History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)

Book Description

Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.

Customer Reviews:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03

Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.

Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19

Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.

Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09

There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.

For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.

Very Interesting.......2007-03-07

It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.

History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10

Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.

I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.

Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.

Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.

I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.

This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.

America's Painted Ladies: The Ultimate Celebration of Our Victorians

Average customer rating:

Deserves 20 stars! A Masterpiece!
EXCELLENT Model Reference: Beautiful Pictures, Beautiful Homes
A Must For Victorian House Owners
a great victorian house book
The pinnacle of the series

America's Painted Ladies: The Ultimate Celebration of Our Victorians
Elizabeth Pomada , Michael Larsen , Douglas Keister , and Elizabeth Pomanda
Manufacturer: Studio
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0140238573

Customer Reviews:

Deserves 20 stars! A Masterpiece!.......2007-06-16

WOW!! This book is truly a feast for the eyes, and that's no exaggeration! There are so many first rate photos and plenty of text. Every page has multiple color photos. It is a very heavy book! The paper is high quality and the photos are extremely high resolution and stunningly beautiful. What a great job they did just in printing this book! If you love Victorian homes, then this book is a must have! I like it so much I think I will eventually buy a brand new hardcover copy of it (I bought a used paperback copy). I plan on getting all the other books in this series too. Some of the very best Victorian homes are in this book. They kind of remind me of Disneyland with all the colorful paint schemes and fanciful shapes and decorations.

EXCELLENT Model Reference: Beautiful Pictures, Beautiful Homes.......2005-09-28

Believe it or not but the main reason I purchased this beautiful book was for reference material for scale model building (i.e. LEGO, etc.). I was hunting forever for a book on Victorian homes--with pictures of the OUTSIDE (as most of the books on Victorian architecture deal with the classic interior designs, furniture, etc.). LEGO and Victorian homes go hand in hand, as this book's wonderful color pictures perfectly illustrate--who could imagine such combinations would actually look so stunning!? In addition to excellent photography the text is well written, with interesting facts about each home, why it's unique, yet how it fits into the overall "Painted Lady" lineage... excellent. :-)

A Must For Victorian House Owners.......2004-07-24

A fantastic book, a must for anyone who is thinking about painting a Victorian house. It was very helpful to me and my husband who had to come up with a color scheme for our three-story Queen Anne built in 1895.

If you're in the same boat, then you know that deciding on a color scheme for a detailed Victorian house isn't easy and takes careful thought and consideration. This book will help you. It will give you countless ideas, and just looking at the photos is inspiring.

And then, the book will appeal to any fan of Victorian architecture as well. I love looking at the numerous photos of the houses and find myself thumbing through it again and again. Every time I look at this book, I see something intriguing that I hadn't noticed before. Such a book serves to keep me inspired during the remainder of our home's renovation, which is trying at times.

a great victorian house book.......2004-01-31

i was speechless each picture was so beautiful , i love each and every house. a great book

The pinnacle of the series.......2003-08-14

Taller than any of the other books and nearly twice as thick as the thickest, this gorgeous 1992 volume (Ms. Pomada, isn't it time we got a fifth??), once again produced with the help of partner Larsen and photographer Keister, is, like "Daughters of Painted Ladies," a survey of Victorian homes from all over the country. From Searsport, ME, where the subtly detailed, white-bodied Mansard Carriage House Inn welcomes its guests, to a pink 1887 Steamboat Gothic in National City, near San Diego, here are dozens of Victorians, large and small, somber and vivid, plus an assortment of interiors, some fully period, others furnished in more contemporary style against the richly detailed background of the time. If you buy it to "get ideas" for your own Painted Lady, you'll find more than you can choose between. If you buy it just to look at, be prepared to spend hours drooling! A treasure trove for lovers of period detail, which is so admirably brought out by the creative combinations of color used in decorating these buildings.

The Painted Ceiling: Over 100 Original Designs and Details

Average customer rating:

Not instructional
very useful
View from a professional
Inspiration
For Graham Rust fans only

The Painted Ceiling: Over 100 Original Designs and Details
Graham Rust
Manufacturer: Bulfinch
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0821226894

Book Description

In The Painted Ceiling, Graham Rust shares his secrets for creating a wide range of painted ceilings: daytime and nighttime skies; birds and animals; cloud formations; rustic schemes featuring flower-decked trellises; trompe loeil architectural details such as plasterwork, paneling, and coffering; simple geometric patterns; and allegorial scenes in a grand manner. He also explains how to choose just the right design for the area you wish to paint.

Customer Reviews:

Not instructional.......2006-07-03

This book is chock full of beautiful painted ceilings using trompe l'oeil. There are no instructional references.

very useful.......2006-03-18

i'm starting out as a muralist. i found this book very helpful. great pictures, useful designs...
if you're interested in murals this is a must in your library

View from a professional.......2004-04-10

As a professional mural painter, I found some of the ideas in this book to be inspiring. However much that was written in the book was useless information describing what you are seeing in the picture. This is not an instruction book. As for his artistic style, I really didn't care for it - his use of color seems rather Disney-esque. Everything is bright and vibrant without much richness and depth. While the creatures he paints look decent, his cherubs and people leave a lot to be desired.

This book was usefull for me in the aspects of seeing how another artist does his layout, but if you're looking for a book to study murals and color use... study the paintings done by the real masters.

Inspiration.......2003-03-22

If you are looking to be inspired, this is the book. I am a muralist who is looking for something extraordinary to aspire to. I found it here. This is not a how to book for the meek. If you can paint well already you can learn to improve your own work by careful study of the renderings but you won't find instructions.

For Graham Rust fans only.......2002-07-07

I bought this book on the basis of some of the glowing reviews here but was very disappointed. Yes, his paintings are beautiful, BUT his advice is mainly on how he makes HIS work. There is a chapter entitled 'Practical Aspects', but it has only ONE page of actual text! The rest are more pictures of the same work.

If angels, clouds, and birds are not what you aspire to paint exclusively, then stay away from this book. If you are buying a book solely for inspiration, as I was, a better choice is a book featuring the work of many artists such as 'Trompe L'loeil' by Lynette Wrigley. If your aim though is to paint like Graham Rust, this book is it.

Average customer rating:

Not instructional

Oh The Possibilities

Not useful

good reference, not for beginners

Gorgeous works, terrific for inspiration

The Painted House: Over 100 Original Designs for Mural and Trompe L'Oeil Decoration
Graham Rust
Manufacturer: Bulfinch
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Interior Design | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
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Revisiting the Painted House: More Than 100 New Designs for Mural and Trompe L'Oeil Decoration

The Painted Ceiling: Over 100 Original Designs and Details

The Art Of Trompe L'oeil Murals

Decorative Designs: Over 100 Ideas for Painted Interiors, Furniture, and Decorated Objects

How to Start a Faux Painting or Mural Business: A Guide to Making Money in the Decorative Arts

ASIN: 0821224549

Customer Reviews:

Not instructional.......2006-07-03

This is a great book to see what someone else has done using trompe l'oeil, however it is not instructional.

Oh The Possibilities.......2006-01-13

The murals in this book are beautiful, fantastical, grand and WAY above my abilities. :-) I enjoyed this book because of the possibilities and the ideas it fostered versus my ability (or inability) to mimic the designs. I've been looking for a book that addresses how to incorporate doors into murals and this is the first one that I've come across that showed some ideas.

Obviously, this author and muralist is a VERY experienced painter (note his mural interpretation of the Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe nursery rhyme - pg 82). Many of the murals depicted would be something expected in a museum, hotel or grandiose mansion. In fact, if you look in the back of the book you will notice that many of them are from private collections and the Marquess and Marchioness of Hertford.

The Painted House does not contain much info on techniques or step-by-step instructions. It is more of an idea book to open your mind to possibilities. I do think some of the less complex designs could be adapted to smaller spaces with some creative thinking.

If you want inspiring mural designs to paint, this book is probably only for the very experienced or talented artist. If you are a creative beginner, it's a good resource for ideas to stimulate projects on your own artistic level.

Not useful.......2005-10-01

Although the work depicted in the photos is incredible, none of it is very useful. Nice to look at - not at all practical for everyday painters.

good reference, not for beginners.......2005-07-20

I am a decorative artist, and I found this book to be really helpful when looking for inspiration,or looking up some new themes, fresh ideas.If You are a beginner looking for a step by step guide, don't bother,it won't help.However, it WILL make You want to paint, because it is just so beautiful, it makes You want to grab Your brush and paint all over the place. I also found this useful to show it to clients who want a mural, but are not sure about a theme.

Gorgeous works, terrific for inspiration.......2003-01-13

This book is full of beautiful paintings and ideas. The author gives you layout examples so you could literally paint your whole house, or at the very least all 4 walls of a room. Some of the examples are things like: being in an Arabian tent with one flap rolled back to reveal a beautiful desertscape; an indoor swimming pool circled with mythological creatures; draped fabric on all the walls, etc. There are many more, and they're simply breathtaking. The author has painted murals inside museums in Europe, so you know the quality is there. There are oodles of color photos here, and while this isn't a full blown step-by-step book, with 1,2,3 pictures, it gets 4 stars because of it's incredible diversity of mural use, from small to large, and the inspiration that comes from it. I wish it were a little less costly, but it is a nice book with quality paper stock and binding. I know I will refer to it when I start my mural project. If it had more of a beginner's feel, I'd have given it 5 stars.

Revisiting the Painted House: More Than 100 New Designs for Mural and Trompe L'Oeil Decoration

Average customer rating:

Inspiring
maybe i am just too jaded....
Graham Rust has done it again!

Revisiting the Painted House: More Than 100 New Designs for Mural and Trompe L'Oeil Decoration
Graham Rust
Manufacturer: Bulfinch
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0821261789

Book Description

Graham Rusts new collection of more than 100 murals and trompe loeil decorations. Nearly 20 years after its first publication, Graham Rusts The Painted House has become an invaluable sourcebook of images for interior designers, artists, and students. Now, Rust has created more than 100 new patterns for murals, panels, alcoves and doors, over doors, folding screens, and chimney boards. As with The Painted House, Rusts intention is to provide designs for copying as much as inspiration, so each drawing is reproduced in as much detail as possible. Classical and modern images mingle in this collection, which includes landscapes, animals, fish and flowers, baskets, pots, drapery, trellises, and foliage. revisiting the Painted House is a tour de force of sketches, drawings, and completed works, destined to become a classic. Rust is well known for his hugely successful original The Painted House and The Painted Ceiling.

Customer Reviews:

Inspiring.......2007-03-02

This book is a terrific idea generator and inspiring for the mural painter or for those who wish to commission a mural. Examples are plentiful and executed at a very high level using simple elements.

maybe i am just too jaded...........2006-08-31

I was so wowed by Graham Rust's first two books, that I expected more from this one. Not so many projects in this book. However, I do love his sketches, and I appreciate the number of maquettes he included of designs he was *going* to paint, but didn't get to. In fact, I'd love to see a book of just his watercolor studies.

Graham Rust has done it again!.......2005-12-28

This is an invaluable resource for muralists and trompe l'oeil artists, as well as a beautiful coffee table book for people who appreciate the arts. It consists of 7 chapters featuring the murals of several different rooms of the house including staircases. All of the projects are new and not recycled from his previous releases. Unlike the other books by this artist this book features room shots of the drawing stage (before paint is applied), as well as a section which walks the reader through the steps of a mural panel from start to finish. There are also a few pages dedicated to working method and color choices. However, this book is primarily an idea book and not an instructional manual. The only thing I would like to see more of are photos of the finished murals rather than just the renderings in watercolor.
This book is definately worth having as a part of your personal or professional library. Bravo!

Average customer rating:

Well-written but SLOW
His best work...
Glad I read this book
My First John Grisham Book.
Little Luke's World Comes Alive with Mr. Grisham creative genius!

A Painted House
John Grisham
Manufacturer: Dell
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 044023722X
Release Date: 2001-12-26

Amazon.com

Ever since he published The Firm in 1991, John Grisham has remained the undisputed champ of the legal thriller. With A Painted House, however, he strikes out in a new direction. As the author is quick to note, this novel includes "not a single lawyer, dead or alive," and readers will search in vain for the kind of lowlife machinations that have been his stock-in-trade. Instead, Grisham has delivered a quieter, more contemplative story, set in rural Arkansas in 1952. It's harvest time on the Chandler farm, and the family has hired a crew of migrant Mexicans and "hill people" to pick 80 acres of cotton. A certain camaraderie pervades this bucolic dream team. But it's backbreaking work, particularly for the 7-year-old narrator, Luke: "I would pick cotton, tearing the fluffy bolls from the stalks at a steady pace, stuffing them into the heavy sack, afraid to look down the row and be reminded of how endless it was, afraid to slow down because someone would notice."

What's more, tensions begin to simmer between the Mexicans and the hill people, one of whom has a penchant for bare-knuckles brawling. This leads to a brutal murder, which young Luke has the bad luck to witness. At this point--with secrets, lies, and at least one knife fight in the offing--the plot begins to take on that familiar, Grisham-style momentum. Still, such matters ultimately take a back seat in A Painted House to the author's evocation of time and place. This is, after all, the scene of his boyhood, and Grisham waxes nostalgic without ever succumbing to deep-fried sentimentality. Meanwhile, his account of Luke's Baptist upbringing occasions some sly (and telling) humor:

I'd been taught in Sunday school from the day I could walk that lying would send you straight to hell. No detours. No second chances. Straight into the fiery pit, where Satan was waiting with the likes of Hitler and Judas Iscariot and General Grant. Thou shalt not bear false witness, which, of course, didn't sound exactly like a strict prohibition against lying, but that was the way the Baptists interpreted it.

Whether Grisham will continue along these lines, or revert to the judicial shark tank for his next book, is anybody's guess. But A Painted House suggests that he's perfectly capable of telling an involving story with nary a subpoena in sight. --James Marcus

Book Description

Until that September of 1952, Luke Chandler had never kept a secret or told a single lie. But in the long, hot summer of his seventh year, two groups of migrant workers — and two very dangerous men — came through the Arkansas Delta to work the Chandler cotton farm. And suddenly mysteries are flooding Luke’s world.

A brutal murder leaves the town seething in gossip and suspicion. A beautiful young woman ignites forbidden passions. A fatherless baby is born ... and someone has begun furtively painting the bare clapboards of the Chandler farmhouse, slowly, painstakingly, bathing the run-down structure in gleaming white. And as young Luke watches the world around him, he unravels secrets that could shatter lives — and change his family and his town forever....

Customer Reviews:

Well-written but SLOW.......2007-08-30

I am a big John Grisham fan and this was my first experience with a non-lawyer novel of his. I have to say I prefer the suspense books a lot more. While Grisham certainly has an extraordinary gift for painting a detailed picture with his words, in this case that of a little-known slice of the American past, the picture turns out to be not all that interesting to look at. Perhaps it's the fact that it's told through the eyes of a 7-year-old, perhaps it's the fact that life as an Arkansas cotton farmer in 1950 was incredibly dull, but this book was much more put-downable than other Grisham books. Even the book itself seems to conclude that this is a rather miserable way to live out one's life, and that those who could escape it, did. If you're looking for something slow and meandering, read it, but don't be expecting "The Firm".

His best work..........2007-08-22

I have to say that this one Grisham book surpasses all his other efforts. I wish we'd see more like this one from him. This is southern fiction at its best. I want to feel, smell, and breathe the south when I read a southern author who writes about the south; someone like Robert Paul Blumenstein in his book Flirtin' with Jesus set in Richmond, VA. In A Painted House, I could smell the harvest air rising from the cotton fields late in the fall. And I've walked similar cotton fields in the Sand Hills of North Carolina; I was right back there in this book. Grisham is on par with the great southern authors from the past such as Flannery O'Connor and Faulkner with this masterpiece. I highly recommend you read it if you yearn for a heaping helping of southern fiction.

Glad I read this book.......2007-07-10

Grisham's "Testament" is one of my favorite books, and I have enjoyed a number of his others. This book was very, very different from other Grisham titles, and in fact, different from anything I've ever read. There's not a great deal of excitement as in most Grisham novels. In this one, it's the development of the characters that held my attention. I could almost see the Chandler family and their farm, the Spruill family and their tents, the Mexicans, the bridge, the town, etc. Having an implicitly adult Luke Chandler tell the story in past tense, first person, also kept my interest. I think I was also fascinated to read about growing up on a farm in the early 50s, since I was growing up a few years later in a small town. I rate the book 3 stars because I really prefer books with excitement and action. Still, I'm glad I read this book.

My First John Grisham Book........2007-07-07

I truly enjoyed "A Painted House"; Grisham did a brillant job painting a picture for me of the life of a poor cotton farmer family in 1952 Arkansas. At times I could feel the thorns of the cotton plants as they picked the cotton and the warmth of their caring way of life.
Even though at times I thought Luke had the insights of an older person than a seven year old boy, I enjoyed the clever way Grisham got me feeling that I was part of the Chandler Family. I found myself laughing out loud at the funny way Luke looked at life.
This will certainly be the first of many books that I will read by John Grisham.

Little Luke's World Comes Alive with Mr. Grisham creative genius!.......2007-07-05

"A Painted House" reminded me of the novel Tommytown that I read 2 or 3 months ago. Both novels take the reader back to the 1950's where few people had smooth hands; calluses were the norm, and boys ran free outside, laughing their way to another adventure with no thought of danger from adults or even nature.

Both authors do a fantastic piece of work of transforming their minds down from the level of a mature adult to that innocent world of young boys. In "A Painted House", Mr. Grisham reveals the thinking of the 7 year old Luke Chandler and Mr. Saunders reveals the world of the 11 year old Barry Foreman, and his younger brothers in the Tommytown series. I don't know too many authors that can make that transformation and still create a story that is entertaining and well written.

I just loved the scene in which Mr. Grisham explains how Luke, the only son of a cotton farmer family that are living on the edge of poverty in the state of Arkansas feels about sitting through a Baptist church sermon on a very hot morning. I had to smile as Luke tried to understand how the Sisco boy would go to heaven even though he never had to sit in church every Sunday like he had too. There are many wonderful scenes in the novel and won't expound on them. It's a great story for adults and young adults. And it's refreshing to read this "home grown" story from Mr. Grisham. I highly recommend "A Painted House" and for a different slant of coping with the struggles of living in poverty check out the novel Tommytown by Robert L. Saunders. Kathy

Color: Natural Palettes for Painted Rooms

Average customer rating:

Color me Pleased
Sweet but dated...
Color:Natural Palettes for Painted Rooms by Donald Kaufman
I was a little disappointed....
the best book on color for interiors on the market

Color: Natural Palettes for Painted Rooms
Donald Kaufman , and Taffy Dahl
Manufacturer: Clarkson Potter
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0517576600
Release Date: 1992-03-24

Book Description

The first lifestyle book to show groups of colors inspired by nature and how they work on the interior walls of 26 homes. Kaufman's colors are distinctive in that they are designed to capture the nuances of color in nature. The authors reveal their paint-mixing techniques, and recipes for five neutral Donald Kaufman paints are included. Illustrations.

Customer Reviews:

Color me Pleased.......2007-04-13

I have several books on color use in interior design. This one has proven the most useful. In addition to other useful chapters there are ones that address specific needs. Do you want to know how to handle dark rooms or what colors to choose as a background for painting? There's a chapter for you. While the authors sell there own paint line, they discuss how to mix your own. I've painted several rooms based on this book.

Sweet but dated..........2006-08-17

In 2006 this book looks quite dated. The photos don't seem quite... modern. I can tell that this was published more than a decade ago just by looking at the super-annuated home fashions. Pretty but not of today!!!!!

Color:Natural Palettes for Painted Rooms by Donald Kaufman.......2006-06-30

This book was recommended to me by an Interior Designer. I have literally spent pleasurable hours studying this book in preparation for decorating and ten years later redecorating our home. It is absolutely THE BEST source I have found and I have shared it lovingly with others.
Frances Gearhard

I was a little disappointed...........2000-04-22

that there wasn't more info on what pigments the author used to create the colors for each of his beautiful palettes .

I later found on the web that he sells his paints (called, surprisingly enough, the Donald Kaufman Color Collection) for $40 to $75 per gallon. They are available only through the Color Factory (Englewood, NJ) or Painter's Supply (Santa Monica, CA).

Other than that, a beautiful book with plenty of pictures and in-depth discussion of each house.

the best book on color for interiors on the market.......1998-10-05

As an artist, I believe this book is, by far, the very best book on color for home/office interiors on the market. I have gotten so frustrated at paint stores as the language usually spoken there is very different than that of visual artists. Alas, Donald Kaufman has filled the gap! An intelligent, stunning book that reaches a place in my spirit that Martha Stewart couldn't reach........right up there with the recent book by Suzanne Butterfield, using Kaufman's color system.

Perfectly Painted House: A Foolproof Guide for Choosing Exterior Colors for Your Home

Average customer rating:

No Help for my needs
BEST EXTERIOR COLOR BOOK
Great Book! Great Help!
Disappointing
GOOD NEWS!!

Perfectly Painted House: A Foolproof Guide for Choosing Exterior Colors for Your Home
Bonnie Rosser Krims
Manufacturer: Quarry Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1564968537

Book Description

Painting the exterior of a home is a large and costly project-yet homeowners have long been forced to decide on a color scheme based on only a tiny swatch or a paint brochure.

Now, nationally recognized color consultant Bonnie Rosser Krims shares a foolproof method for selecting and combining exterior paint colors. This unique guidebook presents more than twenty-five distinct color schemes- complete with color reference numbers from the major paint manufacturers-along with beautiful, full-color photographs, and ideas and inspiration for painting trim, accent colors, and more. Specific information about working with roof color, plantings, and features such as walkways and porches is also included.

From tips on avoiding common and costly pitfalls to a step-by-step plan for getting the results you want, this is every homeowner's key to exquisite color balance for the home exterior.
-Save time and avoid weeding through hundreds of tiny paint palette chips.
-Get the look you want, with foolproof paint recipes and color combinations.
-Save money. This guidebook covers every phase of exterior painting, from choosing colors to estimating time, materials, and costs.

Customer Reviews:

No Help for my needs.......2007-09-26

Unfortunately "Perfectly Painted House: A Foolproof Guide for Choosing Exterior Colors for Your Home". (1) It wasn't any help in choosing the perfect color(s) for our home. We have a bungalow style home built in 1925 - there was only one color choice in the book for similar home(red) personally did not care for color. I was looking for siding color w/trim & door color choices i.e. 3 colors. (2) We do not plan on painting our house ourselves (many hints for doing same). Very disappointed in this particular book.

BEST EXTERIOR COLOR BOOK.......2004-03-11

This is a great book for anyone serious about choosing paint colors for their house with professional results. A wide range of house styles and color combinations are presented. The book starts out with a brief step by step for choosing exterior paint color. It provides instructions for actually painting the house yourself. This is followed with page after page of gorgeous photos of painted houses, and it includes the paint color used for each house. There are very few resources available on the subject of choosing color for the exterior of the house. The book is truly the best I've seen.

Great Book! Great Help!.......2004-01-17

I have two of Ms. Krims' books, The Perfectly Painted House and The Perfect Palette. We bought a Federal Style home built in 1820 in downtown Fitchburg, MA for my husband's psychology practice last year. We consulted the book and decided on the Phelps Putty color, but kept the shutters black (although your choice of gray was stunning and I may do that in the future). The color suggestions along with the pointers on painting cedar shingles in the appropriate way yielded great results and we have gotten many compliments. Our next project is our own home and I chose the Glastonbury combo for my main floor and the Marblehead for our downstairs. Clearly Ms. Krims' books have been used and enjoyed. Thank you very much!

Disappointing.......2003-09-24

Anyone using this book as a means by which to choose paint colours, is making a huge mistake. Like most books of this genre, it is candy for the eye - you may be inspired, but to go out and use the same colours as in the book is foolish.
The homes featured in this book are mostly country, or traditional. Any paint colour you choose is dramatically influenced by the architecture of your home, the climate in which you live, whether it faces north or south, etc. The homes in this book seem to exist in isolation on snowy plains or country acreage unobstructed by neighbours, power-lines, garages, etc. She does not talk about size at all. For example: a tall skinny home, with little architectural detail, painted fire engine red will not look nearly as charming as a cosy cottage with heavy moldings and shutters. There is little mention of accent, or trim colours. It is a flimsy read - if you love the idea of a yellow home (as I do) you will only find ONE yellow house. There is only ONE red house. A better book would have shown pictures of 4 or 5 homes, in different styles, painted red, yellow, blue, etc. We're talking about photographs here - why not include more? A better option for house paint ideas is to drive around your neighbourhood, which shares the same light, climate, etc. as your own. Find a few houses you really like, then ask the owners what colour they used.

GOOD NEWS!!.......2003-03-11

I am going to have my house painted this spring and have been dreading getting the color right. Then I found this book. Here's the good news: the paint colors are right there in the book with pictures of the painted houses. It's got the answers I was looking for. I think this book could be used by anyone with any style of house.

Color and Light: Luminous Atmospheres for Painted Rooms

Average customer rating:

A unique and wonderfully inspiring book
The World of Color
Useful and Illuminating
A dismal failure
YUK

Color and Light: Luminous Atmospheres for Painted Rooms
Donald Kaufman , Taffy Dahl , and Christine Pittel
Manufacturer: Clarkson Potter
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0517704013
Release Date: 1999-04-27

Book Description

"Human beings feel a universal attraction to light. It is the source of life-giving energy . . . and where there is light there is color."

"Color is light made visible," says Donald Kaufman," and the atmosphere of the air we breathe and the quality of the light passing through it affect how we see color." A wall painted terra cotta in Santa Fe will look very different than a wall painted terra cotta in New York. By understanding the nature of the light and atmosphere in the place where you live, paint palettes for rooms can be selected that will enhance the light and create luminous effects.

In these inspiring pages filled with breathtaking rooms, Kaufman and Dahl have visited homes in different regions of the country and explored the particularities of the light and air in each to show how colors were chosen to enhance the available light. Whether it be the veiled light of the South and Northwest, the dry air and harsh light of the desert, the misted light of northern cities, the incandescent light over water, the clear light of the mountains, or the glaring light reflected from snow, each has its own way of interacting with color indoors. The reader also learns that, just as colors change with the region, they vary with the seasons and times of day. Molecules of air, water vapor, ice crystals, nearby buildings, or the tree branches and leaves we see outside our rooms all interact with painted interiors. We come to understand that the colors on our walls need not be fixed but can reflect the subtle changes that happen outdoors.

In Kaufman and Dahl's Color: Natural Palettes for Painted Rooms, the authors transformed forever the way we see colors in nature and in the paint on our walls. In Color and Light, they take us one step further to help us understand the role of the kinds of light we live with and how we can bring the sun's warmth and luminosity inside.

Customer Reviews:

A unique and wonderfully inspiring book.......2004-06-01

Two reasons to write this review. One is to counteract, or attempt to balance, the negativity of some of the other reader's reviews. The other is to bring to notice this exceptional book. The ideas that atmosphere, air and geographic location can influence color are not novel thoughts - Dutch master painters and the Provence of Van Gogh come to mind. But to apply such theories to the architectural and interior use of color has not been explored by enough people. Donald Kaufman was first an artist - this obviously influences his perception and methods of working with paint. The book is fascinating for the way it balances ethereal ideas with practical suggestions. The power and influence of localized light is described with excellent prose as well as lovingly selected photographs. Alongside such beauty are supremely helpful suggestions for using color and light in your own environment or in the spaces you are creating for others to enjoy. I have all three of Donald Kaufman and Taffy Dahl's books. Now I await a fourth!

The World of Color.......2002-06-29

This and the two related books (Natural Palettes and the Suzanne Butterfield book on palettes based on D. Kaufman colors)should be read attentively by anyone faced with painting a room. As beautiful as some of the illustrations are, these are NOT coffee table books to browse through. They are full of practical information for painting rooms, including rooms like mine with dark woodwork, hardwood floors, uneven walls, odd-shaped and leaded glass windows, etc. For example -- balancing cool and warm, contrasting or matching color values, using hue to stand up to strong trim, using flat paint to create a soft, smooth wall surface, what to do with dark rooms (Don't paint them white -- the resulting shadows emphasize that they are dark.), the importance of mixing paint colors without using black pigment and the importance of having the full spectrum of pigments in any paint hue, the effect that the color of light in the room will have on the wall color, and much more. The room descriptions are not prescriptions for what one must do but rather examples of the many different effects that can result using fully-pigmented paint of different value, hue, contrasts, etc. under different light conditions. The Butterfield book is a fairly simple presentation. "Natural Palettes" and "Color and Light," particularly the latter book, are sophisticated illustrated explanations of the basic "rules" of light and color through some of the myriad possible results. Read these three books with attention and be rewarded with an appreciation of color and light everywhere(in every house, apartment, store, restaurant, office, etc., on the street, the highway, in the sky, city, country -- you won't be able to help it!) Read these books and you will see, know and care about color and light forever. You'll also have no problem painting your rooms.

Useful and Illuminating.......2002-03-14

Beautiful book with great practical advice about how to choose colors for your home. I've gone gaga over Donald Kaufman's paints, and, although they are expensive, they are only a fraction of the price of Martha Stewart's line for Schreuder.

A dismal failure.......2002-02-27

I love color. I love light. So, I thought I would love this book. Wrong, wrong, wrong. This book is a borrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrring read. It's like a bad term paper. I dare you to find one idea to take away and use in your own life. The author talks AT you, pontificates, lectures, never asks you a question or makes room for you to react. Talk about over-intellectualizing a topic and taking the fun out of design! Bleah!

YUK.......2001-09-06

THIS IS REALLY UNAPPEALING. THEY SHOULD HAVE CALLED THE BOOK "ATMOSPHERE FOR BEIGE ROOMS." IF YOU WANT A HOUSE WITH ALL THE CHARM OF "BUILDER BEIGE," THEN GO FOR IT. OTHERWISE, KEEP LOOKING FOR A REAL BOOK ON COLOR. (I HAVEN'T FOUND ONE I LIKE YET.)

The Handbook of Painted Decoration: The Tools, Materials, and Step-By-Step Techniques of Trompe-L'Oeil Painting (Open Market Edition)

Average customer rating:

Worth the money
Very pleased with my purchase.
Pretty, good book
Excellent source for faux and mural reference material
Excellent for experienced decorative painters

The Handbook of Painted Decoration: The Tools, Materials, and Step-By-Step Techniques of Trompe-L'Oeil Painting (Open Market Edition)
Yannick Guegan , and Roger Le Puil
Manufacturer: W. W. Norton & Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0393730018

Customer Reviews:

Worth the money.......2006-07-03

I cannot say enough about this trompe l'oeil artist. I am a complete fan and have learned a ton from both this book and his book on trompe l'oeil panels.

Very pleased with my purchase........2005-08-27

If you like to learn new painting technics, and be inspired by others, this is a fantastic book.

Pretty, good book.......2000-11-19

This book is great for rendering faux marbles and some woods, but as a professional decorative painter, I was very disapointed with the level of artistry when it came to fieldstone, tortoise shell, and some others. It looked totally amaturish. Also, if you use watered down paint, as is recommended, you will have problems clearcoating without streaking your work. I have always found the use of glazing compounds a much better solution.

Excellent source for faux and mural reference material.......2000-05-06

This book is a wealth of information and ideas for my mural and faux business. The richness and unique faux wood and marble and not only beautiful to look at but the color samples and instructions are very good. The book demonstrates a very high quality of work and creativeness. It is a great book for ideas and resource material for the artist who does faux and mural work. It is a must for your reference library.

Excellent for experienced decorative painters.......1997-12-15

Originally published in French as a series of six books, `The Handbook of Painted Decoration' by Yannick Guegan and Roger Le Puil is an excellent reference book for experienced decorative painters. Yannick Guegan who authors the chapters on marble, wood, friezes and ornament has been in the business for thirty five years, has won numerous awards and is an excellent artist and teacher. Roger Le Puil, author of the chapters on basic patinas, finishes and forgotten techniques, is also an award winner, has painted extensively and has been involved with the French Association for Painting Training and the Paris Institute of Decorative Painting. The book consists of four hundred and fifty full colour pages of information, step by step demonstrations, and inspiring examples. This is a dense book; a lazy Sunday morning browse will only get you half way through it. Traditional European themes and techniques are emphasised with updated techniques for modern water based mediums. The finishes demonstrated are too numerous to be easily reviewed but I will say that the marbles are unique and dramatic, and the wood graining is fabulous. The Trompe L'oeil techniques demonstrated are basically architectural with a large section on fabric and drapery. I am prejudice but this book is beautiful enough to make a coffee table book for architects, designers, and artists of all kinds. It was a blind buy for me and I am not disappointed in the least by the book or by my first buying experience with Amazon. The book is well worth the price if you can learn from books and have enough experience to follow the examples.

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