2 comments about The Bare Truth: Stars of Burlesque From the '40s and '50s.

1. this is a very informative pictoral of burlesque dancers. From the top stars and their chorus line partners of the stage, how they dressed and their routines. It was an era I just missed. Too young for their heyday and dead by the time I left the military service when I was of legal age. I am doing some research to see what I missed.



2. Rothe presents a wonderful photographic collection of some of the great stars of burlesque's golden era. Most of the photos appear to have been promotional photos for display on marquees or in hallways of burlesque houses. All of the women are beautiful and must have been fabulous to see in performance. Rothe worked in the entertainment industry and it would be interesting for him to record his memories of these women. But until then, these photos will serve as reminders of a generation of beautiful performers.

2 comments about Barbie the First 30 Years, 1959 Through 1989 and Beyond: Identification & Value Guide (Barbie the First 30 Years).

1. this book does not go into enough depth to be of much use as you shop for dolls. you can use it to get some info on year produced, and to get a rough idea of where each doll fits into the larger scheme, but to do it right, you really need a book that includes much more.



2. This book is a good starting point for collectors. With information on vintage dolls and even some newer dolls too. This book explains How to use the price guide, since most dolls found are not truly mint or mint in the box. It also has lots of color photographs, to make identification of a doll easy. The layout of this book is nice too, there are different sections for dolls, outfits, cases and so on. Dolls are listed by year, making a particular Barbie or Friend fairly easy to find.
   This book is not as in depth as some other Barbie doll books on the market, you will not be able to find specific markings for each doll as well as a complete list of accessories - exactly what booklet, shoes, wrist tag, box (and so on) each doll came with. Also some of the photographs are fairly small, but that said, this is still a good book.
   I would also like to add that this book features many foreign dolls and accessories, Not sold in the US. (Lot's of Barbie stuff that were exclusive to Canadian and European, as well as other markets.)

2 comments about Antiques Investigator.

1. This book was selected as a Christmas present to help a young couple learn to look and notice important details in older objects. The techniques would be helpful to anybody regardless of experience with antiques.. We were so impressed with the content as we thumbed through that we then bought a copy for ourselves



2. This book is exactly what I was looking for even earlier in my antique experience. It touches on everything from porcelain to styles of furniture, fakes, how to detect quality, and much, much more. Every page is full of color photographs and examples. It's a great place to start for anyone who wants to know the basics of different types of antiques. Definitely worth the money!

2 comments about I Love Old Things.

1. I was expecting to see pictures of old things collected, loved, and admired. That was not the case. It was my error, and I was very disappointed. I would not recommend this book to anyone that is looking for the same thing.



2. Nostalgia reigns supreme in this beautifully illustrated picture book. An excellent book for parents, grandparents and the kids to look through together and share the memories. An absolute must for any antique lover.

5 comments about The Gun Digest Book of Smith & Wesson.

1. The book is built around several "tests" of different S&W handguns, and it also gives some historical- and tech info.



2. This book provides an excellent survey of handguns currently offered by Smith and Wesson. The writer has extensive pratical experience and has been assisted with test firing by a group of friends. Very readable and lots of good photos. I would strongly recommend this book to anyone thinking of purchasing a new or near new S&W.



3. Not quite what I was expecting in this book,but is very informative on later model handguns from this great gunmaker.
   Will have to look further for a book with models and serial numbers.



4. Patrick Sweeney has taken on the task of giving an extensive review of the available handguns of Smith & Wesson. He goes into considerable depth on the practical use of the various models and what can be expected on the range, in competion and for the very serious job of Concealed Weapons Carry. Chapters on History, Ammunition, Buying Used, and Competion round this fine effort out.



5. I am a novice S&W collector and was hoping for more of a reference work covering specific models and variations of Smith & Wesson handguns. This book is biased towards current models, both revolvers and semi-autos. The material that is covered is well written, interesting, and timely. Sections are devoted to a sampling of current models, company history, accessories, proper disassembly and maintenance, etc. However, if you are a collector looking for wider coverage of specific models this book may dissappoint. The book is better suited to people who are interested in what S&W is currently offering or how to care for their S&W guns.

1 comments about Tomart's Encyclopedia of Action Figures: The 1001 Most Popular Collectibles of All Time.

1. This is a very nice reference book. Rather than giving a lot of detail about one type of action figure line, it provides a little history/information on lots of action figure lines. This book literally covers 1001 well know and more obscure action figure lines... it was very fun to read/reminisce. This is a hardcover book with 100s of color photos on full glossy paper. It contains at least one picture (and usually more) of virtually every action figure line. Most of the photos are small, but still worthwhile. I was pleasantly surprised to see so much information and so many pictures in such a small book (it is about 6" by 7", 350 pages, and a little over 1" thick). I collect mostly Star Wars and Mego figures, but often come across other figures when exploring. This was the perfect reference book for such a situation. This book also provides a general value for each figure line (the estimates seemed to be at least as good as other price guides). I bought my copy used for around $5 plus shipping (it arived in PERFECT condition). But, I'd say it is easily worth twice that... maybe even more.

3 comments about Wedding Fashions, 1862-1912 : 380 Costume Designs from "La Mode Illustree".

1. The Victorians paid a lot of especial attention to wedding costumery, as Joanne Olian shows in her slim volume displaying the evolution of bridal and bridal-party fashion from 1860 to 1912 as seen in the fashion plates of the famous magazine "La Mode Illustree". The illustrations, all in B&W, are full-page and always accompanied by at least one paragraph of descriptive text taken from the original source material. This book should be owned in conjunction with Olian's other volume, "Victorian and Edwardian Fashions from La Mode Illustree", for a really comprehensive look at the topic of Victorian fashion. Also, anyone who is considering organizing a Victorian-themed wedding will definitely want to peruse this book for ideas!



2. Dover has a whole series of books devoted to reproductions of vintage fashions. "Wedding Fashions, 1860-1912: 380 Costume Designs from 'La Mode Illustree'" has not only reproductions of illustrations but also detailed descriptive captions. These are not just bridal gowns done in satin, taffeta, and lace, but also creations for bridal attendants, sisters of the bride, and so forth (the idea that the sister of the bride has to have a special dress was an interesting insight into Victorian society). These authentic Victorian fashions will be of interest to costume designers, cultural historians, and fashion enthusiasts. Companion volumes provide full-color fashion plates, contemporary photographs, and authentic fashion patterns.



3. delightful book with lots of pictures of victorian style wedding attire. useful for "dedicated to detail costumers' and for modern brides who want the victorian look for their weddings as well. plenty of detail pictures of shoes, corsets undergarments,headdresses etc. i would definitely recommend this book.

1 comments about More Celtic Quilting.

1. This book has many beautify designs and is a must to see for anyone interested in celtic designs.

5 comments about The 50 States Quarter Folder.

1. This product didn't come out as expected. I saw the same product of this at Barnes and Noble that has a better design. The book that was delivered to me just can't hold the quarters in place. They would always pop out and fall. This won't hold my quarters in place. I have to put the whole thing in a ziplock bag just to make sure I don't lose anything. I got what Barnes and Noble has, and it solved the problem. Don't get this. It's a waste of money.



2. I ordered more than one 50 States Quarter Folders and thought they would hold the quarters collected. When they were finally delivered to me, I found the dented holder could hold nothing and threw them away.



3. Ditto what others have said. My son has this folder and the quarters will not stay in the plastic slots. As a result most of his collection has disappeared. There are other folders available that are much better. The best seem to be ones where you just press the coin tightly into a cardboard cutout.



4. I like the folder very much as I am collecting the statehood quarters for my grandchildren. The booklet inside gives them lots of information on our United States. The only drawback I have seen is sometimes the quarters pop out. Other than that, it is easier to use than the traditional folders for coins.



5. The folder itself is nice with a booklet that gives information about all states but inserting the quarters just doesn't work. They don't just "press in" - they pop right out and you have to glue them in if you want them to stay in. We even tried hammering them in. I bought it for my grandson but there was no way he was getting the quarters to stay in.

2 comments about Language of the Robe.

1. "...an Omaha girl was seen flitting among the tall prairie flowers, shifting her white blanket to suit her varying moods - now letting it float as she swept in ever-widening curves, or at the slightest sound, hiding her glossy head and laughing among its soft folds." ~The Omaha Tribe, Alice Fletcher
   
   Robert W. Kapoun documents the wide variety of trade blankets in this fascinating study of Native American culture. He describes the blanket as a poetic statement that is given a voice by the wearer. If you have ever wrapped a blanket around yourself for comfort or used a scarf as a fashion statement, then you begin to understand how a robe can create various moods and gives the wearer a sense of fashion.
   
   "These blankets are not merely being worn to provide warmth; they create a statement, if you will, which says, "These blankets are part of our culture." ~Robert W. Kapoun
   
   The writing in this book is especially poetic and while learning about the cultural significance of the blankets, you may also start to feel a deeper connection with nature. These blankets promote a sense of community and are used as gifts, to carry children, to display wealth and to protect from the elements.
   
   The designs on the robes make an interesting study when you see the charts for the terminology of the designs. Then this becomes art appreciation as you identify a dragonfly, a feather, clouds, lightning, turtles, teepees, rabbit ears, birds and leaves. The brightly colored blankets either have stripes or intricately woven patterns. This book identifies collectible blankets and also explores the historical significance.
   
   The way to find modern versions of these blankets here at Amazon is to apparently type in "Pendleton Woolen Mills." I tried just about everything else.
   
   ~The Rebecca Review



2. Over three hundred photos beautifully spice a history and survey of pre-World War II Indian trade blankets, revealing not only examples from the five major manufacturers, but some surprises confronting the common myth of Native blanket-making. Collectors, textile artists and Native American history enthusiasts alike receive a thorough survey of these blankets, how they became a symbol of Native history, and how they were traded and constructed. From machinery purchases and business transactions within the manufacturing industry to how tribal customers directed the Indian trade blanket designs and manufacturing process, LANGUAGE OF THE ROBE is a fascinating, unusual history.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch