Robert Vivian has taken the personal essay to new heights, expanding poetic language into a deeply inspirational journey into the human experience. If ever you believed the essay genre to be dull and pedantic, Vivian will change your mind forever with his gorgeous language and important insights. The essay is boring no longer

buy this book. it's brilliant. brilliant. hear me? brilliant!

Robert Motherwell, is one of the great geniuses of American art. His Paintings are broad and powerful images; more "pure" than many other of the abstract painters of his day. This is a superlative book, which lets you into Motherwells mind. Any reader will see his sharp criticism and poignant observations, those who are open will take them to heart.

Motherwell was a superb writer in addition to being a painter. This anthology spans 1941-1988. It's a great read, not only for it's insights into art but also for capturing the flavour of the time. In a sense it let's you stand behind Motherwell's shoulder and peer into his thoughts and see how he viewed modern art both from a philosophical view point as well as aesthetic.

A lot of it is drawn from his public writings and speeches but a lot is fairly personal in nature, taken from his journals.

It's well annotated and useful if you're interested in the abstract movement.

Used this book for my Intro to Mass Communications class and found it useful and interesting.

If you want to understand the so-called " new media" or digital media, this book is a must.

This is a wonderful, wonderful book--and one that appealed to me for many reasons, some personal and some not. First, if you love reading about writers and writing (as I do), you'll love this book. Good writers and brilliant poets open their hearts in their essays and write frankly about the tough times they have gone through--e.g., the times they hated their work, the times they weren't producing anything. And also they write about the troubles and joys of being young, and what it is like to have brilliant and flawed mentors in a very special, challenging academic situation.

At first, I thought the book was meant to be an unabashed hagiography of Paul Engle. Nope. Midway through the book arrive the essays from former workshoppers who, like W.D. Snodgrass, were NOT Engle's favored proteges; those essays give you even more insight into the workshop and Engle himself.

More personally, the book brought me home to Iowa City, where I lived for over 12 happy years. Although most of the book's recollections center on the 1950s and 1960s, some of the places and businesses the writers describe in their essays thrive today.

I had a lovely time reading this book, and I think others will, too.

This is one of the most entertaining collections of essays that I have ever read. It gives a true behind-the-scenes look at the world-renowned Iowa Writer's Workshop. Many of the essays are tremendously funny. This book appeals to a far wider audience than just M.F.A. students. Anyone who is interested in writers and writing will find this book tremendously entertaining, informative and thought-provoking. (However, if you've ever attended an M.F.A. program, you will find this book particularly insightful.) The essays read like little stories of their own. Read this book--you won't regret it!!

This is another book to add to your personal library if you are the type of person who has ever had to find that special word that says it all.

First off I think Roget's Thesaurus is the best book ever written. I use various versions constantly.

Roget's International Thesaurus, with its index in the back for locating words, is for me as a crossword addict and professional writer the most helpful thesaurus.

The other versions have alphabetized entries like a dictionary and give you far fewer words from which to choose.

My old edition is so worn out the cover has fallen off. My only criticism is that I wish it would be printed in hardback.

I am so excited about this book! As a professional weaver and teacher of basketry I have a passionate interest in Japanese bamboo basketry. The book, Contemporary Japanese Bamboo Arts, makes the breathtaking aesthetics of Japanese Bamboo Basketry accessable to everyone.

Thanks to people like Robert T. Coffland and his tireless efforts, basketry in general is taking it's rightful place as a serious fiber art form, worldwide. His knowledge of the history, artists, and the complexities of this discipline is apparent in the book's first section. The stunning photography of Pat Pollard and Art Streiber make even the smallest detail visible in the basketry and reveal the intense commitment in the faces and surroundings of the artists.

I keep this book nearby while I am working and randomly open it to any page. As I look at the artists in their element and read their stories I can almost imagine myself there. I am inspired! I study the beautifully photographed works and I am nourished!

This book is not only an essential for basketry artists and collectors but I think designers and decorators would benefit by having this book as a guide.

Coffland presents not only brief history of traditional bamboo arts, but in a marvelously succinct introduction to the artists featured, he also presents some of the dilemmas faced by both Japanese and American basketmakers. His explanation of what it takes to become a bamboo artist/basketmaker offers the American basketry artist a cultural cross-reference on the meaning of artistry and accomplishment. As Executive Director of the National Basketry Organization, Inc., and an aspiring basketry artist, I would like to see every serious basketmaker read this book...it would refresh our minds, spark our creativity, and remind us that artistic accomplishment is not instant gratification. The quality of the writing, photographs, and portraits make this a must read.

From the very beginning this story relies on ancient Celtic history as its foundation. It brings to the present a religion from distant past and creates characters that are mulitifaceted and frightfully believabe in some cases. It certainly is a timely tome as it could happen in our real world today. A quiet oceanside city must face a challenge to save not only itself, but the world. Make sure you have time to curl up and read. You may not want to put this one down.

I found this book quite by accident, but was intrigued by its discription. It is not currently a best seller, but it certainly could be. I strongly recommend it to anyone who enjoys an excellent, somewhat errotic, occult thriller. This story really sticks to your ribs!

This book is the definitive look at Dali. I own a few other of his books but this one blows the out of the water. The only negative aspect about the book really comes down to my opinion. Some of my favorite paintings are fitted onto a page with 3 others making them a little difficult to see the extreme detail. While others get their own page but in my humble opinion didn't deserve it. While reading or just skimming through the paintings its awesome all the way through. The book is in chronological order so you can see his progress throughout his life. I would highly recommend this book to anyone, even if you don't like Dali's style, there is so much in here that you'll find something. I've spent dozens of hours looking through it, finding something new each time.

While it may be hard to get a hold of here at Amazon, "Dali: The Paintings" is worthwhile in searching for. I found it at a local bookstore and snatched it up immediately. It's a gorgeous book at nearly 800 pages. It has a black cover with a classic image of Dali and his mustache ends sticking straight up on the cover.

The real meat of the book is the paintings, drawings, and sketches. Over 1600 of them to be exact, almost all of them produced in vivid color. The book progresses year to year, giving a glimpse into Dali's changing techniques and styles. Thoughtful commentary by Robert Descharnes and Gilles Neret compliment the works of art.

Overall this is one of the best and most comprehensive Dali books around. A must for any serious Dali fan, or even the casual admirer.

This large, bautiful and heavy (almost 10lbs.) volume, is in my opinion, the most comprehensive Volume on Dali available. I own at least a dozen Books, Catalogs and Biographies on Dali, and this is by far the best for the following reasons:

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.

If you liked "Dali: The Paintings" you will enjoy this similiar volume that features the works of Dali, an excellent index for easy access to his paintings, and photographs of his life. A volume well worth the money.