Arts & Music Books > Art & Design Arts & Music Books > H

Advantages: A Good introduction to 20th Century Modernism
Disadvantages: Rambles a bit in places

...as far as covering all the main movements/schools of the 20th century. I thought it would be interesting to review this book because though it was written over 25 years ago to accompany the television series, Robert Hughes recently came back to present a new programme of the tv show to examine more recent work to examine whether the things that made art in the 20th century shocking are still relevant today. I would suggest that this was not so, as ...
...last 25 years than was the case then or even over the last century. In a film which featured interviews with David Hockney, Paula Rego, Jeff Koons and Sean Scully, Robert Hughes made the case that painting, drawing, and the search for beauty matter more than ever before. I read this book recently after having first read it 25 years ago when the show first came out. The original series was repeated on bbc4, Thursday 8th July, Thursday29th July, in ... Read review

Advantages: Concise yet easy to follow, some impressive looking projects, well presented
Disadvantages: Special effects section, a little light (sic) on explanations

...to spot a copy of Photoshop Elements Drop Dead Lighting Techniques in the bookshop. The author Barry Huggins runs a multimedia and training consultancy at www.matrixtraining.com and has had his images used around the world so he ought to know a thing or two. The first thing that strikes you is the gorgeous presentation of the book. Ilex Press titles we have seen have always been impressive in this respect with superb quality brilliant white paper, ...
...books just ooze quality. Photoshop Elements Drop Dead Lighting Techniques is aimed at middle to experienced Photoshop Elements users and is divided in to six main sections plus a reference section. The first part covers the basics such as the tools, making selections and working with layers, just to make sure you're fully orientated for the tasks ahead. Part 2 covers shadows and projections. Here you can find out how to create your own shadows ... Read review

Advantages: Great for the inexperienced
Disadvantages: none really

...interested in finding out about papier mache who are relative beginners to the craft as the projects in here are pretty basic. Having said that however, the book is still very valid. There is a history of the craft and a 6 page spread (illustrated) devoted to materials and equipment and techniques. All very useful information, well illustrated so newcomers are not at a loss to exactly what the tools and equipment look like. Some of the projects ...
...a mobile, a doll made from a baloon (as a base) a mirror, a box and quite a few more. All fairly basic, but at the same time attractive enough. Ideal for beginners as I say. The book has plenty of photos, the instructions are well illustrated and easy to follow. A good title to start you off with. ... Read review

Advantages: hugely informative, overwhelming amounts of knowledge
Disadvantages: can be confusing at first, book is written in fragmented format

...the subject can change (by performing the change on you). Tricks Of The Mind is an incredibly enjoyable and informative education read and I recommend it to anyone who is interested in the world of the human mind, beliefs and expectation, hypnosis and NLP, body language and psychic abilities. ... Read review

Advantages: Everything you could ever want to know
Disadvantages: Slightly upsetting in places

This is quite a significant book to me. I grew up listening to Thin Lizzy and being Irish, my whole family was totally in love with their music. Phil Lynott was such a complex character I felt I owed it to him to read this book, just to prove that there was more to him than just the drugs. I learnt so much about him and the band that at points I felt I knew them. It was strange to think that if only Phil had stopped the drugs, he'd still be here. ...
...gives us all the gory details of his life, it tells tales of Phils hilariously flirtatious character, his obsession with music and showed us what a loving father he was and how much he loved being a father. Last year I had the privelige of meeting his son and I felt like I knew everything about his father and he knew so little (he had only just found otu Phil was his father due to Phil giving him away because of his religion). It was amazing, it ... Read review