1 comments about Arms and Armor: Notable Acquisitions 1991-2002 (Metropolitan Museum of Art Series).

1. "eye educator" full of great items in high quality photos and great written details like: armor testing by firing a bullet on it and using it as a "quality test mark". left a smile on my face.

1 comments about Majorelle: A Moroccan Oasis (Small Books of Great Gardens).

1. The quality of the photography is unsurpassed. The color is magnificent! Anyone who enjoys books, gardens, Morocco, or the color blue (Majorelle Blue) will love this book.

   MAJORELLE tells the history of the gardens in Marrakesh, first laid out by Louis Majorelle in the 1920's. The beautiful shade of blue that is used throughout the gardens, in the tile work, the paint, the walkways, the ponds and the plants and flowers themselves, was the start of the term "Majorelle Blue". The grounds are now owned by Yves Saint Laurent and are open for tours.

   The back of the book shows the layout of the gardens, old photos of Marrakesh, the interior of the salon in Majorelle's villa and a photo of Majorelle, himself.

   The small size of this book gives it an added preciousness that makes it a great choice for gift giving.

5 comments about Night of the Tiki: The Art of Shag, Schmaltz and Selected Primitive Oceanic Carvings.

1. This book is beautifully produced, and contains a lot of great information. It's been the starter of many a conversation an discussion of all manner of topics.



2. A comprehensive and enjoyable read. Spectacular visuals, ranging from a pictorial history to pure fun. A must-have for anyone interested in tiki culture.



3. A good read and a great look! Wonderful photos of the "real" tikis as well as contemporary re-incarnations in sculpture of Schmaltz and popular paintings by Shag. In a refreshingly non-academic style, the short readable essays offer lots of facts about the lovable, fascinating tiki icon past and present.



4. If you're a die-hard fan of tiki culture and art, this book will make a nice addition to your collection, but I've seen better. The book was filled with a LOT of photos of ethnic carvings... many of them not too tiki-like in nature. The back of the book, however, has several terrific, whimsical Shag art prints, so that makes it worth a look.



5. Night of the Tiki will enlighten you to all the sensorial beauty, mystery, and majesty of this
   ancient art form. It will also show you the Tiki's place in current culture and its influence of
   various art genres. The book tells this tale with beautiful photography and poetic
   words.

   It is a purely entertaining, enjoyable read into the privative world of tribal art that still has a
   place in toady's world.

3 comments about Color and Culture: Practice and Meaning from Antiquity to Abstraction.

1. This book shows you all you want to know about colours. It's not truly scientific but it showed me the best and most of colour-theory. I had some trouble with the science-language but hey, I'm Dutch, not a native "American" speaker! The only thing that I would change in this book is more pictures, and all in colour!



2. While I won't go to the trouble of selling this book, I do regret having purchased it. There are many other texts that do a much more nuanced and cogent exposition of the relationship between color and culture. My future use of this book will be as a visual reference, i.e. to refer to the various paintings and other works gorgeously reproduced in color.
   
   Otherwise, Gage's Color and Culture as well as Color and Meaning are best used as "intelligent" coffee table tomes.



3. This book is an excellant source of palette development, pigment uses and development as well as color theories throughout history. My students have worn out my copy -- needs to be reprinted and made known in college art departments. Good, solid informational writing and illustrations. A must-have book for artists and students. D. Swaim, Prof., M.C.C., Arizona

1 comments about Jasper Johns: The Business of the Eye (Taschen Basic Art Series).

1. Like the other Taschen Basic Art series books I've seen, this provides a good introduction to Johns's work, covering his career through the present day. At only 96 pages, including a large number of color reproductions of his works, it is a quick read, but it also is far from comprehensive, of course.
   
   For the price and quality, it offers a very good value to the layman seeking to learn more about the artist's work.

No comments about The Furniture of Carlo Mollino.

5 comments about The Art and Craft of Papier Mache.

1. Beautiful examples, very clear instructions with drawings of the steps. First 66 pages are all on techniques. The rest gets into actual things to make like bowls, frames, jewelry etc. Quite an inspiration.



2. I would recommend any of Juliet Bawdens books. While in a friend art store a few years ago I saw some bowls like the ones Ms Bawden makes and was intrigued and I admit I said to myself that I could make similar bowls. Had I had this book to begin with I also admit that the journey would have been much easier. I also like the fact that you can use things around the home or inexpensive items as molds. Be it deflate type balls, big cones, or even balloons blown up. And if you take the time and are willing to follow her wisdom you will discover you can make high end pieces that would fit in well within any quality home.



3. Great book!
   I love the pictures, especially pages 128 &129 of the life size paper mache people. They are awesome!
   The recipe for pulp is the best I have ever used.



4. After picking up this book I became enthralled with papier mache. (BTW, Angel wrote a very accurate review!) This book touches on a variety of techniques for both small and large papier mache objects. The supplies needed are listed clearly, the photographs of the project representing each technique are inspiring, and the instructions are easy to follow while still allowing for experimentation and personal expression. This is just an awesome book!



5. This is a wonderful book that teaches you everything you need to know about making papier mache objects. Throughout the book you find many full-color photos of beautiful and unique artwork.

   The book starts out with a brief history of papier mache as well as discussion of modern folk art practices. Then equipment and supplies, including choosing a mold, are covered. Several techniques including pulp making, covering a mold, using a wire armature, forming a plaster mold, creating a lino print, using a gesso base and adding a rim, handle or spout are explained. Instructions are step-by-step and include simple illustrations.

   The techniques are then used in the projects. The projects include a box with lid, frame, plaque, bangle bracelet, hat, carnival mask, doll and figure. The projects are not "do exactly as I do". There are no templates and such. They simply give you basics of construction and allow you to add your own personality and creativity to the artwork.

   Conveniently, there is a glossary and index as well as a list of addresses for all of the artists (most are British) in the back. If you are looking for great easy-to-follow instructions and lots inspiration this is the book for you.

No comments about The Irish in Us: Irishness, Performativity, and Popular Culture.

5 comments about Art and Architecture in Medieval France: Medieval Architecture, Sculpture, Stained Glass, Manuscripts, the Art of the Church Treasuries (Icon Editions).

1. Stoddard's text, culled mainly from early to mid-20th century monographs, is a highly readable and well-illustrated account of some of the major Gothic edifices of France but it should be treated with caution. Most of the scholarship is hopelessly out of date (and much of it already was when he wrote it) and he is too uncritical of the grand theorising of Simson & Panofsky et al. If it is to be used, it should be read in conjunction with Paul Crossley's footnotes to Frankl. I teach French Gothic architecture at undergraduate level and I always advise my students to steer clear of Stoddard. Suitable for a keen amateur but not for art history majors.



2. Stoddard's book, written in the very early 1970's, remains a highly informative and generally comprehensive introduction to French Gothic architecture. In spite of its age, it can be easily recommended to any person with a more than passing interest in the subject due to its extensive detail and coverage. At nearly 400 pages in relatively small print, this book may take some time and effort to complete, but it is simply one of the best single-volume treatments of the topic in print today. As implied by the title, the book does not focus solely on architectural forms, but also includes extensive descriptions of the art forms (sculptures, stained glass, manuscripts, and other church art forms), and so each historical section finds individual treatment of cathedral and church designs throughout the gothic period as well as the art forms that adorned these structures. The book is thoroughly illustrated with over 400 black-and-white photos and drawings.
   
   The book is divided into periods by chronological order: Romanesque France, Early Gothic of the 12th Century, High Gothic of the Early 13th Century, From Rayonnant to Flamboyant, and a final section on The Treasuries of Monasteries and Cathedrals. Each section starts with a historical background piece and a map listing the primary sites to be discussed before the main content of the text is presented, giving a good foundation to place that content into the proper historical and geographical context. Once establishing the forms (and shortcomings) of Romanesque architectural design, we are chronologically introduced to the aims and goals of the emerging Gothic style, and this lofty style begins to make sense to us, not only as a stylistic form, but a series of specific reactions to "deficiencies" in the Romanesque form. In fact, one of the strengths of Stoddard's approach is that the reader moves through this entire period in relatively strict chronological form, and it is not all that difficult of a task to visualize the chronology of the specific Gothic construction projects as they are undertaken across the Ile-de-France from the 12th through the 13th centuries. Supplemental drawings highlight specific architectural designs, and numerous floor plans help the reader visualize the similarities and differences between specific buildings.
   
   Art and Architecture in Medieval France is not only highly detailed, it is immensely enjoyable to read. If there are any shortcomings in the book at all, it is that the text is somewhat small, and one finds that "reach" to the reading glasses occurring on a regular basis. It would also have been nice to find this text with color photos on glossy paper. But to be honest, such a change would significantly increase the price of the volume, and the true value in this text lies not in the photos (which are good enough to visualize the discussion) but in Stoddard's research and written presentation, which is solid, informative, and often thought-provoking. If you are looking for a single-volume introduction to Gothic art and architecture, and have more than a passing interest in doing so, this book remains one of the best choices you could make to do so. Supplement it with any of the lavishly illustrated full-color photo coffee table books to get a better sense of the visual format of these buildings and art forms, and better yet, use it as research for making your own visits to the Gothic cathedrals of northern and central France.



3. I've now slogged through four books on Middle Age church architecture and this one is by far the best. The book is written clearly and not unnecessarily burdened with "professor-speak." At the same time, it provided more information, and more interesting information, than the other three books combined.

   A couple of cautions: the book focuses on Gothic architecture; Romanesque architecture is discussed more as an introduction to Gothic architecture. And it doesn't have a glossary, which is a downside for readers not familiar with architectural terms.




4. I have used _Monastery and Cathedral_ as a teaching text and as a guidebook. It's worth lugging through France, even by train: photos are b/w but well chosen & informative, and follow the text well. Stoddard gives good contextual background and is clear in his description and explication of the most important medieval churches in France. Could do more with sculpture and symbolism: the main focus is architecture. But his section on treasures, manuscripts & stained glass is a good start. I'm about to use it as a text for an on-site summer course: it's a tried and true old friend.



5. Professor Stoddard's opus Art and Architecture in Medieval France : Medieval Architecture, Sculpture, Stained Glass, Manuscripts, the Art of the Church Treasuries is still a viable and valuable work to study for any student of the Gothic era. The information provided allowed me to understand the cathedrals of France clearly and was an indispensible aid when I was lucky enough to visit several of the cathedrals addressed. While not a "light" read, Dr. Stoddard is the standard for the era. I envy any student of his, those lucky gargoyles!!!

4 comments about 100 Artists Who Shaped World History (100).

1. This book is ok. Being an art history buff, I did learn some facts I didn't know before. But to call this "100 Artists Who Shaped World History" is a real stretch of the imagination. A better title would be "100 Influential Artists". Also, some of the artists included seemed to be filler, just to reach the 100. Plus, I was disappointed on some artist left out, such as Christo and Sisquieros.



2. Intensive research must have gone into this packed full of facts book. Not only did I learn new things about artists I already knew about, but I also discovered many artists that I wasn't yet familiar with. Fluid, yet original prose completes the very worthwhile book.



3. The book was thoughful and contained information and facts that inspired me to visit my local museums to view the actual work. I also purchased individual books containing the works of those artists I felt more attached to. Each entry was meticulously filled with fascinating materials that clearly detailed the life of each artist, including anecdotes, their reception in the art world, and was written in a manner that brought these artists to life. The author clearly made thses artists accessible to everyone and was extremely dilligent in her research to include a myriad of women and a variety of genres. Quite the compilation!!!!!!



4. VERY GOO