Arts & Entertainment - Books

Box Office Poison

***A NEXT BIG IDEA CLUB MUST-READ BOOK OF NOVEMBER 2024*** "A wild success." — Publishers Weekly "A surefire hit." —Library Journal STARRED review "A brilliant star turn." —Andrew O’Hagan A riotous and revealing story of Hollywood’s most spectacular flops and how they ended careers, bankrupted studios and changed film history. "Failure fascinates, for all the reasons that success is a drag…” From grand follies to misunderstood masterpieces, disastrous sequels to catastrophic literary adaptations, Box Office Poison tells a hugely entertaining alternative history of Hollywood, through a century of its most notable flops. What can these films tell us about the Hollywood system, the public’s appetite–or lack of it–and the circumstances that saw such flops actually made? Away from the canon, this is the definitive take on these ill-fated, but essential celluloid failures. Robey covers a vast century of flops, including: Intolerance; Queen Kelly; Freaks; Sylvia Scarlett; The Magnificent Ambersons; Land of the Pharoahs; Doctor Dolittle; Sorcerer; Dune; The Adventures of Baron Munchausen; Nothing But Trouble; The Hudsucker Proxy; Cutthroat Island; Speed 2: Cruise Control; Babe: Pig in the City; Supernova; Rollerball; The Adventures of Pluto Nash; Gigli; Alexander; Catwoman; A Sound of Thunder; Speed Racer; Synecdoche, New York; Pan; and Cats. From Daily Telegraph film critic Tim Robey, this is a brilliantly fun exploration of human nature and stupidity in some of the greatest film flops throughout history.

Sam Hell is inspiring and aglow with the promise of redemption

According to Booklist, Robert Dugoni, bestselling author of the Wall Street Journal and New York Times, is a coming-of-age narrative that "nestles in close to the border, if it doesn't cross entirely over into John Irving territory." Sam Hill had a unique perspective on the world at all times. His classmates nicknamed him "Devil Boy" or Sam "Hell" because of his crimson pupils at birth; his mother referred to his ocular albinism as "God's will." Her comments offered little consolation, but Sam persisted because of his father's practical knowledge, his mother's fervent faith, and his two other oddball pals. Sam thought that Ernie Cantwell, the only other African American student in his class, was sent by God to be the companion he much needed. And that Sam's whole worldview of boys and girls was turned upside down when Mickie Kennedy stormed into Our Lady of Mercy like a cyclone, all because it was God's plan. Sam, a small-town eye doctor, is no longer confident that anything was intentional forty years later—especially not the catastrophe that made him leave his friends, his community, and the life he had known all his life. Shutting your eyes and running away from the agony didn't really help. Sam sets off on an adventure that will take him halfway across the globe while he reflects on his life. This time, his eyes are wide open, revealing everything that shaped him, scared him, and altered him before he could finally see what really mattered. Winner of the Crimson Scribe Award from Suspense Magazine. Review A Suspense Magazine Crimson Scribe Award Winner A Goodreads Choice Award Semifinalist, Historical Fiction An Amazon Best Book of the Month: Literature & Fiction Category “This is the bestselling Dugoni’s masterpiece, the book by which his work, and that of others, will be measured for years to come.” —Providence Journal “Dugoni has produced a novel that, if it doesn’t cross entirely over into John Irving territory, certainly nestles in close to the border…Told in two separate time lines (Sam as a boy, and Sam as a man) that eventually come together, and written in a gentle, introspective yet dramatic style that is very different from that of Dugoni’s crime fiction, this is an inspirational story of a man who spends a lifetime getting to know himself.” —Booklist “Sam Hell is inspiring and aglow with the promise of redemption.” —Kirkus Reviews “Robert Dugoni has a rare and brilliant talent for infusing his characters with complex emotions. It is very hard not to ache for young Sam…Frankly, this might be the best book of the year.” —Bookreporter “Distinctly different in style from Dugoni’s typical fare, The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell, is a captivating and poignant journey of strength and the power of finding your true self. Without a doubt, this is Dugoni’s best yet.” —Suspense Magazine “Dugoni’s writing is compellingly quick, simple, and evocative; readers will immediately empathize with young Sam and will race to discover how his story ends. The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell is a heartwarming novel that celebrates overcoming the unfairnesses of life.” —Seattle Book Review Past Praise for Robert Dugoni: “Dugoni is a superb storyteller…” —Boston Globe “Dugoni has a gift for creating compelling characters and mysteries that seem straightforward, but his stories, like an onion, have many hidden layers.” —Associated Press

Star Wars The Rise and Fall of the Galactic Empire

Uncover a history of galactic evil. "So this is how liberty dies—with thunderous applause." —Senator Padmé Amidala When Sheev Palpatine declared the birth of his new Empire, he expected it would stand for thousands of years. Instead, it lasted only 24. This is the story of how a tyrannical regime rose from the ashes of democracy, ruled the galaxy with an iron fist, and then collapsed into dust. It is a story of war and heroes. It is a story of propaganda and the power of fascism. But most of all, it is a story of normal people trying to live their lives in the face of brutal dictatorship. From the barbarity of Darth Vader's campaigns to the horrors of the Tarkin Initiative, this book offers new insights into the dark entity at the core of the Star Wars saga, with chapters covering economic strategy and political organisation, propaganda, crime and punishment, military tactics, and warfare, giving even the most expert Star Wars fans a fresh perspective on the Galactic Empire. © AND ™ 2023 LUCASFILM LTD.

Learn to Draw in 5 Weeks

Master drawing basics in just five weeks with this workbook for beginners of all ages! The bestselling author of Manga Learning to Draw with Fun and Learn to Draw: Day-by-Day , Isabel B. Zimmerman (aka KritzelPixel), brings you a fun, beginner-friendly program to quickly grasp core drawing techniques. Each week, you’ll develop a new skill, incorporating principles such as light, depth, and perspective into your evolving work. Whether you dream of being able to draw animals, humans, manga, or creating a comic book of your own, this workbook provides a template for how to gain confidence and see improvement right away. With Learn to Draw in 5 Weeks , you’ll: Explore easy, step-by-step instructions: Learn the fundamentals of drawing through simple definitions, visual examples, and anecdotes from the author’s experience. Access exclusive explanatory videos: QR codes throughout the book take you directly to author videos that further explain core drawing lessons. Complete fun daily exercises: Simple assignments will help improve your skill set week after week. Accessible prompts inspire you to put pen (or pencil!) to paper from Day 1! Become the artist you want to be! While art comes from the heart, this book provides all the technical skills you need for your foundation—in five short weeks.No matter your age or stage—whether you’re a beginner or returning after a long time—Isabel B. Zimmermann offers tools to watch your skill set soar!

How Music Works

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • David Byrne’s incisive and enthusiastic look at the musical art form, from its very inceptions to the influences that shape it, whether acoustical, economic, social, or technological—now updated with a new chapter on digital curation. “How Music Works is a buoyant hybrid of social history, anthropological survey, autobiography, personal philosophy, and business manual”— The Boston Globe Utilizing his incomparable career and inspired collaborations with Talking Heads, Brian Eno, and many others, David Byrne taps deeply into his lifetime of knowledge to explore the panoptic elements of music, how it shapes the human experience, and reveals the impetus behind how we create, consume, distribute, and enjoy the songs, symphonies, and rhythms that provide the backbeat of life. Byrne’s magnum opus uncovers thrilling realizations about the redemptive liberation that music brings us all.

Can I Say

Travis Barker’s soul-baring memoir chronicles the highlights and lowlights of the renowned drummer’s art and his life, including the harrowing plane crash that nearly killed him and his traumatic road to recovery—a fascinating never-before-told-in-full story of personal reinvention grounded in musical salvation and fatherhood. After breaking out as the acclaimed drummer of the multiplatinum punk band Blink-182, everything changed for Travis Barker. But the dark side of rock stardom took its toll: his marriage, chronicled for an MTV reality show, fell apart. Constant touring concealed a serious drug addiction. A reckoning did not truly come until he was forced to face mortality: His life nearly ended in a horrifying plane crash, and then his close friend, collaborator, and fellow crash survivor DJ AM died of an overdose. In this blunt, driving memoir, Barker ruminates on rock stardom, fatherhood, death, loss, and redemption, sharing stories shaped by decades’ worth of hard-earned insights. His pulsating memoir is as energetic as his acclaimed beats. It brings to a close the first chapters of a well-lived life, inspiring readers to follow the rhythms of their own hearts and find meaning in their lives.

The Disenlightenment

One of America's greatest living literary legends invites you think for yourself in this compelling narrative of manipulation, power, and the human condition. "Government, like Circe, turns men into swine," David Mamet writes in his latest political tour de force. Prepare to be challenged, enlightened, and entertained by The Disenlightenment as Mamet dissects the modern world with enthusiasm, wisdom, and lots of references to movies about the mafia. Once a stalwart of liberal thought, Mamet now turns his penetrating gaze on the cultural milieu that nurtured his artistic growth, revealing how America's elites have twisted our institutions into tools of manipulation. With his one-of-a-kind wit, he exposes the intricate dance between power and myth, unmasking how the elites manipulate media and culture to maintain control. The Disenlightenment fearlessly tackles topics from war to love, success to death, offering a fresh perspective on the human condition. His observations, ranging from the carnival-like nature of politics to the power of language, reflect a society where traditional values are under siege. This book is an opportunity to engage with one of the most provocative and insightful writers of the modern era. Whether you're a long-time Mamet aficionado or new to his work, The Disenlightenment promises to challenge your perceptions, stimulate your mind, and perhaps change how you view the world.

How to Write One Song

There are few creative acts more mysterious and magical than writing a song. But what if the goal wasn't so mysterious and was actually achievable for anyone who wants to experience more magic and creativity in their life? That's something that anyone will be inspired to do after reading Jeff Tweedy's How to Write One Song . Why one song? Because the difference between one song and many songs isn't a cute semantic trick—it's an important distinction that can simplify a notoriously confusing art form. The idea of becoming a capital-S songwriter can seem daunting, but approached as a focused, self-contained event, the mystery and fear subsides, and songwriting becomes an exciting pursuit. And then there is the energizing, nourishing creativity that can open up. How to Write One Song brings readers into the intimate process of writing one song—lyrics, music, and putting it all together—and accesses the deep sense of wonder that remains at the heart of this curious, yet incredibly fulfilling, artistic act. But it’s equally about the importance of making creativity part of your life every day, and of experiencing the hope, inspiration, and joy available to anyone who’s willing to get started.

Star Trek: The Captain's Table #1: War Dragons

There's a bar called "The Captain's Table," where those who have commanded mighty vessels of every shape and era can meet, relax, and share a friendly drink or two with others of their calling. Sometimes a brawl may break out but it's all in the family, more or less. Just remember, the first round of drinks is always paid for with a story...even beyond the final frontier. Captain James T. Kirk must join forces with Captain Hikaru Sulu, new commander of the U.S.S. Excelsior, to resolve a simmering political situation in a distant star system. For more than twenty years, the ancient enmity between Nykkus and Anjiri has resisted the best efforts of Federation diplomats. Now Kirk and Sulu have one last chance to end the bloodshed -- before it erupts into a full-scale interstellar war!

A Pattern Language

You can use this book to design a house for yourself with your family; you can use it to work with your neighbors to improve your town and neighborhood; you can use it to design an office, or a workshop, or a public building. And you can use it to guide you in the actual process of construction. After a ten-year silence, Christopher Alexander and his colleagues at the Center for Environmental Structure are now publishing a major statement in the form of three books which will, in their words, "lay the basis for an entirely new approach to architecture, building and planning, which will we hope replace existing ideas and practices entirely." The three books are The Timeless Way of Building, The Oregon Experiment, and this book, A Pattern Language. At the core of these books is the idea that people should design for themselves their own houses, streets, and communities. This idea may be radical (it implies a radical transformation of the architectural profession) but it comes simply from the observation that most of the wonderful places of the world were not made by architects but by the people. At the core of the books, too, is the point that in designing their environments people always rely on certain "languages," which, like the languages we speak, allow them to articulate and communicate an infinite variety of designs within a forma system which gives them coherence. This book provides a language of this kind. It will enable a person to make a design for almost any kind of building, or any part of the built environment. "Patterns," the units of this language, are answers to design problems (How high should a window sill be? How many stories should a building have? How much space in a neighborhood should be devoted to grass and trees?). More than 250 of the patterns in this pattern language are given: each consists of a problem statement, a discussion of the problem with an illustration, and a solution. As the authors say in their introduction, many of the patterns are archetypal, so deeply rooted in the nature of things that it seemly likely that they will be a part of human nature, and human action, as much in five hundred years as they are today.

Wildflower Watercolor

Let Your Creativity Blossom with 30 Beautiful Watercolor Projects Immerse yourself in the world of watercolor with Sushma Hegde’s array of stunning botanicals. Wildflower Watercolor , an instant bestseller , is the essential comprehensive guide for beginner painters to learn how to create perfect floral masterpieces. With easy-to-follow instructions and step-by-step illustrations , it’s never been easier to master the art of watercolor painting. Inside, you will find everything you need to get started, including how to mix colors and create striking new shades, how to make various types of brushstrokes and more. Choose from over 30 projects , including beautiful creations such as: - Lavender - Cornflower - Dandelion - St. John’s Wort - Poppy - Foxglove - Buttercup - Forget-Me-Not Complete with whimsical reference illustrations, Sushma’s guide allows anyone to bring the world’s floral beauty to life on the page with just a brush, some paint and a little bit of water!

The Classical Music Book

Learn about the world's greatest classical compositions and musical traditions in The Classical Music Book. Part of the fascinating Big Ideas series, this book tackles tricky topics and themes in a simple and easy to follow format. Learn about Classic Music in this overview guide to the subject, great for novices looking to find out more and experts wishing to refresh their knowledge alike! The Classical Music Book brings a fresh and vibrant take on the topic through eye-catching graphics and diagrams to immerse yourself in. This captivating book will broaden your understanding of Classical Music, with: - More than 90 pieces of world-famous music - Packed with facts, charts, timelines and graphs to help explain core concepts - A visual approach to big subjects with striking illustrations and graphics throughout - Easy to follow text makes topics accessible for people at any level of understanding The Classical Music Book is a captivating introduction to music theory, crucial composers and the impact of seminal pieces, aimed at adults with an interest in the subject and students wanting to gain more of an overview. Here you'll discover more than 90 works by famous composers from the early period to the modern day, through exciting text and bold graphics. Your Classical Music Questions, Simply Explained From Mozart to Mendelssohn, this fresh new guide goes beyond your typical music books, offering a comprehensive overview to classical music history and biography. If you thought it was difficult to learn about music theory, The Classical Music Book presents key information in a clear layout. Explore the main ideas underpinning the world's greatest compositions and musical traditions, and define their importance to the musical canon and into their wider social, cultural, and historical context. The Big Ideas Series With millions of copies sold worldwide, The Classical Music Book is part of the award-winning Big Ideas series from DK. The series uses striking graphics along with engaging writing, making big topics easy to understand.

Inside Graceland

If you wanted a picture of the life of Elvis Presley, who better to paint it for you than someone who worked as his trusted cook and maid at Graceland? Someone whose daily tasks centered around keeping the King of Rock & Roll happy, whose every move was designed to please the greatest music legend the entertainment world has ever known. Here is that picture, as painted by Nancy Rooks. Nancy worked for Elvis from 1967 until his untimely death in 1977. Read her stories of what those years were like, of what the routines were at Graceland, and what it meant to be close to Elvis and his family on a daily basis. Read the sad account of her rushing upstairs, after a frantic call from Ginger Alden, and finding him on the bathroom floor. This book presents that picture, one that every Elvis fan will want to see.

Fahrenheit-182

***The Instant #1 New York Times Bestseller!*** A smart, funny, and refreshing memoir from Mark Hoppus, the vocalist, bassist, and founding member of pop-punk band blink-182. This is the story of an angst-filled kid from the desert, navigating the chaos of his parents' bitter divorce and searching for his place in the world. Each move across the country was a chance to reinvent himself, switching identities from dork to goth to skate punk, and eventually meeting his best friend who just so happens to be his musical soulmate. With sharp humor and raw honesty, Fahrenheit-182 takes readers through Mark's formative years as a latchkey kid in the 1980s, hooked on punk rock, skateboards, and MTV. Along the way, Mark reflects on his lifelong battle with anxiety, his celebrated career with blink-182, and his public fight with cancer, in a voice that’s both relatable and unmistakably his own. Threaded with sharp humor and heartfelt grit, Fahrenheit-182 is more than just a memoir for blink-182 fans. It’s a funny, smart, and deeply human story for anyone who’s struggled, reinvented themselves, wanted to quit but kept going.

Delphi Complete Paintings of Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres (Illustrated)

The chief exponent of French Neoclassical painting in the mid-nineteenth century, Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres is noted for his cool, meticulously drawn works, representing the stylistic antithesis of the contemporary Romantic school. As a monumental history painter, Ingres sought to perpetuate the classical tradition of Raphael and Poussin, though today it is his portraits that are recognised as his greatest legacy. The extraordinary clarity of expression and microscopic detail of his work, rendered at a consistently, almost unbelievable quality won him many admirers. His expressive distortions of form and space made him an important precursor of modern art, influencing Degas, Picasso and Matisse. Delphi’s Masters of Art Series presents the world’s first digital e-Art books, allowing readers to explore the works of great artists in comprehensive detail. This volume presents Ingres’ complete paintings in beautiful detail, with concise introductions, hundreds of high quality images and the usual Delphi bonus material. (Version 1) * The complete paintings of Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres – over 300 images, fully indexed and arranged in chronological and alphabetical order * Includes reproductions of rare and lost works * Features a special ‘Highlights’ section, with concise introductions to the masterpieces, giving valuable contextual information * Enlarged ‘Detail’ images, allowing you to explore Ingres’ celebrated works in detail, as featured in traditional art books * Over 600 images in colour – highly recommended for viewing on tablets and smartphones or as a valuable reference tool on more conventional eReaders * Special chronological and alphabetical contents tables for the paintings * Easily locate the artworks you wish to view * Includes a wide selection of Ingres’ drawings * Features two bonus biographies – discover Ingres’ incredible life Please visit www.delphiclassics.com to browse through our range of exciting e-Art books CONTENTS: The Highlights The Envoys of Agamemnon (1801) Self Portrait (1804) Portrait of Mademoiselle Caroline Rivière (1805) Napoleon I on His Imperial Throne (1806) The Grande Baigneuse (1808) Oedipus and the Sphinx (1808) La Grande Odalisque (1814) Roger Freeing Angelica (1819) The Vow of Louis XIII (1824) The Apotheosis of Homer (1827) Portrait of Monsieur Bertin (1832) The Martyrdom of Saint Symphorian (1834) Odalisque with Slave (1839) The Illness of Antiochus (1840) Portrait of Comtesse d’Haussonville (1845) Portrait of the Princesse de Broglie (1853) The Source (1856) The Turkish Bath (1863) The Paintings The Complete Paintings Alphabetical List of Paintings The Drawings Selected Drawings The Biographies Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres by Emilia Francis Strong Dilke Ingres by A. J. Finberg Please visit www.delphiclassics.com to browse through our range of exciting titles or to buy the whole Art series as a Super Set

How to Win at Chess

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Learn chess from International Master and YouTube’s top chess teacher Levy Rozman (aka GothamChess) in this refreshing and fun guide for beginner and intermediate players. Clever and informative, How to Win at Chess teaches you everything you need to know about the game, including all the important moves and strategies to start off strong and keep you thinking several steps ahead. Full of Levy Rozman's signature charm and humor that have made him beloved by millions of fans, the first half of this unique guide introduces rising players (0-800 Elo rating) to the four key areas to consider when playing chess—openings, endings, tactics, and strategy—and the second half builds upon these core skills for more experienced players (800-1300 Elo rating). Brimming with practical and easy-to-follow tips for improving your game, How to Win at Chess includes over 500 instructional gameplay illustrations to help you better visualize the board, as well as chapter-specific QR codes for exclusive bonus content on Chessly, Rozman’s teaching platform. Whether you want to become a recreational chess player or are training to be a Grandmaster, How to Win at Chess is the perfect interactive introduction to the world of chess!

The Storyteller

The #1 New York Times Bestseller * Named one of Variety's Best Music Books of 2021 * Included in Audible's Best of The Year list * A Business Insider Best Memoirs of 2021 * One of NME's Best Music Books of 2021 So, I've written a book. Having entertained the idea for years, and even offered a few questionable opportunities ("It's a piece of cake! Just do 4 hours of interviews, find someone else to write it, put your face on the cover, and voila!") I have decided to write these stories just as I have always done, in my own hand. The joy that I have felt from chronicling these tales is not unlike listening back to a song that I've recorded and can't wait to share with the world, or reading a primitive journal entry from a stained notebook, or even hearing my voice bounce between the Kiss posters on my wall as a child. This certainly doesn't mean that I'm quitting my day job, but it does give me a place to shed a little light on what it's like to be a kid from Springfield, Virginia, walking through life while living out the crazy dreams I had as young musician. From hitting the road with Scream at 18 years old, to my time in Nirvana and the Foo Fighters, jamming with Iggy Pop or playing at the Academy Awards or dancing with AC/DC and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, drumming for Tom Petty or meeting Sir Paul McCartney at Royal Albert Hall, bedtime stories with Joan Jett or a chance meeting with Little Richard, to flying halfway around the world for one epic night with my daughters…the list goes on. I look forward to focusing the lens through which I see these memories a little sharper for you with much excitement.

Sellout

NATIONAL BESTSELLER AN NPR BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR "Ozzi's reporting is strong, balanced and well told...a worthy successor to its obvious inspiration, Michael Azerrad's 2001 examination of the '80s indie underground, 'Our Band Could Be Your Life.'"--New York Times Book Review A raucous history of punk, emo, and hardcore’s growing pains during the commercial boom of the early 90s and mid-aughts, following eleven bands as they “sell out” and find mainstream fame, or break beneath the weight of it all Punk rock found itself at a crossroads in the mid-90’s. After indie favorite Nirvana catapulted into the mainstream with its unexpected phenomenon, Nevermind, rebellion was suddenly en vogue. Looking to replicate the band’s success, major record labels set their sights on the underground, and began courting punk’s rising stars. But the DIY punk scene, which had long prided itself on its trademark authenticity and anti-establishment ethos, wasn’t quite ready to let their homegrown acts go without a fight. The result was a schism: those who accepted the cash flow of the majors, and those who defiantly clung to their indie cred. In Sellout, seasoned music writer Dan Ozzi chronicles this embattled era in punk. Focusing on eleven prominent bands who made the jump from indie to major, Sellout charts the twists and turns of the last “gold rush” of the music industry, where some groups “sold out” and rose to surprise super stardom, while others buckled under mounting pressures. Sellout is both a gripping history of the music industry’s evolution, and a punk rock lover’s guide to the chaotic darlings of the post-grunge era, featuring original interviews and personal stories from members of modern punk’s most (in)famous bands: Green DayJawbreakerJimmy Eat WorldBlink-182At the Drive-InThe DonnasThursdayThe DistillersMy Chemical RomanceRise AgainstAgainst Me!

A Raisin in the Sun

"Never before, in the entire history of the American theater, has so much of the truth of Black people's lives been seen on the stage," observed James Baldwin shortly before A Raisin in the Sun opened on Broadway in 1959. This edition presents the fully restored, uncut version of Hansberry's landmark work with an introduction by Robert Nemiroff. Lorraine Hansberry's award-winning drama about the hopes and aspirations of a struggling, working-class family living on the South Side of Chicago connected profoundly with the psyche of Black America—and changed American theater forever. The play's title comes from a line in Langston Hughes's poem "Harlem," which warns that a dream deferred might "dry up/like a raisin in the sun." "The events of every passing year add resonance to A Raisin in the Sun ," said The New York Times . "It is as if history is conspiring to make the play a classic."

Drawing for the Absolute and Utter Beginner, Revised

This revised 15th anniversary edition of the bestselling beginning drawing book updates art and text examples to include new student pieces, up-to-date materials, and additional sections on drawing in 3D and travel sketching, along with refreshed and contemporary design. Based on author and art instructor Claire Watson Garcia's successful courses and workshops for beginning and aspiring artists, Drawing for the Absolute and Utter Beginner applies a positive, accepting tone to a progressive series of lessons in sketching and rendering. The book's step-by-step methodology and examples of student works from earliest efforts to completed drawings give novices the tools and techniques needed to make competent and eloquent renderings of still lifes, portraits, and more. In this revised edition, Garcia covers such in-demand subject matter as drawing-on-the-go, drawing in three dimensions, and drawing the portrait at a three-quarter view. The reinvigorated art and text ensure that this drawing instruction classic will continue to appeal to new generations of aspiring artists.

PEOPLE True Crime Stories

Inside many of the real life cases to inspire Law & Order For over 20 years and across two signature shows- Law & Order and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit -viewers have been riveted by cases that have been "ripped from the headlines." Now, in True Crime Stories , a new special edition from People , go inside 35 real crimes that inspired the hit TV shows. From well-known cases that continue to fascinate us, including JonBenet Ramsey, O.J. Simpson, Robert Durst, and the Mayflower Madam, to the travails of such celebrities and politicians as Hugh Grant, John Edwards, and Anthony Weiner, here are descriptions of the crimes, the key players, and synopses of the episodes the cases inspired, complete with photographs of the real-life players and their respective Law & Order characters. This special edition also includes several "Reality Check" sections that provide insight into the detectives, prosecutors, and sets that have made the shows as realistic as they are. True Crime Stories also includes an interview with renowned Law & Order creator and producer Dick Wolf and photographs of your favorite cast members from both shows. For fans of both Law & Order and for true-crime readers, this is the one special edition you won't be able to do without. Bonus: an exclusive look at Law & Order True Crime: The Menendez Brothers , the exciting new miniseries that focuses on just one shocking story for an entire season.

Architecture

The definitive global visual history of architecture From ancient dwellings to modern high-tech skyscrapers, discover everything there is to know about the history of architecture around the world. Covering more than 6,000 years of human history, Architecture charts the most important developments in building materials, technology, and design, and the social changes that have shaped the architectural landscape. Explore every significant architectural period and style in depth through key examples. Take a tour of some of the world's most iconic buildings, beautifully illustrated with a combination of stunning photography and specially commissioned CGI illustrations. Find out why so many ancient Roman structures have withstood the test of time. Learn how the soaring ceilings of Gothic cathedrals are held up. And discover the architectural innovations that are helping combat climate change. Comprehensive, authoritative, and inspiring, Architecture is the perfect book for anyone fascinated by the built world - its visual character and the factors that have formed it - and who wants to understand more.

Frieze Frame: How Poets, Painters, and their Friends Framed the Debate Around Elgin and the Marbles of the Parthenon

Award-winning poet and Oxford Professor of Poetry, A. E. Stallings has marshaled poetry, personal letters, paintings, a dubiously translated 1801 firman, newspaper clippings, parliamentary proceedings, a Greek political campaign, and other lore in this deliciously detailed and gossipy history of the Parthenon (AKA, Elgin) Marbles. Her narrative encompasses the removal of the Marbles from the Athenian Acropolis, their various misadventures before and after installation in the British Museum, from shipwreck to boxing matches, and the debate over their future and possible reunion in Greece. Bringing fresh air to a stale debate, Frieze Frame explores the effect the Marbles have had on poets, writers, painters, actors, architects, and vice versa—how poets and painters, for instance, have framed the Marbles' place in art and culture. The poets Keats, Byron, and Cavafy, as well as an aristocrat who loses his nose and his fortune, a bad painter who commits suicide, and a general who takes his cat into battle, are among the cast of characters. In the author’s own words, “I am, to a certain extent, as interested in the strange stories and people surrounding the stones as the controversy [of their removal] and their fate.” Key for Stallings is the creative world of the Marbles, the ways that they appear in nineteenth (and twentieth) century writing and art, race theory and beyond, and the influence they have exerted in our society: cultural figures, maybe even characters, in their own right.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - Parts One and Two: The Official Playscript of the Original West End Production

The official playscript of the original West End production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. It was always difficult being Harry Potter and it isn't much easier now that he is an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic, a husband, and father of three school-age children. While Harry grapples with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs, his youngest son Albus must struggle with the weight of a family legacy he never wanted. As past and present fuse ominously, both father and son learn the uncomfortable truth: sometimes, darkness comes from unexpected places. The playscript for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child was originally released as a 'special rehearsal edition' alongside the opening of Jack Thorne's play in London's West End in summer 2016. Based on an original story by J.K. Rowling, John Tiffany and Jack Thorne, the play opened to rapturous reviews from theatregoers and critics alike, while the official playscript became an immediate global bestseller. This definitive and final playscript updates the 'special rehearsal edition' with the conclusive and final dialogue from the play, which has subtly changed since its rehearsals, as well as a conversation piece between director John Tiffany and writer Jack Thorne, who share stories and insights about reading playscripts. This edition also includes useful background information including the Potter family tree and a timeline of events from the Wizarding World prior to the beginning of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.

Music Theory: For Beginners - Bundle - The Only 3 Books You Need to Learn Music Theory Worksheets, Chord Theory and Scale Theory Today

3 Manuscripts in 1 Book, Including: Music Theory, How to Play Chords and How to Play Scales! Book 1) Music Theory: For Beginners - The Only 7 Exercises You Need to Learn Music Fundamentals and the Elements of Written Music Today Do you get overwhelmed by all the complex concepts and want a book that is simple and clear? If so, “Music Theory: For Beginners” by Preston Hoffman is the book for you! It will provide you with seven key exercises that will help deepen your understanding of music theory! You will learn the following: A brief history of music Why learning music theory is so important How to write and arrange music notes How to build chords and triads How to create rhythm, melody, and harmony Creating musical intervals How to form music scales How to read key signatures and the circle of fifths And much more! Book 2) How to Play Chords: In 1 Day - The Only 7 Exercises You Need to Learn Guitar Chords, Piano Chords, and Ukulele Chords Today Are you eager to learn some proper chords for your instrument, but don’t know where to start? If so, “How to Play Chords: In 1 Day” by Preston Hoffman is the book for you! This book will teach you the basic exercises that you need to not only understand chords but to play any song on the radio on any of these three instruments: ukulele, guitar, and piano. Learn not just about chords but about the instruments, how to read music, how songs are made, and the trick to being able to play thousands of songs! You will learn the following: What chords are and how they are the building blocks of songs How to read chord music How to play chords on all three instruments with ease Dozens of songs to play and the chords they use Tips for chord songwriting Chord practice tips And much more! Book 3) How to Play Scales: In 1 Day - The Only 7 Exercises You Need to Learn Guitar Scales, Piano Scales and Ukulele Scales Today Have you tried every possible tutorial that you could have found on the internet, but to no avail? Have you tried hiring a professional tutor in order to learn how to play guitar, piano or ukulele scales? There's no need to waste any more time, effort, or money - the "How to Play Scales: In 1 Day " has it all! It contains clear and easily understandable guidelines, tutorials and exercises to help you master playing the scales in the least amount of time possible. If utilized correctly, which is quite easy, you can learn how to play the scales in less than 24 hours! A completely worthwhile investment of your time and effort, since this book gives you all you need to know in order to quickly achieve your goal. You will learn the following: How to easily understand the theory behind playing the scales An easy exercise on how to play your first scale within chords A crucial short course on how to get a feeling for the music that is necessary in order to play or compose it How to improvise, explained on a perfect blues example Three different learning modes - exotic, classical and metal Learning how to play the jazz scales, widely regarded as the hardest style Finally, you'll learn how to effectively put all of this information together and utilize it in the future You have made an excellent decision by choosing to learn music theory. So, don’t delay it any longer. Take this opportunity and purchase your copy today. Order “Music Theory: For Beginners” Now! See you inside!

Comedy Book

One of NPR’s Best Books of 2023. A New York Times Book Review Editors' Choice. Named a Most Anticipated Book by Vulture , Elle , Chicago Tribune , The Millions , and Lit Hub. “ Comedy Book changes the way we talk about an art form that is more diverse and exciting than ever before.” —Seth Meyers “Energetic and wise . . . Comedy Book is not the definitive history of the past three-plus decades. It’s Fox’s history, and better for it.” — The New York Times Book Review From a beloved comedy critic, a wisecracking, heartfelt, and overdue chronicle of comedy’s boom—and its magic. In Comedy Book , Jesse David Fox—the country’s most definitive voice in comedy criticism and someone who, in his own words, enjoys comedy “maybe more than anyone on this planet”—tackles everything you need to know about comedy, an art form that has been under-considered throughout its history, even as it has ascended as a cultural force. Weaving together history and analysis, Fox unravels the genre’s political legacy through an ode to Jon Stewart, interrogates the divide between highbrow and lowbrow via Adam Sandler, and unpacks how marginalized comics create spaces for their communities. Along the way, Fox covers topics ranging from comedy in the age of political correctness and Will Smith’s slap, to the right wing’s relationship with comedy, to comedy’s ability to heal in the wake of tragedy. With memorable cameos from Jerry Seinfeld, Dave Chappelle, John Mulaney, Ali Wong, Kate Berlant, and countless others, Comedy Book is an eye-opening education in how to engage with our most omnipresent art form, a riotous history of American pop culture, and a love letter to laughter.

Pen and Wash

Pen and Wash is a practical guide to creating a picture that captures the discipline of pen, along with the subtlety of watercolour. With clear instruction and inspirational examples throughout, it explains the conventional approach of drawing and then adding wash, but also explores alternative ideas and styles. The author's passion for the technique is evident in his examples and enthusiastic text, making the book a superb guide to this beautiful medium. Advise on the correct equipment, techniques, the unpredictable nature of watercolours and Step by step demonstrations of pen and wash techniques.

Star Wars Timelines

Chart the history of Star Wars in this stunning guide, from the time before the High Republic to the First Order. An indispensable companion for all Star Wars fans, this premium quality ebook displays visual timelines that chronologically map key events, characters, and developments and mark their significance. Track crucial conflicts across the years that affect the galaxy in profound ways. Follow the Skywalker lightsaber as it passes through the generations and witness the evolution of the iconic TIE fighter across different eras. Trace the movement of the Death Star plans over the years and uncover multiple branching timelines that break down important battles. See essential events at a glance arranged by era and drill down into details to discover major and minor events, key dates, and fascinating insights all chronologically arranged. Pore over intricate timelines on nearly every page. © & ™ 2022 Lucasfilm Ltd.

Star Wars Complete Vehicles New Edition

Explore the epic Star Wars saga through incredible cross-sections More than 100 magnificent cross-section artworks bring the vehicles of Star Wars to life. New cross-sections, amazing detail, and comprehensive text make this the ultimate reference to the craft of a galaxy far, far away.... SEE - Poe Dameron's X-wing in action - The terrifying power of Darth Vader's TIE Advanced x1 - Obi-Wan Kenobi's fast and agile Jedi starfighter DISCOVER - The inner workings of Rey's speeder - The advanced technology of the Rebel Alliance's U-wing - The devastating weaponry of the Death Star EXPLORE - The famous corridors of the Millennium Falcon - The brutal design of the Knights of Ren's Night Buzzard - The mighty and fearsome Final Order Star Destroyer © & ™ 2020 Lucasfilm Ltd

Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli

NATIONAL BESTSELLER This “wickedly pacey page-turner” ( Total Film ) unfurls the behind-the-scenes story of the making of The Godfather, fifty years after the classic film’s original release. The story of how The Godfather was made is as dramatic, operatic, and entertaining as the film itself. Over the years, many versions of various aspects of the movie’s fiery creation have been told—sometimes conflicting, but always compelling. Mark Seal sifts through the evidence, has extensive new conversations with director Francis Ford Coppola and several heretofore silent sources, and complements them with colorful interviews with key players including actors Al Pacino, James Caan, Talia Shire, and others to write “the definitive look at the making of an American classic” ( Library Journal , starred review). On top of the usual complications of filmmaking, the creators of The Godfather had to contend with the real-life members of its subject matter: the Mob. During production of the movie, location permits were inexplicably revoked, author Mario Puzo got into a public brawl with an irate Frank Sinatra, producer Al Ruddy’s car was found riddled with bullets, men with “connections” vied to be in the cast, and some were given film roles. As Seal notes, this is the tale of a “movie that revolutionized filmmaking, saved Paramount Pictures, minted a new generation of movie stars, made its struggling author Mario Puzo rich and famous, and sparked a war between two of the mightiest powers in America: the sharks of Hollywood and the highest echelons of the Mob.” “For fans of books about moviemaking, this is a definite must-read” ( Booklist ).

Future Boy

A poignant, heartfelt, and funny memoir about how, in 1985, Michael J. Fox brought to life two iconic roles simultaneously—Alex P. Keaton in Family Ties and Marty McFly in Back to the Future . An amazing true story as only Michael J. Fox can tell it In early 1985, Michael J. Fox was one of the biggest stars on television. His world was about to get even bigger, but only if he could survive the kind of double duty unheard of in Hollywood. Fox’s days were already dedicated to rehearsing and taping the hit sitcom Family Ties , but then the chance of a lifetime came his way. Soon, he committed his nights to a new time-travel adventure film being directed by Robert Zemeckis and produced by Steven Spielberg— Back to the Future . Sitcom during the day, movie at night—day after day, for months. Fox’s nightly commute from a soundstage at Paramount to the back lot at Universal Studios, from one dream job to another, would become his own space-time continuum. It was in this time portal that Alex P. Keaton handed the baton to Marty McFly while Michael J. Fox tried to catch a few minutes of sleep. Alex’s bravado, Marty’s flair, and Fox’s comedic virtuosity all swirled together to create something truly special. In Future Boy , Fox tells the remarkable story of playing two landmark roles at the same time—a slice of entertainment history that’s never been told. Using new interviews with the cast and crew of both projects, the result is a vividly drawn and eye-opening story of creative achievement by a beloved icon.

A Fabulous Disaster

From prolific metal guitarist and songwriter for Exodus (and formerly Slayer) Gary Holt comes a deeply personal memoir of his "destruction-laden" life, along with a firsthand account of the genesis of the Thrash Metal scene, from its origins in the Bay Area to its world domination. As the guitarist and primary songwriter of Exodus and one of the originators of heavy metal, Gary Holt watched as his peers—Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, Anthrax—soared to superstardom. As his fellow artists amassed millions of fans and record sales, Exodus' albums received critical recognition and inspired generations of listeners—but struggled to reach the same heights of success, as the band was plagued by years of bad management, bad luck, and bad decisions. A Fabulous Disaster follows our narrator through the highest of highs and lowest of lows as he and his bandmates juggle major label contracts, MTV-sponsored tours and festivals, growing addictions to alcohol and meth, and the loss of key founding members. Ultimately, after the tragic death of one of his closest friends and former bandmates—Holt decides to save himself. Newly sober and determined to resurrect his career, he commits himself to Exodus, pushing the band to new heights. An "unadulterated odyssey through decades of insanity," punctuated by Holt's unique insight and knack for storytelling, A Fabulous Disaster is a thrill ride from start to finish. His story proves that redemption—even from the pits of rock 'n' roll excess—is always possible.

Hitchcock

Iconic, groundbreaking interviews of Alfred Hitchcock by film critic François Truffaut—providing insight into the cinematic method, the history of film, and one of the greatest directors of all time. In Hitchcock , film critic François Truffaut presents fifty hours of interviews with Alfred Hitchcock about the whole of his vast directorial career, from his silent movies in Great Britain to his color films in Hollywood. The result is a portrait of one of the greatest directors the world has ever known, an all-round specialist who masterminded everything, from the screenplay and the photography to the editing and the soundtrack. Hitchcock discusses the inspiration behind his films and the art of creating fear and suspense, as well as giving strikingly honest assessments of his achievements and failures, his doubts and hopes. This peek into the brain of one of cinema’s greats is a must-read for all film aficionados.

The Heroin Diaries

In one of the most unique memoirs of addiction ever published, Mötley Crüe's Nikki Sixx shares mesmerizing diary entries from the year he spiraled out of control in a haze of heroin and cocaine, presented alongside riveting commentary from people who were there at the time, and from Nikki himself. When Mötley Crüe was at the height of its fame, there wasn't any drug Nikki Sixx wouldn't do. He spent days -- sometimes alone, sometimes with other addicts, friends, and lovers -- in a coke and heroin-fueled daze. The highs were high, and Nikki's journal entries reveal some euphoria and joy. But the lows were lower, often ending with Nikki in his closet, surrounded by drug paraphernalia and wrapped in paranoid delusions. Here, Nikki shares those diary entries -- some poetic, some scatterbrained, some bizarre -- and reflects on that time. Joining him are Tommy Lee, Vince Neil, Mick Mars, Slash, Rick Nielsen, Bob Rock, and a host of ex-managers, ex-lovers, and more. Brutally honest, utterly riveting, and shockingly moving, The Heroin Diaries follows Nikki during the year he plunged to rock bottom -- and his courageous decision to pick himself up and start living again.

The Pro's Guide to Spanish 21 and Australian Pontoon

The best-kept secret in the international pro gaming scene is finally out: Spanish 21, and its Australian counterpart, Pontoon, is even more beatable than Blackjack. "The Pro's Guide to Spanish 21" will teach you how to play optimally, apply proven Blackjack card-counting techniques to Spanish 21, and do better than you ever did playing Blackjack. Topics covered include: basic strategy for 15+ rule variations, house edge, EOR, standard deviation, the Basic Hi-Lo counting system, optimal betting, indices, money management, camouflage, finding the best games, and much, much more. The author, gaming analyst/programmer Katarina Walker, is recognized as the world authority on Spanish 21 and Australian Pontoon. Foreword written by Don Schlesinger.

Oedipus Rex

Considered by many the greatest of the classic Greek tragedies, Oedipus Rex is Sophocles' finest play and a work of extraordinary power and resonance. Aristotle considered it a masterpiece of dramatic construction and refers to it frequently in the Poetics . In presenting the story of King Oedipus and the tragedy that ensues when he discovers he has inadvertently killed his father and married his mother, the play exhibits near-perfect harmony of character and action. Moreover, the masterly use of dramatic irony greatly intensifies the impact of the agonizing events and emotions experienced by Oedipus and the other characters in the play. Now these and many other facets of this towering tragedy may be studied and appreciated in Dover's attractive inexpensive edition of one of the great landmarks of Western drama.

Save the Cat!® Writes for TV

Blake Snyder's Save the Cat! , the world's top-selling story method for filmmakers and novelists, introduces The Last Book on Creating Binge-Worthy Content You'll Ever Need. Screenwriter Jamie Nash takes up Snyder's torch to lay out a step-by-step approach using Blake's principles for both new and experienced writers, including: -How to write and structure a compelling TV pilot that can launch both your series and your TV writing career -All the nuances, tricks, and techniques of pilot-writing: the Opening Pitch, the Guided Tour, the Whiff of Change, and more -The 8 Save the Cat! TV Franchise Types that will improve your story and your pitch -The not-so-secret TV Pitch Template that turns your TV series into the necessary read-over-lunch industry document -a how-to in creating layered characters who are driven by complex internal struggles -Beat sheets of the pilots of Barry , Ozark , Grey's Anatomy , The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel , What We Do in the Shadows , Black-ish , The Mandalorian , This Is Us , Law and Order: SVU and more to help you crack your story Create your binge-worthy TV series with Save the Cat! Writes for TV . Reviews: Blake Snyder would be so proud of Save the Cat! Writes for TV because like all his books, it cuts straight to the truth: No matter where you are in your TV writing career, a newbie or a 25+ year veteran (me), you need to write a fresh, new pilot. Author Jamie Nash uses Blake s life-changing beat sheet and adjusts it for TV s wonkiness. Whether you re writing a comedy or drama for network, cable, or streaming, this book with its thought-provoking exercises, sage advice, and beat sheets from successful TV shows will definitely get you closer to FADE OUT... and quite possibly your own TV show! — Kriss Turner Towner, Executive Producer, Greenleaf ; Consulting Producer, Black Monday , The Soul Man ; Co-Executive Producer, The Romanoffs , Everybody Loves Chris , The Bernie Mac Show While I wish it were called Save the Dog! , I believe Save the Cat! can open eyes and demystify some of the biggest challenges TV writers face on that daunting blank page. — Steven Levitan, Co-Creator, Modern Family There’s joy in TV Land! As a longtime user and fan of Save the Cat! , I’ve found Jamie Nash has shifted the focus (without losing the principles) of Blake Snyder s groundbreaking work, creating a whole new way to look at developing television series that s filled with insight, ingenuity, and a generous sprinkling of humor. A new must-read for newcomers to the field and veterans looking to shake up their process. — Paris Barclay, Director/Producer/Writer, Sons of Anarchy , Glee , House , The Good Wife , In Treatment , Scandal , Empire , CSI , Lost , The West Wing , ER , NYPD Blue Save the Cat! Writes for TV will help you wrap your arms around the process of turning inspiration into a script and more importantly, a series. Highly recommended. – Nick Bakay, Executive Producer, Mom ; Consulting Producer, Bob Hearts Abishola , The Kominsky Method , ‘Til Death , The King of Queens This book should be required reading not only for writers, but for all the film producers out there who are looking to branch out into TV. It breaks down the fundamental tenets of television storytelling in such a delightfully entertaining way that you often forget how much you’re actually learning! – Juliet Berman, Producer/Head of Development, Treehouse Pictures ( Set It Up , Sand Castle , That Awkward Moment ) This book will by my side the next time I’m staring at a blank screen and wondering, “How do I do this again?” Eye-opening and inspirational, Save the Cat Writes for TV is an invaluable tool for anyone—from first-time writers to pros like me. – Lilla Zuckerman, Co-Executive Producer, Prodigal Son , Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. ; Supervising Producer, Suits ; Consulting Producer, Haven The opportunities to write for television have exploded in the last few years and Save the Cat! Writes for TV is the book TV writers have been waiting for. Beyond formulas and restrictive templates, this great new book provides the guidance we all need to shape and organize our ideas into well-structured scripts. I have been writing TV for decades—if only this book was around when I started! Just like Blake Snyder's original, this new member of the Cat! family will become a go-to industry standard. – Rick Drew, Producer/Story Editor/Writer of over 100 episodes of television, including MacGyver , Airwolf , Goosebumps , Lonesome Dove ; Screenwriting Teacher, Vancouver Film School Da Cat makes the leap from film to TV and definitely sticks the landing! This easy-to-read book is a must for writers in search of a well-structured TV script. It scores a perfect 10 from me. – Geoff Harris, TV Writer and Consultant, Former Network Development Executive

Salome

Oscar Wilde’s adaptation of the biblical story delves into Salome’s character and motivations when she requests the head of John the Baptist as a reward after dancing the dance of the seven veils. To her mother, Herodias’s delight, Salomé’s father, Herod, finds he must grant her this request. Originally published in French, Salome was one of Oscar Wilde’s most controversial plays, as it depicted scenes straight from the Bible on stage. Translated into English by Wilde and his lover Lord Alfred Douglas, the play did not premiere until after Wilde was imprisoned. Wilde’s extrapolation of Salome’s character from the biblical story is thought to have influenced many retellings of the original tale. HarperPerennial Classics brings great works of literature to life in digital format, upholding the highest standards in ebook production and celebrating reading in all its forms. Look for more titles in the HarperPerennial Classics collection to build your digital library.

Caravaggio: Paintings in Close Up

Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (September 1571 – 18 July 1610) was an Italian artist active in Rome, Naples, Malta, and Sicily between 1593 and 1610. His paintings, which combine a realistic observation of the human state, both physical and emotional, with a dramatic use of lighting, had a formative influence on the Baroque school of painting. Caravaggio's novelty was a radical naturalism that combined close physical observation with a dramatic, even theatrical, use of chiaroscuro. This came to be known as Tenebrism, the shift from light to dark with little intermediate value. Famous while he lived, Caravaggio was forgotten almost immediately after his death, and it was only in the 20th century that his importance to the development of Western art was rediscovered. It can be seen directly or indirectly in the work of Rubens, Jusepe de Ribera, Bernini, and Rembrandt, and artists in the following generation heavily under his influence were called the "Caravaggisti" or "Caravagesques", as well as Tenebrists or "Tenebrosi" ("shadowists"). Andre Berne-Joffroy, Paul Valéry's secretary, said of him "What begins in the work of Caravaggio is, quite simply, modern painting."

The Mailroom

It’s like a plot from a Hollywood potboiler: start out in the mailroom, end up a mogul. But for many, it happens to be true. Some of the biggest names in entertainment—including David Geffen, Barry Diller, and Michael Ovitz— started their dazzling careers in the lowly mailroom. Based on more than two hundred interviews, David Rensin unfolds the never-before-told history of an American institution—in the voices of the people who lived it. Through nearly seven decades of glamour and humiliation, lousy pay and incredible perks, killer egos and a kill-or-be-killed ethos, you’ll go where the trainees go, learn what they must do to get ahead, and hear the best insider stories from the Hollywood everyone knows about but no one really knows. A vibrant tapestry of dreams, desire, and exploitation, The Mailroom is not only an engrossing read but a crash course, taught by the experts, on how to succeed in Hollywood.

You Can Draw in 30 Days

Pick up your pencil, embrace your inner artist, and learn how to draw in thirty days with this approachable step-by-step guide from an Emmy award-winning PBS host. Drawing is an acquired skill, not a talent -- anyone can learn to draw! All you need is a pencil, a piece of paper, and the willingness to tap into your hidden artistic abilities. With Emmy award-winning, longtime PBS host Mark Kistler as your guide, you'll learn the secrets of sophisticated three-dimensional renderings, and have fun along the way -- in just twenty minutes a day for a month. Inside you'll find:Quick and easy step-by-step instructions for drawing everything from simple spheres to apples, trees, buildings, and the human hand and faceMore than 500 line drawings, illustrating each stepTime-tested tips, techniques, and tutorials for drawing in 3-DThe 9 Fundamental Laws of Drawing to create the illusion of depth in any drawing75 student examples to encourage you in the process

The Big Bang Theory

The definitive, behind-the-scenes look at the most popular sitcom of the last decade, The Big Bang Theory, packed with all-new, exclusive interviews with the producers and the entire cast - from journalist and the host of The Official Big Bang Theory Podcast , Jessica Radloff. The Big Bang Theory is a television phenomenon. To the casual viewer, it’s a seemingly effortless comedy, with relatable characters tackling real-life issues, offering a kind of visual comfort food to its millions of dedicated fans. But the behind-the-scenes journey of the show from a failed pilot to a global sensation is a fascinating story that even the most die-hard fans don’t know in its entirety. The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series is a riveting, entertaining look at the sitcom sensation, with the blessing and participation of co-creators Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady, executive producers Steve Molaro and Steve Holland, as well as Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco, Simon Helberg, Kunal Nayyar, Melissa Rauch, Mayim Bialik, and more. Glamour senior editor Jessica Radloff, who has written over 150 articles on the series (and even had a cameo in the finale!), gives readers an all-access pass to its intrepid producing and writing team and beloved cast. It’s a story of on-and-off screen romance told in hilarious and emotional detail, of casting choices that nearly changed everything (which even some of the actors didn’t know until now), of cast members bravely powering through personal tragedies, and when it came time to announce the 12th season would be its last, the complicated reasons why it was more difficult than anyone ever led on. Through hundreds of hours of interviews with the sitcom’s major players, Radloff dives into all this and much more. The book is the ultimate celebration of this once-in-a-generation show and a must-have for all fans. AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER A USA TODAY BESTSELLER NAMED A BEST BOOK OF 2022 BY GLAMOUR "Talking with Jessica, I realized how easy it had been for me to kind of put all 12 years of my time on Big Bang Theory under one general umbrella, as it were. The questions she asked and the information she’d reveal to me from someone else she’d interviewed forced me into a frame of mind where each season - and sometimes each episode - became it’s own, separate entity again. . . Frankly, it turned into a version of therapy I hadn’t realized I’d needed and couldn’t have known how much I’d enjoy." —Jim Parsons

Doyle Brunson's Super System 2

SS2 features winning strategies and professional secrets from the world's best players including new advice from Doyle and the addition of no-limit legend Phil Helmuth, holder of the most world series championships ever. Other superstar contributors includr Daniel Negreanu, 4-time bracelet winner, 2004 Player of the Year, and author of three books including Hold'em Wisdsom for all Players; Lyle Berman, 3-time WSOP bracelet winner and founder of the World Poker Tour; Bobby Baldwin, 1978 World Champion; Johnny Chan, 2-timeWorld Champion and 10-time WSOP bracelet winner; the great Mike Caro, " Mad Genius of Poker"; Jennifer Harman, the world's top female player; Todd Brunson, winnerof more than 20 tournaments; and Crandell Addington, no-limit legend

Roman Architecture

Roman Architecture: A Visual Guide is an indispensable—and enchanting—resource for travelers, architecture enthusiasts, historians, and all those with an interest in any aspect of the richly multi-faceted subject that is Roman architecture. At its most expansive, the Roman Empire stretched from the British Isles to Egypt; Rome was the ancient world’s greatest superpower. Roman Architecture: A Visual Guide takes us to the great buildings and engineering marvels of Rome and its empire, exploring not only Rome but also buildings preserved at Pompeii, Herculaneum, Ostia, Tivoli, North Italy, Sicily, France, Spain, Germany, Greece, Turkey, Croatia, Jordan, Lebanon, and North Africa—allowing readers to trace the growth and expansion of the Roman Empire chronologically through its cities. Roman Architecture ’s wealth of photographs and site plans of these intriguing structures are presented from the fresh perspective of an author who has journeyed to nearly all of the sites, revealing most of them through her own digital images. In addition, this interactive e-book makes learning about these monuments easier than ever, with handy maps and geolocation links that show you just where the monuments are and, if you’re traveling, how to get there. A fascinating introduction to some of history’s most compelling and influential architecture, Roman Architecture: A Visual Guide is an enthralling resource, whether one wishes to visit Rome in person or from afar.

Hoyle's Rules of Games

Here is the perfect gift for novice and expert game enthusiasts alike. With Hoyle's Rules of Games you'll learn how to play games, sharpen your strategy, and settle disputes with the revised and updated edition of this essential reference guide—now covering over 250 classic and popular games! Whether you’re a casual gamer looking for a reference guide for your next family game night or whether you take the rules a little more seriously, this essential guide to card games, board games, and game strategy is for you. It also makes the perfect companion to board game gifts for children this holiday season: they'll love the game, but they’ll love winning even more! More than 250 years after Edmond Hoyle first published his guide to the game Whist, Hoyle’s is still the definitive name when it comes to the rules of the game—whether it’s bridge, backgammon, Scrabble® or Blackjack. With Hoyle’s Rules of Games , all you need to have hours of fun with family and friends is a board game or a deck of cards! The game player’s basic reference, this handy guide has now been updated and expanded and includes rules, strategies, and odds for over 250 games, including such favorites as: • Scrabble® • Canasta • Contract Bridge • Gin Rummy • Chess • Backgammon • Solitaire games: Nestor, Pounce, Pyramid, and Russian Bank • Poker variations: Anaconda, Blind Tiger, and Hold ’em • Children’s games: Beggar-your-neighbor, Memory, and Slapjack • Computer games: Minesweeper and Freecell • ...And more!

Classic Word Search Volume 2

PuzzleNation Classic Word Search featuring TOUCHtoSOLVE™ technology is brought to you by Three Across, LLC, and is the brainchild of some of the world's leading publishers, creators, and editors of traditional puzzle magazines. Getting started is easy - the words in the word list are hidden in the diagram of letters. Search for them by reading forward, backward, up, down, and diagonally, always in a straight line. Do not skip over any letters. Some of the letters in a diagram are used in more than one word and some are not used in any words. When you locate a word in the diagram, draw a loop around it by dragging your finger from one end of the word to the other. Correct words will be looped in the diagram and crossed off on the word list. What makes our puzzle games special? That's easy—consistently superior editorial quality, as provided by the expert editors at Penny Press and Dell Magazines, PuzzleNation.com and other leading puzzlemakers from around the world.

Gesture Drawing

Gesture Drawing: Foundation of the Figure breaks down the complexity of figure drawing into a simple, step by step process; containing over 60 pages of instruction and exercises, and close to 200 hundred gesture drawing examples and diagrams. It covers topics from the first lines you make in a drawing to anatomy and light and shadow that will help the beginner and the professional alike.

The NEW Comedy Bible

The New Comedy Bible is a step-by-step, no excuses manual for writing, performing, and launching your career as a stand-up comic. Written by Judy Carter, the author of The Comedy Bible (2001), which was called by The Washington Post and Forbes as a "Comedy Essential." This new book, penned in classic Carter's style -- part career coach and part comedy dominatrix -- has 100% new content where you will: - Partake in 48 new exercises to turn your problems into punchlines - Create 60 minutes of new material - Discover your authentic comedy persona - Conquer stage fright and slay hecklers - Push part procrastination and get booked Whether you're a beginner just starting out or a pro looking to create new material for your next Netflix Comedy Special, Carter's proven methods are legendary among today's top performers. Alumni of her workshops include: Seth Rogan, Hannah Gadsby, Sherri Sheppard, and Maz Jobrani among others. As Lily Tomlin says, "Judy Carter helps others find their authentic persona and communicate in a way that makes audiences laugh." Interviewed by Oprah Winfrey, she said, "Judy Carter can show you how to make your sense of humor pay off." The exercises in this book will get you off the couch and onto the stage, helping you develop the skills necessary to envision, and achieve, a successful career in comedy.

I Remember Jim Morrison

The life and times of Jim Morrison of the Doors by Alan Graham, brother-in-law of the deceased singer. www.irememberjimmorrison.com

GTO Poker Simplified

Game Theory Optimal (GTO) poker strategy has split the poker world. It has changed the way elite professionals think about the game but for most players it seems out of reach and difficult to grasp. There is a belief that the ‘GTO Wizards’ in poker are progressing at such a pace that regular players will never be able to catch up to them. This is not true. Anyone can take the lessons from modern solver technology and apply it to their own game. GTO Poker Simplified dispels the myth that you need to be a genius to understand game theory in poker. It provides easily digestible and actionable changes you can make right now that will quickly bring your game up to speed in the modern era. This book takes the mystery out of GTO for good. It contains groundbreaking insights that many professional poker players are not aware of, including: *How to play your range instead of your hand *When blockers determine when to bluff or make huge hero calls *How to construct unexploitable ranges *The optimal bet sizing strategies, from small bets to overbets *The way to choose the best bluffs and value bets *How to adapt these strategies against recreational players or top professionals Dara O’Kearney is a professional poker player, sponsored Unibet Pro and the co-host of The Chip Race Podcast. He is highly regarded as one of the best tournament grinders and poker coaches in the world, with a particular focus on modern solver technology. He is the co-author of Poker Satellite Strategy, PKO Poker Strategy and Endgame Poker Strategy. In this book an amateur player can take the modern poker theory of the super high rollers and apply it to their own game. It covers everything from preflop ranges, the flop/turn/river and more. It also delves into multiway pots, ICM, tournaments and cash games, mindset, bankroll, player populations and much more. This book covers everything you need to know to play optimal poker whatever stakes and level you are at. "Dara is one of the best modern day poker teachers. GTO concepts can be overwhelming, but in this book he smooths them out nicely. Dara makes hard poker content easy to understand and digest. Another brilliant addition here to his poker book series." Kevin Martin - Poker Pro & Twitch Streamer.

How to Draw What You See

The 35th anniversary edition of the classic how-to book that has helped millions of artists learn to draw. When it was originally published in 1970, How to Draw What You See zoomed to the top of Watson-Guptill’s best-seller list—and it has remained there ever since. “I believe that you must be able to draw things as you see them—realistically,” wrote Rudy de Reyna in his introduction. Today, generations of artists have learned to draw what they see, to truly capture the world around them, using de Reyna’s methods. How to Draw What You See shows artists how to recognize the basic shape of an object—cube, cylinder, cone, or sphere—and use that shape to draw the object, no matter how much detail it contains.

Urban Watercolor Sketching

A guide that shows painters, drawers, doodlers, and urban sketchers how to bring their drawings to life with colorful, bold, yet accessible painting methods. Watercolor sketching is a rapidly emerging technique that enlivens sketches done in pen or pencil with the expressive washes, glazes, and luminous hues of watercolor . This lushly illustrated resource teaches artists on the go how to sketch with watercolor, rendering subjects efficiently and without inhibitions. Readers are guided through all aspects of the medium, from fundamental techniques including wet-on-wet, glazing, and washes; materials and supplies; and little known tips and tricks for getting the most out of watercolor (for example, just sprinkling a little salt on your painting creates a texture that's impossible to achieve with a brush.) A strong focus color theory provides a solid foundation for enhancing drawings with vibrant hues.

Music

Produced in association with the Smithsonian and including images from The National Music Museum in South Dakota, Music: The Definitive Visual History guides readers through the progression of music since its prehistoric beginnings, discussing not just Western classical music, but music from all around the world. Telling the story of musical developments, era by era, linking musical theory, technology, and human genius into the narrative, Music: The Definitive Visual History profiles the lives of groundbreaking musicians from Mozart to Elvis, takes an in-depth look at the history and function of various instruments, and includes listening suggestions for each music style. Anyone with an interest in music will enjoy learning about the epic journey the art has taken over the years and will learn to appreciate music with a new ear.

Generation Friends

A fascinating behind-the-scenes look at Friends , published for the twenty-fifth anniversary of the show's premiere. Howyoudoin’? In September 1994, six friends sat down in their favorite coffee shop and began bantering about sex, relationships, jobs, and just about everything else. A quarter of a century later, new fans are still finding their way into the lives of Rachel, Ross, Joey, Chandler, Monica, and Phoebe, and thanks to the show’s immensely talented creators, its intimate understanding of its youthful audience, and its reign during network television’s last moment of dominance, Friends has become the most influential and beloved show of its era. Friends has never gone on a break, and this is the story of how it all happened. Noted pop culture historian Saul Austerlitz utilizes exclusive interviews with creators David Crane and Marta Kauffman, executive producer Kevin Bright, director James Burrows, and many other producers, writers, and cast members to tell the story of Friends ’ creation, its remarkable decade-long run, and its astonishing Netflix-fueled afterlife. Readers will go behind the scenes to hear from the people who were present as the show was developed and cast, written and filmed. There will be talk of trivia contests, prom videos, trips to London, Super Bowls, lesbian weddings, wildly popular hairstyles, superstar cameos, mad dashes to the airport, and million-dollar contracts. They’ll also discover surprising details—that Monica and Joey were the show’s original romantic couple, how Danielle Steel probably saved Jennifer Aniston’s career, and why Friends is still so popular that if it was a new show, its over-the-air broadcast reruns would be the ninth-highest-rated program on TV. The show that defined the 1990s has a legacy that has endured beyond wildest expectations. And in this hilarious, informative, and entertaining book, readers will now understand why.

1001 Chess Exercises for Beginners

Chess is 99% tactics. If this celebrated observation is true for the master, how much more so for beginners and casual players! If you want to win more games, nothing works better than training combinations. There are two types of books on tactics, those that introduce the concepts followed by some examples, and workbooks that contain numerous exercises. Chess masters and trainers Franco Masetti and Roberto Messa have done both: they explain the basic tactical ideas AND provide an enormous amount of exercises for each different theme. Masetti and Messa have created a great first tactics book. It teaches you how to: ¯ identify weak spots in the position of your opponent ¯ recognize patterns of combinations ¯ visualize tricks. 1001 Chess Exercises for Beginners can also be used as a course text book, because only the most didactically productive exercises have been used.

Understanding Audio

Understanding Audio explores the fundamentals of audio and acoustics that impact every stage of the music recording process. Whether you are a musician setting up your first Pro Tools project studio, or you are a seasoned recording engineer or producer eager to find a reference that fills in the gaps in your understanding of audio, this book is for you. Understanding Audio will enable you to develop a thorough understanding of the underlying principles of sound, and take some of the mystery and guesswork out of how equipment setup affects the quality of your recordings. Projects at the end of each chapter will assist you in applying these principles to your own recording environment. Learn about: Basic and Advanced audio theory; Cables and studio wiring; Recording studio and console signal flow; Digital and analog audio; Studio and listening room acoustics; Psychoacoustics; In the Studio insights, relating audio principles to real recording situations; and so much more] f Miami-Florida

The Artist's Reality

One of the most important artists of the twentieth century, Mark Rothko (193–197) created a new and impassioned form of abstract painting over the course of his career. Rothko also wrote a number of essays and critical reviews during his lifetime, adding his thoughtful, intelligent, and opinionated voice to the debates of the contemporary art world. Although the artist never published a book of his varied and complex views, his heirs indicate that he occasionally spoke of the existence of such a manuscript to friends and colleagues. Stored in a New York City warehouse since the artist’s death more than thirty years ago, this extraordinary manuscript, titled The Artist’s Reality, is now being published for the first time. Probably written around 194–41, this revelatory book discusses Rothko’s ideas on the modern art world, art history, myth, beauty, the challenges of being an artist in society, the true nature of ̶American art,” and much more. The Artist’s Reality also includes an introduction by Christopher Rothko, the artist’s son, who describes the discovery of the manuscript and the complicated and fascinating process of bringing the manuscript to publication. The introduction is illustrated with a small selection of relevant examples of the artist’s own work as well as with reproductions of pages from the actual manuscript. The Artist’s Reality will be a classic text for years to come, offering insight into both the work and the artistic philosophies of this great painter.

Texas Hold'em For Dummies

The most fun you can have learning Texas Hold’em (and we ain’t bluffin’) Playing Texas Hold’em is about the most fun you can have with two cards in your hand. Navigating the slang, rules, and intricacies of the game can be challenging, though. With Texas Hold’em For Dummies , 2nd Edition, you’ll learn the tricks you need to know to win your first online or in-person game. From ranking the various poker hands to applying betting strategies, this book helps you build the skills necessary to achieve poker room success. In Texas Hold’em For Dummies , you’ll learn to: Improve your chances at casinos and in online poker rooms Participate in a poker tournament with confidence Bluff, bet, raise, and fold in the right way at the right times The perfect handbook for beginning poker players who want to play in-person or online, Texas Hold’em For Dummies is also an essential companion for more experienced players looking to brush up on the fundamentals and improve their skills.

Hogwarts Legacy - Strategy Guide

Experience Hogwarts in the 1800s. Make allies, battle Dark wizards, and ultimately decide the fate of the wizarding world. Your legacy is what you make of it. Live the Unwritten. The guide for Hogwarts Legacy features everything you need to know to forge your legacy! Learn how to solve some of the trickiest puzzles, find Field Guide Pages and Collection Chests, and how to obtain every spell. - Tips on How to Play - Walkthrough for the toughest dungeons and trickiest puzzles - Information on Side Quests - Where to find all the Collectibles - How to obtain every Spell - Complete Every Challenge - Details on every Choice - Defeat the deadliest Bosses

How to Play Go: A Beginners to Expert Guide to Learn The Game of Go

Discover the Fascinating Eastern Game That’s Lasted for Millennia! What is Go? Go is a deceptively simple two-player game, played on square boards of various sizes. According to legend, the Chinese Emperor Yau invented this game to teach his son concentration, balance, and discipline. Over time, this game spread to Japan – and across the globe. For over four millennia, war leaders and sages have consulted this game to learn strategy, wisdom, and mental mastery. Inside How to Play Go , you’ll discover everything you need to know to play this ancient game. You’ll learn all the basics of capturing territory and pieces (including self-capture), handling dead stones, and mastering the endgame. This book explains the scoring system of Go – and how to grow from a beginner player to true mastery. How to Play Go explains advanced Go concepts like the Ko Rule, Eyes, and Dead/Live Groups. You’ll discover Atari, Handicaps, Komi, Cutting, and much more! Immerse yourself in a vast array of Go strategies: Territory Capturing The Ladder and the Net Good/Bad Shapes Ponnuki The Mouth Connections, Stretching, and Diagonals One-Point and Two-Point Jumps The Knight Move and the Large Knight Move With this information, you can master this mystical game and increase your mental power!

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