5 comments about Saving Stuff: How to Care for and Preserve Your Collectibles, Heirlooms, and Other Prized Possessions.

1. I absolutely loved this BRILLIANT book! I am a long time antiquer/yardsaler and I found the book extrodinarily useful! I have been able to preserve things i never thought possible, like my grilled cheese sandwich with the virgin mary on it! I also learned to never keep valuable coins in a jar where my daughter may be able to reach them and turn them into Coinstart (that silly hooligan). This is definately one of my top 3.14 books of all time! IT IS A MUST READ FOR THE AGES!
   
   PS. YAY FOR SCHOOL AND BOO TO CRYSTAL METH!



2. "The most comprehensive book on preserving every type of collectible..." Don Williams, Senior Conservator of the Smithsonian Institution, has written a concise volume dealing with how to preserve everything from baseball cards to furniture. Easy to understand preservation practices. No hard to understand museum jargon. An excellent work for anyone who collects anything or the small museum.



3. amazon delivered item on time as promised. Item was a Christmas gift which the recipient liked.



4. I don't need this book. I thought it was a book on saving things that don't matter, or that does matter. Files, odds and ends. I needed a organizer of house items Its primarlily antiques.



5. This book is excellent. It is easy to understand, cheap to implement, comprehensive, and effective. The book covers maintenance as well as storage. I wish my ancestors had been able to access to this book.

5 comments about Who Says Elephants Can't Dance? Inside IBM's Historic Turnaround.

1. Mr. Gerstner provides his story of when he took over the reigns at IBM and brought the company back on its feet. This is a strict business book with internal memos and charts at the end so it can lend itself to being a bit boring in some parts. However, when the authir describes how he was able to navicate thru the huge complexity of all the different divisions, then this book becomes a valuable reference for any business leader who needs to go thru the same process.



2. Throughout this book Gerstner discusses the changes IBM made and how he helped turned the company around. I have no doubt that he was a large part of the dynamic shift at IBM to again make it the successful, global company that it is today, but I felt that I went through the book without completely understanding what those changes were. There was a lot of discussion of how IBM was operated and managed when Gerstner took control of the company in 1993 as it was falling apart before the public's eyes, and there was a lot of explanation of how IBM was successful and reborn when he stepped down from the CEO position in 2002. But there was little substance in between. I am not sure if that is because the day-to-day steps taken throughout the mid and late 1990s are too mundane for the average business reader, of if the details were just left out. Gerstner does share some insight into leadership skills and his management style, but IBM as is left in the shadows. All in all, this is not a bad book, but be aware that the reader is left wondering exactly how IBM regained its dominant position in the marketplace.



3. Having spent twenty-three years in management before I became an entrepreneur, I recognize that moving from one side of the desk to the other side may be the longest journey a professional person ever makes. When we shift into a leadership spot, not only do we find that our prior perceptions might have been totally inaccurate, we have to address personal and professional challenges we would have never imagined.
   
   I applaud this book as one man's record of what life at the top is really like. He won me over immediately when he decided to wear a blue shirt because everyone else was wearing white. Thoreau would have applauded his individualism.
   
   With my current profession dedicated to improving individual and corporate communication, I agree with Gerstner's assertion that "No institutional transformation takes place, I believe, without a multi-year commitment by the CEO to put himself or herself constantly in front of employees and speak in plain, simple, compelling language that drives conviction and action throughout the organization."
   
   Another striking bit of Gerstner wisdom: "Success in a company comes foremost from success with the customer, nothing else."
   
   He's right on target again when he observes that "lack of focus is the most common cause of corporate mediocrity."
   
   Yet Gerstner goes beyond mere platitudes: "Execution--getting the task done, making it happen--is the most unappreciated skill of an effective business leader."
   
   Possibly two of Gerstner's words capsule his approach to awakening IBM to its possibilities: "constructive impatience."
   
   In my judgment, Louis Gerstner should rank alongside Jack Welch as a take-no-prisoners leader. Read this book, and you will agree that he was the right man at the right time for IBM.The Complete Communicator: Change Your Communication-change Your Life!



4. When I started the book, I have no idea about the history of IBM. I am not an IT person, so I have heard IBM but that is basically it.
   I learned a lot from the book about IBM, what they did wrong and how he changed it.
   But besides everything he revised the company culture and organizational structure. I think that is the hardest thing a CEO can achieve. His vision, his attention to details but still seeing the big picture amazed me. No wonder they picked him as the great saver of the IBM legend.
   The book is long and sometimes repeats itself, without going into details.
   The part I enjoyed the most was his e-mails. How encouraging was he after 9/11, he mentioned employee names and all the things they did both to help and also to get their business going. He sent e-mails to his 300.000 employees. His tone and the things he mentions, his clarity was amazing. He is an excellent leader. IBM is very lucky to have such a good CEO.



5. Never forget that Gerstner was one of the big dog tobacco executives before he came to IBM.
   
   One of the tobacco executives who took an oath and swore before Congress that he did not believe that tobacco was addictive. Tobacco was known to be addictive since at least 1932 according to the tobacco companies' own records.
   
   Before you believe anything that Gerstner wrote or (more likely) had ghostwritten for him, always keep that in mind.

2 comments about Kovels' Know Your Collectibles.

1. The Kovels are well known in the antiquing and collectible field for their annual price guides. In this book they present an introduction to the world of collectibles including chapters on recognizing furniture styles and periods, pottery, dinnerware, glassware, porcelains, jewelry, lamps, clocks, toys, as well as other miscellaneous items. This is a good generalized grounding in all of these topics, although I felt the book concentrated a little on pottery and porcelains. The book occasionally uses terms before defining them, and as an introductory text could have benefited from the presence of a glossary. However, it has a fairly comprehensive index and the reader is able to find the required definition if they are willing to do a little extra page turning. Manufacturers marks are excellently documented making it a useful reference even beyond the first read-through. The photographs are profuse and of good quality, although all are in black and white and a couple would have done well to have been in color. Over-all this is in my view the best introductory text on modern collectibles (collectibles less than 100 years old) and makes and excellent companion to "Kovels known your antiques".



2. I just ordered another copy of this book for a friend who keeps borrowing mine. Well read, and well liked, especially by our friends who are just starting to collect and furnish thier own homes.

5 comments about Collectible Costume Jewelry: Identification & Values.

1. I like this book for a number of reasons. I like the way it's organized by types of jewelry and not by designer like so many other books I own. I like the graphic illustrations of the types of cuts and the lengths necklaces come in and how to 'name' them accordingly. I like the old costume jewelry advertisements at the beginng of the book, giving one a sense of the era.
   
   As a dealer of vintage costume jewelry, this book is a great addition to my collection. Buy it if you have an interest in vintage jewelry.
   
   Gail Gupton, Author: The 31-Day Diet of Spiritual Enlightenment and Seekers of Truth.



2. Very informative book, well laid out and beautifully illustrated.
   My copy is in hardback and was an excellent buy for the price. The book identifies all the famous and many little known costume jewellery makers and their marks/signatures so it is a very good buy for anyone starting to collect vintage costume jewellery. The only disappointment for me is that it basically only covers USA jewellery with little mention of Victorian, Deco, Czech etc from Europe and Britain.



3. Wonderful photographs wide range of designers as well as some unsigned pieces. The only issue I have with the book is the value guide is a bit out dated. (book released in 1997! Almost vintage it self!)
   But it will give you a good idea of a value range. The market goes up and down and I am certian this was written when it was up, with today's gas issue the same pieces do and will sell for much less, as I have seen on eBay. The Florenza pieces in the book have a low value and I've seen the prices so much higher than what is marked this book. It does give you a good idea though.
   There is a great varity of types from rhinestone necklaces to bakelite clips to compacts and a few copper pieces. Demis, full parures, broochs, bracelets.. Very well done book.
   Apparently I got a "Library" copy that was dog eared and marked up inside, but all in all I am happy with this book and suggest it to all collectors.



4. I bought this book for my grandmother who is a serious pin collector. She has hundreds, if not thousands, of pins! She loves this book and references it often in identifying pins, etc.



5. This is a really good book from Cherri Simonds who knows good vintage jewelry, and shares her wealth of knowledge with the rest of us. The photos are very clear, and there are some excellent examples of the very best in vintage and costume collectibles. In addition, she has a section on identifications of designers and manufacturers which is always helpful if you are in the business of buying and selling. There are many examples of the old advertisements, which are great to learn what was popular during the past decades. The only thing missing in this great work is the flip side photos of all of the works, which I suppose would have made the book far to bulky and expensive. If you are a collector, this is a great addition to your reference library.

No comments about Warman's Field Guide to Precious Moments: Values and Identification (Warman's Field Guides).

5 comments about 1,000 Hats.

1. This book made me want to wear hats and play dress-up. It is an engaging look at millinery history and trends that will tempt any hat lover or fashion enthusiast.
   Shephard's books are quickly becoming essential additions to the fashion historian's library.



2. I guess I hoped this book would be as good as "Vintage Hats and Bonnets 1770-1970" but alas, it isn't. Not much history, just lots and lots of pictures. Over half the book is hats from the 1940'-1960's, which is great if you like those years. Also, I think some of the early hats stated from the 1870's are really 1950's, they certainly look modern for the 19th century. Sorry, but I was disappointed.



3. I can't speak to values of hats or text....but if tons of wonderful images of hats are what you are looking for this book is it. Fashion is definately my love, but if I had to pick one accessory I love the most it would be hats.
   Cheers



4. This was a gift...My sister loves hats...This IS the perfect present for someone who adores them too!



5. This is an amazing collection of hat photographs. Inspiring if you just love hats or are looking for ideas for hats to make. The photos are well taken and clear and accompanied by what they are made of and their approximate value.
   
   There is a little history of hats but I would not classify it as a history book. This book is a book of photos, very well taken photos. I would guess that this book is aimed at the vintage collector but is also a good resource for the milliner.

No comments about Kennedy Half Dollars Folder 1986-2003 (Official Whitman Coin Folder).

5 comments about Cherrypickers' Guide to Rare Die Varieties of United States Coins: Half Dimes Through Dollars, Gold, and Commemoratives (Official Whitman Guidebook).

1. Excellent and thorough research of rare coins. A "must have" for the serious collectors!



2. I gave this book to my Dad and he loved it. Great info and pictures.



3. It's a nice book for prices and such (I'm no expert on coin books) does have some great photos (in color) and some information that's helpfull. But i find myself all ways turing to "Strike it Rich With Pocket Change".
   
   "TR"



4. I have had this about a month, and have used it extensively for 20th century silver issues. Just learning the angles of identifying doubles, recut dies, repunched mint marks, etc. makes this book worth it. I found some sections of no use - such as the extremely rare coins (gold, seated dollars) but the 20th century silver (Dimes, Quarters and Halves) very interesting and enlightening as well as the section on Morgan dollars. If you have a few rolls of Washington Quarters or Mercury Dimes (even circulated) you can probably pay for this book by just going through them for varieties.



5. Error and variety collecting is a relatively new form of collecting. Since the discovery of the 1955 Lincoln Cent Double Die Obverse, collectors have been looking at coins differently. From double dies, repunched mint marks, and off-center strikes to difference in die varieties for the same series--even within the same year--the hobby of error collecting can be as satisfying and profitable.
   
   While other books can discuss the profitability, the Cherrypickers' Guide teaches what to look for. With fantastic illustrations and a solid, usable binding, experts Bill Fivaz and J.T. Stanton show collectors what to look for while looking for errors and varieties. The book covers nearly every series of coins including dollars, commemorative, gold.
   
   One caveat I will give is that those who are interested in varieties of Morgan and Peace Dollars, you may want to also buy Comprehensive Catalog and Encyclopedia of Morgan and Peace Dollars. This book is out of print, but some Amazon Marketplace sellers do have copies.
   
   Happy Hunting!

5 comments about Warman's Vintage Guitars Field Guide: Values and Identification (Warman's Field Guides).

1. Some nice pictures of some nice guitars but not very helpful in identification, significance, or value of vintage guitars. I will donate this book to the local library.



2. unlike field guides to, say, western reptiles or birds, this book contains almost no information on the guitars in the guide. basically it is a picture book of a few examples of a few models, with very little descriptive information or text to inform us of year by year changes or other forms of "speciation". it's not really much of a filed guide, it won't help you in the field. it's a pocket book of pretty pictures.



3. Pocket-sized mini-reference of the major guitar manufacturers. Also includes some amps.
   
   I was a little disappointed in this book. It has lots of color pictures of the most popular guitars (several of the same model in some instances) and price ranges. There is also a potted history of each manufacturer. However, there is little or no detail or description of each model.
   
   Easy reading, and good for somebody just discovering guitars who wants a cheap and quick visual reference to the most popular models.



4. I was very dissapointed in this book. It has no real value to a collector. If it was a lot larger and thinner, it would be an attractive coffee table book. If you want pretty pictures and you have a very small coffee table, buy this book. If you want real information, get George Gruhn's guide and Vintage Guitar's price guide.



5. Not very happy with the information in this book. Tried to look up a Martin Guitar 021, there is 11 pages of Martin consisting of 9 guitars only. Eric Clapton auction guitars has 66 pages. Wish I had read the reviews before I ordered. Tried to look up Les Paul custom, there are 2, a 1955 and a 1958.

4 comments about Japanese Patterns (Agile Rabbit Editions).

1. I guess I shouldn't have assumed that the patterns in the book were printed in color, even though the cover of the book sure is colorful. This book is fine if you are looking for black and white images. But, be warned, there's no color in the book other than on its cover.



2. This book is a wonderful resource for graphic designers. It has an incredible array of different black and white designs and comes with a cd-rom for using them on the computer. Yes, it has no color, but with just about any graphics program you can change that. I've even used a few for background elements in artwork or for the inspiration for the designs of kimonos I've drawn. This is not a picture book, but a look into japanese graphic patterns. Very lovely.



3. The best thing about all the books from Agile Rabbit Press are the CD-ROMs. They come with full 1200 dpi scans (huge) of the images in the books! This is an excellent source of quality art!
   
   Anyone 12 and older who has a copy of something like photoshop can use the magic of "click+alt+shift+backspace" to magically change the black and white images to whatever colour your heart desires.
   
   With this book you could make your own designs without having to recreate an old fashioned Japanese pattern by hand!



4. The book is beautiful and the patterns are great inspiration but be aware of the following:
   - The images in the book are black and white
   - The CD-ROM includes images only in TIF, GIF, and PCT only (no .ai)
   - The license in the book notes that any commercial use is not allowed unless Pepin Press is contacted (buying the book only allows personal usage).