1 comments about Women Pioneers For The Environment.

1. I thought the book was an excellent review of some very powerful women who, in most cases had scant means, but who have risked much to keep our planet whole and protect it from being exploited for short term gains. I would recommend it strongly to anyone interested in preserving the environment and/or in realizing how much work has been done by some outstanding women to protect and restore our planet.

5 comments about Aquarian Age - Juvenile Orion Volume 1 (Aquarian Age - Juvenile Orion).

1. To be honest, I thought that Aquarian Age could have been better. True, the art was beautiful (with plenty of bishonen to boot) but I felt that the story was a bit choppy. However, it was still interesting enough to keep the reader flipping the pages, even though its was a bit like X/1999 (which is better by the way)...my main issue was that the main character, Mana, seemed like all the other main shoujo characters. But that is just my personal opinion. Overall, I think that Aquarian Age is a good buy if you have some extra cash or something, but definately not a must-have.



2. I bought volume 1 of Juvenile Orion on a whim from a local Barnes and Noble. I expected an average manga with slightly above average artwork, like so many other series, but I was pleasently surprised. The story is captivating, the artwork is phenominal, and the characters have depth to them, which I find increasingly hard to find in manga. Honestly, I hadn't even thought of the similarities to X until I read the reviews, and I believe that, while slightly reminiscent, the differences are great enough to create a unique and absorbing plot that will keep you reading. I immediately went out and bought the next three volumes after reading the first, and they were even better than the first. I highly suggest this wonderful series to anyone who likes almost any type of manga!



3. I honestly never really made a connection to Clamp's X with this work until I read reviews. I have read through four of the five books and I must say that I saw several similiarities in these characters with other characters from almost every other manga I have ever read. Mana reminds me of Himeno from Pretear, for example. Their attitudes and mannerisms, even Kaname reminds me of the Leafe Knight Hayate...and those characters remind me so much of others from Blue Seed 9; so really, if you are any kind of manga fan at all, you'll realize that almost ALL manga have some kind of parallel to others out there, and why not? Shakespeare took all his ideas from a lot of mytholgical legends, do your homework on this and you'll see what I mean. And if you want to go talking about ripoffs, take a small glance at RahXephon, see if THAT doesn't make you go "HEY! I know this story! I watched it under the title Neon Genesis Evangelion."
   
   As far as this particular story goes, I would have to say I gave this book a four because the next three are so much better, giving us more into the characters, helping us understand a little better who they are and what exactly they have to give in this tale. Development I think is what they call it. =)
   
   Essentially I see that (as in so many other manga) this whole scenario was created by the life of society as a whole in the book world. Many things come about because of the choices people make, destined for consequence.
   
   I enjoy a whole range of genre when it comes to manga, it really depends on my mood, and I can tell you that this is one that I could pick up at any time and truly enjoy with a smile on my face and an upbeat rhythme in my heart. I can't wait to read the fifth book.
   
   I suppose I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys beautiful artwork, heroine romance, and the possibility of hidden abilities within everyone. And let's face it, is this stuff excellent eye candy or what?!



4. Juvenile Orion is a very good series, even from the first volume, but there are alot of problems. Yes, the drawings are beautiful and such, but as you read things get a bit odd.
   
   Fighting scenes are almost practically non existent. Which is not bad, but as the series goes on random characters will appear with no reason and random characters will be mentioned but never told about. Things seem to get jumbled up and questions unanswered. The series takes 2 books to explain everything that happened and 3 books to jumble up one big enemy boss. Its ends abruply making you wait for more until you realize theres only 5 volumes.
   
   Its an entertaining series, but if your looking for something more in depth it may not be the best thing for you.



5. This manga book was really good. The artwork by the author was superb and I can't believe a person could have that much talent in drawing in this world of art, and literature. This manga book, volume 1 of the series, is HIGHLY recommended. I think anyone would like it.
   
   I think this series goes towards the "female" audience since it has revealing pictures of the characters, so I recommend this book to maybe teenage girls or women in their early 20s.
   
   The story is okay, but the manga focuses more on the artwork than the actual writing and literature of the story. But this book was good overall.

2 comments about The Encylopedia of Shaker Furniture.

1. Probably because it is one of the newer books on Shaker furniture, this one seems to be the most accurate on the provenance of the many surviving Shaker items. It appears they have done an excellent job of deciphering where a piece was made regardless which village it was found.

   THERE IS WARNING HOWEVER! Don't be fooled by what they mean by "The Complete Book." They use the word complete to mean, that in addition to covering the "Shaker Golden Years" of 1830 to around 1850, they have included items from the 18th to the 20th century.

   With approximately 400 beautiful illustrations, they can't possibly cover every important piece of Shakerdom. To my disappointment, they did not discuss the particular 12 to 20 foot benches of two slightly differing styles that I have seen pictured in the meeting room at Sabathday Lake. Nor did they show the small wall clock at Sabathday Lake that I wanted to know about.

   The authors certainly accomplished their goals of descibing the various, differing forms used by the different locatations over the approximate 150 years covered.

   For me the final test is, would I buy it again -- Abosolutely.




2. I'm obsessed with Shaker furnitue and architecture. I'll get around to reviewing all of my books in time. I think I have every Shaker book printed!
   
   This one isn't "Complete" but there's an aweful lot in here. I look at "complete" more or less as meaning "most" variety of furniture. I didn't take it literally.
   
   This is one book that gives a lot of weight to Shaker built-ins as well. Of which I'm trying to re-create so I've been referencing this book a lot lately.
   
   I do have other books, some of which focus more on details and drawings with potential variety in drawer configurations for example, others more on color and simple photos etc.
   
   So far it 's been one of my favorites in terms of the wide variety of material it contains. An overall wonderful photo and text reference to existing furniture.

No comments about Fantasy Furniture.

3 comments about Heart of the Home Postcard Collection.

1. Diehard fans of Susan Branch are likely to scoop her works up two at a time (one for me, one for Mom/sis/girlfriend ...) -- what's extra lovely about this volume of postcards is that there's two of each design! So one set to keep for yourself, another to send out to all your dearest friends and fellow-Branch fans. Or one set to keep, another for framing and decorating ... The cards are nicely perforated for easy removal. A must for any Branch afficianado,



2. I love Susan Branch, but this postcard collection is not her best work. The cards are very boring and not very cute.



3. If you are a fan of Susan Branch, these postcards won't disappoint. Worth the value for her wonderful artwork. These make a great gift.

No comments about Dining on Rails: An Encyclopedia of Railroad China.

1 comments about The Jeweled Menagerie: The World of Animals in Gems.

1. THE JEWELED MENAGERIE: THE WORLD OF ANIMALS IN GEMS provides a wealth of jeweled wonders from 19th century artists to survey world design developments through the 20th century. Animal jewelry and makers are profiled with a wealth of color photos and details that include both craftsmanship and historical reflection. Insights on jewelry makers and changing interests in how animals are represented in jewelry make for an inviting, revealing survey perfect for art collections strong in jewelry history and construction.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch

5 comments about What People Wore: 1,800 Illustrations from Ancient Times to the Early Twentieth Century.

1. This book is the culmination of research done by Mr. Gorsline. He has recreated the illustrations based upon research done primarily in the New York Library system. Many of his drawings have a reference... but that reference isn't formatted in such a way you could actually find out anything useful. For that reason it's not a particularly good choice for serious "historical" costumers. But if you're willing to accept that limitation, it is a nice reference, particularly the collected drawings of hair and head coverings.



2. The black and white illustrations are well researched, and many are reminiscent of fashion plates and other primary resources. While designers and historians should be skeptical of original illustrations because of artistic liberties and accidental changes to the shape, style, and accuracy of the garment, this book is pretty decent/trustworthy.
   
   Gorsline also gives specific dates for the illustrations, which is very helpful in researching, and puts in helpful details like accessories (corsets, gloves, hats, shoes, etc.) and hairstyles. It mentions nationality, when appropriate, as well as the style (the name of the artist, when applicable, that inspired the illustration). It shows a range of variations within a given period, demonstrates different ways to wear various garments, and provides a wonderfully diverse sampling of clothes to give any researching a great start in their exploration. As with all secondary resources, be sure to cross-reference for accuracy.



3. Very informative and exactly what I was looking for: dress for nearly two thousand years and attached pictures.



4. I brought this book for images to use for a history timeline book for an early elementary school student. The purpose was to get a general idea of how people dressed at various times in history. For that purpose, the book is very good. As an added bonus, there are some pictures that are labeled with famous people (eg. Teddy Roosevelt, Queen Elizabeth). There are also pictures related to historical events and different trades (eg. pionoeer, coal miner, etc.). Famous people are missing (eg. no George Washington -- as well as many others). Also, costumes are missing (eg. original KKK costume, but the one that most people think about with KKK is missing). There were also ones that I never thought I would see in the book (eg. Jewish Priest from the Holy Temple period). For our purposes, the book is worth the investment.



5. I really don't believe the good reviews on this book. When I received the book, I thought it couldn't be true. There are lots of pictures, actually only pictures, yes, but they're drawn in such a way that even if they were all accurate re-drawings from primary sources, you cannot figure out how the garment looked. The drawings look like a very poorly done line drawings, with nothing clear - lots of lines that give a flat picture with no details. Besides, as the book covers such a large era, it gives only few pictures for each period and the pictures given are often not very typical for that time. Even Peacock is better than this. In the back, however, is a list of sources the pictures were re-drawn from, so you could actually go and check the accuracy. I do not recommend this book to anyone unless someone who has absolutely no clue about costume history and does not care about watching at nice pictures and seeing details.

3 comments about Tornadoes! (Scholastic Reader, Level 4).

1. Hurricanes, by Lorraine Hopping, Is the third book I have bought for my grandchildren in the Wild Weather series. They have looked forward to each new title and reread the ones they now have. The book helped them to understand what was going to happen with hurricane Floyd.



2. My four year old has had me read Hurricanes to him again and again . Ms. Hopping presents scientific facts in such an engaging format that he really enjoys the story. I recommend this and her other Wild Weather stories.



3. My daughter started with the Tornado book in this series (Wild Weather), which she really liked, and so we got this one on Hurricanes. It's even better. The opening chapters about the hurricane pilot had her riveted, and this is the first chapter book she has gotten through completely in one sitting. My only beef was that the scientists are men in both books, but then I found the Flood and Lightning books, which both feature women scientists. We plan to get Blizzards next, since we live in blizzard country.

3 comments about Antique Trader Vintage Magazines Price Guide.

1. When we moved into our 1920's home,we found boxes left in the attic filled with old fashion magazines. My husband was ready to trash the lot, but being of the pack rat variety I found a home for them in my office.
   
   With the help of The Antique Trader Vintage Magazines Price Guide the door was opened for me to the world of old magazines. The beautiful color photos helped me to easily identify my boxes of "trash" and give them a value.
   
   Most important, the love affair the authors have for magazines comes across in their historical entries. The unique way they organize collectible magazine people into Sleepers like OZ artist W.W. Denslow or Stars like F.Scott Fitzgerald makes me want to haunt local yard sales. My major problem with the book was that I became so fascinated that I wanted more. The book could easily have been double in size and information and kept my interest as both a reader and for use as a desk reference. With what I've learned, our next home will hopefully be an 1890's Victorian with a basement full of Godey's Lady's Book magazines.



2. I picked up this book to learn more about vintage ads and magazines I was interested in. I was pleasantly surprised that not only was the book a complete guide to magazines but had great analgoies and stories the "editors" wrote within.
   Great information on a subject that seems to be little explored.



3. I've been interested in old magazines for a few years now, and have been looking for a helpful price guide. I just bought this, and I highly recommend it. There's a lot of information, not just about the magazines most of us are familiar with, but also about many lesser knonwn older magazines that have great value due to authors who published their early work in them--e.g. Edgar Allen Poe. It's not just helpful information as a price guide, it's very interesting reading! Lots of great color photos also. I looked through another magazine price guide in a bookstore, and this one is much, much better.