Average customer rating:
- A Different, Yet Difficult Read...
- A wonderfully concocted mystery.
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A Drink Called Paradise: A Novel
Terese Svoboda
Manufacturer: Counterpoint
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
 Contemporary
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Literary
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Divorce
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ASIN: 1582430012 |
Customer Reviews:
A Different, Yet Difficult Read..........2002-05-15
One of the greatest aspects of the book is its length. I don't mean that to sound sarcastic, but the plot is so weighted by metaphors, symbolism and inuendos that if it were any longer, I for one would have chosen to abandon it. In addition, the first half of the book, the word "sex" is used so often and metaphorically, that it only makes her message even more complex, when it shouldn't be. Once I got used to her style of writing, I did discover a decent story, I just wished I didn't have to work so hard to uncover it.
A wonderfully concocted mystery........1999-06-01
This is a great story set in the world of make believe. I recomend it as a great book to read and pass along. Even the intrigue is fast paced as you feel every drop of persiration.
Book Description
Darien is the king's favorite--cool, aloof and quick to conspire. Akaten is warm, sensuous and full of life--and a captive of war. Darien is driven by desire, Akaten by love. This is the story of their passion--and what happens when the king chooses a new favorite.
The Thorn Boy is but one tale in this unique, new collection from Storm Constantine. These are stories of triumph and tragedy; voluptuous fantasies and erotic fairy tales. As Poppy Brite says, "Storm's love for her characters, their love and lust for one another, and her celebration of their beauty fairly drips from her pages."
Customer Reviews:
Dark tales with an occasional gay twist.......2007-04-01
A collection of short stories which are mostly set in the imaginary lands of Cos and neighbouring Mewt. The first, The Thorn Boy takes place at a time when it is customary for kings to have, in addition to a wife and concubines, young boys for their pleasure. Darien is King Alofel's favourite boy; he even has a seat on the Kings Council. When the King Alofel's armies defeat the Mewts and kill their king, they take captive his devoted and distraught boy lover, the beautiful Akaten. King Alofel takes Akaten into his household and gives Darien the task of comforting and befriending him. All goes better than expected for Darien until Akaten seems set to displace him as the king's favourite, and Darien takes catastrophic action.
The next stories form a trilogy. First in Spinning for Gold a mill owner gives his son Jadrin to the King Ashalan in payment for gambling debts. The king demands that Jadrin weave straw into gold, which Jadrin achieves by striking a deal with a spirit. But then Ashalan eventually recognises the true gold in Jadrin, and seduces him. The two fall in love; but then the spirit who helped Jadrin turn the straw to gold demands his fateful payment. Can Jadrin find a way out of the agreement?
In the second story, The Nothing Child, Jadrin wants a son with his lover King Ashalan, and with the help of the angel Lailahel, prince of conception, he achieves this. He eventually and belatedly names the child Jadalan. Lailahel requires nothing in return for this miracle; but with clever deception, not all is as it seems, and the young Prince Jadalan is at risk.
The final tale of the trilogy, Living with an Angel, Jadalan now resides with Lailahel and Lailahel's own child Variel in the far and mystical realm. Jadalan and Variel grow up and play together, and they eventually fall in love. Lailahel recognises this and determines to remove Jadalan. However Lailahel's plan backfires on him, and both children end up, but separated, in the world of humans; can they now be reunited in the earthly realm?
The True Destiny of the Heir to Emiraldra is a twist on Cinderella, with the handsome eligible Prince choosing the beautiful disinherited and down-trodden grandson of Lord Thaldocred over all the female suitors.
In My Lady of the Hearth, a wealthy young man wants for nothing except a loving wife; all his attempts at finding love having failed. Yet he loves his loyal cat, Sinew, if only his cat were a woman he wishes. When his secret wish is granted, the resulting beautiful young woman is however still essentially feline, with inevitable consequences.
In Night's Damsel, a young solitary man who enjoys a close almost erotic relationship with his rare and dangerous exotic plants eventually takes for himself a bride. But his uninhibited new wife is not quite what she seems.
The Face of Sekt is the penultimate story. Sekt is the lion goddess, a woman chosen when a child to the role, but now seemingly bored and possibly impotent in her divinity. She is offered help by a travelling magician when she is summonsed by the king to cure the ailing prince. But is the magician all he seems, and are his intentions honourable?
The final story is entitled The Island of Desire. Marissa, a female adventurer solves the mystery of the beautiful twin princes who appear to be afflicted with constant sleep, yet give evidence of nocturnal activities.
These are imaginative and mysterious often gay themed stories, frequently with a hint of the sinister. The heroes of the first four stories, while appealing characters, each possess a subtle dark side, as do some of the characters in many of the other stories. It is giving nothing away to say that the Cinderella based story is a true `happy ever after' fairy tale. I found these stories, despite a few confusing typographic slips and errors, and some misused pronouns, pleasurable and interesting reading.
A very entertaining book.......2005-01-09
I liked the major story in this edition ("The Thorn Boy") a lot. The plot and storytelling are fresh and entertaining, conveying the tragedy of the lost love and the everlasting hope for the new one. The only drawback is that the story is painfully short (about 66 pages of the total 231), and, thus, it just REQUIRES a sequel. By the way, Storm briefly mentioned that she might come back and write the one... I look forward to it very much! The very ending of "The Thorn Boy" simply cries for the sequel: one of the major characters, Darien, frustrated and bitter with the lost love, meets an unknown man he has had an overwhelming night with at the temple of the Goddess. Moreover, the very recollection of that night was the driving force behind Darien's previous love for another king's favorite, Akaten, of whose true character we learn very little (did he actually ever love Darien? did he ever love any of the kings? or is it just through Darien's loving eyes we are capable of seeing him as the martyr and a worthy person?). Spring after Winter. A Complete Cycle and Change of the Seasons.
Other decent and very entertaining stories in the book are "Spinning for Gold", "The Nothing Child" and "Living with the Angel" (all three stories are combined with the same storyline and related set of characters). These stories are adult versions of well-known fairy tales (mostly of Anglo-German origin, they remind me those of Brothers Grimm). However, though the idea behind writing such stories resembles Angela Carter's "The Bloody Chamber and Other Stories", the worlds and heroes Storm Constantine creates are original and truly hers, the stories being also very erotic and sweetly "perverse" rather than just simply ironic and witty.
OPINION ON "JTOUCHST" COMMENT.......2003-06-29
I disagree with the comment left by jtouchst with regard to the editing of this fantastic book. I am of the opinion that there is absolutely nothing wrong with the editing of this book. Additionally, my belief is that the author simply kept the book the same as the author had written it, using British punctuation and spellings.
Poorly edited........2003-05-11
I had been searching for this book for a long time and I was thrilled when I saw that it had been reprinted. After reading it, I realized that I hadn't really missed much. The main story in the book, the Thorn Boy, is a decent story. The other short stories in this collection read like mediocre fanfiction. If you are expecting work on the level of Wreathu or any of SC's more recent work and are at all a discriminating reader, you wiil be dissappointed. The worst thing about this collection is that editing is almost non -existant. I ran across so many typos and mispellings that I could not believe this was a professionally published book.
This is definately a work to borrow from a friend or find in a library or used bookstore. At least it shows how much SC has grown as writer.
Exquisite love angst.......2003-03-10
A bizarre imaginary world, whit the vagaries of love and sexual desire in the royal courts of two warring nations similar to China and Egypt. All the strange, tragic story of love full of misunderstandings and delusions is wieved through the eyes of the victor King's first concubine, torn between the fear than a wonderful achingly beautiful prisoner of war will displace him from his position and an unquehenchable love and lust for that same person. An encounter in a temple will seal enigmatically the fate of their relation. It's like an exquisite tale from Arabian nights.
Book Description
From comics' greatest writer comes an early classic - a tale of alien contact - Alan Moore style!When a spacecraft from Tau Ceti crashlands just outside Birmingham (UK), its sole occupant - Interpreter Zhcchz - is left alone and incapable of escape, in a world he can't begin to comprehend. Terrified, hungry and disorientated, the alien finally finds warmth in a dark shed...But Skizz (as Roxy, the schoolgirl who befriends him calls him) becomes the object of a government search, led by the crazed alien-hunter Van Owen, after the wreckage of his ship is found. With Skizz still desperately trying to adjust to Earth, and only Roxy to protect him, will either of them survive, let alone cope with the strangest days of either of their lives?
Customer Reviews:
Decent work from Alan Moore.......2005-04-08
While this certainly isn't the greatest story to ever appear in Britain's 2000AD magazine, writer Alan Moore and artist Jim Baikie do a serviceable job, telling the tale of a peaceful alien crash landing on Earth, and the not-so-peaceful government authorities who want him at any cost. Luckily, our hero "Skizz" has a group of sympathetic Earthlings who just want to help him return home. If this sounds familiar, well, it's basically "ET" set in Birmingham, England, with a bit more serious and practical tone. This is very generic work from Moore, and it shows in comparison to his later masterpieces. Still, SKIZZ is an engaging tale, with excellent characterization, and some genuinely funny moments.
Average customer rating:
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Skizz: Alien Cultures
Jim Baikie
Manufacturer: Arrow (A Division of Random House Group)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0749316381 |
Book Description
A Blessing of Bread grew out of an interview that author Maggie Glezer conducted with a rabbi's wife about the symbolism of challah, that bakery staple deeply rooted in Jewish traditions. Captivated by the myriad meanings in every twist of the bread's braid, she spent years doing research and recipe testing. The result is this landmark guide to the amazing variety of Jewish breads found in communities all over the world, from Guatemala to Russia and everywhere in between.
In it are more than 60 impeccably tested recipes both old and new, for challah and other Sabbath and holiday loaves and an exploration of the rich symbolism of their hisory, the rituals governing their baking and eating, and the sacred texts and commentaries from which these rituals derive.
There are best-ever recipes for babka and honey cake, bagels, matzot, crackers, and everyday breads such as Jewish-deli rye. It is also loaded with totally unexpected breads that thrill, such as anise, almond, and sesame-studded Moroccan Purim bread; the spiced and leaf-wrapped Ehtiopian
bereketei (whole wheat Sabbath bread); and the pitalike
nooni honegi of the Bukharan Jews. Oral histories, ancient legends, shtetl folktales, aphorisms, and proverbs delight and inspire, and stories of grandmothers and great-grandmothers that recall life as it once was complete this volume, the most in-depth and wide-ranging one ever published on the subject.
Customer Reviews:
Bread as a religious experience.......2007-06-15
Maggie Glezer's labor of love "A Blessing of Bread: The Many Rich Traditions of Jewish Bread Baking Around The World" is truly that: a blessing. Not just a survey of Ashkenazi, Sephardic, North African, and Near Eastern breadmaking traditions, she also sprinkles in family stories, folktales, Yiddish proverbs, and prayers, including a section on the mitzvah of challah.
In accordance with Jewish law, bread that is baked with 2 pounds 10 ounces or more of wheat, rye, barley, spelt or oats must be separated and blessed, with a portion of dough, the challah, to be burned as an offering to G-d. For observant bakers, Glezer has included two versions of most recipes, a regular one that yields 1-2 loaves and a recipe calling for five pounds of flour so that the dough may be separated and blessed (depending on which Talmudic authority you follow, the required amount for the separation / blessing of challah varies from 2 pounds 10 ounces to over 5 pounds).
In addition to providing the blessing for Challah, Glezer also includes the Hebrew Shabbat blessings of the washing of hands and Hamotzi (Blessing of Bread).
On to the recipes themselves: divided by region, there are numerous challahs, from the relatively plain Lithuanian Challah (no sugar or eggs) to Doris Koplin's Sweet Challah, liberally glazed with confectioner's sugar, maraschino cherries, raisins, and pecans. My first challah from this book was the Russian Challah, and I plan to try a new challah recipe each Shabbat until I find a new family favorite. For those of you who enjoy working with sourdough, nearly every recipe has a sourdough version available. Although I've yet to experiment with sourdough starters, I appreciated the versatility.
In addition to challah, there are also yeast breads like the Polish coffeecake Babka, an onion and poppyseed Purim ring, onion rounds, bagels, and Hungarian walnut and poppyseed pastries. From the Sephardic tradition, we have the Churek, Greek walnut and currant rolls, and the intriguing Pan de Calabaza (Pumpkin bread). North African recipes include whole wheat Sabbath Bereketei, the incredibly ornate Chubzeh, and Rarif (Egyptian Cheese Rolls). From the East, Persian and Iraqi flatbreads, pitas, several Yemenite recipes for pancakes and smoked preserved butter, Israeli matzoh, and Syrian and Iraqi pastries.
The preface also includes an incredibly detailed guide to braiding challah, from a simple single strand braid to a challenging nine-strand compound braid, along with folkloric shapes like little birds, braided wreaths, pinwheels, key challah, ladder challah for Shavuot, and hand challah.
Inspiring and incredibly thorough........2006-10-08
Wow, this woman has really taken the time to research and record everything you could want to know about Jewish baking. She takes baking to a whole new level. So far I have made one challah recipe two times, and it was absolutely fantastic. She details all sorts of different types of challot based on regions. I plan to make one that would have originated from my grandparent's region back in Eastern Europe. Who knows if they would have made this challah, but it's fun to feel the connection. The recipe for bagels is not for the faint of heart! My only criticism, and it is slight, is I wish she had a couple of recipes for some of the other baked goods. She has one honey cake recipe, but I would like 2 or 3 to choose from. But I am so glad this book is in my collection. Even if you don't bake a thing, you will find it inspiring!
Learning about the world from this book in your kitchen.......2006-03-22
Other reviewers have written in glowing terms about the results of using the recipes in "A Blessing of Bread:...," and while I agree with their conclusions, I feel obliged to comment on another aspect of the book that impresses me. I am impressed--make that amazed, at how Ms. Glezer has traced so many of her recipes' histories back to their origins. Reading her book is almost like getting an insider's view of Jewish kitchens around the world. Another thoughtful part of the book is the list of sources for unusual or hard-to-find ingredients used in many of the recipes. Such a list might not be particularly useful to readers in New York or Los Angeles, but for me, a resident of greater metropolitan Boise, it is a must-have if I want to actually make some of the more esoteric offerings of this great book. All I can say is "Thanks, Maggie Glezer!"
A Blessing of Bread has changed my life........2006-03-21
I use A Blessing of Bread every week when I bake challah, something I never did before I received this book. The instructions are clear and the recipes produce the most divine bread I've ever eaten. Family and friends rave about the bread I bake, and I know it's not because I have a special talent; I have this very special book that I adore using. In addition to wonderful recipes for breads from around the world, the book tells the stories of the people whose recipes fill the volume. History, tradition and a large cup of love accompany every page.
Excellent Bread Making Book.......2005-08-14
I really enjoy this book. I like the sourdough section in it. There's a comprehensive making a sourdough starter from scratch section along with 9 sourdough bread recipes.
Book Description
Fully revised and expanded to include the newest breeds, varieties, and colors, as well as the latest thinking on behavior and training, The new Encyclopedia of the Cat is the definitive guide to the history, anatomy, and behavior of the feline species. Cats Past and Present: Chronicling the history of the cat, world-renowned veterinarian and author, Dr. Bruce Fogle, explains how one subspecies of the wildcat developed a tolerance for living near humans and became the domestic cat we know today. The new Encyclopedia of the Cat explores many aspects of the cat's role in human culture, including cat worship and cats in folklore, literature, and art. Visual Breed Guide: More than 65 of the world's major cat breeds are lavishly photographed in specially commissioned full-figure portraits. Key facts are included about all the registered color varieties, their ancestry, breed standards, and temperament. A Complete Cat Care Manual: The anatomy of the feline form is analyzed in detail, from the skeleton and nervous system to the function of hormones and genes. There is extensive advice on your cat's health, grooming, and other aspects of responsible ownership. The instincts, hunting, socializing, and mating habits unique to cats are explained in full. Truly encyclopedic in scope, this is the essential reference for every cat lover.
Customer Reviews:
Customer Review on New Encyclopedia of the Cat.......2007-08-15
I thought the book was very good. It was filled with great photographs
of many breeds of cats, most never heard of, and lots of illustrations on
the anatomy of the cat. There is a section on health, nutrition, care and behavior. There is so much more to this book. My only disappointment
was in the lack of material on the Big Cats. There are some beautiful photographs of them though. I ordered The Last of the Big Cats and that took care of my inquisitive mind. If you are a cat lover, this New Encyclopedia for the Cat is just what you need.
A SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL BOOK. THIS BOOK IS DEFINITELY A "MUST-HAVE!!!!".......2006-07-15
I JUST GOT THIS BOOK TODAY AND IT IS AWESOME!!!! THERE ARE SOOO MANY WONDERFUL COLOR PHOTOS OF ALL DIFFERENT TYPES OF CATS. I THOUGHT THIS BOOK WOULD BE NICE BUT IT IS EVEN BETTER & MORE COMPREHENSIVE THAN I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE. THIS IS A LOVELY REFERENCE AND/OR COFFEE TABLE BOOK THAT IS ALSO VERY, VERY! INFORMATIVE. IF YOU LOVE CATS LIKE I DO YOU SHOULD REALLY GET THIS BOOK. IT COVERS SO MANY DIFFERENT BREEDS OF CATS AND SO MANY DIFFERENT TOPICS IT IS JUST WONDERFUL. IT'S LIKE THE BIBLE FOR CAT OWNERS. AND IT IS JUST SO LOVELY!!!!!! 5++++++ STARS. I LOVE IT!!!!
A very interesting and fun examination of our furry four legged felines........2005-10-27
A rather extensive look at the origins and development of the Domestic feline. Includes most (I'm not a cat expert) common varieties and breeds of all cats.
Cats, cats, and more cats!.......2005-06-18
Everything you want to know about cats in a highly readable and informative book that my daughters love to read. Certainly the best book I've read about cats in a long time.
Comprehensive and easy to reference, plus it's lovely!.......2005-05-30
The New Encyclopedia of the Cat should come with a warning for readers who might be susceptible to falling for the charms of cats. I wasn't able to help myself; after reading it for about one hour, I was having visions of collecting a perfect specimen of each breed that caught my eye...but I only have room for two felines in my humble abode. Crashing back down to reality was a bit heartbreaking.
This does start out with a large section that does indeed resemble a real encyclopedia. There is info on the history of cats, pics of ancient paintings and artifacts, etc., followed by sections on practical cat care and current issues such as indoor vs. outdoor. All very valuable and thorough. But that's not really why we're buying this book, now is it?
This book is lavish with cat photos. We're talking lots and lots of pictures of every imaginable cat breed, full body shots that have been cut away from their distracting backgrounds and set upon a field of pure white so that the reader can appreciate their forms and finer points. Don't think it's just a boring text book, however; everything is laid out with graphic finesse, to be visually interesting and attractive as you digest the tidbits of information that have been artfully placed throughout each breed spread. You just can't make a better choice if you're looking for a gift for a cat lover or perhaps doing research into your own future pet possibilities.
What I loved best about TNEotC was the "snapshot" of breed profiles on each spread. You can look up Abyssinian for instance and see a little 2x3 box insert:
Date of origin: 1860s
Place of origin: Ethiopia
Ancestry: Ethiopian household and street cats
Outcross breeds: none
Other name: Color names vary internationally
Weight range: 9-17 lbs
Temperment: attention-demanding
Breed Colors: etc, etc, (with tiny sample coat color insets. But of course full photos of all acceptable variations are also pictured on the larger spread.)
There are even symbols that will tell you how much grooming is required, how vocal the cat is, and how sociable it is. You can get a very quick idea of a cat's likely disposition, maintenance, etc. from this very handy little box.
TNEotC is truthfully the best, most thorough listing of cat breeds I have ever found. More pages are reserved for the most popular breeds, such as Siamese and Persians, but by no means is TNEotC skimpy on the obscure ones. They even include full spreads on "newcomer" breeds like Pixiebobs and Bengals - not just passing mentions as in other cat guides. In fact, TNEotC is the only one that devotes full attention to Chartreux as a separate breed in its own right; this is sort of a litmus test of mine, because those cat books that lump Chartreux with British Shorthairs are generally lost on the whole concept of being definitive. We cat lovers enjoy lots of detail on cats, pure and simple.
-Andrea, aka Merribelle
Book Description
This is a comprehensive encyclopedia of the main cat breeds of the world today, a perfect introduction to learning about and selecting a breed to keep, or even to start on your own.
Customer Reviews:
I have to agree with the last review...........2006-09-18
Great book. A good amount of information. I bought the book after adopting a Maine Coon mix kitten and was a little confused by the statement that she wasn't meant for indoor living!
Quite a Good Guide.......2002-12-06
Cat books are far less common than dog guidebooks, and this is quite a good example of the genre. Each breed is shown in one or more pictures (usually showing different color variations), described in fairly detailed text, and summarized in a table describing physical attributes, coat care, and temperment.
The book is divided into sections by coat length; long hair, semi-long hair, and short hair. A brief section at the end discussing breeding and raising kittens.
A few minor quibbles: the book was originally published in England, so while it does talk about American CFA standards,the emphasis is on British standards -- and more coverage is given to breeds common in England, with less given to American breeds.
They also note that some breeds (Maine Coons, for example) are 'freedom loving' and not suited to be kept indoors. Most responsible breeders/owners would argue that ALL cats, regardless of breed, are better off indoors, or if permitted out, still kept under control with fence or leash.
Average customer rating:
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Brill's New Pauly: Encyclopaedia of the Ancient World: Antiquity, Volume 3 (Cat - Cyp) (Brill's New Pauly)
Manufacturer: Brill Academic Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
General
| Interior Design
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Greece
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ASIN: 9004122664 |
Book Description
Brill's New Pauly is the English edition of the authoritative Der Neue Pauly, published by Verlag J.B. Metzler since 1996. The encyclopaedic coverage and high academic standard of the work, the interdisciplinary and contemporary approach and clear and accessible presentation have made the New Pauly the unrivalled modern reference work for the ancient world.
Five volumes (Classical Tradition, I-V) are uniquely concerned with the long and influential aftermath of antiquity and the process of continuous reinterpretation and revaluation of the ancient heritage, including the history of classical scholarship. Special emphasis is given to the interaction between Greco-Roman culture on the one hand, and Semitic, Celtic, Germanic, and Slavonic culture, and ancient Judaism, Christianity, and Islam on the other hand.
Brill's New Pauly presents the current state of traditional and new areas of research and brings together specialist knowledge from leading scholars from all over the world. Many entries are elucidated with maps and illustrations and the English edition will include updated bibliographic references.
Product Description
Encyclopedia with excellent pictures, descriptions and ideas.
Product Description
Gardening Encyclopedia with excellent pictures and illustrations. Book contains expert advise on gardening and pest control.
Product Description
Unabridged
Product Description
pages 119-342
Average customer rating:
- Not as good as I had hoped but well worth buying anyway.
- A winner's guide to enjoyment
- dropped the highball
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Forever Lounge: A Laid-Back Guide to Languid Sounds
John Wooley ,
Thomas Conner ,
Mark Brown , and
Tony Lillis
Manufacturer: Antique Trader Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 1582210047 |
Book Description
This can't-miss collection captures the spirit of lounge music and delivers the goods on a musical genre that's enjoying a huge resurgence. Compiled by writers and editors who themselves are lounge music aficionados, this one-of-a-kind volume features interviews with performers, fascinating sidebars, and two impressionistic visits to the "Land of Lounge" -- a literary trip to Mother's, the archetypal jazz lounge from the classic television series Peter Gunn; and a journey to one of today's retro lounges, full of hip Gen-X patrons who've embraced the scene as their own.
Customer Reviews:
Not as good as I had hoped but well worth buying anyway........2000-06-28
I was thrilled when I first came across this book, someone finally did a price guide for the kind of LP's I was collecting. Unfortunately the book didn't turn out to be all I was hoping for when I bought it. It is useful as a discography for the artists listed and seems very complete in that respect but I wish it contained more and better examples of classic LP cover art and more biographical information on the artists. I suppose this may be asking too much from a price guide type book. But even as a price guide this book seems a bit off. Although there are exceptions, almost all of the records are listed as being worth $3-5 or $7-10. Now as a collector I think it would be great if record dealers would adopt this as their official pricing guideline, but if you are buying these type albums anywhere besides your local thrift shops you are probably forced to pay more than that for these records, sometimes a LOT more ( at least that has been my experience). In fairness, I guess it wasn't too long ago that you could pick most of these records up for under a buck almost anywhere, but original LP's of lounge and space age bachelor pad music seem to be going for premium dollars these days and a recent price guide should more accurately reflect that. BOTTOM LINE on this book...Should you buy a copy if you are into this type of music? Yes! by all means. While this book does miss the mark a bit (in my opinion) there is precious little information published about this type of music and this book is one of very few available on the subject. While I was initially somewhat dissappointed when I first read the book I have gone back to it on numerous occasions to look something up and I am glad to have it on my shelf. The discography type information alone is worth the price of the book and there is a bunch of other pertinent information included which is also useful (websites, etc.).Most of the book is taken up by the price listings but I did enjoy reading the text that is there and found it informative as well. Now if I could just convince my local record dealers to sell me those Esquivel and Three Suns albums at this book's prices.
A winner's guide to enjoyment.......1999-05-26
This volume is cleverly as composed as the best of lounge entertainment
dropped the highball.......1999-03-10
Anticipating a great catalogue and price guide for lounge music, I was somewhat disappointed in this publication. Too much page space is given to the discography and price listing and too little to a beautiful presentation of the covers which are so essential to this style of music. All the good stuff(photos and text) inhabits verticle strips on the edge of the pages. The covers are poorly printed with a dull look. The pricing seems pedestrian and not detailed enough. Too bad because the list of artists is large and largely accurate. Sort of a 70% effort.
Book Description
Step-by-step instructions and scores of illustrations show aspiring beadworkers how to assemble more than 50 botanically accurate specimens of African violets, hyacinths, sunflowers, miniature versions of irises, jonquils, tea roses, and many other glittering beauties. Also, helpful suggestions for creating table decorations, attractive bouquets, and festive Christmas ornaments.
Customer Reviews:
Underwhelmed........2005-09-26
The author may have been an innovator in her time, but the book does not hold a candle to the beaded-flower books of today. Large step-by-step color photos are almost a requirement for clear understanding of techniques. This book doesn't provide them.
Great book for beginners or experienced beaders!.......2004-12-13
I learned French bead-flower making from this book decades ago when it was first printed, and I still refer to it. This first Nathanson book gives you a good, solid grounding in the basics. The instructions are thorough and clear. Although there are not many close-up color photos in the book, there are now plenty of online pictures and groups to help with visualization of a finished product. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to learn this modern/vintage art.
new beader.......2003-08-01
Numerous projects!
But directions can be confusing as all the words and paragraphs are clumped together. More drawn diagrams to show directions would be more efficient than trying to explain it in wordy essays.
Since this book was kind of old, the photos will never do the beaded flowers justice.
Overall, I can't wait to start on some of the projects using the new techniques I've learned.
Second only to Virginia Osterland.......2003-06-29
This book is second only to Virginia Osterland's "Bouquet From Beads." I disagree with the previous reviewer who suggests that because Osterland was a student of Nathanson, therefore, Nathanson is superior. Virginia Osterland is the classic case of a student surpassing the teacher. However, Making Bead Flowers and Bouquets is an excellent book and I highly recommend it. It surpasses most of the newer books on the subject.
AWESOME! Still the best beaded flower book ever written!.......2002-04-12
I am thrilled that this book has finally been reprinted -- ...This remains the best beaded flower book ever written. (I recently bought Dalene Kelly's book, but was horribly disappointed; it doesn't hold a candle to this one.)
Virginia Osterland's book is also excellent -- but I understand that *SHE* learned from Virginia Nathanson, who remains the true master of this exquisite art. Beaded flowers are gorgeous -- breathtakingly beautiful. They make truly awesome gifts -- and this book also covers how to make beaded Christmas trees and ornaments, etc. But the flowers, alone, are all you need to know. With this book, you will know how to make the most gorgeous flowers imaginable to give as gifts, either alone, in a bud vase, as arrangements, as hair clips, wreaths, or whatever. You really can't miss. The directions are painstakingly clear, the color pictures gorgeous, etc. Since this is a reprint, it doesn't have as many color photos as more modern books -- but the diagrams and pictures are crystal clear, the directions painstakingly clear, and there are enough color photos to show you the gorgeous results.... -- I can't sufficiently recommend this book. If you want to learn to make these exquisite flowers, this is definitely the book for you. It remains the best beaded flower book ever written...
Average customer rating:
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The Making of Interiors: An Introduction
Allen Tate
Manufacturer: Harpercollins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Architecture
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Interior Design
| Architecture
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Interior Design
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0060466715 |
Book Description
8 pages of photos and a worldwide directory.
This is the first fully comprehensive, illustrated guide to body art in all its forms.
This is the only reference source available that explores every step of the process.
This is the definitive guide for choosing style and placement, finding the right artist, ensuring safety and proper care, and even correcting or removing unwanted body art.
Includes: Tattoos € Piercings € Artists € Styles € Jewelry € Alternative Body Modification € Safety € Care € Selection € Placement € Procedures Healing Time € and More
Customer Reviews:
disappointing.......2007-09-10
this book was very disappointing. not alot of information and any information it had was very general. hardly any pictures or anything of value. skimmed the book did not even bother to read it. seemed to be made for people who are not even old enough to get pierced or tattooed.
Caveat: NOT the Be All to End All..........2003-01-08
"The Body Art Book" is billed as a "complete, illustrated guide," which it isn't. It highlights many topics, but none in depth. There are eight pages of color photos, and some black and white illustrations. However, for every thing I found wrong with this book, there was an equal and opposite reaction. For example:
Regarding latex gloves: "Every piercer MUST wear latex gloves when touching sterilized tools or jewelry." Should this read "Every BODY ARTIST?" (After all, NOT only piercers should be gloved!) Furthermore, what about artists or clients with latex allergies? However, pointing out that gloves should be changed if the [artist] picks up the phone was very important.
Regarding piercing guns: not enough emphasis, in my opinion, placed on the fact that professional piercers never use guns. However, the author DOES mention it, which is information that a lot of people don't know.
There were a few snide comments about people who get body modifications to be cool. While that wouldn't be my motivation, if I were the author I might have said something more to the effect of One's body is sacred, so one might want to take that into consideration before making permanent changes for the sake of fashion (in other words, perhaps less condescending).
I'm also not crazy about the layout of the book. Piercing and tattoo information is separated within chapters, instead of being in separate chapters. Also, I don't know why henna and scarification were in the same chapter!
The author seems to have fleshed out an outline, but doesn't seem to have gone much further. It's a shame, because there is a ton of information on the Internet that would have given a great deal of substance to this book.
There IS some incredibly valuable information in this book -- information that many people wouldn't have without doing some research AND information with which most people are not armed before walking into a studio.
(This book was a Wishlist purchase.)
dont waste your money.......2002-10-24
I can not believe that a publisher would agree to call this book 'complete' it is ANYTHING but complete. In fact, it is downright skimming. This shows some poorly drawn illustrations of completed facial piercings/ear piercings and that is about it - there is no 'guide' about it. It shows a few pages of colour tattoos, but clearly was not well thought out. I am returning mine and suggest that if you pay more than garage sale price, youve been taken. My opinion, thats all.
Good Book For the Novice Tattoo Artist or Piercer.......2002-01-08
This book is definately suited for the novice tattoo artist or piercer. Lots of good basic information on both if you are just getting started in either field. There is also a list of tattoo emporiums/salons/shops all over the world in the back of this book. The book is low on anythong that could be used as flash, and is definately more of a reference book.
Basic information.......2001-09-04
It is very complete and has a lot of information however I was disapointed because there is not much of interest if you are already knowledgeable in the subject. Addresses the reader in an infantile tone which I disliked and I found it rather repetitive .
Customer Reviews:
Is this a homophobic conspiracy?????.......2002-03-31
So long as Bart Simpson can say, "George Washington Carver is the guy who carved up George Washington." and so long as Black Americans are portrayed as lacking math and science aptitude, there needs to be publication about the importance of George Washington Carver. This book said many important things. For example, George Washington Carver was a credit to dark-skinned blacks because many critics at the time (and many people today) note that most famous or achieving Blacks were partially white. Also, this book suggests that the relationship between Carver and the famous black activist at the university where he worked did not always get along. Still, if Langston Hughes' biographer was criticized for downplaying Hughes' gay experiences, equal noise should be made here. The author repeats in several passages that no proof exists to say Carver was gay. Well, why would that be a concern? Who made the suggestion? Why isn't the allegation examined in more detail in this text? The author mentioned that Carver loved to give young men massages in peanut oil. Is that not considered homoerotic solely because it doesn't involve genital contact? This book was published a year after AIDS was discovered and when homophobia was at an apex. Thus, perhaps the author's avoidances can be contextualized and forgiven. Nevertheless, I find this book disturbingly heterosexist and I would avoid reading more works from this biographer.
Books:
- All Quiet On The Orient Express: A Novel
- An American Girl, and Her Four Years in a Boys'
- An Imperative Duty
- Bad Man Blues: A Portable George Garrett
- Ben, In the World: The Sequel to the Fifth Child
- Blood on the Dining Room Floor: A Murder Mystery
- Burke, Paine, Godwin, and the Revolution Controversy (Cambridge English Prose Texts)
- Cast a Pebble in the Ocean
- Collected Novellas: Leaf Storm, No One Writes to the Colonel, Chronicle of a Death Foretold
- Cuentos Completos "Sergio Ramírez"
Books Index
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