In the First Impressions series, a biography of Turner, whose revolutionary painting style preceded the artists he most influenced, Monet and other Impressionists, by almost a hundred years. In his first book, Kenner provides anecdotes of the artist as a young man; Turner's talent was obvious early on, and unlike many artists, he had the support of his father in pursuing an artistic career. The book follows Turner's growth as a painter and the development of his style, in which the atmosphere of his landscapes often dwarfed the human subjects. Kenner imparts to readers a sense of the importance of art in a world before photography, film, and television, and the artist's roles as documenter—Turner did hundreds of prints to illustrate a European travel guide—and talented celebrity. The text of this book is well-supported by many excellent full-color reproductions of Turner's work, but not of his contemporaries (conspicuously absent is John Constable, who's mentioned often) or the Impressionists. (index) (Biography. 8-13)
Pub Date: Oct. 1, 1995
ISBN: 0-8109-3868-5
Page Count: 92
Publisher: Abrams
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 1995
At Home With The Presidents (176 pp.; $12.95; Sept. 24; 0-471-25300-6) Morris offers succinct biographical information and anecdotes about all 41 presidents with brief information about homes they grew up it, historic sites dedicated to them, or libraries in which their artifacts are housed. Included are small pictures of the presidents and some of the buildings discussed. Readers will find the book of limited use for research, since the sources for quotations are not given, there is no index, and material considered controversial is not attributed. Appearing out of context are statements such as “George Washington adored his older brother” and “George’s mother was jealous of the two brother’s relationship.” The information on historic sites is upbeat but bland, and could have come right out of tourist brochures. (b&w photographs, illustrations, further reading) (Nonfiction. 10-12)
Pub Date: Sept. 24, 1999
ISBN: 0-471-25300-6
Page Count: 176
Publisher: Wiley
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 1999
BOOK REVIEW
Kostyal has written a tight, bracing biography of the renowned Antarctic explorer, illustrated with dramatic black-and-white photographs. Shackleton, a man whose sense of romance and adventure repeatedly drew him from conventional British society to Antarctica (“that lonely, windswept desert of ice and snow at the bottom of the world”), succeeded neither in reaching the South Pole nor traversing the continent, but he exhibited such remarkable valor that, according to the author, his name has become “synonymous with bravery and endurance.” As usual, there is more about his expeditions than the man, but Kostyal renders the tale in vivid prose that is enhanced by maps, quotes, a timeline and some remarkable photographs. This quality book will be a useful addition in both home and school libraries. (map, chronology, index) (Biography. 8-10)
Pub Date: Oct. 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-7922-7393-1
Page Count: 64
Publisher: National Geographic
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 1999
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