2 comments about Introductory Lectures on Psychoanalysis.

1. Here you can witness Freud not as the straw man stereotype that so many despise but as a warm, humorous man with a great deal of vision. The man you encounter in this book is so different from what you would expect that I warmly recommend this to anyone with an inquiring mind.

   He was a genius.




2. This is the best introduction to Freud's ground-breaking psychological theories, now so much maligned and obscured by the apologists for the pharmaceutical stupefaction and mollification that now passes for psychiatry and keeps our bankrupt culture lurching forward.
   
   It takes courage to read this book with an open mind, but if you do you can't but gain new insight into yourself and the people around you. The prose is delightful-- erudite, lucid, penetrating (ha!), and illustrated with beautifully observed examples from literature, history, and Freud's own life and practice.

No comments about What I Really Want to Do On Set in Hollywood: A Guide to Real Jobs in the Film Industry.

No comments about The Creative Hooker.

5 comments about Wonder Woman: The Complete History.

1. Not only do you get hte nostalgic book with the history of this heroine, you get the figurine that you can display and become the envy of all your friends! The statue is of classic Wonder Woman, the one from the 50's. She's still wearing the skirt.

   This is truly rare. It's fantastic for all collectors and a MUST-HAVE for all die-hard fans!




2. Wonder Woman: The Complete History is a delightful book for fans of the character, even if you only know her from the old TV show. The background of her creation by a clinical psychologist was very enlightening.

   The illustrations throughout are excellent and all in all, it's terrific book, exceptionally well written by Les Daniels.




3. First off, loved the book. It was nice to read the comments from Lynda Carter and see the multitude of changes that WW has gone through. But I did notice two things, the actress that played Wonder Woman's mother in that tiny demo in the 60's was named Maudie Pricket and the photo of Ms. Carter's costume says it is from the first season and it's not, it's from the CBS years as are the bracelets and tiara on the following page. I know Ms. Carter preferred the CBS years updated costume but the original on worn while fighting Nazis in the more humorous years will always be my absolute favorite! Thanx...



4. Les Daniels' Wonder Woman: The Complete History is the third book in a 3-volume series (the first two addressed Superman and Batman). While not without its flaws, it's overall a well-researched and enjoyable treatment of the character.
   
   Wonder Woman first appeared in 1941, the brainchild of Dr. William Moulton Marston (writing under the pen name Charles Moulton), by any standard a bit of a weirdo who's remembered today for two things: (1) he invented the polygraph, (2) Wonder Woman, of course.
   
   I could pick a few nits with Daniels' text. In places he does reveal an ignorance on certain topics. For instance, when speaking of Marston's World War I U.S. Army service, he states Marston "rose to the rank of second lieutenant." False. No officer (and I can't imagine someone of Marston's high educational level ever being an enlisted man) "rises" to Second Lieutenant because that's the absolute lowest officer rank.
   
   Daniels is extremely opinionated. How much space is allocated to any of Wonder Woman's creative teams over the decades is very much controlled by how much Daniels likes their work. Obviously the Marston stories, with artwork by Harry G. Peters, are his favorites thus receive the most attention, though he devotes surprising time and positive comment to the generally despised stories written by Robert Kanigher. This is fine. Half the fun of a book like this is getting the writer's likes and dislikes on the character and her creators. Where I part company with Daniels is his low opinion of the George Perez stories of the mid-1980s thru early '90s. Daniels devotes an entire chapter to Kanigher's creation of such fascinating (hah!) characters as Glop (a "shapeless mass of grinning goo from outer space [which] absorbed everything in its path including 100 rock 'n' roll records"), Wonder Tot ("Mommy be proud to see me now!"), and Egg Fu (a Chinese Communist agent inexplicably shaped like an egg the size of a house, who used his mustaches as weapons and had a Charlie Chan speech pattern). After that, it was more than a little disappointing to have the Perez stories, considered by many Wonder Woman fans including myself the character's finest hour (especially the stories on which Perez did the artwork in addition to scripting) dealt with in a mere seven text pages, much of that explaining how they weren't really all that hot.
   
   The only truly major flaw in this book involves its layout. These days, book publishers are terrified of the Internet. And well they should be. However, instead of focusing their efforts on what books do better that the 'net - provide one, continuous, uninterrupted stream of information - publishers' response has been to make their book pages look as much as possible like web pages. Lots of bright colors, lots of sidebars. I hate sidebars. I don't appreciate having to flip back and forth between pages, sometimes reading blocks of text in four or five different locations, to get all the info. More to the point in this particular book, choice of color on some of the sidebars is extremely poor, so much so it's difficult to read the text. Black lettering against a dark blue or dark red background just doesn't make it.
   
   With those few negatives out of the way, this book is a delight. It's all here: a biography of Marston, on to the creation of Wonder Woman, all the creative teams of note and their storylines up til this book's publication date (2000), the Cathy Lee Crosby made-for-television movie, the Lynda Carter TV show, Wonder Woman merchandise, her appearance on the cover of Ms. magazine's first issue, etc. This book is a must-have for fans of one of the 20th/21st Century's most fascinating fictional creations.



5. I have always enjoyed Les Daniels and his carefully researched books of comics history, but everyone has a blind spot. Wonder Woman is obviously his. This book, beautifully designed as it is, fails to capture what has made Wonder Woman such an enduring character and icon. It's clear on almost every page, Daniels is unimpressed by her. It's fine if he doesn't like her -- no one character can be everyone's favorite -- but it does make for a frustrating read at times when one wishes to celebrate Wonder Woman's unique place in comics history. His fascination with her creator is evident to the point that it seems clear Daniels would much rather write about Marston than Diana. His heavy emphasis on the bondage subtext of the Golden Age incarnation undercuts the more postive surface elements of those stories. Indeed, he sneers at Gloria Steinem's endorsement of those early years, casting great disbelief that there could be anything of substance taken from them.
   
   Also, as another reviewer points out, Daniels gives short shrift to George Perez's post-Crisis revamp. Widely acknowledged by fans as the high point of her modern career, it's strange to see Daniels blandly note the support Perez got from female collegues in overhauling Wonder Woman's character and deride it by calling the later issues akin to ADVENTURES OF MENOPAUSAL MOM (I'm paraphrasing but only slightly). Daniels here suffers from the same fanboy syndrome that infuses the industry these days -- the idea that if HE doesn't appreciate it, it must be terrible. Meanwhile, Mike Deodato's art is viewed favorably, despite that being universely considered a lower point in the post-Crisis stories.
   
   At the end of the book, it really seems as if Daniels only reluctantly churned it out because of a contractual obligation. His Superman and Batman books are excellent and filled with total respect for the characters and their appeal. If only he could've retained enough objectivity for the Wonder Woman assignment. Despite it all, it is a beautiful book and the history is thorough and still fascinating if somewhat subjective. Good for historical nuts, not so good for WW fans.

2 comments about Full Vinyl: The Subversive Art of Designer Toys.

1. This is such a wonderful, fun, plasticfantastic book! It has great essays from leading toymakers/collectors, amazing pictures and if you're nok hooked on designer toys after this book, I don't know if you ever will be hooked!
   
   There also comes a little keychain with this book... I can't use it though. I don't want to "break the book", but it sure will be nice for someone else!



2. for those of us into urban vinyl, art toys, designer toys or whatever you'd like to call them - this is an excellent book. with it's coverage of dozens of artists with color photographs and biographies, it makes for a great read to the zealous collector, and that is exactly where the catch lies. for those of you looking for a bit of critticism or some braoder cultural context, i, for one, felt that this book treated the designers with over enthusiasm (not to say out-right FANaticism), and the two or three articles relating to urban vinyl as a phenomena semed more like a gesture then a genuine wish to explore the origins and implications of all these small weird toys.

5 comments about Presidential Dollars 2007 Album (Official Whitman Folder).

1. This coin album is so incomplete its pathetic. The coin slots are only available for one mintage. The Presidential Dollars are being minted by at least three entities, Philidelphia, Denver, and San Francisco. I do not recommend this coin album to serious collectors or any one else. I take further umbridge with Amazon for not supplying complete information about this product. The only reason I rated this product as a one is because there is no zero.



2. The Whitman albums are, hands down, simply the best in their class. This one pairs quite nicely with the quarter album!



3. Perfect size to go with other coin collections I have and with only one space per coin - perfect for the novice who isn't worried about each mint location. Cover won't hold up if you plan to admire your set EVERY DAY but for the standard collector - this book will serve very well.



4. I recently started collecting presidental coin proofs and I found this folder to be perfect for them. As the title states, this particular folder houses only one slot per coin, so it is ideal for people who simply want to collect one of each coin (Philadelphia or Denver) or if you want to collect proofs (San Francisco) like me. The folder is about 1 inch thick and the pages within are nice and sturdy. It is a great folder to add to your set (it looks great with the statehood quarter set as well) and with Amazon's discounts, you really can't go wrong.
   
   For those you are still interested in obtaining a presidential folder which can house coins from more than one mint, I believe Whitman does have one, but it may not be available on Amazon. I urge you to check out Whitman's actual website so you can get all the info you need, then see if Amazon has it (as Amazon may sell it cheaper.) That way, everyone gets satisfied with their purchase.



5. The Whitman album is an easy and attractive display for your presidential dollar collection.
   
   The album and pages are made of heavy paper board with through cutouts for the dollars so you can see both sides of the coin. Both the album and pages are Navy blue in color with gold lettering. Included with the album are thin strips of clear plastic that slide into the free edge of the pages to hold the coins in place.
   
   Each row of coins gets a piece of plastic on the front and back side of the page. I found it easiest to insert the back plastic piece, insert the dollar coins and then slide in the top plastic piece. There are indentations along the edge of the page to make inserting and removing the plastic pieces easier. Removing a plastic sheet to insert more coins takes a bit of manual dexterity as the plastic edges are separated by an eighth of an inch or so.
   
   The pages are joined to the album with aluminum posts and can be taken out of the binder if necessary. The last page of the album contains plenty of blank spaces for dollars that may be issued after Nixon (Ford and Reagan for example).

No comments about The Art Economy: An Investor's Guide to the Art Market.

4 comments about Direct Stone Sculpture.

1. This book has aroused in me a great deal of enthuiasm for the process of shaping stone and the creation of art forms out of stone. Liebson is an authority on the subject and he writes extremely well. Manufacturers and suppliers of tools and stone are listed in an index. A list of recommended tools is provided as well as a fairly comprehensive description of how to best utilize these tools. The photographs are interesting and informative. An inspirational book. Of the three books on stone sculpture which I've read, this is by far the best.



2. Every sculptor should own this book, and it's really the only one you need. Meilach's volume makes a good supplement, but really that's all it is; Liebson's book easily stands on it's own as the standard reference.

   Why? Almost the entire book is devoted to the craft and mechanics of carving stone. Liebson looks like someone's dad, and writes like it, too -- this book eschews all discussion of "art" in favor of simple, practical advice on "how to do it." From selecting a stone and tools to using and caring for those tools to finishing, polishing, mounting, and displaying your sculpture, even to gaining exhibitions and marketing your work, Liebson covers absolutely everything you need to know to get started, and to keep going. I've been carving for over five years now, and I still refer constantly to this book.




3. After reading the two previous reviews, I purchased this book on sculpture and was surprised to find that "soapstone" carving was dismissed from the very beginning of the book. Liebson makes clear that he does not even allow "soapstone" in his classroom--on the grounds that (his opinion)it is dangerous to the sculpter's health, and also crumbles when worked.
   Since I am new to sculpture, this was disappointing because "soapstone" was the only material I had worked with, and hoped this book was going to give me some valuable advise. Beyond Liebson's dismisal of "soapstone" the book is everything that those other reviews said it was. Tools, methods and merchandising are all covered with ample illustrations. I hope to take full advantage of Liebson's valuable lessons once I have graduated up to limestone and the like.
   A.B.



4. I am very picky at buying books because of the high shipping costs to South America, sometimes as high as the cost of a book.
   I purchased Direct Stone Sculpture because it was well praised at an art forum by highly renowned artists. After reading the book, I must say that I fully agree with them. It is worth reading and enjoying the photographs of many works. It teaches carving and use of carving tools.
   I am not only learning to sculpt but also appreciating art made by great "stoners" at the Sculpture Gallery of the book.
   The book has many photographs of the carving process, and shows detailed views of many hand and power tools that I found useful.
   I think this book should have a special place at any home library even at non carvers' shelves.
   HR, Bolivia

5 comments about Crystal Stemware Identification Guide.

1. It was dissapointing that the contents of the book is in gray and white while the cover is in color. Very misleading. Although a multitude of patterns were covered many were sketched. All in all it would be difficult to recognise patterns using just this book.



2. Lots and lots of phots and makers. Very good even has unknown photos.Worth the money for a glass person



3. I thought this would be a great addition to my library as I enjoy stemware and was very disappointed that most of the "images" are just line drawings and there is no history of lines or anything. I couldn't even find my stemware in the listings and I have several old sets that I have bought over the years. Stick with Gene Florence if you want a really good book on identification. Very lackluster!



4. I think the book is good in the sense it has a lot of pictures even though they are not in color they are still clear enough to make out the pattern. Besides, most stemware is clear anyhow. The stick figure patterns are also helpful for some of the harder to find items and besides they do give a written description as well. I recommend it as a must have. home-of-china



5. I purchased this book based on the reviews that were published. I thought they would also have ways to identify different crystal company signatures. I was just expecting more than a picture guidebook.

3 comments about The Complete Guide to Corning Ware & Visions Cookware.

1. The brown and raspberry glass is so seventies and they were created POST seventies. They came in these giant boxes in the stores and they seemed a good idea so people bought them ... for other people as well as for themselves. Well, that's why you see with regularity Visions cookware for sale on ebay (at affordable prices) and sometimes NIP i.e. New in Package. LOL.
   
   The problem with this cookware is that it heats up very quickly and whatever you are cooking very easily burns so you end up with a hard to clean black crust on the bottom. I've heard that the nonstick version is worse because it chips off. *shudder*
   
   Now that I have a dishwasher, I love them because they are good enough that I don't have to go on the torture trail after Le Creuset and the other likely suspects. I use them all the time in addition to a thin metal wok. I like what other people liked about them - that you could see into the pot - but for most people that was not enough to stick with a pretty annoying cooking experience.
   
   The best piece of Visions cookware is the stockpot on the cover of this book. I never need to buy a designated popper or a microwave because with this stockpot all I need do is coat the bottom with olive oil, sprinkle a layer of kernels, lid on and watch them go. I don't get burned kernels and only one or two unpopped kernels. It's deep enough to steam a pyrex bowl of rice and a platter of some savory. It's also the best looking of the set. I also use all the different sizes as mixing bowls with long handles. They are great.



2. Kyle Coroneos has written a lovely, informative book that I find myself using constantly. I originally purchased this large paperback just so I could identify my mother's Corning Ware pieces, in the hopes that I could fill in her pattern set (once I realized Corning Ware was no longer being made!).
   
   Soon, I found myself purusing eBay, book in hand, wondering if I should start my own collection. Now, whenever I visit thrift or garage sales, I leapt upon the Corning Ware items I see, eager to take them home and check them against the pictures and information in the book. Then I sell them myself on eBay!
   
   This book has become my Corning Ware Bible. Not only an almost complete list of every product Corning made through the 20th century, but each item is accompanied by great photos, making it a simple task to identify pieces and match patterns and casserole sets. Furthermore, Coroneos did a through job of giving a history, not only of the Corning Works company, but also of the items made, so that you're learning all those technical, nitty gritty details about an item that adds value to it. He even bothers to translate one pattern's french words, just in case you can't be bothered to look up one online yourself.
   
   Most importantly, a section on how to clean your Corning Ware is in the back, and the book was worth the $15 just for that information alone! I've been saving many scorched pans with Coroneos' tips. Whether you are a collector or a seller of Corning Ware, if you don't have this book, you are losing out.



3. This is a very nice starting place for review of Corning Ware pieces with lots of photos. It seems there is a lot more research to be done on this product line however. From items I have seen out there, there are many pieces that did not get covered. Includes a very nice history.The book is worth the price.