Book Description
The design profession doesn't produce many larger-than-life figures. Robert Brownjohn—BJ, to just about everyone who knew him, and everyone did—was one. His gifts were immense, as were his appetites. Enfant terrible and visionary, he was both. Mick and the Stones wanted to hang with him. Of course it couldn't last. Robert Brownjohn was simply too big for this world. He died in 1970 at the age of 45, a victim of his own excesses. Today, he is best remembered for his sexy James Bond credit sequences. But Brownjohn's legacy is far more significant, and his story has all the drama and pathos of a Hollywood blockbuster. Now, for the first time, this extraordinary life and career is remembered in print, with all its richness and complexity.
Robert Brownjohn: Sex and Typography tracks the story of this legend from his early years as the prized student of Laszlo Moholy-Nagy to his days as a visionary star in the New York design world of the sixties and his later years as an icon in the film and advertising world of swinging London. Robert Brownjohn illustrates the dynamic work Brownjohn produced on his own and as a cofounder of the firms Brownjohn, Chermayeff, and Geismar in New York, and Cammell, Hudson, and Brownjohn in London, including campaigns for such giants as Pirelli, IBM, and Midland Bank. Robert Brownjohn is both an inspirational monograph of creative genius and a window into the life of a Falstaffian figure who just happened to be one of the formative designers of the twentieth century.
Customer Reviews:
A Memorial, and a Rare Look at Designs.......2006-03-23
Some people, and they can be in any profession, shine so brightly that they obscure almost everyone around. Perhaps after shining so brightly it comes as little surprise that they often leave us early. Robert Brownjohn, Bj created designs for products, for posters, and most famously the titles for the James Bond movie 'Goldfinger' that were projected onto the body of a female model.
This book is done in an interesting manner, I'd say a unique manner because I've never seen it done this way before, but there've been a lot of books I've not seen before.
Originated by Bj's daughter Eliza, this book consists of quotations, paragraphs really, from thirty five people who knew him, worked with him or was otherwise connected with his life. These paragraphs are arranged in a more or less chronological order and intermix stories of his personal life with his education and work.
Bj designs, as shown in the book, are still as fresh and original as when they were created. He died of a heart attack at the age of 45.
An inspiration for then and now.......2006-02-02
A freind of mine bought me this book for a gift and I did not put it down from the time I received it to the time I finished. Robert Brownjohn was a shortlived genius in the world of graphics and film. For any young designer it is an inspiration, for any experienced designer it is a reminder of how things used to work before clients became politically paranoid and obsessed with being different from the competition. It is a reminder to us all that design is what it is and can be anything you want it to be as long as the will is there. It leaves you with a sense of confidence to make you want to do better work and treat not only projects but also situations in life with kid gloves and just enjoy it. It is amazing what can happen if one does.
It begins with a detailed history of his life from interviews taken from the likes of Alan Fletcher, Bob Gill and Ken Garland and many more influential names in the 60 and 70s. It then covers a few of his most famous and not so famous projects. Each as exciting as the other and approached in the same spontanious mannor that is Robert Brownjohn.
Book Description
From head to toe, the human form, in all its complexities, is visually simplified to such a degree in this remarkable workbook that even complete beginners will soon be able to draw accurate, well-proportioned faces and figures every time they try. Avoiding complex charts of muscles and bones that are more helpful to doctors than to artists, this book's refreshing approach teaches anatomy from a cartoonist/illustrator's point of view. For example, there are many large and small muscles in the neck, all rendered in great detail in most anatomy books, but here, master teacher Christopher Hart shows only the four that are visible and need to be drawn. His clear instruction helps readers to visualize and portray shifting body weight in a pose without the need of a model, and instead of showing a mass of facial muscles and bones, he translates them into the simple planes an artist needs to draw a range of expressive faces.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent.......2007-04-03
Really nice process for drawing the human body. Although earlier knowledge is necessary.
Overall: Great book, a must have for every artist.
Decent Book, But Too Cartoony and Vague at Times........2006-12-01
I bought this book about 3 months ago, and I've only read through it once and then tired of it. The drawings are almost too comic book-styled which is not what the beginner should look for in a book when first starting to draw people. A beginner needs to learn how to draw realistic people and then they can go on to comic book drawing once they've mastered that.
I found this book lacking in description for some very crucial parts of the human body, which disappointed me greatly. I expected there to be a section dedicated strictly to the torso of the body, but instead he scattered the information on the torso throughout various parts of the book. He didn't even describe how to really draw the pelvis correctly and he never pieced together the entire torso to show you how to draw it as a whole. This type of "unorganized" and "lacking" format was also found in other areas of the book such as drawing the chest and shoulders, which should be subsequent after one another.
Overall I would not recommend this book if you want to draw realistic figures. This book does not teach any of the basics of human anatomy drawing, such as gesture drawing, which is very important in developing good figure-drawing skills. Though this book is an anatomy book, it should atleast include some information on gesture and contour drawing-line drawing. This book "might" be suitable for comic-book artists, but not if you're looking to draw realistically. Plus, the format is rather hard to follow and practice.
If you're a beginner to figure drawing and portraiture, or if you're a little close to the intermediate level, I strongly recommend "Drawing the Head and Figure" by Jack Hamm. I've been drawing from it for just a couple of days and I'm already seeing improvement. Get it, you won't be disappointed.
This book is a beginner's best friend........2006-09-16
While I am sure that this book isn't the equivalent of years or artistic training, I recognize that it's not supposed to be. This book is amazing. Before I bought this book I had never drawn in my life and the first thing I drew using this book, a man's face turned out actually looking like a mans face! I had expected to be frustrated with the stick figure I would inevitably draw, but it was actually a good picture. Now as I get further and further into the book I can see my skills and understanding of the body improving dramatically. If you are looking to draw GET THIS BOOK. If you are an experienced artist of twenty years this book may not be neccessary, but I would take a look at it anyway espeicially if you are a teacher.
Once more, GET THIS BOOK!!!
Perfect for Beginners.......2006-08-09
My first impression of this book was not good. It looked too simple or dumbed down to be really useful. A second look gave me a different impression. This is a well done and well thought out book for beginners. If you are going to a real 4 year art school, I do not recommend this. But if you are looking to understand basic anatomy and the figure in motion, you'll find easy to understand anatomy lessons as well as a lot of tips and tricks for drawing that are often overlooked. These are the shortcuts that are really essential for amateurs and casual sketchers. A great choice for a beginners core library.
Simple and Easy.......2006-08-08
Every summer I want to learn how to draw better, and I check out a truckload of anatomy books from the library. Of the ten books I checked out this week, this was the only one that I could read without falling asleep! Unlike the other books with descriptions on every tiny bone and muscle we'll never see in action in drawings, this book covers things that really matter. The first part of the book about facial features was not very real - everything was too cartoonish, especially the chunky noses. However, this part did have some useful tips, almost enough to make this section worth reading.
There are some sections that could have been explained in more detail, as the book is mostly simple but effective drawings and descriptions or explanations in easy to understand words, but he makes concepts like foreshortening a little easier to grasp (which I love!)
Overall, this is a nice book to have. If you're looking for something with longer descrptions and more detailed examples and diagrams, this might not be the book for you. I do recommend it though!
Book Description
Many cemeteries in Europe are strewn with shockingly sensual sculptures of women. They are idealized creations--young, gorgeous, elaborately posed, and beautifully sculpted. David Robinson's exquisite photographs reveal the angelic beauty and mystery of these lifelike sculptures. In her foreword, Joyce Carol Oates explores the many implications of these grief-stricken, extremely provocative female figures.
Customer Reviews:
Fantastic Momento Mori!.......2006-03-13
The joys of life are not all free from sorrow;
The stern decree goes forth with truth today;
Unyeilding fate speaks-we must part tomorrow;
What sweet remembrances the heart doth borrow;
But yet they cannot departure stay;
No words can tell what thou to us hast given;
Thou, unassuming, dost thyself not know.
Oh, may to thee in other lands be given,
Bright fame and joy-and every gift of heaven,
Her choicest blessings in thy work shall show.
The warmth of friendship in our glances beaming,
Express our gratitude, and yet
'Tis not enough, and tears are slowly streaming;
Thy noble heart has surely guessed the meaning,
Then say thou ne'er wilt us forget.
Amazing grace.......2005-03-20
I cannot take my hands off this book. It contains ominous photographs of bewildered woman, and although it has sadness scrawled over, there is a tug in viewer's heart, a sort of consolation that underneath this miserable existence, there is someone who weeps for you. And the sculptures surely represent that.
Great Photography.......2002-08-28
This is not scholarly, it is as the title says "Images of Women in European Cemeteries" and you won't get very much information about who did the carving, what they were thinking draping a nude woman over their grave, or even who's grave she is indeed draped on. What you will get are many many lovely black and white photos, that are really finely taken. I should point out that I love cemeteryies and photography and this is really a little book I could get into.... if you do like photography ... check out Wee Gee as well.
gorgeous photography, little scholarship value.......2002-04-25
This is a beautiful book of photographs of cemetary sculptures. Though I have artistic opinions on whether photographing another person's art makes one an artist, this is certainly a lovely collection. However, there is very little written about the sculptures or cemeteries they came from. It is literally a picture book. If you are looking for scholarship on sculptures in cemeteries, this is a poor source. There isn't even enough information about each of the sculptures to research them, basically just a location identifying each. But it is a very nice book of photos nonetheless.
Breathtaking.......2001-12-28
I take photographs of cemetery sculpture and many of the images in this book I have seen for myself and though I have my own pictures on my walls, I think this collection of photos is "breathtaking". I had not realized the depth of sculpture in Milan cemeteries. This book contains no text on any sculpture, except its whereabouts, and it is all I need. For people like myself who find peace when wandering through a graveyard this collection makes me wish to grab my camera and go.
Product Description
FFG is proud to present a major event in the bestselling and award-winning Midnight campaign setting product line. This limited edition boxed set will be a must-have for every fan of the Midnight world. The endless hordes of the Shadow in the North are marshaling for one final thrust into the heart of Erethor, the vast forest homeland of the elves. If this epic military campaign is successful, it could mean the end of organized resistance to Izrador in Eredane.
Customer Reviews:
Take the Fury.......2007-07-08
I bought this box set when it was firs published. Read it and loved it; and over the next several years flipped through it from time to time. Recently, I have re-read the book and have fallen in love with it again.
The box contains the following: a big map of Eredane, character sheets, DM screen, map booklet, and 160 pages soft cover campaign book (the meat of the box).
I must confess that the while the big map is nice, it is really just a blown up image of the map from the Midnight campaign setting book, with no additional information; the character sheet did no impress me much (and I do not even know where they are now), and the DM screen serves its purpose as long as it hides my notes and dice rolls (I don't really care what is written on the inside of it).
The most important part of the box is of course the campaign book. This book is a must for any DM who plans to run a campaign in Erethor, or who just wants to expand his/her knowledge of the elves and what they are facing.
I'll break down the chapters for you:
Chapters 1 to 3 describe the various regions of the elven forest Erethor that are directly affected by the war with the Shadow (Izrador): the Caraheen (central), Veradeen (north) and the Arrun jungle and Druid's Swamp (south). The Caraheen receive the most attention with a page count that almost equals both the south and northern area, which is a shame. The relatively quite coastal area of western Erethor, the Miraleen, does not receives it's own chapter, and while it get several other mentions in other areas of the books, I think that some more information on this area of Erendane would have been welcomed. Even though, all three chapters a choke full of great locations and interesting personalities with enough quirks and twists that a cunning DM could have his players constantly on edge and asking themselves whether they should truly trust\hate\love\etc. that particular person (and in my opinion, one of the most important parts of a Midnight campaign)
Chapter 4 goes into a little more detail about the various elven societies (all four), their strength and how they fight the Shadow, what could happen should the Shadow succeed in corrupting or defeating some of them, as well as some adventure hooks. The chapter also provides on some other groups that help/hinder the elves in their fight such as the Cult of the Witch, Roland's Raiders, and the Pirate Princes.
Chapter 5 provides an excellent recounting of the war on Erethor for the past 99 years, an Arc by Arc (months in Midnight) description of the Shadows "final" and greatest offensive against the elves, and some of the Witch Queen plans to counter such an offensive. It is important to know, and the authors keep reminding us, that this chapter is a possibility of things to happen to provide adventure seed and\or a backdrop to the party's adventure in the elven forest.
Chapter 6 describes the Shadow's forces besieging Erethor, the location and difficulties these forces have, their plans of conquest, the personalities and ambitions of the various captains (with all the conflicts between them), giving us a better understanding of how they might react; and as well as the elven forces and how they try to counter the Shadow's minions. This is another excellent part of the book with plenty of ideas.
Chapter 7 provides general adventure ideas in Erethor for both good or evil parties, and three short encounters taking advantage of the various areas described in the book. Chapter 8 gives us the new monsters and several important NPCs complete with their personalities and quirks. Chapter 9 is the shortest and gives us a handful of feats and one Prestige Class, the Erunsil Blood.
The book on the whole is very well written. Short stories (several paragraphs at most) dot the chapters and give readers a more in-depth look at what the elves and orcs fighting in this warfront feel. You cannot read a page of this book without an adventures idea, if not a whole campaign, jumping out at you (in fact, I recommend reading this book with a notebook and pen on the side. Just in case).
There are no meta-plots in this book. The authors keep reminding the reader that everything written down are suggestions and ideas, a possibility of things to come, nothing more. They leave enough gray area for the DM to run around in and fit and mold into his/her own campaign.
The book in black and white (as all Midnight books are) and I like this because I believe it very fitting for this dark setting. While I do not like the cover art of the book, I do like the interior art. The map booklet is also black and white, and I have no problem with that either; I do not think it detracts from them, and still believe they are very good.
The original box set cost $50, and I do think it was a little too much for what the box offered. But, at the current price here on Amazon ($33), this box set is good value for your money.
THE WAR AGAINST THE ELVES.......2005-09-12
If you've seen my previous reviews for the Midnight Campaign setting or some of its supplements you know I've had nothing but great things to say about this dark, foreboding, and enthralling fantasy campaign. The Fury of Shadow box set continues to keep the bar set very high as this supplement moves the battle for the world of Aryth into Erethor, the homeland of the elves. The first three chapters of the guidebook details the various Elven lands and how the evil of the Dark Lord Izrador has already affected the lands. Major points of interest are including in the descriptions of each land and also serve as adventure hooks for the GM. Areas such as the Spider Haunted Thorn Webs of Tanglehorn, The Darkening Wood, and the massive, steel tree known as Silverthorn all make wonderful jumping off points for the GM to begin an adventure. And then there is the ominous Obsidian Spire that churns with foul magic and evil creatures.
Succeeding chapters detail the free Elven peoples and their struggles against the dark forces as well as documenting the history of the war within Erethor and the forces that the Dark Lord has brought to bear against the Elves. This is where the Midnight products really shine. There is a depth and richness to the history and people of the Midnight setting is lacking in many campaigns. You can tell that the designers spent a great deal of time developing the milieu rather than just cookie cutter places and names. Rather than do all the work for you, Fury of the Shadow outlines several adventures that the GM can then flesh out and develop further. These outlines also include encounters to help the GM out.
The final chapters provide a wealth of resource material including the new monsters you'll encounter such as Bog Hags, as well as major NPCs, new feats, and new prestige classes. The boxed set comes with a beautifully illustrated poster sized map, a regional map book, a GM screen, and character record sheets. I would concur with some of the other reviewers that at $50, it may be a bit on the pricey side but you can get it for about 33% off at Amazon which definitely makes it worth the money. As with all their Midnight products, Fantasy Flight Games spares no expense in the production. The cover art to the box and books are first rate as is the interior art. It's perhaps a small thing, but one that sets them apart from other companies producing RPGs. These really catch your eye when you see them. It's for this reason that Midnight has moved to the top of my list of favorite campaign worlds.
Reviewed by Tim Janson
Sticker Shock!.......2005-02-08
First of all...I agree with the person who said this was overpriced. It's one of the reasons I don't like boxed sets. And I see no reason for this to be a boxed set, to be honest. The maps aren't very detailed, and not created by a professional cartographer, which I would expect for a product in this price range. The writing is choppy, and the plot lines are overly complicated.
The screen, from what I saw, wasn't very helpful, and the character sheets don't seem any different than what I can get online. This product in no way lives up to the hype.
If it is true, and this is being produced by the official fan site...then I can certainly see why the quality has gone downhill. That particular site is cliqueish, and the members are rude. It's sad, to see this line marginalized this way, not to mention that FFG seems to have been hit with the whacky stick of profit.
Plenty of good ideas.......2005-02-08
Fury of Shadow has many good points, but it has a couple annoyances that could have been cleared up to make a better product.
First, the good. It is filled with details for a large swath of the continent of Eredane. By combining the stories and ambitions of several key characters (both friend and foe), an overriding campaign is instantly created. Plots within plots, character scheming, and political intrigue are all readily available for the DM to place the characters into truly epic setting-altering events. Details of the geographical regions and locations can be used as miniature settings- i've already got many ideas for the Plains of Blood and Ash.
There are a few minor scars on this product though. The localized maps in the book are in black and white, but contain such detail it becomes difficult to read. The giant poster map of Eredane is very nice, but because Fury focuses on the war upon Erethor, the new details are limited to the center of the map. The result is a map with plenty of detail in the center, but with no new information on the edges. The writing is good, though with so much detail a reader might get confused- i often found myself asking, `now who was that character again?', and then flipping back through the book to keep things straight.
But overall, an impressive product. Even if you're not running a Midnight campaign, I don't see how you could not find good ideas for your own campaign from this set.
Overpriced.......2005-02-05
While in physical quality, this is a very attractive set, it is overpriced, and the writing is flat. The quality of this line seems to be going downhill with each publication.
The booklet of character sheets are the same sheets that are available online, and seem to have been put in as filler. The GM screen is of the odd, horizontal design, and seems to be rather random in it's placement of information. On some occaisions, the information on the screen contradicts what's in the main book. The maps in the map booklet are too tiny, and the poster map included lacks the one inch squares so it can be used with miniatures (which is a personal preference, but I also found the map lacking in detail as well).
The book itself is attractive, as is most of the artwork, but the writing is flat. The authors seem to be trying to turn the setting into more of a Tolkien clone, and the elves end up feeling very distant from the players. I believe this setting has been turned over to some sort of fan site to be produced, and the quality has suffered for it.
Average customer rating:
- soooo cool
- Absolutely Inspiring!!
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Stand Straight and Grow Tall
Dolores Howell
Manufacturer: PublishAmerica
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 Educators
| Professionals & Academics
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
Special Needs
| Specific Groups
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
Literacy
| Words & Language
| Reference
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Reference
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Foreign Languages
| Reference
| Subjects
| Books
Literacy
| Education
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 1591296951 |
Book Description
Stand Straight and Grow Tall is an inspiring true story about a girl who, having graduated from high school without learning how to read, struggled to find the help she needed. None of her family knew she could not read. When she married, she was able to keep the secret from her husband, for she was ashamed of not being able to read and write. Only after her sons were born, and her inability to read led to a crisis, did she desperately seek help. This book tells of her struggle to find a person able to teach her; it reflects her own pain in her disability as she desperately tries to distinguish sounds and words in the learning process. Her faith in God kept her going. Dory's story will offer hope to those also suffering from learning disabilities. It is a must-read for educators as well as parents.
Customer Reviews:
soooo cool.......2006-06-23
im only 13 and i dont read lots of book but this one caught my eye so i read it and could'nt put it down.it got so exciting, this book is something i can relate to from all the kids in my school. stand straight and grow tall is the best, book every one should read it this summer.
Absolutely Inspiring!!.......2003-02-24
Dory's book is a must read for everyone. It is inspiring, because she never gives up, even though the challenges she faces are, at times, enormous. It is also somewhat frightening to discover the uncooperative nature of our public schools. As the mother of a child with similar special needs, I recognize some of the struggles Dory faced. I will not give up!! She is my hero:)
Average customer rating:
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Bobby Murdoch: Different Class
David W. Potter
Manufacturer: Empire Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Soccer
| Biographies
| Sports
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Football (American)
| Sports
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Soccer
| Sports
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 1901746321 |
Book Description
The rise of Bobby Murdoch from trainee to first team fixture at Celtic mirrored his club's emergence from Rangers' shadow and the liberating atmosphere of the Sixties. Following a promising performances in Celtic's dysfunctional teams of the early 60s, Murdoch went on to become a powerhouse in the team that swept all before them in the latter part of the decade. Aside from the Celts' Annus Mirabilis of 1966-1967, when they won every tournament they entered, becoming the first British team to triumph in the European Cup in the process. Celtic, with Murdoch in midfield, became one of the most formidable teams in British football history - winning an unprecedented 9 Scottish titles in a row, 5 Scottish Cups and 5 Scottish League Cups between 1965 and 1973. Murdoch played a big part in this success. The accuracy of his passing was his hallmark while his combative ability in the middle of the park was essential to the team's ability to win possession and power forward. The turning point in Murdoch and Celtic's career, came with the arrival of Jock Stein. Before 'The Messiah's' influence Celtic always appeared to cow to Rangers' physical approach and many Celtic supporters reckoned that their domination by their Old Firm rivals in the late 50s and early 60s came about more because of an inferiority complex rather than footballing ability. Stein changed all this and his decision to move Murdoch from inside-left to wing-half was of particular importance, utilising the youngster's energetic approach in midfield. Until the end of his Celtic career in 1973, Bobby became synonymous with the Celtic style of play and it came as a surprise to many when he was sold to Jack Charlton's Middlesbrough at the age of just 29. In England he contributed to a resurgence on the Tees, helping Charlton's team to a Second Division title in his first season and First Division responsibility thereafter. Yet Bobby's career was curtailed by a painful knee injury not helped by a particularly energetic style of play. Bobby became youth team coach unearthing the likes of Craig Johnston before being appointed manager at Ayresome Park in the summer of 1981. Unfortunately Bobby had joined a sinking ship and, with few funds available for players the club were duly relegated in his first and only season as a football manager. This season of management also proved to be the end of Murdoch's meaningful football life. Yet throughout his enforced retirement from the game Bobby suffered for his playing career and his premature death in 2001, as an indirect consequence of it, was mourned by football supporters everywhere.
Average customer rating:
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The Book of Baby Massage: For a Happier, Healthier Baby
Peter Walker
Manufacturer: Fireside
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Children
| Massage
| Alternative Medicine
| Health, Mind & Body
| Subjects
| Books
Family Activities
| Parenting & Families
| Subjects
| Books
Family Health
| Parenting & Families
| Subjects
| Books
Parenting
| Parenting & Families
| Subjects
| Books
| Babies & Toddlers
| Child Care
| Discipline
| Emotions & Feelings
| General
| Health & Nutrition
| Morals & Responsibility
| School-Age Children
| Single Parents
| Teenagers
| Twins & Multiples
General
| Parenting & Families
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Pediatrics
| Specialties
| Medicine
| Subjects
| Books
Accessories:
-
Airborne Effervescent Health Formula, Original Orange, 10 Tablets (Pack of 3)
ASIN: 0671666304 |
Average customer rating:
- OK color photographs and drawings
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The Book of Baby Massage: For a Happier, Healthier Child
Peter Walker
Manufacturer: Kensington
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
Children
| Massage
| Alternative Medicine
| Health, Mind & Body
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Massage
| Alternative Medicine
| Health, Mind & Body
| Subjects
| Books
Family Activities
| Parenting & Families
| Subjects
| Books
Family Health
| Parenting & Families
| Subjects
| Books
Infants
| Babies & Toddlers
| Parenting
| Parenting & Families
| Subjects
| Books
Child Care
| Parenting
| Parenting & Families
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Parenting & Families
| Subjects
| Books
Accessories:
-
Airborne Effervescent Health Formula, Original Orange, 10 Tablets (Pack of 3)
ASIN: 1575662825 |
Customer Reviews:
OK color photographs and drawings.......1998-09-03
Let me make it clear that I was -- and am -- looking for a beautiful book containing beautiful photographs about baby massage -- a book to promote baby massage in a extremely visually appealing way. With that in mind, and the fact that I haven't read the actual text of the book closely: the book is illustrated with 24 color photographs and numerous color pencil drawings. The reproduction quality is only ok. This is the best photographic book about baby massage I've found so far, but I haven't stopped looking.
Book Description
This book examines the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-5, a significant event in world history virtually ignored in Western literature. Japan so rapidly defeated China that citizens of Europe suddenly perceived Japan, not only as the dominant power of Asia, but also as a key international player. Western disgust with Chinese military performance led to their rapidly growing intrusions on Chinese sovereignty while Japan soon became an ally of the ruling superpower, Great Britain. To the present day, China is still struggling to reverse the judgment of this war and restore its regional dominance.
Customer Reviews:
The Sino-Japanese War.......2007-03-02
Paine has done an excellent job on a topic that is important yet almost arcane. Using numerous newspaper accounts as no other sources are available does not weaken the work, but strengthens it insofar as it provides perspectives from multiple observers, especially Russia, France, England and the US none of whom were strictly speaking participating in the conflict. Anyone who wants to understand the emergence of Japan as a power in the Far East should read this. There are few other available books in English on this. The extensive bibliography attests to the scholarship of this work.
The change of the balance of power.........2005-09-24
Before the Sino-Japanese War China was thought of as the Middle Kingdom. Even the European powers respected it up to a point. And before the war Japan...well, Japan wasn't even a blip on the radar. After the war China was nothing but a corpse to be sliced up and Japan had become THE Asian nation to respect.
The book explains, in great detail, how Europe, America and Asia reacted to the war - how it not only changed perceptions but also foreign policy.
But did Japan win the war or was it China who lost the war? Would Japan learn all the WRONG lessons and how would such nations as Russia, Germany, and England respond to a non-European power in the Far East?
The book allowed me to understand the history of events that helped bring about the Russo-Japanese War and also made me feel sorry for Korea.
The Sino-Japanese War as Seen by the Western Press.......2004-05-14
First I would say that this is a highly readable history of the Sino-Japanese War and Paine has obviously done her research. I have even bought my own copy because I find the middle section, in which she discusses the progress of the war itself, to be one of the most detailed, if not the most detailed, accounts available in English. As Paine justly points out, there is a dearth of studies in western languages on the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895. Perhaps this would not have been the case had it not been superceded by the Russo-Japanese War (a war in my mind far less significant than the Sino-Japanese War in terms of consequences, the Russo-Japanese War simply put the period on a sentence already formed: Japanese hegemony in Northeast Asia), and then by a half century of far more bloody conflict. Yet the Sino-Japanese War is significant because it forms one bookend to the following half-century that would end in Tokyo Bay aboard the USS Missouri. It is significant because it marked the clear emergence of Japan as a "modern" and "civilized" (I'll leave the definitions to others) nation and the eclipse of China, and more importantly the traditional China-centered world order of East Asia. It also marked the beginning of the end for hapless Korea, though she was not perhaps as hapless as some would posit.
Paine's study is readable and informative. It also makes some good points, and argues against the study of Stewart Lone ("Japan's First Modern War") that the Sino-Japanese War was a failure for Japan despite its ostensible victory. Paine sees the war as a significant step in Japan's long term goal of imperial aggrandizement, and though Japan may have "lost the peace" of 1895, in the long run the war was a major step in Japan's progress towards regional hegemon.
A word of warning however. Paine calls her work a study of secondary sources (namely the western press of the period) of the war, something that is not at all reflected in the book's title. Paine relies almost wholly on accounts of the war from period newspapers, most signficantly the Japan Weekly Mail and the North China Herald as well as a handful of other prominent western journals and periodicals. Not consulted are military or diplomatic records or to any significant degree other secondary scholarly studies. As the Japan Weekly Mail was pretty securely in the pocket of the Japanese government and there were a plethora of petty rivalries undedrmining the reporting of the western press, such a firm reliance on the western newspapers is problematical, even if fascinating.
In the end I recommend this book with reservations. It's scholarship is admirable and welcome.
Japan on top now, but will China be next?.......2003-03-12
Paine's book shows how Japan used Westernizing reforms and the emerging International System to defeat China and become the dominant Great Power in East Asia. Almost immediately, the perception of Japan as a poor and weak island nation changed. The European powers and the United States began to treat Japan as an equal. Within ten years, Japan went on to defeat Imperial Russia, the first time an Asian power had beaten a Western nation since the Mongol invasion.
In this well-research and provocative book, Paine shows how Japan's victories were not so much due to her own strengths--which were considerable--but to her enemy's weaknesses; this led Japan to misjudge American power during World War II. Today, China strives to undo the consequences of the Sino-Japanese War by challenging Japan and reinserting itself on the top of the Asian pyramid. The big question is whether it will do so economically or militarily. Either way, the Asian status quo introduced after the Sino-Japanese War is likely to change.
Although designed for a general audience, specialists in Asian history could easily cut the introductory chapters and head straight for the "meat." The concluding chapters, in particular, provide an excellent summary of how and why Japan successfully modernized, as well as a highly relevant discussion of why China was--until recently that is--unable to do so. This book is required reading for all students of Asian history.
Customer Reviews:
The great triumph of small nation.......2007-04-01
In this book, C. R. Boxer describes the making of an empire which started in the war against the Spanish rule and in the struggle to dominate the sea trade in the Baltic Sea. From this, Dutchmen started spreading their presence overseas: in Africa, Caribbean, Indic Ocean and Latin America. Boxer analyses the motivations and the causes for the Dutch success in this enterprise.
Interesting history of the Dutch Republic.......2003-10-23
The Netherlands was a mercantile republic forged on the seas, and this intriguing history chronicles the ups and downs of this densely-populated European nation in the 17th and 18th centuries. The Netherlands successfully through off the yolk of Spanish Royalists and Papists who held power over them. This fascinating historical narrative weaves together economic, political, social and religious history which makes for a extremely fascinating account of the 'The Dutch Seaborne Empire,' which miraculously spread in power and influence before retrenching after losing in the trade game and an influx of unemployed, job-seeking immigrants put an end to their maritime empire and prosperity. The book's author has a slight prejudice against Calvinists or Reformed Protestants since he feels a compulsion to address them usually as 'militants,' yet they did do a fairly good job at showing how Reformed Christianity shaped the Dutch work ethic and their actions on the world scene.
Nice little history book.......2002-04-17
I got this from my university's library, so I don't even know if you can still buy it. It was a good read, if you like history, of course. I read it because i'm going to be doing a study-abroad there and wanted to now some about the country.
Average customer rating:
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Physical Design Automation of Vlsi Systems
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