Studios Books

This book is true to its title. It is a history of architecture, but first of all it is visual. The full-page illustrative examples explain the concepts and terminology of architecture. Want to know what a flying buttress is, a picture tells a thousand words. Years ago I saw this book in a library and have been searching to buy it ever since. Now it's been republished at a rather high price for a large format paperback.

I just ordered this BOOK, but I've seen this episode on TV. I am an adult who is just enthralled with this television series. I love the character development, the interaction, the principles and values of all who are portrayed in this animated series. These kids are really great. They are loyal and caring with each other as well as tenacious. They never give up on their friends and usually figure out what needs to be done to help and they do it. Oftentimes, they are put into uncomfortable and difficult situations, but they always seem to muster the courage to do what needs to be done. I truly enjoy this show, as I know I will enjoy this book. This episode is about the OLD JUNGLE GYM which is so much a part of their lives. This shows their determination to save what they feel is very important to them, their childhood and wellbeing. It is truly a well-written show and each character is so great. Mikey Blumberg, Gretchen Grundler, T.J. Detweiler, Vince Lasalle, Gus, "Ashley Spinelli", Ms. Grotke, Principal Prickly and Muriel Finster as well as others (the diggers, upside down girl, King Bob etc., ) all show us the true nature of people and how they behave (especially the snitch Randall). I am sure we all know kids and people at school or somewhere in our lives who are exactly like these characters and they never seem to disappoint. We also learn a great deal about them. We know Gretchen is a great "brain" (wins science fairs), but then she feels she is lacking in her physical prowess so she wants to be great at something, like an athlete and she becomes a pro with the YO-Yo. Mikey loves to write poetry, but when he sings it is Robert Goulet's voice that we hear. We also see Mikey team up with the tough Spinelli when they dance so beautifully together in another episode. Vince is the athlete of the group and Gus the weak guy who needs help, which always seem to come from this cohesive group who cares about their friends. T.J. Detweiler is savvy and usually the one who gets everyone out of trouble, but when he is in trouble, the group finds a way to rescue him. This is really a great show and I hope that they publish some more books of theirs soon. Thanks for listening, K from Astoria (a parent of a teen, and a Mom who really likes this "kids?" show!) thanks Disney

The Great Lakes have proven every bit as dangerous as the Atlantic or Pacific Oceans. The storms that roar across the Lakes are fearsome beasts that have sealed the fate of many a vessel plying the "Inland Seas." This absorbing 2006 title brings together 24 accounts of fateful voyages made by freighters, tankers and tugboats.

The voyages related in this book span almost a hundred years from 1898 to 1990. They run the gamut from explosions to groundings to on-board fires to collisions to founderings. In many cases human error was responsible but more often it was mother nature taking its pound of flesh.

The book's most fascinating - and macabre - story tells of the December 1942 trip wherein the tug 'Admiral' was towing the tanker barge 'Cleveco' from Toledo to Cleveland. Caught in a quick-developing, blinding storm, the two vessels plodded on in near-zero visibility. At 3:30 AM on December 2, the crew on the barge were unable to spot the tug. The tow cable was still taut but, upon checking, the 'Cleveco' crew were horrified to see that it went straight down into the lake! The barge was still attached to the tug which had sunk with all hands! And now for the rest of the story...Rescue vessels arrived on the scene but were unable to take the 'Cleveco' crew off due to the storm. When the storm abated hours later, the 'Cleveco' had vanished, joining the 'Admiral' at the bottom of Lake Erie. No survivors.

All the accounts in Kadar's are well done and often spellbinding. The text is nicely illustrated with vintage photographs, maps and diagrams. It's especially interesting to see 'before' and 'after' of some of the ships involved in these disasters and realize how powerful a Great Lakes storm can be and how brave the men are who sail the Great Lakes.

A great read!

I got this book in the U.P. three years ago on a trip with a friend of mine. I always enjoyed the Great Lakes, and decided 'What the heck, I'll get a souvineer.' I grabbed this book and read almost all of it in a few hours. The stories and the detail they are put in take you right back to when these amazing ships were making their fatefull runs on the dangerous lakes. My personal favorite is the tale of the Pere Marquette No. 18, because while reading this book, I realized that I am related to the Joe Brezinski who was first mate and died aboard the ship. I especially enjoyed the pictures and the maps to show where the wrecks are located. This book is truly amazing and I will continue reading it time and time again.

The entire "Fine Line Design" series pattern books for the scroll saw by Judy Gale Roberts is an excellent resourse guide in any scroll shop. All the books are laced with "Helpful Hints" and suggestions on how to produce the project and how some modifications can be made. They are a great start for a beginner and a wonderful resourse for the more advanced sawyer.

This book, "The Great Outdoors", has 36 patterns ranging from bass fishing, ducks, eagles, wolves, raccoons and more. The full size patterns are presented on either 9" x 11" or 11" x 17" foldout pages. Also included are tips on how to create shelves, key holders, napkin holders, framed plaques and shadow boxes all with the same theme/design. Excellent projects.

Lawrence Durrell is best known as a novelist, in particular for the four novels that make up his ALEXANDRIA QUARTET. In addition, he is both a poet and a travel writer. THE GREEK ISLANDS, though not one of his better known works, is much more than an ordinary travel guide. As he says, "the modern tourist is already well provided for in that respect." How, then, would you describe this book?

For starters, it is an island by island discussion of the physical characteristics, history, mythological importance, and peculiarities of each island. Durrell blends these together so well that, by the end of each section, you feel that you know what makes each island unique and that traveling there would be more like returning to the home of an old friend than making a first visit. He also relates those experiences that might be a warning to skip one or two of the smaller islands. In this respect he tells of an island so small that the only place to sleep was on the floor of a small chapel. This, in itself, was no reason to stay away, but the bed bug bites and fleas were. Luckily this sort of experience was the exception, not the norm.

During an extensive period before World War II, Durrell was an employee of the British Foreign Service and lived and traveled in the Greek Islands for several years. After the war, he spent several more years in a similar position for the Allies. He got to know the native inhabitants much more intimately than most foreigners ever do. He lived in some of their homes, hiked and camped in their less populous areas, and absorbed the ambience of many of the islands. During that period he kept extensive diaries. In preparing this book, these diaries along with contacts with many old friends still on the scene provided the basic information for the book.

There are two books that I wish that I had read before my visits to the Greek Islands in the early and mid '80's. This is one and Kazantzakis' REPORT TO GRECO is the other. Each provided its own outlook, and together they give an unbeatable overview. Most of us see ruins, particularly on islands such as Delos, the legendary birthplace of Apollo, drink, dance, and shop on islands such as Mykonos, eat the food and drink ouzo and retsina wherever we go, but we don't go out of or way to meet the "before the tourist came" natives. Durrell talks of going to out of the way islands and villages where one finds a room by finding the mayor who, in turn, introduces you to someone who takes you into their home as if you were a friend of the family. To do this, you have to be more of a risk taker than most of us are. I'm not sure that I fit that mold by the time I was there in the '80's, but I'd like to think that I might have. I certainly did when I was younger and living in the Philippines. Then, I (foolishly?) knew no fear, and even slept, one night in a carabao pen. (A carabao is a domesticated water buffalo.) Any port in a storm when you're young and adventurous.

To summarize, Durrell presents a picture of the Islands that integrates a place, a people, an ancient history, a mythology replete with warring gods and goddesses, and a modern history, including wars and rebellions, and freedom and slavery, into an experience worth reading about, and worth seeking out. If I'd read THE GREEK ISLANDS before my trips, I would have been more on the lookout for that world. I think that it's still there for those of us who really seek it out.

This is one of the most comforting gifts that can be given to a grieving person. Blue Lantern has taken a beautiful poem (my Mom recited it to me when I was growing up nearly 70 years ago), and illustrated it with unbelievable art work. A friend told me she would rather have this book than flowers.

A very well written account of the Grumman Mallard. Good photos and diagrams, plenty of Mallard experiences, well researched, lots of detail. A first class aviation history--

Gunnerkrigg court is, in a word, AWESOME. It is hilarious. At times, it seems to be parody-esque. At others, it seems to be very serious. The main character, Antimony (Annie), is a clever, reserved girl who has just become a student at the truly spectacular Gunnerkrigg court. It is a tale of all the truly bizarre things she encounters there--shadow creatures, robots, minotaurs, ghosts, dragon-slaying teachers, visual reality rooms... The art is original and gorgeous, and I can't wait for the second book to be finished-- I want to know what happens next in Annie's life!

Since their unexplained appearance in Europe in fifteenth century, Gypsies have doggedly refused to conform to the settled life... This is the story of the origin and dispersion of gypsies, their occupations and traditions, their customs in love and death, and their language, signs and magic...