Smith Books

Punk is an art and Winston displays it as it is

Punk is an art and Winston displays it as it is

Winston's work to me is so amazingly awesome that I can not define how great the book is. Check it out for yourself and you will understand

Winston Smith takes retro drawings and paintings from thee original picture, and turns them into collages. Thee collages are intended to inform and amuse you. In thee opinion of me, Winston does with pictures what people like William S. Burroughs and Jello Biafra have done with words. Most of these pictures are very funny and very thought provoking. This book also makes for a great conversational piece for your coffee table or whatever. Also included are album covers he has done for Dead Kennedys, Green Day, Tijuana No! etc.. There is a four page pull-out of the banner for Tijuana No! and a two page pull-out for the cover to Dead Kennedys' album Bedtime for Democracy which you can find in thee music section of this site. I reccomend this book not only for punk rockers but for free thinkers of all shapes and sizes. There is so much to look at in one picture you can read this one again and again.

An excellent reference book concerning the work of Albert Paley. This book really drives at the esence of the sculptor's medium. Many fine examples of the artist's work are illustrated in black and white as well as full color pictures. This book does a great job of representing the scale of Paley's later public sculpture pieces and is a must have for any artist blacksmith.

One of the most inspirational metal artist's of the century. Very complete in it's cataloging.

Makes you want to go out and pound steel.

A great catalog of Albert Paley's work from his jewerly to his gates. Very detailed bio and great pictures. What an incredible American craftsman.

This is the only book that I've come across that presents the full spectrum of Albert Paley's work in crisp B/W and color photographs and that details a biography of the artist. My introduction to Paley came unexpectedly when at a function in the Wortham Center (Houston) I was greeted by his soaring Stairway Scuptures, which are included in this book. Paley goes beyond creating sculptures that stand as isolated works of art. His scuptures enhance the spaces in which they are placed and are themselves enhanced by those spaces. The author does a superb job of describing the experience of entering a vast architectural volume and the impact that Paley's monumental sculptures have by their positions within it. This book is the next best thing to having that experience for oneself. If you love Gaudi and other artists of the Art Nouveau movement, you will thoroughly enjoy this book.

This book was wonderful, especially in regard to understanding how children and adults with autism see the world. It is a great resource for teachers and professionals who are programming for these children. Excellent

Groundbreaking book for the layperson and professional alike. Defines and outlines the characteristics of the syndrome also referred to as Higher-functioning Autistic Disorder. The book provides a professional synopsis of Aspergers and its profound effect upon the lives of those living and dealing with it.

This is a groundbreaking book for the layperson and professional alike which outlines the characteristics of the syndrome also referred to as Higher-functioning Autistic Disorder. The book provides a professional synopsis of Aspergers and its profound effect upon the lives of those living and dealing with it.

Well written and widely focused, this book touches on all aspects of the disorder. On a personal level, families of several individuals who have Aspergers provide poignant insights into the day to day struggle with the disorder through their stories and anecdotes. On the intervention side, stratagies for helping enhance the learning of elementary and secondary students at home and in school are discussed. Definately geared towards the diversified needs of the child.

The book provided an easy understanding of asperger syndrome and its characteristics.

Have you ever had a crazy relative who left a bizarre will? Sophronia Tewksbury was a manipulative old bat and left her relatives with a mind boggling one. The entailed estate went to one nephew, various lesser jewels were given to others but her diamonds were to be buried with her. Outrage is the best description of their reaction to that news. Scheming sister Marcia, estate poor cousin Jonathon, marriage minded nephew Gabriel and ward Luane are all determined to get their hands on the necklace. But Marcia's neglected daughter Claudia just wants a few small adventures before heading back to her dreary life in Devonshire as the governess to her Uncle's bratty boys. Coexecutors of the will Sir Hillary Thoreau and Sophie's solicitor Mr. Fletcher will have their hands full trying to guard the grave, sort out the family squabbles and maybe, for Sir Hillary, find a little romance before all is sorted out.

Joan Smith does wicked, witty trad regencies better than about anyone else. And with Claudia and Hillary she has her usual cutting comedy. Very little gets past either one and both have delicious senses of humor. Sir Hillary comes upon Cousin Jonathon trying to propose to Claudia and decides to give lessons.


"Shall I show you how?" Sir Hillary asked. "Standing will do for a rehearsal, though in a real offer kneeling is all the crack. You take the lady's right hand---so. You had her left hand, Jonathon, the one with the emerald--didn't you notice? Next you assume a suitably ardent expression--a mixture of hope, love and eagerness with something of eternal devotion thrown in if you can manage it, but still firm and manly. Humility has no part in this particular expression. That will come later after she has accepted. I think the facial expression really half the battle. When my time comes I shall think of a particular trout that has eluded me these several seasons and imagine I am about to land him"

The secondary characters, especially Sophie's long suffering companion Miss Bliss and Marcia's upstart romantic suitor, are great and you get the regency feel but set in the countryside, so no tiresome trips to Almacks or harping on only two dances per gentleman per night. This one was delightful.

This book may be the best in Joan Smith's Regency Romance series. Her books are known for their witty, clever dialogue and their touch of suspense. This one has all those characteristics and more. This is one I will not part with and have read a least five times.

I found a copy of this in a used book store. Joan Smith is (was - nothing new has been published by her in years) one of my very favorite Regency romance writers. The dialogue in her novels, especially this one, is always delightfully witty. All her characters are fleshed out people (not just the main characters) with both good and bad traits. A very suitable heir to Georgette Heyer.

"Little" Claudia has been hidden away and neglected by her mother her whole life because her mother, an acredited beauty, does not want the fashionable world to figure out how old she really is. So Claudia has been living with an Uncle and his wife, very pious folks who only allow the Bible and John Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress" to be read in their home.

When Aunt Sophie is dying, Claudia's mother drags her daughter to her Aunt's bedside and funeral in hopes that Aunt Sophie will have left something to Claudia, perhaps some of her famous jewels (which her mother will appropriate since Claudia has no need for jewels). However, upon arriving at Aunt Sophie's home, they find that Aunt Sophie has written the strangest will in England.

Sir Hillary, a confirmed bachelor and neighbor of Aunt Sophie, is named the executor of the will. Although initially as condescending to Claudia as he is to her mother, he soon discovers that Claudia has a deliciously satirical wit, a taste for outrageous adventure, plus she is also an unbeatable chess player, a rare treasure in a woman.

I also recommend "Gather Ye Rosebuds" by the same author. Both novels have heros who start as snobs and learn to become less snobby and better men under the influence of intelligent and witty heroines who are lower than them in social rank. In that respect, there is something of Darcy in "Pride and Prejudice" in both these novels.

Claudia's Aunt Sophia raised cane when she settled into the ground---taking her diamonds with her, a final act of revenge. Claudia could care less. She never knew the obnoxious aunt while she was alive. But when Sir Hillary Thoreau, an ex-comrade of her Aunt Sophie, started following Claudia about, she needed reveal where his persistant interests aimed--for Claudia or Aunt Sophie's Diamonds.

Witty, adventurous, true-to-life characters. This easy story read is terrific, especially if you are a fan of Joan Smith's novels.

This is a good book with a great story line and mechanics. It is so short that my son finished it in a couple hours.

"My magic is training.. My strength is adaptability.. My enemy is carelessness.. My strategy is one foot in front of the other.." This is part of the Ninja litany, etched into your mind if you are lucky enough to defeat the opening character, who sets the scene for these Way of the Tiger books. They have the usual ingredients: magic, monsters, Ninja tricks and the most horrific and engaging death scenes, that will have you flicking to the 'eye' illustrations, which mark an unfortunate end (of which, thankfully, there are many) whenever you make a wrong turn in this exciting, engaging "magical world of Orb". But more than that, these books have heart and depth. You can see that the author's have spent countless hours pouring over the plot and creating an imaginary land that stays with me still. A fond reminder of a moment in my childhood, when I'd disappear into these books and take on the adventures of the orphan, a highly trained assassin on a quest for revenge. As if the text wasn't enough, you have it set against the amazing artwork of Bob Harvey, who became on of my favourite illustrators, even though I have never seen his work outside these books.

I read "The Way of the Tiger" series as a kid... it was one of the most exciting, unbelievably inspiring and moving (!) reading experiences I have had, then or now... and I'm comparing to stuff such as the works of Victor Hugo, Ayn Rand etc.

I still remember reading this book back when I was a kid. I must have read it a dozen times and each time it was a different experience. I have never read anything like it. Truely a classic for young adults and for fans of the art of Ninjitsu.

I love Kate Chopin and the stories were great...the condition of the book was not bad either...

Like far too many, I was first introduced to Chopin in college. As an educator, I find Chopin's work to be timeless. Chopin speaks to contemporay society--and especially American society--in ways that few authors can and do. I use "The Awakening," as one of the cornerstones (yes; one may have more than one cornerstone) of my literature class--a class that relies on trade publications rather than anthologies and "typical" textbooks for reading material. One of the unexpected rewards I have experienced while teaching this novel is that male students, generally speaking, truly enjoy the work. Given its content and storyline, one might expect the opposite to be true. Nonetheless, the novel speaks to readers of all ages and genders. I believe that virtually ANYONE will identify with the characters Chopin brings to life in "The Awakening." Not only is it the story of a woman in search of her identity--arguably, a rather Maslowian tale of ! "self-actualization"--it is the story of the human condition.

Additionally, given the story of Chopin's life, the book takes on even greater significance (sorry, but you'll have to read the book to understand why I feel this to be so).

This book is a MUST read for all who seek to dispell the myth of "June Cleaver." (Ya, I know I am not suposed to say that but this is one VERY cool book--a book that EVERYONE should read.)

Besides, "The Awakening" itself is short enough and compelling enough that one will finish it in a matter of a few evenings. That the Penguin version also contains Chopin's EXCELLENT short stories, and a good deal of equally excellent biographical and critical writing regarding the author and her works makes grabbing a copy for one's personal library a must-do.

(Buy the book.) =)

In "The Awakening", a woman rejects the drudgery of her life and decides to live selfishly, for once. Kate Chopin captivates her readers with a story of transformation and growth, and writes with clarity and ease. Perhaps most enjoyable about "The Awakening" and Kate Chopin's short stories is the vivid New Orleans setting. Chopin pays attention to the charms of Louisiana in this novel--Creole cooking and language, Southern black and French mannerisms of the time--not limiting herself by focusing on members of the elite. Definitely worth checking out!

The author, Kate Chopin, began to write when she was age thirty six. She had a ten year productive career the introduction by Nina Baym discloses. She died at age fifty three. Her work went out of print to be revived in the early 1960's. She wrote two novels and close to one hundred stories following the death of her husband and her mother.

Women, including Kate Chopin, writing after the Civil War turned to regionalism. By 1893 railroads had wrought a tremendous change. Regional writing, as the introduction points out, is tourism of the imagination. The stories are short and skilfully done. Even the use of dialect for the Cajun and Creole speakers is not off-putting. The stories have a wonderful stripped down to the essence quality. One is reminded of Chekhov.

In THE AWAKENING it is noted that the summer colony staying at the Lebrun cottages are almost entirely Creole. An exception is Edna Pontellier. She came from old Presbyterian Kentucky stock. Even as a child Edna tended to live in her own world. She feels a sense a of exaltation when she learns to swim. She has children, a husband, and becomes infatuated with a young friend, Robert Lebrun. Later Robert leaves to go to Mexico. Returning to New Orleans, Edna spends time with the people she has met at Grand Isles. Her husband is caught up in his household furnishings. When she decides to leave to live by herself in a smaller house, he prudently closes their large marital house to avoid gossip. Her absolute disregard for her duties as a wife shocks her husband. Her doctor can find no trace of the morbid condition ascribed to her. Robert Lebrun returns. He shows reserve. Leonce her husband and her children are part of Edna's life. She yields to the water of the gulf.

Kate Chopin was a writer of major achievement. One regrets, as outlined in the introduction, that there were no literary works produced by her in the last five years of her life. She was discouraged by the critical and moralistic response to her masterpiece, THE AWAKENING.

This book is a true classic and a MUST for anyone interested in antiques or interior design. We were very fortunate to first be introduced to Vervoordt at the 1984 Paris Biennale des Antiquaires where his booth, displaying Ming porcelain lost in 1645 in the South China Sea and recently recovered, was the sensation of the Salon. All of that massed blue-and-white in a large booth at the center of the Grand Palais drew lots of attention to the 37-year old Vervoordt and his subsequent success allowed him to restore a magnificent Belgian chateau over the next four years for use as both home and gallery. Much of this book is photographed in his home/gallery chateau.

This book provides a superb overview of his aesthetic, one which can incorporate a huge Anish Kapoor sculpture (perhaps circa 1995) with ancient stone Thai carvings, gorgeous Renaissance bronzes and wonderful European furniture. Think Rose Tarlow on steroids. The photography is excellent, almost all color, many full-page, and the scale of the book is appropriately large.

If the eclecticism of a Cy Twombly (a contemporary abstract painter) displayed in a warm wood interior appropriate for 17th C. Amsterdam sounds intriguing, he may be on your wave length. The array of tasteful objects beautifully presented is a key feature of the book. His collection (all of which is always for sale) will no doubt include some superb items which you have really never looked at before; when you read about the object, you may reconsider. His enthusiasm is contagious.

Those primarily interested in interior design may find his new book "Axel Vervoordt: Timeless Interiors" more interesting because it shows some twenty homes he has done for clients. But if you only want one book on Vervoordt and if you can afford this out-of-print text, I'd go with the Meredith Etherington-Smith volume.

Axel Vervoordt is an artist in his own right. A designer and collector of art from all periods of history, he presents here the work of his life's vision - creating spaces where all of the arts from all cultures and timeframes meld into subtle, elegant, harmonious and extraordinarily beautiful spaces.

Vervoordt's keen eye for excellence demonstrates how architectural features of a building/living space are enhanced by a combination of art objects, drawings, paintings, murals, artifacts and bits of nature. The results are page after stunning page of thoughtful, quiet splendor. Mixed with commentary from Vervoordt (with written statements by Meredith Etherington-Smith) and exceptional photography by Laziz Hamani this book goes far beyond the borders of volumes about design. This is a bold and inspiring homage to Style. Highly Recommended. Grady Harp, December 05

Five stars are not enough! I have savored every word of this gorgeous book. The philosophy of this remarkable man is truly inspiring--his work is very personal, and seeing it and reading about it are a privilege. Anyone interested in interior design, antiques, or art would benefit from owning a copy of this outstanding, intelligent work.

Every once in a great while a person enters this world who truly makes a difference. Axel is such a person - generous, brilliant, cultured and admired. He works very hard and has endless passion for life and for the joys of his life. This book is a glimpse into what Axel does, into what he lives for. As you read this book and marvel at what heights of artistry, inspiration, then continue on to Axel's web site, at axel-vervoordt.com. You might even be moved to travel to s'Gravenwezel, northeast of Antwerpen, and visit the world he is building there since the mid 60's. It's a wonderful book about a wonderful person.

I found this book to be an essential starting point for new parents. I have given it for several baby shower gifts and all of them have raved about it.

The Baby Guide is a wonderful book for anyone who needs baby information. And if you're a new parent or an expecting parent, you need baby information! One of the best features of the book are the 800 numbers and web site addresses of hundreds of companies and organizations. If you want to order products, catalogs, or find information, this is the only reference book you'll need. In addition, the book provides helpful advice from experts and "real-world" experts: parents who have the benefit of experience. Advice is provided on topics ranging from preconception preparation to postpartum depression. The Baby Guide is truly "your total resource for pregnancy, birth and beyond!"

This new approach was worth the ten bucks. It includes hundreds of resources for preparing for the baby. You need a good pregnancy guide, too, but this book covers new ground that I haven't seen in all the other books I've read about pregnancy and babies!

This is my first pregnancy and my husband and I have read just about every book out there. We love this book because it gives you more than just the facts - you get incredible life stories, tons of information on baby products, and coupons to save you some money. This book understands that pregnancy is more than just facts, it is an emotional journey. Finally, this book is a great buy - I'll be giving it as a gift at every baby shower I go to!

I was so pleased with the overall appearance of this book that I didn't even make it to the house to read it. I sat down at the picnic table and scanned it cover to cover! Backyard Fruits and Berries is helping me to identify and care for fruit trees and berries on a newly aquired property where the gardens have been neglected for years. The photos and illustrations are superb and the author instructs the reader how to make and use homemade organic products. This book is perfect for any beginner like myself. I even returned to purchase a second copy for my mother who already has basic knowledge. Thank you.

This book is well organized and pleasing to read. The encyclopedia section is very informative as to ease of care, suitability for containers, recommended varieties, etc. There is also a good section on pruning and training of trees, which is the scariest part of growing fruit, in my opinion! A very good primer for the beginner!

I bought this book as a gift but when I recieved it, I loved it so much that I wanted to keep it for my husband! Lots of information with pictures to help you with the various diseases fruit trees get. I would definately recommend this book.

I've bought a few other books on backyard orchards and have been disappointed. I found this book at the library and it's the best I've seen. The other books made pruning seem very intimidating so I've been putting it off. After reading this book, I feel like I'm ready to give it a try. It covers all the fruits that interest me, even oddballs like currants and persimmons. The book contains all the things a beginner needs to know such as solving pest problems (insect, disease and animal), how/where to plant, pruning and a number of other subjects. The chapters are arranged in a logical sequence and the book is very easy to read. The second half of the book is devoted to the different fruits. Fruits are arranged alphabetically and there is anywhere from one to four pages devoted to each one. Even though this may not sound like much, each page is nicely arranged and gives a wealth of information. I especially like the handy symbols on the outer edges of each fruit page. For example, one very handy symbol is "attention required". One gardening glove means it's easy to grow, two gloves means some attention is required, three means moderately difficult and four means the plant is demanding. I've had a rough time with my peach tree and sure enough, the book gives peaches four gloves (demanding). Wish I had read this book before I started planting my orchard. I plan to buy a copy of this book for use as a reference.

In this book, Vess has taken a number of classical and modern ballads, and filled in the visual story around them. The drawn narrative is a varied as the stories. Some pictures, like the whole-page birth scene, are entire stories in themselves. Not many people can put as much into black and white a Vess, as this book demonstrates.

I wish I could give this book five stars, but this isn't the greatest presentation of his work. His best work has a very delicate line. Maybe it was just the printing process, but this book came through in a coarser style. His black and white work is outstanding, but I like his color work too - this book was not able to show any of Vess' skill as a colorist.

These short stories fit nicely with Vess' renderings of operas and other long pieces. I recommend this book to anyone who already like his art. If you're a newcomer, though, other books give a better idea of why his work is so special.

I have loved Charles Vess' work since I first saw him do a Spider-Man/Wendigo story for Marvel in the 80's. Elegant linework accentuates the fantastical nature of these "ballads and sagas". This is a labor of love for the artist and it shows in every panel. I own the individual issues and wait with bated breath for further work by this extremely talented individual.

"Ballads" is the trade paperback collection of Vess' four-issue "Book of Ballads and Sagas" comic book. Writers include Neil Gaiman, Charles deLint, Jane Yolen, and Sharyn Crumb. The stories are all based upon songs such as "Twa Corbies," "Barbara Allen," and "Tam Lin." They are all exceptionally well-written, and the illustrations are beautiful, sensitively drawn pen and ink work by one of today's finest proponents of fantasy art. Mr. Vess' work has been compared to Arthur Rackham's, and believe me, he certainly doesn't suffer by the comparison. This book will be loved and treasured not just by afficionados of fantasy, but also by fans of folk music, and by all those who appreciate truly fine artwork.

Songs, obviously, have a musical component. Ballads, specifically, have more than just words; they have stories to tell as well. Now, thanks to Charles Vess, they have their visual side, too.

In his book Ballads, collected from earlier issues of his Book of Ballads and Sagas, Vess gives a new aspect to folk songs passed down through the ages. Visually stunning, his black and white illustrations expose the true faces of the heroes and villains of song.

Vess drew on the writing talents of writers Neil Gaiman, Jane Yolen, Charles de Lint, Midori Snyder, Sharyn McCrumb, Delia Sherman and Jeff Smith to give focus to the words, tightening the ballads into short story-length vignettes. Combined, their work is a wonderful way to re-expose yourself to the ballads. Anyone new to the folk song milieu will likely be inspired to track down some of the recordings listed in Ken Roseman's accompanying discography.

Ballads is a delightful collection, both for the text and the art which helps tell the story.