Book Description
A fascinating study of this amazing archaeological discovery.
Customer Reviews:
Lucchesi at his best........2006-12-19
How do you compliment a master? There is none except "thank you."
In a real sense Bruno is a man that should have been born in another time. His sensitivity to the human figure and his love for fired earth is the stuff of a true Renaissance man. He captures the imagination and brings life out of clay.
What is most inspiring aspect of this Italian born sculptor is love to teach and share his skills, tips and tricks with other aspiring sculptors around the world. Sculptors like me. No studio library is complete with out all of his books and tapes.
Bruno works with slabs of clay smashed on the floor and then quickly forms them into layers of mass that are shaped into the maquette. His attention to proportion makes him the artist that others have sought to imitate, and none can completely duplicate.
Terracotta.......2005-10-02
This is a super book, very informative and easy to follow. It answered many questions I had, and introduced many new (to me) ideas.
Inspirational. Witness a Master at work.......2003-03-07
The first time I browsed the book, I was blown away by the beauty of Bruno's work.
The second time, I was disappointed because of the limited explanation and technical descriptions.
But once I understood what this book was really about, I loved it.
It really is a documentary of Lucchesi at work. You can witness him working. The book is very visual.
You will not learn sculpturing, but you will get the chance to see an accomplished sculptor and his creation.
The book does not tell the why's, you can see the how's.
My copy is now really filthy, with stains of terracota all over it. I keep it by my working bench, and quite frequently, in the middle of my work, I open it to see how Bruno does it.
My recommendation is to buy this book in addition to "From Clay to Bronze " of Lagland.
Great Reference.......2001-10-27
I'm a student working in wax, but the most important concepts in this book are definitely cross media; it was a good buy. I mainly use the book as a reference tool and posing guide -- it is a great problem solver. There can't be many issues in posing or proportioning that a beginner won't find help for somewhere in this book. Ms. Malmstrom has such a talent for photographing sculpture that you almost feel like you have the actual piece in front of you. And Mr. Lucchesi's work... it's tough to imagine a day so bad that his sculpture can't make you feel more at peace.
Terracotta.......2000-06-09
I found this book to be a wonderful tool for the beginner or advanced sculptor. It leads you step by step and, as a 3rd-year sculptor, the techniques Lucchesi provides have greatly inspired and helped me improve my own techniques.
Customer Reviews:
The story of the 7,5000 warriors who guard Qin, China's first emperor.......2006-03-21
While on vacation in China, Jane O'Connor visited the thousands of life-sized terracotta warrior statues discovered near the tomb on an emperor in northern China. She was inspired to find out more about both the army of ghostly gray warriors and the man who had ordered their creation. But as O'Connor read everything available about the first emperor and his buried army she discovered that a book on the subject had not yet been written for children. "The Emperor's Silent Army: Terracotta Warriors of Ancient China" rectifies that mistake.
In March 1974 three farmers digging a well near the city of Xian in Lintong County of the People's Republic of China, discovered the clay head of a "pottery man." Neither the farmers nor the archaeologists who arrived to investigate the figure had ever seen anything similar to the life-like figure, and where astounded to discover dozens, and then hundreds and finally thousands of these terracotta figures. When the excavation was done, an army of 7,500 soldiers and horses has been uncovered (so far), after being buried for more than 2,200 years. The life-size figures weighed as much as four hundred pounds each and wore knee-length robes, armor made from small iron "fish scales," and elaborate topknot hairdos (the low-ranking infantrymen did not wear armor). The figures stand at attention and archaeologists also found the hundreds of real bronze swords, daggers, battle-axes, and arrowheads, these silent warriors were carrying.
After sharing the story of the discovery of the figures, O'Connor tells the story of Qin Shihuang, the divine Son of Heaven, who was the first emperor or China. Qin was a paranoid tyrant, and fearing that grave robbers would loot the treasures in his tomb after he died. O'Connor talks about the measures Qin took to protect his final resting place, which included the terracotta figures, stationed in underground trenches, less than a mile from the tomb. The details about the figures, as to why they do not wear helmets or shields and why they are facing east, are quite interesting. There is logic to their arrangement that O'Connor is able to explain, a well as the difference between the 350 chariot horses and the more than 100 cavalry horses. There are more than forty full-color photographs in the book, which help to distinguish between the different types of warriors. The only disappointment here is that there are not more such photographs.
One of the most amazing things about the figures is that of the two thousand unearthed at the time O'Connor's book was published, no two had been discovered to be the same. The figures represent different ages, different parts of China, and even different temperaments. A colored computer image shows how one of the figures would have looked originally when it was painted. Another fascinating section has to do with modern artisans making replicas, following the techniques of 2,200 years ago, to help archeologists understand how the original figures were created. The final chapters of the book are devoted to what it was like inside the Emperor's tomb, where the body may be wearing a jade funeral suit (the government has no intention of actually opening the tomb and looking, but other tombs have been opened in the past to five us some ideas), and Qin's legacy, which is mainly the first Great Wall of China that he had made with a workforce of half a million slave laborers working for a dozen years. However, it would be Qin's silent army that is probably most responsible for what immortality the first emperor possesses today. Seeing them in person would be an unforgettable experience, and O'Connor's book does an excellent job of making that impression on her readers, young and old alike.
Hidden arrows, Poisoned King, and Buried Treasure!.......2002-11-15
Rich with exciting historical details, The Emperor's Silent Army: Terracotta Warriors of Ancient China by Jane O'Connor offers a well-researched book that tantalizes the reader with tales of a poisoned King, a camouflaged dead body, and a booby-trapped tomb. The targeted audience of ages 9-12 will thrill with the adventure while simultaneously profiting from their newfound knowledge of China's first Emperor, Qin Shihuang, and his war and burial customs. Heavily strewn with color photographs, computer images, maps, drawings, and charts, the book easily captures interest and successfully holds attention with its succinct wording and short chapters that directly complement the images.
Jane O'Connor's career spanning roles as editor-at-large, president of mass market children's books at Penguin, and prolific author is crowned by her most recent gem, The Emperor's Silent Army: Terracotta Warriors of Ancient China. Realizing that no children's books had thoroughly documented the world wonder discovered in China, O'Connor successfully fills the void. This book is a must for any library!
The only negative aspect is that the book fails to be part of a larger history series since once the book is read, the reader will want to read more. The detailed bibliography and author's note provide a scope for further reading on the Terracotta Warriors, but readers will long to learn the same concise and tantalizing information on other subjects as well! Hopefully, Jane O'Connor will follow with more books to engage children and adults since The Emperor's Silent Army: Terracotta Warriors of Ancient China masterfully explores its subject.
Book Description
A vast "army" of over 7,000 terracotta statues of soldiers surrounds the tomb of the first emperor of the Qin dynasty in the Shaanxi province in northwestern China. These vigilant soldiers have been on duty for 2,000 years, but does anyone know what sort of ruler Qin Shi Huang was? Why did his tomb have to be guarded by a mysterious army? Was Qin Shi Huang so power-hungry he sought control even over the spirit world? Why did he feel compelled to defend himself even in the next life? Using the mausoleum structure as a key, the splendidly illustrated book answers many of the questions that have intrigued travelers, archaeologists, and students of Chinese culture since the site was discovered in 1974.This lavish, powerful volume explores the life and times of the man who founded a dynasty that would continue to the dawn of the 20th century. It gathers the most recent archaeological data with photographs taken on site expressly for this book-accompanied by essays from archaeologists and experts in Chinese art and history. What emerges is a profile of one of China's most powerful, legendary figures and a new view of one of Asia's most spectacular tourist attractions.
Customer Reviews:
Spectacular big photos of the Emperor's Army.......2005-12-27
The striking feature of this book is its inclusion of unusually large photos of close-ups of some individual soldiers. Two individual chariots, in addition, receive in-depth illustration of various aspects. If you really want to have a taste of what it feels when seeing as different each of the soldiers' faces, you will never be disappointed with this book in hand.
Several historical incidents that happened in this period also attract elaboration from this book. How the Emperor burnt thousands of scholars and books in order to take control of people's mind, is something that is explained through a model of the scene by the authors.
At the end of the book, the authors also explain how they, with the help of the Chinese officials, took the photos, with equipment weighing over 1000 pounds.
In the middle of the book the authors also attempt to delineate the long tradition of the Chinese philosophical thought as expressed in different schools, that preceded the rule of the Emperor over the unified China, which lasted only for 15 years!
While the discussion of the philosophical thoughts might not be deep enough, I guess the readers who are interested in this book would not count this as any issue. For overall each of the faces of the soldiers that feature in the photos already tell thousands of different stories, given the reader's own imagination.
I would recommend this book as a highly collectible gem!
Book Description
Explains esoteric secrets of the sacred solar science encoded in the massive army of terracotta warriors that guards the tomb of Chinese emperor Ch’in Shi Huangdi
• Decodes the farewell message of the first emperor of China concealed more than 2,000 years ago in the 8,000 terracotta warriors that guard his tomb
• Shows the spiritual principles of this sacred solar science and its remarkable insights into heaven, hell, and the immortality of the soul
• Latest book by the bestselling author of The Tutankhamun Prophecies and The Lost Tomb of Viracocha
When the first emperor of unified China, Ch’in Shi Huangdi, felt his death approaching, he decreed that he be entombed within a pyramid and that his tomb be protected by an immortal army of terracotta soldiers. In 1974 archaeologists discovered the first of more than 8,000 life-size terracotta warriors, each weighing half a ton, buried circa 220 B.C.E. near this emperor’s pyramid tomb. Maurice Cotterell shows how Shi Huangdi--like the pharaoh Tutankhamun, the Mayan lord Pacal, and Viracocha in Peru--was a keeper of the sacred solar science of the ancients, a science that included a sophisticated understanding of the effect of the sun on earthly affairs, fertility rates, and personality. The keepers of this science taught that the soul was immortal and was destined to transform into star energy or be reborn on Earth, depending on an individual’s spiritual progress in his or her lifetime. Using his unique understanding of how and why ancient civilizations encoded this extraordinary knowledge, Cotterell decodes the emperor’s farewell message concealed in the terracotta warriors--a message that reveals the true purpose of life and the imperishable nature of the soul.
Customer Reviews:
Utter Silliness.......2005-12-13
There is absolutely not one word of substance in this book. There's not all that much about the warriors and what there is so ridiculous that one is inclined to suspect that the author is putting us on. The tabloids at the supermarket checkout counter have more substance than this nonsense.
Some fresh material, astounding insights.......2004-08-29
I am ambivalent about the latest book by Maurice Cotterell. 'The Terracotta Warriors' merits a five star rating but I have some reservations about the book. For those interested in the statues uncovered in China the book is worthwhile. Since I've read several other books by Maurice, it was a bit of a disappointment because he simply continues the theme of reincarnation and how humans escape to enter a higher state of being, or heaven, or however a person wants to phrase it, with a limited amount of new material. The appendices contain nothing new, as I recall. For someone who has not read any books by Maurice, the book will appear to be profound and full of insights that no one but Maurice has realized for hundreds of years (probably with the exception of some limited number of people belonging to secret societies). For someone who has read other books Maurice wrote, they will find a magnificent explanation of the significance of the Terracotta Warriors: the significance of the number of warriors in each pit, the significance of each type of face (representing different Chinese [written] characters), and so on. I also enjoyed tidbits such as a page or two devoted to information about Hitler's quest for esoteric knowledge and search for artifacts such as the Spear of Destiny. Of course, Maurice revealed a profound fact about the number 666 and what humans are made of (perhaps a coincidence, perhaps not).
I highly recommend all of Maurice's books. For those who have not read Cotterell previously, I might recommend 'The Tutankhamun Prophecies' instead. For those who have read some of Cotterell's books, I think 'The Terracotta Warriors' is definitely not a waste of time to read, but I wouldn't be in a rush to buy it. econ
Average customer rating:
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Morgantina Studies: The Terracottas (Morgantina Studies)
Malcolm Bell
Manufacturer: Princeton Univ Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0691039461 |
Product Description
The discovery of the terracotta army buried near the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, the first unifier of China, is regarded as one of the most spectacular archaeological finds of the 20th century. Created 2,200 years ago as an imperial guard to serve the emperor in his afterlife, these thousands of life-size warrior and horse figures equipped with chariots and bronze weapons, bear witness to the military might of the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty (221-206 B.C.), and give the world a rare peek into the distant past. Discovered in 1974 and opened to the public in 1979, this ancient site is now one of the greatest tourist attractions in the world. The present volume, compiled and edited by the distinguished Chinese sculptor and art critic, Professor Fu Tianchou, offers the reader, in both words and pictures, a comprehensive introduction to this ancient monumental group sculpture. The introductory essay by Sidney Shapiro, a renowned translator of classical Chinese literature, gives essential background information about Emperor Qin Shi Huang and the excavation of his tomb figures. The main essay, written by Professor Fu Tianchou, presents a detailed and illuminating study of the artistic aspects of the terracotta army and explores the richness and splendor of Qin sculptural art. Professor Fu also makes a thought-provoking comparison between the terracotta warriors and the stone gods of ancient Greece. A more notable feature of the book is its unique collection of photographs, which provides full pictorial documentation of the underground terracotta army. With his "sculptor's eye," Professor Fu has selected these pictures and personally supervised much of the photography, thus ensuring both accuracy of depiction and visual beauty.
Book Description
In 1974, near Xi'an in central China, villagers chanced upon what has become one of the world's most astonishing archaeological finds--an 8,000-man army in battle-ready formation, each warrior a life-size figure in pottery made over 2,200 years ago. The incredible army comes to life in photographs, diagrams and lucid text. Who commissioned this massive military tableau? What was its purpose? How many people worked on it and for how long? The answers are all here in this book--the amazing story behind one of the Wonders of the World.
Customer Reviews:
Brief but nice overview of the subject.......2005-07-20
Although this book is so brief that it can be read in a few minutes, it contains many marvellous color photographs of the chinese terracotta army and also gives interesting details regarding the first Chinese emperor and the nature of the armies of his times. One page is also devoted to the mystery of the Fourth Pit which was excavated but found empty of figures.
Average customer rating:
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Hellenistic Pottery and Terracottas
Homer A. Thompson , and
Dorothy B. Thompson
Manufacturer: American School of Classical Studies at Athen
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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Greek & Roman
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ASIN: 0876619448 |
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The Terracotta Designs of Alfred Waterhouse
Collin Cunningham , and
Alfred Waterhouse
Manufacturer: John Wiley & Sons
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Architecture
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ASIN: 0471489492 |
Book Description
The Natural History Museum in London is one of Britain's finest examples of late Victorian architecture at its exuberant height. A decorative tour de force, it was conceived by Alfred Waterhouse, whose attention to detail in the creation of this masterpiece is legendary. The terracotta mouldings of flora and fauna adorning both interior and exterior of the building rival in richness and variety the equally renowned contents of the Museum's collections.
This book presents a history of the development of Waterhouse's designs for these mouldings, setting them in the context of his work as a whole and of their manufacture. It acknowledges his courage in selecting the generally frowned upon medium of terracotta for the execution of the ornament, rather than the established and respected material of carved stone. It also provides a unique document of his exquisite pencil drawings for the individual blocks: although many of the drawings were destroyed when their practical use had expired, over 130 still survive, and are held in the Museum's Library. Seldom seen and never reproduced in their entirety, they bear witness to the fact that Waterhouse was not only a skilled architect but also an extremely accomplished draughtsman. This is a unique portrait of an ornamental scheme which influenced a generation at the end of the nineteenth century.
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- The Wizard of Oz and Other Narcissists: Coping with the One-Way Relationship in Work, Love, and Family
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- Victorian Lace Today
- Visionary Film: The American Avant-Garde, 1943-2000
- Visions Beyond the Veil: Visions of Heaven, Angels, Satan, Hell and the End of the Age
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