Beauty Books

As a garden designer and gardener, this book is inspirational. I am thrilled with the juxtapostions of plants in this book. Great job. I only wish I lived in the Northwest so I can have them all!

Thomas Hobbs is a master maker of gardens, and in SHOCKING BEAUTY he offers his original perspective on garden design through a series of literary, inspiring essays taking examples from exceptional gardens throughout North America and Europe to show how gardens can be inspired rather than arranged. Nature is the best example of how to blend colors and textures to create 'shocking beauty', Hobbs maintains: full-page color photos demonstrate this beauty.

Diane C. Donovan, Editor
California Bookwatch

Buy this. Gorgeous pictures, charming and scholarly text, what more can a designer, clothes lover, or dress historian ask from any book? The introduction of these pretty jewel-like volumes on Shoes and Hats provide pleasure and inspiration for designers and fashion fanciers. And the detailed inset photographs on construction makes "Shoes & Slippers", and its sister volume "Hats and Bonnets" obligatory reading for costume makers. Who knew that the Snowshill Collection held this treasure trove of costume? Hat's off to Althea Mackenzie for her terrific work on these fresh additions to the costume and fashion bookshelf.

Beautiful photos of a wonderful collection of 18th & 19th century footwear. A terrific reference for anyone interested in either century.

I loved it! It afforded me a new appreciation of the inner life and thoughts of Kant. Ms. Matthews is to be praised for this effort!

There is a long tradition within philosophy and theology that a human being is best defined as a rational soul in the trappings of an animal body (read "sensible world."). For some thinkers this meant the soul was literally "trapped" in a body: forced to use it for its functions, but longing to be freed from it (in the next life, presumably). For others it had a more positive tone, with the soul surviving the body at death and then longing" for the body's return to it after the resurrection of the dead. Kant falls within the parameters of this tradition by holding that the rationality of humans is their primary status; as Matthews points out in The Significance of Beauty, (rational) people must "orient themselves to life in a sensible world." It would seem that Kant could imagine a situation in which rational humans were not in a sensible world. Although a recognized scholar of the science of astronomy, Kant died before the modern evolutionary understanding of life was developed: that is, that humans are essentially of the sensible world and must orient themselves to life with rational powers, which are quite recent in the history of living things. There could be no other world for them to inhabit or other mode of life to pursue. To make the orientation to the sensible world Kant suggests a surprising solution: the world of feeling stemming from aesthetic judgments. Matthews investigates this issue within the framework of Kant's works on the cognitive and moral elements within the human person. If you accept Kant's basic assumptions about human life, Matthews shows that his conclusions are logical and thought-provoking. Since judgments of taste are critical in Kant's approach to the overall understanding of human beings, a second issue must be discussed by Matthews at some length: how are such aesthetic judgments formed? How can they be individual and based on the individual's peculiar tastes (and background and experiences, presumably) and yet be universal and apply with equal rigor to all individuals? If "beauty is in the eye of the beholder," judgments of beauty would seem to vary and not be universal. Matthews works hard to resolve the difficulties of Kant's position on the universality of such judgments; and again, starting with the assumptions he makes, her line of explication is reasonable if not convincing. This is not a book for the faint of heart or those who are dismissive of metaphysical speculations that lack the underpinnings of the modern scientific worldview. It is a book for those who appreciate the role of metaphysics in asking and pondering questions beyond the purview of science. In Matthews' words, Kant "provides a format for thinking seriously about the nature of beauty and its significance for human life." She has used that format well with this serious and thoughtful book.

This book was written by Elyne Mitchell and i can tell you she's the greatest. Anyways, this book is filled with talking horses but that's OK for this once.
Thowra is born out of the rare creamies mare and a proud strongest strongest chestnut stallion. Bel Bel knew he would be hunted so she woved a spell naming him Thowra of the wild wind of the night in the storm when he was born. He and his friend Storm stayed through all of their years together. Even through adulthood. When The Brogla was in prime of his life, he has defeated and killed Yarraman, Thowra's father. But he stole another creamy off The Man and soon he was famous. He was tried to be caught and tamed, but because he had a smart, wise and cunning mother and a strong and handsome father, he was unbeatable. Other stallions wanted to kill him.He also grew faster, cunning and stronger so strong was able to defeat The Brogla! So then he was the King of the Cascade Brumbies. He kept Golden and couple of his prized mare in the Secret Valley. Then in a legendary chase, Thowra the wild wind disappeared over the cliff and people thought that he ran to his death. THOWRA RULZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In the other little edition that was great too.

I totally recommanded this book to all ages and to the horse-lovers.

This book is about a silver stallion that everyone wants to capture and tame, but Thowra escapes all the time and steals Golden and The Brolga fights with Yarraman, would Yarraman be killed or still be the King of Cascade brumbies? Until Thowra grew strong, he fought and won as King of the Cascade brumbies! and i recommended this book to anyone at all that loves horses or wild horses. Read this book and you'll love it!!!!!!!

I think this book will be helpful for women because it doesn't exclude anyone. It helps you realize that no matter what shape and size a women is, they can all look and feel wonderful about themselves. This book will give you the basics of starting a wardrobe that will make you comfortable with yourself.

This is a book that every man should have if he ever intends to give a gift of clothing to his wife or girlfriend! This is a book that every woman should have no matter how creative or no matter how much taste she thinks she has. It is so simple to follow with terrific pictures to illustrate the authors point. After reading the book and buying clothing based upon what the reader has learned, it would be impossible for the person to not feel better about herself.

I understand that there will be other books from the same author as well as videos. If so, make room now on your bookshelve!

This book is properly titled "The Skin Sourcebook". I purchased "The Skin Sourcebook" after spending some time in Guatemala working with some doctors. I found I needed to know more about certain skin conditions and diseases. This book was exactly what I was looking for. It covers every possible skin condition, has tips on taking proper care of your skin, discusses modern medications used by doctors, and takes an in-depth look at all types of skin cancer. After reading this book I have been able to discuss with many people certain prevention's they can practice to take care of their skin and (Thanks to Dr. Boyd) I have recognized the risks I have been taking with my own body. Trying not to sound too cheesy, I must say that this book is a life savor. I suggest to anyone with skin to pick this book up and spend some time taking care of yourself.

Dr Boyd makes things so easy to understand in this informative, helpful book on every skin disorder imaginable. It's a worthwhile purchase and very handy.

The illustrations in this version of Sleeping Beauty are just gorgeous. They make the book very special & a treasure to keep into adulthood. If you are looking for a special gift for a young child this book would be perfect.

Adele Geras previously wrote a fine series for children about famous ballets, including the Sleeping Beauty ballet. Unfortunately, many reviews are being published for that title under this newer book. This review is for the book by Geras, illustrated by Christian Birmingham, and with the ISBN number of 043958180X.

If you love blue and white, this Sleeping Beauty will quickly become your favorite version ever. Birmingham uses the entire spectrum of blue for his lush and luminescent illustrations of Geras' adaptation of the well-known fairy tale. While Geras' text is excellent, Birmingham's illustrations are the true reason for owning this book. Every page glows with light and magic, providing an impact similar to Thomas Kinkade's paintings without the blatant sweetness. Even at the darkest moments of the story, the happy ending is foreshadowed with beams of light streaming into the image.

Kinuko Y. Craft most recently illustrated this tale with a rich palette of reds and earth tones. Now Birmingham has provided us with the opposite spectrum of cool blues and the sky. Both books are highly recommended; don't think that this one should be missed if you already own Craft's beautiful book. We can only hope Geras and Birmingham will produce more fairy tales with their unique vision.

I purchaed many copies of this book as baby gifts in the early '90s. (Plus one for myself, of course.)
It is one of the most beautifully illustrated books I've encountered and really does need to come back into circulation.

This book would make a great gift for a child because it is an easy telling of the story and the pictures are beautiful. Almost every page has a full color illustration that looks to have been done as an oil painting.

I love this book. If you are someone who loves the Sleeping Beauty story, it's a must. The book itself is sturdy in hardback, and worth the investment. Rackham's artwork is funny, done in the silhouette style of black and white cut-out, enhanced with red and green inks for dramatic effect. It takes on a timeless look, reminding me of the end of the summer season. C.S. Evens tells the story in the fullest detail you will find, stretching it to 11 chapters. This is the romantic version, and talks nothing of wicked mothers or babies getting eaten up by ogres! Instead, this story begins with the princess's parents and the frog; it details the jobs of the servants and what goes in the castle, the 12 good fairies and the mad one... The curse. The advice of the wizards, the destruction of the spinning wheels, the princess growing up, and the demise of the curse's reign. Of course, there are MANY princes that attempt to break the curse, but only ONE makes it through!

Arthur Rackham not only excelled at creating full color illustrations; he also was an unrivalled master at the art of the silhouette. In this reprinted children's classic, Rackham lavishly illustrates C.S. Evan's intricate retelling of the Sleeping Beauty story with one amazing silhouette after another. One of my favorite illustrations when I was a child was a fabulous two-page cross-section of Sleeping Beauty's palace, including such great details as slumbering cats, doves, scullery maids, the king and queen on their thrones, and of course the princess in her high tower. It never ceases to impress me how much a masterful artist like Rackham could communicate just with beautifully crafted graphic shapes alone- and remember, just because something's not in color, doesn't mean it's not good! Highly recommended!

Cassie Jones is coming out of her shell with a serious makeover. Blonded, contacted...she's hot on an interview with Marine Cpt. Sam Wilder. He doesn't recognize her from their first meeting. That's fine. Cassie plans to be keep a professional distance...but discovers distance from Sam doesn't work! Every time she's around him she wants to get closer...much closer!

Humor and sizzle...Sleeping Beuaty and the Marine has it all!