5 comments about 2008 Standard Catalog of Firearms: The Collector's Price and Reference Guide (Standard Catalog of Firearms).

1. It is very easy explained of how to determine if you are going to purchase a firearm old and new because it is an investment.



2. About every 2 year i get a new one of these books. i am and avid gun collector and this helps to find the value of the fire arms for buying or selling. it is one of the best books out.



3. SCF is a very useful reference book. One thing really going for is the great pix of thousands of different weapons (not all photo's are correct though). However the values are outdated and have not been changed for at least 2 years and I think even more. The industry standard is The Blue Book of Gun Values by S.P. Fjestad; but Blue Book does not have photo's. If you are interested in firearms I recommend that you get Standard Catalog of Firearms once every 5 years and Fjestad's Blue Book every year. The 2 work well together.
   
   Zed Child



4. You need this for a good price list that is current with todays market on Firearms. 2007 book has about the same prices but a few dollars difference, both books are very good in pricing your weapons.



5. I have the 2000 and 2002 editions of this guide and was very impressed, but the the 2008 is a disappointment. The picture quality is very poor and the newspaper type paper and print are very displeasing.

5 comments about Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul: 101 Stories of Life, Love and Learning (Chicken Soup for the Soul).

1. I recomend that you read this book because its stories are touching, sad, heart warming, and pretty much every other emotion you can feel. You can learn a lot about different in life, and how people got through them. :p
   zoe r.
   lanier ms



2. I am a teacher in two high schools and I like to read the stories of the book to my students from time to time to inspirate them and reinforce their teenage self esteem! I suggest it to all teacher to make the same with a nice calm background music.



3. Once again, "Chicken Soup for the Soul" books has a hit. This is a wonderful gift for young teens with its easy read of short stories on pertinent topics and experiences teens face. Teens I have given it to as a gift have loved it and purchased the next in the teen series. Also a source of good talking points for those anxiety ridden moments or social issues teens face.



4. I skimmed through the book before I gave it to my granddaughter who just turned 13. I thought it had some well written stories that a teenager can relate to and a lot of food for thought. She was so happy to get it, since she had the one for pre-teens also and really liked it.



5. I bought this book as a gift for my 16yr old niece. The very next day, she told me how much she loved the book. She even cried reading it. I think it's nice to find reading materials that can move the minds and feelings of teenagers.

5 comments about Calder Jewelry.

1. For all the Calder fans across the globe, here is a new/old art form for your appreciation and amusement. We all knew there were a few delightfully designed pieces of jewelry out there in the universe, but this is body adornment equal to his "CIRCUS" Very simple design, very organic. This book is thoughtfully put together, with breathtaking photos, informative copy and enough pages to keep you happily turning pages for hours. A perfect book for long time Calder fans, young jewelry designers, and people who have yet to go on their "Calder Journey" Thank you, thank you, for a new cherished book!!!



2. This is an exquisite book filled with unbelieveably gorgeous photographs of Calder's creations. Even the quality of the paper is exceptional. Just a wonderful book that is a treat for the eyes and a deserving tribute to the genius of Alexander Calder.



3. Incredible exhibition catalogue of Calder's jewelry. Excellent photographs and descriptions of his unique and whimsical adornments.



4. a great book, a complete overvieuw of calders jewellery and a beuatifull extra to the book Calder intimeCalder Intime (Collection Maitres D'hier Et D'aujourd'hui). The comments of his grandchilderen makes it even more personal and intime as the book mentioned before. You can feel the joy of living and creating in the storys and in the images. A must have for every goldsmith or goldsmiths school.



5. This a great book by a great American sculptor. Most people know his mobiles and stabiles....his jewelry is a great secret and this book shows us another part of a wonderful artist.

5 comments about Nicolae: The Rise of Antichrist (Left Behind No. 3).

1. From the very first letter of the alphabet that my eyes looked upon inside this series of books, until the very last period of the very last sentence, I was hooked. Each one of these books absorbed my attention like no other book has ever done in my life. Biblically sound, theatrically entertaining, and brilliantly written, the Left Behind books will inspire you to dig into God's word and take the pieces of news from your T.V. screen and match them right smack-dab up with the prophecies of the Bible. Your hair will stand up, your heart will race, and you will find yourself helplessly caught in the suspense. Once you finish one of these books, you will desperately race to your computer screen or your local library to pick up the next one!
   
   Carrie Lynn Jones
   Author of It All Began... When Jesus Gave Me Sneakers



2. Well I finally dragged thru the second book. #3 is a much more faster paced book, but I was expecting to learn more about Nicolae since this is the name of the book. It was more about the adventures of Buck, who seems to always get into stuff, but always makes it out. It is interesting to read how he does it. I am getting about sick of Chloe though, she's always nagging, whining, worrying and calling Buck at the most inappropriate times. Other than that a good read!



3. From the moment I started reading this series, I was hooked. With each chapther I found myself more and more intriqued. Every book is an enthralling installment in the Left Behind series... and Nicolae was probably the best one Ive read yet. It's exploding with action and suspense, tying scripture with fiction. I highly recommend the series. Cant wait to read the 4th one, Soul Harvest.



4. I read the whole series, I love it! I heard they came out with a 13th book, I'm not going to read it. Sometimes the show has to end.



5. To be honest, I don't quite understand the hype. There are many books better written than this series out there, yet people--even those who usually don't enjoy reading--flock to the series. It is understandable since it is a controversial topic, however it's troublesome that people actually take these books as a description of what's to come.
   I'm no theologian, and I personally am a panmillenniest (it'll all pan-out in the end so to speak), but the interpretation promoted in the Left Behind Series is, in many ways, a Baptist phenomenon popular (generally) in the United States. While I'm not saying this is wrong--because, let's be honest, interpreting Revelation varies incredibly--it's important to note that this isn't the view subscribed to by most of the World. However, at least in Nicolae, the writers appear to assume (or want us to assume) that those who don't believe Revelation is to be taken 100% literally don't have ears to hear or eyes to see.
   That being said, the composition isn't incredible. Sentence structure is, at times, very awkward and forced. The storyline isn't bad, though I didn't feel much attachment to characters (admittedly, it'd been awhile since I picked up either Left Behind or Tribulation Force) and, for a book as long as it was, didn't see a lot of character development.
   Positives: some funny moments and a few interested steps forward in watching a man take over a willingly tyrannized world.

5 comments about Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus: A Practical Guide for Improving Communication and Getting What You Want in Your Relationships.

1. Men will be typical. I had a struggle when deciding whether I should or should not buy this book. Have been having some bad patches with my girl and gave it a shot. Turns out its pretty good. I now do understand women better and how they behave and I also understood how I tend to behave at times in certain situations. In general a good book for anyone who's in a relationship of looking of going into one.



2. Well, my title basicly summarizes this book; men and women are very different by nature. The way this book describes these differences is hilarious and very much fun to read. Any (married) man can relate to it!
   
   Apart from being a fun read its contents stick in your mind like glue and this book will pass before your eyes almost ten times again before the day is over. Just speak to someone of the other gender and you can at least refer her to several chapters in the book. Good to know we were born like this and so shouldn't blame each other...
   
   Usually reading about management or sales or any business book I found this one refreshing and entertaining. It even made me appreciate myself more as it also clarifies why you should translate your wife's complaints in your head to a more constructive sentence.
   
   It's plain simple; you want to speak with an Italian, learn to speak Italian. Want to speak to French people, learn to speak French. If you want to speak to someone from the other gender, learn to speak - or at least translate - their language.



3. I wasn't sure what to expect when I got this book. I thought it would be basic and just hit on certain aspects of both sexes. Luckily I found this book incredibly detailed as to how both sexes can understand one another. With this in mind we'll have a better response to situations that arise. It uses a bit of humor when explaining how men and women think and react to certain situations. This book explains how both are different but when they understand and realize that they compliment one another. I would recommend this to anyone who always is confused as to how the other sex thinks and works. We are very different and this book does a GREAT job of opening our eyes to how it really is rather than how it should be.



4. Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus is a highly popular book by John Gray and contains much to recommend it, especially for men and women in an intimate relationship. It also may be valuable to anyone seeking to have a better understanding of the opposite sex.
   
   Personally I have some problems with the book which I should state up front. The first is that the cover lists the author as "John Gray, Ph.D." I find that people who feel the need to list their academic credentials after their name (or otherwise boast about such achievements rather than let their ideas speak for themselves) are often more pedantic than informative. Imagine for example: Albert Einstein, Ph.D! Secondly, Gray is riding a one-trick pony with this idea, having a series of books with this name, as well as a small business empire which he promotes in the book. There are workshops, workplace seminars, counseling centers, etc. all devoted to Martians and Venusians. Which brings me to my third objection, namely that the idea is just too cute. Mars is a dry (probably), barren planet and Venus is covered with gasses. Why they are symbols for men and women is beyond me. I just can't take seriously such statements as "A man falling in love with a woman is similar to what took place when the first Martian discovered the Venusians." (page 42) or the constant reference to men and women as "Martians" and "Venusians."
   
   More significantly, Gray lumps all men and all women together creating more of a stereotype than real people. The sense is that all men and all women act in the way he describes. All men are from Mars--don't want to be improved (p. 162), argue for the right to be free (p. 134), solve problems alone (p. 27), etc. And all women are from Venus--get together and talk openly about their problems (p. 27), are like waves (p. 120), use poetic license to express their feelings (p. 61), etc. But all men are not alike, nor are all women. Sometimes I like to talk openly with people about my problems, and engage in other behaviors that Gray attributes to women. I am sure that many women also act in ways that are supposed to be reserved for men. People are complex; Gray tries to simplify them too much.
   
   Having said all this, the book still is quite valuable. The following is a summary of some of the main points. Gray also provides numerous examples of how to respond and deal with problematic situations. The basic idea is that men and women communicate differently and should be aware of these differences. A man's sense of self is defined through his ability to achieve results. To offer a man unsolicited advice is to presume that he does not know what to do or can not do it on his own. Men want to be trusted to do the right thing. A women's sense of self is defined through her feelings and the quality of her relationships. Women want caring. Men should not offer solutions to women and women should not give unsolicited advice to men. When a man has a problem he goes inside himself to find a solution. When a woman has a problem she talks about it with others. When a woman is under stress she finds relief by expressing herself and being understood. A man under stress finds relief by solving the problem. Men like to feel needed, women like to feel cherished.
   
   Men take a win/lose approach (I win therefore you lose), women take a lose/win approach ( I lose so that you can win). A man's deepest fear is that he is not good enough, therefore he compensates by striving for success in material things. It is difficult for a man to listen to a woman when she is unhappy because he feels like a failure. Men and women mean different things even when they use the same words. Women express feelings, men give information. Men are literal, women are figurative. Men are often silent rather than talking. Women have a hard time understanding this silence. Women talk to feel better and create intimacy.
   
   Men are like rubber bands--they move away and come back. Women should not chase after them. Women are like waves, they have emotional ups and downs. Men should not think it is their fault. Men want space to be free, women want understanding for the right to be upset. Men think that money will solve all problems. Women have both financial and emotional needs. Women need to receive: caring, understanding, respect, devotion, validation, reassurance. Men need to receive: trust, acceptance, appreciation, admiration, approval, encouragement.
   
   The secret to empower a man is never to change or improve him. The best way to help a man grow is to let go of trying to change him. In an argument men fight (become aggressive) or flight (become silent) while women fake (pretend there is no problem) or fold (give in). Men do not say "I'm sorry" because it makes them seem to be wrong. Arguments escalate when a man invalidates a woman's feelings and she responds with disapproval. Men think that giving a woman a big present or kindness is more important than a small one. Women see all presents and acts of kindness as equal. Women need to learn to ask for support. The best way to do so is: be direct, be brief, use "would you" or "will you" phrases. Men are more willing to say yes when they have the freedom of saying no.
   
   I give the book four stars because it is useful and can help anyone understand themselves and have better relations with the opposite sex. Just don't believe every word.



5. No sane person should ever consider ascribing to these sexist ideas. I've listened to the tapes, read the books, and became more concerned for couples needing REAL help as I went along. Yes, there are some differences between the sexes, but this guy doesn't come close to getting it right, and if you're a man following his advice, then you can write off having a long-term with an INTELLIGENT woman. This fake doctor creates "escapes" and excuses for sheer bad behaviour of men, claiming that it's innate to the male gender, and suggests that their women forgive them for it!
   Sure, forgive him....but expect your man to GROW UP at some point!
   I support equal respect for men from women, and vice versa. Gray expects us to believe that a man should be able to look at other females...and also suggests that its a woman's DUTY to at least provide manual or oral gratification whenever he needs it. Hey, if I catch you flirting with other women, or DEMANDING carnal favors from me rather than gently soliciting them, and you support your bad behaviour with this book, it's ALL over!
   Mr. Gray is an over-grown child looking for a loophole for his bad manners towards the women he's offended. For those looking for a better appraisal than mine, please do an internet search for The Rebuttal From Uranus, the critics there really capture the truth. (I think I'll go to my "cave" now. As a woman, I have one too, it's not just for men!) Don't Buy This Book!

3 comments about Kovels' Antiques & Collectibles Price List 2008: The Bestselling Price Guide in America- 40th Anniversary Edition (Kovels' Antiques and Collectibles Price List).

1. The Kovel's book is by far the most detailed, entertaining and informative price book I have ever owned. It helps us sellers and buyers and on line shoppers understand real-time market values. I like that it is based on ACTUAL prices. ( after all things are really only worth what someone will pay). It helped me identify things that I was unsure of with some really clear four-color photographs.
   The book is packed with TONS of pictures! It also is easy to find things and the Kovel's seem to have a knack to know how to organize such a large group of potential categories. Overall, this book was worth every penny in terms of showing me what things are worth and what they are. No other place I have found that can do both so well.



2. For information on a wide variety of antiques or collectibles, it's almost as good as Warman's. But, really, I like having both books available for use. I've found, however, that if I know what I'm interested in, I'm better off spending the money and getting a book specific to that antique or collectible (if there's one available.) Nevertheless, a good reference book to get someone started in collecting. Prices listed vary greatly from what one finds on internet market; you need to be aware of this with some antiques or collectibles.



3. This is a nice reference book. Not as complete as I wished. Sometimes difficult to find specific items. However, it is solid and full of information. A nice reference to add to your collection.

1 comments about Childhood Treasures: Quilts by and for Children.

1. This book showcases a collection of quilts made for and by children for doll beds. Some of them are quite old, whereas others are fairly recent. The photos are well done and the book's layout is easy to read.
   
   I picked this one up on a whim, and while I enjoyed this book, I don't see it having much re-read value for me. I was hoping for some ideas for projects I would want to make in the future, and while it was interesting I wasn't inspired to duplicate any of the children's work.
   
   I'm giving this book 3 stars, mostly because, while interesting, it didn't leave a lasting impression.

5 comments about Tribulation Force: The Continuing Drama of Those Left Behind (Left Behind No. 2).

1. Okay, the first book I read in no time, but this one is taking so long. I really can't say much else except it's slow. And if it wasn't part of the series, I probably would stop reading. Please tell me it gets better again in book 3.



2. In "Tribulation Force" things slow down considerably from the first book. It is probably the dullest book in the entire series, but that does not make it a bad book, and it is still integral to the series as a whole.
   
   This book takes over where the first left off and is in between the rapture and the plagues. Buck Williams, Rayforde Steel, and Chloe Steele have all made decisions to follow Christ, but they are still trying to figure out what that means. With the help of their church pastor and Tribulation Force leader Bruce Barnes they form a group that is determined to stand against the anti-Christ despite all the odds and live a Godly life in times that will become increasingly unGodly.
   
   Buck Williams is still working for the Global weekly and is trying to write as a Christian in w world where Christians get no respect. Hattie is put into a a position next to Nicolae which seems to seperate her more and more from God. Chloe and Buck are contemplating whether or not marriage should be an option since raising children in a world with the anti-Christ reigning doesn't seem like a good idea. Rayford's obedience is tested as he is being led to a lucrative job as being Nicolae's personal pilote.
   
   A lot happens in this book without really happening. If anything this book is the transitional book for the series, it leads the way for the tribulation to come in and the revealing of the anti-Christ. I understand why this book has been rated lower than the others, but that does not mean it is worse than the others, it is just a little bit less eventful. However, if you enjoyed the first book, you will enjoy this one.
   
   God Bless & *ENJOY* ~Amy



3. The Left Behind Series is awesome. This book is no exception. It will hold your interest from the first page to the last. You have to read book one first though.



4. I ordered this book for my Son. He was very pleased with this book. It arrived even sooner than expected. Thank you.



5. Leave this false rapture teaching behind. Read Carl Olson's "Will Catholics be left behind?" Totally debunks the "Rapture" and these books.

5 comments about The Indwelling: The Beast Takes Possession (Left Behind No. 7).

1. Toward the top of this very page, the authors declare: "For some reason, I'm finding that a large percentage of people who greet us at signings, etc., and tell us they have read "all the books" actually haven't. They are largely unaware that between books 12 (Glorious Appearing) and 13 (Kingdom Come) we produced three prequels (The Rising, The Regime, and The Rapture). These need not be read before Kingdom Come (the final sequel), but if you're a Left Behind fan, you won't want to miss them.
   Dr. LaHaye and I also have a new series -- fiction based on the gospels -- that began last November with John's Story: The Last Eyewitness. Late this year the second of the four titles, Mark's Story: The Gospel According to Peter will release. And, of course, we'll finish with Luke's Story and Matthew's Story. As always, I'd love to hear from you."
   
   Indeed, they'd love to hear from you, to hear the sound of your money clinking in the cashbox of sanctimony. In addition to the Left Behind Series of 13 books, there are now audio-books (abridged and unabridged), parallel children's books (Children Left Behind!?! Have these sadists no shame?), movie versions, computer games (teaching bigotry and violence), and countless books pretentiously analyzing the novels as theology! And some people worry about Microsoft or Google accumulating too much influence! Just where is all the money going? What charity is Tim LaHaye supporting with his wealth? Bill Gates has a foundation to promote world health care. Can the false prophets account for their true profits?



2. From the very first letter of the alphabet that my eyes looked upon inside this series of books, until the very last period of the very last sentence, I was hooked. Each one of these books absorbed my attention like no other book has ever done in my life. Biblically sound, theatrically entertaining, and brilliantly written, the Left Behind books will inspire you to dig into God's word and take the pieces of news from your T.V. screen and match them right smack-dab up with the prophecies of the Bible. Your hair will stand up, your heart will race, and you will find yourself helplessly caught in the suspense. Once you finish one of these books, you will desperately race to your computer screen or your local library to pick up the next one!
   
   Carrie Lynn Jones
   Author of It All Began... When Jesus Gave Me Sneakers



3. Another one of those Christian Fictions that bespeaks doom and destruction for all who don't turn their lives over to Jesus. If you can get past the religious psychobabble, its a good book. Otherwise, Buddha is a much better choice and his followers are typically less intolerant and war-like.



4. Ok, It's getting harder and harder for me to finish these books, I'm thinking that the whole trib force is going to witness the glorious appearing, seems they go thru a whole lot and only end up with bumps and bruises. I'm glad they left Hattie out, because her indecisiveness is getting on my nerves,and only God and the GC knows where she is and what she's up to. as for Rayford, he's starting to irk me as well. And all of the people that should probably stay (that seem to make the book interesting for a sec)...are getting killed off. Towards the end I just read the first part of each paragraph and managed not to miss anything that was going on. The authors should not be permitted to write another book for the series since it could've ended at least 5 books ago



5. "The Indwelling" picks up where "Assassins" left off. But while "Assassins" at least had some chapters that were interesting, "The Indwelling" has nothing. This is not a novel, it's about 30 pages worth of plot stretched out to novel length. There is no reason that this and "Assassins" could not have been one volume. The only possible reason is that they just wanted to sell more books. Jenkins and LaHaye aren't even trying entertain or to tell a good story anymore.
   
   "The Indwelling" gets the lowest possible score on any scale. Don't waste your money.

5 comments about Apollyon: The Destroyer Is Unleashed (Left Behind No. 5).

1. The "Left Behind" series is a perfect example on how to take an interesting concept and turn it into a bad series. "Apollyon" is the fifth book in the series and like the previous books, it is only a couple of chapters worth of material stretched into novel length. The first 200 pages should have been no more than 50 pages. Not until after the 200 page mark do the locusts appear and things start to get interesting, but this only lasts for one chapter. After that, it's back to the usual slow soap opera.
   
   I'm not going to say anything about the theology or morality behind the book; I'm trying to read these books as entertainment, but in that area, it fails. It is slow, full of lengthy monogolues and badly written dialogue.



2. Toward the top of this very page, the authors declare: "For some reason, I'm finding that a large percentage of people who greet us at signings, etc., and tell us they have read "all the books" actually haven't. They are largely unaware that between books 12 (Glorious Appearing) and 13 (Kingdom Come) we produced three prequels (The Rising, The Regime, and The Rapture). These need not be read before Kingdom Come (the final sequel), but if you're a Left Behind fan, you won't want to miss them.
   Dr. LaHaye and I also have a new series -- fiction based on the gospels -- that began last November with John's Story: The Last Eyewitness. Late this year the second of the four titles, Mark's Story: The Gospel According to Peter will release. And, of course, we'll finish with Luke's Story and Matthew's Story. As always, I'd love to hear from you."
   
   Indeed, they'd love to hear from you, to hear the sound of your money clinking in the cashbox of sanctimony. NOW hear the gospel (the good news): you don't need to read this escapist fantasy in order to find your place among the ELECT! Do you suppose St. John of Patmos would have delighted in such melodrama? Do you suppose Jesus of Nazareth would have smirked along with Tim and Jerry in their sagas of self-righteousness?
   
   Shame! Shame! Make better use of your time, while the Bridegroom tarries!



3. From the very first letter of the alphabet that my eyes looked upon inside this series of books, until the very last period of the very last sentence, I was hooked. Each one of these books absorbed my attention like no other book has ever done in my life. Biblically sound, theatrically entertaining, and brilliantly written, the Left Behind books will inspire you to dig into God's word and take the pieces of news from your T.V. screen and match them right smack-dab up with the prophecies of the Bible. Your hair will stand up, your heart will race, and you will find yourself helplessly caught in the suspense. Once you finish one of these books, you will desperately race to your computer screen or your local library to pick up the next one!
   
   Carrie Lynn Jones
   Author of It All Began... When Jesus Gave Me Sneakers



4. Ok, This book is ok,it's a bit silly at times, unbelievable at others. I am starting to agree with everyone else that this could have been a whole lot better if they hadn't have stretched it out. Because all they are doing is rewording the passages from the previous book into the next one and so on. I have almost given up, but since I already bought the majority of the books, I want to try to finish it. I am glad that I purchased them from a library book sale, so they didn't actually make money off of me. The books that I am missing...I will probably just skip.



5. I really enjoy this series.
   Although it has some minor flaws... such as the somewhat dry writing style, scarce characterization, and the fact that the series seems without end, I couldnt help myself but to be sucked into the plot. I admit, it could be better, but I couldnt put it down and devoured the book in as little as 4 days.