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1.) Lavishly produced and well bound in Italy by a reputable Publisher of Art Books, Abrams.
2.) The text is by Robert Descharnes, an Art Historian, and is translated by Eleanor R. Morse, both of whom had long personal and professional associations, and also friendships with Dali. The brief text avoids "interpretations" of both Man and Art, but concentrates on descriptive information instead.
3.) The organization of each chronological section is well thought out. Each begins with brief texts and photographs of Dali, Gala, his friends and contemporaries. Also included are rare photographs of posters, contemporary reviews, articles, sources etc.
4.) Included are many excellent works not found elsewhere, and not only paintings, but also sculpture, montages, Jewelry and other "objects".
5.) For its quality and size, this book was, quite surprisingly, reasonably priced.
6.) Lastly, and most importantly, the reproductions of the paintings are excellent in color and quality. I can lay several of my Dali books side by side, and look at the same painting, and it will look slightly different in each one. I think the truest colors are in this book. What use is it getting a cheaper Book of Paintings if the colors are off? I think this is something all too often ignored. Always go for the best quality in Art Books.
Until a reasonably priced and edited Catalogue Raisonne becomes available, this is the definitive Dali Book to get.
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Seldom have I read a seafarer's account with so many varied and interesting observations about the world through which he traveled. Joseph Banks, Charles Darwin and other professional naturalists wrote a good deal about the flora and fauna they studied, of course, but Delano's curiosity takes him everywhere and informs the reader about an amazing range of contemporary details of life and human behavior.
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It is so rare for a book of this depth and complexity to be such a delicious read, to have both laugh-out-loud jokes, and moments of recognition of the darkest, most inadmissable aspects of human life. Death and life, family and friends, hope and humiliation, love and work -- it's all here. The writing is stunningly inventive, and also absolutely readable. It does what a great book can: takes you to a place that is both unknown and familiar, enlarges your life and experience, makes it as if you've lived more lives than you could on your own.
The individual stories would be beautiful enough, but the remarkable thing is the way that they illuminate each other, and the way they then turn around to illuminate the rest of life. I was so happy when I finished it, so satisfied by the way all of the parts came together to make a complete whole. And the book keeps expanding in my mind, revealing new connections and implications.
I'm giving copies of this book to several friends, but I couldn't resist the impulse to tell you who are reading this about it as well. Please do yourself a favor and take a look at it. I am betting that you will be enchanted and amazed, as I was.
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From reading these fascinating letters, it is obvious that these two old friends actually enjoyed talking and exchanging ideas and opinions.
This book, as edited, weaves a moving and extremely interesting story, reading very much like a good biography.
I highly recommend this book, a good example of history making exciting reading.
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Howell's biography of Eleanor of Provence looks at both the public and private aspects of Eleanor's life offering new insights into 13th century English history. Although it began as a dynastic match, Henry found in Eleanor a loving and supportive wife. She bore him nine children of whom four survived to adulthood. Yet in spite of the strength of their family life, Eleanor is remembered as one of the most despised of the English queens; in 1236 Londoners mobbed her barge and drove her to flee to the bishop of London's palace of St. Paul's. As she grows from child to woman we see Eleanor use the available avenues of power-patronage, arranged marriages, and ceremonial events- to benefit her family and her loyal corps of retainers who, throughout her life, formed the base of Eleanor's political strength. Indeed it was family relationships that were to be both the strength and weakness of Eleanor's queenship. Her devotion to her family and her single minded efforts to promote her foreign-born Savoyard relations put her at odds with the English nobility and eventually with her husband's family, all of whom were in competition for lands, titles, and lucrative marriages. As Howell comments, Eleanor "made intercession an art." However, throughout their marriage, Eleanor's support and connections to the French monarchy remained a key factor in Henry's ability to hold on to his throne. Howell gives a full picture of Eleanor of Provence; a woman of culture, complexity, loyalty and intelligence; but one unloved by her subjects. I would highly recommend it.
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