3 comments about The Book of Hindu Imagery: Gods, Manifestations and Their Meaning.

1. Includes a lot of info, but not thorough enough in its contextual analysis



2. I paint.. so this was a great book for information on what body positions mea, Especially liked the hand jestures.



3. This is a reference book to postures, hand signs, clothing, attributes, symbols, gods, etc. used in Hindu art. Since it is only a reference book, it does not expand into theory. It has good black and white drawings that make it easier to scrutinize an often complicated art style.

No comments about Why Do We Wear Ashes?.

1 comments about Buddhist Art of Nagarjunakonda.

1. About the Book :
   Nagarjunakonda, the ancient Vijayapuri, in the taluk of the Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh, is an isolated valley, now engulfed with the mighty waters of Nagarjuna Sagar Dam. It was once the spectacular capital seat of the Ikshvaku dynasty of the third to fourth centuries A.D. Nagarjunakonda Buddhist art represents the culmination of an aesthetic experience and technical execution of more than 300 years of devotion to the sculptural art in Andhra Pradesh. This beautifully and profusely illustrated document projects an in-depth and authentic account of the diverse subjects of Buddhistic thought impeccably delineated in the Nagarjunakonda sculptures.
   
   About the Author :
   Dr. Mrs. Rama was born on 17-5-1961, at Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh. She had a brilliant career throughout. She had her schooling at Nagpur and Delhi. She took her B.A. degree in first class and stood College first in 1982. She did her B.A. from Arts and Science College for women, Hyderabad. She was a recipient of the award of Smt. Durgabai Deshmukh memorial prize for attaining highest marks in B.A. She obtained her M.A. degree in first class in 1984 from Osmania University, Hyderabad. She was awarded Ph.D. degree by the Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi for her outstanding thesis `Buddhist Art of Nagarjunakonda in 1992. The thesis has the approbation of the examiners for its high academic value. Her thesis was published in 1995. Her zeal for research, keeps her busy in pursuing the Buddhist studies. Her forth coming books are `Jainism-Its impact on Andhra Pradesh`; and Sculptures of Mahayana Buddhism.
   
   Contents :
   Preface
   Description of Plates
   One : Introduction
   Two : Basic Concepts of Nagarjunakonda
   Three : The Buddhist Architecture
   Four : Significant Life Events of the Buddha
   Five : Stone-Page of the Popular Jatakas
   Six : Philosophical and Theological Doctrines in Stone
   Seven : Symbolism in Stone
   Eight : The Buddha Image
   Nine : Gods and Goddesses
   Ten : Other Deities
   Eleven : Epilogue
   Bibliography
   Plates

1 comments about The Devil: A Mask without a Face (Picturing History).

1. The book begins with a quote by Origen: "No one can know the origin of evil who has not grasped the truth about the so-called Devil and his angels, and who he was before he became a Devil and how he became a Devil..."
   
   This understanding is exactly what the author sets out to provide and he does so with great mastery and interest.
   
   Luther Link knows his subject matter incredibly well. The whole point of the "Picturing History" series by Reaktion Books is to study the artwork of a given subject and use this as a primary source in understanding that subject's history. In many ways, I have found this to be a far more accurate and useful way of learning the history of the subject and Reaktion Books are leaders in the field.
   
   I found the histories of the devil to be fascinating - at times, he was the archenemy, at other times he seemed essential to the concept of God or even as His handmaiden. In other examples he was a mere slave of God and it was not him that did the soul-snatching but he simply suffered eternal damnation along with all of the humans who were sent to Hell by God. The pagan influence was surprising - Lucifer once being a good character but like many pagan ideas, was turned bad by Christianity. This is a mere drop in the bucket to the information provided in _The Devil_.
   
   The art is rich and liberally sprinkled throughout the book. The source of the images is given and we become privy to information doubtfully unearthed before - where the horns, pitchfork, and tail originate. The naked versus the hairy devil - the deformations. Most strikingly, perhaps, is the morphing from angel to demon. The "angelic" and "demonical" behaviors are explored and found to be quite diverse in history - angels often being quite demonic themselves. One piece I found especially powerful was the reproduction of Signorelli's "The Damned." I immediately went surfing to find myself a print!
   
   There is a period of time where very few artpieces are found depicting the devil. The author speculates why this may be but he doesn't entertain the first thought that came to my mind - perhaps it was seen as blasphemous, or inviting evil, to do so. Of course this is just another speculation and one no where near as grounded as those of the author. But considering the great amount of superstition to be found in history, I expect there was at least an inkling of that - much like people were once forbidden to create artistic renditions of God - for other reasons.
   
   With so many books now coming out on the history of the devil or the hierarchy of hell, largely for sensationalist reasons, this book really must be read to show how far superior it is to others. The scholarship is of highest quality which is likely why Reaktion Books caters more to academics than to laypeople. I find this unfortunate though. As a layperson, I highly enjoyed the book and would recommend it to anyone who finds this subject interesting. Reaktion Books would be wise to follow Taschen and Phaidon's lead in bringing their books to a wider audience.
   
   The first chapter doesn't pull the reader in as it should but it's definitely worth sticking it out because in later chapters it becomes a page turner. Not intimidating in any way.
   
   Especially for those trying to make sense of the many stories told about the devil, this book provides our best possibility and it leaves the reader satisfied with an understanding that can be drawn on for years to come.

No comments about Angels Over Macon.

No comments about The Lord's Prayer in Black and White.

No comments about Tibet: Buddhas, Gods, Saints (African, Asian & Oceanic Art).

1 comments about Painter And Priest: Giovanni Canavesio's Visual Rhetoric And the Passion Cycle at La Brigue.

1. Featuring high-quality paper and quite a few stunning full-color illustrations, particularly reproductions of classical artwork, Painter And Priest: Giovanni Canavesio's Visual Rhetoric And The Passion Cycle At La Brigue is a close examination of Giovanni Canavesio's works in order to distinguish its characteristics drawn from Piedmontese art, Netherlandish painting, and German wood engravings. Painter And Priest emphasizes the paramount importance of intellectual and academic honesty, and how when making comparisons one should not simply "cherry-pick" iconographic imagery sources but rather look at the broader general context. An immense amount of research has been poured into this in-depth study, especially recommended for advanced scholars of religious art; extensive notes, appendices, bibliography and index round out this one-of-a-kind academic scrutiny of the history, religion, context, and philosophy of Canavesio's masterpieces.

No comments about A Franciscan symbol, the Tau: History, theology, and iconography.

1 comments about Another Way of Putting It.

1. This collection of Christian skits is a must have for any church drama group. The skits have been used throughout the southeast in conventions and churches. You will receive many times the purchase price in the joy of those who perform these wonderful skits. All the best!