EG Books

As someone who has written about creativity, I often get sent how-to-be-creative books. They are typically cloying and empty, sticky with platitudes. This book rises impressively above that gummy mass. One reason is Graham Ramsay's multidisciplinary talent--besides his work as a photographer and author, he is a professional composer. This keeps his exercises from getting mired in a single approach; they are accessible to people without particular artistic skills. Holly Sweet ably provides a psychological gloss on the process that makes the book useful for readers whose goal is to contemplate their own lives. The combination makes the book useful not only for artists, but for anyone who is self-reflective and wants to step out of their usual way of thinking about their life. Students who are thinking about their place in the world will find this book a great aid. But I was struck by how older adults too, looking back over a lifetime of snapshots and memorabilia, can use this book's approach to make sense of their lifetime of experience.

This book is an easy read. I'm using it in my graduate class, and it runs pretty close with what the professor is lecturing about. Solution focused brief therapy (SFBT)is discussed in easy to understand terms.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who has the slightest interest in multiple personality disorder, art therapy, puppetry, psychiatry, object relations theory, story telling or mental illness in general. Through Jenny's story Gerity simultaneously gives a fascinating accurate account of patient care in a mental health facility while also educating the reader about the various psychological theories that staff utilize for treatment. This book was a pleasure to read and would be enjoyable for everyone but I think it should be mandatory reading for anyone who works with the mentally ill population.

It is such a shame this book is out of print, for it is certainly the most useful book on the market about Poulenc's songs! In it Poulenc comments on every song he wrote, explaining musical ideas, as well as offering a bit of general background -for example; why he wrote the song, how it came to him, how long it took him, who it was dedicated to and why, and which songs he thinks of as his best (and worst!). More well known, and also useful as a guide to Poulenc's songs is Bernac's Introduction to French Song. Although Bernac and Poulenc worked closely together as a singer - pianist duo, there is nothing as valuable as hearing a composer's own words on his music. In fact, perhaps the most valuable aspect of Bernac's Introduction to Poulenc's song is the extent to which he quotes this book. But whereas Bernac's book is written for music students and is inevitably quite an serious work, Poulenc's is a diary - and is a refreshingly personal and often amusing account of his songs. Winifred Radford's translation is sometimes dated, as her translations of the songs are occasionally flawed but generally accepted and used in programmes by performers.

This is a patient but tremendously technical introduction to a very complex musical tradition. The author studied with and quotes several fine and well-known Ghanaian drummers; the text is overwhelmed with detailed and difficult musical examples (performed on the enclosed CD). With time and effort, the lessons can form the foundation for a very rewarding African drumming experience.

I am a student, and I am currently using this book. This book continues on from the first volume in a successful way. It makes learning Neopolitan chords a little easier; it explains everything clearly, and allows the student to apply it in the right way. Good informative book.

From Back Cover:

"This original work explores the application of dance, art and music, and the psychological principles of creativity to depth-oriented therapy. With the appropriate utilization of ego psychology, the therapist helps patients to create congruence between the inner world of fantasy, dreams and play, and the outer world of reality. Specifically, the book presents the concept and technique of play as it applies to object relations theory and the development of ego and self. The process of non-verbal expression and its relationship to verbal therapy is also examined in detail. While expressive therapy is presented primarily within a psychoanalytic orientation, the process can easily be adapted to humanistic, gestalt and transactional frameworks."

Dr Laury Rappaport's newly published book is too exquisite for words. Its beauty from the cover, throughout every page, is a treasure . The simplicity of her words of research and guidance on the pages read as if she were in the room with reader hearing her gentle voice and feeling her safety, truth and her deepest core belief of the healing power of "Focusing "accompanied with Art Therapy . What a treasure for the therapy profession, for Art Therapists, Focusing Practitioners, and all who seek soul depth guidance. Eleanor Appleyard, M.A.( Creative Arts)

Was Ellen Levine in my elementary school class? If so, we are both authors of many books. We're both 57 or so. If so, you were my friendly classmate at PS 177 or D.A. Boody JHS. Is that you, Ellen? If so, a warm hello from a grandma of five who also writes a lot of books, a history buff, and was also born around 1941. If this is another Ellen, then just ignore this message.

Keep on writing those wonderful books. They are helpful and make the world a smarter place. Mrs. A

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Spectacular color plates of botanicals plus interesting history about the book's original production. Excellent value for the price!