Photography Books

Hamilton's work is chronicled in this volume and showcases his love affair with his subjects and his passion for photography.
His work is very sensual and innocent, which considering the bulk of his subject matter (pubescent females) is somewhat daring, but never crosses the line to lecherous. The quality of the printing is excellent, and it is an enjoyable collection

There are a lot of books that contain nude artfull pictures of girls by several top photographers available to choose from. But if you had to choose only ONE to own, this would definitely be the book to buy!Because:(1) VALUE: This book has TRIPLE the pages and photographs of the other books for only about 10-15 dollars more. So thus you get a tremendous page-per-dollar value!(2) QUALITY: Many of the pictures are in color. Most of the other books only have black and white pictures. The pictures are very sharp and very high in quality..they leap off the page! (3) COMMENTARY: Aside from the great pictures, this book also contains several pages of a very informational introduction and commentary. It is nice to read some narration to put the subject matter and pictures in proper perspective.(4) BEAUTIFULL: The girls are very cute and beautifull. A wide age range is represented from 8-18. Even the pictures of the girls clothed are stunning, sexy, and beautifull. The nude girls are very tastefully presented as to not offend or risk censorship. This book used to be banned in some countries, and I think it still is banned in some areas of the world. I have seen this book priced in the hundreds of dollars when it first went out of print years ago.What more can i possibly say about this book? You get the most bang for the buck...you get top quality color and black and white pictures of very fine cute sexy beautifull girls 8-18 posing nude and semi-nude....and most important of all BUY THIS BOOK BEFORE IT GOES OUT OF PRINT! I have noticed that several books by Jock Sturges and David Hamilton are no longer either offered in Hard Cover edition or NOT AT ALL! Censorship control is placing pressure on book suppliers I guess, so quickly BUY THIS BOOK!

The book has photos spanning David Hamilton's career as well as a bit of an auto-biographical essay of his life and how he got into photographing beautiful young models.

The pictures include nude models as well as subjects like flowers, landscapes, and personal photos.

My complaints about the book is that the pictures are usually too small to be appreciated and the quality of the post-production is not top class. Though there are many nice photos, it does not justify the work of the photographer.

Nonetheless Hamilton's books are hard to find and always go out of print. Overall, it is worth buying.

This book is a masterpiece! Everything about it is just plain beautiful. I can't believe that Hamilton ever had problems with these incredible pictures that he has taken. And that takes us back to what is art? and what is pornography? It seems that in this country, people tend to believe that if a girl is under the age of 18 and nude, it is pornography. Hamilton has proved them wrong. If it is legal for familys, which do in a lot of cases include young girls and teenage girls, to go to nudist colonies or be naturists, where they are nude three fourths of the time, why is it not right for someone to capture this beautiful lifestyle on film?

The female body, at any age is a very beautiful thing, and not many people will let themselves admit this. I find it especially beautiful when the girls are at the brink of womanhood, and there bodies are changing. Why is it so hard to find this stunning for people???

You will find portraits of everything in this book, from swimming, to sleeping, to just plain stand up posing for the camera. Also, this book includes other works of Hamilton. Works like nature etc.

In one word, this book is Beautiful, and so is Hamilton, for doing something that very few people can do. That is to realize that there is natural beauty in everyone, and he photographed it.

If you don't own a David Hamilton book, you must at least buy this one. Not that you shouldn't have others, you should. But this is the finest collection I have seen. His dreamy style is unmistakable, whether it be his landscapes or portraits of young girls. Another must have in my opinion.

This is a beautiful book, with beautiful images. It is entirely worth it, to get a glimpse of the people of Africa. Excellent.

Ahhh. This book, obviously, is many things to many people; not unlike its bountiful subject matter--- the original mother, Africa.

It is also many things to me, each equally beautiful. Most important, it is a powerfully evocative visual link to the 3 years of memories I carry of my life in West Africa as a Peace Corps volunteer. The photographers saw and captured a lot of what I deeply love about the peoples, the land and the life of Africa. The simple and complex beauty; the extraordinary and the mundane; the joy and the frustrations, the good and the bad. It's just life as it is lived everywhere else on the planet, and how good it is to see it presented from a part of the world that is not often shown much appreciation.

While I appreciate another reviewer's criticism of the book's failure to show more modern infrastructure of urban areas, I disagree that the omission is a disservice. True, there is a great deal of development in Africa, but what is shown in this book is still a good and true representation of the vast majority of people and their lives. Far from being stereotyped shots of suffering and drudgery, I find the photos varied and well beyond cliché as they take us into the rhythm of the lives of everyday people. It is a beautiful book. Place it on your coffee table , but keep it in your heart.

I found this one of the most beautiful representations of the continent that I have seen to date. Instead of animals and Egyptian ruins the photographers have taken a diverse array of photographs that potray the people. In addition, the representation of even the least renowned countries in Africa is accurate.

I am also partial to this book, because the proceeds go towards AIDS prevention in Africa.

Africa is a beautiful continent with immense potential, and it never looked better. The 100 or so photographers who took the pictures did an outstanding job. The pictures are the highest quality I have ever seen ...digital technology, I suppose. If a picture is worth a thousand words, this books value is in millions.
The first few pages feature full page pictures breathtaking scenery. One shows a lone teacher under the shade of a tree, a dog sits at some distance. Another show the Victoria falls in its full splendor and the there that magnificent mountain peak. Well by this time if your aren't seated, I suggest you do so for and stop operating heavy machinery. Across from cape to Cairo and across the Sahara these talented photographer have captured the wonderful essence of Africa.
Having in mind the much maligned western Medias portrayal of Africa and it on the tragic. In my opinion this book treats the subjects, e.g. Pictures of HIV sufferers, with adequate sensitivity.
Lastly I would like to salute the producers and sponsors of the project. It's a noble gesture.

This is an absolutely heartstopping collection of photographs from everyday African scenes. I have to disagree with the reviewer who said that it only presented stereotypical portraits of African life. I agree that the collection would have been enriched with more portraits of urban life, but I don't think that this was a typical "National Geographic" variety volume.

It did have diversity, and it did show that many Africans live in modern homes. However, the sensitivity of the portraits was so deep, and their beauty so stunning, it certainly transcended "look at the natives starving/doing something weird/suffering from disease" type photography. Rather, it showed many of the marvels of Africa-from the artwork thriving in so many areas, to areas where ingenuity and industry thrive against all odds, from the thriving markets of Lagos, to the beauty of the desert. This book is so gorgeous that it is rather a testimony of love for Africa and its people-not in some patronizing way, but a true celebration of its spirit. It shows tragedy, but it shows beauty and people loving life and affirming it as well. Isn't that a balanced and fair picture?

This was one of the first Marilyn books I owned and I have to say it still stands out as one of my very favorites because it is so intimate, and the pictures show a very down to earth Marilyn that you feel like you could reach out and touch. George Barris was actually a long time photographer of Monroe, he had the pleasure of catching some of her most iconic moments on camera such as the famous shirt blowing scene from THE SEVEN YEAR ITCH and many more. These are by far his best of her though and I personally favor pics from Marilyn's later years (60's). I love the stories that Barris tells and I am getting ready to reread this book as it has been a few years, I think it is the type of book one can read over and over anyhow. As I have said all the pics are amazing especially the ones of Marilyn on the beach. These however are not the very last pics taken of Marilyn, just the last photo session. The very last shots of her can be found in the book "Mr. S.: The Last Word on Frank Sinatra" when she was on a yacht with Sinatra and at the Cal-Neva Lodge & Casino shortly before her death. Over all though this book is HIGHLY recommended and is essential for any Marilyn fan!

I was surprised at this book in Marilyn's own words. This interview was only a few weeks before her death. The pictures were amazing and beautiful. She did not seem at all depressed and was looking forward to the future. Makes you wonder if she was murdered. Surely seems that way after I read the book and looked at those pictures. It almost seems to say "see I want to live" and little did she know that her life was in danger! Poor Marilyn. I hope wherever she is, she knows that some people believe that she did not kill herself. And I hope she is at peace.

This book is unique in that it comes from George Barris's last days spent with her. I love the photos because they are candid not posed. This bok also includes the last photo ever taken of her. I'm on my way to own almost every Marilyn book and Im am pleased with this one.

This was indeed a touching tribute. I felt very connected to Marilyn while reading her stories. The photos were just as gorgeous. I could have gone without George Barris' interjections as they usually just repeated what Marilyn said. But it was his book and she was apparently his friend, so I suppose he deserves some spotlight too.

Add this to your Monroe collections! It's a definite keeper.

I have to say that it is just amazing how after 44 years Marilyn Monroe is still considerd one of the most beautiful women to ever live. After seeing the photographs of Marilyn Monroe taken by Mr. Barris in this book I am not suprised that people are still captivated with the beauty of Marilyn Monroe. The pictures of Marilyn in this book are amazing and beautiful. Marilyn shows her true character in the most natural looking pictures I have ever seen of her. Each picture tells a story and shows you the woman Marilyn really was. Marilyn truely was a naturally beautiful woman and it shows in this book. This great book also lets you read and learn about the real person Marilyn Monroe was in her own words. Marilyn tells her life story in this book, taking you through her young years as Norma Jean to her Hollywood life as Marilyn Monroe. When you are reading this book it is very interesting to hear Marilyn talk about her life in her own words. Marilyn takes you along her life journey through the pages in this book. The only sad thing is when you are reading this book you wish Marilyn's life story would continue past the inevitable days of Marilyn's death on August 4-5,1962. I alreadly knew Marilyn was going to die before reading but it really made me sad because after reading this book it makes you feel like you actually knew Marilyn personally. That just goes to show how well written this book is. I have to say Mr. Barris you have done a great job writing this excellant book. Marilyn would truely have been happy with this book. Whether you are a Marilyn Monroe fan or you are just curious about this iconic Hollywood actress this book will definitely be intresting to read. Before I read this book I thought Marilyn Monroe was all Hollywood glitz and glamour. After reading this book however I found that Marilyn was a sweet down to earth woman who just wanted to be loved. I only hope Marilyn made it into heaven, because in her life most of the people that said they loved her and called themselves her friend only used and betrayed Marilyn. I hope that one day Marilyn's death will finally be proven as murder and this case of wrong doing can be closed so Marilyn can finally rest in peace.

Great book I already have a copy...bought this one for a friend!

Great pictures of Lukas in this book. Buy this instead of his boring movies.

The images say more than any poor words could convey.
Each turning of the page is a new revelation of
intense beauty and desire. To do better justice,
perhaps this:
I've looked on beauty so much
that my vision overflows with it.
The body's lines. Red lips. Sensual limbs.
Hair as though stolen from Greek statues,
always lovely, even uncombed,
and falling slightly over pale foreheads.
Figures of love, as my poetry desired them
....in the nights when I was young,
encountered secretly in my nights.
-- C.P. Cavafy. -C.P. Cavafy: Collected
Poems-. Translated by Edmund Keeley & Philip
Sherrard. Edited by George Savidis. Princeton
University Press. 1975.
--------------------------
-- Robert Kilgore.

This book is really great. A must-have for all Lukas Ridgeston fans as well as male erotica photograph books enthusiasts. High quality pictures that will forever be imprinted on your wildest fantasies. Lukas is picture perfect! The book is hard bound so it will last a thousand times of browsing. Kudos to Bel Ami and to Bruno Gmunder!!!

Lukas Ridgestone may be the most beautiful young male model ever photographed. With ice blue eyes, square jaw, lean, triangular torso, and every other physical perfection, Lukas will delight every admirer of male athletic erotica. Pictured with several other Bon Ami stars, Lukas out-strips them all!

A very nice book, with remarkable trees, however, from the cover I suppose I wrongly assumed they would be beautiful trees. Quite a lot of the book is spent on African trees of a very strange nature, and to my husband's suprise, very little was done on the banyan tree. I was looking forward to large, ancient trees myself. All in all, it is still a wonderful book, it just wasn't what we were expecting.

Great Book will enough the wonder hopefully they have it in the school systems or county systems

Trees are grouped by various, sensible categories that other books on trees might neglect: Giants: Gods, Goddesses, Grizzlies; Dwarfs: For Fear of Little Men, In Bondage; Methuselahs: The Living and the Dead, Shrines; Dreams: Prisoners, Aliens, Lovers and Dancers, Snakes and Ladders, Ghosts; and Trees in Peril: Do the Loggers always Win? and Ten Green Bottles. Pakenham's text is great fun to read, as can be viewed from those sectional titles, and individual tree titles such as "Tie up my feet, Darling, and I'll live forever" for the Bonsai tree that is the In Bondage section.

I suppose coffee table books really shouldn't be considered exceptional items to read - view, yes; read, not so much. This is an exception. Tolkien's Ents are invoked for a handful of trees, and rightly so; geography students who get a core borer stuck and (somehow) get permission to cut down what had possibly been the oldest tree in the world just to retrieve it are warned against; and, of course, it is mentioned that any fool can climb a gum tree. I've read this about six times this year, high time I count it officially.

beautiful book. Bought it as a gift for my brother.
I already have a copy for myself.

In fall 2006, Lansing's forestry department planted a tiny gingko biloba tree between the sidewalk and the street in front of my house.
It had four and a half branches, all oriented in one plane like the candlesticks in a menorah. You could barely roast a wiener with it.
I scrambled into the house for a book I had bought, by sheer coincidence, the previous day -- Thomas Pakenham's "Remarkable Trees of the World."
Yes! There, sprawling across pages 110 and 111, was a gingko nearly 1,000 years old, still living in Tokyo, measuring 30 feet in girth and 66 feet high.
Pakenham, a British historian with Irish wanderlust and a gentle sense of drama, has traveled the world to photograph and research the history and lore of 60 of the world's most remarkable trees.
This oversize book, just now out in paperback, is so relaxed and un-sensational you picture Pakenham walking from tree to tree, a Haydn string quartet playing in the background, not minding the continents and oceans in between. It's a follow-up to another book that's just as good: "Meetings With Remarkable Trees," in which Packenham confined his wanderings to the British Isles. The response to "Meetings" was so warm that Pakenham packed his bags and expanded his search to global proportions.
Pakenham's style is that of a curious, intelligent pilgrim. He pairs generous full-page or double-page images of his subjects with un-fussy, lightly conversational background information. He clearly respects local lore and legend, but doesn't go overboard with it, nor does he bog the text down in scientific details. The result is almost a set of personality profiles.
The images are spectacular -- given the subject matter, most of them can't help it -- but sensitively chosen and framed, with an eye toward the unique setting, mood and attributes of each tree.
It's a low-key approach, but if this book doesn't awaken your sense of awe, nothing can. That little stick of a gingko in my front yard, for example, belongs to a hyper-ancient species/order/family that predates dinosaurs. Its peculiar lineage (it's related to ferns) is betrayed by unique, fan-shaped leaves that have no central fold.
Of course, trees have their own agenda, and don't care whether they get into a coffee-table book or not (it's tempting to think they'd rather not, insofar as books are made of paper). But it was hard not to think of Pakenham's gargantuan gingko as a thundering encouragement for my little tree's stressed-out, brown-fringed leaves and spindly trunk.
For one thing, Japanese Buddhists believe the gingko, not the Bo tree of India, was the tree under which Buddha found enlightenment.
If lore doesn't thrill, Pakenham serves up history and science. For example, a gingko 800 yards from the epicenter of Hiroshima threw up new sprouts even after the atomic bomb hit.
But enough about gingkos. In this book, the reader will meet a panoply of the world's most amazing creatures: General Sherman, a mega-giant sequoia in California that weights 1,500 tons and is probably the largest living thing on Earth; ancient teapot-shaped African baobabs out of a Dr. Suess illustration; the leaning Italian cypress said to have been planted by St. Francis; wind-lashed cypresses clinging to the rocky California coast; great oaks with hollows where 20 people can sit down to a banquet; bristlecone pines now into their fifth millennium of existence.
Some of these magnificent trees are near roadsides or chained off in parks, all but ignored by passersby. The wonder of this book is that it tunes the mind to the low-frequency, centuries-long chords only these creatures can hear. Looking at trees that have lived the better part of a millennium make you wonder whether there will be a California -- the home of a disproportionate number of these giants -- or a Lansing in 1,000 years.
My bet's on Lansing, which is far less likely to slip into the ocean before my gingko grows up.

Cynthia Sue Larsen, publisher of the REALITY SHIFTERS e-zine, is not your ordinary metaphysical writer. She has a degree in quantum physics and knows the scientific underpinnings of her theories.

It is scientific fact that everyone's body is surrounded by an electromagnetic field. Larsen shows how we can use this energetic field to increase our awareness, increase our energy, find true healing, and attain what we most need in life.

The exercises, visualizations, and meditations in this book are clearly written and easy to follow. If you are seeking to be healthier in body, mind, and spirit, this book can help you achieve those goals. It is highly recommended.

Refreshing to read a well written, info packed book on the aura. For too long we have been subjected to abstruce explanations and theories about the aura. Here at last is a readable, informative and practical book that you can use immediately to effect changes in your life.
Most important of all, the exercises work. You can create the inner landscape that produces impressive changes in your life.
Duncan Sequeira
[...]

This book is great for those who may be new to auras and/or new age thought, and also for those who have a bit of knowledge as well. It gives fantastic excercises about clearing the "stuff" out of your aura and attracting the good to you. It's also written in plain English so that those who may not be familiar with the concept of an aura can pick it up quickly. I rarely write reviews, so this book HAD to be good to inspire me to tell others to get it.

I have read Cynthia Sue Larson's AURA ADVANTAGE more than once. The first time I breezed through it, and the other times, I took my time to really get into the power behind her writings. This "power" is not a magical incantation that conjures up demons from the deep. No, it is the power that is in everyone of us. However, as Ms. Larson points out in her book Aura Advantage, we have to allow ourselves the freedom to recognize our own abilities and to utilize them. I've learned by developing the power of my own aura we can achieve practically anything that we desire. As she so brilliantly explains we can use our aura to maintain good health, achieve personal wealth, protect us when in harms way, and even create a parking space "in front of the door" when the lot is full.


As Ms. Larson points out we are only limited by the limits we place upon ourselves. All I know, I can never keep my copy on the coffee table very long, before I have to use my detective powers that I learned from reading Aura Advantage to track down the culprit that "borrowed" my book.

I look forward to reading any other writings of Cynthia Sue Larson...pardon me, I have to again, go track down my copy of Aura Advantage.




John Zarr: Lecture/writer of the ETBEINGS series, an autobiographical story about his wife Margie battle with diabetes: ANGEL BULBSY, and award winning screenplay writer. All proceeds for ANGEL BULBSY goes to the JDRF www.outoftimeradio.org

I enjoyed reading Aura Advantage very much! This is a great tool for all of us. We learn how to really explore our auras in ways we haven't done before and see all the gifts and great powers our auras have. The exercises throughout this book are easy to follow and designed to produce immediate results.

Many thanks to my friend Erik who recommended this book to me. I really enjoyed it. Being a twin myself, I found many similarities between my life experiences and theirs. Some of the stories reminded me of the love and joy found in having someone so much like one's self, my twin sister Judy McKinny. In fact, this book influenced me into becoming a climber. Read this book.

The Ganz twins were able to capture all the different feelings that twins feel - from a special oneness to feelings of jealousy - and they did it beautifully. Finally there is a book out there just for us (the twins of the world) about us. And, best of all, it was written by twins!

I thoroughly enjoyed reading and re-reading this book. The bond and special relationship between twins is felt as you read the individual stories. These stories were extremely well-written and they generated both tears and laughter as I read each of them. The book provides an informative and entertaining insight into the world of twins. The photography was equally superb. This is a beautiful "table top" book. All ages will enjoy it.

THIS IS AN AMAZING BOOK I GOT A LOT OF INFORMATION AND SIMILIAR THING THAT I HAD NO IDEA OTHER TWINS FELT LIKE EMOTIONAL AND NON EMOTIONAL THINGS . THIS IS A GREAT BOOK FOR ALLL AGES IT INSPIRES PEOPLE TO LOOK AT THE INDIVIDUALITY OF A TWIN!

As a mother of twins I have read a number of books about twins, this one is different. I took it to a Mothers of Twins meeting one night and you would not believe how many women wanted to look at it. Of course we all have something in common, twins! Everyone in the room was warmed by it's beautiful photos and stories. My copy sits out in our living room where my ten year old twin sons can enjoy it. No one can truly understand the special relationship a twin has, but this book puts it all in to prespective. I recommend this book to all.

This little book, the photographer author's tribute in words and photographs to the feline love of his life, shines with gentle love, compassion, and loyalty. Truly a spiritual book, BUFFY MY LOVE illustrates unconditional love and admiration for Creation, the Creator, and one perfect little creature whose love, beauty, gentleness, and loyalty forever changed Dattilo's life.

I can't recommend this book highly enough -- for those who love cats, photography, beauty, love, kindness, and life itself. It would make a beautiful gift for anyone who loves any of the above, as well.

I ordered this book on a whim because I liked the cover, and I was so surprised to find what a beautiful, meaningful and emotionally powerful little book this is. It is an account of a life with a once in a lifetime cat by a man with the soul of a poet and a heart that belonged to Buffy.

If you have any friends who love their cats, this is the perfect gift for them. Their are delightful, candid emotions that only cat lovers will understand. This is a very special read.

You will be as smitten as I was with this captivating cat peering at you through the curtain. A stunning tribute and a deserving one. Every cat should be this loved.

This wonderful book was a gift to me from a friend who lost her dear cat Buster to cancer two days before I lost my Jolie cat to cancer. You don't think anyone else could or would understand your love for your pet or your grief at the loss of your pet. This book with its beautiful photographs and charming story let me see other people do love their pets as I do. It is a book I have shared with my 94 year old neighbor to my 13 year old niece and everyone has loved it. This is a book your must own if you are a cat or a pet lover.

Best Read. John Annerino's CANYONS OF THE SOUTHWEST. -Tucson Weekl

CANYONS OF THE SOUTHWEST by John Annerino features the author's photographs of towering red rock and rushing waters. -Travel-Holiday Magazine

CANYONS OF THE SOUTHWEST by John Annerino. A stunning overview of the "inverted mountains." -Summit Magazine

For people who love the West, especially those who seldom leave the concrete road, this book provides unbelievably beautiful pictures and stories about gorgeous places in the wilderness. -Rocky Mountain News

Foremost are the photographs. I would call Annerino's canyon portraits the best of a really good lot, even over big-time large-format photographers. While the large-format works are stunning artistic studies of light and color shot with impossibly huge f-stops, Annerino's canyon photographs give expression to the phrase "wearing one's heart on the sleeve." His photos have an active passion that others lack. Anyone who knows him will say he is among the "hardmen' to tackle the Southwestern mountains and canyons, but that he is definitely the most sincere in his passion for place. Perhaps, because of this he lacks a calculated commercial view of the places he photographs. His images also record his own passion, creating compelling and unique photographs. More than any other contemporary outdoor photographer, Annerino's photos mirror his love of the land's people. In the text, Annerino portrays canyonlands people as part of what makes the places special. He has a deep affection for past and present native peoples, but unlike some Anglo North Americans, Annerino isn't a lost 20th century soul. Rather, he seems to have a straightfoward and genuine admiration for native people, and has learned a great deal about them. His research on each canyon's history is impressive. Annerino writes with an immensity commensurate with his subject. His style is old-fashioned, evoking an older, more grandiose era of writing of explorers like Powell and Pattie. While many modern writers seem bent on infusing themselves into as much of the story as possible, Annerino's style is not so full of himself as full of the intensity of his canyon experiences...Annerino is at his best when he writes about Mexico, especially the Big Bend passage where he talks about the injustices served the Mexican across the river at the hands of our national park there. An optimist who sees great things in the canyons, Annerino neither ignores nor dwells on the obvious problems facing the West like pollution and development. And fortunately, CANYONS OF THE SOUTHWEST is not a treasure map guidebook to these areas. -Desert Skies

Mr. Smith's book is well illustrated and supported by the accompanying CD (images to work with that are in the book). His explanations are clear to the Photoshop user and he does explain some terms, as in methods of cropping and re-sizing an image and which method is suited for which type of image), file formats of images, and other areas like the applications under adjustments that I had not used until I began working with the book.
I have found some techniques that are similar to other authors (Scott Kelby, in particular, whose books I have enjoyed quite a lot), and that was part of my interest in purchasing the book-to broaden my reference library with people aside from Kelby, Deke McClelland, and some folks on-line like Earth-Bound Light and Photography, etc). I recommend purchase. Readable, well cross-referenced, and helps deliver results.

Excellent training material. I would also recomment The Photoshop CS2 Book For Digital Photographers by Scott Kelby. The combination is outstanding.

I was really surprised this was such an excellent book. Usually I just read the chapters I am interested in , but I read this whole book--it was just so instructional and one that I will keep close to the computer for reference book.

I am an amaetuer photographer. This book has helped me fine tune my photos and bring out its full potential. I will gladly recommend this book to anyone who wants to gain more knowledge on photography and perhaps learn a very powerful photo editing tool.

This book has a lot of good information in it, but is not well written. You may be halfway through a paragraph before you get to the topic sentence and figure out what the author is talking about. It often takes a second or third trip through a paragraph to figure out what it's about. The author also is not consistent with his word usage. I've found as many as three or four different words used for the same thing. For instance luminosity and brightness are used interchangeably, sometimes on the same page or even the same paragraph. So, using the book can be frustrating, though the author clearly knows Photoshop and I have learned a lot from the book.
The book does not mention or discuss some of the neatest features of Photoshop CS2 including some of the Automate features such as Merge to HDR (high dynamic range). This feature combines an underexposed and an overexposed picture into one high dynamic range image (bright areas are not washed out and dark areas are not black). This is an amazing capability that is not mentioned.
I would buy this book again, but only after searching diligently for one that covers the same scope or more and is better written. Actually, I'd probably get a book that covers CS3 as well, and hopefully indicates where features are unique to CS3. Or maybe just a CS3 book if you are going to upgrade. I understand the upgrade to CS3 is well worth the price even though it is now $200. Ease of use alone makes CS3 valuable to novices from what I've read.