Math and the Mona Lisa: The Art and Science of Leonardo da Vinci
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Densely Packed with Interesting Information
  • agreeable, but sometimes misses the mark
  • makes for light but informative reading
  • One of Our Favorite Books
  • Bad author...
Math and the Mona Lisa: The Art and Science of Leonardo da Vinci
Bulent Atalay
Manufacturer: Collins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Da Vinci, LeonardoDa Vinci, Leonardo | ( D-F ) | Artists, A-Z | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0060851198
Release Date: 2006-02-21

Book Description

The Nature of Genius

Leonardo da Vinci was one of history's true geniuses, equally brilliant as an artist, scientist, and mathematician. Readers of The Da Vinci Code were given a glimpse of the mysterious connections between math, science, and Leonardo's art. Math and the Mona Lisa picks up where The Da Vinci Code left off, illuminating Leonardo's life and work to uncover connections that, until now, have been known only to scholars.

Following Leonardo's own unique model, Atalay searches for the internal dynamics of art and science, revealing to us the deep unity of the two cultures. He provides a broad overview of the development of science from the dawn of civilization to today's quantum mechanics. From this base of information, Atalay offers a fascinating view into Leonardo's restless intellect and modus operandi, allowing us to see the source of his ideas and to appreciate his art from a new perspective. William D. Phillips, who won the Nobel Prize in physics in 1997, writes of the author, "Atalay is indeed a modern renaissance man, and he invites us to tap the power of synthesis that is Leonardo's model."

Customer Reviews:

3 out of 5 stars Densely Packed with Interesting Information.......2007-07-09

The title of this book is a bit of a misnomer. The main focus of this work is a very comprehensive and interesting history of math and science from Aristarchus to Einstein. Granted, additional emphasis is placed on Leonardo da Vinci and the impact science has upon art, but a reader interested in an in depth treatment of either may be left disappointed. The authors view that Leonardo is a scientist first and artist second is quite intriguing. In the end though, the pace of this book was quite frantic and the author tries to cover too much material.

If you are interested in a more compact and readable history of science, I would recommend Mlodinow's "Euclid's Window".

If you are interested in learning more about Leonardo, no one does it better than his contemporary Giorgio Vasari in the classic "Lives of the Artists".

Finally, if you are interested in learning more about the wonders of the Golden Ratio, then Livio's "Golden Ratio" is the gold standard.

3 out of 5 stars agreeable, but sometimes misses the mark.......2007-06-30

BA writes a boisterous and expansive book loosely focusing on Leonardo da Vinci, but more towards the interplay of science and art. I accept his thesis and am happy the world has those his bubbly enthusiasm for physics and art. I share some of this enthusiasm! That said, I wish the book were edited more tightly. I found myself skimming many passages, some of which were repetitive. This may be because I was already sold from the outset. I suspect the author is outstanding in the classroom; the book, however, reads a bit too much like an enthusiastic and entertaining lecture. I think readers of Dava Sobol may enjoy this work, but will find Sobol more compelling.

4 out of 5 stars makes for light but informative reading.......2007-05-26

Math and the Mona Lisa attempts to show similarities between the arts and the sciences. What I found most interesting about this book, though, was the discussion of Leonardo Da Vinci and secondarily the discussion of the relation of Fibonacci Numbers to art. The author describes both Leonardo's life in science and his life in art. I knew a fair amount about Leonardo Da Vinci's work from other books but still managed to learn more from this book. This is a long discussion of his inventions and his ways of thinking about art and also his life and times. I think this book fails on it's attempt to relate art and science as the author got bogged down in his explanations of Leonardo Da Vinci, but it is worth reading for these descriptions alone. So I recommend this book if you are interested in learning about Leonardo Da Vinci and secondarily the use of Fibonnacci Numbers in art and science but don't expect telling observations about the interconnectedness of art and science.

5 out of 5 stars One of Our Favorite Books.......2007-05-03

You don't need a PH.d in math to read and enjoy this amazing book. "Math and the The Mona Lisa" gave us an invaluable insight into the mind of Leonardo Da Vinci. Bulent Atalay truly has a gift for clearly illuminating the inherent connection between nature and science. Dr. Atalay has transformed what could have been a dry and complex subject for the average reader, into a fascinating and mysterious revelation about the powerful effect of the Divine Proportion in our world. Age-old math is presented in a new and fascinating way, describing the Divine Proportion's influence on everything from nature to art to the proportion of the human body itself. Finally, a book that explains this in a way we can all understand and enjoy!
Bravo!
Sara and Ruth Levy, Authors and Fashion Consultants
Paris & California

1 out of 5 stars Bad author..........2006-10-26

Author presented the book to a class by first starting out with a discussion of UFOs, spewing forth misinformation throughout the discussion. If he's wrong on that, the book isn't worth reading.
Math and the Mona Lisa : The Art and Science of Leonardo da Vinci
Average customer rating: Not rated
    Math and the Mona Lisa : The Art and Science of Leonardo da Vinci
    Bulent Atalay
    Manufacturer: Collins
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Paperback
    ASIN: B000OF9N8G

    Marker Magic: The Rendering Problem Solver for Designers
    Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
    • Helpful
    • Wonderful rendering tips!
    • I absolutely love this book!
    • Questions Answered Here
    Marker Magic: The Rendering Problem Solver for Designers
    Richard M. McGarry , and Greg Madsen
    Manufacturer: Wiley
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Hardcover

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    ASIN: 0471284343

    Book Description

    Discover the art of rendering with markers through:

    Customer Reviews:

    3 out of 5 stars Helpful.......2007-03-12

    This book is helpful if you are trying to find your style of marker rendering it has a lot of helpful information and examples.

    5 out of 5 stars Wonderful rendering tips!.......2006-02-01

    This book was very helpful in showing me different rendering techniques used by varying artists. From minimalist, neutral shading to full blown, vibrant color renderings, this book covered them all.
    Great tips on which marker colors to use to achieve a particular 'look'...such as glass, metal, wood, etc.
    Highly recommend.

    5 out of 5 stars I absolutely love this book!.......2004-06-19

    This book got me through architectural school. Hand renderings were never my strong point until I got this book. My rendering skills went up considerably (along with my confidence and grades) and I still reference this book today in my professional career. The book gives great examples and the tips from the professionals are very informative. This is definately one of the best books on how to make professional looking presentations.

    5 out of 5 stars Questions Answered Here.......2000-02-29

    The question and answer format of this book is useful and allows a different kind of organization to its contents. It also incorporates the work of a broad cross-section of designers. This allows the editors to expose you to many of the best in different fields in which markers are used to increase the effectiveness of visual communication. While certainly useful for the beginner, it will also stimulate the more experienced designer.
    WALT DISNEY IMAGINEERING: A BEHIND-THE-DREAMS LOOK AT MAKING THE MAGIC REAL
    Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
    • Very inspiring, if not completely detailed
    • Spectacular Book!!
    • I admit it...
    • great book for the Disney fan
    • Any Imagineering Enthusiast Needs this Book
    WALT DISNEY IMAGINEERING: A BEHIND-THE-DREAMS LOOK AT MAKING THE MAGIC REAL
    The Imagineers
    Manufacturer: Disney Editions
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Paperback

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    ASIN: 0786883723

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars Very inspiring, if not completely detailed.......2007-09-05

    I loved this book because it has so many pictures. It is most interesting to see aspects of the rides that you might not get to view by visiting the park. The enthusiasm of this book is inspiring for anyone who is interested in theme park design. It does not get into anthing too technical, or show you what an Imagineer does from day to day on a regular basis. I would reccomend this book if you are interested in seeing Disneyland from another angle or if you want to be a theme park designer. It is a very good book if you aren't looking for technical advice, just to have fun and get excited!

    5 out of 5 stars Spectacular Book!!.......2007-07-11

    Fabulous book!! Framable quality pages and chock FULL of amazing images. Details the making of films and has frame by frame development by the Imagineers. If the book seems a little spendy, it is. And it is worth it. Not just a coffee table book. You will page through it over and over again and find new things each time!

    4 out of 5 stars I admit it..........2007-04-02

    ...I didn't realize that Imagineering was going to be exclusively based on the Disney theme parks. I was... well, more than a little disappointed when I opened it up and looked for the many illustrations and stuff about the making of the movies, that I confess I thought would be there. The book in itself was nicely put together, and DOES look attractive, in terms of what was in there. I can clearly see why anyone would greatly enjoy it. Nevertheless, in my case it sits collecting dust on my shelf.

    I blame myself: I should have looked just a little deeper in what the book was going to be about, before purchasing it. A technical explanation of the process of the theme parks' creation was... uh, boring. *laugh*

    5 out of 5 stars great book for the Disney fan.......2006-11-10

    This is a beautiful informative book. My kids just enjoy looking at the pictures from their favorite movies and the theme parks. The accompanying stories are interesting and full of fun facts. So much is written about the imagineers it's nice to find one book that is first hand accounts and backgroundn info. If you've ever visited WDW or Disneyland this book gives you a whole new insight into what went into creating these magical places.

    5 out of 5 stars Any Imagineering Enthusiast Needs this Book.......2005-12-01

    Anyone who has ever dreamed of being an imagineer needs this book. It has interesting construction photographs and artist renderings, however it doesn't have as much in depth and truly new information as I hoped it would. Overall, worth the money.
    Magic Drafting
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      Magic Drafting
      Gabriella Kovac
      Manufacturer: Kangaroo Press
      ProductGroup: Book
      Binding: Paperback

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      Magic of Samll Spaces (Interior Design)
      Average customer rating: Not rated
        Magic of Samll Spaces (Interior Design)

        Manufacturer: Silverback Books, Inc.
        ProductGroup: Book
        Binding: Hardcover
        ASIN: 1596372435

        Book Description

        Created for the challenges that face people living in small spaces, The Magic of Small Spaces is a cleverly illustrated book that takes a look at contemporary places where people live that are small. Organized by square footage, each dwelling includes a floor plan and photography of its interior that illustrates how to maximize the space at hand. Including smart ideas for storage, furniture, and built in components.

        Homicidal Psycho Jungle Cat: A Calvin and Hobbes Collection
        Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
        • Just a Little Twisted
        Homicidal Psycho Jungle Cat: A Calvin and Hobbes Collection

        Manufacturer: Andrews McMeel Publishing
        ProductGroup: Book
        Binding: Hardcover

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        ASIN: 0740722999

        Product Description

        Calvin and Hobbes the sensationally popular comic strip dynamic duo--are ready to pounce back on bestseller lists nationwide with this all-new collection of daily and color Sunday cartoons. All eight previous Calvin and Hobbes collections have sold more than 1 million copies in the first year of publication.

        Customer Reviews:

        5 out of 5 stars Just a Little Twisted.......2006-09-09

        This collection of Calvin and Hobbes strips is just a bit more twisted than many of the other Calvin and Hobbes collections. The very first strip in the book sets the tone. In the middle of the night Calvin wakes up and says he's thirsty. Calvin then goes for a drink of water. Hobbes jumps off the bed and pounces on Calvin as he makes his way back to bed. He parents find him in the hall with Hobbes on top of him, mumbling "homicidal psycho jungle cat."

        While the opening strip is humorous, there are even better strips. Another of my favorites is one of Calvin's infamous "show and tell" strips. Calvin says he has nothing for show and tell, but he tells everyone that during the daytime his mom puts on a patriotic leotard, a cape and knee-high, high-heeled boots to fight crime. The teacher sends a note home with Calvin that his parent's look over together. His father's comment? "Wow, show me that outfit sometime."

        The breadth of strips is consistent with other Calvin and Hobbes books, but for some reason these strips gave me more laughs than many of my other Calvin and Hobbes Books. However, the funniest strips often seem to be the cruelest. For example, Suzy follows a series of signs regarding an "important message," ending in a sign that says, "Important message: Look Out!" We then see Calvin sitting on a branch dropping a snowball, saying, "It's like shooting fish in a barrel."

        I enjoy Calvin and Hobbes a lot. Of all the illustrated books I have, Calvin and Hobbes are among the funniest, and the most consistent. This particular collection is particularly funny, though a bit more bizarre than many of the other collections. However, it is the twisted nature of some of the strips that make them so interesting and funny. If you are a Calvin and Hobbes fan or just looking for a smile, here is an excellent book.
        The Cats of Our Lives: Funny and Heartwarming Remeninscences of Feline Companions (Isis Large Print Nonfiction)
        Average customer rating: Not rated
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          Manufacturer: ISIS Large Print Books
          ProductGroup: Book
          Binding: Hardcover

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          ASIN: 0753154749
          Wuffy the Wonder Dog
          Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
          • Woof!
          • Wonderful! Definitely worth your time.
          • Lovely Stories
          • Great read for kids of all ages
          • Wuffy will steal your heart
          Wuffy the Wonder Dog
          Margaret Morgan
          Manufacturer: WingSpan Press
          ProductGroup: Book
          Binding: Paperback
          ASIN: 1595940340

          Book Description

          Wuffy the Wonder Dog, the "one and only" Wuffy in the entire world, is a puppy of many talents. He is most proud of his operatic voice and his bushy tail, both of which often get him into trouble. Though the road to wisdom is not a straight path for Wuffy the Wonder Dog, he learns many lessons along the way. He also teaches his readers the power of friendship and forgiveness.Young readers ages six to ten, and also pet lovers of any age, will be captivated with Wuffy's hilarious adventures.

          Customer Reviews:

          5 out of 5 stars Woof!.......2006-01-08

          A charming, witty and touching book that never insults its young readers' intelligence. It is certain to delight children and parents alike. I look forward to the next installment in what I hope will be a series of books about the loveable, good-natured and clever Wuffy, the dog with a heart of gold. More, please!

          5 out of 5 stars Wonderful! Definitely worth your time. .......2005-12-24

          Excellent book! I couldn't put it down either of the times I read it. It's funny, touching, and extremely well-written. Adults and children alike will (and do!) love it.

          5 out of 5 stars Lovely Stories.......2005-12-24

          Very funny book about very sunny dog and his "Family".
          I was smiling as long as I was reading.
          Wuffy, You made my day.

          5 out of 5 stars Great read for kids of all ages.......2005-12-24

          Wuffy the Wonder Dog is a collection of short stories featuring Wuffy and his best friend, Elizabeth. Elizabeth is a well-educated and sophisticated cat, and Wuffy never stops trying to impress her with his many talents. Wuffy always means well, but he gets into more scrapes than any dog I've ever met. In one story, he is a scientist experimenting on chocolate. In another, he's a doctor who cures sick little girls better than chicken soup. Each story has another unique situation exploring the many facets of this adorable but somewhat arrogant little dog. This is a wonderful read-aloud book for all ages, or a read-alone book for elementary readers. The gorgeous illustrations compliment the well-written story. I can highly recommend this book to any and all.

          5 out of 5 stars Wuffy will steal your heart.......2005-12-18

          What a sweet book! Wuffy is charming, innocent, and funny, he instantly wins you over. The book manages to be both adorable and educational, and it will be enjoyed by both the children and parents. The book is broken into short stories that are perfect size for a bedtime reading.
          We Are the Cat: Life Through the Eyes of the Royal Feline
          Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
          • One of the funniest and most truthful books about cats
          We Are the Cat: Life Through the Eyes of the Royal Feline
          Terry Bain
          Manufacturer: Harmony
          ProductGroup: Book
          Binding: Hardcover

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          ASIN: 0307339181
          Release Date: 2006-08-29

          Book Description

          Do you wonder what your cat is thinking while stalking the tablecloth fringe or racing through the living room on clearly important but ultimately mysterious business? As a mere human being, or “Lap” as they call our kind, you might never guess the complexities of the feline mind. But fear not, dear reader, you are about to be taken into the confidence of a cat.

          The Door
          “When we are inside the house we are often thinking of the outside, of how many cats may be walking through our yard, sitting on our fences, leaving scentmarkings for us to find. So we go to the door and wait at the door and wonder, again, what on earth is the purpose of the door.”

          A Paper Bag
          “We have spent many hours attempting to discover the secrets of the paper bag, to no avail. Even when we surprise it, leaping from a high place, the paper bag acts exactly the same way, and we find no creature inside. How does that work? By what physical laws does it operate? It is a mystery. And we do love a good mystery. Just not at our expense.”

          In the Sink
          “We do not understand or appreciate your fascination with our occupation of the sink portion of the household. The reasons we are here, in the sink—despite the risk of wetness—are obvious, are they not? The sink is cooler than most places in the house. The coolness from the sink surrounds us as no other coolness can surround us. If there was a sink Out of Doors, that would be one less reason for us to come home at night. But there isn’t a sink Out of Doors. So here we are. In the sink. Trying to sleep. Just a nap, you know.”


          Hilarious and clever, silly yet profound, We Are the Cat brings you into the inner life of cats, revealing the many joys hidden in a piece of string, the deliciousness of sleeping in a sink or in the sunshine, the endless mystery of what is on the other side of the door, and what our cats really see as they observe us from their perches.


          A NOTE FROM AUTHOR TERRY BAIN’S CAT

          Dear Reader,

          When we first heard that the “author” of this book—or, as we sometimes refer to him, Scratch—was writing about us, we were nonplussed. But then we gave it some thought. Some timely and careful consideration. And we have come to the following conclusion: We are not inclined to allow him to write a book about us. We have been watching him, and reading what he’s written so far—the book about dogs and such, with references to us scattered about—and we do not entirely approve. (We also would ask why on earth he would choose to write about dogs before writing about cats. This we feel speaks directly to his character, and we therefore must assume that he is more seriously flawed than we previously thought. So, no, he should not write this book.)

          It isn’t that we don’t agree with much of what he has written about dogs (though what we have read makes little sense to us. We understand “reading,” and “language,” but the sense it makes is much like dogs themselves—that is, not much sense at all). We would hope that should he write a book about us that we will not be made the butt of his jokes. We are in favor of people knowing us better so as to leave us alone more often (when we want to be left alone), or to appreciate us as they should (when we want to be appreciated). But we are not in favor of a book that does not take us seriously, or that paints a picture of us that is untoward, or that is otherwise not written by a cat. He is not a cat and therefore should not be allowed to write such a book, no matter how seriously he writes about us, no matter how catlike he seems to be at times (or doglike, as it were, which we think should disqualify him altogether). We do not wish him to speak for us. We will speak for ourselves.

          Kind regards,
          Swiper

          Customer Reviews:

          5 out of 5 stars One of the funniest and most truthful books about cats.......2006-10-05

          This book is WONDERFUL. Scratch (I will use his cat-given name) is a fabulous writer who strikes the exactly correct tone. Anyone who has ever lived with a cat will enjoy this book. I have read many cat behavior books, many books on cats biology and genetics, as well as some sentimental memoirs about life with cats. This book, however, encapsulates just about everything with wit and joy.
          Funny Cats
          Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
          • Just cute and full of surprises.
          Funny Cats

          Manufacturer: Welcome Books
          ProductGroup: Book
          Binding: Hardcover

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          ASIN: 0941807118

          Customer Reviews:

          4 out of 5 stars Just cute and full of surprises........1998-12-10

          I love photos of cats. Most of time cats are just starring at me, making no expression at all. This book offers another side of them with many funny cats.
          The Funny Thing
          Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
          • Strange and gorgeous - illustrations and wierd tale
          • Fun book to read together
          • The Funny Thing
          • Three Generations of Jumjills
          • One of my mother's favorites as a child, and mine too @ 72.
          The Funny Thing
          Wanda Gag
          Manufacturer: University of Minnesota Press
          ProductGroup: Book
          Binding: Hardcover

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          Book Description

          The Funny Thing is Gág's follow-up to her well-loved first book, Millions of Cats. It tells the story of a curious dragon-like "aminal" that eats children's dolls. A kindly old man named Bobo cannot stand by and allow the Funny Thing to steal dolls from children. He entices it to eat "jum-jills," a concoction he makes up from seven nut cakes, five seed puddings, two cabbage salads, and fifteen little cheeses, all rolled into little balls. A happy ending is assured when the Funny Thing discovers he loves jum-jills and is convinced that they will make his tail grow longer and his blue points grow more beautiful. He returns each day for the treats and never eats another doll.

          Best known for her Newbery Honor winner, Millions of Cats, Wanda Gág (1893-1946) was a pioneer in children's book writing and illustration. Her ground-breaking technique of integrating illustrations with the text is evident in all of her classic books. Born in New Ulm, Minnesota, she rose from poverty to international acclaim as a children's book author, artist, and illustrator. In recognition of her artistry, she was posthumously awarded the 1958 Lewis Carroll Shelf Award for Millions of Cats and the 1977 Kerlan Award for her body of work.

          Customer Reviews:

          5 out of 5 stars Strange and gorgeous - illustrations and wierd tale.......2007-02-12

          This is a great story, strangely and gorgeously illustrated. It is the story of Bobo, a man who makes food for all the animals - only one day a 'funny thing' comes along. It is not an animal, it insists it is an aMinal.

          The funny thing won't eat any of the food Bobo has for the animals, but says he loves eating dolls, not just any dolls, the dolls of very good children. Bobo doesn't like this, so he says he has something much better than dolls, and goes to make it. Something which will make the aMinals tail grow longer, and his beautiful blue points on his back get bluer and more beautiful. The aminal likes the sound of htis and waits happily. Bobo goes back to his house and mixes all the animals food in together and makes a jim jill which he gives to the aminal - which loves it. His tail does grow longer - and his points more beautiful.

          A wonderful story of goodness, patience and distraction. Nice lessons for children (and adults!) here. Loved the illustrations - from the same author as Too many cats!

          5 out of 5 stars Fun book to read together.......2007-01-03

          When my children were small they got this book from the library every other time we went, and I just ordered it for my grandchildren. Great to read together - ages maybe 4-7.

          4 out of 5 stars The Funny Thing.......2005-07-16

          At a local used bookstore, while walking along the picture books aisle, I spotted a text that looked like it had at six to seven decades on it's shoulders. The book was The Funny Thing (a first library edition, too), one that I'd heard of, and even more important, one by Wanda Gag. For those of you who don't know, Wanda Gag is perhaps the best picture book author/illustrator of the 20's and 30's. Ms. Gag was the recipient of two Newbery Honor awards (for writting) and two Caldecott Honor awards (for her beautifully-detailed pen-and-ink drawings). And though Ms. Gag wrote only a handful of books, her illustrations were some of the first in picture book history to be recognized as 'real' art. That's what makes each of them special.

          Now onto the review. Within the first page of the story, we are introduced to Bobo, a baby-faced man who lives in a cave on top of the mountains all by his lonesome. Well, except for the animals, which Bobo takes time out to feed every day. He even has a stand where animals can feast on an assortment of dainties including, "nut cakes for the fuzzy-tailed squirrels" and "seed puddings for the pretty fluttering birds". Everything goes well for Bobo until on a beautiful day, he encounters an animal that looks like a cross between a dog and a dragon. This 'funny thing', as he calls it, talks, insisting that it is an aMinal, rather than an animal. The funny thing then asks what Bobo has for him to eat. After showing the funny thing all the different types of food he has to offer, and the funny thing rejecting each food, Bobo learns of what The Funny Thing loves to eat. Dolls. Yes, dolls. Bobo is terribly upset that The Funny Thing eats dolls, thinking of all the small children left doll-less by the aminals appetite. So Bobo decides to combine all the foods he has to make something The Funny Thing might actually like. And it works. But there's one problem: The Funny Things tails keeps growing longer and nothing can seem to stop it.

          Wanda Gags creativity cannot be matched, and her books are some of the few that are just as good as they were the day they were published. The text in the story, as you may have noticed are hand-lettered. And, like always, the pictures are amazing. I'm tellin' you guys, Wanda Gag's work is some of the best out there.

          R, your friendly neighborhood reviewer

          5 out of 5 stars Three Generations of Jumjills.......2002-01-13

          Imagine my feelings when I couldn't locate my "over 50" years old copy of The Funny Thing! Not only can I repeat the whole story but also my children and their children. Problem is I can't find my copy and without the pictures, I feel a little lost. This book is a tradition in our family and the uncountable times I have served the children "jumjills" has become a family joke. An invaluable book - wonderful story, but then I've always been a Wanda Gag fan - and so are my children and grandchildren.

          5 out of 5 stars One of my mother's favorites as a child, and mine too @ 72........1998-11-13

          A delightful dragon with an apetite for "jum-jills" sits on top of a mountain devouring them. The drawings beautifully show his tail growing longer and longer as it curls around the peak. I must have a copy for my grandchildren!
          Palmer Cox's Funny Animals
          Average customer rating: Not rated
            Palmer Cox's Funny Animals
            Palmer Cox
            Manufacturer: M. A. Donohue & Co.
            ProductGroup: Book
            Binding: Hardcover

            GeneralGeneral | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
            ASIN: B000M3QMO8

            Product Description

            Animal stories with black and white illustrations.
            The Cats of Our Lives: Funny and Heartwarming Reminiscences of Feline Companions
            Average customer rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
            • Dozens of Cat Lovers Talk About Their Cats
            • Don't bother!
            • Wonderful book if you love cats...
            The Cats of Our Lives: Funny and Heartwarming Reminiscences of Feline Companions
            Franklin Dohanyos
            Manufacturer: Citadel
            ProductGroup: Book
            Binding: Hardcover

            GeneralGeneral | Cats | Animal Care & Pets | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
            GeneralGeneral | Animal Care & Pets | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
            GeneralGeneral | Veterinary Medicine | Medicine | Subjects | Books
            Collections & ReadersCollections & Readers | United States | World Literature | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
            Animal HusbandryAnimal Husbandry | Agricultural Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books
            ASIN: 1559724870

            Customer Reviews:

            4 out of 5 stars Dozens of Cat Lovers Talk About Their Cats.......2005-08-09

            This is a nice book to give to a cat owner. It has 79 pieces about cats, written by a variety of people with the common bond of loving cats. It begins with a poem by T.S. Eliot on the three names that each cat has (and you thought that your cat had only one name). Dave Barry contributes his look at cats. Don Knotts tells us how his cat gets stranded while climbing tall, mesh drapes. You may not have a dry eye after you read Gail Brennan's, "Ode to Sissy." There is a judge who keeps his cat in his courtroom for its calming effect during trials. There are stories by pro athletes and by people in all walks of life, each sharing a love of cats. We see Socks (President Clinton's cat), Garfield, and Felix. It's an enjoyable book.

            1 out of 5 stars Don't bother!.......2005-02-03

            This is a terrible, stupid, annoying book. One pointless anecdote after another, ninety percent of them being along the lines of "Well we had this great cat once, she kept having kittens and oh they were so cute. She finally got run over by a car one day and we were sad. We will always remember our wonderful cat."

            One story excerpted from a book by Sonia Fitzpatrick abruptly stops several paragraphs before the end. Another seems to be just as stupidly truncated, but I couldn't verify it, as I could with Ms. Fitzpatrick's story.

            Who are the rest of these people? And why did anyone see fit to fill an entire book with their badly written and (mostly) irresponsible reminiscences? Do yourself a favor, skip this book.


            5 out of 5 stars Wonderful book if you love cats..........1999-06-05

            Ever want a book with stories and snippets about cats or a good gift for a cat lover, this is it!!!
            A bunny, a bird, a funny cat
            Average customer rating: Not rated
              A bunny, a bird, a funny cat
              Miriam Schlein
              Manufacturer: Abelard-Schuman
              ProductGroup: Book
              Binding: Unknown Binding

              Children's BooksChildren's Books | Subjects | Books | Baby-3 | Ages 4-8 | Ages 9-12 | Animals | Arts & Music | Books on Cassette | Books on CD | Authors & Illustrators, A-Z | Computers | Educational | History & Historical Fiction | Issues | Literature | Obsessions | People & Places | Popular Characters | Reference & Nonfiction | Religions | Science, Nature & How It Works | Series | Sports & Activities
              GeneralGeneral | Education | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
              ASIN: B0007IYFJW
              The Funny Book of Cats (The Funny Book of Series)
              Average customer rating: Not rated
                The Funny Book of Cats (The Funny Book of Series)
                B. Hale
                Manufacturer: Brockhampton Press
                ProductGroup: Book
                Binding: Hardcover

                GeneralGeneral | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
                GeneralGeneral | Cats | Animal Care & Pets | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
                ASIN: 1860194621

                The Maximortal Collected Edition #1: The King Hell Heroica Volume 1
                Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
                • TUNDRA
                • Deserves further attention and analysis
                The Maximortal Collected Edition #1: The King Hell Heroica Volume 1
                Rick Veitch
                Manufacturer: King Hell Press
                ProductGroup: Book
                Binding: Paperback

                GeneralGeneral | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books
                GeneralGeneral | Graphic Novels | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books
                ContemporaryContemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
                ASIN: 0962486434

                Book Description

                The Maximortal tells the origin of the ultimate heroic idea made flesh, and its hidden impact on 20th century history. Beginning with a thunderous explosion over the Siberian subcontinent, through the atomic devastation of Hiroshima and beyond, The Maximortal is a true epic told through the astonishing stories of the human beings caught in its ever-widening wake.

                Customer Reviews:

                5 out of 5 stars TUNDRA.......2004-05-08

                Clarification: TUNDRA was not owned by Steve Bissette, it was owned by Kevin Eastman of TMNT fame.
                Everything Vietch has done has been tops...

                4 out of 5 stars Deserves further attention and analysis.......2003-05-21

                Originally published as a seven-issue series by Stephen Bissette's company Tundra, this postmodern take on mythic superheroes has been overlooked by many folks in lieu of story cycles auch as the Watchmen and Miracleman. Veitch's approach, while much darker and desperate, is well worth reading. Representing a Superman-like alien and a clueless and confused -- but caring -- Kent-like victims family, Veitch's origin story is more dire and dangerous. His inclusion of such historical and literary figures as Sherlock Holmes, Siegel and Shuster, Robert Oppenheimer, and Albert Einstein adds a layer of neo-fictional nuance but slightly confuses matters. In the end, it is the Carlos Castenada-inspired character El Guano who plays a role in the Maximortal's momentary taming. Veitch's Afterword further explodes the icon of Nietzsche's Superman. It's not quite Cavalier and Clay, but the Maximortal deserves further attention and analysis.

                (This review originally appeared in Heath Row's Media Diet -- [...]

                Books:

                1. Miller's Guide to Framing and Roofing (Miller's Guides)
                2. Mirrors of Infinity: The French Formal Garden and 17th-Century Metaphysics
                3. Mudworks: Creative Clay, Dough, and Modeling Experiences (Kohl, Mary Ann F. Bright Ideas for Learning Centers.)
                4. MVRDV: Reads
                5. New Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain Workbook: Guided Practice in the Five Basic Skills of Drawing
                6. New Profits from Old Buildings: Private Enterprise Approaches to Making Preservation Pay
                7. Newspaper Designer's Handbook with CD-ROM
                8. Oscar Niemeyer: Houses
                9. Painting Better Landscapes
                10. Pueblo Architecture and Modern Adobes: The Residential Designs of William Lumpkins

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