Thomas Frank Books

Finally, I found a used copy of this book in Chicago. I had heard it was the "Bible" of animation, but I was skeptical; I have seen too many glorified advertising campaigns sold in coffee table format. (Did we really need any background information on "Hercules?") But now that I actually own a copy and have been reading it - I am really blown away by how much I didn't know I didn't know.

This book gives a perspective on animation I have been searching for for a long time. Short of plunking down $10,000 to attend animation school, this book has helped me understand what is necessary to look for from an artistic angle when I am drawing. Over and over I have been told to draw more, but from what perspective, with what emphasis, to what end? All of that is covered in such an elementary way that I can't believe I never got it before now.

This book is worth all of the praise I have been hearing about it. It was also worth every ounce of energy I have used trying to find a copy to purchase. As for the negative comments I have heard about the reprint Hyperion version of this book, for me it simply doesn't matter. Can I see a difference in the plates? Sure I can. Is the information presented any less valuable or understandable? No. And that's the bottom line for me.

Amazing book. I can't believe it is out of print.

this book is really very much demanded by the young animation student like my-self.so the publisher should try to reprint this kind of a goldmine of animation.and i am sure as the animation world is expandind day by day it will be demanded more and more.our library has a couple of book and some of the animators possess them but still every animator should carry this Bible the lifelong.

This is a very well written and presented book about the physical elements of our community design that compel us to discriminate certain forms of transportation over others (i.e., motorized over car). The implications are about health--getting enough "moderate" exercise each day. "Moderate" exercise is more accessible than the various forms of specialized exercises we have (i.e., sports teams, going to the gym). Exercise can be utilitarian in nature--it doesn't have to be specialized. For instance, transportation can be a form of exercise. When it is utilitarian--built into activities we have to be doing anyway--it saves time, instead of being "another thing to add to the schedule" it is killing two birds w/one stone.

Certain features and designs in the built environment are more helpful in encouraging the general population to using forms of moderate exercise (i.e., walking, biking) as transportation.

The idea of "utilitarian exercise" is cool--I wish they would have talked more about other (nontransportation) forms, such as gardening, etc.

The book also contains an excellent but brief review of the history of community health and planning at the beginning--how "solving" the health problems of the past era have led to the health problems of this era. The goal this time is to find a real solution--not one that leads to different types of health problems all over again.

Most satisfyingly, it is very well written and easy to read through. Any jargon is well-explained, and it is kept to a minimum. Based on quantitative science, it never (to my recollection) leaps to conclusions its data could not support--rather the authors highlight questions which the data produce and need to be pursued further.

This book is one of the first to address the relationship between suburban sprawl and Americans' sedentary habits. The authors point out:
1) that Americans drive more and walk less than residents of other affluent nations
2) that Americans have become more sedentary and fatter in recent decades
3) that Americans exercise more when they live in more pedestrian-friendly environments, and
4) that Americans are unable to walk as much as they would like because most American cities and suburbs are built by highway engineers and government planners to discourage pedestrian traffic; streets are too wide to safely walk, zoning codes mandated densities so low that shops are often not within walking distance of residences, and federal housing regulation has encouraged streets to be disconnected to each other that nearly all journeys require a stop at a high-speed, congested arterial.
Because this book was built in 2003, the authors devote relatively little space to the connection between sprawl, lack of exercise and obesity. In recent years, some studies have begun to document this connection, and I hope that the authors come out with a second edition addressing these issues.

How Fish Work: Fish Biology & Angling by Thomas J. Sholseth, DVM, MPVM is about the sport of angling for fish from a scientific point of view. Gorgeous full-color photographs enhance in-depth biological information, and the resulting recommendations for applying one's knowledge of fish to amplify the joy of fishing, make How Fish Work a superbly presented and very highly recommended instructional reference for dedicated anglers of all skill and experience levels.

This kind of book you don't see often enough.

A great blend of understanding what makes these critters
tick, plus a realistic approach to angling for them,
all with some good humored explanation and some good
charts and pictures. I had to share this with the other
enthusiasts in the family, and already it has made the
perfect gift from a cheapskate like myself.

Looking forward to a sequel.

On page 117, Frank Thomas states, "Standard clubs will do fine until you shoot consistently in the mid to low 70s." "Until then, work on improving you instead of your clubs."

Finally, someone with substantial technical knowledge of the evolution of equipment and the history of golf has finally come out and said it. The job of manufacturers is to market and sell their products, but it matters very little to the vast majority of golfers which type of equipment they use. "In forty years, there are only three innovations that mean anything significant to your game: perimeter weighting, the graphite shaft and titanium drivers", page 70. Unlike most technical books on equipment, this is written in layman's language with numerous wise-cracks to spice up his points of view. Unless most players want to keep pouring their hard earned money down a black hole, this book is a must read for both the average and avid golfer.

Very interesting to understand the theory behind the technology of golf. Will make you smarter in deciding where to spend money on stuff.

This is must read for anyone in marriage, contemplating marriage or caring about someone close to them who is going to be married.

The book outlines in detail how the system of marriage affects each person during the marriage more so than each individual's personalities or pet peeves.

How many times have you heard, "He Is Not The Man I Married" or "She Changed After We Married." Well, the book goes into detail about these fallacies of blaming each other when actually veiled events are impacting the marriage far more than each can notice.

The book outlines how the passages, passions and practices of marriages end up changing one another. And how you can prepare for the changes and understand those happenings. By doing so you can focus on the uncertainty those circumstances bring and not reproach each other.

It highlight the danger signs per year and per episode. For example, explaining how the first, fourth and seventh year of a marriage is affected by simple time and personal adjustment.

Or how when a child affects the marriage at the same time career concerns impacts upon it. How one is never certain they will find happiness in or out of marriage as one life's seems to be pasting away without personal goals being met. These are just a few examples of how the book delves into such subjects that are hard to define as they occur.

Everyone tends to think it themselves or their spouse who has confined them into a life of less expectations. However, the book explains it is the Passages and Practices of Marriage. The blame lies within the system not the person in most cases. One can deal with such practices and passages when they are forewarned on what to expect.

I have observed that, Mistresses Are Treated As Princesses Until The Bloom Is Off The Rose. While Wives Feel They Are Ending Up Prisoners Until The Companionship Of Retirement In Old Age Becomes Reality. There is nothing worse than observing the break up of a family as each spouse blames the others while ignoring all the danger signs of the passages of marriage.

Over 50% of America ever experiences these events even fewer live to enjoy a fruitful and mutual secure marriage. Yet, if you and your spouse take the time to read "Passages of Marriage," you will discern yourself, your spouse and your marriage better than anything you ever accomplished.

The only remedy I have ever encountered in learning about marriage is working in Domestic Relations. There you end up with the somber view marriage is a huge risk that can't be taken with carelessness. But this book shows just how and when to expect and avoid the pitfalls that occurs in every marriage from rich (Princess Diane) to poor, educated (Einstein) to street smarts and to fault to no fault.

Do yourself a favor, either read the book or buy it for one you care about, either way you will benefit. Nevertheless, each spouse or fiancee` must read the book or its value is worthless.

Compromise, mutual understanding and common goals along with this book will enhance your relationship. Condemnation will only makes excuses that are later to be found flawed in you or the ones you really love.

Our society's emotional and economic health is dependent upon the success of each marriage and the fruits they cultivate. We should salute those who can achieve such status and for those who need help, read this book!

Draws on the knowledge of half a dozen professional therapists and consolidates their insights. I gave it to a gal who has run marriage enrichment classes for various churches for years and she said it was one of the best books on the subject she had ever seen.

This is an exquisitely made book and if you are at all interested in animation or disney art, this or any of the sketchbook series books are a must. Each character has it's section where various sketch drawings are shown. There are also some background pictures. No text, but a delight to flip through. Beautifully designed and packaged.

This fine addition to the Disney Sketchbook series has many of the wonderful sketches done by Disney's animation department for Peter Pan, including many pieces from the storyboards, and several sketches of scenes that never made it into the final film.

Artists that would like to study the Disney style of drawing and animation should find this volume a terrific addition to their collection despite its rather high price. As a student of art, and a fan of the Disney style, I highly recommend any of these books for your library.

I have desired to feel safe my entire life. I would never have labeled myself as fearful of anything, I believed I was just cautious and intuitive, but this book revealed a truth to me I found painful to confess to myself. I have lived "in near constant fear" most of my life. The good news is I can change my behaviors through the help of wise counsel, and I will. The basic human desire is to be loved and to feel safe, that is what the memory of home should be, a safe loving place. And this book shows you how to identify safe and unsafe people or places. And how to respond in a healthy manner "to establish safe places in the future for yourself and those you love." It shows you how to refocus your thinking in the right direction. This is a must read!

This book was very helpful to me. As a child of divorced parents, I never understood how my experiences as a small child could effect my ability to be intimate with others as an adult. Since I am a Christian and have admired the work of Minirth and Meier for years, I love how the authors weave the truth of Jesus' love for us and wanting us to feel safe with solid counseling advice. I know that this is a book I will refer to again and again as I contine to work through my "unsafe" experiences as a child.

Great! I love this product. My son, who has special needs does really well with this book!
Easy to use! Solutions section in the back!

This workbook is wonderful! It gets down to the point without the unnecessary distractions (such as stickers). It is easy to read and your children will have no trouble at all with the easy to follow directions. It is a great supplement during summer vacation.

Anything by Frank & Ollie is golden with memories of the golden age of disney animation, and the part they played as part of walts top animators, "the nine old men" as they were lovingly known. Also be sure to get the documentary video "Frank & Ollie" to see for yourself what wonderful guys these two gents really are.

Though not as 'deep' as The Illusion of Life, the book Too Funny for Words is a must-have for all animators and story people who want to peek into the serious world of creating movie magic... It is THE book on the subject of 'sight-gags'. (Remember to also get Frank&Ollie's Greatest Disney Villains and The Making of Bambi books! - You already have The Illusion of Life, of course!)

This is an excellent that explains earth processes extremely well and keeps your attention the entire time.

This is an amazing and wonderful book that will surely attract many new students who would otherwise not choose to study geology. It is full of colour pictures and photographs, written in an extremely entertaining style, and is also full of high-quality science put in perspectives that I have not seen in any other text. The authors truly have everything at their fingertips. The book comprehensively covers the full breadth of what the reader might infer from the title "Understanding Earth", including (in addition to geology) weather and climate, the evolution of life (concentrating mainly on microbes), biogeology, human impact on the earth, and study of the other terrestrial planets (Mercury, Venus and Mars). The information presented is up to date and, astonishingly given its publication date, includes detailed coverage of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, the 2005 impact of Hurricane Katrina on New Orleans, and results of the latest space probes to other planets.