5 comments about Bulgari.

1. This book is amazing. Brilliant photos and great to read the history of Bulgari. Definitely a great book for lovers of the brand and of gorgeous jewelry as well.



2. Bulgari
   Great book beautifully illustrated with great photography of their products. Interesting information regarding the company and designers.



3. What a beautiful book. I appreciated the jewellery before but this book is a lovely way to see how it is made, the desiging and the creating stages. The photographs alone make it a worthwhile investment. As a jewellery appreciator, I think it's a wonderful addition to my library. I don't get to see these pieces up close so this is a wonderful way to expand apreciation and understanding of jewellery.



4. Any college-level art library strong in jewelry history needs BULGARI: a lavish, oversized and powerful collection of color photos and archival pictures that trace the unique Bulgari style which was born in Rome in 1884. The book first appeared in 1996: its updated edition represents an extensive revision and reflects newly-discovered historical material and historical facts on the Bulgari firm, making it a top pick.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch



5. I was pleasently surprised when I recieved this book. When I looked over the discription of the book I thought I'd enjoy it but didn't know just how much until it came. The images are beautiful, full color and the discriptions are well done. This book gives a great overview of the design house Bulgari. I would recommind this book to anyone interested in learning about Bulgari or if you are just a lover of beautiful jewelry.

4 comments about Art and Design of Gama-Go (Gama Go).

1. I really love the unique designs in this book, and keep a copy on my desk for inspiration all the time.
   
   I also really liked the fun size of this book. At about 6" square and almost 2" deep it has hundreds of pages of designs without being ridiculously oversized like so many other art books.
   
   One thing they don't mention in the description is that this book has 4 pages that fold out to show 8 different oversized designs.



2. I was dissapointed in the size of the book. It's only a little over 6x6. It does have alot of pages tho. If you like their tee shirt art then this book is for you. That is all that's in it.



3. purchased as a gift and was so entertaining almost kept it for myself. disigns incredable.



4. The art of Gama go is super cool, i have bought it because of the tim biskup art work which i knew more about, but the design studio has lots of other cool stuff, a must see!

5 comments about Looking Good: Wardrobe Planning and Personal Style Development.

1. This is a book for both the individual trying to improve personal style as well as professionals in the image industry. As an image consultant myself, this is the first book that I have found that really covers every aspect of image. It even includes undergarments something that is lacking in 99% of image books on the market. This is the book to get. I now consider this my image bible. If I am doing workshops, its the only book I take with me in the event I have to answer a question to a subject which my not be the focus of my expertise (e.g. colour)
   Forget the others, buy this book. You will not be sorry.



2. I enjoy this book so much that I have decided to give a class on it.



3. it is amazing how dated a book that isn't THAT old can be. Some older fasion/style books have a nostalgic charm of their own,not this one. Spend your money elsewhere!



4. I owned this and threw it out recently. It was an embarassment. Do not buy it. If you must see it, visit your library. The only thing that's good about this is the descriptions of fashion personality types, which is a fun read. Other than that, save your money and buy the Lucky Manual or Pocket Stylist instead.



5. Very helpful information. Gives guidance on clothing styles that are flattering to particular shapes as well as colors, textures, etc. Quick and easy read with lots of visual examples that made it easy to understand.

5 comments about Gitanjali.

1. I stumbled over these poems for the first time a few years ago and was immediately captivated by the depth,humility and transcendence of spirit that speaks through them. It is almost overwhelming and a great companion for any meditation or prayer practice. For me Tagore definitely ranks among the highest mystic master poets of all time and this collection of "songs" reminds the reader of Rumi quite a bit.
   Unfortunately I don't speak Sanskrit and can only imagine the " true music" created by these poems in their original tongue - and it wouldn't surprise me if the English translation is not more than a meager shadow of its original self - still...that being said the reading of it nevertheless manages to transfer its divine beauty and truly draws the reader's heart close to its spiritual source. It is almost like a healing elixir for heart and mind - and for me the impact is being in breathtaking awe of the sacred origin of all!!!
   For any lover of poems,prayers and sacred,verbal inspirations this is a treasure rarely found in today's world!



2. This version from Filiquarian is not formatted properly. I myself want to return this book but it would be a hassle for just 4$.
   
   I will be complaining with Amazon to check for the copyright issue with the publishers.



3. The shipment and the condition of the book were perfect, and the poems convey unparalleled feelings.



4. Simply one of the best books I have ever read. Very moving, and more importantly gives you a real perspective on life.



5. I don't think I am qualified enough (in Literature) to even comprehend the full meaning of every poem, but his gift is apparent from the first one's. He had an amazing eye for things in life most people will never care to even notice, and he had the talent to put forth those images and feelings in writing. No wonder he is hailed has one of the greatest literary minds in India. for people who want to explore more about Tagore, poetry wasn't his talent..he was a writer (plays and novels), a composer, an artist, and a Humanitarian.

5 comments about Noah's Ark.

1. Poortvliet provides an unexpected delight in his telling of the Noah's Ark story through the prism of his youth and memories. The drawings are remarkable in their humanity. He has created a book that is a must have for adults, particularly animal lovers, and children to share.



2. One of the most beautifully illustrated books ever. The artwork is superb and the narrative sublime by someone who appreciates the design in nature. I cant imagine anyone not really treasuring this book, for young and old alike.



3. 
   I have had the larger, original version of this book for thirty years or so, and I wanted to get it for my grandson's fifth birthday. Unfortunately, the larger version was no longer available, but this one filled the bill nicely. It is a perfect size, and it has perfect content for bedtime stories. Plus, none of the excellent pages was left out. Rien Poortvliet is a magnificent artist, and a thoughtful one, at that.



4. The illustrations in this volume are amazing. I love the format. It's much like a personal journal with sketches to enhance the artist's viewpoint. I will definately consider purchasing everything that is available by this author after seeing this beloved work of art.



5. AWESTRUCK is the only word to describe my reaction to this magnificently beautiful book! It is a huge collection of Poortvliet's master quality artwork in a stunning coffee table book. The thoughtfully executed art gives evidence of the artist's heart toward the subject matter. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!

5 comments about Musical Instrument Design: Practical Information for Instrument Design.

1. I am a beginner to instrument design, and while I was expecting this to be a more "experimental book" it covered the fundamentals of music design pretty well.



2. This book is fantastic. It is definitely worth its cover price; the current markdown makes it essential.
   
   This is a great introduction to instrument design-- both traditional and experimental. If you are interested in building musical instruments, composing for specialized instruments, or learning how instruments work, this is the book to get. It's packed with theory and practical advice, and best of all, it's very readable. I have learned and applied a lot from this, and I have yet to build an instrument from scratch.
   
   I honestly think all musicians should own this book. Craftsmen who aren't (yet) musicians should, too.
   
   This is also essential reading for music teachers; it may restore some of the fun that seems to be lacking in some music education programs.



3. Want to build new instruments? Grab this and a good intro acoustics textbook (I usually teach from Rossing) and you'll be in excellent shape.



4. This book has very useful information on essentially all types of instruments, even keyboard-ish instruments. These instruments are definitely NOT little kiddy playthings - I wouldn't recommend getting it for your ten-year-old - but can be constructed even by those who don't have a plethora of equipment and supplies. Quite absorbing, especially for those who wish to make a wide variety of playable-quality instruments. Also, one can easily improvise. Very highly recommended!



5. Valuable, enjoyable and an interesting read and reference. I would replace it if I lost it.

1 comments about What People Wore When: A Complete Illustrated History of Costume from Ancient Times to the Nineteenth Century for Every Level of Society.

1. This book is a great buy at around 20$. The pages include lots of color picture/illustrations of clothing from all over the world throughout history. It also details clothing of tribes and smaller cultures that other books do not even touch on. I love this book for it's wide range of inspiration and the visual pleasure I receive when browsing through it.

2 comments about El Greco to Velazquez.

1. The catalogue for a 2008 exhibition held at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, this book is centered on a period between 1577 and 1623, which corresponds to the reign of King Philip III. It is a very well documented book which benefits from a very high quality of reproductions, with many close-ups of details (especially of the works by El Greco which are kept in American museums, such as the View of Toledo, the Vision of Saint John or the Laocoön). The text is informative and easy to read, centering on the historical context, the personality of the king, the vision of power and of religion (both of which were the main concerns of any Spanish artist of the time), the religious or private patrons of the arts and the ideas that were developed among Spanish writers of the period. Outstanding is the chapter centered on portraiture, for which Spanish artists became unequalled masters.
   
   An enlightening book, probably one of the best recent publications on Spanish art of the XVIth-XVIIth centuries.



2. In addition to the artistic renaissance that was underway in late 16th and early 17th century Italy, a comparable movement was flourishing in Spain from 1598 to 1623 under King Philip. A time of cultural and political fervor, Spain was experiencing the evolution of a naturalistic style of painting that showcased detail and space in court portraiture, still life, religious themes, and the development of polychrome sculpture. While El Greco and Velazquez were two of the most notable figures in this era of the Spanish art world, "El Greco To Velazquez: Art During The Reign Of Philip III" covers not only these two legendary artists, but examines the works of lesser-known but highly talented artists who contributed to and influenced the development of the Spanish school of art. Knowledgeably compiled and deftly co-edited by Ronni Baer and Sarah Schroth, "El Greco To Velazquez" is enhanced with informed and informative essays by academicians and art history scholars Laura Bass, Antonio Feros, and Rosemarie Mulchay, as well as the co-editors Ronni Baer and Sarah Schroth. The beautifully illustrated text provides an historical, literary, cultural and religious context for this illuminated and illuminating study of a critically important period of Western Art History in general, and Spanish Art History in particular.

5 comments about Unfiltered: The Complete Ralph Bakshi (The Force Behind Fritz the Cat, Mighty Mouse, Cool World, and The Lord of the Rings).

1. There are a lot of great things in this survey of Ralph Bakshi's work. Through his films, Bakshi is in some ways the essence of 1970s by-the-seat-of-your-pants filmmaking. His films, though, are always compromised, if not by budget then by his own shortsighted vision. "Fritz" and "Heavy Traffic" have some great, even beautiful, moments but the pacing is off in each. His reliance on rotoscope in later features is gimmicky, just as motion-capture is today.
   
   After reading this book, I got the impression that in the end, Bakshi is a sentimental old softy. The pacing in his own career was a bit off at times, especially with later projects such as "Cool World" and "Spicy City", of which art is scant in this book save for some publicity stills. The cringe-inducing writing is scant on details and heavily romanticizes Bakshi, while Bakshi's jab at R. Crumb for the "Fritz" fighting seems petty and stale.
   
   The developmental art, film stills, and doodles are the real treasure of this book. Among them, the rich studied caricatures by Louis Zingarelli and the fantasy archetypes by the legendary Frank Frazetta.



2. Unfiltered: The Complete Ralph Bakshi is one of the best animator/animation books I have read in the last 10 yrs. It is not only full of information on Ralph Bakshi, but also with tons and tons of his artwork. This ranges from cells to ink drawings to roughs and at the end they have put a bunch of his paintings. This book has really inspired me and is an easy read.
   Before reading this book I had only seen Fritz the Cat and some of the Mighty Mouse series. I knew I liked Ralph Bakshi, but after this book I have such a stronger love of his work, and how he changed the Animation industry. His films were real, and based on his experience growing up in New York. They might be vulgar and push the line of decency, but his works reflect who he is and how he grew up. They were vulgar for a reason, not just to be vulgar for vulgar's sake. The movies reflect the man.



3. I've been an animation fan my entire life. Yet, there has always been a wierd thing about Ralph Bakshi I could not understand. The rotoscoping, the crazy backgrounds and somewhat unfinished quality to the work. After reading this book I understand clearly now who the man is behind the work and I appreciate his work even more so. This isn't a book about animation, this a book about a man's soul thrown onto the silverscreen and dares you to watch with an open mind. I sat and read this book straight through without stopping. A very awesome and unique book!



4. Very pleased to report that my copy of Bakshi's new book "Unfiltered" arrived yesterday via Amazon.com. The pre-order price was $25 which was a amazing for a $40 list hardcover book from Amazon.
   
   The book is insane! Everything you could ask for about his life, history, artistic phases from early cartooning straight through Harlem Shuffle and Spicy City. So pleased to have my Bakshi fix in one "huge" book!
   
   Mostly enjoyed understanding his life and the doodles and art that is sprinkled throughout. Also enjoyed the dedicated sections tied to his movies. Heavy Traffic and American Pop are my favs here.
   
   If you don't have it...get it. What a blessing...



5. If all you know about Bakshi is his rotoscope pictures, you're in for a surprise. Ralph is one of the most innovative and wildly creative geniuses of recent times. His influence on animation is immense. On the back cover, Frank Frazetta is quoted as saying, 'Ralph Bakshi is one of the finest artists I've ever met.' He isn't exaggerating a bit.
   
   If you are an artist working in animation, whether you know it or not, Ralph Bakshi is the reason you're here. Don't believe me? Throw your mind back to 1970. Look at what the animation business had turned into... Disney was cranking out Robin Hood, a film without a single new idea. On TV, Filmation was lowering the bar so Hanna Barbera could play 'quality limbo' with them. Animation was dying, animators were choosing retirement over flogging the dead carcass of the art form they loved, and it looked like it the situation would never get any better.
   
   Enter Bakshi. With his first three films, he turned animation upside down. He showed that it wasn't just a medium for big bears with Phil Harris's voice and crappy sitcom characters in outer space. His films shocked and terrified people... they were crass and sloppy. They were made on a shoestring, and sometimes it showed. But they had something honest to say, and that got noticed. Ralph showed that animation- the most collaborative art form ever- could be an intensely personal medium.
   
   Ralph's first three films- Fritz the Cat, Heavy Traffic, and Coonskin- came totally out of the blue. They are the animation equivalent of Louis Armstrong's Hot Fives. Great old time animators like Irv Spence, Ambi Paliwoda and Virgil Ross were offered the opportunity to cut loose and make films that weren't just cats chasing mice and dogs chasing cats. These films dealt with what it meant to be an artist, the battle of the sexes, race relations, and the unsenimentalized realities of urban life. They were improvisational and had no rules.
   
   These three films, made in the darkest of the dark ages of animation, offered a glint of hope for what animation could become. If all you've seen of Ralph's work is Lord of the Rings and Fire and Ice you don't know what I'm talking about here. All of the adult targeted animation you see in the US today has its roots in Ralph's example in these three films. They stirred up controversy and caused riots at screenings back in the day, but now they seem to us like they could have been made yesterday, not three decades ago- except for the fact that today's world has trouble accepting brutal honesty when it comes to politically charged topics. Ralph has never been one to pull punches.
   
   In the 1980s, Ralph did for television animation what he did for theatrical features, blowing the lid off of CBS's Saturday morning schedule with Mighty Mouse: The New Adventures. Ralph took a chance on the ideas of a kid named John Kricfalusi, and set up the studio after the unit structure model used at Warners. Artists were cut loose to create cartoons. Without Mighty Mouse, there never would have been Ren & Stimpy or The Simpsons. The artists who worked on Mighty Mouse have gone on to lead the TV animation industry. Ralph is an absolute genius when it comes to spotting raw talent. He can take a kid straight out of school and turn him into a pro faster than anyone else. Every film had its 'graduating class' of kids. Those kids now populate the animation business on every level, from the top Producer at Disney feature to the creative sparks at Warners. I know of Bakshi alumni who are top dogs at Dreamworks and the CGI companies too.
   
   As a filmmaker, Ralph is one-of-a-kind. He doesn't make films for executives... he doesn't even make films for a specific audience. He makes them for himself. You can count the number of animators capable of using this unweildy medium for personal expression on one hand and still have fingers left. Ralph is one of them. But Ralph is not only the greatest living animation artist. He is the catylist that has more than once pulled the industry out of a hole so deep people had just about given up on cartoons. For that alone, he deserves the respect of any and all animators, whether they like his work or not.
   
   If the animation business needs anything right now, it's another go round with Bakshi. The era of shi-shi 'distressed' animation desks complete with faux wormholes, and middle management producers driving Jaguars paid for by their bonus checks is over. That was great for the people lucky enough to hook up to the gravy train while it lasted. But times have changed. The people left standing will be the ones who REALLY CARE about the medium of animation.
   
   You can take my word for the fact that no one loves cartoons more than Ralph. Read this book and hear him talk about Jim Tyer. (Ralph was Tyer's assistant...) Listen to what he has to say about Spence or Maltese or any of the other old timers he brought in to work on his films. Ralph lives and breathes animation. His drawings are imbued with the whole history of the medium. He announces his retirement every once in a while, and swears off cartoons forever, but it's in his blood. Just count the days till the bellowing voice out of the blue hollers 'BAKSHI'S BACK, YOU BASTUHDS!' over the studio intercom again.
   
   It's time for Ralph to rent a warehouse, fill it full of kids with big dreams, raw talent and lots of ideas and crank out a film. It doesn't even matter if it turns out crappy. It'll be a shot in the arm to the whole business, and it just might lead to something even better. I know I'd love to be a part of it.
   
   UNFILTERED: The Complete Ralph Bakshi isn't one of those 'art books' with postage stamp sized pictures floating in oceans of tasteful white space and huge text blocks of scholarly blather that crowds out the images. It's just pictures, pictures and more pictures... along with just enough text to put them in context. Artwork by Frank Frazetta, John Kricfalusi, Barry Jackson, Louise Zingarelli, Michael Ploog, Ian Miller, Irv Spence, Robert Dranko, Mark Kausler and Ambi Paliwoda. The book is organized to show Ralph's career from his earliest days at Terry-Toons, to his groundbreaking features, to his revolutionary TV work, to his most recent fine art paintings. BUY THIS BOOK!
   
   Stephen Worth
   ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Archive

5 comments about Understanding Art (with ArtExperience CD-ROM) (Understanding Art).

1. This was a required textbook for a class and it is a great reference book.



2. they did not specify that it was the study guide instead of the actual book I needed.



3. Beautiful book! The art pictures are great! I am learning alot!



4. I went to a multimedia school where I took a class on the fundamentals of art & design. Understanding Art was the required text book. Little would I know that I would still be talking about Understanding Art and recommending it for years after that class! (Just don't let my teacher know that!)

   The book takes you throughout the history of art, starting from the earliest forms, throughout the middle ages, native traditional art, to the renaissance, to post modernism, to surrealism, to art deco, bauhaus, dada, and everything else. There isn't a form of art that isn't covered and illustrated, which is extremely beneficial, as you truly do learn how art forms evolved throughout the years. Another benefit to this book is that it covers the different medias in art - sculpture, paintings, print, masks, archetecture, and more.

   The photographs of the artwork are present throughout the book, and the text gives you insight and background knowledge of each art era that you wouldn't otherwise see. One might usually associate art history text as boring and monotonous, but this is not the case. The text is informative and exciting to read all at the same time.

   It's a great book for someone who's starting out in art history, but even long-time art fans will enjoy it too.




5. As a college Art History instructor and an avid reader, I can honestly say Lois Fichner-Rathus has produced one of the finest Art Appreciation texts on the market. The sixth edition of Understanding Art is both visually and intellectually exciting. With expanded coverage of the "Language of Art" (the visual elements and principles of design) and computer generated imagery, and a great companion Web site, this version is truly an advance over previous editions. Addional illustrations (many in color) add to the enjoyment of spending time with this updated classic.

   Though I've referred to this as an Art Appreciation "text," it is by no means dry.The author's viewpoint and writing style are never boring and she continually exhibits great perceptiveness, and wit, in her commentary. The progression of the book's sections from a well-done "Introduction" to the "Language of Art," a look at the varying media of art, and finally a series of chapters on historical style, is well done and logical. Accolades to Fichner-Rathus!