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Ben Katchor (Biographix #2)
by Benjamin FraserThe recipient of a 2000 MacArthur fellowship, Ben Katchor (b. 1951) is a beloved comics artist with a career spanning four decades. Published in indie weeklies across the United States, his comics are known for evoking the sensorium of the modern metropolis. As part of the Biographix series edited by Frederick Luis Aldama, Ben Katchor offers scholars and fans a thorough overview of the artist’s career from 1988 to 2020. In some of his early strips published in the 1980s in the New York Press and Forward, Katchor introduced one of his quintessential characters, Julius Knipl, a real estate photographer. By crafting Knipl as an urban flâneur prone to wandering, Katchor was able to variously demonstrate his absurd humor and linguistic whimsy alongside narratives packed with social critique. Three volumes collecting the Julius Knipl strips, Julius Knipl, Real Estate Photographer; Cheap Novelties: The Pleasures of Urban Decay; and The Beauty Supply District, helped cement Katchor as a distinguished comics artist and social commentator. Later works, such as The Cardboard Valise, Hand-Drying in America, and The Dairy Restaurant, have diversified his comics legacy. Rooted in close analyses of the artist’s numerous series and collections, each chapter in Ben Katchor is dedicated to a distinct aspect of the urban experience. Individual pages from Katchor’s work depict not only the visual, but also the auditory, tactile, and olfactory dimensions of life in the city.
Ben Katchor: Conversations (Conversations with Comic Artists Series)
by Ian GordonAuthor Michael Chabon described Ben Katchor (b. 1951) as “the creator of the last great American comic strip.” Katchor’s comic strip Julius Knipl, Real Estate Photographer, which began in 1988, brought him to the attention of the readers of alternative weekly newspapers along with a coterie of artists who have gone on to public acclaim. In the mid-1990s, NPR ran audio versions of several Julius Knipl stories, narrated by Katchor and starring Jerry Stiller in the title role.An early contributor to RAW, Katchor also contributed to Forward, the New Yorker, Slate, and weekly newspapers. He edited and published two issues of Picture Story, which featured his own work, with articles and stories by Peter Blegvad, Jerry Moriarty, and Mark Beyer. In addition to being a dramatist, Katchor has been the subject of profiles in the New Yorker, a recipient of a MacArthur “Genius Grant” and a Guggenheim Fellowship, and a fellow at both the American Academy in Berlin and the New York Public Library.Katchor’s work is often described as zany or bizarre, and author Douglas Wolk has characterized his work as “one or two notches too far” beyond an absurdist reality. And yet the work resonates with its audience because, as was the case with Knipl’s journey through the wilderness of a decaying city, absurdity was only what was usefully available; absurdity was the reality. Julius Knipl, Real Estate Photographer presaged the themes of Katchor’s work: a concern with the past, an interest in the intersection of Jewish identity and a secular commercial culture, and the limits and possibilities of urban life.
Ben Shahn's American Scene: Photographs, 1938
by John RaeburnThe paintings, murals, and graphics of Ben Shahn (1898-1969) have made him one of the most heralded American artists of the twentieth century, but during the 1930s he was also among the nation's premier photographers. Much of his photographic work was sponsored by the New Deal's Farm Security Administration, where his colleagues included Dorothea Lange and Walker Evans. Ben Shahn's American Scene: Photographs, 1938 presents one hundred superb photographs from his most ambitious FSA project, a survey of small-town life in the Depression. John Raeburn's accompanying text illuminates the thematic and formal significance of individual photographs and reveals how, taken together, they address key cultural and political issues of the years leading up to World War II. Shahn's photographs highlight conflicts between traditional values and the newer ones introduced by modernity as represented by the movies, chain stores, and the tantalizing allure of consumer goods, and they are particularly rich in observation about the changes brought about by Americans' universal reliance on the automobile. They also explore the small town's standing as the nation's symbol of democratic community and expose the discriminatory social and racial practices that subverted this ideal in 1930s America.
Ben Shahn, On Nonconformity
by Laura KatzmanA richly illustrated new exploration of the painting, photography, and illustration of the politically progressive American artist Ben Shahn, On Nonconformity offers a fresh and wide-ranging account of the work of Ben Shahn (1898–1969), a Jewish immigrant from Russian-controlled Lithuania who became one of America&’s most prominent and prolific &“social viewpoint&” artists from the Great Depression through the Vietnam War.Revealing why Shahn remains so relevant today, the book examines his commitment to progressive political causes, from combating fascism to fighting for civil rights. Incorporating international perspectives, it investigates his World War II poster art, labor-related work, and engagement in postwar artistic debates. It brings new insights to Shahn&’s social realist and documentary styles and their evolution into allegorical, lyrical, and often abstract idioms that embrace the philosophical and the spiritual. And it demonstrates the underappreciated complexity of Shahn&’s layered visual language and how he experimented with modernist conceptual strategies—often involving photography—to create his paintings, murals, drawings, prints, posters, illustrated books, and commercial designs.Shahn&’s guiding credo—formulated in the Cold War—asserted that nonconformity was the precondition for all significant art and great social change. Ben Shahn, On Nonconformity illuminates why the artist&’s work should be seen as a series of &“nonconformities&” driven by his steadfast dedication to social justice and humanistic values.Published by the Jewish Museum, New York and the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, Madrid, in association with Princeton University PressExhibition ScheduleThe Jewish Museum, New YorkMay 23–October 12, 2025
Bend Food: Stories of Local Farms and Kitchens (American Palate)
by Sara Rishforth Emil TeagueThe views surrounding Bend don't exactly conjure notions of traditional farmland. Snowy mountains frame open vistas dotted with gnarled juniper trees and sagebrush. By day, the landscape is blanketed under a blazing sun, while cold nights bring relief beneath bright stars. Despite these extremes, agriculture thrives, thanks to the hard work of dedicated farmers and ranchers. Irrigated fields support bountiful crops at Fields Farm and Mahonia Gardens. Farmers' markets, most notably at NorthWest Crossing, bustle with people buying local produce, dairy, eggs, meat and honey. Visit places like the Great American Egg to learn about the business of raising chickens and Jackson's Corner for a delicious sample of what eating local tastes like. Author Sara Rishforth goes behind the scenes to present the story of the local farm-to-table movement.
Bend the Rules: Join-the-dot puzzles to absorb and inform
by Trevor BounfordA dot-to-dot book with a difference - for anyone who can use a ruler. Using a ruler, draw a straight line between the numbered dots, connecting them in sequence, and watch how the mind assembles the series of lines to create an illusion of a curve, or curves. If you use a pencil to complete the puzzle in the first instance, you can correct any mistakes, then ink in the lines for the final art. The book nourishes the mind as well as the senses though - the "curve stitching" effects have long fascinated mathematicians and the book will provide mathematics teachers and parents with something worthwhile with which to occupy students profitably. Teacher and parent notes are provided on how to use the book. Ultimately though, this is book for those who like to create and who like visual illusions. Hours of fun!
Beneath Missouri Stars: A Quilting Cozy
by Carol Dean JonesSenior sleuth Sarah Miller takes center stage when quilting, country music, and murder combine in a crafty mystery that includes a bonus quilting pattern.When sixty-eight-year-old Sarah Miller moves into the Cunningham Village retirement community, she is mourning the loss of her husband and the place that has been home for forty-two years. But Sarah is a survivor. As she reaches out into the retirement community that is to become home, she finds friends, activities, new hobbies, and a love interest. The highly anticipated eleventh installment of this series of cozy mysteries begins with an appearance from Austin Bailey, renowned country singer—but before his concert can get off the ground, a young girl is murdered, and Sarah and her feisty cohort are hot on the case!
Beneath the Big Top: A Social History of the Circus in Britain
by Steve Ward&“A valuable and illuminating read, shedding a lot of light on the political, economic and technological factors that have driven circus evolution&” (The Circus Diaries). Beneath the Big Top is a social history of the circus, from its ancient roots to the rise of the &“modern&” tented travelling shows. A performer and founder of a circus group, Steve Ward draws on eyewitness accounts and contemporary interviews to explore the triumphs and disasters of the circus world. He reveals the stories beneath the big top during the golden age of the circus and the lives of circus folk, which were equally colorful outside the ring: • Pablo Fanque, Britain&’s first black circus proprietor • The Chipperfield dynasty, who started out in 1684 on the frozen Thames • Katie Sandwina, world&’s strongest woman and part-time crime-fighter • The Sylvain brothers, who fell in love with the same woman in the ring &“As a former circus performer and now teacher and circus professional I thoroughly enjoyed this book!! The Circus has such a rich history and Steve does an amazing job at not only chronicling it but also telling entertaining and wonderful stories throughout. The photos are also amazing!! I recommend this book for both circus professionals and also for everyone else . . . it is a fabulous read for all!!&” —Carrie Heller, Circus Arts Institute (Atlanta, GA)
Beneath the Moon: Fairy Tales, Myths, and Divine Stories from Around the World
by Yoshi YoshitaniPowerful and universal retellings of seventy-eight divine stories, legends, and myths from around the world, each accompanied by a gorgeous illustration from acclaimed artist Yoshi Yoshitani.Many of the lessons we learn are shared stories passed among cultures and generations. In this riveting collection of fables and folktales from cultures across the globe, characters from beloved fairytales, cultural fables, ancient mythologies, and inspirational deities are brought to life, including Sleeping Beauty (Italy), Rapunzel (Germany), Jack and the Beanstalk (England), Our Lady of Guadalupe (Mexico), Sun God Ra (Egypt), the Crane Wife (Japan), and dozens more. Lesser-known stories introduce characters such as the volcano goddess Pele from Hawaii; Mwindo, the wise and powerful king of the Nyanga people; and the strong and resilient Yennenga, mother of the Mossi people in Burkina Faso. The recurring themes of conquering evil, overcoming adversity, and finding love and companionship are woven throughout this collection.Yoshi Yoshitani's art style is fresh and unique, featuring diverse and multicultural characters. Each story will be featured opposite a correlating illustration, both lush and vibrant.
Beneath the Sands of Egypt: Adventures of an Unconventional Archaeologist
by Donald P. Ryan“Donald Ryan is a rare bird—a field archaeologist who can write with verve and immediacy. I heartily recommend his book to all Egyptology buffs.”—Barbara Mertz ( a.k.a. Elizabeth Peters), author of Temples, Tombs, and HieroglyphsA real-life “Indiana Jones,” Donald P. Ryan, Ph.D., offers a breathtaking personal account of his adventures in archaeology in Beneath the Sands of Egypt. Fans of The Lost City of Z will thrill to the exploits of this “unconventional archaeologist” as he retrieves the remains of Egypt’s past—including his breakthrough discovery in the Valley of the Kings of Egypt’s famous female pharaoh, Hatshepsut.
Beneath the Swirling Sky (The Restorationists #1)
by Carolyn LeiloglouA house full of paintings, a missing sister, and a family secret send a boy and his cousin into a world where art is the key in this fantasy adventure perfect for fans of The Wingfeather Saga and Pages & Co.&“A delightful adventure, excellent for reading aloud. This book will make you want to study Van Gogh and get out the paintbrushes!&”—Sarah Mackenzie, founder and host of Read-Aloud Revival® and author of The Read-Aloud FamilyAfter an experience he&’d rather forget, Vincent is determined to be done with art. So when he and his little sister, Lili, spend spring break with their art conservator great-uncle, Vincent&’s plan is to stay glued to his phone.That is, until Lili disappears into one of the world&’s most famous paintings and Vincent learns his parents have been hiding something from him: Their family is the last of The Restorationists, a secret society with the power to travel through paintings—and a duty to protect them from evil forces.With Lili&’s safety on the line, leaving art behind is no longer an option. Vincent must team up with his know-it-all second-cousin Georgia, wrestle with why his parents lied to him, and confront both his past and a future he never wanted. Young readers are invited into a captivating universe where paintings become a portal—and adventure and danger lurk beyond every canvas.
Benedict Cumberstitch: Crossstitch Mr Cumberbatch In 15 Great Patterns
by Angela WrightYou've watched all his films, you've coloured him in, and, let's face it, you've tried out how your signature would look with 'Cumberbatch' at the end of it - now it's time to get stitching! Benedict Cumberstitch is your unofficial guide to creating a series of amazing cross stitch designs featuring the Cumberbatch in all his glory. Beginners can quickly pick up the simple yet addictive art of cross stitch, and seasoned stitchers will be delighted by the range of designs on offer. Whether you want to see him smouldering in a tuxedo, delivering a soliloquy as Hamlet, or photobombing with the best of them, there's sure to be patterns here to satisfy even the most dedicated of Cumberbitches.
Benedict Cumberstitch: Crossstitch Mr Cumberbatch in 15 great patterns
by Angela WrightYou've watched all his films, you've coloured him in, and, let's face it, you've tried out how your signature would look with 'Cumberbatch' at the end of it - now it's time to get stitching! Benedict Cumberstitch is your unofficial guide to creating a series of amazing cross stitch designs featuring the Cumberbatch in all his glory. Beginners can quickly pick up the simple yet addictive art of cross stitch, and seasoned stitchers will be delighted by the range of designs on offer. Whether you want to see him smouldering in a tuxedo, delivering a soliloquy as Hamlet, or photobombing with the best of them, there's sure to be patterns here to satisfy even the most dedicated of Cumberbitches.
Benjamin Franklin Parkway, The
by Harry KyriakodisThe Benjamin Franklin Parkway has sliced through the Logan Square neighborhood of Center City (downtown) Philadelphia since World War I. Named after Philadelphia's favorite son, the mile-long boulevard begins at city hall and heads diagonally towards Logan Circle before reaching the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The postcards and other images in this work show the parkway's development and its role in Philadelphia's civic and cultural life. Despite often serving as a speedway into and out of town, the Ben Franklin Parkway is a triumph in urban planning that has become a treasured part of the City of Brotherly Love.
Benjamin Franklin: A Man of Many Talents
by Editors of TIME FOR KIDS Kathryn Hoffman SatterfieldA brief biography highlights some of the achievements of one of the most famous men from the early years of the United States.
Benjamin for Architects (Thinkers for Architects)
by Brian ElliottWalter Benjamin has become a decisive reference point for a whole range of critical disciplines, as he constructed a unique and provocative synthesis of aesthetics, politics and philosophy. Examining Benjamin’s contributions to cultural criticism in relation to the works of Max Ernst, Adolf Loos, Le Corbusier and Sigfried Giedion, this book also situates Benjamin’s work within more recent developments in architecture and urbanism. This is a concise, coherent account of the relevance of Walter Benjamin’s writings to architects, locating Benjamin’s critical work within the context of contemporary architecture and urbanism.
Bennewitz, Goethe, 'Faust'
by David G. JohnFritz Bennewitz (1926-1995) was the director-in-chief of East Germany's Weimar National Theatre. Extraordinary in his capacity for cultural and linguistic adjustment, he directed productions in twelve countries, always adapting shows to make them meaningful to local audiences. Notably, Bennewitz conducted stagings of Goethe's Faust in four different languages over a series of seven productions -- three in pre-unification Weimar, one in the reunited Germany, and one each in New York, Manila, and Mumbai.The first comprehensive account of Bennewitz's remarkable career, Bennewitz, Goethe, Faust is also a pioneering study of intercultural interpretations of Faust. David G. John brings to light previously unknown archival materials -- including annotated playbooks, correspondence, translations, videos, and reception information -- as well as unpublished production photos from the stagings discussed in the book. Bennewitz, Goethe, Faust makes a cogent argument for this director's place alongside the twentieth century's greatest theatre innovators.
Bennington (Postcard History Series)
by Bennington Historical Society Bennington MuseumNestled in the southwest corner of Vermont, Bennington is rich in history and natural beauty. On August 16, 1777, the Green Mountain Boys and militia from surrounding states defeated British troops at the Battle of Bennington. Like other small towns in New England, this agricultural community soon found its waterways dominated by large factories. When manufacturing declined in the early 1900s, the town reinvented itself as a tourist destination. Postcards promoting local scenery, quaint covered bridges, bustling downtown streets, modern amenities, and significant historic sites explained the town's importance to travelers and fostered local pride.
Benoit Bucks: Whitetail Tactics for a New Generation
by Bryce M. TowsleyJoin award-winning author Bryce M. Towsley as he picks the brains of three of the most successful white-tailed deer hunters in America today-Larry, Lane, and Shane Benoit. In this comprehensive volume, Towsley hunts for the real reasons behind the Benoits’ unbelievable knack for taking trophy bucks.While most people know the Benoits for their incredible tracking abilities, they are no longer one-dimensional in their hunting techniques. It is true that there may be no better deer hunters in America, but as Shane Benoit is quick to point out, "The whitetail survives because it is so adaptable, and if the whitetail hunter is to continue to survive and be successful, he had better follow their lead by learning to change and adapt too.” Despite fluctuations in climate, the Benoits have been led to do just that. They have been able to combine their extraordinary whitetail knowledge with new details and techniques to continue their successful track record of taking trophy whitetails.In Benoit Bucks, you will learn all the secrets behind how the Benoits have adapted to today’s hunting challenges to become the unbelievably successful, multi-dimensional hunters they are today.
Benson's Wild Animal Farm
by Bob GoldsackBenson's Wild Animal Farm in Hudson, New Hampshire, opened to the public in 1927. Due in part to the evolution of the automobile, the attraction grew in size and attendance to become one of New England's major family destinations. Benson's was a zoo to the public, a work station for many circus animal trainers and performers, and a source of summer employment for generations of local teenagers. The attraction closed in 1987 and a bit of Americana faded away, but its memory remains vivid to many. The property was sold to the state for the development of a highway, which never materialized. In 2009, after years of negotiations, the town purchased the land from the New Hampshire Department of Transportation with plans to develop it into a large park filled with picnic areas, walking paths, and bicycle trails. A Benson's museum is planned for the future.
Bent, Bound And Stitched: Collage, Cards And Jewelry With A Twist
by Tonia Davenport Giuseppina CirincioneBend, Shape and Stitch Your Creative Urges Into Expressive Works of Art!Dig out your craft supplies and dust off that forgotten stack of scrapbook papers. In the pages of Bent, Bound, and Stitched, the author of the wildly popular Collage Lost and Found shows you how to cut, glue and sew your way to dimensional collage works as unique as you are.Whether you're a collage artist ready for new techniques or a paper crafter looking to broaden your skills, reinventing your artwork is easy with complete step-by-step photos and instructions for twenty projects, including cards with decorative sewing-machine stitching, a pendant sporting a photo image on shrink plastic and even a photo stand for displaying your favorite snapshots. You'll learn to:Incorporate found objects into unique jewelry pieces using simple methods even beginners can master.Make the most of your stash of paper and rubber stamps, with fresh techniques to revamp your artwork arsenal without buying a thing.Personalize your work with the help of wire letters and one-of-a-kind shapes.Add interesting texture to paper projects with stencils, stitching and subtle sparkle.Let Bent, Bound and Stitched show you how to put a new twist on your creative expression, starting today.
Bento's Sketchbook
by John BergerA deeply moving exploration of the relationship between thinking and drawing, from the author of the groundbreaking Ways of SeeingThe seventeenth-century philosopher Baruch Spinoza (a.k.a. Bento) spent the most intense years of his short life writing. He also carried with him a sketchbook. After his sudden death, his friends rescued letters, manuscripts, notes—but no drawings.For years, without knowing what its pages might hold, John Berger has imagined finding Bento&’s sketchbook, wanting to see the drawings alongside his surviving words. When one day a friend gave him a beautiful virgin sketchbook, Berger said, &‘This is Bento&’s!&’ and he began to draw, taking inspiration from the philosopher&’s vision.In this beautifully illustrated book, Berger uses the imaginative space opened up in this experiment to explore politics, storytelling, Spinoza&’s life and times, and the process of drawing itself.
Benton MacKaye: Conservationist, Planner, and Creator of the Appalachian Trail (Creating the North American Landscape)
by Larry AndersonPlanner and originator of the Appalachian Trail and a cofounder of the Wilderness Society, Benton MacKaye (1879-1975) was a pioneer in linking the concepts of preservation and recreation. Spanning three-quarters of a century, his long and productive career had a major impact on emerging movements in conservation, environmentalism, and regional planning. MacKaye's seminal ideas on outdoor recreation, wilderness protection, land-use planning, community development, and transportation have inspired generations of activists, professionals, and adventurers seeking to strike a harmonious balance between human need and the natural environment.This pathbreaking biography provides the first complete portrait of this significant and unique figure in American environmental, intellectual, and cultural history. Drawing on extensive research, Larry Anderson traces MacKaye's extensive career, examines his many published works, and describes the importance of MacKaye's relationships with such influential figures as Lewis Mumford, Aldo Leopold, and Walter Lippmann. This book will appeal to students, scholars, and professionals in preservation, conservation, recreation, planning, and American studies, as well as general readers interested in these subjects.
Benton Mackaye: Conservationist, Planner, and Creator of the Appalachian Trail (Creating the North American Landscape)
by Larry AndersonThe life of the visionary conservationist who created the Appalachian Trail is chronicled in this &“first-rate biography of a unique American thinker&” (Mark Harvey, Journal of American History). Born in 1879, Wilderness Society cofounder Benton MacKaye was a pioneer in linking the concepts of preservation and recreation. Spanning three-quarters of a century, his career had a major impact on emerging movements in conservation, environmentalism, and regional planning. MacKaye's seminal ideas on outdoor recreation, wilderness protection, land-use planning, community development, and transportation have inspired generations of activists, professionals, and adventurers seeking to strike a harmonious balance between human need and the natural environment. This pathbreaking biography provides the first complete portrait of this significant figure in American environmental, intellectual, and cultural history. Drawing on extensive research, Larry Anderson traces MacKaye's extensive career, examines his many published works, and describes the importance of MacKaye's relationships with such influential figures as Lewis Mumford, Aldo Leopold, and Walter Lippmann.
Beowulf: A Ladybird Expert Book (The Ladybird Expert Series #26)
by Janina RamirezPart of the ALL-NEW LADYBIRD EXPERT SERIES'This accessible illustrated guide is a great introduction to the story, its origins and its enduring legacy' BBC HISTORY- Which is more terrifying - a monster or its mother? - Why did Berserkers run naked into battle? - How was the story of Beowulf almost lost forever?PLUNGE into the adventures of Beowulf, the 6th Century hero who defeated the monster Grendel, became king of his people, and slayed a tremendous dragon. Surviving in a single, burnt manuscript, Beowulf continues to entrance readers and inspire major works of fantasy today.WARRIORS. MONSTERS. DRAGONS. GOLD.Janina Ramirez's Beowulf is an accessible and authoritative guide to the spellbinding world and daring feats of a poem remembered through the centuries.