Combs Books

This is a must have my kids loved this book.

Originally published in French in 1981 by the great Catholic Publishing House Desclee de Brouwer in Paris as L'Icone: Image de l'invisible, this book may be the most thorough, useful and complete treatment of the theology, procedures, composition and aesthetic techniques of the Ikon phenomenom.

Indeed the ample first section discusses the Genesis and Theology of the Icon, including history from the first days of Christianity, the art of the catacombs, etc. This first section also includes the various theological elements essential to iconography, as well as a discussion of Byzantine society and religious vision. It also discusses literary types in relation to icons, and a general theory of the icon as sign, symbol and as actual or sacramental participation in the Divine.

The second section explains aesthetic elements, including geometric structures, such as proportions, which I find most immediately helpful for any artist who wishes to draw anything involving the human face and body as well as iconographers. This section closely analyzes the formal use of geometry in composition of the icons and their arrangements, and the use of the laws of perspective as well as inverse perspective, dynamic space and epic perspective. This alone is fascinating for anyone who studies art theory, and truly renders comprehensible and visible underlying principles and practices not previously noticed or known. Several common Iconic themes are examined iin this light, including the Annunciation as well as the Resurrection of Lazarus. This second section also fully discusses colors and the theory of color, their meanings in icons, and their composition. The second section concludes with a complete consideration of light, and the inner light of icons.

As promised in the subtitle the third section fully examines the technical aspects of icons, including the preparation of materials in every way, the paints and how to apply them to the prepared and primed board, the selection of the palette and creation of flesh tones, for instance, and techniques and styles of the various ancient schools of iconography, including Greek and Russian. A thirty six page full page selection of icons follows in full color well produced, ending this excellent and comprehensive and informative and useful book with a thorough bibliography and a pair of indexes by subject and by name.

Everything about this book is the best, but what really sold me was the discussion of proportions of the human body and of perspectives, technical problems I had been trying to resolve but which are very clearly presented here.

Highly recommended for any artist, art historian, art lover, or especially the devoted Catholic looking for visual sacramentals as edifying aids in prayer and the saintly, sacred, immanent presence with us in prayer and contemplation. This book discusses everything from theology to hands on techniques and has something for everyone, expressed more completely and clearly with continual examples on every page, than in any other book I have seen. I have in my hand the 1999 paperback reprinting from Oakwood. If you are able to acquire the hardcover edition, or the original French, please invite me over for prayer and painting!

A must have for any neuroscientist interested in the imaging of neurons. This manual has several chapters focusing on the most up-to-date neurophysiological and neuroanatomical techniques used commonly and uncommonly. The book discusses the full gamut of techniques and how they are applied to hypotheses on neural function. Fluorescent photolysis of caged neurotransmitters, optical imaging using laser scanning, multi-photon laser confocal microscopy, and fMRI are all covered in depth. The best feature of this book is that it is written concisely with several pertinent references at the conclusion of each chapter for easy reference. It does not deal directly with the fabrication and usage of intracellular recording pipettes which is adequately covered in books like R.D. Purves.

This book includes a lot of history on contemporary violin styles from jazz to rock. Readers are guided to pioneers of each genre and prominent musicians are highlighted. There is also a section on amplifying your violin, where traditional/classical violinist who are new to "loud" gigs will find very useful. Amplifiers, pickups, solid violins and radical violin styles, effects are all mentioned and discussed. The third part of the book introduces a lot of solid practices for nearly all the styles that are mentioned in the book, and 'licks' and music scores are provided. It is a book with lots of worthwhile information and very clear instructions, but the limited amount of music score material on each style kind of leave you hanging for more after you are all hyped up. The author have put out new, more focused books on specific styles in 2001, and I can't wait to get my hands on those. Definitely a very enlightening and helpful book. Good for beginning fiddlers and classically trained violinists. Performing violinist might find the music material too basic, but in my opinion worth owning anyway.

An elementary school teacher in a small community in central Texas for 44 years, the author collected some 1000 recipes for this "must-have" cookbook. Though her students had spread far and wide, she was able to contact 70% of them who shared favorite family recipes. From Almond Tea to Ting-a-Ling Drops, this wonderful book has inspiring quotes scattered throughout each section and delightful drawings and recollections from the 1920s. Those who love to cook--especially teachers--will want this volume on their kitchen shelf!

Hey Folks this book is great. I'm using the audio examples from muse-eek's website which plays these exercises using a midifile player. What a great concept, I don't need a teacher to know whether I'm right or not!

How wonderful and delightful and spiritually uplifting you will become after having read "Inspirations From My Heart." It is truly a work of art and so much comes from the very depths of her soul in these marvelous words penned by Wanda Powell Heagy. You will not want to put the book down until every last word has been absorbed. You will also find yourself going through your days thinking and pondering on these beautiful poems reciting them over again and again, and perhaps even singing some. It is truly an "Inspiration" to all who read them.

I was pleased with my purchase from this seller. The book arrived when expected and in the condition it was described as. Over all very good!

There are lots of great cookbooks, this is one of those great cookbooks and there will never be one that is ten times better than the second best.

Just enjoy the food.

After I got interested in playing guitar, I decided that with my schedule that I needed to try on my own first. Not having much faith that I could learn on my own and having a little backround in music, I proceeded to try with the instructions in Introduction to Guitar: Book 1 and found that I am not that bad! Introduction to Guitar: Book 2 is a great counterpart and I will forever be greatful to the author for making learning on my own so easy. Thanks Johnnie!