No comments about Star Wars Legacy #0 1/2 (Dark Horse Comics).

No comments about Scandinavian Glass, 1930-2000: Smoke & Ice.

3 comments about American Amusement Park.

1. This book is packed full of beautiful photographs and nostaligic postcards. Various chapters showcase the origin of amusement parks, and the different styles and hybrids from the "traditional" and "theme" to the Storybook Lands and Santa Villages. There's even a chapter on flat rides. The graphics and layout are great. The author also knows his material. This is a great companion to that other great BMI book, "The American Roller Coaster".



2. In the thrill seekers genre of books and videos, this fits right in. Although most of it is indeed a rehash, the layout is fabulous. No one can have enough photos of carousel horses or stories about old parks. The nostalgia factor in this book raises the bar. Unlike a few of the other books, this one is more rounded in that it covers the whole park instead of just the coasters. Be advised that these kinds of books are historical in nature and don't necessarily point to what's coming next at the World's of thrills.



3. Loved this book! Great info on amusement park history and behind the scenes secrets. I'm ready to go ride!

5 comments about Oriental Rugs of the Silk Route: Culture, Process & Selection.

1. Gregorian's book is compelling stuff and speaks about a part of the world where bargaining is as much an artform as the rugs themselves. Gregorian is an expert on buying, using extremely sophisticated, yet seemingly simple, methods developed over generations. It reminds me of what the owner of the most expensive men's clothing store in America once told me, "I make more money buying the fabrics than I do selling the suits."

   Being an author myself ("Why People Don't Buy Things"...the new science of selling products, services and ideas based on over 50,000 interviews), I'm fascinated by the time-proven methods employed by Gregorian. Obviously, they've been passed down by his family and work as well today as they did years ago.

   This book is well worth the read even if you're not into rugs. It could help you save money the next time you're buying an oriental rug, an expensive painting or a luxury automobile.




2. Finally, a niche book with character that focuses on the highest quality carpets. Beyond the pictures it chronicles the Gregorian family experience with this genre and brings us back to the days when the original treasures were more readily available - not that long ago! A must for the serious collector or the simple enthusiast.



3. In Oriental Rugs Of The Silk Route, John Gregorian draws upon his years of expertise to provide an illustrated tour of modern day oriental rug-making centers. The informative, often fascinating text is beautifully and profusely illustrated with superb color photography, complemented by vintage bland-and-white images of Middle-Easter villages and cities, the rug-making culture and process. The reader will find a wealth of expert advice for buying an oriental rug, how to evaluate quality and price, buying and trading customs (with tips on negotiating a purchase), and invaluable ideas respecting interior decoration with original rugs. Oriental Rugs Of The Silk Route is enhanced further with a glossary of oriental rug terminology and a helpful appendix on oriental rug cleaning and repair. Oriental Rugs Of The Silk Route is rewarding reading for the oriental rug enthusiast, and a highly recommended introduction for the novice.



4. We are avid rug collectors and found this book to be a valuable resource. Even though we are fairly knowledgeable about rugs, we still learned from this book. It's the kind of book we wish we had when we were first starting our collection. The author reveals so much in a truly delightful way -- it's kind of like having a close friend or family member with many years of experience guide you through the whole world of oriental rugs. It's hard to say what we like best about this book because it is such a quality piece of work -- from the thoughtful and interesting writing, to the stunning color and black and white photographs, to the fine typesetting, layout and binding. This book is a work of art in and of itself, much like a fine oriental rug. We especially like the colorful stories about the rug weavers, their culture, and way of life. Art is often a great window on another culture, and the author gets this across in a beautiful way.



5. I recently purchased John Gregorian's book with the anticipation that it would resemble his father's earlier book that is among my favourite "rug books".(I have been a collector for over 30 years.) I was disappointed and must add it to other texts of recent years that do not offer a balanced view of present day rug production.
   Iran still produces many beautiful and exquisite pieces that until recently were embargoed by the USA. Fortunately for those of us that reside outside the USA we can obtain these pieces but they no longer appear in many recent books. While rugs from Pakistan, India, China, etc may copy Iranian originals, they rarely use the same dye colors and lack the mastery of the originals.
   To all budding authors out there, "can we please have a truly representative modern rug book free of political prejudice and exclusion?"

1 comments about Eric Sloane's AbCs of Early Americana.

1. From the basic european tithe barns and farmhouses that matured into this country's architecure and repeats it's basic load bearing beauty across our america, and is as much a stamp of who we are, as an american eagle is. To see our architectural heritage, and America being both torn down and copied, is quite moving i'm sure to a purist such as eric sloan. i have a large library of rural american country structures, and eric sloan is not only the guru of farmhouse source material, he is the only one who really knows, reminding us to get right and keep it right, before we sell our heritage off completely, as many other unique countries have done. i am thankful that he is being published again, as i have a small fortune into his old books, in trying to track them down used and rare over the years. i re-look at them more than any others on my architectural shelf. his "an age of barns" is also a must own book.
   jim brolin...los angeles designer/builder Rural

2 comments about Lives Through Literature: A Thematic Anthology (3rd Edition).

1. She put her own poetry in the textbook she edited. She uses the textbook she edited for the class she teaches. Who does that? If you had the oppportunity to attend her class... DON'T.

   Very sincerely,
   A Dissatisfied Customer




2. This thematic anthology of literature is wonderful. The selections revolve around a number of different myths, folktales, fairy tales, and bible stories. The editors have collected short stories, poems, and plays that allude to the myths, etc. They've organized these wonderful selections (for example, the myth of Persephone and Demeter, along with Robert Hayden's "Pomegranate" and Louise Gluck's "The Pomegranate")to allow students to explore uses of myth and folktale in literature. Even for the non-lit types, this collection offers a way in because it begins with familiar childhood stories.
   
   It is unfortunate that a previous reviewer of this textbook has chosen to rate his professor (one of the book's editors) rather than evaluate the book itself. I don't know Professor Helane Levine Keating, but the single poem of her own that she includes, "The Envious Heart," alludes to "Snow White," and is a beautiful piece.

4 comments about Collecting Japanese Antiques.

1. The photos in this book are stunning. The author is knowledgeable.
   If you can't live in Japan to be near the beauty of its art, then this is second best. Rarely will you be able to get such thorough descriptions, history and feeling for the art and antiques of Japan.
   
   Cyndee Nagy, Kobe, Japan



2. This book is a real treasure. If you buy just one book about Japanese art and antiques, this is it. Its presentation, descriptions and explanations are excellent. Reading this book is learning and pleasure at the same time.
   I know the author personally and one can really see in this book his love and dedication to Japanese art.
   For everybody who wants to learn more about Japanese art and antiques I strongly recommend the magazine "Daruma" which is edited by Alistair Seton.
   Markus Zenhaeusern, Kobe, Japan



3. This is not your typical collector's handbook listing objects and possibly briefly describing them and listing going prices. This coffee-table quality book with the title "Collecting Japanese Antiques" is a survey of Japanese art works and cultural items with sections of advice for collectors. The historical and cultural background on the different items favors what would be of interest to collectors. But it is also informative and relevant simply for its artistic, historical, and cultural material. Readers looking for concentrated information on Japanese art and culture accompanied by attractive color photographs would find this work exceptionally suitable. For the collectors it is meant for particularly, there's sections on "Tides and Trends in Collecting," guidance in developing collections of certain items (e. g., baskets), lists of artists, notable regions and schools for certain antiques, and especially desirable objects in certain categories. Seton also moves to the technical subjects of materials, production, and workmanship which are important for collectors not only in appreciating items and assessing their value, but in making a preliminary decision about their age and authenticity. Among Seton's 13 categories of antiques are screens and scrolls, ceramics, furniture, sculpture and metalwork, dolls, and tea ceremony utensils. Seton has lived in Japan since 1972, where he currently teaches Japanese art and poetry. In 1993, he founded the quarterly magazine "Daruma" to cover Japanese art and antiques; which he still edits. "Collecting Japanese Antiques" is a work any collector or lover of Japanese art and antique objects will want for sound education and easy reference, and at times for enjoyably looking at the numerous color photos of the varied Japanese objects.



4. If you love Japanese antiques, you cannot live without this survey, with superb photography, spectacular taste, ecclectic choice, and scholarly background by the editor of Daruma magazine. All of the major collectible fields are covered with practical, informative text, and beautifully photographed select finds. The photographic choices are representative, varied and exquisite. Not merely an introduction, the work serves as a springboard to understanding and appreciating many of the accessible antiques from the Edo and Meiji periods in particular. If the book had an index of marks for each type of collectible, it would be perfection. As-is, I like the book so much that I have bought extra copies for my friends, and a new copy when mine started to get worn.

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

2 comments about Dollhouses, Miniature Kitchens, and Shops from the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Center.

1. I consider this book to be one of the best dollhouse references out there. Every page has color photos. Many of the furniture pieces are photographed individually. Each photograph is clear and detailed. The author is careful to note when a piece is original, antique, or modern. Everything in this book is well-researched and documented. You could carve replica furniture pieces from the photographs in here, they are that good!

   Needless to say, the houses featured in here are gorgeous in their own right. My favorite part of this book are the great photos of the Grodnertal peg-wooden dolls. This book contains some of the best Grodnertal photos I've ever seen!




2. This book presents a charming look at some important historical dollhouses in the Rockefeller Folk Art Center. Good pictures and texts. Not useful if you are looking for realistic projects for your own dollhouse crafting hobby, but for the historian, this is a wonderful look at historical dolls, dollhouses, and furnishings that were used over generations as toys and learning devices for girls. For extravagant historical dollhouse rooms created by and for an adult collector (that you would perhaps want to emulate in your own hobby), see another book, Miniature Rooms, about the Thorne Rooms at the Art Institute of Chicago.

5 comments about Glock: The New Wave In Combat Handguns.

1. I bought this book last year, it was a hell of a read! It's unfortunate that the author, Peter Alan Kasler, passed away last year. My respects go out to his partner & family. This book gives excellent reviews & history of one of the best pistols currently on the market, regardless of calibre. Peter Alan Kasler writes from a great deal of experience & understanding. The book - on hindsight - could've shown picture's in colour; black & white photo's never really did any firearm justice - perhaps just me being slightly picky? The book wasn't meant to be a massive catalogue covering every model 'Glock' manufacture, although I wouldn't have said NO, but it did cover the essential information that anyone, like myself, who has more than a passing interest in them would find extremely useful. I liked it. I recommend it wholeheartedly!!! Buy it.



2. A great in depth look at all the elements of the Glock Pistol. I just wish that he (Kasler) would have available an update on such things as Models that have been added since the last writing and the updated list of police and governmental agencies that have adopted this gun since the writing. I know a large number in my own state that are not included so the total must be staggering. Good Book.



3. I'm an avid handgunner with an extensive collection of handguns. It was only quite recently that I got turned on to Glock Pistols, the so called "plastic guns." This book provides in depth information on Glock handguns from history, firearm performance, and modification. This is a must have for every Glock owner.



4. Published in 1992, before the advent of the full line and subcompacts, this is a useful resource for Glock devotees, critics, writers, and perhaps most of all, the media. The "debate" about Glocks still rages and misconceptions still abound more than a decade after it was written. Covers the genesis and history of Glocks, the media fiasco, early law
   enforcement resistence, the original 9mm models, Glock pistols from the inside out, how they function, maintenance, design features, operational advantages, early accessories and a small resource list. Useful both for the casual owner and the aficianado as well. You should come away with an understanding of how ignorant Glock bashing really is.



5. I had read other articles about Glock pistols before buying this book, and I found this interesting, but it's notoriously not up to date since it was written some years ago, and it is based in Glocks from the first generation. Most of the information wasn't very new to me. It's weakest point is that it's an old edition and Glock has evolved. Just my humble opinion.