2 comments about U.S. Flea Market Directory, 3rd Edition: A Guide to the Best Flea Markets in all 50 States (U S Flea Market Directory).

1. see http://www.familyinternet.com/collectables/fleaad.htm for more rave reviews from CNN-TV, Newsday, Milwaukee Journal, etc.



2. This is a really good book for finding flea markets. Each state is covered (a map shows the state at a glance and the key fleamarket towns shown) and for each flea market it says the town, address & directions to get there, dates/times when its open, cost of admission, features such as typical types of items you'll find there, number of booths, rates if you're a dealer and want to sell at the flea market, contact info and web site if they have one.

   Really full - it was neat to see Wellfleet covered in here. When I was little my grandparents (who lived on Cape Cod) would take me there to browse through the stalls - I usually had a small allowance of a dollar or two to spend....thank goodness my allowance is bigger now :)

   Anyway, great book, seems to be really complete although I've only gone to a few local flea markets that I can get to.

   Definitely recommend this as I haven't found anything else that comes close to being as good

5 comments about Tomart's Price Guide to Tin Litho Doll Houses and Plastic Doll House Furniture.

1. Mary Brett has written the Bibile of Tin Litho houses. Excellent pictures of the houses detail their interiors, exteriors and the furniture needed to make them cosy little homes. All major producers are covered, Marx, Cohn, Wolverine to mention just a few. Ms. Brett also includes a section on the more unusual items, such as the rare and unique Friendly Folks Motel. Better buy two copies, this book is destined to become dog-earred and worn before very long.



2. I purchased three books on tin toys and dollhouses, and this one was the best by far to help me evaluate some tin/metal doll houses I was buying.

   The book sections are by the doll house maker, with excellent photographs that help identify them, and estimated years that they were sold.

   In addition there are photographs of the furniture that you would typically find in these houses. This helps alot if you have just purchased an empty doll house, and you want to furnish it with vintage items of the correct size and type.

   Simply an excellent reference book for tin doll house collectors or just old-timers wanting a bit of nostalgia :)




3. This is a wonderful reference quide for baby boomers who want to collect dollhouses and furniture! What great memories this book brought back. I found doll houses and furniture I once had and some of the models my cousins and friends had in the 1950's! This is a trip down memory lane and the price is great for this publication. Amazon delivers quickly, too!



4. Great reference book for collector of 40's and 50's plastic doll house furniture. Copyright in 1997 makes pricing guide a tad out of date . . . nevertheless a good starting reference price range. Great photos. Interesting information on producing companies.



5. I was very satisfied with Amazon. My book was packaged extremely well so that the pages wouldn't get messed up. I was surprised at how fast I received it too.

5 comments about Oaxacan Woodcarving: The Magic in the Trees.

1. This book is very informative for those interested in learning more about the artists behind the woodcarvings. However it only represents a few of the carvers and the photos while excellent quality will be a disappointment to those who may own or have seen many of the other wonderful carvings that these artists create. The photos seem to concentrate mainly on human style figures and although it does contain quite a few photos of animal figures most are those more on the conventional side. The more elaborate and colorful figures are not represented, neither are some of the more exotic animals like dragons, giraffes, and armadillos. There is nothing at all on the small `alien' monsters which are now considered the trademark emblems of this area. For those wanting a book to show friends just what these artists can do it will be a bit of a disappointment, however since it's the only book available at present there is little choice.



2. I picked this book up just recently and was rather delighted by what I found. Vicki Ragan's photos are lovely, but it is Shepard Barbash's text that is the real delight here. How many of those who buy this book will be like the lady below who, apparently without reading the text, complains that the book does not feature all her favorite artists and all the little alien figures which she is sure are the most important images coming out of Oaxaca?

   Please do buy this book, enjoy the lovely pictures, but then read the text. Barbash raises, rather subtlely, the question of whether these woodcarvings are folk art or a response to a commercial demand; he questions whether we are right to put our own "surrealist" readings on these wonderful little figures which are hardly conceived out of some sort of pychological dream matter.

   Instead he puts this work into its proper context. These wonderful, brightly colored woodcarvings are the work of individuals with their own stories, hopes and fears -- for whom the incomprehensible wealth and technology of the United States is far more surreal than anything they might produce.

   I have one of the cute little aliens the reader below speaks of. They are nice, but superficial beside the personal stories and personal expression that occasionally finds its way into this fascinating art that exists somewhere between folk and commerce.




3. This a beautiful and colorful book about Oaxacan Woodcarvings. It illustrates their vivid history and humble beginnings by folk-artisans in Mexico.

   Latin American crafts are special because they're created by people who have a passion for life. They express it in their art with vibrant colors and whimsical expressions.

   I sincerely appreciate the work that goes into creating these figures. This book captures all of the above and more.




4. My copy of Oaxacan Woodcarving: The Magic in the Trees arrived just before my husband and I left the U.S. for a 3-month RV tour through several states of Mexico. Much of our 4 weeks in Oaxaca were spent in small villages enjoying the colorful works and the artisans who created them. We saw a wide variety of styles and themes, many of which are represented in this book. What gorgeous colors and what a sense of humor!



5. ...I bought this book in a discount house on a whim. It has turned out to be one of the most worn books in my library. This is NOT an encyclopedia of Oaxacan woodcarvings, or a catalogue of such, which may have been to the disappointment of one of the reviewers. The writer does an OUTSTANDING job at studying this group of people and their craft/artform as an anthropological survey, that is not in the least bit dry. Great stories, and imaginative professional photography of numerous pieces. This is the book, that caused me to travel 2,000 miles and spend thousands of dollars to meet the people that the author writes about....and that is the only caveat I have towards this book; it will introduce you to a culture steeped in poignancy, depth and every bit as 'magical' as its' title suggests. 5 stars. No, 10 stars.

No comments about Warman's Transformers Field Guide: Identification and Values (Warman's Field Guide).

1 comments about The City in the Lake.

1. I am under Rachel Neumeier's spell with The City in the Lake. Reminiscent of C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia, I should say, Ms.Neumeier effectively traces a sophisticated fairy tale with elegant prose and unique characters. The City in the Lake weaves a magic all its own. I recommend this book for any fan of the Narnia books and those interested in the extraordinary.

4 comments about The 3rd 100 Best Things I've Sold on Ebay...Ka-Ching! My Story Continues by Lynn Dralle The Queen of Auctions (The 100 Best Things I've Sold on Ebay).

1. The 3rd 100 Best Things is another installment of examples of Ebay sales done by Lynn Dralle. This is the first book by her I have read, so I do not know what the other titles are like.
   
   The book contains 100 items sold on the Ebay and:
   
   1. The story of how they were obtained (estate sale, inheritance, garage sale, flea market, church charity sale, etc.).
   2. Starting and winning bid totals.
   3. Number of times the item was viewed on Ebay.
   4. Total number of bids.
   5. Where the winning bidder lives.
   6. When the bid started.
   7. Description of the item.
   
   The book has several interesting anecdotes of the item's history, Lynn's family background, responses from winner bidders, and her vast knowledge of antiques and specialty items.
   
   While such information was informative, I would have liked to have seen many more examples of her strategies and how she has been so successful on Ebay. Granted, the examples she did give were helpful (start the bid around $9.99, use the internet to research products, try to sell many lower priced items instead of a few high-priced items, etc.). However, I would have liked to have seen more strategies and examples that could be applied to whatever type of item you want to sell on Ebay. While Lynn seems to specialize on antiques and collectibles, there are several other categories of products on Ebay. Therefore, I would imagine that some strategies in selling antiques and collectibles may not necessarily work for other items.
   
   Still though, a good and entertaining read. Recommended.



2. Gave this as a gift to a family member. They say this book had excellent, extremly helpful information for helping them achieve e-bay power seller status. Thanks for the outstanding, informative writing!



3. Lynn Dralle does not lose steam in her 3rd book of 100 great things. Because it is essentially 100 short "stories" you can read as you have time. Since she teaches with laughter and sometimes touching stories I find the lessons easier to remember. While it gives ideas on how to do things, do not buy this as an eBay "HOW TO" book. She has a few of those too:-)



4. First off, I have to say that if you are expecting a how-to book on selling on eBay, this is not your book, although the author does periodically reveal some of her secrets. But if you are looking for a great traveling companion, you will not be disappointed, as each story is one page long, allowing you to read in spurts if you'd like. Like the 2nd book in this series, this one is a fun read. Lynn's engaging personality really shines through in her writing. Her chattiness really adds to the charm of the book. It's fascinating to see what people will pay for an item from a garage sale. The old adage that "one man's junk is another man's treasure" couldn't apply more! Lynn's skill at weaving her personal stories, about her eBay business and her family, esp her beloved grandmother, makes this book immensely enjoyable and hard to put down. Additionally, the simplicity of Lynn's eBay methods may just inspire the reader to get up and start selling on eBay!

1 comments about Exploring Ancient Egypt Fun Kit (Boxed Sets/Bindups).

1. My child really enjoyed the whole set.The masks were so much fun and the reading was great!All the little stickers and stencils really enhanced her understanding of ancient Egyptian life with the coloring books that came with it.I purchased it for my 5 year old because she showed interest in ancient Egypt, and it really got her going, perfect for her age so that she had things to manipulate and use her imagination with. For someone who really is just getting started in learning about ancient Egypt I would say that this a great starter filled with fun and interesting things!

5 comments about Antique Tractor Bible: The Complete Guide to Buying, Using and Restoring Old Farm Tractors (Motorbooks Workshop).

1. Mr. Yost has done a fine job in researching, exhibiting and explaining the antique tractor hobby. So many details from "why should I be involved in the hobby?" to trailering your newly restored tractor to that favorite show are covered. He answers many of the questions most of us have learned the hard way and does it in such a way as to inspire, rather than to alarm. The book reaches out to one comtemplating the hobby of antique tractor restoration like a friendly, helping hand and performs as a lantern, guiding one through the other wise dark and mysterious avenues sometimes associated with the hobby. Mr. Yosts book is as essential a tool for the beginner, or those of us who have "been there, done that", as that old dog curled next to the shop stove and our grandfather's words of wisdom echoing in our mind as we scrape, clean, bang and paint these loveable machines which are our agricultural heritage. Three cheers for Mr. Yost!



2. If you were going to buy just one book about tractor collecting this would be the one to buy.



3. This is a good all-round reference for restoring antique tractors. You expect a good discussion of "how-to" information on restoring old tractors. The book has that and many illustrations to help you understand particular repair techniques. Yost has included useful tips on nearly every page. These tips cut to the heart of the topic he's explaining. He also has a useful section on how to choose and operate your old machinery. A section on shows, demonstrations and pulls helps you find a way to show off your new pride and joy. Among the more useful information is a good section on further specialized references for particular tractor brands, and several pages listing parts sources for old machinery. Old-timers in the restoration business will appreciate the references, while beginners will benefit from basic explanations that more technical manuals assume you already know.



4. Whether you're a seasoned mechanic or a neophyte who doesn't know which end of the wrench to hold, Spencer Yost's Antique Tractor Bible is a comprehensive guide to buying, using and restoring antique tractors. There is enough information here, so even if you don't intend to do your own work, you'll know how things are done and why. Additionally, the author shows how to use your antique tractor and equipment. This book is not model-specific, and the author touches on many different tractors. This is a major new resource work that will become indispensable to antique tractor owners. I wish the photographs were in color, which is a minor complaint in light of the wealth of information presented.



5. This is a good all-around tractor book with a lot of historical tidbits about different makes of tractors. If you are interested in one particular brand/style etc..., this may not be the book for you. If you simply like tractors, and enjoy learning reading general information about antique tractors, then this is a good addition to your book collection. It offers information on a few interesting and not so typical tractor types.

3 comments about Tribal Art (DK Collector's Guides).

1. This book isn't what I thought it would be but it had a lot of information and beautiful renderings of the pieces.



2. I wanted to look to the art of the past to inform my art now. This book has been very helpful, in that it has so very many photographs of tribal artwork. I especially love the masks and the symbolism involved, and I wish there were even more of this book! I want more pottery, more masks, more everything. There really is a lot of information in this book, though, so I shouldn't complain. It would be great for collectors of tribal art, which is what it's meant to be.



3. Having finished this book, I must say I found it rather strange and unsatisfactory. On the plus side it shows an enormous amount of beautiful pieces from Africa, the Pacific (including some art from Indonesia) and North and South America. So far so great.
   There is alas also a minus side to this book, or rather a couple of minuses:
   - a lot of the world is missing, e.g. nearly all of Asia and the whole Arab world;
   - what is tribal art anyway: I wouldn't classify artifacts from cultures like the Maya, Inca and Aztec as 'tribal';
   - is it wise to put SO much in. I think not. It gets to be a bit of a hotchpotch;
   - the book is supposed to be a guide to collecting this art. I don't wish to be ultra PC about this, but hardly anything is said about the fact that at least some of this art comes from graverobbers, stealing the history of the countries they rob.
   
   All in all a beautifully presented book with some caveats.

No comments about Antique Firearms Assembly/Disassembly: The Comprehensive Guide to Pistols, Rifles & Shotguns.