1 comments about Thomas Demand.

1. This book is actually the catalog book for Thomas Demand's exhibtion at the "Foundation Cartier" in Paris in 2000-2001.
   All important early works to 2000 are presented. The texts are well presented describing Demand's ideas and thoughts. Since his works are photographs, the quality of the printing is important, and this book did a good job. It is printed on heavy white gloss paper and the color printing is very good. The negative of this book is the format. Many of the works are not printed on single page but takes two page, and often the spine/center detracts the image. There are some foldouts pictures to circumvent this problem but once again, it is folded, and you see the crease. Artbooks such as these should either be bigger or use the horizontal format so there will be no split images or creases.

No comments about Perpetual Glory: Medieval Islamic Ceramics from the Harvey B. Plotnick Collection (Art Institute of Chicago).

1 comments about Artcore, Vol. 2.

1. The reviews for this book, along with these whole series of art books will lead you to believe that they are the most shocking, greatest things since sliced bread. Don't believe the hype. Yes, thier are pictures of girls using dildo's. Big deal. Yes their are some pictures of anime girls getting punished. Oooooooooooohhhh, like we have never seen that before! Basically thier is not much new or groundbreakin stuff here, just some nude drawings and some lame comics. I'd skip it and use the money to get Cleavengers stuff, if you havent already.

3 comments about Fresh Men: Young, Fresh, Sexy.

1. If you like sexy shaved young guys or love Freshmen magazine, you will love this book. It has lots of pictures of sexy gay guys and some writing. If you are a gay male this book is a must have.



2. You will love this book ... I would suggest to any of my friends to buy it ..



3. This book has much variety of young men staring longingly at the camera. All in living color to your great satisfation. Each picture captures the unique personal style of each model. I would certainly recommend it to anyone that is into young men.

4 comments about Staffordshire Spaniels: A Collector's Guide to History, Styles, and Values (Schiffer Book for Collectors).

1. This book is for lovers of these beautiful dogs or those interested in their beginnings. Very informative book,and lots of colored pictures to help with ones selection of a spaniel. I recommend as this be number 1 book of choice about these Staffordshire dogs.



2. This terrific book traces the history, manufacture, and various styles of the traditional Comforter Spaniel made in Staffordshire, England during the 19th century. It is a comprehensive study with substantial text and beautiful illustrations, and it is written in a style that keeps the reader turning pages. As a collector and dealer, I have found this book to be extremely useful - I can't keep enough copies in my store, and I keep it at the top of the stack on my coffee table at home. This is a perfect reference and a perfect gift for anyone who appreciates the primitive beauty of the well-known Staffordshire Spaniel. Be sure to check out its companion text, Staffordshire Animals, by the same author and publisher!



3. This book, the only one I know of that deals specifically with Staffordshire Spaniels, is an invaluable reference for collectors and dealers alike. It offers a wide range of over 285 superb full-color illustrations, descriptive captions, and suggested values that reflect various market and regional trends. The book is packed with important historical and production information. Sections on reproductions and tips for collectors round out this comprehensive and informative study. This is NOT just another Staffordshire picture book or boring catalog of image after image. This specialized book offers so much more. The author's writing style is reader-friendly and touched by the sense of fun that Staffordshire collecting is meant to be. Synonymous with Staffordshire figures, Spaniels are the quintessential Victorian decorative accessory -- no Victorian interior is complete without at least one pair, and no collector or dealer's library is complete without this book! Enjoy!



4. This book contains nice photographs. However, the prices of pieces are unrealistic. Some quotes seem extremely low and other extremely high. The author doesn't mention the condition of the piece when quoting prices The greatest factor the effects the price of pottery is the condition of the piece. A price should never be given without a discription of the condition of the piece. The book would be a nice reference for a novice collector. But price information should be ignored.

5 comments about Obsession: Photographs.

1. To put it simply, I like this book. Some of the photos appeal to me more than others, but I think this photographer is definitely on to something. It's a smaller format book (like the others in the Mixofpix series), but that actually works in its favor. It makes me feel like I'm looking through a secret, dirty, little visual diary of the forbidden things he has witnessed and documented with his camera. Not every photography book has to be an oversized, overpriced behemoth that just sits on your table and gets coffee spilled all over it. "Obsession" is one that belongs under your pillow.



2. An Obsession is an individual's compulsive preoccupation with an idea, or thing. Martin R. Class' obsession is portrayed exceptionally well through this material. I personally am not as well knowledged on photography as most others, but what I do know is, as someone that is not deeply involved in the industry, I can personally find interest in his work. This is true art. The settings, the amount of lighting and contrast, the finish production of each image, all exceptionally artistic.
   In short, the material contained within this book is remarkable, and maintains focus on the style of art many people find to be an obsession.
   ... additionally, it is in this viewers personal opinion that individuals that cannot understand the meaning of the word obsession, or those that cannot accept personal preference should not be writing reviews on such topics.
   
   "it is better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than open your mouth and prove everyone right"



3. I like the size of this book filled with black and white photographs. One does not need 11 by 14 inch presentation books to present artistic photography. The title should have been bondage since the photographs are 90% this and not much more. So unless the world of bondage is your artistic pleasure, then look elsewhere for the fine artistic nudes. There are a few memorable photographs but the rest are forgotten quickly and thus obsession is the furthest thing from this reader's mind. Sure there have been worst collections but there are many more fantastic books on this subject which makes this one a nice view to expand one's knowledge of this black and white world which no one should ever be obsessed about.



4. The overall feeling I got when I looked through the book was satisfaction. The photographs were tasteful and the women were portrayed very well. The models weren't exceptionally hot, which was actually a refreshing change of pace. A lot of average looking women in sensuous poses. The book retains a spot in my bathroom for patrons to view at there leisure. I do recommend this book, it makes a nice addition to the collection.



5. Martin Rafael Class has a gift. This shy artist has the ability to capture lighting, form and beauty and arrange those elements in unusual ways with provocative results. His mind's eye sees art in a way few would notice on their own. Marty's "Obsession" allows him to share this gift with us. It's a wonderful collection of art by a truly gifted artist.

1 comments about Marvelous Majolica: An Easy Reference & Price Guide.

1. A beautifully illustrated and thorough guide to Majolica, and an invaluable addition to any collector's library!

1 comments about The Pin-Up Art of Bill Wenzel.

1. Bill Wenzel was so prolific that even I managed to snag a few of his original Humorama cartoons. This collection provides a nice sampling of his instantly recognizable work. However, the real value of this book is the biographical information supplied by his daughters.
   I would have liked to have seen more about his work for Playboy, more of the paperback covers, the men's magazines, etc. However, maybe that is for another day.
   My only quibble with this book is the green highlights (or background) in many of the cartoons. It looks like a way to mimic the cheesy 2-color effect in those cheap Humorama magazines and detracts from the work. IF this is the way they were published, it would have served Bill W well to go black and white.

No comments about Vincennes and Sevres Porcelain: Catalogue of the Collections. The J. Paul Getty Museum.

No comments about Mel Bochner: Language 1966-2006 (Art Institute of Chicago).