3 comments about Symbols of Judaism (Symbols).

1. Ouaknin. Marc-Alain. "Symbols of Judaism," Barnes and Noble, 2003.
   
   Beautifully Done
   
   Amos Lassen
   
   "Symbols of Judaism" by Rabbi Marc-Alain Ouaknin is the English version of the book that has been a bestseller in France. We get a very good look on different aspects of the Jewish religion including the customs and rituals of the Holy Days and a guide to the holy texts and objects that play a part in the observance of the faith. The book consists of 30 chapters each concentrating on one symbol and accompanied by a beautiful full color photograph. Objects such as the Brit Millah (the circumcision ceremony), the synagogue, and the holidays are beautifully explained. It is pure pleasure to look through the book and the commentaries are excellent.
   The text is studious but fundamental and the introduction to the basic aspects of the religion answers many questions readers may have. It is a pleasure to both the eyes and the mind.



2. This book is wonderfuly done. It is full of beautiful photographs depicting the symbols described. The accompanying passages are simply written, easy for someone not familiar with Judaism to understand.



3. This book has two advantages : first, it is so magnificently illustrated that it will be a pleasure to your eyes and second, its text is well writen and provides good information about Judaism and its symbols, although mostly at a beginner's level.

   I do have a quite large library on the topic, but after I read it, I decided I had to buy a copy, for this book is really a must have for everyone interested in Judaism.

No comments about The Iconography of Islamic Art.

No comments about Christian Art and Imagery (Pictura).

No comments about You Can Do Christian Puppets.

No comments about A Little Book of Devils & Demons (Little Books).

5 comments about Goddesses in Art.

1. The size (length and breadth) of this book is good for showing artwork --- big enough to show detail, and the photos in the book are very well-taken. Such a standard in photography is commendable.

   On the down side, this book is no "encyclopedia" of goddesses; it is not exhaustive in collection of pictures/photos of various cultures, but shows only the well-known ones.

   I would give 5 stars for the pictures and 3 for coverage of the various goddesses. Hence 4 stars.

   On the whole, it is a nice book and worth a place on your bookshelf.




2. This book is absolutely wonderful. It's great to see a book focused on the goddess in art. The photographs in the book are very well done.



3. This is a wonderful book. Graham is a lifetime student of spirituality who deeply understands what he studies -- and who is able to communicate that understanding in luminous words and images. "Goddesses in Art" is a book of enormous range, a tour of spiritual traditions through history and across the world. Graham reaffirms The Goddess (whose whole spectrum of possibilities fills these pages), but also underscores the ways in which goddesses intertwine with gods in most traditions to generate our world. For me, part of the fun of the book was to trace the ways these intertwinings are expressed, as in the Hindu view of "the [male] motionless transcendent and the [female] energy by which the transcendent moves through the material world." All who read "Goddesses in Art" will find favorite passages and images of their own, and (I think I can promise!) will be enriched in the finding.



4. This book is an extraordinary collection of images from many different cultures and countries. We discover how the image of women has evolved, how different powers were attributed to the feminine, over time. It is a celebration of the feminine, reminding us visually of the ways in which different cultures, throughout the history of the human race, have worshipped and sometimes feared the feminine, associating it with life and healing, but also with death, war and demonic powers. We learn so much about a culture when we reflect on which aspects of the feminine they chose to worship. "Generator of all creation," she is also "destroyer of all creation"! I particularly enjoyed the beautiful chapter on the goddesses of wisdom.



5. This book is a collection of some of the most beautiful sacred art in the world, including many fine pieces from Asia and Africa with which the casual reader will be unfamiliar. This work covers Goddess images from prehistory to modern images of the feminine Divine from posters of Marlene Dietrich to works by many WOMEN artists (I count five from casual perusal of the plates). Dr. Graham's work centers on the *image* of the Goddess as presenting an important method of understanding Divinity separate from cultural influence and religious theology.

2 comments about Symbols of Catholicism.

1. Book is very nicely printed, beautiful pictures and information about major symbolism such asd what is Tabernacle, what is sacred vestments, why they dress green or pink, what is confirmation, what is anointing, etc. etc. Nothing probably new for practicing Catholic but very informative for non catholic or non-christian.



2. The book has the most fabulous pictures. They're not only of high-quality but also big in size showing details. The articles are of great assistance to the Catholics as well as the non-Catholics.

No comments about The Word Made Image: Religion, Art, and Architecture in Spain and Spanish America, 1500-1600 (Fenway Court).

No comments about Images of Flight.

No comments about Painting the Text: The Artist as Biblical Interpreter (Bible in the Modern World).