Arts Books

I am new to making armor, but not so much to metalworking. This book gets you started on techniques (although a few could have a little more attention), and has terrific sections on measuring and padding. The illustrations and photos are a big bonus, and most are helpful to some extent. Overall a great example of a master passing on some of his knowledge to the apprentices of his craft.

Good book. BUT compleatly failed to mention safety glasses. These are IMPORTANT. you need to get a good pair and wear them when you are working in your shop. unless you think you will look good with a eyepatch.

I have yet to find a better book for armoring. Nearly every fundamental is covered.

Tools, stock, techinque, buying tips, and even history is covered.

The Maille section is somewhat lite but there are other books that are fully dedicated to that discipline.

It's worth every penny. You can't go wrong with this book.

This book is an awsome read, very interesting and the info on constructing armour is just incredable. Every aspect is covered even lining the armour to make it more comfortable, if you are intersted in medieval armour this book is second to none.

This is a book on how to build armor. Tools, techniques, materials, workspace needed, cost estimates are all part of it. I make leather armor for re-enactors, so much of what was taught here was not directly applicable. However, there are chapters on how to measure, pattern, and cut. These are useful even if the material used isn't metal but leather. There are even some basic instructions on leatherworking. Overall, a pretty straightforward work. I recommend it for anyone who is interested in armor construction, collecting, or re-enacting.

Wonderful book full of beautiful, mystical, magical photographs. Robert Vavra is one of the best in the business!

Remember when you believed in unicorns? This book is filled with such beautiful photography that you will forget you were told not to believe.

I have always appreciated Robert Vavra from the time I was first introduced to his art. But this particular book I have longed for about 23 years.
Beautiful, fanciful, and "fact"-filled book about a mythical noble creature that is loved so much, that few would dispute his existence.
Photos, illustrations and notes on each well-known type of unicorn is unsurpassed!

I first encountered this book when I was very young. I asked my local library to buy it and they did; and I kept checking it out again and again. Owning this book now is like looking back into my own childhood, at the dreams and the wonder I had for the world. It's beautiful pictures and startling art has never faded for me over time.

This gorgeous book is one of the finest unicorn books I own. It has great pictures and lots of unicorn details and a unicorn searching guide. It is worth buying if you like unicorns or photography. It is worth getting Unicorn of Kilimanjaro or the Calendar if you can find them as well. It is on my list of favorite all time books, and i see a lot of them as i work at a bookstore. By this if you or someone you love likes unicorns and give the gift of magic.

I am so happy I bought this book. It has answered a ton of questions I had.

In a profession without a road map, this book is essential. A skilled editor, Jacob's tone is at once motivating, demanding, and kind. In her chapter on recipe testing, she brings you into famed kitchens--i.e. those of Deborah Madison, Mark Bittman, and Alice Medrich--to show that recipe developing is both hard work and loads of fun, like food writing itself.

I stumbled upon Dianne's website while I was researching for my book proposal. I wasn't planning to write a cookbook but since I love food and this book is so unique, I got myself a copy anyway.

I'm pleasantly surprised! I've learnt a great deal about raising one's platform/profile before publishing a book, as well as the nuts & bolts of the publishing industry. This book is a MUST-HAVE for all aspiring cookbook writers!

An inspiring food writing with a stack of gastronimic literature to read through over a long weekend, I had a goal of finishing at least two of three books that were sitting on my coffee table. The first one I chose was "Will Write for Food" by Dianne Jacob. A food writer who's been writing since 1978, Dianne also instructs and coaches individuals and groups on becoming successful food writers. As she mentions in her book, she used to tell students to go check out books at the library about food writing to gain perspective of the business outside of class. After students repeadedly came back to her stating there were no books out there on food writing, Dianne decided she'd be the one to write it. So I guess one could say this is the first book published on the nuts and bolts of becoming a successful, professional food writer. I found the book incredibly helpful, honest and no-nonsense. Dianne has a gift for mixing honesty (don't quite your day job right away) with pep talks (just keep writing, you'll get there). She delivers practical advice and covers topics from writing cookbooks to the art of restaurant reviewing, pitching food article ideas to magazine editors to writing memoirs, and getting ficiton and nonfiction pieces published. The book also features a number of exercises at the end of each chapter for readers to stretch their creative muscles, like brainstorming exercises that assist in developing magazine article topics, writing your own food recipe and researching food and book publishing markets. Finishing the book inspired me to march forward and capture all the ideas floating in my head onto paper to get them closer to being published pieces of work. This is a book I will refer back to regularly.

I have read many advice/guidance books on writing, and I truly found this book to have more practical and thorough information than all others I have read - and solely on the subject of food writing! The 'Interview Subjects,' 'Bibliography,' and 'Selected Web Sites' sections knocked my socks off. It is obvious that Dianne Jacob put a lot of time and effort into this book. I read it completely in just three days, and I will refer to it regularly for my food writing pursuits.

Writing Children's Books for Dummies offers everything you need from start to finish to write your own children's book. Go for it !

Wonderful, "to the point" information. Not overwhelming, makes me think that this dummy might have a shot at getting my work published.

As a Publisher of a mid-size children's book publishing company I come across many people who believe they know how to write books for children, but sadly do not know where or how to even begin. My recommendation to them is to read WRITING CHILDREN'S BOOKS FOR DUMMIES. This is the definitive guide for all aspiring writers as well as for established writers who might need a refresher on the latest formats and trends in the market.

Excellent book for the beginning Children's Book writer. Lots of great tips and pointers for getting that manuscript written and published.

This book takes you through all the steps necessary in writing children's books. Very helpful!

This an excellent book to help with learning aikido. We give a copy to every new student who joins our dojo to supplement our classes and expand the student grasp of knowledge.

Very helpful for priming & review of aikido dojo protocols for both teaching and learning aikido warm-up, basic training, principles and techniques in general.

Very well presented material. There is something here for any level of training. Many core concepts explained.

Book was interesting and informative. Book covered some items that I haven't seen addressed anywhere else. I would recommend this book especially for people new to Aikido.

I'd sincerely recommend this book to very beginners and... yes, to sensei.
The most valuable point of the book is that instead of usual plain listing of the standard techniques of this or that style, it concentrates on the basic principles - "how, why, and when it works", thus offering basic building blocks, and lots of unique tips and tricks. The principles are beyond the style differences, and thus applicable to everyone.
For sensei it contains many tips of how to handle difficulties of beginners.

An absolute necessity for any fiction writer, whether new to writing or used as a refresher. Easy to understand with crucial points listed at the end of each chapter. Discusses the pros and cons of using mystery and suspense elements, pacing, prologues, creating a hook and completing the cycle of hints, red herrings and resolution. This would be a perfect book for a writing class. After manuscript completion, every writer should revisit this book to evaluate their project before submitting to agents or publishers. There are many books on how to write mystery or suspense, but this is by far my favorite. Well Done!

This edition covers just about everything to do with the craft of writing. Serious and succinct, it covers all stages of the craft and offers valuable insight.

This book is a terrific primer for first-time or relatively new writers -- and not just writers of mysteries, but all fiction and even non-fiction. The examples of poor choices and better alternatives that Chris Roerden chooses are clear and relevant. My only nit to pick is the negative construction of the book: with some background in teaching, my preference is always to suggest the right thing to do first, rather than to point out what not to do or how not to do something. A valuable addition to the library of anyone who wants to become a better writer, editor, or reviewer.

DON'T MURDER YOUR MYSTERY is a remarkable book. Not only is it a boon to mystery writers, but also it has excellent examples, techniques and tips for authors of all genres. I plan on gifting this book to friends and all authors who write for Dog-Eared Publications. Nancy Field, Publisher

Recently published in 2006, this how-to book of "24 Fiction Writing Techniques to Save Your Manuscript" has already garnered 26 reviews, all of them top-rated with five-star! As the reviews all agree, fiction writers of any disposition or genre will find this book beneficial and delightful! The suggestions are exactly right for improving fiction manuscripts, the examples clear and valuable, the author's tone amusing, the book's presentation entertaining! Without qualification, I recommend this book to fiction writers--be they literary, mainstream, or genre writers.

Writing for women's magazines like Elle, Cosmopolitan, Woman's Day, Ladies' Home Journal, Redbook, Reader's Digest and the rest of the big names in publishing takes more than technique and writing skills. It takes knowing what works and what doesn't. Donna Elizabeth Boetig demystifies the process.

>From links to resources and tips on how to slant a story to make it a must read, Feminine Wiles: Creative Techniques For Writing Women's Feature Stories That Sell offers sound, proven advice and a lot of experience in the trenches. Having made most of the mistakes from time to time, her timely and time tested methods illustrate how to take a so-so idea and make it stand out.

Boetig also gives the inside scoop on what editors like to see from writers and how to hook an editor with a winning query. She also explains the difference between gushing, a technique guaranteed to land a quick rejection, and plucking the right emotional string.

Savvy and honest, every writer needs a copy of Feminine Wiles if they're serious about writing that sells and keeps selling.

Boetig's lead coverline, "Creative Techniques for Writing Women's Feature Stories..." doesn't give the whole picture. I found it to be "Creative Techniques for Writing That Will Sell" - period.

I am a relatively new (notice I didn't say young) writer who reads every book I can find on How to Write, How to Market, and How to Paper My Walls With Rejections. Although I write mostly nonfiction, I give Boetig's "Feminie Wiles" a Blue Ribbon.

Her tips, examples, anecdotes, and words of encouragement apply (and appeal) to all writers. I will be using her book as a reference in my upcoming writing classes, and I will encourage my students to purchase their own copies. It is a gem.

Feminine Wiles may be marketed toward women, but the advice offered will work for anyone whether you are writing for women or Field & Stream. Boetig reviews the basic process for lining up an interview, dealing with editors, and writing what sells. This is by far one of the better resources for freelance writers on the market today.

As a freelance writer, I'm always looking to expand my interests and marketability. Boetig's book brought a fresh perspective with lots of real world helpful ideas. The packaging is clever and the voice is easy to read. I particularly like it that you do not have to read the book in order, but rather, open it to the page you need and benefit immediately. Organized well. Well written. Lots of helpful information. Highly recommend.

Of the many how-to books on writing that I've read, I am really pleased with this one. From the very beginning, I gleaned tips that I have never read before. It's written in a relaxed style, much like actually talking to the author. I highly recommend this book if you want to write for magazines.

I love all of the stories by Keith Graves. My kids laugh, tell people about the books, and read them over and over again. He is a fantastic children's author!

As an elementary, music teacher I will use this adorable book every year. It encourages less confident students to participate in creative movement. I enjoy it as much as my students!

This is a great book about Frank who just wants to dance. The pictures are great. It is funny for adults as well as kids!

My three kids, ages 6 to 3, absolutely love this book. We ran across it at the library one day and before we bought it we borrowed it about 10 times! The kids think it is just hillarious, especially if you tell it with enthusiasm. My oldest now knows it by heart and loves to retell it to her sister and brother. We even shared it with their schools. Great funny read.

My 18 month old just got this as a Halloween gift from her aunt. The illustrations are colorful, imaginative and full of interesting details. The rhyme is catchy and interesting - even for my toddler. This book can hold it's own with any age group. It makes a great read aloud. I'd love to see it in a board book edition.

What a wonderful book! The illustrations are breathtakingly georgous and intricately detailed as is typical of all Jan Brett's books. The story of the Gingerbread Baby is a surprising and delightful retelling of the classic story. My children and I loved this book!

I really feel like the odd one out, but I wasn't too impressed with this book. Sure, the illustrations are gorgeous...By no means am I knocking Ms. Brett's skill here, but I just find the text a little long winded and ackward. Maybe it's the way I'm reading it...? It just doesn't seem too terribly well-written to me.

Beautiful illustrations. This is a great children's adventure book. It also teaches children the names of some animals.

When a Gingerbread Boy is peeked at when not supposed to, he becomes Gingerbread Baby! This is the main idea of Gingerbread Baby by Jan Brett. This story is about a boy named Matti in Switzerland. This is a great children's book. I strongly recommend the book.

A boy named Matti decides it's a perfect day for gingerbread. But, when his mother tells him not to peek, he does anyways. Then out pops ... not the Gingerbread Man but ... The Gingerbread Baby! The Ginger bread Baby runs away and everyone chases him. It's very funny.

I think that the Gingerbread Baby is the best character. He's the best character because he is my favorite character. The main characters are, Matti, The Gingerbread Baby, and the animals. The writing style is great. The story is very easy to read. It's a great book.

I really like the illustrations. They really tell the story. Some of the pictures are funny. The Gingerbread Baby even has his own little saying like the Gingerbread Man. One saying is "Catch me if you can!"

The story was great and funny. I really enjoyed the book. I really hope you like the book too. I recommend the book for grades k-5. This book can be for any age, boy or girl.

The book was as promised, prompt delivery and good packaging. I will use this seller again.

bought this copy for my daughter. she wishes she'd had it years earlier. loves it.

I retired a few years ago and wish that I had taken my Gregg Reference Manual with me as a "parting gift." I used to take calls from people regarding grammar questions. Little did they know I would grab this book and easily page to the correct answer. I impressed many people over the years; and then, of course, the answers became second nature to me. I have recommended this book many times and finally am going to purchase my own copy for home. It is a good book just to read. Absolutely EVERYTHING is in there.

This manual is a great tool with easy to locate information and a wealth of information; it is not, however, the end-all of writing. It is a good business writing manual, but to an English student and editor, it falls rather short. For example, Sabin's advice on generic pronouns and gender may suit a business proposal with "his or hers" and "he or she" littering the page, but in the humanities, this is becoming less and less acceptable. Items such as this seem unimportant only until you need them.

The GRM is a fine grammar manual if needed only for occasional use casually and in business situations, but for intense scrutiny, it wouldn't be my first choice.

I am an independent corporate trainer who teaches people to write better at work. When my students ask me for my advice about good books to guide them as they write at work, this is the reference book I recommend.

I also tell them several other things about the book. First, this is not just some handbook that secretaries can use to look up how to format a letter. It is an authoritative reference for all aspects of writing English. It should be next to the dictionary and thesaurus on the shelf of everyone who needs to write at work, from clerks to executives. Second, if your boss or anyone else argues with you about any rule of writing, you only have to point to the relevant entry in this book. All arguments stop there. Third, the size of the book is deceptive. It uses small font and thin paper. With normal font and paper, it would be the size of two or three large dictionaries. That's how much useful stuff is packed in this book.

It takes a while to get used to how the information in the book is formatted, but it is well worth the effort. All entries in the index include page numbers as well as topic numbers, which they call "rules." The book is logically structured around these rules, and it makes related topics easy to find.

I rated this book 5 stars because I think it is superior in all categories for a reference book: comprehensive content, abundant examples, thorough index, authoritative author, and reasonable price.

As a business education teacher, I highly recommend this reference manual to anyone entering the secretarial field. It provides a complete source for answering questions concerning grammar, punctuation, English usage, etc. The well-done index allows easy access to the needed information. It is an absolute MUST for office employees. Eva Lewis, El Cajon, CA