Book Description
Venetian merchants of the Middle Ages imported more than precious spices and textiles from the far reaches of the eastern Mediterranean, they also acquired a wealth of visual ideas and information from Islamic culture, this book shows. Architectural historian Deborah Howard explores the range of buildings that reflected Muslim imagery and discusses the complexities of importing such ideas to an unambiguously Christian city.
Customer Reviews:
dont get carried away.......2007-08-03
The importance with books of this sort, is dont get carried away. Islam is a big question today, and intercultural history is a top priority, but accuracy should always trump political fads. Venice is by far a city of Byzantine and Gothic, much less Islamic influence. The book fails to make this sufficiently clear, and can leave the reader with the impression that Venice, and the Renaissance had Oriental roots. This is plain wrong.
The Many Veils of Venice.......2007-06-25
Deborah Howard is steeped in the enigma of Venetian architecture and gives a fabulous interpretation of its development through trading relationships with the Islamic world from 1100-1500 AD.
By emphasising the mental `Transmission and Propagation' of Islamic imagery as much as any materialistic one through trade, Howard shows just how elastic the `process of cultural diffusion' was and restores the importance of the oral tradition in the `reformulation' of that imagery into another space and time.
Her focus on the Middle East draws our attention away from Constantinople, bringing out the importance of Alexandria as one of the main sources of cultural inspiration.
In a vivid example of a rescued and transformed architectural motif, Howard mentions at length the lighthouse Pharos of Alexandria. This wonder of the ancient world was still standing when Islam spread across the North African coast and its secular function as a light in dark places became a potent spiritual symbol with the slimmed down rise of many a minaret.
The offspring of Pharos continued to multiply with Venice contributing several of its own; the last example, Codussi's campanile for the cathedral church of San Pietro di Castello with, `its snow-white ashlar masonry . . . stands at the eastern end of the city, as a beacon for the sea borne traveller from the east.'
The Great Umayyed Mosque in Damascus also gets singled out for special attention as does the Abbasid and Fatimid periods in general, with their legacy of impressive building projects that impacted upon the mind of many a Venetian merchant.
Howard reminds us how the papal ban on trade with Moslems became more than just a tiresome irritant for the Venetians. With so much lucrative trade at stake, the essence of its survival, good relations with the Moslem Middle East were a necessity; in Cairo for example, `only Venetian gold ducats are accepted currency.'
Venice also became a facilitator in pilgrim traffic to Jerusalem and it is the combination of so many of those factors that makes Deborah Howard's narrative so interesting. With splendid photographs and maps to reinforce her view, we look at Venice with fresh eyes while the ghost of bygone Alexandria dazzles, mirage like, before us.
The ripe old civilisations of the east were infused with much positive creativity in the wake of Islamic conquests: Howard's narrative helps dissolve the rigid and outdated paradigm of a `clash of civilisations,' revealing a grudging sense of admiration by many a Christian merchant and pilgrim who stood witness to Islamic ways of life and became transmitters of that imagery back to Venice.
An unusual book: Highly recommended!
Venice's love affair with the Orient.......2001-03-16
Clearly one of the best art books of the year, Venice and the East traces the impact of Islamic art on the Venetian imagination -- as evident in its architecture. Though stunning illustrations that compare Venetian and Islamic architecture and a well-written text based on primary sources, author Deborah Howard shows that, in the heyday of Levantine trade, Venetian merchants brought back more than spices and cotton from the Islamic world. They also brought back visions of paradise: Islamic styles in gardens, courtyards and palaces that evoked not just Eastern sensuality but also biblical grandeur and spirituality. Although Howard gives ample attention to the borrowing of specific architectural motifs -- balconies, crenellated walls and ogee windows -- she goes well beyond a cataloging of borrowed style. This is, most of all, a study in cultural assimilation -- of ideas as much as architectural form -- and is well worth treasuring whether your passion runs to architecture, history, sociology, or more simply: to gorgeously illustrated coffee table books.
Book Description
This digital document is an article from Renaissance Quarterly, published by Thomson Gale on March 22, 2003. The length of the article is 746 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details
Title: Venice and the East: The Impact of the Islamic World on Venetian Architecture, 1100-1500. .(Book Review)
Author: Martha Dunkelman
Publication:
Renaissance Quarterly (Magazine/Journal)
Date: March 22, 2003
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 56
Issue: 1
Page: 172(2)
Article Type: Book Review
Distributed by Thomson Gale
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Mapping Cities : Boston University Art Gallery January 14-February 25, 2000
Naomi Miller
Manufacturer: Boston University Art Gallery
ProductGroup: Book
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ASIN: 1881450139 |
Book Description
Mapping Cities charts both the development of urban planning in seven cities-Jerusalem, Rome, Paris, Amsterdam, London, Boston, and New York-and changes in mapmaking since the 15th century.
Despite the ubiquity of city maps, urban cartography is a relatively recent discipline, quite distinct from the field of urban history. This book emphasizes the city map as a bearer of information and a graphic means of communication. It illustrates several little-known maps, including a never before published 1598 map of Jerusalem, an 1858 lithograph of New York in an orb, and a poster for the Tate Gallery advertising the London transport system. Also included are acknowledged landmarks such as Nolli's 1748 map of Rome, the Turgot map of Paris featuring detailed images of 18th-century Parisian life, and the McIntyre map of Boston.
Customer Reviews:
Out of Date.......2006-06-06
Hard to believe this book's still in print. The author apparently died before the book was published in 1991, and it badly needs updating as the MF camera information dates from that era. Nothing on recent MF cameras, digital, Russian Kievs, etc.
It's pretty light in the information department as well. A casual review of camera models and the author's use of a few of them on a trip here and there do not make for an intensive education in the field of medium-format photography.
Medicore.......2003-02-09
Between digital and lack of acknowledgement of Soviet equipment I found this book medicore in the classes I taught. Wish I'd saved the money for a new camera
Not too bad, but very good for beginners.......2001-10-17
Lief Ericksenn has created an interesting introduction to the medium format field. Many of his pictures are excellent - especially those centering around the space program. The text is a little light, possibly designed for a beginner like myself. Still, there is a great deal of information about composition, darkroom and manufacturers. Perhaps an update to the text is in order. However, considering the number of books written on the subject, I would consider this a must-have for those interested in MF photography.
An initial look at Medium Format.......2001-06-24
This is a good reference and primer for those wishing to explore the medium format world of photography. The logic and language of Ericksenn is easy to read and understand. It is obvious from his work shown, that he is a professional and earnest about this topic. Most serious photographers would not find this text challenging or "new" enough, but a novice may. Some helpful references are the scenics pictured, taken with different lenses and film sizes to demonstrate perspectives etc. Most of the information about the cameras discussed is basically correct, but much of it is dated as of this writing. Some brands of equipment are largely ignored. I found this book "okay", but then I have been deep into this hobby for decades.
Don't buy this book if you need real information!.......2000-04-21
While this book boasts excellent print qualities, along with top notch photo reproduction, it lacks any real information of substance. If you are looking for a book to help you learn the ins and outs of medium format, keep looking. It will not help you with the intricacies of lighting, composing for medium format vs. 35mm, or any other "important" information for the neophyte medium format photographer. I was looking for this type of book, and I was sorely disappointed after reading this title in one evening. Please Mr. Ericksenn, try again.
Book Description
Medium format cameras, which use a larger negative than 35mm cameras, are the tools of choice for most professional photographers. In this guide, the techniques that make medium format photography so popular with professionals are explained in language that even hobbyists can easily understand. All aspects of medium format photography are explored, including equipment selection, composition techniques, and the differences in images produced by single lens reflex and twin lens reflex medium format cameras. This is a great resource for beginners as well as those who wish to improve their medium format photography.
Customer Reviews:
Absolute beginners book.......2005-10-07
I bought this book because I was a serious 35mm amateur photographer who wanted to move into medium format because of the increased quality. I was totally ignorant of the basics of medium format, such as the difference between 120 and 220, so anything I read was helpful. I agree that this is a book for absolute beginners. If you are interested in camera models and history and want a book to add to your photographic library in this category, then you will find this book useful. I really wanted a book with more artistic content, such as extensive discussion of composition in various medium formats, especially 6x6, but was disappointed. In hindsight, I would not buy this book. One would be better to study books of photographs by outstanding medium format photographers in order to enhance understanding of the creative aspects of the medium.
Very informative for a novice........2001-09-08
I read this book because I wanted to move from 35mm to medium format but had no knowledge of or background in it. I really found this book to be helpful to me. It explained the very basics of medium format, cameras, TLR, accessories, metering, etc. very clearly and in terms I could understand. For someone who doesn't have a clue and wants to learn more it really is a great book to begin with. I agree that anyone with a working knowledge of medium format would look for something more advanced, but, for the novice it's perfect.
a book for beginers in medium format.......2001-08-24
I've found the book is writen in a very simple terms. For beginers can be useful, but if you are not a beginer, you won't learn much thinks reading it. As a conclusion, if you want to buy a medium format camera and you don't know anything about it, you can buy this book, but if you are not a beginner, don't spend your money with this book.
Book Description
Learn the advantages and capabilities of medium-format cameras and examine all aspects of medium-format operations, including SLR, twin lens, panoramic, rangefinder, wide angle, press, and view cameras. Also explained and illustrated are lenses and their accessories, motor drives, films, flashes, filters, slides and slide projectors, and more. Includes black and white and color photographs and drawings to illustrate proper use of equipment and various techniques, effects, and possibilities that produce successful photographs with the best possible image quality.
The medium format is truly the format in the middle. It combines many of the benefits of 35 mm photography with those of the large format, making a medium format system an excellent choice for almost all types of photography from candid action with a hand-held camera to critical studio work from a tripod. Special chapters are devoted to these different applications and the type of equipment that most likely meets your photography needs. This book explains clearly the medium format's benefits, advantages, and disadvantages and provides a comparison of the medium format to other formats so you can decide whether it is right for you and your photography.
*The definitive book on medium format, cameras and technique, the most commonly used format of commercial photography
*New material on panoramic format, apochromatic lenses, aspheric lenses, tele extenders, glass and relative illumination, and motor drives
*Updated information on perspective control, tilt controls, built in metering systems, and use of apertures.
Customer Reviews:
Wildi is conservative but makes his point.......2001-06-24
I am a big Ernst Wildi fan! That said, some observations should be noted: Wildi writes lucidly, logically, and tries to teach the reader in every one of his works. His photography is excellent and he really does not hide the fact he is a Hasselblad guru! Perhaps, he assumes that some of his points that are written and diagrammed to demonstrate, are obvious to all readers, and does not go into great depth. Yes, I got it! People wanting more from Ernst on techniques should check out his book, "Achieving the Ultimate Image." These 2 works could have been combined into one; re-titled "The Ultimate Image in Medium Format" or similar.
More focus on Medium Format please!.......1999-08-15
Ernst Wildi's book was quite a disappointment to me, as the title made me believe, that it would be a competent appraisal of the different formats and a recommandation of fields of photography where the size of medium format would win the game. But after a couple of chapters concerned with different formats, cropping and camera types the rest is just an ordinary photography primer with really no news. Additionally the illustrations are often handdrawn and really not of the quality you would expect to find in a book like this.
I feel seriously misguided by the title and wonder if I dare order the other wellknown Ernst Wildi title on a specific medium format brand...
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Medium-format Handbook
Roger Hicks
Manufacturer: Cassell Illustrated
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0713720972 |
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Medium format photography
Kalton C Lahue
Manufacturer: Petersen Pub. Co
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ASIN: 0822740486 |
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Medium Format Photography
Ernst Wildi
Manufacturer: Focal Pr
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Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0240517199 |
Book Description
This is a new translation of one of the classics of the traditions of anarchism and socialism. Pierre-Joseph Proudhon was a contemporary of Marx and one of the most acute, influential, and subversive critics of modern French and European society. What is Property? (1840) has become a classic of political thought through its wide-ranging and deep-reaching critique of private property as at once the essential institution of Western culture and the root cause of greed, corruption, political tyranny, social division, and violation of natural law.
Download Description
Property is impossible; equality does not exist. We hate the former, and yet wish to possess it; the latter rules all our thoughts, yet we know not how to reach it. Who will explain this profound antagonism between our conscience and our will? Who will point out the causes of this pernicious error, which has become the most sacred principle of justice and society?
Customer Reviews:
property.......2006-05-14
proudhon didn't mean all property is theft. he didn't advocate no owner ship. He is indicating that the labourer-boss relationship is bad. that the laborourer deserves the fruits of his work and that they should not be taken away for the sake of making money to the boss and the people on the top of the hiearchy, one of the concepts that anarchism opposes.
The classic of Western European anarchist thought.......2006-02-11
The title is perhaps one of the most famous rhetorical questions ever, and should be placed historically in the same range as "Quo usque tandem, Catilina" etc. Proudhon sets himself the task of analyzing the foundations of modern society, and inevitably is drawn towards a critique of the modern political economy, as was popular in the 19th century.
Just like Locke, he then "reverse engineers" the economic relations to find their basis in private property, but quite unlike Locke he brilliantly argues why this is in fact an evil thing and not a force for good, as Locke thought. Working from the hypothetical "state of nature", he shows how possession during use is a natural phenomenon, but a permanent property claim over something that was once part of nature is a later invention, and has since caused all strife and misery that competition over scarce goods is wont to do.
As a critique of modern society, this work deserves reading by everyone, regardless of whether you approve of current economic structures or not. The only downside to the book is Proudhon's rather messy attempt to offer an additional immanent critique of capitalism, which only leads the reader to conclude economic ignorance. That is a pity, for the question itself is not only worth asking, but of the various historical answers given this is one of the best argued and most radical.
Notable is Proudhon's influence on Marx and their subsequent falling out over Proudhon's idealism, as seen in his later work "The Philosophy of Poverty" and Marx's reply "The Poverty of Philosophy".
A Useful Text.......2004-05-09
Note: The previous reviewer is a known troll on various political discussion boards; he has developed a rabid hatred towards Anarchist ideology, so, if I were a customer considering this book, I would take his review with a grain of salt - it's full of very personal venom. For instance, to put Proudhon and Marx in the same category is blatant proof of the reviewer's prejudices; clearly, he has either not read the text or he is purposefully misrepresenting it. Proudhon would never have supported the authoritarianism espoused by Marx or any of his contemporaries and successors.
Proudhon's discourse on property is a great thing to pit against the theories of Hobbes, Locke, and others. He examines property both as a natural right and as one derived from labor, attempting to prove both as false. Whether or not he successfully does so is up to the reader. This is a great book for people interested in political thought and social theory; regardless of whether or not you are a staunch capitalist or socialist, this book will either give you something to think about. For strong supporters of property, it may help solidify your beliefs while you read it with critical analysis. For opponents of property, it may give you support in your beliefs, or re-affirm that which you already feel.
This book is recommended to any and all interested in the history of modern political thought; you just can't review literature as an ideologue, as the previous reviewer has shamefully done.
Scary stuff.......2003-12-04
One of the basic concepts of Anarchism can be found within this tome, and that is the idea that "property is theft." In other words, the very act of ownership over a resource is a criminal action against the public.
I would venture to say that this book alone has killed more people than the Malleus Maleficarum. Proudhon's basic reasoning is that property depends upon the State, and the State is inherently coercive and tyrannical, therefore property must be abolished along with the State. Marx was influenced by Proudhon, and some of the ideas expressed in the Communist Manifesto are similar to what we see here.
Of course it does not logically follow that the act of ownership over an object is to deprive someone else of their ability to enjoy that object as well. That would mean that everyone is entitled to all the goods and resources the world has to offer. One could easily say "I am entitled to use your house tonight", break in and crawl into your bed. By stopping him, you would be exercising coercion and authority, which under Anarchist precepts, is forbidden.
The movement to abolish private property led to Lenin/Stalin's nationalization efforts. The confiscation of farms and property. Starvation, and even mass murder.
Read it is a curiosity peice, nothing more. It is disturbing that some young people still find Proudhon's theories desirable.
Not against property.......2002-11-22
The idea that Proudhon was against property is one of the greatest myths about him and quite a surprising one as such. His famous statement, "Property is Theft," is later accompanied by, "Property is Liberty." In fact, his whole aim seems to be to show that property on the one hand corrupts, but that this corruption is the only possible basis for liberty - which is the ultimate aim. While Proudhon may be considered a radical, he sure was no leftwinged radical. Read for yourself! Overall he is a bit confused and confusing, his ideas of law and justice rather strange and even disturbing (law is what you cannot avoid admitting, and justice the right balance (supply and demand)). This guy took Smith a bit seriously and didn't care much about Marx's critique of society - although he has some surprisingly great critiques of communism.
Customer Reviews:
Brian Wayne Wells, Esquire, reviews "What is Property?".......1998-01-12
Beginning with the first paragragh, this 1970 English translation of the famous 1840 book by Pierre-Joseph Proudhon answers the question posed in the title. "What is Property? It is theft." This is the most famous quote associated with Proudhon and this book is the original source of that quote.
If there is one book of Proudhon that is read most often it is this book. However, the book was written by Proudhon early in his literary career and some of his later writing depart from the early radicalism portrayed in this book.
Consequently, the student of Proudhon seeking to understand the totality of the Proudhon's life and writings will have to read some of his later and less well-known writings in addition to this work.
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What is Property?
Pierre-Joseph Proudhon
Manufacturer: BiblioBazaar
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 1426474946
Release Date: 2007-03-08 |
Product Description
An Inquiry Into the Principle of Right and of Government
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What is Property?
Pierre-Joseph Proudhon
Manufacturer: Cosimo Classics
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ASIN: 1602060940 |
Book Description
Proudhon's most famous declaration that "property is theft" comes from this, his most famous work, published in French in 1840; the English translation dates from 1890. According to Proudhon, only that which is being used is real property. Land must be lived on or farmed to be property, and goods must have been made by one's own labor to be owned. These new definitions challenge the very basis of capitalist systems, and Proudhon used them as the foundation for his writings in support of anarchy. Activists, historians, and philosophers will find themselves pondering his arguments long after they have finished reading. PIERRE-JOSEPH PROUDHON (1809-1865) was a French political philosopher who wrote extensively on anarchy and was the first person known to have referred to himself as an anarchist. His most famous writings include The General Idea of the Revolution in the 19th Century (1852) and System of Economic Contradictions; or The Philosophy of Poverty (1846).
Product Description
An Inquiry Into the Principle of Right and of Government
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