Briefly examines the life and work of the seventeenth-century Dutchman who was one of the greatest artists of all time.

Despised by the intellectual establishment, Ayn Rand continues to attract many thousands of devoted followers. Her "Objectivist" movement preaches an uncompromising hard line on politics, art, sex, and psychological health. Though much has been written about Rand, The Ayn Rand Cult is the first book to explain the true origin of her ideas and to show how they were shaped into a new, atheistic religion. Jeff Walker shatters many myths about Rand, exposing...

"An exploration of the nature of reading by critic and scholar Heather Cass White"--

Cultural historian Rosenbaum gives readers a way of rethinking the greatest works of the human imagination, as he shakes up much that we thought we understood about a vital subject and renews our sense of excitement and urgency. Rather than raking over worn-out fragments of biography, Rosenbaum focuses on cutting-edge controversies about the true source of Shakespeare's enchantment and illumination--the astonishing language itself. He takes readers...

How can certain songs carry us through a tough workout, comfort us after a breakup, or unite 50,000 diverse fans? In this fascinating field guide, neuroscientist and opera singer Indre Viskontas investigates what music is and how it can change us for the better-from deep in our neurons to across our entire society. Whether hip-hop fans, classically trained pianists, or vinyl collectors, readers will think about their favorite songs in a whole new...

Fascinating introductory text explores scientific, aesthetic aspects of musical sounds. Noted educator, physicist, and flutist covers simple and complex vibrating systems, ear's reception of sound, sound-making capacities of the piano, violin, trumpet, bugle, trombone, oboe, clarinet, flute, saxophone, many other instruments. Also, how to build a working trumpet, flute, and clarinet. Includes 76 illustrations. Bibliography.

The Perpetual Beginner is part memoir, part musical instruction manual. Relating stories of his experiences as a young musician and music student in 1980's New York, author Dave Isaacs describes the key lessons that shaped his musical life and how they can help any aspiring musician at any age. The title refers to the average music hobbyist with more enthusiasm than skill or time to practice. Many people play for years without developing more than...

A cookie art museum has just opened on Sesame Street. Surrounded by beautiful cookie painting, like "Girl with the cookie earring" and the "Muncha Lisa", Cookie Monster and his friends feel as if they're in a whole new world. But when art suddenly starts to disappear, Cookie Monster quickly becomes a suspect. Can Cookie Monster clear his name? Will they find the missing art in time or will Cookie Monster be banished from the museum forever?

Discusses the childhood of Diego Rivera and how it influenced his art.

The Philosophy of Modern Song is Bob Dylan's first book of new writing since 2004's Chronicles: Volume One—and since winning the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2016. The audio is narrated by an all-star lineup including Bob Dylan, Jeff Bridges, Steve Buscemi, John Goodman, Oscar Isaac, Helen Mirren, Rita Moreno, Sissy Spacek, Alfre Woodard, Jeffrey Wright, and Renée Zellweger!
Dylan,...