For 25 years I made my living as graphic designer and
then for another eleven years I taught it.
Graphic Design (or Design) is the most prolific and
abundant artwork in the world and yet it is the least appreciated or even noticed.
Everyday objects like furniture, building exteriors and
interiors, vehicles, household objects such as cookware, automobile interior
and exteriors, electronics and other everyday objects that populate our
everyday lives have all been designed.
Few take the time to appreciate the talent, time and
effort it took to design each piece.
Authors Charlotte and Peter Fiell have assembled an
impressive collection of photos and art dating from the Palaeolithic Period to
Modern Times about various practical designs created over the centuries.
The book is a fascinating compilation of photos and text outlining
the long and important history of Design as chronicled in The Story Of Design from the Carlton Publishing Group.
I’m afraid that many of us in Western culture have
forgotten how devastating and destructive war is.
Many of the young generation have no memory of conflict
other than glimpses of televised conflicts in some foreign lands.
There was a time when war was up close and personal for
both the United States, Western Europe
and the British Isles.
World War One was the first mechanized war where the loss
of life was in the millions. Entire countries
were devastated and had to be rebuilt practically from scratch.
Julian Thompson’s 1918
How The First World War Was Won: in association with the Imperial War
Museums, chronicles the ending of the war.
Through archival photos, art, charts and engrossing text
the long fought years of the war, now over, show the utter destruction of
property and land and the obliteration of entire regions of people.
This is war as it should be shown: destructive, horrific
and catastrophic. ‘The War To End All
Wars’ nearly obliterated Europe and its massive reconstruction and
revitalization can be observed even today.
Here in the United States NASCAR racing rules supreme,
but in other nations of the world-primarily Europe, Formula One Racing is king.
It’s estimated the 310 million people worldwide watch
Formula One Racing on TV. Nothing can
beat the excitement and the glamour.
Formula One Racing is more than just men driving
cars. It’s the ultimate test of man and
machine as both are pushed to their limits.
Many of today’s most important automotive engineering breakthroughs
are due in no small part to Formula One Racing.
Formula
One The Illustrated History, by Bruce Jones, features exclusive interviews
and content by legendary Formula One racers.
Archival black and white and color photos highlight the
text that delves into the history of Formula One, its triumphs and setbacks,
breakthroughs, drivers and crews and important events in its 50 plus years of existence.
If you love racing, cars and the men and women behind
this high-octane sport this is the book for you.
For a different kind of transport be sure to pick up a
copy of Robin Cross and David Wiley’s The
Tank Museum Tanks The History Of Armoured Warfare.
Mechanized tanks changed the face of war. No longer was artillery designated to
stagnant locations.
Soldiers could now plow into the battlefield and secure strong
points protected by heavy armour and firepower.
While crude by today’s standards the first tanks introduced
during World War One were but a foreshadowing of the sophisticated and lethal
tanks nations around the world deploy today.
Mobile, fast, heavily armoured and deadly, tanks have
always played an important part in warfare since their introduction.
In the book each and every type of tank is examined along
with its firepower and other capabilities.
Important battles in which tanks took part are remembered
and peacetime use of tanks is also examined.
Brimming with photos and art the book is a hardbound,
heavy-hitting goliath much like the tanks it honors.
As a citizen of the United States I can’t say that I ever
heard of the legendary London comedy duo: Morecambe and Wise.
Author Gary Morecambe lovingly recounts his father Eric
and fellow comedian Ernie Wise's long and illustrious comedic careers.
I have to say I am impressed. It’s hard to imagine being successful in show
business for over 50 years and yet this wise-cracking duo managed to do so on
TV, in the movies, during several wars and in other mass media outlets.
Morecambe
& Wise 50 Years Of Sunshine is more than a book about a
comedy duo, it is and examination of times past, triumphs, hard times, good
times, losses, comedic genius and a long held bond between two good friends.
I thoroughly enjoyed looking at the old photos, acquainting
myself with their careers, family and friends and glimpses of their comedic hi-jinx.
I’m not a big fan of professional boxing. I love the Rocky movies like everyone else
but to watch two grown men beat the snot out of each other makes me cringe.
Still, there are those that love the sport and I really
can’t fault them for it. Let’s be honest-soccer,
football, hockey, bull fighting-they all have their violent moments. Who am I to judge what others enjoy about
boxing?
If I were a fan of boxing I would be sure to purchase a
copy of Harry Mullan, Bob Mee and Mott Bozeat’s The Ultimate Encyclopedia Of Boxing Ninth Edition.
Anything and everything that has to do with the ‘gentleman’s
sport’ is included, such as a complete list of key fights in all weights from
all over the globe.
Every key boxer and his story are chronicled in text,
with photos and art and also the book also includes bits on managers,
affiliates and the various boxing organizations. It’s a total knockout!
Ask any art or design student and they’ll all attest to
the fact that two key historical artists are always included in every art
history class ever taken.
They are Leonard Da Vinci and Michelangelo.
Leonardo Da Vinci is the original Renaissance Man, was prolific
and proficient in many areas of study from painting and architecture to
mechanics and mathematics.
In Leonardo Da
Vinci 500 Years On: A Portrait Of The Artist, Scientist And Innovator,
author Matthew Landrus examines Da Vinci’s incredible life and career.
Filled with the artist’s illustrations and paintings the
book delves into every facet of this incredible man’s life.
So profound was Da Vnci influence in the arts and
sciences it can still be seen today.
Equally impressive is the great Michelangelo: painter and
sculptor.
A contemporary of Da Vinci, Michelangelo is considered the
greatest artist of the Italian Renaissance.
William E. Wallace’s Michelangelo
examines the artist’s often turbulent and creative life.
Using his drawings, art and photos of his sculptures, the
book reconstructs the life of the artist beginning with his young informative years
to his final days as a master scholar and teacher.
His life, like his art, was many faceted and complex.