4 comments about Paris From Above.

1. The images in this book are first rate and very vivid. Paris is of course a gorgeous city and making her look good is not that difficult, but this book does show her at her best. It's easy to forget at street level how green Paris is and how many parks and private green spaces the city possesses, when viewed for the air you see how brilliant Haussmann, Napoleon III's prefect of the Seine, redesigned the city. It was said he designed the grand boulevard so that the Emperor could easily get troops in in the event of politcal unrest, but whatever the reason it makes for a spectacularly beautiful city. I highly recommend this book to anyone with a love for Paris, and frankly who could not love this singular city.



2. I loved this book. It is one of my favorites (and I have many) about Paris.



3. Beware, there are two hardcover versions of this book.
   
   A small approximately 5" X 10" 78 pp hardcover edition at half the price of a larger(more pages and larger size) more expensive hardcover version.
   
   I know, I bought the larger more expensive version after buying the smaller version, I knew I had to have the larger one.



4. I am writing mostly in response to the comments from Dr J E Robinson (Jack in Toronto). I share Jack's general appraisal that this is a "wonderful" book and "the photos are stunning."

   However, I felt that Jack's references to the book's size/length ("short book...not big....all too short") might unduly discourage potential buyers. This is a magnificent book, over-sized, with many double-paged, marginless photographs. The page count, 183, is not great but this is not a "small" book. It comes in on my postal scale at 3 1/2 pounds! I could easily see this book priced at $... As long as Amazon continues to offer it at $..., it is aa terrific value.

   An extra feature of this book that I particularly enjoy is the color, satellite image on the endsheets (front and rear). This is a great image for keeping yourself oriented. I give it an enthusiastic five stars, both in absolute terms, and in acknowledgement of what seems to me an excellent value.

2 comments about Patterns Of The Earth.

1. This photography in this book was amazing! It lets you see the beauty in our world from a different perspective.



2. It is hard to believe that the photos in this book are real earth photos and not paintings. My only regret is that the book is too small to really appreciate the incredible detail and massive scope of the pictures. It would be a good idea to list the overall size of books, espically art-type books such as this one.Patterns Of The Earth

3 comments about Slide Show: The Color Photographs of Helen Levitt.

1. I'm a big fan of Helen Levitt's work & I would love to give this book a 5 star review. Unfortunately her excellent photography is not presented well due to a poor print job. It seems that something went wrong in the scanning or pre press phase. All the photos are too light & the colours are washed out. This is not how Kodachrome should look. Some of the same images are printed in the German book titled 'Helen Levitt' & the difference is significant. The photos in the German book are much more accurate. Unfortunately this publication is no longer in print & hard to come by.
   
   I already knew that this book 'Slide Show' had poor reproductions as I had a chance to view a copy in the library. I bought it anyway because it is the only way to see some of her photos. I can't think what went wrong as Powerhouse seems to be a quality publisher & I own other photography books by them where the printing is fine.



2. The photos in this collection portray working people and poor people, people who are poorly dressed, people without air conditioning on hot summer days, people with ugly pets. The collection is oddly timeless; many photographs of New York can be dated to within a few years by looking at store awnings and, clothing styles, and haircuts, but not these. The people whom Levitt photographed are wearing clothing that was shapeless, ugly, and impossible to date in 1960, 1970, or 1980. With the exception of a couple of photos that show movie theater marquees in the background, nothing here can be dated.
   
   The photos are all the more remarkable because they flatter nobody. Did people give permission to be photographed, knowing how they would look? Had they given up long ago?
   
   Some of the photos give their subjects dignity, but not all. The book is sometimes cruel, sometimes funny.
   
   As an aside, I'd love to know where these photos were taken. Some look like East Harlem, but not a single photo shows a street sign, and I can't identify any of the stores.



3. This collection of Helen Levitt's brilliant color photographs is a treasure. I grew up in the city, and looking through this book, I was immediately transported back to the sights, smells, sounds and feelings of my childhood. These sensitive street scenes are wonderful social documents and pure poetry.

2 comments about Natural Patagonia / Patagonia natural: Argentina & Chile.

1. Photos are so, so... after visiting Patagonia live, just awesome, its people and gastronomy superb, definitely recommended, book and visit!!



2. When I think of Patagonia, I think of the Natural Wonders of a place that has seen little human intervention. This book has magnificent pictures and in interesting text about the geography and wildlife of Patagonia.

1 comments about 50 Sad Chairs.

1. This book is a hilarious and creative follow up to Milk Eggs and Vodka by
   Bill Keaggy. His humor in the titles shows his creativity and made me laugh over and over. Artistically I am drawn to many of the images, as well and he really made me look at objects that I would drive by and rarely notice.
   Even my kids enjoyed the book. Very Fun!

5 comments about John Lennon: The New York Years.

1. I was amazed at how many photos were included in this book that I had never seen before. I was equally amazed to discover that Gruen had taken some of the most well known photographs of John Lennon during this time period; and it's interesting to know the story behind them. The book is entertaining to look at, but it's also an interesting read with Gruen providing a "fly-on-the-wall" perspective of what it was like to hang out with John & friends during the New York years. Gruen provides a detailed account of what was going on in John's life when a certain photo was taken and, unfortunately, what it was like walking into the Dakota a few hours after John was shot to pick up a package at the front desk that John left for him.



2. I like very much this book, because has a lot of pictures with John in his intimate life, but i think Bob Gruen as a photographer is not the best. The pictures he had taken of John Lennon, are more a "fan photos". Of course there are "iconic pictures", like the New York series. But still a nice book to have to all the Lennon fans.



3. If you enjoy black and white photos with interesting and informative commentary and John Lennon happens to be one of your musical heros, consider adding this book to your library. It just has a nice touch.



4. Fortunately for us, Bob Gruen was there. I must admit that the book show mostly really great photos, and some others are not (I mean the focus, light, etc), but you can saw John as he was, a normal guy, doing daily stuffs, playing with his guitar, in the studio, off course with Yoko, with baby Sean, public events, etc, a great review of those last years in NY.
   I didn't know that so many of the famous pictures of John where taken by Gruen. The quality of the book is great, I think that every Lennon's fan will love this book, and I hope that Bob Gruen show more of his John Lennon's photo collection in a near future, he share a lot with him in those New York days and probably he got more to show!



5. Bob Gruen invites readers and photo aficionados into his chronological photo portfolio into former Beatle John Lennon's life with the book John Lennon: The New York Years. Gruen provides a combination of never before seen and seen candid and photo shoot images of Lennon during his years in New York. Gruen closely associated with John and Yoko as a neighbor and as their personal photographer, and the images show the intimacy and the trust they had in him in capturing their moments in just about every situation, in the studio, a walk in the park, or simply hamming it up for the camera; every picture tells a story behind it.
   
   The difference with this book of photographs and others is that Gruen offers much insight of the time and place in which he took each photograph. Gruen specifically shares with the public his personal account of knowing John as a friend or as he refers, "just a New York guy." He does not concentrate on over wrought information, but rather recounts the first time he met and became friends with John and Yoko and the events that made an impression on him, such as the story behind the most iconoclastic poses: the New York City t-shirt and Statue of Liberty pose.
   
   Bob Gruen covers much ground in a little less than ten years, 1971-1980. However, in that time, he covers the most interesting and controversial period in John's post Beatle life. John Lennon: The New York Years is recommended for all Lennon as well those interested in documentary photography, and is yet another welcome addition to anyone's collection of rock and roll oriented books.

2 comments about Cow Dogs: A Cowboy's Best Friend.

1. This book is a must for anyone who shares their life with a Border Collie or Cattle Dog. The photography is spectacular. You won't be disappointed.



2. Cow Dogs by master photographer David R. Stoecklein is a captivating treasury of full-color photographs featuring a cowboy's dog. Each page has a striking visual image of capable animals who are indispensable canine companions for working cowboys, accentuated with a tongue-in-cheek quote. A joy to page through especially for dog lovers, Cow Dogs is a unique and welcome addition to personal and community library photography collections -- as well as recommended browsing for dog lovers on or off of a cattle ranch.

5 comments about Jackie: The Clothes of Camelot.

1. While this book features some interesting facts and pictures, I was very disappointed to find that the author almost completely disregards Jackie's use of accessories. I had hoped to learn about the handbags Jackie used, but despite brief references to her clutches, the only time he talked about them was to wrongly call the Gucci 'Jackie' bag - named after the woman herself - a Hermes tote. He also craftily avoids the subject of her shoes. Disappointing.



2. Having grown up in the 60's, and being a Fashion Major as well as a big fan of Jackie Kennedy I was excited to read this book, and pleasantly surprised with Mulvaney's perspective on Mrs. Kennedy's wardrobe. I own many books on Jackie Kennedy and was particularly impressed with the photos and information presented in this book on this fashion icon. I read this book from cover to cover in one day. The photos are stunning, and images of Mrs. Kennedy through her husband's White House years as well as post years are presented in black and white along with color. If you are a Jackie Kennedy admirer, or a Fashion History buff; this is a phenomenal book to add to your collection...well worth the hardback price anywhere!



3. I absolutely loved this book. Jackie just looks so beautiful. Her fashion sense is remarkable. And she looks so elegant and beautiful. She was simply the greatest.



4. I am not a die-hard Jackie O fan, but I love fashion in general. I have always thought of Jackie O as a fashion icon, and wanted to learn more about her. Until now, I have never seen a book that pictorally does her sense of style justice. However, in this book there are enough photographs both in black and white and in color to satisfy any fashion junkie or Jackie O fan. No matter what the situation, Jackie O was always appropriately and fashionably attired. This book does an excellent job of showing this by portraying her clothing choices through the years and in a variety of categories. This book does not go into great detail about Jackie O as a person or historical figure, I don't think it was written with those objectives in mind, but it should satisfy the fashion cravings of most people. I highly recommend it.



5. Who else, in all the other First Ladies, could have worn all those beautiful clothes with the chic and style Jackie had! Not many I guess. In this beautiful book, there are some never seen before pictures, that demonstrates what elegance in fashion is all about. It will take a long time before we can see that again in the White House. I treasure that book that makes me relive that unique period of refinement and class that once was in the White House, thanks to Jackie!

3 comments about New York 2000: Architecture and Urbanism from the Bicentennial to the Millennium (New York).

1. NewYork as I know and love it.This is an exceptional book,it explains why the city is like it is.Every outstanding architecture is well described and it is readable by everyone.



2. At 1300 pages this is quite comprehensive and exhaustively researched. NYC has had a real resurgence in skyscraper building in the last ten years or so and many good buildings have been built..like the Time Warner Bldg. the Bloomberg Tower, and the New York Times building..and so far it looks like the world trade center site is going to have some specacular buildings, frankly im still not sure about the Freedom Tower(please find a new name, lord)design but it's so much better than that untenable Libeskind designed, frankly I love the Norman Foster design but whatever, but I digress...as for this book it's fantastic and if you love NYC you will have to have this in you collection, really a complete, thorough book on current architecture in NYC, buy this book you wont be disappointed.



3. I bought this book as a gift for my boss who loves both NYC and architecture. He loved it! I looked through it before giving it to him and agree it is a great book. It's $100 in the book stores, so it is a good buy on Amazon for $63.00. Great for anyone who loves NYC.

1 comments about 1000 Nudes: A History of Erotic Photography from 1839-1939.

1. While we are no longer scandalized by the nude body, we have too much allowed our sophistication to turn to boredom. With this collection we can trace the aesthetics of nudity and see its genres and developments. Here the standards of beauty, posture, and placement become clear as historical consequences. We see too the elements of technology as they influence the stance and audience. That this collection is cheap and fairly well reproduced, if in a small format, makes this book even more laudable and a boon to all who buy it.