5 comments about The Book of Kells: An Illustrated Introduction to the Manuscript in Trinity College Dublin.

1. There is no lack of great vivid pictures to enjoy and the book is of high quality paper. The text is brief and has a nice flow. There really isn't much more I can say that other reviewers haven't already stated other than this is one of my favorite picture books :p
   
   If you enjoy celtic art or illuminated manuscripts this makes a fun addition to your library!



2. The Book of Kells is one of the most beautiful manuscripts in existence. This booklet enables those of us who are unlikely to ever see the real manuscript to feast our eyes on many of the illustrations as well as to learn a little of its history and preparation. Most of the illustrations are in colour and their vibrancy is still apparent across 12 centuries.
   
   I consider that this booklet is worth acquiring for the illustrations alone. It also contains a lot of useful information for those interested in the physical preparation of such manuscripts as well as the underlying historical significance of this particular manuscript.
   
   Highly recommended.
   
   Jennifer Cameron-Smith



3. The book was just what I was expecting. Shipping was quick.



4. I was glad I had this book along with me when I went to see the real Book of Kells at the Trinity College Library in Dublin. The lines of tourists waiting to view this famous eighth century manuscript were about a quarter of a mile long, and the museum proctors were really hustling us through the area where a small sampling of pages were actually on view.
   
   (If you take the tour, be sure to check out the main chamber of the Old Library with its first editions of Newton and Darwin, plus the harp that is (alas, falsely) attributed to Brian Boru, high king of Ireland).
   
   The first facsimile of the Book of Kells was published in 1974, and although this book only advertises itself as 'an illustrated introduction to the manuscript...' it contains good color plates of many of the most famous pages, e.g. the symbols of the four evangelists and the beginning of the 'Breves causae' of Matthew, among others.
   
   Author, Bernard Meehan, the current Keeper of Manuscripts at Trinity College states that "the sacred text itself was copied in the Book of Kells with a remarkable degree of inaccuracy." It consists of the Latin text of the Gospels, illuminated in the very ornate Hiberno-Saxon style ('Hiberno' refers to the Irish, or Hibernians).
   
   Legend has it that the Book of Kells was produced by St. Colum Cille on the island of Iona off western Scotland. Although it was probably begun in the Irish monastery on Iona, it was taken to the monastery of Kells in County Meath, after a series of Viking raids. The monastery on Iona was pillaged in 795, and again in 802. According to the author, "In 806, sixty-eight of the community were killed in another raid. The following year, the survivors migrated to Ireland and began to erect conventual buildings at Kells..." where the illumination of the manuscript was probably completed.
   
   If you are interested in the historical background of the Book of Kells, the author devotes a whole Appendix to it.
   
   Alas, according to this book's second Appendix, "Losses, Additions and Marginalia," the Book of Kells has not remained intact down through the centuries. "At present there are 340 folios, but around thirty folios, including some major decorated pages have been lost." The monks also used blank spaces in the manuscript to record details of property transactions in the late eleventh and twelfth centuries.
   
   Meehan's book is definitely worth viewing and reading. It also contains a wealth of the smaller decorative illustrations that do not always relate to the sacred text, e.g. hares, dogs, horses, and at least one moth. The color and minute details of these decorations are a source of endless fascination, and the scholarly text, although a trifle dry, is also very interesting.



5. I like how the author gives various images of the book of kells, but gets really confusing and goes all over the place while writing about it. I think a lot could be learned from this book, but the author crams so many examples into the work that it starts to get annoying. Ever line seems to have parenthesis around something and folio this or that. For that alone i give the book two stars, multiple examples are good, just not when you plague every line with one. It hardly gives the reader a chance to understand the first few.

5 comments about Dead Children Playing: A Picture Book (Radiohead).

1. It's worth the comments alone from the less artistic guests that happen by. Nice little compilation of Radiohead inspired or inspired by art.



2. There really isn't a bad recipe in this book. I was a little turned off by some of the "progressive" stuff at first, but my wife insisted and I loved it. Really gives you some great new ideas about food.



3. This book is great, cheap, and you can go back and look at it again and again. Stanley Donwood is a genious. Buy it!



4. I don't imagine that you're looking at this book if you're not already a big Radiohead fan, so you're lucky that this book's target market is definitely you. There is a lot of good artwork, sketches, and lyric pages from Stanley Donwood and Dr. Tchock (Thom Yorke) from the OK Computer era through to the recent artwork for Yorke's The Eraser solo album. One of the things that I found most interesting was that the Hail to the Thief word collage/maps were identified as the cities on which they're based. Of course, NYC was easy, but you probably had to be a real geography whiz to know the rest.
   
   Anyhow, for this price, it's a good book to flip through, although your friends might give you some funny looks when they see the title.



5. The paintings are spectacular, the text is unpretentious and the price is unbeatable. I would not mind paying a little more for higher quality reproductions.

3 comments about Licensing Art 101, Third Edition: Publishing and Licensing Artwork for Profit (Licensing Art 101).

1. I am not a fine artist, I am more of a commercial artist/illustrator/surface pattern designer. When I got this book, I couldn't put it down! It has extremely helpful information in it for all types of artists who are wanting to license their artwork in a variety of markets. It is a fast read too, packed full of great advice and resources. It's a book I will keep going back to because it's a good reference manual. If you are thinking of entering into the licensing world, I would HIGHLY recommend that you get this book - it's a MUST, especially for the price!



2. Now in a newly updated and expanded third edition, "Licensing Art 101: Publishing And Licensing Your Artwork For Profit" takes up where most art classes leave off -- how to make a living as an artist. Drawing upon his more than 31 years of experience and expertise in the licensing industry, Michael Woodward clearly covers such fundamental issues for aspiring artists as how to negotiate fees for their services, how to approach various markets with their artworks, targeting a presentation, exhibiting in trade shows, and protecting their rights as artists. "Licensing Art 101" is enhanced with some 300 contacts including calendar publishers, art licensing agents, greeting card publishers, fin are publishers, and book publishers. Taking a comprehensive, step-by-step, real-world approach to the subject of licensing art, this basic introduction is thoroughly 'user friendly' and should be considered essential, mandatory reading for anyone seeking to pursue a professional career as an artist regardless of the medium in which they work.



3. This is truly a superb book in every way. Not only is it comprehensive in terms of the steps one needs to take to market their art, but there's also a list of questions at the end of each chapter to help you develop an action plan, for which there's an empty column to write down your tasks.
   
   Personally, I respond very well to "to do" lists and deadlines, so using this book in combination of working with a life coach is bringing wonderful results.
   
   The book also tackles the publishing issue from two sides: one is finding someone to represent you (which is my preference), and the other is how to publish yourself. (I did the independent route in music, and believe me, it's rough. This time around, I'm willing to pay someone in percentages to do it for me and just let me make the art.)
   
   I give it a big thumbs-up.

5 comments about Alberto Vargas: Works from the Max Vargas Collection.

1. Great pictures from his best work!
   If you are a fan of Pin Ups, this is the Classic!!!!
   Foreword by Hugh Heffner who published a lot of Vargas Work in his Magazin.
   Worth every penny!



2. Vargas inspired many people to do pin up art, his early work of the long torso's were great, I love his work



3. Perhaps my expectations were too high based on the many 5 star reviews. The book is beautifully done and anyone who appreciates Vargas will be pleased with the presentation of his work. But, it seemed to me that it was a much abbreviated representation of his best work. This collection lacks most of his previously published works; these being illustrations in the estate. However, what I think the book needs the most is editing. The pictures are in chronological order, but few offer any biographical information other than the title. On a practical note, the book is very large: 10.25"X13.25" which is over sized even for a collection of illustrations.



4. Si hubo alguien que capto como nadie lo ha hecho hasta hoy la belleza, la gracia y la delicadeza de la mujer, ese ha sido sin lugar a dudas el maestro Vargas; este magnifico volumen abarca todas las diferentes etapas de la vida artistica del artista, ambientado con varias de sus mejores creaciones; totalmente a colores, las imagenes hablan por si mismas, la reseña historica es la mas completa hecha del maestro hasta ahora, y gracias a las dimensiones de las paginas, podemos contemplar la preciosa calidad de cada pintura y hasta el mas minimo detalle de cada dibujo; desde sus primeros ensayos en los años 20 y 30 hasta los gloriosos dias con Playboy, podemos apreciar claramente la tremenda evolucion artistica de vargas y sobre todo, su gran amor por su tema artistico: la mujer.



5. This book is beautifully produced, with all of the art reproduced in a large format (sometimes across two-page spreads) in luminous color. I am very pleased with this book, and I feel it is a wonderful introduction to Mr. Vargas' incomparable artistry, and serves as a nice retrospective, chronicling his work from his Ziegfeld Follies glamour illustrations of the 1920s and Hollywood starlet paintings of the 1930s, through his work with Esquire and on into the Playboy work of the 1960s and 1970s.
   
   However, luminous and beautiful as the included images are, prospective buyers should be warned that many of the images reproduced herein are either unfinished preliminaries, rough sketches/paintings, or items that were rejected or unused. This does not detract from Vargas' artistry, but may be disappointing to some lovers of his art. All in all, a superb volume for art lovers or pin-up enthusiasts alike, but one that may require some consideration before purchase.

5 comments about Richard Serra Sculpture: Forty Years.

1. Besides the extraordinary contents of the book, I was surprised by the correct and coherent service of delivery. Nice.



2. I saw the exhibit at the New York MOMA and it was moving and breathtaking. I purchased the book afterwards from Amazon and was pretty disappointed by the pictures in the text. The black and white photos do not capture the essence or intrinsic qualities of the steel that Serra used. Further, the picture quality itself was poor, often out of focus or just a cheap job on printing. Perhaps the author just wanted to focus on the bare forms of the works. But the quality of the pages and prints are not what I'd expect from an exhibit at the MOMA.



3. This book is a stunning collection of Richard Serra's work over the years. Truly an American master. I am always intrigued by the choice to do Serra in black and white, but it works. I consider this book an essential addition to my collection of art texts.



4. This is the catalogue for the current Serra exhibition at the Moma in NY. Divided into four chapters, the first being an interview of the artist, the second focusing on the early works, the third on "Serra's abstract thinking" and the fourth on his sculptures in landscapes, it is a high-quality survey of the work of possibly the greatest sculptor alive.
   
   The text is profound and scholarly, which makes this publication a valuable tool for art students and teachers.
   
   However, the quality of the reproductions, all in black and white, could have been better: color photographs would have enabled the reader to see the interplay between sculptures and light and, of course, the effect of rust, both elements which, I think, are important in Serra's works.



5. the book brings a compreensive review on richard serra's work.
   it is fully illustrated with plenty of great photos but, unfortunatelly, all of them came in black and white.
   nice book!

5 comments about Photography.

1. This book is pretty comprehensive. I am using it for a basic photography class. It covers a lot of subjects, but none in great detail. The newer versions actually covers a bit of digital photography as well.



2. This was a required text for my Photography 101 class and well worth the price ($20 less here than at the college book store). This book covers all the basics of photography tog et you started and the information is clearly illustrated by accompanying photos. This will be one I'll definitely be keeping as a reference.



3. textbook needed for photography class. Its new and arrived on time. One can also be satisfied with the older edition of the book- especially for a beginner.



4. This is the book! If you are studying for the CPP test this is the one. It is comprehensive to a fault. The explanations of photo concepts are complete and easy to understand. The only problem is that the book is so big that it is falling apart. Wish me luck on the test!



5. Book is very informational. It is printed on heavy gloss paper stock, every page is full of pictures and illistations. Printed in USA.

No comments about Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy (Metropolitan Museum of Art Publications).

5 comments about The Book as Art: Artists' Books from the National Museum of Women in the Arts.

1. This is one of those products which is true to its theme from the moment you unwrap it.Being a book about the beauty and creativity of books it has itself to be worthy, which it certainly is. It is a pleasure to hold and to explore, as the design and concept have been carefuly considered.
   The examples chosen are rich and varied and are divided thematically.The problem is that so many of the books are enormously intriguing that one wants to handle them to discover their mysteries. However the descriptions are usually very good and do allow one to at least understand the concept of the creator.If you love books as art, this is a truly wonderful possession.



2. Turning the book making into an art can make a book more attractive and collectible. This book demonstrates a lot of outstanding examples. Readers are completely satisfied by the books in this book.



3. One of the best! This book should be on your bookshelf if you are interested in the books as an art form. I would suggest it for any school or college media center. I would not include it on a list for coffee table books but if you have a serious home library which leans toward the book arts,artist journals and sketchbooks; by all means, put this out on the reading table.
   The next best thing:Visiting the Museum in person!



4. This book is wonderful! It features many artists and their foray into the world of book arts. The photos are splendid and the background information on the artists is excellent. It arrived in shrink-wrap which protected it nicely. Great book!



5. I am a mixed media artist and art teacher who has discovered a love for viewing and creating artist books. This catalogue of artist books is one of the most beautiful I've seen. Even though this isn't a how to book, it has given me much inspiration for art projects for my students and for myself.

1 comments about Jeff Koons.

1. This is an excellent art book. The color reproductions are flawless, but I feel it's quite repetitive. I wish there was a HUGE volume of EVERYTHING for Jeff Koons fans.... Only I wish I didn't have to spend 4,000 dollars to get it. Bonami's book is inexpensive and covers a lot. Similar to her foreign publication on Jeff Koons. There's a great selection of photographs in each body of work. The "Made In Heaven" series is by far my favorite of Koons' and Bonami includes some rare and beautiful photos from this series... But I wish there was more. I want it ALL. I don't want samples and bits and pieces... I wish we could see everything. A complete volume-- From beginning to end.
   
   As for the text in this art book? -- Meh.
   
   Jared

5 comments about Edward Hopper.

1. Wonderfully presented book of a great artist. Personal and career information is contained in a nice format. Art is described in the context of the time and the artist - his influences, the influences of the time.



2. The book was published on the occasion of the exhibition: "Edward Hopper", organised by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; the National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC; and the Art Institute of Chicago, 2007-2008. It comprises a series of nine essays by different writers, and concludes with Notes, a Chronology, a Checklist and Figure Illustrations and a Selected Bibliography.
   
   This is a handsome volume large in size and almost square in format, illustrated throughout predominately in colour. The informative essays, each dealing with a specific period or genre, discuss the artist, his work and his methods, are illustrated throughout, with the relevant works appearing on or close to the page on which there are discussed. The illustrations are excellent, virtually full colour throughout, the black and white images being mainly drawings or period photographs. Many of the paintings are reproduced half or full page size, with a few full page bleed images of a detail from selected paintings. The quality of reproduction is excellent, often revealing the brush work and surface texture, and the colour rich and vibrant. In total there are 202 illustrations of which 180 are in full colour, they represent works in oils, watercolours and prints. A very desirable publication.



3. One of the highlights of my summer was attending the Hopper exhibition at Boston's Museum of Fine Arts, for which this volume (published by the MFA) was the companion text. At 288 pages, mostly filled with suberb reproductions of Hopper's paintings and sketches, this volume is comprehensive enough for even the most devoted Hopper fan. Perhaps only Gail Levin's "Catalogue Raisonne" offers a more comprehensive look at the artist. No matter how many art books you may own, clear a spot on your shelf or coffee table for this one. You will not be disappointed.



4. Edward HopperThis book is a great presentation of the outstanding Hopper exhibit at the MFA/Boston. Well worth seeing.



5. Plenty of catalogs and art histories have featured the works of Edward Hopper, but what makes EDWARD HOPPER different is this emphasis on his strengths from the 1920s-1940s, when he produced many of his greatest works. A focus on European influences, critical reactions to his productions, his themes and choices, and his special challenges makes for detailed insights on the personality and ambitions of Hopper, while full-page color illustrations - some 150 in all - provide visual emphasis. Perfect for art libraries and for public lending collections seeking even one definitive Hopper coverage.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch