No comments about Images of Power: Aboriginal Art of the Kimberley.

No comments about Bible Flowers.

2 comments about Imagine Wisdom (Buddhist Tradition).

1. Kinnard undertakes here the highly problematic issue of vision and cognition in early Indian Buddhist Art and examines the different strategies deployed by Indian Buddhist artists to make the Buddha present through visual paradigms. Particular attention is accorded to the rare references to the making of anthropomorphic images of the Buddha in early (i.e. Theravada) and later (i.e. Mahayana) texts. Kinnard also considers the importance placed by the literature in question on the physical presence of the Buddha and the strategies implemented when that tangible presence is no longer available. Turning thereafter to the concept of "buddhanusmriti" (recollecting the Buddha), Kinnard points to the cognitive or imaginative act of "making present" the Buddha in the mind, and asserts that these various layers are contingent components for representation in the larger context of Buddhist art. An extremely insightful and incisive contribution.



2. Kinnard's scholarship is matched only by his charisma in this magnificent work.

No comments about The Warrior Saints in Byzantine Art and Tradition.

3 comments about Michelangelo: The Pietàs - Photographs by Aurelio Amendola.

1. This incredibly generous volume presents three different Pieta sculptures by Michelangelo, each representing a different phase in the development of his artistry. The black and white photography is exquisite, and captures every conceivable angle of the pieces in a huanting, illuminating manner. The volume is slipcovered and is a work of art in itself. HIGHLY recommended.



2. Michelangelo's pietas are a monument, a testament in stone to the life and struggles of this strange tortured genius. The book is actually a bargain. The lavish,beautiful photographs show all 3 pietas in their entirety,not just the face{as a previous reviewer noted}. Since these works{especially the first} are not asaccesible {due to the unfortunate incident in the early 70's} we get a full view here of these works that explain the spiritual struggles of this giant.Each pieta is carefully,lovingly photgraphed form every angle. Curiosly, the second and third pietas are equally compelling,though it is the first with which most people{myself included} are most familiar. Save going over to each of the three cities in Italy where these pieces are,i cannot fathom a better book. I Think this is as compelling spiritual "reading' as any ,and is almost overwhelming in its purity,its emotional beauty , and its sublime passion. This is one to pass on for generations.



3. This book has excellent photography of Michelangelo's pietas. One is allowed a glimpse of his work at all sorts of angles one could not get to in actual life. The St. Peter's Pieta in the Vatican and the Rondanini Pieta in Milan are both not accessible from the back to the general public, thus this book gives you the opportunity to study these works close up.

3 comments about Michelangelo: The Frescoes of Sistine Chapel.

1. I am extremely dissatisfied with the quality of this book.
   The pictures are all pale, desaturated and sometimes out of focus!
   
   The layout of this book is something to be desired as well. All Michaelangelo frescoes are "widescreen", so pretty much every single picture span 2 pages. So how I am supposed to enjoy the picture with the book's fold in between??
   
   Creation of Adam, the most famous fresco is never even given in full size.
   
   What a pathetic book with such an outrageous price!



2. If you have an interest in art, or in Michelangelo in particular, this book should be part of your collection. The reproductions are remarkable (photos were taken after the Sistine Chapel ceiling had been cleaned), and I can't imagine a better book on the subject at this low price. I was amazed when the book arrived, because it is a substantial book for the price, and the photos are just beautiful. I visited the Sistine Chapel this summer, and ordered this book when I got home. I would highly recommend your having this book before a trip to Rome. Most of the images are far away when standing in the Sistine Chapel (the ceiling is high) so it's hard to see detail when looking at the real thing. Looking at these photos beforehand will give you an even greater appreciation of Michelangelo's genius.



3. This was a wonderful book at a really good price. The pictures are quite good, showing a lot of detail and clarity. The narrative is enjoyable as well. This book will make you want to go to Rome and see the real thing up close! (This is also a good book to read along with Ross King's "Michelangelo and the Pope's Ceiling.") Great for your coffee table or art history collection!

No comments about Richer Fare for the Christian People : Reflections.

1 comments about Keeping The Wanjinas Fresh: Sam Woolagoodja And The Enduring Power Of Lalai.

1. This is a fantastic story about an intriguing man. Sam Woolagoodja is one of the most amazing people you will ever come across. He took on unbelievable challenges during his life, and always had the best interest of his people at heart. His struggle to keep his culture vibrant is one for the ages.
   
   Contrary to what you might think this book is written for everyone. It is based in academia, but the storytelling makes it enjoyable for anyone interested in Aboriginal Culture. Well worth it.

1 comments about The rose-garden game: The symbolic background to the European prayerbeads.

1. I love this book. It gives a historical background to the development and use of the rosary beads and devotional practice. I'm not Catholic but several friends and family members are, so for me it really helped me understand where it came from, why it's used, and what the intention and meaning is all about. Especially interesting to me was the information that the strand of prayer beads was *originally* used for centuries to count repetitions of the "Our Father" for those who could not read well enough to memorize the 150 Psalms. I also noted that Wilkins reports that in the early Middle Ages (which would be contemporary with Brother Cadfael) that *everyone* carried Paternoster beads, as they were then called, or was taken to be a heathen and not a Christian. The later chapters were also fascinating, tracing the prayer beads in European folklore and art.

No comments about African Theology in Images.