Alexandra Paul Books

My 7-year-old was amazed by the colors at the Van Gogh show at the MFA in Boston last fall, but it was hard to find something appropriate to encourage him. This was perfect!

I'm tired of buying art "activity books" that kids don't use. But this one was worth every penny. My daughter (6) didn't stop carrying it around until she had colored in every painting. The story is good too, I learned a few things myself.

i discovered this book at a museum bookstore and gave it to my nephew, who is 7. i thought it might be too old for him, but he loved it. in fact, he took the book with him everywhere until he had colored it all in. now he carries it around and shows it to
everyone and tells them the story - he is a little art history teacher now. needless to say, his mother and i ordered several copies apiece to give as christmas presents. They arrived quickly.
i can't wait for the next one.

Finally a coloring book that has something more to offer! This ingenious book is great for kids who want to learn more about art ... and for parents who want to teach them. Kids learn about Van Gogh and Gauguin effortlessly by reading the text and through coloring their own pictures. The book looks like so much fun, I was tempted to start coloring myself. Can't wait for the next one in the series!

I bought this book for my 9 year old son after seeing it mentioned in the New York Times. What a hoot! A coloring book about the friendship of Vincent van Gogh and Paul Gaugin. My kid has already colored in all the pictures in a way which shows the utter lack of imagination of these so-called creative artists. Now he wants me to get him another copy. And you know what? I probably will. This book is a lot of fun.

This is a very nice book about Paul Revere that's appropriate for elementary aged children. Besides covering the war for our nation's independence, one of the nice things that it accomplishes is a more human depiction of Paul. It talks about his two marriages and the 16 children that resulted. It also emphasizes that Paul was constantly working to learn new crafts and skills in order to support his family. There are descriptions and pictures not only of his school days, but also of some interesting kid-friendly trivia, like the fact that Paul once sold a woman a chain for her pet squirrel.

Five Stars. All in all this is a very good biography. The artwork is colorful and interesting, and there are enough fun details about Revere's life that children should find the book engaging. Very young children will likely need to have the wars and politics explained to them.

Reading Level: Fifth Grade (5.3)

This picture book is an excellent resource for children of any grade level. The book gives an excellent portrayal of Paul Revere through the years. It really focuses on him as a person and the contributions he made to his family and to his country. The pictures are an excellent resource for ELD students as well as all students. I found this book to be very accurate, yet simplistic.

An absolutely excellent bunch of photographs never before seen in any other book about the Last Imperial Family; they're on their yacht, at the beloved palace Livadia, at the front... everywhere. Quite a few dates are off and there are some misidentifications with Nicholas and Alexandra's daughters (rather typical, sadly enough), but it's still excellent. I recommend this to ANYONE interested in the Romanovs, even slightly. It even throws in Grabbe's views on Nicholas, Alexandra and their five children.

San Mateo! visits familiar haunts along the coatline, up the rugged coast range and into the valley along the bayshore. Towns, mansions, parks and structural wonders invite the reader to step into San Mateo County's past and explore the by-ways of history.
--- form books back cover

In Victorian England, the latest London season ends and the nobility retires to their country estates. In Newton, the fifth Earl of Dunsford hosts a house party and the cream of society is there. One night at dinner, a hysterical kitchen maid threatens the earl with a knife until one of the guests Dr. Alexandra Gladstone calms her down.

The next morning, Alexandra is called to the estate to assist the coroner in figuring out how Dunsford was murdered. Everyone thinks it was the maid who threatened him the night before but the doctor says somebody strangled him. The knife wound happened after he was dead. Circumstantial evidence forces the local magistrate to arrest the maid but he doesn't know that every guest at the earl's house wanted him dead for one solid reason or another. Alexandra intends to see that justice is done even if it means putting her own life in danger.

The villain of the piece is actually the deceased who had so many enemies, including a cuckolded husband, an adulterous wife, a sodomist and a man who was fleeced by the victim, that the audience won't be able to decide who had the best motive. The heroine of SYMPTOMS OF DEATH is not the typical Victorian society woman but a woman who could have thrived in today's enlightened atmosphere. Readers will look forward to seeing her in future tales.

Harriet Klausner

"Symptoms of Death" starts out promising enough: Edward Boswick, the fifth Earl of Dunsford, has invited a small party of intimate friends to his country estate of Montmarsh near the little village of Newton-Upon-Sea; when while at dinner, a distraught kitchen maid, bursts in upon the guests, threatening to kill the earl with a carving knife. It turns out that the maid (Elsie O' Riley)'s young man (George Stirling) has been murdered, and Elsie seems to believe that the earl had something to do with George's death. Fortunately for all, the village's lady doctor, Alexander Gladstone, is present at this select dinner. And she competently takes over by helping to disarm the hysterical Elsie and removing her from the scene. Dr. Gladstone doesn't believe that Elsie is really dangerous or that she is actually out to do the earl any harm. She believes that Elsie is just distraught, and that all she really needs is for someone to listen to her woes and to offer her a shoulder to cry on. So you can imagine the good doctor's surprise when she arrives at Montmarsh the next morning to find that the earl has been murdered, and that Elsie is the only suspect of the crime!

Dr. Gladstone however still refuses to jump to conclusions; and her preliminary examination of the earl's body bolsters her belief that Elsie is not the murderess everyone believes her to be. For it looks as if the earl was first strangled to death and then stabbed. Not everyone however (esp the village constable, Mr. Snow) shares Dr. Gladstone's view. Dr. Gladstone, however, does have one ally: Nicky Forsythe, the earl's distant relative and a barrister. Together, Gladstone and Forsythe start looking more closely at the other members of the house party to discover who, other than Elsie, had a reason to wish the earl dead, and who actually carried out the deed.

While the mystery is interesting enough, I had problems with Paula Paul's prose style -- it was a little too stagy for my taste. Also the characters left a lot to be desired: Dr. Gladstone was a little too cold and remote, while Nicky Forsythe was at times a little too vapid! It made the attraction between the two, while probable and believable, incredibly boring. Most of the other characters in this mystery novel were more or less familiar stock types -- the seemingly upright nobles who were really reeking of corruption and debauchery; the gossiping and malicious countess; the wife of easy virtue, etc. Only two characters broke the mold: Dr. Gladstone's housekeeper-friend, Nancy, who in spite of her belligerent and pushing ways, happened to be the only intelligent and interesting character in this mystery novel; and the Constable Snow, who because of Paul's reticent depiction, comes across as being a rather enigmatical, shadowy character, who may or may not be corrupt. With all my nitpicking, you'd think I'd advise against reading this book all together. To the contrary: the mystery is really quite intriguing and engrossing. And Paul does a rather good job of maintaining that air of suspense, so that you have no choice but to carry on reading in order to discover who murdered the earl and why. I just wish that the primary characters (Gladstone and Forsythe) had been worthy of this clever little murder mystery.

SYNPTOMS OF DEATH is a debut novel in the Dr. Alexandra Gladstone series. Set in Victorian England, it offers wonderful detail of how life was lived in that era. The details of medicine and medical treatment are especially intriguing, as is Paula Paul's understanding of English common law in Victorian England. Paul weaves these details with skill and finesse into an engrossing plot full of multi-dimensional characters. I especially liked Nancy, Dr. Gladstone's impertinent maid, and the enigmatic Constable Snow. Dr. Gladstone also hides a fascinating woman behind a facade of cool Victorian propriety. I couldn't put it down, and I can't wait for the next installment.

Ten years ago I fall in a mystical delirium in Philadelphia the day of the Christmas day. Nobody couldn't believe that I will work one day. Today I am working as computer engineer in peace with the Love from God in my heart like you. I will bring back to you all the joy you have give to me by reading your book. You are not alone in this world and me too now.

A French "schizophrenic"

Christina is a beautiful and gifted writer. The chapters are short and she recalls the horrid experiences of her psychotic episodes, yet at the same time, she tells stories of some aspects of the episodes that in hindsight make you smile.

She is forthright and frank about her experiences with a man she had been "in love" with. I am proud of this book because as a schizophrenic myself, living in Pennsylvania, I'd always been led to assume that schizophrenics are NOT beautiful and smart, but Christina proves otherwise with her book. I would like to read more about Christina's life experiences. I enjoyed reading words of someone who has gone through similar experiences as I.

Five Lost Years is that rarest of things--an articulate first person account of life with schizophrenia. The author, Christina Alexandra, experiences horror and delusions, but also unrequited infatuations (not unlike us). Despite her illness, she manages to become a Philadelphia Eagles cheerleader (or "Liberty-Belle"), as well as take courses at Cornell University. Five Lost Years dispels a lot of stereotypes about severe mental illness. For one, Ms. Alexandra is no dummy. Secondly, she is actually quite glamorous (something not usually associated with schizophrenia!). The book closes with an upbeat Christian message, with the intricacies of her "witness" elaborated in the Afterward. This book should be of interest to anyone (patient, doctor, or family) associated with schizophrenia.

This book was slow and boring. It could not hold one's interest. It is a fast read, thank god. I know a little about schrizophrenia and that is why I was interested in the book. But it didn't hold my interest, you couldn't keep up with the story line. I am glad I got it as a present and didn't spend the money on the book.

Always eager to escape with a historical cozy, I originally tried this series with its first book, "Symptoms of Death." The book was pleasant enough for me to try the second book, "An Improper Death." It was horrible, one of the worst books I read all year. I was finished with the series, but we all know how searching for something new on the bookstore shelves sometimes leads to desperate purchases. I bought this third book with much trepidation. I took it home. I read it. I actually enjoyed it. The characters are becoming three-dimensional. The mystery was more interesting. The romance is more apparent, but still subtle. A historical figure--Florence Nightingale--makes an appearance. It is a decent cozy, if you are looking for a book to distract you for a few hours. I will keep this one on my shelves and wait for the fourth book to see what Dr. Alexandra will do next.

An Improper Death is the best book in the Dr. Alexandra Gladstone series. It is handled in a manner different from most mysteries set in historical times in that it assumes that the reader is already familiar with the time and place. As a result, there is none of the historical lecturing that one encounters in other series, such as for instance Steven Saylor's Roman series.

As with the other Gladstone mysteries, An Improper Death is written in a fun, cutesy style that makes for excellent escape reading. Best of all, the mystery is one that is difficult for the reader to figure out until all is revealed at the very end.

AN IMPROPER DEATH is even better than the first book in the Dr. Alexandra Gladstone series. The opening line has to be one of the best I've ever read, and it launches the reader into an intelligent, thought provoking story that reveals as much about how men view women and women view themselves as it does about the mystery and the killer. At the same time, the author's flair for wry humor keeps the story from being overly serious. Then there's the surprise ending that's like the icing on the cake. I love the way the author has slowly revealed the personalities of the series characters in the course of these first two books, especially Nancy (my favorite) and Constable Snow. I can't wait for the next book in the series.

I found AN IMPROPER DEATH to be even more well written and more intriguing than the first book in the series. The characters are especially intriguing and three-dimensional. The enigmatic Constable Snow is becoming my favorite.

I particularly enjoyed the development of Jane, the admiral's wife, in this story. Details regarding the legal rights (or lack of) for married women in Victorian England were particularly interesting, and the writer used the details to weave a story I couldn't put down.

In contrast to the previous reviewer, I found both Dr. Gladstone and her assistant Nancy very real and very enjoyable to read about. I couldn't figure out Constable Snow at all. I think his mysterious behavior was due only to the author's desire to place a hurdle in Dr. Gladstone's way, nothing more.

As for the comment "some of the characters behave in such strange manner that their reasons for doing so just beggar belief. Unfortunately I cannot really go into this without revealing plot spoilers)", this is absolutely correct. I'd say read this for the characters, and give up on trying to make sense of the mystery.

The little village of Newton-Upon-Sea is bubbling with rumour and conjecture. One of the village's most respected of residents, Admiral George Orkwright, is found dead on the beach, wearing nothing but his wife's underclothes. The village constable, Mr. Snow, believes that the admiral donned his wife's undergarments while under the influence of a lot of alcohol, ventured out into the night, fell into the sea and drowned. Of course the lady doctor of Newton-Upon-Sea, Alexandra Gladstone finds such an explanation ludicrous, and she would like to perform an autopsy so as to be sure about the cause of death. To her surprise, Snow blocks her request. Determined to discover how the admiral died and why he was in his wife's undergarments, Alexandra, together with her trusty housekeeper (and sidekick in investigations), Nancy, begins to discreetly investigate the circumstances surrounding the admiral's death, and soon finds that things are a whole lot more complicated than she anticipated. For example, there are some rather unpleasant rumours about the admiral's estranged stepson, John, who has since taken to a life of crime. And then there is Snow's baffling behaviour. Why is he blocking an investigation into the admiral's death? And why is he so protective of the widow and her family? No matter the personal cost, Alexandra is bound and determined to get to the bottom of the admiral's death...

The trouble with "An Improper Death" was that it was just not written in a very exciting, gripping or tantalizing manner. (Characters were not very well developed, and some of the characters behave in such strange manner that their reasons for doing so just beggar belief. Unfortunately I cannot really go into this without revealing plot spoilers). When I read Anne Perry's mystery novels with similar themes, I become so engrossed with the plot and the characters, that I find it really hard to put down the book and do the day-to-day tasks that must be tackled. With 'An Improper Death," I started flipping after a while. After the initial intriguing and promising start, things just meandered on and on while Alexandra, Nancy and Nicholas Forsythe (Nicholas has been hired to defend John on charges of burglary) try to sift fact from gossip, and try to make sense of all the evidence that Alexandra has collected to date regarding the admiral's death. What I really liked about the novel were the bits of historical detail and the bits that dealt with Alexandra's work as a village doctor. The mystery, however, left me cold. I also found Alexandra Gladstone's character to be as uninteresting as ever; so too her potential romantic interest, Nicholas Forsythe. He was as vapid as he was in the first Dr. Alexandra Gladstone mystery novel. This time around however, I was dismayed to realise that I even found Alexandra's detecting sidekick and servant, Nancy, to be as irritating as well. (Perhaps I'm feeling slightly unwell and things are not as bleak as they seem?) Only Constable Snow remained as interesting, engaging and as mysterious as ever. What is his story? And why does he go to such pains to hide his intelligence and his quick wittedness? And I will probably read further installment of this series for this character (and fortunately, I'm currently working at a bookshop, and so will be able to flip through future books without having to buy them!)

If you want to read a truly gripping English mystery novel set in the Victorian period, try any one of the Thomas and Charlotte Pitt novels by Anne Perry, or one of the early William Monk mysteries (also by Anne Perry). Because, aside from the character of Constable Snow, there is very little to recommend this Dr. Alexandra Gladstone mystery series.

DRAWING from the MODERN is the first of a three part series published by MOMA as catalogue to accompany the chronologically arranged exhibitions of their drawing collection; in part, celebration of the seventy fifth anniversary of the founding of the Museum.

This first book looks at the late nineteenth century through the beginning of the twentieth. Care and preservation of these drawings dictate that they are displayed infrequently, paper being a delicate medium, subject to fading, discoloration and brittleness. The publication of this series then allows us to have at hand a history of drawings seldom seen, and a visual education demonstrating how problems of that era both evolved and worked themselves out.

The introduction by Jodi Hauptman is broad and well worth reading. Aside from her entertaining "end of art" stories, she addresses artists and process leading to the dissolution of prevalent notions: relationship of "mark" to "ground", took new form; spatial notions of an orderly page, questioned; the element of chance, explored as process; the ego relationship of an artist to work, dissolving. New imagery happened: collage, abstraction, grids, enhanced emotions, metaphors of feeling, the sublime re-imaged. New subjects explored brutalities of war, notions of "city", identity, the spiritual, and the abstract.

As perhaps with all process of art, the uncertainty of change brought forth much that is new. The 139 plates of drawings both demonstrate and give testimony by leading artists of the time to new era in process. Drawing as subject matter is fascinating. To be expected, the book is well printed. Of course, what is book one without book two and three?

Nancy Gutrich

I purchased book 1 & 2 from Amazon. The illustrations are far too small to be a professionally represented art book from MOMA I've decided to save my money rather than pay out for the 3rd edition. It sounds a good buy from its description but I don't consider this trilogy to be very satisfactory.

This is not a good artbook. The images are way too small to be satisfying. This book could have been great, but falls way short of its potential. Don't buy it, you will be disappointed.

Wow, the author needed 832 pages to say the same thing over and over again. Although I didn't find it as boring as the other reviewers, I still did not like it. I didn't really learn anything past the first couple of chapters.

There are much better books out there on this subject, so if you don't really need it for a class, go and buy something else. Especially if you're comfortable with auditing.

Definitely agree with other people here, this book is extremely boring. I bought it for one of my classes, the class was OK though.

There are so many more physically painful things I'd rather do than read this book. AIS is naturally boring...that's a given, but it takes it to a whole new level of boring. It could give you the no-nonsense technical and professional information, but it goes on and on where no comment is necessary. Sometimes saying things that a first grader would know. Don't buy this book if you can avoid it, and if you're a professor...please don't subject your students to this.

Boring book, you will always look to see how many pages are left before you complete the chapter. If you ask me with 100% hands down certainty the guys who wrote this book haven't been laid in over 6 yrs

Is this the world's most boring book ? Technically competent but painfully dry. A gift too insomniacs. Good luck on getting past page 1 !