The Federal Art Project in Illinois: 1935-1943

Customer Reviews:

*** A Celebration of Rings ***.......2001-08-02

The Ring, what thing could be a more ancient, magical, personal or symbolic object of adornment? Indeed, as other reviewers here have noted, this book is as well crafted, as the subject being researched. This book is elegant, it is a coffee table book which amuses and delights, a visual page turner with a surprise on each new page. People with a flair for the unusual , a passionate ring collector, metal smiths, artisans and professional designers, jewelers, contemporary art galleries, or anyone who loves beautiful things, will really love adding this book to their library.

Eloquently written, the first half of this book is part history and background lesson for the second half of the book. Brief discussion on the ring from 5th century B.C. Summer, Egypt, Greece, Roman, 13th -20th century, and many more chapters, with each topic increasing in length as it approaches contemporary times. Mass Production, Design Constraints, Manufacturing Techniques, Economics and Regulation, Consequences and Strategies are also all touched upon siting examples with regard to France, where the author lives and I might add, demonstrates superior authority on the subject.

The second half of this book is devoted to "Modern and Contemporary Rings" from the 1960's to present day. Really, the larger focus is on this half of the book, and what an amazing array of styles and possibilities on how wild, wacky, sculptural, outrageous, and generally experimental ring design has become. One-of-a-kinds, out-of-bounds, over-the-top, extremely unusual, and very creatively charged designs are presented here in a visual feast. Rings as art, indeed. Sketches, variations on a theme, non-traditional materials (Plexiglas, tracing paper, shells wood, woven metal, bread and Jam! Etc,), are all pictured and covered in this half of the book as well.

Purchase, The Ring, without hesitation, you will be very happy you did.

Gorgeous!.......2001-06-26

Sylvie Lambert has created a beautiful, elegant and (wonderfully!) lengthy history of a jewelry staple: the ring. She offers a thorough exploration that spans from prehistoric adornment to contemporary designs. This book will certainly appeal to those in the trade as well as anyone looking for an interesting, visually captivating (dare I say coffee table?) book. As a jewelry designer, I find it to be a handy reference, as well as a source for inspiration, some envy, and much awe. I would most definitely recommend it!!

Average customer rating:

The Ring Design: Past and Present
Lambert Sylvie
Manufacturer: RotoVision
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000UDIRPW

Book Description

It's 1944, and the first gathering of super-powered heroes may well be the last. What happens when the government assembles a new breed of super-powered beings at the height of war? Who lives? Who dies? And what exactly does the government have planned for the "heroes?" Battle Hymn: Farewell to the First Golden Age answers these questions with this beautiful collection of the sold-out acclaimed miniseries.

Customer Reviews:

I enjoyed this book.......2006-07-06

While this book is a short (152 pgs) one-shot, it was easy to quickly get into the characters. They are essentially arch-types (at first) of characters many readers have seen before.

The art is very good, and fits well with the tone of the book. While this isn't the first book to take on a more realistic take of the golden age comics/characters we're familiar with, B. Clay Moore does a particularly good job here. My only gripe is that I think the plot warrants a somewhat longer book, although you do get your money's worth with this one.

Almost the same as it ever was..........2006-05-23

Here is a compact, stand-alone tale of Sara Pezzini--wielder of the Witchblade and a pair of enormous, gravity defying breasts. We join the story while our hero lies comatose in a hospital bed. We learn over time she was injured by some kind of nasty monsters and eventually we learn why.

Her old partner Jake is a constant presence in the book as is a new male lead--Detective Patrick Gleason. Gleason is sent to investigate why Sara is in the hospital. A mild love triangle ensues. It is a love of Brady Bunch ferocity. In other words, the boys get cranky and mope around but no one gets any. Meanwhile, Sara is fighting, fighting, fighting for her life and, naturally, has to save her hapless partners and the rest of the free world.

Ron Marz said he wanted to move away from the T&A and instead focus on the story. That seems fine but he seems to have missed the fact that it was ironic T&A. That makes it okay, right? His pronouncement seemed more like misplaced piety or perhaps some lingering embarrassment over his association with the series. Whatever his motivation, I couldn't really see too much difference, in that regard, between this one and any others in the series.

The art of Mike Choi is serviceable but very different in tone from Michael Turner's amazing work in the series. To give Choi credit, if I'd started with his, I wouldn't have thought twice about it. I think the difference is style more than quality.

The story definitely had a beginning and an end, and a reader unfamiliar with the series could easily step in and enjoy it. I'm trying not to give away the plot, but it includes shop-worn elements such as secret societies of priests, other dimensions, elderly, mystical Asians and a betrayal by an old friend. I am always hesitant to write reviews of comics out of fear of people knowing what a true dork I am. This book won't do anything to help me appear more enlightened, but it was a pretty fun read.

A MUST BUY!.......2006-04-24

The above reviewer obviously is talking about a completely different book or series. There is NOTHING about WWII in this book at all!

What we DO have is the best damn writing Witchblade has ever seen! The characters are written so realistically and with such a breath of fresh air it's amazing!

The artwork is great, the story is great... buy this now. You won't miss it! Those turned off Witchblade by Paul Jenkin's terrible take should pick the series back up with this!

Mediocre - Whats the point?.......2006-04-05

Super heroes are assembled for a task force to help fight WWII. Some of them get offed. The government does shady things. Things get covered up....Sounds like a bad episode of the X-Files or something....

Its all been done before in all mediums. There was nothing new with this one really. I give it two stars because I think the art was pretty good. I liked the heavy use of darker colours to set the mood, buts all this has going for it.

Average customer rating:

Classic collection of some of the best sessions...

rehash

NEW Katz stuff on this tape.

Dr. Katz's Therapy Session
Jonathan Katz
Manufacturer: Simon & Schuster Audio
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Cassette
Similar Items:

Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist - Season 1

Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist - Season Two

ASIN: 0671574752

Book Description

From the producers of the runaway Emmy Award-winning Comedy Central animated TV series "Dr. Katz: Professional Therapist" comes DR. KATZ'S THERAPY SESSIONS-a hiply hilarious compilation of Dr. Katz's funniest sessions with his all-star cast of "patients."

Based on Comedy Central's hit phenomenon "Dr. Katz: Professional Therapist," DR. KATZ'S THERAPY SESSIONS lets us listen in on the hilarious sessions between the wry, downtrodden Dr. Katz (comedian/actor Jonathan Katz) and his roster of patients, whose voices are provided by such popular comedians as Gary Shandling, Steven Wright, Rita Rudner, Anthony Clark, Janeane Garofalo, Carol Leifer, and more. Therapy has never been this funny!

A truly witty audio program, DR. KATZ'S THERAPY SESSIONS will bring therapeutic laughter to all who listen!

Customer Reviews:

Classic collection of some of the best sessions..........2002-12-03

These are the sessions that made me love that show in the first place. An excellent collection. This thing is dang funny. Just buy it.

rehash.......2001-06-03

If you've seen the show, chances are you've seen these bits.

NEW Katz stuff on this tape........1999-05-30

A great tape for the 'Katz Cult'. I liked this because it has Katz actually doing a diagnosis on the patients after he finishes his session. It also has the best material of the first couple seasons.

Book Description

Alien Woman examines the construction of sex and gender in the four Alien science-fiction films. The Alien saga stands alone in presenting an enduring, self-reliant female protaginist, Ripley, played by Sigourney Weaver, who in the first film end up as the sole survivor of the beleaguered starship Nostromo. Subsequent writers and directors in the 1980s and 1990s, left to grapple with this strong female protagonist, re-envision Ripley to fit differing social, political, and cultural imperatives for women. Alien Woman focuses on how these writers and directors have re-written Ripley, and how each revision informs our understanding of women in science-fiction. By examining the creation and commodification of Ripley as female hero, the book provides a useful lens through which to view woman's place in the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries.

Customer Reviews:

Accessible theory/ close read - a wonderful work!.......2005-01-09

In the span of the twenty-five years since the release of the first Alien film in 1979, much has changes in the American culture and society and the film industry. It would be easy to write a relatively standard work analyzing the four films in the series that include Lt. Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver). Other than those interested scholars and, perhaps, fans engrossed with those films, such a book would be rather dull. But Gallardo C. and Smith have produced a far different, far more unexpected and powerful work. This is done through an elegant and insightful organization of the work. Each of the four major chapters deals with one of the four films (Alien, Aliens, Alien3, Alien: Resurrection). Nicely written personal forward, introduction and a conclusion surround these, but it is these four chapters that are the meat of the text.
At first glance a potential reader may imagine that these four chapters have little to do with each other, as each deals with a different film. What is so wonderful about this organization is that Gallardo C. and Smith are able to actually accomplish two things with their text. The first is a surprisingly well researched and detailed close-reading of each of the films. But the second, which would likely not be possible in any other format, is a tracing of those cultural shifts of the last twenty-five years. When the first film was released in 1979 the United States was on a cusp both culturally and politically. Second Wave feminism was reaching a crest of cultural importance, the rise of the Republican Right was beginning to be noticed, and one small decision to change a protagonist from male to female was surprising in many ways. This was a female hero that did not scream and run to her protecting male. Gallardo C. and Smith do not pull punches, though, and while they praise Alan Ladd Jr. (then the head of 20th Century Fox) for casually suggesting the change, they also point out that he gathered together secretaries from the Fox offices to view Sigourney Weaver's screen test because in the late 1970s there simply were not female executives in the film industry.
With the emergence of the Reagan-era, the defeat of the E.R.A. (Equal Rights Amendment) film in the United States changed as well. The new heroes of film in the 1980s became muscled "hard men" and Gallardo C. and Smith spend much time discussing the changes made to the character of Ripley by James Cameron as a reaction to this change. The two most general critical replies made about these first two Alien films has been that the first suggested a new type of female hero, while the second was one of two things (or perhaps a bit of both): Either it is a film about reifying the nuclear unit (in the form of Ripley as mother, Newt, a young girl as daughter, and Hicks, a marine, as father), or it is a metaphorical Vietnam film.
Gallardo C. and Smith have it both ways, emphasizing the polyphony of the texts, and the fact that multiple readings are not necessarily false readings. They become more critical of the final two films featuring Lt. Riply, but in a carefully respectful way. Blamed for the lackluster reception of the third film are mostly studio problems that led the film to essentially be the "merged" versions of two competing scripts within the studio - and that with far too little "development" time. Of the fourth they note that the film undermines much of what came before it because of the underlying ironic and postmodern nature of Alien: Resurrection.
Gallardo C. and Smith claim early that they do not intend to write a "theory book" for such a book is beyond the scope of what they intend. Any while they have not, in another way they have written a "theory book" of a certain time. The organization of their volume is such that the intellectual history (the changes in theoretical perspectives from 1979 and after) can quite easily be fished from their text. The transition from Second Wave to post-feminism (or Third Wave, or whatever term you prefer) is there. The transition of the Modernist heroes of the 1970s to the muscle-bound Sylvester and Arnold-like character of the Reagan-era (which were ironic, but few seemed to notice) to the postmodern pastiche and irony are all just under the surface, waiting to be considered.
That "just beneath the surface" level allows Alien Woman to work very nicely as both a film studies work on its topic, and as, literally, an intellectual history of one of the more profound times for change in the academy in some time. The character of Ripley has always been on that embodied a certain amount of "sex trouble," but by placing the films in their own times, Gallardo C. and Smith manage to analyze with being over critical. This isn't the type of criticism too often found in the academy, the kind I like to call "claiming Napoleon was a bad general because he never called for air support." This is the kind of critical examination that allows theoretical perspectives to exist, but doesn't think an analysis of Ulysses should spend fifty pages discussing Foucault and five with the actual text. So, when the authors make their claim that this is not a "theory book" what they seem to really mean is, "we are theoretically informed, but are dealing with our texts, not polysyllabic jargon. And it is all the better for it (this from someone who likes theory, too!).
Gallardo C. and Smith have produced a work that is developed, complex, insightful, and still maintains a readability that was so accomplished I almost felt jealous. It is a suitable for collections at colleges and universities with film programs, film studies programs, English programs that emphasize cultural studies, American studies programs, and popular culture programs. I would recommend it for upper level undergraduates, scholars of culture, feminism or speculative fiction in all its form.
I just published my first book (do not worry, I wont name drop it here!) and upon publication I approached the large dry eraser board in my office and wrote down all the possible "next book" projects I could think of and, among these was a book on the Alien films. It turns out that Ximena Gallardo C. and C. Jason Smith have already written it, and I'm scholar enough to know the did a better job than I would have. Alien Woman has my highest recommendation.

Writing about Alien? Begin here........2004-06-13

Alien Woman is one of those books that works to find the proper context for an aesthetic product. Gallardo and Smith read the Alien films in the context of gender theory and feminism (and the way gender theory and feminism fit into the very different cultural moments of the films: 1979, 1986, 1992, 1998). For them, the films unevenly chart such themes as the primacy of the body, the breakdown of the rationalist-humanist white male subject, the fear of woman and the feminine, the identification of the monstrous and horrific with the feminine and with sexuality, and the emergence of philosophical post-humanism as an alternative to Renaissance humanism. Though they do not put it in these terms they essentially track the consequences of a Hegelian-style equation: the split "Man vs. Alien" is merely the reflection of a split within category "Man (human)" itself, "Man vs. Woman." In other words, the fight between Man and Alien is really the gender trouble within humanity itself.

The authors have an admirable sense of focus: outside of an introduction and an afterword, the book devotes one chapter to each film analysis: no novel or comic book spin-offs, no video games, no parodies, no fan-fiction. Gallardo and Smith know these films backwards, forwards and sideways. Heavy theory is relegated to the footnotes (making the whole thing easy to read), but their knowledge of Freud, Jung, Foucault, and Butler shows in the pages. And for several years Gallardo and Smith have chaired the science fiction section of one of the largest academic popular culture conferences in the world: Alien Woman is particularly strengthened by their almost encyclopedic knowledge of science fiction movies good and bad; the reader benefits from their sitting through these often awful films (Ice Pirates, anyone?), and connecting them to the Alien series. The book also hits every substantial piece of Alien criticism: future scholars will start reading about the films here, and then follow the bibliography.

My husband promised me this book!.......2004-06-12

About a two weeks ago, my husband bought this book, and we have been notified that it will be on its way soon. I'm saying this because for some reason Amazon delayed the delivery, and if it happens to you, it's worth the wait. I know it's worth it because I borrowed a colleague's copy.

But to the review: Having watched the first three movies only once when they were released in theaters, I found that ALIEN WOMAN helped me remember many, many scenes I had forgotten. I believe that this is one of the book's strengths: the authors deal with the movies in their entirety, as opposed to dealing just with selected scenes that "prove" their points and ignoring the rest.

Another strength is how easy and fun this book is to read! No cumbersome quotes, no "academese" to muddle through-a book as entertaining as the movies, and even more exciting sometimes. Where else will you find an academic text that describes Ripley's spacing of the Alien Queen as "bitch-slapping the Alien into space"?

ALIEN WOMAN does have an agenda. It centers on Ripley more than the monster, and it does reveal how hard it is for actresses to find a role different from "babe," "mom," and "old lady" (and I'm old enough to remember what few roles women had before ALIEN was released). It is the book's contention that Ripley manages to escape this mold, and so, that she's a somewhat unique female hero in sci-fi cinema-and more than just a dragon slayer.

All in all, ALIEN WOMAN was good enough to make me want a copy of my own, and to make me rent ALIEN RESURRECTION, which appeared to be too violent and silly in the ads for me to care about watching it before I read this book.

A major contribution to both academia and fandom.......2004-06-10

Gallardo & Smith have written a work that *will be* one of *the* most important books ever for scholars AND fans of the Aliens series of films. This serious and thought-provoking, clearly-written work is immanently readable at the same time as it is insightful and rigorously scholarly. It will promote greater academic understanding of science-fiction and feminism (together and as discrete studies) and those who read it will want to own it, reference it, and read it for sheer pleasure again and again.

The study examines the entire story arc of four movies that made us gasp and wonder, and made us re-examine science fiction not only as more than just "bug eyed monsters against the good GUYS" but also as reflections of the historical era from which each film arose. This seriously well-researched and well documented work traces the history of the movie's compelling images, (for example, giving us "ah ha" moments about the inspiration for the films' artwork, facts that I know I never knew about the reason for the Aliens' form). It gives us intricate close-readings of each film, examining scene after scene with insight and depth, and helps us understand the metaphors of Corporate space and humanity in a post-human era.

One of my favorite parts is the close-reading of Ripley's suicidal leap in Aliens 3, and I had to gloat as Gallardo & Smith reveal the background meanings and imagery of her strongly compelling act of grasping the newborn alien bursting from her chest. I was delighted when I realized that my own feelings watching the film for the first time were right (I knew it!) and had that comfortable feeling you get when having a great conversation with people who share your passion for interesting works of cultural significance.

Never a "publish or perish," jargon-laden ivory-tower read, this work is compelling and fun, at the same time that it contributes important scholarship to a pivotal science fiction franchise and science fiction studies in general. If you are a fan of the series, but not an academic, you will still love this book, and learn something new and worthwhile about your favorite sci-fi. If you are an academic looking for rigorous critical interpretation, you will also find what you are looking for.

A must read for fans, scholars, and anyone interested in the "post-human" subject and Ripley's compelling character. Plus, a heck of a lot of fun and hard to put down.

Very, Very Solid!.......2004-06-08

Thank heavens-close reading is not dead. Too many books on film sacrifice accuracy to a particular theoretical take, but these guys do not. And they write really clearly without all that unnecessary mumbo jumbo academics seem to like these days. I went right out and rented the movies and watched them all over again back to back and I have to say these writers really know the films inside and out and continually show us what actually happens on the screen (which is often contrary to what I remembered happening, but when I watched them again, these guys are always right, at least as far as I can tell). Best yet, the theory is not "on top" so to speak and seems really rooted in the films; they subtly shift the theoretical approach based upon what the films actually seem to be saying.

The first chapter on Alien is really nice coverage of all the stuff already written on it (and there has been a lot of it) but they also manage to weave it all together into a nice, historical, narrative of how one of the best sci-fi movies ever came to be and how different cultural theorists read the character of Ripley. Everyone seems to remember her tiny white panties, but who now remembers the furor over her "trash mouth"? Even more, who remembers that Ripley was the first female protagonist (ever?) to kill the monster on her own?

The second chapter kind of rags on Cameron a bit for the "Reagan-era" plot of the film, but these guys are right on with their reading of Ripley as remade into a "mom" and the hard-bodied Vasquez as a really new thing on the screen. This has always been my favorite of the films and it was really interesting for them to show me why I like it so much! (Lets just say is not as scary as Alien on a LOT of levels).

I never liked Alien3 but I think I understand it now. The film was not really intended for an audience like me. I don't like to see my heroes die, female or not, and the ending was really a downer. The context the authors give the film, however, makes a lot of sense: Ripley really does land in a "feminist hell" where she is raped, gets "pregnant," and, surrounded by right wing religious jerks, has to step up and take charge to save the human species again. The ending is really a big "F-you" to everyone (typical David Fincher-but this was the first time he did it).

And then there is Alien Resurrection. I hated this film when it came out. However, I just watched it again and almost died laughing. How could I have missed the fact that a film written by Joss (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) Whedon and Jean Pierre (Delicatessen and Amelie) Jeunot had to be funny? I just thought it was a grumpy, boring film, but I had really missed the boat on this one. From the very first shot-two guards chewing gum, guns aimed at each other's heads, fingers on the triggers-these writers took the blinders off my eyes and the whole film changed. I swear I must have seen a different movie altogether. I didn't even remember Sigourney Weaver and Winona Ryder being so good on screen together. (Personally, I think the sound track may be a problem with Alien Resurrection, but that's just my thinking). Ron Pearlman is even funny doing a rip-off of earlier characters on TV and in movies. If you remember the film Ice Pirates-and these guys certainly do-then you know what I mean.

Which brings me to another great thing about the book: they really make connections to a lot of other movies and some of them were BIG movies at one time that have sort of been forgotten. I now have a whole second list of films to watch again. Molly Ringwald was in Space Hunter: Adventures in the Forbidden Zone?

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Extrapolation, published by Extrapolation on March 22, 2005. The length of the article is 1157 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: Alien Woman: The Making of Lt. Ellen Ripley.(Book Review)
Author: Matthew Kapell
Publication: Extrapolation (Refereed)
Date: March 22, 2005
Publisher: Extrapolation
Volume: 46 Issue: 1 Page: 142(3)

Article Type: Book Review

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Gallardo C., Ximena and C. Jason Smith. Alien Woman: the Making of Lt. Ellen Ripley.(Book Review): An article from: Post Script

Average customer rating:

Gallardo C., Ximena and C. Jason Smith. Alien Woman: the Making of Lt. Ellen Ripley.(Book Review): An article from: Post Script
Susan A. George
Manufacturer: Thomson Gale
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Post Script, published by Thomson Gale on January 1, 2004. The length of the article is 1244 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: Gallardo C., Ximena and C. Jason Smith. Alien Woman: the Making of Lt. Ellen Ripley.(Book Review)
Author: Susan A. George
Publication: Post Script (Magazine/Journal)
Date: January 1, 2004
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 23 Issue: 2 Page: 88(4)

Article Type: Book Review

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Book Description

Schumann's Fantasie, Op. 17 is one of the finest examples of Romantic piano music. In a rounded picture of this major keyboard work, Nicholas Marston first traces the fascinating history of its composition, drawing on many of Schumann's letters to Clara Wieck and to his publisher, and examining the few surviving sketches: To whom was the work really dedicated? Was the celebrated opening movement perhaps intended as an independent composition? Schumann's own critical writings provide vital insights into his ideas on genre and the relationship between the Fantasie and the many generic and descriptive titles that the composer gave the work before publication. Every aspect of the work is covered, providing the performer, the listener or the student with an understanding not only of the Fantasie, but of Schumann himself as a composer.

Customer Reviews:

A great beginner's book!.......2000-05-03

Kersten's handbook is both a great starter book for those looking to get into the swing scene, and a great refresher for those who have had some swing classes.

It introduces the basic steps that you will need to know in order to get any further in this line of dance. The instructions are very easy to understand and the pictures are very helpful. If you would like to learn some of the moves (and feel comfortable doing them) before you take a class with a live instructor, this book is what you need.

If you're already into swing dancing but don't have the opportunity to do it very often, you may forget some of the basics. In this case, the book could help you out by being a quick refresher course.

This book is definitely a good investment if you're interested in swing!

Disappointing-- buy an instructional video........1999-01-15

In this reader's opinion, a swing dance book isn't useful unless it catalogues all those moves that you see people doing on the dance floor and breaks them down so you can see what was going on. If you don't know how to dance at all, a book isn't enough to get you started--it's very difficult to communicate a beat on paper. However, this book only covers a few basic moves-- moves my partner and I had mastered after several short "show up at the bar and dance" lessons. So it's not really enough to get a beginner started, and it's not enough for an intermediate dancer to look into for ideas and enrichment.

Great beginner's handbook for learning "Swing" dancing.......1998-08-26

If you've always wanted to dance, and considered checking out dance lessons but find it too intimidating to actually be out there with your "2 Left Feet", or you've in fact sampled a lesson or two from live instructors, but you "just don't get it" and have problems with certain steps, read this book!

It's short & to-the-point (50 pp.), and the writing style is crisp - light - fast.

Tons of photographs, accompanied by thorough, clear & logically-sequenced written descriptions of the dance steps (for those who are better with either L or R brain!).

The book is also good as adjunct to watching swing-dance-lesson videos in your home instead of in a class setting.

"Jitterbut Swing" will allow you to feel less of a klutz and get you prepared for lessons BEFORE stepping foot on a dance-class floor ... an easy read, you'll feel more confident when you actually get out there with live dance-lesson partners and a live instructor, after you've digested this nugget of a beginner's swing-dance instruction book. So go to it ... grab this book, then grab your feet, and dance! ;~]

(Note: Amazon.com spelled the title wrong ... it's NOT "Beginners" Handbook, but "Beginner's" Handbook)

Dean near Vancouver ...

Book Description

How to Use Financial Statements explains in clear, easy to understand methods how to read a financial statement. Written for the non-financial professional, this book is ideal for:

Professionals that have been promoted to a job that requires reviewing financial statements
Investors that have accumulated enough savings to begin looking at alternatives
Spouses that have suffered the loss of the member of the family who has always dealt with financial matters
Readers who work in non-financial areas and have no interest in investments

This practical guide includes:

An overview of financial statementswhat they are and what they tell us
A thorough, yet basic introduction to the accrual concepts
Easy to understand explanations of profit and loss
Statement of cash flows and special reporting issues

Customer Reviews:

Awesome book.......2007-01-29

I am very happy with financial statements. It is clear, concise and gets right to the point. Plus it's light too. Overall I am happy with my purchase.

good and bad.......2006-10-10

There is no doubt that the author is extremely knowledgeable about financial statements, but he struggles to write a clear introduction for newcomers. I finished the book with a muddy, incomplete understanding of financial statements.

In his attempt to introduce financial statements to first-timers like me, the author gets a couple things right:
- it's short. the length is a very comforting 130 pages.
- it's illustrated. there are drawings of scales with profit/loss, etc. This is essential for visual learners like me.

However, the author fails on these points:
- cute phrases instead of genuine insight. The author's little jokes in the text felt a little self-indulgent, and didn't help explain. There is one exception: it was useful when the author describes the fans of the various reports - P/L vs Balance vs Cash Flow. However, most of the rest of the joking was irrelevant and amateur.
- Not well written. Like many technical books, the quality of writing was poor. Many parts like first drafts - left me with lots of questions. The illustrations often felt incomplete and didn't help explain much.
- Expert blindness. In some ways, experts are the worst people to write books for beginners. They are passionate about the details and history, which is not what newcomers need.

I understand why financial experts would recommend this book to newcomers: they share the passions of the author. However, this doesn't help newcomers. I will keep shopping for the book that gives me the basic 'big picture' understanding of financial statements I need.

excellent refresher.......2006-02-17

I had a basic understanding of financial statements from accounting courses in college, but had forgotten most of it in the past 7 years. This book was a great refresher and would probably also be a good first book for someone with zero - very limited knowledge.

Great for understanding & interpreting financial statements.......2000-03-26

This book teaches anyone (from owners, to managers, to employees, to customers, to lenders, to suppliers, and to attorneys) how to obtain answers from financial statements by asking the right questions. This book is not filled with esoteric symbols and mathematical babbles, but with clear diagrams and down to earth explanations of the applications of each part of the financial statements. The author has done an excellent job on making this seemingly confusing subject very easy to understand and useful to those who needs to make decisions from it.

Good Things Come In Small Packages.......1999-12-24

The best book of its type: covers key points in a direct and effective way. If you need to refresh understanding of financial statements, or learn the basic in a concise format you will be pleased with this book. As a finance professor and practioner (CFA) I have recommended Bandler to numerous students and associates.

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