For A Women's Heart" I was expecting it to be filled with short humorous articles. And many of the articles are indeed humorous, especially "The Big Boo from the Balcony" (about kids not realizing they should only boo at sports events); "Yuck It Up" (about learning to laugh at yourself) and "Forget It" (about the inevitable forgetfulness that comes with age). But what I didn't realize until I started reading the book was that the book was published by a religious publishing company and it soon became apparent that the intention of the book was not as much to create laughter but to pass on a religious message. I felt deceived because nowhere on the front or back cover was religion mentioned. Don't get me wrong, I don't have anything against religion, but if I'm reading a religious book, I want it to be by choice, not deception.

humor for the women's heart.......2003-04-13

This is one of the best books I have ever read. It will make you laugh out loud and you will recommend it to all your friends.
If you want a light, uplifting read, this is the book for you. I think everyone can relate to this book in one way or another. If you have had a stressed day read a chapter in this book before you go to bed and laugh your troubles away.It will make a great gift for Mother's Day or any occasion. Know a friend that needs some humor or an uplift, this is your book.

Book Description

The best-selling Humor for the Heart series has become a national favorite. This fourth book in the series, Humor for a Woman's Heart 2, is a second helping of the most popular book in the series. This humorous edition sees the lighter side of the joys, challenges, and adventures of being a woman in today's world.

This series includes best-selling authors like Patsy Clairmont, Dr. James Dobson, Chonda Pierce, Martha Bolton, and many more. The humor in these hilarious books has the power to transform a down day into an optimistic adventure or an OK day into a celebration. These books are guaranteed to lift you above the mundane and give your heart a healthy dose of optimism and hope.

Average customer rating:

This book is a must have for moms everywhere!!

Humor for a Mom's Heart: Stories, Quips, and Quotes to Lift the Heart (Humor for the Heart)
Various
Manufacturer: Howard Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
Religion | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
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Humor for a Woman's Heart: Stories, Quips, and Quotes to Lift the Heart (Humor for the Heart)

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Welcome to the Funny Farm: The All-True Misadventures of a Woman on the Edge

ASIN: 1416533575

Book Description

Being a mom is a roller-coaster ride of exhilarating joys and pull-out-your-hair frustrations. Sometimes a sweet infusion of humor is just what you need to lift your heart to new heights, to heal the hurts of a bad day, or to instill your soul with inspiration.

Samplings from some of your favorite authors -- including Patsy Clairmont, Martha Bolton, Dave Meurer, Nancy Kennedy, and many more -- will energize any worn-out mom and remind you of the joys of motherhood.

Take a deep breath, inhale the joy, soak up the merriment, and you'll surely find that your heart is lighter, your day brighter, and your soul hilariously refreshed.

Customer Reviews:

This book is a must have for moms everywhere!!.......2003-12-15

when I purchased this book, I was in a very down mood just hoping for a little pick me up. It was way more than that! I laughed out loud as I related to the stories of other mothers and their children. I read it in about 2 days and have since bought more as gifts for my mom and friends. Everyone I've known that has read it has loved it.

Humor for the Heart: Stories, Quips, and Quotes to Lift the Heart

Average customer rating:

Uplifting and humorous
Uplifting and inspiring stories!

Humor for the Heart: Stories, Quips, and Quotes to Lift the Heart
Various
Manufacturer: Howard Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

Religion | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1416533435

Customer Reviews:

Uplifting and humorous.......2004-06-08

A fun book with lots of laughs and inspiration. I found it uplifting and couldn't wait to read the next story. A lot of fun!!

Uplifting and inspiring stories!.......2001-08-08

A wonderful collection of uplifting and inspiring stories along the lines of "Chicken Soup for the Soul". This book contains many stories which focus on the issues and quirks of today's family life. It kept me laughing right along. It is a book based on Christianity, and there are many references to Jesus Christ and the Bible.

Humor for a Teacher's Heart: Stories, Quips, and Quotes to Lift the Heart (Humor for the Heart)

Average customer rating:

I contributed to this book

Humor for a Teacher's Heart: Stories, Quips, and Quotes to Lift the Heart (Humor for the Heart)
Various
Manufacturer: Howard Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

Business & Professional | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 1416533710

Book Description

The newest book in the popular Humor for the Heart series, Humor for a Teacher's Heart, is sure to become a favorite. This collection of humorous stories illustrates the lighter sides of the joys, challenges, and adventures of being a teacher.

With best-selling authors like Martha Bolton, Marilyn Meberg, Teresa Bell Kindred, and Jeanne Zomes, this hilarious book will lift teacher's spirits on their roughest days and give them a renewed passion for their career.

Customer Reviews:

I contributed to this book .......2006-07-09

If readers would like to see the "bloopers" that we teachers make in our rooms, you need to read this book. We have days and situations that are just too much fun and people don't believe how much we, and the students enjoy our days. With so much negative press available about NCLB and teacher quality, this book is a must read to see that it is not all bad on the chalkboard front. If you have a teacher who is new to the field, make sure this is a part of their "equipment" for the first day of class. They will love you for it.

Humor for a Sister's Heart: Stories, Quips, and Quotes to Lift the Heart

Average customer rating:

Humor for a Sister's Heart: Stories, Quips, and Quotes to Lift the Heart
Howard Books
Manufacturer: Howard Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Comic | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

General | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 1416541764

Book Description

Celebrate the Bond of Sisterhood

When it comes to sisters, there's plenty to laugh about -- and this joyful book is filled with humorous stories about the special relationship that sisters share.

Sisters share secrets, sorrows, success, and sometimes silliness. It's this sense of sharing that brings sisters so close -- and in that closeness, there are all kinds of reasons to laugh.

You'll giggle and grin as you read stories from some of your favorite authors and comedians -- like Patsy Clairmont, Martha Bolton, Karen Scalf Linamen -- and new friends you'll delight in getting to know. Whether sisters by family, faith, or friendship, you'll find yourself -- and your sister -- reflected in stories of childhood antics, shopping trips, midnight heart-to-heart talks, and the many shared "oops!" of life.

Whether for yourself or your sister, this cheerful infusion of humor will bring joy to a day that's dreary and giggles to one that's already glorious.

Average customer rating:
Humor for the Heart (Stories, Quips, and Quotes to Lift the Heart)
Shari MacDonald
Manufacturer: Howard Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OFGHSU

Book Description

Contains intimate details of Cruise's first and second marriage never before revealed.

Customer Reviews:

Flaws and Applause.......2005-12-08

Wensley Clarkson's portrait of Tom Cruise seems balanced and well researched. We see Cruise as a competent actor whose private life is sometimes detrimental to his reputation. The incident cited by Clarkson on page 84 confirms this impression:
'Cruise was in New York's Hard Rock Cafe with his buddy Russell Crowe. To entertain the crowd, the two actors had been reciting some lines from 'Hamlet'. It was an impromptu performance and warmly received. They should have left it at that, but the booze quickly took control. Cruise, wearing a T-shirt that read 'Instant Idiot... Just Add Beer', did his hilarious Donald Duck walk along the bar while Crowe threw cell phones at him. The two finally fell into a stupefied heap and were hogtied by Crowe's friend, the Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin, and dragged out to a waiting limo. Some money changed hands and the incident was hushed up.'

Wensley Clarkson's biography is a revelation.

Good book about a handsome jerk.......2005-07-23

Tom Cruise is handsome and misguided.

As an actor he is ok.

But his support for Scientology shows what a buffoon he is.

Pretty good book.......2005-06-12

Book reveals some of the details of Cruise's Scientology involvement (probably unnecessary now, in the light of his recent flood of interviews) but is even more enlightening when the author tells how the cult tried to shut him up while he researched Cruise's membership in Scientology.

Average customer rating:

Does unauthorised mean "just make it up"?

Cruise: The Unauthorized Biography
Frank Sanello
Manufacturer: Taylor Pub
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

General | Foreign Languages | Reference | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0878339132

Customer Reviews:

Does unauthorised mean "just make it up"?.......2000-04-05

I can't believe it! If you're going to write a book about someone you think they'd check the facts! Frank Sanello must not know much about Tom Cruise - first of all he had him down as the lead in Endless Love (including a photo of 'not Tom Cruise' with Brooke Shields. There were also pics of Tom with Rebecca DeMornay in All the right moves (wasn't that Risky Business? ). This is just the start and I could go on - but I won't it's rubbish....he made up stuff to fill the pages....a non-fiction book is meant to be just that! I'm sure I could find plenty of other Tom Cruise books that will actually give me the facts...

Book Description

Cubase SX/SL is undoubtedly one of the most powerful MIDI and audio production suites around--but are you realising it's full potential? This highly readable book is crammed with practical 'insider' tips and tricks on using the program creatively. It goes beyond the manual, delving deep beneath the surface to reveal the program's wealth of hidden secrets. Keep it by you as you work. You'll find it not only a great companion for troubleshooting and advice but also a source of inspiration. Discover the art of recording, arranging, editing, using plug-ins and VST instruments, processing audio, mixing and much more - all within the realms of Cubase SX/SL. Keith Gemmell is a composer/arranger and music technology author/ lecturer who uses Cubase SX professionally on a daily basis.

Average customer rating:
How to Play Latin Partnership Dominoes
Gabriel Antonio Tejeira Arias
Manufacturer: Hats Off Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
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Dominoes Plus: The Dominoforms Handbook

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Domino Addition

ASIN: 1587360489

Book Description

The game of Dominoes has several varieties, or modalities, the most exciting of which is the version practiced in the Latin American countries and Spain, which is played between four people divided into two couples, or teams. This book summarizes, in a progressive manner, all the strategies that can be utilized in Latin Partnership Dominoes. In addition, it presents numerous examples that will gradually illuminate the gameâ€™s concepts. However, the most rare and difficult moves have been excluded in order make the book easier to read and to understand. Dominoes is not a difficult game; however, each player has his own particular style. This book includes the gameâ€™s two types of style (aggressive and conservative). Each particular move is analyzed in both ways. Additionally, each situation is defined and classified so that players can differentiate between them.

Book Description

People keep asking "How?" as a defense against living their life, says best-selling author Peter Block. In this witty, insightful award-winning book, Block shows that many standard solutions and improvement efforts, reinforced by most of the literature, keep people paralyzed. Here he places the "how to" craze in perspective and teaches individuals, workers, and managers ways to act on what they know. This in turn allows them to reclaim their freedom and capacity to create the kind of world they want to live in. Block's "elements of choice" - the characteristic of a new workplace and a new world based on more positive values - include self-mentoring, investing in relationships, accepting the unpredictability of life, and realizing that the individual prospers only when the community does.

Customer Reviews:

My review........2007-09-28

I re-read a lot of the first few chapters because I wasn't grasping what the author was trying to say. Hang in there, though, it all comes together later in the book. By the way, there is probably already a copywrite on it, but a more appropriate title for the book is "Learning how to think outside of the box".

The importance of dialog.......2007-02-19

Peter Block aptly reminds us how important it is to ask the right questions, listen to the answers, take time to engage in authentic conversation that goes beyond ping-pong talking to deep discussions and ongoing dialog. Thanks and thanks again.

As always, Block is avant-garde AND persuasive.......2007-02-07

Block has done a fine job of discussing individual responsibility and helping get to the heart of the question "What are we really trying to accomplish?" rather than "How can we get this done and crossed off the list?" Too often, organizations are in such a rush to get things done that they end up putting the square peg in the round hole. They duplicate a solution that worked for a similar, but not identical problem etc. I feel like this book is the complimentary inverse of Block's "Stewardship" book. Whereas "Stewardship" looks at the organization and its effectiveness from a leadership/management point of view, this book addresses the personal autonomy and personal responsibility that all workers should have -- what Block's "Stewardship" book calls for as necessary for effective leadership (that the power and responsibilty are within the ranks of each worker). This book delves into this concept of pushing responsiblity down to each individual in the organization and what that means practically to the indvidual. As with "Stewardship," Block writes well and effectively delivers evidence and concrete examples along with his theory to make his points.

Not for the Narrow-Minded.......2006-03-17

Your ego and identity may well demand that you put this book down for good and denounce it as the smug ramblings of a limousine liberal with the luxury to indulge in all manner of fantasy. Read on anyway. If you pay attention to this book, you'll learn something powerful about yourself and the criticality of your role in creating your organization however you define that - whether it's self, family, business, government unit, or even society at large.

This book challenges everyone who reads it to accept that we and we alone are the authors of our own story of existence, experience, and meaning. The message for leaders of organizations is that until now we've indulged our fear, created cultures of control and dependency and they are bankrupt. The illusion of control never lasts long (look at any of your recent IT projects, for example) and dependency breeds discontent, waste, and backward momentum - all the things that give us more reasons to be fearful and to want to control. The lessons in this book may well allow us to break that cycle, but only if we develop the courage first and foremost to be accountable for who we are. One first step might be to ignore the voice of your ego insisting that you stop reading this silly book, and to read on with renewed attention.

Tony Robbins meets Viktor Frankl.......2006-03-15

On the positive: THE ANSWER TO HOW IS YES contains thought-provoking and attitude-reorienting insights into those opportunities and options to do what truly matters in life. (My highlighter almost ran dry in the first 30 pages.)

Unfortunately, a great many of those insights have to be painstakingly excavated from the mountains of existentialist psychobabble and "philoso-babble" (is that a word? mental note to check Webster on that one) which constitutes Block's writing style. The cutesy use of varying type fonts and sizes also tends to distract from the weightiness of Block's subject matter.

Summary: Subject matter and value of ideas presented: A. Writing style: D- (and I am probably being generous on that one).

Recommendation: Buy the book, but don't try to read it when you are tired or preoccupied.

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