No comments about Richard Artschwager: Up And Across.

4 comments about Stangl Pottery.

1. Helpful for ID'ing pottery, not good for values, it's very out of date. Very good for Art Pottery, the shape guide at the back is helpful. Overall I still consider this the "bible" of Stangl.



2. The main disappointment in this book is that most of the photos were in black and white and poor quality. The book is overpriced for the level of information given and useless photos. The books by Robert Runge run circles around this one- hands down!



3. Whatever information I gleaned from this book, I had to work very hard to obtain. Firstly, the type is so small, it is dificult to read across the columns fron the item to the value without the aid of a straightedge for guidance. The larger, hard bound books are much easier for us with aging eyes to read! And the values are so old they are now unrealistic and are of no help.

   I found it very confusing to use this book, as it is almost arranged alphabetically, but then has groups of items taken from categories that make sense and lumped into hodgepodge chapters with no apparent reasoning. Several dinnerware patterns can not be found in the dinnerware chapter, but are in three other non-related chapters! In several places you are referred to other sections or chapters, but those sections don't exist. Also, the text makes reference to items that are not described or pictured, and there are pictures of pieces that are not described or listed in the text.

   While the book may be helpful to some, to me it appears to have been hastily put together by someone who either didn't care about or fully understand the subject. I purchased the book for more information on the Stangl North Carolina Stoneware, but that chapter was left completely out! I am greatly disapointed and would sooner recommend someone to research values on Ebay before purchasing this book.




4. This is a great book for background and information on Stangl pottery. Serves as an excellent resource by providing market value to individual pieces. A must for the online auction bidder.

2 comments about The Empire at War: A Study of the Greatest Battles of the Empire (Warhammer).

1. This book is an excellent resource for the Warhammer gamer and the casual reader of the genre. It's description of the Battle of Hel Fen far and away exceeds that of the novelization and provided insight into the tactics involved that would be of benefit to the table top gamer.



2. Written from the perspective of a retired but still battle hungry Grand Marshall of the Empire, this book takes a look at some significant battles that occur in Warhammer lore.
   
   It features notable battles with the vampire counts, Sigmar's epic battle against orks, the siege of Kieslev by Chaos forces and a couple others that were less notable (at least to me!).
   
   The art is good but the real substance is in the writting. The description of forces, events leading up to the battles, and the battle itself are great. Overall, a great book and it's got great ending that I won't give away.

2 comments about Moonshadows: The Mike Ploog Sketchbook, Volume One.

1. The work in this book is artistically beautiful. It gives a brief "Where I came from" type story which is at the least, inspiring! From US Marine to comic book artist and then some! Mike Ploog's history is incredible! Then we are treated to a plethora of the most diverse and imaginative art ever! Mr Ploog's versatility is showcased here depicting spaced out aliens to Santa Clause to sexy comic book gals. His work is imaginative, dynamic, and awe-inspiring for young artists and accomplished professionals as well. I personally look through Mike's work just to get my creative mind jump started! This book does that as well as document the life of one of this country's most treasured natural resources, Mike Ploog!
   
   Respectfully,
   John F Willis



2. Pros: To open the volume, Mike Ploog pens a short article giving nice background on his varied career working with Will Eisner, Marvel comic work in the 1970's, movies and animation. The book is jam packed with beautifully rendered drawings of dragons, monsters, warrior women and much more which spring from the fertile imagination of Mike Ploog. The inside front cover featuring a drawing of Frankenstein holding his bride is truly spectacular as are many others inside this collection. At $9.99 the low cost is a definate plus.

   Cons: Too short at only 64 pages. Introduction mentions there are further sketch books planned but that was in 1998 and none have come out. The sketches are not identified or given any date or background information. The interior was black and white, some of Ploog's work in color would have been nice to see,

   Overall anyone who is familiar with Ploog's work will be very pleased with this art book and those that aren't will discover one of the best fantasy artists around.

No comments about Dan Graham: Half Square Half Crazy.

2 comments about Icons Of Erotic Art.

1. True to the promise of its title, this collection presents a cross section of erotically-themed art. Most sections span one or two 2-page spreads, with gorgeous samples of the art movement or artist under discussion.
   
   After a few introductory pages, the survey starts with in classical Greece and Rome, and moves forward in mostly-chronological order. Two works represent Greek classics: the beautifully hammered Warren cup and a ceramic in the familiar black-and-orang glazing, both depicting love between men. Pompeiian frescoes represent Rome, a mixed couple and a threesome. Clearly, no two or three pieces can represent a culture and an era in its entirety. Instead, Hurd selects a few pieces that demonstrate interesting points of style, and fills in with a few paragraphs of historical and biographical notes.
   
   Because each section is so brief, Hurd covers a lot of territory in this book. Sixteenth century Europe comes next, with separate discussions of Micehlangelo, Titian, and other painters and printmakers. Lushly physical renderings from the 17th follow. I had to wonder whether the gorgeous images of St. Sebastians martyrdom really qualify as homoerotic - but eroticism lies in the eye of the beholder, and that's what Hurd beholds. Goya, Manet, Ingres, and others appear later in the book, including Courbet's reverential "Origin of the World." Skipping ahead, we see more modern visions from Rodin, Klimt, Picasso, Lempicka and others, followed by Hopper, Hockney, and even Crepax, represented by his graphic-novel version of Reage's "Story of O."
   
   Non-Western traditions get attention as well. Hurd displays selections from China's Ming era and a brief selection of Japanese shunga. India's tradition of sacred sexuality receives its due, in a painting on Krishna and his lover, and in awe-inspiring carvings from the Kajuraho temples. There's always reason to want more of everything, but this touches on my one real disappointment in this book. It under-serves the non-Western and primitive traditions. Where are the Venus of Willendorf, works from the ancient Egyptians, African statuary, new world examples, and art from all the other peoples of the world?
   
   Despite omissions, Hurd's survey informs and entertains. It certainly made me aware of artists and movements I had not known about, and gave me deeper appreciation of the ones I had known. Rich binding and lush printing make this a real treasure.
   
   -- wiredweird



2. Prestel Publishers have once again produced a relative short, 135 page book that explores erotic art both in images from the past as well as a terse running commentary by author Pippa Hurd that seeks to focus on the importance of erotic images in the history of art as statements of passion and power more than simply titillating pictures.
   
   Included in this well illustrated book are paintings (with details) by Rubens, Gericault, et al and covering nearly every period of art history such as Roman and Greek anonymous painters and potters, works from Medieval, Renaissance, and Western painting all the way up to Pop culture, and, gratefully, Eastern works form Japan, India and China that, according to Hurd, demonstrate that depicting lust is at the core of these works for strong reasons!
   
   The color reproductions are, as is usually the case from Prestel, amazingly fine, and the balance between the images and text favors the former. This is a worthy addition to the art library and yes, it is suitable for the coffee table! Grady Harp, September 06

2 comments about Collector's Guide to Camark Pottery: Identification & Values (Collector's Encyclopedia).

1. I was very disappointed in the book. The author goes on and on about the History of Camark, but very little information about the various glazes used. Sorry I bought it.



2. Mr. Gifford writes an interesting & comprehensive history of Camark (I live in Arkansas, where Camark was produced). The book features many colorful pages with fair pricing of the items. I learned quite a bit from this book. I'm a new collector & found this book to be quite helpful to me. I have already recognized a piece of Camark I bought for $10 to be worth about $60! That's worth the price of the book!

No comments about Blanc De Chine: The Great Porcelain of Dehua.

No comments about Douglas Gordon's Vanity Of Allegory.

No comments about Sexcitement.