Lightposts for Living: The Art of Choosing a Joyful Life [Hardcover]

Thomas Kinkade (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1999

Known as the Painter of Light, Thomas Kinkade has always used his artwork to convey certain core values: Marriage and Family, Children and Future Generations, Nature, Spirituality, and Tradition. Now, for the first time, Kinkade explains how all people can transform their lives by following 18 simple principles, or lightposts,that illuminate these core values. These include: Living in the Light of Simplicity, the Light of Selflessness, and the Light of Thankfulness, as well as Living in a Positive Light, and Living in the Cozy Light of Home. With retail product sales of over $200 million per year and over 150 Thomas Kinkade-themed stores nationwide, Americans collect the works of Thomas Kinkade more than any other living artist. There are nearly one million copies of Kinkades 10 previous (mostly art) books in print. His Ill Be Home for Christmas and Romantic Hideaways (Harvest, 1997) were Evangelical Christian Publishers Association bestsellers, and his Simpler Times (Harvest, 1996), a book which contains portions of his philosophical writings, has been his strongest seller to date with 215,000 hardcover copies in print. Simpler Times hit the Christian Booksellers Association Marketplace Premier 100 list for 1997. Also available as a Time Warner AudioBook read by the author.Praise for Thomas Kinkade: Not since Norman Rockwell has one artist so captured the heart of the American people. ~ Key magazine

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Like the beloved artist Norman Rockwell, painter Thomas Kinkade emphasizes what is good and kind in America. His paintings of old-fashioned homes and ideal landscapes may not ever be considered high art--but they can certainly capture the heart and soothe the eye, and for many of his devout fans, that's plenty.

Now Kinkade sets his sights on writing about the core values that his paintings have illuminated for years--home, tradition, family, nature, and above all else, living in the light. By sharing personal stories and numerous analogies to his painter's process, Kinkade has developed a comfortable, fireside-chat manner. He offers advice and inspirational suggestions on chapter topics such as, "The Abundance of Enough, Living in the Light of Simplicity;" "Saying Grace, Living in the Light of Thankfulness;" and "A Radiant Sunrise, Living in a Romantic Light." Mostly, Kinkade seems to want readers to create a more beautiful, serene, and joyful life, as if they could be transported into the idyllic world of his paintings. While this may seem like a naive agenda, it is a soothing notion, and one that many fans would certainly enjoy imagining. --Gail Hudson

From Publishers Weekly

With 10 previous books primarily showcasing his paintings, including the CBA bestsellers Simpler Times and Romantic Hideaways, Kinkade now articulates his vision and his essentially Christian philosophy of life. Described by the publisher as America's most popular living artist, Kinkade paints scenes of natural beauty and idyllic homes. His work is widely collected in this country and merchandised through 150 Kinkade-themed retail stores and on QVC. With this book, his first from a major trade house, Warner is clearly betting on his crossover appeal. Color reproductions of his work are generously interspersed throughout the text, but the focus here is on his message, which combines aspects of the simplicity movement with basic "family values." Co-writing with Anne Christian Buchanan, and using artistic terms such as "painterly light," "balance," "harmony" and "filtering," Kinkade has successfully captured his vision in a gift book guaranteed to charm his fans. What sets this work apart from other simplicity books is the sweetness of the language and the strength of Kincade's religious faith. Urging readers to take "joybreaks" for little pleasures and to nurture their own childlike curiosity, he admits to being an unabashed romantic with his wife. Telling readers not to mistake austerity for simplicity, he takes obvious delight in the life his material success has made possible for his family. Those who don't share his vision may find the sweetness cloying and the view old-fashioned. But this book is sure to captivate his millions of fans and those who find comfort and pleasure in his idealized paintings. Four-color art throughout, including 16 full-page prints. 250,000 first printing; major ad/promo; author tour.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Warner Books (April 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446525227
• ISBN-13: 978-0446525220
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #813,123 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very inspirational and artistic, November 19, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Lightposts for Living: The Art of Choosing a Joyful Life (Hardcover)

This was a great book. The chapters, or lightposts, each elaborated on an idea for a more joyful life. One of Kinkade's suggestions that I liked was the "glow books." When something good happens to you, jot it down in a little notebook and share it with someone you love. I started my own "glow book" and already it has helped me appreciate the good things in my life. I would recommend this book to anyone who would like to add a little joy to their lives. I certainly have!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Simple but Inspirational, October 28, 1999

By 

Mary Cooper (LaGrange Park, Illinois USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lightposts for Living: The Art of Choosing a Joyful Life (Hardcover)

The author's ideas are simple and rather obvious for living a joyful life, e.g. simplifying, filtering too much information, volunteering, etc. but they're also inspirational. In these cynical and selfish times, it's refreshing to read about a celebrity who practices what he preaches, i.e. family values. Also, he explains that he mass produces his uplifting artwork so it's affordable to the general public. In fact, I used one of his bookmarks while reading this positive and encouraging book.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A breath of fresh air, November 21, 2000

By 

Bonnie Clement (Kittitas, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lightposts for Living: The Art of Choosing a Joyful Life (Paperback)

Reading this book is like taking a walk in the country, feeling the sunshine and gentle breeze and hearing the singing of birds and the bubbling of a brook and smelling the fragrance of flowers and rain-washed earth. This is not a book one can read thoroughly in one sitting; instead it must be read in small portions so you can savor the richness of what the author/artist is conveying. And once you have turned the last page, don't be surprised if you go back to the beginning and start all over again. I have done so twice. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is seeking a more peaceful, joyful, and positive life.