Reviews (2)

Landmark Work
Arguably the most significant text on directing for the stage, originally published after Alexander Dean's death (1893-1939) in 1941 from his posthumous class notes and revised several times.Alexander Dean was a professor at Yale in the 1930s. Lawrence Carra, now in his 90s, was his student and then went on to head the Drama Department at Carnegie Mellon University, the oldest degree-conferring school of theatre in the United States. What All Beginning Directors Cannot Be Without
Dean and Carra's FUNDAMENTALS OF PLAY DIRECTING is a step-by-step manual which deciphers the major technical and visual issues of stage directing.It includes specific "tricks of the trade" which remind all directors, beginning or advanced, of the mechanics of stage work.Whilethe authors discuss dramatic theory, the book corrects examines technique,addressing the key concepts of stage focus, framing, stage pictures, andthe creation of dynamism on the stage.It allows current students ofdirecting to understand the "fundamentals" first in order tocreate new and exciting works later.Though expensive, it is thedefinitive text for directing students.FUNDAMENTALS OF PLAY DIRECTING isan important investment in a young director's theatrical future. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Communication    2. Language    3. Language Arts & Disciplines    4. Performing Arts    5. Production and direction    6. Stage Directing    7. Theater    8. Theater - Direction & Production    9. Theater - General    10. Acting techniques    11. Language Arts & Disciplines / Communication    12. Technical & background skills   

Reviews (2)

The most beautiful book I own
This title is a reproduction of a late medieval/Northern Renaissance Book of Hours or prayer book.There is just enough explaination of the artistic conventions, the revisions made as one nobleman's coat of arms replaced another, artistic conventions and medieval/early modern symbolism to let the modern reader understand the book, without going into abtruse art history discourse.
A jewel
This is a lovely facimile of a book hours in the bodleian library in oxford. This book of hours was made by "the master of Mary of Burgundy" in the early 16th century. In additon to the 'carpet pages' of this manuscript, various text pages are also reproduced. Many of the illustrated pages have gold leaf on them and an gold ink is used to reproduce this effect. My only complaint with this book is that this ink has in some places obscured details of the manuscript and made pages look heavier than I think they probably do in the orginal work.Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Techniques - Calligraphy    4. Antiques & collectables: books, manuscripts, ephemera & printed matter    5. History Of Art / Art & Design Styles   

Reviews (2)

Good introduction to the writings of F. M. Alexander
Several years ago I discovered the Alexander Technique, found a teacher, and got rid of my chronic back pain.The man who dseveloped the Technique, F.M. Alexander, always seemed a mystery to me, particularly after I tried reading his books.This book is an edited version of Alexander's writing that makes them a lot easier to read.It also has a very informative introduction that puts Alexander and his Technique in historical perspective. The cream of 4 books on mind-body integration
Got a hurting back or evil golf or tennis swing you can't get rid of? F.M. Alexander found a way to change bad body use and this book describes what it means and how it was discovered. No, reading the book won't cure you. You'll need Alexander lessons, but it will tell you what it's all about. The editor wrote a fine background introduction as well as made an excellent selection from Alexander's books. Just as important, he included three prefaces by John Dewey, the famous educator and philosopher, and also scientific research on the technique. The technique is more than some body process. It really teaches a Western Zenapproach towards all kinds of life problems. Sound strange? Read this book. I'm very grateful I had Alexander lessons and the wisdom it teaches. Highly recommended. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alexander technique    2. Alternative Therapies    3. Consumer Health    4. Exercise    5. Health/Fitness    6. Exercise & workout books   

Subjects:  1. Medical    2. Medical / Nursing    3. Surgery - Colon & Rectal    4. Gastrointestinal & colorectal surgery    5. Medical / Surgery / General   

Reviews (2)

Gorgeously illustrated, inspiring book for fantasy illustrators
Let's face it:anyone creating a fantastic landscape has a lot to overcome.In order to make a totally imaginary scene believable, it has to make the unrealistic appear real.The first half of this book deals with techniques and media for creating realistic landscapes.The second half of the book adds the fantasy flavor, and that's where the book really begins to sing.The gallery of landscapes includes a number of in-progress illustrations, allowing the reader to see how professionals work up their final paintings.There is plenty of information to be gleaned from this source for both traditional painters and those using newer, digital media.I would recommend this book for anyone interested in landscape illustration, even if you aren't interested in fantasy.

Not worth returning to Amazon
If I thought I could get my money back I would have returned this the same day I got it, however, with the shipping charge I would have broke even.
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Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Drawing    4. Fantasy in art    5. General    6. Graphic Arts - General    7. Landscape Painting    8. Painting    9. Subjects & Themes - Landscapes    10. Technique    11. Techniques - Painting    12. Art / Subjects & Themes / Landscapes    13. fantasy; drawing   

Reviews (3)

exceptional method: new books
this is a great book about an exceptional technique
Six or Seven stars, cannot be recommended too highly
I wrote this plug for the reading recommendations in Barbara Conable's "How to Learn the Alexander Technique." My recommendation still holds. One of the best AlexTech books around
One the best books on the Alexander Technique, including a good biography of FM Alexander. Also read Body Learning by Michael Gelb. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fitness & diet   

Reviews (2)

A complete disappointment.
After reading a dozen of books on "Art history" following the standard chronological order, I strongly desired to read this book showing a different perspective. However, my disappointment surpassed my expectances. The problem of this book is that it simply gives very little, too general information without developing any subject in more detail. Each chapter (devoted to a particular genre) is further divided by topic. For instance, the "religious painting" chapter speaks about "representation of the virgin Mary", "representation of Christ", etc. Up to this point, "a nice idea" you may think. But now, let me explain that each one of these topics is explained and depicted in (always) two pages. Approximately one page corresponds to writing and one page to images (this, statistically speaking for the book does not follow such a distribution). Imagine! What can be said about any topic -for instance, representation of "the Pasion"- in just one page of information?! And even worse, the book is supposed to be also chronological comprenhensive!!! If you are looking for a book that explains the evolution of each genre, then this is not the correct choice. There is no analysis at all. Just a kind of introduction to the subject (with poor intelectual intention) and some pictures (chosen with unknown criteria) to produce a colourful page. Honestly, I would like other reviewers give some examples to support the high rate given to this work.Regarding the chosen paintings, not only the criteria for the selection is unclear (if it exists at all for it does not seem to be consistent throughout the book) but -more important and objective- is that many of the illustrations are so small that one cannot appreciate important details.To say it in a sentence: the worse book I have ever read on art history. To whom might this book be beneficial? To the editors, I guess.

A thorough grounding in art appreciation
For all the terrific essays, books, guides, museum publications and primers for the beginning art lover, this generously illustrated, thoughtful book presents one of the most practical and informative manuals on how to look at and truly see paintings.The authors have divided this survey of painting not in the usual hisorical context, but instead they show us the various types of paintings and how to approach them and get the most out of the viewing experience.By selecting categories such as Religious painting, Myth and Allegory, The Nude, History painting, Portraiture, Landscape, Still Life, and even Abstract painting they present samples from across the entire history of Western art, pointing out the hows and whys artists chose and painted each subject.Religious painting, for example, uses examples from Giotto, Tiepolo, Michelangelo, Bosch and Rembrandt to Max Ernst, Dali, Gauguin, Stanley Spencer and Jackson Pollock.By concentraiting on the subject of the painting we are guided into an understanding of the evolution of that type of painting and the result is that we are encouraged to look at every school and every period of history in a refreshed light.The section on landscape shows that the beginnings of this genre can be found in the backgrounds of the medieval frescoes and progresses through various periods until the Landscape itself is the main subject.The many interpretations of myths, allegories, Self Portraits, components of still life paintings are all explored and documented in the most user-friendly way.This book is invaluable for teachers of Art Appreciation, for those people who want to know what to look for when they visit museums, and for artists who want a different slant on the history of composition.The color reproductions are plentiful and of excellent quality.This is a fine addition to the library of art lovers and afficiandos, students and hedonists!A worthwhile investment, and afine reference book and tool. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Appreciation    2. Art    3. Art & Art Instruction    4. Art appreciation    5. Criticism    6. History - General    7. Painting    8. Techniques - Painting    9. Themes, motives    10. Architecture & Photography    11. Artists, A-Z    12. Art History   

Subjects:  1. Engineering - Mechanical    2. Engineering Fluid Mechanics    3. Flow visualization    4. Mechanics - Dynamics - General    5. Research & Methodology    6. Science    7. Science/Mathematics    8. Technical & Manufacturing Trades    9. Technology    10. Flow, turbulence, rheology    11. Fluid mechanics   

Reviews (2)

From behind the pen...
This book introduces the reader to the people and processes involved in the production of manuscripts, and is interesting as a resource for methods of book production as much as it is for the insight it gives into the lives of the very real people whose efforts and whose lives went into the production of books by hand. With more than enough information to interest the scholar, this book is at the same time extremely accesible to the average reader interested in the subject. I would reccomend this as a textbook and as a good read, but would suggest that a reader have a good guide, such as Michelle Brown's Understanding Illuminated Manuscripts on hand, in order to best understand every facet of the material being presented. The book is clear and well-written, but a deeper understanding of the finished product adds greatly to the value of reading about their creators. This is a book I am proud to have on my bookshelf, for its readability, its attractiveness, and its value as a source for interesting historical information.

excellent, well written and interesting
whether you are interested in the typical lives, education, training, as well as social status of the people whose work became immortal or in the techniques and tools used to create the magnificent pages.. this is a wellwritten and interesting read. beautiful photographs of works in variouslevels of completion, numerous countries, schools and eras combined withwell researched documentation and critiques makes this book an excellentresource. focusing mainly on the creation of illumination and explainingthe lives of those creating the page, covering multiple aspects of training, techniques and changing social status throughout the decadesleads to an overall thorough understanding. you will walk away not onlybeing able to understand the illuminated page, its signifigance andconstructuion but also those who toiled to creatre it. whether an arthistory lover, in love with the illuminated page or interested in the livesof people who lived centuries ago this book is a wonderful addition to youpersonal library. i wish my art history books were this well written. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Calligraphy    4. History - General    5. Illumination Of Books And Manuscripts    6. Illumination of books and manu    7. Illumination of books and manuscripts, Medieval    8. Technique    9. Techniques - Calligraphy    10. Art / General   

Reviews (1)

Excellent introduction to Alexander's Technique!
This is the best overall introduction to the Alexander Technique that I've come across--and I've read my fair share of AT books. While it's a bit wordy, in part that can be explained by the fact that it was originally written in England. I personally find most books written in England are much wordier than books written in the United States, and they tend to have a peculiarly bland quality about them that sometimes can make them difficult to read. This book has some of those features, but if I were you and wanting to learn about the Alexander Technique, I wouldn't let the writing get in the way of my education. And there is enough informational meat in this book that it is worth overlooking the occasionally bland writing style.Read more

Subjects:  1. Diet / Health / Fitness    2. General    3. Health & Fitness    4. Health/Fitness    5. Holism    6. Fitness & diet   

Subjects:  1. Education & Training    2. Medical    3. Medical / Nursing    4. Films, cinema    5. Medical equipment & techniques   

Reviews (12)

Leadership Wisdom

The Commericalization of Alexander for American Business
American business books are money-makers so this is an inevitable publication. The one thing I must ask is: if everyone created an empire we would run out of consumers. So, the reason there is only one or two Alexanders in a century, is that the economy couldn't handle too many moguls running around. Needless to say, there is NO one template for success except maybe for certain personality traits but even then Alexander was a prince, a warrior, and went into battle in such a way that today he would be tried for war crimes in The Hague by the International World Court. Leaders create results but often the methods themselves are good or bad. Besides, so much debate surrounds Alexander himself that to minimize who he was in a short-form of 10 chapters or so dilutes his historical impact.

Great Lessons from the Great One
As soon as the book was delivered at my house, I swallowed it in a few hours and I must say that it was extremely tasty and satisfying.
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Subjects:  1. 356-323 B.C    2. Alexander,    3. Ancient - Greece    4. Business & Economics    5. Business/Economics    6. History - General History    7. Leadership    8. the Great,    9. Management & management techniques   

Reviews (2)

Natural Education
My problem with this book is that it contains so much. Joseph Campbell would occasionally begin a talk with"The greatest truths cannot be spoken, the lesser are always misunderstood." Before you read on, listen to the Casals recordings ofBach Suites, and if possible place yourself in the hands of a teacher ofAlexander's work. In her quest for the art of "Playing Naturally" Vivien was guided by one remarkable teacher and the spirit of another. Alexander had died by the time her three years with Casals were over. Casals metaphors were drawn from Nature, Alexander found the natural "use of the self" in his search for the skill to give expression to the genius of Shakespeare. Brought into Being
For most of us, Pablo Casals exists only through recordings. It's wonderful to encounter him alive through the living voice of Vivien Mackie--to imagine her in a high window-ledge in Prades as he made his magnificent recording of the Schumann Cello Concerto, to hear him regretfully but kindly telling this brilliant new student, "You do not know what you are doing," to learn how she learns his great lesson: "Do only what is necessary." Often, she found, "doing what was necessary meant doing a great deal more than I had ever done before," but sometimes it meant doing a great deal less. Her conversations with Joe Armstrong show us that "doing more" must include a patient but insistently revealing discipline that can allow the musician to "see all the colours and shades" of the music, "and all the texture, where it tightens, where it loosens and where the turning moments are,...to take time to examine it and bring it all into being." "Doing less" means "getting rid of clutter"--not just "questionable intonation,...and inadequate articulation, and any sort of doubt" in the playing, but also, and chiefly, any habitual clutter of mind and body that might prevent a release of "life and energy." The lesson applies beyond music. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Music    2. Music / Instruction & Study    3. Music / Techniques    4. Alexander technique    5. Casals, Pablo    6. Instruction & Study    7. Memoir    8. Musical Performance    9. Techniques    10. Violoncellists   

Reviews (4)

Don't wast your money
I would not buy this book. [...]It is very much out of date and appears to be a textbook for a first semester electronics course. Even if I had read this book 10 years ago I would not be happy. It does not mention surface mount devices (they were in use at time of publication in 1986) and goes on at length about very simple subjects like drilling a holes in circuit boards. Don?t waste your money. Amazon has much better books in stock.

interesting
I believe this book is dated although it does have some interesting ideals

10 Year Old Techniques
This book is in need of major updates in almost every way.I would not recommend this book to anyone who has had more that a year or two of experience in the electronics lab environment. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Counseling - Vocational Guidance    2. Design and construction    3. Electronic apparatus and appli    4. Electronic apparatus and appliances    5. Electronic packaging    6. Electronics    7. Electronics - General    8. Equipment, Appliances & Supplies    9. Science/Mathematics    10. Technology    11. Technology & Industrial Arts    12. Electronics engineering    13. Technology / Electronics / General   

Features

• Illustrated

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. General    5. Military    6. ALEXANDER, FREDERICK MATTHIAS, 1869-1955    7. Biography: general    8. Health & Fitness / General   

Subjects:  1. Medical    2. Medical / Nursing    3. Reference    4. Surgery - General    5. Surgery - Neurosurgery   

Reviews (7)

You Won't Be Inspired Here
This is an OK book about sales.It sort of reminds me of the information I would get if I was talking to an average but intellectualized salesman.You can always learn something.An endorsement from a reviewer below is taken from Marketing Times, but maybe the reviewer is unaware that Roy Alexander (the author) was the editor of this journal.Feel my pain and read this book.
word nerd reviewer
I am writing this rebuttal to a previous reviewers misconception of the english language.
Comments from Marketing Times and Entrepreneur
With Secrets the reader gets Coach Torres right over the shoulder.This best-selling sales book helps salespersons make all the good calls all the time, buttressed with proof-positive case-in-pointers --- Marketing Times
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Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. General    5. Sales & Selling - Techniques    6. Sales Management    7. Selling    8. Business & Economics / Sales & Selling   

Reviews (7)

yet another gem
This is a fine contribution although 'The Continuation' might lead one to believe that both Pihkal and Tihkal are of the same sphere. I suppose they are, if one isn't well-read regarding the metabolism and synthesis of these two very different families of compounds. As a synthetic organic chemist, I appreciated not only the autobiographical sketch but also the synthesis/observation section. Some of his methods are a bit dated. However, they are indeed valid if you don't mind sacrificing yield and purity.

Fun to read
I think I liked this one even more then PIHKAL for entertainment value.A lifetime's work for a value price. Highly recommended !

Less substantial than "PIHKAL" but still worthwhile
This book is thinner (in every sense) than it's more famous older sibling "PIHKAL", but is well worth getting if you're curious about what became of Shulgin after angering the government by publishing PIHKAL.For those with an academic interest in psychedelic drugs, it's almost a mandatory purchase, containing dozens of novel new tryptamine-based psychoactives (including several LSD derivatives), many of which are now available through the so-called "research chemical" trade. For better or worse, Shulgin's two books are landmark works in the developing relationship between the public, the government, and a dizzying array of new psychoactive drugs. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Chemistry - General    3. Popular Culture - Counter Culture    4. Science/Mathematics    5. Scientists - General    6. Cultural studies    7. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques    8. Popular medicine   

Reviews (3)

Dreadful, Should be a one page book
Far and away the most tedious and tiresome book I have read in a long time. The author writes in a style popular at the turn of the century. Unfortunately, the century was 1800s. Dry, overly complicated, and filled with word selections such as "whilest" and "Effortful"; using those terms and language as the Alexander himself did, in the early 1900's. It is one thing to honor the originator, it is another to make the text convoluted and unreadable in an attempt to be "faithful" to the technique.
A solid introduction to the Alexander Technique.
I've read a dozen or so books about the Technique over the past dozen years.I became interested in the ideas behind the Technique after having had lessons with 2 very different Alexander Techers.Both teachers helpedme a great deal with a chronic back pain problem I'd had since my twenties(I'm 67 now.) My first teacher was very non-verbal, but hishands-on-guidance was very clear and was able to change my posture quite abit.My second teacher was far more verbal, and also had very gooddirection in her hands.She encouraged me to do some reading, startingwith "Fitness Without Stress"(my favorite) and then "BodyLearning" and most recently the Authorized summaries of Alexander'sown four books(most of these you can get from Amazon - but the authorizedsummaries you have to get by mail from an Alexander Technique ProfessionalSociety - you can find out more at the Alexander Technique Bookstore atalexandertechnique.com/books)My sense is that Gray's book is not as clearas the other books's on the Technique I've read, although it does cover thebasics.

I've tried the others-this IS the best one not written by FM
I cannot recommend this book highly enough. I am a violinist with the Academy of St Martin-in-the-Fields and the Technique itself is an **invaluable** element of my life and work---and I would say this book is the best Alexander book not written by FM Alexander himself (it's also much easier to read than FM's brilliant but *very* Victorian prose). This would be my Desert Island Alexander book! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alexander technique    2. Allied Health Services - Physical Therapy    3. Diet / Health / Fitness    4. Exercise    5. Health/Fitness    6. Physical Fitness    7. Psychoanalysis   

Subjects:  1. General    2. Health & Fitness    3. Health/Fitness