No comments about American Bandanna.

5 comments about Automatic Wristwatches from Switzerland: Self-Winding Wristwatches.

1. A great book, with almost all the automatic movement ever made. With detailed technical info and great pictures, this book is certainly worth it.



2. This is a great book for you Rolex and Omega lovers (as well as other fine Swiss watches). It covers only Swiss wristwatches but it does a nice job of it. Lots of black and white (as well as some color) close ups of faces and movements. There is a table to tell the approximate range of years when specific caliber movements were produced. I'm certainly not an expert but I would recommend this book for those who are getting into the hobby of collecting fine Swiss automatic movement (self-winding) watches.

   P.S. Look elsewhere for information on modern quartz or early manual winding watches. If you like bumper and/or full rotor automatic winding wristwatches then this book is for you.




3. Well researched, technical details to a useful degree for collectors, list of calibers, good photos.
   One of my favourites, be it for research on specific models or to just flick through from time to time.



4. This book provides a complete listing of movement caliber & historical information in a very straightforward fashion. It also includes close up photos of some 200 individual watches and also includes a helpful, though outdated, pricing guide. It is an indispensible reference book bound in top-quality heavy duty binding. I found it to be worth every penny I paid.



5. Everthing previously written about the book is correct. What is not: the book does not have a price guide, like one reader said. After all, it's a watch movement's book! How can it have a price guide? The book have very good pictures, but 70% of them are in black and white. I didn't rate this book 5 stars, in fact, because it does not have german to english translations in the schemes of watch movements and pictures that have something written in german. Finally, the book is a little bit disorganized, since it does not have an index or different type fonts to "tell" you that you are in another chapter.
   
   Added:
   
   After reading the book, i found the price lists. It's one book's page...

5 comments about Kaleidoscope Artistry.

1. I had hoped to learn more about kaleidoscopes. It has great pictures. I just started collecting kaleidoscopes about three years ago. Even a novice, who loves to do research, finds this book lacking. I see that many don't believe it is missing some great artists and scopes, so I recommend great starting points: 1. the author's previous books, 2. [another website]. I do recommend that you look at Boswell's book and if you can get it, Gary Newlin's books. They don't seem to be "putting in plugs" for specific groups and artists, but just want to share information. This book does have some very good pictures and some good comments, but you know who the author loves and not who really should be included.



2. I want to say this is a great book. I am very glad to see it out now. Have been waiting a long time. I am also very glad that the author made up with an artist, Brett Bensley, by including one of his scopes on the cover no less! I didn't see any mention of his name in the book, but still it is nice to see his work and that the author has made some reparations. I have admired all these artists and hope you will include more of my other favorites in future books. Great job and bless your heart Mrs. Baker for making peace with ousted artists. I see he made peace with you buy removing his negative site as well. Thank you for this great peace offering!



3. I adore this book. I know others have disagreements with the author and her selections, but even the cover makes an apology to an artist that was falsely harmed. The tree kaleidoscope is a definite "I am sorry" if I ever saw one. The book is great and so are the pictures and stories. I had wished to see a few more of my favorites in here, but do not blame the author who put in a lot of work! I am very glad to see the direction the book has taken as well as the author to make the kaleidoscope world one of true love, understanding, friendship and caring. I do hope this path continues with the disenchanted artists returning to the "family" they were once a major part of. Thank you for this book and it pictures and the stories, but most of all thank you for showing that you hold no grudges toward anyone and that you are truly the "first lady of kaleidoscopes!" I hope that one artist sees your apology and welcomes the hand of friendship you so kindly extended!



4. Collector Baker provides not just a collection of images, but a survey of new kaleidoscope artists and their techniques. Over 300 color photos of kaleidoscopes accompany profiles of their designers. A gorgeous display of kaleidoscopes and their changing forms.



5. Leaving politics aside, this book is a lushly illustrated book on contemporary Kaleidoscopes and Kaleidoscope Artists. The illustrations are rich and aewsome, and are of both the outside and inside images of many kaleidoscopes. I'm not aware of a better book in print for kaleidoscope enthusiasts and all interested in the art of Kaleidoscope making.
   To be complete, combine this book in your library with other of Ms. Baker's books--especially Kaleidoscope Renaissance. Kaleidoscope Artistry primarily concentrates on more recent works by many scope makers, and blends well with the older scope info from her previous book.
   Now, to address some complaints by other reviewers: This book is not, and does not try to be, an all inclusive encyclopedia of all active scope makers. Nor is it a philanthropic work of charity. Of course Ms Baker plans on making money from this book--just like John Grisham and Danielle Steele. Ms. Baker heads the Brewster Society, her private business. Like it or not, this society is the closest thing scopemakers have to a guild for their art. You may not agree with the society, but as of yet, there is not another organization which represents artists and enthusiasts alike. If Ms. Baker's distractors dislike the society so much, perhaps they should form their own group and write their own book.
   It is unfortunate that such issues creep into these reviews. This is indeed a wonderful book that will grace anybody's library!

2 comments about Blue Book Dolls and Values.

1. If you buy ONE doll price guide book, this is the one to buy.
   EXCELLENT!



2. I have more than one of Jan Foulke's Blue Books. I find them useful not only for the price guide, but for the full-color photos that can be found on almost every page of the book. And don't think that only the prices are updated in each issue. Ms. Foulke also swaps out most, if not all, of the photos, so each new edition gives you more visual examples to refer to. I recommend this or any of her books.

No comments about Hot Wheels: Warman's Companion.

3 comments about Doctor 13: Architecture and Morality (Doctor 13).

1. This here collect the Doctor 13 back up stories that appeared in the most recent Spectre mini series. This is a very fun collection with great artwork that tackles and gives new life to some old minor DC characters. It's a trippy adventure tale laced with bits of humor that I enjoyed very much. I'd love to see this creative team do another Doctor 13 series.



2. I honestly don't know what to think about Brian Azzarello. He does great gritty crimework on 100 Bullets. And then he has a lot of short, dark works. Lex Luthor: Man of Steel, Banner, Batman: City of Crime and Superman: for Tomorrow (the last two I'd consider REAL disappointments).
   
   And then there's this...
   
   I'd consider this an unofficial sequal to Grant Morrison's Seven Soldiers of Victory maxiseries, as well as the two major DC Crises. If you don't have knowledge of those and aren't a fan of third and fourth string DC heroes, villains and gobbeldygook getting their time to shine in the spotlight, then this series isn't going to do much for you.
   
   However, if you do like this sort of stuff, this book has it in spades; it's weird and it's great and it's grand. Also, if you crave more Seven Unknown Men of Slaughter Swamp/The DC Architects weirdness, give this book a flip.
   
   I definitely came into this book with little to no expectation, just hoping the story would be as good as the art (by the way, Chiang, the artist, is BRILLIANT). And I was blown away.
   
   But, don't take my word for it!



3. Let's be clear, I'm not recommending this book to everyone. I wish I could, as it's very funny, well written, and at many places even thoughtful and touching. However, your enjoyment may depend quite a bit on being intimately familiar with DCU current events and DCU writers.
   However, if you are familiar with those things you will love this book. And I mean love it. It's a classic that I've re-read many times. At this years NYCC this was one of the few books to the convention to get signed (By Azzarello and Chiang.) I know that many of you out there are up-to-date on DCU writers and crisis'. If you are, do yourself a favor and pick this book up immediately. For those moderately familiar with the DCU this book has my absolute highest recommendation. Read it.

1 comments about U.s. Stamps: Collect All 50 States (U.S. Stamps).

1. The stamp album is very basic. But, it is a great, inexpensive album for a grade school child. They can see if they like the hobby without spending a lot of money

2 comments about Warman's Fishing Lures Field Guide: Values and Identification (Warman's Fishing Lures Field Guide).

1. This is an interesting book for the dealer & collector alike. Chockablock full of pictures & pertinant information on lures, one of those esoteric fields that you REALLY need a book to master.
   Carl Luckey is generous with sharing information on lures. I've learned plenty owning this book - I carry it in the car & I can't wait to find the "big one". Hope springs eternal!



2. The size of this book is the best thing about it. You can get all the info in other books but they are big and heavy to carry around at lure shows or just out looking at garage sales. It has very good pictures and accurate info.

3 comments about Mary Engelbreit's Winter.

1. This book is full of fun ideas for the chrismas and winter season. It makes you want to try all of the crafts immediately. For some fun during the winter months, buy this book for great inspiration for the winter projects.



2. What is better during the cold, snowy winter season than make a cup of hot chocolate, lit a fire,curl up in your favorite armchair and look through some favorite craft and inspiration books?
   The Mary Engelbreit books are among my favorites, and among them are this little treasure, Mary Engelbreit's Winter.

   It is just a very small book, but filled with so many good ideas you will find new things every time you look through the book. And all through the book you find ME's whimsical drawings. For a long time my favorite inspiration was the Ginger Man Tree, not to mention the Snowball tree, or the Heartfelt Sachet, or....well, actually all the pages are favorites. And when you are done with the day's inspiration, what is better than making the Green & Gold Soup. As Mary says it:
   "For a cozy winter supper anytime, but especially on St. Pat's Day, try this simple vegetable soup that's easy enough for the children to make"

   Britt Arnhild Lindland




3. Beautiful photos - some good craft ideas - book was much smaller than I anticipated - you could fit it in a purse.

5 comments about Pipesmoking: A 21st Century Guide.

1. Typical Hacker book here. Lots of useful info as long as you can sift through his very high opinion of himself. Makes good reading, but don't hesitate skipping the parts where he talks about how important he is to the industry...



2. Typical Hacker book here. Lots of useful info as long as you can sift through his very high opinion of himself. Makes good reading, but don't hesitate skipping the parts where he talks about how important he is to the industry...



3. Gives a personal reveiw of major brands of tobacco that is something to use for reference. It is very similar to his other books with some added information. It would be a good starter for someone who wants to start smoking.



4. Richard Carleton Hacker is, in my words, a true and honest teacher and "fellow traveler" in his explanations of all facets of pipes and pipe smoking. He humorously and humbly tells of his learning experiences that led to his vast knowledge of this subject. Mr. Hacker reveals a history, a future, and above all, a presence of pipe smoking that is not only thought provoking, but educational for all.
   If anything is lacking at all in this book, I would say it is the absence of reviewing any G.L. Pease blends in the tobacco section. However, this is a relatively new tobbaco blending line. Hacker would only be stepping too far, perhaps, on relaying information that he may have not tested fully to give an honest opinion. His tobacco reviews are no more subjective than the rest of ours may be. I favor the "English style"tobaccos, myself. Hacker is probably much less subjective than I would be in writing similar reviews. We all have our choices on what is "better" or "not as". Our author encourages the reader to elaborate on his views.
   We all have different views on what shape, grade, or brand of pipe we choose. We are given a resource guide that allows us help in choosing what we may be looking for in a pipe or smoking accouterment. And, I sure gained a better insite into improving my skills as a pipe smoker.
   I believe that Richard Carleton Hacker's "Pipesmoking - A 21st Century Guide" is by far the best that is out there. It's a GEM. I can only look forward to a later addition that may elaborate on his future reviews of the latest trends in pipe smoking.



5. Richard Carleton Hacker has taken a direct line to writing everything a person needs in taking up pipe smoking. From the history of pipes, to selecting your first purchase and how to enjoy your pipe for years to come. I have also ordered his "Ultimate Pipe Smoking Video" and am awaiting its arrival. You cannot go wrong in purchasing this book.