Catching the Big Fish: Meditation, Consciousness, and Creativity

Book Description

In this rare work of public disclosure, filmmaker David Lynch describes his personal methods of capturing and working with ideas, and the immense creative benefits he has experienced from the practice of meditation

Over the last four decades, David Lynch has created some of the best-known and widely discussed screen works of our time. This distinctive writer-director's art bears not only the mark of box-office success but also criticalacclaim and cultural posterity.

Yet Lynch generally reveals little of himself, or the ideas behind his work. Now he provides a rare window into his methods as an artist and his personal working style. In Catching the Big Fish, Lynch writes candidly about the tremendous creative benefits he has gained from his thirty-two-year commitment to practicing Transcendental Meditation.

In brief chapters, Lynch describes the experience of "diving within" and "catching" ideas like fish-and then preparing them for television or movie screens, and other mediums in which Lynch works, such as photography and painting.

In the book's first section, Lynch discusses the development of his ideas-where they come from, how he grasps them, and which ones appeal to him the most. He then shares his passion for "the doing"-whether moviemaking, painting, or other creative expressions. Lynch talks specifically about how he puts his thoughts into action and how he engages with others around him. Finally, he discusses the self and the surrounding world -and how the process of "diving within" that has so deeply affected his own work can directly benefit others.

Catching the Big Fish provides unprecedented insight into Lynch's methods, as it also offers a set of practical ideas that speak to matters of personal fulfillment, increased creativity, and greater harmony with one's surroundings.

The book comes as a revelation to the legion of fans who have longed to better understand Lynch's deeply personal vision. And it is equally intriguing to anyone who grapples with questions such as: "Where do ideas come from?" and "How can I nurture creativity?

Customer Reviews:

A very simple, incredibly profound book, a must read.......2007-10-01

David Lynch is considered by many to be the most artistic film maker of our time and he rarely if ever speaks about his personal life and rarely speaks in public so I was thrilled to see this book. I know some of his films are studied individually for an entire semesters course credit at many universities in the U.S. and probably in other countries as well. I love his style of writing and the references to the Vedic Wisdom of India.
The book is simple, concise and it is as if the man is speaking to you.
There is no fluff and no pretense. A very refreshing book with some very deep knowledge. Thank you Mr. Lynch

Not what I hoped for.......2007-08-29

It wasn't what I was hoping for, so I gave it a lower rating.
That might not be fair.
Just, I was hoping for something that describes TM more. Technique, etc...

What it is, is a fan book.
There are a few tokens of wisdom in there though.

It will have a good place on the coffee table or in the waiting room at the dentist.

Catching The Big Fish.......2007-08-23

How a creative master uses the discipline of meditation to allow creative ideas to florish.

Meditation should ground you in the physical realm.......2007-08-16

There is no excuse for escaping by attempting to transcend. This is possibly the result of an inability to relate to one's physical reality.
It is apparent in the creative works of David Lynch.

Exceedingly pleasant, but..........2007-08-11

This is a slim but delightful book that imparted a feeling of well-being to me. The whimsical writing, the understated tone, and the stream-of-consciousness structure are wonderful.

Unfortunately, it is also very frustrating at times. For one thing, whenever he touches on anything scientific (e.g., Unified Field Theory), it is clear he has no idea what he's talking about. He speaks of physical laws and consciousness as if they're the same thing, which is a bit absurd. Consciousness is a specific biological process which, like everything, functions according to physical laws, but that's about where the relation ends. You might as well say that quantum theory is the same thing as perspiration, or that superstring theory is the same thing as leaves turning red in autumn.

Another problem is that he spends a lot of time talking about how wonderful Transcendental Meditation(TM) is, but then doesn't provide any instruction on how to get started with it, or even a reference to further information. Why go on about how wonderful something is without providing any avenue for further exploration?

Anyway, it's certainly a cheerful read overall, and I'd recommend it for that. But some of it should be taken with a grain of salt.

The Cinema of David Lynch : American Dreams, Nightmare Visions (Directors' Cuts)

Average customer rating:

Very good read on David Lynch
lynch debunk
adulation or criticism?
One of the Best Books on Lynch

The Cinema of David Lynch : American Dreams, Nightmare Visions (Directors' Cuts)

Manufacturer: Wallflower Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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David Lynch
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Pervert in the Pulpit: Morality in the Works of David Lynch

ASIN: 190336485X

Book Description

David Lynch is an anomaly. A pioneer of the American 'indie' aesthetic, he also works in Hollywood and for network TV. He has created some of the most disturbing images in contemporary cinema, and produced startlingly innovative work in sound. If the consistency of his 'vision' suggests he might be approached as an auteur, defining that vision raises many questions. The essays in this collection push toward a fuller account of the cultural and technological contexts within which his works developed during the 1980s and 1990s, and of his intense engagement with the creative and working practices of the industry. They offer an up-to-date range of theoretically divergent readings that demonstrates not only the difficulty of locating stable interpretative positions for Lynch's work, but also the pleasure of finding new ways of thinking about it. Films discussed include Blue Velvet, Wild at Heart, The Straight Story, and Mulholland Drive.

Customer Reviews:

Very good read on David Lynch.......2007-07-06

I'm reading this book a 2nd time now. I would say this book is im my top three Lynch books as well and it provides a very good outline, and possibly, a key, for the way Lynch thinks. If anything, it will help you come up with more of your own conclusions. From a devoted Lynch fan, this is a great read!

lynch debunk.......2005-10-14

I gotta agree with Critic-AL... too much ink is being spilled about Lynch that reads like retread po-mo theories. I'll go with Pervert in the Pulpit too, and I'm not alone. You don't have to be a film student or academic to appreciate Johnson's heady read ... still, I think the review of Pervert by David Lancaster in the latest issue of Film and History totally sums up my thinking: "There is a slightly malicious pleasure in seeing a modish reputation being debunked, especially when the reader was mystified by the fuss in the first place. Pervert in the Pulpit is not a crude hatchet job, however. Rather, it is clear-sighted and informed, and, in true Manichean fashion, on the side of the critical angels."

adulation or criticism?.......2005-03-26

By calling Nochimson's book "amazing," [...]the problem with a lot of Lynch criticism: the audience for his films is divided between fans and serious students of cinema. As Lynch's reputation as an innovator continues to wear thin - face, it, his uneven oeuvre is not aging well - die-hard loyalists continue to gush about his, in my opnion, limited success as a cutting-edge film director. This book may be timely, but it isn't as interesting as Jeff Johnson's iconoclastic "Pervert in the Pulpit: Morality in the Work of David Lynch," which I'd recommend before any of the other, more pandering texts Joe cites.

One of the Best Books on Lynch.......2004-09-23

Is it possible for a good book of film criticism to be dominated by lavish photos and the like? Not in my experience. The closest to that is the BFI series, and those are hardly the sort of thing "a reader" is talking about. Of all the books on Lynch out there, this is probably my #3, behind Martha Nomchinson's amazing "Wild at Heart in Hollywood" and the essential "Lynch on Lynch."

The simataneous release of the paperback and hardcover editions should have clued "a reader" into the HC edition being a library edition... Don't let this person's stupidty put you off, this is one of the best books analyzing Lynch one can find.

Vino Italiano: The Regional Wines of Italy

Average customer rating:

The Definitive Guide to Italian Wines
Vino Italiano: Libro Supremo
A different sort of wine book
In "Vino Italiano" veritas
The best book on the subject

Vino Italiano: The Regional Wines of Italy
Joseph Bastianich , and David Lynch
Manufacturer: Clarkson Potter
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1400097746
Release Date: 2005-08-02

Book Description

At one time, Italian wines conjured images of cheap Chianti in straw-wrapped bottles. More recently, expensive “Super Tuscans” have been the rage. But between these extremes lay a bounty of delicious, moderately priced wines that belong in every wine drinker’s repertoire.

Vino Italiano is the only comprehensive and authoritative American guide to the wines of Italy. It surveys the country’s wine-producing regions; identifies key wine styles, producers, and vintages; and offers delicious regional recipes. Extensive reference materials—on Italy’s 300 growing zones, 361 authorized grape varieties, and 200 of the top producers— provide essential information for restaurateurs and wine merchants, as well as for wine enthusiasts.

Beautifully illustrated as well as informative, Vino Italiano is the perfect invitation to the Italian wine experience.

From the Hardcover edition.

Customer Reviews:

The Definitive Guide to Italian Wines.......2007-07-09

Clear and concise, this guide clarifies a complex subject - the history and present state of Italian wines. While it is objective in its recommendations, anecdotes of regional Italian life add the human interest elements that make us care about Italy and its wines.

Vino Italiano: Libro Supremo.......2007-02-13

this book is a very nice read. the anecdotes showed good referance to the italian lifestyle. showed through knowledge of Italian wines. also had very interesting recipes throughout.

A different sort of wine book.......2006-12-09

This is a different sort of wine book, one whose
peculiarities are perfectly suited to its subject.
Italy produces more wine than any other nation and
consumes more wine per capita. It is (Greece aside)
the birthplace of civilized winemaking and everyday
wine drinking too. Italians drink more wine too,
consuming annually something like 16 gallons per capita.
If you remember that per capita means 'for every man, woman
and child" and that 16 gallons annually is almost 2
bottles a week, the figure is quite astounding.

So it's peculiarly paradoxical that for centuries, Italy
produced and was known for some genuinely terrible wine.
The bad wine came in part form bad growing techniques. If
grape growing was bad, wine making was worse and there was
little reason to improve it. Bad transportation and a
generally impoverished peasantry ruled out competition
among producers. There was no domestic urban middle class
of the sort that bought and demanded French wines. Worse
yet there were no wine-poor neighbors whose tastes and demand
could shape a winemaking industry.

About thirty years ago, everything changed. Returning the
favor of 1492, Americans discovered Italy. The discovery was
multi-faceted and so is this book.
Along with Italian wine, we went crazy for the country,
the food, the people, the design and the culture. Vino
Italiano is about all of these things.

There are nineteen chapters each devoted to a region and
you can read them like short stories. There's a brief
cultural historical introduction followed by a discussion
of red, white, sweet and sparkling wines, then a list of
regionally important grape varieties. There are some
entertaining notes on wine tourism, some suggested tastings
and finally, some simple recipes from the region.

For the encyclopediacly inclined, useful appendices
include a listing of grapes by variety, a directory
of DOC and IGT zones and a short list of producers.

A book that will add to your enjoyment of its subject.

--Lynn Hoffman, author of THE NEW SHORT COURSE IN WINE and
the forthcoming novel bang BANG from Kunati Books.ISBN 9781601640005

In "Vino Italiano" veritas.......2006-11-10

While "the book includes historial wine information and regional maps as well as Italian travel information and recipes", it also includes invaluable information on winemakers and producers. It also takes the mess that is Italy and cleans it up for us so that we can decipher and understand it. In that it is similar to Clive Coates "Cote d'Or".

The best book on the subject.......2006-11-05

Believe it or not, there is a dearth of information about Italian wine both in books and online. Vino Italiano is a well thought out and much needed book on the subject. I agree with other reviewers who have pointed out that it is somewhat difficult to describe. This is due to the fact that the book includes historial wine information and regional maps as well as Italian travel information and recipes. Although this may sound a bit ill-defined it actually works -- you get all the facts and a feel for Italian culture at its best. Consider it your appetizer, primo and secondi all in one!

Average customer rating:

Superfluous; Not Enough Info on the Cast/Series
A map, some clues, and some damn fine coffee

Twin Peaks: An Access Guide to the Town
David Lynch , Mark Frost , and Richard Saul Wurman
Manufacturer: Pocket Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Movie Tie-Ins | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0671743996

Customer Reviews:

Superfluous; Not Enough Info on the Cast/Series.......2003-03-23

"Twin Peaks: Access Guide to the Town" opens with a puzzling, rather humorous letter from Mayor Milford (isn't he always?), which gives the pace to the rest of this tongue-in-cheek, pseudo-guide of Twin Peaks, Washington. There is some fun stuff in here, like mini bios and mug shots of the more relevant cast members (but why did the waitress from the Great Northern get such a large bio?), town maps, and even the jukebox selections at the Double R Diner, plus some recipes for any Twin Peaker's diet: cherry pie, coffee, and doughnuts.

However, this book is absolutely brimming with useless facts, like an excerpt from Andrew Packard's will, a ten-page section on Packard Sawmill (oh, thrills), Washington State history, first explorers, Native American tribes, flora, fauna, geology, weather, and a bizarre advertisement for Tim and Tom's Taxi-dermy (one part blind taxi driver; one part taxidermist). Even if you condensed the more important stuff, it would never reach the current 112 pages, but less than 1/4 of that, if that much.

I wouldn't consider this book necessary reading, even if you are a Twin Peaks fan; but if you love to collect Twin Peaks stuff (like I do), then you might consider buying this book. Even so, Twin Peaks fans looking for info on the series will more than likely be disappointed, because this book reads more like a boring tourist guide or junior high history textbook than a TV tie-in. I'd recommend checking out "Welcome to Twin Peaks: A Complete Guide to Who's Who and What's What" and/or "Twin Peaks: Behind the Scenes" instead.

A map, some clues, and some damn fine coffee.......1999-02-10

What would a third season of this great television show provided? This book provides the clues as well as other interesting tidbits, including a drawing of the Owl Cave petroglyph and other oddities. Some entries are sketchy a best, but this is a must have for any fan of the little town with a popualtion of 51,201

Average customer rating:

In Need of a Third Revision
The one to get
Great, insightful book on a living legend
A must have for any Lynch fan
The sum of one's FEARS

Lynch on Lynch, Revised Edition

Manufacturer: Faber & Faber
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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The Short Films of David Lynch

ASIN: 0571220185
Release Date: 2005-03-24

Amazon.com

You know David Lynch as the director of terminally weird movies such as Eraserhead, Blue Velvet, and Wild at Heart, as well as the bizarre and highly influential television series Twin Peaks. But did you know that it was Mel Brooks who gave him his first big break? That the idea for Blue Velvet grew out of a fantasy Lynch had about sneaking into a private room and learning the secret to a murder mystery? That Twin Peaks came about because co-creator Mark Frost was obsessed with Marilyn Monroe?

In Lynch on Lynch, a 250-page interview book, editor Chris Rodley does a superb job of getting Lynch to talk at length about the high and low points of his life and career. Their conversation covers his early work as a painter through the making of his major films of the 1980s, the fiasco of Dune ("It is what it is."), and the recent and very obscure Lost Highway ("I just *loved* this title.").

Lynch is particularly interesting when he talks about the creative process: "I don't want to give the impression that I sit around thinking up horrible things. I get all kinds of different ideas and feelings. If I'm lucky, they start organizing themselves into a story--then maybe some ideas come along that are too eerie, too violent, or too funny, and they don't fit that story. So you write them down and save them for two or three projects down the road. There's nowhere you can't go in a film--if you think of it, you can go there." Lynch on Lynch is a treat for Lynch fans of all shapes, sizes, and fetishes.

Book Description

David Lynch erupted onto the cinema landscape in 1977 with Eraserhead, establishing himself as one of the most original and imaginative directors at work in contemporary cinema. Over the course of his career, he has remained true to a vision of the innocent lost in darkness and confusion, balancing hallucination and surrealism with a sense of Americana that is as pure and simple as his compelling storylines. In this volume, Lynch speaks openly about his films as well as about his lifelong commitment to painting, his work in photography, his television projects, and his musical collaborations with Angelo Badalamenti.

Customer Reviews:

In Need of a Third Revision.......2007-08-14

This book is a thorough and inspiring look into David Lynch's head. The original (which ended at Lost Highway) was a good read, but I think they were a little too fast to put out the second version. The newest revision ends right at Mulholland Drive. This is great for the reason that you get to read about him doing an unexpected Disney movie and also his battle with ABC over Mulholland Drive. You even get to read a little about his practice of Transcendental Meditation, which is kept graciously short as the man could usually (and has) filled books on the subject. However, I feel they jumped the gun here. Just after Mulholland Drive, DavidLynch.com and DV recording changed the man's entire approach. Any aspiring film maker and/or Lynch fan would completely benefit from his insight on such endeavors. For someone who went to the American Film Institute to completely do away with film is phenomenal and demands discussion. The internet has really put a spin on his work as well, considering his newfound freedom. This book, while masterfully executed by Chris Rodley, needs at least one more revision on the aforementioned topics. Before that happens, we're not given the entire glimpse into the man's complete range and utter ability to adapt to the times. By all means, read this book, you just might want to wait for the third revision.

The one to get.......2006-07-19

In this revised edition of "Lynch on Lynch", two new sections have been added: one on the Straight Story and one on Mulholland Drive. As with the rest of the book the updated sections consist of Chris Rodley interviewing David Lynch. While some of the dialogue does become a bit repetitive, the questions really are well posed. In his answers Lynch gives a glimpse of his creative process and more; for example, he discusses the links between Billy Wilder's Sunset Boulevard and Mulholland Drive, talks about both his frustration with the TV medium and his attraction to it, as well as divulging more about his partnership with composer, Angelo Badalamenti (one of the most productive relationships between director and composer since Fellini and Nino Rota). Black and white photographs from sets are also included throughout.

Considering the book in its entirety, it is a very comprehensive work, covering everything from the aforementioned material to Lynch's childhood, his early work in painting and the first experimental films he directed. This book is still THE one to get for fans of David Lynch. Reading it one comes away with the sense of having actually met and talked with the man himself -- none of the other books on Lynch really capture this feeling.

Those who already own the old version of the book may want to think twice about purchasing the revised edition. The sections added are not all that lengthy and much of the material has already been discussed elsewhere.

Great, insightful book on a living legend.......2006-05-10

This is a great book written by Chris Rodley that is basically a series of interviews with living legend David Lynch. If you're not into Lynch or his movies at all, I doubt you'll find anything insightful in here but if you appreciate the man at all, this is definitely a must read. It covers a lot of ground on his upbringing, film and art projects. What makes this book such a good read is that Rodley asks great questions to which Lynch answers in a very entertaining fashion. Reading this is probably the closest thing to actually speaking to him and he has an incredible, warm personality. While he doesn't give up his secrets too readily, he does share personal opinions on art in general (film, painting, photography, etc.) and what makes art powerful. He offers invaluable insight on the filmmaking process and some details on what it took to get his films made. He talks about his successes and debacles with equal parts candidness as well. I highly recommend this book to anyone who appreciates Lynch and anyone who digs offbeat filmmakers.

(NOTE: Make sure that if you pick this up, you get the edition that has been revised and updated to include "Mulholland Drive")

A must have for any Lynch fan.......2005-08-05

This book is a 300 pages interview with David, so you hear what he wants to say and you do not hear the stuff he likes to keep for himself. I think it is great to have Lynch's vision "unfiltered" that is why this book is a must have for anyone interested to know more about the artist/filmaker and his works.

The sum of one's FEARS.......2002-08-28

A fascinating read. In these extensive interviews, David Lynch tells of his journey from painting student to filmaker. He refuses to interpret his films, as he believes this strips them of their power. He reveals a lot of personal stuff like his fascination with piles of dirt and his obsession with building sheds out of found wood. Through his revelations you become acquainted with the motifs that drive him on. I especially enjoyed his explanations of his urban fears and how they transform themselves from city to city.

Average customer rating:

great book, must have
Commenting the audio part of the book
Damn Fine!
Excellent visual insight
Revelatory Art / Poor Reproductions

David Lynch: The Air Is on Fire
David Lynch
Manufacturer: Thames & Hudson
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Inland Empire

ASIN: 0500976694

Book Description

The first major collection of artwork by the acclaimed movie director David Lynch.

Spanning a period of forty years, David Lynch's widely respected films and television series include Eraserhead, The Elephant Man, Blue Velvet, Twin Peaks, Lost Highway, and Mulholland Drive. However, his prolific visual art production, which began even before his films, has rarely been seen.

This catalogue of his artistic output, published on the occasion of a large-scale exhibition at the Fondation Cartier in Paris, covers a wide variety of disciplines: painting, photography, drawings, sculpture, furniture, music, and "moving pictures." His art echoes his films in theme and aesthetic, yet offers viewers a fresh and more intimate glimpse into his singular universe. The book also contains several essays that analyze his artworks, as well as a conversation with Lynch, interviewed within the context of the show. 469 illustrations in color.

Customer Reviews:

great book, must have.......2007-09-15

I always buy these great art books and never actually read them because they are so damn heavy and imposing. This one, though it is big and heavy (as art books should be) comes with two cds that have a recording of David Lynch being interviewed about almost every piece in the book. It's great to put the cd in and follow along in the book. The interview is interesting and intimate and I found the book and whole experience to be a deep well of creative inspiration I can keep on my bookshelf until I'm stuck again. Highly recommended.

Commenting the audio part of the book.......2007-09-09

Listening to David Lynch's audio conversation coming with the book "The Air is on Fire", thinking how wonderful it is to have this detailed, intimate contact with the artist describing his drawings. I wish this would exist from all artists, so i could get into their heads and see with their eyes.

Still listening, i kept thinking that on these 2 cds Lynch is not telling us so much about his art, keeping the most interesting parts to himself, talking about the size of the pieces, the material used and so on - like if i would care.

Since most of his work is profoundly disturbing, what i wished to hear on the audio was the "Why" of each piece instead of the "How"... but i guess one cant give so generously and reflect about the personal stories and all the inner work going on at the time of creation of each piece in this book. Still a nice time in company of Lynch.

Damn Fine!.......2007-09-06

The Air Is on Fire - This is a great collection of David Lynch's sketches, paintings, and photography. The collection spans his career with early works up until the present day Inland Empire. If any of you missed out on picking up a copy of "Images" before it went out of print like me, and didn't want to spend hundreds of dollars trying to pick up a copy, The Air Is on Fire is highly recommended! The prints of the art work are high quality and it even comes with a double disc CD of an interview with David Lynch discussing the many different sketches, paintings, and photos. So buy it, before this goes out of print and your screwed...again.

Excellent visual insight.......2007-07-02

Unfortinately unable to go to Paris for his exhibition the catalogue on David Lynch'work is great in its different approaches to his art. I also find it excellent to not include any DVD's only spoken interview. Back to the roots of David as a painter. I bought it together with David Lynch Catching the big Fish, meditation, Consciousness and creativity. Very good mix!!! In that there are only texts with insights to his creative mind an process.

Revelatory Art / Poor Reproductions.......2007-05-18

At long last-- an art monograph on David Lynch! Although many viewers of his filmworks will be surprised by his non-film, artistic output, there will no doubt be many devotees of all things Lynchian that have been waiting a long time for such a public unveiling of his unseen media as this. The good news is that yes, there are many revelations to be had in the pages of this exhibition catalogue-- images never before seen that reveal a remarkable dexterity of vision, across a wide spectrum of formal experimentation. The bad news is that this catalogue, although boasting some very high production values such as a consistent design with clear organization, large, single-page reproductions, and differing paper types, the reproductions themselves are often poor in terms of color and contrast. In an art monograph, such defects are sacrilege. Although the drawings and the photographs are well reproduced, it is a section of painted works that falters-- most notably a group of very dark paintings executed in the 1990's using blacks and dark greens, with stick-figure forms and typewritten text. These images have been seen before in previous exhibition catalogues published in Japan and Spain, with a much higher resolution and successful balance of contrast-- preserving even the detail of Lynch's painterly brushwork. Here, however, such subtlety is lost. Further examples of poor reproduction standards occur with many of the film stills scattered throughout the book-- the most glaring examples being those of the Red Room in "Fire Walk With Me," in which the red balance is terribly off and overwhelming the figures in the image. Other quibbles with this monograph include the complete absence of Lynch's 3-dimensional works-- his lamps and other sculptures, as well as a selection of more ambitious painted, printed, constructed and photographed works that are here conspicuously missing, with emphasis placed instead on more ephemeral and, arguably, less ambitious works such as scrap paper doodles. These missing works would include the number of paintings on paper he has done over the years, earlier etchings and paintings from the 1960's, the wonderful series of monotypes/prints he did for Tandem Press at the University of Wisconsin in the late 90's, as well as more of the animal "kit" photographs. It must be said, however, that what this book does present, even if it is incomplete, provides a much-needed window into the totality and breadth and interconnected intricacy of Mr. Lynch's vast body of work.

Average customer rating:

Eye-opening
Beautiful.
A required reference...
Incredible book!
Enjoyable account of light in nature

Color and Light in Nature
David K. Lynch , and William Livingston
Manufacturer: Cambridge University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0521775043

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Why is the sky blue? Why do mountains glow in the dark? Is the darkest always before the dawn?

An ideal reference to have on hand in answering questions such as these, Color and Light in Nature is an endlessly fascinating exploration of phenomena that are familiar to us all, but that even trained scientists take for granted. Take the question of why stars twinkle, for instance: twinkling, astronomers Lynch and Livingston observe, is strongest with stars that are low in the sky, and then on a clear and windy night, when starlight passing through the atmosphere encounters little pockets of turbulence that bend its rays "momentarily away from our eyes." Sunlight undergoes similar distortions, yielding mirages, "blinks," sundogs, halos, rainbows, "mountain light," and other wonders of nature, all of which the authors describe and explain in clear and accessible prose.

Lynch and Livingston encourage their readers to seek out and study these phenomena for themselves, writing, for instance, "No effort should be spared to witness at least one total eclipse in your lifetime." They go on to make a good case for why that should be so, and why the workings of light and color should be of interest to students of science. Their book is a lively companion and teacher. --Gregory McNamee

Book Description

We live in a world of optical marvels--from the commonplace but beautiful rainbow, to the rare and eerie superior mirage. But, how many of us really understand how a rainbow is formed, why the setting sun is red and flattened, or even why the sky at night is not absolutely black? Color and Light in Nature provides clear explanations of all naturally occurring optical phenomena seen with the naked eye, including shadows, halos, water optics, mirages, and a host of other spectacles. Separating myth from reality, David Lynch and William Livingston outline the basic principles involved, and support them with many figures and references. Rare and spectacular photographs, many in full color, illustrate the phenomena throughout. In this new edition the authors have added over 50 new color images and provide new material on experiments readers can conduct themselves, such as how to photograph geostationary satellites with your own camera. David K. Lynch is an astronomer and atmospheric physicist specializing in infrared studies of star-formation regions, interstellar matter, comets, novae, and supernovae. He began his career teaching at the California Institute of Technology and at the University of California at Berkeley. Today, he operates Thule Scientific, a private research institute. He is or has been the Principal Investigator on a variety of NASA, NOAA, NSF, and Department of Defense programs. He lives in Topanga, California. William Livingston has been an astronomer at the Kitt Peak Observatory in southern Arizona since 1959. He helped design and build instruments and telescopes before becoming a solar observer. Livingston has participated in many solar eclipse expeditions in Alaska, the South Pacific, Africa, Indonesia, India, and recently Turkey, but believes that his best sightings of atmospheric phenomena have been from his backyard in Tucson.

Customer Reviews:

Eye-opening.......2007-05-13

After reading this book, you will never look at the sky or the sea in the same way again. Accompanied by beautiful photographs, including some rare sights in the sky, the book systematically covers atmospheric phenomena related to light and colour. For photographers it's a great book that will help you understand light effects in nature. The book is resplendent in the spirit of science: the topics are classified by the type of explanation for them: shadows, reflection, refraction and so on. This makes perfect, natural sense and really holds the book together. Some of the explanations include modest equations, tables and so on, but the text is always lively and readable. If you're scared of mathematics, buy it for the pictures. But be warned: this book will inspire you to go to Antarctica, chase solar eclipses, buy a telescope, and demand a window seat on every plane you fly for the rest of your life.

Beautiful........2005-08-09

This is a great book. The photography is beautiful. The explanations are clear. It's all very well done.

A required reference..........2005-03-17

A wonderful book illustrating and describing numerous natural optical effects. Simply a must have on your shelf to whip out whenever something unusual plays out in your field of view. Entertaining to just take down and read as well.

Incredible book!.......2003-06-13

I have thoroughly enjoyed this treasure of a book. Wonderful, clear text and beautiful photographs to illustrate all phenomena described! This would be a terrific read for anyone interested in science, physics, and nature. Definitely worth the money!

Enjoyable account of light in nature.......2002-05-16

This book is intended for people who are intrigued or awed by the way light is expressed in nature. It describes many natural phenomena involving light, including shadows, the color of the sky, clouds, mirages, halos, rainbows, the effects of ice in the atmosphere and much more. The intended audience in my eyes consists mainly of people who like physics but the beautiful color full-page pictures and tips on taking them also make this book a great resource for anyone interested in photography. Even physics students can benefit from this book (although it is intended for laymen, so no equations are used) - the book shows them interesting manifestations of optics in nature. The book also makes a nice gift for people who enjoy nature and would like to know how it "works". Highly recommended!

Vino Italiano Buying Guide: The Ultimate Quick Reference to the Great Wines of Italy

Average customer rating:

Botti and sole
Well worth it!
Italian Wine Guide
Stuff This in a Stocking--Subito!

Vino Italiano Buying Guide: The Ultimate Quick Reference to the Great Wines of Italy
Joseph Bastianich , and David Lynch
Manufacturer: Clarkson Potter
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Authentic Tuscany (Authentic Italy)

ASIN: 1400052874
Release Date: 2004-11-16

Book Description

From the Barolos of Piedmont to the Brunellos of Tuscany, Italian wines offer an incredible range of tempting choices. But how can you be sure to find the right bottle? In this pocket-sized buying guide—the companion to the award-winning Vino Italiano—Italian wine experts Joseph Bastianich and David Lynch show you the way, with vibrant descriptions and authoritative information.

•Profiles of a wide range of Italy’s leading wine producers and their best and most accessible wines

•Facts on availability, pricing, and even dining and accommodations

•At-a-glance symbols for rising stars, great values, and truly exceptional wineries

•An Italian wine-label decoder

•Ratings for recent vintages

•Extensive appendixes with detailed information about wine regions and classifications

•A Barolo and Barbaresco vineyard guide for aficionados

Customer Reviews:

Botti and sole.......2007-07-29

Can it really be almost 5 years since I wrote a review of Vino Italiano: The Regional Wines of Italy, the original work that gave birth to this line extension? That was near the beginning of a Potter-like quest to learn as much as I could about Italian wines. And though I've been at it diligently (after all it's not my day job and it has a tendency to interfere with my day job), I still feel like I'm merely up to my ankles in the juice with a long way to go before complete immersion occurs.

As we'll explore, I think the proper way to review this book is to compare it both to Vino Italiano, so you see in what way it differs from its parent, but also the incomparable and indispensable Gambero Rosso Guide, which appears quietly in the bibliography. To save space and keystrokes, from now on I'll refer to the subject of this review as VIBG.

VIBG is a more or less pocket-sized review of Italian wine producers whose wines are available in the US. It is organized as an alphabetical list, with comments ranging from brief Hugh Johnson Pocket Guide to Wine-type descriptions to a longer entry for a heavyweight like Gaja. I'm going to devote the rest of this paragraph to the organizing schema because it's integral to your ability to use the book. It `s no easy task deciding on taxonomy for Italian wine producers. I'm telling you from experience, VIBG should receive a medal for making it easy to find the winery/wine you're looking for. Their choice to strip away all the Azienda Agricolas, but keep the Tenute, Podere, Fattoria and Castello nomenclature before alphabetizing is the most rational approach I've ever encountered and truly makes it possible to thumb through the book and reliably find what you're looking for, especially with the safety net of extensive cross-indexing (By the way, this is also the only book on Italian wines I've seen that actually defines what each of those terms above means.) Anybody who has read one of my Gambero Rosso reviews knows how frustrating it can be to use that book, which is organized by region and by town so that you have to first know which town a producer is located in to find their listing. I think another reviewer pointed out that VIBG does not group by regions, so it cannot be used to survey Umbria for example, and find all the wineries there if you are planning an Umbrian menu or a trip. That's a shortcoming that could be addressed with a regional cross-index, but you'd still have to flip alphabetically back through the book to find each individual entry. The point of all of this is there are two basic use cases for getting value out of VIBG: (1) quickly locating a specific producer of interest, for example, while perusing a wine list or browsing in a retail store or (2) randomly flipping through the pages to read comments on producers you already know or might like to get to know in the future.

Since I effectively labeled the writers of the original Vino Italiano as geniuses when I first reviewed it, it would be disingenuous now to do anything but praise the accuracy and quality of their specific assessments here in VIBG. In fact, Vino Italiano has an index of 700 or so producers in the back, so I guess they decided to beef it up and convert it into a free-standing book of its own. Vino Italiano is too big to lug around, so the idea of a portable version makes sense. I didn't count `em all, but the authors state there are roughly a thousand producer reviews in VIBG, representing perhaps 10% of all Italian producers whose wines you could theoretically buy in Italy. The list here is culled as I mentioned earlier for commercial availability in the US and the premise is that if the producer is in the book at all, it's because they deserve to be. The one drawback is that you won't find mention of a terrific wine from one of the other 9000 producers who are not in the book that just got shipped to the US for the first time last week by a diligent importer.

Like many "pocket guides," each entry in VIBG is packed with information in addition to the brief descriptions of the producers and their best wines. Also included are the following details and ratings, where they apply: wine region; relative price; relative availability; overall quality (elite, premium, rising star, value); address, phone number, and website, if any; and whether or not it has a restaurant or accommodations on the property. All of this is quite useful if you're thinking about trying to visit a winery on a trip to Italy, though I didn't notice any warnings about whether specific places won't accept visits from consumers, as can sometimes happen (A bit of advice: even if they say no, persistence and enthusiasm have been known to overcome even hardcore policies about trade-only visits...).

Also of great value are the numerous little chapters and appendices crammed with useful information and fun facts. In VIBG you get: a guide to wine labels; principal grapes of each region; a very helpful list of about 250 tried and true wines to sample if you're looking for an introduction to a specific theme in Italy (e.g., "10 great indigenous whites"); a super vintage chart through 2003 that actually has ratings for sagrantino and taurasi among other age-worthy reds, something I've never seen before; listings and brief descriptions of what must be almost every grape grown in Italy, including the most obscure ones I've personally encountered like ansonica and barbarossa; all the DOC's and DOCG's; a guide to Barolo and Barbaresco with a breakdown of the single vineyard crus and the characteristics of each producer's style; and finally a glossary of Italian wine terms. In all of this the one thing missing is a comment on vintage variation and its impact on Italy overall or specific regions. 2002 was wet in many parts of Italy and only gets a "one star out of five" rating in Taurasi. Does that mean avoid at all costs?

In sum, this book is a truly useful extension of Vino Italiano with enough differentiation in content and format to make it well worth the purchase. Its only drawback is the inevitable result of the authors' decision to focus on the producer rather than individual wines. To do so requires them to depart from a formula that is familiar to Americans and may be hard for some to swallow, and that is the individual rating and scoring of specific wines by vintage, as you would find in the Wine Advocate or Spectator. But if you can set that prejudice aside and embrace the idea that a track record is generally worth believing in, you'll get a terrific and quite portable companion to enjoying the best Italian wines you can find here.

Well worth it!.......2006-10-25

This is a valuable companion to Bastianich and Lynch's book on Italian wines. It's small; we have taken it on our trips to Italy the last few years. Their reviews are succinct and informative, and not biased to the well-known vintners. We have especially liked finding what they call the "Rising Stars." We typically lookup the winery after we've had the wine -- and have found that we usually agree with their assessments of the product.

The listings can be frustrating occasionally. There is no index by regions, so one really can't use the book to plan visits to cantinas unless you already know the names. And we have found inconsistencies in how wineries are listed. For example, Stefano Farina is listed as "Farina, Stefano", but Donatella Cinelli Colombini is listed as "Donatella Cinelli Colombini." Addresses are also inconsistent, e.g., Colombini's address in Montalcino is listed, but there is no mention of her property near Trequanda where one can sample and buy wines in very charming surroundings. Mention is made of Stefano Farina's "Le Bocce" label, but there are no assessments of the wines. And in a few cases, we haven't been able to locate a winery in the listing at all.

These shortcomings are minor compared to what the book does offer. If you have an interest in Italian wines this is definitely a book to own.

Italian Wine Guide.......2006-02-01

Great reference for Italian wines, either for use in the wine store or when traveling the Italian countryside. Small enough to carry with you yet packed with a lot of relevant information

Stuff This in a Stocking--Subito!.......2004-11-25

By Bill Marsano. Call this the perfect stocking-stuffer for wine buffs. The authors previously wrote the award-winning Vino Italiano: The Regional Wines of Italy, which I also recommend. It's confusing for many that the vast world of Italian wines frays into chaos at times--usually just when you think you've mastered it. Bastianich and Lynch manage to impose some order. The core of the book is the alpahabetical listing of wineries, to which a common-sense approach is applied. Italians are in love with long names. There is a town in Tuscany called San Macario in Piano di Ponte San Pietro; wineries, naturally, are often melodiously decorated with prefixes like Azienda Agricola and Azienda Viticoltura. The authors mercifully list such wineries under the principal part of the name. Thus Azienda Agricola Miani is under the M's. (I hope in future editions they will do the same with the innumerable wineries prefixed with Fattoria, Masseria or Castello.)

After you've found the winery you're looking for you also find crisp, accurate information on its wines, with a rough price-guide included.

There's lots of other useful stuff here: how to read a label, the meaning of DOC and DOCG, vintage charts and so on, but it's the big list of wineries (which doesn't skimp on Sicily, Sardinia and southern Italy, as some others do) that makes this book an excellent companion every time you head to your local wineshop.--Bill Marsano is an James Beard award winning wine-and-spirits writer.

Average customer rating:

IT'S A STRANGE WORLD
David Lynch as photographer
Oddity Takes a Freeze Frame
Images could be better
only die-hard lynch fans need apply

Images
David Lynch
Manufacturer: Hyperion Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 078686060X

Customer Reviews:

IT'S A STRANGE WORLD.......2002-03-12

Ever wonder what goes through David Lynch's mind at any given time? This might explain it. This is a great coffee table book full of color and b&w pictures split between his films and his art (drawings, paintings, photos, sculptures, etc.). I only wish it contained some of his World's Angriest Dog comic strips. It's a strange world.

David Lynch as photographer.......2001-07-05

You know David Lynch as a movie director and possibly as a painter, but this book will open your eyes to Lynch as a photographer. Packed with mostly black and white (I like the black and whites best) and a few color images, this book includes photos by and about David Lynch projects.

It includes production stills from some of his movies, but more importantly, it includes images from his personal creative projects. My favorite collection in this book are his black and white "Industrial" photographs. I also love his "Nudes and Smoke" project. Both evoke a feeling of Film Noir, yet with an underlying beautiful darkness potential that only Lynch can attain. He also includes studies on things like dental hygiene and spark plugs. This is all very Lynchian stuff folks-and that's rockin' good news.

I would have personally preferred to see more personal projects and less of the movie stuff, but I guess the movie stuff is what sells.

If you are a Lynch fan, then you should buy this book. And if you are not one, chances are your interest will be sparked by this book and you may become one.

Oddity Takes a Freeze Frame.......2000-01-15

Lynches artwork expressed here in Hyperions book entitled Images. Although I expected to see Lynch's artwork, ones that were in exhibits or from college, the majority of it is from his films. I can admit I have seen his films enough to not want to see pictures of them (if I did I would watch the movie again). But the pictures that show his work are highly unique and from a certain point of view, quite disturbing. Whether they are "good" art or not I am still undecided. Reccomended for Lynch fans only, or those that versed in the fine arts.

Images could be better.......1998-11-05

Images has alot of stuff you won't see anywhere else. There are alot of photographs: nudes and smoke, fish and chicken kits, and some good stills from his movies. However there are not many stills from his lesser known films, like The Grandmother, The Alphabet, and Six Men Getting Sick. (In fact you'll find more pictures from those on the internet, like at Cinema Enema) There are a few paintings also-- however there are a few that are not included, that were perhaps made after Images was published. Like the one involving the bird and the hairless mouse. There are also alot of medeocre skribings like "monkey" written over and over again on a piece of paper, and those take up a large portion of the book.

only die-hard lynch fans need apply.......1998-10-31

A collection of most of David Lynch's art, Images shows his wide range as an artist. Stills from his various movies accompany his paintings, photographs, and other mediums. Images is enjoyable as a coffee table book that can be perused now and again but isn't a necessary addition to a David Lynch collection. Using mostly personal photgraphs and unviewed art the book tends to be someone eclectic even for an average Lynch fan. Mildly interesting, and fascinatingly personal, the book does give a behind the man view of a usually very private artist.There are some gems in the rough, but only the truly interested will benefit.

The Impossible David Lynch (Film and Culture Series)

Average customer rating:

An outstanding example of Lacanian analysis
Excellent
A Different Take on Lynch

The Impossible David Lynch (Film and Culture Series)
Todd McGowan
Manufacturer: Columbia University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Movie Directors | Arts & Literature | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

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David Lynch

ASIN: 0231139551

Book Description

Todd McGowan launches a provocative exploration of weirdness and fantasy in David Lynch's groundbreaking oeuvre. He studies Lynch's talent for blending the bizarre and the normal to emphasize the odd nature of normality itself. Hollywood is often criticized for distorting reality and providing escapist fantasies, but in Lynch's movies, fantasy becomes a means through which the viewer is encouraged to build a revolutionary relationship with the world.

Considering the filmmaker's entire career, McGowan examines Lynch's play with fantasy and traces the political, cultural, and existential impact of his unique style. Each chapter discusses the idea of impossibility in one of Lynch's films, including the critically acclaimed Blue Velvet and The Elephant Man; the densely plotted Lost Highway and Mulholland Drive; the cult favorite Eraserhead; and the commercially unsuccessful Dune. McGowan engages with theorists from the "golden age" of film studies (Christian Metz, Laura Mulvey, and Jean-Louis Baudry) and with the thought of Sigmund Freud, Jacques Lacan, and Hegel. By using Lynch's weirdness as a point of departure, McGowan adds a new dimension to the field of auteur studies and reveals Lynch to be the source of a new and radical conception of fantasy.

Customer Reviews:

An outstanding example of Lacanian analysis.......2007-09-26

I'd like to offer a different perspective on McGowan's book from the previous reviews. I can completely understand seeing this book as difficult and obscure without the necessary background in Lacan. In that sense, it's not really something I'd recommend for Lynch fan wanting some analysis. Lacan's thought is notoriously complex and a reader unfamiliar with the discourse cannot be expected to comprehend the intricacies of McGowan's psychoanalytic analyses. Additionally, the terminology used will be a major stumbling block.

However, for those who are familiar with Lacanian film theory, this book is a dramatic step forward in remarkable cogency and clarity. I've read a number of essays and studies on Lynch using Lacanian theory such as Slavoj Zizek's "Art of the Ridiculous Sublime" - a much more difficult and unrewarding book. While Zizek presents some great ideas, his style can be difficult and less direct that one would hope.

Fortunately, McGowan is a very clear writer seeking to communicate difficult concepts in language that is as simple as possible without sacrificing specificity. I've been studying Lacan and psychoanalytic film theory for about a year now (not all that long) and I was able to read through this without too much trouble. A basic orientation in Lacanian discourse and a review of some secondary sources should be sufficient for understanding and enjoying "The Impossible David Lynch".

I'd also like to recommend two other secondary sources on Lacan for those wanting an inroad to his concepts and terminology. First, Bruce Fink's excellent "The Lacanian Subject" is a great place to start. You'll find excellent explanations that develop over the course of the book leaving you with a solid foundation. Second, "An Introductory Dictionary Of Lacanian Psychoanalysis" is a handy, well written resource for both discovering new terms and for reminding oneself of familiar terms.

Overall, I found McGowan extremely knowledgeable about both Lynch and Lacan. His analyses are illuminating and fresh. If you're a casual reader, this will be a difficult book to start with and I would recommend Michel Chion's "David Lynch" instead. However, if you're comfortable in the field of psychoanalytic film theory, I highly recommend this book as an outstanding example of what Lacanian analysis can do.

Excellent.......2007-09-08

As Farscape1477 points out, the book is not easily accessible and makes liberal use of the terminology of psychoanalysis. It practically presupposes a knowledge of the vocabulary of Lacan and Freud. But I stuck with it because I enjoy reading someone else's descriptions of Lynch's films. Eventually I felt more comfortable with the terminology. My eyes still glaze over from time to time as I read (I'm on the last chapter now), but I've still found it to be a very satisfying book. Plus, now I'm interested in this Lacan guy and learning more about his philosophy.

Another thing I'd point out is that it's hard to decide if Lynch meant his films to be the way they are for the reason the author describes, or if they're just that way because Lynch is subconsciously guided by this psychology, or what. Because sometimes the book makes so much sense I almost feel like Lynch might have been thinking these things when he wrote the film. Other times I swing the other way and think it must be coincidental, or the author is stretching. In the end it gives you a lot to think about, and that's what's so good about Lynch films in the first place.

I recommend this book to any Lynch fan. It's a shame Inland Empire isn't covered in the book. I'd love to see McGowan break that one down. Maybe he'll release an updated edition.

A Different Take on Lynch.......2007-04-29

I'm only half way through this book, but so far I have mixed feelings.

The author's stance is to look at Lynch's films as a blend of fantasy and desire. However, he never expresses what his definitions of these terms is. The words fantasy and desire take on new meaning in the context of this book.

As a result, I've found this book to be a very difficult read. Much of the psychoanalysis is in terms of Lacanian Theory, which I know absolutely nothing about. And the author's writing style is not particularly accessible.

However, I still recommend this book for true Lynch fans. Once I attain a better grasp of the author's point of view, I imagine that I will enjoy the book even more.

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