Fascinating But Not For Beginners, 10 Jan 2008
I think this book is brilliant, yet I am not 100% sure why it is in the Very Short Introduction series. It isn't really an introduction to contemporary art. If you don't know much about art, and you don't know much about contemporary artists, you aren't going to be very much the wiser after reading this book, at least at a basic level. It deals only sketchily with the work of artists, using them to illustrate points rather than to tell you much about them or the artists themselves. It doesn't really set out to tell you what art is either, in any easily identifiable way.
Having said that, it gets five stars in my book because it illustrates a fascinating view of art that I have never really been aware of before. Stallabras talks about contemporary art in relation to world politics, commerce, consumerism and the worlds of big business and finance. He talks about how art has changed and been shaped by the demands that these external pressure points have put upon it, and what that means for the way we 'read' art and art works. He talks about how it affects our understanding of where art fits in the current world order and what that means for artists.
It is an incredibly interesting book, from which I have learned a great deal. It really made me think and made me look at things like how exhibitions are staged and what museums are for in a radically different light. It is well worth the money and the time to read it, but you do have to have some prior knowledge of art beforehand to get the best out of it.

Fascinating But Not For Beginners, 10 Jan 2008
I think this book is brilliant, yet I am not 100% sure why it is in the Very Short Introduction series. It isn't really an introduction to contemporary art. If you don't know much about art, and you don't know much about contemporary artists, you aren't going to be very much the wiser after reading this book, at least at a basic level. It deals only sketchily with the work of artists, using them to illustrate points rather than to tell you much about them or the artists themselves. It doesn't really set out to tell you what art is either, in any easily identifiable way.
Having said that, it gets five stars in my book because it illustrates a fascinating view of art that I have never really been aware of before. Stallabras talks about contemporary art in relation to world politics, commerce, consumerism and the worlds of big business and finance. He talks about how art has changed and been shaped by the demands that these external pressure points have put upon it, and what that means for the way we 'read' art and art works. He talks about how it affects our understanding of where art fits in the current world order and what that means for artists.
It is an incredibly interesting book, from which I have learned a great deal. It really made me think and made me look at things like how exhibitions are staged and what museums are for in a radically different light. It is well worth the money and the time to read it, but you do have to have some prior knowledge of art beforehand to get the best out of it.

My New Bible!!!, 15 Jun 2004
i had read this over a weekend and found it hard to put down and is not very heavy apart from a couple of places such as putting a value on your time/working out figures needed for a business plan. all essential infomation if you need finance to start your business, and all from a design perspective which is great! she looks at topics from two points of view, firstly she lets you in on how she started her agency, which is now fairly large, and secondly gives you the point of view from the freelancer/small design agency. so everyone is covered.

the author is actually quite funny in places, giving examples of situations she has been in with various clients over the years while she has been in business. she slips these stories into topics such as billing clients, breaking ties with clients, networking etc - topics that would normally be dull she brings to life from the designers point of view.

she also includes a section on paperwork, lots of hints and tips - time sheets, making a legal document out of an estimate etc, all the templates are here to get your design agency started. the legal stuff is fairly basic, and covers what you would expect from a client - there were only a few points that you would likely remove for use in the UK, but then i'm no legal eagle.

do not let the fact that this is an american book put you off. the content/issues covered are the same the world over, and the types of money she uses as examples are more or less the same as the UK. also the sections she covers for making a business plan are exactly the same as over here, again, from a design perspective.

so a great book on the business side of graphic design - and all from an established designers point of view! a must if you are going to freelance/set up your own design agency.

Essential reading if you're planning to go freelance, 02 Mar 2004
I found this book extremely useful. This is the nitty gritty of what you need to know regarding pricing policy and how to handle your customers if you're planning to go freelance. Quite complicated in places, but tons of really useful advice & various formats for forms/paperwork etc. I definately feel more confident & well informed about my pricing policy after reading this. Also some good hints for handling tricky situations with clients & how to build/maintain good client relationships. Although written for a US audience, the advice & formulas are jsut as relevant for the UK (or any other country's) market.

Fascinating But Not For Beginners, 10 Jan 2008
I think this book is brilliant, yet I am not 100% sure why it is in the Very Short Introduction series. It isn't really an introduction to contemporary art. If you don't know much about art, and you don't know much about contemporary artists, you aren't going to be very much the wiser after reading this book, at least at a basic level. It deals only sketchily with the work of artists, using them to illustrate points rather than to tell you much about them or the artists themselves. It doesn't really set out to tell you what art is either, in any easily identifiable way.
Having said that, it gets five stars in my book because it illustrates a fascinating view of art that I have never really been aware of before. Stallabras talks about contemporary art in relation to world politics, commerce, consumerism and the worlds of big business and finance. He talks about how art has changed and been shaped by the demands that these external pressure points have put upon it, and what that means for the way we 'read' art and art works. He talks about how it affects our understanding of where art fits in the current world order and what that means for artists.
It is an incredibly interesting book, from which I have learned a great deal. It really made me think and made me look at things like how exhibitions are staged and what museums are for in a radically different light. It is well worth the money and the time to read it, but you do have to have some prior knowledge of art beforehand to get the best out of it.

My New Bible!!!, 15 Jun 2004
i had read this over a weekend and found it hard to put down and is not very heavy apart from a couple of places such as putting a value on your time/working out figures needed for a business plan. all essential infomation if you need finance to start your business, and all from a design perspective which is great! she looks at topics from two points of view, firstly she lets you in on how she started her agency, which is now fairly large, and secondly gives you the point of view from the freelancer/small design agency. so everyone is covered.

the author is actually quite funny in places, giving examples of situations she has been in with various clients over the years while she has been in business. she slips these stories into topics such as billing clients, breaking ties with clients, networking etc - topics that would normally be dull she brings to life from the designers point of view.

she also includes a section on paperwork, lots of hints and tips - time sheets, making a legal document out of an estimate etc, all the templates are here to get your design agency started. the legal stuff is fairly basic, and covers what you would expect from a client - there were only a few points that you would likely remove for use in the UK, but then i'm no legal eagle.

do not let the fact that this is an american book put you off. the content/issues covered are the same the world over, and the types of money she uses as examples are more or less the same as the UK. also the sections she covers for making a business plan are exactly the same as over here, again, from a design perspective.

so a great book on the business side of graphic design - and all from an established designers point of view! a must if you are going to freelance/set up your own design agency.

Essential reading if you're planning to go freelance, 02 Mar 2004
I found this book extremely useful. This is the nitty gritty of what you need to know regarding pricing policy and how to handle your customers if you're planning to go freelance. Quite complicated in places, but tons of really useful advice & various formats for forms/paperwork etc. I definately feel more confident & well informed about my pricing policy after reading this. Also some good hints for handling tricky situations with clients & how to build/maintain good client relationships. Although written for a US audience, the advice & formulas are jsut as relevant for the UK (or any other country's) market.

Absolute...LY GREAT. This IS the ONE......, 14 Dec 2004
Absolute..ly GREAT..

I have over the last year, bought several "How do I"? books. From subjects like finding out how FrontPage is really supposed to work to a much more recent "barge load" of "Doing eBay Auctions Profitably" or, some-such titles.
The fact is, you buy and read a book that's about three hundred pages long, only to find you end up reading loads about "someone stating the flaming obvious".
For those of you this has happened to and for those who buy these special books, covering subjects which you are so desperately wanting answers to. Reviews such as this one, can and indeed should be, useful and helpful. So, I ask that you forgive my flippancy at the beginning, I have been stung myself quite often.
I finished reading the Absolute Beginners Guide....... a couple of days ago. It was the forth, or fifth book I had purchased on the subject of eBay, or building an eBay business etc... Each one that I read, left something (actually many things--) wanting. It was like an itch that you can not scratch.

But finally.......
I do believe I will not need to buy another "How to build a business with eBay instruction book".
For once, all the subjects which you require to ACTUALLY launch a business, are covered. They are, listed and written down in a factual straight forward, yet in an easy to follow manner.
Its also true that the UK site, we are often unhappy about the books being SO American oriented. Well in this case, I would be surprised if you even notice. The book takes you literally through the journey of creating a business. It just happens to be an eBay business, but could just as well have been any other.
The depth of reference is excellent, the professionalism shines through too. It is not full of eBay isms, except when explaining what something actually means, that may be in itself an eBay word. (An eBay word?.... Did I just say that?)
Neither is the balance between what you need to know and what you are being shown distorted or confusing, in any way.

I think it is a great book. Its good for all those who have decided that they are going to try and "make a living from eBay" and its equally good for those who just need a revision, of some of the eBay basics of establishing and maintaining profits and running a business.

Its well priced and quite chunky for its 380 or so pages.
My suggestion is read the book through. Then use it as a manual.
If you jump about to begin with I think you could lose some of the progression from A to B to C....

You will not be disappointed with this one.

Have a nice Christmas,

PulpKult

Fascinating But Not For Beginners, 10 Jan 2008
I think this book is brilliant, yet I am not 100% sure why it is in the Very Short Introduction series. It isn't really an introduction to contemporary art. If you don't know much about art, and you don't know much about contemporary artists, you aren't going to be very much the wiser after reading this book, at least at a basic level. It deals only sketchily with the work of artists, using them to illustrate points rather than to tell you much about them or the artists themselves. It doesn't really set out to tell you what art is either, in any easily identifiable way.
Having said that, it gets five stars in my book because it illustrates a fascinating view of art that I have never really been aware of before. Stallabras talks about contemporary art in relation to world politics, commerce, consumerism and the worlds of big business and finance. He talks about how art has changed and been shaped by the demands that these external pressure points have put upon it, and what that means for the way we 'read' art and art works. He talks about how it affects our understanding of where art fits in the current world order and what that means for artists.
It is an incredibly interesting book, from which I have learned a great deal. It really made me think and made me look at things like how exhibitions are staged and what museums are for in a radically different light. It is well worth the money and the time to read it, but you do have to have some prior knowledge of art beforehand to get the best out of it.

My New Bible!!!, 15 Jun 2004
i had read this over a weekend and found it hard to put down and is not very heavy apart from a couple of places such as putting a value on your time/working out figures needed for a business plan. all essential infomation if you need finance to start your business, and all from a design perspective which is great! she looks at topics from two points of view, firstly she lets you in on how she started her agency, which is now fairly large, and secondly gives you the point of view from the freelancer/small design agency. so everyone is covered.

the author is actually quite funny in places, giving examples of situations she has been in with various clients over the years while she has been in business. she slips these stories into topics such as billing clients, breaking ties with clients, networking etc - topics that would normally be dull she brings to life from the designers point of view.

she also includes a section on paperwork, lots of hints and tips - time sheets, making a legal document out of an estimate etc, all the templates are here to get your design agency started. the legal stuff is fairly basic, and covers what you would expect from a client - there were only a few points that you would likely remove for use in the UK, but then i'm no legal eagle.

do not let the fact that this is an american book put you off. the content/issues covered are the same the world over, and the types of money she uses as examples are more or less the same as the UK. also the sections she covers for making a business plan are exactly the same as over here, again, from a design perspective.

so a great book on the business side of graphic design - and all from an established designers point of view! a must if you are going to freelance/set up your own design agency.

Essential reading if you're planning to go freelance, 02 Mar 2004
I found this book extremely useful. This is the nitty gritty of what you need to know regarding pricing policy and how to handle your customers if you're planning to go freelance. Quite complicated in places, but tons of really useful advice & various formats for forms/paperwork etc. I definately feel more confident & well informed about my pricing policy after reading this. Also some good hints for handling tricky situations with clients & how to build/maintain good client relationships. Although written for a US audience, the advice & formulas are jsut as relevant for the UK (or any other country's) market.

Absolute...LY GREAT. This IS the ONE......, 14 Dec 2004
Absolute..ly GREAT..

I have over the last year, bought several "How do I"? books. From subjects like finding out how FrontPage is really supposed to work to a much more recent "barge load" of "Doing eBay Auctions Profitably" or, some-such titles.
The fact is, you buy and read a book that's about three hundred pages long, only to find you end up reading loads about "someone stating the flaming obvious".
For those of you this has happened to and for those who buy these special books, covering subjects which you are so desperately wanting answers to. Reviews such as this one, can and indeed should be, useful and helpful. So, I ask that you forgive my flippancy at the beginning, I have been stung myself quite often.
I finished reading the Absolute Beginners Guide....... a couple of days ago. It was the forth, or fifth book I had purchased on the subject of eBay, or building an eBay business etc... Each one that I read, left something (actually many things--) wanting. It was like an itch that you can not scratch.

But finally.......
I do believe I will not need to buy another "How to build a business with eBay instruction book".
For once, all the subjects which you require to ACTUALLY launch a business, are covered. They are, listed and written down in a factual straight forward, yet in an easy to follow manner.
Its also true that the UK site, we are often unhappy about the books being SO American oriented. Well in this case, I would be surprised if you even notice. The book takes you literally through the journey of creating a business. It just happens to be an eBay business, but could just as well have been any other.
The depth of reference is excellent, the professionalism shines through too. It is not full of eBay isms, except when explaining what something actually means, that may be in itself an eBay word. (An eBay word?.... Did I just say that?)
Neither is the balance between what you need to know and what you are being shown distorted or confusing, in any way.

I think it is a great book. Its good for all those who have decided that they are going to try and "make a living from eBay" and its equally good for those who just need a revision, of some of the eBay basics of establishing and maintaining profits and running a business.

Its well priced and quite chunky for its 380 or so pages.
My suggestion is read the book through. Then use it as a manual.
If you jump about to begin with I think you could lose some of the progression from A to B to C....

You will not be disappointed with this one.

Have a nice Christmas,

PulpKult

Pruf reeder? What's that? , 21 Feb 2008
I can hardly talk about the content of this book because the proofreading was so abysmal that it completely put me off the book. For heaven's sake, if book publishers can't even be bothered to spell words right, why should I bother spending good money on their product? It's like finding rotten fruit after the first layer in a strawberry punnet - you feel cheated!

With regards to the content, it was okay - it didn't go as indepth as I would have liked into the workings of either of the auction houses nor did it capture the excitement of some of the biggest auctions of the past 20 years, which would have added to the drama, I think.

Lords and Liars., 16 Apr 2006
Well researched and comprehensive account of the inside dealing and price fixing between two of the largest auction houses. A rare insight into the corruption that dominated the market and the people who were at the centre of it. Lost some impact as it was so badly proof-read that there are sections which make no sense at all- filled with spelling mistakes and odd punctuation. Worth a read before you go out and bid in the open market!