France Books

Dr. Edmund Bickleigh compares to Walter Mitty at first: a meek soul given to escapist daydreaming but living in reality under the thumb of a domineering wife. That's where the resemblance leaves off, however. Bickleigh, conceived by Frances Iles circa 1930, isn't all that innocent. An English country doctor, already given to dalliances with younger, more pliant women, he decides to do away with the wife and move completely to the role of steamroller rather than steamrolled. This is established in the very first sentence of MALICE AFORETHOUGHT, which gleefully follows Bickleigh from conviction to action and consequences.

The book is a brilliant tour de force. The suspense grows rather than diminishes with every page. There is something for everyone: social satire, mystery and suspense, police procedurals, even the type of science popularized by the CSI shows. The characters are astutely drawn with psychological and sociological nuance. I never saw the PBS version of the book, but it can't possibly have what lifts the book high and above its ilk: the Iles voice. On the page, the omniscient narrator is witty and smart. Iles has an uncanny gift for revealing information. Every twist, every outcome is airtight. He skillfully moves between the up close and personal perspective of Bickleigh, the view of neighborhood gossips and court and newspaper accounts. Most highly recommended. Despite its age, the book hardly seems dated except for references to standard plumbing of the era.

A delightful comedy (for this is its main strength, not the fact that it was the first "psychological thriller"-and I have my doubts about this fact: didn't Mrs. Belloc Lowndes anticipate Cox?). Dr. Bickleigh, a philandering medico suffering from an inferiority complex, determines to rid himself of his wife, a bullying and domineering shrew, in order to marry his mistress-who announces her engagement to another man immediately after the murder. (Of course, his "ingenious" plan is immediately seen through by the other villagers.) Superb wit: excellent social satire-St. Mary Mead steeped in venomed ink, with plenty of amusingly catty back-biting and splendid caricatures. Berkeley at his most acerbic is highly amusing, in small doses-like aconitine.

This is a glorious book if you like cosy English mysteries! A classic from 1931, the dialogue is marvelous; you can just "hear" the English manerisms and personalities through the writing! The characters are charming and likeable, and the main character is fantastic and amusing with his running internal rationalizations that lead to his decisions and actions. Don't miss this one!

I have to confess that I don't own the audiotape, but I've read the book several times and think it's one of the best mystery novels ever written. It definitely, but definitely does not deserve to be out of print! Humorous mysteries are often not well plotted, but this is an exception; it's wickedly funny and ironic, yet it's also cunningly structured, with a story full of twists and turns that lead to a truly satisfying surprise ending. The character of Dr. Bickleigh, the hapless protagonist, is truly a hoot, and the supporting cast is fabulously drawn as well. Don't miss this one.

High quality meets high readablity! I wish everything I've read could meet such high standards of full character development, and intriguing, original, yet beliveable plot. This book is definately deserving of precious leisure reading time.

We LOVED this map of Paris for our trip. All of the major sightseeing attractions (the monuments & buildings) are drawn in 3D and to scale. This was VERY helpful to be able to plan a day of sightseeing. Metro stops are shown and helpful info about sights and stores are right on the map. Highly recommended!

MapEasy maps are the best! It is so much easier to navigate when you have a map with landmarks for restaurants, shops, etc. I never travel to a new city without them.

I own 8 of these, so see my review under "Rome." They're great!

If you are going to Paris, especially if you haven't been there before, you will probably want to get a couple of guidebooks and maps to help plan your excursions. I had used the MapEasy guide to Rome in the past, and found it to be an ideal blend of detail and narrative for navigating the city. When I needed a tactical map of Paris, I turned to the MapEasy Paris guide, which I also highly recommend.

There are better and more detailed maps and books more suitable for planning a trip to Paris, but the MapEasy Paris map is the overall best choice for navigating the streets and sights once actually venturing around the great French city. The major streets are well detailed, and not only are historical sights depicted in an easy to interpret, three-dimensional manner, but they also have brief descriptions to help direct your focus to places of interest to you specifically (for example: "Musee Gulmet: Vast collection of Asian art and research library.") Important or noteworthy shops, hotels, and restaurants are depicted, and in the case of restaurants a symbol representing how expensive the food is is also included. Of course all the famous sights such as the Eiffel Tower, Arc De Triomphe, and Notre Dame are especially well detailed, and there are several inset maps on the opposite side of the main map detailing the Parisian periphery, Montmartre, and suggested short driving trips.

The map is a great value, and is printed on a unique rip-resistant and water-resistant paper that is both durable, yet pliable (unlike many of the laminated card stock maps available.) For navigating the streets of Paris this is an ideal choice for tourists or those new to the city. I highly recommend the MapEasy series.

As with most Mapeasy maps, this one is great in helping you find not only the streets, but the stores, the restaurants, the hotels and other worthy places.

Granted, it may not have the most detail when it comes to little streets and alleys, but it will get you where you need to go.

Ms. Mathews presents Mary Cassatt's entire life and incorporates little known details about her travels and associations with friends and family. She mixes facts, anecdotes and reflections on society in such an easily readable way that even her suppositions could be viewed as gospel truth. The (hardcover) book is well illustrated with historical photographs and black and white illustrations of Cassatt's and her contemporaries' work. The author makes numerous points regarding what motivated and inspired the artist at different periods in her life. She gives very specific illustrations of how difficult life could be for a woman of Cassatt's time. Additionally, the author admits Mary Cassatt's opinions and outspokenness often got her in trouble with friends. Those friendships she was able to maintain were based on a mutual, professional respect. Included is a chapter about the artist's work in an historical context. Her work was viewed differently by critics, and herself, at different times. Nancy Mowell Mathews book gives so much life to the artist's character, I wouldn't be surprised if it's made into a movie! It is certainly motivation for any working woman.

Nancy Mathews gets to the point... her book is wonderfully researched and weaves through the intricately woven fabric of Cassatt's life; yet she doesn't bog you down with too many details. I enjoyed every page of this book and felt like I got an honest portrayal of the woman, her art and the reasons behind the decisions she made. I especially thank Nancy for her sympathetic yet analytical overview of the many misunderstandings that have been perpetuated year after year about Cassatt and other women artists in the late 19th/early 20th century. I'm glad to know the truth.

This biography left me in awe of Mary Cassatt who was obviously a focused, smart and privileged person at a time when many male artists were barely making ends meet. She was unafraid of the establishment, outspoken and determined, not to mention a smart businesswoman. The only thing I disagree with is when the author states that at 51 Mary Cassatt "was faced with an unusually hard burden of loneliness." Mary Cassatt was blessed with many friends, family and admirers and moved in a great many social circles all her life. She rarely veered from her chosen path. But the greatest lesson we can learn from Ms. Cassatt is to stay focused on our life purpose and to honour our own lives with the best we can give of ourselves.

Mary Cassatt is a true American treasure. This is an enjoyable, and thoroughly researched biography about her. It is not only well-written, but it is full of wonderful and historic photos of Mary, her paintings, her friends, and her family throughout her life.

Despite Mary Cassatt's continuing resurgence in popularity as an artist since the 1970s, prior to this volume her biographers had missed the boat. As a result, most people who admire Ms. Cassatt's wonderful paintings are filled with inaccurate beliefs about her life and the condition of women artists during her life. If you care enough about her work to want to correct those mistaken beliefs, please do read this volume. You'll also learn even more if you follow that reading by also looking at Cassatt: A Retrospective by the same author, Nancy Mowll Mathews.

Mary Cassatt is an elusive subject for several reasons. She didn't write many letters, often didn't care what others thought of her and wasn't written about by others nearly as often as she deserved. In addition, her role as an iconic woman pioneer in the Impressionist movement has caused many to "interpret" her life to explain other agendas.

The reality is much more interesting than the misinformation. At a young age, she was exposed to the leading cultural events in Europe . . . a rarity for any American. Her mother was probably one of the most intelligent and capable women of her generation anywhere. The family moved around constantly in rented homes to stay close to the various children and business opportunities. Only after her father's death was Ms. Cassatt able to purchase and enjoy a home. Contrary to popular belief today, it wasn't at all unusual for women to pursue painting careers. In fact, the Louvre was full of American women painting copies of the masterpieces there. What was unusual was for a woman to be viewed as the peer of the best male artists. Ms. Cassatt clearly reached that pinnacle during her Impressionist years and beyond. Much to her own disgust, she let herself be led into painting the mother and child paintings that we all love so much by the marketing plans of her gallery . . . rather than her own passion. Although profitable, this path was in her view a diversion from her better work. Paradoxically, Ms. Cassatt's two bothers were even more famous in their day than she was . . . even though we have barely heard of them today. Her older brother was, in fact, one of the most important railroad developers in the eastern United States. As head of the Pennsylvania Railroad, he directed the development of the railroad tunnel into Manhattan.

Ms. Mathews does a nice job of balancing what is known from what is not . . . while pointing out what the possibilities were. As a result of this biography, I felt I knew the real Mary Cassatt for the first time.

Bravo, Ms. Mathews!

I highly recommend as a MUST READ this book Mary Cassatt: A Life. by Nancy Mowll Mathews. The book is a fascinating not only of the life of Mary Cassatt but for the insights on the art circles, family life and historical context of these artists and the times in which they lived. Mary Cassatt was a mover and shaker of her times, with good social skills and a mind for business. You travel with her life and times as if you were present. From my perspective I am so happy that I happened on this book because it puts alot of bits and pieces together on these artists.

Deborah Chapin

Everyone should know this is a must have cookbook. It teaches the novice the basics and explains everything clearly. Just the information regarding the sauces is worth the purchase. Timeless information that will allow anyone to set a good table.

I just purchased this for our eldest daughter who is to be married but never developed any skill in the kitchen. She will now have to sink or swim in her own kitchen. This classic teaching book will serve her well and I am not worried about her success.

Rarely are we able to say with certainty that a book is at the top of its subject in regard and quality. This book, the continuation of `Mastering the Art of French Cooking' by Julia Child and Simone Beck is certainly in that most unique position among cookbooks written in English and published in the United States.

This volume is truly a simple extension of the material in the original work, which was recently published in a 40th anniversary edition by its publisher, Alfred E. Knopf and its principle author, Julia Child. As told in Ms. Child's autobiography, the original manuscript brought to Judith Jones at Knopf ran to over a thousand printed pages. About two fifths of that material was put to the side and most of it appears in this second volume. All this means is that you are unlikely to really have a full coverage of the subject of French Cooking as intended by the authors unless you have both volumes.

The first chapter has a clear sign that this volume rounds out the work in that it gives soups a much more thorough coverage than the first volume. Most importantly, it includes recipes for that quintessential French dish, bouillabaisse. To complement this subject is coverage of seafood such as a tour of the anatomy of a lobster that would put seafood specialist cookbooks to shame.

The biggest single addition to the subject in this book is its coverage of baking and pastry. Here is one place where the book may be seen to diverge from its focus of the French housewife's cooking practice. As the book states clearly in the first chapter, practically no baking is done at home, since there is a Boulangerie on every street corner. I generally find the level of detail on baking in cookbooks specializing on savory dishes to be much too light to give the reader an adequate appreciation of the subject. This book covers baking with a level of detail which would make most baking book authors blush. A sign of this deep, quality coverage is the diagrams used to illustrate baking techniques. The line drawings typically succeed where photographs do not in that they can be easily incorporated into the text and the drawing can eliminate extraneous detail and show the reader only what is important in understanding the technique. The section on making classic French bread ends with a `self-criticism' section we may nowadays call a debugging section. It lists several different things that may go wrong with your product, and how to fix them. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in only baking, let alone the rest of us.

The quality of presentation continues with the coverage of pastry. Some books on pastry give one pie dough. Some good books on pastry may give three or four. This book gives eight, with a clear indication of the differences in when to use the various doughs. Some books on pastry describe how to make puff pastry. This book gives a really complete explanation, with abundant diagrams. I suspect that very few people want to make their own puff pastry, but anyone who uses store-bought pastry will benefit from knowing how it is made. This section is worth five different expositions on the subject on the Food Network rolled into one.

Another major subject untouched in the original volume is the long chapter on Charcuterie. That is, the techniques needed to make sausages, salted pork and goose, pates, and terrines. Like the description of puff pastry, this chapter contains a lot you may never need, but then again, I am a great believer in serendipity. You never know where you may hit upon an idea to add interest to you cooking practice. The simplest product you can garner from these techniques is the method for making breakfast sausage, which needs no casing. The subject really wakes up when you realize that the subject arose as a method for preserving meats, just like canning and pickling were developed to preserve fruits and vegetables. If economy and the old hippie / whole earth catalogue ethic are your thing, this is something you will want to check out. And, I have seen this subject covered in recent books such as Paul Bertolli's `Cooking by Hand', and this book's coverage of the material is more useful.

Another gem in this book is the coverage of desserts, including frozen desserts, custards, shortcake, meringue, charlottes, and on and on and on. The guidance on novel uses of puff pastry has probably been a source for more TV shows on the subject than you can count on your fingers. The recipe for leftover pastry dough is just another indication of how practical the material in this book can be.

The appendices contain `stuff' that virtually no other cookbooks touch. One contains a cross listing of recipes for meat and vegetable stuffings. I did not have enough room in my review of volume one to cite the quality of the material on kitchen equipment. As both books have been updated several times since the early sixties, both contain modern tools such as the food processor and the latest heavy-duty mixer attachments. Aside from being as complete a catalogue of hand tools I have ever seen, I find the presentation done with the kind of good humor which was the hallmark of Julia Child's PBS shows.

The last major feature of this volume is a two-color index that covers both volumes. Please be warned. These books have neither simple cooking nor low calorie dishes. The object of this style of cooking was to make the very best of inexpensive ingredients.

Each page offers more reasons to be impressed by this work. Any true foodie should be ashamed if they do not own and read these volumes.

Very helpful. I have been trying to figure out how to make my french bread crust crispy. The directions of Julia came about as close as you can get without a commercial oven.

Julia Child is a master in the art of French cooking. I read this book after reading her biography. I am 15 and all I have seen of Julia Child is her in her old age.... I highly suggest buying thid book and also Volume I which has a phenominal recipe for French Onion Soup. Jen

Fabulous book. Worth the price simply to learn how treacherously simple it is to astound and amaze your friends with home made chocolate truffles. I recommend 2 tablespoons Grand Marnier in place of 4 tablespoons of any other orange liqueur, though.

If this be gossip, then it is the best kind. Engaging account of the rivalry/synergy of Matisse and Picasso and the interactions over half a century, with a Gertrude Stein introit at the beginning. This competition is fairly lightweight stuff as far as I can see although throwing rubber suction darts at a Matisse painting gets close to borderline rascalian--Picasso probably loses points on adolescent misdemeanours, but the art of both leaves us unable to judge, save that a third here could not be found.

This is an excellent book. I am thoroughly enjoying it.
This book compares great painters 'Henri Matisse' and 'Pablo Picasso' works and the influence of each other and their works on the others art.
Henri Matisse with his keeping the painting simple and lively and Picasso with his cubism, drawing from imagination are 'artists of different worlds'. They have different painting styles and they paint at exactly opposite times.
The book goes through the works of each in the order one was done as a reacton to the other, sometimes one trying to beat the other at their own style.

CITES:
Baudelaire's essay- 'The Painter of Modern Life'.
Apollinaire's essay on Picasso's work.(also his 'La Poete assasine')
Picasso's play - 'Desire caught by the tail'.
Matisse - 'Notes of a Painter'.

This is an excellent work for art history enthusiasts. It depicts
many famous works of art by Matisse and Picasso. Classically,
Matisse is known for the artful use of color; whereas, Picasso
is credited with the unique form of Cubism which pervades
his artwork. Flam depicts important works by both artists.
For instance, Matisse's "The Woman With The Hat" is shown in
full color. Picasso's "The Acrobat's Family" is depicted
together with "The Two Nudes". These pictures show the emotional side of Picasso's work in contradistinction to
Matisse's exercise of restraint. This book would make a
perfect gift for a friend, relative or art buff.

Imagine one tightly written book that can tell you what the art world was like for much of the 20th Century! Jack Flam is the man who did just that in "Matisse Picaso." Then imagine learning all about the lives of Matisse and Picasso and their loves along with their push-pull friendship and competition. After that get the skinny on the paintings both men painted. I never even saw all the -------- in Picasso's paintings. Now, it is hard to see anything else.

I found this book to be much more exciting then typical biographies that include all the boring parts of people's lives. Here you get all the interesting parts with all the boring parts left out. I read every word and recommend the book without reservation. In fact, I believe every art student needs to read this book, every artist, every art affictionado.

Before there was Andy Warhol, the ultimate in art cool, there was Picasso. And before there was Picasso, there was Matisse. Picasso and his cronies used to make fun of Matisse's primitive style and threw fake darts at Matisse's portrait of his daughter, and people laughed in the salons at Matisse's Joy of Life but no artist influenced Picasso more than Matisse, from his works to his introduction to African and Iberian art, Matisse was one of the few constants in Picasso's life, always keeping the paintings that he had of Matisse. These two heavyweights, more than anybody, have influenced the way we make art today. This books does a great job fleshing out the relationship between these two artists and how they affected each other in a well written and highly accesible format. An excellent book worthy of the excellent artists.

While South Central Texas (San Antonio) isn't a coastal area (and isn't exactly a "moderate" climate, either), Latymer's book has proven to be a good resource for our area. The pictures helped me to visualize what could be, and the plant lists have been invaluable for choosing plants. While I've always loved "digging in the dirt," no one ever would have accused me of being an accomplished gardener. But that didn't stop me. Thanks to the inspiration I found in Latymer's book, I've been working steadily at replacing my grassy front yard with a Mediterranean-style water-wise garden. And now, many of my neighbors are interested in doing the same. They think my yard is gorgeous. And so do I.

Can't beat this for our climate (So. Calif. by the beach) for trustworthy info. Hugo is dead-on! We own zillions of gardening books and this is by far my personal favorite.

This book is a good reference for moderate coastal areas (we are on the Palos Verdes Peninsula in So. Cal.) The reference area (2/3 of the book) is well organized with lots of photos. Latymer has divided Mediterranean plants into sections on trees, palms, sbrubs, etc. The reader can look at a choice of plants for a particular application, which are grouped together.

This book is an absolute delight, as much for the prose as for the glorious photographs. As well as recommendations for planting in various Mediterranean conditions, the author gives splendid professional advice on local problems such as water shortage, salt air damage and so on.

If you have had failures in your ex-pat. garden through trying to acclimatise plants which only thrive in more northerly regions, this book will help you never again to make those mistakes.

No-one should be without it; I have two of them. Yvonne Gregson.

The most valuable thing about this book for me was the extensive plant list which contained good information about size, growing speed, minimum temperatures, water need and descriptions of the plant itself sometimes including information about propagation. The list is devided in different chapters for trees, shrubs, climbers, palms, cacti and succulents, perrenials and annuals which made it very easy to use while planning a garden.
The information chapters are mainly oriented on style and design though even some chapters about soil and water are included which contain valuable knowledge.

This book is fantastic! It captures the essence of Monet's painting better than any other book I've seen. The color printing is accurate. The plates are large and plentiful. There are complete series like the Japanese Bridge and Lily Pads as well as select paintings that are rarely found in other Monet books. And the inclusion of some unfinished late canvases shows how far Monet went into the future of Western art. You won't find many better than this!

Unlike most art books, this small volume has been in print continuously since 1978 & when you read it, it isn't hard to see why: superb reproductions and an extremely elegant design (plus its small size - very unusual in art publishing) offer the reader a wonderful experience wandering in Monet's vision of a carefully constructed alternate reality. In Monet's Giverny, natural forms respond instantly to light. The images produce a peculiar sense of floating in the viewer - many of the pictures lack a horizon line or any indication of where the viewer is in relation to the picture. As a result, we seem to hover in flight, poised above a constantly shifting panorama of woods, water, fields, and lilies. Interestingly, no human figures are visible in these works (Monet was never really a figure painter) producing a peculiar sensation of isolation and contemplation in the spectator - we wander through this magical land alone, or with whatever companion we desire. A superlative achievement which has found few imitators in the world of art publishing.

Whether you have appreciated Monet's works for years or you are just discovering him for the first time like me, this book is a beautiful, informative collection of his best.

Beyond the absolutely vivid and beautiful quality of the paintings displayed in Monet's Years at Giverny, I greatly appreciate the style of language used throughout the book. Unlike many major art books which often seem to forget about the layman reader, this book reads more like a beautiful story of his life providing great insight into his works.

In college, I was fortunate enough to see a collection of his Water Lilies in Paris. Although at the time I was amazed to see them, through Monet's Years at Giverny I came to fully appreciate them---Not only the paintings, but the man himself.

Excellent addition to any collection!

Claude Monet lived in rural Giverny from 1883 until his death in 1926. Many of the paintings that we most closely identify with his oeuvre were done on his property or in the neighborhood. Following his death, the property deteriorated until its restoration was completed in the 1970s with the help of Lila Acheson Wallace, of Reader's Digest fame. This book was created to in part to honor that restoration and the show that commemorated it. The show marked the beginning of a resurgence of interest in Monet that continues to grow. My only reservation about recommending this book is that it would have benefited from larger sized pages so that the reproductions could have been larger.

Giverny is located to the north of Paris, and is connected to Paris by the rail line from Gare St. Lazare (which Monet painted several times). The view of nature we get there is a reflection of Monet's very French focus on creating gardens, a lily pond, and walkways that bring natural beauty into our controlled grasp.

I have had the pleasure of visiting Monet's home at Giverny several times since it was restored and highly recommend that you make this journey as well when you are in Paris. Your concept of Monet's work will be changed by seeing his working conditions. The grounds are primarily an extension of his studio, for making observations of nature easier. First time visitors will be shocked to realize that the lily pond was dug and expanded at great effort and expense by Monet. Without his persistence, we would be missing many of our favorite Monet paintings.

Throughout the time that Monet lived in Giverny, his eyesight deteriorated . . . mostly due to cataracts. As an artist friend of mine points out, that eye affliction greatly improved his painting by making it freer and less detailed.

He also pioneered many techniques of al fresco paining, such as creating an artist's studio in a boat for his famous river scenes. This enabled him to capture many unusual perspectives from the water to the river bank. Similarly, one purpose of the Japanese bridge over his lily pond was to give him a similar point of perspective.

The book contains a map of Giverny and Monet's property (purchased in 1890 after he originally rented it), and 81 works that he created in the area.

Missing from these reproductions are the famous water lily paintings that he gave to the French nation which are now housed in the basement of the Orangerie. Be sure you see them when you next visit Paris. Many people go to the Orangerie and never make it to the basement. These are among the greatest jewels of Impressionism.

You will be pleased to see the 25 works from the Musee Marmottan in Paris. These masterworks are also often missed by those who visit Paris because they do not know about this small gem of a museum and its superb Monet collection.

The reproductions are organized around themes: (1) river scenes (from the boat) (2) haystacks [sic] (3) poplars (4) river and fields (5) morning on the Seine (from the boat) (6) the Japanese footbridge (7) the Garden Path (8) early water lilies (9) the late series (my favorites are the rose trellises over the garden path) (10) pond subjects, and (11) late water lilies.

The end of the book also has a chronology of Monet's life and works that will help you integrate this show into his entire work.

You will come away with a new excitement and respect for nature from these images. You will also feel more connected to and with the beauty of nature. Your mood will be lifted, just as Monet intended. What you see will be uniquely yours, also just as intended. Monet pays you the ultimate compliment here of letting you participate in the creative process by arranging the work in your mind to fit your mental needs and perspective.

After you enjoy these images, I suggest that you come away inspired to make what you do more accessible to others. How can you make your life and your work easier for others to participate in?

Live in beauty!

This book takes an in-deapth look at one of the greatest impressionist artists of all time. Go out and buy it today.

Poetry is soppy, Zen is impractical and Orientals don't think or feel like the rest of mankind - three myths demolished in one elegant little book. Every poem breathes humanity and warmth, and the pictures complement them beautifully. A translator should above all respect and preserve the intent of the original author; Clements' fine, perceptive translations allow the underlying emotions and sensations of the works room to breathe, and give the reader space to make his own interpretation. These are poets who, attempting detachment from the world, have stood back far enough to observe it and themselves with loving exactness. Beautiful in every way.

This book is beautiful not only for the wonderful poetry but also forthe wonderful artwork throughout. Here's one of my favorite haikus from the book:

A fallen flower
Flew back to its perch
A butterfly

Then on the opposing page there is a wonderful chinese painting of a butterfly amongst some flowers.

The haiku included here (and there are many!) are so beautiful, they make me slow down and breath when I read them. Here's another wonderful one:

Without a brush
The willow paints the wind.

Simply wonderful. This would make a fantastic gift for the nature lover or the lover of haiku.

The cover itself - so beautifully - lets the reader know the jewels to come. In a sparse, delicate writing style, these haiku take us through dawn to dusk.

The illustrations - wood block prints, scenes from painted folding screens - create a haiga in the mind.

If you can procure a copy, please do so. It will enrich your life immeasurably.

A book to savor. If you're familiar with haiku, you keep feeling a shock of recognition when you encounter a favorite redone in Clements's thoughtful lean style. Fresh organization, by time of day. Illustrations well chosen and well reproduced. This would be a fine gift book for a young person you want to interest in poetry.

A beautiful gift book. Each page of three haiku faces breathtaking paintings in the Japanese style. Most of the paintings are of nature, giving a sense of the season as one reads haiku of that season. The combination of painting and haiku gives a much deeper value.

I interviewed Jacqueline Duheme when she was promoting this exquisite book, and one thing remains in my mind that she said about "The Grand Dame, Jacqueline" - that she could have been a painting woman!!!

As an ardent admirer of Mrs. Kennedy for the past 40 years, I have read every book on her that I could get my hands on. "Mrs. Kennedy Goes Abroad" is a refreshing change from the repetitive narratives and recycled photos that are the mainstay of so many other books about her life. Ms. Duheme's illustrations are elegant and sumptuous but also embrace a childlike purity and simplicity which capture the essence of Mrs. Kennedy's persona and mystique. The commentary has the simple charm of a beautifully written children's book. It is obvious why Mrs. Kennedy chose Ms. Duheme to accompany her on her more memorable trips abroad as First Lady. A truly enchanting book.

Mrs. Kennedy Goes Abroad is an adorable little book filled with colorful Fauvist-like illustrations. Anyone who likes Laura Stoddart's simple-chic illustrations for Kate Spade will probably enjoy it. Fans of the recent exhibition at the Met that highlighted Jackie's White House clothes may appreciate it too. The commentary is kept to a minimum and black and white photos from Mrs. Kennedy's travels are included, but the focus is on French artist Duheme's amusing miniature paintings that capture Jackie in all those great pink sleeveless dresses and crisp suits in Paris, India, London and Italy.

As a side note: Duheme and Jacqueline Kennedy became friends who shared similar painting styles, and Duheme was invited to Cape Cod to give the First Lady an art lesson.

This book has wonderful pictures that captures the "facts" from actual photographs and transforms them into scenes of "fantasy". I really enjoyed the background information that accompanies each picture. A real treat of Jackie fans.

"Mrs. Kennedy Goes Abroad" is a beautiful book. The illustrations are lovely to look at, and the book is fun to read. A good choice for anyone to add to their library; especially recommended for those interested in the Kennedys and Jackie in particular. Evokes the fun mood of Jackie's scrapbook written with her sister Lee, "One Special Summer".

Ksiazka, ktora docenic potrafi jedynie odchodzace pokolenie ludzi, ktorzy sie na lekturze Wankowicza wychowali i ktorych ta
lektura nauczyla kochac Polske. Ale jest to takze ksiazka, ktora
pokolenie naszych dzieci moze sklonic po siegniecie do lektury
pisarza juz ze wzgledow historycznych. Na bolesne pytanie, jakie uslyszal autor tych uwag w jednej z warszawskich ksiegarn: "Prosze Pana, kto dzis czyta Wankowicza" jedna z odpowiedzi jest ksiazka p. Aleksandry. Kazdy, kro pamieta pisarza i jego tworczosc musi ja przeczytac i miec.

Uwazam te ksiazke za naprawde znakomita. Powinna byc podrecznikiem dla studentow. Polecam ja swoim kolegom. Uczy spojrzenia na pisarza od strony autora ksiazek, prywatnej, roznych wydarzen zycia. Powazne rozdzialy przeplataja sie z innymi, tymi, ktore tworza legende Wankowicza. Zrodlowa, doskonale przygotowana, napisana pieknym, jasnym jezykiem. Jakze barwna postac z tego Wankowicza! Podoba mi sie, ze sie nigdzie nie dal przypisac, podporzadkowac zadnym politycznym pradom. Powinno to byc maksyma naszych Wielkich Tworcow - bo w Polsce mamy zbyt wielu ludzi wlaczonych w polityke kosztem swojej tworczosci i autonomii, kosztem swojej niezaleznosci.

I zamiast wszyscy cieszyc sie Noblem Szymborskiej, wydziwiaja na jej wiersze (czy jeden wiersz?) z czasow stalinowskich. Ciekawe, co ci sami przesmiewajacy, zrobiliby majac wokol siebie takie czasy i otumanienie? Teraz wolnosc, a jakie oszolomy wokol nas...

Czytajmy zatem Wankowicza! Nauczymy sie wiele!

Pokolenie moich rodzicow uwielbia Wankowicza. Ja zachecona przez nich przeczytalam "Ziele na kraterze" i niemal rozchorowalam sie z wrazenia - takie byly silne. Jaki to wielki pisarz umiejacy wywolywac emocje, ile wspolczucia mialam z nim dla poszukujacej ciala poleglej w Powstaniu Warszawskim corki Pani Zofii... O Autorce tej ksiazki o Wankowiczu czytalam w wielu pismach - wywiad z nia m.in. w "Rzeczpospolitej", omowienie jej sylwetki w "Twoim Stylu", takze w "Pani", "Kobiecie i Zyciu", "Zwierciadle". Zaciekawiala mnie bardzo, podobala mi sie jej bezposredniosc, duzy takt i niezwykle ujmujace, takze bystre, patrzenie na swiat i ludzi. Moi Rodzice maja jej inne ksiazki, wszystkie bardzo lubia i cenia. Ta ksiazka mnie zachwycila - dowiedzialam sie o wielkim pisarzu wiele - jako o tworcy, i jako o czlowieku zmagajacym sie z trudnosciami. Po tej ksiazce siegne na nowo po jego ksiazki. Moje uznanie dla autorki, ze potrafila napisac o trudnych jakby polonistycznych rzeczach w sposob przyjemny, bezposredni. Cytaty, zrodla, bibliografie, dyscyplina, a jednoczesnie cieplo, umiar i jakas elegancja stylu pisania. Bardzo mi sie podoba, siegne wiec po jej inne ksiazki.

It is a collection of essays written with a great knowledge of the subject. The author shows the great Polish writer - Melchior Wankowicz with passion, sympatjy and understanding. Interesting chapters are about his private life, as well as about his books and his life with - and among others.

Jest to swietny przewodnik po zyciu i dzialalnosci znanego autorce osobiscie M.Wankowicza,wybitnrgo polskiego pisarza. Autorska ponadto w oparciu o archiwum pisarza i wlasne badania wyjasnia rozne sprawy kontrowersyjne i przeklamane, zwiazane z jego praca wydawnicza i pisarska. Zamieszczone na koncu ksiazki cenne "Kalendarium zycia i tworczosci Melchiora Wankowicza" jest bardzo pomocne w zorientowaniu sie w chronologii wydarzen.