If architecture is, as they say, frozen music, this series of books should help thaw the ice. Author Sidra Stich, an art historian and curator, traveled extensively during the preparation of these works. Like all good ideas, this one is simple: assemble photos of an area's great architecture and art sites and put them in a small book suitable for travelers. Intelligent histories bring the subjects to life, particularly for those who appreciate art and architecture but aren't experts. Stich covers the territory comprehensively, finding interesting creations in unlikely places--like the M8 highway between Glasgow and Edinburgh, home to Patricia Leighton's organic sculpture Sawtooth Ramps, and a small herd of grazing sheep who keep the art mowed. The guide offers enough insight to help you immerse yourself in the artistic life of your destination. It details where you can find innovative works by new artists and guides you through more obvious destinations, such as London's new Tate Modern. The first two books in the series deal with Britain (plus Ireland) and France. Japan and Spain are next, and the publisher hopes to cover the globe.

In art-SITES: Britain & Ireland, Sidra Stich provides a compendium of galleries and exhibitions of contemporary art and architecture in a unique, "travel planning friendly" handbook format. Readers will learn all about contemporary trends and ongoing artistic activities, identification of places where one can see the most innovative work by leading and emerging international talents, plus in-depth and detailed commentaries on museums, galleries, exhibition spaces, architecture, film centers, public art, sculpture parks, bookstores and festivals in British and Irish cities ranging from London, Oxford, and Cambridge, to Glasgow, Dublin, and Belfast. If you appreciate modern art and contemporary architecture, don't leave home for a trip to the British isles without your personal copy of art-SITES: Britain & Ireland.

Third in an indispensable series from an indefatigable culture hound with edgy taste and a gift for succinctly mixing facts and opinions. Here's what to do after you have seen Gaudi in Barcelona, Calatrava in Valencia, and the Guggenheim in Bilbao.

In Spain: Contemporary Art + Architecture Handbook, Sidra Stich provides the visitor with a fascinating guide to what the diverse and rich heritage of the country has to offer. Such art and architectural resources as museums, alternative spaces, galleries, public art exhibitions, urban projects, film centers, sculpture parks, bookstores, and art fairs are identified and surveyed. Readers will note where to find work by internationally acclaimed artists, as well as those newly emerging into prominence. The informative and engaging text is enhanced with 150 illustrations, detailed maps and city tour routes, as well as addresses, phone numbers, websites, access hours, and miscellaneous helpful hints. Spain is a welcome and highly recommended addition to any traveler's reference shelf and an ideal resource for crafting that very special art and architecture oriented itinerary.

I first became aware of the impact of photography on abstract art when I commissioned a portrait. Expecting to be told to sit, instead I was encouraged to strike poses that meant something to me. The artist followed me around with a Polaroid camera. We discussed what the camera was showing, and tried different poses. Eventually, I found one we both liked. Then he made copies of the Polaroid and began using a marker to crop and adjust the work. Later, when the painting was finished, I could see a memory of the Polaroid but the actual painting was quite different in image and execution of color and materials. When I asked about this, the artist told me he had first trained as a photographic artist and liked to work back and forth between the two media. Very interesting.

With that experience, I was delighted to see this fine work on the impact photography had on Symbolist artists around the turn of the 20th century. This is a catalogue also for a traveling show that is just about to close at the Guggenheim in Bilbao. The closest location to me was Dallas, so I would have missed the show otherwise.

The catalogue is much more heavy duty than most such efforts. It is dominated by essays rather than by images, although it is generously illustrated.

The subject is well-chosen because these artists were heavily interested in expressing the interior essence of the subjects rather than their outward appearance. Dorothy Kosinski's opening essay on Vision and Visionaries is a wonderful summary of the show. After introductory essays by Elizabeth Childs on The Photographic Muse, Douglas Nickel on Photography and Invisibility, and Ulrich Pohlmann on Photography as a Study Aid, each artist has an essay describing his use of photography. In order of appearance are Moreau, Degas, Rodin, Gauguin, Khnopff, Rosso, Mucha, Munch, von Stuck, Vallotton, Bonnard, Vuillard, Brancusi, and Picasso. Some of the artists may be unfamiliar to you, as they were to me. But it's a good excuse to learn about them.

What I learned from the book was a greater appreciation for the creative process. For example, I might admire a figure in a painting, but seeing it in the context of a photograph of the model makes me appreciate it more. Because this way I can see what the artist added, which gives me clues as to what the artist wanted to express that I might have missed. And the transformations are quite substantial and impressive.

Naturally, not everyone used photographs simply as models. The sculptors tended to use photography also to display their work in more powerful ways. For example, the lighting effects on Rodin's and Brancusi's finished works are quite stunning . . . adding elements that would be unseen otherwise.

I was equally interested in the use of x-rays and microscopic pictures to reveal what cannot be detected by the eye, and expand the range of images that can be considered. Photography of motion also picks up elements that can never be posed otherwise, like a rider on a racing horse.

Photography also became a form of communication for these artists. Gauguin used photographs to keep in touch with Paris in both directions while in Tahiti. Picasso was able to carry around with him the classical examples that inspired him, without needing to revisit the original. These references also communicate to us more about what he had seen and wanted to portray. It expanded my understanding of his early works to see these connections. His classical roots are much deeper than I had realized.

Interestingly, the artists usually tried to keep their use of photography a secret. Some even railed against photography, while using it in private to assist them. Many of them eventually learned to make their own photographs, but many relied on the talent of fine photographers to help them.

The question that kept running through my mind was how artists are using the Internet now in ways that will not be documented and understood for another 100 plus years.

Enjoy this wonderful and thought provoking book that will expand your access to art!

Dorothy Kosinski's Artist And The Camera: Degas To Picasso explores the ways in which influential artists from the period put a new medium to use in painting and sculpture. This accompanies a traveling exhibition but stands alone as a solid survey of artistic explorations at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries.

I met Mr. Berezkhov in March at the Stalin Conference hosted by UCR. He was a very friendly man who has seen some interesting times. His book is one of the best that I have read. A basic knowledge of events at that time is definitely recommended, but those who know what was going on at the time will find this book appealing.

I took a class from Professor Berezhkov while he was teaching here in Claremont. This book was one of our texts. The only thing more thrilling than hearing Professor Berezhkov speak was reading the book. If anyone has an interest in Soviet politics or the inner machinations of World War II politics, this is the book to read. It pre-supposes some knowledge, but if one has an interest, and has a good general knowledge, I would definitely read this book. He tells things from an insider's point of view that I haven't found anything else to compare to. The prose gets dense in parts, so I wouldn't reccomend it for a complete beginner.

This book distils generations of research and provides up-to-date information.

My only quibble is that the author accepts the art historians' view on the refinements in the Parthenon rather than having presented a practical architectural examination of the building. Otherwise it's a tour de force.

One more thing: don't be put off by the out of focus photograph on the cover.

Jeffrey Hurwit's compelling way of introducing the reader to an Ancient Greek marvel is both fun and informative. You learn anwsers to things you would personally want to know like "Could the average Greek enter the Parthenon?" A great "bread and butter" book to have on hand if you are at all interested in art or architecture.

Atlas of the Irish Rural Landscape has been chosen by the American Conference for Irish Studies as the best book in History/Social Sciences for 1998. Lucy McDiarmid, President, American Conference for Irish Studies

This book explains the Ireland that you are likely to see when you go there. It is a welcome change from the countless "magical/tragical/literary ireland", photography books that are full of pseudo poetic descriptions, photos of freckle faced redhead kids and nuns on bicycles. It demonstrates much of the development of the towns, villages and even the houses in an intelligent and clear manner that explained much even to me, and I lived there for nearly thirty years. It is beautifully illustrated in both maps and photos. If you want a book that is truly informative about the geography and history of the landscape that is also a beautiful to look at you should get this book.

This guide to Germany continues the Baedeker tradition and covers the country in depth from the North Sea and Baltic Coasts to the Bavarian Alps, guiding you through such cosmopolitan cities as Berlin, Bonn, Frankfurt and Munich, the historic towns of Worms and Ulm, the scenic calleys of Europe's great rivers, the Rhine, Main and Moselle, the islands of East Frisia, the picturesque Black Forest region and much, much more. Full color photos and maps. Facts and figures on history, art and language. A to Z coverage of places to visit and sights to see.

I have "Baedeker's Southern Germany" dated 1907 it is in excellent condition and has many folded maps within the book a great collectors addition.

This is written in Spanish, thus the description "Spanish Edition". I ordered this one and had to return it to get the English version. I am sure the information in it is quite helpful to anyone who would prefer to read it in Sapnish!

This is actually a Paris guide book in SPANISH...not english. FYI..

This amazing book focuses on the relationship between the economic power of Spain's largest financial institutions and the political power of successive Spanish governments. It gives an excellent view of how economic power manages to control the three legal powers of the State in modern European democracies. Definitively a must read!!

This book is a great example of social-science research on the politics of financial reform. Although focused on the Spanish banking sector, it makes comparisons with other European countries, especially France. Easily one of the best political analyses of the power of private banks in emerging economies. Highly recommended for those interested in understanding the forthcoming European Economic and Monetary Union of 1999.

Gary Bedingfield has done a FANtastic job showing the American Pastime. It's like a trip though The Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. This is a must for all baseball fans. The photos bring back memories of the House of David and other barnstorming teams. Seeing integrated baseball teams years before the Major League, is something I never knew existed. Well done, Gary!

Baseball has always been one of America's favorite pasttimes, whether one played or was a spectator. Here is a beautiful collection of photos and history recapping baseball in a way that many may not even be aware. The author salutes the unknown heroes that served in World War II and boosted the morale of other soldiers and spectators by exhibiting their love of the game of baseball. For anyone who served and had loved ones involved in the sport, this is an absolute treasure. One can reminesce or capture the spirit of those who played and witnessed the game that has become and always will be America's favorite. If you like baseball and would like to learn more of its history, reading these pages will certainly increase your knowledge and give you insight on the significance of baseball's presence during World War II.