Drinkology: Wine: A Guide to the Grape

By James Waller

Correggio's depiction of the Virgin's Assumption into heaven, painted in the cupola of the Duomo of Parma, is widely viewed as one of the most inventive and influential fresco cycles of the Renaissance. Even so, the very elements that make the work so powerful--its lively iconography and its illusionism--have long been decried by critics for their apparent illegibility and lack of decorum. In the first book-length study of these frescoes in English, Carolyn Smyth counters such negative criticism by taking into account the viewer's in situ experience of the frescoes. In so doing, she offers a new reading that explores the artist's knowing use of figural perspective, the architectural and liturgical context, and the religious significance of the theme. Aided by new photographs of the fresco, taken by Ralph Lieberman, Smyth leads the reader from the door of the cathedral to the apse, in order to examine the lay worshipper's experience from a series of partial views in the nave and the contrasting vistas of the clergy in the presbytery. As each of these separately revealed sequences of the cycle is discussed, new elements appear and are interpreted. The gestures, figural relationships, activities, and attributes visible from each viewpoint convey specific meanings that reveal, too, the most relevant aspect of the Assumption theme for the participant below. Not only the spatial communicativeness of the painting but also the affective warmth of Correggio's style are seen as means to celebrate Mary's redemptive role and its implications for the Christian audience.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1584794534
• ISBN13: 9781584794530
• Release Date: October 2005
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 1.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 5.6" x 7.0"
• Age Range: 13 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 8 to Postsecondary

Customer Reviews

Fantastic book for learning about wine

As a wine reviewer, I find this book to be a great resource. I constantly refer to the book to increase my knowledge and understanding of wines, regions and varietals. This is absolutely my number one resource. This book is great for wine drinkers of all experience levels. The second chapter gives a very good exposure to the vocabulary of wine. I can't think of a single wine-related topic that was left out of this book. It covers grape growing, harvesting, fermentation. There's a section on corkscrews and a section on winery tours. Even the most casual of wine drinkers will find this book to be fascinating and very educational. The writing style is easy to read and light-hearted. I really appreciate the small size of this book - it's only ~6" X 4". It's small enough to tuck into a backpack or purse while on a winery tour or vacation. Cheers!

Verve and Wit

Once again, James Waller enlists the aid of his partners, Verve and Wit, to present his views on the enjoyment of alcohol consumption. Every few pages I felt inspired to go out and buy a bottle of wine, but I couldn't put down the book. Being a happy drinker myself, I'm delighted when one of my favorite comestibles is described by a connoisseur with a sense of humor. Oenologists can seem drier than their wines. To the dry, I prefer the droll. Enjoy the reading. It's (almost) as much fun as the drinking.

Don't know the first thing about wine? This is a good place to start.

Once again, you find yourself in a restaurant, looking down at the wine list-or standing in the middle of your local wine shop, staring at the endless bottles of wine. But you don't know the first thing about wine. That's where Drinkology WINE comes in. In the introduction, Waller starts with a few promises. He promises not to assume that the reader knows anything about wine. And he promises to focus on wines in a moderate price range, for the average drinker (as opposed to the wine collector). And, for the most part, he sticks to his promises. The book starts with the basics. You'll learn about the vocabulary as well as the winemaking process. Then you get into the details-and this is where you'll want to get out your highlighters and a pen and paper. Waller goes on to describe the main varieties of both red and white wines-with advice about which ones to try and which ones to avoid. And he ends with a trip through your local wine shop, traveling from one winemaking country to another. Waller puts readers right at ease. There's nothing snobbish about him. His style is light and relaxing, with even a little bit of humor thrown in from time to time. That's not to say, of course, that the book isn't still overwhelming at times. With all the different varieties and vintages and wine-makers to cover, how can it not be? But Drinkology WINE does an excellent job of making such a vast topic feel a little more manageable. After reading this book, you won't be an expert, but you'll definitely feel more knowledgeable. More importantly, you'll feel more confident about stepping into the wine shop-or choosing from the wine list. And that's a big step in the right direction.