5 comments about You Cannot Be Serious.

1. I really enjoyed this book. The first half focuses on JMacs tennis career and matches and he gives a lot of insight into his key matches and opponents. He definitely gets rather technical here but I find it interesting to read his analysis of Arthur Ashe's backhand, for example. He doesn't shrink away from doing a set by set analysis of his key matches, but again I find it interesting to read a first hand account of a wimbledon final in intricate detail from the perspective of one of the participants... The second half focuses more on his personal life, which was less interesting to me. Mcenroe is remarkably straightforward about his shortcomings on and off the court, which makes this more honest and less self-aggrandizing than most autobiographies. For anyone interested in the game of tennis and the career and opinions of one of the game's greatest players, this is definitely worth picking up.



2. When I picked up the autobiography I only knew of John McEnroe as a star tennis player. The whole story from his meteoric rise to passing his athletic prime is personal, interesting and in many ways suprising. I am a bigger fan having read the book.



3. As a lifelong fan of tennis I was looking forward to this book very much. While it was interesting to hear Mr. McEnroe's story in his own words, I felt like he was VERY selective with regard to what he chose to discuss. He was so brutally honest about all matters tennis and yet offered very little about his personal life. His marriage to Tatum O'Neal was barely even mentioned, which is surprising considering that they had 3 children together. I believe that if you are going to write an autobiography you must be willing to tell the good, the bad and the ugly. In my opinion, Mr. McEnroe told only bits and pieces and left his readers wondering about everything in between.



4. The greatest asset of Mr. McEnroe's autobiography is the author's (sometimes brutal) honesty regarding both himself and the characters/events surrounding his rise to fame. Sure, it is clear at times that McEnroe is concealing some juicy details about his personal life, but it is not fair to expect admissions about everything! What McEnroe does share proves to be very revealing about both the pro-tennis tour and his celebrity lifestyle.
   
   Ultimately this book will appeal to fans of not just McEnroe, but rather all of his contemporaries, since McEnroe is not afraid to dish the dirt on his colleagues. Although McEnroe is not going to be winning a literary prize anytime soon (some exciting grand slam wins are breezed by in a style that makes them seem almost secondary), his exciting roller coaster life proves amiable reading which most tennis aficionados will enjoy.



5. When McEnroe was a freshman at Stanford, I was in my last year of graduate school there. He joined the top ranked college tennis team and became the star as a freshman. He led Stanford to another national championship and an undefeated season. Then he turned pro after his freshman year. This was disappointing at Stanford but should have been expected. Before arriving on the scene at Stanford he made a miraculous run at Wimbledon reaching the semi-finals as a junior tennis player! All this and more is discussed in detail in this book.
   
   This book basically takes a not too serious look at McEnroe's life, how he was involved in sports at an early age and actually liked team sports such as basketball better than tennis. His natural patriotism explains why he played Davis Cup so much and encouraged others to do the same.
   
   Much of the book deals with his childhood friendships and his ascension in the tennis ranks all the way through his run as the number 1 player in the world. He describes many of his classic matches and you get a glimpse of what was going on in his mind during his great victories at Wimbledon and agonizing defeats (e.g. Lendl at the French Open).
   
   Part of the reason for writing the book was to give the reader an inside look at what was going on during his infamous tirades on the tennis court. He reveals his New York upbringing and his inability to control his temper. Later on in the book we get to see some of the personal side. Inspite of the stormy divorce to Tatum O'Neal, John does not display animosity toward her in this book and he actually accepts part of the blame for the break-up. But he definitely wants to dispell the notion that he tried to hold her back in her acting career in favor of her supporting his tennis.
   
   You also get a glimpse at his second and apparently very successful marriage to the rock star Patty Smyth. You also see how his attempts at leading his own rock group caused some turmoil in that marriage.
   
   McEnroe is a very intelligent and complex person. His intelligence and tennis skills are often overlooked or played down by tennis fans because of his notorious cry baby attitude that he displayed so prominently on the court. His tantrums were accepted and tolerated by tennis officials because of his great success and the interest it brought to tennis. But he was a poor role model that others copied. He was not the first though. Remember Ille Nastase!
   
   McEnroe seems to be much more content these days. He has been a successful tennis commentator and received the honor of being named the US team's Davis Cup captain and was elected into the Tennis Hall of Fame. These were obviously very satisfying achievements. Still it seems that he wrote this book to help change his public personna. He is not happy with his bad boy image and by writing this book and hosting a TV quiz show he hopes to show a different side of him as he reconstructs his image. He has a very good sense of humor that comes through in the book as well as in some of his recent TV commercials.
   
   I also found it interesting to hear about his relaionship with Mary Carillo. They both are tennis commentators now. Also John's brother Patrick has made his mark on the tennis world, not through his mediocre fennis career but for his estute commentator, more insightful than his brother John and his success as a Davis Cup captain who brought the cup back to the USA this year.

5 comments about Warman's Matchbox Field Guide: Values and Identification (Warmans Field Guide).

1. This is one fine little book. The pictures are superb and the text is short and concise. This book would work well for the seasoned collector as well as a collector that is new to Matchbox.



2. Upon reading this new book from Tom Larson,it has finally shown that there is room for a pocket guide amongst all the other "big" heavy Matchbox collector books. This book can be carried easily anywhere you want. Study up on your Matchbox hobby as you go about your travelling. Carry it to Toy Shows, diecast conventions, and even to the local antique auctions. It is small,light, full of brightly colored, well shot photos of all your favorite Matchbox cars and trucks. There is even some rare vehicles,sets, and other accessories shown. With accurate Price quotations for "Mint In Box" models,you are surely to enjoy this work for years to come.
   For the price, you can't beat it!
   Definitely worth every penny.
   Finally, a beautifully compiled Matchbox toy car collectors guide.
   It will be a hit, Just watch.
   Thanks Tom :)
   just another fine book in the Warman's series.
   Kudos to Krause Publications for jumping on this one.:)
   
   sincerely
   Burney Reid
   "Diecast Enthusiast"
   Coquitlam, B.C.
   Canada



3. This book is very welcome as it will increase many people's enjoyment of collecting Matchbox models. Due to its easy availability and reasonable price it may even attract some more people to this wonderful hobby.
   
   With its compact size it is ideally suited for carrying around to toy shows and flea markets, where it can be used as an aid in identifying models one might come across.
   
   While experienced collectors may be slightly disappointed at the lack of detail and some embarrassing and sometimes misleading mistakes (which have no doubt been caused by the tight deadline pressure under which the book was written), this book is perfect as an introduction for beginners.
   
   The quality of the many pictures is first class, and the introductory pages in the front section of the book, including a well-written summary of Matchbox history and useful collecting tips, are a must read for anyone interested in the subject.
   
   Congratulations to Tom Larson on this fine achievement!



4. Most Matchbox guide books are encyclopedic in size. This is the first one I've found that is easy to take with you to toy shows, garage sales, and flea markets. The photos in the book are outstanding. The helpful collecting tips are well-written and are sound advice for collectors. All in all, I'm very pleased to recommend this book. Mine already has considerable wear, and I'll probably be needing another one by Christmas (hint to family)!



5. It's hard to believe that so much information is packed into such a little book. It's the big little book for Matchbook collectors. The photo quality in this book is second to none. Although the prices of these gems are always in flux, it is great to have an updated price guide. The history, collecting tips and listing of online resources contained in the book are treasures in and of themselves.

2 comments about Warman's Antiques & Collectibles 2008 Price Guide (Warman's Antiques and Collectibles Price Guide).

1. This latest edition contains 634 pages of very useful reference information with over 600 black and white photos. There are now over 50,000 items in over 500 categories presented with detailed descriptions and prices. Entries include a brief history of the category and also useful lists of references for further study. The comprehensive index helps make finding items easy. Contains a huge amount of information that will be useful to you as you antique.



2. I found this book to be better than most of the others that cover a wide range of antiques and collectibles. But if you have a favorite category such as glass, you are better off buying a book that is specific to it. The more you can narrow down what you are interested in collecting, such as carnival glass, or depression glass, the better the info the book will provide. From those categories you can even narrow it more definitively, such as Lancaster glass in the depression glass category.

5 comments about Coming of Age in the Milky Way.

1. An Excellent exposition of the history of astronomy and astrophysics. Mr. Ferris writes with a lucidity and thouroughness not often found in books on this fascinating subject.



2. What a story! And yes, I said story because the author has taken subjects most of us take for granted (the size of the heavens, the age of the Earth, the intricacies of the atom) and turned these into a wonderful almost joyous tale of intellectual achievement. I am still stunned at the depth of scholarship, the vast research and the almost magical manner in which Ferris manages to make what appears to be an arcane dry topic into an intriguing saga.
   
   Ok, I admit it. I love science books written for the educated layman - from "The Singularity is Near " to "Wonderful Life" to the philosophical tomes of Pagels and Hardison. But this is more than science - it is also a history of who we are and our physical, mental and dare I say it, spiritual evolution. In this sense it reminds one of "The Discoverers" by Boorstin with its chronological structure, emphasis upon individual genius and captivating storyline. Beginning with the ancients, we see how our ideas fashion our intellectual quests. The overwhelming success of Western culture depended on our ability to break with age-old traditions, to absorb ideas from the outside and most importantly, to challenge the traditional religious beliefs. Very few cultures have been able to accomplish this and their lack of scientific prowess is evidence.
   
   The individual tales could occupy a volume themselves - mind-boggling examples of thought that are so rare we have trouble believing them. Not only are Darwin (Evolution challenged the prevailing age of the Earth) and Newton (the greatest human who ever lived?) are found but all the unknown heroes of the ages are given their due. The author has an uncanny way of simplifying tremendously dense concepts into language for the layman. This was never truer than his discussion on the weird world of quantum physics with its seemingly magical and nonsensical qualities. I would say that this should be required reading for all high school graduates except that a vast number would be bewildered by the concepts presented, unaware that science has a history of more than video games and cars. My grade - A+++



3. Excellent chronology of physics from Aristotle to the present. I will use it as a reference. Excellent index and other aids to finding what you want in physics and other sciences.



4. This book is a great resource for any astronomy lover who wants to know more about the background and history of astronomy. It has lots of information on historical people in astronomy as well as great stories about their discoveries. Great book, must have for history of astronomy.



5. This is a good book. I don't agree with all it says but that is ok it still has a lot of thought provoking information

3 comments about Blue Book of Acoustic Guitars: 11th Edition (Blue Book of Acoustic Guitars).

1. This is my first book on guitar prices. I bought it hoping that I would learn more about vintage prices and model availability.
   
   It is a thick and heavy book. Paper quality is average. Also there are little pictures considering the amount of models listed. For some models (which are very special) I would have liked to see a picture.
   I checked a few non-Martin brands and found that a lot is still missing. Gurian is only described very short, one price is given for all models (which is just nuts because they had simple mahogany models up to BRW models or very limited classical guitar models). Hanika (a very good German builder with a similar production size as Lowden) is not included.
   
   I noticed very quickly already that the suggested (Martin) prices are very related to the American market. So it makes it a little harder to use it for the European market. I think that assuming 1 USD = 1 Euro comes closer to European prices for the higher end models. For the lower end models (or models which are less collectable or not so interesting) I would say European prices are twice as high as indicated (so let's say 1 USD = 1.5 Euro). Just my thoughts.
   Back to the book itself: I have looked up numerous Martin models and found it very hard sometimes to find them. The Martin chapter has been divided into the usual series (like Special Edition or Golden Era), but that means for instance that the original OM-28 and the recent OM-28V are listed together but the OM-28 GE is listed under Golden Era section. I can partly understand why they did this, but I found it is typically the point of view from the manufacturer (think in series) opposite to the view of buyer/player (think in a specific model and its variations).
   
   A link to the internet providing updated information is not provided. I assume that if you buy the CD-ROM version there will be the possibility of updates.



2. When I tried to look up several models of Alvarez Yairi listed on EBay, none of them were in the book.
   When I wanted to determine the value of my Dauphin classical guitar (for which there are plenty of references on the Web), it wasn't there.
   Clearly, while it is good for what it is, its applications are limited



3. Just the best book for anyone with G.A.S.(Guitar acquisition syndrome) Has the price for a variety of conditions for most of the acoustic guitars out there. Excellent!

5 comments about The Berenstain Bears Meet Santa Bear (First Time Books).

1. I gave this book four stars because it is a great book for children dealing with questions about Santa Claus. Papa Bear answers all these questions with a simple answer, "Christmas is such a special time of year that very special, almost magical things can happen. And the most magical thing of all is Santa Bear."



2. This book is about how the cubs start wanting their presents for Christmas. Brother bear wants just a couple of things and makes a small Christmas list, while sister bear makes a really long one. Sister gets thiknking and she realizes she's being greedy.

   I reccomend this book to any child who is havinbg a want problem. The point of this story is don't be greedy. This is for children 5-8 yrs. of age.




3. I got this book as a christmas present in 1990 and really enjoyed it. All the toys looked exciting to me and I really loved the illustrations.



4. This is such a cute book! This one has the Bear family going to the mall two days after Thanksgiving and finding that it's all decorated for Christmas. Mama thinks it's too early, but Papa thinks that the kids will be fine and they will be able to handle it. Then the next page shows the cubs jumping up and down in front of the toy store way too excited for the season to begin. Sister has a ton of questions about Santa, like how does he get down our skinny chimney, how does he drive his sleigh when there's no snow, etc., etc. Just the same questions just about every child has at one time or another. It also goes through how hard it is to wait until Christmas Eve and all the things a kid goes through waiting for that wonderful event. Lastly, it shows the cubs buying thoughtful gifts for their parents and being very excited when they open them on Christmas. The book closes with Papa explaining all of Sister's questions on Christmas Eve while they are looking up into the sky, waiting for Santa Bear to come. Then, it starts to snow and blankets the entire town with Christmas snow.
   
   This is such a great little book - it shows all the joys of Christmas through a child's eyes but also teaches about giving. When Sister says that Santa Bear has the hardest job in the world making all those presents and then delivering them, Papa counters with the fact that he thinks that Santa Bear has the best job because he gets to give all those gifts to so many cubs. That's the last sentence in the book too - when the cubs give their gifts to their parents, they realize that Papa was right - Santa Bear did have the best job in the whole world because it feels better to give than to receive.
   
   We LOVE this book in our house and I just can't recommend it enough!



5. "...Christmas is such a special time that very special, almost magical things can happen. And the most magical thing of all is Santa Bear: I'd say he has the best job in the whole world, because the joy of giving is what Christmas is all about." -- From the book
   
   This lovely book by Stan and Jan Berenstain follows the Bear family as they navigate through the trappings of Christmas: making lists, feeling the tug of store-front windows loaded with toys, kids worrying if they've been good enough to merit Santa Bear's visit, the spirit of giving and more.
   
   I love that this book doesn't demonize wanting things (like The Berenstain Bears Get the Gimmies), and shows kids deciding to spend their own money to buy their parents special gifts from Christmas.
   
   One adorable scene in this book is when the kids encounter a bell ringing Santa outside the mall, standing in front of a pot that says "Help the Needy". Paper Bear explains "His job is to collect money to help the needy--birds who need seed, squirrels who didn't put enough aside for the winter".
   
   Especially good for Christmastime, The Berenstain Bears Meet Santa Bear is a heartwarming story with an uplifting message that children will no doubt enjoy.

5 comments about Managing Transitions: Making The Most Of Change.

1. This is a wonderful book. If you deal with people who need to change how they do their work you must read this book.



2. I have had several textbooks in Management between an Undergraduate, Graduate and Business itself. This was no different in that I expected the same old stuff, but was very pleasantly surprised at the authors candor about our perceptions of business practices. It didn't mince words on several tactics used by management and explained why so much doesn't work. It got my attention and I continued my reading with far more interest. There really isn't anything more complimentary I can say than I intend to sell all other books to new students, excect this one which I will hang on to and reference.



3. Change and transition are an important issue in our professional lives, going trough the book allowed me to realize the diferent stages and process involved and there for be in a better position the next challenge.
   
   the use of examples en refrences is very well managed, language is easy



4. Can't recommend highly enough. Very easy to read, useful examples. While many transitions are "negative" (factory closing, layoffs), the principles are very applicable to "positive changes" (adding staff, new facilities and systems, etc.). I run a small organization and it was incredibly helpful to me.



5. It isn't the fact of change that causes organizational grief, it is managing the psychological transition between the old and the new.
   
   In my experience, most organizations do not handle this phase well. In their haste to move on, leaders and managers often forget the very real investment individuals have made in the past, Even when the need for change is understood and appreciated, people still require a plan to move ahead.
   
   Dr Bridges has been working in this field for over 30 years. The strength of his work is in providing a framework for leaders and managers to consider the personal aspects of change.
   
   Considering the human aspects of change management should have always been important. In these days, when so much of an organization's production capital is people, effective management of change is even more critical.
   
   I recommend this book, and other work by Dr Bridges, to all leaders and managers who have responsibility for organizational change. You won't find all of the answers here, but you will definitely find the issues well covered.
   
   Jennifer Cameron-Smith

5 comments about Art Nouveau Jewelry.

1. This book far exceeded my expectations for the price! The only minor criticism I have is that I wish ALL the photographs had been in color. A great deal......



2. i wanted to know more about art nouveau jewelry and this book really helped me for that purpose.
   it has lots of pictures and info about whatever there is to know and see.
   the only dissapointment was that majority of the pics are in black and white. You miss out on all the enameling work colors..
   also i expected to see more from lalique.
   overall though its a good book for starters.



3. A very good book about this period, no other one has covered the subject as this one.



4. I pondered over purchasing this book for probably two years. This was due mainly to the fact that there was no way to really view the content of this publication. Frankly, the authors offering of an inside look of their book was ridiculous. Show me some pictures!!! I really hate to purchase something that I can't see! Finally, I bit the bullet and purchased Art Nouveau Jewelry. I was stunned by the volume of beautiful color pictures. This book turned out to be just what I was looking for, basically a pictorial presentation of jewelry from that era. I search constantly for any reference material that I can find on this subject (Art Nouveau era jewelry) and this book is one of the best that I have found. So if you are a jewelry designer like myself and are always looking for inspiration, this is an excellent book for your collection.



5. This book covers the specific influences of various European countries and the US in jewelry design during the Art Nouveau period. It covers the designers and their pieces with spectacular photographs of pieces that will knock your socks off. It is a fabulous reference book, but also one that you can curl up with on a rainy day and sip cocoa. Handy guides to identification - makers marks and signatures. Prepare to be wowed.

5 comments about Elizabeth Taylor: My Love Affair with Jewelry.

1. No one should expect this book to be deep or not vulgar in any way. It's a book about a beautiful woman and her jewels. What exactly do you expect? She's wealthy and adored by men and she is talking about jewelry. OF course there are going to be silly comments!
   
   I loved this book for what it is. Pure eye candy and funny anecdotes and beautiful pictures of Liz. Don't pick this book up and expect anything else.



2. Miss Taylor's jewelry is art. The only difference is hers is not on the walls of some home. She shows it off beautifully and probably owns some of the major jewels of the world. Since we don't have the Crown Jewels hers are the next best thing.
   
   Anybody who criticizes her know nothing of jewels. The book is beautifully illustrated and the antidotes amusing.



3. This book surpasses any written bios of Ms. Taylor. She has masterfully catalogued her acquisitions with quality photographs and a synopsis of who gave her each of the gems and when. I have never appreciated the art and beauty of jewelry until I've seen this book (I never could afford to!).
   Elizabeth Taylor and her life has always intrigued me but this book is mesmerizing: Imagine, a man will tell a woman he loves her with extravagant jewelry. And, let's face it, don't we all fantasize that?
   By the way, she also catalogues the Cartier-Burton Diamond of which she no longer possess.



4. This book has many expensive pieces of jewelry in it, and the stories behind the pieces. Most of it was bought by Mike Todd and Richard Burton, the "two loves of my life", as Elizabeth puts it. Her two greatest loves were the ones who bought her the most jewelry. I admit, I was touched by the stories of what Richard Burton was like as a husband. I think those two would've been the greatest together, if only they could've worked through their problems and conquered them.
   
   I also think most of this jewelry is big and gaudy, not something I'd want to wear. I often wonder what it was about Elizabeth Taylor that made men want to buy her so much jewelry. Beautiful? Certainly. A compassionate, loving woman? Sure. But was she worth that kind of outrageous spending? Make your own judgments.



5. I paid $175.00 for this book before I discovered amazon.com and the wonderful prices. Even so it is worth every dollar I paid and it is a book to treasure. Elizabeth Taylor has a truely stunning collection of jewels and such a vast amount but she knows each piece and the story behind it. The book is filled with stunning photos and is interesting to read. I was not a great fan of Elizabeth Taylor before reading this book but since then I have read more about her. You will not be dissappointed.

5 comments about Collector's Guide to Antique Radios: Identifcation and Values (Collector's Guide to Antique Radios).

1. This is the place to begin. Covers technical background, history, manufacturers and models. Price information is useful. Many illustrations in color. Covers battery and electric sets from 1920's
   through the 1950's. Does NOT include Crystal Radios. An EXCELLENT
   value. A ready reference for beginner to intermediate collector and enthusiast. Literally thousands of radios and many manufacturers covered. I could detect no gaps or ommisions. This is a catalog but well worth having on bookshelf as reference. Interesting commentary and fun to read. Well-written and informative.



2. This guide gives a good overview of old radios. I agree with other readers that there are some iconic radios that should have been pictured.
   However I can understand that the content had to be limited to make the book affordable. Myself, I would pay $60 for a larger book that had 4 times the content. Some short history on the manufacturers would have been nice too. On the positive side, this book has made me more aware of the variety of radios that were made. I can now better decide what I want to buy. The prices should only be used as relative value gauge.



3. Collectors who enjoy antique radios and specialty libraries catering to specialty collectors will have to have the updated 7th edition to Collector's Guide to Antique Radios by John Slusser: it packs in color photos of each antique to accompany the very latest values, organizes chapters by makers for quick and easy consultation, and includes plenty of reference material perfect for identifying the radios and their values.



4. I really enjoyed the book and have taken it along on radio hunting trips. It gives you a place to start but there are a surprising number of radios that are not in the book. Still, it has provided me a good basis for valuation and a real education of the universe of antique radios. Thanks.



5. Collector's Guide to Antique Radios: Identifcation and Values (Collector's Guide to Antique Radios)
   This book is a valuable reference for me as I look for bargains in antique radios.