No comments about Textiles of the Wiener Werkstatte: 1910-1932.

No comments about Leading with Passion: Change Management in the 21st-Century Museum.

No comments about Tal R: The Sum.

1 comments about Hundertwasser (Temporis Collection).

1. This was my first Hundertwasser book. I love this book because it is a great starting point for anyone who is interested in his work and his rationale. It's a great entry point for anyone who would like to explore the theory behind the painter's work without getting too heavy. It's got lots of his beautiful images and unlike a lot of other books about Hundertwasser it covers his paintings, stamps, flags, clothing and shoes as well as some of his buildings. Usually books on his work concentrate on one area of his work or theory, this one overviews the lot.

5 comments about The President's House: A First Daughter Shares the History and Secrets of the World's Most Famous Home.

1. This book by the daughter of President Harry Truman offers a wonderfully insightful and fun-filled look at life inside the most famous home in the United States. Margaret Truman's membership in that exclusive club of former residents of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue has given her the opportunity to extensively research the private historical documents and records pertaining to the White House, as well as unique access to others who have shared those living quarters over the years.
   
   Ms. Truman has a very engaging writing style that is entertaining, humorous and informative. The book is arranged topically into such sections as political history, social customs and events, the importance of the behind-the-scenes employees, the architecture and various pets who have inhabited the White House, just to name a few. Her discussions with many of the Presidents and members of their families, beginning in her memories of her own occupancy and extending through to the current administration, make these stories particularly interesting and full.
   
   She takes a fairly non-partisan and no-holds-barred look at the Presidency of many of these men, and gives a very frank assessment of how some of the issues in their lives and relationships impacted their terms of office. But, throughout the book, the White House itself remains the central character, and Margaret Truman's love for the building and its rich history comes through clearly on each page.
   
   PLEASE NOTE: I am reviewing the HARDBACK version of Mrs. Truman's book. The first time I ordered this book, I got the paperback version, which is an abridged and edited children's edition with very few photos. The hardback version is much more complete and has a lot of pictures!
   
   For people who have an interest in the White House, I would highly recommend this book.



2. I listened to the Audio CD version of this book.
   
   In terms of strong historical value, there is not a lot to this book. It really is pretty fluffy in its tone and approach. Margaret Truman is a credible source however and she does make it very entertaining to listen to.
   
   The organization is interesting. The language is conversational. You'll come away with better knowledge of the White House, its residence and our Nations History.



3. While Margaret Truman isn't on the same level as Ken Burns, Shelby Foote or other historians her books are a fun read. Who better to tell you about the White House than someone whose parents spent seven years in residence (although due to renovations it was not technically seven years - they spent some time at the Blair House).
   
   She crafts a nice balance between telling you little known stories about the former first families while sprinkling in her opinions; much like a chef would throw a dash of spice into a recipe. One of the most pleasant surprises is that she is bi-partisan in her narrative. If she is wry in her observations about some of the first families, it is based more on her observations of character rather than party loyalty. She speaks glowingly of some of the Republican inhabitants - most notably the Coolidges.
   
   I definitely recommend this book for those who love historical trivia. Plus much of the reading material (White House pets for example)can be shared with kids for those times that you'd like bedtime reading to be a little more stimulating than "Captain Underpants" or "The Day my Butt went Psycho"



4. Margaret Truman is, of course, the daughter of President Harry Truman and his wife Bess. She is the most prolific writing child of any American Chief Executiv. Margaret Truman has written several mysteries and histories about life in Washington which are written in a popular style easy to understand and enjoy.
   As Ms. Truman opens the door to our White House she lets us discover the fascinating men and women who have lived at 1600
   Pennyslvania Avenue. She discusses such various topics as:

   1. White House Weddings.
   2. Relations between the Presidents and the Media
   3. The Children of Presidents who have lived in the White House
   4. White House Presidential Pets
   5. The kooks and crazies who have tried (and in some cases been successful) in assasinating our chief executive.
   6. She describes the growth of the White House from its first occupancy by John and Abigal Adams in 1800. The history of the White House building, grounds, gardens and additions are discussed.
   7. How the routine of a White House day changed with every administration-when they awoke to what they liked for dinner!
   Ms. Truman has written in a charmingly simple style which is nevertheless based on her well done historical research. This is a book anyone regardless of age or party affiliation could enjoy.
   I recommend it highly!




5. Former First Daughter Margaret Truman offers the reader an entertaining, anecdotal account of life at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Her focus is on the White House as a home, though its role as a seat of power is not neglected. As a result, you can expect to learn more here about the first wives, children, doormen, Secret Service agents, maids, gardeners, cooks and others who have lived and labored behind these famous walls..although the presidents themselves aren't entirely overlooked.
   
   The exterior the White House presents to the world has changed little in two centuries...but the interior has been undergoing an almost constant process of destruction and renewal. We learn about the 1814 torching of the president's house by invading British troops; the addition of greenhouses, which gave way to the west wing at the beginning of the 20th century; almost constant sprees of redecoration and reconfiguring of the public and family rooms, all of which culminated in the complete reconstruction of the White House during the Truman years.
   
   There are chapters about the rambunctious children, the unusual pets, the glamorous weddings, riotous inaugural balls and other historic events that have enlivened this historic mansion. You will get a sense of the behind-the-scenes preparation that goes into welcoming a visiting head of state or similar dignitary. There are two sections of illustrations, one in color, that further help the reader share in Truman's wonder and appreciation of this historic house.--William C. Hall

No comments about Art Machines, Machine Art.

1 comments about Art Across America: A Comprehensive Guide to American Art Museums and Exhibition Galleries.

1. We purchased this book from an art museum while on a driving trip. We used it all during out trip to make our stops a learning pleasure. It is amazing what wonderful art is out there in small museums. This book will be used whenever we plan a trip. If would be perfect for someone traveling in a motor home.

No comments about Doug Aitken: 99 Cent Dreams.

No comments about Chicano Art for Our Millennium: Collected Works from the Arizona State University Community.

5 comments about Graphis Nudes.

1. Two of the best photographs in this collection are displayed on the outside covers--no surprise there. Something of a surprise was to discover that many of the photographs inside were much smaller than the page size (greater than 10" x 13"). When I pay for a large-format book of photographs, I'm not looking for quite a number of the pictures to cover only a fraction of a page; to me, this is a major drawback of this ensemble.
   
   These photographs exhibit a good mix of color, black-and-white, and sepia tones, plus many experimental techniques. Quite a few of the contributors seemed to be experimenting with chiffon-like material over and around their models; I'm not sure why, but perhaps it was a fashion among photographers at the time.
   
   This book was expensive, even in used, less-than-first-rate condition; in my view, it was overpriced and not better than many other collections that cost considerably less.



2. Graphis has long been a showcase of commercial work in a variety of media. Graphis, via its editiors, drops off the map with this issue as mediocrity, at the very most, is established.

   Graphis Nudes is surpassed by the cheesecake of the Pirelli Calendar; at least there are only twelve slices on the calendar.

   Graphis has always struggled with its main invention; itself. Setting one's self up as an 'authority' usually takes a little more than Graphis currently brings to the mill.

   The problem with Graphis is its appeal to 'collectors'. Advertisers have never really used, or considered, Graphis as an 'index' of talent;

   As this edition affirms, there's not a lot of talent out there being shown which should be good news for anyone in art school at the moment: There's a lot of room at the top. But, do we need Graphis to demonstrate it at a cost to us? After all, isn't buying a book of 'commercial' images a validation of the lowered bar?

   That leaves Graphis Nudes as a lacking, uneventful, unprovocative, sterile collection of inked images we've all seen somewhere before

   Skip this edition in favor of something from Aperture's press.




3. A superb selection of light sculpted nude images from some of the world's best photographers. A must for a quality collection.



4. This book covers a big gamma of nude photography from old to new and from b&w to color. It is not specific in it nature, except for the nudity. If your are looking for a book that cover every topic of nude photography, this is for you. If you are refined to a specific type of photography, pass on this one.



5. "Diversity" is a word that has taken on some rather unfortunate political baggage of late; but it's still something of great value in its proper context. This book has that: a vast group of artists with an immensely varied way of looking at the human figure. I never had any idea there were so many different ways of looking at the human form, and I feel I am richer for its knowledge.

   I hate this book! The artists whose works are presented here constitute a rather amazing group; Albert Watson, Edward Weston, Joyce Tenneson, Robert Mapplethorpe, Dirk Karsten, John Swannell, Ferenc Berko, Christian Vogt, Peter Baumann, Terence Donovan, Francois Gillet, Volkmann, Christina Hope, Ron Baxter Smith. Did I leave any out? Scores... Acquiring many of these artist's works has severely drained my bank account; my search for works by artists I could not find has driven me to madness - and all because of this stupid book. If all you are looking for is one good book of the human form (yes - nude) then this is certainly a great one. If you're simply looking for a place to start, to get a handle on all that's out there, then this book makes for an excellent reference. Who said great art is dead?

   NOTE TO THE PUBLISHER: WE WANT THIS BOOK IN HARDCOVER - PLEEEEEEEEEASE! None of this special order $#?& !

   Thank you for your time...