The World of Agatha Christie: The Facts and Fiction Behind the World's Greatest Crime Writer

Customer Reviews:

Don't buy this book if you are a fan of Agatha Christie........1999-12-21

I've only been able to finish this book because I've been able to resist throwing it off the balcony in disgust. The author delights in criticizing Christie's writing style and characters, and accuses her of being "naive" and clumsily stealing from other authors. As a long time Christie fan, and in particular a Poirot fan, I take great exception to the author's characterization of Poirot as "flat" and without personality. Silly me, all these years, I thought he has had so many fans for the simple reason that Christie brought so much life to him! The author tears apart nearly every book and beloved character. The character of Miss Marple "doesn't convince" and is "unlikeable" (that will be news to her many fans) and Christie's later books are "geriatric dodderings." This was a good idea for a book if the publishers had actually chosen someone who LIKED Christie to write it, as they must have known buyers would be Christie fans. As it is, it is not worth the paper it is printed on, and will not have a place on my bookshelf.

Average customer rating:

Not quite "The Facts"
A good book, but only of interest to those familiar with his work
By this time a 'small part 'of the 'Facts' A larger 'summing- up' now in order
Not Just The Facts
An Autobiography Unlike Any Other

The Facts : A Novelist's Autobiography
Philip Roth
Manufacturer: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Authors | Arts & Literature | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0374152128

Book Description

A rigorously unfictionalized narrative that protrays Roth unadorned -- as young artist, as student , as son, as lover, as husband, as American, as Jew -- and candidly examines how close the novels have been to, and how far from, autobiography.

Customer Reviews:

Not quite "The Facts".......2007-08-26

Roth disarms his critics by getting his alter ego, Zuckerman, to comment. He concentrates of key elements of his life, and is particularly candid in his comments on his first wife and his response to her death. I felt a little sorry for the Boston University senior who got a few brief comments. She failed to set his imagination alight I suppose.
I am not a fan but the clarity of the writing and the astute observations of himself and others make this a fine read for anyone who find human interaction intriguing.

A good book, but only of interest to those familiar with his work.......2006-10-10

Philip Roth is undoubtably one of the 20th centuries best authors. He is also a fairly interesting figure and much of his best work is highly autobiographical...

as such, it is inevitable that people are interested in the "truth" of his life and what really happened. Roth obliges here, mostly, giving us an account of his life (only up until the publication of Portnoy's Complaint though) that seems quite true, but written in a way that feels novelistic and as if Roth was writing in the voice of another character. Then he bookends the autobiography with his fictional counter part, Zuckerman, commenting on the text and pondering the nature of truth, autobiography, etc.

This is a good book, but at then end of the day its not interesting to anyone who hasn't read the Zuckerman books, Portnoy's Complaint and his other autobiographical books. Its nice to get an account of what he drew on exactly, but only if you've read those books.

By this time a 'small part 'of the 'Facts' A larger 'summing- up' now in order.......2006-04-16

In the years since this book was published Roth has written at least three - major works, and a number of others. He has also gone through a life- threatening serious illness, a high publicity marriage, and a nasty two- sided confessional divorce. He has also gone through a lot of time by himself dedicatedly adding to the 'oeuvre'.
The 'Facts' then as it tells of Roth's early life, first marriage, problematic relation to the Jewish community, is only one part of the story.
'The Facts' is a very good book but for those like myself who have read very much Roth it is a small and partial work.
One would like to see a kind of 'summing up work' from him in which he discusses his overall conception of himself and development as a writer, his sense of where he truly belongs in the Literary tradition, his feeling about the whole 'meaning' of his life when obviously the 'personal side' does not seem very successful, his sense of his relation to American, Jewish and overall human history.

Not Just The Facts.......2001-04-20

Leave it to Phillip Roth to take a traditional autobiography and turn it on its ear. The book begins with a brief letter from Roth to his fictional character Zuckerman, explaining that he (Roth) has written a brief autobiography and wanted to get Zuckerman's input. Then comes the autobiography, a concise version of Roth's history focusing primarily upon his childhood, his college years, and his marriage to a woman who he later describes as his "nemesis." Finally the book ends with Zuckerman's comments on Roth's text. Just the thought of it is enough to make you laugh, but there is value in this approach. Roth clearly feels uneasy discussing himself, and so the fictional character allows him to break down his own personality without appearing overly self-indulgent. This final Zuckerman section is very insightful and alleviated my doubts that perhaps Phillip Roth does not understand himself as well as he would like to think.

'The Facts' is a quick read and goes a long way in illustrating how a nice Jewish boy from a good family in the suburbs of New Jersey could find enough angst in his life to eventually line his desk with a Pulitzer Prize, two PEN/Faulkner Awards, and a National Book Award. I would recommend it to anyone who has enjoyed anything by this master of the literary realm. (If you haven't yet read any of his novels, try Portnoy's Complaint, American Pastoral, or Goodbye Columbus... but you really can't go wrong, everything he's written is terrific.)

An Autobiography Unlike Any Other.......2001-01-13

In this short, fascinating book Roth narrates the story of his life up to the publication of "Portnoy's Complaint." Then, in a long epilogue, Nathan Zuckerman (Roth's fictional alter-ego) critiques Roth's account, pointing out omissions and biases and attacking the "public relations tone" of the manuscript. If you have ever felt the sting of your outraged conscience, or laughed at how you trip over your own feet intellectually, Roth is the author for you.

Average customer rating:

The Facts of Life
Maureen Howard
Manufacturer: Penguin (Non-Classics)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Authors | Arts & Literature | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Irish | Ethnic & National | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Women | Specific Groups | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0140055002

Book Description

In this extraordinary autobiography--now a classic of the genre--one of the literary community's most distinguished voices brings all of her novelistic powers to the facts of her own life. This newly released edition features a new Introduction by Maureen Howard in which she discusses the current fascination with memoir and autobiographical writing. In her own startlingly original contribution to the genre, she evokes the wonder of common things and the strangeness lurking in the seemingly obvious with great charm, wit, and energy. A searching and powerful memoir, Facts of Life "reveals Maureen Howard as one of our most significant writers" (The Boston Globe).

--With a new Introduction by the author

"A brilliantly told story." --Alfred Kazin, The New Republic

"Brief, witty, and utterly original." --Walter Clemons, Newsweek

Average customer rating:

The Facts - A Novelist's Autobiography
Philip Roth
Manufacturer: Farrar, Straus And Giroux
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000IWVKB8

Average customer rating:

The Facts: A Novelist's Autobiography
Philip Roth
Manufacturer: Farrar, Straus
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000NS406O

Average customer rating:

The Facts: A Novelist's Autobiography
Philip Roth
Manufacturer: Farrar, Straus
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000GRO4HC

Average customer rating:

Facts: A Novelist's Autobiography.

ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000IBBRIA

Average customer rating:

The Facts A Novelist's Autobiography
Roth Philip
Manufacturer: Farrar Straus Giroux
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000UDMEBU

Average customer rating:

Facts a Novelists Autobiography
Philip Roth
Manufacturer: FARRAR STRAUS & @ GIROUX
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000VUOEUG

Average customer rating:

Facts a Novelists Autobiography
Philip Roth
Manufacturer: FARRAR STRAUS & COMPANY INC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000UCBHNM

Average customer rating:
Precious Things: A Mothers Empty Arms A Daughter's Empty Heart
Andrea Boehaar
Manufacturer: Barbour Pub Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000U667W4

Book Description

The current Teen Wonder, Tim Drake, graduated into his own monthly comics series in these stories that take place at the height of the renowned Batman: Knightfall story! In it, Robin battles the Cluemaster, only to run afoul of his beautiful daughter, the would-be hero called the Spoiler. Robin then runs headlong into battle at the side of the Huntress, Gotham Citys deadliest vigilante!

Customer Reviews:

Dixon's Writing Makes this Great.......2006-01-17

There was a period when nearly everything coming out of the Batcave was well-written, with amazing art, and solid continuity. This was largely due to the fact that Chuck Dixon was writing everything, making for a more cohesive Bat-Universe than when the books are written by committee. Of course, it's too much for any one person to handle indefinitely, but Dixon left a mark on the books that few have managed to equal or surpass.

Dixon's work on Robin, which he wrote for approximately the first 100 issues, is the work I'll always remember him by. Tim Drake, aka Robin III, fought tooth and nail to convince Batman that he needed another Robin, and that he was the boy for the job. The inception story is collected in Robin: A Hero Reborn (also a fantastic TPB). This paperback, Flying Solo, starts some time after that. During the Azrael era, Jean-Paul Valley takes over after Bane breaks Bruce Wayne's back. Valley, increasingly unstable, kicks Tim out of the Batcave, perfectly setting up the time for Tim Drake to break out solo.

Right away, Dixon gives Tim a depth of identity and character development that readers had never seen in the main Bat-series. Tim has a girlfriend (Ariana), a 'partner' (Stephanie Brown, aka the Spoiler), and an arsenal of low-grade Batman villains (Cluemaster, Electrocutioner). Dixon even manages to give those villains some credibility and show Tim's growth as a crimefighter. But the brilliance of the story is contained in his development of Tim's personal life. He's well-written as a teenage prodigy. It's engaging to watch him develop under the usual human pressures, plus the difficulty of crime-fighting and his worry over what the crazy Batman is up to.

Tom Grummett's art is also fantastic. It's too bad he left the series eventually - I feel that he and Dixon made a great team. If you haven't experienced the wonder of the Robin series for yourself, there's no better place to start than here. If you miss Dixon's work on Batman and/or Nightwing, try this out.

This TPB collects Robin (ongoing series) #1-6 and Showcase '94 #5-6.

Book Description

This refreshing biography captures the compelling combination of down-to-earth humanity and profound, enriching spirituality that is Teresa of Avila’s hallmark. This intelligent, balanced portrait of an irreverent, intense, and fiery Renaissance woman and her times includes moving excerpts from her letters and sublime spiritual writings. Her unconventional, progressive views on prayer and worship, her outstanding administrative and literary talents, her travels around Spain to found and supervise convents, and how she spent much of her life under the scrutiny of the Inquisition are all detailed. For readers of any faith or none, this book brings to life an extraordinarily ordinary, lovable, and inspiring individual.

Customer Reviews:

Terrific Biography of a Very Human Saint.......2007-05-09

What I found extraordinary about this book is how the author packed in so much detail yet kept the book flowing and interesting. Besides including the dates and places of every convent St. Teresa founded, Ms. du Boulay expounds on much personal information. Yet the book is concise, relatively short. This is a very well-written biography. St. Teresa's life is covered from birth to death and after, and I found I could relate to her so much. Her accomplishments were great, but she was very human, and I think most of us will see some of ourselves reflected in this biography. Now I want to read St. Teresa's writings. I was interested in learning about her when I chose to read this book. Now I'm fascinated with her! This is good biography. I recommend this if you like the genre. And if you're interested in the contemplative life.

One of the, (if not the), best bios on St. Teresa of Avila.......2005-04-24

A wonderful account of the life of a determined and indefatiguablable woman! Teresa's "ordinary human-ness" comes across clearly in her initial ambivalence at the idea of becoming a nun. However, once she makes the decision, Teresa commits herself wholeheartedly. It readily becomes apparent Teresa made the right choice, for soon God begins communicating directly with her...a mysticism which is to last throughout her life. The convent, though, has more of a social focus than a focus on God, and after experiencing two Divine encounters, Teresa finally sheds any and all ties she retained to the matieral world and embarks upon re-estalishing the strict, cloistered lifestyle of the hermits of Mt. Carmel. Thus, with the help of influential friends, including St. John of the Cross, Teresa undertook the great reformation of the Carmelite Order, ultimately founding 16 "Discalced" Carmelite communities throughout 1500s Spain. The book includes a map of Spain, with each of Teresa's foundations marked, helping to put into perspective the distances, as well as the rigors and dangers Teresa and her nuns faced in their grueling travels, as they established new communities. Teresa's selfless love for God and the heroic measures she undertook in serving His Will are inspiring and beautifully depicted.

Average customer rating:

A delicious book!

overly worshipful

A fine survey of French food and culinary history.

Haute Cuisine: How the French Invented the Culinary Profession
Amy B. Trubek
Manufacturer: University of Pennsylvania Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Gastronomy | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
History | Gastronomy | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
General | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
French | European | Regional & International | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
General | France | Europe | History | Subjects | Books
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Meals to Come: A History of the Future of Food (California Studies in Food and Culture)

ASIN: 0812217764

Book Description

"Trubek sees the world the way cooks do."--Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker "A fine survey of French food and culture."--Bookwatch "An impeccably researched history and reference for the cooking student and scholar."--Kirkus Reviews "Paris is the culinary centre of the world. All the great missionaries of good cookery have gone forth from it, and its cuisine was, is, and ever will be the supreme expression of one of the greatest arts of the world," observed the English author of The Gourmet Guide to Europe in 1903. Even today, a sophisticated meal, expertly prepared and elegantly served, must almost by definition be French. For a century and a half, fine dining the world over has meant French dishes and, above all, French chefs. Despite the growing popularity in the past decade of regional American and international cuisines, French terms like julienne, saute, and chef de cuisine appear on restaurant menus from New Orleans to London to Tokyo, and culinary schools still consider the French methods essential for each new generation of chefs. Amy Trubek, trained as a professional chef at the Cordon Bleu, explores the fascinating story of how the traditions of France came to dominate the culinary world. One of the first reference works for chefs, Ouverture de Cuisine, written by Lancelot de Casteau and published in 1604, set out rules for the preparation and presentation of food for the nobility. Beginning with this guide and the cookbooks that followed, French chefs of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries codified the cuisine of the French aristocracy. After the French Revolution, the chefs of France found it necessary to move from the homes of the nobility to the public sphere, where they were able to build on this foundation of an aesthetic of cooking to make cuisine not only a respected profession but also to make it a French profession. French cooks transformed themselves from household servants to masters of the art of fine dining, making the cuisine of the French aristocracy the international haute cuisine. Eager to prove their "good taste," the new elites of the Industrial Age and the bourgeoisie competed to hire French chefs in their homes, and to entertain at restaurants where French chefs presided over the kitchen. Haute Cuisine profiles the great chefs of the nineteenth century, including Antonin Careme and Auguste Escoffier, and their role in creating a professional class of chefs trained in French principles and techniques, as well as their contemporary heirs, notably Pierre Franey and Julia Child. The French influence on the world of cuisine and culture is a story of food as status symbol. "Tell me what you eat," the great gastronome Brillat-Savarin wrote, "and I will tell you who you are." Haute Cuisine shows us how our tastes, desires, and history come together at a common table of appreciation for the French empire of food. Bon appetit! Amy B. Trubek teaches at the New England Culinary Institute.

Customer Reviews:

A delicious book!.......2007-09-28

For readers interested in either France or cuisine of any kind, Haute Cuisine is a worthwhile and enjoyable read. Offering insight into the efforts of French chefs to establish their trade as a profession, the book explains how and why the French style of haute cuisine came to dominate within France and, more inportantly, far beyond its borders. The book studies the trade associations and journals of chefs, primarily in the 19th century. The rivalry between France and Britian in terms of culture and cuisine is discussed. It also describes the culinary expositions of the day. I highly recommend Haute Cuisinefor the casual reader as well as academics in history, anthropology, sociology, or cultural studies.

overly worshipful.......2000-12-20

OK, the topic of the book is french cuisine. But Ms Trubek writes so simplistically worshipful that I think the book is not informative any more. She gives as a fact that until today french cuisine has been on top in every respect - and that's too narrow a view in the year 2000. The book should be displayed in every french cultural center and maybe in all the cooking schools mentioned which propagate french cooking - maybe that was the main motivation to write it anyway.

A fine survey of French food and culinary history........2000-09-06

How did the French invent the culinary profession and rise to culinary heights? Haute Cuisine: How The French Invented The Culinary Profession charts the history of French cooking and French chefs, providing reviews of the pioneers of the field and their achievements. A fine survey of French food and culture, and how it influenced the world.

Customer Reviews:

Art Dolls + Art Deco + Great Images + Fine Research = Love.......2004-01-20

If you are a collector, a dollmaker, or simply a fan of 1920s and 30s boudoir dolls, this is the book for you. Farago, an avid collector (and also a fine artist) has offered readers an inside look at her own, as well as other marvelous collections of boudoir dolls, other Art Deco-period art dolls, and a number of even earlier historic dolls and automata. She highlights interesting figuratives and a few select contemporary doll artists as well.

Beautifully illustrated by notable photographer, Bob Dennison, the book brings the dolls to life in imaginative specially-designed settings befitting their characters. The photography is truly out of this world. Farago has a fine writing style and uses historical research, photographs and period illustrations to tell the story of the relationships between art, dolls and the adults who collect them.

Highly recommended as a one-of-a-kind-kind-of-doll-book ... really a collector's item in itself.

A treasure for doll collectors and art lovers!.......1998-10-20

The artistry of these adult dolls of the 1920's and 1930'sreflect this period and its cultural trends in the many superbpictures shown on these pages. The current generation of doll collectors and art lovers will delight in the nostalgia aroused by these fabulous pictures in this visually exquisite book.

Hopefully, collectors will treasure this book for both its dolls and its contribution to art.

Average customer rating:
Magic Romance of Art Dolls 1st Edition Boudoir Doll book
Unknown
Manufacturer: Farago
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000RPI2QC

Average customer rating:

innovative

Pretty Coffee Table Book

3-D fabric forms

Three-Dimensional Embroidery
Janet Edmonds
Manufacturer: Batsford
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
Embroidery | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
General | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Needlework | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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Creative Recycling in Embroidery

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Creating Sketchbooks for Embroiderers and Textile Artists

ASIN: 0713489650

Book Description

The world is three-dimensional—why not embroidery? Creating three-dimensional embroidery for use on clothing and as unique accessories, or simply as stunning artwork, has become one of the hottest trends in the textile arts. The complete design and construction process is detailed here—from the initial drawing board sketch to the finished bags, boxes, or other artwork—with all the various stitches and steps illustrated in 90 color photographs. The instructions cover everything from the basics of creating raised geometric shapes to advanced freeform work and tucking, folding and coiling fabric to adding beads and other personalized touches, as well as multiple joinery techniques and a range of clever finishing methods.

Customer Reviews:

innovative.......2007-09-07

I've had this book for a couple of months, and each time I pick it up I am amazed at the creativity of this women. There are lots of books with all the same ideas; this one presents actual NEW tecniques with great pictures. A book I will pick up often for inspriation

Pretty Coffee Table Book.......2007-02-19

This is a gorgeous book with wonderful ideas, most of which you will probably never use. If you have not tried manipulating fabric with machine embroidery and disolvable stabilizers, then this book will probably open your eyes and get your mind wandering in all sorts of new directions. If you are not an aspiring fiber artist with lots of free time to experiment, then this book probably has little practical use.

3-D fabric forms.......2007-01-28

Generally an excellent book, with some different ideas as well as some different approaches to old ideas. I think because of the British source, the shown works seem different in style than what I appreciate, however, the techniques are still viable....Photography inhances some rather ordinary pieces..Not as pleased with the book as anticipated, but enough so that I am wildly buying fabric and creating works of art....What does that say?

Three-Dimensional Embroidery Stitches (Needlecrafts Series)

Average customer rating:

Three Dimensional Embroidery Stitches
Pretty but not enough
Three Dimensional Embroidery Stitches

Three-Dimensional Embroidery Stitches (Needlecrafts Series)
Pat Trott
Manufacturer: Search Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Embroidery | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Needlework | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1844480038

Book Description

Illustrated throughout with diagrams and step-by-step photography, this book combines techniques with inspiration. French knots, tufting, stem stitch, whipped spider's web, woven picot and more are included and combined with painted backgrounds, couching, padded work and twisted threads to create a sequence of easy-to-follow projects. Pat Trott guides the embroiderer through each stage, showing how to build up scenes and pictures. Using nature as her source of design, she demonstrates the techniques involved in creating flowers, plants, woodlands and seashores.

Customer Reviews:

Three Dimensional Embroidery Stitches.......2007-03-25

A fabulous aray of stitches to learn. This book is great for beginner and experienced stitcher who wants to hoan skills.

Pretty but not enough.......2006-03-11

This book is pretty but not enough information or patterns for the medium to advance embroiderer.

Three Dimensional Embroidery Stitches.......2006-03-10

I found the book full of new stitches as well as adding color. Watercolor is amazing on fabric, with new watercolor crayons and just a light touch. The imformation on the needle stitching is wonderful and a new way of design.
Each page and stitch, had a picture to help the beginner as well as the the advanced needle worker.
One thing, good for a library addition, but not enough pages for the beginner.

Average customer rating:

More than expected!
The Art of Dimensional Embroidery (Brazilian Embroidery)

The Art of Dimensional Embroidery
Maria A. Freitas
Manufacturer: Edmar Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Quilts & Quilting | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Textile Arts | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0963948105

Customer Reviews:

More than expected!.......2007-03-09

I ordered this for my mom and was delighted that it was signed by the author. A wonderful surpise! She was trilled.

The Art of Dimensional Embroidery (Brazilian Embroidery).......2001-04-10

I am a student of this beautiful art and have purchased different books on the subject. This one is my favorite as it explains the different basic stitches and pictures the instructions with such simplicity. Brazilian Embroidery looks difficult, but with this book she manages to instruct with such ease, that anyone can understand it. Great book for the beginner and yet one you will never want to do without! She takes you through the different threads used, the tools needed, and even how to launder your finished masterpiece. Very thorough instruction of stitches and how to use them to make floral designs.

Average customer rating:

Three-Dimensional Needlepoint
Gale Litvak
Manufacturer: Putnam Publishing Group
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books

General | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Needlepoint | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

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Textile Arts | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 039912926X

Embroidered Boxes (Batsford Classic Embroidery)

Average customer rating:

Misleading title and obsolete content
embroidery in color please

Embroidered Boxes (Batsford Classic Embroidery)
Jane Lemon
Manufacturer: Batsford
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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

General | Sculpture | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Embroidery | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | Interior Design | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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Beginner's Guide to Embroidered Boxes (Beginner's Guide to Needlecrafts)

ASIN: 0713445874

Book Description

This classic text is the only practical guide to the specialist techniques of embroidered boxmaking-and a must for those just beginning to learn this craft or for more experienced embroiderers who want to extend their repertoire. Here are blow-by-blow instructions for constructing boxes from fabric-covered card, always done in accordance with the particular type of embroidery that will decorate them. There's also extensive information on making bags and purses, cushions, curtains, blinds and book covers that can be enhanced with a variety of stitchery. These techniques include appliqué, quilting, canvas work, and many others. Every embroiderer will succeed in producing a really professional finish!

Customer Reviews:

Misleading title and obsolete content.......2006-01-31

Be forewarned: if you purchase this book assuming it contains instructions, templates, or patterns for recreating the beautiful fish box on the cover, forget it; there are no specific directions for making that particular box shape, let alone for the embroidery adorning it.

This book would more aptly be titled "How to construct generic cardboard boxes using outdated techniques & materials." That the boxes could then be covered with embroidery is purely incidental, since this book does NOT discuss embroidery at all. (They could just as well have said "cloth-covered boxes," or "leather-covered boxes".) Nor could one be inspired by the few photos of finished embroidered boxes, since the shots are not only all B&W, they're dark, blurred, muddy, and downright ugly. (The cover photo is the *only* color shot in the entire book!)

First published in 1980, this book was reissued without any updating whatsoever, and it shows. To give the author credit, she does a decent job of explaining measuring, cutting, lacing, etc., and the line drawings of various construction stages are clear. But the last quarter-century has seen a flood of new crafting tools, materials, and techniques that relegates much of what she tries to teach to the dustbin of history.

And again, there's nothing here about embroidering...

embroidery in color please.......2005-09-14

This book is both great and really dissapointing. All the inside photo's with gorgeous designs are in black and white, hiding all the beauty and color of the items. I feel cheated the cover has a breathtaking color photo of the red and gold fish box, and then you open to no color. It does give good solid information on how to design, embroider boxes, cushions, purses etc...

Average customer rating:

Art of Dimensional Embroidery
Maria A. Freitas
Manufacturer: see notes for publisher info
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000Q5TQJ0

Sculptural Peyote Projects Primer (Beady-Eyed Women's Guides to Exquisite Beadwork)

Average customer rating:

Sculptural Peyote Projects Primer (Beady-Eyed Women's Guides to Exquisite Beadwork)
Jeanette Cook
Manufacturer: Atlantic Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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

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Embroidery | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 1889789054

Average customer rating:

A Must Have For Collectors Of Asian Arts

Excellent decoration help...esp. for expats

A helpful introduction to different Oriental styles

LittleText, Lacks Vision, Slapdash Page Edit'g. 2 1/2 stars

west meets east

In the Oriental Style: A Sourcebook of Decoration and Design
Sian Evans , Mimi Lipton , and Michael Freeman
Manufacturer: Thames and Hudson Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Interior Design | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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China Style

ASIN: 0500235953

Amazon.com

The creators of this Asian-design sourcebook believe that "there is no single, definitive 'Oriental' style, but rather a wealth of diverse treatments and approaches ... which range from authentic traditional interiors to the exuberant, eclectic blending of arts and artifacts ... in re-creations of Oriental styles in the West." The Oriental Style is artful without being opaque, classy without lapsing into elitism. While beautiful in their simplicity, the examples in the "Traditional Living" section may be too austere for the average home decorator. However, later chapters showcase a rich mélange of styles--a Tibetan rug in an English country den, or a wooden Buddha in a stairway alcove--that any Asian-design enthusiast will appreciate. Particularly useful are the chapters on furnishings and decorative details, which display and describe dozens of classic and modern items, from futons and folding screens to wooden chests and the smaller accents that make your home truly unique. --Jhana Bach

Customer Reviews:

A Must Have For Collectors Of Asian Arts.......2002-09-28

A favorite of my Interior Design book collection!
Being stationed in Japan for over 10 years with
my husband, I fell in love with Asian Arts and
enjoyed decorating my home with such treasures.
I recently moved back to the States, and more than ever,
I appreciate each piece for it's
craftmanship and beauty. This book shows how much more you can do with treasures from the Orient!

Excellent decoration help...esp. for expats.......2001-06-23

This book is described as a sourcebook and that's what it is. It is certainly not an overview of Oriental furniture since the emphasis is on display and design. It is, however, a great book for those who wish to blend in some Oriental furniture in their Western homes.

The title may be a bit misleading; the main part of the book concentrates on South-East Asian furniture and not so much on Japanese/Korean styles. Most of the furniture comes from Thailand, Burma and China.

For those, like me, who live in that part of the world that is OK. The antiques available in Bangkok, Singapore and Hong Kong are mostly, in the affordable categories, from these countries.

In particular, there is a wealth of Chinese old furniture on the market. And for those who think prices are a problem, forget it. We have picked up many cabinets from Chian around $ 750 and for similar amounts you go to a good furniture shop in BKK and have lovely pieces handmade for you from your own design ideas.

Even if you don't live here, but are here on a visit you can easily buy and have it shipped ( we have done it for friends on quite a few occassions). The shipping rates are quite OK and allow you still to pick up some pieces at good prices.

For amateurs like me, who simply wish to introduce some Asian elements in their homes this book is very valuable and gives many ideas, not in the least through the many photographs.

A helpful introduction to different Oriental styles.......2001-03-15

It is a good sourcebook to get an overview of 'Oriental' styles. You will find an introductions to Oriental traditional living, architecture, furniture and decorative items from Asian countries like Thailand, Burma, Japan, Korea, Myanmar (Burma), China, Philipines, Tibet and Indonesia including Bali. The book shows you as well how Oriental Style can innovate Western interiors.

LittleText, Lacks Vision, Slapdash Page Edit'g. 2 1/2 stars.......2001-01-26

Studying this book made me appreciate the great job done by most editors of style and design source books. This particular book falls short of the standard set by Asian style gurus like Tan Hock Beng and Barbara Walker.

While this book is chock-a-block with professional photos of beautiful objets d'art and of sumptuous east-meets-western-interior-decorator homes, it comes off as an unsorted pile of images; the editorial vision never gets far beyond, "hey, y'all, check out this neat-lookin' stuff!"

One way the editor could have improved the flow of this book would have been to devote just one more pair of facing pages to each of the featured homes. Facing pages are used to some advantage to concentrate on one given home, but these photos sometimes seem disjointed together rather than harmonious. And far too much distance is put between the walls and the camera, so while the overall room can be studied, there is often a lack of up-close, detail shots.

Positive elements: the traditional Japanese interiors are gorgeous, and there are nice shots showing how objects can be grouped; there are lots of hints on how to work east and west together.

Negative elements: three categories of Oriental design and decoration as introduced in the preface are never referred to again; this could have been a way to organize the book! Reader is made to jump from a collection of ornate Chinese and Japanese armoirs (pages 104 - 105), to a variety of Asian bedroom interiors (pages 106 - 107), to 3 rooms of a contemporary Philippines residence (pages 108 - 109). ...it's annoyingly random. There are too many photos of antique shop displays (with overwhelming arrays of objects) with (get this) big price tags on the items, in plain view! If you love the cluttered look, this may not be objectionable, but if you want to see more actual examples of putting a design element to its best advantage, this book won't measure up. I found the examples of western homes using Asian artifacts to be odd, & even sometimes quite insensitive to the beauty of the pieces.

To be sure, there are some lovely photos in here, and many of the pieces (individual design elements) are quite nice. I don't doubt that the average reader will find something here to be inspired by. But there is a general lack of order and subtlty, and far too many inappropriate juxtapositions of images on the same page.

west meets east.......2000-06-11

This is an excellent book for the westerner who wants to introduce an eastern thematic decor to your home, e.g., cabinets, art pieces, tonality and color, while maintaining elements of western living, e.g., western chairs and eating tables. It provides a range of eastern styles and elements that is ideally suited to one seeking a selection of pieces from various eastern cultures. If you are seeking the zen setting of a pure japanese style, this is not the right book.

In Oriental Style a Sourcebook of Decoration and Design

Average customer rating:

In Oriental Style a Sourcebook of Decoration and Design
MICHAEL FREEMAN SIAN EVANS AND MIMI LIPTON
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000NLZAKQ

Book Description

Navigation is fundamental to the Web's dynamic, and more so than ever. With the explosive growth of e-commerce and escalating competition for audiences, how vistors interact with a website, and how well they find their way around, constitutes a critical aspect of the design mission. Because websites provide few of the graphical and textual clues that users have come to take for granted in existing printed information, designers need to learn new navigation strategies and in some cases unlearn old ones. Sites that reward visitors with ease-of-use and instant gratification will succeed. Sites that frustrate users and send them will fail. New rules and new solutions are urgently needed.

WebWorks: Navigation features some 35 projects by many of the leading interactive agencies worldwide, as well as by Web design studios large and small. These cases studies were selected because they best exemplify the latest creative thinking about navigation on the Web. Both designers and people in Internet business will benefit from these accounts.

Customer Reviews:

Navigation??.......2001-04-29

This book is really not about Navigation at all. It's just a bunch of pictures of sites. I bought this book hoping to find examples of good navigation, and how it was designed, but did not find this at all. There are some neat pictures, and I guess I got a few good ideas, but the title should be different. It's not good if you're looking for in-depth information about navigation.

Marketing fluff.......2001-04-24

Readers who expect this book to fulfill its promise of illustrating "navigation interface design at its best" will be left mostly on their own to peruse too-small pictures on overpriced heavy coated stock.

The editor apparently compiled the book's text from questionnaires filled out by the featured design firms. Those questionnaires seem to have been filled with impressive sounding marketing fluff, which the editor has uncritically passed along. Thus we read, for example, that the Cap'n Crunch web site aims to "drive depth of interaction with Cap'n Crunch and foster a 'life-moment' experience." (Translation: expose children to the Cap'n Crunch brand so relentlessly that they will make their parents buy it by the truckload.)

The book's copious full-color illustrations might still be useful if they focused particularly on navigation, but they do not. For example, two of the sites profiled (Herman Miller and Gigabuys) are alleged to use a bread-crumb trail to aid navigation, but the illustrations either do not show it or render it so small as to be practically invisible. Throughout the book, in fact, the pages are designed with vast amounts of white space that could have been spared to make the illustrations larger and more legible.

Overall, an opportunity wasted.

An excellent book for web designer.......2001-04-04

It gives plenty samples of website and all from famous web design companies. It explains why the layout puts into this way or that way. Also, it shows the clients' objective on each project. It is a good book for entry-level and mid-level web designers.

Customer Reviews:

i dont now.......1999-06-17

i havent read the ook yet but it looks like it is going to be a good book so go ahead an buy it

To bad you can't rate 0 stars!!!.......1999-03-20

WORST BOOK I HAVE EVER READ! I'm surprised lot's of you are bothering to buy it...be warned this is a cheesy boring book...they get teir facts the same way we do...totally unofficial....pathetic attempt to make money and it was made back so long ago the most you find out si they joined by answering an ad in the paper and you hear about wannabe and say you'll be there and the "upcoming single '2 become 1'" this is just as album 1 was let out and now they're working on album 3 so don't bother....very lame and boring book the pictures are pathetic...just some from media events like when they announced they were coming into the showbiz seen and also one from a tine concert...no music video pictures or anything big...be warned it s**ks!

It rocks!!!.......1999-02-21

This book is great. I found out a lot of things about the SGs. Any fan would love this book.

YEA BABY!.......1999-02-17

I HAVE/HAD THIS BOOK,AND IT WAS PRETTY GOOD.BUT,I DONT THINK THAT IT HAD ENOUGH STUFF ON EMMA,GERI, OR VICTORIA.(A.K.A. BABY,GINGER,POSH)I DONT KNOW WHY.LIKE IT DIDNT SAY THAT GERI WAS THE YOUNGEST..

Cool and awsome.......1998-10-18

I love this book. It tells all about them.=Þ

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