With You Beside Me: A Coulter Family Double

Customer Reviews:

Beware - not new stories! Reissues!.......2005-08-01

Just wanted to put in a quick note that this is a reissue collection. The book contains the first two books in the Coulter family series: Phantom Waltz and Sweet Nothings. So don't buy this is you're expecting something new by Catherine Anderson - it isn't! A good deal for those who have neither of those books, though - it's cheaper than buying them seperately.

That being said, both of these stories are very touching, and I highly recommend the entire series, which includes: Baby Love, Phantom Waltz, Sweet Nothings, Blue Skies, Bright Eyes, My Sunshine, Summer Breeze and Sun Kissed.

Book Description

His holiday has just begun: an August spent with his family on a small island off the coast of Sweden. But when a neighbor gets a phone call, Martin Beck finds himself packed off to Budapest, where a boorish journalist has vanished without a trace. Instead of passing leisurely sun-filled days with his children, Beck must troll about in the Eastern Europe underworld for a man nobody knows, with the aid of the coolly efficient local police, who do business while soaking at the public baths--and at the risk of vanishing along with his quarry.

Customer Reviews:

As I was going up the stair.......2007-01-05

I met a man who wasn't there.

Summer vacation season is in full swing and Inspector Martin Beck has just arrived in an isolated summer cottage on an island off the Swedish coast. The very next morning a neighbor rows out to advise him that he is wanted on the telephone. He is needed back in Stockholm for a meeting with the Police Chief and the Swedish Foreign office. Beck grudgingly returns for the meeting and is asked to travel to Budapest, Hungary to find a missing journalist. The journalist, Alf Matsson, has gone missing and the tabloid newspaper he works for has pressured the Foreign Office to search for the report. Beck has been asked to `volunteer' for the task. Despite, or perhaps because of, his wife's displeasure (their marriage is not in the best condition) at his departure, Beck accepts the assignment. In short order he is provided with a full set of travel documents, a brief dossier on Matsson, and a ticket for Budapest. The only thing Beck lacks is the first clue as to how to locate Matsson.

As the story progresses we see Beck put together bits and pieces of information as he wanders, seemingly aimlessly, through the picturesque streets of Budapest. Beck is traveling purely as a civilian and soon attracts the attention of the Budapest police force, in particular a detective who may or may not be an ally of Beck. Beck also attracts the attention of what may be either Budapest's underworld or representatives of the Hungarian security forces. For all intents and purposes Beck is a stranger in a strange land.

As with all the other Martin Beck mysteries in this ten-book series (this is the third in the series), "The Man Who Went Up in Smoke" is rich with character-driven narrative. Beck's character and his relationships with his colleagues and his wife are fleshed out as Beck plods along trying to unravel the mystery surrounding Matsson's disappearance. The authors, the husband and wife team of Per Wahloo and Maj Sjowall, do a nice job of revealing details in a measured pace along the way. The plot and narrative do fall squarely within the usual police procedural `formula' but that does nothing to take away from the enjoyment of reading the book. Although the reader may find the ending a bit predictable (I didn't) the real enjoyment of the series involves the development of Beck's character. As with many good detective series (Simenon's Maigret comes to mind here) the personality of Beck takes pride of place. He is far from being a super hero, is no Sherlock Holmes (who is?), smokes too much, doesn't eat right, and has some troubles at home. He is appealing because of these flaws not despite them and his dogged determination and his personal involvement in the cases he handles drags the reader right into the story. He works at his job and doesn't and cannot rely on flashes of genius to solve a crime.

The Beck series has been an entertaining one. I recommend starting with the first book in the series (Roseanna) and working your way in chronological order. My only fault with the publisher, Vintage Crime/Black Lizard (a division of Random House) is that they do not identify the order of books in the series. Despite that minor quibble any reader who enjoys Simenon, Eric Ambler, or Boris Akunin will enjoy the Martin Beck detective mysteries. Recommended. L. Fleisig.

One of their weaker efforts.......2002-09-28

The third book in the Martin Beck detective series. This one focuses on the mysterious disappearance of a Swedish tabloid journalism in Eastern Europe. Beck is called off his August family holiday to investigate, but is secretly glad to get away from his overbearing wife.

One of the weaker entries in the series. The story never really held my interest. However, I did appeciate the reverse intuition of the plot; though Beck gets involved with criminal underworld and international gun smugglers, things are ultimately much more simple than they first appear.

If this one doesn't capture your interst, keep reading; the series steadily improves from here.

congratulations.......1998-09-07

congratulations on stumbling onto one of the best crime/satire series of the 20th century. If you didn't like this one, read some others, especially The Locked Room. Great writing with a moderate slant (they slam liberals and conservatives) makes this a wonderful series.

Average customer rating:

The Man Who Went Up in Smoke

Manufacturer: Bantam Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000H8AF28

3 Titles By Maj Sjowall and Per Wahloo Martin Beck Police Mystery Series : The Man Who Went Up in Smoke - The Locked Room - Cop Killer

Average customer rating:

3 Titles By Maj Sjowall and Per Wahloo Martin Beck Police Mystery Series : The Man Who Went Up in Smoke - The Locked Room - Cop Killer
Maj Sjowall and Per Wahloo
Manufacturer: Vintage
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000W9UIBU

Product Description

multiple books ship as one item. save on shipping/handling charges.

Average customer rating:

THE MAN WHO WENT UP IN SMOKE
Per Wahloo Maj Sjowall
Manufacturer: Vintage
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000KBG5V2

Average customer rating:

The Man Who Went Up In Smoke
Maj, and Wahloo, Per Sjowall
Manufacturer: Pantheon Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000GTPPOG

The Man Who Went Up in Smoke (A Martin Beck Police Mystery #3)

Average customer rating:

The Man Who Went Up in Smoke (A Martin Beck Police Mystery #3)
Maj; Wahloo, Per Sjowall
Manufacturer: Vintage Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000PO12J4

Average customer rating:

The Man Who Went up in Smoke (A Martin Beck Police Mystery)

Manufacturer: Vintage Books/Random House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000FTGMP8

Product Description

Stockholm Homicide Inspector Martin Beck forgoes his summer vacation to go to Budapest to seach for a missing Swedish journalist. He comes across various East European underworld characters and finally stumbles upon the racket in which the journalist was involved.

Average customer rating:

The Man Who Went Up in Smoke
Maj Sjowall
Manufacturer: Bantam
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OKEYNU

Average customer rating:

"The Man Who Went up in Smoke" (A Martin Beck Police Mystery/3)

Manufacturer: Vintage Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000EEPXZ4

Average customer rating:

Super Reader

Sword The Stallion
Michael Moorcock
Manufacturer: Berkley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 0425025489

Customer Reviews:

Super Reader.......2007-08-30

Corum has been ensnared in a trap, but is set free by an unlikely encounter due to an enemy. Entrapment is not his only problem, as an evil twin of his has been created, and has been working to oppose his old allies. A considerable amount of time has passed and said allies now think he is a bad, bad man, so Corum really has nowhere to turn.

The Sword & the Stallion. 3rd vol of The Chronicle of Prince Corum

Average customer rating:

The Sword & the Stallion. 3rd vol of The Chronicle of Prince Corum
Michael Moorcock
Manufacturer: Alison & Busby
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000J1IAIO

Average customer rating:

THE SWORD AND THE STALLION
MICHAEL MOORCOCK
Manufacturer: GRANADA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000S5XR70

Average customer rating:

The Sword and the Stallion

Manufacturer: Allison & Busby
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Average customer rating:

The Sword and the Stallion
Michael Moorcock
Manufacturer: Panther/Granada Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000QU5V6M

The Sword and the Stallion (chronicles of Corum #6)

Average customer rating:

The Sword and the Stallion (chronicles of Corum #6)
Michael Moorcock
Manufacturer: Berkley Medallion
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000MUZFT4

THE SWORD AND THE STALLION VOLUME THE THIRD OF THE CHRONICLE OF PRINCE CORUM AND THE SILVER HAND

Average customer rating:

THE SWORD AND THE STALLION VOLUME THE THIRD OF THE CHRONICLE OF PRINCE CORUM AND THE SILVER HAND
Michael Moorcock
Manufacturer: Allison and Busby
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000K5RRH4

The Prince with the Silver Hand: The Bull and the Spear / The Oak and the Ram / The Sword and the Stallion (The Tale of the Eternal Champion)

Average customer rating:

The Prince with the Silver Hand: The Bull and the Spear / The Oak and the Ram / The Sword and the Stallion (The Tale of the Eternal Champion)
Michael Moorcock
Manufacturer: Orion Publishing Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Anthologies | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Average customer rating:

THE SWORD AND THE STALLION.
MICHAEL. MOORCOCK
Manufacturer: P/B
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000O8IIQQ

Average customer rating:

Best Cook Book for Healthy Eating

NOT for people transitioning to raw food..here's why

ingeniously "combines the techniques of macrobiotic, vegan, allergy-free, and raw food disciplines"

My favorite in my "raw" collection

Not totally PC, okay quick recipes but bland...

Dining In The Raw
Rita Romano
Manufacturer: Kensington
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
Healthy | Special Diet | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
General | Vegetables & Vegetarian | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
Natural Foods | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
General | Nutrition | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
General | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1575661926

Customer Reviews:

Best Cook Book for Healthy Eating.......2007-09-30

I know that this cook book is absolutely the best I have ever used for raw and vegatarian cuisine. I have taken quite a few of Ms. Romano's cooking classes in Key West, FL and this cook book has all of those recipes and much more. The delicious and easy to follow step by step recipes make this book a MUST HAVE for anyone looking to lead a healthier lifestyle. I recommend this as a gift for anyone to give to someone they know who enjoys great tasting food - even if they are not a vegetarian. It has everything from salads and appetizers to the most luscious desserts. When you buy this book buy 2 - one for yourself and one for someone else. They will thank you for it again and again - I am positive.

NOT for people transitioning to raw food..here's why.......2007-07-17

Most of the raw recipes have about 5 ingredients, 1 of which is almost always Braggs Liquid Aminos. I've tried to like Braggs for seven years now and I just can't. It's nasty. The seasoned 100 percent raw fooder may find these palatable but to a newbie, most of the recipes will be bland AT BEST, gag worthy at worst. Like others say, there are a significant amount of cooked recipes in the book(the ones with tempeh are actually pretty good, if you're into that) so I'd say overall this is more of a macro-biotic cookbook than a raw one. I haven't used it in five years but now that I've been a raw foodist for two months, some of the recipes I wouldn't even have considered before may appeal to me. For a transitioning raw foodie, I really reccommend Jennifer Cornbleet's Raw Food Made Easy for 1 or 2 people.

ingeniously "combines the techniques of macrobiotic, vegan, allergy-free, and raw food disciplines".......2007-06-21

I just recently ran across this 1992 publication in a local Borders and I nearly fell over when I read the subtitle: "Groundbreaking Natural Cuisine that Combines (you guessed it) the Techniques of Macrobiotic, Vegan..." FINALLY -- a "cookbook" and nutritional study that catered to the constant flux of the human's daily needs. I've been vegan for a few years now, and it's only been recently that I've been willing to go through the challenge of giving up the last poisons available to someone on a vegan diet: sugar and refined, processed foods. Though I love Vegan Cupcakes and all of that, it's time to get real. I've been non-stop studying BOTH raw foods and macrobiotics -- and I feel like there's a happy medium somewhere between the two philosophies, both of which I find incredibly convincing and beneficial in their own ways. I've been intent upon finding my own diet which includes both of these essentially vegan schools of thought, and I've found an ally in Rita Romano. I'm ecstatic this book fell into my hands and anyone that has the independence of mind to fashion their own diet, keeping in mind what's best for their own body, must have this book.

My favorite in my "raw" collection.......2007-03-09

I've got a fetish for uncook books, I have a half-dozen at least, and this is the one I use the most often. I like this book specifically BECAUSE it's not neurotic about what's TRULY RAW and what's not. Some of the recipes are cooked. So if you are one of those people who thinks that A SINGLE BITE OF COOKED FOOD IS POISON and NO COOKED FOOD SHALL EVER PASS MY LIPS AGAIN, please, by all means, indulge your orthorexia with a more PURELY raw book. If, however, you are a rational human who realizes that a big increase in raw foods in your diet would be really healthy but a bite of cooked food won't kill you, then this is marvelous. Romano gives information not only on raw foods, but vegan living, food combining, macrobiotic principles, etc. The recipes are all very simple-- unlike, say, Juliano's book, where you'd have a hard time finding most of the ingredients in ANY natural foods store (still, that one is sure fun to read and look at, so long as you don't have any delusions of making any of the recipes).

I love this book.

Not totally PC, okay quick recipes but bland..........2007-02-22

I'm fairly new to the raw thing, but have been vegetarian for 15 years. Maybe I'm just used to the spiced up foods of my culture (Indian Subcontinent). I've eaten at a couple raw restaurants in LA, all delicious. Then I get this and another book, and the recipes are BLAND and nothing like the restaurants! I'm making the recipes anyway though, trying to stay healthy. I haven't tried the stuff in the cooked section, since I got this book to try the RAW diet, and if I wanted cooked stuff, I can prepare my own probably much TASTIER recipes.

These recipes are easy and quick (after soaking times, of course). However, they are hard to find, weird ingredients that she asks for ALL over the book (like kuzu, filberts, and various types of seaweed). I DON'T recommend this book if you live in smaller cities where these ingredients will be hard to come by and you won't be able to prepare MUCH of this book. I live in Los Angeles, and STILL can't find some of these ingredients.

Also, I'm sure she doesn't mean any harm, but my Asian partner was offended at her referring to how "the Orientals" eat, which is also strewn about the book. After bumping into that, he put it down and now wants nothing to do with this book. The author looks older and maybe a little out of it, but I think somebody should have filled her in that calling Asians "Orientals" is considered kind of derogatory today - especially depending on who it comes from. Besides, which "Orientals" is she talking about? Asia is huge, and all Asians DEFINITELY don't eat the same stuff.

This book kind of reminds me of the bland vegan books I have by Joanne Stepaniak: "Vegan Vittles" and "Table for Two". Those recipes are also really bland but fine to make at home, but embarrassing to make for a party or company.

Average customer rating:

A Time-Saving Holiday Delight

Very good

Busy People's Fun, Fast, Festive Christmas Cookbook
Dawn Hall
Manufacturer: Thomas Nelson
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Spiral-bound

General | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
General | Quick & Easy | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
Holidays | Special Occasions | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
Low-Fat Diet | Special Conditions | Diets & Weight Loss | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
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Busy People's Down-Home Cooking Without the Down-Home Fat

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Busy People's Low Carb Cookbook (Busy People Cookbooks)

ASIN: 1401602266

Book Description

Dawn Hall's 7-ingredients or less, 30-minutes or less formula is adapted for the Christmas season. As a working mom, she knows how hard it is to prepare all the Christmas goodies and entertain friends and family on a budget, while juggling an already full schedule. Here are recipes and plans for cookie swaps, edible and affordable teacher's gifts, and easy but remarkable meals for your family and friends whether it is the office potluck lunch, an elegant Christmas eve buffet, or a fun breakfast under the tree.

Recipes will include Yuletide Pork Roast with Lemon Pepper and Rosemary, Cranberry Salsa, Busy Holiday Bruschetta, Festive Frittata, Broccoli and Tomato Trifle, Snowball Cheese Balls, Cranberry-Walnut Mini Scones and much more.

A special section will provide creative recipes for leftovers including Turkey a la King over stuffing.

Customer Reviews:

A Time-Saving Holiday Delight.......2007-03-30

Jam-packed with creative, low-fat recipes, decorating tips and gift ideas, this unique cookbook by the author of the "Busy People's" series is handily organized into menus, complete with grocery lists, each listed according to various holiday meals. A "Menus at a Glance" section gives a great overview of all the dishes, making selection a breeze. With unique ideas, like edible gifts and a "Kids Birthday Party for Jesus," this is a time-saving holiday wonder.

Very good.......2006-01-27

Dawn Hall is a Christian author who has always had to watch her weight. These recipes are low in fat, easy, and delicious. They also make a nice presentation for guests. Highly recommend.

Customer Reviews:

Top book on popular Zenith Antique Radios.......2006-01-07

I have to start by saying I have been a collector of antique radios for over 25 years, so this book is right up my alley.

I had the pleasure of meeting Dr Harold Cones at a radio swap meet several years ago, and heard a talk about the research that went into this series of books on Zenith.

Zenith radios are some of the most collectable antique radios. From the radio made famous (and expensive) by the Walton's Television series, to the more common table radios, and the large console radios with the big black dials and funny green "Magic Eye" tubes. This is from an era where worldwide communication was not instantaneous, and television was but a dream.

These authors had the opportunity to go through the archives of the Zenith Radio company prior to its dissolution. Zenith was the last American radio and televison manufacturer. It was eventually purchased by LG Electronics of Hong Kong.

The radios of the mid to late thirties seems to be the culmination of both the woodworking art and the art of hand made electronics. This book focuses on the story behind the company and the people who designed and made the radios.

There are some beautiful photographs of many of the Zenith radios made during this period. Each photograph is accompanied by a rarity value and an estimated value range. The photography is exceptional.

In addition, the book has many reproductions of advertisements of the time, and many other documents that give insight to the company during this ten year period.

One section that I found very interesting was composed of several drawings of possible designs for radios that were never made. These were provided by the family of the designer (Mr Budlong), and I see these designs from the early 40's look like the designs of the late 50's and early 60's, indicating that he was way ahead of his time.

All in all, this is a great book for anyone who has ever had or still has a Zenith radio, or is just interested in the story of a great American company that has since faded into history.

Average customer rating:
Intarsia, Artistry in Wood: Artistry & Wood
Judy Gale Roberts , and Jerry Booher
Manufacturer: Fox Chapel Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Projects | Woodworking | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Household Hints | How-to & Home Improvements | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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Small Intarsia Projects You Can Make

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ASIN: 1565230965

Average customer rating:

Excellent planning décor and designing tool

Interactive Design for Real People!

Not What I Expected

If you have the time....

Helpful in planning

Home Quick Planner: Reusable, Peel & Stick Furniture & Architectural Symbols
Daniel K. Reif
Manufacturer: Design Works
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Interior Design | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
Decorating | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Design & Construction | Home Design | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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Room Redux: The Home Decorating Workbook

Use What You Have Decorating : Transform Your Home in One Hour With Ten Simple Design Principles -- Using the Space You Have, the Things You Like, the Budget You Choose

ASIN: 1880301032
Release Date: 1993-12-01

Product Description

Whether you're building, remodeling, decorating, or just fantasizing, the Home Quick Planner helps you design the perfect floor plan. Go ahead - knock down walls and move furniture, cabinets, appliances, windows & doors - all with one finger. 700 precut, reusable peel & stick furniture and architectural symbols 1/4-inch scale home furniture, every standard kitchen cabinet and appliance, extensive assortment of bathroom fixtures and cabinets, windows, doors, walls, switches, outlets, lights and much more 5,600 square-foot floor plan grid Reusable symbols stick to floor plan grid or directly to your own plan Design details: critical dimensions & clearances Fun and easy way to design your plans and make changes

Customer Reviews:

Excellent planning décor and designing tool.......2007-10-10

The Home Quick Planner is an excellent way to lay out and discover alternative floor plans, decorating ideas and propose major home remodeling changes. I have found it very helpful.

Interactive Design for Real People!.......2007-09-16

As an Interior Designer for 20 years, the problem I have with computerized design programs is that you can't take them with you. The Home Quick Planner is one of the few things that really is easier and more efficient without a computer. These planners allow me to easily come up with several different design options for my clients, and perhaps more importantly, gives my clients the flexibility to play around with different layouts and furniture placement on their own. In addition, their 1/4" scale makes them a perfect fit to be dropped right into standard architectural plans. I have found these to be an invaluable, time saving tool. They just work better, and my clients love them!

Not What I Expected.......2007-06-14

I bought this product, as opposed to other similar ones, because of the other reviews/ratings. I thought it was going to be like the Colorforms toys we played with as kids. Instead, the pieces are black and white, very tiny, and hard to stick/unstick. I know it says everything is proportioned but some of the chairs are nearly as large as the fireplace. After trying for about an hour to arrange a single room using this product, I gave up.

If you have the time...........2007-03-08

Great idea, but the scale to so small, and the images so flimsey, it becomes very tedious. You're better off with a pencil and graph paper

Helpful in planning.......2007-02-19

I knew what I wanted in a design and could not find it, so this is a helpful tool to plan a home. Needed more windows for the design we wanted & wished the grid paper had more of a coating so the paper does not come off when rearranging things. I was able to photocopy the plan & tape together, then rearrange rooms/items to give various planning options.

Home Office - Small Office Quick Planner: Reusable, Peel & Stick Furniture & Architectural Symbols.

Average customer rating:

if you are doing your entire home...but the home planner!
A lot of duplication

Home Office - Small Office Quick Planner: Reusable, Peel & Stick Furniture & Architectural Symbols.
Daniel K. Reif
Manufacturer: Gardeners' Guide
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

General | Reference | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Home Based | Small Business & Entrepreneurship | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

General | Reference | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1880301059

Customer Reviews:

if you are doing your entire home...but the home planner!.......2007-03-19

i went with the cheaper of the two because of the dupliaction slant but you get no bathroom or kitchen parts/stickers....one of the main things people remodel! if this is for your house and you are building an office, improvise on the parts or rename them from the other set or splurge and get both. i was upset when i did not have all i needed but if it was just for an office....you get a great set to work with and have some extras for rearranging other areas later.

A lot of duplication.......2005-09-29

As a stand alone, this is a great tool.

But if you already own the Home Quick Planner, be aware that you already have 4 of the 5 pieces in the Office kit. There's only one sheet of "office" furniture. The rest of the Office kit duplicates most of the contents of the Home kit.

If this is the only planner you are buying, it's well worth the price. If you're buying it with the Home kit, it's not worth the money unless you insist on the specialized pieces.

Book Description

Drew Struzan's talent for capturing what is both human and heroic in the face of a movie character has made him the top Hollywood film campaign artist for the past 30 years. Struzan, the last of the great poster artists, according to The Boston Globe, has created the images for some of the biggest and most successful box office hits in cinematic history, including Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Back to the Future, the complete Star Wars series, E.T., Blade Runner, Rambo, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, and Hook. This compilation of his cinematic art, accompanied by text explaining his particular vision of each character, features a foreword by the director George Lucas.

Customer Reviews:

A catalog of struzan's movie poster works.......2006-03-27

Was a bit dissappointed since the book does not delve much into the techniques he used or the story behind each poster. What inspired him etc.
However, we do get a collection of his works gorgeously reproduced.

A must for Drew Struzan fans.......2005-06-25

Like many film fans, Drew Struzan represents a higher class in movie poster art. His work is admired not only by enthusiasts but Steven Spielberg, George lucas, Frank Darabont, Mike Mignola and many other high-profile A- class vissionary film makers. This is an excellent book charting Struzan's amazing art from Star Wars to The Lost World. I already have original cinema posters like Back to the Future and Star Wars that look great, and its fantastic to have such rich and wonderful art collected in one book. As soon as I bought it, I knew I had somethign special. A must-have for any film buff. Buy it now, and you'll love it, this is movie art at its finest.

A TREASURE for movie fans!.......2004-10-13

This is a MUST HAVE for movie lovers and fans of advertising art alike. Drew Struzan is a true master at what he does. Unlike many other movie poster artists, Drew paints each of his works by hand and has an amazing ability to capture the likeness of his subjects and preserve them in such an epic fashion. What a delight to discover that none of his posters were ever created by means of photo-manipulation!

There are several pages at the beginning with fun and interesting background history on his career, but the rest of the book is a fabulous gallery of his poster paintings. Each page has full color glossy prints of his movie posters, and many of them in their original form before text, titles, and bylines were added. I had a lot of fun turning each page to find yet another gorgeous movie poster from a favorite film. Aside from the "GREATS" that are instantly recognizable as Drew's work (Star Wars, Indiana Jones, E.T., Back to the Future, Harry Potter ...), I was pleased to discover that many other favorite movies that I've loved throughout my life were also illustrated by Drew, such as Police Academy, Muppets movies, Mallrats, Ladyhawk, Adventures in Babysitting, Goonies ... the list goes on.

Buy this book, it's wonderful!

My favorite artist, Drew Struzan........2004-10-03

I've been an avid fan of Drew Struzan's artwork for movie posters, or "one-sheets" since 1984. The first poster I ever saw his magnificent work on was for the first "Back To The Future" movie. His ability to capture the exact likenesses of the stars and personalities over the years still gives me goosebumps to this day. I have amassed a huge collection of most of his movie poster work, and works in others medium like for collector plates, stamps, book covers, etc. This book showcases most of his movie poster artwork seen on the U.S. one-sheets over the years. I was suprised that some of the familiar posters were missing from this book. Overall the work is presented well in full color, full page glory. I'm looking forward to the bigger, more comprehensive book "Oeuvre" that will cover all of his works up to now. This book is a good appetizer for the main course that will be "Oeuvre" later this month. If you're a fan of Drew Struzan, as I am, pick up this book. It will help to whet your appetite for "Oeuvre". Long live Drew Struzan...the last of his kind. The movie poster illustrator.

-Mike Buckley

Average customer rating:

MOVIE POSTERS OF DREW STRUZAN
Drew Struzan
Manufacturer: NY
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000N6OL88

Average customer rating:

Movie Posters of Drew Struzan
Drew Struzan
Manufacturer: Running Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000K85SO0

Book Description

Dan Rice had many lives. He was a pig presenter, a strongman, a lecturer, and a comic singer, all before joining the dazzling world of the circus. In 1855, he created Dan Rice's Great Show. Labeling himself the "Great American Humorist," he toured the country and spoke out on issues of the day before large crowds. Swept up in a new cult of celebrity, he rose to become one of the most famous-and infamous-men in America. He even ran for president. So why have so few people ever heard of Dan Rice? Propelled by an urge toward "refinement," American amusements began to stratify in the mid-19th century. The raucous antebellum jumble of performers, audiences, and forms split along a new performance hierarchy of high and low. Circus, though still vastly popular, became seen as lowbrow. In that changed world, Rice's aggressive humor and robust connection with a noisy, participatory audience became seen as crude-and worse-a civic threat. David Carlyon weaves a remarkably rich portrait of turbulent times that raised one ambitious, creative man to glorious heights and then, embarrassed by its enthusiasm, buried him in sentimentality and finally oblivion.

Customer Reviews:

Fascinating.......2006-05-23

This is a quality biography (academically), well researched and reliable, but also enjoyable to read. Its listed at 500+ pages but the text portion is 416, with a picture about every 4th page, so it's really in the 350+ range of actual text. I think the fact that Rice was an in-person spontaneous crowd entertainer of magnetic charisma, before audio/visual and scripts; it's difficult to really grasp what made him so great without seeing him in person. Reading his dialog transcripts are flat, painfully so, you had to have been there in person. I wish Carlyon had taken more artistic efforts to convey what a circus was like, what Dan was like, more time is spent on controversy and conflict with his professional peers than what actually made him so appealing. There are occasional hints of what sound like fascinating episodes in his life that never get developed. It often feels like Carlyon spent months pouring over newspaper microfiche collections, following Dan's life through the newspaper controversies (which may very well be the only way) - but as Carlyon says, Rice knew that controversy sells! One of the strengths of the book is its examination of the changing zeitgeist of America in the 19th century - this is important to understand why an entertainer is a star one decade, and yesterdays news the next, even though nothing had changed - as Dan said one day to the crowd: "What did I do wrong?", Carlyon, through the story of Rice, does a good job of conveying the changing character and nature of America between the 1840s and 1880s. This is also vital work for any student of Mark Twain or fan of Huckleberry Finn.

A very good book about a very interesting character.......2002-04-26

This book fills in a gap in historical research about an exciting time for the American Circus. The book is extremely readable and extremely well researched. I highly recommend it for anyone interested in the circus, the Civil War, or history.

Recommended for circus fans and political biography buffs........2002-03-23

Dan Rice: The Most Famous Man You've Never Heard Of is the fascinating and informative biography of a circus man whose fame became so great (seen as he was by more Americans of the time than just about anyone else) that at one point he ran for presidency of the United States. This compelling and superbly presented biography traces the life of Dan Rice, his rise in the public eye and the reasons behind his eventual descent into total obscurity. An amazing cultural history of America in the mid-eighteenth century as well as a close personal look at one flamboyant man who struggled through the roiling times, Dan Rice: The Most Famous Man You've Never Heard of is a biography especially recommended to circus buffs, as well as students of 19th century American life, culture, and politics!

EXCELSIOR!.......2002-03-19

Indispensable for any fan of circus or clowning and
important and highly intriguing for anyone interested
in the evolution of American popular entertainment,
DAN RICE: THE MOST FAMOUS MAN YOU'VE NEVER HEARD OF
is an exemplary biography.

Culled from an unbelievable amount of research, this is
the story of the rise and fall of one of the acknowledged
masters and true geniuses of American circus comedy. It
cuts through the mythology and humbug to give you the far
more interesting story of a man who embodied his era and
rose to a level of national prominence that few comedians
(let alone circus clowns) ever come close to.

Even if you have never heard of Dan Rice, you will find this
book an absolutely fascinating read from start to finish.

If you love the American circus and it's clowns, this book
is a little slice of heaven. -- EXCELSIOR!

Excellent!.......2002-02-21

An excellent book about an amazing American! Dan Rice is an important part of Americana and also a fascinating individual. I highly recommend this book.

Dan Rice: The Most Famous Man You've Never Heard Of. (book review): An article from: Theatre History Studies

Average customer rating:

Dan Rice: The Most Famous Man You've Never Heard Of. (book review): An article from: Theatre History Studies
Mark Cosdon
Manufacturer: Mid-America Theatre Association
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

General | Performing Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B0009FODCM
Release Date: 2005-07-30

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Theatre History Studies, published by Mid-America Theatre Association on June 1, 2002. The length of the article is 757 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Dan Rice: The Most Famous Man You've Never Heard Of. (book review)
Author: Mark Cosdon
Publication: Theatre History Studies (Refereed)
Date: June 1, 2002
Publisher: Mid-America Theatre Association
Page: 218(3)

Article Type: Book Review

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