 |
GetTextbooks.com
Compare Prices & Save up to 90% |
|
|
|
| Login | Sign up | Settings | My Wish List |
 | | Puppetry: A World History by Eileen Blumenthal ISBN-10: 9780810955875 ISBN-10: 0-8109-5587-3 ISBN-13: 9780810955875 ISBN-13: 978-0-8109-5587-5 Hardcover 2005-07-01 Harry N. Abrams Find Lowest Price |
Editorials | ||
Product Description Puppets have existed in one form or another in nearly every culture throughout human history. From the intriguing shadow puppets of Java to the romantically challenged Miss Piggy, from African carved-wood actors with outsize genitalia to merry maniac Mr. Punch, puppets are incredibly diverse, reflecting the varied cultures, environments, and personalities of their creators. In this lavishly illustrated volume, Eileen Blumenthal provides a comprehensive overview of the history and techniques of puppetry, examining the unique nature and abilities of puppets and illustrating the countless roles they (and their creators) have played in societies across the globe for thousands of years. She draws on examples from an astonishing array of puppeteers, performances, and historical artifacts, providing readers with an in-depth view of this intricate world of constructed actors and the eclectic-and often eccentric-artists who create them. With a lively and accessible text and a wealth of illustrations, this one-of-a kind volume will be treasured by lovers of both visual and theater arts. AUTHOR BIO: Eileen Blumenthal is professor of theater arts at Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University, and a writer on contemporary Asian and Western theater. She has written hundreds of articles and reviews. She is also the author of Joseph Chaikin: Exploring at the Boundaries of Theatre and coauthor, with Julie Taymor, of Abrams' highly acclaimed Julie Taymor: Playing with Fire. | ||
Reviews | ||
Puppetry: A World History I have been a professional puppeteer for over 50 years and now concentrate on the History of Puppets throughout the World from the Mists of Time to the present day. It is one of the best books I have read on the subject, profusely illustrated and well researched in the main, concentrating on the USA, Europe, the Orient and the Eastern bloc. My only criticism is that the coverage of puppetry, apart from Punch, is very slight when mentioning the United Kingdom notably Harry Whanslaw who wrote many books on the subject and was a founder of the British Puppet and Model Theatre Guild, The Lanchester Marionettes, The Field Marionettes who invented the lip synch for the t.v. series 'The Telegoons'. Many other puppets included Sooty still going strong to-day after many years, Muffin the Mule, Gerry Anderson's films- 'Thunderbird', 'Stingray' etc. I should like to see a Part 2. of this book. | ||
Entertaining, informative and beautiful This book is a wonder. How the author could bring together sthe quantity of scholarly information and beautiful photographs under one cover is beyond thinking. Even persons who have no interest in the subject will be fascinated and entertained by the variety,ingenuity and artfulness of the puppets. | ||
Welcome but with some reservations This is not a history book told in a chronological order. It is a survey with a point of view that jumbles puppeteers and their puppets into themes. It is extremely well researched, but because of the many, many listings of puppeteers and the odd juxtapositions of their work, it might be hard for a reader to get a sense of which puppeteers were actually more influencial and successful than others. Some very famous people are not mentioned at all, and some, frankly contemporary, mediocre puppeteers are given great mention. Also, the field of children's theatre which is quite important and which many puppeteers take very seriously, is given short shrift. | ||
A Great Gift for Lovers of Beautiful Books "Puppetry is one of the most beautiful books in print, filled with vivid color photgraphs on heavy glossy paper that bring to life hundreds of puppets of all types. Blumenthal is a terrifically witty writer and provides volumes of information that is clearly written and very well organized. While this book is a good addition to one's coffee table, it is also good food for the mind. | ||
two part review This book is a coffee table book---fine constuction and photos but a bit unwieldly to read . As the title implies this book is an overview not an in depth study-- a good beginning. | ||