Themes Books

Being first generation American with my parents born in Montserrat. I was fortunate enough to visit the island and remember what is was like before the volcano. these photos are post volcano and my family and I were happily surprised to see that the island still is quite lovely and is surviving. We have relatives that are still on the island, but they are old and just keep telling us how they miss the way the island used to be. After purchasing this book, (which by the way was extremely hard to do,and can not be done through Amazon proper, but through a reseller listed with them) I want very much to visit Montserrat again and to take my daughter to see some of her heritage. If there are any Montserratians or desendants of Montserratians reading this,please go and visit, I believe the island could use it and so could we.

This book gives you a first hand glimpse at the
magical island of Montserrat. Igor Kravetchenko brings
the island to life through his book which is separated
into two sections. The first section provides a brief
look at the history, politics, economy, nature, and
culture of the island using thumbnail size photos to
illustrate its stories. Kravetchenko enables readers
to paint their own images of Montserrat in their minds
before viewing the second section of the book. It is
this photo journal portion which truly captures the
essence of the island through vibrant images of its
landscapes, and candid photos of its people. If one
has not traveled to Montserrat this book will incite
the desire to go; and for those who have, it will feel
as though you have just returned.

Igor Kravtchenko's fabulous portrayal of Montserrat is a joy to look at and read. After returning from a wonderful week spent in Montserrat, coming home to this book on the doorstep was a fantastic way to relive our memories from a lifetime of visiting, living in and loving Montserrat. The evocative pictures show Montserrat as it truly is, an emerald paradise, and despite the devastation caused by the volcano, it remains a place we are still honoured to call home. Kravtchenko's book graces our coffee table and has already been the subject of many discussions and has inspired our friends and family to want to visit. I would reccommend this fabulous book to anybody.

What better way to mark the 10th Anniversary of the Soufriere Hills Volcano than to obtain the new publication- Photo Exploration- Montserrat and Montserratians?

The Authors- Igor Kravtchenko with his pictures and Howard A. Fergus with the script capture the very essence of what Montserrat was and is- a unique tropical paradise.

The variety of comments and opinions speak for themselves.

One Tourist had this to say- "Seeing is Believing. Montserrat is indeed an extremely beautiful place. The pictures give a comprehensive portrayal of Montserrat's charm and natural beauty. The volcano has taken nothing away."

Another Tourist just passing through, said "I must take back a copy of this book to show my friends. The book illustrates in words and in photography what I have experienced on my short stay. I want more! I must come back for more."

Even those of us who live in Montserrat have to admit that despite the fact we only live on part of the island now Montserrat seems just as appealing. This book helps us to appreciate a whole lot more, the scenic beauty we took for granted all these years.

This book captures it all; an exquisite exhibition of the flora and fauna of Montserrat.

Its art, its history, its nature, its resilience, it's Montserrat, a real Tropical Paradise on land and under the sea.

So there you are. Get yourself a copy of this book. See the variety of excellent accommodation that's available and come get a taste of our ambience and hospitality. It's an experience you'll never forget!

As a teacher I found this book extremely useful because it represented so many different cultures and was so organized. The organization made it quick and easy to use which is important for teachers. The stories were beautiful and authentic but not too long--definitely usable in a classroom setting.

I have returned to Erica Meade's The Moon in the Well because of some research I am doing about storytelling and wisdom traditions. Not having perused the book for several years, I had not remembered its animated, vibrant retellings and its soulful passion for the depth of stories and thier universal artistry and healing power. For anyone interested in the ways of the human heart this is indeed a wellspring book.

Merna Ann Hecht, storyteller

There are many anthologies out there, but this one is unique. These tales are beautifully rendered and exquisitly told. They are inspirational and practical, simple and wise, universal and local, poetic and instructional. At the end of each story Mead directs her reader to mythic and psychological themes. She offers reflections and suggestions for weaving stories meaningfully into our lives. This book is a gift to anyone engaged in personal self-reflection and social change, and a worthy companion to those in the healing and teaching professions.

The Moon in the Well is a great collection of stories from around the world. Those who use story in their work will find this book a great resource. I work with young people and the notations after each story are helpful in pulling out themes to explore and learn from.

Breathtaking photographs that would convince anyone to travel to these villages. Excellent source of information pertaining to the photos as well.

This book with its 285 magnificent colour pictures takes the reader on a journey through mainland Greece and its islands. The introduction contains a history of Greece from the earliest times. The book is divided into sections for the mainland, including the Peloponnese: Arkadia, Messinia, Lakonia and The Mani, and Pelion, Epiros and Evritania. The second section covers the islands like the Cyclades, Dodecanese, Ionian, Chios and the Argo -Saronic. A small map covers every section. The book includes a traveller's guide with a map of Greece, sections on festivals and holidays, hotels, restaurants and food, and concludes with a bibliography. This stunning book reveals a glorious picture of Greek village culture in its attractive photographs and engaging text. It is the perfect guide for prospective travellers of for those who wish to familiarize themelves with the charming village life of modern Greece.

I love the whites and blues of the hillside villages overlooking the Mediterranean. This book is an inspiration for a quality of life that we simply don't have in the US. Simplicity is an art in these wonderful villages and homes we are allowed to explore in this wonderful book. Flowers abound. Life is wonderful. This book is something to treasure until you get your chance to see it for yourself. And in response to that silly editorial review....not everyone is watching that Raymond TV show!

I saw this book at a friend's home and thought it was perfect for a Christmas gift for my husband. Since we are both of Greek descent and my husband's family was from the island of Halki, I know he will love it. The copy I received from David Starcher is in excellent condition. The pictures are beautiful and the information on each village is very well written and makes me want to visit each one of them. I am thrilled with this book.

I found this book heart breaking only because I wish that my son had a Jamie in his life. We all are happier when we have a friend or friends in our life yet people with Aspergers Syndrome often go without this blessing.

This book about the frienship between two children, one who has autism, one who doesn't, is touching and beautiful. To look at this book in the catalogue or online doesn't do it justice, but when you hold it in your hands you will find it is incredibly unique. The black and white photos of Jamie and her friend, Will, will make you wish you had a friendship like that as a child because you can see the acceptance and caring they have for each other. And the fun! The message is in equal measure as succesful in conveying what it is to be a friend as the pictures are. It explains characteristics of autism in a simple way that is easy for children and adults to understand. This is a book of inclusion, of acceptance, of loving each other for who you are as an individual. As a parent of children with autism the beauty of this message makes me cry. I wish for friends like the 11 year old author, Jamie, for my children. I'm going to read this book to my children's classmates, but I won't loan it out. It's one of those keepers I want to be perfectly selfish with! However, I did purchase a second copy for the library. I'm already thinking ahead to Christmas, it would make a perfect gift, not only for the parents of childen with autism, and teachers, but for ALL children. It is such a powerful message that both children and adults will find this book endearing.

Kristi Sakai, parent of 3 with Asperger Syndrome and author of
Finding Our Way: Practical Solutions for Creating a Supportive Home and Community for the Asperger Syndrome Family

Jamie, the 11-year-old narrator talks about being friends with Will, who has autism. These beautiful photographs will certainly move all readers regardless of age.

Jamie accepts Will unconditionally; he does not have to jump through any hoops or pass any tests with her. I like the way Jamie talks about the fun she and Will have together; this will hearken to mind Peralta's book about her brother, Evan.

I just love the inclusion that is so much a part of the friendship of these two children; I just love the overall tone of this book. As someone who has an invested interest in autism, the author deserves special kudos for portraying autism in a logical, clear and straightforward way that promotes tolerance. Hats off to this book! I am going to ask my library to order a copy of this book. I also feel educators will get a lot out of it as well.

Their friendship makes me think of the Cole Porter classic, "Friendship." They have beautifully demonstrated that "while other friendships go up in smoke, ours will still be oak, rah da da da da, be beepoom baa."

This is a wonderful introduction to autism for children. I am a school pyschologist and use it in a Kindergarten-2 grade elementary school to begin a discussion about autism with the children. The black and white pictures are expressive and sweet. The text was written by a 10 year old girl about her friendship with a child who has autism. It is told in simple, informative language and is sensitively written. It is a great discussion starter and has done wonders in my school building to begin relationships between typically developing children and children on the autistic spectrum.

It's impossible to pick up "My Life in the Movies" for the first time and NOT proceed to flip quickly through every page just to see what could possibly be next. Just try it. Text? There was text?! As you flip through, the really odd thing you'll notice is how many of the visual memories you associate with a particular movie came NOT from the guy sitting behind the movie camera but from the hand of the STILL photographer. In fact, some movies' most iconic still images never even appeared in those movies! That spectacular shot from Rocky IV of Sly Stallone being hoisted above the crowd with American flag clutched in gloved hands... Try finding that in the film! Same thing for the head-to-head shot of Newton-John's and Travolta's too-cool-for-school ad photo from Grease.

Throughout, Friedman shows an uncanny ability to capture "the moment". That's perhaps a less important skill in the current eight-frames-per-second world, but it was a necessity during Friedman's heyday. Just check out the entire set of photos from Bruce Lee's "Enter the Dragon"...Wow! Or some of the stunt photos from Stallone's "Cobra" several of which were of the get-it-right-the-first-time-because-there-can't-be-a-second-time variety.

Look beyond the iconic images, and you'll find some really wonderful outtakes that show actors and crew at rest and at play. You might find yourself spending more time with these photos than with the iconic ones as you try to catch a glimpse of what sits behind the "movie mask" of Hollywood's biggest stars.

And, if you haven't read the text by that point, do so. In today's tabloid society, it would have been easy for Friedman to dish on drugs, vanity, petulance and excess. Instead, he took the high road, choosing to see and express the good in everyone. Well done, sir!

"My Life in the Movies" is a window into the wildest industry of the past century. The still photos on film sets, and the captions that go with them, tell the human story behind some of the best Hollywood films ever. Bruce Lee in Enter the Dragon, Travolta in Grease, Sly in Rocky and Rambo, Steve McQueen, Burt Reynolds in Heat. My favorite part? The incredibly beautiful shots of female stars like Jacqueline Bisset in The Thief Who Came to Dinner and Rachel Ward in The Thorn Birds. As they say in the movies, two thumbs up.

WOW! The presentation in this book is first-class and the pictures are a part of cinematic history. "My Life in the Movies" features some of Hollywood's greatest movies and its biggest stars. Friedman's storied resume includes classics such as "Grease", "Enter the Dragon", "Carrie", "Tom Horn", "Summer of '42" and "Rocky IV."

This book features approximately 400 photographs from his award-winning archive, but it's his memories of shooting the stars (Bruce Lee, Steve McQueen, Warren Beatty, Sylvester Stallone, John Travolta, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Goldie Hawn, Jane Fonda) that is truly worth the price of this gorgeous book.

Friedman says in the book he got out of the business because the corporate world got involved in the movie industry...guess that's what makes him and this book special - the integrity and imagery of Hollywood's golden era are preserved on these pages.

"My Life in the Movies" only covers the beginnings of Dave Friedman's career as a photographer. This amazing book of photos chronicles the early images of such mega stars today as Goldie Hawn, Sylvester Stallone, and John Travolta. Dave is a personable man behind the camera who captures his clients in a candid way. Dave makes everyone around him feel like they should be in the spotlight. The images he has captured are beautiful and the stories that follow them give the reader insight that no photographer to the stars today can give.

My art teacher brought this book to class and I couldn't put it down. It's a little pricey but worth every cent. I go to another place in my head while looking at the portraits imagining what their lives must have been like. I feel as if they are people I know. The text is good, too. This was obviously a labor of love for the author.

This is a beautiful book for anyone interested in Hellenistic Greek or Roman painting or portraits from any time. These are the first portraits in which the subjects look directly at us as we regard them. They are a haunting glimpse into the lives of people dead for 2000 years. This book is full of big color illustrations. Doxiadis does a fine job of tracing the history of the discovery, theories about, and conservation of these images.

I first saw this book in the Getty Villa reading room, and aquired it here at a nice discount. A art history book written by an artist, what a concept! This is a hauntingly beautiful book that invites the owner to open it again and transport themselves back several millenia. These paintings are so wonderful it is easy to understand how "the experts" thought them fakes when they first appeared! The text is almost as much a pleasure to read as the paintings are to view. Some of the paintings are surprisingly contemporary and possess much of what artists pride themselves in accomplishing during the last 125 years or so.

I checked this book out from the library so many times, that noone else got to read it. If you are an artist or someone who wants to work with past lives, or a novelist, this is the book for you.
for the portraits in this book, painted in Alexandria m during the Greek/roman period of Eygpt's history, are wonderful! The Writer analyses each painting from a painter's perspective , breaking down the colors and pigments used in those times, for instance black is often burnt wine. the illusion of Gold was made with yellow orche / white and a darker color. I tried painting many of the pictures myself.

Ever wonder why those 11 a.m. or 2 p.m. summertime pics at the Grand Canyon look pretty crappy compared to what you see professionally?

Well, Fitzharris has the easy answers, from time of day through time of year to use of filters.

Fitzharris visits each park. Based on foliage and other considerations, he recommends the best photographic tims of year to visit. Then, in each park, he lists the best photographic hotspots with times of day to visit.

Beyond that, he suggests how to plan a trip to each park to allow for morning and evening shooting along with midday hiking or other activities.

The photos from each park perfectly illustrate the suggestions he supplies.

Tim Fitzharris Guide to Nature Photography is a complement to John Shaw's Nature Photography Field Guide, which has been widely (& correctly) accepted as a "textbook" in this subject, up to this time.

That's why the first part of this book tends to be a bit boring. Much of the discussion about the equipment is overlap and has been explain thoroughly in Shaw's book. I think Shaw gives us the basics and fundamentals in nature photography (the know-how theory of exposure and metering unusual situations, the best equipment to chose and use, etc). However, you will be amazed by how much you don't know about nature photography in the next parts and chapters of the National Audubon Guide to Nature Photography.

Tim Fitzharris furnish you with many advance and creative techniques to create more appealing, artistic and creative photos. For examples, he explains clearly and beautifully how to use motion effects (including wind) to photograph many nature objects, the right angle to maximize perspective, modifying natural light (including advance technique of using neutral density filters), impressionism nature photography, etc. What makes this book more helpful is Tim Fitzharris also caters into details in important points of his explanations. He explains (more comprehensively than John Shaw does) about the techniques to get close to wildlife and the power of using blinds, how to photograph birds in flight and even as far as the shutter speed for action-stopping (freeze hummingbird with wings, or body only, great blue heron in flight, snow goose in flight, etc!). He also provides reader with picturegraphs (of animal portrait, how to exactly position the neutral density filter in various situations, etc). These proven techniques and detail information is unquestionably very helpful in boosting our learning curve.

To help us to be more productive, Tim Fitzharris gives hints to the characteristics of the photogenic sites and also the nature photography calendar (North America).

The photos always correspond with the topic discussed and they are breathtakingly beautiful and artistic. It made me wondering, what kind of photos will be presented in the next page. Moreover, they also serve as a good example. Even I learn so much about composition by looking at those stunning photos.

However, I find one part of this book has been published in Fitzharris column in Popular Photography. Be aware for you who regularly read his monthly column (I don't).

Another weakness, this book seems not presented in methodical or lack of systematical method in teaching you about nature photography. Perhaps the author and publisher want to avoid the textbook impression; they want it to be more artistic (in fact it is the way I feel about this book). Where should I find the action-stopping speed? I can't find it in the chapter about wildlife... neither I can find a thorough explanation about using neutral density filter in The Right Equipment Part. It is scattered in the book, depending on the usage and the technique intended to launch. There's no index and difficult to refer something!

So the emphasize of this book is on the technique. My advice is you should grasp the basics and fundamentals before reading this book. And it is the John Shaw's Nature Photography Field Guide. Buy that book if you want to buy only one book.

But, if you want to go to the next level, this book is well worth your hard-earned money. It will undoubtedly furnish your skill and give you more edge.

Tim Fitzharris' GUIDE TO NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY appears in its revised edition to cover proven techniques for making award-winning photos. From buying and using the best professional equipment suitable for nature shots to insider tips on field procedures and fullproof methods for composition and filtering, this also includes a review of top locations for photographing nature. Add gorgeous color photos and you have a real winner.

There is not much I can add to the previous reviews of this wonderful book. The photos are superb and there is a plethora of great information. My only problem is the author's obvious bias towards Canon products. It is fine to have a favourite camera, but not by providing misinformation about another brand. Long Canon lenses are not 75% shorter and two-thirds lighter than Nikon lenses. Check out the web sites and you will get the exact opposite story. A small point perhaps, but one that I had to make.

The Nature of Woman is a moving and spiritual book filled with inspiring women,poetry,and natural scenery.It emdodies captivating photography and personal passages which capture the true essence of the individual women honored.This is the perfect
gift for the special women in your life!

Each photograph in "The Nature of Woman" captures the essence of it's subject, and the corresponding words express deep meaning and profound thought. This book celebrates women living in and with nature, and makes a wonderful gift for someone special!

This book is a true work of art in which humanity is reflected in each of its subjects, in every image and in every word. It reads like life: the stories of these women, both simple and complex, are a celebration of the soul; the poetry flows like a stream of consciousness wandering of the brain; the imagery captures the details of the people and places we often overlook and take for granted. Reading this book reminded me how important it is to pay attention to and appreciate everything in life, as seen through the feminine eye of the author.

Deborah lee Davis' recent photographic journal, The Nature of Woman, is much more than just a book, it's an inspiring work of art. It captures the essence and beauty of our land, and the reflections of strong, independent women who have touched the earth in their own special way.
Richard P. Farren

this book made me cry. The pictures he captures, especially of the textiles are poetic and seriously moving. I am definately buying a copy of this book for my mom.

Jonathon B. Wittenberg's book does a wonderful job of capturing life as it is in Navajo culture through a Navajo-centered lens as opposed to a Western-lens. I think Tony Hillerman's quote on the back of the book does a wonderful job of capturing my feeling for the Navajo people after reading this book: " What I saw there [the Big Rez] sparked my love affair with The Navajos, their enduring culture of love, good humor and harmony, and the high, dry, dramatic landscape in which they endure. This is a beautiful and valuable book." I certainly fell in love with the Navajos after reading this remarkable book, and I encourage others to read this book to gain further understanding and appreciation for the incredible Navajos.

This is a beautiful, heart warming collection of images, outstanding for the quality of the photographs and above all for the choice of subjects, made with great sensitivity and an obvious love and admiration for the culture it portrays. Viewing Jonathan Wittenberg's photographs will be a memorable experience, especially for Tony Hillerman fans.

Navajo Nation 1950: Traditional Life In Photographs is a compilation of 100 black-and-white duotone-printed photographs taken by Jonathan B. Wittenberg to record and illustrate life on the Navajo reservation in 1950. Truly capturing with an artist's eye the dignity and beauty of an ancient Native American culture surviving in the midst of the broader mid-20th century American nation, Navajo Nation 1950 is a showcase of photographic excellence taken with a bulky, twin-lens reflex camera enabling the preservation through a photographic record of the Navajo people and culture that includes images from the Monument Valley, Black Mesa, Navajo Mountain, Lukachukai (a high bench between the Chuska mountains to the east and the desert plain to the west), Teas Toh (close to the old Highway 66), the Window Rock Navajo Tribal Fair, and the Canyon de Chelley. Enhanced for scholars as well as non-specialist general readers with an interest in Navajo culture with an index to the photographs, and appendix (Progress of a Shootings Chant), and a Navajo reservation map, Navajo Nation 1950 is a welcome addition to personal and academic Photography and Native American Studies collections.

This was one of the most beautiful & interesting books I've ever read. The pictures are breathtaking. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves history.

What beautiful pictures ...waves of emotions rippled thru my soul as I turned these timeless pages. Truly a gift to those fortunate enough to find this book in their hands. The history was as incredible as the Sunrise of course!

I saw this book mentioned on NBC Nightly News and decided to get a copy as a gift for my brother, just about all I can find to complain about is the long shipping time and the fact that it only comes as a paperback, not hardback.
Both in Mr. Hillerman's forward and in the photographer's own text you get some Navajo history and philosophy about how/why things happened and their beliefs. Apparently the ancestral Navajos considered four mountains to be the boundaries of their territory, much of that land is still inside present day reservation borders.
The book is divided into four sections, by mountain and north,south,east and west. Each section of the land is represented by some very nice photography, some of it similar to what you might have seen before but more often unfamiliar scenery. It's well worth owning.

The pictures will take your breath away. Absolutely magnificent. The photographer has managed to capture the beauty and sacredness of his land. What a gift!