Arts Books

I read this book on the recommendation of a friend. I say that I read it, but really this is more like a book you do. What do you do? You solve the mystery of the poetic story by searching the detailed illustrations for clues. Some clues are more obvious than others, but most clues take real sleuthing to discover. I had so much fun with it, and after about two days of study, I came up with the answer, but there was still so much that I had overlooked. Thankfully, the author reveals all to you in a sealed section at the back of the book. I encourage you to resist seeking the answers until you've tried your hardest to find as many clues as you can. Even if you can't figure out the who dunnit, you will be exited with every clue you find, and will likely hear yourself exclaim, "Ah-ha!". This book is marketed to children but it takes a sharp mind to solve the mystery and discover the clues, so it is really better suited for teens and adults, but even small children will enjoy the story and the amazing pictures. I would give this book as a gift to anyone who enjoys a good brain teaser. So get out your magnifying glass, a notepad and pencil, and have fun!

The story is about Horace the elephant who has decided to celebrate his eleventh birthday, with 10 of his friends in the eleventh month (November) on the eleventh day. After all have arrived the eleven characters participate in eleven games in anticipation of a birthday feast at the eleventh hour of the day. Thus the title of the book - The Eleventh Hour. The day is filled with musical activities, indoor/outdoor games, board games, cards, party games and more. The eleventh hour arrives disappointing the guests with the unexpected disappearance of their birthday feast. Apparently a theft perpetrated by one of the invited guests. Horace saves the day by serving healthy whole wheat sandwiches to all and the birthday cake remains because it had been stored away from the feast. With everyone enjoying the birthday cake, the story closes with a happy ending.

However, this is where one story ends and other mysteries begin. On each page of the book there are puzzles to be solved and clues to lead a more intrepid reader along the trail to the thief of the birthday feast.

I'm a freshman in college and I still love this book. My third grade class room had a set but we were NOT allowed to open the pages in the back! The entire class spent lots of time pouring over the sumptuous pictures and trying to spot each and every hidden...well, I won't give it away. I came across the book in a bookstore recently and bought it immediately because I had such fond memories. Do yourself or your kid a huge favor and buy it!

-- And it's a "kids book"!!!

I'm 26 now, but I remember the astonishment and awe I first felt borrowing this book from my 5th grade class's "library" when I was 10 years old. Back then, I gave up after 4 hours of not being able to figure anything at all out and had to look in the Sooper Sikret Section, but this time around, I got a few more of the clues on my own before having to look up the Section :P

A great book to sate the inquisitive mind of a bright child, honestly. Highly recommended!

Horace the elephant is inviting his animal friends over for his
eleventh birthday. Horace has prepared a magnificent feast for he and his friends to enjoy. But while they are romping outside, Horace's food has mysteriously disappeared. Which animal stole the food? Base's lush artwork contains cleverly hidden clues to help the reader solve this mystery. An excellent choice for all ages.

The title of the book says it all. This is THE definitive collection on the making of Star Wars. Of course there were tons of documentaries being made after the initial film was a huge success but since nobody really knew what was going on with this strange film, film and video footage is sparse at best.
This gives us all the insight we could want about the making of this space fantasy. Even if you're not a Star Wars fan, you will love this record of this high budget independent film.

It's high time. Nicely edited, lots of detail. Basically I am flashing back to my childhood every time I open this book. It is not a casual read as it weighs a gazillion pounds and the print is small. Don't change a thing! Thanks for finally recording this history in a quality fashion. EMPIRE STRIKES BACK may be the cinematic masterpiece but this film was what defined all major studio decisions since, and it is charming, exciting, and inspiring simultaneously. Ironic since Fox never were behind this film in the first place (Holla, Alan Ladd, for believing).

REMEMBER THE GOOD OLD DAYS WHEN WE CALLED THOSE CORNY SCIENCE FICTION MOVIES "OUT OF THIS WORLD" BECAUSE OF THE PRIMITIVE PROPS & SILVER SCREEN TRICKS THAT SEEMED TO MAKE FANTASY REAL! WELL PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT & IF OUR CIVILIZATION WERE TO DISAPEAR & A LONE STAR WARS TAPE WERE TO BE FOUND IT WOULD BE CONSIDERED " THE WAY WE WERE " AS IT IS GOSH !JUST SO WELL DONE! THIS BOOK EXPLAINS THE TRUE GENIUS BEHIND THE BRILLANT GROUP EFFORTS OF SO SO MANY TO MAKE A SPACE FANTASY SCIENCE FICTION STORY MORE THAN JUST ENTERTAINING! THAT WAS STAR WARS & THIS BOOK IS AN ALL TOO COOL SCI-FI FOOL SHOW & DO TELL VIA ALL THAT WILD & CRAZY FUNTASTIC STAR WARS SPACE RAZZ A MA TAZZ JAZZ! GET THIS BOOK & THE AMAZON FORCE WILL BE WITH YOU SO PLEASE DO SMILE!

Fairy tales are usually about a young man who becomes a hero by battling the most dispicable enemies and achieving his heart's desire. In the end, despite great odds, monsters are vanquished, villainy is given the heave-ho, the princess' heart is won and great treasure is acquired far from the eyes of the Internal Revenue Service (which is how you can tell this is a fairy tale).

"The Making of Star Wars" is just such a fairy tale, but it's not about the one up on the screen. This big, beefy, bouncy delight tells in 360 eye-squinting pages of type and hundreds of photos the story of how George Lucas, armed at first with nothing more than a bare bones script and a reputation for interesting, if not money-making movies, devoted more than four years of his life, bet his precarious career, and came up with a movie that not just redefined Hollywood blockbusters, but reimagined heroism and other virtues that touched a generation made cynical by the upheavals of the `60s and `70s.

How he did it -- as described in this book -- should give all writers, artists and other dreamers pause to reflect on the value of preparation, hard work, a willingness to absorb ideas from others, and going into a project knowing that you have not only no idea how it will come out, but that bad luck will doom you no matter what you do.

It's amazing that "Star Wars" was made at all, when it becomes clear in the book that the executives in charge at 20th Century Fox were more interested in busting Lucas' chops instead of making a movie. As one of Lucas friends notes: "There was a lack of respect for George. The movie industry is a very vituperative and petty industry most of the time -- and part of the negotiations was just to see how much they could push George around because they felt like they could."After getting Lucas under contract cheap, before the success of "American Graffitti," Fox proceeded to fritter away their leverage by withholding the contract for "Star Wars." To keep the project going, Lucas was forced to invest his own money, and in the end, had to threaten to stop filming to get the contract. By that time, the project was so far along that Fox was faced with either agreeing to his demands, or letting the project go to another studio. Hence, was born the most lopsided contract in history, giving Lucas say over final cut, plus control over all sequels and merchandizing.

Considering that "The Making of Star Wars" was published nearly 30 years after the movie's stunning debut, going back and putting together this history is a major accomplishment. Fortunately, J.W. Rinzler had access to interviews conducted during the production of `Star Wars," when people were in the midst of the work and uninfluenced by its future success. This fills the book with episodes and incidents of such detail that it's possible to fall into the pages and imagine yourself, back in the mid-'70s, where hair was blow-dried, collars and pants were wide, Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter were atop the political pyramid -- reflect on that when you look at Obama/Clinton/McCain!

For the two weeks, I was in film geek heaven, boring my wife at lunchtime with details about alternative casting (Christopher Walken as Luke! Jodie Foster as Leia!), alternative storylines (Luke was a girl at one point and named Starkiller; the robots were originally bureaucrats working for the Empire; Lucas toyed with filming it all in Japanese, with subtitles), sources for names (Han Solo? From a brand of paper cups) and those small incidents that acquire greater meaning (an out-of-work James Earl Jones spending a day in a studio to record Darth Vader's lines for $7,500). And don't get me started on the models and special effects; we'd be here all week.

But the heart of the story is George Lucas, and while I've always respected the man, my heart went out to him once I understood the impossible odds he worked again. "Star Wars" was made because he willed it into being; he was the Jedi who rescued his movie.

Lucas created a fairy tale for our times, but his story had a fairy tale twist as well. After laboring for years, fighting the studio executives and impossible deadlines, Lucas got his movie out. But he thought he had failed: "When I saw the first cut, my only opinion was that I did a terrible job, but it works. It doesn't work very well, but it works. ... And then when I finally saw it with an audience for the first time, I realized that no matter how far short I fell and how far short all the departments fell from what I wanted, the film did work for an audience. ... They all laughed at the right place and they believed it."

So the hero wins after all, but not in the way you'd expect. That's the hallmark of all good stories.

Having seen all 3 original trilogy movies over a hundred times a piece, (I paid theater admission for most of those viewings, no video back then), I was and still am interested in the behind the scenes events that took place during the making of the movies.
I have read all three of the "Making Of" books about the original trilogy. This book is definitely the most thorough and indepth with the technical aspects and day to day events on set. I enjoyed the interviews with George Lucas and the other people involved in the film. On the lighter side, (Being a huge Luke/Mark Hamill fan) I really enjoyed the candid photos of Mark Hamill and the other cast members on set.
The true Star Wars fan will enjoy the unlimited access to George Lucas' earliest thoughts about the trilogy and a detailed look into his film making style. This book is a must have for all who have ever dreamed of "a galaxy far, far away....

I've been wanting this for a while, but in Australia it's double the price for some crazy unfair reason... but I was buying some other stuff on Amazon so took the opportunity to save on postage and got this too - can't wait to spend some time with - I've only had a chance to flip through and read Joss' intro so far but it's good enough that I wanted to come back and comment. If you enjoyed Serenity and/or Firefly - you'll love this, in addition to the script you get a bunch of nice behind the scenes stuff.

If you really liked Serenity, you'll love this companion. It has a lot of movie information and is worth getting.

Great book!
I can't get enough FIREFLY stuff. Very well done book covering everything you might have missed the ten times you watched SERENITY, the movie! God, how I miss watching new FIREFLY episodes! Sure wish someone would come to their senses and realize that FIREFLY was - and still is - WAY ahead of MOST new series that keep popping up on TV. BEST TV I have ever watched. BRING THEM BACK!

And

Don't take the sky from me!

js

There are so many things in this book that you should know if you liked the Serenity Movie. It makes you see all the little things that you didn't notice.

As a big fan of Firefly and Serenity this book made the sting of not having anymore new episodes to watch a bit less.
Beautiful drawings, photos, and plenty of behind the scenes information on the characters and settings made this a treasure.
Every Browncoat needs one!

The Well Fed Self Publisher provides a realistic and practical approach to self-publishing. There are a lot of self-publishing scams out there that play on the emotions of aspiring authors. Self-publishing is and always will be a business operation connected to the greater publishing community. However you choose to publish your book, book promotion is essential. This is definitely one of the strengths of WFSP: your marketing options. IF you want to make a profit on your book, you need the facts to swim with the sharks and survive. I also use other self-publishing books for reference, but I appreciate the conversational (and humorous) style that Peter Bowerman uses to describe and teach the big picture of self-publishing. As I investigate self-publishing, the more I find I don't know. I thought finishing my book was enough and self-publishing would magically produce profits to compensate for my time investment. I was living in a dream world and I'm so grateful I have an outline, provided in the Appendix, to follow and organize the responsibilities of successful self-publishing.

I am independently publishing my book and there are only about three books that are REALLY strong on the topic and this book is one of those books. What I really like about this book is it isn't a new version of Dan Poyter or Marilyn/Tom's Book ~ the book is unique and well organized....its new info ~ I appreciate how he gave contact info to contractors. I liked his website list format so much I am using it on my book (He put them all in the back, I was considering doing it chapter by chapter) Get the book!

I was so thrilled to see that Peter Bowerman had done it again, and was so close to publishing my second book that I bought the e-book, downloaded it, printed it out and spent several evenings happily employed with a hole-punch.

I couldn't wait for the print version, so now I've got a pretty bulky, but useful, product. I love it! I use it! It's great!

Thanks, Peter
Mary Lynn Archibald

I already wrote a book and after a never ending correction process, finally got it ready to print. BUT, at that point,got so many questions that I was paralyzed. After researching decided to go self-published. Here is when "The well fed...self publisher" rescue me from the jungle of choices, teaching me ALL I need to know to succeed. I appreciate very much your help Peter!!!!. A wrong decision means not only wasted time but a lot of wasted money too!!, from this point of view this book pays itself many times.
I recommend this excellent book to everyone looking for a COMPLETE GUIDE to be a self publisher. It is full of real world tips & tricks that helps you to find always the right path in each topic covered. I feel that the author teaches ALL he knows with the authority of his vast experience.

Thanks again !!

Anibal
anibal2100@hotmail.com

PS: just in case, no, I'm NOT a friend or relative of the author. Just a reader. I wrote this positive review because he deserves it

Peter Bowerman goes far beyond your typical how-to book on self publishing with the The Well-Fed Self-Publisher (TWFSP). Packed inside this info-packed gem is example after example of what to do AFTER the book is printed. Most of us self-publishers are looking for more than just seeing our names in print. We want to sell books, establish our expertise, or carve a niche for ourselves in our fields (or all of the above!) The Well-Fed Self-Publisher offers the specifics of self publishing as Bowerman shares every secret he's learned along the way as a self-publisher. He also shares a college course worth of knowledge in marketing this book. It's not enough to write your book, you've got to market it!

For all of the valuable information TWFSP provides, it reads like a chat with your favorite mentor. Bowerman's down-to-Earth style and his engaging wit make this an enjoyable excursion into self-publishing. I have kept this book by my side for the past few months as I complete my own self-published book. It's become my "go-to" reference as I navigate the printing and marketing of my upcoming title. There is no way I could have succeeded without it.

This book is a must have resource for the crochet enthusiast! Patterns are always nice to have but what I like the most are the detailed how-to's and the stitch encyclopedia in the back. Donna Kooler provides all of the information you need to create your own design with the stitches, beginning counts, repeats, et cetera. I would recommend this to anyone interested in expanding or even just entering the world of crochet.

I've made two of the philosopher's coats in different color palettes, and it was challenging and fun and great! Note to advanced crocheters: the directions are somewhat limited. I guess she figures that if you get to this stage, you don't need everything spelled out. I've had a ton of compliments on both coats. The other patterns are fine, but this was the reason I bought the book. Don't be intimidated! You'll love the challenge of it, and when you're done, you know you've created something very special.

I'm a international student in usa which means I have some problem with crochet pattern. This book is very helpful because it has symbol and picture to show how to do it. Since I have a basic crochet , I can easily follow instruction . recommand for a beginner!!

This book has fantastic how to diagrams as well as projects! It provides a history of crocheting that really adds. I bought this book for my daughter for Christmas, and after looking through it with her, I had to have one for myself. Great author, great book, great choice.

I got this book at a discount price at Hobby Lobby.. Wow what a bargin... Tons of information... Loads of pictures... If your a new quilter like myself... This book is at a good price with all the imformation you will need to start out...

5 plus stars for the Author..

From story board to stunning completed product, an overview of Mr.Ross' DC comics work, focusing particularly on the big three; Superman, Wonder Woman and Batman, with loving attention to the rest of the JLA as well.

Lots of beautiful 'work in progress to completion' pictures and even a few that never got to see the go light of editors.
Inspirational for the new painter or seasoned storybook artist - makes quite the case for gouache!

Please note! this is NOT an 'origins' book or even a story, this is meant to specifically address the artwork itself and the processes by which it is done.

By the by, many a comic book irritates me no end with its sexist imagery -this book is a rare exception in supehero comics.
None of the women are bimboes and the men are, dare I say, as beautiful as the ladies.

For my part, the explanations of the new Kingdom Come versions of the classic DC cast were the finest aspect of this book.
If you're at all a fan of Alex Ross' incredible way with a brush, you must own this, if only for the most drool worthy versions of beloved heroes.

If you love the classic DC pantheon, you need this book, 'nuff said!

Mythology collects the stellar art work of Alex Ross showcasing the worlds finest images of the major DC characters such as Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman. This book highlights key points of the characters beginnings and evolutions with clear and informative writing. Gorgeously illustrated by Alex Ross coupled with wonderfully laid out design work the reader will find it quite difficult to put down this handsome book.Mythology: The DC Comics Art of Alex Ross

An amazingly illustrated montage of Ross's work. A beautiful book for fans of comic book art and art in general.

AMAZING. Totally worth buying. If you like Alex Ross, you will not regret this purchase. The book includes Ross' comments on inspiration, collaborations, thoughts, insights, and much more. Truly inspiring.

It's a great work, detailing all the work of Alex Ross in DC Comics. In this book, we get the notions of how he figures out the characters, their concepts and ideologies, etc. Moreover, with this book we can see how the Art is transported from the artist's mind to the paper.
There's just one book better than this one: it's hardcover version, much more beautiful.

This book is a great gift for anyone.
It's beautiful poetry, art, and amazing story will inspire anyone.
I have seen her interviews and her work is intriguing and her attitude is beautiful.
The book is a must have!

This book is a good introduction into the girl behind these amazing paintings and poetry. Her insightful artwork is reproduced well. This girl's visions and understanding of who God is and His heart of love for people of the world is astounding. (Especially when you consider her mom USED to be an atheist) The poetry is a little beyond me, but the art work speaks volumes.
Lovely. Keep up the great work Akiane.. your goal is being reached!

Akiane's story has always inspired me. I directed a friend of mine to her website recently to show her the amazing art, and she told me after surfing it that it restored her faith in God. When I read this book, it only accentuated my love and admiration for Akiane. You don't have to be religious to appreciate this girl. Her story is still a powerful message of how faith can change your life. If you're an art lover, you'll be inspired by the reproductions of her paintings and be stunned by her use of color and imagination. Her art is so realistic, but so mystical too. If you prefer the written word, read dozens of Akiane's poems. They are guaranteed to blow you away.

All in all, this book helps you remember that there is goodness in the world.

Very inspirational and faith building book. Akiane has not chosen this path, she's only following where God leads her. There are always going to be nay sayers about anything, specially in this world of instant information. I choose to believe that she is what she says she is, and does what she says she does, because with God anything is possible.

The first time I saw this book, I was on a cross country plane ride and had the fortunate experience of sitting next to a kindred soul. She shared this book with me to pass the time. And the time passed quickly. After looking at the paintings of this young artist, Akiane, I had a kink in my neck because I couldn't turn away. But it was worth it. I ordered the book immediately and have enjoyed sharing it with my daughters and displaying it on our coffee table.

Akiane is an artist and a poet and an inspiration. She believes she's been touched by God, and one look at her work will make you a believer as well.

Michele Cozzens, Author of A Line Between Friends and The Things I Wish I'd Said.

I am in a collage class at school and found this book a perfect supplement for all my collage projects. There is a variety of tricks- everything from different techniques for backgrounds and ways to transfer images to your collage. Plus the book itself is beautifully done. Nothing makes my heart twitter more than a fantastic collage...

. . . . there was paper and glue. This book is a "must" buy for the beginning artist who has decided to explore the world of collage. It has very simple explanations of incredible techniques that you can learn quickly and use over and over. You will find your favorites, but don't be afraid to try all of them.

I also recommend this for "young" budding artists.

I just so love this book. It gets straight to the point, It is incredibly detailed plus for beginners like myself who are new to collage it makes perfect sense.

Book was in great conditon, but I purchased the book for a project and by the time it came... we were done with the project.

Without a question Claudine gives great advice and instruction in this book. Lots of ideas for scrapbooking, collage and just crafty folks. I would definitely recommend her other book "Beyond the Unexpected" as well. She also has DVDs that are awesome for those of us who learn by watching. She's a hoot!

...it should be this one. All the basics are here, copiously illustrated (some of the images featuring judo's founder, Jigoro Kano) and explained in a fair amount of detail. Although other books may offer more variations and flashier presentations, herein can be found all the rudiments of Kodokan judo. If the subject interests you at all, you simply must own this book. With judo's popularity on the rise (even professional mixed martial artists, typically reliant on either wrestling or Brazilian jiu-itsu, have begun to reevaluate judo and its usefulness in the combative context), no serious student of the martial arts can afford to ignore Kano's work, and this book is the gateway to understanding that work.

Complete text of traditional art by authoratative author. Excellent reference of techniques. Chinese author has slight problem with english in this translation. Does not delineate when or where to use techniques. Must learn Chin-na with instructor to learn this.

As stated above, this book is considered the foundation of Judo, both modern day and early judo. Please be aware that this book is not to purchased and read as a novel: it is to supplement judo training in the dojo and assist with one's desire to achieve success in the sport of judo.

I purchased the book with the hope that it would include more detail on the martial aspects of Judo, i.e. atemi (strikes), leglocks, and other things considered illegal in competition. It has some, but speaks of them very generally, and always refers one to the Kata. As a general reference it good, but not exactly what I had hoped.

I have been practicing /training in Judo for approx. 3 months, great book for review /insight before and after training and performing at Dojo.

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.