Smith Books

I've seen nicer books coming in at several hundred dollars but for the ~$5 you really can't beat this one Plenty of beautiful full color plates this makes an excellent student edition and a reference book for home. If you're purchasing for an all out art reference library you should look into a different edition.

This is a nice overview of the work of Caravaggio.. and the price is very good - I saw a similar collection (though it was hardcover) for nearly $100 - I am satisfied with this general overview for much cheaper. I think the colors are pretty good - and the artwork is, of course, timeless!

I have recently returned from the met and observed the great colour used by Caravaggio and was inspired to by the book. This contains a great of information and has great paintings on my favourite artist--Caravaggio. God bless

This book contains many beautiful full page photos of the works of Caravaggio. Each painting is accompanied with a brief explanation. References and comparisons are made to other famous works by great artistic masters. A great book to begin your art book collection!

Someone made a reference in 1999 that this is an 80 page book. It is 127 pages and filled with quality color plates. The paper's a bit thin, but certainly adequate, as is the text. I have just finished reading 'The Lost Painting', and wanted to peruse some of the works discussed in the book (a fascinating read and/or listen with the audio book). Another reviewer noted this is as a wonderful book to begin a collection. The publisher, Phaidon, really puts out some fine materials. I own three of their publications now, one being '50 Self-Portraits' and another on Tadema. If you have an inclination to dwell awhile on the stunning legacy of Caravaggio, this should more than do the job.

This was the best...so far... a coffee table book full of information and gorgeous pictures showing the uniqueness and beauty of Yucatan.

This is another marvelous book on Mexican & Spanish Architecture, furnishings, & landscaping. The colors & textures used are exceptional. The lush landscaping is something we are trying to recreate in our our home.

This book & their others have inspired us to do some very creative things with our desert property.

We wish we had known about and read Casa Yucatán, before we had our wonderful three-week vacation in the Yucatán, in August/September, 2002. If you're planning to go to the Yucatán, be sure to take Casa Yucatán with you. We discovered (and stayed at)three of the marvellous hacienda hotels: the Temozón, Santa Rosa and San José. Each one has unique architecture, adapted from its original use with panache and refined good taste. When we saw them in the book, it was like re-visiting them. Our appetite was whetted to try to see more of the beautifully-photographed and knowledgeably-described homes on our next visit. At the back of the book, there's a 4-page Travel Guide, filled with useful information. Mexican design is beautiful and probably no non-Mexicans know more about it than Karen and Joe, having dedicated decades to studying it seriously and having visited and photographed many outstanding examples for inclusion in their books. One place we'll be sure not to miss is Hacienda Petac, the restoration of which was just completed in December 2002. Karen and Joe are partners in that enterprise, the design center of which offers a showcase for Mexican antiques, architectural elements and decorative accents. Hacienda Petac also offers accomodations to guests. We would hope that some of the architects whose projects are featured in Casa Yucatán and whose names addresses, phone numbers and e-mail addresses are shown, might be willing to arrange with the owners for interested readers to visit their beautiful homes.

"The distinctive landscape of the Yucatan Peninsula possesses a unique natural beauty where limestone plateau, tropical jungles and subterranean rivers and caves are the setting of two magnificent cultures."

If you are looking for a book to inspire you in the middle of winter, then this book will provide a summery escape to sun drenched lands where blue cushions line an outdoor seating area overlooking the ocean and burnt sienna paint splashes across inner walls. The gardens in this book are inspiring, with stone fountains, hammocks and dense foliage.

The tubs made from hand-carved stone are spectacular, like bathing rooms from a dream. Fascinating stone fountains mist a room and are situated in a large tile in the middle of the floor surrounded by modern statues.

Opening this book is like entering a magical land where you can visit art-filled escapes, old haciendas and colonial home gardens. The chapters include:

Design Textures
Architectural Elements
Water Spaces
Open-Air Living
Casas Yucatan
Haciendas
Costal Homes
The New Maya House

"Water Spaces" is a favorite chapter with gorgeous pools and ponds that extend for the entire length of many buildings. The Porches shimmer with glossy tile and are highlighted with sapphire blue accents in paint on rows of pillars facing gorgeous crimson edged windows with lemony painted walls. In the bedrooms, beds hang from the ceiling or are covered in netting.

One of the most exotic outdoor rooms is a Moorish design with arches, seating and a burnt sienna tiled floor. These are places you could live and be quite happy never to leave. I want to jump into the pictures of this book and run around barefoot in a summer dress.

~The Rebecca Review

I love architecture and interior design and am currently in the process of designing a home thirty miles south of Cancun. In working with an architect from France and the relevant language issues (French, Spanish and English) I needed a starting point to state my ideas of what I wanted to design. I have many other books such as Casa California but needed something with specific architecture in the Yucatan Peninsula.

After our original drawings I bought this book. My architect laughed at our next visit as he had the same book with much more wear on it. His other clients had been using it to describe thoughts and just referring to page numbers. In my case our ideas were established prior to discovering this book. But the book allowed me to visualize many of the ideas incorporated by our architect. The pictures are beautiful and the author does a great job providing a historical perspective on the styles. My architect said it is worth planning a trip to view many of the homes in the book and I hope to do so in the future. My compliments to the author for successfully capturing the culture of this unique area of Mexico.

In the next year I hope to buy authentic Mexican furniture. I have heard in Guadalajara there are places to buy this furniture prior to massive mark-ups through distribution. Please email me if you know of any ideas on where I should consider shopping and also if there are internet sites to view, [...].

This book, and the other mystery books by Robert Newman, are great reads. They are well written and interesting. They don't have too high vocabulary for kids, but they are still interesting and have enough plot to satisfy anybody who enjoys mysteries.

I first read this book 17 years ago...when I was in 6th grade. It is one of 2 books I can remember reading during elementary school; it made that much of an impact. The perfect mystery, and a good introduction to the Sherlock Holmes character for younger readers. A great light read for adults also. Suggested for all any child ages 11 and up...

I love this book! It's perfect for smart 10-11 yearolds-that's when I read it. It's a good beginner Sherlock Holmes, but not like a "My First Sherlock Holmes" book. THIS IS A GREAT BOOK! Andrew Craigie thinks somthing's up when he discovers that his gaurdian is kidnapped. Then someone attempts to kidnapp him! THe case then goes to the great Sherlock Holmes! Take my word for it, this is a great book.

I really love good books, especially mysteries. My favorite male characters are Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Poiroit, Brother Cadfael, and, of course, Andrew Craigie/Tillet. Even an adult can read this book and enjoy it. I'd recommend it to anyone, since it's clean, well-written and interesting. Use the little gray-cells, read this book.

I think that this book was a good introduction to children starting to read the Sherlock Holmes mysteries. It showed how he thought, and was a good children's book.

The poem is an old favorite. The illustrations fit the time of the work. My 5- and 3- year olds enjoyed it as well.

Casey at the Bat tells about mighty Casey and his missing 2 strikes - like messing up in life.

This is by far the best rendition/publication of this poem that I've ever seen. The combination of the real-life looking people, but have their legs look like pencils, is quite humerous. Our particular favorite is the smoke coming from Casey's ears when he has struck out twice. The pictures in this book greatly enhance the story. Especially when Casey is standing there examining his fingernails on the first strike. Pretty cute and funny stuff.

Grab this book for all the young ball players you know - it really tells a nice tale of always doing your best, no matter how good you get at whatever you do. It made my little guy pretty sad to read this book/poem, but it definitely opens the door to emphasizing the importance of always doing your best. Highly recommend!

Thayer's classic ballad, `Casey at the Bat,' is greatly enhanced by Patricia Polacco's brilliantly achieved, big-hearted illustrations. Ms. Polacco captures emotion, action, and character through wittily exaggerated, slightly loopy pictures, and through lots of uncrowded background shenanigans. It's very cinematic: She effectively isolates action through extreme close-ups, and extends time through a montage of events occurring within a single picture. Like the auteur she is, she even adds some opening and closing story elements (while leaving the poem intact) that augment the poem's appeal to the younger reader.

This book is simply great fun to read aloud; you'll find yourself wanting to memorize its evocative imagery and epic aspirations:

"Ten thousand eyes were on him as he rubbed his hands with dirt; Five thousand tongue applauded when he wiped them on his shirt. Then while the writhing pitcher ground the ball into his hip, Defiance flashed in Casey's eye, a sneer curled Casey's lip."

You and your youngsters will love the humor and the drama in this a classic rendition of Thayer's beloved poem. Infants and toddlers will enjoy the bright pictures, and all readers will appreciate the perfect teaming of Thayer and Polacco.

I thought this was a wonderful book. I enjoyed Thayers use of poetry to exrpress the emotion in the story. The language used in the text is of very high quality and when read by an adult to a child, the child is able to thourghly understand. The illustrations play an important role with the text. They not only enrich the text, but they tell a story in itself. We can feel the emotion of the players and the crowd through Polacco's work. Overall I thought this was a wonderful book and reccomend it to a child of any age.

I love all the books by Debbie Bliss. Lots of patterns and Ideas. If you love her yarn you will love the books too.

Another great Debbie Bliss book...Some really beautiful patterns in this book...Just remember that the end results will come out lots bigger than you think...Very generous sizing...

I just counted, I have 7 books by Debbie Bliss. That is probably why I found this book to be a bit less enchanting than I had expected it to be.

I like her books - enjoy the layout and can always understand the instructions. However, within the body of her work, this set of designs just seemed a little too similar to some in her other books for me to get excited. As a stand alone book, it has charming styles.

I still give it a 4 for good instructions, photography and cute styles.

Bliss designed a great variety of styles, all attractive and all, sadly, only in children's sizing (many would make truly lovely adult sweaters). Difficulty level is not high -- some are fairly simple to make and the others are well worth the effort. Some are rugged sweaters, others decorative. Sweaters for boys and girls, too. The photography is nice and instructions are clear. Really a fabulous book.

....and I mean it. This one is really good. Like many other knitters I have been burned by Bliss' designs often. Her designs do tend to repeat themselves from collection to collection and the pictures, while cute, never show the designs properly. Well, this collection has b&w pictures of the items next to the instructions after the color pictures which are huddled in the front of the book. (I'm talking about a hardcover copy and am assuming that the paperback is identical). The designs are charming and definitely classics. I am buying my own paperback copy and finally returning my library copy. I also recommend the book Knits for Kids by Lena Stengard. This one is a keeper

God, I love these short stories. These are a must, must read for anyone interested in France during this time period, and someone interested in the nuances of human relationships. Colette was given as a gift to me some 20 years ago, and I have reread these stories so many times, the book is falling apart.

Her short stories are superb! Much much better than any of her novels. If you like short stories, try reading John O'hara (A completely different vein, but excellent also).

The Collected Stories of Colette by Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette, ed., and with an introduction by, Robert Phelps. Highly recommended.

According to the introduction, this collection represents 100 stories taken from a dozen volumes published during Colette's lifetime. They are categorised as "Early Stories," Backstage at the Music Hall," "Varieties of Human Nature," and "Love." Some, like the Clouk/Chéri stories, appear to be fiction, while many, like "The Rainy Moon" and "Bella-Vista," seem to be taken straight from Colette's varied life and acquaintances.

Whether writing fiction or chronicling fact, whether writing in the third-person omniscient or in the first person, Colette herself is always a character-rarely as an influencer, that is, one whose actions or choices drive the plot. Colette's preferred role is as observer-and it is one for which she is well suited.

An inveterate sensualist and a former music-hall performer, Colette integrates her characters (real and fictional) with everything around them-their clothes (costumes), their abodes, dressing rooms, and haunts (sets), and their neighborhoods and towns (theatres). Much of Colette's writing, no matter how mundane the surface subject, is about art-the art of living and, notably, the art of loving. In "My Goddaughter," the subject tells her godmother how she injured herself with scissors and a curling iron and recounts her mother's reaction. "She said that I had ruined her daughter for her! She said, 'What have you done with my beautiful hair which I tended so patiently? . . . And that cheek, who gave you permission to spoil it! . . . I've taken years, I've spent my days and nights, trembling over this masterpiece. . . ."

Colette is attuned to everything, every sense, every nuance. "A faint fragrance did indeed bring to my nostrils the memory of various scents which are at their strongest in autumn." ("Gibriche") ". . . set in a bracelet, which slithered between her fingers like a cold and supple snake." ("The Bracelet") " . . . the supper of rare fruits, an[d]of ice water sparkling in the thin glasses, as intoxicating as champagne . . ." ("Florie") "Peroxided hair, light-colored eyes, white teeth, something about her of an appetizing but slightly vulgar young washerwoman." ("Gitanette")

Colette does not pretend to be an objective observer of human behaviour; she does not hesitate to express to the reader her weariness with certain individuals or situations, and her stories of her vain, pretentious, overbearing friend Valentine reveal her jaded and waning affection. She knows this woman so well that she sees her almost as Valentine sees herself-a drama queen acting out stories, roles, and games without depth of feeling for them. "What Must We Look Like?" becomes Valentine's driving philosophy, to which Colette responds with "a mild, a kindly pity." In "The Hard Worker," Colette says, "I can see she does not hate him, but I cannot see she loves him either." What Colette sees-and does not see-is to be respected.

Some stories, such as "The Sick Child," are vivid and imaginative and reveal Colette's amazing ability to think and dream like a gifted child. "The Advice," with its mundane beginning and premise and twisted, horrifying ending would enhance any collection of gothic or mystery tales. Other stories, like "Gibriche," several of the other music-hall stories, and "Bella-Vista," tackle topics that even today remain controversial. "Bella-Vista," in which Colette's moods seem to wane with every familiarity achieved with her hostesses, offers an ending that is heavily foreshadowed throughout but is surprising and gruesome nonetheless.

Most of the stories, whether fiction or nonfiction, seem to come from life in one way or another. The quantity of stories and the quality of the collection reveal the incredible scope of experience of Colette, the dry, often weary yet obsessive observer, interpreter, and chronicler of human nature. As Judith Thurman says in her introduction to Colette's work, The Pure and the Impure, "This great ode to emptiness was written by a woman who felt full." As well she should.

Diane L. Schirf, 27 May 2003.

If you're looking for a refreshing deviation from the mean of women writers, then Colette is it. Her stories offer a pleasurable clearing of the literary palate.

Ok. You've read the Claudine novels, and Cheri and the Return of Cheri. Now what? There are other novels (The Vagabond, Gigi, My Mother's House) but there are these short stories that are "must-reads."

Colette was one of France's most distinguished writers. Though not a writer of massive books like Victor Hugo or Proust, or of psychological novels like Zola or Flaubert, she caught that French essence of individuality and quirkiness and the golden age of La Belle Epoque before World War One changed France forever. Her books are pure joy as are these short stories. If you have NOT read Colette, you are in for a treat. (And don't neglect Claudine or Cheri. )

This is our 2nd copy of the book as the old one was getting worn and tired through overuse!

If you're new to cooking we thoroughly recommend this book. Delia guides you through each and every step so, if you pay attention and follow, you will be rewarded with a good and tasty recipe.

If you're an old hand at cooking you'll love it too. It's a 'must' for every cook!

Cooking is something I have always wanted to know how to do better, but could never find an appropriate resource to show me the way. I bought this massive book in a London bookshop, and have been using it frequently ever since. While some of the terminology uses "British" english as opposed to "American", which may have some of us running to the grocer to find out just exactly what that strange vegetable she is referring to is, the book is overwhelmingly useful and informative. Like the title says, it is a complete cookery course, and you learn more about the uses and methods of the various utensils and cookware than in any other cookbook I have seen. Granted, if you buy all of it, you need a bigger kitchen than I have just to store the pots and pans. Regardless, it's a fun as well as informative read, with practically everything you can imagine ever wanting to cook between its pages.

This is an excellent guide for any newly wed ,or person just beginning in the kitchen.All the info is exact and precise with foolproof tried and tested recipes.A great first basic book.It gives you confidence to carry on.
Lots of old favouties and traditional flavors with new stuff too.
Most helpful!!

A wonderful book that is very simple for the non-cook to use as well as the advanced cook.

Well researched, easy to use, perfect for the the seasoned cook or novice alike. She even advices you on what to buy in the way of cookware, a big boon to many a wedding list!
It is a touch evangelical, Delia is always prone to giving you advice like a stern School Marm (so it feels like something you have to do rather than might do!) and this is reflected in her slighty dry, bossy and occasionalyy dreary writing, think cooking with a St Trinian's Head mistress if you have never seen Delia on TV. But I have to hand it to her, if you follow her recipes to the letter YOU WILL NOT GO WRONG!
Just curtail the cookware shopping list or do as she says and get a MUCH bigger Kitchen!

Get ready to get into shape, and far beyond... if you can keep up with it.
A must read for anyone truly going to BUD/S.

I'm a Corrections Officer and was needing to get into shape in a bad way when i started i would do 150 push and sit ups in a work out with a max pull ups of 3. since i started i moved up to 333 push ups and sit ups and 8. i havent even been able to follow it as good as i would like because of time restraints. this book is just damn good for anyone who wants to get in the best shape the can.

This book is a must-have not only for those preparing to join the Navy SEALs but anyone considering joining the Special Operations community in general. It gives detailed safe routines to get you from sedentary to fit and prepared for the rigors of BUD/S or any other indoc program. It also contains information on stretches, and lots of practical information from the SEAL application process through what to expect at each step of BUD/S.

I've read over this book and I love it. Unlike other Navy Seals book, it doesn't insult you. It encourages you to try out new stuff and to keep doing them. I personally love the section about swimming. I've been swimming sidestroke and freestyle for quite a while in preparations for my 5k run-swim-run this summer. I also plan to do a 13.1 miles run while will help out greatly. I really want to try the rope climbing exercise. However, I'm having trouble locating a rope to climb. I saw some ropes at Little Creek but I don't know if people can just use them whenever.

Overall, the book is very neat. It shows you pictures and instructions on how to do the proper sets. The book even has a "plan" in the back. It goes over everything from stretches, pushups, pull ups, swimming, running, and rope climbing. It's all very clear and very good.

I personally don't know if this book will prepare you for actual training for special operations. I do know that they are fun to do and the author is fairly nice about it. He doesn't insult you and he goes about to encourage you by knowing that not everyone who reads the book will be "SEAL material."

Another book I recommend is U.S. Navy SEAL Guide to Fitness and Nutrition by U.S. Navy. It's very informative and it breaks into two sections: fitness and nutritional advice.

This is perhaps the finest workout manual ever produced. I always have liked the idea of using callesthenics to get in shape beacause not only is it a little safer than weightlifting, but it can be done anywhere with no expensive gym membership or equipment. Before I would use the CJ CArracci dvd's, which dont get me wrong are an excellent workout too. But this is so much more complete. He breaks it down to 12 weekly workouts, that are different everyday and change weekly, progressively getting harder while switching things up to keep the workout fresh. There's swimming, running workouts, military callesthenics, and so much more. I have never been in this good of shape before. I can swim over a mile a day, jog for 5-6 miles at a time, and do pushups all day! Factor in that this book comes with a dvd to demo the excercises all for 13 bucks, and you will have the greatest tool in any workout arsenal.

If you're looking to learn about Nazi Germany this book is a great introduction. Clear and easy to read without being dumbed down. Treats the subject very thoroughly, for example starting with German history in the 1800s and relating how this helped lead to the Nazis. A lot of information is covered but the treatment is lively and not dry. For the non-expert, this is highly recommended.

this is an excellent introduction to nazi germany for the novice. there are so many books on the subject that someone who wants to start learning this can be overwhelmed. well, you don't need to be! start here! this book starts off as to how germany became a country and little wars here and there. next, it carries you into world war one. then, you really get into the nazi germany information. the book carries you into world war 2 and to the downfall of the nazis. finally, it closes with the nurenberg trials. these chapters and in manageable chunks. there, you'll get a basic, overall theme of the beginnings of germany and nazi germany. plus, you get maps! unlike the idiots guide to world war 1, which is another excellent overview of that war. that is recommended as well.

Excellent and fair treatment. Shows how Hitler persecuted, imprisoned, tortured and killed not only Jews, but also Christians.

Hitler despised Christianity and Christian morals--far preferring the warlike Islam, Japan's emperor worship, and pre-Christian germanic paganism. Although he himself did not believe in any religion, he wished to utilize religion in his pograms and even tried to create a new cult with himself as the object of worship.

Atheist/Socialist/Humanist/Darwinist leaders were responsible for more deaths during the past century than all of the so-called "religious wars" of all previous centuries combined.

This is a very complete summary for anyone interested in pursuing a study in Nazi Germany. It covers a lot of ground with a small number of pages. Important dates and events are all summarized as well as major characters in history. The only problem with this book is that the levels of detail regarding really important scenes in history are only touched on briefly. However, this is understandable since the author had to cover numerous events with a small number of pages. The book serves as a solid work that gives you a complete but general idea as to what happened in Nazi Germany. Serious historians or readers are encouraged to pick up books and other references that focus on specific aspects of history mentioned briefly here. You will know after reading this book whether or not you would like to pursue your studies in this field and what specific areas you may want to focus your studies on.

This book pulls no punches in explaining the rise of Nazism, exploring German history in a compelling way. This author has no axes to grind. This is must reading for anyone who wants to understand the way Adolf Hitler and National Socialism came to power. You know the old saying -- about those who don't understand history being doomed to repeat it.

In this examination of sexual violence used as tool of patriarchy and colonialism in Native American Indian communities, both historically and presently, Andrea Smith leaves no stone unturned.

She spares neither governments for their racist and harmful policies regarding indigenous peoples and the lands they live on, nor feminists and activists for their sometimes racist views and short-sightedness in their zeal to promote and protect their own respective interests. This is a rare treat to have such a carefully researched analysis made accessible in this book, from an academic and activist who is herself a Native American Indian.

Her thorough analysis of Native American Indian women being adversely affected by government policies still tainted by colonialist mentality--such as through nuclear testing on or near Native American Indian reservations by our government, or being used as guinea pigs by pharmaceutical companies testing new drugs, sends one, very clear message: Native American Indians are considered expendable by our government. Reproductive health problems, babies born with health problems, and poor access to health care (often substandard) are only a few issues these women pay dearly for as a result of unfair governmental policies. The police brutality occuring on reservations, or against Native American Indians in general living outside their communities that she researched,is unspeakable. And heartbreaking. It is a shame to have to realize these abuses are happening in the 21st century.

Smith also brings to light the attitudes of other governments, such as Canada and Peru (as well as NATO) toward their own indigenous people: the prevailing consensus is that they are all expendable. Ravish them, sterilize them, use them as subjects without informed consent in medical experiments and new drug testing, rape their land for others' profit, assimilate their children into mainstream society to civilize them by removing them from their families and into boarding schools, take away their rights and dignity, imitate aspects of their culture in the form of New Age spiritualism--or pornography, to save it from extinction...will anyone really notice?

She balances the unpleasant facts with thoughtful suggestions to solve, or at least alleviate, the many abuses and iniquities that the Native American Indian community has suffered for so long. And she provides a resource guide at the end of her book.

This book was at times uncomfortable to read due to the nature of the subject: sexual violence and the injustices inflicted upon Native American women, and their kin in general. But overall, I was excited to read this for its historical, academic, activist, and feminist perspectives; my knowledge of Native American Indians had been stale since before the end of my high school years. Highly recommended!

This is an extremely informative book; all those dreadful (and politicized) things one hears about the abuse of indigenous peoples' sexuality -- it's even worse than that, and this this book is an articulation of all that. A must-read for those who are interested in correcting the ills of history and the present, in order to be achieving a wholesome society for everyone.

Smith delivers a searing critique of mainstream feminism on behalf of one of the world's most oppressed peoples.

The first few chapters present the tragedies that America(as well as Canada, etc..) has committed on Native Americans, and while devastating it is real interesting to read about the boarding schools, sterilization, drug experiments, land taken thru treaties, etc...and abuse that Native Americans recieved from the government. I didn't even know about all the issues that Andrea Smith discusses -but I do know. I loved the first few chapters better then the rest!

Smith's groundbreaking book should be required reading for all rape crisis advocates in North America. Not only does she provide a scholarly examination of the link between colonial genocide and sexual violence, Smith also provides context for contemporary activism and solutions. Forget everything you thought you knew about rape and sexual abuse and be prepared to re-think what it means to be a feminist and advocate. Smith's eloquence and thoughtfulness make reading this text an ideal starting point for dialogue in both academia and grassroots organizations. You will learn about how historical events continue to have an impact today and how the mainstream (white) rape crisis movement has fallen short of providing comprehensive analysis of sexual violence.