5 comments about Body & Soul: The Black Male Book.

1. D'Angelo, the cover man, is not to be found inside. The title is much too broad; a more accurate title would be, "Fashion Styles of Some Rich & Famous Black Males." As for bodies, they are mostly clothes hangers here; the amount of skin on the cover is misleading. The contents rate as PG because of a couple behinds and a few covered crotches; there is no full, frontal nudity whatsoever. I don't know how anybody gets any soul out of this book, unless they see it in the eyes of some portraits or glean it from scattered quotes of fashion magazine staffers, usually a phrase or single sentence each, as the quotes, along with some other one-sentence observations by the author, are the only text. Therefore, the cover and title are cheap, bookselling tricks, but the book price is not cheap. A used copy, however, IS cheap, as buyers turn into sellers. Although a book about men of color, I am surprised that black & white plates out-number color 3:1, as I count about 90 b&w and 31 color photo's. I am a fan, too, of some of the people featured, but, to me, this is no reason to gush about the book as a whole. Although I could ooh and ah about some of the photo's, there are a like number of dogs and mediocre shots. What could form a pop-culture chapter itself is the number of celebrities who must have paid a lot for elaborate fantasy scenes shot by highly-paid photographers. I would not feel good about seeing this sort of arrogance if I shelled out a lot for their books, CD's, magazines, ticket prices, etc., the profits of which finance such folly. The author sees Black male fashion from a mainly GQ-type perspective, which may be right in-step in certain parts of Manhattan, but, from here in 'da hood, its seems like he's in an ivory tower. He has a new book coming out, with a similar cover and title, of which I will be suspicious. Except for a few unkwnowns, I expect that everyone involved is highly paid--subjects, photographers, fashion industry, etc.--and I wonder if people paid to be in this book, either in the form of their likeness(es) or their work; it would explain a lot.



2. Have owned this book over six months but just had to get my twocents in on a review. My purchase was based solely on the frontcover showing the gorgeous black rapper- D'Angelo. Since his MTVvideo titled "Untitled" was one of the hottest & sensual videosever to hit the TV screen, I naturally assumed Mr. Thomas wouldtreat all his purchasers to a D'Angelo collection highlightinghis extremely buffed 'bod. Or maybe he could have given us JamieFoxx instead spoofing D'Angelo on his syndicated weekly program.I salivated alot at the other photos- many too small but in the end it galled me that MY MAIN MAN was really a "no show!"



3. Unlike most of the reviewers here, I got to meet some of the guys here either in concert, from the 'hood etc. All left a bad impression on me, so to see them so marvelously pictured here is confusing.



4. I agree Shannon. Gary Dourdan is SWEET! Someone should do an entire book on him!



5. Ladies, get your credit cards out (or borrow a friend's), get your car to the mall (or catch the bus), buy this book now (do what you must)! I am not even kidding you for one second. This is a beautiful book. This book will make you proud to be (check one): 1. Black 2. An admirer of black beauty 3. Female 4. Male 5. Visually adept. All I got to say is Gary Dourdan, my dear, God Blessed You. God Bless You. All the other fine young specimens and the infinitely talented stylists, editors and photographers, "y'all GO"! (Specifically, GO directly back to the drawing board and do this again...serially,pleeeeeease!) Love... me.

5 comments about Huntington Beach, California (Images of America).

1. I had contacted the author prior to buying the book - to use any pictures needed for my archaeology report on a site I was working. I couldn't believe the treasure I found inside. Those pictures allowed me to continue my research direction & I was able to reduce the age of my site from c.1900-1940 to c.1900-1927 & have the proof to back those dates up. I applaud Chris for this book & hope to obtain other copies for friends & associates, in the future.



2. I grew up near Huntiington Beach and remember the times of oil wells and derricks up and down the now-famous beach. If you drive around the town and look closely, you can still see a few derricks pumping away. What is most interesting to the reader, and should be most instructive to younger people, is the fact that Huntington Beach was part of the oil boom that attracted many, including J. Paul Getty, to southern California in the early years of the last century. Also, compared to other books in the same series, this volume has more "people shots." It's interesting especially to note what people wore in earlier times, even to the beach!



3. Huntington beach has changed and former residents and visitors can easly miss once popular landmarks. This book combines a pictorial history along with a collection of then and now photos. A nice book to have.



4. Having lived in and near Huntington Beach for the last 5 years, I found this book fascinating. Historically, you get a great perspective of what the city once was...and how it developed throughout the late 1900's. But what I found MOST interesting...was the before and after transformation. Walking the same streets the author had. Lining up the same shots at the same historical locations. Standing in the exact same spot that the pictures had been taken almost a century before. And seeing how this sleepy surfside town blossomed into the famous city we now know. I definitely recommend this book for anyone that lives in Huntington Beach. It's great reading...and great for exploring the sidewalks of HB.



5. Excellent pictorial history of "Surf City." We've lived here for years and never knew all that had gone on here. Incredible selection of rare historic photos, which we've always been on the lookout for. Well worth the price of admission.

4 comments about The Legendary California Hackamore & Stock Horse.

1. This book is excellent for both the novice and veteran horseperson. There are a few mistakes that the editor didn't catch (some spelling errors of people mentioned in the text), but overall a very attractive and informative book. This book has a deep personal meaning for me because in the late 1970's I was fortunate to have been a "student" of Bobby's at his ranch in Pleasant Grove, CA. Even as a young girl I admired Bobby's talent with horses and one should especially take note of how he uses his hands when he rides. As a horseperson I also tried to immitate his light touch on a horses' mouth. It's very fitting that the cover photograph is a picture of Bobby's hands!



2. This is the finest book I have seen produced that catalogs the greats of the Hackamore and Stock horse industry. Its got them all. The photos are stunning and the description of this kind of training is first class. Great book!



3. Bobby Ingersoll has written not only the perfect training manual for starting young horses, but a beautifully illustrated and informative coffee table book as well. He has given credit to the talented artists who braid these hackamores and what is unfortunately becoming a lost art. His soft and gentle style of starting the young colt through feel rather than demanding submission through force will benefit everyone who truly loves horses and strives to be a real horseman. His tribute to the true horsemen and horsewomen of past and present makes you want to just stand up and cheer. Bravo, Bobby Ingersoll!



4. Beautiful!! Beautiful!!
   
   
   The Mexican Traditions on starting green horses has been handed down from generation to generation. The Jaquima came first, with it the colt was taught to handle himself to perfection and bridling is the last step.
   
   Training horses is a serious business..., the Bible of training colt with Hackamore is Ed Connell book, but if you want to tune some details of your training with the hackamore, this it is the book that you need.
   
   The legendary California Hackamore and the stocke Horse is another great book with enormous tips and knowledge, beautiful pictures!!.
   
   Right Now I'm looking for the Benny Guitron DVD, the Master on training horses with Jaquima.
   
   El Vaquero Mexicano "El Charro" ---- The American Cowboy "The Gentleman".
   
   ¡Hermoso! ¡Hermoso!
   
   Al Hakma --- Jaquima --- Hackamore
   
   Las tradiciones mexicanas en iniciar caballos verdes son de generación en generación dentro de la tradicion oral. El Jaquima vino primero, el potro educado para llegar a la perfección por ultimo se embridaba.
   
   El entrenamiento de caballos es un negocio serio..., la biblia del entrenamiento de potros con Jaquima, es libro del Ed Connell, pero si usted desea afinar algunos detalles de su entrenamiento con la Jaquima, esto es el libro que usted necesita.
   
   Ahora estoy buscando el benny Guitron DVD, el amo en caballos del entrenamiento con Jaquima.
   
   "The Legendary California Hackamore and the stock horse", es otro gran libro con enormes consejos y conocimientos asi como hermosas fotografias!!.
   
   EL Vaquero Mexicano es "EL Charro" --- El vaquero Americano es "El Caballero".

No comments about Raging Stallion Studios: Stallions 2009 Calendar.

1 comments about Professional Filter Techniques for Digital Photographers.

1. If you want to: 1) understand how traditional filters work with digital sensors, 2) what creative effects you can achieve with filters, 3) want to know how to use filters to cut down on computer file processing time or 4) get suggestions for filters you should have before you go on a trip this book will answer your questions. If you normally leave home with UV and polarizer filters and do post processing of your files with software filters you could do without this book. That said, I recommend the book as a reference even for the latter category of shooters since it summarizes traditional filters and their applications so well.

2 comments about Key West Houses.

1. Not only does this book capture the beauty of Key West architecture, it is very informative of the styles as well.



2. This book is full of wonderful photographs of Key West homes. I have not been yet, but would love to go and this book really inspires me.

No comments about Scott Kelby's Digital Photography Boxed Set, Volumes 1 and 2 (Includes The Digital Photography Book Volume 1 and The Digital Photography Book Volume 2).

1 comments about Wynn Bullock (Phaidon 55s).

1. This is a rich collection of Bullock's photographs that gives a very strong flavour of his work. Some of these images are truly haunting. The essay is informative and mostly well written. A valuable addition to the bookshelf.

4 comments about Serge Normant/Metamorphosis.

1. I've been trying to build a small library of Photography Books especially of celebrities. This book is one of my favorites, almost every page had a very famous face and the photographs are fantastic. I thought that Serge Norman was a photographer, he is a hair dresser though. I actually think thats much nicer because the photos are a collection from many different eyes. Well worth the price! Photos range from black and white to color and have many famous celebs in photos I hadn't seen before, and then some I had. The quality as well is great. It's a lot of studio head, and mostly upper body shots.



2. This is a beautiful book to have on your coffee table. The size is nice a big, and the photographs are gorgeous, and wonderful to look at.
   
   All my house guests immediately pick up this book and start thumbing through it right away. The portraits are inspiring, and a joy to look at. It's a great conversation piece.



3. This is a Great book. Good size, hardcover, well desinged in and out. this book has tons of great photographs. Many famous models and actresses inside. If you love art, photography and beautyful women get this. The work is by top-notch photographers.



4. Any one interested in esthetic matters would love this book , are you in to beauty ?,Photography?,glamour?,graphic arts ???... even if your not, it would make an excelente coffe table book , not only because the great work of "Serge Normant" but because the work of some of the best Photographers and the words of Isabela Rosselini and Julia roberts.
   I truly enjoy it !!!

3 comments about I Will Never Forget You: Frida Kahlo and Nickolas Muray.

1. A Love Story Documented in Letters and Photos
   
   This book, authored by the "Kahlo Guru" Salomon Grimberg, is not just another Kahlo biography nor is it just another book of Kahlo photos. This book tells of a love story between the photographer Nickolas Muray and the painter Frida Kahlo. Written in somewhat of a biographical format, it begins with Muray's life "before Kahlo" followed by Kahlo's life "before Muray"... and then they meet. When these two icons collide, the love story begins. This book captures the most intimate moments of that secret relationship as told through their love letters and the many photographs taken by Muray. 56 of those photos, some never before published, are shown in this book in full color and duotone plates.
   
   This book begins with a one page acknowledgement written by Grimberg. In the back of the book there is a 3 page chronology of Nickolas. Following that is an index of 88 known photos of Frida taken by Muray, complete with a thumbnail photo and identifying information.
   
   When you've read of all the mundane biographies and want to read something more personal about Frida, then this book is for you. Although it's a love story, it's just another tragic chapter in Kahlo's anything but ordinary life.



2. Many wonderful photos of Frida Kahlo by Nicholas Murray, though they could have been reproduced on a better quality of paper. The text is poor - much of it appears to be mere speculation rather than historically supported fact. And even the speculation jumps events, leaving out intervening information. Numerous typos as well.
   
   If you want the photos - 5 stars for the photos, but 4 for reproduction. If you want accurate biographical information - 2 stars.



3. I purchased as a gift for an artist and follower of Frida Kahlo. It by far is the best book yet on Frida's life and art. This book depicts her concern for humanity, emotions, her inner beauty and life lessons. The recipient loved it!