You Can Say You Knew Me When

Customer Reviews:

Like Father, Like Son.......2007-01-27

Soehlein, K.M. "You Can Say You Knew Me When". Kensington Books, 2005.

Like Father, Like Son

Amos Lassen and Literary Pride

Any time a new book arrives from Kensington Books, I know that I am in for an interesting read and K.M. Soehnlein's "You Can Say You Knew Me When" did not disappoint. It is a wonderful novel of manners which was an immensely enjoyable read as it tells of Jamie Garner, a charming underachiever who lives a slacker's life in San Francisco while the [...] boom is surrounding him and everything he does. Jamie ignores the important things around him--he avoids his career as a radio producer and his relationship and instead chooses to surround himself with a group of fun loving friends.
Suddenly Jamie gets a phone call telling him that his father who has never really accepted him is dead. This means he must return home to bury a man who never could stand him and to a life he escaped and to a family devoid of feeling. He is trapped between guilt and grief. When he returns home, he loses himself in a box of memorabilia that belonged to his father and he becomes determined to get to know the father he never knew. The box is marked "1960", the year his father spent in San Francisco but never spoke of. Jamie also finds in the box a photo of a very good looking man named Dean Foster who was his dad's closest friend and who had disappeared mysteriously.
Getting clues from the box, Jamie begins a quest and seeks out the people that were mentioned in his father's letters and in doing so discovers a subculture he knew nothing about and about which he realizes he could risk so much in his pursuit of the truth. What we see is a truly dysfunctional character in Jamie and that his own relationship with his lover, Woody, was very similar to the strange relationship his father had with Dean. Jamie is determined to destroy everything of importance except for the ghosts of his father's past. By doing this he discovers how weak his own relationships are and his determination to "out" his own father renders Jamie into a truly miserable character. He becomes one of the few heroes in a novel that I chose not to identify with.
What is amazing about this book is how the author manages to juggle two distinct plots running concurrently. Not only are the plots separate but they are divided even more by a forty year difference. There are also some very sexy passages in this book and a few distractions as well. There are long sections of the book that do not seem necessary until you close the covers and think about what you have read and then everything falls naturally into place. Understanding Jamie's father allows for the understanding of Jamie himself. One thing the book did to me was to make me challenge myself to find a deeper meaning as well as a deep soul. It is an epic story of fathers and sons, brothers and sisters and lovers and friends. As Jamie is torn apart by his discovering things about his father, the reader is also torn apart by the plot of the novel.
The book is an evocation of San Francisco and the future of the internet. The narrative is multi-faceted as our hero roams through two different yet inter-related worlds. Jamie comes across as a sympathetic and talented but sad young man trodding on the past of his father and trying to find himself in the process. He must unravel the mystery of his father in order to be able to live a full live. The author has secured himself a place in the gay canon and seems destined one day to join the greats of the genre--Andrew Holleran, David Leavitt, Michael Cunningham and Edmund White among others. This is not what I would call an easy read but it is a most enjoyable trek into the gay mind.

"I'm not that far gone. You can still save me".......2006-04-02

K.M. Soehnlein's You Can Say You Knew Me When is an epic, rapturous and complex urban tale, an account of fathers and sons, brothers and sisters, lovers and friends. Thirty-something radio journalist Jamie Garner embarks on a journey back to his childhood home, and in the process discovers the ghosts of his father's perplexing past. Now living an independent life in San Francisco, Jamie reluctantly returns to Greenlawn, New Jersey upon hearing of the death of his father, Teddy Garner. His younger sister Deirdre has begged him to come back for the funeral, but she's upset that Jamie didn't do more to help out with his father's illness.

Over the years, Jamie's relationship with Teddy was fraught with difficulty. The issue of his son's sexual orientation a constant barrier, an image etched in Teddy's mind of Jamie as a teenager, on his knees in front of Eric, his best friend from school, "in the midst of worship, surrender." Teddy's initial reaction was shock, to deny the facts, disapproval and denial in equal measure: "no way is my son this kind of boy."

But Teddy, his mind ravaged from Alzheimer's disease is now dead, and Jamie long since had stopped caring, making peace with their estrangement, " I stopped making my self crazy because my father disapproved of me, and this stopping had unburdened me." Yet Teddy's presence remains stronger than it had been for years, the funeral causing the memories of their life together flood back to Jamie.

Whilst sorting his father's possessions, he finds a taped-up box marked San Francisco June 60 - June 61, containing letters, photos and a journal, a reminder that Teddy had once lived in Jamie's adopted city. The items providing a window into his father's erotic life, a place of Beatniks, where one worked odd jobs, and had encounters with the legendary Jack Kerouac.

Jamie becomes mesmerized by the photos, one in particular, hinting at an illicit affair, his father pale slimmed and board chested, pulled in close by an impossibly good looking friend, the actor Dean Foster, his eyes and lips "working in tandem to ignite desire" - the prime male friendship of his father's life, covered in secrecy, a forty year silence that Jamie longs to know about.

Upon his return to San Francisco, Jamie is determined to uncover the truth about his father. Teddy gradually becoming a kind of character for him, not a middle-aged father, but someone straight out of Kerouac novel, an erotically charged man from San Francisco's past. Did Jamie's father really have an affair with a man? Teddy was never known to have close relationships with other men and he had undoubtedly failed to find any real connection with his only son.

Like his father before him, Jamie is possessed with a kind of wanderlust; an ineffable yearning which is gradually tearing him apart. He wants to have a monogamous relationship with his venture capitalist boyfriend Woody, but his initial enthusiasm is masked by an inner torment. It starts with a hurried sexual encounter with a man in the rest room of the airport, " a random collision that should mean nothing but alters everything." Then the cruising starts, hooking up with men on the prowl.

Jamie is progressively set adrift, overwhelmed by desire "like a primal ooze, sticky and inescapable as a tar pit," and is caught up in a sexualized chain of men, who carry his desire. Jamie admits that he's been living on the edge; and that he needs to get a grip on his finances, which means smoking less pot, and honing in his erratic behaviour.

But with his friends gradually shifting their loyalties and drawing away from him, and Woody suddenly enforcing a "time-out" from the relationship, Jamie finds himself alone, steadily descending into the sex clubs, and the promiscuity, the deepest, darkest closet of San Francisco. As Jamie yields to desire, his father's voice appears from the page inside his head, "a voice rising up from history, from secrecy and from the dead."

Although Jamie is an adult with his life experience well and truly written on his body, inside, he's still a boy, who puts off responsibility and the big decisions indefinitely. Jamie, in his journey to discover the secrets of his father, realizes that he's not that much different from Teddy. Teddy ended up leading a quiet life of routine in the suburbs of New Jersey, but Jamie sees a glimmer of how his father might have taken a different course, not safely and smoothly into the nuclear family, but deeper into risk.

You Can Say You Knew Men When is a startling evocation of San Francisco in the nineties, where the future is the Internet, the technological revolution turning this arty, sleepy city into a Mecca for the new industrialists. The narrative is seamless and multi-faceted, with Soehnlein transporting his protagonist through two worlds as he searches for a connection, constantly usurped by his own desires, lost in a shadowy world of sex and drugs.

For all his faults, Jamie is a sympathetic, talented, but often sad character as he navigates the perfidious territory of his father's past. This young man must undoubtedly make peace with the ghost of his father before he can continue to live an honest and better life. Mike Leonard April 06.

Outstanding read!.......2006-02-27

I've been a fan since the World of Normal Boys and I found this novel to be superb at blending a time and place in gay legacy/history of SFO with the present day homosexual experience. Karl is an exceptional author and has the ability to successfully deliver enjoyable entertainment. I left the book eager to read his next. BRAVO!

Fresh, exciting and different.......2006-02-02

This tale of a wandering, undisciplined, but basically good-hearted, gay man is a refreshingly well-written yarn set mostly in San Francisco. Jamie Garner finds his rather aimless life taking a new direction after his father's funeral. He discovers an engrossing set of old letters and photos that places his late father--a stolid, disagreeable man--center stage in the 1950s beatnik era.

While juggling the challenges of his fairly unsuccessful writing/radio producing career, his love of smoking pot, and handling his new boyfriend, Woody, Jamie begins to trace the people and environment of his father's past. The journey works on two levels, uncovering secrets of his father's happier, wilder days, and putting Jamie himself in a position to deal with his own shortcomings in life and to try a new approach to achieving goals.

It's a book that is hard to summarize because the story is compelling, yet the plot springs entirely from the main character. At times Jamie seems helpless and self-deluded, at others, clear-headed and ambitious. He always seems authentic, however.

Jamie is very real, and thankfully breaks out of any stereotype. When I first read a summary of the book--hearing of the themes of San Francisco, boyfriend troubles, not-getting-along-with-father-who-just-died--I feared this book would walk the treadmill that is already so well-worn. But it does not, surprising the reader with a freshness and vibrancy that makes every word worth it.

Karl Soehnlein has clearly established a place for himself among literary, contemporary gay male authors who write about gay themes, such as David Leavitt, Paul Russell Elliott, Peter Cameron, and others, while imbuing his work with a bit more lightheartedness and intrigue. It's not too lofty to say that Karl Soehnlein will one day soon join the authors at the top of that niche, people like Michael Cunningham, Edmund White, and even Christopher Isherwood.

Good Read.......2006-01-15

I enjoyed this book. Although I enjoyed his first book better. There were times I wanted to scream "you pothead loser! Get your act together!". It's a very well written thoughtful book.

Customer Reviews:

The Man Within.......2007-09-17

This was an excellant book. I really enjoyed this second book in the series. It was fast paced and I this is a fine stand alone read as well.

Feline breeds 2 - the man within.......2007-07-09

As a lover of paranormal romances with some good sex scenes, Lora Leigh's books certainly fit the bill and then some! The idea of the human animal hybrid is not new, but I love Lora's take on the idea. My interest was piqued initially because I like wereanimal stories and I thought Lora's were of that type. I enjoyed the books (I've read a few now)and althought some of the sex scenes went further than I was used to (or quite comfortable with) I can see that they fit the context of the storyline. I will certainly continue to read this author.

21st Century Woman.......2007-07-07

Tabor and Roni's story is off the hook! Roni and Taber is the newest Breed couple hit with the mating frenzy. It makes Tabor all he man and Roni strong and fiesty. One of the most memorable lines for me was when Roni demanded Taber to tell her what gave him the right to allow her to do something. Taber response is truly the tone for the whole book...."When I took you to the floor and mounted you, I took the right to protect you as well. Mate."

Although you can read this book out of the series order, I highly recommend reading Callan's story first in Tempting the Beast and segue into this one.

The erotic scenes involves [...] - so if this makes you blush.
And the romance scenes are so compassionate. I especially appreciate how Leigh brings up other characters from other books in this series which gives you the sense of really being a part of their family and their world... also you are hooked in reading their story as well.

Enjoyed Breeds 2 .......2007-07-05

I really enjoyed reading this book. It has an excellent blend of exotic, romance and action to keep you interested to the end. I can't wait to read more of the Breeds story line.

Book Review .......2007-05-25

I am so glad that I purchased this book. I love reading paranormal books and this is one of the best. I would recommend this series of books to anyone.

Feline Breeds 1, 2 & 3: Tempting The Beast; The Man Within and Kiss of Heat (Feline Breeds)

Average customer rating:

Feline Breeds 1, 2 & 3: Tempting The Beast; The Man Within and Kiss of Heat (Feline Breeds)
Lora Leigh
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000U0WGB6

Product Description

Ellora's Cave Presents: Feline Breeds by Lora Leigh. Book 1: Tempting The Beast; Book 2: The Man Within; Book 3: Kiss of Heat

Book Description

Encourage the formation of good health habits in children. Through playful and colorful illustrations, this popular children's book shows the germs that cause illness and how important hand washing is to good health. Includes health information

Customer Reviews:

Those Mean Nasty Dirty Downright Disgusting but Invisible Germs.......2007-05-30

I started reading this book to my son when he was three and it really taught him the importance hand washing. He is now four and it is still one of his favorite books to read. It is very entertaining and explains the concept in a way which is easy for preschool children to understand. Now when he comes home from daycare, as a routine, the first thing he does is wash his hands. and he knows the meaning behind it.

ARE YOU KIDDING?.......2005-02-20

I hope that you all know that not all of the germs on our bodies are bad. There are germs that we need to make sure our bodies function correctly. This book is just making kids believe that they have to be anal-retentive about washing their hands or they are going to die. Let's all face the reality, if you want your child to wash their hands and you like this book, fine, but you should also explain to your child the concept of "good" flora and why we need them.

Those Mean Nasty Dirty Germs.......2004-01-14

This book is a favorite in my classroom every year. It teaches the importance of handwashing and how to stay healthy which is part of our school curriculum. Each child makes a picture of his/her favorite germ after the story. The germs are glued on a poster by our sink that reminds the children to wash "Those Mean Nasty Dirty Downright Disgusting But Invisible Germs" off their hands. It really works!

My preschoolers love it!.......2002-02-25

Although I have to add to it, my kids really love this book! I had to discuss what invisible meant (that big ten foot bunny in the corner!), and give a visible demonstration afterward (paint or glitter in my hand that I "sneeze" into, and then offer to shake hands and touch other things in the room. We talk about sneezing into your elbow and tissues to keep us safe from germs. We use funny voices for the different germs to make it more "kid friendly." My kids have it almost memorized, and beg for it to be read. Really helps explain germs, even to my 2 yr. olds, without being too "boring" to my 5 yr. olds. Hope that helps!

This book is scary........2000-10-11

I feel this book can be a bit scary to children. My 4 year old was frightened after reading this book because he learned germs were everywhere that he felt used to be safe, his school and home. True, germs are everywhere and we do need to teach children to wash their hands, but I don't think it's necessary to get into detailled descriptions of germs that cause headaches, earaches, fevers and throwing up, and that even after washing their hands, the germs will come back. Children need to know about handwashing and germs but they also need to feel a sense of security and well being in school in order for it to be a positive experience.

Average customer rating:

Its T time

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Afternoon Tea in Southeast Pennsylvania: A Tea Room Guide

Manufacturer: BookSurge Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
General | U.S. Regional | Regional & International | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

America's Best Tea Room Recipes

ASIN: 1594574197
Release Date: 2004-07-20

Book Description

Join the author as she tours 29 of the most popular tea rooms in southeast Pennsylvania. Décor, tea, and menu options are highlighted within each tea room narrative. An informative opening outlines everything you need to know about visiting a tea room, including tea types, brewing methods, and basic tea etiquette. Attractively illustrated with over 100 black and white photographs.

Customer Reviews:

Its T time.......2004-12-01

My wife really enjoyed writing this book. If it wasn't for that we had to move to England, she would have visited all the tea rooms in Pennsylvania. She really enjoys tea and had a really great time visiting these tea rooms listed. If you're visiting Southeast Pennsylvania and are looking for a tea room to visit, this book will point you in the right direction. As you will see, each tea room is quite unique. With all the pictures, menus, brewing methods, and proper tea etiquette tips, this book really gives you a flavor for what afternoon tea is all about. She put her heart into making this book and did an outstanding job describing each tea room in my opinion. Even if you don't visit this part of Pennsylvania, this book can also be used as a reference guide for the novice tea enthusiast. Great job honey.

BOOK DESCRIPTION.......2004-08-17

Join the author as she tours 29 of the most popular tea rooms in southeast Pennsylvania. Each tea room narrative highlights decor, tea, and menu options, as well as a typical afternoon tea menu. An informative opening outlines everything you need to know about visiting a tea room, including tea types, brewing methods, and basic tea etiquette. Attractively illustrated with over 100 black and white photographs. Soft cover, 7x10, 136 pages.

Book Description

English, Colonial, and Victorian furniture comprise the most widely collected area of antiques in the US. This new massive reference combines 3 great volumes thoroughly covering these furniture styles. Colonial coverage ranges from 1875 to 1940, while English and Continental coverage is from the Renaissance to the early 20th century, and Victorian includes most of the 19th century.

Each furniture section includes hundreds of photos, in depth explanations of furniture styles, history, and current prices. Collectors will learn how to determine value, types of construction techniques, and the aging effects of wood. The index makes it easy to locate specific furniture pieces.

*Individual sections on English and Continental, Colonial, and Victorian furniture
*In depth coverage with current prices and history
*Three great books in one massive reference--an amazing value

Average customer rating:
Copper Red Glazes
Robert Tichane
Manufacturer: Krause Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Sculpture | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
Ceramics | Other Media | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
General | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Pottery & Ceramics | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Reference | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Celadon Blues

The Complete Guide to High-Fire Glazes: Glazing & Firing at Cone 10 (A Lark Ceramics Book)

Ash Glazes

Crystalline Glazes (Ceramics Handbooks)

The Art of Crystalline Glazing: Basic Techniques

ASIN: 0873416635

Average customer rating:
Reds, Reds Copper Reds (Oriental Glaze Monographs)
Robert Tichane
Manufacturer: Kraus Intl Pubns
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Ceramics | Materials Science | Engineering | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0914267043

Average customer rating:
Copper red glaze decoration of porcelain ceramic forms
Dwayne Bentzien
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B0007J6FV2

Average customer rating:
Copper Red Glazes
Robert Tichane
Manufacturer: Krause Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000MC1PN2

Average customer rating:
Investigation of copper red glazes (University of Hawaii)
Francis Torao Tanaka
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B0007G57XC

Book Description

This beautiful book makes the lushness and luxury of two of today's most acclaimed interior designers accessible and practical for readers at home. With clients from Vera Wang to Tina Turner singing their praises, Stephen Sills and James Huniford, of Sills Huniford Associates, have written the ultimate guide to creating a beautiful home. This book brings the luxury and sensuality of Sills Huniford's signature style to a practical level, addressing concerns like integrating technology into the home, devising the most flexible floor plan, and getting the most out of a small space and modest budget. Every aspect of style is addressed in clear language detailing the basic lessons of design. Their unmatched understanding of atmosphere, color, and design is brought to life in stunning and never-before-seen color photographs that prove both inspiring and practical. Written by Michael Boodro, a former editor at Vogue and current editor for the New York Times Magazine style section, DWELLINGS is certain to become a touchstone for a generation that is searching for a new level of style and sophistication in the way they live.

Customer Reviews:

"Shallow & Vacant" doesn't begin to describe it .......2006-04-21

These designers have a great gimmick going. Basically, they travel around the world, hoarding antiques, ship them back to NYC and have cheap Mexican labour refinish them. They then charge foolish, rich clients (the ONLY people they'll work for) exorbitant prices for shoddily refinished junk. The reason the book seems "shallow & vacant" is because it's a direct reflection of the designer's personalities. Their designs are more stage settings than ones for living in. They manage to pull the wool over most clients eyes, but, they have been sued when their scheme was discovered and had to drastically lower their prices as compensation. So, if empty, weirdly coloured interiors don't make you vomit, then buy this book!

A must have .......2006-03-23

This is a divine book.
Sills and Huniford show in the pages of this book that they are America's premier decorators. Thier talent is so great and the understanding of how interiors can be elegant, refined, well edited and still very livable are beautifully portrayed in this pages. To have this as a reference and a cronicle of thier work is a treasure. I HIGHLY recommend this book.

Don't listen to other reviews.............2006-01-06

This book is great!! From the text you actually learn something rather than just a bunch of boring pictures. The pictures are annotated with the designers comments- you can actually LEARN things from this book. It's not a pretty coffee table book ( thank god, do we really need another one of those?! ) but one which you can actually learns secrets to great design. One step above the beginers level. I would highly recommend this book!

size is not important.......2005-04-07

Yes, many photos are small. However, all photos are beautiful. If you want to upholster your own headboard or want new and fascinating uses for MDF, look elsewhere. Maybe I am biased -- I don't read (or look at) decorating books to learn how to decorate. I look at them for color, balance, and proportion. Sure, there are ideas here. Subtle ideas. Quiet ideas. Lovely ideas. Not all rooms of color are orange (will this trend end)! Think of grey, watery blues, nut browns! Trading places does not tread here. As far as no dust cover, who needs it? I pet my book often. Not merely a decorating book, this is an art book. Enjoy! Don't just learn how to lay tile.

I just HAD to add my two cents' worth, because..........2005-03-05

I was amazed by the polarity of the reviews for this book -- always a good sign, as long as the lengthier reviews are the negative ones. Having bought a copy for resale, the reviews below motivated me to heavily skim it, and here's the fat skinny as I see it.

These guys really are gifted professionals, whose approach melds formal principle with intuitive insight. Their advice taken piecemeal may read like mostly conventional wisdom, but there is a LOT of it packed into a small space. And their "writing about themselves" (hard to avoid, really) is how you get the Be-Here-Now feel of their process. This personal, casebook approach adds considerable vitality to the link between the layered and revealing text and the superbly composed interior photos.

No, the latter are NOT huge -- discernment is a mark of these designers, and the medium is as much the message here as with the design examples and text. The real learning comes Zen-like, in the space between the words and images -- that's why some readers "get it" and others (who tend to want concrete "how to" or big, flashy pix and divertingly original text) don't. Check out a library copy if you're in doubt as to whether you're this book's kind of person. Or just take the plunge, get humble and patient, and see what -- and how -- you can learn....

On the text: sure, we all know that the floor is the foundation of any room, furniture should be suitable, luxurious bathrooms will pamper you, wall surfaces offer lots of possibilities, and colors should harmonize but need not match. But then you come upon nuggets of concentrated utility, like their three (primordial) strategies for the use of color, and such interesting observations as, "When color is integral to the material -- stone, wood, metal -- it registers less strongly".

The authors' offbeat perspective surfaces here and there like a thread in a tapestry. They liken the floor to the "face" of a room -- then survey ten classic flooring materials in a sentence, list eight functions that floor designs can serve in two more, and rattle off a dozen points of practical wisdom about carpets -- all this being reflected in the accompanying pictures. You don't read this book so much as you mine it.

The use of many transitional pages with nothing but large-scripted aphorisms and chapter titles IS a tad on the indulgent side, but even here the whole can be more than the sum of the parts. "A room's function should be paramount in determining the way it looks" (4: Living in a Room), yet "The more defined a room's function is, the harder it can be to design" (8: Functional Spaces). "Be Here Now", gentle acolytes -- these dividers are really connectors as well, functioning on the rebound as subsumers of more practical wisdom than is apparent until you've done your homework. Read that text and get your eyeballs into those pix for a couple of iterations, grok the "tell `em then show `em" paradigm in play, and go to school on these guys!

In sum, "editing, function and order" are as masterfully displayed in every aspect of the layout as they are demonstrated to be essential to the design of a room. The book is multi-dimensionally gorgeous, inside and out -- quite the bonus, really (check out the super-classic "Billy Baldwin Decorates" by way of comparison, and see what I mean). You can display this coffee table gem with pride, for its fascinating Persian-Miniature style photos, discussion-provoking koan/cliches, sheer textural delight to the eye and hand, and for the delectation of your subtler friends....

Average customer rating:

Dwellings Living With Great Style
Stephen Sills
Manufacturer: LITTLE BROWN & CO @
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000N77TL8

Book Description

Chosen by the Editors at Amazon.com as one of the top 50 Best Books of 2005 - Now in paperback!

With the world's economy in a slump, the Middle East's never ending conflict, and the on-going war on terrorism, there is a heightened awareness in the world community of the many sides of the numerous issues that both directly and indirectly affect our lives. Increasingly, people are feeling powerless and underrepresented because they have no voice.

Designers, however, have a voice. They are among the most influential bystanders because their skills enable them to communicate a message easily through the Web or through posters and printed pieces. A picture is worth a thousand words and designers have used this adage to their advantage for years by creating simple yet powerful designs that immediately convey the message to the viewer. The Design of Dissent focuses on graphic work that designers have made as a result of social and political concerns. The time is certainly ripe as the U.S., and world, flares in opposition on so many important issues.

Customer Reviews:

interesting book.......2006-12-24

I received this book from a friend for Christmas, and I really enjoyed studying the art inside. I was surprised at the balance the book struck between the different sides of controversial issues and the art that accompanies them, since I generally expect art about "dissent" to only be favored if it is from the popular end of an issue.

The book is great, but I would prefer it to have some more modern things inside it. That's the only reason I gave it four instead of five stars. ^_^

Design activism at its best........2006-11-05

In the present world full of hatred, cruelty, racial discrimination, communal riots, war, human degradation and erosion of values, what a graphic designer can do with his/her talent and compassion that is what the authors trying to show us loud and clear. In the context of the present situation, I strongly feel that this is a book which every graphic designer should buy and inspire.

...Design of Modern Leftist Dissent.......2006-10-24

We've all heard the adage "a picture is worth a thousand words"--to which I would respond, "it depends on the picture." Graphic design can be simply a picture, but in general it is a combination of image and text that communicates a message or point of view, hopefully in a compelling way. Assembled by design icon Milton Glaser (of I NY fame), this book is survey of the use of design to express dissent in various arenas and mediums.

In the interview with Glaser in this book, "dissent" is defined as being both a response and challenge to existing power and can be either destructive or constructive. Destructive dissent often takes the form of violence, which, while sometimes an effective methodology for achieving change, also grants carte blanche for overwhelming use of force or oppression in response. Glaser views dissent via design as a more constructive approach that may be less directly effective, but is nonetheless subversively provocative in a useful way. In his words, design can be a "form of activism" in that "we all have the responsibility to be good citizens"--which means becoming involved (ie. passivity endangers democracy). Fortunately, design is a field that is open to all-- while "you have to know something about the nature of communication, either by instinct or training," all it can take to make an impact is a good idea and moderately capable execution of that idea. Finally, in Tony Kushner's foreword, the proposition is made that successful dissent design embodies three elements: it should be shocking, funny, easily grasped, and perhaps, forbidden or dangerous.

In keeping with the book's theme, the contents are arranged somewhat counterintuitively. The table of contents appears at the rear, along with the introductory interview and foreword, which theoretically set the tone for what follows (or rather, precedes...). The bulk of the book is comprised of hundreds of examples of designers' work grouped into the following themes: Communism, Palestine and Israel, Ex-Yugoslavia, Iraq War, Peace, Equality, Animal Rights, Corporate World, Media, Gun Control, Government, and the 2004 U.S. Presidential Election. Almost all of these examples are from the last twenty years, with the occasional foray into the 1960s or 70s. These are often very striking and compelling individual pieces accompanied with credits and succinct contextual notes, but as with many such portfolio or survey books, one gets the distinct sense that some designers and topics have been favored or over-emphasized based on Glaser's personal preferences.

More problematic is the emphasis on relatively recent works--a more apt title might have been "The Design of Modern Dissent." However, the most distressing aspect of the book is it's near universal emphasis on the leftist or liberal end of the spectrum. One could make a valid argument that since dissent is by its very nature in opposition to the powers that be, that of course the bulk of the examples are going to be anti-corporate, anti-military, anti-war, and anti-establishment. However, it would have been a much stronger presentation had there been examples from the entire political spectrum. For example, there's no doubt that the right-wing in America has some powerful visual imagery at its disposal (especially in regard to abortion), or even that some hate groups like the KKK and neo-Nazis have some very striking design components in their arsenal of dissent against the mainstream. However, its clear that Glaser has no interest in providing examples from beyond his own limited range of the political spectrum and thus he does a disservice to the topic.

the design of dissent.......2005-08-05

Milton Glaser is a genious. His graphics inspire, amaze, provoke, and delight. This is a book which will be revisted often.

Design of Dissent.......2005-08-05

Milton Glaser, Mirko Iilic & Tjony Kusner have put together a visually powerful book. The posters were drawn from individuals and groups around the world and encompass artwork from the 1960's to the present. They express a broad spectrum of concerns from many viewpoints.

Mr. Glaser has stated in an interview "the general perception I have is that design can function in culture and has a social role that cannot be only about selling goods". This is certainly true of the design art found in this book. The brief accompanying text to each poster adds to the reader's appreciation and is often invaluable to understanding the meaning of some posters that use language or symbols the reader may not be familiar with.

This is not a "coffee-table" book. The impact of the images and messages are direct, dramatic, sometimes humorous, and often very intense. You don't have to be a graphic designer to appreciate this book. If you believe as Mr. Glaser does that "dissent protects democracy", this book is worth a long look.

Milton Glaser: Graphic Design: Graphic Design

Average customer rating:

A close, if brief, look at art-making
A landmark of graphic design books.

Milton Glaser: Graphic Design: Graphic Design
Milton Glaser
Manufacturer: Overlook TP
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Design & Decorative Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Drawing | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Artists, Architects & Photographers | Arts & Literature | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0879511885

Customer Reviews:

A close, if brief, look at art-making.......2006-12-06

Since you've made it this far, allow me to briefly write about the book--the other commenter puts Glaser's personality so well in context. The book's content is graphic material, both published and rejected, complemented by Glaser's succinct explanations concerning any of the following: historic/social context, guiding professional principles, technique and process, interpretation, the tension between client and creator, etc. The text and the graphical works are very diverse, ranging from terse to lengthy, and simple to complex, respectively. All in all, the feeling of being in Glaser's presence (in class or studio) is likely to grow in you as you progress through the book.

If what you've read so far compels you to get the book, do so by all means, it's a 5-star! Otherwise, if, let's say, you are looking for for something akin to a cafe-table book, this one gets only 3 to 4 stars.

A landmark of graphic design books........1999-07-30

It's certainly unbelievable that nobody reviewed this book before (july 30 1999). Milton Glaser means to the history of graphic design what Michelangelo or Arcimboldo or Leonardo mean to the history of art. In a time when the likes of David Carson or any of the trendy computer BS designers reign, discovering Milton Glaser should be like a breath of fresh air. He represents a rare breed (almost extinct) of designers who master the craft of casting a good idea with the appropiate "visual language" in order to get the message across. His illustration skills as well as his thinking are always on the crest of the wave, regardless of who is "en vogue" at the time. He stands for excellency in the widest sense of the word. No designer who prides himself/herself of being one, should continue practising/studying without -at least- flipping through this book.

Average customer rating:

Milton Glaser
Milton Glaser
Manufacturer: Thames & Hudson Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Interior Design | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0500510288

Six Chapters in Design: Saul Bass, Ivan Chermayeff, Milton Glaser, Paul Rand, Ikko Tanaka, Henryk Tomaszewski

Average customer rating:

Less was more
A good ,allthough basic, overview of the giants
monolithic work in the palm of your hand!
if your a visual person, this book is for you

Six Chapters in Design: Saul Bass, Ivan Chermayeff, Milton Glaser, Paul Rand, Ikko Tanaka, Henryk Tomaszewski
Philip Meggs
Manufacturer: Chronicle Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Drawing | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Artists, A-Z | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Interior Design | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0811817229

Book Description

Stylish and concise, this volume presents the work of six venerable names in modern design history. Featuring more than three hundred examples of their best work, yet still eminently portable, Six Chapters in Design is a charming model of economy. Each chapter begins with an essay by a fellow designer, or poet, or, in the case of Saul Bass, director Martin Scorsese, and closes with a biographical profile. Esteemed by designers around the world, these are the artists who created the identities of Warner, AT&T, IBM, ABC, UPS, and Westinghouse; film titles for The Shining and Cape Fear; posters; advertisements; and memorable images of every sort. Their work, nearly omnipresent in everyday life, has influenced an entire culture. This dynamic compendium is a smart resource for designers and artists working in any medium.

Customer Reviews:

Less was more.......2002-06-22

This book is exactly what I hoped it would be: a visual parade of the works of designers who are arguably considered superstars in graphic design.

The various graphics are seen applied to print (magazine/book/poster), signage, film and sculptural media.

The examples span several decades, from the early 40s to the mid-90s. The great thing about seeing superb design in the years before the 1980s is that design during that period was accomplished without the use of computers; as a result, greater emphasis was placed on composition, shape, typography, color and imagination. The result was design that was simple, bold and highly communicative. It's a far cry from the over-stimulated design that almost everyone with a computer is capable of producing -- and has.

The back of the book contains an index to the graphics with a descriptive label and the year in which each was produced. Each designer's section starts off with a few paragraphs of introductory text, and ends with a brief bio.

The graphics are displayed one per page, and speak for themselves. Designers should pay attention to the message in this body of work.

A good ,allthough basic, overview of the giants.......2001-04-14

I think this book is a fairly good inventory of design works by the giants. Some of the works displayed have dated and it seems there could have been better editorial choices. Nevertheless, i think its a good starter for the begginer, and is a fun way to kill an hour.The print quality is exellent, giving vivid colors, but the cover design is...well- a shame.

monolithic work in the palm of your hand!.......1999-09-29

Great works by the great designers, including my fav. Saul Bass's anatomy of a murder, it's simply a designers inspiration in carry size.Don't strain your eyes - it's picture only.

if your a visual person, this book is for you.......1999-03-22

i say this because theres absolutely no copy. color galore and histories of they're work are covered in full. have fun looking at the greats, i did.

Art is Work: Graphic Design, Interiors, Objects and Illustrations

Average customer rating:

Great for Students
Glaser a genius, all designers need this
Magnificent!

Art is Work: Graphic Design, Interiors, Objects and Illustrations
Milton Glaser
Manufacturer: Overlook Hardcover
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Design & Decorative Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Milton Glaser: Graphic Design: Graphic Design

ASIN: 1585670693
Release Date: 2000-12-04

Book Description

Art is Work, lavishly illustrated with more than 500 full-color reproductions, is a comprehensive overview of legendary designer Milton Glaser's rich and varied oeuvre, a dazzling array of iconic work on well-known products, ranging from newspapers and magazines to toys, textiles, restaurant interiors, supermarkets, posters, album covers, and much, much more. An illuminating text accompanying these images offers a rare glimpse into his personal artistic philosophy and working methods. Art is Work reflects Milton Glaser's abundant gifts and is a fitting manifestation itself of the talents of one of the powerful and creative forces in design today.

Customer Reviews:

Great for Students.......2002-03-24

Milton Glaser has rightly been called a genius. With the exception of some printing issues (the only reason this doesn't get 5 stars), this is a great book. Besides cataloguing much of Glaser's work, the interviews and pieces which show the progression of his work are amazing. I'd highly recommend this to ANYONE involved in teh creative process, but especially to students who may not fully realize how the creative process can play out (and scoffs at the idea of multiple sketches and comps)

Glaser a genius, all designers need this.......2001-05-20

I'd have rated it 5 stars save that the printer (I returned my first copy) has a few blotches and splotches here and there; not terrible, just improper). Milton Glaser was called a genius when he was inducted into the NY Art Directors Club Hall of Fame. He is! His conceptions are powerful and creative. His control of many illustration media, of typography from various eras and modes of thought, of decorative matter, his ability to endlessly combine them, are a lesson to experienced designers, illustrators, and art directors, and a stimulus to those who get by on a few cheap tricks. The work is gorgeous, the text is instructional, the overall effect energizing. Buy it.

Magnificent!.......2000-12-06

From his famous Dylan poster to the iconic "I Love New York" logo, Glaser is probably (with the exception of Saul Bass and Paul Rand) the most recognized graphic designer of the 20th century.

Glaser is a true renaissance man- blending illustration, graphic design, signage and interior design. His work today still resonates and vibrates with the same intensity and passion as his days with the Pushpin era.

With his latest book, Milton Glaser once again proves he is the maestro of design and illustration. It is filled with case studies, personal captions and wonderful illustrations and photographs of his work.

Whether you are a student or a professional-buy this book. It will truly inspire you.

Average customer rating:
American Illustration 22
Gary Baseman , Steve Brodner , Sue Coe , Brian Cronin , Milton Glaser , Matteo Guarnaccia , Brad Holland , Philippe Weisbecker , and Ruth Marten
Manufacturer: Amilus, Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
Illustration | Commercial | Graphic Design | Design & Decorative Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
General | Design & Decorative Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

American Illustration 21

American Illustration 24 (American Illustration)

American Illustration 25 (American Illustration)

Dumb Luck: The Art of Gary Baseman

Bologna Annual 2005 - Illustrators of Children's Books (Bologna Annual. Illustrators of Children's Books)

ASIN: 1886212201
Release Date: 2003-12-02

Book Description

Description: American Illustration continues its tradition of presenting the best editorial, advertising and packaging art of the year in this, its 22nd volume. More than 300 images selected by a jury of art and design professionals makes this volume the most exciting gallery in print. As American Illustration graduates into its third decade, a group of artist-educators were asked what they think of the book that has launched so many great careers: American Illustration is American art at its best, a rare experience in enjoyment and a trip to illustration Utopia. --Savannah College of Art and Design American Illustration is and has been, from the first volume, the primo juried annual of illustration in America. --Art Center College of Design American Illustration is the most innovative and visually exciting overview of illustrative work available today. --Rhode Island School of Design American Illustration is quite simply the most important book for any student who aspires to learn how to catch the elusive one great idea. --Cooper Union American Illustration is the perfect book to inspire and set an example for all of us to find our own visual song. --Parsons School of Design

Average customer rating:

Graphic Design
Milton Glaser
Manufacturer: Overlook Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000NUH8ZM

Average customer rating:

Graphic Design
Milton Glaser
Manufacturer: The Overlook Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000NUT2G0

Average customer rating:

Graphic Design
Milton GLASER
Manufacturer: see notes for publisher info
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000MXDSJA

Average customer rating:

An elegant visual book for /about people who love tools

Work, Life, Tools
Stanley Abercrombie , and Milton Glaser
Manufacturer: Monacelli
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books

Reference | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books

General | Photography | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Photo Essays | Photography | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Household Hints | How-to & Home Improvements | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

General | Science | Subjects | Books

General & Reference | Technology | Science | Subjects | Books

History of Technology | Technology | Science | Subjects | Books

Technology & Society | Technology | Science | Subjects | Books

Social History | Historical Study | History | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1885254830

Customer Reviews:

An elegant visual book for /about people who love tools.......1999-01-04

My favorite Christmas gift -- the cover is Red, the stock feels great to the touch, and there's plenty of white space. It's a book and an exhibition in one. It's filled with people who love their work. Work, Life, Tools qualifies as great design. (Hats off Milton Glaser, and to Steelecase for being enlightened enough to fund the exhibition.) This book cum exhibition guide ranks high on the visual, aesthetic and conceptual pleasure scale. My favorite aspect: the way the bios portray the multiple talents and the "I don't just do one thing" truth about their subjects. It's filled with lots of practical ah-has. You get to peek into people's work spaces. It represents a fascinating spectrum of thinking about work. And, it's amazing to me how loyal people are to their fountain pens (as one who's committed to Deluxe Uni-balls.) I loved it!

Product Description

Deluxe matching folio to the all-star Madison Square Garden NYC concert. 29 songs in piano/vocal and chord diagrams with full lyrics.

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books