5 comments about Standard Catalog of Lionel Trains 1945-1969.

1. This is an excellent reference work. The layout of the book is easy to use and the pictures are first class. This book surpasses many of the standard reference works available. Makes a great addition to a reference library on Lionel Trains.



2. this is the only book you will ever need if you collect older lionel trains it covers all the bases and lets me remember everything I forgot many years ago when I got my first train set extremely informative thanks I only wish there was a book to cover later years



3. Now in a newly expanded and updated second edition, David Doylle's "Standard Catalog of Lionel Trains' showcases Lionel toy trains made from 1945 through 1969. Surveyed in an authoritative collector's reference this new edition packs over a thousand color photos with its expanded catalog , which includes variations on Lionel cars and accessories. Many collectors of Lionels will find come to consider this a major 'must have' bible of information, packing in color photos and charts of values for Lionel trains in all conditions.



4. Excellent amount of information on post Lionel trains. The catalog contains the highest amount of information on Lionel trains, the value and rarity for each model. Plenty of photos to provide visual reference for your research.



5. The best or one of the best Lionel guides to postwar Lionel trains. The only guide that authoritatively lists all production variations over the years covered.

3 comments about Rug Hooking In Maine: 1838-1940.

1. As Peladeau shows, the field of Maine hooked rugs is surprisingly complex. It's certainly more involved and more fertile than ones who know it simply as a category of "Maine hooked rugs" realize. The field is given complexity and richness by different periods, rug makers, regions, and skills. The author brings all these elements out by an uncommon depth of research sustained by an intertwined personal and professional interest. She lectures on aspects of the topic, has organized exhibitions, and collects research materials on it.
   
   Peladeau finds, for instance, that in the 1859 Maine Charitable Mechanic Fair, three rugs were exhibited. But she goes beyond this fact to relate what it says about the field at this moment in its history. That only the few rugs were exhibited indicates "that interest in rugs had waned somewhat..."; and even more, that the small number indicates that interest in rugs at the time "was centered in the Portland area" and other crafts such as quilts and shell box work had come into greater favor. Such continual details and commentary on what they tell about Maine hooked rugs makes for not only informative, but engrossing reading on the field.
   
   Hooked rugs continue to hold appeal for many collectors and others in the antiques' field because they are a genuine folk art with old Maine and New England associations. Rug hooking was a traditional skill passed on to young woman. Hooked rugs served practical and decorative purposes in homes before surviving ones became desirable collector's items as homes became modernized and the frontier and Victorian tastes and skills they represented passed away. This comes through in Peladeau's text where she relates how rug hooking originated in particular places and spread to others; in her portrayals of individual rug makers or hooked-rug businesses; and detailed descriptions on how the rugs were made, which in some passages are specified to the point of reading like how-to instructions. But the visual matter especially imparts the folk-art aura of hooked rugs which makes them perennially appealing. The diary entries, the old pamphlets, the period photos of woman rug makers and old shops where they were made impart a feel for the combination of ordinariness, industriousness, and inventiveness distinguishing folk art. The many photographs of the farm animals, birds, flowers, patterns, and borders of hooked rugs all in varying degrees of primitive style impart this essential quality of such rugs too.
   
   Peladeau's book is for collectors and the like looking for a discriminating understanding of Maine hooked rugs. The rugs always have an appeal for their folk-art appearance and association with Americana and traditional New England crafts. But for readers whose appreciation is enhanced by knowledge of weaves, recognition of regional variations, awareness of stages of development, and the like, Peladeau's book is for them.



2. This book is a serious study of Maine's Rug hooking tradition. It is well researched and the stories flow easily and informatively. Color photos and paper quality is excellent. Worthy addition to any American textile/rug library.



3. I just received this book and initially thumbed through it. I almost sent it back - based only on the pictures of old rugs. I am so used to books based on contemporary rugs that my first thought was that these old rugs were somehow dull, but when I slowed down to read the history I had second thoughts. I started from the beginning of the book and read through it then studied the pictures. It is a wealth of information and an asset to any serious traditional rug hooker's library.

5 comments about Americana the Beautiful: Mid-century Culture in Kodachrome.

1. There is nothing like great images and insight to bring back a long ago era. This book does a great job at setting the stage! Buy it and enjoy!



2. l have always been fascinated by the 1950s, it was like no other era in history,The American dream, good old fashion values, and families.It was portrayed as an era of blissful harmony and peacful existence for all. When l came across this book by charles phoenix, l was delighted, you cannot be amazed by this book of ordinary people, capturing their lives, on film in excellent quality. The fact that these pictures still remain, in wonderful quality taken by amateur photographers is truefully historical. If you never lived through the 1950s, and l didnt, because lm 35 years old, and your only glimpse of this era is in the movies, then this book is a real gem. His other book, californialand, is equally great book, which he showes more of these great photos of ordinary people living in the 50s. Great historical books.



3. Americana the Beautiful is a trip down memory lane; especially for us Baby Boomers.
   
   These old shapshots are great! What a wonderful trip we took every summer when we visited my mother's family in South Carolina. Remember those luggage racks on station wagons? I remember being on the New Jersey Turnpike one time and luggage thtat was tied to the roof blew off. Dad had to pull our station wagon to the side of the road and pick up a suitcase full of diapers for my younest brother!
   
   I have fond memories of the Dairy Queen and the Good Humor mah. The smell was sweet mixed with raw exhaust fumes! What great times those were!



4. Another selection of snaps rescued by Charles Phoenix just before they might have ended up in the local landfill. In the same format as his excellent 'Southern Californialand' (ISBN 1883318424) and so much better than the earlier 'God Bless Americana' book. The two hundred amateur slides feature a rich seam of everyday life full of white middle class detail (which of course does raise the question: didn't colored folk take photos back then or perhaps they never junk them).
   
   Overall I thought the photo selection was fascinating and grouping them in themes worked well. The last few pages have some intriguing architectural and transport slides like the 1964 flying saucer style State Capitol Bank in Oklahoma City or the late fifties General Motors Aerotrain pulling into a station. On page thirty-six onward there are several pages of people at home showing all kinds of domestic activity, food on tables, kitchens, watching home movies or just enjoying company. It's interesting looking at these photos because they are so unlike anything taken by professionals though sometimes the composition, lighting and color does lift them out of the mundane.
   
   Like 'Southern Californialand' the editorial format works well with photos one to a page, allowing for a deep caption or several slides butted together. My only criticism is that sometimes out of focus images are too large, for example the soft-focus Jefferson Drive-in on page ninety-seven would have worked better much smaller or even rejected. Also captions frequently describe in words what the reader can obviously see in the picture but fortunately many of them also have plenty of historical background detail about things in the photos.
   
   Charles Phoenix has hit on a successful publishing genre and there surely will be more titles to come but until the next one you can follow the latest finds on his website.
   
   ***FOR AN INSIDE LOOK click 'customer images' under the cover.



5. Charles Phoenix has done it again! We've loved each of his books, and the last few we've bought almost as soon as he released them. This one has even more of Charles' trademark old, but crisp, bright and clear, color Kodakchrome slides, all taken by amateur photographers like you and me (or our parents and grandparents!), from all across America, and all with brief, nondistracting, colorful, very witty and informative commentary. It's a perfect gift for a "Fourth of July" Party. You'll laugh as well as be a little saddened by this colorful, visual reminder of our treasured, more innocent and playful past. Cheers and thanks once again to Charles Phoenix. And if you get a chance, check out his website and go see one of his hilarious live shows or tours.

1 comments about Marble Collectors Handbook.

1. Marble identification is complicated. This book has excellent photos to assist in identification. The narrative pertaining to each type of marble is informative, quick, and to the point. This is a book to be used.

4 comments about You Can Find Gold: With a Metal Detector (Prospecting and Treasure Hunting).

1. Prospecting information is presented that is useful and informative



2. The authors have so much enthusiasm for their topic that I truly wanted to write a positive review, but unfortunately their enthusiasm is the only redeeming quality of the book. True, you can learn some things about searching for gold with a metal detector. And although the authors disclaim any purpose to sell their products, they refer to them exclusively on the grounds that they are most familiar with them. Well, OK, but it still has an uncomfortable feel to it. And I felt I was unable to translate many of their instructions to generic terms (for use with any brand metal detector).
   
   Early on you are advised that terms are defined in the glossary. But they should also be defined in the text so that one does not have to continually stop reading and refer to the glossary. This is basic to didactic writing. For example, the term "placer" is used many times before it is defined. Ground balancing (canceling) is treated the same way.
   
   There are several passages that are repeated verbatim in different chapters and you are left wondering if you have somehow read the current chapter already! It appears that the editor of the book was in a great rush, or extremely inexperienced. I could not find any reference to RAM publications on the web. The editor was found, and seems to be mostly associated with the works of Garret and Lagal.
   
   Was it worth the price? I suppose, as I at least felt the excitement of hunting for gold. But it would be better titled as a companion to one of the Garret manufactured metal detectors. I still hope to find a book on using the metal detector as a hobby that is a better-written "how to" book that speaks in generic terms about metal detectors.



3. The improvements in technology have corresponded inversely to the number of prospectors. Erosion during the past century has exposed millions of tons of virgin substrata for prospectors of today, and metal detectors will increase the chance of discovering new placers.
   
   There's no better expert on metal detector technology than Garrett. Great as those detectors are, they require some training to use them. Garrett provides the best 'how-to' advice available. His book will give you the straight-forward means to practice with it before you begin trekking into the canyons or sweeping old school yards for coins.
   
   Learn how to do it and you still mightn't find gold, but you'll certainly find the greatest treasure of them all: solitude.



4. Our family has been in something of a cash crunch since the late 1970's, so the jaunty optimism in this book's title caught my eye the moment I spied it on a local shelf. It was written by the doyen of metal detection - Charles Garrett, creator of the eponymous Garrett Infinium LS detector, as well as the "ultra-advanced, deepseeking GTI 2500," among many others. His book is a sober introduction to the art of wealth accretion by way of magnetic broom. All is covered, from the first "bench test" before a detector's maiden search, to techniques for keeping the search coil level, to the famous "screw-driver probe" for pinpointing buried objects. Shortly after I bought this book my four-year-old son and I passed a pleasant afternoon on a Chatham beach seeking to re-enter the ranks of the upwardly mobile. By nightfall our plunder included an oversized wing nut (almost certainly from a pirate's ship, I assured my son), three discarded soda cans (good for fifteen cents, or twice that should we make the journey to Michigan, where one can gain double the local redemption rate through ruthless arbitrage), and three pennies that my son regularly planted in front of me to allay his boredom and my flagging spirits. All told I expect that we would have found more precious metals by combing the beach with a Geiger counter, and certainly would have had more success at spooking the locals (as it was, my cover story of being a minesweeper on secret business for Tom Ridge had few takers).

5 comments about Wee Little Garden Gnome (Running Press Miniature Editions).

1. This is such an adorable and charming little gnome. He makes a great figurine in general, or as someone suggested great for vacation pics. I ended up getting one as a little gift for my mother, who has a small garden on her window. He looks great on the window. Very nice quality, cute design, the little book is a fun read - for adults and kids. And it comes in a neat gift box, makes a delightful gift or for yourself. I may end up getting myself one, since it's charming.



2. 
   The Gnome itself is very cute. The little story book is a delight!



3. These wee little gnomes make the cutest little "bag stuffer" to include with your housewarming or feel better gifts.
   Adorable!



4. This little guy makes a wonderful travel companion, or he'll wait patiently on your desk or dresser. I especially like his friendly appearance and small stature.
   
   He's solid, made of some kind of plaster-ish composite material.
   
   If you need a miniature friend, this is the guy for you.



5. My boyfriend and I took this little guy on our recent trip to Europe and he was awesome, very portable and handy. He makes photos much much more entertaining. Though I do caution that if you put him down in a train station in Rome and then get distracted, it is very devastating when you forget him there. Good thing I got another one!

4 comments about The Skateboard Art of Jim Phillips.

1. Presented in this book is practically the very definition of BAD TASTE! But, two stars given because if you happen to be into the silly skateboard scene, you'll probably LOVE this one.



2. I bought this book based on the two other reviews on Amazon but when I received it i was a little disappointed. It wasn't exactly what I expected. I wasn't very familiar with Jim Phillips' art before this book. I own other skateboard art books, but this kind of art is too busy for me. If you're a fan of Jim Phillips' art then I guess this book is for you, but it wasn't exactly my taste.



3. I think there is a big difference between this book and the Skateboard and rock poster book. This book comes with full blown pages of closeups of all of or most of Jim's artwork. I'm a hobby artist myself so I'm really jazzed up about this book. Another book to get that is rather intresting is Disposable which covers different skateboard companies and riders but you will be happy with this book here.



4. Jim Phillips is finally stepping out from the obscurity of his drawing board to take a bow for the countless skating design innovations for which he is solely responsible. The skateboarding, surfing and rock & roll art of the last 30 years was trailblazed by this softspoken and humble artuer and the rest if the world has been playing catch-up ever since. Any skater who grew up riding in the 70s, 80s and 90s had these designs plastered on every wall of their bedroom as well as the decks of their boards. The ripples started in Santa Cruz, CA but have radiated out to impact the art worlds of Europe, Japan and Canada. Check out Jim's other 2 books on Rock Art and Surf/Skate art, too! AWESOME!

5 comments about More French-Beaded Flowers: 38 Patterns for Making Blossoms, Leaves, Insects, and More.

1. The book is beautifully presented with exceptional diagrams and step by step instructions. There are many different varieties of flowers not found in other books, exotic orchics and beautiful butterflies. I love it.
   
   I received my book very quickly, Amazon kept me informed via email that the order was received and when the book was sent. Great service.



2. I've had Kelly's first book (as a section of a larger beading book) for a while and have had great fun with it. The flowers in this second book are just as beautiful. The instructions are clear and relatively easy to follow. I've already done a couple of the projects and they've turned out well.
   
   Now for the caution flag. Kelly's first book is titled 'French-Beaded Flowers: New Millennium Collection'. This second book is titled 'More French Beaded Flowers: 38 Patterns for Blossoms, Leaves, Bugs & More'.
   
   However, there is another Kelly book that you may see, titled 'French Beaded Flowers'. Be aware that this seemingly THIRD Kelly book is the UK's version of the second book. The only differences between the two books are the cover, the longer title and the publisher. The project content is exactly the same. Judging from the dates of the reviews written for the UK version, it seems to have been published first. Maybe the publishers of the U.S. version decided to add the word 'MORE' to the title just to be different. Or maybe it was some type of legal thing. The one thing it IS, is confusing to the consumer.
   
   So, please don't be fooled by the cover, like I was and buy both of them. As far as I know, there are only two books by Dalene Kelly on French Beaded Flowers, not three.



3. I've been working with beads for many years, and creating french beaded flowers for at least 20 years, and I STILL was very impressed with this book (which isn't easy to do!) The instructions are clear and the designs are wonderful! It's hard to say if a beginner would view it the same since I have been working with this art form for so long, but I believe it would be an excellent instructional guide, and a fantastic addition to every beading artist & hobbyist's library.



4. I bought Dalene's first French Beaded Flowers book and used it extensively. I was happy to add the second one to my collection. It is a very project-based book like the first one. I have made a number of the flowers already. The instructions are clear and concise. A good book for beginners.



5. Dalene's second book of French Beaded Flowers is a welcome addition to her first. I've already made several of the flowers! Her instructions are clear, and the flowers are just beautiful. Good work, Dalene!

5 comments about The Old Outboard Book.

1. This book is one to get for all ages.It lists all the brand motors of old. It gives the history of each motor which I found very interesting and helpful.It also gives a price guide of each motor and which I disagree with. The motor I have I would not sell for the price thats listed in the book. But it gives you the info on what you are looking for.



2. This is NOT a detailed repair manual, but rather a valuable history of outboards including many of the obscure makes such as the one you have leaning in the corner of the shed.



3. After reading the 2nd edition of Peter Hunn's The Old Outboard Book I couldn't wait to get the revised and expanded 3rd edition. I take the book with me when I go looking for old outboards and swap meets. No better reference exists in my opinion.



4. This book has become the "Bible" for most outboard collectors. It has everything in one place. The big list of almost ALL known US outboard manufacturers, The price guide which is the only published guide of its kind, developed thru consultation with a good cross section of prominent and active collectors, Great Serial number guides, Spark plug charts, and much more. Peter's style is very readable, with a "story" connected to each brand. Hundreds of outboard collectors keep a copy in their car, while touring the country looking for additions to their collections. Most helpful to identify, and value that Garage sale or Outboard meet, find. HIGHLY recommended, especially for those new to the hobby.



5. This book is stretched between a technical manual and a coffee table book way too tight. Hunn covers the larger manuf. with research that could be found on any historical website, and briefly touches on the rare and obscure in general descriptions. Do not rely on this book for technical information. Simply order specific parts lists for the motors you have. I would like to know if Hunn's other book was better as a picture book, as this one was too poorly written to be of any enjoyment.

3 comments about Gun Trader's Guide: 31st Edition.

1. For at least the last five or six years I have purchased this guide. This and the Blue Book of Gun Values really work well together for me in making an educated reference point when out in the field and in the vault as well. I like this guide because of the pictures too and there's quite a bit of information and history in it too.
   jim



2. Excellent book for the photos that show most of the guns listed. Price ranges given are good.



3. This book is of little value to the serious gun buyer/seller and gives only a rough approximation of a small number of guns in the world. I strongly suggest you instead choose the 25th edition of the Blue Book of Gun Values or the 2004 edition of the Standard Catalog of Firearms. Both have much more detailed information than Gun Trader's Guide in terms of number of guns, conditions, variants, prices, and other useful reference info. The Standard Catalog also has a lot of photos, while the Blue Book has almost none. The Standard Catalog and the Blue Book are what the dealers use in pricing used guns. Either is far better than Modern Gun Values, in my opinion, and I have been a gun hobbyuist for 40+ years.