Drawing and Painting Expressive Little Faces: Step-by-Step Techniques for Creating People and Portraits with Personality–Explore Watercolors, Inks, Markers, and More
Amarilys Henderson is the author of Drawing and Painting Expressive Little Faces you can learn more about her here or visit her web page here.
WHO IS THE TARGET AUDIENCE?
This book is directed towards those novice artists who want to gain a fundamental understanding of how to draw facial structure.
SYNOPSIS
Drawing and Painting Expressive Little Faces is a concise yet comprehensive introduction to painting and drawing faces.
The guide is resplendent with striking, bright, and colorful portrayals of human face interpretations. The informal and lively images are a mix of color and monochrome. The format is in the traditional style with six subdivided chapters.
1. Essential Supplies
2. Simplifying the Face
3. Building A Face
4. Putting it All Together
5. Pumping up the Personality
6. Not just Doodles
Amarilys Henderson included specific sections on how to draw a range of ages, face types, face shapes and skin colors. It is important to note that the faces are not in the style of fine art but are far more immature poster paint style of illustrations. Happily, this book is not comporting itself as fine art. It is most definitely centered in the use of a stylized facial images, surreal and assessable for the novice artist rather than the advanced practitioner. This doesn’t detract in any way from this useful guide. However, I want to ensure that the reader understands that this is for the novice, student or hobby artist.
CONCLUSION
Henderson has managed to cram a world of knowledge in a 144 pages. The presentation is truly exciting with original alternative interpretations of the human face.
I particularly was taken with the subsection on how to add personality to a face. I have reviewed a dozen or so art and design publications recently and none of them included this crucial method.
I was immensely happy to see that she included some Urban Sketching however, I wish this section had been more comprehensive.
⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 3 out of 5.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I would like to thank Quarry Books, NetGalley, and Amarilys Henderson for affording me the opportunity to review Drawing and Painting Expressive Little Faces .
Learn to Draw (Almost) Anything in 6 Easy Steps (Mini Art)
Author
Rich Davis
Publisher
Race Point Publishing (May 26, 2020)
Format
Paperback
Page
128
Language
English
ISBN# 10/13
1631067168 / 978-1631067167
AUTHOR
Rich Davis is the author and artist who created Learn to Draw (Almost) Anything in 6 Easy Steps (Mini Art). Click on his name to find out more.
WHO IS THE TARGET AUDIENCE?
Davis is an artist who’s illustrations in this book appear directed towards helping children learn to draw. Parents looking for some child bonding exercises would do well to use this book to create some art with their children.
SYNOPSIS
Re-visit your childhood with this tiny 128 page book of some basic drawing methods for you and your child to make art together. The publication delivers this through a well structured 6 step method to assist in creating simple original illustrations.
Davis has focused on identifying the minimal shapes required to create the base drawings. There are double page spreads with inspirational tips to keep the aspiring artist on track and help improve their skill set. The content is laid out in a conventional pattern beginning with Animals and concludes with People. The graphics are lively and vibrant. For children, the images are raw, exciting and original works. Each of the eight chapters is:
Animals
Birds
Fish
Architecture
Transportation
Garden
Great Outdoors, and
People
The pages have high visibility name bars on the upper header portion of the page with the name of the subject in large, bright, and clear writing. Each chapter concludes with “Try these too!” ideas for the young artist to use with the six step process. This method makes creating line art fun and simplifies the construction of more complex subjects by utilizing basic forms, squares, circles and triangles.
CONCLUSION
There are two areas of creativity that are the most difficult to learn; the first is deciding how to begin and the second is how to finish your work. Davis understands this dilemma and provides practical help and advice through a structured six step process. Yet he has achieved much more than that, by creating this method he allows the child to focus on one step at a time. The structured method reduces the complexity of the subject into easy bite sized chunks. This transforms the overwhelming prospect of drawing an entire rocket into a modular sketch.
I particularly like the helicopter. As my husband, a 25 year veteran helicopter Instructor Pilot and Instrument Examiner, likes to say “A HELICOPTER – A million parts rotating rapidly around an oil leak waiting for metal fatigue to set in.” In reality they are so intricate, yet Davis has managed to condense them down into a beautiful set of basic shapes that create a cogent and believable illustration.
Young children will no doubt adore using this book to pass away happy hours learning the basics of how to draw anything.
⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 2.5 out of 5.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to thank Race Point Publishing , NetGalley, and Rich Davis for affording me the opportunity to review Learn to Draw (Almost) Anything in 6 Easy Steps (Mini Art).
Inking Florals: A step-by-step guide to creating dynamic modern florals in ink and watercolor
Author
Isa Down
Publisher
Walter Foster Publishing Group (May 12, 2020)
Format
Kindle, Paperback
Page
128
Language
English
ASIN #
B08678RS19
AUTHOR
Isa Down is the author of Inking Florals find more information about her here.
WHO IS THE TARGET AUDIENCE?
Inking Florals is ideal for novice to intermediate illustrators. Anyone would enjoy the imagery and possibly be encouraged to try illustration for themselves.
SYNOPSIS
A tiny publication that punches way above its weight. Designed as an informal introduction to basic concepts and techniques for creating bright, vibrant and exciting illustrations. The format is simple and clear. Sections are sub-divided into:
Tools
Materials
Techniques
Color Theory
Basic Flower Structure
Step-by-Step to basic florals introduction
CONCLUSION
IsaDown has created a practical guide on how to draw and paint exciting florals. The illustrations are line drawings both colorized with watercolor and monochrome. These are accompanied by precise guidance to assist the artist through the creative process. Alongside some illustrations, there are beautiful full-color photographs. These photographs provide inspiration and act as reference material. I found the wide variety of floral types to be excellent for developing the drawing process. The use of a loose watercolor style to enhance the line drawing worked well. Overall a fun step-by-step guide to creating your own beautiful botanical illustrations.
⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 3 out of 5.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to thank Walter Foster Publishing , NetGalley, and Isa Down for affording me the opportunity to review Inking Florals.
Ken Goldman is the author of Drawing Hands and Feet you can find out more about him and his work here.
WHO IS THE TARGET AUDIENCE
Drawing Hands & Feet has a broad appeal encompassing all those who aspire to improving their knowledge, skills and abilities in the creation of their own artwork. It is ideal for those who prefer the self-directed learning route, and would aid those students who wish to expand their knowledge and appreciation of alternative and traditional methods of drawing.
SYNOPSIS
The format of Drawing Hands and Feet is like many of its kind. The sections are laid out in a common sense manner as follows:
Introduction
Section 1: Tools & Materials
Section 2: Anatomy of Hands & Feet
Section 3 Drawing: Techniques
Section 4: Step-by-step Drawings
Conclusion and about the author
At first sight you may be forgiven for thinking that there is nothing remarkable or unique about this manual, but you would be mistaken. Drawing Hands & Feet is exceptional in every single way. It is true it has a similar page format to other publications of its kind but what elevates this particular guide is the quality of the illustrations and the invaluable information and advice from a contemporary, professional working artist of considerable talents.
In the pages of this manuscript, I found an abundance of essential, practical advice enhanced by high quality photographs, monochrome and color sketches, and full color anatomical illustrations. The sheer quality of the anatomical illustrations alone justifies the price of this work. The years of experience from the author and the practical methods described to enhance your drawing is second to none.
Artists quickly become aware that drawing or painting hands and feet poses a herculean problem early on in their art journey. They are the most complicated parts of the body to reproduce in a realistic manner and therefore it is helpful to have a step-by-step approach during the learning faze in order to control the multitudinal task posed by the complexity.
It is easy for me to sit here and try to convince you about the book, but to show you is another matter all together. Therefore, I thought I would put pencil to paper and see if I would benefit from the manual. Below you can witness the results. I am confident having tried the methods described in the book that you could benefit from its sage advice to.
This is my sketch taken from page 16 of Drawing Hands & Feet.
This is my original sketch using the techniques found in Drawing Hands & Feet.
CONCLUSION
Drawing Hands & Feet by Ken Goldman is an exceptional guide to the most difficult parts of the human anatomy to draw. Goldman took on the challenge of making the complex simple. He excelled beyond all expectation. I fully anticipate that this will sell out quickly when it becomes available in early June, 2020. I can’t wait to procure myself a copy. I give it my first 5 star rating of 2020 for an art book.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to thank Walter Foster Publishing , NetGalley, and Ken Goldman for affording me the opportunity to review Drawing Hands & Feet.
“Foreign influence is truly the Grecian horse to a republic. We cannot be too careful to exclude its influence.”
Alexander Hamilton (1757-1804) American statesman, Secretary of the Treasury Pacificus, No. 6, July 17, 1793.
AUTHOR
The author of Agents of Influence is Henry Hemming. You can find more information about him and his other publications here.
WHO IS THE TARGET AUDIENCE?
I recommend this monograph to those with a general interest in military history and anyone with a particular interest in the asymmetric warfare of World War II.
SYNOPSIS
Agents of Influence is the true story of a British Intelligence team tasked with swaying a reluctant United States of America (USA) to join with Great Britain against the Axis Powers in WWII.
The central character, William (Bill) Stevenson is drawn into the murky world of undercover intelligence operations or a “war by other means.” He was assigned by the British Military Intelligence Agency (MI6) with the task of organizing a hand picked elite team of operatives to work behind the scenes influencing the U.S. populations opinions surrounding their role in the war. To this day His operation is considered to have been the most successful covert action ever to have taken place on U.S. soil. Spectacular in its scope, eye waveringly expensive in terms of cost and promethean in its use of an intelligence campaign, William’s enterprise is one of the greatest examples of mass population influence in modern history.
Hemming has us accompany Stevenson during the dark days of the 1940s following the tragedy of the evacuation from the beaches of Dunkirk. In June of 1940 the U.S. population had no interest in becoming embroiled in the war across the “pond.” Through William and his teams influence, the national opinion slowly changed. Within a year and half, the attack on Pearl Harbor propelled the U.S. into World War II.
Hemming’s Agents of Influence unrolls the characters and the methods, including “fake news,” that changed the history of the world and the ultimate outcome of the war. He explains the British motivation behind the occult actions employed. He takes us on the ship with Stephenson and the wealth of a nation from across the Atlantic. From there he describes how Bill Stephenson uses his considerable talents to assemble an effective team, integrates them into U.S. society and begins his influence operations behind the scenes. That is just the beginning.
CONCLUSION
Agents of Influence is so outrageous that it seems too unbelievable to be true, and yet it happened. Put simply, it is one of those manuscripts that you find yourself carrying around so that you don’t miss an opportunity to read what happens next. I have just discovered a new favorite author. The next step is to get my hands on one or two of the five other works that Hemming has written. This is a superb read; but don’t take my word for it, go out and get a copy and discover for yourself the pleasure of a Henry Hemming volume. This is the first 5 star review of the year.
Written with academic prowess, scholarly skill, intensively researched, extensively referenced and reads as a compelling novel, Hemming has created a genuine winner.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to thank Henry Hemming, NetGalley, and Public Affairsfor affording me the opportunity to review Agents of Influence.
The World’s Greatest Cities is a book for all those who share a love of travel and exploration. Those who enjoy owning beautiful, high quality products will appreciate this tome. Anyone who has a yearning for knowledge of places beyond their reach or current understanding would benefit from the clear and concise information herein and the convincing visuals. For those who mourn the loss of the Cathedral Notre Dame, the edifice is included in this volume.
SYNOPSIS
Imagine for a moment that you can visit 30 of the most wondrous cities in the world all from the comfort of your own living room; well now you can. The World’s Greatest Cities reference guide from the stable of Chartwell Books, will provide you with such an experience. Whilst this book can never rival actually being there, the visuals provide you with a genuine sense of the neighborhood.
Each of the 30 cities has its own section complete with photos and descriptions. Each section frequently combines several of the following; topographical maps, satellite imagery, detailed architectural illustrations, inset images, the global and national location of each metropolis, and 2 dimensional virtual depictions of specific sites. In addition there are: numerous first person ground level photographs, day and night photographs of various venues, detailed building models including cut aways that reveal hidden secrets of the construction. These elements combine to present a vibrant, colorful, and exciting vision of the 30 metropoleis. The authors also include detailed information relating to each city, a key containing pertinent information relating to specifics about the area and the Global Positioning System (GPS) data.
CONCLUSION
The authors, illustrators, and photographers of World’s Greatest Cities have created a product beautiful to the eye and intriguing to the mind. It would sit comfortably next to other reference materials in any library.
If I had one concern, it is that I was disappointed with the Hagia Sofia Mosque depictions. Of all the pictures in the entire book, the images of the Mosque were of the most inferior quality, and in my opinion remain a missed opportunity.
Whilst I thoroughly enjoyed reading World’s Greatest Cities, I didn’t warm to it as much as I did to a similar publication from the same stable. Check out my review of World’s Greatest Wondersto see the differences. Nevertheless, it is a magnificent edition.
⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 3 out of 5.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to thank Editors of Chartwell Books, NetGalley, and Chartwell Books for affording me the opportunity to review World’s Greatest Cities.
Stephen and Matilda’s Civil War: Cousins of Anarchy
Author
Matthew Lewis
Publisher
Pen & Sword History (4 Nov. 2019)
Format
Kindle, Hardcover
Pages
280
Language:
English
ISBN # 10 / 13
1526718332 / 978-1526718334
AUTHOR
Matthew Lewis was born in England. He obtained a law degree, but history has always been his passion. He has authored numerous historical books, both fiction and non-fiction. You can find his blog here, his Facebook page here, his Goodreads page here, and his Twitter page here.
WHO IS THE TARGET AUDIENCE?
This book is best suited for historians, students of medieval history or anyone who enjoys learning about the English ancient ruling class.
SYNOPSIS
Stephen and Matilda’s Civil War is the tale of two cousins fight over the throne of England. King Henry I died in 1135 and had no legitimate male heir. His only legitimate son, William Adelin, drowned in the “White Ship” disaster in 1120. His only other legitimate child was Empress Matilda, a female. No female had ever ruled England at this time, but Henry I wanted her to reign after him. Unfortunately for Matilda she was in Anjou at the time of her father’s death. Her first cousin Stephen of Blois rushed in and usurped the crown in her absence. This led to The Anarchy (civil-war) that endured nearly two decades.
Matthew Lewis composes a compelling tale of a tumultuous time in English history. His research and writing ability are evident throughout the book. He delves into the chaos of the time and brings to light the suffering of all those involved. The war ebbs and flows back and forth with no one really seeming to get the upper hand. The external and internal conflicts surrounding this event in history are too numerous to comprehend, but Matthew does an excellent job. He uses personal accounts, quotes, and even a few images to help the reader try to understand the complexities of the times.
CONCLUSION
Stephen and Matilda’s Civil War is an exceptionally researched historic look at The Anarchy. The author is able to describe in detail the look and feel of the era, as if you were standing there observing it in real time. The battles, both political and literal are played out across the pages of this manuscript. A great read for anyone who is interested in medieval England.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 3.5 out of 5.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to thank Matthew Lewis, NetGalley, and Pen & Sword History for affording me the opportunity to review Stephen and Matilda’s Civil War: Cousins of Anarchy.
World’s Greatest Wonders: From Natures Special Places to Stunning Masterpieces Created by Outstanding Artists and Architects
Author
Editors of Chartwell Books
Publisher
Chartwell Books (August 11, 2020)
Format
Hardcover
Pages
256
Language
English
ISBN #
ISBN-10: 0785837957 ISBN-13: 978-0785837954
AUTHOR
Written by Editors of Chartwell Books.
WHO IS THE TARGET AUDIENCE?
Do you enjoy thumbing through travel magazines during the cold winter evenings? Would you like referring to a publication to refresh facts from an impressive reference book? Perhaps you just enjoy owning beautiful things. If you answered yes to either question then you might want to read on.
SYNOPSIS
Once upon a time there was a list of seven wonders of the world. Chartwell Books have taken the concept and created the World’s Greatest Wonders. It is a high-quality gallery book. If you are familiar with the original seven wonders you will recognize a few included in the 30 locations presented in World’s Greatest Wonders.
The World’s Greatest Wonders, by Editors of Chartwell Books is a spectacular volume jammed full of impressive high quality, full color, high-definition illustrations, and photographs. The guide is sub-divided into two sections: man-made wonders and natural wonders.
There is a genuine sense of quality in this tome; from the materials employed in its construction to the multitude of creative techniques utilized to produce such a ravishing spectacular feast for the eyes. Some pages are designed using striking paneled images organized to sit comfortably alongside nuggets of clear and concise information. Other pages have cut away visuals or schematics that vary wide-angle and close up images alongside bird’s eye views of the greatest wonders in the world today. In the case of the Naska lines, there is a double page spread magnificent in its awe inspiring complexity. With each turn of the page, there is yet another full color, high definition heavenly picture with maps showing the geographic location. Other elements that give the work a real sense of drama and excitement are the two-dimensional cut away models, architectural illustrations and drawings, as well as city wide images. In addition, there are a multitude of highly creative diagrams, including not to be missed eco diorama’s and panorama’s that have to be seen to be believed. The visuals are accompanied by important details about the subject that include age, size, dimensions, height, weight, historic background, and associated myths or legends.
It’s obvious that a significant amount of time, money, and effort have been employed in the creation of the World’s Greatest Wonders. The graphic designers, architects and illustrators have seriously out-done themselves. You will often hear the phrase that ‘a thing of beauty is a joy forever’ and it is also true of the World’s Greatest Wonders.
CONCLUSION
This hardback is definitely worthy of your home library. There are biodiverse cross-sectional illustrations that are absolutely captivating. If you want to know more about such varied sites as: Stonehenge, the Pyramids of Giza, the Sidney Opera House, the Empire State Building, St. Peter’s Basilica; or natural sites of great wonder such as: the Amazon, Antarctica, the Galápagos Islands, the Sahara, or Kilimanjaro, then World’s Greatest Wonders is a must have.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 3.5 out of 5.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to thank the Editors of Chartwell Books, NetGalley, and Chartwell Books for affording me the opportunity to reviewWorld’s Greatest Wonders: From Natures SpecialPlaces to Stunning Masterpieces Created byOutstanding Artists and Architects.
Operation Swallow: American Soldiers’Remarkable Escape from BergaConcentration Camp
Author
Mark Felton
Publisher
Center Street (October 15, 2019)
Format
Paperback, Kindle, Hardcover, Audiobook
Pages
305
Language:
English
ASIN
B07P8LMB45
AUTHOR
Mark Felton has a PhD in history from the University of Essex. He has authored numerous publications and maintains two YouTube Channels. You can find him on his official website here. If you are interested in his YouTube channels, you can find WWII history here, and his War Stories here. Mark’s twitter page is @mpfelton. If you are looking for more information on Mark Felton you can try his Wilkipedia page here.
WHO IS THE TARGET AUDIENCE?
This book will appeal to anyone who enjoys non-fiction stories of WWII. History buffs, students, teachers, and anyone else who likes to read historic accounts of the soldiers who fought in the European theatre will truly enjoy reading this work.
SYNOPSIS
Operation Swallow: American Soldiers’ Remarkable Escape from Berga Concentration Camp is the story of U.S. soldiers captured during the Battle of the Bulge and taken to “Berga an der Elster,” a German concentration camp. These soldiers were forced into hard labor by the Germans to aid in their war-fighting machine. The deprivation, malnutrition, torture, and forced labor killed many POW’s. Forced to dig whether they were ill or not, beaten if they didn’t or couldn’t meet expectations, these men suffered at the hands of their captors. The bond between the soldiers and loyalty they shared were essential in the escape attempts.
Mark Felton weaves a compelling tale from official documents, eye witness accounts, and personal testimonies. He tells the story in the words of those who were actually there and experienced the brutality and hardships first hand.
CONCLUSION
Operation Swallow is a no-holds-bar true life story of just one facet in WWII. Imagine this story multiplied across all the concentration camps run by the Germans and the scale of the atrocities is astronomical. Mark does a great job bringing this story to light and giving these soldiers who suffered at the hands of the Germans a voice. I definitely recommend this book.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 3.5 out of 5.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to thank Mark Felton, NetGalley, and Center Street for affording me the opportunity to review Operation Swallow: American Soldiers’ Remarkable Escape from Berga Concentration Camp.
Gareth Russell is the author of The Ship of Dreams. If you would like to read more about him, please click here. You can find Gareth on Facebook here.
WHO IS THE TARGET AUDIENCE?
Those with an interest in the Edwardian era, the British Empire at its zenith or those who enjoy maritime drama played out against that tapestry will appreciate this manuscript. Other interested parties may include students of history, educators, and university professors.
SYNOPSIS
Russell’s, The Ship of Dreams is much more than a run of the mill retelling of the loss of the Titanic. He has taken the stance to elaborate and expand the remit to include: political, social, and economic events shortly before the advent of the Great War. He focuses on a group of six affluent passengers of the late lamented ship. He observes the tumultuous events beginning in Edwardian era that led to a seismic change in the place of the aristocracy and landed gentry of Great Britain. Russell goes on to describe how they and the ‘new monied’ plutocrats opulent lifestyles were about to be changed forever by a series of National politics, social and Global cataclysmic events. Events that would change the lifestyles of these elite strata of society fundamentally for generations. Russell cleverly interconnects their lives together, adding context against which to paint the tragic events surrounding the loss of Royal Merchant Ship (RMS) Titanic on her fateful maiden voyage.
Russell takes time to introduce the characters and their background information for the first quarter of the manuscript. This may be a disappointment to some however I found the social commentary and the details of the characters individual lives to be fascinating.
The cast of characters that Russell chose to focus our attention on are as follows:
1. Thomas Andrews, Managing Director of the Harland and Wolff shipyard.
2. Countess of Rothes, an aristocrat of the Leslie family and wife of Norman Leslie the 19th Earl of Rothes.
3. Dorothy Gibson, the highest paid actress in the world at that time.
4. The Strauss’ Ida and Isidore, joint owners of Macey’s.
5. John Thayer, an executive with the Pennsylvania Railroad Company.
6. Jack Thayer 17 year old son of John Thayer.
Before the sinking of the Titanic in April 1912, the dying had already begun. The first was Mr. James Dobbin, a forty-three-year-old shipwright struck by a beam as the ship was launched shattering his pelvis. He died the next day of his injuries.
Russell has managed to produce a heavily researched and compelling read, complete with extensive footnotes and a vast array of monochrome photographs. His narrative brings the Titanic back to life; her gargantuan size, grandeur, and sheer opulence lives again, at least in the mind of the reader.
I was pleased to see that Russell scuttled the myths and the tropes that have followed the tale of the Titanic since she went to Davy Jones locker. He debunked the lies repeated across time of the Third Class Passengers (AKA Steerage) having been locked in whilst the First Class passengers were prioritized. In addition, the disparaging allegations that certain characters dressed as women to sneak aboard the lifeboats were also disproved. Most important, were the claims attacking the character of Captain (AKA Commodore) Edward Smith.
At approximately 23:40 on the evening of 14 April 1912 with the sea so calm it was like glass the RMS’ luck ran out when she attempted to prevent a direct hit with an iceberg. As a result of the course change, the Titanic’s hull was breached 300 feet along the length of the ship. From that moment she was living on borrowed time. 1,100+ passengers and crew had barely noted how serious the incident was until it was too late. A brief 160 minutes later on 15 April 1912, all but 705 of the people on board had less than 15 minutes to live.
CONCLUSION
Russell has provided an original account of an often told tale. He corrects some of the many errors and provides previously unseen photographs and new information about the infamous incident. Russell’s writing style reminded me of Erik Larson, an author I hold in high esteem. The drama doesn’t end when the ship sinks beneath the waves to her watery grave. In many ways the drama simply switches location and ratchets up on both sides of the Atlantic. Russell details the changes arising from the investigations, both good and bad. The author did manage to capture the humanity and tragedy whilst keeping the familiar story fresh and exciting. Well written throughout with solid prose and a clear logical writing approach
Russell has given us an invaluable insight into the tragedy of the events that catastrophic evening. May the RMS Titanic and her passengers rest in peace.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 3.5 out of 5.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to thank Gareth Russell, NetGalley, and Atria Books for affording me the opportunity to review The Ship Of Dreams: The Sinking of theTitanic and the End of the Edwardian Era.