Illustration Books

This review should be taken seriously considering I didn't really like "The Rape of the Lock" and still give this book 5 stars!

"History is not a vacuum," one of my university history professors always told us. Neither is literature for that matter! This book examines the mock-epic poem "Rape of the Lock" in its social, literary, and historical contexts. The poem takes up a small portion of the book, and the rest is made up of diary entries, letters, essays, newspapers, etc. that help to explain the culture surrounding Pope. The city of London, clothes, card games, coffee, makeup, social norms, and countless other things are discussed in very readable and enjoyable ways in order to make "The Rape of the Lock" truly come alive.

This poem serves two purposes. First, Pope wrote it in response to an upper-class quarrel over an event at a party in which a young girl had her hair cut. The incident itself was petty and stupid, but the families of the parties involved were taking it very seriously. Pope, then, wrote this poem in epic form (the most grand of poetic forms) to show the absurdity of the matter, and thus reconcile the offender and offended.

That is the first function of this poem. Even though the incident is long forgotten, the poem is still very funny. But there is a greater purpose to this poem--it was written like an epic. It contains several epic elements--an epic battle (at the card game), the invocation of muses and gods, the epic quest (to cut the hair), and several literary devices, such as epic-length similes and catalogs. This is what makes this poem so great, and what serves as a testimony to Pope's remarkable genius for wit and satire.

Pope was, in my opinion, one of the greatest English poets, certainly the greatest satirist. This is one of his greatest works, and it is short enough to read over and over again without investing too much time.

This is a highly intelligent book on one of the finest poems by the eighteenth century's most celebrated poet. Brilliantly written with wit, style, and a flair for interesting detail, Wall's book includes textual information and a wealth of carefully selected secondary material that makes this "one-stop shopping" for anyone interested in the work or indeed in the period. Because of its combination of lively writing and scholarly erudition, I would recommend Wall's book for a wide variety of interest and knowledge levels. Wonderful Bedford series idea and terrific book.

If you have an interest in this art-form then you want to do it the way it has been done for hundreds of years. This little book shows you the way of the masters down through the centuries. To recreate the beauty that has been held timeless in illuminated manuscripts, thus adding to it's number, is a fine thing thing to accomplish in a lifetime.

As a practicing medieval illuminator and historical bookbinder, I can recommend wholeheartedly Ms. Grafe's fantastic book on gilding. The book is well written and contains many valuable illustrations to accompany somewhat complicated procedures. I especially appreciate the easy to follow, clear, detailed steps for the gesso gilding process which is very time consuming (but worth every minute) and its success depends on many factors which can be a challenge to someone just starting. She gives the tips and pointers that only an experienced gilder could pass on to help with the environmental influences and other things which can stifle success. It is an excellent resource material for anyone who is fascinated in book arts but especially useful for someone who wants to improve and perfect their technique in gilding paper and parchment.

Secreta is easy to understand, well organized, and has a lot of excellent drawings and photographs of the steps involved in gilding. It also has some historical background on how gilding was used, as well as a nice little section on using the paint pigments that would have accompanied the gilding on medieval manuscripts. One of the few how-to books that I've read cover to cover, and have recommended to my friends who already do gilding or are interested in learning.

Heather Gray

Like all of Neville's writings, this book is superb. All of his work continues to reveal so much to me as I continue to read his stuff over and over again. This book expanded my consciousness on "The Scale Of Being," as he refers to it; here he goes into detail about how most people get stuck on the "what" happened level of things in life, and while others on the "how" things happened, and finally others whose consciousness is broader realize the "why" in the things that happen in their lives and therefore are able to execute their destination in profound and creative ways. This book inspired my poem "Tomorrow Never Happens so I plant for today creating my own harvest in the faith of one day, relinquishing tomorrow's future for another day."

I've read over 100 books in this area of study and Neville's works are at the top of my recommendation as he has impressed me as only a few others have. Seedtime and Harvest opens up with the collosal statement that the Bible is written in the lauguage of symbolism and that all of its characters are personifications of the laws and functions of Mind and that the Bible is psychology rather than history. Neville is attempting to get us to see this work from his, enlightened, perspective.
He also gives us a good breakdown of his version of conscious creation with the roles of Producer, Director, Author and Actor.
Neville also has a great chapter on Faith and gives some substance to the the search for meaning.
There are currently 6 bound Neville books available and I have found 3 on the web that are not. They all have been consistently inspired.

Aldous Huxley was once asked what books he would choose to take with him if he was marooned on a deserted island. Huxley said: "The Manual of Zen Buddhism and a manual on boat building." If I found myself alone on that island, I would need only what I have absorbed from this book. It has been 12 years or more since I first found Seedtime and Harvest. I spent 3 years in a Western spiritual path, have studied Eastern and Western teachings, and so I recognized Truth in this book. Using the simple technique that Neville delineates with great clarity, I have manifested my co-op apartment, jobs which utilized all my training, and some good stuff for other people, too. If you have some understanding of the power of thought and want to change your life, this is absolutely the best gift you can give yourself. I gave my copy away long ago, but if I ever get stuck on that island, I Know that it might take time, but using what I have learned from Neville, I have no doubt, that a plane or fishing boat or Something would show up and take me safely home.

I vividly remember the first time I saw this book at the local comic book store. Wow~ Just amazing, it blew my brains out. There is no other book like Spectrum series books. Book features full color drawing, paintings and sculptures by fantastic artist from all over the world. You will see so many styles and techniques that you never seen before. This is a must for Artist, Illustrators, and Art Directors.

Almost any one of the pieces in this collection is worth the price of the book. There are no monkey swathes of paint against white canvas here, my friends. No, here are works that will quicken your breath, accelerate your heartbeat, and ignite the synapses in your mind. And as my fellow reviewer commented, this book is a wellspring of inspiration. Just flip the pages and see for your self. Works like "Number 16" and "Prudence II" present this point more eloquently than I ever could. I have only one pique. There was no art from any of the Galerie Morpheus artists like Giger, Yerka, and De Es. Despite this, I urge all fans of SF and Fantasy art to buy this book. You won't be dissappointed.

Spectrum 4 is one of those books that artists turn to when ideas are at a premium. The artwork is so voluminous and diverse in character. Every possible stylization of fantasy art is represented. Some works are intense and mysterious, dark and brooding. While others follow a campy, comic book hero genre. My favorite works are more of an illustrative fairy tale approach. However, I find this book to be a wonderful resource for those times when the well is running dry.

this should be used for those who want to become preachers. great preachers like Spurgeon

Considering the abysmal level of much preaching these days, any person coming out of any seminary ought to be issued a copy of this book. At least SOME sermons would improve. And anyone who wants to witness for Christ ought to buy this too. Because they'll do it much better.

Spurgeons notes were spectacular. They were consise and valuable to the soul and spirit. With these notes I could preach a sermon myself.

Spurgeons notes are valuable for the people today that are very serious about their Faith and who truly want to have a deeper walk with God. He makes real to you what the word of God is saying to our hearts.

I would recomend it for every serious student of the word.

Barbara Oakes

I can't remember another book combining scientific insight with artistic beauty quite this way. The author has painstakingly selected, arranged, and captioned stunning scientific images. Whether for the coffee table or to actually read and learn something, Super Vision is a winner.

From protons to parsecs, Ivan Amato's "Super Vision" reveals what many scientists know: the universe is a visually stunning place. This remarkable collection of images, coupled with Amato's compelling captions, shows the art that can be found in science. Thanks to advances in instruments ranging from atom smashers to telescopes, combined with unprecedented computer power, the phenomena of the cosmos can be painted in vivid color. Scientists use these images in their daily effort to understand the universe; we can enjoy them for pure aesthetic pleasure. Covering 42 orders of magnitude (powers of ten), "Super Vision" shows us the abstract swirls of a decaying particle, the eerie machinery of a spider's spinnerets, how zebrafish scales can look like a Balinese hillside, and the tortured faces of distant planets. For a guide to the art in our natural world, this is the book. It's as beautiful as the universe it describes.

This is one of the most beautifully illustrated photo books I've ever seen. Ranging from the submicroscopic to the macroscopic and even cosmic in scale, the book presents hundreds of spectacular photos of different aspects of our world and universe. They range from the geometrical perfection of a matrix of metallic crystals, to the delicate tracery of a microbial colony, to amorphous, bloblike, and menacing looking cancer cells, to the graceful symmetry of a galaxy floating in the vastness of space.

Every photographic method you can think of is represented (including many I couldn't have thought of), including ordinary light photography, x-ray, infrared, plane-polarized, electron microscopy, magnetic resonance imaging, and a photo of Washington, D.C. using something called Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar.

In addition to size, the time scales range from subatomic particles that only last a few trillionths of a second to photos of distant galaxies whose light has been travelling for 14 billion years to reach earth. The text is also clear and concise and non-obtrusive and doesn't detract from the visual presentation of the photos. Overall a beautifully illustrated photo book just to browse encompassing the many wonders, young and old, big and small, and animate or inanimate, of our world.

HA HA! Allright. These are the coolest. If you like all those old covers from 50's, 60's "bad girl" books, you will dig this book. These are all the reefer smokin', heavy drinkin' deceit lovin' women from yesteryear. Girls these days just ain't as bad as they could be. GOOD STUFF!

A great postcard picture collection. i gave them to my girlfriend as a present, since she has wanted a collection of pulp covers for sometime now. She loved them, I loved them, and all of our friends that also saw them got a kick out of them.
All four of the pulp cover art books by Prion are highly recommended,whether you are a fan of pulp art or just like nice pictures in general. if you are a bit of a collector of pulp covers, get em all and add 92 excellent pictures to your collection.

This collection of pulp fiction postcards are both entertaining and provacative. Great conversation pieces! Pin up art at its best!

This book is incredible. One of the most incredible things about it is it was not origionally a book but a series of close to 100 large wall paintings designed to decorate the walls of the medical school in Lhasa. The painting were copied several times and the copies became diseminated among neighbouring countries and so have survived the burning and looting that has taken place in Tibet. The book is a record of an art gallery of medical illustrations which detail every aspect of the traditional medicine of that time. They do this with a beauty which must be seen to be believed and with a sensitivity which captures the soul of medicine. The work was done as a votive offering by monks working in the sixteenth century. What a beautiful gift they left us

Well SOme weeks ago I purchased a Tibetian Painting while I was in Nepal and was introduced to purchased this book and found the excact painting was in it I was shocked. The book explains in great details every stroke and every medicine plant and items painted on my tanka more meaningful.

Highly regarded book if you are into Tibetian Medicinal paintings.

Calvin

This book is incredible. One of the most incredible things about it is it was not originally a book, but a series of close to 100 large wall paintings (full colour! )designed to decorate the walls of the medical school in Lhasa. The painting were copied several times and the copies became disseminated among neighbouring countries and so have survived the burning and looting that has taken place in Tibet. The book is a record of an art gallery of medical illustrations which detail every aspect of the traditional medicine of that time. They do this with a beauty which must be seen to be believed and with a sensitivity which captures the soul of medicine. The work was done as a votive offering by monks working in the sixteenth century. What a beautiful gift they left us!

This book is absolutely fabulous, filled with bondage, erotica and torture of all kinds. Sorayama's ability to capture the erotic essence of a female is astonishing. His attention to detail and creativity left me in awe.

The all new artwork is bold, containing very explicit images. Most of the images are on one page. The pictures are often quite bizarre. Some themes include piercing, cowgirls, urination, and women in metal or with medical implements.

Sadomasochism is very prevalent and most women are shown submissive. Many are in very extreme bondage. However, some women are in leather and hold whips or weapons, playing a more dominant role.

My favorite image is a woman with zebra stripes shown in two positions. Other favorites include a woman hung inches from a circle of barbed wire, a bleeding mermaid, a harem girl and an angel with a devil tail.

This book, along with Gynoids: Genetically Manipulated are my two favorite Sorayama books. Both are large format, beautiful color reproductions, and have excellent Sorayama ... imagery. The works in here are stunning and Genetically Manipulated has a neat metallic type cover. Plus, at the discounted www.Amazon.com price this is the best deal around. Get it now, this is sure to be a collector's item.

His passion, and wonderfully diverse imagination is perfectly erotic. Every marriage he makes between stunning beauty, and suprising, if not shocking futurism, is intoxicating in the least. Daring you to let go of so many ideas, you will find yourself thinking not only of his art, but your own self. -Kevin

"Despite the relatively affordable price, there is nothing cut-rate about the look and feel of this volume: both are equally attractive, right down to the little motifs from the visual designs that are placed on the verso side of pages that begin and end sections to the crisp, readable typeface of the printed sections, and the pleasurable feel of good paper stock."

I originally ordered this book in order to do a presentation for a graduate course at a local university. It worked out perfectly for the presentation as the pictures are beautiful and the editor, Robert Essick, does a marvelous job describing each picture and even transcribing the notes and illustrations from Blake's own notebook. Further, Essick adds a section entitled "Commentary" which I relied on heavily to explain certain aspects of Blake's life to the students. Essick's writing reads easily and beautifully, so there is never a dull moment, even though it is a scholarly work. If you are interested at all in William Blake and his works, I believe you will enjoy this book very much.

Deftly edited by Robert N. Essick (Professor of English, University of California - Riverside), Visions of the Daughters of Albion is a full color reproduction of William Blake's classic literary blend of verse and art, which was first printed in 1793. Enhanced with a straightforward, easy-to-read, separate transcription of Blake's poem, drawings from Blake's sketchbook related to the final work, and an extensive and erudite literary commentary on the images plate-by-plate, Visions Of The Daughters Of Albion is the definitive edition of a timeless classic and would grace the collection of any academic reference library or William Blake enthusiast.