5 comments about Creepy Susie: And 13 Other Tragic Tales for Troubled Children.

1. I thought this book was very crude. It is definitely not suited for young children, as many of those who gave it high ratings agreed. I thought it would be along the lines of Lemony Snicket, but it was not; in fact, I didn't think it was funny at all. Whereas some people may enjoy it, I would direct those ESPECIALLY for young children to look elsewhere. This book was not my cup of tea.



2. best book in the world, it's just as wierd and strange as the Oblong's show, haha. Buy it, read it, enjoy it!



3. When I got this book in the mail, I glanced at it for 2 minutes and decided to send it back. From the description, I was expecting a picture book, or a collection of stories along the lines of Jhonen Vasquez or Roman Dirge books and comics. You know-with artwork and actual stories. Instead, these "tales" are just lame, short descriptions of a strange person or situation. A grade schooler could come up with more imaginative stuff than this, much less the simple black/white pencil drawings. Forget Tim Burton, Walt Disney would think this was lame.



4. Angus Oblong has written a collection of warped stories in the mold of a bedtime book for kids - but keep this away from them. This is for adults only. This is one of those things that you find yourself laughing hysterically at, and then feeling a little guilty because some of the stories are just horrible......and then you laugh again. I absolutley recommend this book for fans of VERY dark and random humor. Stay away if you're a bit sensitive. Otherwise, its very funny!!



5. While I wouldn't say Creepy Susie is the best book in its class it's defiantly a funny and entertaining read that wouldn't take up to much of your time.
   
   Gruesome and in their own way charming tales one must keep in mind these are stories made for adults and for people who don't mind a little bit of twisted and vulgar humor. The child like illustrations of the book often add very well to the dark themes of each tale, and the majority of the stories I found to be either fresh takes on older ideas ( such as Happy Sammy and the idea of conformity ) or themes that I either haven't seen done or you just don't see a lot of ( as in Narcoleptic Scottie ) .
   
   Some of my personal favorites being Happy Happy Happy Happy Sammy, Emily, Amputee ( short but very sweet ), Narcoleptic Scottie ( if you ask me the best story of the bunch ), and Jenny, Jenny, Jenny and Babette: the Siamese Quadruplets.
   
   All in all I would defiantly recommend picking up this book.

5 comments about There Goes My Baby! (A for Better Or Worse Collection).

1. This book helped my husband & I find some humor during this rough time in a teenagers (parents?) life.



2. Not only did this book hold the expected humor and comedy, but also one of Johnstons most controversial stories. Lawrence reveals something about himself that no one would have guessed. A powerful series which took my breath away. This characteristically serious-with-tinges-of-humor strip is the best in it's league. It will truly go down as a classic.



3. This book was one of my favorites. It came full of surprises, and belly-aching laughs. One of my fave issues in this book was when Liz tries smoking. It was a very realistic issue which I felt many could actually relate to. I definitely recommend this book to whoever wants laughs and a couple of sympathetic tears.



4. I've always read FBorFW in the newspaper, but didn't quite get into the spirit of the collections till a couple years earlier. I'm glad I got absorbed into it. While I love the other comic strips out there, I like the ones where the character age with time. FBorFW is definitely that kind of strips.

   It was really an joy to see all the character develop over time. The Patterson family really portray a "normal" family. While I adore them, with the exception of April in some cases, I really wished Lynn would make a separate collection for the supporting characters. Especially Lawrence, Gordon, Brian, and Weed. I really like this collection especially because of Lawrence.

   Lawrence, one of Michael's best friend, is revealed to be something no one would have guessed. It indeed is controversial, but the way Lynn wrote it, it had sincerity and sympathy in the whole story. I read about some trouble she went through doing this strip, but in the end I think it is one of her best strips out there, along with Farley's death, and Michael and Deanna's reunion.

   I mainly like the strip because of the Lawrence story. To me... this is the turning point for Michael and his crew. The milestone where everything finally comes to place. That's why this is probably my favourite collection for FBorFW.




5. Lawrence's story makes this one of my fav. Around the time Lawrence was coming to terms with his own self I was doing the same. How Lynn handled this story makes it one of my fav ones and will always have a spot for this wonderful family

5 comments about The Technical Pen.

1. The book is just plain awesome. Besides taking the time to explain how to care for the technical pen, how to do the different strokes, and what type of beginner mistakes to be aware of, the artwork is the best pen work I've ever seen. If you work with pen and ink, or even if you don't, you will love this book!



2. Excellent to see a good variety of different techniques. Great step-by-step tutorial. I found new ways to render lots of different textures. A must-have!



3. Of the 15 or so art instruction books I've bought over the last few months, this is one of my favorites. This is ironic, since I originally was turned off somewhat by the subject matter and/or style of many of the works inside (nothing wrong with it, just not my particular cup-o-tea).
   
   However, on deeper consideration I realized that Simmons offers really great instruction on the use of technical pen, so who cares whether one likes the artwork itself. Take for example the "monk" drawing that is depicted on the cover. I don't care for the drawing at all, no matter how it's rendered. However, this drawing is used to demonstrate a couple dozen rendering options, and these renderings are a great teaching tool.
   
   Simmons spends plenty of time on the technical details of using a technical pen for both tight and loose rendering, and that's what makes this book great.



4. This book does not yet have a rival. That is, if you are working with lines that are unvariable.



5. i am a pen & ink artist and although my talent - for the most part - has come naturally to me all my life, i love to learn techniques from artists whose work i truly admire. gary simmons is one of the BEST pen & ink artists in the world...his artwork is detailed and precise which is my favorite way to work. i also use koh-i-noor rapidograph pens exclusively, which are the main drawing instruments in this book. if you want to be proficient at this medium, this is the book to get you started. Also, for pen & ink artists and especially for those wishing to learn this form of art, I suggest another great artist, Claudia Nice, who has many books on pen & ink drawing for everyone and on almost every subject. BUY THIS BOOK & check out some books by Claudia Nice :))

No comments about Pastels in 10 Steps: Learn All the Techniques You Need in Just One Painting (10 Steps).

No comments about Using AutoCAD 2008 Basics.

5 comments about Action! Cartooning.

1. I stood at the comics and graphic novels section of the bookstore tonight browsing for about an hour looking for an introductory book on drawing characters, looking at guides for everything from how to draw anime to superheroes to fantasy characters before I finally settled on a book.
   
   This was it!
   
   Where the books from other authors and illustrators were noteworthy for each having a couple of really cool moments amidst many many examples, Action! Cartooning basically non-stop coolness. The action starts as soon as you open the cover with neat cartoon sketches and he basically doesn't let up until the book is finished, even when he's sketching right on the index pages at the end of the book!
   
   Ben Caldwell's book is jam packed with cool illustrations and an amazing vibe. It's a happy serendipitous occurence where he not only happens to be talented at what he does, you can also tell he's incredibly enthusiastic about what he does and is also very good at teaching you how to do it.



2. I have several books on drawing the human figure and this is in the top two. Lots of great ideas and examples, and they're all very carefully drawn to avoid throwing the student off. Some books have vague or confusing examples; the examples here are always clear and straightforward and easy to mimic. Great examples of head poses; over the shoulder, tilted, etc., in relationship to the body.
   
   I bought this used for a pittance and boy, did I ever get a bargain.



3. This is a pretty good book for the hobbyist who wants to improve his or her drawing skills, but there's no information beyond that. What do professional cartoonists do once they've finished sketching? We're never told. There's nothing about transitioning from pencil to pen, or what kind of pens to use, no mention of light boards or lettering or laying out panels, not one word about color. Do professional cartoonists use computers for any of this? We're not told. Frankly, I was disappointed. (Not to mention a tad turned off by the "Don't worry, guys!" on the back cover. What is this, the fifties?) I was looking specifically for that information, and would have given this book two stars, but you get what you pay for.



4. I very rarely write comments on books, but I had to make an exception for this book because it is far and away so much better than all the other books I own on cartooning. I keep it close by my desk for regular reference. When I teach my children to draw, this is the book we ALWAYS come back to. I'll probably buy a second copy soon because I am wearing my first copy out and I simply can't imagine not having this book around. Unlike other cartooning books that I find to be annoyingly wordy or too simple, this book is PACKED with vital, detailed, HOW-TO instructions on drawing dynamic figures in exciting poses. It gives you a full, easy method on how to draw ANY pose in 3-D, from ANY visual angle. It provides plenty of step-by-step instructions so you can practice this same method over and over until you master it. It provides detailed instructions and examples of important techniques like overlapping and fore-shortening, so your characters have depth, and can appear as if they are jumping off the page right at you. It gives amazing details on basic anatomy - both male and female. It shows how to draw difficult body parts like hands and feet. It also provides valuable information on character design, like explaining facial features that make a character appear young or old; how to make a character look heroic, charming, tough, or mixing these features to suggest hints of various personality traits. For example, you can mix features to create an intelligent looking, tough guy. It explains how to draw various expressions - not from templates - but how you can design your own. Most art books I buy I feel could have been cut down to half their size. But not this book - this book fits everything into only 80 pages, but every page gives you something of real value. It does not discuss color, and I would have like to have seen a section on dealing with hair, but other than that, the book is - far and away - the best value in cartooning that I own. If you want to learn to cartoon action figures - not copy them - but really create your own dynamic and exciting poses from scratch - right out of you own imagination, then buy this book. You won't regret it.



5. This book is great. With its simple approach it's good for beginners, as well as more seasoned artists--Ben Calwell's style is FANTASTIC. For me this book works as an excellent character design book. Love it, five stars.

4 comments about The Look of Architecture.

1. I was amazed by how involved I got in this book. For a book about buildings, I was grossly interested. Rybczynski knows his stuff when it comes to books.



2. Any book by Rybczynski is a delight to read and contains a wealth of information and fresh ideas. "The Look of Architecture" is no exception, and while it is not as groundbreaking as "Home," it is a carefully written analysis of Architecture that is chock-full of examples to illustrate what he's getting at (a few more pictures would be nice, though).



3. While I finished the reading, the only thought in my mind is to read more references related to the writer's vivid-narrated lectures, as well as more books signed a name as "Witold Rybczynski".



4. This book consists of three lectures given by Professor Rybczynski at the New York Public Library (lectures he admits to revising for publication based on the need to respond to challenging questions from his audience). While not as innovative in topic and scope of inquiry as his books "Home" and "Waiting for the Weekend," there is much here that Rybczynski's loyal readers will recognize and appreciate--the author's love of his subject, his deep and broad knowledge of the history of architecture, his high regard for the minutia others tend to dismiss, and his confidence in his own opinion. The three essays--"Dressing Up," "In and Out of Fashion," and "Style"--are an investigation, among other things, of archtects' reluctance to speak of their work in terms of style. "Architects don't like to talk about style," Rybczynski says in his introduction. "Ask an architect what style he works in and you are likely to be met with a pained expression, or with silence." (p. xi). The lectures explore the differences between arcitecture and other art forms (including interior design, cooking, and the rag trade). Of the distinction between style and fashion, he says, "If style is the language of architecture, fashion represents the wide--and swirling--cultural currents that shape and direct that language." (p. 51) In the end, Rybczynski observes, "A suspicion of style is a heritage of the Modern Movement, which preached against the arbitrary dictates of style and fashion, while maintaining an unspoken but rigid stylistic consistency." (p. 109) He also attributes the reluctance to speak in terms of style to archtects' fears (but I'll let you ferret out the provocative supporting quotations for yourself). The lectures are well-seasoned with aphorisms, and I found myself often lowering the book to my lap and pondering individual statements for minutes at a time as if in conversation with the author. I will leave you with just one more of these statements, "The role of details is not to complement architecture; details ARE archticture." (p. 94) All in all, I found "The Look of Architecture" to be a very enjoyable read.

2 comments about Computer Integrated Manufacturing (3rd Edition).

1. Many manufacturing technology professors feel unsure about the nature and teaching computer integrated manufacturing (CIM)in their program. James A. Rehg and Henry W. Kraebber are dynamic authors, as they present CIM as a technical and strategic function of an organization. They offer a technical and management-based approach for understanding and implementing CIM in the "world class manufacturing" settings. Unlike other CIM books, Computer Integrated Manufacturing is written from the manufacturing technology professor's point of view with technical expertise. The CIM model used is consistent with the SME Manufacturing Enterprise Wheel developed by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers. This books explains the fundamental principles as well as practical applications of computer integrated manufacturing in a clear and effective manner and the illustrations complement the text well.



2. Many manufacturing technology professors feel unsure about the nature and teaching computer integrated manufacturing (CIM)in their program. James A. Rehg and Henry W. Kraebber are dynamic authors, as they present CIM as a technical and strategic function of an organization. They offer a technical and management-based approach for understanding and implementing CIM in the "world class manufacturing" settings. Unlike other CIM books, Computer Integrated Manufacturing is written from the manufacturing technology professor's point of view with technical expertise. The CIM model used is consistent with the SME Manufacturing Enterprise Wheel developed by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers. This books explains the fundamental principles as well as practical applications of computer integrated manufacturing in a clear and effective manner and the illustrations and complement the text well.

3 comments about Wardrobe Strategies for Women.

1. Rasband says personal color differences are so subtle that people needn't limit themselves and reminds that coloring is relative and appears to change depending on setting and does change with age and health. She then goes on to give detailed advice, from color theory, on how to alter the appearance of a color that is difficult for you to wear by, for example, using the Law of Areas. That's really what I want to know - how to wear whatever color I want by experimenting with the amount of it and the colors juxtaposed with it and, yes, an adjustment to my makeup colors or intensity.
   
   The book is formatted as a course workbook and thoroughly covers everything in one volume, surpassing my two shelves worth of wardrobe books. In fact, I am going to purge a number of confusing and misleading volumes in favor of referring to this one and plan to check Rasband first before I decide to read yet another wardrobe book. If you only buy one, I would start with this one.
   
   She uses a yin yang system of analysis of fashion "types" and garment details, much like Kibbe's Metamorphosis. They also seem to break down according to ingenue versions and more mature versions of the same sort of type. Superior and unique method of editing your closet and analyzing as you do. Scaling Down is better on why you really don't need to be afraid to let go of too much but Rasband is better on figuring out what little you do need and how to decide what goes. Covers capsule wardrobe ("clothing clusters"), borrowing from other types a la Emily Cho whom she credits (yes, I have those books, too), body builds including pregnancy, closet arrangement, wardrobe care, analysis of print fabrics and texture. Much is presented in detailed charts and throughout she anticipates your questions and answers them.
   
   Very much a "just the facts, Ma'am" pragmatic kind of approach. This is the antithesis of those shmaltzy books that try to prop your failing ego with little pep talks and exhortation or that chide you for letting yourself get out of hand. I didn't feel psychologized. She assumes no knowledge on your part and proceeds to tell you everything useful in a straightforward, respectful manner with no condescension or imperiousness. She explains and justifies her points throughout and does not ask you to take her word on faith. It is utterly factual and is about the information and how you can apply it and not about her or trying to be like her.
   
   Though this is the older edition, I found most of the photo illustrations still appealing and wearable. Ignore the atypical mannish outfit on the cover.



2. It may say 2002, but it's actually the second printing. 1996 is the year and the photos say outdated and are distracting. The information is great, but then again some of it is based on the then current looks and fashion. And in the last month the price has dropped about in half, it must be clearance time, because the book sure needs a new look. The book in the intro. mentions an "instructor book", so where is that?
   I saw Judith in a sewing seminar, and thought that she really knows her stuff, and the book is well defined and divided in very concise chapters.
   I've always wanted to find more about her, she was an inspiration, a reference point. But did I remember all the the information from her seminar? In wanting the book, making sure I didn't miss anything, giving myself a gift for Christmas. Well, I bought the book and feel ripped off.



3. The most informative, detailed, explanatory style guide and wardrobe manual I have read (and I've read them all). Totally recommend this book to anyone obsessed with dressing for themselves and making sense of the information provided in other books to date.

1 comments about Big Book of Silhouettes (Dover Pictorial Archives).

1. I like most of the silhouettes in this book and most of them are simple enough for me to cut out. For me, it was worth the price.