Fly The Wild Echoes

Curse of the Mistwraith (Wars of Light and Shadow)
Average customer rating:

An enjoyable and engrossing read

The start of a great epic

The effort is certainly there

An increadible beginning to an even better series

Not good. Not good at all.
Curse of the Mistwraith (Wars of Light and Shadow)
Janny Wurtz
Manufacturer: Roc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0451454162

Customer Reviews:

An enjoyable and engrossing read.......2007-02-23

I stumbled upon this series quite by accident. I have never read any other works by Janny Wurts, so this book was my first experience. I must agree with some previous reviewers in that the author is sometimes excessive in her choice of words and sentence structure. A few sentences required 3-4 read throughs before I could understand what she was trying to get across - but those instances are few and far between and do not in any way detract from the marvelous story being told. Some brief and hopefully vague spoilers will follow - so be warned if you are adverse to such a thing.

We are introduced very early on to Arithon, who we learn is Master of Shadow. He is a compelling and interesting character from the beginning. Lysear is his half brother, and an untrained Master of Light. While they have the same mother - their royal fathers, who are kings in opposing lands have been locked in a blood fued for as long as either can remember. Arithon and Lysear have never met until one is captured by the other and held prisoner. Their differences are undeniable from everything from appearance to the smallest intricacies of their personalities. They despise each other.

Both are banished through the gate of another world - Arithon by king's order and Lysear through deception. This other world has problems all it's own including a curse that two fated princes are destined to absolve. We begin to see a slow, growing acceptance and eventually friendship between the half brothers, despite their differences. Many, many wonderfully explored secondary characters share the spotlight and the road to destiny with the princes who ulitmately become saviors of this new and strange world.

However, in the process of saving this world, the princes become cursed by the same entity that they believe had been conquered. The Mistwraith once again ignites the age old enemy blood fued between the brothers with an insatiable need to destroy and kill the other. The first confrontation between the two ends in bloodshed and thousands of lives lost as the people of the land - townsmen and clansmen - each choose sides.

All of the characters involved are highly detailed and brought vividly to life - most especially Arithon and Lysear. It will be hard to choose one over the other as the author manages to delve into the motivations and emotions of each so well that the reader may find their loyalties shifting back and forth as well. Mostly - it is hard not to be a little sad for the brothers that were enemies turned friends and then manipulated by means beyond their control back to enemies once again.

It is obvious to anyone who reads that Ms.Wurts appears to have a favorite between the brothers - but to her credit she does delve deeper into the other as the story progresses. It is near impossible to not be drawn into this war of light and shadow and the people of the land on both sides that are irrevocably affected by the Curse of the Mistwraith.

If you are looking for a new series to read - I highly recommend this one.

The start of a great epic.......2006-03-11

It's been a while since I last posted a review, but with this book being around 800 pages, I think the delay is understandable.

This is the first in an epic series of books, following two half-brothers pitted against each other by the Mistwraith - a fell, sentient fog which had covered the world of Athera. The brothers are both princes, and each gifted with the mastery of an element - one brother masters light, the other shadow. Factor in the festering hatred between the townfolk and the clans that live in the wilds, and you have the setting for serious war.

The book is fairly lengthy, and Wurts delves into lengthier terminology for descriptions that some may not be comfortable with. Yet for all of that, the characters are detailed, complex, intriguing and, above all, alive. You may feel horror at some actions undertaken, but at least you understand their motivations. While you may not read this in an all-night sitting, it is definitely worth the read, and one that I highly recommend.

The effort is certainly there.......2006-02-22

While the book centers around the half-brothers, the Fellowship and the Koriani Circle are also introduced as well in this first novel of the series. Unfortunately, I was not able to like either of the main characters, Arithon or Lysaer. While Wurts did a good job revealing their motivations, I just could not connect to either of the characters. The same holds true for the Fellowship and most of the Circle. The one exception to this is the character of Elaira-the author does a great job detailing Elaira's upbringing, and how that motivates her throughout the series.

Another issue (which has been touched on by other readers) is that Wurts tends to construct complex sentences as if to show off her vocabulary, which is at the expense of the story. It's too bad because Wurts has put in a great effort to tell this story, but ultimately I was not able to connect with most of the characters. I do have the second volume of this series, so I'd like to give this series another shot and see if it improves.

An increadible beginning to an even better series.......2003-09-30

Having read a number of opinions on this series, the first thing to say is:

Don't read this just because you liked the Empire series!

I have not read it, therefore I can't make a proper comparison. However, I have read some of Feist's work. It's much more along the lines of adventure stories - fast paced, not terribly introspective, fun, possibly engrossing, but not deep.

This is a very different thing.

The scope of this work is mind-boggling. As I understand it, Janny Wurts had the books planned out very well and worked on the series for twenty years! That care shows.

Firstly, the pace of the book is extraordinarily well modulated. If you were looking for quick catharsis, this is not the book for you. Wurts has you stewing in your own juices in anticipation for the length of entire books (and hers are considerable). Resolutions don't come until your feelings have twisted and turned every which way. You go through the phase of burning anticipation, then the phase of enraged screaming, "Why do I have to wait?! Why can't it just come?!" Well, because in real life, fate doesn't jump to obey your frustrated feelings! In this - realism - Janny is a master. And a torturer :). (But I am what I call a literary masochist, you should know.) When the cathartic moment comes, you are well aware of all the ways things could go wrong. Also, of the fact that so much waiting may have dulled the characters' original drive for the goal. Except nothing is ever dulled in Janny's books.

To play the devil's advacate - and to offer fair warning, I should mention the very few buts. Janny Wurts is very articulate and possesses an astounding bank of vocabulary (I know I learned a lot from her). On occasion, this ability of hers goes a little berserk :). The sentences get to twisty and complicated, to the point where you might have to re-read each one three times. I needed a dictionary by my side, on occasion, too. But, this improves. Everything in Janny's books improves with each volume - it gets better, far better - not worse.

The other small bother is Janny's fondness of lengthy descriptions of magic technique. And I do mean technique. Her magic philosophy is very interesting and very complicated. Since we can't try to follow the directions to weave a spell or ask a rock for its cooperation, we don't really need to know the details of doing that. A few paragraphs sound like a cookbook, a bit. On the whole, though, that is no deterrent.

Onto the pleasant stuff, I adore Janny's exploration of a number of realistic points...

Love that is unbearably poignant, but does not override every other consideration. Unselfish love, so frustrating and painful.

Self-deception. Spell-driven, Lysaer spends a lot of time resetting all events in the world to a point of view that makes a god of him and evil-incarnate of his half-brother, Arithon. Sometimes, his arguements are such a stretch, that you cannot imagine how Lysaer can possible make people believe him. But he does. And if you didn't know better, then he'd make a believe of you, as well. He has that much charisma, conviction, strength of character and oratorical skill.

People who mean well and are good and righteous are not always right. Being a good person does not preclude the possibility of your being misled. So what you have is good people everywhere - on both sides of every battle. The world is nothing but shades of grey. Do you defend the sane cause, which will save lives of people dedicated to protecting the world? Or do you let them die? After all, they are the minority after this much fighting. After all, the other side may be insane and might destroy the world, but they are just people who don't know what they're doing. You see innocents on all sides. But your morals can't bend, because they are not rhetoric, but the absolute last chance of survival this world had.

Well, I cannot go through every wonderful thing this series has. I can say that it is executed beautifully. Of course, there are flaws. Even Robin Hobb has flaws, and her name in my mind is synonymous with infallibility. The point is that the flaws do not detracts from the story. And the story is beautiful and engrossing. Impossible to put down.

Not good. Not good at all........2003-05-10

I had high hopes about this book, and sadly, those hopes were dispatched literally 100 pages into the book. The exaggerated writing style didn't bother me as much as the plodding narrative. In my view, everything seemed contrived. There's a story in here to tell, a damn fine one at that, but it just wasn't done in this book. A prequel would have been helpful, or at least a few chapters as a historical backdrop.

Curse of the Mistwraith the Wars of Light and Shadow, Vol. 1

Average customer rating:

Curse of the Mistwraith the Wars of Light and Shadow, Vol. 1
Janny Wurts
Manufacturer: ROC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000NBJTIU

Average customer rating:

Curse Of The Mistwraith Volume 1
Wurts
Manufacturer: Roc Book
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000J6GPYU

Average customer rating:

Curse of the Mistwraith
Janny Wurts
Manufacturer: New Amer Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000OH3DYO

The Campfire Collection: Thrilling, Chilling Tales of Alien Encounters
Average customer rating:

The last reviewer was 100% correct!

Neither Thrilling, nor Chilling.

The Campfire Collection: Thrilling, Chilling Tales of Alien Encounters
Gina Hyams , and Michael Berry
Manufacturer: Amazon Remainders Account
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000H2MLLW

Book Description

You can run, but you can't hide...

The thinking outdoorsman's handbook to the heebie-jeebies, this third volume of our Campfire Collection gathers thirteen terrifying tales of alien abductions, encounters, and freakish forays into the unknown. Perfect to read aloud around a fire or in the comfort and "relative safety" of a cozy armchair, Thrilling, Chilling Tales of Alien Encounters offers stories from such masters of fright as Stephen King, Philip K. Dick, Damon Knight, and more. Designed with rounded corners, a durable cover, and large type for easy reading by campfire or flashlight, this rugged companion is more than trail-ready for any excursion. With an unnerving introduction by Michael Berry, science fiction and fantasy book reviewer for the San Francisco Chronicle, this creepy collection confirms that sinking feeling that something is just...not...quite...right....

Customer Reviews:

The last reviewer was 100% correct!.......2007-01-26

I was very excited to dig into this book. I drew a hot bath and poured a glass of wine as I prepared for a good case of the willies! They were a complete and utter no-show. You'd be mocked until the end of time if you pulled this book out at a campfire. If "Lady in the Water" scared you, you might like this book. If "Signs" is more your style this book will be a disappointment.

Neither Thrilling, nor Chilling. .......2006-10-22

I'm scared to death of aliens, and I love nothing more than a good campfire tale, so I was so excited when I found this book. I expected it to be a collection of great, creepy, true-sounding stories, kind of like urban legends, that you could tell to a group of friends to keep them up at night. Boy, was I wrong. It's just a collection of short stories about aliens. Most of them are more sci-fi like than scary. I was expecting stories of the traditional "alien encounter" type, but that's not what's in here. They're not horribly written, just not really what the book promises.

The shape of the book is great, though. It's got a sturdy cover, and it's made sort of like a field guide. If it did contain creepy tales to tell around the campfire, it would be perfect to stuff in your backpack. Too bad.

Book Description

During the 1980s, Kenro Izu began making photographs of difficult-to-reach places. Invariably, for want of a better description, these were places that were possessed of "spirituality." Izu made "documents" of places of worship as diverse as Easter Island, Teotihuacan, Angkor Wat, Stonehenge, the monuments of the Chinese Silk Road, Palmyra, Mustang, Hampi, the caves of Ajanta, Borobudur, Pagan, and Lhasa. The work was painstakingly slow. Since creating those first images in the 1980s, Izu has continued his travels, making numerous journeys to these out-of-the-way places. Sacred Places, which follows the success of Still Life, Izu's first book with Arena Editions, represents the first major compilation of these magnificent travel images-images that truly defy simple description. His is a vision that has literally been hacked and honed until the photographs are totally minimalist documents, to which nothing can be added and from which absolutely nothing can be subtracted. It is a vision totally outside of the ordinary photographic parameters of our time.

Customer Reviews:

New edition coming out!.......2007-03-14

Just wanted to inform potential purchaser that a new edition may be coming out with a different publisher. Izu is expected to have an exhibition later this year/early next year. Pls don't pay these outrageous prices for a wonderful book.

Perfection.......2002-12-26

Last month I saw Izu's original platinum prints at the Freer Gallery in Washington, D.C., and the richness and subtlety of the gray tones in the photographs nearly brought me to tears. On my return home, I bought the book from Amazon as a Christmas present to myself.

Izu is a special photographer and this is a special book. The reproductions are superb; this is the highest-quality photography book I own (I am a photographer).

If "Sacred Places" is out-of-stock, it is worth seeking out. Along with David Heald's "Architecture of Silence" (which I also own--available from Amazon), it will form the basis of the "mini-library" I am assembling for the little meditation corner of my photo studio. It's hard not to get hyberbolic about these two books, but they are not only art but also true touchstones of the spirit.

Mastery and Artistry.......2002-10-21

Izu currently is on exhibit at the Freer Museum in DC. In one photo an ancient Budhist temple is illuminated despite being surrounded by the shadow of the mountains it is nested within. I marvelled aloud at this incredible, seemingly impossible shot and another patron walked up as said, "The man has patience."
I bought the book at the gift shop. Five years ago I bought a book of Izu's Angar Wat shots. He's phenomenal. I don't know if Adams would grin or sweat. The platinum process is exquisite. His composure travels into the mystic.

Average customer rating:

Sacred Places
Kenro Izu
Manufacturer: ARENA EDITIONS
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000OK48BI

Average customer rating:

New edition coming out!

Sacred Places
Kenro Izu
Manufacturer: Arena Editions
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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

Photojournalism | Photography | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1892041596

Customer Reviews:

New edition coming out!.......2007-03-14

Please note that there will be a new edition of Sacred Places. Izu will have an exhibition sometime in the fall 07 or spring 08. the new edition is with a different publisher. So, be patient and don't pay these ridiculous prices for the book.

Average customer rating:

SACRED PLACES
Japanese] IZU, Kenro [PHOTOGRAPHY
Manufacturer: see notes for publisher info
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000L6F35K

Native Indian Wild Game, Fish, and Wild Foods Cookbook: New revised and expanded edition (Cooking)
Average customer rating:

A good resource about Native American foods

Native Indian Wild Game, Fish, and Wild Foods Cookbook: New revised and expanded edition (Cooking)
Lovesick Lake Native Women's Assocation
Manufacturer: Fox Chapel Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Seafood | Meat, Poultry & Seafood | Cooking by Ingredient | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
General | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
General | Regional & International | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
Native American | Regional & International | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Native Harvests: American Indian Wild Foods and Recipes

Spirit of the Harvest: North American Indian Cooking

The Art of American Indian Cooking

Foods of the Americas: Native Recipes and Traditions

Foods of the Southwest Indian Nations: Traditional & Contemporary Native American Recipes

ASIN: 1565230779

Book Description

Celebrate the culinary heritage of America's native people in this cookbook filled with fascinating cultural facts and tidbits. Over 340 recipes for wild edibles, fruits, fish and seafood, venison, small and big game. Gathered from Zuni, Pueblo, Cherokee, Tlingit, Ojibway and other tribes across North America and updated for the modern cook.

Customer Reviews:

A good resource about Native American foods.......2000-12-27

I purchased this book because my stepson harvested some acorns recently and I scoured my large cookbook collection, to no avail, for any information on how to process them or use them in cooking. This book contains information on that and so much more.

This would be an excellent resource for a hunter because game and fish of many kinds are covered here. There are recipes for venison curry, venison meatloaf, rabbit pot roast, wild duck with orange sauce and cornbread stuffed trout. There is also a section on edible wild plants and berries, with recipes. Nutritional information is given for many of the food items listed in the book. Did you know that deer meat is loaded with B vitamins, for instance?

To me, one of the best things about the book is that 100% of royalties go to Native charities. In the foreword it says that the royalties have helped to support scholarships, a children's camp and substance abuse programs. So you can give a little back, and you get a great source for Native North American foods.

New Indian Seafood Cooking
Average customer rating:
New Indian Seafood Cooking
Vivek Singh
Manufacturer: Absolute Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Seafood | Meat, Poultry & Seafood | Cooking by Ingredient | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
General | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
Indian | Asian | Regional & International | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

The Cinnamon Club Cookbook

New Indian Cooking

La Porte des Indes Cookbook: The Legacy of France in Indian Regional Cuisine

Tandoor: The Great Indian Barbecue

Prashad-Cooking with Indian Masters

ASIN: 1904573460

Product Description

Vivek Singhs first in a set of three subject-dedicated cookery books Game & Poulty and Vegetarian are set to follow in 2007 and 2008. Following on from the success of New Indian Cooking, Singh showcases his legendary way with seafood. His award-winning food has earned the Cinnamon Club restaurant in Westminster its place as one of the destination restaurants of London and has established itself as probably the most famous Indian restaurant in the world.

Book Description

Barbie doll treasures and accessories from 1959-1997 are described, pictured in full color and valued! You will love this all new picture guide companion to Treasury of Barbie Doll Accessories. Fashion booklets, family and friends, structures, vehicles, pets, paper collectibles, commemorative memorabilia and more! A true compendium of Barbie doll treasures! A special bonus-tips on creating show stopping scenes for your Barbie dolls and their treasures. 400 color photos. 128 pages.

The Sense of Order: A Study in the Psychology of Decorative Art (The Wrightsman Lectures, V. 9)
Average customer rating:
The Sense of Order: A Study in the Psychology of Decorative Art (The Wrightsman Lectures, V. 9)
E.H. Gombrich
Manufacturer: Phaidon Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | History & Criticism | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
Criticism | History & Criticism | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
Decorative Arts | Design & Decorative Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
Folk Art | Schools, Periods & Styles | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Art and Illusion

The Image and the Eye: Further Studies in the Psychology of Pictorial ...

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The Preference for the Primitive: Episodes in the History of Western Taste and Art

ASIN: 0714822590

The Sense of Order: Study in the Psychology of Decorative Art
Average customer rating:
The Sense of Order: Study in the Psychology of Decorative Art
E H Gombrich
Manufacturer: Phaidon P
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 0714817325

Sense of Order: a study in the psychology of decorative art
Average customer rating:
Sense of Order: a study in the psychology of decorative art
E. H. Gombrich
Manufacturer: see notes for publisher info
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000OMZGOE

The Sense of Order: A Study in the Psychology of Decorative Art
Average customer rating:
The Sense of Order: A Study in the Psychology of Decorative Art
E. H. Gombrich
Manufacturer: Phaidon Inc Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000L69Z18

Average customer rating:
Sense of Order: A Study in the Psychology of Decorative Art
Ernest Hans Gombrich
Manufacturer: Phaidon Press, Incorporated
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000MHNF3U

The Sense of Order: a Study in the Psychology of Decorative Art
Average customer rating:
The Sense of Order: a Study in the Psychology of Decorative Art

Manufacturer: Cornell University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000I9MHHM

Amazon.com

Facing a new home or upcoming remodel? Ah, a blank canvas that you can paint to reflect your singular personality and unique tastes. But what if you're not exactly sure what your tastes are? Yes/No Design will help you recognize your aesthetic attitudes and sensibilities.

An interior decorator and artist, author Diane Love understands that your home is your castle and that any castle's decor should jive with the personality of the reigning monarch. Using a list of adjectives, you evaluate your emotional reactions to a series of photographs. Be honest and you'll discover your true decorating sense (you do have one, no matter how buried it is), and there's no right or wrong. For example, I find the book-lined library cozy, comfortable, and unpretentious. You may think it's dark, cluttered, and predictable. We're both right! Through a series of exercises, you'll discover your decorating likes and dislikes. Do you prefer sophisticated and ornate? Casual and bohemian? Read about furniture styles, color combinations, and architecture, and then listen to your intuition--you'll be on your way to creating a personal space unique to you. Included are two workbooks (one portable) so you can jot down notes and ideas. --Dana Van Nest

Book Description

Acclaimed designer and artist Diane Love shows you how, in this beautifully photographed volume, to discover and define your personal taste, then demonstrates how to build a decor that is functional, aesthetically pleasing, and truly reflective of your personality.

Within the pages of this beautifully photographed book, acclaimed designer and artist Diane Love presents a truly innovative approach to interior design by equipping you with an understanding of your unique taste and the ability to use it to create your personal decorating style. Through easy, fully illustrated, step-by-step exercises and examples, she helps you to discover and define your taste, then demonstrates how you can use this knowledge to create a functional and aesthetic decor that is a true reflection of your personality.

PART I: WHAT IS YOUR TASTE? Seven exercises, comprised of simple activities and questions, and free of self-conscious personal evaluation, help you to better define and articulate your taste. The exercises begin by asking you to select from magazines rooms that you love (your YESs) and those you don't (your NOs), then they help you to find words to express your impressions about a room's decoration, to distinguish the common denominators always present in the rooms you choose, and to pinpoint your likes and dislikes through your reactions to elements of a room's design, from architectural elements to furnishings to the color palette.

PART II: EXERCISE YOUR TASTE Eleven methods taken in sequence explain the step-by-step process of decorating a room and show you how to incorporate what you have learned about your taste in Part I in order to create a decor that is comfortable and aesthetically pleasing to you. Topics covered include: using space efficiently, evaluating architectural elements, renovating economically, making a furniture plan, achieving visual balance, arranging objects and pictures, choosing lighting, and working with mirrors.

QUESTIONNAIRE AND WORKBOOKS A questionnaire specially conceived to assist you in analyzing your decorating style enables you to track your aesthetic attitudes, reactions, and preferences. The two workbooks-one of which is separate from the book and easily portable.

Customer Reviews:

Intuitive & Personal.......2004-02-21

A wonderful resource and a delightful read, Yes/No Design is an unique combination of tasteful "how-to", interior design consultant, and chic best friend. Through a series of pictorial and descriptive examples and thoughtful exercises, the author encourages the reader to recognize her own taste and to trust her own sense of style. The lessons learned and new awareness are meaningful and applicable in all areas --from interior design to personal styling. Yes/No Design is a book you'll want on your bedside table as well as on your coffee table. A great gift!

The journey home........2003-02-12

Not only is this book intelligent, but it calls on the reader to find her own creativity. So often we are told what to like and where to buy it. While these things can be helpful, if what you really want is to express yourself in your surroundings, then Yes/No Design will lead you within to uncover and create.

Living in a consumer culture, it is easy to get out of touch with our own expressive sides, and I really like how Ms. Love encourages us to take that journey back to our most original selves. If you are willing to complete the exercises and look at them as a whole, what you can find is nothing short of your self.

I think Yes/No Design is a text on how to distill out the essence of design as an act of personal creation. Rather than paying Ms. Love to tell us what to like, we are gaining something far more valuable with the purchase of this book -- a guide to our own creativity which we can then use to decorate our homes and every other area of our lives.

most useful to novices.......2002-12-17

Unlike some of the other people who reviewed this book, I did not find the quiz to be helpful. However, the benefit of the quiz may depend upon how knowledgeable you are about interior decoration and/or how fixed you are in a particular style. The reviewers who seemed to be helped the most were novices. That is why I gave this book 2 stars instead of 1. On the other hand, I think the basic tips provided by this book have been covered better in other books, and the pictures are only so-so.

At one point the author says "listen to your intuition." That is what I suggest people do instead of buying this book.

However, if you don't yet trust yout intuition the following are some good books:

Color Your Home Beautiful: Ideas and Solutions
- It has beautiful photos, a variety of well-chosen color combinations in a variety of styles, dozens of color swatches, useful tips, and quotes from designers.

Ultimate Home Style Guide by Katherine Sorrell
- Almost all styles are represented here with enough details on colors, fabrics, and other style elements to create the look your self.

Better Homes & Gardens: New Remodeling Book
- Despite the fact that remodeling is in the title, this is a good basic book about interior design. I like it better than BH&G: New Decorating Book.

Beauty Comes From Within.......2002-01-22

Diane Love's "Yes/No Design" is a joy. It's a gift that I gave myself not knowing the profound effect it would have upon me.

Having had little or no faith in my aesthetic sense, "Yes/No Design" helped me trust my choices through the simple understanding of my likes and dislikes (for things such as colors, sizes, shapes, space, and patterns). The book is beautiful, thought-provoking, validating and inspiring. I realized I don't have to be an "expert" to create a lovely home.

"Yes/No Design" helped me get in touch with who I am, what I enjoy and appreciate, and what makes me comfortable. For me, decorating my home has become a metaphor for changing and improving my life and my attitude. Diane Love has shown me that beauty most definitely comes from within.

Decorating with confidence.......2001-04-12

After hearing Diane Love speak about her book at a book signing in San Francisco, I purchased one for each of my married daughters (3). This lovely volume offers guidance and information that allows the reader to better understand and trust his/her own taste. I can't think of a better gift for my girls.

Yes/No Design : Discover Your Decorating Style with Taste-Revealing Exercises and Examples

Average customer rating:

Yes/No Design : Discover Your Decorating Style with Taste-Revealing Exercises and Examples
Diane Love
Manufacturer: Rizzoli International Publications, Incorporated
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000OLXUZC

Book Description

Simple mathematical formulas are transformed into strikingly beautiful computer generated designs. The dynamic interplay between order and chaos is explored in 350 color images in this unique coffee table book that explains the mechanics of mathematical art. Berkowitz is perhaps the world's most widely recognized fractal artist. Fractal Cosmos is the first art book to feature fractal imagery and the largest collection of fractal art published anywhere.

Customer Reviews:

A fractal survey with beauty, intrigue and educational value.......2001-02-18

I'm really pleased with this book. To me, this is the IDEAL coffee table book on fractals.

Chapter one is the obligatory brief history of fractal image generation, including Mandelbrot, population growth, and citing quite a few popular books on the subject.

The heart of the book is the eye candy, presented in bright colors on high quality paper, with a bare minimum of mathematical labeling to maximize the "art appreciation" aspect of the viewing. This is divided into 5 chapters of somewhat like families of fractals, with brief but informative introductions. If you want a lot of beautiful fractal images that vary widely - you'll certainly get that here.

Chapter 2 gives many images of the Mandelbrot set. Chapter 3 explores various polynomials, powers, roots, and rational expressions. This clearly answered my early layman's question "What about other types of simple equations?" Chapter 4 then goes into exponentials, logarithms, trigonometrics, and various combinations. Chapter 5 then shows 3-d compositions, with many fractal skies, mountains, trees, and landscapes, plus the fractal spheres looking so much like moons or planets. Finally, chapter 6 does some interesting "studies" where you get treated to a page at a time of (6) images with very similar equations, where he alters some variable. Examples: the amount of zooming (up to 169 quintillion - with little loss in image detail), or iterating c by small amounts (like .005 to .01).

At this point I thought - very nice book, but I felt a little let down by so little INFORMATION passed along about WHAT these pictures were. The appendices changed all that!

Appendix A gives a nice explanation, complete with examples and graphs, of how to generate Julia Set fractal images. Appendix B is a 2 page selected bibliography, including both books and papers.

Appendix C lists and briefly explains 20 "Important Formulae for Complex Numbers". Having this would have saved me buying a book about complex numbers when I first discovered fractals, since it implies what the "rules" are.

Appendix D is REALLY KEY - for chapters 1-4, it lists nice mathematical data, and in almost all cases this includes: the image type, the equation, the complex constant, the screen parms, the blowup parms, and the maximum number of iterations. Here then, is HOW these beauties were created. For chapter 5, he doesn't list this, and for chapter 6, since they're studies, the detail varies, but is pretty good overall. To me, this takes the book from "very nice" to "awesome" because the layman can now get a better grasp on things and pursue what interests him/her.

Finally, unlabeled, but apparently Appendix E in my mind, he provides and index to the images BY EQUATION. A very nice cross reference to those thinking of exploring further in the literature or on their PC's.

So the "heavy math" type likely won't find much new here. For the rest of us, who just want some art, some (layman's)meaning/education, or both, aside from parts of "The Beauty of Fractals" this was without peer.

An excellent picture of fractals the CHAOS universe.......1998-04-06

Jeff, have you read of Dr. John Hubbard from Cornell and his analysis of the Mandelbrot Set? Your results and his analysis are so-ooo intriguing on what fractals promises for the future of mankind!!!! I have a video of his work and it is so fascinating.

Pictures, Pictures, Pictures.......1998-03-20

A pictorial masterpiece by the best fractal artist of this generation. Your unique Associates ID is: thefractaltransl.

Fractal Cosmos: The Art of Mathematical Design

Average customer rating:

Fractal Cosmos: The Art of Mathematical Design
Jeff Berkowitz
Manufacturer: Amber Lotus
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Book Description

Parents who are fed up with the pressure to turn their children into star athletes, concert violinists, and merit scholars-all at once!-finally have an alternative: the world of Slacker Moms, where kids learn to do things for themselves and parents can cut themselves some slack; where it's perfectly all right to do less, have less, and spend less.

Slacker moms say "No" to parenting philosophies that undermine parents'-and children's-ability to think for themselves. They say "Yes" to saving their money and time by opting out of the parenting competition. And they say "Hell, Yes!" to having a life of their own, knowing it makes them better parents.

In this witty and insightful book, author Muffy Mead-Ferro reflects on her experience of growing up on a ranch in Wyoming, where parenting-by necessity-was more hands-off, people "made do" with what they had, and common sense and generational wisdom prevailed. We should all take her sane lead!

Customer Reviews:

Muffy Madness.......2007-09-01

I'm sorry, I can't take seriously anything that a woman named Muffy with a nanny has to say.

What's wrong with moderation here? Why does everything have to be win/lose in this society...working moms vs. stay-at-home moms, slacker moms vs. Type A moms? Nothing is that black and white. I am sick of the media spinning every possible subject re parenting and women into an all-out war. Somewhere in the middle, in my opinion, is the best path.

Work if you have to or want to, but be there and show up for your kids. Let them know you love them and support them, but carve out a little time for yourself, too, whether it's a chair massage once a week or a weekend trip with the girls!

Some days I am a slacker mom, some days I am a type-A stressed-out mom on deadline, some days I am stay-at-home domestic scrapbooking mom, some days I am overprotective mom, and some days I am "I don't feel good today, you're just going to have to figure it out yourself" mom. And you know what? I think I'm a great mom. I have a happy kid who does great in school and is learning that life is not perfect and people are multi-dimensional and ever-evolving, not one-note characters in a book! That's good enough for me.

A Voice of Reason.......2007-07-12

When I first found out I was pregnant, one of my best friends sent me all the books she had read when she was pregnant with her first. Of all that she sent--and many were good--this one has helped me to keep my sanity. I'm due in 3 weeks and anytime I start to panic about silly things like having the right "stuff," I think about this book and relax. The baby-sleeping-in-a-crab-cage story has been the best at getting to take everything a little less seriously and to enjoy this process a bit more.

Yes, the author has some benefits that others don't. Certainly, she makes more than I do, but it's nice to know that it doesn't have to be all-consuming and that a person can be a good mom even if she doesn't cease to exist except to carpool children around and be a toy-buyer/picker-upper. I know that sounds like common sense, but sometimes the other books, articles (and posts), friends, family members, and strangers can lay a lot of guilt at a mother's feet.

And for the record, the scrap-booking section is a hoot. My mother scrapbooks like a fiend and each book is really a work of art, so I don't have any problem with others doing it. What is funny is the author's reaction to the scrap-booking party itself. I have a good friend who is a college instructor, and I remember her coming to me at the beginning of a semester saying, "About ten of my students have posted scrap-booking as a hobby," (she teaches online courses)"and I don't even understand what that means." I explained and she said, "And that's a hobby? Lots of people do that? I don't get it." So the author's behavior made me think of that. I didn't think my friend was condemning all scrap-bookers. It just wasn't an activity that she understood.

Lighten up people!.......2007-06-14

The low reviews I've read for this book crack me up! Definitely people who need to lighten up a bit. Defensive, are we? I thought this book was funny and refreshing. A quick little read, nothing to get all worked up about, anyway -- whether you agree with her or not. For example, I love scrapbooking. She makes fun of it. No need for me to whine about that, or fluff up defensively, she was being funny!

If you simply don't think she is funny, I can understand that. We all have different tastes in humor. But I'm referring to those reviews that just reek of defensiveness...

Who cares if she has a nanny? What does that have to do with anything? If I had a dollar for every mom that bristled at the mere mention of the word "nanny", well let's just say I'd be buying a beach house right about now. Why get all bent out of shape at how other parents manage things? Life is too short.

If you want to make parenting hard, go ahead, knock yourself out. Some of us prefer to do things slacker mom way (and some people need to simmer down on the "proper" way to define 'slacker' -- talk about silly!). Happy, relaxed mom = happy marriage = happy kids.

Not for fans of "Baby Einstein", Gymboree classes, or anything with the term "Mommy-N-Me".

eh.......2007-06-08

talk about condescending! Don't dare to do anything other than what she does in this book!! I bought this thinking it would be funny and lighthearted, but she pretty much toots her own horn the whole time.

WOW. NO MORE WHINING, PLEASE........2007-04-22

I LOVE THIS BOOK. I agree w/ some points in the review (she had a NANNY!!!????!!), but, heck, I loved it because she reminded me of my mother. I am sure that Mom worried about us. But we were raised in the Northwest (as was the author), and we weren't coddled, either. Which is why we face life with determination, gumption, and spirit. We bucked 70 pound bales of hay in the blazing sun when we were 15, camped out alone way before then, traveled by ourselves out of the U.S. by the time we were 16 (and, by the way, paid for such trips by holding down 2 jobs and staying on the high honor role). Out of curiosity, of the people who hated this book, who is from back east, from a privileged background, or, God forbid, from California?
Seriously. Lighten up. Breath. Your kids are not Einstein. Or glass. Or any combination thereof.
And, also, the people who actually like this book are not uneducated, despite what comments have been made. They just live a different life than you do . . . .and isn't that a very valid reason for reading? Isn't part of true education learning about the choices others make in life . . . .hopefully without being offended?
Enjoy this book. It is meant to be FUNNY. What a concept.

Average customer rating:

You go girl!
For the quasi-feminist in all of us
Maybe You Have To Be There To Appreciate SLACKER WIFE
a long magazine article
Why all the hype?

Confessions Of A Slacker Wife
Muffy Mead-Ferro
Manufacturer: Amazon Remainders Account
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Similar Items:

Confessions of a Slacker Mom
The Three-Martini Playdate: A Practical Guide to Happy Parenting
Cheap Psychological Tricks for Parents: 62 Sure-Fire Secrets and Solutions for Successful Parenting
Because I Said So: 33 Mothers Write About Children, Sex, Men, Aging, Faith, Race, and Themselves
You Might As Well Laugh: Because crying will only smear your mascara

ASIN: B000GG4Z86

Book Description

By the author of Confessions of a Slacker Mom, hilarious reflections on being a"good wife" in a world of high expectations

"I often thought to myself, 'If I really want to compete with these guys, I need a wife,'" begins Muffy Mead-Ferro in this ode to the women everywhere who are trying to take care of husbands, children, houses, jobs, bosses, clients, customers-and, oh yes, themselves! In lieu of that much-needed wife of her own, Mead-Ferro finds solace, sanity, and even success by embracing her famous tendency toward slackerdom. Full of personal anecdotes and real-wife wisdom, her latest Confessions offers precious comic relief and an invitation for wives everywhere to join the ranks!

A slacker wife has the wisdom to accept the following: that a little dirt on her kitchen floor doesn't hurt anyone, that wrinkles on her husband's shirt and on her face are perfectly natural and not worth worrying about, that party guests can be just as happy with a bowl of chips as an elaborate salmon mousse, and that over-scheduled equals under-happy. Above all, a slacker wife lets herself have fun being a wife. She has girls' weekends, orders take-out, and takes leisurely walks. And as a result, she, her husband, and her family are happier and healthier-even with a dirty kitchen floor and a wrinkled shirt.

Customer Reviews:

You go girl!.......2007-04-01

Following on from Confessions of a Slacker Mom, one of the most sensible parenting books I've read, this is the book about consciously NOT doing it all.

Coming from an obviously intelligent and relatively self-confident working woman, mom and wife, this is an interesting and well backed-up take on why our expectations regarding cleanliness, being the perfect hostess / wife / mother, etc. have escalated out of all proportion, and gives good reasons for taking the pressure to live up to these unrealistic and over-rated standards off ourselves.

Read it, and see if the attitude fits. If it does, you'll have done yourself a huge favor. If not, you can always pass it on to someone who will appreciate it.

For the quasi-feminist in all of us.......2006-11-24

Instead of beating you over the head with feminist rhetoric, Muffy Mead-Ferro sprinkles her tales of domestic "failure" with the wisest offerings to come out of feminism. She honestly approaches the ideas of what is expected of a wife and what is absolutely necessary, why men don't have the same expectations of themselves that women do, and whether expectations of women are culturally imposed, self-imposed, or both. Mead-Ferro puts these expectations to the reality test, and manages to entertain at the same time.

I disagree with other reviews that the book is not funny, not to say that it is a laugh riot. I also disagree that Mead-Ferro is rationalizing laziness; instead, she questions the necessity of performing the myriad tasks that television commercials and other wives put pressure on us to do.

All in all, a good read, but I got mine from the library!

Maybe You Have To Be There To Appreciate SLACKER WIFE.......2005-09-24

I came across CONFESSIONS OF A SLACKER WIFE in May, after reading a glowing review in USA Today (green with envy, of course). All unattractive fits of author-jealousy aside, I LOVE this book, and I am in full agreement with the basic tenets of the Slacker Wife. My favorites include:

1) Observations of The Visibility Factor in the `natural' division of labor between men and women: He hangs a light fixture, "and it's up there for everyone to see" and comment upon favorably:
"That sort of recognition is kind of a nice payoff for the person who hung the light fixture. Or planted the tree. Or built the fence. Or installed the new stereo. It would tend to make that person feel like they were valued and appreciated. That, I can only imagine, must be nice.
"But who's there to say how well my husband's clean underwear were folded?" (Or groceries re-supplied. Or everybody's clutter picked up. Or kitchen cleaned. Etc.)

2) The influence of advertising (from someone in the profession, as an advertising copywriter) on raising standards of cleanliness, organization and décor in our homes, and entertaining, among other things, to impossible standards, by which we have all been conned into judging ourselves--and we wonder why we come up lacking, and frazzled, every single time? Martha Stewart and women's magazines, that's why!

Muffy writes: "It seems like when it comes to all of these "women's" endeavors such as cooking, entertaining, and decorating, we're now supposed to adhere to performance standards that could only be achieved by outright professionals. So I shouldn't make an example of Martha Stewart, because making perfect pies from scratch, or more accurately, supervising a staff of people who make perfect pies from scratch, actually is her profession. The only thing I never liked about her is that she acts like I should do it too. The same way."

3) And what's really important: How to raise happy, healthy, well-adjusted kids (common sense and DON'T DO EVERYTHING FOR THEM); How to slow down and enjoy life ("free time needs to be a higher priority"); and, last but not least, Ladies: "...maybe now that we've managed to such a great extent to liberate ourselves from men, we need to liberate ourselves from ourselves..." and slack off a bit.

Excellent advice-and fun reading. Enjoy!

a long magazine article.......2005-08-28

Although I did enjoy the book and found it entaining and ringing true with its anecdotes, I felt that it could have been summed up and shortened into a magazine article-- it lacked substance for a 200 page plus book.

Why all the hype?.......2005-08-23

I am sorely disappointed in this book. I LOVE to read all types and genres of books, and was extremely excited to receive this due to all the glowing reviews. I took it with me on a mini-vacation expecting a quick, witty, relevant read. After 5 chapters, I finally put it down because I simply couldn't take any more. To me it seems like the author is simply trying to make excuses as to why she doesn't do this or that (i.e. clean her house or kids, cook, etc.) Do yourself a favor... borrow this from the library before spending your hard earned money. If you like it enough, then buy it. This is one book that will not make it into my collection!

Average customer rating:

Confessions of a Slacker Mom
Muffy Mead-Ferro
Manufacturer: Da Capo Lifelong
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000LHOYDQ

Average customer rating:

Laugh out loud funny
The Slacker Confessions
Okay, four and a half stars.
College brilliance
Buyer Beware! The author's friends wrote the reviews!

The Slacker Confessions
Tommy Campbell
Manufacturer: Hidden Brook Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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

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Memoirs | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

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Essays | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

General | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

General | Performing Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1894553322

Book Description

Tommy Campbell is a stand-up comedian who spent a decade bouncing from job to job as the prankster, the rebel employee, the comedian, the slacker, the scapegoat, the hard worker, and the risk taking inspiration for those he worked with. From his extraordinary experiences in ordinary places, came these true, inspiring comedic stories of being hired, fired, quitting, volunteering and everything in between. His stories combine to form a hilarious and motivational anthem for anyone who's ever worked and for anyone who's ever had the slightest desire to go after something more. Prepare to laugh and be touched as you ride along on his sidesplitting voyage through the work world.

Customer Reviews:

Laugh out loud funny.......2003-06-09

Okay, this book totally rocks. I had never read something that made me laugh out loud as hard as The Slacker Confessions. I expected it to be more of a negative look at working, but instead I found that it was extremely optimisitic and heartwarming. This was actually a pleasant surprise and I really enjoyed his style of comedy and ability to tell a funny story, be it one or five pages long. It's a little pricier than others, but you often pay more for books from smaller publishers. In this case I'd say it's worth every penny and a whole lot more.

The Slacker Confessions.......2003-01-30

This book was probably the funniest book I have ever read! From the beginning to the end, I laughed out loud everytime I turned a page. Absolutely incredible!!! I never realized how much fun part time jobs and everyday life could actually be. This guy had a lot of guts to do some of the things he did....and I think that's awesome! Can definitely learn a lesson or two from his experiences. My friends and I want to see Tommy Campbell live. If he's this good in print, he's gotta be out of this world in person. I give this book 5 stars. Kudos to TOmmy Campbell!!! ROCK ON!

Okay, four and a half stars........2002-12-26

I got this as a gift from a co-worker and I really loved it. In fact I read it on the airplane and a flight attendant had to tell me to be quiet. So that's that. The stories are hilarious, but the overall message of the book and the little lessons along the way are what sealed the deal to make this a truly enjoyable read.

College brilliance.......2002-11-01

His writing is a little raw, um, I guess occasionaly R rated, but that truth appealed to me. I really enjoyed it and everyone in my dorm has been loving it. One guy on our floor didn't like it, actually he hated it, but he's from Utah and he also hates The Man Show, Conan and everything else on television that is funny! As for the rest of our floor, we're behind this hilarious dude all the way!!

Buyer Beware! The author's friends wrote the reviews!.......2002-10-28

I read the reviews and thought "what the hell -- it sounds amusing." But two chapters in, it became very apparent that I'd been conned. The book is dreadfully unfunny. Unless you think forging a medical note from a "Dr. Randy Bumsore" is hilarious, you'll be very annoyed with this book. No doubt the 5 star reviews are the work of his friends or the author himself. No wonder the book has a no-name publisher. I quickly returned the book, and I guarantee you will too. Buyer beware!

Average customer rating:

Confessions of a Slacker Wife

Manufacturer: PERSEUS BOOKS GROUP
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000GTGL0S

Average customer rating:

A slacker's confession
Henry W Youmans
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B0008BD5EO

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