2 comments about Paris Vertical.

1. This oversized book is full of beautiful black and white photos of the City of Light, with closeups of building details as well as glimpses of everyday life. The interesting aspect of the book is the crop, which, of course, is vertically oriented as opposed to horizontally oriented, so it's a different framing method. The pictures are juxtoposed against quotes about Paris. Really a nice package, but I think it's a bit overpriced -- it's great size for a coffee table display book, but if you're going to put it on a bookshelf, you may want to consider the smaller version, which has the same number of photos but in a more petite format for eighty dollars less.



2. Paris Vertical showcases the black-and-white photography of Horst Hamann as he presents a unique pictorial tribute to one of Europe's most famous and beautiful cities. Hamann exhibits an artist's eye through the lens of a camera with new angles and perspectives offering a fresh approach to classic architecture and familiar locales. Enthusiastically recommended for students of photography and a seminal addition to academic collections of master photographers, Paris Vertical documents an original approach to viewing familiar pieces of sculpture and architectural details with a quite literal emphasis on eye-level, vertical framing. Indeed, Paris Vertical could well serve as a template for similar photography sessions with other cities of distinction and beauty.

1 comments about Workspheres: Design and Contemporary Work Styles.

1. This book is the companion piece to the current show on exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. I just got back from seeing it last week and had to buy the book before i forgot everything from the exhibit. The show focuses on the future of work environments, particularly alternative officing solutions. The future of office work stations is growing more to the specific needs of the end user and how productivity can be increased by making the work environment ever more user friendly. the actual designs and concepts are really futuristic with lots of new technology, high-tech materials and psychedelic colors. The new designs aim at mimicking the shape and patterns of the human mind, supposedly making the interaction between end user and work station more compatible and comfortable. This book demonstrates the importance of designing around the personal needs and psyche of the people who spend the majority of there days working in an office.

No comments about Antoni Gaudi.

2 comments about Light Revealing Architecture.

1. This book is great. Nearly everything about it is clear, concise, informative, and inspiring.
   
   The format is worth mentioning because the author does everything right. Each chapter is dedicated to a single principle of lighting design, and is immediately followed by a case study that beautifully illustrates that same principle. Also, whenever the text mentions a particular building or room - there is always a lovely and appropriate photograph of that very same room or building RIGHT ON THE VERY SAME PAGE. This is a rare example of a well-concieved and thoughtfully executed book on architecture.



2. Any spatial experience is intimately connected with the experience of light. The author has very articulately described this phenomena in architecture, using four major themes - where light helps with a physiological EXPERIENCE, gives a building FORM, defines and enhances SPACE, and thus gives it MEANING. This is an excellent book, well written and has a good association with all aspects of lighting, studied and explained with the help of a wide range of buildings and architecture. It makes a very strong (and convincing) argument, for all designers to pay attention to the importance of light while planning and designing their spaces or buildings.

1 comments about Eileen Gray: Architect/Designer.

1. Eileen Gray is an inspiration to any woman who aspires to become an architect in this male-dominated field. This is an honest, enthralling, and wonderful book for anyone remotely interested in architecture!

5 comments about Pet Crafts: 28 Great Toys, Gifts and Accessories for Your Favorite Dog or Cat.

1. I've had this book a year or two now, and I finally got around to making something from it. I made the fleece, stuffed cat pictured on the book's cover. My sewing skills are extremely undeveloped, and even I found this project to be fairly simple. Better yet, it turned out really well! I hope to try out more of the projects in the future.



2. I just received this today and I love it! There are some really great ideas for crafts for the pet lover in everyone! I haven't done any of these yet, but I have some really great ideas to expand on the crafts in this book! The book is well written and the step by step directions are so easy that anyone will be able to do them...Get this book, you will be very pleased with it!



3. I was looking for patterns to help me make winter clother for my dog. I was able to get some ideas and helpful information with this book. But, it is not solely for dogs or dog clothing.



4. There are cute items here for both cats and dogs. Great gift idea! I have not yet tried any of the projects so I cannot speak of the level of difficulty.



5. This book is great!! it has very cute ideas. I have a dog and she loves the squeeky sock!! i also have 3 cats and they love the ceramic bowls. The pet beds are very practical for on the go people. You can just pull of the cover if it gets dirty and wash it.Also my cats love the springy snake you can just launch it across the room and watch them go after it. I highly recommend this book!!!

No comments about And Guide Shanghai: Architecture And Design (And Guides).

3 comments about The President's House: A History.

1. It has been a while since I read it, so this will be short, but I can tell you that I loved this work. In fact, I read it twice.
   
   Seale takes you through the origins and changes in the house and the property, which is interesting enough to me. But he also takes you, with great detail, through the families and events that occupied and occurred in the President's House. You get a real sense of what life was like there, and how history was made. It is a very interesting story both from a historical house perspective, and a human perspective. I only wish I had bought the leather bound edition.



2. Often, history is written in broad sweep narratives that can be static and boring to the reader. Although William Seale wrote more than 1,000 pages on the history of the White House, you can be assured that there is nothing static or boring about these volumes. He displays an understanding of the fact that history is about the human drama of real people facing real predicaments, and it's poignance is found in how they react to those predicaments.

   Whereas a history book will tell you that the British burned the White House in 1814, Seale tells us what was happening on the DAY the British marched into town. The hundred sentry guards who were supposed to defend the White House were gone, and they could easily have taken on the battalion of 150 British soldiers who marched in the mud down Pennsylvania Avenue, walked around the White House like tourists, ate Dolley Madison's dinner, and then torched the White House with precision. Then there is the even more dramatic moment when Lincoln looked out across the Potomac into Virginia to see the flags of the Confederacy flying, knowing that soon the capital would be surrounded if Maryland seceded from the Union.

   The book is a perfect match of comedy and drama with stories ranging from the infestation of rats in the basement to a presidential love story that rivals "The American President," and in places describes a house that you would never imagine to be destined as the symbol of the most powerful nation on earth.




3. William Seale has put together an excellent historical perspective of the history of the White House, including it's construction, reconstruction, and many renovations. The book also recounts the evolution of Washington, D.C. relative to it's relationship with the White House and it's occupants.

   Along with describing the physical structure and it's many evolutions, Seale has managed to include a significant amount of history relative to the occupants of the White House, including their personal and political lives. This provides the reader with a good feel for life in the White House. Additionally, most will learn a significant amount about presidents who we simply know by name but not much else.

   Overall, I would highly recommend this book to those most interested in american history. Although it includes two volumes, the book is such an interesting read that it is hard to put it down.

2 comments about Create Your Own Artists Journal.

1. I turn to this book time and again for inspiration for my own watercolor journal and sketches when I'm in a journaling slump. This book is loaded with the sketches and illustrations of Erin O'Toole's own journals, and her great advice to start and continue with your own journal. The book is nicely divided into sections for sketching flowers, wildlife, neighborhoods, animals and people. She also gives advice on labeling your sketches and being creative with your writing style. All in all, this is a great book to have on hand.



2. In Create Your Own Artist's Journal, Erin O'Toole opens her hand-made journals and tells how you can create one too. This North Light art book is packed with large format color illustrations (she uses pencil, pen, colored pencil, watercolor and gouache) and tips for drawing and painting, page layout and even establishing a routine of sketching. Mrs. O'Toole includes ideas for materials and suggestions for the kit to carry with you when you sketch away from home. There are recommendations for color; tips for drawing specific subjects: houses, people, animals, etc. and sections on sharing your artwork in print or over the internet (she gives scanner settings). This book reminds me of Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady which Mrs. O'Toole recommends. She also suggests other favorite titles.

1 comments about Peter Walker and Partners: Nasher Sculpture Center Garden: Source Books in Landscape Architecture.

1. The Nasher rocks..I love this place, from Piano's iconic building to Walker and partners perfect landscaping..oh and the art is ok too..LOL..as for this book it is very good..it is highly informative, easy to read, and the images pop off the page. I recommend it to anyone interested in landscape architecture on a grand scale, where money was no object. And if your in Dallas, if you do nothing else..visit the Nasher, it is in a word: Fabulous