Book Description

Approach page design in a revolutionary new way! Unlike other graphic design books, The Elements of Graphic Design reveals the secrets of successful graphic design from the unique perspective of the page’s "white space." With the help of carefully selected examples from art, design, and architecture, the role of white space as a connection between page elements is thoroughly explored. Clear, insightful comments are presented in a dynamic page design, and interactive design elements, thought-provoking captions, and scores of illustrations challenge designers to "think out of the box." This unique resource is guaranteed to inspire more creative and thorough thinking. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

A Strategic Communication Tool!
If you have an intuitive sense of what makes a design good or bad and yet have difficulty conveying that understanding in terms that others can readily grasp, this book is for you.

The Elements of Graphic Design is a great resource not only for qualifying intentional design, but it will also help a designer effectively communicate the necessity of well-thought-out design to the stakeholders of a project. I think most creatives have, at some point, had to justify the design process to people who think of design simply as pretty pictures rather than a strategic marketing platform. While every designer has-or should have-intuitive understanding of the concepts White discusses in this book, his approach gives a very logical framework to follow in explaining why good design processes and planning are necessary. The Elements of Graphic Design is very clear, succinct and densely packed with the most relevant and fundamental aspects of design, which makes this book an excellent resource.

White discusses the concept of negative space (for those of us with formal art training, or simply white space for those with graphics training), the imperative function of truly "seeing" the elements of design and arrangement, and the difference between style and fashion. He also outlines the basics of Purism, simplicity and elegance in design and the communication strategies behind achieving these states of implicit, visual meaning (ie: communicating much in the little). He also delves, briefly, into the way the human brain processes visual information and why certain elements of planned design are effective. In relation, he discusses wayfinding, a concept dealing with how people maneuver through information on a page via visual pathways. Again, a concept as intuitive to an artist as the spring breeding of a hare, but White presents the material in a way that can help designers or artistic directors bridge the gap between the strategic marketing plan and the platform. It will also help you objectively and diplomatically deliver the unfortunate but necessary negation of the ugly, confusing, counterproductive but well-meaning ideas that plague the "idea factories" of many organizations.

A GOOD SOLID BOOK FOR DESIGNERS
Very solid book (but short) packed with examples of why one strategy or tactic might be better than another. I learned a lot and intend to reread the book to make sure I get as much of it absorbed as I can. Very good discussions on type with discussions on line spacing, type size, small caps, grids, symmetry vs. asymmetry, negative and positive space.

Wish I would have read this book before I went to design school. I would have learned a lot more. I also would have been able to speak more intelligently. I learned a lot of terminology that will help me. I'm a better designer now. It's given me more confidence.

Highly recommended for beginners and intermediates. Might be a little thin for experts.

A solid primer for graphic design students
Alex White has hit a home run with his book The Elements of Graphic Design. This definitive introduction to the basics of what makes a succesful visual composition should be in every design classroom and student backpack. The writing is clear and the principals easy to understand and apply. I especially liked the examples and advice on the use of "negative space" and typography. Although the book is geared toward the beginning designer, there are enough advanced concepts and examples to make this a worthwhile reference for designers at all levels. A fine addition to design literature.

Wonderful - An Instant Classic!
A fantastic overview of the principles of layout and how to understand space and "the page", with special concern for the issue of functional white space and learning how to activate it, sculpt it, and not waste it. In a milieu of visual clutter, this gift to the design world (if its message is taken to heart) will help restore order and readability in the communications that surround us. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Richard Stolley knows a bit about what we want from the pictures of our century. He's the LIFE magazine guy who acquired the Zapruder film of JFK being shot (the fatal instant is depicted in this book), and he basically created modern celebrity culture as the founding father of People, where he articulated his famous rules for cover photos: young is better than old, pretty better than ugly, rich better than poor--"and nothing is better than the celebrity dead." All of the above are found abundantly in Stolley and Tony Chiu's lively, cannily selected, and sumptuously produced photo album LIFE: Our Century in Pictures.

It's not just a grab bag of 770 arresting, touching, scary, funny, alternately famous and unfamiliar images. It tells a semi-coherent story by breaking up the century into nine "epochs," each introduced with a brief essay by a leading intellectual light (David M. Kennedy, Paul Fussell, and Garry Wills do especially well). There are fun facts aplenty: did you know Columbia Pictures' Lady Liberty-like logo was inspired by a debutante in an anti-Hun propaganda poster? Or that Ike almost chose Margaret Chase Smith instead of Nixon? Each epoch gets assigned a "Turning Point," sometimes a defining moment or a flashy burst of upbeat cultural documentary to offset the sometimes stark violent-event photos. The World War I section breaks up the black-and-white trench-fighting scenes with a quickie history of the American musical, pages as radiant as a rainbow. Each chapter ends with "Requiem" photos of people whose passing is still news.

The layouts are often superb: you have to open the book to see how perfect a Mondrian looks next to a photo of college girls doing patriotic calisthenics that transform them into a similarly energetic grid. There are heftier historic-photo collections, like Bruce Bernard's true test of coffee-table construction, the 1,120-page Century: One Hundred Years of Human Progress, Regression, Suffering, and Hope. But you're not going to find a more popular book of its kind than Stolley and Chiu's. --Tim Appelo ... Read more

Reviews (26)

Unmatched Photo History
A great book for kids to learn about the past and adults to be reminded of it. It's a bookmark of the time we left behind. A great opportunity to teach and entertain at the same time, although some photos might require a bit of explanation for the younger readers. But if a picture is worth a thousand words, then this is War and Peace times 10! It brings history to life (no pun intended). You'll go through it over and over. It's a great coffee table or bedside book. You'll laugh and cry again, because the emotion and griping tales just leap off the pages at you. A must for anyone interested in our recent history.

Captivating images of our times
They say that a picture is worth a thousand words. They were right! This fine pictorial collection of historic photos brings history to life as well if not better than the best historical novels of the year. 'War of the Rats', 'Charlotte Gray', and 'the Triumph and the Glory' triggered a fascination in recent history in our family and LIFE has sustained it by offering this superb book. We are always looking through it again and again.

A scrapbook of the century...
Life has done a superb job of pulling the whole century together into one book.I wont't tell you what picture was the first picture the started the book off with.But I'll tell you this;they got it right! This in not only the most important and best picture of the 20th century, but also; the most significient picture to portray what man has done;ever.

A great book.
How do you shoe the history of the past century in pictures. Life has come as close as anyone can to do this. This is a great book and should be viewed by everyone. Photographers would be especially taken with the presentation. One must take time in looking through the book as there is so much to cover. I would highly recommend it to anyone.

Life
This book contained a very biased segment of American life, mainly that of immoral Hollywood and Washington. What of the families and individuals of America that put this nation together, the farmers, school teachers, workers, the miners, soldiers, etc. whose contributions are not protrayed adequately in this book. ... Read more

Book Description

Learn to remove wrinkles, unwanted backgrounds or color casts, image flaws or 10extra pounds so images look better than reality. Photoshop Restoration andRetouching, 2/E has been updated with new techniques, new projects, and new screenshots. It will take you through numerous step-by-step examples that highlight the tools and techniques used by professional digital artists to restore valuable antique images, retouch portraits and enhance glamour photography. This book features dozens of tutorials that will show users of all skill levels how to transform faded, damaged photographs intobeautiful images that are as clear and crisp as the day they were taken.

Reviews (16)

The "Must Have" Photoshop Retouching/Restoration Book
Katrin Eismann's new Photoshop book is the updated version of her very successful restoration/retouching Bible. She is a brilliant teacher who uses her vast knowledge and precise communication skills to demonstrate sophisticated techniques at workshops throughout the world.

In this book Katrin provides a carefully crafted manual for repairing and enhancing photographs using Photoshop 7, Adobe's latest update of its challenging image software program.

This second edition offers step-by-step demonstrations describing how to approach the most common problems one encounters when working with faded, damaged photographs. Among the many subjects covered are: color, contrast, tone, exposure correction, mold damage, stains, cracks, red eye, torn edges, working by the numbers, replacing missing information and removing dust and scratches.

Katrin's approach to portrait retouching emphasizes the subtle touch. In her extensive chapter on developing a portrait retouch strategy, she thoughtfully discusses and demonstrates the steps for removing blemishes, reducing wrinkles, and improving eyes, lips and hair.

A comprehensive website supplements the book. Readers can download most of the photographs, making it easy to practice using techniques on the same images found throughout the book.

This great book by the "Photoshop Diva" will teach you more about Photoshop than you can possibly imagine.

Great Resource for Web Developers
Sooner or later most web developers will be approached by family members with the idea of setting up a web site to share all those old family photos. You may have even volunteered to do this. After all, it sounds like fun, until you are faced with hundreds of photos that have lain in attics, garages, basements and barns for the last 50 years. Getting these photos into some sort of presentable condition is not just a matter of scanning and sizing. This kind of work calls for an expert, and in this book Katrin Eismann does her best to make you one.

Eismann's book is not for Photoshop novices: you will need to know how to use the tools and work with layers. But everything else you need to restore photographs, even torn, stained, faded and moldy ones, is presented clearly and in great detail here. You will get the most out of it if you take the time to download the practice images from her web site and go through the step by step instructions. Even if you have considerable experience with Photoshop you will find new tools and techniques. The retouching sections are very interesting to just about anyone who works with photos. Here you will learn how to remove blemishes, wrinkles and unwanted pounds as well as any plastic surgeon.

Photoshop Restoration & Retouching, 2nd Edition is not just a "how to" book, but a "why" book, and a terrific way to learn how to work with photographic images of all kinds.

Best book in this area!
There are numerous books on this subject, and it wasn't until I browsed through many that I finally selected this book.

Few reasons why I selected this book against others:
1. the audience is photographers, especially those who own older photos that requires restoration.

2. the format is great - plenty of diagrams and photos and text in bulleted and easy to follow sequence.

3. plentiful tips - 350 pages jammed packed with ways to make your photos better.

4. tips are easy - there are books out there that provides tips on sharpening, correcting exposure problems, etc. But this book makes them so easy!

I'm an intermediate photoshop user, and this book suits me well.

Improving Digital Images
A significant difference between film and digital photography is the Desktop Digital Darkroom, DDD (my own term), the ability to edit digital images in ways well beyond that possible with film and its chemicals. And compared to film photography, DDD is neater, easier to use, reversible and does not require all the special equipment, once one has the computer of course. The images can be from digital cameras, converted film pics or scans. This book discusses modifying them using the Adobe Photoshop 6.0 program.

It actually is applicable to more than Restoration & Retouching. The information on image editing is useful for anyone working with digital images. And while it is based on use of Photoshop many of the tools are available in the lower priced Adobe Elements 2 and the approaches and concepts can be used with other image-editing programs as well.

Up front the author states that this is not a book for beginners. It assumes basic familiarity with Photoshop and the time available to learn, practice and use the techniques presented. It is targeted at professionals who use digital editing extensively. Well, I am no pro but I do take digital photos - generally quick pics at family gatherings. Rarely are my subjects posed - I take what and when I can. DDD lets me improve the photos by cropping, improving exposure, eliminating unwanted objects and such. I found this book informative and useful - even if many of the techniques are more than I want to do - now. Perhaps I'll grow into them too, now that I know what and how to do to improve my photos.

The book is a 10" x 8" glossy paperback. It has 276 pages for ten chapters and an Appendix. I found the type smaller and lighter than in other books, giving me some trouble in reading it. However, it is filled with a myriad of pictures, most in color, that demonstrate the before, during and after look of the images discussed. These before and after pictures often demonstrate quite dramatically the benefits of DDD. The Companion Web Site offers copies of the before images used in the book so the reader can follow along and practice by doing as described in the book.

I learned about using Levels to adjust the Histogram to get better overall tone in a picture. This is more potent than adjusting only the brightness and contrast. The author makes a point to use one or more adjustments layers to contain her changes - making them easily reversible. This is also a new trick for me. [Adobe's Layers tool is very useful in graphics editing.]

Of course, the book spends much time on the Restoration/Retouching subjects - over 2/3 of the book in fact.
These would have helped me in a family project where I scanned in old photos and created a CD for each member. I could definitely have improved the project with the techniques in this book.

The book covers: eliminating scratches and other defects in the pictures; repairing tears and rips; deleting unwanted objects, [Uncle Harry with the pitcher of beer in hand]; re-creating backgrounds; rearranging subjects; changing the colors; and more. The section on improving portraits is quite revealing. Remember the stories of aging movie actresses being filmed through gauze to cover the wrinkles? The same thing can be done with portrait photos. Subjects include "Digital Plastic Surgery" and "The Digital Diet". No wonder the people in advertisements appear so perfect - it's the editing [of good subjects of course]. The author does point out that one should start with the best possible image, recommending taking photos at multiple exposures, etc.

The book lists for $50 and is available on Amazon for $35. It does not discuss: digital cameras or scanners; the various file formats for the digital image files; the ways, besides prints, to show the images [as on the Internet]; nor management and storage of the image files. These subjects are covered in another of the author's books "Real World Digital Photography".

For its intended subject matter the book does an excellent job and will remain in my active library, available to guide me in improving the quality of my digital pictures and photo scans

interesting tricks
this book has some very useful info regarding retouching, some of which i had never seen before, but i don't like that fact that she shows readers the color balance and levels tools as they are for AMATEURS only!!!!! if you were to start using those tools during an interview you would severely limit your chances of landing the job. Despite this issue I would still recommend this book. ... Read more

Book Description

We're filling up the world with technology and devices, but we've lost sight of an important question: What is this stuff for? What value does it add to our lives? So asks author John Thackara in his new book, In the Bubble: Designing for a Complex World.

These are tough questions for the pushers of technology to answer. Our economic system is centered on technology, so it would be no small matter if "tech" ceased to be an end-in-itself in our daily lives.

Technology is not going to go away, but the time to discuss the end it will serve is before we deploy it, not after. We need to ask what purpose will be served by the broadband communications, smart materials, wearable computing, and connected appliances that we're unleashing upon the world. We need to ask what impact all this stuff will have on our daily lives. Who will look after it, and how?

In the Bubble is about a world based less on stuff and more on people. Thackara describes a transformation that is taking place now -- not in a remote science fiction future; it's not about, as he puts it, "the schlock of the new" but about radical innovation already emerging in daily life. We are regaining respect for what people can do that technology can't. In the Bubble describes services designed to help people carry out daily activities in new ways. Many of these services involve technology -- ranging from body implants to wide-bodied jets. But objects and systems play a supporting role in a people-centered world. The design focus is on services, not things. And new principles -- above all, lightness -- inform the way these services are designed and used. At the heart of In the Bubble is a belief, informed by a wealth of real-world examples, that ethics and responsibility can inform design decisions without impeding social and technical innovation. ... Read more

Book Description

In his first book, photographer Michael Thompson offers a grand, almost fantastical vision of fashion, glamour, and style. A compelling yet enigmatic sequence of radiant images-plucked from his fashion spreads, portrait shoots, and personal projects-unfolds across these pages, transcending the original commissions to form a dreamlike narrative. Thompson, with editor Dennis Freedman, presents a surrealistic high-concept exploration of the theme of seeing with one's eyes closed, even as he seduces us with his photographic craftsmanship.

Invoking a pantheon of sources, references, and inspirations-from Vermeer, Man Ray, and Cocteau to Kubrick and Coppola-Thompson has turned the cool, austere style for which he is known upside down to reveal its lush, dark under-pinnings. This deluxe volume brings together Thompson's alluring photographs of some of the world's most celebrated subjects and beautiful models, including Claudia Schiffer, Sting, Kate Moss, and Britney Spears. The book reveals as never before the versatile and inventive vision of this stellar photographer. ... Read more

Book Description

The Third Edition of this highly regarded reference offers unrivaled single-source coverage of the financial aspects of construction funding. Updated to provide more current costs, address environmental concerns, and shed light on the latest methods used to fund projects, it helps readers solve the unique financial challenges facing today's construction industry. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

MBA student
Very interesting  book; very easy to read.
As a small real estate investor I found it very helpful in understanding many of the ins and outs of real estate and financing, especially on the scale i would like to grow to.

A first class book on Real Estate Development
The third edition of Construction Funding by Nathan S. Collier et al is a remarkable demonstration of insight and expertise. Collier and colleagues provide an exceptionally lucid description and analysis of the process of real estate development that is accessible to non-experts while being authoritative at the same time. In addition to being an excellent text for students and others interested in careers in real estate development, this book serves as essential background for all those whose responsibilities include any part of the development process. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Read about this in Country Home magazine.
I believe Country Home wrote an article about these woman and pictured them and some of the quilts. I found it fascinating! It made me thankful for what I've got and showed me that beauty is everywhere -- its just a matter of how you interpret the world around you. Erin

more than a coffee table book
The Quilts of Gee;s Bend is much more than a beautiful coffee table book. It is that, too, of course. The book is filled with social history of this small place near Selma, Alabama. I've been lucky enough to visit Gee's Bend and see the quilt-making process. The Whitney Museum exhibit must have been wonderful. Sunday Morning on CBS did a story on the exhibit. The quilters traveled to New York for the opening and entertained the guests with their singing. That's what Gee's Bend is like: A rich yet poor stop on the road where women made the best of what they had and turned out great art in the process.

A Must Have
I have seen the exhibition of the Gee's Bend quilts at the Whitney museum three times. The quilts of Gee's Bend are simple, graphic, and stunning. Although I own the smaller of the Gee's Bend quilt books and the video about the quiltmakers, I find that I want to know and see much more. I have thumbed through this book at the museum and am delighted that it is full of lush photographs of so many more quilts. At the top of my holiday list of things I must have, is this, the larger of the Gee's Bend quilt books. ... Read more

Book Description

The latest edition to join Martin Evening's bestselling 'Adobe Photoshop for Photographers' titles, gives you completely updated and revised coverage providing a professional photographer's insight into Photoshop CS2.

Inside you'll find invaluable information on Bridge, the new file browser that is set to become a very useful image management tool for photographers. Other new developments covered include the new Digital Negative (DNG) file format, improvements in Camera Raw file processing and High Dynamic Range imaging.

Packed full of all the latest features and instructive information on key elements from color management to printing, Martin Evening passes on his famous techniques and professional experience in this commanding and authoritative resource.

Martin Evening was a Photoshop CS2 alpha tester and worked on the development program from the very early stages.

The Adobe Photoshop for Photographers series of books have consistently been in the top best-seller lists for over seven years and is now in its seventh edition.

704 pages of fully updated content plus 30 pages of Photoshop Shortcuts on the free CD-ROM.

Includes all the basics such as how to open and save an image and adjust the contrast and color.

Digital capture devices: how to choose the right scanner or camera.

More than 300 pages of information show you how to make tonal corrections, sharpen images, use filters, create montages, simulate darkroom effects and automate Photoshop.

Over 100 pages devoted to explaining the basic principles of color management, how to calibrate your equipment and how to achieve consistent color and produce perfect prints.

* Over 450 professional, color illustrations make this book stand above the rest
* New interior design and reorganised contents make this book even easier to use
* Master the power of Photoshop CS2 under the instruction of an internationally recognised Photoshop expert ... Read more

Book Description

Since its first appearance, The Art of Floral Design has become the definitive standard in teaching design techniques. In-depth and illustrated in full color, it offers comprehensive information on the principles and mechanics of flower arranging, basic flower anatomy, and arrangement styles for all occasions. This well-written text combines theory and practice to familiarize readers with the basics and guide them through more advanced floral techniques. This book is sure to remain on your reference shelf throughout your career in floral design. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

A Student's Review
A comprehensive guide to floral care and designing. The author has complete instructions with illustrations which are very helpful.
The author also teaches concepts through repetition and ties the chapters together by reviewing past concepts.

Excellent Textbook of the Basics of Floral Design
We used this textbook in our 'intro to floral design' course at Texas A&M University. I thought it did an excellent job of teaching all of the basic design principles, and it also had very good pictures and diagrams to aide in the learning. Unfortunately, I sold this book at the end of the semester, and I wish that I had kept it. I have been looking for a more economically priced floral design book, as complete as this one, and have not been able to find it. I you are a beginning designer, or need the ultimate floral design reference, this is the book for you!

Textbook Style Book
This is a great book. It is a textbook style book, so it is a little on the technical side. If you are interested in retail floristry then you will find it to be a great book. But if you are a hobbyist or are looking for a book to give you ideas for arrangements to place around the house/office this book maybe more technical than you want.

Lacks good design, but great practical knowledge.
Norah Hunter was my floral design instructor, so of course, we used her book. Coming from a strong design background, I think that the arrangements are at best mediocre and lacking creativity. Some of the design theories seem over simplified to me as well. However, although the design instruction falls short in my opinion, the practical knowledge she teaches about flower names, running a floral business, care and handling, etc. are invaluable to anyone working in the floral industry. The book also contains an excellent appendix of flower and foliage names with illustrations.

The Art of Floral Design
"This is the BIBLE OF THE FLORAL INDUSTRY! " That is the exact words my instructor used five years ago when I attended design school. Since that day, I still refer back to it again and again. The techniques and illustrations are wonderfully formatted in such a way that is easy to understand. Everything from the history of floral design up to todays job opportunities within floristry are covered. If you strive to be a knowledgable designer in all areas, this book will surely lead the way. More examples of topics covered are; wiring techniques for corsages, proper care and handling of flowers, understanding color, design principles, controlling cost, holidays, funeral arrangements, the list goes on and on. This is a must have book for any designers library. Sincerely, Julie E. Bargeron ... Read more

Book Description

Helps readers understand how the many languages of film work together to create meaning.Louis Giannetti organizes Understanding Movies around the key elements of filmmaking, including cintematography, Mise en Sc¿, movement, editing, sound, acting, drama, casting, story, screenwriting, ideology, and theory. He synthesizes every element through a complete case study: Citizen Kane. This book's ideas are illuminated with hundreds of high-quality still photos, more than 70 in full color, taken from movies such as The Matrix, Almost Famous, jackass the movie, Chicago, Lord of the Rings, Mystic River, and Traffic. New in this edition: a full section on contemporary special effects and computer generated imagery (CGI); up-to-the-minute information on new developments in film technology; more coverage of recent films and filmmakers; more ethnic diversity (including new material on the Islamic cinema); and more lavish use of color and high-quality paper. An updated Companion Website contains animations, video clips from interviews with movie professionals, and Research Navigator access to New York Times film reviews.For everyone who wants to understand the artistry and meaning of the movies. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Review of 10th edition
Hey, wanna make a bunch of money? Let's write a college text book! We've got a captive audience that has no choice but to buy our book. Then every two or three years we can release a new edition and eliminate that nasty habit students have of reselling used text books they no longer need. Too much work, you say? Okay, let's just slap a different picture on the cover and release the old edition again! Can't quite picture it? Need an example to emulate? Try this one:

I've been using Louis Giannetti's Understanding Movies since the second or third edition. Over the years I've occasionally been pleased to see a new edition which boasts some major improvements. But in my opinion, there haven't been any since the seventh edition. Now here's the tenth edition and every film student in the country has to fork out for it rather than getting their roommate's 9th edition for a buck or two.

So what do you get for that extra money? A new cover certainly. I don't know about you but I wouldn't be caught dead with a text book with Gladiator on the cover - that would be SO three years ago! And there's an entirely new chapter! That's worth paying an extra fifty bucks - no, wait. Same chapter that's been there since Clinton was president. They just renamed it.

Did some technological revolution change the face of cinema, warranting a new version of the book to address it? Giannetti has added a new section on special effects to the chapter on photography. It's less than one page of text. I haven't read the entire book yet, but I've yet to see any reference to the fact that some films have been shot entirely on hi-def video rather than celluloid, or that this might be a significant trend in the future. The closest thing to a landmark film in the last ten years has been Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings trilogy. But the only reason Giannetti even mentions it is to point out that Ian McKellen is gay.

But while we ignore or slight what could have made this edition fresh and vital, we keep that which makes it antiquated. Yes, I'm talking about the shot by shot reproductions of important films seen in Understanding Movies as far back as I can remember. We have SIXTY images from The Battleship Potemkin's justly famous Odessa Steps sequence. There's TWENTY-FOUR PAGES of story-board images from Hitchcock's North by Northwest. Giannetti's not alone here - lots of film textbook authors do this. Come on! If anyone wants to do a shot-by-shot analysis of a film like Potemkin or North by Northwest, they can get the DVD. If a film instructor thinks it's that important for students to have this level of exposure to those scenes, they can be screened in class. In the 21st century I consider it just book padding to add thirty pages of superfluous material to a text like this.

Okay, I've calmed down a bit. There's really nothing terribly wrong with Giannetti's book. It's interesting. It covers the subject material quite well. It's just that it did that ten years ago and it offends me when every two or three years students discover at the end of their courses that their books can't be resold and the following semester every student will discover there are no used editions to purchase. Sweet racket.

So enjoy that photo of Sean Penn on the cover - it cost you an extra fifty bucks!

Nothing new here
This book hasn't had any major text changes since the 7th edition. Look for the 10th edition soon.

Pull that movie apart
And put it back together again.
There are many good books on the market that specialize one or two aspects if films and/or the film industry. However this book "Understanding Movies" by Louis Giannnetti, takes you from near ground zero to a good understanding of such aspects as:
Photography
Mise en Scène (pronounced meez on sen, with the second syllable nasalized)
Movement
Editing
Sound
Acting
Drama
Story
Literature
Ideology
Theory

The films used for examples range from classics to contemporary. You will have seen most if not all of them. The author did not go off in some mission to describe some weird out of the way movie. This helps you focus on the subject being discussed.

A side benefit is that this book is a great picture book to remember your favorite movie and occasionally the one you missed.

A pleasurable, very educational book about film
I picked up this book, in part, because of the several ...[good ratings]... Isn't it great when people you don't even know turn you on to a GREAT book? I have always been a movie enthusiast, but recently, having discovered how great DVDs look and sound, I am starting to re-discover my love of movies. I want to know more about how movies work, and how different effects are acheived. This book has been wonderful in helping my understanding of cinema. From the first chapter onward, I have found insights into movies that help me look at them with a slightly different eye: why are the colors like that in this scene? Why is the shot framed like it is? Although this book seems like it could be used as a textbook in a beginning film class, I carry it around with me and read it, and even re-read parts. Thanks for the great tip. Yes a five-star book! Fun to read!

Teaches the "language" of film
"Understanding Movies" is an excellent primer book for anyone starting to learn the art of film. It is not a book that tells you why certain films are great, or why some are inferior. Rather, its objective is for the readers to acquire a good awareness of film art so they will be able to form their own opinions about the films they see. The book is comprised of 11 chapters which can be read out of sequence: Photography, Mise en Scene, Movement, Editing, Sound, Acting, Drama, Story, Literature, Ideology, Theory. Every chapter begins with an short overview (abstract) that points out the key ideas in the chapter, then it proceeds to elaborate on them. Emphases are made not just on the technical aspects of film-making, but artistic ones as well. For instance, the chapter on photography discusses not only things like f/stop, aperture, and exposure, but also how photography can achieve certain dramatic and psychological effects.

Without any hint of snobbery, the book uses examples from all kinds of films, from revered classics to recent box-office hits, to illustrate aspects of the art form. For instance, it cites James Cameron's TITANIC (hardly perceived as teaching material for film art) as an example of a filmmaker's subtle use of different flesh tones to evoke a sense of optimism or doom.

The chapter on "Ideology" was not available on some earlier editions. It provides a fascinating discussion on how movies often contain either implicit or explicit political leanings, religious beliefs, ethical values, and other allusions that reflect the attitudes of the filmmakers. It also includes a discussion on portrayals of gays and lesbians in films.

The book is replete with still photos from movies, each accompanied with a wonderful caption that serves as a mini-analysis of a certain aspect of the movie itself, so that readers can get a quick lession on film art. Illustrations that stand out include: a series of screenshots from the Odessa Staircase sequence in THE BATTLESHIP POTEMKIN, storyboards from the cropdusting scene in NORTH BY NORTHWEST, a shot-by-shot analysis of a scene from Hitchcock's SABOTAGE that demonstrates sometimes an actor's performance can be made more effective when his or her face is unseen.

This is not a film review book. You won't see capsule reviews, cast biography, production history, etc. written about every single movie. This book does cite from about 300 films, but it only uses them as examples for discussing certain aspects of film art. It often assumes the readers have already seen the films in question. That brings up my biggest concern: the book often gives away plot details of the movies it discusses. To compensate for that, a lot of films cited by the book are popular hits that have likely been seen by most people, such as PRETTY WOMAN, TITANIC, DIE HARD, etc.

Each new edition of the book differs from earlier ones mainly in the selection of still photos. Newer editions contain more stills from recent films. The first three editions came out in 1971, '75, and '80 respectively. Hence, if you want to see more coverage of, say, films made in the 70s, be sure to get at least the 3rd edition or later.

Last but not least, the book ends with a comprehensive appraisal of CITIZEN KANE that (a) analyzes the movie itself, (b) serves as a grand summation for the book, and most importantly, (c) invites the reader to apply all the knowledge gained from the book to becoming a more astute film viewer. ... Read more

Book Description

Offering the perfect balance of theory and practical skills, this market-leading text prepares readers to communicate successfully in today's world. features superior coverage of cultural diversity, expanded coverage of ethics, new discussions of the effects of technology, and a new, integrated "text and technology learning system." For anyone interested in improving their interpersonal communication skills. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Great Communication Theory Book... to start off with
This book is not really orientated at making you a better interpersonal and intercultural communicator (although it could be a start towards this), it is more of a book on interpersonal and intercultural theory. This book was the basis of my Interpersonal and Intercultural Communication Studies course at UQ in Australia. It is very simple to read, a high school student could easily understand this. I think this is a good thing, however, because as some of my lecutures demonstrated, interpersonal communication theory can be very dry and dull at some points! So I am giving this book five stars because althoug simplistic, I believe it tells you the basics of interpersonal comunication theory, and is a great starting book if you are interested in this!

Too Much Theory and Not Enough Substance.
I read through this book as part of an Interpersonal Communication class I took. I'll admit right off the bat that I have a biased view about the book because I read it in a class where I was the only person over 21 in a room full of freshman. With that said, I'm really glad I had the life experiences I've had to protect me from the leftists propaganda contained within. I'm also very thankful that I was never forced to read such dribble when I was a freshman in college because it can really mess you up. Most of the book is based in and upon interpersonal communication theory and there isn't a whole lot of practical information given. Not only that, but the book almost totally ignores the moral and ethical issues that are inherently apparent in interpersonal communication. Instead, the author has taken a humanistic (and fairly Machiavellian) approach and illustrates the power that good interpersonal communication skills can give a person. The book does have some good things to say, but overall it's more of a tool in brainwashing freshmen with useless knowledge than anything else. There's a lot of theory, but not much substance.

Emerson College Professor Recommends Book
I highly recommend DiVito's book...this is my fourth
year using it in in my Cont. Ed. Interpersonal Communication class, EMERSON COLLEGE, Boston, Massachusetts.

My evening classes are highly interactive and STUDENT CENTERED - I can always count of this book to keep the conversation going !

it's a quite complete and an interesting book.
i've read this book, and i think it gave a (a little bit) theoritical & practical explanation about what interpersonal comm. is. i suggest my students to keep this book to enrich their knowledge about this topic.but, i need something more than this, and i really want to have a holistic explanation about this topic (what paradigm/perspectives/approach you take to explain the whole aspect about it). i hope i can enjoy your next edition (i've ever buy it (the last edition, but it lost when i left the texas airport). i'm looking forward to the next article/journals/books about interpersonal comm. thank you very much ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A Profoundly Eloquent Glimpse of Life's Depth...
Those who know me know that I am not prone to making either quick judgements or vacuous statements, so my friends (at least) will know that both the title of this mini-review and the few words that follow are far from whimsical: Alexander's Nature of Order, and in particular this fourth volume which I have recently received and simply cannot put down, are in my humble opinion, destined to rank as one of this *world's* great literary/philosophical achievements. What Alexander has produced is nothing short of a brilliant vision for the transcendent reality that lies beneath and beyond conventional categories. I write this as a Ph.D. physicist, with two graduate-level mathematical physics texts under my belt (both on complex systems), and semi-pro photographer with 30 years of experience of trying to capture "beauty" in nature. Alexander's work has provided a tentative -- but oh so deep -- glimpse of an answer to my own philosophical struggles as scientist and artist: physics and art are but two sides of a vastly richer coin, and are merely pointers to an infinitely rich *life* that pervades this universe; indeed, the life that *is* this universe. Every human being who has ever sincerely pondered the question "Why?" when looking up at the sky, while admiring a pretty flower, or looking into a mirror, can do no better than to curl up by a fireplace with a hot cup of tea, open up volume four of this incredible set of books and start using the musings lovingly offered here to look within for answers. Truly a remarkable achievement. I have never met Christopher Alexander, but can honestly say that I have been deeply touched by this preternaturally wise soul. ... Read more

Book Description

With over 700 vivid images and illustrations along with the wisdom of numerous practicing designers, this book provides a practical approach to introductory interior design.Covering the profession for both commercial and residential environments, the Ninth Edition introduces readers to the history, design fundamentals, and building systems (construction, electrical, mechanical) of design. Exploring topics such as the space planning process, environmental sensitivity, and multicultural design, this book contains both the necessary information and applications readers need to be fully prepared for the field.For professionals with a career or interest in design, interior decorating, architecture, construction, carpentry, and environmental design. ... Read more

Book Description

A luxurious full-color celebration of Ireland's scenic beauty, this book features more than 125 full-color images by Ireland's top landscape photographers and includes six panoramic gatefold pages, each one opening to almost four feet. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

awesome!
The pictures are breathtaking! They have captured the true Ireland in photographs.

There ar no words to describe the beauty of the large photos
The Photographs are awesome! Many of the photos take up both pages, which are so clear and gorgious. The old castles are so neat and look completely beautiful in the middle of Ireland's green moors. It is DEFINITELY a book worth buying!

Spectacular Ireland
I recently moved to Ireland, and my wife and I wanted something to base our site seeing. It has been a great help in deciding our weekend trips. The pictures depict Ireland correctly. WHAT YOU SEE IS WHAT YOU GET!

Beautiful coffee table book
This is an essential book for anyone of Irish descent or who simply loves and wants to learn more about Ireland. It features brief historical information and many large breathtaking photos on premium glossy stock.

In the Ancient sites section many mysterious tombs with huge rocks are shown. Next, you get a look into Ireland's stone monasteries & abbeys featuring majestic stone crosses. Grand Castles are then explored.

The following sections on Ireland's gardens & landscapes are truly dazzling. The colors are so vibrant they make you feel as if you're there. A few 3-page fold-out panorama's are included.

The cites chapter highlights Ireland's buildings including many impressive photos of doorways, churches, & cityscapes. Lastly, the Irish people are shown playing sports, celebrating holidays, & performing traditional dances & music.

The Journey is the Reward
Spectacular Ireland takes you on a journey through Irish time and scenery that is as rewarding as traveling to the country in person (almost!). The text is logically laid-out and easily understood. The pictures are exquisite with good explanations of what they are and where they are located. Absolutely fabulous! ... Read more

Book Description

If winning over clients means wowing 'em with Photoshop-enhanced photos, this is the book for you! Simple step-by-step instructions equal easy, elegant solutions in this streamlined volume geared exclusively to photographers using Photoshop. Just like your favorite cookbooks--the ones with short, clear-cut instructions and mouth-watering photos of the delectable concoctions--this book identifies challenges, provides simple recipes for overcoming them, and plugs in inspirational photos of the glorious results. The authors provide enough theoretical grounding so readers can use the program effectively but leave out the tech-heavy under-the-hood discussions that represent the core of other Photoshop tomes. You'll find recipes for dealing with common workflow problems (color correction, dodging and burning, retouching), and you'll learn all the exciting photo enhancing techniques that will give your work that extra wow: tinting, softening, collaging, you name it! Along the way you'll master all of Photoshop's newest, snazziest tools: the Healing Brush, the Pattern Maker plug-in, and more.

Amazon.com

In this fanciful volume, Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas, founder of the Office for Metropolitan Architecture (O.M.A.), both analyzes and celebrates New York City. By suggesting the city as the site for an infinite variety of human activities and events--both real and imagined--the essence of the metropolitan lifestyle, its "culture of congestion" and its architecture are revealed in a brilliant new light. "Manhattan," Koolhaas writes, "is the 20th century's Rosetta stone . . . occupied by architectural mutations (Central Park, the Skyscraper), utopian fragments (Rockefeller Center, the U.N. Building), and irrational phenomena (Radio City Music Hall)." Filled with fascinating facts, as well as photographs, postcards, maps, watercolors, and drawings, the vibrancy of Koolhaas's poignant exploration of Gotham equals the heady, frenetic energy of the city itself. Anyone who loves New York will want to own this book. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

best koolhaas ever, man
koolhaas is a bit over-the-top for me, but this I think is is best work. it's worth checking out if only for the story of coney island. once you get past blisteringly pretentious phrases like "coney island is a fetal manhattan", you'll find it gloriously entertaining as both a narrative and theoretical work.

the culture of congestion
This is by far Koolhaas's most accessible work, as it is rooted so clearly in detail from the city's past. Further, the book is simply brilliant. His take on urban history is to Jane Jacobs what Socrates is to common sense. New York is a special case of modernism that sprang from a special constellation of poltiical and technological forces that collectively create a cultural "big-bang" at the turn of the century. Read it. Blow your mind.

A great starting point.
An easily digestible read filled with delicious facts about the big apple. This book can change the way one sees New York forever. Be it from a street level, or from an intellectual level. "Delirious New York" helps to rediscover Manhattan, and it helps to discover the idea of Manhattan in places far away from "The City".

This publication is a perfect starting point for any exploration into the past or the future of urbanism, architecture, and of course New York City and the people who helped to shape this ever growing marvel.

A must read, and a perfect gift for anyone who is even remotely touched by New York.

Mandatory Reading
I originally read the first edition of this book when it came out in the 70s. It completely transformed (or formed) my thinking about the city, the processes by which a city develops and grows, and the innate playfulness of the city as a form. Despite its deceptive simplicity, I believe that this book will emerge as one of the essential texts of the twentieth century on urban design. Read it!

Compelling History of Manhattan
A romp through New York's sometimes jaded history with a view to uncover the roots of the modern metropolis and the singular element devised by architects to inspire (amuse?) the masses - the Skyscraper. The book looks at Coney Island as the testing ground of the Skyscaper, Manhatten as further exploration of the Skyscaper which is trialed in the name of symbols of a propserous future, economic rationale and pushing the envelope to its limits and finishes with Office of Metropolitian Architecture's own experimental projects in New York. A very compelling history of a complex city. ... Read more

Book Description

A complete revision of what is considered the classic introduction to color for all graphic designers and artists. This book provides a solid foundation for the development of personal color sense, and a practical examination of the myriad effects that can be achieved with color. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

principals of color design
good condition and very fast service

Good for newbies
I haven't got any formal art background and have found this book to be extremely useful. However, it may or may not get much higher - I can't tell since I'm a newbie, but I keep in mind my experience with some other books on other subjects: while I was a beginner I found them great; now I think they're just fine for beginners.

OUTdated
This is not the best book out there. The first section of the 5 section book goes into form and shape theory, which although useful in design, is just filler to give the book more pages. The color theory sections are fairly basic. I think there are better books out there, especially for the price.

the truth about this book
It explains very well the color principle and some design techniques. It is a good book for beginning graphic artists with no formal art background (those who never studied art/GD in school). There are 5 parts to this book. Part one establishes desing principles, part 2 examines common color principles related to the use of color pigments, part 3 helps the beginner develop systematic color thinking with the aid of excercises, part 4 introduces priciples and techniques for generating colors on the computer and part 5 presents color sets and guides for attaining color harmony.

Note, however, that this book is a bit outdated. It showed when trying to explain certain design techniques using old version Photoshop tool bar.

Fabulous!
I actually perchased this book two years ago in college for an art class and have used it in almost every assignment and project I have completed there after. ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

The Ninth Edition retains all of the traditional features that have made History of the Theatre a classic for over thirty years, including over 530 photos and illustrations, useful maps, and the expertise of Oscar Brockett, one of the most widely respected theatre historians in the field. Franklin J. Hildy contributes his scholarship and experience throughout the book and, in particular, to a discussion of English Theatre/Shakespeare (Ch. 5). Reorganized with more uniform chapter lengths and a clearer chronology, the ninth edition continues to provide the most thorough and accurate assessment of theatre history available. For anyone involved with, or interested in, the theatre. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

dry, but good
Having taken a course that required reading the book I can safely say that it is dry in some sections of history due to the "PC" nature of it's telling. But it's mostly an interesting resource and reference book for theatre buffs and history buffs alike.

Yes, Oscar Brockett is God
I had the pleasure of being Brock's student for three years at the University of Texas. The book is phenomenal, easy to read and amazingly complete. The History of the Theatre experience should also be augmented by the opportunity to hear Brockett speak. He is erudite, funny, a lively teacher and an incredible intellect. There is no other book to serve as a reference and introduction to theatre history. No other book and no other teacher so expertly and informatively makes you realize the interweaving of theatre and society throughout its long history. IMHO, Brockett should write the history not just of theatre but of everything. His non-didactic, straight-forward and lively prose would make any work of history or criticism on any subject a delight.

An Excellent and Thorough Text Under Great Editorship
As a former student of Franklin J. Hildy's, and a reader of the Brockett text for several theater courses, I must highly recommend this book to anyone seeking a detailed, yet expansive, overview of the history of the theatrical arts throughout the world. Dr. Hildy's passion for and knowledge of the subject matter is rivaled by none and the complete scope of this project would have daunted many editors less competent to undertake such a task. A great reference text as well as course material. I often find mine useful in day-to-day queries as well as research on period and scenic styles.

Oscar Brockett is God.
No other theatrical historian today commands the respect and authority that Oscar Brockett receives, and "The History of the Theatre" is his master work. As complete a guide to theatre history as any on the market, this book abounds with illustrations, maps, and helpful details. When you want ideas about theatre history, find an article. When you want facts and answers, consult the Brockett. A "must have" for any true scholar of the theatre. ... Read more

Book Description

This definitive reference offers detailed analyses of more than thirty medical and dental specialties and their respective space planning requirements. New to the third edition is coverage of new medical specialties including reproductive enhancement, LASIX eye surgery, breast care centers, larger ambulatory centers, and medical oncology. It also offers up-to-date information on digital technology-electronic medical records, digital imaging, diagnostic instruments, and networked communications-and how it impacts the design of medical and dental facilities. You'll also find out about recent changes in regulatory agency reviews of office-based surgery practices and ADA compliance. ... Read more