Truly thorough text and photographic record of the work of the acknowledged source of the most beautiful fashion embroidery in history. Lesage has long been known for its opulent designs but some of us spring chickens have a surprise in store, and when you open this book your jaw will truly drop. Sample pieces, appliques, closeups of detail work, fringed trims, whole garments, movie stills, accessories, and designer sketches, and all of it pure inspiration for we creative types who make fashion. For sheer invention and brilliancy of design, flip through the photos and allow them to breathe color and texture into your work. If you're a fashion junkie or student, settle into a comfy chair and read the text for an in-depth look at the history of the premier embroidery firm in the world. Despite the industrial revolution and now the information age, it's all still done by hand with simple tools, and some of the examples have numbers representing the hours of work required, which will shock the faint of heart. But if you're contemplating using feathers, beads, sequins, silk ribbon, cording, floss, bullion, fine metallic threads, jewels or rhinestomes in a new and inventive way and just need a jump-start, it's in this book. The price is well worth the images (as many as 6 on a page) and it would make a nifty coffee table book as well. The perfect use, in my eyes, would be as a gift to a young girl showing a strong interest in fashion. Let her learn from the very best. For the rest of us, it will be a flight into the same world Clara discovered in the Nutcracker: pure fantasy come true. Here we can shed ratty blue jeans as well as the stifling little navy suit, and imagine ourselves covered in dazzling ornamentation. It's enough to make one want to plan a fancy dress ball for an excuse to get dressed up!

This is the most beautiful book I own and have ever seen, and I have many of the best in the fields of fashion and textile arts. This book covers them both. If you love couture and embroidery this is the book for you. The text is interesting and the photos are first rate. A wonderful insite into the most famous embroidery house in the world! Take note, this is not a how-to book. It is about the most creative facet of couture history - embellishment. A must have for any fashion and/or embroidery enthusiast.

"Canonized in 1999, Champagnat was an early member and priest of the Society of Mary and founder of its Little Brothers (the Institute of the Marist Brothers). Author Sammon is the Vicar General of the Marist Brothers and he presents in an easy-to-read manner the difficult times and life of St. Marcellin Champagnat. Born during the Revolution in France, he lived only fifty-one years. In the seminary, he was part of a group "made up of seminarians who were a familiar sight in the taverns of the town." Sammon writes for the modern temperment that needs to know the warts along with the shining myth. The heresy of Jansenism, a moral theology for the elect, influenced Marcellin's study for awhile. He began teaching and "by February 1822 the Institute was made up of ten brothers." There is the miracle in the snow, a serious illness from which he recovers, persistent financial problems for the schools, and an environment of increasing bitter anti-religious sentiment during the revolution in France. Simplicity and humility were Champagnat's outstanding virtues. This is the tale of a man growing past his problems to sainthood. Sammon writes with that same simplicity and humility, and with a fine erudition that moves comfortably from prayer to revolution, from submissiveness to the cry for social justice. Illuminating."

Sean Sammon's short biography of St. Marcellin Champagnat is definitely worth reading for anyone who is interested in the life of the Catholic Church and the people they call "Saints".

Sammon is able to describe, in a very uncomplicated way, the historical, sociological and theological background of this man who was born the same year as the French Revolution. Marcellin Champagnat started his life with little education, and through hard work, eventually studied and became a priest and founder of an international Congregation of Roman Catholic teaching Brothers, the Marist Brothers of the Schools.

The book details the life of this very down to earth man. Champagnat was a priest who sometimes defied the stereotypes of priesthood of his day, even to the point of actually building the houses his Brothers would live in. He had an undying love for young people and strove to do all that he could for them, and to lead them to know and love God. The book describes the difficulties St. Marcellin had along the way, and how he overcame them all with determination, prayer, and hard work.

Sammon's treatment of him goes beyond what many biographies present. He not only describes his life and mission, but delves into the psychological motivations that moved him. What emerges is a clear and informative life of a saint who is a very real person, not just a plaster image of what a saint should be! I highly recommend this book.

The strongest point of this book is the quality of its color plates--which of course makes or breaks an art book. Fortunately, the prints in this book are very rich and most images are full page. The accompanying text is also very thorough, informative, and interesting. My only complaint is that this book doesn't present much of the posters for which Toulouse-Lautrec is perhaps most famous; however, it does cover much of his other work. In that sense, I got to learn a lot about the body of this artist's work outside of the usual cliche of Toulouse-Lautrec. I would recommend this book for any art library.

"Being able to show people in simple, real moments of their lives was one of Henri's greatest talents", p 18

The young reader will learn about Henri's being born into a rich family, his having broken both of his legs in his early teenage years resulting in his small stature, and his years in Paris painting the life with which he came in contact.

Toulouse-Lautrec's painting of lively scenes of the theaters, dance halls and circuses makes this a perfect choice for young children. His Moulin Rouge advertisement prints are easy to read, uncluttered and therefore grab the young reader's attention. The young are frequently in motion. As a result they will appreciate Toulouse-Lautrec's ability to capture a scene in mid motion. The young reader will be drawn in by Henri's choice of brilliant colors and will have fun finding Henri in some of his paintings.

Henri's portrait of van Gogh is breathtaking. He van Gogh'd van Gogh. He does honor to the painter by mimicking van Gogh's style.

Venezia's illustrations are humorous. His narrative is delightfully entertaining. His approach brings the artist within reach of the young. His illustration of the Parisian friends that Henri may have introduced to his parent's is jokingly exaggerated.

The size of the book is perfect for smaller hands. It enables the young to have art within their grasp. Venezia gives the locations of the paintings and as result if the child lives near one of the museums or will be near one on vacation, she/he would be able to see the original.

This is the 18th in Venezia's "Getting to know the World's Greatest Artist" series. He also has similar series on composers. Venezia's back cover illustrations tie back to the subject. "Greatly influenced by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Mike also tries to capture the private moments ...".

The price of the book is well worth paying. The book contains the following: Toulouse-Lautrec's Paintings (13) and Prints (4), Photos of Toulouse-Lautrec - 2, Venezia's Illustrations - 6, Others' paintings/prints - 3.

Although Miller's books are largely autobiographical, it is sometimes difficult to discern "Henry Miller" from "Henry Miller's world". In reading this book by Brassai, we learn some of the methods Miller used to construct his world-- thus providing a deeper understanding of the man. While this book is by no means exhaustive, it does provide a glimpse into the man. There are numerous descriptions of Henry Miller available, but to get an insider's view, it is essential to read this book written by a man who knew Miller as well as any person can know another.

This book is a must-read for Henry Miller devotees who want to understand the genesis of this great writer. Written by his close friend Brassai a fascinating story is told about Miller's down and out days in Paris during the 1930's and how his vision of writing developed. It is replete with personal anecdotes about Miller's views of Paris, his hatred (ambivalent as it was) of his homeland and his relations with the women in his life. It more than anything shows Miller as the writer refusing to sell-out by having the essence of his writing edited away by the censorius literary status quo of his day.

I musts first state, write and say that I had no prior knowledge that this book in question, i.e., The Heptameron (Penguin Classics)by Marguerite De Navarre, P.A. Chilton(Translator), that it even existed. However, I must say that I have been very pleasantly surprised. The story surrounds a plethora of storytellers; whom one by one tell stories of adventure, heartache et al; and are very easy to relate to (even though they were written almost 500 years ago and by doing so shows the authors brilliance since most books are only read by the most current audience). The translation is very well done and therefore the book is indeed a pleasure to read (since my knowledge of French is nonexistent at this time).

Anyone interested in gender studies, especially wishing to understand the sexual relationships between spouses and lovers, the perceptions of what is acceptable, what is "masculine" or "feminine," would not only enjoy the reading, but gain some insight on Renaissance French culture. Along with the Decameron, Faerie Queene, Shakespeare's plays, and Orlando Furioso, this text is a necessary one for understanding the society at court during the Renaissance in Europe.

This book is a must have in any household! It not only traces the history of French cooking but its complete with fantastic recipes but and illustrated with the paintings of the French masters! An art book and a cook book all in one!

A book I will be passing onto my children one day when I have them!

Merveilleux!

I borrowed this book from a dear friend, and find that from Apicus to the present, it is, together with Sunset Country French Cooking, my favorite in my library. Only this book does not belong to me, and apparently I may have to kill my friend to get it. That is all right, any jury after seeing the book, would say it was justifible homocide.

Yet another example of Boudriot's brilliant penchant for accuracy and exhaustive detail. I can only wish more of Jean Boudriot's work could be translated into English, as (like most Americans!) I am unable to speak or read French. What a loss to the English reading public! That said, the History of the French Frigate fills a major gap in the literature regarding French naval ship types, and should be a 'must read' for any serious scholar of Napoleonic and Revolutionary war naval history.

Jean Boudriot's ship books are absolute gems, and particularly prized when available in English. This oversized volume, translated as usual by David Roberts, covers the entire development of the French frigate from 1650 to 1850. Along with a concluding chapter arranged topically, various frigate types are discussed chronologically, ranging from the early 8-pounders through the 12-pounders of the American Revolutionary War period, to the famous 18-pounders of the Napoleonic era and the 24- and 30- pounders of the Restoration. La Renommee (1744-1747), La Belle-Poule (1765-1780), and La Venus (1782) are called out for detailed examination, with full sets of plans reproduced (note, however, that these are smaller than the modelmaker's plans available separately in Boudriot's single-ship monographs). Many other plans, both original and reconstructed, are reproduced, along with a section of stunning photographs of ship models in the collection of La Musee de la Marine in Paris. As is usual in Boudriot's books, every aspect is first-rate (despite frigates being the subject). This volume contains virtually everything a sailing navy fan would want to know about the development, construction, fitting, decoration, arming, masting, rigging, and sailing of the French frigate. Any Royal Navy chauvinists out there should remember that the Brits greatly admired French design and frequently employed captured frigates. More importantly, Jean Boudriot's scholarship and draftsmanship is unsurpassed by any authority writing today. In the case of a Boudriot book, more and bigger is always better.

I am ashamed to say, after studying the Napoleonic Wars for quite some time, this is my first reading of this excellent volume. It is an exhaustive, authoritative account of the Peninsular War that is without peer in English. Oman spent years researching and writing this multi-volume epic, and it is invaluable both as a reference and a research tool on its own. The only way you will find like information is by going into the archives yourself.

Oman does somewhat over simplify 'column versus line' in his study, but the detail, and the sweep of these campaigns that he so meaningfully tells more than make up for that.

This book, and the series it introduces, are highly recommended for any and all enthusiasts and historians, and it has an honored place on my bookshelf. The price may be somewhat steep, but it is definitely worth it.

This reissue has an invaluable introduction by Col John Elting, the noted authority on the period, which is helpful in understanding how and why Oman wrote the series. This book, and the series, is a definite keeper and is without peer for the study of these critical campaigns.

Oman is the definitive tactical and operational description of the British and French campaigns in the Iberian Peninsula during the Napoleonic Wars. It's also among the best descriptions in the English language of the realities of early 19th century ground combat.

My reading was of the original volumes in the 1970s; I'm most pleased that these unmatched references have been re-printed.

'Who'd want to read about us buying a place in France' asked George East, when his wife suggested keeping a diary of their doings to while away the time on the numerous necessary ferry crossings. 'It's not as if anything particularly interesting has happened!'

But, write it, he did, and the result is 'Home & Dry in France', sub-titled 'A Year in Purgatory'. Getting it published, though, was another story, too long to tell here!

At the outset, George tells us his book is not to be regarded as a primer for those wishing to buy property in France ... and, in fact, claims at one point it's a work of fiction ('This is a true story ... only the facts have been changed (1970s 'Dragnet' spoof))

With a wicked and wry humour, George leads us through the minefield of acquiring not one but two properties, introducing us to various engaging characters met along the way. It's an odd paradox, but the Normandy bocage, where the story is set, is less than an hour's drive from the busy ferry port of Cherbourg ... but, to most British, it's undiscovered country, in many places, even a step back in time.

Throughout, the stories are peppered liberally with advice for the would-be buyer, as well as 'cautionary tales' which I read with a certain amount of schadenfreude and more than a few chuckles.

The 'Year in Purgatory' ends with Monsieur and Madame East installed in a ruined watermill Moulin de la Puce (Mill of the Flea) which became their home for many years. But, they aren't 'Home and Dry' yet. There's a lot of work to do, more places to visit and more characters to meet. Read this and enjoy ... and rejoice that there's more to come.

This is a witty tale of the difficulties encountered when buying a home in a foreign country. The characters are full of life and somewhat quirky. The story is poignantly funny. A 'must read' for anyone contemplating a house in France, or someone who just has an interest in France and the French.
An excellent book.

I don't understand French but I bought this book for the pictures and the topic. I had the good fortune to have visited the Maginot Line near Longuyon and wanted a picture book as a souvenir. This book surpasses my expectations and the lavish presentation and format sets new standards on presenting a little known topic.

Excellent book which is well illustrated and presents an interesting view of the planning and construction of the ouvrages (forts) of the Maginot Line. The authors provide data along with the most comprehensive view yet of the troops that served in the Maginot Line in northeast France. Virtually every regiment, most of them RIF (Fortress Infantry Regiments) are included in the descriptions along with details on the uniforms and insigna worn. A knowledge of French is not really needed to enjoy this book, although a good dictionary might be useful. If you are reading this you can also use one of the many translation sites on the web to help you through the book. This is presently one of the best illustrated books available on the Maginot Line in the U.S. This is volume 1 of a 4 volume series. The second book will cover the the armament used and the third will deal with the short combat history of the Maginot Line. The final book will be devoted to the Little Maginot Line in the southeast on the Alpine front with Italy. Best of all, the price of this book is relatively modest considering its size and the number of illustrations (182 pages with from 1 to 4 illustrations or charts on almost every page).