4 comments about Too Fast For Love: Heavy Metal Portraits.

1. Don't be fooled by the title of this book, the only "Heavy Metal Portraits" here are of the fans. There's not a rock star in sight. The closest you'll get are 2 KISS fans in full Destroyer-era regalia. The amusement factor is high though as it's amazing that these people would not only step out of the house looking like this but would put themselves on public display at a concert. Most of the women here look like they have more testosterone then the men. Be sure to check out the 2 page spread of the guy advertising 9 inches of imagination who only needs a moustache to double for Carl on ATHF. Caveat emptor indeed.



2. I feel like people in reviews have been a little harsh on this book. Yeah, I could go to a show and see some of the same crowd that's pictured in this book. But I am not going to see every sweet detail like the Black Hills Gold Jewelry and the awful fake nails and the hideous tattoos. It makes me glad that the tattoos I started getting 15 years ago aren't as bad as they could be. I can flip through this book and stare. I'm not going to trail someone at a show and do that. And I can show my friends the really awesome pictures that no verbal discription could do justice. But the coolest thing is that I feel connected to these people (I just have better hair and fashion sense and....). I mean, we go to the same shows. I just won't make any photo books for looking fabulously hessian. I recommend this book. If you're a butt rocker at heart, you've got to love it.



3. This is a classic case of a picture is worth a thousand words. Each person you see has a story that you come up with in your own mind. My particular favorite is the guy with the tee shirt that says, "Chicks dig scrawny white guys." It's also impressive to think that may of the ladies spent lots of time to make themselves look the way they appear in the book. Not so much for the guys. Some ink, torn up jeans, Marlboro Reds and a torn concert tee and you're ready to rock.



4. This book was a total waste of money. Unless you were in this book or know somebody in this book don't waste your money. Spend your money on a concert ticket and you'll see everything in the book.

3 comments about The Making of the West: Peoples and Cultures, Vol. 1: To 1740.

1. i never recived my textbook i ordered.....now i want a refund!



2. This is a fascinating history of Western civilization that goes beyond the customary emphasis on kings and battles to looking also at changes in the culture and ideas of people over the centuries. It's so enjoyable that it is bedside reading for me, though still very authoritative. The many illustrations, often of period art, add to its appeal. It will tremendously broaden your understanding of how our society came to be what it is today.



3. I receieved my book in great condition! It was on time and packaged very well. Thank you!!

2 comments about Helena Rubinstein: Over the Top.

1. Suzanne Slesin's OVER THE TOP: HELENA RUBINSTEIN EXTRAORDINARY STYLE: BEAUTY ART FASHION DESIGN (1972766103, $75.00) reviews the achievements of a pioneer leader in the cosmetics industry celebrated for not just her line of cosmetics but her art collecting, home decoration and appreciation of the arts. Sixteen short essays by experts accompany four hundred images to trace the life of Helena Rubinstein, following her flair for interior decoration, her interest in collecting the works of artists as they began their ascent, and her fine collections. More so than any other coverage, OVER THE TOP captures the multi-faceted interests and personality of a woman whose tastes often ran against trends - then created new ones.



2. Helena Rubinstein: Over The Top is an eye-opening photographic showcase of the works of cosmetics industry and style making pioneer Helena Rubinstein. The text narrates the life of this extraordinary twentieth-century woman and offers the fascinating stories behind her many unique and creative works of art, trend, fashion and decoration. Helena Rubinstein: Over The Top is remarkable, unique, highly recommended, and an ideal choice for a Library Memorial Fund acquisition.

5 comments about Diana Vreeland: Bazaar Years.

1. This book is something to read on a rainy day. It is beautifully put together and very mood uplifting. The suggestions do not seem all that outrageous to me and indeed could add that very necessary flair or as Diana would say PIZAZZ to your life. I love her suggestions for interior decorating. She talks about the pursuit of the perfect RED. How lovely to imagine living a life where your most important concerns are finding the perfect RED. And yes this book is probably for people who are already fans of Diana. Great pictures too.
   ACL



2. My only qualm: I wish there'd been more "Why don't you...?"s. Frankly, I couldn't get enough of them:
   
   "Why don't you have your cigarettes stamped with a personal insignia as a well-known explorer did with a penguin?"
   
   "Why don't you rinse your blond child's hair in dead champagne to keep its gold, as they do in France?"
   
   "Why don't you wear violet velvet mittens with everything?"
   
   Indeed, why don't I?
   
   This slim book far outshines its company in the Diana Vreeland library, and especially "Allure," a gigantic coffee table book with photographs that appear to have been digitized with a $20 scanner.



3. Of course, you must know and love Mrs. Vreeland to be here in the first place. Given that you do, buy this book. Don't expect a compendium of her suggestions and aphorisms. Do expect a delightful hour's browse. Well worth the money.



4. Any info on D.V. is exciting to me. This pretty book is filled with great photos and listing of all the "Why Don't You" articles created by Diana during her days at Harpers. If you are a fan of Diana Vreeland (as I am) you must add this book to your collection.



5. I LOVED this book. Diana Vreeland's "Why don't you..." suggestions are absolutely wild. They're obviously intended for women of *great* means (why don't you give a diamond bracelet as a gift to the wife of your favorite bandleader?). And some of the suggestions are so out there, I swear she was chewing magic mushrooms. My favorite is the suggestion to put in a private staircase from your bedroom to the library, and have it carpeted with a needlepoint rug that spells out the notes to your favorite tune. My god, you're right, I'll do that tomorrow!!
   This book is great to read out loud at a party.

   the strange thing is, I am not sure if it's intentionally funny. The author clearly admires Vreeland, and it's a very affectionate book with wonderful photographs.

   It is definitely a great glimpse at another era, and at a level of society I can only imagine. To have the kind of money that allows you to do some of these things is beyond my wildest dreams. It's a fun fantasy trip, and a fun retro trip. Five stars.

No comments about Fiber Expressions: The Contemporary Quilt.

2 comments about The Photographic Art of Hoyningen-Huene.

1. I almost bought this book at the Whitney for my Mom after seeing some of these photos up close but my corporate discount did not apply and my Mom would not let me pay full price! Needless to say, I'm buying it on Amazon! These reproductions are beautiful and my Mom, a woman of culture and impeccable taste, loves the photos and the fashion; this is a very, very fine book! Read it and be transformed into another era.



2. George Hoyningen-Huene was one of the most sought-after fashion photographers of the 20's and 30's. However, he was far more than just a hack. In fact, Hoyningen-Huene is regarded by many as the greatest master of photographic lighting who ever lived. Hoyningen-Huene worked before anything resembling contemporay flash photography came along. He worked in huge studios and used whatever lighting worked best, from huge theatrical spots to, on at least one occasion, an ordinary flashlight-and everything in between. If you've never seen his work, it's very easy to predict that you'll find many astonishing and stunning images in this book. As mentioned, what will most strike you is the lighting. However, there is something about the texture of these old black and whites that one seldom finds in contemporary work. Beyond fashion, Hoyningen-Huene was a master portraitist as well, and you'll find quite a few images of Hollywood stars and other celebrities here as well, since he spent the last years of his career working in Hollywood. This book is a must for anyone interested in the History of Photography, photographic lighting, and photo portraiture. It's very easy to give this book the highest possible rating. The only wish one could possibly have after reading it is "Please, give me more!"

1 comments about Leigh Bowery Looks: Photographs by Fergus Greer 1988-1994.

1. This book is beautiful. You can really get a sense for Leigh's work and Fergus' as well. If you are looking an overview of Bowery's work this is perfect. I can't say enough about how beautiful the photos are.

No comments about Snow Country: Mountain Homes and Rustic Retreats.

1 comments about The 1970s (Fashion Sourcebooks).

1. This book was so wonderful,and helpful. Because of this book I was accepted in to a Fashion Designing colleg!I recommend you get it!

5 comments about Juergen Teller Go-Sees.

1. I've never seen a book with photographs of so many beautiful women all in one package. Looking through this book, one get's a feeling of the elusiveness of beauty. All (well most) of the women/girls depicted are very pretty, but you find yourself asking if there is any point to this book other than to show off this anonymous beauty.

   While I periodically keep coming back to this book, I long for more. Maybe that's the point of the book. If it is, the book succeeds in piquing my interest.




2. The term "go-see" refers to a certain photo encounter whereby an aspiring model hooks up with a photographer, with the understanding that neither one has a specified commission for the session's work. The model, also called a "go-see," is hoping for the one gig to launch a career; the photographer is hoping to discover the next new "face."

   In a simplistic but strikingly revealing book, Juergen Teller has chronicled just under a year's worth of "go-sees" with over 460 photos taken in and around the entrance to his London apartment. Each page has one picture (most often color), the date, and the name of the model. The book is quite heavy (literally) for its size, and is put together with a high-quality cover, binding and paper.

   It's easy to get used to perusing books by the top fashion photographers showing the most beautiful women, creative sets, perfect lighting, makeup, etc. This book is MUCH different. I'm turning the pages one by one, looking at face after face: so many walks of life . . . so much expectation . . . so much hope. Who succeeded? Who failed? Even some famous models are in there. Can you find them?

   With no set, no makeup, and no special lighting, I can't envision Mr. Teller working very hard to get these shots. It doesn't matter. The variation obtained through the diversity of position, angle, expression, and even the weather, is fantastic. Some of the girls posed, and some hammed it up a little; others just stood there and gazed into the camera. And, what a metaphor the doorway is! This book is a wonderful alternative (and complement) to the high end of modeling and fashion photography publications.




3. makes a great argument for photography. at the high school job fair, a copy of this book and a simple sign indicating teller's average annual income should suffice to enlist new photograhers for decades to come. nice work, picture-taking fella.



4. I bought this on a whim, but it surprised me how much this book fascinates me. Without make-up and stylists, these photographs could be just family snaps (and indeed, hilariously, some are). But they show a side of the industry that is hardly ever documented. Some girls are nervous, some outrageous exhibitionists, some can't turn off the uber-model look if they tried. Beautiful.



5. The genre of fashion photography has a habit of repeating itself. We've all seen images that look like an Irving Penn, Avedon, or Turbeville, without realizing someone else took them. New talent without originality is a common sight, especially when opening yet another fashion magazine, or photo/fashion book. Juergen Teller's book, "Go-Sees", places a unique spin on fashion and the photography that helps promote the business. Almost as important as the designer, the model is chosen to not only wear the clothes, but to promote a lifestyle that is akin to the designer's vision. With "Go-Sees", Teller eliminates these superfluous layers, thereby creating a book that concentrates solely on the psychology of the fashion industry in its attempt to find the next new face. Original in both concept and layout, Teller takes a diary approach by photographing a girl or more each day during a year's period. The girl's name and the date her photograph was taken are all that appear below each image - one to a page. Each photograph is taken in or around the doorway of Teller's London studio. These informal, color snapshots (few are black & white) show the girls in their street clothes either before or after the photo-shoot with Teller. This casual snapshot approach further enhances one of the theme's objectives, by showing these `go-sees' for what they really are: girls - not yet byproducts of the fashion industry. The photographs in Teller's "Go-Sees" are more often sad than beautiful. Knowing that only a small percentage of these girls, if any, will make it past the initial photo-shoot, fosters a compassion from the viewer, unheard of in most fashion photography. That these photographs are more documentary in their approach only adds to the book's uniqueness. Add to this, Teller's ability to make each photograph interesting - considering the limitations of his locale - and it becomes clear that "Juergen Teller Go-Sees" is more than just another fashion book.