1 comments about A Year in Japan.

1. If you liked A Year in Japan (the book), you will love this, because it's reproductions of the best parts of the book, in postcard form. I may never actually send any of these postcards because they're almost too beautiful to send.

1 comments about Indian Artifacts the Best of the Midwest: Identification and Value Guide (Indian Artifacts of the Midwest).

1. If this is the best that Mr. Hotham can find, he needs to look a little harder.

3 comments about Jeweler's Resource : A Reference of Gems, Metals, Formulas and Terminology for Jewelers (Revised Edition) (Jewelry Crafts) (Jewelry Crafts).

1. Excellent content, a must have for the serious jeweler, student or craft person. Covers a multitude of areas not found in other books. This book should be at the top of anyones list that has an interest in making or designing jewelry.



2. This is a must have for anyone at all interested in jewellery and its sidelines. The amount of information at hand is absolutely wonderful and does save a lot of precious time by having all the info so readily to hand.



3. Whether you are a Professional Jeweler or a student this book has all the technical info you need...
   
   Alloys, Flux and Solders
   How long do you cut the band for a size 7 ring?
   
   Just loads of stuff!!! THE Jewelery Reference Book!

5 comments about The Judge.

1. Martini has yet again quickly undone an entertaining story with a shockingly improbable ending. If
   you've read Prime Witness you'll be subjected to the very same ending. I'm surprised it was
   allowed out the door. It's like someone just took an ax and cut the tail off some dog of a story and
   jammed it on to page 378. I don't understand why Martini goes through all that work only to
   destroy it..



2. "The Capital County Courthouse has more leaks than a pack of dogs with bad kidneys...."

   This is the first Martini book I have tried to read. Okay, maybe this is just how the main character thinks, but there is at least one of these bad lines every three or four pages. It grated on my nerves. It made me dislike the main character. It made me hate the story. It made me dislike Martini as an author. It made me not want to read any more of his books.




3. Judge Armando Acosta is not Paul Mandriani's favorite person and yet he ends up defending him in a murder case. Judge Acosta has been involved in a case involving a cover-up by the police of a murder. During the investigation, he, himself, gets arrested for solicitating an under-cover prostitute. The under-cover woman is later found murdered and Judge Acosta is accused of her murder. Assistant DA Lenore Goya, who Paul is interested in, has an interest in both cases, but is fired by DA Kline and ends up taking the judges case until her fingerprint is found at the home of the murdered victim, so she has to quit because of a conflict of interest. Paul gets the case by default and even though he isn't fond of his defendent, finds himself involved in a case full of intrigue and many questions as he works to defend his client.

   I found the book quite interesting and I got a good look at how trials are conducted. If you are looking for a good legal thriller, then you won't be disappointed in this book. I highly reccomend it.




4. It is always an interesting experience to read an early book in a series that I have recently discovered and see how both the characters and the author's style have evolved in his later works when compared to those early efforts. In some instances the central character's evolution has been so extensive that their early incarnation is hardly recognizable; in many cases the author has gotten increasingly formulaic in the storylines and the early books (often bestsellers that launched the series) are clearly superior and in fact are a reminder of the reasons for the series popularity. (Many readers feel that the Kay Scarpetta series by Patricia Cornwell falls into this latter category.) I have been a fan of the Steve Martini series featuring lawyer Paul Madriani, for several years; in the absence of any additions to the series since the disappointing THE ARRAIGNMENT in January 2003, I decided to fill in some of the backstory with which I was unfamiliar by reading THE JUDGE, originally published in January 1996. This is a well written novel with an excellent storyline; I highly recommend it to both fans of the author and first-time readers as a standalone novel.
   
   As the story begins, Paul Madriani agrees to do a favor for a friend who once saved his life, Lenore Goya, chief deputy prosecutor for Capital County, CA. His client will be Lenore's childhood friend and distant relation, Tony Arguillo, a relatively new member of the city's Police Department who has been subpoenaed by a grand jury investigating the police union for corruption. The situation is compounded by a labor dispute between the city and the union and the upcoming re-election campaign of Judge Armando Acosta (known as "the Coconut"), who within the first ten pages threatens to jail Tony if he won't testify under a grant of limited immunity. Suddenly, everything seems to change dramatically for Tony when THE JUDGE is arrested during a sting operation by the Vice Squad for supposedly soliciting a prostitute. Paul visits Lenore while she is interviewing the undercover operative (Brittany Hall) involved in the sting; Lenore's boss D.A. Coleman Kline suddenly confronts Lenore regarding another case and then imperiously and with great irritation chastises her for interviewing Ms. Hall in his absence. It appears that the D.A. believes that this high profile case involving a sitting judge may further his ambitions to someday run for governor (in addition to providing ammunition in his personal vendetta against Lenore). To Madriani's great surprise and the consternation of his long time associate Harry Hinds, Judge Acosta asks Madriani to defend him and adamantly declares that he has been framed by the Police Department in retaliation for his treatment of Tony, the union's fair haired boy.
   
   As Madriani is just starting to pursue his investigation and develop a strategy for defending Acosta, the case suddenly assumes epic proportions as the key witness against his client is found brutally murdered. The only witness is Ms. Hall's very young daughter; as the case proceeds the confusing nature of the evidence and the age of the witness present problems for both the defense and D.A. Kline (for whom the political stakes have risen dramatically as he chooses to prosecute the case himself). This book effectively combines all the elements found in this series - murder, sex, corruption, courtroom drama, politics, detective work, and clever legal maneuverings. Since it occurs shortly after the death of Madriani's wife Nikki, it also provides some information regarding his relationship with his daughter Sarah in the period after Nikki's death. In addition, suspense develops as to how the intensity of the case will affect Paul's relationship with Lenore, who is also a single parent and dealing with the problems of raising two young daughters. The potential cost of the case for Madriani and Lenore suddenly escalates dramatically when violence explodes that might touch the lives of their children as well as themselves and when a situation occurs which might lead to their disbarment.
   
   This book was very enjoyable; a particularly satisfying element was the inclusion of a lot of actual courtroom scenes and legal maneuvering. Some of the more recent legal thrillers by several authors including Martini have seemed to be much more action oriented and focused primarily on lawyers acting as detectives to unravel the evidence in their clients' cases. I much prefer the emphasis on the courtroom drama itself as an integral element of the story. There were a few minor flaws which I won't bother detailing, but careful attention to the story allows the reader to unravel the case in concert with Madriani. My only disappointment was my surprising familiarity with elements of the story once I got involved in the book; some research revealed that this book actually formed the basis for the script for a made-for-television movie which I had obviously watched several years ago and then forgotten until reading the book dredged up the forgotten storyline from my memory. The fact that the book contains substantial additional material and some differences in the plot development allowed me to still enjoy the story as it unfolded, but at the same time undoubtedly made me more alert to certain clues in the narrative regarding the outcome than I otherwise would have been. But if you have not seen the film, you will definitely find THE JUDGE to be one of Martini's best novels and realize why it became a best seller when originally published.
   
   Tucker Andersen



5. This is my second Martini book (the first as a book on tape) and I am almost embarrassed to say that I really liked it. I didn't realize that I was such a literary elitist (especially if you liked at the stuff I've reviewed) but deep-down inside I guess that there are just some books that I want to hate simply because everyone else likes them.
   
   Well, there's a reason why Martini's books have been perennial best-sellers - they're entertaining legal thrillers.
   
   Plot synopsis:
   
   Shenanigans in the police union have attracted the attention of an abrasive judge. He is leading a grand jury investigation into the union's finances when he is arrested for prostitution and later murder.
   
   Paul Madriani is dragged into the case as the judge's defense attorney as a favor to a friend and soon everyone is stuck in a web of intrigue that involves the police, the prosecutor and Madriani's family.
   
   The plot works well but Madriani overuses the 'simile' as a literary device. As I listened to this book on tape I started to become distracted by the sheer number of them. If I'd have had a notepad I would have started a tally sheet!

4 comments about Creative Crocheted Dolls: 50 Whimsical Designs.

1. I will try to keep it to a few words here but it will be hard. If you love dolls then you MUST get this book and if you like whimsical, creative, one of a kind projects you must get this book. A definite asset to your crochet library. Includes step by step very complete instructions for each doll, Hurry once the word gets out I am positive the supply will run out.



2. I was very excited when I found out that Noreen Crone-Findlay was going to do an entire book on crocheted dolls. However after buying the book , andgetting a chance to go through it...I must say that I am very disappointed. It's perhaps the most disappointing book I've ever purchased. The dolls in it are very amateur in their presentation. Few of her examples/projects rise to a standard equal to that of someone just learning the craft. Most of the projects seem like an explosion of yarn. Your craft book dollars would be best spent elsewhere.



3. I love this book. It's absolutely beautiful and magically inspiring. I want to start at the beginning and make every doll in it. Noreen gives plenty of info for beginners and those who like to work from a pattern yet leaves plenty of room for those who want to take her work off in their own direction. If you love dolls and crochet, do not fail to own this book.



4. What an awesome book. It didn't take much reading before I had to go out and get a hook and some yarn in order to try to co-create with Noreen Crone-Findlay. Although I hadn't held a crochet hook in over 25 years, her clear instructions and dazzling designs kept me motivated. Lest you be overly impressed, I did begin with Chubby Lady Bug on page 109, an adorable little being, and perfect for a beginner, or someone returning to crochet.
   I can guarantee that if you like dolls in any of their creative manifestations, or like crochet, you will be held and nurtured by this wonderful book.

2 comments about Collecting & Repairing Watches.

1. If you are a "newbie" in the world of watch collecting, this is the right book for you. It focuses the watch evolution from the late 16TH century to the modern quartz watch. It has a lot of graphics and black and white pocket watch pictures...The book, however, is, in my point of view, intended for a quick knowledge of the watch's history and mechanics...It doesn't cover, for instance, the modern automatic wristwatch. I think that's the best book to read before trying something more techicall. The reading is very straight forward, but the experts in the field will find the book very summarized.



2. The focus is on antique European pocket watches, especially British ones, this being a British publication. The technical history of watches is thoroughly covered, the various outdated watch mechanisms--verge, fusee, cylinder escapement--are explained, and interesting footnotes are included, like the wage records from a 19th century watch shop. A chapter on repair will get you started, and even tell you how to restore the blueing on the watch hands (heat them in a tray over an alcohol lamp). The author has spent much of his life studying and collecting old watches, and has produced an easy-to-read guide filled with interesting and useful information.

1 comments about The Official Price Guide to Mechanical Banks.

1. This is the first guide on mechanical banks since Davidson's Penny Lane book of 1988. Heavily illustrated with wonderful color pictures it is in paperback form rather than hard bound, but the smaller size (9.25" x 6") makes it easy to carry around with you to shows, flea markets, etc. Has a tiered grading system with relative prices and covers a number of banks not present in previous standards books in this field. Highly recommended.

2 comments about Costume Jewelry: Identification And Price Guide.

1. Another beautiful book for collectors of costume jewelry by Leshner. The pictures are mouth watering and the topics digress from earlier books that are solely devoted to rhinestone jewelry. This book includes other types of jewelry like plastic jewelry, silver and beads. The vintages go through the 1960s with a good sampling of many styles. Leshner produces some of the very best books on collectible costume jewelry available that are a joy to look at as well as educational for the collector.



2. One of the books I use for reference that is accurate and easy to understand. Selling estate jewelry and knowledge of jewelry pieces is a must!

5 comments about Bayonets - An Illustrated History.

1. Written by a military photographer of 24 years' experience, Bayonets: An Illustrated History offers an in-depth examination of the role of the bayonet in military conflicts worldwide from 1650 to present. More than 500 photographs enhance Bayonets: An Illustrated History. 300 different types of bayonets are closely scrutinized; almost every photograph features a capsule of notes specific to its topic. The text, while intended more for serious military historian than the lay reader, is highly accessible as it traces the design evolutions and purposes of bayonets as history passed. A welcome contribution to military and weapon history shelves.



2. Written by a military photographer of 24 years' experience, Bayonets: An Illustrated History offers an in-depth examination of the role of the bayonet in military conflicts worldwide from 1650 to present. More than 500 photographs enhance Bayonets: An Illustrated History. 300 different types of bayonets are closely scrutinized; almost every photograph features a capsule of notes specific to its topic. The text, while intended more for serious military historian than the lay reader, is highly accessible as it traces the design evolutions and purposes of bayonets as history passed. A welcome contribution to military and weapon history shelves.



3. Like a few other military books Bayonets: An Illustrated History by great author Martin J. Brayley gives us an accurate descritpion and amazing, extensive photographic material to illustrate each and every example.
   For collectors and simpatizers alike this is a book worth having in any military collection.



4. Photography in this book is excellent and sometimes the visuals are better than the text in aiding identification. The author points out some nuances in transitions that I had not encountered before. I felt it was worth the price and very handy as a quick reference.



5. It's a wonderful work. More information you will ever see anywhere. Beautiful and detailed photos that help a lot in identification. I'm enjoying so much reading it.

1 comments about The Official Price Guide to Mint Errors, 7th Edition (Official Price Guide to Mint Errors).

1. Somewhat disappointing at first. I expected a "formal" price guide like a Red Book or Blue Book but instead, the pricing is very generic. It lists a type of mint error and gives it "from" pricing such as "from $50 and up". The guide is excellent at explaining the minting process and how errors occur.