Nicholson Books

I have a copy with a Benin mask on the front. This is a beautiful book because it is written from a very human angle, and gives a complete introductory history which both is free of, and debunks, the stereotyping and racist myth involved in my previous casual knowledge of Africa. I suspect that many others would share my surprise and emotion at some of the many stories, tragic and wonderful, which I had never known before.

Attempts to compress a continent's history in 370-odd pages, and so it gets bogged down in the first half with a hard-to-follow succession of names and places (without enough maps). For a primer on African history, it's good, living up to its name and all, and on how Africa got to be in its current state, it's pretty enlightening.


Basically, like a lot of the rest of the world, there were a number of regions in Africa that were more advanced than Europe up till at least the fifteenth century. The northern half of Africa got integrated into the very advanced Islamic world through trade back when Europeans were digging potatoes out of the ground with six-toed feet, and at first contact European traders were actually importing West African cloth, for example. But not having Europe's geography meant not having as much pressure to develop ships (except Eastern Africa, which was trading as far as China before Portuguese barbarians sacked its main cities) and weapons. The killer for African development was the slave trade, which beyond depopulating the continent by some tens of millions was destructive by hamstringing its manufacturing base. First, trading human raw material for manufactured goods - aka comparative advantage - worked as it always has in history. It had a negative effect (contrary to the current orthodoxy in economics) by forestalling any further development in metalwork and handicrafts. Plus, the people shipped off to Europe and the Americas were the most able-bodied men and women, skilled in metalworking and tropical agriculture. Not to mention the devastation that constant slave raids would wreak all around Africa's coasts and into its interior. (Even the east coast, which was for a long time under Arab Muslim control after they kicked out the Portuguese and reestablished the trade routes that the more barbaric foreigners had ruined.)


Funnily enough, once Europe was strong enough to actually invade Africa it did so with the best of intentions - to stop the slave trade. Gee, aren't humans great? Whenever any bunch of them engages in some extremely evil enterprise, they do so with the most laudable of intentions, like the Japanese freeing Asia from the bondage of European imperialism, or the U.S. bringing freedom and democracy to the oppressed like the British before them brought civilization and progress to the savages.

A scholarly, if admittedly selective survey of Africa's history from the mists of prehistory to the present day, this book manages to present a pro-African and often pro-Islam perspective to African history that is nonetheless unsettling. Keeping an optimism about the ability of post-colonial elites to solve the major crises that fit Africa, and somewhat whitewashing the Muslims (who come off much better than the Europeans in this tale), a certain anti-Western bias makes this book less excellent than it would otherwise be. It is nonetheless very well written and easy-to-read, its manifest bias obvious but not without value for those who wish to understand African history better from the various African perspectives. The book also contains a thoughtful analysis of the problems of town & country in African societies and the difficulty of solving structural problems of underdevelopment.

This book emphasized the social and historical effects that trade and commerce have had on changing the landscape of African society. I was fascinated to learn about the many kingdoms and empires that existed in ancient Africa. The details of the great trading cities of the West coast, and the great trading kingdoms of the East Sudan areas were new information for me. Also, the effect of the slave trade on disrupting political and socio-economic situations was disheartening. Finally, the current political situation was explained, and I got a picture of how things got to the mess they are today. Now I see how the family unit was disrupted by colonization economics, and how the breakdown of society has affected all levels. Unfortunately, this book was written before the plague of AIDS, the recent Afro-unification efforts, and the South African Peace and Reconciliation commission were set up. So I look forward to reading more about those situations. Additionally, I think the author was soft on many of the corrupt and failed leaders that have squandered so many efforts for democracy and justice that have been attempted in the past fifty years. But taken in light of the long and troubled history of this land, I am not left without hope. The main failure of this book in my opinion, was the lack of the heart of the African, with its inner sense of joy and ability to survive even the harshest situations that I have so learned to admire in my African friends I have made over the years, was not explored. The personal face of the diverse and warm-hearted peoples of this content was not shown by this more academic and political history. So that inspires me to read more about this amazing continent.

Without knowing much on the subject, I will say that all the arguments in this book seem sound. However, it is written in such an incoherant manner - switching back and forth from century to century, that you often don't know what century the author is talking about, much less his current argument. Instead the book comes across as Basil rambling, and this has more to do with the above stated, "being told much, but being told nothing." You'd have to re-write every fact and place them all in cronological order to make any sense of it.

This book is very good.In the sources part of the book it doesnt say where she got alot of her recources.She knows these things because shes related to almost all of them.If not by blood then by marriage.All but two of the royal houses of europe still running or not were intwined by marriage.So that is how she got most of her resources.

I think that some of the reviewers have been a bit harsh on HRH and that she's presented a likeable, gossipy view of the temperaments and times of the ladies about whom she's written. I don't believe that she ever intended to give an in depth, political overview of the royal consorts...far from it! Even though one reviewer called it a "lightweight" book, I believe that it was the personal side of these women that the author wished to show, not their effect on the country's politics. Personally, I loved hearing about the fashions, customs and foibles of these princesses from past times and also loved to hear about their relationships with their husbands, children and families. So, it's all irrelevant to the workings of the various countries but, so what..it's an entertaining collage of personal facts about well known women and I for one, thoroughly enjoyed it!

For someone who spends a lot of time reading about the history of royalty in Europe, Crowned in a Far Off Country: Portraits of Eight Royal Brides by Princess Michael of Kent is about as lightweight as they come.

The author chronicles eight women born into the royal families of Europe who married to become queens and empresses. Included are Marie Antoinette, Catherine the Great, Empress Marie (Russia), Queen Alexandra (England), Queen Maria Carolina (Naples), Empress Victoria (Prussia), Empress Eugenie (France) and Empress Leopoldina (Brazil). Princess Michael provides a chapter on each woman, and none of the chapters is longer than 29 pages. The Danish sisters, Alexandra (England) and Marie (Russia) share one chapter. Confining Catherine the Great or Marie Antoinette to less than 30 pages is almost laughable.

In describing these women, Princess Michael spends more time discussing their palaces, their make-up, their clothes, their rooms, their hairstyles and their table services rather than the really important things about their lives. Many were victims of complicated political intrigues, but we are given only abbreviated versions. In fact, the author states in her introduction that she "tried to ignore politics and concentrate on the lighter side of their lives." She claims to have "felt cheated when reading biographies of such famous women without learning about what they wore, or how their hair was arranged, or what they ate," etc. As far as I'm concerned, facts like these are mere fluff, and not what I'm looking for in a biography. Also, Princess Michael is not very good at documenting where she got her information.

In terms of the major, more well-known characters, there is nothing new to be learned here. In fact, I'm not sure how well the author knows her subject matter (despite her claims to have come to love them all). For instance, she claims that Queen Alexandra was not a fashion leader and that her personal style was simplicity. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Queen Alex has been compared to the late Diana, Princess of Wales. Both women were extremely stylish and set many fashion trends in England. Also, anyone who has seen a photo of Queen Alex dripping with jewels would not accuse her of simple tastes.

So, if you have very little knowledge of European royalty, Crowned in a Far Country might be a good place to start. But for me, it was pretty much a waste.

This book is very good.In the sources part of the book it doesnt say where she got alot of her recources.She knows these things because shes related to almost all of them.If not by blood then by marriage.All but two of the royal houses of europe still running or not were intwined by marriage.So that is how she got most of her resources.

The first duty of a princess has always been to marry for the good of the dynasty and/or the country; that's the role she was born to fill and most female royals accepted the marriages arranged for them with at least a sense of duty and sometimes with an eager eye to adventure. But some of these women were strong-willed and talented in their own right and came to exert considerable influence over their adopted nations. The author, an Austrian-Bohemian whose family lost everything in the two world wars, lived in Australia and Africa, studied art in Italy, and established her own design company in London. In 1978, she married Prince Michael of Kent, Queen Elizabeth's first cousin, and set up housekeeping in Kensington Palace (and still ran her company). In this volume, she outlines the lives of eight women married off as political chess pieces, and especially their experiences in their new homelands. These include major figures like Marie Antoinette of Austria, who married Louis XVI of France and went to the guillotine, and Catherine of Anhalt, who became empress of Russia; lesser lights like Leopoldina of Austria, who became empress of Brazil, and Maria Carolina, also of Austria, who married the king of Naples; much-loved figureheads like the Danish princess who became Queen Alexandra of Great Britain; and the tragic figures of Empress Victoria of Prussia, daughter of Queen Victoria of Great Britain, whose husband, Frederick III, died only three months after acceding to the throne of Germany, and Empress Marie of Russia, who lived to see her son, Nicholas II, executed with his family. Because of her inside track with both Austrian and British titled families, the author generally does a good job of conveying the attitudes of her subjects. But because this is in no way a scholarly book, her many quotes lack citations and the short bibliography is heavy on popular works. Still, it's a good place to start.

I purchased this book in a train station in Germany back in 1990. Not only did I pack this book around Europe (rather than sell it to a used bookstore or trade it away for something else) I have kept it through many moves across the country and around town. It is FANTASTIC and it inspired me to run my first marathon back in 1994 as well as the New York City marathon in 1995. I NEVER would have thought I could do it if it weren't for this book!

I have tried and failed many times to find some way to contact Ms. Daley and/or find something else written by her. If anyone has any information, please forward it to me at prettyjulie130@yahoo.com.

The book is unflinchingly honest and it's less about Philip Hehmeyer than about Sherri Daley's late 20's and early 30's. It's a 'slice of life' that's incomparable to any other book I've ever read.

Bravo Ms. Daley!

I read this book several years ago and found it nothing more than something to read on the subway going to work. I found Sherri whiny and very annoying - she seemed to have no self esteem of her own without a man. Neither did I like her rich, spoiled friends and their antics! In my opinion, there was no in particularly likable in this book - not even Philip.

Please don't pass this book by. It is a true story about Sherri, woman who falls in the love with Philip, the head of the powerful Cotton Exchange. Set in late 1970's/early 1980's Manhattan, High Cotton offers a wonderful romance that is overshadowed by Philip's workaholic/hard partying ways and his rollercoaster ride with Wall Street. It is beautifully written, often hiliarious and truly heartbreaking. In the end, Sherri emerges triumphant as a successful marathon runner and single mom. Yet, you sense that she has never forgotton Philip.

I worked for Philip Hehmeyer during the late 70's till his death. Sherri Daley was a non-factor. Hehmeyer dated many women. Daley was one of many...big deal. She made money off a dead man. How impressive.

This book contains valuable lessons for young women and men. The characters are compelling and the story is memorable, but this book is really about the high price one pays for emotional dependency. Philip depended upon his career and his money. Philip was unable to escape his personal emptiness after the career disappeared and took the money with it. Sherri was nearly destroyed when Philip abruptly dropped her after a wild, brief romance. She was forced to learn the difference between love and dependency, and that no one else can fill the emptiness within. These mistakes are made by millions of people every day. Young people who read and reflect can spare themselves by learning from the mistakes of others.

A very thoughtful discourse on the events surrounding Jesus' death and their importance. I enjoyed reading this theological view of things; at times the author makes some assumptions as to certain things, but overall a good book I recommend to other Christians!

Was not quite as neat a copy as I expected, but it did arrive on time.

I expected a much deeper examination of the events of the crucifixion. Everything that was in this book is already known to every studious Christian. Very disappointing!

I have the one of the original Moody Press Classic prints of this body of work and this modern day "updated" reissue. The original work done by Nicholson used only the KJV for his scripture references. I see this happening more and more as Satan gets the present day world to change not only The Father's Holy Word, but to water down classic works based on the only english translation without error, the King James Version! Why can't the classics that are KJV based be left alone and just reprinted!

A great little book explaining the miracles surrounding the crucifixion and resurrection of the Messiah listed in the Bible that we sometimes blow by. This book is excellent for anyone, parent teaching children, teacher of Sunday school, pastor making a series for congregation, all based on the Word. Easily carried in pocket or purse.

I thought buying a book on hauntings would be a bit bone chilling. This book was written like an encyclopedia. This book is short stories about famous hauntings in rhode island. Honestly I read 80% of the stories on-line. I wish i didn't buy this book.

What an interesting read! If you didn't know, 20 percent of the country's historic landmarks are located in Rhode Island (Rhode Islander's love old things) and as it turns out many of the historic residents are lingering in Rhode Island too. Buy this book for the illuminating and fascinating info that it contains, and then come visit the places it describes!

An excellent book about the haunted happeneings in RI. Once I picked it up I could not put it down. Look forward to more!

This was one of the most difficult books I have ever attempted to read. It is filled with misplaced modifiers, misused words, tense confusion, poor sentence structure, too-short sentences, repetition, dangling participles, and misspelled proper names, e.g., Edgar ALLAN Poe (not ALLEN as the author misspells it), interspersed with foolishness about orbs, EVP and EMF readings. Throughout the book, the author also confuses the words HISTORIC and HISTORICAL, misusing both.

I kept having to read, and reread, paragraphs to figure out what the author was trying to say. Pure and simple, Mr. d'Agostino cannot write. Following is a sample of the author's prose (and believe me, I use the term loosely) taken directly from the book:

The Sprague Manor is arguably one of the most haunted houses in the state of Rhode Island. Many tragedies have unfolded in this eighteenth century homestead. These tragedies have left vexes in the passing of time that now and forever reside in the former estate of the prominent yet tragic family. (Vexes? What the heck are vexes? Vexes, as everyone knows [well, everyone except the author] is a verb and verbs cannot be left in the passing of time or anywhere else. My 12-year-old niece can write better than this.)

Another puzzling sentence:

Nellie Vaughn's tomb is not the only landmark on the premises that has a peculiar allegation. (How can a landmark have an ALLEGATION? Another misused word. Mr. d'Agnostino is in desperate need of a dictionary!)

In another story, he claims it is the only time in American history in which a spirit of the dead provided evidence in a murder trial. Obviously, Mr. d'Agostino is unfamiliar with a similar case in Greenbrier, West Virginia. Not surprising because he seems to be unfamiliar with just about everything.

In another passage from the book, the author is at his amateurish worst, writing:

In the Dexter House, the residents say many spirits roam the halls and basement. They are not frightening, just seemingly lost (the residents or the spirits?). This would seem more apt as the building was once a morgue. Maybe the entities do not know they are dead. (Maybe Mr. d'Agostino does not know he cannot write.)

Mr. d'Agostino, who claims he has been investigating the paranormal for 23 years, drones on for approximately 155 pages (some pages aren't numbered), yet, omits one of Rhode Island's most intriguing ghost stories, and another associated with what is arguably one of the most recognizable houses in the US.

As a lifelong resident of Rhode Island, I have always been interested in our colorful history. The stories in this book bring the reader into dark corners of the ocean state, that most history books don't dare to mention. Mr. D'Agostino has written an incredibly compelling book that not only aims to entertain, but also to challenge the reader. By not only re-writing famous ghost stories but sharing his own experiences with these stories, D'Agostino encourages the readers to investigate the legends for themselves and come up with their own conclusions. By doing so, he has certainly set the bar higher for other authors of this genre. I certainly look forward to any other books Mr. D'Agostino has up his sleeve!

Professor Hobsbawm reminds us why we do academic history. Take this book as part of a broad foundation in Historiography and ignore claims about "snobbery" for if anyone has a "right" to tell us how to do things, it is Hobsbawm.

Also recommended: Primitive Rebels: Studies in Archaic Forms of Social Movement in the 19th and 20th Centuries, Age of Extremes and Freud for Historians (by Peter Gay).

Another reviewer (above) wrote as follows: "Hobsbawm's reputation may precede him, but his book is a weak, pretentious, and crushingly dry collection of essays that add just the wrong touch of elitism and snobbery to make the whole thing taste sour. The language, syntax, and sentence structure he uses is excruciatingly abstruse, and one suspects that the style he uses hides the fact that his conclusions are all rather a statement of the obvious." Indeed? Who wrote this? Jonathan Yardley (famous for his political animus)? No doubt anyone who uses such phrases as "crushingly dry" (autumn leaves?)and "excruciatingly abstruse" will have a hard time with Hobsbawm's elegantly stated if necessarily complicated thought. If any of his ideas seem "obvious" it is no doubt a result of his influence as one of the major historians of the twentieth century. These essays are learned but never boring (many were written to be read at conferences and I can assure you Hobsbawm's auditors were not put to sleep). Their range is amazing and the issues Hobsbawm takes up--Marxism, Marxist history, the Russian Revolution, barbarism to name a few--remain timely. Of interest to anyone concerned with contemporary history and the history of the modern world.

i cannot fathom why certain people rave about this book.it is not concise, clear, ironic or eye-opening. why is it that the more convoluted the book, the more popular it is? i have a strong desire to heave it at the wall right now. i will not be able to give one single comment on its content because i can't remember a damn thing i read the second after i finish the line.

If any one historian can be said to have written the history of the last two centuries in its totality, then Eric Hobsbawm would be the name that comes to mind. "On History" is a collection of theoretical essays of one of the greatest practicioners of the craft, and one of the greatest Marxist minds of our century. For anyone interested in practicing the craft of historical materialism and making sense of the contemporary confusion caused by the fall of the Soviet Union, for anyone who is not convinced that we have aproached "the end of history", for anyone with historical mind, willing to look for the logic of change and to consider the past in its entirety, this book is a must read. Hobsbawm's defense of history is powerful and thought-provoking, and his book is of great relevance for today.

Mr. Hobsbawm's reputation may precede him, but his book is a weak, pretentious, and crushingly dry collection of essays that add just the wrong touch of elitism and snobbery to make the whole thing taste sour. The language, syntax, and sentence structure he uses is excruciatingly abstruse, and one suspects that the style hides the fact that his conclusions are all rather a statement of the obvious. Historiography need not be a dreadful, patronizing experience, so avoid this book at all costs and read the refreshingly provocative "The Dustbin Of History" by G. Marcus.

I have been a color consultant for over 20 years and I train new color consultants. My system and methods are a compilation of what I have learned from studying the color systems of many talented individuals. Nicholson and Crum were the first to create a system that placed more emphasis on color intensity and color combinations...than color temperature. I believe both aspects are critical and still recommend this book to my students after warning them they should not judge the book by the hideous pictures of garishly made up models in the book.

I found this book to be one of the best I have ever read so far on color and clothing matters.It is nearly the ideal book on the subject.I found out ,finally, after reading Carole Jackson's book and others,in this book,exactly WHY I didn't fit into any ONE category in the usual way; I am one of those "Cross-over types" according to this knowledgable book = a "Light-Bright/Gentle" type.That Intensity and Contrast levels are so important.With up to date pictures, and less confusing/too much information crowded all together, is would be the best book on this subject out there.I HOPE there is an updated version of this coming out...

this book along witht the author, Ms. Joanne Nicholson,m is the biggest bunch of Bull Sh--. I would not give my worst enemy this book. Scrach that, first of all I would never buy this book.

In the mid-80s I researched the various color systems and chose to go with Color 1. I had a consultation with an incredibly talented Color 1 associate and everything I learned then still applies today. It is true that this is a personalized system. The huge set of swatches I received was compiled by studying my coloring and holding up lots of swatches next to my skin. There is no one-size-fits-all. And everyone can wear every color in cloths and makeup providing that the color is in the right-for-you clarity, intensity, shade. This system is vastly superior to the system(s) which classify one as a 'season'.

From the preface of the dictionary: "This dictionary is...a reference book that gives reliable definitions...of mathematical terms. The level is such that it will suit...college students and first year university students...The concepts and terminology...in pure and applied mathematics and statistics courses...are covered. There are also entries on mathematicians of the past...appendices...gives useful tables for ready reference." This dictionary is not only a dictionary but also a handy reference book on table of areas and volumes, derivatives, integrals, series, trigonometric formulas, symbols, and Greek letters. Even though Internet provides a convenience mean to access the information, it is prudent to have a dictionary of mathematics for cross reference.

I picked this book up in graduate school and I have found it to be extremely useful. For example, I used this book not only to gain an understanding of what is meant by "rate of change." But also to understand its usage value in describing various mathematical concepts such as deratives or given quantity x in relation to another quantity y.

Really good math writing has a quality of aesthetic perfection that suggests and perhaps rests on a deep physical understanding. In the hands of amatuer or crazed scholars, math writing can stray far from such perfection and into one of two realms: either a boring only-need-know-more-than-the-student teachy-type one or else one of pointless logical competition. Whoever makes the briefest, most accurate statement wins! (Similar to a computer language competition where whoever packs the most instructions into one line of code as judged by an utimately incestuous group of peers wins!) Thankfully, this book is in the former category; it touches upon aesthetic perfection.

To me, it's the survival value that it provides. In the sense of usefulness, this book is quite good, quite easy to use. I've had it for 10 years and I quite like it. My understanding of mathematical vocabulary has increased leaps and bounds since buying it.

And I would probably give the 3rd edition 5 stars if I had it.

This is a Great revision of this book. I am very pleased to see the improvements over the last version, especially the graphics. Thanks!

I find this reference book a little disappointing. While not a bad book, it's not comprehensive enough and explanations are (in many cases) too concise. If you don't already know the meaning of the term you're looking up, chances are you won't understand it after reading the item. I also purchased the Harper Collins Dictionary of Mathematics, and here are the good news - it's much better than the Oxford. Much more comprehensive and more readable. It's not perfect either, but if you're going to have only one of these, I recommend the Harper Collins.

After coming across this book in a South African hostel, it sat in my basement for almost a year. When I finally cracked it I thoroughly enjoyed it as the author stronly illustrates the boats skippers, their crew and their camraderie as they race around thw world stopping in Captown, Sydney & Rio. I read the 650 odd pages in less than three days. The first section introduces the the large cast of supporting characters following the race, from wives to sponsors, although these never become unmanageable. Unlike Frederick Forsyth's "The Dogs of War", the setup doesn't drag and moves bristly to the race. However, it was intriguing to find why skippers decided to sail and why the boats wanted to race for the 7 months or so.

Llewellyn's real strength is that he's able to create so many characters that are have very developed personas and then weave them in this race together that I really cared for them. I disagree with the earlier reviewed, as Llewellyn is apparently a seasoned sailor; he added enough detail to explain tactics and terminology without (excuse me) "going overboard" and was able to describe the monotony of bordom and then change gears to sheer suspense in squalls; as well as richly describing the climate, especially the cold, the wet and the ills. This route seems very dangerous and I would not want to do it!

Combined with the richly defined character cast this was a fast moving and very exciting book than I could not put down - I needed to know which captain and which boat would win the race! An excellent read and I strongly recommend you give it a go if you have any interest in its subject matter.

Because of the recent Whitbread race, which excited me, and because of the many positive reviews I have read about this book, I purchased it. However, it is one of the worst books I have ever read. Llewellyn knows about sailing, but his writing is so cliche it makes me nauseous.

Few writers have the ability to coonjure the world of competitive yacht racing as well as Llewellyn does. This is not his best, but it still knocks the socks off most of what you would find in an airport bookshop. The sailing de3scriptions, and the adventure is great - the only weakness is in the stereotyping of some goodie and baddie characters. Read it for the sailing.

If you have the sailing bug, you know what I mean when I say it's hard to find sailing fiction as exciting and full of the sailing jargon you crave as Sam Llewellyn's. This is the wave dancer at his best that every wind jockey should have in their collection. Sam Llewellyn has this novel 20 degrees off the wind and the sheets tight as he draws you into an adventure of a lifetime. Immediately there is danger all around in the open seas and the mystery begins. Sam Llewellyn did a superb job of bringing together characters from around the globe. Some you will love to hate. Others you will cheer on as they overcome the imposible odds of just surviving in this meat grinder of a race known as "THE GREAT CIRCLE". But there are unseen threads woven through all as they enter the big dance in THE race over the great oceans of the world. I have NEVER read a book this many times

This is a book that anyone interested in photography will enjoy -- the images are playful, inventive and genuinely erotic, wittily toying with our expectations and luring us in with every page. It's also one of the most beautifully produced photo books I've seen in recent years. A real hit.

There's a little bit of the voyeur in all of us. It seems like Richard Kern is in a good position to take advantage of this and provide an excellent collection of photographs. Unfortunately, this book is a bit of a disappointment.

Part of the disappointment comes from the simple fact that a professional photographer can't be a true voyeur; or, at least, he can't publish those photographs in a book. Geoff Nicholson hints at this a bit it his opening essay. However, Mr. Nicholson also sets up expectations in his essay about furtively trying to take photographs on the street that are not realized in the photos that follow.

That is not to say that there aren't some good photographs in this book. Early photos in a sequence, particularly the photos taken outdoors of a single subject are often quite compelling. They truly seem to capture a person unawares; however, as the sequences go on, and the models get into states of further undress, the pictures are obviously staged, which destroys the voyeuristic quality.

In some ways, Mr Kern is trying to capture something next to impossible to capture well. Still, he manages, occasionally, to capture more than I expected. If his focus would be on what he achieved in the earlier part of the photo sequences here, I think he would have been more successful.

The book itself is excellent quality and very nice to look at, with large full-page or even two page spreads. But the what the author is actually going for is a bit more confusing. Looking at the cover of the book, you're expecting a voyeuristic look into the lives of these beautiful women, but the pics seem to be more random than that. The pics go from very normal and boring, to expected voyeur, to highly unrealistic or voyeuristic pics that seem more like softcore pics for a much more adult type of publication. In conclusion, the book is a beautiful hardback with lots of content, I just wish there was more of the voyeur and less of the boring or the over the top, unrealistic content. Sticking to the central theme would have benefitted the book more.

Richard Kern is obviously a talented photographer, but I came away somewhat disappointed with this book. It purports to show young women in candid moments in various stages of undress. But one thing it WASN'T was noticeably erotic.

There's an oriental girl shown eating corn-on-the-cob topless. And later she's shown spitting out toothpaste into the sink, also topless. There's a very porno-oriented image of a panty-less girl bending over in a van, exposing her vagina. And another highly un-erotic shot of a girl apparently squatting down in the wilderness to do her business. Also, why the photos of guys in a book supposedly dedicated to showing us beautiful nude women?

On the positive side, there are a couple of photos of girls with other girls that I thought promising. And there's another girl shown in an office setting with a hand on her shapely rear end. It would have been a whole lot hotter had it only been a female hand!

But overall, I would not have purchased this book had I known how weak the overall content inside actually was. It's needlessly crude, and too many of the models are unattractive or in poses that make them appear so.