A beautiful piece of work
343218
Stephan Hawking is captivating. A beautiful piece of work. His depth of understanding is remarkable and awe inspiring!
4519797
Peter Makena's River of Blessings is a rare work of spiritual art.  Its beauty is of an awesome nature, in the sense that no matter how many times I listen to it, it never fails to move me to a deep place within myself, where ecstasy abides and tears flow.  Beauty may be in the eyes and "ears" of the beholder, but this Masterpiece is able to return a grateful soul to its awaiting Source.
1549871
While I generally have a certain affection for what poet Scott Cairns calls "the slim volume" where poetry is concerned, having this book in my hands is deeply satisfying. Seeing the body of work gathered here is remarkable, and the work itself is remarkable, like tracing a life in words over time. If you are new to Cairns' work this is a beautiful way to be introduced. If you, like me, are a long time fan, this is your next great acquisition.
1118308
I love this book! I found that the introduction was helpful in placing each piece of art in context. The works themselves are gorgeous and enchanting. The book really shows the breadth of talent and subject matter Rackham mastered, as well as his superb use of composition and imagination. An excellent book for any collection, for children and adults alike.
2522988
This is a very beautiful work of art. I'm a guy that loves the female Gothic image and I can't take my eyes off of this one. She's a beauty.
4077663
As a librarian, I am familiar with the pros and cons of what is termed the 'graphic novel,' but to be honest have never seen such an argument for them. This book tells its tale entirely in pictures, no little 'bubbles' of thought to distract from its honest and beautiful theme...not that you need them. Its sepia-toned and varied artwork 'reads' almost like an old-fashioned film strip, the eye drawn from one to the next in a continuous story. I 'read' the story through in a few minutes, but there is so much gorgeous detail that I could spend a few minutes on each page. Each section feels like a separate work of art. Not to mention the extraordinary themes of sacrifices for love, overcoming the past, hope for the future, empathy with others, beauty in simplicity, and many many others. The perceptive reader will catch the references to the very real past of immigration and war among the fantastical, but even a younger reader may enjoy the story of the young man in a strange place, working to bring his family where there is still peace and beauty. This book shines like a jewel in a dark world. In my opinion, if there is any sense in the book-award-winning world, this will gain the shining accolades it well deserves. Buy it, read it, absorb it, read it again, and put its message into practice. The world will be a better place for the kindness of strangers.
4345971
Beautiful detailed work, if you're a fan of Maneki Neko, I highly recommend this piece.
2615940
This is such a different kind of book because of the artwork. It is more than just a well written novel, it is a piece of art.
3200432
I rarely write a review for a book before reading it in its entirety, but for this book I shall make an exception. The artwork is beautiful, yes. But the book's contents are even more lovely. The introduction is revealing, and the prose is well-formulated, insightful, and inspiring. I intend to gift this to someone very special.
665265
Exactly what I had hoped for. A nicely done work of art.
3208612
Better than I expected.  It's a beautiful piece!
3682122
I first became acquainted with Mayuzumi when long ago I picked up the LP of the Louisville Orchestra's recording of the Symphonic Poem, Samsara on Louisville LS-666. Although much of it sounds rather dark and clangy to Western ears, I found it a very satisfying work. I'm not quite sure why, but I have always found it to be quite relaxing, though you very well may not. It is a very highly organized work with a cyclical structure, which is appropriate for a depiction of the cycle of births and deaths. The record jacket and CD booklet explain the philosophy as follows:

"The background from which the life experience arises is suggested by a refrain which recurs to contrast the more dramatic material. For is it reading too much into the music to see in the more vital sections that attempt at purging and purification which, in the Buddhist faith, will allow the soul to transcend the process of reincarnation in the normal state."

I think the darker, slower parts more or less depict Nirvana, while the higher, more percussive parts represent the vicissitudes of desire, which it is the aim of classical Buddhism to eradicate. There is at one point a sort of battle between the drums and the higher winds. I take it that the drums beat down of the winds, beating down unruly desires which lead only to dissatisfaction. This leads out of samsara, the cycle of births and deaths, into Nirvana. One need not be a Buddhist to understand that it depicts a liberation, but one needs to take time to listen to the whole piece. It's just not what we might expect.

There is also a recording of Samsara with the Hong Kong Philharmonic under Yoshikazu Fukumura on Marco Polo 8.220297. It is very well done, too, somewhat slower. However, the other works are less interesting than the shorter works on the First Edition CD.

The title of the first piece, Pieces for Prepared Piano and Strings, doesn't sound very exciting, but it is very quirky and evocative music. Those who like Takemitsu's smaller works may like this one. The CD booklet shows a reproduction of a letter from Mr. Mayuzumi indicating that he was quite well pleased with the recording.

I had heard of Essay for String Orchestra but never found the LP recording on my travels. It is certainly not what I expected, unlike any other string orchestra music I ever heard. That is not to say music colors are anything but pleasant. The CD jacket mentions a French critic, Jean Cotte, speaking of power and mystery, and quotes Harold C. Schonberg of the New York Times describing it as "creating a whirlpool of tone that goes round and round with a nearly hypnotic effect." That's as good a description as any, I suppose. It's really a very nice work and I have listened to it quite a number of times in the past weeks.

The CD is just under 40 minutes in length, but then it isn't very expensive, either. It also provides three wonderful works by an interesting composer.
163430
I was already familiar with a lot of Brom's work when I was younger and now that I am older, working and able to afford to buy more I was more then happy to purchase this. His are it dark and sinister and can also be extremely beautiful. I personally love art and though there may be some who find it offensive, alot of times I don't look entirely on one picture as a whole, I personally like to look at individual details and admire how talented this artist is, and admire his work. I admire it more since he does his work by hand and it is sketched out then developed. It is more refreshing to see work that is done by hand and through a real mental process then slapped together by cutting and pasting on a screen, smudging and blending and considering that a real work of art. So before you put a bad review, specially if you weren't familiar with the artist to begin with id suggest doing your homework first and just because its dark and seems evil doesnt mean that the work itself and not worth a good rating. Technique and skills should be valued ten times more highly then someones flavor or personal likes. To me this man's work is amazing and inspiring, not only to me but to so many more.
4967464
This is probably the best overall look at Goldsworthy's work, which seems to me a perfect fusion of fin de siecle themes of impermanence, detachment from nature, and art as performance.  His work is profoundly beautiful, profoundly intellectual, and vital.  It's a great collection of photographs by a great artist.  Everyone I've ever shown this volume to winds up being rhapsodic, and a convert.
3897502
Beautiful piece of work. Mr Cunningham deserved this touching documentary.
2061991
Ian Johnson's work is phenomenal and this rare book is indeed a thing of beauty.  If you are lucky enough to come across a copy, seriously consider adding it to your library.
3750655
I bought this for my adult son, and when I saw it, I wanted it for myself.  An amazing work of art!