5 comments about Transformers: Identification and Price Guide.

1. This is great reference guide. It shows all the Generation 1 Transformers (84-90). It shows all the pieces and a bio of each character. It also shows the value.
   As kid I had over 50 of the originals and they are worth a ton of money. I use this book as a guide to purchasing used transformers at Ebay.
   I wish he would come out of with with a volume 2 (92-07) which would show all the generation 2, Beastwars, Alternators, Universe,Cybertron, 07 movie, and classics. Which I think are better than generation 1.
   Awsome book. I reconmend this book to all collectors.
   Also check out the G.I Joe guide.



2. This is a great book about the 80's transformers toy line. It has plenty of info on many transformers like their favorite motto to stats. If you are fan and/or collector this book is a must!!!



3. I had heard good things about this author, and this guide, from reviews at other Transformer sites, so I bought it (it was also being sold for half price at amazon.com when I bought it). It was well worth every penny! It is very thorough and gives great details on each type of Transformer and each of the "lines of Transformers" that were made up to 1990. Each Transformer is also given approximate prices for what they are worth as well. Granted, the prices will change over time, but this guide will still be a worthy identification reference for a very long time.
   I would have given it a 5, but there were quite a few grammatical errors in the book, but it won't affect your ability to understand the information.
   My favorite part of the book is that the author appears to have had fun writing it, but takes it seriously enough to make it a very thorough reference guide. A must have for any Transformer fan, from beginner to expert!



4. This is the best Action Figure guide I have ever seen. It is very informative and very accurate, the author even adds his personal take on most of the figures. And talk about bringing back old memories. I actually bought this book for nostalgic purposes and was very pleased. It was nice seeing all the old Transformers from the 80's in one piece. Makes me wish I knew what happened to all my old ones, man I'd be rich if I would have taken better care of them. Hope Mark Bellomo does a guide book for the rest of the Transformers. If you are looking for the ultimate 80's Transformers Action Figure guide, this is it!



5. The Transformers Identification and Price Guide by Mark Bellomo is the greatest for the Transformers, More then Meets the Eye show every action figure created from Gen 1 and more. I have not seen a more detailed Transformers toy book with strenght, weakness, and more in one complete book. I recommend this book if you are Transformers More then Meets the Eye fan.

5 comments about Home Book of Picture Framing: Professional Secrets of Mounting Matting, Framing and Displaying Artworks, Photographs, Posters, Fabrics, Collectibles, Carvings and More.

1. Treat this as an encyclopedia. There is a lot of good information in this book, but a lot more than you need to get going. I have only just finished wading through this thing (after six months) and would have been better off with a book 1/8 the size of this one. For a "How To" book, the author is way too verbose on his way to getting to the bottom line--if he ever does. Only because I am very good at puzzles was I able to pick out the things I really need and the best methods to complete anything - otherwise, you can get terribly confused. The author wastes a lot of time on "you could do this" and "some people do this" when the most helpful advice would be just to say, "Do this."
   
   Don't take this as too harsh an indictment of the book. Afterall, I Learned Everything I Need to Know About Picture Framing from the book. There is A LOT of stuff in it. But I could have done, and you can do, without the exhaustive descriptions of differences between various manual, as well as, power tools. It's a hobby, I expect to spend some money...just tell me what do.



2. These questions are misleading - I ordered one book, and received and paid for two - I have sent emails complaining, and all I get back (weeks later) is this stupid email asking me to rate the book - which book? - where were you when I asked how I got two books? And how do I correct this? - but NO, instead you send me this idiotic questionaire about "the book" I received - is anybody there? Are you people there, or am I talking to a computer? You pretend to care, but it appears you are just robots - HOW DID I GET TWO BOOKS, AFTER ORDERING ONE, PAY FOR TWO and GET ZERO RESPONSE TO MY QUESTIONS?!! Your computer generated concern is phony - the books were fine, Amazon is suspect!



3. This book focuses mostly on woodworking techniques and building picture frames, with a minimal amount on matting (using the Alto mat cutter), mounting, or aesthetics (choosing colors and proportions). Some modern methods of mounting (for instance, strip mounts in which no glue touches the artwork) aren't even mentioned here. This book might be useful if you want to focus on building picture frames, but for a more general introduction to the kind of framing I might do myself, including assembling frames, I found Logan's "Mat, Mount, and Frame It Yourself" more useful.



4. Author writes from first hand experience and adds in good technical details. Good examples of using common tools and professional tools to create desired results. Many examples and pictures to show how to perform each step. Many areas of framing, matting, and hanging the art are covered. Many references to the best practices are included. Overall a very well written reference book. A great place to start, but include a lot of extra material so the intermediate framer will get a lot out of this book also.



5. This is a great book. I have always wanted to offer my customers top quality framed and matted photographs, but wasn't shure how to go about it. This book opened up a whole new world to me, and I bought some reasonably price tools and now I can frame and matt like a professional. This book is worth its' weight in gold.

5 comments about The Art of Juliana Jewelry.

1. Katerina Musetti's wonderful gift to us, The Art of Juliana Jewelry, is by far the best and most beautiful book on Juliana Jewelry making I've yet to discover. The exquisite pictures alone speak volumes for the artistry and passion of her jewelry making. Simply gazing at the spectacular constellations of color and beaded form are enough to transport even the most modest admirer to new heights of inspiration. It is no exaggeration to say that my breath was taken away by the sheer loveliness and beauty of jewelry so beautifully photographed in this book. Still, the book does not stop there. Ms. Musetti and Frank Delizza unselfishly pull back the curtain to reveal the greatest details of construction and form. They not only provide intricate and precise instructions on the jewelry's fabrication but provide yet more useful photographs of the jewelry's backs. They truly share all the secrets for success in this wonderful book. I wish I'd had this book years ago. I not only found it informative in my own crafting but deeply helpful in identifying and evaluating pieces I plan to purchase. This is a must have book for the creator and admirer alike.



2. This is a true stunning and elegant depiction of the beautiful Juliana Jewelry. The colors and design show the true appreciation of the style. The opulence of each and every piece is truly remarkable. If you enjoy beauty and design you will enjoy perusing this lovely book. As an artist I can see myself just admiring the color and composition. It is to Ms. Musetti's credit that the lavishness and boldness of every piece is depicted in such an inviting way. You will not only appreciate the jewelry but the passion that exudes from these pages. It is truly a wonderful and welcome addition to anyone's home.



3. This delightful book is a joy to read, as well as a feast for the eyes of the most beautiful rhinestone jewelry created by William DeLizza and Harold Elster. The creativity and design of the jewelry is amazing, as well as the wonderful combination of colors, and variety of stones. Each piece is truly a work of art. Their jewelry from 1947 - 1967 bore no markings. From 1967 - 1990 the pieces were given a hang tag with the "Juliana" name on it, most of them have been removed over the years. Therefore it is important to understand the usual construction of their jewelry to help identify their pieces.



4. This book is fabulous! It is the most beautiful jewelry book in my collection and rivals my books on antique roses! As lovely as it is to look at, it's equally informative. Ms. Musetti teaches us about DeLizza & Elster's Juliana design elements and much more. Without her book, I wouldn't know that an authentic D&E sunburst necklace has seven dangles, while an owl necklace has five, or that my favorite Kramer pin, with its rhinestones of many colors and pave crescents of icing, was made by DeLizza & Elster. Such detail is greatly appreciated by collectors.
   
   It's probably impossible to say that this or that is my favorite aspect of the book, but I must say that the photos of Ms. Musetti's voice teacher, Renata Tebaldi, and those of Ms. Musetti herself, wearing Juliana jewelry while performing touch my heart.
   
   That leads me to the photos of Noel McLeary. They are absolutely stunning! Perfectly staged; perfectly photographed. The added touch of showing her in black and white while the jewelry she wears is in color is extraordinary and wonderfully suited to a book on vintage jewelry. It reminds me of several ads from the '50s and '60s that employed the same technique.
   
   The entire book is superb! Thank you, Katerina, thank you for dedicating yourself to its production.



5. If you don't already know, DeLizza and Elster jewelry is among the most sought after costume jewelry around. Their use of unfoiled stones, art glass and other specialty rhinestones in fantastic multi-layered designs has made Juliana jewelry a standout. This beautiful jewelry is also extraordinarily well made, so it has held up well over the years.
   
   Since DeLizza and Elster jewelry was never signed, it's always been difficult for the average collector to identify. Fortunately, Musetti's book contains a very detailed section on how to identify Juliana jewelry. She also uses lots of photos so that you can clearly understand exactly what she is describing to help with identification.
   
   The book contains over 450 beautiful color photographs of DeLizza and Elster Juliana jewelry. My only criticism of the book is that some of the photos are a bit repetitious. On the other hand, I was also very pleased that Musetti included photographs of pieces that were attributed to and signed by other makers, such as Weiss, that were actually made by DeLizza and Elster.
   
   I have a few pieces of jewelry in my collection that I had long suspected were Juliana, and I was delighted that my assumptions could actually be confirmed with photographic evidence from this book.
   
   This is an absolute must have book for both the fledgling as well as experienced collector of costume jewelry.
   
   Dawnjewels

5 comments about Anchor Hocking's Fire-King & More: Identification & Value Guide, Including Early American Prescut And Wexford (Anchor Hocking's Fire-King and More).

1. I recently started collecting Jadite. I found this book to be a valuable resource. Great photos. Good price guide and full of valuable information.



2. This book was very informative. It has wonderful pictures and is a must for any Fire King collector.



3. The book has a lot of beautiful pictures.It is a good book to know about Fire King items, however I found the price on the book is lower than the one that I see at antique stores these days.



4. Nice pictures that is about it. Some pricing information, pages away from items, very confusing. Could not even find pricing on some items. As a collector, way too much time spent looking things up and looking for pricing. Very frustrating, personally would not recommend this book.



5. This is the only book you should ever own on the subject of FireKing dishes. I can't imagine wanting another volume, this one is wonderfully thorough. It covers all the different series, information about them, history of FireKing, and estimated values of pieces in good condition. Really, a fabulous book.

5 comments about Mickey Mouse History and Other Essays on American Memory.

1. This is a very easy-to-read, jargon-free book about various ways in which the American past has been marketed to the American public. Wallace makes clear that the past should not be sanitized or exaggerated for any purpose, no matter how noble. And he makes clear how dangerous distortions of the past can be, particularly in chapters that discuss Ronald Reagan's or Newt Gingrich's . . . shall we say, passing acquaintance with history as it happened, as opposed to how they wish it had happened.

   That last sentence makes pretty clear that Wallace has an ideology of his own. He interprets much of American history in terms of the conflict between classes. He does not insist that his interpretation is the only valid interpretation, but the force with which he makes some of his ideological points keeps me from giving this a five star review. That said -- everyone should read this book. It pokes away at some of the myths that keep us from doing what we can to make American society even better. Mickey Mouse History might make you uncomfortable -- but it's a discomfort that has plenty of rewards in understanding.




2. Mike Wallace uses the kind of academic writing that all scholars should aspire to achieve--lively, free of jargon, and entertaining. His subject, as suggested by the book's title, is history and the debates that surround different depictions of history. Wallace observes, astutely, that the struggles over how to portray history reveals much about ourselves, our beliefs, and our agendas. Wallace points out that history is never neutral, a point that is well worth reinforcing.

   My particular interest is Disney Studies, and Wallace has a section (actually two essays) devoted to Disney and it use of history. The first essay concentrates on Disney's use of history in its theme parks, particularly in places such as the Hall of Presidents and EPCOT. While Wallace does not shy from criticizing Disney's portrayal of history (in fact, one of Wallace's strengths is he does not shy from representing his own viewpoint clearly), he also does not simply dismiss the potential in integrating history, entertainment, and the kind of technological wizardy that Disney is known for. He makes a serious case for a reconsideration of Disney and its techniques, all without constantly hitting his reader over the head with things. In his second essay, Wallace concentrates on the failed Disney's America project, providing background information and a critique of Disney with a call to re-examine Disney's use of history as emblematic of other movements and struggles over American history. He also makes it clear that he believes simply dismissing Disney is not an effective strategy for considering how portrayals of history could engage the public. The strength here is that Wallace is not afraid to criticize both Disney and kneejerk criticisms of Disney, or to envision the melding of history and entertainment. Nor does he abandon the quest for critical presentations of history that open history to even further investigation. While this is no easy task, Wallace does succeed.

   If there is one thing I would suggest, perhaps the element I feel is missing, is a better development of these strategies for the presentation of history that Wallace supports. Although that could indeed be a book in itself, it would have been nice to see more of Wallace dwell more on his own engagement with, even answers to, the questions he has raised in this book.




3. for someone interested in museum, spaces of exhibition and the like you will find section one and two of this book quite interesting. the first deals with different sorts of museums placing a critical point of view from communitary museums to opend air museums, to technology museums. the second part is great dealing with the forms of exhibition at disney. dystory, that special kind of reality that it is at once purified and sanitized and tha is quite part of the essence of thematized environments. parts three and four deal, respectively, with the restoraton movement in america and the politics of culture during regan's era, specially with the enola gay case.



4. Aside from a proverbial axe that Mr. Wallace is grinding (especially in the Reagan essay), the text employs a down-to-earth approach, avoiding the typical multi-syllabic lingo that is usually associated with academia. In addition, the broad purpose of his text is applaudable: the deconstruction of the myths and ideologies of history and the return to historical research and study.

   However, I can say that while I agree with most of Mr. Wallace's viewpoints, I should also note that he has many fallacies in his case studies, particularly those with Disney. As a former Disney employee, I have to wonder how much time he truly spent researching the inner cogs of the "Mouse Machine," and who he spent time interviewing.

   As a volunteer museum curator/collections manager, I must agree with other reviewers about Mr. Wallace's critical analysis of museums. "Could," "should," and "would" are great words when theorizing and idealizing about the historical preservation process, but until one actually experiences the real-world struggles of museum revitalization and artifact preservation, I tend not to pay any heed to the noisy cymbals of criticism.

   Finally, as a graduate student of Popular Culture, and from an academic viewpoint, the lack of detailed citations and direct references in this book raises my concern about the integrity of the research that was done. The bibliography, while impressive in its depth, is not annotated enough to make up for the missing footnotes of works cited.




5. Is this guy for or against preservation? It's hard to tell sometimes. Gives another, if not confusing, viewpoint of the preservation movement.

4 comments about Backroads of New England: Your Guide To New England's Most Scenic Backroad Adventures (Pictorial Discovery Guide).

1. When fall comes in New England, the trees turn into a splendid mass of reds, oranges and yellows that temporarily distract us from the coming winter. At the same time, the first fresh snowfalls have a special beauty that New Englanders love as well. But the first blush of spring causes a special joy to burst out from our hearts. In the lazy days of summer, we love to watch the wind blow the grasses and trees from languid poses.
   
   At any one of those times, I find myself thinking how much fun it would be to see some new sights in the context of those favorite New England conditions. In the forty years I've lived in New England, I've found many of my favorite locations purely by accident. The back roads are always the best. But I don't have the time to randomly drive all the back roads to find the best ones.
   
   That's where Backroads of New England comes in. Kim Knox Beckius has found 30 delightful drives over back road that mix scenery, history, culture and just plain fun. I have taken about half of the drives in the book, so I can swear by those. I am looking forward to doing the rest now that I know where to go.
   
   How can I tell I would like the others? First, Ms. Beckius provides helpful essays about where to begin, what to see, and what to stop and do along the way. She even includes some suggestions for hiking to beautiful waterfalls. Second, William H. Johnson's gorgeous photographs colorfully illuminate the main sights for each drive. Whether you love covered bridges, snow-capped peaks, delightful streams, pounding surf, or mysterious vistas, you can page through the book to find the places that speak mostly fervently to your soul.
   
   The book is also organized by state. So if you are planning to go just to Maine and arrive by air in Portland, you can simply focus on the Maine trips and those in New Hampshire and northeast Massachusetts that are not too far away. If you live in New York, and want to drive for no more than two hours, you can focus on that radius in western Connecticut and Massachusetts.
   
   I have been looking at travel guides for New England for many years. I've never seen a finer one for back roads adventures.
   
   Give it a try!



2. Kim Knox Beckius, a well-known New England travel writer, has teamed up with New Hampshire photographer, William Johnson, to create a pictorial guide to 30 scenic drives throughout the region.
   
   You get five scenic drives each from Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, and New Hampshire. Rhode Island offers up another four, and Maine weighs in with a larger six. The drives cover the best of New England, from mountains to the ocean, and from the lakes to the beaches. And a whole bunch more.
   
   Kim doesn't spend a lot of time on directions. They tend to be brief and on the side of the pages - enough to get you around but not much more. Kim focuses her travel writing skills on making sure you experience in words the sights, sounds, and smells of each region. The beautifully produced photography greatly enhances this experience.
   
   While I love this book if you're looking for one crammed with detailed directions and a step-by-step tour of attractions this isn't it.
   
   This is a book to keep near you throughout the long winter... to browse whenever you want to remember a drive already taken... or one waiting for you in the spring.



3. My wife and I just came back from vacation in New England. Aside from the Delorme maps, this book was the most important item we took with us. We went on several of the scenic drives described in the book, and they were all absolutely beautiful! The directions were perfect, even if they don't tell you the distances involved. The photographs in the book are worth the price alone, but it's even better when you come across the places pictured in the book and find out they're just as gorgeous as the author said they would be. If you're going to New England, you need this book.



4. This was obviously a carefully researched, well-written book, with great photos. But I was disappointed that there was so little focus on maps. Rather than showing a detailed maps of a recommended route, the author chose to write a verbal description of a recommended route. That's sufficient if you wish to follow the author's route exactly. But if you would rather create your own route with some guidance from the book, it's virtually impossible.

5 comments about A Guide Book of United States Coins 2008.

1. It's been many years since I've had this book. All of my expectations were satisfied. This book has been the "Bible" for US Coinage as long as I can remember. If you want to understand grading, pricing, or just want to learn about an important piece of American history, its worth the money.



2. This book accomplished just what i purchased it for. I needed to value my coin collection that was not reviewed for many years. The spiral bound edition was particularly useful when looking up many different coins.



3. I ordered three books to give to clients as gifts. After I had ordered them I wondered if they would make it on time. They were here early. The books were exactly as described, brand new. The price was the cheapest on the net. The shipping was free. This product and service really deserve a 10.



4. Amazon advertised the latest, 2008 version of A Guidebook of US Coins, copywrite 2007, which I purchased. Two weeks later Amazon advertises the 2009 version. I firmly believe Amazon owes me the 2009 version & I go on record for such.



5. Hello , I am new to coin collecting so I needed a guide. I wanted some knowledge of the field I was about to enter. This book does that , not only price guide but much much more, full of information and nicely laid out in a easy to read format. Really good basic stuff.

2 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.



2. This delightful book leads the reader into the seldom-explored world of doll quilts. Better still, it helps us imagine the makers of the quilts, as well as the children for whom they were made, and who sometimes learned to make the quilts themselves, however awkwardly. Best of all, the knowledgeable collector and the author, with their historical expertise and their trained eyes, teach us that what speaks to us most clearly is the concept of the quilt, rather than the skill of its construction.--Dorothy Schneider (Mrs. Carl J. Schneider)

5 comments about Origami Jewelry: More Than 40 Exquisite Designs to Fold and Wear.

1. Origami Jewelry: More Than 40 Exquisite Designs to Fold and Wear Very nice presentation. Instructions and diagrams are fairly easy to understand. The pictures of the finished fold are nicely shown. I've been doing origami for 30 yrs and never thought of making jewelry. You always learn new things.



2. I am relatively new to Origami so I found this book a welcome addition to the library, it covers the obligatory choosing of papers, tools to use and importantly for newbies a good solid instructional section on the "basic folds". The jewellery created was quiet nice, a little kitsch for my personal taste, but easily accomplished with a bit of practice.
   
   The big thing for me though came with Metal Clay "paper", I am primarily a jewellery artist and use Metal clay a lot, I love the product of silver sheet clay or paper clay as some people call it as I can fold this like paper in origami styles and then fire it to produce minature fine silver jewellery. Good ideas in the book for me to transfer to silver replicas.
   
   The diagrams were clear, easy to understand and photographed well. Thank you Ayako for a good book.



3. As someone who is a novice I found this book relatively easy to follow. I have been doing origami for a long time, but I am not consistent with it. It is something I love and I know basics, but not something I am constantly working to excel at, even though I wish I had the time to. With a stressful job I needed an outlet and so have taken origami up again to relax and have a creative outlet. I saw this book and thought, wow how cool. I really want to try this. I am more than happy with my impulse purchase. The pictures are clear and concise. She gives you all the basic folds in the front so you don't have to go looking in other materials for them. The author also allows your creative juices to flow. She shows many different project pictures with the same origami shape. This allowed me to take her projects one step further and really make them my own. I have never made jewelry before (other than macaroni necklaces in kindergarten) and she details all the tools and materials you need. Really, if this peeks your interest, the take the plunge and buy it. You won't be disappointed.



4. I ordered this book without high hopes and was pleasantly surprised. Finally, an origami jewelry book that goes through the process step by step with clear photos as a guide. All the questions I had regarding origami jewelry making were answered. In the past, much of my paper jewelry making was based on guesswork.



5. What a creative and practical book! I love origami and have incorporated it into my card making, gift wrapping, decorating, and table setting for years. However, I had never made jewelry with it. The techniques in the book have opened a whole new area of possiblilites for me.

5 comments about The Hemi in the Barn: More Great Stories of Automotive Archaeology.

1. Tom Cotter is a good writer, a good editor (some of these pieces were written by others or with others) and above all, a knowledgeable and enthusiastic car collector. Both this book and its' predecessor, "The Cobra In The Barn" are great bedside reading; the stories are just short enough that you can enjoy a few before you drop off. They are also great for those times that you come in from the garage needing a rest after struggling with ONE bolt for two hours. They help you remember why we love automobiles, why we work on them and try to bring them back to what they were when new, and why there are really only two kinds of people in the world: those who can't resist looking in old barns, behind doors, and under tarps- and those who couldn't care less. These books are for those of us who look, and dream.



2. awesome!!! if i could write as an author- this would be my life long story! it made me feel like i was 21 and hunting again--in fact i may start again. a real treasure for classic car lovers!!!



3. A good read and there are interesting search methods which others have employed to make their barn finds a reality. Many of the stories point out how dedicated and diligent people have gotten in finding these more unique barn finds. This is a good compilation of the story behind the car, or more specifically a set of stories which can complete the car enthusiasts education.



4. If you are into old cars then its a good book written is chapeters you can easily pick up and put down .



5. I have the first book, "The Cobra in the Barn", this book is as good if not better, worth the price!