Renaissance Books

+AH4-For so many months I have enjoyed watching this title pop up on Eckhart Tolle's book's page. The title itself spoke volumes, or shall I say, opened a window to emptiness, so I just enjoyed the result of the title alone. Finally I ordered the tape... This little white tape, which looks exactly as unassuming as its image on the Amazon page, lasts perhaps 25 minutes or less, on one side only, not even lasting that side. Less is definitely more. Scott Morrison, about whom I know+AH4-+AH4- nothing, begins from a familiar place of speaker welcoming listeners and takes a path through varied terrain to drop you off with nothing. If you are lucky. I have no idea how many such tapes exist (Eckhart's is another), but this is one of them. If you are awakening, this little tape will probably pierce your skin in a new spot. I recommend this tape with pleasure. Thank you, oh Scott-free voice.+AH4-

For anyone interested in Twentieth Century Art in America this book is a must. While books about Haring, Warhol and the like are plentiful, many art insiders have quietly assumed that this has more to do with circumstance (such as hanging with the beautiful people in New York, personal tragedy, or selling out to a commercial or corporate diety),than with actual artistic vision or ability. Not so with Ed Paschke. He has remained dedicated to art, for art's sake, forsaking the bright lights of New York for his hometown of Chicago and certain commercial gains. This book, along with only one other one available to the public (which containt more recent works), gives a glimpse into the stunning colors and troubling subject matter of one of America's top living painters. Moreover, the time period covered here contains many of the most stunning and prolific evolutions in Mr. Paschke's work: from twisted images of Chicago's gritty underbelly to the iconic interpretations of our nation's most familiar icons. Anyway you look at it, this book is a must purchase for anyone who considers themself a fan of american art.

As I understand it, this book results from years of scholarship; certainly it's the most detailed edition of the Amoretti and Epithalamion that I've found.

Larsen has a clear editorial "take" on Spenser's sonnet cycle (which includes the 89 Amoretti and the 24 stanzas of the Epithalamion). He joins the many historicist Renaissance scholars who argue that one cannot understand Renaissance literature fully without taking its religious and political context into account. In particular, Spenser, like most of Elizabeth I's subjects, was steeped the the new Protestant religion begun by the queen's father and brother in the middle of the 16th century, and this religion, in turn, found its life in the 1559 Book of Common Prayer.

Building on the work of Alexander Dunlop and others, Larson pays particular attention to the resonances between the Amoretti and the lessons and psalms specified for particular days of the year in the Prayer Book. Most critics agree that almost all of Spenser's 89 Amoretti correspond to specific days in the calendar year 1594. Larsen supports this theory by noting many connections between specific sonnets and the Prayer Book readings which correspond to those sonnets' presumed dates. His introduction (some 60 pages) offers an especially helpful discussion of how Spenser may have read and used the Prayer Book and various English translations of the Bible.

Larsen also notes Spenser's numerous classical and Petrarchan sources. My only complaint here is that in his notes Larsen will often quote a source in the original language without providing a translation. Over all, though, Larsen's notes are extensive and provocative without shutting down further inquiry or discussion. I'd recommend this work to anyone who's doing a serious investigation of the Amoretti and Epithalamion.

The author says change your habits and change your life. Develop the eight habits that characterize successful people in all walks of life, and you will realize your dreams, whatever they are. Research shows that those who acquire The Eight Habits of Highly Successful People have an almost 100% likelihood of accomplishing all that they set out to do. Do you want to get that promotion, bust that sales quote, start or save a business, raise funds for your church, win a marathon, find romance-and otherwise, realize your personal and professional dreams? When all is said and done, she writes, what separates those who realize their aims and those who don't are eight characteristic ways of acting. Successful people always make it a habit to: 1. Clarify Their Goals; 2. Become a Doer; 3. Develop Fearlessness; 4. Believe in Their Success; 5. Take Responsibility; 6. Generate Enthusiasm; 7. Bounce Back from Setbacks; 8. Cross the Finish Line. Jean Marie Stine shows you how to acquire those eight habits and makes learning them easy in this new book from the author of the bestselling hardcover, Double Your Brain Power. Available exclusively in e-book format!

ARQUITECTURA - ESCULTURA - PINTURA - DIBUJO Edición de Rolf Toman Copyright ©1999 KÖNEMANN (Versión española, ©1994 la original)

Distintos autores escriben los capítulos de este libro, cada uno fijándose en alguno de los aspectos del Renacimiento. Hay 4 capítulos dedicados a los distintos períodos en la arquitectura renacentista, 4 dedicados a la pintura, 2 a la escultura y 1 al dibujo. Es un libro de gran formato y muy pesado. La calidad del papel es muy buena, las fotos son muy buenas y de gran tamaño (muchas a página completa) y en el caso de los edificios, aparte de la foto hay pequeños dibujos de las plantas de los mismos. Por $ 31.96, me parece una muy buena inversión.

In addition to the artistic renaissance that was underway in late 16th and early 17th century Italy, a comparable movement was flourishing in Spain from 1598 to 1623 under King Philip. A time of cultural and political fervor, Spain was experiencing the evolution of a naturalistic style of painting that showcased detail and space in court portraiture, still life, religious themes, and the development of polychrome sculpture. While El Greco and Velazquez were two of the most notable figures in this era of the Spanish art world, "El Greco To Velazquez: Art During The Reign Of Philip III" covers not only these two legendary artists, but examines the works of lesser-known but highly talented artists who contributed to and influenced the development of the Spanish school of art. Knowledgeably compiled and deftly co-edited by Ronni Baer and Sarah Schroth, "El Greco To Velazquez" is enhanced with informed and informative essays by academicians and art history scholars Laura Bass, Antonio Feros, and Rosemarie Mulchay, as well as the co-editors Ronni Baer and Sarah Schroth. The beautifully illustrated text provides an historical, literary, cultural and religious context for this illuminated and illuminating study of a critically important period of Western Art History in general, and Spanish Art History in particular.

This is one of the best books on El Greco and specifically on the painting 'the burial of the count of orgaz.' As a plus the reproductions in this book are excellent. Most other books on El Greco have washed out color, or are in black in white but are too contrasted. This book gives a brief history about El Greco, and the negotiations behind the making of this painting. It is a must read for anyone interested in this painting, El Greco or Spanish art. There are plenty of close up photos that give you a glimpse of El Greco's complex way of working (grisaille, glazing, and color work). I had spent literally weeks and weeks going to book stores as well as searching online for books on El Greco and I stumbled upon this book at a local bookstore, however the price there was more than I was willing to pay, fortunately I found it on amazon.com.

This is a MUST HAVE for interior designers. The pictures are quite detailed. It is written in chronological order and takes you through all the design periods (including, but not limited to: Baroque, Rococo, Arts & Crafts, Art Nouveau, Art Deco) It explains and shows examples of furniture, ceramics, glass, silver, textiles, lighting (to name a few)from each period from 1400-2000.
It is one of the MOST IMPORTANT reference books to have in your library. Especially to be able to explain certain things to clients. I recommend having it. IT IS A BEAUTIFUL BOOK. EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT A DESIGNER, GET IT FOR YOUR COFFEE TABLE...YOU WILL ENJOY LOOKING AT IT!

The last sentence of the book summarizes the excellent thrust of this book. "Elizabeth can not be separated from the legend that she helped create." This book is the companion to the traveling exhibit on Elizabeth I that I was not fortunate to see, but stands on it's own merits.

There has been a plethora of books on Elizabeth I; unfortunately many of them are just chronological listings of events or the author has an agenda or preconceived thesis. This book is stellar in avoiding the usual approach. It is thematic. This book concentrates on the effects of Elizabeth's surroundings on her, and her effect on her surroundings. There two very good reasoned chapters on the religion and sexuality of Elizabeth. The book was meticulously researched and documented and used the figures in the book to visually support the book's themes. A very perceptive, albeit brief, section analyzes how Elizabeth I has been portrayed in cinema. The writing is concise and fluid and to the point.

I give a book on the Elizabethan era or Elizabethan/Shakespeare literature to my family every year as gifts. This is probably the finest.

I stumbled across this books one evening at the UCSC McHenry Library, and photocopied about half of it for use either in papers, or because I found the articles generally interesting and didn't have time to read the whole thing before it had to go back for the summer. It was one of the first books I bought for my collection once I'd left college - it really is just that good.

This book is a collection of writings about a wide variety of subjects that would have been interesting to everyday Elizabethan people. It covers everything from the layout of houses, to the spice trade, to the invention of flush toilets ("jakes"!) and the proliferation of momento mori. There are even period woodcuts and engravings, and the occasional picture of a museum piece thrown in for visual spice. I love it!

I am very very sad to see that it's out of print.