Andreas Gursky: Photographs From 1984 To The Present offers a grand, hugely diverse collection of larger than life images which taken as a whole conveys a gently ironic commentary of modernity in all its disparate manifestations. Although profoundly concerned with the role (and fate!) of man in the dis-articulated social tableau created by late-stage hyper-capitalism, Gursky is not making judgments about what he observes. To Quote from one of three introductory essays, this one written by Marie Luise Syring, "Gursky's work...reflects both the art forms and the everyday aesthetics of 20th-century society without resorting to open polemics-his images display too much indifference and beauty."

I was initially drawn to this series of photographs by the dust jacket illustration which is a somewhat unusual composition for Gursky, it turns out. I was touched immediately by the sparse, geometrically pleasing landscape running on endlessly in a striated banner of perfectly matched colour. There are several other 'naturalistic' studies included in this portfolio of 76 plates but most of the work examines the controlled chaos of urban settings, often featuring countless humans perambulating pointlessly in endless motion. "Being modern can also involve the danger of losing one's individuality and right to self-determination," Marie Luise Syring reminds us.

Gursky works on the boundary between painting and art photography. He tests and retests the critical distinctions seemingly inherent to these two representational domains. Thus many, but not all, of Gursky's photographs seem to have an explicitly clinical orientation. He is probing a fragile boundary and we know it. The cold truth which emanates from a stark objectification of the subject matter which compels Gursky is however always balanced by the way in which he floods his overrun visual fields with light and riotous colour. That I might personally prefer the warmer emotional tones of his naturalistic work to the harsher elements of the cityscapes is of course hardly the point. All of his work makes you think! And sometimes gasp at the sheer excess of talent and technique which propels the creation of such intensely intelligent, beautiful art.

I saw this exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts in NY recently and it was incredible. I'm usually not a fan of giant color photo exhibits, but this one really struck me. The complexity and beauty in his photographs will hit on something that you have most likely never seen. He has a gift of bringing common scenes like the supermarket into view in a way that makes you doubt you have ever shopped at one. If so, you would say, how did I miss that which is shown in this photograph? Looking at his photographs will bring on that same sense of smallness as pondering your little place on this little, common blue/green planet, around this one star that is the norm among billions upon billions.

This fascinating and historic masterpiece transports one back in time, to a different world than which we suvive today. A refreshing portrayal at what life was when a woman, in all true femininity, lived by her beliefs and virtues. The characters come to life with all conflicts of emotions as they weave their story and feelings, making this a romance that any woman would desure. Even todays woman. The true meaning of God with his purity, Love and forgiveness flows through these pages like liquid gold and reminds us of the stand we should have. I recommend this novel to show us our beliefs and loves in life today can survive with a pure heart, as they did back then. Well done Jeanne Marie I am really looking forward to reading more in the series.

The Brides of Glory Gulch series is an exciting, romantic story of wonderful charming characters living in the midst of a rugged logging town in 1880's Colorado Mountains. I was hooked from the very start. I just love these mountain people and enjoy being carried back into a time of rugged men, chivalry, and virtuous women. These unique and talented people all have their own special gifts, their faith in God and the power of love that changes lives. Angel in the Saloon is a wonderful beginning to a fabulous story that will most certainly touch your life in a remarkable way.

This thought-provoking book presents to readers a comprehensive exploration of human physiological and spiritual development through the blending of Christian spirituality with related Jungian concepts. Beginning with the premise that the key to a successful happy life is the fullest possible development of our unlimited potential for love, the author explores each of the seven-year stages of growth and the spirituality enveloped within each. Through identifying opposing attributes of the human psyche, the author depicts these in the greatest Christian symbol of opposite tensions; the cross. Relationships and friendships of the same and opposing sexes are discussed in the light of unselfish loving. The reader is proffered many personal challenges in examining their own personal relationships; however the author suggests that the greatest challenge and truest test of maturity lies in loving our enemies; both inner and outer! It is in the final chapter, "Encounters with God", that the author clearly points to some of the many challenges and changes that must occur in our own physchological and spiritual development to become fully capable of making a complete, unselfish, and truthful commitment to God. The author suggests that as we move forward in our spiritual journey and growth toward wholeness, holiness, and maturity, we develop and discover that our unlimited potential for love and limitless desire to be loved is only fulfilled only in Him who desired us first!

Father Chester (Chet) Michael presents a consise summary of Jungian psychology, Christian spirituality, and spiritual development which is one of those books that you should go back to at least every two months and reread. Don't be fooled by the low price, the book is worth far more than the price charged. This, and his "Prayer and Temperment", are the beginnings of what he has taught for spiritual direction for many years, and are filled with both intellectual insight and years of experience.

Good books on design for the fine artist are hard to find, but this one is excellent. It covers the elements of design as well as light, color, texture, form, movement, perspective, tension and specific compositional structures.

It is not at all prescriptive like some older books on composition, but provides valuable insights into "the artist's design".

Ms. Roberts has written a must-read tutorial for budding artists that also is inspirational for those who have been at it awhile. The book thoroughly explores the elements of pictorial design, using examples from the masters to illustrate the principles, without resorting to excessive text. A wonderful tool; I wish I had had it forty years ago.

I cannot praise this book enough. It is well written, easy to understand and work with, and contains a wealth of insight and inspiration. Anyone wishing to become all that they were meant to be will enjoy the simple, yet powerful, techniques and proclamations provided. This book gently reminds us of the magnificent beings that we are and gives us the tools to "reclaim our mastery". If I could only own one book, this would be the one! Enjoy.

This book enables you to arrive at a place spiritually where everything else you are doing to heal will now work. I recommend this book for everyone who strives to understand the metaphysical.

Backroad Bicycling In Connecticut offers 32 rides suitable for cyclists of all abilities and ranging from a 4-mile trail through a coastal reserve to a two-day bike tour of 114 miles through scenic Connecticut. Organized into five regions (the Litchfield Hills; the North Country; the Quiet Corner; The Housatonic and Connecticut River Valleys; and the Shoreline - Greenwich to Stonington), Backroad Bicycling In Connecticut is an ideal, highly recommended planning guide suitable for beginners and with much of value for even experienced cyclists.

One of the best guide books out there. Thoughtful routes, great directions and tons of interesting information.

My girls and I love this book! What a pleasure to be able to look out our window and now be able to identify the types of birds that live among us. We even now can recognize a bird by sound.

This book includes wonderful pictures with easy to read descriptions of the birds and their habits.

What a great way to spend time with each other having fun exploring and learning.

A book that can be enjoyed at any age.

This really useful field guide has great drawings of over 100 species found in neighborhoods in US and Canada. Has a simple system to instantly tell you the region and feeding preferences of birds, in other words, where you are most likely to find them. The drawings are beautiful, colorful and accurate, clearly showing the difference between male and female, and defining markings. I've enjoyed mine thoroughly!

I take ballet as a supplement to my gymnastics training. This book is a great help, and has thourougly guided me along the way. All ballet dancers will find this book has a fantastic resource, with tons of helpful info and advice. My favorite part, like always, has to be the section with all the ballet moves. It provides detailed instructions with full-color photographs to explain each move. This book also has advice on what to wear, which ballet school is right for you, and how to sew ribbons on pointe shoes. It also includes a chapter on pointe work skills. All and all, this is a terrific book, and I think all ballet dancers will love it.

This book is great for children with a dream of being a ballet dance good for boys and girls!!!! I give it 100 stars!!

This book, along with Inside Out by Dan Kirby and Tom Liner, changed my teaching life. Using the ideas of these two authors, I have successfully taught high school, community college, and university students how to think and write for personal as well as academic audiences.

This book should be required for ALL teachers of writing.

Writing is a process. An exciting way to communicate thoughts and emotions. Just as we learn a spoken language through practice without judgement, so must we learn the written language. Beat Not The Poor Desk is a teaching tool based on that philosophy. It is a compilation of lessons and projects presented in sequence as a guide for teachers of English. Written with input from English teachers,it gives instructors a sequenced set of writing lessons that make it easy for students to get past the anxiety they may have about producing 'perfect prose'. It includes student models of lessons presented in the book that are interesting to read and study. In a step by step approach, writers are encouraged to stretch their skills and do the 'playing' necessary to get good at expressing themselves with the written word. The authors start with a series of lessons about fables, then moves on to lists, essays and stories. On a parallel track in the book, Ponst and Deen address the grammar, syntax and semantics of writing. Although the book was written for use as a guide for teachers of college writing courses, I found it of great help in teaching multi-age groups of children (ages 8 through 13), and for summer tutoring of high school remedial English students. Beat Not The Poor Desk is a well-written text for teachers of written English. I found it to be one of the best I have ever used, and one of the most versatile in its success with diverse student populations.

This is by far the best book on the subject of 'Beauty and the Beast' ever written. Betsy Hearne takes an insightful look at the fairy tale and its many versions throughout the centuries. Unfortunately its time span is only from the 1700's to the early 1980's, thus excluding any discussion of the Ron Koslow television series or the 1991 Disney animated film. But even with this, the book is well worth several readings if you are at all interested in studying this 'tale as old as time.'

I found this book serveral years ago, and bought it becuae, well, I love Beauty and the Beast (with the possible exception of the Disney verson....) and this was reccomended as one of the better basic resources. It was originally writen as a thesis , so basically it's all that research available without the bother of looking it up yourself. She discusses the shift of the story from the folktales to the novels and other adaptations of today. Unfortunately it was written BEFORE Disney, but I found a review she did of the movie later. It was pretty funny. It has a copy of one of the oldest printed versions (Mme Le Prince du Beaumont) and a transcription of a French folk version as resources at the end. (I wish I could read French.)