4 comments about David Charlesworth's Furniture-Making Techniques Volume Two.

1. Which is not necessarily a bad thing. If you want to learn about Power Tools, routers, sanders - then forget this book. But if what you want to discover is how to do extremely high quality work, than this is for you. Forget the comment above about sharpening. It is one of the most important skills to master if you want to work with hand tools, and there is an appropriate focus on it in this book. But also other skills, like planing techniques, fitting drawers, shooting an edge. Many skills the average woodworker seem to be lacking, but are important for great work.
   
   It is on my top list.



2. I almost did not buy this book because of a bad reader's review. I liked the first book and decided to buy it anyhow. I am really glad I did. The chapters on making drawers is wonderful, and David follows it up with a chapter on aligning the drawers as well. Another great chapter brings you through the tapering process on curved laminated table legs.
   More advanced sharpening techniques for scraper planes were a welcome addition. I have finally got mine to work properly thanks to David's advice.
   There are many other good features in this book, and I am looking forward to volumn III and will buy it regardless of the reviews. Thanks David.



3. I bought this book thinking it would at least make reference to the title it bears. Instead it is just another approach to the already overlooked subject(in the 1st Vol.) of SHARPENING. Maybe if the books title would of been, "More demented sharpening techniques for woodworkers" I would not be so upset with it. THe book does not cover any angle of what the title suggests. The author might be a renowned woodworker but, his approach in this (and Vol. 1) is totally LAME.



4. Absolutely excellent, as is his first book. The author has a penchant for planning and careful execution that is inspiring. But, he is also very human in admitting the areas that give him trouble and suggests alternate methods for those of us who are also human and might not have the hand skills of James Krenov. He is also very honest in appraising tools by brand name and type. I have (budget allowing) followed his recommendations and been delighted with the tools he recommended. I read both of his books over and over again.

1 comments about Charleston Furniture 1700-1825.

1. Wonderful book about furniture of this period. Especially interesting for me as I had numerous relatives living in Charleston during this period and up to present. It gives insight into how people lived in Charleston during these times.

No comments about Fine Points of Furniture: Early American.

4 comments about Arts and Crafts Furniture: From Classic to Contemporary.

1. A very comprehensive book covering both English and American furniture of the classical to recant,evan having some of the author's own furniture on the front cover.This is a book that has created very favourable comments from visitors to our house who have browsed through it during their stay.



2. Rodel has crafted an excellent review of the Arts and crafts movement in America with many fine pictures.



3. As a librarian and a lover of all things relating to Arts & Crafts style, I recommend this book to anyone desiring a greater knowledge of this furniture's history and design evolution. With clear color photographs and just the right amount of text, this book illustrates the origins of Arts & Crafts furniture in England and its progression, first to our East Coast, and eventually Westward across America. In fact, my only 'complaint' about this book is that the photographs are good enough that they leave you wanting for more.
   
   Because of the depth of information presented here, I would not say that this is a general interest read - rather this book is geared toward those seriously interested in the history of the Arts & Crafts movement and its recent revival.



4. The book provides an excellent introduction in the history of furniture at the end of the 19th century and the evolution of the Arts & Crafts movement. The nice thing about this book is that it's giving the larger context, showing the influence designers in England and continental Europe had on Arts & Crafts movement in America. The book has excellent pictures of representative furniture pieces.
   
   Towards the end of the book, there's a small collection of contemporary furniture makers and designers that build classic pieces, or new ones inspired by the classic designs. You can google the name of the furniture makers to find showrooms and stores that carry their products, which is a very good way to start when you want to buy such furniture.
   
   If you like this type of furniture, and you're technically inclined, it might also help getting a book that describes how this furniture is built. This helped me enormously to understand what is involved in producing good quality furniture.

1 comments about The Cabinet-Maker and Upholsterer's Guide.

1. Excellent service and excellent prodoct. Would order from them again.

5 comments about Mexican Silver: Modern Handwrought Jewelry & Metalwork.

1. For some reason, I thought I was going to get more examples of the work of the major artisans in Mexico Silver but it basically is book of "Hallmarks" which can prove helpful but I really needed more since I just purchased exceptional Mexico jewelry bracelets that date from the 1920s to 1940s. The Hallmarks date from the none eagle period to the eagle period and what they use today.



2. Mexican Silver by Penny Morrill and Carole Berk is the definitive reference for anyone interested in 20th Century Mexican silver jewelry. Not only is it brimming with information on the jewelry, the background biographies of the working life of Spratling, Davis, Aguilar, Margot and many other giants of this industry are well written and a darn good read. After spending several hours reading the book I the expertise that I would have gained had I taken a 3 credit college course. There is a general price guide in the back of the book which, from my experience, accurate and reasonable. The only observation I might make is that there is not as much information on silver hollow ware and decorative pieces. For myself, my main interest is in the jewelry so I was not disappointed.
   
   The Amazon price can't be beat. Before I bought the book through Amazon I had not seen it for less than $60, its list price. I paid less than $40 on Amazon!



3. I recommend this book to anyone interested in Mexican Silver jewelry of the 1930's - 50's. It gives a wonderful overview of the history of this unique craft. It also provides knowledgeable information about which pieces and designers are most collectible, with high-quality photos of many of the best pieces. I started collecting Mexican Silver jewelry 10 years ago out of sentiment, because my mother and grandmother used to wear it. Learning the history of this type of jewelry has made me even more fond of the genre, and has given me the knowledge to collect more valuable pieces.



4. You have to admire the research that went into this sumptuous volume, also the photos. As a (very) amateur collector, this work, I'm sorry to say, doesn't pertain much to me. Still, I'm happy to have it on my shelf.



5. I was disapointed in the book personally.. It's just a great big heavy picture book. (eye candy)
   I believe a collector would appreciate a non vague value guides as well which this book does not have. The value guides are exp: Margot necklaces - 600.00-2500.00+ huh? What is my blue enamel circle necklace worth?? 600.00 or 2500.00?!
   This is a book about a select few mexican silver makers and their life stories. (few pages on unknowns)
   Perhaps a good book to have on a coffee table but that is not what I needed.
   I had hoped this book would help to identify mexican marks I have that can't be found on the internet, all of the silversmiths listed in the book can be and are well documented online. There are personal accounts as well but for the most part this is a coffee table book.
   It is very expensive so I hope I can help anyone looking for exact value guides from buying the wrong book.
   If you like to collect Mexican jewelry you probably should eventually get this book, but as far as a good value guide line for Mexican non-well known Jewelry go else where.

No comments about Miller's Wristwatches: How to Compare & Value (Miller's Collector's Guides).

1 comments about The Cabinet Maker and Upholsterer's Drawing-Book.

1. This book is a must have for furniture makers, designers or anyone else that is interested in the refined neoclassicism of the Sheraton style. Although his book seems to have less illustrations than Chippendale's diretory, it also includes descriptions of each plate by the man himself. The two books are most useful when viewed together to compare how the styles changed and to understand the breadth of ornamentation available. The third director available from that time(Hepplewhite) is the least thorough, but it is also an indispensible addition to the design library. The only thing that would make these books better is if they were bound in a more permanent manner. The current editions are all in softcover which is economical(especially when compared with the cost of acquiring an old copy) but it just isn't as grand as the subject matter seems to require.

4 comments about Tansu: Traditional Japanese Cabinetry.

1. Informational book on tansu, which is collectively a variety of Japanese cabinets. The book describes the different types of cabinets, their uses, and also historical information by period, along with detailed structural notes (ie. cabinets being made from certain types of woods to accomodate changing humidity during the season, flexibility to withstand earthquakes and typhoons, etc.) Black and white photos and diagrams included.



2. This book was exactly the information I needed to help design a new stair step tansu cabinet that was both historically accurate, and modernized for today's homeowners. The history of the cabinet style, the construction, the joinery, the hardware, and the finishes used were well laid out in the book and easy to read and understand.



3. Found this book very interesting with its description of differing tansu from different regions in Japan. Great for collecters of tansu who wish to know meanings/locations of their tansu as well as the era from which it was constructed.



4. If you're thinking of purchasing a tansu or already own one and want to know more about it, this is the book to have. It covers everything from the history of these unique pieces of furniture, to the materials used in their construction, as well as providing tips of how to select, refinish, and care for them. Truly a scholarly work. But perhaps the best part of all is the book's exquisite photographs showing outstanding examples of tansu from all regions of Japan. You can't help but drool when seeing them.

2 comments about Frank Lloyd Wright's Fireplaces (Wright at a Glance).

1. It is 4" X4" or so and about 1/8 inch thick so I was surprised at how small it is.
   
   The content was ok.



2. "Frank Lloyd Wright's Fireplaces," by Carla Lind, explores one particular facet of the work of this great architect. This book is part of a series of "mini-books" devoted to Wright. But despite the book's small scale (5.25 by 5.25 inches, 57 pages), Lind has packed in a wealth of words and images.

   The book contains Lind's insightful text, as well as a wealth of illuminating sidebar quotes from Wright and others. There are many detailed, full-color photographs of stunning fireplaces. There is even a delightful historic black-and-white photo of Wright himself playing the piano near one of his fireplaces.

   Houses represented in the book include the Hollyhock house, the Hanna house, Fallingwater, and many others. Each fireplace is a beautiful work of art which seems like an organic, integral part of the home. This book will surely delight fans of Wright, and of home design in general.