No comments about Old Gunsights: A Collectors Guide, 1850-1965.

1 comments about Studio Pottery.

1. Shows at least 1,000 examples of shapes and textures that can give anyone ideas to throw at. Now that I can not have it, I want it! Oh well. Let me know when this book becomes available.Pig in the Poke Pottery

5 comments about Seductive Fantasy (Fantasies Inc.) (Harlequin Temptation).

1. With that warning ringing in Jackson Witt's head, he takes off for Seductive Fantasy Island in the hope fulfilling his fantasy: Exacting revenge on the woman he believes has stolen crucial technical information from his company. And what better way to do it than fulfill her fantasy, then break her heart and walk away? Alexis Baylor is on the verge of making her inherited computer game company a success and figures she needs to reward herself a little. What better way than to indulge her fantasies at Seductive Fantasy Island than with an arranged affair with a handsome stranger - no strings attached.

   Little did each know they would get much, much more than they bargained for.

   With Jackson's help, Alexis undergoes a startling transformation from no-nonsense business to the soft and feminine woman underneath. In return, Alexis gives Jackson something he'd always found elusive: a woman who loved him for himself only.

   But everything isn't rosy in Paradise, as our two lovebirds will soon discover. Alexis captures Jackson's heart and he's forced to face some serious questions about his motives.

   Ms. Denison, in this first in the Fantasies, Inc. mini-series, gives us two likeable characters in a setting where anything goes. I found the whole premise believable and so enticing. The guilt Jackson felt as time went on and the remorse that hit him when it was discovered just exactly what he'd done were right on the mark. It made him totally believable and a very sympathetic character. I quite liked him.

   SEDUCTIVE FANTASY is a great book to kick off your summer reading schedule.




2. Without going into a long synopsis of the story line (which you can read on this page), let me just say that this is a book worth buying. The idea of being able to go someplace where a personal fantasy can come true is intriguing in itself. But each of our main characters have their own agenda, and each of their hidden fantasies are fulfilled, putting a twist into the ending. Yes, you know where the story is going, but Ms. Denison's weaving of the story is masterful. The visual images are clear, and, at times, I felt like I was right there with them. Hot, yes. Unnecessary? Uh uh. Not a bit. The love scenes were crucial to the progression of the story. He was a heel, but we were privvy to feeling his metamorphosis into a caring man, one who recognized his error and did something about it. I like that in a man. Spend some time with Jackson and Alexis, and smile when you've finished reading this book. Oh, then be sure you share it with a friend, but only on loan. This one is a keeper.



3. After insuring that that her computer business is a success, Gametek CEO Alexis Baylon decides to indulge in pampering herself following years of neglect. She selects SEDUCTIVE FANTASY, the dream vacation spots off the Florida Keys. Alexis desires an affair and hopefully to conceive a baby with no spousal or fatherly attachments.

   Jackson Witt, owner of Extreme Software, believes that a former employee Fred Hobson took proprietary code data with him when he joined Gametek. Jackson wants vengeance for Alexis stealing his programming. His plan is to steal her heart during her fantasy before departing alone. However, he failed to calculate his heart when he previously created his plan.

   If SEDUCTIVE FANTASY is an indication of the Fantasy Inc miniseries, fans will have an enjoyable updating of Fantasy Island. The current tale is fun to read, as Jackson gets more then he expects from Alexis. Readers will simply have to fantasize what Carly Phillips, Julie Kenner, and Janelle Dennison will do to match Ms. Denison's opening trip to the four isles.

   Harriet Klausner




4. I bought this book because I had begun reading the other items in the "Fantasy Island" series, and while this one passed the time sufficiently, it seemed a little over done. The characters go a little too far in denying their feelings for each other and drag the story out longer than needed. Still a simple sensual romance that is part of a greater series.



5. Merrilee Schaefer-Weston lost the love of her life in Vietnam and endured a marriage of convenience to an older man until he died and she inherited his millions, which she used to establish Fantasies, Inc. Encompassing four lush paradise resorts off the Florida Keys, each location has a different theme: Wild Fantasy, Intimate Fantasy, Secret Fantasy, and Seductive Fantasy. Arriving at this last resort is Alexis Baylor, owners of Gametek, a successful computer company who knows wants nothing more than to have an affair and conceive a baby. Merrilee has arranged everything with a slight twist. The man she has picked is the perfect match and donor for Alexis. You see, at the end of her time at Seductive Fantasy, Alexis will be given a choice: either way away and continue your life as before, or take a risk that could change everything.

   However, the best laid plans of mice and women running fantasy resorts often goes astray. Jackson Witt, owner of Extreme Software, has discovered that the proprietary code of his revolutionary gaming software has ended up in Gametek's breakout game and he is out to get Alexis Baylor for what he thinks she has done to him and his company. When his detective uncovers that Alexis is going to Seductive Fantasy, his quest for personal revenge turns to a whole new twist. Jackson is going to steal Alexis's heart and then walk away (while suing her company as well). The next thing we know he is sitting next to her on the plane flying off to Seductive Fantasy and the fun begins.

   The plot is fairly predictable once "Seductive Fantasy" establishes the players and the game. Jackson has little trouble becoming the man in Alexis's fantasy and even as he seduces her is cognizant that the woman in his arms does not conform to the image of the manipulative businesswoman he has created in his mind. Of course seduction works both ways and the truth will come out at the worst possible moment for Jackson, creating that inevitable final set of hurdles that true love always has to overcome in these stories. The best parts of this romance are the seduction, since early on Jackson finds his sense of vindictiveness slipping away as he makes his moves on Alexis. Still, I would have liked to have seen Jackson come up with something spectacularly romantic to earn the happily ever after ending. More importantly, Merrilee has some quality control issues at Fantasy, Inc. to deal with before the next guests check in.

No comments about Washington Quarters: State Collection, Vol. 1: 1999-2003.

4 comments about Encyclopedia of Antique Tools & Machinery.

1. This book provides a good overview of many tools (including a lot from obsolete trades). Some prices are provided. A good book for a beginner looking for background on the many tools out there.



2. This book of tools and tool values contains many misnamed, mislabed, or inaccurately named tools. Save your money and buy the latest edition of Keane's book of antique tool values, the most accurate one for tool prices, or Barlow's most recent edition of Antique Tool Collectors Guide to Value,
   which will give lots of pictures and general tool info without misleading you. Wendel's book has too many tools
   named wrong and prices that are way out of touch with reality. Condition is very important, and Herb Keane, in his
   A Price Guide to Antique Tools, does a good job in discussing condition and its effect on prices.
   Once you read some basic tool value books, you will want to advance to specialized books centering on brands, locale of manufacture, or type of tool. These will seldom be price guides, but will be filled with important details that can make a big difference in the price paid for a tool.



3. This is a well illustrated and clearly written work of reference. My husband learned a lot of historical and technological facts from reading it. This is a very valuable book for the beginner to the mid-level American tool collector.



4. Not quite what I needed. I do not get much usefull information from it.

1 comments about Pocket Watch Handbook.

1. This book was first printed in England in 1985, so don't expect any information more current than that. It is not a price handbook either. What it does provide is a high quality history of the development of the watch from the Middle Ages with a fair deal of technical explanation. For one unfamiliar with how watches are made, some of the terminology will be difficult. The book also provides some examples of how to research a watch and how to engage in the business of selling watches. Unfortunately, information on starting a watch shop in England in the 1980s is not very useful for most American readers of today, and the research is only moderately interesting. But as an historical introduction to watches it is a top-notch overview, suitable for the technically inclined beginner. The photos are of high quality.

No comments about Gas Pump Globes: Collector's Guide to over 3,000 American Gas Globes.

1 comments about Precision Pendulum Clocks: The Quest for Accurate Timekeeping (Schiffer Book for Collectors).

1. Book Review by Fortunat F. Mueller-Maerki, Sussex NJ

   Precision Pendulum Clocks, The Quest for Accurate Timekeeping,
   by Derek Roberts.

   Schiffer Publishing, Atglen PA, published 2003, ISBN 0-7643-1636-2, 24x31 cm, 224 pages; Glossary, Index,

   Purchase for ca. [with money]at amazon.com. ...

   The subtitle of this book "The Quest for Accurate Timekeeping" neatly sums up the very essence, the raison d'être, for the art and science of mechanical. Given the central importance of the subject, it is hard to understand why there has not been any serious, in-depth book published on precision horology in 25 years (since Erbrich, Präzisionspenduluhren, 1978, was published, but only in German), and never a book in English. Not only the precision timekeeping enthusiasts, but any serious horologist, owes Derek Roberts thanks for having finally filled this gap. Anybody familiar with prior books by Roberts, such as his volumes on Skeleton Clocks, Mystery Clocks, or Carriage Clocks will have high expectations, and will not be disappointed.

   However I must point out that the title is somewhat misleading. Roberts set out to produce the comprehensive treatise on precision timekeeping, a vast and broad subject, and after many years of research, collecting material and writing he had produced a work that could never fit into one volume, and indeed he had planed this to be a three volume work. Schiffer Publishing balked at that concept and forced the author to publish it as three separate books. (The second and third, named "English Precision Pendulum Clocks" and "Precision Pendulum Clocks: France, Germany, America and Recent Advancements", are due out in intervals of half a year). The publisher must have felt that there were better market opportunities in selling at first one book only. Marketing considerations must also have driven the misleading title; something along the lines of "An introduction to Precision ..." or "An overview of Precision ..." would have been more accurate and more descriptive for this book. Furthermore it soon becomes clear to the reader that abandoning the original "one-title, three volumes" concept came late in the production, because the text repeatedly refers to examples in the yet unpublished companion books. In one instance the reader is told to go to chapter 28 (in a 10 chapter book) for further information. To this reviewer such sloppiness in the final editing is slightly annoying.

   Once the reader however realizes that the text was designed to set the stage, to merely introduce the topic of precision timekeeping, it becomes clear that such goal is achieved in a superb manner. The specialist reader will find a concise and very readable introduction, while the more casual horologist may well be content with getting a good overview of the subject, without the burden of the details and technicalities of the volumes yet to be published.

   Unlike in his earlier books, Roberts does not attempt to write it all himself; actually 4 of the 10 chapters appear under the byline of eminent experts in their specialized fields (Jonathan Betts on Astronomy and Precision Time; John Martin on Escapements; Denys Vaughn on Electric Clocks, and A.D. Stewart provides a 200 year timeline style summary of the subject). The core of this volume - and the core in the quest for the perfect pendulum clock - is the 50 page chapter on the compensated pendulum, dealing with all the various approaches to both temperature and barometric compensation. This subject obviously is also close to the heart of the author. The last two chapters deal with the achievements of Thompion and Graham (the early strivers in the UK for more perfect pendulums) and Harrison (the first horologist utterly devoted to perfect timekeeping).

   The value of the book is as much in its illustrations as it is in the text. Some 280+ illustrations have been carefully selected to illustrate the points made, with careful attention to assuring that the photograph taken clearly shows the feature described in the text. Many illustrations are functional, technical diagrams, with captions (often in the style of "Lever A, lifts the Notch B, releasing pin C, letting wheel E turn ...") sometimes taking more space than the image. Clearly Roberts has taken as much effort and pride to get the illustrations and captions right, as he has devoted to the text. He follows the convention of showing most of the sample clocks he describes in several images, often from different angles, all under one illustration number.

   The book succeeds in working well for various types of readers: On one level it is an enjoyable "coffee table" book with pretty pictures of superb world-class clocks, as well as interesting tid-bits of technical knowledge to be learned by the casual, unsystematic browser. Unlike most books appealing also to the superficial reader, Roberts however also succeeds in producing a scholarly text that stands up to highest scrutiny for the individual who is willing to read every caption and pursue every footnote. The references to sources and further bibliographic resources (grouped at the end of every chapter) are voluminous; the compensated pendulum chapter alone lists 32 publications providing additional details.

   "Precision Pendulum Clocks: The Quest for Accurate Timekeeping", and its future companion volumes, are indeed destined to become the standard text on the subject, and should be part of any well rounded horological library.

   Fortunat Mueller-Maerki, Sussex NJ

2 comments about McDonald's Happy Meal Toys in the U.S.A. (Schiffer Book for Collectors With Prices).

1. I consider this to be the McDonald's collector's premier guide. Full-color photos show you exactly what you're looking for. Variations are also listed, and usually shown, so you'll know to look for that horse with a green base and without! Translites, buttons, and all the other items associated with a promo are listed with values. Although this book only goes through early 1995, you can order supplements by writing to the author (address included in the book). If you're serious about collecting (or selling) McD's Happy Meal toys, you must have this book



2. Great book, very complete and convienen. It has a price guide and check-off boxes to help you to keep better track of you collection. I will not ever begin to estimate the number of photo's..There is easily 1000's

3 comments about Hot Wheels: 35 Years of Speed, Power Performance and Attitude.

1. This is a general overview of the creation and manufacture of Hot Wheels toy cars. Some rabid collectors will probably already know a lot, if not all, of the information in the book but I found it to be highly readable. There's not a lot of minute details but general information about the development and production of the early years. There is also some general information about Mattel's history.

   For toy cars they put a lot of effort into creating them and to this day it still shows. They have held up well and are still like little trophies to me. There are some details that elude the end of the story, like one engineer that volunteered to work on a no salary/percentage of production basis. They never explained what the end result of that bargain was other than it worked well for him in the long run.

   Other information like the development of the wire axles, Delrin bearings and the patents involved really took me by surprise. I had no idea how involved it was to create these little gems and what a chance they took in producing them. I am even more impressed with the toys after reading this book. It really was a labor of love to some extent. I also never realized that Elliot Handler's wife was the primary force behind Barbie.

   Anyone with even a casual interest in the toys and persons involved would probably find the information in this book to be insightful. I enjoyed it immensely.




2. I bought this book for my 8 yr old that has every car I think that has ever been made by hotwheels(these include my old cars from when I was a kid). This book was wonderful. He loved seeing all the cars he has and some that he needs to get. This book was very well put together and will be an asset to any car collector or car lovers collection. Alot of information and wonderful photos inside.



3. Hot Wheels were a major pastime for me growing up and I'm surprised this book didn't appear sooner. The wealth of information and anecdotes on how this toy came to be made the book very entertaining to read. While quite knowledgeable about his subject, the author made a number of factual errors regarding automotive history (I work in the industry) and was vague about some of the actual dates during the first few years of Hot Wheels production. Still, the good photography and artwork have made this one of my favorite books!