This book is an excelent reference for anyone who works on, has an interest in or has studied the design and modeling of aircrafts. Its explainations are very clear and understandable

Alex Cox is one of the most interesting, entertaining and enlightening film-makers of our time. His Repo Man remains a major work, the first film to truly explore the hardcore punk underground and without a doubt the best film Emilio Estevez ever did. While that film and Sid & Nancy remain Cox's best known works, his many other films are all worthy of critical inspection and this book delivers. Stephen Davies obviously knows his subject, picking up the director's concerns about Central and South American politics, the military industrial complex and other burning issues. And we finally get to hear Cox's side of the controversy surrounding the screenplay for Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. The book explores each of Cox's films in depth and presents the director's opinions on them as well as interesting back-stage stories from those who worked on the films. Dennis Hopper's foreward is a riot and worth the price of admission in itself. This book is an incredible piece of work that any fan of cutting edge film should own.

This is a kick-a** little book which is sadly now out of print. The 90+ pages are a sampling of some of the many political protest posters of the Reagan/Bush era, covering issues from local city politics, to police brutality, abortion rights, gay rights, US involvement in El Salvador, the Gulf War, nuclear disarmament and more. Some of the posters were commissioned works, but most were "sniped" (illegally wheatpasted in the dead of night) in city streets. The bulk of the selections come from New York and San Francisco, and some of them will be readily identifiable or familiar to people of leftish persuasion. Barbara Kruger for example, Keith Haring, David Goines (who is more widely famous for his restaurant and wine identity work), Artfux, Guerilla Girls, and Robbie Conal (sadly his "Meese Is A Pig" piece is not included). Graphic design guru Heller contributes a nice little condensed history of graphic political protest, and Jacobs offers a few pages on the culture of protest postering. It's a wonderful book that should inspire the activist and graphic designer that lurks in all of us.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, and viewing Szyk's wonderous art. The biography is well written and interesting. The artwork is intriguing and thought-provoking. I highly recommend this book to afficionados of Jewish Art and Literature.

This book is the exhibition catalog of the exhibit by the same name that is traveling around the US, but if you can't make it to the exhibition, this is the next best thing! With 4 essays giving background on Victorian art and history, a chronology of major art events during Queen Victoria's reign, mini-biographies of all the artists, and the 76 works of art from the collection (plus a few extra thrown in!)all beautifully reproduced, this is definitely a collection worth owning. The works are all from the Royal Academy of Art collection and were donated as each artists' best work in order to be granted full academy status and it shows. Many familiar artists are represented such as Alma-Tadema, J.W. Waterhouse, and Millais, but there are a few unfamiliar names, also. If you've never sampled this period's art, this makes for a great beginning. If you don't already own a book on Victorian art, this is a great book to own. And if you do own a collection of Victorian art, it wouldn't hurt to have this on the shelves also.

Preaching's Book of the Year

Several weeks ago in PreachingNow (our weekly e-mail newsletter), we ran a survey asking preachers what they are reading these days. The list was long, but I was surprised to see a particular book show up frequently. When we went back to take a look, we weren't surprised any more.

In a year when many outstanding titles have been published in preaching, one book jumped to the top of the list as our Preaching Magazine Book of the Year for 2002: The Art of Preaching Old Testament Narrative, written by Steven D. Mathewson and published by Baker Academic.

This is a book by a well-trained pastor who preaches in his own local church Sunday after Sunday. (The author is senior pastor of Dry Creek Bible Church in Belgrade, Montana, as well as an instructor in preaching and Old Testament at Montana Bible College.) In contrast to some books which seem better suited to the classroom than the pulpit, this volume combines outstanding scholarship with a passionate and practical heart for ministry.

The book has three major sections. In the first, Mathewson takes you through the hermeneutical task of understanding Old Testament narratives. The second part deals with the homiletical task of moving from exegesis to a 'sermon that bristles with accuracy, clarity, interest and relevance.' The final section offers model sermons from Haddon Robison, Paul Sunukjian, the author and others.

In the foreward, Robinson calls Mathewson 'a thoughtful guide to help us get a handle on the great stories of the Bible.' William Willimon calls the book 'a great resource for biblical preaching from some of the most challenging and revealing parts of Scripture.' Tony Evans describes the book as 'an awesome guide on how to communicate the truth from the Old Testament to our contemporary generation.'

We are proud to recognize The Art of Preaching Old Testament Narrative by Steven D. Mathewson as our Preaching Book of the Year.

Michael Duduit, Editor
Preaching Magazine...

I've been a regualr swimmer for about 30 years - 4 to 5 times a week, an hour or so each time. About 2 years ago, a friend gave me a book about the Alexander Technique to read, saying it might be of interest to me and my swimming. I was quite interested and managed to attend a workshop where I got some hands-on experience with the work. One evening, a group of us went to the pool with one of the teachers and she showed us how to apply some of the ideas to swimming.

I couldn't believe how much of difference that little bit of information made! I realized that I had been using too much, and the wrong kind of effort, particularly with my back stroke. I'd always loved to swim, and the feel of the water, but now swimming became a whole new experience for me. Much more fluid and with less effort, and yet just as invigorating. Several friends have commented on the change.

The Art of Swimming is, as far as I know, the only book devoted specifically to swimming and the Alexander Technique. I found it very readable and I think it would make a good introduction to the ideas of the Technique for swimmers. I'd also recommend the book that got me started by Rickover, called "Fitness Without Stress - A Guide to the Alexander Technique". Also a book called "The Authorised Summaries of the Four Books of F.M. Alexander". END

This catalogue has excellent photographs that gives one a sense of the attitude of the Beat Generation. Everyone is familiar with the writers of the period, but not everyone knows about art generated during those years. This catalogue gives a review of art, film, and writing being created at the time. Not only that but it devotes a chapter to women and a chapter to minorites working during the time period. A good source of information for anyone interested in the 1950's to the early 1960's.

"Belles Lettres" is a wonderful, handy, writing tablet. The paper is thick and accepts roller ball ink very easily. I use a fountain pen and find that the ink flows readily onto the thick receptive paper. The tablet has handy elastic corner holders to keep the tablet closed when not in use. This is useful when storing other loose documents. I am a reporter and I use this tablet wherever I go.

An excellent book, for beginners and experienced practitioners alike. The Authors are of highest grade as is their book; there is simply no contest. A review of all the "Fundamentals" an aikidoka needs to know and "daily practice". Highly recommended.