4 comments about Cowboys & the Trappings of the Old West.

1. I'm a leatherworker and I've just fallen in love with this book. I think it's going to be a fantastic reference because not only does it have a ton of high-quality pictures, but it also goes into great depth about the historical use of every single item there. Absolutely great.



2. It has a great number of photos that show details of western clothings, accessories, and other items. As a costume designer, I need to see the details for my research, and this book helped me a lot.
   The book shows everything from hats, bandanas, leather cuffs, spurs, to boots. It also has a nice section on cowgirls.



3. I found the book both entertaining and informative. The photography and description of the material is excellent. As an amatuer historian on the subject, I found it to be educational as well as concise and pointing out subtle items which could have been overlooked by the casual observer. It is one of those books the reader can either read from cover to cover or open anywhere and dig right in.

   It covers all aspects of turn-of-the-century attire and accouterments from the working cowboy to the Wild West Show performers. Excellent and entertaining.




4. This is a very good book for those interested in all the various accessories that the cowboy (and cowgirl) used. It is a good reference for old west living history groups that need to authenticate costume articles to a particular time period. The pictures are top quality.

1 comments about Heddon Plastic Lures: Identification & Price Guide.

1. I found this book to be very helpful when just starting to collect River Runt lures. Lots of pictures and discussion of what makes some lures more collectable then others. I woudl recommend this book to any beginner.

1 comments about Indian Trade Relics Identification & Values: Identification & Values (Artifacts and Collectibles).

1. This is a great book if you collect artifacts and want to see what they are presently going for.

4 comments about Mountain Dew: The History.

1. An excellent source of information on Mountain Dew and the history surrounding this much loved lemony citrus sugar and caffeine drink.



2. As a major collector of Mt Dew bottles and items, I was glad to see such a comprehensive account of the Mt Dew soft drink. Most of this history has been unknown until now. Dick has gone to great lengths to research and interview those who were involved with the formulation of this brand. The many pictures and personal accounts add to the overall enjoyment and add great interest to the reader. All three of Dick's Mt Dew books are a must have for anyone interested in Mt Dew or the post WWII development of the soft drink industry in general.



3. This is a fascinating story, especially for those of us that live in the East Tennessee & Western North Carolina area. This book leaves no stone unturned in the search for the origin of what is now one of the most populat beverages in the U.S. Before Coke & Pepsi controlled most of the soft drink market, there were several regional bottlers in this area. This book is a great history lesson, as it brings you back to the time when drinks came in a bottle that you returned to the store, where there was often a cooler filled with ice cold water & the drinks were hung by their neck and you had to rearrange some of them to get to the flavor you wanted. Excellently researched, this is a fun read for just about anyone. It'll tickle your innards!



4. WOW !!! This book was long overdue. What a fascinating story of America's
   third best selling soft drink. The book calls the story "a Hatfield and
   McCoy feud of the braggin' rights to Mountain Dew" and now I understand
   exactly what they mean. This could easily be the basis for "Oh Brother How Art Thou II".
   
   A true story where the main characters were hard working, hard drinking bottlers ... but they are also some of the quirkiest, funniest hillbillies I've ever met.
   
   The book is an extremely interesting read whether you care about Mountain Dew or not. I would recommend it to anyone. The story, Mountain Dew, could easily pass as one of the most entertaining case studies I've read. The book is very well researched, well documented and includes great old B/W pictures from the early years of bottling.
   
   Oh yeah ... I also wanted to know more about how Pepsi markets Mountain Dew today. And I did. I learned all about Code Red, Livewire, Amp etc ... I even learned what happened to Mountain Dew Code Blue.
   
   Overall, a great read !!!

No comments about Classic Fishing Lures: Identification and Price Guide.

5 comments about Girl Scout Collectors' Guide: A History of Uniforms, Insignia, Publications, And Memorabilia.

1. Excellent source book for anyone researching Girl Scout information and history. Fun to just "dip into" and remember the wholesome fun of being a Brownie or Girl Scout.



2. interesting book. i found most of the items i was searching for in the book.



3. Long awaited update on 1st edition. I could find very few inaccuracies



4. Please check this book out at a library or local Girl Scout Council before buying! I was disappointed because I have been searching for quite some time for information regarding four Brownie badges that I earned in the 1970s, but can't remember what they were for or how I earned them. Although this book seems well-researched and is full of interesting and little-known facts, the information I seek was not included in this book or its predecessor. Since these badges were earned within the last 35 years, I was disappointed to find no mention of them, especially when the book includes such a wealth of information regarding previous decades.



5. This is an amazing collection of information on all things about the girl scouting organization with information of program, evolution of girl scouting, uniforms, badges, age level and has information on other items used by girl scouts . I have found it very helpful in compliling my collection, which is available at www.sparklesgarden.com/patchtrading.html
   Thank you.

5 comments about The American Roller Coaster.

1. very good book about rollercoasters with lots of information and good pictures



2. This is a very good book if you want a look back to the predecessors of today's coasters. The coverage is very thorough and informative. The coasters covered range from early 1900's to many of today. The photos are simply great -- they made the book wonderful (though the text could easily support itself). If you like coasters, this is the book for you.



3. Perfect book on rollercoasters. Great photos, great history. If you were only to buy one book about roller coasters- make it this one!



4. Other reviewers have given a good overview of this book. I will go into some detail on Chapter 3:Nuts and Bolts -- How Coasters Work. Rutherford begins by talking about materials used in the basic structure. His section on the evolution of tracking is excellent. Most readers will be surprised to learn about the side-friction coaster. This is a rare beast, and to my knowledge, this is the only easily available documentation available about it.

   The wood track structure is well explained along with cross sectional diagrams of how the carriages (trains) are attached to the track/structure. Rutherford finishes this part with a discussion on standard bent construction for the structure.

   In the next part of this chapter, the discussion continues with steelie coasters, track fabrication and wheel assemblies. Propulsion, lift chain, anti-rollback devices, other safety devices, brakes, zone blocking, restraints, etc. are wonderful background information for the teacher who wants to take their class to the amusement park for a science field trip.

   The chapter ends with the nature of teh ride and what is involved in creating one of these machines. The difference between an track plan and profile are clearly illustrated.

   Good addition to the library.




5. An excellent and unusual title providing insights into American pastimes and interests, Scott Rutherford's American Roller Coaster covers the ups and downs of roller coaster history, pairing a clear text history with color photos and illustrations of coasters from 1900 to modern times. The history and evolution covers construction as well as roller coaster styles and development.

5 comments about Encyclopedia of American Farm Implements & Antiques.

1. This is a great read for anyone interested in old farm equipment. The only problem was that I recognized too many of the pieces from my childhood and started realizing how old I am.



2. C. H. Wendel's Encyclopedia of American Farm Implements & Antiques is a first-rate work. The illustrations are exceptional, and the scope impressive. Wendel documents the machinery of manufacturing giants and the lesser-known manufacturers from the middle nineteenth century to the middle twentieth century. If you need to identify a machine or manufacturer Wendel's book ought to be your first source.



3. I bought this book as a gift for my father, who collects antique farm tools and tractors, has done his own restorations, and goes to antique shows all the time. I have no higher praise than this: when he settles in for the night, he gets in his favorite chair and opens that book. He may read it for hours, or browse a few pages, but it's his favorite reading material.



4. Once again, Charles Wendel shows that he is the undisputed master author of obscure antique farm implements and tractors.Wendel shows old sales brochure engravings of everything from hog oilers to corn shellers and hay loft pulleys. From feed grinders to hay tedders, and EVERYTHING in between.A MUST READ if you want a guide to antique farm implements from the 1800's through the 1950's.



5. It's hard to find info on old farm machinery. I especially liked the close-up illustrations of wooden windmills

1 comments about Lighthouses of the Great Lakes: Your Ultimate Guide to the Region's Historic Lighthouses (Pictorial Discovery Guide).

1. Lighthouses Of The Great Lakes is a simply fantastic showcase of historic lighthouses of the Great Lakes region. Full color photographs by Daniel E. Dempster of virtually every structure combined with Todd R. Berger's informative text revealing remarkable true stories behind each fill this amazing tour through history. A treat for lighthouse aficionados, and a joy to page through for virtually everyone else, Lighthouses Of The Great Lakes is the next best thing to driving for hours to see each great, life-saving lighthouse personally.

3 comments about Only in Minnesota.

1. I don't think I will ever understand why people from MN think that its so unique. Minnesota does not have much going for it.



2. i found this book to be a wonderful guide to the newly transplanted and for folks like me, who have lived here all my life. i had no idea there is so much beauty & long lived traditions. i mostly spend my time going to the ne corner of the state-lake superior but now i have had a glimpse of what other fabulous places are here in minnesota and will begin to explore what is 'only in minnesota'. thank you for creating this book!



3. I love this book, I recently moved out of Minnesota and miss it dearly. This book is a beautiful tribute to the scenic views, great places to visit and the charismatic people who live there.