1 comments about Aggies, Immies, Shooters, and Swirls: The Magical World of Marbles.

1. There are several things that make this book a stand-out. The first is the basic information about the types of marbles (antique, machine-made, modern) and the makers of the marbles. If you're looking for extensive historical information, this may not be the book for you. But if you collect marbles and are interested in good, basic information as well as tons of photos (most enlarged so you can see every detail) of a wide variety of marbles, this book fills the bill. While I'm no marble expert, I learned a grat deal from reading this one!

5 comments about Collecting Head Vases: Identification and Value Guide.

1. For the amateur to the experienced, this is a fabulous reference guide for all headvase collectors! Definite must-have !



2. The book is in great condition and exactly what I exected and useful to me. However the process after the purchase from Amazon takes far to long. A month for a book is rediculous.



3. I was a little unhappy with the book. I had inherited 2 original ladyhead
   vases from a deceased Aunt. I couldn't find either one in the book. I
   wanted more info on the collecting of the vases and the book was lacking
   there too. I should have gotten another one that went into more detail.



4. Excellent book well done. Wonderful display of head vases. He has divided his ladies into catagories. He includes cleaning tips, repair tips, head vase websites and best of all and added plus he has a numerical index in the back of his book very very helpfull to finding that special lady fast when you are checking out prices on Ebay. If I could only purchase one collection book I would purchase Dave Barrons book.



5. This reference book has many well done photos of head vases with values at the time of publication. However, there is little detail about any of them and many vases are marked as the maker is unknown.

5 comments about A Shark Never Sleeps.

1. I could not belive how someone could be this self involved... I am a negotiator and was hoping for good negotiating advice but got something much different. I am sure that half of this book was untrue, however I have to give credit were credit is due, he did make it to the top. I just hope that after the realease of this book he is able to stay there, "now that would be impressive"...



2. This was a great book...i dont care what anyone says..yeah Drew's a show off but hey hes the BEST in the buisness and he tells u how he got there in this Book. And for that idiot that said he put a modeling Pic of his girl in the picture part of the book didnt even read it!...the pic isnt there....GO DREW GO!!!!!!!



3. October 6, 2002

   Hoping for a peek into the arena of sports agency, I
   picked this up one lazy afternoon. Wow! I suppose if
   you're the right sort of person with the right sense of
   humor, you could have a lot of fun wallowing inside this
   fellow Drew Rosenhaus's own fascinated vision of himself
   and his life--replete with numerous descriptions of how
   crafty and tough he is, as well as an insert bikini photo
   of his model girlfriend (with whom he's formed a deep,
   lasting pair-bond, I'm sure).

   However, it's more likely you might be left gaping at a
   printed ego that approaches the sociopathic, pondering
   about what publisher and editor were possibly thinking,
   and wondering how many Drew Rosenhauses are out
   there, tolerated, even rewarded, in this, the tackiest,
   but best dressed, of all possible worlds.

   Tolerated and rewarded not just in professional sports,
   which would be bad enough, but in civil law, corporate
   finance, government . . .




4. The name of this book should be re-titled 'A Shark Never Sleeps: Wheeling and Dealing with the NFL's Most CLASSLESS Agent.' This guy is so disgusting I won't bother to give my litany of negative aspects of this book. The only interesting part of this book is that it exposes the ugly side of professional sports.



5. Now, I'd never heard of Rosenhaus until this summer because of the T.O. situation. I picked up this book expecting it to be a typical self-absorbed, egotistical piece of junk. However, I had no idea about the depth of Drew. He came to terms with his sexuality early in his life and he didn't let small minds stop him from becoming successful -- including his own. Did you know he auditioned for Cirque de Soleil? His talent was throwing enormous styrofoam triangles into the air and then catching them behind his back. He didn't make the cut, but he vowed that he would drink a gallon of Dr Pepper everyday from that day forward. That may sound incongrous, but I think it shows the level of commitment he's willing to make. So, Mr. Rosenhaus please take a bow, this is a book that may seem overpriced at 10 cents, but feels really right to me.

1 comments about Pictorial Encyclopedia of Historic Costume: 1200 Full-Color Figures.

1. its a good book, it was exactly what i was looking for. thank you

5 comments about The Official U.S. Casino Chip Price Guide (Schiffer Book for Collectors).

1. This book was created with the chip collector in mind. It has great color pictures of many chips and explains the values very well.No chip is left behind in this complete softcover compact book. This 3rd edition is a must have for any chip collector.



2. If you collect casino chips, or are just interested in the history of casinos and casino chips, then this book is a must. Every conceivable chip from just about every casino that ever existed is displayed. Chips are all listed with an estimated value which is very useful, especially for the casual collector like myself. There is a thorough discussion of chip characteristics and grading criteria. The research that went into this book is phenomenal. Mr. Campiglia has painstakingly documented sales, scarcity and the history of each and every chip. The book is well laid out with color photos of each chip and many photos of the casinos they came from. There are also many interesting factoids and anecdotes pertaining to the history of casinos in America. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and refer to it often as I build my collection. I give this book my highest recommendation.



3. Was shipped fast and the chip guide is finely detailed, many color photos and very inclusive. A MUST have for a serious chip collector.



4. This is the best casino chip price guide currently available. It is incomplete in that it does not include any of the Silver Strikes or metal slot token issues.
   
   The price guide is a paperback, not a hardcover as listed in the title.



5. Actually the title says it all. While somewhat out of date (it's been 3 years since this was published) it is the most comprehensive guide to casino chips at this time. I wouldn't bid on a chip without first looking it up in this guide.

3 comments about Hats: A History of Fashion in Headwear.

1. This book has alot of printed information in it. A great deal of history. If you are looking for a book to teach you how to make head wear and hats then this isn't the book you need. However for a historical aspect I reccomend it, as long as you can visualise the written word. Its an ok book, not great but not the worst either. I bought it expecting it to contain more practical information, so from that point of view I was disapointed.



2. This is a rather scholarly work on the history of hats covering the past two thousand years. The arrangement is chronological, by century. If one's interest is identifying or organizing headdress by country of origin, this book is particularly useful as the illustrations include the country where the hat was worn along with the drawing. I am always impressed when the same author does a book's text and illustrations, as is the case with this work (see Sibley's bird book if you really want to be blown away).



3. This book may give some overwiev of the history of hats but it is not to be recomended for serious studies of costume history.
   The illustrations are drawn after works of art and other sources. In the cases where I'm quite certain which work of art it is drawn from I must say that the drawings are often more or less inaccurate. As for the text, I'm from Scandinavia and familliar with the custom "Lucia" on the 13th of december. Reading Amphletts explanation accompanying the illustration of a Lucia crown from Norway I'm amased as it's total nonsense! Belive me, fertility rituals and witches was not the explanation given when i read cultural history at university! [It is a mix of seweral older customs among them serwing an extra breakfast as this was belived to bee the longest and darkest night of the year,and youngsters dressing up and going around singing and begging for food contributions to either their studies or a party. One of the dress up costumes being the christ child with a halo of candlelight around the head. Nowadays (and since about a 100 years ago) the lucia crown on a girl or woman serving ginger snaps and saffron bread together with coffee as she and her followers sings!} If the rest of the text has some more faults as big as this i don't know but it certainly makes me very suspicuios.

2 comments about American Locomotives in Historic Photographs: 1858 To 1949 (Trains).

1. If you want to acquire a collection of photographs tracing the entire history of American steam locomotive development, this is the book. It is limited to builders' portraits, and has no photos of locomotives "in action". The book is chronologically organized, and photos are chosen to illustrate the different types of engines produced, with many pictures of rare and one-of-a-kind designs, like the 2-8-8-8-4T. Some engines built for foreign railroads are included, as are elevated-railway locomotives. A great picture book.



2. In the early development of locomotives, few photographs exist prior to the 1860s. Ravages of time and the fragile nature of glass negatives eliminated many photographs and some only exist today as third generation copy negatives, devoid of most details. However, through the collection of Mr. William A. Rogers' builder photographs, we can witness the details of the original locomotives as they rolled of the production line. Historically, builder photographs are important because the photos documents the locomotive "as built" by the locomotive manufacturer. Because almost all locomotives were altered during their lifetimes with the addition of equipment or the repair of equipment with parts from other locomotives, these builder photos represent a snapshot of the original configuration of the manufacturer.
   
   The Rogers collection illustrated in "American Locomotives" are "builder portraits." Customarily, one engine from an order was selected as the "official portrait" and was usually a side view or a partial view of the front showing the driving rods in a lowered position and no escaping stream or smoke. According to the author, almost all official portraits were taken in low light or on cloudy days. "American Locomotives" presents both old and rare locomotive builder portraits from the Rogers collection as well as later versions of locomotives that ran in the 1940s and 1950s. The author has managed to research the locomotives illustrated in the book and add a short note describing each locomotive. The one short coming of this book is that the reader is often left begging for additional information about particular locomotives, but that is what the reference section of libraries are for. Overall, the book "American Locomotives" is an outstanding addition to any train buff's collection.

No comments about Going West!: Quilts and Community.

3 comments about Brett McCarthy: Work In Progress.

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



2. At first I thought I was getting a fairly typical -- though very knowing -- young adult novel about the trials of middle school friendship, but the story grew on me, and I found I couldn't put it down. A compelling plot, a creative first person voice, and depth in the relationships, particularly as the story of Brett's grandmother Nonna evolves. The building of chapters around Brett's vocabulary lessons is not corny: it begins and ends with the concept of (self) definition in a satisfying, theme-building way.



3. Maria Padian's BRETT MCCARTHY: WORK IN PROGRESS tells of an eighth-grade corner kicker in Maine whose prank makes her become a juvenile delinquent and a loser. Brett has to figure out how to survive when everyone is changing, many are now against her, and nothing is easy. Middle school leisure readers will find this a compelling tale.

5 comments about The Illustrated Guide to Antique Writing Instruments.

1. An outstanding effort. The photographs are superb. Written in an easy language, makes it enjoyable to read to both novice and connoisseur collectors. However, the authors didn't mention some important pens (eg: Parker #14, Parker Duofold mandarin yellow, Parker Duofold Lapis Lazuli). ( My book is the Revised & Expanded 3rd edition, 2000).



2. This is a valuable and handy pocket (briefcase, etc.) guide to take on a pen expedition. It's a bit big for anything but a large overcoat pocket but is handy when carried in a case. It is mostly a guide to the identification of some of the pens to be found at pen shows and elsewhere. There are brief histories of 18 fountain pen manufacturers but they are short to rudimentary. There is a short but to the point and valuable guide to how to grade a pen.

   The rest of the book is devoted to colored photos of various fountain pens. The pictures are very good and the selection of pens shown is very good. The values shown are, like all prices shown in such books, progressively out of date. They are good though to give a relative value for pens.

   This is an excellent book for its purpose - to help identify, grade and price used fountain pens. It does its specified purpose well. It's not meant to be an encyclopedia. Such a book would have to be a many volumn set.




3. A small and handy book. There are brief history of the pen companies and short description on pen collecting. The illustrations are nicely done, though the descriptions accompanying them sometimes too short. Good book for beginners. But for serious collcetors, better off with the big version by the same authors.



4. This is by far the best book on the subject for the size. It has great pictures (all colored), concise information, and very informative price guides. It covers lots of different pens from major companies, such as Parker, Sheaffer, Waterman, Wahl-Eversharp, Conklin. It also has some useful information on some obscured old US pen companies (all gone now). I don't understand why people are so excited about the big book "Fountain Pens of the World" by Lambrou. It does have more company information and time-line of products and covers more international companies, but that big book has no price guide at all, and is about 8 times more expensive than this little book. In terms of the coverage of the types of pens in major US companies, the big Lambrou book is quite much inferior to this little book. I just love this little one. But admittedly, you need to have more than one books to do some cross-reference.



5. This book is very enjoyable. If you can't own every pen, you can still have a great time looking at the craftmanship of things gone by.