I received a copy of this book through the app Library Thing's Early Reviewer's program. I had requested several books and requested this one, almost I received a copy of this book through the app Library Thing's Early Reviewer's program. I had requested several books and requested this one, almost on a whim. When it arrived, I did not know what to think of it. It does not have traditional binding nor are the front and back cover made from traditional material. I do not know whether that is a product of the early review nature of the book or an intentional artistic decision. This book did not take long to read. Unfortunately, it did not provide much either. I did not dislike the text and in fact, I absolutely adored the illustrations. Every single page held absolutely phenomenal illustrations that showcase the incredible talents of the five different people chosen to illustrate this work. For me, this book fell into a good but not for me category so while I enjoyed the read, I will not keep this book in my collection....more
I absolutely loved this book as I knew that I would. The authors attend to every possible detail in the artistic works of Tolkein. His ability to captI absolutely loved this book as I knew that I would. The authors attend to every possible detail in the artistic works of Tolkein. His ability to capture his imagined world in art astounds me. This book is a must own for all fans of art and especially all fans of Tolkein....more
I. Absolutely. Loved. This. Book. First, I am obsessed with anything Lord of the Rings related. It is hands-down, no questions asked, my favorite book I. Absolutely. Loved. This. Book. First, I am obsessed with anything Lord of the Rings related. It is hands-down, no questions asked, my favorite book ever. Second, in all that I have read about both Tolkein and all things Middle-earth related, I have not been able to figure out why I love this mythology so much. Then I picked up this book. Reading about the effort that Tolkein put into his book helped me understand how it is so much more than a book; it is a work of history, only slightly fictionalized. Third, this book helped me understand why I reacted so viscerally to many of Peter Jackson's "artistic liberties" with both Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. (Especially the Hobbit, my loathing of Peter Jackson's manipulation of Middle Earth to fit his whims reached new heights with the second and third installments.) Tolkein invested his heart and - if possible - his soul into creating this magnificent mythology. He put all the work into finding The Story. I liken it to a miner finding a vein of gold. Tolkein found and traced out the entire vein. Jackson plunged willy nilly into the tunnel causing the whole thing to implode. In case my opening sentence was not quite emphatic enough, I LOVED THIS BOOK!...more
It is easy to say that I am mildly obsessed with books about art and design, the behind the scenes of some of my favorite movies. This might be my leaIt is easy to say that I am mildly obsessed with books about art and design, the behind the scenes of some of my favorite movies. This might be my least favorite out of the ever growing collection of this type of book but I have to clarify that statement. I love the others so absolutely much, this book (which I rated with four stars) just doesn't come quite to a five star rating. It is still absolutely amazing. The artists' craft is amazing. It also significantly helps that I am more than mildly obsessed with the Chronicles of Narnia anyway. After not having watched the movies for a little while (or read the books) I now have bumped both of those to the top of my list to get back into. For anyone who loves this genre as I do, this is a fantastic book and definitely something worth adding to a personal collection....more
While this book was good, it could have been great. I loved the theme and the connection to famous art work. The return of two familiar characters froWhile this book was good, it could have been great. I loved the theme and the connection to famous art work. The return of two familiar characters from "The Swiss Courier" was also nice, although if they had not been part of the story I'm sure that the events could have progressed just fine. Also, several of the events appeared to be completely unconnected to the main plot which, according to the title, was ostensibly to chase/recover the Mona Lisa. I could nitpick other details that distracted me as a reader and give specific reasons for why I rated this book only a three (and a low three at that) but there's no need. This is a nice, feel good, easy read. I enjoyed reading it....more
I admit that I was not looking forward to this book thanks to the major let down of "Monuments Men." Thankfully, Edsel avoided the near-fictionalizatiI admit that I was not looking forward to this book thanks to the major let down of "Monuments Men." Thankfully, Edsel avoided the near-fictionalization that plagued the unfortunately more popular of the two companion pieces. He approached this book with a much more straightforward, chronologically speaking, narrative that despite the numerous players involved, avoided confusion and told a compelling narrative. I loved being able to picture the actual locations having been to many of these places. A few times in the book I wished that I had read the book before going to Italy so I could have found many of these little nuances (like a plaque to Wolff on the Ponte Vecchio in Florence) while we were over there. As is often the case, it is much easier to write a critique than a compliment. If you have the choice, read Saving Italy versus Monuments Men....more
Finally, I have the complete set. As much of an issue that I have with Peter Jackson's so-called artistic license with the story inside "The Hobbit," Finally, I have the complete set. As much of an issue that I have with Peter Jackson's so-called artistic license with the story inside "The Hobbit," I forever will remain enamored with these books and the incredible art detailed inside. These books showcase the immense creative skill that went into creating these movies. The entire art fascinates me and makes me wonder what happens to all these unique and priceless pieces of art. I highly recommend this entire series to all those who love Tolkien as well as those who appreciate art in all its forms....more
I found this book absolutely fascinating. I wondered what this book would bring to the tragic story that so many now know so well. I was not prepared I found this book absolutely fascinating. I wondered what this book would bring to the tragic story that so many now know so well. I was not prepared for the book to touch my heart in the way that it humanized the entire Frank family through the pictures of Anne, Margot and the rest of the family from their birth (Anne and Margot specifically) through the final days. The only reason that I did not give this book five stars is because the text formatting often took away from the impact of the photographs in ways I have difficulty expressing here. If 카지노싸이트 allowed for half stars, like TheStoryGraph, I would rate this book 4.5 stars with just a little taken off because of the formatting....more
I really enjoyed this book. It's always a relief to hear a good narrator, especially after a particularly bad one. This guy was pretty awesome. At firI really enjoyed this book. It's always a relief to hear a good narrator, especially after a particularly bad one. This guy was pretty awesome. At first I wasn't sure what to make of the book. I had no idea what it was about and was a little lost at the beginning. After reading the subtitle and description everything made sense and I could just enjoy the book. King's narrative masterfully weaves artistic description with petty politics and major world events. I highly recommend this book and can't wait to read more by this author. ...more
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