The Object Stares Back: On the Nature of Seeing

Customer Reviews:

CONTAINS DISTURBING PICTURES.......2006-01-06

I haven't read much of this book, because it contains images of the most awful thing I have ever seen, the 'death by a thousand cuts'. These pictures still haunt me, and the author uses them, claiming that they are disturbing because they represent somebody who is halfway between being alive and dead - I disagree - they are disturbing because they are scenes of an atrocity inflicted on a living being. (The victim was a woman who allegedly committed adultery in China, I'm not sure when the photos were taken but they look quite old).
Those four pictures have destroyed any faith I ever had in human beings, they will probably do the same to you if you are unfortunate enough to ever see them.

Critical and very accessible at the same time.......2005-10-16

James Elkins has a wonderful way of opening our eyes to the world. He explains the way we see, or maybe what we don't see, in a witty and extremely accessible way. Elkins uses his knowledge of Art History and mixes it freely with neurology and psychology to bring us readers at a different level of understanding of the world. I'm already a true fan!

My second copy because the other has gotten so beaten up.......2005-09-21

James Elkins is a masterful writer. His work is very philosophical, though he is an art historian. I heartily recommend all of his books, but The Object Stares Back is my favorite. The books makes me sad, angry, creeped out, proud, excited... Elkins is masterful, clear, and insightful. He forces you to reconsider your ideas about what it means to see and to be seen. Great book.

Reads like a wordy blog from an art critic........2004-05-07

I was hoping for something more researched, like a compilation of several articles I have occasionally read in "Scientific American" and "Discover." Not only was this book merely opininated ramblings, the prose didn't make for easy reading. (For example, over half of his sentences begin with the letter "I." It gets dreary after a while.)

All in all, this book reads like a ten page research paper stretched out to book length with a lot of non-pertinent information and pointless conjecture tossed in. The photographs are interesting, although many of them (the polish woman with the arrows describing directions for putting on make-up, for example) provide just enough information to intrigue me, and then leave me with unanswered questions.
Considering how long this book is, I would have hoped he would have touched on refraction, color blindness, the sighted blind, optical illusions, etc. Instead, he mostly describes non-art objects the way an art critic would. He has a few interesting points, e.g. his brain has been permananty trained to recognize moth-like shapes because of a fondness for the insects in childhood, but even this interesting fact is couched in long, rambling prose.
If you've never ever read anything about vision, and don't mind that most of his conjectures aren't verified, you might find this interesting. If you, like me, were hoping for a layman's explaination of a fascinating subject, you will be sorely disappointed.

Not what I expected but still a good and interesting read!.......2004-04-15

I agree with the other reviewers, however I do not feel that the book deserves a low review because people's expectations were not met. I expected a more scientific explanation of seeing, but this book is not about that. I was impressed by the writing of Elkins because it is very thought provoking and insightful. I would recommend this book to someone who is interested in seeing the world in a different way, because this book will encourage you to look at things a little more carefully and realize there is much we see, do not see, try not to see and try hard to see but fail to do so. Very interesting book!!!

Customer Reviews:

"What She Wants": Bold and Beautiful Visions for Men, Too!.......1997-01-10

Highly recommended book for women (and men) who are photography enthusiasts, gender observers, and collectors of erotic photography. As a white male, age 42, I enjoyed this book immensely! The photography, from several highly creative women photographers, is displayed at the top of its form: provocative and beautiful; disturbing and erotic. Photographers like the talented Jacqueline Kennedy of London--whose fabulous print "Other Chambers" is in this collection--offer an erotic vision of women looking at man as sexual creature, sexual object. You'll learn that a penis can be a humorous object for women, mystical , magical and sometimes ugly. Each photograph, like Kennedy's bold and erotic image of a sexually mature, elegant woman fisting a passive man, will stimulate much conversation between men and women. This is a small coffee table book that is bound to be picked up and discussed by friends. It is too important a work to be out of print! Perhaps the publisher will reconsider and reissue this book in a larger format edition? Let's hope so!

Book Description

What happens when your guardian angel falls in love with you? After a traffic accident, Kyle Taylor is on the verge of death. His guardian angel Sarah makes a deal with the Angel of Death to save his life. Even after returning, he experiences divine and demonic intervention, heralded by Sarah's appearance. She must protect him until it's time to face his destiny. Sinister forces have gathered to bring down the Kingdom of Heaven, and Kyle is caught on the front lines of a real Holy War!

Book Description

In this revised and updated edition of Feature Filmmaking at Used-Car Prices, Rick Schmidt shows aspiring filmmakers step-by-step how to create a feature film for the price of a used car. Featuring extensive new material on using digital video technology and making the most of Internet resources, Schmidt's practical, no-nonsense handbook reveals the insider secrets to:

Selecting and writing a story that can be produced on a tight budget
Rallying a filmmaking team through creative contracts
Shooting and editing with an original style
Marketing the finished film and dealing with agents
Making a collaborative feature

Fully revised and updated to cover the new technology that continues to revolutionize low-budget filmaking, Schmidt's guide is as useful and relevant as ever. Complete with checklists, technical information, and sample budgets, this essential guide offers both inspiration and instruction for anyone who has the yen to make a film without breaking the bank.

Customer Reviews:

Ugh.......2007-03-29

This was one of the most pretentious books I've ever read. Seriously. What I expected to be a guide to DV film making was really just an excuse for the author to push his own personal aesthetic, and I learned virtually nothing about the nuts and bolts of film making at all. If I wanted to know how to shoot Dogme 95 like a pretentious art-house irritant, I would buy a book on THAT rather than having to skip over an entire chapter of useless information. Plus for some reason he seems to assume that nobody already owns a computer, and includes an entire chapter on buying one. That was pretty weird too.

Enjoyed this book! I don't even lend it..........2007-01-07

Yes, this book has made it to my reference desk - if only to keep me reminded of my intention to LOOK like a Hollywood production without costing like one.

There are some really useful suggestions and references - some which are now dated due to the age of the book. However I found it an easy read and a good start for anyone looking to get into film production using your camcorder.

Before you buy your equipment or launch your product, do yourself a favor and read through this book first.

Great book!!!.......2006-12-04

This is a great book for any aspiring filmmaker. A lot of people talk about making movies... Schmidt shows you how to ACTUALLY get out and do it.

Big, Hollywood movies cost big, Hollywood cash.

An independent filmmaker just can't afford to do things the "studio" way.

Rick Schmidt tells you how to make a feature length movie with little or no cash.

Just grab a camcorder, round up some friends, and make the damn thing.

If it sucks... so what?

Learn from your mistakes and make the next one better.

This book will inspire you to quit talking about it and get out there and do it!

Highly recommended!!!

What a close minded author..........2006-06-06

Making movies is one of my hobbies. I was excited when I recieved this book as a gift, but was immediately turned off within the first couple of pages. Schmidt does some serious Hollywood bashing. Yes, some of Hollywood's movies are crappy, but it is unfair to say that all good films are indie films. This was the idea the book gave me. Then he goes on to bash O. Henry and Spielberg and his movie Shindler's List. No one does that. Ever. He is a great film maker. This is the finishing move: Schmidt goes on to say that plot has little to do with a movie, and that movies shouldn't be about telling stories. What the heck. What do you think movies are?

It has some good advice, but the author should be shot for dissing on some of the world's best directors and authors.

Time for an update.......2005-02-27

This book is hopelessly outdated (as are my own), so I can't rate it any higher; but at least this guy is sincere. Some of the other reviewers act as if they expected the keys to the kingdom for under 20 bucks. And L Roc from Chi-town certainly got up on the wrong side of the crab dolly, except, of course, for hyping another book. In an age when you can buy your own production and editing equipment for under $10K, you don't need the strategies in this book or any other--save your money for tape stock--or to listen to the nay-sayers.

Average customer rating:
Into the Void: Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath: A Rock's Back Pages Reader

Manufacturer: Omnibus Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 1844491501

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Morecambe and Wise: Behind the Sunshine
Gary Morecambe; Martin Sterling
Manufacturer: Pan
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000PDHN0M

Book Description

Just for You: Dads is a tribute to fatherhood with heartwarming and witty quotes from famous authors and thinkers. This small, hardcover book features over 50 nostalgic photographs from the famous Hulton Getty Archive, plus silver foil stamping on the cover and 112 pages with metallic ink printing. The book evokes a feeling of appreciation for the love and laughter, warmth and wisdom that fathers bestow upon their children.

Customer Reviews:

Inspiring coffee table/night stand/bathroom book about fatherhood..........2006-01-19

A very lovely and inspiring coffee table/night stand/bathroom book about fatherhood composed exclusively of quotations from a cross-section of people, from Euripides to Dr. Seuss to Mozart to William Shakespeare to Walt Whitman, and Life Magazine-quality images, 'Dads...' is a very nice gift for Father's Day, Dad's birthday, or any other occasion. Some of my favorites quotes frrom 'Dads...' include:

"Dads are great about showing us how to do stuff. Even if he doesn't really know what he's doing, he passes that knowledge on to us." - David Butler

"Confident men have patient fathers." - Rose O'Kelly

"There are three stages of a man: He believes in Santa Clause; he does not believe in Santa Claus; he is Santa Claus." - Bob Phillips

"Do dads talk about calories, or cavities, or spoiling your appetite? No! Dads grab themselves a spoon and dig right in with you." - Anna Carr

"My father was an amazing man. The older I got, the smarter he got." - Mark Twain

Compiled by Rose O'Kelly as a gift book for Ronnie Sellers Productions and Hallmark, the photographs in 'Dads...' are often as humorous as they are appropriate for the corresponding quotation. Like the 2005 illustrated children's book, 'Father Like A Tree' written by Matthew S. Field, Rose O'Kelly's 'Dads...' is a nice, if only a very simple addition to any father's library.

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YOUR DAD WAS JUST LIKE YOU
Claire M. Johnson
Manufacturer: Atheneum
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Picture Books | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0027478386

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Your Dad Was Just Like You
Johnson
Manufacturer: Macmillan Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000JGKCLW

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Your Dad Was Just Like You
Dolores, Johnson, Dolores (illustrator) Johnson
Manufacturer: Atheneum
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000O92UY6

Book Description

As countless battlefronts in the Pacific, African, and European theaters called for direct amphibious assaults against islands and beachheads, a small corps of exceptionally skilled fighting men was formed -- the U.S. Navy underwater warriors. Beginning in 1943, these men undertook never-before-attempted missions ranging from eye-to-eye recon of enemy-held positions to staging the demolition of shoreline obstacles and clearing the way for landing craft.

Here, in their own words, are the true stories of these aquatic commandos, whose daring exploits and bravery would pave the way for thousands of American fighting men around the globe -- and whose recolitionary training and fighting methods would evolve into the modern specail forces known as the Navy SEALs.

Customer Reviews:

World War II Frogmen - Stories in their own words!.......2006-09-15

The memories of frogmen from WWII, whose heroic exploits underwater doing everything from intelligence gathering to demolition, is captured and preserved for history in this moving chronicle. Author Chet Cunningham once again takes the oral personal histories of old warriors and weaves them into a book called "The Frogmen Of World War II". The title only partially tells the reader what to expect. The author has a way of taking small memories from many men and like a good artist he creates an over all picture of the war from the point of view of these undersea heroes.

Cunningham allows us to sample the life and death situations that faced these men. His book takes us through the end of the War with Japan. He uses his writing talents to pay homage to what was really the birthing of the SEALS many years later on. He captures the emotions and the feelings that these men experienced through careful placement and editing of their stories. The author does not drown out the voices of these men with some ego laced comments but ties it altogether so that all the individual stories flow along as if one just story. It is a smooth transition from one story to the next. The stories are powerful, moving, and at times very emotional and always action packed!

The book is backed up by lots of researched facts and footnotes. Readers will enjoy this book because it is not dry history. It is emotionally alive and full of action. You will find yourself engrossed in the plight that these men faced and your respect for them will only grow. These men were real heroes and the author does well in letting them tell their own stories without much interference.

I fully recommend this book and give it the MWSA HIGHEST BOOK RATING - FIVE STARS!

Great subject, but mediocre execution.......2005-03-11

"Navy Frogmen of World War II" combines two subjects that have enjoyed enormous popularity in recent years: World War II exploits and Special Operations. The Navy Frogmen were a precursor to the Navy Seals, and were often engaged in some of the most dangerous behind-enemy-lines operations. It's hazardous enough to storm a beach in full combat gear during an amphibious invasion, but even more perilous to scout or destroy obstacles on that same beach clad in only swim trunks and armed with a dive knife. Obviously, these men and their courage are worthy of our attention and praise. The prologue and the comments in between the oral testimonies establish that both the Army and the Navy had equivalent units intended to scout and clear potential landing areas, while also providing some thematic background on their development.

The oral comments themselves are interesting, but there is a tendency for repetition. There are too many comments about training and not enough about actual operations. The author should have edited the comments or streamlined the material to cover the various aspects of the Navy Frogmen operations. As it is, the repetition tends to get tedious. The oral history is a great approach to military history, and the stories of these men need to be captured, but this book could be better.

Book Description

Award-winning correspondent for ABC World News and Nightline Jim Wooten is a seasoned newsman who has covered tragedy the world over. Now he tells the story of Nkosi Johnson, an eleven-year-old South African boy born with AIDS into poverty in a shantytown and given only a few years to live. But his ailing mother managed to cross her countryÂ's divisions of race and class to bring him to Gail Johnson, who would raise him for her. Before his own death at the age of twelve, Nkosi had become, in Nelson MandelaÂ's words, Â“an icon of the struggle for lifeÂ” for millions in Africa and around the world. And he had changed WootenÂ's life in ways Wooten is still discovering. We Are All the Same is a work of Biblical simplicity and power that reveals the astonishing resilience of the human spirit.

Customer Reviews:

an amazing book ever.......2007-05-31

My name is Sewon, and I am a freshman in high school. In one of my classes, I had to read a book, We Are All The Same by Jim Wooten. The cover of the book tempted me at first because it was a real story and the comments of other people were praiseful. Although I had a hard time reading this book at first because several chapters such as chapter 1 and 2 were really boring, it was a really good book to read, overall. To briefly describe the book, this book represents the life of Gail Johnson and Nkosi. Gail is a woman who adopts a boy from South Africa, a segregated country, who is living with AIDS. This book shows many important qualities that we must have in life, such as courage and equality. Since this is a real story, this is more interesting and realistic. While I was reading this book, I felt as though I was part of the book. The strength of this book is that the book is not that long. The readers may become bored when the book is too long. a majority of pages tells of life's teachings while using very eloquent language. I really think this is the best book for any of the teenagers who are interested in reading the book! I really enjoyed reading the book and I strongly recommend it for teenagers.

We Are All the Same Review.......2007-05-30

Hello. I am a freshman foreign student in high school. In my ESL class, I read the book, We Are All The Same by Jim Wooten. At the first time, it was sort of like a history book. However, I became love to read this book because it well describes mother's love and boy's courage. There is a southern African boy with AIDS, Nkosi and Gail Johnson who tries to help Nkosi with her love. Gail Johnson adopted Nkosi and fought for his illness. When Gail Johnson took care of Nkosi and gave everything for him, we can realize our insufficiency of love and acceptance. I could feel how much I am taking everything for granted. If you read this book, you can feel sadness, kindness, acceptances, deficiencies and love. This book would be the precious story to the people who want to perceive important treasures in their life.

We Are All The Same.......2007-05-29

I am a high school student. In my class, we were allowed to choose one book to read from the four books our teacher assigned. After reading the summaries of these four books, I decided to choose this book We Are All The Same by Jim Wooten. After reading this book, I realized how tiny we are as human beings yet many of us take our wonderful and normal life for granted. This book is well written especially in describing Nkosi's life. However, the first few chapters can be quite boring. The story is based on a little boy, Nkosi Johnson, and his foster mother, Gail. It is about Nkosi who was born with AIDS and how he dealt with this disease as well as how Gail protected Nkosi and what she did for him. I enjoyed reading this book and I strongly recommend this book. I believe Nkosi Johnson is unforgettable to all the people who read his story.

We're All the Same but We Write Differently.......2005-09-30

Too bad Jim Wooten couldn't get himself out of the story even tho he promised at the beginning to insert himself only where necessary. I felt like I was listening to a documentary vs. reading a memoir. He completely missed the emotional tone of the thing and instead, got lost for three pages on who the father was. He should stick to Tv or whatever he did before that made him famous.

Awareness Lit.......2005-08-27

Every child must know Nkosi's story and his courage to face his fate.

WE ARE ALL THE SAME : A STORY OF A BOY'S COURAGE AND A MOTHER'S LOVE

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WE ARE ALL THE SAME : A STORY OF A BOY'S COURAGE AND A MOTHER'S LOVE
JIM WOOTEN
Manufacturer: Penguin (Non-Classics)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OJDAMM

Book Description

Neutron stars, the most extreme state of matter yet confirmed, are responsible for much of the high-energy radiation detected in the universe. Mèszàros provides a general overview of the physics of magnetized neutron stars, discusses in detail the radiation processes and transport properties relevant to the production and propagation of high-energy radiation in the outer layers of these objects, and reviews the observational properties and theoretical models of various types of neutron star sources.

High-Energy Radiation From Magnetized Neutron Stars

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High-Energy Radiation From Magnetized Neutron Stars
Peter Meszaros
Manufacturer: University Of Chicago Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OPHI74

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High-Energy Radiation from Magnetized Neutron Stars.
Peter Meszaros
Manufacturer: see notes for publisher info
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000M3PILG

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High-Energy Radiation from Magnetized Neutron Stars.

Manufacturer: 0
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000IBFLKK

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