Themes Books

This book is so real!!! I MEAN REALLY REAL to life. I LOVED it and so will you...Get it for a seminarian, student, pastor, laymen, their family, etc...It is rich in wisdom and I suggest reading it over and over again as the years go by.

EUGENE PETERSON said: "This is the freshest and most honest book on pastoral work you're ever likely to come upon." I agree. Hansen helps us pastors consider what is essential for us to be pastors. Prayer, presence, scripture are central. Stories drawn from Hansen's contemplative fishing experiences help the reader appreciate the value of paying careful, quiet, patient attention in ministry. Not a "how to do it in X steps" book, but a book about being. This is a simple but deep book; it's hopeful and encouraging for a too busy pastor.

I could say a lot about this book. A whole
lot in fact. But I am just going to say this:
if you are a pastor or a family member of a
pastor get this book! It is rich, deep,
honest, Christian, Christlike, and so much
more. I am glad it came across my path
and am thankful the author shared his life
with us.

I had to read this book for a Ministry Practice and Polity seminary class, and it was probably one of the most enjoyable books that I read in my whole seminary career.

At the most basic level, this is sort of a 'day in the life' kind of book about David Hansen's experience in the role of pastor. The book is refreshingly honest as he discusses his struggles, victories, and overall experience of being a pastor in all the different compacities. I don't plan on being a pastor myself, but I would definitly recommend this book to anyone who is feeling called in that direction, as a 'window into the life of a pastorate.'

Someone famous once said, "This is the Emotion Picture Business." This book will help you add Emotion and Depth to your screenplays.

Plot is the meat and main course of any and all fiction scripts script regardless of film genres - without a good plot, it takes a miracle to have a good movie. "The Art of Plotting: Add Emotion, Suspense, and Depth to your Screenplay" covers all you need to know to make your plot the best it can be, explaining the complex principles, advice on integrating characterization and exposition to make the story more compelling, how to spot and overcome common plot problems, and demonstrate how plot can enhance everything else about your screenplay. "The Art of Plotting: Add Emotion, Suspense, and Depth to your Screenplay" is enthusiastically recommended to aspiring screen writers everywhere and deserves a place on any community library's Writing and/or Film Studies instructional reference collection.

Ok, I've been writing scripts for decades now. What's the common complaint generations of script readers and producers make: Anybody can come up with an exciting idea, or a powerful hook. Anybody. And there are tons of ideas out there - just open a newspaper! The problem is execution - keeping a 90 to 120 page script exciting. We can all write 10 or 20 pages of exciting scenes - but most of us run out of gas. In one word, plot. The plot goes no where, or gets boring. How do you keep the plot interesting, emotional? Plot is the entire focus of Linda Cowgills's book, and she presents 180 pages of ideas and suggestions on how you can keep your entire plot exciting, eventful and emotional.

Answer this question - what's the difference between conflict and complication? Which one keeps the plot moving?


Table of contents:
1 - The Three Requirements of Drama
2 - Plot: Event and Emotion
3 - The Role of Conflict
4 - The Principles of Action
5 - The Tools of Plotting
6 - The Sequence of Story
7 - The Real Art of Plotting
8 - Common Problems in Plot Construction
9 - Tools for Analysis

Great book. Highly recommended.

Great book, gives a lot of detailed information to lay the groundwork, then gets to the nitty-gritty with three terrific chapters at the end -- the real art of plotting, common problems in plot construction, and tools for analysis. These chapters are really specific about how you put your information together in your plot, as well as address specific problems writers encounter. A great asset to any writer's library!

There has been very little written on the snapshot, particulary as it relates to the development of photovision. Sara Greenough has put together an excellent exhibit on the subject. This catalogue only goes into the 1970s. Now she has to carry the snapshot into the digital world.

I can't speak highly enough of this wonderfully rich book on the grand topic of the American snapshot. The essays are full of revealing information about how big a role the snapshot has played in our culture. The generous sampling of photographs gives us shots that are entirely unique, each in its ow way, and yet they are also familiar, if you are old enough to remember the days of Kodak cameras, especially the Brownie. I found the best review of this great book at www.ronslate.com.

Sir John F. Herschel gets credit for coining the word "snapshot" in 1860; "The possibility of taking a photograph, as it were by a snap-shot -- of securing a picture in a tenth of a second of time." (He also coined "photography" itself, and was the first to apply "negative" and "positives" to photography.) Given his wide ranging interests, I'm sure he would have loved this book as much as I do.

The editors divide 1888 to 1978 into four periods. The first is discussed in Diane Waggoner's essay, "Photographic Amusements." Eastman Kodak was dominant with the Brownie: "You push the button, we do the rest (or you can do it yourself)."

Sarah Kennel covers 1920-1939 in "Quick, Casual Modern." Their PR folks peppered the roads with "Picture Ahead! Kodak as you go!" Eastman Kodak also tied the permanence of photos to family values: "Kodak began to stress use of the camera to counter the truancy of memory, particularly with regard to family stability."

Sarah Greenough's covers 1940-1959 with "Fun Under the Shade of the Mushroom Cloud." Kodak introduced Kodachrome in 1936 and Kodacolor in 1942. Snapshots were tied to social life. "Life" taught Americans pictorial journalism. Snapping pictures was "modern".

Matthew Witkovsky ends with "When the Earth Was Square." "It is the period when daily life, turned by a nation of consumers into an unending succession of narcissistic photo ops, becomes fodder for media spectacle, creating the lottery-like promise of instant but evanescent celebrity for everyone. ... These are the years when nothing is sacred yet everything is ritualized; when no one and everyone is special, and all things are made potentially interesting in pictures; and when amnesia, which thrives on prosperity, takes, hold, leaving memory to scatter and fade in billions of little prints."

The history is grand and enlightening, of course, but for me the images are key. The book is beautifully printed and bound; there is plenty of white space around each shot. You are free to flip through quickly, or stop and puzzle for lost minutes over a single image.

I have three suggestions for anyone interested in photography. First, read John Updike's wonderful review of this book free online on "The New Yorker" website.

Second, consider the words of Robert Jackson who put this collection together: as Updike writes: "his afterword to the catalogue manages to cast a pall of reasonableness over his curious passion. He coins the phrase 'a visual trophy' for a medium that 'seeks to preserve an idealized and individualized moment in time.' Attempting to explain the collector's motives, he claims, 'It is the anonymous snapshot's immediacy, inherent honesty, and unstudied freedom from external influence that are the draw. . . . The personal can therefore become impersonal.' Ah, but, then again, 'a collector can have a subjective interest in a snapshot's narrative content as a surrogate for life experiences. Thus the personal remains personal, if you will.'"

Third, buy this book.


Robert C. Ross 2008

I love this treasure trove of a book. Leafing through it takes me back time and time again to specific photos from family albums over the years. The book is a collaborative work that captures the essence of Americans' love affair with the camera.

The narrative divides the ninety years into four "generations" of the evolution of the snapshot: thirty years of beginnings followed by three twenty-year periods celebrating the interactions of the technical developments and the cultural idiosyncrasies of each era.

While the "plates" of photographs selected from Jackson's collection for exhibition form the book's core, the authors have introduced a sprinkling of "figures" of other photographs--and Kodak ads, in particular--to complete their histories. The Timeline of Technical Milestones at the end is nicely executed.

I've no idea how the authors would characterize the last two decades of the twentieth century, but I'm certain that the first two decades of the twentieth century belong to digital photography. I'd love to read their take on this generation of the American snapshot.

This was a gift I gave and was very well-received.It is an exceptionally beautiful book withmany floral prints worthy of framing. I am just glad they are still printing books of this quality.

The Art of the Garden... introduces the beginning enthusiast to the wonderful world of antique flower prints and is an essential addition to the library of the established collector of botanical art.

The gorgeously illustrated book documents the magnificent flower prints produced by notable artists of the 17th through the turn of the 20th centuries. These celebrated artists include Basil Besler, Maria Sybilla Merian, Mark Catesby, Georg Ehert, George Brookshaw, Robert John Thornton, Pierre Joseph Redoutè, and many others.

Illustrated with over 300 full-color images of original and valuable botanical prints, this book fills a void in the literature, as few good botanical references remain in print.

The text recounts the fascinating lives and passions of the artists and their patrons, the technical advances in printmaking, and the discoveries and cultural influences that shaped the depiction of flowers, plants, and trees. Also discussed are many variables affecting the values of original antique botanical prints including condition, rarity, historical significance, and aesthetic appeal. A range of prices is included to guide you in your collecting and a section on framing, displaying, and proper storage makes this an indispensable reference. A fascinating book for collectors of botanical prints, gardeners, and those interested in the history of flowers.

Some of the most beautiful AND important antique flower prints are reproduced in full color in this book. I was amazed at the amount of knowledge and history detailed so elegantly. The authors include even more artist information on their site. Fineantiqueprintsdotcom has striking images and examples. This book is an excellent reference.

This book is well written. Straight forward, informative and intersting. The reproductions of the botanical prints are stunning. The book is super reference for both the novice as well as the more experienced collector. A joy to read.

I love everything about "At Home in Nantucket" - the pictures were beautiful, it was easy to read and the recipes were delicious! I have never been to Nantucket but would love to check it out now!

I love this book!! I purchased a copy for myself first, and then numerous for friends and colleagues of mine who regularly summer in Nantucket, and some who have only been once, and others who haven't been yet (great way to encourage them!) - the photos are gorgeous and anyone with a bit of home decor interest would be interested in this.

Loved this book - some gorgeous homes that really gave me a lot of inspiration as I love that seaside/cottage look. Not all of the homes are decorated in an expected Nantucket style, however, which kept the pages interesting. It has beautiful photographs and some nice recipes too! If you love Nantucket or that casual, cottage/beachy design style, this is a great book for you.

The book is written in a style that warms the reader to life on Nantucket. The photographs come to life with the descriptive prose that the author uses to provide detail. A true sense of life on the island is conveyed in the book which made me want to rush to Nantucket for some R&R!

Augustus F. Sherman worked as a clerk with the Immigration Bureau of Ellis Island, photographing over two hundred families, groups and individuals as they passed through customs. Augustus F. Sherman: Ellis Island Portraits 1905-20 represents the first published collection of his work, featuring a hundred of his best photos of peoples from cultures around the world. A historical essay by Peter Mesenholler places the period of time and photos in perspective, providing both a critical analysis of Sherman's work and this collection, and lending important background to the portraits. An outstanding presentation of historical portrait photography.

Augustus F. Sherman's book of many portraits is a glimpse into 15 years of daily life at Ellis Island. Due to his office position at Ellis Island, Sherman had both time(remember these shots took a long time to set up and take) and opportunity to capture the many interesting clients Ellis Island served.

If you are looking for a portrait of your grandmother/father who came through Elllis Island, this is probably not the book you will find them in.

Rather, these portraits focus on immigrants wearing unusual native clothing/costumes; religious or military outfits; large family groups; ethnic groups; and even those suffering from congenital birth defects. Included also is a group of deportees whose crimes range from anarchy to being a stowaway.

Sherman sort to take as many photographs as possible in natural light, so the reader sees children playing in the Ellis Island "playground" - located on the roof; or a group of ladies from the Caribbean standing on the front "lawn"; a family from Africa; and much more.

A delightful glimpse at Ellis Island's early history - one wishes there were many more photographs the reader could view.

into what it must have been like to go through the process on Ellis Island. I had visited Ellis Island earlier this year,on a trip to New York and was struck by the atmosphere and history. The photographs in this book catch the essence of this landmark and the diversity of the people. There is also an explanation of the process that the individuals had to go through before being allowed to enter the US.

Augustus F. Sherman was simply doing his job when from 1904 to 1920 he photographed the individual arrivals of multiple nationalities at Ellis Island. It was his duty to document those new immigrants who were detained for further investigation before they were allowed to step onto the Great Hope that was America. But what resulted from this duty is a portfolio of portraits of world peoples that is as tender and as touching as any ever captured by professional famous photographers!

According to essayist Peter Mesenholler, Sherman was interested in anthropological documentation of the different physical characteristics of these Eastern, Western and Southern European proud folk. He captured the inherent pride of origin of these people who often donned their finest native folk costumes as they entered New York harbor. Sherman was sensitive to the psyches of his 'sitters', knowing that in addition to the overwhelming urge to enter America, the Land of Dreams, each of these people brought with them the memories both sad and happy of their native lands, 'heroes' if you will who were brave enough to leave their roots and aspire to higher dreams and goals.

These one hundred portraits are some of the more wrenchingly beautiful from this important time of mass immigration into America, images of the folk who would comprise the melting pot that we so cherish as our national treasure. All of this art is gained by the honest eye of a non-professional photographer who took the interest and care to pass along that rarefied moment of our country's history. And there is much to be learned from slowly perusing the faces and honest captions of these important photographs.

The quality of the reproductions in sepia-toned presentation is superb as is the accompanying wise essay by Peter Mesenholler. There are few books of photography that can be more widely acclaimed than this. Very highly recommended. Grady Harp, July 05

This book offers a fantastic opportunity to view some of Peter Lik's best known work - panoramic images of Uluru (Ayers Rock), Twelve Apostles, the Great Barrier Reef, and other Australian icons. To view the full range of Peter's books and posters visit PortraitAustralia.com.au

If you want to go or have ever been to Australia this is a must have book. It will intise you to visit or will remind you of all the natural beauty this amazing country has to offer. Peter Lik is a truley amazing photographer I have been to his galleries in Cairnes and Port Douglas in Australia and his work is breath taking. www.peterlik.com Also you can see what an amazing deal this is here at Amazon.com, this book usually retails for $70 US. Wonderful Masterpiece Peter!!

i just got this book as a present, and we're getting ready to go. very reminiscent of galen rowell's work (high praise) with lots of dawn/evening atmospherics. but this one is full of double page panoramics - nothing is lost in the crease - of the incredible australian landscape. get another book if you want people, animals or cities.

These are photographs of aspects of this vast country that many Australians never see. Contrast the reds of the desert with the greens of the rainforest. The magnificence of Uluru with the tranquillity of Dove Lake. The ageless beauty of the rain forest with the beauty of our beaches.

Australia is a beautiful place. This collection of photographs by Peter Lik makes that beauty more accessible to all of us.

Highly recommended to those interested in images of Australia.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

I've been traveling through Australia on expedition (mostly in the Simpson Desert) and this book features awesome panoramic photography throughout the continent. Unfortunately, the references to "God" once again muddy its pages. You know what to do, though: get out that permanent marker, careful to keep the real beauty unscathed.

In this age of immense suburban sprawl and the drive by many to pollute this world as much as possible, we can be reminded of some of the beautiful places that still exist. This book is an example and what a terrific book it is. It's absolutely appalling one would take a permanent marker to this book to black out God's glorious name. He did, afterall, create this place that we all share as our home. God created it for us to enjoy and we ought to praise Him for that everyday... not black out His name.

Ken Duncan has managed to capture Australia beautifully. This is an an excellent buy for those who appreciate landscape photography.

This is a beautiful book of a gifted photographer. Just like the "America Wide" this book offers much joy and peace in browsing through its pages. Thanks God for giving Ken such talent and skills.

I have made numerous trips to Paris, armed with several guidebooks, including a Frommers, a Lonely Planet and an Eyewitness, and this is by far my favorite. It's fun to browse through and it makes it easy to find something you want to run out and see. It's a relief to find a guide that's not trying to be an exhaustive list of every possible restaurant, museum or hotel. It has just the right amount of practical info to get you where you want to be and ready for the reality of it when you get there.
Until I used this guidebook I didn't realize that guidebooks are often jammed with too much (boring) information.

The graphics and photos are terrific -none of those grainy 80's pictures of people eating croissants under the Eiffel tower.

Without a doubt, the best travel guide I've ever used. I've been to Paris many, many times, and this guide led me to places I'd never even heard of. Particular strengths are in the areas of Clubs/Bars & Nightlife, Live Music & offbeat museums (who knew there was a Musee de l'Erotisme?) This book is a great choice for the fun-loving urban traveler. I'd highly recommend purchasing this in conjunction with "Time Out Paris", which is exceptionally good for restaurant recommendations.

Bon voyage!

I have an absolute infatuation with Paris. I travel there about once a year and now own over 40 travel guides on Paradise, err, I mean Paris. This book is my absolute favorite. Sure, the images and layout on the pages are totally hip, but more important so is the information. Anyone who's read a few travel books on Paris knows about FNAC music shop and Virgin Megastore, but through this book, I also learned about Boulinier, Crocodisc, Chez Sanchez, Monster Melodies, La Silence de la Rue, and Parallèles, which all specialize in a focused area of music. I discovered some incredible boutiques that I've never seen listed elsewhere. A few sights are mainstream (how can one visit Paris without seeing the Eiffel Tower or Arc de Triomphe?) but what makes this book unique is the listing of sights, restaurants, and shops that are totally cool that I haven't seen elsewhere. And if you want up-to-the-minute changes to the text, one simply travels no farther than their website. The book also has a "bite" -- raw, honest opinions. One problem with my book, however. I have read it and carried it around so often that my copy is getting quite tattered. For anyone with a true sense of adventure or who wants to explore some unique French spots where you won't encounter dozens of other tourists, this is your book.

I've read every kind of guidebook, from Let's Go in the 1980's to Lonely Planet in the 90's and this refreshing addition to the multitude is just the answer for the young (and not so young) adventurous traveller. The graphic design is fun and reveals a smart editor - hire a good graphic designer. The writing is witty and irreverant at times - perfect for those who seek a good experience without the hype. The maps are inadequate - but who travels with one guidebook these days anyway? That's what tourist maps are for.

I particularily liked the photographs, certainly not your average "Gee, here we are in front of the Eifel Tower" standard fare. They capture everything you dream Paris would be: classy, cutting edge and just plain gorgeous. The writing gets to the point quickly with all the necessary facts, yet does allow for some subjectivity that I found refreshing both before our trip and during our stay.

Buy this book if you're a repeat visitor to Paris and looking for another experience beyond the three day quickie when you have barely enough time to see the big league sites. The nightlife and eating sections are worth the price alone. Sure, we carried our Michelin Green Guide because we're architects and enjoy knowing the details, but for a cover to cover guidebook, this is the best yet.

I bought this book for my daughter who loves animals. She was not disappointed. This cute hand sized but large (700+ pages) book is chock full of wonderful pictures of all kinds of baby animals. It's a great gift for an animal lover.

I got this as a gift. The recipient absolutely loves it and has been raving about what an awesome gift it is.

Beautiful pictures, all sorts of animals, perfect gift, must see (better have) one.

The book is small but heavy - it's a high quality print, contaning hundreds of pictures of baby animals by themselves or being cared for by their mothers. The selection is very good, and makes for a great reading with my little kids.