5 comments about The Essence of Style: How the French Invented High Fashion, Fine Food, Chic Cafes, Style, Sophistication, and Glamour.

1. Nice book. Gives us an indepth knowledge of how fashion took place and evolved. Nice to read how the many common articles of fashion we see today were styled and how the entire process of style took place



2. Fantastique! As entertaining as it is enlightening! Authoress Joan DeJean's delightful and witty style of writing will make you feel as if you too are partaking of all the lavish indulgences and gossip of King Louis the Fourteenth's court!



3. This is not really a book, but more of a collection of essays examining the origin of various modern concepts of style: hair, culture, fashion, marketing/tourism, footwear, fine dining, coffee, champagne, diamonds, mirrors, nightlife, umbrellas, shopping, perfumes, and entertaining.
   
   As a scholar of French history and culture, the unifying theme of Joan DeJean's work is that the origins of these parts of our modern society came in the reign of Loius XIV of France, and fairly amazing are largly unchanged since their implementation.
   
   By this I mean not the specifics of style, but in the way they function in the greater culture.
   
   DeJean speaks well to the technology being developed at the time as well as the reasons that the late 1600's were the first time these aspects of life could be mass consumed, instead of say, the 1200's.



4. I wasted an hour searching for something of substantive interest in this work. It was time spent in vain. A frivolous book about frivolous things.



5. Topic Selection: B+ Although the book may seem a little all over the place to some, focusing on such diverse aspects of culture as food, clothing, champagne, perfume, parties, and even umbrellas, DeJean does a good job of relating the different parts of the book to one another. She ties them all to a very specific period of history and especially to Louis XIV.
   
   Scholarship: C- DeJean seems to rely fairly heavily on a rather small number of sources, despite the fact that the total number of sources is pretty good. Also, at least some footnotes would help the book.
   
   Readability: A- This book was obviously written to be consumed by a general audience. DeJean's style is very easy to read, although some of the chapters seem repetitive, as she often comes to the same conclusion.
   
   Impartiality: C I detected a definite "France is great" tone to this book that could sometimes be a little distracting. One also gets the impression that DeJean thinks that the move towards rapidly changing fashions was inevitably a good thing, for which she does not give a reason. She was not biased in an overbearing way, but there is definitely a bias there.
   
   Overall: B- I really enjoyed the book and for beginners to this area of history, I think it is ideal. You learn a lot of those little things that you always wondered about, such as where the concept of dessert comes from. DeJean's style is readable and she is obviously passionate about the subject. Serious scholars should stay away, as the book does not always adequately cite it's sources and does not prove its argument as adequately as it could.

5 comments about Complete Pattern Library: With a CD Containing 100 Classic Patterns You Can Color, Alter, Scale and Print.

1. Good points - it DOES have fully layered, vector .eps files. It supplies a number of color palette options to play with, many of which are quite attractive combinations.
   
   Bad points - private, non-commercial use only (it was fine for me creating a background for my family's Christmas card, but I wouldn't be able to use it as a saleable design. Designs not particularly inspired.
   
   I would buy it again, though, even knowing now what I didn't know then. It does provide a springboard from which to develop one's OWN designs - they are editable .eps's, after all, and work well with any vector illustration program that can import them. The price is certainly affordable, and any source of imspiration is welcome!



2. First of all - the book DOES contain LAYERED, VECTOR images.
   
   Next - many of the items are traditional and therefore you will not be in violation of anyone's rights if you use the material judiciously. The author states that "a number of the patterns included are traditional and can be seen in many sources"
   
   Finally - there is plenty of raw material for creatives here. I came to Amazon today to see if I could find more books like this by this author. This is not a book for people who want to copy and paste, but if you don't need to copy the images right out of the book you'll find this a fabulous resource. Open the files in Adobe Illustrator for best results.



3. Nice patterns but nevertheless three stars only because you may not use any of these patterns for professional or commercial work. I didn't expect that when I bought the book. So be warned.
   
   From the CD-ROM:
   Terms and Conditions of Use
   ....
   2. You may, subject to the Terms and Conditions of this Agreement:
   a) Use, modify, enhance, and reproduce The Images (provided that You do not violate the rights of any third party) as a design element in any non-professional, non-commercial application.
   ....



4. The patterns are uninspired so having the CD to this book does no good.
   
   The palettes are okay however I think Pattern and Palette Sourcebook 2: A Complete Guide to Choosing the Perfect Color and Pattern in Design andPatterns and Palette Sourcebook: A Complete Guide to Choosing the Perfect Color and Pattern in Design have much better.
   Although the two aforementioned do not have vector files included on their CDs.



5. The book sucks, 90 out of a 100 patterns are HIDEOUS, most of them really basic and boaring too. Image files aren't even in layers for editing in photoshop, as advertised. A complete waste of money.

No comments about A History of Advertising (Basic Architecture Series).

2 comments about Sticker City: Paper Graffiti Art (Street Graphics / Street Art).

1. Graffiti has its poster board roots on city walls, typically - but this worldwide survey documents a new trend: paper works glued to city surfaces. The author is a graffiti artist who traveled around the world surveying street art: some eighty artists' works are profiled in over 7,000 examples of this new 'paper art graffiti, providing both a historical survey and insights into the special demands of the new 'adhesive art' medium. Any art library holding will find this an excellent and unique acquisition.



2. An interesting and well-designed catalog of an emergent art form. I still consider most "Street Art" to be just a notch above blight and usually an eyesore, but this book revealed an imaginative world of design and artistic improvisation. Too bad Banksy's too much the recluse to be profiled here, but his absence is made up for by the wide survey of international "stars." Now I've caught myself paying more attention to the visual "noise" around me, looking for sly creative expressions. Too bad most of the graffiti, scratchiti, and tagging I see is still craptacular, and nowhere near as the intriguing as what's shown off in this book.

1 comments about Wild Pilgrimage: A Novel in Woodcuts.

1. This ambiguous story follows one man's journey, starting in an industrial hell. He escapes the concrete chasms and jail-like housing out into a natural, wooded environment. Human ugliness invades that too, when the nameless protagonist sees a lynching. It reminds us of a dark chapter of American history, one that we must keep behind us but must never forget. A bit later, a farmer takes him in and gives him work, food, and shelter. Then the ugliness within him erupts, forcing him to move on.
   
   Throughout, changes of color from black to rusty red and back carry the reader back and forth between the man's real world and dream world. The dreams drive him from one episode to the next. I can't swear to the meaning Lynd wants us to read in these shifts, but I see a disturbing and believable contrast between the happiness and heroism of his dreams and the disastrous realities that ensue from following those dreams. Perhaps this story describes the falsehood of hope in a hopeless world - perhaps I'll read it differently when I come back to it.
   
   Lynd's stark, strong artwork suits the narrative perfectly, with support from this book's impeccable reproduction. Woodcut naturally leads to hard edges and sharp contrasts, but Lynd's stipples and hatching use more of the medium's middle tones than other woodcut artists do. The visual style has a monumental quality, as if every scene has some larger-than-life meaning. Individual panels could stand as powerful icons on their own, irrespective of the context given by the story - not something you could say about most modern graphic novels. As a result, this works at every level: as a work of graphic art, as a wrenching story in itself, as a sad moment of American history, and as ancestor to modern graphic storytelling. It has my highest recommendation.
   
   -- wiredweird
   
   PS: This story is reprinted in Walker's Graphic Witness, along with three other good ones by other artists.

2 comments about Swedish Style: Creating the Look.

1. This is a lovely book with beautiful color pictures from what I think is authentic interiors. The author walks us through the essence of swedish style via colors, fabrics, accessories and furniture. I miss not having typical interiors and suggestions of how to decorate individual rooms such as hallways and kitchens etc. The main focus is on livingrooms and bedrooms. I still think it's a good purchase and this book gives me a lot of inspiration.



2. This is a good and basic introduction to the elements of Swedish style in interior design.

   There is a simple historical summary that captures the background to Swedish design without making erudite comments on the style itself, other than to list the fundamental principles.

   The asthetic choices are very tuille and English in flavour; something that a middle-class London matron may aspire to. The lack of real recourse to original Swedish design and then imaginative and tasteful modern alternatives makes this book disappointing.

   "The Swedish Room" is far more inspiring and authentic.

4 comments about Beaded Jewelry The Complete Guide.

1. I was rather disappointed with this book as the text is pretty basic and is duplicated in other books. There are some ideas for beading. I found chapters 5-7 the most useful.



2. I loved the detail in the book. From basic stringing to more elaborate jewelry-making techniques, Susan Ray offers a complete guide to creating beautiful jewelry. The size of the book makes it portable and easy to store in any beading case. I gave a copy to my boss who enjoys unique beading projects and she loved it too!



3. Well, Susan has done it again. I love the look and feel of this square, spiral bound book. A floppy book can send beads flying off your table as you grab at your book; how nice it is that you can actually open to the project you want to work on, and the book stays open (gotta love that spiral)!
   
   The projects are inspiring, as are the photos.There is a chapter on creating different types of beads, from polymar to lampworked. How do you determine the length of your bracelet? How do you add the ending clasp? Need to know some basic crochet steps? Do you want to add found objects into your jewelry? There's plenty here to keep you busy. Beaded Jewelry also contains a resource guide and contact information on the contributors. What more could a glass and bead lover ask for?
   
   I sent a copy to my sister and to a friend in Germany and they both love it!



4. Beaded Jewlery: The Complete Guide by Susan Ray is a fabulous book!! Especially for beginning beaders. It not only gives ideas on patterns but also introduces you to the beading world: how to find beads and accessories, the different types of beads, how to select beads, and even a walk through of a typical bead store. The instructions are easy to understand and follow and the pieces are beautiful! A great inspiration to really get those creative juices flowing. It also describes several beading techniques to give your piece that unique look, just the way you want it. Overall one of my favorite guides.

3 comments about Legacy of the Puppy: The Ultimate Illustrated Guide (Legacy of the).

1. This book is wonderful for those who are into puppies in general. This is a great learning guide for children, or people of any age that can appreciate the playful innocence of young pups. This book as an informative reference falls somewhat short, but gives a decent overview of each breed. Each page has a generous amount of pictures of a specific breed of puppy, then a picture of the corresponding breed as an adult, which is nice. The photographs are well taken and the silly poses the puppies fall into will definitly draw a smile or laugh from any reader. It's undeniably adorable and a fun book to have on the shelf. Caution: this book will create an overwhelming desire to buy a dog! ;)



2. The information about the various puppies is fairly simple and probably a good start for deciding which breeds to look into.
   
   The pictures are excellent.
   
   The text by "Tadaaki Imaizumi, zoologist" makes me question whether the person actually has a degree. Unlike the authors claims, dogs do indeed share morphological traits with wolves, seeing as how dogs technically share some morphological traits with humans.
   
   The information about raising puppies at the back of the books is also fairly helpful.
   
   If children are reading the book, especially ones interested in dogs and wolves, parents may need to explain that, contrary to what the book seems to imply, dogs are indeed canids. Not just descended from them but are actually in the Canidae family.



3. Several years ago I bought "Legacy of the Dog"; yesterday, I bought "Legacy of the Puppy," having instantly recognized it as the follow-up to the first--same style, same beautiful glossy book, another picture of a terrier on the cover (this time Airedale instead of Irish). The primary reason I like this book is that it's a good one to coo over with your dog-loving friends; normally we don't get to see much of what all these breeds look like as puppies. At least, not all in one book. Not as many breeds are represented, but with over 200 pages, enough of them are, and not all are AKC-recognized. Basically, every set of pages shows pictures of a mother dog with a variety of beautiful, representative-of-breed puppies around with their ages next to them; most of the breeds follow this general format. The text is essentially the same as you'd find in any dog-breed book but is useful nonetheless; I haven't found major errors in it so far. The text also centers, of course, around the puppies of each breed but also covers what they will likely grow up to be and what to expect. Also, it includes new features like words from actual owners of each puppy breed, offering insight into what it's like to really live with one, & a handy 'diseases by breed' chart.
   
   Looking through these pages and choosing a puppy based on which one you think is cutest is NOT the way to do it and not what the book's intended for, but when used responsibly, or just for fun, it's a great book. The maltese, Great dane, and Brittany puppies look just like my current dogs when they were tiny. My very favorite breeds--afghan hounds, borzois, salukis, and Bedlington terriers--are all represented. The book is wonderful for seeing the whimsy and curiosity of young puppies. Some of the pictures are truly excellent; the little border collies and beagles and Irish setters, for instance, are gorgeous. The Dachshunds are portrayed in a variety of uncommon and common colors, including my favorite adorable long-haired brown and blue merle combination. The Lakeland terrier 'group shot' looks like they're all smiling. One of the 55-day-old Akita puppies looks like Angel from "Lady and the Tramp 2," proving how seeing the puppy version of a breed can change your perception of how a dog will look full-grown; I'd never considered her an Akita pup before! The husky pups have sapphire blue eyes, the Shiba Inus play with pinecones, one of the French bulldogs has the greatest expression on, the Bichons and Schipperkes are precious--well, they all are, ne?
   
   This book is the ultimate look at the cute, happy playfulness of puppies. The kind you leave out and guests will want to go through. It's great, I recommend it.

5 comments about Fusing Fabric: Creative Cutting, Bonding and Mark-Making with the Soldering Iron.

1. This happened to be on the "suggested" list and I took a chance on getting it. I have to tell you, this is one of the best art technique books I have purchased in a long time. Very well illustrated and the techniques are varied but all useful if you want to try something different than everyone else. Thanks for this wonderful book.



2. Found this book to be very well issustrated and clear and conciss directions well laid out



3. Another reviewer has said there was no mention of where to buy a soldering iron. Well, I emailed the author and promptly got one mailed to me. No problem. Definitely use with good ventilation and a respirator, especially if you are 'burning' plastic materials.I am enjoying experimenting with the process.Well written, clear instructions.



4. The idea of fusing together synthetic fabrics by melting them with a soldering iron is a creative one. However, on opening the book, the reader is advised of the need for a respirator and an extractor fan to protect against toxic fumes. This is not to be taken lightly. A fire extinguisher might also be recommended.
   For those who decide to forge ahead, it might also have been helpful to have more guidance included about what to search for in a soldering iron. It is not helpful to say that we do not want it "too hot" or "too cool".



5. I am very excited about trying projects found in this book. Margaret Beal gives clear instructions, but yet allows you to express your own creativity. I will be trying these techniques soon!

No comments about Basics Fashion Design: Textiles and Fashion (Basics Fashion Design).