I loved this book from the moment a fisherman finds a gun in a lake to the last page when Frank leaves town to the smell of his burning career. A fascinating psychological picture of ambition, loyalty, and love. Its sequel, Barbed Wire, is just as good.

I have been searching for a book such as this for years! Scholars and novices alike will not be dissapointed with this comprehensive text by Elizabeth Zarur and Charles Lovell. This exceptional publication documents an exhibit of mexican retablos and ex votos held at the New Mexico State University Art Gallery (holders of THE largest collection of retablos in the USA). The catolog raisonne provides a wealth of information on the topic, that will become an invaluable reference source. The publication however goes far beyond documenting the exhibit. Undoubtably this text will become the "bible" for chronicling and deciphering these treasures. The two editors have brought together prominent scholars on the subject who comment on the works from an interdisciplinary ( art history, anthropological, folk art, and religioious) point of view. The iconography within the retablos is clearly deciphered throughout the text in a manner that will enlighten the reader who is new to these works, and will serve as an invaluable resource to the learned hagiographer. Additional topics in the text will provide the reader with information that has not been covered in other texts on the subject, such as: insights into religious orders who influenced the visual qualities and symbolism in the artworks, conservation and care of retablos in general. Of particular interest is editor Zarur's commentary on the impact of Spanish missionization upon the indigenous people of Mexico. She presents profound insights into how the fusing of these cultures impacted and altered visual representations of the saints and cult imagery. The visual reproductions of the works are exceptional! One can feel as though they are viewing the works in person. Brushstrokes, tin surfaces, and age of the artworks are evident in the photographs. Many of the works are complemented with close up photos. If you purchase one book on Mexican religious artworks this is it. You will not be disappointed with this one!

This book is layed out very well - one project per page with all the ingredients needed right at the top. Many of the projects utilize styles or techniques of famous artists with suggestions on how you can expose children to their works while still in a fun creative environment. The book is written from an artist's perspective exploring texture, color, space etc. We love the projects and vignettes about the artists.

Elizabeth Blackadder, an important member of the second generation "Edinburgh School," attended Edinburgh University and taught at Edinburgh College of Art for almost 25 years prior to her retirement in 1986.

Today, she continues to paint and exhibits widely. So popular are her paintings that they can be found on posters, postcards, and even wrapping paper. She is the first woman to become a member of both the British Royal Academy of Arts and the Royal Scottish Academy.

This small volume, beautifully illustrated in full color, is very much like having a conversation with the artist as she shares her feelings for and insights into her craft.

We see paintings in two media from three different subject areas - two flower paintings, one in watercolour and the second in oil, an oil painting of an old Bolognese edifice, and two Japanese themed paintings.

Ms. Blackadder notes that all of her paintings start with an idea, and that she will often be found working on several paintings at the same time. "One may be a watercolour of flowers," she explains, "which I will paint in a fairly detailed way, and the other may be a larger oil painting where I have the freedom to work the paint around, scrape out and build up the design as I go along."

Those familiar with the artist's work will enjoy adding this book to their collection, and those who are being introduced to Ms. Blackadder's paintings for the first time will, I'm sure, be drawn to them.

- Gail Cooke

I have just purchased two more copies of this book for two of my beginning students. Ms. Olver shows clearly and elegantly how to approach the design process using one or more sketchbooks. She breaks down the process into steps that make the process less daunting, and so nudges the student to delve deeper than they might otherwise do. The book is also a visual delight, a rich buffet of notebook ideas, projects in process, and finished work. I recommend it for metalsmiths at all levels, and for students in particular.

Hector Berlioz is remembered mainly as the composer of Symphony Fantastique, but he was also a gifted music critic and writer. This collection of essays is entertaining and witty, Berlioz's satirical and biting humor is liberally spread throughout. This book is accessible to amateurs and professionals alike, filled with anecdotes and insight into the mind of a creative genius.

I have really enjoyed reading this book because it offers wonderful information on many different aspects of relaxation and theraputic concepts. Daily meditation is challenging to adhere to but it is well worth the effort. This book would be very beneficial to anyone looking for natural stress relief or to strengthen your faith or spirituality.

A very good work on the Aryan worship of the sun.
A great book for any one interested in Aryanism, Paganism and the worship of the sun. A small book, but an easy read.

As A Child discusses the important issues surrounding the rights of children in many different respects. Ms. Schetina provides a wealth of information regarding children's rights at school, at home, and in civil society. The writing is clear and concise, but does not oversimplify the complex issues covered by the book. I would recommend it highly to young adults as well as their parents.

This year marks the bicentennial of Lewis and Clark's western adventure, so the arrival of this history book addition to the "Landmark Books" series is right on time. In clear, readable text, "As Far As The Eye Can Reach" tells the fascinating tale of how Captains Meriwether Lewis and William Clark embarked on a harrowing journey to explore and conquer the mysterious western parts of their new country. Western expansion was the dream of then-President Thomas Jefferson, and so co-commanders Lewis and Clark began a cross-country trip through the pristine wilderness stretching across North America to the Pacific Ocean. Faced with the unknown, their aim was not only to stake a claim in the west, but also to collect specimens of plants and animals, map the unfamiliar frontier, find a northwest passage for men to follow, and to establish a diplomatic relationship with the various groups of Native Americans. Author Elizabeth Cody Kimmel tells the grand tale in eight simple, straightforward chapters, a prologue, epilogue and select bibliography. Chapters are numbered rather than named, making the book appear unfriendly and unwieldy for use as a research tool without a comprehensive read-through. Similarly, the impressive cover will attract many students, but the lackluster black-and-white illustrative materials are more academic than enticing. Children age eight and up will find "As Far As The Eye Can Reach" well suited for historical book reports, and teachers will find it a comprehensive teaching tool.