The Alhambra; the red fort on its rocky hill above Granada with its fountained courts and gardens and intricate decoration has long been a byword for exotic and melancholy beauty. In a stimulating new book in the Wonders of the World series Robert Irwin; Arabist and novelist; examines its engrossing and often mysterious history. Built by a bloody and threatened dynasty of Muslim Spain; the Alhambra was preserved as a monument to the triumph of Christianity. Much of what we see is the invention of later generations. Its highly sophisticated decoration is not just random but full of hidden meaning. Even its purpose - palace or theological college - is not always clear. Its influence on art; and on literature; orientalist painting and Granada cinemas; Washington Irving and Borges; has been significant. Robert Irwin enables us to understand the Alhambras history fully. The Wonders of the World is a series of books that focuses on some of the worlds most famous sites or monuments. Their names will be familiar to almost everyone: they have achieved iconic stature and are loaded with mythological baggage. These monuments have been the subject of many books over the centuries; but our aim; through the skill and stature of the writers; is to get something much more enlightening; stimulating; even controversial; than straightforward histories or guides.
#616932 in eBooks 2009-10-09 2009-10-09File Name: B00436EZXU
Review
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful. Spilling Left Me ConfusedBy Michelle WeathersonI wanted to like "Journal Spilling." I really did. And certainly when you read all the other glowing reviews of the book. there is something in Diana Trouts approach in this book that was totally lost on me. Im still not sure I have a clear grasp on what she means by spilling other than to let whatever comes flow onto the journal page. If my understanding is correct. then at least she was consistent in the message. because thats the way the book read to me as well. Ideas. information. technique all spilled onto the page without consideration for logical flow. I guess at a higher level. the book moves from materials and supplies. to various spilling techniques to personal observations. but then there are some more techniques and exercises layered on top and thrown in in between. Read in small. isolated bits. the content is engaging. Read from beginning to end. well. sorry to say that for me at least. I was left a little unsatisfied. Your mileage may very of course...and it obviously did for most reviewers.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Not as inspiring as I hoped.By Mitza McCordI was really looking forward to getting this book and was surprised that when it arrived. it really didnt meet my expectations. It had glowing reviews so I guess I was expecting something new and innovative. but it is really more of the same when it comes to journaling. I read about 1/3 of the book and started noticing duplication of info and ideas so I didnt feel compelled to finish the book. I just wish it had been more inspiring.40 of 41 people found the following review helpful. A creativity companion for the long haulBy Ever the ArtistIve had this wonderful book in hand for only a few weeks. but its already unlocked so many ideas and gotten my work flowing again. I look forward to spending oodles more time with its kindly. steady. positive tone of encouragement. I expect to find it useful whether or not I keep an on-going art journal; there are so many wonderful techniques to play with. and each exploration is likely to lead to multiple new and fruitful trails. I think it will be valuable to artists all along the spectrum of experience. from those just discovering a direction. to more developed artists looking to jumpstart out of creative stalls.
