Arts Books

I have read other books my Ms. Bruce and it amazes me how she taps into her subjects. She delivers practical, real-life expertise and advice from someone who is the real deal. No untested theories here. She knows of what she speaks because she's a pro who has been a successful speaker for years. That's what I like about her books...they're based in more than theory...they're based on her tested experience. Thanks!

People who speak well make it look incredibly easy. Those who don't usually know themselves well enough not to try. But for the rest of us -- those who have something to say to others in our field, for example -- know the value of being able to give a polished talk at breakfast clubs, conventions, seminars and such. This book will tell you what you need to know to line up speaking engagements and how to handle yourself, before, during and after an event -- and make it pay!

If you want a book to sell you on how easy it is to make a fortune as a public speaker, this is not that book. However, if you seek one that will help you assess whether or not you really have what it takes to stand a chance in this competitive field, this is the book you must buy, read, and follow. Whether Anne's advice launches your dream, or awakens you from it, it will have been money well spent.

Greetings! Anne Bruce does a thorough job of uncovering the building blocks for establishing yourself as a speaker in this industry. Her delivery is simple, methodical, focused and full of best practices for developing both the high-level strategy, and tactical steps, in creating a professional, scalable speaking business. It is a valuable read for any speaker or promoter within this space.

I read this book as recent founder of a speaker management organization and choose to provide each of my speakers with a copy. No doubt one of the best investments I have made. This book has already provided real value well beyond the investment of $$$ and time. I hope you enjoy this as much as I did.

Speak For A Living is written by a real professional in the presentation business. Aside from being a highly respected international speaker, Ann Bruce is an author, consultant and trainer. If you have ever been interested in becoming a paid speaker, this book candidly reveals the "good, bad and the
ugly" of choosing it as a career.

Speak For A Living is comprised of four main parts. In the first part, Ann discusses the tough business of professional speaking and helps the reader to separate the wannabes from those who can stick to their plan and grow as a speaker in good times and bad. The second part of the book focuses on the absolute importance of marketing yourself. She clearly discusses the relevancy of a polished website, publicity, public relations and other vital marketing tools. The third part of the book examines the opportunities that exist as an international speaker. This requires sensitivity to different cultures and a willingness to travel extensively. In this section Ann also instructs the reader on why publishing a book may be an excellent adjunct to your speaking career. This is in addition to joining a particular speakers bureau that compliments your skills and abilities. The forth part of the book is centered on defining your own expectations and definition of success. She emphasizes why you must literally fight for fame, or become lost in anonymity with thousands of others. Other areas of discussion in this section include producing your own seminars, gaining sponsorship and attaining professional accreditation for your seminars.

Speak For A Living is an eye-opening book that will be reality therapy for the starry-eyed reader who only sees the idealized myth of being a professional speaker... praise, celebrity, and great wealth. Indeed, these attributes can be achieved but not without a lot of hard work, experience, savvy and even a little luck. But, this book does not dwell only on the challenges or disappointments, it also discusses the opportunities and personal fulfillment that come from being in this profession. The author also provides excellent resources and networking tools throughout the publication. If you have ever considered speaking for a living, or would just like to know what it is like, Ann "tells it like it is" in an informative book that is richly seasoned with her own personal experiences.

I have been a Spider-man Collector for 32 years and this is by far one of the best books you can buy. This collection is very informative and has great pictures by all the best artists.

Buy this book now.

This is an excellent, entertaining history of Spider-Man. Saffel has done a terrific job of chronicling the long and strange history of one of the most popular fictional characters in the world.

There are lots of interesting tidbits that will surprise even the most dedicated of fans. Entertaining details and gorgeous photography are the clear highlights of this massive package.

The coverage of how Spider-Man made it to the screen is particularly interesting.

Plus the evolution of the character is great, even if it just touches on some key milestones.

Three minor complaints:
1. The book tries to cover too much ground. That is, there's so much to report that the author must sometimes merely gloss over interesting historical details. Perhaps if the focus was mainly on comics and media and toys, it would have been more effective.

2. This book would have been the perfect place to offer some historical perspective on key story lines. The author spends some time on current history (Civil War) and some recent history (Clone Wars, Black Costume, Wedding), but very little on other history. It would have been very interesting to know more about certain story arcs from the 70s and early 80s.

3. Listing of facts. Sometimes the author seems to be simply listing information, like names of episodes or other stuff that doesnt really progress your knowledge of the character's history. It's almost as if the author is filling space to round out a chapter or section.

Again, these are minor complaints, and I still give this 4 of 5 stars.

This should be Book 1 in an ongoing series of books like this. Well worth the price.

This is an amazing book, filled with all kinds of fascinating information about everyone's favorite wall-crawling hero! Steve Saffel has done an incredible job, drawing together historic items, wonderful photos of toys, games and other items that feature the iconic Spider-Man. This book is both a fascinating history of Spidey and a warm nostalgic trip through the "life" of a character that has achieved mythical status through comics, books, TV shows (animated and live action) and now a terrific movie trilogy. Highly recommended!!!

I'm one of those guys who started reading Spider-Man back in 1962 with his first appearance in Amazing Fantasy #15. I've kept up with Spidey's adventures all these years through all sorts of titles, and episodes. I even worked for Marvel as a freelancer during the `80s & `90s (a little bit of that time for author Steve Saffel while he was an editor over there), so it is entirely possible that I'm a tad biased when it comes to this subject.

I believe that one of the reasons that I became a professional writer was because of my love for this character. When I spotted this book at a local bookstore, I knew I had to have it. Having Steve's name on the cover clinched it for me.

Now as I read the book, rediscovering all of the things that made me a Marvel Zombie, and Spidey fan as a teen came flooding back. This is a terrific book, and if I, who not only knew much -- if not all -- of this stuff already still finds it fascinating, think how engrossing it will be to someone who doesn't have my history with the character. Going through the book I see snippets of conversations I had with Steve about the history of both Marvel and Spider-Man, as see that he has taken the care necessary for dealing with a subject that is near and dear to the author's heart.

Yes, this is a great coffee table book that is a great research tool as well as a wonderful trip down memory lane for any fan of May Parker's beloved nephew. All of which brings up an interesting point.

As much of the early accolades for Spidey (as reported in the book) revolved around the degree of realism that Stan Lee, Steve Ditko, and John Romita, Sr. put into the series (Spidey lived in New York, not "Metropolis" or "Gotham City," He suffered from real-world problems (school bullies, an ailing aunt, death of close friends), and that he was allowed to grow up and age (Peter went from a 15-year-old High School student to a young adult attending and then graduating college).

Thus, given this early ground-breaking work by Lee and those that followed, one has to wonder why the current editorial management team has decreed that Spidey's clock be reset to an earlier time via a magical "solution" (to a problem that wasn't there)? Ah well, perhaps Steve will be able to explain that in his follow-up tome.

This book appears to have been inspired by the superior "Batman Collected" by Chip Kidd. Far from an analysis of Spider-Man as a character, or the various Spider-Man comics as works of fiction, this volume concentrates on Spider-Man as a pop culture phenomenon and commercial exercise. As such, equal emphasis is placed on TV and film adaptations and in particular ancillary merchandise as on the comics themselves.
The book is lavishly illustrated with quality reproductions of a wide range of comicbook covers and interior pages as well as screen grabs from animation and movies and photographs of various (often amusingly incongruous or shoddily made) Spider-Man products from across the decades.
Sadly the book is let down by the text. Contrary to the reviews above, the author does assume familiarity with Spidey as well as with Marvel Comics in general. For example, in his opening chapter he offers no definite summary of the character's fictional origin, making it neither explicit that Peter Parker was bitten by a radioactive spider nor that he later neglects to halt a criminal who goes on to murder his uncle. Other characters, titles and story-lines are tossed into the prose casually ("...Cap's shooting...") with no supporting explanation.
Worse, the author was on Marvel's pay roll in the past and as such certain passages come across as trade puff. Saffel is unwilling to engage critically with his subject. To cite a few examples: we are given no account of the well-known creative differences between Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, nor is the contention that Jack Kirby designed the costume addressed ; the recent "One More Day" reboot is described, correctly, as "controversial", but there's no description of why; "Spider-Man 3" was the most critically derided of Sam Raimi's movies (62% "fresh" at rottentomatoes.com compared with 90% and 93% for the previous instalments) but is nevertheless painted as the most successful.
This book therefore has the same frustrating lack of depth as the various DK "Ultimate Guides" to comic book characters whose authors also fail to make any attempt at critique, or even be encyclopaedic in their approach. The definitive Spider-Man book is yet to be written. One longs for something in the style of Les Daniels' "Complete Histories" of Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman.

Star Wars Episode I the Phantom Menace : 20 Lithographic was
mint and mail fast.
Making this good deal.
thanks

I got this over a year ago and found the artwork stunning.

Thinking of printing with your own printer? Chances are that even if you can find some Star Wars artwork on the Internet, the printouts won't last. For example, using color ink-jets and even on special paper... after one year, the color degrades...

Today, after a year, the illustrations still look that way and there is no fading of colors at all. This is truly a collectable.

This one is worth keeping if you love Star Wars artwork and the pricing at Amazon is simply a "steal".

If you are a Star Wars artwork collector, you will like this collection of 20 prints. The color reproduction is stunning and the type of prints resembles top-notch dye-sublimation printouts. If you are looking for Star Wars artwork for framing, this is it! The price offered at Amazon is a good deal. Grab it before it goes "Out of Print" !!

If you think about it, a Star Wars fan has the option to buy Star Wars posters, toys, games, Dorito prizes and try to amass their own empire of collection. But think about it even more...regardless of how big of a Star Wars fan you are sooner or later you will realize that all those Star Wars paraphernalia are junk having the tendency to compile up. If you really want to get your hands on quality then you only need to look for a few places. As a die-hard SW fan, you should not be without the films themselves, the music, and most of all the pre-production artwork...where the saga really begins. The product is wonderful. Immediately after getting the product, I tore down all my other Star Wars stuff, like a puzzle I finished within a grueling twenty hours, old Phantom Menace posters, old Dorito stuff. I tore it all down. I was freed. I figured the product that I got was superb and deserved its chance on my wall.

this things is nice especially at this price its definetly one of my favorite star wars related items. i must say i did not enjoy the movie as much as i would have liked, however i do love star wars in general. this collection of pre-production sketches are really nice to look at. they all come printed on high quality stock and coated with a nice glossy finish. they people who put this toegther really took time rather than just throwing a episode one logo on it like most companies did. this is truly a great gift for the star wars enthusiast. lastly the packaging is excellent and comes in a nice metal tin which completes the entire package and makes this a great collectible.

Even with the wonders of the internet, it's sometimes refreshing to crack open a great reference book to find just the right look you may desire as a scenic designer. This text is filled with bright crisp images to help convey to your painters or directors how you want a texture to look or feel. In my opinion, a must have for the beginning designer or scenic artist.

This is an excellent book for artists fo all kinds. Our company has a library we make available to Production Designers - this is a great addition.

A luscious collection of photographs of beautiful colors and textures to inspire any artist/designer and be used as reference again and again.

There are nice collection of the samples.You can enjoy to look through them.

This book is one of the best references for any designer and painter in the industry. Color Photos are amazing and complete. I have been wanting to purchase it for years now and am very glad to add it to my collection. All of her books are worth having in any artists library.

I am a high school teacher and I love the specific tips and mini-lessons provided in this book. I wish I had known about it earlier in the year. If you are teaching fiction writing or specifically teaching students how to write a short story, this is an invaluable resource. Even though this says it is for grades 4-8, this has enough "meat" in it to do very well for the high school classroom as well.

This book has it all- specific lesson plans, pitfalls to avoid in your writing, a clear breakdown of the writing task into steps and into components such as dialogue, character, and plot. It is written in a fun style, and the resource CD that accompanies the book is terrific- rather than take up a ton of room with reproducibles in the book itself, putting those on CD is more convenient. This is a must-have book if you teach fiction writing or short story writing. Her creative ideas are fresh and inspiring such as how to provoke a plot starting with a list of "props." I highly recommend this resource.

This book is tremendous! Teaching the Story actually "SHOWS" students how to write...naturally! You will not hear "I don't know what to write" or "I don't get what you are saying"... Baldwin does an excellent job...she really seems to know the middle schooler. I had the opportunity to work with this book at a workshop, it allowed me to better understand what good writing is. It made me want to write, write, write. TTS actually teaches students how to "set a stage," develop a character, etc. This book is a must for every classroom teacher- not just middle school writing teachers! I promise you- YOUR STUDENTS WILL BE HOOKED!

Baldwin provides a practical guide for teachers who incorporate creative writing into their classrooms. The activities especially help those students who may be intimidated by writing a short story, as she breaks down the writing process into manageable pieces. As a creative writing teacher, I have enjoyed using the reproducibles that accompany Baldwin's text.

Teaching the Story is a very well thought out creative writing curriculum for 4th-8th graders. It focuses on developing the essentials of character, plot, and setting, encourages the demanding, but necessary perspective of writing as a process that requires many revisions, and develops the writer's awareness that he must show his reader, not merely tell his reader what he wants him to see. The curriculum has really helpful exercises to accomplish these goals. In addition, Mrs. Baldwin cogently argues the value of creative writing in a general writing curriculum and how it develops necessary skills that carry over to and improve the "sacred" five paragraph essay demanded of all students. She also makes the extremely salient point that teachers of writing should be writing with their students. A teacher who develops her own skills and shows her students that she truly believes and practices what she is saying, thus being a writer together with her students, is thousands of times more effective than merely ordering one's students to write.

One of the most valuable features of Carol Baldwin's outstanding book is its adaptability to a wide range of teaching circumstances. Many classroom teachers will treasure it as a complete fiction-writing curriculum. Others will select and adapt ideas and lessons to meet their students' special needs. As a writer who visits and leads workshops in a variety of classrooms, I find it a wonderfully adaptable resource to enhance whatever aspect of writing the workshop emphasizes. I look forward to Carol Baldwin's next book.

Christine Fletcher captures the life of the poor in Chicago of the 1940s with such realism that you feel for the characters, especially Ruby Jacinski. Wanting more for herself that what the slums have to offer, she takes a job as a taxi dancer. We learn that life is not always greener on the other side. But Roby is strong and learns to overcome her obstacles. I enjoyed this book, but when I learned that the inspiration for this story was based on the author's long lost family member Sophia who was a taxi dancer made it all the more special. Although this book was written for the young adult reader, it is also enjoyable for us older adults.

This was absolutely fantastic. One of the best books I've read in ages, adult or YA.

Ruby's world, the seedy backside of Chicago in the 40's was so real I could swear I've been there, and the descriptions of the music and dancing made me wish I knew the Lindy.

Really really wonderful.

This book was exactly what I'd been looking for. I wanted to read something entertaining but with depth, preferably about a strong young woman and that is what I got and more. I was transported into a different time era that felt authentic. It's 1941 and I'm right there with Ruby, in the dancehall, at the jazz clubs, beside her when she's lying to her mother.

I felt her need to be young, to have fun, to help her family and I admired her courage. Loved this book. Everything about it was pitch-perfect and I hope this author keeps writing!

During WWII, a 16 year old girl is forced to drop out of school to support her family. Her father is dead and her mom almost crippled with arthritis from working in a meat packing plant. She begins works at the plant but between the awful work and low wages, she wants something better. She gets a job as a "taxi-dancer," dancing with me for money. She lies to her family about her job and soon finds herself over her head and doing things she never thought she'd do.

I really enjoyed this book. I felt immersed in the era because of the language, the clothes, the way the family and neighbors interacted but teens today will still relate to Ruby's desire for fun and independence. This was well-written, fast moving book. I would definitely recommend it to teen girls.

One of the more unique stories I've read this year, Ten Cents a Dance, written by Christine Fletcher is written on a subject that I had yet to encounter in a young adult book. The writing was fantastic, the characters lovely, and the overall presence of the novel fresh and new. Oh...and the cover? I wanted to see the rest of that photo SO badly! Most mysterious...Definitely a winner!

Living in the 1940's during incredibly difficult times, 15 year old Ruby is forced to quit school and work to support her ill mother and younger sister. Laboring in a factory packing pigs feet into jars is not exactly Ruby's idea of glamorous and she knows that she's being made old before her time. Her joints ache, her fingers are swollen, and her heart simply isn't in her job. Can you blame her?

When a super slick bad boy gets her a job doing something Ruby really loves, dancing the nights away, she feels like she's fallen into a movie. Being paid to simply dance with men, maybe flirt with them a bit, and to often leave the dance hall for dinners and nights out on the town, all dressed in pretty clothes and her makeup done, Ruby loves her new, rich lifestyle. Unfortunately, her job is looked down upon by most people, considered almost prostitution and Ruby knows she can never let her mother find out how she is now making money for the family. Soon, Ruby is drawn so far into the world of dancing and fantasy, she begins to fall into trouble and isn't quite sure how to get herself out. She can't trust anyone in the business and isn't even sure she can trust herself any longer.

The premise of Ten Cents a Dance is mesmerizing and the descriptions of the people, clothes, and atmosphere is simply amazing. I was hooked from the first page and will definitely be recommending this book to everyone I possibly can. For sure, one of my favorites of 2008!

This book is absolutely exquisite, it is a must for those who love cutouts, textured paper, furniture design, and fine art. Tord starts with a Foreward it is a document which started by "taping blankets to chairs made from sticks and cutting up old wine bottles..." I agree with his idea that design should not only communicate not only who we are, but also how we would ideally like our world to be... this book is just gorgeous.

I fell in love with Tord Boontje when I saw his Midsummer Light. Since then, I have scoured the internet for his other pieces and have only come to love his work even more. It's very ethereal, whimsical, and feminine in an airy, fairy tale kind of way.

I bought this book now knowing exactly what to expect, but it is gorgeous. It is obvious that a lot of thought when into creating this book, from the numerous photographs and extensive text to the textured cover and punched designs. The thought and design that went into this book reflect his overall aesthetic very well.

I enjoyed seeing photos of his work, his studio, his family, and his installations. The text gave a lot of information about his childhood and how he became to be a designer. I only wish there had been MORE pictures and MORE information on his creative process.

The only down side to this book: it's pretty heavy and when I put it on my lap, my legs get numb after about fifteen minutes!

This book is pretty, yea, I'll give it that and agree with the other reviewers. It has innovative text stock and cover treatments. Otherwise, I've seen better "design" books that spark all sorts of inspiration. I guess because I didn't know of the artist before purchasing, I wasn't that impressed. If I had known who he was and was a fan of his work, it probably would have been better received. Oh well, I still kept the book...why not.

This is an absolutely exquisite book, anyone interested indesign would love it..I love every single page. it is now a prized on show possession!!Thanks Amazon i saved more than half the price too by buying this beautiful book from you..you have a new life customer who looooves lovely books....

Tord Boontje is one of my favorite designers. For me this book showcases his collection in such a gorgeous manner it is a delight to read.
I highly recommended this if you have an interest in Tord Boontje and design, or if you just love beautiful books.

I discovered this book in the town library when I was in high school. I kept checking out this book over and over again and I couldn't get enough. My mom bought me the book one year and I was soo excited to own it for myself. It was one of the best presents I have ever gotten. The book is worn out now and I have to turn the pages delicately in fear of wearing them more. That just makes me love it more. My history since I have boughten the book is that I read it through and through and put it on the bookshelf for a year and forget about it. It doesn't take long before I long to read it again, I then pick it out of the bookshelf and fall in love with it all over again. If I had to choose only one book in the world that I could keep, it would be this one. Needless to say I love it!

I grew up with this book. My dad had one from his childhood (an original 1942 edition) which was used and used, the binding held together with duct tape. It was known in our house as "the Brown Book" and we were encouranged to memorize works from it. It seems that the source of all the the famous lines from literature can be found in here. "Water, water everywhere, nor any drop to drink." "And you Brutus?" Lincoln's Gettysburg address, George Washington's Farewell, even the letter from Lincoln to Mrs. Bixby (used in the movie "Saving Private Ryan.") This is a wonderful resource, reference book and collection of so many of the valued literary and historical pieces from our culture. Best of all, they are all in one tome. Even my five year old loves it when I read passages from it to her. Every house should have one.

I learned to read literature of many sorts when I was just a child. I've remembered passages from this book for nearly 50 years. This is a must-have volume of outstanding workmanship. Every homeschooler will benefit from having it in their reference library.

A lot of comments I've heard about this wonderful collection remark on
the odd juxtapositions within its pages: Shakespeare next to
"Silver Threads Among The Gold"; The Marine's hymn next to
Poe's "Raven"; Lincoln and Longfellow next to one of Dorothy
Parker's quips. It's true that this is one of this book's charms, but
I found something more to be prized. The "Treasury" is
exactly what it claims to be: a treasury of the hundreds of songs
you're familiar with but don't know by heart, and don't know where to
look up.

Everyone will have their own list of works they think
they'll never find again. Here's a partial list of mine; perhaps some
of these are ones you're hunting for too: Langdon Smith's
"Evolution" (When you were a tadpole and I was a fish/In the
Paleozoic time); Oliver Wendell Holmes' "The One-Hoss Shay";
Robert Service's "The Cremation of Sam McGee"; Henley's
"Invictus" (source of "I am the captain of my
soul"). And dozens more.

I found much I didn't care for here,
but much more I did. This is truly a remarkable collection. It
belongs on every bookshelf, if only because you'll never find another
source for so many of the poems within it. Buy it; you'll discover a
lot of old friends here.

This is the most amazing book! It includes any famous quotes, speeches, stories, poems, songs, etc. It is like having a mini-encyclopedia in one book. We use it all the time in our homeschool. You have to have this book.

I can highly recommend Ellen Sandler's book. It is so good you wish you could keep it to yourself while absorbing all the clever and inspiring tips Ellen provides. A must if you want to learn anything at all about writing for television!

I had the opportunity to attend one of Ellen Sandler's lectures, recently and was impressed by what she had to say and had to know more, so I bought her book at the event. Best tv/screenwriting book, I have bought in years. This is one that I will continue to reference as needed. It is written in a voice so entertaining, that you can understand why she has been so successful in her career as a tv writer. I recommend this book to anyone who is starting out and to anyone who needs a fresh prospective.

I feel like I am in a Master Class and teacher's pet! Ellen Sandler provides a friendly and in-the-know work guide in how to write TV scripts. She offers exercises that had me laughing hysterically at my OWN details/specifics that will be used for my characters. The 7 deadly sins became that evening's "dinner topic" with a group of journalists that not only livened up the night but provided MORE embarrassing, sensitive and humiliating inspiration. I have more to read and to study but I knew I was in wise and experienced hands from the first few pages. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

I rarely make a recommendation, but this book is the most helpful I have ever read on TV writing. It offers a very practical process that is like a key opening a door to your own creativity.

I've been using Ellen Sandler's book as a guide for the last few weeks, and I feel I've done much better work in that short time than I did all last year. The book is mainly geared towards sitcom writers, and for those interested in writing a comedy spec, this book is the one to get!

First off, this book has many and fantastic full-color reproductions of the artwork of Remedios Varo. Just for those, it's worth buying; it's worth carrying around with you everywhere. But also the writer, Janet Kaplan, does an incredible job of framing the paintings within the story of Varo's life. I found the biography itself beautiful and fascinating, and I generally don't like biographies. The author's sentences are art, like the paintings. This is a book which really opens up universes and makes you feel magic. I find something new in it every time I open it. Buy it now! Buy a copy for everyone you know! :)

My first encounter with the work of Remedios Varo made me hungry for more, so I eagerly ordered this book. And I wasn't disappointed -- Janet Kaplan gives us a thorough, insightful look into the life & work of this amazing painter, as well as an informative overview of her times & artistic circles. The biography alone is fascinating, the stuff of a rich novel! But it's the art that brings us back to these pages over & over again, so that we can savor its intricate detail & dense symbolic power. Varo achieves a dreamlike quality of vivid clarity, as if painting with a single-haired brush of golden light. The recurring images & themes have a strong cumulative effect, taking us into a deeply personal vision. While Varo certainly falls within the penumbra of the Surrealists, she travels to a place that's exclusively her own in these paintings. A volume to treasure, highly recommended!

Remedios Varo is simply a wonderful painter with a very interesting life that you will discover in these easy to read pages... If you are interested in her art and want to go deeper to understand "hows" and "whys" of Remedio's... then this book is for you.

One of my favorite books. The visuals are unmatched and the thoroughness of her research really gives you an understanding of Varo both as an artist and a women. Will treasure it always.

I go to Moore College of Art and Design in Pliladelphia and Janet Kaplan is a teacher there so needless to say i read this book and Remedios Varo is ALWAYS taught in art history classes in my school. But the book is amazing. I love the artist and if you like surrealism I would highly recomend it.