I came across Hopper's paintings, when I was doing reproductions of famous artists as my partial work in high school. They immediately caught my attention and excitement, as they had an odd quality, which no other painters had in their work. Vast spaces, empty streets, newly-woke-up ladies in old-fashion motel rooms, extreme light conditions that contradicted the monotonousness in some way... These are some of the major images one is apt to see in Hopper's works.

Hopper's paintings seem to depict the 20s-40s of America, in the context of local towns, cafes, old rooms, within the frame of realism. He's usually painted his figures in an alignment, that does not let us see their faces nor fronts. Instead, the sun has the right to see them, which casts bright light rays into dark rooms.

I think that Hopper seems to be content with the way of living in America, and how people of it carry on their lives. The paintings may indicate some not-so-happy situations, but they do not depict depression. Therefore, I think that Hopper is the best representative of American culture in the early twentieth century in that sense.

I haven't purchased the book yet; but had a chance to look at it in the school's library. The book contains many of his paintings, and Goodrich's comments show some level of apprehension and knowledge of Hopper's work. It is concise and comprehensive, and I recommend it to everybody. Hopper is certainly one of the most affective artists of the twentieth century and all times.

Most comprehensive single volume regarding Hopper and his work, that I am aware of, and the reprints of the work are accurate and true to the originals. A significant book about a significant painter.

Finally, I book on welding that truly gives the end user a laymans understanding of the most common weld processes! User friendly, well formatted, spiral bound for ease of use and more importantly; compentency quizes at the end of each chapter that's more than just fill end the blank! The premiere book in my library for teaching my students SMAW, GMAW, GTAW & SAW weld processes! Pricey but well worth the investment!

Although the idea of Holmes taking on an apprentice is a rewarding difference from other Holmes mysteries, it seems as though he (Porter) hasn't accomplished anything by the time Holmes has arrived. Many elaborate details give a good idea of what the land looks like but almost made me forget what the case was. All in all a relativly good story.

Lloyd Biggle, who has done some spectacularly odd SF works (see 'The Still, Small Voice of Trumpets'), has shined Sherlock's eye over the poverty-stricken subnation of Wales, roughly a century ago. Holmes' companion (not Dr. Watson, who couldn't make this trip) tells us richly of the milieu, and Holmes finds the most telling clues right in plain sight. The rural Welsh characters are as real as Dickens' London townsfolk, and just as pinched. I loved it! Watson didn't write the tales this well...

I enjoyed the idea of Holmes taking on a former Irregular as an assistant though Porter seems somewhat narrow-minded when it comes to describing Watson and other charcters. But it is a good mysteries.