1 comments about Brett McCarthy: Work In Progress.

1. Normally a decent student, a star soccer player, and responsible only daughter, Brett McCarthy isn't exactly sure what is going wrong. First she is suspended, then earns unlimited lunchtime detentions with the middle school principal, and then she is suspended again. It is enough to freak anyone out.
   
   To complicate matters, Brett learns that her long-time best friend is not only dealing with divorcing parents, but has also lost her mind and decided to try out for the cheerleading squad. With her friends deserting her, Brett turns to her grandmother, "Nonna," only to suspect something fishy is going on with her and some medical situation.
   
   Brett is an extremely likeable teen dealing with a crazy middle school year. Typical adolescent problems are creatively mixed with Nonna's kooky schemes, a lot of chocolate brownie baking, and a plan to resurrect an old lighthouse. One adventure after another holds the readers' attention and keeps this story moving quickly.
   
   Debut author Maria Padian has something for everyone in this book. Brett's father, an English professor, provides countless poetry references for just about any situation. Brett's own love of vocabulary shows up as she introduces a new word with each chapter. And with 45 quick-read chapters, readers are bound to increase their personal vocabulary whether they want to or not. There is no shortage of humor. I found myself chuckling plenty. Padian doesn't shy away from heart-rending emotion, either. Be sure to have a tissue or two close at hand.
   
   Reviewed by: Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"

5 comments about A Firing Offense (A Five Star Title).

1. When I started reading Pelecanos, it began with "Right As Rain" after seeing him at a book signing in Philadelphia a few years ago. After that reading experience, I knew I had to read some more of his books so I turned to his Nick Stefanos' series. Someone suggested I read them in chronological order as opposed to the order in which he wrote them. Based on that recommendation, I began with The Big Blowdown, which takes place in the 1930's and 1940's. I thought this book was phenomenal. Chronologically, the next three books were King Suckerman, which takes place in 1976, The Sweet Forever, which takes place in 1986 and A Firing Offense which takes place in the early 1990's -- all of which I've now read.

   But here is my problem...does Pelecanos write these books only to attract a male audience? I've gotten this feeling with each of these books since there's always some inside male jokes, references to sport's figures and trivia that only guys would know, gratuitous and gritty sex and over the top drinking and drug binges. All of the characters are trying to be so cooler than cool. They don't just leave a tip....they "drop a twenty on a fifteen dollar tab." The first time Pelecanos writes this, it's clever...by the fifth or sixth time, it's old already.

   I'm sure this will incite Pelecanos' fans but I mean this sincerely when I say that "I am a fan." I just wish he wouldn't be so exclusive of the opposite sex when he writes. I can understand that he's probably a real man's man -- the kind of guy other guys want to hang out with. But I want to join the party and I get the feeling with these last three books I've read that it's an "all boy's club" and I'm not invited.

   Other reviewers have said that The Firing Offense is one of the weaker books in the series. I thought the story was strong and definitely sets the scene for Nick Stefanos' entry into the private eye industry. He gets the bug after he's asked by a young man's grandfather to help him find his grandson who is missing. Since the boy, Jimmy Pence, was just canned by Nutty Nathan's, it seems like a good match that the grandfather has asked for Nick's help as Nick is the advertising director at the same company.

   This book will find Nick going back to one of the stores and selling TV's and microwaves from the sales floor with his old friend Johnny McGinnes. They will then travel south together in search of Jimmy until a light goes off in Nick's head leading him to figure out what's been going on behind the scenes at this electronics' company.

   So I'm not giving up on Pelecanos....I guess I'm a glutton for punishment. Next up for me is Nick's Trip, which takes place in the later 1990's, until I finally get to Shame The Devil, taking place in 1998. A book friend of mine, who's a huge Pelecanos fan (a guy of course), says that this one will bring me to tears. I'd like to see Pelecanos be able to do that to me. It would prove that there's not all hardness behind that pen of his.




2. This first book in the "Nick Stefanos" series is definately a guy book: lots of drinking and drugs, fistfights, all-night drives, hamburgers, and sex on the couch. Excellent descriptions and some fine writing, to be sure, but a little more author's energy spent on character development would have helped me relate to Nick and his buddies, and actually invest some energy in caring what happened to them.

   "A Firing Offense" is a good story, however, and one well worth reading if you like action and plot.




3. 'A Firing Offense', as judged by many amazon.com reviewers, is not the most thrilling of crime novels by Pelecanos. In fact the criminal aspect of this story, which only comes to light towards the end (..no spoilers), is somewhat thin. However this book simply oozes with atmosphere. 1980s wasted youth, drug culture, with the lead character (Nick Stephanos) definitely in a "desperately seeking something" mode. I felt transported back in time to a different place. There is something also of a Jack Kerouac feel to it also as much of the book takes place on the road.

   Bottom line: perhaps not a stellar Pelecanos novel but I enjoyed the ride. Recommended.




4. This is the first of the three Nick Stefanos novels, and it is a good introduction to a man who makes no excuses for what he is and takes responsibility for his life. His downward spiral begins in this book, and it continues in the next two, ending with his hitting bottom. Although Pelecanos set out to write a crime novel, he ended up with more.
   
   In this first of the trilogy, I didn't like Nick very much and wanted him to take control of his life, quit drinking and doing drugs, and become a success. However, by the end of the third book, I got it. Nick's fatalism is not the message--his recognition of human value and what makes a family is.
   
   He finds family at The Spot, the bar where he works in the second and third book, among the lonely and the lost. He moves among the invisible segment of society that most of us never see in the DC that tourists avoid.
   
   The third book is the darkest of the three, but it is a necessary progression for Nick. I really like this tragic character who hurts only himself, and I would love to see another Nick Stefanos book.
   
   The three books in order are A FIRING OFFENSE, NICK'S TRIP, and DOWN BY THE RIVER WHERE THE DEAD MEN GO. If you haven't read them, put them on your TBR list.



5. Guess you could call this a gritty story. I found it so pedestrian that I could only read the first 40 pages or so before deciding it was definitel not for me and put it down. I will try his next book, which got better reviews but was not at all impressed with his style in "The Firing Offense." It was bad, really bad. Crass, in fact.

3 comments about Cartier.

1. I think that this book is a great resource for anyone who is a jewelry student or just in love with very fine jewelry. While the book does focus more on the lives of the three Cartier brothers, there are many great pictures of their jewelry as well. I think this book is well worth the money.



2. This is in my modest opinion the best book about Cartier. Amazing photos with fine text. Much more than the classic coffee table book. Offers insight into the most important periods of Cartier, the designs and the artistic talents of their creators. Biographies of the artists of the famous jewelry house, recent history, famous clients and how the businesses got started. The photos are wonderful; I only wish there were more of them. A MUST!



3. A history and analysis of Cartier : jewels in modern time. The world impact of Cartier's creators. Images of the best neclaces, tiaras, rings and horloges. A piece of art in itself. Very well written. manoel barros da motta

2 comments about The Official Beckett Price Guide to Football Cards 2008, 27th Edition (Official Price Guide to Football Cards).

1. I was kind of dissapointed. It was confussing to find the right place for the right card. It was sent on time.



2. Like other reviews I find that some cards are simple to find, others are impossible. They may be listed, it has over 600 pages, but the way they are categorized is awful. I cant even find one of the cards shown on the cover! A 2001 Refractor reprint of a 1976 Walter Payton RC. Where is it?

5 comments about Traditional Mexican Style Interiors (Schiffer Design Book).

1. I was looking for a reference book to guide my Mexican-style remodeling and redecorating efforts, and this is the best I've found yet. (I have about a dozen!) Gorgeous pictures, and plenty of them. Each section discusses a particular room type (kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms etc.) and each room type gets a good amount of attention. Something I dislike about other books is their tendency to look only at the courtyards or living rooms of Mexican or adobe-style houses -- not so useful if you're considering how to tackle your kitchen. This one covers it all, including touching on gardens and indoor-outdoor spaces that are such an integral part of Mexican living.
   
   Definitely pick up the companion volume, "Traditional Mexican Style Exteriors", while you're shopping. Together they paint a vivid picture of the colorful and vibrant style of Mexico.



2. We were looking for ideas for our outside patio area, especially colors, and this book is great for various decors with vibrant colors. You will find yourself looking through it again and again.



3. This is definately a well layed out book, with really nice high quality pictures, my only question is why are at least half of the picture in this book of houses in the United States? Granted they are in the Southwest where there is a obvious Mexican influence, but I refuse to believe the best examples of Mexican interiors are found in Tucson Arizona! And of the interiors in this book most of the ones from Mexico are from San Miguel de Allende, or Guanajuato which are two towns a hour apart from each other. There are extraordinary colonial gems in Zacatecas, Oaxaca, Puebla, México City, ect, ect, that could have easily been included in this book instead of some American's house in the Southwest... I would have liked to have seen a book on Mexican interiors that were 100% Mexican. The book MEXICOLOR, though not entirely consisting of interiors is a far more authentic book.



4. Excellent photo's to plan off of. They give ideas to maintain a modern design and still keeep the traditional flow of true Mexican and Spanish feel



5. What a beautiful book. One of the best I have seen. I live in Mexico and will be using many ideas.

5 comments about Step-by-Step Knifemaking: You Can Do It!.

1. I got this book out of my local library and I can't wait to get started making a knife. I've recently ordered a copy for myself. It will be edgeworn soon. This book is an excellent place to start making knives for the beginner, since Boye uses recycled steel. His explanations and diagrams and photos of the process are invaluable for this endeavor. I only wish he wrote one on folding knives.



2. This was the first book I bought on knifemaking, and my copy is falling apart (it's 28 years old!) I absolutely love David Boye's sense of design, and his work has inspired my own considerably. That said, I learned a great deal about knifemaking from other sources, and I use few of his methods. Specifically, I would never use a wheel grinder on knife steel, it generates a great deal more heat than a belt grinder, isn't nearly as accurate, and the cutting surface is smaller. I would NEVER cut out blades with a cutting torch, unless you wanted to grind away at least 1/4 in from the cut edge, you're messing up your steel's microstructure doing this (see p. 111 under grain growth!) I appreciate the lengths he's gone to to describe heat treating, but had little luck with it myself; I would strongly advise against trying to heat-treat complex steels like D2, 440C, or 154CM yourself, unless you like throwing your work away. Finally, though I absolutely love the acid etchwork in the book, the beeswax/asphaltum etching ground recommended here is a very tempermental one, I would use commercial etching ground if I were doing this. Since messing with aqua regia at home is not the safest thing, I'd suggest looking into some of the other methods, such as electrochemical etching. So, I would say to the beginning knifemaker that I'd use this book for inspiration, but go elsewhere for methods. If at all possible, talk to someone who's been doing it a while.



3. This is a great book for the beginner to someone who has built some knives
   But needs help in refining their technique
   This will be a great reference for years to come



4. This is a good and quality written book. I have used the information as a beginner and have started my knifemaking hobby successfully. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in bladesmithing.



5. David Boye writes as an old friend might write to you via e-mail, describing his hobby and how he makes knives, soon infecting you with this 'disease'. By the time you've finished your subconscious will be telling you "I've got to become a knifemaker!". The book covers tools, knife types, stock removal, grinding, building the handle, heat treatment, regrinding and polishing, handle materials, buffing, sharpening and maintenance, etching and even how to make the sheath. For a beginner like me who has recently rediscovered the world of knife collecting and knifemaking, this book is simply amazing. I've got no regrets buying this. You should add it to your library.

5 comments about Buried Treasures You Can Find: Over 7500 Locations in All 50 States (Treasure Hunting Text).

1. This book contains a few interesting and potentially helpful tidbits of information for the treasure hunter. However, most of the information about the "7500 locations" is often little more than can be had from reading the "Welcome to..." signs found as you drive into town. If you expect to have a handy collection of ideas to keep you and your metal detector busy, then this book will be a disappointment.



2. But this writer simply tried to cut too wide a swath. I'd have preferred fewer lost treasures and more information on those.



3. This book is great. It has many great places to look for treasure in every state. The author has done years of research to find many old ghost towns, buried treasure stories, and many other places. It gives tips on metal detecting, but seems to have been paid by Garrett Metal Detectors to advertise and show their detectors in this book. It also informs you how to find good places to look. This book is a masterpiece and very interesting even if you are not going out to look for lost treasures of yesterday.



4. it listing a lot of tips 7500---however since it list so many tips--- needless to say it can only give a brief bit on each one----its a good starting point of "local treasure stories /tales" in your state & area that you then must go and do the "leg work" to flesh out the rest of the story. if you are a research based type hunter its a good starting point--- "tips" to get you started ---if you expect ---"well go the the corner of elm and jones street in zippytown,florida and walk seven feet east --dig five feet down and you'll be set for life ---well get real --if it was that easy the bookwriter would do it. good hunting to all.



5. Very happy with this book. Came in a timely manner was very easy to read and thoroughly enjoyed it.

5 comments about Surprise Island (Boxcar Children).

1. The Boxcar Children #2 Suprise Island is a great book for kids and others 15 and under. My favorite part was when the kids found Indian Point and all the artifacts hidden there. After they found all the artifacts they made there own museum. My other favorite part was when the dogs raced each other. When they had to leave they weren't very disspointed because they knew that they were going to come back.The author is such a realistic writer that when you read this book you think that you are there with them.



2. When I say "So many surprises," I really mean it! For example, the children find Indian artifacts, when they never thought they would. Benny and his friend found a mini-cave. I like this book because it had so many surprises!



3. Warner's second in the Boxcar series is pretty much more of the same. Gone however is any real novelty or discovery.
   
   This time around it gets a little creepy by modern, postfeminist standards. The girls delight in nonstrenuous domesticity, whereas the boys do the heavy lifting and shop work. Henry assumes the role of Father Knows Best autocrat for the little family, the rich grandfather being mostly absent again.
   
   Not too surprising, given that Warner's generation also made the infamous mental hygiene classroom films and social engineering initiatives of the post-WWII era.
   
   If traditional, rigidly-defined, sex-linked roles taught by example are okay with readers' parents, go for it. Progressives and modern liberals will surely be appalled. The enigmatic character of Joe could never be written into modern stories.
   
   The artwork in this edition of Surprise Island is wretched, nothing at all like the first book's.



4. My kids, 9, 6, and 3, love these books, which is a surprise since they don't contain any electronics, fantasy adventures, or magic. They beg me to read "just one more chapter!" everytime. So refreshing to read about kids interacting with nature and who are so polite to adults. Definitely a good purchase.



5. Growing up in the same town as Ms. Chandler, I was lucky enough to go to the library to hear her read her stories. I loved them. I wasn't sure if my kids 30 years later would love them as much as I did. I think we've read the Boxcar #1 at least 6 times. The kids just love the idea of setting up a home, without adults, and taking care of themselves. Who doesn't love the pink cracked cup and the stream cooler. I wasn't sure if Surprise Island would have the same kind of magic. It did! Not only did it have a lot of the same elements as the first one, my boys loved the kids finding Indian relics, and mystery of who Joe was and of course why can't they go into the yellow house? (read #3 for that one). It is so refreshing that a book written so many years ago can be relevant today, that you don't need potty humor,TV show references or violence to engage children's imaginations.

2 comments about Great American Billboards: 100 Years of History by the Side of the Road.

1. In 1908, Henry Ford introduced the world to his first Model T automobile, and with only 150 miles of paved road in America, the American billboard industry first took hold. Billboard advertising is unlike any other advertising in that the sponsor has only a few split seconds to get his message across. By nature, billboards have historically been about immediacy and impact. One need only look through Fred Basten's chronicle, "Great American Billboards" to see the sudden impact an advertiser's message must convey to be an effective marketing tool. Basten's quest began at a 1995 luncheon where he was introduced to Joe Blackstock, the historian for the famed outdoor advertising company Foster and Kleiser. By gaining access to F&K's vaults. Basten was able to assemble what may be the most comprehensive catalog of billboard photos throughout the 20th Century. From the early days of motorcars and now defunct consumer goods companies, to the years of the war effort of WWII ("Smash the Axis. Pay Your Taxes") liquor, movie ads and cigarettes (including the famous Camel smoking billboard in Times Square) America's billboards reflect the times we live in. Basten chronicles the evolution of outdoor advertising from one-color product shots and clever slogans from the 20's and 30's to the 70's era 'less is more' statements to the 80's and 90's versions of the construction board, where three dimensional installations were used to expand the borders of the traditional board to grab drivers attention. (Shamu, anyone?) Unfortunately, most of the book relies on Basten's access to one company's archives and thus it's examples are more limited than they might otherwise be, but 'Great American Billboards' is nonetheless a look at our consumer society from a unique historical perspective.



2. The first thing that came mind when I looked through this book was why there were so many black and white photos. The first color billboard photo is from 1954 for Budweiser on page 136. The previous pages have some color but they are illusrations. Most of the contents seem to be mono photos which can hardly do justice to this obviously colorful medium. The book evolved from the archives of Foster and Kleiser (now owned by Clear Channel Outdoor) and maybe the company didn't need to take color shots for their files. As the contents relate only to F and K sites the word Great in the tile is rather misleading, this is not a collection of well designed posters by any means.
   
   I thought the most interesting part of the book were the chapters covering the Second World War. Companies and the Government went all out to use billboards as morale boosters. There are several examples of recruiting, buy War Bonds, give blood, share you car with a serviceman or War services come first...that's why you can't always buy Wrigley's.
   
   Missing from the pages is any in depth reference to how these huge posters and paintings are produced. On page 154 there is a fascinating photo of a painter working, in 1962, on a huge female face, I assume in the F and K studio and the author mentions contemporary posters using digital imaging printed on weather-resistant vinyl. Production techniques would have made an interesting two or three pages.
   
   Basten's book invites comparison with one by James Fraser The American Billboard: 100 Years which came out in 1991 but I see it is still available quite cheaply from several internet sellers. This has 166 illustrations (with 150 in color) and nicely the editorial tends to feature more award winning and distinctive posters than Great American Billboards, also the text relates to the poster industry, ad agencies and designers. Of the two books I much prefer Fraser's, it's larger and overall a much more lavish production.
   
   ***FOR AN INSIDE LOOK click 'customer images' under the cover.

1 comments about Jefferson Nickels Folder Starting 1996 (Official Whitman Coin Folder).

1. This item works like you would expect it to: it holds onto your money. It's quite difficult at times to get the coins into the spots, but they won't fall out!