No comments about Standard Catalog of Camaro 1967-2002.

2 comments about A guide Book of Double Eagle Gold Coins: A Complete History and Price Guide (Official Red Books).

1. I've just started collecting Double Eagles and this book offered many interesting details and excellent photos of all Double Eagles. There is good historical background offered also.



2. Dave Bowers has shown us all once again his superb writing skills and in-depth Numismatic knowledge with this fairly new release on what just may be the worlds most popular gold coin, the US Double Eagle. All that is missing from this superb date by date analysis of the US double eagle gold coins guidebook is up to date pricing information, which of course has seen many changes ( most to the upside) since the release of this book.
   Whether you are investing in these coins or collecting them , this is one of the guidebooks you need to study this facinating and important series of US gold coins. As a professional coin dealer and specialist in double eagles, I recommend this book to anyone with an interest in these coins. Buy the book before you buy the coins!

2 comments about Contemporary Japanese Ceramics: Fired with Passion.

1. This book is not a 'how to' book so if that is what you want look elsewhere. It is a fantastic book about contemporary ceramics in Japan. It has beautiful photographs and commentary on the works and artists.
   
   The vast majority of work covered is sculptural but even if you are interested in functional work I would encourage you to get this book. The work is so beautifully fired it will inspire everyone.



2. Chang, director of the Dai Ichi Arts gallery featuring Japanese ceramics, joins with the noted collector Lurie for an overview of Japanese ceramics from 1945 to the present organized by region. The dramatic, inventive ceramic works (most ceramic sculptures rather than utilitarian objects) are displayed in more than 200 color photographs varying from views of entire pieces filling a glossy page to close-ups of a few square inches capturing details of workmanship, design, and material. Each of the 45 artists from the six geographical areas is given a brief biographical profile which is followed by notes on the two to six ceramic art works of his shown. To each of the sections, Chang and Lurie also provide introductions focusing on their respective distinguishing styles and related historical and cultural information. General introductory material puts the relatively recent ceramic art in the broader Japanese tradition beginning many thousands of years ago and also notes four "Pioneers of Abstract Sculpture" who led up to the period of 1945 to the present which is the main topic. For its breadth and knowledgeable, succinct text, this work immediately becomes the leading guide to this relatively specialized field of ceramics.

5 comments about Antique & Collectible Fishing Rods: Identification & Value Guide.

1. While Homel's book is helpful in giving a general idea of a fishing rod's value, there are some gaps in information. For one, the material is four or five years old and collectible rods have skyrocketed in price in that time frame. So the dollar amounts placed on rods are not very realistic. Secondly, I have found that there are sizes and models of fly rods that are not included in the listings of the various rod makers or manufacturers. This can be a little frustrating when one has purchased, or is about to purchase a rod and cannot find any reference to it in the book.



2. This book was perfect for the avid rod collector. The photos and detail were great and easy to compare your own rods to theirs listed in the book. Highly recommend.



3. I have 7 antique/vintage fishing rods and none of them were in there. Also, the prices were separate from the descriptions so I couldn't tell what I was pricing.



4. This book is a great reference for the serious rod collector or antique dealer that is in need of expert information about evaluating old bamboo rods. The author includes a good sampling of close-up B&W photographs covering many of the historic rod makers. Old patent drawings are used to explain various rod designs and component functions. A comprehensive chapter is devoted to common rod defects to look for and how each one might lower the collectible value of a rod. The back of the book contains a 32 page rod price guide listing which is helpful in formulating an approximate appraisal of value. A very worthwhile addition to any tackle collector's library of reference materials.



5. Got this book to help me understand more about a number of rods bought at auction. Although helpful, it spoke more about what a perfect rod should be. It has a price guide, but limited pictures to cross reference to. Most collectors will not run into the perfect rod so it was hard to compare. Book is not tailored for the person new to collecting rods. It would be better for the new person with more pictures and more educational background.

4 comments about The Genealogist's Companion & Sourcebook.

1. When I first set out to buy a book on genealogy this was the first book I purchased and am I ever glad I did! Ms. Croom's book is probably the most well organized, intelligently written and yet easy to comprehend titles on the subject of genealogy. Ms. Croom incorporates illustrative examples from her own research as well as very helpful tips and techniques. As a largely self-taught researcher this book taught me the fundamentals of what I needed to know and the greatest testimony I can give is that I still regularly refer to it seven years after buying it. I was initially skeptical of her particular emphasis on "Cluster Genealogy" but seven years of research have proved she is absolutely correct. To be honest I've been so particularly absorbed by this book I haven't bothered to pick up any of her other titles but frankly I probably should!



2. In The Genealogist's Companion & Sourcebook, genealogist Emily Croom presents the novice with a practical, effective, step-by-step instruction to the use of primary and secondary sources for genealogical research. Croom shows how to overcome such commonplace research obstacles as public records being lost to fire or flood which often frustrate family searchers. She shows how to use "cluster genealogy" effectively, as well as how to utilize church and funeral home records, government documents, court records, newspapers, and maps. To help illustrate her beyond-the-basics advice Croom employs bibliographies, case studies, appendices with census forms, a family group sheet, and information on major archives, libraries, lending libraries, and publishers. The Genealogist's Companion & Sourcebook is an invaluable addition to any personal or genealogical society reference shelf. Also highly recommended is Emily Croom's earlier guide: Unpuzzling Your Past: A Basic Guide To Genealogy.



3. I own all of her books and refer to them constantly! She offers the best information I've found on where and, especially, how to write for records. It's been my experience to find that other "how to" books all offer the addresses (which I can usually locate on the Internet anyway), but don't offer actual examples of the correspondence! Mrs. Croom does! I recently attended a local seminar where I had the opportunity to chat with her. She informed me that her next book will be coming out in the near future and it will focus on giving assistance with where to go when you've reached a brick wall in your research. I can't wait! Also, last but not least important, Mrs. Croom is a very nice lady!!



4. I bought this book when I first started doing genealogy, and I wouldn't be without it. It is a concise and thorough explanation of the basic research tools we all need to use. Even after having researched for several years, I find myself re-reading chapters to remind myself how to do particular things -- and I always "remember" some valuable information that I would have forgotten without this book. A bonus is that it is paperback and can be easily toted to the library or on research trips.

2 comments about Bakelite Jewelry: Good * Better * Best.

1. This is a very good book for collectors of bakelite. There are lots of pictures of unusual and creative bakelite jewelry that is so hard to value. The pictures are big and easy to see and most include dates which is so important. I especially like the big collection of crib toy brooches that are not often seen. Most of the pieces are from the 1920's, 30s and 40s. None are from the more modern bakelite designers. Still, it is a rich reference for early bakelite jewelry.



2. I am a total novice who is just starting to learn about Bakelite jewelry, and even though this book is expensive, it's the best one I've seen and well worth the money. (I also have Tony Grasso's book but don't think it's quite as helpful.) Not only does Wasserstrom's book have loads of beautiful color photos (hence the high price), but it is VERY clear and answers every single question that has occurred to me about Bakelite. It is just loaded with valuable and easy-to-reference information. (Like charts about which styles correspond to which dates, the differences between Bakelite and other types of plastics, etc.) My only tiny complaint is there's no index (true of the Grasso book also). If you're interested in learning about or collecting Bakelite, buy this book!

3 comments about Tiffany Stained Glass Windows: in Full-Color (Post) Cards: 24 Cards (Card Books).

1. Was looking for good color photos of some of Tiffany's work. This book did not disappoint. The illustrations here have excellent detail that I didn't see for some of the works published elsewhere.



2. This is a companion book, as it's glossy postcards. I spent an afternoon at my local frame shop & framed 6 of the cards, they are very attractive as smaller framed images. The images are sharp (although small) & the colors seem to be pretty true to what the windows would actually look like. I'm pleased with the results of my afternoon & glad I had a chance to read the previous review to know these were postcards.



3. It isn't at first apparent from the listing that this is a book of postcards. I found it very valuable because I also bought Eaton's "Tiffany Windows: Stained Glass Pattern Book". Although colored examples were given for them, the Tiffany designs are complicated. 15 or 16 of the postcards were duplicate designs that were in the Eaton book. I use the images for computer application and they helped me a lot to choose the right colors.

No comments about Collectible Pipes (Collectibles).

1 comments about Beautiful Bridal Accessories You Can Make.

1. I just received this book, and upon looking it over, I'm SO excited to get started making beautiful wedding accessories. The projects look very easy and classy, while also appearing to be cost effective (to make rather than buy already made) and creative.
   
   Perhaps you won't use every craft just as it's pictured, but you'll probably either create something VERY close to it or you'll come up with something perfect for your special day by the crafts offered.
   
   If you want to add YOUR special touch to your wedding, then I recommend this book to help you achieve that goal!

2 comments about Great Fashion Designs of the Fifties Paper Dolls in Full Color: 30 Haute Couture Costumes by Dior, Balenciaga and Others.

1. I have loved the Tom Tierney books for some time. When I am directing a new play I use his books as reference materials quite often because the images are so easy to see, and really help me to find the right language when I start working with the costumer. This particular book, with its wider range of featured designers and very different looks, is especially nice. The only con, and it is a small one, is that the paper doll forms seem to be somewhat smaller than the forms in some of his other books. Still, an overall wonderful book!



2. This is one of my favorite Tom Tierney paper doll books. The dolls look as if they've stepped straight from a 1950-s magazine, and the outfits are beautifully drawn. The detail is especially lovely on the lace gowns and the colors throughout are superb.
   The outfits chosen for the book are a great summary of the wardrobe of an elegant, wealthy woman of the fifties. The only items which should have been included but weren't are bathing suits and draped evening dresses.