Posts tagged ‘photographs’
Eggs-traordinary Chicken Gift Book, Now 67 Percent Off
Weekly Book Special: September 14th-September 20th
September is National Chicken Month. To commemorate, this week’s book special is:
Complete Chicken:
An Entertaining History of Chickens
by Pam Percy, Hardcover, 144 pages, 2002, ISBN: 0896585573
List Price: $30.00, Lowest Amazon.com Price: $29.99, OUR PRICE: $9.95
The book provides a colorful, egg-straordinarily entertaining account of chicken history; breeds; the world of chicken collectibles; and the chicken’s role in art, pop culture, myth, legend, religion, and folklore.
You’ll also find a wide selection of words and phrases inspired by chicks, technical poultry terms, instructions on how to say “cock-a-doodle-doo” in different languages, as well as other trivia.
The lighthearted yet informative text is complemented by photos of different breeds, images of chickens in ads, and photos of chicken collectibles (also known as “chickenalia”).
Our favorite section is on chickens in advertising (click to enlarge):
“The author, an avowed chicken afficionado, presents the lowly chicken in a brand new light in this entertaining book,” writes John Trapp, a retired wildlife biologist, on his Birds Etcetera blog. “I found this book to be highly readable, visually appealing, entertaining, and educational. What more could you want in a book?”
This book is discounted only through September 20th. Purchase it for $9.95 (list price $30.00):
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In addition, let your loved one, relative or friend choose a unique gift from our extensive selection of nearly 40,000 hard-to-find books and prints. Give a gift certificate in any amount. |  |
Birding for Beginners: A Comprehensive Introduction to Bird Watching
Birding for Beginners:
A Comprehensive Introduction to Bird Watching
by Sheila Buff
(Paperback, 190 pages, 1993, ISBN: 0517161893)
List Price: $25.00, OUR PRICE: $17.00
An informative and accessible introduction to the fascinating world of birdwatching.
With black and white illustrations and exquisite four-color photography, this book is the ideal guide to the birding experience. All the essentials for the beginner to enjoy birdwatching are covered: equipment, identification techniques, field guides, optics for birders, birding by ‘ear,’ and much more.
Also valuable are chapters on viewing bird behaviors such as feeding, flight, feather care, nesting and migration so the birder understands not just what kind of bird it is, but what the bird is doing. In addition, a selection of appendices cover everything from birding organizations to birding publications.
Tintype in America, 1856-1880 (American Philosophical Society Transaction 97-2, ISBN: 0871699729)
Read more about our selection of books on 19th century photography. >>
Tintype in America, 1856-1880
(American Philosophical Society Transaction 97-2, ISBN: 0871699729)
by Janice G. Schimmelman (Paperback, 270 pages, 2007, $29.00)
A history of the ferrotype or tintype in American photography, from its origin in the 1850s until 1880.
Schimmelman, Professor of Art History, presents a history of the technological development of the tintype and its manufacture, and touches upon a number of issues relating to the cultural and social aspects of the tintype. She lays an interesting groundwork for thinking about the class dimensions of Victorian aesthetics and about the political economy of taste.
The heart of the book is the extended accounts of the improvements in the presentation of the images and of the inventors and businessmen who made the improvements and advanced their careers in the business. Raises important issues in art history and the history of photography. Includes over 200 reproductions of actual tintypes.
[A]n excellent resource for collectors, researchers, and nineteenth-century photography enthusiasts,” writes Dennis O. Williams in The Daguerreian Society Newsletter (20:2, May-July 2008) [PDF].
“Schimmelman guides the reader through the book in a chronological fashion that the reader can easily follow. Through the writing of this text, her passion for the photographic history of the tintype has indeed been preserved. The organization of the book is splendid. Along with the wealth of written history to complement the story, Schimmelman includes examples of patent drawings and photographic advertisements. Exemplifying the depth of research that went into this book, a reference section concludes each chapter. ”
People posing for tintypes.
Tintype in America, 1856-1880, p.48.
The journal Early Popular Visual Culture (8:2, May 2010) adds: “This is not the only book on the tintype photograph, but it is probably the most comprehensive, being based on years of collecting and research by the author, with information culled from books, photographic journals and newspapers.”
“As the author puts it, these images offer ‘small windows into American life.’ The book is good on the themes of these photographs, and Chapter 9 is arranged thematically, dealing with such subjects as death and remembrance, Americans at play and work, and beloved children.
“Elsewhere in the book the author covers the invention and development of the process, various kinds of studios and albums, and double exposures, as well as techniques for retouching and colouring tintypes.”
Purchase this book for $29.00:
Read more about our selection of books on 19th century photography. >>
Caribbean-American Heritage Month Book Special: Vertamae Cooks in The Americas’ Family Kitchen by Vertamae Grosvenor (ISBN: 091233388X)
Weekly Book Special: June 14th-June 21st
June is Caribbean-American Heritage Month. In commemoration, this week’s special is:
Vertamae Cooks in “The Americas’ Family Kitchen”
Written by Vertamae Grosvenor, Foreword by Ed Bradley
(Paperback, 192 pages, 1996, $19.00)
Storyteller, poet and culinary anthropologist Vertamae Grosvenor displays the pleasures of Caribbean-American cooking in this companion to the PBS series “The Americas’ Family Kitchen.” Learn how African tastes and traditions have influenced the various cuisines of America, acquiring new flavors and ingredients along the way in Central America, South America and the Caribbean.
You’ll find more than 100 full-color down-home recipes, spiced with Vertamae’s anecdotes, humor and historical insights. Every recipe, ranging from Hoppin’ John to Sunshine Soup to Low Country Red Rice, has a story. Also includes an introduction to the history of Afro-Caribbean cooking and culture.
Our favorite recipe is for Auntie Kali’s Puerto Rican-Style Pork Roast (click to enlarge):
“These recipes are a sweet mix of history, anthropology, and storytelling that come together to create a tasty treat for the most modest of cooks,” writes Book News. “Every recipe is thoughtfully written, and many are annotated with Vertamae’s own historical or anecdotal take on the origin of the recipe. A beautiful and moving portrait of Caribbean culture — and delicious recipes to boot.”
Purchase this book for $19.00:
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In addition, let your loved one, relative or friend choose a unique gift from our extensive selection of nearly 40,000 hard-to-find books and prints. Give a gift certificate in any amount. | |
Book Special for National Fresh Food and Vegetable Month and Great Outdoors Month: Wild Food Gourmet: Fresh and Savory Food From Nature (ISBN: 1552092429)
Weekly Book Special: June 1st-June 7th
June is National Fresh Food and Vegetables Month and Great Outdoors Month. In commemoration, this week’s special is:
The Wild Food Gourmet:
Fresh and Savory Food From Nature
by Anne Gardon (Paperback, 174 pages, 1998, $25.00)
Cooking with wild food is a gratifying experience from start to finish. Discover a bounty of tender leaves, delicious berries and nutritious roots that grow wild all around us. Illustrated with over 75 color photos, this delightful cookbook features 100 delicious recipes using fresh-picked greens, berries and mushrooms and brings a new twist to home cooking and camping trips.
Author Anne Gardon grew up in Provence, France, where she followed her parents on their quest for wild edibles. When she came to North America she discovered a totally different and fascinating vegetation and started harvesting and eating wild edibles, which turned out to be delicious.
Our favorite recipe is for Tortellini with Artichoke Hearts and Shaggy Manes (click to enlarge):
“Containing exceptional photos, this book will appeal to gardeners, amateur botanists, restaurateurs and creative cooks,” writes Explore Magazine. Adds the Kansas City Star: “Learn tips on foraging, preserving, drying and freezing, along with recipes that are quite simple but elegant.”
National Parks Week Books: Ansel Adams: The National Park Service Photographs, Underwater Wonders of the National Parks, Hey Ranger! Kids Ask Questions About Grand Canyon National Park
National Parks Week starts tomorrow, running from April 17th through April 25th. For the next 7 days, all national parks are free, and are hosting celebrations. Here are three books that we offer on National Parks:
Ansel Adams:
The National Park Service Photographs
Photos by Ansel Adams, Introduction by Alice Gray
(Hardcover, 144 pages, 1995, $25)
In 1941 Ansel Adams was hired by the U.S. Dept. of the Interior to photograph America’s national parks for a series of murals that would celebrate the country’s natural heritage. Because of the escalation of World War II, the project was suspended after less than a year, but not before Adams had produced this group of breathtaking images.
These stunning photographs of the natural geysers & terraces in Yellowstone, the rocks & ravines in the Grand Canyon, the winding rivers & majestic mountains in Glacier and Grand Teton national parks, the mysterious Carlsbad Caverns, the architecture of ancient Indian villages, and many evocative views of the American West demonstrate the genius of Adams’s technical and aesthetic inventiveness.
Underwater Wonders of the National Parks: A Diving and Snorkeling Guide Compiled by the National Park Service
by Daniel J. Lenihan and John D. Brooks (Paperback, 338 pages, 2000, $20)
Perhaps the single best-kept secret about our National Parks is the underwater realm that they include: millions of acres of submerged lands, only a small fraction of which has been explored by divers.
From geysers on the bottom of Yellowstone Lake, to the coral reefs of the Dry Tortugas, to steamers sunk in the frigid waters of Isle Royale in Lake Superior, to the kelp forests of the Channel Islands, the National Parks have much to offer the diver. Almost all 61 NPS areas with significant water holdings are of some interest to divers.
This guide introduces divers and others interested in water sports to this dimension of the National Parks, such as snorkeling rare coral reefs; shipwreck diving and underwater archaeological sites. Color photos and detailed maps.
National Parks Traveler used this book as a reference for the Top 10 favorite diving and snorkeling parks.
Hey Ranger!: Kids Ask Questions about Grand Canyon National Park
Written by Kim Williams Justesen, Illustrations by Judy Newhouse
(Paperback, 46 pages, 2006, $10)
Kids ask the greatest questions! Is the Grand Canyon cursed? Why are there so many bugs here? Do park rangers feed the animals? This book answers the real questions — some smart, some silly — that kids ask Grand Canyon National Park rangers every day. Filled with fascinating facts and ready-to-color illustrations, this fun and educational guide offers hours of entertainment for explorers of all ages.
St. Patrick’s Day and Irish/Ireland Books
St. Patrick’s Day is next week on Wednesday, March 17th. Browse our more than 50 titles on Ireland and on the Irish to find that perfect St. Patrick’s Day gift for friends and family.
Our special this week is “Savour of Ireland”, a hard-to-find travel cookbook of turn-of-the-century Ireland, imported from the U.K. The book, written by award-winning Irish historian George Morrison, features more than 50 historical photos and more than a dozen recipes.
(Paperback, 127 pages, 1996, $17.00)
Here are three additional titles we recommend:
Feasting Galore Irish Style: Recipes & Food Lore from the Emerald Isle
by Maura Laverty
(Paperback, 144 pages, 1961, $15.00)
Beckons readers through the door of the traditional Irish kitchen. Each of the 11 chapters begins with an engaging anecdote that puts the food into its context — whether it is prepared to celebrate an occasion, to welcome guests, or even to seduce!
With simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, these recipes will help the home chef create a rich, plentiful Irish feast. Among the 200 recipes are classics like Irish Stew and Mince Pie, which Oliver Cromwell unsuccessfully attempted to ban because of its then-religious shape.
Also, Christmas Pudding, and traditional Halloween delicacies, Boxty, Barmbrack, and Colcannon, which contain paper-wrapped charms. Beverages include homemade wines, liqueurs, and the perfect recipe for famed Gaelic Coffee.
Cooking blogger Culture_Vulture at the Theories of Bacon blog whipped up Haggerty, based on the recipe in the book. “Maura Laverty’s marvelous cookbook,” she writes, “comes across very much as a cookbook full of recipes that someone mostly wrote down from memory, perhaps in a bit of a hurry, while also reminiscing lovingly about various occasions in which these dishes were cooked.”
Definitive St. Patrick’s Day Festivity Book
by Michael James Fallon
(Hardcover, 237 pages, 1997, $22.00)
This book presents Irish culture related to St. Patrick & his Day. It is a cookbook of comestibles, a how-to book of activities, a guidebook for hosting parties, a bag of tricks for enlivening a social affair, a workbook for teachers to use in classrooms, and a good humor book for food and drink establishments.
Beyond its shenanigans, its anecdotes delight in reading and provide general knowledge in Celtic legend. This trove presents “a wee bit of everything Irish” from ambiance to activities, songs to skits, parties to Patrick, blessings to toasts and proverbs to boast. “For fun at home, school, office or pub.” Illustrations.
Librarian Mary Ellen of the Dayton, Ohio Metro Library raves of the book: “Here’s the book you need if you are planning on having a St. Patrick’s Day party the way the Irish would!”
Danny Boy: The Legend of the Beloved Irish Ballad
by Malachy McCourt
(Hardcover, 141 pages, 2002, $19.00)
Everyone can hum “Danny Boy,” the haunting Irish ballad that inevitably brings a tear to the eye. Yet for all its popularity, the most requested “Irish” song and its origins still remain an enigma.
Is it even Irish? Did the song initially grace the Irish countryside as the winsome ballad of an itinerant piper, or did it first take form as a blind musician’s bow danced across the strings of a fiddle?
Travel with best-selling author Malachy McCourt on his journey for the truth as he interviews musicologists, historians, academics, celebrities and Irish icons. Join the expedition and trace the complex evolution and enduring mystique of “Danny Boy” in an unforgettable tribute that brilliantly weaves history with folklore.
Books on American Photography, Daguerreotypes and Tintypes in the 1800s
In February 2010, our affiliate the American Philosophical Society (APS) hosted a lecture on early American portraits in the form of silhouettes, miniatures and early photographs called daguerreotypes. We offer two books on the topic:
Tintype in America, 1856-1880
by Janice G. Schimmelman
American Philosophical Society Transaction 97-2, 2007
(Paperback, 270 pages, $29.00)
A history of the ferrotype or tintype in American photography, from its origin in the 1850s until 1880.
Read more >>
American Photographic Patents 1840-1880:
The Daguerreotype and Wet Plate Era
by Janice G. Schimmelman
(Carl Mautz Publications, 2002, Paperback, 119 pages, $25.00)
Identifies all of the nearly 1,000 United States patents related to photography during the Wet Plate Era. Read more >>
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