Wood Books

I've just had a lovely visit with the flora, fauna and soul of the Northwoods of Wisconsin. I did not have to travel from my Pennsylvania home to do so. I only had to open this little jewel of a book and spend time with the very real and yet magical photos taken by the author, Trish Kirk, and read the inspirational quotes she chose to accompany them. This book is a perfect gift for those of us who respect "all God's creatures, great and small" and enjoy the beauty of nature in general. If I ever get to Wisconsin, this book will be how I share the experience with others.

Feeling stressed? Pick up this wonderful book and enjoy a superb photographic trip through nature's paradise with thoughtful, inspiring quotations to keep you company. Trish Kirk's love of nature's gifts shines through this gem.

of early science fiction. First published in 1930, Campbell provides mad mathmeticians, inventions on every page, and a swashbuckling career through the universe.

Islands of Space (1956) is the second novel in the Arcot, Wade and Morey series, following The Black Star Passes. Originally published in Amazing Stories in the 1930, these short stories were later republished in novel form as a Fantasy Press hardback. In the former volume, the team invents weapons and devices that contribute to the defeat of the Nigrans, but after the denizens of the black star retreat back to their home planets, they rediscover the secret of the beams that can rearrange planetary orbits.

In this novel, Arcot, Wade and Morey develop some new devices using the technology of the Nigrans and build another ship with advanced capabilities. Departing the Earth, they wait until crossing the orbit of Pluto before engaging the space strain drive to take the Ancient Mariner into hyperspace. After the initial test, they find themselves fairly near to the Sirius system and travel even closer.

In the Sirius system, they find the Nigrans already there readjusting the system. After taking observations of the changes, they take the Ancient Mariner onward at greater velocity and pass too close to a red giant. The resulting jar throws their gyros and drains power; their current orientation within the galaxy is problematical. Luckily, they relocate Sol and then move on, taking photographs of the surrounding stars at each stop.

Traveling through intergalactic space, they are gravitationally captured by a collapsed star. Though they manage to break free, the great shock renders them unconscious and the ship travels without guidance for some hours. They are lost in intergalactic space.

Restoring the Ancient Mariner to full operation, they select a galaxy close to their present course and then search therein for an advanced civilization having detailed intergalactic maps. The first star that they select goes nova centuries before they reach it. They find the remains of a city among the ice containing the frozen bodies of the inhabitants. Later they locate a central repository containing the works of the frozen race, select some elementary items to learn the language, and leave a pictorial/mathematical message about their presence and origin.

The team eventually locates two planets with intelligent inhabitants, but then become embroiled in an interplanetary war. One side -- Nansal -- drives them away and the other -- Sator -- tries to entrap them. Despite these hostilities, they make friends on Nansal and pass on information about their weapons and devices. In return, the Nansalians provide them with fuel, food and other supplies and determine the path back to Sol. One of the Nansalians returns with them to tour the Solar System.

This novel provides a greater perspective on the universe as a whole. The space between galaxies is very empty; all the numerous galaxies appear to be small fuzzy disks or just tiny dots, mere islands in a vast sea. Intergalactic space is a bad place in which to be lost, but this novel shows life on some planets within the galaxies. Of course, stars die and so can life on the surrounding planets. Hence life has to be defended from natural disasters and, occasionally, intruders from other planets.

Highly recommended for Campbell fans and for anyone else who enjoys exercising their sense of wonder.

-Arthur W. Jordin

If you are at all interested in Jack Nicklaus and can't, by time or distance, visit his museum in Columbus, Ohio (on the campus of Ohio State University), then this book will be a nice visual replacement. Well organized, this book follows Jack's entire career as well as his relationships with his teacher, Jack Grout, his parents Charlie and Helen Nicklaus and his wife Barbara. Especially nice are several pages of reproduced "mementos" in cellophaned envelopes for easy retrival and review.

I would recommend this book highly to all golfers who have any admiration for the Golden Bear.

It sounds "trite" and simple to say it, but this book is a "must" for those who love golf and admire the qualities Jack Nicklaus brought to the game, talent, work ethic, competitiveness, success, and class. The epitome of what the game is meant to be.

There are other, more indepth, books on Jack Nicklaus, but this one has it all, enough to appreciate the man, who is, what he stands for and his journey, a journey that has been a credit to the game of golf and has inspired many of us who have followed his career and the values and principles he has demonstrated so effectivly.

There are many replica mementos, a letter from Tiger Woods, copies of his scorecards, Masters invitations and such that give this book a nice touch, a nice feel. Overall it is a comprehensive keepsake album of Jack, his career and the game of golf in his day.

Simply put: "A must" for those who love golf and admire the Golden Bear.

Of the four books I read on the subject, this one was by far the best. It describes hikes that are "family friendly" as well as those which are more advanced and appropriate for hikers with experience in the high country. There are many hikes mentioned which are relatively unknown, and not on the popular "maintained" trails of the Tetons. Of the few which I had time to take, her directions were quite accurate. For someone visiting the Jackson Hole area who loves to hike, especially in the high country, this book is excellent.

The new edition (1999) of this book includes more hikes than before and covers the entire area surrounding Jackson. The descriptions and directions are easy to read and understand. The author also includes the elevation changes and difficulty of the hikes. I like this book because it covers a wide area and many popular and less popular hikes in and around Jackson Hole. The index also includes more place names and destinations than the table of contents, which is great. I recommend this book because, unlike many others, it includes hikes in Grand Teton National Park as well as those outside the park.

Klompmakers presents a collection that's distinctive in many ways. First, it presents a large body of work by two Japanese printmakers that aren't as well known as they deserve to be. Though not as popular in the west as Hokusai, Hiroshige, and others, these printmakers certainly approach them in artistic and technical skills. Second, these prints were created as coherent collections. Divisions within this book present the images in the series for which they were created, and in chronological order. The serious student will enjoy seeing stylistic consistencies and developments, as well as seeing the images as context for each other. Thirdly, and not least, I appreciate the book as a physical object. A substantial feel, paper that's glare-free and opaque, full-page reproductions (in most cases), and high-quality printing - it's everything you'd look for in an art book.

The commentary is enjoyable and helpful. And, when I get wrapped up in the imagery itself, I appreciate its conciseness. It's easy to get lost in those pictures, showing couples in a variety of practices and poses, a threesome, men together, and even a group. A few of the scenes depict coercion, but very few. Most feature the humor, affection, grandly magnified organs, and lush furnishings that pervade the genre. Nudity is minimal by western standards, except for clear displays of the point at which the couples are coupled. That makes sense in context, though. Japanese baths made social nudity of mixed groups common - ordinary undress wouldn't be anything special. Instead, imaginations were fired by the elaborate dress of the geishas and rich environment of the pleasure quarters, so those symbols became common in these fantasy prints.

Whether it's the voyeuristic homunculus in Harunobu's Maneemon series or the gentle settings of Koryusai's seasonal studies, there's a lot to like. This isn't as wide-ranging as other collections, but doesn't intend to be. Instead, it presents more focussed studies with somewhat different rewards for the reader. If you're already a fan of Shunga, I recommend this very highly.

//wiredweird

My boyfriend is a huge fan of japanese prints. I bought him two Shunga titles after weeks and weeks of research and this is by far his favorite of the two. The significance of this particular book is that it features a large quantity of work by japans first two Shunga artists that produced color wood-block prints. The color really does add a depth and quality of beauty to the shunga that I have seen. Also there is plenty of explanation on technique and style and a bit of discussion on how the two artists styles vary. A few paragraphs that explain a particular image that may appear to be implying one meaning to our western eyes but is really quite different when taken in the context of the time and culture that created the image is nice too. Overall a great book.

Beautifully illustrated with gloriously vivid colors, this book and ALL the others in this series/collection are wonderful. The adaptations in text and in the illustrations are masterful and clever. I wish these books were available when I was growing up!

This book is wonderful, as well as all the others from this publisher. MY daughter goes to an African-American school and I let her take it to school. The teacher adored the book so much!

Opening Volume I of "21st" places the viewer in a world of quiet contemplation, made possible by the rich, luxurious photographic reproductions and insightful commentary found throughout. The tactile beauty of each page invites us to keep turning, while the content only makes us wish for more. Further volumes will answer this wish, incorporating the same attention to detail that is sorely lacking in other photographic publications. The annual publication of "21st" is the antithesis to a society dominated by consumables, `dot coms', and digitalization. Great art takes time and "21st" is no exception; the tri-tone reproductions inside are breathtaking, while cover photographs by Keith Carter and John Dugdale(Vol. II) are worthy of display. Add to this some of the finest writers on the subject of photography, and it is clear why a lavish publication such as "21st" takes time. This is a book to be opened again and again, much like the finest photograph demands repeated viewing. One will never tire of "21st The Journal of Contemporary Photography" because it is not only meant to be looked at and read but more importantly, to be savored and treasured.

Opening volume I of "21st The Journal of Contemporary Photography" places the viewer in a world of quiet contemplation, made possible by the rich, luxurious photographic reproductions and insightful commentary found throughout. The tactile beauty of each page invites us to keep turning, while the content only makes us wish for more. Further volumes will answer this wish, incorporating the same attention to detail that is sorely lacking in other photographic publications. The annual publication of "21st" is the antithesis to a society dominated by consumables, `dot coms', and digitalization. Great art takes time and "21st" is no exception; the tri-tone reproductions inside are breathtaking, while cover photographs by Keith Carter and John Dugdale(Vol. II) are worthy of display. Add to this some of the finest writers on the subject of photography, and it is clear why a lavish publication such as "21st" takes time. This is a book to be opened again and again, much like the finest photograph demands repeated viewing. One will never tire of "21st The Journal of Contemporary Photography" because it is not only meant to be looked at and read but more importantly, to be savored and treasured.

This book is probably one of the only books on Kate to not focus on her life, but on her movies. The author analyzes each one so intricately and finds how Hepburn was a premiere feminist in each one. It's interesting when you read about his analysis of several Tracy/Hepburn movies, as well as "The Philadelphia Story." The movies, according to the author, try to teach Hepburn a lesson and make her conform to the standards of the patriarchy. Interesting to note, the author also compares and contrasts several films of Bette Davis, Bacall/Bogart, and Astaire/Rogers with Hepburn's films as well. Excellent read- very professional. The best part about this book probably is that it's loaded with glossy, beautiful pictures from almost every movie Kate made.

This is a superb critical evaluation of all of Hepburn's film roles until 1984. It is the only book about Hepburn that did not disappoint me. Hepburn biographies and studies have often tended to "normalize" Hepburn (eg. Kate - Charles Higham) or rationalize some contradictory aspects of her personality (eg. A Remarkable Woman - Anne Edwards) based on *conclusions drawn from* material that is in media circulation. Andrew Britton, in refreshing contrast, meticulously examines the implied beliefs and thought processes *behind* such material. Hepburn, through Britton's book, emerges in an arena all her own, resisting all attempts at conventional compartmentalization.

I absolutely agree with his views on many movies, say, "Woman of the Year", where Hepburn's presence in the title role suggests an independence and authority which the film's contrived, though expertly acted, ending, tries (unsuccessfully) to suppress. His views on the "violence of the performance" in "Summertime", which makes "the film's project untenable", are also very apt.

Apart from a thorough examination of Hepburn's roles with Tracy, Grant and others, this book makes pointed comparisons between the spinster roles of Bette Davis and Hepburn. It also has a very original discussion on The Philadelphia Story (Hepburn), Ninotchka (Greta Garbo), and Destry Rides Again (Marlene Dietrich), which according to Britton, were attempts to humanize (and hence compromise) its three female stars, who had previously been labelled "box-office poison".

For fans of Hepburn, for serious followers of films, and for all those who are concerned about the hidden ideas that films (sometimes inadvertently) propagate into the filmgoer's mind, this is an objective, insightful book which should not be missed.

This book give you some new Idea on how to make a Quick but outstanding
Quilt with great instruction.

Kaye Wood's Strip-Cut Quilts is a 96-page, full-color compendium of easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions for 30 fund and different quilt projects, as well as 23 quilt block techniques. Specifically designed to accommodate quilters ranging from beginner to advanced, Kaye Wood's Strip-Cut Quilts is a very highly recommended and totally "user friendly" instruction manual enhanced with more than 20 photos and dozens of illustrations showcasing these superlative quilting projects.

This is one of the best books on needlepoint patterns. The patterns are large, full color and easy to read. The instructions are easy to follow and there is additional information in the last chapter about needlepoint. The designs based on Kilim carpets and rugs are stunning! If you have any interest in needlepoint rugs this book is must have for your library.

The instructions for the 25 projects are well written and illustrated for the beginner as well as those how have done needlepoint for years. The color photographs are of high quality, making the finished projects extremely enticing to make. Each project not only has a description of the item, but also a well written brief history of the origin of the specific item to be stitched. The color charts was well illustrated and easy to follow. Thirteen pages are dedicated to materials and techniques from how to make the first needlepoint stitch to framing, hanging, finishing, making knotted fringes and tassels. This area of the book is a Big Plus! One last comment, This is truly a great needlepoint book!