Thomas Bolt's collection of poems is intellectually stimulating and emotionally satisfying; a journey through a landscape equally literal and metaphorical, rooted in nature and imagination. There is honesty in his keen vision of an unromanticized South, and yet the images linger and shift in the reader's mind with the force of myth.

This is an excellent book for the professional designer or decorator looking for a comprehensive catalog of "out of the ordinary" finishes. The finishes reviewed are generally european in heritage, although many were imported to the US during the last 2 centuries. This is not a handbook for the weekend "do-it-yourself" decorator/painter as the finishes illustrated require multiple steps and practice to attain the desired look. The book is an excellent resource when discussing finishes and 'looks'with a professional painter/finisher. Additionally, the photographs are of a fine enough quality to help the reader understand the relationship of the color, technique and texture to the surrounding room. This should help the reader to visually conceive the design before the project execution and thereby minimize 'mistakes'. Enjoy!

The Photographic I Ching is one of those books that had a lasting effect on my life. This is due to the fact that I am a photographer and found the prints incredible. Gary Woods inspired me to make more ethereal images and to get back into older photo processes. The text was my first introduction to the I Ching and I found it fascinating. I was very disappointed to find that this book is now out-of-print. I can recommend it highly to anyone who appreciates Eastern thought and/or great photography. I myself am doing more research to find more of Gary Woods' photos on the internet and elsewhere.

This book takes you through traditional folk woodcarving, with an emphasis on sloyd (handcraft) knives and some discussion of axe, adze, and gouge work.

The author shows you the tools and how to sharpen them. Then he gets into carving techniques and different kinds of strokes. He discusses in detail control, power and safety. He starts off showing you how to sharpen a pencil, and gets into dough bowls, butter paddles, spoons and ladles. There is a good discussion of how to design spoons so that the strength is maximized by the shape of the spoon and choice of wood.

If you are interested in carving boots or ducks, this book is probably not for you. But if the sensuous appeal of a spoon carved from a tree branch appeals to you, you will find it fascinating.

Favorite quote: "A knifeless man is a lifeless man."

I purchased this book about 8 years ago, and am just now getting around to actually doing the "primary" Santa depicted in it.
This is a great book for beginner to intermediate carvers. It's chock full of photos, and has the finished product depicted from several different angles......all at a great price, too! Buy this book!

Selected by James Wood and with commentaries by Debra Mancoff, Treasures From The Art Institute Of Chicago showcases almost 450 works of art taken from The Art Institute Of Chicago. The entries are divided into cultural and chronological sections consisting of a short, informative text and fully captioned images reproduced in full color. An informative introduction summarizes The Art Institute Of Chicago's history, from its founding in 1879 to the present, tracing the changing aesthetic and intellectual criteria that determined the definition of "treasure" with respect to this museum's outstanding collection. An outstanding addition to any art appreciation or art history collection, Treasures From The Art Institute Of Chicago is especially recommended as a community library Memorial Fund acquisition.

The Tiny Folio series is simply wonderful! As a frequent traveler who loves to discuss (share) art, I make it a habit to bring these miniature art books with me whenever I can.

This version showcases the Art Institute's well known pieces. Included are works from John Singer Sargent, Mary Cassat, Toulouse-Latrec, Gauguin, Monet, Van Gogh, Renoir, Pissarro, Degas, and Suerat (A Sunday on La Grande Jatte).

Okay, that's a long list, but it's just a sample of what's inside!

The book offers a delightful mix of styles, concluding with Warhol, Mondrian, Lichtenstein and Pollock.

The pictures are, of course, quite small, but the book is too! That's what makes it so lovely! It can go anywhere. And never have I seen a better representation of such a variety of artists at such an inexpensive price.

(And, this is a book you can let the smallest toddler look at! It's just right for little hands!)

Two Lands, One Heart: An American Boy's Journey to His Mother's Vietnam by Jeremy Schmidt and Ted Wood -- what a gorgeous book for anyone interested in Vietnam, the refugee experience, the going back to your native land or family's homeland! The photographs are wonderful and the text is factual, interesting and fun. I bought this book hoping it would be at least mildly interesting for my Vietnamese-American students--what a delight to receive the book and to realize that all my students would enjoy the story and photos. It's hard to find good stories about Vietnam. I applaud the authors/photographer for putting out such an intelligent, sensitive and enjoyable book. Adults as well as kids will love it. It would be a perfect book for teachers who have Vietnamese students, but anyone would like to learn about Vietnam from this charming book.

The better book you have

I have read this book and have found it to be an invaluble source for re-enactors of the viking period. Both for the descriptions and drawings of the actual artifacts and for the decoration styles.