Studios Books

If you're a fan of the Men of Falcon, then this book is for you. It's jam packed with photos of a lot of the hot men of Falcon Studios. The photos are beatifully done. The book is softcover but made of heavy stock paper. I would recommend adding this book to your collection.

OK...one says FALCON, and the response should be..."woof"...this book will have you howling...hot men from a hot studio.

Falcon shows us in this publication what an amazing stable of hot studs their studio has employed past and present. These boys
are simply knockouts. Handsome, well-endowed and virile, Heroes
will do more than just keep you interested...

The sometimes spare, sometimes sumptuous watercolors that illustrate this little book invite you to spend time enjoying the anthology of quotes about love and gratitude. A few of the selections are short or familiar, but many are full paragraphs (or poems), and from lesser-known authors. All contribute to a mood of tranquility and appreciation - something we all need frequent doses of. Great gift for someone you love, someone you don't know well, or someone who "has everything".

I ordered this book for a friend in need of an anchor in the midst of a chaotic life. I was totally enthralled with it and almost sorry that I had to wrap it up and give it away. It contains a wonderful assortment of thought-provoking and uplifting quotes from sources as diverse as Albert Einstein and Henry Miller. There are also a number of beautiful examples of the watercolor work of Rod MacIver. This is a wonderful example of the potential for goodness and creativity contained in all of our diverse souls.

I have shared this book with many friends and colleagues, including members of our hospice team. The quotes and stories are wonderful and inspiring. The watercolors complement the words beautifully.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is trying to practice gratitude for the gifts of life.

If nothing else, this is an extraordinarily beautiful book. Holding it and browsing through the chapters is almost magic in itself. The artwork is stunning, from rich reproductions of medieval art that not only enhance the text but contain stories of their own, to more contemporary works such as Alan Lee's Grail Knight and Thomas Gotch's Girl Enthroned. Looking at the age-old symbols on these pages fires the imagination and unleashes an unused, forgotten part of the brain (it's a must-have for artists and writers). Although scholars might argue with some of Godwin's assertions (for example, that the Cathar heretics were familiar with Tarot cards), the author does a phenomenal job of tying together many seemingly disparate elements of mysticism in a way that makes immediate sense. Being scholarly isn't the point; this kind of synthesis in which one takes what has gone before and remixes it with current thinking is what evolution is all about. Godwin's explanation of how the Grail legends grew out of the spiritual and political culture of the Middle Ages deserves contemplation. It is not just history; it is a commentary on the times in which we live. In providing a healing formula for changing centuries-old habits and patterns that have resulted in a dysfunctional society and the destruction of our natural world, Godwin is laying the groundwork for a transformational process, one that is independent of religion, nationality or social class. If this all sounds too New Age-y for you, then just enjoy the pretty pictures and the history of one of the most enduring legends of all time. The tales of King Arthur and the Quest for the Holy Grail are still among the most entertaining stories anywhere. I double dare you, however, to remain unchanged after reading this book. One doesn't so much read it as experience it. And it's a downright uncanny experience. If the Holy Grail exists, here is your map to find it.

Although the book is a little scanty at first. Things became more clearer in the ending.. I liked the punchline at the end of the book, as it clearly demonstrates what we (humanity) have forgotten. This is definetly not scholarly work, one should be aware of that. But the message it sends about how women have been treated through history, and our unquestioning behaviour about our social system, should require a listening to. I read Parzival by Wolfram von Eschenbach shortly after i read this book, and found it to be really inspirational both spiritualy and mentally. I also found Malcolms book to be a bit New Age'y, but still i found to be really universal in it's message.

I am a little disturbed at Kirkus Reviews' and others' statement that this is not a scholarly work. Don't be fooled. Mr. Godwin is clearly a master of the source material and has presented it in the context most likely to impart understanding to an open-minded reader. His sources and related materials are included in an extensive bibliography. The maps, diagrams, and broad, beautiful selection of artworks are the result of obviously deep and careful study. Typography and page ornaments are selected and placed to harmonize with the text and graphics with a discernment rare in our age. If this is not the result of "scholarship," the word has no meaning. Anyone with more than a passing interest in art, history, literature, or religion should have this book.

This book was written and drawn by some of the original artists of Ed Roth's studio. It doesn't get any closer than this, great book!

My kids just loved this book. They are both aspiring artists and have done some great work since Christmas!

I bought this book for my husband, after several refferals from other hot rod friends. This book is better than described.

This is the best "How To" book I've ever read. Each chapter is filled with hilarious stories that will make you laugh out loud. The author did a great job in revealing all of the goof off techniques that people use and how they get away with doing nothing at work. This book is funny, intelligent, and well written. You will not be disappointed.

This is an aid that can help both the hard worker who just needs a break from time to time, or the novice goof off that needs to sharpen his/her skills. A great gift for all your co-workers, but make it anonymous if giving it to your boss!!!
A must read that will make you laugh or identify those in your company who are already putting these skills to practice. Its a short, effortless read that I recommend to everyone.

This book changed my life. Before reading it, I was a hard worker. Yet I never seemed to go anywhere, always being passed up for that sought after promotion. But just a few short weeks after reading this book, and putting some of the lessons learned into practice, I have received that promotion. I now make 25% more money, and work 75% less than I did before. Thanks!

All kidding aside, this was a hilarious book.

Kelly

This collection captures the "real" Alaska. Years ago I was a wildlife biologist in the Alaskan bush, and these stories are haunting and evocative of that time. Any reader interested in how the Great Land affects genuine people at work, at play, and just trying to keep alive or sane when working in the elements will enjoy these. Warner's well-crafted work is wonderful, and imparts a flavor of wild Alaskan and the inevitable adventures on airplanes, boats, as well as the type of characters I met in the Alaskan outback.

In many ways the texture of these stories reminded me of Charles Frazier's best-selling book Cold Mountain. While a very different type of fiction, Warner's work and Frazier's work carefully record the small things that are going on in the natural world around the characters. It is a quality -- one also evident in Hemingway -- that I enjoy and admire.

It is hard to say which story I enjoyed best -- the namesake was wonderful, as was the Journal From the Bay of Islands (in part because my wife and I are big fans of Ecuador). And Fever and Islands of the Four Mountains are superb. We are fortunate that a man with Irving Warner's talents and experience has spent so much time writing these great gems.

I've lived in Alaska for over 20 years, watching it grow from "the last frontier" to a virtual suburb of Seattle. This book brings back memories--and gut feelings--of what life in Alaska was like: the wilderness shorn of romanticism, indifferent to human life or death; the strange and powerful characters with all their mix of good and bad who shaped everyday experience; the reality that must seem mythical to anyone who hasn't lived it. Warner's characters are true-to-life and evoke memories of many people I've known here. "In Memory of Hawks" is a must-read for anyone who wants to recall what Alaska was like in the 70s or who wants to know how it feels to be alive at the fringes of civilization.

Two sorts of people write about Alaska: 1) those who take their journalistic or literary talent on a whirlwind tour of the state, then compose an account of `first impressions,' contrasting what they see with what they know of other places, and 2) those who endure Alaska and write from the gut about the beauty and the beast of the place.

Warner is definitely of the latter sort. If you want la-de-da accounts of what people from cities THINK Alaska and Alaskans are, accounts which will maybe confirm your own first impressions of the Great Land, then this book is not for you. If, however, you want to get as close as possible to Alaska without flying a Cessna into a mountainside or freezing on a mudflat, this book is your ticket. I know because I was a resident of Alaska for 20 years, and became well acquainted with the land and the people.

The only common denominator of these well-crafted and diversely set and plotted stories is Alaska. They are not all about pretty topics, nor do the protagonists always survive. But the stories are no stranger than life itself in the Far North, and they are entertaining. A couple of years ago, a visiting German friend of mine picked up this collection and could not put it down for two days until it was finished, which put quite a damper on our visit.

Warner's tales have broader literary value than your run-of-the-mill, sled-and-igloo saga, in that they aptly analyze universal human motivations and emotions under adverse circumstances. Simply put, they are a literary treat. I strongly recommend this book

What a great and lovely manga!

"Iono-sama Fanatics" is a sweet and funny romantic yuri comedy with plenty of loveable characters and high quality humor.
The art is absolutely fantastic, Miyabi-sensei's style is really wonderful.

The printing and paper quality are also very good.

If you like yuri/shoujo-ai you really can't miss this one!

Iono-sama Fanatics is a light-hearted manga in which a queen surrounds herself with a harem of beautiful women who all adore her for her good nature. They follow her around while she attempts to find new women to add to her harem. The art is lovely, and Infinity Studios deserves credit for keeping the original intent of the book intact in translation. The only glaring change is that a Japanese TV show reference is changed to "The L Word", which is jarring considering all other obscure Japanese references are translated and explained, but it was the only time in the book where I noticed an editorial decision that seemed out of place.

The physical quality of this volume is also fantastic. Instead of the cheap paper that companies like Tokyopop and ADV Manga use, the paper in this volume is high-quality. You can tell that Infinity really cares about the manga.

The story is sweet and amusing, and shows the love that Iono-sama has for all the women who follow her. I'm looking forward to the second volume.

A lot of fun with memorable characters. And the quality of the artwork as well as the printing is excellent.

I LOVED this book! I would not have expected that enough people would be interested in Gennett Records to warrant such a publication, but obviously (and delightfully) I'm wrong! Recommended reading for any record collector, but especially those of early jazz.

Any collector of old 78s knows about the Gennett label. Gennett was the first independent label to have a serious impact on the recording industry, and in part helped to launch the careers of many early jazz legends. King Oliver, Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton, Bix Beiderbecke, Hoagy Carmichael, Earl Hines, and others made their first records in Gennett's hot, cramped studio by the side of railroad tracks in Richmond, Indiana. Today, those original 78s are highly-prized collectors items, fetching hundreds or thousands of dollars at auction.

In years of collecting 78s, I have come across dozens of Gennett records, but until I read this book, I knew little about them or the company that made them (outside of tidbits here and there from reissue liner notes or chats with other collectors). Rick Kennedy has written a book that is filled not only with entertaining anecdotes, but a wealth of information. Reading about Bix's sessions with the Wolverines is almost like being there, and listening to the records afterwards gives the recordings a whole new meaning. Kennedy introduces us to the people who made Gennett records happen--the musicians, the sound engineers, the businessmen, and the distributors. The book traces Gennett Records from its beginning in the Starr Piano Company, through its legal struggle to continue (ultimately defeating Victor's patent for the right to make lateral recordings), to its glory days in the 1920s, and its demise with the onset of the Great Depression. Along the way, the book answers questions about how the records were made, how they were distributed, and what happened to the recorded masters (which is an interesting story in itself!). Gennett's relationship with the infamous KKK records is explained (basically, they were "custom" records that Gennett made solely for the extra profit, turning a blind eye to the content).

Gennett recorded some of the most creative and lasting jazz, blues, and "old-time" music in the 1920s and the label's story is a fascinating one. Lovers of jazz, old records, or American history in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in general will enjoy reading this book. It is well-written and very "readable" (I went through it in about three sessions). It also serves as a handy reference to answer questions that may arise among 78 or jazz collectors. Highly recommended!

In this eminently readable book, Kennedy manages to provide the reader with an overview of the early history of the whole recording industry while also providing a view of successful Midwestern entrepreneurship---and that is just the background laid for this fascinating topic.

I had heard about those "incredible Gennett sides" for many years, and acquired several samples of Gennett records around 15 years ago. In many cases the unknown or obscurely known artists turned in amazing performances that anticipated where jazz and popular music would be several years in the future---in the later 30's and 1940's. I often wondered how these performances failed to come to the attention of the larger American listening audience. After reading this book, I feel that I have an understanding.

Learning the history of the company that pioneered recorded jazz was the enjoyable and enlightening result of reading this book. The incredible history of this American popular music form and its legitimacy as a recorded music encompasses the entire history of the Midwestern and Southern United States during the first quarter of the 20th century. Kennedy's book will soon have you absorbed in that history.

While the topic is certainly the genesis of Jazz music recording, the reader will soon discover there is much more to it. Highly recommended to anyone interested in American cultural history!

Wire Wrapping, by Linda Chandler and Christine Ritchey, is a fantastic introduction to all things beautiful in the world of wire! These two friendly authors make what might appear to be daunting accessible to anyone who wishes to learn to wire wrap beautiful bracelets, earrings, necklaces and pendants. They even have a guest appearance by a wire artist, Russ Sperring, who teaches how to wrap a lovely ring with a stone at its center.

The book begins with a list of tools and materials needed to create the pieces you will admire and soon be making yourself. Then there is a suggested "first project" bracelet which will help anyone who is taking this seriously to understand all the ins and outs of what will be coming up later on. The authors strongly recommend making this design before proceeding further. I loved the design (I am betting that you will too!), so that seemed like a good idea to me anyway!
I had several favorites, including the first project. One was a stunning "Bow Tie" bracelet, and one was a "Celtic Knot". I loved the look of both of these.

Most of the wire wrapping is done with half hard wire, something I have never used in my work. Many of the tools are strangers to me, although I own a few of certain ones required (like step-nose pliers and a mandrel) and have not used them yet. However, now I am raring to go, thanks to Linda and Christine, who infuse their creations and writing style with joy, charm, humor and beauty!
Yes! I want to make this type of jewelry! All of these great looks are so beautiful! And when I am done following their clear instructions, I will have one or many brilliant creations. I know I will love it when people ask, "Where did you GET that?" and I can say, "I made it, MYSELF! With a little help from my friends, Linda and Chris!"

What a wonderful book on wire wrap. As a relative newcomer to wire and as an instructor for beginning wire wrappers, I am always looking for books to enhance my own ability as well as to enrich the classes I teach. I currently have in excess of 25 books on jewelry making, beading and wire wrap. Even though this book primarily presents bracelet projects (8 bracelets, one pendant, one ring, one bracelet-pendant-earring set), it is the first such book I have even considered recommending to my students. The authors have supplied solid, basic information in a format that is much like having a friend walk one through a project. The step-by-step instructions are interspersed with tips and "fixes" for potential problems and encouragement to use this text as a starting point for other projects utilizing the demonstrated techniques. Most important of all, the instructions are supported by first rate photos that clarify every step. This book is definitely being added to the list of necessary Equipment/Materials I give my students because it will serve as a pictorial guide for the basics while encouraging the student to move beyond the specific projects provided.

In short: This is an excellent book on technique for beginning and intermediate wrappers. There are probably even some good tips advanced wrappers would find helpful. However, if you consider yourself highly advanced and don't enjoy practical, well-thought out, clearly presented instructions coupled with photographs that minimize the opportunities for mistakes or misunderstanding, you need to look for a different book.

Just the book I've been looking for!!! So informative and the step by step instruction is great. I'll be looking for more to be published.

This is an all time favorite! I bought this audio casette 15.5 years ago for my then 3 and 1 year old daughters. Now at nearly 19 and 17, they still remember the wonderful lyrics and have begged me to locate new copies for them since we wore the first one out! My older daughter is a student at NYU, and is not embarrassed at all to share the silly lyrics with her friends.
I own preschools and have used this music over and over again for all ages of preschoolers. They adore the songs!
Families of all ages will treasure the times they spend singing these songs together. This is a very worthwhile investment.

Road trips are a challenge for our family of 10! We try not to fill all the time with audio and video, because games, family conversation and reading are all more healthy. However, we never go more than 300 miles without Traffic Jams. These songs are a delight to both kids and parents. They are relevant to the two-year old and the grandmother, boys who catch frogs and girls who dream of fairies. And if a Dad can't relate to keeping a snowman in the freezer, then he needs this tape just to get him out of his grownupness.

We buy this tape for new parents and brag about it to other families. It is our number one favorite travel entertainment...even though we have a TV for the van now!

I am amazed to find that no one has yet written a review of Joe Scruggs' work!@In fact, I am accessing his page right now because I went to get some more of his music for my two kids who just LOVE this tape! "The people in the car" is their very favorite song on the tape, but they love all of the songs, and this is the tape they always clamour to listen to when I ask them what they want to hear. Great music in itself, and riotous lyrics.... Best of all the children's music around these days....