Art Books

There are many well known techniques for developing new ideas; however, producing high-quality and effective ideas is not always so straightforward. Jack Foster provides effective methods for producing valuable ideas in a very enjoyable book packed with examples, applicable stories, real world applications and a good deal of humor.

The advertising/marketing field is among the most idea intensive industries requiring a steady supply of inspiration for mere survival in the profession. Foster details his numerous experiences in advertisement agencies as well as his management roles in marketing firms providing significant insight on how ideas are formed for profit in the business world. Foster and his associates have often had to dig deep to continuously develop high-quality ideas and he shares the tactics and devices that proved most effective.

This book is not long and can be read in short order, but do not let this fool you; the content is packed with many useful tidbits on generating ideas that if put into practice will have your mind actively producing effective ideas at once. There is no doubt if you are just searching for a better way, are stuck in a rut, or looking for that life changing idea, then this book will be an asset.

This book is a great book to read, the best thing it includes are quotes of famous people, which are mainly funny. Personally I do not believe that this book provided me with any new ways or measures of thinking to get more ideas, it's more of a different theories of people on how to think!!!!

If you are interested in having a good read buy this book, but don't put your hopes up high......

I tend to be skeptical of titles suggesting easy answers to broad problems, but darned if this one doesn't really deliver! Foster's guidelines often fall into the category of "That's pretty obvious, why didn't I think of it?". And therein lies its real beauty: his suggestions are practical, accessible, workable, and often downright ingenious. And not at all limited to his field of advertising.
Furthermore, the book is a delightfully entertaining read. That man can write!

"Albert Einstein said his best ideas came to him while he was shaving," Jack Foster writes in "How to Get Ideas" (2nd ed.). When I read that line, what could I do? I put the book down for a moment and went to shave.

That's about the only time I stopped reading though, and you won't be able to put it down either. For boosting creativity, this book is a lifesaver.

Foster's advice is simple -- have fun, think like a child again, open your mind to new possibilities -- but not necessarily obvious. Most of us do the same old things and think in the same old ways. Foster aims to help us spot these unhelpful patterns, then break out with easy-to-follow tips and stimulating exercises.

And anecdotes. Foster draws on decades of experience as a top creative hand in major advertising agencies, where he encountered guys and gals driven by curiosity -- people who found out how much a ten-gallon hat will hold (three-quarters of a gallon) and how many times per day an African elephant will defecate (16). Illustrating how to solve a problem by stepping around it, Foster tells the story of the woman who solved the slow-elevator problem in her building -- by mounting mirrors in the lobby. (How did she do it? See P. 134.)

You'll discover how to overcome the fears that keep you from thinking creatively ... easy ways to gather information ... combining unrelated facts for new ideas ... the five steps for getting great new ideas ... and how to put them to work for YOU.

You'll finish reading "How to Get Ideas" in an hour or two. But you'll benefit from its advice for the rest of your life.

This is a really good book. It was entertaining to read while also educational. The first edition came out in 1996 I think, and this edition just came out earlier this month. The new edition has two new chapters, 5 and 8, which were added because readers thought the information they contain was missing from the first edition.

The book is split into two parts. The first part covers 10 ways you can "search for ideas." And it is by the far the longer of the two parts. The second part explains the five steps of how to get ideas:

1. Define the problem
2. Gather the information
3. Search for the idea
4. Forget about it
5. Put the idea into action

Theoretically, I suppose, the book could have been set up so the second part was actually the first. And the first part could have been relegated to the end. I say this because the first part is really just an expansion of the "third step" of the five steps.

I enjoyed the humor, the quotes, and the stories included in the author's discussion regarding 10 ways to search for ideas. And thus it made perfect sense to me why he put that material at the front of the book. I read the book to see if it would have some practical use to my SCORE clients who are wanta-be entrepreneurs and small business owners. I think there is a practical use, and I recommend that my clients and similarly situated people read this book. It will help them create their business plans and revamp those plans as time passes. 5 stars!

This book is one of those that's been around for ages and it's still a great one for kids. They can add all kinds of info about themselves and they'll have it for years to come.

My mother bought me this book when I was a little girl (about 6 or 7). At the time I was learning to play the violin, but absolutely hated it. I tried in various ways to tell my parents this...even going as far as to tell my mom when she was pregnant that what I really wanted was a cello. None of my requests to switch instruments were heard until one day my grandmother happened to look inside this book. There is a page which asks you what your favorite instrument is. I of course had scribbled out the violin and circled the cello. Well, with the help of this book, and my grandmother, I finally had my wish come true, and started on the cello. I have been a cello teacher now for 19 years, and when I saw this book, (I was looking for a book for my own children), I remembered what a difference it made in my life. I also remember the book being a lot of fun to do as a kid, and I still have it!

I got this book when I was 9. I recently bought it for my niece who was 9. It's still in print 20+ years later. It's a fun book!

I had this book when I was young and recently found it in a box up in the attic. It was a grand trip down memory lane and I want my boys to have that same experience. What a great little book this is.

This was one of my favorite books growing up; I hope it will be one of my sons favorites as well

A very readable & enjoyable book. I especially enjoyed the chapter on autism & the origin of language. Fritjof Capra's book "Hidden Connections" referenced this informative & amusing text including the link between brain function involved with hand gesture, signing, & tongue movements that unexpectedly led to the promotion the uptake of speech in autistic.
There are many insights into the shared psychology of humans & other primates. Despite the physiological and genetic similarities of all primates that have made chimps attractive model organisms for research,it was interesting to read about the reluctance of biological scientists to accept the anthropomorphic traits of chimps. There can be little room for a claim to "value-free" objectivity by biomedical researchers who can apparently dismiss the psychological effects of enforced confinement & sensory deprivation, on the effectiveness of anti-viral medications, or a range of other pharmaceuticals. The author has shown considerable bravery & commitment to expanding this area of learning, despite the threats against his personal career by people with vested interests in ignoring or denying the contradictions to their implicit or explicit values.

A must-read for any animal lover. Roger Fouts and the recently deceased chimpanzee Washoe are my heroes.

At age 62, I still look for writers who will change and deepen my sense of our human nature and our place in the natural world. More than writers about religion per se, I think these writers are able to help us advance our moral and spiritual understanding and reconcile our human/animal natures. For some years I've been reading Goodall and others on primates, but Next of Kin was, for me, a pinnacle illumination. Even if you aren't interested in these types of questions, I think this book will move you deeply. If you ARE interested, may I also suggest the recent Mycelium Running by Paul Stamets.Take Me With You When You Go

Although this book was written some time ago, it is exceptionally timely because the relevance of chimp behavior to our own continues to unfold. The devotion the author invests in his charges and the passion he feels about the atrocities visited on chimps both in the laboratory and in the wild drive his story. This abuse is reinforced by the backward and ignorant thinking that stems from bible thumpers who fear the truth about evolution and man's close relationship to apes. Roger Fouts and his wife have provided an invaluable service to our understanding of chimps, and their research related to sign language is truly stunning. They have succeeded in accomplishing their observation and reporting against considerable odds. All these aspects, and the Fouts' fully rounded examination of their subjects make for a gripping and emotional tale well told.

"Next of Kin: My Conversations with Chimpanzees" is one of the most amazing, heartbreaking, and inspirational books I've ever read. The book is written by Roger Fouts, a primatologist who devoted his life to studying the language patterns of chimpanzees. While in graduate school, Roger was introduced to Washoe, a precocious young chimp who became fluent in American Sign Language. Eventually "Project Washoe" expanded to include many chimpanzees, all who learned to communicate with humans using ASL and demonstrated unique personalities, complex emotions, and astounding intelligence.

I've always been a big animal lover, but reading this book taught me so many things that I never knew before. Anyone who questions an animal's ability to think or feel will get a sharp reality check after reading this book. Chimpanzees are people, too, just as much as human beings are. Unfortunately, the majority if humans in this world don't agree with that logic, and thousands of animals, including chimpanzees, are routinely kidnapped from their natural habitats and bred in captivity for the sole purpose of participating in biomedical research. In many cases, medical laboratories house animals in appalling conditions and literally torture them to death. "Next of Kin" details the horrors that go on behind closed doors at biomedical laboratories, and chronicles the steps Fouts and other animal activists have taken to protect chimpanzees from being treated inhumanely.

I absolutely loved this book. Reading it made me feel close to Washoe and her chimpanzee friends, even though I never met any of them before. (Sadly, Washoe passed away last fall at the age of 42, but I hope to visit members of her family at the Chimpanzee and Human Communication Institute in Washington someday.) Parts of this book are incredibly depressing and difficult to read, but hopefully learning about the terrible ways animals are treated will inspire people to take action. I admire everything that Fouts, his family, and his colleagues have done to protect chimpanzees, who are our next of kin on the great evolutionary scale. I hope other readers get as much out of this book as I did.

Gallop!, by Rufus Butler Seder, is a fun little piece that will have young children moving around as they show off their agility and physically respond to questions like "Can you gallop like a horse?" or "Can you flutter like a butterfly?"

There's not much of a plot here, but that's not the point. It's the lyrical rhyming of the text, the colorful lettering of the print, and most of all, the patented Scanimation® pictures that will have children (and their parents) wanting to read this book again and again. Yes, Scanimation®; it's a technique that optically animates artwork. Thus, as the reader turns a page, the displayed animal moves. I admit it; it had me mesmerized.

Quill says: Out with the old, in with the new. Move over pop-up books. You now have some stiff competition.

This is the second copy of Gallop I have bought as a gift. The first was for a three year old and the second for an expectant mother. Both recipients were equally delighted with the "scanimation" images. I've already preordered Seder's next book and can't wait to show it and read it to a group of middle school children I teach. This is a book everone will enjoy.

I have recently given this book to three parents of small children. Inevitably, both the children and the parents thought it was unbelievably cool. It was a learning experience, as it led to discussions about how the pictures were made to "move." It also held attention for a long time, as it was dynamic. Though children often go through books rather quickly (chewing, ripping, etc), the Gallop book is sturdy enough to stand up to such use better than most. (It will likely last a lot longer than a pop-up book for example.) I have to admit, this book is so neat I bought one for my coffee table!

I love gadgets of all kinds, and when I ran into this delightful book, I got several. My nephews adore it, as has every little one I've given it to among my friends' kids. The motion is an optical illusion created by passing a series of bars across a multi-positional figure. Each phase in the animal's gait is disclosed as the page is turned, creating a sense of movement. Included are a horse running, a rooster walking, a butterfly and eagle flying, turtles swimming, a monkey swinging from vines, and the familiar family dog and cat. They're all delightful. I even kept a book for myself as a coffee table edition.

This is a wonderful book. A keeper. The colors are bright and the animation is awesome.

I am a college student studying Business and I've had a long history of anxiety and panic with being "In the Spotlight." I finally got sick of living in fear-- that a teacher would call on me or that I would have to give a presentation. If a presentation was listed on the syllabus for a class I would have a panic attack right there just in anticipation! I was finally fed up and joined Toastmasters about a year ago. I then set a goal to start the only Speech club on my college campus. At this point, I was still VERY nervous about public speech and decided to read this book in preparation of the first Speech club meeting.

This book helped me in many, many ways. It helped to go forward with that first meeting for the Speech club-- something I had been dreading for months and months! There are many positive and useful techniques: positive thinking, reassurance training, breathing techniques, getting to the source of the anxiety... The list goes on!

I still get nervous giving speeches and continue to have small panic attacks when put on the spot in a class. I know that if I continue to face this fear and use constructive techniques such as the ones in this book, I will slowly grow out of it. Good luck!

I would listen to this CD to sleep, not for my anxiety. The best thing for anxiety is Celexa and EMDR. I bought this CD with the book and it's terrible. It states the obvious and is not helpful at all.

Sorry, but it sucks.

The author had first-hand stage fright experience and she shared the techniques that she learned to overcome the stage fright and to go beyond the fright to enjoy being in the spot light. The skills are very valuable for a stage fright person like me, and are also valuable for teachers of music who would want to learn how to help students with stage fright.

The skills mentioned in the book are transferable skills that can be used to reduce stress and to cultivate positive self-esteem. Teachers can use these excellent skills to help their students.

It was by far the best book that offers alternative and possible solutions to shift the stage fright paradigm. The book has been helpful to me as a personal growth tool and in other areas of my life, in addition to the performance anxiety challenges. One day I was feeling down, and reading chapter 10 of the book re-channeled me to something more funny and pleasant and I was uplifted. That was a powerful experience.

The book is easy, fun and enjoyable to read. Once you start reading, it is hard to stop reading.

Reading Janet's book was a revelation for me. It was amazing to find that someone understood exactly how I felt when I found out that I had to speak in public and the torture I imposed on myself leading up to, during and after speaking. But better yet, she not only empathizes with the reader, but provides a clear path to overcoming the torture. So enjoy the empathy, but enjoy even more the tools for success!

There are a lot of self-help books on the market that deal with the fear of public speaking. But I can say first-hand that if you are looking for help in how to overcome this fear, this is the best one you can buy.

The book is more than just speaking tips or techniques---it takes you right to the heart of the issue, which I found to be surprisingly helpful. It helps you understand where the fear is coming from in the first place and how to ultimately overcome it. I read the book about a year ago, and have re-read certain chapters many times since then as both a resource and a confidence booster when I've have a big speech coming up.

There's not much more I can say, other than I bought the book. It helped me. I highly reccomend it to anyone who is looking for help with this very common fear.

The author changed a lot of what were supposed to be direct quotes and 'Briti-cised' them. I don't have examples off the top of my head, but I remember one quote being attributed to Brian that included very British phrasing. That's not a direct quote, that's paraphrased.

I don't even think I finished the book. I'd have expected the 'Official' Bio to be put together more like a lot of the UNofficial ones.

Also, a LOT of American fans are not going to understand British terms. Honestly, you're better off collecting the unauthorised bios...

I've read about 18 or so books on this group. And of all of them, if you're going to get one, get this one. It has good details of the boys' life before the group, and area which other books tend to lack in. It has pictures of them when they were kids that I haven't been able to find anywhere else. And it has info on the person who started the group, another thing I find hard to get good info on. This is definately one to buy if you're a major fan.

I think this is the best backstreet boy book ever written. I loved all of the stories. It was so much fun to read about how the backstreet boys first got together. If you have not read this book yet and you are a fan you must have it! Even if you just like to listen to their music you should read it. I think that anyone who wants to be a popstar should read this too. Well I could write 20 pages of this book. I'll leave now but before I do I'd like to thank AMAZON.COM and their customers. Because with out them I wouldn't of known about this book. THANKYOU EVERYONE!!

As a former BSB fan, whom owns the book, I still take a look at it from time to time, because it are honest and true facts of the boys their life before they became the Backstreet Boys and the beginning of it all. It has good pictures, but you can find them on almost every website and the biography must have been copied loads of times as well, so it's up to you!

Great Book!!!
It contains pics when they where baby's SOOO CUTE!!!
If your a true BSB fan you gotta have it!!!

I love this book. I was very surprised this book is so in depth and awesome. I have grown before, but there is info that I never imagined that would be in a Marijuana horticulture book. It's perfect for anyone. VERY New grower friendly, It's great knowledge for the people getting into growing, and it's great for the experienced growers too: this is a great book to learn more from. There is even a section on how to make Hash! I highly recommend this book, awesome info, packed with awesome helpful pictures, and all I could hope for in a Marijuana horticulture book. ^.^

If you want to know anything and everything about growing, this is your book. Seriously, this guy goes in depth to explain things without making it overly complicated.

It's simple, thorough, worth the buy.

I can't grow the divine weed where I live; I bought this book because it is absolutely the most in-depth, easy-to-understand book in the gardening world! I use it constantly for advice about soil, water, diseases, pests, growth stages, light requirements, etc.--for my tomatoes! Best book out there for weed *or* tomato gardening!

In addition to the Grow Bible this book is an absolute necessity. Although if you had to pick one I would suggest the Grow Bible. However, this book has many in depth details to nutrient defencies, various tips, picture illustrated guidelines, what to do, what not to do..I would consider this an illustrated guide more then anything..if that makes sense. MANY tips I have never heard of I came across in this book, and this is to say the least. Jorge Cervantes...two thumbs up (three if I had em)

Way too much info on how to grow 100 plants a month. I feel illegal just thinking about it.
I am just a normal person, Card Carrying Medical Marijuana Pt, who can't afford the $300 - $500 a month for Med grade Cannabis. ( My Pharm Meds are $1200... but my insurance Co. pays that scam! ). The Cannabis works ALLOT better!
I want to grow 1 plant every 3 months, like 99% of the legit patients. I would destroy any excess I overproduced... personally.

Obviously, this Author is beyond expert and is an authority on the subject. I would love a Medical Growers Bible for your "PERSONAL" Med crop. With a strict recommendation for personal use only. If you sell ANY, you are just a dealer... so, keep it clean... is the book " I " want. My personal opinion.
Regardless of your personal view.... respect the spirit of the law and intent of the society and community you live in. It is the flow.
Freedom Rocks!
215 and 420 set the rules. Just follow them and every one is happy.

Very cool book. This book has some really funny artwork in it. Definitely a good one to have in your tattoo shop's collection!

Fantastically original style! It is very rare that you come across an artist with a vision who is not afraid to put it out there. Had to get the book to view the entire collection and it definitely hit the mark. You have to check out the dude's website for additional killer works and goodies too ([...] ). Cheers!

A new real, great jewel in publishing skyline!
This pocket is perfectly made for people as me, more and more desirous, longing for beauty and exitement!
This book isn't only for tattoos-fans, the best target for those crazy and genial drawings, this is Art for all.
Get it! A lot of ideas, an unforgettable moment is waiting for you!

Un nuovo vero, grandioso gioiello nel panorama dell' editoria!
Questo tascabile è proprio fatto per gente come me, sempre desiderosa e bramosa di bellezza ed eccitazione!
Questo libro non é fatto solo per i patiti del tatuaggio, il miglior pubblico per quei folli e geniali disegni, questa é Arte per tutti. Procuratevelo! Un sacco di idee, un momento indimenticabile vi aspetta!

Guido Corazziari ( Academy of Fine Arts Teacher - Italy )

I was hoping to get some good origonal ideas out of this for my next tattoo. I was disappointed to see what was inside this book. It's just packed full of a bunch of tacky white trash stuff that you see when flipping through one of the millions of floating around all tattoo shops.

This book doesn't have any pictures of actual work. Each image looks like a professional cartoon but there are many variations of the same work. For instance he might have 4 pictures of the same woman, with the same face, but wearing different clothes. Almost every image has some cute caption to go along with the picture but I didn't think there was more than a handful someone would want on their body.

The Village Poet and Collection of Writings was a very interesting, creative, masterpiece. I truly believe that tremendous talent was displayed. The author was very imaginative, he was able to let his mind explore and captivate different ideas. The author is both a professor, and a talented author at the university.

The Village Poet and Collection of Writings is a well organized page turner. Believe this from someone who rarely turns a page. The plot is carefully revealed and the climax is amazing. The Emperor Titus is betrayed by his Chief Administrator Creon, but he finds out too late. Dr. Newton keeps the reader's attention and delivers a play that truly derserves 5 STARS! Go out and buy it.

THE VILLAGE POET AND COLLECTION OF WRITINGS is a series of stories and a play written when Leon Newton was about ten years old. The stories and the play show an amazing amount of knowledge, caring and kindness for a child so young. In the play, Emperor Titus is rather taken with himself, arrogantly referring to himself as the great emperor. He is also very loyal to his Chief Administrator because he had been a good administrator to the emperor's father. His son attempts to get him to see how corrupt the Chief Administrator is but his advice falls on deaf ears. The results, of course, are predictable.

In his short story "The Newspaper Boy," Newton successfully illustrates what is important in life. He shows us that it is not money, fame or worldly success, but what we do as human beings for others less fortunate than us. He also deals with the issue of racism in America and how debilitating it really is to all concerned.

It is amazing how appropriate his writings are for today's America. If only all of us could take his stories to heart the world would be a much better place. It is a short, easy read and well worth the time spent...

I enjoyed this artistic masterpiece greatly. I think Newton is a twenty first century prophet who deserves a prophet's reward.His writings are inspirational as well as entertaining. He is a gifted writer who expresses ideas that others are seemingly afraid to express. He possesses a boldness that gives his writing a serious cultural flavor. His writings are exceptional. I recommend them greatly to all who read this review.Artists like Newton come along once in a lifetime. This is definitely an artistic treasure.

The author of the village poet has a great inspiration for the sweet taste of life's wisdom. He has a strong will to live,care, love, and respect all God's people and desires. He shares his knowledge of life and views that he has seen. The author's teacher was God and life. Each person is a link, apart of a chain that connects and moves together. Give compassion to others and someone will return it to you. Show love and it too will be returned. Do not look for what you will get in return but look at the joy and happiness you may bring someone. To suceed you must be strong, righteous, wise and smart. Look to your creator for your strength and it will multiply.

You have to check out this book if you can appreciate the art that is graffiti. Banksy also inspires you with his political satire.

there isn't much to read. the art speaks for itself.
6 sections to this book:
monkeys, cops, rats, cows, art, and street furniture.
there are a few pages that contain several paragraphs of writing. banksy provides captions for maybe.. approximately half or less than half of his art. towards the back there's one page with "advice on painting with stencils". if you were looking for graffiti instruction, look elsewhere... unless you really want to look at that one page haha. some of his famous quotes are in there.
what a funny guy. funny book. it was worth the money :)

Couldn't put it down. Images are mezmerizing. Everyone I show it to wants to buy it to. No profanity or sexually oriented photos make it a hip gift choice for young people.

Banksy is a great artist. This book is 240 pages of both his graffiti and his "gallery" or more "Piece" art. I think he is an innovator and inspiration to all artists. We could all learn something from Banksy. If you like this book you might also like some Shepard Fairey work. Also check out Banksy's website at http://www.Banksy.co.uk its really great.

If you haven't read or seen much from BANKSY - trust me, just buy the sweet book. Otherwise... make a quick stop at your favorite video search engine, type BANKSY and watch a documentary about the man...

This is one of my favorite art books. Without a doubt.