VIOLENT WEATHER: A STUDY GUIDE: A Study Guide

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In September 1985, 12-year-old Brenda Gere was taken from her family's home in Clearview, Washington. What followed was a search for the girl and her abductor, and a family's pain. Jack Olsen, whose previous books explored some of this country's most heinous crimes, now gives us an inside look at a simple family thrust into grief and the spotlight by a senseless act. A fine reporter, Olsen traces the Gere's background, the seven-year crime drama and the effects of tragedy on a family.

Book Description

Joe Gere said he died on the afternoon his twelve-year-old daughter Brenda disappeared.It was left to Brenda's mother Elaine to sustain her stricken family, search for her missing child, and pressure the authorities for justice.From the first minutes of the investigation, suspicion fell on Michael Kay Green, a steroid-abusing "Mr. Universe" hopeful, but there was no proof of a crime, leaving police and prosecutors stymied.Tips and sightings poured in as lawmen and volunteers combed the Cascades forest in the biggest search on Northwest history.Years passed with no sight of the blue-eyed girl or the bright clothes she'd worn on the day she disappeared, but Elaine remained undaunted.Salt of the Earth is the true story of how one woman fought and triumphed over life-shattering violence and how she healed her family-and herself.

Customer Reviews:

Olsen never lets me down........2006-05-29

I have read all of Jack Olsen's books, but this one appealed to me because it was about the end result of a crime, not just the crime itself or the criminal. I was captivated by Elaine and her ability to handle everything, but I was devastated for her; this crime could have been prevented had people been more alert and as concerned about her child as they were their own. It takes crimes like these to educate us, but are we more alert today than we were when Brenda disappeared? Children are still disappearing right before our eyes. Based on this book, Elaine is my new hero and I needed to know there are women who suffer these events and still maintain hope. Olsen lets his readers see the story through the character's eyes, as if we were there. Unable to put it down, I end up reading the whole book in one day!

Should be required reading for all and in school as well!!!.......2005-02-11

This is just an excellent book that is throughly well written.
Speaking as a California what really haunted from the accounts
of this family in South Fontana, is how basically California
hasnt changed much. Poor people are poorer, rich people are
getting richer and the whole system is getting more corrupt
with every passing day.

Olsen tracks the Gere family (Joe, Evelyn, Bobby, Big Ed, Elaine)
on what is a life journey filled with sadness, love, friendship,
racism and inner spirit to survive. Thats the best way of summing
up the book its the survival of one family in a big cosmopolitan
country (Cali) that gives nothing to this class of people
struggling to get by, yet enjoys the fruits of their labor.

The book also has a great deal of social commentary as well,
man you can easily make this in a course at a school and college
and liberate and educate many youngsters in what life is about.

It should be required reading, great book!!!

The chilling discovery and finding the story behind it all.......2004-11-03

As one of the people who found the remains of dear Brenda on the Tulalip Reservation, finding this book was a chilling end to the mistery and the saddness of finding this poor little soul. Well written and informative this book laid down the facts and events that will keep you reading non stop to the end. Our hearts go out to the family and friends, and we are happy to have found her for all who loved Brenda.

Jack Olsen Does It Again.......2003-02-21

I eagerly awaited the arrival of this book. Once again, Jack Olsen doesn't disappoint. This true crime novel will take you through a range of emotions. The story line keeps your interest until you reach the last page. Mr. Olsen has a unique way of telling the story that keeps you wanting more. Fantastic!

One of the best...........2002-06-15

Jack Olsen is great at true crime. He leaves no stone unturned, yet you never get bored. I have to agree with a fellow reviewer when he said that more time should have been spent on Michael Kay Green. The story, nonetheless is riveting. I could not put the book down. Elaine Gere is one tough lady, you sometimes feel like you are reading ficton yet it is real! I highly recommend "Salt".

Science Chapters: Violent Weather: Thunderstorms, Tornadoes, and Hurricanes (Science Chapters)

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Science Chapters: Violent Weather: Thunderstorms, Tornadoes, and Hurricanes (Science Chapters)
Andrew Collins
Manufacturer: National Geographic Children's Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Book Description

The origins and manifestations of thunderstorms, tornadoes, and hurricanes are examined through dramatic photographs, informative graphics, and easy-to-read text.

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Catastrophe : The Violent Earth
Tony Waltham
Manufacturer: Crown Publishing Group, Incorporated
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000GK7OY4

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Catastrophe: The Violent Earth
Rh Value Publishing
Manufacturer: Random House Value Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Travel | Subjects | Books

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Catastrophe: The Violent Earth
Tony Waltham
Manufacturer: Crown Publishing Group, Incorporated
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000K1YL2C

Earth to earth: A true story of the lives and violent deaths of a Devon farming family

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A haunting portrait of a family & a forgotten way of life

Earth to earth: A true story of the lives and violent deaths of a Devon farming family
John Cornwell
Manufacturer: Allen Lane
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Criminology | Crime & Criminals | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Customer Reviews:

A haunting portrait of a family & a forgotten way of life.......2000-04-29

What could have been a lurid tale of murder and madness becomes in Cornwell's hands a elegant elegy for an eccentric family and a lost way of life. Robert, Alan and Frances Luxton, 2 brothers and a sister from an ancient farming family in Devon, England, died violently in the mid-1970's. Though this true tale was well (and sensationally) documented by the British press at the time, the story is probably unknown to most American readers. Cornwell journeyed to Devon to ostensibly uncover the mystery of their deaths. Instead, as he interviews neighbors and friends in the isolated community, he assembles a portrait of not only Robert, Alan and Frances, but of their once wealthy family, its tragedies and eccentricities. The Luxton family becomes a detail in the landscape of an almost vanished way of life in one of the most mysterious corners of England.

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Earthquake (The Violent Earth)
John Dudman
Manufacturer: Thomson Learning
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: School & Library Binding

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1568470002

Book Description

If you can write, you can learn to draw, as this complete course for the beginner demonstrates in ten easy-to-follow lessons. Practical examples, step-by-step demonstrations and finished drawings reveal the whole process in detail, allowing beginners to progress their skills in easy stages and develop their creativity as they go.

Customer Reviews:

It is what it saids!!! A drawing workbook!!.......2001-05-20

This is a Fantastic book to practice drawing and not have to think about what to draw but getting used to the idea of drawing and what steps to take. It is well written and the KEY! EASY TO FOLLOW!!

Art of Drawing: The Complete Course (Practical Art)

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a fine art approach to drawing
Drawing made complete

Art of Drawing: The Complete Course (Practical Art)
Parramon
Manufacturer: Sterling Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Drawing | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Drawing | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1402709323

Book Description

From achieving those first professional strokes to mastering composition, lighting, and color to finishing beautiful still lifes, portraits, and landscapes, here, in one volume, is a course that covers every skill a developing artist needs. Inspiring and instructive images vividly reveal the intricacies of techniques such as shading, tone, contrasts, stumping, contouring; depth effects, and more. Guided drawings include a charcoal of a nude, landscape on gray tone paper, and still life with chiaroscuro.

Customer Reviews:

a fine art approach to drawing.......2007-09-06

The author wrote this book for students who want to go beyond competent realistic rendering. Although he provides a large amount of instruction on technical matters--such as working with different drawing media, value, composition, proportion, color, and perspective--you will not learn precise academic draughtsmanship in these pages. You will, however, get a feel for drawing as a means of inner expression.

The author provides many helpful exercises in each section, with both written and visual instructions. However, I think I have learned the most through looking at the drawing examples which are on every page of this book. They are not signed, and I assume they are all the work of the author, as they are all in a similar style. I've seen other art instruction books in which all the examples were the work of the author-- with disastrous results due to poor workmanship or crude aesthetic standards. But these drawings are beautiful. Some are barely developed--mere scratchings really--and yet they show how much information a few marks can make. Others are more fully realized works. All of them are in a style that combines spontaneity and solidity.

The book was originally published in Spain, and many of the landscape sketches and drawings reflect the architecture and terrain of that country. Drawing buildings has always been a weak point for me, but I've learned a lot from looking at the way this teacher composes building scapes combining loose marks and solid lines. He has a wonderful line quality, and he uses all sorts of smaller marks for textural effects. There are quite a few drawings where there seems to be no negative space, since even the spaces between the main subjects are activited with energetic marks.

This book does not try to address drawing from a modernist or postmodernist viewpoint--it teaches a style that anyone can "read" and make sense of. Its value lies in the combining of disciplined practice with a loose approach to mark making. Anyone who has learned the skills in this book can easily move on to more contemporary types of expression.

Drawing made complete.......2005-01-17

I read this book after I read The New Drawing On The Right Side Of The Brain. The first book is really good for someone who just is not good at drawing and has to develop an artist mode of seeing first to draw- this book - coming second- then is very good at developing drawing skills step by step once the "right brain" for art and drawing is functioning. I can't really say that this book is different or better than other drawing instruction books. However, I bought it because it also dealt with pastels and colored pencils as a drawing medium. So if you like to paint in pastels, but want a drawing perspective to your pastel art- this book was helpful. Basically, the book attended to a comprehensive list of topics- like composition, perspective, light, color drawing, sketching, measuring,line, drawing with different utensils, different subjects- landscapes-stills-interiors, people, nudes. So while the subjects were quite comprehensive- they were not all that detailed. This is both the advantage and disatvantage of the book. So I do not recommend it as guide for the beginner- or for someone who has never drawn as much as I would say it is a good second book for getting a wider perspective what drawing is about and expanding on that. Although some examples from the book I did use in beginner art workshops I gave. Jason Alster- author- Creative Painting For The Young Artist

Drawing With Crayons, Pastels, Sanguine, and Chalks (The Complete Course on Painting and Drawing)

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Drawing With Crayons, Pastels, Sanguine, and Chalks (The Complete Course on Painting and Drawing)
Parramon
Manufacturer: Barrons Educational Series Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Drawing | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Pastel | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Drawing | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0812019318

Basics of Artistic Drawing, The (Complete Course on Painting and Drawing)

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Basics

Basics of Artistic Drawing, The (Complete Course on Painting and Drawing)
Parramon's Editorial Team
Manufacturer: Barron's Educational Series
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Study & Teaching | Reference | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Drawing | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Drawing | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0812019296

Book Description

Written and designed for students and amateurs who already have some preliminary art training, this book instructs in a variety of media, including pencil, charcoal, crayon, and ink. Instruction and advice focus on drawing nudes, still life, and portraits. The theory of perspective is clearly presented.

Customer Reviews:

Basics.......2002-04-23

The Basics of Artistic Drawing is an OUTSTANDING book. I have learned so much and whenever I review the materiel I learn even more. There are so many helpful hints. It is a book that keeps teaching; if you have any questions just review the section on that topic and your question will more than likely be answered. With the step by step instructions anyone can learn how to draw, shade, and paint. I am very impressed. This is a well thoughtout course with the student in mind. A lot of course books have the teacher in mind, this book is definately made for me as the student. THANKS!!!

A Foundation Course in Drawing: A Complete Program of Techniques and Skills

Average customer rating:

if you are lucky
Just another co-authored
Excellent.
Novices and Art Teachers Get This Book!
only if it is free

A Foundation Course in Drawing: A Complete Program of Techniques and Skills
Peter Stanyer , and Terry Rosenberg
Manufacturer: Watson-Guptill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Study & Teaching | Reference | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Drawing | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Drawing | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0823018687

Book Description

The projects in this superb teaching guide not only offer enjoyable drawing exercises, but are also designed to instill good working methods to benefit artists at all levels. Readers are shown different ways to look at a subject by studying shape, form, space, light, texture, and movement as applied to figure drawing, still life, landscape, and abstract subjects. Rather than prescribing a single, absolute technique, the book presents drawing as an act that reflects the complexity of human experience in numerous ways.

Peter Stanyer and Terry Rosenberg, painters who have exhibited their own work in numerous shows, are both dedicated teachers who conduct highly regarded art courses in London for students at all levels.

Customer Reviews:

if you are lucky.......2005-03-21

mr.mary ivens report..all books especially on art are either appreciated or not and the reviews attest to that..in my own case i found this book to be ideal for my needs.....it provided me with many ideas and to the reviewers who did not like try reading from outside your square....i think you will find something....i say buy it .

Just another co-authored.......2004-06-29

"A Foundation Course in Drawing" by PETER STANYER & TERRY ROSENBERG

As a general rule, there are not many "really good" co-authored books out there. This rambling and disjointed introduction to drawing is no exception. It seems as though, when books have two authors, that both persons simply agree to give a half-effort, in hopes that the two of them can put together a whole, dynamic book. It just doesn't seem to work here.

Extreme language on the cover of a book is a *WARNING*

Words like "Complete guide to" or "Ultimate" or "Essential guide to" etc. "Basic" or even "FOUNDATION COURSE" might seem to give the authorship a great deal of liberty. In fact, it requires that an author really cover the basics, the FOUNDATION, in a very clear and well organized manner. This book lays an incomplete FOUNDATION.

It is limited to "Gesture Drawings" in the first 20 pages, and then, after a lot of wordy text, you reach page 41 before you see the SIMPLIFIED FIGURETTE, or BLOCK PUPPET. Only two of them: One drawn with Cylinders, the other with Ovals. That's it. Just two images, and no more.

The book is over-reaching. It outlines more material than it can cover adequately in a FOUNDATION COURSE. There is a bit of an "attitude" in this book. It's as though the authors are saying:

"If you know already how to copy the line drawings in our lessons, FINE! If you are a BEGINNER, and cannot....TOO BAD!"

The book is divided into Five Sections:
Life drawing, Still Life, Landscape, Abstract Drawing (in a FOUNDATION COURSE??????) and Drawing Systems. Neither of the last two sections belongs in a book on FOUNDATION in drawing. See what I mean? The book is "over-reaching".

Allow me to give yet another example. The Back Cover says this:
"Will help artists of all abilities."

Excuse me, but shouldn't a course laying a FOUNDATION, be of help to BEGINNERS? If someone is already an "artist" shouldn't they be using more advanced books? That is why this book is "over-reaching". The authorship has a fuzzy focus about who the intended audience is.

This book does move into INTERMEDIATE material, but sacrifices BASICS to get there. (over-reaching)

The problem with a multitude of these drawing instruction books are flaws that fall into several categories:

(1) they try to cover virtually EVERYTHING in art generally, including PAINTING or COLOR, or COMPOSITION which means they must skip quickly over their DRAWING BASICS for the beginner to do so. A good drawing book must start with DRAWING, and stick with DRAWING only, for at least 3/4ths of its chapters. The really good drawing books do this.

(2) the author is extremely dull and uninspiring to begin with, illustrating the book with ordinary household objects for suggested drawing exercises; objects like can openers, coffee pots, key chains, tables, chairs, bicycles and has no true justification for putting another drawing book on the market (good books are already in print), and copying the same outline for growth that other books have.

(3) the author is too wordy, loading down the book with unnecessary theory and intellectualizations.

With those flaws in mind, it is clear that "A FOUNDATION COURSE IN DRAWING" is too broad in scope and moves too quickly away from basics into intermediate material (flaw 1), is no better than other books on the market (flaw 2) and the drawings and illustrations are among the worst availble in a basic drawing HOW-TO. (they are REALLY BAD!) The text is alternatively overly-simplistic or overly-complex.

"A FOUNDATION COURSE IN DRAWING" is a poor introduction for any beginner, but the book is inexpensive for 276 pages if that's all you want.

Excellent........2004-03-09

One of the best drawing books I have found. Covers a lot.

Novices and Art Teachers Get This Book!.......2001-06-19

This is a great book filled with constructive projects for Drawing. It is good for people who are beginning to draw to Art teachers. If you are an Art teacher the projects are useful for your classroom in developing student's drawing skills. It thoroughly covers the basics of Drawing. It covers drawing from still life to abstract. I highly recommend this book. It is easy to understand and filled with diagrams for those visual learners out there.

only if it is free.......2001-03-24

would I recommend this book. I am a professional artist and I find there are so many good books out there... this is not one of them. The drawings are good but not great, and certainly not great to learn by. The lessons are so, so. Each time I open and close this book, I get hardly anything at all...

Average customer rating:

Best beginning artist book I ever read !

Drawing: the complete course
Stan Smith
Manufacturer: Readers Digest
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Study & Teaching | Reference | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Drawing | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Drawing | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
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Learn Calligraphy: The Complete Book of Lettering and Design

ASIN: 0895776200

Customer Reviews:

Best beginning artist book I ever read !.......2000-04-18

This is a fabulous book for beginning artists. My 12 year old was inspired to try drawing with other kinds of materials besides drawing pencils. She has now used charcoal sticks, Water-color pencils, graphite sticks, and pastels. The basic instructions are easy to understand and follow. I highly recommend this book.

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Complete Drawing & Sketching Course
Stan Smith
Manufacturer: Readers Digest
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Drawing | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Drawing | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0762103264
Release Date: 2002-02-28

Book Description

From renowned drawing teacher and author Stan Smith, a comprehensive and inspiring introduction to the techniques of drawing. A must-have resource for budding artists to master drawing's most essential tools and techniques in 3 easy steps-filled with over 600 full-color how-to illustrations.

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Drawing School: The Complete Course

Manufacturer: Sterling
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Study & Teaching | Reference | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Drawing | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Drawing | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0806944250

Book Description

Learn to draw and develop your own style without going to art school. Work through a project to learn the fundamentals, moving on only when you’re ready. Advance from simple still-lifes to landscapes, human figures, and more. Look at key drawings by major artists to understand different approaches—now try traditional and experimental techniques in every available media. What catches your eye? You can draw it!

Drawing for the Terrified!: A Complete Course for Beginners

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Basics for beginners.

Drawing for the Terrified!: A Complete Course for Beginners
Richard Box
Manufacturer: David & Charles
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Study & Teaching | Reference | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Drawing | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Drawing | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0715308602

Book Description

All in color! Many people don't enjoy art to the fullest just because of fear

--not lack of ability. Stop worrying and start creating. Along with the basic elements of drawing--working in monochrome, tonal values, color and shading--here are a series of techniques designed to uncover hidden talent and increase confidence and motivation. Relaxation exercises will enhance perceptions and reveal creative ways of tapping into your emotions. Each skill comes with full-color illustrations of outstanding examples, an explanation of how the artist achieved the effect, and instructions for you to reproduce it.
Trim size: 7 3/4 x 11.

Customer Reviews:

Basics for beginners........2000-02-04

Richard Box's Drawing For The Terrified! provides an introduction to those who have never attempted to draw. From the basics of using materials and equipment to developing an artist's eye, this creates an inviting format for experimentation.

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