Gail Niebrugge's Alaska Wildflowers: An Artist's Journey in Paintings and Prose

Book Description

After years of painting landscapes, Gail Niebrugge began painting flowers -- stunningly beautiful, delicate, and brilliantly colorful. This volume chronicles her journey from the majestic to the minuscule.

Book Description

From a night at the high-octane Tropicana nightclub, to touring the Havana's monuments to the Revolution, to visiting Hemingway's Havana hangouts, travelers looking for more than the standard itinerary will find many unique options in this updated guide. Author Christopher P. Baker, a well-respected and best-selling authority on travel to Cuba and Latin America, presents everything a traveler needs to know when heading to Havana. This guide is packed with comprehensive information on accommodations, dining, sights, and recreation, covering a wide range of budgets and personal interests. Filled with color photographs, custom maps, witty sidebars, current guidelines for legal travel, and a complete coverage of the city's complex history, the second edition of Moon Handbooks Havana is the most comprehensive resource for travelers to this popular travel destination.

Customer Reviews:

All you need for Havana.......2004-02-06

I also just got back from Cuba, and I couldn't disagree with Cecil Fox's January 17 review more. Baker is a very good writer who's done extensive research, and the book is pleasurable to read. He makes his love for the place palpable without sparing the reader the frustration a visitor/observer often feels. Other travelers staying where I did ended up borrowing this guidebook for its richness of detail and background that theirs (Lonely Planet) lacked. I liked it so much I'm buying another- I had to leave my copy on the plane as we were without licenses, and afraid of tipping-off US immigration.
That said, I wish it were updated a bit. The million bicycles Baker writes about aren't there en masse anymore, and Dulce Maria's was fun but not the throbbing delirium he paints. All in all though, I'll buy it again.

A travel book to discourage travel........2004-01-18

Having just returned from Havana I find this book to be the most disingenuous exercise I can remember. While there are certainly facts and history aplenty, the author, who must work for a certain company, makes Havana as repugnant as possible. The blockade, engineered by fanatics who fled Havana for Miami to avoid prosecution or persecution these forty years ago continues without any sane reason. There is a refreshing intellectual life. Civil liberties are no more endangered in Havana than in Alabama or the Bronx. US citizens are now required by the Bush administration to have exit visas from the US issued by the Treasury Department. A nurse told me that Cuba is a third world country. I told her that a Third World country wouldn't have universal health care, no illiteracy, no threat of AIDS, no perinatal mortality, and a system of preventative medicine to be envied. No, I told her, it is I who live in a third world country.
In his litany of deficiencies the author fails to compare anything. Streets are bad. Compared to Baltimore? Slums. Compared to Newark? Poor people. Compared to Mississippi?
You should buy this book (if you are going to Havana) for its wealth of history and useful facts. Do not allow the authors grumpy interpretations influence how you feel about Havana or the Cuban people.

Travel with Chris.......2002-12-30

I spent a month in Cuba guided by this book. Not only does it have great information for the essential activities like eating and sleeping, but it has an incredible amount of information about the country. If you find yourself without a book to read while traveling, Chris' guide book is great for educational reading material - packed with historical and cultural reading. At first I scoffed at his tendency to flowery writing - "with water as warm as bedtime milk" but after growing accostomed to his style we began to think of Chris as our travel buddy and the other travel books brought by my travel partners were soon buried deep in backpacks - Chris' book was the only one we needed.

A must for Cuba travel.......2002-01-28

I have been all over Cuba, and Baker was an excellent guide. No other book goes into the detail for off the beaten track travel.

If you are going to visit JUST Havana, get this guide........2001-07-31

When I was in Havana (3/2001) I brought a stack of guide books to help me navigate around Cuba (and especially Havana). The top award goes to the prolific author Christopher Baker, who wrote "Havana Handbook" and "Cuba" (both are published by Avalon Travel).

In Havana Handbook Christopher Baker gives you a solid introduction to Havana and Cuba, a good, but basic, general travel information section. His two books have the best accommodations, restaurants and sights-to-see reviews and recommendations available today. He also provides excellent tables & lists of pertinent subjects, good black & white photos, scores of side bar topics that are full of informative caveats, and the beginning of web site and Internet addresses.

The only improvement I can recommend to Avalon Travel and Christopher Baker (are you listening?) would be more, much more, email addresses (especially for the hotels) additional online sources and additional maps (i.e., Baker recommends three great walking tours through Havana and these need maps). However, I have reviewed other Moon Handbooks and the Havana Handbook's maps and scattered inclusions of online resources are a real improvement over other Moon Handbooks.

So, if you are going to visit JUST Havana, and you don't want to cart around Christopher Baker's definitive, 827 page "Cuba" (Highly Recommended - see review), then this 368-page guidebook is very good and reliable choice. BUT, for three dollars more I would buy Christopher Baker's "Cuba". Regardless Christopher Baker has written a tour guide unmatched by any other Cuba guide book. Recommended

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The American Republic Since 1877, StudentWorks Plus
McGraw-Hill
Manufacturer: Glencoe/McGraw-Hill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: CD-ROM

General | United States | Americas | History | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0078747511

Book Description

THE COMPELLING STORY OF AMERICAN HISTORY SINCE RECONSTRUCTION

For high school students, The American Republic Since 1877 presents the rich saga of American History after the Civil War. The modern history portion of The American Vision, this program features the same exceptional scholarship; up-to-date, accurate maps; peerless resources, and unique strategies found in The American Vision. This course makes modern American History understandable and relevant for every student.

Features

• Glencoe’s one-of-a-kind content reading strategy makes it easier for your students to become active, critical readers through the use of:
• Reading Intervention Tools
• Graphic Organizers in section openers and assessments
• Prior Knowledge Activators in every lesson
• In-text Reading Checks
• Reading and Writing Prompts

• National Geographic maps add dimension to the narrative and give students an understanding of the inter-relationships of places and events.

Book Description

This book offers a comprehensive overview of the minimalist trend and the influence it has had upon decoration and interior design. The projects chosen, although they cannot always be labeled as "100% minimalist," do clearly reflect the impact of this movement on architecture, art, fashion, and design. As the modern movement gradually began to fade out, minimalist art came into its own and then went on to become an unmistakable reference for the subsequent minimalist movement, as exemplified in architecture and decoration by the inspiring works of the modern masters Mies van der Rohe and Le Corbusier.

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MNM 2: Minimalist Interiors
Laura O'Bryan
Manufacturer: NY
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000MUBCNM

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful introduction to the wolves and Isle Royale.......2004-09-03

This book provides an introduction to the wolves of Isle Royale. Peterson certainly knows the material, since he has led the island's wolf-moose study for decades. The book presents a mix of scientific findings, stories from the wolf-moose study, and Peterson's personal experiences and the island. It's well-written, though the mixture of these materials sometimes seems a bit random.

If your primary interest lies in the science of wolves, I'd read Durward Allen's Wolves of Minong instead. But for everyone else, this should be your first book on Isle Royale and the wolves.

The greatest strength of this book is its photographs. These include wildlife shots, pictures of study staff dissecting carcasses, landscapes of Isle Royale, and a few shots of Peterson and his family. The photographs, the color, and the paper the book is printed on are all top-notch.

Peterson argues that the wolf population may be in crisis. Fortunately, wolf numbers have turned around since he wrote this book. His concluding chapter, about whether we should reintroduce "non-native" wolves to Isle Royale if they died out naturally, is very thoughtful and thought-provoking.

Explore the Wolf-Moose dynamic on Isle Royale.......2002-05-01

If you've been to Isle Royale and want to know more about the wolves, then I highly recommend this book. Most visitors to Isle Royale hope to see a wolf, and most visitors leave the island disappointed. Isle Royale is the closest thing to a closed system to study a predator-prey relationship, and is the site of one of the longest running field studies. The book has some good stories about conducting research on Isle Royale, including the winter study when the research team are the only people in the park. It also provides some insight into how theories about the wolf-moose relationship are still evolving after years of research. It also discusses the challenges the researchers faced when the wolf population took a nosedive in the late 1980's, and ponders the question of what should be done if the wolves die out on IR. This book is several years old now, so if you're interested in more recent data, contact the IR Natural History Association [URL] to get the latest report.

Of wolves and moose ... and more.......2002-03-03

I've been interested in the moose and wolves of Isle Royale since visiting the island in the early 1990s. While I spotted plenty of moose (swimming in the lakes, jumping out of the bushes in front of us on the trail, etc.), the wolves remained hidden--a mystery.

Fortunately, Rolf Peterson writes brilliantly of the side of Isle Royale that many of us will never glimpse. Peterson's work switches easily between the science and the 'experience' of studying wolves in a remote setting. The book is chock full of interesting anectodes collected from Peterson's many seasons studying the island's flora and fauna. From landing a bush plane in a white-out to dragging moose carcasses through the woods, Peterson gives us an interesting look at the what being a field scientist might be like.

It's important to note that this book is not just about wolves. Indeed, so many environmental factors shape life on Isle Royale outside of its 'headlining' mammals (moose and wolves): from beaver to fox, from spruce to elder. Peterson does a great job of explaining how the changing environment (some human-induced, some not) has impacted the island's populations.

The book also has some excellent photographs, which illustrate not only the science, but also the beauty that is Isle Royale! Highly recommended.

It will have you wanting to read more,you can't put it down........1999-01-16

This book has every thing drama humor and just about trying to save a beautifal anamal.the author is a respected man of science and with that you get brilant writing and great photos of the wonderful canis lupis (wolf).So If you are a wolf person like me or just someone looking for a good read it's all in this book.

Book Description

The history of plants and flowers.

Botanical paintings and fascinating essays are combined in Plant Discoveries to examine the fascinating history of plants and flowers. Over 20 plant families are profiled including cacti, daffodils, iris, magnolia, poppies, roses, tulips, conifers, hibiscus, palms and waterlilies.

Throughout history, plants have dramatically affected the lives of individuals and society as a whole. Holland's infamous tulip craze is now legend. The 17th century spice trade was so profitable that stevedores who unloaded nutmeg from the boats were obliged to wear coveralls without pockets since only a few nutmegs were worth a fortune.

The natural history of the plants themselves is an engrossing topic. The book suggests that plants take a more active role in their survival than commonly assumed. It discusses how plants have adopted remarkable strategies for survival in a variety of harsh habitats. One such plant is the dead horse arum -- a putrid-smelling plant that adapted to compete with dead birds to attract pollinating carrion flies.

Plants that gardeners now take for granted once could only be found in remote and hostile regions. Plant Discoveries tells the fascinating story of the adventurous botanist explorers who braved disease, slave traders, war, jungles and other dangers to collect plants now commonly grown in our own backyards.

These pages are graced with hundreds of stunning color illustrations selected from the vast collection of botanical paintings archived at the Natural History Museum, London. Plant Discoveries is an exciting voyage of discovery and a must-have volume for lovers of art, botany, and adventure.

Customer Reviews:

A Botanical Delight.......2007-05-08

This is a wonderful book. The pictures are beautiful and so is the writing. The text consists of literary-scientific essays about groups of plants familiar even to a botanical neophyte like myself. Gracefully written and fascinating, the essays alone would make an excellent book. They and the pictures together make for a truly extraordinary volume. I enjoyed this book enormously. It's a treat for both the eyes and the intellect.

Worth adding to one's collection.......2006-09-17

I believe Ms Knapp has found a subject she truly loves, and has put her love into words to accompany the beautiful illustrations. As regards the illustrations: art and science do compliment one another and this is proof. Although some illustrations are obviously more accurately rendered than others, they all contribute in some way (some more than others) to our knowledge of the kingdom of Plants, but also in some way to our knowledge of ourselves. I think it must have been so in the days of the explorers who collected and put pen to paper to create these rich troves of information. You may decide that you love plants too, after reading Ms Knapps very frank and captivatingly direct prose.

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Bad Weather caused shipping delays

The story and glory of I.M. Pei

Well written, a bit thin on actual work

Great book

an insightful reference book re I M Pei

I. M. Pei: A Profile in American Architecture (Revised Edition)
Carter Wiseman
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
Architecture | Arts & Photography | Bargain Books | Stores | Books
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Similar Items:

I.M. Pei: Mandarin of Modernism

Conversations With I. M. Pei: Light Is the Key (Architecture)

The Architecture of I.M. Pei

The Architecture of Philip Johnson

I.M. Pei - First Person Singular/The Museum on the Mountain

ASIN: B0002IA1HW

Book Description

"Beautifully illustrated . . . handsomely produced . . . highly informative."
-Choice

I. M. Pei has designed some of the world's most elegant and powerful buildings. The revised edition of Abrams' 1990 book features a new chapter that covers Pei's work between 1990 and 2001-a flurry of creativity that included commissions for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, the final phases of work on the Louvre, and museums in Luxembourg, Germany, and Japan.

Dozens of color photographs present Pei's buildings in all their splendid variety, while scores of revealing drawings, plans, and models, as well as personal and documentary photographs, make this the only comprehensive record of the work of an architectural giant, one who has won every important honor in his field.
356 illustrations, 65 in full color, 42 line drawings, 340 pages, 83/4 x 11"

Customer Reviews:

Bad Weather caused shipping delays.......2007-01-18

But that's not your fault. Otherwise, Product was in perfect condition, Thanks!

The story and glory of I.M. Pei.......2005-10-02

When one thinks of the name I.M. Pei today, one's mind immediately goes to the Pyramid at the Louvre, Paris, or the Bank of China building in Hong Kong; perhaps one might think of the East Building of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. My first thought always goes to the Fine Arts Museum in Bloomington, Indiana, home of my undergraduate college - this building was still considered 'the new museum' when I started in 1982, and it became one of my favourite places on campus, not just because of the glorious collections housed there, but because of the interesting feel of the building architecturally, both inside and out. The kinds of angles and lines on the exterior are reminiscent of other gallery work of Pei; the interior with high-vaulted, complex-girder bounded windows as a lobby between the particular galleries on separate floors (mostly without windows, the better to protect the artwork) is a wonder to sit and contemplate.

This book traces I.M. Pei from his early days as a student (primarily at M.I.T. and Harvard) and protege of Zeckendorf, 'the most flamboyant real estate developer of his time' - Zeckendorf had one of the first car phones in the United States, almost half a century before cell phones would become commonplace. Zeckendorf and Pei made for an interesting team, going from bigger to bigger projects all over the world. However, in the end, Pei had to strike out on his own.

He had already begun to do this on projects like the Luce Memorial Chapel in Taiwan, whose angles and interior design were both inspired and inspirational, showing an unusual harmony of geometric form.

This book traces Pei through early struggles with less inspiring projects that he nonetheless managed to give creative flair, through to later projects that, having gained an international reputation, he could finally command with great creative freedom. He was now a recognised artist. He continued to do 'regular' work for corporations, schools, housing and municipal organisations, but he could also command the 'plum' jobs of significant and lasting structures.

Many of his works show a genius not only of design for the structures themselves but also an appreciation of the environment in which they are situated. Examples of this include the towers in Philadelphia, which soar over the much older buildings in the city without detracting from their own variety of 'Revolutionary' flair, and the Fragrant Hill Hotel in Beijing, which incorporated the Chinese sense of interconnectedness of buildings with gardens and nature.

This is a beautifully done book, with hundreds of illustrations throughout a text that is both informative and accessible, interesting in being written as a story and set of reminiscences rather than a straight architectural treatise.

Well written, a bit thin on actual work.......2001-09-30

This book is ideal for the reader who enjoys the traditional format of architectural history. It contains background information, interesting stories behind some of I. M. Pei's most famous works, and a nice biographical sketch of the architect. Arguably, it is also one of the more "comprehensive" monogram that features Pei's architecture.

Although the photographs are beautiful, this book lacks depth if you are planning to study Pei's work. The plans are too small and are only mere fragments of the buildings. Photographs are artistically taken and fail to give a sense of the entire spatial composition of Pei's intricate design. None of the buildings are examined critically.

All in all, if you are looking for an entertaining reading then this book is ideal for you. But if you are looking into critically understanding Pei's work, then this book is really insufficient.

Great book.......2001-01-25

I am a software engineer, but I love modern architectures. I.M. Pei is my favorite architect, this book gives me a lot of background information about some of the most important buildings Pei designed (do I still need to list some of them?!). I enjoyed reading the book so much.

an insightful reference book re I M Pei.......2000-01-03

A very user-friendly book about this humble but undisputedbly one of the greatest architect of this century. The book is humane in the sense that it potrays I M Pei as the architect, & also, I M Pei the person behind the limelight. It's only fair to have his legacy left behind in all corners of the world signifying how irrelevant that is of what race you are to be regarded as a complete person & architect. His genius has transcends borders, cultures, & time. I couldn't help noticing that the Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame, & the shrine in Japan, & probably other masterpieces weren't included in the book. Perhaps it's time to have the book updated.

Average customer rating:

Helpful insights into so many memorable projects and the man whose vision they were
A Wonderful Tale

I.M. Pei: Mandarin of Modernism
Michael Cannell
Manufacturer: Clarkson Potter
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books

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

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

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0517799723
Release Date: 1995-11-07

Book Description

The first biography of an amazing modern master whose architectural vision and political skill have shaped our environment. Michael Cannell reveals here the history and personality behind the enigmatic Pei, our most famous living architect. 90 black-and-white photographs.

Customer Reviews:

Helpful insights into so many memorable projects and the man whose vision they were.......2006-01-22

You know the work of I.M Pei even if you don't know that he was the architect behind them. You have seen the glass Pyramid at the Lourvre (although there was much more to his design than that visible and memorable landmark), the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the East Wing of the National Gallery in Washington D. C. , the John F. Kennedy Memorial Library, Hancock Place in Boston, the Bank of China Tower in Hong Kong and many others.

Like a great many important architects, he caused strenuous debate, derisive rejection by some, loud praise from others. Many link him as a disciple of Walter Gropious and others reject the very idea that such an original thinker would be derivative of another.

This very fine book will help you understand more about his work, how the projects were selected, the requirements and desires behind the designs, and what the vision was that resulted in all those buildings with the sharp geometric lines. The man himself is also quite interesting. The firm he founded continues (though he retired from it in 1990), however, in an interview in 2004 he said that he stopped taking new projects in 2001. He was born in 1917, so he has had a very active and long career.

If you think you hate his work, I encourage you to step back and read this book. It will help you better understand his designs. They do make a great deal of sense and I think they are beautiful. Certainly, while they still challenge some, they do seem less outrageous compared to the designs one sees going up around the world today.

A Wonderful Tale.......2000-04-04

A brilliant and well-thought out look at one of this centuries most prolific architects. All of the stories behind his greatest achievements are here, including the scandal the erupted around the building of the Louvre pyramid. Pei is shown to be an practical innovator with his own particular philosophy; his elegant lines and deceptively simple ideas set him apart from the complicated ideology of the Bauhaus movement and architects like Le Corbusier. A very good read.

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I. M. Pei (Asian-American Biographies)
Mary Englar , and I. M. Pei
Manufacturer: Raintree
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 1410911292

I.M. Pei: Designer of Dreams (Picture Story Biography)

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I.M. Pei: Designer of Dreams (Picture Story Biography)
Pamela Dell
Manufacturer: Childrens Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: School & Library Binding

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

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 051604186X

Contemporary American Success Stories: Famous People of Asian Ancestry Florence Hongo; I.M. Pei; Maxine Hong Kingston; Sammy Lee; Joan Chen (A Mitchell Lane Multicultural Biography Series)

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Contemporary American Success Stories: Famous People of Asian Ancestry Florence Hongo; I.M. Pei; Maxine Hong Kingston; Sammy Lee; Joan Chen (A Mitchell Lane Multicultural Biography Series)
Barbara J. Marvis
Manufacturer: Mitchell Lane Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Library Binding

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

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Rich & Famous | Leaders & Notable People | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1883845122

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Contemporary American Success Stories: Famous People of Asian Ancestryflorence Hongo; I.M. Pei; Maxine Hong Kings Ton; Sammy Lee; Joan Chen (A Mitchell Lane Multicultural Biography Series)
Barbara J. Marvis
Manufacturer: Mitchell Lane Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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

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ASIN: 1883845114

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i.m. pei the architect

I M Pei
Aileen Reid
Manufacturer: Grange Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books

Reference | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1840131071

Book Description

Famed architect, I. M. Pei first came to international prominence with the commission for the Kennedy Library. His subsequent success, with projects such as the glass pyramid at the Louvre and the new wing of the National Gallery in Washington, DC are well-documented herein with wonderful photography and text. A quiet master who has had a resounding effect on world architectural style.

Customer Reviews:

i.m. pei the architect.......2000-05-17

it was a very good book for information on this man. i liked the pictures and description of the buildings and also the detail that they went into. this is a wonderful book if you like to know about the background and means to build buildings.

Mandarin of Modernism I.M.Pei ('Bei yu ming xian dai zhu yi tai duo', in traditional Chinese, NOT in English)

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Mandarin of Modernism I.M.Pei ('Bei yu ming xian dai zhu yi tai duo', in traditional Chinese, NOT in English)
Michael Cannell
Manufacturer: Zhi Ku
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 9579553149

Biography of I. M. Pei ('Bei yu ming', in traditional Chinese, NOT in English)

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Biography of I. M. Pei ('Bei yu ming', in traditional Chinese, NOT in English)
Jiaqi Guan
Manufacturer: Lian Jing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 9570817062

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