Watson Books

For many years I have searched for a book that would classify the entire range of thought of the great philosophers - that is, a sort of map that would define the scope of the philosophical terrain. This book does exactly that. In fact, Watson suggests that this scheme may be applied to any written work - including literature, poetry, etc.

Walter Watson expands on the work of philosopher Richard McKeon in classifying the thought systems created by the great philosophers. Watson's scheme identifies four 'variables' - Perspective, Reality (i.e. metaphysics), (epistemological) Method, and Principle. For each variable he identifies four possible values. He identifies:

- Personal, Objective, Diaphanic, and Disciplinary Perspectives

- Existential, Substrative, Noumenal, and Essential Realities

- Agonistic, Logistic, Dialectical, and Problematic Methods

- Creative, Elemental, Comprehensive, and Reflexive Principles

This method of classification is defended by numerous examples and quotes from a wide variety of philosophers. Finally, Watson relates the four variables and the four values of each variable to Aristotle's four causes.

Watson does not promote or disparage any of the classes. His writing is clear and descriptive, but not evaluative. If he has a bias, it certainly is not apparent in his writing.

After reading this book, I can also recommend you continue with the companion work "Philosophy in World Perspective" by David A. Dilworth (also available from Amazon.com). Dilworth applies Watson's scheme of classification to many of the world's great thinkers - including the pre-Socratic Greeks, Eastern philosophers, 20th-century thinkers, and the major world religions.

Watson's book is presumably targeted at professional philosophers. I did not have trouble understanding most of the material, although I am not a philosopher, nor have I had any formal education in the subject. Dilworth's book does assume that his reader also has read widely in philosophy and I found it necessary to supplement his book with reading of a dictionary of philosophy and religion.

This book is an excellent resource for those in the design business. Great details and sketches give information on how designs and special features of very famous places were achieved. This book has great visuals of all those extras that make each space unique. A must see!

John Follis is one of the founding fathers of Environmental Graphic Design, and this book is must reading for any nubie to the profession.

This book covers many recent representative skyscrapers from all over the world. It is filled with lots of beautiful photos and detailed drawings. The introduction text is terse and clear. An indispensible addition to any collection of skyscraper fans.

Arquitectura del Vacio is an extensive selection of the architectural works designed by Melvin Villarroel. The 239-page book presents twenty-seven of Mr. Villarroel's finest works understood through a wide array of pictures, photographs, drawings, renderings and sketchs, and easily communicated in Spanish and English. This book encapsulates twenty-five years of experience -- no other architectural "best works" comes close to its breadth, depth and lasting impact. Every page exhibits the natural elements that exist in perfect harmony with his designs. The descriptions of the golf resorts, luxury hotel resorts and harbor resorts are clear, thoughtful and marked by a strong philosophy that is unshakable and visionary. The book is every bit as ambitious as it is a great value. Mr. Villarroel's book is truly inspired, and I recommend it to any reader looking to understand sustainable architecture in all of its glory.

This book is a compilation of several of the masters of botannical illustrations -- and even has a few how-to pointers. I found the stories about the painters interesting the the color plates irresistable. If you seriously like botannical illustration, this one is an excellent addition to your collection

Normally I shy away from how-to art books. They tend to rely too much on gimmicky techniques, and the art sometimes seems to lack sincerity. This book, however, is filled with images of Strisik's small, beautiful oils and informative insights into his methods.

Strisik seems to prefer autumn and winter landscapes, but he travels extensively and captures scenes from around the world. There are many color plates that showcase his lovely muted-yet-rich palette. There are also many black-and-white photos, which is not a problem, since Strisik's tonal scale is so accomplished.

There are demonstrations with the paintings depicted in various stages of completion. I found the comparisons of photos of the painter's on-site locations with the finished painting to be especially revealing.

Strisik comes across as a master painter who is always searching, always striving, for the fullest expression of beauty in nature. Both serious and beginner landscape painters can benefit from this book.

I am an artist and a wine lover so this book is the best of both worlds for me! The book starts out with a brief history of labeling wine. Then it goes through different wines, describes the vineyard owners' ideas about their label and how the designers met their needs.

This is a beautiful book with a lot of intruction on art techniques, writing, and spiritual meditation through writing. Every other page has wonderful artwork including drawings and watercolors. It includes mini-exercises on art and on meditation. I loved it and it has helped me to re-ignite my writing and journaling. It's inspiring and helpful encouraging meditation and art. I love it!

This book is an excellent choice if you are looking for a more personal look at N.B.Forrest and less study of his battle stratgies.
To quote Capt. Morton from his book's introduction: "The difficulties of writing a history which shall treat fully of each of the myriad factors which make up the multiple of fate will be readily seen to be almost insuperable, and in this narrative not effort had been made to study, to weigh, the immumerable actions and influences which contributed to events; but tather has it been chosen to give a simple recital of those occurences in which the writer, a young officer in his teens, under this imcomparable commander was himself engaged. A close association with the remarkable being whose natural genius for the art of war astonished the world even in that period which has never been surpassed for the development of genius, and oft-exchanged reminiscences with old comrades around the bivouac fires and at reunions, have resulted in the hotting down of the author's experiences in the heroic companionship of the 'Wizard of the Saddle'".