W.S. Van Dyke's Journal

Book Description

The colorful W.S. Woody Van Dyke directed many of MGM's most outstanding films during the 1920s and 1930s including: The Thin Man; Rose-Marie; Tarzan, the Ape Man; and White Shadows in the South Seas. Assembles previously unavailable source material and is illustrated with rare behind-the-scenes photographs covering all phases of Van Dyke's career.

Customer Reviews:

The Wonderful World of One-Shot Woody.......2001-01-04

Finally--a biography on one of the most unjustly neglected contract directors of Hollywood's Golden Age, William Van Dyke (1889-1943).

Van Dyke (who's career began as an assistant director on D.W. Griffith's 1916 masterpiece of poetic-overkill, Intolerance) earned the nickname "One-Shot Woody" because of his reputation for churning out entertaining, financially successful films on schedule and under budget. Indeed, a great irony of his start with Griffith is that the high priest of studio extravagance, Erich von Stroheim, was also a Griffith assistant at the same time--too bad Van Dyke didn't assist him later in the 20's on Greed!

Though primarily remembered for such highly entertaining films as The Thin Man (he directed the first three in the series), Rose Marie, Manhattan Melodrama and It's a Wonderful World in the 1930's, Van Dyke initially gained the attention of MGM Studios with his unique ability to take over another director's muddled project and turn this sow's ear into a silk purse. Van Dyke was given his initial such opportunity in the last days of the silents in 1928--with the reigns of Robert Flaherty's follow-up to Nanook of the North--White Shadows of the South Seas. Not only did he salvage a successful movie, he created a silent masterpiece which stands next to F.W. Murnau's Sunrise for the sheer beauty of its images and timeless handling of its subject matter, which concerns white mercenaries' shameless exploitation of nature and a peaceful island society (Maybe George W. Bush should see this film before he goes blundering into the Alaskan wildlife preserve in the name of oil).

This is Van Dyke's working journal--a priceless, day to day insight into a time of creative filmaking that has forever vanished and our motion picture heritage is all the much richer for it.

Book Description

In this major anime work of the last decade, Director Hideaki Anno used the medium to exorcise private demons, leaving hardcore anime fans questioning his complex, fascinating characters. This book answers those numerous questions.

Customer Reviews:

A Thorough Disappointment.......2007-06-20

I was excited and eager to see a book on Evangelion published in the English language. Upon reading this book, I'm inclined to disavow the existance of this book entirely. The book seems to have been rushed, poorly proofed, and written for no other reason than to have a product about Evangelion for sale. It would appear that the authors made an effort to do some original research, but it falls flat on its face, as it is riddled with mistakes, speculation, mistakes, and misconceptions that had long been disspelled in the fan community. This book will only serve to spread more misconception to fans of the show in their search of answers and commentary. I can't recommend this to anybody but the extremely hardcore Evangelion fans for the purpose of snickering and belittlement. If you're looking for something Eva related to read, I would suggest picking up The Notenki Memoirs instead.

Interesting, but factually flawed........2004-09-13

This is an interesting guide, and adds some interesting information about the Evangelion series. That said, it is filled with factual, typographical, and just plain careless errors.

For instance, the "Muldock Organization" was actually the "Marduk Institute" (at least in the subbed/dubbed English versions). "Marduk" is significant, as Marduk is a Babylonian god who rose through the ranks from a youth to become the head of his pantheon. This isn't addressed in the book, since the author didn't make the connection.

Another factual error: the book states of the Spear of Longinus that "Longinus was the name of the soldier who stabbed the already crucified Jesus with his spear, killing Him as a result." What? No he didn't. According to John 19:34 (NIV), Longinus pierced Jesus' side after Jesus was dead (from the crucifixion).

That's a really, really careless error, and a big one...and easy enough to have checked.

The rest of it can be at most interesting, but honestly, you can find this SAME information online at fan sites, for free. Let my waste of money be enough. I'm giving this two stars, generously, since it did give me some clarity on a few issues.

Disappointing..........2004-07-23

This addresses the author(s): The cover that claims, " An Essential Source For Every Anime Fan" is true-- if you are directing this to fans who are going to criticize all the basic facts of Evangelion that were messed up in this book, that is. I anticipated such a book to come out, but only to find it utterly disappointing with just even the countless spelling and editing that were overlooked. If facts are going to be presented, make sure you have the right characters involved. The setup of Chronology was in disarray. Certain events were treated separately when really some should be together. There are information that this book presents as facts that I've not even heard of-- possibly assumptions that present no substance on a solid level in terms of any event depicted in the graphic novels, movies, or the NGE series. I read only 50 pages of it, and I'm on the verge of not reading it anymore.

Mistakes I can note at the moment: AT Field spelled AC Field on a certain page. Eva Unit 03 placed in an event that really belonged to Eva Unit 02.

As Bad as I Feared.......2004-07-21

This sort of book has the bad habit of only being information that one could glean from actually watching the work in question. However, the write up promised something a bit more, so I bought it. 90% of the book is what you would expect from an "unofficial secrets" book. However, towards the end, there is some genuine interpretative work. Unfortunately, this section is not very much based on the actual text of Evangelion, and is pretty obviously not quite right to anyone who has seen it. The author tries to apply some Freudian criticism, but his understand is rather facile and surface-y, not going beyond the pseudo-Freudian langauge esatblished int eh series itself.

Aside from the relative banality of the text, there are numerous typos and a fair number of factual errors. The author has the habit of referring tot he two halves of Edn of Eva as episodes 25 and 26, which while sort of correct, is very confusing. The occasional examinations of much merchidise Eva has pushed and movie tickets it sold are rather distracting in what's supposed to be an examination of it as a work.

In the end, this book is only for hardcore Eva fans who can't understand Japanese themsleves, since this book, translated from Japaneses, translates text taken from Eva very differently from the official US releases in many cases.

Average customer rating:

The New Closed Sicilian

How to smash the Sicilian

The Ultimate Closed Sicilian
Gary Lane
Manufacturer: Batsford
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Starting Out: Closed Sicilian (Starting Out - Everyman Chess)

The Bishop's Opening Explained

Attacking with 1e4 (Everyman Chess)

Play 1e4 e5: A Complete Repertiore for Black in the Open Games (Everyman Chess)

Play The Open Games As Black

ASIN: 0713486872

Customer Reviews:

The New Closed Sicilian.......2002-10-03

The Closed Sicilian is a good way to beat the Sicilian Defence. It is easy to understand and there is always a big chance to attack. I have played it on the internet and won games against players rated USCF 2150, which is three hundred points higher than me!! Mr Lane includes lots of fantastic games by White although I am not sure if I can remember everything.
A great book if you want to beat the Sicilian.

How to smash the Sicilian.......2002-07-12

In this book Gary Lane reveals a reliable opening system against the Sicilian. It has potential for kingside attacks and leads to middlegames where White has an easy plan. I also bought 'Winning with the Closed Sicilian' also by Lane many years ago but this is a completely new product.
I have won many games with this opening system because I can follow a basic plan without having to remember lots of moves.
A great book.

Starting Out: Closed Sicilian (Starting Out - Everyman Chess)

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An in-depth guide for intermediate to advanced chess players

Starting Out: Closed Sicilian (Starting Out - Everyman Chess)
Richard Palliser
Manufacturer: Everyman Chess
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1857444140

Customer Reviews:

An in-depth guide for intermediate to advanced chess players.......2006-08-09

English International master Richard Palliser presents Starting Out: Closed Sicilian, an in-depth guide for intermediate to advanced chess players. Staring Out: Closed Sicilian offers the white- piece chess player an aggressive way to attack the Sicilian while avoiding the extreme complexity of opening theory associated with Open Sicilians. Being aware of core themes is more important than memorizing variations in the Closed Sicilian, making it valuable to players who prefer to immerse themselves in the experience of the game rather than rely heavily on rote study. Examples and sample chess problems, and illustrative chess diagrams on almost every page offer highly descriptive case-based breakdown of theory and execution. Starting Out: Closed Sicilian lives up to the high quality and exacting professional standards of in-depth chess guides from Everyman Chess.

Average customer rating:

huh?
good book
This book covers many different Closed Sicilian lines
The last chapter alone is worth the book
CLOSED SICILIAN, NICELY DONE

Closed Sicilian
Daniel King
Manufacturer: Chess Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Starting Out: Closed Sicilian (Starting Out - Everyman Chess)

ASIN: 1901259064

Customer Reviews:

huh?.......2004-11-20

Who is writing these other reviews? This book was put together in a weekend. He has no passion for this variation, and really only selected some games, looked up the variations in some other books, and added some comments. There is no research above and beyond, too bad king, I thought you were better than the eric schillers.

good book.......2000-06-04

This is a well written book on the Closed Sicilian. The only problen is that this opening "causes black relatively few problems" (Nunn's Chess Openings) and if black knows his theory he can equalize easily in most lines. This is the reason this opening has not been played very much at high levels recently. That said, this an excellent book for black (and white, too, i guess) to learn the theory of the Closed Sicilian. The most straight forward and overtly dangerous line in the Closed Sicilian is easy drawn if one memorizes a single game: Spassky-Hjartarson, European Club Cup 1991. This game is the third game in the book and covers the best way to play against the 10.e5? pseudo pawn sacrifice. The Closed Siclian is not the most critical line against the sicliian by any means, but it doesn't require memorizing a ton of theory, so it may be helpful for someone with very little time. If you want build the best repetoire possible, learn the Open Siclian, c3 Sicilian, or at least the Bb5 Sicilian. A book that my help you learn the Open Siclian is John Nunn and Joe Gallager's Beating the Sicilian 3. It gives good variations of the Open Sicilian for white. Amazon does not have it, but I have seen it at other sites. But this book if you just want something to play against the Siclian or if you want to be able to play against the Closed Sicilian as black.

This book covers many different Closed Sicilian lines.......1999-12-15

Everyone who plays 1. e4 but does not enjoy the white side of the open Sicilians searches out alternatives to play such as the Grand Prix Attack, the c3, or the Closed Sicilian. Each system has its own strengths, and drawbacks, and the problem with playing the Closed Sicilian is that while white has a fairly clear plan, black's plan in the main lines is also fairly straightforward. This book is quite helpful, because it goes beyond "what is the main idea" into "how will one actually play a game against best play". The problem with coverage of the Closed Sicilian in most works is that the author tends to give a line or two against each of the major black systems, but little analysis is done of multiple white alternative lines. King's book excels in going further than the usual Closed Sicilian book, by offering detailed chapters on move 6 alternatives for white other than the "main line". I like that, in addition to playing the "main line for white" set forth, King also shows how to play less favored lines which nonetheless offer white the chance to maintain initiative with somewhat quieter play. The text is based on playing through games in the variations, but unlike some books, King does not just throw a game at us as if to say "so there", but rather provides detailed thematic commentary. I am a lesser player of low 1700s USCF, and I found the commentary entirely useful. I am not sure it would be as useful for, say a 1300, but I still recommend this book to any player who wants a system against the Sicilian but has never been able to get the bang from the Closed Sicilian that, say, Spassky did .

The last chapter alone is worth the book.......1999-12-07

In addition to an in depth coverage of newer ideas in the Closed Sicilian (it omits some games with old plans and produces newer plans in those lines), this book has an interesting version of the Closed Sicilian with c3 instead of Nc3 that is in my opinion worth the book. It also has some advice between the lines that are highly instructive. I made a career out of playing the Closed Sicilian in the ICC and gained about 200pts while winning a losing and learning how important prophylaxis was in wing attacks. For anyone who wants to develop thier chess. IT also gives you a good system to play vs. the English, though this is not explicitly done for the reader.

CLOSED SICILIAN, NICELY DONE.......1999-11-25

The Closed Sicilian variation (1 e4 c5 2 Nc3 Nc6 g3) is presented with alternate move orders. Part One covers the main line ( 1 e4 c5 2 Nc3 Nc6 3 g3 g6 4 Bg2 Bg7 5 d3 d6 6 f4 e6 7 Nf3 Nge7 8 0-0 0-0). 9th move alternatives are presented in three chapters. Part Two gives sixth move alternatives for white. Part Three involves early deviations - when black plays ...e7-e6 and ...d7-d5. One chapter covers 1 e4 c5 2 g3 for white. Each book chapter ends with a verbal summary and move order summary, along with associated games. 100+ Grandmaster games are used to illustrate the chapter ideas. The games' opening moves are thoughtfully annotated, although lower-rated players (like myself, 1950 USCF) will really have to dig to find "thematic" ideas on their own. This book is a Chess Press Opening Guide book, part of their opening series. So, if you own one of their other books, you will know the format. The author, Daniel King, is an English Grandmaster.

Fighting the Anti-Sicilians: Combating 2 c3, the Closed, Bb5 lines, the Morra Gambit and other tricky ideas (Everyman Chess)

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At Last, A Practical, Balanced Book

Fighting the Anti-Sicilians: Combating 2 c3, the Closed, Bb5 lines, the Morra Gambit and other tricky ideas (Everyman Chess)
Ricahard Palliser
Manufacturer: Everyman Chess
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1857445201

Book Description

The Sicilian Defence is by far Black’s most popular answer to 1 e4 at all levels of chess. The reason is easy to understand: from the very first move Black unbalances the position and can play for a win without needing to take unjustified risks. This is particularly the case with the Open Sicilians, where Black can take comfort in the fact that his superior pawn structure ensures control of the centre and excellent long term chances.

Faced this with type of problem, along with the fact that many Open Sicilians carry with them a massive build-up of opening theory, it’s unsurprising that many White players prefer to avoid the Open Sicilian altogether, preferring one of the many ‘Anti-Sicilians’ lines on offer.

Customer Reviews:

At Last, A Practical, Balanced Book.......2007-08-20

In my overly-large collection of chess books, I have a number of titles about "Beating the Sicilian" and a number more about "Beating the Anti-Sicilians." These books tend to promise, in hyperbolic fashion, a near-certain strategy for whichever side they are support. Yet even a lowly class player such as I has trouble understanding how both sides can have a legitimate no-fail strategy for victory!

That's why I was happy to acquire and read through Richard Palliser's new book. Though it is written from the standpoint of the Black player and attempts to provide a solid repertoire for that side, it is, gladly and surprisingly, very well balanced, and represents fairly the ideas and aspirations of both White and Black, presenting chess as a struggle of ideas in which the outcome is anything but certain.

Black reactions to the 2.c3 system (once called the Alapin) are covered in a great deal of detail. The same is true for the 2.Nc3 "closed" Sicilian. There are plenty of variant moves considered along with games and illustrations. There is a bit less coverage of the Grand Prix Attack; both the 2.Nc3 3.f4 and 2.f4 variants are treated, with some excellent ideas in the latter for playing the Black side of the Tal Gambit (the author analyzes the less frequently played but very interesting Nbd7 reply to Bb5+; Bd7 is the usual reply). There is some coverage (not as much as I could have wished, but then there are other specialty books on Sicilian gambits available) of the Morra Gambit and the Wing Gambit, as well as a few pages devoted to the really offbeat stuff.

This is clearly the best book of its type in terms of coverage, balance, readability, and utility. IM Palliser has done a really fine job, and the book is an easy one to recommend to Sicilian fans.

CD Starting Out: Closed Sicilian (Starting Out)

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CD Starting Out: Closed Sicilian (Starting Out)
Ricahard Palliser
Manufacturer: Everyman Chess
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: CD-ROM

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ASIN: 1857446038

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The Closed Sicilian
Vaidyanathan Ravikumar
Manufacturer: Tournament Chess
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1859320252

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THE CLOSED SICILIAN.

Manufacturer: Chess Digest Inc. ,
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000GS6J1K

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Closed System of the Sicilian Defence
Attila Schneider
Manufacturer: Caissa Chess Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000MC5YR0

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Closed variation (Sicilian defence ; 6)
Leonard M Pickett
Manufacturer: "The Chess Player"
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

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ASIN: 0900928646

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Sicilian Defence 6 Closed Variation
L. M.; Swift, A. K. Pickett
Manufacturer: Chess Player
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000KS7JN8

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Big Disapointment

This is the advanced photoshop book I've been looking for!

Poorly written with unclear directions in tutorials

Not for Mac Users

Don't judge a book by it's Title

Advanced Photoshop CS2 Trickery & FX (Graphics Series)
Stephen Burns
Manufacturer: Charles River Media
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Photoshop CS2 Gone Wild

Complete Photoshop CS2 For Digital Photographers (Graphics Series)

Photoshop CS Trickery & FX (Graphics Series)

How to Cheat in Photoshop : The art of creating photorealistic montages - updated for CS2 (How to Cheat in)

The Photoshop Channels Book

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Complete Photoshop CS2 For Digital Photographers (Graphics Series)

Adobe Photoshop CS2 Revealed

Adobe Photoshop CS2: Photographers' Guide

ASIN: 1584504471

Book Description

Advanced Photoshop CS2 Trickery & FX takes digital artists to the next level of creativity by teaching you how to blend your artistic talent seamlessly with the powerful tools of Photoshop CS2. The book assumes a fundamental level of skill with Photoshop and builds upon those skills by helping you learn how and why Photoshop does what it does. With this knowledge, you'll be ready to take on new challenges and work though the practical, fun tutorials throughout the book. All of the core tools of Photoshop CS2 used for effects are put to use in the projects, so buckle up and get ready to create!

Customer Reviews:

Big Disapointment.......2007-08-20

I was so hoping for this book to be good, cool or something, but I was immediately let down. I have been using photoshop since version 5.5 and am now using CS3 Extended. I agree with the other reviews about the "Trickery" being very basic, unless going through blending modes is a trick. My biggest issue with this book is when they show an example of a step as an image then the next step is an image that says now do some more stuff and you get this. What the heck did they do between the two steps to get the effect. The $399.00 plugin is a bit shaddy as well, The book is essentially saying that you can do some of the cool stuff in this book as long as you don't mind the word "demo" all over your art work or are willing to spend hundreds of dollars more and have a PC. If you are looking for a book that teaches you things about photoshop that are cool and unusual try "Adobe Photoshop CS Image Effects".

This is the advanced photoshop book I've been looking for!.......2006-10-06

Finally, a book on photoshop that not only instructs on what the interface does, but also shows you what you can do with those tools!
It takes you past the basic 'cut' and 'paste' you've encountered in every other photoshop book, either basic or advanced.
It walked me through several advanced subjects utilizing creative ideas instead of just the usual technical jargon that puts you to sleep.
This is THE book for artists who want to further their skills in the digital art world.
Steven Burns talks to the artist in all of us and then shows us how to achieve our artistic vision with clear instruction on the latest and greatest that Photoshop CS2 has to offer.

Poorly written with unclear directions in tutorials.......2006-09-18

As a college student, I took a class that used this book as our manual. The content of the book covered several great features of Adobe Photoshop, but much of it was limited to very repetitive steps that are used consistently throughout the book.

Many of my classmates complained that it was difficult to follow the directions and that in some cases, steps were missing that were illustrated in the following step. I even saw where one tutorial didn't even specify the dimensions when creating a new scene. In other cases, it requires the use of a nik Color Efex demo that was included on the CD-ROM, which I couldn't get any of the nik effects to work. Why would you want to be trained on third party plugins anyway? The book is supposed to be about Photoshop, not expensive plugins that the author favors.

Thus I dock the book three stars for lack of instruction, it's detour from the subject, and difficulty following steps.

Not for Mac Users.......2006-08-18

Although I've been using Photoshop for over a year now I thought this book would be the icing on the cake. I was disappointed to find out that most of the techniques are better covered in other Photoshop books and this book is written for those working with Photoshop on Windows platforms. There are no references or information anywhere in the book that would give a Mac user the same keystrokes as a Windows user. I also found that the contents on the CD (aside from the brushes) are specifically for Windows users as well. Very disappointing when the book includes a filter that can only be used on a Microsoft platform.

If you're looking for a better book that provides great CD contents, good tutorials and great explanantions of Photoshop features, check out "Photoshop CS2 Essential Skills" by Mark Galer and Philip Andrews. I found their book to be far superior to this one and it's written for users working on any platform, instead of specifically for Windows users. You'll also get a lot more detail instead of step by step projects found in the Trickery book.

If anything this book is good at tricking the Mac user into buying it.

Don't judge a book by it's Title.......2006-06-19

I've been using Photoshop for many years and bought this book looking for complex techniques and insight. I hate to disagree with the other reviews, but the book's title is misleading. (Please note that this is just my opinion)! I think the "trickery" examples in this book are somewhat basic and anyone with a general understanding of Photoshop (and a bit of creativity) can produce better results.

Although the topics and ideas in this book may "wow" beginners, advanced users should look elsewhere. At most, "intermediate" would describe this title better!

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Advanced Photoshop CS2 Trickery and FX.
Stephen Burns
Manufacturer: Publisher Unknown
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Adobe Photoshop | Digital Photography & Video | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B000UYCF4U

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Advanced Photoshop CS2 Trickery and FX.
Stephen Burns
Manufacturer: Burns, Stephen. Advanced Photoshop CS2 Trickery and FX. Hingham, MA: Charles River Media, 2006. Quality paperback with laminated covers. 346pp. As new with unopened CD-Rom.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Adobe Photoshop | Digital Photography & Video | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B000TAHHSE

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