3 comments about Thinking of You.

1. and it was worth every penny. this is a beautiful and thorough collection of the works of kruger. it was published as a companion to the show that was at MOCA and the Whitney and while the show was great to see this book will be a lasting favorite.



2. For those unaware of Barbara Kruger herself, her images will surely be familiar. Bold, seemingly simple and effortless combinations of black and white images, many culled from '50s magazines, and thought-provoking text catch the viewer off-guard and make one think hard about exactly what the artist is saying. Her themes range broadly over the spectrum of social disenfranchisement and human rights, focussing especially on women's issues. This book is a fantastic dossier of her collected images from the last few decades. They remind the reader anew of her potency as a critic of the patriarchal culture, and lose none of their impact when reproduced on a scale smaller than the original. Interspersed with essays charting the impact of her work, this catalogue provides copious illustrations of all aspects of her work. Many images are familiar, but also included are newer pieces, eg her later sculptural work, and other items of interest such as magazine layouts and book covers. At about one inch thick, the book is surprisingly light, all the better to carry around - after picking it up, you won't want to put it down! For those who have never encountered Barbara Kruger, this is an excellent, even exhaustive, place to begin. For those who know her work already, read this now and rediscover her brilliance.



3. "Thinking of You" is an amazing look into the mind of Barbara Kruger, an artist that challenges the viewer's concepts of reality. Most of her work consists of a photo (usually black and white) with text juxtaposed on it. The book also contains explanatory notes on selected works and essays about the artist. Her work is very philosophical and subversive. A must-have for anyone who thinks outside the box.

No comments about American Anthem: Masterworks from the American Folk Art Museum.

3 comments about Horse: From Noble Steeds to Beasts of Burden.

1. This is simply a beautiful book and a must have for any horse lover. This collection of horse art is the best I've seen. It's a jewel that packs a punch and would look great in any home. This book is part of a wonderful series that includes "Zoo", "Dog", "Cat", "Sex", and "Flora". They're great as a collection!



2. I enjoyed examining all works of art in this book to learn some techniques used by the masters, it's also a great book for ANYBODY(artist or not) who simply loves horses. It would have been nicer if it were bigger, but otherwise it's a great coffee table book.



3. In the same format as the popular books ZOO, CAT, DOG, SEX comes another overview of art and writings from ancient times to the present. Lavishly illustrated with all forms of art dealing with the Horse, author Harrison has blended academia with whimsy and the result is a treat for art and animal lovers of all ages. This is a terrific item for a gift.....

No comments about Interpreting Objects and Collections (Leicester Readers in Museum Studies).

5 comments about Souls Grown Deep, Vol. 1: African American Vernacular Art of the South: The Tree Gave the Dove a Leaf.

1. I had only limited knowledge of this subject in that I had interest in a few of the Artists that I knew were represented in the book before purchasing it. I was amazed at the quality of the reproductions and the text included. There are multiple reproductions for each Artist giving you a great basis to explore the development of their work. I now feel that I can really grasp a personal knowledge of these Artists and it great to have fantastic examples of Art that is now due to market demands and deteriorating mediums impossible to own.
   This book is probably the best investment I have ever made. It will go straight to the top shelf. Do yourself a favour and buy it.



2. This book is a marvel in both production quality and content. If ever a set of books deserved the "tome" designation, this set wins big. They opened my eyes to a world I hoped existed but feared did not. I have long appreciated and understood the contributions of African Americans in the arts, but often wondered why the visual arts traditions hadn't reached the heights that the music (blues, jazz, gospel, hip hop, R&B, Rock n' Roll), literary, athletic, fashion, theater, etc.. reached? I have also always been dismayed that many of the great African Americans have had to leave the south, and often this country, to receive recognition at all. It is an old story that is far to common. These books tell a different story. The art work is of the highest caliber, and often created with the humblest of materials?found wood, roots, house paint, discarded materials?yet the artists find ways to make the most glorious objects. It was certainly a revelation to see work that would rival what I see in the many museums in town, made by men and women who don't seem to have any regard, or perhaps knowledge, of these institutions. Work made for themselves, their families, or their communities enjoyment and education. The true meaning of art. It would be impossible for me to say which book I prefer. Both were so eye opening. Now that I have both, I can't imagine not having either. I hope that these volumes will find their way into the libraries and schools across America, for they tell a story that has long been unkown, which is unfortunate. Or, I fear, ignored, which is tragic. Kudos to both, and I hope that there will be a Volume 3. I must add that if you are interested in the "real" American story, history, art (of any kind), then these books are a must read (and look). And as a lover and collector of Twentieth Century art, I realize I have not been, up until now, told the WHOLE truth.



3. The first volume of Souls Grown Deep is an essential book for any American folk art collector. Many of the great African American folk artists of the 20th century are covered and all have a short write up and some pictures. The only problem is that some artists get short change with a one paragraph write up (really short) and 2 or 3 small images on a single page. Clementine Hunter for example, gets this treatment. And Mose Tolliver gets much more space than Bill Traylor, possibly because most of the artwork shown is from the author's own folk art collection, but apparently the author doesn't have many Bill Traylor artworks compared to Mose T's. But it's such a large book that it will still be required for any folk art library. Beware, the second volume is just as big but seems like an entire book of filler. There are some interesting artists presented, but overall the quality isn't as high as the first volume. Perhaps because the artists in the 1st volume are already "established"' it's easier to see their place in folk art history whereas the artists in volume 2 are still relatively new. Both books have high production values in paper and binding. My recommendation is definitely buy volume 1, but be careful of volume 2.



4. Gorgeous photos and very high quality printing and paper. The artwork is very interesting and continues to offer surprises further and further into the book. I enjoyed the stories and recollections of the artists which added a personal and human side to the visual splendor. The editors' own energy and passion for the subject matter shines through. This is a rare gift I will go back to time and time again.



5. Combine the literay precision of John Stuart Mill with the passion of W. B. Yeats, pour over the artistic brilliance of Cezanne and Rothko and infuse the philosophical profundity of Kant and Aristotle; the result is the monumental genius of Souls Grown Deep. An epic achievement, William and Paul Arnett's masterpiece transports the reader deep into southern America in which a genre of art is explored that rivals, if not puts to shame, any existing work anywhere in the world. Souls Grown Deep is a necessity for any individual even remotely concerned with understanding the very first thing about art.

1 comments about The American Century: Art and Culture, 1950-2000.

1. I strongly recomend this book for someone who wants a "Who's Who" of the American fine arts scene. I have spent many hours scanning the names and pictures, aborbing the exciting 50 years of American contempoary arts.

   I cannot recommend this book as an especially well-written commentary on that scene, however. Some sentences contain refrences to handfulls of artists with little direction or explanation. Of course the authors were required to give fair coverage to thousands of artists who had their 15 minutes of fame in US art galleries. I follow this scene pretty closely professionally. I can report that I did not find any glaring ommissions from their collection of artists. As you might expect, regional artists received barely a nod and little is said about "outside" art.

   If you are looking for a great explanation of "modern" art, try "The Shock of the New" by Robert Hughes, which Amazon indicates is still in print (and rated 5 stars, almost).

   But if you are interested in the "Sears Catalog" of the fine arts in the past 50 years, this is the book you want.

No comments about Comic Abstraction: Image Breaking, Image Making.

1 comments about Diego Rivera: Postcards (Collectible Postcards).

1. I bought these for my 7 year old grandson, who had just read about Rivera at school. I usually buy books, but this a a great alternative to add variety to learning.

5 comments about Queens in the Kingdom: The Ultimate Gay and Lesbian Guide to the Disney Theme Parks.

1. This book is a "must have" for any Disney enthusiast. You may or may not personally approve of the gay-lesbian life style, but regardless of that, this book is guaranteed to make you laugh. Keep in mind that this book is a serious guide book, thus it has tons of information about the Disney parks and is very informative. But just as you've learned something educational, the authors throw in some information that will have you laughing at everything you see. I can guarantee that you'll never look at the Disney parks in the same way that you did in the past!



2. Queens in the Kingdom is a perfect overview of Disney and a great read by the hilarious authors Jeffrey Epstein and Eddie Shapiro. The book is chock-full of helpful information and martini-dry witticisms.
   
   While planning my next trip to Disney, the book helped me pick between two hotels on property I was considering, Animal Kingdom Lodge and the Wilderness Lodge (you have to read the book to find out which hotel they prefer and why). The book is also filled with many fun "Fairy Facts" - clever bits of trivia following many of their reviews.
   
   In sum, if you want an informative and fun Disney Guide, this book is for you.



3. I ordered this book with low hopes... I consider myself a bit of a Disney nerd, and have been visiting the parks since the one in Orlando opened back in the 70's. I've also read a number of guide books and searched out all sorts of "hidden disney secrets" from a variety of sources. I expected this book to be a rehash of all the usual tips and tricks with a few clever quips thrown in.
   
   WOW - was I wrong... the book is a wealth of information, and is an incredibly entertaining read. By the end, you feel like you know the authors and are laughing right along with their jokes about each other.
   
   Now I don't agree with all the opinions in the book -- e.g. they didn't rank "Soarin'" as the best ride at Epcot - whatever. And they prefer the "new and improved" Tiki Bird show at WDW vs the "classic" one at Disneyland. (I'm guessing they might be too young to appreciate the nostalgia of the classic version). And they seem to appreciate "Stitch" which is just blasphemy, although they do knock the ride for encouraging poor behavior in the younger Disney visitors. Thank goodness they showed the appropriate respect for "Carousel of Progress" which needs all the help it can get right now, poor ride.
   
   But they've included lots of tips like details on restaurant menu's vs most of the guide books I have that just say "hamburgers and other fast food items." And their reviews of hotel rooms etc are spot on. (Though don't look to this book to cover the 100000 hotels nearby but not operated by Disney). And what other guide book lists the best places to, uh, well, steal a few moments of romance in the park (nowwwww I understand why the lines for the Haunted Mansion are so darn long).
   
   If this is your first visit to WDW, I don't think this should be your only guide book - and can't imagine the authors advocating that. But this is a great supplement to another guide if you're a first-timer, or if you've already earned your stripes, this is probably all you need to see the park with from a different... and wonderful... (magical?) perspective.
   
   It's cheaper than a pizza for goodness sake, order the book!



4. We bought this book based on an article we read about Disney guide books. I'm so glad we did! It surpassed my expectations! Maybe I should say up front that I'm hetero, so I can't be a good judge on the information focusing on the best gay friendly clubs and hot spots. But as a Disney park fan, I'm a very good judge on that focus on the book. The writing style is very funny, including the quotes from other people, and I enjoyed how it speaks to the reader as an adult. Plus, even though I have been to Disney World 30 times and read a number of other books, QUEENS still gave me new information. That includes a way to save money on park tickets if you're someone who visits Disney often. Thanks, Jeffrey and Eddie! Like someone said, the maps are very simplistic, but this didn't bother me. I wasn't looking for that kind of thing; after all, I can get interactive ones and ones I can customize for us for free on disney.com, so it didn't affect my review. This is not a book to plan your day, telling you to go here, do this and then that, but an insight into rides, dining, and atmosphere. I've already recommended this book to my family and friends who are both gay and straight.



5. I found this book to be plenty comprehensive, except where it says it isn't. But most of all, I found it to be funny, well written and a nice way to get the most out of visiting the parks as well as a pleasant reminder of what's so fun (and lame) about the parks, when you're not there... like, say, in Detroit for instance.

3 comments about Pinup: The Illegitimate Art.

1. The book had excellent drawings and pictures. I am really into pinup art and this made a great addition to my collection of books.



2. This book tells the story of Jim Silke and is very informative, but the quality of the art was less than expected. I have always enjoyed Jim's art and the book is a welcome addition to my collection of fantasy and pinup artists, but I think the publisher does not do the Art due justice.



3. Silkie is a rarity, as good a writer as he is an artist and photographer. A long-time devotee of the field, he was unabashedly pinup-centric before that was cool. His art in this volume is ample and beautiful. For example, for the past few years Silkie has been THE Vampirella artist, infusing new glamour and danger into a frequently-overdone character. The best part of the book to me is Silkie's text, where he "tells it like it is" as a veteran of the scene for many years. Kudos to him for this wonderful, fun book.