Book Description
The world's fascination with the Russian imperial family endures, and with this stunning book a new spotlight is added. Jewels of the Tsars, the first book to examine the family's unparalleled collection, is illustrated with extraordinary photographs taken under special conditions at the Kremlin's Diamond Fund, and accompanied by 18th- and 19th-century portraits and photographs of the Tsars, their families, and their court. Prince Michael of Greece, a Romanoff descendant, writes with an insider's knowledge of his family's passion for rare and beautiful jewels, and their place in the troubled history of Imperial Russia.
Customer Reviews:
Lovely Book, not enough!.......2007-07-16
The Romanov ladies, dressed for a court function, dripped precious gemstones from top to toe, each Grand Duchess trying to outdo another in grandeur. Most of that jewelry has been lost, sold, the stones removed. Those who escaped the Revolution were lucky if they managed to take a small collection of their jewels with the, and most had to sell what they brought into exile to support themselves -- after they had written and sold their memoirs, that is. The memoirs of those who saw the Russian court in all its splendour, however, make it clear that the jewelry shown in this book doesn't begin to give one an idea of what the jewelry of the Romanov court ladies was like, though it tries admirably. I, too, would love to see a book on all the jewels of the Romanov ladies -- it might be impossible to find the information now, but the Soviet government apparently does still have some of the pieces left behind.
What is "different" about this book........2007-07-13
The pictures are, of course, beautiful, and show fabulous jewelry. However, what I enjoyed the most was the background information that the author was able to give. Since he is related to most of the royal families of europe, he has unusual access to jewelry, paintings, historical records and inside information. For anyone interested in the time of Imperial Russia, this book does not disappoint. At least one of my friends has also bought this book on my recommendation. I would also suggest this author's book "The Crown Jewels of Europe. If you can find it.
Wow great visual of the jewelry of the romanov's.......2007-05-08
I was really blown away by the pictures of the Jewels, especially the cherry earrings for the new Brides, I had read about these earrings but it is nothing to actually seeing how large the stones really are. Good historical pictures with various pieces. A wonderful index for the historian trying to get a handle on the lifestyle of the upper classes and the royalty of russia before the revolution.
Stunning.......2007-04-13
I highly recommend this book. The photography was perfect and the text was just right.
Excellent.......2007-03-10
Maybe one of the best of its kind, certainly the best in my collection.
Book Description
A celebration in words and breathtaking images of thirty-five landscapes created for private clients by today's preeminent designers.
This is a time of renewed originality in garden design. The last twenty years have seen a lucky confluence of money and talent lavished on gardening, and the results are surprising, enchanting, sometimes even controversial. The range of possibilities suggested by these thirty-five gardens is extraordinary: from Jacques Wirtz's undulating beech hedges that recede mysteriously into the mist to Penelope Hobhouse's latest interpretation of the traditional English garden, to Martha Schwartz's Texas creation of red, yellow, and pink painted garden rooms.
These hidden masterworks of modern gardening are unlocked for us by the authority, experience, and resources of House & Garden magazine. Every page is an invitation to explore landscapes that have never before been seen by the public—and may never be seen again. International in scope and lavish in its production, this book is the last word on the state of design in the garden world. 340 color photographs.
Customer Reviews:
A tour around the best gardens in the world.......2007-05-08
This book is huge and a most for garden reference. It's organized in seven chapters that will impress all kind of taste:
The New Classicism: Magical gardens from places such as NY, Spain, Germany...+
The New Traditionalism: Enchanting pictures from NY, IL, France, Japan...+
The New Naturalism: Beautiful gardens from NY, Idaho, France, Arizona, England.
The Plantsmen: Magnificent proposals from New England, California, The Netherlands...+
Personal Visions: NY, California, and Texas
The Cottage Garden Reinvented: Lovely gardens from England, France and Ireland.
The New Modernism: The best and trendiest gardens of California.
You'll be able to see some of the best gardens from places such as Arizona to Japan. Some of my favorites gardens where from England, The Netherlands and France.
The text is pleasant to read and full of details no only about the flowers portrayed but also to the architect and artist that created such beauty. The balance of text and picture is excellent. The quality of the pictures is excellent, full pages pictures trout the book. House and Gardens did a tremendous job and it's absolutely clear that the took at least ten times the number of pictures in the book since you'll only see the best angle and light possible for each picture.
The only con is the lacks of tropical gardens since most part of the book are focus on the northern hemisphere.
The New Garden Paradise: Great Private Gardens of the World.......2007-05-07
Wow! This book is incredible, a treat for the eyes and imagination!
Great Private Gardens of the World.......2007-01-29
This is a beautiful book anyone would be pleased to have. The quality of the photos is splendid. Most enjoyable.
The New Garden Paradise: Great Private Gardens of the World.......2007-01-03
Book is really interesting and has a lot of beautiful full-page photographs. Makes a great gift for everybody, not only for gardening fans!
Big book, big gardens, big budgets.......2006-02-28
This coffee table book features private gardens and estates of the wealthy who have the funds to hire the most talented garden designers in the world to realize their visions. Most of the gardens featured are in the U.S. although a few are in England and Japan. Chapters are divided by varying styles, such as classicism, traditionalism, naturalism, cottage garden, modernism, etc. It is an eclectic collection, from minimalist elegance to lush romantic woodlands. Sculptures, art work, water features and stone work are a feature in many.
Chapter names tout the garden designer which includes such talents as Patrick Chasse, Dan Pearson, Jacques Wirtz, Dan Kiley, Piet Oudolf, Martha Swartz, Sarah Raven, Christian Louboutin, Isabelle Greene, Penelope Hobhouse, Topher Delaney and Steve Martino. The owners of the gardens are rarely mentioned (with the exception of actors Brad Pitt and Tim Curry and a few others). Although the text is often stuffy and oft-putting, the photographs alone are reason enough to purchase the book. This beautiful book is wonderful for garden dreamers who will find gardens such as these unattainable.
Book Description
At Home with Art is about art lovers, their passion for art, and their seemingly unquenchable desire to bring home the works that have captured their hearts. Whether the artworks are Picassos or posters, these people want to acquire and live with the art they love. "I wake up in the morning and exercise where I can look at it," says John Robson about one of the paintings in his San Francisco townhouse. How these art lovers integrate their finds
into their living spaces, juxtaposing their paintings and sculpture with the artifacts of everyday life -- furniture, rugs, books, lamps, objets d'art -- is vividly illustrated here in more than fifty homes inhabited by people for whom living with art is as essential as breathing.
These homes are not mini-museums with art to be admired from a respectful distance. Nor have they been designed by interior decorators whose goal is to harmonize the upholstery with the pictures. Each home has been chosen for its very personal and inspired expression of art and decor, revealing a deep, even spiritual, relationship between the pictures on the walls and the people who place them there. From airy lofts and old farmhouses to sleek city apartments and cozy traditional houses, all are made special by the paintings and sculptures within.
A wide variety of people appear in these pages, from the president of MoMA to a young man in love with poster art, to the writer who has artist friends, to the young woman who inherited pieces from her mother, to the actress whose art travels with her wherever she goes. The kinds of art that speak to them and that they are impelled to acquire range from old masters to outsider art, from folk art to contemporary art, to prints, drawings, photographs, and sculpture. We learn about what sparked their interest in a particular genre, how they make their selections, how they meld them into their homes, and what living with their art means to them.
Though looking at these interiors proves there are no fixed rules about displaying a work of art, special sections on framing, hanging, lighting, and caring for art, from oil paintings to delicate works on paper, provide technical assistance. A directory includes framers, dealers, auction houses, and restorers in major American cities and in London.
Above all,
At Home with Art shows that there are all kinds of art to be loved and cherished, however grand or simple, and that living surrounded by art's beauty can bring boundless personal satisfaction.
Customer Reviews:
An invitation into the homes of collectors........2000-12-31
This book is inspiring because it shows us the homes of many collectors of paintings.It is well written, but there are not enough new ideas that can be incorporated by the reader. Some of the collectors have little idea on how to display their paintings in a way that is pleasing and justifies the works. Many of the dispalys are cluttered and claustrophobic. Yet, there are some splendid homes that incorporate paintings spectacularly. The article on Dorothy and Herbert Vogel is very moving. These extra-ordinary people deserve a book just on them.
A unique and personal view of collecting.......2000-01-12
This is an extraordinary book. Clearly not intended as a scholarly exercise, the authors take us up close and personal with outstanding collectors and their art. These are people I would be unlikely ever to meet, and their personal views and how they are expressed through the works they surround themselves with provide a glimpse into the collecting mind. Many of the homes are wealthy, though some are artists who have accumulated works from their friends. The photos are spectacular, and give many ideas of how art can be integrated into one's home.
At Home With Art Not Your Home.......2000-01-06
Diving into this book, as an avid art collector, one might expect to learn how different people work with the art they possess. This book though is really for those who are stricly ardent and almost excessive collectors who like to jam pack their residences with works galore. What is missing from this text is a careful presentation of how many different types of people display their art. There is too much focus on furniture, collecting passions and interest, and not enough focus on ideas. Overall, I found this book to be somewhat mono-dimensional in the concepts portrayed of how others live with their art. More a picture of what the authors had preconceived than a search for the spectrum of ideas.
Book Description
Philadelphia has been gripped by a serial killer dubbed by the media as the Plate Glass Killer. Henry Tyder, an alcoholic, often homeless, and member of a socially prominent family on Philadelphias Main Line, has been arrested at the site of the most recent murder after being found covered in the victims blood. Although Tyder has apparently confessed to the crime, his attorney believes him incapable of actually committing the crimes and asks Gregor Demarkian, retired head of the FBIs Behavioral Sciences Unit and fellow-Cavanaugh Street resident, to look into the case. But what could have driven Tyder to confess to crimes he was seemingly incapable of committing? And more importantly, if not him, then who really is the Plate Glass Killer?
Customer Reviews:
Jane Haddam: Glass Houses.......2007-09-29
Jane Haddam does her usual remarkable job of mixing an excellent murder mystery with relevant social commentary (but without preaching). Well worth a read, as are all her books.
A consistent theme among the characters.......2007-09-09
In many of the books in this series, Haddam has a particular theme that in one way or another, all of the characters are either thinking about or demonstrating by their actions. In this volume, that theme is "cognitive dissonance" although she never uses that exact term. More about that in a moment.
First, a few quick things I have to pick on. As other reviewers have said, the situation with the two detectives on the case is a little unbelievable in terms of actual police procedures - but it does certainly fit in with the cognitive dissonance theme! Second, Bennis comes back, rather improbably without a very good explanation, and equally improbably, Gregor accepts that lack of an explanation. Frankly, I did not like this development; in my mind, Bennis is a little too quirky, and not particularly good for Gregor, and I had liked in the previous book that she disappears and Gregor starts dating someone else. Oh well. I suppose there were many fans of this relationship, and in terms of the overall story arc across volumes, it's not totally unexpected.
Next, a few quick things I particularly liked: the recurrance of minor characters from previous books, now playing bigger parts - Edmund "Chickie" George, Alexander Mark, some of the nuns. Some new bit characters I wouldn't mind seeing more of - Tyrell Moss, the shopkeeper, and the teenager he is trying to convince to live in the real world rather than a fantasy thug world. Like the characters in the book, I don't ever want to see Phillipa Lydgate, the English reporter, ever again - but the portrayal of her, and of our regular characters' reactions to her, is certainly funny!
Now. Back to that cognitive dissonance stuff. As I was reading the book it occurred to me that was the theme; by an odd coincidence, unplanned, the next book I picked up after this one was "Mistakes Were Made" (Mistakes Were Made (But Not by Me): Why We Justify Foolish Beliefs, Bad Decisions, and Hurtful Acts) which is by a couple of sociologists explaining how many of us use self-justification to hold contrary beliefs at the same time, and what effect that has on our overall thinking about politics, about our own marriages and childhoods, and about crime, among other things. The page before the title of contents of "Mistakes Were Made" includes the following quote:
"We are all capable of believing things which we know to be untrue, and then, when we are finally proved wrong, impudently twisting the facts so as to show that we were right. Intellectually, it is possible to carry on this process for an indefinite time; the only check on it is that sooner or later a false belief bumps up against solid reality, usually on a battlefield." -- George Orwell (1946)
This is a really good quote to have in mind as one reads "Glass Houses" - watch it apply to Phillipa, to Charles - and, in ways bigger or smaller, to everyone in the book. From Phillipa's knee-jerk atheism (hey, *I'm* an atheist and I didn't like her attitude or the way she treated other people's beliefs), to Alexander's ability to be a sincere practicing Catholic while being gay; from Margaret's ability to remember her childhood as golden to Elizabeth, her sister and not that far from her in age, remembers the same years and the same parents rather negatively; from Dennis's managing to convince himself that his perversions are actually better than normal, to Marty Gale and Cord Leehan managing to hate the stereotypes of each other that they see without ever even noticing each other as real individuals. Perhaps the only characters who are open-minded enough not to indulge in more self-justification than is needed (they do give some, but they really are justified!) are the evidence clerks Betty and Martha.
In short, in this book, psychology and sociology play so big a part that they might almost be considered characters in their own right. It's fascinating reading, and for me, interesting enough to more than make up for what I perceived to be weaknesses in how the regular characters behaved. And I think that now that I've also read the above-mentioned book about cognitive dissonance, I'm going to go re-read "Glass Houses" so that I can play I Spy the various forms of self-delusion and self-justification. I would hope that many other readers would find the same amusement.
Typical Gregor Demarkian mystery, but that's not bad.......2007-08-12
Gregor Demarkian, known as the Armenian Hercule Poirot, is asked by one of his neighbors, Russ Donahue, to look into a case. Russ is the attorney for Henry Tyder, a semi-homeless alcoholic, who has confessed to being the Plate Glass killer - a serial killer in Philadelphia who has been murdering middle-aged women. Russ doesn't believe he's guilty and Gregor agrees to investigate.
This is a typical Jane Haddam book, whereby the characters are introduced in the first section of the novel. You get to read each character's thoughts and point of view about the mystery and about life. Some it is interesting, some of it just seems wordy and long. Yes, the author seems to interject her point of view on issues, but most of the time, it's not over the top and adds to the character. There is a brief mention of the Catholic Church, though, thankfully, not as much as in her other novels. Cavanaugh Street (the street where Gregor lives) and the Armenian culture are here too, but it seems brief - there's only a brief mention of Father Tibor and the rest of Gregor's neighbors. This book brings back the whole Bennis/Gregor relationship (which I've had enough of - that story line seems to have been dragged out forever.)
Overall, this is a pretty good Gregor Demarkian book, but not a great one. Yes, it seems a tad wordy. And I found the problem with the detectives in the case rather unbelievable (would any city with a serial killer allow that situation to continue?). But if you're a fan of Gregor Demarkian, you'll like this book. If you've never read a Gregor Demarkian/Jane Haddam book, I wouldn't recommend that you start with this one - there are many characters mentioned in this book that were first introduced in Hardscrabble Road. If you can find them, read one of her earlier books (the very early books - in the holiday theme, for example, Bleeding Hearts for Valentine's Day - are great books to start the series).
A good Demarkian mystery, if a bit frazzled.......2007-04-25
In this latest installment of the Gregor Demarkian mysteries, the retired head of the FBI's Behavioral Sciences unit is asked, first by the attorney of the suspected serial killer, and then by the prosecution, to look into a series of crimes because no one feels sure that they have the right man. The crimes involve the non-sexual deaths of middle-aged women whose faces are then mutilated, causing the press to dub them all the work of the "Plate Glass Killer." But just as Demarkian gets into the case, his live-in girlfriend, Bennis Hannaford, returns from her unexplained and uncommunicative absence of almost a year. Then another body is discovered, and the stories of the various men who have been picked up on suspicion in the case but released are intertwined with the Demarkian's sleep-deprived and frustrating reunion with Bennis.
Papazoglou inserts a lot of politics into her books, but the characters remain generally open-minded and not terribly strident about them, so I tend not to mind too much. The characters DO talk A LOT, much of it seemingly inconsequential to plot development. In general, I think this gives a great feel for the Armenian culture that provides the basis for Demarkian and his neighborhood. For a terrific contrast, read one of these books and then one of J.A. Jance's Joanna Brady novels, where the dialogue is so stilted as to fall over and no one says anything that isn't absolutely required; Texans may be terse, but I bet they still talk sometimes, other than to impart actual data. However, in this book, the "chattiness" also sometimes spills over to the non-neighborhood charactes, such as the D.A. and the Police Chief, and then it doesn't work. For example, I can't believe that the D.A. would be moaning about how he's getting a migraine and he doesn't get migraines when execrable police work is being exposed. When things are that bad, people who have succeeded in The System don't even think about saying things that might sound flippant. They tend to talk less, getting very analytical and showing less emotion.
The execrable police work is rather beaten to death, also. It seems that everyone in law enforcement knows the two detectives on the case can't work together and are therefore doing an absolutely inadequate job, but those in charge feel that their hands are tied because of in-house legal wrangling and politics. I don't buy that -- once Demarkian forces the issue, the two are quickly enough off the case, so why bother with any of it?
Lastly, Demarkian is an older guy, and he and most of the other characters don't get much sleep in this book, and it is hard on everyone, including the reader.
So, not the best of the Demarkian books, but not the worst. Demarkian's work, itself, always seems very true to form and is fascinating. And there are parts of the book that provide tremendous character insight and thus deveopment in only a brief sentence or so, which makes the whole thing so much more involving and thought-provoking than the run-of-the-mill mystery novel.
Demarkian goes private.......2007-04-21
In Philadelphia, the media calls this serial killer, the Plate Glass Killer as carves up the faces of his middle-aged female victims. His count has surpassed ten as he holds the city in fear. However, the police make an arrest as they have caught alcoholic Henry Tyder by the latest crime scene alley with blood all over him that came from the victim. He also confesses to the crimes though his blue blood family and their lawyer says he is harmless and could not murder anyone.
The defense team hires retired former chief of the FBI's Behavioral Science Unit Gregor Demarkian to help prove their client is innocent. With assistance from his long time lover Bennis, Hannaford, Gregor ponders why Henry confessed and if his lawyers and loved ones are right about his inability to kill. If this is so then the Plate Glass Killer still roams the back alleys of the city seeking prey. As he develops a profile of the killer over the jealous objections of the lead PPD detectives, Gregor concludes that the predator remains loose with middle age women at risk.
Fans of the series will enjoy the latest Demarkian investigative thriller as the now retired civil servant takes his skills and experience into the private sector. His convoluted relationship with Bennis is handling deftly so that long time readers will appreciate their caring nurturing of one another while newcomers will understand the tender rapport between them. Though the ending is twisted more than a Philadelphia pretzel with mustard making it feel implausible even to this gullible reviewer, the audience still will enjoy the deepness on several levels of GLASS HOUSES.
Harriet Klausner
Average customer rating:
- The Jewel in the Crown of Neoclassicism
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Pavlovsk: The Palace and the Park, the Collections
Manufacturer: Alain de Gourcuff
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
 General
| Architecture
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Interior Design
| Architecture
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
Specific Styles
| Building Types & Styles
| Architecture
| Professional & Technical
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| Books
General
| Building Types & Styles
| Architecture
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
Private
| Museums & Collections
| Arts & Photography
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General
| Instructional & How-To
| Arts & Photography
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General
| Painting
| Arts & Photography
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General
| Arts & Photography
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Japan
| Asia
| History
| Subjects
| Books
Russia
| History
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General
| Interior Design
| Home & Garden
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ASIN: 290983803X |
Customer Reviews:
The Jewel in the Crown of Neoclassicism.......2001-09-27
Any potential buyer would be well advised to ignore the other review, which denied me the pleasures of this two-volume set for too long. While intended for the connoisseur or scholar, it has plenty of eye candy for the aficionado of glossy picture books and shelter magazines. Pavlovsk is the jewel in the crown of neoclassicism. Roughly contemporaneous with Monticello, it reveals Jefferson as a semi-talented, rustic amateur. By contrast, the buildings and park of Pavlovsk were designed by Charles Cameron, perhaps the greatest architect of the period. Pavlovsk's owner, the Empress Maria Fyodorovna, combined unlimited resources with exquisite taste and real talent as an artisan. The results are admirably documented in this two-volume set. Outdoors, vistas to delight from every vantage point; inside, one ravishing interior after the other, all filled with furniture, art and objects of the finest quality and often great historical interest. Best of all, the set captures the unique spirit of Pavlovsk. Opulent enough for a royal residence, the palace was nevertheless built on a sufficiently modest scale that even the twenty-first century reader can imagine himself or herself living happily ever after in its rooms and green spaces. A must for the library of any serious student of the decorative arts and architecture of the eighteenth century.
Average customer rating:
- At Home with Books - How Booklovers live with and Care for their Libraries.
- More than a coffee table book
- One of my favorite "Books about Books"
- Books or looks?
- Come in and look at my books...
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At Home with Books: How Booklovers Live with and Care for Their Libraries
Estelle Ellis , and
Caroline Seebohm
Manufacturer: Clarkson Potter
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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| Interior Design
| Architecture
| Professional & Technical
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Similar Items:
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Decorating with Books (House Beautiful)
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The Most Beautiful Libraries in the World
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Living with Books
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A Gentle Madness: Bibliophiles, Bibliomanes, and the Eternal Passion for Books
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A Passion for Books : A Book Lover's Treasury of Stories, Essays, Humor, Love and Lists on Collecting, Reading, Borrowing, Lending, Caring for, and Appreciating Books
ASIN: 0517595001
Release Date: 1995-10-31 |
Amazon.com
For the bibliophile anxious to enhance the home library, At Home with Books presents both practical advice and divine inspiration. Chapters on starting a collection, organizing the library, and caring for books offer useful information on categorizing, editing, storage, and space-saving--"break down the books into categories by subject matter ... and compare their quantities to the available shelf space. If necessary, measure. Consider the book's height as well as its width. You may need to adjust your shelves to optimize your space." "Library Lighting," "The Art of the Bookshelf," and "Library Ladders" further encourage collectors to create a personal space suitable for its intended purpose, yet reflective of one's passion--"shelf lighting can draw attention to cherished objects and volumes; track lights can highlight certain areas of your room." Interspersed throughout these highly helpful chapters are interviews with noteworthy bibliophiles, including Keith Richards, Loren and Frances Rothschild, Bill Blass, and Paul Getty, whose "literary lairs"--ranging from the classic book-lined walls to books in the kitchen and the bathroom--are beautifully photographed, making At Home with Books not only a valuable resource for the dedicated collector, but a beautiful addition to any collection.
Book Description
At Home with Books is a visual delight, a helpful resource, and an inspiration for every bibliophile with a growing home library. Includes professional advice on editing and categorizing your library; caring for your books; preserving, restoring, and storing rare books; finding out-of-print books; and choosing furniture, lighting, and shelving.
Full-color photographs.
Customer Reviews:
At Home with Books - How Booklovers live with and Care for their Libraries........2007-05-08
I found this book a delightful and easy read and a great addition to my library. Every bibliophile should have a copy if only to read how others obtain so much enjoyment from their collections. I particularly liked Victor Niederhoffer's comment "I could spend a lifetime in this room and not be bored". I agree.
More than a coffee table book.......2007-05-04
I really enjoyed this book. I expected to use it primarily to get ideas for my own library. As I was browsing it, however, a couple of articles caught my eye and I started reading more. Before I knew it, I was curled up in bed reading it clear-through. It has interesting articles about different people's libraries, their collections, and a few about collecting in general. Mix in a little bit of history on books and collecting and you have one enjoyable book.
Some of the other reviews criticize this book because it seems to focus on the aesthetics of books. I must say that I agree that a library is more than how they look but that is certainly part of it - particularly in a coffee table book about home libraries. After all, I do not think that anyone would like to see photos of my aunt's double wide full of tens of thousands of paper-backs.
So the library of books all covered with white bindings may not be my taste or yours, but it is the celebration of these differences that makes this book interesting and compelling. My only complaint is that I would have liked to seen a few more average-Joe home libraries.
One of my favorite "Books about Books".......2007-02-22
This is a wonderful book for book lovers. It's primary purpose is to show how people (mostly living now) that love books chose to live with them. That is a theme throughout all the "articles". The folks profiled in this book live with their books. They surround themselves with them. Just my style!
This book has gorgeous photographs of current libraries and homes turned into "libraries" (basically just homes crammed with books so that every room has thousands). It also has short, but interesting profiles of the the booklovers who's libraries are photographed. The book is worth it for the pictures, but reading about others who love books, and learning about how they related to books and live with them is fascinating as well. Finally, the book also contains pretty good general informatin related to the care and appreciation of books. In many cases, the book even provides lists of companies that provide needed accessories, services, and tools (like covers, book repair, library ladders, etc.).
To pick a few nits: the information on book care is pretty basic, and there is little information on how an "average" book lover without unlimited financial means can build a library and care for books. The lists of information is necessarily dated, as well, but I think still worth inclusion. My biggest complaint is that there seemed to be a much larger percentage of "booklovers" profiled that were artists. The problem with that is that I am a booklover for the books themselves, not the artistic elements of the books (covers, illumination, artwork, etc.). So I didn't relate to as many of the people in the book as I wanted, because they related to books in a different way than I did - and that was the majority of people profiled. There was even one person who collected primarily journals and magazines, and had them all bound in white to match the decor of the room. For me, it's about the BOOKS! NOT about using books as an accessory for decoration.
All that being said, however, this is a book I go back to time and time again. For the pictures, for just immersing myself in text that extols books and their virtues like I do, and for the occasional refresher on book care and tending. This is book is a great general-purpose coffee table book and a MUST for bibliophiles!
Books or looks?.......2007-02-19
This is the same review I posted concerning the paperback edition; in fact I own the hardback, but the books' contents are the same. Only two stars here because the editors did not even bother to make an attractive binding: therefore, the hardback is not a good buy if you insist in having the book.
Having read some of the raving reviews here, and having read the book and possessing a very large library myself, I must say I was somewhat dismayed by the book's contents. The authors seem to try to illustrate many different kinds of libraries, studies and living rooms that function as libraries. This is all right, indeed, this is exactly what I expected. The only trouble is the choice.
Many of the photographed houses seem to have many books but not great book readers. The texts, themselves, give that impression. Also, why were almost only famous people's houses pictured - some of them almost without books at all? The house of a real bookworm is a very different thing from most of the pictured libraries.
If I may put it this way, I would have liked more emphases on books and less on looks. For instance, it is suggested that one might classify books by colour. For anyone that actually uses a library this is almost insulting. Other kind of advice ought to be given: what is the right height of a shelf, what are the more or less standard measures of books, and why this matters (because of space and aesthetic reasons).
Finally, a real book lover cares about bindings, first editions, and typefaces. There is not a single word about the actual "feel" of a book.
Perhaps this is just a very personal opinion. But, having lived with books all my life, I felt this book to be rather superficial. It does not delve into what a book is to its reader or how a book ages, what is different in han-dling incunabula, a Plantin book, a 19th Century small octavo or a modern hardcover or paperback.
I will not say that there were not one or two libraries with which I empathized. I did, in two or perhaps three cases. But the rest seemed about people showing their books off.
Come in and look at my books..........2006-11-15
For what looks like one's standard coffee-table book, this is so much more. The authors present us with lavish colour photographs and intelligent commentary on a wide selection of private libraries from the homes of book collectors from different walks of life - from the scholar, to the English aristocrat, to the Rock musician. For one who loves books and book collections, it is a treat to be able to step into the homes of serious, passionate book lovers and learn how they live with their books. There are lots of ideas here for arranging one's books and the room(s) in which they are kept; and I felt inspired simply to buy books - often I found myself straining to decipher some of the book titles in the various collections, often tantalizingly just out of focus. The authors help the initiate by providing essays on book care and storage issues, and at the back there is a useful guide (mainly for U.S. and U.K. readers) to booksellers, bookfairs, great libraries, stores that cater for library furniture needs, and so on.
Book Description
Packed with more than 300 photographs from archives and private collections -- many published here for the first time -- entertaining anecdotes, political analysis, the dynamics of family relationships, and behind-the-scenes gossip, America's First Families offers the first up-close look at the families -- from John and Abigail Adams in 1800 to Bill and Hillary Clinton -- who have intrigued and entranced the American public for two centuries.
Carl Sferrazza Anthony opens the door to the world's most famous residence to reveal life as it was actually lived there. He takes readers into the heart of loyalties and estrangements, and the emotional pressures that politics brings to bear upon the forty White House families, from their arrivals to their "notices to vacate." Readers will enjoy an unprecedented tour of the previously unseen private rooms as used and decorated by each family. Revealed too are the personal proclivities of the presidents and how their families both sustained them through public crises and were used for political advantage. They'll get a firsthand look at the preparations for White House weddings and other occasions; meet the parents and children of the presidents -- as well as eccentric relatives; and discover the patterns of working, resting, and relaxing that shaped the nuts and bolts of family life.
A magnificent combination of visual delights and insider information, America's First Families is an irresistible invitation to spend some time at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
Customer Reviews:
America's First Families.......2007-01-19
This is a fascinating book. It is a wonderful compendium of trivia, probably not available in any other volume. It contains a wonderful assortment of pictures of First Families, some of which have never before been published. The book is well organized into chapters detailing various aspects of the Presidential families' lives and activities. for me, one of its prime attractions is that it does not include the politics or issues of the President's era.
At times, it is a little confusing, because the author skips from one family to another rather abruptly, so it requires a little getting used to in order to follow the narrative.
I would strongly recommend this book to anyone interested in the social and "human" aspects of the White House families.
Enjoyable light historical reading.......2001-04-10
This book gives an insight into the private lives of the first families. We learn about their extended families, hobbies, illnesses, preparations for leaving the White House when their terms are completed, etc. The pictures are what really makes this book great. We see Lyndon Johnson in bed with his wife watching tv and we see the older George Bush in bed too (can you imagine Nixon or Clinton letting down his guard like this?). We see Gerald Ford in his bathrobe. If you always wanted to see such a sight, there is a photo of Eleanor Roosevelt in a bathing suit and a rare photo of Franklin in shorts with his polio ravaged legs exposed to the camera. We see painful personal moments such as the famous photo of Nixon hugging his daughter Julie when he made the decision to resign. In short this is, at times, a very rare personal and intimate glimpse into the lives of the first families. I enjoyed it and recommend it highly.
Oh, What a Lovely Piece of Work This Is!.......2001-01-12
I have been fortunate enough to read Mr. Anthony's brilliant "First Ladies" mini-opuses, and highly looked forward to this epic on the lives of our First Families. I sat for three hours stright with an almost constant smile on my face as I ran through the pages. What an amazing acheivement Mr. Anthony has pulled together! I can only imagine the painstaking research needed to find out the tidbits sprinkled throughout. There is so much information in this novel that it almost boggles the mind at times and is a bit overwhelming. I wondered if everything was sinking in, when I saw Mr. Anthony speak at the Richard Nixon library on CSPAN one night recounting the tales found here. Every story he told was instantly recalled and sentences finished before explaining. The sheer knowledge that one can gain from reading this novel is tremendous. (Where else can you find a list of President's favorite movies? By Reagan selecting Rambo, it does nothing but prove what a complete and utter moron we had occupying the White House under his reign).....Point proven further....When listing President's favorite reading options, Mr Anthony lays out beautiful examples of this. President Clinton enjoys biographies of his predecessors, Eisenhower military biographies and TR, anything he could get his hands on. Reagan? Newspaper comics.....I shall leave my review at that.
Entertaining look at White House hsitory.......2000-11-13
I purchased this book yesterday and I can't put it down. It is filled with great pictures and stories of the forty-one famlies who lived in the White House. This is a great source of presidential trivia and provides a human element to the most famous family in America. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in American history and the lives of the presidents.
Book Description
“There are those who spend lifetimes in houses that have nothing to do with who they really are. They may be perfectly designed, yet if they fail to reflect the personalities of the people who live in them, the very essence of intimacy is missing and this absence is disturbingly visible.”
—From “a window inside”
One of the most influential designers working in America today, Rose Tarlow knows that creating a truly beautiful room is as much an emotional matter as it is one of color, light, fabric, and furniture. In
The Private House, she offers insights into the mind of a master designer—as well as a glimpse into some of the extraordinary homes she’s decorated.
Drawing upon her wealth of experience as an antiquaire and a designer, Ms. Tarlow discusses and illustrates simple principles of creative design that are appropriate to any home. Always arrange your comfortable, upholstered furniture first, she writes; pay special attention to how light affects your spaces; and use carpets as background only, never as the focus of a room.
With chapters on lighting, fabrics, color, and intimate spaces, Ms. Tarlow encourages readers to plan and decorate each area of their house with elegance and personal style, covering all the essential elements of design—including the emotional ones. The result should be a house that welcomes family and friends, one that enhances our quality of life.
Customer Reviews:
A Journey Inward: Finding the Personal Space.......2005-10-25
Rose Tarlow's very beautifully illustrated book THE PRIVATE HOUSE will disappoint decorators, would-be decorators, and possibly students. This is not a textbook meant to offer 'how to' steps to force-feed the recipes for private spaces.
Instead, this book is a gentle read of how the highly respected Tarlow has created beautiful rooms and homes with elements of furniture, art, antiquities, and memorabilia with choices in fabrics and wall and furniture treatments that make one's home a castle. She deftly demonstrates how to make use of available light, making hallways, niches, windows and rooms focal points for praising light as an art entity.
The writing is simple and readable. The photography is elegant and descriptive and offers the eye many moods and examples of ideas of how each of us can make our own space uniquely ours. And that is a lot for a book on home enhancement to do! Grady Harp, October 05
Beautiful........2005-10-01
If you are ever in LA, treat yourself to a visit to this designer's showroom. It's like stepping into another world that has been completely removed from the hustle and smog of the city...find more of this type of inspiration in her book. A total pleasure to read and absorb...my only regret is that i never got a chance to take her class at UCLA...
Constant Reader.......2005-04-24
As an interior designer, my library is bulging with design books. Yet, time and time again, I reach for "The Private House." Insightful and genuine, "The Private House" always provides me with a bit of stimulation, a bit of grounding, and a subtle reminder to always use the best and most unusual furniture, fabrics, and art available to a client's budget. The information provided within the pages of "The Private House," are worth the journey - constantly.
Rose Isn't Giving Away the Store.......2004-06-12
Rose Tarlow knows more about art history and interior design through the centuries than any living person. Unfortunately, she really isn't interested in teaching you a thing.
I read the book carefully and then went through it a second time to see if there was a single design principle or piece of advice I could come away with. Amazingly there wasn't.
Rose plays her card close to her chest.
Intense Beauty.......2003-01-01
I waited a long time for a Western interior design book that speaks directly to me; it was worth the wait. Paul Goldberger says it best in his foreword: "Rose Tarlow's work celebrates the reality of living -- the way in which, out of a complex mist of memories, emotions, aspirations, and knowledge, each of us builds a life that is like none other. Her rooms are like no other, and they are marked by a natural grace." Her wonderful, delicate text and intensely satisfying photographs are to return to time and again; this is a treasure that is much more than an obsessive-compulsive personal summary of what antiquaire Rose Tarlow teaches in her UCLA master interior design class. As she also writes (and I've long agreed), "If I were forced to choose, I would much prefer to live surrounded by carefully selected and much loved books than by indifferent art" -- add the fabulous At Home With Books by Estelle Ellis to your purchase. A true connoisseur.
Book Description
Private Towers conjures up images of wealth and royalty.Yet owning a private tower, whether for use as a residence or for recreation, can be remarkably inexpensive. This book features 12 private towers designed by top architects. These towers serve as primary residences, as additions to existing houses (as libraries, master suites, family rooms), or as recreational spaces (think of a tree house). Private Towers presents these architectural follies through extensive use of stunning photography, as well as plans and drawings.
Customer Reviews:
Album with 12 livable towers beautifully photographed.......2005-04-21
This beautiful album has also a slight technical touch. It begins with one page introduction, and ends with one page list of architects. In between, each of 12 chapters - dedicated to one tower - begins with one page description followed by the best possible photos on 10+ pages, and 2 to 4 pages with floor plans, sections or sometimes elevations, site plan, model, axonometric view, sketch. Everything is beautifully published on a glossy paper, and looks spectacularly.
Average customer rating:
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Public and Private Spaces: Works of Art in Seventeenth-Century Dutch Houses (Studies in Netherlandish Art and Cultural History)
John Loughman , and
John Michael Montias
Manufacturer: B.V. Waanders Uitgeverji
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
General
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European
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General
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| Artists, A-Z
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Netherlands
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ASIN: 9040094446 |
Books:
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