1 comments about Making Monotypes Using a Gelatin Plate.

1. Had a lot of good basic information. Gave me some helpful instruction

No comments about Traditional Pottery of India (Ceramics).

No comments about Women Potters: Transforming Traditions.

No comments about Koons: With an Original Artwork.

No comments about Art of the Chinese Potter.

5 comments about A History of X: 100 Years of Sex in Film.

1. Somewhere, buried in this book, is some interesting, little-known information. This author would seem to have a lot of the inside dope on the subject - he's obviously followed the subject for many years. So it's worth a read if you are REALLY interested and can manage the author's, uh... "style."

   Because this author can't write worth beans. Everything previously reviewers have alleged about him is true, and more. If there was *any* copy editing or checking involved, it's not obvious. This book IS rambling, discursive, contradictory, aimless, and badly organized.

   A passion for pointless footnotes masks not only all this literary chaos but also a very weird, murky, attitude that can only be described as self-loathing. It's like the old crime magazines that used to glorify sex and violence by publicly deploring it - in lengthy and graphic detail. Why somebody who so clearly despises his topic should spin his wheels so furiously about it escapes me.

   If you can find this book at a library, yard sale, or etc. it might be worth reading once over lightly. But pay full hardback price for it only if you've got money to burn.

   As somebody has already written: surely there must be a better basic source on the subject?




2. The PW review really summed it up -- this book is poorly edited, incoherent, meandering, and filled with shameful generalizations about the nature of men, women, and sex (and Jews, and...). If it weren't about the only book out there that even bothers to attempt to review the history of porn movie making (with most of its focus on the California era of the 70's through the 90's), it would deserve one star -- or less.

   As it is, its facts are wrong, its gossip misleading, and its author clearly conflicted about his love and loathing of sexually explicit entertainment. But it is an interesting enough read (perhaps in the train wreck sense) that I finished the book. I didn't learn much more than I already knew, however. The shame of it is, this could have been a really good book, had some editor taken Ford firmly in hand and made him shape his chapters into a coherent form. It's not for nothing that the man has earned fame as a porn industry watcher; Ford has a trashy tabloid style that certainly grabs the attention (and there's nothing wrong with trashy tabloidism in its place!). But instead of guidance, he was handed a book contract and allowed to ramble without rein. The result is sad and unworthy of being clad between two covers. Blog-like ramblings on a website are one thing; I expect more rigorousness from a book I'm supposed to pay for.




3. I can't recall when I've read a more interesting book on the adult industry. Luke Ford has definitely done his homework. His writing style amazed me and held me spellbound through each and every page. Bravo, Mr. Ford!



4. Mr. Ford has crafted one of the most important tomes of his generation in this jeremiad against pornography. In clinical detail, Ford rips the scab off the underword of porn like no other thinker dare do today and reveals the dirt that lies at the heart of this moral stain upon all that is human and decent in the world of decent people who do not ignore natural law unlike those who act in or sell or like porn.

   All in all, one of the most influencial books I have ever read. It got me very very very excited. I especially liked the photograph of Mr. Ford on the cover.




5. The book is ambitious in its scope, but gets bogged down in the minutia of the business side of the pornography industry. Ultimately it lacks what porn fans truly crave...graphic photos of women in humiliating sex acts. Overall a decent first effort.

1 comments about Two-Way Mirror Power: Selected Writings by Dan Graham on His Art.

1. this book is ok, its nothing special. its alot of interviews with dan flavin and him talking about this theorys and about his work. i wasnt too impressed and didnt bother to read the whole thing.

2 comments about Making Ceramic Sculpture: Techniques * Projects * Inspirations (A Lark Ceramics Book).

1. As a sculpture student who has worked primarily in wood and plaster, I wasn't interested in this book as much for technique as for a photo gallery of contemporary sculpture. I was blown away. I will be taking ceramics in the future, and now I can hardly wait to get my hands on clay; I was fascinated by the different styles possible in this medium. Those coming from a ceramics background will have an entirely different appreciation for this book (I don't know anything about the techniques introduced, but the author made them seem very 'do-able'). At any rate, it's a wonderful book to peruse, and stimulate that creative muse.



2. A beautiful ceramic sculpture book... this book deals with handbuilding sculpture work. It is both for learning and looking, has several step by step projects you can follow along with and a gallery full of wonderful images in the back half of the book. There is also good information on finishing your ceramic work, and even talks about alternative finishes on clay such as oil paints, acrylics and experimenting with your finishes.

3 comments about Easy to Make Inlay Wood Products: Intarsia : Complete Patterns and Techniques.

1. If you are just starting in Intarsia, as am I, this is a good reference to get some knowledge of the art and how to get rolling - or sawing as the case may be. The step-by-step description of a first project gives one more information than some need, but it certainly gives insight to the detail and proceedure required. The patterns included in the book will get you started in fine fashion.



2. I am just learning the art of intarsia, and this book had some helpful information. However, I was quite disappointed that none of the patterns in the book are for the pieces on the back cover (does and fawn, rearing horse, duck)- only the front cover patterns are included.



3. As I became lost in the art of intarsia, this book was my map. Completely unknown to the craft, I purchased this book as a way to beat my summer bordom. As I opened each page, a swirl of thoughts came to me, and I immediately made plans to visit the local hardwood retailer to start my first project. But where to start? This book has the most wonderful design ideas, from beginner to advanced, even I was impressed with the works I had done. You can make each project over and over, because the wood you use is always different. I would recomend this book highly to anyone slightly interested in the art and history and creativity of intarsia.

5 comments about Collectible Cups & Saucers (Collectible Cups and Saucers).

1. The layoutis fantastic. A person is able to find and see the information they are looking for. Being in color is an absolute necessity. I have read thru the book several times. It is a valuable tool in collection. Thank you very much. Kay Brashers.



2. Too bad someone didn't bother to edit this book - especially as it is a SECOND EDITION! It not only is missing 20 pgs (in the early 100s from what I recall - I sent book back and hope for a refund), it also had 20 duplicate pages! I can't believe NO ONE here who raved about this book noticed this! It's one thing to buy it and get pleaure looking at pictures of someone's pretty cups, but quite another when you are doing research and spending money on books! Checking for brands in the index and not finding a page listed is how I found this gross error! A lot of cups would have been covered on those 20 missing pages. The seller I purchased book from said "it was publishing error and not picked up on reprint" and had the nerve to ask ME to "let him know if I find one that was corrected" as he said all books are like this. Unless the seller is misrepresenting...I say "BOO" to the editors/publishers - no excuse on 2nd edition!)



3. This book is fantastic, beautiful pictures. A pleasure to just look through. Very happy with this purchase!!



4. This book is great for finding different cup and saucer types.
   I would like to have had more information on pottery markings included in the book. Wish the authors had a web-site for questions.



5. The first book I've purchased on tea cup collecting. The gorgeous photos alone taught me a great deal about the art and fun of collecting tea cups. I've enjoyed every page. When the world is so frustrating during the day I can't quite concentrate on reading weightier matters, I pick up this book and lose myself in the gracious and lovely world of tea cup collecting. A big thanks to the authors!