Paper

One of several books in the Waltons' paper chains series, this one is by far the most elaborate. The bugs come out realistically and beautifully; they make great decorations for greeting cards or can even act as self-contained cards. The book comes with ideas on how to use the cut-outs and with sheets of colorfully patterned, high quality paper (unfortunately, there is no way to acquire more of this paper; it isn't sold independently of the books). As an adult, I love this book, but it seems like cutting the numerous skinny bug legs would quickly become tedious for all but the most dedicated junior craftsperson. Some of the Waltons' other paper chains books might be better choices for kids.

Taylor Coffman is an extraordinary thinker and writer. His far-ranging mind covers both in depth and in scope a unique era and two of its most intriguing and passionately creative personalities. Mr. Coffman has a way with words that is delightfully entertaining and keenly informative. This is a five-star performance and worth every penny!

The essays by Scofield, Devereux, and Nowell are particularly insightful. This book goes a long way to debunking the usual clap-trap that passes for "knowledge" in the teaching of international relations.

It is evident that Cathy Baker developed a close relationship with Dard Hunter while she labored through the endless research required to produce this thorough and engaging biography of one of America's outstanding graphic designers and scholors. She was able to establish the relationship without compromising her objectivity. Hunter's greatness is lavishly detailed without placing him among the gods. Here is a very human man who quietly achievied greatness. I'll read this one again.

This book is hands down the best book ive read regarding Cahuilla place names and sites. This is a great book for anyone...but it especially applies to archaeology students.

This book is full of tales to please even the hard-nosed, gonna find something wrong with it Cajun's like myself! Nothing annoys me quicker than to buy a 'Cajun' book and find it obviously written by someone who isn't. Ms. Reneaux always does a great job of depicting the truth as we see it, and recording our oral history in a way that even we (Cajuns) can recognize as our own! This book will teach you some about Cajun humor. If you want to learn more about our roots, this is a great place to start!

Like Robert Browning in "Porphyria's Lover," Cal Bedient gets inside the heads of the ill and insane. His poems "Very Oyster, Very Few," "Grief," "Any Son of a Bitch," "The Child is the Keeper of the Garden" are especially like Browning's in their ability to evoke a startled and often deeply emotional response from the reader. The poet's facility with language is astounding: fresh, demanding, luscious, and free as in these lines from "Back a Van Gogh Yellow": "Life, you say, is the greatest / nothing, exactly imagined-- / red-gold on the wall / the ellipsoid / smear of the sun."

Hal Painter's enthusiasm is irrepressible and infectious. His "Captain Nemo's Cookbook Papers" puts the world of boats back in the water.

I'm a friend of Hal's and have read the complete manuscript. Many scenes were cut from the original edition. Maybe it's time for the whole thing. Don Cochrane.

This wonderful collection of paperdolls illustrated by Tom Tierney is a lovely addition to any Carmen Miranda fans collection. The "Lady in the Tutti Fruitti Hat" is wonderfully memoralized in this book with 31 of her most colorful, spectacular and outrageous costumes from the "Brazilizan Bombshells" Hollywood films from the 1940s. One of the most recognizable popular icons of the World War II era and a beloved figure to her Brazilian homeland, this book also includes a short biography and filmography. If you are a movie buff, a costume designer or a new fan of Carmen's you will be delighted with the collection and accuracy of these drawings.

If you are interested in the general process of dying kimono, and wondered how they produced the beautiful designs this book is for you. Stencils were created to lay down repetitive designs on long strips of fabric. This book traces how this craft became an art form on its own. Gorgeous reproductions complete the understanding of how this tool became as collectible and worthy of study similar to wood block prints. An end chapter expands on how this product of the textile process affected Americans personally and artistically. A must have for any textile fan!