Stacked: A 32DDD Reports from the Front

Book Description

What is it about breasts—or if, you prefer, bazoombas, melons, Dolly Partons, or breastasauri—that inspires such fascination? No one is even sure why women have breasts when not pregnant or nursing, but start a conversation about them, Susan Seligson discovered, and every woman, man, child, and drag queen has something to say. In Stacked, this intrepid 32DDD writer takes us on a journey through a culture where breasts have come to stand for all that is woman. Seligson introduces us to the proud owners of the world’s largest augmented breasts; crusaders for the right to parade bare-chested in public; and women pining for larger breasts or smaller ones, who may resort to surgery or stranger fixes (breast-enhancing gum? giant suction cups?) to get the breasts of their dreams. She relates the history of the bra and takes us on a quest for the perfect one. She explores the thinking of surgeons who do hundreds of breast implants a year, academics suspicious of our changing standards of femininity, and the editor of Busty Beauties magazine. And she writes throughout with the wisdom and humor of a woman who knows what it is to wield body parts so powerful they can make men crash cars.

Customer Reviews:

no fear.......2007-07-30

There's no point in repeating the other reviewers' praises. Suffice it to say that they're right. I have just two things to add. First, setting the subject matter aside for a moment, this is a great example of how to construct a series of articulate, graceful, and witty essays. Second, as you read, you'll come to admire how carefully Seligson maintains her tone throughout - she wryly accepts the reality of her own body and the attention it gets; she enjoys (and is sometimes amazed by) the quirks of her fellow human beings, endowed or not; and she centers every observation with cheery humanity. It's never smarmy, never too-cute. Don't be embarrassed to be seen reading it (and laughing) on the subway.

A Knock(er) Out!.......2007-03-18

When I got this book in my grubby little hands I thought, "Great! A book on two of my top five favorite subjects!" I could direct my focus entirely on breasts -- even in a public -- and appear to be improving my mind. The only problem with this plan is that an intellectual with his nose buried in a book rarely laughs out loud, and certainly not as much as I did.
By the end of the section that categorizes all of the slang terms for breasts, you might think Seligson has decided to skip any serious discussion of the topic. But instead she uses her sense of humor to deflate the hype and mystery that accompanies the subject, exposing it in broad daylight for an objective yet sardonic look. Through a series of interviews and anecdotes, I learned more about breasts, and the fascinating people on which they grow or have been installed. In the book, Seligson interviews a long list of unlikely characters -- the 90201 plastic surgeon, a former Hustler editor, the moribund attendees of a stripper's convention, and even a supposedly straight man with implants. These people -- and Seligson's affectionate take on them -- are what stands out when the book is finished. As the title of one of the chapters points out, "The face is up here, pal." If there's a book that can impart this valuable lesson, then "Stacked" is it. At least until the next well-packed blouse comes into view.

Too bad I can't rate this book 6 stars.......2007-03-14

Susan Seligson writes like silk. Smooth.. and funny. There is a serious side to Seligson's book, Sure, she's a first rate journalist, but she's also a top notch humorist and most of the book is laugh outloud funny. Her timing is immaculate.
As silly as many of the real life characters she writes about are, she always gives them her respect to be outrageous as they follow their crazy dreams (like Maxi Mounds, who has the largest breast implants in the world). Because Seligson is self-effacing herself, you love her and her pursuit of everything boob-like.
And when all was said and done, besides being tickled, I learned a lot of stuff about breasts from a woman's point of view. Bravo!

Entertaining and Interesting!.......2007-03-01

Seligson writes in a brisk, clear and often funny style. Her subject matter needs no hype; it hypes itself. Few other body parts, if any, are so politically and sexually charged. So instead of engaging in the kind of lurid, titillating sensationalism that might tempt other authors, she instead approaches her subject with a respectful, matter-of-fact, down-to-earth and often gently self-deprecating tone that allows both the poignancy and the frequent silliness of the topic shine through. She treats the undertaking with loving, brutal frankness. The book covers ambitious ground: gender identity, cultural standards of beauty, the paradox of male and female attitudes towards breasts, the moral, ethical and medical questions swirling around elective cosmetic surgery, equal rights, pornography and of course the tender issue of what comprises a normal healthy self-image. She skims over this familiar territory with surprising neutrality, exploring the characters she meets along the way in much more depth than she explores the underlying puzzles and competing arguments. This is more of the story of a journey than an essay, which is refreshing. It does not attempt to be a comprehensive and scholarly survey of all the areas listed above. It simply relates how one woman has made peace with her body and the love-hate relationship she has with it -- and also what she has learned from the many, many others she has met as she sought out their input on something that we will never, ever get tired of looking at or reading about. She mentions at one point that every man she ever told about this project asked the same question: "will there be pictures?" You are probably wondering the same thing. Answer: yes and no. There is one picture, but it is not in the book. And I'm not talking about the headshot on the hardcover jacket. In order to find this picture, you will have to delve deep into the text. If you read the whole book carefully, you will discover where to find the one image that everyone, male or female, will be curious to see.

Average customer rating:

Hilarious! Great coffee table book!
a penis is a penis is a penis...
Goofy Coffee Table Book
The Penis Book - A "Must Have" for your collection
A must have!!

The Penis Book
Joseph Cohen
Manufacturer: Broadway
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

Anatomy | Basic Science | Medicine | Subjects | Books

Dick: A User's Guide
The Book of the Penis
A Mind of Its Own: A Cultural History of the Penis
Out in the Open: The Complete Male Pelvis
Private Parts: A Doctor's Guide to the Male Anatomy

ASIN: 0767917537
Release Date: 2004-09-21

Book Description

Think you know everything about penises?

Bet you don’t know what hospitals do with foreskins after they’ve been snipped away. How fortunes were made in the war against wet dreams. The one song you should never whistle at a urinal. Or the woes of working on a “hopping penis” assembly line.

The Penis Book celebrates the male member like nothing else before. So get ready to learn. Laugh. And be downright titillated, too. No matter what your relationship with the penis, The Penis Book has something for everyone.

Customer Reviews:

Hilarious! Great coffee table book!.......2007-03-08

This book is a fast read. Its full of hilarious facts and great coversation starters for a drunk crowd! Throw it on the coffee table and see who picks it up. I'd recommend it!

a penis is a penis is a penis..........2007-01-19

*The Penis Book* is an interesting "gag gift" of a book that you can give to friends or keep for yourself. In it are interesting facts and tidbits about the penis. This book is designed for anyone (men, gay, straight, women) to read.

In the book, you'll read about if size matters or not. You'll read how straight and gay men treat their penises. You'll learn international words for the penis. You'll learn to vary your metaphors for "spanking the monkey".

There are quirky stuff in there as well. Such as what goes on in the "penis head" toy manufacturing company. You'll read what men think they'll be or do if they didn't have a penis. You'll also read what women would do if they had a penis. You'll read quotes about bulges and self-sucking and odd news.

There are also some little known facts and historical tidbits. A mechanism device was created during one of the World Wars to curb wet dreams. You'll read up on the different names for body piercings in the groin area, such as the Prince Albert. You'll learn of a festival celebration of the penis in Asia.

There are plenty of pictures in this little book. However, none of them are pornographic. There are pictures of penis candies, metal penises, cartoon penises, penis-shaped toys, tattooed penises, painted penises and many others. You'll get to analyzed paintings of penises. It's like a world of penises in this book!

Weird quotes and poems are also provided. You'll laugh, groan and maybe nod in agreement. You'll share with your friends or partner. You'll roll your eyes. You might learn a thing or two.

My favorite parts are the different names of the penis around the world and the different metaphors for "rounding up tadpoles". Some of them would just make you laugh.

There's just so many stuff in this little book, which will surprise you. So, get this book and embrace the knowledge of the penis.

Goofy Coffee Table Book.......2006-02-06

And now I know why they call it a "Prince Albert." Quirky art, Tidbits of history, and tips for men who wish to mingle with polite society. Something fun to leave in the bathroom for guests. Not much you won't already know, but it's funny to read again. All hail the penis!

The Penis Book - A "Must Have" for your collection.......2005-10-15

While in DC last month I saw this book in a store and purchased 4 copies. I read the book and found it completely entertaining, yet informative. It is amazing to me how the penis rules the mind of a man. The book is full of interesting facts and I learned alot. I am going to purchase several more for gifts. I signed the books I gave away. "In the end, they are all dicks. Some are just more special than others." How true!

A must have!!.......2004-11-30

A most enjoyable book that is funny, entertaining...and even educational. There were things in there I had no idea!! For all to enjoy....females and males a like! (A great gift!!)

Your Disgusting Head: The Darkest, Most Offensive and Moist Secrets of Your Ears, Mouth and Nose (How Books: Haggis-On-Whey World of Unbelievable Brillance)

Average customer rating:

Brings out the "silly" in all of us!
Dark Secrets Of The Uvula!
this book is so good I don't know what to do with myself
whoa.
Great, Funny Book

Your Disgusting Head: The Darkest, Most Offensive and Moist Secrets of Your Ears, Mouth and Nose (How Books: Haggis-On-Whey World of Unbelievable Brillance)
Dr. and Mr. Doris Haggis-On-Whey
Manufacturer: Simon & Schuster
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Anatomy & Physiology | Science, Nature & How It Works | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
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English as She Is Spoke: Being a Comprehensive Phrasebook of the English Language, Written by Men to Whom English was Entirely Unknown (Collins Library)
The Areas of My Expertise
Banvard's Folly: Thirteen Tales of People Who Didn't Change the World

ASIN: 0743267257

Book Description

YOUR DISGUSTING HEAD

For many years the scientific and educational community has wondered and worried about the possibility that semi-sane scholar-pretenders would find the means to put out a series of reference books, filled with ludicrous misinformation and aimed at children.

Well, we offer you YOUR DISGUSTING HEAD by Dr. and Mr. Doris Haggis-On-Whey. A world-renowned and much feared expert on everything, Dr. Doris Haggis-On-Whey has seventeen degrees from eighteen institutions of higher learning. With her husband, Benny, she has traveled the world many times over, has learned about all aspects of life, including outer space and food, first hand.

The human body is beautiful and mysterious. The mysterious part reeks of cheese. But no part of your body is as scary and horrifying as your head! In YOUR DISGUSTING HEAD: The Darkest, Most Offensive--and Moist--Secrets of Your Mouth, Nose and Ears, Dr. & Mr. Doris Haggis-on-Whey reveal -- through newly discovered discoveries -- all the ways in which your head disappoints you.

With such amazing information as:

• The ear was invented and designed by Feranando de la Mancini Goldfarb, in 1911, which was also a good year for yeast.

• Good Reasons for teeth removal: dentist did it; peer pressure; not sharp enough; found better teeth, like, on the ground; suspected of enjoying flossing; decay and mouth politics.

• The real reason your ears can't hear your pets talking. The answer is simple: your pet is a mumbler."

With the wit and irreverent sense of humor for which Dave Eggers and McSweeney's is known, comes the second volume in the revolutionary Haggis-On-Whey World of Unbelievable Brilliance books. More than just entertaining and informative, YOUR DISGUSTING HEAD will help you appear smarter, more in touch with your sensitive side and whiten your teeth. And much, much more that will likely sicken you.

Customer Reviews:

Brings out the "silly" in all of us!.......2007-06-29

I teach high school, and have shelves of books in my room of all reading levels. The Hagis-on-Whey books are almost never there! I catch students reading them all the time...out loud to their friends, in the hallway during breaks, and in class (ahem!) when they're supposed to be listening to me! It doesn't seem to matter what a kid's reading level is; they all get a kick out of these books. I've even had other staff members borrow them!

These books never fail to spark curiosity and elicit giggles! I wish there were more in this series.

Dark Secrets Of The Uvula!.......2005-11-06

This is an utterly brilliant book that is suitable for all ages, but will make anyone interested in the horrible and offensive secrets of your ears, nose, and mouth laugh out loud with repulsion. This is Volume 2, No. 241 of 307 in the "Haggis-On-Whey World of Unbelievable Brilliance" series of educational books written by Dr. and Mr. Doris Haggis-On-Whey.

The book contains a great deal of interesting information about heads that I had not been previously aware of, as well as a lot of useful, day-to-day tips. Examples include a chart explaining "Shapes of brain, including the possum, and colors of earwax," "The roof or your mouth through history" (although it only dates to 5800 BC, when the mouth changed from its prehistoric periwinkle color to the pink-red-brown hue we are now used to), "Political affiliations within the body" (it's no surprise that elbows are Republicans, while tonsils are staunchly Democratic), and a list of the four Presidents who didn't have ears (Taft, Cleveland, McKinley, and Coolidge, of course.)

This is a hysterically funny and lushly bound volume, which is extremely entertaining, mildly educational, somewhat thought-provoking, and should be one everyone's bookshelf. I also recommend Volume 1, No. 120 of 307 "Giraffes? Giraffes!" which will fill your head full of non sequitur mammology in the same way as this volume explains cranium functionality. This is a truly brilliant book.

this book is so good I don't know what to do with myself.......2005-03-23

There are a couple of misleading numbers in the description of this book, where it says that it's for ages 9-12 and that it's 64 pages long. Sure, it's for ages 9-12, and for ages 19, 29, 39.... the humor is a substantial notch more clever than "The Secret Knowledge of Grownups" (which my kid loves, so no criticism implied; he gets 100% of the humor in that book, whereas a certain percentage of this book would be over his head, or at least he wouldn't completely understand why I'm laughing so hard). Also, the 64 pages add up to more than 64 pages of a regular kids' book would be; as in Jon Stewart's "America," there's a lot crammed into a regular page. (Of course there are a few pages that aren't too complex.) This book is pretty similar to "America," actually.

This book is marvelously multilayered; kids will love it because it's silly and adults will love it because the absurdities are just so much fun and so artfully done.

whoa........2004-12-21

i had no idea that my head was so disgusting. after reading this book, i've decided that i'm only keeping my head around until i find a suitable cover for the top of my neck, something not unlike a chimney topper that makes it nearly impossible for squirrels to crawl down and die (the chimney, not my neck).

ten pages into this book, i bought a few as presents. you're welcome, present-recipients. highly recommended and quite enlightening. you'll like.

Great, Funny Book.......2004-12-15

I am wrapping gifts for my grandchildren. I purchased this book and Giraffes, Giraffes for two sets of them. I laughed out loud at the clever and so very funny text. I don't want to part with them but will make sure I check them out every time I visit with the grandkids.

The Odd Body: Mysteries of Our Weird and Wonderful Bodies Explained

Average customer rating:

Good Book

The Odd Body: Mysteries of Our Weird and Wonderful Bodies Explained
Stephen Juan
Manufacturer: Andrews McMeel Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

Science & Scientists | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

General | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

Anatomy | Biological Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books
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The Odd Brain: Mysteries of Our Weird and Wonderful Brains Explained
Why Do Men Have Nipples? Hundreds of Questions You'd Only Ask a Doctor After Your Third Martini
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ASIN: 0740741888

Book Description

Reading The Odd Body is like having your doctor patiently answer all your random questions, one by one. But Dr. Juan goes well beyond the usual and ordinary things people wonder about bodies, like why most individuals are right-handed or why you get chills when chalk screeches across a blackboard. He also tells readers how a dead body is made into a mummy, the success rate of those who bore holes in their own heads to relieve headaches, and much, much more.The Odd Body is a unique combination of fun and fascinating material that's delivered by an expert who happens to be a great storyteller. The book's question-and-answer format makes it easy to pick up, turn to any page, and immediately become drawn into the intricacies of anatomy and physiology while gaining a better understanding of humans' need to know more about themselves.

Customer Reviews:

Good Book.......2005-09-06

"The Odd Body" is on of the most fascinating books I have read so far. It is
not one of those boring books on Body Science that you had to read back in
High School. This book answers all the weird, silly and bizarre questions
you have ever wanted to know about the human body.

It answers interesting questions like:
a) can you keep a severed head alive? (Something I have always wanted to
know)
b) Can we die laughing?
c) Can we live for ever?

Once I started to read this book I found myself unable to put it down. So if
you are the type of person who is into the mysteries of the human body I
would highly recommend this book.

Average customer rating:

Very short book, some good pics, basic factoids

Foot: A Playful Biography
Kathy Vanderlinden
Manufacturer: Mainstream Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

General | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

Popular Culture | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Anatomy | Biological Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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The Toybag Guide To Foot And Shoe Worship (Toybag Guide)
Sexiest Soles: Erotic Stories About Feet And Shoes (The Fetish Chest)
The Sex Life of the Foot and Shoe
Footsucker
Perfect Feet: Caring and Pampering

ASIN: 1840187980
Release Date: 2005-08-09

Book Description

This tribute to an unsung part of the body collects a closetful of fascinating lore about the physical foot, foot fashion, and foot fetishism. Author Kathy Vanderlinden has collected every imaginable kind of fact and fancy about this all-important part of the anatomy. She explains the giddy pleasure, the lust, and the therapeutic value of shoes for the shoe lover, with such examples as the stiltlike chopine of 15th-century France, the outlandishly wide duckbill of 16th-century England, and the gorgeous Manolo Blahniks of today. Foot’s tantalizing tidbits cover foot rituals, foot fairytales, and foot beauty treatments, illustrated with a wealth of photos of beautiful, grotesque, and sexy shoes; images of the foot in art; famous feet; and foot ornamentation.

Customer Reviews:

Very short book, some good pics, basic factoids.......2004-12-30

This is a small hardcover book, and very short at about 50 pages. It's NOT a foot fetishist book (especially considering that there are only about 5 or 6 photos of women's feet within), it really is what the title conveys: a concise bio of the foot and footwear in history, from the ancients up to a brief mention of the Internet foot fetish craze. If you can get it used here (I found it under one of the marketplace sellers for like $3.50) it's worth it for the short read. Truth be told, the factoids that make up the text are usually basic common knowledge thingies like Chinese footbinding, descriptions of foot diseases, shoe crazes through history and snippets from poems that mention feet. I was actually interested in more on the erotica of female feet but can't blame Ms. Vanderlinden (a children's book author apparently!) since this wasn't the goal. A very nice format and a curiosity for the shelf...if you're ready for your houseguests' questions, especially when they see the "playful" jacket photo.

The Odd Brain: Mysteries of Our Weird and Wonderful Brains Explained

Average customer rating:

The Odd Brain: Mysteries of Our Weird and Wonderful Brains Explained
Juan Stephen
Manufacturer: Andrews McMeel Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Comic | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

General | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

Parodies | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

Satire, General | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

Science & Scientists | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

Self-Help & Psychology | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

Neuropsychology | Psychology & Counseling | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

General | Science | Subjects | Books

Anatomy | Biological Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books
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The Odd Body: Mysteries of Our Weird and Wonderful Bodies Explained
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The God Delusion

ASIN: 0740761595

Book Description

Do kleptomaniacs have a legitimate excuse to steal?

Can excessive TV watching physically "shape" a child's growing brain?

These answers and scores more fill Dr. Stephen Juan's fascinating and endlessly entertaining book The Odd Brain. Following up his popular first book, The Odd Body, Dr. Juan takes us on an animated tour of the enigmatic organ that sits on top of them all.

Equal parts scholarly professor¿he teaches at the University of Sydney¿cultural detective, and theater of oddities tour guide, Dr. Juan explores bizarre brain disorders and the normal-but-still-weird brain phenomena that we all occasionally experience (like déjà vu). Through it all, Dr. Juan pulls off the nifty trick of making the clinical both clear and entertaining.

Each chapter is packed with real-life anecdotes and case studies. These include the Criminal Brain, the Savant Brain, the Shy Brain, the Suicidal Brain, the Thrill-Seeking Brain, the Obsessive-Compulsive Brain, and more than 20 others.

For anyone who's ever witnessed unusual behavior and thought, "Now, what would make a person do that?" The Odd Brain is sure to have an answer.

Book Description

In middle age Spalding Gray has entered "the Bermuda Triangle of Health," that place where the body begins to break down in alarming and humiliating ways. His immediate problem is an eye complaint that could be corrected with minor surgery. But for the high priest of high anxiety, nothing is ever minor. And so Gray embarks on a crazed crusade for wellness that takes him from a Native American sweat lodge to a dictatorial nutritionist and, finally, to a gory session with the "Elvis Presley of psychic surgeons" in the Far East.

Exquisitely timed, unfettered in its intelligence, and funny enough to push readers to the brink of cardiac arrest, Gray's Anatomy is a surreal tour de force of body and soul.

Customer Reviews:

My Heart is Popping.......2006-12-14

To be able to see this maverick original perform live would have been a treat. Sadly he is no longer alive, and that is a shame for the theatrical, cinematic and literate world.
I have known about Gray for years now, but had never read his work until Gray's Anatomy, which I took from the library.
What a fun and easy read it proved to be.
While his neurosis is full blast, it is endearing still, unlike Larry David for example, who manages to turn his neurosis and self-obsession into one part revulsion and one part humor. Gray is one part humor and one part wisdom.
Gray's Anatomy is a tale of his experiences-perhaps real, perhaps fabricated-in searching for a cure for a macula pucker, damage to the eye where vitreous (the jelly in an eye) "has broken down, dissolved, liquefied, due to trauma or age-we don't know yet-and it's pulled away from the retina and left a little piece of skin or edema on the macula-the macula being the center of the retina, which is responsible for all detail in sight." Such detail is interesting, frightening and even ironic. Such is the substance of many of his adventures in health, as he travels several continents...
But I come back to an endearing, thankful feeling in Gray's story. I can imagine that his performance, while simple and/or minimal become the lectures of an "absent minded professor," or a friend on a passionate tear.
I have already sought out his other writings, and his filmed versions.

hilarious.......1999-02-02

Spalding Gray, at his best, is the funniest obsessive-compulsive neurotic whiner you'll ever encounter. "Gray's Anatomy" is one of his more hilarious pieces. he delves less into his childhood traumas and more into the insanity and inanity of growing older in America, and the result is first rate.

Why Can't You Tickle Yourself: And Other Bodily Curiosities

Average customer rating:

Silly Book

Why Can't You Tickle Yourself: And Other Bodily Curiosities
Ingrid Johnson
Manufacturer: Grand Central Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

Questions & Answers | Education | Reference | Subjects | Books

Curiosities & Wonders | Fun Facts | Reference | Subjects | Books

Physiology | Basic Science | Medicine | Subjects | Books

Anatomy | Biological Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0446393959

Book Description

In the tradition of When Do Fish Sleep? comes an enlightening and endlessly amusing volume filled with little-known information about the body--such as fat people bruise more easily than thin people, fingernails grow three times faster than toenails, and other fascinating trivia.

Customer Reviews:

Silly Book.......2007-07-22

Was not exactly what I expected...not as much about the "whys" of the body, but more about the funny little things the body does. Not as educational as i thought it would be.

Simplified Anatomy for the Comic Book Artist: How to Draw the New Streamlined Look of Action-Adventure Comics! (How to Draw)

Average customer rating:

GREAT for those who love drawing animated-like stuff
Highly Recommend!
Well worth having
FANTASTIC BOOK FOR THE BEGINNER
Top notch book

Simplified Anatomy for the Comic Book Artist: How to Draw the New Streamlined Look of Action-Adventure Comics! (How to Draw)
Christopher Hart
Manufacturer: Watson-Guptill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Drawing | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Figure Drawing | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Cartooning | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0823047733
Release Date: 2007-05-15

Book Description

Maybe you’ve noticed. Today’s superheroes and action heroes aren’t as brawny and muscular as they used to be. In fact, almost all the characters in comic books and on TV have a fresh, new look--simplified, streamlined, edgier, with a hint of anime/cartoon design, and appealing to kids and adults alike. Now Christopher Hart, the superhero of how-to-draw books, has come to the rescue of artists everywhere with Simplified Anatomy for the Comic Book Artist. Anatomy has always been a difficult subject, but for this book Hart uses his straightforward approach to show a simpler way. In clear step-by-step illustrations and text, he shows: how to draw streamlined figures in poses; body types and muscles; the mechanics of facial expression; how to know which muscles to eliminate in a simplified drawing; grouping muscles; muscle contours versus bone contours; muscles in classic comic-book poses like flying and punching; and more. Now artist can stop struggling with the fine points of anatomy and start creating modern looking heroes and heroines with help from Simplified Anatomy for the Comic Book Artist.

Customer Reviews:

GREAT for those who love drawing animated-like stuff.......2007-08-24

For starters, this book is by Christopher Hart, so naturally it's a great buy for people interested in the subject.
This is a great book for people who prefer a more cartoony style to the graphic novel detail; I myself love drawing cartoons (including many Disney ones) and this book is wonderful in teaching you how to do your own, as well as be a most excellent reference guide for muscles, bones, and character ideas.
A TOTAL recommendation if you want to try the more cartoony style.

But if you're more into the hard-core graphic novels (like the newer X-Men series), I totally recommend Christopher Hart's "Drawing Cutting Edge Anatomy: The Ultimate Reference for Comic Book Artists."

Highly Recommend!.......2007-08-21

Simplified Anatomy for The Comic Book Artist teaches a new streamlined style of comics. In true Christopher Hart style, he breaks the concepts down for the reader, so that he or she can learn and progress quickly. This was very enjoyable, enlightening, and entertaining, and I highly recommend it.

Well worth having.......2007-07-06

The only bad thing about this book is consistency due to the many different artists that worked on it. With that in mind this book is well worth having and a good resource about the adventure or Bruce Timm style of drawing.

FANTASTIC BOOK FOR THE BEGINNER.......2007-06-30

Simplified Anatomy for the Comic Book Artist is comic art instruction Guru Christopher Hart's latest book and one of his best yet. Hart has been doing comic art instruction books for many years with a long list of titles to his credit. In this latest book, Hart tackles the modern, more simplified, and streamlined comic book art. Inspired by recent animated series such as Batman, Teen Titans, and Justice League, we are seeing more and more comics today being produced in this more simplified, animated looking style. This modern style has done a couple of things for the comic industry. First, it's far less time consuming to produce this type of art than traditional comic art...less time means less money. Second, and no knock on those artists, but obviously you can get away with somewhat less talent with this style as there is a minimum of detail required. Finally, much of this art today is being produced on computer, again saving time and money. This certainly accounts for the recent popularity of this style of art.

Hart takes a step-by-step approach to his instructions. On one page he shows an example of a piece of art done in traditional style and next to it, the same piece done in the simplified style. Basically this is simply a matter of less definition being added to the character. Less muscle definition, fewer or no bone structure outlines to the face and body, hair designed as "one piece" as opposed to drawing several lines of hair and curls, etc...The examples are striking in their sheer minimalism.

Now, this isn't merely a matter of taking out lines, but rather a complexly different approach to drawing figures. There's a whole change in thinking about how to construct the anatomy in this approach. Remember, you're not going for realism anymore. Fully the first 50 pages are spent just on the head and facial features. Hart will show you how to simplify the look of the eyes, nose, and mouth with dozens of examples included along the way.

Next up is the body and it's the same process as before. Simple bone and skeletal structures, simple muscle definition... Again, Hart shows dozens of examples of body types from heroes to regular guys to mad scientists. In this style, bodies are more angular...the hips and knees often come to an exaggerated point as opposed to the rounder look of traditional comic art. In defining muscles, that standard six-pack now becomes a two-pack...the shoulders and chest exceedingly broad and triangle-shaped.

Hart rounds out the book with a look at forced perspective, getting your characters to look like they are virtually jumping out of the page at you. Honestly, I believe that this book and this style of art has opened up a lot of doors to artists who maybe were not quite good enough to make it with traditional comic art. It's also allows small press publishers to compete against the bigger publishers. Heck, you even see this style of artwork showing up at major publishers like Image and Dark Horse.

It's another well-done book by Hart and perfect for the aspiring comic book artist.

Reviewed by Tim Janson

Top notch book.......2007-05-31

The title says it all.
With its simple to follow instructions accompanied by the related illustrations, anyone with the love of drawing comic figures ought to get this book. Every one of the dozens of character begins with the simple lines, angles, various views, simplified skeleton and moves into heavier lines and more details to compose a perfect figure. Special chapters touching on specific muscle groups for the male and female comic figure, body parts such as hands, feet, and hips, poses, modes etc.
I highly recommend this book as it is educating, fun and challenging all in one.

Average customer rating:

501 Dirty Names for the Female Anatomy
Adolph Oliver Bush
Manufacturer: BookSurge Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

Love, Sex & Marriage | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0971683301
Release Date: 2006-06-29

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