1 comments about The Significance of Monuments: On the Shaping of Human Experience in Neolithic and Bronze Age Europe.

1. The author explores the 'human experience of time and place'  from the Later Mesolithic Period through the transformations in the archaeological record that occur in many areas during the Bronze Age. His contention is people's involvement with monuments was central to the creation of new senses of time and place, and that this helped in the transition to new types of settlements and agriculture. Interesting ideas but to this reviewer the reasons the author gives that the "sacred place" gave rise to settlement and agricultural sites instead of the chronology occurring the other way around or simultaneously are in the end not completely convincing.
   
   An interesting book short yet well written and full of illustrations.
   Recommended

1 comments about Heavenly Visions: Shaker Gift Drawings And Gift Songs.

1. "Heavenly Visions: Shaker Gift Drawings and Gift Songs" is a most impressive explanation and study of Shaker spirituality and the role of prophecy and gender within it.
   
   Frances Moran manages in a simple and easily understood manner to see Shaker visions as a source of spiritual leadership and power for younger women within a community that was being increasingly hierarchical and bound up by the standards of "the world" (as Shakers referred to it). Frances explains easliy that gift drawings and gift songs gave Shaker women direct contact with the Spirit, which was characteristic of the earliest Believers but was lost during the early nineteenth century when Shakerism expanded. It is also show that the type of mediumship found in Shakerism is actually seen even today in native religions of the world.
   
   The majority of "Heavenly Visions: Shaker Gift Drawings and Gift Songs", however, consists of some most beautiful pictures that show Shaker art of the period known as "Mother Ann's Work". The pictures are often much more beautiful and much more clearly laid out than those in less detailed studies of Shakerism and the book is made into an important purchase.
   
   The actual pictures show there to be a great deal of structure and reason behind the gifts given to Shaker mediums during the 1840s and 1850s, as well as illustrating Shakerism's unique spiritual character. We find that there were many pictures of key Shaker leaders from the early period, and also a strong emphasis on the basic necessities of the natural world in the content of Shaker gift drawings. The written words on these drawings are beautifully written but I have not been able to read them.
   
   A most important resource for the understanding of Shakerism.

2 comments about The Light of Christ: Iconography of Gregory Kroug : Text and Photographs.

1. The extraordinary luminosity of Fr. Kroug's iconography is clear in the large color photos. The detail allows one to look at the layers in his tempera/fresco technique, as well as his unique manner of highlighting. His use of color, while within the canonical guidelines, is uniquely modern and is attuned to the 20-21st centuries. His icons, like the "Descent into Hades" contain the essence of spiritual meaning, speaking understandably to anyone who regards this icon, believer or not. He has been compared to Andrei Rublev as a uniquely gifted iconographer. The two are very different in style, but the same beauty, joy, and faith shine through their icons.

   I would recommend this book for anyone interested in general iconography, as well as for iconographers. It is very well done, and makes one hope more of Fr. Gregory's icons as well as his writings might become available in the future.




2. This book totally surprized me. The format is incredible. The images are reproduced on a large scale that lets you look at them for hours. The commentary is not preachy or dry. It is a unique look at a totally unique art. The more I read the more I wanted to read. It's that good. But honestly since this is a book on art the words should only enhance understanding of the images, they do. Each image tells a story, one that you will want to read again and again. If you want to experience art that is not ordinary, this book is an excellent breath of fresh air.

No comments about Art As Spiritual Activity: Rudolf Steiner's Contribution to the Visual Arts (Vista Series, Vol 3).

No comments about Loyal And His Band.

2 comments about The Power of Icons: Russian and Greek Icons 15th-19th Century.

1. Lovely book. Lavish with illustrations. Perfect for what I wanted.



2. This is one of the best books on the subject to have been published in recent years. It is very informative and well written - there are one or two minor spelling mistakes, but that does not affect the overall quality. So many books are repetetive and pedestrian that it is refreshing to find one which covers so much including the history of the thought behind the Icon as well as technical details. If anyone only wants two or three books on the Icon this should be one of them.

4 comments about Illuminations from the Bhagavad Gita.

1. I just reread the Bhagavad Gita and I am in love with it! Then I went hunting for an illustrated edition and this little (purse-size) volume is perfect!!!! (I want a large edition of now.) The art is gorgeous and the passages have been thoughtfully chosen to give the reader the essentials of the Gita.



2. This book was given to me as a child. It is one of the most beautifully illustrated books that I've ever seen. The text is highlights from the Bhagavad Gita which is spiritual based. There are beautiful, large full page detailed color pictures on at least every other page! The opposite pages also all have illustrations on them. If you like India art, this book is a must have in your collection.



3. In this age of digital consciousness it is almost impossible to comprehend how an artist like Kim Murray can draw these images in all their details and textures. The ornate and lush style of the illustrations are a meditation that one willingly surrenders to- a collection of mandala- like imagery that is a feast for the eye and the heart. The print quality of Illuminations is also extraordinary- this book is an incredible deal at this price!



4. This book is a beautifully illustrated book with colorful pictures and beautiful language. It makes you want to be in key with god.

5 comments about Athena and Eden: The Hidden Meaning of the Parthenon's East Facade.

1. I don't profess to know enough about Greek history or archaeology to say that the author is right on target; HOWEVER, his theory does fit the facts of Greek mythology and Biblical revelation.
   
   The author's premise is that Greek mythology is really the story of Creation, the Fall of Man, and the Great Deluge, except told from the side of Evil. There are a lot of photos of various aspects of Greek art to back up his theory, and he does a good job of explaining it in terms a novice can grasp. This work has piqued my interest and I'm going to have to do a lot of further reading.
   
   One thing the author didn't point out, but which I've theorized for years, is that the portions of Greek myth typically referred to as "The Clash of the Titans," was a perversion of the true story of Lucifer/Satan being cast out of heaven. I'd like to see Mr. Johnson chase that rabbit in the future.



2. I have accidently seen this book in Tampa Museum of Art downtown, and intrigued by its title, I bought it. Little did I know how revealing this book is.....
   
   I always pondered about the ancient fascination of womanhood, and modern condemnation of womanhood -- where and why it all changed?
   
   Well, the author nicely connects the ancient female divinity emphasis and the one the Bible gives in the garden of Eden.
   
   Indeed, because of Eve's choice to be seduced by the Serpent, humankind serenity of life ended. Later generation, perhaps out of deperation and mystic of new life birth, elevated woman again, and Athena (a-thanassos -- immortal) carries the symbols of woman 's fall from the garden, yet, in sense that through the Serpent she gave humanity freedom from God, and then presented a new connection through her outstretched hand.
   
   So strange why females were so elevated back then----Cybele and Kaabala connection (Muslim worship of black stone just like in Ephesus Artemis and black stone)...
   
   I am often shocked to see how ancient beliefs carry over to nowadays...
   
   D.Barbara Zapal



3. If you know who "the prince of the power of the air" is then you will probably find this book very interesting. I came across the book almost by accident on an Amazon list and found it to be very well reasoned and argued.
   
   The author's main idea is that greek myth and religion consists of a retelling of the story of mankinds origins (familiar to us through the first 12 chapters of the Bible) from a greek or humanist point of view. Wow, he got me right there!
   
   The book shows how many of the seminal events of human history such as the original sin, the murder of Abel, the flood etc. were depicted on the sculptures decorating the Parthenon. However, they have almost the opposite meaning and sentiment as the biblical depiction.
   
   If you are interested in ancient history and how it intersects with the bible you will love this book. I bought the author's second book Athena and Kain. It supposes to make the same basic points looking at a wider selction of Greek myth than found solely on the Parthenon. However, as many follow up books do it spends a lot ot time covering material from the previous book. That's ok if you have not read the previous volume but tedious if you already have.
   
   The book is also well illustrated.



4. The focus of Greek civilization, the Parthenon captures viewers imaginations even as it conceals its true meaning. In his ground breaking work, Robert Bowie Johnson, Jr. author of ATHENA AND EDEN: THE HIDDEN MEANING OF THE PARTHENON'S EAST FACADE demonstrates that when Athena is seen to be Eve, then Greek mythology becomes narrative art. Consequently, the marble sculptures on the east pediment of the Parthenon relate the story of the origin of mankind, matching the Genesis account in detail.

   Johnson asserts that scholars have previously been unsuccessful in identifying most of the figures in the east pediment because they have failed to connect Athena with Even and the story of Eden in the Book of Genesis. Through careful research, Johnson demonstrates that we do have the literature and art to serve as a source of reconstruction. Painstaking comparison demonstrates shows that the sculptures of the eastern pediment depict the Garden of Eden, the birth of Eve, the Great Flood. Furthermore, the goddess Athena, whom the Greeks worshipped as the one who brought the serpent's wisdom, is the same person the Book of Genesis calls Eve.

   Johnson, a West Point graduate, author, teacher and public speaker based his research on surviving sculptures, the ancient writings of Homer, Hesiod, Pindar and others, plus myths, vase art and the work of numerous experts. His controversial approach will certainly garner attention from all who are interested in the classics, religion, art, and mythology. Indeed, Johnson's unique perspective will provoke avid discussion among academics for years to come, yet is easily approachable by any who hold an interest in our origins.




5. Athena And Eden: The Hidden Meaning Of The Parthenon's East Facade by author and educator Robert Bowie Johnson, Jr. offers the non-specialist general reader a unique, accessible, and provocative look at classical artwork and human spirituality. Athena And Eden focuses on the majesty of the Parthenon and its mystical connection to the Book of Genesis. Illustrated with numerous black-and-white photographs of Greek artistic treasures, sculptures, and pottery, Athena And Eden is an original, seminal, ground breaking, unforgettable, and highly recommended perspective that will be of particular interest to students of Hellenic art, architecture, mythology, and religion.

No comments about This Anguished World of Shadows: George Rouault's Misere Et Guerre.

2 comments about The Hindu Vision: Forms of the Formless (Art and Imagination).

1. The author of THE HINDU VISION, Alistair Shearer, is most knowledgable on the subject. He thoroughly explains the symbolism of the art. He also provides a good background for the Hindu religion in general. This book has many photos as well, from statuary to temple shrines. I didn't give it 5 stars because I would have liked more color illus. of paintings & less photos of statues. It still gives a good variety of Hindu art to view, though. I highly recommend it.



2. The author is most knowledgable on the subject. He thoroughly explains the symbolism of the art. He also provides a good background for the Hindu religion in general. This book has many photos as well, from statuary to temple shrines. I didn't give it 5 stars because I would have liked more color illus. of paintings & less photos of statues. It still gives a good variety of Hindu art to view, though. I highly recommend it.