The Visual Experience

Customer Reviews:

Still contains useful insights.......2007-02-25

I was keen to read this expanded and edited collection of columns, given the high quality of the authors' Accelerated C++. This is not quite as good as that book, but it's held up better than some of its contemporaries, like Carroll and Ellis's Designing and Coding Reusable C++.

The chapters are quite short, but they feel cohesive and flow well. The early part of the book is perhaps the most dated. There are discussions of implementing a string class and handle classes - they're treated well, but it's likely you've seen this several times before. Also, I didn't find the 'string picture' chapters, designed to illustrate class design, terribly interesting or illuminating of the underlying principles of object orientation (I didn't like them much in Accelerated C++ either).

However, the section on templates remains relevant, and the discussion of function objects and generic programming is a very good introduction. The later chapters on API design also retain insights. And in particular, the chapter on stream manipulators is very cool. It's also very good at discussing implementation and design issues and the thought processes that go into them. The feel is of someone talking you through how they went about writing some useful C++ and the trade offs involved.

In summary, this is a little dated, but it still has some bits and pieces that you won't find elsewhere. Not one to own at all costs, but keep an eye out for a cheap second hand copy, and when the price is right, pounce.

Less timely.......2005-12-27

The quality of the authors' technical knowledge is beyond question. They write in an extremely articulate way. They explain in meticulously correct ways how to undertake different (very useful) tasks, most especially the construction of handle classes. Because the content is a family of carefully reworked magazine articles, I think that it conveys the context in which these idioms are most useful somewhat weakly. At one time, this was just the best information available. Now, I think there are better books, including the authors' own Accelerated C++. Personally, I think this is one to take from the library---not one to buy.

Easy to read Intermediate C++ book.......2000-08-24

While this book came out before the ISO C++ (99) standard was finalized it still has a lot of relevant material in it. It is clearly presented, and the underlying design choices are explained and expanded on.

A word of caution, the topic on Smart pointers is interesting, but don't just copy it out, get a tested version from the C++ library "boost". Its like the string class every text seems to use, copy it, use it to learn from but don't use it in an actual project. You'll just have to go through the debugging process that everyone else has already done.

This book focuses on C++ Design and that is a hard subject to teach well. The mechanics of the language are much easier to master, the putting it all together in the correct way is what this book focuses on.

I'd also like to say that I think this book is better written than any of the C++Report articles that A.Koening wrote. My guess is that the review process is more stringent and he and B. Moo had more time to work the text over. In any case it is one of the easier to understand and read intermediate level C++ books.

Superior Read, Top 5 programming book.......2000-08-18

Nestled between 'learn in 24 hour' books, uml tomes, and vc references is a smallish, silly looking book called Ruminations on C++. At first glance you may be nervous as you find cows on the cover, but this gem is one of the best programming books I've every enjoyed. This book is targeted to the intermediate C++ programmer who has mastered syntax and basic idioms, and wants to move beyond into more complex uses. The book introduces (some may say, pounds) the concept of smart pointers, containers and iterators, templates, and function adapters in a ah-ha! enlightening kind of way. Once you understand these concepts and start employing them in your programs, you'll wonder how you could have ever written programs without them. Some readers may be bothered by the fact that the chapters are 'regurgitations' of previous articles the writer had written, but I would highly recommend that you pick this up. The treatment on the SmartPointer alone is worth the price. Buy it now!!

Insight and Experience.......2000-01-19

The book lives up to it's title. It is a must-have for any C++ programmer who claims to be an expert. The insights offerred in this book are the kind that are truly gained only after a decade of programming. If you have fallen in love with C++, this book will consummate your love.

Experiences in Visual Thinking (General Engineering)

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Inspires Creativity
Excellent resource for understanding visual thinking
Wordy, but well thought out study on visual thinking.

Experiences in Visual Thinking (General Engineering)
Robert H. McKim
Manufacturer: Brooks/Cole Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0818504110

Customer Reviews:

Inspires Creativity.......2001-10-05

Offers activities & processes to go through in order to brain storm & improve creativity. Many excellent ideas. My only complaint is that the text utilizes language that makes what they are trying to express difficult to understand & hard to follow.

Excellent resource for understanding visual thinking.......2000-04-03

I like this book very much because of its broad coverage and yet penetrating insights about creativity. To be more precise, it's about visual perceptual thinking - the often untapped resource mode of our brain. It is an excellent resource - not only from the visual thinking perspective but - for those who wants a deeper, fundamental understanding about whole-brain thinking. Unlike Kurt Hanks' books, and ironically, it's full of heavy text. Nevertheless, it's worth your perusal and also for having it in your personal library. The author had a second book, a strategy manual, which, unfortunately, is now out of print.

Wordy, but well thought out study on visual thinking........1997-06-06

Lots of insight into seeing, thinking and drawing. Very expensive, and needs pictures for the reading impaired

Drawing Us In: How We Experience Visual Art (A Beacon Anthology)

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Drawing Us In: How We Experience Visual Art (A Beacon Anthology)

Manufacturer: Beacon Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | History & Criticism | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0807066079

Book Description

With Contributions by Dorothy Allison, John Berger, Mark Doty, Mary Gordon, bell hooks, Alfred Kazin, August Wilson, and Others For the contributors to Drawing Us In, visual art makes us see what we haven't seen before; it surprises, transforms, and comforts us. Dorothy Allison explains how a painting in a Baptist church taught her as a child that art connects people from disparate backgrounds. Alfred Kazin reflects on his wanderings around New York's museums as a teenager. Mary Gordon finds that Bonnard's still lifes put in perspective her mother's struggle with illness and aging. For anyone who has felt moved by the visual, this collection offers a delightful range of views on how and why art matters in our psychic, social, and political lives.

Varieties of Visual Experience (Trade Version) (4th Edition)

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Empowering Your Perceptive Ideas
Empowering Your Perceptive Ideas

Varieties of Visual Experience (Trade Version) (4th Edition)
Edmund Feldman
Manufacturer: Prentice Hall
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0810939223

Customer Reviews:

Empowering Your Perceptive Ideas.......1999-12-22

Feldman has made art criticism easy to understand for the student and non-student layperson alike. Throughout the book he uses clear examples from established art works to ilustrate the ideas used in identifying what is art through the use of one's perception. The book is clearly divided into logically linked chapters. The last half of the book can be used as an outline to clearly write one's own criticism, and, with a little work, construct a criticism comparing any two artworks from any media. This is a "must have" book for any graphic or performing artist.

Empowering Your Perceptive Ideas.......1999-12-22

Teaching Students to Read Through Their Individual Learning Styles

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Teaching Students to Read Through Their Individual Learning Styles
Marie Carbo , Rita Dunn , and Kenneth Dunn
Manufacturer: Allyn & Bacon
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0835975177

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Show Me
Katherine Scraper , and Vickie L. Scraper
Manufacturer: Good Year Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Book Description

"Teachers nationwide are responsible for teaching reading strategies that prepare students for state reading assessments and, more importantly, for success as lifelong readers. Developing efficient reading strategies is key to students' success in comprehending text and making it their own.

Here, in one volume, are 32 graphic organizers that can be used to teach, reinforce and assess students' mastery of a variety of reading comprehension strategies that are tied to national and state standards. The graphic organizers are simple enough that students can grasp their use easily and then create them on their own with text of their choosing.

Book Description

Why Is Musical Spanish Unique?Simply put, there is nothing else like it. While millions of people around the world study Spanish, few people really learn it. This product helps bridge that gap by making learning more interesting and natural, and by immersing people in Spanish as they learn. The music is contagious and the grammar is explained in easy terms. Students and teachers of all ages love Musical Spanish!

Customer Reviews:

Waste of money.......2005-11-03

I have tried many language CDs and books. This one was one of the worst! Just the fact that they songs that they chose were reproduced poorly was the biggest turn off.

This may be good for kids because the songs are made to children songs and this is probably why adults can't stand listening to it. As for the content and the learning spanish part, I would say it's ok, if you really can sit through listening to the songs. It is too primitive.

Surprisingly comprehensive introduction and fun too.......2005-07-10

I was quite surprised at the wide range of grammar topics covered by the interactive CD. The songs are funny and easy to pick up, and the lessons then pounce on the words of the song and dissect things like tense, gender, subject/object, in an interesting and unconventional order - not too many Spanish courses introduce the future tense in the first lesson - but maybe they should, since it is fairly easy to learn. I was quite pleased with the clear, succinct grammar explanations. Though not exactly a video game, I found it entertaining to watch the animations. The words of the songs have been re-written to convey some basic words and grammar concepts, so it's not for Latin music purists.

On the other hand, this is a rapid survey, not an in-depth course. You won't learn much vocabulary and you won't get to practice much . Adobe Acrobat is kind of a pain to navigate unless you're used to it.

I have not tried listening to the CD, though that is an option, only using it interactively on my computer. I didn't expect high musical quality on my computer and can't speak to what it would sound like in an audio system.

It was okay.......2004-01-14

This language series is good if you want to learn basic grammar concepts. It's cool to sing along with the songs that are included as apart of the learning process. However, it wasn't for me.

I like tools like Pimsluer's Spanish Program which teaches conversational tools. For me it's difficult to learn Spanish without it being in the context of a conversation. Musical Spanish is a great review if you have Spanish skills OR if you are already profecient in another romance language, Musical Spanish will give you a great foundation on which to build.

I think that this is a great supplement to Spanish learning. I've donated my copy to the local public library.

This is a cheap production that ....!.......2003-05-13

...

They completely butchered these songs. I'm not that picky, but it's painful to listen to. It honestly sounds like chipmunks with an electronic keyboard.

The whole CD runs in Adobe Acrobat which isn't that convenient to navigate around. The music plays in a jukebox run by Flash.

This CD and thin book was a great idea, but more effort needed to be put into this production.

Easy lessons, fun songs, and great animations on CD-rom.......2002-11-27

I travel to the Baja region of Mexico several times a year for business, and my daughter sent me a copy of this program to help me communicate a little better with the locals. I read the label and thought "pop music??" but the songs are quite fun - my favorite is "La Adelita" - and their version of La Cucaracha is hard to listen to without singing along. My Mexican friends now think I'm the gringo loco who can sing all of the words to La Bamba...

The CD-rom has been the most helpful part for me. I like to go through the CD-rom and practice saying each sentence from the songs. I've also found that the images from the animations have helped the words and concepts to keep going around my brain long after I've turned off the computer.

The book has quite a bit of grammar - nearly all of the basics, as well as a travel phrases section that I've just about worn out. I also bought the 501 verbs book, which is a good compliment to this program. The amazing part for me is that I've struggled with verbs for a long time (I've done all kinds of learn on tape programs) - and having the songs as a reference point has made it easier to remember. I don't get much past using the present and the past tense, but Musical Spanish has helped me to feel more comfortable actually speaking. I think the author is really on to something with this musical grammar business - heck if it works for an old fart like me it must do wonders for the young kids. Arriba with the Español con Musica!

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The Visual Story of the Good War

An Eye Opener

The Postmodern War

The Censored War: American Visual Experience During World War Two
George Roeder
Manufacturer: Yale University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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The War in American Culture: Society and Consciousness during World War II

Containment: Rebuilding a Strategy against Global Terror

Born On The Fourth Of July

Company K (Library Alabama Classics)

Into the Valley: Marines at Guadalcanal

ASIN: 0300062915

Book Description

This powerful book tells the story of how American public opinion about World War II was manipulated both by the wartime images that citizens were allowed to see in pictures, ads, and posters and by the images that were suppressed. His text is amplified by arresting visual essays that include many previously unpublished photographs from the army`s censored files.

Customer Reviews:

The Visual Story of the Good War.......2002-12-31

As we prepare for the possibility of another war with Iraq, I keep reading about how the military manipulated news coverage of the Gulf War (mostly by limiting access to it). Gulf War restrictions on the press are almost always portrayed as the military's (over)reaction to one of the "lessons" it learned from Vietnam ("The Uncensored War," as the title of a book by Daniel Hallin puts it). But in fact, as George Roeder shows in "The Censored War," government (although not necessarily military) control of the visual imagery of war is nothing new. Although "The Censored War" is a bit of a misnomer (the book is more about the actual portrayal of WWII and government attempts to influence its imagery than it is about government denial of access to certain images), Roeder succeeds in demonstrating a thorough-going effort by the government during WWII to control how the war was presented and to emphasize imagery that suited its propaganda purposes.

"The Censored War" is divided into four chapters, each followed by a "visual essay" (a collection of photos, ads and other visual material, with captions discussing how the images relate to the themes explored in the text). Only the first chapter is really devoted to subjects and images that were "censored" in the sense that the military withheld them from publication (although that subject arises again in some of the other chapters). The remainder of the book is (largely) devoted to the imagery that *was* made available and what it communicated about American society, the home front, and the motivations behind the war effort. The material I found most interesting concerned the portrayal of race, gender and class differences (or the alleged lack of same) during WWII (with the government trying to say "we're all in this together" to African-Americans, women and the working class without offending the country's racists, men and business/patrician class).

In the concluding chapters, Roeder draws attention to the way that WWII polarized our vision, portraying American and Allied troops, civilians, cultures and goals as uniformly good and the Axis' forces as uniformly evil. I think he over-emphasizes the formative role of WWII propaganda in our tendency to see conflict in black-and-white terms -- surely the vilification of the Other goes far back in human history -- but he rightly credits those photographers who attempted to portray the war in more ambiguous terms. He draws interesting parallels between the way propaganda was used in WWII and how it was turned on its head in Vietnam (although I think he goes too far in suggesting that a more honest portrayal of WWII would have made people question our involvement in Vietnam earlier). Roeder believes that image-makers have an important role to play in revealing the truth, and that only when we know (as much as we can) the full, ambiguous truth can we make good decisions. "Those making, answering, or resisting the call to war would do well to be sure they are as certain of their facts as will be the mourners who greet the returning coffins." (156) We can only hope that the current powers will heed this caution.

Roeder's text is well-written and to the point. The selection of images for the "visual essays" is thoughtful, striking and illustrates the themes discussed in the text. The limitation to visual images is a strength in that it allows Roeder to keep a tight focus, but it is a weakness to the extent that it prevents Roeder from giving a full picture of official control over the presentation of the war. Still, this is a very useful and revealing book, recommended to anyone interested in the experience of WWII or in government propaganda efforts.

An Eye Opener.......2002-11-16

This is an extremely insightful book into the propaganda tactics of the Roosevelt administration during the second world war. The Office of War Information takes the spot light as Roeder outlines its influence on posters, publications, and the motion picture industry. This book provides a great basis for studying the shift in public opinion from the end of the world war era into the cold war. Very detailed information conveyed in a chronological and cohesive format. This was assigned reading for History 266 at the University of Michigan.

The Postmodern War.......2000-04-18

Roeder offers his reader a concise tour of World War II through the images it generated and how the government manipulated those images. He emphasizes the differences between media coverage of WWII and WWI, and outlines the roles of all the major media titans of the day, including the Office of War Information, FDR, and Hollywood to name a few. How did the government address social issues of the day through the pictures it distributed of WWII? Was the Office of War Information filled with pencil-pushing bureaucrats or socially conscious liberals with an envelope-pushing agenda? Roeder answers these questions and more in a style that is accessible for academics and amateurs alike. Each chapter is followed by a photo essay with censored and uncensored pics with descriptions. The effect... captivating.

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