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This book contains over 100 photographs from the NFL, mostly since 1958. They are very well reproduced, and the captions are excellent for putting the images in context. The book is improved by a foreword by Joe Namath in which he discusses his favorite photographs in the book and an introduction by Tom Barnidge, the editor, in which he explains the special opportunities and challenges of photographing the NFL.
Almost all of the teams are represented in the book. Some are obviously more represented than others because of their greater past success and longer franchise histories. Part of the book's appeal is seeing some of your favorite players from your team during heroic moments. Packers, Cowboys, Dolphins, Giants, Bears, Rams, Bronco and 49er fans will be the most pleased.
At another level, the book is about remembering many of the highlights of the NFL . . . ones that you may have seen on television, or (if you are lucky) in person.
The images are concentrated in the last ten years so that younger fans will not feel left out. But fans who are over 50 will think that this volume was made just for them.
Fans of all ages will be fascinated by the photographs from the 1930s and 1940s with the old-style helmets, fans huddled under straw bales, and less active play.
The variety of photographs is superb. Every aspect of the game is covered, from training camp to accepting congratulations at the end of the Super Bowl. You have offense, defense, special teams, and even referees finding themselves in the middle of the action (during plays and breaking up fights). You also have celebrations in the end zone, complaints to officials, and impending disaster (such as the photograph of half the Cowboy team about to land on one player)
If you are like me, the most special part of the book comes in the fine detail that you cannot see as a spectator at the stadium or on television. I was totally arrested by the expressions on the players' faces, as they were sacked, smashed, grabbed by the face mask, and annihilated. Even more remarkable was to see the amazing athletic feats (a jump pass by Jack Kemp, Lynn Swann catching a pass fully stretched out, and Barry Sanders making an incredible cut) at the players' eye level.
Some of the famous shots that I remember are in the book, like Namath after winning Super Bowl III, a bloodied Y.A. Title on his knees in defeat in 1964, Bart Starr scoring behind Jerry Kramer, and John Elway in victory after the Super Bowl win. But most of the photographs were new to me. That made reading the book a process of discovery as well as a reminiscence.
Many of the color photographs extend over two pages, and were carefully selected so that the key aspects of the action are not lost in the crease.
Only three things could have made this book even better -- more photographs, larger pages, and commentaries by the players about the images they appear in. Perhaps if we buy enough books, there will be another edition to add those attractive elements.
Until then, this book is the perfect antidote to football-less days and evenings.
After you have finished enjoying the book, I suggest that you consider starting a collection of your own favorite sports photographs. I began doing this a number of years ago. Most prints are not overly expensive, and the pleasure they bring is amazing.
Give 'em a good shot!
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available now Ceramic Extruding by Jean and Tom Latka successfully answers the question of, "Why are all of those clay extruders rusting on potter's walls?" Their answer is thus: Ceramists, like everyone else, have to be inspired to create beautiful work. This book acts as a magical muse for artists by showing over 300 quality photos of beautiful work by some of the finest international contemporary artists working in the medium today. This book's focus is on the recent emergence of extruded ceramic art as dynamic and surprisingly varied form of creative expression.
"Though the words extrude and extrusion are not ones most people encounter in everyday conversation, we live in a world where we are surrounded by extruded objects. Our brick houses and their tile roofs are made from extruded clay. We shower on extruded tiles, send our smoke and fumes up extruded chimneys and our waste down extruded sewers. From the round O's in your breakfast cereal to the pasta on your dinner plate, extruded objects occupy every conceivable nook and cranny of our lives". Beginning with bricks, Ceramic Extruding details the history of the extruder then demonstrates the ease, as well as the necessity, of using an extruder in one's pottery. The book is organized in a logical manner in order to guide the reader by employing numerous step-by-step instructional methods.
Essentially, Ceramic Extruding is a how-to book and the projects gradually become more advanced. Apart from the photos, another subject that distinguishes this book from other books on the market is its comprehensive theory of extrusion and was the only chapter I had to read twice. It is a difficult subject. The authors give detailed information on why extruders act in the manner in which they do. For instance, I didn't know that clay moves faster down the center of the barrel than clay closer to the walls. This information is useful for artists who want to design their own dies.
Educators take note: As a teacher, I know how it feels to give students a
blank canvas and ask them to be creative. In contrast Ceramic Extruding
shows how to create a limitless supply of foundation material from the
extruder for the student.
The book truly has an international cast of artists, photos of ceramics
spanning from Australia to Inge Pedersen in Norway. I became aware of
several renowned European ceramicists. Antonio Cumella, Alessio Tasca, Elina
Brandt-Hanson, Jim Robison. Other artist's work that impressed me was Ken Williams, Jutta Golas, and Jack Sures. Jean and Tom Latka have an excellent body of work apart from each other, but their collaborative work shines superior.
Everyone has been waiting for the next thing in clay. Well Latka's Flying
Hybrid Extruder and Michael Sherrill's novel extruder/wheel could lead to
the new revolution in clay. The quick release system makes these extruders user friendly. The expansion box is larger than most other machines, and in the case of Flying Hybrid, it out performs slab machines by making slabs faster and more superior. Oddly enough, slab machines compress the clay from the center of the roller to the edges. This creates an unstable molecular structure and cracks result. The clay is evenly compressed in the Vertical Flying Hybrid. An 18"x24" slab is the result when an 8" cylindrical shape 18" long is extruded and sliced lengthwise.
I would like to sum up with a quote from Michael Cohen. "It is important to find a well-made extruder that is adaptable to your needs. As for the
wheel, once you learn how to use it, one question ultimately remains: What are you going to make? After mastering centrifugal force and friction, perhaps it's now time to use gravity and inertia to make a personal statement. Like throwing, it only looks easy."
"Extruding clay takes on a wonderful new meaning when you use the extruder as you would any tool---as one step in the making process, not as an end in itself. The extruder's contribution to the studio can be as profound and influential as the potters wheel --- a slab for the imagination to leap off from". Jean Latka
Two thumbs up! Burn the other extruder books; this is the only one you will ever need.
I am an college art teacher at U.S.C. and find it the best book for my introduction course on the Extruder.
...
spanning from Australia to Inge Pedersen in Norway. I became aware of
several renowned European ceramicists. Antonio Cumella, Alessio Tasca, Elina
Brandt-Hanson, Jim Robison. Other artist's work that impressed me was Ken Williams, Jutta Golas, and Jack Sures. Jean and Tom Latka have an excellent body of work apart from each other, but their collaborative work shines superior.
Peter Helm
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It's been a long time since I made a doll, but this book has got me wanting to try all sorts of new things.
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The planning section seems especially helpful and will be a tremendous help in achieving a finished product that fits a desired look. The color planning seems very well addressed with particular attention the area to be planted in formulation the design elements (suggested on graph paper).
The writer seems to love annuals and it shows! The photography is beautiful. This would make a nice housewarming gift!
It is divided into three parts: garden design; making them grow; and an illustrated guide to many common annuals. The design section details the process of selecting plants, not only for color, but compatability with their location and neighboring plants. The second section will help cure your "brown thumb" if you have difficulty keeping things alive. You will learn how to properly feed and water your plants. The last section has color photos and great detail about each plant presented; Latin name, sowing, growing and care are here.
This book is not only useful for researching and designing your garden, it is beautifully illustrated with rich color photographs throughout. There are also some color diagrams where appropriate.
Write your name in this book and chain it to your coffee table. After seeing your results the first season, the neighbors may be tempted to carry it off for their own use!
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For everyone who said 'Joe who?' when George hired him as manager, I hope you read this book and find out the man behind #6!