An intimate narrative history of porcelain; structured around five journeys through landscapes where porcelain was dreamed about; fired; refined; collected; and coveted.Extraordinary new nonfiction; a gripping blend of history and memoir; by the author of the award-winning and bestselling international sensation; The Hare with the Amber Eyes.In The White Road; bestselling author and artist Edmund de Waal gives us an intimate narrative history of his lifelong obsession with porcelain; or "white gold." A potter who has been working with porcelain for more than forty years; de Waal describes how he set out on five journeys to places where porcelain was dreamed about; refined; collected and coveted-and that would help him understand the clays mysterious allure. From his studio in London; he starts by travelling to three "white hills"-sites in China; Germany and England that are key to porcelains creation. But his search eventually takes him around the globe and reveals more than a history of cups and figurines; rather; he is forced to confront some of the darkest moments of twentieth-century history.Part memoir; part history; part detective story; The White Road chronicles a global obsession with alchemy; art; wealth; craft; and purity. In a sweeping yet intimate style that recalls The Hare with the Amber Eyes; de Waal gives us a singular understanding of "the spectrum of porcelain" and the mapping of desire.
#739889 in eBooks 2015-04-10 2015-04-10File Name: B00VX8XSLQ
Review
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful. Simply Brilliant!!!By Kindle CustomerSimply Brilliant! This book could NOT have been written by ANYONE else. Andreas KNEW almost all of them. So these are FACTS; not opinions.I worked at Disney Animation many years ago. And I have been waiting along time for a book like this! The way Andreas fills the page with heartfelt stories; and techniques and using negative space to fill with beautiful images. BREATHTAKING! If youre a fan of a Walt Disney; Andreas Deja or animation you MUST buy this book!I cant wait to sit down and start sketching! Not that I can hold a candle to any of these artists. But you cant help to be utterly inspired. Thank you Andreas! A legend animator creates a legendary book!!!3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. The Work of the Nine Old MenBy VThe Nine Old Men; the key animators of the 1940s and 50s; continue to inspire many up and coming animators.Andreas Deja; one of the leading Disney animators of the Renaissance era; knew and was taught by most of the Nine Old Men and writes about their careers and contributions to Disney Animation.Unlike Canemakers earlier book which chronicled the lives of the Nine Old Men; Deja focuses on their skills and animation style while providing many animation sketches of a few scenes from a given film. I love the craft of these animation drawings.For up and coming animators; this should provide inspiration and insight on how to approach various animation aspects.Deja has hinted on writing about the other "earlier generation" of Disney animators as well as coffee table books on individual animators such as Milt Kahl (which would be a real treat).A great read for animators and Disney enthusiasts.10 of 11 people found the following review helpful. Wow! Amazing!!!By JimI waited a good long time for this book to finally come out. I have been fascinated with Disneys 9 old men and their work for quite some time. I also have been following Andreas Dejas blog; also being a big fan of his storied lifes work. I finally received my copy of the book and was not disappointed at all! What a great resource for fans of traditional 2D animation this book is! The insights of Andreas Deja are like no other; he knew these men and worked closely with most of them during his apprenticeship and career with Disney. If you are a fan of Disney; this book is a must have. If you know someone who aspires to me an animator; again this book is a must!!!
