After more than 1,500 pages of Vincent van Gogh's letters, most of themaddressed to his younger brother, Theo, a reader is exhausted by the struggles,arguments, and ultimate suicide of the creator of some of the most covetedpaintings on earth, and yet elated by the triumph of art and family devotionover constant sorrow.

However depressing the life of Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890), his struggle iscontinually redeemed by lucid, analytical observations on art and artists asdisparate as his black-sheep friend Gauguin, Manet, Degas, Japanese prints, andeven the American illustrator Howard Pyle. He retains a touching certainty thathis early hero, Millet, whose pictures of peasants so moved him, will prove tobe the precursor of all that is progressive in art.

This three-volume, boxed set is a replica of the one originally published in1958 by the New York Graphic Society, a translation from the Dutch of letterspainstakingly ordered and preserved by Theo's young widow, Jo, in the early partof the 20th century. It would have benefited from annotations reflecting recentvan Gogh scholarship and theory, but nonetheless it remains a remarkablecollection of documents, including Jo's well-known memoir and family history.The early drawings are shockingly clunky, without a hint of grace orconfidence. This awkwardness never disappears entirely, but evolves into anaura of hard-won authenticity, as if van Gogh were continually grappling withsome fundamental, but ineffable, truth.

The symptoms of madness, "an illness much like any other," alienated Vincentfrom everyone around him. Even his aging parents, he wrote, "feel the same dreadof taking me in ... as they would about taking in a big rough dog."

"How much sadness there is in life," he wrote to Theo. But he found theantidote: "The right thing is to work." Work he did, with astonishing single- mindedness. He mercilessly demanded supplies and continual financial aid fromhis brother, and although we think of their relationship as a perfect union,Vincent wrote with occasional anger, impatience, or even cruelty, once coldlyassessing Theo's personality: "The bright side of your character is yourreliability in money matters."

There is a tremendous dramatic tension in the third volume of letters, as we seethe artist leap ahead in skill and insight, knowing all the while that this is alife that does not go all the way. This collection requires, and rewards, adevoted reader. --Margaret Moorman ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Vincent Van Gogh correspondence
This beautiful set of Van Gogh's letters starts with an introduction by his nephew (Theo's son) and a biography of Vincent Van Gogh by his sister-in-law , Theo's widow. It is a special set of books. The boxed set is very beautiful and I have it on display in my living room. I was fortunate enough to have seen the Van Gogh exhibit in Amsterdam ..., (and to have seen the Van Gogh exhibit when it came to the U.S. over 30 years ago. ...). I feel the artist's extraordinary family did so much to bring his art and writing to us, including this lovely book set. I thought the ... price was most reasonable considering what I got, and it made my trip to Holland even more special!

If you have the time...
I've seen Van Gogh's paintings many times in various museums and I find him one of the most fascinating characters in the history of art. Vincent's letters correspondence with his brother Theo are both revealing and transformative. Vincent writes as he painted--with great passion as he tries to communicate his inspirations, insights and frustrations to his dear brother Theo. The result of reading them is that they make you, the reader, see things in a new light.

This three-volume compendium is essentially everything you'd ever want to know about Vincent and then some. Frankly, for me though it was too much. To wade through Vincent's endless letters and replies was more work than pleasure. Though I didn't feel comfortable settling for any of the abridged collections that various biographers have published recently.

The only one of such books that I would recommend is "Stranger on the Earth : A Psychological Biography of Vincent Van Gogh" by Albert J. Lubin, which is a fascinating and, thankfully, shorter insight into Vincent's fascinatingly fragile personality.

An invaluable Van Gogh resource
This three volume set is an absolutely invaluable reference for any Van Gogh enthusiast. Van Gogh's letters offer tremendous insights into his life and works. That's why a complete set of the letters is a must--most of the other versions are heavily edited ("butchered" some would say). Dr. Jan Hulsker (one of the world's foremost Van Gogh scholars) once wrote: "[His letters] enable us to know more about Van Gogh's life and mentality than we do of any other artist. The letters form a running commentary on his work, and a human document without parallel."

The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam is working on an exciting and ambitious project to issue a completely new and revised set of the letters, but until that extraordinary reference is available, this set is the next best thing. Even for those not especially interested in Van Gogh's art, the letters are a striking, and sometimes painful, exploration of a man consumed with doubt, filled with compassion and profoundly troubled. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art   2. Artists, Architects, Photographers   3. Biography / Autobiography   4. Correspondence   5. General   6. Individual Artist   7. Netherlands   8. Painters   9. Pictorial   10. Art / Pictorial   

Subjects:  1. Automobile industry and trade   2. Business & Economics   3. Business / Economics / Finance   4. Business/Economics   5. Case studies   6. General Motors Corporation   7. Management   8. Management - General   9. Organizational change   10. Structural Adjustment   11. United States   12. Business strategy   

Customer Reviews (3)

location of author
Please note that the author is at the UNIVERSITY OF SF (USF) a private Jesuit school not the same as the University of California at SF (UCSF)

Core Collection in Nursing
This book was selected to be included in "Core Collection in Nursing and the Allied Health Sciences" from Oryx Press.

Core Collection
This item was selected to be included in "Core Collection in Nursing and the Allied Health Sciences" from Oryx Press ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Diagnosis   2. Diagnosis, Laboratory   3. Laboratory Medicine   4. Medical   5. Medical / Nursing   6. Nursing - Assessment & Diagnosis   7. Nursing - General   8. Nursing Practice   9. Nursing diagnosis   10. Medical / Nursing / General   

Subjects:  1. Adolescent psychotherapy   2. Child psychotherapy   3. Clinical Adolescent Psychology   4. Clinical Child Psychology   5. Handbooks, manuals, etc   6. Medical   7. Medical / Nursing   8. Pediatrics   9. Psychiatry - Child & Adolescent   10. Psychotherapy   11. in infancy & childhood   

Customer Reviews (1)

Can't think of anything I learned here.
This book is twelve chapters of "Business for Dummies". Quite honestly, if you don't know the majority of this book you shouldn't be in manufacturing.

Not a single complex thought is brought forth in this book. Save your money and your time. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business / Economics / Finance   2. Business/Economics   3. Entrepreneurship   4. Management - General   5. Production management   6. Production scheduling   

Customer Reviews (1)

Excellent book, but not student-friendly!
Dr. Poor is a very well known authority in statistical signal processing, and in this book he offers us an excellent introductory-level presentation on a challenging and very important subject. Careful reading of this book will provide the reader with a solid theoretical background!

Lots of examples and exercises to illustrate theory; nevertheless I think that some very important aspects related to practical applications should not be left as exercises (for instance M-ary hypothesis testing). I also missed some computer-based exercises; it would have been great to see the beauty of detection and estimation theory at work.

If you have some familiarity with the topic you will undoubtedly enjoy this book, but if you are a student tackling with this for the first time it will be demanding reading. You will need considerable fluency in random variable calculus to get the most out of the book, as the author presents many results and derivations as "straightforward". ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Engineering - Electrical & Electronic   2. Estimation theory   3. Science/Mathematics   4. Signal Processing (Communication Engineering)   5. Signal detection   6. Signal theory (Telecommunicati   7. Signal theory (Telecommunication)   8. Technology & Industrial Arts   9. Telecommunications   

Customer Reviews (3)

Great for beginners!
This is an extremely handy book for making super quick predictions on the skies. Shows all sorts of different cloud formations and what they're bringing with them. Also nice photos of thunderstorms, lightning, etc. Good one to pick up just because.

Simple, easy to read
This is a nice, simple, easy to read book on different types of clouds and weather conditions. Fast reference when you need 'em!

Great book for fledgling meteorologists
This book is a great beginners book. The text is easy to read and the pictures are beautiful. It came in particularly handy for my cloud physics class in which I had to keep a cloud journal. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Clouds   2. Earth Sciences - Meteorology & Climatology   3. Juvenile literature   4. Nature/Ecology   5. Science   6. Weather   7. Nature / Weather   

And the Sea Will Tell spins a rivetingstory--a story that could havebeen the backbone fora classic novel by Herman Melville or Joseph Conrad. Twocouples--one wealthy and married, the other an ex-conand his hippie girlfriend-- separately set sail for a remote South Pacific island, each hoping to play "AdamandEve" in paradise. Instead of getting awayfrom it all, they take it with them-- their pasts and prejudices, and the pettybattles over status and material goods that arisefrom their different social classes.Only two people out of the original four live throughthe experience. One of them has the extraordinary good luck to be defended in court bymaster attorney VincentBugliosi (author of Helter Skelter). As theLos Angeles Times writes, "Thebook succeeds on all counts.The finalpages are some of the most suspenseful in trial literature." ... Read more

Customer Reviews (52)

Bugliosi is awesome!
The book makes a great read as a crime story. One can only hope there are lawyers around who are reading this book and following Bugliosi's example. As for the crime itself, generally speaking I was convinced of Buck's guilt and Jennifer's innocense. However I did find it puzzling that Buck would have the patience to hang around and participate in the search for his victims for two or three days. Since several other boats had dropped in during their stay at Palmyra another unexpected visitor was a definite possibility. It would have been very difficult to explain the presence of the two ships without stating that the couple had disappeared. This in turn would have made it difficult for Buck to leave with the ship of the murdered couple. Yet Jennifer states she had no idea Buck was involved. So we have the murderer patiently spending days searching for his victims instead of fleeing immediately with his prize. This detail could been further explored. Even in retrospect Jennifer never notes any untoward haste in Buck?

Riveting and Tragic
The first half of the book is one of the best told stories I've read. The second half is complete ego of Bugliosi. Bruce Henderson, the co author and author of a great book Trace Evidence, probably wrote the first half. I almost felt like I was on the island or had met the murdered couple. I was disappointed in Bugliosi's blind faith in his client's innocence. It's as if he did not read the first half himself. All in all, one of my favorite true crime books.

Tremendous true-crime writing
Once upon a time Vincent Bugliosi was a star student at UCLA. After that he became a famous star district attorney then went on to private practice where he became a star defense lawyer. Then he became entrapped in that morrass which seems to call with a siren-like persuasion: politics. There was that awful book about JFK (the Warren Commission was right), then an angry defense of Clinton (Paula Jones, et al and 2000 where he wrote that Gore was robbed by the [Democratic] courts of Florida.

Thankfully, this was in an earlier incarnation (plain lawyer) where he takes an unthankful case that doesn't seem to have a prayer. A murder at sea and the person on board is not guilty? The difficulty was compounded by the unwillingness of the defendent to "tell all". Despite this, he worked 100 hours/wk (once he had convinced himself of her innocence) and eventually was vindicated.

Great story, great writing. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General   2. Mystery & Detective - General   3. Nonfiction - True Crime / Espionage   4. Sociology   5. Current Events / American   

Subjects:  1. Digital techniques   2. Genres & Styles - Electronic   3. Music   4. Recording & Reproduction   5. Recording and reproducing   6. Songbooks - General   7. Sound   8. Sound studios   9. Music / Reference   

Subjects:  1. Health Care Delivery   2. Health/Fitness   3. Medical / Nursing   4. Medical economics   5. Medical technology   6. Moral and ethical aspects   7. Science/Mathematics   8. Social Aspects   9. Social medicine   10. Sociology Of Medicine   11. Technology   12. Technology / Social Aspects   

Customer Reviews (3)

Very Good Overview
This excellent work by Genovesi highlights many of the important concerns in Catholic sexual ethics today. It is a very well-balanced book and offers the reader a wealth of interesting information. It is also easy to read, though long, and stirs up questions about how to be faithful to the Church teachings while being pastoral. I would recommend the book for someone who would like to know more detailed information on the Catholic view of Love and Sexuality and would also urge that reader to look over the various Church documents at the same time (i.e. Humanae Vitae, On the Pastoral Care of Homosexual Persons, Casti Conubii, and others).

Enlightening discussion of Catholic sexual ethics
This book adequately presents all major issues in sexual ethics and provides an illuminating discussion from the perspective of Catholic moral theology. The author gives room to all positions within the broad array of Catholic moral theologians today. As opposed to the dogmatic view of some manuals still used by seminaries and confessor, the author devotes space and energy to the discussion of moral arguments behind each moral solution. This book is very helpful to any layman or priest that wants to make sense of Catholic moral teaching in sexual matters.

Excellent resource.
A great resource for adults, both young and old, who are concerned with faith and living morally. Honest and straight forward, Genovesi confronts sexual issues that are sometimes difficult for the average individual to accept. His combination of theological and pyschological teachings deserves appreciation. Genovesi reveals the essentials of Love and sexual morality to those who need it the most, i.e., everyone. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bible - General   2. Catholic Church   3. Catholic authors   4. Christian ethics   5. Christianity - Theology - Catholic   6. Christianity - Theology - Ethics   7. Religion   8. Religion - Roman Catholic   9. Religious aspects   10. Sex   

Subjects:  1. Art   2. Book Accessories   3. Non-Classifiable   

Customer Reviews (7)

A must for poetry lovers
There is so much to praise here, where do I start? How can I possibly communicate what these poems mean to me? "Renascence" alone takes my breath away - "The soul can split the sky in two, And let the face of God shine through." These words too, allow the divine to shine through. "Interim" is, perhaps, as beutiful a poem as I have ever read. The author brilliantly captures the essence of loss, that grief and confusion, the mind's inability to accept the notion of a life alone: "...part of your heart aches in my breast; part of my heart lies chilled in the damp earth with you. I have been torn in two, and suffer for the rest of me..." There are still so many other passages that leap off these pages. Her phrases are like literary gem stones: Sonnet XXVII: "I know I am but summer to your heart, And not the full four seasons of the year" - could it be said any more succinctly? This collection is a must for anyone who cares at all about poetry - American or otherwise.

Thanks to Madeleine L'Engle...
I discovered Edna St. Vincent Millay through a passage from "Recuerdo" quoted in a novel by Madeleine L'Engle (possibly Camilla). It was the first book of poems I ever bought for myself ($10 hardcover, circa 1968); I memorized "Recuerdo", took the book to the woods with me, pressed wild flowers in it, and was sure I would move to New York and ride the ferry with my lover. Never moved to New York (couldn't afford it), but I did ride Maid of the Mist at Niagara Falls with my best friend and husband, who sits beside me as I write this.

My most treasured book
This book of collected poems is the most treasured book that I own. My copy is absolutely falling apart - I have to keep it in its own special box. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American - General   2. Poetry   3. Poetry / General   

Customer Reviews (1)

Excellent for budding law geeks
If you know that you really like the law, then this book is for you. Otherwise--avoid it; a better introduction to the study of law for a neophyte is "Planet Law School". That said, the diligent study and internalization of this book will enhance your enjoyment of a first year course in the law of torts (not to mention raise your final exam grade). I should know, having survived a full year of torts with Professor Johnson himself. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Sociology   2. Torts   3. United States   

Customer Reviews (2)

Easy to read & precise; a companion to your Residency
The subjects are covered in a direct, goal oriented manner. This book will tell you the precise facts and points needed to pass your ABIM exam. Best of all, is the way letters are printed, good size, good space, it won't tire you when you read it.
It is not a textbook, but a rapid resource of review, needs to be complemented with other books on IM.
Good set of questions similar in format to those on ABIM exam

Compared to others, this is # 1 for me!

Mayo review book
If you are taking the ABIM certification or recertification exam, or you are just reviewing internal medicine, this is the definitive review book to get. It is concise, organized and very well written by the Mayo Clinic authors. I have personally gone to the course twice in Rochester, Minnesota. There were other attendees who have made it an annual pilgrimage. There are review questions and answers after the end of every chapter. There are pearls in every page that you can use in daily medicine practice. I give this book 5 stars, the highest rating. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Examinations   2. Examinations, questions, etc   3. Family & General Practice   4. Internal Medicine   5. Internal Medicine (General)   6. Licenses   7. Medical   8. Medical / Nursing   9. Outlines, syllabi, etc   10. Physicians   11. Professional - General   12. Study guides   13. Test Preparation & Review   14. United States   

Subjects:  1. Technology & Industrial Arts   2. Telecommunications   

Subjects:  1. Calendar   2. Non-Classifiable   

In his beautifully written and designed Java 2D API Graphics, Vincent Hardy introduces Java programmers to the contents and capabilities of this exciting addition to the set of standard Java classes.

The Java 2-D API counts among the most significant recent additions to the Java platform. The API makes it relatively easy for the programmer to treat hardware devices (including video displays and printers) as abstractions, and simplifies the process of conceiving, manipulating, and displaying geometric figures. It also incorporates a sophisticated color model (with support for transparency) and allows programmers to manipulate styled characters with a far greater degree of precision (and with greater ease) than before.

The book coverage is thorough, and is sure to save developers time that would have been spent in figuring out details through experimentation. Hardy has earned special praise by including sequences of steps that illustrate how jobs get done in the Java 2-D API. For example, he summarizes the process of rendering to a printer with eight steps, compactly stating which classes need to be used, which interfaces you need to implement, and which methods you need to call.

There's plenty of example code here (and on the companion CD-ROM), but Hardy doesn't make you decode an example in situations in which a quick statement of procedure will work. He also makes great use of illustrations (to show how such phenomena as joins and end caps are calculated, for example) and mathematical formulas (to show how AffineTransforms work). Many of the illustrations are in color, a valuable feature. --David Wall

Topics covered: The Java 2-D API for programmers with experience elsewhere in the Java language. The author pays attention to the basics--such as manipulating and rendering shapes--but also goes into detail on the Graphics Layer Framework (GLF) and the advanced rendering capabilities of the Java 2-D API (including text layout, fancy light effects, photo manipulation, and the simulation of 3-D objects with light and shadow). ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

You want advanced Photoshop-like graphics but using Java ?
This book is a great source for whoever wants to use advanced graphics with Java, even if you are not an expert in Java (or in graphics for that matter, even it helps to know a little about the basics of graphics). This book is clear , well written and fully illustrated (full color!), with a gradual approach that will introduce all the necessary concepts of graphics (simple to advanced - check the couple of pretty tough chapters in Part III). Good for basic Web sites "funky" illustrations (navigation bar with advanced shadowing effects upon selection for instance) to full PhotoShop-like application written in Java !

Very good value, I believe and a reference guide for Java 2D Graphics (for additional API info, see the Java 2D Graphics book by Jonathan B. Knudsen).

Great Job !

Excellent book for overview and serious OO developer
I have read both Java 2D grpahics books from front to back. I am working intensively with Java2D recently. The "Java 2D API Graphics" by V. Hardy is the best. It covers all the basic rendering API for Java 2D. The most amazing part is the GLF (Graphics Layer Framework) that was clearly described in this book. You can also see the full source code of how to extend Java 2D. The GLF is very valuable and the code is well written. Considering the content, it goes way beyond just Java 2D.

If you also are student of OO design patterns, you will find the framework is filled with design patterns, such as composite, factory, mementos, etc.. Although the book is more expensive, the book is beautifully done and the demo softwares are carefully crafted. You won't regret to buy and read it.

Disorganized, Imprecise, and Incomplete
Unfortunately this was a big disappointment. If you are at all used to the succinctness and clarity of O'Reilly books, this is not for you. It seems at times that he is writing on-the-fly and just jotting down what he knows about Java graphics. The sequencing alone is enough of a reason not to buy it; in the examples there are routinely concepts and API elements used in key positions that haven't even been mentioned yet. I wouldn't say this is even appropriate for advanced graphics programmers (although you would have to be advanced to understand it) as it is just the manifestation of a lack of clear and organized thinking. I have read dozens of computer books and I would honestly recommend that you do yourself a favor and choose another one. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Bks - Languages / Programming   2. Computer Books: Languages   3. Computer Graphics - General   4. Computer graphics   5. Computers   6. Java (Computer program languag   7. Java (Computer program language)   8. Microcomputer Graphics   9. Object-Oriented Programming   10. Programming Languages - Java   

Customer Reviews (20)

The VP Bible!!!
To me, Vincent Price was always the ultimate movie star. His best roles were always those of someone on the brink who was pushed over the edge into soul-crushed madness, best seen in "House of Wax" and the Corman Poe films. Williams describes each of Price's 100 feature films in detail, with the focus on Price's performance. Each entry also quotes contemporary reviews of the film and there is usually an anecdote or two from Price or a costar. Not only is Williams' text good, but the book is full of fantastic publicity photos, stills and advertising art that are treasures in and of themselves. Horror fans can discover some of Price's other roles, like his hilarious comic performance with Ronald Colman in "Champagne For Caesar" (Forget "Quiz Show", check that one out!) At the end of the book Ms. Williams states that she regrets that she didn't have space to cover Price's extensive work in radio, TV, and the theater. So, come on, let's have volume II!!! (Though we might want to conveniently overlook the "Love Boat" appearances...)

Finest of "The Film's of" series
Vincent Price transended his film roles with great intelligence, sensitivity and charm, and at the same time could project the foulist of villians with merely a raised eyebrow. This wonderful book by Lucy Chase Williams captures every single film Price did. It's profusely illustrated with many rare stills (several from my personal collection as I was a contributor)and quite a few color pages. No finer book exists on Price's film work. This book is an absolute must for film lovers of the the golden years of hollywood and lovers of film macabre!

the complete FEATURE films of Vincent Price
on page 252-253 there's a great picture of Price, Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing, and John Carradine in 1983 during a photo session for the film "House of the Long Shadows", a movie that i like {however, i hate the character that Arnaz, Jr. played because of his cynicism and lack of respect for traditional horror}. the pictures, incidentally, make up for the lack of coverage of Vincent's other careers! there's pictures of his cartoon characters from Disney and Hanna-Barbera. there's posters for the "Butterfly Ball" project plus numerous print ads for products that appeared in magazines. a picture of him with Alice Cooper is also shown! the rest of this book highlights all 100 of Vincent's FEATURE films, which are anything that is shown in movie theatres. i think the book is great! seeing the pictures and movie posters are like walking through time...i wouldn't have added any negative criticism about the movies because it dampens the mood of the book, which is to be a celebration of his career in movies...but there are several harsh criticisms of his films from critics and Vincent himself, who himself was a critic: of art! the book also contains Vincent's now-legendary comments on his own profession just after wrapping up the 1987-released film "The Offspring". in brief, Price announces that he's tired and bored talking about horror films. it's then explained that the film he just finished maybe caused him to be a bit testy with the reporter. Price had realized after his scenes were complete that the producers/director were filming extreme gore and slasher elements to be aired around his narrative parts and it made him furious that his name and image would be grouped with that TYPE of film once again {1984's "Bloodbath at the House of Death" was pretty gory and Price's appearance clashes with the sadistic storyline}. "The Offspring" was a Tales From the Crypt meets Twilight Zone anthology in which Price plays a town historian in rural Oldfield. a picture from that film (a shot of Price at a desk) is here. GET this book!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1911-   2. Acting & Auditioning   3. Cinema/Film: Book   4. Entertainment & Performing Arts - Actors & Actresses   5. Horror films   6. Individual Movie Actors And Actresses   7. Pop Arts / Pop Culture   8. Price, Vincent   9. Price, Vincent,   

Customer Reviews (5)

For the established Professional
This book is for a more established professional, and not for one interested in the fashion industy. It was very hard to understand to me since I am a novice at applying makeup. This book is not worth the price.

Thie book is more for the stage artist.
This book had excellent tips on lighting and the angles of the face, but I didn't find enough information on application of makeup for daily wear. I was looking for a book that would help me with tips - much like a professional makeup artist that was doing your makeup for a special event. The book contained period makeup and total transformation character makeup information. I liked Kevin Aucoin's Face Forward and Making Faces better.

One of the Three Best Books for Any Make-Up Artist
Mr.Kehoe presents his work in a pricise format. He covers just about anything you want to know in the art of make-up application, not just the trend in fashion/beauty. All the topics are covered: Lighting, character make-up, age, period, monster, bald caps, lab techniques, special effects, hair and beard laying, just to name a few. This book contains lots of illustrations and photos. Even for the make-up artist who only wants to persue a career in the fashion industry this book is a must read. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Beauty & Grooming - Cosmetics   2. Film & Video - Direction & Production   3. Performing Arts   4. Performing Arts/Dance   5. Pop Arts / Pop Culture   6. Reference   7. Theater - Stagecraft   8. Theatrical makeup   9. Films, cinema   10. Hairdressing & salon skills   11. Performing Arts / Film / Direction & Production   12. Television