The Annals of Imperial Rome (Penguin Classics)

Customer Reviews:

Not the best Roman history.......2007-01-17

In his introduction, Michael Grant tells us Tacitus ranks among Livy and Caesar as one of the best stylists of Roman histories. Either his translation loses this style or Grant is mistaken. I found the 'Annals' to lack many of the features I have come to love about Roman histories. There is little moral instruction. Reading Livy or Plutarch, you can't help but to marvel at the lives of great men and learn either from their virtues or vices. Tacitus does not dwell on such issues. Instead, his history reads more as a catalog of events. First this conspirator died, then this one, then this one, etc. Tacitus defends himself by saying each person deserves to have his name mentioned -- "let each receive his separate, permanent record." But reading the long list of people killed is like visiting a graveyard, the endless gravestones emitting a feeble sense of transience.

Part of the problem may be Tacitus's choice of time period. The bloody and mismanaged era begins with Augustus's death in A.D. 14 and concludes with Nero's 54 years later. This is a time marked by indecency and blood. The emperors, including Tiberius, Caligula, and Claudius, are as wasteful as they are licentious. The most complete figure to emerge is Tiberius, who though he avoids Rome because of his debauchery with Roman children comes across as well-spoken and involved in state affairs. Subsequent emperors go no further than stick-figures, their reins filled with internal divisiveness and forced suicides.

I would recommend this book to readers who already have some knowledge of Roman history. There are some parts, such as the only mention in pagan Latin of Christ's killer, Pontius Pilate, that will interest readers. But for new readers I would recommend Livy and Plutarch. They are the true stylists of ancient Rome.

The Beautiful Sarcasm.......2006-03-24

I read Tacitus for a college humanities course, and although I had to read the entirety of the Annales over two days, it was quite an enjoyable, if daunting, task. The other reviews discuss his historical importance, so I'll limit myself to commenting that his sarcasm and turns of phrase (particularly in this translation) are biting and funny (at least for those of us for whom Nero and the corrupt emperors are not a reality). Plenty of interesting happenings for someone who is not a classics scholar.

Find a Different Publication of this Book!.......2005-11-29

This is a monumentally bad translation and Penguin should be ashamed of themselves for having kept publishing it for forty odd years. While Grant's style is quite good, his awful, clashing, illogical translations of familiar Roman terms renders it unreadable. Everyone who has any interest in Roman History (and let's face it, who else would be reading this book?) knows what a legion is. But how many people know what a division is, or a brigade? The same goes for company commanders instead of centurions. This is not only confusing and anachronistic, its simply innaccurate. As far as i'm aware a modern company numbers about 120 men (please let me know if i'm wrong!) whereas a century had only 80. Also to call a Roman legion either a division or a brigade is also innaccurate. A division is made up of several brigades but a full legion is not made up of two or three smaller legions. Grant is just being difficult. Also the index infuriatingly insists on listing people by their correct family names instead of the names by which they are commonly called. Hence, you look up references to Corbulo and find "See Domitius" so you look up Domitius, go to one of the pages mentioned and there you find "Corbulo", repeatedly called Corbulo on every page by Tacitus. Finally, the maps. Penguin Classics maps are generaly bad and these are no different. A one page map of all of Northern Europe with all the various placenames and features squeezed awkwardly in through lack of space, and with no outstanding line to dilineate the roman frontier, then on another page a whole page map of africa with a grand total of SEVEN places mentioned on it. This may all seem picky, but it spoils the whole reading experience. I'm afraid it's symptomatic of Penguin Classics who have been resting on their laurels for far too long. They've been very good at constantly changing the covers and folio size of their books but seem to have no real interest in the CONTENT. ( I have binned my copy and bought a very nice secondhand Dent and Sons edition, with "legions" in it! )

Great literature, questionable politics........2005-01-03

The more I've read and re-read this book, the less Tacitus' politics appeal to me, and I wonder that his antiquarian, narrow idealization of Old Republican Rome as against the realities of his own time must have made him a superlative bore to his colleagues in the Roman Senate, who must have wondered that, if the Old Republic was so much better, then how the Empire could even begin existing? However, there's his grasp of the art of the psychological portrait, an art in which he excelled, and that made him the first historian of mentalities and ideologies ever, something for which he used his oppulent, crisp prose, something that in my view fares far better than, say, Caesar's dry record of his military campaigns. Therefore, one cannot but surrender to his powers of expression and read his book for the nth. time as we allow ourselves to become, again, and again, fascinated by it.

A "must have" classic.......2004-06-27

If you love history, this has got to be one of the most important books you could have. This, along with Caesars War Commentaries rank at the highest for their historical significance. Talk about eyewitness accounts! It doesn't get any better than this.

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THE ANNALS OF IMPERIAL ROME
CORNELIUS TACITUS
Manufacturer: PENGUIN BOOKS
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000S9SLM2

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THE ANNALS OF IMPERIAL ROME
TACITUS
Manufacturer: PENGUIN
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000S549IQ

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THE ANNALS OF IMPERIAL ROME
TACITUS
Manufacturer: GUILD
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000SA4HQ0

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THE ANNALS OF IMPERIAL ROME
TACITUS
Manufacturer: PENGUIN
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000S920QU

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The Annals of Imperial Rome
Tacitus
Manufacturer: Penguin Classics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000V5WFXY

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The Annals of Imperial Rome
Tacitus
Manufacturer: The Penguin Classics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000IOK5XA

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The Annals of Imperial Rome
Tacitus
Manufacturer: Penguin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000O1O0H4

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The Annals of Imperial Rome
Tacitus
Manufacturer: Penguin Classics, 1989
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000VDJV0Q

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Tacitus : The Annals of Imperial Rome
Alfred Coppel
Manufacturer: Penguin Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000MOS06A

Book Description

Pronounced as the greatest goalscoring talent since Jimmy Greaves, 17-year old Robbie Fowler was immediately catapulted to fame and fortune. The thin, baby-faced Toxteth lad, who had trampled the same streets as the rioters, was now a millionaire, an idol and inspiration to every kid who kicked a football. Yet his incredible potential was never quite realized. Injuries and persistent rumours of drug abuse and depression meant that he never became the world-beater so many predicted. This is a fascinating and unbelievably frank insight into the beautiful game, and a candid account of an incredible career, taking us behind the closed doors of professional football to expose what really happens at both club and international level.

Customer Reviews:

Robbie Fowler's Autobiography.......2007-09-07

It's an interesting book written together with a ghost writer,but I think it would have been far better without all the effing and blinding which
if read by youngsters could have a very negative affect.

But as I am a fan of Robbie's and was sorry to see him leave Liverpool F.C. for the first time it still makes interesting reading learning for the first time about the streets of Toxteth and being a working class kid who has made it really good.

I hope he eventually writes a sequel whenever he decides to retire from full time football and believe he has in in him to make a first class coach and manager.

God moves in mysterious ways.......2006-01-29

Robbie Fowler is the God of Liverpool. Anyone who has watched his goals in a Liverpool jersey will tell you, in an era when you've the enimagtic Eric Cantona, the powerful Alan Shearer and, to a certain extent, a "prolific" Andy Cole ruling the headlines, that Robbie Fowler just happens to have a little more of that midas touch in front of goal.

Being a Liverpool fan and a fond observer of Fowler's goals, I was no doubt devastated when he was shipped out of Anfield almost five years ago. When news of his autobiography were released, I told myself that I'll buy it, regardless whether I'll read it or not. I mean, footballers' autobiographies are usually crap, full of ________ (insert vulgarity) and a glorified excuse to make some money for the subject.

After reading the book over the span of a few hours, it didn't surprise me that Fowler: My Autobiography justifies my perhaps cruel perception. But then again, it also proves to be quite an enjoyable read, because it covers some interesting issues that I'd really like to know about. You know. Houllier. Hoddle. Eileen Drewery (is this how you spell that? I'm sorry I couldn't be bothered to check).

I also particular enjoy the early moments of the book, even if they were rather slow-paced. Fowler (or his ghost writer) attempted to explain his origins, and while I'm not entirely convinced whether he was as ignorant about the on-goings of the Toxteth riots as he claimed, the background to the book was nicely set for a dramatic climb to fame for the striker who was once told he was too small to make it at the highest level.

What I really like about the book is, however, the dry humor that is littered throughout. Fowler was describing his father in a paragraph, and mentioned that the old man was a good-looker. He didn't forget to remind the readers that "that explains his good-looking profile". I know, it's corny, but it's exactly the kind of thing that I'd laugh about, and this book did a lot of that.

Disappointment? The overly "saintly" portrayal of Fowler himself. I do not believe he was a victim of consequences as he so vehemently attempted to drive across, and I find the frequent references to his upbringing a little more than hard to bear after, like, 20 pages. This book also has a fair amount of the swear word that starts with the letter "F", so if you get easily offended of such things, you may get really frustrated.

Still, this book is a light-hearted read if you don't expect anything too serious. Fowler is endearing because, apart from scoring goals (and tons of them), he has a colorful off-the-field life, as well as other non-goals-related on-field antics (snorting celebration, anyone?). I think this book manages to capture these rather well. It'd do well with a more coherent layout though. Some of the events seem to jumble up to fully understand when they really happened.

And, as spooky as this sounds, I was just reading a magazine article about Fowler just the night before I bought this book. The next morning, when I still contemplating whether to sneak out from the office to buy it, I got a call from my mate, telling me that Fowler has rejoined Liverpool from Manchester City on a free.

And so, Fowler has returned to Anfield, which makes this book all the more a considerable purchase for Liverpool fans who never felt that God has left. Now Robbie, please go score some goals!

He's just Robbie, Robbie from the block.......2005-10-14

I am a massive fan of Fowler the footballer. His life had all the ingredients for an interesting book: phenomenal talent, early success, hilarious pranks, bastard managers, terrible injuries, bad luck. He also seemed more honest and witty than your average footballer, so I had high expectations from his autobiography, but they were not met.

Unfortunately the book is, simply put, poorly written--which is not his fault I suppose. The tone is annoyingly apologetic, with some justifications (he's just a kid from Toxteth) repeated like mantras every three pages. Also annoyingly, whenever he makes a reference to his past success, which was phenomenal, he sounds defensive and adds that he's not arrogant about it (he's still just a kid from Toxteth). The amateurish mistake of the book is that it tells us how we should feel about him instead of just getting on with telling his story an letting us make up our minds about how to feel about him.

Books of this kind are at their best when they tell behind-the-scenses stories which were previously secret. This book is very thin in this area. Some funny stories about Eriksson and Houlier, the bastard managers from hell as far as Fowler is concerned, provide some color and interest but not enough. The actual stories are few and poorly told, with little in the way of insightful detail. The language lacks verve, except for odd foul words here and there, which seem strident rather than authentic. For authenticity, some self-incrimination on at least some occasions (for example the disgusting incident with LeSaux) would have been useful, but he goes at great lenghts to exculpate himself every single time (he was just a kid from Toxteth, you know).

I am convinced though that his life is a fascinating one and maybe sometimes, after he retires he'll have anohter go at it with a better ghostwriter.

Italy, My Beautiful Obsession: An American Italophile Falls in Love

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Italy, My Beautiful Obsession: An American Italophile Falls in Love
Arden Fowler
Manufacturer: Trafford Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Home To Italy

ASIN: 141206323X
Release Date: 2006-07-06

Book Description

Italy, My Beautiful Obsession: An American Italophile Falls in Love is a travel memoir based on the author's many decades of visiting Italy. Fowler's extensive art and music education, as well as her experience as an artist and performer enable her to bring Italy's very appearance and treasured heritage vividly to mind.

The book starts with her first arrival in Italy as a young woman and having to deal with the bureaucracy (a tale amusingly told!) in order to get married in Rome in 1951. It is based on her meticulously detailed private journals.

This book is insightful, informative, innovative and entertaining. The author explores every aspect of Italian life and culture as she experienced it; delving into, analyzing, and revealing the essence of what makes Italy the destination of choice for so many people. She covers subjects from the country's topography to its food, its architecture and its language, to its awesome culture, its wonderful people, and more.

This highly readable book appeals to those experienced travellers who have already been to Italy, know they love it, and never tire of reading about it. It also appeals to those considering vacationing in Italy, whetting the appetite to visit more than just the few highlights afforded by packaged tours.

Everything in the book is seen and described through the author's personal prism. Neither a guide book nor a cook book, Italy, My Beautiful Obession contains elements of both, presented in a most enjoyable way.

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CHARLES L. FOWLER - AUTHOR MY COUNTRYMEN

My Countrymen
Charles L. Fowler
Manufacturer: 1st Books Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Letters & Correspondence | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1403323143

Customer Reviews:

CHARLES L. FOWLER - AUTHOR MY COUNTRYMEN.......2002-10-03

THIS BOOK IS A COLLECTION OF CIVIL WAR LETTERS, OLD FAMILY LETTERS,1885 POEM,AND A 29 PAGE PRE CIVIL WAR DOCUMENT/SPEECH WRITTEN BY MY ANCESTORS.SCANS & TEXT
THE 1860 "MY COUNTRYMEN DOCUMENT" WAS WRITTEN BY MY 2ND GREAT GRANDFATHER JOHN C. EVERETT ABOUT HIS VIEWS ON THE SOUTH SECESSION FROM THE UNION. HE WAS A UNIONEST AND LIVED IN MEIGS COUNTY, TENNESSEE.
THE 1860 & 61 "CIVIL WAR LETTERS" WERE WRITTEN BY MY 2ND GREAT GRANDFATHER JAMES H. KINDRICK & MY HALF 2ND GREAT GRANDUNCLE THOMAS D. BOWEN. THEY WERE ENROLLED IN THE CONFEDERATE ARMY.
THE "OLD FAMILY LETTERS" WERE WRITTEN TO MY 2ND GREAT GRANDMOTHER RACHEL SEMANTHA(MEARS) KINDRICK AND OTHER ANCESTORS.
THE "1885 POEM" WAS WRITTEN BY JOHN WILLIAMS WISEMAN.

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MyBestLifeCoach Applauds this Book

"I Could Do Anything If I Only Knew What It Was" might be your answer

Best Book I Ever Read!

Inspiring

Great read & I also recommend...

I Could Do Anything If I Only Knew What
Barbara Sher
Manufacturer: Delacorte Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Live the Life You Love: In Ten Easy Step-By Step Lessons

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Wishcraft: How to Get What You Really Want

ASIN: 0385307888
Release Date: 1994-03-01

Amazon.com

"A life without direction is a life without passion," says motivational specialist, therapist, and career counselor Barbara Sher. In I Could Do Anything If I Only Knew What It Was, a sort of broader, less dense, and less intimidating version of What Color Is Your Parachute?, she reveals how to "recapture long lost goals, overcome the blocks that inhibit your success, decide what you want to be, and live your dreams."

This is a perfect book for new college graduates or anyone sick and tired of languishing in a dead-end job or relationship--yet reluctant to make drastic life changes due to uncertainty about what would actually inspire them. I Could Do Anything combines the I'm-not-buying your-excuses inspiration of Dr. Laura Schlessinger with the soothing, analytic encouragement of Dr. Martin Seligman in his classic Learned Optimism. In other words, Sher will pick you up off your butt and get you moving. She's included enough self-analytical exercises in here to save you hundreds of dollars in therapy.

Whether you're looking to make improvements in your job or personal life, Sher will teach you how to determine what your goals are, and how to successfully reach them--even if right now the only thing you know is that you're vaguely to very unhappy and haven't the foggiest idea what to do with yourself.

Book Description

Isn't It Time You Followed Your Real  Dreams?

This extraordinary book  is designed to help you achieve them. In it,  Barbara Sher goes beyond the groundbreaking principles  introduced in her phenomenal number one best  seller, Wishcraft. Here she adds an  important new element to the practical advice,  success secrets, and motivational techniques that have  transformed so many lives... because thousands of  people have told her that they can't get what they  want because they just don't know what  they want.

Do those words sound  familiar? If so, you have a common problem, and  there is a solution. And Barbara Sher has a surprise  for you. You Do know what you  want. Your life is filled with clues. Everything you  do, or don't do, has a good reason behind it. With  profound wisdom and reassurance, she helps you  peel away the layers, reveal your true hopes and  aspirations, and discover exactly what has been  holding you back. Because whatever it is Can Be  Removed.

Customer Reviews:

MyBestLifeCoach Applauds this Book.......2007-10-05

As a life coach, I find that most people really do know what they want in life. There is a subset of folks who truly have no clue; this is an excellent resource for them. I find that most confusion about life goals does come from resistance to declaring, "I want this". Ms. Sher deals with these issues beautifully in her book, and I use many of her ideas in my coaching work with clients. All of Barbara Sher's books are an excellent vehicle for stimulating change, but many people will need a life coach to move through the change process.

"I Could Do Anything If I Only Knew What It Was" might be your answer.......2007-08-06

Steve Jobs' commencement speech at Stanford University. In it, he says the advice we've all heard a thousand times:

"You've got to find what you love. And that is as true for your work as it is for your lovers. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do." - Steve Jobs

Barbara Sher has some excellent books, DVDs, CDs and seminars on helping you to find your passion. Get your hands on everything that you can until one of them turns on that light bulb and you discover what that passion is and then do everything in your power to follow.

One example she offers: You have a passion for ice skating and competing, but you are not quite good enough to make it professionally. Well, there are still alternatives. Go to work for the Ice Follies in some capacity that keeps you close to your passion. Take a position in sales with a manufacturer of ice skates, etc. You get the idea.

You have to work hard at this and try to think out of the box. Let Barbara Sher help you step by step.

If Barbara is not the answer for you, don't stop looking or you may follow my true story below.

In my youth, after leaving my hometown, I read all of the books and listened to all of the tapes PMA, success, motivation, sales and on and on and they helped.

But, "If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you be and what would you be doing?" Traveling on a sailboat through out the South Sea Islands didn't seem like it was going to make me a fortune or support my family. It is still necessary to be pragmatic.

So, what do you think happened? I did what probably 99% of the population does. I went to work for a large corporation and at the end of nearly 5 years I realized this wasn't for me. I had been transferred 5 times in 5 years, San Francisco to Houston to Philadelphia to Houston to Los Angeles and finally to San Diego. But, the reality set in. What was I trained to do? The answer was, since I had been the general manager of a national collection agency with branches across the United States, I would open a collection agency. That's what I knew and I knew I was good at it. And, I knew I could make good money doing it.

And, all of a sudden, I was the President of my own company, small though it might have been at the time.

But, then the frightening reality set in, I hated what I was doing. I didn't look forward to getting up each morning and racing into the office and I hated the overwhelming stress that came with being the President of my own company . But, of course, now I was in my late forties so what was I going to do? The only practical thing was to continue going in to a job I hated and tough it out until retirement time. My life had flashed before my eyes and twenty five years had gone by, unfulfilled, unsatisfied and day by day.

The point is that this is what happens to most of us in life. We get rapped up in the day to day routine, the need to make enough money to pay our bills and raise our children and then all of a sudden, it is over. The children have grown and there we are.

I had essentially done the same thing, but I left Spokane, Washington after high school and had been introduced to a whole other world, one with goals, goal setting, big dreams, Zig Ziglar`s, Brian Tracey`s, etc.

What I lacked was the single most important thing of all, finding my passion and following it. And, finally I discovered "I Could Do Anything If I Only Knew What It Was" by Barbara Sher which was recommended by a close, successful friend. Now, I am recommending it to you.

Best Book I Ever Read!.......2007-07-15

This book covered every question I could think of about life transition like: (1)What do I really love and what do I want to do with the rest of my life? (2)What's keeping me from moving forward in my life? (3)What is resistance and where does it come from? (4)What part of me is my real-self and why has it been in hiding so long? (5)Why action is better than analysis when I'm in a low mood? (6)How to move beyond a hurtful past. (7)How to overcome narcissistic tendencies. (8)How to claim and create a new life for myself.

Barbara Sher demonstrates how understanding that there is a reason for everything and finding that reason, can literally transform one's life. She encourages compassionate understanding as opposed to deep analysis of problems. She supplies creative, fun exercises that help target and clarify the answers to a myriad of questions. Her suggestions are priceless, like how to create your own support system.

This book is an artful fusion of creative career counseling, wise therapy, motivational inspiration and plain old common sense teaching. I've never seen so much information given away in one book. You'd think it would have taken her a lifetime to write. Thank you Ms. Sher for the best book I have ever read!

Inspiring.......2007-04-28

Inspiring. Soemthin to keep you thinking about your life choices. You have to do the work though. There is no book out there that will do it for you.

Great read & I also recommend..........2007-01-04

I credit Sher's book with my new successful career choice. Her book was recommended by my career counselor. I dug deep, poured my heart into the exercises and came out with a career choice of sales & marketing. (I work for a leading environmental consulting company & my choice has been financially rewarding).

Another book also recommended by my career counselor and one I highly recommend is
The Sales Adventure Guide. Since I used Sher's book to make the sales career choice - I needed a book that would provide real insight and teach me how to go about "sur-thriving" in the sales world. If you are considering working in sales or marketing - definitely consider this (The Sales Adventure Guide) book.

All the best.

I Could Do Anything If I Only Knew What It Was: How to Discover What You Really Want and How to Get It

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I Could Do Anything If I Only Knew What It Was: How to Discover What You Really Want and How to Get It

Manufacturer: Delacorte Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000GRR65Y

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Sorting Out Your Life

I could do anything if I only knew what it was
Barbara Sher
Manufacturer: Hodder Headline Australia
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 0733611141

Customer Reviews:

Sorting Out Your Life.......2007-05-18

This book has exercises to help you figure out what you really want in life. It aims to get you beyond the negative thinking and self-sabatage, those messages in our heads, that keeps us stalled. It was interesting reading about the family patterns and life experiences that might keep you in a state of stagnation.
At times I found it hard to keep reading as it brought to the surface issues that have been kept tamped down for decades. This is a good book to return to for a refresher. You will get different things from it over time as your resistance grows less.

I Could Do Anything if I Only Knew What it Was; It's Only Too Late if You Don't Start Now.

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I Could Do Anything if I Only Knew What it Was; It's Only Too Late if You Don't Start Now.
Barbara Sher
Manufacturer: Barbara Sher
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000KG7YQM

Barbara Sher's Discover Your Dream Workbook with Audio: Barbara Sher's Best Exercises for Finding Out What You Really Want

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Barbara Sher's Discover Your Dream Workbook with Audio: Barbara Sher's Best Exercises for Finding Out What You Really Want

Manufacturer: Genius Press Unlimited
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Ring-bound
ASIN: B000G17TTS

Product Description

Worksheets with Instructional CD for all the Best "Discover Your Dream" exercises from wishcraft, I could do anything if only I knew what it was, live the life you love and it's only too late if you don't start now.

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I COULD DO ANYTHING, IF I ONLY KNEW WHAT IT WAS: HOW TO DISCOVER WHAT YOU REALLY WANT AND HOW TO GET IT
BARBARA SHER
Manufacturer: HODDER AND STOUGHTON
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000S2RKBM

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I Could Do Anything if I Only Knew What it Was + It's Only Too Late if You Don't Start Now
Barbara Sher
Manufacturer: Barbara Sher
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000KGC64W

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I Could Do Anything If I Only Knew What It Was: How to Discover What You Really Want and How to Get It
Barbara; Smith, Barbara Sher
Manufacturer: Delacorte Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000K3N9RS

Book Description

For many people, art is at once a form of self-expression and discovery. Perhaps that's why collage, which is based on the idea of spontaneously layering images and symbols, is a favorite medium for crafters of all kinds.

This book approaches the topic by theme: 5 chapters present 20 projects that deal with expressing personal creativity, exploring and recording relationships, dreaming and wishing, finding inspiration in nature, and creating visual memoirs.

The instructions tell how to create a personalized project, sharing necessary techniques while suggesting ideas for substituting personal themes and materials. The directions are a starting point to encourage the reader's own artistic journey, guiding the reader to contemplate, explore, and express thoughts and feelings through the medium of collage.

An inspirational gallery concludes the book, with another 26 projects by leading artists in the field. Whether a person's passion is stamping, decoupage, painting or paper art, this book shows how various collage techniques can combine to help any crafter or artist improve their craft and enrich their soul.

Holly Harrison is a freelance writer and editor. Her first craft book, Angel Crafts: Graceful Gifts, Inspired Designs, was published by Rockport in April 2002. She has also contributed to numerous magazines, including Metropolitan Home. She lives in Concord, Massachusetts.

Paula Grasdal is a printmaker and mixed-media artist living in the Seattle area. She has contributed to several other Rockport books, including Angel Crafts: Graceful Gifts, Inspired Designs, The Crafter's Project Book, and Making Shadow Boxes and Shrines. Her work has been exhibited in galleries in the U.S. and Canada.

Customer Reviews:

WOW.......2005-08-19

This isn't your average Artsy Coffee Table book! At first and second glance this book was on the verge of being traded until I actually read the words! After reading the first artist's opening page, I found myself intrigued and excited to see "what's next". The author not only formatted the book in a way that helped build upon existing skills but also increasing new found skills. The contributing artists personal commentary was fun to read and the techniques they shared invaluable. Excellent book not only for the artist teaching value but also for the search for inner "soul" searching.

A wonderful resource.......2005-01-24

This is a terrific book for anyone interested in collage as an art as opposed to a craft. There is a wide range of work displayed, covering a number of different styles. Interspersed with the projects in the book are several discussions of such techniques and processes as using encaustics, finding symbols, using different means of transforming papers, transferring images, using collage as a medium for your memoirs, etc. There are also useful and inspiring sidebars throughout that help the artist come up with ideas and techniques they may never have thought of before.

AN earlier reviewer objects to the fact that the directions for the projects are not extremely precise. I consider that one of the great strengths of the book--I am not interested in recreating the exact piece of art displayed, I want to learn new methods to interpret my own ideas. There are some books and magazines out there that tell you exactly what brand name products to use in exactly which colors. Those books are intended for a different audience. This book is meant for those who are not afraid to experiment and learn. It encourages the reader to try new processes and new approaches, rather than handing out exact formulas.

Here are just some of the techniques covered in various projects: assemblage, encaustic, monotype, oil pastels, tissue-paper lamination, using foraged natural materials, making a collaged art doll, paper-pulp casting, transferring photos to different surfaces, sanding back to reveal underlayers... There is a tremendous amount to be learned from this book. It is not quite as showy as True Colors, but it serves a different purpose. True Colors, as delightful as it is, is primarily eye candy, and is limited to altered books. Collage For The SOul covers a much wider spectrum of collage work, and provides much more information on techniques for the artist.

I recommend this book and Gerald Brommer's collage book as THE two to own, if you can only have two. I can hardly wait for the next collage book by the same team, which is due out soon.

Disappointing!.......2004-12-15

If you are buying every book on this subject, this could be among them. However, if making a choice, this should not be a priority. The projects are not inspiring, a challenge considering the fine artists composing them. They show some interesting techniques, but who wants to use them considering what we're offered as goals? I would recommend "True Colors", by Harrison," Altered Books Workshop", by Brazelton, and "Making Memory Books and Journals by Hand", (a marvelous compilation of 42 projects put together by Thunder Bay Press) as being FAR more worthwhile.

Lackluster.......2003-09-28

I was thoroughly disappointed in this book. Based on reviewer comments I hastened to buy it, and then found it uninspiring. It presented nothing new, not an iota of soul and seemed like a simple compendium of collage work with some scattered instructions that may not be sufficiently clear.

Collage for the Soul.......2003-08-01

If you are a collage artist, you will want to purchase this book. It is not a "how to" book but a wonderful resource of images and artists you might not find anywhere else. Many different styles of collage are represented and I find something new and inspiring everytime I look at it! There are many women creating in the collage world today and not enough resources to find them...get this book and see new images and artists! The collages are shown in beautiful, full page reproductions so that you can study the details. Highly recommend!

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