This is my least favorite of the spate of design books honoring the centennial of Morris' death in 1896. I found most of the designs using pale, pastel or heavily toned--the hue or color mixed with a lot of grey--rather than the clear, natural, and more saturated colors that Morris favored. Ms. Hammett's designs usually wander very far from the original--often only one motif is used out of a large project. This gives the designs a 1920's Art Deco feel, far from the rich Medievalism so lovingly expressed in Morris' tapestries, cloth, and wallpapers. Anyone wanting a more faithful Morris look should look to Beth Russell's work, especially "Victorian Needlepoint." On the plus side, Hammett offers an extraordinary variety of finishing techniques. I'll probably use them for other designs...

I love the William Moorris style and this book presents his designs in beautiful needlepoint patterns that can be produced by even a novice. There is also a good variety of types of projects. CLear charts and instructions.

I completed 5 of the projects in the book. Patterns relatively easy to follow and projects vary from simple to very complicated. Works were gorgeous on completion. I found one or two minor typos in the thread coding.

Dispite my mild dissappointment with the author, I enjoyed gaining greater insight into my political hero. While I do not consider myself qualified to critique anyone's writing ability, the author too frequently repeats certain otherwise interesting Goldwater quotes. Unfortunately, this impression will compete with my overall favorable feeling.

I happened to read this encomium to the late Senator Goldwater in the midst of the Presidential election imbroglio. Senator Goldwater's dignity, candor, courage and conviction stand in stark contrast with the crass self-interest of many of today's leaders, and their policy-by-poll approach to governance.

Barry Goldwater is one of the most misunderstood leaders of his generation . . . his consistently literal interpretation of the Constitution and unwavering fealty to the Rule of Law caricatured by a press with a penchant for oversimplification, and a viciously cut-throat LBJ political machine (aided by the Rockefeller wing of the GOP). It was only in the twilight of his life that this political giant was accorded the respect he deserves.

This book is spectacular...it gives an in-depth view into the life of Barry Goldwater, one of the founders of conservatism in America. What an interesting look at his life and accomplishments. Wonderfully written!

The Wood Beyond the World
by William Morris

This book will appeal to readers who are interested in the origins of modern fantasy. William Morris is cited by scholars as an influence on 20th century writers who gave birth to the genre, and The Wood Beyond the World is a readily available example of his work (and also considerably shorter than his Well at the World's End).

Simply put, the book is a romance, nay, a fairy tale of 260 pages. The 21st century reader had best be prepared for very light fare. None of the complexities that the modern reader has become accustomed to in fantasy are present, whether of plot, character, or setting.

Morris writes in an archaic form of English that is remniscient of that used by the American Howard Pyle (Story of King Arthur and his Knights, etc.) The language is not particularly hard to read, and while it does not stir the emotions the way, say, the neo-Elizabethan prose of E. R. Eddison does, neither does it seem awkward or detract from the reader's enjoyment of the story.

It is easy to see Morris's influence in the work of a writer like Lord Dunsany, whose King of Elfland's Daughter displays modern twists on some of the themes present in Wood Beyond the World.

Be certain to read this book in the Dover facsimile of the original Kelmscott Press Edition. A lot of the charm of the book is in the book itself: the typeface, the decorative artwork and illustrations.

The book you hold in your hands is the first great fantasy novel ever written: the first of them all; all the others. Dunsany, Eddison, Pratt, Tolkein, Peake, Howard, et al., are successors to this great original.

By fantasy, I mean the tale of quest, adventure or war set in an invented age and worldscape of the author's own imagination. -Lin Carter (Introduction to The Wood Beyond the World)

I like the definition of fantasy that Carter provides there and William Morris is certainly an early practitioner of the genre, but I think you've got to give pride of place to George MacDonald [see Orrin's review of The Princess and the Goblin (1872) (George MacDonald 1824-1902) (Grade: A)]

At any rate, William Morris is one of the more interesting and influential characters of Victorian England. Repelled by the changes that the Industrial Revolution had brought to Britain, he yearned for more pastoral times. By profession a Medievalist, he translated Norse sagas and printed them in beautiful editions. An artist and founder of the Pre-Raphaelite movement, he designed many of the flowery tapestries and wallpapers that we associate with the Victorian drawing room. Politically he was a utopian Socialist. And, as Carter says, as a writer he helped to create the fantasy novel. In all of these pursuits he harkened back to an idealized past, no where more so than in his writing.

The language, style and story of this novel lend it an aura of antiquity, as if it too was merely a translation of some medieval romance. The hero of the story, Golden Walter, flees his home upon realizing that his new bride hates him. Sailing forth on one of his merchant father's ships, his fate becomes intertwined with a mysterious trio: a splendid lady, her evil dwarf servant and a young maiden whom the lady has enslaved. Walter pursues the trio beyond the reaches of his own world to The Golden House, governed by the lady, known only as The Mistress. There he will battle the dwarf, free the maiden, with whom he has fallen in love, and together they will flee the Mistress.

Though Morris may have intended to recall a lost past, he truly does create a unique world of his own. It is a world in which the reader can lose himself for hours and it makes for a wonderful and unusual reading experience.

GRADE: B+

If only novels were made with such artistry and detail today. It is wonderful that Dover reproduced the text with the color and printing type-face that Morris' original book had. If you are familiar with fairy-tale romances, especially those of Celtic origin, the story won't surprise you. It has all the typical trappings: a maiden in danger, a handsome youth, and a great mysterious forest for them to be lost in. And all the expected events happen. But, what IS exciting about the book is the experience of reading something so beautifully presented and being able to allow yourself to savor the beautiful prose. There are parts of the book that sound like the lyrics of a minstrel's song. It was like taking a step back in time. All I needed was a glass of Absinthe and the experience would have been complete. Take time to enjoy this one.

This review book , as do all of the Red books by Barron's, offers good practice for those who know the cirriculum and need to reinforce learning or who need to re-remember information after the AP Exam. However, explanations are week and those looking for a comprehensive book that will supplement slightly lacking knowlegde, should look elsewhere.

I had to do a report on Italy and to spice it up I used a few of these fairy tales. They were so interesting to read, and they were also really exciting! This book was really great!

When I bought this book I was expecting pictures of flowers. Instead I end up reading a book on Mr. Morris' life. His love of flowers and wonderful drawings have made this book better than I could have imagined it.

This book is a wonderful choice for primary mapping activities. It is the story of a catterpillar's journey across a garden and the obstacles he encounters. For example; he crawls through a forest, which is actually a rake that has been left lying on the ground. Young children enjoy and delight in being able to retell the story orally with picture clues. It fits in well with a Spring, Catterpillar/Butterflies, or Bugs theme.

Good quality photos. I would like to e-mail Mr. Quinn if he is accessible. I hope he considers writing a book about the Meritt-Chapman Wrecking Co.

This book covers the material well. Some of the later chapters tend to loose the reader with a bunch of jargon. Overall, the book facilitated my learning of the material. I am still wondering about a solutions manual to accompany the text.

The authors take their experience in British tile and present an indepth analysis of the work of William Morris. Although well-known for his other products, the authors bring the overshadowed tile work to light in text and pictures.

Although collectors will not be able to add most of the picturend pieces to their collection, the book can be. Unlike many books geared toward collectors, this book showcases many installation, many of which are in abbeys, and English manor homes. It is definitely not a "my collection book."

The indepth analysis of the artists who worked for Wm Morris should hold some information to even knowledgeable collectors