Art Books

It's hard to justify $85 for a jewelry book, but this combines history, technique and art in one book. If you intend to work with jewelry professionally, or are a very serious jewelry student, it's wise to get this book. You won't get the step-by-step techniques, but you'll get enough background technique you'll be able to wing it, usually sucessfully. He covers the international world of jewelry, so it has everything from ethnic tribal to Danish contemporary, and all the stuff inbetween. I sit down with this book periodically to just enjoy the book, and I always find something 'new' I want to try. Many times I use it a reference for finding the basis of a technique, or a particular table that has the info I require. Whatever it is that I need, I can find it in this book. It's worth the $85 and you won't regret the decision.

This one expands on were he stopped with the first book. 19 chapter headings with a multitude of sub headings.

* The Message of Jewelry, why we wear ornaments
* The Means to Creation: working environment, facilities and implements
* Metal, the Jewel's Raw Material: Its origin, quality control and variety
* Basic Techniques: processing sheet metal without deformation
* Sheet Metal: Forming by deformation techniques
* Wire: The uses of drawn or extruded flexible filaments
* Tubing: The use of Fistular Forms
* Surface ornament with out heat: Metal removal techniques
* Surface ornament with heat: Metal fusion techniques
* Fabrication: Building fragments into units
* Casting: Methods of giving form to molten metal
* Natural Materials in Jewelry: Using natures valued nonmetals
* Stones and their setting: Inorganic minerals employed in jewelry
* Metal Finishing: Achieving desired surface appearance
* Metallic Coating Techniques: Changing the base metal's surface appearance
* Metallic Buildup: Electrolytic molecular creation of surface and form
* Coloring Metals: Achieving patinas through heat, chemicals and electrolysis
* Standard weights, Measures and Tables
* Glossaries, Bibliographies, Sources of tools, supplies and services: USA and UK

Around 800 pages of pure golden info, I have read and keep finding new and interesting things since I picked up a copy last year. I find this gift keeps on giving every time I pick it up. He goes into detail that others can only dream about.

This book isn't only for jewelry artists, anybody that is into the metal arts working or a collector. This will give years of educational enjoyment. It is truly an investment grade book of knowledge. I use my copy on a metals arts forum for answers to question from people that are looking for answers that can be counted to be correct.

This book is the jewelry makers bible. I cannot begin to scratch the surface of its value by lising content. It is a gem of a book (pun intended).

Oppi Untracht did the jewelry industry and anyone serious about learning jewelrymaking the right way, a HUGE service by compiling the information in this book and presenting it in clear and easy to understand language. This book must have taken years of research and editing to produce and publish. That, my friends who harp about price, is why this book is so high priced. It is not over-priced, it is aptly priced. Think how much the Oxford English Dictionary costs- [...]
it's just words, why so expensive?!

You could learn a new technique or factoid every day for a year from this book and then start all over again and learn even more.
This book, however, is not for teaching silver or goldsmithing, gem setting, etc. It is not a how-to book at all. It is a reference book, like the ones that the library won't let you check out because they're too valuable.

If you are serious about jewelry making, fine and art jewelry- not hobby craft wire and bead stringing- put this on your wish list. You'll be thrilled if someone sends it to you for a birthday or holiday gift. If nobody will kick for it, save your nickles and find a used one, reclaiming the silver from spent pickle solution and making solder from scratch never goes out of style.

Jewelry Concepts and Technoloty by Oppi Untracht is the must reference text for the jewelry artist. Untracht provides historical reference for styles and techniques, clearly explains how various techniqures can be utilized by beginners, advanced art jewelry students and professionals. If that is not enough, the visuals and historical references stimulate the imagine.

This book was purchased to replace a book lost out of our Mineral & Gem Society library. We have many master gemologists and geologists in the club and each speaks highly of this book. It's full of basics but also provides information for the advanced jeweler. Highly recommneded.

This book is a great intro to drawing. It really helps to teach you how to 'see' what your trying to record on the paper. I got it for a class and will be keeping it afterwards as a reference.

"Keys to Drawing" is my favorite drawing instructional book. I found it here on Amazon and checked it out of my local library to see it before I ordered it. I have a short attention span and lose interest if a book doesn't engage me pretty quickly. I was immediately engaged by the simple, clear instruction and effective, challenging projects. This book got me drawing within minutes. I re-checked it twice from my library and had to order a copy for myself!

I love the format of this book, with the emphasis on drawing and not just talking about drawing, like so many instructional books do. I also appreciate the many examples in the author's loose, easy style. This is one of the first books I've picked up that didn't intimidate me with detailed, advanced portraiture. The progression and pace of this book were very comfortable to me. I'm extremely pleased with the results I'm seeing in my drawing.

The book is well organized, and presents material in a conprehensive, easily understood manner. The illustrations are useful, and not intimidating. The subjects of the drawing exercises are interesting and varied. The author seems to work right along with the student in this book, and anticipates some of the problems that arise in drawing. The author's remarks are encouraging for individuals interested in drawing at any level of expertise. I appearance of the book prior to purchase, but it is more than I expected. The book's size is neither too large nor too heavy to use in a small space or to carry along.

Over the last six month I have been buying a number of instructional book on drawing/sketching for reference. I have found this one to be one that I continue to go back to to review approaches to getting started. I would recommend it as a good guide for a beginner -- either to drawing or to starting with charcoal and graphite.

Leon

i like the philosophy of this book..not only concentrating on technical details, which is boring for someone like me who only takes drawing as a hobby. also, this book is not too general. there is some essential points stated in each chapter, with fun 'project' accompanied, to provide concrete example and opportunity to practice. quite good!

This book is like watching a documentary on the life of Freddie Blassie, it doesn't read like a book, you feel like Blassie is talking to you.

It's amazing that a man that went out of his way to make people hate him somehow managed to endear himself to the public the way Freddie Blassie did. He's the man that you love to hate.

The stories in this book are often told from the point of view of Blassie and then features a quote from another aquaintance so you get an outside opinion on the situation.

Overall it's just exciting and often hilarious stories from a truly outrageous performer and athlete who was there at the birth of television and had some great runs with Regis Philbin and Andy Kaufman.

It should be noted that this is not a kid-friendly book, it has a lot of "colorful" language and stories.

Buy and enjoy, I know I did!

In mid 60's, a Japanese elderly lady was shocked to death when she watched TV where Freddie was bititng Rikidozen on his head. This was a real story. He was a real villan in Japan. But we knew that his wife was a Japanese, he likes Japan. We like him very much. "Vampire Blassie" forever. Review from Tokyo.

All you really need to know about me is the names of my five idols: Stan Lee, Stan Laurel, Gomez Adams, Steve McGarrett and Freddie Blassie (hmmm, they are all to some degree fictional--that's something I'll have to bring up in therapy).

Anyway, this is a thoroughly enjoyable and quick read that recounts the well-known events of Freddie's life and spills some beans about him and other wrestling superstars, too. I suspect that it's very heavily ghost-written but what the heck...and if it's cliche to call someone an original, then what the heck again--if anyone deserves it, it's Freddie Blassie.

He did it all: wrestle for real, for "real"; act on the Dick Van Dyke Show and an Andy Kaufman movie; make popular recordings; advise Muhammad Ali. And not too long ago he worked on this important book, which belongs in any Sports library, or bookstore department.
Following in the timeline, in Georgeous George's footsteps, or better put, on his (pause) heels, he overshadowed the original icon of TV Wrestling, with his decidedly unorthodox approach. He used more "dirty tricks" than Nixon in '72.
When he retired from competition, he became one of the most villanous Managers, whose candor was never appreciated: he would openly admit on Interviews, and in the presence of his proteges, that he remains in the game for the watches and rings. He'd then counter this admission, by showing his self-deprecating side, by pummeling himself with a folding chair. (Just as he filed down his own teeth in his prime of his career).
Blassie takes you back to a period in Wrestling when the stars were believable; when they drove themselves to matches.

I too grew up in Southern California. To kids my age, Freddie Blassie was as big a sports personality as Don Drysdale or Roman Gabriel. Only Sandy Koufax had more elevated status, and was spoken of in hushed reverential tones.

Even though Blassie usually played the heel, I always stood by him. When he was a "good guy," I was in heaven! His rants with John "The Golden Greek" Tolos were priceless, and have never been duplicated by modern wrestlers.

This book was wonderful! I literally couldn't put it down, and read it in one enjoyable sitting. It really was a "no warts" look at his life. I was surprised to read that people took his work so seriously that he was stabbed several times.

Rest in Peace Freddie Blassie. There'll never be another like you!

I purchased this book hoping for information for my book proposal. I was not disappointed. This book has valuable information and I am happy with my purchases.

The position of an aspiring writer, trying to break into the published market, is not an enviable one. Here's a fairly common scenario: writer spends a year or two writing his book. He pours his heart and mind into the manuscript, and once it's done, he starts sending it out to publishing houses. Responses aren't immediately forthcoming; it's a big manuscript, so it tends to sit at the bottom of busy publishers' to-do lists. Finally, if he's lucky, he gets a response - someone actually wants to publish his book. Only they want a lot of it changed, to make it more marketable.

It doesn't have to be this way; there's a better process to follow. You start with a query letter; a short letter of a few pages outlining the idea for your book. Since it's short, publishers are likely to read it much sooner. You get replies sooner, too; to the people who are interested, you send a full-blown book proposal - explaining in detail what you want to write, who will buy it, outlining the book, and providing a sample chapter or two (preparing this proposal is much, much easier than actually writing a whole book).

If a publisher likes the idea, you can be extended an offer, including a cash advance for the book. If something needs to be changed about the concept, it can be done before you've actually written the whole thing. Basically, this process means much less work, and getting paid for your work quite a bit sooner.

In "Nonfiction Book Proposals Anybody Can Write", Elizabeth Lyon explains in detail how to go about putting together a book proposal that a publisher will read and like, so that you will be offered an advance to write your book. If you want to make your living as a writer of books, you absolutely must have Lyon's book on your reference shelf.

My first book was self-published - that's a route that you can take to completely circumvent the approach to publishers; you can learn more about that in Dan Poynter's "Self-Publishing Manual". My next book is more suited to go through a publisher, and Lyon's book is definitely going to be one of the tools that I use to get the project going. Highly, highly recommended.

Danny Iny
Author of "Ordinary Miracles - Harness the power of writing and get your point across!" (ISBN 1-4116-7252-6)

If you have started to look for a literary agent, buy this book first. If your proposal has been rejected by agents, buy this book. I thought I had read good proposal books until I read this one. Follow it step by step, chapter by chapter, and your book proposal will look quite differently than what you wrote before. After reading this book, I re-wrote my entire proposal, because the suggestions in this book gave me a better understanding of what I wanted to write, and how to convey my vision of my book to outside parties. If you are having problems outlining your book, defining your chapters, writing a query letter that will impress an agent in the first two sentences, buy this book. How To Pick The Best Tenant Jump Start Your Book Sales: A Money-Making Guide for Authors, Independent Publishers and Small Presses

Whether the glue is poor quality or another problem with the paperback spine, I really wish this much read book had held together better. From one to a few pages, to chuncks of pages, have separated.

That said, the book is completely informative, with numerous examples and step by step directions. Explanations help shape the user's thinking about how to develop their book proposal. I wish the writer covered the proposal in order, but I understand her reasoning for covering sections out of order.

The book doesn't give much help about how new writers can pad their "About Author" and beef up their personal selling points when they have never been published.

Overall, the book is packed with useful info.

I have bought other books on this subject and this is the most useful and most logically organized.

The Ranma 1/2 series is one of the all time best manga series I have ever read! Just the idea of a boy changing into a girl with a splash of cold water sounds fun to read! The characters are unforgetable and hilarios! Ranma has too many fiance's though. ;D
But Ranma 1/2 is a funfilled adventure in Japan with a boy that turns into a little black pig, a tomboyish girl, and a lot of fighting.
Martial arts is the biggest priority in Ranma 1/2.
So if you want fun, read Ranma 1/2 by: Rumiko Takahashi. You'll love it!

I bought this book at amazon.com and it was so entertaining I couln't put it down ryoga turning into a pig, getting a crush on akane, no sense of derection not knowing how to skate he is begging to be one of my fave characters and makes want to by even more ranma I am telling you this book is sure to make you feel better about yourself ranma himself even gets in trouble from akane because of him. Read it I'm sure you will love it.

This is the first Anime/Manga book I've ever read. It was a pretty good book. I read it though without a break. The storyline was interesting, but I found that it got dry in a few spots occasionally, and made me chuckle a couple times. I am looking forward to reading the sequel tomorrow, to see if the storyline twists, or there is more "action". It was not a disappointing read by any means though.

this book is just as good as the first book except possibly a little more romance.
by now ranma and akane are always going at each others necks but in the end they always find a way out of the hardest spots.
laugh out loud funny a action/adventure/romance(very little).
not reconmender for younger children(ranma when in female form runs around topless and yes it shows most to all parts)
but any way this is a amazing book and i would recomend it to almost any one at all.
Bye Bye
from: mewme
IT ROCKS

Rumiko Takahashi struck comic gold with "Ranma 1/2," the story of a guy who turns into a girl whenever he gets touched with cold water (and you'd be surprised how often that happens). The second volume picks up where the first left off, and Takahashi was obviously hitting her stride in this series.

Directionally-challenged Ryoga Hibiki makes it to the Tendos' home, and brawls with Ranma out in the yard. Turns out that Ranma accidently knocked Ryoga into a cursed spring -- and now Ryoga turns into a cute black piglet. As if this grudge weren't enough, Akane adopts the piglet, whom she names "P-chan," which drives Ranma into a frenzy.

Problems continue when Akane is injured before a martial arts gymnastics competition, leaving Ranma (in his female form) to take her place. The only problem is, it's against Kuno's psychotic sister Kodachi -- who loves Ranma as a boy, but loathes him as a girl. No sooner has Ranma dealt with that crisis than another combat challenge pops up: To get Ryoga/P-chan back from a ditzy ice skater, Ranma and Akane will have to learn martial-arts ice-skating. But Ranma's lessons take an unpleasant turn when he gets his first kiss... from a boy.

The boy-turns-into-girl-when-splashed-with-water shtick sounds like a one-off gimmick. But Takahashi shows new ways to get creative in the second volume of "Ranma 1/2." The stories flow a little faster and a little more smoothly, now that she's introduced the characters and their peculiar problems.

She also starts ideas that continues throughout the series -- sticking the words "martial arts" besides all sorts of activities, and having characters fall into various cursed springs. But she doesn't lose track of the personal relationships, such as various characters competing for Ranma and/or Akane's affections. One comic gem involves siblings Kuno and Kodachi, who are unknowingly competing for the same person in different form.

The characters have also changed a little. Akane no longer loathes all men, and is rapidly becoming a good partner for Ranma. Ryoga -- who apparently craves any form of affection -- falls in love with Akane after she cuddles him in his pig form. And obviously Ranma is starting to like Akane -- otherwise, why would he care if she cuddled Ryoga?

The "Ranma 1/2" series took off after the first volume, when Takahashi stepped up the pace and took her martial-arts-romantic-comedy to new and strange heights.

I loved this book! It has amazing photos and stories and tells all about each of the girls different walks of life. I loved it! Geri was always my fave and now I think I understand why she left. As one of her quotes goes "I'm a restless person and I'm not satisfied yet. I don't know what I'm to do yet but something else has to be coming my way." I think that was an amazing and brave thing to do so Cheers Geri!

I may not be a big book reader for my spare time, but I can tell you this is the best book I have ever read. I love the Spice Girls, and Ginger was always my fav, and to find out more about my favorite female in the world, well, is awesome. she is such a cool person and a great writter! I was talking about it at school once, and one of my classmates came up to me, and wanted to read it. she agreed, this is a good book! she couldn't put it down (as I couldn't, either!). it explains a lot, and fills in the holes as why Geri left the Spice Girls. this is her whole life story, and you also get to learn even more about the Spice Girls than you probably knew from before! oh, and if you have her solo album, you might not understand some of her lyrics- but once I read this, and listened to it again, the whole album made sense, and I could relate everything back to her book. it's awesome. a definte for spice girl fans.

Great book for all Spice Girls fans. It tells the real story, with in depth about their feelings and about their family, too

This book is wonderfully written. The Spice Girls are brilliant recording artists and now they're brilliant authors too! I definately think you you should read this if you're a Spice fan and even if you're not, you'll still enjoy the book. It is a real attention catcher. Tou won't be able to put your book down! Spice Up Your Life by reading this!

This book is undoubtedly the best book I've ever read. It tells the story of pop music's biggest phenomenon, the Spice Girls. Learn about Mel C's hundreds of awards, Emma's early modeling career, Victoria's many hair styles, Geri's Girl Power!, and Mel G's cute side. If you love the Spice Girls, this book is definitly for you. Also check out Geri Halliwell's new book If Only. Girl Power!

THIS IS A WONDERFUL CRAFT BOOK FOR ALL AGES.
I WORK IN THE PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM AND USE
IT FOR STORYTIME CRAFTS. I WAS SO IMPRESSED
WITH IT I BOUGHT ONE FOR MY GRANDKIDS AND MY
DAUGHTER-IN-LAW WHOM IS AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
TEACHER.

This well written book with great illustrations is the perfect solution to keeping kids active and busy during the summer vacation or rainy days.

I bought 2 of these books having seen Rosie on the Martha Stewart show. The way she includes her children to do all sorts of crafts,is fabulous. I am an avid stamper and scrapbooker, so I thought this would be ideal for me when I have the grand kids over, so then I had to buy another so my daughter also had a book so she could learn how to do crafts with the kids.
thanks so much.

This is a great book, full of lots of fun activities many of which don't take anything more than what you have around the house. In fact I had it sitting on my living room end table and my daughter in law who doesn't even have kids said she'd love to have a copy for her own use.

I know some of you are not Rosie fans, but believe me she really understands what gets kids excited about craft projects.

I really like this book. From it I've been inspired to do the tie dye and the Royal (Icing) Sand Castle. Note to anyone trying the castle, be careful of your icing. I used Betty Crocker's Rich and Creamy and it was too soft, it didn't stick well. For the tie dye I did buy a kit and didn't follow Rosie's instructions, I stuck with the one's in the kit, which made the project a little longer. But it was helpful to see what the t-shirts looked like according to how you tied them. The pictures in the book are great. They really show you what the finished product will look like. I do think making the crafts are a little expensive. I'm starting from scratch so I basically have to buy everything for each project. I don't watch Rosie's show. I just chanced upon the book while browsing on Amazon and bought it because of the great reviews.

This book is easy to get lost in. The art has alot of stuff in it to absorb.

This book is filled with incredible art by Alex Grey. The only problem with the book is the fact that it is listed on Amazon as a HARDBACK and it is not. This is no fault of the artist but Amazon should be sure to correctly list their products.

I bought this for my fiance because he LOVES Alex Grey and He LOVES TOOL. He absolutely loved the book and actually I DID TOO!!! If you are a fan of either or (Alex Grey or Tool) it's a MUST BUY!!!

the images of sacred body - energy currents are incredible! Nowhere else will you find this kind of anatomical imagery. This is an incredible book. Alex Grey is a genius!

Alex Grey's art is unique, provocative, visionary and striking. The anatomical detail, overall composition and beauty is uplifting. While this type of art may not be everyone's cup of tea, it is undeniably creative and powerful.

This book is based on a series of paintings that are approximately 6'0" tall. They were meant to be used as a mirror for an individual to experience different aspects of themselves. In other words, to serve as a lens for a different perspective on what it is to be human. In general, the book proceeds from an outline of the body made up of elements, through the skelton system, blood vessels, nerves, etc. What is unique is that it goes beyond this to subtle and causal realms based on the experience of Alex Gray and the testimony of various mystics. It is meant to evoke awareness of these more subtle dimensions and even in book form could be used for meditations.

This book also contains images of Jesus, the Boddhisattva of infinite compassion and other enlightened beings. Again, these are meant for contemplative experiences where you look for these energies in yourself as part of a contemplative practice. There are also some beautiful images of a couple kissing, making love, a small family, etc. These latter category of images are similar to the cover in that they represent the various spheres of Being from the gross body through the spirit.

This book is on the large side, is printed on very high quality paper and contains a lot of color plates as well as contextual information. It is a bargain at the price it is being sold and some of the text is written by Ken Wilber.

If you are not familiar with Ken Wilber's work, either Kosmic Consciousness or A Brief History of Everything would be a great place to get started. Either of these resources will help you to appreciate Grey's art in more depth and understand what he is trying to achieve.

The book arrived quickly, was reasonably priced, and was in great shape. My son loves Calvin and Hobbes! He really enjoyed it and I enjoyed not worrying about finding the right gift. It was the exact book described in the ad so I was sure he didn't have that one and the condition was excellent.

Thank you very much

Very funny. My son is finally reading. He is enjoying himself while learning new vocabulary.

Calvin and Hobbes is one of my favourite cartoon series, and it is one of the few which can be equally enjoyed by adults and children alike.

Bill Watterson has a M.A. in Political Science, which suggests the reason for the names of the main characters. Calvin is of course named after John Calvin, the Reformed theologian who advocated Predestination, and Thomas Hobbes, the English Political Philosopher Thomas Hobbes who argued for 'The War of all against All' in his social contract theory.

Calvin is a somewhat dysfunctional six year old who is a constant headache to his parents, babysitters, teachers, and classmates. Calvin seems to embody several classic types of rebellious children in one character. Addicted to TV, hating girls, engaging in games which destroy the family home and engaging in wonderful fantasies make many of the high points of the series, which are darkly funny and often have a deeper satirical message about our world to the adult reader. To the younger reader, they no doubt will be delighted when Calvin makes his own time machine, goes back to the dinosaur age or becomes 'Spaceman Spiff' who fights evil aliens, or the 'Get Rid of Slimy Girls' Club Calvin forms with Hobbes.

This is a delightful comic to own and enjoy, for adults and children alike.

Probably one of my favorite Calvin and Hobbes stories is about Calvin's Duplicator/Transmorgrifier/Transmorgrifier Ray. The kid's imagination is completely limitless. And, Mr. Watterson, if you're reading this review, you should make a story where Calvin has his birthday party. Five stars to ALL Calvin and Hobbes books!!!

When you get right down to it, is there anything better than Calvin & Hobbes? In this compilation or any of the others, you get lessons in quantum physics, nostalgic looks at the agony of grade school, observations in human nature, and a bit of the "thing under the bed" style horror. All this and you'll laugh yourself to the point of wetting your pants.
The Calvin & Hobbes strips are hysterical. But beyond that, they are poignant and often bittersweet, reminding us of the children we once were and of the rich fantasies that come with childhood.
Behold Calvin, utterly impish and wise-beyond-his years. His snowmen displays, at times morbid at times downright surreal, could fill a collection of its own.
Calvin fancies himself the smartest boy in the world. And who can argue with him, other than his long-suffering parents and his faithful friend Hobbes, a tiger who may or may not be real.
Hobbes is the pentultimate friend. He is Calvin's confidante and his patient ear, but he is also the first to pounce on the boy or to challenge his sordid views of the world. Together, the pair ponder the meaning of life, question the adult world, or sneak off to explore the fascinating landscapes of childhood found under dead logs or under rocks.
If I were banished to a small island with only scant supplies to get me through my days, this book would be among the items in my trunk. I have had this collection for ten years or more and I've gone through it a dozen times. I'll go through it a dozen more before it's battered to the point of unreadable.
Watterson is an absolute genius. But as you fall into the world of Calvin & Hobbes, you'll forget that they were created by a mere man at all.

...particularly if you are one of those people who think Shakespeare is boring or too difficult (most of us remember the NIGHTMARE of getting through one play at school, right?). Well, kiss boredom goodbye, banish your nightmares and prepare for a TREAT! This is funny, intelligent, fast-paced and heartbreaking, all at the same time - rather like Shakespeare, in fact!

If you're a sucker for Shakespeare, like me, I would defenately bye this book. I had a proffessor who told me once that people go to the movies to escape from reality. This movie supports that statement. When I watch this movie or read the screenplay I fall into another time were love is the object your heart longs for most. One thing I like about this movie is how it brings facts into a fictional affair. The "actors" portrayed in this movie really did exist and they played in the very theatres dipicted; I love that! Marlowe, Shakespeare's "enemy" was really stabbed in a bar fight and there are many more factual things about the movie. I also like how the writers made it so that Will Shakespeare gave Viola the sonnet Shall I Compare Thee To A Summers Day and incorporated Romeo and Juliet into the movie. Sheer genious! And a great tear jerker! Wonderfully acted and written. It makes you fall in love with a time period almost forgotten. I simply loved it!

This movie showed us what true love really is. One person said "Ryan should have gotten best pic". Well, Red Line was way much better than that pic becuase it explored emotions and showed the feelings of each character. Ryan...good effects. Shakespeare In Love is well written and well acted. It is a love story that is never told. Just like our own lives.

I truly love this book! It shows passion,love,comedy,and history.The movie, Shakespeare in Love is my favorite movie, so I loved this book!

Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard wrote the screenplay of Shakespeare in Love. The film is marvellous and so powerful that no one can resist that love drama. The story of Romeo and Juliet is itself so frightfully emotional that no one can resist the charm of the tragedy and the pain of the love story. So many artists, in so many genres and arts, have tried themselves at adapting this story, this play, this tragedy to their stages or screens or canvasses, and all have been inspired so deeply by Shakespeare's story that Romeo and Juliet have become a true galaxy of masterpieces and stars. The latest ever produced is Shakespeare in Love and the screenplay is richer, more poignant and freer than the images of the film. The screenplay is enriched with stage directions that are so brilliant, so precious that the text, the dialogue, what is going to become the words of the actors, is enhanced and beautified by them. After a while we don't even know what is the gem and what is the golden bed that carries the gem. The screenplay is by itself a work of art, a masterpiece, and the film, if you watch it again afterwards, finds tremendous new meanings and undeemable finesse in the recollections you may have kept of all those lines that are not said, that are not shown, that are at best translated into images, settings, flying visual impressions that the words of the stage directions anchor in your memory, your heart and your brain with delicate tendrils that cannot break anymore. Any lover of Shakespeare, any lover of literature, any lover of love dramas and hate tragedies must read that screenplay to see how laughter and tears can intermingle in an unbreakable alliance. Dr Jacques COULARDEAU, Universities of Paris, IX and II.