Product Description
"The Tragic Kingdom" is a behind-the-scenes look into the field of design and build in China. The book is a profile of the personalities, culture, and psychology of the world's most massive looming superpower as seen through the eyes of an ex-pat American."Of all the places I could imagine as a kid, China was the worst. As far as intense childhood fears and phobias went, it ranked right up there with pirates and people who used guillotines- and never in my wildest imagination did I even think for one minute it would become my home". The policies of Deng Xiao Peng have opened a new chapter in China's long history and, in their effort to position China a contender in the global market, have created a searing vacuum of moral and professional ethics as understood by the Western mind, one in which theft of ideas is considered good business and babies die drinking fake milk. The stories and themes found in The Tragic Kingdom spring from one man's journey. At the same time I believe they disclose truths about a globalization that eventually will impact every economy, lifestyle, and person on the planet. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Sympathetic Industry Worker
This will be short. For those like me with 25 years in this themed industry, working in Vegas, Orlando, Thailand, Korea and Japan, this personal story of 10 years in China, was full of valuable insight - now that we're working in China too.
The world is a varied place.

The Tragic Kingdom or "Prisoner in a Chinese Theme Park"
After the Olympics in China, I got mixed reviews from friends who had visited China during in the past few years.So I wanted to read something by some one, not Chinese, living in China.I thought Tragic Kingdom was perfect.The auther, Broc Smith, talked about the people, customs and places.He painted candid pictures whcih matched the good and bad things friends had told me about China.

An exquisite journey
This is such a fascinating account of one man's myriad experiences as he travels a complex , gritty journey. He fully draws the reader into his interactions with a very foreign cultureand one much less wealthy than his own. Yet it is one he has embraced. He does no disservice to the places he has been but only gives them a more human aspect. He makes it real and this reader is quite envious of the journey he has taken.
The writer comes from a place in his own heart and shares that willingly. ... Read more

Product Description
This digital document is a journal article from Environmental Modelling and Software, published by Elsevier in 2006. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Media Library immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Description:
Presenting environmental information to the public with the intention of enhancing the understanding of the environment and promoting environmental awareness requires the creation of dedicated types of environmental information systems (EIS). This paper presents concepts for the structure, contents, and implementation of such EIS for the public, with the ''Theme Park Environment'' (http://themenpark-umwelt.baden-wuerttemberg.de/) serving as an example. The Theme Park Environment has been developed by Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe and the State Institute for Environmental Protection for the Ministry of the Environment of Baden-Wurttemberg. It contains information about soil, geology, and nature and interlinks this environmental information with other topics, such as local food production, historic site information, and environmental policy to increase the interest of the users. The system uses concepts of content management and multimedia systems with map server technology and database-driven structured information access for combining structured environmental information, location-based information, and text and multimedia contents in integrated Web pages. By means of an embedded ontology-based system, authors can relate different parts of content objects with each other and with multimedia contents, maps, fact information in databases, and other description parts. In this way, information within the Theme Park Environment can be reorganised dynamically and contents can be reused and shared easily. ... Read more

Product Description
A map plus details on theme parks, museums, parks & gardens, sports & event venues, history & architecture, plus major routes and recreation. Explore Series 2007. Folded Map. ... Read more

Product Description
AAA Orange County Guide Map, California, Usa: Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm, Mission San Juan Capistrano, Old Towne Orange, Orange County Fair, Orange County Performing Arts Center, Richard Nixon Presidential Library: Details on Theme Parks, Museums, Parks & Gardens, Sports & Event Venues, History & Architecture, Major Routes & Recreation: AAA Explore Series 2008 by AAA, ACSC, Jordan R. Young, Automobile Club of Southern California, Automobile Association of America, Paul Diaz, Alicia Enderle, Kristine Miller, Travel Information Products, Susan Tsutsumi, Virginia Matijevac, Todd Masinter, Discovery Science Center. Folded Map. Special Limited Edition. ... Read more

Product Description
Stand amid soaring Douglas fir in the great hall of Glacier Park Lodge or sit in the setting sun and gaze into the Grand Canyon at El Tovar. This beautiful gift book will transport you to the majestic lodges of our national parks to relive the glory of past vacations or plan adventures anew. This book and the PBS television series of the same title (to air in spring 2002) take armchair travelers into these architectural wonders and explore the surrounding natural beauty of our national parks. Lodges, wildlife, and stunning vistas are showcased in 175 full-color and black-and-white photographs, along with historical documents from the PBS series. In his introduction, Richard Moe, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, offers a call to preserve this national heritage, and a portion of the proceeds from the sale of this book go toward the rehabilitation of these magnificent buildings. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Nice book
Very nice book; makes me want to plan to visit each location. Received book in excellent shape.

Great Lodges of the National Parks
Travel the country without leaving your own home, or use this book as a guide while making travel plans!

Great book on great lodges
I was thumbing through "O" magazine, March 2009 issue and there was Great Lodges of the National Parks as Sarah Vowell's "Books That Made a Difference". She's such a quirky historian/writer/commentator, that I was thrilled to see she agreed with ME that this is a wonderful book. Here's an excerpt from "O":

"O" Magazine, March 2009: BOOKS THAT MADE A DIFFERENCE to SARAH VOWELL

The author, public radio contributor, and self-described indoorsy person falls for outdoorsy epics, ace historians, and one very unhinged memoirist.

As someone who makes a living writing books, my favorite thing to talk about is other people's books...Truth is, I love paging through architecture books, and I have included one of my favorites here, because I find being in and thinking about buildings to be gloriously nonverbal. All five of the titles speak of my fascination with history and geography, mostly the history and geography of the United States.

Great Lodges of the National Parks
By Christine Barnes

I'm an indoorsy person who grew up in Montana alienated from nature. In my hometown, the outdoors was the domain of those who could climb higher, bike farther, ski faster, and camp out forever. But after I moved to New York City and got homesick for the West, I found myself drawn to our come-as-you-are national parks. I fell in love the comforting, all-American beauty of the historic lodges pictured and described in this book. Having dinner at El Tovar after a sweaty day ogling the Grand Canyon, or reading a book in a rocking chair at the Old Faithful Inn after sulfurous hikes around Yellowstone---it's hard not to get swept up with an old-fashioned excitement about seeing the country. Also, turns out I have a thing for stuff made out of giant logs.

(The author has another new edition, Great Lodges of the National Parks, Volume Two that I also love.)

Great Book that captures the wonderful lodges
If you have had the opportunity to stay or visit more than one of the great lodges of the National Parks, I highly recommend this book.Our National Parks are the best treasure that the United States has, and these elegant lodges embrace the spirit of nature and take the experience to another level.The PBS videos are terrific and are a good companion to the book, but the book stands alone as well.The book provides additional information about the construction and history of each of the lodges.If you are an architecture buff, a national park fan, or love rustic lodges this book is definitely for you.Every time I pick it up I want to head out west and explore.

This book is a keeper!
This book makes a wonderful gift or a reference to pour over time and time again as it is packed with information about the history of the Lodges of the National Parks, information about their architectural aspects, interviews with individuals involved in their building etc, along with wonderful photos that make you want to see them all, today!And, we understand that there is a NEW Great Lodges of the National Parks coming out in July, 08, along with an accompanying PBS series.If it is anything like this book, I won't be the least bit disappointed ... Read more

Product Description

During the nineteenth century, large, naturalistic urban parks began to appear in cities around the world. These parks, asMelodramatic Landscapes engagingly demonstrates, offered the opportunity for visitors to assert their social status in performances suited to the theatrical age in which they flourished. How and why did prototypical park landscapes-- characterized by groves of trees, expanses of mowed meadow, man-made lakes artfully designed to emulate their natural counterparts, and meandering paths--become the norm in the midst of modernizing industrial cities?

Focusing on iconic parks in Paris, New York, and Mexico City, Heath Schenker explores the cultural and social meanings embedded in these elaborate stage sets. Schenker teases out the goals and ambitions of park proponents and describes the singular ways in which the public received and used the parks in each city. The book showcases some of the trademark features of these parks, ranging from the soaring, rocky cliffs of Buttes-Chaumont in Paris to the mythic Aztec springs of Chapultepec Park in Mexico City to the secluded Dairy in Central Park.

Drawing on a wealth of historical sources, including original plans and drawings, descriptions in guidebooks, newspaper articles, and even representations in novels, Schenker reveals how civic leaders adapted the park ideal to serve their particular political, social, and economic agendas. The narrative boasts a number of first-person accounts by nineteenth-century visitors, populating the picturesque scenery with a lively cast of characters worthy of the age of melodrama.

Product Description
Get ready for a fascinating tour of America's national park lodges and read about ten of its most charming structures and their locations.

This is the official companion book to the popular PBS television series Great Lodges, and the second volume in Christine Barnes s popular Great Lodges of the National Parks series. Volume Two contains stunning contemporary photographs of the exteriors and interiors as well as historic photographs of these ever popular buildings.

From the grand resorts such as the Lake Hotel in Yellowstone National Park and the Furnace Creek Inn in Death Valley National Park to the classic lake lodges such as Lake Crescent and Lake Quinault Lodges in Olympic National Park to the new visions such as Volcano House in Hawai i Volcanoes National Park and the Glacier Bay Lodge in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, this stunningly illustrated and meticulously researched volume offers new insights into these historic landmarks and the scenic American landscapes where they are located.

This beautiful 176-page full-color book will transport the reader to recall past vacations and inspire future travels and adventures to these magnificent locations in our national parks. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Read before traveling!
Intent on visiting all National Parks, we found this book a superb objective guide to the lodges.
Even if you dont leave home, a stunning coffee table book to dream by.

Definitely a keeper!
I have a number of "coffee table" books containing good photography that enticed me to make the purchase and take them home, only to soon find myself placing the books on a shelf in a closet because, beyond the photography, there was not much there to engage my mind. To my delight, this is not the case with Christine Barnes' latest offering.Here I've found a treasure that has earned its place in my living room where I can discover the who, what, when and how of these great lodges.It presents a fascinating and detailed review of the architectural history of these American cultural assets, and is made all the better by the high quality of the accompanying photographs.

Great Lodges is a Great Read!
As with Christine's other publications...a great read.Especially if you've visited some of these lodges, but weren't aware of their history and architectural significance.Reading her latest book inspires me to visit the lodges I've yet seen. Her series of books is a great tribute to these national treasures.She shows a true connection to these magnificent buildings and their surroundings. There is a noticeable passion for this topic in her writing.The photography compliments the text perfectly; making you feel as if you've just walked through the door or are taking in the breathtaking panoramic view of one of these fabulous lodges.I can only hope she continues to find, explore, and write about these diamonds in the rough.An excellent Christmas gift for anyone interested in travel, architecture, the National Parks, or all of the above!

National Treasures
We sometimes forget what an amazing gift we have in these National Parks. But Christine Barnes clearly gets it - her book is a beautiful tribute to these parks and their magnificent lodges. It's a great coffee table book, with stunning photography -- the kind of pictures that make you feel like your there. But the book goes deeper, with detailed history of the parks and the lodges, and the human stories behind them. I hope I can visit all of the parks in this book. In the meantime, I'm glad I have these photos and stories to take me on a virtual vacation.

Good Historical Piece On American Lodges
Fun reading if you are an explorer of the National Parks, which I am.Certainly the most detailed descriptions in general circulation of these historic places.The second edition had a few places in it that I did not know about and have now placed on my list of lodges to stay in.Without a doubt all these places still have great position.For example the Many Glacier Lodge was the most dramatic nature setting of any hotel I have ever stayed in.This includes some really fabulous places in Europe.But the level of the rooms does tend to vary.Check Frommers, AAA, or others to get a sense of what the room quality may be.Frankly with some like the Many Glacier, it did not matter.But to those wanting to stay at a "Four Seasons" level accommodation in a National Park you may not be happy. ... Read more

Product Description
Introducing the first all-in-one guide to site furniture principles, processes, and best practices

Furniture matters—outdoors as well as in. Understanding the connections between site and site furniture enhances the creative opportunities for designers of outdoor spaces and increases their ability to influence the long-term success of the spaces they design. Site Furnishings comprehensively examines how to elevate the design of site furnishings to achieve programming goals.

Intended for landscape architects, designers, and contractors, as well as urban planners and designers, civil engineers, and other professionals, this accessible resource explores the ways that furniture contributes to the quality of outdoor spaces, and provides conceptual tools, technical information, and examples of successful applications. Just as important, it provides an in-depth overview of the elements that comprise site furnishings and the critical issues that inform site furniture selection.

Supported by case studies and an abundance of high-quality photographs, Site Furnishings introduces professionals from all fields involved in site design to:

• Best practices, with a look at how these approaches lead to functional, responsive, and supportable outdoor spaces
• A step-by-step process for developing a furniture plan
• A typology of places that encompasses a wide spectrum of outdoor spaces, including parks and plazas, streetscapes, retail malls, theme parks, and transit hubs
• Management's role in the success of public spaces, supported by a detailed case study of how site and furniture management is implemented at New York's Bryant Park
• Sustainability, including the major issues involved in making sustainable site choices, where to obtain information, and industry initiatives to promote them
• Technical information on materials, installation methods, maintenance, and functional requirements of street and site furniture

Product Description
Antoni Gaudi occupies a unique position in the history of modern architecture. A true genius, this Catalan architect had no predecessors and no successors; his flamboyant art stands alone as a unique achievement. Richly illustrated with over ninety large-scale colour plates reflecting the full range of the architect's work, this volume represents a rewarding overview of an inimitable architect. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (1)

ASLA Award Winner
This book received an Award of Merit from the American Society of Landscape Architects Professional Awards Program in 2003. ... Read more

Product Description
This is an OCR edition without illustrations or index. It may have numerous typos or missing text. However, purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original rare book from the publisher's website (GeneralBooksClub.com). You can also preview excerpts of the book there. Purchasers are also entitled to a free trial membership in the General Books Club where they can select from more than a million books without charge. Subjects: Parks; Fairmount Park (Philadelphia, Pa.); Statues; Architecture / Landscape; Art / Sculpture; Art / Subjects ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (4)

Hampton Court Palace
Lovely book with lots of great views of the Palace and gardens. Well worth buying.

Best Book on Hampton Palace/Gardens
A hard earned lesson I have learned is when traveling to Europe or Asia notice all of those gorgeous hardbound books for sale everywhere & then buy them when returning home from websites. I used to ship them all home & still enjoy them when I need a "fix" but I finally got smart!

Especially now with luggage being weighed & having to pay the price (the worse is on inter-Europe flights!!) ....this book was one I saw in the gift shop at all of the British Palaces & it is fantastic. The photography is the best & I highly recommend it. I visited with my daughter & cousin & this captures forever my wonderful day at the royal's Disneyland!!! Even has costumed people strolling around speaking a la 1500 English.....

Five centuries of gardening. The gardens & parks of Hampton Court Palace
A well organised and attractively produced book giving a scholarly account of the history of these magnificent and much loved Gardens. Hampton Court Palaceis the finest of English Renaissance gardens and of great importance to any student of horticulture and garden or landscape history.
The avenues and the venerable ancient trees of the parks along with the even older pruned and pleached trees of the formal gardens are among the treasures of the gardens. Along with the newly restored privy garden, the statuary and the architecture these are well illustrated with photos and drawings ancient and modern

A STUNNING JOURNAL OF GARDENS AND PARKS

Todd Longstaffe-Gowan, Gardens Adviser to Hampton Court Palace and Vice Chairman of the London Historic Parks and Gardens Trust, and photographer Vivian Russell have combined their considerable talents to offer readers, most especially garden enthusiasts, a stunning journal of the gardens and parks at Hampton Court Palace.

Not only is Hampton Court an historic landscape covering 2,000 acres, bounded on its south and east sides by the River Thames, it is also a site of great antiquity indicating that there were settlements in the site dating back to the Bronze Age.However the estate began to form very much as it is seen today in 1086.It was in 1514 that Hampton Court was leased by Cardinal Wolsey, until he became persona non grata at court and was forced to leave by Henry VIII.

As soon as the estate was under his care Henry began a 20 year building, the like of which had not been seen.Since that time various royals have left their marks upon the estate as it has been used as a guest house.Queen Victoria declared that the palace "should be thrown open to all her subjects without restriction, and without fee or gratuity of any kind.."While this order was not deemed wise by many, the palace did become a popular vacation resort.

The gardens were neglected during World War I, butby 1919 improvements were being overseen by a committee of horticultural and landscape garden experts.Since the early 1990s major restoration work has taken place within the palace which has been coordinated with landscape improvements.Today, the estate stands as a "great emblem and monument of English history," and attracts over a million visitors every year.

Thanks to Longstaffe-Gowan and Russell for making it also available to armchair travelers.

- Gail Cooke ... Read more