In the words of Shirley Temple "Goodness gracious!" I know the Eyewitness volumes are supposed to be "Like a mini-museum between the cover of a book" but "Film" makes me seriously wonder if there is such as thing as too much information. Actually, this book by Richard Platt with special photography by Dave King traces the history of motion pictures back beyond film. The first couple of spreads are devoted to magic lanterns, whirling wheels and mutoscopes. There are examples of not only the machines involved but what they showed to 19th-century audiences as well. I really cannot think of anything that is not covered in this book. There are spreads on film, cameras and projectors, as well as the arrival of talkies and the picture palaces of the golden age of film. We see examples of makeup, costumes, stunts, sets and props, special effects, sound and score, and editing. The only four-page section is on animation from cartoons to clay to computers. I should point out this is not just an onslaught of general information because there are fascinating details as well: in the section on comedies we learn where Charlie Chaplin got the bowler, coat, trousers, shoes and cane he used to create the Little Tramp. Ultimately "Film" is more about movie making than it is about the movies, although there are plenty of references to stars and movies both famous and almost forgotten. There is a lot of information included within the covers of this "maxi-museuem." Students are not going to just sit down and devour this book in a single reading. Just think: when Thomas Edison invented the Kinetosocope he thought it was just a cheap toy.

This book does an excellent job of exploring the many contradictions of the life and career of an artist who was both his own biggest fan/promoter and his own harshest critic. The book presents the many talents (artist,etcher,interior designer to name a few) and his many flaws (vain, arrogant, bitter and self serving attitude) while still showing the human side of the artist . The illustrations are complete and a glorious showing of both his popular works as well as his less known pieces. The triad of this book, "Diabolical Designs" and "Beyond the Myth" reveal an artist who deserves much more critical and popular attention.

Although I am not a medical professional, this book gives me a great deal of informations for pediatric renal transplantation. Especially, the final chapter gives me a great hope for outcome of pediatric renal recipients at future. I do beleive the long term output would be better through the good immunosuppressive drugs at nearby future. This book could guide even family of pediatric renal recipients, if family members are somewhat familiar with medical terms.

I never had an Art Appreciation class, but if you mention the name Edgar Degas I immediately think of impressionist paintings of dancers. After reading "What Makes a Degas a Degas?" by Richard Muhlberger for this informative series from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, I have a fuller appreciation of the artist. Muhlberger explains how Degas was interested in the moments before or after an event as much as the event itself, often portraying scenes from modern life traditionally ignored by artists. This book looks in detail at thirteen painting by Degas, including "The Bellelli Family," "A Woman Seated Beside a Vase of Flowers," and "The Dance Class." Often details from the paintings are enlarged or we get to see some of the sketches and drawings Degas made in preparation for his paintings. After reading this slim but informative volume, I understand that Degas like to cut figures off at the edge of the canvas to create a candid effect, would play with the different perspective in the same painting, used patches of brilliant colors to create feelings of movement, and used large, open spaces to draw the eye of the viewer deeper into the picture. Not a bad education to receive in under a half hour of reading. Other volumes in this series look at Monet, Bruegel, Raphael, Rembrandt and Van Gogh. I will be working my way through all of these in the weeks to come.

That's also a very good book, it tell a lot

I bought this for my children and ended up enjoying and learning as much myself. It gave me a desire to explore more deeply and also an appreciation for the artist.

This book has very good points and examples. However, for myself, there were many things to relate to. This is probably becuase of the difference of when it was written and when I was born. But even with the large time difference, there were many things that I could easily grasp and relate to how I live my life. More importantly than that, how I should/can live it.

Most people want to be disciplined, but cannot find the motivation. That motivation must come from a deep personal conviction. This book does a great job of teaching the reasons behind the principles. It starts with the ideas and moves to the practicals.
This is a must read for anyone wishing true discipline.

Richard Taylor writes from the Nazarene perspective which is rooted in Wesleyan Arminianism and the Holiness Movement. I have yet to find one book by Mr. Taylor that I haven't enjoyed and learned from. He has a style of writing that I like. Taylor's book is divided into two parts: 1) The Place of Discipline in Christian Living, and 2) The Path to Discipline in Christian Living. The first part contains five chapters the first of which covers the value of discipline in general for the attainment of power, national as well as personal. Chapter two discusses the marks of maturity in one's appetites, emotions, moods, speech, and priorities, and shows how we can adjust to authority. Chapter three covers the perils of discipline such as the danger of extremes and unchristian asceticism. Also included is an interesting discussion of "undisciplined discipline". Chapter four properly distinguishes and relates discipline and holiness and chapter five provides a defense of, and valuable insights into, imposed discipline. Part Two is the whole of chapter six which tells us "How to Become a Disciplined Person" and provides many words of wisdom. If I had to highlight one bit of wisdom from the book that sticks in my mind, it would be the importance of selection as the law of life (pg. 36). Taylor says, in effect, that we cannot join everything, we cannot participate in every good cause, we cannot give to everything, we cannot go to every interesting concert or lecture or meeting, we cannot read everything,... therefore, we must select! That last part about reading really hit home, especially since I LOVE to read and don't have alot of time to do it. Taylor expounds on this principle of selection as it relates to priorities and makes his points stick.

Other popular books on discipleship and the spiritual disciplines include the following: Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster, The Spirit of the Disciplines by Dallas Willard, The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Discipline of Grace by Jerry Bridges, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald Whitney, A Long Obedience in the Same Direction by Eugene Peterson, The Complete Green Letters by Miles Stanford, and, for those who like workbooks, the Navpress Colossians 2:7 Series on discipleship.

I know people will kill me for this but I really did not like this novel very much.Sure Anne Fine is brilliant but I looked forward to reaching the last page.The dialogue between step kids and their step parents seems realistic and theres no doubt Anne Fine is real clever and has admittedly done a terrific job of this novel.I however also found it dragged,in other words I was bored,plus the constant arguments and emotional pain within was..well,painful.

Read and Weep, says the spidery writing on the cover of the book. Read and Weep. When five children become stranded in the haunted towers of Old Harwick Hall, they uncover the story of Richard Clayton Harwick, a boy who knew what it meant to have a truly wicked stepfather. As the lightning flashes, the children begin to relate their own tales of step parents, stories that are full of warmth and humour, yet with a fair share of sadness.

At first it seems the children could have nothing in common. Sports-mad Robbo, quick-witted Ralph, sensible Claudia, fiery Pixie and dreamy Colin seem as different to each other as it is possible to be. Yet they soon find they have one thing in common, and that is that they are all the products of broken homes.

Having read several of Anne Fine's books, I would have to say I think this is the best. The lack of plot is of no consequence as the books main purpose is as a forum for the various stories. "Step By Wicked Step" proves that all pain eventually heals and that we have the power to change things for the better.

I found I could relate to the children, as although I have never had to cope with a stepfamily, my mother is a single parent. Colin's story I found especially moving, having never known my father.

I first read this book when I was nine years old, and still enjoy it even today. A combination of interesting characters, moving stories and the powerful, disturbing tale of Richard Clayton Harwick combine to make this an immensely enjoyable read.

"Step by Wicked Step" is a tale that is both funny and moving. It is the perfect read for any children whose parents have separated, or any child who has to cope with a step-parent or step-family. Even for those who aren't in that situation, the book is an absorbing read that will make you both laugh and cry.

If you enjoyed "Step by wicked Step", I would recommend "The Tulip Touch" by the same author, which is a powerful, disturbing read.

May 26, 2000

How many people are brave enough to tell you their story? Ralph (one of the children in the novel) was practically beginning now. "How many chances do you get to peer into someone else's life?" And with those few words, the five children gathered around a mysterious old diary are in for most unusual evening making it a night of stories, stories told by themselves. The author, Anne Fine, wrote this novel with a great insight and humor about the profound effect of divorce and remarriage on children. She shows how the children in her novel like all children of divorce believe that their are the only ones with stories like theirs. She also shows how in telling their stories , the children begin to face an important truth; to start to fix things out as Ralph (one of the boys in the novel): "They have to make an effort." Empowering to children of divorce illuminating to all, this special novel reveals the strength in divided families does indeed often come from the children. I read this book in my Modern Literature class and I did a report about it, in my Senior year. This is a good book for all those children who are in the same situation as the children in the novel, and for all people. This novel showed me how the children of divorce become to suffer with their parents situation (problems). I am not a daughter of divorce parents, but I have some friends that they do. They suffer because they want their both parents together. I really enjoyed reading this book although as I just said that I am not in that situation.

A lover of all things Disney, I was looking for a good balanced story of his life. This was not it. The authors did not take the lesson of story boarding to heart. The book it self is written in a style that ammuses, but how can you tell the story of Walt Disney in 170+ pages? Thankfully, the book shys away from bashing Disney or trying to grab headlines with half truths, but one can't help but wonder if the authors could of possibly gone more in depth, more into the man and his world.
I was dissapointed. There are no big insights here. If you are new to the life of Walt, this would be a great starter book, but I would not reccomend it for the die hard fan.

A great book to read if you're looking to read about Walt. It'll keep your interest. No Disney Nut is complete without it

Many years ago, I wanted to find a good book on Walt Disney. This is it!. The writing is interesting and exciting and the stories are fascinating. The Greenes are great storytellers and it is no wonder that they have continued to do work for Disney- they get this guy and they tell the story well- and fairly, which I really appreciate. I strongly recommend this bookto anyone and everyone who wants to know how one dreamer made his way- it's an amazing story! and well told...