5 comments about Angkor: Cambodia's Wondrous Khmer Temples, Fifth Edition (Odyssey Illustrated Guide).

1. This is, without doubt, THE must-have guide to the Angkor area. Dawn Rooney writes with clarity, thoroughness and a balanced view of the monuments without talking down to (or over the head of) the reader. Some books on this area read like travel brochures, others like snobby scholarly textbooks. Ms. Rooney's book strikes the perfect balance between the two.
   
   I'm a research-aholic about my travel, and collect guide books by the dozens. This is one of the best I've read anywhere, about any area.
   
   This revised edition features tons of full-color photographs, good maps and many, many touring tips. I especially liked the fact that she talks about when to visit certain areas, where the best photography opportunities are, along with what makes each temple/monument unique.
   
   The first portion of this book gives a "just-the-right-depth" overview of the history of the area, plus overviews of the artistic styles, royal lineages, construction methods, restoration efforts, etc. Then the second portion goes into detail about each monument - grouped into logical touring sequences.
   
   I cannot recommend this book highly enough. If you've been searching for a guide book to the Angkor area - end your search now. This is the one.



2. After 6 days in Siem Reap with a licensed guide, this book is 'Cliff Notes' to what the guide tells you. I don't recommend touring the temples without a licensed guide, unless you want a quick, superficial tour. The only book that contains info on the temple Koh Ker (3 hours from Siem Reap, built in 900 AD) & the Preak Toal Bird Sanctuary (2.5 hours by boat across Tonle Sap Lake). If you want to truly enjoy & understand the carvings, the history (Buddhist & Hindu) & culture of what you seeing, read this book before you depart (it's too heavy to take), hire a licensed guide (not a driver who cannot legally take you inside the temples) who is trained to explain how the temples were built (different materials & methods) & what the carvings depict (Hindu mythology, Buddhist kings). Then when you return, reread the sections on the temples you visited... and it will bring back a flood of images & memories. Floor plans are confusing, pictures scant, but her historical descriptions & distances are accurate, lesser known, less touristy temples are included for the adventurous or art lover.



3. Excellent, up-to-date info. on all sites; very detailed and accurate text on history and culture. Very informative for architects, historians, and other people interested in more profund knowledge/ facts. Far better than the other guides I've read!



4. One of the best guides that I have read. Very good background, history, religion,and description of the sites. In short, a great book.



5. This book is an absolute necessity for visiting Angkor, at least if one has an interest in archaeology. In fact, knowing what I know now, I would have skipped hiring a guide and just rented a bicycle with this book as my guide. It is comprehensive, well-illustrated (although the illustrations are not always tied to the adjacent text--my most serious complaint about the book), and has the right balance between academic and popular interest. It is well-worth the extra weight involved in taking it along to Asia (I wish they had used cheaper paper and binding to make it lighter, but then the pictures wouldn't have been so inviting). Maps and organization make it easy to use, although the index sometimes is off by a page or two--perhaps they didn't update it all from the 4th ed. At any rate, it is far superior to all other guides I found on the subject.

5 comments about Drawing Now: Eight Propositions.

1. I use this text in my Graduate Drawing class. There is a broad range of contemporary drawing included in the book, which gives the reader a snapshot of the variety of drawing being produced at the moment. The text in each chapter is brief, but complements the work, and contextualizes the drawings. I especially enjoy the fact that there are artists in the book whose work I like, and several whose work I don't really care for.



2. The book I ordered was delivered in 2 days, I think, and the book was in great condition. No complaints.



3. Drawing Now does a good job of critically displaying the work of many contemporary artists. Unlike Vitamin D, this book does not take a shotgun approach to viewing contemporary art, and as a result is more satisfying to behold. Not all the artists represented have great work, but you get quality reproductions of it, and worthwhile commentary on each of the thematic "propositions" in the book. Worth buying if you have the money. Worth renewing your library's copy if you don't.



4. The catalogue that accompanies the Drawing Now exhibition held at the Museum of Modern Art is just as well thought and carefully crafted. The show is divided into eight themes that bring a solid foundation to a wide scope of works. Each section in the catalogue begins with an insightful essay further developing the rich ideas behind the show. The beautiful illustrations and large format of the book further compliment the important artworks included in the exhibition.



5. None of the decisions in this show were very difficult to make. All of the current stars in the drawing/painting world are present (John Currin, Kara Walker, Elizabeth Peyton, Kai Atoff, etc.) and the work they've offered is mediocre. That is not to say the work is bad by normal standards, they are the best of the contemporary scene for a reason: they're good. But, looking at each artist's best work, none of this is it. The essays are kind of hokey and embarrassing (in a bad way). The book is worth buying if you want to seem like you're "with it" when it comes to contemporary art, or if you are a student (such as myself, forever) and need it for research purposes to aid your own studio practice.

No comments about Anish Kapoor: Past, Present, Future.

4 comments about Bernini.

1. After seeing the Bernini busts at the Getty in LA I wanted to know more about some of his larger works. I now want to go back to Rome to "see" what I was only looking at when I was there. A beautiful book to share with friends.



2. sculptor. architect. child prodigy... Bernini's real name was Michaelangelo, but he hid the fact so that his own work would stand apart from that of the greatest sculptor of all time. Here is a tribute to a man who fufilled a great potential to create beauty in this world. The Galleria Borghese in Rome will attest to this. A wonderful volume about a truly incredible talent.



3. Wittkower has created a book that is easily enjoyable for those familiar of Bernini, or those starting to learn about art/archetecture of the Baroque. I highly reccommend this book to anyone remotely interested in this period, as the photos are clear and the explanations are not filled with jargon a lay person could not understand. bravo.



4. Wittkower's work is simply stated an artistic anthology of the achievements and life of the chief architect of the Roman Baroque. His perseptive commentary and pertinent factual information are extremely useful to all who attempt to comprehend the complex messages behind all of Bernini's work. While the author stays committed to rendering the artist as a sculptor and architect, one wishes that Wittkower would delve more into the environment, particularly political and religious movements, that continually serve as an impetus and background to Bernini's chef d'oeuvres. Regardless, Wittkower's inclusion of both color and detailed black and white plates allow the viewer to observe the Baroque master's works in their appropriate light.

5 comments about A Baby Book for You (British Museum of Fine Arts).

1. A detailed and loving capture of those moments ideas and eveidence that should never be forgotten and always is.



2. Bought for a friend and she has enjoyed. Great space to enter important dates and information.



3. I got this for my second child, a boy. I spent a while looking for a baby book that was simple enough that I could keep up without too much effort. Sure, it would be nice if there were a little more blank space for photos, or a pocket for a few keepsakes. But I'm OK with that.
   
   The best part about this book is how understated it is. The first 100 or so baby books I picked were too twee for my taste--pink! and blue! and bunnies! and puppy dogs!.... The graphics and poetry in this book are very classic.
   
   As another reviewer so aptly said, you scrapbookers out there will find this book very limiting--but it's good for the rest of us!



4. This book is completely charming. Not only are the illustrations and poems cute, but the format of the book is very versatile. We homebirth and don't do a lot od doctor's visits, and many baby memory books have several pages dedicated to these things. It means we would have to cross a lot out or have many empty pages. This book has a spiral binding inside the traditional binding, so it is easy to remove a page that does not apply to our experience.



5. I have two copies of this book for two of my girls. I agree with some of the other reviewers that it might have been nice to have a bit more accommodation for scrapbook-type items (early artwork and such), but I like the book's artwork and its allowance for a few pictures for each of the first 5 years. There are plenty of pages with "priming" entries for the time right around baby's birth. This isn't for heavy-duty scrapbookers, but is just right for overworked parents who still want to create a nice baby book for their child to cherish.

5 comments about Smithsonian Baseball: Inside the World's Finest Private Collections.

1. I purchased this as a gift and the recipient was thrilled with it. I did sneak a peak before giving it away and enjoyed it immencely.



2. A very well done book. Big glossy pictures of some of the greatest Baseball artifacts in America. Probably the closest I will get to seeing these in person.



3. As a lover of the old days of baseball (prior to the 1970's) , and with an interest in various types of artifacts pertaining to the old days, this book wonderfully broadened my horizons. The sections on baseball cards was especially fascinating for me as i do some collecting to add to some as i had as a kid (50's-60's).
   would recommend this book to anyone remotely interested in the old days of baseball or collects baseball memorabilia.



4. Stephen Wong has created a drop-dead gorgeous look at some of the game's great artifacts, and many will be surprised to learn that they are not at the Baseball Hall of Fame nor even at the Smithsonian (despite the book's title). The game's artifacts extend way beyond the cards and gimcrack collectibles sold at the ballpark, and Wong has deftly toggled his focus from collectible to collector and back again, providing a memorable prose portrait of the lively game played off the field. I cannot recommend this brilliantly conceived book highly enough.



5. This beautiful book belongs in every baseball enthusiast's library, but it would be a mistake to keep it on the shelves. Author Stephen Wong has partnered with the Smithsonian to publish the most stunning book on baseball on the market. It deserves to be on your coffee table not only because of its wonderful photographs but also due to the wonderfully rich way he presents the history of the game. Wong gained remarkable access to the sport's foremost collectors, combing through hundreds of images and memorabilia items. The payoff is tremendous for anyone with an interest in baseball or, for that matter, in American history and culture. Readers will learn the essential facts about the game, and the fascinating tidbits, such as the origins of the curve ball. They then get to see remarkable shots, some most unusual - from folk art statues to Don Larsen's enshrined shoes from his perfect game to the bricks of former stadiums. In fact, this book should be placed in the Hall of Fame!

No comments about British Library.

2 comments about Parisiennes: A Celebration of French Women.

1. I find this book fabulous. Pictures are beautiful, all of them in b/w and most of them of anonymous women, the proof of how french women (particularly parisiennes) are charming without the need of artificial effects such as money or marketing-made. They are rebels, mothers, lovers, elegants, self concious, self confidents, etc. But I think, that what is more important, they are very literate. They are always reading, writting....
   To sum up, my favorite part of the book are the quotes by writters, philosophers... about women, and parisiennes. But I must say, the original edition in french est plus charmante...



2. Perhaps it's my oversight in not checking the publication date of this book. I thought it would share more of the easy style and elegance of the French throughout history. The pictures, although many, were dated from 20's - 40's with a
   sprinkle of 50's style. I was hoping to see more of a range of pictures and fashion. The photography is done well and cover is stylish, but the book does not evoke any feeling of elegance within the pages......have not felt compelled to read
   through yet.

5 comments about Photography.

1. "Photography (9th Edition)" is perfect for any kind of photographer, whether it's someone who is picking up a camera for the first time or someone who is much more experienced. From the seemingly endless supply of information to the immense number of beautiful photographs, there is nothing this book doesn't cover.
   
   It is thorough and very detailed. The book provides images and explanations of film processing, charts of indicated exposures in particular lighting situations, and also illustrates composition and framing. It even has a chapter devoted to the history of the photography. A very important aspect to know, however, is "Photography" leans toward black and white 35 mm film photography. Knowing how to use a camera manually is an important technical and creative aspect of photography, so this book emphasizes that.
   
   "Photography" is just as inspirational as it is informative. Besides the technical data, there are famous photographs like Bresson's "Place de l'Europe, Paris" and Man Ray's "Solarization." There are also short biographies of well-known artists, such as Clint Clemens, Annie Leibovitz, and John Sexton, incorporating their work. The information in the biographies applies to particular techniques within different chapters. I find these pictures motivating and inspirational because of the variety of approaches, styles, and successful techniques covered. This wonderful visual aspect of the book instructs the reader through other artists' work and also encourages them to grab a camera and start shooting.
   
   When I think of the money, supplies, time and frustration saved because of the knowledge gained from this book, I can't find a single reason why anyone who's truly passionate about photography wouldn't need to buy it. The combination of technical information and visual examples "Photography" provides is an important way to improve any person's photographic abilities.



2. 
   This photography text is recommended for learners in or out of school. It offers both a general and in-depth comprehension of the craft.



3. This book was really resourseful when i was looking through it. It has alot of pictures, and tells a few things about the picture, and what kind of camera that they used.



4. I've received and read the book, and enjoy the content. However, compared to many other books in the marketplace, I'm having a hard time comprehending where there is over $100 worth of value. It seems that everytime something is written by an academic and presented as a textbook, regardless of the content or quality, that the price is jacked up by 3 to 4 times what it is really worth. I'd suggest looking for a used version of this book unless you really want a pristine copy to show off to others.



5. This book is pretty comprehensive. I am using it for a basic photography class. It covers a lot of subjects, but none in great detail. The newer versions actually covers a bit of digital photography as well.

5 comments about Vincent Van Gogh: The Drawings (Metropolitan Museum of Art Series).

1. To find out how far short this book falls from many of the great drawings of Van Gogh you can go online and find many drawings not found in this book.There are many sites to look at Vincent's work. With zooming and enlarging the drawings you will have a better idea of the work . So many of the ink drawings of Van Gogh have faded. One of his greatest drawings of trees is in the Art Institute of Chicago.It is illustrated here.The authors miss the central importance of Vincent's work. His use of the reed pen was painterly. He used the reed pen as a brush technique.He drew ,many times when he was out of paints or waiting for canvases from Theo. The catalogue is useful in relating the drawings to his paintings . Often in a nearby page .Catalogues are great as a way of remembering and reviewing an important exhibit.This is an enormously ambitious book from the Metropolitan Museum. It falls short, as I think it would be much better to have a compact disk of the images.I have books on Van Gogh's stuff that I used to show my drawing classes.A book of this weight doesn't full fill the need of something you wish to carry with you.To have a major show of drawings in an era of installation art , I salute the museum's acknowledgement of the importance of these drawings. It is in the drawings that Van Gogh's reputation will continue to grow . His palette was unprecedented in the early 20th century. Since then, his command of color composition doesn't hold up to later developments.



2. a wonderful memory of a once in a lifetime exhibit. 7 years of drawing before he ever picked up a brush....



3. This is the catalogue for a 2005 exhibit at the Met. A valuable addition to the literature on Van Gogh, it encompasses his whole career as a draughtsman, and a brilliant one of course. The images are perfect (you sometimes get the impression that you are holding the actual drawing) and the text very helpful, giving sizes, provenances and many excerpts of Van Gogh's own letters.I remember visiting the exhibition in crammed rooms on a saturday afternoon, therefore I was glad to be able to savour it once again in a quieter atmosphere, thanks to the book.



4. Lord Kenneth Clark, at the end of his book and television series, Civilization, said he had come to believe that there was such a thing as "genius". After looking through this book, so will you.
   
   With over 350 drawings, mostly reproduced in color, and dozens more color reproductions of paintings, this will no doubt be the definitive work of the artist's drawings. We see many of his early drawings, including those enhanced with chalk, watercolor, etc. We see the drawings and watercolors done in preparation for his paintings and then we see the paintings themselves.
   
   But the high points of the book are the three drawings in pen and ink done after each of the paintings and intended as reproductions of those works. He wanted a means to share these paintings with three different correspondents: John Russell, Emile Bernard and his brother Theo. He obviously couldn't afford the oil and canvas to reproduce each painting three more times. These laborious drawings were executed and mailed to individuals with whom Van Gogh wanted to share his work (and perhaps impress), or, in the case of his brother, to also show his love and appreciation. Slight variations among the three drawings after the same painting show further, "post-oil" development of each subject and give us additional insight into his style and his thinking. The color reproductions of his drawings allow us to see how the ink on each has faded over time and a 100-year old reproduction of a drawing shows us how the original has faded over time. Because virtually all of the drawings done as a mature artist were on 9-1/2 by 11-1/2 sheets, the reproductions in the book are almost actual size.
   
   Fortunately, both Bernard and Theo's widow and heirs believed very strongly in his work, including his drawings, and ignored the advice of critics to throw it all away. They continued to promote the artist's work after his death, eventually leading to his broader recognition over the following decades. If you appreciate great drawing, this is a "must have" book.



5. The book is much more technical than the "Letter" book I recently read. I enjoy that because I have always wanted to know how he painted or drew his pictures as well as how is life and painting developed.