No comments about The Complete Route 66 Lost & Found.

2 comments about Inside Ferrari: Unique Behind-the-Scenes Photography of the World's Greatest Formula One Team.

1. I bought this book for my dad for Christmas. We are huge Ferrari fans and it's great to have a book on Ferrari that has some authenticity... there are stax of book on Ferrari, the cars, the F1 team and so on, but few of them have any real ties to the factory.
   
   This is where this book is different. The foreword is by Jean Todt, the photographer is a hugely respected F1 photographer and the guy who wrote the bits between the photos is one of the most successful F1 writers around - a great recipe!
   
   The authors were given exclusive access to Ferrari. Anyone who has been to the factory will know how secretive and restricted it is for visitors and appreciate seeing this hidden side of Ferrari.
   
   If you are a Ferrari fan, you will want to add this one to your collection!



2. I had read about this book several months back, and, having followed Ferrari Formula 1 racing since the early 1970s, I had to have it. The photography is excellent, although most of the pictures are behind the scenes at Maranello or at various racing circuits around the world. The cars and the crews definitely take frontstage here, with the drivers being mentioned secondarily.
   
   The author and photographer were given access to the team during the time that Rubens Barrichello was Michael Schumacher's teammate. This was definitely the modern golden age of Ferrari, with 5 straight driver's championships for Schumacher. The insider information is nice, but if you really follow Formula 1 you have probably heard much of this before.
   
   What I liked best was the section featuring the tour of Enzo Ferrari's old office, the comparison of the racing and road car divisions of the factory, and the details of both Maranello and Fiorano, the two test tracks that Ferrari owns. The fact that the team can take the cars out, run full racing lengths daily, wet down the track as needed to test tires, etc. shows how important racing is to the workers that have taken Ferrari to the pinnacle of the pinnacle of motorsport.
   
   At the price, this book is a steal. Stop reading and buy it!

5 comments about Digital Filmmaking 101: An Essential Guide to Producing Low Budget Movies.

1. For the ultra-low budget filmmaker, there is no better book to read than digital filmmaking 101. This book tells you everything you will need to know to make a quality feature length movie on a shoestring budget.
   
   Every filmmaker dreams of being at the helm of a 20 million dollar movie. However, there are only 7 studios in the U.S. that have that kind of capital and they aren't going to give you 20 million dollars to make a movie until you first make a 2 million dollar movie. How many people have 2 million dollars lying around? Not many. So how do you get people to give you 2 million dollars for a movie? You make a 200,000 dollar movie. How many people have $200,000 lying around? Some do but most don't. So how do you get people to give you $200,000 for a movie? You make a $20,000 movie. $20,000 is a little more within reach for a lot of people but for many others it is still an insurmountable obstacle. How do you raise $20,000 to make a movie? You make an $8000 ultra-low budget movie. This is what Digital Filmamking 101 teaches you how to do. $8000 is well within reach for most people. That's a part-time job for a year or so. As a first time filmmaker, which is more within reach? The $20 million film or the $8,000 film. Start with the $ 8000 movie and save the $20,000, $200,000 and $2 million films for your 2nd, third and fourth films respectively. The big studios will then be more likely to give you $20 million to make a movie because you have already demonstrated that you know what you know what you're doing. You will have made a movie for $8000, $20,000, $200,000 and $2 million.



2. I disagree with the comments from others who trash this book. It isn't a great book but it is a very good one that is appropriately titled "101" because its an introduction to digital filmmaking. It includes most of the information you need to know to put an ultra low-budget digital feature together. The authors (wisely) avoided too many references to technical equipment or how to operate them because, as we all know, by the time the book is published, whatever technology they referred to would be outdated. If you're looking for a book that goes into production details like lighting, camera angles, setting up shots, and directing actors you won't find that in this book.
   
   On the other hand, the book has a lot of information about how to get started, how to set up a small production company, equipment you'll need, creating and working within a tight budget, planning and working within a production schedule, finding and auditioning actors and crew, sourcing equipment, post production, distribution, and a lot of other useful stuff. I recommend it as a good place for any aspiring indie filmmaker to start.



3. Has lots of information and tips on "how-to-" do many things. But I wouldn't try to make a movie of it. It just didn't hit me.



4. I bought this book thinking it would help in a film project utilizing a good camera and a few volunteers. Unfortunately it does not even have much to say about the possibilities of digital filmmaking, but rather gives a disorganized (how about some editing?) depiction of their experience in making two films. I am not sure they even used the digital format.... The true focus is how to produce a film with little budget, and little experience. Not a bad topic, but not what I was expecting from the title. Three stars for the appendix, the chapter on working with the crew, and budget.



5. A well written, humorous book, includes lots of helpful hints, and several templates that help with the production process.

3 comments about Extraordinary Pheasants.

1. Stephen Green-Armytage is a professional photographer whose work has appeared in LIFE and other magazines. He has also published several artistic, colorful books on birds, and even a couple of wall calendars.
   
   In my opinion, "Extraordinary Pheasants" is his most boring book. But perhaps I'm spoiled by "Extra Extraordinary Chickens" or "Extraordinary Pigeons". Sure thing, all the usual pheasant species are in this book, including Diamond Pheasant, Golden Pheasant and Peafowl. And yet, it feels as if something is missing. I can't put my finger on it. Perhaps the pheasants just look to normal. Many of the chickens Stephen documented in "Extra Extraordinary Chickens" had personality (no kidding), and the ornamental pigeons sure had shock value.
   
   The pheasants are just...well, pheasants.
   
   Sorry, Stephen my man, only THREE STARS for you this time.



2. I am a fly tyer and fly fisherman and I picked up this book to learn more about pheasants. This book has many fine photos which helps in my fly tying activities.



3. Extraordinary Pheasants by professional photographer Stephen Green-Armytage is a splendid photographic study of pheasants from peacocks to game hens, as well as an incredible variety of other species. The superbly presented, closely detailed, impressive, full-color images of these majestic birds are the highlight of the book. All enhanced with an informative introduction, short, "reader friendly", descriptive comments concerning each pheasant species helping to round out this vibrant avian celebration. Extraordinary Pheasants is very highly recommended for bird fanciers and a welcome addition to personal, school, and community library "Pets & Wildlife" reference collections.

5 comments about American Gargoyles: Spirits in Stone.

1. I bought this as a gift for someone and now I wish I would have also bought myself a copy! The pics are great, as is all the information regarding gargoyles. Only drawback for me, I thought it was going to be bigger, it's no bigger than maybe 10x10 or so.



2. This book is one of the best books I got from amazon. I got the two books Holy Terror's and American Gargolyes... it was a great deal. The book is loaded with pictures of gargoyles from across america and desrcibes what type of gargoyle and where it is located in america. The photographs are beautiful and descriptive through out the book. If you gargoyles get the two books for the price of one. Highly Recommended!!!!



3. I was a little skeptical when I first picked up "American Gargoyles: Spirits in Stone" but a friend had reccomended it so I decided to read it. Boy, am I glad I did! If I hadn't I would have missed out on the wonderful details, breathtaking pictures and an all around fascinating history of American Gargoyles. The pictures are well shot, and I have to admit, were the first thing that caught my eye. But, when I sat down to read the text the author shared all these captivating little details about the gargoyles which I loved! The author tells you the story behind a particular gargoyle and if there is anything special you should look for when you see it. This book was so fascinating that I was inspired to take a trip to some of the sights mentioned in the book and check out the gargoyles for myself. I reccomend this book to all readers, it appeals to all audiences.



4. Gargoyles have gotten to be very popular recently, and any gargoyle fan ought to get the book _American Gargoyles: Spirits in Stone_ (Clarkson Potter) by Darlene Trew Crist, with photographs by Robert Llewellyn, because American gargoyles are fun. It wasn't the original job of gargoyles to be fun. One of the explanations of how gargoyles got into their exalted positions in churches is that they were placed there to entice pagans to come and worship at Christian locales. Those who ran the churches thought that pagan symbols, and scary ones at that, were a good marketing ploy. Perhaps we American moderns are simply amused by carvings of fearsome dragons, but there are plenty of gargoyles shown here that are deliberately humorous caricatures.

   The pictures are a treat. This is not a big, coffee-table book, but there are scores of pictures from many American sacred, commercial, and academic buildings. Though American gargoyles reflect the traditions of Europe, many are truly American. The University of Pennsylvania, for instance, has a strictly medieval style of quadrangle, complete with gargoyles, but one of them is a football player. At Washington National Cathedral, there is a gargoyle showing a crooked politician; he has horns, a big belly, a cigar, and a pocket full of dollar bills. There are a pair of gargoyles there which were given by a grandmother in thanks for her two grandsons. One is angelic and one is demonic, and she never said which is which; the grandsons are now grown up and still don't know. A weeping sea turtle is there as a statement of environmental protection. Out of the mouth of a monstrous duck stares a tourist with a camera, a payback from the carver who was the subject of thousands of pictures as he worked.

   _American Gargoyles_ could have been a lot bigger, but Crist has included a reading list for those who want to see more. It is a good-looking and informative book.




5. Having read this book, I have a new outlook on American Gargoyles which truely are spirits in stone. This book is very educational, picturesque,informative, well written and I simply love it!

No comments about Doug Aitken: 99 Cent Dreams.

2 comments about Darfur Darfur.

1. This is a stunning, beautiful and informative book. Done for the right reasons by people that cares. Five stars is not enough.



2. Beautiful. These photographs are absolutely breathtaking. Not only do these 8 photojournalists capture the tragic atrocities that are occuring in the region of Darfur, Sudan -- they capture the soul of the people that are being ravaged.
   
   I appauld the courage of these people and others who travel to this region of the world and other places of genocide and mass atrocities and begin to open the eyes of the rest of the world. We can change the course of this world, and it begins with amazing photographs like this book gives to raise awareness.
   
   Thank you for making this book. It is a good way to explain my career choice to my family and friends when they don't understand why I'd put myself in harms way for a bunch of people in a town hundreds of thousands of miles away for no reason.
   
   There is a reason, and this book illistrates that very clearly. We are humanity, we are all human.

5 comments about Priceless : The Vanishing Beauty of A Fragile Planet.

1. What a great book!! PLEASE parents , get a copy for your kids , this is the most inspiring book ever!



2. This is truly a wonderful book with incredible wildlife photos accompanied by a simple yet poignant narrative highlighting the need for conservation.
   
   "In the end, we will conserve only what we love and we will love only what we understand." BABA DIOUM



3. This is a beautifully photographed book and the language that accompanies these images is heartfelt. This is a must have book in every home and classroom.



4. The combination of breath-taking photography, and insightful and inspiring prose create an awesome yet humbling book. Its appeal is universal--everyone can learn, if we listen to its message.



5. This book is one of the simplest, yet one of the most inspiring and enjoyable books I have ever read. The photography in it is amazing and Greive deffinately has a way with his words. In addition to this intriging visiual presentation, there is much to learn in this book as well. Learn about endangered and threatened animals thoughout the world while looking at unique images of them. This is a must read for everyone and it should be a required book for schools throughout the world to read instead of many other required books that have no appeal to students.
   
   In addition, on the inside cover it reads, "BTG (author) is donating all his author royalties from the worldwide sales of Priceless to his principal wildlife conservation charity, the Taronga Foundation." Thats gotta say something about the book in itself!!!

3 comments about Washington, DC: A Photographic Portrait.

1. This book has tremendous photos of our nations capital!! If you have not been, this book will make you want to go. It makes for a great family vacation!!
   
   Billy Wannyn



2. Having just recently called DC home, Jake McGuire's photographs have been a great introduction to the DC area. His work is not only artistic, but captures the details of the unique architecture in this region. The book provides a great introduction to every newcomer and visitor to the area.



3. For anyone who loves Washington, D.C. this book is not to be missed. The photographs are unique and show familiar locations in unusual delightful perspectives. For those who have not been to the nation's capital it will surely whet the desire to make the trip. It makes a wonderful gift which can be appreciated for many years.

2 comments about Sports Illustrated: Exposure (Sports Illustrated).

1. "Exposure" presents an expanded compilation of what Sports Illustrated called the "All-Star SI Cover Model Beach Party" in its 2006 Swimsuit Issue. The photo shoot by Raphael Mazzucco took place in the Bahamas, and featured eight past SI swimsuit cover models, the most famous being Elle MacPherson, Rachel Hunter, Rebecca Romijn and Daniela Pestova. Overall it's good photographic work, and every collector of these swimsuit issues will no doubt have favorites among the eight models.
   
   There are over 100 photos, color and b&w, that range from cleverly artistic to "eh, whatever." Many of the photos are taken right from the Swimsuit Issue, but are enlarged to fit the book's not-quite-double the magazine's size. The girls look great and are dressed in various forms of white bikinis (fashion credits listed in the back of the book).
   
   The one glaring problem I found with this compilation (hence the 3 stars) is that what was supposed to look like a fun-filled frolic (au naturel, sort of) on the beach too many times comes across as a bunch of really self-conscious models unsubtly covering themselves up. Perhaps the girls had a contractual agreement not to be photographed bare-chested, or maybe it was SI's unwillingness to be Playboy-ish, but I think there are better ways to limit such exposure without being so pronounced. I could almost hear the photographer: "Okay everybody, hands over your breasts please!" To me, the artistic direction made these photos restrained at best, and just plain goofy at worst. Believe it or not, I would have rated this book a star or two higher had these pictures been left out(!) since the swimsuits are made to bring out the best in a model's figure (right?). Fortunately, many of the remaining images are awesome in terms of the artistry of capturing beauty(ies) and the beach. It's a good book, just not a great one.



2. A gift for my GF - she loved it. Some of her fav models - like Marissa Miller arent here, but the photos are stunning.