No comments about The American Look: Sportswear, Fashion and the Image of Women in 1930s and 1940s New York.

4 comments about Diamonds: A Century of Spectacular Jewels.

1. Penny Proddow and Marion Fasel have done it again! "Diamonds" is a spectacular overview of some of the most famous, infamous, and downright jaw-dropping diamond jewelry ever made. Those who are interested in a gemological history may be disappointed, as Proddow and Fasel concentrate solely on mostly modern diamonds set into jewelry--but those who salivate over the treasures of luminaries from Queen Elizabeth to Elizabeth Taylor will be delighted with this book.

   Proddow and Fasel have done their homework and provide the reader with a lengthy history of the diamond and its stature in the jewelry world. From the beginning, it was considered rare, unusual and much to be treasured--and its status as such ensured that it would be used in only the most elegant, important, and imaginative jewelry. We learn of the origins of the famed Tiffany setting for diamonds. This was a prong structure which supplanted the formerly popular bezel setting by exposing the pavilion (bottom) of the stone itself, thereby allowing more interplay of light and sparkle. This seemingly simple approach ended up establishing Tiffany as one of the world's premier jewelers. We learn about the freedom jewelers felt during the Art Deco and Art Nouveau periods--the freedom to approach jewelry as art and not just dull commissioned pieces from nobility. We learn about the way Jackie Kennedy wore several diamond pins in her hair during a 1960s trip to Paris to SUGGEST the appearance of a tiara--without the royal associations of an actual tiara.

   Proddow and Fasel have done their homework in providing splendid photographs of both well-known and rarely-seen diamond pieces. The book is particularly strong in showcasing nature-oriented jeweled pieces. Particular stand-outs include:

   - An astonishingly beautiful butterfly brooch from the 1890s, in which the butterfly's body is made of a diamond and a ruby and the winds are enormous carved and etched diamonds (p. 20), not to mention a diamond and platinum butterfly brooch in which actual butterfly wings are encased in rock crystal (p. 32);

   - An actual lion's paw seashell in which diamond tentacles climb the shell's grooves and set off the gleaming coral color (p. 87);

   - An enormous Cartier snake necklace commissioned by Mexican actress Maria Felix in 1968 and featuring over 2,400 diamonds on one side. The other side was done completely in colored enamels, making the necklace reversible (p. 112);

   - A tortoise compact made from a real tortoise shell and pavé diamond head, feet, and tail (p. 130).

   This book is an invaluable and instructive guide for anyone who loves diamond jewelry and appreciates the imaginative flights of fancy it inspires in its creators. Highly recommended!




2. The book is nice for people who would like to know a bit more on diamonds in general. If, however, you would like to have in-depth details of this fabulous gem, then there are much better quality books, like "Diamonds", second edition by Eric Bruton, or the GIA provides some nice books; Lord Ian Balfour has written an outstanding work on "Famous Diamonds". All in all, "Diamonds: a Century of Spectacular Jewels" is a nice coffeetable book, but then, if its just the pictures you like, why not buy a copy of "Magnificent Jewels" by Christie's, these sales are held twice a year, both in New York as well as in Geneva (Switzerland); and the photos (not to mention the prices - before AND after the sales!!) will take your breath away!



3. The highlight of this book, strangely enough, is the text. It explains how jewelry styles changed throughout the century in an interesting way. Unfortunately, the photographs weren't as good; they didn't accentuate the jewels very well and were sometimes slightly out of focus and grainy. In the chapter on pink diamonds, many of the photographs make the diamonds look gray. Throughout the book, diamonds described as canary yellow look like white diamonds. In general, the beauty of the gems were not captured.



4. An intelligent text and very handsome photographs. Trouble is, far too many of those photographs are in black and white whereas for the asking price, this book should be a feast of color. For the passionate diamond-lover, it's still a treat, but be ready for mounting frustration as you turn pages and increasingly wonder what these gorgeous things REALLY looked like.

No comments about Arthur Elgort: Camera Crazy.

3 comments about Mistakes Men Make.

1. This book is a really great idea for a humorous gift, ideal for that embarrassing man in your life. I got it for my father because all those years of pleading with him to change his fashion sense or at least his hair stye now and then have fallen on deaf ears.
   
   Billet docements, in photographic form, lots of hillarious fashion calamities and adds his own witty narrative that adds an extra bite to the mocking of all you cluless men out there!
   
   A really humorous book that I highly recommend!



2. this is an alright book, but i wouldnt recommend anyone to purchase it. not even a book worth to buy just as a bathroom reader. not very humorous.



3. These observations by Billett are so simple, but I've never seen all of these thoughts put down on paper and so eloquent at that. Love the pictures too! Milk was shooting out of my nose I laughed so hard. It's a coffee table must.

4 comments about FamilyFun Tricks & Treats: 100 Wickedly Easy Costumes, Crafts, Games & Foods (Familyfun).

1. There are a number of Halloween books out on the market for decorating, baking and costume making, but this is one of the few that actually has something new in it!
   
   The crafts are clever, but actually look doable wtih things you might already have on hand. The costumes ideas are fun and innovative, the food ideas are also really cute, but not overly-complicated. While some classic ideas never die, this book puts a nice twist on things like "body parts" games.
   
   Of course, the ideas come from the monthly magazine that Disney produces, Family Fun, and if you get the magazine, you'll have already seen alot of these things in print or on their website. Still, the book is nicely layed-out, easy to flip through and a good resource of party and costume ideas for both kids and their grown-ups.



2. This book is an awesome resource for make-at-home costumes and decorations. The ideas are so cute, easy to follow, and where else can you find a recipe for slime?



3. If you own the Disney Family Fun Crafts book and the Family Fun Parties book, you have seen most of the ideas in this book. I was really excited to get this book but there werent many new ideas. :(



4. This was great! My daughter & I love Halloween and when we saw this we bought it right away. There are so many wonderful ideas. A must have! There were a lot of spooky things to do with foods and great little ideas for those little helpers to decorate your home with lots of memories! You have to get this one!

2 comments about Antique Quilts & Textiles: A Price Guide to Functional and Fashionable Cloth Comforts.

1. I wasn't very impressed with this book. I think I was looking more for an unbiased price guide. I find it hard to believe it when appraisors are appraising things that they own.



2. This is the best of the best book. All quilters who wish to have knowledge MUST OWN this book. Dated information, dated quilts, dated fabric rolled in one book is a value to you.

No comments about An Illustrated History of Fashion: 500 Years of Fashion Illustration.

4 comments about Hanbok: The Art of Korean Clothing.

1. This book had an amazing amount of potential, but was less than satisfying in the end. The history, while very interesting, was disjointed and unorganized. The layout could also have used some reworking. Descriptions of art works, outfits or accessories would appear several pages after the photos themselves. I got the impression that some photos never made it to the final book, although the text still made reference to them.

   This book is also frustrating for the historical costumer. Ms. Yang often used the phrase, "This style was popular during the Shilla period." Unfortunately, the Shilla period spanned almost 1000 years! Some more definitive dates would have been highly useful.

   Ms. Yang's book is a nice introduction for the style and overall look of the hanbok. Hopefully Ms. Yang or someone who shares her passion will publish a more scholarly work geared for historians and costumers.




2. I applaud Mrs. Yang's effort in publishing this book because there is just so scant "exposure" of Korean culture in this catagory (fashion art). I appreciated the history in the book as well, though, I thought much of the beginning history of Korea (which was of considerable length) could have been edited out as it really didn't relate to the "art" of Korean clothing. On the other hand, there was not enough mention of the Chinese-Korean relationship in history which influenced the evolution of Korean costume, especially in men's clothing. Also the historical element of this book was weak. Mostly, however, the cover of this book is misleading: I expected to see many more of the ceremonial gowns worn by women of the royal palace. The cover shows a model with a regal dress with many fancy adornments. Inside the book, there are only a few of the color photos of this type of dressing and they are distant photos that you really can't make out much details. I maybe too picky but I thought many photos were lackluster and did not relay the rich colors of hanbok, diversity and versatility of modern hanbok, and mostly the culturalism hanbok embodies for the people of Korea. I would have liked many more quality photos, detailed hanbok making procedure, and more children in hanbok (of course!). Then, the book would be worth the substantial cost.



3. Hanbok, The Art of Korean Clothing, by Sunni Yang, is a wonderful resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the beautiful Korean hanbok. It is filled with wonderful color photographs of hanboks and hanbok accessories. It also explains many of the customs and symbols associated with the hanbok. This is a must read for any true student of the Korean Hanbok.



4. Mrs. Yang's love and admiration for the beauty of Korean costume are evident throughout the book, which abounds with gorgeous, full-color photographs of hanbok, or native Korean garb. Unfortunately, information on the evolution of hanbok is sparse and difficult to tease out of the text. This appears to be, in large part, due to an actual shortage of data, but this too is difficult to confirm from the text. A more systematic discussion of the sources of available information on Korean costume, and greater attention to chronology in the text, will be desired by costume scholars, though most casual readers will find ample enjoyment in the wonderful photographs of beautiful silk garments.

1 comments about Things a Woman Should Know About Shoes.

1. This is an 'easy read' and quite amuzing, with some sound advice for foot care. Recommend it to any gal (or boy) who understands the need to search out that mythical 'ideal' pair of shoes - you know...the ones that turn heads, could be put in an art gallery as a masterpiece of workmanship and that feel like you are walking on air! After 600 pairs, I still haven't found 'the one', but at least this book didn't make me feel like I was alone in the quest. A must read for all shoe lovers and looks good on the coffee table, too.

1 comments about Row upon Row: Sea Grass Baskets of the South Carolina Lowcountry.

1. Tells the story of how a culture survived and adapted to new surroundings. The story of its basketry is the central vehicle. Of interest to those who like basketweaving and those who like stories of different peoples cultures.