No comments about Josef Originals: Charming Figurines (Schiffer Book for Collectors).

5 comments about The Big House: Life Inside a Supermax Security Prison.

1. The Big House provides a graphically detailed and insightful look at "life inside a supermax security prison" just like the cover says.
   
   I was a little disappointed however, that Warden James Bruton seemed to spend more time patting himself on the back than actually writing about what we bought the book to read. He seemed to spend entirely too much time describing how problems of other prisons don't exist at HIS prison, and how well he cleaned up the place.
   
   That is great, and I am sure there are many lessons there for other wardens or correctional officials but that is not what I was interested in reading. I wish he had spent more detail (and pages) focusing on the life and experiences of the inmates and less on what a great job he did.
   
   I would still recommend this book to anyone interested in an "inside look" at a supermax prison, but there are others I would suggest reading first.



2. This is a very compelling story of the career path of someone in the penal system. It has several good accounts and some characters are pretty well defined, however, it reads like a childrens' book.



3. James Bruton was an enlightened Warden; someone who believed in the dignity of prisoners and in giving them self-respect. He argues, in the stories he tells about life in a supermax prison, that 95% of all prisoners get paroled at some point and that society has an interest in seeing that parolees re-enter the streets well-adjusted and not angry.
   His anecdotes about older lifers, and how they typically "run" prisons (through long-term stays in key jobs), about what causes lockdowns, and the experiences of guards ring true. [...].
   This is not a leering, notorious book; rather it is an insightful report of the author's experiences. Highly recommended.



4. the warden did a great job of detailing what prison life is like...sadly some people end up there and its taking the caring of other to maintain the security. danger and compassion. a very well written book. highly recommend.



5. Pretty good. A fast read. Needs more details in some stories. Worth the $$ though.

5 comments about Living Lean.

1. In January!!! I weighed 200 pounds at 5'4" tall. Needless to say, that is overweight. I have to admit, I did not commit to everything in this book, not because I didn't want to, but just because I am not a great follow through person. That said, I have to tell you, my size 14 pants are baggy on me!!!! In case you missed my title I was a size 18! The exercises were easy and effective, and I look absolutely great now. I am committing more now that school is back in session and my kids are in school during the day and I have my routine back! I am beyond happy with this book, and it is truely a life changer!



2. I have been following the program almost to a "T" (except for the beer on the weekends) for the last 5 weeks and I have had fabulous results! It has been so easy to follow and I NEVER feel hungry. I have lost 15 pounds and several inches. So far, I have gone down 2 sizes and I feel and look much better. I get so many complements now and I am loving life! I plan to stay on this "healthy eating" for the remainder of my life. This is not a diet, this is a way of eating for the heath of it! I would love to speak with Larry to tell him how much I appreciate this and what a world of difference he has made in my life. My husband has also started the program, but he is not as strict as I am and he has lost 24 pounds, go figure! Way to go LARRY NORTH!!



3. I purchased this program over 1 year ago, and I am sure it is a good product, but it did not work for me. I returned the merchandise and was never refunded my money or the products. I contacted customer serviec on numerous attempts by phone and correspondence and finally the number was disconnected.
   I was very disappointed in the product and the customer service and therefore in Larry North, because ultimately his name is on the product. I just want the comsumers to be aware that if they do not like the product and decide to return it, to be careful because you will not be get your money back or even the merchandise that you return.



4. I really enjoyed this book, it was no nonsense and the food plans really do work. I did not understand the exercises too well, but I think that they are improved upon in his later book. I lost 7 pounds in a week, but unless you have a set schedule it is hard to eat larger meals as often. It was easier for me to grab fruit as a meal. But, overall if you stick with it, it will work. I even did my own exercise routine and it was fine.



5. This book details a balanced approach to eating to lose weight, with focus placed on cutting out the fat, and eating a good balance of protiens, carbs, and fibrous vegetables. In eating six smaller meals a day, you can speed up your metabolism and with exercise speed it up a bit more. The program is about getting your muscles in shape, and increasing muscle mass so you burn more calories both while exercising and while resting.

   However, It is worth noting that if you're on a tight grocery budget, and a tight schedule this program is nearly impossible to carry out. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are expensive, as are the other ultra lean meats you need to eat. Preparing all the meals is time consuming, and if you've got a whole family to prepare meals for, well, it's a bit much.

   Even though I do have that problem with the book, I reccomend it highly to someone who's willing to comit the time, money and effort to eating right and exercising. This is a healthy, and balanced approach.

No comments about The Complete * Unauthorized Guide to Vintage Barbie Dolls*r & Fashions: With Barbie*r & Skipper*r Fashions and the Whole Family of Barbie Dolls*r (Schiffer Book for Collectors).

2 comments about Jewelry & Gems at Auction: The Definitive Guide to Buying & Selling at the Auction House & on Internet Auction Sites.

1. There are more in-depth books on buying and selling at auctions and online auctions that readers will want to consult. This briefs you on gemstones at auction. The publisher, Gemstone Press, has comprehensive guides on diamonds, pearls, etc. that are more in-depth as well. Convenient to have it all in one book, but keep in mind these limitations.
   Excellent color photo section, helpful drawings, great charts. Probably a good starting title for this area, but I'd want to read more books before venturing into buying and selling gems at auction.



2. Antoinette Marlins has many other gemstone guides to her name and is an expect on gem identification and sales, making Jewelry & Gems At Auction: The Definitive Guide To Buying & Selling At The Auction House & On Internet Auction Sites a 'must' for any serious collector. From distinguishing auction buying techniques from other types of gem purchasing to bidding on different types of gems, understanding jewelry periods and designs, and avoiding common auction pitfalls, Jewelry & Gems At Auction is simply packed with valuable tips.

3 comments about Hopi Silver: The History and Hallmarks of Hopi Silversmithing.

1. For anyone who admires or collects Hopi jewelry, this guide will only serve to deepen your appreciation of this beautiful artwork. After setting the stage geographically, Wright starts at the beginning with a history of Hopi crafts and culture, and early silversmiths. Of particular interest was the role played by Mary-Russell Colter of the Museum of Northern Arizona in encouraging the Hopi artists to create a design style that was uniquely Hopi, distinguishable from other Native American jewelry, and therefore profitable. The color plates of traditional and modern Hopi jewelry designs are stunning. The book closes with an index of the hallmarks of more than 300 Hopi silversmiths-- arranged chronologically and by type of symbol, with brief information about each artist. An invaluable reference for serious or casual collectors!



2. Back in print is Hopi Silver: The History And Hallmarks Of Hopi Silversmithing, a revised classic covering the history and hallmarks of Hopi silversmithing. This classic appeared over twenty years ago and was updated in 1998 to include 80 new artisans: it not only reveals the history of past and contemporary Hopi silversmithers, but it provides an important reference of unique hallmarks used by other 300 Hopi silversmiths, including designs, silversmith name and clan, and years he or she began their work. Add color photos and you have a memorable coverage.



3. This is the same 1998 book with a different cover. No new information since the 1998 edition.

5 comments about Up Country: A Novel.

1. Listening to this audio book compelled me to write a review. Overall an awesome story and audio book -- I highly recommend it. This despite the lead character who has to be the most arrogant, conceited, self-centered, thoughtless, stupid and `socially blind' (I can't think of the words here) character I've ever seen in a story. `Paul' (his name) almost manages to completely ruin an otherwise breath taking story.
   
   He is a completely unbelievable and over the top character. The type that is a boy scout as far as `truth and justice' (this is okay) while at the same time, is the unstoppable force who does the most stupid things no matter what he is up against or, despite what the consequences will be to himself or other people. One inch away from himself and his girl friend being tortured then killed, he does everything in his power to enrage and spit in the face of his capturers and he does this every chance he can in ways that are so stupid and simply ridiculous that it makes you shake your head and roll your eyes. And of course, for reasons never made clear, he always gets away with it. It is definitely the same character from the Generals Daughter only this time, he's on steroids.
   
   What the author was thinking I can't imagine but what you're left with is the feeling that this character is the author's alter ego therefore making the author arrogant and conceited beyond belief (sorry Mr. DeMille but that's what comes across to us).
   
   Normally it would be good for a character to have this much impact -- good or bad -- on the reader but this isn't the way of it here IMHO. His stupidity and arrogance ruins an otherwise awesome story. If you could edit out the leading character, it would be a far better book.
   
   Also, the way the book ends makes no sense to us though this may be our fault for just not understanding it. I would have re-listened to the end but cringing at the stupidity of the main character prevents me. If anyone can tell us why they told their bosses that they had hidden the evidence instead of telling them the truth, please let us know. Telling the truth seemingly would have let them both off the hook as far as everything goes and, the truth is almost sure to come out anyway! Lieing the way they did only gets them in trouble and puts them in great danger. Make no sense to us anyway. I'd love to understand what the thinking was here.
   
   Also the book ends with all the loose ends... remaining loose ends and I never like that kind of cop out. Does he get the girl or return to his former squeeze? Does he or the Vietnam Secret Police go after the murderer placing themselves in mortal danger? And so on...
   
   Finally, the Nelson DeMille has many brilliant works and is one of my favorite authors. However, in this book, he has the opportunity to pull off some really cool knock-the-reader-for-a-loop situations in several places and, at least for myself, you can even feel them coming up on you...but no, zip, nothing but the flattest uninteresting thing happens. Well at least I thought so but, this kind of thing is probably not fair or even proper to bring up (perhaps the main character has rubbed off on me a little!).
   
   RW



2. Up Country is Nelson Demille's suspense thriller set in post-Vietnam. Full of exciting escapes and tense drama, Demille takes the reader on a dangerous adventure through a country teaming with ghosts from previous wars. Superbly researched. Brilliantly paced. A must read for DeMille fans.
   
   Donald Gallinger is the author of The Master Planets



3. As someone who is too young to know much about Vietnam from personal experience, this book provided me a great historical escape into Vietnam and the effect it had on the men who were there. It is a little slow in places, but it still provides a great story and great historic context. It also explains a great deal about what it is currently like in Vietnam. This is not a high octane action book, but it is very powerful and creates a great setting.



4. That's besides the pompous main character's use of racial slurs, which the Vietnamese by and large dismiss as the mouthing-offs of immature children. Name calling doesn't impress them much. What troubled me more about this book were the many errors in language, culture, customs, etc. that it made me wonder how an experienced author like Mr. DeMille failed to catch these in his research. He did not acknowledge any Vietnamese person at the end, so I would have to deduce that no Vietnamese person was consulted for a book that was 90% about everything Vietnam and Vietnamese. So you can learn from this mistake, Mr. DeMille, let me point out a few of the errors you made.
   
   1. Ethnographical error: There are NO Montagnards in northern Vietnam. Montagnards are a generic grouping of a few dozen ethnic groups living exclusively in the Central Highlands of southern Vietnam.
   
   2. Linguistic error: "Biet" means "to know," but the author seems to think that it means "to understand" (the word for which is "hieu"). "Biet" is misused not only by the non-Vietnamese speaking main character, but also by the "native" Vietnamese characters in the book.
   
   3. Cultural error: Vietnamese women are properly respected in Vietnamese culture. They are not ignored when men talk (what?). They do not walk on their knees with bowed heads to bring tea to their husbands (ridiculous!). I'm surprised Mr. DeMille missed the patriarchal/matriarchal balance of Vietnamese culture, despite having spent time there both as a combat soldier and when researching for this book. Read about the Trung Queens and Lady Trieu Au, Mr. DeMille, and you'll understand what I mean. Vietnamese culture is not at all like the more strictly patriarchal cultures in the Sinosphere.
   
   4. Personal name error: There is no Vietnamese name spelled "Lee." The nearest sounding equivalents are "Ly" and "Le."
   
   5. Locality description error: Hoi An is NOT a Chinese town. It was once a Cham port, which attracted settlers from all over Asia, including different groups of Chinese, but also Japanese, Indians, Malays, and the majority Vietnamese.
   
   6. Historical error: The Citadel of Quang Tri was built in 1824 during the reign of the famously Francosceptic Emperor Minh Mang. It was NOT built by the French, who didn't successfully occupy the city for another 4+ decades.
   
   And on and on it goes. Next time, just have someone who understands the subject culture edit your manuscript first, Mr. DeMille. Yes?



5. Retired CID Officer Paul Brenner is called by his superior to return to Vietnam to find a North Vietnamese solder who witnessed an American Captain murdering an American Lieutenant in 1968. Brenner knows that there has to be more to the situation (and there is) but he takes on the challenge and returns to Communist Vietnam. His task is daunting but he receives help from the beautiful and mysterious expat Susan Weber.
   
   Now the beginning and ending of the book focus on this issue while the middle strays more into the realm of Brenner's past tours of duty in Vietnam (in 1968 and 1972), the history of the war, and culture and geography of Vietnam. The last few hundred pages are great. I liked most of the middle although I could see others getting bored (if you aren't into the history and culture of Vietnam). I did get a little bored with the narrative when Paul and Susan were finishing their travels around central Vietnam. The other part of the book that was somewhat disappointing was the ambiguous ending.
   
   I think Up Country is a more heartfelt and thought-provoking novel than its predecessor The General's Daughter. It raises complex issues of law and order, justice and duty during war. In this way, its similar to DeMille's earlier classic work Word of Honor. It was interesting to compare and think about the issues and situations presented in both. But for me, Up Country didn't reach my three favorite DeMille novels (Word of Honor, Lion's Game, Gold Coast).

2 comments about Mokume Gane.

1. Covers a number of topics that are only briefly alluded to in Midgett's book. Dr Ferguson also uses a different process than the ones covered in Midgett's book. He includes a detailed schematic of the kiln and press apparatus. Using this process, he is able to combine a number of materials not readily available to people just using the common processes.
   
   Short and concise, for the most part. The section of pagination is worth the cost of the book itself. Covers a lot of material that is usually not all available in one place. The color plates in the appendices really show the range and variation possible.



2. The book covers the process of creating mokume-gane from start to finish in a clear, informative manner. Having never used this technique before, I used this book as a guide and was very successful the first time. In addition to information on fusion/diffusion, forging, patterning and patination, the photographs of finished pieces and samples are helpful in displaying the effects of various materials, patterns and finishing techniques (some quite surprising). Details about different material combinations and their working properties are also included. I have no experience with other books on this topic to compare to, but for now this book seems to be the only one I will need to continue using this technique. My only criticism is that the chapter order could have a better arrangement.

5 comments about Trash or Treasure Guide to the Best Buyers: How and Where to Easily Sell Collectibles, Antiques & Other Treasures (Hyman's Trash Or Treasure Directory of Buyers).

1. All in all it is a good book and covers a good variety of things that you might normally not think to keep. Know it's hard to cover everything in just one book but I was disappointed that several of the current collectibles weren't covered (or I couldn't locate them) in this book. You almost have to read or scan through the whole book because some items that weren't listed in the index are referred to under other parts of the book. Takes a bit of time to read through but very informative.



2. This is a review of this product: "Trash or Treasure - Guide To Buyers" by Tony Hyman. Amazon may display this review on the page of another version of this product, for which this review may not apply. After reading this review, please click on the link so that you can be assurred that the product this review applies to is the same one you thought it was for.
   --------------------------------------------------
   
   I bought this book because I have a lot of 1980s and 1990s action figures, comic books, magazines, trading cards, and the such. I was hoping to finally find someone to sell them to. Well, I contacted some people listed in the book, and ... I've still got the stuff. If you have something made before 1970, this book may be of use to you. But if your stuff was made after 1970, don't waste your money on this UNCOMPREHENSIVE book. Hey, Tony Hyman, how about writing/compiling a separate volume covering items made after 1970?



3. I found the book in the library and when I found I'd bookmarked 40 or so pages, I decided to buy myself a copy (used, for half price). Good advice for working through an estate, which is what I'm dealing with--what to sell to collectors and what should go through a yard sale. Collectors have been very nice to work with, if they won't buy my item they will recommend somewhere else. My first item to sell was a musical instrument; the collector gave me $50 more than the highest bid at a local music store. The book has been very reassuring to both my mother and me to know what's junk and what is worth 10 or 20 times more than we'd expect from a yard sale, or at least double what we've seen on ebay. For the most part, not for newer collectibles (past 1970s), but book has an extensive section listing collectors of fast food, pop culture, and similar items which may only be 10 or 15 years old. Look for an older edition at the library to check the format; I've found this to be an invaluable resource, and several friends have purchased copies of this book as they watch me go through the "old junk" in the house. We all use it so much that we simply refer to it as, "the book".



4. If your going to have a yard sale or throw something away, wait till you read this book. I use the book and found thing's worth some real money, that I thought was trash.. So do your self a favor and buy the book. It's worth the money



5. This book promotes itself as a source for "honest" dealers and buyers for your antiques and collectibles.
   
   I sent 2 pieces of glass to one of their "honest" dealers, who had me send them insured for $800 and $500 respectively.
   
   Since then that "honest" dealer has disappeared along with my glass. Disconnected phones and so on.
   
   In a call to the author in California, to see if he knew where the dealer had gone, since he had recommended the dealer in his book, I was welcomed with an attitude of no desire to even talk to me, let alone to be of any assistance.
   
   I wish I had never seen this book.

3 comments about A Pictorial History of Costume From Ancient Times to the Nineteenth Century: With Over 1900 Illustrated Costumes, Including 1000 in Full Color.

1. Gives a basic and brief coverage of both male and female costume from different periods and cultures. mixture of both colour and black and white sketches. no great detail but good enough to present a general idea.



2. Although the pictures do not go into great detail, this book has a wealth of information for the costume designer. For kid's halloween costumes, school-play costumes, and general information on style and period, this book can be invaluable. Included are full colour and black and white sketches, as well as reproductions of statues and paintings. It is an excellent book for the casual costume designer, though a serious historical re-enactor would need something that provides greater detail.



3. Okay, so I bought this book thinking it would be a useful reference book. It's not. Yes, it has a bunch of illustrations, but it gives no reference information to go with the plates--which, by the way, are simply awful line drawings, some of which are badly colored in to the detriment of the pictures.
   
   Do not buy this book if you want to learn what things are called, the time periods in which they were used, or any specific, detailed information about variations in the general styles for a specific period in time.
   
   On the other hand, if you just want some reference pictures for designign your kid's Halloween costume, then you have plenty to go by.