5 comments about Hope in the Dark.

1. There are few words to describe Cowart's work and Jenna's commentary. If this book made it's way into every household in America, Africa would look like a completely different country, because we could not help but be moved to action.



2. I bought this book along with "Vanishing Africa" and I am pleased with its quality. I am happy I bought it, because I feel it brought me closer to Africa.



3. The pictures are beautiful; some of them are only templates begging for words, but they convey the stuff that Africa is made off: the wood, the mud... The children's faces are smiling, always innocent and beautiful. The older people show resilience, dignity, and an expression that seems to say: 'It's done, I'm almost there'. The more enigmatic faces are of those in between, the young and middle ages; they are going through it. Most of these people dress clean clothes, specially the women. The book does a good job in that it makes the pictures alive, and their protagonists almost speak to us (although whatever they say depends on the listener).
   
   One gets an idea of what Africa looks like. The landscapes under ominous skies, the muddy lanes, the water streams in front of the doors threatening with floods. I felt, however, that I wanted to know more about specifics in these people's lives. Their problems are mentioned as in headlines. I know it wasn't meant to be for this book but, still, I feel I would have liked to know even just a little more about those people in the pictures, from themselves, in their words.



4. This book is amazing. It draws the reader into the lives of the African people! It stirred my heart to prayer and made me love them even more!



5. i reccomment this book to anyone passionate about AIDS, who cares about people living in destitution or just enjoys great photography.

5 comments about Photography: The Concise Guide.

1. It explains specifically about how to take a picture and how to develope the film. I am really satisfied with this book. Actually, this book is used as my class's textbook. I'm photography student.



2. This book was required for my photography109 class. I find it to be pretty helpful. It covers the basics of photography and has illistructed pictures and bolded important words. Overall its good.



3. This book is alright if you don't know anything about cameras. It goes through alot of the basics that you can figure out from your owners manual. If you are looking for a good book that teaches you about shutter speeds and f-stop numbers I would look at Understanding Exposure by Brian Peterson.



4. I bought the book for class. Amazon sold it to me way cheaper than my campus bookstore. I am getting a lot of use out of it, for my photography class. Great recomendation!



5. Easy to understand. Thorough. Artistic examples drawn from the canon of great photographers both historic and contemporary. Short enough to be affordable for beginning students; deep enough for advanced students.

2 comments about Serpieri Obsession.

1. This book features mainly beautiful drawings with very little written story, but it still captures the essence of Druuna along with the depth and complexities of her quest. Druuna is an incredibly complex character, one to be admired for more than just her sexuality. Those who only see the beautiful woman are definitely missing something. Though we can't "see" her brains, she has great intelligence.
   
   The "Obsession" story is not seamless or traditional storytelling; rather, it is somewhat ethereal - voicing Druuna's thoughts, mindset, and reasoning. What is especially exceptional about this is the insight we receive regarding her two primary motivations - to save/help Shastar (her love) and to survive. Her means to accomplish these things is where her intelligence really shows. She is smart enough to use bartering and manipulation to achieve her goal, mainly to obtain serum to slow or reverse the mutation caused by the disease that has infected everyone. Druuna is not the typical warrior science fiction/fantasy woman. Sure, she could pick up a sword and inflict some serious damage and death. She chooses not to do this because she is intelligent. In a brutal world inhabited mainly by evil men, who are naturally stronger than she is, she would be killed fairly quickly if she chose to fight. Since she must live to help Shastar, she uses other means to survive, and to get what she needs.
   
   Of course, the primary purpose of this book is sexual stimulation, and Serpieri accomplishes this beautifully. However, I am impressed that this story includes less fetish and bondage than many other graphic fantasy novels. There is more raw or pure energy and stimulation, so we can focus simply on Druuna and the meaning in her quest. For those who enjoy the grittiness, violence, and other graphic horrors depicted in the Druuna serial from Heavy Metal, this book includes some of those things such as leeches, snakes, and giant spiders. However, if you are seeking the most violent and explicit images of Druuna and her encounters, they are not included in this book. The many websites featuring the art of Serpieri would be a better source for "extreme" Druuna, or possibly other books that are available.
   
   Of note in this tale is Druuna's conflict and self-hate regarding the small amount of pleasure she occasionally gains from her encounters with the men and mutants of this festering, stagnant world. Yet, in a world full of horrors, how could she continue to survive without some pleasure to counter the torment? There is a brief reference in this book to the even greater evil that exists in Druuna's world: The inhabitants of the upper city, who likely have the power and ability to help the others but chose not to, which is much more despicable than the actions of those in the lower filth whose evil is born of pain, despair, and violence.
   
   Another credit to Serpieri's genius is the fact that he does not portray Druuna as an ultra-thin woman. Real and healthy women of the world can look at her and not feel bad about having muscles and a normal amount of padding. Druuna does not inspire poor self-image. She makes women with curves feel beautiful instead of ashamed.
   
   The most exquisite drawings in this book are the two of Druuna and Shastar together; their expressions are very touching, along with the way they hold one another. However, since both characters are clothed in these scenes, some people may not find them as enjoyable as the rest of the art in this book.
   
   The art of this book clearly showcases Serpieri's "obsession" with Druuna and Druuna's "obsession" with her journey. For those who are able look beyond Druuna's beauty and erotic encounters, the important reasons for her quest and the intelligence of her character are presented. Having enjoyed Druuna's saga for years in Heavy Metal, I only hope someday the complete Druuna story will be available in one volume, though I doubt this will be possible since she is a fantasy woman whose quest will never really end, and a complete volume would need an ending. This review includes more words than are in the entire "Obsession" book, but the "search" for Druuna includes more depth than can be described briefly.



2. This book, and its companion "Drunna X 2", showcases the fluid art of Mr Serpieri.

   This book features plenty of eye candy for the amateur of euro comics and erotica. Even if some illustrations can be considered of a somewhat pornographic nature, Druuna remains a true euro comics classic, and these books are a tribute to its creator.

   Definitively not for minors....

4 comments about Hummingbirds of North America: The Photographic Guide.

1. Awesome book. Received quickly and in perfect condition. Thank you so very much!! Peggy Bender



2. Um livro bastante técnico, exelente para biólogos e/ou ornitólogos.As informações são muito completas principalmente no que se refere às variações de plumagens que ocorrem dentro das mesmas espécies( machos, fêmeas e filhotes).Exelentes informações sobre a distribuição geográfica das espécies.



3. I'm now able to correctly identiful many species of Hummingbirds. Great source of information. Very detailed book.



4. This is a very useful book for birders who want to be able to identify hummingbirds in the U.S. It includes photos and accompanying text for every hummingbird that you are likely (or lucky enough) to spot within U.S. borders. The text is particularly good, and the photos are shown large enough to be of use to the beginner/intermediate birdwatcher in addition to the experienced observer.

5 comments about The Rolling Stones: 365 Days.

1. A very detailed book about the Stones. So many pictures. They don't come any better than this!I recommend it for all Rolling Stones Fans



2. Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/RA4RLLN7E0LRI This very thick picture book is much larger than I had expected for this low,low price.
   It's packed with photos, lots that aren't that common .Some color,but mostly in black and white.
   I am very happy with this purchase and it will take some time to go over all the pictures and the information about them.
   Recommended for fans.



3. This is a fantastic book for fans and, at this bargain price, it is a steal. There are 365 mostly black and white photos from the beginning up to last year and many of them I have never seen, and I have plenty of Stones' coffee table books already. The text describes the photo and gives a bit of a plot line about the time the photo was shot and there are plenty of quotes from the fellows and others to underscore things nicely. My one request would've been some Exile recording session shots, but that's simply being greedy and I won't let my greed drop a star off of this otherwise excellent purchase. If you don't own it, do yourself or a loved one who is into the band a favor and buy it.



4. Need a present for that Rolling Stones fan in your life? Then look no further as this book should fill the bill quite nicely. With about 460 pictures, this collection will satisfy even the most jaded Stones fanatic. Why? Because the bulk of these photos are from the 1963-1969 era (1-203) with the 1970-1979 decade (204-296) being fairly represented and the 1980-2006 years (297-365) breezed through at the end. With the majority of these shots never having been seen before, you'll get more enjoyment out of this book then those other ones that are filled with rehashed stories and sprinkled with stock concert and album pictures. Add to this a quick note about each photo and a pertinent quote and you've got yourself a gift that's sure to please. Of course, you could just do what I did and buy it for yourself. While the Rolling Stones still haven't gathered any moss, they certainly are gathering more shelf space.



5. I'm so happy with the great deal that I got on this book from Amazon.I also own the companion book on The Beatles which I purchased used,but this book was brand new and sealed in plastic and there were no remainder marks.Enough about the deal,now about the book itself-it is very thick and there are many fascinating photos,many of them in black & white just like The Beatles book.The Stones book definitely portrays them as being much darker than The Beatles,as it focusses on the more lurid aspects of their career and that's a shame because in spite of the drugs and the sex there really were a lot of bright moments in their career.Some of the photos of Mick Jagger are definitely not flattering and one wonders why they were published at all.I know that he's often not considered to be very attractive,but he obviously does have a sex appeal and thankfully there are better photos of him throughout the book.I didn't buy the book just to look at pictures of Mick Jagger.I bought it because I'm a huge fan of the group and I'm so glad that there was accompanying text and not just pictures.Two of the photos that stand out are The Stones on the same stage in Britain with none other than Tony Bennett(he was the compere at an awards ceremony and he also presented awards to The Beatles and a similar photo is shown in The Beatles:365 Days)and the very lovely Marianne Faithfull in lingerie.She was to The Stones(particularly Mick Jagger)what Patti Boyd was to The Beatles(likewise,George Harrison).The Beatles book features a nice photo of beautiful Patti,but unfortunately,it's not as provocative as Marianne's.Despite the book's focus on sensationalism,it really is an entertaining read and a worthwhile purchase.I recommend purchasing it with The Beatles:365 Days if,like me,you love both bands.Some people are fans of one group and not the other(it usually seems that more people prefer The Beatles),but they were both great and it's nice to see their careers commemorated in this way.

5 comments about Paint Shop Pro XI for Photographers.

1. Having owned several versions of Paint Shop Pro and having owned several how-to books (at least 1 for each version going back to PSP 4), this book is a huge disappointment. Since my heavy usage of PSP is sporadic, I rely heavily on good documentation. Since PSP has always lacked in this area, I look for one good how-to book for whatever version I'm using.
   
   To fill that void, this book falls short. Steps are not sufficiently detailed, and often lumped into whole paragraphs. (Opening a new document, copying, and then pasting a photo are separate steps, not one.) Some techniques are only presented in photo captions and without enough detail to recreate what the author is showing.
   
   At best, the writing style is 'offhand' with more text devoted to what features are in the product and their advantages, rather than how to really apply them to a project. A similar book on Paint Shop Pro 8 was far better than this book is, which just underscores what is possible in creating a truly useful book.
   
   This book is a nice chunk of marketing, but falls short on the usable nuts-and-bolts.



2. I think it is good. I have not went through the whole book yet but after going through it I have found the Learning Center tells you most but pictures help a lot.



3. While there are hundreds of books for the various versions of PhotoShop,it seems like there are very few books available for Paint Shop Pro. So just finding Paint Shop "Pro for Photographers" was a treat, but to have be such a thorough and easy to use reference was a stroke of luck. I've really enjoyed reading it, and it's provided me with a lot of useful tips and guidance.



4. One reviewer says is the best book for this application. But I found only this one. It's sad. The application is great, but this book didn't help me as I expected. I don't get a good guide through the overwhelming options and settings that the software has. I doesn't answer why of anything. What is it this one setting or how should we make better use of controls other than trial & error. It's all mixted up. Images inserted in the book very often not related to the explanation, but out of place or redundant. In a word, i didn't like it.



5. I bought the book and learned some of the basic stuff I was missing. I would like to see the lessons go a lot deeper. I was totally disappointed in the lack of photo restoration lessons for old photos. What was given was minor to say the least. I am very interested in some larger lessons on restoring old photos.

3 comments about The Playboy Book: Fifty Years.

1. This book is well put together with beautiful pictures. The pictures are high quality and this book is really a conversation starter! The Playboy book began with pictures of Marilyn Monroe, which I have never seen before and they are beautiful. One thing that was disapointing were some of the stories. The print was so small that you could not read the story, only the captions. Another thing to watch out for is the dust jacket. It's very easy to see any small marks and the gold scratchs off easily. Keep it in a cloth to protect it. I recommend this book to everyone, even if you've never read a Playboy magazine!



2. Although Playboy is what it is, and because of the reason why many people purchase the magazine, there needs to be an understanding of the true content of the magazine through the years. Remember that the magazine is usually only 20% sex and nude women. That leaves 80% every month to be used for art, technology, controversial editorials, interviews, etc. This tome is huge and heavy, and I'm glad it takes the reader through a tour of 50 years of the COMPLETE world of Playboy. If you only want naked women, don't buy this - buy either "The Playmate Book" or "Blondes", "Brunettes", or "Redheads".



3. This book was definitely more than I expected with it's vibrant pictures and outstanding content. It gives you an in-depth peek into the world of Playboy above and beyond the photos. I also found the simple black hardcover to be very discreet.

1 comments about Digital Photo Projects For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer/Tech)).

1. With this book, Digital Photo Projects for dummies, you start out learning the basics, then progress to expert projects. The book gives the basics to get good results from your digital camera, without assuming you are an "expert", by overloading you with lots of technical background. The book takes you from the first step of shooting the photo, to starting the appropriate software for your camera, to how to retouch and enhance your photos.
   
   This is a step-by-step book for those of us who need training from the very beginning. This book covered everything from finding the right camera, printer and software to taking you into shooting a photo; where it explains exposure, color and focus. After taking the photo, it explains how to download the software that belongs with your camera onto your computer. Then, it talks about simple photo-editing tools, retouching photos, tips on red-eye, covering blemishes and whitening teeth. I learned how to add text, take out people from my photos and add new backgrounds. I was amazed at how easy it was to fix a photo that I thought was a complete loss, and turn it into a photo that I could print. It was easy to do simple tasks on a photo, but also get creative and turn photos into digital collages, postcards and calendars.
   
   The best selling point about this book is that it comes with a DVD that contains video tutorials that show you how to accomplish projects in the book and a few additional ones that are not in the book. The DVD is about two and a half hours long. The DVD also has some free trial versions of photo-editing software like Adobe Photoshop Elements that you can try before you buy. The DVD was easy to follow right along with the book. The book also gives tips as a sidebar and warnings of potential pitfalls to avoid. There are even technical tips for the more advanced; making the book useable by the more advanced photographer.
   
   Overall, the book and DVD were of great help to me in learning the basics then incorporating them into my photo editing skills and giving me an end result that I was
   proud of. I would highly recommend this book to all digital photographers and scrapbookers.

5 comments about Leonardo Drawings (Dover Art Library).

1. Absolutely horrible print quality. Did you get these pictures from internet?



2. Leonardo da Vinci
   
   was an Italian Renaissance polymath:
   
   
   
   an architect, musician, anatomist, inventor, engineer, sculptor, geometer, and painter. He has been described as the archetype of the " Renaissance man" and as a universal genius, a man infinitely curious and infinitely inventive. He is also considered one of the greatest painters that ever lived.
   
   
   Portrait in red chalk, circa 1512 to 1515, widely (though not universally) accepted as a genuine self-portrait.In his lifetime, Leonardo - he had no surname in the modern sense; "da Vinci" simply means "from Vinci" - was an engineer, artist, anatomist, physiologist and much more.
   
   
   
   His full birth name was "Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci", meaning "Leonardo, of ser Piero from Vinci". Leonardo is famous for his paintings, such as the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper, as well as for influential drawings such as the Vitruvian Man. He designed many inventions that anticipated modern technology, such as the helicopter, tank, use of solar power, the calculator, etc., though few of these designs were constructed or were feasible in his lifetime. In addition, he advanced the study of anatomy, astronomy, and civil engineering. Of his works, only a few paintings survive, together with his notebooks (scattered among various collections) containing drawings, scientific diagrams and notes.



3. The print quality is so low and I can hardly see anything. forget it.



4. I was very disappointed in the quality of the Adobe Reader version I downloaded. I don't know if the other reviewers were reviewing hard copy versions or digital downloads. A hard copy version might be OK, but the digital version is not worth a cent in my opinion. I was hoping to be able to make some small letter-size posters for my office at work, but the resolution was so poor I don't think any of the drawings will be usable. My recommendation is don't waste your money on the download.



5. The reprints in this book are of absoultely terrible quality. If you are planning to use them as sources for drawings forget it! There are other Dover books that are better such as Sargent's. This book is of no use at all.

5 comments about The Mammoth Book of Illustrated Erotica (Mammoth Books).

1. Hello everyone I am one of the models in this book,I am located on page 474 and also on 479. I think the book is a tell all of peoples lives and the beauty of photography,I think that it is an expression of the photographers inner selves as well as the models pictured. Each photographer was to pick 8 pictures that they felt was a portrayal of their image and only a few were selected to be put into the book itself! How dare people that have written the reviews that knock this book,if you wanted to buy porn this is not the book for you.It is a portrayal of both the photograher and model working together to get a work of art!
   It's not like these woman were forced to do this and "Hey here's the outcome!" It's the beauty of letting go, walking on the other side, and most people in this world don't explore that side or ever get the chance to!I'm happy with the results that came from this book,it's nice to look back to the time I was able to express myself through photography and have fun doing it! This book gives examples of alot of differant shadowing techniques,lighting, postioning, and timing,and it opens the minds of very few people to ask themselves, "I wonder what this person was thinking with the way they were looking at that very point?"That is the art part of this book,if you don't have an open mind then don't buy it!If you crave things unknown to you then buy it!



2. This is a visual survey of (almost all female) nudes. I would not call it 'erotica' simply because I associate erotica with sex and with sexual feelings. This collection has nothing to do with sex and little to do with sexual feeling; it has everything to do with stylized poses, various visual effects (some quite interesting), and a seeming penchant for bondage dress-up.
   
   Some of the people are quite pretty to look at; perhaps ironically, some of the most appealing pictures are of models without props or obvious poses. People are interesting--so why not just show them? This is perhaps as close to "erotic" as this collection comes.
   
   It is amusing that this smallish book--barely larger than a standard paperback book--is entitled 'mammoth.' It is no more that than it is erotic. Still, because some of the photos are nice, I rather generously award it four stars.



3. I think the photographs are well done, but I just do not like the book and wish I hadn't bought it.



4. I own many erotic photography books, I use them for inspiration when I do my paintings, etc. and I must say, this is by far the best book in my collection. It has like 480 pages of black and white photography from some of the most creative photographers ever, and the shots are classy not smutty.

   Every photo looks hand-picked with the finest of quality, almost all photos are female nudes, some with couples, some with props or backgrounds... but nothing looks the same. There are many poses, many closeups and zooms, a lot of things from far away, georgous shadows and lighting, and some of it is just mindblowing.

   My particular favorites:
   * page 179 a naked woman handcuffed squatting with her back shown to us with a cop car in front of her - all you see is her back, the handcuffs, and the cop lights and the outline of her body... and even though there is very little detail, you can SEE how perfect the photo is and it has much emotion in it.

   * page 174 an aerial shot of a nude woman lying in the middle of railroad tracks as if she had been dumped... very very emotional photo

   * page 163 just one of a selection of bizarre photos that leave you staring at the photo both impressive and eyebrow-raising

   * page 377 a nude girl smoking a cigarette by the window and her eyes are just PIERCING you with her hands covering her face...

   I could go on and on, each page (all pages feel glossy) has a huge photo and all the pictures are classy. This is pure erotic art. There are no open crotch shots. There is full nudity, but not one photo looks like porn. Each photographer is given a couple paragraphs describing him/her and then that photographer displays their work. There is not a lot of writing in this book, which I like. It is just art art art lots of beautiful photographs that just are wonderful!

   I highly recommend this book above all others. I have many books and this one just outdoes them all!




5. My only complaint is that its size is very small, and it is hard to see the photographs in its full glory.