5 comments about The California Coast: The Most Spectacular Sights & Destinations.

1. This is a book we repeatedly buy, since we give this to our house guests as a keepsake of their trip to the Bay area. Since it also mentions the town we live in - Half Moon Bay - it is especially meaningful. Wonderful pictures!



2. I bought this booking thinking it would be a good guide to the hidden gems on the West Coast but found that it was more a coffee table book or souvenir book. If you are looking for something with detailed information on the coastal drive, e.g., highlights, directions, tips, etc. this isn't it. If you want a nice momento of the California Coast, then it's a beautiful book.



3. What an excellently written book. If a picture is worth a thousand words, the authors words are worth a thousand (mental) pictures. But there are very nice photo's as well. Covers nature, towns, and cities with the type of information a tourist or native would appreciate. And if you can't actually do such a trip, you definitely can from your armchair while reading this book. A real pleasure.



4. Stunning photographs!! A beautiful book! Text is most interesting & informative too. Well written. You wish you could jump into the page & pictures themselves. I once lived in California - wish I had this book - years ago! SM Pierrot Olney, MD



5. One of my favorite things to do is to travel down sections of the California coast. I do this whenever I can, and usually have an opportunity to revisit a favorite site at least once a year. One of the high points of being a teenager in California was taking a driving trip with my mother and sister where we covered almost the entire coast.

   I was very impressed by this book. If you think you are interested in taking a trip to the California coast, I think this book is essential!

   First, I couldn't find any sight that I have enjoyed visiting that was not included. For example, I have spent a lot of time near Laguna in Southern California in recent years. I found every activity that I enjoy doing in Laguna captured in the book, down the art galleries and museum I like to visit there.

   Second, most books of photography cause you to have great envy for the skill of the photographer, with no idea how to take your own images. I was delighted when the book opened with a brief photographic note that explained what equipment was used for the photographs. It's all equipment that I can access and manage, which is also nice. The images of sunsets over the ocean are the best!

   Third, the book brings in the environmental issues of defending the coastline from California's enormous population and heavy tourism industry. You will read about how development and wildlife are both being protected and brought together in complementary ways. Ms. Misuraca's text makes no bones about the smog and congestion near Los Angeles, and the photographs make those problems visually appalling.

   Fourth, the writing is way above what I've come to expect for travel-related books. I thought that Jean-Michel Cousteau's Foreword was especially eloquent. "California is a fabled land . . . . From small, Hispanic-influenced farming towns to the cosmopolitan bustle of San Francisco and Los Angeles, it is host to a blend of cultures not seen since the days of ancient Rome."

   Fifth, there's a balance in the subject matter that I found helpful. Many areas of California offer seasonal festivals related to fishing, harvesting or simply cultural history. Anyone who loves California enjoys visit those festivals. The book is quite complete in telling you about those activities. At the same time, you get ideas of where the architecture, hiking, photography, swimming, surfing, and nature observing are good.

   This is probably the only book about California's coast that I have seen that both residents and potential visitors will treasure equally.

   After you have finished enjoying this remarkable book, I hope you will plan to visit some of California's lesser known but remarkable locales. I particularly recommend the section of Route 1 that goes south from Carmel through Big Sur, the Lost Coast, Fort Ross, Muir Woods, Point Reyes, Drake's Bay, Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Preserve, Morro Bay, Catalina, and Torrey Pines.

5 comments about The World's Most Beautiful Seashells (Worlds Most Series).

1. This is truly the BEST book on seashells IMHO. I love it for the images are incredible - so much so that the photography seems almost 3-D in some instances. The high quality of the images and information (and obvious love for the subject by the author) is unbelievable when you look at the cost for this treasure. It is a bargain for what you gain - beauty, artistry of nature, knowledge of many varieties of mollusks, and unique images not seen in other shell books (many in my own library). This is my favorite of all seashell books, unless I am exploring on the shore when a guidebook is more appropriate. Yes, this is quality coffee table book...but one that will be picked up by you and your guests more frequently than your other books.



2. First of all, I echo all the positive comments already made by other reviewers.
   
   This book is dangerous, in the best sense!
   
   I am a bookworm and consider this one of my favorite books. (It is also incredibly cheap for the quality, and this is true for the hardcover version as well.) It is nourishing to the soul, a delight to any seashell collector, and has surprised, touched and impressed all the non-collectors I have shown it to. I started collecting seashells a year ago and bought this book back then. It has made me immediately aware of the surprising level of beauty that can be found in well-selected specimens, even among very affordable species. It has done this at least as much as the finer photographs on seashell websites online (e.g. femorale, gastropods, topseashells).
   
   Rarely have I seen a photographer demonstrate their deep love for their subject this directly and this well. I find that a lot of seashells photographs in other publications simply do not come close to the passion, beauty, communication, feeling, inventiveness and art found in each photograph here. (I am a passionate photographer - have been since a young age - and have been trying my hand at taking beautiful close-ups of seashells for the last year. These attempts have only deepened my appreciation of the photographs in this book.)
   
   This book contains an average of about 2 colour photographs for each page, and close to 2000 specimens and at least 500 species/forms (I counted once when sick in bed :-). Many photographs show several specimens and/or species combined fruitfully. Others concentrate on a single shell, sometimes taking up the entire page. All have very well chosen and crafted backgrounds - either lush, saturated colors or various more recognizable themes, none but a few volutes shown with the animal have the usual black background. You will enjoy a selection of the finest examples of the - cheap, affordable and expensive - species and forms the authors, all long-time collectors, deemed among the most beautiful. They bring you super-selected gem specimens from their personal collections and from a number of other personal collections they borrowed from. All this combines to draw you into looking at the shell more carefully, longer and with your aesthetic eye opened up - not something easily done by any means.
   
   The texts contain all kinds of interesting information, some apparently not necessarily known even to very seasoned collectors, as mentioned in other reviews. It is true that there is no detailed index by species, but in this case it doesn't matter too much: if you own a copy you will be looking at it often and will soon start remembering which specimens are included and where. The sections are organized by families.
   
   My only wish, my only suggestion for improvement, honestly, is for James Carmichael to publish a sequel of the same size even now that Leonard Hill, alas, has passed away at a young age. Perhaps not likely but we can dream, no?
   
   So do not hesitate and buy yourself a copy. It would be hard to imagine that you will be dissapointed. Even if you are not a seashell lover or collector but enjoy beauty and enthusiasm.
   
   Do get the hardcover version as this book is tall and wide and heavy. The covers of a softcover copy will certainly start bending and cracking very soon. The difference in price is small and in this case not worth saving on.
   
   Expect to dive into this book often. With, dare I say?, love... And expect to become even more mad about seashells.



3. This book is pure eye candy for shell lovers. The photographs are beautiful and the close ups allow you to see the fine detail of many shells. This book can also be used as a shell identification reference as the photos are clearly annotated with the names of the shells.



4. My wife purchased this book for our beach house and we decided to keep a copy for ourselves at home. It has every shell that you could ever dream of. Our kids love the book because they can look up shells that they have found in the book and see what they are called and what use to live inside of them.
   
   It is great for anyone that has a room or bathroom using seashells or an ocean decoration theme.
   
   Very good book!



5. This book is not by any means scientific.
   This book is not an identification guide.
   The species list is obviously very incomplete.
   but...
   Truly marvelous, large-format photography of only the best of the best GEM specimens. Each with a short description, which is VERY interesting to read - these are some real facts about the shells and not the description of what you can see on the photo. I consider myself an advanced collector, and this book is a real relief after reading some of the more advanced publications on shell collecting. An excellent source for some real-life knowledge. Highly recommended - both for collectors, or just anyone.

1 comments about Mapplethorpe: Polaroids.

1. Grab a copy of this book, especially if you're a photography buff. Unlike the cover may suggest, it's not just a book of dirty pictures. It's a wonderful collection of brilliant black and white Polaroid transfers. Each image is a genuine work of art and, unlike the cover, images show genius in composition.

2 comments about Image Makers, Image Takers.

1. I love it. Wonderful, inspiring interviews with some of the best photographers alive today. Especially interesting are the interviews with Alec Soth and Anton Corbijn. You will not regret purchasing this, I just wish I had read it sooner! Beautifully put together and a great value.



2. I was thrilled to find this fresh, new, exciting book. It is densely packed full of interviews with a diverse range of the planet's top photographers, and other industry professionals, who answer questions in an engaging and thoughtful manner. There are lots of great tips for budding photographers. A contemporary classic, and latest must-read, for anyone into photography!

2 comments about Kodak Digital Photoguide.

1. People familiar with the old Kodak Masterguide and Professional Photoguides know what to expect: lots of data and brief explanations of all kinds of topics for the modern digital photographer: digital technology, exposure, filters, flash, close-up. Includes old-style calculator wheels to solve problems with flash exposure, close-ups, etc.
   
   This is *not* a textbook, and not a good introduction to any of these subjects. It's really a notebook, a problem-solver and a way to rapidly introduce or remind the reader of concepts.
   
   The book is great but flawed. On the upside it has a ton of information and the calculators to help solve problems that can't already be done even by today's cameras. It's spiral bound and lays relatively flat when you open it. The pages are heavy card stock, and each section has color coded tabs so you can quickly flip to what you want. It's sized to fit in many camera bags so it'll always be handy.
   
   The downside is that the print on the calculators is small and can be hard to read, and they really need to be mastered *before* you need them, because they're not easy or very intuitive. Also sorely missing is a gray card and gray scale/color palette reference, which would be very nice to have.
   
   Still I find the information is useful and helpful, and I think it's a bargain.



2. Packed with technical info about general digital photography, this volume has a lot of info you won't find elsewhere about your digital camera. It is indespensible for the pro, or the serious amatuer photographer, especially those using today's advanced DSLR cameras. My only gripe is that it did not come with an 18% gray card. (Fortunately, I have an old one.) I am not sure that it was included and did not fall out of the book at some point. (I bought mine off the shelf at a conventional book store.) It did come with a white card.

1 comments about Photography & Digital Imaging.

1. I'm a photojournalism major and i've bought a lot of photography books for school & myself. This book explains it all in depth its great for info. on lenses, filters, lighting, flash, b/w photography even careers in photography. A friend purchased the book for $90 and it was still worth the price.

No comments about Nikon D60 inBrief Laminated Reference Card.

4 comments about Misshapes.

1. As a major fashion lover, I saw this book and immediatley had to buy it. Looking through, there are people that are so out there and open to fashion and the experience. And because "misshapes" is what they call hersey kisses that arent formed the right way, I thought that this classification of fashion gurus was genius. This book isn't for people that aren't open to possibilities and variations of awesome clothing. This book is for those that are open-minded and adore fashion (not just one style of it either).
   I loved this book.
   Like I said before, I thought this book was amazing! I adore it and hope they might release another one in the future.
   Much love,
   Elle (T.'s daughter)



2. I loved it. Really cool photos. Great layout. Lots of variety. The fashion is great. They really captured the essence of the "hipster scene". So worth the money.



3. These kids suck. This scene is for the most part fabricated and non-representative of what really goes down in the NY scene.



4. The kids at the party are cute. This book is such a neat documentation of New York nightlife and fashion. The layout is amazing. All of the photograpic contributions really mesh well with the portraits. Perfect size to hang onto as a reference or to sit on the coffee table. Good mix of celebrities with normal people, had to look a few times to find some people. Kudos.. very clean and sophisticated, well worth purchasing, and perfect for any age!

5 comments about Cuban Elegance.

1. This is a beautiful book with gorgeous photos of Cuban architecture and furniture of the Cuba I left behind many, many years ago. I gave it to all of my siblings for Christmas and it was an instant hit! Its ovely pictures bring both smiles and tears. A must for those of us who want to keep a collection of what once was our life in Cuba before our exile.



2. Cuban Elegance is a great book, has wonderful photography and dipicts the elegant decore of Cuba and its architecture as well.



3. THIS IS IS SUCH A BEAUTIFUL BOOK. THE PICTURES ARE BEAUTIFUL, THE TEXT REGARDING EACH ONE IS VERY CLEAR. IT HAS A GOOD FLOW AND MAY I DARE SAY IT IS A SEXY BOOK? IF THERE IS SUCH A THING. I WOULD RECOMMEND EVERYONE AND ANYONE TO GET IT. WHEATHER YOU'RE CUBAN OR NOT.
   
   IT HELPS POINT OUT ALL THE BEATY THAT ONCE USED TO BE AS WELL AS THE ONE LEFT NOW AMIDST ALL THE DECAY AND ABANDONEMENT CURRENTLY AFFECTING THE ISLAND COUNTRY. I LOVED IT.



4. I recently bought this book and despite that I had never being in Cuba before this is better than the real thing. Cuba was one the biggest economies in the region and such growth gave the possibility to create one of the most selected elites in the Caribbean islands. That prestige and class is all what you can find in this book full of excellent pictures. The reading of the book is pleasant, accurate and, full of details. I was amaze by the work around Cuban furniture which reflects the passion of the author in the topic. It's worth 5 out 5 starts with any doubts.



5. This is a great coffee table book of good quality. The colour photographs are excellent, accompanied by descriptive text. I bought it out of a sense of curiosity of how the more affluent Cubans might live. Unfortunately, as it turns out, I don't generally share their taste in design or dark furniture, but don't let that put you off an excellent and informative book.

5 comments about Dressed for the Photographer: Ordinary Americans and Fashion, 1840-1900.

1. This book is helpful in dating old photographs, and for those interested in fashion from the 19th century. It is also a very interesting read that is filled with exceptional photos. AAA+++



2. I thoroughly enjoyed this entire book. The author gives a detailed overview of each decade of fashions for men, women, and children then provides many photographs with indepth explanations of each. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in genealogy research.



3. It is a rare opportunity to see how people dressed in reality so far in the past. Fashion plates show the garment in its perfect form, portraits are idealized, and original illustrations change the proportions, whether purposefully or not, to fit the times of the artist, not that of the garment.
   
   The pictures feature a range of people from different walks of life in different situations, and the reader can enjoy seeing these ordinary people in their clothes, whether dressed to impress or caught looking somewhat odd in ill-fitting garments or clothes that have crooked seams--the details are so telling!
   
   The text dissects the pictures and explains costume of the era in detail, discussing the general trends, exceptions, class distinctions, and how the people in these old photos relate to all this. A Very good book for a costume historian.



4. Dressed for the Photographer has a wealth of beautiful images, and has informative and interesting text with each image. Both text and images show the realities of fashion during the era covered. We see how real people dressed, rather than fashion templates which were always more extreme version of the latest fashion.
   
   I liked the descriptions of dresses remade from older dresses to keep up with fashion, as well as her description of how one can tell the dress has been altered. I also enjoyed the way she pointed out little details of outfits. I never would have seen those details otherwise.
   
   I would have preferred a few more examples of upper-class women throughout the eras and middle-class women in the latter part of the 20th century. The reform dress was an interesting movement, but I believe the reform dresses are over-represented. But, overall, the book reflects the diversity of the people in the society very well.
   
   To be honest, I haven't seen a better resource for someone who wants to know what people really wore from 1840-1900.



5. As a researcher period clothing and producer of reproduction clothing, I find this book is a fabulous resource! Not only is there a wide scope of social backgrounds represented here, but the accompanying writings are an additional insight to the people on those pages. A great work!