No comments about No Pictures.

No comments about Jazz Life (25th Anniversary Special Edtn) (25th Anniversary Special Edtn).

5 comments about Chicago Then and Now (Then & Now Thunder Bay).

1. An interesting look at Chicago as it appeared in the past, compared to now. More than just a picture book, it also gives some historical perspective for each location. If you're a Chicagoan, this is a must have. There are two problems that keep this from getting a top ranking. First, the focus of a "then and now" book should be to compare and contrast, so we can see how much has changed. There's several locations shown here that haven't really changed, and you wonder why they were included. Also, the "then" and "now" pictures should be shot from roughly the same location, showing the same perspective. That's not always the case here, and you may have to spend some time figuring out how to get things lined up. Still, it's a good way to see how the city used to look, and a rare look at some of the now-missing architectural treasures.



2. I have several of these "then and now" books, and I would say this is the weakest of the bunch. I dearly love Chicago, and some of the old photographs were very interesting, but the book has a few problems. First, the photographic perspectives are rarely in synch, so it is difficult to compare the two pictures directly; either the angle is off to the side, or it's at a different distance. This seems rather to defeat the purpose of a "then and now" theme, which is to facilitate comparison. Secondly, a great many of the buildings and scenes are virtually identical to what they were, so one wonders why they were included. Finally, a map should have been included.

   On the positive side, many of Chicago's key spots are targeted, such as the Water Tower, the stockyards and Hull House, and the paragraphs that accompany each picture do convey a lot of interesting information.

   If you are interested in Chicago or urban history you will undoubtedly still enjoy this volume, but lower your expectations a bit before the book arrives so you won't be disappointed.




3. I enjoyed this book. Some of the pictures do not compare well because they were taken at different angles or from a different side of the street. Nevertheless, this is a great book. I found lots of stuff to compare. Native Chicagoans, who take an interest in the city, will like it. I purchased it for my brother for Christmas...liked it so much I purchased one for myself.



4. Great pictures on every page of this wonderful book. Only Chicagoans will appreciate it however. The photos are large and grand, and the author has tried hard to recreate the original angle mostly. That's my only complaint. Lovely book.



5. This book has a relatively unusual format. A picture (often dating from before 1900) of a building or structure is shown on the left page, and a modern picture of the same building or structure is shown on the right facing page. A number of reviewers have complained about the fact that the comparative pictures were not usually taken from the same spot. I am unsure how easy it is to take a new picture of a structure from the exact location of a previous photo, at least without special technical assistance. In addition, the spot from which an old photo was taken may have been an empty lot which now contains a building--thus ruling out a new photo getting taken from the exact same spot as the old.
   
   Besides the familiar Chicago landmarks, this book contains some pictures of churches. I especially appreciated the photos of St. Ignatius Church and St. Stanislaus Kostka Church.

3 comments about Tiffany Colored Gems.

1. This is an excellent book for people who love gemstone jewelery. The introduction provides a great historical recap of some notable gemstones. Then there are sections arranged by the color of the gemstones (ie. Purple: Amethyst & Kunzite and Blue: Saphires, Aquamarine,etc.). Each section provides some of the most beautiful photographs and drawings of modern and antique gemstone jewelry. All photos and drawings are in brilliant color and clear, crisp detail. There is also a glossary with the definitions and description of the gemstones. The Gem Index provides the Moh's harness scale of each gem. I highly recommend this book if you love jewelry. It is a great coffee table book / eye candy book / wish book / jewelry reference book.



2. Very good book, but not as great as Loring's other book "Tiffany Diamonds."
   A little heavy on Paloma Picasso's jewelry, but she did do some great stuff for Tiffany.



3. As always, John Loring does a smash-up job with his new book on the colored gems of Tiffany. Gorgeous photos,great history and a perfect accompanment to "Tiffany Pearls".
   Highly recommended for the jeweler or jewelry fanatic.
   Aurea Jewels

5 comments about Among Wild Horses: A Portrait of the Pryor Mountain Mustangs.

1. While first perusing and then going back to carefully read this incredible pictoral essay of these magnificent animals, I felt awe and respect for both the animals and their resilience in nature.
   
   The photos evoked in me curiousity and want to see these animals, but also tremendous admiration for the sensitive work of Photographer Lynner Pomeranz. For in her gentle way, we see the texture, color and beauty and the plight of one of the last wild herds of stallions. To see the rugged environment in which these animals survive, brings about a connection with the animals, the land, and the spirit of the horses captured through the lens of this photographer.
   
   The text is supportive and helped me to understand the plight of these horses. So many times the text can get in the way of the photos, but in this case it was interesting and informative.
   
   A truly amazing book.



2. AMONG WILD HORSES: A PORTRAIT OF THE PRYOR MOUNTAIN MUSTANGS is a gorgeous image-laden photography book from an art photography who spent two years tracking and photographing the Pryor Mountain Mustangs. Her full-page, full color photos of these wild horses in nature are unique and gorgeous: observations of their special challenges and actions accompany the visual treat.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch



3. Great book.
   I have actually seen these horses that are talked about in this book. It is all true.



4. very good book with nice pictures and a very good description of the hourses that I know very well. The book inspire me a lot and it is a diving in a wonderful ocean of wild life. It was a terrific gift that my dad bought for me. Alex



5. Very nice pictures and such a touching story. I gave this as a gift to a friend and it inspired her to donate to a fund to support wild horses in America.

5 comments about Measure and Construction of the Japanese House.

1. If you are an architect interested in japanese constructional systems, this is THE BOOK for you. If you aren't but find japanese culture a fountain of inspiration for living, you must read this extraordinary piece of art. Perhaps it don't shine like a jewel, but once you open it, you'll find the work of a man who decided to share his mastery. In this book, diagrams, materials, craftmanship, even detailed descriptions of the human space requirements are fully explained with precision and simplicity. Every page, and every example in them, is a world that must be carefully examined. And when doing so, you'll find that what the author is showing us, is more than a book about japanese houses: is the heart of the japanese carpenters and architects living in its pages.



2. Anyone who wishes to build a Japanese tea room either in the garden or attached to their house could do well to start with this book. You can also use this book to design accents for a single room, or to craft an entire house. It was written by a German architect who lived in Japan several decades ago and carefully measured surving older buildings as well as studying architecture there. While there are more detailed books in Japanese, this may well still be the best available book in English.



3. When I ordered this book, I was expecting to see a lot of pictures to help me design my house. But to my dismay, most of the colorless pages just feature blueprints that only an architect would understand. I kept the book for future reference.



4. Simply, with no doubt one of the best books on the subject. I've been studying Japanese architecture for some time and I always get back to it as a reference. Very technical and well illustrated. I'm looking for the complete volume by Heino Engel.



5. I am a professor and I use this book to introduce beginning architecture students to working with a grid system and putting a beautiful space together. It is actually an excerpt from a very old and hard to find volume, which I have seen and I would have to say that this volume does a great job of taking the essentials of how to design and construct a Japanese structure and making it extremely affordable. There are lots of scaled drawings and diagrams, but no pictures (the bulk of Engels' research and work was done a lifetime ago). Great reference book, but not a glossy coffee table book.

2 comments about Picture This: Fun Photography and Crafts (Kids Can Do It).

1. If your looking for a very basic introduction to photography for kids, this might be for you. It doesn't cover anything in depth, there's not nearly enough space in forty pages for that. On the other hand, if your "small one" is looking for a handful of ideas without the burden of techno speak it's worth checking out. Technically I'd say it's a CRAFT book the USES photography rather than a photography book that offers some crafts as most of the crafts could be done with or without the benifit of a camera. All in all not a bad book but not in the same league as say "The Kids Guide to Digital Photography" by Jenni Bidner.



2. I bought this for my grandson but wanted to keep it for myself when I reviewed it!

No comments about Ireland: History, People, Culture.

3 comments about PROVOCATEUR: Women 2009 Calendar.

1. This calendar is exactly what it appears to be - a collection of art nudes sitting right on the line between "hot" and "artistic." There's no fine art pretension, nor is there tacky fake eroticism. I enjoy the balance of the mix and the girls are all beautiful and shown off to best effect by the photographer.



2. This calendar is a great nude calendar with taste and class. It's hard to find at local shops so buying on Amazon is easy, fast and convenient. I've always had a great appreciation for Black & White photography and this calendar is one of the best you'll find. The photographs are breathtaking and another great thing about this calendar is that after the year is over the images are of high enough quality to frame and hang on the wall. You won't regret this purchase!



3. Renée Jacobs has done an incredible job in putting together a calendar that is both classy and timeless. Her appreciation for the female form is well-known, and presents a unique vision that transcends any simple glamour photography. She shows depth and tension well below the obviously attractive and beautiful surface, no small feat on any photographer's part. Her casting is immaculate, and her execution impeccable. This is as valuable as a coffee table book, only one that you can hang proudly on your living room wall.

3 comments about Graphics on the Kindle (Book 1 of 4 of the "Graphics on the Kindle" Series).

1. Feel free to post any questions for the author as a comment to this post. We'll answer them daily. Thanks!
   
   ATTENTION COMIC BOOK, COMIC STRIP, AND GRAPHIC NOVEL CREATORS AND PUBLISHERS! Because you demanded it! Rare Arts is pleased to present its next title, Formatting Comics for the Kindle (Graphics on the Kindle). This second e-book of the "Graphics on the Kindle" series is the first to tackle the challenge of KINDLE E-COMICS! Check it out today!



2. One of the wonderful things about the marketplace of the mind that is opened up by the Kindle and other new technologies is that it allows us to focus on the things that we choose, the things we know about, the things we want to learn about, the things that drive us, the things that we are passionate about. Which I suppose is a flowery way of saying that, when there are skills that we do not have, we can find others who have these skills, who share them with us in terrific little e-books like this one. Whether you want to learn how to have fun with graphics on your own Kindle or incorporate graphics into a Kindle document, Manuel Burgos is a great go-to guy to have on your side. I was so impressed with what I read in Graphics on the Kindle that I contacted Manuel and engaged him to help me with the cover design for the print-on-paper version of Beyond the Literary-Industrial Complex: How Authors and Publishers Are Using the Amazon Kindle and Other New Technologies (... to Unleash an Indie Movement of Readers and Writers), and he did a wonderful job. I have no doubt that I will go back to him when it is time for a print-on-paper version of How to Use the Amazon Kindle for Email & Other Cool Tricks: Read and Answer Email Anywhere, Anytime on the Amazing Amazon Kindle (The Complete User's Guide to the Amazing Amazon Kindle).



3. This is like many of the other Kindle books: small, not necessarily polished, but useful.
   
   If you're an experienced Photoshop user, the book can be read in about an hour. It's about as long as one of the longer how-tos you find online. However, for a couple of bucks, it does provide what the title promises: an explanation of how to produce decent graphics for the Kindle.