1 comments about Tentacles!: Tales of the Giant Squid (Step into Reading).

1. What is more mysterious than giant creatures that live deep in the sea?
   Tentacles! Tales of the Giant Squid grabs the reader from the start. Author Shirley Raye Redmond writes that no one has ever seen a giant squid alive in its home in the deep! And no giant squid has ever been caught alive!

   Redmond describes the mysteries and ancient myths about these animals in a tone that keeps the reader reading. Can a giant squid really hypnotize a human? After all, its eye is as big as a human head. Do they attack freighters and snatch men off boats? She explains what scientists know today about giant squids, how they've come to know these things, and how scientists are using whales to try to learn more about these mysterious creatures. She presents facts and lets the reader decide what myths are true or false. She also explains the things we can never know until...one is filmed or caught alive! Redmond writes in a direct style that is understandable for young readers yet highly intriguing. This book unlocks old mysteries about giant squids and presents those that are still unsolved.
   The illustrations by Bryn Barnard are beautiful, especially the cover and the two-page spreads of ocean scenes. The illustrations match the mysterious feel of the book. The power of the giant squid clearly comes through. The text and pictures effectively show the characteristics, size, and uniqueness of the giant squid. This appealing book will leave young readers thinking of what they've read and seen long after they've closed the cover.

5 comments about A History of Costume.

1. As it covers all eras, from ancient to present, mainly the western world, I believe that it does a great job.
   Patterns are great, and useful.
   The description of each era is great.



2. This book gets a lot of use in my collection. My aim is creating authentically reproduced garments. This book contains rudimentary layouts for garments, with measurements. It also has a satisfactory brief overview of written material. Not only for the various periods, but also for different regions during a particular period. This book would be a good quick reference for a re-enactor trying to start character developement.



3. This is a decent overview of costume history from the Ancients to the mid 19th century with authentic resources (statues, portraits, extant costumes, pictures) as well as some original illustrations (be cautious with those and cross-reference, especially with women's garments and periods where the shapes are linear and the sides and bust are flattened--Kohler tends to round things out and represent the bust in a more rounded, typically 1860's style). It also contains a few patterns that are minimally useful (lack or proportion or instruction, etc.) except to understand the anatomy of the garments and how the pieces might fit together. No color pictures, but enough illustrations and primary resources to contribute to an overall sense of a period in costume history.



4. I enjoyed this book and found it a great reference for dressing my dolls in period costume



5. This is one of my favorite costume references. The pictures and illustrations whet the appetite for more information. This is particularly the case for me regarding the ancient oriental costumes. I wish there were more plates and more written historical and construction details. Still looking. The price is right and here is a solid beginning resource.

1 comments about Guns Illustrated 2008 (Guns Illustrated).

1. A good reference book with photos and descriptions. Very similar to GUN DIGEST 2008. I bought both, but next year, one or the other.

3 comments about In the Cockpit: Inside 50 History-Making Aircraft.

1. This book is beautiful! I saw it at Borders today. Even if you are not interested in cockpits you should pick up this book. Cockpits are interesting and these are some of the most famous aircraft of all time.
   
   BEAUTIFUL photography. In addition to the photos I really enjoyed the nostalgic look and feel to the book. A very cool book indeed by two of the world's best aircraft photographers. No wonder they work at the Smithsonian...
   
   David Palermo



2. The book looks interesting and the concept is solid. If you're into flying and especially old planes this glimpse into so many cockpits should prove of more than passing interest. That said, it's a sign of the times that even the Smithsonian Institute would stoop to some dubious marketing. If you enlarge the cover photo you'll see that John Tavolta's name is in large print just below the title. Indeed Mr. Travolta did write the forward, all five sentences of it. Literally, five generic sentences that offer nothing more than cover tease to snag some buyer interest. If you do buy the book at least lend it to those who only have a mild interest and let the Smithsonian know that they should have more integrity than promoting products with cheap celebrity hype. Since comments here must be accompanied by a rating, I'll leave it at 3 as a neutral comment.



3. Gave this as a gift to my pilot father and he loved it. Perfect choice for anyone who aprreciates these aircraft. Great pictures and cover design!

5 comments about Why Am I Up, Why Am I Down?: Understanding Bipolar Disorder.

1. This book provides a straightforward explanation of bipolar disorder that is easy to understand and will help educate those with the illness. Some reviewers have described the writing style as dry, and I agree with this- it's pretty much just a dry presentation of facts, though I found the style conducive to learning. I also found it interesting to hear about the illness from an experienced psychiatrist's perspective, as his opinions are grounded in a lot of clinical experience. I also agree with one other reviewer that he sometimes doesn't seem too kind in his description of patients. Nonetheless, definitely worth reading to expand your knowledge of this illness. Avery Z. Conner, author of "Fevers of the Mind".



2. Doctors, whose heads are cluttered with statistics, case studies, and theoretical jargon, often write books that are too heavy, boring, and technical for the average person to want to understand. My sincere thanks go to the Dell Publishers, who have had the intelligence to create a series of easy-to-read guides for educating the public about mental health.

   Having experienced Bipolar Disorder for several years now, I finally decided it was time to accept that I have this disease and to begin to understand it. "Why Am I Up, Why Am I Down" is a fast-paced, accessible book that tells you what you need to know.

   The main idea that runs through this book is: Bipolar Disorder is a serious illness and needs to be treated by a psychiatrist. Having the disorder can mean a significant impairment in life functioning and, though it is not curable, it is treatable.

   The book is written like a big brochure. It's organized into eight chapters covering aspects of identifying and learning to live with the disease: (1) Definitions/Overview; (2) Symptoms/Diagnosis; (3) Causes; (4) How to Get Help; (5) The Role of Psychotherapy; (6) The Role of Medication; (7) Alternative Therapies; (8) Coping. Each chapter is broken down into a friendly question-and-answer format, asking questions like, "What is the typical day like for someone in a hypomanic state," and then answering them.

   While there is a chapter on alternative therapies, one of the main ideas in this book is that, if you have Bipolar Disorder, you'll probably be taking medication (combined with other therapies).

   What this book drills over and over again is that Bipolar Disorder is a serious medical condition that needs to be treated. "Bipolar disorder is the leading cause of suicide in the country," the book says. ...




3. I have recently been diagnosed with bipolar disorder after being misdiagnosed with depression for 10 years and this book made a lot of sense. I liked that it addressed the suicide issue, because most books don't mention suicide hardly at all. It stated that bipolar disorder is the #1 reason for suicide in the U.S. The book is easy to read and very interesting for the bipolar person. I also read my husband some of the pertinent stuff I thought he should know. I learned a lot about ECT. It is obviously written by people who know what they're talking about.



4. The paradox of bipolar disorder baffles its victims with its manic highs and depressive lows, plaguing as many as two million Americans. Since bipolar disorder (previously known as manic depression) has often been misdiagnosed as depression, many patients have had a difficult if not impossible task of understanding and managing this condition. WHY AM I UP, WHY AM I DOWN explores the nature of this illness, including who is at risk and where to get help. In simple terms, this often complex and devastating condition becomes comprehensible and hopefully manageable.

   For readers looking for basic information regarding the diagnosis and treatment of bipolar disorder, WHY AM I UP, WHY AM I DOWN is a useful resource. All the practical information one needs to begin education oneself is concisely presented in a question/answer format that reads quickly. However, readers expecting information beyond the basics will be well advised to continue their search elsewhere. There is little here for those who wish to live successfully with the illness. Moreover, the dry, clinical tone lends an air of bleakness, failing to recognize the large number of people diagnosed as bipolar that live healthy, successfully lives. Nevertheless, for readers seeking a beginner's understanding of mental illness and a guide through the morass of finding help, WHY AM I UP, WHY AM I DOWN will provide the practical advise needed to make a start.




5. I recommend this book to all of my clients that have been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. They all come back raving about the book--and in turn recommend it to their family and friends. This book is easy to read and understand. This book provides a thorough understanding of the issue as well as some very practical ways to manage the mood swings.

1 comments about Kevin Coates: A Hidden Alchemy - Goldsmithing: Jewels and Tablepieces.

1. This long-awaited book features all of the work produced to this date by the brilliant contemporary British artist Kevin Coates. Informative essays by Roy Strong, among others, gives us tremendous insight into the technique and imagination of this artist, unique among living goldsmith/sculptors. Although a highly intellectual presentation, this book is also a must have for any individual or curator interested in the work of outstanding goldsmiths of our era. Both a traditionalist in technique and a visionary artist, Coates marries the symbols of the past with modern creations of his own seemingly boundless imagination. Extraordinary photographs throughout.

No comments about Coin World 2008 Guide to U.S. Coins: Prices & Value Trends (Coin World Guide to U S Coins, Prices, and Value Trends).

1 comments about Hislop's Official International Price Guide to Fine Art, 2nd Edition (Hislops Official International Price Guide to Fine Art).

1. Useful. Compact, reliable, most important sales are well documented, and even minor names of artists are registered. I do regret of not buying it before. Highly professional, well-balanced and calm approach - Hislop's is not boasting about multi-million sales, or trends, or tendencies - it gives you the information on the hammer prices within a certain period of time. Great job

1 comments about Comprehensive Guide for Camera Collectors.

1. Book was new; everything we expected; shipping and delivery was excellent as well. Thanks

2 comments about Ethnic Jewelry: Africa, Asia, And The Pacific.

1. Magnificent photos of ethnic jewelry. On a par with The Splender of Ethnic Jewelry, but the text is not as detailed.



2. I wanted this book to inspire me, not necessary be an historical reference book. It did what I wanted, and so this is a happy customer. It is an oversize book, and the photos are nothing short of stunning.