Art History Beginners

Michael Schneider leads us on a spectacular journey along the numbers one through 10 to explore the mathematical principles made visible in flowers, shells, crystals, plants, and the human body, expressed in the symbolic language of folk sayings and fairy tales, myth and religion, art and architecture. This is a new view of mathematics, not the one we learned at school but a comprehensive guide to the patterns that recur through the universe and underlie human affairs.

* Publishers Weekly Best Books of Summer 2025 * Bookbub Best Non-Fiction Release of the Season * MSNBC/Afar Magazine 10 Best Books for the Summer Traveler * Newsday’s Top Must-Read Book for Summer * Christian Science Monitor Best Book of May 2025 * Longlisted for the 2025 American Library...

From the acclaimed composer and biographer Jan Swafford comes the definitive biography of one of the most lauded musical geniuses in history, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. At the earliest ages it was apparent that Wolfgang Mozart’s singular imagination was at work in every direction. He hated to be...

The real story of Hollywood as told by such luminaries as Steven Spielberg, Frank Capra, Katharine Hepburn, Meryl Streep, Harold Lloyd, and nearly four hundred others, assembled from the American Film Institute’s treasure trove of interviews, reveals a fresh history of the American movie...

We’re all living under circumstances we have never gone through before, so it goes without saying that high levels of stress and anxiety are common factors in everyone's lives right now. You might be getting headaches, fatigue, depression, tight shoulders, bad posture, stiff neck, digestive and heart problems, you name it. But did you know that you can practice yin yoga for stress relief and eliminate all of these unwanted symptoms?

A brilliant and defiant celebration of driving as a unique pathway of human freedom, by ""one of the most influential thinkers of our time"" (Sunday Times) ""Why We Drive weaves philosophers, thinkers, and scientific research with shade-tree mechanics and racers to defend our right to...

The vivid and masterful story of Isabella Stewart Gardner—creator of one of America’s most stunning museums—an American original whose own life was remade by art. Isabella Stewart Gardner’s museum, with its plain exterior enfolding an astonishing four-story Italian palazzo, rose from...

A groundbreaking reappraisal of medieval femininity, revealing why women have been written out of history and why it matters The Middle Ages are seen as a bloodthirsty time of Vikings, saints and kings; a patriarchal society that oppressed and excluded women. But when we dig a little deeper into...

Art history encompasses the study of the history and development of painting, sculpture, and the other visual arts. In this Very Short Introduction audiobook, Dana Arnold presents an introduction to the issues, debates, and artifacts that make up art history. Beginning with a consideration of what art history is, she explains what makes the subject distinctive from other fields of study and also explores the emergence of social histories of art (such as feminist art history and queer art history).

Jazz is more than a musical genre. It is a movement, an escape, and a form of rebellion—one whose mystery you can uncover through the fascinating musicians that shaped its history. Jazz doesn’t easily fit into any category owing to its diverse roots, incredible flexibility, and passion for improvisation. It is, therefore, ironic, yet somehow understandable, that this mysterious genre, so different even from other Black-inspired music, should be so well-loved by millions of people across the globe

Beauty, Meaning, and Expression: Exploring the Foundations of Aesthetic Theory takes you on a journey through the history of aesthetics, from Plato and Aristotle to the digital age. This comprehensive yet accessible exploration shows how theories of beauty, art, and creativity have shaped culture, politics, and daily life for centuries. Discover how Enlightenment thinkers like Hume, Burke, and Kant defined taste and the sublime, how Romanticism elevated the artist as a visionary genius, and how modernism and postmodernism revolutionized art by challenging tradition and questioning universal...

A thoroughly entertaining and darkly humorous roundup of history’s notorious but often forgotten female con artists and their bold, outrageous scams—by the acclaimed author of Lady Killers. From Elizabeth Holmes and Anna Delvey to Frank Abagnale and Charles Ponzi, audacious scams and...

Are you curious about a community that lived with unmatched dedication and simplicity? "The Shakers for Beginners: Understanding Beliefs and Practices" is your gateway to exploring the intriguing world of the Shakers, a group that has left a lasting imprint on history and culture. Unlock the secrets of the Shakers' unique way of life: Dive into Their History: Journey through the origins of the Shaker movement in 18th century England and their rise in America. Understand how their radical beliefs and communal living set them apart and attracted followers. Understand Their Beliefs: Discover ...

Unlock the secrets to thriving bonsai–no green thumb required! Are you overwhelmed by the endless rules and techniques of bonsai care? With straightforward guidance, even beginners can make a bonsai thrive!

Discover the Lost Legacy of Uyghur Buddhism—an Ancient Faith Shaped by Adventure, Art, and the Spirit of the Silk Road. Imagine standing in the windswept deserts of Central Asia, where caravans once carried treasures, ideas, and spiritual traditions. This is where Uyghur Buddhism took root, blending diverse cultures and philosophies into a faith as rich as the Silk Road itself. Uyghur Buddhism for Beginners is your guide to this forgotten chapter of Buddhist history—a story of resilience, artistry, and the enduring power of spiritual exploration. Unlock the Mysteries of a Spiritual ...

In the spirit of works by Jia Tolentino and Anne Helen Peterson, a smart and incisive essay collection centered on the fashion industry—its history, its importance, why we wear what we wear, and why it matters—from Elle Magazine’s fashion features director. Why does fashion hold so much...

Jazz 101 is a fascinating entry into the world of jazz, for the beginner, novice, or jazz enthusiast. Szwed takes listeners on a tour of the varied and nonlinear history of jazz, exploring how it developed from an ethnic music to become America's most popular music and then part of the avant-garde in less than 50 years.

Britain’s Culture Minister, David Lammy, recently suggested that the history of slavery should be made a compulsory part of the nation’s school curriculum. Mick Hume, a columnist in The Times, promptly retorted, “Slavery and the Holocaust are now likely to be taught as little chunks of history, removed from any proper context. They become simplistic parables of good and evil, over which children are encouraged to emote and empathise...." How well founded was this criticism?

When the robe becomes a weapon, who can stop the violence? We think of Buddhism as a faith of peace—rooted in compassion, patience, and nonviolence. But across South and Southeast Asia today, the robe is being turned into a weapon as radical monks and nationalist movements unleash hatred and...

Interior designer and television host Jeremiah Brent explores the emotional meaning of home in this warm and inviting book that illuminates what make peoples’ spaces so personally significant. For many of us, our houses are more than just where we hold our belongings. They are reflections of...