Publications Books

This is, quite possibly, the most used book for research of Victorian clothes I have in my library. As a member of the Victoriana Society in South Australia, I've turned to it many times to help design and construct clothing of the period for our events. My copy has been falling to pieces for several years now and the one I just purchased is for the woman who works for me as she is into the clothing as much as I am and kept using mine!!! Note to self, buy a new copy for me.

If you're like me and can't afford to purchase thirty one years worth of original Harpers Bazaar publications, this will fill the void. I actually own two, one to cut up and photocopy, so I can play with coloring a dress before I make it. It covers all the minutia of Haute Couture. Gowns for different occasions, times of day, traveling, dressing gowns, nightwear and undergarments. It also has plates for accessories, shoes, jewelry, gloves, stockings, hats. There are hair combs, ornaments, extensions, and a couple styling techniques. Children's clothing is also included. The major fashion plates have fairly detailed descriptions of the garment features.

There is also a good glossary of terms and colors in the back of the book. Which is a great help for some of the more obscure descriptions.

Too bad there's no color plates.....leaves more for the imagination to fill in I suppose. And BOY will this book keep you dreaming!

The book was filled with page after page of clothing and accessories, from swim suits to formal wear. The detail of how women adorned themselves and their outfits was very informative. I know that it catered to the upper-class, but it would have been nice to see more for women of a lower class. Also, there was barely anything for men of any class.

Dover Publications are the go-to people for books on 19th-century fashion, and Stella Blum's "Victorian Fashions and Costumes from Harper's Bazar, 1867-1898" is at the top of the list. Like the companion volume by Joanne Olian, "Victorian and Edwardian Fashions from 'La Mode Illustree'" (another book on this topic that I've given 5 stars), this book comprehensively shows, in splendid black-and-white illustrations taken directly from the old "Harper's Bazar" (note the spelling!) the changing feminine fashions of the Victorian and Edwardian periods over the 31-year period from 1867 to 1898. Every illustration is at least full-page (there are some breathtaking double-page spreads) and accompanied by brief descriptive text. I would definitely put it on the list of books that every student of 19th-century costume must own.

Victorian Fashions and Costumes is eye candy for anyone interested in fashion history.

The arrangement of the book in chronological order by year makes it very easy to find historically correct garments, accessories, and hair styles. A brief overview of characteristics specific to the era is included in each section. Most pictures have captions that identify the type of garment and often the fabrics and colors used in a garment.

I used information in this book to create a bodice and bustle representative of the period for a skirt Mary Todd Lincoln wore in 1872 in England.

With all the historical patterns available in the major pattern books, the costumer or reenactor can find a basic pattern and add the correct construction details and embellishments. I enjoy browsing the book and wondering what life was like for the women who wore these clothes. If you are looking for information about the clothing worn by the common woman, you won't find it here. After all, this is from Harper's Bazar, the Vogue of the 19th Century.

Becky

This book is essential to keeping your focus on Christ alone. Read it thoroughly, and read it often!

This book opens up your mind to how simple & yet how great God & His plan is. When we wonder why things aren't happening like in Jesus' day we just have to seek Him & when we really see & know Him everything else will fall into place. The writer teaches us to seek Him, not for the things that He can do but just because we don't really see & know Him. This book really helps you to see who God is through His son Jesus. When we truly have Him we have everything that we need.

We have been reading this book every night before going to sleep and it has been great. Being written decades ago, I am so surprised at how relevant this book is for today. One main point is that everything we "need" is found in Jesus alone. That is a very relevant message for my materialistic and over-prescribed life.

Building on the themes of "Calvary Road," the Hessions still focus on the believer's bondage, and show how Christ has freed us of the yoke which is around our necks (soul and spirit). If you haven't read The Calvary Road, you can still gain a great deal from this little book, and possibly then you can read the original.

A good read!!!

When you are composing a "must-read" list of books, you should keep it rather short. There are many excellent books, but which ones _must_ be read? The Bible, for one. After that, "We Would See Jesus" rises rather close to the top.
Why?
Because it is short, yet dense. It is easily read, yet takes time to digest. And although you can read it in a Saturday, you will read it repeatedly to enjoy all that is contained in such a small book.
- soli Deo gloria -

I do not pretend to Ms Roberts' achievement or to review the route-map that is her book but I do want to highlight the advantages that accompany progress on the path she describes so a wider audience may be persuaded to participate.

The clarity of detached thought that results from egolessness is quite basic to mental insight. I suspect she describes an evolutionary step that has been evolving in our species over the last few millennia and is only frustrated today by fear of the unknown and our common wish to blend in.

I believe the ego is the enemy of us all. That great man Linus Pauling sought to elucidate DNA before anyone else and published a description that was not even acidic - that is the cost of egocentricity, even amongst our greatest and best.

A qualification in Mr Roberts' field of expertise should be the doorkey to every science career. If more of us followed her path we would soon be living in a splendid world, travelling from birth to death without fear or error and making really useful contributions along the way. We all value clarity in word, thought and deed. Here is a route map to it.

In reading Jerry Katz's book, "One" which is collection of what is written on the non-dual state, the chapter with sample pages from Bernadette Roberts book "What is Self?" was riveting. Having read thousands of books on practices leading to "enlightenment" this is new ground. Few persons having this experience are able to articulate the experience into language understandable to any degree. I have no doubt many from various religions have reached this state though Bernadette Roberts is from the Christian tradition and this possibly brings the experience more understandable as opposed to Sanskrit terms etc. I will add Dr. David R. Hawkins books, videos on his experiences of the non-dual state are excellent, too. Books are "Eye of the I", "I",and "Discovery of the Presence of God: Devotional Non-duality."
It took me many years to discern that psychic experiences and general paranormal experiences are merely symptoms on the way to the non-dual state and should be ignored as opposed to being a goal to expand upon if one wishes to experience the non-dual state aka enlightenment.
This book is a masterpiece in my opinion.

I found this an amazing, inspiring account of a very deep spiritual journey. Bernadette Roberts describes the causal, non-dual, no-self experience in a manner both clear, logical and profoundly unsettling. Not many people reach this place, or even know if its existence. The fact that an "ordinary person" can describe her journey in clear terms is profoundly inspiring. The structure of the book is a bit garbled and repetitious, representing as it does four separate 'essays'. Her insights into the Trinitarian nature of Reality are provocative and sometimes hard to follow (altho this may represent may own limited capabilities!) This minor flaw makes the book a human endeavour and does not diminish my overall recommendation.

This experiential description from a christian perspective has left me awe-struck. I went on the path of eastern religions after discovering the access to truth our medieaval mystics e.g Hadewich, Ruusbroeck, Eckehart and Thomas a Kempis had achieved around the 13th century AD. However they did not show me the way to this truth and Christianity as it was explained to me was totally devoid of it. After 35 years of zen buddhist practice I touch on this book and I am dumbfounded by the deep similarities AND the differences between Christianity and Buddhism as direct experiential religions. It has allowed me to resonate deeply with these aspects of reality as are labeled Trinity and Resurrection.
It is clear that the difference in our society is not going to be made by Eastern traditions. It must come from our own tradition. But then this tradition has to stop clinging to a dead mythic past and become alive to the here and now. I want to thank Bernadette deeply for this courageous deed of going down her path unerring and making it available to us all by writing it down so lucidly.
Thank you Bernadette.

So pleased to have connected with this very unusual offering. Roberts spends the first half of the book explaining in great detail - sometime tediously, but in the end thoroughly and with stunning insight - the nature of all self identity - Small Self, Big Self, or as some refer to it, True Self and consciousness. Her conclusion is that they are all temporary, mutually supporting constructs that fall away as one matures along the human journey. Her description of the "no self" condition - her ability to describe "no self" to readers who assume identity as being the one absolutely, irreducible, personal accessory is an amazing accomplishment. Beyond unitive consciousness, Roberts describes conditions of pure knowing without a knower. And not as some have led us to believe - not God realized, omniscient knowing. Instead a knowing that includes the sober realization that all that has been previously "known" was really and unavoidably, mere self reflection. Roberts, now in her seventies is described by those who know her as, "A Force Of Nature." Having spent her early years in a convent threading a path parallel to St.'s. Teresa and John of the Cross, Mrs. Roberts is now devoted to her family - having long ago left cloistered life to marry and raise her children. Present day philosopher, Ken Wilber predicts that our human developmental/spiritual ceiling will continue to rise - just as we see looking back to the 16th century when Christian mystics assumed that the highest level of development was an ecstatic, I/Thou, union with God. Bernadette Roberts takes the reader with her beyond this previously supposed end game - charting new waters, higher ground and finally leaving us to understand that beyond self there remains knowing without a knower with still more to come. And, that as frightening as death of self identity may be - it is natural and necessary that we take this final step, as she assures - all, someday will. A great resource, best suited for well grounded, sturdy thinkers.

This is one of those books that will take you a good week or so to read through (if you are an avid reader - if not, maybe a little longer). It's a big book, in more ways than one. You will want to sink your teeth into this one, savor it, roll it around in your head. I have so much I want to say about this book, but I don't want to give too much away, so I'll do the best I can...

There are so many sides to Gordon in this book, to the free-living child with mischief on his mind, to the depressed man with little to no time to live, to the man who wants to live life to the fullest, and there and back again and every shade in between. I'm not sure I really liked any of the Gordons presented in this book. It wasn't about me liking him or not, it was more about who he was and a feeling of "wow, he really did all that" and "wow, he was supposed to be dead a couple of decades ago". Heh, reminds me of what we used to say about certain family members - "too mean to die". I usually have a hard time reading a book when I honestly don't like the main character, but the writing of this really made a big difference for me.

I never could reconcile Judy for myself. The author speaks very low of her when she is introduced, but I found myself feeling sorry for her at times. Yes, I know, she didn't always have the best intentions, I'm sure, but I dunno... something about her still bugs me and I can't figure out what it is.

I think I felt the worst for Muriel. I know, everything turns out like it should, but I felt like she was so... pushed aside. In some ways, perhaps the author felt the same way with his brother. It just seemed like Muriel's life got derailed more than it should have. Then again, this WAS the 1940s, so... it was what it was, right?

I also wish there were more splashes of the author's side of the story in here. I felt like I was cheated a little bit because the common lines were very subtle. Probably on purpose, but I still wanted more of what was going on.

Having said that... this author is one to watch. The writing is beautiful and grabbed me from the very start. But more than that, it felt honest. When he's at the fire with his family members, I was there with him. I felt that heat.

Good book. Grab it, toss it on your bedside table and savor it.

A Remarkable Tale!

Wheeling the Deal is a tale of "paraplegic conquers adversity." At first blush this seems like a cliché. After all, we live in an ADA, blue-parking-space, curb-cut world where public policy offsets such handicaps with a cornucopia of government programs and grants. But, wait! This was in the 1940s, when people in that condition didn't even survive, let alone strive. Gordon Zahler should be dead, not the subject of a biography a half century later. And yet, against all odds, he clung to life after his sports field accident, and after a black period of depression and self-pity contrived a plan for economic survival which turned him into an entertainment industry icon. It really is a story worth the telling, and his story is told by a gifted Southern California journalist and kinsman, Chip Jacobs. Jacobs tells the story poignantly and eloquently in a book well worth a night stand berth.

It's one of the most inspirational things one can see in the world - a man who is paralyzed from the neck down deciding that invalidism isn't for him and making something of themselves. "Wheeling the Deal: The Outrageous Legend of Gordan Zahler, Hollywood's Flashiest Quadriplegic" is the story of Gordon Zahler, a man who turned himself into one of Hollywood's fast talking and successful idea men who traveled the world, married, and so much more, disregarding his condition and living life to the fullest he possibly could. "Wheeling the Deal: The Outrageous Legend of Gordon Zahler, Hollywood's Flashiest Quadriplegic" is a brilliant and uplifting true story and is highly recommended for anyone in a similar position or has a relative there - to open their eyes to the possibilities.

The thing that struck me most about
Chip Jacobs' fascinating biography of his
"Hollywood Player" uncle was just how
un-Hollywood it felt. Certainly there is the
human interest aspect, involving the tragic,
early childhood injury that left Gordon
Zahler bound to a wheelchair for life. Yet
Mr. Jacobs wisely avoids going overly maudlin
upon his audience, choosing instead to offer
up the portrait of a man, so driven by the
desire to succeed, that a mere physical
disability could not stand in his way.
Throughout the course of reading this book, I
never saw Gordon Zahler as an object of pity;
there were in fact times when I found him an
entirely unsympathetic character. But he
always came across as a human being, with all
the debilitating flaws, and ennobling traits
that characterize our species. And that to me
is what makes a great biography. I look
forward to Mr. Jacobs' next work.

"Wheeling the Deal" is a wonderful and cavorting tale about Gordon Zahler, the most unlikely of Hollywood players. His boyhood foreshadowed the rip-roaring life this soon-to-be quadriplegic would live. Every stop sign said "go." Every warning sign signaled an opportunity for a fresh surge of adrenaline. Then a gymnastics accident broke his neck at age 14.

The prognosis was death. But Zahler was both too stubborn to die and too stubborn to let the wheelchair that would become his life-long attachment keep him from living with the fullness he considered his birthright.

Cut off from the sense and pleasure of the rest of his body, Gordon Zahler lived entirely within the confines of his head. With little to do but think, wheelchair-bound Zahler rolled into Hollywood on the strength of his father's considerable collection of musical compositions. After several fits and starts, he eventually broke into Tinseltown in earnest, parlaying his father's musical collection into business relationships with the likes of horror-movie director Ed Wood.

Intoxicated by his success, Zahler wanted more influence, riches and notoriety. In time he built the most active post-production movie and TV house in Hollywood. He and wife Judy's traveled the world and hosted cocktail parties attended by the A-list likes of Sidney Sheldon, Jerry Lewis and Nat King Cole.

He also dreamed up many harebrained schemes that belly-flopped or never got off the ground.

Not all of these recollections are endearing. Zahler was a skinflint, paying his people miserly wages even as his own fortunes piled up. His parsimony ultimately drove away devoted longtime employees. Even those who handled Zahler's most basic human functions were subjected to his volcanic temper. That included his demanding and acidic treatment of his care-giving mother.

"Wheeling the Deal" also deals with family bonds, broken loyalties, cold-blooded murders and lost fortunes, right up to its heartbreaking finish.

Author Chip Jacobs, Gordon Zahler's nephew, bares his insecurities regarding his own membership in a chromosomal lineage that gave rise to his eccentric uncle and a retarded brother - even writing of his own accidental entry into the world.

This is the book Jacobs vowed he was never going to write, despite his mother's exhortations. Uncle Gordon's dying days were a freak show to the young Jacobs, making him about the most unsavory character he could imagine chronicling. Then the 1993 fire that swept the Altadena hills above Los Angeles turned a key Zahler family heirloom to ashes. Three years later, Jacobs covered the Malibu Canyon fire for the Daily News of Los Angeles and had an epiphany in its aftermath. A confluence of timing and events set his own imagination ablaze with the recognition of just how improbable and amazing a life his Uncle Gordon had led. The family lore was captured in newspaper clipping, oral histories, police records and legal documents that attested to the stamp Gordon Zahler put on Hollywood and the people around him.

First-time author Chip Jacobs tends to over-throttle the language in the first 25 pages, but the book quickly settles into solid storytelling with remarkable and engaging scenes, punctuated with endless bursts of energetic and artistic wordplay.

I'm already looking forward to this author's next book, which will tackle the history of smog.

There is a hot new pistol in the publishing industry, and its name is Chip Jacobs.

I went to to Catholic high school in Chicago where we were required to take a class solely on the topic of marriage. During my 21 year marriage my wife (now former) kept asking me where I learned all these good things about marriage. I told her I took a marriage class in high school, and I had two partnes who loved each other and showed it every day. I wish I read your book as a refresher 6 years after high school.

High schools should purchase this book by the truck-load and teach a class focused solely on this book. I have a different spiritual system than the author, but no reasonable, mature person can disagree with his highly effective examples, clear writing style and the wealth of first-hand experience he provides. You can tell he is a gifted person who cares for people and society. This book will dramatically reduce teen pregnancy, depression, abortion, crime, violence, poverty, and other societal problems caused by divorce, broken homes and single-parent homes. We need to buy this book in bulk and give it out to the people we care about, especially teens and young adults.

The author did a lot of information search. I found this book to be more of how and why to avoid abusive relationships. It will be a plus to add to your library as a reference guide.

Why People Choose the Wrong Mate is a best seller! It clearly defines the boundaries of God and society's relationship. The book illuminated my mind to the not so obvious pit-fall that so many fall prey to.

When I began reading. I could hardly put the book down. Anyone looking for a mate will definitely get this book recommended to them by me.

Triplett, you have out done yourself. The Holy Spirit was definitely talking to you. I can see that you have a sensative ear and relationship with the Lord. This book will go down as one in history for the ages to read.

Atlanta, Georgia

This is a powerful book full of powerful truths and everyday examples. I will not share my copy of this book. I'll buy one for others, but they cannot have my book. It is like a handbook and should be reviewed at the beginning of every relationship. The bottom line is this: Through examples and Biblical references, the book teaches that "Obedience is better than sacrafice." I thank God for Gillis Triplett. I was married for 24 years. My husband had a bad accident involving a head injury. The counselor said that the accident exacerbated the deteriorating condidtions in our marriage. The last six years of our marriage were living hell for me and my children. We were always afraid. As I looked back over the years, some of the abuse was there from the beginning, but I thought I could make the marriage work. If I had read this book earlier, I would have seen the signs even before we got married.

This book is the truth and nothing but the truth!Everyone should have this book.It is a true reference to life as we live it.Before starting any relationship,one should read it.It touches so close to home,you wont be able to put it down.My Advice to you 'GET YOUR OWN COPY"

Everything that you wanted to know about rigging ships with square sails.
The last part of the book is about ship handling. Now I know the reason the ships are rigged the way they are. You need this book if you build model square rigged ships.

This is a great reprint of the training manual for a Royal Navy officer. It has helped my presentation for living history of a US Navy seaman incredibly.

I bought this book because I am a recreational sailor and ship modeler. I found this to be an excellent source of information on the rigging and basic operation of 19th century military and commercial sailing vessels, and it answered many questions I have had about older sailing vessels as compared to modern ones.

The subject matter is laid out logically, but must be read carefully due to its original 19th century syntax and language, and the tremendous amount of detail discussed.

The book starts with how strands are laid into ropes, how ropes are made into lines, the basic components of rigging (hooks, blocks, hearts, trucks, cleats), description and tying of basic seaman's knots, moving on to constrction and stepping of the masts, spars and sprits, standing rigging, running rigging, sail construction and rigging for each location on the ship, finishing with anchor rigging. As if that were not enough, the second half of the book is a fascinating treatise on practical seamanship of the day, including coming to anchor, when to use certain sails, reefing, laying to, heaving to and other heavy weather techniques.

The book is illustrated throughout with hundreds of highly detailed period line drawings. Truly an 19th century version of the Annapolis Book of Seamanship and Chapman's Piloting combined, it is an absolute must for any model builder or student of sailing ships who wants to know "how it was".

History and ships...
I Love History and ships, and this is simply one of the best and most enjoyable books I have read. I am still reading it, but it is one of those you want to share immediately. My hobby is building 18th century wood static model sailing vessels, and I have learned a few things already (despite my library of 40+ books on the subject). It hurls you back in time, to enjoy details that would have been forgotten, if not for this kind of book. Like the page that tells the strategy that one should use if the wind changed by three points... or taking in a topsail... or tacking expeditiously...
If you are a fan of history and the 1700's sailing... you cannot go wrong with this book (and its cheap!)

Judge this book by its cover! It's exactly what it says it is. This book is full of practical knowledge suited for the young naval officer or merchant seaman. It's one of those books that is just fun to read. Similar to "The Art of Rigging," this book has tons of information about the rigging of sailing vessels not in common use today, but it's fascinating nonetheless. A great volume for those enthralled by the sea, or who enjoy model ship building. Looks great on the coffee table, too!

This is the only teddy bear making book I own, because it has everything in it I could ever possibly want to do. I have created dozens of bears from the patterns and techniques in here and they've all come out great. The steps are easy to follow and it has a lot of creative suggestions in it.

A very usefull book, with many good informations in bear making, now and in the future.

I love this book. I'm learning everything I need to make pretty bears like yours! Thanks!

This book has a wealth of information that i would recommend to, any one concidering Bear making or those who are already making bears. It is easy to follow and the tips are extremly helpfull.

This is a great book that was recommended to me by a teddy bear artist. It's thoughtfully developed, detailed, and the photos are beautiful. There are some great ideas in this book. It can save you months of scouring the internet for tips. Definitely the best teddy bear book I've read.

I use this guide often. I plant according to the Llewellen Guide, and have for years. It's really most accurate. I also use it to make jelly and jams. It can be a guide for most any project, from pruning to de-horning baby goats.

I have used the guide for several years and now cannot be without one. For anyone who monitors planetary movements to anticipate effects in daily life, this guide is a must.

I'm glad they put the asteroids back into the ephemeris. I buy this date-book every year, and it's handy to be able to see what the planets are doing while I'm planning what to do. There's a fair amount of space for writing, but I wish there were a little more.

I love this Datebook, carry it with me everywhere I go! Have for years!!!

REALLY DETAILED MOON SUN AND PLANET INFO, GOES DEEPER INTO THESE THINGS THAT THE WITCHES ALMANAC

I bought a number of digital textile design books. This one is the most updated and simple in terms of the instructions. Also, the author is extremely accessible and available for support, questions and feedback. He was fantastic and very helpful!

As a Graphic Designer, I made a research and bough four products that were supose to solve textil design, and this was the best, It gives you meny alternatives: also the seller stood beside me when nedded.

I love this book! It saved me hours in learning specific aspects of textile design using photoshop - plus the author makes himself available for technical assists. Awesome.

This is an excellent book for textile designers. Easy to follow and Frederick has been a pleasure to work with. Thanks again!

This book took me to an advanced level of textile design! It was like taking a course in textile design in college except you can actually do things when you're finished! I'm ecstatic that I found this book. I have learned many new techniques. The explanations are very clear, precise and complete! I recommend this wonderful book and I fell grateful that Mr. Chipkin generously shared his years of experience. It's a book for professionals, freelancers and an essential book for the students.

Shephard created a book satiated with texture, woven in embroidery of dyes and rituals. In African Accents, the author shares with us her stories through textiles. She recreates African accents for readers who have formerly collected pieces of cultural tradition and for the newly converted. Scanning through the craft section of any bookstore, one could notice a scarcity of African crafts, house style, and decorating books. With this book, Shephard undertakes a worthy task. The author's time spent in Senegal piqued her already flourishing interest in African design. Shephard prefaces each chapter with anecdotes, the significance of fiber technique, and facts about the fabrics used for the easy to follow hand-made crafts she shares later in the book. The author separates the fabric regionally and explains the social and rich cultural aspects tied into the various designs and processes.
The first part of the book is devoted to recreating the essence of each separate style of fabric, (that is, if you choose to). Some fabric recreations are simple and others are intricate including embroidery and weaving. Shephard cautions that replicating the fabric does not replace the real thing, but could rather deepen one's appreciation for the years of apprenticeship. In reproducing the designs on the fabrics, the book includes actual sized symbols with their meaning. Some of the Ashanti designs on the fabrics, the author indicates, are the equivalent of the European family crest.
In part two of the book the chapters are devoted to each room of your home and the art of gift giving. Secrets and tricks are provided to lend your pillows, clocks and picture frames the professional touch. There is certainly no limitation of "how to" procedures. I tried a few myself and although the suggestion of the staple gun for the kente stool fell short of my expectation (probably the gun itself) I pulled out the old hammer and nail and my stool looked unfailingly as Shephard had promised. Some of the crafts, if you were not handy with a sewing machine would be better left to the local tailor. Yet, there was a time when a sewing machine was a staple in most family's homes. The art of sewing and the practicality of its uses have been forgotten. But if sewing seems impossible for you, Shephard happily offers other easy alternatives.
This is a consummate reason for a recommendation of this slim book to be on the shelves of all art leagues. The book makes it apparent that Spanish and French artists popular in the 19th and 20th centuries have gained much of their appeal with the use of African art infused with their own. Shephard's passion for the continent exudes throughout the book, aquatinting the reader with crafts and fabric otherwise inaccessible. It is a craft-book du nouveau, a comprehensive history lesson, and a full color tabletop book. It is a significant forefront of a happily growing movement. Through this thoughtful undertaking the beauty of the textiles, that have been admired and used for years, could now have intimate meanings and representations. Choosing that kente, Kuba or mudcloth after reading Shephard's book will add new substance to its use.

Yasmain Broady-Soya...

African Accents by Lisa Shepard is more than just another book with homey decorator projects for the Do-It-Yourselfer. As Shepard makes clear in her introduction, her passion for genuine African fabrics is based on admiration for their strong colors and designs coupled an educated appreciation for the craftsmanship that goes into their creation.

Since she recognizes that collection of these beautiful fabrics may well be beyond the reach of the average pocketbook, she sets out to teach us how to duplicate the look with affordable materials and then provides detailed instructions for sophisticated decorating projects that are reasonably easy to accomplish.

Make your own stamps with potatoes, compressed sponges or rubber stamps to get the look of Adinkra cloth. Shepard provides over 20 different Adinkra symbols to copy together with their African names and meanings.

Choose from over a dozen images to create unique Korhogo designs (and I dare you to resist trying the panels and floor cloth projects in the book). Try mudcloth, Kuba cloth or Kasaii velvet.

The instructions are clear and the power of the designs would enhance just about any room in your home or office.

They would also be fairly easy for a school group or Scout troop to teach children about the strength and beauty of the cultures they represent. I can easily imagine a group of kids having a good time creating Adinkra stamps at a children's birthday party.

Shepard expresses the hope that working on the projects will increase the readers appreciation for the real thing. A quick glance through this lovely book will convince you.

This was exactly what I was searching for...beautiful, inspiring photos of projects that you can easily do for yourself. If has great graphic designs you can copy and use for stenciling, stamping, etc. Loved the cardboard spear and the textiles.

I must have bought 10 other books on exotic decor, ethnic decor and this is the only one that really thrilled me.

I enjoyed lisa's book but I'm not much of a craftsperson. I love african style, and came away with some good ideas. Some of these projects require more than I am willing to give. I'm into simplistic projects that look like there was alot of effort. The projects range from easy to not so easy. The are some good internet sources but some of them are no longer avalible. I have not attempted any of the crafts in the book but I'm looking foreward to Lisa's next release (coming out in October). I think her next release may be what I'm looking for.

Ms. Shepard's knowledge and appreciation for African textiles and crafts is shown with style throughout this book. The craft instructions are clear and easy to follow (even for a novice craftsperson like myself!) The photographs are terrific also, they act as real motivators to try some of these great decorating ideas. How refreshing to see a crafts and decorating book with culturally diverse appeal!