Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Merrie Christmas Drink Books

Including whiskies from over 20 different countries, a witty, focused, practical guide to some of the world's finest whiskies Avoiding the deliberately obscure, the ridiculously limited, and the absurdly expensive, whiskey expert Ian Buxton has scoured the shelves of the world's whiskey warehouses to recommend an eclectic selection of old favorites, stellar newcomers, and mystifyingly unknown drams that simply have to be drunk. This witty, focused, and practical guide is not an awards list or a list of the 101 "best" whiskies in the world in the opinion of some self-appointed whiskey guru. It's simply a guide to 101 whiskies from around the world that enthusiasts really must seek out and try-love them or hate them-to complete their whiskey education. What's more, it's both practical and realistic as it cuts through the clutter, decodes the marketing hype, and gets straight to the point; whether from India or America, Sweden or Ireland, Japan or the hills, glens, and islands of Scotland-here are the 101 whiskies that every whiskey enthusiast needs to try. Sláinte!

Beer lovers who want to start making their own brew have excellent chances for success if they start with this book! Back in 1980, nearly everybody in America was drinking similar beers. Only a few major brands dominated America's brewing industry, selling palatable but fairly bland beers. At that time, a mere eight craft breweries were doing business in the United States--but those small operations became the start of a trend. Today, the success of more than 1,700 American craft breweries has also inspired a burgeoning home brewing scene. How to Make Your Own Brewskis is both a detailed description of different types of beer and a fail-safe home brewer's recipe book. Offers recipes for the home brewer who wants to avoid those less-than-ideal malt extract kits and brew with wholesome grains All recipes have been field-tested and are easy to follow Describes all needed equipment and ingredients, and tells where to get them Presents recipes for the four basic styles of beer: Pilsner, California Common (the original American craft beer), Porter, and India Pale Ale Features more than 200 illustrations, including many demonstrating step-by-step directions Here is every beer connoisseur's first step toward the enjoyment of rich-tasting and distinctive brews he can be proud to claim as his own and serve to his friends.

The single malt wiskies of Scotland have inspired a passionate following around the world. With Malt Whisky you too can become a connoisseur of this most enigmatic of spirits.
Ian Wisniewski explains how three simple ingredients--water, barley, and yeast--are transformed into a drink of great range and complexity. He takes you on a journey around the finest Scottish distilleries, found in some of the most memorable countryside--from the emotive landscape of Speyside to the picturesque shores of Islay. There is practical advice on the array of malt whiskies available, proving there's a whisky for every palate, with flavours ranging from the elegantly fruity, to richer, rounder, smokier styles. To ensure that you get the most out of malt whisky Ian also provides tips on tasting and serving you favourite dram.
So take time out to savour one of the great pleasures of life, with Malt Whisky.

Roll the dice. Slam the quarter. Flip the cup. Did you win, miss, lose, or guess wrong? Sounds like it’s your turn to drink! Or maybe not, depending on the rules you learned to play by. If you’ve ever gotten into an argument with someone about rules for your favorite drinking game, or just wondered how that insane game at the table next to you is actually played, Fantastic Drinking Games is the book for you. With more than eighty different dice, card, quarter, and cup games, this is the ultimate book for party people!






Billy Munnelly’s annual wine handbook is an accessible and friendly guide that makes buying wine as easy as going grocery shopping. Munnelly gives advice on purchasing wine by the mood, pairs the wine with food and has written an extensive section of wine tours in Ontario. Have fun with wine without getting too serious or snobby!









Rod Phillips has spent another year tasting and rating the wines on the shelves of the Liquor Control Board of Ontario. Now in its fifth edition, The 500 Best-Value Wines in the LCBO is a proven bestseller. 
The book rates each wine on a five-star, value-for-money scale, provides a concise, no-nonsense description and suggests food pairings. And there is space to add your own notes after you've tried Rod's suggestion. 
No wine consumer in the LCBO will want to head to the store without this definitive guide. And the appeal of this guide goes beyond the LCBO—chances are you will find many of these wines in most wine stores in Canada. Take advantage of the good- to great-value wines available at reasonable prices, and try something new if you tend to buy the same wine time after time. 
With updated information and carefully researched reviews, this book is the most comprehensive LCBO wine guide there is. Bottoms up! 


Winner of the 2007 IACP Cookbook of the Year Award

Winner of the 2007 IACP Cookbook Award for Best Book on Wine, Beer or Spirits

Winner of the 2006 Georges Duboeuf Wine Book of the Year Award

Winner of the 2006 Gourmand World Cookbook Award - U.S. for Best Book on Matching Food and Wine
 

Prepared by a James Beard Award-winning author team, "What to Drink with What You Eat" provides the most comprehensive guide to matching food and drink ever compiled--complete with practical advice from the best wine stewards and chefs in America. 70 full-color photos.

The hippest, hottest, most happening bar guide for generation X-ers and anyone young at heart. Its colorful, MTV-type design makes this the perfect party bar guide—a great gift! From an Alabama Slammer to a Surfer on Acid, here are 50 fun and delicious mixed drinks, shots and shooters conveniently arranged in alphabetical order for easy access. 4-color photographs throughout. 96 pages.

Food Lover's Cook book ideas!!


Weight-conscious food lovers no longer need to deprive themselves of the ever-popular cuisine of Italy. Award-winning celebrity chef and #1New York Times bestselling author Rocco DiSpirito's latest Now Eat This! book is the solution . 

In his signature style, DiSpirito has recreated 100 classic Italian recipes to be healthy and low in calories and fat-yet still full of flavor. After travelling to Italy and perfecting the dishes side-by-side with the chefs who make them best-the Italian mamas-he offers sinful pastas, sauces, and desserts you never thought you could eat while keeping healthy, including: Spaghetti with My Mama's Meatballs, Mozzarella en Carozza, Chicken Parmigiana, Hand-Torn Pasta alla Bolognese, Sausage and Peppers, Classic Cannoli, Chocolate and Hazelnut Espresso Budino, and much more! 

NOW EAT THIS! ITALIAN proves that Italian food doesn't have to be calorie-packed to be delicious. All under 350 calories, these full-flavor, low-fat recipes are sure to indulge your appetite without packing on the pounds.



It’s the best of street food: bold, delicious, surprising, over-the-top goodness to eat on the run. And the best part is now you can make it at home. Obsessively researched by food authority John T. Edge, The Truck Food Cookbookdelivers 150 recipes from America’s best restaurants on wheels, from L.A. and New York to the truck food scenes in Portland, Austin, Minneapolis, and more.

John T. Edge shares the recipes, special tips, and techniques. And what a menu-board: Tamarind-Glazed Fried Chicken Drummettes. Kalbi Beef Sliders. Porchetta. The lily-gilding Grilled Cheese Cheeseburger. A whole chapter’s worth of tacos—Mexican, Korean, Chinese fusion. Plus sweets, from Sweet Potato Cupcakes to an easy-to-make Cheater Soft-Serve Ice Cream. Hundreds of full-color photographs capture the lively street food gestalt and its hip and funky aesthetic, making this both an insider’s cookbook and a document of the hottest trend in American food.



Sometimes all you want after a long day is a little bit of comfort. And what better place is there to sit back and enjoy some than at the dinner table? 

Nothing says comfort like a warm, homey, all-in-one-dish dinner. It's a delicious way to welcome people to the table without the fuss of preparing multiple, complicated recipes. And when your one-dish wonder comes fromCanadian Living, Canada's most trusted cooking authority, you know it's going to turn out perfectly.

The One-Dish Collection offers tasty options to satisfy your cravings. Inside, you'll find hearty meat-and-veggie soups and stews, filling dinner salads, simple skillet suppers (complete with fresh biscuits on top!), rich casseroles, flavour-packed pastas, creamy risottos and more. Add a sprinkle of helpful tips and advice from Canadian Living's cooking experts, and you have a recipe for dinnertime success.

- 6 recipe chapters, each focused on a single food category: soups, stews, hearty salads, casseroles, skillets and simmers, and pastas and risottos
- 80+ colour photographs
- Most recipes includes the major components of a balanced dinner (protein, starch and some vegetables)
- Simpler dishes come with suggestions for super-easy sides to round out the meal
- Helpful sidebars and tips sprinkled throughout 

A distinctly educational cooking primer for the whole family with more than 100 recipes that can be made by children.

The latest addition to the best-selling RIVER COTTAGE cookbook series inspires the entire family to venture into the kitchen to prepare delicious, wholesome food together. THE RIVER COTTAGE FAMILY COOKBOOK features a comprehensive repertoire of more than 100 recipes and kitchen projects that cooks of all ages will enjoy: making butter, curing bacon, planting a kitchen garden, and more. This complete cookbook will show kids how quality ingredients are produced, while teaching lifelong lessons about meaningful cooking and eating. 

"Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall is a brilliant, argumentative British cook and food writer . . . [His] recipes happen to be terrific, for meat and other things: His chocolate-chip cookie recipe in THE RIVER COTTAGE FAMILY COOKBOOK finally released my children from years of sub-standard attempts." --Cynthia Zarin, GourmetReviews





"Bring me moose meat! You will not be sorry!" So says Whitehorse author and cook Michele Genest to the hunters in her circle. Wild is wonderful when it comes to Genest's creative treatments for northern viands, with exciting ideas such as moose cooked in Yukon-brewed espresso stout and finished with chocolate, lime and cilantro, Arctic char marinated in grappa and then hot-smoked, or roasted spruce grouse draped in a sour cream and Madeira sauce. As much culinary adventure story as cookbook, The Boreal Gourmetcombines a portrait of northern life with an exploration of wild or "country" foods in gourmet recipes for the home cook. These recipes are inspired by a diversity of countries, traditions and kitchens, and spring from a love affair with the indigenous foods that flourish in the boreal forests and river valleys of the Yukon.

Whitehorse author and chef Michele Genest has recipes for every season supported with information on such northern plants as Artemisia frigida, or pasture sage, and its effect on the flavour of the wild Dall sheep that graze on it, the mysteries of morel mushrooms and tips on where to find them, and advice from Dawson City's Uncle Berwyn on the proper use of birch syrup.

Taking us from salmon, spruce tips and gourmet greens to recipes for artisanal sourdoughs and festive solstice menus, The Boreal Gourmet is an unprecedented collection to inspire both the serious gourmand (who will want to search out wild ingredients in his or her own backyard) and anyone with an appreciation for the culinary delights available north of sixty.




 Feast is written to stand alongside Nigella’s classic and best loved book, How to Eat. Comprehensive and informed, this stunning new book will be equally at home in the kitchen or on the bedside table.

A feast for both the eyes and the senses, written with Nigella Lawson’s characteristic flair and passion, Feast: Food that Celebrates Life is a major book in the style of her classic How to Eat, applying Nigella’s “Pleasures and Principles of Good Food” to the celebrations and special occasions of life.

Essentially about families and food, about public holidays and private passions, about how to celebrate the big occasions and the small everyday pleasures — those times when food is more than just fuel — Feast takes us through Christmas, Thanksgiving and birthdays, to Passover and a special Sardinian Easter; from that first breakfast together to a meal fit for the in-laws; from seasonal banquets of strawberries or chestnuts to the ultimate chocolate cake; from food for cheering up the “Unhappy Hour” to funeral baked-meats; from a Georgian feast to a love-fest; from Nigella’s all-time favourite dish to a final New Year fast.

Evocative, gorgeous, refreshingly uncomplicated and full of ideas, Feastproclaims Nigella’s love of life and great food with which to celebrate it. Packed with over 200 recipes from all over the world — and from near home — with helpful menus for whole meals, and more than 120 colour photographs, Feastis destined to become a classic.


Nothing says comfort like a warm, homey, all-in-one-dish dinner. It's a delicious way to welcome people to the table without the fuss of preparing multiple, complicated recipes. And when your one-dish wonder comes fromCanadian Living, Canada's most trusted cooking authority, you know it's going to turn out perfectly.

The One-Dish Collection offers tasty options to satisfy your cravings. Inside, you'll find hearty meat-and-veggie soups and stews, filling dinner salads, simple skillet suppers (complete with fresh biscuits on top!), rich casseroles, flavour-packed pastas, creamy risottos and more. Add a sprinkle of helpful tips and advice from Canadian Living's cooking experts, and you have a recipe for dinnertime success.

- 6 recipe chapters, each focused on a single food category: soups, stews, hearty salads, casseroles, skillets and simmers, and pastas and risottos
- 80+ colour photographs
- Most recipes includes the major components of a balanced dinner (protein, starch and some vegetables)
- Simpler dishes come with suggestions for super-easy sides to round out the meal
- Helpful sidebars and tips sprinkled throughout


Millions of people love Ina Garten because she writes recipes that make home cooks look great; family and friends shower them with praise and yet the dishes couldn’t be simpler to prepare using ingredients found in any grocery store. In Barefoot Contessa Foolproof, the Food Network star takes easy a step further, sharing her secrets for pulling off deeply satisfying meals that have that “wow!” factor we all crave.

Start with delicious Dukes Cosmopolitans made with freshly squeezed lemon juice, plus Jalapeño Cheddar Crackers that everyone will devour. Lunches include Hot Smoked Salmon, Lobster & Potato Salad, and Easy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Croutons, all featuring old-fashioned flavors with the volume turned up. Elegant Slow-Roasted Filet of Beef with Basil Parmesan Mayonnaise and show-stopping Seared Scallops & Potato Celery Root Purée are just two of the many fabulous dinner recipes. And your guests will always remember the desserts, from Sticky Toffee Date Cake with Bourbon Glaze to Salted Caramel Brownies.

For Ina, “foolproof” means more than just making one dish successfully; it’s also about planning a menu, including coordinating everything so it all gets to the table at the same time. In Barefoot Contessa Foolproof, Ina shows you how to make a game plan so everything is served hot while you keep your cool. There are notes throughout detailing where a recipe can go wrong to keep you on track, plus tips for making recipes in advance. It’s as though Ina is there in the kitchen with you guiding you every step of the way.

With 150 gorgeous color photographs and Ina’s invaluable tips, Barefoot Contessa Foolproof is a stunning yet infinitely practical cookbook that home cooks will turn to again and again.

Chef Michael Smith, Canada's most popular chef, is passionate about cooking and sharing great food and flavours. Inside you'll find Michael's all-time favourite recipes, the ones he cooks regularly in his own home kitchen—lots of wonderful, memorable flavours that you'll enjoy with your family and friends. 

Chef Michael Smith's Kitchen features over 100 fabulous, easy-to-make recipes, each with a mouth-watering photo. Start your day with French Toast Sandwiches Oatmeal Crusted with Blueberry Stuffing and Marmalade Mint Butter or Apple Pie Pancakes with Caramel Syrup. Enjoy Coconut Crusted Chicken with Mango Mint Salsa or Honey Mustard Barbecue Baked Baby Back Ribs, or a great fish dish like Grilled Tuna Steak or Pan Seared Scallops with House Wine Sauce for a wonderful dinner. You'll also find lots of recipes for delicious vegetables, grains, and side dishes like Nutmeg Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Wilted Baby Spinach or Sausage Sage Bread Pudding. And of course, Michael's Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups and Triple-Treat Creamsicle Marshmallows are sure to become your favourite treats to finish off any meal. 

Chef Michael invites you to enjoy cooking his favourite recipes and to make them yours.




Dripping Thighs, Sticky Chicken Fingers, Vanilla Chicken, Chicken with a Lardon, Bacon-Bound Wings, Spatchcock Chicken, Learning-to-Truss-You Chicken, Holy Hell Wings, Mustard-Spanked Chicken, and more, more, more!

Fifty chicken recipes, each more seductive than the last, in a book that makes every dinner a turn-on.  

“I want you to see this. Then you’ll know everything. It’s a cookbook,” he says and opens to some recipes, with color photos. “I want to prepare you, very much.” This isn’t just about getting me hot till my juices run clear, and then a little rest. There’s pulling, jerking, stuffing, trussing. Fifty preparations. He promises we’ll start out slow, with wine and a good oiling . . . Holy crap. “I will control everything that happens here,” he says. “You can leave anytime, but as long as you stay, you’re my ingredient.” I’ll be transformed from a raw, organic bird into something—what? Something delicious

So begins the adventures of Miss Chicken, a young free-range, from raw innocence to golden brown ecstasy, in this spoof-in-a-cookbook that simmers in the afterglow of E.L. James’s sensational Fifty Shades of Grey trilogyLike Anastasia Steele, Miss Chicken finds herself at the mercy of a dominating man, in this case, a wealthy, sexy, and very hungry chef.  

And before long, from unbearably slow drizzling to trussing, Miss Chicken discovers the sheer thrill of becoming the main course. A parody in three acts—“The Novice Bird” (easy recipes for roasters), “Falling to Pieces” (parts perfect for weeknight meals), and “Advanced Techniques” (the climax of cooking)—Fifty Shades of Chicken is a cookbook of fifty irresistible, repertoire-boosting chicken dishes that will leave you hungry for more.

With memorable tips and revealing photographs, Fifty Shades of Chicken will have you dominating dinner.



Following the success of the hit television series Everyday Exotic, Chef Roger Mooking and his producer Allan Magee bring together the most delicious of his 52 inspiring episodes. Using the concept of one main exotic ingredient, Roger demystifies the ingredient through its flavour and aroma, empowering the reader to embrace them in their cooking. Mix in your standard midweek recipes and you have new classics that your entire family will love.

From Monday's standard meatloaf, to Sunday's traditional roast chicken, it's easy to learn how to embrace new taste sensations that turn those tired midweek recipes into fresh and exciting new meals. With Roger and Everyday Exotic by your side, you have the perfect go-to guide for solving that seemingly impossible question, "What should I make for dinner tonight?"

Explore dishes like:
Lime Leaf Chicken with Lime Mayo
Coriander Meatloaf with Cilantro Pesto and Tomato Chutney
Curried Macaroni and Cheese Pie
Five Spice Lamb Burgers
Saffron Halibut Packets

And as Roger insists, you eat first with your eyes. So discover your own inspiration for plating each recipe in the accompanying beautiful presentations found within each vibrant and colourful photo throughout the book.





Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Great Gift Ideas for the Film, TV and Drama Nut!!

Every script, every episode of the innovative, hilarious, and absurdMonty Python's Flying Circus, one of the most influential television series of all time, is include here, plus hundreds of annotations, behind-the-scenes stories, interviews, and more, as well as photographs, drawings, and Terry Gilliam's iconic artwork.

Monty Python's Flying Circus is one of the most popular, important and oft-quoted comedy series of all time. Python's influence on comedy has been compared to the Beatles' influence on music. This landmark work collects the complete scripts for every one of the 45 episodes of Flying Circus: every silly setup, every clever conceit, every snide insult, and ever saucy aside from these classic skits, including "The Ministry of Silly Walks," "The Dead Parrot," "Banter in the Cheese Shop," "Spam, the Funniest Joke in the World," "The Spanish Inquisition," "The Argument Clinic," "The Fish-Slapping Dance," "The Lumberjack Song," and all the rest.

Every script is thoroughly annotated with notes that cover the plethora of cultural, historical, and topical references touched upon in each sketch. Sidebars and commentary throughout include profiles of the principles -- Graham Chapman, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin, Terry Gilliam, and John Cleese -- and interviews with the cast and crew; fascinating facts about technical concerns, set design, and shooting locations; insider stores from on and off the set, including arguments, accidents, and practical jokes; goofs and gaffes; and much more. Also included are thousands of stills and artwork from the shows.

Not only is Kirk Hammett the lead guitarist for Metallica, one of the most successful heavy metal bands of all time, but he’s also the curator of one of the world’s finest collections of monster-movie memorabilia, a collection few people have ever seen. In Too Much Horror Business, Kirk finally unveils his near-mythical treasure trove of rare posters, props, costumes, and toys from the early silent classics to more modern fare. From Bela Lugosi’s annotatedDracula script to the creepy Donnie Darko bunny suit to cool model kits from the 1960s, Hammett has amassed hundreds of items over the years, including priceless international collectibles as well as the quirkier toys of his youth. Alongside scores of full-color, original photographs in this highly designed volume, Kirk offers up thoughts about his appreciation for all things scary and fantastic, shedding light on not only the collection of a lifetime, but the man himself.

Praise for Too Much Horror Business:

“Like a classic record, there are numerous layers to Too Much Horror Business: The Kirk Hammett Collection, and that’s what makes it so utterly rewarding. Plus, it’s damn beautiful to look at. Ultimately, this is one of the best books of the year and a true game-changer. Whether you’re a Metallica fan, a horror fan, or just a reader in general, you need it.” —ArtistDirect.com

Joss Whedon’s Emmy award-winning musical tragicomedy tells the story of Billy, aka Dr Horrible, a budding supervillain who wants to beat superhero Captain Hammer and take over the world... and pluck up the courage to speak to his laundromat crush Penny. With exclusive new material from Joss and the production team, new photos, sheet music and more, this official book is a must for fans!









Project Runway, the groundbreaking reality television series, premiered in 2004. Ten seasons into its run comes the official guide behind the scenes of a television and fashion landmark. In this book, fully illustrated with hundreds of photos, fans will learn how the show began and developed over the years, relive the highlights of seasons past, and learn what their favorite designers are doing today. The book will feature commentary from Heidi Klum throughout, as well as interviews with the people behind the scenes, top designers of ten seasons, and stars of the show: workroom mentor Tim Gunn and judges Heidi Klum, Nina Garcia, and Michael Kors. This is the ultimate source for all things Project Runway.





Put a new face on fun!
No matter what your experience level, you can turn everyday faces into sweet, funny or frightening works of art that move, laugh, grow and always make people smile! The first half of this book features fun, friendly transitions, such as birds and butterflies, puppies and princesses, knights and night skies. Part Two crosses over to the dark side with strikingly horrible, downright unnerving personas, including vampires, zombies, gargoyles and other foul, freakish creeps.



  • Easy-to-follow instruction from two award-winning artists
  • 50 step-by-step projects ranging from simple to more advanced
  • Designs include popular kid and adult themes for parties, performances, Halloween and other occasions
  • Expert techniques for painting remarkably realistic textures, making human features virtually disappear, creating the look of age and other surprising, fool-the-eye effects
Full of friendly instruction for beginners and fresh inspiration for seasoned painters, this book will help you make art as original as the face that is painted!

Over the last century the New York Times’s six leading critics—Brooks Atkinson, Howard Taubman, Clive Barnes, Walter Kerr, Frank Rich, and Ben Brantley—have offered the most authoritative and influential commentary on the Broadway musical. This definitive volume includes the original reviews of the 119 most important , selected by current chief theater critic Ben Brantley and accompanied by photographs from each show’s first production as well as celebrated revivals. From the golden age of the musical, with its divas, legendary directors, lyricists, and choreographers, right up to The Book of Mormon, Brantley gives context to this treasure trove of reviews with a thoughtful introduction and essays that guide the reader through each decade.

Praise for Broadway Musicals:

“A standing O for theater critic Ben Brantley’s staging of Broadway Musicals: From the Pages of the New York Times—the newspaper’s most influential reviewers, from Brooks Atkinson to Frank Rich.” —Elissa Schappell


These fabulous, whimsical paintings, created for his own pleasure and never shown to the public, show Geisel (a.k.a. Dr. Seuss) in a whole new light. Depicting outlandish creatures in otherworldly settings, the paintings use a dazzling rainbow of hues not seen in the primary-color palette of his books for children, and exhibit a sophisticated and often quite unrestrained side of the artist. 65 color illustrations.










Jim Henson's iconic puppet characters, fantastic worlds, and warm humor have delighted millions of people of all ages. His incredibly diverse body of work, from the Muppets to the world of'The Dark Crystal' , reveals his charm and genius to fans old and new. Compiled directly from The Jim Henson Company archives,'Imagination Illustrated' adapts the diary that Jim faithfully kept throughout his career, supplementing it with a trove of little-seen visual material, including rare sketches, personal and production photographs, storyboards, doodles, and much more. Throughout, archivist Karen Falk delves into the behind-the-scenes details of Henson's life and artistic process. Sure to delight anyone who has enjoyed Henson's creations - seeing early drawings of Kermit and Rowlf is like smiling over childhood photos of dear friends - this lovely book celebrates Jim's life and his magic.


"Adding over 100 new works to its roster and incorporating newer media like photography, performance art, and video installations, the new Art Bookfeatures the ways in which the art world has been reinvigorated in the last two decades. . .the book is a good start for those searching for the basic building blocks of a modern art eduction." - The Huffington Post

"The new edition of The Art Book is perhaps the most ideal for newcomers to art but will be enjoyable for almost anyone interested in art." - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Art City

"The second edition of this popular, comprehensive reference tome has just enough biographical information on each of its alphabetically featured artists from all eras to quickly elevate a cocktail party conversation - or perhaps inspire a passion." - ForeWard Reviews

". . .each new work is a surprise and keeps you interested and on the edge of your seat. Tell me, when's the last time you heard anyone say that about going to an art gallery or opening up an art history text book?" - Blog Critics

"The updated A-to-Z guide of artists from medieval to modern times." - In Style

"Funky, colorful and convenient. . .it's not hard to see where the newness begins. All in all, 100 new works have been added to the alphabetized survey, making this a truly 21st-century reference book on art. Christmas stockings will bulge." - Canadian Art

"The Art Book is worth every penny of its hefty price; this 592-page A-to-Z volume is the art history class you wish you had taken: fun, refreshing, a take-home museum." - Reader's Digest

Tavi Gevinson started the blog, Style Rookie, when she was 11 years old. From the confines of her bedroom in the suburbs, she wrote about personal style and chronicled the development of her own. Within two years, it averaged 50,000 hits per day and fashion designers from around the world invited Tavi to attend and write about fashion shows. Soon Tavi's interests grew beyond fashion, into culture and art and, especially, feminism. Last year when Tavi was 15, she launched ROOKIE, a website for girls like her: teenagers who are interested in fashion and beauty but also in dissecting the culture around them through a uniquely teen-girl lens. ROOKIE broke 1 million page views within its first six days. Lady Gaga called her "the future of journalism."

Tavi's cool-headed intellect shines in ROOKIE, arguably the most intelligent magazine ever made for a teen-girl audience. She writes with a humble but keen authority on such serious topics as body image, self-esteem, and first encounters with street harassment. ROOKIE YEARBOOK ONE collects articles, interviews, photo editorials, and illustrations. Among its 50-plus regular contributors (many of whom are teenage girls themselves) are Lena Dunham, Miranda July, Jon Hamm, David Sedaris, Elle Fanning, Amy Poehler, Paul Rudd, John Waters, Chloe Sevigny, JD Samson, Ira Glass, Aubrey Plaza, Carrie Brownstein, Paul Feig, Fred Armisen, and Winnie Holzman.

This is a beautiful hardcover version of Hamlet!  To be or not to be? Hamlet is, arguably, Shakespeare's most well-known play, with its compelling lead character, stunning language, and philosophical underpinnings. This drama of the procrastinating Danish prince who ponders whether or not to revenge his father's death now appears in a beautifully illustrated edition with annotations by Princeton professor Jeff Dolven.










This edition of a practical instruction manual on how to make a movie has been substantially expanded with detailed information that focuses on digital filmmaking. But whether students work with standard film, digital equipment, or both, they will learn how to-- Formulate story ideas Shoot and edit footage Lay down soundtracks Add special effects Practical projects and exercises are presented to give students an opportunity for hands-on experience. They will also find advice on Putting together a showreel Work in a variety of genres Getting their finished film seen The book's main focus is on short movies, ranging in length from 15 seconds to 15 minutes, and intended for private screenings, festivals, competitions, or broadcasts on TV or the Web. Printed in full-color throughout, this instructive volume features approximately 300 how-to photos and illustrations.


The copy int he store actually have a different cover!

Stage technicians or “teckies” traditionally apprentice for knowledge about their craft. This is a new, unique practical guide for teckies that can be read or used as a reference manual for all aspects of stage lighting, from equipment to lighting a performance space to special effects and design. 


Information is easily accessed through tabbed sections and keywords. The information in each chapter is presented at three levels: “A Quick Start,” enough basic information to get started; “More Info,” more detailed knowledge; and “Extras!” extended technical information and data.

The three strands run visually throughout the guide, enabling students to mix and match their own personal level of study or to fast track through to the information they need on set. The handy-sized, accessible guide is packed with illustrations, pictures, diagrams, plans, and technical data. In addition, a DVD is included that uses video clips to illustrate the text, showing practical use of the equipment and examples of different lighting techniques and effects. The differentiated format of The Teckies Guide makes it equally suitable for school students, aspiring theater-technician teachers, amateur dramatic enthusiasts, or anyone needing a quick on-the-job reference. 

Monday, December 17, 2012

Looking for that last gift idea?

THE WALKING DEAD FANS



Returning with the second eight volumes of the fan-favorite, New York Times bestseller series, The Walking Dead, collected into one massive paperback collection! This is the perfect collection for any fan of the Emmy Award-winning television series on AMC: over one-thousand pages chronicling the next chapter of Robert Kirkman's Eisner Award-winning continuing story of survival horror - beginning with Rick Grimes' struggle to survive after the prison raid, to the group's finding short solace in The Community, and the devastation that follows. In a world ruled by the dead, we are finally forced to finally start living. Collects The Walking Dead #49-96.








The Walking Dead Chronicles: The Official Companion Book is the only authorized, behind-the-scenes guide to Season One of the white-hot new AMC television series, The Walking Dead, which tells the story of a sheriff’s deputy leading a band of survivors in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by the undead. Focusing on the making of the first season of the Golden Globe–nominated TV show, as well as the creation of the New York Times bestselling comic book on which the series is based, The Walking Dead Chronicles is lav­ishly illustrated with never-before-seen unit photography, storyboards, set designs, makeup and visual effects shots, and page-to-screen comparisons of the comic and TV show. Featuring new interviews with series creator Robert Kirkman and executive producer Frank Darabont, as well as the cast and crew, the book also includes sidebars that serve as a detailed episode guide, reproducing excerpts from early drafts and final scripts, and revealing new direc­tions for the second season and beyond.Praise for the Walking Dead Chronicles: “Paul Ruditis provides an interesting and insightful look at both the comic book and TV series. . . . The text is filled with thoughtful commentary from the cast and crew, as well as an eye-catching assortment of production photos, set designs, storyboards, special-effects images, and reproductions of comic book artwork.” —School Library Journal


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GAME OF THRONES FANS

George R. R. Martin’s beloved Song of Ice and Fire series, which started withA Game of Thrones, is bursting with a variety and richness of landscapes—from bitter tundra to arid wasteland and everything in between—that provide a sense of scale unrivaled in contemporary fantasy. Now this dazzling set of maps, featuring original artwork from illustrator and cartographer Jonathan Roberts, transforms Martin’s epic saga into a world as fully realized as the one around us.

The centerpiece of this gorgeous collection is guaranteed to be a must-have for any fan: the complete map of the known world, joining the lands of the Seven Kingdoms and the lands across the Narrow Sea for the first time in series history. But this is just one of many unique maps that aren’t available anywhere else. There is an alternate version that tracks the movements of the series’ protagonists throughout their vast world, along with more detailed versions of the western, middle, and eastern thirds of the world; a full map of Westeros, combining North and South; one of the Dothraki Sea and the Red Wastes; and the Braavos city map. And here, too, are fan favorites detailing everything from urban sprawl to untamed wilds: maps of King’s Landing; The Wall and Beyond the Wall; the Free Cities; and Slaver’s Bay, Valyria, and Sothyros.

Never before has the entire scope of Martin’s universe been so exhaustively and fascinatingly depicted. The maps in this beautiful, one-of-a-kind atlas will enrich your reading or viewing experience, provide another view of your favorite characters’ epic journeys, and open up captivating new worlds—plus, they’ll look great on any castle wall.



An Epic Culinary Journey to the Heart of Westeros! 

Eat like a Lannister. Brew spirits to warm you in the coming winter. Treat guests to exotic sweets and alchemy-inspired cocktails. With this collection of hearty meals inspired by George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series, it's all possible! Every dish finds its roots in the pages that brought Westeros to life, including:
  • Arbor Red Wine—the finest spirit in the Seven Kingdoms
  • The House of Stark's Venison, Apple, Cheddar Plaits—savory meat pies, fit for any Warden of the North
  • The Imp's Wild Strawberry Fool—a dessert light enough to make Tyrion smile
  • Wilding Grilled Pork Chops with Stir-Grilled Apples—the meal of choice at Craster's Keep
  • Tears of Lys—the concoction of choice for bartenders and assassins alike
Feast your imagination on entrees, desserts, snacks, and drinks that will make your fantasies a reality!


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THE HOBBIT FANS




When J.R.R. Tolkien wroteHOBBIThe had become an accomplished amateur artist, and he was keen to contribute visually to the work. The finished book contained eight black and white drawings, five colour plates, two maps and his own jacket design. But behind these finished works there also lay a multitude of sketches and drawings, draft maps and runic designs, demonstrating Tolkien's careful planning and artistry. Indeed, every major artist who has illustrated the book subsequently has been influenced by Tolkien's own powerful visual conceptions.

THE ART OF THE HOBBITcollects for the first time the complete surviving artwork that helped to underpin such a remarkable work of fiction. Written and edited by Tolkien experts Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull, authors of the acclaimed biographyTOLKIEN: ARTIST AND ILLUSTRATORthis book uses brand new digital scans from the Bodleian Library in Oxford to show off Tolkien's paintings in more vivid detail than ever before, making this a worthy and lasting tribute to a largely overlooked side of Tolkien's genius.




This deluxe collectors edition of Tolkiens modern classic is boxed and bound in green leatherette with gold and red foil rune stamping on the spine and cover. The text pages are printed in black with green accents. It includes five full page illustrations in full color and many more in two color in addition to Thrors map -- all prepared by the author. J. R. R. Tolkiens own description for the original edition: If you care for journeys there and back, out of the comfortable Western world, over the edge of the Wild, and home again, and can take an interest in a humble hero (blessed with a little wisdom and a little courage and considerable good luck), here is a record of such a journey and such a traveler. The period is the ancient time between the age of Faerie and the dominion of men, when the famous forest of Mirkwood was still standing, and the mountains were full of danger. In following the path of this humble adventurer, you will learn by the way (as he did) -- if you do not already know all about these things -- much about trolls, goblins, dwarves, and elves, and get some glimpses into the history and politics of a neglected but important period. For Mr. Bilbo Baggins visited various notable persons; conversed with the dragon, Smaug the Magnificent; and was present, rather unwillingly, at the Battle of the Five Armies. This is all the more remarkable, since he was a hobbit. Hobbits have hitherto been passed over in history and legend, perhaps because they as a rule preferred comfort to excitement. But this account, based on his personal memoirs, of the one exciting year in the otherwise quiet life of Mr. Baggins will give you a fair idea of the estimable people now (it is said) becoming rather rare. They do not like noise.



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STAR WARS FANS


What if Darth Vader took an active role in raising his son? What if "Luke, I am your father" was just a stern admonishment from an annoyed dad? In this hilarious and sweet comic reimagining, Darth Vader is a dad like any other - except with all the baggage of being the Dark Lord of the Sith. Celebrated artist Jeffrey Brown's delightful illustrations give classic'Star Wars-'' moments a fresh twist, presenting the trials and joys of parenting through the lens of a galaxy far, far away. Life lessons include lightsaber batting practice, using the Force to raid the cookie jar, Take Your Child to Work Day on the Death Star ("Er, he looks just like you, Lord Vader!"), and the special bond shared between any father and son.



A brand-new explosive, interactive, pop-off-the-page book from New York Times bestseller Matthew Reinhart 

Matthew Reinhart has crafted another spectacular pop-up book for George Lucas's epic Star Wars movies! The New York Times bestselling pop-up artist and engineer has created a brand-new 3-D experience, packed with a variety of novelty features—pop-ups, working lightsabers, pull tabs, and other interactive features. 

This new look at Stars Wars explores elements, the characters, stories, vehicles, droids, and more in the three prequel movies and The Clone Wars. It's a stunning book that will impress fans of all ages and gives a whole new perspective to the Star Wars universe.







The Millennium Falcon is a legendary spaceship, made famous by its adventures under the command of smugglers Han Solo and Chewbacca, who made numerous special modifications to transform the beat-up Corellian light freighter into one of the fastest ships in the galaxy.
 
This Haynes Manual traces the model history of the Corellian Engineering Corporation’s YT series of spaceships and the development of the YT-1300 model line before focusing on the Millennium Falcon, itself a modified YT-1300. Onboard systems, controls, and their operation are described in detail and supported by a host of photographs, line art, floor plans, exploded diagrams, and stunning computer-generated artwork, all newly created by acknowledgedFalcon experts Chris Reiff and Chris Trevas. Text is by Ryder Windham, author of more than fifty Star Wars books.
 
Covering operational history, piloting, propulsion, weapons, engineering systems, sensors, and crew facilities, this is the most thorough technical guide to the Millennium Falcon available.
 
This Haynes Manual is fully authorized and approved by Lucasfilm.





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May the Force be with you. The Force Trainer by Uncle Milton actually allows you to control a Jedi Training Remote with your mind, by tapping into cutting-edge brainwave technology. Utilizing dry EEG sensor technology, the headset reads and interprets your brainwaves. The deeper your concentration and mental focus, the greater your ability to move the Training Remote up or down the Training Tower. Progress from Padawan to Jedi Master as you master the use of “The Force” through 15 levels of training. Increasingly challenging sequences are aided by training cues and instruction from the master of all Jedi Masters himself, Yoda. Additional STAR WARS sound effects confirm accomplishment and provide encouragement throughout your training. Advancement and current level of your training is displayed on the Training Tower control panel.