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Book reviews for "Fine,_Richard" sorted by average review score:

Airflow in Ducts (Indoor Environment Technician's Library)
Published in Paperback by Leo A. Meyer Associates (01 August, 1996)
Author: Leo A. Meyer
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Philosophical/Scholarly in the extreme, but rewarding
This book was very heavy going, but the ideas presented were worth it.
I found many new ideas among the lectures.

Classic must read about painting
Painting as Art by Richard Wollheim (Princeton University Press) provides the first sustained discussion of the complex of perceptions, design, pigments, biography, social history, and lived experience that becomes the experience of a painting as a work of art. Wollheim is well conversant with the philosophical issues while bringing a depth and expertise to the appreciation of the art and craft of painting within both broad historical contexts and the minutiae of a particular artist and this unique painting. So that what he says about any painting becomes a phantasmagoria of informed facts and conjectures that is a marvel approaching Keats' truth, beauty; beauty, truth. Wollheim's interpretations are intrepid corrections of received wisdom and well-argued virtuoso interpretations. His scientist's appreciation of the subtle effects of perception blends well with an informed style; not an easy read, but one likely to educate one's sensibilities anew.


The Colouring, Bronzing, and Patination of Metals: A Manual for the Fine Metalworker and Sculptor
Published in Hardcover by Van Nostrand Reinhold (1984)
Author: Richard Hughes
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Only for certain metals
I bought this book and found it to be very thorough with recipes and pictures for hundreds of types of finishes. However, I did find the title misleading. The recipes are only for copper, brass, bronze, and silver.

The metalwork I do is with steel and I bought the book to color steel. This huge medium is never dealt with in the book.

A valuable reference
A useful reference for the serious metalworker, with color plates of most of the patinas, and a helpful discussion of techniques. One deficiency is the lack of any information on the relative durability of the patinas under the effect of handling or weathering.

Too nice for the studio, too usefull for the library.
Beautifull book, irreplaceable info. I saw this years ago at a price of over $100 and balked, but I should have bought it then. If you are a commited bronze artist/ craftsperson and you want to get good patinas you will eventually buy this book, as it is the only one in print that is top notch in sophistication and comprehensiveness. Some might think this book with it's great technique descriptions, over 250 high quality patina chip photos, over 1000 distinct patina formulas and an incredible bibliography as esoteric and overly demanding in terms of chemistry and technique, but the rest will consider it priceless. Best patination book in print, possibly the best ever.


I Love Me, Vol. 1: S. Wordrow's Palindrome Encyclopedia
Published in Paperback by Algonquin Books (1996)
Author: Michael Donner
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A comprehensive, flawed survey of the subject
I'm reading this book for an Asian Art class, and I find it has both significant strengths and significant weaknesses.

Its major strength is the integrated approach: Sherman Lee organizes the book chronologically and thematically, rather than geographically. Instead of writing a section on Chinese art and a section on Indian art, Lee organizes his material by stage of development (Stone Age pottery) or by cultural movement (Buddhism), for example tracing the development of Buddhist styles in India, the adoption of those styles in China, Japan, and S.E. Asia, and the eventual synthesis of the Indian influences into local styles incorporating indigenous themes. Lee writes eloquently and even passionately about his subject, letting us know which cultures, styles, and artworks he admires. He covers a vast amount of cultures and time periods, easily enough material for dozens of books.

The book does have significant flaws, however. Most frustrating are the black and white photos (presumably a cost-saving measure). Roughly 90% of the images in the book are black and white, and they cannot do justice to most of the subject matter. A second weakness is Lee's writing style, which is sometimes more eloquent than comprehensible. At times I had to reread a section several times in order to figure out what Lee was trying to say. He sometimes seemes to be addressing himself to an audience of art critics who are already familiar with the material, rather than students encountering it for the first time. He will tell us that a particular art work is hieratic in style, or is an example of Daoist style, without explaining why. Also the thematic, rather than chronological, approach means that some topics are fragmented into parts of different chapters. The material on Korea, Southeast Asia, and the Tang Dynasty seemed especially disjointed. The sections on China in particular need more development: Lee provides only a single page of text on the historically pivotal Qin Dynasty, and does only a fair job explaining the influences of Confucianism and Daoism.

One alternative text that deserves consideration is The Art of East Asia, edited by Gabriele Fahr-Becker. Almost of the photographs are in color, and the text is both more comprehensive and more comprehensible than Sherman Lee, in particular the section on China. The text is written by several different authors, one for each region, which has both advantages and disadvantages -- it avoids the fragmentation of Lee's approach, at the expense of integrating it all into one consistent framework. The key disadvantage of The Art of East Asia (compared to Sherman Lee's History of Far Eastern Art) is that it doesn't include India, which contributed some of Asia's most impressive sculptures, and whose religions had tremendous influence on the rest of Asia.

Pretty, chronological, detailed.

I was required to use this book as a secondary text for a class on early Asian Cultures at NYU. Along with the material presented in class, this book provided great insight into basics of the Asian culture.

This rather heavy book is perfectly organized chronologically and geographically. It provides great graphical supplement to the study of early Asian art. Many artifacts are portrayed, most with detailed description of their history and origin.

I enjoyed my class greatly and this book provided great help to understanding Asian art. If you are a person who prefers visual aids rather than tons of text and would like to learn the basics of Asian art, I highly recommend this book. The photographs are excellent, and more often then not, actually motivate you to reading the descriptions of the portrayed objects. This book will not make you an expert on Asian art, but you'll be able to schmooze your way through at pretentious cocktail parties without any effort.

what a great deal!
I was required to purchase this book for an oriental art class at VCU. when I went to purchase it in person, most places wated $75 or better for it. Being a student, I am not rich. Amazon had it for the best price and for that I am very happy. points to amazon yet again for having the best price. THANKS!


Gardner's Art Through the Ages
Published in Hardcover by International Thomson Publishing (1991)
Authors: Helen Gardner, Horst De LA Croix, Richard G. Tansey, and Diane Kirkpatrick
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Essential for anybody interested in art
Short review: ... buy it. If it requires selling vital organs or loved ones to pay for it, it's worth it.

Long review: I enrolled in an Art History course with no idea what I was going to get as a textbook. This book is well-written, intelligent, informative without being overly esoteric, and above all beautiful. The prints are generally in color and always well-reproduced. Historical context is always provided, which gives a solid background for anybody looking to learn about the time any artwork was created. The text also offers insightful commentary about each piece selected for display. This book is so good, in fact, that it's become known as the semi-official Art History 101 textbook. Even if the history's not your thing (and for crying out loud, why not?), the book provides untold hours of beauty.

One word: perfection.

the quintessential art history book there is
Despite 10 pound book up four flights of stairs at school, I found that this book is one of the most resourceful. There is a historical timeline that parallels goings on in the rest of the world that is very helpful so that you could get the gist of what's going on at the time. Also, in the text itself, it gives definitive explanations to what is happening at the time so that you can understand fully what the artist is saying or where he/she is coming from. For those who do not know classics, bibilical stories, and other things, there are also good explanations for those, so the reader/student is enlightened and erstwhile, in comprehension of the work. Absolutely the best resource when it comes to art history and the interpretation of art.

Does a better book on the subject exist?
This book is a must for all art lovers,from the serious professional, to the first-year student, to the hobbyist who paints for fun or enjoys the art museum.If you only have one book on art history and appreciation,let this be it.


Brassai: The Eye of Paris
Published in Paperback by Museum of Fine Arts Houston (1999)
Authors: Anne Tucker, Richard Howard, Avis Berman, Houston Museum of Fine Arts, J. Paul Getty Museum, and National Gallery of Art
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A long-awaited but disappointing retrospective
For lovers of great photography, one of the real gaps for a long time has been a monograph on this master of Euorpean street photography, whose images of Paris in the 30's in particular are among the greatest of their kind. Since the unfortuante deletion of the magnificent mid-80's reissue of PARIS BY NIGHT there has literally been nothing available except an over-priced paperback from Germany (I beleive) that has made its way to US museum bookshops and the like. What great news it was that Abrams, who are one of the best houses for this sort of thing, was publishing a major catalogue to accompany the travelling exhibit now at the National Gallery in Washington. The book was delayed several times earlier this year (no doubt to the chagrin of the museums the exhibit has already passed through) and has finally arrived in time for Christmas.

It is sad indeed to report that the book is a total disappointment- at least so far as the images themselves are concerned:

One: The source material and printing of the picutres are truly second-rate - without richness, luster, or dimension. Many look like photocopies from magazines or other books. They are oddly glossy but flat. Compare these to the incredible matte reproductions in PARIS BY NIGHT and the contrast between what can be done with with what is here is nearly heartbreaking.

Second: What is with the recent tendency to print photographs in an oversized, right-to-the-edges format with no sense of border or space to let the composition breathe and no sense of frame lines. The bleed-over simply kills the impact of many of these photogrpahs. It's a ruinous way to present great imagery. (It afflicts Abrams' new Bill Brandt book as well but to a lesser extent because the printing of that book is so much better.)

Third: There is very little that is new here. For such a major undertaking it comes across as a routine collection of well-known images, a greatest hits, that ends up delivering little emotional punch or insight into this great artist. Compare this to Abrams' own exhaustive works like Walker Evans: The Hungry Eye and you'll see what I mean.

With so many great photographers receiving deluxe treatment in the past few years from Abrams' W. Eugene Smith book last year to Bulfinch's Lartigue mongraph, it is a real shame that someone as seminal but poorly represented in print as Brassai should receive such a well-intentioned but unsatisfactory tribute. PLEASE BRING BACK PARIS BY NIGHT!

Please
I am surprised that this book has gotten such mixed reviews here -- it is the definitive book on the subject. The essays are full of new information and elegantly presented. The design of the book, bleeds and all, remind me of the particular way Brassai made his books (which is why we care about Brassai today). The reproductions look like the original prints! The book is smart and real.

An Exhibition Book That Does Justice to the Exhibition
I saw this exhibition at the National Gallery of Art and bought the book. The exhibition blew me away and so did the book! It is the best exhibition book on photography I have seen. The print quality of the photographs is superb and the text is excellent. This book is a lesson in photography, political science, and sociology.


It's in the Fine Print
Published in Paperback by Badger Books Inc (04 October, 1999)
Authors: Bob Richards and J. Allen Kirsch
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The author goes to bat for little guy
I picked this up as sort of a "mercy read" because a friend recommended it, and found myself happily bouncing around through articles in the book. Richards is a good writer. He tells stories very well, and the stories are written in a fast, easy to read style of someone telling you their latest shopping horror story . He casts himself in the role of the average guy trying to get an even break from some companies that are trying to trick him out of something, or that have just forgotten that "consumers" are actually people who have real needs.

In the book he asks the questions that I wish I had asked when stuck in a checkout line, or on the phone with yet another telemarketer selling something I don't want. The result is a combination of "don't let this happen to you" and Erma Bombeck. He puts information at the end of each article about how what you can do if something like that has ever happened to you (and it probably has).

I found myself laughing, then thinking "Boy, I wish I had said that when...", than saying to myself "I didn't know that."

It's a really easy read, it's funny and has good information.

The Helpdesk guy sez: "Check it out!"

John Hood "the Helpdesk Guy"; Information Technology Department; American Society for Quality- Headquarters


Dancing on the Edge of the World : Jewish Stories of Love, Faith, and Inspiration
Published in Paperback by McGraw-Hill/Contemporary Books (01 March, 2000)
Authors: Miriyam Glazer and Miriyam Glazer PhD
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Flour Babies
My book was about a teacher and his class. One day the class was being very rude. So Mr. Cassidy said one more word and someone will be picking a project out of the bag. Everyone was quiet and Simon walked into the classroom and made a noise. Mr. Cassidy gave up and he said pick a project. Simon put his hand in the bag and pulled out the project flour babies. Everyone was mad. Mr. Cassidy explained the project to the class, The class thought he was joking. Mr. Cassidy told them they had to keep journal about what happened with them and there flour baby everyday for 18 days. Mr. Cassidy told them that at the end of the 18 days they would have a official weigh in. He also told them that they would have to have a baby -sitter with them unless they couldn't leave them alone.18 days later they had there offcial weigh in. Everyone flour baby was the correct weight, except Wayne and Simon. No one finised there science fair,but Mr. Cassidy thouhght they learned a good leason.

A Summery on Flour Babies
Summery:
The Flour Babies is a book about a boy who's father has left when he was little boy ;he was ownly six week old .This story is about being a good perent in a small age. The children had a chose between some subjects the children chose the flour babies project, they had to look after the flour babies for three weeks which is 21 days...

The Proof is in the Pudding
Too often we label and categorise people and in doing so limit people. This is what Anne Fine's book is about. Set in a school, it's about 3C, just naming it, sums up the mood. Mr Cartright, the class teacher, has become immune over time and whilst he has a fondness for 3C, he is like many teachers, slightly beat by the system. 3C don't have it over him, somehow he manages to keep one verbal step ahead, but it is a well-trodden game that is played year after year. The head teacher, boffin, or incurable optimist, has other ideas and for the annual science fair, 3C are assigned the Flour Babies. The plot focusses on Simon, who in persisting with the experiment, defies expectations. The Flour Babies is about labelling, expectations, development, love and resolution. It is written in the language of 3C and is extremely funny and bittersweet. I loved it.


Critical Terms for Art History
Published in Hardcover by University of Chicago Press (1900)
Authors: Robert S. Nelson and Richard Shiff
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Beginners Beware
This book does present scholarship that uses and (sometimes) defines a variety of themes and approaches to art criticism, but most of the writings are highly esoteric, randomly selected, and not always focused on the visual arts. If you don't already have a solid understanding of concepts like "Post Modernism" and "Commodity" don't expect any clear answers here. This is less of an explanatory textbook-type work, and more of a compilation of modern critical writing. Pre-requisite: PhD.

Good book for exploring criticism topics
If you interested in reading about particular themes in contemporary art. This book covers a whole slew of art crit terms.

Each individual term is explored by its own essay. Each essay is written by a different author (mostly in the 80s and 90s). These essays are around 14 pages long, so these terms are explored rather in depth. The writing is so thick in this book it takes a good chainsaw to hack through 'em. But the effort is well worth it.

Here's the terms explored: Representation, Sign, Simulacrum, Word and Image, Narrative, Context, Meaning/Interpretation, Originality, Appropriation, Art History, Modernism, Avant-Garde, Primitive, Ritual, Fetish, Gaze, Gender, Modes of Production, Commodity, Collecting/Museums, Value, Postmodernism/Postcolonialism, and Figuration

My favorite essay so far is the one on Simulacrum.

I would recommend this book to anyone interested in art criticism. It provides some interesing viewpoints.


Birdhunter: A Celebration of Wild Birds, Fine Guns, and Staunch Dogs
Published in Hardcover by Safari Press (1998)
Author: Richard S. Grozik
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More about walnut and steel than dogs and birds.
Grozik's enchantment with "fine doubles", mostly 16 guage, is evident and if that's your interest, the esoterica in this book will make you squeal. Otherwise, weak on the "wild birds" and "staunch dogs" and not a well-balanced read for those interested in all aspects of upland birdhunting.


African Art: Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
Published in Paperback by University of Washington Press (1997)
Authors: Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richard B. Woodward, and Monica S. Rumsey
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