Quick and light, worth a read. / 
/ 2010-09-03
Definitely worth a read. Maeda's list of suggested books at the end is also very good.
It changes your daily life in a way / 
/ 2010-05-02
Still in the middle of this book, and although Maeda's line of organizing his ideas throughout the book is not the GREATEST one, lessons themselves are easy and inspiring to understand and get some parts of your daily life somehow different... especially when you deal with such a huge mass of information.
Simply don't read it / 
/ 2010-04-07
- The title is grand and but the content verges on filler anecdotes
- Maeda writes prosaically, meandering through numbered chapters.
- Where does Madea work? MIT, MIT, MIT, MIT. We get it.
- The acronyms are incredibly hard to remember.
- Why are there 10 rules instead of 11 or 3?
+ Thankfully, the book is short.
+ Tufte's "Envisioning Information" is the book you should read, if you haven't already, dealing with *this* subject thoughtfully and usefully.
- It feels like Maeda wanted to sink his design fangs into simplicity but while writing decided to save his teeth.
"If you can't describe it simply, you can't use it simply." / 
/ 2010-03-29
I watched a show about design on Ovation TV and it featured this book. At first glance, the book seems engaging and interesting. As I read on I felt like I was in a work sales meeting with acronyms a plenty. Don't get me wrong this book had a lot of interesting points but it was more work to read trying to remember all of the authors many acronyms. "If you can't describe it simply, you can't use it simply."--Anon
Simplicity Sells / 
/ 2010-03-15
Technology has created a swarm of information. People need technology presented to them in a simple way. Companies that achieve technology simplicity gain market success and market acceptance. However, simplicity is expense to achieve, but simplicity sells. People love design that makes their life simpler. For example, the microwave design and convenience created strong market demand. The demand for the microwave increase supply and competition drove down profit margins and price. Today, almost everyone owns a microwave oven. Simplicity can be achieved by reducing, organizing, timing, learning, understanding differences, putting things into context, understanding emotion, gaining trust, learning through failure, and adding meaning. Openness simplifies complexity. The more available resources the less complex barriers exist; use less to gain more; move away and gain perspective.
What I would like?
I want a new Apple iPad. I think the design and applications are simple to use and understand and add meaning.
I want a microwave with an iPad interface for understanding how to cook food, safety, and a perfect meal every time. Why does a microwave need to be some complicated? Why doesn't the computer measure the food temperature and cook the food to the optimum level everytime with a simple push of the button?
Details on censorship, obscenity, releases, online stock photos and more make this a key survey / / 2010-08-15
The Law (in Plain English) for Photographers comes from two attorneys who provide insights on digital imaging and the Internet. In an era where digital images can be easily captured and altered, discussions of photographer rights and avoiding legal problems become even more important. Details on censorship, obscenity, releases, online stock photos and more make this a key survey.
A too general overview for the basics of law for small business / / 2008-02-25
I have a small internet business and found a couple of chapters in this book to be helpful, but found many parts of it to be too general. The author genuinely offers some good advice, the problem is, that is just too little. There are so many types of businesses out there, and I feel like this is just the bare bones of what it could be. To me, it would be better if this book was 2 times longer. For a skim over of basic business law, I would give this a go, but for a more in depth picture of what you need to know, I would go to something that has a little more info.
Essential Reading for Every Photographer / / 2002-01-01
This book covers the basics of the legal and business aspects of being a photographer. Duboff wastes no words. The book is thoughtful, concise, well organized and easy to read. The court cases he cites are interesting and thought provoking as well as useful information. This book is an invaluable reference for setting up a professional photography business.
Very up to date / / 2000-06-26
Another great reference book for the small business owner. Very up to date. It includes a chapter on doing business on the Internet.
Sustainable & Functional by design / / 2010-07-16
Book is compact size, yet with pictures and landscape drawings of many familiar public areas throughout the continent. The Capital Building grounds were designed to be symetrical and you read about his logic when making practical yet artistic plans for large and small parks still in use after 100 years.
Beautifully photographed / / 2006-11-09
This book is beautifully photographed and shows a range of Olmsted's work, from Central Park and other parks, to Biltmore and other homes. It even includes photos of Olmsteds own garden. Highly recommended!
FATHER OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE / / 2006-10-09
Really a nice book on the work of the singular Frederick Law Olmsted. The book has well presented images and the text is highly informative. Olmsted was a pioneer in the field of landscape architecture and people in this profession today own him a huge debt of gratitude, as do we all, because he popularized the idea of the great urban neighborhood of the automobile age with it's windening streets and statigically planted trees and shrubs. Olmsted really understood the concept of vista's and how people interact with nature, all you need to do is walk through his Central Park in New York, or one the neighborhood designs he influenced, like Beverly Hills, River Oaks, Grosse Pointe, or Highland Park, these are some of the most saught after neighborhoods in America. His influence is shown in the park designs of Hermann Park in Houston, Audubon Park and City Park in New Orleans, and Golden Gate Park in San Fransisco, just to name of a few, his importance to the field of landscape architecture cannot be overstated. This book does a fine job of illustrating this and I highly recommend it.
The Man Behind Many of Our Treasured Parks / / 2006-05-25
Frederick Law Olmstead (1822 - 1903) ranks among the most important landscape architects of his time, and indeed of history. His most famous accomplishment was his design and execution of the multifaceted magnificence of New York City's Central Park, presented here in this fine book with many of the details that today go unnoticed.
Charles Beveridge has written extensively about Olmstead but here his knowledge of Olmstead's genius is enhanced by numerous drawings and maps of layout as well as the beautiful photography by Paul Rocheleau. The entire volume is edited and designed by David Larkin in a manner that not only brings out the scholarly aspects of this book but lays out the various areas in both Central Park and in some of the other Olmstead works (Brooklyn's Prospect Park, the U.S. Capitol grounds, the Biltmore Estate among others) in a fashion that makes this a true art book.
There may be many reasons to place this book in the library, but one that is certain to appeal to everyone is the importance of the myriad details of the great Central Park presented here with more majesty than in any other volume. Recommended. Grady Harp, May 06
great stuff / / 2000-06-09
I have been a great fan of Olmstead's design and outlook. This book provides a wonderful overview of his style, his vision and his ideas about how to create beauty out of the natural enivironment. Architects will benefit from his approach to design and construction and his ideas should be a model for those of us new to the field.
A master in many fields, and the original `green' visionary / / 2010-01-29
This is a brilliant account of an American legend. His career was a remarkable adventure: surveyor, sailor, farmer, merchant, social commentator, author, abolitionist, planner, construction manager, wartime administrator, mining executive, and (finally) consummate landscape architect. The author skillfully conveys these transitions in an lively narrative that ably portrays 19C America as well.
Olmstead's creativity was served by a pragmatic versatility capable of working wonders. Anticipating dense urbanism and frontier encroachment, he pioneered municipal parks and wilderness preserves that today remain invaluable oasis's. Though largely self-taught (like Washington and Lincoln), he collaborated as an equal with the luminous figures of his day (most formally trained: Vaux, Richardson, McKim, Mead, White, Post, Burnham, Root, Hunt, Saint-Gaudens). He was interested in new technology (electric boats and lighting, drainage, transportation) and took a leading edge to incorporate it in his work.
Ultimately, his legacy is not only one of exceptional work (enjoyed by many cities, including Hartford -his birthplace), but the invention of a skilled professional discipline that continues to enrich human life today.
This work (illustrated and annotated) was a delight. Highly recommended. I wish it was available when I attempted to make my way through Laura Wood Roper's torturous `FLO: A Biography of Frederick Law Olmstead' in 1973 (it sits on my shelf yet half unread).
Also recommended: Cynthia Zaitzevsky's `Frederick Law Olmsted and the Boston Park System' (1982) a great record of Olmstead's Boston park development (with plans and photographs).
Witold's Biography of Olmsted Excellent / / 2009-08-17
As a Landscape Architect Olmsted holds a special place for me in the American story. This book is an easy and pleasant read. Most people do not know of the diverse and remarkable path that Olmsted's life traced. Witold's retelling of Olmsted's life covers in adequate depth and breadth the extraordinary tale without bogging down or over emphasizing any particular phase of FLO's life. Olmsted was not only the designer of Central Park but he was an influential member of society in his day and his legacy is as valuable in social terms as it is in environmental.
Good stuff / / 2008-06-21
The life of Olmstead was a mystery to me. I read about him in the "Devil in the White City" I had to learn more.
This is a capable biography, covering his life seemingly thoroughly. I didn't buy into the convention the author used when he would describe moments in Olmstead's life in a semi-fictional way. Otherwise, good really good stuff.
Interesting study of a powerful man / / 2006-05-09
A Clearing in the Distance is a great biography about a man who had great strength and deep sorrows. The first half of the book covers Olmsted's life before becoming a Landscape Architect. He was basically a very talented man who could not find his calling. Once he found it, he pursued his passion with commitment and daring that changed the way that subsequent generations have thought about their environment and surroundings.
The book provides valuable insights into both Olmsted the man and the world in which he lives. There are musings that are the author's thoughts and are obviously not historical, but they are interesting too in that they give us insight into the author's biases and interests.
Overall, A Clearing in the Distance is well worth reading.
good enough / / 2002-06-27
Olmsted's life is fascinating and Rybczynski does an adequate job of presenting the highlights, but the writing style is something less than engaging. In addition, the author spends too much time on trivial matters while neglecting more important things. For example, he writes page after page about Olmsted's failures to connect with a romantic mate. Goodness, he wasn't much of looker or a lady schmoozer and this plagued him for years. There, I said it in one sentence. Had the author done likewise we might have learned more about the details of some of Olmsted's projects. If the author wanted to play up relationships to give the reader a fuller appreciation of Olmsted's psychological make-up, he would have done better to delve deeper into the parent-child relationship.
Perfect for Home Businesses, Part-Timers, and Crafters!! / / 2004-11-23
Here, in a nutshell, is probably the best legal advice you can buy outside an attorney's office!
I went right to the chapters on patents, copyrights, and trademarks. (That trademarks chapter is probably the best I have ever read on the subject!)
Also great material on commercial leases and licensing, as well as an Appendix of STANDARD LEGAL FORMS that you can use or adapt to your situation.
Highly recommended as some of the best-value legal advice that you can buy!
