Book Description

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is the most popular pilgrim destination in Christendom, and this gorgeously illustrated volume is the ultimate guide to the site. Produced in association with the Israel Antiquities Authority, The Church of the Holy Sepulchre covers the Church's history, its transformations, and the different Christian communities associated with it.

In 325-326 A.D., Christians looking for the site of Golgotha demolished the Temple of Aphrodite and found what they believed to be the Tomb of Christ.Emperor Constantine ordered the construction of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on the site. During a visit while the church was under construction, Empress Helena discovered what is believed to be the remains of the cross on which Christ was crucified in the same area. Consecrated in September of 335, the church has had a complex and fascinating history. It has fallen victim to fires, riots, lootings, earthquakes, and numerous attacks, from its first attack by the Persians in 614 to its almost complete destruction by King al-Hakim of Egypt in 1009. The church has always been restored and renovated, however, and additional buildings and modifications to the interior and exterior have made it a fascinatingly intricate complex. Today, it is a site of worship for six different denominations of Christianity, each with its own rites and rituals, and it remains a destination for innumerable pilgrims from all corners of the world. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

An important window on historical Christianity
Every Christian with a sense of the sacred and also historical sense--and that should be all of us--would benefit from this book. It is even better than I expected. The photos are as good as advertised. Especially good are the essays showing the continuity of understanding about the historicity of the site of Christ's tomb. The text also explains the various positions of the Christian churches with possession or rights within the Sepulchre/Resurrection complex. The book also does not shy from the embarrassing fact that ancient divisions within orthodox Christianity continue to this day. How wonderful it would be if these divisions could be put aside, especially in light of the current cultural and religious onslaught against Christians. I recommend that the book be ordered through Daedalus books (beware--Daedalus the book catalog, not the kinky publisher) because Daedalus has it in stock at a much reduced price.

Fantastic book about the greatest church
Some day I should like very much to visit Jerusalem. Until I do, I'll probably wear this book out.

This is a history of Christendom's holiest shrine, the church built over what was believed to be the site of Jesus' burial and resurrection. This book contains the church's complete history along with some of the most spectacular photography of the church, its various communities, and its ceremonies that I've ever seen.

Pricey, but I've never seen a better one. If you don't think you'll ever make a Jerusalem pilgramage, click on "Add to Shopping Cart" right now. ... Read more

Book Description

Over 720 songs from over 240 Broadway shows! Recently revised to include hits from Martin Guerre, Rent, Smokey Joe's Cafe, Sunset Boulevard, Victor/Victoria, and more! This is the definitive collection of Broadway music, featuring: * Song title index * Show title index * Composer and lyricist index * Synopses of each show. Song highlights include: Ain't Misbehavin' * All I Ask of You * Another Op'nin' Another Show * As Long As He Needs Me * At The Ballet * Bali Ha'i * Beauty and the Beast * Bewitched * Cabaret * Camelot * Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man * Castle on a Cloud * Consider Yourself * Dance: Ten, Looks: Three * Day by Day * Do-Re-Mi * Don't Cry for Me Argentina * Down in the Depths (On the Ninetieth Floor) * Edelweiss * Everything's Coming Up Roses * Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye * Getting to Know You * Give My Regards to Broadway * Hello, Dolly! * How Are Things in Glocca Morra * How High the Moon * I Don't Know How to Love Him * I Dreamed a Dream * If I Can't Love Her * If I Were a Man * If I Were a Rich Man * (I'm a) Yankee Doodle Dandy * The Impossible Dream * The Lady Is a Tramp * Last Night of the World * Love Changes Everything * The Music of the Night * Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin' * Oklahoma * Ol' Man River * On My Own * Only You * People * The Rain in Spain * Seasons of Love * Send in the Clowns * The Sound of Music * Starlight Express * Tell Me on a Sunday * Tell Me to Go * Tomorrow * Unexpected Song * Waitin' for the Light to Shine * What I Did for Love * With One Look * You'll Never Walk Alone * more! ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Worth the money
I have so much fun playing Broadway songs on my violin. I really do. The nice thing about this book, especially for violin, is that it only shows the melody in treble clef so it eliminates the annoying page-turning you have to deal with when playing from a piano book. Though sometimes I get sad the book doesn't have a song I like in it, but it really has a great selection, one or two songs from any Broadway you can think of and many pages of music from greats like Les Miz and Phantom. Well worth the investment.

not for theory challenged
Definitely not for the theory challenged as it includes only melody lines and chords -- not full arrangements. Great for auditions if you're working with a seasoned accompanist with solid chord theory and ability to play from charts. Otherwise your audition could trip up on a mediocre pianist scrambling to improvise.

Good, Not Great
This is a good buy for a pro pianist like me who might get requests for tunes I've never heard of from shows I've never seen. It has three indexes: by tune, by show, and by composers and lyricists.

One of the best things in the book is an alphabetical show-by-show synopsis, containing information about each show's history, its major personnel, and its plot.

However -- and it's a BIG however; in fact, several howevers: an awful lot of the songs are second-rate and I can't imagine getting requests for them, or even wanting to play them myself.

The book proclaims its inclusion of "great songs" from several more recent shows such as "Rent"; gimme a break -- these songs are barely listenable, much less "great."

Throughout the book, many of the chord changes are incorrect (this is a musician's constant complaint about ALL fake books).

Most of the songs do not include the verse (and for Rodgers & Hart, Gershwin, and Kern these are often essential parts of the song). And there are inexplicable omissions.

For example: (1) Some of the included shows are lacking some of their best songs: "The Nervous Set" omits "Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most," "Finian's Rainbow omits "Necessity." "The Merry Widow" omits "The Merry Widow Waltz." "Mack and Mabel" omits "I Promise You a Happy Ending." (2) Some excellent shows are missing altogether. No "L'il Abner." No Cy Coleman's "I Love My Wife." And Leonard Bernstein is represented only by two songs from "Wonderful Town"; no "Candide," no "On the Town," no "West Side Story."

And of course there are many songs I already own in other collections, although the book is useful as a one-stop source for all of these, and there are about fifty to a hundred decent to superb songs that I own nowhere else.

There is ample representation of Rodgers & Hart, Rodgers & Hammerstein, Kern, Gershwin, Porter, Frank Loesser, Jerry Herman, Harold Arlen, Lerner & Loewe, Andrew Lloyd Webber, et al.

In the end, despite its flaws, to me the book was well worth the price.

Great book,great price
I've used a friends copy of this book and it was time for me to get one of my own. Great selection of tunes. Amazon definitely has the best price.

Great Selection!
This book definitely has an amazing selection of pieces from old and new musicals alike. Everything ranging from Carosel to Rent. Althought it is quite pricey, Amazon.com has been able to reduce it greatly.

- A definite "must-have" for all you theater buffs out there! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Whether you are planning to build a contemporary-style home or are simply intrigued by the extraordinary innovation of domestic architecture today, Modern House Three, by Raul A. Barrenche, offers a brilliant survey of the best of the best. Third in a series initiated in 1993, the current volume offers stunning photographs and elegant descriptions of 33 houses in 15 countries. Some of these projects are by big-name architects (Tadao Ando, Richard Meier, Glenn Murcutt, John Hejduk); most are by designers you may never have heard of. The book is organized in three sections that focus on three distinct issues— the integration of architecture with landscape, re-imagining the way people live in their homes, and new materials and energy-saving technologies. Among the book's discoveries is the Carter Tucker House by Sean Godsell Architects, a weekend retreat in Australia, discretely clad with cedar wood battens that rise up like awnings to reveal a transparent facade of sliding glass doors. And the Koehler House by Julie Snow Architects, two bold horizontal planes with huge expanses of glass that are dramatically anchored to a rocky outcropping in eastern Canada. While most of the domiciles are expansive, Small House was designed by Kazuyo Sejima for a tiny plot in Tokyo. Perched on a 646-square-foot plot, this glass-and-metal capsule accommodates a family of three by limiting each of the four floors to a single function. The variety and inventiveness exhibited in this book is extraordinary. There are houses that reveal the extraordinary effects of natural light, employ unusual materials and pioneer new ways of organizing domestic space. A straw bale house in London by Sarah Wigglesworth Architects uses recycled concrete wall fragments and metal coils to absorb the vibrations from passing trains. A house by Kengo Kuma & Associates for a site near the Great Wall of China has been crafted inside and out with delicate stalks of bamboo. For browsing, dreaming or active research, Modern House Three is tangible proof that contemporary architects are infusing new technologies and innovative uses of space with an equal emphasis on sheer beauty. --Cathy Curtis ... Read more

Book Description

Professional Photoshop 7 not only covers color correcting for press, but also reflects the changing needs of readers by addressing issues such as outputting to color printers and high-volume copiers. The author teaches color correction with Photoshop by demystifying classic skills-analyzing images, understanding colorspaces, working with numerical color curves, using the Unsharp Mask filter.
Covers new Photoshop 7. This edition includes three completely new chapters on previously unpublished techniques for correcting color.
ABOUT THE CD-ROM
Includes original images from the book, bonus instructional materials, Adobe Acrobat Reader for Windows and Macintosh. ... Read more

Reviews (34)

Outstanding Book by Photoshop Hall of Famer
Continuing the advanced techniques of his prior books, all a treasure.

Don't understand the cons mentioned in other reviews here. Professional Photoshop certainly explains methods and advantages of all color modes including but certainly not limited to CMYK. Groundbreaking techniques introduced and explained in an easy to understand lighthearted manner.

Many images in book available on accompaning CD, to work along with author.

The book is certainly user friendly, is a must read you will visit many times. "The" book for Pre Press Retouchers and or Photographers who want the best of Color Correction - Image Manipulation, period !

The Best Book on Photoshop Color Correction
I have read just about everything available on color correction with Photoshop. This book simply goes deeper and further than any other I have seen. It covers creative new techniques such as channel mixing, color correcting with profiles, and the use of alternative color spaces like Lab, as well the more basic techniques like curve writing and selective color. For those who need to know how to correct in CMYK, there is a wealth of solid information and proven techniques, far more than in other Photoshop books which are often more RGB focused.

Mr. Margulis writes in a spirited and refreshing style. He expresses his views on many of the hotly debated color related issues. This makes the book more fun and more thought provoking to read than the usual sanitized computer 'how to' book. One word of caution, this book is for the serious user, and hence the word 'Professional' in the title. Casual users of Photoshop and those wishing to get a little help for occasional image improvement tasks may feel overwhelmed by the depth and would be better served by the more basic material in one of the many excellent general Photoshop books.

The book includes a CD so you can try the techniques using the actual images from the book. This is a better way to learn this stuff and it gets you from being someone who has 'read all about it' to someone who can 'just do it'! If you are serious about improving image quality using Photoshop, and especially if you need to do rescue work on really poor images, then you'll find this book essential and an ongoing resource.

good book but anchored to the past
This is a great book and would get 5 stars except for the fact that the author basically states, that he is only going to address working in the cmyk field because thats the way its traditionally been done. Get over it, move on, when dealing with digital tradition is dead-RGB is in wide use too. Still for overall theory and heavy duty learning this is still a great book.

Difficult, but good
After a trying a bunch of other books, this was the one that totally changed the way I worked in Photoshop and taught me the most, but it's very difficult and highly technical. If you're the type that can wade through that kind of stuff, the concepts are golden. It isn't a text to learn Photoshop, though--it's written to help only with the very specific narrow area of dealing with color correction.

This is the ONE book to own!
I've been using Photoshop since 1991. It's my bread and butter. I've read through at least 10 Photoshop books and this is by far the best one. I've even worked for one of the major computer book publishers and I have to say that as nice as that companies books were, they still don't even touch Margulis's books on Photoshop. WARNING: this book is NOT for the novice, and it is difficult to read. But it is worth it! I would estimate that 50% of all Photoshop books are crap, another 40% are good for novices, another 9% are good for intermediate users, but Margulis's book is part of that rare 1% of Photoshop books that is good for both Intermediate and uber-pros. This is the one book every professional user of Photoshop should own! ... Read more

Book Description

Sarah Susanka contends that people are naturally drawn to intimate spaces. Large structures inspired by outdated patterns tend to result in houses that just don’t work. In The Not So Big House, she proposes clear guidelines for creating homes that serve spiritual needs as well as material requirements. Topics covered include designing for specific lifestyles, budgeting, building a home from scratch, and using energy-efficient construction. With more than 200 color photographs as well as floor plans, the book is perfect for homeowners ready to rethink their space. “Susanka says to evaluate what makes you feel at home and let your activities define your rooms.” — San Francisco Chronicle ... Read more

Reviews (109)

A Great Book for Home Builders
After reading this book, I would have to disagree with those who don't think it's a good book for someone building a house on a budget. Although that's not the point of Susanka's work, she wants her reader to change the way they think about homes, and to review their choices in a custom home. Trading square footage for higher quality craftsmanship is the way to go--but you can also cut out the excess square feet and use standard materials and labor and cut your cost. It's up to the builder--that's the beauty of it. She shows you how to choose and some of the possibilities, whether you're on a tight budget or have half a million to spend. I learned a lot from this book, and would recommend it to anyone who is thinking of building a home, or takes a fancy to architecture. There are wonderful pictures in here, many of which have given me ideas for my own home. Definitely worth the cost.

This book deserves to be widely read
We are just completing the construction of our new home. While this book was certainly not the only source of ideas, it was certainly critical in giving us the courage to abandon the "starter castle" mentality of soaring ceilings and the attendent wasted space. The reaction we are getting certainly bears out the strength of these design concepts.

Given the content of the other reviews, I have to be clear about the intentions of this book. It is not a book about building inexpensive houses. It is written by an architect, and architects are generally not consulted when price is the ultimate consideration. It is not a book of house plans, nor a how-to book on house design. It is a book about a design philosophy which considers the house as a place to live rather than as a monument to impress ones neighbors. The philosophy is not terribly original; why does it have to be? It is a return to basic principles of good design.

We began this project with a very clear idea of the style we wanted, and someone concerned with style alone might not recognize this book's influence on our home. On the other hand, anyone who compared our home to the starter castles on our block would see the difference immediately. Every room is comfortable and constructed on a human scale. I would recommend this book to anyone in the process of constructing a new home. If I had the money, I would send anonymous copies to a number of builders and designers in the area. This book deserves a wider reading.

Not Bad, but Not Great Either
Susan Susanka presents her ideas on how to build a better home. Half way through the book she presents her trinity of compromises that the architect, builder & home-owner have to make...price, quanity & quality of the proposed home. I think this is the gem in the book. As many have noted, this is definitely not a book for a "small" or "cheap" home; and this should be obvious as nobody who is limited to building a "small" or "cheap" home would hire an architect to design it! Though she never states it, I estimate that the houses she designs cost over $500,000 to build so consider that when you read this book.

I value this book for the ideas it presents; however, it is definitely a coffee-table book rather than a reference for an architect or home-builder. Not until the last two super-homes does Susan even mention a number. Nowhere in the book does it actually talk about the square feet, total price, price for materials, cost/square foot, material trade-off possibilities, building codes, or anything that is actually needed to design or build a house (or even remodel). The lack of details and thoroughness was disappointing and the reason I only gave her three stars. I suppose this book can be considered a "theory" book rather than a "practical" book, but it seems to me that a well-written book could contain both.

On the plus side, the pictures were very nice; there were floor-plans for each of the houses and Susan has a very nice and clear writing style.

Bourgeois bohemian guilt assuagement
Let's see....2000 square feet is considered "not so big." And working one's way up -- oops, I mean down! -- to that modest allotment of space requires spending at least six, more like seven figures. And, supposedly, this fits under the philosophy of "simpler living."

What sort of people buy into this? Bourgeois bohemians, of course, a subspecies wittily described in "Bobos in Paradise" by David Brooks.

These are people with lotsa dough who live in nice neighborhoods and drive nice cars. But they're not rich, you see. They're "progressives" (read: liberals). So, in order to assuage the subconscious guilt they suffer for the "sin" of their own affluence, they drop loads of money on expensive stuff that's no different in quality from many cheaper brands, but merely has "progressive" cachet. You know...REI and L.L. Bean clothing ("environmentally aware"), coffee that costs $12 a pound (because it's "fair trade"), and just about anything that comes out of the public radio tchotchkes catalogue.

Susanka's book has kicked this up the ultimate notch. No longer is buying a high-priced Saab or Volvo the ultimate in pretense to "conscience" while indulging oneself. Now the bobos of America can take out second and third mortgages to cover what their six-figure incomes won't and build the "not so big house" of their dreams. Hey, it's not the money that's important. It's "feeling good about your choices."

Susanka, Obolensky, and anyone who gave this book a good review are welcome to trade their huge houses for my one-bedroom, second-floor apartment in a working-class neighborhood with no off-street parking. They can then acquaint themselves to their hearts' desires with the reality of "modest living."

As for me, I'll buy lots of cool stuff and fill up their former abodes. I've got better things to do than wring my hands over my "ecological footprint." And for my housewarming party, I'll be barbecuing up a few spotted owls, bald eagles, dolphins, and baby seals in that spacious back yard.

Not So Big, but Just Right
My husband and I are preparing our 5-year old, sterile house for sale with the intention of buying an older bungalow. We'll be looking for slightly smaller houses, since we've found that so much of the space in our present house is really wasted. We won't be building from scratch or even remodeling, but the philosophy of design in this book is really helpful to us as we think through what we want and need in our next house. I think the basic Not So Big concept is sound for any budget: square footage means little, rather, utility and comfort is paramount. The book is teaching us to think in terms of spaces rather than rooms, of getting the most possible use and enjoyment from a space. I think it will definitely help us train ourselves to see the possibility in houses we look at in our search. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but it also has a lot to do with the beholder's cultural standards. In History of Beauty, renowned author Umberto Eco sets out to demonstrate how every historical era has had its own ideas about eye-appeal. Pages of charts that track archetypes of beauty through the ages ("nude Venus," "nude Adonis," and so forth) may suggest that this book is a historical survey of beautiful people portrayed in art. But History of Beauty is really about the history of philosophical and perceptual notions of perfection and how they have been applied to ideas and objects, as well as to the human body. This survey ranges over such themes as the mathematics of ideal proportions, the problem of representing ugliness, the fascination of the exotic and art for art's sake. Along the way, the text examines the intersection of standards of beauty with Christian belief, notions of the Sublime, the philosophies of Kant and Hegel, and bourgeois culture. More than 300 illustrations trace the history of Western art as it relates, in the broadest sense, to the topic of beauty.

Book Description

The most up-to-date and complete text on Italian Renaissance art and its artists yet published, with over 400 illustrations, 215 in color. This introductory text on Italian Renaissance art and the artists who made it by the author of "A History of Western Art" and "Art Across Time" focuses on the most important and innovative artists and their principal works. The emphasis is on selectivity and understanding, and minor artists will be considered only briefly when relevant to the major artistic developments. The text also focuses on style and iconography, and on art and artists incorporating different methodological approaches to create a wider understanding and appreciation of art. Italian Renaissance Art contains over 400 illustrations, of which 215 are in full color integrated with the text and large enough to be properly viewed. There are also maps, plans and diagrams where appropriate. Painting, sculpture, and architecture are covered. The book contains a glossary, historical chronology, selected bibliography and index as well. This introductory text on Italian Renaissance art and the artists who made it by the author of A History of Western Art and Art Across Time focuses on the most important and innovative artists and their principal works. The emphasis is on selectivity and understanding, and minor artists will be considered only briefly when relevant to the major artistic developments. The text also focuses on style and iconography, and on art and artists incorporating different methodological approaches to create a wider understanding and appreciation of the art. The book contains over 400 illustrations, of which 215 are in full color integrated with the text and large enough to be properly viewed. There are also maps, plans and diagrams when appropriate. Painting, sculpture, and architecture are covered. The text begins with the late Byzantine work of Cimabue and continues into the Renaissance precursors of the fourteenth century: Giotto, Duccio, Simone Martini, the Lorenzetti. The context of early humanism and the role of Petrarch is also discussed. The artistic backlash after the plague of 1348 follows and the work of Orcagna and Andrea da Firenze. The Quattrocento, with Masaccio, Donatello, and Brunelleschi in Florence, is a particularly rich century and in-depth consideration of major artists and their works is only possible if well organized and focused. The text concludes with the High Renaissance and the transition to Mannerism with Michelangelo, Bramante, and Raphael in Rome,Leonardo in Milan and Titian in Venice..Throughout the text boxed asides contain descriptions of artistic media and techniques as well as discussions of background information necessary to the study of Renaissance art. Aside from the major artistic centers of Florence, Rome and Venice the text covers artistic developments in Siena, Rimini, Pienza,Umbria, the Marches, Naples, Verona, Ferrara, Mantua and other locations. The book contains a glossary, historical chronology, selected bibliography and index.

"A clearly written, straightforward account of the story of Italian Renaissance art from its origins to Mannerism. The bulk of the material centers around central Italian painting, as it should, but other important, smaller centers are also included. The discussion of the various art forms is nicely balanced.... I especially liked the sidebars which add necessary material--historical, literary, technical and so forth--to the text without encumbering it.... This is a very good book which should furnish us with the new anduseable text we have been waiting for. I would certainly use it in my classroom."-Bruce Cole, Distinguished Professor, Chairman, department of the history of art, Indiana University ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Italian Renaissance Art
Italian Renaisance art by Laurie Schneider Adams is a wonderful introductory text on Renaisance art. It is very clearly written with a helpful glossary for those who are not familiar with art terms. It not only explains both style and iconography of the Renaisance period but gives a great backround of the culture of the period. The illustrations in the text are wonderfuly detailed and most are in color. This is a great text for intro. classes to Ren. art and people who wish to learn on their own. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (3)

'...and now, the rest of the story'.
On page six of this large book, Stephen Shore writes, in the Artist's Note, 'The book you are holding in your hands amounts to what might be called the photographic equivalent of a director's cut.' and in the nature of such things you now get an additional ninety-four photos with the forty-nine that were in the original 1982 Aperture edition of the book, though this is not strictly true because some that were in the original are not in this edition.

I bought the original book because I loved the way Shore captured the everyday urban American outdoors and of course the amazing color and detail. This new edition is even better because the photos are now larger (mostly 10.5 by 8.25 inches). The other thing I love about some of these photos is the way Shore captures the street corner, this seems to be a favorite composition (stretching back to the famous FSA photos of the Thirties) with contemporary photographers and Photorealists painters like Richard Estes or Davis Cone. Shore's 'El Paso Street, Texas, July 5, 1975' could just as easily be an Estes painting. There are several corner photos in the book and they are just stunning.

Another reviewer has commented on the amount of detail in these photos, helped of course by the two hundred plus dot screen, the original book used a 175 dpi. Apart from the screen it is interesting to compare images that appear in both books and the color does vary. 'Beverly Boulevard, June 21 1975' in the original (page 39) is predominately brown for the street area, in this edition (page 115) it has changed to a predominately blue cast. I wonder if this is the sort of thing that concerns collectors of first edition photo books?

In addition to the photos in this beautifully designed and printed book there are two text pieces, the first one, by Stephen Schmidt-Wulffen, includes twelve photos from Shore's 'American Surfaces'. The back of the book includes biographical notes and a useful bibliography.

This latest 'Uncommon Places' will be a book I'll look through for some years to come.

Between Gorsky, Sternfeld & Eggleston
This is a book I've been waiting for. I saw some of Stephen Shore's work in a New York gallery last fall and was very impressed. I was sad not to see some of this work in the new Thames & Hudson book, but I am by no means heartbroken.
Shore has added quite a bit of weight to previously published Uncommon Places and the book is well suited to anyone interested in the development of his style.

The work demonstrates a very interesting vein in the "new republic" tradition running very excitingly through American photography now. It is a very democratic body of work. It lacks the now 'oh-so' tired irony that was a hallmark of much late nineties work both in the US and UK.

The photographs that are presented to us are -on face value -seemingly humdrum. A street corner with telegraph poles, a motel bathroom with water in the bath. But on closer inspection there is a haunting beauty to the images; an aching sadness of dislocation, but at the same time oddly uplifting.

These "any-town, anyplace" photographs are perhaps a celebration of our own lives in our own environments. The familiar denies the beauty of our surroundings. What Shore does so eloquently is show us how to look at our world again. There's no politics here, no judgement; this is a straightforward depiction of our homes, towns, cities and countryside that we don't see because our lives are too rushed and complicated to stop and for half an hour stand by Mr Shore's shoulder and take a peak at what he loves about his world. This is a beautifully contemplative set of pictures, the antithesis of the brash, ironic-political, scathing nature of New British Colour.

As with Sternfeld, Shore uses large format and (what I can only assume is) slow speed colour film to draw out a huge amount of detail from his low contrast images. As one looks closer and closer at each print, one cannot help being mesmerised. It almost seems like there's more detail here than in reality. If we were to analyse at this level of detail some of Mr Shore's subjects (if ever we stopped to see them) we'd probably get arrested, or maybe committed. But we get two opportunities with Uncommon Places; we get the chance to spend time absorbed by the huge detail of these scenes, and we get the enormous benefit of seeing the world as through Stephen Shore's eyes. And the world is a better place for it.

Color is Good
This book is an excellent journey through color photography. Stephen Shore uses space and color in a way to descripe a place like no other. ... Read more

Book Description

Clues to the meaning of many of the masterpieces of art history lie in a rich system of symbols, themes, and motifs that often eludes modern museum-goers. The intimate knowledge of Christian theology, Greek and Roman mythology, and folklore that was so vivid in the minds of viewers during the Renaissance is rarely part of the preparation the contemporary viewer brings to a painting. This insightful, anecdotal, portable book-with 1,000 gorgeous color illustrations-helps to fill in those gaps by decoding the imagery of more than 150 of the most influential and admired artworks of all time.

Covering the works of the Italian, Netherlandish, German, and Spanish Old Masters, from 1450 to 1750-paintings by artists such as Giotto, Botticelli, El Greco, Bruegel, Holbein, Rubens, and Vermeer, all held in public collections-How to Read a Painting not only helps the viewer to understand the significant details of a picture but also explains the relationship with similar imagery in other works. The guide to Old Master paintings that every art lover has always wanted, this indispensable museum companion will open the reader to a whole new experience of Western art's most praised and visited paintings. AUTHOR BIO: Patrick De Rynck is a classicist, a translator, and a writer for museums, publishers, newspapers, and radio. He is the author of ten books, including an ABC of Classical literature and a retelling of Greek myths. ... Read more

Book Description

* Shows how to use the leading technical drawing software-AutoCAD-and its less-expensive sister product, AutoCAD LT, in the friendly, easy-to-understand For Dummies style
* Shows first-time AutoCAD users how to create precise and efficient 2-D technical drawings and get started with 3-D technical drawings
* Topics covered include creating a basic layout; drawing and editing; writing text in drawings; plotting, creating, and editing external reference files; CAD standards; and drawing on the Internet
* Explores new features in the latest version of AutoCAD, including text improvements, streamlined Plot and Page Setup dialogue boxes, increased emphasis on tool palettes, better tools for transmitting sets of electronic files, and much more
* Includes a new chapter on sheet sets and a new collection of features for creating, managing, and publishing all of the drawings that make up a project ... Read more

Book Description

This how-to and reference manual is guaranteed to put readers on the fast track to mastering microstation! Cleverly engineered project and lab exercises harness the power of V8 functionality, guiding users to increased productivity. Loaded with screen shots and menu illustrations, this edition features expanded discussion of element modification, reference file usage and manipulation, new Internet utilities, plus leading-edge 3D design and rendering techniques. Detailed instructions for seamless access to compatible file formats, dimensioning styles, and sophisticated system-level data are also included, making this the ultimate guide for novices as well users upgrading to V8 or migrating to MicroStation from other CAD applications. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Preferable to _Inside MicroStation_
Looking to train our user base as part of our V8 migration, we conducted a quick study of the available published books on V8. Bentley's own supplied course material are fine as workbooks, but not much use otherwise and no doubt are gathering dust on many shelves the world over.

Having compared _Harnessing MicroStation_ to _Inside MicroStation_ (by Frank Conforti) we eventually decided to purchase this book in bulk for our students.

In spite of annoyances (like the awful typography and relative lack of reader-friendly illustrations) this is a book which is much more thorough in its treatment of Bentley's flagship new version, and will be of better long-term value to CAD professionals. ... Read more

Book Description

DESIGN BASICS is a popular introduction to two-dimensional design. Each concept is presented in a full two-page spread, making the text practical and easy for students to refer to while they work. Visual examples from many periods and cultures are provided for all elements and principles of design. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

A wonderful book for hs seniors and college freshmen
this book is the foundation for understanding composition, but it is no substitute for continued research in art and art theory...this book is a superb starting point...if you're in high school i suggest starting your reading in art with this...if you are in high school and you have already read this...then GOOD, you're going to need to continue reading, and start by rereading this...if you're a freshman in college, read this and goto the library and check out every book you can by an artist that you enjoy and read what they have written about their art and other peoples art...and in the meantime read this book...another hint, write down the name of every book you hear mentioned in any art text that you think might interest you, hell write all of them down...and then read those books...and keep reading...read read read, and when you're not reading, work on your own art or whatever you want to call it...and do not neglect your other classes, ie english 101, math 101, sciences, history, etc...those classes are just as important as any art class you will ever take...we're all students for the rest of our lives (it's just that some people prefer the term "artist" avoid them if you can...) and we'll keep learning for the rest of our lives...so get used to reading...and get used to taking criticism about your work..

Clearly written, well-illustrated book. Very useful!
Design Basics is well organized, the chapters are clearly written, and the graphics illustrate the text very effectively. This is the best general introduction to graphic design that I've seen.

simple, useful & moneyworth book for all art student
easy to read format, great visual examples, things you ve been taught from school but sometimes forget to think about.

Excellent. Concise, in an easy-to-read format.
The best review of basic design principles I've seen -- especially helpful to artists studying composition.

Required Reading for any Serious Art Student
Basic Design is a must for any art student who is serious about his/her talent. This book was offered as a suggested reading source in my Color Theory class and I have cherished it for years since. Design Basics is very thorough in it's explaination of every kind of art form. You would be greatly benefited to purchase this book! ... Read more

Book Description

Our best selling text, Harnessing AutoCAD« 2000, fully updated to AutoCAD 2000, includes excellent coverage of AutoCAD software fundamentals reinforced with illustrations and numerous exercises, including step-by-step project exercises. For many releases this text has provided AutoCAD users with information on how and why to invoke particular commands and features of AutoCAD, helping you master this complex software. Chapter features include input methods, drawing setup, and "Points of Interest." Chapter review questions check progress and comprehension. If you only need one AutoCAD resource, this is the one! Keywords:AutoCAD 2000 ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Great Tool
I use ACAD 200 daily. My copy of this book is quite dog eared and probably needs to be replaced. I am almost constantly thinking of ways that I could get my ACAD 2000 program to work better with me. This book is extremely helpful for me to do that. I have found this book to be laid out well and has a VERY extensive index so that I can find out how to do what I want to do. I recommend very strongly that anyone that uses ACAD 2000 on a regular basis to have this book in their library and within reach.

Great AutoCAD tutorial and reference! Includes AutoCAD on CD
This is an excellent tutorial for AutoCAD 2000 and also a great reference. I find that it is very comprehensive and is a valuable reference for programming and customizing AutoCAD 2000. As a bonus this book had a 30 day trial full version of AutoCAD in back on CD-ROM. Great value! ... Read more

Book Description

Today's digital cameras are affordable and provide quality images that rival their traditional film counterparts. Because digital images are easier to share, and because you only have to print the pictures you need, this new medium is both cost effective and environmentally friendly. Best of all, it's fun! With a digital camera, you can set free your creative spirit and take risks you never would with a film camera. The only obstacle is learning how to unlock all or this power and pleasure packed into these pocket-sized picture takers. Digital Photography Pocket Guide, 2nd Edition expands on the basic photography techniques introduced in the bestselling first edition to help you take the kind of pictures you've always wanted to--and now in full color! This book is the photo mentor you've always wanted: it explains each of the camera's components, shows you what they do, and then helps you choose the right settings. When you ask, "How can I get that picture?", simply pull this small guide out of your camera bag, backpack, or back pocket and find the answer quickly. This fully illustrated book covers everything from image resolution,shooting sports action, close ups and night shots, to memory cards, transferring images, archiving, making QuickTime movies, and much more. Topics in the guide's three main sections on "Digital Camera Components","Standard Camera Functions", and "How Do I?" are labeled A to Z for quick reference. Or if you prefer, use the comprehensive index or table of contents to find the information you need. There's even an entire section of easy to read reference tables for quick look up of white balance settings, exposure compensation, camera mode explanations, and much more. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Lightweight and quick reading for busy folks
Thank goodness for the digital camera. People like me with a lousy eye can take hundreds of photos and experiment until our eyes fall out and get a couple of gems. Despite my left-handedness, I don't have a natural eye for photography, art, or anything of the sort. It all went into writing.

With three kids, photos are important to me as I want to take capture many times of their lives so we may reflect on them with a visual aid. A good photo does make a difference. Again, three kids, who has time to read a book or take a class to become one with a camera? This pocket guide fills that need.

It has three chapters with quick reference tables in the back of the book. It's small enough to fit into your camera bag, laptop case, briefcase, suitcase, or jacket pocket. The chapters address what is it, what do I do, and how do I questions.

What is it covers the basic, intermediate, and advanced features found on digital cameras. It's the shortest chapter as once you get familiar with the features, you won't need the chapter anymore and you still have roughly 85 pages of material to support you when you're out there trying to capture the world you see.

Once you've conquered the buttons and figured out what most of the symbols and modes mean, you're ready to dig deeper into the features and gain control of the camera with answers to your what does it do types of questions relating to exposure and flash compensation, white balance, ISO speed, and resolution.

The last chapter is more free flowing as you and the camera have become one. Get tips on taking outdoor and group shots including sporting events where players are moving fast. Capture kids, travel spots, and wedding memories with class as kids grow up, you may not return to the same places, and weddings happen only once (we would hope unless it's a renewal of vows).

Adding this book to your camera bag is a step toward to better pictures and better understanding of those fancy photography terms, which aren't a big deal after you read author Derrick Story's simple and clear explanations.

O'Reilly Digital Studio at its best
I love this book and I will try to share why...

First I will tell you why this book is good for me and then you decide if it is good for you! First few words about me:

I am not a professional photographer -- I am a professional web developer! I do not know much about aperture, exposure, white balance, etc. I am a newly-minted father whose task is to launch a new website with new photos of his beautiful daughter taken with a newly purchased Canon digital camera... All these new things can be daunting.

Here comes help from O'Reilly. I know O'Reilly for their wonderful computer books. I did not know O'Reilly could deliver such high quality consumer information for digital media novices and professionals alike.

The book tells you:

1. The basics of your digital camera.
2. How to operate it and take full advantage of its features.
3. How to achieve success with specific tasks: taking outdoor portraits, taking interesting children shots (try taking a photo of a three-week old baby!), creative architecture shots, landscapes that would make you feel like a pro, and so on...

Last but not least, the book shares computer tips and tricks which would be helpful for any digital camera user, whether professional or amateur: working with RAW files, sending and archiving photos and preparing them for print.

The quick reference tables listed in the appendix of this wonderful pocket guide alone would justify its gentle price ($14.95 in the US):

- exposure compensation reference guide
- flash mode settings
- white balance settings
- metering modes explained in plain English
- camera modes explained in plain English
- reference of number of pictures per memory card depending on its capacity
- etc, etc.

If you spend $300+ on a decent digital camera and all you can use is just its basic auto modes, you are not doing yourself and your camera justice. For less than $15 more with the help of O'Reilly and this pleasantly witty and informative guide written by Derrick Story, you would multiple the value of your digital photography investment -- by taking, storing and sharing better photos quicker and with higher quality and artistry!

Perfect for quickly learning how to take great pictures...
You got a digital camera for Christmas, and you're now wanting to figure out how to shoot pictures that will cause everyone to go "ooohhh!". Your manual will get you familiar with the technical aspects of your new toy, but you should also learn about how to properly frame and expose your shots. To do that, get a copy of Digital Photography Pocket Guide by Derrick Story. It's a great little (113 pages) book that will quickly and concisely convey the information you'll need to take perfect pictures. The first half of the book covers the different features of the camera, such as file formats, spot meters, and white balance. The second half is a "How Do I" series that will help you figure out specific picture taken scenarios, such as capturing action shots, shooting good self-portraits, and taking pictures at weddings. The final ten pages are tables of ISO speeds and exposure settings for certain conditions.

All in all, the book is a perfect way to quickly understand both your camera and the science of photography. There are definitely books that are more comprehensive, but none that are as practical in as short a volume as you'll find here. ... Read more

Book Description

A new paradigm in facility management

A unique, just-in-time resource from profession leader Eric Teicholz, Facility Design and ManagementHandbook empowers you to make your facility state of the art. Packed with tips from U.S. and international case studies from government, health care, retail, finance, manufacturing, and academia, this guide gives you access to the productivity tools, technologies, and stratagems that have revolutionized the field in the last five years, helping you to:
Find the best, most cost-effective solutions for issues from “greenness” and sustainability to disaster recovery and technology integration
Use new tools for space and asset allocation, project management, process coordination, and systems integration
Improve accuracy in financial forecasting, budgeting, architectural and interior design planning, and market research
Create cost-effective “smart” buildings with state-of-the art security, energy management, lighting strategies, and maintenance efficiency
Discover innovative solutions for human resources needs
Integrate the Internet into your management program
Automate nearly all your tasks for major productivity gains
Apply benchmarking standards and other measurements that demonstrate and assure facility management productivity

Accompanying time-saving, efficiency-boosting CD-ROM is loaded with sample documents—from budgets, schedules, plans to cost-benefit analyses, checklists, forms and audits; standards for communications and database, integration, building and construction, CAD conventions; Web links and other resources. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Excellent FM handbook for 2001 and beyond
A very comprehensive manual (31 chapters, over 500 pages) for any level of facilty management professional. Each chapter is written by practicing professionals and "expert" consultants. Given that the field of FM covers so many areas, it is useful to have many different perspectives from professionals in the field formed into one big book. Chapters are grouped into phases of FM disciplines, i.e, planning, design, management, technology. There are high level topics such as Strategic Facility Planning, Sustainable Design, Portfolio Management and Business Transformation. Also very detailed, nuts & bolts for topics such as Financial Management for FM's, Energy Management, System Implementation for CMMS (Maintenance systems, Benchmarking, Condition Assessment, and case studies for CAFM technology. Brief chapter summaries are provided to assist reader with content coverage. There are lots of graphics/figures which help readability of this thick book, as well as a CD with websites and templates for RFP's, standards and process related functions. ... Read more

Book Description

The Spanish-style architecture of Southern California's seaside estates, canyon villas, and courtyard bungalows is central to its romantic image, one that has traditionally evoked a Mediterranean paradise. The details of this inexhaustively rich style-- ornate wrought iron and wood balconies, colorful tiles, graceful arches, and palm-dotted gardens-- reflect the region's Spanish, Mexican, and southwestern history and culture as well as its popular outdoor lifestyle.

This book showcases Southern California's most historically significant and beautifully preserved Spanish-revival houses of this century. Twenty-one private homes built between 1922 and 1991 are featured in stunning color photography that captures exterior and interior architectural details, Spanish and Mexican antique furnishings and folk art, and lush landscaping and tiled fountains. Among these are the Adamson House in Malibu, with its extraordinary collection of custom tile from Malibu Potteries; the contemporary Greenberg House in Brentwood, by Ricardo Legorreta; The Andalusia Courtyard Apartments in Hollywood; and Casa Pacifica, the former home of Richard Nixon, overlooking the ocean in San Clemente. Brief narratives highlight the history of each building and its design influences on the Spanish-revival movement in California.

The Spanish revival grew in popularity around the turn of the century when many young American architects traveled to Spain, Italy, and Mexico, bringing back sketches and, as the foreword notes, romantic memories of "graceful foliage...small Indian towns...tiled dome and rococo towers." Hundreds of Spanish-style houses, apartments, and bungalows were built throughout Southern California in the following decades, many of them commissioned for movie stars such as Charlie Chaplin and Rudolph Valentino.

The Spanish revival is marked by two main phases: the mission revival, which incorporates the white stucco, cloistered patios, tile roofs, and exposed-beam ceilings typical of eighteenth-century California missions; and the more elaborate Mediterranean revival, influenced by Spanish and Italian Renaissance sources, eighteenth-century Spanish plateresque and churrigueresque forms, and Moorish-Andalusian styles.
... Read more

Reviews (9)

fantastic book for both professionals or coffee table
Beautiful pictures depict romantic spaces with clear details, they helps me as an architect to re-create the Spanish living environment with many examples from different projects. The 20 houses in this book are gorgeous and inspiring -whether you are looking for ideas or merely relax reading. This is not a book showing only pieces of details for decorator use, it's an awesome architectural book as well as a perfect collection for my coffee table.

A MUST!
One of those books that is just full of great images of the Spanish Revival/Moorish style architecture of So. California. While not heavy on text, this book is a very important visual reference for designers, etc. who want to see how it used to be done. Many photos are of the interiors, but most are of the gardens.

If interested in the glazed Malibu tiles seen throughout the book, check out "Ceramic Art of the Malibu Potteries: 1926-1932" by Ronald L. Rindge.

Gorgeous book!
This is a gorgeous book full of color photos and description of Spanish Colonial Revival style architecture in Southern California. The beginning of the book provides a review of the style with information on stylistic influences and historical setting. As another reviewer mentioned, the homes in this book are mostly huge, and it really would have been nice to see some well-done modest homes (i.e. the 1000 or 1600 square foot variety). Nevertheless, this is the ONLY full-color book I have been able to find on this style, and I do think it provides helpful elements for use in smaller houses, but one needs to be imaginative to find them. If you are living in a smaller house, you can't just lift a whole room out of this book. For example, the cover photo features a huge staircase and fountain. It is very difficult (and would be inappropriate) to duplicate this type of thing in a smaller home, but I might notice that the decorative tile on the stair risers and the saltillo tile on the steps could be used on the steps up to my own modest front porch, for example. We have used a number of individual elements from this book in our own home, and we've used the photos to get an idea of what "works" and what doesn't in this style. I do really wish, though, that there was a companion book that showed how this style can be used to advantage in smaller homes, since the vast majority of homes of this style are in the 1000-2000 square foot range.

Overall a beautiful and helpful book, and I do think it was worth the money.

Works of Art
I asked for and received the book for Xmas. My driving force was the inspiration and ideas its photos evoked from me the first time I opened the pages. If you like California Spanish architecture the book is superb. The tile work, architecture and iron exemplify some of the best examples I have seen. My inspiration will hopefully translate into the renovations I complete throughout L.A.

Classy Coffee Table Book
Nice photography--examples of what architects can do for people with plenty of money. The adaptations are ingenious but provide little inspiration for Spanish-style homes of 1200 to 1600 square feet, for smaller families or retirees, which is what this reader was looking for. ... Read more