James Boyd White has crafted another excellent exploration of the intersections of writing, law, culture, and society. A must read for those interested both in the art of writing well and in enhancing the ability to understand the various meanings contained in specific texts. While his specific areas of interest are Classical Studies and Law, the precise methods he uses apply to writers everywhere. Want to give an edge to your writing? Then read, "The Edge of Meaning."

I've never come across anything quite like them as a way to prepare for the grammar section of standardized tests and to teach careful proofreading and editing.

I wanted to give my daughters the edge when it comes to mastering English, grammar, punctuation, etc. and this program is ideal!

In Dr. Christopher White's Foreword to this terrific book, he writes that his uncle, the beloved late British artist Ardizzone (b.1900) drew constantly as a child, but took a proper job as a shipping clerk after completing his education. Ardizzone soon came into a small inheritance and, "encouraged by his wife but to the horror of his father," devoted the rest of his life to the passionate and dedicated work of painting, drawing, illustration, and, to a lesser but no less successful degree, print-making.

Ardizzone's work was recognized and valued early on. In his Preface Paul Coldwell writes accurately that Ardizzone "displays that rare talent, along with Tenniel and E.H. Shepard, of representing a vision of what it is to be a child that is as intense as the reality experienced." In 1941 Ardizzone was named official War Artist; he sent home incredible drawings from North Africa, Normandy, and Germany. He was the first British soldier to set foot in Denmark. In all, he submitted over 500 drawings, including over 400 watercolors. Some were prints, and are included here. This beautiful 'catalogue raisonne' (salmon pink endpapers, and many color plates) was published in conjunction with a traveling retrospective exhibition (England only) of Ardizzone's prints. The hundred or so etchings and lithographs have as their subjects lovers, dancers, children, boats, life drawing class, street scenes, public schools, the beach, pubs, prostitutes, wartime, Gloucestershire, Suffolk, plus 'various commissioned posters' (all in great color), menus, and more The images reflect his overriding optimism and acceptance of human frailty and foibles. He loved to dance, he got along well with people, he loved the world - and it shows. His images are most often generous and emotionally expressive, often a little humorous or moody, and gentle - without being weak in the least. Ardizzone is a tender and careful tour guide. A "sharp observer of life at all social levels," he "preferred the fat to the thin," (White, in the Foreword), was considerate of his subjects, and never objectified the powerless.

It's a terrific book, with a Foreword, a Preface, and Introduction, and a comprehensive and informative narrative (by cinematographer and art historian Dr Nicholas Ardizzone, the artist's son). There are over a hundred good illustrations, some in color, as well as several photographs of the genial and lovable Ardizzone. In addition, the gritty details of the art and craft of printmaking are included - a nice plus.

Finally, there is a list of autobiographies (diaries, memoirs) written by Edward Ardizzone, and a bibliography that Dr Ardizzone compiled as part of the work of his doctoral thesis. You can take that list and read for months, if you choose to.

This is a beautiful book. It was compiled and assembled by a team of Ardizzone devotees - a labor of love as well as scholarship. Aside from being a guide to Edward Ardizzone's prints, it's a terrific value, because along with the images you get insightful and informative commentary, and a sense of the man - that money really can't buy.

If the Egypt and holy land of the 19th century explorers interest you - or if you love David Roberts prints of Egypt and want to see what the temples look like from an objective view, then this book is for you. The photos presented here were taken by Francis Firth a Derbyshire photographer who travelled to Egypt and the middle east a number of times in the 1850's and 60's and recorded what he saw with these fantastic photographs.

The photos are all clear, beautiful shots, like the best of 19th century photography. You get to see views like The Pyramids of Giza and Dahshur, the temples of Dendera, Karnak, Luxor, Thebes and Edfu all buried in sand or in their "original" ruined 19th century state. In addition to the wonderful parade of Egyptian photos there are also scenes from Jerusalem, Gaza, the dead sea and Baalbek in Lebanon.

This is a wonderful book that takes you on a visual trip to the past. Recommended for anyone interested in Egypt or 19th century photography.

This work is a compilation of newspaper advertisements for runaway servants. A brief introductory essay offers a good summation of general patterns. The masters offered thorough descriptions of the servants they wanted captured and returned. These detailed descriptions also give us a good look at these individuals.

Those interested in Irish history would find this interesting. While a number of ethnic groups are mentioned, an overwhelming majoirty of the servants advertised in 18th-century Philadelphia were Gaelic-speaking Irish just beginning to learn English. This should also be interesting for students of labor history. The skills and experience of the servants are listed, as are a number of injuries, most presumably work-related.

This book covers instrumentation very well. It starts with relay terminology and expands to todays PLC's. I would highly recommend any Instrument/Control Design Engineer this book. It has been a great tool in my library at work.

I got this book at the same time as I got Barry Thornton's Edge of Darkness. I found they were complementary is many ways. George Todd has been at this craft of making monochrome pictures for several decades, and his skill and picture and printmaking ability shine through. Mr Todd has got the picturemaker's trinity of 'tone, detail and texture' pretty much down pat, and the book gives us fine example after fine example of that. Wheras Mr Thornton in Edge of Darkness tells us as much about his heart and his head as about his superb pictures, George Todd has provided an extremely detailed account of each picture from before the shutter was tripped to when the print was ready to mount. There is something for everyone here - technicians, printmakers, photographers, and the house guest who simply browses a well produced book of outstanding images over a cup of coffee. They won't need to read one word - the pictures will speak to them. I like the book most of all because it showcases the ability of medium format so well. If the negative sizes were not detailed, I'm sure most would think these prints were from large format negatives. I'm glad I have it in my library.

A fantastic overview of the principles of layout and how to understand space and "the page", with special concern for the issue of functional white space and learning how to activate it, sculpt it, and not waste it. In a milieu of visual clutter, this gift to the design world (if its message is taken to heart) will help restore order and readability in the communications that surround us.

Excellent! Expounds and lays out the rules arising from case law. Especially helpful if you are using Zimmer's case book.