From 1996 This up to date history of Mexican leadership. Excellent. I am working on video review now, at youtube/davidpeacockchannel -- i will update url when review is complete.
I made a youtube review of books about Paul Gauguin. Wild Thing is included in the video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QirKB_TMzbw&t=663s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QirKB_TMzbw&t=663s
Excellent book. Not much known about Holbein and Wilson describes the environment in which Holbein lived.
Rare Suetonius THE LIVES OF THE TWELVE CAESARS Heritage Press in Slipcase Sandglass [Hardcover] unknown by Suetonius
Avoid this translation. It is done by Philemon Holland who lived during Elizabethan times. The language is archaic and frustrating to read.
This book is essential to understanding the atmosphere of Maynard Dixon's paintings of western deserts.
A Philosophical Enquiry Into the Origin of Our Ideas of the Sublime and Beautiful (Oxford World's Classics) by Edmund Burke
He set himself a difficult goal, to discuss the Sublime and Beautiful. He makes minor observations but nothing substantial towards defining Sublime and Beautiful.
A difficult read. I agree with some of it, many of his thoughts are unique to his mind.
A difficult read. I agree with some of it, many of his thoughts are unique to his mind.
A great documentation of the American Speed Shop. An enthusiastic well researched account of this colorful chapter in custom cars. I love these cars for their uniqueness and beauty. Most of the text focuses on the mechanical innovations of these cars and the people in associated with the Speed Shops. I'm a visual guy and the creativity of the body work and design is what I crave. The photos are extraordinary, though sometimes they could be larger.
This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.
The preface completely confused me. It took me about 50 pages to get used to Churchill's style. I describe it as dense with adjectives that sound flat.
The chronology is disciplined and describes the twisting turning narrative of British royal families. I feel I have a basic understanding of the British crown. I enjoyed connecting this history to Shakespeare's historical plays.
The chronology is disciplined and describes the twisting turning narrative of British royal families. I feel I have a basic understanding of the British crown. I enjoyed connecting this history to Shakespeare's historical plays.
Countdown 1945: The Extraordinary Story of the Atomic Bomb and the 116 Days That Changed the World by Chris Wallace
A quick read that is similar to a screenplay. It has several characters and interesting historical scenes. An interesting approach where all the description and action leads up to the final explosion.
Very good memoir by elite producer of theater, radio and film, John Houseman. His partnership with Orson Welles is filled with candid insight into the character of Mr. Welles.
Houseman's life as a professional creative artist is inspiring.
Houseman's life as a professional creative artist is inspiring.
Very entertaining, 49 chapters separated by different topics. I agree with the other LT member review, the material is so rich in wit and intelligence that I recommend reading 2-3 chapters at a time.
Volume 1
Wells develops the idea of different races of mankind. He is balanced in his review of races and rejects the idea of any racial superiority. I enjoyed this topic because it explains many of the conflicts in our world society.
Volume 2
Very good overview of history however he spends too much time on details of WWII battles.
I enjoy his personal opinions because I find are very similar to my own.
Wells develops the idea of different races of mankind. He is balanced in his review of races and rejects the idea of any racial superiority. I enjoyed this topic because it explains many of the conflicts in our world society.
Volume 2
Very good overview of history however he spends too much time on details of WWII battles.
I enjoy his personal opinions because I find are very similar to my own.
Hebdomeros is difficult to read. It is a series of feelings, of moods and day dreams of Hebdomeros. Poetic meanderings without plot or conventional characters.
It's all in Hebdomeros' head, He sees something in the real world and it reminds him of something and he expresses a detailed account of his day dreams.
I only recommend this to people interested in Surrealism, Metaphysical art and Giorgio de Chirico.
There are some additional essays by de Chirico about his art. These are insightful and excellent. Most artists fail to express in words what they express in paint. De Chirico shares his opinions on art.
It's all in Hebdomeros' head, He sees something in the real world and it reminds him of something and he expresses a detailed account of his day dreams.
I only recommend this to people interested in Surrealism, Metaphysical art and Giorgio de Chirico.
There are some additional essays by de Chirico about his art. These are insightful and excellent. Most artists fail to express in words what they express in paint. De Chirico shares his opinions on art.
Luck and Circumstance: A Coming of Age in Hollywood, New York, and Points Beyond by Michael Lindsay-Hogg
The author has a distinctive style that expresses his personality. The people and relationships in his life are fascinating and it's worth it to acclimate yourself to his method.
Diderot On Art 1 The Salon of 1705 And on Painting (Salon of 1765 & Notes on Painting) by Denis Diderot
A tough book to read. I did it slowly and looked up all the references I could find. A few of the paintings are included in black and white plates. I found about 30% of the paintings by searching on the world wide web. It is frustrating to read Diderot's comments about paintings and not be able to see what he sees.
I have an interest in this author and subject so I finished the book.
I have an interest in this author and subject so I finished the book.
Thomas Aquinas goes through many arguments to explain God, Angels and Christian doctrine.
It's difficult to read because the sentences are excessively elegant and artificially pleasing. After several failed attempts I began to read aloud and then I was able to break through to the style and demeanor of the author and subject.
It is divided into 4 books were members of the court of Urbino discuss the qualities that make for a successful courtier.
Some, but not all of the qualities are ability to dance, play an instrument, give good advice to the Prince, compete in mock battles, and compete in real battles.
The second book is full of short entertaining stories that they find amusing. Occasionally they are funny and the stories are a good representation of comedy in the 1500s.
There are many examples of poor behavior and what the courtier should avoid.
There are examples of a successful female in court and how she should behave. One gentleman criticises women. His criticisms are valid and and he is fiercely scolded. I suspect the author included the excoriation in order to please his female readers.
The last book concerns love and raises the discourse to a lofty level concerning the value of love.
It is divided into 4 books were members of the court of Urbino discuss the qualities that make for a successful courtier.
Some, but not all of the qualities are ability to dance, play an instrument, give good advice to the Prince, compete in mock battles, and compete in real battles.
The second book is full of short entertaining stories that they find amusing. Occasionally they are funny and the stories are a good representation of comedy in the 1500s.
There are many examples of poor behavior and what the courtier should avoid.
There are examples of a successful female in court and how she should behave. One gentleman criticises women. His criticisms are valid and and he is fiercely scolded. I suspect the author included the excoriation in order to please his female readers.
The last book concerns love and raises the discourse to a lofty level concerning the value of love.
I was not enjoying this book and I figured out the reason. This version is a straight text to printing book. The book lacks formatting. I never realized how important formatting is until I found how difficult it is to read without formatting. I will look for a formatted copy and try again.
SQL QuickStart Guide: The Simplified Beginner's Guide to Managing, Analyzing, and Manipulating Data With SQL by Walter Shields
Well Organized Emphasis on the Basics of SQL
Great for people new to SQL. Simply stated and good examples that introduce SQL basics.
Book includes a sample database to run SQL statements so readers can experience the utility of SQL.
Great for people new to SQL. Simply stated and good examples that introduce SQL basics.
Book includes a sample database to run SQL statements so readers can experience the utility of SQL.
This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.
Sei Shōnagon is sensitive to people's manners. She carefully describes her taste, likes and dislikes. She is excellent describing behaviour that repules her and other items that bring her joy. She has a candid style that is charming and entertaining.
The Story of Civilization, Part XI: The Age of Napoleon: A History of European Civilization from 1789 to 1815 by Will Durant
Before reading this volume I thought Napoleon had a sterling reputation. When I was finished I thought he was overrated. He was charming, extremely intelligent, organized and over ambitious.
Most of the good Napoleon accomplished is tarnished with blood of the dead.
Most of the good Napoleon accomplished is tarnished with blood of the dead.
I made a YouTube video where I review books about Manet and specifically this book.
If you are interested search the title of this book on YouTube.
If you are interested search the title of this book on YouTube.
My interest in the subject decreased as I progressed through the pages. When I turned the last page I was happy to escape.
Geary lost my interest when he began retelling cloying tales of witty experiences he found in literature.
Geary is a collector and in this book he mends the disparate parts into a mismatched whole.
Geary lost my interest when he began retelling cloying tales of witty experiences he found in literature.
Geary is a collector and in this book he mends the disparate parts into a mismatched whole.