This Art Book contains annotated reproductions of Michelangelo Buonarroti drawings; date and interesting facts page below. A sculptor; architect; painter; and graphic artist; Michelangelo cannot be assigned definitely to any of those genres. The drawing as a medium for developing new ideas and conveying artistic thoughts; however; is the connecting link to and the basis of all his creative activities. During the Renaissance; drawing was established as the basis of every genre of art. Michelangelo viewed his drawings as material he needed for his work. Contemporaries of Michelangelo collected his drawings during his lifetime and guarded them like precious gems. Presently; the total number of his existing drawings is around 600.
2010-01-01 2010-01-01File Name: B00RZLH41U
Review
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful. The NSDAP in BerlinBy F. HendersonThomas Friedrichs book deals; primarily; with the story of the NSDAP in Berlin during the Kampfzeit ("Time of Struggle"). It is clear that considerable research went into this book and the author has produced a highly-readable narrative of this fascinating time.The book covers a wide range of topics: Hitlers first visits as a soldier during the Great War; the Kapp Putsch; the rise from mediocrity of the NSDAP in the city; the Stennes Mutiny; etc. A large portion of the story involves Goebbels as he was the Gauleiter of Berlin starting in 1926. The author relies not only on the diary entries of Goebbels but also; and more importantly; the newspapers of the time - at one point there were over 40 in Berlin! Its fascinating to read how some journalists recognized the dangers of the NSDAP yet others completely dismissed it as a political power.A personal highlight was the telling of the Eden Dance Palace trial in 1931. Four members of the SA were standing trial for an attack on Communist rally that involved the shooting of 3 members of the Communist Party. Hitler was ordered to appear as witness and took the opportunity to launch into long political explanations to any question he was asked. Hans Litten; a young lawyer; proceeded to ask Hitler more concrete questions which led to Hitler becoming flustered on the stand. Unfortunately this episode led to the downfall of Litten; who was arrested after the Reichstag Fire. He eventually committed suicide in Dachau.The book ran out of steam following the Machtergreifung ("Seizure of Power"). The discussion of the planned redevelopment of Berlin was interesting but seemed out of place given the contents of the rest of the book.All in all; this was a very good book. I would have liked to have seen more detail in some areas but it works as a general overview of the time3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Comprehensive analysis of the struggle for powerBy Bill StevensonThe title of this book is deceiving as it really is a well researched analysis of Hitlers political maneuverings during the struggle for power. In fact it might the the best overall of any book I have read in the English language on this subject. Heavily footnoted; it is a dense read and well worth the effort. Highly recommended.10 of 12 people found the following review helpful. How Hitler Did It!By Ronald H. ClarkThis book turned out to be somewhat different than I had expected from the title. I assumed it would focus on Hitlers views of Berlin; its architecture and urban design; and his plans to scrap a lot of it and create the new world capital of "Germania." Only in the last chapter; pp. 343-372; does the author address Hitlers grand design for Germania and the remaking of Berlins architecture.The real focus of this 482 page volume (including notes and index) is how the Nazi party in Berlin in the 1920s; of a few dozen; grew into a force of many thousands with sufficient power to facilitate Hitlers Reichstag victories and eventual appointment by Hindenberg as Chancellor. This is one of the most complete studies I have seen of how the party grew and eventually triumphed.The surprising central character of the book is Joseph Goebbels; who came to Berlin in 1926 to try and save the infant Berlin party outpost. For the most part; until he becomes Chancellor in 1933; Hitler spent for more time at the partys central headquarters in Munich. Goebbels turns out to have been a master organizer and propagandist; not to mention a skilled public speaker. He utilized both propaganda and mass meetings; and the threat of violence; to raise dramatically the partys public visibility. During the late 20s; there were dozens of right-wing groups; many paramilitary in design; who were plotting to overthrow the Weimar government. Goebbels task was to get the party to stand out in this confusing mishmash. Large public meetings and the publication of his newspaper "Der Angriff" were especially effective; as was the start of the "cult" of Hitler which fascinated the working classes.The other big thing the party had going for it was the evolution and incredible growth of the SA Brown Shirts; which came in handy in violence against Communists and Jews; in these wild days in Berlin when street wars were frequent. We start to see how Hitler began to lose control of the SA; with its penchant for violence while Hitler is trying to convince the authorities that he would not take power by force--which he didnt. The famous "Night of the Long Knives" was how Hitler eventually resolve what he had come to see as a threat to his control of the party. Count Helldorf; the Berlin leader of the SA; and close ally of Hitler; is an interesting and new figure to me. Ironically; he later in 1944 participated in the July Plot to kill Hitler and was executedBy 1933; when the party had achieved significant electoral victories; the looming presence of the SA; and its threatening demeanor; obviously played a big role in convincing President Hindenberg to offer the Chancellorship to Hitler. But that familiar story is not the heart of this fine book--rather; how Goebbels built up the Berlin party organization despite fierce competition from other right-wing groups to make it play a key role in the partys ultimate victory has not often been recounted so completely or with such clarity. This book; authored by a native Berlin museum curator and skillfully translated; admirably fills out our understanding of what techniques the Nazis used to take power.
