Magniacute;fica guiacute;a sobre Miguel Aacute;ngel y sobre la elaboracioacute;n y sentido de los frescos de la Capilla Sixtina.
#269697 in eBooks 2013-04-01 2013-04-22File Name: B00CEUU5Q8
Review
29 of 29 people found the following review helpful. I wanted to like this book; but...By A CustomerAs a proud owner of a Manuel Rodriguez e Hijos guitar I was eagerly looking forward to reading this book. However; I am very disappointed to report that this book did not meet my expectations. The title says "The Art and Craft of Making Classical Guitars" but there is very little information on either art or craft in this book.I had briefly met the author in his shop in Madrid and purchased a guitar from one of his sons; Norman. As thrilled as I am with the quality of the guitar I now play daily; this book is not a match for his guitars.The book is not logically arranged; poorly edited and wanders from subject to subject and back again. Chapter headings promise to tell the history of the guitar; woods used in fine guitar construction and techniques. In my humble opinion; this book incompletely delivers on these topics.The history of the guitar starts with observations from Sr. Rodriguez on historical examples and some small line drawings of ancient stringed instruments. Added into the middle of this light discussion is a table of "transmission times" for various types of woods. Interesting in and of itself; but it illustrates just how illogically this book is laid out. The science is mixed into historical discussion in a haphazard manner. What did luthiers accomplish with one design and how did it contribute to the next design? Thats not present in this book.Next; the reader is treated to a paragraph or two on many of the individual luthiers from the "Madrid school" of guitarmaking. Doubtless; Sr. Rodriguez or his father have known all of these famous luthiers and could tell a fascinating story. But he doesnt. What did these luthiers do to contribute to the history or sound of guitars? We very rarely get any real information about what these builders added to guitarmaking other than where their shops were located or who was the chief handyman at the shop.Sr. Rodriguez also includes a short history of his family; from flamenco artists to industrial and artistic producers of guitars. We are treated to what seems to be the Rodriguez family photo album. It could be fascinating if the editor could have woven a coherent history from these pictures; or given the reader some insight into guitar building improvements or philosophy. Very unsatisfying.The last two chapters are titled "Exhibitions and Schools" and "The Guitar in Europe" but it is little more than lists of names with a paragraph here and there of Sr. Rodriguezs reminiscences of those he has met.As involved and important to fine guitarmaking as Sr. Rodriguez is; he didnt communicate that very well in his book. Buy his very fine guitars; theyre much more satisfying than this book.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A good bookBy settie2This book should be on your shelf if you are interested in guitars as a player or a builder the reasons I only gave it 4 stars is that he is a little bit to heavy with self praise and most of all he virtually snubbed one of the great master builders of our time and my heroJOSE ROMANILLOS or maybe I am just a cranky old sod so there you have it cheers8 of 10 people found the following review helpful. Hes a luthier; not a writerBy A CustomerAlthough I share many of the same criticisms of the reviewer who gave this book only two stars; Im giving this book my highest rating. Like that reviewer; I love to play my Manuel Rodriguez guitar and was really looking forward to the English language version of "The Art Craft."Where we differ is that I see this book as a supplement to the other Spanish guitar literature thats out there. Rather than a more definitive work such as "A Collection of Fine Spanish Guitars from Torres to the Present" and "The Classical Guitar: A Complete History;" this is more along the lines of a senior master guitar builder/artist sharing his wealth of knowledge of his craft and culture.However; this book could have benefitted greatly from a more involved editor. There are organizational problems that a better editor would have sorted out. And perhaps a better title would be "Things About The Guitar"--oops; that ones already taken. Maybe "Thoughts About The Guitar" would be more appropriate.If Spanish guitars your thing; then "The Art Craft" deserves a spot on your bookshelf.