New York Books

I thought that this book was an educational yet fun mystery! The map at the front really helped me place what was happening, and relate it to what exists there now. I also found the main character, Sooncy, to be the perfect perspective through which to tell the story! Overall, a fantastic book for anyone looking for a fun and informative read! Best wishes to Ms. Killcoyne on future writing endeavors!

There are few opportunities offered our children to learn an important lesson about both our own past and our nature as individuals than that delivered by Hope Lourie Killcoyne in her gifted story, "The Lost Village of Central Park." Set in mid-nineteenth-century New York City, at the cusp of the construction of that seminal landmark of modern America, Central Park, Ms. Killcoyne's lyrical narrative traces the factual history of Seneca Village, a real establishment in which African-American and Irish immigrants somehow co-existed peacefully in pre-Civil War America. Creating compelling and believable characters, Ms. Killcoyne provides today's pre-teens with an invaluable and unique perspective on an important era in American social development, one which was cut curiously short by the idiosyncratic yet poetically inevitable advancement of New York City, through the creation of Central Park. The Park stands today, a monument to New York civic achievement; what is lost is Seneca Village, perhaps an even more meaningful yet necessarily ephemeral reflection of all that is possible, yet also lost, in the American dream.

Having lived in New York my entire life, I was surprised to find out about Seneca Village. I was never taught about the time, place, and events that surrounded the demise of that area of the city. The author successfully tells the story from the point of view of two young girls, one black and one white, and the strength of their friendship. It's a great way to teach children about their past. There's a lot going on here... plenty to use the characters again and turn it into a series. I'd certainly pick up the next one for my niece!

I had though the art of captivating storytelling in the realm of children's historical fiction was long gone. The last and one of the best was Ben and Me. Not to mention the fact that intelligent prose directed toward but not insulting children has disappeared with the likes of greats like E.B. White, Judy Blume & Madeline L'Engle... until now that is. Meticulous research has allowed Hope Killcoyne to create a captivating historical backdrop that most New Yorkers weren't even aware of including myself. Even as the story unfolded I couldn't help feel a sense of sorrow knowing the timely end to what was probably a fascinating culture within the tapestry of NY. Nevertheless, Killcoyne takes what might have just been an interesting footnote in NY lore and weaves a modern folk tale of ingenious promise and heart. Characters well developed for any novel not to mention one for young adults, add depth and almost tangible realism to a time and era long forgotten and sometimes better off forgotten. Hope Killcoyne places her characters in a small pocket of the American landscape dwarfed by slavery and the dawn of Civil War allowing us to glimpse what might have been and what should be in a world too often blurred with self-interest and prejudice. Although some readers might be wary of the melodrama of a culturally diverse Utopia Killcoyne has pictured, there is nothing contrived about the story and intent behind this book. A highly recommended book for any young or old reader... from any walk of life.

This is a wonderful story and fascinating piece of history for children as well as adults. As with so much in history, the more that is uncovered, the more it tells of the way things are today and why. As with many of the colorful stories from the annuls of New York, The Lost Village of Central Park illustrates a very important chapter in the history of the city as well as the nation. Educational as well as entertaining. The fact that such a place existed more than 100 years ago proves that which makes us the same far outweighs that which makes us different. As former grade schoolteacher, I think this book should be on the shelves of every school and public library.

The book arrived in a timely fashion and was in perfect condition. I would definitely order from this person again.

buildings there are until one reads this essential history of some of the greatest buildings in the city.

Architectural historian Andrew Alpern takes the reader through a survey of luxury apartment buildings on Manhattan Island. There are 34 chapters, of which 28 are descriptions of particular buildings, their histories, and their unique features, each illustrated by one or more large b&w photographs. The book includes four floor plans. Buildings discussed include the Majestic, Century, Ansonia, London Terrace, Beresford, Osborne, and Alwyn Court. There are also six chapters dealing with more general topics: British 'antecedents of American apartments,' famous courtyard buildings, office-to-residence conversions, classic buildings of Fifth Avenue, double-height studios for artists, and changing fashions in floor plans.

There is substantial overlap with Alpern's earlier book, 'New York's Fabulous Luxury Apartments,' although the two books were clearly separately written works. That earlier book is aimed at the reader whose interest is mainly in floor plans, while the reader who is more interested in detailed narrative descriptions might prefer 'Luxury Apartment Houses.'

An interesting overview of the design and evolutions of apartment bulidings in NYC, originally published as the very hard to find 'APARTMENTS FOR THE AFFLUENT.' Cretainly good fun for todays real estate conscious New Yorker with photos, floorplans and even original selling prices of NY's tonier buildings.

An interesting overview of the design and evolutions of apartment bulidings in NYC, originally published as the very hard to find 'APARTMENTS FOR THE AFFLUENT.' Cretainly good fun for todays real estate conscious New Yorker with photos, floorplans and even original selling prices of NY's tonier buildings.

Although I think I'll have to buy another NYC travel book in order to get more detailed information about places to stay and to eat, I really enjoyed reading this. It's full of interviews with interesting New Yorkers, like Wigstock's Lady Bunny and the guy who runs the sideshows at Coney Island. There's a great section on NYC neighborhoods as well. The charming personality of the Mad Monks really comes through in their writing--you learn a lot about what they don't like (yuppies, sterile architecture, the Disneyfication of Times Square) as well as a few things about what they do (drag queens, egg creams, and Rudy Giuliani, strangely enough).

Funny, irreverant and witty ....took me to places I never would have discovered . . . .what a mind expanding trip without drugs! BRAVO.

The Mad Monks' Guide to New York City avoids dwelling on well-worn landmarks such as the Empire State Building and Statue of Liberty, focusing more on the eccentric and offbeat, such as Miss Vera's Finishing School for Boys Who Want to Be Girls, Fly Fishing in Central and even Toxic Tourism like Staten Island's Fresh Kills Dump, the world's largest dump/landfill.

Along with the sublime and the bizarre is a cornucopia of the great city's diverse culture, from bars and restaurants to entertainment spots, making it probably as useful for those who live in the city as for those planning to visit it.

The Mad Monks' Guide to New York City is definitely the best thing I've read on that place in years, maybe the best book on New York since Washington Irving.

Here I am, spitting and cussing and followed by my tribe of beautiful wife, giggling baby, manic dog, neurotic cat, tiny overpriced one-bedroom apartment in Manhattan, thirty-two South Bronx homeroom students, anti-situationist buddies in the Yale Art History Graduate School, coffee shop aficionados, strange relatives, no money, one as yet unfinished great American novel, an entire collection of badly washed decaying old college clothes, and, last but not least, one pristine, mint, delectable copy of "The Mad Monks' Guide to New York City." Genius! Genius! Genius!

But who are these morons who keep giving the Monks the cliched comparisons to Kerouac and Kuralt? Where are the comparisons to the greats? As convoluted, descriptive, and gratuitous as a Faulkner sentence! As minutely involved as Wolf! As sharp and evocative as Hemmingway! As full of life and extraterrestialy wise as Salinger! As innovatively plotted as Joyce! As romantic as Austin! As poetic and erotic as Shakespeare!

As the editor of MAD TO BE NORMAL (Ronnie Laing's last recorded conversations), I was pleased to read Matthew Morrisey's review. In response to his query - "what am I going to do with the material NOT included in the book?" Well, I have a lot of material I would like to publish from the conversations, but in this dumbed down world it is hard to get a publisher to agree to do it.

An excellent book for all people interested in Laing. Hopefully Mullan will find a way to publish the material so that those interested can read it rather than holding onto it and waiting for a publishing deal that isn't too far "beneath" his expectations.

In this huge set of interviews, the former king of counter-culture philosophy expresses his provocative opinions on all imaginable topics, from mystcism to politics. If you are the type of person who thinks for yourself and suspects that straight society is almost incurably ill, you will probably find a kindred spirit in this fascinating man. Being a prestigious psychiatrist and former military officer, he knows the system he's trying to change from the inside out (an advantage most radical thinkers don't have).

This is one of the most engaging books I've read in over 20 years: it brought back to me the stimulation of encountering a truly first-rate mind.

Mullan has brilliantly effaced himself so that you get 100% Laing direct. And a Laing worthy of his better reputation. Mullan limited himself to brief preface and introductions and, during the interviews, short guiding comments and questions. Another interviewer might have cluttered the interviews with his/her own agenda and introduced the book with lengthy analysis, all of which would have obscured Laing. Undoubtedly Mullan also had a mark in selecting and editing the interviews, but what he achieved was this wonderful effect of making the reader feel like he/she is alone with Laing listening to Laing pour out his life in great detail, with great feeling, and without pulling any punches.

In the section on "Influences", Laing's amazing retention and grasp of his existentialist sources is illuminating. In "Kingsley Hall", you get an inside scoop, with lots of warts acknowledged, on this famous and infamous experiment. These conversations are an invaluable complement (and more) to the other sources on Laing, including Laing's own books.

"Great men have great weaknesses": I was struck by how negative Laing was about many of his contemporaries including coworkers. He seems to have distanced himself from many people. As much as Laing seemed to understand Existentialism, my impression from the section "Buddhism" was that his understanding of Buddhism wasn't especially strong. He claimed to have been credited with having a rare kind of "Nirvana consciousness". Do you need a credited consciousness? At any rate, even with Buddhism, Laing poured himself into it and was not shy of insights.

Whether Laing had a "Nirvana consciousness" or not, he was most certainly extraordinary in these interviews. You'll feel why Laing was special if you read "Mad to be Normal". And you'll have a great context for understanding any of Laing's major books.

Mullan has done Laing a special favor. And us.

This book holds many treasures, for both beginning and advanced students of R.D. Laing. For beginners, the book serves as a valuable tool of clarification for many of Laing's ideas. For the more initiated, the book offers up juicy morsels of hard to find information. For example, how many people know that Laing actually obtained copies of Nietzsche's hospital records to find out if Nietzsche actually had syphillis? (Laing contends he didn't). It is little bits like this which make the book continually revelatory. Even moreso than in his autobiography, one gets a sense in this book of Laing as not only a brilliant conversationalist, but as a tremendously complex and conflicted person. As we listen to him describe his relations with the prominent philosophers, psychoanalysts, and critics of his day, his recounting of his emotional and spiritual development, and of his dashed hopes and unrealized dreams, we begin to get a sense of what it might have been like to be around Laing when he was alive. Mullan for his part does a wonderful job of asking Laing pertinent, incisive questions, no matter whether the subject is Sartre or his boyhood days in Glasgow. The only question which arise are, if Mullan spent hundreds of hours talking with Laing, what is the nature of the content he excluded, and what has he done (or is he going to do) with that material? Overall, an excellent and indispensible book for anyone interested in R.D. Laing.

I thought this a good book for anyone reading about or studying Major-General William Tecumseh Sherman's March to the Sea and the March through the Carolinas. It captures the thoughts and personalities of the Army behind the man and gives the reader an insight to why they did some of the things that are so controversial today.

I have to confess a bias; Professor Glatthaar taught me US history in my first semester of college and was a very engaging, entertaining and clear teacher.

This book is history of the very best kind. It is extensively documented from primary sources, it is well written and draws the reader in and the text of the book is free from cumbersome and often distracting academic citation apparatus. It also has selected a topic of almost epic proportions.

The March to the Sea, coming on the heels of the devastating fall of Atlanta was the straw that broke the South's back. After years of war and the related hardships, the devastation that this march produced in the South dealt a death blow to the South's war effort.

In one of the great strategic decisions of the war, Sherman breaks his lines of communication and supply and, like a modern day nuclear sub, disappears only to resurface at Savannah. The freedom of movement that this decision allowed made this march even more effective.

Further, the productivity of the South, even after years of warfare is evidenced. The author presents data showing an increase in the weight of soldiers due to the richness of the diet they were able to secure from those unfortunate enough to be in the path of Sherman's army.

To quibble with a prior reviewer, this is not a novel. This is academic history of the best sort but written in a easy and accesible manner. A great book.

This book contains an examination of the army that General William Tecumseh Sherman led through Georgia and the Carolinas, in late 1864 and early 1865. Instead of being just another narrative of the March to the Sea and Carolina campaigns, however, Glatthaar's book is a look at the individuals that composed the army. In it, he examines the social and ideological backgrounds of the men in Sherman's army, and evaluates how they felt about various factors of the war--slavery, the union, and, most significantly, the campaign in which they were participating. The result is a fascinating look at Sherman's campaigns through the eyes of the everyday soldier. Glatthaar makes the army come alive, and shows the men not as heartless animals who delighted in wanton destruction, not as mechanized marching machines who could perform the most difficult marches without even flinching, but instead as real human beings, complete with sore feet, empty stomachs, and minds engaged in contemplation over the ethical ramifications of what they were doing to the people of the South.

This book, and others like it (such as James McPherson's For Cause and Comrades), is a refreshing change from the norm in Civil War history. The value of this book lies in its helping the reader understand that the war was fought by individuals, not masses of blue and gray, and that these individuals felt and thought a great deal about the cause they were engaged in. I have read much on the subject of Sherman's march, but never before this book did I truly feel like I understood the mentality of the 60,000 man army he led. This book will not give you a detailed and thorough account of Sherman's campaigns, but it will give anyone who already is somewhat familiar with the marches an incredible amount of insight that, I believe, cannot be gained elsewhere.

Individuals who belong to a Civil War reenacting association, history buffs, and serious scholars of the Civil War will all find quiet enjoyment in Joseph Glatthaar's historical novel on Major General Sherman's march to Savannah and through the Carolinas. Glatthaar's perspective of bringing the war down to the level of the individual soldier is not always found in historical novels. He writes about the soldier's innermost feelings, not about the glorious generals, the great armies, or the magnificent campaigns. I believe that individual battles do not win wars, but that it is the men composing the fighting force that can turn a potential devastating defeat into a glorious victory. Mr. Glatthaar has done a great justice in his portrayal of the men who conducted the march to the sea and beyond. I would highly recommend the book to anyone who wishes better to understand the soldiers that fought for Sherman

Joseph Glatthaar wrote this book in order to examine Sherman's march across the South "from the level of the common soldier, both enlisted and officer". In the introduction he states that by writing the book from this perspective, he hoped "to restore the reality of the campaigns, to understand the underlying motivation of Sherman's men for adopting a policy of devestation and to shed light on the total-war concept in military history".

Mr. Glatthaar's efforts have resulted in this very informative and engaging book. I did not know a lot about Sherman's Army before reading this book, and feel that I now have a much better understanding of the men who filled the ranks and led the regiments in their famous march to the sea. In his text, Mr. Glatthaar presents many quotes directly from letters and diaries written by Sherman's men, which really enhances the story and his conclusions.

I recommend this book for anyone wanting to learn about Sherman's Army- why it was successful, why it adopted a policy of total war, destroying much of the South, and why it remains controversial to this day.

Highly recommended series. I recommend as an alternative to the Little House series for boys. Well written.

Another inspiring account of the Moody fanily. This time the scene is Massachusetts. The earlier books were set in the American West. Mary Emma is the mother of the clan. She is determined that her family will make its own way in life. She gets a job in a sweatshop to learn how to do fancy laundering. Ralph works at a store in his spare time. Almost all of the children do something to help earn a living.At school Ralph gets in trouble for things that wouldn't have mattered in Colorado. The younger children are seen more in this book than they were previously. Grace is now a young lady who is tempted to put on airs. The whole family's work ethic stands out as refreshing compared to many young folks of today. Their grit and determination are to be admired. I recommend the reading of this book by any one of any age.

This, the fourth volume in Ralph Moody's reminiscences, picks up immediately after the close of "Man of the Family." It's January, 1912, and widowed Mary Emma Moody, unwilling to give testimony that may send an innocent man to the gallows, has fled Colorado with her six children, of whom the eldest are Gracie, almost 15, and Ralph, 13, to the suburbs of Boston, where her brother Frank and his family live. Crammed into Frank's two-bedroom apartment, her first priority is to find quarters they can afford to rent, followed by work at which to earn a living--taking in laundry, since she's already used to that. Obstacles soon arise: rents are far higher in Massachusetts than in Colorado, and Mary Emma has to learn a whole new style of ironing when it becomes obvious that she'll have to do fine washing for families rather than hotel curtains. But Ralph soon finds part-time work in a neighborhood store, which leads the family, before long, to the rental of half an old Victorian house and a windfall of a houseful of furniture to go in it for only $50. Then there's a neglected furnace and leaky water pipes to struggle with, and pickups and deliveries to make in the midst of a blizzard, and the question of affordable coal. But with help from Uncle Frank and Great-Uncle Levi (a delightful and vividly-described character), along with Ralph's employers and his new friends among the neighborhood boys, their first five months in their new home end on an upbeat note as they celebrate May Day with an avalanche of baskets for Gracie--and one for Mary Emma from her "best lover," second son Philip.

Moody's trademark humor and vivid description is the hallmark of this book, especially when he tells of Frank and Levi's pitch-in to renovate the cellar laundry room and the bridge fire which ends by gifting the Moodys with a huge load of saleable kindling wood. His ongoing enmity with his school principal, who seems to have prejudged him a "bad boy," and his seesaw relationship with Cop Watson, who alternately warns him to take care and assists him and his friends with their wood-salvage operation, are other high points, as is the night sledding expedition to the old clay-pit where Gracie--often depicted as bossy and high-toned--forgets for a while that she's growing up and originates a daring "circle route." It's a bit disappointing that he gives little attention to what must have been a wrenching change in his life (after four years in the West he has come to think of himself as a kind of apprentice cowboy), but on balance, the story is a fascinating and inspiring one.

This book is one of Ralph's great. The Moody Family goes through lot's off hardships after leaving Colorado.

As a forth grader in Colorado our teacher read the first two books in Ralph Moody's series to our class. Now, almost 30 years later I'm reading the whole series to my family, we love them. Even our 3 year old asks me to read them at bed time.

Mr. Moody's descriptions and the story of his life are more than touching and heartwarming, they are important lessions in morality, life and love. You cannot help but fall in love with young Ralph, his independant mother, and all the rest of her children.

You will laugh and cry as this young cowboy and his family make a new home in Boston. Starting with almost nothing, through hard work the whole family pitches in to make their own way. Rich with history, this book is about life, both the good parts, as well as the bad and how one young man, lived it (mistakes and all).

Even if you don't think you like reading, try these books. They will change your mind.

Maira Kalman has a wonderful wit and a tremendous artistic style. It is great when you find a book that appeals to the kids as well as the adults. Her seemingly simple paintings are at second glance alive with color and depth. Check out all her stuff.

The pictures are great, fun and colorful and it keeps the readers interested. Mine want to know what Max will do next!

This is a delightful, creative book full of energy, imagery, and language. I think it is more for adults than children and would make an excellent gift for any artist or writer who must work at his day job while dreaming of "Paree"! Kalman's visual images are imaginative and fun.

Max Makes a Million is far and away my favorite book to read to my kids. The rhythm of its poetry is remarkable. Its drawings are fresh. Its story delightfully different. I have read many other Kalman books, and this is hands down the very best.

If you like e.e. cummings, this book, along with the three other Max Stravinsky books i know, is for you. And your kids might even like watching while you read it to yourself. If you don't like e.e. cummings, you should.

for years, we have seen every aspect of the modeling world through the experiences of female models. now it's the men's turn. patrick mc mullan captures the hectic energy of fashion shows and their symbols of human perfection, from the frat boy antics to the patient exhaustion and all the six-packs in between. where else could you see an underwear fitting and pectoral highlighting? only in the mysterious, flesh-filled spaces backstage at men's fashion shows.

At first glance, the photographs in "Men's Show" are simply artful candid shots of dressing-room hijinks by some of the hottest male models and celebrities of our day. And yes, even the most casual perusal of this paean to the Apollos of the runway will reveal more jutting jaws, cherubic cheeks, stunning smiles and fabulously fit flesh than you can normally find at any other place or time.

Looking more closely, however, it's the personalities McMullan reveals which are the real sensation of this collection, and it's the realm of the personal, the muse, the psyche which serves as the true `backstage' area of the book. Through McMullan's eyes we see that the men themselves are far more interesting outside of the carefully controlled images and costumes created by the designers. McMullan sees through the surrounding glamour to display what's actually happening: these are just boys playing an elaborate game of dress-up, and it's McMullan's own inner child which is uniquely able to relate to and draw out the reticent Pan in these normally stone-faced runway icons of stoic masculinity.

In `Prep', there are a series of wonderful photographs: of body makeup being applied, along with the extraordinarily business-like intimacy that involves, clothes being fitted personally by designers, body parts being stuffed out of the way, clothes being ripped off and shoved on, boys reduced to having their shoes tied, boys showing off for their favorite photographer, and throughout, repeated glimpses of the controlled but frantic atmosphere of rampant mayhem.

In `Wait' we see a more serious side to the models, lined up in rows waiting for their cue to move onto the runway, grabbing quick catnaps, preening, doing pushups (in groups of course - once one starts, none of them can resist I suppose. The photograph actually made me wonder who stopped first...); stairways filled with muscle stuffed into bathing suits, other more elfin boys (a Prada show perhaps?) reading novels in a group, obviously the literary set, and a rather sweet candid shot of a boy sitting on the floor grabbing a quick and guilty-looking snack.

`Skin' is definitely going to be a well-thumbed section of anyone's copy. It's hard to resist perfectly toned models wearing next to nothing, and it's refreshing to see models caught in moments of such insouciant if momentary indifference to the display of their own flesh. These are not `beauty shots' however. These men are caught, like warriors without their armor, actors out of makeup, quite literally ducks out of water, and it's fascinating to see.

`Glam' is self-evidently more about the clothes and designer imagery. The portraits are all beautiful, sometimes powerful, often fun, and while this is even more pronounced in Play, we begin to see real attitude here, and it's a joy to watch these pros turning it on for the master.

`Play' is my favorite part of this book, and, I suspect, Patrick's as well. Who can resist a cute boy trying to bite his own foot, or a model trying surreptitiously to compare biceps with the guy next to him, or trying to grab Patrick's camera, tweaking a buddy's nipple, Will Lemay in black leather striking a boxing pose with fists in motion toward the camera (Will Lemay almost defines fierce), or models, of all people, making goofy faces in front of a camera, two young men practicing a waltz. Sorry boys, we know you're really big, rough and tough on the inside, but the men and the photographs in Play are just plain adorably cute.

`Sets' consists of pairs of men dressed identically, and again, it's these bright personalities shining brightly which delight both the photographer and our own eyes. Lundquist carefully fixing his partner's lapel, two boys facing off, one as Robert DeNiro, the other insane; two men in suits arm in arm, like courtly southern gentlemen, others flexing off against each other.

No McMullan publication would be complete without the requisite celebrities, and it's one of the lovely aspects of this book that they're almost a throwawy or afterthought at the end, and that none of them can begin to compete with the personalities on display in the preceeding pages. Still there are some very human and amusing shots of many famous faces, and it's fitting they make an appearance - the rich, the famous and the beautiful are seldom long separated.

Originally published on www.Modellaunch.com, copyright Sean T. Bickerton

Fashion: the majority of the cash may come from selling women's clothing, and certainly there are lots of female supermodels (it's one profession that feminists hate, because, as Rush Limbaugh once noted, feminism was invented to benefit unattractive women). But really, the industry's heart is in the boys: sweet, pink-faced, ceherubic, hunky, beefy, smooth young studs who look just great in everything -- and in nothing, for that matter. ONE almost wonders if most "fashion" songs (like 'Girls On Film', by Duran Duran) were not actually written with boys in mind.

The cover shot sort of sets the tone for the book here: a cute, sexy looking kid in his underwear, clearly enjoying himself and possibly the company of others like himself as well.

The photography varies in here, capturing the different moods and feels of a fashion show. There are tense, somewhat anxious looking pictures, others that hint at the extreeme levels of competitiveness in modeling and fashion design [until you get to teh NFL, football is minor league by comparison]. And much of it just celebrates teh joy of dressing up, being made up, and looking like a million dollars.

The boys here are alternately cute, sulen, intense, playful, snooty, sweet, and almost all drop-dead goregous. Some look so innocent & sweet you'd think they had been dragged out of some perfect church choir, while others look more cynical and wizend by a few years in "the biz".

Because they're boys, they compete on every level; best pecs, best biceps, smoothest face, cutest eyes -- a level of competeiton an order of magnitude greater than what you see at female fashion shows. The pictues capture that all through this book, and speak of the extreme level of energy that testosterone creates with no mitigating factors.

And, because they're boys, they jsut want to have fun in between "work". hence, there are plenty of shots here where the boys are just mugging or putting on a show for the photographers. SOme of the hijinks are very funny; preening, grabbing nipples, and more.

The book is divided into sections, each of which revolves around some major aspect of a fashion show: Prep, Wait, Skin, Glam, Play, Sets, ... it all works surprisingly well here.

If this book has a flaw, it's a lack of a soundtrack to accompany the images. Just a bet: a movie about a boys fashion show, or the lives of male models done this well would probably be a surprise hit.

As stated earlier, women's fashions pay the bills. But I suspect that it's young men that really get people in this industry hot. Not really any surprise, as recent news has revealed that many (if not most) of the top fashion photographers, designers, models, stars, and others who define the styles others follow, are gay men.

Gay or straight, this book is a delicious (if somewhat guilty) pleasure. While the gay appeal is obvious, straight guys are discovering that looks matter, and who knows, they may even get some ideas here.

While the world of fashion and modeling photography expends a lot of ink and time talking about women and glamorous females (femme fatals, divas, babes, etc.) in fact, what really catches our eye is great looking boys.

I don't say that just 'cause I'm gay, but because it's true. GO to a gym, and all eyes are on the best looking guys (including those of the "straight" men who just want to look that good). When a great looking guy walks into a store or a fast food place, everyone notices. And, as the old ZZ TOP song stated (correctly) every girl's crazy 'bout a sharp dressed man. But as crazy as they are about "sharp dressed' ones, it's barely or un dressed ones that they really go nuts over. I suspect taht's one reason why the biggest movie stars, rock stars, and TV stars have always been sexy men.

Anyhow, pop sociology aside, this book is all about the boys. It makes me wonder if women's fashions may not be attempts to make women feel like they're not just "extras" in life. Most photographers are gay, most designers are gay, and most fans .... who cares? This book is great!

Once upon a time I was a Professional Fashion Model, so when I heard about this book I couldn't wait to see it. I eagerly awaited it's publication and of course Amazon got it to me at once. I wasn't disappointed, this book is long over-due! What memories these images bring back to me, the runways, the fashion shows, the anxiety, the backstage rush and confusion and the rewards of showing the latest fashions. It's a unique experience like no other.

New York photographer Patrick McMullan has taken some wonderful behind the scenes photos of male fashion shows. These are candid poses of the guys, getting ready for the shows, and some of them really acting up for the camera. McMullan is a pro at capturing honest photos of these handsome young men. He is well-known for his party photos published in many magazines.

This is a large format book, with large beautiful photographs. If you often wondered what it must be like backstage at these male fashion shows, then you should definitely buy this book for your collection. I'm glad I did. Wonderful!!!

I'm still in the middle of enjoying this detailed and interesting account of my beloved Mets...what can I say, but if you are into numbers or want to bone up on your Mets history, buy this book. As the title infers, the chapter layouts of the book follow the Mets number by number. Sure, you'll know you Mookies and Carters, Hernandezs and Strawberrys, but it is the lesser known players and their stories that make this a great resource.

This book is a must-have for all Met fans! It's a great read to brush up on your Mets history or to use as a reference guide. You'll feel like a more-informed met-nerd once you buy & read this book. It was written by fanatics, for fanatics.

People give me METS related gifts all the time, but this is the best thing I have ever received! I had so much fun reading this book and learning the history behind who wore what number and all the juicy details that came leaping off the page once you get past the numbers themselves.

If you like the METS, if you love the METS and certainly if you know anyone else who does, you have just found what to buy for mother's day, father's day, graduation or birthdays. There's no way that any METS fan would be less than enthralled with this spectacular book!

This is a must for any Mets fan, what makes this book so great is that it tells the story of the story behind the uniform number from Mookie #1 to Turk #99, a very fun and informative read.

Yes. I dare. It's the best Mets book ever, and I've read them all (or at least most of them). I was drawn to it by the premise (history of the team by uniform numbers) and I was not disappointed.

If you are a true fan of the blue and orange, you owe it to yourself to pick up and read this gem. Written with great wit and insight and from a different perspective than all of the previously published team histories out there, this book is an absolute joy to read.

GO METS!

I bought this book for my husband. He likes it very much that he is trying several recipes. This book is pretty much well done. Congratulatios to everyone who colaborated in this awesome mexican culinary book. Thanks to the chef and author of this book Scott Linquist who traveled to my country to learn and taste the real mexican food.

A very user friendly cookbook ideally suited for cooking good things at home. A perfect gift for your friends who love to cook. Scott's restaurant is a "must do" when you travel to New York City.

I bought this after seeing Scott on the "Today Show", where he cooked his Mexican twist on French Toast. The cookbook does NOT disappoint! The recipes are interesting variations on classics. There are detailed instructions will lots of photographs. I am in LOVE with this cookbook!

I had the pleasure of attending a Scott Linquist cooking demo and one of the things made was guacamole. Now guacamole is how I judge a Mexican restaurant. The quality of the guacamole, usually reflects the quality of the rest of the menu. Needless to say I have tasted a lot of guacamole and was prepared to be unimpressed but I have to tell you it was the best guacamole I have ever tasted. On the strength of this alone I bought a copy of his cookbook Mod Mex half expecting the recipes to be intricate and complicated. I was pleasantly surprised to find not only clear easy to follow recipes but also loads of step by step pictures showing the techniques key to making each dish such as how to wrap a tamale properly.

If you love Mexican food this is a great addition to your collection both for it's fresh modern take on classic recipes but also it's detailed pictures of the proper way to prepare them.

Mod Mex: Cooking Vibrant Fiesta Flavors at Home

This is a great cookbook for Mexican food lovers. It is simple to follow and has great illustrations. Of course, I am a little predjudiced! Be careful with the chiles, though. I'm a little wimpy so I had to cut down the amount on some recipes!