No comments about Luxury Hotels Spa & Wellness.

1 comments about San Francisco Love Affair: A Photographic Romance - Gene Wright Images 1949-2000.

1. Covered San Francisco for 50 years beautifully. Not a book to sit on coffee table and forget - you must read and enjoy!

No comments about Three: The Art of the Menage a Trois.

1 comments about In the Spirit of the Hamptons.

1. Kelly Lilloren-Bensimon truly has accomplished what she set out to do; to capture and express to others the true spirit of the hamptons. Whith her myriad of photographs and well written commentary she expresses the Hamptons in a way few others she. She truly melds the old fishing community with the new Platinum community. I feel though that her last line epxresses her book and the spirit of the Hamptons best. "The hamptons is a place where are drivign home and the sunset is so breathtakingly beautiful you have to pull over and watch for a while."

3 comments about American Victorian Costume in Early Photographs.

1. The arrangement of the book is refreshingly neat. It is firstly chronological, and then subdivided into men, women and children. The text is brief. No deep history lessons, more of a broad overview of each decade. The pictures are wonderful though. So it's a good "look book". If you can't or don't collect antique photos to reference, this is a good alternative.



2. This book contains useful illustrations representing all ages and classes of American society. Ms Dalrymple wins my approval by basing some of her conclusions on dated photographs; in other words, she uses photographs as documentary evidence, not just as illustrations.
   
   -- But important source information, ie. the format of the photograph, the photographer's name and geographical location, etc. has been moved to the endnotes, and the captions consist of stating the obvious; ie. "man in patterned trousers". With a few exceptions, the captions do not explain why the photographs were selected for the book and do not enhance the illustration. In her well-written chapter introductions, the author demonstrates her knowledge of the field and uses interesting and significant quotations from primary sources. (I like the footnotes.) So I wonder... was there an editorial decision made to "dumb-down" a potentially useful piece of work?
   
   Finally, reproduction of the photographs is adequate, but not exciting. It is sometimes difficult to see costume detail.



3. The Victorians put their (mostly) best foot forward in this collection of period photographs. Most of the photos are obviously studio pieces and catch our ancestors at what they considered their best, but a few, like the picture of the little girl missing a coat button, seem unplanned.

   The photos are grouped by decade and show men, women and children of all ages and social classes. The editor's notes are conveniently placed near the photos and contain clear and interesting details about the costumes. Together the notes and the photos provide a useful resource and fun browse for all those interested in Victorian costume and manners.

5 comments about Femme Fatale: Famous Beauties Then and Now.

1. This book presents beautiful pictures of famous and enticing modern women: but to call them "femmes fatales" would be to mischaracterize them.

   By definition, the term "femmes fatales" was coined to gorgeous women whose actions were detrimental or harmful to their men or partners. Thus, in real life a woman could be gorgeous without being fatal, or vice versa, she could be fatal without being exceptionally gorgeous. Cleopatra was one such woman, who although not extraordinarily beautiful, was able to charm two Roman generals and to lead them to their downfall.

   Although hairstyle was an important component of a woman's appearance, it was certainly not the unique feature of a person. Her eyes, smile, demeanor, sleek appearance, and clothing also played important roles. Therefore, to reduce a woman's character to her hairdo, as the hairstylist-author had suggested, was to overly simplify the matter.

   The women photographed in the book were certainly "chic," although not necessarily "fatal."




2. Because of the title The Femme Fatale, Famous Beauties Then and Now, I was expecting a sort of photographic history book. I would be very interested in seeing how the image of a Femme Fatale has changed over the years, from the glamourous pencil browed vixens of the 1920's to the much more volupt modern beauties. (Think pulp fiction novel cover vs. Catherine Zeta Jones) I would have liked to read up on how even though what is considered beautiful (and dangerous) has changed, the character of the Femme Fatale predominates our culture, in literature and film.
   I really got the wrong book. Instead of what I was expecting, this book features celebrities made over to appear like they would in different time periods, and the photos are high quality, oversized and printed on slick glossy paper. Some of the transformations are very well done (the girl on the front cover is Julia Roberts, believe it or not) So the book is not without merit, but they could have done a lot more.
   If I wanted to see pictures of Britney Spears, I'd just read People magazine.



3. I have been a fetish model for almost two years, and a close photographer friend and myself are kicking off a new project which showcases high end fetish photographs. While my husband was searching for a poetry book in a Barnes and Nobles store, I snuck to the photography section to see if I could be inspired for this new peoject. My eye fell on this book immediately. I looked at no other book! The photographs are simply too beautiful for words, and I was heartbroken by the cover price... Reluctantly, I put it back on the shelf. When I came home however, I searched your site immediately and found a used copy in mint condition .... Obviously, I was nothing less than thrilled!

   This book is based on the photography of hair, and showcases original photographs from the 1800's as samples. Serge Normant then re-creates these by using well known models and celebraties of today, dressing them in period clothing, changing their looks dramatically.

   If you are a hairdresser, model, or photographer, you MUST own this book!




4. Much, if not all this material has been published elsewhere, so you may have seen it. However, it has not been presented together organized around the interesting concept that Julia Roberts, Elizabeth Hurley, Susan Sarandon, Britney Spears and a host of beautiful women are paying homage to women of a previous age. (Yes, that Britney Spears).

   In an interview with a French magazine, the photographer described himself as awed or intimidated when Susan Sarandon showed up. He only relaxed when she took charge and he just responded to what he saw. The mutual respect shown by the professionals on both sides of the camera is what makes these images good.

   This is not just a catalog of beatiful pictures of contemporary icons playing dress up. If it is authentic it makes a convincing statement about the power and stature of these famous modern women and a lot of not so famous all around us.

   If you know a young woman who wants to be in the next book like this, show it to her. I have handed it to several young women I've photographed recently. "Oh, my God! Britney Spears is beautiful." "That can't be Claudia Schiffer." "Elizabeth Hurley scares me!" Isabella Rossellini as Betty Page is the show stopper, however.

   The photography is as good as it gets, but the material added to hang it all together weakens the book. Some of it is completely contrived and bogus.

   Next time let the women and the photographer do their work and let the readers draw the conclusions. Meanwhile a lot of wannabe photographers and young models have some catching up to do.




5. Serge Normant may have been the creator of the styles pictured within, but it's the aritisty of the photographer Michael Thompson that's truly responsible for the incredible images in this book. Thompson is, perhaps, the most talented of current fashion photographers, but he's also the most overlooked by all but those "in the industry." He's classic, and contemporary, and as versatile as Meisel or Demarchelier. He may not be as well known as his contemporaries, but that's because he lives a quiet life in Pennsylvania, and stays out of the limelight.

   I'm looking forward to a massive collection of Michael's photographs, a 'Part One' retrospective, but i don't believe it's forthcoming. Doesn't seem to be his style.

5 comments about The Automated Lighting Programmer's Handbook.

1. I have been in the concert production business for a couple of years and this is a great book to have around.



2. A great book that is not to technical and shows some real world ideas and solutions



3. The tips, tricks and techniques have been invaluable for both conventional and moving lighting programming. An excellent purchase for anyone interested in a more organized production. Very well organized, and generalized to facilitate programming virtually any console or utilizing any instrument.
   
   While specific manufacturers are mentioned, they are not covered in great detail. This book is a wonderful suppliment to any programmers library, but cannot replace a thourough understanding of console syntax that is only obtained through expereience and reading console system manuals.



4. Hands down, this is the best book for aspiring and practicing automated programmers available today. It's full of very useful and practical ideas, tips, observations and recommendations. Any programmer who is mindful of raising their game should have a copy and read it regularly.



5. Buying this book to expand my knowledge into this area, I found it a bit thin. It feels stretched to me - like a padded long article. The info about cue types was good, but I'm sure it's covered in user manuals, and the insistence on avoiding mention of specific products diluted the rest of it too much for my liking. I think picking a console and fixtures, even if it's one per chapter, would allow a little more detail. As it is, readable, but unsatisfying.
   
   Certainly room for another edition, hopefully with more detail. I should note that I'm not a beginner, I've been programming other aspects of shows for decades. Possibly a beginner would get more out of it. I gave it more stars because it covers the exact topic I was looking for.

5 comments about Horse Health Care: A Step-By-Step Photographic Guide to Mastering Over 100 Horsekeeping Skills (Horsekeeping Skills Library).

1. This is a good basic book for beginners, but if you have any experience with horses at all it will be WAY to basic for you. it doesn't even mention colic! It should at least list the warning signs. The leg wrapping sections are useful, but really, does anyone really step by step instructions about how to put a blanket on a horse?



2. This is a great book for the new owner who hasn't been brought up aroung horses. It has great pictures and goes into a lot of detail about nutrition, vaccinations, illness/injury, age characteristics ect.



3. This is truly for a first-horse owner or someone who is leasing a horse and who wants to learn the basics of horse health care. I found several of the chapters useful for treatments that I needed to give for the first time, but there are other sections that aren't as practical and there is a lot of space devoted to black and white photographs, which are not too useful either as it's difficult to look for differences in texture or coloration that the text elaborates on. Having said this, for a true beginner it is an adequate foundation and would be appropriate for a younger rider/reader as well.



4. In my opinion, this book is not worth buying, unless you are truly a beginner. And even then, you will quickly outgrow this book. It contains practices that you can quickly pick up at the stable where your lessons are. To learn them from others at your stable will more likely help you, because it will be in more detail and you will watch someone do it.



5. Without Cherry Hill and her books with all the pictures I am sure I would have been panicking at every little scratch on my horses. She explains things so a non-horse person can understand without having to run to dictionaries or other horse reference books to look up her explaination. I buy all her books as I find them and enjoy her friendly way of writing. Thank you Cherry Hill for taking the time to make the explaination interesting and informative.

5 comments about Smithsonian Baseball: Inside the World's Finest Private Collections.

1. I purchased this as a gift and the recipient was thrilled with it. I did sneak a peak before giving it away and enjoyed it immencely.



2. A very well done book. Big glossy pictures of some of the greatest Baseball artifacts in America. Probably the closest I will get to seeing these in person.



3. As a lover of the old days of baseball (prior to the 1970's) , and with an interest in various types of artifacts pertaining to the old days, this book wonderfully broadened my horizons. The sections on baseball cards was especially fascinating for me as i do some collecting to add to some as i had as a kid (50's-60's).
   would recommend this book to anyone remotely interested in the old days of baseball or collects baseball memorabilia.



4. Stephen Wong has created a drop-dead gorgeous look at some of the game's great artifacts, and many will be surprised to learn that they are not at the Baseball Hall of Fame nor even at the Smithsonian (despite the book's title). The game's artifacts extend way beyond the cards and gimcrack collectibles sold at the ballpark, and Wong has deftly toggled his focus from collectible to collector and back again, providing a memorable prose portrait of the lively game played off the field. I cannot recommend this brilliantly conceived book highly enough.



5. This beautiful book belongs in every baseball enthusiast's library, but it would be a mistake to keep it on the shelves. Author Stephen Wong has partnered with the Smithsonian to publish the most stunning book on baseball on the market. It deserves to be on your coffee table not only because of its wonderful photographs but also due to the wonderfully rich way he presents the history of the game. Wong gained remarkable access to the sport's foremost collectors, combing through hundreds of images and memorabilia items. The payoff is tremendous for anyone with an interest in baseball or, for that matter, in American history and culture. Readers will learn the essential facts about the game, and the fascinating tidbits, such as the origins of the curve ball. They then get to see remarkable shots, some most unusual - from folk art statues to Don Larsen's enshrined shoes from his perfect game to the bricks of former stadiums. In fact, this book should be placed in the Hall of Fame!

No comments about FrenchKiss.