Art Architecture Photography Books

We saw this at l'Espace Salvador Dali in Paris and loved it, but didn't want to pay museum/weak dollar prices. It was a good value on Amazon, and my son (a big Dali fan) loved it for Christmas. It's a photographic interview with Dali about his mustache. Each question is followed by a short answer with illustrative photograph of the artist's mustache in various wild, waxed poses. The photos are hysterical; the humor all Dali.

I thoroughly enjoyed the photos in this book, but that is all there was to it. There are about 40 really great photos of Dali doing strange things with his mustache. It is certainly not, as I was led to believe by the other reviewer, a novel. One can easily read the whole book in just a few minutes. It is called a photographic interview and just has some questions, each followed by a crazy photo with a caption.

I'm not an educated art critic or even really a big art fan, but I take an art class for my high school and one day my teacher showed us this book. I thought it looked weird and since thats the type of art I like i picked it up and read it. This book is very weird and funny. The ways they can get the moustache to stand are really cool. I especially like the fishing pole one and the graph but really all the pictures are good. This book has turned me on to the weirder side of art.

This book is mainly pictures of Salvador Dali's mustache in different poses. His whiskers have stand straight up, go straight out, and everything in between. There is some some dialogue that is nothing more than questions and answers. For instance, it is asked why Dali paints. On the next page his mustache is shaped like an 'S' and there are two paint brushes running across his face to complete the dollar sign '$'.

I love this book because I am a big fan of Dali. Also my daughter has come to love it and usually asks for this book for her bedtime story. It makes her giggle because some of the pictures are just so strange. Although the picture of Dali as the Mona Lisa is quite disturbing.

The book can be read in under three minutes, but for fans of "The Dali" it can bring a lifetime of pleasure.

I was surprised to see that this Dali book is more a book of photography than of any of Dali's art. I mean, I knew it was mostly pictures of him, but it turns out to be all these complicated photographs of Dali! It's pretty interesting, especially if you're into photos. And what makes the book is the last section where there are descriptions of how all the weirdest pictures were taken. To think that all of them could have been done effortlessly on a computer these days says something about Philippe Halsman's dedication. Kudos!

I just adore the pretty pictures and inspiring ideas in this book. If you love Cath Kidstons fabrics, you will love this book. Make yourself a cuppa, grab a plate of cookies and relax with this visually beautiful book.

I just love to flip through this book before going to bed. The beautiful pictures relax me, or, give me so many ideas that I can't fall asleep! There are definitely projects that I will try, and some that I won't. That being said, it is worth the price for the photos alone.

This was my first experience with Cath Kidston and I give her a "thumbs up". This book is a keeper with beautiful illustrations of fabrics and with inspirational projects, most of which anyone can do. It is well written with interesting inserts.
Although I'm not "into" the bright, colorful fabrics from the 60's, I loved the faded and pastel ones shown from other eras. As they say: "Take what you need and leave the rest". Besides, in my minds eye I could see those same things in pastel.

I love this book for its style and photos and inspirations. Would have enjoyed a little more practical applications.

...this book is for you. There are some great ideas about different ways to use all those wonderful vintage fabric scraps, tablecloths, and curtain panels you just couldn't live without but now need a home. Just the idea of scanning the fabrics (ingenious!) is worth the price alone!

We usually see bridges as an extension of the road we're on, never realizing that every bridge is a great venture unto itself, where creativity, engineering genius and big capital all come into play.
Mr. Cortright's book highlights the most beautiful and unusual bridges from around the world, covering a span of nearly 3000 years. They're all here, from ancient Roman arches to extravagant futuristic showpieces. Whether the locale is Buenos Aires or Shanghai, you'll find yourself daydreaming about who built these bridges and what it would be like to cross them. I picked up this book in an odd moment and found myself captivated for hours.

Ideal for bridge fans, but even better for those who simply like to travel in their imagination. Highly recommended.

An amazing book. Great photos of bridges all over the world. Very insightful. The book has inspired me to go Bridging and I use the book as a reference handbook.

Bridge aficionados are lucky that Bob Cortright is alive, well, and traveling the world with his camera and lifelong, unabashed love of bridges. In this, his third magnificent volume, Cortright takes his camera further afield to bring readers stunning, full color photographs of bridges from 28 countries across six continents. His witty, succinct commentary conveys fascinating lore and trivia about each bridge. A perfect gift for travelers, students, and pontists of all ages. To see more of Cortright's bridges, visit [...].

If you take bridges for granted, perhaps as part of a daily commute, you likely won't again after reading Robert Cortright's lovingly assembled book.

Whether it be a multi-century old stone bridge in the old world or a recently built cable-stayed structure, you can't help but pause to admire the hundreds of examples of man's handiwork in Bridging the World.

Grouped by the method of construction used, these bridges are a tribute to man's ingenuity and his need to communicate. Featuring bridges from almost 30 countries and from 6 continents, the book is guaranteed to leave you wanting to see more, perhaps even in your own locale.

BRIDGING THE WORLD would make a wonderful gift for anyone with an interest in engineering or architecture, an armchair traveler or history buff, or anyone who just likes beautiful photography. Cortright is a retired American banker who just loves bridges. This is his third book filled with bridge photos, and he's obviously very good at his craft. The photos are gorgeous, displaying bridges from all over the world, with 306 clear, colorful photos from 28 countries and six continents.

The photography is exquisite -- you can see the individual cables, the shadows on the water or canyon beneath the structure, and the texture of the stones and other materials used in the bridge construction. The book arranges the bridges more or less chronologically or by length of span. The photos are divided by method of construction used in the bridge -- beam, arch, suspension, cable-stayed, aqueducts and special bridges. The book begins with structures built in ancient times and moves on to huge, modern works of art. To see several of the photos, visit www.bridgeink.com. Strongly recommended, especially as a gift.

Carleton Watkins is an overlooked figure in the history of American photography--Artistically we could not have wanted for more in someone recording the "wilds" of the West. Beautiful photographs of San Francisco and the Northwest's industrial beginnings, and timeless representation of Yosemite's natural wonder.

Carleton Watkins's fifty-some year career has left him recognition as one the greatest American photographers of the nineteenth century. The photographs shown in The Art of Perception clearly show why. Without saying Watkins was ahead of his time because of the sophisticating and arresting images he produced with a camera, it can be said that few, if any, of his contemporaries could rival his work. In the Art of Perception, the reader will have the privelage to be psychologically compelled by the world from the visual standpoint of this obscure individual. In this book, Watkins's innovation as a photographer shows the developing western world while at the same time creating an unparalleled visual experience for the viewers through more than one-hundred of his best photos, including some never-before seen or reproduced. Essays by Douglas R. Nickel also explain some of the subjects and objects that Watkins researched and photographed.

Travelling through the western United States, Watkins captured some of the most breathtaking pictures of Yosemite, San Francisco, the Sierra Nevada, and more. In my personal opinion, it is almost impossible to dislike any of the pictures collected in The Art of Perception. I must admit, however, that I have a personal taste for landscapes and documentary style photos of young America's development, especially ones as lush in detail as Watkins's are. More than anything, I loved the photographs that Watkins shot showing nature alone, untouched by any progression of America's buildup. As the viewer, it is impossible to prepare for the overwhelming rush from the elevated sensation of visual contingency created by Watkins's vision. Watkins's work not only captured my attention for these simple facts, but also educated me in the importance of the man as a very important historical figure in recording the growth of young American and as an innovator for the way we view photography today.

Even the most orthodox of post-colonial, politically-correct revisionists have to admit that ALL of what San Francisco is today is because of the United States and its values. San Francisco, for all intents and purposes, didn't exist before 1846, so why does the author still feel it necessary to bore the reader with blather about the United States "stealing" California from Mexico or referring to the "so-called conquest"? Writing about San Francisco as if it somehow "belonged" to any nation other than the United States is just plain stupid. So I wish the author had spared us the politically-correct drivel about the noble Californios and Mexicans and (even!) Spanish. It's as if he says, "The United States sucks for doing what it did in California. Now let me tell you about the magnificent city it built." That said, the history section (the first half of the book) is better than the generally incomplete architectural survey. San Francisco is so crammed with good stuff that a complete architectural survey is a tall order, so it's forgivable. The most obvious omissions are the newer sections of Pacific Heights and Richmond. Incidentally, these are the places built most recently with new wealth, which is as good as non-existent to those inclined toward political correctness.

This thorough history of San Francisco combined with several walking tours makes the past palpable to those here today. His vivid descriptions of San Francisco from the frontier days to the present significantly illuminate the many walking tours through the city. I have recommended the book to others curious about why this city has its unique look and feel.

Peter Wiley takes the reader on a great tour of San Francisco. A perfect gift for a friends who's visiting or those of us who live here in San Francisco. I found a number of hidden treasures that I honestly didn't know about before reading this book.

My third day in San Francisco, I left the National Trust Guide to San Francisco in my room. It is not the architectural guide book I expected it to be. Dry and talky, the book is long on background and short on facts about individual buildings. Dozens of intriguing buildings are omitted and there is almost nothing about engineering. Peter Wiley's book may be a decent introduction to the city, but reading it did not heighten my anticipation before flying west, or strengthen my appreciation after arriving.

The weaknesses of this guide stand in contrast to the strengths of the AIA guides to major cities. These architect-written guides are exhaustive. The Boston, Chicago and New York books in particular make excellent travel guides as well as desk references. They mix building descriptions with history, and delightful nuggets of information that deepen your appreciation of the place and its builders. There's nothing dry about these books. When it comes to criticism, the editors can be delightfully bitchy.

Between politics and earthquakes, San Francisco is not an easy place to build. But SF AIA members, please find the time to draft a guide your craft and your city deserve. One that is worth schlepping up and down the hills.

This book is excellent for anyone painting flowers as the pictures are brilliant for reference.

If you love to draw or paint flowers you will love this book. It's really nice reference book for those who don't have a garden with dozens of flowers year round to go pick or photograph when they want to create their next masterpiece.

The book contains over 500 clear quality photos. There are about 50 different flowers in all. Each is show in several different perspectives from up close petals, to stems, in large bunches and even inside the flowers.

As a bonus there are five beautiful step-by-step demonstrations on how to draw the flowers as well. The examples include Chrysanthemums in acrylic, Dahlias in pastel, Sunflowers & Orchids in colored pencil & Pansies in watercolor.

Gary Green has created a dream book for artists who specialize in flowers. Using many different angles and showing all stages of growth, he has compiled a fabulous reference for those of us who are unable to keep flowers on hand. My only question is, "When will he come out with his next book?"

I liked the book. It has lots of useful photos, and the author, being an artist himself, designed the book with the artist in mind, which I found wonderful. The only reason I did not give it a "perfect" score, is because I think there are some very common flowers "missing", such as hollyhocks, violets and a few others. But considering that there are hundreds of flowers, it is understandable that these flowers are not there.

At first glance, I was disappointed. I expected the photos to be somewhat more artistic. However, after sitting down and read it, the photos are very detailed, and that's why I wanted to order this book in the first place. It contains several photos in a page that shows the different views of a flower: close up of pedals, open & close etc - which I find very useful as a design reference. However, I must say I am not very impressed with the demonstration of the teaching, how to paint or photograph a flower. I think if the author is going to enclose this part in his book, it should be in detail, or else better off just leave it.

This is a lovely book that is not only
informative, but also the photograhs are
breathtaking. The paper is high quality.
I keep our book on the coffee table book and
it has been great conversation starter!