Art Architecture Photography Books

Régine Thiriez, an independent scholar who holds a Ph.D. in art history and is currently an associate research fellow in the East Asia Institute in Lyon (France), preparing an inventory of China photography, presents a substantial body of important new research on photography in China from the early years in the mid-19th century to 1860 as well as Qing dynasty China's reception of European technology. Her study, Barbarian Lens: Western Photographer's of the Qianlong Emperor's European Palaces, explores the Western involvement with the ruins of the European-style buildings constructed for the Qianlong emperor (r. 1736-1795) in his summer palace of the Yuanmingyuan, the "old" summer palace outside Beijing. The Yuanmingyuan was sacked and burned in 1860 by a French and British expeditionary force. Only the European part of the garden, constructed of brick and masonry, left substantial ruins. Standing mysteriously on the overgrown grounds of the half-abandoned site, the ruins exerted a powerful pull on European memories of the humiliation of the Emperor of China, and the shameful part played by Western armies in the destruction of the incomparable garden-palace and the treasures kept there. Such are the troubled feelings invoked by photographic images of the ruins. Placing the extant photographs in their historical context, Thiriez makes available to the interested reader and China specialist alike unprecedented primary research on the beginnings of photography in China, the identities and careers of the mostly little-known men who produced photographic images, and the complex relationships between photography and Western penetration of China. Barbarian Lens contains a wealth of scholarly information, presented in clear and succinct detail. Individual chapters focus on the practice of photography in Beijing (beginning in the early 1860s), the tragic encounter of China and Europe in the destruction of the Summer Palace, the amateur and professional photographers of the ruins, as well as the overlapping personal, political, and photographic ambitions of men in the Qing Imperial Maritime Customs, Western diplomatic missions, and other various undertakings. The volume is amply illustrated with more than 50 images-most of them previously unpublished-and includes extensive appendices on such subjects as the pioneering French Mission Palais d'Été studies of the European palaces. Perhaps the most impressive appendix is an exhaustive 24-page list of all the photographs of the European ruins identified by Thiriez to date. It tabulates photographers, photographic collections and sources, cataloguing information on the individual prints surveyed, the most likely date of the photo, additional reprints or rephotography of the same images (a very thorny problem in early photography), and the importance of the photo to the study of the place. It also cross-references the images, showing how they complement each other through the years. The appendices, notes, and bibliography supplement a richly rewarding text and generously make available the result of a decade of painstaking research in an almost unknown and unstudied field. In a volume that presents a complex, fascinating, and sometimes horrifying story of destruction and recovery, Régine Thiriez's contributions to the history of China photography and the fast-growing field of Qing dynasty historical studies are invaluable.

Gary Randolf has done a remarkable job of splicing natural history, Americans and psychical beauty into one great book. Traveling through time and seasons, the reader feels the words and witnesses the beauty of the Adirondack mountains. It's not just full of incredible landscape shots (both subtle and grand) but is matched with a moving narrative that warns us this island paradise will always be in danger.

Time for the world to take heed, especially in a period of history when our government seems to feel that acid rain is so irreversible here, that we can actually lower emissions standards? That the damage is already done? It's not too late, and Mr. Randorf reminds us with every page.

One would think that a book titled 'Roman Gardens' would.... well, contain a little more gardens and a little less interior. I ordered this along with it's companion (Roman Gardens; Villas of the countryside), they are both currently on the way back from whence they came. Also - very disappointing - a lot of the photographs are out of focus and shot from bad angles. My ten-year-old takes better photographs.

Connecticut 24/7 was a disappointment to me. The cover proclaims ,
"Amazing Photographs of An Extraordinaty State". I found that approx. 50%
of the photographs did not give someone a "view" of Connecticut , but instead were somewhat "generic" in what they portrayed.
"a child reading a book in bed","a baby looking out a house window",
"children in art class","dogs in the back of a car","a man in a bathroom"
Photos such as these , did not serve to enhance my visual perception of
what Connecticut looks like. Do not get me wrong , "all" the photos are
indeed beautiful. It is just that I expected a book of photos of the
State of Connecticut, to have each photograph show a scence that was
"unique" to Connecicut.

I purchased this book to give to someone else as a gift -- someone from another country who might like to see a little bit of what life is like here in Connecticut. But now that I've seen it, I'm going to order another for myself. This is the most beautiful book that seems to capture the state we're from perfectly. I truly want to leave it out on my coffee table to look at time and time again and I have NEVER said that about a book in my entire life (except for personal photo albums perhaps).

I really enjoy the America 24/7 series of books, but this one could have been much better. There are only a few photos that actually give any indepth coverage of the state. Some of the photos don't really even tell a story about Kentucky as they are too generalized and, even worse, lack in artistic quality. It's a decent book to put on a table, but not much more.

This book is of high quality as are all in this series. However, it lacks the depth that it should have. It doesn't capture the full flavor of the state. Too much space is devoted to the largest cities in the state. Also, many photographers apparently used their own children as subjects for their photos. One even took a photo of people looking at an exhibit of his photos.Give me a break.
There are good photos in the book, but it is not photojournalism.

At age 17 I wrote to Rudi Gernreich, imploring him to let me work for him & sending him my own futuristic fashion designs. I never heard back, of course; why would an iconoclast need imput from a teenager? This man prefigured so much that happened in later decades that most of what he did still looks cutting edge today. He saw himself as being a few years ahead of his time. More like a few deades. David Bowie's Ziggy Stardust owes more than a bit to Rudi's unisex designs, up to & including the shaved eyebrows. The look was startling & alien in 1973, imagine how it looked in psychedelic era 60s! Peggy Moffit's book is a godsend, & she is a Pop Icon extraordinaire. The future hasn't been nearly as groovy as Gernreich envisioned, but this book offers a glimpse of what it might have been. He was a true visionary.

I was given this book by my best friend, who thought I would like it. Love it is more like it, this man who I was dying for information on was a genius, artistic, innovative... Truly for those who are fashion mavericks and trend-setters. This book finally brings Rudi to light, by a dear friend of his and is written from an insiders point of view. It also tells the story of an artist trying to create in the commercial world. The topless bathing suit, trompe d'oeil in fashion, ohh and those clever sunglass that are round on one side and square on the other... Not to mention is introduction of PVC and knee socks back in the 60's - all Rudi's. Incredible photography (Peggy Moffat's husband rounded out their collaborative trio as the photographer). This book will inspire as you revel at how Rudi, a master of form and shape, comfort and style, with his deft imagination and sense of style just created movements in fashion that flow through to what you see on the street to the haute couture. He has been underground for so long yet is long overdue for this showing as he has a had a PROFOUND influence on fashion and everyone who sees the book cannot put it down. For [the price] it is a steal too. This is a book to cherish and hang out with when you need some inspiration. He is much why the 60's was considered modernist. Incredibly glamourous celeb pics such as the one of Barbara Streisand appear in all her glory as well as pieces on adrongny (wayy ahead of his time) and the rejoicement of one within their own body. Rudi was far far ahead of us all and I believe will become better known as time passes. This is a bittersweet book about Rudi and his muse, Peggy and her husband. Three people with immense imagination that together made it in this world without compromising. Makes a great gift, everyone I have given it to just adores it. Forget all about the vintage designers, he was a driving force in the 60's. He took those terrible frumpy looks and threw them out and looked at women as strong, beautiful creatures as they are and gave them a right to look gorgeous. This book is not about beauty in a conventional sense, it really really sets you free. Afterall, he boldly rejected the mainstream concept of women's old big skirted fashion and started all new styles, ones with his unique perception making stunning and hip fashion accessible to all. Rudi really was a fashion heavy - this remarkable book should not be missed.

Peggy Moffitt, with her raccoon eyes and pigeon toed stance, and Rudi Gernreich, one of fashion's most unknown innovators of the 60s, are lovingly profiled in this book by Moffitt, Gernreich's friend, model and muse. The photographs are by William Claxton, Moffitt's husband, who is well known for his jazz photos, in particular those of Chet Baker. From the topless bathing suit to the thong bikini; from the unisex look to men's styled underwear for women, Moffitt covers all of the fashion innovations of Gernreich that we now take for granted today. In full color and black and white photos, this book spans the creative, exciting and futuristic career of a fashion genius who was ahead of his time and has left an indelible mark on the world.

Until I read this book, I had no idea how many important contributions Rudi Gernreich made to fashion. He was a maverick in his day. His designs were so advanced, even for the wild-child sixties, that they still seem fresh. In fact, I recognized many current trends in these photos. This is largely a "picture book" with vintage publicity and advertising photos by William Claxton, as taken throughout the sixties. They're mostly modeled by Peggy Moffitt (she was also an innovator in her field, with amazing eye makeup). This book opens with an overview of Gernreich's career, and a really comprehensive essay about his most famous designs (like the topless bathing suit). It's a wonderful read, both entertaining and informative.

I was given this book by my best friend, who thought I would like it. Love it is more like it, this man who I was dying for information on was a genius, artistic, innovative... Truly for those who are fashion mavericks and trend-setters. This book finally brings Rudi to light, by a dear friend of his and is written from an insiders point of view. It also tells the story of an artist trying to create in the commercial world. The topless bathing suit, trompe d'oeil in fashion, ohh and those clever sunglass that are round on one side and square on the other... Not to mention is introduction of PVC and knee socks back in the 60's - all Rudi's. Incredible photography (Peggy Moffat's husband rounded out their collaborative trio as the photographer). This book will inspire as you revel at how Rudi, a master of form and shape, comfort and style, with his deft imagination and sense of style just created movements in fashion that flow through to what you see on the street to the haute couture. He has been underground for so long yet is long overdue for this showing as he has a had a PROFOUND influence on fashion and everyone who sees the book cannot put it down. For a little over $20 it is a steal too. This is a book to cherish and hang out with when you need some inspiration. He is much why the 60's was considered modernist. Incredibly glamourous celeb pics such as the one of Barbara Streisand appear in all her glory as well as pieces on adrongny (wayy ahead of his time) and the rejoicement of one within their own body. Rudi was far far ahead of us all and I believe will become better known as time passes. This is a bittersweet book about Rudi and his muse, Peggy and her husband. Three people with immense imagination that together made it in this world without compromising. Makes a great gift, everyone I have given it to just adores it. Forget all about the vintage designers, he was a driving force in the 60's. He took those terrible frumpy looks and threw them out and looked at women as strong, beautiful creatures as they are and gave them a right to look gorgeous. This book is not about beauty in a conventional sense, it really really sets you free. Afterall, he boldly rejected the mainstream concept of women's old big skirted fashion and started all new styles, ones with his unique perception making stunning and hip fashion accessible to all. Rudi really was a fashion heavy - this remarkable book should not be missed.