A sumptuous volume, 15 Jan 2008
The introduction and subsequent text is very brief, and provides a glimpse into the artist's background and rise to success. The text makes little if any critical comment about the artist's work, perhaps leaving the paintings to speak for themselves. The book concludes with a list of the artist's paintings and exhibitions. The book really is all about the pictures.

There are about 160 full colour reproductions of Vettriano's paintings of which about half dozen are small images illustrating the text, there are over thirty full page bleed pictures many of which in fact amount to a page and a half and include one double page spread (the best in the book?). However the bulk of the illustrations range from almost full page images to those which occupy about half a page or occasionally less. The quality of the reproduction is excellent, and the varied and attractive layout suits the images well, bold yet without detracting from the work.

For those of us who are perhaps used to seeing Vettriano's paintings merely as small reproductions adorning cards and the like, it is a revelation to see them produced so well and to a good size. Seeing them so it is easy to label his technique as commercial and slick; but there is no denying the immediate appeal and impact. Whether or not you are a fan of Vettriano's this is a book worth having, it shows the range of his work, from the dark and sensual to some very appealing high key paintings. Altogether it is a most sumptuous volume.


evokative, 17 Sep 2006
I have been a Vettriano fan for many years and am delighted at his rise to fame, so this book is a delight to me. I love the rawness of the subjects, the earthiness. Times past-alas. I nice book and it would make a nice gift to someone who is "new" to Vettriano.
Rina

Elusive Vettriano, 09 Dec 2004
This is a nicely produced book on the art of Scottish artist Jack Vettriano. If you are looking for an illustrated guide to the work of Jack Vettriano - then this is the book for you. Even though some of his better known works are missing from this volume it is still a good selection.

The reproductions are well thought out and presented, with the exception of one or two. These suffer the same fate as other books on the artist in that they are printed across the spine of the book.

If, like some, you are looking for an insight into the life of the artist, then you may be dissapointed here for there is very little narrative and, what is there is well known already. There is still room for an in depth look at the artist as well as that other vital ingredient, the artist's models.

This is an excellent illustrative guide to the work of the artist with a large number of well presented reproductions. Highly recomended for both the new-comer and the dedicated Jack Vettriano fan.

A sumptuous volume, 15 Jan 2008
The introduction and subsequent text is very brief, and provides a glimpse into the artist's background and rise to success. The text makes little if any critical comment about the artist's work, perhaps leaving the paintings to speak for themselves. The book concludes with a list of the artist's paintings and exhibitions. The book really is all about the pictures.

There are about 160 full colour reproductions of Vettriano's paintings of which about half dozen are small images illustrating the text, there are over thirty full page bleed pictures many of which in fact amount to a page and a half and include one double page spread (the best in the book?). However the bulk of the illustrations range from almost full page images to those which occupy about half a page or occasionally less. The quality of the reproduction is excellent, and the varied and attractive layout suits the images well, bold yet without detracting from the work.

For those of us who are perhaps used to seeing Vettriano's paintings merely as small reproductions adorning cards and the like, it is a revelation to see them produced so well and to a good size. Seeing them so it is easy to label his technique as commercial and slick; but there is no denying the immediate appeal and impact. Whether or not you are a fan of Vettriano's this is a book worth having, it shows the range of his work, from the dark and sensual to some very appealing high key paintings. Altogether it is a most sumptuous volume.


evokative, 17 Sep 2006
I have been a Vettriano fan for many years and am delighted at his rise to fame, so this book is a delight to me. I love the rawness of the subjects, the earthiness. Times past-alas. I nice book and it would make a nice gift to someone who is "new" to Vettriano.
Rina

Elusive Vettriano, 09 Dec 2004
This is a nicely produced book on the art of Scottish artist Jack Vettriano. If you are looking for an illustrated guide to the work of Jack Vettriano - then this is the book for you. Even though some of his better known works are missing from this volume it is still a good selection.

The reproductions are well thought out and presented, with the exception of one or two. These suffer the same fate as other books on the artist in that they are printed across the spine of the book.

If, like some, you are looking for an insight into the life of the artist, then you may be dissapointed here for there is very little narrative and, what is there is well known already. There is still room for an in depth look at the artist as well as that other vital ingredient, the artist's models.

This is an excellent illustrative guide to the work of the artist with a large number of well presented reproductions. Highly recomended for both the new-comer and the dedicated Jack Vettriano fan.

Excellent little photo books, 14 Apr 2008
These Phaidon 55 books are excellent little 'sampler' books on some of the world's top photographers. They give a great overview of their work, nicely printed. Thank you Phaidon for publishing this series.
The book on Joel Meyerowitz has a good biography section, and each photo has the photographer's own comments, which really adds to work. Highly recommended.

A sumptuous volume, 15 Jan 2008
The introduction and subsequent text is very brief, and provides a glimpse into the artist's background and rise to success. The text makes little if any critical comment about the artist's work, perhaps leaving the paintings to speak for themselves. The book concludes with a list of the artist's paintings and exhibitions. The book really is all about the pictures.

There are about 160 full colour reproductions of Vettriano's paintings of which about half dozen are small images illustrating the text, there are over thirty full page bleed pictures many of which in fact amount to a page and a half and include one double page spread (the best in the book?). However the bulk of the illustrations range from almost full page images to those which occupy about half a page or occasionally less. The quality of the reproduction is excellent, and the varied and attractive layout suits the images well, bold yet without detracting from the work.

For those of us who are perhaps used to seeing Vettriano's paintings merely as small reproductions adorning cards and the like, it is a revelation to see them produced so well and to a good size. Seeing them so it is easy to label his technique as commercial and slick; but there is no denying the immediate appeal and impact. Whether or not you are a fan of Vettriano's this is a book worth having, it shows the range of his work, from the dark and sensual to some very appealing high key paintings. Altogether it is a most sumptuous volume.


evokative, 17 Sep 2006
I have been a Vettriano fan for many years and am delighted at his rise to fame, so this book is a delight to me. I love the rawness of the subjects, the earthiness. Times past-alas. I nice book and it would make a nice gift to someone who is "new" to Vettriano.
Rina

Elusive Vettriano, 09 Dec 2004
This is a nicely produced book on the art of Scottish artist Jack Vettriano. If you are looking for an illustrated guide to the work of Jack Vettriano - then this is the book for you. Even though some of his better known works are missing from this volume it is still a good selection.

The reproductions are well thought out and presented, with the exception of one or two. These suffer the same fate as other books on the artist in that they are printed across the spine of the book.

If, like some, you are looking for an insight into the life of the artist, then you may be dissapointed here for there is very little narrative and, what is there is well known already. There is still room for an in depth look at the artist as well as that other vital ingredient, the artist's models.

This is an excellent illustrative guide to the work of the artist with a large number of well presented reproductions. Highly recomended for both the new-comer and the dedicated Jack Vettriano fan.

Excellent little photo books, 14 Apr 2008
These Phaidon 55 books are excellent little 'sampler' books on some of the world's top photographers. They give a great overview of their work, nicely printed. Thank you Phaidon for publishing this series.
The book on Joel Meyerowitz has a good biography section, and each photo has the photographer's own comments, which really adds to work. Highly recommended.

A book of historic proportions, 04 Jul 2008
This is a book of historic proportions, both for the impact on the understanding of Geishas and for the excellence and finesse of the photographic work. Never before a photographer has been allowed to go into the depths of this ancient Japanese tradition as Ogino has gone. The book is bound to become a point of reference for the study of traditional Japanese culture in general and the institution of Geisha in particular.
From the American GIs that allegedly entered Tokyo in 1945 shouting "we want Geishas" until more recent novels and films written and produced by people with a superficial understanding of what being a Geisha implies, this traditional and respectable Japanese institution has been usually subject to an unfair treatment based on the ignorance and misunderstanding of Western observers. While it can be argued that there have been books about the inner world of geikos, those have been written by either those peeping at it or by former members that give their version of their lives without necessarily having a third party's corroboration. This work adds to the study of Geishas and their world because the combination of Ogino's photography and the Geisha-to-be Komomo's commentary produces a unique and powerful tale of the making of a Geisha from the complicity of the photographer and the subject of his work, clarifying some of the misunderstandings and shading new light on what a Geisha really is and really feels. It can be argued that there are some works that become an unavoidable reference for the study of a topic, and A Geisha's Journey is definitively one of them.


Delightful photographic insight to a Miyagawacho maiko, 10 Apr 2008
This book is a must-have for anyone interested in geisha. The pictures are beautiful and at times intimate. But if you looking for something gritty like Mineko Iwasaki's biography, you won't find it here. This book is a delightful photographic journal of the passage to womanhood in the geisha world. Komomo-san seems like a darling and you feel you get to know her somewhat through these enchanting photos. There is no new information here for the seasoned geisha enthusiast, but is still an essential part of anyone's collection.

A sumptuous volume, 15 Jan 2008
The introduction and subsequent text is very brief, and provides a glimpse into the artist's background and rise to success. The text makes little if any critical comment about the artist's work, perhaps leaving the paintings to speak for themselves. The book concludes with a list of the artist's paintings and exhibitions. The book really is all about the pictures.

There are about 160 full colour reproductions of Vettriano's paintings of which about half dozen are small images illustrating the text, there are over thirty full page bleed pictures many of which in fact amount to a page and a half and include one double page spread (the best in the book?). However the bulk of the illustrations range from almost full page images to those which occupy about half a page or occasionally less. The quality of the reproduction is excellent, and the varied and attractive layout suits the images well, bold yet without detracting from the work.

For those of us who are perhaps used to seeing Vettriano's paintings merely as small reproductions adorning cards and the like, it is a revelation to see them produced so well and to a good size. Seeing them so it is easy to label his technique as commercial and slick; but there is no denying the immediate appeal and impact. Whether or not you are a fan of Vettriano's this is a book worth having, it shows the range of his work, from the dark and sensual to some very appealing high key paintings. Altogether it is a most sumptuous volume.


evokative, 17 Sep 2006
I have been a Vettriano fan for many years and am delighted at his rise to fame, so this book is a delight to me. I love the rawness of the subjects, the earthiness. Times past-alas. I nice book and it would make a nice gift to someone who is "new" to Vettriano.
Rina

Elusive Vettriano, 09 Dec 2004
This is a nicely produced book on the art of Scottish artist Jack Vettriano. If you are looking for an illustrated guide to the work of Jack Vettriano - then this is the book for you. Even though some of his better known works are missing from this volume it is still a good selection.

The reproductions are well thought out and presented, with the exception of one or two. These suffer the same fate as other books on the artist in that they are printed across the spine of the book.

If, like some, you are looking for an insight into the life of the artist, then you may be dissapointed here for there is very little narrative and, what is there is well known already. There is still room for an in depth look at the artist as well as that other vital ingredient, the artist's models.

This is an excellent illustrative guide to the work of the artist with a large number of well presented reproductions. Highly recomended for both the new-comer and the dedicated Jack Vettriano fan.

Excellent little photo books, 14 Apr 2008
These Phaidon 55 books are excellent little 'sampler' books on some of the world's top photographers. They give a great overview of their work, nicely printed. Thank you Phaidon for publishing this series.
The book on Joel Meyerowitz has a good biography section, and each photo has the photographer's own comments, which really adds to work. Highly recommended.

A book of historic proportions, 04 Jul 2008
This is a book of historic proportions, both for the impact on the understanding of Geishas and for the excellence and finesse of the photographic work. Never before a photographer has been allowed to go into the depths of this ancient Japanese tradition as Ogino has gone. The book is bound to become a point of reference for the study of traditional Japanese culture in general and the institution of Geisha in particular.
From the American GIs that allegedly entered Tokyo in 1945 shouting "we want Geishas" until more recent novels and films written and produced by people with a superficial understanding of what being a Geisha implies, this traditional and respectable Japanese institution has been usually subject to an unfair treatment based on the ignorance and misunderstanding of Western observers. While it can be argued that there have been books about the inner world of geikos, those have been written by either those peeping at it or by former members that give their version of their lives without necessarily having a third party's corroboration. This work adds to the study of Geishas and their world because the combination of Ogino's photography and the Geisha-to-be Komomo's commentary produces a unique and powerful tale of the making of a Geisha from the complicity of the photographer and the subject of his work, clarifying some of the misunderstandings and shading new light on what a Geisha really is and really feels. It can be argued that there are some works that become an unavoidable reference for the study of a topic, and A Geisha's Journey is definitively one of them.


Delightful photographic insight to a Miyagawacho maiko, 10 Apr 2008
This book is a must-have for anyone interested in geisha. The pictures are beautiful and at times intimate. But if you looking for something gritty like Mineko Iwasaki's biography, you won't find it here. This book is a delightful photographic journal of the passage to womanhood in the geisha world. Komomo-san seems like a darling and you feel you get to know her somewhat through these enchanting photos. There is no new information here for the seasoned geisha enthusiast, but is still an essential part of anyone's collection.

Unforgettable, 24 Aug 2008
I couldn't put this book down.

Helen Lewis is a remarkable woman, who has risen above feelings of revenge and animosity, which would be completely understandable after all she went through.

After suffering unimaginable terror, hardship and loss along with all those millions of others who were victims of the holocaust, Helen still found it possible to tell of the humane side of 'the enemy' whenever it appeared, as well as the fears and feelings she experienced throughout her ordeal as a young woman at the mercy of the nazis.

In telling her own personal story, Helen also manages to answer the often asked questions of how the persecution of the Jews insidiously crept up on the European world of the 1930-40s, and how it became possible for such hatred to grow to such an extreme that entire communities were transported away from their homes without any apparent opposition from their erstwhile friends and colleagues.

This book gives the feeling that the author has not set out to shock you or to make you feel sorry for her suffering, but just wants to tell the story in order to lay her ghosts to rest.


A remarkable memoir from a remarkable woman, 22 Sep 2004
I knew Helen Lewis back in the early 60s, when she taught us dance at drama school, and with the exception of my wife, I have never known anyone with that same energy, determination, joie de vivre, and pluckiness. She remains one of the most remarkable people I have ever known. I still remember the time when she rolled up her sleeves in class and I saw the numbers tattooed on her arm. It gave me such a jolt, even though I'd known she'd been in a camp. In those days, she never talked openly about her experiences. But years later she wrote this eloquent memoir that tells us all we have to know. If she'd been an ordinary person, I doubt if she could have survived such terrible treatment. But having seen her in action, I never for a moment doubted that, if anyone could have got through it, she could. If you've read Primo Levi and the rest, this will complete your understanding of the depravity of the camps. It should be made compulsiry reading for anyone who claims the camps never existed.

A stunningly frank account of ordinary people in extremis, 19 Dec 2001
This book should be mandatory reading for all of us who have become complacent in the comfort of our freedom. I recently had the honour of meeting Mrs Lewis and her prose writing style is exactly the same as the way she speaks in conversation.

Her story is all the more shocking for the mundane nature of the tortures to which Jewish people of all classes were subjected by the Nazi regime. The personal beauty of this woman shines through and has not been dimmed by her experiences. This book is humbling in it's freedom from bitterness and it's stark contrast with predictable life in the freedom of our post-Holocaust world. No one can deny the voracity of Lewis's experience, no one can remain unmoved or unchanged by it's reading. Read this book and never let this happen again.

An inspiring tale of courage and suffering., 16 Jun 2001
A moving and inspiring tale of courage and suffering by a Holocaust survivor. Mrs Lewis reflects on the devastating effect of the Final Solution on her own life and those she loved. He story is even more remarkable when one considers that the eloquent honesty evident on every page comes from someone whose mother tongue is not, of course, English. Her account of learning what befell her husband left me reeling. Right up there alongside Schindler's Ark and The Diary of Anne Frank - a must-read.

A sumptuous volume, 15 Jan 2008
The introduction and subsequent text is very brief, and provides a glimpse into the artist's background and rise to success. The text makes little if any critical comment about the artist's work, perhaps leaving the paintings to speak for themselves. The book concludes with a list of the artist's paintings and exhibitions. The book really is all about the pictures.

There are about 160 full colour reproductions of Vettriano's paintings of which about half dozen are small images illustrating the text, there are over thirty full page bleed pictures many of which in fact amount to a page and a half and include one double page spread (the best in the book?). However the bulk of the illustrations range from almost full page images to those which occupy about half a page or occasionally less. The quality of the reproduction is excellent, and the varied and attractive layout suits the images well, bold yet without detracting from the work.

For those of us who are perhaps used to seeing Vettriano's paintings merely as small reproductions adorning cards and the like, it is a revelation to see them produced so well and to a good size. Seeing them so it is easy to label his technique as commercial and slick; but there is no denying the immediate appeal and impact. Whether or not you are a fan of Vettriano's this is a book worth having, it shows the range of his work, from the dark and sensual to some very appealing high key paintings. Altogether it is a most sumptuous volume.


evokative, 17 Sep 2006
I have been a Vettriano fan for many years and am delighted at his rise to fame, so this book is a delight to me. I love the rawness of the subjects, the earthiness. Times past-alas. I nice book and it would make a nice gift to someone who is "new" to Vettriano.
Rina

Elusive Vettriano, 09 Dec 2004
This is a nicely produced book on the art of Scottish artist Jack Vettriano. If you are looking for an illustrated guide to the work of Jack Vettriano - then this is the book for you. Even though some of his better known works are missing from this volume it is still a good selection.

The reproductions are well thought out and presented, with the exception of one or two. These suffer the same fate as other books on the artist in that they are printed across the spine of the book.

If, like some, you are looking for an insight into the life of the artist, then you may be dissapointed here for there is very little narrative and, what is there is well known already. There is still room for an in depth look at the artist as well as that other vital ingredient, the artist's models.

This is an excellent illustrative guide to the work of the artist with a large number of well presented reproductions. Highly recomended for both the new-comer and the dedicated Jack Vettriano fan.

Excellent little photo books, 14 Apr 2008
These Phaidon 55 books are excellent little 'sampler' books on some of the world's top photographers. They give a great overview of their work, nicely printed. Thank you Phaidon for publishing this series.
The book on Joel Meyerowitz has a good biography section, and each photo has the photographer's own comments, which really adds to work. Highly recommended.

A book of historic proportions, 04 Jul 2008
This is a book of historic proportions, both for the impact on the understanding of Geishas and for the excellence and finesse of the photographic work. Never before a photographer has been allowed to go into the depths of this ancient Japanese tradition as Ogino has gone. The book is bound to become a point of reference for the study of traditional Japanese culture in general and the institution of Geisha in particular.
From the American GIs that allegedly entered Tokyo in 1945 shouting "we want Geishas" until more recent novels and films written and produced by people with a superficial understanding of what being a Geisha implies, this traditional and respectable Japanese institution has been usually subject to an unfair treatment based on the ignorance and misunderstanding of Western observers. While it can be argued that there have been books about the inner world of geikos, those have been written by either those peeping at it or by former members that give their version of their lives without necessarily having a third party's corroboration. This work adds to the study of Geishas and their world because the combination of Ogino's photography and the Geisha-to-be Komomo's commentary produces a unique and powerful tale of the making of a Geisha from the complicity of the photographer and the subject of his work, clarifying some of the misunderstandings and shading new light on what a Geisha really is and really feels. It can be argued that there are some works that become an unavoidable reference for the study of a topic, and A Geisha's Journey is definitively one of them.


Delightful photographic insight to a Miyagawacho maiko, 10 Apr 2008
This book is a must-have for anyone interested in geisha. The pictures are beautiful and at times intimate. But if you looking for something gritty like Mineko Iwasaki's biography, you won't find it here. This book is a delightful photographic journal of the passage to womanhood in the geisha world. Komomo-san seems like a darling and you feel you get to know her somewhat through these enchanting photos. There is no new information here for the seasoned geisha enthusiast, but is still an essential part of anyone's collection.

Unforgettable, 24 Aug 2008
I couldn't put this book down.

Helen Lewis is a remarkable woman, who has risen above feelings of revenge and animosity, which would be completely understandable after all she went through.

After suffering unimaginable terror, hardship and loss along with all those millions of others who were victims of the holocaust, Helen still found it possible to tell of the humane side of 'the enemy' whenever it appeared, as well as the fears and feelings she experienced throughout her ordeal as a young woman at the mercy of the nazis.

In telling her own personal story, Helen also manages to answer the often asked questions of how the persecution of the Jews insidiously crept up on the European world of the 1930-40s, and how it became possible for such hatred to grow to such an extreme that entire communities were transported away from their homes without any apparent opposition from their erstwhile friends and colleagues.

This book gives the feeling that the author has not set out to shock you or to make you feel sorry for her suffering, but just wants to tell the story in order to lay her ghosts to rest.


A remarkable memoir from a remarkable woman, 22 Sep 2004
I knew Helen Lewis back in the early 60s, when she taught us dance at drama school, and with the exception of my wife, I have never known anyone with that same energy, determination, joie de vivre, and pluckiness. She remains one of the most remarkable people I have ever known. I still remember the time when she rolled up her sleeves in class and I saw the numbers tattooed on her arm. It gave me such a jolt, even though I'd known she'd been in a camp. In those days, she never talked openly about her experiences. But years later she wrote this eloquent memoir that tells us all we have to know. If she'd been an ordinary person, I doubt if she could have survived such terrible treatment. But having seen her in action, I never for a moment doubted that, if anyone could have got through it, she could. If you've read Primo Levi and the rest, this will complete your understanding of the depravity of the camps. It should be made compulsiry reading for anyone who claims the camps never existed.

A stunningly frank account of ordinary people in extremis, 19 Dec 2001
This book should be mandatory reading for all of us who have become complacent in the comfort of our freedom. I recently had the honour of meeting Mrs Lewis and her prose writing style is exactly the same as the way she speaks in conversation.

Her story is all the more shocking for the mundane nature of the tortures to which Jewish people of all classes were subjected by the Nazi regime. The personal beauty of this woman shines through and has not been dimmed by her experiences. This book is humbling in it's freedom from bitterness and it's stark contrast with predictable life in the freedom of our post-Holocaust world. No one can deny the voracity of Lewis's experience, no one can remain unmoved or unchanged by it's reading. Read this book and never let this happen again.

An inspiring tale of courage and suffering., 16 Jun 2001
A moving and inspiring tale of courage and suffering by a Holocaust survivor. Mrs Lewis reflects on the devastating effect of the Final Solution on her own life and those she loved. He story is even more remarkable when one considers that the eloquent honesty evident on every page comes from someone whose mother tongue is not, of course, English. Her account of learning what befell her husband left me reeling. Right up there alongside Schindler's Ark and The Diary of Anne Frank - a must-read.

Bringing out the unexpected in the photographic enthusiast, 30 Jun 1998
Unlike most books on photography or photographers, this focuses more on the thoughts and relationships of Adams rather than an actual narrative of his life. The result is unexpected enlightenment: the core of the man including his attitudes, politics, and relationships. The reader also finds that he is drawn to focus on his own insights on feelings, attitudes, and creative essence. It is very easy to come a point where one attains the feeling he actually knows Adams although relatively little is actually stated in straight terms about him.

The best choice for an appreciation of Ansel Adams., 13 May 1997
Ansel Adams was a photographer. Everyone knows that. Here you learn he was also an artist, a concert pianist, and a philosopher/humanitarian. Although only the images from Chapter 1 were hand-picked by him, the book reflects a warmth that only Ansel could have put in to it.

A sumptuous volume, 15 Jan 2008
The introduction and subsequent text is very brief, and provides a glimpse into the artist's background and rise to success. The text makes little if any critical comment about the artist's work, perhaps leaving the paintings to speak for themselves. The book concludes with a list of the artist's paintings and exhibitions. The book really is all about the pictures.

There are about 160 full colour reproductions of Vettriano's paintings of which about half dozen are small images illustrating the text, there are over thirty full page bleed pictures many of which in fact amount to a page and a half and include one double page spread (the best in the book?). However the bulk of the illustrations range from almost full page images to those which occupy about half a page or occasionally less. The quality of the reproduction is excellent, and the varied and attractive layout suits the images well, bold yet without detracting from the work.

For those of us who are perhaps used to seeing Vettriano's paintings merely as small reproductions adorning cards and the like, it is a revelation to see them produced so well and to a good size. Seeing them so it is easy to label his technique as commercial and slick; but there is no denying the immediate appeal and impact. Whether or not you are a fan of Vettriano's this is a book worth having, it shows the range of his work, from the dark and sensual to some very appealing high key paintings. Altogether it is a most sumptuous volume.


evokative, 17 Sep 2006
I have been a Vettriano fan for many years and am delighted at his rise to fame, so this book is a delight to me. I love the rawness of the subjects, the earthiness. Times past-alas. I nice book and it would make a nice gift to someone who is "new" to Vettriano.
Rina

Elusive Vettriano, 09 Dec 2004
This is a nicely produced book on the art of Scottish artist Jack Vettriano. If you are looking for an illustrated guide to the work of Jack Vettriano - then this is the book for you. Even though some of his better known works are missing from this volume it is still a good selection.

The reproductions are well thought out and presented, with the exception of one or two. These suffer the same fate as other books on the artist in that they are printed across the spine of the book.

If, like some, you are looking for an insight into the life of the artist, then you may be dissapointed here for there is very little narrative and, what is there is well known already. There is still room for an in depth look at the artist as well as that other vital ingredient, the artist's models.

This is an excellent illustrative guide to the work of the artist with a large number of well presented reproductions. Highly recomended for both the new-comer and the dedicated Jack Vettriano fan.

Excellent little photo books, 14 Apr 2008
These Phaidon 55 books are excellent little 'sampler' books on some of the world's top photographers. They give a great overview of their work, nicely printed. Thank you Phaidon for publishing this series.
The book on Joel Meyerowitz has a good biography section, and each photo has the photographer's own comments, which really adds to work. Highly recommended.

A book of historic proportions, 04 Jul 2008
This is a book of historic proportions, both for the impact on the understanding of Geishas and for the excellence and finesse of the photographic work. Never before a photographer has been allowed to go into the depths of this ancient Japanese tradition as Ogino has gone. The book is bound to become a point of reference for the study of traditional Japanese culture in general and the institution of Geisha in particular.
From the American GIs that allegedly entered Tokyo in 1945 shouting "we want Geishas" until more recent novels and films written and produced by people with a superficial understanding of what being a Geisha implies, this traditional and respectable Japanese institution has been usually subject to an unfair treatment based on the ignorance and misunderstanding of Western observers. While it can be argued that there have been books about the inner world of geikos, those have been written by either those peeping at it or by former members that give their version of their lives without necessarily having a third party's corroboration. This work adds to the study of Geishas and their world because the combination of Ogino's photography and the Geisha-to-be Komomo's commentary produces a unique and powerful tale of the making of a Geisha from the complicity of the photographer and the subject of his work, clarifying some of the misunderstandings and shading new light on what a Geisha really is and really feels. It can be argued that there are some works that become an unavoidable reference for the study of a topic, and A Geisha's Journey is definitively one of them.


Delightful photographic insight to a Miyagawacho maiko, 10 Apr 2008
This book is a must-have for anyone interested in geisha. The pictures are beautiful and at times intimate. But if you looking for something gritty like Mineko Iwasaki's biography, you won't find it here. This book is a delightful photographic journal of the passage to womanhood in the geisha world. Komomo-san seems like a darling and you feel you get to know her somewhat through these enchanting photos. There is no new information here for the seasoned geisha enthusiast, but is still an essential part of anyone's collection.

Unforgettable, 24 Aug 2008
I couldn't put this book down.

Helen Lewis is a remarkable woman, who has risen above feelings of revenge and animosity, which would be completely understandable after all she went through.

After suffering unimaginable terror, hardship and loss along with all those millions of others who were victims of the holocaust, Helen still found it possible to tell of the humane side of 'the enemy' whenever it appeared, as well as the fears and feelings she experienced throughout her ordeal as a young woman at the mercy of the nazis.

In telling her own personal story, Helen also manages to answer the often asked questions of how the persecution of the Jews insidiously crept up on the European world of the 1930-40s, and how it became possible for such hatred to grow to such an extreme that entire communities were transported away from their homes without any apparent opposition from their erstwhile friends and colleagues.

This book gives the feeling that the author has not set out to shock you or to make you feel sorry for her suffering, but just wants to tell the story in order to lay her ghosts to rest.


A remarkable memoir from a remarkable woman, 22 Sep 2004
I knew Helen Lewis back in the early 60s, when she taught us dance at drama school, and with the exception of my wife, I have never known anyone with that same energy, determination, joie de vivre, and pluckiness. She remains one of the most remarkable people I have ever known. I still remember the time when she rolled up her sleeves in class and I saw the numbers tattooed on her arm. It gave me such a jolt, even though I'd known she'd been in a camp. In those days, she never talked openly about her experiences. But years later she wrote this eloquent memoir that tells us all we have to know. If she'd been an ordinary person, I doubt if she could have survived such terrible treatment. But having seen her in action, I never for a moment doubted that, if anyone could have got through it, she could. If you've read Primo Levi and the rest, this will complete your understanding of the depravity of the camps. It should be made compulsiry reading for anyone who claims the camps never existed.

A stunningly frank account of ordinary people in extremis, 19 Dec 2001
This book should be mandatory reading for all of us who have become complacent in the comfort of our freedom. I recently had the honour of meeting Mrs Lewis and her prose writing style is exactly the same as the way she speaks in conversation.

Her story is all the more shocking for the mundane nature of the tortures to which Jewish people of all classes were subjected by the Nazi regime. The personal beauty of this woman shines through and has not been dimmed by her experiences. This book is humbling in it's freedom from bitterness and it's stark contrast with predictable life in the freedom of our post-Holocaust world. No one can deny the voracity of Lewis's experience, no one can remain unmoved or unchanged by it's reading. Read this book and never let this happen again.

An inspiring tale of courage and suffering., 16 Jun 2001
A moving and inspiring tale of courage and suffering by a Holocaust survivor. Mrs Lewis reflects on the devastating effect of the Final Solution on her own life and those she loved. He story is even more remarkable when one considers that the eloquent honesty evident on every page comes from someone whose mother tongue is not, of course, English. Her account of learning what befell her husband left me reeling. Right up there alongside Schindler's Ark and The Diary of Anne Frank - a must-read.

Bringing out the unexpected in the photographic enthusiast, 30 Jun 1998
Unlike most books on photography or photographers, this focuses more on the thoughts and relationships of Adams rather than an actual narrative of his life. The result is unexpected enlightenment: the core of the man including his attitudes, politics, and relationships. The reader also finds that he is drawn to focus on his own insights on feelings, attitudes, and creative essence. It is very easy to come a point where one attains the feeling he actually knows Adams although relatively little is actually stated in straight terms about him.

The best choice for an appreciation of Ansel Adams., 13 May 1997
Ansel Adams was a photographer. Everyone knows that. Here you learn he was also an artist, a concert pianist, and a philosopher/humanitarian. Although only the images from Chapter 1 were hand-picked by him, the book reflects a warmth that only Ansel could have put in to it.

Marilyn photographed over time!, 07 Mar 2007
Eve Arnold met Marilyn in the early 50s, and continued to photograph her for 6 different sessions for a decade up until her death. In this book, you can see some of the best photos of Marilyn, at ease, as a playful flirt with the camera, as a serious actress wanting to better herself and as a vulnerable woman on set of her last completed film The Misfits. There are some movie stills from The Misfits that show although Marilyn was in her mid 30s, she was still as beautiful as ever.
The memories that Eve has of Marilyn are vivid, where you can picture what it must have been like to be standing with her.
If you love Marilyn photography, this book is a must!


37-22-35, 29 Jul 2006
This is a really lovely book of Marilyn photo's. It shows the Marilyn (or rather the Norma Jean) behind the star. What I like about it, is the reality and humanity it shows - for example, Marilyn doing her make-up, Marilyn covered in soil and dust, Marilyn reading a book sitting on kiddies climbing frame, and those where she's lost in thought. My favourite is a lovely photo of Marilyn and Arthur Miller sitting on a bench with trays on their laps eating their tea, with a sign just to their left saying 'No Hunting'. The book does not contain pages and pages of writing and just says what it has to say. The pictures speak for themselves...No explanations of her untimely death, not politics, no hype. Just Marilyn and the camera. A large, glossy book from a wonderful photographer. Worth the money.

Gone but not forgotten!, 27 Jan 2006
Eve Arnold is now in her 90s and I thought this seemed an appropriate time to buy this book which depicts her photography of one very famous icon.

There is a lot of written text in the book and some "suspect" cheesecake, bikini-clad shots of Marilyn Monroe, but the book also contains some beautiful,often poignant, images of the film star which are unlike any I have seen before. It was for these photographs that I bought the book.

Many of the photographs were taken on, and around, the set of The Misfits and if, like me, you love the film, this book will deepen your appreciation. There are some of her with Arthur Miller which make you aware of the complexities of their relationship. One of my favourites is Marilyn trying to learn her lines.

These photos, in the main, give the reader/viewer another dimension of Marilyn Monroe. One which is definately worth exploring.

must have, 16 Sep 2005
Essential viweing- even though i beleive it is a rare book- buy anyway and you could make money out of it!
The pics are great- include ones of marilyn doing her make up and hair. Fab and well worth the money- so put on your xmas lists!!!

"It does seem to me that Capa has proved beyond all doubt that the camera need not be a cold mechanical device" John Steinbeck wrote of photojournalist Robert Capa in a quote that launches Blood and Champagne, a well-written, exhaustively researched biography. "Like the pen, it is as good as the man who uses it. It can be the extension of mind and heart." That's quite a compliment coming from an author of Steinbeck's calibre, but then Capa won the respect and friendship of some of the brightest talents of his generation; other admirers and poker buddies included Ernest Hemingway and John Huston, and among his many loves was actress Ingrid Bergman. Capa won fame slogging through the blood and grime to capture vivid images of five different wars, from the Spanish Civil War (where he wasn't above staging some of his photographs), through the landings at Omaha Beach on D-Day (which he chronicled for Life magazine as the only journalist to wade ashore with the first wave of G.I.s), to the early days of the Vietnam conflict (where he was killed in action at the age of 41 while covering the French army, soon to be replaced with disastrous results by the Americans).

Another great writer, John Hersey, famously dubbed the swarthy chain-smoking photographer "the Man Who Invented Himself", and author Alex Kershaw contends that one of his greatest achievements was the legend that he created for himself. A California journalist who contributes to The Guardian and The Sunday Times Magazine, among others, Kershaw brings Capa and his times to life with bright, vivid writing and telling anecdotes, using a fascinating personal odyssey to put the man's professional accomplishments in to perspective. "Capa was the first photographer to make photojournalism appear glamorous and sexy", he writes. Of course, that distinction and all others take a back seat to the photos themselves, and this book's only shortcoming is that it does not include any examples of the great man's work. --Jim DeRogatis, Amazon.com

A sumptuous volume, 15 Jan 2008
The introduction and subsequent text is very brief, and provides a glimpse into the artist's background and rise to success. The text makes little if any critical comment about the artist's work, perhaps leaving the paintings to speak for themselves. The book concludes with a list of the artist's paintings and exhibitions. The book really is all about the pictures.

There are about 160 full colour reproductions of Vettriano's paintings of which about half dozen are small images illustrating the text, there are over thirty full page bleed pictures many of which in fact amount to a page and a half and include one double page spread (the best in the book?). However the bulk of the illustrations range from almost full page images to those which occupy about half a page or occasionally less. The quality of the reproduction is excellent, and the varied and attractive layout suits the images well, bold yet without detracting from the work.

For those of us who are perhaps used to seeing Vettriano's paintings merely as small reproductions adorning cards and the like, it is a revelation to see them produced so well and to a good size. Seeing them so it is easy to label his technique as commercial and slick; but there is no denying the immediate appeal and impact. Whether or not you are a fan of Vettriano's this is a book worth having, it shows the range of his work, from the dark and sensual to some very appealing high key paintings. Altogether it is a most sumptuous volume.


evokative, 17 Sep 2006
I have been a Vettriano fan for many years and am delighted at his rise to fame, so this book is a delight to me. I love the rawness of the subjects, the earthiness. Times past-alas. I nice book and it would make a nice gift to someone who is "new" to Vettriano.
Rina

Elusive Vettriano, 09 Dec 2004
This is a nicely produced book on the art of Scottish artist Jack Vettriano. If you are looking for an illustrated guide to the work of Jack Vettriano - then this is the book for you. Even though some of his better known works are missing from this volume it is still a good selection.

The reproductions are well thought out and presented, with the exception of one or two. These suffer the same fate as other books on the artist in that they are printed across the spine of the book.

If, like some, you are looking for an insight into the life of the artist, then you may be dissapointed here for there is very little narrative and, what is there is well known already. There is still room for an in depth look at the artist as well as that other vital ingredient, the artist's models.

This is an excellent illustrative guide to the work of the artist with a large number of well presented reproductions. Highly recomended for both the new-comer and the dedicated Jack Vettriano fan.

Excellent little photo books, 14 Apr 2008
These Phaidon 55 books are excellent little 'sampler' books on some of the world's top photographers. They give a great overview of their work, nicely printed. Thank you Phaidon for publishing this series.
The book on Joel Meyerowitz has a good biography section, and each photo has the photographer's own comments, which really adds to work. Highly recommended.

A book of historic proportions, 04 Jul 2008
This is a book of historic proportions, both for the impact on the understanding of Geishas and for the excellence and finesse of the photographic work. Never before a photographer has been allowed to go into the depths of this ancient Japanese tradition as Ogino has gone. The book is bound to become a point of reference for the study of traditional Japanese culture in general and the institution of Geisha in particular.
From the American GIs that allegedly entered Tokyo in 1945 shouting "we want Geishas" until more recent novels and films written and produced by people with a superficial understanding of what being a Geisha implies, this traditional and respectable Japanese institution has been usually subject to an unfair treatment based on the ignorance and misunderstanding of Western observers. While it can be argued that there have been books about the inner world of geikos, those have been written by either those peeping at it or by former members that give their version of their lives without necessarily having a third party's corroboration. This work adds to the study of Geishas and their world because the combination of Ogino's photography and the Geisha-to-be Komomo's commentary produces a unique and powerful tale of the making of a Geisha from the complicity of the photographer and the subject of his work, clarifying some of the misunderstandings and shading new light on what a Geisha really is and really feels. It can be argued that there are some works that become an unavoidable reference for the study of a topic, and A Geisha's Journey is definitively one of them.


Delightful photographic insight to a Miyagawacho maiko, 10 Apr 2008
This book is a must-have for anyone interested in geisha. The pictures are beautiful and at times intimate. But if you looking for something gritty like Mineko Iwasaki's biography, you won't find it here. This book is a delightful photographic journal of the passage to womanhood in the geisha world. Komomo-san seems like a darling and you feel you get to know her somewhat through these enchanting photos. There is no new information here for the seasoned geisha enthusiast, but is still an essential part of anyone's collection.

Unforgettable, 24 Aug 2008
I couldn't put this book down.

Helen Lewis is a remarkable woman, who has risen above feelings of revenge and animosity, which would be completely understandable after all she went through.

After suffering unimaginable terror, hardship and loss along with all those millions of others who were victims of the holocaust, Helen still found it possible to tell of the humane side of 'the enemy' whenever it appeared, as well as the fears and feelings she experienced throughout her ordeal as a young woman at the mercy of the nazis.

In telling her own personal story, Helen also manages to answer the often asked questions of how the persecution of the Jews insidiously crept up on the European world of the 1930-40s, and how it became possible for such hatred to grow to such an extreme that entire communities were transported away from their homes without any apparent opposition from their erstwhile friends and colleagues.

This book gives the feeling that the author has not set out to shock you or to make you feel sorry for her suffering, but just wants to tell the story in order to lay her ghosts to rest.


A remarkable memoir from a remarkable woman, 22 Sep 2004
I knew Helen Lewis back in the early 60s, when she taught us dance at drama school, and with the exception of my wife, I have never known anyone with that same energy, determination, joie de vivre, and pluckiness. She remains one of the most remarkable people I have ever known. I still remember the time when she rolled up her sleeves in class and I saw the numbers tattooed on her arm. It gave me such a jolt, even though I'd known she'd been in a camp. In those days, she never talked openly about her experiences. But years later she wrote this eloquent memoir that tells us all we have to know. If she'd been an ordinary person, I doubt if she could have survived such terrible treatment. But having seen her in action, I never for a moment doubted that, if anyone could have got through it, she could. If you've read Primo Levi and the rest, this will complete your understanding of the depravity of the camps. It should be made compulsiry reading for anyone who claims the camps never existed.

A stunningly frank account of ordinary people in extremis, 19 Dec 2001
This book should be mandatory reading for all of us who have become complacent in the comfort of our freedom. I recently had the honour of meeting Mrs Lewis and her prose writing style is exactly the same as the way she speaks in conversation.

Her story is all the more shocking for the mundane nature of the tortures to which Jewish people of all classes were subjected by the Nazi regime. The personal beauty of this woman shines through and has not been dimmed by her experiences. This book is humbling in it's freedom from bitterness and it's stark contrast with predictable life in the freedom of our post-Holocaust world. No one can deny the voracity of Lewis's experience, no one can remain unmoved or unchanged by it's reading. Read this book and never let this happen again.

An inspiring tale of courage and suffering., 16 Jun 2001
A moving and inspiring tale of courage and suffering by a Holocaust survivor. Mrs Lewis reflects on the devastating effect of the Final Solution on her own life and those she loved. He story is even more remarkable when one considers that the eloquent honesty evident on every page comes from someone whose mother tongue is not, of course, English. Her account of learning what befell her husband left me reeling. Right up there alongside Schindler's Ark and The Diary of Anne Frank - a must-read.

Bringing out the unexpected in the photographic enthusiast, 30 Jun 1998
Unlike most books on photography or photographers, this focuses more on the thoughts and relationships of Adams rather than an actual narrative of his life. The result is unexpected enlightenment: the core of the man including his attitudes, politics, and relationships. The reader also finds that he is drawn to focus on his own insights on feelings, attitudes, and creative essence. It is very easy to come a point where one attains the feeling he actually knows Adams although relatively little is actually stated in straight terms about him.

The best choice for an appreciation of Ansel Adams., 13 May 1997
Ansel Adams was a photographer. Everyone knows that. Here you learn he was also an artist, a concert pianist, and a philosopher/humanitarian. Although only the images from Chapter 1 were hand-picked by him, the book reflects a warmth that only Ansel could have put in to it.

Marilyn photographed over time!, 07 Mar 2007
Eve Arnold met Marilyn in the early 50s, and continued to photograph her for 6 different sessions for a decade up until her death. In this book, you can see some of the best photos of Marilyn, at ease, as a playful flirt with the camera, as a serious actress wanting to better herself and as a vulnerable woman on set of her last completed film The Misfits. There are some movie stills from The Misfits that show although Marilyn was in her mid 30s, she was still as beautiful as ever.
The memories that Eve has of Marilyn are vivid, where you can picture what it must have been like to be standing with her.
If you love Marilyn photography, this book is a must!


37-22-35, 29 Jul 2006
This is a really lovely book of Marilyn photo's. It shows the Marilyn (or rather the Norma Jean) behind the star. What I like about it, is the reality and humanity it shows - for example, Marilyn doing her make-up, Marilyn covered in soil and dust, Marilyn reading a book sitting on kiddies climbing frame, and those where she's lost in thought. My favourite is a lovely photo of Marilyn and Arthur Miller sitting on a bench with trays on their laps eating their tea, with a sign just to their left saying 'No Hunting'. The book does not contain pages and pages of writing and just says what it has to say. The pictures speak for themselves...No explanations of her untimely death, not politics, no hype. Just Marilyn and the camera. A large, glossy book from a wonderful photographer. Worth the money.

Gone but not forgotten!, 27 Jan 2006
Eve Arnold is now in her 90s and I thought this seemed an appropriate time to buy this book which depicts her photography of one very famous icon.

There is a lot of written text in the book and some "suspect" cheesecake, bikini-clad shots of Marilyn Monroe, but the book also contains some beautiful,often poignant, images of the film star which are unlike any I have seen before. It was for these photographs that I bought the book.

Many of the photographs were taken on, and around, the set of The Misfits and if, like me, you love the film, this book will deepen your appreciation. There are some of her with Arthur Miller which make you aware of the complexities of their relationship. One of my favourites is Marilyn trying to learn her lines.

These photos, in the main, give the reader/viewer another dimension of Marilyn Monroe. One which is definately worth exploring.

must have, 16 Sep 2005
Essential viweing- even though i beleive it is a rare book- buy anyway and you could make money out of it!
The pics are great- include ones of marilyn doing her make up and hair. Fab and well worth the money- so put on your xmas lists!!!

Sloppy research: 'La Paquena Rubena', 15 Jan 2008
An interesting read. However, one piece of sloppy research on Mr Kershaw's part is this rather puzzling title for chapter six. On page 55 Mr Kershaw says that Gerda was "now widely known as 'la Paquena Rubena' (the little red fox)"...

In Spanish, 'little red fox' is actually 'la pequeña zorra roja' or 'la zorrita roja'. I believe that Mr Kershaw got his wires severely crossed somewhere because other publications claim Gerda was affectionately called 'la pequeña rubia' which, in actual fact, means 'the little blonde'. What's more, the word 'zorra' in Spanish, when used to describe a woman, is pejorative sexist slang meaning 'whore' or 'slut'. Somehow, I don't think Gerda was referred to as 'the little red whore' by her many admirers. I wonder if the words 'paquena rubena' actually mean anything in ANY language (?).



Romantic and Inspiring read, 13 Jun 2003
Once you start this book you will not be able to put it down. Fortunately it does not go into too much depth about irrelevant childhood details as most biographies do. Instead it concentrates what mattered to Capa. He saw so many horrific things and watched first hand history in the making and managed to take some amazing photos in the process. This book describes what he was like as a person, he was certainly no saint but you can't help liking him...If you feel like being inspired read this!

The 20th Century's finest photojournalist, 18 May 2003
The life of Robert Capa is truly fascinating. Born in Budapest in 1913, he was to die forty years later in Vietnam after establishing himself as one of the great photojournalists of the 20th Century. He captured on film some of the most memorable pictures in the Spanish Civil War, including the iconic “The Falling Soldier.” A shameless propagandist for the Republican cause, he thought nothing of having combatants “pose” for some of his most dramatic pictures - including, many think, “The Falling Soldier.” Did the republican soldier fall because he was shot or because he tripped? Was it posed? The jury is still out on that one. A Jew at a time when anti-Semitism was rife in Europe, he became a committed anti-fascist and socialist. He established the photographers’ co-operative, Magnum, in order that photographers had control over their own photographs and earnings. This was not so different to the kibbutzim established in Israel by highly idealistic settlers whom he so admired. Needless to say, Capa was there to record the birth of the fledgling state of Israel in 1948 and caught on film that nation's birth pains as it battled with its Arab neighbours. War was his medium, even though he hated it. He went over in a landing craft to photograph the D-Day landings and produced some of the most memorable pictures of battle ever taken. This was despite that most of the pictures were ruined during the rushed processing in London and some of those that survived are out of focus.

Capa was talented, generous, humorous, and charismatic. An inveterate gambler, he played poker with the likes of John Huston and Ernest Hemmingway, and inevitably lost. Like most people who don’t care about money, money problems plagued him. Highly sexed, he counted some of the most beautiful women of the age amongst his lovers, including Ingrid Bergman. When lovers were not immediately available, he contended himself with prostitutes. Loving and loved in return, he was too much of a bohemian to commit himself to a permanent relationship. He could have been rich, but he never was. He could have happily married, but he never did.

Capa’s luck ran out when he went to Vietnam in 1953 to cover the war between the French and the Vietnamese and trod on a landmine.

Alex Kershaw deserves credit for producing such a well-written and researched autobiography.

great read, 17 Apr 2003
Buy it now and have a wonderful romantic, thrilling , heartbraking few days - you won't be able to put it down.

A sumptuous volume, 15 Jan 2008
The introduction and subsequent text is very brief, and provides a glimpse into the artist's background and rise to success. The text makes little if any critical comment about the artist's work, perhaps leaving the paintings to speak for themselves. The book concludes with a list of the artist's paintings and exhibitions. The book really is all about the pictures.

There are about 160 full colour reproductions of Vettriano's paintings of which about half dozen are small images illustrating the text, there are over thirty full page bleed pictures many of which in fact amount to a page and a half and include one double page spread (the best in the book?). However the bulk of the illustrations range from almost full page images to those which occupy about half a page or occasionally less. The quality of the reproduction is excellent, and the varied and attractive layout suits the images well, bold yet without detracting from the work.

For those of us who are perhaps used to seeing Vettriano's paintings merely as small reproductions adorning cards and the like, it is a revelation to see them produced so well and to a good size. Seeing them so it is easy to label his technique as commercial and slick; but there is no denying the immediate appeal and impact. Whether or not you are a fan of Vettriano's this is a book worth having, it shows the range of his work, from the dark and sensual to some very appealing high key paintings. Altogether it is a most sumptuous volume.


evokative, 17 Sep 2006
I have been a Vettriano fan for many years and am delighted at his rise to fame, so this book is a delight to me. I love the rawness of the subjects, the earthiness. Times past-alas. I nice book and it would make a nice gift to someone who is "new" to Vettriano.
Rina

Elusive Vettriano, 09 Dec 2004
This is a nicely produced book on the art of Scottish artist Jack Vettriano. If you are looking for an illustrated guide to the work of Jack Vettriano - then this is the book for you. Even though some of his better known works are missing from this volume it is still a good selection.

The reproductions are well thought out and presented, with the exception of one or two. These suffer the same fate as other books on the artist in that they are printed across the spine of the book.

If, like some, you are looking for an insight into the life of the artist, then you may be dissapointed here for there is very little narrative and, what is there is well known already. There is still room for an in depth look at the artist as well as that other vital ingredient, the artist's models.

This is an excellent illustrative guide to the work of the artist with a large number of well presented reproductions. Highly recomended for both the new-comer and the dedicated Jack Vettriano fan.

Excellent little photo books, 14 Apr 2008
These Phaidon 55 books are excellent little 'sampler' books on some of the world's top photographers. They give a great overview of their work, nicely printed. Thank you Phaidon for publishing this series.
The book on Joel Meyerowitz has a good biography section, and each photo has the photographer's own comments, which really adds to work. Highly recommended.

A book of historic proportions, 04 Jul 2008
This is a book of historic proportions, both for the impact on the understanding of Geishas and for the excellence and finesse of the photographic work. Never before a photographer has been allowed to go into the depths of this ancient Japanese tradition as Ogino has gone. The book is bound to become a point of reference for the study of traditional Japanese culture in general and the institution of Geisha in particular.
From the American GIs that allegedly entered Tokyo in 1945 shouting "we want Geishas" until more recent novels and films written and produced by people with a superficial understanding of what being a Geisha implies, this traditional and respectable Japanese institution has been usually subject to an unfair treatment based on the ignorance and misunderstanding of Western observers. While it can be argued that there have been books about the inner world of geikos, those have been written by either those peeping at it or by former members that give their version of their lives without necessarily having a third party's corroboration. This work adds to the study of Geishas and their world because the combination of Ogino's photography and the Geisha-to-be Komomo's commentary produces a unique and powerful tale of the making of a Geisha from the complicity of the photographer and the subject of his work, clarifying some of the misunderstandings and shading new light on what a Geisha really is and really feels. It can be argued that there are some works that become an unavoidable reference for the study of a topic, and A Geisha's Journey is definitively one of them.


Delightful photographic insight to a Miyagawacho maiko, 10 Apr 2008
This book is a must-have for anyone interested in geisha. The pictures are beautiful and at times intimate. But if you looking for something gritty like Mineko Iwasaki's biography, you won't find it here. This book is a delightful photographic journal of the passage to womanhood in the geisha world. Komomo-san seems like a darling and you feel you get to know her somewhat through these enchanting photos. There is no new information here for the seasoned geisha enthusiast, but is still an essential part of anyone's collection.

Unforgettable, 24 Aug 2008
I couldn't put this book down.

Helen Lewis is a remarkable woman, who has risen above feelings of revenge and animosity, which would be completely understandable after all she went through.

After suffering unimaginable terror, hardship and loss along with all those millions of others who were victims of the holocaust, Helen still found it possible to tell of the humane side of 'the enemy' whenever it appeared, as well as the fears and feelings she experienced throughout her ordeal as a young woman at the mercy of the nazis.

In telling her own personal story, Helen also manages to answer the often asked questions of how the persecution of the Jews insidiously crept up on the European world of the 1930-40s, and how it became possible for such hatred to grow to such an extreme that entire communities were transported away from their homes without any apparent opposition from their erstwhile friends and colleagues.

This book gives the feeling that the author has not set out to shock you or to make you feel sorry for her suffering, but just wants to tell the story in order to lay her ghosts to rest.


A remarkable memoir from a remarkable woman, 22 Sep 2004
I knew Helen Lewis back in the early 60s, when she taught us dance at drama school, and with the exception of my wife, I have never known anyone with that same energy, determination, joie de vivre, and pluckiness. She remains one of the most remarkable people I have ever known. I still remember the time when she rolled up her sleeves in class and I saw the numbers tattooed on her arm. It gave me such a jolt, even though I'd known she'd been in a camp. In those days, she never talked openly about her experiences. But years later she wrote this eloquent memoir that tells us all we have to know. If she'd been an ordinary person, I doubt if she could have survived such terrible treatment. But having seen her in action, I never for a moment doubted that, if anyone could have got through it, she could. If you've read Primo Levi and the rest, this will complete your understanding of the depravity of the camps. It should be made compulsiry reading for anyone who claims the camps never existed.

A stunningly frank account of ordinary people in extremis, 19 Dec 2001
This book should be mandatory reading for all of us who have become complacent in the comfort of our freedom. I recently had the honour of meeting Mrs Lewis and her prose writing style is exactly the same as the way she speaks in conversation.

Her story is all the more shocking for the mundane nature of the tortures to which Jewish people of all classes were subjected by the Nazi regime. The personal beauty of this woman shines through and has not been dimmed by her experiences. This book is humbling in it's freedom from bitterness and it's stark contrast with predictable life in the freedom of our post-Holocaust world. No one can deny the voracity of Lewis's experience, no one can remain unmoved or unchanged by it's reading. Read this book and never let this happen again.

An inspiring tale of courage and suffering., 16 Jun 2001
A moving and inspiring tale of courage and suffering by a Holocaust survivor. Mrs Lewis reflects on the devastating effect of the Final Solution on her own life and those she loved. He story is even more remarkable when one considers that the eloquent honesty evident on every page comes from someone whose mother tongue is not, of course, English. Her account of learning what befell her husband left me reeling. Right up there alongside Schindler's Ark and The Diary of Anne Frank - a must-read.

Bringing out the unexpected in the photographic enthusiast, 30 Jun 1998
Unlike most books on photography or photographers, this focuses more on the thoughts and relationships of Adams rather than an actual narrative of his life. The result is unexpected enlightenment: the core of the man including his attitudes, politics, and relationships. The reader also finds that he is drawn to focus on his own insights on feelings, attitudes, and creative essence. It is very easy to come a point where one attains the feeling he actually knows Adams although relatively little is actually stated in straight terms about him.

The best choice for an appreciation of Ansel Adams., 13 May 1997
Ansel Adams was a photographer. Everyone knows that. Here you learn he was also an artist, a concert pianist, and a philosopher/humanitarian. Although only the images from Chapter 1 were hand-picked by him, the book reflects a warmth that only Ansel could have put in to it.

Marilyn photographed over time!, 07 Mar 2007
Eve Arnold met Marilyn in the early 50s, and continued to photograph her for 6 different sessions for a decade up until her death. In this book, you can see some of the best photos of Marilyn, at ease, as a playful flirt with the camera, as a serious actress wanting to better herself and as a vulnerable woman on set of her last completed film The Misfits. There are some movie stills from The Misfits that show although Marilyn was in her mid 30s, she was still as beautiful as ever.
The memories that Eve has of Marilyn are vivid, where you can picture what it must have been like to be standing with her.
If you love Marilyn photography, this book is a must!


37-22-35, 29 Jul 2006
This is a really lovely book of Marilyn photo's. It shows the Marilyn (or rather the Norma Jean) behind the star. What I like about it, is the reality and humanity it shows - for example, Marilyn doing her make-up, Marilyn covered in soil and dust, Marilyn reading a book sitting on kiddies climbing frame, and those where she's lost in thought. My favourite is a lovely photo of Marilyn and Arthur Miller sitting on a bench with trays on their laps eating their tea, with a sign just to their left saying 'No Hunting'. The book does not contain pages and pages of writing and just says what it has to say. The pictures speak for themselves...No explanations of her untimely death, not politics, no hype. Just Marilyn and the camera. A large, glossy book from a wonderful photographer. Worth the money.

Gone but not forgotten!, 27 Jan 2006
Eve Arnold is now in her 90s and I thought this seemed an appropriate time to buy this book which depicts her photography of one very famous icon.

There is a lot of written text in the book and some "suspect" cheesecake, bikini-clad shots of Marilyn Monroe, but the book also contains some beautiful,often poignant, images of the film star which are unlike any I have seen before. It was for these photographs that I bought the book.

Many of the photographs were taken on, and around, the set of The Misfits and if, like me, you love the film, this book will deepen your appreciation. There are some of her with Arthur Miller which make you aware of the complexities of their relationship. One of my favourites is Marilyn trying to learn her lines.

These photos, in the main, give the reader/viewer another dimension of Marilyn Monroe. One which is definately worth exploring.

must have, 16 Sep 2005
Essential viweing- even though i beleive it is a rare book- buy anyway and you could make money out of it!
The pics are great- include ones of marilyn doing her make up and hair. Fab and well worth the money- so put on your xmas lists!!!

Sloppy research: 'La Paquena Rubena', 15 Jan 2008
An interesting read. However, one piece of sloppy research on Mr Kershaw's part is this rather puzzling title for chapter six. On page 55 Mr Kershaw says that Gerda was "now widely known as 'la Paquena Rubena' (the little red fox)"...

In Spanish, 'little red fox' is actually 'la pequeña zorra roja' or 'la zorrita roja'. I believe that Mr Kershaw got his wires severely crossed somewhere because other publications claim Gerda was affectionately called 'la pequeña rubia' which, in actual fact, means 'the little blonde'. What's more, the word 'zorra' in Spanish, when used to describe a woman, is pejorative sexist slang meaning 'whore' or 'slut'. Somehow, I don't think Gerda was referred to as 'the little red whore' by her many admirers. I wonder if the words 'paquena rubena' actually mean anything in ANY language (?).



Romantic and Inspiring read, 13 Jun 2003
Once you start this book you will not be able to put it down. Fortunately it does not go into too much depth about irrelevant childhood details as most biographies do. Instead it concentrates what mattered to Capa. He saw so many horrific things and watched first hand history in the making and managed to take some amazing photos in the process. This book describes what he was like as a person, he was certainly no saint but you can't help liking him...If you feel like being inspired read this!

The 20th Century's finest photojournalist, 18 May 2003
The life of Robert Capa is truly fascinating. Born in Budapest in 1913, he was to die forty years later in Vietnam after establishing himself as one of the great photojournalists of the 20th Century. He captured on film some of the most memorable pictures in the Spanish Civil War, including the iconic “The Falling Soldier.” A shameless propagandist for the Republican cause, he thought nothing of having combatants “pose” for some of his most dramatic pictures - including, many think, “The Falling Soldier.” Did the republican soldier fall because he was shot or because he tripped? Was it posed? The jury is still out on that one. A Jew at a time when anti-Semitism was rife in Europe, he became a committed anti-fascist and socialist. He established the photographers’ co-operative, Magnum, in order that photographers had control over their own photographs and earnings. This was not so different to the kibbutzim established in Israel by highly idealistic settlers whom he so admired. Needless to say, Capa was there to record the birth of the fledgling state of Israel in 1948 and caught on film that nation's birth pains as it battled with its Arab neighbours. War was his medium, even though he hated it. He went over in a landing craft to photograph the D-Day landings and produced some of the most memorable pictures of battle ever taken. This was despite that most of the pictures were ruined during the rushed processing in London and some of those that survived are out of focus.

Capa was talented, generous, humorous, and charismatic. An inveterate gambler, he played poker with the likes of John Huston and Ernest Hemmingway, and inevitably lost. Like most people who don’t care about money, money problems plagued him. Highly sexed, he counted some of the most beautiful women of the age amongst his lovers, including Ingrid Bergman. When lovers were not immediately available, he contended himself with prostitutes. Loving and loved in return, he was too much of a bohemian to commit himself to a permanent relationship. He could have been rich, but he never was. He could have happily married, but he never did.

Capa’s luck ran out when he went to Vietnam in 1953 to cover the war between the French and the Vietnamese and trod on a landmine.

Alex Kershaw deserves credit for producing such a well-written and researched autobiography.

great read, 17 Apr 2003
Buy it now and have a wonderful romantic, thrilling , heartbraking few days - you won't be able to put it down.

a very pleasant surprise, 03 Dec 2007
Only when I read this book did I discover that Capa's original ambition was to be a writer, not a photographer - and it shows.

A hint of his talent is on display in the very short chapter he wrote in the middle of "A Russian Journal", but here he has the opportunity to let rip, and the result is a fascinating book, which often surprises with its humour and deep compassion. I read it in a single sitting.

The book describes not just the D-Day invasion, but also campaigns in North Africa, Sicily and southern Italy, as well as the charming, comical (and largely factual) romance he had developing in London at the same time. To label it a mere "war book" does not do it justice.

Apparently the book was written with a view to making it a feature film, so the action moves apace. But it is Capa's personality that really shines through, a courageous and modest man, always ready to play down his own achievements and laugh at himself even as he stared death in the face.

Highly recommended.

Putting their lives on the line for that picture!, 13 Nov 2001
Photography is all about recording a snapshot in time. This book is a real life account of what photography means to some people. The descriptions given of some of the situations Capa found himself in and the lengths he went through to get there are outstanding. The linking together of what was going through his mind as and when he was taking his pictures brings the pictures themselves to life. After you have read this book, you will want to see more of Capa's pictures. Look into their eyes!

Touching, funny, sad, amazing, 05 Jun 2001
I bought this book to have a visual tale of the WWII, and a famous and good one. I thought i was going to look at the pictures, think about them, read the captions and then put the book on my history shelf. Instead i found a fascinating, gripping, funny yet sad personal tale of the events. Capa appears to the reader as an incredibly likeable man, whose experience around the european theatre of the war touches everyone at some point. I read about his days in my hometown of napoli with a knot in the stomach, making his feelings of then, mine, today. You put the book down missing Capa's irony, and his company. Missing his words, his thoughts, his feelings, both from his writings and his photographs. A great reading, a great visual collection.

I read it in a day........., 17 Oct 2000
Robert Cappa gives the eyes of his viewers a close up on a Europe ravaged by war; so close, it led finally to Cappa's death. Slightly Out of Focus, written like a tale told to old friends over a beer, shows us that not only did Cappa have an immense amount of talent for photography, but he had the extra spark that gave him the opportunities to put himself in the right place at the wrong time; brilliant wit and bags of charm. From wining and dining top generals to charming the pretty girls, Cappa had such a love of life that I'm suprised he ever wanted to risk it with his amazing tales of darting around war torn Europe looking for the next bit of action. Cappa didn't want to be seen as herioc for the enormous risk he took in showing the world the horror of war, he was just doing what came naturally. This is his tale of how one man with a camera spent the war, and what a story he tells. Which is why I couldn't put it down and was sad that his tale only lasted one day.