Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (awesome.) 『i really appreciated how this novel developed the characters and really gave a great taste of the time period. phenominal book!』
(Pirate's Booty) 『This classic book should be a must read for anyone of any age. I read this book when I was a kid, all of 15 years ago, and got just as much enjoyment out of it now as I did then.』
(Glad I Finally Read It!) 『Summary
Treasure Island was Robert Louis Stevenson's first full-length, published novel, which began as a story for his stepson. The main character and the narrator is a boy named Jim Hawkins who lives and works in his parents' Admiral Benbow Inn. A drunken buccaneer has been living at the inn and causing quite a scene among the locals. After he receives a black spot (an item representing pirate judgment) from an old, blind pirate named Pew, the buccaneer dies, leaving behind an unpaid room and a seaman's chest. Jim and his mother open the chest and find a bag full of coins of all different nationalities and a document containing a map. They escape the inn just before a band of pirates begin to break in and search for the map, which leads to an island containing Captain Flint's buried treasure.
Jim takes the map to Doctor Livesey and Squire Trelawney, who then immediately embark on a voyage on the ship Hispaniola, hiring Captain Smollet and a crew recommended by Long John Silver. Silver and most of the crew he brings with him were part of Flint's voyage to Skeleton Island, unbeknownst to Livesey and Trelawney. At sea, Jim finds himself in a barrel of apples and accidentally overhears plans for mutiny from the pirates, which he soon relays to Livesey, Trelawney, and the Captain. Soon to land at the island, Jim Hawkins and the rest of the trustworthy crew plan a way to make it off the island with the treasure and their lives.
My Reaction Until I read this book, I did not realize how much I already knew about it simply from references in popular culture. International Talk Like a Pirate Day could very well have been originated from a group of readers fond of this classic tale of pirates, treasure, and island adventure. In fact, I found just about everything I think about when I imagine pirates in this book. (The only thing Stevenson left out was a few hundred uses of the now ubiquitous pirate word "Arr!" but that may be anachronistic.) This alone I think demonstrates the far-reaching influence of this book as it applies to the popular view of pirate caricatures.
Normally when one thinks of reading "classic literature" one expects a laborious trek through hundreds of pages of archaic phrases and unfamiliar circumstances. Treasure Island is a refreshing reminder of why there are "classics" and has encouraged me to seek out others to read. Despite being over one hundred years old, it is easy to immerse oneself in Jim Hawkins' place throughout the action.
It took me a few pages to get used to some of the nautical terminology and Stevenson's use of apostrophes and phonetic spelling to illustrate the way the pirates were talking. However once I figured out what he was doing, the characters' voices in my head were clear. The action and suspenseful moments kept me turning the pages. I even jumped a bit in the part when Jim accidentally ended up with the pirates in the middle of the night. Descriptions easily laid out the setting of Skeleton Island. In fact, some of the more bloody scenes were surprisingly descript considering this was a tale aimed at young boys, but nowadays the target audience has seen more than that in a single video game.
I was also impressed with the character development within the novel. This was truly a coming-of-age type of tale for Jim Hawkins, learning nobility and honor practically as he fought to keep his and his party's lives and dignity. Long John Silver was mostly the star throughout because of his interesting mannerisms ("and you can lay to that") and his manipulative character. Just when I thought I figured out Silver's motivation, he pulled out another trick. The rest of the characters were distinct and multi-dimensional, with only one or two archetypes (Pew being one of evil villain, though he doesn't last long in the book).
Overall, as many other reviewers have said, Stevenson did not waste any words in writing Treasure Island. Everything written had purpose and added to the story. I highly recommend it to anyone wanting a fun exciting page-turner, as well as to anyone wanting to get started reading the classics.』
(Fantastic novel) 『Treasure Island is the best pirate novel I've ever come across. Although I must also add this is the only pirate novel I've come across. That being my background, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it really is a wonderful story. Some of the technical jargon gets confusing, but with the dictionary function on the Kindle it is absolutely a breeze.』
(enjoyable and timeless but ultimately overhyped.) 『It my opinion that RLS excels in the short story/novella genres, and is somewhat lacking in momentum in longer stories and novels.』 『Comic book version of the classic story of an island aswarm with a crew of murderous pirates in greedy pursuit of buried riches.』 『Climb aboard for the swashbuckling adventure of a lifetime.Treasure Islandhas enthralled (and caused slight seasickness) for decades. The names Long John Silver and Jim Hawkins are destined to remain pieces of folklore for as long as children want to read Robert Louis Stevenson's most famous book. With it's dastardly plot and motley crew of rogues and villains, it seems unlikely that children will ever say no to this timeless classic.--Naomi Gesinger』
price：$9.06
Nabu Press
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Oliver Twist) 『I have never read this before and only knew the story by watching the musical or TV mini series. I was dismayed while reading "Oliver" to realise how much of it was changed and adapted. I loved reading the original and found Charles Dickens style easy to read and very entertaining.』
(Never read.) 『Even I have heard of this book by my family. But I have never read this book. I will read this book and write more when I read the book.』
(Great Lit) 『I received this item in a timely manner, and it was also in good condition.』
(A virtual textbook on how to write a bad novel) 『At long last, I have completed this dreadful book. I started reading Oliver Twist ten months ago and swore it off a half-dozen times. I disliked right from the first chapter, but the deeper I got, the more I felt compelled to finish it so I could truthfully say that I'd read this "classic" and that I didn't like it. Oliver Twist is #5 (chronologically) on the must-read novels of The Well-Educated Mind: A Guide to the Classical Education You Never Had. I thoroughly enjoyed Don Quixote (Penguin Classics) and even the challenging The Pilgrim's Progress (Penguin Classics), and I absolutely loved Gulliver's Travels (Penguin Classics) and Pride and Prejudice (Penguin Classics). This book, however, is not in the same class.
This is the first Dickens I've ever read, and despite my absolute loathing of this novel, I won't swear him off as an author: I "get" what people like about him. However, please pay attention to the negative reviews from readers who have read other Dickens novels when they say this is not his best. I trust them because they identify all of the things that I hate about this book and say they're absent from his better works.
First and foremost, Oliver Twist is excessively wordy. Dickens never takes the opportunity to say in fifty words would he could say in ten -- he uses 100 or more instead. That's because, as I've learned, he was paid by the word to write this! While modern writing stresses the concise, this is the opposite. There are dozens of examples one could point to, but off the top of my head, here's one: A murderer is feeling and he runs into a street vendor hocking some kind of Victorian stain remover. It goes on for a page and a half about all that this cleaner can do, only to get to the point that the vendor says it can even get out blood stains (which the murderer has on his hat), and then the murderer flips out and runs away. There's even one chapter that begins with several paragraphs explaining that it has nothing to do with the plot, and everything -- everything -- is described in such obsessive detail, you will have to skip over entire sentences just to get to the point time and time again.
Secondly, the character of Oliver is thoroughly unlikeable. He's such a sad sack that I was actually rooting for his bullies and tormentors. Dickens quite unskillfully tries to manipulate his audience into false compassion by throwing everything short of sexual molestation at the poor child, right from birth. In this ugly underworld, everyone is petty and cruel for no reason -- but they're especially mean to Oliver. We only later find out why.
The books politics are thoroughly Marxian, too. The unspoken villain, all along, is industrial capitalism. This is why the poor degenerates in the slums live so badly. But, of course, if not for capitalism and the industrial revolution, most of them would have never lived at all. This would have suited the elites -- the true heroes of the story -- just fine; for what starts out looking like a portrayal of the injustices (real and imagined) faced by the working class, Oliver Twist is really an elitist smear against the "low-born."
Aristocrats have always championed socialism as a means of preserving the old order. Capitalism, even the state capitalism of Oliver Twist, allows for too much social mobility. By mid-way or so through this book, it becomes evident that it is only the lower middle class -- the petty bourgeois -- that are exploiting those under them. The elites are of unimpeachable character and come in to save Oliver -- who, (spoiler alert) is high-born after all! No wonder all those low-life miscreants were so rotten to him.
Now, for what was good about the book: The criminal gang. The characters of Fagin (though probably antisemitic), Sikes, the Dodger and Charley Bates, and especially Nancy are wonderfully rendered. The sections of the book that focus on them -- WITHOUT that annoying little brat Oliver -- are enjoyable, even in spite of Dickens' verbosity. Oliver is the worst, but all of his elitist protectors are unbearably overdone, too. Every scene involving Oliver and them is so "oh, I'm so grateful, I love you so much;" "Oh, Oliver, you bring us so much joy!" -- and that's after five minutes of meeting them.
And finally, the plot: It is built on such ridiculous coincidences.. I can only marvel at how dumb the nineteenth century audience must have been to gobble this up. Still, I wouldn't have necessarily hated it so much had it been told over 100 pages instead of 455. I can only imagine what a modern book editor would do if Dickens submitted this manuscript. This book was simply awful. I hated it. And yet... I feel compelled to give Dickens another shot, nonetheless. If indeed I'm fooled twice, then shame on me.』
(Buy this book!) 『I loved this. I was on the edge of my seat waiting for something good to happen to poor Oliver. I especially loved the names that Dickens chose for the characters; Mr. Brownlow, Mr. Bumble, Mr. Sowerberry, Mr. Grimwig, Duff and Blathers...they're all perfect. Why did I wait so long to read this book? Wonderful.』 『This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book.』
Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Enlightenment) 『This book will challenge your 'thinking' and provide you with all the insight into enlightenment I think you will ever need. Although enlightenment seems like something unattainable, it's really quite simple after you read the book. It also explains Jesus's teachings in a way that shows their relationship to the Buddha's teachings- without the pressure and misconception of 'God', sin, or giving everything up to be 'good', expressing simple truths.
Enlightenment is the end of suffering, and you can choose not to suffer. But your mind wants you to believe that problems exist, because they define yourself. It sometimes takes you over when you try to end suffering. Despite the concept being relatively simple, you will need to know a few ways to think. And the book provides this.』
(buy it NOW, begin to change NOW) 『Living in the NOW is liberating. The author enumerates the benefits of living in the now and gives practical expertise on how to achieve this seemingly easy goal but one which is surprisingly elusive.
The book while speaking of spiritual enlightenment, is really a take it or leave it type of spirituality, so don't get put off by that if you aren't into it. It's more philosophical than anything else, but without losing sense of practicality. In fact, it centers on practicality almost as a mantra.
If you ever wondered how to break out of destructive cycles or habits, how to improve relationships, how to release stress and anger... live in the now. Learn how by reading this simple book.』
(Not inspiring for me) 『I'm almost afraid to write what I really think because I've found that Eckart Tolle readers tend to be a bit on the rabid side. One of the things he teaches is that if you don't buy into his philosophies it is just because you are "not ready" as if he and everyone else is so much wiser and more mature than you. I find that quite arrogant. While there are many things to praise in this book (certainly living in the now is a noble endeavor) I just couldn't get past this all knowing superiority complex the man seems to have. Yeah, I know Oprah loves him but that doesn't mean everyone has to.
One thing that disturbs me is that so many Christians seem to take offense at his words. I'm wondering if they are threatened by his logic. Have they really read the book, or is it just a knee jerk reaction to anything that isn't biblical?
In any case, some people may really enjoy and be inspired by this work, I just wasn't one of them.』
(Life changing) 『This book had been sitting on my bookshelf for a number of years. I finally started reading it. It brought together many other spritual writings in a way that was new for me. Whether you come from a Buddhist, Christian or just a spritual journey perspective, this book will help you get rid of fears and past and future preoccupations so that you can live fully in the present and enjoy your life more peacefully and completely. It has become my most important book to share with others.』
(The only way to live) 『This book is a fascinating and motivating guide on how to live in the moment. It did not contradict my religious beliefs but gave me additional insights and practical steps on reaching a state of inner peace and hightened consciousness that I could start practicing immediately. I feel all of us can benefit from the teachings of Eckhart Tolle. Having already heard "A New Earth," this book goes back to how to live in "The Now." With relevant references to the Bible and other theological works, Eckhart brought me to a fascinating place where serenity exists. It can be available to anyone willing to listen. I plan to review the book repeatedly so I don't lose this new and wonderful tool, being in the mindful present state.』 『In the best-selling book The Power of Now, Eckhart Tolle explains in remarkably clear terms how living in the Now is the truest path to happiness and enlightenment. Tolle is a widely respected teacher whose views go beyond any particular religion, doctrine or guru, showing us how we can access our deepest self by living fully, and intensely, in the Now. Amber Lotus Publishing is proud to partner with New World Library to produce The Power of Now 2009 wall calendar. Each month pairs wisdom quotes by Mr. Tolle with the spectacular photography of David and Marc Muench. These twelve images have been carefully selected to support the teachings of The Power of Now, helping readers to connect to this essential wisdom and to stay focused in the present moment all year long.』 『Ekhart Tolle's message is simple: living in thenowis the truest path to happiness and enlightenment. And while this message may not seem stunningly original or fresh, Tolle's clear writing, supportive voice, and enthusiasm make this an excellent manual for anyone who's ever wondered what exactly "living in the now" means. Foremost, Tolle is a world-class teacher, able to explain complicated concepts in concrete language. More importantly, within a chapter of reading this book, readers are already holding the world in a different container--more conscious of how thoughts and emotions get in the way of their ability to live in genuine peace and happiness.
Tolle packs a lot of information and inspirational ideas intoThe Power of Now. (Topics include the source of Chi, enlightened relationships, creative use of the mind, impermanence, and the cycle of life.) Thankfully, he's added markers that symbolize "break time." This is when readers should close the book and mull over what they just read. As a result,The Power of Nowreads like the highly acclaimedA Course in Miracles--a spiritual guidebook that has the potential to inspire just as many study groups and change just as many lives for the better.--Gail Hudson』
Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Dark Masterpiece) 『"Heart of Darkness" is Joseph Conrad's most famous and arguably best work - not only one of the greatest short works ever but simply one of the greatest period. At once vividly realistic and profoundly symbolic, it on the one hand did much to expose the Belgian Congo's atrocities and on the other is a brilliant allegory whose precise meaning is still hotly debated over a century later. One would be very hard-pressed to find a text of such length with so many and various interpretations - nay, a text of any length; Shakespeare and a few other mainstays aside, hardly any other English language text has proven so malleable. It has been seen through lenses ranging from historical to psychoanalytic to seemingly everything between them - not least including biographical, as the scariest thing about the story is just how closely it is based on Conrad's experience. "Heart" is in many ways the culmination of early Conrad, which featured, among other focuses, a strong sea element and an emphasis on European colonialism in Africa and elsewhere. It fuses both into a dark masterpiece that works on many levels. Most simply and obviously, it can be appreciated as a sort of adventure story involving exploration and human endurance pushed to its limit; it has some fine suspense in this sense. Far more importantly, it is an unflinching look into the darkness of humanity's heart - a dramatization of just how low human nature can sink. This is most overt in the depiction of brutal inhumanity toward fellow human beings, but multiple symbolic layers make it all the more disturbing. Conrad shows that, for all civilization's supposed progress, the bestial instincts underlying humanity are only repressed - and quite weakly at that. It takes only an ostensibly primitive setting to bring them out, and when unleashed they can be at least as vicious as any wild animal's and worse in being malicious. The speaker Marlow's own harsh experience suggests all this, but it comes across most forcefully in the legendary character Kurtz. Like many ambitious but unethical Europeans of the era, Kurtz had no problem exploiting those in the Congo for personal gain, but the shocking conditions and enforced brutality eventually wear him down to the point where he snaps. It is debatable whether his days end in madness or some extreme guilt/shock combination, but his immortal final words - "The horror! The horror!" - sum up the whole story and all it symbolizes. The realization of just how bad things are hits Marlow so hard that he cannot bring himself to tell Kurtz's widow the truth, letting her think that his last words were her name, though he was so far gone that he had no time to even think of such things. As his final comment says, "It would have been too dark--too dark altogether..." Much the same may be said of the story itself, so realistically unflattering is its humanity depiction, which is a large part of the reason it is a masterwork. There are many others, not least Conrad's hauntingly beautiful and complex prose. Much of his reputation as a stylist comes from this, and it is simply incredible that he was not a native English speaker.
These factors among many others made "Heart" a standard of English curricula for decades, and its popularity shows no sign of lessening. However, it has been the focus of attention for another reason in the last few decades - racist accusations stemming from African writer Chinua Achebe's famous essay. Conrad was certainly prejudiced and ethnocentric, if not necessarily racist in today's sense, which is reflected in "Heart" and most of his other work. That said, for what it is worth, he was no more so than the average writer - much less the average person - of his day. Indeed, his experience as a Polish, initially non-English speaking outsider on ships around the world and in England gave him more empathy for those outside mainstream Western culture than nearly anyone else in it could have had. One can even argue that it is perverse to pick on "Heart" when racist overtones can be found in nearly every work from the Victorian era - nay, nearly everything right up until the last few decades - since it shows some empathy for Africans, is generally seen as anti-colonialist, and eventually helped lead to reform. Many also say that such a stance misses the story's larger point, racist or not. Yet there is much to Achebe's reading, and all serious fans should read it and make their own decision. Many editions include it, but all should seek it out.
"Heart" is one of the most anthologized works in English, available in many collections of both Conrad and general literature. It is possible to get it alone or with almost any number of other works by Conrad and others along with widely varying amounts of supplemental material. Cost of course varies along with this. Readers must decide what fits their needs, but anyone wanting an inexpensive "Heart" need look no further than this. 』
(Lurking Beneath the Soul's Surface) 『Sunset unfolds along the Thames River, bestowing the day's final gilded caresses upon the bow of an old ship, and the men who sit waiting for the tide. The luminescent skyline and haze-drenched shores incite the tired memory of one sailor, soon drawing out a bizarre tale set in the heart of the Congo. A story of racism, greed, human depravity, vain ambition, and the choices one makes on their own in the darkest regions of the soul. This, in essence, is Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness.
Told through Marlow, an old, British seaman reflecting back upon his earlier years as a steamboat Captain in a time when the ivory boon was high, and the opinion of African natives unpardonable, Conrad's novella is barely 95 pages long, and yet a verbose read. Our protagonist describes his venture for a trade shipping company as he travels up a river "resembling an immense snake uncoiled, with its head in the sea, its body at rest curving afar over a vast country," to collect both ivory and a fellow by the name of Kurtz.
Kurtz's enigmatic reputation precedes him (for the copious amounts of ivory he yields and the god-like influence he possesses over others, as well as his assured position of title within the company), and Marlow finds himself enrapt, nay--becoming obsessed, with the image of this man. As the swampy, protracted journey continues, Marlow's absorption expands until, at last, in the afterward of a bloody raid on his ship from local natives, he meets Kurtz face-to-face. Or what is left of Kurtz.
What Marlow discovers in Kurtz is more a ghostly fiend than a man. An individual who, though at one time was very similar to Marlow, has allowed his ambitious ideals and time away from "civilized society" to alter him into a debauched monster. A god among the local natives, he wields his position with fear and cruelty. In their few grim days together, Marlow comes to both loath and pity Kurtz--revolted by the man's uncouth methods, yet identifying with the desires which have led him to use them.
It is Kurtz's famous (and pathetic) cry of, "The horror! The horror!" which sums up the palpable flavor of the book. One wonders if his horror is due to the inability to fulfill his ambitions, or the realization that those ambitions have betrayed him. And what of Marlow's response? Might his own ideology betray him as well?
Joseph Conrad does us the gut-wrenching service of challenging the conscience through graphic visuals and an inquiry into Marlow and Kurtz's personal ethics. Considered semi-autobiographical, Conrad's Heart of Darkness takes us readers on a journey into the jungles of our own souls, there to breed reflection and discomfort with the hope that we will somehow find our way back out--alive and perhaps even altered for the better. 』
(PAY ATTENTION TO THIS REVIEW!) 『I love how certain types like to claim how grand and magnificent this book is. Conrad's native language was Polish. I have several Polish colleagues and let me assure you it is one of the most complicated and difficult languages. That being said, Conrad wrote this book in English. He was qouted as having said that their were difficulties and complexities of the English language that had "eluded" him. To that, I say "yeah, we noticed". This book is simply poorly written. No mystery about why many hate it. It is so difficult to read because his command of grammar and punctuation is so poor. The reason people are frequently lost and re-reading passages is because he commands the idea of quoting and transitions in narration in such a weak way. A classic? I don't think so! Maybe he should have written it in Polish and then had it translated. Sorry.』
(interesting) 『I was turned on to this book after reading "Rivers Ran East". It was a book about head hunting and traveling down the Amazon. This is an interesting book, but not quite as good. It seems like it was made as a child's book (not a bad thing...if you're a child). I enjoyed it anyway. It seems like the author focuses on story telling rather than getting to a greater purpose. I would recommend "Rivers Ran East" before reading this.』
(Heart of Darkness - Dover Edition) 『This book was purchased for my daughter for her high school class (she is a junior). It was recommended by edition from her teacher, for academic review. They recommend this book for school because the other edition is just a Barnes and Nobles Classic. I had to purchase this online because Barnes and Nobles does not have it on the shelf unless they order it for you. I just order it myself when a store tells me that. Why pay them and wait for them when it can be delivered quite conveniently at my doorstep?』 『Conrad's classic work tells of the conflicting drives of two men who finally come to grips with their differences--and their similarities. 2 cassettes.』
price：$9.25
Peachpit Press
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Completely useless for both beginners and advanced photographers) 『I find it hard to believe that I'm writing this, but I simply must save unsuspecting readers from frustration I experienced. I'm amateur photographer and always willing to learn something new, so I was lured to this book by positive reviews in my quest for knowledge and better pictures. I failed to heed the warnings in the negative reviews (which I normally do) and now I'm terribly regretting this because every bit of critique appears to be true. I usually read introductions and acknowledgements, so this book immediately alienated me with author's ill-conceived sense of humor. The funny part though is that author realizes (admits it in the book) that his humor attempts are "lame" at best but still insist of occupying at least 5% of the book with this trash. What also contributes to the injury is the author's writing style and "pro" reference in each paragraph. Basically each tip is aimed not at learning something new, but rather at "looking like a pro". I find it ridiculous, but it surely attracts all those photo-wannabes that give this book positive reviews. Now let's look at the content. Each page consists of paragraph(s) of text with some "useful" tip and a picture to illustrate the tip. Do not assume that pictures illustrate a technique, and you could learn anything from them. Most of the time pictures are pointless and/or of questionable artistic value. You will see plenty pictures of cameras, camera menus, camera controls, authors family and friends and even mindless clipart in cases where author was too lazy to actually come up with the photo. Bogus pictures occupy exactly half of each page, so you could surely cut the book in half and convert it to nice pocket format without losing anything. The quality of tips in the book is of dubious nature. I would say that about half of them is just a common sense. Trust me, you do not need a book to figure out that camera has to be steady to make sharp pictures or that by throwing away you picture CDs you are risking that somebody might gain access to your work. It also unlikely that you bought this book to be reminded that your work has to be backed up (several "tips" devoted to that). Now the tiny part of the book that actually contains some useful information is misdirected. For people that spend some time shooting (i'm not even talking about ubiquitous "pros" here) all the "tips" are self-evident and are on borderline with common sense. Many of them are blatantly oversimplified of just plain incorrect. For beginners those tips do not make much sense because they lack the basics which are not covered by this book. In general this book is the worst disappointment I ever had (in books at least :). Spend your time and money elsewhere. There are plenty of good books for beginners and advanced photographers out there and this is just happens not to be one of them. If you really want to improve your pictures better read Understanding Exposure: How to Shoot Great Photographs with a Film or Digital Camera (Updated Edition) or Light: Science and Magic: An Introduction to Photographic Lighting. The latter, especially, going to make you a better photographer, guaranteed.』
(Great book) 『I purchased this book because I recently got a Canon DSLR also from Amazon. I am a total beginner when it comes to using a SLR. So I got this one because of the gret reviews. This book is very good. Easy to read and very informative. I've also bought a couple of others, but like this one the best. I am planning on also getting the volumes 2 and 3 in the near future.』
(He certainly knows how to take pictures. Good teacher? Not really.) 『The book is not completely useless. You can "extract" a few tips from the book. However, al books of this author (yes, I've read them all) are lacking a basic order. It looks like the author never bothered to put things together, simply writing about anything that comes to his mind. For example, he writes about sharp pictures, then, once he gets to a word "flash", he completely switches from the main subject and keeps writing about different kind of flashes you can get from one particular store. Then, while talking about flashes, he gets to white balance, or something else, and keeps talking about that totally different subject. Then, the wedding comes to his mind. Ok, here we go, we talk about weddings, which get us to making sharp pictures, which leads to flashes and lenses, etc., etc. etc. Repetitions, repetitions, repetitions... The "jokes" are very distracting. While reading many things, I was thinking: "what is he talking about, is he out of his mind?" then you realize: "ah, that was a joke". Silly.』
(A good starter for a novice) 『I had to buy this for a digital photography course. Scott Kelby is a great photographer and his photographs prove that. Even I, as a long-standing amateur, picked up a few new tricks.
I found his lame humor at the beginning of the book distracting, though. Sure, he's a funny guy but anyone serious about learning all the tips of great photography may be annoyed at the wasted words. It wouldn't have hurt to have added a few more technical descriptions of how certain tricks work.
What I really enjoyed were his special tips at the bottom of many pages. Those were the ones framed and shaded in hues of green. Another bonus was mentioning both Nikon and Canon features when there were differences between the two brands' terminology. A few added Adobe Photoshop tricks also round out the information in this slim how-to book.
I would recommend this book for someone who already has taken a few good photographs and who is familiar with her own camera. But for someone more determined to turn pro, there are more technical and just as simplified books out there.
4+ stars』
(good book for beginners) 『i bought this book for a friend who is "into" photography, yet didn't have any background on how film photography works vs. digital photography, film theory, etc. This book is really informative, has great illustrative step by steps,and gives the reader a good grasp. Very instructional,not hard to understand.』 『Scott Kelby, the man who changed the "digital darkroom" forever with his groundbreaking, #1 bestselling, award-winning bookThe Photoshop Book for Digital Photographers,now tackles the most important side of digital photography--how to take pro-quality shots using the same tricks today's top digital pros use (and it's easier than you'd think).
This entire book is written with a brilliant premise, and here’s how Scott describes it: "If you and I were out on a shoot, and you asked me, 'Hey, how do I get this flower to be in focus, but I want the background out of focus?' I wouldn't stand there and give you a lecture about aperture, exposure, and depth of field. In real life, I'd just say, 'Get out your telephoto lens, set your f/stop to f/2.8, focus on the flower, and fire away.' You d say, 'OK,' and you'd get the shot. That's what this book is all about. A book of you and I shooting, and I answer the questions, give you advice, and share the secrets I've learned just like I would witha friend, without all the technical explanations and without all the techno-photo-speak."
This isn't a book of theory—it isn't full of confusing jargon and detailed concepts: this is a book of which button to push, which setting to use, when to use them, and nearly two hundred of the most closely guarded photographic "tricks of the trade" to get you shooting dramatically better-looking, sharper, more colorful, more professional-looking photos with your digital camera every time you press the shutter button.
Here's another thing that makes this book different: each page covers just one trick, just one single concept that makes your photography better. Every time you turn the page, you'll learn another pro setting, another pro tool, another pro trick to transform your work from snapshots into gallery prints. There's never been a book like it, and if you're tired of taking shots that look "OK," and if you’re tired of looking in photography magazines and thinking, "Why don't my shots look like that?" then this is the book for you.』
price：$6.40
Wiley
Usually ships in 4 to 5 days Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Excellent book for Beginners and Amateurs Photographers.) 『This book it's very easy and fast to understand. Explain very easy the basics of exposure, composing, lighting, aperture, ISO, shutter speed, metering and view of field. Also have a lot of example pics with good detail of what to do in different ambient conditions. Including portraits, sports, wildlife, night photography, Wedding photography and more.
It's an excellent teaching book for the price. It takes a beginner photographer to the next level. I recommend it to friends.』
(highly recommend!) 『I am professional commercial/fine art photographer, and OH how I wish I had this little gem back when I was starting out. It's got a recipe for everything! That makes getting great shots very simple, way before needing to learn the "theory" behind the settings. My favorite part was Alan's explanations of the LOGIC, that is questions to ask yourself...the order of decisions one must consider before taking a picture. It's the kind of thing most shooters learn school-of-hard-knocks method, by years of experience. Here Alan Hess has made the mysterious digital photography world accessible to all. Chock-full of picture examples on almost every page, this guide lists the specific camera settings that created each one. Fantastic! The color checker card was a nice bonus as well. (Sold separately, a checker costs more than this book!) A really unbelievable bargain to get this much at such a reasonable price. It's going to be a great gift to all the friends I mentor in photography. Thanks, Alan!』
(my pics are getting better thanks to this book!) 『I'm an amateur photographer and often find the tech details of exposure fly way above my head. Mr Hess has managed to offer concise, practical tips and explanations that have helped me grasp the concept of exposure. Suddenly i'm taking better pictures, am learning how to adjust my settings on the fly, and setting up my photos for better results! My pictures are coming out better, whether i'm in bright sun or dark indoor light. I also love that this info can apply to any camera, and any level of experience- an all in one guide! I'd recommend this book to anyone - and we'd all take better pics!』
(This book rocks! A must have for photographers) 『In less than a week this book has helped me in photographing a both a concert and a wedding anniverery party. "Exposure" explains photography in such an insightful manner that I cannot feel that everyone from beginner to pro could benefit from reading this book. If you want just one book that helps you be a better photographer than this is the one.
』 『
Secrets of exposure revealed, with a bonus color checker card included
Exposure is the number one topic that digital photographers want to know about. This full-color book fits in your camera bag and provides all the information you need on this very important aspect of digital photography.
Exposure involves combining ISO, aperture, and shutter speed in different variations to accomplish your vision of the perfect image.Exposure Digital Field Guidetakes you through the complex techniques of good exposure, taking you from hobbyist to serious amateur photographer.
Explains how to adjust shutter speed and aperture to control the amount of light hitting the camera's light sensor
Teaches you how to "see the light" for the perfect exposure
Helps you gain confidence as you move from automatic controls into manipulating the elements of exposure for specific results
Packed with stunning full-color photographs to illustrate what you can achieve
Provides suggested settings for various shooting situations and subjects
Includes a tear-out color checker card to help you maintain true color
Fits in your camera bag for ready reference in the field
Exposure Digital Field Guidehelps you master one of the most complex and intricate elements of digital photography.』
『
Exposure is the number one topic that digital photographers want to know about. This full-color book fits in your camera bag and provides all the information you need on this very important aspect of digital photography.
Exposure involves combining ISO, aperture, and shutter speed in different variations to accomplish your vision of the perfect image.Exposure Digital Field Guidetakes you through the complex techniques of good exposure, taking you from hobbyist to serious amateur photographer.
Explains how to adjust shutter speed and aperture to control the amount of light hitting the camera's light sensor
Teaches you how to "see the light" for the perfect exposure
Helps you gain confidence as you move from automatic controls into manipulating the elements of exposure for specific results
Packed with stunning full-color photographs to illustrate what you can achieve
Provides suggested settings for various shooting situations and subjects
Includes a tear-out color checker card to help you maintain true color
Fits in your camera bag for ready reference in the field
Exposure Digital Field Guidehelps you master one of the most complex and intricate elements of digital photography.
Aperture and Shutter Speed Techniques
Shutter Speed: This fighter jet was frozen in mid flight using a shutter speed of 1/2000 of a second. Even with plenty of light, I needed to boost the ISO to 640 to get the shutter speed necessary. At times you want to make sure that that you capture the action, now, granted, this is an extreme example, but the concept is the same. To catch a fast moving subject you need to use a high shutter speed and to get the correct exposure that means using the widest aperture possible and increasing the ISO if needed. Since I didn’t want a photo of a blurry fighter jet flying overhead, I used a shutter speed high enough to capture the action.
(Click on image to enlarge)
Blur the Background: This was shot during the morning in a playground at a local park. I wanted to make the little girl stand out from the surroundings so I used an aperture that would effectively blur the background and keep the subject in sharp focus. Since the photograph was taken in the morning there was plenty of bright light. To get the shallow depth of field I used an aperture of f/5, which lets in a lot of light, so I needed to use a low ISO of 200 and a very fast shutter speed, 1/1000 of a second to make sure I got the correct exposure. Since I knew that I wanted to blur the background, I set the camera on Aperture Priority mode and set the aperture, letting the camera set the shutter speed.
(Click on image to enlarge)
Blur the Foreground: This is one of my favorite tricks when shooting in zoos or through any type of barrier. Instead of using the aperture to blur the background, I use it to blur the items in the extreme foreground. This leopard was safely behind a chain link fence at the local zoo, but because the leopard was towards the back of the enclosure I was able to use a shallow depth of field to make the fence disappear. I shot this at 1/320 of a second using f/2.8 and ISO 200. Because I used a wide aperture, I also needed to use a high shutter speed to get the correct exposure. This worked out really well because the 1/320 of a second shutter speed kept the big cat frozen while the wide f/2.8 aperture blurred the fence.
(Click on image to enlarge)
Top Ten Exposure Tips
1.Pick the right shutter speed for the situation. One of the most common exposure problems that beginner photographers experience is blurry photographs. The cause of a blurry photo is very simple; the shutter is left open too long and either the camera moves or the subject moves. Experiment to discover the merits of different shutter speeds.
2.Pick the right aperture for the situation. The aperture is the opening in the lens that lets light through to the sensor in the camera. The aperture also controls the depth of field in the image and controls what will be in focus and what will be blurred. The larger the aperture the shallower the depth of field.
3.Pick the right exposure mode for the situation. Two key components of exposure are shutter speed and aperture. By using the correct exposure mode, you choose to determine either one or both of these settings yourself, or to let your camera adjust them for you. If you use shutter speed priority mode your camera will allow you to pick the shutter speed and it will use the built in light meter to determine the proper exposure. If you use the aperture priority mode, you pick the aperture and the camera sets the shutter speed. Aperture priority mode is the correct choice when depth of field is the most important factor in your image. Of course you can always use the automatic mode, which lets the camera choose shutter speed and aperture or you can use the manual mode that lets you pick both yourself.
4.Pick the right metering mode for the situation. Your camera has a built in light meter that it uses to determine what the correct exposure for the scene should be. The light meter has a variety of settings that can help you find the best exposure. Use the full metering in situations where the whole scene is important, and use the spot metering or center weighted metering when you want to only take a small part of the scene in to consideration.
5.When in doubt, bracket your exposures. Many cameras have an automatic bracketing setting which allows you to purposely take a series of photos that purposely underexpose then correctly expose then overexpose the scene. This gives you a much better chance of getting a good exposure and is also the method used for HDR photography.
6.Use a tripod. One of the best accessories you can have is a good tripod. This will allow you to use a longer shutter speed and still be able to keep the camera steady.
7.Use the ISO. Your camera has the ability to mimic the film speeds of the old film cameras. Changing the ISO will increase the signal from the sensor, which allows the sensor to gather more information and work in lower light. When you need to use a higher shutter speed or a smaller aperture, you can increase the ISO so that you still get a proper exposure. The down side to this is that digital noise can be introduced into your image.
8.Experiment. Go out there and experiment. With digital photography you can get instant feedback by looking at the screen on the back of the camera. If you think it would be fun to use a very slow shutter speed, go ahead and give it a shot. Remember, that these are your images and you can do it the way you want to.
9.Understand the histogram. The histogram display on your camera can give you a lot of information if you read it right. A histogram simply shows you where the tones in your image fall. The higher the peak on the right side of the histogram, the more light tones appear in your image. And the more info on the left side of the histogram, the more dark tones appear in your image. Match the histogram to what you see to make sure the camera is recording the scene to your preferences.
10.Check the highlight warning. Most cameras have a highlight warning display that will blink the areas that are overexposed and have no detail. These are really important to look for since they show which parts of your image will be pure white. There is very little that should be pure white in an image except for an actual light source that is so bright there is no detail, other than that, you want to avoid those blinkies by using a smaller aperture or higher shutter speed.
Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Art of War for the Jungle we live today) 『What can I say about this superb book, its timeless advices prove to be extremely valuable even today, Sun Tzu outlines a clear strategy on how to face and handle the problem faced, really helpful for the strategic and everyday decisioon making process.』
(The Art of War by Sun Tzu [Kindle Edition] , Price: $3.51) 『I have just downloaded the kindle edition. The pagination is awful rendering the text to be almost unreadable. amazon need to up their game and not charge for this abysmal level of quality of reproduction.』
(A great book doesn't gets older) 『I read a translation of this book, here in Brazil. Being writen in China, more than 2,500 years ago, this book is a proof that a great book doesn't gets older. The focus of this book is military tactics, but it is usefull for everyone. United States of America won World War III or Cold War, following the advice of this book: The biggest military conquest is to win, without fighting. And this book is full of great advices for any commander. You must know your enemy is one of these advices. Such as the Bible, this Sun Tzu's book is forever. 』
(A few grains of truth in a lot of chaff) 『Today many of Sun Tzu quotas are floating around mixed with Shakespeare and the Bible. And as with many of the quotes they are out of context and misleading. The quoter usually thinks repeating the word is some sort of magic.
It is easy with hindsight and a closer look at the future to dismiss Sun Tzu as his practical tactical knowledge is of a time and place long gone. He spends a lot of time on the use of weapons and information gathering techniques of the time. This can be interesting in a historical context; other wise it is quite amusing.
Oh yes those grains of truth I mentioned, well they may sound like clichés but thy are still viable. "Know your enemy and know yourself". Others are just practical sense and statistical outcomes that you learn in any military training. I could go through the list, but again that is why you buy the book.
Now just as you decide that the book is outdated for any practical purposes today we have artillery and now stealth and precision, the reminder that "no two wars are alike" and "it is flexibility that makes a difference" is being shown today to still be true. Even in today's wars there is a need for good intelligence and deception. We put a lot of time and energy into Psy-Ops. Sun Tzu shows the advantage in specialized units and crack troops.
I have spent several years in the military and in business and can say this book is a nice addition to history, otherwise of very little value to today's world for war or business.
It real challenge to the reader is which edition to purchase. Each edition brings with it different supplements and translations which can add viewpoints of the person(s) compiling the edition. So look at the details of the edition first if possible.
The Battle for Gaul: A New Illustrated Translation』
(An intro, not comprehensive) 『If you are looking at a comprehensive view of Sun Tzu's Art of War, this is not the book to get. It really covers some of his principles from a distance, not really a comprehensive view or direct translation of his work. Please note that this book is very short and appears to be written as a synopsis. If you are looking for a quick read or intro into his principles, than this should be good enough for you. But if you would like more thorough insight, I'd search elsewhere.』 『Unabridged Audiobook. 2 CDs - 2 hours, 8 minutes. Narrated by Scott Brick&Shelly Frasier
"All warfare is based on deception. Thus, when able to attack, we must seem unable. Hold out bait to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him. If he is in superior strength, evade him. If your opponent is quick to anger, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant."
Written before Alexander the Great was born, this Chinese treatise on war has become one of the most influential works on the subject. Read widely in the east since its appearance 2500 years ago, The Art of War first came to the west with a French Jesuit in1782. It has been studied by generals from Napoleon to Rommel and it is still required reading in most military academies of the world.
Although it was meant to be a practical guide to warfare in the age of chariots, many corporate and government leaders have successfully applied its lessons to battles in the modern dog-eat-dog world. Sun Tzu covers all aspects of war in his time, from strategy and tactics to the proper use of terrain and spies. In this version, Sun Tzu's lessons are brought to life with commentaries from ancient Chinese history, which illustrate both the philosophy and the principles of his teachings.』
price：$10.18
Focal Press
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Great summary of composition techniques) 『This is a really good, inspirational description of compositional techniques, with quite a few great pictures demonstrating the principles. Quite a few times I thought, "Wow- that's a cool shot, and a great idea to try". Highly recommended!』
(Compostion lessons, both subtle and direct) 『People with digital cameras spend a lot of time learning how to use all the technology tools - notably Photoshop. When it's time to step away from the computer and take some pictures we sometimes need to brush up on the principles of composition, and Michael Freeman's understated book is a great teacher. The book starts with some of the basics - the Rule of Thirds, etc. Then it goes on to describe the elements that make for interesting photographs, using great economy of text and well-chosen illustrations that are reproduced very well in the book.
Each section is a couple of pages with a minimum of words that will put some people off until they read the carefully chosen handful of paragraphs. Having gone through elements such as the way to frame an image using these short sections, Freeman goes into a set of short chapters dealing with intent. He covers a range of topics from photojournalistic intent to abstracts in the same way - with brief descriptions of each topic accompanied by excellent illustrations.
Freeman is refreshingly modest and matter of fact about his own work. He lets the pictures speak for themselves in that regard, just as he lets them teach the reader - subtly and without distracting from the examples he's chosen.
The is an excellent refresher for moderately experienced photographers and a great place for beginners to see what a thoughtfully employed camera can do. When you're done with it, you'll know how to be more thoughtful in your own picture taking. 』
(The Next level) 『When you get the basics down and you're ready to take your photography to the next level this is the book to get! I've been shooting for a few years now and this is the book I've been needing. This book will teach you how to see, compose, and edit for more visual impact. After you read it you'll see things a lot differently than you did before. This is a must have for the serious amateur.』
(My new favorite book on photography) 『Digital SLR photography is a relatively new hobby for me, so in the past year or so I have bought a number of photography books, and this is my favorite. It introduced new concepts to me and explained them well and with excellent examples. I will return to this book periodically for inspiration. So it will not gather much dust. I am keeping this short because there are already excellent reviews which explain why you will want this book in your hands.』
(Gimmicks for Every Photographer) 『I really don't know what the contents of this book are, though we can probably assume they are rooted in sound technical advice, and perhaps some good aesthetic tips.
That said, as a photographer myself, I am not inclined to buy this book, given its cover.
The photo on the cover is made simply by the shopworn and hackneyed practice of photographing a crowd of Third World women dressed in colorful garb.
Let us assume, then, that these people were dressed in workaday jeans and nondescript shirts. This brings us to the $64,000 question: Would the picture be anywhere nearly as interesting?
The answer to that question depends upon your artistic premises, but here's a clue: The reason Weegee is a superior photographer to Steve McCurry is because Weegee takes the commonplace and ephemeral and elevates it to something deeply moving and beautiful. Steve McCurry finds "exotic" looking Third Worlders and photographs them for the smug satisfaction and edification of Western liberals.
If you really want to become a great photographer of people, do this: Dress (and smell) like a homeless person in the subways of New York, armed with a couple dozen disposable cameras. You're already alienating people anyways with your grime and crazy demeanor, thus you can truly catch people unawares and off-guard.
Everything else is showing off.』 『Design is the single most important factor in creating a successful photograph. The ability to see the potential for a strong picture and then organize the graphic elements into an effective, compelling composition has always been one of the key skills in making photographs. Digital photography has brought a new, exciting aspect to design - first because the instant feedback from a digital camera allows immediate appraisal and improvement; and second because image-editing tools make it possible to alter and enhance the design after the shutter has been pressed. This has had a profound effect on the way digital photographers take pictures. The Photographer's Eye shows how anyone can develop the ability to see and shoot great digital photographs. The book explores all the traditional approaches to composition and design, but crucially, it also addresses the new digital technique of shooting in the knowledge that a picture will later be edited, manipulated, or montaged to result in a final image that may be very different from the one seen in the viewfinder.
Features *Covers both traditional in-camera composition and the new opportunities for picture-making made possible by digital imaging editing *Shows how to explore situations and locations in order to find the best possible photographic possibilities *Uses clear examples from real photographic assignments, with schematic illustrations of how and why the pictures work 』
price：$20.35
New Riders Press
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Good book on CS4) 『For a beginner it is a very well written book. However if you are new to CS4 it might be troubling as you have to have a previous intoduction to CS4 to know what to look for and what you can do with CS4. It is similar to the chicken or egg. Which came first?』
(absolutely necessary book) 『If you own Photoshop ps4 this book is absolutely necessary. This book has solved most of my problems in learning ps4. The book is by Scott Kelby who is the authority on photoshop. All the instructions are easy to follow, step by step and well written.』
(The Photo Processing Bible) 『I bought this book hoping that it would answer many of my image processing questions. Not only did it do this but I have also learnt many new techniques to improve my image output. This book sits on my desk next to my computer and is referenced nearly on a daily basis. I love this book and it has made my work life so much easier.』
(This book is a must!) 『If you are a film photographer and are interested in jumping into the digital arena,buy this book first.It has a breakdown of what to expect as you progress with your own workflow. Get used to that word. Unlike film, where you can scan a negative you know where it is stored. Once you start to shoot digital, you will need to be VERY organized to keep track of all your images. Scott Kelby writes this book in a manner that will help you with any part of the digital workflow you need help in. In one week this book has helped me become a more savy photographer. May the best light be at your back rf』
(Must have resource) 『This is a fantastic book, which gives you a page by page through photoshop. It teaches you all the extras that are hidden within photoshop and just what you can do with them. It is also backed up by internet resources and support. Definetly worth every cent. I would recomend anyone with photoshop should have this book, Scott Kelby also has done books for all the other versions of photoshop. Would make a great gift for any photographer.』 『ARE YOU READY FOR AN AMAZING NEW VERSION OF THE PHOTOSHOP BOOK THAT BREAKS ALL THE RULES? Scott Kelby, the best-selling Photoshop author in the world today, once again takes this book to a whole new level as he uncovers the latest, most important, and most exciting new Adobe Photoshop CS4 techniques for digital photographers. This major update to his award-winning, record-breaking book does something for digital photographers that’s never been done before—it cuts through the bull and shows you exactly “how to do it.” It’s not a bunch of theory; it doesn’t challenge you to come up with your own settings or figure it out on your own. Instead, Scott shows you step-by-step the exact techniques used by today’s cutting-edge digital photographers, and best of all, he shows you flat-out exactly which settings to use, when to use them, and why. That’s why the previous editions of this book are widely used as the official study guide in photography courses at colleges and universities around the world.
LEARN HOW THE PROS DO IT Each year Scott trains thousands of professional photographers how to use Photoshop, and almost without exception they have the same questions, the same problems, and the same challenges—and that’s exactly what he covers in this book. You’ll learn:
• The sharpening techniques the pros really use. • The pros’ tricks for fixing the most common digital photo problems fast! • The step-by-step setup for getting what comes out of your printer to match exactly what you see onscreen. • A whole chapter on how to process HDR (High Dynamic Range) images. • How to master new CS4 interface and workflow features. • How to color correct any photo without breaking a sweat. • How to process RAW digital camera images (plus how to take advantage of all the new Camera Raw features in CS4!). • How to add real automation to your work. • How to show your work like a pro! • A host of shortcuts, workarounds, and slick “insider” tricks to send your productivity through the roof!
Plus, Scott included a special bonus chapter with his own CS4 workflow, from start to finish. If you’re a digital photographer, and you’re ready to learn the “tricks of the trade”—the same ones that today’s leading pros use to correct, edit, sharpen, retouch, and present their work—then you’re holding the book that will do just that. 』
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