History & Criticism Books - Page 5

The Urban Treasure Hunter: A Practical Handbook for Beginners

Michael Chaplan

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 13 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Best book for new treasure hunters 5 out of 5 stars.
13 of 13 people found this review helpful.

I am just beginning my hobby with a metal detector. I purchased several books on treasure hunting and this is by far the best. It has a broad range of extremely useful information. By all means start with this book if you too are a beginner. Most of the other books I bought had a lot of fluff. This book has a ton of useful information and guidance.

The metal detectors guide book 5 out of 5 stars.
5 of 6 people found this review helpful.

This book is an invaluable resource for the beginner and even the intermediate detectorist. It has filled me with new ideas of where and how to search for lost valuables and coins. The tidbits on history and archeology were most interesting.

Great book with lots of tips 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

No matter what your treasure, be it coins, bottles, or somethisg else, this book has great tips on where and how to find it. I originally bought a copy for my son and was so impressed that I bought another copy for myself.

Hoping for more 3 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

I was hoping for a little more technical stuff with this book. It talks
about old buildings, privies, new construction sites, and etc. to look for
things. I wanted techniques in the handling of the detector. Not so much as
where to go. To me, it's a book about common sense. Overall, I would
recommend it. It is helpful in a few areas.

Equus

Tim Flach

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 7 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

“From the outset I felt quite strongly that I wanted to celebrate the horse in its own right.”                                         —Tim Flach, photographer

 

No animal has captured the human imagination quite like the horse, depicted in media from cave drawings thousands of years ago through countless renderings in paint, clay, ink, even film. Award-winning photographer Tim Flach’s quest to document the horse has resulted in Equus, an intensely moving look at an animal—as solitary subject and en masse, from the air and from underwater—whose history is so powerfully linked to our own.

 

From exquisite Arabians in the Royal Yards of the United Arab Emirates to purebred Icelandic horses in their glacial habitat; from the soulful gaze of a single horse’s lash-lined eye to the thundering majesty of thousands of Mustangs racing across the plains of Utah, Equus provides an amazing and unique insight into the physical dynamics and spirit of the horse.

The Greatest Album Covers of All Time

Grant Scott, Barry Miles, Johnny Morgan

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 7 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

At a time when listeners increasingly download or upload songs, creating personal playlists on MP3 players and I-Pods, the art of packaging music seems to be fading away. But, for more than 50 years, musicians have released their work inside brilliantly-designed packages that made an important statement about their music and style. Look at the cover of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Heart Band, for example—just one of the 500 memorable images in this amazing collection, all chosen by a panel of 50 experts and each accompanied by enlightening commentary. Among the choices: the brilliantly psychedelic and way-out art from the Rolling Stones’ Their Satanic Majesties Request; Peter Tosh’s fiery cover for Bush Doctor; and the somewhat demented-looking prom queen on Hole’s Live Through This album. From rock to pop, jazz to blues, these are all artistically, stylistically, and culturally significant in their own way, and will undoubtedly spark a debate with fans around the world.

 

The Colour of Magic: Graphic Novel

Terry Pratchett

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Subjects -> Science Fiction & Fantasy -> Fantasy -> Magic & Wizards

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 223 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Oh magic, how freakishly wonderful are thou...such possibilities! 4 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

I've been collecting the Discworld books in no particular order for a few years now, mostly because my father always had an affinity for them and recommended them as hilarious and entertaining at the same time. Now that I finally got to read the first in the series I can see what the fuss is all about! There is plenty of humor, dry wit and magic, extremely complex scientific and fantastic themes and myriad of characters brighter than all the rainbows and flowers in the world combined. My head was spinning after few pages but somehow I couldn't stop reading; this incredible journey that Pratchett invites the reader on takes some time to get adjusted to, but once I let my mind go and read it slow, it all melted into a fantasy like no other. I can't really imagine kids reading it unless they are prodigies at understanding language because their little brains might pop from the amount of information given; I know mine was taken for a spin a few times!

So here we are, visiting a world that exists as a flat disc with water walling over the edges, carried by four giant elephants standing on an ancient turtle, covered in meteor holes and all sorts of space debris, swimming who knows where....In one of it's cities, Ankh-Morpork , a failed wizard by the name of Rincewind comes across Twoflower, a traveling little man with magical luggage, carved out of rare sapient pear tree that follows him everywhere on its tiny feet. Yes walking luggage, with teeth too, guarding his master and providing lots of entertainment through out the story. The two men are the only ones in the whole city who speak the same language and thus their zany adventures start. Hastily hired as a guide the magician, who sucks at magic but it awfully funny and likable, gets into all sorts of troubles with trolls, dragons, islands with lunatics chased by Death itself without trying to loose poor Twoflower who thinks the whole adventure as a great sight seeing trip, they escape all sorts of scenarios that take them form the murkiest depths of underwater caves into far away galaxies in deep space.

Seems like a lot and it is, but the novel takes all sorts of turns ad twists and one never knows what awaits our heroes on the next page. When Gods play magic dice and Fate and Death are in talks of getting them, our characters have a lot at stake and loosing such charming little fellows would certainly be horrible so the reader is constantly kept on a tight leash as the beauty of the story and its intricate pattern morphs into more fantastic scenarios. I can't even clearly say what this book is about other than being simply fantastic, albeit very complex. Folklore, mythology, fairy tales, comedy and drama, it's all here exquisitely woven for those who dare.

- Kasia S.

How to Draw Fairies and Mermaids (Usborne Activities)

Fiona Watt

List Price: $10.35 By: Usborne Publishing Ltd Amazon Marketplace: 14 new & used starting at $5.56

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 6 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Fabulous 5 out of 5 stars.
7 of 7 people found this review helpful.

I got this for my 6 year old daughter who loves fairies and mermaids. The art projects are awesome, many different ways to create, each project can take around an hour to do. Some of the projects need parental guidance for her age, delicate tissue paper, cutting tin foil, etc. but the outcome is always amazing and she loves to display her work, which really turns out to look professional. Could this book lead to a career in illustrating childrens book, very probable!
Also recommend "I can draw Animals" by Gibson, that she can do 100% herself with step by step directions.

the Shipping Cost will Get Ya! 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 12 people found this review helpful.

The item arrived on time and as pictured so I would order from this seller again. But on a side note: Even though the item itself is cheap the shipping will get ya!

My daughter loves It! 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Great book for tweens. My daughter brings it on all of our rode trips and still enjoys it.

Editorial Review:

This innovative guide is packed with easy ideas for drawing fairies and mermaids. Simple, step-by-step instructions show how to create fantastical fairylands and undersea worlds. Ages 5-7.

Bead on a Wire: Making Handcrafted Wire and Beaded Jewelry

Sharilyn Miller

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 95 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

WOW 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

I recently decided to start making jewelry, got on Amazon and started looking at book reviews. This one seemed to be really popular, so I ordered it sight unseen and I havent been disapointed. Its a beautiful book. Has great pictures and easy to understand directions and her jewelry is amazing. She shows you how to wrap wire around wire. She even shows you how to twist it using a drill. It does take a little practice to get good but what an awesome effect. She also shows you how to do twisted jump rings. I don't think anyone would be disapointed with this book. Another great one I found at book store was Creating Wire and Beaded Jewelry by Linda Jones.

Editorial Review:

Magazine editor and popular author Sharilyn Miller knows the jewelry making audience like no one else. In this latest book, she shows crafters of all levels how to get in on the popularity of jewelry and beading, with:

-An in-depth section on design and construction techniques that makes it a snap to get started -More than 20 step-by-step bead and wire jewelry projects, including gorgeous earrings, necklaces, brooches, and bracelets

It only takes a few basic steps to start making fashionable jewelry that's guaranteed to trigger compliments.

Painting Abstracts: Ideas, Projects and Techniques

Rolina van Vliet

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 5 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Best Instructional Art Book Ever 5 out of 5 stars.
13 of 14 people found this review helpful.

I love this book. I would recommend it to anyone who wants some instruction in abstract art. Very easy to follow & all kinds of ways to use all sorts of media.

No 'right' recipe 3 out of 5 stars.
5 of 6 people found this review helpful.

For me, this book is too formulaic; it is more about "getting it right" than about awakening creative inspiration. While it is true that the abstract artist needs a good grasp of design, this is not the essence of abstract art; it is a medium for expressing intangibles visually.

If you believe a 'paint by numbers' kind of approach will give you confidence to begin, by all means start with Painting Abstracts. But if you want your abstracts to sing, I would recommend working from Mary Todd Beam's book, "Celebrate Your Creative Self." (She also has a new book coming out in March of 2009.)

For me, all the examples in "Painting Abstracts" have the same emotional temperature and use exactly the same visual metaphors. To get the idea of different visual metaphors, I would recommend looking at works by artists using other mediums, especially fibre artists and ceramic artists.

What I most find missing in this book is help with awakening inspiration: in the texture of rocks and leaves and trees for example, in different moods of water. Have you ever looked at a sunset that made you gasp? No doubt we cannot all aspire to creating the same emotional impact, but it is possible to put some of that feeling into an abtract painting.

Look further than this book if you want to do more than know how to handle your medium or how to create a pleasant design.

Editorial Review:

Full instructions for 65 abstract paintings are provided in this guide that urges beginners to plunge right in, learning about composition, theme, and design while they paint. The history of abstract painting and its importance as a means of self-expression are covered in the guide's beginning pages, and each of the paintings that follow conventional step-by-step instruction is replaced with information on composition, imagery, method, materials, and technique, allowing the painter to copy straight from the book—or make changes according to the flow of creativity.

Two Knotty Boys Showing You The Ropes: A Step-by-Step, Illustrated Guide for Tying Sensual and Decorative Rope Bondage

Two Knotty Boys

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 45 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Tried and tied and loved it 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

A great book on Shibari. Well illustrated and photographed. The knots are delightful and fun to tie on my special someone.

Editorial Review:

When Two Knotty Boys, Dan and J. D., began teaching rope bondage together in 1999, they discovered that most people learn best when they're shown — close up, step by step, and repeatedly — how to tie basic knots and combine them into bondage techniques. It is this learning process that they duplicate in this book. With the help of world-renowned photographer Larry Utley, they use over 750 photos and captions to explicate the soup-to-nuts techniques for turning great knots into great bondage that is safe, sensual, attractive, and effective. Readers can learn at their own pace, review whole techniques at a single glance, or even lay it flat on the table (beside their blindfolded partner) and follow along as they tie. Two Knotty Boys Showing You the Ropes appeals to those interested in improving the quality of their sex lives, not to mention aficionados of bondage and discipline/sadomasochism (BDSM), both curious newcomers and serious players alike.

How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way

Stan Lee, John Buscema

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 67 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

How to draw comics the Marvel way is good but old! 4 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

How to draw comics the Marvel Way is a good book but it's very old information. I think that Marvel comics and the comic book industry has changed since this book was published in 1978 and 1984. Don't get me wrong! I like this How to draw comics the Marvel Way! book written by Stan Lee with artwork by John Buseama, but the books information is too old. I think comic book artists today use better materials besides paint brushes and india ink. You buy Markers with india ink in them at an artsupply store. there are other things in this book that do not appy to comic books in 2008 as well. If your a begining artist, I will recommend this book but It's not for advance artist. B+

Editorial Review:

Stan Lee, the Mighty Man from Marvel, and John Buscema, active and adventuresome artist behind the Silver Surfer, Conan the Barbarian, the Mighty Thor and Spider-Man, have collaborated on this comics compendium: an encyclopedia of information for creating your own superhero comic strips. Using artwork from Marvel comics as primary examples, Buscema graphically illustrates the hitherto mysterious methods of comic art. Stan Lee's pithy prose gives able assistance and advice to the apprentice artist. Bursting with Buscema's magnificent illustrations and Lee's laudable word-magic, How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way belongs in the library of every kid who has ever wanted to illustrate his or her own comic strip.

Wuthering Heights (Classics Illustrated)

Emily Bronte

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 504 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

To be appreciated, not loved 4 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Although Wuthering Heights is distinguished as a Victorian romance novel, love is a stranger to these characters. They are manipulative, self deprecating, and pathological to the point of the readers amusement and wonderment. At times, I found myself shaking my head. How could Bronte create such uncivilized characters?

Very few readers will enjoy this novel, but many cannot help being in awe of Bronte's literary skill. It is intriguing that Bronte, in her 20's, was able to articulate the depth of human depravity and psychopathology with such profound perception. Through her writing, we learn something about her; she is passionate, intense, imaginative, intriguing and mysterious.

This is one of my favorite parts of the narrative.... it beams with imagination, brilliance and eloquence.

"Heaven did not seem to be my home; and I broke my heart with weeping to come back to earth; and the angels were so angry that they flung me out into the middle of the heath on the top of Wuthering Heights; where I woke sobbing for joy" (Chapter 9).

Editorial Review:

The story of Cathy Earnshaw and the wild Heathcliff as they fall in love on the Yorkshire moors spans three generations and is seen through the eyes of the narrators Lockwood and Nelly Dean. Emily Bronte tells of the passion between Cathy and Heathcliff with such vivid intensity that her tale of tragic love has gripped readers for over 100 years.