Product Description
Regarded as the “Dean of American Illustrators,”Dean Cornwell was the instructor and idol of a generation ofillustrators and his work was admired in households across thecountry.His work appeared in such popular magazines as Redbook, TheSaturday Evening Post, Harper’s Bazaar, Cosmopolitan, GoodHousekeeping and many more. Exquisite visual form and color spring tolife from the illustrations of stories, historical events, andcommercial products.His work reflected the interests, concerns, anddreams that characterized each of five decades.His immense technicalskill enabled him to paint in different styles and adapt to the needsof his varied assignments.The reader will encounter hours ofaesthetic and historical richness from this well-balanced collection. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Too much black and white
I'm giving five stars because Dean Cornwell is a great illustator-damn near the greatest if you consider his mastery of color. Unfortunately this book does not regard his color works as so important, and therefore does damage to his legacy. Cornwell deserves better than this.
However, I'm grateful for the color that this book does have. Some of the b/w paintings here you can find on-line in full color, and what a difference! It truly makes you wonder what you're missing on the rest. Fortunately, there are a multitude of black and white drawings that still look great in this book.
I would say buy this only if you need it for professional use to further your skills as a painter or illustrator, or if the price goes down.

DEAN CORNWELL IS THE DEAN OF ILLUSTRATION
I cannot recommended this book highly enough.

I have this book and I believe that any serious artist / illustrator / collector should own a copy. I was fortunate enough to purchase a copy of the original book for under $300 dollars, but just barely. It along with my collection of Andrew Loomis books is one of my most prized possessions.

The information made available in this book on the life and work of one of the finest illustrators ever to pick up a brush is irreplacable.

Remarkable Illustrator~
This book shows his drawing and painting skill in detail manner.You'll see many examples of his drawings, experimenting with different compositions, color sketches final illustration.Excellent book for illustration students, artists or painters.

A Legacy Reclaimed
Dean Cornwell's legendary stature among American illustrators is rightfully restored by the reissue of this excellent 1978 retrospective.Cornwell, revered by his peers and his generation, had fallen into an entirely undeserved obscurity in recent years, but the work here emphatically places him in the front ranks of his profession.Looking through these pages, it's hard not to feel that the commercial artists of Cornwell's time easily surpassed the fine artists.Certainly, it's hard to imagine how someone who could draw and paint this way would be received today.

This attractive book is a thorough and comprehensive collection of color work, studies, and sketches, all with commentary and excellent reproduction.

Introduces a major American talent to a whole new generation
Dean Cornwell was the instructor and an icon for a generation of American illustrators and muralists. Capturing and expresses the evolving aesthetic and social values of American culture from 1914 until his death in 1960, his work was exceptionally popular with both the general public and the art critics of his time. With both black-and-white as well as color examples of his work, Dean Cornwell: Dean Of Illustrators has long been out of print and unavailable to American art history studies. This superbly reproduced and presented Collectors Press edition is a very welcome contribution to personal and academic artbook collections and will well serve to introduce a major American talent to a whole new generation of students and aspiring artists and illustrators. ... Read more

Product Description
The eleventh Scarpetta novel, in which the Chief Medical Examiner is under a Grand Jury investigation for murder. She knows she's being framed and she no longer knows who she can trust...Physically and psychologically bruised by her encounter with the killer Chandonne, Dr Kay Scarpetta has to leave her home in the hands of the police team investigating the attack. She finds shelter with an old friend, Anna Zenner, but it is not the haven of security she needs when she discovers that Anna has been sub-poenaed to appear before a Grand Jury which is investigating Scarpetta for murder. Kay knows she is being framed and she also knows she can trust no-one.Meanwhile it appears that Chandonne killed a woman in New York before his murderous spree in Virginia, but when Scarpetta looks more closely into that case with the NY prosecutor Jaime Berger, proof of his guilt is far from certain -- in fact she begins to believe that he may not be the perpetrator of any of the crimes he is accused of. As she follows the forensic trail to the real killer she gradually realises that someone has been spinning a web for years with the aim of entrapping her.Who is it, and why are they so desperate to be rid of her? ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Still Waiting
I ordered Unabridged and recieved Abridged.I have return the abridged and have not recieved the unabridged at this time.

Buyer beware!
Be careful that this is really a unabridged edition.I ordered one that looked exactly like the photo and it was really abridged. ... Read more

Product Description
On a wooded hillside in Tennessee blowflies, bacteria and buzzards feast on human flesh, unhindered by coffins or mausoleums. They're buried in shallow graves; submerged in tanks of water; concealed under slabs of concrete; locked in the boots and backseats of rusting cars. They are serving the needs of science in the cause of justice. In DEATH'S ACRE Dr Bill Bass, the facility's founder and one of the world's leading forensic scientists, describes how he created it and how the work of he and his colleagues have brought murderers to justice and cleared the names of the innocent. Within a riveting narrative he details his own career and the many criminal cases he has been involved in, bringing forensic science vividly to life and highlighting its crucial role in modern day policing. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Forensic Anthropology for the masses.
Death's Acre is a wonderful introduction to both one of the foremost researchers in the field, and into what happens when we die.The book is extremely well written, and does not beat you over the head with nasty descriptions of what Dr. Bass studied. He and his co-author manage to be informative and still portray a very high respect for the dead.

Dr. Bass and his teams of students were instrumental in the solving of many mysterious deaths, and their work at the Farm became the leading standards for law enforcement internationally. Fans of both television and novels that rely heavily on forensic anthropology will deeply enjoy this book; in fact, I finished it in less than 24 hours and stayed up until 3 am to do so because it was absolutely fascinating.

If you like Kathy Reichs, Patricia Cornwell (who contributed the introduction to this printing), CSI, and other works like those, you will enjoy this look into the real thing. However, if you are even remotely interested in actual forensic work, this is also an excellent resource.From crime scene conduct (shoot your way in and out, if you are the photographer...) to watching your comments lest they be used against you in court, Dr. Bass offers wonderful insight on the official side of an investigation. He also offers a deeply humanistic view on life, death, and what happens after. Death's Acre seemed almost, to me, like hearing your grandfather tell you a long story about his life and work, and I have no doubt I will reread it in the future.

... Read more

Product Description
UNABRIDGED set of 12 cassettes. Read by Kate Reading. Kay Scarpetta series ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

enraptured, entertaining, excellent
I walk four miles a day and during this time, I get to listen to my audio books and let me tell you this one is so engrossing and downright entertaining, I can't wait to go on my walk each day just to find out what happens next.Patricia Cornwell has always been a wonderful author but this two series book set, Black Notice and The Last Precinct have by far been my favorites.Let me tell you , when I knew there was a "sequel" for the Black Notice when I was finished I was estatic, heck, it was like Christmas came early.You can't describe the wonderful details , Patricia has brought these characters to life and I just can't wait to see what she has to offer me next.Thank you to her for her career choice in making all our lives a little nicer when we get to hang with Kay Scarpetta, Pete Marino, Lucy, and all the rest."THANK YOU!" ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

A zero for this one
This is one of the worst books I have ever read, I kept reading in hopes it would get better but it was bad to the end.

Despite the narrator's recitation, this one is good
Listening to the audio-recording, I have been repeatedly peeved at the idea that the narrator seems to think that all Richmonders have this "hick from the sticks" Southern drawl.While it is true thatthere are some with an accent, very few sound as if they're fromMississippi.With Bubba, Smudge, and their counterparts, it is believable.However, I live in Richmond and have yet to meet one inner-citykid withthe same drawl!I also have visited Charlotte, NC and find it interestingthat the only ones without any sort of drawl are the three main characterswho hail from that city.On a positive note concerning the narrative, Ifound the portrayal of Leila Armstrong to be enjoyable, if not hilarious! As for the content, I had a hard time getting into it until thestorylines began to mesh.At that point, I sat back and enjoyed the ride. I can't wait to hear from PC, whether it's a Scarpetta novel or West,Hammer, and Brazil novel.Or maybe, Cornwell has something else up hersleeves!!!!

Sick of Scarpetta, try another Cornwell
This is to counter a review by someone who said s/he wouldn't buy the book because of all the bad reviews. Scarpetta and her niece take themselves too seriously, to my mind, although Cornwell is a captivating writer. So I'mgoing to give this one a shot in hopes that the new guys aren't suchmopers.

Not up to her usual standards
Patricia Cornwell has been one of my favorite authors and I have most, if not all, of her novels. This one greatly suprised me.I have not previously found it to be her style to use language repeatedly andrepeatedly and repeatedly that really was not necessary to get her pointacross.The story line was good and I think I'm beginning to like Hammer,West, and Brazil, though not as well as Dr. Kay.Please try to clean it upjust a little.

STRONG CHARACTERS, EVEN STRONGER STORY
THIS BOOK WAS WELL WORTH THE TIME SPENT. THE CHARACTERS ARE VERY EMOTIONAL AND I FELT AS IF I COULD TOUCH THEM. NOT ONLY WAS THIS AMYSTERY, BUT ALSO A LESSON ONHUMAN EMOTIONS WE ALL FEEL ON A DAY TO DAYBASIS. FOCUS NOT JUST ON THE PLOT, BUT ALSO THE EMOTIONS OF THECHARACTERS, THE PREJUDICES, WEAKNESS AND THEIR STRENGTH. IN THE END THIS ISA BOOK STATING THAT IF WE GET BEYOND WHAT IS SO DIFFERENT ABOUT US ANDSTARR FOCUSING ON WHAT WE EACH HAVE IN COMMON IT IS THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE OFEVERY DAY LIVING. RICH OF POOR, BLACK OR WHITE WE ALL STRUGGLE TO LIVE OURLIVES ... Read more

Product Description
Atrevete a enfrentarte a un ser obsesivo y despiadado. Solo una forense puede atrapar al asesino, un ser peligrosamente desequilibrado Atrevete a leer y a seguir las pesquisas de la Dra. Kay Scarpetta en esta nueva e intrigante trama que te provocara escalofrios.La entrega mas reciente de la serie protagonizada por la forense Scarpetta, quien ahora trabaja como free-lance para la National Forensic Academy en Florida. Este servicio le asigna una investigacion que la llevara a indagar en Florida y Boston. Acompañada de su habitual equipo -compuesto por su sobrina Lucy Farinelli, su compañero sentimental Benton Wesley y su colega Pete Marino-, intentara dar con la identidad de un ser peligrosamente desequilibrado./Dare to face with an obsessive and ruthless being. Only a coroner can catch the murderer, one dangerously unbalanced ... Dare to read and follow the research of Dr. Kay Scarpetta in this new and intriguing plot that will bring you chills. The most recent delivery of a series about a forensic Scarpetta, who now works as a freelancer for the National Forensic Academy in Florida. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (16)

Not up to snuff
I found this book VERY disappointing, especially as it seemed to end so abruptly without any real closure in tying up the loose ends.I am also becoming tired of all the dysfunctional relationships that seem to surround Kay Scarpetta' niece Lucy.Lucy, a lesbian, always has these tragic connections that end up doing her no good at all and, in fact, frequently put her at risk. As a lesbian myself, I wish for once that Lucy could have a GOOD connection-- the constant drama and tragedy that surround her are a drag.After all, even Patricia Cornwell has found love with her partner now, so maybe she can offer the same to Lucy in her next book.All in all, this book felt like the fulfillment of a contractual obligation vs. a true attempt at adding to the Scarpetta chronicles.I hope Book of the Dead is better or I'll probably give up on this author altogether...

What a stinker
I checked out the audio version of Predator because I was taking a long trip. It was my second Kay Scarpetta, and now my last. What a pile of tripe. I couldn't even get to the end of the CDs. I found myself wishing that all the major characters would die horrible deaths. What a bunch of unrealistic, useless whiners. When you can't identify even slightly with one character, it's time to stop reading/listening. So I did. I feel better already.

Me Too
Technically I suppose I shouldn't review this book because I couldn't finish it.But maybe that is a review in itself.I got up to the part where Lucy is flying a plane and has a superdooper computer or something and..and...Than I gave up.Like so many others I really enjoyed the first few Scarpetta books and then when Lucy appeared things started to go down hill. Probably not Lucy's fault since she had the makings of an interesting character but PC seems to have some kind of obsession with her that the rest of world seems not to share.This book was such a mess thatthe only other Scarpetta books I will read is one where ALL the characters are permanently killed. Unfortunately, Marino has to go too.He used to be my favorite but he has become almost as annoying as Lucy.

Less Is More!
I think I have read all of Cornwell's work. I loved the Scarpetta series and was in total awe for a while. I'm not sure why exactly she went on for so long. A saying goes "Less is more" and that's where I'd like to see things end; while they're still good. To be honest, I only went about three quarters through this one, because I was plainly bored.
I have never written a negative review and I probably won't do it again, but this one is proof of the big publishing houses taking a manuscript because of the author's name, not because of it's quality.

Rebecca Lerwill, author of Relocating Mia

Disappointed
If I hadnt been on an eight hour plane ride I wouldnt have read past the first chapter of this very tiresome series. The first few of the Cornwell books were page turners, and I miss staying up until the wee hours of the morning dying to finish them.I was hoping that Predator would rekindle my love for this series, but it did just the opposite.It seems like Ms. Cornwell is just cranking out material without really caring what happens to the characters that she has created.
The text in Predator didnt have a flow to it.It was choppy, and sometimes even confusing. It contained extraneous information and secondary characters that are not interesting.I would really like to read one of these books where the mystery was the storyline, and not how these three characters are again being betrayed by the people they trusted.There also appear to be huge chunks of text missing that would have allowed the story line to actually make sense.
I am glad that I had picked this up used and didnt pay full price;it will be the last Patricia Cornwell book I read. ... Read more

Product Description
"In this first title of a new mystery series, Cornwell introduces us to a dynamic trio of crime-solver in Charlotte, North Carolina: Andy Brazil, an eager young reporter; Judy Hammer, the city's police chief; and Virginia West. Hammer's deputy and a genuine head-tumer. They're after a serial killer who pulls male out-of-towners from their rental cars, then multilates, spray paints and shoots them, in that order. What the trio uncovers jolts them like the sting of the hornet -- Charlotte's symbol. "A roller-coaster ride of emotion." (Publishers Weekly) [from back cover of case] ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A Roller-coaster Ride of Emotion
"The Hornet's Nest
By Patricia Cornwell
9 - 1.5 hour audio cassettes
Read by Kate Reading

In this first title of a new mystery series,
Cornwell introduces us to a dynamic trio of crime-solvers in Charlotte.

North Carolina:
Andy Brazil,
an eager young reporter:
Judy Hammer,
the city's police chief;
and Virginia West,
Hammer's deputy and a genuine head-turner.

They're after a serial killer who pulls male out-of-towners from their rental cars,
then mutilates,
spray paints and shoots them,
in that order.
What the trio uncovers jolts them like the sting of the hornet --- Charlotte's symbol.

"A ROLLER-COASTER RIDE OF EMOTION."
- Publishers Weekly
[from the back cover of case]

THIS BOOK WAS D.O.A....
I have read a number of other Patricia Cornwell books, from her Dr. Kay Scarpetta series. While they have all varied in quality, they usually range from good to excellent. That is why this book was a complete shock, as it is one of the worst books that I have read in a long time.

This book is not a Dr. Kay Scarpetta series book. Instead, it is a police procedural that focuses on three individuals: Charlotte's stalwart Police Chief Judy Hammer, her drop dead gorgeous Deputy Chief Virginia West, and Andy Brazil, an intrepid, young news reporter. Unfortunately, while the premise may have been inspired, the book fails in its execution, with characters that never quite work, relationships that are far fetched or never quite gel, a plot that lacks focus and fails to capture the reader's imagination, as well as an excess of mediocre writing in need of serious editing.

Readers beware. This book was dead on arrival. Do not spend one cent on this turkey. If you feel the urge for turkey, wait for Thanksgiving. Be thankful that you have not wasted your money on this book. ... Read more

Product Description
Judy Hammer, head of the Richmond police, and Andy Brazil,her right-hand man, must go after a gang of delinquents and make peacebetween authorities and the citizens. Brazil's anonymously writtenarticles against the leaders also reflect the increasing discontent fromthe population towards its authorities. This calm place has initiated arevolt against the new norms that the governor wants to enforce. Judyand Andy must mediate between officials and islanders to avoid greaterconsequences.

Description in Spanish:

Judy Hammer, jefe de policía de Richmond, y Andy Brazil, su manoderecha, se enfrentan a los "piratas de la carretera", una bandacriminal que elige a sus victimas al azar para robarles y asesinarlascon sadismo. Además de esta investigación, Brazil, ex periodista,trabaja regularmente y bajo pseudónimo en una página de Internet, desdela que analiza con mordacidad los avatares políticos del estado. Elgobernador y su gabinete de prensa, víctimas principales de estosartículos, hace tiempo que intentan averiguar quién es el autor. Lacrítica ha venido a sumarse al creciente descontento que la poblaciónsiente por lsa autoridades, siendo los más insatisfechos los habitantesde la isla de Tangier. Este apacible lugar, habitado mayormente porpescadores, ha iniciado una revuelta contra las nuevas normas que elgobernador quiere imponerles. Judy y Andy deberán mediar entre políticose isleños para evitar que el asunto tenga mayores consecuencias. ... Read more