Chronicle Books
At home in the Hudson Valley.
A San Francisco writer and a photographer team up to showcase a once-again trendy East coast region declared a National Heritage Area by Congress in 1996. They present a color photo essay on 20 unique Hudson Valley houses, from an architect-designed home built around a vintage trailer to a restored 1780 manor house used as a weekend retreat. Attractions listed range from Hudson River School painter Frederick Church's Olana estate to the Shop Naked gift store. 10x10 inches format. (Annotation ©2006 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
China obscura.
Having travelled around China for the past 15 years, Chinese-American photojournalist Leong presents some 150 black-and-white photographs of Chinese society. His photos show a remarkably different picture of Chinese cultural life than that portrayed by official Chinese sources or most Western media, as well as a diversity of subject matter. (Annotation ©2006 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
Fashion illustration next.
Editor Borrelli has chosen 40 international contemporary fashion illustrators, who range from the influential leaders in the profession to talented new comers. Most make free use of computer-aided technique but to widely varying effects. Mode 2's gritty, graffiti-inspired street style contrasts with Keiji Ito's fanciful, rainbow-hued collages. The spare color locks of Sirichai are juxtaposed with the lush, surrealistic layers of Maren Esdar. In this presentation, fashion is secondary to its innovative interpretation. A short introduction, a paragraph on each artist, and brief bios accompany the 200 color illustrations. (Annotation ©2006 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
Googie redux; ultramodern roadside architecture. (reprint, 1985)
In this revision of the 1985 edition, the architecture critic for the San Jose Mercury News continues his pioneering homage to the iconic design of American drive-in coffee shops as well as cars and houses of the 1930s to 1950s. "Googie" refers to a Hollywood coffee shop which became eponymous with the low Modern style. Hess includes additional archival photos, a guided tour of roadside architecture in Southern California, and a chapter on Las Vegas. (Annotation ©2006 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
San Francisco style; design, decor, and architecture.
Interior designers will relish the expensively decorated interiors described and illustrated in this collection of San Francisco-area homes belonging to collectors and designers. The captions of the copious color photos enumerate the objects, decoration, and artworks, naming designers and artists. The story of each house's decoration by its owner or owners is described in an essay that also describes the various rooms and design schemes. (Annotation ©2006 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
Treasures of the pharaohs.
Written for the popular reader, this richly informative volume surveys the rulers of Egypt, their tombs and affiliated structures, and burial goods. Pemberton, who lectures on Egyptology at the British Museum and the U. of London, briefly describes the ruler's life then discusses at some length the archaeological finds associated with him. The book is heavily illustrated with good quality color plates, each accompanied by a long caption. (Annotation ©2006 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
