Book Description
Alternating a tale of the past that has become a part of Key West legend with a contemporary story that reflects the pulse of life there today, Hersey weaves in these stories a brilliant human tapestry of the place that means a great deal to him. From the author of A Bell For Adano and Hiroshima comes this final collections of stories.
Customer Reviews:
Real Life in Paradise.......2004-04-06
As a rule, I don't favor short story collections. A writer needs time to conjure up a real world in words, and once I find such a world to enjoy, I want to remain there for a long time. But when I looked for a book that would deliver a flavor of our southern-most city, I found "Key West Tales." It did not disappoint.
Hersey's modern-day tales of this flamboyant place are raw slices of life, with nary a bougainvillea blossom or swaying palm frond to introduce a bit of tropical mellowness. In this book, irony rules: a man, laid low by AIDS, is robbed of his persona as well as his health; a fat Latino woman is offered a too-good-to-be-true chance at happiness; a woman who escaped to Key West after a divorce gets yanked back into a former life with a letter from the son she gave up for adoption.
Interspersed with the modern tales are briefly-told legends of this legend-rich place: of the wreckers and salvors, eagerly awaiting the next ship-wreck; of the distinguished Audubon, massacring the birds that would make him famous; of a greatly-subdued Jefferson Davis coming to dinner after his imprisonment. Normally I am a stickler for wanting to know what is fact and what is fiction (see my review of "The DaVinci Code," which transgressed in this respect). But for these short and delicious yarns, which lie somewhere between fiction and obviously-embellished fact, I make an exception.
Curiously, while the longer, modern-day tales are peopled with characters who might just as well have lived in, say, San Francisco, I found them dripping with what I, a non-Key-Wester, perceive to be the mood of Key West. For all its physical beauty, perfect weather, and goofiness, Key West is, after all, a place of real people. And ironically, that the characters in this book live in Paradise makes their joys and woes seem all the more poignantly real.
A fine career capper for a veteran story-teller.......2002-03-29
I was somewhat baffled and unimpressed by THE CHILD BUYER (1960) when it was assigned to me in high school and never bothered to read another thing by John Hersey. I bought KEY WEST TALES because (a) I had recently been to Key West, and (b) being a collection of short stories, I knew I could jump to another story if I didn't like the one I was reading.
This collection of stories, more than anything, reminded me of Sherwood Anderson's WINESBURG, OHIO. I have become distrustful of fiction writers who load up their characters with endearing (or annoying) idiosyncrasies in order to make them more memorable (as much as I enjoyed Berendt's MIDNIGHT IN THE GARDEN OF GOOD AND EVIL, I suspect he indulged in this vice a bit). Like the citizens of Winesburg, Ohio, Hersey's Key West natives are believable people experiencing a plausible share of dissonance with the world they seem trapped in. The result is often poignant, as in "The Two Lives of Consuela Castanon," the story of an obese young receptionist who resists, then acquiesces to the advances of a handsome young man not from Key West. In fact, Hersey comes close to replicating the eeriness and desperation of Shirley Jackson's "The Daemon Lover." The best crafted story in the collection is "Fantasy Fest," a story about a woman who has been contacted by the son she had put up for adoption when he was an infant. In his letter to her he suggests that they each dress up as "their own particular fantasy" about themselves and join in Key West's Halloween parade. He is confident that using this ploy they will both be naturally drawn to one another. Does it work? Do they meet? I wouldn't dream of spoiling the story for you. The longest story in the collection, "Get Up, Sweet Slug-a-bed," is the story of a gay man dying of AIDS and of the people in his life. This is no TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE. The relationships are complex and unsentimental. Like Anderson, Hersey does not people his world with saintly or purely wicked folk. It's a fallen world, for sure, one peopled with sinners, many of whom act with the best intentions.
Intercut with the short stories are fictionalized glimpses of Key West's history and legends. Neither Hersey, his widow, nor his editor reveals the publication history of the pieces that make up this collection, but I suspect the "historical" pieces were items Hersey wrote for the local newspaper. Taken together, they give the reader a sense of place. Key West is more that the southernmost town in the United States, a tourist destination, or a gay haven. It's a place with a history, a place that has always honored independent thinking. The historical vignettes bring more than color to this collection, they provide its spine.
This collection is Hersey's swan song...and he sings it well.
Key West is amazing and Hersey captures the place perfectly!.......2001-03-28
Hersey's book is much like Michener's "Tales of the South Pacific." Of course the destiny of the world isn't on the line here, but the sense of wonder, so much a part of Michener's tales, permeates this book. Anyone who loves a place with a unique and special local history or stories of real people in an exotic locale, should relish this book. It may be a bit slow for a few, but for many the rewards will be great.
Can I give it 0 stars?.......2000-12-18
What the hell was this? I think this has got to be one of the most boring books on the planet. I was looking forward to some short stories so I could read quickly in my lunch break but after skimming through the first 3 pages and then trying to read about a dying AIDS patient and finally settling on a story about a girl who was so fat that she was shocked when someone wanted to marry her and then he took off when she decided to lose weight (sorry to spoil that ending, but that is as good as it gets!)..I knew that I could not continue reading such boring drivel. What was the point of these stories? I have no idea, except maybe to cure insommnia.
PLEASE do yourself a BIG favour and DO NOT get this book!
Charming and interesting "Tales'.......2000-06-17
I work in a public library and picked up this book to read on a lunch break and enjoyed it so much I checked it out to take home and finish. Hersey's style is so effortless yet insightful and the stories are captivating. I wish there were more in this collection.
Book Description
Myth fans get a double dose of action in Ace's fifth spectacular 2-in-1 Myth edition.
Love and war go hand in hand when Skeeve "the Great" asks two bumbling bodyguards to join the army of Possiltum-and then finds himself overrun by nubile suitors.
Customer Reviews:
One of the best stories in the series!.......2006-06-17
If you have not read earlier volumes in the MYTH series, this book of two volumes will not be as appealing to you. If you are familiar with the series, then read on!
This book continues the pattern started in the last book of having two volumes in one book that covers two different stories. The first one "M.Y.T.H. inc. In Action" takes the viewpoint of Guido as the story teller. This book is by far the funniest one in this series! The hilarious mis-adventures of Guido and Nunzio, coupled with the complete inanity of the situations that they find themselves in are absolutely top notch!
This story takes place during the time that Skeeve was on Perv trying to find Aahz. The team decides to take care of the Queen Hemlock situation on Klah by themselves! One thing leads to another and the team decides to split up. Guido and Nunzio join the Posilltum army while Tananda, Chumley, Gleep, and Massha get involved in other things. Since this book is told from Guido's point of view, it is not surprising that we do not see much of the other guys. This is a change from the previous M.Y.T.H. Inc. book in which each character essentially told a short story.
Anyway, Guido and Nunzio get involved in a group of recruits who happen to have insect names. They meet Bee, Hyram Flie, Shubert Flie, Spyder, etc. A good example of the kind of humor that is all over these books is that Hyram prefers to be called Hy, while his brother Shubert prefers to be called Shu. So, we have Hy Flie and Shu Flie!!! (groan)
Guido and Nunzio quickly ascertain that they have to make sure the recruits pass through basic training so they can get going with their mission. To do so, they take over the leadership of the group and as a result, get promoted. Since Guido puts on this fake Italo-Gangster type of talk, we aretreated to lots of "situationals" in which their mob past is helpful. Guido actually manages to get promoted at least three times before he quits in disgust!
The descriptions of how this group of misfits tries to screw up the army - which is already screwed up - and how they manage to instead make things altogether better caused immense laughing bouts with this veteran!
All's well that end well and the story has Skeeve, Aahz, and Pookie converge on Queen Hemlock just as the rest of the crew does. And that transitions us to the next book.
The second book "Sweet Myth-tery of Life" is told from Skeeve's viewpoint. He comes back with Aahz and Pookie to Klah and finds his group but also finds himself in trouble. You see, Queen Hemlock has decided that either Skeeve marries her and becomes her consort and produces heirs, or she will abdicate and make him the King. Since he has already had bad experiences in being the King, he rejects that proposal. But then, he has to decide if he wants to become the Queen's consort or not.
Now, Skeeve has had many life-changing experiences, but none of them have prepared him for what to do about all the nubile women throwing themselves at his feet; Queen Hemlock we already discussed, and all readers of the series know that Bunny is tremendously in love with Skeeve; Tananda comes to the realization that she looks at Skeeve more as a younger brother; but we are introduced to Cassandra who happens to be a Vampire as another potential love interest.
Skeeve is completely ignorant of what the women around him want and while he has some normal male human reactions to all these gorgeous ladies, has no idea of what to do about it. The story line continues to twist and turn and Skeeve finds himself in all kinds of trouble but eventually he manages to resolve his feelings for Luanne and gets kicked in the [...] by Hugh Badaxe and finally sorts through what he wants to do. And, finally, he manages to resolve the Queen Hemlock situation.
This happens at the final chapter of the book but then, as he happily walks arouns, the author throws us a plot twist that is so maddening and is so transparent of a hook to get us to come back for more that I practically screamed!
In other words, in addition to the humor, we now have a cliff hanger ending that makes me want to dive into my bookshelf and dig out the next volume!
Highly recommended!!!
Avoid At All Costs.......2005-11-12
By the time these books had come out, Robert Asprin had stopped making his Myth books self-contained stories. They were, instead unapologetically episodic, with long, meandering storylines in each book ending in a cliff-hanger meant to lure you into the next book. It was a cheap device used to snag the die-hard fans and new readers who might not know any better.
Its hard to think of these books as anything more than a marketting tool, since all the originality and humor present in the first few books of this series had long ago been burned away. Its like Robert Asprin is just noodling around at the keyboard, tossing off ideas to fulfill a contractual obligation. There is no joy in these books at all. At best they present over-used cliches, at worst they are tedious beyond belief.
two great myth books in one.......2003-12-20
Asprin's Myth series combines traditional fantasy with humor and satire. He gives us multiple characters that are believable and you grow to love very quickly. Many authors couldn't handle juggling this many primary characters (not to mention the whole slew of secondary characters) and this complicated of a series. It's myth-fastic.
Two epic tales - with a twist.......2003-05-14
This collection of two books by Robert Asprin were a few of my favorites. Without giving the book away, let me tell you that this book doesn't disappoint in comparisson to his earlier books. The characters still deliver the same impact they did in his past books and they keep the same personalities
The plotline twists and weaves and I love how all the books seem to follow the pattern that as soon as one problem is solved, a whole new set of problems emerge. This book promises to be a delightful sequel to the already memorable series of books.
Two Asprin Gave Me a Headache.......2003-01-31
To begin with, I really like a lot of Robert Asprin's previous works. I've just reread both the Myth and Phule series. I love the quirky characters and humor present in both. I was really looking forward to continuing my voyage into the wonderfully amusing world created by this talented author.
The first of the two stories in this double (M.Y.T.H Inc. in Action) is excellent. It is light, amusing, original, and just generally a good read. If you've enjoyed the previous books in the series, you will certainly like this one.
Unfortunately, the second story (Sweet Myth-tery of Life) is not at all up to the mark. It is heavy, not at all amusing, and all in all just not worth reading.
That said, if you can't find M.Y.T.H. Inc. in Action as a single, it is still worth picking up this double book in order to read it.
Book Description
This collection of mainstream stories, written from the early eighties to the mid-nineties, is a stunning example of the virtuosity of the legendary Ursula K. Le Guin. Diffusing the traditional boundaries of realism, magical realism, and surrealism, Le Guin finds the detail that reveals the strange in everyday life, or the unexpected depths of an ordinary person. Written with wit, zest, and a passionate sense of human frailty and toughness,
Unlocking the Air is superb fiction by a beloved storyteller at the height of her power.
Customer Reviews:
a real master of her craft.......2000-08-21
Unlocking the Air is an interesting collection of stories that crosses over genres in LeGuin's style of bridging the misty realm of dreams with the sun-bright daytime world of movement and activity. To me she is an absolutely amazing artist.
America's greatest living writer.......2000-06-25
No one can claim more breadth of talent that Ursula K. Le Guin. She's known to science fiction for her brilliant social-science fiction and to the fantasy world for her world of Earthsea, making her one of the few truly original writers in each of those fields. But here she proves that she is not limited by the stereotypes and discriminations of genre writing. They might call this "mainstream" compared to her other writing: it generally doesn't involve other worlds; but Le Guin is entirely incapable of doing anything "mainstream;" it's still her, and she's still the best. These stories are beautiful to read. They are never too light, never too serious: always playful, always pointed. She flirts with ideas of reality, throwing the traditional existential questions out the window. "Ether, OR" tells the story of a town in Oregon that moves from place to place from multiple perspectives. "Unlocking the Air" is about wars and rumors of wars in a small, nonexistent European country (the same Orsinia from "Orsinian Tales" and "Malafrena"). "Sunday in Summer in Seatown" is a simple prose poem. She's always pushing the edge, pushing herself. It seems that she's succeeded again.
Book Description
Fu-Kiau Bunseki, Ph.D. is one of the great scholars of the African religion, and the leading authority on the Bantu-Kongo civilization. He is also a genuine practitioner of the Kongo spiritual tradition. He is intiated in the three "secret societies" Lemba, Khimba and Kimpasi. Lemba is the foundation for several African based religious practices including Palo Mayombe (Cuba), Vodou Petro (Haiti) and Candomble Angola (Brasil). African cosmology of the Bantu-Kongo explores the Bantu-Kongo religious and philosophical teachings, as well as concepts of law and crime. It connects the reader with one of the most ancient and powerful spiritual traditions-explore "seven-direction walk" our origin and links to society, nature and the universe.
Customer Reviews:
Only for the very gullible.......2007-04-11
As I read this book I felt my jaw slowly dropping and my sense of incredulity slowly rising, until I just couldn't take it any more.
First there's the pseudo-science and made up history and language of the Bantu-Kongo, the author seems to imply that ancient Africans came up with sophisticated theoretical physics concepts like 'the big bang' and planet formation theory. Then there's the oft-repeated anti-Western invective and hostility wherein the author tells the reader that the West is greedy, evil, corrupt, and, of course, the source of all the ills suffered by modern Africans. The reader is told that prior to European encroachment, Africa was a paradise inhabited by noble savages. Liberal democracy, the enlightenment and the industrial revolution have absolutely nothing positive to offer the African. The answer to all modern African problems seem to be a return to primitive village society, notwithstanding the obvious fact that simple village culture is completely unable and ill-equipped to handle the sophisticated economic, social and political problems one is confronted with in a technologically advanced world. The author himself lives and works in the United States, by the way.
At no point does the author present any coherent thesis. At no point does the author make any rational argument supported by evidence or credible authority. Most citations consist of the author citing his previous essays and books.
If one is disgruntled with Western Civilization, or the World Economy, one can do much better than resort to pseudo-science, re-writing history, and the fiction of the noble savage presented here.
Possibly the worst book I've ever had the displeasure of reading.
Excellent text on Bakongo Civilization and Philosophy.......2006-12-27
In this wonderful text, Dr. Fu-Kiau introduces his audience to the fantastically complex Central African philosophy of the Bakongo--the creators of the 13th Century Kongo Empire. The logic of the Bakongo rivals that of East Asia and Ancient Greece. Their philosophical religion, which was very concerned with not only the world but the universe and its planets and stars and the nature of Kalunga--a concept of energy that is akin to the idea of "the Force" in Star Wars. It's fantastic. It's intellectual. It's insightful. It's political. It's spiritual. A must have!
Wonderful Life Living Spirtual Knowledge.......2005-12-25
The author is as soulful and mysterious as the cosmic -mathematical -spirituality written on the pages of this book. I had the pleasure of meeting him in person and knew I had to seek further into what he had to say. One of the more important messages being that since all systems are coded, it is imperative for groups of African descent to love the study of their languages, to prove their scientific capacity in order to avoid yesterdays biased blunders. The cosmology is explained in graphic form in the first chapter for those of us who need visuals to understand, and it is plain enough for the novice to comprehend. There is an awesome chapter on Law and Crime as it relates to cosmic Congo life and living principles as well as a chapter on the concept of the V, the basis for all realities and the binding force to all. You will love all of the proverbs as they are according to the author “ regarded as the warehouse of the ancient African wisdom.” This book is a must have, must read for all who value the old ways of living and who know that this is the way to go.
Be patient.......2004-03-27
This book is not for the faint of heart. as in faint heart never fair suitor won. You will have to work to get into this book, it does not reveal itself to the casual reader. all of those foolish notions about "primitives" fly far away when you try to examine this wisdom. Good Luck.
Rhetorically brilliant - how/why village society works.......2003-03-28
In the first chapter, "Kongo Cosmology in Graphics", Mr. Bunseki utilizes an ingenious series of geometric figures/diagrams to outline the cosmological/linguistic underpinnings of Bantu-Kongo society in the villages where he grew up and has lived for over 40 years. As in other African societies, so-called societal and ritual categories often overlap in many different ways - things aren't always as they seem, but this is why things work so well and are expressive of so much vitality. Everything interpenetrates with everything else, in numerous ways, and on numerous levels, and from numberless standpoints. Much is made in a few short sentences here and there of interactions of forms/fronts/loci of energy.
The figures aren't referenced directly in the text, so you have to intuit your way through. Though annoying at first, this ends up being the best way to grasp the concepts at a fundamental level. You tend to "hear" what he's telling you as you're scanning the images, more akin to oral traditional ways of gaining knowledge, even though ostensibly it's being done to you via a printed medium. He uses native Kongo words to illustrate his lead concepts, even offering entire sentences, which he then translates and/or offers commentary on, at times creatively bending and distorting the English language rather than offering up a weak-kneed or water-down version.
The chapter begins as an exposition of the origin of the elemental earth/cosmos, and proceeds to illuminate different general stages of planetary life. It then illustrates beautifully the living, breathing relationship between this macrocosmic vision and the comings and goings of individual humans in the cyclic dynamics and inter-meshing forces of family, clan, and society. This includes of course the world before birth and after death (that of the ancestors) as theirs is a [reincarnational] version of reality, every aspect full of dynamism, and of communication.
The book, though slim, packs more and more potency the more you study it, even in fits and starts, rather than just reading it straight through. Even when you are trying to skim the text, you feel the forces symbolized therein grabbing at you, seeking to draw you into the world being portrayed. Yes, this book is rather alive.
Next chapter: "The African Concept of Law and Crime"- there are no law books in traditional society. In large sections of Africa, all legal, political and societal matters are ensconced in a plethora of expressive proverbs which all members of the village have access to, depending on the extent of their memorization skills. So when a legal matter comes before the village, all those present act as 'lawyers', not for and against, but rather to flesh out the problem and to seek resolution. Any metaphor(s) enshrined in this or that proverb or folktale may be cited in order to get a glimpse of the energy of the moment and/or a grasp of the situation at hand.
In the following chapter, "Historical Background of the Kongo Cultural Zone", Mr. Bunseki utilizes a large number of such proverbs to give a sense of the outlines of how Kongo society works. One ends up with a vision of a society that is/was probably pure democracy and pure communalism at the same time, prior to their eventual divergence. For instance: all land was held in common by the community . . . no one could become too rich, as that threatens the stability of the overall community . . . all important decisions are made in common. And leaders act as servants of the community, not as its rulers.
Of course, none of this was known by the European colonizers of Africa, mainly because they never spoke any of the native languages, all the better to ignore Africans' humanity in order to exploit the continent's many resources. Thus Africans were portrayed as ignorant savages; their languages and customs were characterized as mumbo-jumbo.
Bunseki's grasp of the subject matter is powerful, his delivery even more so - both very expressive, and full of truthfulness. He is rhetorically/poetically very sensitive to the needs of African society to find a way back to its roots, in order that the usual political excesses seen in recent years will hopefully be turned around, and the ancient order be allowed to re-establish itself.
At the end of this chapter he outlines and (provides another diagram for) how perception (via sound,, sight, etc.) propagates in space; but expands/confounds the customary "scientific" conception by postulating/explaining how such things as dreams propagate as well.
The final chapter ["The 'V': Basis of All Realities"] is even more astounding than what's come before . . . here is where the esoteric nature of Bunseki's training is showered upon the reader. There are several more figures/diagrams by which Bunseki opens up the inner heart of the matter . . . you'll emerged cleansed, somewhat more enlightened (depending on previous training/experience and the temporary condition of your mind and nervous system, of course). Your view of our universe will have been clarified, and amplified.
Here, one diagram shows the seven cosmic directions, in an almost identical fashion to what many of us studying Native American traditions have come to know. But then the teacher opens up the seventh direction and uses a series of diagrams to really initiate the great work, provided the reader has followed along up to this point. The way he maps it out and describes it is exquisite, inspired, intuitive and wholeheartedly alive. Give this guy all of the stars you can find for this work . . . he's worth at least that much.
Book Description
Savory recipes and funky 1950s style artwork reveal the path to any man's heart, be he boyfriend, dad, uncle, son, or potential mate. From man-sized snacks like Italian submarine sandwiches and buttermilk biscuits to sweets like angel food cake and Philadelphia sticky buns, this feast of recipes is designed to tempt masculine taste buds. Delights such as Hunky Salad, Rib Stickin' Beans 'n' Pasta, and Fisherman's Favorites are included.
Book Description
A fascinating study of this amazing archaeological discovery.
Book Description
What would you like to have crocheted by tomorrow —a cardigan with a matching halter top? A cozy afghan? Perhaps a warm hat to ward off the wind? Then get out the needles and follow these patterns, because every one of them takes just a day to do. Even though a crocheter with average skill can handle them all, those with more experience will find plenty of details to intrigue them in these fashionable designs. The sexy, low-cut Glitter Glamour Top and Shawl make a lovely combination, and photos present a variety of stylish ways to wrap the shawl. Or crochet a cheery multicolored scarf, sweaters, purses, outfits for babies and children, and lots more. Includes a conversion chart for crocheters outside the U.S.
Customer Reviews:
Several really cute quick projects.......2007-06-26
There are several summer shells/tanks in this book (some of the nicest I've seen for crochet), and many hats and bags. Each project is rated with a time estimate--but I've found they take me much longer than the estimate. So I would really argue that the average crocheter could make some of these projects in 24 hours.
My biggest pet peeve--books (as this one does) that list the yarn requirements in ounces, not yardage. Unless you are using the exact yarn, "16 oz" does not tell you much!
From a Beginner.......2007-03-11
This book has a lot of great projects. Also, its good for beginners. I recommend it to my friends.
Great addition to your crochet library.......2007-02-14
This offering by Rita Weiss would be a great asset to your crochet library. A variety of projects are included and I found myself saying over and over, "I've got to make this!" Both apparel and accessories are here for the asking. Pictures are plentiful and directions are well-written. I definitely recommend it!
great projects.......2006-01-02
I just got this book and can't wait to start on my first project. There are hats, scarves, tank tops with matching cardigans. This book is full of items that both my teenager or I could wear.
Very good crochet book!.......2005-10-19
This has a good basic t-shirt and tank top pattern. There is a sexy camisole top, a halter top and a half-tank/sexy top, some hats and a couple bags I like. Ordinary patterns fill the rest of the book; scarves, afghans, some ugly hats and a horrible purse, some doilies, kids' clothes, a hipster scarf that looks like a shawl and a headband. This is worth the $$ for the good patterns! Sizes go from small to large, yarn weights are listed and instructions/photos are great!
Book Description
This beautiful style guide brings you into the homes of forty celebrities to reveal how each one worked with designers to transform a bedroom into a highly personalized sanctuary. The styles are as varied and unique as the starts themselves?from model Tyra Banks? colorful fabric-filled Moroccan chamber to singer Paula Abdul?s soothing candlelit hideaway and onto Cher?s medieval-gone-contemporary haven.
Now in paperback, Celebrity Bedroom Retreats showcases a variety of bedroom stylesfrom simple, meditative Zen spaces to garden-inspired chinoiserie styles. Author Joanna Lee Doster helps readers re-create the essentials in each featured style with plenty of design tips, sources, and commentary from both stars and their designers.
Customer Reviews:
Finally, a decorating book that does reveal.......2004-12-10
the kind of things designers never tell you. This is more than just a beautiful book showing beautiful bedrooms that belong to the beautiful people, it really does show all the little tricks that make the rooms click. The best parts are the "make the look" boxes and the fact that every significant item in the rooms is identified by either the maker or the seller, which is referenced in a section in the back. The fun parts are the celebrities - maybe it's not surprise that Wesley Snipes has giant-sized mirrors all over his bedroom, but who would think that Joan Rivers would have such elegant taste? For the record I liked her bedroom suite the best. Now those freestanding fireplaces they have at Home Depot are calling my name.
Ugh! What taste? Where is it? .......2004-11-22
Don't expect to get anything useful out of this book other than a good chuckle at all money and no taste. Unbelievably poor.
Not only that but all the stars are two bit or less celebrities.
The rooms are dated and in hideous taste, the stars are obscure, the design details are revolting and these are 40 rooms I would never want to live in.
Admittedly some are less repulsive than others but on the whole, don't spend the money.
Not a great deal of bio on the celebs, this book is useful as a curiosity only.
Kotori 2004
The benefit depends on your purpose for reading it.......2002-12-17
This book is best as a novelty item, rather than an informative interior design book. You might find inspiration from this book, but not many helpful tips.
Pluses:
All the rooms are opulent, but the book shows many different styles. If you like the stars in the book, it will probably interesting to see how their personalities are tanslated into their design style.
Minuses:
If you want to copy a star's style, it might be difficult to translate the ideas from an unlimited budget to one that is more realistic for the average person. There is no substantive information about the stars themselves in addition to information from their designers about the rooms.
Recommendation:
If you want to see how the other half live, then this book is for you. It also would be a fun gift. Those on a limited budget can probably find more useful books on interior decoration.
Bedroom lovers delight.......2002-11-27
If you love bedrooms, you'll love this book which gives you a glimpse into the sanctuaries of 40 celebrities. Each profile is an average 3 page spread which shows one photo with a brief introduction and then has a page on the "design details" (palette, bed and bedding and furnishings) and a concluding page on "What Makes The Look". The author seems to have chosen her subjects carefully, as a wide array of styles are represented here - from the opulent, Renaissance inspired rooms of the Versaces to the cold, spare, ultra modern rooms of Derrick Colman and Marshall Coburn. Other styles include the Southwestern motif (Stanley Weston), Moroccan (Tyra Banks), and Oriental (Mary Tyler Moore). Some rooms show how carefully selected colors can evoke a calming mood (like in Deborah Norville, Joan Rivers and Paula Abdul's bedrooms). And some may just make you want to go "UGH" (sorry Mary Higgins Clark and Blaine Trump). Other celebrities included are Cher, Princess Diana, Patti Labelle, Ali MacGraw, Natalie Cole, Angel Sanchez, Lillian Vernon, Junior Johnson, Wesley Snipes, Mickey Rourke, Renzo Rosso, Peter Vitale, Charles Shaunghnessy and more.
Average customer rating:
- A very interesting read...
- Not all that it's cracked up to be
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The Digital Designer: The Graphic Artist's Guide to the New Media
Steven Heller , and
Daniel Drennan
Manufacturer: Watson-Guptill
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ASIN: 0823013464 |
Customer Reviews:
A very interesting read..........2000-09-08
Having worked in digital design and education for nearly ten years I found this book to be interesting and informative. I recommend it to my students as it is broad in its scope and in the work analyzed. In the fast-changing "new media" world many of the individuals interviewed have gone on to do other works/projects of worth. (As a one-time member of Echo, I'm not sure what the other reviewer means -- very few individuals listed were ever Echo members. My guess is that acquaintances were forged professionally and through the Interactive Telecommunications Program at NYU.)
Not all that it's cracked up to be.......2000-07-03
The Digital Designer is interesting in that its kind of a survey of who was hot, or doing something in New Media in 1997. Many of the people in this book have no other reason for being in it other than the fact that they are friends of the primary writer, Daniel Drennan. Drennan spent many years as a participant in the ECHONYC.COM BBS system in New York City. It was there that he forged most of these acquaintances.
The book might have been more interesting if he had looked farther afield for his content.
Average customer rating:
- fantastic
- good
- I'M THE SPICE GIRLS BIGGEST FAN BUT.......
- ALL ABOUT THOSE WICKED GIRLS
- It was a fascinating book on the then FAB FIVE!!!
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The Spice Girls: The Uncensored Story Behind Pop's Biggest Phenomenon
Anna Louise Golden
Manufacturer: Ballantine Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
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Similar Items:
-
Forever Spice
ASIN: 0345425596
Release Date: 1997-10-29 |
Customer Reviews:
fantastic.......1999-07-03
This book is great.I have every single spice girl book,poster,cd,magezine that has come out since the spice girls started.I even have all the spice girl merchandise.I am a spice girl die-hard fan.This book I would rate one of the better spice girl books.I even have the spice girl book that is out of stock.It was really good also (because the spice girls wrote it themselves).
good.......1999-06-18
just realy good
I'M THE SPICE GIRLS BIGGEST FAN BUT..............1999-02-13
this book was not that good, it was just the same old stuff I allready know (nothing new) why can't someone make a book that doesn't borr you to death! I can write a better book! You know what I think i will, thanks for the idea!
ALL ABOUT THOSE WICKED GIRLS.......1998-12-26
I THOUGHT THE BOOK WAS PRETTY GOOD IT GAVE ALOT OF INFO. BUT IT ALSO TELLS ALOT OF HISTORY ABOUT ENGLAND.BUT I GUESS I WOULD RECOMEND THIS BOOK!
It was a fascinating book on the then FAB FIVE!!!.......1998-12-06
It had tons of detail and cool pictures!If you liked those other phony Spice books you'll love this REAL book about the coolest band today,THE SPICE GIRLS!!!
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- Lucretius and the Modern World (Classical Inter/Faces) (Classical Inter/faces)
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