Reviews (10)

Great
This is a really great book. So many details and so many examples and references. Covers every single century from the Caves paintings to the Modern Picasso. I really loved it.

Gardner's Art Through the Ages (with ArtStudy Student CD-ROM and InfoTrac) (Gardner's Art Through the Ages)
This is an excellent text for studying art history or just learning about how art has evolved through the ages.

Excellent art history intro text
I'm not an art major but I thought it'd be cool to take an art history course for a humanities requirement in college and I'm very happy I decided to take it.
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Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. General    4. History    5. History - General    6. Art / General    7. History Of Art / Art & Design Styles   

Reviews (31)

Some Instructions Inadequate
I purchased this book as my figure has changed and I needed to re-do my basic slopers.The pattern design books I currently have did not cover trousers so I was delighted to finda new book that was apparently so comprehensive.
Finally !Best value for my dollar
I received this book yesterday and read the first 100 pages.I've sewn all my life and consider myself an advanced seamstress.I've sewn and made my own patterns for childrens' heirloom, business suits, and now enjoy making (jazz) dance costumes.I'm the one in line at the fabric store buying ten patterns, just to combine different details and features in different sizes, especially if sewing for a group.I probably own hundreds of patterns and almost that many books.For me, this book will pay for itself many times over.It isn't a sewing "how to" book and it wouldn't be the first book for a beginner.The reader should be familiar or use other reference books for actual garment construction techniques.I've bought other, less expensive sewing books to learn pattern manipulation and fitting techniques.I put off the purchase of this book, being put off by its price.But, finally!This book is so inspiring and liberating. In just the first 100 pages, I've gotten through the basic patternmaking and dart manipulation.I think I may never have to buy another pattern again !This is definitely a must have for the serious sewing enthusiast.

Designs by Sharon
This book was used during a 12 week class I attended for Patternmaking.It is very thorough and is an excellent reference for just about any type of pattern one could desire to make.I learned a great deal using the book as a reference guide while I studied the various fundamental components to patternmaking.However, it can be a little intimidating if used as a self-study text.This issue could have been solved if there had been an answer section for the various exercises that accompanied each chapter.Many of the students in our class felt it was a text designed for those enrolled in a formal college level class, i.e., it oftened assumed reader knowledge beyond that expected of a lay person. (Everyone in our class was required to be at the advanced level of sewing experience.)Some of the exercises were made more difficult because the technique to design a sample pattern was in a later chapter, not having been covered in the one just studied.Overall,though,it is a good reference and certainly belongs in the personal library of any serious home sewer. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Decorating - General    3. Design - General    4. Dressmaking    5. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    6. Fashion    7. General    8. Pattern design    9. Art / Design / General    10. History Of Art / Art & Design Styles    11. Industrial / Commercial Art & Design   

Reviews (2)

good transaction
Smooth transaction, book in great condition,very pleased and would do business with again.

Well done!
The book was exactly what it said it was -- brand new.It arrived on time.I would definitely order from the seller again. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. General    4. Art / General    5. History Of Art / Art & Design Styles   

Editorial Review

In this fanciful volume, Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas, founder of the Office for Metropolitan Architecture (O.M.A.), both analyzes and celebrates New York City. By suggesting the city as the site for an infinite variety of human activities and events--both real and imagined--the essence of the metropolitan lifestyle, its "culture of congestion" and its architecture are revealed in a brilliant new light. "Manhattan," Koolhaas writes, "is the 20th century's Rosetta stone . . . occupied by architectural mutations (Central Park, the Skyscraper), utopian fragments (Rockefeller Center, the U.N. Building), and irrational phenomena (Radio City Music Hall)." Filled with fascinating facts, as well as photographs, postcards, maps, watercolors, and drawings, the vibrancy of Koolhaas's poignant exploration of Gotham equals the heady, frenetic energy of the city itself. Anyone who loves New York will want to own this book. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Eating oysters with boxing gloves, naked, on the nth floor.
The quote written above is excerpted from Delirious New York. It is a perfect example of the lyrical quality of the writing prevalent throughout this amazing book. Delirious New York is not an objective chronological listing of New York's development, but a collection of manifestos and stories with opinionated perspectives about a city founded on the idea that maximum congestion is a desirable factor. It is informative, funny (the midget firefighters of Coney Island had me laughing aloud for a solid minute or two), twisted, and inspiring.
best koolhaas ever, man
koolhaas is a bit over-the-top for me, but this I think is is best work. it's worth checking out if only for the story of coney island. once you get past blisteringly pretentious phrases like "coney island is a fetal manhattan", you'll find it gloriously entertaining as both a narrative and theoretical work.

the culture of congestion
This is by far Koolhaas's most accessible work, as it is rooted so clearly in detail from the city's past. Further, the book is simply brilliant. His take on urban history is to Jane Jacobs what Socrates is to common sense. New York is a special case of modernism that sprang from a special constellation of poltiical and technological forces that collectively create a cultural "big-bang" at the turn of the century. Read it. Blow your mind. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American architecture    2. Architecture    3. Buildings    4. Criticism    5. New York    6. New York (N.Y.)    7. New York (State)    8. New York - Local History    9. Planning    10. Public, Commercial, or Industrial Buildings    11. Social History    12. U.S. Architecture - General    13. Art / Subjects & Themes / General    14. Local history    15. USA   

Reviews (5)

Comming from an art school dropout
Most graffiti artists are of the same school of thought, that being; advertisements are everywhere - Shepard Fairey the OBEY guy, everywhere you look there’s someone visually shoving something down your throat and usually they want money for it.So why is it illegal to put some of your own art up just as much as they do?This is true and valid opinion for someone to have, but not when its coming from a guy who just sprayed his tag name on the side of the highway in 8 foot indiscernible lettering - that is what gives graffiti a bad name.In my opinion it should be against the law to sign your name on a train or a building - no matter how big it is or how many colors you used or how fast you had to run when the watchmen saw.It just misses the point of having a public exchange of ideas.
Art Crime Extraordinaire!
No artist comes close to the emotional impact he makes in this work. Brilliant-Brilliant-Brilliant.
one of my favorite artists
Banksy is an amazing artist, a lot of conceptual as well as visually appealing works. I knew that he is like a god father of stencil graffiti, but i never thought good he is with installations.
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Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions - General    4. Criticism    5. Exhibition Catalogs    6. Popular Culture - Counter Culture    7. Popular Culture - General    8. Art / General    9. Individual artists    10. Painting & paintings    11. Social Science / Popular Culture   

Reviews (5)

Wonderful !!!
Not only the content is insightful, but the design of this book is just wonderful. It is a good source of international drawing's world and a good coffee table book. Get it now!

poor quality images
I am disappointed with the quality of the images.They are the quality of an ink jet printer set at draft quality.Most of the images are so faded it is difficult to see at all.I have returned this book, which is something I do once every 1000 books I order, and it is the first art book I have ever returned in my life.

obsessed drafter
Beautifully bound and a pleasure to hold...what a book is all about vs the digital stuff.
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Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Fine Arts (Specific Aspects)    4. History - General    5. History Of Fine Arts    6. Techniques - Drawing    7. Art / Drawing    8. Drawing & drawings    9. History of art & design styles: from c 1900 -   

Editorial Review

Scottish artist Andy Goldsworthy uses a seemingly infinite array of purely natural materials, from snow and ice to leaves, stone, and twigs in the creation of his one-of-a-kind sculptures. Unlike such artists as Christo and Michael Hiezer, whose works leave definite marks on the landscape, Goldsworthy's approach is to interrupt, shape, or in some other way temporarily alter or work with nature to produce his fragile, mutable pieces. To create "Broken Icicle," for example, Goldsworthy was only able to work on the sculpture in the early morning, when temperatures were below freezing. As with most of his works, ultimately, the materials used to create this piece returned to their natural state, leaving no trace of the artwork's existence save for the stunning photos in this book. ... Read more

Reviews (35)

Renew your sense of wonder
Andy Goldworthy clearly has an astonishing way of interpreting the world around him. I've grown so weary of photography books filled to capacity with picture postcard scenic overlooks and color-saturated closeups of bees on flower petals. Goldworthy embeds himself in the natural world; all the while remaining in touch with his surroundings, he visually articulates a wonderfully unique re-interpretation that is at once both fresh and startling. As a visual arts educator, I find this book to be a superb exemplar and asset for introducing students to ways of creatively thinking outside the box. For me personally, I can go back time and again to re-examine Goldworthy's concepts, designs, and images and always find something new to admire. Beautifully reproduced, bound and printed, one word sums this book up: Wow.

fantastic resume of the all quality of Goldsworthy
A fantastic review of the large capacities of a great built in nature. We havet not the time to be anoyed reading this book. So impressed that I buy another one to offer to someone special.

He is so smart
Modern artists are often attacked because on the basis of "I could have thought of that."And true, you might say that about any given page in this book.Yet it's unbelievable that one man thought of all of them.Look at the photos in this book, and you'll see art everywhere the next time you walk outside.I could cover a wall with every page that is worth framing. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1900-1999 (20th century)    2. 1956-    3. Art    4. Art & Art Instruction    5. Art, Modern    6. Catalogs    7. Goldsworthy, Andy,    8. Individual Artist    9. Individual Sculptors And Their Work    10. Nature (Aesthetics)    11. Art / History / American    12. Goldsworthy, Andy    13. Individual artists   

Reviews (9)

Great Textbook!
I just started my summer class a few weeks ago, and I definitely agree with the instructor that it's a truly great textbook! It's not as pricey as I initially thought it was going to be and it has a ton of art information. The CD and timeline are kind of useless, but I would still use them to study for exams or quizzes. If you want to learn about art in SOOO many ways, get this book because it's a treat!

chosen paintings shown several times
I got this book for a class, and besides just using it for tests, I haven't opened it much. Most of the paintings in the first few chapters are also the same paintings in the last few chapters, though, and I thought it would have more variations. However, the info in each section is concise, easy to read, and the whole book is a great introduction for the beginner to the study of art.

Great Book for the begining Artist or Art lover
I found it to be detailed enough to learn about art without boring me. It was actually for a class I'm taking by found I read more chapters than required because it was a great overview on many diffent subjects from art to architecture ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. General    4. Reference    5. Art / General    6. History Of Art / Art & Design Styles   

Reviews (4)

Class
we just got these books for my art history class, and this thing is amazing. color photots, detailed information, and interactive site. yeah, its nice
Gardner's Art Through the Ages, Volume I
this book is perfect for the class I am taking. aj

Brief Opinion
The newest edition of this book has some great qualities about it, namely the interactive cd to be utilized as a study aid (the flash card section was beneficial to me), the variety of objects chosen to represent the period/culture have improved, in my opinion, from the other editions as the book has updated archaeological finds. The only disappointing feature I found was in the text itself. The "extra" information boxes including explination of ancient religions and preservation techniques were facinating, but the bulk of text I found to dance around the point. It kept trying to be politically correct, such as changing Venus of Willendorf to Woman of Willendorf. Granted this new take is supposed to account for counter arguments against the purposes of certain objects, but I found that in the attempt to be objective there was a loss of passion for the object and culture itself. I also found that the terminology the book chose to define within the text was unneccessary (vocabulary such as hypostyle hall needs to be defined, not vocab such as carbon dating). However, overall the book holds to the tradition of the series by displaying stunning visual images (all objects are in colour no less!)and the information presented is rather informative, even if the style of writing is "too correct" in some places. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. General    4. History    5. History - General    6. Subjects & Themes - General    7. Art / General    8. History Of Art / Art & Design Styles   

Reviews (2)

A must read for new and old collectors
A unique and new look at the Art of Art Collecting.A full analysis of the sociological and esthetic mechanism that is the art world, as well candid advice and opinions from a selection of international art world figures.The book ultimately asks questions about the relationship between art collecting and art history, and challenges the traditional taboos and cliches surrounding art and money

Enter a whole new world!
A book for the rest of us!Adam Lindeman lays out the basics surrounding the world ofcontemporary art using a series of interviews with collectors, dealers, critics and curators. As the book explains, contemporary art is hugely popular all over the world and the internet and art fairs have changed the nature of the business. This book is a primer for those who have touched the edges of the contemporary art world and will likely prove interesting forthose who are already knowledgable.
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Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Collecting    4. Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions - General    5. History - Contemporary (1945- )    6. Antiques & Collectables    7. The Arts: General Issues   

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. General    4. History - General    5. Art / General    6. History Of Art / Art & Design Styles   

Reviews (4)

sent wrong book
they did not specify that it was the study guide instead of the actual book I needed.

Great book!
Beautiful book! The art pictures are great! I am learning alot!

A great start for beginner art enthusiasts
I went to a multimedia school where I took a class on the fundamentals of art & design. Understanding Art was the required text book. Little would I know that I would still be talking about Understanding Art and recommending it for years after that class! (Just don't let my teacher know that!)Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Criticism    4. History - General    5. Art / General    6. Philosophy    7. The Arts: General Issues   

Editorial Review

A comic book about comic books. McCloud, in an incredibly accessible style, explains the details of how comics work: how they're composed, read and understood. More than just a book about comics, this gets to the heart of how we deal with visual languages in general. "The potential of comics is limitless and exciting!" writes McCloud. This should be required reading for every school teacher. Pulitzer Prize-winner Art Spiegelman says, "The most intelligent comics I've seen in a long time." ... Read more

Reviews (95)

Don't let the title mislead you...
If you think this is just about comics, think again!It's a book which defines and illustrates what we call "art".The presentation is so simple, yet so profoundly deep, you'll find yourself referring back to this densely packed little book for many years to come.I always keep a copy at work to pass on to colleagues.It's absolutely genius.
A Comic about Comics
Understanding Comics is simple and deep.Profound and sometimes silly.It's such a no-brainer idea, why not USE the medium of comics to best describe the tools, power and impact of comics.
STEALTH TEACHING
Mc Cloud writes and draws in such a logical, straightforward style that remains funny and entertaining. His research and organization show this to be a heavy book disguised as fluff. (not to say that all comics are shallow, but they usually do not give the first impression of "War and Peace"). I was visiting my daughter at school and saw this softcover laying on the coffee table. I thought it might be a counter- culture "People" magazine. I was sucked in to the light approach and funny quirks in animation. Soon I realized this was a serious topic and also impossible to put down. I had to have a copy of my own. (turns out it was being used as a textbook in an English/Writing class on campus). Scott is a genious if could reach me. I am a photographer and Scott opened my eyes to new visual logics.
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Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Authorship    4. Comic books, strips, etc.    5. Comics & Cartoons    6. Humor    7. Juvenile literature    8. Periodicals, Publishing of    9. Techniques - Cartooning    10. Comic book & cartoon art    11. Comics & Graphic Novels / Comics & Cartoons    12. History Of Art / Art & Design Styles   

Editorial Review

This attractively packaged two-volume set attempts an almost impossible task: to present the art of the entire world, from vibrant cave paintings dating back 30,000 years to the creative trends of the late 20th century. Though the arts of Europe are the most thoroughly analyzed, respected scholars in several specialized fields cover other cultures with cogent essays. A more unusual feature is the space devoted to art created by women, such as the late-Renaissance painters Sofonisba Anguissola and Lavinia Fontana--the latter was invited in 1560 to be an official painter at the Spanish court. Relationships between the art of different cultures are emphasized and, while each section can stand alone, each is shown to fit meaningfully into the overall development of the world's artistic heritage. Beautiful images grace the production's 1,200 pages, not only well-known icons but a wealth of lesser-known gems are here, carefully chosen to demonstrate the points made in the text. There are many delightful surprises among the illustrations, many of which are in color, printed to high quality standards in Japan. For instance, line drawings explain technical details, from "Lost-wax Bronze-casting" to "Elements of the Skyscraper." A vast amount of information is presented, but it is very well organized and easy to access, and an extensive glossary answers many questions. Marilyn Stokstad's Read more

Reviews (10)

Art History (Study Guide)
I am very satisfied with the item, and it delived so quckly.

Watch out for $30 version (only a study guide)
The $30 version is too good to be true.Although it would appear that you are ordering an "attractively packaged two-volume set," you are actually ordering a study guide for what I am sure is an attractively packaged two-volume set.

A Masterpiece...
Marilyn Stokstad has put together a real masterpiece of art history with her book, Art History. In collaboration with Bradford Collins, and with contributed chapters from Stephen Addiss, Chu-tsing Li, Marylin Rhie and Christopher Roy, this large volume published by noted art publishers Henry N. Abrams, Inc. is deserving of pride of place on any art bookshelf. Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. History    4. History - General    5. History Of Fine Arts    6. Art / General    7. History Of Art / Art & Design Styles   

Reviews (2)

Fun book!
Who ever knew fashion could be so scandalous? As one who is not so fashion savvy, Alicia Drake's book told of a world quite its own, while entertaining me with the drama of the two powers colliding.
Dishy AND intelligent
Read an advance copy of this book - it is a delight...sex, drugs and fashion are always a thrill to read about but thedetails(some quite dishy) evoke a Paris, well, a Paris I wish I had been able to belong to - (and to hell with the consequences!)Really well written and researched, which makes the gossip tasty but the information fascinating. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. European    4. Fashion    5. Folklore & Mythology    6. History - Contemporary (1945- )    7. Social Science / Folklore & Mythology   

Reviews (22)

History of Graphic Design
The book is in wonderful condition and is filled with very interesting material.

The Man Behind the book
I was one of Philip Meggs students at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. Our class was the first to use the first edition of this book as a classroom textbook for his History of Graphic Design class. He was a wonderful storyteller, with a true passion for graphic design. And more than that was the obvious joy he had in sharing that knowledge and whimsical annecdotes in his own style of humor. Philip Meggs was an exceptional man that will truly be missed.

Borrow
Borrow this book from a friend in class and photocopy the pages, thats my advice.Good book, just over priced. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Book design    4. Design & Drafting    5. Graphic Arts - General    6. Graphic design (Typography)    7. History    8. History - General    9. Typography    10. Architecture / Design & Drafting    11. Graphic design    12. History of specific subjects   

Reviews (7)

SUPERSTARANDYWARHOL BLOWS UP
"Gee..." as Andy would say. "It's so big..." Brilliant compilation of Warholia with analysis and photos as evidence of His Genius. Two chapters- "America the Beautiful" and "Matinee Idols"- written by David Dalton who was there at the Creation are especially perceptive and insightful. Andy Warhol lives- Bigger and Better Forever!

ANDY ANDY ANDY ANDY ANDY ANDY ANDY ANDY ANDY
this book is really really big.
Great
I really enjoyed this book.If you are at all interested in Warhol this is the book for you.The format is amazing.The book has everything Warholian that you could want. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American - General    2. Art    3. Artists, Architects, Photographers    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Contemporary Art    6. Fine Arts (General)    7. Historical - U.S.    8. Individual Artist    9. Techniques - Painting    10. Art / Individual Artist    11. Individual artists    12. Pop art    13. Postwar period, 1945 to c 2000    14. USA   

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Catalogs    4. Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions - Private    5. Individual Artist    6. Individual Painters - 20th Century    7. Pinup art    8. Private collections    9. Special Subjects In Art    10. Subjects & Themes - Human Figure    11. United States    12. Art / Popular Culture   

Reviews (2)

Perfect order, same old same old
Blah blah blah - Good quality blah blah. You know the drill, just BUY IT already!

Fascinated Layperson.
Having taken art history in college, I wish this was the addition of Arnason I bought. Kalb is a gifted editor. The original text is streamlined and energized with beautiful new plates. I thought the later chapters that Kalb wrote on contemporary art brought this classic to the 21st century. I bought it again. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. General    4. History - General    5. Art / General    6. History Of Art / Art & Design Styles   

Reviews (33)

Dress Sence 101
The book is good, and takes a couple of evenings to go through. It has what many "men's" magazines lack in the "how to fit" the right clothes with the right person, and insight into patterns, texture and color. If you haven't read a couple of issues of "men's" magazines and have never dressed formally and intend to do so you better read this or you will stick out of the crowd like a sore thumb. The book is comprehensive but could have included more, such as "adventurous" without looking old-fashioned (the old scarf to hide a sagging throat), for me it lacked clarity in the shoe department especially in the color section (unless black, dark tan and suede are the only choices...). The smart/casual section was good, but a clear miss in the sporty casual department where many of the <40 tend to dress much of their time and forced the need to live in a cold weather climate - lots of layers. Although I did not like the cartoon like drawings, the pictures where interesting to see how different nationalities have used clothes with different "shape's" in the past, although many are old Hollywood stars their shirts did seem to be somewhat oversized.

Don't Leave Home Without It!
This is simply the best book on this subject to date. Mr. Flusser has given men (and the women who are tired of being ashamed of them) an exhaustive and reliable reference to lean on.From the purchase of quality clothing, to its proper wear and maintenance, he gives a thorough yet light-hearted overview of how to present oneself in civilized society.
eh
a good book on men's fashion and explains choosing a suit in great detail as it relates to height, complexion, hair and eye color as well as build. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Beauty & Grooming - General    3. Fashion    4. Fashion & Grooming    5. Men's clothing    6. Personal & Practical Guides    7. Art / Fashion    8. Fashion design    9. History Of Art / Art & Design Styles    10. Personal appearance & beauty care